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Hya Jackie nobody biting but I would agree with your comments above about drivers not having the skill from the lower classes to drive the OMC V8s but I can think of one driver that did ok for himself and that was Andy Bullen. What do you think.?Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Specks,--Four eyes, All my kids loved " THE BULLENS" especially the twins and Andy.Quote:
Originally Posted by STEVERINO
He was never going to set the world on fire becauseALFIE had told him never to take risks.
More later, leaving for Seville now!!!
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Arrived in Seville slap bang in the middle of the biggest fiesta of the year. horse drawn carriages with ladies in all their regalia. Must de two or three hundred horses pulling every manner of carriage There ever was.
Learned one important lesson, HORSEPISS, WHETHER ITS IN Seville or Southwater it still stinks just as bad.
They all made their way into the bullring.
Spain in fiesta mode, full traditional dress with the army in full dress uniforms, really spectacular
Wow, what a day, Spain at its very best, perfect temperature, superb food, a full fiesta with bullfights going on right now. don't do bullfighting meself, never understood it so always left it alone, love to see the traditional attire of both men and women and their kids. Marvellous!
Lewis is riding the bubble, played his cards just right, did just enough and was kind to his motor.
Four poles, three wins and a second, just the bad tyre call blots a perfect scorecard.
Back to Steve, and the BULLENS. Alfie was to London what George Morales was to Florida.
He bought a TRAILOR home on Lake Hamilton and made a friend of GG, tales are legend of of the tricks he got up to in Canada and South FLORIDA .
He didn't do too badly over here, remember the boat load of illegals in the boat when he was stopped by customs officers at Dover, course Alfie never knew they were there did he? And the mysterious fire that destroyed that useless offshore rig in a layby.
All the while, he kept a fatherly eye on Andy.
It was said without his specks Andy couldn't tell if it was night or day.
I don't know if he ever drove a boat of any kind before he went into OZ.
Did he ever get a podium finish??, I have no idea, maybe Lassie can tell us.
The question is will Rosberg lose the plot this season or decide there is always next year?
The question is will Rosberg lose the plot this season or decide there is always next year?
Actually Jackie, although he did have a trailer home in Paridise Island, but his house on Lake Hamilton was quite an estate. Each year while Alfie & Annie were here, I was invited to stay at their house & each morning before going to my friends to test the boats he would cook a traditional English breakfast for me.
to to be with Alfie was to be having fun! You never knew what was coming next John, he would give you the shirt ofn his back! He .could get anything anywhere, any time, he had two great ladies look after him and the family, my kids and his kids will all be at the Bristol reunion and take it up where they left off 25 years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schubert
He had a massive Georgian house, think it was in Dulwich, if I remember right, probably worth a couple of mill today. If there was ever anyone who should have a book written about them it is ALFIE BULLEN a true legend of boat racing --A gentle giant.
Just when you think you've seen it all, another sodding great big Cathedral comes into view, this one is the biggest yet and houses the tomb of Christopher Colombus -----2mile queues -----that's just to buy the tickets before joining the three mile queue to get in. Lots to tell you, but this old frame needs some zuzz time, talk later.
Thought we would just like to take a look at the bullring before the fight tonight, unfortunately we got caught up with the grand entrance of the picadors, Matadors, pratadors, twatadors, toreadors and their mother in laws------TV cameras, tourists, hangers on and hookers, turns out I am now a manager for Ivan Stravinski Starvation, that well known irish Matador of Welsh descent and dubious parentage. These fellas make Carmen Miranda look like Snow White in all their gold finery, cobbler hugging pants and three cornered hats.
They were dishing out photos of themselves teasing a half dead bull with half a dozen spears stuck in its neck--Hemingway saw the beauty in it , but I'm buggered if I can, give me a race boat of any class, anywhere, anytime!
Sat at a bar drinking Sangria and waiting till the parade to eat starts around 9o'clock. Our last night then were OUTA here first light.
Made a bad mistake-----had a gin and tonic with lots of ice---big mistake, now suffering from"eye of the needle" squits.
Jilly is over bout and back to norm, I'm like a ballet dancer between toilets, no fool like an old one!
This will positively be the last post from Seville, it's near midnight and I am about to put the I pad to bed.
Enjoyed the break but I'm getting withdrawal symptoms-----got a head full of ideas and things to try.
Need to finish what's on the bench, R/J's rotary, get it shipped and clear the decks for the V8effort and move on to some new ideas I have. Hope I haven't bored you too much, it was more to keep me sane than it was to entertain you lot, night all, normal service will be resumed tomorrow, MYGGWY .J
Jackie....spoke with Mike Costin tonight, remembers you well and asked me to pass on his best wishes..........Phill.
Hi Jackie I remember in 1969 when Alfie arranged the after boat show dinner for Bill Shakespeare's dealers at Earls Court it was always at the Dolce Note resturaunt the owner was a friend of Alfis and one year Bill and his friends were introduced to the Kray bros by Alfi.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Can I ask a stupid question? Who were the Kray brothers & was this restaurant noted for somerthing special?Quote:
Originally Posted by STEVERINO
Andy drove a V4 powered Cougar at Windamere in 1974 and a few other races he also ran a 3 cyl OMC in the SE class several times .In 1979 he drove Alfis OZ outfit at the European OZ championship at Chasewater while Alfi drove Molinaris rig because Molinari decided he couldn't make it that weekend.I have know idea how many races Andy won or got placed in the V8 racing series but I did read somewhere that he placed either 2nd or 3rd overall in the total prize money won.Phil Bullen told me he won enough money to race all season in the US they had a crew of 5 or 6 men to support.Maybe Lasse could find some figures to support this.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Hi John maybe in the US they would have called them Gangsters they did spend the rest of their lives in jail maybe you could rent a DVD of the film made about them.I have know idea about the resturaunt only that it was Alfis local eating and meeting place.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schubert
that's what I thought plus the restaurant was probably a hang out for them
Evening all, back home in my own bed and feeling on top of the world
My tummy has settled down, should be back to normal in the morning!
noticed the babies in prams in Spain no longer suck on a dummy, they are given an IPhone five at six months, when they reach twelve months they are eligible to take part in the grand masters chess tourneys. all the while mom and dad are conducting business from the iPhone 6S . Sometimes they do turn them off, like at bullfights or take off and landings.
Apologies peeps I'm dog tired and need sleep, talk tomorrowMYGGWY.j.
Thanks Phill, he is an expert glider pilot and a very nice chap -----everyone spoke highly of him, last of the big four, Duckworth, Brown,Costain and Rood.= Cosworth.Quote:
Originally Posted by ron54
Funny how well things go when you've had a break an get stuck into something new.
Did the F1 gear case, took me all morning, but it's a stonker---cross between an OMC and a Merc number 6. Did a first attempt at a F1 V8 Jonrude, not a bad effort, stuck it on the bum of the 17' Molinari, methinks it needs a pickle, tell me what you think, will post a pickie in three or four hours .
Andy and I were team mates in '85 and '86 for Bullen/Burgess Racing. Stayed with Andy and Alf at their homes in Canterbury - enjoyed every minute with their family - brothers. cousins, wives and crew. Having met them for the first time in Milan' 84, they treated me like their own - will always be grateful for my time with them - nothing artificial or pretentious about this family.Quote:
Originally Posted by STEVERINO
Andy was a strong driver - ran especially well in rough water. He last stood on the podium in Pittsburgh driving a Furnell in the late 80's, I recall. Driving for Pro One, we had a tough time sorting out our newly deigned V8 Burgess rigs - they were a handful in the corners. Early in the '85 season, Andy actually reverted back to his 83/84 Burgess and commissioned another new, narrower Burgess as a solution... didn't work, and he rolled it in Vancouver the following year. Alf worked tirelessly to keep up with the V8 modifications, but it wasn't easy. He was nevertheless resolute in his efforts and plan to stay in the sport despite the circuit's financial and political challenges.
Looking back at what it took to stay alive and competitive, I'd say Team Bullen did very well - and Alf, like Sinatra, did it his way. Yes, the stories are legendary - Both Alf and Andy were survivors.. as well as soft-spoken, fun-loving gentlemen who treated those who counted in their lives with respect.
A few photos...
1) Jackie, some shots of the V8 to work with.
2) shot of Andy (bottom row right) 1985.
3) Great photo of Alfie, left of Jackie, with a few other British legends... and Cees!
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Great stuff mark, unfortunately the attachments will not download, please try again,only got one picture of the V8.
Hells teeth Mark, that phoggie is a blast from the past-------me and you are the last ones standing!
That blasted Pro 1 series claimed a lot of good men. I loved the sport but not that series, we all knew there were calculated risks, but that series was not to my liking-------yes, I was offered a drive but declined. Mark drove for Renato in the Martini team, his boat leaked like a sieve in Milan and nearly sunk before it reached the crane. Casale was the next race where the gear case froze solid and the motor landed in the cockpit, steering cable took off over half the boys foot, he never raced V 8/s again.
Thanks for the piccies of the complete motors, got a better prospective of how to do it now, though the one I just finished is pretty close. -----I managed to really nail the gear case, it's as good as it gets and I am well chuffed with the result.
Downside is, all the gear cases on the previous motors I am now very unhappy about----I can make them very good indeed, takes a while----3/4 hours each one.
Was going to show you the Molli with the bloody big V8 but I lost the card reader somewhere along the way------looks just as awesome in the junior version.
Had to shift the mount further back as the weight of the motor altered the balance (just as it did on the real thing)
Jills boy Ivan came to dinner tonight in his new Bentley Continental Speed, now that is some sort of a mother motorcar. Again, I took a bunch of phoggies, they'll have to keep for another day.
Ordered another card reader on line, but it's going to be a couple of days before it lands through the letterbox.
Off at 7am tomorrow-------car boot sale at ford airfield-----got my licence-----got the urge, let's do it-------time for long ZZZZZZZZZZ/s talk tomorrow, good night all, MYGGWY.J.
Another "good to be alive" day, went to sleep thinking of Jonrude V8/s, how daft is that? The shape of the thing means it can only be done with traditional hand tools, pencil, spoke shave, tenon saw, chisels etc,.
made the first one out of a chunk of old english oak, it was borderline on size but I got away with it,, simply polished it and stuck it on the 17' Molli. Put the black arrows either side and it's coming along nicely------that's the beauty of a concept, no ones looking for authenticity----just something the Bears a passing resemblance to a memory!
See if I can get a new card reader from somewhere, have several things I'd like get on the tricks site, probably one or two you might like, let's be honest, most of us are more interested in what went on " then " as opposed to what goes on now.
Have a great day!
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Had Dave from down the lane put the picciesn on the Mac and then transfer to the IPAD.
Is that not one mother of a gear case?
YES IT IS!!!!! That's a Beaut!!Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Sounds like you're sleeping with the enemy now ... excellent - never hurt 007, you know. If you wake up one morning shouting, "I'd rather have a V8", we'll know to call a therapist.
Looks great Jackie, now I need one with an Evinrude V-4 Super Starngler or Johnson Stinger GT with a 71 Molinari Boat #16 & yellow & black standard Molinari color schemeQuote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Jackie, very impressive!:thumbsup: And yes that gear case is one mother.:iagree: Gary
Well, I have to tell you it's very gratifying to hear praise from ones colleagues-----not many things I do, do I get that "well done" feeling, after almost every project, I stand back and look at it and think----------could have done better.
With the gear case, it's the best I can do, so thank you friends for the nice things you said!
As for the "them and us" (Mercury Vs OMC) some of the nicest guys I ever met drove Jonrudes.
Started on a bigger than normal V8 today ----Trying to get closer to the actual and not hide behind the "Concept", this one is for mounting on its own stand and is just to stick on a shelf to point at and say -------I ONCE RACED ONE OF THOSE!
If it's good enough, then I'll show you some piccies of it over the weekend.
thats "FLEURE" but I call her Betty, I get to hold her when she's crying and nobody else can quieten her------it's usually wind, but after five of my own I got to be a dab hand with kids.
Your not fooling me Wilson. Looks like your feeding the kid that gin and tonic next to you on the arm rest. No wonder the kid quiets down. By the way, for history sakes; the gearcase design was done by Clarence Blanchard. It used the same internals as before, but the shape was changed. I think he watched a Star Wars show before coming up with the design. The original had a fat rear end where he drilled holes trying to ventilate the prop for better acceleration. I don't think it worked to well and later shapes were more like you see today.
You keep out doing yourself Jackie. Very nice!
Dave
Johnno,
That gear case came straight out of my head, I had a Mercury drawing and an OMC photo, Mark was working on a Number six Mercury last time I was over and that kinda stuck in my memory.
Apologies to Clarence, I was trying to do a concept of an OMC gear case, as you do in April !
You were spot on about the G&T, if I'm all hot and bothered Johnno and need a long stiff one, Jilly usually does me a special with a fistful of juniper berries, I know, I know I'm spoiled something rotten
to dave (cnc) thank you!
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How 'bout that for a "Jam jar"? Jillys boy Ivan's mode of transport. Such a CIVILISED piece of kit!
V 12 twin turbo------around the 200 mph mark.
What do think of our tulips outside the front door?
Just trying to keep the site interesting. Fell asleep on the iPad last night.
Lunch with my friend Bjorn Christianson, the one who is renovating the Norton and a Triumph Trophy, maybe piccies later on today.
great job on the "case" Jack and the powerhead! looking almost as good as you are! I was dreaming how a cross section of the entire motor could be inlayed to the guitar body!
Hiya Don, That blasted white stuff all gone yet ?time to open the pool ?Quote:
Originally Posted by donmac
That could be cool----a half profile concept -----I could get it down to about half inch thick easy.
Had roast lamb, asparagus, baby carrots and Jersey new potatoes for lunch, had a G&T as an aperitif.
The 750 Norton Commander is up and running and due for exhibiting !
The triumph trophy still has a way to go!
Bjorn is one of the world's most fanatical perfectionists when it comes to restoring classic bikes.
10 years ago, his Vincent Black Shadow sold for a world record ( at that time) £25,000.
Been having screamers with downloading piccies, bought a 5 in 1 card reader on line for £3, shoulda known better, -----a real piece of chinese junk.
Its taken me three years to learn how to use the iPad even so i can only do basics,hate having to go to my grandkids to ask them what to do next-------dammit, they should be looking to me as what to do next!
Got a few piccies of the two vintage motorcycles to show you, I'm still farting about, i got them onto the Mac but buggered if i can pull them up on to the S&F site. Been hours trying but theres no light in the tunnel yet.
Saturday morning and its chucking it down, shoulda been in the shop an hour ago, got things to do and places to be. Just sent Jill to the apple shop in chichester for a new iPad card reader ----feckin amazing £25 [$40] here in the uk, $8 in the USA, Cameron's looking to me to balance the whole UK economy.
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Heres a couple of piccies of Bjorns Norton I promised you!