Happy Eater Cruise Nights 1983-84

[Alphabet Alex]

Happy Eater Cruise Nights 1983-84!
Some of you London & Surrey rodders may remember the Thursday night gatherings at the Happy Eater restaurant and gas stop on the A3 at RaynesPark back in the early eighties.
For some, having to wait for the monthly Chelsea cruise to come around just to show off your wheels was getting to be a pain, so we decided to get a weekly event going, the Happy Eater was ideal as it had a fairly large parking area, the restaurant was open ‘till late, location wise it was perfect for the South London & Surrey rod & custom guys.
Amazingly after handing out flyers with details of the event at the Chelsea cruise, word was soon out that there was now a regular weekly car meet on the A3 and after only two months the place was really rocking!
Unfortunately due to the cruise night’s success and popularity, the owners of the premises were becoming anxious about the over spilling cars and general upheaval in the parking area, inevitably the Happy Eater soon closed its doors to hot rodders and soon afterwards it was to close permanently. The site was later sold and redeveloped minus the restaurant and parking area.
Here are some photos capturing some memories from those Thursday night meets back in 1983-84. Are there any more photos out there, if so why not share them with us.

[Klunk]

Is that the Gary Ellis Moggy Convertable?

[Alphabet Alex]

Hi Klunk, the chopped Minor is indeed the Gary Ellis car, he was a regular at the Happy Eater, being a local guy from the Epsom area, his car was truly outstanding and was probably THE nicest custom Minor in the UK back in the eighties!

[Klunk]

............and was probably THE nicest custom Minor in the UK back in the eighties!

Still is in my eyes! I love that car and have done since I saw it in a magazine whilst I was at school!

[langysrodshop]

Remember that meet well, Unfortunately LOL

[edd brown]

garys minor was at the super nat two years ago ,,,best moggy on this planet
was re done 15 years ago but looked so fresh ;;;;i dont understand gary he only ever drives it for a mot top guy ;;;;;;;; edd

[jazz age rodder]

Still is in my eyes! I love that car and have done since I saw it in a magazine whilst I was at school!

And in the '70s & '60s. I remember in '68 when I was a 16year old kid just starting work for the first time and this was my workshop formans (Gary Ellis) daily driver. Just as immaculate with a supercharged 1215 A series and Emery Speedbird wheels. During my time at that garage, a 3litre essex and 2000e box was fitted. Still the best moggy around except back then maybe Alex Scotts Minor (he also work at the same garage) was as good but in a different way.

[Japchris]

That meet was very influential to me - Went up there as an impressionable young lad in my Mk2 Consul and was impressed by a red and white 56 Ford owned by a bloke called Colin from Lewisham. He later had a turquoise and white one. I ended up going to USA and buying the 56 I've owned over 20 years now.
Some memories that have just come back - a yellow pro-street Vega(?) loosing fuel over the forecourt and everybody giving it a wide birth, a blue Mk 2 Zociac that pulled up and his headlamp rim fell off. He got out and put it back on but as he got back in his car and slammed the door something-else fell off -door handle I think. A pink 58 Lincoln that the guy was complaing about the engine - turned out it had no oil but a really long dipstick that would run along the bottom of the sump. A muscle car from Tolworth with the Widow maker on the door, Errol in his various PA and F type Vauxhalls, a yellow and black Zephyr that I use to race down the A3 home that was later ran into by a milk float.
Halcyon days!

[Psycho83]

Just to make you all feel a little bit old, I was 1 when this happened.
Though in my eyes you are the lucky ones, I missed all the good old stuff :(
I'm coming in at a time when SVA and legislation may soon wipe out the scene . ******

[mikeyboy]

Yep that was a good meet.We always wanted to find somewhere like an American drive-in to hang out and that place was the best we could find locally back then.This was in the days before McDonalds and Burger King drive-ins opened up in England.We also had the KFC in Bracknell....was it the KFC?,on thursday nights a couple of years previous to the Happy Eater which was always good.
That was the first time I met Gary Ellis with his stunning Morris Minor and Biffo was a regular too.

[MisteR Tee]

I vaguely remember hearing about it, living relatively near. I assume that is what is now the Esso garage.

Gary has indeed had his Minor for ever & has said he will never sell it, I think he plans to be buried in it!! I agree, the best Minor EVER with exactly the right proportions. Last I heard he was being tempted into to putting a turboed 5.0 Rover in it!!! Maybe we'll see a bit more of it & him, now he's retired.

[hershambob]

thats arfer evans pop next to alexs coupe,aint seen that in a while...
chris was the milk float overtakin yer!!!

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

I remember bringing my F100 Panel truck to that cruise, I got to have a close look at the yellow '56 F100 Pickup that Mikeyboy used to own. It inspired me to take the Panel off the road and redo it.

It was Reg Wilcox, myself and a few others that started the Bracknell KFC cruise though it was never as well attended. The restaraunt is still there though if anyone wants a reunion!

[Battersea Boys]

I met Tony Alva in the happy eater one night. He was all over my 58 , I says to him what do you do he replied "skateboard"...............

[Dinsdale Piranah]

I too was influences by this meet. Attended in a Red/White Highline Consul and later a Blue Consul Capri.

Also attended the Croydon multi story car park meet, and Thornton Heath roundabout

[motherofgod]

I do love Gary ellis minor, would like to see it in the flesh one day,
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/lolabug/photo_radical_038.jpg

I used to have a tony alva skateboard!

James

[59pickupgal]

I met Tony Alva in the happy eater one night. He was all over my 58 , I says to him what do you do he replied "skateboard"...............
Never thought I would see that name on here in a million years, lol....sadly, I too know who that is...but not going to tell you why...hahahahaha :D too embarrassed....

[kc]

Some memories that have just come back - a yellow pro-street Vega(?) loosing fuel over the forecourt and everybody giving it a wide birth that was probably barry daceys vega, often had fuel, water or oil pouring out of it or something falling off, had a 396 and a glide, helped him put the engine back in once at his lockup, ended up dropping the engine by accident with my hand between the chassis rail and the motor plate, that hurt!
kev

[chaley]

Gary Ellis' minor was the reason that my first car on the road was a 2 door minor only got as far as lowering the front and putting in a 1275 motor in it, God that car was a heap in was a flat blue and I had a packet of chalk and a board rubber stuck on the boot so that people could draw flames and stuff on it, most times they just wrote swear words but I once when back to it at farnborough skate ramp to find that it had the best set of flames I have ever seen on it, shame that they came from the back wheel arch and went towards the front, I tried to lacquer over then and they just peeled off.
As you can guess I too know who Tony is, one of my claims to fame is that some how I got a lift to Southsea skate park with the Bones Brigade.

[kapri]

Southsea skatepark is up for grabs , a mere 1 pound if you want it ...SERIOUSLY !!

[motherofgod]

Bones Brigade.

My first ever skate video!

Southsea skatepark is up for grabs , a mere 1 pound if you want it ...SERIOUSLY !!


Never went to southsea, Rom, and crystal palace were my favorites

[kapri]

...and to pull it back on topic ...anyone got other old pictures of cruises to post up on a new thread ? Especially any from those heady Chelsea days, have yet to see any that capture what it used to be like.?

[kev elliott]

O/T I know (but so is Southsea skatepark Kev!!) Tony Alva's shop in Oceanside just closed down, but anyone know if it's true he's opening a shop in Paris (?!)
I have Alva wheels on my skateboard (Dogtown deck and Tracker fulltracks for the old school skate pervs out there - circa '78/'79) and yes I still use it when I take my kids to the local skatepark. Early on Sundays so no-one's watching!!!
Back on topic, anyone got pics of street racing Trinity Road? Mikeyboy must have some. And yes, Ace Face Dace's Vega used to **** fluids everywhere and absolutely stank of petrol inside. Barry's girlfriend at the time used to smoke in there too!!! My first full paintjob (never told Barry 'til after I'd finished it!)

[mikeyboy]

No but I have video.Maybe Alphabet Alex has some,he has a ton of old pics from the early days....over to you Alex.

[Alphabet Alex]

Hi Kev,
I have a whole bunch of photos from the early Chelsea Cruise circa 1970s- 80s, I've also got some stuff relating to the infamous 'Trinity Road Racers'.
I'll post a new thread with pics shortly, definitely a trip down memory lane!

[kapri]

Sounds great Alex, looking forward to it .....ahhh...memories !

Kev

[Battersea Boys]

The great thing about the HE was the quality of cars that showed up, some of the nicest rods in England would make a pass there!!..........

[Alphabet Alex]

Hey Battersea Boys,
you are absolutely right, for a weekly event there was some really great machinery turning up at the Happy Eater, it was surprising to see quite a few T buckets pull in off the A3 and wow the crowds, Shades of Angelo's in So Cal!
Can't think why the Krispy Kreme isn't weekly, why wait a month to get your car out, at least during the warmer months perhaps??
More pics here, sorry the quality is not brilliant to say the least!

[Alphabet Alex]

This event obviously caught the imagination of the local press, they sent down a reporter and snapper to see what all the commotion was about. The local rag was the 'Weekly Comet', here's a few cuttings from the article, I have the original from Dec 12th 1984 if anyone wants photo copies!

[MisteR Tee]

Excellent Alex (apart from the gas pump prices that is!!!). Not sure about the green T bucket, looks familiar but can't place it at the moment, but the 2nd blue one is Roger Fulker's Freedom, I think.

[hershambob]

simon banfield (far right) with pinball wizard pop.the green t had a 318 mopar motor i think??????bob

[jazz age rodder]

Maurice, could the green "T" be Gary Jenkins car maybe?

[Alphabet Alex]

Hi Maurice,
the green T Bucket was always a regular on Thursday nights, I can't remember the guys name but he had a pony tail and always turned up in his T with his 'wind swept' girlfriend..."hanging on for dear life baby"
I've got a (Betamax) video of all the regulars turning up there, I need some assistance transfering it to DVD, got the machine but it doesn't do what it says on the tin, help!
A few more pics....

[edd brown]

the green t is gary jenkins,,,,,,,edd

[mikeyboy]

This event obviously caught the imagination of the local press, they sent down a reporter and snapper to see what all the commotion was about. The local rag was the 'Weekly Comet', here's a few cuttings from the article, I have the original from Dec 12th 1984 if anyone wants photo copies!

I like the "the camaro can easily manage 125mph"!!!.........they forgot to put in the 1/4 mile!

[Battersea Boys]

yep, makes petrol look cheap now!!

[Alphabet Alex]

Don't worry Mike, we know where your'e comin' from!

[MisteR Tee]

Was that the one featured in HR &C UK with the Butler fuel tank on the back, "Octopus" or summink?

[jazz age rodder]

Maurice, think it had a lot of Butler bits on it. Got a feeling he lived in the Ashtead/Leatherhead area. I went to college with him, back in the early 70,s he had a yellow pop that he used to give a couple of us a lift in. He's now part of Golds RV down in Alton I think.

[MisteR Tee]

Ah, now I remember. Nick formed the Gold Motor company for him. Met him at the first Xtreme Wheels show when my T & Nickylodeon were on display.

[40Stude]

Didn't Gary Jenkins also build the 'Tangerine Dream' Pop waaaaaaay back when?
Was the blue T, "Freedom', the one with spindle mount 12 spokes? Didn't Barry George have something to do with it? Did it get sold to someone who kerbed it and bust a front rim, then left it in a hotel parking facility?
I know, I know, too many questions, not enough answers.

[MisteR Tee]

I thnk Barry George's T was called Mr B's T or something like that.

[timetravel]

It was Barry George's in '77, here's a pic of it from Bisley that year http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/timetraveldvds/301.jpg And here's a couple of pics of it at Blackbushe in '83 when it turned up with Gary Jenkin's T http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/timetraveldvds/303.jpg http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/timetraveldvds/302.jpg The most recent pic I have of it is this one from Hickstead 1988 http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/timetraveldvds/46020.jpg I saw it about 3 years ago at a Festival of Transport just up the road from Eastbourne and also spotted it on a trailer going through Eastbourne about a year ago. Anybody know who owns it now?

[motherofgod]

Hey TT,

This was the T I was trying to find the owner of! A guy called Mick Sefton had it( when you saw it at FOT) he took the blower off and left it in a garage very close to Latimer motors, the owner of L M bought it from him( his name was mark I think ) then business went downhill so don't know where he or the T is now, I was asking only recently where Mark was? To find that very T

James

[edd brown]

i know who had the blue t,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,photo two ,,,,,,,it,s roger falker
he sold me big a ,,,,,,and is in the middle of rebiulding revange nice guy,,,,,,,,,,,

[timetravel]

Didn't Gary Jenkins also build the 'Tangerine Dream' Pop waaaaaaay back when?
Was the blue T, "Freedom', the one with spindle mount 12 spokes? Didn't Barry George have something to do with it? Did it get sold to someone who kerbed it and bust a front rim, then left it in a hotel parking facility?
I know, I know, too many questions, not enough answers.

You're right Gary Jenkins did build the "Tangerine Dream" Pop. Here it is at Hastings 1977 http://www.timetraveldvds.co.uk/gallery/HASTINGS%20SHOW%201977/target5.html and it later became "Popwork Orange" http://www.timetraveldvds.co.uk/gallery/THRUXTON%201982/target91.html

[jazz age rodder]

Didn't Gary Jenkins also build the 'Tangerine Dream' Pop waaaaaaay back when?
Was the blue T, "Freedom', the one with spindle mount 12 spokes? Didn't Barry George have something to do with it? Did it get sold to someone who kerbed it and bust a front rim, then left it in a hotel parking facility?
I know, I know, too many questions, not enough answers.

Alan, I think that "Tangerine Dream" was an reincarnation of the yellow one that he used to have.

[Alphabet Alex]

Nice pics timetravel, I don't think I ever saw those T buckets in the daylight, they certainly look the biz!

[MisteR Tee]

i know who had the blue t,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,photo two ,,,,,,,it,s roger falker
he sold me big a ,,,,,,and is in the middle of rebiulding revange nice guy,,,,,,,,,,,

Do keep up Edd, we've been there, done that. That's what comes of working down in Wales I guess!!

Incidentally, I've sent Roger an email outlining the thread to see if he can throw any more light on the subject.

[MisteR Tee]

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/timetraveldvds/303.jpg

That looks like the late Mickey Bray standing next to it, doesn't it?

Or am I having a "senior" moment like Edd?:confused:

[edd brown]

no thats roger standing next to the t i dont think roger well reply just yet as ail his wife is not well ,,,,edd,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[MisteR Tee]

Really? Looks just like Mickey.

Yes, I've just found out about Allyson, but he did reply with the low down on the T. Barry was the original builder, with help from Nick Butler, but when Roger got it, it was a non-runner & had lots of bits missing, even inside the engine. After a full rebuild & several engines, he found an used 4/71 in a local autojumble for £80!!!!

One major problem he says the car had was that it used Pop spindles which weren't up the to the weight of a blown SBC & needed the kingpins replacing every 5 months!

[tallpaul]

The Freedom T was owned by Chris Eaton from about 78 to the early eighties,he also owned Hot n Bothered in the late seventies and took both to the Paris cruise in 78.Chris was a sprayer from I think Canewdon/Ashingdon just outside Southend.
Does anyone know what happened to the green T(Lionheart)?

[MisteR Tee]

I've had very detailed & interesting replies from Roger about Freedom & when I've had time to assimilate it all & edited out the scandalous & libellous (!) bits (not really), I'll post them up.

[edd brown]

dont forget mo you must start it ,,,,,once apon a time,,,,ha ha ah ......edd

[MisteR Tee]

With apologies & acknowledgements to Roger, here are his memories of his Model T.

Yes, AN2969 is/was `Freedom` do you know where it is now? Barry was the original `builder` with help from Nick and others and Barry kindly gave me all the original photos of the build up and early life.
When I had Freedom it was a non runner with many bits missing even from inside the engine! I bought it from Bob the swap Heasman now dead I think.
The original engine was an ex dragstrip 302 ( 1/8th bored 283) sbc with mad cam and fully ported heads 11.75:1 comp etc. A real handful. The distributor was a naff dual point where the timing varied from extreme retard ( that made the headers glow in the dark) to ultra advance when a backfire at low revs broke a conrod!
I fitted a nice 327 but sold that on when a good 350 4bolt came along. At Dorking autojumble I found a brand new 4/71 blower spare never been fitted for £80.
My neighbour was running an engineering training group at Crawley and with the help of NB`s article in I think Hot Rod & Custom Uk I made the engineering drawings got the raw materials and the class made the parts as their end of term Exam!!! Result or what? Everything worked perfectly and was when I sold it to get Revenge.
Freedom was a great T but had several fundamental faults, one being the use of Ford Pop stub axles which, with the weight of a sbc and blower meant the kingpins needed replacement every 6 months. Also the hole in the axle was wearing oval so I would nickel plate the pins and lap them in to the axle and stubs at each mot time!

Yes it is me with my son Boris at Blackbushe, NB was there also with Sonic.
Freedom kept getting too hot in traffic when the Kenlow fan came on and it
was only when we stopped that I realised it was wired backwards! The brass
rad was the first (I think) from Bryans Rads in Tonbridge Wells and always
leaked. After every cruise I had to resolder it. To help with the
overheating I was advised to fit a higher pressure cap but this made the rad
balloon like crazy and it popped on the way to `WheelsDay` one year! The
rear axle ran a spool which made manoeuvring difficult but when you floored
it it would run fairly straight but not always in the required direction!

[edd brown]

i love the old storys of how it was ,,,,,,,,,,,,,happy days,,,,,,,,,,,,edd

[Battersea Boys]

You mean.... I made it Alex, on page 3....

I dunno what to say!

That was the 59 Ford I was doing up in the 'Hodads' clip on YouTube!

[Alphabet Alex]

"Just say nothin' and we'll get along just fine"
Here's one Battersea Boy who really knows how to party!
Merry Christmas to all of you out there in Chromeland.
Alex.

[mikeyboy]

Tax disc reads 1982..........s'funny,it usually reads Tax applied for.

[IanT]

Just found this thread and moved it here from the 'Rodding Discussion' section.

[Battersea Boys]

This is what started the Happy eater nite. We printed 200 and put invitation only, we knew when we handed them out at the chelsea cruise loads would turn up.................

[mikeyboy]

This is what started the Happy eater nite. We printed 200 and put invitation only, we knew when we handed them out at the chelsea cruise loads would turn up.................

Is that one of your drawings Milt?

[mopar_mark]

Is that one of your drawings Milt?

Doesn't look like its done with Crayons :D :D

[Battersea Boys]

nah the layout is but the pics are from streetrodder

[mikeyboy]

There was also a flyer advertising 'Trinity Road Street Racing' that was handed out at the chelsea cruise. Who has one?

[Tiz57]

This is what started the Happy eater nite. We printed 200 and put invitation only, we knew when we handed them out at the chelsea cruise loads would turn up.................


Milton did you do the artwork on that flyer?

[Tiz57]

nah the layout is but the pics are from streetrodder


Just read your reply to Mike . Do you remember my wallpaper party and the 5 ft drawing you did on the wall of a Willys coupe and 57 Chevy Gassers leaving the start line ? Pat

[Battersea Boys]

oh yah, got some space at your half century?...........