John Jennison's "other projects"

[cobber]

You're right Jeff it is a bit hard to read ..... but you're right again, it is an interesting insight into the way it was, camping with a few swagmen and having the best feed since leaving Sydney a week previously, ham and eggs.. twice

Camping out, setting rabbit traps, checking the traps twice a day...skinning & bowing the skins and living on boiled rabbit, porridge and dry bread .

Anybody who goes touring on vintage motorbikes would like the story I reckon.

Thanks for posting it..... I'll read it again.

Cobber.

[Jennison]

Especially the last few lines of the last page Cobber - after travelling with all those problems and basic conditions around the countryside, another blowout just as they return to sydney and he had to leave the bike and sidecar at parramatta stn and catch the train home for the final leg!!! regards ....

[Jennison]

PS : anyone know a good chemist who could decipher the handwriting and make up a typewritten transcript for easy reading ??!! Jennison

[Jennison]

With mum now in a nursing home I have started cleaning out her household stuff.
Day one and a find already! ............
Pictures of the jennison wooden car/coupe under construction and a couple of other VV pictures not seen before as well!
They must have had bloody good eyesight in those days as some of the photos are only 5/8" by 1 and 1/4" in size!!!
I have sent them to donR for posting in the appropriate spot when he is up and running from his christmas break
jennison

[Don Ricardo]

The following photos are posted on behalf of Jennison. They show the chassis and frame of the interesting little coupe built by his grandfather, John Jennison, in the 30's. See Reply #14 above for pics of the completed vehicle. Somebody suggested in a previous post that the chassis and running gear came from a little Austin.

[firefighter]

Hi Jeff

What a great find.......in the clean up of mums place

interesting what other articles you are going to find ....lets hope

you come across more of your grandfathers history
f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Jennison]

somewhere in the jenno stuff on our last piece of info on the Jenno coupe I was able to confirm it WAS an austin 7. There were some pics of my grandad, mum and auntie with it fully road registered taken by mums cuz Noel( in seaforth I think it was ).
Just had a quick look for reference on the site but couldn,t find em. They are there somewhere though.
I did not and have not yet bothered him (Noel)about further memories and photos as he was and still is ,dealing with major health issues with his wife. We are though still in contact and it will happen soon I hope.
jennison

[Jennison]

I have very high hopes that I can confirm next week that I have found alive and reasonably well another of my grandfathers projects, a Jennison jeep!!
Its a 46 model, 2 door(unlike the jenno the first genuine jeep version was a 4 door called the 463), and by the phone photo which is all I have seen as yet, the roofline looks the goods(once again the 463 jeep is different) and to top it off, the owner , having looked at my photos swears it is the one!!
How'd I find it you ask, well you wouldn't believe it!.... I was walking by a couple of blokes at work when I heard one of them telling how he had just picked up a 46 model 2 door jeep wagon from a deceased estate off a farm near Cooma.
To say I about faced and tackled him is an understatement!!!
Hopefully he will have some proper photos tomorrow and if he managed to get it home over the weekend I will definitely be going for a closeup look.
I have 4 jennison holy grails - to find a pop top,a nomad, the wooden car and the jeep - heres hoping it's now only three!!
keep watching
jennison

[Geoff & Jude]

how lucky are you jeff. ;D ;D ;D

it all came together for surf tragic and his don - so hopefully you'll get the same sort of result.

geoff

[Jennison]

I have lucked out!! It was a willys wagoneer overlander - similar, and a woody , but not the same! Amazingly straight though!
jennison

[Geoff & Jude]

that's unfortunate jeff.

not quite as lucky as surf tragic.

geoff

[Don Ricardo]

Before and after photos of the John Jennsion built Willys Jeep Wagon, posted on behalf of Jennison.

Before:



Note John Jennison's name and address stenciled on the side.

After:

[Jennison]

Well I'll be donR,
the original photos are about 2' X 1 1/2". its amazing that such detail.......(the address) is legible!!
thanks
Jennison
Thats my Auntie Shirl(standing) and Auntie June in the second one

[Don Ricardo]

Feb 17, 2010 20:54:35 GMT 10 Jennison said:

its amazing that such detail.......(the address) is legible!!

That's the advantage of analogue photos as opposed to digital photos, Jennison. A graphic designer explained to me that analogue photos (ie images captured on old fashioned film - remember that? ;D ;D ;D) capture all the details on the film which then in principle can be blown up bigger and bigger to reveal more and more detail (assuming perfect focus of course). In contrast, digital photos are recorded by squillions of little dots - which when the photos are blown up, separate from each other and leave gaps in between where no info was recorded and therefore no detail can be seen. (That's my version of his technical explanation.)

Said graphic designer threatened me with death and other unpleasant consequences if I dared to present him with digital photos for the projects he did for my work. He's headed off to the USA for work now, which is just as well, because on a couple of recent occasions when I have asked in shops for film the pimply faced youths on the other side of the counter have looked as non-plussed by my request as if I had asked for an abacus or a chariot...

Don Ricardo

[rayseyj]

Hi Guys, newbie here, in the earlier posts by Jennison, the white racer is built on "Ford model T" chassis. The steering wheel, transmission profile underneath and front axle with disc wheels ( no brakes)are unmistakable.Second racer (#7)at beach scene is a different car, 4 wheel brakes, wire wheels and a radiator mighty like an "F" head "ESSEX" of 25-26. In the group photo the cars from left could be 1-Chev National phaeton--2-Chev Superior with California top (note glass sun visor)--3 Chev superior and 4-Chev National Sedan. The two vehicles in the doorway look like Oakland, the outside one bare chassis and the one inside appears to have been fitted with a delivery body. Oakland emblem was oval in shape surrounded by a twisted rope border, Oldsmobile had a shield with the name on the diagonal and the little coupe is definately built on an "Austin 7 chassis. regards Ray

[seeshell]

Hi Jennison

Here's how far I got "translating" the notebook. Will do some more in a day or so when the headache stops.

Tuesday 30th March 1920

Left Sydney 30th March 10:30 X Indian turnoff Good going until puncture X at Springwood back wheel Broke side car spring racing from Katoomba – Mt Victoria Mt Victoria repaired with difficulty by placing log under side car body ok. Milage (sic) 73

Wednesday 31 March 1920

Move off 8am brake exhaust valve after mile ride replaced by spare Indian 2 hours had to be drilled necessitating Indian running back to Blackheath 5 miles replaced valve. Running well Had lunch moved off about noon arrived Lithgow 4pm Filled petrol moved on Encountered worst stretch of road since leaving Sydney ¾ mile through dust without exaggeration one foot deep in places all low gear work. Good level road to Bathurst over which we averaged 35 miles per hour. Filled petrol Bathurst tired to replace valve but failed left Bathurst 5pm climbed mountains for about 1 hour and camped tired as a dog.

Thursday, 1 -4- 20

Good breakfast cocoa and porridge moved on 9 am arrived Orange 10am purchased valve and leaf for front spring needed side car spring wired Sydney also posted letters Left Orange 12:15pm averaged 35 miles per hour to Molong First wash since leaving Sydney. Dined Molong Park left Molong 3pm 7 miles out broken leaf in front spring X and puncture Indian. Delay 2 hours. 20 Miles from Molong had tea at Mt Meurant (? Friends) entertainment for evening. Left Mt Meurant 10pm and travelled until midnight. Very bad camping ground not a blade of grass anywhere but plenty of stones, very hard bed bad fire wood Camp is 5 miles Syd. side of ... Wellington.

Friday 2.4.20

Breakfasted well after sleeping in Bindees (Bathurst Biro) very thick and troublesome. Broke camp 11am Arrived Wellington 11:15 AM town asleep Good Friday Filled … oil purchased 5/6 bolt Yarn with Delco Agent Left Wellington 12:15 passed through Lincoln, Spicers Creek, dined 22 miles from Wellington drank muddy tea made from water out of cattle drum. Roads very bad. For 30 miles Good raod to Galgong Unable to obtain petrol rode on to Gallewang and camped 1 mile past Galliwang Hotel. Distance 54 miles.

Saturday 3.4.20

Moved on 9am Picked up petrol Birriwa Purchased gallon oil dep. 10 AM arrived Coolah 1130 Good roads Roads from Coolah to baked Creek very Bad Loose metal blow out back tyre X delay ½ hour Replaced tacho dinner at Oakley Creek water for tea obtained from shearing shelter moved on 4:18 pm passed through Tahmoor Springs Camped 5 miles from Mullaley Distance 87

Sunday 4.4.20

Breakfast, bread and jam started to rain left camp 8:30 muddy roads and finally bogged at Mullaly remained for three hours pitched tent but did not … any more rain roads dried sufficiently to move on wheels jammed with mud 10 miles on cleaned same arrived Gunnedah 6pm Galled Garage repair to Georges side car support bar which had broken in two Camped near Gunnedah bridge with three swagmen. Had two feeds straight off a … First good feed since leaving Sydney ham and eggs twice Distance 30 miles.

5.4.20 Monday

Moved on 20 miles had breakfast surrounded by sheep country very barren good roads moved on 10:15am Arrived Tamworth 1:20 Purchased food filled petrol and oil and moved on 3 miles had dinner passed through Bendemeer camped 3 ½ miles beyond, rabbits in the viscinity set traps caught 1 rabbit very cold night Distance 70 miles.

Tuesday 6.4.20

Cooked rabbit and porridge for breakfast found front fork broken on .. weld mobed on 9:30am Arrived Uralla 1pm Filled petrol andopil moved on arrived Armidale 2pm Left bike with Garage to have front fork welded made good job, had dinner at Refreshment Rooms. Job finished 5:30pm Rod on to the Pinch 10 miles from Guyra camped Good roads 62 miles

Wednesday 7.4.20

Had breakfast cleaned water out of carburetors. Sent off for rabbits but could not find … shaved and washed packed and got a move on Gav transferred to back of X ..:15 broken chain Indian on the pinch. Guyra relay 1 hour Puarched bun loaf Guyra Bread …moved on 3 miles and camped. Set 2 dozen traps caught 14 rabbits weather cold roads good distance 20 miles.

Thursday 8.4.20

Straightened up camp skinned and braised rabbiet for drying. Indian runs to Guyra for provisions Geogg and I reset traps. Lunched 1pm Goerge arrive from Guyra 1:30pm Pitched tent also fly for Garage for motor bikes. Had tea, went round traps, 3 caught Turned in.

Friday 9.4.20

Examined traps 1 dozen caught plenty rabbits but very frightened could not locate traps Examined other … for trapping. Rabbint turnout arrive and camp 100% from our dugout. Dinner fried scones and syrup. Reset traps 1 dozen on our new Ground, played out Heavy shower of rain cooked tea, fried scones and turned in.

Saturday 10.4.20

Examined traps I cooked breakfast shave repacked bikes an dmove on 1:00 pm Arrive Glen Innes 3:30pm Fill up petrol and oil moved on 6 miles and have tea at riverside Heaps of … pass through Dundee at dusk pass deserted hut with rabbits burrowed underneath and all around it. Camp 2 miles beyond Dundee no water.

Sunday 11.4.20

Wake up to find beds wet with dew falling from trees like rain gave us that impression and we donned oilshikds only to find our mistake later when the dew lifted not a cloud to be seen. .. up breakfast on bread and jam George taken rifle for a shot but only sees few rabbits move on 7am For five miles and inspect country for hopping. Found good shot one rabbit went for water ½ mile make tea and breakfast unable to obtain permission to trap. Take road to Gunnaville (?) butn turn back at 8 miles country no good. Pass on through Deepawater for 6 miles and camp shot one rabbiet set traps (3) caught 8 on return, tea on rabbits and potatoes. Caught 15 rabbits from traps before turning in.

Cheers
Seeshell

[Jennison]

More photos turned up the other day. One was sposed to show the winning car crossing the line at the sellicks beach races (1930ish) but the caption on the back said it was too quick and they missed it !
The winning car was an "amilcar" Of french manufacture and I think a fairly rare old beast these days. There is a later pic of it which I have sent to DonR with the others incl one of my dads first car, an early vauxhall.
I believe that DonR will post them on his rerurn from his travels. s
jennison

[Don Ricardo]

Apr 12, 2012 13:45:04 GMT 10 Jennison said:

More photos turned up the other day. One was sposed to show the winning car crossing the line at the sellicks beach races (1930ish) but the caption on the back said it was too quick and they missed it !
The winning car was an "amilcar" Of french manufacture and I think a fairly rare old beast these days. There is a later pic of it which I have sent to DonR with the others incl one of my dads first car, an early vauxhall.
I believe that DonR will post them on his rerurn from his travels. s
jennison

Hi all,

I'm just picking up on Jennison's post above. Apologies for the delay.

The photos show the Amilcar - and in one case don't show the Amilcar - which won a race at Sellicks Beach, south of Adelaide. Jennison's grandfather, John Jennison also used to compete in these races in a car of his own design (see photos earlier in this thread):



Caption: "the start of 20 mile race sellicks beach"


Caption: "the winner, amilcar which beat the camera!"


Caption: "the amilcar with our family and friends on a picnic near Salisbury SA:"


Caption: "the amilcar"

And also pics of the Vauxhall, which was Jennison's father's first car:





No doubt Sportsman1 and Griffin will be able to tell us the model.

Don Ricardo

[griffin]

I've admired John Jennison's ability and creativity, but learning he was also a Vauxhall owner I'll have to add 'great taste' to his qualities

The car is a pretty unusual one actually, a DASX Commercial Coupe, a GMH oddity when it comes to Vauxhalls, they did nothing like it in the U.K. It has a boot rather than a dickie seat, and as the attached photo, from an acquaintance John Gerdtz, shows quite useful for camping. This is camping the hard way I guess, a tarp between two cars in a paddock and go for it, I love the canvas bucket hanging from the open boot and the tennis ball petrol cap, probably couldn't get away with that at a rego inspection these days

George

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Griffin,

I thought you or Sportsman1 would be able to tell us a bit about the Vauxhall. It's interesting to read about another 'Australia-only model'. Reddo had a Ford sloper a while ago that I think somebody said was an Australia-only model (or was it just an Australian first?), and there were various Austin/Morris models which were Australia-only - the Austin Freeway and Austin Lancer among them.

Just to clarify though - the Vauxhall was owned by Jennison's father (who was not a Jennison), not his grandfather (who was John Jennison).

Don Ricardo

[griffin]

Sorry, Jenno's dad must have been a man of distinction then, confusion for me seems to be a constant state these days

There are lots of unique Aussie cars, maybe we could have a complimentary thread to 'Wheres This?' with 'What's this Aussie car? I'm sure there would be some interesting contributions, although a little off the subject of the Forum I guess:-/

George

[Don Ricardo]

Jun 20, 2008 22:38:42 GMT 10 Don Ricardo said:

Photos taken of a Jennison Pathfinder frame behind John Jennison's factory in Parraween Street, Cremorne (Sydney) in the late 1930's, also reveals an unusual looking vehicle at the rear of the frame:



It appears from the following photos that John Jennison was again trying his hand at motor car design and construction:







The wire spoked wheels of the vehicle suggest that it may have been based on the chassis of a 20's or 30's vehicle of some description.

The sheen of the paint and the chrome around the grille that can be seen on the car behind the Pathfinder frame in the top photo seems to indicate that the project was developed beyond the point shown in the last photo. Looks like John Jennison may have experimented with spats as well, but abandoned that idea.

Can't quite work out how you got into the car. Any ideas anyone?

(Source: photographs & information provided by Jennison.)

Afternoon all,

The above post shows photos of one of John Jennison's 'other' projects during the late 30's - the development of a little motor car with a body designed and built by himself. There are some further photos of the frame for the body higher up this thread. As most of you are aware, John Jennison was the designer and builder of Jennison Road Cruiser and Jennison Pathfinder caravans.

Forum member Jennison, grandson of John, has recently provided me with a couple of photos of John's completed and registered vehicle:



The notation beside the photo says: "Uncle Jack (who built the car), Shirley (+ Peter), Betty". 'Uncle Jack' is John Jennison.  At least we now know how you got into the vehicle.  It had regular doors!



The notation under the photo says: "A Dream of the Future - The Plastic Age".

I wonder if the reference to 'the plastic age' indicates that John Jennison was experimenting with fibreglass or an early type of plastic to create the bodywork of the car? It would be interesting to know.

Thanks to forum member Jennison for providing these pics to post, and a further glimpse into his grandfather's activities.

Don Ricardo

[Jennison]

Many thanks Richard for posting those photos, I don’t know how we never got around to putting up these last ones and expanding on what I found out further down the track since the original pictures I discovered were posted.

In regards to the “dream of the future, the plastic age’ caption, it was written on the original photo by the bloke who actually took the photo in 1937, my mums cousin, Noel Leader. He was about 15yrs old at the time and was a keen amateur photographer. He even developed it himself. He’s still alive and kicking today, not to mention sharp as a tack! He confirmed it was built on an Austin 7 chassis and reckoned it went like the clappers.😳
With its square flush headlights, curvey less wind resistant shape and the wheels concealed/ set within the main car body he felt it was a look at the future, and wasn’t far wrong I think really when you look at cars and thinking today.
This also ties in strongly with JAJs previously known and shown thoughts on the advantages in reducing drag arising from wind resistance, fuel economy improvements, wear and tear and so forth. For those who might be interested in this You can read it in his patent application for his pop top caravan in 1935 a copy of which is posted in the history page here on the site.
The two girls in the photo beside the finished and registered car are my mum Betty and her sister Shirley. JAJ standing at the drivers door.
Thanks again, good to get this updated
Jenno