CHAIRMAN JOHN WHITCOMBE [JILL ] 027 552 4203
VICE-CHAIRMAN
PAST CHAIRMAN
DONN WHITE 0274 764465
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
SECRETARY MICHAEL THORMAN (JANE) 07 5444291
TREASURER
KEITH PERKINS (JANE) 027 578 1231
ASST. TREASURER JILL WHITCOMBE [JOHN ] 07 552 4201
CLUB CAPTAIN
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 07 576 418
BRIAN PRATT (CINDY) 07 5447952
KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 07 576 4180
ALAN MACKENZIE 027 564 7785.
COMMITTEE GEORGE HOWARD (LYNN) 020 40427624
COMMITTEE DOUG BROWN (LINDA) 021 668117
OTHERELECTEDOFFICERS
PATRON
HALL HIRE
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 021 664341
PARTS SHED JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN) 07 5766346
PROPERTY MANAGER JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN) 07 5766346
LIBRARIAN PETER WITHERS 027 242 0861
NEW MEMBERS KEN FREW (DIANNE) 07 5764263
SWAPMEET BRUCE TAIT 027 4761481
HON. SOLICITOR PETER BUTLER (MARION) 021 423 453
VIC CERTIFICATION
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
VIC CERTIFICATION IVAN ALLEN (YVONNE) 07 5432629
WELFARE MERILYN ANDERSON (JACK) 07 5766346
KITCHEN CO-ORDINATOR JILL WHITCOMBE [JOHN ] 07 552 4201
KLAXON EDITOR
SAFETY OFFICER
BRYCE STRONG ( CHRISTINE) 0274 966706
DEIDRE RENNIE (TONY) 021 665 875
BRIAN PRATT 07 5447952
KLAXON EMAIL: klaxoninfo@gmail.com CLUB WEBSITE: www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com
SECRETARY EMAIL: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
FACEBOOK bay of plenty vintage car club (Public page) For Club enquiry's at anytime contact Kaaren Smylie 07 576 4180 or 021-66-43-41
As most of you will know, we are back from our travels around the South Island. This time we took our electric bikes and did some of the trails, mostly the flat ones . This gave us a quite different perspective to our previous trips . As we learnt the hard way on our first trip, go in the summer but be prepared for unpredictable weather. Winter came early to parts of the South Island this year .
A big thanks to Don, who took over while we were away and did a great job, and he is the right person to take over at the AGM in June, which he has agreed to do . This now means that we can fill all positions: Chairman/Treasurer/Secretary and Club Captain, along with enough volunteers for the committee positions. All positions will be open for nominations and this will be published (along with nomination forms) in coming Klaxons .
The Committee has decide not to run a swap meet this year Bruce Tait had agreed to be the coordinator if he could find enough people to help with the key roles . As there was not a lot of volunteers we really struggled last year with helpers right across the board. Some of the helpers had to stay on their post without breaks. There was also a big drop in the amount of food bought in for the kitchen . So these were part of the reason that this decision was made . The committee will look at running this event in 2025
We had a good run down to Makatu for the mid week run. Always an interesting place to go . Thank you Bob and Margeret for organising this run .
“End
At our committee meeting last night Club Captain Kaaren informed us that, after a good initial response, to date only 4 people have booked and paid for the meal at the Northshore weekend (see page 9 for details). A lot of work goes into organizing these events. Please don't let it be the second trip away that we have to cancel for a lack of support .You have to the 3rd of May. If by then we don't have enough people for the North Shore club to put on this weekend for us, then it will be cancelled and the committee would be very reluctant to try organising similar events!
That about it from me
Regards to you all, John
TheAnnual General Meeting of the Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club (BOPVCC), a branch of VCCNZ will be held at the Clubrooms on, 29, cliff Road, Tauranga, on the 10th June, 2024, commencing at 7.30 pm.
Attendance Register circulated
Apologies
Minutes of previousAGM
MattersArising
Chairman's Report
Treasurer's Report
Club Captain's Report
Election of Officers and confirmation of Appointees
General Business
To be followed by a brief monthly update, and supper.
Note :-All Elected Officer positions are open for nomination on the Nomination Forms supplied, and can be forwarded to the Secretary, by 3rd June :-
Michael Thorman, ( michael.jane.thorman@xtra.co.nz)
1979 Mk 2 Ford Escort 1.3 l. Four door sedan
68,725 km. 2 owners in same family. Looking for offers north of $25 000.
Full history available. Car is in Papamoa.
To view/drive car ph. Knud Nielsen 021 595600
Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (inc.)
Positions available are :- Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain, Committee
I nominate :….......……………………………………………………. (print)
For the position of :……………………………………………….
Proposer :-
Signature
Seconder :
Signature
I accept nomination:-
(print)
(signature)
PLEASE NOTE : NOMINATIONS MUST BE WITH THE SECRETARY BEFORE THE 3rd June 2024
By email to ;- michael.jane.thorman@xtra.co.nz or post to: P.O.Box 660, Tauranga 3140
Peter Lewer Email—peterlewer06@gmail.com Phone 021 241 4991
Peter has a - 1951 Matchless G80s [Incomplete]
1969 BSA a75R [ Under Restoration]
1971 Norton Commando [Roadworthy & Licensed]
Tony and Gloria-Jean Hewitson Email - geejay.tony@kinect.co.nz
Phone Tony 021 104 0459
Phone Gloria- Jean 021 0777 449
Tony and Gloria-Jean have a 1935 Morris 8 Saloon
1936 Morris 8 Saloon
1951 Morris MM Low Light
IfyouwouldliketoobtainaBOPVCCnamebadge,pleasecontactour Secretary MichaelThormanon075444291
Please note changes to the venues and day that our monthly Nog & Natter (N&N) will be held on for the rest of the year!
From April there will only be TWO VENUES that N&N will be held, Tauranga and Papamoa, alternating between:
1) Tauranga Citizens Club, and
2) Rain Bar & Restaurant, 3now0 Gravatt Road, Papamoa Beach.
Also, please note that N&N will be held on the LAST TUESDAY of every month.
It is with regret we advise we had to make the decision to cancel meeting in Katikati, due to the lack of the availability of a venue that is priced to suit our members.
Therefore, commencing in April, N&N will be at Papamoa, at the Rain Bar & Restaurant. Thereafter, on the 28 May we are at the Tauranga Citizens Club.
Any questions please contact Kaaren Smylie 021 66 43 41 or 07 576 4180
Deidre Rennie organized the 2024 Parade, which attracted many public viewers! There were 41 VCC members and 17 Mini Club Members an impressive turnout!
DATE – 18 – 19 May 2024
DESTINATION – North Shore Branch (NSVCC) of the Vintage Car Club, which is in Masons Road, Auckland
ACCOMODATION – It is up to you to arrange your own accommodation for the Saturday night. There are several, motels at a reasonable price in Albany.
ITINERARY
Depart our clubrooms Saturday morning for Auckland.
There will be a lunch stop on route.
Arrive at the NSVCC clubrooms by 3pm for an afternoon tea provided by their members
After afternoon tea those that are interested are invited to take a leisurely walk around the awesome sheds the branch has, that are filled with treasures. The NSVCC Branch are well known amongst the VCC fraternity for their parts-sheds and restorations. Their clubrooms are very comfortable, so if anyone doesn’t care to view the part-sheds, and restorations, you will be very welcome to just relax and have a cuppa while the others go walk-about.
Our group will stay on after afternoon tea, and the NS Branch members will provide us a scrumptious early meal at about 5.30pm so it won’t be a late-night meal. The cost for the meal will be a modest $25.00 per person. Please make payment of this meal to the BOPVCC bank account by 3 May.
Payment Details – ACCOUNT NUMBER – 03-0435-0492753-00
REFERENCE – Your Name
SUNDAY RUN DETAILS – Those who are keen for an adventure are to arrive at the NSVCC clubrooms for a briefing to join the NSVCC members on their Monthly Run. Their Run is to view two fab car collections at Taupaki, followed by lunch at a country café. NOTE: The Run will be on sealed roads, and in the country out West, to avid any heavy dense traffic.
IMPORTANT – I need please numbers please ASAP who will be doing the Sunday Run, and who intends attending the café lunch.
RSVP – ASAP to Kaaren 021 66 43 41 or 07 576 4180 Don’t miss out this is going to be a fun weekend away!
When Graeme suggested that we should attend the Southern Cross Graham Owners 12th BiAnnual Rally in Adelaide, South Australia in March this year, I saw it as an opportunity to catch up with three of my cousins who used to catch up every two years - until Covid. A quick email to Jill, living in Moonta Bay, about 2 hours North-west of Adelaide, on the Spencer Gulf, and it was settled. She would organise a week for us in Glenelg and one cousin would join me in flying in from New Zealand, while the other cousin in Ararat would drive the 6 hours to join us.
When Cousin Jenny and I left Auckland on the 4th of March, it was cold and wet, so bags were packed with a wide variety of clothes, hopefully, covering all we might encounter. Arrival in Adelaide to a beautiful cloudless sky and temperature in the late 20's was just right. Our accommodation directly across the road from the beach in Glenelg North was perfect for a cool drink in the evening and after much chatter and catching up, we were all up bright and early next morning to head to Hahndorf for the day.
As we sat on the deck looking out over the Gulf of St Vincent, enjoying breakfast, I thought I saw a largish fish, then a dolphin jumped out of the water barely 100 metres away and frolicked there for some time. Usually alone, but sometimes with a mate, this scene was repeated every day, and night and was a highlight for all of us.
Anyway off we went to Hahndorf, a traditional German Village in the Adelaide Hills, featuring many things German, lots of Cafes selling German food, but since my last visit, has become much more tourist orientated. By lunchtime, we were hunting for a nice cafe - with Air Conditioning! The temperatures soaring to the late 30's and remaining there for the rest of the week. We had a little respite in the late evening when temperatures dropped to the mid to late 20s so our Air Con went night and day at 23 degrees, which was very pleasant.
The week progressed way too fast, with shopping trips, visits to wineries, a trip south to Victor Harbour and Port Elliott to see where Jill and her hubby holiday every February (and a beautiful lunch overlooking the rugged coastline), and a fantastic visit to d'Arenberg's Cube and winery. This place is amazing! If you ever get the opportunity to view the exhibits here, it is worth the trip 40 minutes South of Adelaide. The building is in fact a large cube several stories high and each floor has a purpose. Floor 1designs and creations of the eccentric owner of the structure. Floor 2 - more creations, restrooms (if you can find them amongst the greenery), and a restaurant, Floor 3 - an exhibition of Salvador Dali's works in bronze which is centred around time pieces, but with many other absolutely stunning works, plus the art of another very clever artist. Floor 4 - which is has a very high, mainly glass ceiling, is all about wines and wine tasting. Over the top of the structure, on the very hot day that we were there, were a series of huge umbrellas, to provide some shelter from the heat. Magnificent views from this area - and it was very busy
A visit to the Apple Store in Adelaide's Rundle Mall, was really interesting and I learned much more about my devices than I knew previously. The staff were extremely helpful and did not hesitate to show new advances or old technology, without being pushy. I learned that the iPad that I had just purchased at a well known store in Tauranga, had been superseded by 3 new upgrades! You need to make an appointment online for any purchases or visits for information, but when you do this, you are greeted just inside the door and directed to the person who could help you best - WOW! SO EFFICIENT! And an interesting comment was that if you need any help, go on line and you get the most up to date help they can give.
Arrival back at our accommodation on Wednesday afternoon, I found an email stating that Graeme's flight to Adelaide on Sunday, had been cancelled by Air New Zealand and we were to contact them to make alternative arrangements. OMG, how does that happen when the flights had been booked for a good 8 months! A phone call to home was met with disbelief, however his flight was changed to 2 flights, transiting through Melbourne and after some haggling he was coming on Sunday again. However, our friends that many of you will know, Doug and Doreen Green from Rotorua (who also own Graham cars), had not even been notified of their flight cancellation. After some discussions, they were put on a flight through Melbourne on Saturday and put up in the Airport Hotel for the night, so it just shows that you have to be on the ball when travelling.
Sunday morning, I collected our rental car, then Doug and Doreen, and after Graeme finally arrived, (that's another story), we set off to join the other attendees of the Graham Meet, in Murray Bridge, a little over an hour away.
Saturday had been another 40 degree day and we were in the midst of an Extreme Heat Wave with warnings of extreme fire risks in the Mount Barker and Murray Bridge area - where we were headed. After collecting Graeme, we headed Southeast with the outside temperature on the car reaching 41 degrees - much too hot for these Kiwis comfort. However reaching Murray Bridge and our accommodation for the next 7 nights, we were relieved to find we had good air conditioning in our unit and a lovely pool outside the door.
It was great to meet up with old friends and meet new people with a shared interest in the Graham Brand. Several cars had travelled from Northern New South Wales and the Sydney area, over 1300 kilometres away. Some had driven their cars but several had transported them on trailers or in trucks, so they could travel in much more comfortable temperatures, still taking 3 days to reach Murray Bridge. We simply can't comprehend the distances. Also, the Australian Vintage Car drivers have to buy a licence to drive their cars on the road, either for 45 or 90 days a year, keep a very strict log book, signed and dated each day. Apparently, if stopped this book must be produced and they are liable for prosecution if their log booked is not up to date. How lucky are we? They could not believe that we are able to drive our cars at will, each or every day of the year.
Drinks and nibbles were enjoyed together Sunday evening and Monday morning our Rally started at 8.30am, with a very short drive within Murray Bridge township to a fabulous collection of cars, motorcycles and Coca-Cola memorabilia. Ray McCue had run his bakery in Murray Bridge for many years and his hobby enabled him to be onsite most of the time. His garage contained a really lovely Holden Premier, an absolutely mint Holden Torana XU1 (which had many admirers), a beautifully restored Vintage Studebaker, plus many vintage motorcycles, mostly Ariels, which he had restored or was working on in his vast workshop. (The ladies were all amazed how tidy and clean his workshop was.....)
And then there was the Coca-Cola collection. Now our friend has a vast Coke Collection, but this one was Huge, including posters, salesmen uniforms, sunglasses, bottles from many years ago, through the ages, dolls, toys, you name it and I am sure it was there. We were all impressed with this visit and our hosts were very welcoming, but it was time to move along the road a couple of kilometres to have morning tea in the Sturt Reserve, right on the banks of the Murray River. Marlene and her sister-in-law Rosemary, put on a beautiful spread of sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee and the WASPS came free of charge! They were a real menace but luckily only one person was stung. Maria Barretto was stung on the right arm near her wrist and that sting bothered her for several days. Nasty little critters. We took a short walk along the river bank to have a look at the resident Bunyip and learn his story, before the heat was becoming unbearable.
Another very short drive to a place just under the Murray Bridges, (one for rail and one for road), where photos were taken of the Graham vehicles attending the meet.
Next stop was some 60 odd kilometres away at a town called Karoonda, which had some huge grain silos which had been painted with Australian scenes and at night had a light show projected on to them with all sorts of patterns. Then it was time for lunch at the Karoonda Hotel where our $15 lunch had been booked. It was a public holiday, being Adelaide Cup Day and so we were invited to wear our favourite hat and ties to lunch where the hotel had decorated the dining room with balloons and streamers. We were all just glad to be in the air conditioning and partaking of cold drinks as the temperature was now up to 42 degrees! We were very grateful for our Air Conditioned Modern MG car, as the vintage car people were extremely hot and bothered. Lunch was, in a word, huge! Our very large plates were full of chips and salad and covered with a very large schnitzel, either beef or chicken. Even a half serving was too big for many of us.
After lunch, the men were invited to go to a shed where organiser Alan had found a man who took part in tractor pulling competitions and was willing to talk to them about his machine and his hobby. It was a Deutz tractor with twin 427 Ford V8 engines, four turbo chargers, and four of the largest SU carburettors you could find, producing 1050 horsepower.
Meanwhile the women went just along the road to a patchwork shop which had opened especially for us. That was another Oh My Goodness moment! As a patchworker, I have visited some shops which have oodles and oodles of fabrics and kits, jelly rolls etc - but this was something else! With the shop at the front and a house attached behind, every spare inch of wall and floor space was covered and stacked with bolts of fabric. It was everywhere, around the walls, 2 and 3 deep in the walking spaces and down the long passageway, in the front entrance to the house, in the kitchen and each room was full! I was so overwhelmed! One lady was looking for a particular fabric - and found it, but for me there was just too much choice. However, I did make a purchase and bought home several nice pieces of fabric, patterns and Sashiko pieces to work on, all at prices that I have never seen in New Zealand or Australia - and she was having a sale the following week, with a further 15% discount...
By now, it was really, really hot and everyone was keen to get home again, for a break in the cool, so while many headed directly home to Murray Bridge, we made a slight detour to visit "The Bend" Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend. What a great setup they have there. Just out of the town, with a hotel on the track, workshops underneath, restaurant and bar in the reception area, along with some fabulous cars on display! The latest Ferrari Spider, Ferrari Monza, Bugatti, McLaren, Porsche, 3 different track racing cars, a drag car, super cars, GT cars and on the day a number of motorcycles were doing testing. We had a good look around before making a quick retreat to the car and back to Murray Bridge, with the temperature still holding at 42 degrees.
Next day, Tuesday, we had another 8.30 start, this time heading to Wellington about 35 kms away, for morning tea in the shade of the gumtrees beside the old Courthouse which was built in 1864, and the Courtroom remains set up today, almost ready for the next trial! There were so many Cockatoos in the trees and the noise was deafening when they took flight. The drive to Wellington took us through what was farming country along the Murray, but we saw many disused "Dairies" or cowsheds as we know them and Alan told me later that morning that many of the farmers had walked off their land, and there is only one remaining Dairy Factory still working. When we had passed this, we had commented on how small it was, similar in size to some of the small factories we used to have in this area, before the big factories like Fonterra were established. The land is irrigated by water from the Murray River but there are many new costs involved with that now, meaning, more costs/lack of water/lack of feed. The result is empty land. Very sad.
It was here that we encountered our first river crossing on one of 12 "Ferries" that cross the Murray River. These are run on a continuous wire-rope/pulley arrangement. All are run by the Government as a continuation of the road and carry everything from foot traffic, motorbikes, cars through to big rigs. We watched one 60 tonne rig and trailer drive on, and the boat tipped to one side, but with strategic positioning and extra cars on board, it levelled up and came across well.
It was a little cooler this morning, so after another amazing morning tea supplied by Marlene and Rosemary, I jumped in with Alan, the organiser, for a trip in his 1929 Graham 837 Sedan, (a straight 8 cylinder, Graeme tells me), for a jaunt. Even though we were inland, we passed many salt marshes on the edge of Lake Alexandrina. This is a very large lake, only separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land, hence the salt marshes and salt is now produced in a factory near there. A right turn into Poltalloch Road, took us past Poltalloch Station, owned by an English man for many years, who sent out large sums of money to keep the station running. When the money stopped coming, it was turned into a tourist attraction, which was not viable and so it was locked up. Alan understands all the horse buggy's and machinery are still on the property and there was a lot of evidence that this is correct, but lays unused now.
We soon came to the Nurrung Ferry, another Government run ferry across an area called "The Narrows", the narrowest point between Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert. This is home to the only Inland Lighthouse remaining in the Southern Hemisphere. This has recently been restored and rebuilt and looks stunning standing on its promontory. It is noted that Lake Albert is saltier than Lake Alexandrina.
A short distance on, we passed through Narrung, then on to Raukkan, an Aboriginal village, beautifully kept, where we saw the original church that is on the Australian $50 note. A very old church, with no Foundation Stone in place, so we can only guess that this was built sometime in the early 1800's, along with 2 other buildings alongside, from similar materials.
From here, we headed down past Lake Albert to a town called Meningie for a lunch at the Sailing Club on the shore of the Lake. Fresh Coorong Mullet was cooked on the barbecue and we made our own wraps with fish and salads - yum!, before heading back to Murray Bridge. This was the longest day of the Rally. After a lovely cooling swim, we ate dinner on the side of the Murray River at the 1924 Steakhouse - Garlic Prawns in white wine sauce on rice. Mmmmm!
Wednesday dawned much cooler, for which we were all very grateful. A sleep in this morning as we didn't leave Murray Bridge till 9am, to visit some of the area which is well known for its stone fruit and citrus fruit, in the opposite direction to yesterday.
First stop was at the home of Helen Phillips at her Murray Valley Citrus orchard. Some years ago Helen and her late husband, decided to build a Tropical Garden, using their water supply from the Murray River. What a magical Oasis of Green in the middle of a brown landscape this is. Helen continues to look after the gardens herself, while also working part-time in a plant nursery. We were all in awe of her beautiful gardens, tropical plants of all descriptions, water features, manicured lawns - and then there were the animals. Birds - Gang-gan, beautifully coloured McCaws, various parrots, one of whom told us "You can go now!" And various other sayings, plus Alpacas, deer, wallabies and cream coloured kangaroos. Just Magical. Morning tea today was at Aussie Orchards, where orchardists Paul and Kathy Prosser gave us all a go bag of their dried apricots and peaches, some chocolate dipped, some plain, and gave us a very extensive look into their apricot drying operation. This was very, very interesting and we learned how the apricots come into the factory and go into a tunnel where they are sized, then washed and flipped onto the correct angle to be cut right around the centre and the stone is then flicked out. The fruit are then laid out on huge wooden trays before going into a kiln for 24 hours, where they are smoked in sulphur to help bring out the sugar. They are then laid in the sun to dry for up to 3 weeks, or in a new innovation, they have built tunnel houses and are finding go the apricots are drying in half the time. All parts of the apricot are used. If the fruit is small or mis-shaped they are cut into tiny pieces and supplied to bakeries for their cakes and treats, larger fruit are sold or chocolate dipped, made into all sorts of goodies, truffles, jam and the like. While the kernels are being used to make hand lotions and medicinal ointments and the stones are used on the driveway to keep the dust down. Unfortunately the jam I purchased was considered a risk by Australian Customs and removed from my care, while Doreen was allowed to bring hers home! The truffles are however, very delicious.
100 metres along the same road, the Prosser family are restoring a very early settlers home, and have created a car museum called the Revolution Museum. In one other the rooms on the property we were served a nice lunch, before being shown through the museum. They have a number of cars they own themselves, including some very rare Corvettes, a Cobra Shaker GT, a Pontiac Firebird, a Thunderbird and a Chrysler 300C. In the next area they had a complete collection belonging to the Wilkes family. Mr Wilkes had gathered this collection and in his will he asked that it not be separated but go enmass to a museum. The family happened upon this Museum who were willing to keep them all together - about 20 vehicles, some very rare ones including a Gordon and a Turcal Mery, 2 taxis, and Amilcar, DKW, Studebaker, a truck - and many more. A really great collection and worth a visit to see some rare cars, even two Holden Coupes badged Chevrolet that were used as test cars but never produced.
Back on the road again for a short drive to Marlene and Alan's home and orchard, where Marlene gave us a very interesting demonstration of the enamelling of car badges that she does. A very tricky hobby, requiring heat, fire, patience, and a true eye for detail. Very interesting. Then Alan gave the boys a tour of his numerous sheds and his "toys". 7 Graham Paiges, 2 Chevs, 2 Chryslers and a Dodge ute. Alan has lived on this property all his life and the he showed us where the flood of 1956 came up to, destroying his parents home across the road and closer to the Murray River. Alan and Marlene's son and his family also live on the property now, and we had the pleasure of meeting them as well, when they joined us all for dinner. The ladies participated in some craft time during the afternoon making a "Tree of Life". Trust me, some trees are going to live longer than others!
Hagers Dodge Ute not very common!
After dinner, ably served by Rosemary, Marlene and her granddaughter AVA, the AGM was held, with all positions filled, including a new Editor for our quarterly magazine, which is still posted out.
Thursday saw us all heading for Mannum, where there are many houseboats and a new marina has been built along with a canal type housing area. Quite impressive. We were headed for a trip on the P.W. Mayflower, built in 1884. One of our group, Richard Wilson, had particularly strong memories of this boat as his parents once owned it. This beautifully restored old vessel was our morning tea venue as we motored along the river and back again after an hour and a half. The volunteer staff did a wonderful job of explaining the ship and the many landmarks along the way, as well as allowing anyone who wanted to have a drive, to have a go. It was a drizzly, cold day and such a contrast to just 3 days previously that when the boat docked, we all made for a cafe or bakery to get some nice warm food inside. Doreen and I did a wee wander around the shops and found an op shop that had racks and racks of Original old clothing. Trust me, they were originals, I am sure they had been there some time, with extremely old labels, but beautiful furs and flapper style dresses, tops and old style shoes. The only down side was that they were all made for those tiny, tiny figures of the 1920's. One black number was exquisite, with hand beading and beautiful fabric. Both of us made a small purchase in that shop, ready for the 20's night on Friday, and by that time the rain had cleared, so after another Ferry crossing in Mannum, we headed back to Murray Bridge where the heat was returning.
Friday, our last day in Murray Bridge and our last driving day of the Rally. I popped in with Richard and Ann Wilson in their 1926 Paige 6-72 for a ride to "The Roundhouse". This Octagonal house was build on the bank of the Murray River for the Engineer in charge of building the Road/ rail bridge across the River in 1876. Since then it has housed many important community functions including as a School, Post Office, Church and Council Chamber. It has now been fully restored as a house and volunteers man it on certain days. Apparently, from the river, the house looked round as the boats travelled it and so it got its name "The Roundhouse".
The rail/road bridge is made out of concrete and reported to be one of the earliest concrete structures in Australia. So it appears that cement has been used in building since the 1870's and is still structurally sound today. Many years later the adjacent rail bridge was built and they became separate use bridges, side by side. After the obligatory photo opportunities and a lovely relaxing time, it was off to our next venue, the gorgeous gardens of Trevor and Deirdre Kitto, who had also produced yet another sumptuous morning tea. As this was huge and included some amazing hot sausage rolls and scones, and we had a free afternoon, Jed and Emma, Mark and Sharon Witting in their 1929 Graham Paige 612 Sedan and Graeme, myself, Doug and Doreen, decided to head to Monarto Zoo about 20 minutes from Murray Bridge.
Monarto Zoo is a Safari type zoo, where you travel around by air-conditioned bus, travelling through the many large enclosures with wild animals roaming freely, or you may choose to get on and off at several locations on the tour and have a look at different things like the Meerkats, the Chimpanzees, the feeding of different animals. We chose to walk to the chimps and kangaroos and the chimps put on a great display for us. They were having a full-on fight over the hierarchy of the group, but there were also young ones as well. We saw Lions, Cheetahs, Painted Dogs, Hyenas, Black and White Rhinoceros, Bison, Zebras, Giraffes and Ostriches and Emus, plus more. What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. But we had to get back for the final dinner that night.
What a really lovely evening it was. Starting with drinks and laughter at the motel, a fun time with a Grand Piano and a couple of burlesque dancers in Paige Witting and her friend, was followed by dinner at the Murray Bridge Hotel and the presentation to Marlene and Alan Hager of the photo of the cars, the people and the plaque, and many thanks for a wonderful time in their home patch. By now Nev Storey had left us as he had to have his car ready for his sons wedding in Sydney next day. He made it! Many of the group left in the early hours of the morning, to travel in the cool morning air, then rest in the afternoon, ready for the next push next day. By 8.30am, the motel was almost empty.
Doug and Doreen, Graeme and I made our way slowly back to Glenelg where we spent the next four days travelling around and taking in the sights of Adelaide City and surrounds. Among the highlights; having the road open up in front of us for a yacht to travel through, travelling on the tram into Adelaide City and home again, meeting a group of Aboriginal People telling everyone else on the tram that they were "Going to the beach to get a tan" - and much much more. Seeing how the Train Security and Train Police work in a tense situation, enjoying some lovely time together and relaxing after a really busy, hot week.
It certainly had been “More Than a Car Rally!” Editor-Thank you Raewyn– an interesting trip!
Member Richard Cranswick bought his Fiat along to Club night, and regaled us with the interesting story of its life!
Richard owned this car when he was still going to school, and many years later he recognised the number plate in an advertisement and bought it once again.
The previous owner had carried out a lot of work on the car and then it was totally submerged in flood waters. So Richard has carried out a complete restoration, and the result is stunning!
Richard gets lots of “Smiles per gallon” from the car, and lots of smiles from bystanders.
Long time Committee Member Brian Page celebrated his BIG 80th birthday in April having dinner with family and some of his BOP VCC friends!
Six time winner of the NZ Saloon Car Championship, Paul Fahy was made an honorary member at our April Club night
The most expensive vehicle to operate in 2024 will be a grocery cart
Cleaning with out chemicals or abrasives, it is an eco friendly and cost effective way compared to other methods such as media blasting or paint stripping.
It can remove light rust off delicate car/engine parts. It will easily clean a metal head gasket previously impossible with conventional cleaning methods.
Benefits are - no harsh chemicals, no abrasives, no expensive set up cost (as with media blasting), no loud noises during the process, no hazards as with high pressure equipment, very precise cleaning and no clean up cost!
This cleaning can be done in your garage if required as it is plug and play! Cost is dependant on size of job and location (if it cannot be delivered to us)
For applications on Mould, Welds and pre-welds, Food manufacturing stainless steel, Delicate Machine parts etc.
PLEASENOTE:The application form for a Vehicle Identity Card has changed from a 7 page application to 15 pages. The extra pages relate to explanations regarding whether you receive a “DOMAS” or a “VIC”, depending on the state of the Vehicle at the time of the application. Go to wwww.vcc.org.nz, and in the panel on the LHS is the option “RESOURCES/ DOWNLOAD” accessing that will show “VIC Application”. Print the required pages and note the requirements for the photos.
It is suggested that you complete all the pages and then contact either Alastair Jones 07 5761124 - or - Ivan Allen 07 5432629 beforesending the photos to Nat. Office Christchurch. This is to ensure the photos are as required and don’t get there before the paperwork, which in almost all cases has to be checked against the vehicle to make sure there aren’t any errors. Either of the VIC Officers are there to assist not hinder!
3rd of February 2024, Helen and I were up with the birds and I went out and fired up the Charger. We were off to the Whakatane breakfast for the local car gathering at the Thornton Cafe. The goal was to give the car a pre run before we took it on our South Island trip that we had planned.
As usual every thing was running well until the last straight before the cafe and MECHANICAL noises followed by something rattling out the exhaust, with a sudden loss of power and a dropped cylinder. Pulling in with the engine still running we parked up as soon as we could.
I knew from previous experience that we had dropped a valve - it was a case of how bad’s the damage. Taking the rocker cover off we carefully check the row of valves and No.6 spring and retainer on the Inlet valve were sitting quite high. A closer look you could see air through the valve spring. You could tell that the valve had been jammed in the guide and the Retainer and Collettes were still sitting beneath the rocker. So a phone call to Helen's Uncle Paul to see if he could trailer the car home for us, fortunately he could so with the Charger back home we got straight into seeing what the real damage was. We soon had the head off and we found a lot more things had happened than we realized. The broken Inlet valve was still all intact so what was it that disappeared down the exhaust? Some how as the valve broke and dropped into the cylinder and the piston coming back up bending the valve and jamming it into the guide, No1 cylinder blew through to No.2 cylinder causing the fire ring on No.2 cylinder to collapse into the cylinder where it promptly broke off and blew out the exhaust. Well I never!
So thanks to a recommendation we took the head to Phil Shepherd Engineering in Rotorua. I had a set of stainless steel valves and valve springs (with colette's and retainers) so they werepulled off the shelf and taken in. A order was made to Southern Classics for a headgasket set and a new thermostat etc. I had a spare manifold gasket made by BOP Gaskets. Phil crack tested the head and checked the guides and planed the head giving it a good skim as I wanted to raise the compression a little. He set the valves up and shimmed the springs for 120 lb setting pressure and 3 weeks later we had the head back, and the stressful job of putting it all back together. With reassembly done we fired the her up and gave it a good 20 minute run, setting up and balancing the carbs we had her running nicely. One thing I noticed was I wasn't getting the loud popping out the exhaust as I had previously. With the head retorqued we tested the compression and we had between 165 - 170 lbs compared to the last test of 143 - 150 lbs. Awesome.
So on the 3rd of March we took her for a run to Whakatane and we came back home knowing every thing was in its happy place. South Island here we come.
SAT 08 JUNE 9.00am
Come and join our annual Double Fifty Rally.
Starting at our clubrooms for breakfast, followed by a lovely run through the Waikato Countryside. Lunch will be at an interesting museum (entry included). Dinner and prizegiving in the evening back at the clubrooms - it’s a beach theme - decorate your sun hat, dig up your bucket and spade and let’s have a party!!
Your rally plotters - Bryan and Lorraine Cossey
PROGRAMME
SATURDAY 8th June 8.00am
Parts shed open. Branch Clubrooms, Maclean Street, Cambridge. Rally Packs available to collect 9:00am Breakfast and cuppa served to all entrants
10.00am First car away
12-1pm- Lunch stop at museum (entry included)
3-4pm Cars return to Clubrooms for afternoon tea
5.30pm Clubrooms open - bring along your drinks and snacks for a pre-dinner get-together
6.30pm- - Buffet dinner followed by prizegiving and surprise entertainment. The most innovative sun hat may win a prize.
For an entry form contact Rally Secretary: Gaynor Terrill Email: terrill.g.j@gmail.com
The Club Rooms are 29 Cliff Road. P O Box 660, Tauranga, 3144.
Key contacts are:
Acting Chairman– Donn White 0274 764465
Chairman– John Whitcombe 027 552 4203
Secretary– Michael Thorman 07 5444291
Club Captain Kaaren Smylie 07 576 4180
Monthly events—
Email: johnandjill37@gmail.com
Email: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
Email: kaaren@smylie.co.nz
Club night (except January) - 2nd Monday, start time 7.30pm
Mid week run
Wednesday following the club night
End of the month run Held on the last Sunday of the month.
Committee Meeting — Last Monday of the month
Noggin ‘n’ Natter
Last Tuesday of the month at 6pm
Coffee Mornings - Every Monday Morning Noggin ‘n’ Natter held last Tuesday of the month at 6pm and location alternates between-
1. Tauranga- Tauranga Citizens Club, Cameron Road.
Contact is Kaaren Smylie phone 021 664341 or 07 576 4180.
In 2024 at Citz Club in - May, July, Sept, November
2. Papamoa/TePuke– Rain Bar and Restaurant, 30 Gravatt Road, Papamoa
Contact is - Lynn Howard. Phone 020 4042 7624.
In 2024 at Rain Bar in April, June, August, October, December
If your birthday falls in this month please remember it is your turn to provide a plate for supper. Thanks to last months birthday people for their food.
Please remember to wear your name badges to all events. BADGES ARE FREE TO NEW MEMBERS if they need one.
LIBRARY HOURS— The library is open whenever the Club is open. Members wanting to search for or return books should ask a Committee member to open the library. We accept good clean car service manuals, or books that relate to automobile history or travel for our library
PARTS SHED Clean out your sheds and bring those surplus parts down. They may be just what someone else needs Parts shed open most Monday morning. Contacts are Jack 07 5766346 or Colin 027 2629161