VCC MARLBOROUGH VINTAGE VIEWPOINT MARCH 2023

PO BOX 422 : BLENHEIM

EVENTS : This Month

A FULL EVENTS LIST IS ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS NEWSLETTER AS USUAL

Tue 12 Mar Mid day Lunch

Outing at Raupo’s. Names down please at Clubrooms for the table bookings

Sun 17 Mar - Hospice Car ShowWaterlea Racecourse, McLauchlan St, Blenheim

Sun 17th Mar - Motorcycles

Leave the park for a ride up to the Wairau Valley

REMINDER THERE IS NO ‘NATTER & NOGGIN’ IN MARCH

Front Page: Earl Preston being presented his 60 year badge at the Veteran Rally in Dunedin

Chairman’s Report

Here we are into March a fantastic old time Marlborough summer, hot, dry, plenty of swimming, but it seems to have gone by very quickly, throw in some vintage motoring all in all a great summer.

Great work by the Vintage Only rally team who pulled forty-two cars and members from all over the country for the week of our Heritage Day. Blending it in with our annual Heritage Day worked really well, the weather played ball, the public attended in good numbers, the club members brought their cars out for display and the rally entrants all had a great time. The following day was rally day out on some of Marlborough’s dry dusty backroads but few problems other than “poor old Pat from the coast “Unfortunately had some health issues and I think went home early, otherwise everyone had a great time, all polished off with a great evening meal organised by Dale and her team on the final night.

A great day also out last Saturday at the Rai Valley A & P Show, not VCC but fourteen Model A and Ts lined up, along with several other fine cars. Nice weather, good motoring and a well attended public day out with lots to see and do.

I’ve said many times after 51 years in the motor trade I’m well over it, but I’ve just returned from two days in Wellington, where I assisted my brother in law who is rather “mechanically lacking” but tries “very hard” working on his very original ‘61 Morris 1000.

It needed a clutch and was leaking oil furiously so we hauled the motor out stripped, cleaned everything, all new seals and gaskets and serviced, tidied up and repainted anything required to make the engine bay look as new again. As an apprentice in 1971 I learned my trade on Morris vehicles so it was actually very enjoyable and rewarding all these years later to complete this job at 7 pm last night and drive out the door, the car purring nicely and running sweet.

Next weekend off to the VCC exec meeting in Christchurch. Well, I guess life’s never dull.

All the best for March and keep enjoying the events our club captain has to offer.

Cheers Rob.

Club Captain’s Report

Thank you to all members that helped make our 2024 National Vintage Rally very successful.

We have had some wonderful feedback, so well done to everyone. A cooler, but very pleasant day was had by about 30 members at Anakiwa for our picnic at Ian and Pat Barnes batch.

March is Hospice Car Show month and I hope our members are all busy getting their cars prepared for this important fund raiser. See you there on the 17th.

Some members will also be making their way to the West Coast for the annual Scenicland Rally, safe travels, always a good weekend.

Keep your eye on the calendar of events page as we have a few things happening down the track, a free afternoon tea.

Night Trial (twilight trial) – Saturday 6 April - and Pot Luck Tea. Meet at Clubrooms about 4.30 pm where you will hand over your meal and start the trial. This will end in Picton where your pot luck tea will be waiting for you. If you live in the Picton area we would love to have you join us either, at Blenheim, or at 6.00 pm 18 Weka Place, Waikawa with your pot luck meal.

Cheers Cath Millar.

Update from Your Kitchen

Custodian

Gosh March already, the months just seem to be whizzing by, with the days starting to draw in and the mornings a little bit cooler.

Not a lot to report this month in the kitchen, natter and noggin was another enjoyable night with the pot luck tea.

There won’t be the usual ‘natter and noggin’ in March as a number of our members are off to the Scenicland Rally and Nelson Easter Rally, so the ‘natter and noggin’ is going to be held in conjunction with the night trial early April.

Cheers from the folks in the kitchen.

Secretary’s Scribblings

Well, haven’t we had a great summer for motoring in our old cars? Warm (some very warm) weather and not much rain, although Farmers and Growers in the province are crying out for rain. In areas around Lake Grassmere, the rainfall since June has been less that 150 mm. So, no wonder it is dry.

We have had some great runs, what with the Vintage Only rally, with great comments from participants, to a trip to the Rai Valley Show, and other events.

I am heading to the Feilding on Friday before this comes out to attend the Manawatu Branch 60 the Ruahine Ramble, then next week will be going to Oxford to my son’s farm for a couple of weeks while he is on a business trip to Japan. In amongst that Rob and I will be representing you at the National VCC Executive meeting in Christchurch on the 16th and 17th March.

From our Committee Meeting on Wednesday: New Safety gear has been purchased for the parts sheds, with ladders and a small scissor lift so items can be placed on shelve safely. Also, the forklift tractor has had safety plates fitted under the pedals, so the drivers’ feet will not slip past these.

There is quite a lot of surplus “Junk” behind the sheds. Corrugated iron, plastic pipes, among other things. If any member would like any of this, please approach a committee member otherwise this will be dumped. There are also a large number of tires as well. Please DO NOT bring tires up to the sheds, as we must pay at least $5 each to dump these.

We also have surplus chairs to sell along with some old petrol pumps. If you would like a look, please let us know.

The next project will be to remove the roof from the electrical shed and put down building paper before replacing the roof and using screws instead of nails. This is to stop condensation in the shed along with any leaks.

Part of Harris Glade has been dug up. A few days ago, a waterpipe at the front of the building was leaking badly, and Trevor has been on an archaeological dig to discover the offending pipe.

We discussed the proposed change to the constitution which Rob and I must deal with at a meeting of the Clubs Executive in Christchurch on

16th and 17th March.

After 2 meetings last year, it was proposed that the branch delegates vote on the proposal, which we have been told was needed after the rewrite of the Incorporated Societies Act in the last 12 month.

The Wellington Branch, supported by Canterbury Branch have put a proposal to be discussed at the meeting, “That the Executive agrees that before any further consideration of any new structure for the club we discuss and agree what the objective is for any proposed change. What is the problem we are trying to solve.”

“Background:

Discussion was held at the March 2023 Exec meeting around the options for a revised single committee structure for the Club. This was on the basis that the Exec had been advised that the current two committee structure did not meet the requirements of the 2022 Inc Societies Act and we would need to change to a single committee. This advice was subsequently found to be incorrect and that the new Act did not require a change to our structure. The discussions and any decisions made in this matter at the March ‘23 meeting are therefore invalid due to this error. The recent Discussion Paper from the Management Committee on the matter of our structure and constitution states that it was clear from those attending there was a need to move to a one Committee Governance structure. This paper fails to note that those attending were, at that time, under the mistaken understanding that there had to be change. That makes this statement invalid. Wellington and Canterbury share a view that there are a number of options available to improve the governance of the Club whilst retaining the two-committee structure. This structure has, with considerable success, managed our Club for the past 75 years and must now be included in the consideration of any options for change. However, the first step if considering any solutions is to identify and agree what the problem is we are trying to solve.

A legal opinion has suggested that we have too many representatives on our Exec. This fails to consider our significant functional differences from the corporate world as a national club of 36 Branches. The advice focusses only on numbers without considering our process. Ie, reducing the number of persons could be a solution but what is the problem that this solves and how else can we solve it?

As set out above, Wellington and Canterbury do not consider that the Executive has a valid mandate from the membership to vote on a single committee structure as has been proposed. We must return to

discussing and agreeing the reasons for change (what is the problem) and to consider all options including retaining the current structure (what is the solution).

A more detailed Discussion Paper will be prepared supporting this Motion and distributed for consideration at Branch level prior to the March ’24 meeting.”

Your Committee agreed to support this Agenda Item. We also agreed that Elected positions to the Management Committee should be 3 years with 2 consecutive terms to be served.

We also agreed that the positions of Secretary/Treasurer, BW editor, Registrar, Archivist and Speed Steward be appointed positions and report to the Management Committee and Executive, with no voting rights.

We will report on the outcome of this in the next Vintage Viewpoint.

Happy Heritage Motoring.

Chris Bird

Blokes in the Shed…

Our new replacement shed is a sight to behold and is a worthy addition to the Clubs assets. A steady enthusiastic small team of club members have been doing the hard yards spending many, many, hours relocating tons of stock from the shipping containers onto the new impressive pallet racking.

Neville’s new system of cataloguing by numbered bins is taking the previous guess and search method to a new level making it much easier for all team members to locate our inventory.

The existing Southern shed has been gutted of stock and shelving and the tractor relocated within. Workbenches and the tyre machine etc will soon be installed. Parts sales for February have been bolstered by the sale of a ute load of borer and rotten wooden wheels culled from our extensive stock in the compound with all the good ones retained and re racked. Morris Minor parts are always sought after, this month being no exception.

Cheers, Tris Winstanley.

Motorcycle Report

It’s been a busy month with several members attending National rallies around the country, the Norton rally was in the North Island the Indian rally on the coast and the AJS and Matchless Rally held here in Marlborough all attended by local riders.

On the local front we finally got to Kekerengu after three attempts were cancelled by weather events, five bikes took advantage of a perfect day weather wise to trundle down the coast for lunch, a bit of useless but interesting information on the day would be all five bikes were older than the youngest rider (who is married with a child so not that young) and of the five bikes; four had electric start and the fifth wished his did when he went to leave. Once an “electric boot” would have been an exception on a run but when you consider a motorcycle from 1980 is now 44 years old and the push to go button was around well before then what was once a “modern” bike feature is now part and parcel of classic biking.

Thanks, Don, for doing the back up.

Ben has continued organising eventful Wednesday night runs first to The Woody for tea at the end of last month and this week for a lap around Rapaura and back to the park for a coffee, we will be having one more before we call it quits at the end of daylight saving.

Glenn

Motorcycle Calendar

Sunday 1 th March

Leave the park for a ride up to the Wairau Valley

We would like to invite your club and members to participate in the 2024 Hospice Vehicle Display which is a fundraiser for The Marlborough Hospice.

This is going to be held on Sunday 17th March 2024, at the Waterlea Racecourse on McLauchlan Street in Blenheim.

The venue will be open from 9.30am for the display cars, with public viewing from 11 am. It is expected cars will be on display until 3.00pm. (If you want to park as a group, please meet up somewhere and come as a group).

Because this event is a fundraiser for The Marlborough Hospice; the entry fee is $5.00 per car. All monies collected will be donated to them.

General public entry will be at the McLauchlan Street entrance by gold coin donation. We hope many of our community will take the opportunity to come and view the cars on display.

We encourage entrants to bring a picnic and join us for this event. As per previous displays, there will be a BBQ selling hot sausages and bread with all the proceeds going to The Marlborough Hospice. Hot drinks and other food will also be available to purchase.

For further information please contact:

Pat Pascoe - Phone 027 442 1786 or p.pascoe@xtra.co.nz

Pat Clay – Phone 027 602 0549 or pat.clay@xtra.co.nz

"Tappit Hammer"

(written by Trev)

History articles that were previously printed in The Vintage Viewpoint between 2007-2011.

They have been edited and published in book form. There is the addition of new material, local history, N.Z. history, stories of early branch members etc.

Copies can be viewed/purchased from Trev at the club rooms or 6 Milford Street.

14 chapters, 190 pages, 37 stories, soft cover. Cost $40.

The Marlborough Branch Updated History book is now available.

Copies can be picked up from Trevor at 6 Milford Street (Ring before coming around on 578 4142) or on Wednesday mornings at the clubrooms.

Payment of $50 can be made by direct credit

03-0599-0246604-001 Or EFTPOS at the clubrooms or cash to Trevor.

The following badges are produced and sold by the Branches as follows:

Bumper Badges: Brass or Nickel plated Hawke's Bay Branch

E: hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz PO Box 3406 Napier 4142

Jacket/Blazer Badges: Cloth Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch VCC of NZ Inc.

E: easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz

PO Box 2168 Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159

Lapel Badges: V.C.C. General Wellington Branch

E: wellington@vcc.org.nz PO Box 38-418 Wellington 5045

Car Rally Number Holders Ashburton Branch

E: ashburton@vcc.org.nz (Check branch for sizes) PO Box 382 Ashburton 7740

V.C.C. Motorcyclist

Wairarapa Branch VCC of NZ Inc. E: wairarapa@vcc.org.nz PO Box 7 Masterton 5810

Number Plate Frames

South Island Distributor North Otago Branch

E: northotago@vcc.org.nz PO Box 360 Oamaru 9444

North Island Distributor Manawatu Branch

E: manawatu@vcc.org.nz PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440

VCC Winged Vehicle Stickers Central Otago VCC of NZ Inc.

E: centralotago@vcc.org.nz

100 year vehicle badges

Please refer to Section 40G for the appropriate application

The Vintage Car Club of NZ E: admin@vcc.org.nz PO Box 2546 Christchurch 8140

Non commercial

Advertising

in the

Vintage Viewpoint is freefor members of the NZ VCC NZ.

Our close-off is the 1st Friday, after the branch meeting of every month.

To place an advert : Contact the Editor, Chris de Wagt P: 5777 238

For Commercial Advertising please contact the Secretary Chris Bird.

Wolseley 4/44 1955

Colour Green. A tidy reliable post vintage car Registered, Current wof, Ready to Rally

Reluctant sale $12,000

contact Oliver Varcoe on Ph 5785939

GRC7 Mulliner Body

Older restoration but done very little milage, last registered in 2014 due to owner living overseas. Motors runs well good oil pressure and temp. Sold as is

Contact Patrick Pascoe 0274421786 for photos and more info.

Ford

Barn find in very good original order, but will need paint .showing 65000 m . Comes with another spare but damaged Anglia. This would be an easy restore, Contact Rob Galloway 0211299133 / 03 5782395

Running Board Tire Pump A Globe MFG Co product. called Dead Easy. Supplied by A Russell and Co Dee Street Invercargill. Sole NZ Distributor. Still has the tag on it. In working order. Hose needs replaced

Running Board Petrol Can Mounting Bracket Brand new never used, has the words “Shell Motor Spirit East in it”

Phone: 579 4458

WANTED

MG VA Tachometer Drive Reduction Box

This is a 2.66 : 1 ratio and is the same as the one fitted to the TA. I have the gears and drive parts; therefore, I would also consider the 2.25 : 1 ratio box as fitted to the TC/TD models. I need a box with good front and back castings thank you.

John Gray, Ph 0274345621, jbgray@xtra.co.nz

AJS 350 SINGLE & MATCHLESS 350 SINGLE

Both with rego on hold. Genuine enquires on either motorcycle only please. Various spares etc. will be on trademe if not wanted by buyer.

Matchless is WOF’able but not done

AJS needs new cables for Wof, but both could be WOF’d and Reg for right buyer and right price.

Both in tidy original condition. Open to offers over $5,999 each.

Phone Mac 03 5777 238

PURCHASING PARTS from THE SPARES SHED

Any parts advertised for sale from the Parts Shed are able to be inspected Wed mornings.

Contact: Tris Winstanley M: 0274440834

Fordson E83W selection of parts.

Hudson 1929 parts, body panels and some mechanical.

1934 to 1937 International light truck C1 ?, excellent chassis on powder coated wheels with new tyres, two engines, rear axle , two front axles, drive shaft, fuel tank, front fenders plus other sheet metal and woodwork for patterns, POA.

1930s Morris 10 or 12hp s/v engine P.O.A.

1930s Morris Minor

Front axle with wheels and bumper

MGB 1.800 engines. One complete and turns over.

Set of four near new 15 inch cross ply tyres, suit EIP Vauxhall etc

Essex four engine and rear axle assembly.

Circa 1958 Standard Vanguard Ute the engine starts and runs well - now stripped for parts P. 0. A

Chevrolet radiator badge selection.

Wolseley 1250cc Engine complete with after market cast aluminium tappet cover.

Mark 1 Ford Cortina and Escort mechanical parts, engines, gearboxes, rear axles etc. etc.

Mopar s/v head selection includes Chrysler and DD Dodge.

Ford Escort n.o.s. water pump. P. O. A.

Dodge light truck s/v engine circa 1953/4.

Dodge car radiator surround, circa 1930/31, had a good badge.

Huppmobile

An assorted selection of mid to late 20s Huppmobile mechanical parts, enquires to Parts Custodians

Vintage era steel rear trunk complete with lid and corner fittings etc. Open to offers.

Marlborough BRANCH OFFICERS

Patron

Trevor Harris 578 4142

Chair Person - Mobile 0211299133

Rob Galloway (Adelle) 578 2395

Club Captain Mobile 021 208 9166

Cath Millar (Kevin) 579 1147

Secretary

Chris Bird Mobile: 027 247 1089

Treasurer

David Bool 579 4716

Committee

John Russell (Mary) 577 5087

Don Laing (Linda) 027 315 6227

Dale Nicholas 021 0265 7507

Bill Nicholas 027 578 4322

Jim McLean (Jean) 021 0257 3069

Gary Vercoe (Sue)

Model ‘A’ & ‘T’ Custodian

Kevin Millar (Catherine)

Mini Custodian

8570

1147

Rob Galloway (Adelle) 578 2395

Motorcycle Section Rep

Trevor Harris 578 4142

Glenn Harris (Paula)

Examiners

6453

Ron Hebberd (Shirley) 575 7196

Ray Fairweather (Lyn )

Pat Pascoe

Parts Custodians

Tris Winstanley (027 444 0834)

Tiger Lyons (Eileen)

John Russell (Mary)

6841

573 8964

3343

9139

5087

Earl Preston (Rose) 577 7839

Neville Grant (021 1957 709)

Security - Mobile 0274 303 001

Mike Gray (Karen)

Librarian

6747

1435

Barry Wilson (Margie) 578 1587

Museum Custodians

Mike Gray (Karen) 578 1435 Or 0274 303 001

Bill Nicholas (Dale) 027 578 4322

Don Laing (Linda) 027 315 6227

Gary Vercoe (Sue) 578 8570

John Monson (Dot) 578 9044

Kevin Jackson (Helen) 573 6962

Keith Thoms (Chris) 02041936671

Kitchen Custodian

Dale Nicholas (Bill) 021 02657507

Grounds Administrator

Cath Millar (Kevin)

579 1147

John Russell (Mary) 577 5087

Jim McLean (Jean) 021 0257 3069

Beaded Wheels Scribe

Linda Laing (Don) 021 09054895

Photographer

Linda Laing (Don) 021 09054895

lindylaing@gmail.com

Newsletter Editor

Chris de Wagt (Mac) 577 7238

E: vintage.viewpoint@xtra.co.nz

Newsletter Distribution

Barry & Margie Wilson 578 1587

Health & Safety Officer

Gary Vercoe (Sue) 578 8570

Delegates to the Executive

Rob Galloway (Adelle) 578 2395

Observer: Chris Bird 0272471089

Brayshaw Park Admin Delegates

Don Laing (Linda) 027 315 6227

Gerry Roodakker (Jeannine) 5793001

Branch Spokesperson

Rob Galloway (Adelle) 578 2395

Clubrooms Phone : 578 0616

Website: www.marlboroughvcc.com

EVENTS : This Month….

Tue 12 March Mid day Lunch Outing at Raupo’s. Names down please at Clubrooms for the table bookings.

Sun 17 Mar - Hospice Car Show - Waterlea Racecourse, McLauchlan St, Blenheim

Sun 17th Mar - Motorcycles Leave the park for a ride up to the Wairau Valley

Next Month

Sat 6th April - Night (Twilight) Trial Meet 4.30 pm at the Clubrooms. Or meet at 6.00 pm 18 Weka Place, Waikawa with your pot luck meal. All members welcome.

Fri 19 April - Afternoon tea at Summerset. Meet Clubrooms 1.45 pm

Thurs 25 April - ANZAC DAY - Join in the Wairau Valley afternoon Anzac service with your Club Cars. Peace Memorial Hall, 17 Morse Street, 2 pm

Wairau Valley

Fri 26 April - Train Trip Kaikoura. (fully booked).