VCC CENTRAL OTAGO PUFF'n'STUFF APRIL 2024

Quiz for the Month

What is it?

And who is it made by?

And what is it made of?

For maximum points, which club member owns it?

email the answer to: editorCOVCC@gmail.com

More pictures in the bits and pieces section of this mag.

CLUBEVENTSCALENDAR

Please take care to read and copy to your diary!

Date Event Organizer Detail

Wednesday 10th April 7:15 Club Night

Sunday 21st April Highlands Park Track Lap breakfast

Saturday 27th April Golden Times Rally

Sunday 5th May Kingston Flyer and Sapphire Café for lunch

May / June TBC Tekapo hot pools

John Wilson Guest speaker will be Jacqui Lambeth, Emergency Management Advisor, Central Otago/Upper Clutha, Emergency Management Otago - Te Rākau Whakamarumaru Otakou

John Wilson

Allan Sutton

John Wilson

Six people already registered. Track Lap is $45 per car. Breakfast $19 per person

Please let John know asap.

Entry forms follow later in Mag.

Lunch at 11.30

Train trip at @2.00pm. Discounted price of $55 a ticket. Please let John know asap

You can soak in 35° water and look at Mt

Cook. Let John Wilson know if you are interested. We have done it every year and it is great for arthritis, gout or whatever ails you; good deals at The Godly Hotel.

Sunday 16th June 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Graham Taylor Beginning 2 PM

Note All welcome to a pot Luck lunch from 11:30 am.

NewMembers

Welcome to Martin Hardy. Martin has a 1938 Velocett 350cc KTS and a 1969 Suzuki T250 Hustler. The Velocett pre-dates me but I remember a Hustler in the car park at high school. Quite a rapid bike I seem to recall.

Editorial

I was pretty pleased this month to have four compliments about last month’s magazine. I think that is due to the effort put in by all the contributors. I certainly appreciated the input because it makes up for knowledge I don’t have and also gives great variety of content, so thanks everyone.

At this point it looks like there might not be a magazine next month, nor will I be at club events. I am scheduled to have some reasonably serious surgery on the 24 April and have been told, if it goes well, I will likely spend the week following in the high dependency ward and not be too mobile for the following month. Not that I have been that mobile for the last couple of years. If anyone wants to put their hand up and take over for the month, I am happy to help by preparing a template that you can simply populate with people’s contributions. Happy to show anyone how to do this. Feel free to give me a call. Of course, if anyone wants to take photos or notes on any event they will be gratefully accepted.

Also, the AGM is coming up and if anyone wants to take over as Editor, I am happy to step aside. I offered to become Editor as it was a good way to understand how the club works and to get involved. If someone does want to take over, I would be happy to support them by providing an article or two if they wanted.

Surely this club must be one of the biggest geographically. To my knowledge we have members from Garston to Haast and east to Ranfurly and Roxburgh. We must continue to try and be inclusive and have events all around our vast area. The trip to the Kingston flyer is a good idea in this respect.

One of my big surprises about the VCC movement is the distances involved in some of our events, particularly given some of our vehicles. I am amazed about how many of my Christchurch motoring enthusiasts have never been to Teretonga or Highlands, yet our club will go to Haast for fish and chips.

Rose and I used to do more longer trips than we do now but 18 months ago we drove home from Auckland via the Bay of Plenty and Matamata and really enjoyed it. That was a modern, air-conditioned large car with all the bells and whistles. It eats the miles with ease. For the last 20 years my 4wds have been either a Discovery or Range Rover because of the same reasons (comfort and mile-eaters). Best trip in the Discovery was from Westport to the top of the Denniston plateau and then off-road to Reefton. Then that afternoon back to Dunedin. It was effortless and nothing compared to what some of you do. I must admit to being impressed.

BRANCHOFFICERS2023-2024

Pleasing turn-out for the Fish N Chip run to Jacksons Bay with a couple, us included, only going as far as Makarora for a coffee and then to send the keen ones on their way.

We shredded a rear tire just before Hawea. A vibration became apparent, then with a bang the casing split off from the wire on the tire. Fortunately, we were able to pull into a side road and change it. I was very happy that everything was on board that allowed me to change the flat tire in only a short time as the coffee was pending.

Just a thought regarding breakdowns with our vintage vehicles as they can happen when you least expect it and generally happen when travelling. So do have on board enough tools to help with minor roadside repairs. In the past I have waited for up to two hours for a salvage trailer to return us home as the Magneto failed that was beyond a roadside repair.

Drinking water, snacks etc are all useful items to carry just in case of a breakdown as well as sometimes roads can be blocked for a time because of a car crash.

Just a reminder regarding that Club Registration Fees are overdue so if you haven’t received your Beaded Wheels Mag then contact Graham and he could check for you if you have paid or not.

The Beaded Wheels archivist, Don, wrote an article regarding electrical wiring diagrams and their possible availability. So, I emailed him regarding having one for my 1915 Studebaker. He sent me back 3 blue printed examples so I’m now able to follow the correct wiring installation.

Noel reported on the Executive meeting that he kindly attended in my absence a couple of weeks ago on the club’s future direction.

I have pleasure in accepting Gerry Spencer’s offer to hold the position of Health and Safety officer for our Branch.

Our Own Branch AGM is approaching, and I ask you for your assistance in the running of your branch in any way: to put your name forward and have your say members, please use the Puff N Stuff if you have items For Sale as it is free and you will be surprised who reads it online as you can also read other Branch newsletters through the National club web site and check out their for-sale items.

See you at the next meeting.

Regards

John Martin

2024MarchNationalExecutiveMeeting Report

General Business:

- A guide for the preparation of branch annual accounts will be out end of March.

- Non payers membership now cancelled.

- Currently trialling online renewal for expiring VICs.

- Anyone can write an article for Beaded Wheels. As long as they get the basic information and some photos they can dress it up if necessary.

- We now have a club contact again at Vero. Note the contact number and email on the back of Beaded Wheels is dedicated to club members.

- Replacement VIC labels are available from National Office.

- 2024 Commercial Rally to North Otago.

- H W Richardson's speaker on hydrogen power very interesting. Constitution.

- Timeline demonstrated that there is no time for dithering. (Note this is more so for us, we will need to have our update ready for the 2024 AGM).

- Wellington motion passed and reasons for change discussed and then we voted 28 to 8 for change.

- There were reservations around: 1. Getting people to take on the regional representative roles. 2. Ensuring that “grass roots” members have a say. (although delegates reported a general lack of interest from members in national matters).

- The option to move to a 12-member board was then endorsed 28 to 7.

- Our preferred Option 2, for the regional boundaries, was passed with a couple of changes. These didn’t affect our branch and were made to keep some branches in their “natural” groupings.

- Options from the discussion on communication under the new structure: 1. At least an annual visit to each branch by the Regional Representative. 2. An annual meeting at one of the regional branches with all that regions delegates and the Regional Rep. 3. One annual delegates conference (probably at the time of the National AGM). 4. That the regional reps have one vote for each of their branches.

More General Business:

- $80,000 from last Daffodil Day. This year 25th August.

- Discussion if giving membership lists to club members breaches privacy.

- Speaker Garry Jackson Federation of Motoring Clubs: Glut of EVs worldwide.

Survey results now on-line, highlights;

- Recreational motoring low carbon footprint

- 71% of general public are supportive of our activities.

- 26% would like to own a vintage/classic.

- Branch Manual has been updated (will now be called the Club Procedures Manual) and tidied up. It will be back on the website next month, more consistent and indexed to save scrolling down.

- No longer distributed in hard copy but will look making it downloadable.

- Only one 50-year award ceremony per year for each branch.

- Looking at branches being able to update the on-line events calendar.

Contact me if you have any questions about any of this.

Noel Hassed Branch Delegate Central Otago

HaastRunSunday4March2024

Leaving Wanaka at 10.15am on the 3rd of March in my 1926 Sunbeam Saloon, I made my way to Makarora arriving at 10.58am. After a quick top up of the fuel and a catch up with John Martin and Gerry Spencer, I made my way over the Haast Pass and on to Haast for another quick fuel top up before heading on to Jacksons Bay, arriving at 1.15pm and meeting up the rest of the club members that had made the trip

After some great blue cod and chips, I headed off on the return trip at 2pm with another stop at the petrol station at Haast. The trip back through the gates of Haast was a bit of 1st gear crawl after the bridge with a brief stop to let the car cool down. I arrived back in Wanaka at 5.30pm. This run will definitely be on my Calander for next year.

Figure 1 Fish and Chip stop

Neil Webster

ClubCaptainsNorthIslandTour

On Wednesday 28th March, my good friend Keith Heineman and I, in the 1955 Austin A90, headed northward from Cromwell. Our ferry crossing was on Friday morning, which effectively gave us a spare 24hrs in the North Island to get to the start at Wanganui by 4pm Saturday.

The ferries ran on time, so we had time en-route to visit the Southward Car Museum at Paraparaumu with 450 vehicles on display. We also noticed another A90 sitting at Ross Church’s Auto Classics Paraparaumu and had a look at his collection of about 15 vehicles.

Day 1: We rocked up to the Barracks Sports Bar in Wanganui at 4pm to meet with Glyn Clements (North Island Club Captain ), wife Cathy, and other participants joining the tour at the start. As we were first to register for the tour we got the number 1. This was a welcome, meet and great then dinner

Day 2: Sunday morning 9am briefing at Glyn’s Motel. About 4 local cars joined us for the day one, being Neil Farrer in his blue 1956 A90. It’s not every day I get to travel with another A90. We headed up the Wanganui River Road and followed the river to Pipiriki visiting the Kawana Flour Mill built in 1854, water wheel and all. Then on to the lovely old St Joseph’s Church and Convent at Jerusalem.

Lunch stop was at Ohakune. After lunch, a group photo at the Ohakune big carrot and then onto the Tangiwai Railway Disaster Memorial where 151 people died on the 24th December 1953 as a result of a lahar taking out a railway bridge. Then back to Wanganui via the Whangaehu Valley and on to the Wanganui VCC club rooms for a visit to the parts department and dinner with the locals at the club rooms.

About 160 miles today (256km)

Day 3: Monday morning 9am at Glyn’s motel again for briefing with the first casualty of the tour. Phil Kidd’s 1922 Essex generator had unknowingly stopped charging and they had a flat battery. A quick trip to Super Cheap and a new battery and he was mobile again, but worse was yet to come. We left Wanganui, going up the Turakina Valley ending up at Taihape and the big gumboot for lunch at the Memorial Park where a Mk4 Zephyr and Mk4 Cortina joined the tour.

After lunch, we took the Taihape-Napier Road, which includes a long steep windy decent called the Gentle Annie (nothing gentle about it!), with truck and trailer units taking the whole road to get around the corners it was slow going. Unfortunately, this hill claimed a bearing in the engine of the Essex (splash-feed bearings and steep long hills, I’m told, was the cause). That night we had drinks and dinner at the Palm City Motel in Napier.

183 miles today (293kms)

Day 4: Back to Palm City Motel for the briefing then we headed South to Waimarama Beach via the Maraetotara Falls and Mohi Bush Reserve. We then proceeded to the Te Mata Peak lookout, high above Havelock North, where you have 360 degree views and can see for miles to Napier, Fielding etc. Having Lunch at Te Mata meant parking out of the wind that was at the Peak.

After lunch, it was on through Havelock North following back roads ending up back in Napier with drinks and dinner at the Hawksbay VCC Clubrooms. Phil Kidd turned up for a late dinner with

another car from his stable - a bright green 1935 Railton. A little car with a big engine (4litre odd straight 8)

126 miles today (201kms).

Day 5: We were to have the morning to ourselves but, at my request, Glyn, who used to live in the area, kindly took us on an unforgettable tour of flood-effected areas. The lower Esk Valley, where we visited a house where a young family escaped the rapidly rising waters by getting into the ceiling space of their home and by kicking off a piece of the roof iron, were able to be picked up off the roof.

Then we travelled to the site of a bridge that is completely gone, not to be replaced. The area between the Tutaekuri River and the Ngaruroro River claimed one of Glyn’s good friends, Wayne Richards, home and car collection including one of Glyn’s cars.

We then visited the Brookfields Road Bridge that was missing the centre section. Hard to believe this area was under 6m of water due to two stop banks giving out. The VCC clubrooms only a km or two away from this bridge on the other side was completely untouched.

Lunch was at the Hawkes Bay VCC Clubrooms and a look at a very tidy and catalogued parts department. We then headed to Dannevirke via country roads to the east of the town.

We did 173 miles that day (276 kms).

Day 6: First stop this morning was the Waihi Waterfalls and a short walk to the base of the falls. We then followed narrow country roads, mainly gravel, up to a lime-works at the top of a long windy hill with the lunch stop to be Pahiatua.

However, as we were near the rear of the group, we came across Glyn and Cathy’s Rover 90 on the side of the road about 11miles from Pahiatua. After about an hour of trying different things to get it going, and a change of coil, condenser and fuel pump, Glyn decided to let us tow them the 11 kms to the Tui Brewery on State Highway 2. So, we had lunch there.

We left them waiting on the AA truck and carried on well and truly behind the rest and to our surprise on a country road we came across a small tree that had just fallen across the road. We managed to get around the end of the tree but stopped to have a look at it. With that, a school bus came along and the driver decided he could not get past it. So, the A90 to the rescue! Out came my strop again and we managed to tow it off the road enough to let the traffic flow again, much to the amusement of the children on the bus that an old car could do this. This strop I have always carried in my car and never used it until today so to use it twice in one day was a big deal for us. We carried on, getting to Masterton after 5pm.

131 miles today (210kms)

Day 7: We left Masterton and ended up in Martinborough for morning coffee, then on to the Cape Palliser and a climb up the 250 steps to the lighthouse. A late lunch was back at the Lake Ferry Hotel. It was at this point the only other South Islanders on the tour, Clive and Penny Merry, from Timaru, in their 1938 Chev left us to head back home. It was then a trip around Lake Wairarapa to Fielding, and more back roads back to Masterton. A big day.

191 miles today (305kms)

Day 8: Our first stop this morning was the Pionton collection. This is a collection of 1930s cars, clothing and workshop tools and equipment etc. Then, as we were leaving, a group of about 50 hot rods pulled up to go through it after us. It was then east to Castle Point, parking on the beach and walking up to the lighthouse and lookout, then lunch at the Castle Point Pub a few miles away.

Then on to Palmerston North via the dustiest gravel roads we had on the trip, arriving in Palmerston North about 4pm. After a ride in the amazing wee Railton, we had dinner at the Irish Pub that night.

Day 9: The 60th Ruahine Ramble Rally held by the Manawatu VCC branch. We headed to the club rooms (this is used as a venue for weddings etc.). A great set-up about 10 miles out of town in the country.

Forty-six vehicles lined up and started heading away at 10am. We took the long route - approx. 10 miles, as did most of the others. The first section to the check point was a time trial, then on to the many miles of back roads, having lunch at the Kimbolton Domain.

After lunch, it was back to the clubrooms via more backroads for the prize-giving and dinner. To our amazement, we were apparently spot-on with our time trial (thanks to Keith’s time keeping) so won the rally with the Railton getting 3rd just 19 seconds away from us. This was the icing on the cake for us finishing off a great, well organised tour.

Day 10: We met up once again at the clubrooms for a farewell morning tea at 10, then, after our goodbyes, headed up to Kimbolton again to look at Glyn’s collection and help put the broken-down Rover 90 in the workshop. Cathy made us a lovely lunch while we watched footage from the last Highland Fling Rally. Thanks guys for a great week.

We then headed south to catch the ferry, then on home arriving on the Wednesday afternoon, having travelled a total of 2,618 miles (4,188 kms)

Both Phil and Glyn had an AA membership insurance cover that paid for the recovery of their vehicles and taking them back to their respective homes one in Upper Hutt and the other in Kimbolton. For a cost of $149.00 a year, well worth considering when you drive an older vehicle and consider towing costs.

Ewen

TheTaylorUtes,trucksandworkvehicles

My experience as follows; about the time I left high school, my father, Wattie Taylor, had traded back a barrel nose ’39 one ton Ford V8, on a new Vanguard ute x Amuri Motors Christchurch

This was our workshop truck, but the gearbox packed up and was replaced with a four speed ‘crash’ box. The Ford was sold to the Crabbe brothers in Cromwell c1966 He then purchased a very tidy 1953 ‘m’ Bedford, which was fitted out with a crane and drawbar suitable to tow farm machinery.

Circa 1970, we purchased a Fiat 1100T one tonner, underpowered at only 1300cc, and having a very exposed front windscreen. We got pretty good at replacing those.

Cromwell Farm Machinery (our main business competitor) became Mazda dealers and the Mazda ute was way ahead of anything else at the time. We bought a new one in 1974, it was Japanese assembled and a cracker.

We traded it after two hard years. The next was a NZ-assembled ’76 B 1600. It was quite inferior in finish and performance and used a lot more fuel and needed new spark plugs every 3000km or so; I suspect that the cam timing was out.

We then replaced this with the ‘New Shape ’78 B1600 - it was even worse, and I reckoned that if it was only going to do 16-18mpg why not have a V8? I was young and impatient in those days. We also did big mileages servicing farm machinery. About this time, we upgraded the ‘m’ Bedford to an “O’ Bedford, which had a double cab and, when fitted with a two speed Eaton axle, was a pretty useful truck.

My youngest brother Michael on a Model T recovery mission

In 1979, we purchased a new HZ 5.0L Holden ute and it did not use much more fuel than the Mazda. But, it was unreliable as we found out after Steve Barkman, who worked for us at the time, found that the valves didn’t match the seats and the guides were worn oval (It had been in twice to get the motor remedied under warranty.) This was at 30,000km from new and I swapped out the crap carburettor for a Carter unit that had come off a Valiant V8 - big improvement! In 1982, the Holden V8 was traded for a BJ42 3.5 L diesel Land Cruiser.

So, at this point in the early 1980s, I would class the Ford V8 and Bedfords as reasonable, the First Mazda B1600 and the Toyota Landcruiser as excellent for purpose (and the seat a big improvement on the Holden).

The BJ42 is still in our ownership, and my workhorse is a Toyota Landcruiser HJ 60, which I built up nearly 20 years ago. We also had a Bedford J6 (6 ton) purchased at the last Govt Stores Board Auction (the day Muldoon got his marching orders) along with a ’74 Petrol Toyota Landcruiser, the only vehicle I have owned that the fuel gauge outpaced the speedo! So that was resold at the earliest opportunity. The Bedford J6 was a lot more useful and its 300 cu in petrol motor was more economical.

I guess the HZ Holden got the last laugh as we traded it in for what we paid for it $10,500! (But in my opinion a horribly overrated as a vehicle.)

Graham

Cheryl and Nicola on Marshalling duties Olrig Station Mazda B1600 1974

AlfaRomeo1750GTV.

As mentioned on page 17 September ‘Puff n Stuff’.

I would rate this car as one of the few outstanding cars I have driven.

In 1971, Five Star Motors had a tour around Otago There was the Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Coupe, and 1750 Sedan, Simca 1501, Simca 1100, Volkswagen Karman Ghia, VW 1500s, Skoda S 110L and Renault 12TL

We helped move these vehicles around from dealer to dealer, so got to drive them all. I can quite clearly remember my impressions being brought up on BMC and some American cars of the post war variety. At the time ,we owned a well-used Austin A60 and had recently owned a Morris 1100, and were agents for the Skoda Chassied Trekka, which was an interesting utility I did quite a few trips in one and it performed well as it was well looked after.

However, it was the Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV coupe that had the blood boiling, went like a scalded cat, easily exceeded 140kmh on Camphill Road, all controls and seating well ahead of its time, handled beautifully, and for the first time in my life I wanted one! I think the price was over $5500,00 at the time the Trekka was about $1700.00, I think.

The Simca 1501, with its compact 1500cc engine, was a very nice car - comfortable, cruised easily at 120kph and quite smart looking. The Skoda S110L was built in the Dubcheck era in Czechoslovakia and its quality of build reflected that. The communist-built earlier, then later, models were of poor quality (socialism breeds ever declining standards, no incentive to do better).

The other cars were ok, but the Alfa Romeo really made an impression. “No”, I didn’t own one, young family and the reality of financial constraints at the time.

The Simca 1501 was sold as a result of this tour and after five years was traded on a new Renault 1400TL. I bought the Simca - it was a lovely car but the engine, especially the aluminium cylinder head, was fragile. Looking at a photo of the yard in 1976, it showed my 1925 Model T Ford, the Simca, 1939 D12 Dodge, an ex-rental 1970 Morris 1100, Tas 100 motorcycle, and an Austin Big 7 awaiting restoration. But that’s another story!

GT

I would like to lead a trip to the Scenic land rally next March. Now that I will be clear of Warbirds, I’d also like to attend the International Rally in Nelson 2026, and make a trip of that WHILE I STILL CAN! (I was a Marshall in Wanaka for the 1965 International “Haast Rally”, the 1978 Australian Rally, but have never attended any other international rallies in NZ.

So, if you would be interested in either of those two events, and are hopeful of good health for at least another two years, let me know and I’ll set up a trip or two!

Graham

Notice of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

To be held at the Clubrooms Litany Street Cromwell

On Sunday 16th June 2024

Beginning 2 PM

Note All welcome to a pot luck lunch from 11:30 am

Welcome

Attendance

Apologies

Minutes of previous AGM

Matters Arising

Correspondence

Chairpersons Report

Financial Reports

Any others

Election of Committee

Agenda

Appointment of Non-Committee positions

Notices of motion

General Business

Meeting closed

Followed by general discussion of club matters.

CallforNominations

Nominations are invited for all positions on the committee for the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 16th of June.

These should be forwarded to the Secretary, Graham Taylor.

MinutesofCOVCCCommitteeMeeting

Clubrooms

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Meeting began 7.35 pm.

Present

John Martin - Chair Rose Grindley

Mel Wilson

Noel Hassed

Neil Webster Graham Taylor

John Wilson John Gray

Garry Grindley

Apologies

Tony Van Gool

Bert Turnbull

Previous Minutes – 15 January 2024

Moved as true and correct - Noel / seconded by Graham.

Matters Arising

No Matters arising.

Correspondence

Graham has circulated all incoming correspondence. There is nothing that requires action.

The report from the National Executive meeting has been circulated. It was noted that some of our members’ subscriptions have lapsed and so their Beaded Wheels will stop, as will their Puff’N’Stuff.

Correspondence moved as accepted - Graham / seconded by Mel.

Treasurers Report

Accounts circulated.

Moved as true and correct – Mel / seconded John G.

It was noted that we need to prepare our accounts before the AGM.

Club Captain’s Report

Runs

• February run to Milbrook, Baskets of Blessings, and car collection was very popular – 15 cars and 38 people.

• March run to Jackson’s Bay was disappointing – 4 cars and 7 people.

Upcoming Runs

• Sunday 21st April – Highlands Park Track Lap breakfast. Six people already registered. Track Lap is $45 per car. Breakfast $19 per person.

• Sunday 5th May - Kingston Flyer and Sapphire Café for lunch.

• Sunday 8 December – Christmas party with Haddon Paddon as speaker.

Speakers

• 10 April –Emergency Otago

There was discussion and general agreement that it would be a good idea to hold an annual overnight run over Anniversary Weekend. Suggestion for next year is Invercargill.

Also, discussion that an annual whiteboard session to identify runs and other club events would be useful. John M will bring this up at Club night and call for suggestions.

Bulletin Editor’s Report

Editor reports that he is receiving some great contributions from members, and also some very positive feedback on the magazine.

Note: There will be no Puff’n’Stuff for end April/start of May as Garry will be having surgery at the end of April and needs a recovery period.

General Business

1. Gary Fredrickson (a new member) wants to set up a welcome/induction for new members. Great idea.

2. Club night dates need to be more prominent in Puff’n’Stuff – front page, with actual date.

3. Congratulations to Murray George who is the Clerk of the Course for the Festival of Speed.

4. Gerry Spencer – will be the Club’s new Health and Safety Officer.

5. Parts Shed

• Is very cold in winter and very hot in summer. Committee approved up to $800.00 to purchase a diesel heater and up to $250.00 to purchase 2 ceiling vents.

Moved by John Martin, Seconded John Gray

Action: John Gray to make the above purchases.

• Mower shed needs a new door.

• One end of the tunnel barn needs painting.

• Lighting – the lights in the sheds are fluorescents and the tubes are starting to blow. Six need immediate replacement. They should be changed to LEDs.

Action: Neil to research and come back to Committee with what is required and price.

• Sensor light is needed for safety when turning off the water at night. Maybe also some sensor security lights.

Action: Neil to research and come back to Committee with what is required and price.

6. Hoist

John G reported back to the Committee. The cost of a hoist would be relatively cheap – it is the concrete pad, roof, gates, wiring, etc that will add up to a significant amount. While the hoist, itself, would be around $4K, the total cost would be at least $24-$30K.

Discussion points – Club members getting older, need to encourage new members, would bring in new/younger members, club doesn’t own the land, could charge for using it, etc. This is not something to rush into.

Action: John G to do drawing and proper costing and then make a presentation at the AGM to canvas club members’ views.

7. Next AGM and Committee for 2024-25

• AGM will be Sunday 16 June 2024 -with a pot-luck lunch.

• Need to advertise AGM in Puff’n’Stuff and call for nominations. In particular, we need to find a Vice-Chairperson.

Next meeting: Tuesday 21 May 2024

Meeting closed 9.55 pm

OTHEREVENTSandNATIONALS

VCC Branches that would like any of their events noted in our magazine, please contact us with the details at editorCOVCC@gmail.com

For more information on these and other events in Beaded Wheels, check branch newsletters which may be found at http://vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches/

Congratulations to Murray George who is Clerk of the course at this event.

Bitsandpieces

Morephotosrelatedtothequiz

Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring 2026

Reaching out to all VCC members.

Hello Graham, and welcome to the first update for the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring 2026 Nelson Tasman. We’re very excited to be in touch with you leading up to the event which will be held from March 15 to 21, 2026.

As well as giving you insight into the rally, one of the key aims of these emails is to make sure you know the answers to as many of the frequently asked questions that we are asked. So, if you have any questions please send them our way! Many of you have already asked questions so we will start dealing with some of those in this email, and the rest in subsequent emails.

First, the basics.

The Vero IFHM 2026 is being hosted by the Nelson Vintage Car Club. We have just under 300 active members and 528 vehicles and we are based in beautiful, sunny Nelson Tasman. We last hosted the International Rally in 1972 and by all accounts it was a great event. Based on the VCC member survey results, we will have a handful of attendees in 2026 who were also here in 1972. One of them, Ray Robertson, is our festival director. Of course, we can’t rest on our laurels, so after the baton was handed to us late last year from the Taranaki team, our committee began the job of designing the next event, a job that is still ongoing. The draft programme for the event has recently been presented to the VCC National Management Committee for discussion. As it stands currently, there are 6 days of rallying and/or competitive events along with 7 nights of social, dining, and entertainment events to choose from, including the Grand Finale evening at Nelson’s Trafalgar Centre. We’ve got a wee way to go firming up some of the events so we will report on them as they are confirmed.

All club eligible cars catered for.

Rally routes and competitive events are being created to cater for all club eligible vehicles. In particular, veteran cars and bikes will have routes tailored to their quirks, but all drivers should be able to enjoy what our rally planners have in mind. The competition day plans include all ages of vehicles competing together in what should be a fun event.

Accommodation.

We’re talking with Nelson Tasman accommodation providers to try to secure good deals for all participants, with options from tent camping, campervanning, motels, and luxury hotel accommodation. More to come as things develop.

And finally, for now.

I’m hoping these newsletters will be semi-regular, but no more often than once a month until we get down to the final weeks before the big event. If you’d rather just get notice only when registrations open or feel you’ve been put on the list by mistake, please hit reply and let me know and I’ll sort things out. Also, if someone you know says they thought they were on our list but didn’t get this email please get them to email me at festivalcomms@vcc.org.nz and I’ll get them on the list.

Best regards,

Mike Wilson - Nelson VCC Branch Member Communications Manager

2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring - Nelson Tasman

Hi Garry, just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed your editorial in the latest PuffnStuff.

Good writing, & as it happens I totally agree with your comments about the value of NZ motorsport history & also the excellent NZ & international motorsport coverage that is now available. I particularly enjoyed watching (almost in its entirety) the 12 Hour Bathurst, which was compelling viewing. It doesn’t get the profile that I would have expected.

Just a question – I’m struggling to get the background on the Brodie Kostecki(?) drama. What’s going on?

As a postscript, my one point of disagreement is your reference to that wonderful sport of cricket. Of course, you are quite wrong & I am as transfixed as much about TEST cricket as I am motorsport. You will begin to appreciate this as you grow older, as I am......

Regards,

Miles Wilson

Member Queenstown

Buy,sell,wanted,exchange.

Name badges

Graham is preparing an order for these. He gets them done in batches of 10 or so. If you need one, please talk to him.

Photos and some notes on events

I can’t get to every event and my knowledge of VCC is limited. I enjoy when others help with contributions, like they did this month. This way, you will end up with a better mag that is wellrounded, and better targeted to the wider membership interests. Thank you to those of you who contributed. The Editor.

For Sale

Small 6X4 Trailer requires small number of repairs to get a WOF. OFFERS

Contact John M 021 109 1309

Four Yokohama A001 tyres Never been fitted to rims. Bought for a project that didn’t happen Stored in the dark in a cool place.

Contact Garry Grindley 021 279 5064

Wanted

Small section of 3/8” steel rod, approx. 9.5mm dia, min 200mm long. For restoration of 1927 visible petrol pump. John Gray 0274345621, jbgray@xtra.co.nz

Advice required with interior trim on the nearly restored 1938 Austin Big 7. Just a quick look over a finished car would be great

I've nearly finished restoring a 1938 Austin Big 7 and I'm looking for help from an owner of a completed car.

Help required is just a viewing of the interior trim around doors and windscreen - nothing to major. Please call/txt Chris on 021 988 434.

Chris Harvey

198 Striode Rd

Earnscleugh. 021 988 434

VCC Membership Number 01/29376

Stickers

Let others know which branch you belong to at events away from home. These are produced locally and are made of high-quality vinyl. They are external stickers and go on the outside of the windscreen or on the bodywork. (They are easily removed with a hairdryer.) Cost $3 each. (A small profit goes to our club.)

To order contact The Secretary gtml@xtra.co.nz

Graham Taylor Mechanical Ltd

114 Shortcut Road, Luggate. gtml@xtra.co.nz 443 1416 027 248 9942

MAXXIS TYRES -- MIXTECH BATTERIES — SPAREX AG PARTS