VCC CENTRAL OTAGO PnS SEPTEMBER 2023

Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. – Central Otago Branch

New Members David and Liz Palmer and their newly acquired 1925 Morris Cowley. Photo by Allan Sutton.

Not sure what the title of this month editorial should be. Options are:

“The rise of the SUV” or “The demise of the 3-box sedan or station wagon”

I am no fan of SUVs. I prefer to call them SUCKS. SUV by definition is:

1. Sports

2. Utility

3. Vehicle

Evaluating most of them against those criteria I typically give them scores of

1. !0%

2. 30%

3. 80% So overall SUCKS

Arguably, from a NZ perspective, the first SUV was the Range Rover and yes, I own one. But I brought that for its off-road ability which most SUVs don’t have. And despite what the Landie people claim, Jeep was first to that market. Most of the so-called SUV’s offer a higher driver position and I get that, but they come with real disadvantages. By comparison the old style three box sedans and station wagons offer much better driveability and fuel economy and, importantly, handling. For example, my new Aurion v my old Harrier delivers 20% plus better fuel economy with the same family of motors (3.5 V6), it is more comfortable, quicker and handles way better. What not to like?

Back in the day the amount of stuff we fired into the old Falcon wagons when we were doing motorsport was phenomenal and they could tow the race cars and house a service crew. Try doing that with your SUCK. I watch my kids, and these days kids and dogs come with heaps of stuff. They struggle with their SUVs.

We used to load our old XC falcon sedan every second Xmas with two kids and drive from Dunedin to Tauranga. Leave at 4:30 after work and drive to ChCh to stay with friends Leave early the next morning and get the noon ferry. Spend the ferry crossing wearing the kids out. Then stop at Porirua and buy them a kids’ meal at Maccas and hope they sleep to Tauranga. The XC was great. Each kid would have one thing they could throw at other sibling from the car seat and after that it was game over. They couldn’t reach out to touch each other or steal the other one’s book or toy. Some of the times we made from Picton to ChCh couldn’t be achieved today. Three speed auto. 7inch mags and good shocks. Zero horsepower but a mile eater.

Much less stressful than today’s options. I simply do not understand the current obsession we have with SUV’s. Give me a good old Coon every day.

Garry Grindley editorCOVCC@gmail.com Please note I do not necessarily check this email address daily so if you want an urgent reply or action please also phone me on 021 279 5064 Copy deadline for next edition by the 25thof each month

Circulation: 250

© 2023 The opinions and information presented here are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the club or its officers. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information or opinions expressed. E&OE.

BRANCHOFFICERS2023-2024

CLUBEVENTSCALENDAR

Please take care to read and copy to your diary!

September 13th SHPG, Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds, Pisa Range. Car and tyre testing. Speaker, to be confirmed. If someone from Wanaka can pick up speaker, please let John know!!! 03 4430344.

September 14th Midweek trip Hi all, in discussion with Lindsay and Liz Pratt, it is agreed that a visit to their much-anticipated building, housing their classic cars will be on Thurs, Sept. 14th. Alexandra. We will first meet for a menu lunch at the Chato Creek Hotel at 12.00pm, followed by a cruise down to Alex to the venue. This will be a very interesting afternoon. Obviously, RSVP week before please.

Call Graham

Club Nights – doors open from 7pm on 2nd Wednesday of the month (except Jun & Dec)

Chairman’sReport

A very interesting AGM where I met up with quite a few members that I knew from other clubs.

I will just touch on a few points of interest in this report and have a more indepth report at the September meeting as you may want to ask questions on some of the topics.

Sub will increase by $25.00 at the next round mainly to cover the Beaded Wheels Magazine. The main costs were Postage, Printing and Paper. Lots of discussion was had on the Beaded Wheels blowout and a few good thoughts have been noted, one being that the magazine be emailed as some of you folk had mentioned.

George Kear is the new National President but sadly we did not get to meet him as he had contracted Covid.

The HQ in Christchurch was condemned in the CHCH earthquakes, and the committee are looking for a more suitable building to either own, rent, or maybe build, so watch this space.

The next Vero International Rally in 2026 is going to be held in Nelson.

The Notice of motion regarding the Clubs’ name that you voted on had 89 % For and 10.3 % Against.

Information was given on the Daffodil day allowing a QR Code to be used for anyone who did not turn up with cash. We will use this more next year.

I was very pleased with all the club members who turned up to help on our Sunday Daffodil Day. Many hands make light work and allows time for the workers to talk to acquaintances. The first vehicle arrived at 11.30 and there was a steady stream from then on of a good mix of makes.

We had about 54 Vehicles support us and a good number of lookers. A good collection of $1196.30 can now be passed on to the Cancer Society.

With a little persuasion from local business, I was able to have a very good selection for the raffles table. This was most likely the hardest part of the day to organize as everything else just fell into place. I will be looking for a team to step up to organize this for next year so don’t be shy in putting you name forward. We already have some good ideas for next year.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the blossom festival to support Ewen and his team with this new look event.

I would like to acknowledge Tony Van Gool’s support on sprucing up the yard and overhanging driveway tree by supplying his tractor to complete the work and remove the debris.

See you at the next meeting.

John M.

PossiblythefirstSUCK

The 1935 Dormobile.

NewMembers

Welcome

Alec Beange. Alec has already participated in two events with his red Corvette big block.

Billee Marsh - Citroen 2CV. Be good to see this special vehicle at club events.

Augustmid-weekrun

This month’s run was to another cracking couple of locations within our amazing region of Central Otago; organised by Club Captain, John Wilson. The day dawned with another crisp frost, followed by a beautiful, calm late winter clear sky sunny day.

The first stop and meeting place was at the historic Vulcan Hotel, in the equally historic small township of St Bathans at 10.00am for morning tea, with everyone converging there from across the region. We were a little late as I had an appointment in Cromwell first thing, but were in plenty of time to partake of the great freshly brewed coffee, scones, jam, and cream. A great way to start such a “Blue Bird Day,” and have a quick catch up with David Wright, who I hadn’t seen for some time. The range of classics in the car park was a delight to see, ranging from Graham and Cheryl Taylor’s Morrie Minor, to the V8 Corvette of new member Alec Beange, with a good range of British, Aussie, American and European machines in between. There were also a few moderns, such as us in the Landcruiser (due to our late start, though there was a slightly ulterior motive here, which I will explain further later).

STORY AND PHOTOS – JOHN GRAY

Members enjoying the sunshine outside the Vulcan Hotel. Raewyn and Tony Van Gool, John Wilson, Bert Turnbull

11.15; and the word was out to relocate on to our lunch stop at the Waipiata Hotel, beyond Ranfurly in the Maniatoto Valley, however the afore mentioned pleasant conversation, meant a slightly delayed departure for us. We were having a most enjoyable journey on the undulating near empty roads; behind David Wright in has Porche 944; attempting to catch up with the earlier-leaving club contingent, when around a corner towards us came “Mr Plod” in his Holden Captiva.

Well, I knew I was going “slightly” faster than the magic “100” and attempted to dab the brakes to halt forward motion, which would by that time have been a futile exercise anyway, and to my horror, I see in my rear vision mirror that “Mr Plod” is also judiciously applying his braking device. Anyway, he must have thought more about the inconvenience of having to stop, do a U turn and chase after me, do the paperwork, and be late for where ever he was going; as fortuitously he released his right foot from the afore mentioned retardation device and continued on his way southward. Phew. There is a God after all. Note to self, re control of the loud peddle.

Anyway, soon after we caught up to the procession of eligible club vehicles adhering to the prescribed speed limit; and were, after the recent disruption to my heart rhythm; happy to join the que for the rest of the journey and enjoy the view of classic motor and mountains ahead.

Catching up outside the Waipiata Pub before lunch

The arrival at Waipiata gave a further opportunity for pleasant conversation and to further view the assembled classics, before retiring to the warm interior of the Waipiata hostelry to peruse the extensive menu and make our selection for lunch. While we had not had the pleasure of dining at this establishment before, the reviews from friends visiting previously had been encouraging and the resulting servings certainly didn’t disappoint. There were encouraging compliments all round and the overall consciences was that JW’s selection as to venue was a great choice.

Awaiting lunch at Waipiata

A total of 21 branch members were present, along with 4 invited visitors from the Dunedin Triumph TR Owners Club, who had made the journey to visit us for lunch via their morning tea stop at Middlemarch. It was great to have them along and see their sports cars at close range, including the spotless under bonnet inspections. Most impressive indeed. Another note to self.

Following the luncheon adjournment, further pleasant conversation and fond farewells, the group dispersed for home via a variety of routes, with some deciding to visit local points of interest. My wife Wendy had been recommended to visit the nearby ‘Hamilton’s’ historic gold mining town cemetery, so off we headed up the hill, past the Sanitorium, to the ‘Hamilton’s’ gold workings and further along the hill to the ‘Shepards Hut’ gold workings, all via a very mucky 4WD track and through some quite deep water.

A roadside information board informed us that the skeletons of between 400-500 Moas had been excavated from the relatively small swamp near the Shepherds Hut gold claim in the 1870’s and 80’s, along with the skeleton of a now extinct giant NZ Eagle, which is quite remarkable for such a small location, (approximately ¼ - ½ an acre) so high above the plain below. Many of the excavated bones went to the Otago Museum, though in later years following the gold rush, the excavating gentleman, made a good living digging up further bones and making up complete moa skeletons to sell to other museums. Those were the days of open enterprise. The moa birds ranged from the size of a Turkey, to over 2m in height. The bigger ones would have no doubt made for a great celebratory dinner.

From the diggings, we proceeded slightly back down and towards Patearoa to find the old cemetery. There are about 30 marked graves, within the stone walled area, however a plaque at the site records around 250 burials, so there are obviously many unmarked burial sites, but interesting to read the names and ages, from a few hours to 88 years.

Hamilton’s Cemetery

We proceeded southward along the foothills, on a beautiful undulating gravel road, which included a couple of fords, to the township of Patearoa. As previously mentioned, there was somewhat of an ulterior motive in taking the Landcruiser on the journey today.

A long time VCC friend and I from Dunedin have been reminiscing and contemplating for some time about re-establishing a rally, somewhat in the style of the original Otago Branch ‘Topless Tour’, for pre 1940 vehicles, and potentially convertible top only. The ideas are at a very early stage, but I was keen to explore a few “roads” I had in mind as part of a proposed route through Central Otago.

I took my restored 1914 Model T Ford tourer on one of these ‘Topless Tours’ back in the early 2000’s, which was over a very arduous route of mostly gravel roads, from Dunedin, through South, Central and West Otago to Clyde. While the ‘T’ was not the best choice of vehicle, it performed admirably on the day, and to my understanding it was the only Veteran to have ever finished one of the original ‘Topless Tour’ events. We enjoyed the concept immensely and would like to test the waters in restarting a similar rally, which would lean towards the concept to the famous ‘Irishman’s’ Rally. The event is not intended for ‘restored beauties’ but there are many owners who we think would be interested. It’s only an idea at present, but I think worth pursuing to encouraging owners of older vehicles to get them out and give them some use.

We had an enlightening trip home from Patearoa, proceeding westward across the plain and then towards Wedderburn. We came across a very interesting conservation site on the Puketoi-Highfield Road, on Oliverburn Station. The fenced off area, 100m from the road, contains a block of what turned out to be one of the most endangered native plants in New Zealand. It’s a plant called Olearia Odorata, the scented shrub daisy. It’s one of the few deciduous native plants, a bush of about 2m high, and comes out in masses of highly scented white flowers in January and February. An arid shrub, it was once very common from the Cromwell Basin to Lawrence but was all but wiped out by the gold miners, who

used it for firewood, and then pastoral grazing. There are evidently only a few plants remaining alongside this road.

There was also a site nearby, where the Moa hunter Māori collected a flint like rock called ‘Silcrete’, which they split off to use the sharp edges created, as knives and cutting tools. I had also seen a site of the same rock used by Māori, near Nenthorn, another Central Otago goldfield, some years ago.

My primary reason for exploring this area, was to find the access road leading to the ‘Garibaldi’ gold diggings, which we found off a side road a bit further north. This was one of the few gold diggings in Central Otago I have not visited, however being at altitude, in winter and by then late in the day, we decided that even with 4WD, the visit would be best left for the summer months. My great grandfathers on both sides of my direct family were Central Otago gold miners from the early 1860’s, and my grandfathers were both born on the diggings, so hence the interest.

We rejoined the tar sealed road a km or so west of Wedderburn, and partook of a very late afternoon tea at the SH85 Hill Stream rest stop, just before the saddle over into the top of the Ida Valley. It was then a pleasant late afternoon run, at a more sedate pace down the Manuherikia Valley back towards home, arriving back in Cromwell around 6.15pm. A fantastic day out and thoroughly enjoyed by both of us following the path less travelled.

Thanks, JW, for organising the main event, which prompted our own add ons, and will definitely lead to further adventures in this area over the summer. This is why we moved back south to Central Otago.

The information board at the near extinct native ‘Scented Shrub Daisy’ Conservation Reserve

DaffodildayCOVCCStyle

What a great car show for the size of the population. Really diverse mixture of 58 cars, most immaculate cars including a modern rat rod very cleverly done.

We were well supported by the Alpine Street Machines, Thanks guys.

Graham, I was asked to choose a favourite and picked the Stunning Red 41 V8 Mercury, (there were a few 46-47 Fords around Hawea in his youth)

Figure 1Gerry Spencer

Figure 2 Gerry Spencer

We managed at Daffodil Day to raise $1196.30 for the cancer society.

Considering that 58 cars came into the premises (at $10 each) which equals $580, the balance would be takings from casual visits at $2 each and raffles.

This is slightly down on last years ($2,297.70).

Figure 3 Gerry Spencer

Figure 4 GT's people mover

Those of us of a certain vintage will doubtless remember the 60’s TV programme “Dr Findlay’s Casebook, which featured the somewhat craggy senior partner Dr Cameron.

His mode of transport in the Scottish Highlands was a 1920’s Morris Cowley Bullnose tourer. I must admit this was one of the viewing highlights for me despite the very good A C Cronin story line!!

When I visited New Members David and Liz Palmer in Arrowtown recently and inspected their newly acquired 1925 Morris Cowley Bullnose two-seater with dickey, nostalgia prevailed once more as I recalled the introduction to the make on our old black and white “telly “all those years ago.

The little Morris now affectionately named “Molly” captures all the romance of the light English car and for a mass-produced car it possesses a surprisingly high standard of features from its very attractive German silver radiator, comfortable leather seats and even a fuel gauge on the oak dashboard. Some members may have seen David’s blue Morris at our most recent “Golden Times Rally “and now it is a somewhat regular feature often seen with a happy Liz and David heading off in search of a good coffee nearby.

“Molly” was rescued in very reduced circumstances from a farm, but essentially a complete kitset of sorts and restored beautifully from the ground up in the 1970’s, it drives strongly and with some recent fettling its reliability and pride of place in the home garage it looks to be a certain future for the wee roadster. When I asked David about the journey to his recent purchase and club membership, I find like many of us after a busy and successful career in business the long-held passion for motoring has been rekindled and “Molly” is now fulfilling that sense of freedom and adventure that we can often relate to in the fullness of youth, long may it continue for all of us!!

To know more about the Palmer motoring interest, I felt some key questions might reveal where it all began and asked the following:

YOUR FIRST CAR?

This was a 1928 Austin Chummy, way back in 1963 and purchased for the princely sum of 35 pounds, David’s pushbike mounted school mates were mightily impressed, sold later for 55 quid (!!!), when he inherited, at the age of 16 his late mothers 1935 Austin Lichfield saloon with just 28,000 miles on the clock.

WHAT CAME NEXT? As a Canterbury farm cadet, the young David progressed to a 1951 Ford Prefect. Later in life as business improved a Mazda RX7 rotary, Audi 200 quattro, Volvo, a succession of XJ6 Jaguars and a Daimler Sovereign, while Liz had MGBs and a Blue E type coupe - wow! Their long-kept Jag was a stunning burgundy 1958 XK150 coupe with wires.

WHAT IS THE BEST CAR YOU HAVE OWNED? After all those great experiences David believes on balance the best car owned in the past was a 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo all-wheel drive wagon - dependable, fast and very spacious!!!

YOU’VE JUST WON LOTTO, WHAT CAR WOULD YOU BUY? (Just for the record this is a hypothetical question) Not surprisingly this would be on the “dream list “above all, once we have paid of the mortgage, bought houses for the kids and tripped around the world a few times!!

For David it would a big green 4.5 litre “blower” Bentley Le Mans equipped, I agree it would look great beside “Molly” in the garage. Today you will often find him in his well-equipped woodwork shop creating some masterpiece, cooking and caring for Liz since suffering a stroke in 2022…..or just contemplating what the next adventure will be!!

CarandDriver1970

WorthKnowing

Gerry arrived back last week to find that Wanaka has its first traffic light! (Well, 2nd if you include the one at Albert Town bridge). It is at the golf course crossing on Ballantyne Rd. What next? Parking Meters?

Seen in Mitre 10, a highly reflective “Mr Blue” from 1952.

Figure 5Gerry Spencer

Wanaka residents may be interested to know that waste oil is now handled at the Transfer Centre, not Wastebusters. The cost is $10 for up to 20 litres (which is cheaper than before), but for more than 20 litres it costs $10 per litre! Yes, you read that correctly.

So the most efficient way is to collect 20 litres at a time to take there – which is not hard if you have 6 vehicles…

OTHEREVENTS,NATIONALS

Central Otago Branch – “Blossom Festival Rally”

Saturday 23rd September 2023

ENTRY FORM

Entrant’s Name(s): …………………………………………………&……………………………………………………………

Address: ………..…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………….………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………….

Phone (mobile preferably): …….…………………………………………………………….………………………………

Email: ………………………………….…………………………………………………………….…………………….……… Membership

Number: ……………….………………………………………………………….…………………………

Vehicle Make & Model: ………………………….………………………………………………………….………………

Year: ………………….. Registration Number: ………….………………………………………………….………………

Vehicle Class: (circle one)

Veteran Vintage PV PWV P60 P80 Motorcycle Commercial

I will join the Blossom Festival Procession (circle one) Yes / No

Costs:

Rally Entry (per vehicle) @ $30 $……………

Total $..............

Entries Close: 15th September

Payable by online banking to the Central Otago Vintage Car Club a/c 06 0921 0035742 01 with your name as reference

All correspondence to Rally Organiser: Ewen Duthie phone: 0278388324

email: Duthie.e@xtra.co.nz address: 120 Barry Ave, Cromwell 9310

Central Otago Branch – “Blossom Festival Rally” Saturday 23rd September 2023

We have built on the format from last year to hopefully simplify and increase the interest of the event!

Entrants are asked to park in and around the main street area of Clyde (Sunderland St) from 8.30 am onward as a “show and shine” to let the public have a closer look at our cars. You can enjoy a breakfast or coffee at the many cafes in the area before moving on at your own time after say 10 am. The day is yours to organise as you wish.

The rally packs will be able to be picked up in front of the Lodge on the corner of Sunderland St (the main street of Clyde) and Lodge Lane with the rally briefing being held there also.

Those who want to go in the Blossom Festival Procession will need to park up at our usual spot in Enterprise Street (turn left at the top of the hill into Royal Terrace then next left into Enterprise St). The rally marshals will guide you. The procession starts at 11.45am. Parking is available at Bantry Street after the procession handy to the festival in Pioneer Park.

The Rally format will be:

Before the event, you will be sent a list of places of interest to visit (including directions of how to get to each) including the points each destination is worth. You will choose which you want to visit to accrue the right number of points. This is so you can work out your route prior to the event.

The questions to answer at these destinations will be in your rally pack handed out on the Saturday morning. You will choose which you want to visit to accrue the right number of points.

Points will be given to those who go in the procession and so that those who choose not to are not disadvantaged and can gain points in visiting more or further afield places of interest on the list. Older, slower cars will also be given points so as they are not disadvantaged.

The event will end at the COVCC Litany St Clubrooms in Cromwell for a light afternoon tea, catch up and prize-giving later in the day and the opportunity to have a look through the parts sheds. We are not providing an evening meal this year but will have the clubrooms open for those who want to join with takeaways. BYO food and refreshments.

Sunday 24th at 10am meet at the Clubrooms in Litany St for a garage raid in the local area. Bring your lunch to the clubrooms before heading home.

Come and join us.

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

SATURDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2023 MMXXIII RALLYE AUTOMOBILE ANCIENNE MONTE-CARLO. See Graham Taylor for info/entry form.

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

Buysellwantedexchange.

1923 Ford Model TT (Makarora House) need the room $7750.00 firm. See Graham. I must confess I am vague on what this is.

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 well-rounded, and better targeted to the wider membership interests.

Puff ‘n Stuff DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT RATES

(Members wanted/sell adverts free for 3 months)

Full Page $300 (for 12 months)

Half Page $150 “

Quarter Page $80 “

→ Contact the Ed for info

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