VCC ASHBURTON BLOWOUT MARCH 2023

BLOWOUT

MAY -

JUNE 2023

Ashburton Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)

Presentation of the VTNZ Car Show proceeds to the Cancer Society Ashburton

BRANCH OFFICERS 2022 -2023

APRIL

27

Midweek Run 10.30am for 11am departure Clubrooms to Dunsandel Pub for lunch

30 Rotary Club of Ashburton Plains

Classic Car Run 30th April 2023

May

6 Sat Ashburton Swap Meet 2023. It has been rumoured that we are not holding this. This is most definitely not true. We have got the Rugby Club Grounds again this year.

25 Thurs 25th May Midweek Run - Leave Clubrooms at 10.45am To travel to Shearers Quarters south of Temuka

June

10-11 Overnight Run planned to Oamaru.

15 AGM 8pm. at Clubrooms. Last day to put your name in for Restoration of the year

25 Solstice Run Meet at 1pm at the Clubrooms for 1.30pm start

July

20 Annual Dinner See page 7 for details

Aug 12 Garage Raid – 6 Places to visit

20 Daffodil Day

Sept

21 Quizco in Ashburton

TBA Spring Rally - Opening Run

October

November

TBA Posh PICNIC

TBA Post 60*80 Run

Dec

TBA Commercial Run

Cover Photo: Presenting the Proceeds From The VTNZ Show

Steven Hilton, Manager VTNZ Ashburton

Aimee Cosgrove, Cancer Society

Colin Sweetman, Secretary Vintage Car Club Ashburton

Chairman’s Report

Welcome to our new Members, some of who have either transferred to our Branch or have decided that our Club is just what they are looking for to meet new people and to drive their vehicles on the regular runs that we provide. I am sure that our Members will make you welcome in a very short space of time. We are all go for this years Swap Meet, the grounds are looking good, all the plans are in place to host a hopefully successful day. A huge Thank You goes to the team that have played a part in this years event. This is a great event that involves a lot of our Members that may not always participate in activities and runs. All we now need is a fine day to bring out the people. We are very conscious that we need to get cars off the road and into the grounds as quickly as possible. To help with this, we are directing traffic from the south to turn onto Thews Road and enter the grounds through the southern gate on Maronan Road, with traffic coming from north splitting into two, one group will enter through the rugby grounds to get to the sites and the other group of people will be directed past the Museum as normal to make their way to the Public Car Park in the Plains paddock.

Restoration of the Year is also on my radar for 2023, if you have a newly restored vehicle that has been on a Run in the past 12 months, is registered and has a current WOF, please give me a ring to enter. It can be a commercial, motorcycle or car and needs to be Club eligible, the more vehicles we have the more interesting the judging will be and the harder my job is in being able to come up with a winner. If you are not sure, please give me a ring. I would like to have all the judging completed for presentation of the award at the Annual Dinner.

This years Annual Dinner will be held at the Hotel Ashburton on 20th July, there will be reminders of the event in following Blowouts. We will be hoping to have a guest speaker for the evening, along with Presentation of the 25 & 35 Year Awards along with the Restoration of the Year Trophy.

Our Club Captain has organised a Weekend Away with a night in Oamaru, staying at the Ascot Motels near the Galleon at the north end of town.

More details will follow in the Blowout, but the Road to Oamaru won’t be a direct one, guaranteed to see a lot of the South Canterbury countryside. The last time we did this Run we had a ball, so please give this weekend away some serious consideration.

Also coming up rather quickly is this years National Day, we will again be holding our Daffodil Day Show and Shine at the Club’s grounds on August 20th. Please put this date in your calendars, last year we had over 150 vehicles, so let’s see if we can do even better. We will run the same format with a BBQ available and also we may even get some music on site, just to add to the ambiance of the day.

The AGM is also not that far away, if you would be keen to help out in the Museum or the Parts Shed, please let me know or any of the Committee or Custodians, we can always do with a little more help. Also we will be looking to add to our Committee, again if you would like to take a more active role in your Club, please talk to any of the Committee or myself, we would love to have you on board.

Thank you to those Members who are asked to do a write up of an event they have just done, this is very much appreciated. It is always good to read about other peoples accounts of the day, Thank You and keep them coming in.

We have quite a few events coming up, so may catch up with some of you and may also see some of you at the GDC Wheels Week events as well. Get out and enjoy your motoring, remember it also puts smiles on others faces seeing our vehicles out and about.

Keep your chrome clean.

Peter

MEMBERSHIP

This issue we welcome: Michael Bell - 1970 Bedford J1 Truck, Grant Porter. 1956 Ford Customline. 1965 Ford Zodia .

We look forward to seeing you at events and would like to read about your vehicle restoration or some facts about the history of it. Please send articles to the: Editor: chris.gulleford@outlook.com

Annual Dinner

20th July 2023 at Hotel Ashburton 6.00pm for 6.30pm.

$45 per head, pay on the night

Bookings essential

Contact Trevor Begg: 027 608 3803

Restoration of the Year

Please contact me with entries by Tuesday 15th June 2023

Peter Jacob

Ph: 308 8940 or 0274 712 109.

Restoration of the Year

I would like to extend an invitation to all members who have a Club eligible vehicle that has been restored in the past 12 months and has been on a Club Run to enter. This one duty as Chairman that I look forward to, is this year's ‘Restoration of the Year’, so if you have a vehicle that you would like to enter for my judging of “Restoration of the Year”

please let me know before 15th June 2023.

Please contact me if you are interested.

Peter Ph: 308 8940 or 0274 712 109.

Club Captain’s Report

First Mid-Week Run was to Gapes Valley Cafe which went well, with15 cars in attendance.

Next Mid-Week Run we went to Mt Potts Station for lunch with morning tea at Lake Camp.

COMING UP

25th May Midweek Run - Leave Clubrooms at 10.45am to travel to Shearers Quarters south of Temuka

10-11 June Overnight Run planned trip to Oamaru.

15 June AGM. 8pm at Clubrooms

25 June Solstice Run Meet at Clubrooms 1pm for 1.30pm start

20 July – Annual Dinner. Guest speaker See advert pg

21 September – QUIZCO. Here this year.

November TBA Posh Picnic

Praise for our Museum

At Easter a group of friends who have a tradition of going for a little outing on Easter Saturday chose to visit our Museum.

While the group included some members most of them do not belong to our Club or have a particular interest in motoring.

All the group enjoyed their visit saying the museum is a great attraction. They liked seeing the cars, the models and the motoring memorabilia.

The group are very glad they visited the Museum and grateful for being able to do so.

CHAIRMAN’S RUN

A chatty group of people gather before heading out on the Chairman's Run to Woodbury Domain. Had 22 cars leave in sunshine and 23 rain and 16

We did lose one car on the way, the bonnet was open and the driver saying he had everything under control, hope all went well.

We all returned home with wipers on.

Peter Jacob

Sign Language

We often hear of talk around the office water cooler or in the tearoom but we couldn’t help thinking it could prove interesting if this instruction is obeyed.

AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Allenton Fire Brigade Dodge Project

Greywatch, the heritage band of vounteers of the Ashburton Fire Museum, have embarked upon a mission to commemorate the old appliance that once was the mount of the short-lived Allenton Fire Brigade.

Back in the mid 1930’s members of the Allenton brigade considered the ad-hoc nature of getting their motorised trailer pump to a job was too unreliable and set about converting a 15 year old Dodge tourer as a dedicated fire appliance to tow the trailer pump and convey men and equipment.

The Dodge was secured for 35 pounds and a further budget of 5 pounds was allowed for brigadesmen to carry out the modifications themselves.

At the time the Dodge would have been one of only two internal combustion self-propelled fire engines in the area. The other being the Ashburton brigades 1923 Model T Ford. Neither had an on-board pump.

Possibly because of its short history, the Allenton operation has become something of a “ghost brigade” but back in the thirties had its own hall and fire station on the site where St Davids Church in Allenton now has its carpark.

Following the amalgamation of Allenton with the Ashburton Borough in 1939, following a short period of change-over, Allenton was absorbed into the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade. The premises were taken over by the Allenton Kindergarten Association.

Interestingly, Allenton had the job of attending all Tinwald calls. Whilst images are virtually extinct, the Grey Watch crew have a fair idea of what the Dodge would have looked like. They will take a “tribute” stance rather than an identical likeness and offer up something that will keep the memory of the Allenton Fire Brigade alive.

The project took its tangible first steps with the acquisition of a 1919 Dodge tourer chassis and its complete engine from local legend Rob Ross. Rob, has looked after us very generously to get the project started and we will commission him to put the motor through his shop and carry out any necessary refurbishment to get it operational. 99.9 percent of the time the Dodge will be a Museum piece, but we do want it drivable.

We are chasing a couple of other leads for bits and along with our local branch parts shed, we have been invited to have a good fossick up at the Canterbury Branch parts shed. Plus we have a good lead in Timaru to follow-up very soon.

Already we have secured some amazing early support from Max & Kathy Cawte who are sandblasting and 2pac priming the frame. Bus and Truck Body Works for the top coat for the frame and Brendon at Arthur Cates for offering to sort out our fuel tank.

Other supporters will come on board as we progress, but at this stage we would like to extend a request to anyone with suitable Dodge bits of that era circa 1919 – early 1920’s, to get in touch.

The vehicle will be the low radiator version and we are particularly looking for a scuttle and bonnet. But anything Dodge of that era, we are keen to look at.

I can be contacted at:- aeromedia@xtra.co.nz Or cell:- 021 1291 333

Peter McQuarters

Swap Meet 2023

This event is on Saturday 6th May at the VCC Clubrooms, Maronan Road, Tinwald. The organisation is well advanced and we are looking forward to a great day.

Members’ attending, can park across the road in Ryall Bush Transport yard. Lions Club Members’ helping with food and gate duty will do likewise. The early teams – for the start of the day, will need to be parked up and at the Clubrooms by 6.50am for a 7.00am start. We cannot open for Site Holders and Public until everything is in place and teams are on site (Parking Wardens, Gate Keeps etc etc.)

Set up days are on Thursday and Friday when the sites will be marked, site numbers attached to the fence lines, toilets and rubbish skips put in place and signage put up. Volunteers will be given an entry pass to use on the Saturday.

I have had a fantastic response for help on the day with over 45 Members/Spouses working through the various shifts. We all benefit by helping, as this event is the major fund raiser for our Club and allows us to keep making improvements and meet the day to day running costs.

We are using some ground for Sites at the Tinwald Rugby Club, next door. We are also encouraging the Public coming from South to turn off SH1 at Thews Road and come north on Maronan Road. This will ease traffic numbers turning in to Maronan Road by CarrFields / Claas Harvest centre.

All Club volunteers must come via the Clubrooms to receive Health and Safety Information and to collect or arrange a fluro safety vest.

Looking forward to the event.

Noel Batty Convener

Midweek Outings

On Thursday 2nd March 15 cars and 35 people headed off on our monthly mid week outing, leaving from the Vintage Car Club premises at approximately 10.45 am. It was a beautiful day and very hot.

We travelled at our leisure to the House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant on the other side of Geraldine at Gapes Valley. The Brewery has new owners and has had an amazing make-over. The service was brilliant and food delicious. Much of the food for the kitchen is grown in the garden behind the Brewery.

I’m sure many of us will be back for more visits to this very relaxing venue.

A great day out, and a fantastic reason to take our vehicles out for a run.

Many thanks Graeme for again organising a great day out.

Contributed by Chrissie Stratford

March Club Night

Club Night was the first one we had had for a while and the two guest speakers did not disappoint.

A crowd of about 22 people arrived at the Clubrooms to hear Sue & Phil Kenny talk about their tour from Cape Reinga to Bluff as part of a VCC organised tour.

I gather from the organiser of Club Night, Phil did not think that he could entertain us by talking for an hour, however he with Sue’s support spoke with supporting photos for about 90 minutes. There were lots of stories, all with a twist of humour and fact that kept us engaged.

They both enjoyed the company of others on the trip and made life long friends on the way and in Phil’s words “may have upset a few people as well”.

However at the conclusion both he and Sue said that they would do it again and were encouraging those that were there, to also do the tour.

One thing we all took from the talk, was there was just as much fun, sightseeing, problems and new experiences had, while getting to Cape Reinga for the start. The last part of the tour was a bit of an anti-climax but in true form enjoyed themselves with a bit of a tour on the way home, or at least until he found he could not get into the boot due to a faulty catch.

Thank you for an entertaining evening.

Contributed by Peter Jacob

Phil Kenny & Sue Tanner

VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NEW ZEALAND (ASHBURTON BRANCH)

54th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THURSDAY 15th June 2023 at 8.00pm AGENDA

Welcome Notice of Meeting

Apologies

Minutes of 53rd AGM – circulated in Blowout

Matters Arising

Chairman’s Report

Financial Report

List of Assets

Parts Shed Report

Museum Report

Correspondence

Notice of Motion

Election of Officers

Patron Chairman Secretary Treasurer

Club Captain

Vice Club Captain Committee

Auditor

VIC Officer

Museum Custodians

Parts Shed Custodians

Clubroom Custodians

Newsletter Editor

Newsletter Circulation

Beaded Wheels Contributor

National Executive Delegate

Swap Meet Coordinator

Swap Meet Booking Coordinator

Trophy Steward

Groundsperson

Commercial Convenor

Motorcycle Convenor

Calendar of Events

Remits

General Business

John Lovett

John Lovett, who passed away recently, took a keen interest in and has been a great member of our Club. After retiring from their farm John and Jeanette moved into a new home they built in Allenton.

John who had always been busy continued an active lifestyle. In town his lifelong determination to contribute to the community continued with many organizations benefitting from his practical and organizational skills.

He became well known as the “gofer” at son Malcolm’s Motor Garage and he always had time to help his daughters Raewyn and Megan, their families and all his grand and great grandchildren.

Over the years especially when they were farming John and Jeanette owned a variety of vehicles but the one they are probably most well-known for is the Austin A40 Ute which John purchased new. It has been with the family ever since.

The A40 has been the farm truck, their honeymoon and then family vehicle, second car and over recent years following restoration a familiar and favourite sight in town and on Club Runs. And great it’s been for carrying golf clubs. Much of the restoration work was done by John and Jeanette and the Ute is a previous winner of the Restoration of the Year Award.

It is currently on display in our Museum. Many years ago John restored a 1929 Dodge. Being able to maintain and repair his farm machinery John was mindful that things might come in handy one day. Consequently he liked the Parts Shed.

Because he was happy to chat, offer advice and give encouragement we have always enjoyed John’s company. We offer Jeanette and all her family our condolences.

We are grateful for John’s contribution to the Club, he will be missed but not forgotten.

Cheeky wee chap

This delightfully cheeky little fellow is now around 110 years old, but he’s not showing his age. In his early days he was a mascot on a 1915 Mitchell car but as far as know he wasn’t an official adornment or had any connection with the Mitchell Car Company.

Rather we think the owner of the car liked him, which is understandable, and thought he was an ideal eye catching mascot.

These days he happily enjoys his dotage sitting on a little plinth which features this verse:

“The rule of the road is a paradox quite. For if you go right you go wrong. And if you go left you go right”.

Does anyone know anything about this delightful little character, maybe his name or his origin?

If so please contact me, Chris 0274 390 718 or chris.gulleford@outlook.com

PLEASE HELP ME!!

Hello Everyone,

I have been leg roped again by the Management and have taken over being the Scribe for the Idle Torque for the Beaded Wheels from Isla Jones.

If anyone has something of interest or is at any branch events and I am not there please put pen to paper and a couple of photos and send them to me or contact me don’t be shy I won’t bite.

Thanks,

Trevor Begg

Contact: trevor.begg@xtra.co.nz

Mobile: 027 608 3803. Hm: 03 308 3803

AmeriCARna 2023 (Celebrating American Car Culture)

Objective: To spend 5 days in New Plymouth at the 15th Classic Cover AmeriCARna event with 1,000 similar cars.

Primary Objective: To get across NZ’s SH1 largest pothole – Cook Strait – getting there is half the fun. At least I did get over, albeit four and a half hours late arriving into Wellington at 2.30am. I was lucky to get over, many didn’t including one of the event sponsors.

Americarna Day 1: Registration and welcome reception at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth. Also, time to clean the road grime off the car in preparation for the main event.

Americarna Day 2: Early start, getting ready for the first event, the drive down to Opunake. Early registration to the event is an advantage as there are two general queues, 1-300 and 301+. There are also VIP’s, but not applicable to me. The 1-300 go before the higher numbers. Luckily I was in the first 300.

The convoy starts on time and goes through the southern part of New Plymouth (with traffic management) onto the Surf Highway to Opunake Beach, a trip of 1 hour.

What you really notice at Americarna is the large amount of public and community participation with every school on the route out and waving their Stars and Stripes flags as well as other people of all ages. This was true not only for the New Plymouth suburbs, but also for the small towns and country roads. In some places it was wall to wall.

It took a bit of marshalling to fit around 1,000 cars into Opunake Beach, park and camping ground, we were packed in but all good. Food was from vendors, community groups and schools so we had the opportunity to support the locals. After lunch, back to New Plymouth for an early night.

Americarna Day 3: Two town visits today. First stop for lunch was the small town of Waitara. Great weather and vibe. We filled the main street and adjacent sports ground. Again the whole community got behind the event and all entrants received bottled water courtesy of the local New World. Plenty of food available with an opportunity to have a look through the town and precincts – a place I hadn’t been to in

decades. Excellent friendly community support. After lunch we were off to Inglewood for their major street party – and what a party it was. The drive was along and over the rolling hills and in one place the road was lined with dozens of flagpoles with American flags – amazing.

We had a preview of what Inglewood could do for a street party when we had a similar one the previous year for the Vintage Car Rally – well this was that on steroids. The cars occupied the whole town including the side streets and the main highway SH3 was diverted for the 4 hours we were there.

All of the town got in on the act, there were displays in all the shop windows, a large number of food stalls, groups, bands and people came from all over to be there. I heard that the attendance was around 8,000 people. Not bad for a town of only 3,500. Inglewood even had their own AmeriCana flags which they were handing out to all.

This was, to me the real highlight of the week and the weather also played its part. Back to New Plymouth at 8pm

Americarna Day 4:

Two town visits again today. A cooler day with the first stop in Stratford. Again SH3 was diverted for us to fill up the main streets in the town. The locals provided entertainment in the form of music, wood chopping and chain saw demonstrations. The rain held off for us then after lunch we were off to Hawera via Kaponga.

Hawera has quite a narrow main street, but most of us squeezed in. A fashion completion, music and drag racing were the order of the day. Back to New Plymouth in the rain after 3 hours in Hawera for the start of the Night Cruise which took two routes around the main street which was closed for the cruising.

Americarna Day 5:

The main Car Show in the New Plymouth CBD today had a slow start due to the rain continuing but the cars all arrived by 10am and Devon Street was closed along with the side streets. By 11.30am the rain had

Again entertainment, bands, line dancing, stalls, shops, cafes, sponsors and lots of people right through until 3pm. As Devon Street has a dip in

Dinner for 600 was catered for at the TSB Stadium in the evening, followed by prize giving and a band.

Next day: Off home via Picton with only a 3 hour ferry delay

Overall Observations:

An excellent event for those who appreciate American cars. There was a huge variety there from vintage to modern. I took our 2013 Mustang GT Premium as it is Left Hand Drive as later RHD Mustangs are not allowed.

There is a huge community buy-in to the event especially from the smaller towns, which have the opportunity to bring this to their town to create something special. Having the opportunity to look around the small towns and talk to the locals and support their community is a real bonus.

Will I be back to the 16th Americarna? You bet. If you are even remotely interested in the American car culture then put this event on your bucket list.

Colin & Cathy Sweetman

RICHARD

South Canterbury Vintage Car Club

Mid Island Rally 12-3-2023

There were not as many as usual Ashburton Members that attended this Rally, with only 3 cars from Ashburton, Hyde’s, Stevens’ and Wilson’s. Unfortunately the Hart’s were unable to attend, but we were able to bring their rally pack home for them.

Cars left at one minute intervals, our time was 10.51am, but because of road works all times were altered. Vintage vehicles should travel 29miles,the rest 31 miles.

The first part of the Rally was in Timaru, with traffic lights and Give Way signs, so this gave everyone time to catch up. We could not achieve this speed, so ended up getting behind a M.G.B which should have been behind us. He went on to collect the time for our class. Time check was 15 miles out.

The next problem we struck was the Hanging Rock Bridge was closed to all traffic, it was only supposed to be closed for heavy traffic. Thanks to South Canterbury Chairman, Alistair Day for stopping and informing us how to get around this problem.

We travelled back toward Pleasant Point, then turning at Totara Valley Road to travel to Raincliff Bridge, then on Gudex Road coming out to SHW79. We were back on the Rally, being 29kms from Geraldine instead of 20kms..

Turning left into Te Moana Road, then School Road where field tests were held. Locals had an advantage as some related to local area, however, they were good field tests.

Afterwards, we drove on to Woodbury Domain for lunch and later on the prize giving. As usual this was a great Rally, the rolling hills in South Canterbury making it more interesting than flat, like our roads in Mid Canterbury.

We were last to leave along with Weirs’ from Timaru and Stevens’ from Ashburton.

An enjoyable day with beautiful sunshine.

Owen and Lorraine Wilson

MINI PARTS WANTED

Steering Rack and Oil Filter housing to suit later screw on filter for a 1967 Mini.

Please contact Gavin: 03-308 2297

The South Island Club Captain’s Run started from Ashburton Branch Clubrooms with 38 people (16 cars ) looking through our Museum and having a finger meal in the Clubrooms.

Craig & myself did tea & coffee for them and Les Bennett looked after the Museum. There were 2 vehicles from the North Island on the Run, Rob & Diane Ross were also on it. It was a enjoyable evening with them.

Trevor & Craig. Begg

Hyundai/Isuzu Mid Canterbury Workshop open

5-1/2 Days

WOF *$5.00 Discount to VCC Members

LPG Certificates

All work carried out by Qualified Tradesmen

Ph:307 2415