AORANGI TRICAR NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
CLUBROOMS 19-25 REDRUTH ST TIMARU SOUTH
Replica Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
NOGGIN ANDNATTER First Thursday of the Month
September 2020
SCVCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
2020 - 2021 Year
July Thur = 9th Mid Week Run Sat 18th Garage Raid at Oamaru August = Thursday 20th Quiz night Ashburton Branch Thur 13th = Mid Week Run Sunday 23rd = Cancer Rally September = Sat 6th , Opening Run organized by Ashburton Branch Sunday 20th = Continental Run October =Fri 24th, Sat 25th, Sun 26th = Mt Cook Annual Rally November = Fri 6th Sat 7th & Sun 8th = Safari Weekend Sat 14th, Sun 15th = All American Weekend Sun 22nd = Veteran Vintage & Commercial Rally Saturday 28th = Christmas Dinner at the Clubrooms (mark your Calendar)
NEW YEAR 2021
January 1st 2021 Friday = Fairlie Parade Sunday 10 th = Ladies Rally February Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Mon 8th = Weekend away Sunday 21st = Chairman’s Run Saturday 27th = Open Day
March = Sunday 7th = Motor Bike Rally Sunday 14th = Mid Island Saturday 27th = Swap Meet April Fri 2nd, Sat 3rd, Sun 4th = Easter Rally TBA Thurs 8th = Mid week run Fri 23rd, Sat 24th, Sun 25th = Vintage Vehicles Rally TBA May Thur 13th = Mid Week run Sun 9th = ‘” P ” Classes rally Sun 23rd = Restoration Run June Thursday 3rd AGM Sun 6th = All British Rally Thur 10th = Mid week run Sat 26th = Night Trial
COMING EVENTS
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NOGGIN & NATTER, Thursday, 3rd September, 2020 7-30pm at Clubrooms, Redruth St, Timaru Kitchen Duty, contact Alistair Bar Duty, Bruce Brown
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OPENING RUN Sunday 6th September
Meet at the Hinds Domain on Sunday Sept 6th at 10 am for a !0.30 start. We are heading towards Mt Somers —————————————— Waimate Swap Meet 5th September will be going ahead subject to the appropriate Covid level restrictions in place on the 5th, hopefully none ——————————————-. MID WEEK RUN – THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH 2020 FINAL FOR THIS YEAR MEET AT THE CLUB ROOMS FOR A 1.30 PM DEPARTURE BRING AFTERNOON TEA AND A CHAIR. HELD WET OR FINE, ALL CARS WElCOME . CONVENORS – BARRY SMITH & DON CAMPBELL. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ARRANGED THE RUNS AND DID THE REPORTS FOR THE MAGAZINE. ——————————————— CONTINENTAL RUN Sunday 20th September Meet at 9.30 at club rooms - some gravel on one route , $10 per car Lunch available at the venue. Contact Kevin Manchester 6864853 if more info required ————————————————
MT Cook Annual Rally October 23/24/25/Fri-Sat-Sun Entries close 10th October, Entry form in this TriCar ————————————————-
Cover. Grant Mehrtens inspecting William Hearne’s collection at Oamaru on the recent garage raid.
Thursday Run.
Barry and Lynette Smith
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On a cloudy cold with rain threatening, 19 cars arrived at clubrooms with drivers and passengers well wrapped up.On leaving Clubrooms we travelled west via Otipua, Southburn and Pareora Gorge to turn left into Limestone Road.(The Monument which is at this corner was erected in recognition of the formation of the Rabbit Board) Continuing along Limestone Road then turning into Howells Road found us onto a shingle road which took us along High ground which on a good day would have given great views, however today provided only mist. Dropping down a steep grade we intersected with the Back Line Road where we made a right turn then travelled back along the valley and soon arrived at Mt Nimrod Picnic Area. It was an eventful trip coming across a mob of sheep, a skittery horse and dog. With cars parked up tables and chairs were quickly set up and everyone soon had flasks out to make teas and coffees. Of course there was one portable gas ring that appeared for one persons Hot drinks.! On leaving the venue most travelled the more direct route home via Maungati/ Pareora River Rd. up zigzag and home. Some elected to go via Cave then Home. I travelled back via Otipua Beaconsfield Road to follow Don Campbell as he was running out of clutch and did not want to negotiate the Zig Zag. Also on the way home we came across a Herd of cattle which seemed to prefer to be on both sides of the road , slowing us down for a while. All safely back home and another Thursday Run _ over.! ——————————————-
Franz Josef Glacier Country Car Show, to be held at the Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday park on September 25th- 27th 2020. Includes a cruise to Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson on the Saturday with the Car Show on Sunday from 10 am to 2.30pm Any Queries to Tash Goodwin 02108720507 or 037534383
SCVCC Chairman’s Report
September 2020 5
Hi Fellow Members I Hope that every one has survived Level 2 and haven’t been too inconvenienced. The Branch AGM was held on August 3rd I would like to thank out going committee members for their input, Secretary Miles Winter and Ross Walkinshaw and welcome John Lester , and, Pauline Young to the role of Secretary and the other committee members for allowing their names to go forward for another Year. I would also like to thank Swap Meet Chairman Colin Johnstone and his team for standing again. 25 year and 35 year badge recipients were announced. 25 year, Ray Harkness,Lindsay McKenzie,Phil O’Brien, Peter Casey 35 Year, John Lester, Allan Edmonston, Stewart Frew, Kelvin Marriott, Dave Toomey, Les Wenlock The Issue of Spiralling costs and reduced interest income was raised and the meeting agreed to raise the Branch Levy by $5.00 per annum, AND because the levy still won’t cover the cost of producing and mailing the Tri Car, it was agreed that those members wanting a printed version of The Tri Car should contribute $20 for the remainder of this year payable at the Next Noggin & Natter or direct credited to the Branch on Bank Accnt# 03-1355-0647203-00 along with your Name. Alistair Day & I attended the National Executive meeting and AGM in Whanganui on August 14-16th on your behalf. Main points to come from the meeting were :-We were reminded That Vero can cover all VCC members Insurance needs including their cars. Worth getting a quote. Details in Beaded Wheels South Canterbury have agreed to host a National Vintage Rally at Easter.2021 A Great opportunity for members other than the Committee to step up & lend a hand. Southland to host the 2023 National Motorcycle rally. a weekend before The Burt Munro On line new membership application procedures were out lined ,will be confirmed at the March Executive meeting. There is a need for branches to keep up with Covid 19 tracing procedures at all gatherings. A QR Code poster is now on Clubrooms and Parts Shed A reminder that Branches need to keep up with Health & Safety implementation as we have a duty of care for all members.
6 !The next Executive Meeting will be in Wellington on 20/03/2021 th Next AGM will be the 75 and will be held in Christchurch August next year. The Sunday morning involved viewing a collection of cars ( including Buicks) in the vast former Warnocks Menswear building (closed in the 80’s)which still has the upstairs art deco style office layout intact. On to view a 90% scale Spitfire replica and were treated to a flying demonstration. Then onto the Whanganui Branch Clubrooms for an excellent lunch. Then we were ferried back to Palmerston North for our fight home. A BIG thankyou to John Foster for organising the Daffodil Rally for Cancer which had to be canned due to Level 2. Thank you also John for organising drivers to deliver daffodils on Monday August 24th Norm Bunt for doing another great job of sorting & sequencing the delivery paper work on behalf of the Cancer Society (made delivery straight forward ) and Thanks to all the members and helpers who delivered them.
Looking forward, we have the opening run with Ashburton on Sept 6 th meet Hinds Domain at 10 am. Continental Run Sept 20th Horse Power Rally 3/4th October Canterbury Swap Meet 9/10/11 October Mount Cook Rally Labour Weekend :- Entry Form out now. See You at the next Noggin & Natter Ashley. —————————————— NEW MEMBER Donald Hadfield , Auckland Welcome and hope we will see you at some club events.
Notes from the Library
September 2020
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At the time of writing we are back at a higher level of restriction due to Covid, but at least not in lockdown. By the time you read this hopefully we will be back at level 1. In the event we are not, I plan to carry on in the Library each Wednesday morning while in Level 2, but will expect any other members attending to maintain distancing. I acknowledge recent donations from Ron Cooper and Mrs Pat McDuff, Phil O’Brien, Bruce Robertson John Foster and Nelson Bowden.., Ron has donated the book Kiwi Vintage Car Collection. The Kiwi Collections series rather primly insists in referring to vehicles as being Charlie’s Chev, Fred’s Ford or whatever, but not fully naming the owner, while blithely giving the full names of previous owners or other people incident to the story. This irritating affectation aside, it has a lot of good stuff on vehicles most of which will be in VCC ranks. Mrs McDuff has donated around a dozen books that were the property of her late husband, Bruce, thanks go to Alistair for facilitating that donation. It is quite an eclectic collection and did contain a number of duplications of items already held but also much new material including the following: Harley Davidson-The Ultimate Machine (poetic license surely!), Motoring for the Millions, Le Mans, a 1982 publication by respected historian Anders Ditlev Clausager, Great Racing Cars and Drivers (1972), and Daily Express cars of the Early 60s. Phil O’Brien has donated “Great Cars and Great Marques”, an Automobile Quarterly publication, and also the Aaron Slight story entitled “You Don’t Know The Half Of It!” while Bruce has presented a book entitled “Cars, Early –Vintage 1886-1930”. John Foster has brought in some recent issues of The Automobile magazine- always good reading. Nelson has donated 12 manuals and books and finally an unknown donor has left a box full of books and manuals on the porch. So it’s suddenly a busy old time in the Library. Many thanks to Ron, Pat and Alistair, Bruce, Phil, John, Nelson and .Anonymous! Barry Barnes, Librarian. PS Still intending to run the Weekend Away next February-Register now
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SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
To access other club newsletters go to www.vcc.org.nz scroll to News from our Branches as hard copy newsletters are not mailed out now. August Website Updates - August 2020 newsletter placed up - Events page updated to take into account cancelled events - Cancer Rally page placed up / removed due to cancellation - Further vehicles placed into gallery - Behind the scenes Wordpress updates, tweaks Upcoming - More stories of various runs, online version of newsletter, information about upcoming events, members vehicles in gallery Stories and photos from members are ENCOURAGED and can be sent through to website.scvcc@gmail.com
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ANNUAL GARAGE RAID, Nth OTAGO VCC, Continued
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Our next visit was to William Hearne’s amazing collection of European Veteran and Vintage cars consisting of a 1923 ANSALDA, a 1913 DE DION and a DIATTO a car car with a UK racing history(a make I’d never heard of), all the cars having a fully documented history and are all still driven regularly. Also underway in William’s basement workshop is another Ansaldo which even though being rare he has sourced enough parts to make a start on the rebuild. A most interesting visit. After the “pee pie &pud” lunch at the Oamaru VCC clubrooms (unfortunately due to the large attendance the spuds ran out, how could that happen at the home of the famous Kakanui potato!) First of the afternoon visit was to Arthur Ruffells garage. Arthur had previously restored an early 1950s Chev Thriftmaster pickup to concourse standard but has sold that and “downsized” to Morris Minors in the form of a lovely Traveller 1000wagon and a low light Minor Convertible work in progress, to a very high standard I must add. Arthurs section is quite small so a parts car is tipped up on its side outside the kitchen window! Next visit was to Derek Breahaut a Wolseley enthusiast with several models of the make on show, an earlier big six cylinder model on the hoist for engine rebuild, this nice blue and white car has been on rallies and is a big car by English standards (Morris or Austin also ran the same model). Also on show was an early sedan not many seen here in NZ, another 50s 6cyl! Model as used by the British Police force was also in his collection.
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A surprise in Dereks immaculate workshop was a framed newspaper article featuring Auto Engineers Timaru founder Mr Brehaut, the business taken over in latter years by Donald (stick) Campbell. Next it was over the main south highway to Ralph and son Harvey Weir’s collection. This was my favourite visit of the day, all Chevs,( no I’m not biased ,Much!) between them they are working on two 1954 Chev pickups and had on show a very nice 54 Red pickup and a 56 1300 new series wellside pickup. In the garage Dave Diamond is seen admiring their 58 and 67 Impala’s.
Last visit of the day was to a collection at John Adamsons also in South Oamaru of his and other club members vehicles. Thanks to the Oamaru VCC team for putting together a selection of wide ranging vehicles and projects for us to enjoy.
Vehicles on display at John Adamson’s
Editor Bill
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The Weir’s Chev collection
Arthur Rufell’s Morris Minors
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The Brehaut Wolesley collection
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EXTRACT FROM “THE TIMARU HERALD” DATED 19TH JANUARY 1959 This article from the 61 year old newspaper came to my attention recently, and as a few of our older members including myself took part in the event it may be of interest to some of the younger people in our club. It was the Century of Transport Procession on Saturday 17 th January 1959 to begin the week long festivities for the City of Timaru’s 100th birthday “Pageantry of Old and New. Over 100 hundred floats and vehicles in sixteen separate categories participated and 500 people were involved in the procession. It was estimated that 5,000 spectators watched from various points along the route. The procession formed up in Domain Avenue for the 2½ miles journey past the Public Hospital and through King, Stafford and Evans Streets to terminate at Maori Park. Hundreds of children and many adults joined in as the procession proceeded. The official party consisted of the Chief Justice Sir Harold Barrowclough (Guest Speaker) and Lady Barrowclough, the Mayor Mr R E White and the Mayoress Mrs White. the Chairman of the South Canterbury Centennial Association Mr A L Kirke and Mrs Kirke and the Town Clerk Mr J A Goodwin and Mrs Goodwin who all watched from a site on the Bay Hill. Some of the horse drawn conveyances were on loan from their owners, some as far away as North Canterbury, Christchurch, Reefton and Ashburton. The owners kindly brought them to Timaru but a large number of the 90 horses required had to be borrowed locally and the committee organising the event thought this could be a major problem. However there were many willing helpers who located sufficient horses and matched them to the various conveyances on loan. Included in ;the procession were eight bands, pipe bands from McKenzie, Geraldine, Pleasant Point, Timaru Highland, Timaru Ladies, Temuka Highland and the brass bands of Timaru Salvation Army and Timaru City. The Royal Navy frigate H.M.S. Crane was in port and both Navel and Army detachments took part along with Army vehicles from the frigate. In the general categories the cyclists were well represented and were organised by the Timaru Amateur Cycling Club. There were Penny Farthings, tandems, one wheel bikes and every other type of bike imaginable. All the cyclists were dressed in the correct attire for their machines. Horses & horse drawn conveyances. There was a lot of interest in this section. Firstly the four horse four wheel wagon used on the West Coast to transport mail and passengers over Arthurs Pass before the Otira tunnel was open. It was owned by Mr John Rutherford of Winchester who imported it from England in 1879.
15 It was owned by Mr John Rutherford of Winchester who imported it from England in 1879. It was also used to transport notable visitors such as the Governor or the Prime Minister of the day. There were no bridges over any of the many rivers then and passengers were able to keep reasonably dry during river crossings in the very high vehicle. A horse drawn Roman chariot created much interest and there were gigs, Governess carts, buggies, covered wagons and many other conveyances. The mail coach owned by the Westland borough council at Hokitiki was another fine exibit. 30 members of the local pony clubs took part with their ponies.
The motor car category below attracted much interest. 1901-03 Oldsmobile, 1902 Rambler (J Hogg) , 1904 Argyle (R Mahon), 1907 Cadillac (Mrs C F Nicholson), 1908 Triumph M/c (G Geddes), 1909 Overland (A Averis), 1913 Fiat (T Wilson), 1914 Ford T (D Bowman), 1915 Ford T (H Mercer), 1918 Rover (E D Walker), 1923 Bean (J Preen), 1924 Wolverhampton Star (J Bunt), 1924 Ford T (G Rae), 1925 Alvis (C Westoby), 1926 Singer (Miss P Dwan. Later Mrs Averis), 1928 Swift (I May), 1928 Morris Cowley (J S McMillan), 1929 Buick (Mr Chipland), Stanton Special Racing Car L Stanton Christchurch, another racing car make unknown also from Christchurch. In addition there were fourteen other cars ranging from 1931 to 1939. None of these were named. In the transport and heavy machinery section there were a large number of commercial vehicles both old and new showing progress over the years. There was a 1894 steam fire engine owned by the Timaru Fire Board, a large Euclid scraper and other earthmoving equipment (Burnett & Hamilton). During the afternoon there were displays of life saving at Caroline Bay by two Timaru ladies teams. Band displays, a best beard competition and a sand moving display by two huge machines seldom seen on this scale before. Later still a huge bonfire and music accompanied much merriment. The pagent was organised by a committee of members of the South Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce led by Mr J P Cronin and N McFadden who worked hard for six months. They would have been proud of the result.
T M Wilson
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GLIMPSE OF THE PAST by Editor Bill 17 One result of Covid lockdown was doing a bit more reading than usual, this is where some of the surplus Classic Car and Classic Driver magazines from the club provided a good read. Recollections of earlier motor racing in NZ I found very interesting, especially Sth Canterbury notes. Here are some excerpts courtesy of Classic Driver the article by Eoin Young a local from Cave who became a noted Motor Racing reporter world wide and a good mate of the late Bruce McLaren.
This report of early Timaru racing is fascinating with the local names mentioned. I asked Dave (Dinky) Diamond our club member where Cantwell farm was south of Timaru, he told me it was the flat beside the estuary by the coast which he thought would be Normanby, when I queried him about the objection to his win using mud grip tyres his reply was,” If they, (competitors), were silly enough to use racing slicks on a greasy dirt track, that’s their fault! “ Objection dismissed!
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3 Day Rally.
Expressions of interest PLEASE. Fri 11TH, Sat 12TH Sun 13TH December 2020 Day One, Timaru to Cromwell – starting with morning tea at the VCC Club Rooms Day Two, Cromwell to Dunedin – Day Three, Dunedin to Timaru – Finishing with afternoon tea at the VCC Club Rooms. Roads will be approx. 50/50 sealed and shingle. For those that prefer no, or very little shingle, then an alternative all sealed route is available Accommodation will be the entrants choice and responsibility. I am trying to find some place where we can all enjoy an evening meal in Dunedin, so you will be advised of this when I receive your expression of interest. The afternoon tea at the clubrooms is so that we know everyone has completed the rally, and I know that everyone is back safely. Enquiries to Alistair Day, 027 202 5007 or home number 03 688 6108 (or you can leave a message and I will get back to you.) ————————————Horse Power Rally 2020- August Update
So it would appear that good old New Zealand has not seen the last of Covid 19, but guess what, New Zealand has not seen the last of Horse Power Rally! We are still going ahead! The organising committee is monitoring the situation closely and have decided to continue planning and organising the event. Of course should we get closer to the event, and the pandemic were to cause us to cancel, then we will be forced to do so, your entry fee would then be refunded in full.
BEHIND THE HEDGE
ED Bill
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A “Veiled Lady In Waiting� would be more correct. This Rover 110 was stored on one of the Oamaru VCC members property and spotted on the recent garage raid. This car looks to be in quite good condition so no doubt is intended for restoration at some stage. These Rovers were an expensive car new and were generally purchased by more affluent members of society, doctors, lawyers, accountants etc, they were a very well engineered vehicle and preformed well with Rover 6cylinder engine ( which was carried through into the next larger bodied sedans, four door and two door coupe, which followed the 110 series).
FOR SALE Due to lack of garaging, One 1941 Studebaker President Straight 8. Brakes and Motor Overhauled, New Rings and bearings, Timing Gear Exhaust valves. New Brake cylinders with Stainless steel Sleeves fitted. Overdrive, Indicators ,Electric Wipers, Original Mileage= 85,000. $34,000 invested, Asking Price $26,000 O.N.O
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Contact , Ken Patterson 027 9268639. Mem. —————————————————— WANTED TO BUY Water Pump for a Morris Minor Side Valve Motor Contact— Russel Black — 0226369961 ——————————————————TERRY the TUI We along with our neighbours all feed tui’s at Fairview, we have 1-4 coming most days while some neighbours have seen upto 6 at a time. The tui’s have been mating so hopefully there will be more around soon. Bellbirds also visit the feeder.We feed sugar water, ½ cup to a litre of water & the tui’s get through upto half a litre per day. Alongside the tui feeder we have another one for wax eyes who get through a litre of sugar water between 7-10am. They also get through 2 apples per day. Photo below of Terry was taken by neighbour Michelle Baldwin. Thanks, Grant Mehrtens
Penrite Oils
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Just to let you all know that I am still able to supply you with Penrite Oils for your Vintage Vehicles. Engine and Gear Box oils, also Steering Box grease. Phone Alistair Day 688 6108 ————————————————The Swap Meet Committee has a speaker system for hire. Enquiries to Michelle Munro 03 686 4824 or email scvccswapmeet@hotmail.com
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Parts shed wednesday morning regulars have been kept busy sorting parts donated. On that note I would like to acknowledge the kindness of nonmember Ivan Beswarick in gifting a range of Zephyr and Anglia parts to the club and also the estate of Owen Offen which has contributed a few Studebaker bits along with a range of other spares. Notable amongst these is a pair of 3 litre Austin/Wolseley heads complete with valve gear and manifolds. Take note you 3 litre Healey owners! We intend to resume our contact tracing register on wednesday mornings in light of the present Covid alert level but other than signing in and hand sanitising for visitors and regulars alike it will be business as usual. Clive Merry Parts Manager SCVCC ————————————————————
Deadline for Tricar is 15th September New Address tricar.scvcc@gmail.com
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2020—2021 Branch Correspondence to PO Box 623, Timaru 7940 Phone: 03 6885234 Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Club Captain: Newsletter Ed:
Ashley Milliken (Evelyn) Pauline Young (Wayne) Nola Day (Alistair) Neil Manchester Shona and Bill Weir Email: tricar.scvcc@gmail.com C/R Convenor: Alistair Day (Nola) Parts Manager: Clive Merry Librarian: Barry Barnes (Carla) IT Officer: Shannon Stevenson Committee: John Lester Ross Parker Oliver Irving
688 6108 0274 409 384 688 5105 686 3263 6158135 6158260 0223847784
SWAPMEET COMMITTEE Chairman: Colin Johnstone (Trish) Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) Site Convenor: Michelle Munro (Gavin) Grounds Convenor: Barry Smith Committee: Gavin Munro (Michelle) Alan Patrick Lex Westoby Sandy McMillan
03 693 9093 6886108 686 4824 684 7405 686 4824 615 8803 03 612 6556 6155150
For Identification Certificate Processing – Alistair Day 688 6108 Warren Cox 688 8758
686 0834 6861833 688 6108 6882112 6886750
Outside the Nth Otago Clubrooms
The Hopper Buick on display at the USA Classic 4th July display at the stadium