Taranaki Vintage Machinery Club event, “FOSSIL FUELED EXTRAVAGANZA”

HAWERA 4TH & 5TH MARCH 2023

What an event it was, and two sun drenched days added the ‘icing to the cake’. Vintage and classic cars, commercial vehicles older and new, tractors in all shapes and sizes old and young, big and small, farm implements of by-gone eras, a grand selection of stationary engines of all sizes, some actually driving farm machinery of similar age like a vertical draw saw actually cutting small logs, and the chaff cutter. To watch an old horizontal stationary engine with all its valve gear, governor mechanism and linkage, and its means of ignition, all working, exposed with liberal amounts of oil lubricating (and) preserving these power points of the past. My god, Work Safe would have had a field day in those times.

A Fair Ground organ on display and playing I found totally fascinating.

Amongst the display of vehicles was the Dennis Fire Engine previously owned by my late Aunt, Sue Matthews (an original founding committee member of the Taranaki Branch) in its now restored glory thanks to the Hawera Fire Brigade team who are now entrusted with the ‘beast’. My memory of taking it to a Piopio typical farming area gala day of the period, past member Jack Castle with me to do a share of driving, and ‘driving the siren’ all the way through the Awakino Gorge. Those were the days when the branch had its quota of ‘likely lads’. Sue and the Dennis partook of the 1966 Haast International Rally, crank handle start, and no such thing as power steering.

The Taranaki Machinery Club, who organised this fossil fuel event, gave our branch the opportunity to fund raise by organising and manning the parking of the general public to this event, suggesting we charge a gold coin for entry. We took up the challenge with Jim Logan organising the ‘manpower’ for the two days. The offers of help were not overly generous but suffice to say we managed, in fact, quite well.

Thanks to Jim who co-ordinated the team of Greg Carter, Brendhan Feek, Malcolm Harding, Mike Kruse, John Muter, Rob Gudopp, Colin Johnston, and myself over the two days. The result, over a grand banked.

To the Parking Team, thank you.

Rob Thomson, Secretary, Treasurer, and ‘Dogs Body’,

More scenes from the Vintage Machinery weekend at Hawera

For Sale

• Four crossply tyres, 550 x 20, with good tread,(could seller contact Jim, lost your details??)

• Roof rack, 3 cross bars in good condition - $60, Mazda ute tailgate - $50, two pairs of driving lights - $50 pair, one Universal sunroof - $30, contact spare parts.

• Five new DENMAN tyres (5.25x5.50x17)complete with tubes and flaps, $1,000, Ph Ces 06 2410454.

• Hillman Californian 1955, rego on hold, motor fully rebuilt, brake drums machined, brake cylinders rconditioned,only three owners, $9500 ono,.Holden Calais VL, 1987, 3 litre, very tidy Ph 0274188045(mem)

• Morris Minor 1000 engine, no carburettor, $200 ono, ph Steve, 067522149(mem)

• Austin 8 1940 rego on hold – phone Lynette 0212317385 or John 067655428

• 600x20 tyres, suitable for retreading - $50 + one 1970’s Landcruiser motor complete fan to clutch - $250 for any of above phone Neil 06 7586737. (mem)

Wanted To Buy

• Rover engine – 1964, ph Neil 067586737

• Two, disc wheel dust covers for 29 Chev (215mm x diameter), six hole, ph Ces 06 2410454.

• 1964 six-cylinder Rover engine, complete or parts, Ph Marshall 02108840556

• Vanguard parts for a 1963 ute, front guard’s, front and corner bumpers, a tailgate, headlight surrounds and a heater, ph Frank, 0276324178.

Stratford Park

Motorfest And Swap Meet

SATURDAY 22ND APRIL 2023

STRATFORD A&P SHOWGROUNDS

Public Entry $5 - Display Site $5

Swap Meet Site $15 - Trade Site $40 - $70

To book a site, go to https:/rb.gy/65ovyx