Early Ford V8 Club Nationals 2020

Early Ford V8 Club Nationals 2020 Trish Jefferies

After 26 years in the Early Ford V8 Club, we decided it was time we went to one of the South Island Nationals. These are held every 3 years early in January, in alternate islands. We've been to most of the North Island ones but never down south. This year it was based in Christchurch, so it was an ideal chance to see how the city was faring since the earthquakes. Also, it would be 6 yrs before being down south again.

Bruce had decided to take Fordy, the '46 convertible. However, Fordy developed an electrical problem, which saw him moved to the naughty corner, and Monty, our '53 Monterey, was elected to go. Yeeesss; hand pumps from me.

All travel was taken care of by our mate from the club, Brendon. All we had to do was be at the ferry terminal on time. Eight cars travelling down together in our group, 25 from the north island altogether. Brendon's group went down from the H B, so we arranged to meet them there. A nice morning, no wind, and as a result, a beautiful crossing.

First stop at Middle Park Motel Blenheim, booked in, then off to Omaka to the Peter Jackson Museum. What a fantastic set up there. The only problem was that it would take days to actually read all the display info. All agreed we could do with a repeat visit.

The next morning, we stopped for an hour with the local Sunday morning brekky group, what a terrific line-up, about 80 vehicles.

Had a coffee, bacon butty and yak but a cold wind sent us on our way. Stopped for lunch at the Caves Café just south of Kaikoura (yummy) then off again. Couldn't help being amazed at the job done on the new roads along the coast, since their earthquake. Just fantastic. A good trip down to Chch; (with just a quick stop at friends of our President ( John) to pick up crayfish), no problems at all, found our way to the Elm Hotel. Mix & meet then settled for the night after a yummy crayfish tea in John's room. Monty at the Kaikoura lookout.

Day one free, so our group drove out to Lyttleton for lunch & a look around. Back for registration etc. at 5pm, dinner then bed.

Day two, we were taken around the red zone in 4 buses, finishing at Brighton for a late lunch. I can't believe the number of empty areas. Back to base so the men could do what men do to their cars to prepare for the next day's trip. Both these days windy & cool.

Day 3 was a country ramble with areas of interest. Yummy packed lunch at a local hall. Then off to have group photo's taken. Then next door to a collection, including a working merry-go-round... I had a ride on that. Then a collection of all makes of cars. The owner, Ray Drury, in his 80's, didn't seem to have any special preference, but all to a top standard. Had a yummy spit roast/cum bbq meal and were entertained on his fantastic Wurlitzer organ, with his wife playing the bagpipes. An interesting day.

Day 4 we went to Riccarton House for lunch and a tour, split into 2 groups, a terrific old place with a great history. Then away to the John Stewart collection. So much to see. Over 300 vehicles, huge sheds with all sorts of memorabilia, and in fact, so much it was hard to see it all. And guess who was last to leave there due to talking!! RSA tea that night. Monty & company in front of Riccarton House.

Day 5 set off on a trip, no clue where to. We arrived at a property called Loburn Abbey. We all lined up along a private runway with a huge hanger and vintage planes out front. Had a yummy morning tea and a talk by the owner; whom since Tim Wallis's accident at Wanaka, has been producing a tevlar pilot's helmet that is all but indestructible to clients all over the world. Then his second side business, producing replica spitfires and hurricanes to clients around NZ. During morning tea, a mate of his buzzed us and landed in a spitfire. What an experience, they are awesome, then, of course, a flying display by the 2 of them. Got some great photo's. A highlight of our week.

After that amazing couple of hours, we went to Oxford for lunch and a look at the local museum. Couldn't believe it, a mate of Bruce's from his plough days was on duty. Last to leave again!! Back to our hotel and ready for the final dinner and prize giving. We were delighted when our Monty took first prize in his class. Of course, we were biased anyway.

Next morning brekkie with everyone, then packed up and away to our different destinations. Arranging to meet Brendon & Jane back at Middle Park in Blenheim in 6 days time, off we went to explore. Arrived at Akaroa at midday, had a good look around & I shouted Bruce a ride out on the local jet boat with owner Brent. Got mildly wet but a good trip and lots of fun; then drove the 6 km to Devaushelle to stay. Back to Akaroa to see Ovation of the Seas, which was due on that day. However, the captain was a wuss, and thought it was too choppy. So after a coffee off again. Stayed a night with friends at Methvyn, great to catch up, then headed north again. Above: Bruce Jefferies with the Titan Mustang, “Loburn Lady”

The next port of call was Hanmer Springs. Stayed 2 nights there, a nice spot with good memories for us. Saw Brendon's car at the local garage as we left. Stayed the next night at Top 10 at Kaikoura.

Finally treated ourselves to our special; a lovely meal of Blue Cod. Sooo fresh, just yum. Then our 2nd to last day, off to Blenheim again.

Caught up with our mates; in a rental!! Yes, their car called Patches, gearbox trouble. Dinner at the local Irish bar. The next day, we spent a couple of hours around Picton before lining up to catch the ferry.

Another beautiful, calm crossing. Arrived in Wellington about 5.10pm, unloaded and we all travelled out to Seatoun to stay with our mates from the club who had returned earlier that week. Their house overlooks the spot where the Wahine went down. We had a great evening with lots of V8 tales. Next morning watched the QE2 sail past into port, before saying our goodbyes & heading off back north.

Hadn't figured on it being Wellington Anniversary weekend, so got caught in the traffic build-ups leaving town. A couple of times we were at a dead stop; and Monty didn't like the crawling pace in the heat. Finally picked up pace near Otaki.

Stopped at PN to catch up with my son & family, and finally arrived home at about 9pm.

I had to wait till the next day to collect my wee puss, who was so pleased to see us.

All in all, a most enjoyable trip, first time down south since the World Ploughing final at Methvyn 10 yrs before.

We were delighted with Monty; he purred his way around 1600 miles without missing a beat. Everywhere we went, he seemed to attract a crowd & some favourable comments. We were luckier than some of our North Island members; I think about 6 cars had problems, but Brendon's was the only one not drivable. Patch arrived home about a week later.

We can all travel to some exotic & special places overseas; but we still think nothing beats a good trip in our own special NZ. Looking forward to our next trip south; maybe Wanaka for Easter 2021. Fingers crossed.

Bev & Tony Louis

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Art Deco, Napier, 2020

Eric and Terri Foley

Having been an irregular observer of Napier’s Art Deco Parade, the opportunity to be a participant was one that I found hard to resist. That chance came along recently when one of our members, Andy Guest, was looking for a navigator for his 1928 Oldsmobile for the rally which takes place the day before the parade. Andy also intended driving in the parade, and passengers were welcome!

About 150 cars gathered at the Hawkes Bay Vintage Car Club grounds from about 9.00 a.m. No morning tea was provided prior to the first car (Andy’s) heading off at 10.30. Three route options were offered, a short (10 miles), a medium (33 miles), and a long (65 miles). The medium route preferred by Andy took us into Napier, along Marine Parade, where there were scores, literally scores, of camper vans parked on the foreshore and through the port area, before we headed off towards Bayview. From there, we traversed very parched hill country into the Esk Valley, then through more hill country west of Napier with many valleys displaying vast acreage of grapevines before arriving at the lunch stop on the shores of a large privately-owned lake. At this point, most of the participants sat down on their groundcover and scoffed their sammies. Some were observed in easy chairs with their crystal glasses, fizzy plonk, and cucumber sandwiches.

The whole rally took us about 1.5 hours in 34-degree heat, which did cause some problems for the Olds, requiring the odd stop for cooling down. Needless to say,

Bob and Julie Neville with Lucky 17 at Art Deco (photographer Steve Jones)

the air conditioning (manually operated windows) was essential. After lunch under the trees, we returned via Puketapu to Napier. There were no questions, no silent checks, no winners or losers, and no prizes. We were back at Clive, where Andy was staying by about 2.00. Soon after that, Terri and I were in our motel with our feet up and the air-con on chill.

The Art Deco Parade takes place on the Saturday and had about 300 cars entered. Prior to this, many of the participants were assembled at the HBVCC facility at Meeanee. This time morning tea was served, and 500 people had been catered for! Many of the cars for the parade were also lined up. There were some very beautiful cars on display including a 1934 Chrysler Imperial Le Baron roadster bought over from Australia, a 1934 Pierce Arrow sedan, Auburns, Cords, Duesenberg’s, Packard’s of various styles including a “Woodie”, a couple of V12 Lincolns, a drop-dead gorgeous 1938 Mercedes 540K roadster, along with vast numbers of Ford Model A’s and other bread and butter cars. The vast majority of cars were of American origin. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but those big, glossy, mid-thirty American vehicles appealed to me.

Prior to the parade kicking off at 12.30, the vehicles were marshalled in 4 areas around Clive Square before slowly making their way into Emerson St. Terri and I have witnessed this parade on a number of occasions, but being on the inside looking out was a completely different perspective. The marshalling that went on before the event and at the conclusion was very slick. The crowds were huge- possibly the biggest crowd that we have seen at this event - and appeared appreciative. (The Art Deco week is reputed to bring 40, 000 people into Hawkes Bay). The weather was kind, and the threatened rain was a non-event. We are both grateful to Andy for providing us with the opportunity to participate in these two events.

Lucky 17 at Art Deco (photographer Nigel Watts)