6 minute read
1966 Hillman Super Minx MK IV 1725
by Marty And Lynne Sutherland
1966 HILLMAN SUPER MINX MK IV 1725 Owned By Marty and Lynne Sutherland, Taupo.
Over the years, we have owned many and varied cars, which are now worth a lot more than we paid at the time. Amongst them were a couple of MK1 Cortina GTs, EH Holdens, Fords, Valiants, a Triumph, MGs, a spitfire, MkIII Zodiac, to name some. At the time, they were run-of-the-mill cars with no special significance. In 2014 we purchased a low mileage (100,000 miles), low ownership (4 previous owners) Hillman Super Minx. I guess I fell in love with it. It wasn’t a supercar like some of the above mentioned but it had a certain charisma.
In 1966 it was first owned by a Mr. and Mrs. Diaper from Blenheim, Registration Number DY4516. In 1970 Mrs. Diaper passed away, and the car was sold to a Mr. Arthur Ross, also from Blenheim. He used it until 1996, when he left it unloved in his garage until 2006. Registration expired in 1997. In 2006 he finally sold it to Cedric Watson, again from Blenheim. Mr. Watson had been trying to buy the car since 2000. The car was reregistered with the number DTP43. Ross and Watson had been friends for years, and a condition of the sale was that the car was to be used for Ross’s granddaughter’s wedding. Watson did some minor panel beating, refurbished the dashboard, repainted the car, and generally gave the girl a good tidy-up as well as the motor. Watson used the car until 2012, when he found the non-power steering was becoming a bit of an issue, so the car was sold to a Robert Almond from Reporoa, who had found the car on Trade Me. Almond and his wife flew to Blenheim to pick up the car then toured the South Island before returning to Reporoa. In 2014 Almond was offered a job in Australia. A friend of his was selling on his behalf and this is when we entered into the old girls life. We purchased the car in 2014. At a later date, we purchased a Holden with the plate MDS242, which is my initials and DOB, so I removed the plates and swapped them over, all legally, and got rid of the DTP43. I would like to get personalised plates with the original number 14
DY4516, but the exorbitant cost puts me off. Previous owners had spent a lot of money on the car, and believe it or not, all of the receipts had been kept which I now have as part of its history. Don’t ask the cost, I have never totalled it up. I have spent a lot as well and have also kept all the receipts. It’s all part of her life. I have rebuilt the motor twice, the first time it was poorly done, but we still managed to tour the South Island competing in the VCC Easter Rally in Ashburton. We got home without any major problems apart from using gallons of oil, greenies would have loved me. The motor was redone again with a different mechanic, fitted with extractors, new Weber carburettor (replacing the old twin carbs), street cam, electronic ignition, Trident mags, alternator has recently been fitted after the generator gave out, tinted windows all round, exterior sun visor and venetians in the back window. All original parts have been kept so it can be returned to original if ever needed to be.
It clips along well and is very comfortable. Compared with modern vehicles it is not fast but keeps up most of the time. During the Taupo VCC Rally in March 2021, with Brent Davidson navigating, we won our P60 class. The week after, Lynne and I drove to Havelock North to the Hillman/Humber AGM, of which we are mem-
bers. I entered it into the show competition and won the President’s Trophy for the nicest/tidiest car, so the old girl is treating us proud. It is now 55 years old and will do us.
We have owned many cars in the past, as previously mentioned, but we think she is up there with the best of them. The thing with these cars is that we are only their guardians, and I hope the next owners treat it with as much respect and love as we have. She is a great old lady, and have no intention of selling her – god willing.
Taupo Auto & Marine Trimmers 16 Manuka Street 07-378 6969
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2x standard life cycle Environmentally responsible 42 mth standard warranty
Now available from Partmaster 8 Oruanui Street, Taupo ph 07 378 9644 www.partmaster.kiwi
Vehicle Servicing Car Repairs Vehicle Brakes Car Exhausts Shock Absorbers Towbars Tyres Warrant of Fitness Safety Checks Batteries 28 Oruanui St Taupo Owners: Susan & Peter Wall 07 3783132 Mobile 021 717131
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THE 2021 FOUNDERS PRINCE HENRY TOUR CROMWELL-RANFURLY-CROMWELL 1 – 3 NOVEMBER 2021
Thank you for considering entering this VCC event. We look forward to your company during this three-day tour of relaxed veteran motoring following the National Veteran Rally. It is being organised by Nevin Gough and Kelly Findlay.
Accommodation and lunches during the tour will be the responsibility of the entrant. Evening meals will be at the Ranfurly Hotel while in Ranfurly. No booking has been made just show up and order off the menus. There will be a backup vehicle with trailer following the tour.
Monday November 1st: Meet at The Gate at 10am to receive instructions and briefing. We will stay the night in Ranfurly.
Tuesday November 2nd: Meet at the Ranfurly Hotel at 9am. We have the use of the Breakfast Room, inside the main doors to the right, all morning briefings will be in there. We stay in Ranfurly again tonight.
Wednesday November 3rd: Tour departs from Ranfurly, and returns to Cromwell in the afternoon. Meal and Prize giving will be at 6.00pm at The Gate.
Payment for all meals will be direct to the venues at the time.
Please book your own accommodation in Ranfurly as soon as possible. Accommodation at the Ranfurly Hotel is limited with a few ensuite rooms, if booking here please mention that you are part of the Prince Henry Tour as they have blocked off all rooms for that week for a month to allow our tour to get in first. Other accommodation is available at Ranfurly Holiday Park, Ranfurly Motels or Hawkdun Lodge.
NB: There will be some gravel roads this year
2021 FOUNDERS PRINCE HENRY TOUR ENTRY FORM
Entrants Name: _________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Phone No: ______________________ Email: ________________________________
VCC Branch: ___________________ Membership No: ________________________
Driver’s Name: _________________________________________________________
Navigator’s Name:_______________________________________________________
Other Passengers Names: _______________________________________________
Vehicle: (Car/Van/Motorcycle/etc.): _________________________________________
Year: _________ Registration: ____________ Model: _______________________
Entry Fee, Per Vehicle, includes Rally Plaque: $45.00 Garden Entry $10 pp ____ Devonshire tea $10 pp ____ Total ____
Post to: “Founders Prince Henry Tour 2021” 21 Mornington Road, Dunedin 9011 Or email to: bmmcconachie@xtra.co.nz
Internet banking: 03 09030390951 00 - Otago Branch VCC Your surname and 'Prince Henry' as reference please.
