“Dripfeed” NEWSLETTER OF THE BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF New Zealand (INC) VOLUME 42, No 10 november, 2019 Editor: Michael Williams 10 Selwyn Parade Lyttelton Ph 328 8043, email mimiandmichael@yahoo.co.nz
Chairman: Secretary: Mr Toad
Club Officers: Craig Keenan 322 1006 Ron Hasell 942 1105 Indisposed this month
Branch Address: 27 Showgate Ave, ChCh 8042 E-mail: bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz Noggin & Natter: 2nd Thursday of the Month • •
Noggin 7.30 pm at the Papanui RSA. Upham Room – enter either from 55 Bellvue Ave or the first entrance on the left on Harewood Road (Papanui / Main North Road) Thursday 14th of November. We look forward to seeing you there. Supper is provided.
From the Editor: At the recent Local Body elections, long time BP member Phil Mauger was elected to the Christchurch City Council, thus following in the distinguished footsteps of Garry Moore. Clearly, the inference that must be drawn from this is that membership of the Banks Peninsula branch equates with political success, so I suppose it’s a matter of time before Phil decides to run for mayor, unless all the meetings and council jargon drive him mad. During Garry’s years at the top, he frequently used his Austin 7 as a type of branding exercise, in a man of the people sort of way. So if Phil wants to become mayor and appeal to the masses, he’s going to need to swallow his pride, stop driving that hideous great Lexus thing, borrow the Austin, and drive it round the city, thus ensuring his popularity, and proving that for once, an Austin 7 is actually useful. Talking of Maugers, another one has joined our ranks. Tim Mauger is a new member, following on from Warner, Phil and Thomas. And a welcome also to Duncan Styles and Grant Harsenhorst from Auckland, with an MGBGT V8, a factory one. Perhaps we’ll see it down here at some stage.
Don Gerard is still hoping to organise a display of historic track cars at the 2020 Skope meeting at Ruapuna over Waitangi weekend, so if you are aware of any likely candidates, do contact Ron Hasell. I went down to the Waimate 50 60th anniversary meeting held recently, and there were some great NZ specials in our field. Ralph Smith was racing the Lycoming, his son Sam was racing the Citroen Spyder, and Chris Read was racing the BCM Special. These three cars are perfect examples of significant NZ Specials, and it would be great to have them at Ruapuna in February. We haven’t seen the BCM at Ruapuna for a while, so perhaps BP member Chris Read, who has owned this great old car for 35 years, might give it a northern holiday. Maybe you can persuade Ralph and Sam to do the same, Chris.
Following some gentle persuasion, William Dawber has offered to become a scrutineer, bringing some much needed youthful exuberance to this important task. Many thanks, William
Only very gentle persuasion was needed for Richard Foster, from Hororata, to generously offer the branch his complete collection of Dripfeeds. Since I took over the editorial role, I have lamented the lack of this archival material, and once I’ve zoomed out to Terrace Station to collect them, I look forward to learning about the past activities of the BP branch. Many thanks Richard. John Bain has recently expanded his collection to include a quality French vehicle. It’s a one owner, low mileage, Christchurch new, fwd example of innovative French engineering that has been carefully stored for many years, and John is thrilled to have been able to secure this exotic vehicle in the face of fierce international competition. Instead of sending it to Auto Restorations for a complex rebuild, John intends to restore it himself. So when you see John tootling gracefully about the leafy suburbs on his restored Velo Solex, do give him a wave. The Canterbury branch invites BP members to their Christmas Noggin on Thursday the 5 th of December from 7.39pm, at Cutler Park. And as an added bonus, there is powerpoint presentation of the Rebranding of the club, from 7.00pm in The Barn.
John Hebron has finished his Lagonda Rapier and has sent me the following evidence. Looks lovely.
Coming Events Ramon’s Run, 15th – 17th of November. The indefatigable Ramon Farmer has organised another run, with an emphasis on things geological and historical. See the following for details. BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH, VCC. Karamea Touring Weekend, November 15-17 November, 2019. A Touring Weekend (Christchurch's Show Weekend) is a reality; accomodation suggestions were in last month's Dripfeed so those intending to tour should have that sorted by now; if not, book immediately. Let me know if you intend coming as I need numbers to produce the illustrated route instructions. On departure day, Friday 15th November, we will meet at Pukeko Junction store/café, Leithfield, at 0900 hours for a coffee (breakfast if you wish) and printed route instructions will be handed out; the tour route yields an approximate distance from Christchurch to Karamea of 280 miles (455 kms) and a return distance of 265 miles (426 kms) but you do not have to follow the route slavishly. Departure time from Pukeko Junction will be 0930 hours so if you are late arriving, you may miss the instructions; phone me in advance for a copy of these if you intend a different departure point/time. Phone Pukeko Junction (03 314 8834) before 0930 hours if you are going to be late on the day and want a copy of instructions to be left for you. The Tour will be a simple one, with a suggested lunch stop at Springs Junction on the Friday and at Greymouth on the Sunday, though roadside picnics amongst the sandflies are also possible; the Culverden Bakery has fine food for the outward journey and Westport, Charleston, Punakaiki or Moana are options on the return. In Karamea, Vinnie's Café, Market Cross, is open from 0900 to 1500 hours on the Saturday and the adjacent Four Square Supermarket also has excellent backcountry fodder. Both the Karamea Hotel and the Last Resort are options for light meals or an evening meal Friday or Saturday, as is the excellent modernised Little Wanganui Hotel, 10 miles south of Karamea Friday 15th November; Christchurch to Karamea via Lewis Pass, Buller Gorge, Westport; O/N Karamea. Descriptive stops on the Alpine Fault, Marble Hill before Springs Junction, and the White Creek Fault (1929 Murchison Earthquake) Middle Buller Gorge. Saturday 16th; local trips, visit His Serene Highness' most isolated restoration workshop; O/N Karamea. Local tours/walks/museums/shed visits depending on weather. Sunday 17th; Karamea to Christchurch via Charleston, Greymouth, Moana and Arthur's Pass. Constant Bay (Charleston), Pancake Rocks (Punakaiki), Kotuku Oil Seep (weather dependent). The Omotu slip has closed SH7 leaving Greymouth; take Cobden/Taylorville road to cross at Stillwater. Depending on the weather in Karamea on the Saturday, we will have choices between bush walks or in-shed activities, the latter if it is seriously wet - you may be surprised what is tucked away in the Karamea district. If the weather is kind (it has been exceeding wet of late) Saturday trips could include the Oparara Arches and the Scott's Lookout/Nikau Walk at Kohaihai River; closer to home is the Estuary Walkway, Big Rimu Tree and Zig Zag Track, but more information will be available with the Tour instructions. Need to know something about Karamea? Contact Michelle in the Karamea Information/Resource Centre; 106 Bridge Street, Market Cross; (03) 782 6652. Fuel is available in Karamea 24/7 from a card-pay pump adjacent to the Information/Resource Centre. Be aware that cash in Karamea might be in short supply; there is an ATM nowadays inside the Four Square Supermarket (Market Cross) but it can run dry (we are at the End-of-the-Known-World) so it is better to be cashed-up before
arrival; all the locals are happy that you leave your cash in the local economy rather than take it out again. Fuel prices at Amberley usually match or better some Christchurch prices; expect to pay a premium at Springs Junction; Westport also, but 10 cent discounts are available at Palmerston Street (main street) Caltex and BP stations; naturally Karamea is also at a premium. For a variety of reasons, wet weather gear is considered obligatory; topless cars are optional; even French cars will be permitted. If you want any further information or encouragement, call Ramon Farmer 339 6048. Call me anyway as I need to know the numbers attending for copies of the instructions. Please call me.
Wigram Revival, 22nd -24th of November, at Ruapuna. See Ron for entry details.
Windsor Rally, Oamaru, 7th of December. This annual rally is organised by the North Otago branch and has been going for 59 years. There are three routes and some field tests, all leaving from Oamaru. Contact windsorrally@gmail.com or phone 03 4347226.
Veteran Run 18th January 2020
Back Country Excursion 18th January 2020 This excursion which is intended for veteran vehicles only will travel from Hawarden to Whitnow Station and return to Hawarden. The total distance travelled will be 62 Kms, which includes 46 kms of good unsealed road. If you wish to attend or for information please contact David and Marion Oakley, Ph 021370956 or 03 3087323, email d.oakley@xtra.co.nz Art Deco Weekend, Napier, February 2020. ART DECO WEEKEND 2020 A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM HBVCC Contacts: STEVE TROTT stevetrott@xtra.co.nz STEVE DONOVAN stevedon@xtra.co.nz
Past Events. The Peninsula Run. The usual eclectic collection of cars and people gathered at the Tai Tapu store for our annual Peninsula Run. When George Calder was on the committee he thought that as we are the Banks Peninsula branch, we should have a peninsula drive, and it’s become an annual event. The route took us to Little River, where we turned left to go up the Okuti Valley, and then begin a steep climb up the Bossu road to the summit, where magnificent views of the Eastern bays were a joy to behold. After meandering around the tops for a while we began the equally steep descent down to Wainui, where brakes were tested to the utmost on the narrow winding roads. Lunch was on the foreshore at Wainui, and then we proceeded to Duvauchelle and up to the Summit road, before winding round to Hilltop and back down the hill. A pleasant day of motoring on roads less travelled, and thanks to Digby Gemmell and Brian Smith for their organisation.
Ferrari passing Gated Community
Stag at bay
A farming Witte and a witty Farmer
Hawkswood Sprint. Although the Hawkswood Sprint is not a Banks Peninsula event, we can claim some credit. About fifteen years ago, after SH1 was realigned, the old SH1 at Hawkswood Cutting, with myriad twists and turns, was identified by BP member Jeremy Stace as an ideal bit of road for a sprint. He talked to the local farmer, who agreed, and then to the Country Gents and to RATEC, (Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts Club). Between them, they jumped through the necessary hoops, and the event was born. Organised and co ordinated by the Country Gents, (Gavin and John Bain, Geoff Walls, Jeremy Stace and others), it’s been going for 14 years now, with a year off because of the Kaikoura earthquake, and is a highlight of the motoring calendar for many, thirty five of whom arrived to do battle last Sunday, with eleven from the BP branch. The weather was kind, the track was too, and everyone stayed on the course. A wonderfully varied array of vehicles were competing, from a 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish right down to a Austin 7 Hotrod. The only thing those two cars would normally have in common is that their names start with A, but at Hawkswood they were both very twitchy, albeit for entirely different reasons. The Aston was twitchy because the driver couldn’t work out which of the many stability control/ suspension adjustment /ejector seat buttons to press and on its first run was, to put it politely, a bit of a handful. He did get it sorted on the next run and got to 212 kph on the straight. The Austin was twitchy because that’s what A7 hotrods do, and also because the driver, Steve Aldersley, managed to find the one bit of gravel on the whole course while straying off line. Steve used to be a member of the Waitemata branch until he saw the light and moved south, and it’s possible that it spite of his dodgy driving, he might be allowed to join our branch. He has the original Peter Bruin Jaguar C type replica, and admits to knowing Clynt Inns, so the admissions subcommittee will give it some thought. New member Tim Evans in the 72 Alfa, drove well, and it was good to see Geoff Edwards and wife Bridget in the Clinton Motors Mini. This car was put together by the Orton brothers in Clinton in the 1960s and raced extensively. It’s been rebuilt and goes like a rocket, and although Bridget did find 3 rd and 4th gear somewhat elusive, it’s great to see it out again. Geoff thought he was going quite well until his brother-in-law had a drive and beat him by 11 seconds. There were a brace of Mark 2 Jags from Nelson , and a divine Nelson based XK140 with continuous racing history from new. Jeremy Stace (E Type), and Bert Govan (Mark 2 3.8), both racing veterans, completed the Jaguar line up.
The Jaguar theme is a big part of Hawkswood and one of the trophies is the Ray Archibald trophy. Other interesting vehicles included a very rare1959 Lotus and the ex Don Broome Imperell, going a great deal faster than it used to. Giles Gill, in the Morgan 4/4 went well on his first Hawkswood, and Don Gerard was very tidy in his immaculate Mistral. I was a passenger in the Morgan, and have to get over my deep seated aversion to British sports cars by conceding that it goes very well, handles superbly, and the ride, although beyond firm, wasn’t as painful as I had anticipated. So on the journey home I was in quite a benign mood and was indeed enjoying the experience of being in an open car a few centimetres off the road. But then it started to rain. Heavily. I suggested to Giles that the hood be erected. “Leave it to me “, said Giles confidently and sprang into action. The water level in the cabin rose, I finished reading War and Peace, darkness descended, and eventually, a sodden Giles got the hood mostly erected. But the hood wouldn’t stretch properly so we had to drive with a flapping hood for ten minutes through a torrential downpour before stopping again to attach the stretched hood. Apparently this is quite normal for all British sports cars, and is called character forming. No wonder Britain lost the Empire. Hawkswood is a brilliant event that is very well run, with a very relaxed and positive atmosphere. Long may it continue.
.........Where is 3rd?
Coventry Cat (Jeremy Stace) on attack.
Alfa Romeo Montreal from the Geoff Edwards collection
Tim Evans pressing on in the Alfa
Herbert’s Mk 1 Road Sweeper getting rash in the gravel
Photographs by John MacDonald