Far North Focus
August 2019
We were lucky again to have a perfect afternoon for our Annual Luncheon at the Mangonui Cruising Club Rooms.
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Far North Focus Who’s Who for 2019/20 Chairman
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 4077255
Vice Chairman
Winston Matthews
win@matthewsvintage.com
09 406 0203
Secretary
Gloria Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 4077255
Treasurer
Robyn Mackay
wmackay116@gmail .com
09 406 1955
Club Captain
Graeme Moore
graemarg32@gmail.com
09 4061413
Editor
Peg Hills
comstockdowns@gmail.com
09 406 1077
Communications Officer
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 4060 392
New Member Liaison
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 4077255
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Dave Duirs
dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
09 406 1288
Area Rep North
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 406 0392
Area Rep South
Warwick Woollams
w.woollams@gmail.com
09 407 7494
Committee
Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Winston Matthews, Graeme Moore, Vince Mason, Mike Pooley, Gloria Cormack, Warwick Woollams, Warren Mackay
Building Officer
Peter Mason
09 406 1409
A full list of elected officers was circulated with the minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting
Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Aurere Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
CLUB CLEANING ROSTER 2019-2020 During the month, and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over, as in: Clean the toilets and hand basins, check kitchen, window ledges etc, and sweep the floors. Window cleaning, washing walls etc will be done at working bees.
Note any required maintenance and pass on to the Building Officer- Peter Mason, ph 406 1409. If your date doesn’t suit you, please swap with someone else. For any other enquiries please contact the Club Captain.
August D & D Duirs July
C Brownlie
January
D & P Hills
August
D & D Duirs
February
G Coulson
September
P & Z Mason
March
C & M Ilton
October
Everyone– working bee
April
W & R Mackay
November
G & S Mc Mullen
May
G Moore & M Cornwall
December
P O’Dell
June
C & M Ilton
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Calendar of Events 2018 / 2019 August 11th
Matauri Bay Lunch
Graeme
August 18th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
September 1st
Fathers Day Rally
Warren & Robyn
September 15th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
October 12th
Club Working Bee
Everyone
October 20th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
November 2nd
Far North Tour
Northland Branch
November 17th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
November 17th
Classic Car Show
Classic Car Club
November 24th
Dunny Run
Northland Branch
December 7th
Christmas Rally
TBC
January 18th
Kerikeri
Murray & Gloria
January 19th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
February 15th
Hokianga/ Far North
Keith
February 16th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
March 14th
Far North /Hokianga TBC
Claude
March 15th
Taipa Bay Caffeine& Classics
Rosco
April 11th
Brian Parker
Rex & Sandra
April 19th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
May 10th
Mothers Day
Terry & Sue (TBC)
May 12th
Club AGM
Everyone
May 17th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
June 21st
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
June 27th
Molloy Trophy Rally
TBA
Club meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the Aurere Clubrooms, unless otherwise advised. The Far North Branch of the VCC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected.
Please note: Robyn and Warren Mackay have changed their email address to wmackay116@gmail.com
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
From the Chair…….
Greetings
for an informal mingle among members, and also people and cars from the local A good number of members enjoyed a successful Hot Rod and Classics club. Thanks RosAnnual Dinner and Prize-giving at the Mangonui co and Warren for all your efforts. Cruising Club premises. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to all those members We are certainly enjoying some great winter days who organised the trophy rallies to make this pos- for our club events. sible. Thanks to Graeme, Robyn and Warren for a Our thoughts are with Naomi after the recent loss huge effort regarding organising and running this of her father. occasion. It certainly was appreciated. With the next major rally being the new Father’s Day rally Matters mechanical: Growing constraints around on 1st September, Graeme is working on a possible the world on the future use of vintage vehicles, and the potential impact of the Zero Carbon Bill mid-week venture during August. on motoring in New Zealand, are a genuine conThe North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smylie is cern for our club. We are grateful for work done to visit the club on 4th April 2020 for our feature by the VCC Registrar Rod Brayshaw and other orrally the Brian Parker Memorial. More on this ganisations such as NZFOMC, pushing our case matter later but great to hear she is coming for for worthy exceptions in this area. this event. Let’s enjoy our cars and friendship. A great day and good turn-out at the Taipa Bay Murray Caffeine’n’Classics on Sunday 21st July. It is great
SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
FATHERS DAY RALLY MAKE HIS DAY SPECIAL– TAKE HIM TO LUNCH
MEET AT THE KAEO CAR PARK BY THE CHURCH
11.00AM FOR AN 11.30 START Short run to Whangaroa Gamefish Club for lunch Bring your kids if you can– they should shout you lunch Please email wmackay@gmail.com, or text Warren at 021 0364 333 if you are coming
We warmly welcome Glenys Muir as a new member of the Club. Glenys is no stranger, having been with us on several rallies and other events, and we look forward to seeing her on many more occasions. 4
Club Captain’s ReportOn behalf of all members, I wish to convey our Cruising Club for the Annual Prize Givcondolences to Naomi and Vince. Naomi’s dad ing and Luncheon. This was an excellent passed away during the month. venue and meal. Pre-lunch drinks and a chat were enjoyed on the sunny deck looking out on to Mill What an amazing month it has been for those Bay. My congratulations to the trophy winners watching sport. The Wimbledon Tennis with a new and I look forward to continuing interest in the Ladies Champion, Simona Halep defeating Serena coming year. My thanks to Warren and Robyn for Williams; Novak Djokovic having a great match to their assistance in organising this event. The Taipa defeat Roger Federer; the “Black Caps” fighting for Bay Caffeine and Classics is gaining in interest with a drawn / won / lost Cricket World Cup match; the some interesting cars on display and owners enjoy“Tour de France” cycle race currently running ing discussing all manner of topics. through some beautiful countryside; the “All Blacks” just defeating a very good Argentinian I have written a follow–up to the article “The Danteam and the “Silver Ferns” winning the Women’s gers of Ethanol Fuel” which was in the May Focus. Net Ball World Championship. (The club has 2 very This article gives a more in-depth view of Ethanol proud “in-laws” in our midst). There has also been fuel in NZ. This has been forwarded to Peg to be the world rowing champs in Holland where the included in an edition of the “Focus”. Kiwis have again proven that we are among the Rod Brayshaw, the VCCNZ Registrar, has produced best in the world. a report from the FIVA General Assembly Meeting In Aussie, we have Scott McLaughlin and Fabian that was held in Gibraltar, November 2018. While Coulthard (2 Kiwi’s) running the new Ford Mustang this meeting was dealing with matters affecting and leading the Aussie Supercar championship. the Vintage / Veteran vehicles in the EU, they highThey will be racing in Pukekohe in September. lighted common VCC issues that we will face in NZ. What influence has this had on Warren Mackay’s I will bring a copy to the next meeting and will redecision to purchase a 1965 Mustang? A very nice produce items in the coming months. original car that has not been up graded in any way. We look forward to seeing this on future ral- Happy Motoring and enjoy your Club Eligible Vehilies. I believe that the golf clubs will fit in the boot cles while you can. by leaving the spare wheel at home. Graeme. Thirtyfour members gathered at the Mangonui
Stuart manned check point SUNDAY 11THtheAUGUST
A Sunday drive and lunch at the Matauri Bay Café is planned for the main August event. Members are asked to meet at Kaeo at 10.30am departing at 11.00am to drive via the coastal road, stopping to view the Cavalli Islands. A buffet lunch is planned for at the Matauri Bay Café at a cost of $10-$12 per person. For catering purposes, I ask that members please contact me with numbers attending by Wednesday evening, 7th August. Phone 09 406 1413 or email graemarg32@ gmail.com An extra activity is planned for the day. Looking forward to you joining us on the day……
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Graeme
THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND PRIZE GIVING
Terry and Sue won the Mothers Day
Gloria and Murray won the points trophy
Rex and Sandra won the Brian Parker
Robyn and Warren won the Molloy, and also the Matthews Cup for rally points
The Clubman of the Year was a bit overwhelmed.
Otherwise, it was a great chance for a catch-up with folk we hadn’t seen for a while.
CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE:
Tuesday September 10th
Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
The monthly meeting of the Club will be held at the Bay Sport Complex, Harmony Lane, off Waipapa Road, at 7.30pm.
There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size. Cost is $30-$35 dollars, depending on size.
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Ethanol Fuels in Older Vehicles. As a follow up to the article on “The Dangers of Ethanol Fuel”, printed in the June “Focus”, the following explanation and information is offered for your consideration. Introduction The following information outlines the key reasons why vehicle manufacturers do not recommend the use of any ethanol/petrol blended fuels in vehicles made before 1986. This information is also applicable to some post- 1986 vehicles listed as unsuitable to use Ethanol blended petrol. (Check the vehicle manufacturers Fuel Recommendations). Ethanol has a number of important chemical and physical properties that need to be considered in a vehicle’s engine design. Carburettor Equipped Vehicles. Vehicles made before 1986 were predominantly equipped with carburettors and steel fuel tanks. The use of Ethanol Blended petrol in engines impacts on the air/fuel ratio because of the additional oxygen molecules within the Ethanol’s chemical structure. Vehicles with carburettor fuel systems may experience hot fuel handling concerns. This is because the Vapour Pressure of fuel with Ethanol will be greater (if the base fuel is not chemically adjusted) and probability of vapour lock or hot restart ability problems will be increased. As a solvent, Ethanol attacks both the metallic and rubber based fuel lines and other fuel system components.
Exhaust and Evaporative Emission Levels. Lean-out resulting from the oxygenating effect of Ethanol in the fuel may affect exhaust emissions. Of more concern is that fuel containing Ethanol can increase permeation emissions from fuel system components, particularly those that have aged for nearly 20 years. Therefore the increased vapour pressure of fuel with Ethanol (if the base is not adjusted at the refining stage) will lead to increased evaporative emissions. Ethanol Blended Fuels in New Zealand. For the most part 91 Octane fuels do not contain Ethanol. Therefore all our vehicles which are of a lower compression ratio should run on 91octane with no problems. There is some fuel sold by Gull NZ which is E10. It has an Octane rating of 98. The fuel delivery nozzles have“E10” identification on them. Gull NZ is the biggest distributor of Ethanol Blended Biofuel in NZ. The Ethanol that Gull uses is produced from dairy by-products supplied by Fonterra. The majority of the Ethanol blended petrol is sold as “Gull Force 10” and competes against the higher 98 Octane rated fuels. The majority of vehicles on our roads can run happily on 91 octane fuel while many of the “others” will accept 95 octane as a minimum fuel requirement. So the choice to use Gull’s Ethanol blended biofuel can come down to an environmental decision (it emits up to 8% less carbon dioxide than other high octane fuels), or simply a cost or convenience factor. Ethanol is also an Octane Booster and can enhance performance in suitable engines due to the increase in oxygen in the fuel. But there is a slight negative side. There can be around a 2.5% increase in fuel consumption.
Ethanol also has an affinity to water that can result in corrosion of fuel tanks and fuel lines. Rust resulting from this corrosion can ultimately block the fuel supply rendering the engine inoperable. Water in the fuel can also result in the In Conclusion. All pre 1986 vehicles should not be fuelled with engine hesitating and running roughly. The start, Ethanol Blend fuels. Check the vehicle Manufacturers Fuel RecomFuel Injected Engines. In addition to the issues mentioned above for mendations for all post-1986 vehicles. carburettor equipped engines, the use of Ethanol Service Station/Refuelling stations pumps disBlended petrol in Fuel Injected systems will re- play “E10” fuel identification on the pumps and sult in early deterioration of components such as nozzles. injector seals, delivery pipes and fuel pump and If in doubt, always use regular 91 or 95 octane fuel without the Ethanol Blend. regulator. Mechanical fuel injection systems and earlier Ethanol Blended fuel is reported to have a 90 day electronic systems may not be able to fully com- “shelf life”. pensate for the lean-out effect of Ethanol Blend- Be aware. To use E 10 fuel in a 2 stroke engine, ed petrol resulting in hesitation or flat spots dur- requires an E10 compatible 2 Stroke Oil. ing acceleration. Graeme Moore. Difficultly in starting and engine hesitation after a cold start can also result.
The finish, 7
Best in Show winner 1977 Morris Marina 1.3 Deluxe Estate, flanked by Runner-up 1978 Vauxhall Chevette E on the left, and Peoples’ Choice 1982 Peugeot 305 SR Estate.
Hagerty’s
Show presenter Jon Bentley, Practical Classics editor Danny Hopkins and British Leyland expert Tanya Field worked their way through the Festival of the Unexceptional 2019 fifty concours standard vehicles ranging from a Rover Metro to a 1990 What are the chances of finding an Alfa Romeo 33 on the streets of Honda Zook moped. This year there was also a new Anniversary the UK? Not great: of the approximately 1 million built, just six are still Class full of cars celebrating major birthdays this year, the assessregistered. So to find a stunning example of this boxer-engine hatch- ment of which veteran Unexceptional judge Sam Skelton was enback in Hagerty’s Concours de l’Ordinaire at the 2019 Festival of the trusted. Unexceptional was a real treat. To find another, in the same colour, Even in this crowd there were some stand-out cars. A gleaming Ford in the public car park was extraordinary. Cortina Mark 5 was a firm favourite, as was Vauxhall Heritage Fleet ‘s “There are only two left in this colour,” owner James Vincent told me. own Bedford CF van. A Simca 100 GLS sported a very special blue “The concours one, and this. This is the 1700cc, the other is a 1500” metallic paintwork, and a Trabant P601 Kombi displayed full Interflug he adds, with a hint of pride. His car shows the battle scars of a hard livery in exceptional detail including original stickers. life: patchy paint work, a faded red carpet, and a tweedy interior with Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional 2019 proved again the the famously un-ergonomic driving position more suited to an oranguaffection so many people have for the cars that were once a huge tan than a human. It’s a great car and it attracted a lot of attention: part of their lives. We’ll be honest: the concours is great, but that’s not when I first spotted it, James was being interviewed by a radio prewhat makes this event special. It is the enthusiasm you see in peosenter from the BBC. ples’ faces, the memories that come flooding back, and a day spent Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional is now in its sixth year and with others who totally understand that passion. We know we’re biwas again a sell-out. It’s a celebration of the ‘normal’ cars of the past, ased, but it’s our highlight of the year. As you walk around the lawns those that used to sit on the driveways of every suburban house, ferry you overhear guests say “my Dad had one of those’ or 'we went on kids to school and their owners to work and back. It’s a homage to our summer holiday in that’ and that’s why we do what we do. cars that used to be sold in their millions but are now unbelievably While we have admiration for all classic car owners and events, rare. With a concours of fifty specially selected cars, an invitational FOTU is truly special….. More family gathering than sterile show, it class of manufacturers vehicles, a stunning selection of brings people together. ‘unexceptional’ commercial vehicles and a new Anniversary Class it’s not a joke at the dull cars’ expense but a true celebration of those We have no rules, no boundaries and light-hearted judging which vehicles that most of the visitors have a true emotional connection to. makes everyone smile and enjoy the event. It also has a very other-worldly vibe too. What other car show would have a special advanced parking area that allows in such cars as Hagerty’s is a British insurance company specialising in all aspects of vehicle British Leyland Princesses, Citroen 2CVs and rusty Alfa Suds, but insurance. We acknowledge and thank them for this abridged article.. Ed. relegated a shiny McLaren 720S to an also-ran space right next to the portaloos? Back on the concours, the judges had their work cut out. Top motoring writer Andrew Frankel, Goodwood’s Gary Axon, The Gadget
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G T MULLER State Highway 10, Coopers Beach
WOF CENTRE VEHICLE IMPORTS PHONE 09 406 0406 WE ARE OPEN SATURDAY MORN-
Dad is from the old school, where you keep your money under the mattress– only he kept his in his underwear drawer. One day I bought him an unusual personal safe– a can of spray paint with a false bottom so he could keep his money in his workshop. Later I asked Mum if he was using it. “Oh yes,” she replied, “he put his money in it the same day.” “No burglar would think to look on the work shelf!” I gloated. “They won’t have to,” my mum replied. “He keeps the spray can in his underwear drawer.”
Buick Riviera 1964
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