Beaded Wheels 397 December/January

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 79 YEARS

No. 397 December 2025/January 2026 New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine

$8.95

A TALE OF TWO RALLIES

9 418979 000012

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLIES 50 YEARS APART MARKETPLACE VEHICLES FOR SALE 1928 MORGAN AERO THREE WHEELER

BEHIND THE WHEEL 1936 TALBOT BG 110 SPEED SALOON DRIVING OUR HISTORY

Supplied to Beaded Wheels by Wellington member, John Stokes. A lineup of cars in 1910 outside the Dalgety Buildings, Cathedral Square, Christchurch. The flag is of the Shaw Savill shipping line - Dalgetys were their agents.

Even in 1910 Cathedral Square was a transport hub, and probably the cars are taxi cabs. The only car that had been identified is the 1909 or 1910 Model T Ford, at right. That it is a light colour, rather than a dark one, is a mystery!

Image source: Fletcher Trust Archives P5000/66/1: Dalgety & Co Ltd - New Zealand Premises: Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 1910

PHOTOGRAPHS REQUIRED: Submissions of suitable prints and information are welcome. Post or email original photographs or high resolution digital files of historical interest with any available information to: beadedwheels@vcc.org. nz or Beaded Wheels, PO Box 76063, Northwood Christchurch 8548. Laserprints/ photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.

Beaded Wheels

The official magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated).

To find out more about the club visit www.vcc.org.nz or contact your nearest branch.

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

VCCNZ BRANCHES A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz ASHBURTON PO Box 382, Ashburton 7740 ashburton@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND 39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose, Auckland 1061 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA C/O, 722 Waterholds Road, RD8 Christchurch 7678 bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY 11 Ridgemount Terrace, Welcome Bay, Tauranga 3112 bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz CANTERBURY PO Box 11-082, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 canterbury@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL OTAGO C/-114 Shortcut Road, Luggate, RD2, Wanaka 9382 centralotago@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 376 Kopua Road, RD11 Norsewood 4974 centralHawke’sbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH C/– PO Box 312 Kaitaia 0441 farnorth@vcc.org.nz GISBORNE PO Box 307, Gisborne 4040 gisborne@vcc.org.nz GORE PO Box 329, Gore 9740 gore@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY PO Box 3406, Napier 4142

Hawke’sbay@vcc.org.nz HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 923 Taringamotu Road, Taumarunui 3994 kingcountry@vcc.org.nz MANAWATU PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440 manawatu@vcc.org.nz MARLBOROUGH PO Box 422, Blenheim 7240 marlborough@vcc.org.nz NELSON PO Box 3531, Richmond 7050 nelson@vcc.org.nz NORTHLAND PO Box 17, Whangarei 0140 northland@vcc.org.nz NORTH OTAGO PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444 northotago@vcc.org.nz NORTH SHORE C/- 7 Godwit Place, Lynfield Auckland 1042 northshore@vcc.org.nz OTAGO C/- 125 Forbury Road, Saint Clair, Dunedin 9012 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY 19 Redruth St, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz SOUTH OTAGO C/- 1931 Breakneck Rd, RD 4, Balclutha 9274

southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz TARANAKI C/- 7 Leatham Ave, Strandon, New Plymouth 4312 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO 33 AC Baths Ave, Taupo 5530 taupo@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH WAIKATO C/- 7 Pirongia Roaad, NORTHLAND Te Awamutu 3876 WELLSFORD/ NORTH SHORE waikato@vcc.org.nz WARKWORTH WAIMATE AUCKLAND 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 WAITEMATA waimate@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY WAIKATO WAIRARAPA EASTERN BAY 24B Nikau Heights,Lansdowne, OF PLENTY ROTORUA Masterton 5810 SOUTH WAIKATO wairarapa@vcc.org.nz TAUPO GISBORNE KING COUNTRY WAITEMATA TARANAKI HAWKE’S BAY C/- 8 Jean Place, Stanmore Bay, WANGANUI Whangaparoa 0932 CENTRAL MANAWATU waitemata@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY HOROWHENUA WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 4541 WAIRARAPA wanganui@vcc.org.nz NELSON WELLINGTON WELLINGTON PO Box 38418, Wellington Mail Centre, MARLBOROUGH Lower Hutt 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 CANTERBURY BANKS PENINSULA wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz ASHBURTON WEST COAST SOUTH CANTERBURY C/- Shantytown, WAIMATE 316 Rutherglen Road, Rutherglen NORTH OTAGO CENTRAL OTAGO Greymouth 7805, westcoast@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND

GORE

OTAGO

SOUTH OTAGO

Guy Nicol Museum VINTAGE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY and collection of items from yesteryear

Opotiki Museum TE WHARE TAONGA O TE MOANA A TOI Showcased over 3 levels - Early Pioneering, Port History, Whakatohea Research & Archives, Agricultural & Heritage displays.

Shalfoon & Francis Trading Store Museum Over 100 years old, original fittings & stock

Adults $10 Children $5

Over decades Guy and Isobel Nicol have collected and lovingly restored an impressive collection of vintage farm machinery displayed in a private museum on the family home.

To arrange a private viewing contact the Opotiki Museum 10am—4pm weekly 07-3155193 or ohas@xtra.co.nz

Museum Opening Times Mon-Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 10.00am-2.00pm

Shalfoon and Francis Trading Store Museum Mon-Sat 10.00am – 1.00pm

123 Church Street, 07 315 5193, ohas@xtra.co.nz, www.opotikimuseum.org.nz

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CONTENTS

Issue 397 December 2025/January 2026

FEATURES 9 14

Bagnold’s Sahara Expedition

10 14

30

16 Gebbies Pass

Marketplace

31

Old Car – New Licence Age is no barrier – for car or driver!

JBM Ford 10 Special Something to look out for next time you’re in Nelson The Model A Ford Just another old car?

Behind The Wheel – The Invincible Talbot 1936 BG110 3½ Litre Speed Saloon.

21

Back to School Vintage Style

22

A Tale of Two Rallies

26

1949 Willys–Overland, Jeepster

The Invicible Talbot

29 30

Austin Sevens on Rangitoto Island Rally Snippets 30

Gebbies Pass Blast – Banks Peninsula

16 COVER

COLUMNS 5

From the Editor

39

Trade Directory

6

VCC Branch Events

40

President’s Message

7

Mailbag

41

Vero Update

8

Timelines

42

National Office News

8

Tricks of the Trade

42

Awards

31

Marketplace

43

Branch News

37

Swap Meets & Rallies

58

Passing Lane

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated

Banks Peninsula Branch have just wrapped up another highly successful Monte Carlo Rallye – full report to follow in our February issue.

Photo: John McDonald

National Office

Phone 03 366 4461 (9.30am–1.30pm) Email admin@vcc.org.nz

Postal Address PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 8548, New Zealand.

Address 4 Meadow Street, Papanui, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Website: www.vcc.org.nz

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

4 Beaded Wheels

Find us on facebook Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is the worldwide organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles and related culture.

The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Incorporated) is a founding member of FIVA. VCC Life Member Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.

FROM THE

EDITOR

This Triumph Spitfire is one of those now eligible for an annual warrant.

The welcome new WoF regime where vehicles older than 40 years need a WoF check annually rather than six-monthly has just come into effect and already there seem to be further regulatory changes afoot in the WoF ambit. From what I have seen of the press releases I would judge these to be moves that benefit motorists with longer times between WoF checks. From my observation our members keep their vehicle in a safe condition and are continually keeping an eye on things. However, human nature being what it is, I wonder how many of the great unwashed public take the time to check their vehicle regularly for such things as tyre wear and, that great annoyance to us all, vehicles with one headlight out!

The driver is responsible for these things and other safety aspects of the vehicle as well.

Maybe some people need a WoF check on their vehicle every week! Let us hope that when an older vehicle is stopped by the police that they check the vehicle

Beaded Wheels

for the obvious faults such as tyres and lights. The police can really do no more than such superficial checks as they lack the technical expertise or ability to delve much deeper at the roadside.

The other possible regulatory change that we are all facing is that of Road User Charges (RUCs). Diesel-engined vehicle owners will be well versed in the RUC system with its requirements to always be up to date and are aware of how the current on-line/paperbased system works. It is easy to do and works well under the current load. I understand that EVs are also on that same system so presumably that is working well also. But – if the tax on petrol is removed and RUCs brought in for all vehicles the fear is that the current on-line/ paper-based system may not be able to handle the load. That is a worry because there are few options left other that some kind of GPS/digital telemetry which would indicate to our Government masters how far

Correspondence & Editorial Contributions

The Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXVI No. 396

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531, PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 8548.

Typesetting and Design

Advertising Enquiries

Publisher

RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch

Editor: Kevin Clarkson Sub Editors: Judith Bain, Rosalie Brown, Mark Dawber, John McDonald, Graham Pauley, Charles Rushbrook

Classified and Display Advertising to: Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Postal: Attn Beaded Wheels Marketplace PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 85480.

Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.

we had travelled, and where, and maybe even how fast we got there! Once the distance travelled is established it will be but a simple task to extract the required amount for the RUCs from your bank account!

It’s early days yet, but motorists should be very wary about how this pans out. Perhaps the boffins will come up with a better way to determine how far we have gone — and a better way to pay.

Additionally, while I don’t wish to seem pessimistic, once the petrol tax is removed and the price reduces, I wonder how long before it creeps up again, and we end up paying RUCs as well as high petrol prices! I haven’t met a Government yet that doesn’t love good taxation opportunities!

This is the final issue of our national magazine for 2025, and I hope that readers have enjoyed the content as much as we have enjoyed putting it all together for you. I thank the editorial team of Judith Bain,

Back Issues

Available for purchase from admin@vcc.org.nz

Subscriptions

Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to: PO Box 76063 Northwood Christchurch 8548.

Phone 03 366 4461, Email admin@vcc.org.nz Annual subscription (6 issues) $52* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$112* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$185* Digital subscription (6 issues) NZ$39 available from issuu.com. *Payment by credit card incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 2%

Rosalie Brown, Mark Dawber, John McDonald, Graham Pauley and Charles Rushbrook for their efforts on your behalf. When you meet up with them as you are out and about don’t forget to acknowledge the work they do for Beaded Wheels and the VCC. I take this opportunity to thank those who have submitted stories for inclusion and I would also like to thank our regular columnists. I know what it is like to have the commitment of meeting deadlines every issue and these people do it very well.

George Kear for his Presidential words, Linda Duffell and Karen Proctor for keeping us up to date with National Office News, Graeme Rice for his Timelines column and last but not least, the Branch Reporters who send in copy for Branch News each issue. Thanks to you all.

Kevin Clarkson Editor Beaded Wheels

Copyright Information

The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced complete or in part provided that acknowledgement is made to “Beaded Wheels, the magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated” as the source. Reproduction of articles must be at least 12 months after original Beaded Wheels publication date. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.

CLOSING DATES FOR FEBRUARY/ MARCH Editorial Copy 5 January 2026 Advertisements 10 January 2026

Beaded Wheels 5

VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

Bay of Plenty: A recent mid‑month run to the Drummond residence north of Katikati was attended in record numbers ( there was also a new McLaren 720S to admire).

DECEMBER 3 South Otago Wednesday Run 5 Bay of Plenty Toy Run 6 Bay of Plenty Te Puke Christmas Parade 6 Canterbury Christmas Social 6 Horowhenua Christmas Parade Levin 6 Manawatu Veteran Rally 6 North Otago Windsor Rally 6 Taupo Christmas Parade 6 Waitemata Rob’s Christmas Run 7 Auckland Christmas Posh Picnic 7 Central Hawke’s Bay Reliability Run 7 Central Otago Christmas Lunch 7 Gore Christmas Run 7 Manawatu Christmas Party & Service Awards 7 Nelson Richmond Santa Parade 7 Northland 50 Year Awards 7 Otago Moped Rally 7 Waikato Motorcycle Run 7 Wanganui Christmas Parade 10 Bay of Plenty Annual Christmas Run 10 Hawke’s Bay Christmas Party Meeting 11 Auckland Christmas Pot-Luck Dinner 11 Wellington Christmas Motorcycle Ride 13 Bay of Plenty Christmas Party 13 Far North Christmas Lunch 13 Nelson Club Run 13 Wairarapa Christmas Lunch Run 13 Wellington Lake Ferry Run 14 Canterbury OCBC Open Day 14 Hawke’s Bay Christmas Run 14 Northland Christmas Lunch 14 North Shore Christmas

Car Show, Gymkhana

& Barbecue 14 Otago Christmas Barbecue

NATIONAL EVENTS 15-21 March 2026 Vero International Festival Nelson Region

6 Beaded Wheels

14 Taranaki 14 Taupo 16 Southland 17 Taupo 17 Waikato 18 Wellington 20 Auckland 20 Bay of Plenty 21 Wanganui 30 Waikato

Christmas Run Christmas Lunch Swap Meet & Open Day Petrolheads Coffee & Cars Wednesday Wander Christmas Motorcycle Ride Christmas Lights Tour Vintage Cars at Bayswater Sunday Run Leg Over Motorcycle Run

JANUARY 1 Ashburton 1 Auckland 1 Banks Peninsula

1 Bay of Plenty 1 South Canterbury 1 Waikato 1 Wanganui 4 Waikato 7 Banks Peninsula

9-11 Waikato 11 Wairarapa 16 Bay of Plenty

16 Monte Carlo Rally 17 Far North 17-18 Horowhenua

17-19 Wanganui 18 Canterbury 18 Gore 18 Otago 18 Southland

New Year’s Day Run New Year’s Day Run New Year’s Day Picnic Little River Picnic Lunch New Year’s Day Fairlie New Year’s Day Picnic Taihape Gumboot Rally Blue Smoke & Pedals Pomeroy Trophy Ruapuna Raceway Motorcycle Tour Coastal Run Kumeu Classic & Hot Rod Show Wellington Branch Annual Picnic AP & I Show Levin Grand Parade Burma Rally / Vintage Weeked OCBC* Open Day Picnic Run Jackson Rally Ladies Run

A valid Vehicle ID card (VIC) is required for any vehicle entered in a National VCC event. Visit www. vcc.org.nz for more information on how to obtain a VIC for your vehicle.

18 South Canterbury 18 Waikato 21 Far North 21 Waikato 23-25 Wellington 24 Bay of Plenty 24 North Shore 24 Otago 24 Waimate 25 Rotorua 27 Waikato 29 Otago 31 Ashburton 31 Canterbury 31-1 Southland

FEBRUARY

6 Marlborough

6–8 Banks Peninsula 7 Eastern BOP 7 Southland 11 Hawke’s Bay 13–15 Banks Peninsula 14 Auckland 14 Waimate 15 Ashburton 15 South Canterbury 15 Taranaki 15 Wanganui 19–22 Hawke’s Bay 20-22 Central Otago 21 Far North 21 North Otago

Ladies Rally Club Gymkhana Southern Captain’s Run Wednesday Wander Biennial Motorcycle Rally Wings n Wheels Run to Thames Wings & Wheels Dunedin-Brighton Rally Kickstart Rally Annual Lakefront Car Show Leg Over Motorcycle Run Midweek Run Annual Rally Annual Commercial Rally Edendale Crank Up

Brayshaw Park Heritage Day Skope Classic Race Meeting (Chch) Eastern Bay of Plenty Rally Southland Rally New Year meeting Southern Classic Race Meeting (Timaru) Annual Veteran Rally Wallaby Rally VCC / VTNZ / Cancer Society Car show Chairman’s Run Waitara Mini Vin Tour Sunday Run Art Deco Festival Gold Motorcycle Rally Southern Captain’s Run All British Day

This column is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and events as listed in each branch newsletter. It does not contain all branch activities.

While Beaded Wheels makes every attempt to check the accuracy of the dates published in this column we advise readers to confirm all dates with the individual branch concerned. *OCBC: “Old Cars, Bikes , and Coffee,” all welcome.

MAILBAG Beaded Wheels reserves the right to ­publish, edit or refuse publication of any item s­ ubmitted as comment. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the policy or views of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated) or the publishers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

s A Miles Falcon.

BILL HAMILTON’S 1936 CRASH

I enjoyed the story in issue 395 about the origins of the Irishman Rally. A few years ago I visited the small museum at Irishman Creek Station and was interested to see the display about Bill Hamilton’s early motor racing history. There was also a reference to his lucky escape from a plane crash.

In February 1936 Bill Hamilton was the only passenger in a Miles Falcon monoplane flying into Rongotai airport. When gale force winds and heavy rain limited visibility the pilot failed to see an anemometer mast. The plane struck the mast, severing a wing and flipped upside down into the ground. Miraculously, Bill Hamilton survived the accident uninjured, but the pilot died in hospital a few hours later. As we know, Bill Hamilton went on to develop the famous Hamilton marine jet unit.

The pilot Malcolm Charles (Mac) McGregor was one of New Zealand’s most respected pioneer aviators. A WWI flying ace with 11 victories, he later barnstormed around

s McGregor’s fatal crash.

NO WARTS ON THIS ONE

While I was in the British Army I used to moonlight at a British Leyland garage. At the time (late 1970s) the Austin Princess was the latest car. A nice wedge shaped front end styling, almost futuristic, but very little thought given to the rear end aesthetics. My friend and I had to de-wax the paintwork and clean and polish the engine bay and interior. The cars had been outside in a field for months and quite often had rusty sills that had to be undersealed to cover up the rust.

New Zealand in an Avro biplane, before pioneering the first airmail service and becoming chief pilot and service manager for Union Airways. In 1934 he took part in (and almost won) the MacRobertson international air race from UK to Melbourne, flying an open cockpit Miles Hawk monoplane. After he fatally crashed at Rongotai he received a full military funeral, the eulogies describing him as “one of the greatest aviators New Zealand has ever known”.

was an army issue wooden box approximately a metre long and 600mm wide and deep. The rumour was that Wartburgs were used for ploughing fields in East Germany.

The Wartburg had terrific torque and served me faithfully for two years without a single problem.

The funny bit came when I tried to coax her up to 90 mph — despite a listed top speed of only 75 to 80. I took her to the crest of a long, steep hill, floored the throttle, and watched the speedo climb. We hit 85 mph and then — nothing. At the bottom, I lifted the bonnet to

Andrew Honeyfield

LOVE THE MAGAZINE

Just a thought, as one from a younger generation, have you ever considered the centre pages of the magazine being utilised as a double page poster — similar to many other car magazines? Like many others, I hang ones from other car mags I like in the shed, and it would be great to see some more pictures of VCC eligible vehicles adorn shed walls all around the country.

Alex Disher

Ed Note: Good idea. We’ll have a think about that.

s Wartburg was a car marque manufactured in East Germany. This name derives from Wartburg Castle on one of the hills overlooking the town of Eisenach where the cars were manufactured. From the 1950s Wartburgs had a three-cylinder two-stroke engine with only seven moving parts (three pistons, three connecting rods and one crankshaft). Not the actual vehicle mentioned in our letter but shown here is a 1988 Wartburg 353 (also known as the Wartburg Knight).

After a few months I saved up enough money to buy my third car. A Wartburg Knight saloon.

My father had bought a new one the year before.

I bought my seven-owner Wartburg from a caravan towing company. They delivered new caravans all over Hampshire with it. It had a 1000cc three cylinder two-stroke engine with a coil for each cylinder and a freewheeling clutch.

At the garage I poured a pint of two-stroke oil into the petrol tank and then five gallons of petrol. Then I shook it up to mix it. In East Germany the car was built in an ex-BMW factory. It had settee-like, comfortable seats and a cavernous boot that would take my MFO box. This

find all three spark plug leads dangling freely, the plugs themselves still attached. The massive effort had blown them clean out of the block!

Keith Rodgers, Cambridge

HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR NEXT ISSUE! We love hearing from our readers! Whether you have a story to share, a question to ask, or a photo you think others would enjoy, drop us a line for our Mailbag.

Submissions for the February/ March issue close 06 January 2026, Email us at beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz — we’d love to hear from you!

Beaded Wheels 7

TIME LINES

VINTAGE VEHICLES

Sales figures for August, September and October showed the three most popular cars were Ford (995), Chevrolet (450) and Dodge (332). Occupying fourth, fifth and sixth places were Overland (239), Maxwell (225) and Buick (220). Most successful British cars were Morris (137), Austin (94), Standard (70) in eighth, tenth and twelth place respectively with Rover last with 38 cars.

1950

75 YEARS AGO

1975

50 YEARS AGO

PW VEHICLES

Although the Sunbeam S7, S7a and S8 motorcycles were rare with just 16,808 produced from 1946 until 1956, they were common sights on Dunedin’s streets. Here, the quiet four stroke engine, unique balloon tyres and shaft drive enabled the local Traffic Inspectors to silently stalk errant motorists.

Powered by an in-line, vertical overhead camshaft 486cc, 24bhp parallel twin, the lighter S8 with narrower tyres was capable of around 140kmh.

P60 VEHICLES

Motoring with Robbie: If you heard the words “Hello, and welcome to this week’s motoring magazine.” you were listening to Radio New Zealand’s Robbie Robinson with his thousands of motoring tips. Robbie was born Powell Montague Robinson in 1920. He started his motoring show in 1949, ended it in 1990 and died in 2003. In 1975 Robbie was 55 years old and still going strong although he had realised the Japanese cars (he’d bought his first one in 1970) were fine cars but effectively signalled the end of the do-it- yourselfer.

1995

30 YEARS AGO

01

With the groundbreaking design evolution story of the Mark VII and the Mark V & XK120

JAGUAR MARK VII MARK VIIM MARK VIII MARK IX Author: Richard Waugh QSM Publisher: Kynaston Charitable Trust ISBN: 978--473-74936-1 Distributed by David Bateman Ltd. Order from: kctbookorders@gmail.com Soft Cover, 163 pages, A4 (210x280mm). $45 + $10 p&p This book acknowledges that without the success that the Jaguar Mark VII achieved the Jaguar brand would have been gone by the late 1950s. William Lyons knew what kind of car he wanted and even though the introduction of Mark VII was delayed a couple of years he refused to compromise on what he instinctively knew was the right car for the ‘50s. He was proven correct, the car was successful, and the rest is history.

The comprehensive breakdown of the differences between the cars that are the subject of this book is a valuable resource and make

for very interesting reading.

With ten chapters plus a number of very detailed appendices this is a solid read.

No “once over lightly” here!

The text is accompanied by many photographs illustrating the variations between the Marks. The “survivor cars” chapters are interesting because they feature New Zealand cars and their ownership over the years.

Many well known names here!

The author is a prolific book writer, mostly about aviation but more recently his appreciation of the Jaguar marque has resulted in his excellent book Classic Jaguars in New Zealand in 2021 followed by this publication of the Jaguar Mark VII to Mark IX saloons.

Any Jaguar afficionado, or indeed anybody with an interest in cars, would appreciate this book — and what a great Christmas present! Perhaps leave your Beaded Wheels lying around and open at this page and maybe the hint will produce results.

Review by Kevin Clarkson

P80 VEHICLES

Happy birthday to Honda’s 1995 CR-V which turned 30 in 2025 and quickly proved itself to be the roomiest and most convincing of the soft roaders. Built on Civic underpinnings with a 2000cc motor linked to 5 speed manual or an automatic, the CR-V was available in 2WD or AWD. Wider than most at 1.780 metres the CR-V came complete with a lift out picnic table.

Developments in the motoring world this month in history. Compiled by Graeme Rice QSM

8 Beaded Wheels

Mark VIIM

JAGUAR Mark VII

100 YEARS AGO

14-35489-2

Richard Waugh

9 771463 073597

Richard Waug h

9 771463 073597

Celeb

the 1950s Flagsh ip Saloons

01

JA

Mark VII

ISBN 985-0-2

Richard Waugh

A Gordon Bennett entrant took his 80hp racing Napier used in the eliminating trials and converted it into a fast tourer displaying “no trace of raciness.” Modifications included a folding glass windshield, a hood, synchronized ignition, self lubricating clutch and live rear axle. Between the chassis and the radiator sat his toolbox.

1925

anniversary of the Mark photographs, VII and illus this book tells trated by man the history a focus on New y rare of the car from Zealand – the its beginnin factory. Man farthest expo gs and with y interesting rt market from survivor cars England’s Cov IX models are are featured entry increasingly revealing why cherished in the Mark VII New Zealand to and the worl d over.

VETERAN VEHICLES ISBN 985-0-214-35489-2

that

Celebrating

was the car

IX

This book provides new insights into why the Jaguar Mark VII can be recognised as a remarkably significant automotive design and one of the most strategic and influential Jaguar cars of the 20th Century.

s The British driver Clifford Earp on a Napier car he drove in the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup held on the Auvergne circuit in France.

120 YEARS AGO

The Mark VII

It was the realisa made Jaguar to make a world tion of William Lyons ’ long-h -beating, high saloon and it performance eld ambition A world succeeded in , 100mph luxury -wide sales every way. success, the the Mark VIIM Mark VII , With its advan the internationa VIII and IX models, establ developed into ced twin-cam ishing Jaguar l stage, along chassis and six-cy XK14 linder engine on with 0 and XK15 stylish stream , mode 0 sports cars, the XK120 and the later immediately gained intern lined body, the Mark rn and D-Type racing while ational acclaim 1950, exemp cars made Jaguar the famous C-Typ VII e lifying its new on its launch a motorsport Pace’. It was sales slogan in Purchased legend. one of the of ‘Grace by royalty, ..Space.. flagsh fastest and saloons of best-handlin the time comb ip Jaguars were film stars and other celebr g full size luxury with ining superb also ities, the includ very astonishing successful in performance ing a Mark VIIM value. competition and winning the , 1956 Monte The chassis Carlo Rally.

This book and engine provides new – and the overal basis for the Mark VII can insights into phenomenal l style - were why the Jaguar be ly successful and iconic XK12 the automotive designrecognised as a remar kably signifi 0. and one of influential Jaguar cant cars of the 20th the most strategic and For the 75th Century.

Purchased by royalty, film stars and other celebrities, the flagship Jaguars were also very successful in competition, including a Mark VIIM winning the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally.

For the 75th anniversary of the Mark VII and illustrated by many rare photographs, this book tells the history of the car from its beginnings and with a focus on New Zealand – the farthest export market from England’s Coventry factory. Many interesting survivor cars are featured revealing why the Mark VII to IX models are increasingly cherished in New Zealand and the world over.

1905

Celebrating the 1950s Flagship Saloons

Celebrating the 1950s Flagship Saloons

The chassis and engine – and the overall style - were the basis for the phenomenally successful and iconic XK120.

JAGUAR

Mark VII Mark VIIM Mark VIII Mark IX

Mark VIII Mark

With its advanced twin-cam six-cylinder engine, modern chassis and stylish streamlined body, the Mark VII immediately gained international acclaim on its launch in 1950, exemplifying its new sales slogan of ‘Grace..Space..

Pace’. It was one of the fastest and best-handling full size saloons of the time combining superb performance and luxury with astonishing value.

A world-wide sales success, the Mark VII developed into the Mark VIIM, VIII and IX models, establishing Jaguar on the international stage, along with the XK120 and the later XK140 and XK150 sports cars, while the famous C-Type and D-Type racing cars made Jaguar a motorsport legend.

JAGUAR Mark VII Mark VIIM Mark VIII Mark IX

The Mark VII was the car that made Jaguar It was the realisation of William Lyons’ long-held ambition to make a world-beating, high performance, 100mph luxury saloon and it succeeded in every way.

BOOK REVIEW

s Denis of Rourke of Christchurch has owned his 1953 Mark VII for many years which is featured in the book.

Ri

With the grou ndbreaking design evol

BEADED WHEELS CAP WINNER

OLD CAR — NEW LICENCE Words and photos Chris Lawrence As a lifelong vintage motoring enthusiast, I’ve seen plenty of things on the road — but watching my 17-year-old son sit his restricted licence test in a 99-year-old Ford Model T was something else entirely.

In early March, Leon passed his learner’s licence on the first try. Just three days later, he joined me on the Mad Irishwoman Rally in the Waikato — his first legal drive behind the wheel of a Model T. Not exactly the easiest way to begin one’s driving career, but he took to it with enthusiasm.

Over the next six months, Leon joined me on several rallies and quickly became confident handling the T’s unique controls.

Somewhere along the way he even bought a Model T of his own from a friend in Taupō. Once it was running reliably and back on the road, we began joking about whether he could sit his restricted test in it. Surely, we thought, that couldn’t be possible these days.

Fast-forward to 15 October 2025. We turned up at VTNZ Pukekohe with both cars — his modern one for the test if required, and the T parked nearby. When Leon mentioned to the testing officer that he also had the Model T on hand, she looked intrigued. “If that’s his car,” she said, “then that’s what we’ll do the test in.”

Even the lack of a speedometer didn’t faze her. After checking with the VTNZ team and confirming that the lights, brakes and indicators worked, she climbed aboard and off they went.

A short while later, Leon returned grinning — he’d passed.

The examiner praised his calmness and skill, calling it one of the most enjoyable tests she’d ever done. The VTNZ staff were equally delighted to see a young driver keeping motoring history alive.

I couldn’t have been prouder — not just of Leon’s achievement, but of the positive attitude shown by everyone at VTNZ Pukekohe.

Their willingness to make it happen allowed a 17-year-old to earn his restricted licence in his own 99-year-old car — a reminder that even in today’s world of electronic driver aids and automatic everything, the spirit of vintage motoring still has a place on New Zealand roads.

s Leon with the VTNZ testing officer after successfully completing his restricted licence test in his 1920s Ford Model T at Pukekohe

Beaded Wheels 9

JBM FORD 10 SPECIAL Words Stephen Mortimer, photos Kit Brydon

At the recent Nelson Branch AGM an unassuming small blue race car was presented for the Pride Of Ownership section of the day’s proceedings. A picture of the car, dating from 1967, adorns the wall in their clubrooms.

s It’s quite refreshing to see a mature Kit has grown to appreciate the old V8s and has repented for his misguided youth (or was he in his “prime”) building and driving stock cars at the Kaiapoi track. How many V8s got wrecked for a smashing good time he wouldn’t divulge.

10 Beaded Wheels

We caught up with the car’s current caregiver a couple of days later at his happy place. Kit had just finished bolting in a reconditioned 8BA engine and mastering the technique of confirming the diff ratio in his Ford V8 convertible.

Parked up at the dining table, Kit shared a few memories.

Following his birth in Christchurch the Brydon family moved to Stoke where his father, Bruce, was employed by Trafalgar Supply Co as a typewriter technician. On occasion he was known to bring machines home to be stripped and cleaned with turps on the chopping block. Bruce had a healthy interest in motor vehicles and soon opened a car sales yard in Richmond.

s Grafted Topolino front chassis.

s Fabricated space frame.

s Remote gear shifter.

s Chain transferring power from drive shaft to diff.

Upon leaving school Kit secured an apprenticeship with Motor Corp in Rangiora JBM Ford - restored to its where he became familiar with the ins glory and on display at the Nelson Classic Car and outs of the Austin/Morris range of Museum. Photo Nelson vehicles along with Healeys and MGBs. Classic Car Museum Not devoting all his time to motor vehicles, Kit married Gayle in 1972 and the couple moved to Nelson. Kit was able to put his skills to good use by helping at a local car yard. Yes, Bruce’s yard had taken off, and to have his son working next to him and eventually taking over the business was something Bruce had long dreamed of.

The young couple set about raising a family and as 1995 rolled around Kit decided it was time for a change in profession. Real estate was an obvious path and utilising his talkative friendly nature, along with the contacts and friends gathered throughout the district, resulted in many happy clients. He had “a better way to move real estate”- as seen on the sign in his workshop.

“Enough about me” comes the humble comment, “let’s chat about the JBM”. A Ford 10 Special built in Christchurch in the early 1950s by Alex Shadbolt for June and Bruce Monk, hence the name JBM Ford 10 Special.

Alex had built several other cars previously, including those he raced himself with JAP engines. This particular masterpiece was started by grafting the front section of a Fiat Topolino chassis, complete with suspension, to a hand-fabricated tubular space frame.

Behind the leather seat was a Ford 100E (4 cylinder side valve) engine and gearbox with a much shorter drive shaft solid mounted to the frame. Below that, an upturned rear facing Fiat Balilla differential with a custom fabricated cog and chain arrangement transferring

power from the drive shaft to the diff — and there you have the main components. An aluminium body would cover a number of mechanical marvels, twin carbs, mild cam, tuned exhaust and remote gear shifter to mention a few. Those of you with more knowledge will spot a vast array of innovation throughout this special, testament to Alex’s problem solving, and all without the use of a TIG or MIG welder.

Both June and Bruce Monk were keen race competitors throughout the South Island, gaining experience in a variety of cars. The JBM was added to their stable to replace their existing Ford 10 special. Upon taking delivery there were starts at race events in various locations such as Ryal Bush, Dunedin, Renwick, Kaikoura and Tahunanui Beach at the 1955/56 meeting.

Bruce Monk’s JBM Ford 10 Special gets a tow home after overheating problems at Tahunanui. Photo K. York

Beaded Wheels 11

John Kingston in Marlborough was the second owner and he advertised the car for sale in the race program of the third Renwick 50 meeting on 10 November 1962 where he was entered in Class A of race 4; NZ Specials and Racing Cars. Note the prize money on offer, 10 quid (Pound) for first in each class.

“NZ Specials and Racing Cars, race 4, class A up to 2000 cc, class B over 2000 cc. Robert Stewart of Christchurch, driving his Sunbeam Alpine 1592 cc, John Kingstons advertisement to sell the car leads John Kingston of in the race programme of the third Renwick Woodbourne in a JBM 50 meeting on 10 November 1962.

Ford 1172 cc and Timaru driver Peter Preston, Buckler 90 1172 cc. Outright winner of the M.B. Mills Ltd. Challenge Cup was Ron Rutherford of Christchurch in his 260M Zephyr 2682 cc, Stewart was second overall and second in class B, from, Preston who was third overall and 1st in class A with Kingston fifth overall and second in class A.” Interesting to note Bruce Monk was driving a Sabre at this meeting and in race two recorded a DNF due to overheating Bruce Brydon (Kit’s father) became aware of the for-sale advertisement and was keen for an upgrade from his current Ford 10 Special to a car which showed far better potential. Along with fellow Ford 10 Special driver, Mike Stephens, they took the opportunity to kick the tyres while giving the car the once over. Following some negotiation the car was loaded on a trailer and headed over the hill to Brydon’s shed in Stoke. Being a practical fella, and not too keen on getting showered in sand, Bruce fabricated extensions to the side panels, improving the aerodynamics along with the added bonus of keeping elbows snug within the cockpit. In order to maintain appearances a splash of blue enamel paint was required and with brush in hand and a flick of the wrist number 74 transformed to 7.

Bruce, an active member of the Nelson Car Club, entered the car in the 1962/63 Tahunanui Beach races and although he didn’t win a race he still managed to take home the Blow-Up trophy! He repaired the motor but remained unable to locate a replacement finned aluminium head. He continued to enjoy the car at many local events and on the beach circuits until 1970. The Bruce Brydon checks the mirror as Paul speed and perforBrydon & Derek Thomason push start the mance achieved from attractive JBM Ford 10 Special. such a small engine Photo Rosalina McCarthy

in a lightweight car was often a surprise to many.

In September 1963 Bruce entered a bent sprint, held by the Marlborough Car Club, driving the JBM to fifth place, just 2.8 seconds behind the winner, Charlie Bensemann in the Stanton special. A short time later, at the first bent sprint run by the Nelson Car Club on a sealed “S” section of road at Riwaka, the Bob Stewart loved his drives in JBM with Bruce at the Bruce Brydon’s JBM Special. controls recorded third in the specials category, ahead of good friend Bob Stewart in his V8 special by 0.7 of a second.

Bruce’s interests changed but he had an attachment to the car and was not ready to sell but was more than happy to lend the car to Bob Stewart to use at Tahunanui beach 1970 to 1974 after which the car was put into storage in Richmond until 1990.

Some of the pictures and information gathered to compile this very brief record of the JBM Special can be found within Mike Stephens book; The Tahunanui Beach Motor Racing Years of the Nelson Car Club 1949 – 1977.

The Nelson Car Club’s 1990 port races at New Year included a reunion of cars and drivers who had raced at the Tahunanui Beach circuit and Bruce was eager to get the car tided up and running again for this special event. Minor repair to the rear tail cone was undertaken by local master panelbeater Jack Hikuroa and the paint touched up by Bruce himself. Kit shared a recording taken at the back of the car yard in preparation for the event; after a push start the song of the Ford 10 filled the air along with cheers from the pit crew. After attending the Port races and soaking up the atmosphere the car was put back into storage with smiles all-round In 2015, after much deliberation, Kit decided to part with the JBM Special (it had been passed to him on by his father). John Anderson had recently arrived from the USA and was looking for a project and he figured nothing could be better than an old kiwi built Ford 10 Special to keep an ex-employee of McLaren entertained. However, sand, salt and time had taken a toll on the car so over the next nine years. John stripped, cleaned, repaired or replaced where required. All the mechanical parts on the car from the hole at the front to the pointy end at the rear. Parts were gathered from several location around the globe and, being very meticulous in his work, John completed a couple of small

JBM at the Skope Classic held at Euromarque Motorsport Park – Ruapuna Raceway 31 January, 1–2 February 2025.

12 Beaded Wheels

modifications in keeping with the 1950s era of the car, one being fitting an external water pump from a marinised Ford 10 engine to improve the cooling system (it’s a long way from the radiator in front back to the engine for a thermosiphon system).

During 2024 preparations were underway for a display of beach racing cars to be included in the upcoming Skope Classic motor racing event in Christchurch. In November of 2024, as a result of discussions with John, who had by now finished the refurbishment of the chassis and mechanical components of the car to a very high standard, Kit had a change in heart and a deal was done to the satisfaction of both gentlemen - the car was now in Kit’s care once more.

Back at his home workshop Kit set to fettling the aluminium cladding in a very sympathetic manner leaving the bumps, bruises and splits of time but individually painting the many pop rivets that combine and transform the panels into a sleek wind breaking cover. Kit confessed he had a warm feeling as he thought of his dad brush painting the car while he himself was leaving a tinge of overspray on the courtyard in front of his happy place (“I don’t think Gayle has noticed yet”, comes from behind that boyish grin).

Flicking through his phone we view another recording, Kit at the wheel of the JBM coming up the drive at pace, smiling with the wind in his hair, “Look”, he said, “John did a great job, it’s got brakes that work now.”

The car has now been reassembled. During the refurbishment of the JBM Ford 10 Special, Kit and Gayle gathered much information and pictures along the way, They would be very appreciative to receive more information. So if you have, or know someone that has, a memory, be it a race program, video, picture or book that includes the car at any stage of its life with any of those who have experienced the pleasure of the pipes cracking behind them, please make contact with Kit or Gayle directly or even care of the Nelson Vintage Car Club. Kit is hopeful Gayle will compile a book recording the journey of this wonderful piece of New Zealand motor racing history.

Kit is also looking forward to the day when the car will be driven on the race track again, perhaps not at speed but like all good things it will need to be used in order to keep everything operating as it should and he wants people to see it and enjoy.

If you happen to have a side valve Ford 10 finned aluminium head taking up room under the bench, it would certainly add to the excitement of the ride in that leather seat.

JBM on display at the Nelson Classic Car Museum. Photos Nelson Classic Car Museum

On 15 July 2025 Kit delivered number 7, the JBM Ford 10 Special, to the Nelson Classic Car Museum where it will remain on display for all to see. I for one believe Kit, along with all those who have worked on and been associated with the car during its journey, should be very proud to have contributed to the car’s history.

By the way, if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Mike Stephens’ book, copies are available to purchase at the Nelson Classic Car Museum.

Grab what can surely be described as an encyclopaedia on the early days of the Nelson Car Club, containing the results of some great motor vehicle events, not just beach racing, while also giving an insight into how the local community enjoyed and benefited from the commitment of some good old time petrol heads.

Got a story that deserves a wider audience?

Here at Beaded Wheels we are always on the lookout for a good article for a future issue. To encourage you to put pen to paper two lucky contributors per issue will win a limited edition Beaded Wheels cap.

Email your articles and ideas to: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz or contact our Editor, Kevin Clarkson, if you wish to discuss an idea for an article.

Phone 021 0270 6525 or email kevin@vcc.org.nz

Our lucky winners of the Beaded Wheels caps for this issue are Chris Lawrence Old Car – New Licence and John Campbell Snr 1949 Jeepster.

Beaded Wheels 13

THE MODEL A FORD Just another old car?

Words and photos Andrew Honeyfield.

Now approaching 100 years of age, Model A Fords are still one of the most common vintage cars seen in New Zealand.

They seldom excite much comment, especially from those who prefer more exotic English or European makes. But to a dedicated Model A owner their various body styles have a beauty of form and shape that is uniquely appealing. Even after owning my 1929 roadster pickup for 55 years I often just stand back and admire its perky lines.

Maybe you have to own one to understand!

But there is another reason for liking and even respecting Model A Fords. In the early 1930s they were the car most preferred by early explorers for traversing the Sahara Desert. Only Model As were considered to have the ideal combination of lightness, fuel economy, low-end torque, suitable gear ratios and indestructible toughness to drive through the punishing sand dunes of the Egyptian desert. This was a time when it was universally considered

s A fully laden Model A car, complete with rifle “in case of trouble”.

14 Beaded Wheels

s The author’s Model A roadster pickup.

impossible for anyone to even consider driving through deserts, as everyone knew cars were no good in soft sand.

One of the first to realise the full potential of the Model A was early desert explorer Ralph Bagnold, who had previously used Model Ts. In his book Libyan Sands, Travels in a Dead World he describes the moment when he discovered for the first time that a Model A truck could drive up and over a steep, soft sand dune: “I increased speed to 40 mph, feeling like a small boy on a horse about to take his first big fence. Beside me Burridge was holding on grimly. A huge glaring wall of yellow dune shot up high into the sky in front of us. The lorry tipped violently backwards and we rose as in a lift, smoothly without vibration. We floated up and up on a yellow cloud. It was incredible! Instead of sticking deep in loose sand at the bottom, we were now near the top, a hundred feet above the ground.”

Almost by accident Bagnold had discovered that a Model A Ford could, with care and skill, be driven hundreds of miles through the endless dunes of the Egyptian Sand Sea. He wrote: “The light touring car was a source of perpetual wonder, climbing steep dunes within a few degrees of the angle of collapse.

There was no question in my mind of using any other make of car. There was nothing else as good, whether in the materials used, reliability, or ease of repair”.

For his desert expeditions Bagnold made several changes to the cars, removing bumpers, mudguards and bonnets to reduce weight and improve fuel economy. He developed radiator condensers (since adopted in modern cars) to conserve water and he used “sand ladders” and “sand channels” to free the cars when stuck.

He found that tyre pressures could be successfully reduced to only 10 psi for better traction in soft sand. He also perfected a special sun compass to aid desert navigation.

Without any hope of rescue in the deep desert, Bagnold’s cars carried as much petrol, water, food and spare parts as possible, severely overloading them. He redesigned the rear bodies to carry 86 gallons of petrol, 15 gallons of water and food for 18 days. They

s Manpower to the fore.

s The party in-situ, note the hoses leading from radiators to condensers (a special Bagnold adaptation for desert travel, now used in all modern cars).

also carried rifles in case of trouble from the natives. The petrol and all stores were packed in four gallon petrol cases so there was only one size of box, fitting exactly within the space available. A good range of spare parts was also carried.

In 1930 Bagnold and his friends set out from Cairo in four cars on a 1200 mile expedition across the Great Sand Sea, an area previously traversed only by one or two brave explorers on camels. Even the Bedouin avoided the lifeless desert interior!

Bagnold describes driving through giant sand dunes for hundreds of miles, getting frequently bogged, and “unsticking” the overloaded cars in 40ºC heat.

Sometimes they repeatedly charged 300-foot sand dunes before a firm path could be found to the top. At other times the cars negotiated rocky ground, constantly in danger of damaging sump and tyres. The cars received so much punishment it was a miracle there was only one breakdown: a broken crown-wheel.

While replacing it, they had great difficulty getting the hub off the tapered axle and keeping sand out of the diff.

Then in 1932 Bagnold, with six friends in four Model As, made an epic 6,000 mile journey from Cairo south as far as El Fasher in the Sudan, and then back again to Cairo. Heavily overloaded with fuel, water and supplies, they battled their way through endless dunes and boulder strewn plains, recording everything they saw for the Royal Geographic Society. They examined and recorded birds, insects, vegetation and rock formations. There was also the possibility of finding the fabled “lost oasis of Zerzura”.

Miraculously, it was only at the very end of the expedition that they had a serious breakdown, when two of the cars had cracked chassis rails. As they carried spares, they fixed one of the cars overnight in four hours, using cold-chisels and heavy hammers.

RALPH BAGNOLD

s Ralph Bagnold obe, frs , desert explorer.

s For lightness and fuel economy the bumpers and mudgards were removed and the rear bodies re-designed to carry more stores. The bonnet flaps and radiator surrounds (still intact in this photo) were also later removed.

By removing the load from the other car, it reached Cairo without further attention.

With such an illustrious history it is no wonder that these old cars receive the respect and affection of their owners today.

Andrew Honeyfield is married and has three children and five grandchildren. Since he retired as a farm management consultant, he has kept busy working on his small farm and driving his 1929 Model A roadster pickup which he has owned for 55 years.

Andrew Honeyfield

Born in Devon in 1896, Ralph Bagnold served with the Royal Engineers during WWI before pursuing engineering studies at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He completed his degree in just two years and rejoined the army in 1921.

By 1926, he was stationed in Egypt, where he and several fellow officers began exploring the desert during their leave periods.

ventured into vast stretches of the Libyan Desert, much of which was uncharted at the time. Through these expeditions, they pioneered navigation tools like the Bagnold sun compass and developed practical methods for driving across harsh desert landscapes—unknowingly laying the groundwork for techniques that would later prove invaluable.

Using modified Ford Model Ts and Model As, the group

Ralph Bagnold (1896–1990) was fascinated by the behaviour

of sand dunes and he devoted much of his life to studying why and how dunes are formed. In 1941 his book The Physics of Windblown Sand and Desert Dunes became the accepted work on the subject.

During WWII he created and led the Long Range Desert Group until 1941. In the late 1980s NASA consulted the 90-year-old explorer about desert formations on Mars and in appreciation they named an area on Mars the “Bagnold Dunes”.

Beaded Wheels 15

HIN BE

D THE WH EE L

The Invincible Talbot Behind the Wheel in the last of the Georges Roesch designed Talbots, the 1936 BG110 3½ litre Speed Saloon Words and photos John McDonald

“My, what big eyes you have” Little Red Riding Hood reputedly exclaimed when encountering the Big Bad Wolf. Our Behind the Wheel subject invoked a similar initial reaction, the pair of Lucas P100 headlights, that, even unlit, penetrated the gloom of the Keenan garage. But we must not be sidetracked, for we are here to savour the car to which these magnificent headlights are attached, a 1936 model Talbot BG 110 3½ litre Speed Saloon.

16 Beaded Wheels

Owners Craig and Elizabeth Keenan have owned it for the last 36 years, Craig having studiously and meticulously undertaken a painstaking restoration taking 28 of them, reinforcing the adage that good things take time. If not for a looming deadline requiring something special for their eldest daughter’s wedding, things may have taken even longer. Burning the midnight oil saw all legalities and road worthiness signed off on the Wednesday, in time for wedding duty three days later.

Craig has naturally delved into the history of this rare car, confirming it to be chassis number 4515, being number 15 of the 89 chassis built during a production span of just 19 months, from October 1935 to May 1937. Laid down on 26 November 1935, the chassis was despatched to the in-house coachbuilder, the Darracq Motor Engineering Company, on 29 February 1936. Twenty-one March 1936 was somewhat busy, featuring sign off from the coachbuilders, invoicing and finally delivery to the purchaser,

s

As first seen Auckland 1989.

Arrival in ChCh 1989, unloaded with a forklift.

s

Rootes Ltd, the connection explained when the cash-strapped Sunbeam owners sold the Talbot marque to Rootes in January 1935. Consequently some Humber components such as gearboxes and mudguards found their way into period Talbots, however “our” car has been spared that ignominy, being fitted with a “Pre selector gearbox and Traffic Clutch” listed for an additional £25, along with genuine Talbot pressings. Grey areas surround the sale, questioning it being genuine retail or a purchase by the factory owners as a company car, and if so the length of Rootes ownership and the use to which it was put. Suffice to say by September 1947 it was in the custody of LC Driscoll at Leigh-on-Sea, followed by another five keepers, until 1950 when it passed to Cecil Scott in Parkstone. Cecil had great affection for the car, so much so he wrote in the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darraq Journal of July/August 1955 “I have now sold the car to an enthusiast in New Zealand… I was Press Attaché at the British Embassy here in Lisbon and had wonderful service from this beautiful machine… I nearly cried when I let her go. Now I’m after a Bugatti.” We don’t know if Cecil found Nirvana in a Bugatti, but the New Zealand enthusiast was Rob Bagnall in Wellington. The for sale advertisement in Motor Sport magazine sounded attractive. The reality when the Talbot arrived in 1954 turned out to be less so, being by now 20 years old, somewhat rusty and requiring attention. Rob is understood to have been disappointed with his purchase, keeping it for only a couple of years and doing little to it, before it was acquired by the Poynton family in Wilton, Wellington. Things appeared to be looking up, an order for a reconditioned traffic clutch assembly, a new water pump, a second-hand crown wheel and pinion, and two cylinder head gaskets being placed with UK Talbot specialist John M Bland. The invoice for a total price £45-15-6 included packing and freight of £5-10-0, the items to be despatched in four

s Progress on the structural framing.

Beaded Wheels 17

s Current owner, Craig Keenan, readying himself for wedding duties!

18 Beaded Wheels

parcels. With tight monetary controls on overseas purchases the question of payment was met with the procurement of British Postal Orders at £1 a time every week until the required sum was met, in this case taking almost a year. There is no confirmation the items ordered were ever fitted. Ownership of the, by now immobile, Talbot passed to Auckland architect Michael Rose in 1984, who had a joiner replace a lot of the timber framing in the doors, but did not include structural parts of the body. Michael’s further contribution towards restoration was to have the registration plate CV6966 replaced with MR110 in December 1986, MR for his initials, 110 for the vehicle model. This good intent unravelled when later the registration was not put on hold, leading to copious paperwork to have it reinstated.

Aware that Michael had a kitset of Talbot 3 litre parts, Craig paid him a visit, noting the carcass of his future purchase covered by a tarpaulin sitting on a grass embankment. Somehow it sparked his interest, but it was not for sale. That suddenly changed when a UK enthusiast made an offer, unwisely letting slip the car was going to be further dismembered for a Special. Ire raised, the sale was cancelled, and Craig became the next and current owner.

First of the ensuing challenges was to have the non-mobile project despatched to Christchurch, rail being the chosen method.

There followed a rather ignominious unloading by a none–too– gentle forklift, the whole ensemble being personally trailered to its new address for some serious contemplation in the home garage.

The immediate task was to strip, sort and list all the components, followed by attending to the wooden body framing. Here things

differed from the norm, by making the wooden frame fit the body, rather than the wooden skeleton having the body panels fitted and then attached. Once the framing was completed the panel beating was undertaken by Bob Scott. Then the body was removed from the chassis, the latter being stripped to the last nut and bolt and sand blasted before being painted. The engine block was found to have indeed been water–cooled in the truest sense, being open to the elements and assisted by the cylinder head being stored elsewhere. Craig described the bores as “having tram tracks”, and found the exhaust and inlet valves on one cylinder had been swapped. Engine rectification was done by George Calder, who also overhauled the gearbox. Front axle and differential were refreshed by Alan Roberts before all running components were fitted by Craig. That last statement appears rather glib, as installation sometimes required unorthodox methods, lifting the heavy gearbox into position through the front passenger door aperture with an engine crane being but one example.

The interior woodwork was again all Craig’s work, and a perfect match for the interior upholstery. As can be imagined, there was very little left of the original leather, but enough for patterns to successfully replicate the original.

Finally on the road the opportunity was taken to participate in the Talbot Owners Club Antipodean Tour, 2019, a 3,000 mile traverse within New Zealand. Great memories remain, among them the gearbox oil consumption of some 17 litres, later traced to only a defective drain plug washer.

Questioned as to the most difficult part of the restoration the list would be topped by the woodwork, and Craig manfully doesn’t mention completely redoing all the wiring himself. Aside from fitting modern indicator flashers in the interests of safety, and a full flow oil filter in the interests of longevity, no modifications have been made. Fitting an electric fan has been contemplated as city stop–start driving is not a strong point, the temperature tending to run at the upper end of the scale.

HISTORY The Talbot marque has its origins dating back to 1903, when founders Charles Chetwynd-Talbot and Adolphe Clément-Bayard formed Clément-Talbot Ltd, based in London and cars were initially assembled from French Clément-Bayard components. Talbots of this era became renowned for their reliability and high quality, further enhanced after 1910 for their sporting performance achievements, among which was being the first car to achieve 100 miles in the hour at Brooklands in 1913. In 1919–1920, Talbot became part of a large automotive merger with British manufacturer Sunbeam and French manufacturer Darracq. This new merger resulted in a name change for the group to STD Motors Ltd (after Sunbeam-TalbotDarracq). There were now two Talbots, Talbot (London) at Barlby Road, Kensal Green, UK, and Talbot (Suresnes) France, (formerly Darracq’s factory). Following STD Motors bankruptcy in January 1935, Rootes Group (UK) acquired the British part (Sunbeam and Talbot), and Antonio Lago, an Italian engineer, took over the

Beaded Wheels 19

French factory, forming Talbot-Lago (France), concentrating on luxury and racing cars.

The success of Talbot is widely and rightly attributed to one individual, Georges Roesch. Born in Switzerland in 1891 and educated as a mechanical engineer, he moved to Britain in 1914 initially working with Daimler and Darracq, gaining experience in advanced design and manufacturing. He joined Clément-Talbot Ltd (London) in 1916 as an engineer, and by the mid 1920s was Chief Engineer at Talbots North Kensington works.

Talbots designed by Roesch achieved remarkable results with minimal factory resources, amongst them winning the 1931 Alpine Trial outright, and regular winners and record holders at Brooklands and Le Mans. “The Invincible Talbots” as they became known sported technical innovations such as compact high efficiency six cylinder ohv engines with hemispherical combustion chambers, pre-selector gearbox integration, driver controlled hydraulic shock absorbers, and refinements ahead of their time. Recognition of Georges Roesch’s abilities are confirmed by the 23 automotive patents filed in his name. He declined to join Rootes or Lago when STD Motors collapsed, unwilling to compromise his work to mass production values, instead working as a consultant engineer on various projects including design work for Railton.

ROAD TEST Out in the sunlight it was possible to obtain a clear picture of our subject. In truth it presented initially as sharing a similar profile to several cars of the era, with longish bonnet, flowing front and rear guards, close coupled saloon body, rear hinged front doors, and wire wheels. Think Bentley 3½ litre, MG VA, Jensen S-Type, and Jaguar 1½ litre as examples. All have imposing frontal treatment including vertical radiator grilles, the Talbot differing by a marked rearward slope giving a suggestion of speed while stationary. A centrally mounted driving light and twin horns with prominent trumpets sit above a sturdy bumper bar, the curved ends of which are weighted to reduce vibration and provide more protection in minor impacts. From each side a multi-louvered (count them) panel provides air exit and no doubt cooling for the motive components within. Visual impressions of the engine and its ancillaries confirm this is no basic conveyance, with alloy pressings, finned manifold and minimal exposed wiring creating a visually pleasing arrangement. Substantial B posts support all doors, each with an artistic yet substantial chromed strut to contain their travel. The original semaphore indicators have been eschewed in the interests of safety, modern flashing units neatly and discreetly positioned at all four corners. The colloquially described “dust proof” luggage compartment fills a gently sloping rear, and mounting for the spare wheel. Rear adornment is limited to a stylised T on either side of the bumpers, a subtle clue as to the identity of your overtaker.

Swing open the wide front driver’s door, and be dissuaded by entering by the vertical handbrake lever, centrally positioned between the front of the seat and the A pillar and perfectly placed to snare the leg of your trousers. Persevere and finally ensconced behind the four spoke steering wheel one is aware of the quadrants behind it, on the left a choice of setting for the shock absorbers, on the right the selector for the pre select transmission. Popular in its time for banishing noisy and ill timed gear changes, as well as non-synchromesh gearboxes, it was a reminder of when I was a schoolboy watching the drivers of the AEC Regal buses move the gear selector, then stamp (literally) on the “clutch” pedal to activate the change. Similar fancy footwork is not conducive to mechanical longevity, nor passenger comfort, but feel and finesse are rewarding 20 Beaded Wheels

SPECIFICATIONS Engine

6 cylinders, 3377cc, 120BHP.

Gearbox:

Wilson pre select, 4 speed plus reverse

Performance:

Top speed 93 mph 0-60mph 16 seconds.

Wheelbase:

10’ 3/8 ”

Wheel size:

18 x 3.25”

Brakes:

Drum all round, cable front, rod rear

Available body styles: Van den Plas Tourer, James Young Drophead, and 4 door Speed Saloon.

Numbers built:

89 of all types over 18 months from Oct 1935 to May 1937.

Survivors:

This car is one of just three known survivors.

compensation and quiet satisfaction. Back to the dashboard, the requisite black faced instruments lie somewhat buried in genuine timber surroundings, speedo and rev counter courtesy of British Jaeger. Front seats have split backrests, the rears of which contain a fold down picnic tray. Accommodation is best described as “cosy” rather than expansive, with the sliding steel sunroof adding more light and ventilation to the interior when open.

Our drive impressions corresponded with one of Canterbury’s famed nor’ wester winds, less than ideal conditions to drive a 90 year old car. To its credit our progress was barely hindered, and we settled down to a steady 50mph on the open road, well short of its claimed top speed but the legal maximum on the roads travelled. Anticipating gear changes (both up and down) became almost rhythmical, encouraging driver involvement in a physical sense, a pleasure somewhat diluted in today’s modern equivalent.

Steering effort at road speeds was unremarkable, no doubt assisted by the large steering wheel and favourable lock to lock ratio, with low speed manoeuvring in tight places benefitting the assistance from a mythical Mr Arm Strong. Conditions were not conducive to a more comprehensive evaluation, but no doubts arose as to the capabilities of the ride, handling and braking. Ninety years ago it would have been remarkable.

With only the characteristic ticking from a cooling exhaust we left the Talbot to itself. I complimented Craig on the immaculate presentation of his car, thinking of course that it had been specially groomed for the photos accompanying this article. With a wry grin Craig confessed that his third daughter had requested the Talbot as her bridal transport in a fortnight, hence the pristine condition.

Craig and Elizabeth have another two daughters, so I’ll wager their Talbot will remain in the condition befitting its pedigree.

John McDonald

Choosing The Observers Book of Automobiles as a school prize, aged 10, heralded a lifelong pathway to reading, writing, researching, and photographing anything related. My interest toward the unusual or quirky stems from childhood family cars, a 1933 Triumph Super 8 and an orange Lloyd 600 Alexander station wagon (both recalled for notoriety rather than affection). Commenced vintage motoring in an Austin 7 of course, dabbled in MGs, but these days it’s a rare VCC eligible Japanese classic. Currently MG Car Club (Canty) archives custodian, Banks Peninsula Branch member and Beaded Wheels sub editor.

BACK TO SCHOOL — VINTAGE STYLE! OTAGO BRANCH VISIT TO OUTRAM SCHOOL Words and photos Marion McConachie

Term four at Outram School got off to a fun start when branch members visited to put on a car show, timed to start after lunch.

The plan was for the pupils to learn the difference between vehicles built in the early 1900s through to today and we were asked to supply at least one per decade through to 1990.

Thankfully, after a wet weekend, the day was fine which definitely suited the convertibles. The pupils were given a list of three

we will see some as members one day in the future?

1910–1919 Colin Pearce Sunbeam

Tom Grant

1920–1929 Graeme Duthie Rob French

questions to ask and all had fun checking out the different vehicles, hopping into some and asking for the car horns to be honked – thankfully we were in the country!

The pupils appeared to have a lot of fun as did our members and judging from the feedback following our posts on the Branch’s Facebook page, it also resonated with fellow members as a great way to introduce young people to our hobby. Who knows – may be

1930–1939 Ray Wilson David Mills

1970–1979 Gil Edmunds Scimitar, Neil Gamble VW Hayden Murray Ford Escort van

Ford Model T Marmon Morris 8 Austin

1940–1949 Peter Daniell

Pick-up truck

1950–1959 Neil Hodgkin

Humber Snipe

MG

1960–1969 Ruth Edmunds Mark Wilkinson

1980–1989 Phil Thomson John Miller

Bambina Mini

Ford Cortina Mercedes

Bikes Kevin Mason and Bruce Murray.

Beaded Wheels 21

MOTORING MEMORIES

A TALE OF TWO RALLIES Words and photos Barry Barnes

At the briefing for the recent 29th National Motorcycle Rally in Palmerston North, Rally Director Glyn Clements took time out to reflect that some 50 years previously, a hugely successful National Motorcycle Rally had been hosted by Hawke’s Bay Branch at Hastings. Glyn noted the changing nature of the machines entered for the current rally both in terms of the later categories, so strongly supported in Palmerston North not even being eligible in 1975, and also country of manufacture, most notably the large

s Bill Veitch’s 1952 Ariel at Palmerston North 2025.

s Bill Veitch’s 1930 Scott 50 years later.

s Trevor Barnes’ 1930 Sunbeam Model 8 s Ashley Bell’s Triumph CN and sidecar in 2016.

48 years later at Nat MC Rally in Invercargill.

22 Beaded Wheels

number of bikes of Japanese and German origin taking part in 2025, when there was not one from either country back in 1975.

He then went on to observe that of the entrants in that Rally only four were also present in 2025.

Bill Munro, who was entrant number one in 1975 rode his 1178cc 1918 Reading Standard motorcycle combination. Bill, who has missed attending very few national motorcycle rallies since, had a very different mount in the form of a mobility scooter but was still entered as an official supporter.

Bill Veitch rallied his very rideable and, typically, beautifully restored 1952 Ariel VHA, just one of the many desirable bikes in his collection. His 1975 mount was a 1930 Scott Flying Squirrel, which was accompanied by its stable mate, a 1929 Scott Super Squirrel ridden by David Goodman.

Trevor Barnes did not bring his 1930 Sunbeam Model 8 to Palmerston North, though he still owns it, but opted for his well rallied 1977 Honda 500/4.

And the fourth one?

Yep, that was me. Sadly the 1915 BSA I rode in 1975 left the family fleet in the late 1980s, a move that aided family finances at the time and therefore not regretted as such, but the bike is still missed nonetheless.

My mount this time was the 1980 Suzuki and sidecar purloined from brother Trevor for the occasion which allowed my wife Carla and I to fly up directly to Wellington from Timaru.

Well, that was the idea anyway but although the plane arrived at Timaru airport and disgorged its passengers, we were then advised that our flight was cancelled for “operational reasons” despite the aircraft sitting outside the terminal door. Instead, we

s

1975. Roadside stop at Levin ian Ridd, Wayne Nicoll, Nevelle Ridd and Philip Toomey.

crew would travel in the truck, the others in large cars that would carry six people as far as Christchurch, take the Rangitira ferry to Wellington leaving the cars in Christchurch and use cars from Wellington contacts to travel to Hastings.

To make sure these plans would work everyone was asked to put forward a non refundable deposit, the sum of which was invested in Bonus Bonds and, lo and behold, we actually won a quite decent prize which further served to reduce the costs.

It all worked out as planned with an early morning start from Invercargill, a brief stop at Robin’s then residence in Dunedin where my bemused sister-in-law, Beth, was introduced to various bikies who trooped through to use the loo before heading on for Lyttelton and the ferry.

Upon arrival in Wellington, Trevor handed over his 220S Mercedes while Graeme Smith’s big Humber Imperial was the transport for the rest. Trevor was obliged to ride his Model 8 Sunbeam which was looking good after a cosmetic refurb.

The trip to Hastings was not without misadventure. Trevor dropped the Sunbeam on a tight and slippery corner in the Manawatu Gorge damaging a newly rechromed muffler and exhaust pipe. A campervan was bearing down on him and he had the presence of mind to make a hasty exit to the roadside.

Observing all this from the Mercedes, I awaited the campervan driving right over the bike but somehow he missed it and trundled on. The bike was still rideable with grazing of the chromework being the main outcome, so Trevor carried on. Shortly afterward I saw something fly off the bike and on stopping to investigate, while Trevor sailed on, found it was the brand new battery.

enjoyed a two hour bus trip to Christchurch arriving just in time to get ourselves and, thankfully our luggage, on a rebooked flight, arriving four hours late. However, as the plan was always to arrive in time to spend some time both before and after the Rally with brothers Robin and Trevor no real harm was done.

We had a great time in Palmerston North and would like to add our congratulations to Manawatu Branch, Glyn, Cathy and team for an excellent event.

Until Glyn made his comments, it hadn’t really registered with me that, yes, it was 50 years ago since the adventure of attending the fourth Rally all the way from Invercargill.

It all began with a strong contingent of 17 Southlanders being among the 225 entrants taking part in the 3rd National Motorcycle Rally hosted by Canterbury Branch, and it was mooted that we should make a concerted group effort to go to the next one in Hastings, two years hence.

A meeting of inter▼ Trevor with Sunbeam at Palmerston North enroute to Hastings. ested parties was held, and it was agreed that by mounting a joint venture we could substantially reduce the costs to each participant. The broad outline was that Jack Toomey would provide the Bedford truck and trailer unit that could carry a dozen bikes, a

s Truck and trailer load ready to go.

s Awaiting loading at Lyttelton.

Beaded Wheels 23

Hastings was reached without further issue and we Southlanders and Wellingtonian friends inhabited the motels we had block booked. It was here that Ashley Bell and Norman Hayes joined us having brought their own cars. The two Hayes Indians were on the truck and trailer unit but there was no room at the inn for the impressive sporting bodied sidecar Ashley had just finished building and fitting to his CN Triumph. He also had Ray Eunson’s Ivory Calthorpe on his trailer bringing the total number of bikes to 14. The Indians brought by Norman and Neville Hayes were the turbine-like four cylinder Indian Ace and the 1919 Indian Daytona board track racer which was a special star of the public motorcycle display held at the YMCA Stadium. It was ridden on the rally by a fit and youthful Neville who was undaunted by having to push start the mighty beast. s At Hastings Barry Barnes 1915 BSA , Jim Taylor, Ken Rillstone, Vern Russell and 1914 Humber, Ian Ridd.

As I recall the weather was superb all weekend which was ideal for wearing the Hairless Toothless Bikies T shirts that Ross Ryan had printed.

My memory is a bit hazy but I recall being An official tour was an innovation that would come later. impressed with the grand parade and the whole I have long forgotten the logistics of the return journey, and show, really. Entries at 156 were a little down on the record 225 what the others did during the time we were on our mini tour, of the previous event but was still a commendable effort, which but it seems most of us must have met up again for the return the organisers of many more recent events would view enviously. overnight voyage on the Rangitira. The crossing was a bit rough Bill Veitch and Dave Goodman had trailered the two Scotts from and of course we were sharing cabins. It was all too much for one Dunedin to Picton, took them over to Wellington on the ferry then of our number who was frequently sick, moaned and groaned and rode them to Hastings where they joined four other Scotts, pretty told us all that he wanted to die. likely the full contingent of mobile Scotts in the Club at the time.

None of us were sorry to get back on to dry land.

They ranged from Charlie Edwards’ 1914 standard model through Of the 156 entries recorded in the programme, 14 came from 1928 and 1938 Super Squirrels, to the 1949 Super Squirrel of L Southland. Of the 14 Southland riders many have passed away Heath. Seemingly this was a good opportunity for Scott owners and only Nevelle Ridd, now of Central Otago Branch, who later to get together and chew the fat. purchased the Henderson ridden by Ken Rillstone and rode my And rally winner, Norm Atkins, (1931 Ariel) found that not 1927 BSA V twin on the Rally, and myself are still riding. only did he become the holder of the Montagu Trophy he also Two Southlanders did well in the awards department with earned the right (or obligation) to provide a report for Beaded Wayne Nicoll, 1912 Triumph, winning Class 1 veterans and Vern Wheels which appeared in issue 93 and which I would commend Russell, 1914 Humber winning Class 2 veterans, while Ray Eunson to readers seeking more detail. was well pleased with locating and bringing home a spare motor Some Branch Notes in the same issue lavished deserved praise on for his Ivory Calthorpe from somewhere along the way. the event, the Auckland Notes also recording that 50 Aucklanders One motorcyclist though, had decided he wanted more action took part. after the weekend.

The rally programme booklet also received deserved words of Barrie Grant from Tokoroa accompanied by Alan Lake on praise incorporating as it did a lot of local and general motorcycle a 1935 Harley-Davidson left the Rally on his 1926 7/9 Harleyhistorical information as well as the necessary information on Davidson, travelled to Wellington and crossed to Picton then rode the event. to Invercargill in the total elapsed time of 15 hours then went on One thing I do painfully recall though, was defecting from the tour clocking up 2238 miles in 10 days, including crossing the picnic that was part of the Sunday proceedings, because it was so Crown Range and the Haast Pass. hot, instead spending some time in the motel pool.

Some feat! He had been and gone by the time any of us got home.

Somehow, I managed to do something to a muscle in my neck which gave me a bit of grief over the next few days despite Lionel Priest, (alas, like so many other players in this yarn, no longer with us) organising an urgent visit to his chiropractor who diagnosed the problem as a “wry neck”.

I had been asked prior to the event to respond to the toast to the entrants made at the prizegiving dinner and happily I was still able to undertake that duty.

A few of us took the opportunity to run up some more miles in Trevor’s Mercedes and did our own after Rally tour through Gisborne, Opotiki and Rotorua, after all, it’s a long way from Southland and few of us had travelled in that part of the country.

24 Beaded Wheels

Barry Barnes has been an active member since 1959 and is still motoring the 1924 Peugeot Type 177B taken on the Haast Rally and the 1925 Studebaker restored for the 1972 International Rally while the 1979 Suzuki GS 850G and sidecar is used for motorcycle events.

Barry has a particular interest in the Club’s history and is the Librarian for the South Canterbury Branch.

Barry Barnes

CAST IRON WELDING Powder Spray Process, Cylinder Heads, Manifolds, Cooling Fins, Castings, Mechanical Repairs & Rebuilds Thomas Rowe Motoring Engineer ltd 6 RD Palmerston North

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Beaded Wheels 25

1949 WILLYS-OVERLAND, JEEPSTER Words and photos John Campbell Snr., Auckland

For over 40 years, John and Patricia Campbell, together with their three children, have had a love affair with four wheel drive vehicles, predominantly Jeeps.

s Sizing up the new sills.

26 Beaded Wheels

Jeeps were not hugely imported into New Zealand until Campbell Motors began bringing in Indian-built Mahindra CJ 4 models in the early 1970s. Private imports of some Australian assembled CJ 5 models were trickling in and some post war Willys-Overland pick-up and station wagons were arriving here from the USA. Right hand drive vehicles were built in the Brazil plant of Willys-Overland.

No Jeepsters, which were built in Toledo from 1948, 1949 and 1951 were brought into this country at all until this one came here in 1995. Overall, just 19,000 of the two versions were built over the three year production period. This one, which came from New Hampshire on the USA east coast, where salted roads in the winter do nothing for the unprotected steel bodies, only lasted for twelve months in the hands of the original Kiwi owner.

It was then acquired by a West Auckland Land Rover dealer and passionate Jeep enthusiast, who had it prominently displayed in his showroom. Many’s the time I drooled over it on my visits to the parts department. It looked a million dollars with its new soft top, side curtains, upholstery and paint job. Then in 2004, when it was offered to me, I was blinded and rushed Patricia out to Henderson the next day to hopefully give it her blessing. This she did unhesitatingly, perhaps because she came from a family of motor mechanics (father and two brothers) who operated a

BEADED WHEELS CAP WINNER

s Dip stripping.

s New rear floor pan.

s New floor pan.

members, Peter Jordan of Jordan Panelbeaters. Peter would only work on one vehicle at a time he said and resolved to start our Jeepster as soon as he had finished George’s 1912 Hudson roadster, toward the end of 2005. The body tub was delivered to him first, as this required the most amount of work. Left and right floor pans were sourced from the USA, along with many other small items. I was going to make the oak hood bows and other smaller wooden items, until I spotted them all on thejeepsterman.com website. It is unbelievable just how much NOS (New Old Stock) and reproduction stuff is available from the USA; the only frightening thing is the conversion rate and the shipping costs. Peter next

garage/workshop in Mt Eden. I rather think it was because of the “Jeep thing”. Anyway, we bought it and took it home to our New Windsor garage on my car trailer, without even a test drive. It was not until closer inspection revealed that underneath the nice fresh looking paint job, it really was rotten. What should we do?

Try and off load it, or bite the bullet and restore it. We decided, because of its rarity, to go ahead and restore it. It was then, and is to this day, the only Jeepster registered with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

I began stripping it down over the summer of 2004-2005, laying parts out on the concrete and photographing them. Piece by piece all painted panels were taken to the dip-stripping company in Avondale. I’m not at all fazed by the stories one hears about dipping painted steel bodies into acid. I was present for much of the procedure and watched while the body was acid dipped for a short time, then neutralised in an alkali bath and finally pressure washed, and heat dried.

Furniture manufacturing (lounge and dining) was my trade.

I only knew enough about motor vehicles to largely stay out of trouble, so I was now tasked with finding someone to tackle the rust problem. Fellow club member George Mihaljevic put me onto one of the old school panelbeaters, well known among VCC

s Chassis straightened.

s Data plate.

s Inner guard.

Beaded Wheels 27

s

tackled the sills, the inner rear guards, then the two door skins and when all the rotten steel had been replaced, the entire car was put together, all stainless trim fitted, seat frames set in place and front guards attached, mainly to check that everything was kosher.

A visit to the paint shop to get some primer on was imperative, as the coating applied by the stripper was about at the end of its effectiveness. It was starting to look like a Jeepster again now. The chassis needed s Andre working on Jeepster 22 February 2025. straightening, thanks to my bold attempt to gas weld a new bottom strip of 18 gauge to the top-hat section chassis. Peter made an The 2.4 litre L-head (side valve) engine was fully recondiadmirable job of rectifying my handiwork and then painted the tioned for us by Wayne Griffiths & Son from North Shore Engine whole thing two-pack gloss black.

Reconditioners and after installing this, and the new clutch and Twelve years elapsed with little further work on the Jeepster pressure plate, my very clever son-in-law fabricated a mock-up of which had been patiently waiting. We downsized finding a suitable the whole exhaust system out of household copper pipe with his house but with a six car garage! The Jeep restoration could continue. plumber son providing the muscle. Pit Stop in west Auckland then From then things fell into place. manufactured the complete system in steel tubing and the whole Alpine Panelbeaters is only about a kilometre from the old thing only needed a small amount of tweaking to have it all fitting place, so we shot down to see if Mark would take on the complelike a glove. There were many other small irritations that caused tion of the task. This would mean we could shift all the bits and us some grief, and more than once my son-in-law remarked that: pieces down to his workshop, rather than cart them all the way to “No wonder they only made a handful of these things.” It’s true; Helensville then back again when he could fit it in. As each large there were only 10,000 of this model Jeepster made during 1948-49 item was prepared and painted, our son-in-law who would soon and just 653 of the 1949 models were equipped with the Lightning begin the task of putting the jigsaw puzzle back together again six-148 cubic inch motor, between September and December, after for us, called in to Mark’s workshop after he had finished work which a new facelift model was built, using the new F head 161 and loaded them into his Ford Ranger and fetched them to our motor that was introduced in 1951. Another reason for their demise new home. The body, guards, bonnet, doors and valances and all was the sheer cost. The designer, Brooks Stevens, reckoned the GIs the loose bits that bolt on here and there were all stored away in returning from WWII would be queuing up to buy them, because our lounge until they were needed. “Doesn’t everyone store their of the loose association with the Jeep that “won the war”. This of parts in the lounge?” I have to say David Eagle, Mark’s painter of course never happened, they were overpriced and underpowered some 18 years, excelled himself with the paint job. We were over and a new Ford V8 sedan or Chevrolet 215 ci (both with roll-up the moon too. By this time the rolling chassis was all assembled windows and full-steel hard-top) were $300 cheaper to boot. The in our carport and was duly rolled into the garage where the Jeepster faded into obscurity, but today they are very collectible, body was carefully lifted into place with the aid of our strapping with three clubs alone in the USA devoted just to these vehicles. grandsons. Bit by bit things were identified and re-attached. I Our family are all passionate Jeep afficionados, so this vehicle had made the effort all those years ago to record and contain all will be with us for sometime yet. Without the help of our daughter nuts, bolts and small items. in plastic pots, suitably labelled so Fiona and son-in-law Andre Roland this project would never have that life might be somewhat easier down the track. We replaced made it in my lifetime. all non-essential nuts, bolts and screws throughout with stainless steel alternatives.

28 Beaded Wheels

Patricia and John Campbell ready to debut the Jeepster for the first time at the Auckland Branch Garden Party.

I began my working life in the furniture trade, and it wasn’t until I met Patricia in 1958 that my interest in older vehicles truly blossomed. Her family ran a garage in Mt Eden and owned several classic Vauxhalls, which drew me further in. We joined the Auckland Branch in 1994, mainly interested in Military vehicles, and the Commercial section soon became my “other wife.” We owned the branch’s biggest vehicle—a 1942 GMC six-wheeler—and kept a 1950 Vauxhall as our family car for 35 years.

The olive-drab bug later saw us tackle an AMC Mighty Mite and then two Jeepsters, one restored. These days we motor solely in Jeeps. I enjoyed 18 years on the Auckland committee, including four as Chairman.

John Campbell Snr

AUSTIN SEVENS ON RANGITOTO ISLAND Words and photos Barry Birchall

The roads on Rangitoto Island were built in the 1920s by prison labour from Mt Eden and supervised by Devonport Borough Council. John Seabrook in 1927 was the first one to take a car to the highest point on the island to promote the Austin Seven.

To mark the opening of the roads in August 1930 Seabrook Fowlds, the local Auckland Austin agent, in conjunction with the Austin Car Club, took nine Austin Sevens across to the island on the roof of a ferry boat, along with eight councillors from Devonport Borough Council. The Austin Club had been established

by Seabrook Fowlds in 1927 to generate some interest in the car.

Other motor companies in Auckland would follow with similar car clubs. They invited photographer Edward C Lackland along to ensure they had a record and lots of photos were taken. There is a photo of a causeway in one photo, and I have been told that is the causeway across the lagoon on the road to the lighthouse, not the causeway later built to Motutapu Island by the Americans in WWII. The prisoners had a permanent camp on the island and in the 1930s would also go on to build the wharves, tracks to the summit, swimming pool, community hall and stone walls. In 1931 another inspection party went across and used a second-hand White bus they took to the island. Today, apart from the DOC vehicles and Fullers tractors, there are almost no cars on the island. Rangitoto is the only island in the gulf today that doesn’t have a full-time resident population despite the fact that it is only 25 minutes by ferry from Auckland.

Beaded Wheels 29

RALLY SNIPPETS

Mike Crehan giving it a rip in the BRP U2.

Photo: Malcolm McRae

GEBBIES PASS BLAST! Words Don Gerrard

Banks Peninsula Branch Gebbies Pass/Summit Road Hill Climb Saturday 18 October 2025 A blast from the past! Gebbies Pass/Summit Road Hill Climb is one of the first run by pioneers of our Vintage Car Club, many many years ago. This most recent event hosted by RATEC Motorsport (Rallies and Trials Enthusiasts Club) attracted 17 entrants, together with our seven VCC competitors. After an Indian file recce of the route the RATEC cars lined up for battle. With seven of their entrants in four wheel drive cars (Mitsubishi Evos and Subarus), you’d think no contest, but boy did those two wheel drive cars show them how to drive!

Then came the turn for our VCC competitors. Many of the other entrants and spectators alike couldn’t believe the range and quality presentation of our vehicles. From Bruce Washington’s 1925 Bentley 3/4½ sports tourer (ex Geoff Owen), to Geoff Hunt’s 1970 VW Karmann Ghia. We had Russell Sherwin’s immaculate 1928 Ford Model A speedster, Don Gerrard’s 1959 Mistral sports, Neil Kay’s 1962 MGB roadster, Hamish Pidgeon’s 1962 BBM Mk2 (ex Ken Williams), and Mike Crehan’s 1965 BRP U2. A very appreciative audience awaited with anticipation. First run for Mike Crehan didn’t go quite according to plan. Following our drivers’ briefing to be wary of the three cattle stops en-route, along with “marble gravel” on the outside of some corners, Mike ran wide

s Fastest time went to Hamish Pidgeon in the 1962 BBM Mk2.

30 Beaded Wheels

and caught the said “marbles” lost traction and embraced a road warning sign further up the hill. Totally embarrassed, the road warning sign promptly fell over, but Mike’s embrace was slightly intense, and required removal of the U2’s nose cone to effect a polite dismount. After the event had concluded, Mike and team heroically returned to the scene of crime to replace said warning sign, (along with strict instructions for it not to step out into the field of play in future).

Having had our early excitement, the day then progressed with smiles widening as all became increasingly confident on the hill, and times fell accordingly.

All competitors had three runs at the hill and at the end of the day the result sheet showed Hamish Pidgeon achieving fastest time for our VCC group and 10th overall. A truly outstanding result for a first visit to the hill.

Commendably, two of our team (Don Gerrard and Geoff Hunt) also managed faster times than some RATEC race or rally cars, while the rest of our field enjoyed the opportunity to exercise their cars as they were designed to be driven.

Special thanks to RATEC Motorsport and our Banks Peninsula Branch officials who helped make the whole day so enjoyable.

An added bonus for the day was the filming of the event by Loop Media, to promote the “Vintage Driven” YouTube presentations.

I highly recommend viewing the previous productions to appreciate top quality fun in old cars.

s Second place on the day was Don Gerrard, 1959 Mistral Sports.

MARKET PLACE

Terms and conditions CLASSIFIED RATES Classified advertisements are limited to 45 words including contact details.

Advertisers requiring advertisements longer than the standard 45 words, or who require typography or space, must apply display rates. The advertising department reserves the right to edit or return classifieds not meeting the criteria. All classified rates include GST Member of Vintage Car Club: No charge for text or photo classified advertising for club eligible vehicles. Members must be financial and identify their Branch. Limited to one free advertisement per issue. Maximum insertion of the same advertisement in up to three issues (must be resubmitted for each issue). Advertisements of a commercial nature are not eligible for free advertising.

Non-member: $25 for first 45 words or part thereof.

Text in a Boxed Ad: $30 non-members* Colour Photo Ad in Box: $60 non-members, enclose a clear photo and an SAE if return required.* Advertisements should be typed or clearly printed or submitted through vcc.org.nz/beadedwheels.

Advertising Email address: beadedwheels@ vcc.org.nz Advert and Payment: to arrive not later than 10th of month preceding publication. Payment

by Credit card or Internet banking (for Internet banking details email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz).

DISPLAY RATES* (gst exclusive) Casual (per issue) 3 Issues (per issue) Full Page $976 $780 Half Page $530 $425 Quarter Page $295 $234 All display rates quoted exclude GST and are for finished digital artwork ­supplied. Artwork can be arranged at an extra charge. Deadline for copy 10th of month preceding publication.

Beaded Wheels will consider articles of a technical nature for inclusion in its editorial space. Beaded Wheels however regrets that it is not able to offer editorial space for advertisements nor for the promotion of products.

Marketplace advertising cancellations received in writing prior to advertising deadline will be refunded in full.

Where possible Beaded Wheels will refund 70% of the advertisement cost for any cancellations received after the booking deadline. *Payment by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 4% Beaded Wheels makes every effort to ensure no misleading claims are made by advertisers, responsibility cannot be accepted by Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated) for the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or ­service should not be construed as endorsement of it by Beaded Wheels or by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated).

No liability can be accepted for non-appearance of advertisements and the text of all advertisements is subject to the approval of the editor who reserves the right to refuse any advertisements which are not compatible with the aims, objectives, and standards of Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated) In accordance with the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 Beaded Wheels will not publish any advertisement which indicates or could reasonably be understood as indicating an intention to discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, ­religious or ethical beliefs.

Advertisers should take all care in drafting advertisements as they could be held liable, as well as Beaded Wheels and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated).

FOR SALE 1930 PONTIAC diff and gearbox. Needs to find a new home. Please phone Patrick on 027 313 9102.

Motueka.

MEM NELSON 1948 FORD MERCURY FLATHEAD V8 ENGINE, Complete, running & ready to install. racingwonder199@gmail.com 1957 DESOTO DIPLOMAT T odd Motors assembled restoration project with many original spares. Very original and complete Phone David 021 130 8356.

ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET (2001) petrol tank and tool boxes. Structurally sound, no obvious rust but in need of repainting. I can send photos to anyone who may be interested. Open to offers.

Ph Bevan 021 159 8383; bevanw58@gmail.com

MEM ASHBURTON SUZUKI 1997 GSX-R1100W: c omplete exhaust system, 4 into 2 mufflers, NOS $550.

NSU 250cc: pair of wheels, tank, motor dismantled.

Volvo 240 1989: set of four doors, automatic transmission, Aisin AW Co Ltd Japan. Model 03-79 (89F) 63km. Ph 06 878 8536. Located Hastings.

1967 RILEY ELF MARK II Registration on hold.

Owned for 25 years. Sound body, primed ready for paintwork. Paint supplied. Seats and interior in VEHICLES FOR SALE: 1 922 Fiat 501c. $17,000, good condition. Collection of new and used parts, 1926 Model T Ford Pickup. $19,000. 1928 Model new mag wheels and tyres not yet fitted. Sell as A Ford Pickup. $21,000. 1964 Mk 1 Cortina. one lot $5,000. Contact Gavin Smith 03 308 2297 $42,000. All must urgently sell! Offers. For sale

MEM ASHBURTON by the one owner in Geraldine, Canterbury.

1982 TVR 280I V6 F ord based, 4 speed gearbox, Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 224 5045.

Jaguar rear end, disc brakes, original interior, VEHICLES FOR SALE. 1907 De Dion Bouton. 1967 excellent paint. Complete set Automobile Quarterly Studebaker Avanti. 1928 Model A Ford roadster.

(200 books) great reference on most vehicles.

1926 Rugby tourer. 1928 Chev pickup. 1951 BSA. OHC/SV Morris Minor rolling chassis with body 1951 Ford police car. 1935 Railton. 1936 Cord. 1930 woodwork patterns, guards, radiator for semi Model A Ford town sedan. Contact Rushmore sports replica. Rego on hold. Ph 06 845 3333.

Motors Ltd. 027 224 5045.

MEM HAWKE’S BAY VEHICLES FOR SALE. 1916 Maxwell roadster.

1923 Maxwell truck. 1925 Buick tourer. 1926 Chev tourer. 1934 Buick sedan. 1935 Ford CX. 1939 CARBURETTOR RECONDITIONING including Studebaker Commander. 1956 Morris Isis Traveller. classic and performance makes. 40 plus years 1957 Mk2 Zephyr sedan. 1958 Morris Minor 1000. trade experience. Free advice. Contact Graeme 1937 Austin sedan. 1937 Hudson coupe. Contact Tulloch, Tulmac Carburettor Specialists on 027 Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 224 5045.

612 2312 or (Levin) 06 368 2202

CONTINENTAL BEACON 1933 PARTS. One spoked wheel complete with tyre and two spoked wheel rims needing restoration. Also some doors and odd parts $100 for lot. Ph Alan 0274 357 558, wyliesmasonry@xtra.co.nz FOR FREE workshop service manuals and parts books collected from closed down garages. No list available as have just collected these from previous owner. Approx 350 books from 1940s to 1980s includes Austin, Morris, Ford, Holden, Mini, Vauxhall and many more. Must go as one lot. If no takers they will be off to the dump at the end of January. Would need van or trailer to transport.

Contact Graham 07 308 7683. MEM BAY OF PLENTY

VEHICLES FOR SALE. 1 947 Studebaker Champion.

1951 Triumph Renown. 1937 Hudson coupe.

1929 DA Dodge. 1930 Model A phaeton. 1933 Studebaker President 8 sedan. For these and other advertisements, photographs, price and information can be supplied upon request.

Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 224 5045.

VEHICLES FOR SALE. 1995 Nissan Skyline. 1980 XJS Jaguar. 1967 Mercedes. 1962 Morris Traveller.

1967 Ford Mustang. 1970 Buick Riviera. 1980 XJS Jaguar. 1995 Chev Camaro. 1952 Chrysler Windsor. 1954 Citroën Light 15. 1928 Rugby tourer.

1929 Chrysler 70 sedan. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 224 5045.

MAGNETO AND COIL WINDING SERVICES Magneto repairs, coil rewinding, magnetos of all types except aircraft. Phone Warwick 027 281 8066, walandlynn@farmside.co.nz MEM WANGANUI

VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS

COACHWORK F or all your coachwork, woodwork and timber rim steering wheels for your veteran, vintage or commercial vehicles contact Designs N Wood, John Martin, 11 Bell Avenue, Cromwell.

Phone/fax 03 445 0598, 021 109 1309 or email martin_jw@xtra.co.nz MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

Phone Grant 341 5100 or 027 223 9474 granttvin@gmail.com

All Classic and Vintage Car restoration.

• Panel making • Wooden body repairs, • Bumpers and moulding repair • Competitive hourly rate.

Unit 1 11 Penn Place, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch

Beaded Wheels 31

1937 CHRYSLER ROYAL C16 2 owner, built for the export market as RHD, and fitted with a factory overdrive. New Rego and WoF. Car has 79,949 original miles. Comes complete with the original owner’s handbooks that came with the car. $25,000, located in Masterton. Ph 027 523 1542.

1951 BRISTOL 2.0L, 6CYL, 4SPD MANUAL SEDAN. 100,600 miles. Runs and drives. Original unrestored condition. Reg on hold. Selling on behalf. Located in Golden Bay. $80,000 ono. More photos available on request. Call or txt Cameron 022 416 0743

RELUCTANT SALE — AGEING BODY IN SMALL COCKPIT. 1953 MGTDII British classic. Honest, original car; mechanically sound, runs/drives well due to continual maintenance and tinkering over 25 years. Shipped UK circa 1995. $38,500 Located Hawke’s Bay. Contact Maurice Smith 0274 311 158 tastebuds@xtra.co.nz

PEUGEOT 1962 403 B Good order used as daily driver. Spare parts plus reconditioned motor and gearbox. Twelve month WoF and Rego. $8,000.

Ph 027 774 4472. MEM BAY OF PLENTY

1923 STUDEBAKER LIGHT-SIX No show pony but a reliable rugged tourer. Engine rebuilt in 2010. Good working order. Current Rego and WoF. Garaged in Oriental Bay, Wellington. Must sell. Best offer. Phone or text 027 446 5702.

MEM WELLINGTON

1952 FORD PREFECT Has been repainted at some time and everything else is original condition as manufactured with no modifications. Dry stored for many years. It starts well and drives like a 1952 Prefect. Located in Waimate. Offers 027 432 7642.

1924 AUSTIN TWENTY SPORTS. 3.6 litre, 4 cylinder, 4 speed g/box. Four wheel brakes, 12V electrics, high ratio rear axle. Five Blockley tyres.

Cruises easily 50mph plus. Leather upholstery, full folding hood, Auster rear screen, tonneau and dust covers. Authentic, detailed restoration with rarity widely recognised. Offers over $45,000.

Ph 021 988 684 MEM AUCKLAND

1951 AUSTIN A40 DEVON PEDAL CAR S erial number 17194. This is an original built by Welsh Miners, not a reproduction. Completely restored to high standard with new tyres, tubes and wheelbearings etc. Professionally panelbeaten and painted. Reupholstered. Working horn and headlights. Contact Norman 027 666 9399, belloringa@gmail.com MEM ASHBURTON

JOWETT JAVELINS L ocated in Invercargill.

Offers please $$$. Phone Ross, 021 314 956.

MEM SOUTHLAND

1965 FORD MUSTANG (NOTCHBACK) Built 1964 but first Reg 1965. Imported from USA 1972.

Current owner approx. 21 years, always garaged.

109,251 miles on speedo. 289 cubic inch V8 (4.7 Ltr) Auto transmission. Rego & new WoF on sale.

Very nice to drive with throaty twin exhaust. $50K ono. Ph Steve 021 185 9965. MEM NELSON

1963 MARK 3 FORD ZODIAC 6-CYLINDER SEDAN . Mint. WoF/Rego current. 76,512 miles. Towbar. Four spare wheels. Spare parts available. South Canterbury. Will deliver at buyer’s cost. As is, where is.

Ph Heather 022 581 5863, firstpersoneditor@ gmail.com or WhatsApp.

WOODEN WHEELS made for your metalwork.

Steam-bent felloes, any shape spokes. Ph Vern Jensen 06 323 3868, 16 Osborne Terrace, Feilding, gransuz16@gmail.com MEM MANAWATU

32 Beaded Wheels

1926 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL 80.

Structurally & mechanically sound needing minor cosmetic attention. WoF on hold. Only two known to be in NZ. For more details: Pipchap82@gmail.com

MEM OTAGO

1922 AVELLING AND PORTER STEAM MORGAN AERO THREE WHEELER 1928, 1000cc ROLLER Heritage Boiler report just issued.

JAP engine, dismantled. All original parts. History In good condition - looking for expressions starts in 1940 when it was found in a shed near of interest/offers. John Walker, Auctioneer Gisborne. Is currently on hold, open to offers.

(Nelson) 027 443 2525. john@jwauctions.co.nz Contact Ralph violetandralph@gmail.com or

MEM NELSON 09 433 505. MEM NORTHLAND

1937 GRAHAM CRUSADER. Restored to near MODEL T ROADSTER complete rebuild. New Scat MORRIS COMMERCIAL 1951 LC3 G ood tidy original condition. Only second owner. Owned for crankshaft, new cam, true fire ignition. Upholstery original condition rather than restored. WoF & over 50 years Reconditioned motor. Rego on hold. replaced, hood average, wheels and tyres good Rego, goes well. Has VIC. We installed a running Many spares. More photos on request. Price by condition. WoF & Rego, drives well. Many model LC3 engine, original engine, minus head, comes negotiation. For more information phone Graeme T parts included. $25,000 ono. ph 021 922 599. with the truck. $8,000. Ph 0273 403 759 or email 021 962 253, email gndawson47@gmail.com

MEM NORTHLAND 47humber@gmail.com MEM WAIKATO

MEM NORTHLAND

VEHICLE MARKETING BY RUSHMORE MOTORS.

HUMBER 90 1963 MARK 2 Good condition, goes well. WoF & Rego, $9,000. Ph 021 111 3157 or email 47humber@gmail.com MEM WAIKATO

arketing professionals. 45 years in M business. We offer a free service to vehicle sellers, catering for all older vehicles. From our database of over 600 prospective NZ buyers, we endeavor to match sellers with buyers. If selling, and would like your bank balance enhanced, give us a call. 027 224 5045 inc a/h. To view all vehicles, go to Rushmore Motors NZ on Facebook.

1930 CHRYSLER 70 CONVERTIBLE COUPE Professionally restored 1990s. Previous owner 28yrs. Current owner 9yrs. Mechanicals and body excellent. Starts well, 6v electrics. Twin side mounts, dicky seat, leather interior, excellent tyres, fitted hood bag, 3.5L motor, 4 speed gearbox, hydraulic brakes. Recent new radiator. Stunning looker. The best of Chrysler. $75,000 ono Ph 027 544 8001. jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz MEM NELSON

MORRIS MINI 1966 Fully restored five years 1966 DAIMLER 2.5 V8 s olid reliable car, upholstery 1930 CHEVROLET SPORTS ROADSTER. R umble ago to full 1275 Cooper S specs. Asking $27,000. original tidy condition, paint and tyres good, no seat, twin side mounts, 4 new tyres. Hood and side Car located in Northland ph 021 041 4522. rust issues, heads done less than 3000K ago. curtains. WoF and Rego. Always garaged. Current

MEM NORTHLAND $19,500 ono. Ph 027 373 0757 or j.wells2355@ owner last 40 years. $50,000 negotiable. Ph Mike gmail.com MEM ASHBURTON 021 293 5013. MEM WAIKATO Beaded Wheels 33

SUNBEAM SPANNER, 325mm long. $50 plus 1973 ROVER P6B S 3.5 LITRE V8 N ot concours but shipping. Ph Kevin Casey 027 453 0818 or 03 453 very tidy. Good rubber, no rust. Reliable engine 0818.

MEM OTAGO that goes well. This has the rare manual gearbox.

134,000 mls, low ownership. Ph Bert Turnbull 027 434 2339. MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

THREE NEW BEADED EDGE TYRES. 820 x 120 BE. Been in our spares shed for some time. $500 the lot. Ph Arnold 027 276 5336. MEM NORTH SHORE

1976 PLUS 8 MORGAN. 3 520cc Rover V8, WoF & Rego. Very good original condition, including the hood, side curtains, tonneau, folding windscreen, aero screens. With original handbook and some spares. Has been re-upholstered in beige leather. $59,750 with UKMAID plate. janwarv8@gmail.com or 021 712 008. MEM WELLINGTON

ROLLS-ROYCE REAR AXLE 1930 s 20/25. Splined 1934 BRITISH BEDFORD. Total rebuilt motor hubs. Ford Jailbar 3 ton rear axle $300 each. running condition. All shell bearings rings Buyers to arrange pickup. Ph 021 041 4522. camshaft and oil pump rebuilt by Hart Buisson.

NORTHLAND VCC PARTS DEPT Rego dead has vin plate still in system been garaged last 16 years. Complete with spares.

Reluctant sale offers. Phone Murray 027 270 4529, mlbutler@xtra.co.nz

1930S AMERICAN K LUGGAGE TRUNK. 1931 FORD MODEL A VICTORIA. Engine sleeved Completely restored with new plywood box, to standard and tweaked, gearbox and diff rebuilt. new chrome and new leather corner detail. Has indicators, halogen lights and cast iron brake Three original fitted suitcases have been drums for safety. Ready for many years of rallying. sympathetically refurbished with new inner lining. LHD but can include most parts for RHD. $49,000.

915 x 450mm. $3,200. More photos available. Garth Moore 0274 726 025 MEM CANTERBURY Phone 027 414 7373. MEM WAIKATO 34 Beaded Wheels

MG SPECIAL, I nspired by a 1930s MG K3, built in the 1980s by Grant Kern in Auckland. Documented race history. Eligible to race in VCC class. MGB 18v engine and gearbox, 4.3 Riley rear axle with LSD. Custom built chassis. $17,500 ono. Phone or text 027 435 0979. MEM ASHBURTON

1915 OVERLAND 83 B, imported to New Zealand by current owners in 2008. Left hand drive.

Running gear has been overhauled, new wheels and new hood. POA Ernest George.

Ph 027 209 0609. MEM NORTH OTAGO

1938 CHEVROLET 4 DOOR SEDAN All the hard restoration work done. Rego lapsed, WoF need finishing. Rust free bodywork. Motor original, runs ok. Interior door panels, lights. Very tidy example.

Stored inside for 50 years. Offers wanted. Ph Alan 027 435 7558, wyliesmasonry@xtra.co.nz

1967 FORD CORTINA 1.6 LITRE CROSS FLOW V ery tidy, has a reconditioned auto trans. WoF and Rego. No rust. Drives like a new car. Mileage is 145,000. New alternator, twin choke Weber carby.

Great car for post ‘60s vintage motoring, 120 miles. $22,000. Ph Wayne 027 201 2103. MEM SOUTHLAND

MARKET PLACE

1933 RILEY TOURER, “33LYNX” plates, older restoration. Drives well. Very good mechanicals.

Current WoF and Rego. On market as poor health is limiting my ability to enjoy it. $33,000 ono.

Peteswebfeet@hotmail.com or phone 021 942 337.

REQUIRE SPARE PARTS? Marlborough Branch has catalogued many spares by part number and model. Visit marlboroughvcc.com for contact details and detailed part lists. This will be updated and added to on a regular basis. General enquiries welcome via email: marlborough@vcc.org.nz

1930 PRE-WAR MORRIS MINOR. S teel body model, 850cc overhead cam engine. Body and interior restored. New tyres, brake cables, instruments, shock absorber bushes and universal joints. Reconditioned starter motor and carburettor. Runs well. Up to date registration and warrant. $20,000. Phone 021 124 7990

1930 MG-M MIDGET. Fully restored and put back on the road in 2011 and is still in immaculate condition. Check the article on this car in Beaded Wheels June/July 2023 page 19. Deceased estate. $40,000 includes spares. Contact Neville Harper 027 494 7249 or daharpers@gmail.com

MEM ROTORUA $75,000 N ZD. Location Christchurch. Single cylinder. 8 hp. One owner last 60 years. Three owners from new in 119 years. Comes with spare motor. WoF & Rego. No electrics but has 2 brass headlamps, 2 brass side lights and 1 brass tail light. Cruising speed 45kph.

New wooden wheels, rims, tyres and tubes.

Gearbox not original, manual 3 speeds forward, 1 reverse. Car/engine number 22855. Spare tyre on roof. Travelling tools under seat plus copy of owner’s manual. Good condition for car restored 60 years ago (same owner 60 years) IMP SUNBEAM RED R ego on hold, new engine, brakes, lights and all new wiring. Some CONTACT RUSHMORE MOTORS LTD. new upholstery and spares. Phone Michael 027 224 5045.

021 186 3246.

1907 DE DION BOUTON

2001 TOYOTA MR2 NZ new, 80,000 km. Fun car to drive. Mechanically good will sell with new WoF. $7,900. Ph 09 410 9112 MEM WAITEMATA

. Tidy condition, VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock 1938 AUSTIN BIG SEVEN sizes. Dust proof and waterproof. Phone registered with WoF. New tyres including spare.

Allan 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier, Runs well – good report from knowledgable mechanic. Enquiries to Alfred ph 0274 317 808 acjones760@gmail.com MEM Located in Wanaka.

VINTAGE & CLASSIC QUARTZ halogen bulbs.

Replace your existing bulbs without rewiring the headlamp assemblies. Up to 100% brighter than your existing Tungsten bulbs. Will fit most reflectors fitted to pre & post war cars and motorbikes. Also available in single filament 55 watt P22 & BA15 bases for use in spotlamps and mechanical dip reflectors.

Most bases and configurations available in 6v & 12v. Further info: Norm & Jan Sisson, sole NZ Agent. Phone 027 311 6563, Amuri Motorcycles, 2C Birmingham Drive, Christchurch.

Email modelboatsupplies@snap.net.nz

1940 FORDSON E83W WELLSIDE UTE A ll new tyres, reupholstered seat, tonneau cover. Receipts for engine and gearbox. Original wellside, tailgate, rear guards and sidesteps. New door rubbers and framing. Most parts to finish plus spares. Asking $7,500 ono. Ph Ray 027 696 2965. MEM WEST COAST

Beaded Wheels 35

WANTED

’33 PLYMOUTH PARTS WANTED. Right hand thread rear shackle nut, front bumper, bolt trim cover, bumper irons front and rear, cowl lever.

Vent mechanism, headlight stands, complete rear tail lights, left hand seat rail adjuster, outside door handles, radiator and front guard, support horn button, spring loaded keepers for the doors.

Phone Roger 07 823 6145.

what is badly needed to replace my holed one.

Ph Roger Dilley 021 025 46184 Ferrari.sailing@ gmail.com MEM NORTH SHORE MORRIS 1000 BMC 950. S et of 4 .020 inch oversize pistons Phone Jack 027 287 3989 or min.jack@kinect.co.nz MEM BOP CLINCHER TYRES WANTED 875x105 New or used.

Phone Kelvin 021 293 7136 MEM CANTERBURY

1935 FORD V8 16” WIRE WHEELS WANTED. Set of 4 or 5 in good cond. please. Ph. 07 863 8229, INFO WANTED . I have been fortunate to be Mob 021 238 8353 or email rawene25@hotmail. given a gray Horwood Engineering carburettor com MEM BAY OF PLENTY synchronizer. Unfortunately it is missing the instruction manual. Happy to get a copy or an WIPER MOTOR 2-SPEED t o suit Sunbeam Rapier 1936 BUICK 40 GEARBOX WANTED d ead or alive.

Series 5 1963. Must have 3 or 4 wires. Prefer 1934 to 1937 will fit, Also Pontiac Oldsmobile have original. Ph Les, 021 084 82 323 New Plymouth.

MEM TARANAKI to purchase motor complete with wiring and the same part numbers so that is a possibility as switch. Would also be interested in windscreen well. Maybe ’35-‘36 Chev also. Please phone Patrick ROVER 16 SPORTS SALOON 1947 WANTED a washer parts. Phone Ian Verrall 07 214 8978. Smith 027 313 9102 MEM NELSON Sports Saloon body, doors, bootlid and guards in

MEM BAY OF PLENTY good / repairable condition or a complete car or 1948 FORD V8 COLUMN CHANGE GEARBOX other parts if available. Ph Chris 021 033 6396 or or parts. Ph Neil 021 588 536, nbeckenham@gmail. chrishurdle59@gmail.com MEM AUCKLAND com MEM NORTH SHORE ENGINE OR PARTS FOR 1930 RUDGE Dirt Track BTH MAGNETO IN GOOD WORKING ORDER motorcycle wamted. Anything considered. Ph Pref rebuilt. Suitable for a Velocette MSS 1947.

021 105 8132, email earlyridersnz@gmail.com.

Present mag is flange mounted Type K.C.1 - N4.

MEM AUCKLAND Armstrong 3 speed rear hub, complete or parts.

Ph 021 243 0035 bgovan@xtra.co.nz Brad Govan WANTED MORRIS 8 SERIES 1 OR 2 (NOT E).

MEM CANTERBURY Needed for building a Special so rolling body will do. North Island preferred. Phone Kevin 027 243 GEARBOX WANTED FOR FIAT BAMBINA model F TWO MICHELIN BEADED EDGE WHEELS WANTED 0053. MEM WAIRARAPA or Fiat 126. Condition not important as casing is 820 x 120 as per photo. Size is stamped on inner rim.

A 15 YEAR OLD CLASSIC CAR ENTHUSIAST Also wanted two second hand beaded edge tyres is looking for his first car with criteria being: suitable for rolling chassis 815 x 105. Ph Graham sporting; suitable for driver 6 feet tall; manual; Wiblin 022 198 2573, myschacht@hotmail.com some work required is fine but ideally a live

MEM MARLBOROUGH registration (WoF not essential). Anywhere in New Zealand considered. Examples of makes include: Buckler; Paton Ford, Porsche 924, Mistral, MG BGT, Ford Escort, Beattie, Redline. Please call Glen on 021 192 7486 or email glen@wbb.co.nz

MEM NORTH SHORE

ANY PANTHER LWT MOTORCYCLE PARTS 1932 to 1949, in particular crankcases for a 1932 250 as per photo. Ph Wayne 07 863 7232, email pam.wayne.c@gmail.com MEM BAY OF PLENTY

SHOCK STRAPPING WANTED I Need 4 lengths 37 mm X 4.5-5 mm X 1400 mm strapping for the Watson Stabilators on my 1928 Packard. Ideally the woven webbing type as it is supple, but any suggestions or help as to who to contact will be so welcome. Phone/text Malcolm 027 432 9853, malcolmh@xtra.co.nz MEM TARANAKI

36 Beaded Wheels

TRIUMPH AND AKD MOTORCYCLE PARTS – PRE 1915. Top price paid. Also Blackstone or ARMOURED SPEEDO CABLE I have the front hub Tangye oil engine, anything considered. Email with drive ring and the gearbox; now I just need Veterantriumph@gmail.com, ph 021 088 06141. the armoured cable for my 1938 Model 95 Panther project - can anyone help? And always interested

MEM WELLINGTON to hear about any other Panther HWT suitable parts (Amal, Burman, Lucas, Miller, Klaxon horn etc.) Any parts or leads appreciated. Ph David Broadhead 021 324 762, dbroadhe@xtra.co.nz

MEM AUCKLAND

ATTENTION VCC MEMBERS Do we have your correct contact details on file?

CAR WANTED TRIUMPH DOLOMITE 1850 or Sprint, manual gearbox. North Island car please.

WoF or Rego on hold OK; must have original number plates. I would like a project to keep another older car going. Ph 0276 306 307, email Steve at steve306@xtra.co.nz MEMBER NORTHLAND

Please advise your Branch Secretary or National Office of any changes of phone number, email and address.

We also record the sales/purchases of vehicles to keep our club database as current as possible.

Email admin@vcc.org.nz or post details to VCCNZ, PO Box 76063 Northwood Christchurch 8548

SWAP MEETS & RALLIES

All vehicles entered in National and International Rallies must hold a current VehicIe Identity Card (VIC).

G ORE VINTA GE CA R CLU B

SUN

MARCH

15

Swap Meet starts at 7.00 a.m.

Entry: Sellers $10.00 Buyers/Browsers $5.00 Children (under 12) Free Vintage Car Display - Car Parts Old & New - Motoring Books & Manuals Collectibles – Retro Clothing - Bric-a-Brac Refreshments – Sausage Sizzle – Bacon Butties

Venue: Wellsford/Warkworth Vintage Car Clubrooms Satellite Station Rd –off SH 1 – 3km south of Warkworth All enquiries to 027 423 8122 or wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz

9am – 2pm -Waimea Street YOU BRING IT • YOU SELL IT • YOU PROFIT

ADMITTANCE  Adults $5  Children free

SAVE THE DATE WEST COAST VINTAGE CAR CLUB

2026 SCENICLAND RALLY Saturday 14th March 2026

With the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring registration day on Sunday 15th March 2026 in Nelson, there is plenty of time to combine the two events and enjoy some West Coast scenery and fun along the way.

SELLERS STALLS

$10

 Includes one free entry  Some inside stalls available

 Huge variety of items for sale.  Colouring competition and games for the kids  Opportunity to meet club members and learn about our club.

If you have items you wish to sell, please come along and set up a stall!

CONTACT

Katherine: Ken:

021 261 6986 0276674102

Entry forms for the Scenicland Rally will be available from the Rally Secretary Judy Hay 02108645364 or westcoastvcc@gmail.com from 14th January 2026

VCCNZ Ashburton Branch

SWAPMEET Saturday 2 May 2026

Club Grounds 86 Maronan Road, Tinwald Ashburton

GATES OPEN 7.15AM

No Dogs Allowed • Catering by Ashburton Lions Club

Site Bookings to Cathy Sweetman Email: ashburtonswapmeet@gmail.com Phone: 021-372087

CONTACT US FOR BOOKINGS Beaded Wheels 37

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Friday 27 February – Sunday 1 March 2026.

Stay overnight in Te Awamutu for 3 nights.

(Make your own Te Awamutu reservations.)

Tents, camper vans and motorhomes can be parked in the Wharepapa South School ground for a nominal fee of $12 per person. Pool or cold showers and toilets are available.

Book your accommodation now. First in, first served.

Entry forms available now 38 Beaded Wheels

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DRIVING OUR HISTORY

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TRADE DIRECTORY

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Specialising in Weber, Holley, SU, Stormberg, etc

40 YEARS TRADE EXPERIENCE Repairers and Restorers of Vintage and Classic Instruments Speedo Cables repaired or made new to order 13 Fleming Street, Onehunga, Auckland

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Contact: GRAEME TULLOCH Ph: 027 612 2312 or 06 368 2202 Email: tullochfamily@xtra.co.nz ı tulmac.co.nz

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Exchange armatures available

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Curiosities investigated

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Contact Paul Radmall at paul@magnetos.co.nz

INSTRUMENT REPAIRS

First published in 1973.

Most back issues are available. All vehicles featured are restored or in original condition.

Events, How To’s and Australian motoring history are a specialty.

FOR THE REPAIR & RESTORATION OF ALL CLASSIC OR VINTAGE CARS & MOTORCYCLES

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CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 78 YEARS

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 78 YEARS

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CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 79 YEARS THE ANNUAL TREK SOUTH

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No. 392 February/March 2025

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BEHIND THE WHEEL

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UPPER CLASSICS

MARKETPLACE VEHICLES FOR SALE INCLUDING EDELBROCK SPECIAL

BEHIND THE WHEEL

OF A 1965 SUNBEAM TIGER DRIVING OUR HISTORY

Beaded Wheels 39

LATEST CLUB INFORMATION

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As we are now in December most branches will be putting on events to celebrate the Christmas/New Year season.

Over the past three months I have been fortunate to attend many commemorative award ceremonies starting with an impressive two 70-year awards for Bank Peninsula members.

What a reflection on the success of our club when we have members who have been involved for over 70 years. I was also hosted by Wellington Branch for their Annual November Rally and Awards Dinner. What a fantastic day and evening with lots of laughter.

Not only did Phil and Carol Kidd put me up for the night, they also provided me with a car to compete in the day’s run. A true reflection on the generosity of our members.

In October just prior to the Canterbury Branch Swap Meet, we held an official opening function for our new National Office. We chose this weekend hoping that many members from out of town would be here for the swap meet and could attend. It was a great success with over 80 showing up on the Thursday evening. Andy Fox provided food from the barbecue and the boardroom was turned into a temporary bar. As we had to plant a native tree as part of our resource consent, we took this as an opportunity to mark the

occasion with Life Member and Past President John Coomber, Past President Leigh Craythorne and I performing this task. With John and Leigh being very much involved in the purchasing and establishment of our old site in town it was fitting that they were on hand to celebrate and mark this occasion.

November and December are always busy with club runs and awards celebrations but it is also a time when the Management Committee get to sit down with various organisations.

First off is our annual meeting in Wellington with NZTA. Neil Beckenham as Registrar and I will attend again this year with another full list of discussion points on the agenda. While we now have 12 months WoF we are still pushing for VCC eligible heavy commercial and military vehicles to be considered as light cars, removing the need for a CoF inspection. Following this meeting the next day we sit down with LVVTA for their annual board meeting as we are founding members of this organisation. Neil and I will be focusing on coachbuilt bodies and the need to have our Club’s input on how these are constructed. Most certifiers today are not educated in these build methods.

Our annual meeting with Motorsport NZ rolls around in December with Speed Steward, Ray Sanders, and I attending

s Members enjoying the official opening from the balcony outside our new Club Archive building.

40 Beaded Wheels

this. We are founding members of MSNZ and are very fortunate to be able to share track time at many of the events they put on throughout the country. The relationships we have with all of these organisations is very strong at present with both Neil and Ray doing an amazing job continually building on this. It’s a busy time for Ray as he will have just returned from an overseas holiday where he has taken time out to represent us at the FIVA General Assembly in Salvador, Brazil.

s Club President, George Kear, Past President, Leigh Craythorne, and Life Member and Past President, John Coomber, marked the official opening of our new National Office in Meadow Street, Christchurch with a tree planting.

With our new structure and constitution passed at the AGM in August the document has been successfully uploaded to the Incorporated Societies Register. While a number of branches have also updated and registered their constitutions, 12 s From sausage sizzle spruiker to spade have still to complete this. wielding –the multi talented Andy Fox, The second draft of our Management Committee member, adds a By-Laws to follow the new farmer’s finishing touch to the tree planting. constitution has now been circulated to all branches the seamless move has been for further review. Thank you to above and beyond. We are very all who provided feedback on fortunate to have such a great the first draft with suggested team. I would also like to thank changes. This is on target the Management Committee to be voted on at the March for all the work they have Executive meeting. done for the club throughout While the calendar year is coming to an end, we are very much in the middle of the motoring season. I would like you all to take this time to thank your branch volunteers that make this all possible. Without their endless work events would not happen. On behalf of you all I would like to express our thanks to Linda and Karen in the National Office for the work they have put in this year. While they have been looking forward to a new working space for sometime the effort they both put in to help achieve this and

the year and the support they have given me.

Roll on 2026. It is going to be a great motoring year with the VERO International Festival of Historic Motoring being the highlight. I Look forward to seeing you all there.

George Kear VCCNZ National President

Beaded Wheels 41

NATIONAL OFFICE NEWS

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW DUE

In early September the annual accounts for membership for the year 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026 were sent out.

These were sent via email or by post for those members that do not have an email address.

If you haven’t received your invoice, please let your Branch Secretary or the National Support Office know.

Members who have not paid by 1 November 2025, will show as unfinancial. Unfinancial members may not receive their Beaded Wheels magazine or Branch newsletter.

Members whose renewal invoice is unpaid at the end of February 2026 will have their membership with the Club cancelled and will lose any previous continuous membership.

NEW POSTAL AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS

We have changed our postal address. It is now: PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 8548.

Linda Duffell

Karen Proctor

Office Administrator

Committee Liaison Officer

ATTENDING THE 2026 VERO IFHM RALLY – IS YOUR VIC CURRENT?

Please check if your VIC is current for the event period. VIC applications/renewals should be sent to National Office at least three months prior to the event, as based on our current processing times any later may result in the VIC not being issued in time. If a VIC is required for the Vero Rally, please indicate this on the form.

VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME

Please note: Financial membership of the Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated is a requirement to be insured under the VCC/Vero Insurance Scheme.

COMMEMORATIVE AWARDS Congratulations to the following members who have recently been awarded their 50 and 60 Year Awards.

Ashby, Murray Bright, Gary Chaney, Peter Millman, David Orr, John Salt, Richard Thomason, Derek

Townsend, Robert Webster, Peter

50 YEAR

Waikato Auckland Wellington Wellington Waikato Horowhenua Nelson

60 YEAR

Waikato Auckland

COMMUNICATIONS WITH NATIONAL OFFICE MUST INCLUDE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER

Our administration team, Karen Proctor and Linda Duffell welcomed members to the official opening of the new National Office.

s

With the new premises being better situated, with excellent parking and a more welcoming environment it is a pleasure to have members visit. If you are in Christchurch during our open hours please pop in, we would love to meet you. The Archive is open on a Friday morning, if you would like to have a browse.

Phone: 03 366 4461 Email: admin@vcc.org.nz

Please include your membership number in all communications with National Office including payments to the National Office bank account. This can be found on your membership card in the top right–hand corner.

NATIONAL OFFICE CHRISTMAS HOURS

Enjoying the opening celebration were Federation of Motoring Clubs President, Garry Jackson, VCC Daffodil Day co-ordinator, Kaaren Smylie, and Canterbury Branch Secretary, Rod Thrower.

The office will be closed from Tuesday 23 December 2025, reopening at 9.30am Monday 29 December 2025. We wish you all a wonderful festive season.

s

Office Hours Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Our physical address is now 4 Meadow Street, Papanui, Christchurch.

VCCNZ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

CLUB CAPTAIN NORTH ISLAND Glyn Clements 021 0833 4081 nicc@vcc.org.nz

EDITOR, BEADED WHEELS Kevin Clarkson 021 0270 6525 kevinclarkson@vcc.org.nz

PRESIDENT George R. Kear 027 221 4332

CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTH ISLAND Mark Wilkinson 021 168 6068 sicc@vcc.org.nz

Rebecca George 021 293 7714 mgmt2@vcc.org.nz

president@vcc.org.nz

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Vacant

REGISTRAR Neil Beckenham 021 588 536 registrar@vcc.org.nz SPEED STEWARD Ray Sanders 021 632 563 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz

42 Beaded Wheels

Andy Fox 027 519 9642

mgmt1@vcc.org.nz

Murray Trounson 03 339 8830 mgmt3@vcc.org.nz

ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850

archivist@vcc.org.nz

VCCNZ LIFE MEMBERS Roger White Norm Dewhurst Rod Brayshaw John Coomber

BRANCH NEWS

s Ashburton: Noel and Marie Batty, daffodil delivery.

ASHBURTON

TREVOR BEGG

With sadness we report that Ron Winchester has passed away. Ron was a real Rover/Land Rover man. Our thoughts go out to his family.

We welcome new member Richard Hampton with a 1977 TM Bedford and 1987 GMC. We look forward to seeing him out and about.

Our Daffodil delivery day was very successful with ten cars on delivery duty around town.

Our Opening Run was held on 7 September. South Canterbury Branch met us at Hinds Domain and we motored

s Ashburton: Kevin Keane (left), land owner Bernard Daley at the solar farm.

s Auckland: Peter and Diane Coleman’s Singer Gazelle at Sweetgum Cottage.

west to Mayfield and Mount Somers areas, ending back at our clubrooms for lunch and a look over the Museum and Parts Shed.

In 2022 I donated my 1958 Morris Minor to the Ashburton College and, due to a change in focus, they have returned it. It

Our Spring Rally, on 27 September, took us to the Dorie area to visit Summerlea Onions packhouse for a look through the shed.

Our new Commercial Convener, Kevin Keane, put together a good run on 18 October which headed to his property to view a good collection of vehicles, on to Barrhill for lunch then a short drive to Bernard Daley’s farm where the Lauriston Solar Farm is situated. Bernard gave us an interesting talk on how it got to be there.

is now for sale at the Parts Shed (Rego is on hold). The Parts Shed also have a 1950s Riley body and mechanical parts for sale.

Contact Gavin Smith 03 308 2297 Parts Custodian.

AUCKLAND

JOCELYN MCALPINE

Motoring locally and around the country has been popular with all sections of the branch over the last couple of months. We have had members involved in the Manawatu Vintage Rally, King Country Tour, Taranaki Motorcycle Rubber Duckie and the Far North Tour.

Locally, the annual Ladies Run was held in September – a rally for all but plotted by a woman – this year by Marion Morris.

October saw our Hunua Spring Tour where we enjoyed motoring over lovely countryside finishing at the picturesque Sweetgum Cottage and Gardens for lunch.

Congratulations to Mike O’Kane with navigator Ryan Winterbottom — overall

s Auckland: Winner of Hunua Spring Rally Michael O’Kane with plotters Rodger and Val Ball.

s Ashburton: Alan Begg and helper Daffodil delivery.

s Auckland: Paul Tomlin shows Linda Hallinan of Sweetgum Cottage his Harley-Davidson.

Beaded Wheels 43

winners in Michael’s 1952 BSA Golden Flash combination.

John and Pat Campbell’s recently completed Jeepster took centre stage at the Garden Party the next day. John, Pat and their family are to be congratulated on the magnificent restoration job. The spares team had the Barn looking at its best with wonderfully displayed memorabilia. A 50-year badge was awarded to Gary Bright with Andy Webster accepting her 35 year badge and husband Peter’s 60 year badge in his absence.

Our Special AGM is set for the beginning of December to discuss our proposed updated Constitution.

s Banks Peninsula: BBM Mercedes Special, Mallock MK8 & MG Roadster at Brooklands Meeting, Levels.

Thomson with his Daimler V8 Special.

Mike Crehan was getting to grips in his newly acquired BRP U2 and it was great to see Kevin Anderson exercising his historic Cooper T52 with new competitor Russell

s Banks Peninsula: Lunch break, Opening Run.

Stewart in a Mallock Mk8 adding to the two Mistrals in the 0–1500cc Class.

Our Spring Opening Run headed west from Christchurch CBD to the four generations old Minchins stone–ground flour mill on the south bank of the Waimakariri River. Our hosts gave an in–depth and informative guided tour which was very well received. Many thanks to the Skurr Family for their generous hospitality.

The first of four tarmac hill climbs on this year’s calendar was held in October on a 4.8km section of Gebbies Pass on Banks Peninsula — a full report elsewhere in this issue.

BAY OF PLENTY

KAAREN SMYLIE

We had a record 55 vehicles plus many more people attend a mid–month run to a shed raid, hosted by Peter and Deborah Drummond, just north of Katikati. An eclectic array of motorcycles, vehicles, radios and memorabilia gave everyone something to look at.

In recent weeks Bruce Tait and his willing helpers have been busy preparing for our annual Swap Meet and Car Show.

Staged outside our clubrooms this year the sun shone and there were many members showing their vehicles (over 100) bolstered by a good number of motorcycles. The Swap Meet facet wasn’t as well subscribed despite a good level of publicity before the event. Possibly TradeMe and eBay are impacting more than a little here.

BANKS PENINSULA DON GERRARD We welcome new members, Connen Boston with a 1988 Mitsubishi, Fraser Kear with a 1930 Austin 7 Special and 1987 VW Golf and Dave Brien with a 1954 Morris Minor Traveller and 1973 Datsun 1200 SSS. The passing of well–known and enthusiastic racer Des Ward in September has saddened our ranks. Des and son Kris campaigned their Austin A35 Peanut with gusto at many of the South Island race meetings.

Mid–September saw the first event of the VCC race season in the South at Levels Raceway and 17 competitors made up the grid. Paul Coghill led the way in his Jaguar Special from Hamish Pidgeon’s BBM supercharged Mercedes single–seater and the Coory CAE Sprinter. The 1500–2500cc Class was hotly contested with Mark Barrett’s Lotus 23B Rep staying ahead of Mick Toll’s Lotus BT16 and Dunedin’s Phil

44 Beaded Wheels

s Bay of Plenty: Earle Tarran with his beautifully restored 1929 Buick Series 116. His efforts on the car since 1988 meant that he won our Restoration of the Year.

s

Bay of Plenty: Three generations of the Sutton family pitched in and built this Mini for Ruben Sutton which cleaned up at the 2025 Mini Nationals. The Mini won lots of admiring glances at our recent Swap Meet and Car Show.

s Bay of Plenty: Long serving member and one of the judges of the 2025 Restoration of the Year Award - Ron Elton gets down to business.

The recent Swap Meet and Car Show was also a good opportunity to showcase the 2025 Restoration of The Year Award.

We had four quality restorations lined up for judges Ron Elton and Alistair Jones to scrutinise this year. These included a 1972 Chrysler Charger by Bob Hyslop, new member Graeme Collett with an MG TD, which once was his father’s, kitchen caterers Elwyn and Pauline Pirie with their 1971 MGB GT and eventual winner – Earle Tarran with his 1929 Buick that he only completed the day before judging.

CANTERBURY

COLIN HEY

Our branch Awards dinner in September was well attended, celebrating with 13 of our members receiving awards presented

by National President George Kear. They included five 50-year awards presented to Tony Craythorne, Les Freeman, Alan Hill,

David Mason and John McLachlan, and a 60-year award presented to Tom Stephens.

For all present it was great to be able to celebrate the occasion with them, hear stories about the past and to recognise the service they have given our Club.

The motoring season has made a solid start too with the Women and Young Drivers Rally in early September, followed by the Motorcycle Trial held in our grounds a week later. Both events proved our younger members have skills that will put them in good stead for motoring older vehicles in the years ahead, especially a couple of very young motorcyclists who negotiated many challenging obstacles with ease. Our Annual Vintage Rally was next on the calendar, the first event organised by our new Vintage Convenor, Jeremy Wise. It attracted 22 entries, some driving cars we haven’t seen out for many years. After the field trials and lunch there was a run out west towards Springfield,

s Canterbury: 50 year Award recipients, from left ,Tony Craythorne, Les Freeman, Alan Hill, David Mason and John McLachlan.

s Canterbury: Parts and people in abundance at the Swap Meet.

s Canterbury: Annual Vintage Rally cars lining up for field tests.

s Canterbury: Motorcycle Trials day in Cutler Park.

Beaded Wheels 45

s Central Hawke’s Bay: Our hardworking Treasurer, Kaye Carswell, “checking our Club’s finances” from the telephone box at the Matamata Museum complex.

returning to the clubrooms for afternoon tea. The overall winners were Joseph and Fiona McClintock in the family 1926 Studebaker Phaeton.

And finally, of course, our annual Swap Meet and Display in early October. Three days of good weather certainly brought the crowds out for some brisk trading and to view the best vehicle display seen there for many years. I always enjoy seeing many old mates catching up from all around the country, proving the social aspect of this event cannot be underestimated as well.

s Central Otago: Martin and Kay Curtis’ 64 EH Holden at Tannacrieff Wines.

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY

SANDRA CROSS October started with a roar as a number of members attended the Takapau Health Centre fundraiser. There were about 100 or so cars and utes of all ages and styles plus a dozen or so trucks, large and small.

Rod and Scarlett Mackenzie organised a run to Coromandel and Whitianga, with 30 members going in 14 cars. We broke the journey both ways and thus avoided tiring driving. After overnighting at Taupo our intrepid tourists almost had to be hauled away from the Matamata Museum – well worth seeing with displays for all tastes. At Coromandel we experienced the Driving Creek Railway (in pouring

rain) and enjoyed what view we could see through the mist from Barry Brickell’s Eyefull Tower.

After declining the chance of wallowing in our own little hot pools at Hot Water Beach, we took ourselves off to Waterworks where one could find giggles and laughter all around the various interactive displays.

Older people behaving badly? It was nice seeing your friends getting an unexpected shower.

We look forward to a trip to the Waihi falls in southern Hawke’s Bay this month.

CENTRAL OTAGO

JOHN GRAY

September club night speaker was Chairman Neil Webster, who reported on

s

s Central Hawke’s Bay: Interesting times at Waterworks!

46 Beaded Wheels

Central Hawke’s Bay: Branch visit to Driving Creek Railway.

s Central Otago: ‘Does my bottom look big from here?’ Clive and Penny’s ‘63 Impala coupe.

his seven–day expedition cruise around southern Fiordland. The Weekend Run took us to Tannacrieff Wine and Port, at Bannockburn, the largest Port winemaker in New Zealand. Owner and winemaker, Debra Cruickshank, introduced us to four of her ports which some members purchased. We concluded the visit with a picnic lunch in the rustic sampling room.

Our annual Blossom Festival rally was held at the end of September with 20 cars and a motorcycle participating. Entrants from as far away as Timaru and Riversdale met for the start in Clyde, setting off to visit the pre-designated rally destinations to gain the required points. Some also joined the festival procession, which

offered bonus points. Participants had 27 destinations to choose from, stretching from St Bathans to Bannockburn – each with its own points value, the challenge to finish with exactly 250 points – no more, no less. As several entrants achieved the perfect score, a general knowledge quiz was asked of each entrant as they returned to the clubrooms, and this sorted the winners.

This rally format appeared popular.

A talk by Keith Paterson, the Project Director for the Christchurch Cathedral Rebuild, on the October club night was popular. A very challenging and interesting project. The October Thursday Muster to Cambrians was postponed due to an unexpected snowstorm but was replaced by a very pleasant pub lunch run to Chatto Creek with an excellent turnout of new members.

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

BRUCE SEDDON

s Central Otago: Jim Barclay’s 1928 Model A, with Tony Edmond’s 1939 Plymouth coupe behind.

Recent away events of note which were attended by branch members were Mangakino Lake Hop, the North Shore Branch Spring Tour to Hawke’s Bay, and the King Country’s Taumarunui Rally.

Our participants especially enjoyed and commented on the organized visits to

museums and outstanding collections in South Waikato and Hawke’s Bay. The Taumarunui Rally was enjoyed for its country road running and there were many photos taken of the cars, well covered in road dirt, at their refreshment stop at Ohura.

Recently Barry and Tessa Keene parted with their well–known Willys Knight.

Owned by them since 1976 – 49 years. At 99 years old their 1926 Willys Knight is not destined to reach its century in their ownership as it has been written off by their insurance company after receiving expensive damage while participating in a Rotorua Branch rally. Barry and Tessa had the misfortune to have a rear wooden spoke wheel come off while negotiating the narrow road around Lake Rotoiti. The central wheel nut came off the stripped thread of the axle, and the wheel went underneath the car after doing significant damage to the rear body work and undercarriage and throwing the car up in the air.

At first glance Barry thought that repairs would be achievable with the spares he has accumulated over the years but once costed out the decision was made to pass the Willys Knight onto the insurance company. Barry and Tessa will now spend

Beaded Wheels 47

their time attending rallies and travelling in their MGB.

FAR NORTH

MURRAY CORMACK

August saw our very successful Daffodil Day event at the Kaikohe Pioneer Village.

Well supported by our members and augmented by cars and bikes from other local car clubs and Kaikohe volunteers, we had a turnout of 40 cars and seven bikes. In excess of $1500 was raised for the Cancer Society appeal. A record for our branch.

Our Father’s Day rally in early September was well supported, and Jos and Kelly Archer had prepared a great event starting in Waipapa. The worries of doubtful weather soon subsided as we travelled through the scenic roads of Waimate North, Ohaeawai and Kaikohe, with a destination of Rawene for lunch.

It was a good chance to test our cars on a longer run.

In mid-September approximately 20 members motored down to Dargaville for two nights to join the local members for their 21st anniversary of midweek runs.

Claudia Jeffries had organised an interesting local run including a visit to the Portstar plastics factory in Ruawai, then a scenic wander back to their local Aero Club premises for lunch. The afternoon activity

s Far North: Far North’s Paddy Kelly with partner Kim and his 1954 Riley Pathfinder.

was a drive to Glinks Gully to view the new reservoir supplying local horticulture. The following morning a visit to HDML Kupara, a fully restored ex-WWII RNZN patrol boat, at the local wharf was certainly a hit with our members. The two–day visit to Dargaville was enjoyed by members of both branches.

Early October saw the Dunny Run at Kawakawa, a long–standing event shared between Northland and Far North branches, originating with the opening

s Far North: Far North club cars at Waimate North Mission Station. Photo Paddy Kelly

s EBOP: 1926 Willys Knight now in need of some expert rebuilding.

s EBOP: 1926 Willys Knight - the damage is more than appears superficially.

48 Beaded Wheels

s EBOP: Barry and Tessa Keene with their 1926 Willys Knight about to start another rally.

s Gore: Seen at our Daffodil Rally for Cancer.

s Gore: Ready for our opening run.

s Gore: Ready for our opening run.

of the Hundertwasser toilets in the town.

The rally showcased scenic Northland, finishing with a picnic lunch at Waimate North Mission Station.

Paddy Kelly, our photographer extraor-

cars turned out for the Run. After gathering at the Clubrooms, we received our instructions and upon leaving were required to answer some road rule questions. To my surprise, I answered them all correctly.

“Fireman Sam” mascot which was given to the Brigade.

As an example of different ways to use clubrooms for community events, the Hawke’s Bay Branch of Master Electricians

dinaire, drove his first rally in his newly restored 1954 Riley Pathfinder. This vehicle had been off the road for 25 years prior to Paddy’s ownership. He has spent the last year getting it roadworthy. Great effort Paddy.

On a lovely spring day for motoring the run took us out to Stony Creek, across the Mataura River, back along to Knapdale and around the streets of Gore, finishing back at the clubrooms where we had a catch–up with members. We had to spot dinner plates with different animals depicted on them placed along the route.

As it happened, my wife, Lynley, and I were announced winners and Athol Martyn and Noel Kelly were tied in second place.

hosted their annual challenge event at our clubrooms in August. There were 18 entrants and the challenge consisted of three one–hour long challenges in

GORE

PAUL KATON

On Sunday 24 August we gathered at the A&P Showgrounds to register for the Gore Branch Daffodil Rally. We were pleased with the response and there was a good crowd with many non–members attending as well. Rally organiser Denis Knight had us travelling through some back roads, ending up at Winton. We raised over $1800 for a very good cause.

Sunday 14 September saw our Opening Run, organised by our Chairman, Murray Proctor, and his wife, Marilyn. Fourteen

s Hawke’s Bay: Steve Trott’s Auburn ready for the Blossom Parade.

HAWKE’S BAY

DIANE FRIIS

Several members entered their cars in the 75th Hastings Blossom Parade in September. Decorated with blossom, and polished to the nines, this was a sight to behold! Many branch members have long–held memories of the blossom parades of their youth, and it is great to see this tradition continuing, and our cars being involved.

We have had a number of club night presentations including Tony Roberts speaking about the Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park, due to open in December 2026, and Sue Martin recounting her trip to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, with a particular focus on how climate change is affecting this part of our planet. The branch also hosted members from North Shore Branch who were visiting Hawke’s Bay. The recent Ladies Day Outing was a drive in the country which finished at the Bay View Volunteer Fire Brigade, where we were given an idea of life as a volunteer fire person. One of our members had knitted a

s Hawke’s Bay: Entrants at the Master Electricians’ Challenge.

s Hawke’s Bay: Bay View Volunteers with Fireman Sam.

Beaded Wheels 49

categories of domestic, commercial and industrial, with two first places awarded in each category. Finalists from seven challenges around New Zealand attended the final challenge in Queenstown in late October, coinciding with the Master Electricians conference and 100th-year anniversary. Our clubrooms proved to be an excellent facility for this event.

HOROWHENUA

BRUCE JAMIESON

At the August club night we celebrated 50 years’ service by two of our members: Basil Gowenlock and Richard Salt. The badges were presented by our patron, Tom Hayes, and the certificates presented by North Island Club Captain, Glyn Clements.

In October, Win Bishop received his 25-year award.

In September we visited two retirement homes. The weather was rather windy, which kept some of the elderly inside and close to the tea and scones, but a good number stepped out to go for rides around the district. Two young boys who had come to visit their grandfather were a bit shy at first but soon were seen in almost every car.

They had a great afternoon.

The Morris Enthusiasts Club came to visit us for a Quiz Day. We were split into teams of four, comprising two from each club. We have no idea where the questions came from, but they certainly had us either

s Manawatu: Motorcycle rally entrants approaching Colyton. Left to right, Peter Simpson (Wellington) 1975 BMW; Errol Gray (Manawatu) 1975 Norton; and Dave Robinson (Manawatu) 1949 Norton.

s Manawatu: A relaxed Vintage Rally lunch stop at the Apiti Tavern.

scratching our heads or laughing like mad.

A new event that is sure to be repeated.

MANAWATU

s Horowhenua: Basil Gowenlock receives his badge from Branch Patron Tom Hayes. North Island Club Captain, Glyn Clements, looks on.

s Richard Salt receives his badge from Horowhenua Branch Patron Tom Hayes.

50 Beaded Wheels

BRYAN ABRAHAM

Our two–day Vintage Rally in September saw members from as far afield as Auckland enjoy roads and scenery north of Palmerston North with lunch stops in Apiti on day one and Marton on day two. Nearly half of the roads travelled on day one of the rally were unsealed. First place went to Manawatu member Alistair Howard in his Essex, with Tom Davies (Napier) in his Chevrolet coupe and team Mike Stuart/Pat Bren (also Napier) in an Alvis tourer taking second and third places.

September club night was ‘film night’ with the usual good club night attendance and at the end of the month another successful annual Swap Meet was again held at the indoor Manfield venue.

The October Sunday Jaunt was a short run to a member’s garage to look at a couple

of new acquisitions, two recently acquired Stutz, before carrying onto the clubrooms.

The October branch motorcycle rally had 20 starters and took entrants on a run of just over 100 miles with the lunch stop being in Marton. This rally saw the Tail End Charlie team kept busy, as did the Vintage Only rally the previous month. The motorcycle rally ended at the Cheltenham Pub. Robert Heath (Manawatu) took first place with second going to Robert Young (Northland) and third to David Gwynn (Wellington).

For October club night Dave Robinson brought along his impeccably restored 1949 Norton International and told us about its several decades long restoration. When he got the bike it was incomplete and didn’t even have the motor.

MARLBOROUGH

CATH MILLER

Our Daffodil Day for Cancer went really well with a great turnout of cars, trucks, motorcycles and vintage boats on show at Brayshaw Park. Along with

s Marlborough: Peter Thwaites and Chris De Wagt Mud Plug.

s Marlborough: Combined Run to Linkwater 2025.

the barbecue, food sales, bouncy castle and the enormous generosity of many we were able to hand over a cheque for $11,000 to our local Cancer Society.

There was plenty of mud for the Marlborough Trial where 24 drivers competed against the mud, trees, and placement of pegs. This was the last event in the 2025 series and the 2025 trophy was awarded to Allan Giles with 389 combined points.

Our combined Bikes and Cars Run to Linkwater for lunch at the Queen Charlotte Hotel was well attended with about 48 members enjoying lunch and having a chat. It was encouraging to see some new members taking part.

NELSON

CAROLYN BOLLAND

The Vero Committee continue to beaver away getting things ready for March 2026.

Recent automotive mysteries have yielded surprising discoveries. One notable example was a project that wasn’t a conventional vehicle, but rather a boat built by John Herd. He wanted a boat and rather than buy one he bought the blueprints and built his own magnificent vessel.

We also saw two hot air engines, carefully made by Roy Eaton’s father more than three decades ago. Roy started both engines and gave a fascinating historical overview of their creation.

The final exhibit was a Fiat Bambina, a diminutive yet charming automobile owned by Jim and Kyra Wareing.

Seventeen individuals attended the September club gathering, where Al

McKinnon, a member of the New Zealand military, delivered a presentation on combat trauma. The October evening featured a “What is it?” theme, during which members endeavoured to decipher the various enigmatic articles.

The Biennial Rally was held in Reefton during a rainy spring weekend. Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, participants embarked on a journey to Blackball on Saturday, making a brief stop at the Pike River Memorial. On Sunday, they enjoyed a guided tour of the Echo Coal Mine, before concluding the event with a farewell lunch at Broadway. Other excursions have included a mystery visit to Whangapeka in the Kahurangi Forest, the Anatoki salmon farm in Takaka, the Broadgreen café, where a group of senior citizens gathered

s Nelson: Tackling the road works on the Takaka hill on a recent Saturday run to the Anatoki salmon farm.

s Nelson: Branch run to Whangapeka.

s Nelson: A sample of “What is it” at a Nelson club night.

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after lunch to observe the vehicles, and Paragon Cafe at Olive Estate.

Despite the presence of hills that may pose challenges during our travels, our region offers a plethora of destinations and car–related activities, providing ample opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.

NORTHLAND

RAY SANDERS

The branch has had several events recently, the first of which was our annual “Dunny Run”, which is an event designed to bring the Northland and Far North Branches together for a day. The name is derived from the fact that the run starts from the carpark behind the famous (in Northland!) Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa. The trophy awarded for the day is an inscribed wooden dunny seat and each year the alternative branch sets the run. This year was Northland’s turn, and the run took us to many high points with good views around the central Northland area culminating in a picnic lunch at the Waimate North Mission house. The toilet seat was awarded to Jen and Steve Cornwall, who set the run this time.

Every year in the first week of November Northland hosts the Far North Tour. This year 34 cars and motorcycles headed north to Kaitaia via the newly reopened Maungamuka hill road on SH1 which had been closed for major reconstruction over most of the past five years. Everyone was keen to see where their tax dollars have been going. After visiting some amazing gardens, and a shed with about 100 tractors in various states of disrepair, it was on to Winston Matthews fantastic museum at Taipa. We were most grateful for Winston’s support along with that of other Far North members on the day. At dinner it was noted that Tony Forster, John Stokes and Doug Pinker had all attended at least 50 of the 53 Far North Tours held to date. An amazing effort!

NORTH OTAGO

MURRAY BAIN North Otago Branch librarian

Question: What is a Library?

Answer: A tranquil place, where peace, quiet and knowledge reign, a place where a plethora of information is available to those who wish to know more. A place to reflect on mistakes made and a place to read what you need to know, to make sure that in the future you do it once, and do it right. A place to meet likeminded people

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s Northland: Far North Tour - found a shed with a few tractors ripe for a bit of restoration.

s Northland: Dunny Run lunch.

who enjoy the mindfulness of reading rather than viewing flashy digital media.

And unlike YouTube, you don’t have to pause, rewind and play again, if you miss something, but rather just glance back to the start of a sentence or paragraph.

Reading is done at a pace which allows your mind to absorb and retain information, without any flashy distractions.

Here at the North Otago Branch we are blessed with a great library, in a climate–controlled room, which ensures the integrity of the books within. Do you know that a lot of older vehicle workshop manuals and technical books are not being digitised?

Pure gold in paper format is what we have catalogued on our shelves, a lot of it never to be seen again. Paper is one of the hardest materials to preserve long term.

No value can be put on what we have

s Northland: Far North Tour.

s North Shore: Warren Thorburn’s 1930 Model A at the Ford dealer

With over 50 members coming to Thursday morning smoko extra tables have now been provided, and Chief Caterer Mike Garner has to work harder!

OTAGO

s North Shore: Bruce Pitcher’s Volvo Amazon on the Spring Tour

MARION MCCONACHIE

Work in the library continues slowly. We aim to get all the items catalogued into a computer for ease of reference. It isn’t until you start delving into the contents of the library that you realise just how valuable a resource you have.

We have welcomed three new members to our branch recently, and it is great to see them getting involved.

We have the 53rd Taieri Tour coming up and entry numbers are looking good.

Planning for the next Southern Backroads Adventure in April is underway.

Details will be out soon.

in our library, but what it offers vintage car club owners is priceless. Go to your library, breathe in the atmosphere and quietly learn.

A library is a place where hard copy rules supreme.

NORTH SHORE RICHARD BAMPTON Waitemata along with Wellsford/ Warkworth branch joined us in organising the Daffodil Rally on Sunday 24 August starting from North Shore clubrooms and ending at Matakana, via minor roads before joining the former SH1, now called Puhoehoe Road. A great road for our vehicles as there is little other traffic.

Warren Thorburn’s 1930 Model A roadster was on show at North Harbour Ford as part of the VCC Daffodil Day promotion.

September saw the Spring Tour ably organised by Paul Collins; this year the destination was Napier, and 24 vehicles started the run from Papakura, including members of three local branches. The

s North Shore: 50 plus NSVCC members at Thursday “Smoko”

Otago: Motorcyclists at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

Otago: Far left: 2025 David Warren Furthest Travelled.

Otago: Centre 2025 Graham Barnett Rider’s Choice.

Otago: Left: 2025 Duncan Smith Nut Strangler Award.

route south avoided SH1 for the most part, making the drive more enjoyable. The first visit was The New Zealand Timber Museum near Tokoroa, then overnighting at Tokoroa before convoying to Napier to be joined by members of Western Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay Branches, the latter hosting an excellent and convivial dinner on Saturday night. Highlights were the Les Lemon car collection, Faraday Museum of Technology and Kelvin Taylor’s car collection and tour of his vast apple packing operation.

A weekday visit to an interesting collection of classic cars and motorcycles in Millwater was well attended and enjoyed.

Regularly, on the third Thursday of each month, our motorcycle members venture out on their bikes. In October they met at the Fairfield petrol station, went via North East Valley to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary at Waitati before returning home through Port Chalmers.

The 53rd Dunvegan Rally for motorcycles was unlucky with the weather. The 18 entrants who started remained enthusiastic throughout the weekend. The tour took them to via Taieri Mouth, Balclutha, up the valley to Clydevale and then along the picturesque river road to Beaumont and on to Millers Flat for lunch, finishing

Beaded Wheels 53

s Rotorua: Some of the starters on the Sulphur City Rally.

in Alexandra for the night. They returned via Middlemarch. Results were: Oldest Bike Robert Hutton 1924 Harley-Davidson Hard luck Award Daryl Johnston Nut Strangler Duncan Smith 1947 Indian Rider’s Choice Graham Barnett 1984 Moto Guzzi V50 P60 Award Lex Westoby 1979 Yamaha XS1100 Age/Mileage award Phillip Jeeves 1967 BMW, 135 years Mr Dunvegan Max Dewer who entered his 1961 Norton 650 but stood in to drive the back up vehicle.

Overall Winner – Duncan Smith, 1947 Indian.

ROTORUA

RONALD MAYES

The popular Sulphur City Rally, held on Saturday 30 August attracted 35 entrants.

Four vintage, seven PW, 15 P60 and nine P80 vehicles made up the field. The route took them to Lake Rotoma, over country roads to the Bay of Plenty coast, then via the main highway and back roads for lunch at a country school. Back to the clubrooms via part of the Tauranga–Rotorua direct route, where afternoon tea and prize– giving awaited the contestants. Only one car failed to complete the course after losing a rear wheel and hub assembly near Papamoa. Our tail–end crew was quickly on the scene to help them. Prize winners were: Vintage Tony and Lynsey Bartlett Gisborne, 1929 Ford A pick–up.

PW Neville and Carol Harper, Rotorua,

1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk P60 Marc Williams and James Turner, BOP

1962 Vauxhall PA. P80 Steve and Joy Growden, EBOP

1982 Ford Cortina On Sunday 12 October we had a run to the Ross Brothers’ fascinating museum near Cambridge. A good number of youngsters accompanied their parents or grandparents and, by all accounts, took great interest in the huge machines on display.

On club nights we have enjoyed presentations by two new members: in September Karl Weaver had his 1961 Triumph Herald in the room, and in October it was the turn of Scott Anderson with the 1936 Morris 8 Sports previously run by his father.

54 Beaded Wheels

s Rotorua: Rally winners.

s Southland.

s Rotorua: Clubnight – Triumph Herald.

s Rotorua: Clubnight - Morris Eight.

On Saturday morning 22 November we provided a small display of our vehicles in front of the Rotorua District library, as part of Rotorua Heritage Week.

Bathurst Day attracted a large number attending our clubrooms for the day with excellent food and hospitality. A big thank you to Peter Pryde and his team for putting on a great event. We are having a public open day on 16 November to attract new members and display members’ vehicles.

There will be a car boot sale and barbecue in the carpark, and stall holders indoors.

SOUTHLAND

CAROL MCGARRY

Welcome to new members Blair Cooper, Paul Searancke and Mark Dryden.

Our monthly Wednesday runs are well supported with a mix of club eligible and modern cars. We had wet and windy conditions for our recent PV/PW run. The route took us through Eastern Southland and back to our clubrooms for afternoon tea and prizegiving. The overall winner was Garth Cooper in his 1937 Buick Straight 8.

SOUTH CANTERBURY

SHANNON STEVENSON We were saddened to hear in late August of the passing of branch member Helen Cholmondeley of Geraldine. Helen participated on our runs with her Bradford truck,

s South Canterbury: Murray Hawkes’ 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom, at Lake Tekapo on the Mt Cook Rally.

s South Canterbury: Rodger Baird receives his plaque from Barry Smith, Mt Cook Hermitage. Both Rodger and Barry are 50 year badge holders.

s South Canterbury: Allan Averis, who was a participant in the first Mt Cook Rally in 1956, and has completed many more since.

even driving it on Mount Cook Rallies. Our thoughts go to her family.

Due to inclement weather the South Canterbury Daffodil Rally for Cancer was cancelled. The Opening Run with Ashburton Branch took place on 7 September, the run taking participants up to Mount Somers, and back to Ashburton.

For the September Noggin night, the guest speaker was Donna Hitchcox from Red Cross who gave us an interactive demonstration of AED defibrillators.

The September Midweek Run attracted 13 vehicles, the run taking participants along back roads to Pleasant Point and Geraldine.

and timing could easily be recorded. The overall winner was Nev Mickleson from North Auckland on his 1967 Velocette motorcycle.

Six members attended the King Country Branch “Scenic Tour of the King Country” rally where we travelled over a mixture of gravel and sealed roads taking us through the heart of the King Country.

Our members went in convoy along the Forgotten Highway meeting in Stratford with a stop at the famous Whangamōmona Hotel for lunch. This road has now

s Taranaki: Members vehicles parked outside the old disused shops in the main street of Ōhura where we stopped for lunch at the memorial Hall on the scenic tour of the King country rally.

On 21 September a number of members took vehicles to Strathallan Lifecare, the rest home residents taking a great interest in the cars on display.

On 28 September a Grasskhana event took place at Bentley Downs farm, Rosewill Valley, and a number of participants fielded purpose–built vehicles for the various challenges.

Our Annual Mt Cook Rally took place at Labour Weekend, attracting 54 entries.

The run took participants through the Mackenzie District to Twizel, with the option of a sealed route via Raincliff, and a gravel route via the Mackenzie Pass.

Mt Cook was reached on the Sunday, where the vehicles met many a tourist’s camera lens. Notably, the rally avoided flooding in the area two days before, and snowfall a day later.

TARANAKI

s Taranaki: Winner of the 49th Rubber Duckie motorcycle rally was Nev Mickleson, 1967 Velocette motorcycle, from north of Auckland.

COLIN JOHNSTON

The Annual Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally was held in September with an entry of 44 motorcycles from as far afield as North of Auckland. The rally was centred on the Hurangi Hall, where the morning tea and lunch stop were both held with entrants enjoying the farming roads of North Taranaki. This way marshals could be kept to a minimum and rally numbers

s Taranaki: Hawke’s Bay members cars at the afternoon tea stop at our clubrooms which we opened up the parts shed for them to inspect.

been tarsealed all the way through to Taumarunui and truly was a fascinating drive through without the worry of modern traffic. The native bush and scenery were

Beaded Wheels 55

TAUPO

s Taupo: Members enjoying dinner by the lake.

breathtaking along this road network and it is a recommended drive for anyone.

We had a visit to our clubrooms in October by members of the Hawke’s Bay branch who were on a tour of Taranaki.

They had arranged to meet at our clubrooms for afternoon tea and to inspect the parts shed after their lunch stop at the Holden Museum in New Plymouth. We always welcome other branch members to join us for a social gathering and can open the parts dept at any arranged time for members.

GRAEME DOREE

Monthly events such as Petrolhead Breakfast (1st Sunday) and Coffee and Cars (3rd Wednesday) are proving to be very popular. The Chairman’s club run took us to the Kinloch Golf Club for lunch. A well– attended event on some country roads less travelled.

A brief visit from members of the Central Hawke’s Bay Branch was also a highlight. Around 30 members from the club stopped at our clubrooms for a BYO dinner. They were on their way to the Coromandel for their Chairman’s Run. A great bunch of people and a pleasure to allow them the use of our clubrooms.

Our Ladies Day has been aligned to our parts shed opening with the guys from the shed joining them for a cuppa once the shed closes at midday. The Ladies Day is going very well with a lot of women turning up to share crafts and generally chat about the world. The day was magnificent and the

we went on to find Te Mawhai Road, where our conscientious Club Captain had parked prominently in view, facing toward the correct turnoff. The signpost had been recently broken right off. Our convoy passed by a rural country school where the Mazda MX5 Club were parked up, and they took the opportunity to give us a wave. All kindred motoring enthusiasts out for the day, enjoying the sunny spring weather.

We all successfully arrived at our destination of The Timber Museum, which did not disappoint. They have been doing a lot of work there since our last visit, with new displays built and older exhibits restored.

The surprise attraction was the magnificent model train display which occupied a whole outbuilding by itself. The scenery backdrop was of early Tauranga port with views to Mount Maunganui, and the detail in the model railway was fantastic. All in all, a very enjoyable and educational club run and a great opportunity to enjoy driving our historic cars on the roads again now that the weather is improving.

WAIMATE MAUREEN CHAMBERLAIN

s Taupo: Chairman’s run cars at Kinloch Golf Club.

s Waikato: Early contractors’ trucks.

wind had died away, allowing us to sit by the lake and watch the comings and goings.

Thoughts were that we will have more of these events over the summer months.

Club night saw us view a DVD about a gentleman in the USA who makes dwarf cars. No, not cars for dwarfs but scaled down copies of actual production cars which he (at 6ft) gets in and drives.

Absolutely fantastic — true copies of the original.

WAIKATO

s Waikato: Club night was interesting when our local FENZ brigade used it for a practise night.

56 Beaded Wheels

MICHAEL OVERINGTON

The club run to The New Zealand Timber Museum in Putaruru on Sunday 19 October 2025 was well attended by 16 members. The start point was the Lily Pad Café in Kaipaki Road, Cambridge, where we were all handed our instructions before heading off along SH3. Having successfully negotiated all the twisty, winding, back block country roads of Mangakino,

We extend our sympathy and condolences to Keith Blackman’s family on their loss of branch stalwart. Keith was recently recognised as a life member of Waimate Branch.

In October the scooter run ran smoothly through the beautiful Waimate/ Waihorunga countryside. A barbecue lunch completed the day.

We held a swap meet in September and while stall holder numbers were down, we still had an enjoyable morning.

Members had an overnight trip to Cromwell to visit Highlands Park in October. A lot of fun and a drive around the track and a fast ride in a Porsche completed the weekend.

The annual T Pot Rally was held in Oamaru at the end of October, congratulations to Ross Brown of Waimate.

The parts shed is now opening on the last Wednesday of the month and this seems more successful.

The midweek run is continuing with members enjoying lunch with an organised run to follow.

We have welcomed some new members to the club over the last few months.

At the monthly meeting we were fortunate to have a guest speaker who was a professional deep sea diver. Tommy gave a fascinating talk on life at sea as a saturation

diver, living in a pressurised environment for up to four weeks at a time and working on an oil rigs’ underwater equipment. It was an insight into another world of highly technical, professional and high–risk work.

We all enjoyed it.

WAIRARAPA

DAVID EADE

The Wairarapa Branch held two main events in September and October.

The first was the annual Daffodil Day event and rally and we collaborated with the local hot rod club (Ram Rodders), Wai Wheels Motor Club and the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club to put on a motor show at the Masterton Motorplex dragstrip.

There were 218 cars, 18 motorcycles and 10 s Wanganui: Siobhan Pitkethley’s 1966 VW under restoration.

s Wairarapa: Rex Porter Trophy winner Malcolm Fleming and Gina Jones.

s Wairarapa: Phil Brown in his 1952 Daimler Consort.

tractors plus a couple of stationary engines lined up along the drag strip on the day.

We had very good support from the public with the carpark being full for long periods.

The result was the sizable amount of $7,500 collected for the Cancer Society. When the event was finished the vintage cars drove to a few retirement homes in the region to showcase to the residents the range of our cars.

The Rex Porter Rally was held on Saturday 4 October. Members travelled to Pahiatua, and out to Pongaroa attempting to keep to the chosen average speed and answer questions while navigating the route. In the afternoon entrants headed back to Masterton along Route 52, then out to Gladstone, finishing at the clubrooms, thus completing 160 miles for the day. The overall winners were Malcolm Fleming and navigator Gina Jones in their 1971 MG Midget.

The first Monday of October was “The Car’s the Star” event at the clubroom. This month it was a Triumph show with the owners saying a few words about their cars.

A Herald, Mk1 2000TC and a Mk2 2500TC attended the night.

WAITEMATA

s Wairarapa: Daffodil Day Event at Masterton Motorplex.

s Wanganui: Dave and Glynis Robinson’s 1939 Ford Deluxe V8.

also gave us a tutorial on his planes. The first workshop housed a ‘Mossie’ a De Havilland Mosquito in the very early stages of reconstruction of the wooden wing spar.

In the adjoining building the fuselage, with very thin wooden veneers, had taken shape on a jig. In war time it was known as the ‘wooden wonder’ and was faster than a Spitfire. The second workshop housed the reconstruction of a Kittyhawk or P40.

This plane was dragged out of one of the great lakes in America having crashed

ROBERT CHAPMAN

Waitemata were able to combine with the Vintage Austin Register for a visit to two restoration workshops at Ardmore Airfield.

There was a short run from Manurewa Botanical Gardens to the airfield. On arrival at the workshops the owner wheeled out his aerobatic aircraft (I believe they were Pitt Specials) for our enjoyment and

s Wanganui: Sarah Howell’s 1921 Citroën project.

Beaded Wheels 57

Wellington: Branch visit to Legend Aviation.

Wellington: Model A from the tramcar.

Wellington: Team Will Chaney party.

there in 1944. Again, an artisan reconstruction of a plane that will fly again.

A tradition of the branch is our annual mystery film night and meal. Preceding the meal a short run was organised to our destination, Ryders Theatre in Avondale.

Here a social time was had by all and after a meal and with us all seated in the theatre our film aficionado Ian Goldingham revealed the film Hatari with the promise of romance, beautiful women and vintage cars. We were not disappointed.

and daughter, Eilidh and Siobhan, are our branch kitchen managers. It was very interesting to hear them talk about their membership and to show us their vehicles under restoration. A 1934 Chevrolet Junior is patiently waiting under covers for husband Gene to work his considerable talents on. Daughter Siobhan proudly showed her 1966 VW Beetle, also waiting for father Gene to work his magic on, along with his hot rod. Eilidh is a professional caterer and baker, as evidenced by the fabulous catering and high teas she and her family prepare for our branch. Gene, Siobhan and son Angus are regularly seen assisting. A true family affair.

WANGANUI

WELLINGTON

IAN HIGGINS

Branch members Pierre and Sietse Zeilstra recently organised a very interesting Sunday Run to Q–West Boat Builders in Whanganui. They are a leading aluminium boat–building and repair company, specialising in large vessels.

Member Sarah Howell provided an enthralling insight into her restoration of a 1921 Citroën Type A car. She has spent many years searching the country for parts.

Two members recently opened their garage doors for our Rivet Editor to showcase their treasures and share their VCC journey with our readers. First, Glynis and Dave Robinson displayed their immaculately presented vehicles. A Ford Model A ute that has been in the family for many years, a 1939 Ford Deluxe V8, an eye–catching 1975 Chevrolet Corvette, and a 2012 Dodge Challenger rounding off the couple’s collection. Tucked into another shed was Dave’s late father’s TEA Ferguson tractor.

The other members to share in their VCC journey were the Pitkethley family. Mother 58 Beaded Wheels

actual aircraft which Prince Philip first flew!), two Tiger Moths and two ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers. Chief pilot Bevan Dewes is well–known in the Warbird world, being qualified to fly WWI types plus P40 Kittyhawk, Spitfire, Mustang and Corsair.

None of the members took the opportunity to soar through the skies as a passenger in these wonderfully historic aircraft that day — but I suspect they’ll be back to do so.

Following the club dinner that night, 14 members participated in the Sunday display at QEII Park with the Kapiti Tramway. Part of the popular Wellington Heritage Festival, the display cars varied from Marcos to Model A and Ford Executive to Vauxhall Vagabond.

JOHN STOKES

November is, curiously enough, the month when the Wellington Branch holds its famous November Rally.

Held this year on Saturday 1st, 26 entrants were competing to have their name engraved upon the Gavin Croft Memorial Trophy. The name that shall be permanently etched into that cup this year is Will Chaney, competing in a Triumph 2500S (see photo), and the only contender to achieve perfect rally timing.

However the spies had been doing their work. They observed that, while it was Will Chaney behind the wheel at the start line, it was his navigator Nadine Burnett who was behind the wheel at the finish line.

There is nothing in the rules that refers to drivers and navigators being interchangeable — but the judge’s decision is final.

The rally finished in time for lunch at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton. Here we were treated as special guests to Legend Aviation — which owns a variety of very special and historical aircraft, including the Queen’s Flight DH Chipmunk (the

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

PASSING LANE In this column we acknowledge the recent passing of club members. Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.

Benton, Roy Taranaki Benton, Shirley Taranaki Blackman, Keith Waimate Forward, Les Eastern Bay of Plenty Frame, Graeme Central Otago Hart, Stuart Ashburton Jones, Beth Ashburton Katon, Marg Central Otago Mcguire, Carolyn Nelson Morris, Ken Nelson Roger, Charlie Marlborough Slater, Kevin Waikato Toplis, Arthur West Coast Williams, Alfred Auckland Winchester, Ron Ashburton

COME AND JOIN US WHATEVER YOUR WHEELS

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

Vehicles, motorcycles or trucks from 1895 to 1995 are club eligible.

Or just join us and grab a ride with another member.

visit www.vcc.org.nz and get motoring with us today.

PHOTO DERK SCHOEMAKER

Are you looking for an excuse to get your car out of the garage – we have 36 active branches around New Zealand. Our events range from weekly runs and coffee get togethers, to hill climbs, speed events and touring. For the more intrepid, our infamous off-road adventures are the stuff of legends.