Beaded Wheels Issue 365 August/September 2020

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS

No. 365 August/September 2020

NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95

BALCAIRN IS BACK

9 418979 000012

Tackling the mud Banks Peninsula style

1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR ROAD TEST 1970 MK2 CORTINA GTE MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

No details are recorded with this image which is from our Beaded Wheels archive. Email any information you may have on the possible details to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz 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 13140, Christchurch 8141. Laserprints/photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.

Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, lighting endorsement, registration of vehicles, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.

NATIONAL OFFICE

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

VCCNZ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Kaaren Smylie 021 664 341 nicc@vcc.org.nz CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Alon Mayhew 027 202 9491 sicc@vcc.org.nz REGISTRAR Rod Brayshaw 07 549 4250 registrar@vcc.org.nz

PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz

SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Michael Lavender 03 325 5704 hon.sec@vcc.org.nz

BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN Kevin Clarkson 021 0270 6525 kevin@vcc.org.nz

Tony Bartlett 06 867 9850

mgmt1@vcc.org.nz

George Kear 03 347 0315

mgmt2@vcc.org.nz

Murray Trounson mgmt3@vcc.org.nz COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING comms@vcc.org.nz ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850

archivist@vcc.org.nz

Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2020

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 PO Box 12-138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA 27 Showgate Ave, Riccarton Park, Christchurch 8042 bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 660, Tauranga 3140 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/- 73 Porangahau Road, Waipukurau 4200 centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz

2 Beaded Wheels

FAR NORTH C/– 50 Davis Strongman Place, RD3, Kerikeri 0293 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 hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 34 House Ave, Taumarunui 3920 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 PO Box 5352, Dunedin 9058 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY PO Box 623, 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/- 297 Huatoki St, New Plymouth 4310 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO PO Box 907, Taupo 3351 taupo@vcc.org.nz WAIKATO PO Box 924, Hamilton 3240 waikato@vcc.org.nz WAIMATE 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 waimate@vcc.org.nz WAIRARAPA PO Box 7, Masterton 5810 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- PO Box 13374, Onehunga, Auckland 1643 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 4540 wanganui@vcc.org.nz WELLINGTON PO Box 38-418, Petone, Wellington 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST C/- 17 Loris Place, Greymouth 7805 westcoast@vcc.org.nz

CONTENTS

Beaded Wheels Publisher

The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXI No. 365

Issue 365 August/September 2020

Editorial Committee

Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Bevars Binnie, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Marilyn McKinlay.

Material for Publication

Reports of restorations, events, road tests, historical and technical articles should be submitted to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz.

Email of text and photos is preferred, digital photographs should be high resolution eg 300dpi. Alternatively mail your contribution to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141, typed or neatly printed, double space on one side of paper only. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements expressed in letters or articles in Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not necessarily express the policy or views of The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc).

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Advertising Enquiries

Classified and Display Advertising to: PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.

Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Correspondence & Editorial Contributions

Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

FEATURES 12 H i-Five?

Behind the Wheels of a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

18 20

Production

In Search of a Bright Spark Paul Radmall tackles an interesting magneto project

22

Cortina GTE

24

A Collection of Austins

27 30 33

Subscriptions

Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to: PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140.

Phone 03 366 4461, Fax 03 366 0273 Annual subscription (6 issues) $45* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$76* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$136*. *Payment by credit card incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 3%

Motorbike Memories Alan Young reminisces

38 40

Gloria – Triumphant At Last Ron Elton’s 1934 Triumph Gloria 6 Motoring Memories with Barry Barnes

Back to the Future Jared Dacombe achieves a childhood dream Stock Car Racing during the 1950s

Hadstock Driving Tests

COLUMNS

Closing Date for October/November:

4

President’s Message

17

4

As We See It

41 Marketplace

5

VCC Events

45

Swap Meets & Rallies

6

National Office

47

Trade Directory

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.)

28

Book Reviews

National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

7 Mailbag

49

Idle Torque

9 Timelines

62

Passing Lane

Postal Address: PO Box 2546,

10

Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.

22

Cortina GTE

Rally Snippets 33 West Coast Run – Central Otago Branch 34 Hadstock Driving Tests - Banks Peninsula Branch 36 South Island Club Captain’s Tour

Design: RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch Print: PMP Ltd, Christchurch.

Editorial Copy 27 August 2020 Advertisements 10 September 2020

12

Chevrolet Bel Air

The Way We Were

Marketplace

45

Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Website: www.vcc.org.nz 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 (Inc)” as the source.

Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.

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COVER Banks Peninsula Branch members roared back into action with a successful Balcairn Trial. Pictured is Avon Hyde tackling the mud with a pensive navigator, see page 50 for more information. Photo John McDonald.

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 (Inc) is a founding member of FIVA. VCCNZ Registrar Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.

Beaded Wheels 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I hope you have all taken the opportunity to get out and about in your vehicles, whether it is on a branch event or just a casual run to a café for a cup of coffee.

I’m sure we all appreciate having the freedom again to just hop in (or on) our vehicles after being in lockdown. Branch events are getting back to normal, and the teams organising national rallies are full steam ahead. It seems with the enforced break from motoring, members are keen to use their vehicles, and good numbers are turning up for organised events.

I hope this keenness continues and members are looking at the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring in 2022 with renewed vigour. While we have a reasonable number of members who have expressed interest in attending, I know from previous experience that this does not always give a true picture of the number of eventual entries. I am aware that one organisation has been told that the government will not be issuing overseas visitors’ visas until 2023. It is therefore most likely that we will not have any overseas entrants attending, so this means it

is now even more important than ever that members must support this event.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if we do not get the support we cannot hold the Festival. It is as simple as that. Towards the end of the year we will be sending out some sort of communication to members asking for an indication of whether they intend participating. If we don’t get sufficient indication of attendance we will have to seriously consider cancelling the event before we start incurring major expenses. We have no choice but to do this as we cannot (and will not) risk another major loss. This will be a huge disappointment to the Festival team, members of Taranaki Branch and those of you that have already made plans (whether it is a restoration in time for the event, a tour to get to New Plymouth or accommodation bookings). Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. I know that the organising team will put on a fantastic event with great motoring and entertainment.

The ball is in your court.

The planned joint delegation of representatives from the FoMC and the VCC for discussions with appropriate government ministers will now take place after September’s general election, when ministerial portfolios have been allocated and there is more certainty.

It was disappointing that we had to cancel our National Day – The Daffodil Rally. However it is very pleasing that many branches have decided to go ahead and will be holding a variety of events in August to support the Cancer Society. I know that the Society will really appreciate any donations as they also had to cancel or postpone their major fundraising event around the country – Relay for Life.

By now you will have received the Club’s annual accounts which recorded a small operating loss of $19,277 (which is less than the budgeted loss of $30,793). However, when the Vero profit share and interest on investments is added, there is a surplus of $63,459. It will be the recommendation of the Management team at the AGM that the Club subscriptions are not increased.

As I advised in my President’s Annual Report, Michael Lavender, our Hon Secretary/ Treasurer, has not stood for re-election. Michael has held the position for 11 years and he has been integral to the judicious stewardship of the Club’s financial position. On behalf of the Club I thank him most sincerely for his contribution and wish him and Sherryn all the best for the future.

Canterbury Branch member Chris Leith will take on the role of Hon Secretary/Treasurer after the AGM and I welcome him to the team. Congratulations to the rest of the Management Committee who were elected un-opposed.

Best regards, stay safe and happy motoring.

Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President

AS WE SEE IT The Vintage Car Club is full of unsung heroes, and without them the Club would be much the worse off. I’m talking about volunteers of course and they all know who they are. A valuable side benefit of being a volunteer is that it is easier to meet more people, form friendly relationships, and just feel more a part of the club than if all you were able to do was pay your subs every year.

One group of people I would like to single out for thanks are your branch Beaded Wheels Reporters (formerly known as branch scribes). Every two months they get their

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information together and get it to us on time (mostly!), ready for inclusion in the next issue.

Probably a thankless task with little recognition and yet it is important if we are to keep members from throughout New Zealand and overseas informed of happenings at branch level.

They are allowed 250 words only so they have to keep it tight and pick the right subject matter to keep it interesting. If they stray too much over the word limit then the editing process takes care of that. We welcome photos in idle torque, as that adds extra interest for our readers, and I’m pleased that Reporters appear to

be sending us more and better pictures of members’ activities.

We extend our thanks to our Branch Reporters. May your pens continue to flow freely and your camera button become even shinier.

As branch AGMs are being held about now changes in committees will be afoot and this means we are likely to have some new Branch Reporters coming on stream. I’ll take this opportunity to welcome them and advise them that we are here to help and they should get in touch with me if they have a need. The rules for Branch Reporter’s contributions can be

found in sections 26c and 26d of the Branch Manual. Ask your branch secretary for a copy of those pages. Happy motoring and reporting.

Kevin Clarkson Chairman Beaded Wheels

VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS A run to West Coast Run got Central Otago Branch members our motoring after lockdown– vehicles pictured here above Cascade Flat.

NATIONAL EVENTS* October 2020 16-18 National Veteran Rally March 2021 12-14 National Motorcycle Rally Wairarapa Branch

.jpg

AUGUST

8 Auckland AGM

8 Central Hawke’s Bay Twilight Run 8-9 Canterbury Motorcycle Mid Winter Run

9 Marlborough Annual Dinner & Prize Giving

9 Northland Club Run 11 Gore AGM 12 Hawke’s Bay AGM 12 Waikato AGM 13 Wellsford/Wkwth Prizegiving 13 Sth Canterbury Mid Week Run 14-16 Wanganui National VCC Conference & AGM 15 Banks Peninsula Night Trial 16 Canterbury Coffee Old Bikes & Cars 16 Hawke’s Bay Club Run 16 Marlborough Trials and Mud Plug 16 Nelson Marlborough Trials 16 North Shore Northern Raid 16 Rotorua Club Run 19 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 19 Nelson Proposed Club Run 19 Rotorua Midweek Run 19 Waikato Wednesday Wander 20 Ashburton Quizco 20 Taranaki AGM 22 Gore Annual Dinner & Trophy Night 22 West Coast Spray the Graves 23 Ashburton Show and Shine 23 Banks Peninsula Awards Lunch 23 Canterbury Daffodil Rally 23 Central Otago Monte Targo Run 23 Horowhenua Park Up for Daffodil Day 23 Marlborough Daffodil Day Car Show Brayshaw Park 23 Nelson Daffodil Rally 23 Sth Canterbury Daffodil Rally

23 23 23 23 23 23 26 27 29 30

Taupo Daffodil Rally Waikato Daffodil Rally Wairarapa Daffodil Run/Car Show Wanganui Daffodil Rally Wellington Daffodil Rally West Coast Daffodil Rally Rotorua Midweek Run Otago Midweek Run Rotorua Sulphur City Rally Wellsford/Wkwth Daffodil Rally

SEPTEMBER

5 Banks Peninsula Levels Race Meeting 5 Canterbury Motorcycle Rough Run & VICs 5 Sth Canterbury Opening Run

5 Waimate Swap Meet

6 Ashburton Opening Run

6 Central Hawke’s Bay Daffodil Run 12 Nelson Dennis King Memorial Trial 12 Northland Cars and Planes Tour 13 Auckland Annual PVV/PWV/P60V/P80V Rally 13 Gore Opening Run 13 Nelson Club Run 13 Wairarapa Peter Smith Memorial Rally 16 Rotorua Midweekers Run 16 Waikato Wednesday Wander 17 Ashburton AGM 19 Manawatu Vintage Rally 19 Wellington Rubber Duckie Rally 19 Waikato PV, PWV, P80, P60 Rally 19-20 North Shore Spring Tour 19-20 Taranaki Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally 20 Sth Canterbury Continental Run 20 Wanganui Sunday Run 24 Otago Midweek Run 26 Central Otago Blossom Festival Rally

27 Banks Peninsula Opening Run 27 Rotorua Swap Meet

OCTOBER

3 Manawatu 3 Northland

Swap Meet Settlers Day Matakohe Museum 3-4 Otago Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally

4 Canterbury P 60 Rally

4 Waikato Kairangi Hill Climb 9-11 Canterbury Swap Meet 14-16 Central Hawke’s Bay Midweek Adventure 15 Ashburton Annual Dinner 16-18 Gore National Veteran Rally 16-18 Marlborough Biennial Rally 17 King Country Journey through Time 17-19 Canterbury Girder Fork Motorcycle Rally 18 Rotorua Club Run 18 Wanganui Club Run 21 Nelson Club Run 23-26 Hawke’s Bay Safari 2020 24-25 Central Otago 50th Anniversary Weekend 24-26 Sth Canterbury Mt Cook Annual Rally 25 Auckland Hunua 100 Rally 25 Northland Club Run 28 Rotorua Midweek Run 29 Otago Midweek Run 31 Canterbury Annual Motorcycle Rally 31-1 Banks Peninsula Ruapuna Meeting

NOVEMBER

1 Waikato Veteran Rally

4 Wanganui Night Trial 6-7 Northland Far North Tour 6-8 Sth Canterbury Safari Weekend

7 Canterbury Malvern Anzac Run

7 Otago Taieri Tour

7 Southland Commercial Rally 8 Banks Peninsula Hawkswood Sprint

*The National “Vintage Only Rally” for early September has been cancelled because of COVID considerations. It was to be shared by CHB and HB Branches This list does not contain all branch events (eg midweek or small club runs) Check branch newsletters for up-to-date details of smaller events.

This column is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and events as listed in each branch newsletter. Any deletions, additions, alterations need to be notified to Beaded Wheels by the Branch Secretary before 10th of the month prior to magazine publication.

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.

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.

Beaded Wheels 5

NATIONAL OFFICE Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, registration of vehicles, lighting endorsement, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.

Renewal invoices will be sent out to all members in early September 2020 for the period 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021.

Payment must be received by National Office no later than 20 October 2020 for you to receive the discount of $11.50. If you don’t receive your invoice, let your branch secretary know before the end of September.

Membership cards will be forwarded to financial members in November.

Members who have not paid by 1 November 2020 will show as unfinancial. One reminder notice will be forwarded and the $11.50 will be payable. Members whose invoice is unpaid by the March Executive Meeting will be required to re-join and lose any previous continuous membership.

Please advise National Office if you have changed your address, email or phone number or sold/ purchased any vehicles. It is also appreciated if you notify the office by 31 October 2020 that you intend to resign.

You can pay directly into the

If you are entering this event you MUST have a valid Vehicle Identity Card (VIC). Please get your VIC application, renewal application, or change of ownership submitted to your branch well in advance of the registration close off for the event. Do not risk disappointment by leaving it to the last minute.

Club’s bank account. Please remember that you must put your membership number as the reference for the payment. This is very important.

NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Club’s Executive Meeting and Annual General Meeting will take place in Whanganui on 15 August 2020. The Executive also meet on 14 August. The Executive is made up of one delegate from each branch plus the Management Committee members. Your delegate will report on the proceedings.

The minutes for the Executive Meeting are distributed to each branch secretary and all members will receive minutes of the AGM, branch office details and a calendar of events as an insert in a future issue of Beaded Wheels.

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Branches around the country have held their annual general meetings and as a result there are a number of new committee members. I would like to welcome all the new committees

and thank all those who stood down for their assistance over the past years. The work that the committees put in to running the Club and assisting with the work undertaken by National Office is greatly appreciated.

THE HISTORIC VEHICLE AUTHORITY OF NZ

Did you know that the Management Committee has a very good working relationship with NZTA, and they officially recognise The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) as the Historic Vehicle Authority of NZ? Rod Brayshaw has been the Club’s Registrar for

Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Telephone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 email admin@vcc.org.nz www.vcc.org.nz Office Hours Mon – Fri 9-5pm

Beaded Wheels Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 36 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. The efforts of our members continue to foster and ever widen the interest in this segment of our country’s history. It is to these people, who appreciate the fascination of age, the individuality and the

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functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that this magazine is dedicated

Beaded Wheels – Our long established title may have readers wondering about its origin. By way of explanation beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres that are kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which fit into the rolled edges of

24 years, and is often called upon by both NZTA and our members to assist with issues that arise.

VEHICLE IDENTITY CARD (VIC)/AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Applications for a Vehicle Identity Card / Authenticity Statement must be submitted to your branch. The only exception is a straight change of ownership with no alterations to a vehicle.

In this case, ask your branch secretary for a VIC change of ownership form, complete this and return it to National Office.

Julie Cairns-Gee National Office Manager

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS

the wheel rim. This style of wheel was a distinctive feature of early motoring, being used on early bicycles, many pre-1924 cars and most motorcycles until 1927.

In March 1955 The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their club magazine which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet.

No. 358 June/July 2019

NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95

MEGA MOTORING

Rally Action From Around New Zealand

9 418979 000012

SUBSCRIPTION TIME

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY

1966 NISSAN PRINCE SKYLINE, MAGNETOS AND MORE… MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

MAILBAG The editorial committee reserve the right to ­publish, edit or refuse publication of any item ­submitted 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 (Inc.) or the publishers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Thanks to all who responded to the request I made in the last edition of Beaded Wheels to show an expression of interest in the forthcoming 27th National Motorcycle Rally.

Buoyed up by this, planning is progressing well and some smashing rides are being developed which will enable riders to explore the marvellous roads and scenery in the back blocks of the Wairarapa.

There’ll be something for everyone and every bike, so we are looking forward to seeing you all.

Jim Philps

INTERESTING ARTICLE

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS VEHICLE

The above photograph is of a relative, Mr Nathaniel Brown of Brown Brothers Engineering, seated in one of his vehicles sometime in the 1930s in the Upper North Island. If it is of good enough resolution, would you be able to publish it in the hope that someone can identify the make/model of vehicle? The car looks sporty but something

of a bitza which you might expect was built here in New Zealand.

Peter Collins peter@qualityrebuilds.com

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY 2021

Entry forms are now available either on the VCC web page or by contacting Beth Taylor at the address in the advert in Beaded Wheels.

The article in Beaded Wheels 363 regarding the 1970 10th International Veteran and Vintage Rally in Australia was of great interest. My late wife and I were officials on the vintage route of the rally in our 1937 Riley 12/4 Falcon, so the article brought back some interesting memories of the event. The rally was the brain child of the late George Green, the owner of a very successful wool broking business and staunch Veteran Car Club member. The management of the event was

– BREAKING NEWS –

TARGA 2020 VCC TIME TRIAL The Targa 2020 VCC Time Trial is now being run as two conjunctive events: 1. The 4 Day Time Trial starting in Albany, Auckland, on Thursday 15 October 2020, travelling over closed tarmac road stages to overnight in Whangarei, before returning via closed road stages to overnight in Ellerslie on Friday 16 October.

2. A 2 Day Time Trial starting in Ellerslie, Auckland Saturday 17 October 2020.

This is a totally new event with a significantly reduced entry fee aimed at VCC members who wish to enjoy an outstanding Targa VCC event over a weekend.

On Saturday 17 October, both 2 and 4 day entrants will travel over closed tarmac roads on the Coromandel to overnight in Whitianga, where all VCC entrants, friends and family are invited to join for a meal together at the Mercury Bay Club, where we’ll also be presenting some fun participation awards.

Sunday 18 October will see all of us returning over closed tarmac roads on the Coromandel to event finish and prize giving dinner in Pukekohe.

The Targa VCC Time Trial 4 day and all new 2 day event, gives VCC members with VCC eligible cars an outstanding opportunity to test their driving and time-keeping skills over

closed tarmac stages, safe in the knowledge that they are all driving from start intervals, in the same direction, with nothing coming towards them.

It’s not a race, and no special car modifications (roll cage etc), are required.

Entries may be limited, so please contact me as soon as possible: Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@ gmail.com 027 433 8772, For event pricing and further information please refer www.targa.nz

split between the NSW and Victorian Veteran Car Clubs, and it must be acknowledged as one of the most successful motoring events held in Australia.

The vintage route to Melbourne, having started at Warwick Farm Racecourse, was longer by a couple of hundred miles. It was anticipated the veteran vehicles were slower, so there was a shorter veteran rally route.

There was a number of vintage Bentleys in the field of 682.

Entrants came from New Zealand, England, South Africa USA and all states of Australia.

One of the very memorable highlights of the rally was meeting Arthur and Dorothy Ainsworth, competitor number 338 in their 18 hp Fiat. Many years after the rally it was my pleasure to again meet Arthur and Dorothy at an Austin-Healey function in Christchurch in January 2009, and a friendship grew until Arthur passed away. A case of a common interest in motoring and cars, generating wonderful memories and friendships.

Geoff Golding

STATUS QUO

Congratulations on an excellent June-July issue. I can be a bit biased having enthusiasm for the sporting side of motoring but feel most were catered for.

I hope the right to opinion is alive and well at Beaded Wheels as it would appear.

It seems like years of waffling over name changes of Club and magazine have gone on to the point of being tedious.

It is my belief that if you are a VCC member, or a subscriber to Beaded Wheels, or even have a partial interest in yesteryear’s vehicles you would have some understanding of Beaded Wheels and what the club encompasses in its name. Even a casual browser looking at the magazine would have to be mentally challenged if looking at the cover of Beaded Wheels did not alert them to the probable content. If not the ability to read

Beaded Wheels 7

the A40 through Waimak Classic Cars in North Canterbury in December 2014 but could give me no history except that it had once been in a museum collection for some years. I later discovered it may possibly have been in Ray Singleton’s Museum in Te Puke.

should clarify all. Please take the time to read the tribute to Mollie Anderson (BW 364) and if you can’t respect history then at least accept that change for the sake of change is a waste of time and money. Even John Key had eventually to resign to that.

Don Ammon Member Nelson

DO YOU KNOW THIS A40 ?

I am hoping that someone may be able to shed some light on the history of my 1951 Austin A40 Devon which I purchased in February 2017.

It is the GS3 model with steering column gearchange and

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full hydraulic brakes, colour black with brown upholstery and carpets. Now repainted and reupholstered, this was its original colour scheme, although it now also has a red coachline. It was built at Longbridge, Birmingham, on 12 November 1951 so probably not first registered in New Zealand until early 1952.

Current registration number is OURA4O which dates from 3 August 1992, before which it was RN6474. This number had been etched on all the glass.

The chassis number is GS3.

637819 The previous owner purchased

Any help with information about this A40 would be very much appreciated.

Kevin Burden 18 Tarrant Place, Motueka kevinjb46@yahoo.com.au Member Nelson

LAGONDA MEMORIES

Reading through Hawke’s Bay idle torque in Beaded Wheels 362 and seeing the picture of David’s amazing and extremely rare Lagonda, I had hoped to get information about the car but it wasn’t even mentioned.

I only ever saw one of these in 1988 at the Bromley Pageant of Motoring. Described as a “rough and willing runner”, the owner told a very large group

crowding round the car that it was “pretty sound mechanically but needed a lot of TLC to repair the bodywork. Not unusual to see a lot of people round rough looking cars, often far more than pristine ones.” We found out later he had said this to someone who intended to have the car completely restored.

I wonder how many were made, most with a lot of input from W O Bentley and how many still exist?

The wings are very unusual on David’s Lagonda. A truly great looking car and very special.

Worthy of an article in Beaded Wheels (if David agrees of course).

Ken Braddon Auckland

ERRATA Beaded Wheels issue 364 featured a letter from Clive Taylor. Unfortunately there was an error in his email address.

Clive’s correct email address is: kane@netsmart.net.nz

TIMELINES

Mechanical Restorations Vintage & Classic Spares (1980)

Photo:©Simon Finlay Photography

Stockists of new AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CAR, TRUCK & TRACTOR 1912–1997 (85 year span)

Skoda S110R

Historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by compiled

by Graeme Rice 100 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1920

The almost universal practice of making a motorcycle originally built for one rider carry two brought to mind the question of tandem motorcycles. One would need a machine powered by a 4hp or 5hp engine with three speeds, clutch and a kick start.

Experts suggested “Such a machine would be sufficiently powerful to go anywhere and convey two heavy riders up the steepest hills.”

50 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1970

Skoda’s 1107cc, 62bhp, 90mph S110R fastback coupe was launched in Czechoslovakia featuring dual circuit brakes and, from 1973, four headlights and alloy wheels. The Italians lent a touch of class by supplying rev-counters, pressure gauges, headrests and drilled out gear levers. Ideal for several seasons of cheap club rallying.

Graeme Rice

75 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1945

One of the compelling reasons to buy British small eights or tens was petrol rationing. Good news was that the basic war-time ration was doubled from this month.

Monthly coupon values were as follows; cars over 14.5hp – 8 gallons, cars between 9.5hp and 14.5hp – 6 gallons, and cars up to 9.5hp – 4 gallons.

Austin Sheerline 19 mpg = 152 miles. The Austin A70 – 26 mpg doing 208 miles on 8 gallons. Ford Anglia 10hp 36 mpg = about 216 miles on 6 gallons. Renault 760 (under 9.5hp), 46 mpg = about 184 miles Motorcycles, regardless of size, were allocated 2 gallons.

ENGLISH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL AUSTRALIAN JAPANESE

Kingpin sets Rear axles Engine gaskets Water pumps & kits Gearbox gears Clutch plates Suspension parts Clutch covers Steering joints Carburettors Crownwheel & pinions Fuel pumps & kits Spark plugs Brake & clutch cables Electrical fittings Pistons Wiper motors (vac) Steering box parts Engine bearings Valves, springs, guides Shock absorbers Speedo cables Wheel cylinders & kits Ignition parts Master cylinders & kits Timing gears & chains Shackles Lenses (pins & bushes) Engine mounts Ring gears & pinions MECHANICAL RESTORATIONS VINTAGE & CLASSIC SPARES (1980) RD 7 • Fordell • Wanganui • Phone/Fax 06 342 7713

30 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1990

If there were any lingering doubts about the Japanese, the complete mastery of three new cars should have swept them away.

First, Mazda’s MX5 was picking up awards for its superb handling and the grins on the faces of those who indulged themselves.

Next, the stately Lexus, the product of extensive development. Straining every inch of their cerebellum to downplay its capabilities, road testers could only claim it lacked a European heritage.

Finally, the svelte Honda NSX. Potent, handsome and lacking the temper tantrums of some of the red-blooded products from the continent was proving to be every bit as appealing.

Beaded Wheels 9

THE WAY WE WERE

Continuing our series on the origins and very early events of the Vintage Car Club as recalled

by Andrew Anderson

s Ron Green, Bob Blackburne and Buddy Harding sitting on Rex Frisken’s 100mph 3 litre and Buddy’s two mates beside me.

Kaiteriteri Christmas/ New Year 1950/51

A SUMMER SOUJOURN As told in last issue, Bob Blackburne and I had had a most exciting couple of days in Nelson in the races and with Buddy, we decided on a nice peaceful couple of days camping to get over it. Bob left his newly acquired Austin monoposto in Nelson and came with us in the two Bentleys.

My Maythorne coupe 4½ had a 3 litre speedmodel engine, and was a very early 4½ with cone clutch and pot joints which really went very well if you used that lovely C type box properly.

The Rex Frisken car that Buddy was driving was a real bitsa, with that 100 mph 3 litre radiator but different chassis.

You can read all its background in Rex’s own words in Guff Sheet No 6 April 1954. It went very nicely and we had a great drive down to Westport through the Buller (as shown) and Bob had to drive the wee Austin to keep in convoy.

This is probably the place to fit in the story of Bob, who of course was to be our President at the next AGM. He had had a “good war” as a Fleet Air Arm pilot of some renown, and came home to be the B in the somewhat advanced

10 Beaded Wheels

ANDREW ANDERSON VCCNZ FOUNDING & LIFE MEMBER

drawing office supply company GBD Prints Ltd. His time with the ex Sybil Lupp 4½ has already appeared herein and his acquisition of my Bugatti lost his interest in getting the wee Austin which he raced at Wigram and Mairehau.

His tendency to get bored with ploys that he felt he had hit the top of came to the fore again, and he sold his share of GBD Prints and rejoined the Fleet Air Arm as Korea and the Cold War intensified, and resigned as our President. When the international scene calmed down a bit, he returned to Christchurch in January 1955 with a new wife Esme and agencies for both sheet plastic fabrication as Weldtex Plastics, and Mistral car bodies, moulds and all. All of which he pursued furiously, founded the Institute of Management in Christchurch and again, bored with it all, he’s off to Australia, leaving Esmé, his house and businesses to look after themselves and we never saw him again.

Last heard of he was crew member of that famous very first Aussie challenge for America’s Cup 1967, Dame Pattie. s Home through the Buller Gorge to drop off Ron Green at Westport.

Bob’s ex Kennedy Monoposto Austin 7.

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Beaded Wheels 11

HI-FIVE?

NO – THIS IS ONE OF THE TRI-FIVES! Gary and Barbara Johnstone’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS GREG PRICE

HIN BE

D THE WHE

EL

12 Beaded Wheels

Beaded Wheels 13

In 2007 Gary and Barbara Johnstone went to Auckland to buy a 1965 Chevrolet Impala 2-door to complement their 1966 Chevrolet Impala 4-door for use primarily as wedding cars. Gary’s intention at the time was to ‘set alight the wedding car business’.

As often happens with many a good intention going awry he finished up with this gemsonic1– a 1956 Chev Bel Air sports coupe. It seems that upon their arrival in the big smoke, the ‘65 owner couldn’t sell the ‘65 but suggested they look at his other Chevys including a ’56 imported from Japan. The problem with any of the three Tri-Five series Chevrolets was simply that they generally cost an arm and a leg, and more recently even much more. In automobile speak the Tri-Five refers to the 1955, 1956 and 1957 Chevrolet automobiles which were revolutionary in their day.

They subsequently spawned a cult following that still exists today in car clubs, websites and even entire businesses that exclusively cater to the enthusiasts of these Tri-Five automobiles. But before we get into Gary and Barbara’s acquisition we need to first explore the Tri-Five phenomenon.

A Bit of History For 1955, Chevrolet could well have advertised “The name’s the same, but change is the game”, for this was the year for substantial revision. A distinctive, entirely new style was unveiled. Built on the same 115 inch wheelbase as previously, Chevrolet managed to reduce the passenger car height and increase the overall length slightly in a restyling that gave a new graceful appearance to the 1 Gemsonic – an apt description coined by some record collectors in the 1970s to describe something they considered really, really great.

14 Beaded Wheels

cars. 1956 was a mark-time year for Chevrolet, having leap-frogged with its 1955 model they reserved their right to move slowly with added change. Built on the same 115 inch chassis used in 1955, the new models received a grill restyle and changes in the side trim including newly-shaped wheel cut-outs in the fenders, which added an appearance of motion even at a standstill. One of the most striking ’56 models was the sports coupe. Not yet referred to as the hardtop or the hardtop convertible, the style was nevertheless unique. Under the hood, engine choice was again available as either a six, or the more popular eight, cylinder engine. The V8 was offered in a basic 162hp version which could be optioned up to 225hp when equipped with the factory Corvette V8 package, which featured a 9.25:1 compression ratio, dual four-barrel carburettors, highlift camshaft, dual exhausts, and high-speed mechanical lifters. Chevrolet sold 104,849 Bel Air models. The average two-door Bel Air sold for US$2,100 in 1956, which was considered good value at the time. The price for the coupe was US$2,443. And in case anyone’s interested, in 1956 one Zora Arkus-Duntov broke the record for ascending Pikes Peak in a pre-production 1956 Bel Air, equipped with the 265 V8 engine, in just 17 minutes 24.05 seconds, shattering the previous record of 19 minutes 25.70 seconds, set 21 years before. If you want to know a bit more about the 57 cult-classic, then there’s plenty of information out there on the internet.

The Tri-Fives remain some of the most popular years for collectors, hot rodders, vintage car enthusiasts, and (more than likely) many a wedding car aficionado.

The Purchase Exercise So how did Gary and Barbara end up with this ‘56 coupe? Well, because they’d travelled all the way up from Christchurch, and rather than leave empty-handed (not to mention disappointed) the Auckland seller suggested they look at his ‘56 Chevy coupe or his 1957. So they ended up taking the ‘56 for a bit of a hoon (Auckland to Tauranga, in fact) during which Gary decided “I gotta have this”, even though it was priced a lot more than he had wanted to pay for another toy car. More importantly, with Barbara present the whole time he couldn’t tell porkies about the price on his return to Christchurch, could he? But where there’s a will there’s a way.

So upon their return to Auckland with the car a deal was struck.

(After having a ‘56 Chev coupe for the weekend, you really think he would’ve declined to buy it? Seriously?) A rendezvous was organised for the 2008 Beach Hop at Whangamata, which allowed Gary to drive it home to Christchurch. Throughout the trip home, he thought he was Harrison Ford. (Shades of American Graffiti. He still has the cowboy hat hanging up in the man cave, too.) The trip was trouble free. The 1956 V8 personalised plate was part of the deal, always a bonus given the prohibitive cost of them these days.

Now that he had his grubby hands on the Chevy, he opted to personalise it a bit – changing the factory rally wheels to some excellent Boyd Coddington 17 inch mags, which really look the part. But unlike Arthur Poll (BMW Isetta, a previous Behind the Wheel subject) who agreed to my suggestion to fit white-wall tyres to his little cutie, Gary has no intention of going back to fitting the original standard wheels and white-walls. And when I look at the pictures I took of the Chevy I sort of agree that it does look kinda cool on these Boyd Coddingtons.

There was some cosmetic earthquake damage which was attended to, and he got some of the chrome work redone. Gary wasn’t a great fan of the draylon-type upholstery (neither was I) so Steve Allen Customs in Rangiora fitted an ex-USA kit, which looks factory new. Gary had taken a punt with the upholstery colour hoping that it would match the exterior paintwork which it does – perfectly.

In the time Garry and Barbara have owned the ‘56 it has only let them down once, out at Oxford, North Canterbury, when a power steering hose decided that it didn’t want to play nicely anymore and spat the dummy. The Chevy took out Best Car at the American Car Show in Invercargill in 2010. They’ve added about 20,000 miles with trips up and down the country. Unfortunately, with the demise of ‘service’ stations, they have been unable to play the ‘fill it up mate’ gag when buying fuel. The petrol cap is cunningly hidden behind the left tail light so the idea was to drive in and watch the hapless attendant try to find it.

THE TEST DRIVE It might have only been because Editor Kevin was with me (and he does look trustworthy in the BW picture) but Gary had generously made some time for us on the day, although he had to return to work so he left us to it. “Just park it back in the shed when you’ve finished with it” he yelled as he drove out the gate. Really? I get to take this for an unsupervised blatt down the road? Wow. Having owned a left-hook ‘59 Cadillac for nigh on 17 years, for me sitting behind a left-hooker was quite familiar, as was the power of the V8.

It started well, and sounded real neat – as most V8s do. Resisting the urge to do burn-outs on Gary’s manicured front lawn, Editor Kevin and I headed sedately off down the rural driveway, and

motored off into the countryside. The first thing I remembered was that when one lets the steering wheel go, left-hook cars have a tendency to veer to the right, usually caused by the camber of the road, so when you are driving on the ‘wrong side of the road’, the effect is the opposite. Of course one isn’t supposed to drive down the road with no hands on the steering wheel, but remember these Tri-Five cars were developed before cell phones and iPads had been invented, so the only distraction back then was changing the radio station.

The wipers worked well (yes, it started to rain) but the indicators did not have auto-return, so I was thinking ‘what’s that flashing light on the dash?’ and then remembered to manually return the stalk to the midway position. But hey, at least I remembered to use the indicators. Another interesting feature of this Chev was that the power steering is run from the back of the generator. The test drive was long enough to enjoy this blast from the past, and rapidly re-accustom myself to driving from the passenger’s seat. Had it not been for the rain we’d have had all the windows down to enjoy the convertible aspect of the car, albeit with the top up.

All too soon it was time to return the Chevy to Gary’s place – we didn’t think he’d appreciate us keeping it for the weekend like the previous owner allowed him to do in 2007, but it was tempting. A pity too that the Covid-19 lockdown didn’t come into effect during the test drive, as the Chevy would have looked great in my front yard for five to six weeks. Leaving Editor Kev’s Rover V8 at Gary’s place would’ve been a fair swap I reckon?

Beaded Wheels 15

But once again I have to record my real appreciation that Gary not only made his car available for this Behind the Wheel article, but that he trusted me with his pride and joy unsupervised. In my defence, I’m sure the grass will grow back on the front lawn, once you’ve filled in the ruts. (Just kidding.)

The ‘56 Chevy coupe is in good company – Gary has other toy cars, and a fantastic man cave in which to house them, allowing him to just sit there and appreciate them during the Covid-19 lockdown. And on that note – how unfair was it that when the price of a barrel of oil was less than US$10, with the implication that petrol would be / should be around NZ$1.40 something a litre, we weren’t allowed out in our toys...

And now I want a Tri-Five Chevrolet – after an E-Type of course.

16 Beaded Wheels

SPECIFICATIONS Engine:

162HP V8 (265 cubic inch)

Transmission: Hydraulic, 3-element torque converter with

planetary gears. Reverse and automatic low

selector lever on the steering column Wheels:

Boyd Coddington 17” mags

Length:

195.6 inches

Width:

74.0 inches

Loaded height: 59.1 inches Electrics: 12-volt Overall Rating: EXD (Extra Damn Good.)

BOOK REVIEWS

FERRARI 857S: THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF 0578M

With the editor’s indulgence, here’s a review of two new motorsport books, both with a New Zealand connection MCLAREN: THE CARS

Author: William Taylor.

Published 2019 by Coterie Press.

Reviewer’s own copy.

ISBN 978-1-902351-66-7 Review by Mark Holman It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since Bruce McLaren was killed in a testing crash at Goodwood. But his team and cars certainly live on.

For an excellent overview of the whole range of cars bearing the name, Coterie Press has published the 2020 edition of McLaren: The Cars; a book that initially came out in 2008. The new edition is expanded by around 25%, making a total of 300 large pages in this highquality production.

Every model of McLaren racing car is here, including the M2A prototype single-seater, the all-conquering Can-Am cars, Indy 500 & F5000 winners. The book continues through all the series of F1 machines. The team have used a variety of power plants in Grands Prix; not all of them were successful but the years of highs outnumber the lows and the cars have been driven by many top names from 1967 to today: Bruce himself, of course, plus the likes of Hulme, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Hunt, Prost, Senna, Hakkinen, Alonso and Hamilton. So far, the marque has won eight Constructors’

Championships and has provided the goods for ten drivers’ titles too.

The book features the increasing number of road-going McLarens as well. The 1969 M6GT was the first attempt at a road car, followed after a gap of some years by models such as the F1, 650S and P1. Along the way, a Le Mans 24-hour victory was achieved in 1995, and the book ends with the 2020 Speedtail.

The layout is quite straightforward and nicely executed. Every model of car gets a couple of pages, with text describing their development and successes plus some excellent ‘studio’ photos and a table of stats. A nice extra touch is provided by five world champions – from Emerson to Lewis - who have each contributed a lead-in to each decade. It all forms an excellent record of a marque that’s carved out a well-deserved reputation.

Author: Ian Wagstaff.

Published 2020 by Porter Press International, who supplied the review copy.

ISBN 978-1-913089-08-5 Review by Mark Holman Porter Press International is a prolific UK-based publishing company that was responsible for a number of Jaguar titles and a selection of Scrapbooks on Stirling Moss (in particular) but also the likes of Graham Hill and Murray Walker. The company has expanded its repertoire into some superb books that focus on one specific car while enabling the story to be told of the model concerned.

The latest title is the ninth book in the Exceptional Cars series.

It focusses on a particular example of the Ferrari 857S, a four-cylinder Scaglietti-styled car that was raced by the factory and then went through the hands of a number of private owners. Chassis 0578M raced in many parts of the world and its ‘local’ interest derives from the fact that it was lent to Ross Jensen for part of our 1957 season. There should have been two similar cars on our tracks that year, but sadly Ken Wharton was killed in his 750 Monza in a preliminary race to the NZIGP: that historic car can be seen in excellent condition at the Southward Museum.

the reader to 0578M which had its first race at Monza in May 1955, finishing second in the hands of Hawthorn and Maglioli before tackling some of the dramatic open road events such as the Targa Florio.

During that season, the car’s only ‘overseas’ race was the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. Our car’s works-entered days were short, ending with retirement at Sebring in 1956. Later that year it appeared at the Albert Park circuit, Melbourne, before being lent by owner Peter Whitehead to top New Zealand racer Ross Jensen. Ross raced the car with a fair degree of success at Levin, Wigram, Dunedin, Ryal Bush and Mairehau as well as Ardmore (all circuits now lost to us!). The car then went on to race for a few more years in Europe before eventually being appreciated for its significance and restored with great care to its 1956 specification and entered in the likes of the Mille Miglia retrospectives.

As well as covering every race in which this car took part, this enjoyable book includes profiles of all of its key drivers, such as Phil Hill and Eugenio Castellotti. It closes with a photo gallery showing in detail how 0578M looks today. As is always the case with Porter Press books, the photo research and reproduction quality are excellent. Other books in this valuable series include a Ford GT40, Ferrari 250LM and an early racing XK120.

To step back a little, author Wagstaff provides background to how the 857S model came about before introducing

Beaded Wheels 17

Alan Young’s first BSA. Later sold to Russell Wright.

Photographed at Oreti Beach.

Invercargill, 1945.

DAD’S STORY When Alan Young, my father, retired he typed out his life story for family. As we have been scanning family photographs I found that I could illustrate many of his interesting stories, particularly his writing that concerned motorbikes Alan served his time as a coach builder, building wooden framed, metal clad, bus bodies onto imported chassis in H & H Motors, Invercargill. He became a panelbeater foreman for Bear Services, and retired after many years in his own business in Invercargill.

Like many older people my father’s first car was an Austin Seven, but before that he had a couple of motor bikes.

After retirement he wrote his memoirs and the following are his stories relating to his bikes.

Bruce Young, Whangarei.

MOTORBIKE MEMORIES WORDS AND PHOTOS ALAN YOUNG (1927-2012)

FIRST BIKE I eventually raised enough cash to buy my first motorbike. An advertiser in the paper had a small BSA for sale for £20. I walked down Nith Street to a house on the corner of Earn Street and leaning up against the side of the house was my motor bike. I did manage to ride it home, but without a license.

I turned up at the council office in Kelvin Street to try for my licence. Mr Stopford, the one and only traffic officer here, stood on the front steps and watched as I rode the bike up to Gala Street and back. In my nervousness I forgot to turn on the petrol, so was very embarrassed when it stopped only a few yards up the road. However he did give me a pass.

I couldn’t go far on the petrol allowance but I had a lot of fun on it.

SECOND BIKE Eventually I decided to sell this bike and go for something bigger. I put a for sale advertisement in the paper and had a reply from a young fellow up in Yarrow Street so I took it up to him one evening. He got on it and rode like a mad man down Yarrow Street straight across all the intersections without slowing down at all. His father was standing by me and really tore strips off him when he got back. He did buy the bike and I got £20 for it, so I hadn’t lost anything on it. His name was Russell Wright. He was eventually to gain some world speed records on a very sophisticated streamlined bike. I kept in contact with him for a while. He arrived back with the bike one day and asked me if I knew why it was running a bit rough. I found out he

18 Beaded Wheels

was trying to beat the petrol rationing by mixing some Terebene (paint driers) with the petrol.

THIRD BIKE William Todd & Co, our local auctioneers, had an old seized-up BSA for sale. I decided to take the risk and buy it. I stripped it down, repainted the frame, and sorted the motor out. Somehow I got it all going again. Victory in Europe came just as I finished the bike, so I joined in the celebrations by putting some decorations on it, and rode around town watching everybody watching everybody else, and generally having a good time.

While out on Dee Street the chain came off, and I couldn’t manage to get it back on, so I had the ignominious job of pushing the decorated bike home in front of everybody.

s 1945 My third bike. BSA about 1928 model.

MY BROTHERS’ BIKES Christmas was a really special time for us as my older halfbrothers, Eric and Jack would be coming down on their motor bikes from Christchurch.

My brother Bruce and I would be waiting at our gate from early afternoon until they arrived, and sometimes it was nearly dark.

I remember one Christmas when they didn’t make it to Dunedin on the one motor bike. I believe the cylinder came loose, so after tying it down with fence wire from an obliging farmer, they made it slowly back to Christchurch. However they were able to come down by train a day or two later.

s Jack Young and Eric Bradshaw.

 

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  

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

–        

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Beaded Wheels 19

IN SEARCH OF

A BRIGHT SPARK WORDS AND PHOTOS PAUL RADMALL Self confessed magneto afficianado Paul Radmall talks us through one of his latest projects.

BACKGROUND

This magneto was fitted to a 1910 Darracq which stopped unexpectedly. Investigations showed that there was no output from the magneto at all, and that the high tension (HT) coil had an abnormally high resistance to earth.

Previously there had been a history of ignition system problems, and at the time these were cured by wiring changes and the repair of a short in the HT magneto slip ring.

Tests at that time indicated a healthy system and that all was well. It was noted that the slip ring had been incorrectly fitted in the past, subsequently causing the short in the slip ring.

WINDING TIME

INVESTIGATION

The initial electrical tests indicated that the armature coil would have to be rewound, which is a significant operation. Discussion with the owner confirmed that the job should be completed. The photos show the armature as it was being stripped down in preparation for winding.

It was noticed that the materials were not original, and it emerged that the mag had been rewound in 2000.

With this in mind the first few layers were removed carefully and corrosion was found near the output wire joint. This corrosion (shown in the photo) was more than enough to cause the problem, and further corrosion was found lower down at the start of the HT winding.

It is likely that the copper corrosion was cause by chemical reaction between melted insulation, soldering flux and the high voltage environment.

By this time the chisel had made short work of the old winding, but at least the copper can be recycled.

First layer

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Rewinding a magneto coil consists of three distinct phases; preparation, winding the wire, and vacuum varnishing the finished winding with epoxy resin.

All that is left of the old armature coil is the iron core.

This has to be prepared and lined ready for winding.

The core is then placed in the winding machine and the parameters programmed for the primary, or low voltage, winding. Now the HT, or secondary, winding is connected to, and wound on top of, the primary. The surface is carefully wrapped with special tape to provide a smooth base for the secondary winding.

Here is layer one of the fine secondary winding. The wire is thinner and weaker than human hair. Each layer has to be isolated from the one beneath by an additional layer of tape; otherwise the high voltages generated would leak out. In addition, the start and finish of each layer must be moved progressively towards the centre, away from the sides of the coil. The output of the

finished coil can peak at around 50,000 volts, so care must be taken with all connections and the choice of insulation materials.

FINISHING – 7,200 TURNS LATER!

The coil is now finished and wrapped with glassfibre-based tape. There are three connections on this Bosch coil, the HT is the yellow one in the middle, the other two are the earth and the contact breaker connections.

The exposed iron has been masked ready for the vacuum epoxy varnishing operation.

Each armature is identified with a unique serial number which relates to all its parameters, and is encapsulated inside the epoxy.

Yes, it is a sea of bubbles when the winding is flooded with epoxy and the vacuum pump turned on. The air comes out of all the spaces inside and the epoxy fills the voids. A messy but necessary operation. Once cured, the resin gives a strong and electrically sound coil.

The resin is carefully oven cured and all the excess

TESTING

The aim of all this work is to generate sparks in an ignition system, particularly when starting. The engine speed is very low during hand cranking, so the mag must be tested under these conditions to confirm it is fit for service.

Firstly, the armature needs to be tested alone to remove all other potential variables associated with a complete magneto. A suitable test rig has been developed to give standardised conditions such that the armature alone can be tested, before it is assembled into the magneto. Aerospace testing of magnetos calls for the spark to jump a gap of 5 mm when rotating at 100 rpm. This should be the aim for automotive magnetos, but can be unobtainable with some old designs. However, the aerospace standard is achieved in most cases and results in a good hand cranking performance with normal plug gaps.

The armature rig tests the magnetic circuit, electrical characteristics and capacitor operation, without rotating the armature.

From the results, predictions can be made about low speed performance and the ability of the insulation to withstand high voltage operation, at elevated temperatures. When the armature passes these tests, you can be virtually certain that it will work well when fully assembled.

BEARINGS

From this point on there are no mysteries, but it is vital that the bearings are in good condition, well shimmed and aligned. Nearly all magnetos use a pair of small angular contact bearings. They are very precise and need to be set so that there is no end float and can be smoothly rotated using your fingers on the bare shaft.

If they are not like that, do not ignore it. Fit a pair of new bearings and invest in a small puller to pull them on and off the shaft cleanly. Yes, you will need to do it several times until they feel right. There is no short cut.

Almost all early magnetos have oil holes that feed the bearings inside. Later ones use the same bearings and they are grease packed. The preferred way is grease, such as the stay-put grease used in wheel bearings. The object is to prevent corrosion and lubricate the bearing, in that order, so you do not need that much.

A small wooden plug (cocktail stick) can be fitted into the holes to remind you not to use oil.

FINAL ASSEMBLY AND TEST

removed. The assembly features need to be perfectly clean to ensure that the armature can be assembled accurately onto its shafts. Then the electrical connections are made and bearing alignment checked and adjusted if necessary.

The armature is definitely a thing of beauty when finished. It seems such a pity to put it inside the magneto where no one can see it.

The large end next to the gear, contains the capacitor. The brass ring at the other end is the slip ring which has to be finish machined concentric with the bearings.

This is always the fun bit. Some magnetos are best assembled without magnets and it can be much easier to assess bearing condition etc when there is no magnetic field. However, later magnetos sometimes have their magnets cast into the body and so are likely to grab components from your hand without warning, so take care. The assembly from this point on is well documented by others and will not be discussed here. Perhaps what is more important is what performance should be expected from a newly wound magneto. The Bosch magneto featured here is a typical example and with good magnets and the new rewound coil, a spark will jump the internal safety gap when the coupling is turned by hand. You can hear the rather satisfying “pop�. If it does that you should not have starting problems.

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The Cortina GTE in 2012 with original wheels and factory wheel covers

CORTINA GTE WORDS AND PHOTOS ALAN STOKER

“Yes madam, … yes sir, we have a Mk3 GT Cortina at our North Shore Dealership.”

The salesman at Campbell Motors assured us that it was a Mk 3 .

At 16 years of age I had persuaded my mother that her next car should be a Mk3 Cortina and at that age, as did most boys, I thought I knew a bit about cars.

Campbell Motors in Upper Queen Street had no Mk3 Cortinas in stock, but there was a Mk3 GT on the ‘Shore for $3,000. No, this can’t be right, I knew very well that a Mk3 GT was at least another

s The GTE and my old Vauxhall photo taken Taranaki in 1972.

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$1,000, however the salesman insisted he was correct and that the car would be brought to our Mt Albert address for us to inspect.

The salesman was partially correct when a few hours later the GT arrived, but it was the wrong model!

Delivered to the door was a 1970 Mk2 GTE. Thinking back to 1972, I don’t recall ever having seen one of these. As a 16 year old I was certainly impressed, and it had red go-faster racing stripes.

It is hard to recall 48 years later but my mother must have liked it, either that or I was a better salesperson than I was given credit for, as the GTE never went back to the dealership and has stayed in the family since.

So now we owned a 18 month old silver Mk2 GTE Cortina with 11,000 miles on the clock and the price, $2800, was well under normal.

Oh how I loved every chance I had to drive that car, even making excuses that my own car was not running very well, and I did not want to break down. It was so much more fun, and much much quicker than my ‘59 Vauxhall Victor.

One fun story among many to share was a trip returning to Auckland from Tauranga via the Kaimai Hills. I was gunning it up the hill at about 90 mph passing everything but keeping my eye on a MkII Zephyr which was gaining on me quite quickly. The Zephyr passed me and was gone. I can only assume that at that speed there

was a V8 under the hood, remembering I was already at 85 to 90 mph and uphill, ah… those were the days.

The GTE has had a few relocations over the years, though always garaged and looked after.

In 1979 it went to Pukehina, then to Matamata, and finally Rotorua, before coming back to Auckland.

Around 1990 the motor was replaced because a CNG conversion had ruined the engine.

Much of the car is original although a few minor changes have been made under my ownership. The original lap-only front seatbelts that had already been taken out by law were replaced by shoulder diagonal belts which are still used today, 50 years on.

In 2003 the GTE was passed to me and was looking very tired. Its use over the last few years was restricted to church and shops so driving it back to Auckland was a slow, slow journey. By the time it arrived the plugs had to be replaced and the points were in a sorry state, among other things.

From 2003 it took quite some time getting the GTE sorted, tidied up and running properly. The carpet was replaced and some of the rubbers renewed, the front bumper was straightened and overall it was made to look original. Distributor, carburettor and fuel pump have all been rebuilt, and the gearbox has had some attention. I removed the fuel tank and thoroughly cleaned it. I cleaned and painted underneath the body, undersealing where necessary. I replaced the missing spotlights at huge expense and likewise the reversing lights. The original handbook is still in the car and the original ownership papers are locked away in a safe place. The GTE has never had a radio installed, difficult to live without but we suffer in silence.

Another major replacement, as seen in the photos, is the wheels, 4.5 inch steels really don’t cut it, so 7.5 inch mags with 205x13 tyres were the order of the day. The original GTE had 165x13 Cavalino tyres with red bands so at a very reasonable price the red bands were recently reintroduced.

Production numbers seem to be a secret – if any reader knows the answer to this, many GTE owners including myself would be very grateful to be told. I have tried many avenues to find the secret number, but so far to no avail. Each car that rolled off the assembly line in Wellington was stamped on the passenger side inside front guard so they were very much a limited edition, but how many?

In 2005 and again in 2014 I requested statistics from Land Transport regarding numbers still on the road. The number ironically in both instances came back at 34.

The 2005 list, although somewhat dated now, also listed the geographic location of the existing cars – 13 in the South Island and 21 in the North Island 3 Whangarei 9 Auckland My research indicated that in Auckland, 1 Silver, 2 Blue, 4 Gold, and 2 Green.

2019. Current photo at address in Auckland with updated wider wheels and red banded tyres

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. The GTE (Grand Touring Executive) was the New Zealand equivalent of the UK and Australian 1600E and a handful found their way across the Tasman in later years.

The GTE was produced in New Zealand for just one year (1970) and came in four colours; silver with red stripes, gold with black stripes, blue with black stripes and British Racing Green with yellow stripes. Each vehicle was topped with a black vinyl roof.

Wheel options were steel 4.5 inch rims with a fancy wheel cover, or the typical Rostyle seen on many other classic British cars.

The interior came with 4-speed floor change, bucket seats in the front, and bench/bucket seat design in the rear with a centre arm rest. Standard on all GTE and 1600E vehicles was the wood fascia dashboard and arrangement of other instruments including the tachometer. There were spotlights to the front and reversing lights at the rear and of course don’t forget the go-faster stripes.

The GTE is powered by the Kent 1.6 litre engine, which has a high compression head, twin throat weber carburettors, extractors and mildly tweaked camshaft. For safer stopping it has disc brakes in the front.

3 Nelson 1 Greymouth 5 Christchurch 1 Timaru 1 Dunedin 2 Invercargill

2 Hamilton 1 Tauranga 1 Napier 1 Palmerston North 1 Masterton 3 Wellington

2003. GTE in sorry state at my mother’s house Rotorua

Beaded Wheels 23

A COLLECTION OF

AUSTINS WORDS JIM PATERSON PHOTOS KEVIN CLARKSON

People collect all kinds of things. For some it is teaspoons, pens or matchboxes or other equally unlikely objects. For the most part I have never understood this hobby but in Robb’s case I fully understand his affliction. He collects Austin 8s. We sent Jim Paterson up to North Canterbury to see what all the fuss was about.

One look at the contents of the sheds on their 30 acre block confirms that Robb and Karly Simpson are passionate about Austin 8s. They maintain that they prefer to restore cars instead of going on holiday, as the benefit lasts longer and is more rewarding. They like to take their cars out on local classic car runs, giving them a chance to appreciate them and escape from work. They prefer mixed car runs because they enjoy looking at a variety of vehicles, and they appreciate the efforts others put in to keep their vehicles on the road. Buying lunches and take-away coffees is a luxury restricted to special occasions only and Christmas presents are usually two tyres for him or maybe a tyre for her!

They prefer Austin 8s. There seem to be more of them available and popping out of sheds as the years go by, and they are inexpensive to purchase when not roadworthy, maybe $1,500 to $2,000.

A roadworthy registered vehicle can be worth $8,000 or more, depending on condition.

The shape is soft, a compact car with a spacious interior. They have suicide front doors and alligator bonnets. Basic engine and brakes make them easy to repair and maintain. They can be a 24 Beaded Wheels

good beginner’s restoration car and an entrance into the classic car world, as parts are available and are priced reasonably. The 900cc side valve engine produces a good cruising speed of 80kmh and is very economical. When on display they make people smile and reminisce about past family outings. Put the bonnet up and instantly a crowd appears. The great thing about old vehicles is that people are always happy to help fix things and give advice.

Included in their fleet are: 1946 4 door 6 light saloon.

Karly always wanted a vintage car and didn’t realise they were readily available until she saw the Austin 8 that Robb’s brother had purchased. She was straight on to TradeMe and found this car in Amberley where it had been under a tarpaulin for 30

the heavy steel roof that the saloons have and it seems to stick to the road better. This was the vehicle Robb used to take part in the Vintage Austin Register Mad Dash through the Haast rally. They covered 1400 kms without problems bar three punctures.

years. They quickly started the restoration, gave the car a spraypaint to protect the surface, and started on the mechanicals.

Within two weeks the car was on the road and they were having fun. The next task was getting the chrome redone and a new enamel paint job. Six months later they went to get their second warrant of fitness, and on the way the engine blew up, so off went the engine to Cliff Bond for a full recondition. They have kept the interior original as it is quite acceptable. While cleaning up the interior they were amazed to find the previous owner’s driver license from 1965 down the back of the driver’s seat. Furthermore this person had lived in the same road that Robb and Karly now live on. This car has retro fitted indicator lights.

1939 2 door tourer. Believed to be the second oldest Austin 8 in the Austin Register. It was first registered in June 1939. A Mr P Shamrock did an amazing job of restoring this car, but once he had done all the hard work he parked it in the garage for safe keeping instead of enjoying the fruits of his labour. Robb and Karly were thrilled to find it. They got it on the road quickly, but did send the engine to Cliff Bond to ensure reliable motoring. Robb says this is a fun, easy car to drive without

1946 van. Their purchase of this vehicle saved it from the ignominious fate of being turned into a hotrod.

Restoration is almost completed. This vehicle is rare, as worldwide there are only nine known examples, of which only five are drivable.

This one is believed to be from Christchurch. It is the hardest and most full-on restoration they have carried out so far. The body was removed and submerged in a plastic swimming pool containing a molasses and water solution to deal to the rust and this worked fantastically. This engine was also sent to Cliff Bond for reconditioning. A complete overhaul of gearbox and diff was carried out as were the chassis, brakes and running gear. Some subtle differences between van and saloon are: radiator grille is made of pressed steel and painted - not chrome, the headlights are attached to the guards and not the bonnet side panels, and the van has no trafficators. When new the van sold for £120 with an undercoat grey paint only. An additional £3 had to be paid if you wanted a top coat of paint.

1947 4 door 6 light saloon.

This was owned by a lady from Waimate, has very low mileage and is still on original brake linings. It has a lovely gearbox, so smooth. It was sent up from Invercargill after being stored for many years in a shed. They have opted to keep the existing hand brushed grey/blue paint job. The car was quickly on the road after some minor rust repairs. Last year Karly travelled up to Springfield in it to farewell Robb off on the Mad Dash through the Haast, but she ran a big end on the way home. The car is currently parked up waiting for Alan at Cliff Bond to do his magic - he is becoming an Austin 8 engine expert now.

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1939 ute tourer. Recently arrived from Australia where it had been shed stored since 1976. It was last registered in 1975. The rear ute section, including body and doors, was built by coachbuilders T J Richards & Sons, Adelaide.

Robb says that, after discussions with the Austin Register, this would seem to be very rare and probably the only complete Austin 8 ute tourer in the world. Three other incomplete vehicles are known of. Only two entered Australia. There is very little information about these vehicles.

1939 2 door 4 light saloon.

This car has been shed stored for the past 25 years. Robb says this is the oldest known Austin 8 in the world, chassis number 633. Some minor rust repairs have been done. The interior is completely worn, so they are saving up to get this tidied up. The engine has been started, the car has been driven up and down the drive, and it seems mechanically sound. Unusually, it has a sunroof which slides back. This may have been an aftermarket addition.

CAST IRON

WELDING Powder Spray Process, Cylinder Heads, Manifolds, Cooling Fins, Castings, Mechanical Repairs & Rebuilds

THOMAS ROWE MOTORING ENGINEER ltd 6 RD Palmerston North PHONE

06 324-8707 26 Beaded Wheels

1939 Austin 10 saloon. This car was previously owned by a Christchurch doctor. It is currently under restoration. The interior is original but tidy. New tyres have been ordered. It has a larger engine than the 8s, and a more spacious interior. An amusing feature of this car is that it has two interior rear vision mirrors. The husband purchased the car for his wife and obviously didn’t trust her driving skills so installed a mirror for the passenger! They will sell this car once it’s on the road to help fund other vehicle projects OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SHED

Just to prove the Simpson’s have diverse interests there is other interesting stuff in the shed including; a 1987 Series 3 Lotus 7 kit car built on a Triumph Herald chassis. This was Robb’s first car, built at the age of 17 with help from his brother. He has a number of Land Rovers covering Series 1, 2 and 3. There is a rather special 1976 Lotus Esprit that was completed by Robb and first registered in 2016. Karly has a 1981 Eureka F4 made in Blenheim. A very different car and it is fascinating to see the remote controlled roof/doors lift up vertically to enable driver and passenger access.

A LITTLE BIT OF AUSTIN HISTORY

The first Austin 8 rolled out of the Austin factory in 1939, 80 years ago last year and the last Austin 8 was produced in 1948. Vehicles built during that time totalled 56,103. Its predecessor was the Austin Big 7 and its successor was the Austin A30.

GLORIA

TRIUMPHANT AT LAST WORDS AND PHOTOS RON ELTON

Beaded Wheels 27

About ten years ago I advertised in Beaded Wheels for a Riley, Rover or MG of 1930s vintage needing a full restoration. I settled on a 1934 Triumph Gloria 6 which was merely a chassis with all running gear, and the start of a home-built body frame. Dick Green (Waitemata Branch member and the saviour of several old Triumph cars) had acquired this vehicle some 40 years earlier, but as the four door saloon body was beyond redemption he wisely decided to purchase only the chassis and all mechanicals, plus four very tatty mudguards, along with the gauges, bonnet and grille. The good news was that it had been dry stored, the bad news was that every item was dismantled, and with the obligatory few things missing.

Not even the rev counter had escaped dissection.

As the partly formed body frame was a near exact copy of one of the many styles that the Triumph Motor Company offered in the mid ‘30s, I set to with the plan being to carry on with the tourer body, then, if this looked like the real McCoy, I would embark on the mechanical restoration.

Don’t get confused about the Triumph marque. It has long gone as far as cars are concerned, but it still partly lives on as Triumph Motorcycles. The TR sports car range, the razor-edged Mayflower, the long running Vanguard and the Triumph Herald are all model names from the Standard Motor Company which acquired the Triumph name after the WWII. Standard became StandardTriumph in 1959 and in turn morphed into British Leyland who continued with the Triumph name with the ubiquitous 2000/2500 series. On the other hand Super 7, Gloria, Dolomite, Vitesse, and Southern Cross are all original model names of Triumph Company cars produced from 1923 to 1939. Donald Healey (later of AustinHealey fame) was Triumph’s Technical Director from 1934, and under his guidance Triumph continued with its sporting successes in events such as the Monte Carlo Rally. Gloria is an odd label for a car, and does not fit well with the other model names of the time.

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There is speculation that Gloria was the name of a fashion model used extensively to market the car, however it is more likely that Gloria was merely a reused original trademarked name from a Triumph Company bicycle about the year 1900. Very few Triumph Company cars exist in New Zealand but the marque has an enthusiastic following in the UK. They were well built, well appointed, reliable upmarket vehicles.

While the wooden body frame looked good, additional curving of most areas was needed to avoid that flat panel look.

Some aluminium panelling had been glued to the body, and in removing this some of the woodwork had to be sacrificed. New aluminium panels were either hand-beaten or else shaped with a small English wheel I was able to borrow. A local club member tig welded the aluminium sheeting without burning the wooden frame! This is certainly a skill that is hard to find nowadays. The front guards from a saloon car were reshaped to fit the tourer body, and the skirts removed to exactly replicate the tourer model. The rear guards have about 80% new metal with just the outer edge being retained, and again with reshaping to fit the sporting type body. Running boards were made from scratch, and significant upward curving introduced to accommodate a last minute lift to the rear end of the body. All this sounds simple when described in a paragraph or two, but it took about three years and much frustration. The top portion of each door is removeable to give that low cut-away look, a style very fashionable from the ‘30s through to mid ‘50s in sporting cars. This removeable panel seems to be exclusive to the Triumph marque.

The six cylinder Coventry Climax engine proved difficult in most respects, and every problem I have read about in the pre-1940 Triumph Motor Club (PNTMC) magazines since I have been a member seems to have been encountered by me. Unnoticed corrosion in the head led to a water spout and more water than oil

in the sump before the first start up. Twin SU carbs were fitted to replace the original Zeniths as this avoided a very expensive recasting of a mirror-imaged pair of inlet manifolds. To this day I don’t know why SU carbs are deemed to be unsuited to this engine. The best cure (after lots of experimentation) was to lower the fuel bowl and hence the fuel level (by 18mm!) by adding a spacer between fuel bowl and carb body. Surprisingly I have not yet encountered a fuel starvation problem. Not knowing the exact SU needle specification does not help, and a minor change here may improve performance and/or economy. As SU carbs were never fitted to this particular model of engine, old manuals or even assistance from SU Carburettors Ltd draws a complete blank.

Currently the car is very drivable, though not overly powerful with the 6 cylinder 1476cc, 46bhp engine which will attain 60 mph on flat roads. For the 1935 model Gloria an enlarged 1991cc engine was introduced, which I imagine would give the car that extra thrust.

Oh to have such an engine.

The windscreen stanchions were created in wood, then cast in aluminium, and a club member fabricated a polished stainless steel windscreen frame to fit. The hood bows were made from plans supplied through a contact of the PNTMC, and the rag top and side curtains were sewn by my wife Kerry. The blue leather for the interior upholstery came from our lounge suite (which I had to be convinced needed replacing) and again the sewing done by Kerry. Hours of work, but a most pleasing result.

This Gloria 6 was a private import in 1938 by Mr Ritche from London, which explains the lack of parts within New Zealand.

This car was last registered in Auckland in 1964, and needed to go through the nerve-wracking vinning process. This was done before any upholstery work was started, primarily so the inspectors could observe the full body and chassis structure. What a relief when I was told it had passed on the first inspection. I walked across the road, registered the car for a year, returned with new number plates and drove the car home before there could be any change of mind.

I must acknowledge significant help from the Bay of Plenty Branch spares, and club members who have machined this or done that or just offered advice or encouragement throughout this nine year project. The Desmo oval period mirrors and Lucas side lights are all new replica fittings, but exactly as would have been supplied new with the car. While the car is original but rebodied, I dispensed with the Lucas Startix self-starting system and the one-shot greasing system. The twin rear lights are additional and replace a single centre mounted fitting too low down to be seen.

The windscreen is fixed rather than fold down, made this way for ease of manufacture and greater body strength. The ivory and blue are not original Triumph colours, but they follow the traditional pattern of body/wheels in a light, and bonnet tops and guards in dark, colour. While I have a front bumper this was not added to keep it true to form of the bumperless tourer model.

To this day I have never seen a restored Triumph Gloria 6 except for Phil Redmond’s immaculate example (previously belonging to John Britten of motorcycling fame), but I hope it takes more than a first glance to appreciate that it is a home-built replica body. The first major trip was to the Napier Art Deco Weekend 2019. That is a 450 mile round trip through very steep country from Taupo to Napier. The Triumph is a pleasure to drive and a crowd pleaser making the restoration journey thoroughly worthwhile.

SPECIFICATIONS 6 cylinder, inlet over exhaust Coventry Climax engine 12 Volt Lucas electrics including fuel pump 4 speed and reverse gearbox (no synchromesh) Freewheel Differential 5.2:1 (diff and gearbox by ENV) Lockheed 12 inch hydraulic brakes (single leading shoes) Carburettors: Original twin Zeniths, but now fitted with twin H type SU 1.25” Leaf springs, all round underslung at rear Hydraulic dampers 18’’ Knock-on wheels by Triumph.

Beaded Wheels 29

MOTORING MEMORIES Ford F100, Chevrolet Capitol and 1938 Citroën.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BARRY BARNES

s 1938 Citroen Big 15.

Barry Barnes reminisces about the motoring influences of his youth.

From 1955 to 1957 our family was living in picturesque Duvauchelle near Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.

My Dad, Jack, was the County Engineer for the Akaroa County Council, and his work vehicle was a 1955 Ford V8 F100 wellside pickup which he was allowed to use for personal use as well.

When all five of us had to travel, which wasn’t all that often, we three boys would be seated in the tray, back to the cab, often accompanied by the beloved family dog, of unproven provenance but mostly fox terrier. On one notable occasion Twink poked her nose too far out into the slipstream while going up the Takamatua Hill and she fell out. Fortunately, she was recovered without any injury other than to her dignity.

The Ford was a great performer, and as Dad frequently noted it would go up hill faster than down hill but it was a bit skittery unladen, especially on the predominantly gravel roads. This was rectified by the placing of a pair of jaws from a gravel crusher on the tray.

The family car of the time was a 1927 Chevrolet Capitol tourer which mostly sat unused just off the roadside up by the house.

In early 1957, Dad was appointed to another engineering position with Southland County, so a major move was in store.

It was felt that faithful “Good old Gert” was not the vehicle for the move, and as I was to come back from Southland to stay on to the year’s end to sit School Cert without the disruption of changing schools, I was strongly of the view that I would drive Gert down to lnvercargill at the end of the year. After all I was 15, the car had been promised to me, and I would be boarding with the council mechanic and VCC member Bruce Kirk, who could make sure the car was okay and see me through my driver’s licence. Besides it was a family vehicle as my Uncle Len had owned it before us from around 1931 until he sold it to Dad in 1952 or ‘53.

I thought my case was pretty good. Although Dad was not totally averse to the idea, Mother promptly vetoed it, so to my chagrin, Gert was sold for £50 to the council grader driver in Pigeon Bay, whose 1926 Oldsmobile had suffered a terminal gearbox malfunction.

He was only a little fellow but his wife was a very large lady.

They had a brood of kids, and I would occasionally see “my” Chev

30 Beaded Wheels

chug by with the adults filling the front seats and the brood all piled in the back.

The replacement for the Chev was a 1938 Citroën Big 15 purchased from Archibald Motors in Christchurch, not long before the big move.

When moving day came the NZ Express Company Dennis truck was filled to the brim, including the vacuum cleaner Mum had put to one side to clean the house, so we borrowed one from neighbours a couple of hundred metres away down the hill. We boys were despatched to complete the return of said appliance, and were heading back up the hill when a gigantic wind, we could see coming up the harbour, struck. We were just passing a big gum tree when a huge branch dropped off and fell only a few feet away. The dog got a hell of a fright and so did we.

We all piled into the Citroën after seeing the pantechnicon lurch its way on to the road and set off. We departed straight afterward and soon passed it. Going through Barrys Bay and heading for Hill Top the full force of the storm struck with howling winds and torrential rain.

The Citroën was as steady as a rock, the electric wipers worked manfully to clear the torrent, and it was dry and snug inside, all things that the poor old Chev could never have managed.

That is not the end of this moving story. We had been staying with my grandmother in Christchurch overnight and were just getting in to the Citroën when a neighbour came rushing out with the message that the NZ Express Company had been trying to contact us urgently.

It transpired that the moving van had made it over Hilltop in the awful conditions but had been literally picked up by the wind howling down one gully and blown it not only off the road, but down the hillside a couple of hundred metres.

The trip to Southland was put on hold and Mum and Dad went into Christchurch Hospital, where both the driver and his offsider were nursing injuries, fortunately not too serious. The driver, Alf, was quite a hard case and passed on how the van had turned over a couple of times on the way down splitting open and spreading the folk’s belongings all down the hillside. He and his passenger changed places in the process and were hugely relieved that the

van came to rest on a small bluff instead of tumbling all the way down to the valley floor. As it was, a breakfast cup was found intact right down at the bottom.

Damage was extensive, but after a few days’ delay we headed for Southland, where a meagre assortment of belongings arrived. The Council had provided a house in Fortrose, which was in the area Dad had responsibility for, and they provided him with a 1951 Chev for transport. It quickly transpired that he was mostly commuting to and from Invercargill, so a place in Invercargill was purchased while I was back in Duvauchelle. (It is outside the Bluff Road home that the photo opposite of the Citroën was taken.)

The Citroën was an English built model with 12v Lucas electrics and lights (fitted with efficient aftermarket sealed beams). It had all the accoutrements that those Slough-built machines featured, such as a walnut dash, chromed grill with the Citroën chevrons behind and English bumpers, all to help achieve the required 51% local content for exemption from import tax. It was powered by the 1911cc wet sleeve motor, and was therefore mechanically similar to most other Traction Avant Citroëns. In 1938 The Motor tested a Light 15 achieving 72.5 mph and I fancy our car would easily do that, though the only non-standard feature under the bonnet was the Taylor water injection system fitted. I don’t believe they were touted as a performance feature, rather promoting cleaner combustion and eliminating decokes, which is a maintenance chore we never hear of these days. Whether it actually achieved anything is a moot point.

It featured the bonnet doors rather than louvres and the distinctive wheels of the prewar models though this one had full chrome hubcaps whereas most had only chromed centres and painted outside ring.

Body wise, however, it was different from any others I have encountered. The track was wider and the wheelbase extended over the usual Light 15s. The rear doors were wider and a different shape. In the back seat you sat back secluded inside the car unable to look directly out to the side. From what I have been able to ascertain the French version of this model was called the Normale but the Big 15 name was used for the English-built versions. The Familiale models (French built only) had an even longer wheelbase and three rows of seats with a third window on each side. Later Big 15s were extended by having a larger boot on the back which about doubled the capacity, but as you can see from the photo this one had the usual sloping back with spare wheel fitting on the boot lid.

A feature which greatly appealed to me was an exhaust extension which we called the dragon’s head. It looked very much like the head end of a boa constrictor horn and was a substantial aluminium casting. I have wondered whether it was a purchased item or whether it had been manufactured by a previous owner.

In any event I have never seen one like it anywhere else. I think it was fitted onto a basically straight pipe with an expansion box just forward of the rear axle. It had a lovely crisp exhaust note, and we could always hear Dad arriving home with a double declutch down to second gear before turning into the drive.

The red Connolly leather upholstery had, prior to Dad’s ownership, been treated with Fascinac, a leather lacquer sold principally as a means of changing the colour of leather shoes.

Although it may have disguised some scuff marks and surface cracking it was not really a success, affording a slippery surface, although it didn’t look as bad as it sounds. The walnut dashboard featured Jaeger instruments but was dominated by the cranked

s Citroën outside Bluff Road house.

s 1938 Citroën black French version.

s Good old Gert.

gearchange lever connected to a 3 speed gearbox which lived right out the front, with differential behind. The clutch featured a locking system which required depression of the pendant clutch pedal to be able to move the change lever. It was fitted to avoid the lever falling out of the vertical gate while in second or reverse gears.

The ample room between front and rear seat proved useful for accommodating the 1951 Corgi scooter I owned in my final school year at Southland Boys High. This highly unreliable machine was constantly having issues, at least one of which was my own fault.

My mate Alastair owned a 1950 single speeder which annoyingly was a smidge faster than my 2-speeder. A couple of times I pulled the nipple off the throttle cable trying to get it further open as Alastair gradually pulled away from me!

Another issue was an arm on the end of the brake shaft which was a bit slogged, and when the brake was applied the pedal would keep on rotating with no rear brake as a result. I overcame this by having H E Melhop Engineering manufacture another one about three times the thickness of the original.

Beaded Wheels 31

The car would not go forward or backwards sufficiently to free the branch so she got out a saw and cut off the branch!

Robin BSA and Citroën.

Ford F100.

I had an after school job, so on these occasions I would grab brother Robin’s bike and head off for work while Robin would uncomplainingly push the Corgi into town where Dad would stick it in the back of the Citroën, where it would fit neatly.

It was also used in the same way to transport home from Kaitangata the complete 1913 BSA motorcycle that Robin had obtained in a job lot deal that also comprised a dismantled 1912 Matchless and most of a 1912 BSA. The 1913 BSA was in going order and he rode it along Bluff Road shortly after getting it home.

I learnt to drive in the Citroën and, although different to drive from many other cars, it was great on the road. Roadholding was legendary for the time and keeping the power on took it around corners at speeds most other cars could not handle with the same ease. It motored briskly, the braking was very good and it was comfortable to travel in. All in all it was a pretty good car.

When we travelled anywhere as a family Dad would often let me drive, though I would sometimes get reeled in by Mum if she thought I was going too fast or too vigorously around the corners.

(Or spending too much time looking up driveways and under trees for old cars that might be lurking there.)

I was able to borrow it quite frequently, and on one occasion when we were working overtime in the evening I offered my mate a lift home to save him a bike ride in the dark.

We arrived where I had parked the Citroën and it wasn’t there.

“That’s funny, I’m sure I parked it here.” After fruitless searching we came to the conclusion that it had been stolen so trooped around to the Police Station and the constable started filling in the report form. Surprisingly he asked me what were the size and make of the tyres. I told him they were 165x400, three Michelin Xs and

32 Beaded Wheels

a Continental fitted on the left rear. His jaw dropped and he said no one had ever been able to tell him that before. It wasn’t all that surprising as it had been fitted with Michelins all round but one recently had to be replaced for some reason and the only 165x400 Dad could get was the Continental.

It didn’t help in any way. The car was found in a ditch at Mokoreta the next day, basically undamaged.

Over the years my mother had resisted the idea of getting her driver licence, probably not helped by the time she did relent and try driving the old Chev. She made a kangaroo start from one intersection that resulted in a broken axle.

Anyway she decided to learn to drive the Citroën, and with a few pointers to start with chose to practice reversing and clutch and steering control by driving the Citroën back and forth in our drive. This was going quite well but one day she got too close to the escallonia hedge and managed to snag a large branch between the front mudguard and bumper. The car would not go forward or backwards sufficiently to free the branch so she got out a saw and cut off the branch!

She ultimately got her licence and drove the car quite regularly and competently, although never with great confidence, but never drove any other car.

One day we got a message she was stuck in Elles Road about a mile away from our home in Bluff Road. Away went a rescue mission which found the car on three wheels. Mum was sure the other wheel had rolled past her but going up and down the road could not locate it. Finally Robin found it. It had rolled down the footpath and then as it finally lost velocity wobbled through an open gate and came to rest against the hedge.

Later in Dad’s ownership some reliability issues surfaced. The engine had to be reconditioned, the gearbox failed, and there was an issue with the differential. At the time of the latter my grandfather was terminally unwell and my Dad had gone to Christchurch to be with him. My cobber and I were trying to fit replacement parts to the Citroën, and we were still in the process when my Grandad died. We worked feverishly to complete the job but realised that in the end we did not have time to finish it, test everything and be sure enough to head straight off to Christchurch, so a 12 hour trip by train was made.

Not long after that Dad decided to sell the Citroën. During his ownership we had decided a repaint was in order and we did all the preparation with local auto painters Gordon Marshall Ltd applying the final coat of enamel. It was a slightly browner shade of maroon to the colour it had been painted, we thought it still looked smart, but to our horror the car dealer to whom Dad sold it repainted it a garish and unsuitable blue. It sold however, and we never saw it again.

Given the chance, I would gladly give it garage space but it is, almost assuredly, long gone.

A round up of notable rallies and events from around the branches Hugh and June Clark’s MkII.

RALLY SNIPPETS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RUN TO WEST COAST Central Otago Branch Words Don Yeaman Photos by Lynne Yeaman

This was an informal run organised as our first outing after being released from serious lockdown because of Covid-19.

The attendance was much better than expected. We had about ten cars start from the garage at Lake Hawea with a real mix of vehicles including a couple of moderns.

Lynne and I took a bit of stick because we were one of the moderns.

As it was to be a very relaxed run, we all made our own way over to the Haast with various stops along the way. Three of the MGs had decided to just make a day trip out of it so they were among the first to start. Several checked out the Blue Pools and Thunder Creek Falls until we all met up again at the Haast River Motels that evening.

The next morning was cool with brilliant sunshine as we gathered for our day trip to Cascade Flat and Jackson Bay. We were joined by Rod and Anne Corbet

who had come over in their Model A for the day.

We all headed south down the HaastJackson Bay Road and regrouped where it meets the Jackson River Road. We followed this gravel road along the Jackson River to the Martyr Saddle and had lunch overlooking the Cascade Flat area. Here we were given a lesson in geography and the natural history of the area by Graham Taylor and Hugh Clarke, then Beau Trevathan was able to fill us in with the history of the original settlers, the Nolan family. It was fascinating how much these three seemed to know about the area and the people.

After lunch we made our way back to Jackson Bay for a quick stop and then back to the Haast. On the way a few of us stopped at the Hapuka Estuary by Okuru for a look at the wetlands. A great little spot. That night most of us were back at the Heartland Hotel for an enjoyable evening.

Monday morning was again cool but sunny, and because of other commitments another few cars headed home and we were now down to a group of four vehicles. We headed up the coast for a quick stop at Knights Point and then on to visit one of our more remote members, Barry Wyber. We had look at Barry’s shed which contained a collection of Indian motorbikes and a very nice 1939 Nash sedan. Barry told us that he originally went to the West Coast to work for six months but 50 years later he is still there. Having

seen Barry’s name regularly as I send out Puff’n Stuff, it was great to be able to meet him in person.

After lunch we all wandered home at our own pace with a stop at Ship Creek. While there we walked down the boardwalk to the beach where we spent some time watching the dolphins playing in the surf. What a great sight, and a fantastic way to end a weekend visit to the West Coast.

As usual the West Coast weather was fantastic. This is the third year in a row that we have spent Queen’s Birthday on the West Coast, and every year it has been great.

Rod and Anne Corbet’s Model A.

Barry’s Indian.

Beaded Wheels 33

THE HADSTOCK DRIVING TESTS, 28 JUNE 2020.

Banks Peninsula Branch Text: Michael Williams, Photos: John McDonald There have been very few good things about the lockdown, but the record number of entries at Hadstock bore testament to the fact that car people wanted to get out and drive somewhere. And so it came to pass that 32 drivers in a wonderfully diverse array of vehicles assembled in the gloom and drizzle at Hadstock, on a very muddy and slippery course. Convivial host John Chamberlain had thoughtfully kept about 50 young steers in the paddock until we arrived, to make sure there was an extra element to add to the mud that changed the event from an example of precision driving to survival of the fittest. And there were so many entrants that there was only time for three events, given that everyone was able to have two attempts, even if the second one was usually slower as the course became more cut up.

Yet again there were lots of younger entrants. Whetu Pikari was in a Morris Minor, Courtney Chamberlain in the less than trusty Austin 12/4, Mark Cummings in a Mazda MX5, Thomas Palmer in a Fiat 126, Fraser Kear in an Austin 7 Special, Josie Morrison and Harriet in a VW 1500, Tim Fox in a wonderfully restored 1960s Studebaker pickup. The list goes on.

The Model A Club, clearly frustrated at missing out on their Winter Run, (Irishman) were well represented, and there were three examples of French automotive excellence, two Citroens and a Peugeot. At the other end of the scale, Giles Gill was looking quietly determined in his Morgan three wheeler, and John Foster, in his third attempt at victory was on his two wheeler, a Triumph Metisse 500 scrambler. Poor old John. In the previous two years he did so well that we decided to disqualify him for being too successful, but a significant bribe of a bottled nature to a morally elastic organiser meant that he had a chance of victory this year. But Avon Hyde and Brad Govan could not be overlooked The first event was the traditional slalom, and it quickly became apparent that there was very little traction indeed, and the bigger cars, and front wheel drive cars, would be at a significant disadvantage. John Foster, on the one-wheel-drive Triumph, hurtled through in 43 seconds, and at the other end of the scale Andrew McGuire in his Mark 7 Jag took 85 seconds. Andrew is a fairly solid specimen, and with three equally solid sons of the soil on board, the Jag undulated and swayed gracefully between the cones as it struggled for grip in a masterful display of controlled power.

Messers Hyde and Govan looked promising, with times in the 50s, and Russell Yates was as spectacular as ever in his MGB. New entrant Warwick Marshall in his Covid Special (mostly Ford) looked

34 Beaded Wheels

Giles Gill, (1934 Morgan Family 3 wheeler) and Jason Roberts (Austin 7 Hawk) compare notes.

s

Great to watch … as the mud and the insults flew in equal measure, and driver skill really was put to the test.

promising, but with a time of 102 seconds, Tim Fox was beginning to realise that a Studebaker V8 with twin pipes was not really an advantage.

The second event had been borrowed from the MG club and was new, so the Old Brigade reached for their defibrillators, and everyone else (ie anyone under 50) caught on straight away. It was a sort of cambelt thing, on gently sloping ground, and the early starters had a distinct advantage. All the second runs were much slower as the course began to resemble a bog at Balcairn. John Foster cleaned this up far too easily, and the organisers began to wonder if the bribe has been big enough. Neale Elder had a good time in his original boat-tailed Morris Minor, and Josie Morrison, aged 18 and driving her father’s VW on grass for the first time, showed some real skill as she recovered from a few 360 degree moments. Vaughan Morrison was actually using opposite lock in his vastly modified Model A, and Brian Smith was doing well in his Morris 8 Sport. The other one-wheel-drive specialist, Giles Gill, in his mighty Mog was demonstrating his skill at one wheel drifts, as he flicked the back wheel out round the cones.

Paul McCulla is a vastly experienced driver who has raced all sorts of interesting machinery on tracks both here and in the UK. He also has a Model A, and is the son-in-law of Basil McCoy, a potent combination. However, the Model A wasn’t going so he arrived in his track car, a Peugeot 205 GTi, complete with roll cage, spoiler, rally interior and racing tyres, not to mention 250 bhp.

However, none of those 250 horses seemed keen to engage with the ground, and in spite of skilful handbrake use and every other rally trick he could think of, struggled for grip. But he did do a splendid job of removing every bit of grass that came in contact with his tyres, thus saving John Chamberlain extra time on the tractor.

So as we paused for lunch it was clear that the Triumph and the Austin hotrods were well out in front. The French team were sulking over their baguettes and vin ordinaire because their beloved FWD systems seemed to have met their Waterloo, but irritatingly, the Model As were doing well, as were the smaller cars.

Round three was a sort of complicated ever decreasing circles variation, once again new and on undulating ground, and as the rain increased, the ground got even more slippery, and for some, forward motion at any speed become the main goal. Great to watch of course as the mud and the insults flew in equal measure, and driver skill really was put to the test. The pattern continued as before, with many cars sliding helplessly into cones at very low speeds. To say most cars understeered would be an understatement. All terribly character-forming of course, and for the younger drivers and first time competitors, I’m sure they really did learn a great deal about car control, which is one of the main ideas of a gymkhana.

Getting out of the paddock and onto the road was the final challenge for us all, but no one needed a tow from a handy Land Rover, and the Springston Hotel was a welcome retreat from the cold and the rain. John Foster triumphed on his Triumph with 154 points, and was quite overwhelmed, when presented with The Cynthia, the very tasteful trophy that is always presented by Cynthia Chamberlain, in whose honour it is named. Avon Hyde, A7, was 2nd with 180 points, and Brad Govan 3rd with 191 points. Paul McCulla got a bottle of wine for having the most unlikely/ridiculous car, and yet another great motoring event was over.

Bruce Miles Model A in flight mode.

Andrew Roxburgh and his Traction Avant threading the cones.

Variety is a Hadstock tradition, from front: Morgan, Morris Minor, Dodge Fast Four.

Talking tactics from the gallery.

Josie Morrison (VW 1500) was one of the younger entrants enjoying the day.

A rare (in NZ) Studebaker pickup was entered by Tim Fox

1927 Dodge Fast Four utility living up to its name.

Beaded Wheels 35

My favourite car of the trip, Peter and Pamela Yeatman’s 1956 Morris Minor looked good in any setting. Here it crosses the Matakitaki River at the Horse Terrace Bridge.

SOUTH ISLAND

CLUB CAPTAIN’S TOUR WORDS AND PHOTOS GRAHAM TAYLOR

While the rest of New Zealand were worrying about impending doom and being caught up in pre-lockdown panic buying, a group of intrepid motorists made their way around the upper South Island, taking in glorious autumn weather.

Alon and Tracy Mayhew organised the tour which covered the upper half of the South Island, and apart from some drizzle on the way to the West Coast the weather was warm and cheerful.

We started on 15 March with 24 cars and 46 people. The cars all performed well with no breakdowns, except some minor muffler bumps on a rock on the Maruia Saddle (the Cortinas were too quiet anyway), and many commented on how much better they ran as the trip progressed. The oldest car was a Morris Oxford tourer, and the latest a 1985 Nissan Laurel. The youngest participant was Shane Backhouse, and oldest Neil McVicar, the youngest 95 year old I know, with the rest of us somewhere in between.

Day One: Started at Rangiora then ran via the Christchurch hill suburbs to Sumner, Lyttelton, Motukarara, Southbridge, and Rakaia to Methven.

36 Beaded Wheels

Highlights were the drive from Sumner, via Gebbies Pass to Lyttelton on a newly constructed road with panoramic harbour views.

Day Two: On the way to Greymouth we diverted through old goldmining towns Dilmanstown, Goldsborough and Stafford to Hokitika and the Treetop walk at Mahinapua. Highlights were the Otira Viaduct, the Otira pub, and the treetop walk.

Day Three: Started with a visit to Roger Devlin’s garage to see his well-displayed memorabilia and a bay for domestic memorabilia too, then on to JT’s to view his extensive stationary engine collection. We diverted via Dobson (meeting Joe Gillman and his V8 on the way) and Stillwater, past the Dobson mine memorial via Taylorville then Westport via the coast. We saw some of the best coastal views in the

world, Barrytown, Fox River, Punakaiki, Charleston and Constant Bay where the coastal scows negotiated a very narrow channel, then Cape Foulwind and the seal colony.

Day Four: To Richmond via the Buller Gorge, onto Murchison then diverting to the Mangles Valley and Lake Rotoroa back to SH6, St Arnaud and Golden Downs to Kohatu Junction. The highlight for me was that the last time I traversed the Mangles Valley it was with my Overland on the Veteran and Vintage rally. This time it was from the south in the Austin 1300, which handled the gravel section with ease.

The evening meal was provided by the Nelson Branch in their newly refurbished clubrooms.

Day Five: We visited friends in Mapua then travelled through to Blenheim via Havelock. The others went from Havelock

to Picton via the very scenic and interesting Queen Charlotte Drive. The Marlborough Branch impressed members with their premises and parts shed to the extent that it was rumoured that one of the ladies had to be persuaded that it was meal time. Dinner was provided by the Marlborough Branch in their clubrooms.

In their museum you can find an original engine from the local Marlborough car, a very original Model A and other cars and exhibits.

Day Six: Plan A was to have been to Hanmer via the Molesworth, alas this was not possible as the fire risk was still too high. However we noted with interest that the Department of Conservation was still allowing cyclists, walkers and 4x4 vehicles through, we could not have been green enough. Plan B was to head south east through the Wairau valley to St Arnaud, and then on to Murchison. At Murchison 18 cars travelled south through the Matakitaki Valley, and traversed the Maruia Saddle. This stretch was mostly gravel but as time was not an issue there were few problems. We rejoined the Shenandoah Highway to Springs Junction.

The whole day was enjoyable, and as the traffic was thinning out driving was a pleasure. Others travelled to Hanmer via the newly constructed coastal highway which in itself is spectacular.

Hanmer was our last stop; some of us headed south and others to Kaikoura via the inland route which is always good value.

In the Austin 1300 Cheryl and I clocked up 1600 miles at an average of 32 mpg and a litre of oil. This was our fourth Club Captain’s Tour, and if you haven’t done a tour like this or have been thinking about it, there will be another in two years, bugs permitting. (Don’t leave town until you’ve have seen the country!) This is the first time that I have been able to write an article without the phone going, and my years old to-do list is getting a thrashing, so there is light in this Covid-19 gloom after all.

s Lunchstop, at Waihora Domain, Motukarara, Canterbury.

s Mini and 1300 at Lake Rotoroa.

s Finding away to avoid the pre-lockdown queues for loo paper!

s Graham and Cheryl Taylor’s 1300 Austin at the entrance to the Buller Gorge and Lake Rotoiti.

s Gil and Ruth Edmonds in their 1980 GT Mini Clubman 1275.

South Island touring at its best - taking in the Otira Viaduct (left) and the scenic coastline north of Greymouth on the West Coast.

Beaded Wheels 37

BACK TO THE FUTURE WORDS JARED DACOMBE PHOTOS JASMINE DACOMBE

The 1985 classic movie Back To The Future grabbed my attention when I was about 13 years old. Watching the film for the first time and seeing the stainless steel, gull wing, sleek, sports car revealed by Doc in the Twin Pines carpark, complete with the movie sound effects of a hot V8, I could only dream of owning one.

For years I would geek out and look Deloreans up on the USA Hemmings classic car auction site and work out how much I would need to save to get one... a lot it seemed.

Fast-forward a few years. It was lunchtime at work on a sunny, summer’s day and, having completed the restoration of a Nash Metropolitan, I was scrolling through Facebook looking for my next project when a very early April 1981 Delorean VIN 1104 restoration project popped up and it was in Wellington.

Being an automotive engineer by trade I was curious about what could be involved in this potential basket case, or perhaps it was a potential investment that could be a lot of fun. I had a brief discussion with my Granddad about what I had found and decided to go ahead and give Wayne the seller a call and see what the story was.

One thing led to the next, I booked and paid for tickets for Granddad and me to go to Wellington the Saturday after the call and check it out in person, meeting up with Wayne and his lovely family. We discovered he was selling this one to help fund his other Delorean he was getting back on the road and couldn’t justify having one each for himself and his wife... who mentioned she’d 38 Beaded Wheels

rather have a Mustang instead. We arranged a price and made the deal.

My grandparents and I decided to drive to Picton in the camper and stay overnight on the street awaiting the early morning ferry which would deliver the unmanned Delorean to the port for us to collect and tow back to the workshop.

A few weeks later, after selling my MX5 to get the last of the funds together to push ahead with the project, it was all go. After a call and with the help of my brother and sister we pushed the Delorean on to the hoist after unloading from the trailer. The brakes had seized after 25 years of not moving, and I started work removing the engine sump to drain out the very old and watery oil – not an ideal sign but I was expecting to rebuild the motor. I had learned it had been sitting in New Zealand since 1992, originally owned and imported by Stan Turner of Palmerston North, who had the two and a half Deloreans sitting at the front of his workshop for many years. Stan had imported it from New Jersey, USA not running or driving just imported with a few bits missing, including a damaged right side door. As we unloaded the car we got to have

a good look at the job ahead and noted the missing windshield, broken glass, rusted roof box, and some fibreglass damage due to lazy port workers using a forklift to unload it from the dock with little care... the list goes on. This was a project some people were scared of touching.

So out came the old V6 PRV (Peugeot, Renault, Volvo) engine the same day I towed it back to the workshop, and the project started.

Having found the motor had only slightly blown the head gaskets. A rebuild was done, and then I spent the rest of that year trying to get it to run correctly, renewing and cleaning the fuel system. I found 10 inches of 1980s American fuel that had turned into black tar in the fuel tank. This was a good indication as to what the rest of the fuel system... lines, filter, injectors were like.

The battle with the lazy K-Jetronic fuel injection that is half electronic and half mechanical continued to the point where I decided to go with a more modern approach. Removing the engine again and finding a Renault 25 V6 that shares the same engine but electronic fuel injection. This enables the project to be simplified and parts purchased easily and are readily available. As an added bonus it has a programmable ECU (Electronic Control Unit) making it super easy to tune. I have all the information on my laptop to make adjustments to the fuel/air ratio, live feed data, temperature, spark advance etc. With this all in place the rest of the project continued.

I removed the rear stainless steel skin panels and repaired the damaged fibreglass thanks to my friend Steve who has worked on Americas Cup yachts. Removing the doors and fabricating a new roof box, tracking down a good condition second hand door from eBay to replace the damaged door after attempting to recreate a new bottom skin with the help of workmates Marcel and Jeff.

I removed and repainted bumpers, gave both the brake and cooling systems an overhaul, built a custom made exhaust system.

I had the dashboard and binnacle professionally recovered. The list goes on and so does the boxes of new parts from the UK, USA and the Netherlands. This leaves the interior, fitting of glass, a final dyno tune and all the other small teething issues to go.

Wrapping up the story the goal is to drive the Delorean up to the 2022 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring in New Plymouth.

Beaded Wheels

needs your talent

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 authors or photographers per issue will win a limited edition Beaded Wheels cap.

Email: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz High resolution digital photos are preferred.

Please contact me if you wish to discuss an idea for an article.

Kevin Clarkson, Chairman Beaded Wheels Editorial Committee.

Phone 021 0270 6525 or email kevin@vcc.org.nz Our lucky winners of the Beaded Wheels caps for this issue are Jared Dacombe and Don Yeaman

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LOOK FOR JARED’S DELOREAN AT THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL RALLY

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Post to: FREEPOST 1757, Beaded Wheels, P O Box 13140, Christchurch 8141

Beaded Wheels 39

MET

STOCK CAR RACING DURING THE 1950s WORDS TREVOR STANLEY-JOBLIN, PHOTO ROSALIE STUART

Cantabrian motoring enthusiasts will remember fondly the balmy and calm summer evenings spent at the Christchurch Speedway, more commonly known as Aranui Speedway, despite the track being in operation for just 10 years from 1949 to 1959.

The track hosted 182 race meetings with crowds of up to 14,000 and launched the careers of three world title holders. Racing action was expanded to include bikes with sidecars, midget racers, and from 1954-56, stock cars.

There were some real characters associated with the speedway.

Two who immediately spring to mind are Gerald Alexandra, or Jiggs as he was known, and John Jacobson who was always referred to as Johnny Jake. Both of these men drove midgets, although Jacobson initially started out racing in the Stock Car class.

The local evening paper, the Christchurch Star-Sun, reported the outcome of each race in detail in their Monday evening edition during the Aranui Speedway seasons. This was great, especially as the public following for the local speedway scene was very strong.

Is it any wonder that Christchurch produced four of the top riders in the world back in those good old days? The men I refer to, of course, are Geoff Mardon, Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore and Ivan Mauger.

When Aranui first started they introduced a Stock Car race.

While I am not totally certain on the precise date, I believe it was 40 Beaded Wheels

two weeks before Western Springs in Auckland. So in effect Aranui was the first to hold so-called Stock Car racing.

The above photo, taken in 1955, shows a young Neil Stuart sitting at the wheel of his 1935 Hudson Terraplane Six, raring to go out and do battle against the big boys in their Ford V8s. On the left we have Malcolm Cameron, later Vintage Car Club member.

On the right is Jack Vincent, both men Neil’s helper/mechanics.

The Terrraplane was yellow, nicknamed, as you can read on the bonnet, Tai Tapu Terra. It was owned by John Jacobson, proprietor of Jacobson’s Car Sales, who Neil worked for. A lot of competitors in this class were car dealers.

The most popular cars for Stock Car racing were, without a doubt, pre war Ford V8s. Ray Hooper (White), Doug Raite (Red and White ’35) and many others. However there was one car that stood up to the big boys in their Ford V8s and that was a baby blue Model A Tudor. I recall its owner or sponsor was City Motors, sign written as such in big bold capital letters. It’s driver was Johnny Crowe, proprietor of City Motors in the central city at that time.

Bring back old-fashioned Stock Car racing I say.

MARKET PLACE Terms and conditions CLASSIFIED RATES Due to space limitation, classified advertisers should refrain from the use of dashes, spaces, logos, blank lines and formatting. All classified rates include GST. The 65 word limit includes contact details. Advertisers requiring ads longer than the standard 65 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 Member of Vintage Car Club: No charge for text or photo classified advertising. Members must be financial and identify their Branch. Limited to one free advert per issue.

Non Member: $21 for first 40 words or part thereof, thereafter 15 cents per word (max 65 words per advertisement).* Text in a Boxed Ad : $24 non-members* Colour Photo Ad in Box: $56 non-members, enclose a clear photo and an SAE if return required.* Advertisements should be typed or clearly printed.

Advertising Email address: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Payment: Cheques Payable to Beaded Wheels. Post to: Advertising, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141, to arrive not later than 10th of month preceding publication. Internet banking on request.* DISPLAY RATES* Casual (per issue) 3 Issues (per issue) Full Page $900 $720 Half Page $490 $390 Horizontal ¼ Page $270 $216 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 3% 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 (Inc.) 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 (Inc.).

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 (Inc.) 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 (Inc.).

FOR SALE 1928 WILLYS KNIGHT 70A SEDAN a bout 90% BALANCING BALANCING BALANCING, complete and 1927 Willys Knight 56 sedan is about We can balance most vintage and single 70% complete. Both cars have parts available from cylinder engines, fans, driveshafts etc. Work owner and in America to complete restoration, cars is carried out on a modern digital machine. are unrestored. Also (to be sold as one lot) Veteran M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, 1916 75B Overland parts and three motors list of Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: parts available. Expressions of interest welcome. info@mscoombes.co.nz Phone 0211 694 008 Geoff or discountshuttles@ gmail.com MEM WELLINGTON PENRITE OILS W e carry a large range from 1965 HA VAUXHALL VIVA. T his car is very reliable, vintage to modern engines. Gearbox, diff, in original condition and well maintained. There SU dashpot and water pump grease. are numerous spares, too many to list, which M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, must go with car. It has its original number plate Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: and colour. $8,000 neg. Contact Bill Munro 04 563 info@mscoombes.co.nz 6342, bev.billmunro@gmail.com MEM WELLINGTON PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS 1990 MITSUBISHI LANCER SEI Free to good home.

FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & NZ assembled 2 owners. Metallic blue, paint and ODDBALL ENGINES. panel excellent, no rust or damage. Interior is We can supply piston sets for most makes and very good throughout. Motor needs attention. models. All piston sets come complete with Reg on hold. Too good to scrap. Ph 03 578 4216 rings and gudgeons. We have over 700 listings

MEM MARLBOROUGH at competitive prices.

M S COOMBES LTD CARBURETTOR RECONDITIONING including 344 ST ASAPH ST, CHRISTCHURCH classic and performance makes. 40 plus years Ph: 03 366 7463 E: info@mscoombes.co.nz trade experience. Free advice. Contact Graeme Tulloch, Tulmac Carburettor Specialists on 027 612 2312 or (Levin) 06 368 2202

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

CARS AND PARTS Daimler Conquest, Dolomite/ Toledo/ 1500, ‘52 Plymouth doors and bootlids chassis etc. Renault 18GTS, 98 Mondeo DSL s/w, Series E Morris 8, Vangaurd ute. Ph 03 214 0426, Bruce56@windowslive.com MEM SOUTHLAND

GOT VIBRATION PROBLEMS?

T he crankshaft pulley/balancer/damper may be the cause. Rubber perishes over time. John at Harmonic Damper Rebuilds can rebuild AS IS, WHERE IS, 1954 ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY your pulley like new. He has a proven system to re-rubber and re-sleeve dampers. Most can 346 Sapphire twin carb saloon. Colour - Black / be rebuilt as good as new and save you money Silver Grey. Registration UL 8616 on hold. No WOF. and engine repairs. 027 666 3350 or 07 863 3350 Offers. Contact Neil ph 03 434 9470 or neil.nonie@ damperdude@gmail.com xtra.co.nz MEM NORTH OTAGO ASSORTED 1937 DODGE PARTS. Nose cone and lights, bonnet, bumper mounts, steering, front and rear axles, sway bar, driveshaft, springs, brakes, wheels, pedals, handbrake, carburettors, heads, headers, electrical, etc. Leigh Shaw 027 285 1000 leighthal1977@gmail.com MEM AUCKLAND BEADED WHEELS MAGAZINES f rom early 1960s through to 2018 FREE very few missing. Also two Ford Aluminium step plates. Just pay shipping only on magazines. Phone 06 378 7422. MEM WAIRARAPA

DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS We can alter or make driveshafts with fabric components to take modern universal joints and yokes, as well as performing dynamic balancing. We also carry a large range of driveshaft components for car, trucks, industrial and marine. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz

DODGE SEDAN 1929 DA Eng rebore, shaft grind, new tyres, brakes overhauled $19,500 price neg.

Rego on hold. Daimler Conquest 1954 new tyres nice order $2,000 ono Rego on hold. Phone 021 0821 2140 MEM WAIKATO HUBCAPS – a ny problems contact me. I now produce either hubcap skins or complete hubcaps. These are top quality replicas.

Pressed not spun to the closest possible original specifications. I can manufacture any model that uses the skin system plus many others provided they do not exceed 10½ inch in diameter. For more information phone Dave Patten Replica Manufacturing (2003) Ltd, Phone 027 247 7956, 160 New York Street, Martinborough. dave.patten@wise.net.nz

ENGLISH CAR MAGAZINES “ Thoroughbred and Classic Cars” 20 years 2000-2019 almost complete set, just three copies missing out of 240. In 12 month bundles, buyer collects from Wanaka, offers. Phone 03 443 8868 or 021 245 8868

MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

Beaded Wheels 41

MARKET PLACE

FOR PARTS 1937-1939 DODGE B ody and mechanical nose and used new fuel pumps, water pumps, manifold sets, head sets, full gasket sets, shackle sets, 250Ci motor rebuilt. Phone Peter 027 526 9170 MEM GORE MAGNETO AND COIL WINDING SERVICES Magneto repairs, coil rewinding, work guaranteed. We buy and sell magnetos of all types except aircraft.

728 Waimutu Road, RD2 Marton 4788.

Phone Warwick 06 327 3849, 027 281 8066, walandlynn@farmside.co.nz

MEM VALVES exhaust quality stainless for vintage engines. Available in blank form or machined to size required. George Calder, 307 Hoon Hay Rd, Christchurch. Phone 03 338 5372 or email gandkcalder@gmail.com

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 & BA 15 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 FORD MODEL A PARTS new and used for sale.

Phone 027 696 2965 MEM GORE MERCEDES SL350 1972 p arting out. No body panels but most other parts, hardtop brightware only, most mechanicals available, good seats (white) almost new radiator. Car was driven under trees in 2012 and left, therefore panels and chassis are rusty. Has good oil pressure. Ph 06 758 3625, dianneasquith@yahoo.com MEM TARANAKI

VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS

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

Phone Grant 341 5100 or 027 223 9474 granttvin@gmail.com 1972 ROVER 3.5 V8 B ritish Racing Green. NZ VINTAGE ENGINE SHORT BLOCKS new. 40,000 miles, good solid original car. Long We can in most cases rebuild your short term ownership, always maintained, currently block using modern shell bearings, registered and warranted $3,500 ono. For new pistons and rebuilt oil pump. further information please contact Graeme Please contact us for more information.

03 383 5232 Christchurch.

MEM CANTERBURY M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz HUPMOBILE MOTORS 1923 AND PARTS 8 x generators - Delco, Remy, Bosch, Lucas etc. 3 x starter motors - Lucas, one vintage long shaft. 1 x magneto 1914, 2 x 8 inch headlights. 1 x brass honeycomb radiator core. Ph Ivan Hibberd 03 323 8769 ivanehibberd@gmail.com MEM CANTERBURY PENRITE ENGINE COOLANT A colourless hybrid-organic non glycol based corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for use STAINLESS STEEL N Z Place names fit either on in Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage and Classic Car top or underneath your classic or vintage vehicle cooling systems. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph number plate. Christchurch, Pukekohe, Wellington, Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: Waikato, Napier, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, info@mscoombes.co.nz Kaitaia, Tauranga, Auckland, Otago, Timaru, MINI 850 LONG ENGINED DIFF, trans, full second Canterbury, Southland. Also Ratrod and Prefect. $1200. Comm VS/T complete engine ass. rebuilt Tabs indrilled. Available with an “up” or “down $1200. Ford Sconovan long engine full recondition tab” $30 each, discount for two or more. Other $1500. Chev V8 253 short block rebuilt $1500. place names available on request. Contact peter.

Toyota IK2TE short block full second $2000. Phone alderdice@me.com 021 743 906 MEM AUCKLAND 07 895 4483

MORRIS 12 MA, 1930s seat, 1930 MT wheels, veteran two headlights, V8 rims wheels 25mm.

Barry Dewar 027 241 0624. MEM OTAGO

1972 E TYPE JAGUAR 5 litre V12, 4 speed manual, 80,176 miles on the clock, current WOF & Reg. Good running condition. For further information phone Dick on 021 709 508 MEM WANGANUI

VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes.

Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan on 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier. MEM WAIRARAPA VCC PARTS SHED: A ustin 12/4, pair 10 spoke steel wheels, military style; pair Ford teardrop headlight lenses; new/old stock Vauxhall Viva (HB?) crownwheel & pinion 10/39 teeth 6389375 P48, lay gear 8813848, handbrake cable 2699560, headlight bezels, printed circuit for dash 7976280. Ph Frank, 06 3797167 or Jeff j.percy@xtra. co.nz or Barry ljandbjwells@gmail.com.

42 Beaded Wheels

1928 MODEL A CLOSED CAB PICKUP L HD twin spare wheels, great condition. Drives well. Reg and WOF. Ph Robert 027 444 1333. MEM HOROWHENUA

HONDA 750 (EARLY 1970S) f ront forks and wheel.

Everything is straight, but chroming needs redoing. $100. Phone 027 372 1563, or 09 420 4558, email cole.makarau@gmail.com MEM AUCKLAND

MARKET PLACE

RILEY 1936 MERLIN ROADSTER SPECIAL 12/4 engine. Brooklands selector on ‘Silent-Third’ 4-spd gearbox. 18” wire wheels. Good soft-top, tonneau, all wet-weather windows. Been in storage several years. Rego on hold. Will require attention to revive to running condition. Other parts available. For sale by tender. Contact moriskovitch@gmail.com

1938 CHRYSLER ROYAL C18 RH drive 6-cylinder 6-volt 3-speed manual with overdrive. Odometer: 83,255. Colour: Crest Blue. NZ-new, drives well, good condition, well-maintained and garaged throughout its life. Some spare parts available together with original documentation and manual. $22,000. Napier ph 027 446 0708. MEM HAWKE’S BAY

1938 MORRIS 10/4 SEDAN Rust free, tidy straight body. Runs well. Becoming rare. Unfinished garaged project, 90% finished. BW plates (not live) 30+ years ownership. Genuine enquiries. $6,500. Ph Denis 027 351 3190, ramsel@xtra.co.nz

MEM GORE

SCIMITAR GRAND TOURING CONVERTIBLE Hard and soft top, Borg Warner Auto 1980, one owner since 1987, concours winner. Kept in near new condition. Ford 2.8 litre V6. Spares available via UK airfreight. 118,000 miles. Drives almost like a modern. Only two known in NZ. $20,000. Ph 027 678 4358 or 09 262 3332.

1934 MORRIS TWO DOOR SPORT CONVERTIBLE. NEW MODEL A FORD SHOCK ABSORBERS. A rare model. Fully restored. Fabric body. New Precision manufactured in NZ. They are fully upholstery, new hood, new 19inch tyres, Motor adjustable and work as per the originals, $322 fully reconditioned. Luggage trunk, and original each. New 1928/29 and 1930/31 Model A open car picnic hamper. $17,500 ono. Phone John 06 754 windscreens. Ph 03 359 0565 or 021 128 9252 or 7668 or 754 3131 email Reumers.trim@gmail.com www.vintagefordparts.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY

MEM TARANAKI

THE WHIPPET is a simple car to work on, I have photo copied a parts booklet for restoration. Gives you pleasure in your work, and turn into a usable investment. Some work has been completed. have a detailed photo index of the dismantled car available email enquiries to olgete@nettel.net.nz Ph 03 615 7736 or 021 262 0913 MEM STH CANT

1923 HUBMOBILE 4 DOOR TOURER r ebored 4 cylinder new pistons. Orig motor, gearbox and diff.

Body burgundy, black guards, new canvas black hood, side curtains and carpet. Wire wheels, 5 new tyres. Nickel headlights & front bumper (extras when new). Full leather interior seats doors, side panels. $30-$35,000. Ph 03 542 3847. MEM NELSON

1964 HONDA 90 i n great original condition.

1974 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER SWB Japanese $2,800 firm. New battery, with excellent tires. assembled. Very good original condition WOF & Mileage showing 745 miles & is turned over every registered. Been garaged most of its life. $18,000. week. ph 027 682 4040 wellsscadden@xtra.co.nz Ph 027 248 2620.

MEM EBOP

MEM HOROWHENUA

WOODEN WHEELS m ade for your metal­ work. Steam-bent felloes, any shape spokes.

New beaded rims available in some sizes. Phone Vern Jensen 06 323 3868, 16 Osborne Terrace, Feilding, sandvo@callsouth.net.nz MEM

1964 RILEY 4/72. L ocated in Invercargill. Tidy, excellent running vehicle with spares. New WOF and rego. $5,400 ono. Ph Dorothy Hoskins, 03 215 9302, hoskins.a.d.@xtra.co.nz MEM SOUTHLAND

Beaded Wheels 43

MARKET PLACE

WANTED MODEL T FORD 1924 COWL VENT. J ust the flap.

If you “T” guys could check your stash of bits and come up with one I’d be truly appreciative. We are on the home straight and I really need it now. email: aeroview@xtra.co.nz. Peter 021 1291 333

MEM ASHBURTON 1913/1914 STUDEBAKER ANY PARTS, l iterature for 4 cylinder models, Especially engine or engine parts for 1913 “Big Four” Model 35. Any help appreciated. Also would like to contact 1915 - 1922 “Oakland Six” owners. Ph Marg Rogers 03 689 1001, 021 115 1301 or colinlaos@gmail.com MEM WAIMATE

PRE 1923 TRIUMPH FRONT FORK BLADES GIRDER FORK VELOCETTE MSS i n any condition. or parts wanted. As per picture in any condition Ph Bill 03 548 8743 or 021 672 559 or email bill@ MEM NELSON with or without stand lugs and any parts, irwin.gen.nz suit 1909 Triumph also want Triumph model SD rear wheel or hub. Ph 021 088 06141, taylorhq@xtra.co.nz MEM AUCKLAND

1929 BSA SLOPER CLUTCH or parts wanted, especially the bearing assembly. Also interested in any other Sloper parts. Please email Bevan at bevanw58@gmail.com, or ph 03 303 3007, or 021 159 8383. MEM ASHBURTON AUSTIN 12 V GENERATOR f or 1927 Austin plus a crank handle. Phone Graham 07 308 7683, cell 0274 773 731. MEM BAY OF PLENTY

GOOD 3 SPEED GEARBOX f or mid 50s to mid 60s chev or good synchro slide for same. Has a 4 bolt side cover. Phone Alister 021 114 9659 MEM CANTERBURY

MAGNETO FOR DUNELT 1928 250CC Model K Royal Delux. Phone Donald Suckling 09 412 7479 email thebarn820@yahoo.co.nz MEM WAITEMATA

MORRIS 12/4 S2 4 speed gearbox, any condition will be considered. Phone Alex on 022 590 3984 EARLY CENTRE BUMPER CLAMP FOR MODEL A

MEM STH WAIKATO FORD. Has Ford Made in Canada embossed on surface. Also any original Model A sales brochures, NSU PRIMA 1957/58 D model 150cc. Alternator service bulletins, service letters. Ph Justin and dynamic start wanted Ph 021 056 9146, email Bicknell 027 634 3308, bickandtracy@xtra.co.nz p.a.vanklink@gmail.com MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

MEM HAWKE’S BAY PLYMOUTH 1936 l eft tail lamp, trumpet horns arburettor updraft. and mounts or parts, overdrive cable, throttle TILLITSON MODEL JR2A C cable, mirror clock, boot lid handle, grille insert or Any condition but a complete one in excellent parts. Ph Owen 033499197, ow67@outlook.co.nz condition would be great. These were a common after-market carb popular for replacing original

MEM CANTERBURY carburettors. Phone Colin 021 131 6699, WANTED REAR SCREEN in the style pictured, for RANGE ROVER 2 DOOR wanted up to 1980 phone cajohnstoncollections@xtra.co.nz a 1923, 7 seat European tourer. I have an English MEM TARANAKI Pete on 0274 333 295 or pete.barnard@hotmail.com screen in beautiful condition which is not quite TWO TYRES 33 X 4.25 INCH SS. WOF standard. wide enough, to trade. Phone Peter 0274 733 137

MEM BANKS PENINSULA Phone 09 292 8767 or 027 217 7461 Terry.

MEM STH CANTERBURY SET OF HOOD BOWS (top irons) for 1928 Ford MEM AUCKLAND Model A Phaeton. Phone Allan Young 0276 199 091

MEM GORE

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SWAPMEETS AND RALLIES

THE ULTIMATE TIME TRIALS 2020 Now two event options on tarmac closed road special stages: 4 Day Time Trial Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th October 2 Day Time Trial Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October Albany – Whangarei – Auckland – Whitianga - Pukekohe Discount entry fees for VCC members - Refer: www.targa.nz for details.

Contact: Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@gmail.com 027 433 8772 PHOTO: PROSHOTZ PHOTOGRAPHY -

GRAB YOUR HELMENT AND START PLANNING...

WAIRARAPA BRANCH INVITES YOU TO

27 th NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY 12-14 MARCH 2021

AFTER RALLY TOUR 15-18 MARCH 2021 These events will both proceed as planned entry forms (printed and on-line) are now available.

For more information contact Rally Secretary, Beth Taylor Phone 021 732 832, email vccrally2021@gmail.com

2020 NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY JOIN US ON THE GREAT ROADS OF THE WAIRARAPA GORE

2020 NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY TH 16 – 18TH OCTOBER 2020 GORE

16 - 18 October 2020

For all vehicles 1918 and older Come enjoy our rolling country side, scenic views and warm southern hospitality. All roads will be sealed Register your interest and book your accommodation at one of our local hotel/motels Link: www.gorenz.com/visit/accommodation Entry forms will be available from 1 June 2020 RALLY DIRECTOR: Paul Herron 027 210 4131 RALLY SECRETARY: Lynne Herron 0272 104 046 EMAIL: connemara_miniatures@hotmail.com

Followed by The Prince Henry Tour to Te Anau. For more information about this please contact Nevin Gough, 021 115 0312

For ALL vehicles 1918 and older Beaded Wheels 45

Come enjoy our rolling country side, scenic views and

CHIL

DATE CHANGE FOR BOP SWAP MEET

E

NEW DATE 8 NOV 2020

5

$

PE RP ER SO N N

DR

STOP PRESS

EN TR YF EE

UN

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Annual

W O H S CAR p M e et a w S &

CENTRAL OTAGO BRANCH 50TH We invite all past and present members, friends and families to Queenstown to celebrate the start of our club.

24 and 25 October 2020 SATURDAY Afternoon: Arrive and check out attractions around Queenstown. Evening: Meet and greet at Heartland Hotel followed by Dinner (registration essential) awards and guest speaker.

SUNDAY Meet at 10 am for morning tea at a private collection before a scenic rally. Finish with a BBQ at our clubrooms.

ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTIONS: Heartland Hotel $120 per night.

Motels: Blue Peaks, Caples Court, Four Seasons.

WHAT WILL BE THERE?

HERE WHEN & W

020 VEM BER 2 GA O N 8 Y A D N RA SU N OAD, TAU 29 CLIFF R 7am -2pm drinks ily, food and m fa e th for t e kids A day ou creams for th available, ice-

• A large collection of Vintage & Classic • Post War Vehicles • Pre War Vehicles and Motorcycles • Peoples Choice Competition

Registration and Enquiries Murray George Ph: 0274 333 321, email: murraygeorgeelec@xtra.co.nz Karelan Doran Phone 027 274 3361 email: karelandoran@gmail.com

WAIKATO VINTAGE

Taranaki Branch

Maunga-Moana Rally 2020

SWAPMEET KARAPIRO DOMAIN, CAMBRIDGE

Sunday 15 November 2020 Gates open 7am • Public Entry $5 • Children under 12 Free Sites $10 • Commercial sites $50 Organised by Waikato Branch of VCC and Waikato Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club

Enquiries Ph Jeremy Brook 07 824 1641, George Gardner 07 839 1822

For more information visit www.wvvcc.co.nz

Burma Rally 24 January 2021

To be held in New Plymouth centred at the Quality Hotel Plymouth International 20th-21st November 2020 Rally Organiser - V&S Oliver Entries to: railmodels1@xtra.co.nz.

Entries now open 46 Beaded Wheels

& Vintage Weekend

WANGANUI

22-25 January 2021

As one of New Zealand’s oldest cities we celebrate our heritage over Wellington Anniversary weekend.

Come join us in our annual Burma Rally and also enjoy optional Vintage Weekend activities designed to celebrate Whanganui’s unique heritage.

Enquiries to Steve Hibberd – wanganuirally@gmail.com Entries close 15 January 2021

TRADE DIRECTORY INSTRUMENT REPAIRS Hamco INDUSTRIES

Motorcycle & Car a Wire Wheel Repairs & Restorations

Experienced expert technician Bruce Chaytor ph 021 631 700 Nicolette Prangley 021 166 8374 nap.chaytor@gmail.com 5 Gibbs Place, Kinloch, RD1, Taupo 3377

We Specialise In • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels Rim and Frame Lining • Wheel Building & Truing • Complete Wheel Restoration

Vintage – Classic – Modern Craig & Debbie Hambling

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Listings for over 800 models

Phone 06 324 8345

VINTAGE AUTO PARTS

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Gary and Ruth Arps • PO Box 5369 Papanui, Christchurch 3482

Mobile 027 231 7864

phone or fax 03 359 8592

CARBURETTOR SPECIALISTS

reconditioning service body, re-bushing and shafts supplied.

Specialising in Weber, Holley, SU, Stormberg, etc

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Specialists in the non-aggressive cleaning of automotive, motorcycle and marine parts

105 HARROW STREET DUNEDIN 9016

Reliable Vapor Blasting, Dry blasting and Ultrasonic cleaning based in Woolston Christchurch.

Ideal for all your restoration work.

Phone 021 714 696 75 Marshall Street, Christchurch 8023. www.blastnbits.co.nz blastnbitsvaporblast

Paul Greenslade Phone 027 252 7836 (027 BLAST EM) EMAIL: s2sblast@gmail.com www.s2svapourblast.co.nz Greenhithe, Auckland

Repairers and Restorers of Vintage and Classic Instruments Speedo Cables repaired or made new to order 13 Fleming Street, Onehunga, Auckland Beaded Wheels 47

TRADE DIRECTORY

Personal Service Chevrolet Truck Parts

Mid 30’s to Early 70’s

New Zealand has so many Chevrolet trucks. We supply restoration parts to many.

Can we be of assistance during your needs for parts?

1-800-842-1913

oldchevytrucks.com

RESTORED CARS MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA 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.

Visa – MasterCard available Eddie Ford Publications P/L 29 Lyons St, Newstead Vic 3462, Australia.

Ph 61 3 5476 2212 Fax 61 3 5476 2592

Done the old way – the right way

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia 6 Issues $57 or 12 issues $111 New Zealand 6 Issues AUD$91 or 12 issues AUD$179 Overseas 6 Issues AUD$106 or 12 issues AUD$209

COPPER – NICKEL – CHROME

Specialist in restoration of Vintage and Classic cars and motorcycles

FREEPHONE

EMAIL stephen_winteringham@hotmail.com

0800 862 476

www.classicchrome.co.nz

FREE ADVERTISING*

$21 Text only advertisement.

Up to 45 words including phone number, no photo.

Additional words over 45 up to a maximum of 65 words, 15 cents per word.

Classified advertising in Beaded Wheels magazine is free *for all current financial members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc buying or selling club eligible vehicles or parts. Our standard advertising charges apply for all non-members or members wishing to advertise commercial services.

Email your advertisement to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz or complete the form below and post to Marketplace, Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. See page 3 of this issue for deadline for receipt of advertisements for our next issue.

$54 Text and colour photo advertisement.

Up to 45 words including phone number. Supply a colour photo of your vehicle. Include SAE for return of photo, digital photos may be submitted to our email address: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

I wish to advertise in Beaded Wheels. Payment where required must accompany your advert.

WANTED

FOR SALE

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CONDITIONS OF FREE ADVERTISING stamped addressed envelope is supplied by the advertiser. Digital • • Free advertising is limited to one advertisement per financial photographs may be supplied by email in .jpg or .png format, member of the Vintage Car Club of NZ per issue. Members send a high resolution file to achieve best results. must state their membership number when submitting the • Advertisements must be resubmitted for each issue they are advertisement. required to appear in.

• Advertisements must be of a non-commercial nature.

• The recommended length of advertisements is 45 words – the • • Advertisements must be submitted in writing, by email maximum space available is 65 words. Beaded Wheels reserves (preferred), post or fax. Photographs will only be returned if a the right to edit all copy.

Advertisements will be published on a first come, first served basis. While every attempt will be made to include your advertisement in the issue immediately following receipt – limited space may mean some advertisements will be held over until the following magazine for publication.

All free advertisements will automatically be listed on the VCCNZ website.

Payment where required must accompany your advert. Cheque should be made payable to Beaded Wheels. Post payment & advertisement to marketplace, P O Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. VCCNZ members must be financial and state their branch to receive free advertising.

IDLE TORQUE A round up of events, personalities and branch gossip from VCCNZ branches around the country

ASHBURTON

COLIN SWEETMAN

We welcome new members Tony Burling-Claridge, Andrew Simpson and Craig Begg.

Recently a senior member donated a 1937 four door Morris 8 to the branch, with the request that we find a suitable home for it, hopefully within the branch membership. He had started restoration 35 years ago, but for various reasons it had not been finished. It had been painted, and the underside had been completely re-done.

The engine had been rebuilt.

Enter Ally Hanson, one of our branch members. Ally had been looking for a four door Morris 8 for many years, as one of these had been the first car that he owned. More recently, due to a lack of four door models, Ally had settled for 2 two-door cars to work on, until this one became available. At the time of writing Ally has had the car for three weeks, and has already re-started the 35 year restoration. He has taken the bit between his teeth and cleaned up the car, re-kitted the brakes, fitted a new master cylinder, made new floors, fitted new running boards, and polished the hubcaps, window winders and door handles. A new wiring loom has been ordered and a decision will soon be made on the upholstery, which is in surprisingly good condition, but perhaps the wrong colour for the restored car. The registration is on hold, and with both of the black plates available, this will assist in getting the car back on the road. We look forward to seeing this restoration completed later in the year.

AUCKLAND

JOHN STOKES

Our first event post-lockdown was the motorcycle section meeting. Peter Alderdice spoke of riding Ken Campbell’s 2400cc V8 Indian, which he found very impressive. Brian King and Michael Watts had ridden to the AMC Jampot Rally in Nelson and then on to the Burt Munro event in Invercargill, and both the Matchless and AJS performed well. Jack

▲ Ashburton: Before – Morris on its arrival at the Branch.

▲ Ashburton: During lockdown– Ally Hanson working on the car three weeks into lockdown.

Clark has got his Matchless G12 running.

Don Green has done an Australian trip on a borrowed Triumph Bonneville. He then had to quarantine on his return. We welcome new motorcycle member Alastair Johnston with a 1938 Velocette MSS. Two or three prospective members were also at the meeting.

The vintage section meeting was the next event. Murray and Penny Firth intend driving the refurbished 1931 Bedford truck to the Canterbury Swap Meet, a long haul there and back. We welcome new member Bill Quinn with a 1924 Oakland tourer. Graham Crawley supplied the Winterbottom family with very high

Beaded Wheels 49

quality drawings of a Sunbeam differential. North Shore visitor David Lane spoke of the recent engine rebuild for his 1930 Studebaker roadster. Neil Bieleski is doing a write up of the rebuild of his 1924 Renault diff. Mike Loosemore has sold his 1924 Bean and replaced it with a 1926 Austin 7 Chummy. Neil Otway has reconditioned the engine of his 1930 V8 Oakland Phaeton. Norm Dewhurst has brought a c1938 Austin Seven special.

At the veteran section meeting members were asked to bring an item of interest. Jim Boag produced an object with the letters R TAMPIEH on the top knob, and the top of the quadrant is graduated 0 to 10. It is in fact a TAMPIEH valve control for a rotary aircraft engine. David Oliver produced an object that could be described as a Model T Ford radiator bug collector.

North Shore visitors were Dennis Bonham and Ian Kell. Dennis has bought the 1915 Overland Model 81 from Mike Courtney and Ian has a 1912 Model T Ford. Wellsford visitor Doug Hamilton has assembled an engine for his 1911 Cadillac four cylinder, however brake parts are proving elusive.

Phil Henley has sorted some clutch issues with the 1913 Mitchell. Denis Lowe has a new reverse gear train for the 1903 Oldsmobile.

The club held a very successful post lockdown dinner on the fourth of July.

Many attendees wore USA themed dress and about 70 people were present.

BANKS PENINSULA DON GERRARD Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud was the order of the day on Sunday 12 July for the Annual Balcairn Trials. Twenty-seven entrants navigated six tests in the usual eclectic variety of machinery to the appreciative large crowd of spectators. Congratulations go to first equal, Gordon Dacombe (Nelson), Morris Sports and Lance Braid (Hokitika), Austin 7, with our own member Avon Hyde, Austin 7 special in third place.

At this year’s well-attended AGM, held on 9 July, it was agreed a Facebook page be set up to support, inform and help promote the branch. Peter Leversedge has set up the page and this will also provide a platform for the Old Race Car Register that has been recently started by our branch. If you are interested in having a look at the page and hopefully making a worthwhile contribution, sign onto VCC of NZ Banks Peninsula Branch.

On the restoration front John Newell is in the process of acquiring a new engine

50 Beaded Wheels

block for his long-time family-owned 1924 Vauxhall 30/98. It will be great to see this illustrious car back on the road again after a long hibernation.

New members, Paul and Josie Morrison were well initiated into the club at Balcairn in their 1929 Austin 7 special, but a few gremlins halted progress somewhat. Their other vehicles include a 1928 Chevrolet truck and Volkswagen Beetle. Another new and young member, Mark Cummings in his early Mazda 5 had a good outing at the Hadstock Trials and gained an enthusiastic 18th Place.

CANTERBURY

TONY BECKER

What a delight to be back into car club activity after staged lockdowns.

Cranking-up delayed programs for motorcycle and car events was a happy return to something like normal. At our Restoration of the Year event, anticipating a few post-lockdown restoration efforts, it was something of a surprise to welcome just one lonely entry. Hamish and Kelly Pierce’s Leyland Clubman 1275GT certainly proved an honourable success.

First motorcycle get-together, the 10 June AGM, was an easy ride for last year’s committee and convenor, Phil Jeeves, all being returned to office. First branch road event went to the 9-90s midweek group. Fifty-four VCC vehicles turned up.

A run around the sunny bays and beaches of Banks Peninsula terminated at Cutler Park. Members welcomed the return to our familiar home after several weeks’ absence. An email alert to members via Hub Editor Rosalie Brown produced a belated Noggin and Natter opportunity on 18 June. This resulted in a friendly catchup at Parts Shed and Clubrooms. The really good news is that our Swap Meet and Display on 9, 10, 11 October (barring return to lockdown) has been confirmed. A recent Sunday saw the return of our monthly Old Cars Bikes and Coffee event at Cutler Park, which offered a catchup with members and visitor enthusiasts. A further club evening on 2 July positioned us back on regular Noggin and Natter schedule. In order to retain member contact, an interim newsletter style Hub appeared in place of the magazine version during lockdown. While postage and printing costs have dramatically increased from July, some serious reconsideration of mailing full monthly printed editions of The Hub is probably at hand!

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY JOHN FOOT With Covid-19 putting a stop to Club activities I decided to do a brief history of the very rare 1935 Auburn 851 phaeton previously owned and restored by Lynn and Sandra Cross of CHB Branch. Registered PHATN8 it was originally owned by Pearl Judd, later known as Georgia Buchanan, born in Dunedin in 1907 and in later years resident of Titoki Street Masterton. Pearl was a notable psychic medium who held séances from her teenage years. This must have been a lucrative occupation for her to be able to purchase what would have been a very expensive motorcar. After Pearl’s ownership it is believed to have passed through several owners from Wellington to Kaitaia before finishing up in a wreckers yard. The next owners were Les and Janice Deiz of Hamilton, who over a period of years carried out some restoration work before selling to Lynn and Sandra Cross in 2004. After a further ten years of restoration work it finally emerged in all its glory to take part in the 2014 Easter Rally held in Waipukurau. After some use on club events Lynn and Sandra decided the best place for the car was in a private museum where it would be brought out only for special events such as Art Deco.

Hooray, we are now at level one and on Sunday 21 June we had our first branch event which saw 10 cars line up for a leisurely drive up to Whakarara and to A’Deane’s Bush Scenic Reserve on the way home.

FAR NORTH

DAVE DUIRS

Our southern members recently organised a most enjoyable pot luck luncheon, hosted by the Wynnes at their rural home. It was great to catch up and share experiences of lockdown activities, most of which seemed positive. The socialising was welcome so hopefully we will see increased participation in coming events.

The Molloy Trophy, planned by the MacKays, had a more relaxed format without the usual competitive/navigation day. Meeting at Whangaroa harbour, we chatted over a thermos for a while and then rambled along the coast to Mahinepua beach for another extended stop and general chat. There were some people there sunbathing and surfing on the mild mid-winter day. Further along we descended in to Matauri Bay, home of the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, with the spectacular Cavalli Islands back drop. Our test for the day was a bit of observation plus

Banks Peninsulas: Gordon Dacombe heading for a clear run at Balcairn.

Photo John McDonald.

▲Auckland: Best dressed at Auckland Dinner.

Auckland: Boag device.

▲

Auckland: Oakland.

▲ Central Hawke’s Bay: Cross’s 1935 Auburn under restoration.

▲ Central Hawke’s Bay: Cross’s Auburn finished.

▲

Auckland: Dewhurst Special.

Beaded Wheels 51

Far North: Caffeine & Classic.

Far North: Far North Molloy Run wet start.

Marlborough: First Post Covid run to Marfells Beach.

Horowhenua.

Horowhenua: spares clean up after the working bee

Horowhenua: Well earned morning tea after the spares clean up.

52 Beaded Wheels

Marlborough: Wairau River bonfire and lunch.

Horowhenua.

identifying a sheet full of car emblems. We lunched at the cafe on the top of the hill, with more socialising as we enjoyed a very basic, low cost meal of which there was an endless supply. So ended a relaxing day out with a good turnout of older vehicles. The Grahams were the winners.

Monthly noggin ‘n’ natters and the Taipa Caffein and Classics are back on track again so life is returning to normal.

GORE

JIM MCFADZIEN

The end of lockdown saw 16 vehicles burst into action during showers for the End of Season run on 6 June. Gore lost a great member, Paul Corcoran, in May so the run went past his residence, and carried on through Mataura, Te Tipua, and Glencoe districts before calling at Terry Inder’s man cave. This collection is 100% Datsun, and at the moment his priority is getting a Datsun 1200 coupe fitted with a 170 hp two litre engine up to scrutineering standards. He has a lot of other projects waiting.

Back to the clubrooms and the instructions included nine questions. Only four crews had them all correct. Another task was to copy the Te Tiua school logo, which resulted in Dawn and Bill Sheddan being declared the winners.

Somehow Gerry found another bottle of whisky which needed raffling, and it went home with Glenise Corcoran.

It is great to be mobile again.

HAWKE’S BAY

HELEN BALL

How eagerly we all waited for this moment, to be out and about again on club runs in our treasured vehicles joining with other keen members.

To kick it all off, 21 cars headed out on the “Blow the Cobwebs Off” run. It was a lovely winter ramble, driving to Clive and then down the Tukituki Valley, always picturesque no matter what time of the year, and then back up past Craggy Range before weaving in and around the back roads of Havelock North. The finish was at Birdwood Gallery and Café. Winter sees mainly classic cars with heaters driven on our runs, but some brave vintage owners wrapped in all their winter woollies also enjoy the outings.

Our first Wednesday run had seven cars, again on a lovely June day, roaming around the outskirts of the wider Napier area viewing new developments, showcasing how Napier is still growing despite what the world throws at us.

The Tuesday spares group is back in force with an average of 23 gents attending for a bit of work and a cuppa and natter.

Events coming up from July onwards are; Winter Decodence run on 19th, being part of a privately organised Winter Deco program, and the start again of our fabulous Friday night “Kitchen” on 31st , also with a Deco theme.

August will feature a Restoration Run, and a Safari is organised for October with bookings already starting to build up.

Our AGM has been postponed until 12 August.

HOROWHENUA PETER NIGHTINGALE Our recent monthly meeting was our last for the financial year, and the first since lockdown ceased. It was well attended and was a great get together with both spare parts and library open and even a great supper provided by chairman Des, who said he was shouting for his “significant birthday” that day.

The following Saturday was our usual working bee, spares were open and we had a great turnout 27 members for another social morning.

Jerry Harvey has been restoring an old Land Rover which has been converted to a fire engine, and was in service on Great Barrier Island. He has now found himself an early production Ford Model AA truck in bits but restorable. The truck has many features that are different from the later ones and the challenge now for Jerry is to find out more.

Jeff Fox and his keen bikie mates are restoring some veteran Norton racing bikes. He has also just completed work on an MGB motor for a friend I believe.

Raewyn, the wife of our club captain, Bruce Lawrie passed away suddenly during lockdown and, as they are younger members, it was a shock to us all. Our sincere sympathy to Bruce and his family and it is great that he is going to carry on as our club captain.

I have been the Branch Reporter for a number of years now, so I am passing the job on to Bob Barton. He is a keen photographer, and is closer to the action than I am these days.

KING COUNTRY

NORMA DOUGHERTY

After delaying our Annual General Meeting by a month, due to Covid-19 we ended up with only one change in our

officer bearers, that being the appointment of Nic Watson as the new club captain.

Because of the Covid crisis there have been no branch outings recently.

At our monthly meeting following the AGM there was discussion about the forthcoming Journey through Time rally, the cost of the up-keep of the hall, insurance costs and the cost of electricity.

MARLBOROUGH CARROLL WIBLIN It is great to be able to get out and mingle once again. Our first run was to Marfells Beach, a very cold but enjoyable outing. The second outing was a picnic by the Wairau River, not too far out of town, and with some strategic parking of vehicles, we got a relatively sheltered area for lunch. With a good roaring bonfire close by on the river stones, it made for a very pleasant get together. We will look forward to many more, and also getting back to our monthly noggin ‘n’ natter. How we take these simple pleasures for granted, without having a thought for how lucky we are to have the freedom and the health to do them.

We were saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected passing of member Murray McCallum, aged 66. He and his wife Crystene were regular supporters of our fundraising days. Murray was on the verge of retiring. Our thoughts go out to Crystene, Alastair, and Scott.

We have decided to still have a Daffodil Day, even though the national event was cancelled due to the pandemic. We feel that it gives us the opportunity to get back into supporting local societies and the Cancer Society is a worthy cause. Most of us have someone who has had cancer and know of the fantastic service they provide.

We are looking forward to more runs, and are planning our Annual Prizegiving Dinner for August. It will be a little later this year.

NELSON

RAY ROBERTSON

With all the Covid negatives on our minds for the past couple of months Nelson Branch thought we would point out that some Covid positives are good.

Among our membership there have been quite a number of busy workshops with several engines being pulled and sent away for rebuild, at least two restorations making it out onto the streets and quite a number of members relishing the chance to legitimately get on with their projects

Beaded Wheels 53

▲ Nelson: Jarod Dacombe’s Delorean on the road.

▲ Nelson: Vern Hoffman’s Minor stripped and primed.

▲ Nelson: Gordon Dacombes ‘63 Jag on the road.

▲ Nelson: Debbie Robertsons 1968 Beetle guards test fit.

▲North Shore: Virtual Rally winners Richard Bampton and Virtual Navigator John Higham (1928 Austin Light 16 Clifton tourer)

▲

North Shore: Competitive Rally winners, Tony Sparkes and Super-Navigator John Higham

54 Beaded Wheels

▲ Nelson: Trevor Carston’s 34 Auburn Custom Sedan restoration underway with the guards getting special attention (top).

▲ Northland: Combined Rally.

without the competition of their workplaces or their gardens.

While the excuse was used that the Garden Centre and Bunnings were closed the same people were bemoaning their lack of foresight in not buying those cans of auto paint.

Aside from our AGM the only event thus far was a morning tea held at Hal and June Junkers’ home, where some 35 members turned out exhibiting much renewed enthusiasm. While here a 35 year badge was presented to Ken Inwood, much to his surprise.

Absence makes the heart grow stronger (sic) so the saying goes, and this is definitely the case with our up and coming event planning, with many members fair fizzing to get back out on the road. The next few months look to be very exciting.

NORTHLAND ▲ Nelson: Ken Inwood receives his 35 year badge.

▲ North Shore: Barry sorts nuts and bolts.

▲ North Shore: The seats for the Dennis Bus ready for installation.

▲ North Shore: The ‘new’ hoist is manoeuvred into position.

TREVOR REILLY

The August vintage run was a week earlier than normal, to meet up with the Classic & Sports Car Club and the Northland Rod and Customs Club for a fundraising run for the local RSA. It started from the centre of Whangarei and travelled south through the outer suburbs before hitting the open road through to Waipawa and the coast road to Kaiwaka. The range of the 50 odd cars participating was from ‘30s hot rods to the latest model moderns with a good range of classics and the more modern vintages in between.

The parts shed at the club rooms has received a lot more donated pieces, and the regular workers spend every Wednesday morning sorting and shelving parts ready for the steady run of visitors purchasing those hard to find pieces. The shared tea and biscuits with its associated chat makes the morning an enjoyable event.

The Far North Tour, organised by the Northland Branch, is on again for the first weekend in November. Planning and booking of venues are well on the way.

NORTH SHORE RICHARD BAMPTON Was North Shore the only branch to hold a rally during lockdown? Club ViceCaptain Neil Beckenham kept North Shore on the road by plotting an ingenious route through North Shore suburbs using Google maps. The usual ‘over-riding instructions’ told us not to use certain roads, that un-named roads did not exist, that the dreaded ‘line of least deviation’ applied, and included some straight-line

navigation. Seventeen intrepid rallyists set off on their computers. Some went the wrong way round a virtual roundabout, others missed road names because the map definition was not high enough and the straight line navigation was not completed by all. However the well plotted virtual run was enjoyed by the participants with open top cars doing it with the hood down in the rain and all the cars used virtually no petrol.

The gloom lifted on Thursday 4 June at 9.00am when the doors to the restoration shed and parts store opened again after 10 weeks of inactivity. Members flooded back to continue work on the various branch projects. The new four post hoist has been manhandled into position and will soon be operating. The completed seats are about to be installed into the Dennis bus.

An actual (competitive) rally was held in late June, as always cleverly plotted by Paul Collins, with a cunning twist at the end which everyone failed. However, the new team of Tony Sparkes and Super-Navigator (Two-Wins-In-A-Row) John Higham got all the silent checks to win ahead of Kevin Lord and Marlene. Tea at the aptly named Collins Café ended the day well.

ROTORUA

RONALD MAYES

Some of us were able to keep the wheels turning during the Levels four and three lockdown periods. This reporter used his cars (the youngest 21 and the oldest 56) alternately for the weekly grocery runs to keep all four alive. On Sunday 24 May we had a “contactless” club run. Good numbers of members turned out on a cold and damp morning and enjoyed a drive around Lake Rotorua via various scenic country roads.

During our run on Sunday 14 June we had a picnic lunch, our AGM and a general meeting. The run took us by any route we wished around town via 5 checkpoints and included bad-driver encounters: One (my brakes don’t work) ran into the Skelton’s 1929 Austin 7, fortunately only minor damage but Adelai did suffer some neck pain from the jolt. The AGM was a straightforward meeting and all of the previous year’s officials were re-elected, but we still need a club captain. Trophies were handed out and once again Bill and Adelai Skelton won the Most-Rallied Vintage Cup. A sign of the times? “No-one else brings a vintage car out”, said Bill.

Beaded Wheels 55

▲ Rotorua: Some of the trophy winners.

▲ South Canterbury: Lex Westoby’s current project, a 1929 Norton 500cc.

South Canterbury: Members vehicles outside Hunter Hall on the Breakout Run. ▲

56 Beaded Wheels

▲ Rotorua: Bill and Adelai Skelton (1929 Austin 7) wrapped up for the cold and wet May run.

▲ South Canterbury: Graham Jarvis’ 1955 Ford Zephyr and Tony McGillen’s 1952 Austin A70 overtaking Barry Barnes’ 1925 Studebaker at Southburn. The Zephyr and A70 both sit comfortably at open road speeds with modern traffic.

Our annual swap meet will be held on Sunday 27 September at the Paradise Valley raceway site.

SOUTH CANTERBURY

▲ South Otago: Top up your oil, Sir? From the forecourt of yesteryear.

South Otago: Remember the Rothmans Rally of NZ, 1989? Won by a Mazda 323 4WD. ▲

▲ South Canterbury: Tony McGillen’s 1952 Austin A70 and John Foster’s Daimler under cover of darkness at the start of the Night Trial.

South Canterbury:Bernie Fairbrass’ 1978 Triumph 2500S, at the start of the ‘Breakout Run’.

SHANNON STEVENSON

The recent Covid-19 events, while placing the South Canterbury Branch on ice over the March to June period, meant that a fair few members had more time working upon various projects. Events impacted, including our Swap Meet, All British Day and Vintage Only Rally will return in 2021.

A key development that took place in the lockdown period was the newsletter becoming mostly digital and sent to members, Nola Day, Bill Weir and Shona Weir took time to perfect this approach.

The routine of our branch returned in June, with a Breakout Run held on 7 June.

Attracting 29 vehicles this took members south west of Timaru to the Hunter Hills, the Hunter Hall being the lunch stop.

With the restrictions lifted, the Wednesday parts shed team are back in business, and mid-week runs have re-commenced. The first one held on 11 June attracted 19 vehicles on a run to the Totara Valley and Opihi regions.

A night trial, organised by Alistair and Nola Day, took place on 20 June, taking participants through Timaru and out onto rural back roads in the Temuka and Geraldine regions.

At the July noggin evening guest speakers were Janet and John Russell who gave a talk of their pre-lockdown visit to the Kennedy Space Centre.

SOUTH OTAGO

MARTIN DODGE

Wonderful to be back active as a branch, relieved to hold an AGM, fill all positions and set dates for events. Timely to welcome new members Ian Aitcheson and Irene Sutton. They drive an original ‘64 Vauxhall Victor sedan. Owned from new by Ian’s mother, it has gradually been relocated the length of the mighty Clutha River over its lifetime. From Wanaka to Alexandra, to Heriot and now Stirling.

A recent Wednesday Run took us to a mystery location which turned out to be a comprehensive private collection of things automotive, along with items that stirred memories of times past.

One 50 year+ stalwart of our Branch is Stuart Milne who, with wife Noeline,

continues to contribute in various ways.

They rally a ‘67 Wolseley 6/110 Mk2. Stuart got his licence in a 1935 Morris Cowley. At 20 years old he experienced the power of a 1950 Chev, good for 95mph apparently. A motoring highlight for them was the first of many South Otago VCC Weekenders, a coast to coast odyssey.

TAUPO

NEIL CHAVE

We held our first post lockdown run over the weekend of 21 June. The annual Brass Monkey run was very well attended as most members were keen to get their cars back on the road. The run was set by Marty and Lynne Sutherland, and involved a late afternoon cruise around some of Taupo’s interesting landmarks. Afterwards members met up at Fine Fettle Café for a hearty mid-winter meal and some mulled wine to celebrate that the branch is now back in business. The winners were Lorraine and Neil Chave, assisted by navigators Rene and Geraldine Werkhoven who will be responsible for setting next year’s run. We have our previously deferred AGM coming up in July and hopefully we see some new faces in some of the key roles on the committee. We plan to decide whether the branch will change its current constitution to the VCC version that we believe is a preferred option. In August we plan to hold a local Daffodil Day run to raise some much needed funds for our local Cancer group and we again plan to assist with deliveries of fresh daffodil flowers to local Taupo businesses.

TARANAKI

COLIN JOHNSTON

The End of Rego Run was the first club outing event since the Covid-19 lockdown stopped all branch activities. The run was well attended and saw 38 members, including partners, enjoy a drive up to the Stratford Mountain House for lunch. This road is lined with beautiful mountainous forest-like bush, and is an interesting climb with winding corners that need strong arms to turn the wheel on our vintage vehicles. The test is getting all the way to the venue in top gear. The run had members assemble from the north at Inglewood and from the south at the Stratford Railway Station and we all met at the venue. Danny and Sharron Hurley arrived in their fully restored 1938 Chevrolet coupe that they had just purchased from Christchurch.

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You may recall from previous notes about the restoration of John and Meg Muter’s 1919 Dodge tourer. Even with a shift to a new house in New Plymouth, John has been able to get all mudguards, valances and radiator surround completed in a final and stunning black paint finish that will complement the blue main body colour of the car. It has been reported that member Ken Maul has completed his restoration of his very rare 1930 Reo sedan, and we look forward to seeing this at our branch events.

We are very pleased that our Annual Maunga Moana Rally that was cancelled in April will now be held on 20/21 November and entry forms are now available from Rally Secretary, Rob Thompson, railmodels@xtra.co.nz.

WAIKATO

HUGH MCINALLY

As I write, the Waikato Veteran and Vintage Car Club committee is arranging a meeting to rewrite the branch’s events schedule for the coming months. In short, the club is getting back into the business of creating events that will not only please the members but advance the course of vintage motoring in the Waikato and beyond.

By the time this article is read the club will have had a Breakout Function to celebrate the country entering level one.

Money will have also been raised for the Cancer Society under the umbrella of the club’s Daffodil Day. We were planning a big event for Daffodil Day this year, but Covid-19 put paid to that. Next year will see the resurrection of the Daffodil Day as a major event.

The branch AGM has been set for 12 August 2020. By the time you read this there will be new faces on the committee, as some committee members have decided not to stand. On behalf of all the members of the club, many, many thanks for the dedicated service that you have given the club over the last few years. It has been very much appreciated. While I am on the subject of the AGM, please give some thought to standing for office in the future.

I know the next AGM isn’t until June next year, but a little long-term planning now may see you put your hand up next year?

WAIRARAPA

KEVIN BALL

We’re back in business, and our first post-Covid-19 run was designed to draw this to public attention. The Winter Wander, organised by Martinborough

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enthusiast Hugh Hunter, was aimed at getting maximum exposure of our hobby in southern Wairarapa.

Twenty-four cars travelled from the Clareville clubrooms to Masterton, then to Martinborough (for a picnic lunch), Featherston, Greytown and Carterton, in each case running up the main street, “to show them the club is still alive”, Hugh said at the briefing.

The non-competitive follow-the-leader tour was an icebreaker after three months of Covid-19 shutdown.

Planning for the second outing of the season was well advanced at time of writing. It is a series of garage raids around Masterton. These are popular events, a good opportunity for members to show off their toys and for everybody to catch up on the latest projects and gossip. Fingers were well and truly crossed as stormy winter weather settled in.

Planning for the future of the branch is well under way, with one item being access to our two-storey clubrooms. Two flights of stairs or a long ramp are proving a challenge for our older/infirm members, and provision of a lift of some sort is one of the challenges they face.

WAITEMATA

IAN GOLDINGHAM

Waitemata has come out of lockdown with all wheels churning. First off was our June clubnight held only 36 hours after we went back down to level one.

Then on Sunday 28 June our redoubtable club captain turned on a stunning sunny luncheon run which turned out to be full of left-over rustic back country roads that eventually lead us to a late lunch at the Matakana Pub. Next was our AGM. A good attendance of members were lured out into the cold night air on the pretence of a mid-winter barbecue. The exterior temperatures ensured that we were all wide awake when it came to the proceedings. Reports were read, figures quoted, and motions mumbled to everyone’s approval.

Chairman Rob Chapman managed to somehow stitch together a good cross section of branch members to form a committee. We were particularly pleased to have Mike Grieg offer his services as co-editor for our well regarded Phoenix branch magazine. Our outgoing editor Kevin Beesley was roundly applauded for his fine work over past years.

Two days later a sizeable contingent of Waitemata members arose early, from all

points of the country and motored “tops down”, where possible, south to Hamilton.

All this effort was to join together for a suitable send off to our Patron, Wallace McNair, who had passed away after a long illness. This was an appropriate mark of respect as Covid had robbed us of the R’Oil Can Rally this year, and so when we would have been in the thick of our hairy-chested winter motoring, we instead congregated to celebrate the life of the man who set the bar for the style and elan that Waitemata Branch aspires to.

Wallace joined the VCC in 1965 and became a founding member of the North Shore Branch. His engineering abilities were recognised when in 1980 he was asked by the National Executive to trouble shoot Lord Montague’s ailing Hispano-Suiza Alphonso. The success of his endeavours lead directly to a prolonged period of restoring an amazing variety of cars for German collector, Gerhard von Raffay.

It became apparent to Wallace, and others, that their branch was changing its nature, away from its core principals. So, an “all motoring” branch was formulated

by Wallace and later that year, Waitemata, “The branch with no boundaries or clubrooms” was created.

Despite all his talents, Wallace was never going to be National Executive material. He was too busy with major automotive restoration works and major overland rallies such as the Antipodean Antiquarian Automotive Expedition in 1996 and then organising its 1998 Northern cousin the Highland Frolic. Together with all the work he did for others, from his Hamilton workshop emerged superb mega restorations on his own behalf - the 1926 5.4 litre straight-eight Sunbeam 35hp Berlina coupe and the amazing Sunbeam V12 Maori aero engine special. These were quickly followed by the 1906 Darracq Grand Prix racer re-created especially for his partner, Anne Thomson. In 2005 his unique talents were recognised by his fellow VCC members when he was awarded the John L Goddard Trophy, for achievements in the field of restoration. The Darracq was invited to the 2006 centenary of the French Grand Prix with Anne and Wallace along for the ride of a lifetime.

2007 saw yet another adventure with Anne and Wallace tackling the Peking to Paris event in their Delage D8. The details of all these expeditions and restorations were constantly shared to our delight and edification in Beaded Wheels.

▲ Taranaki: Noel and Sheryl Thompson’s 1949 Ford Bonus pick up in Inglewood at the start of the Mountain Run

▲ Taranaki: Kevin Fabish’s Essex sedan and Brian Bolland’s Willy’s Knight and Danny Hurley’s latest acquisition 1938 Chevrolet coupe, at the Stratford Mountain House on Mount Taranaki.

▲ Taranaki - Members all ready for the start of the Annual End of Rego Run to the Stratford Mountain House at Inglewood Railway Station

▲ Taupo: And the winners were Lorraine and Neil Chave with navigators Rene and Geraldine Werkhoven.

▲ Wairarapa: Graham and Joy Hodder set off in their Model A tourer.

▲ Marty Sutherland presenting the results of Taupo’s Brass Monkey Run.

Wairarapa: The number plate says it all. The car is a top-of-the-line 1959 Oldsmobile 98, owned by Brad and Rachel Gooding, of Masterton. It was on hand when the Wairarapa Branch celebrated the end of Covid-19 restrictions with a Winter Wander. Charlotte, 17, is with Brad and Jess, 19, and Walter, 16, pose with Rachel.

▲ Wairarapa: Francis and Gaye Pointon turned heads in their recently-acquired 1938 Chev coupe.

▲ Wairarapa: The Daimler marque was well represented.

This nice 1951 example was rallied by Dave Patton, from Martinborough.

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WANGANUI

TONI JENKINS

It was terrifically exciting to finally back the classic out of the garage and go for a drive with our friends in the VCC. Twenty five cars of widely varying ages came out, with about 60 club members and friends.

Our club captain Frank James organised a great run on the back roads to Marton, with some questions to make us look out the windows. The return to the clubrooms meandered through Crofton, South Makirikiri, Fordell and Okoia. There were 13 points of interest according to Frank, and it turns out that the eventual winners of the run were able to “think like Frank”.

Congratulations to Graham and Karen Langridge who answered 13 questions correctly. David and Glynis Robinson were second with 12 perfect observations. Eilidh and Siobhan Pithkethly were lucky last, and received a giant lollipop to keep them sweet.

The AGM was held on a night with terrible weather, but still attracted a decent number of people. All of the officers were returned to their positions and we welcome two new committee members to help keep our club humming along. Officers are:​ Bruce Ardell was returned as Chairman, Dave McDermid is Vice Chairman, Liz James is Secretary, Neil Farrer is Treasurer, Frank James is Club Captain, Bill James is the Motorcycle Convener, Rally Secretary is Steve Hibberd, and Committee Members are Chris White, Linda Kendricka, Ray Savage and Andrew Johnson.

A report from the Chairman and the financial report were well received and recorded a successful year of events, including two rallies with many other

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events including Sunday Club Runs, Gymkhana, Christmas and New Year barbecue. The branch truck received some engine repairs during the year and is now running a whole lot better.

WELLINGTON

RAY BETTERIDGE

June club night was almost like a family reunion with a good turnout. Total Body Supplies talked about car refinishing products with emphasis on POR15 (Paint Over Rust-15 year life), a most informative delivery with plenty of questions from the floor.

Wellington is resuming car runs which will remain uncompetitive until November. Our November Rally will be the first competitive run for the new club year.

Restorations have continued unabated and these are some of the current effortsTerry Mathers bought a ”very smart” Peugeot 402 from TradeMe and, unfortunately, has needed to spend 12 years making it “very smart”. Lockdown deferred hip surgery, and he is frustrated with delays, but as you read this he will be on the mend and able to complete what is going to be a very smart restoration.

Ashley Blair made great progress during lockdown, and is applying the finishing touches to a 1936 BSA Q8 Empire Star and it is looking really good (does anyone have a Lucas DC 40 switch for this?).

Not to be outdone, Phil Kidd has another somewhat different Essex nearing completion.

I am sure we will see articles on the above vehicles in the future.

Since Level 2 I have been able to get pinstriping and signwriting done to complete my 1929 Ford Model A Light delivery, and it is now on the road.

To top this off I also know of a 1937 MG and a Royal Enfield in the wings too. So all is well on the restoration front.

WELLSFORD WARKWORTH

CHRIS HARVEY

We have now had normal and enjoyable Club Night meals in June and July. The attendees in July were entertained after the meal by some wonderful old films which chronicled the building of the early roads, some in the most difficult terrain imaginable.

Our winter midweek café lunches have resumed with the first of the season at the Sugarloaf Waiwera which opened especially for us. It is right opposite the sad

▲ Whanganui: Bruce presents a giant sucker to the lucky last competitors in the post lockdown run.

▲ Whanganui: A great turnout of a variety of vehicles came to the Club Captain’s first post lockdown run.

▲ Wellington: Ashleigh’s BSA.

▲ Wellington: Peugeot 402. ▲

His ability to reverse engineer how a component had been made, functioned and could be reborn was uncanny. He was the consummate professional, a natural teacher, his quiet carefully chosen conversations, comments and considerations inspired many people throughout the VCC. What we admired most was his pure Kiwi talent with the inner knowledge he could accomplish anything, be it cars, vintage aircraft, microlights or trailer sailers.

He lived a life to the very fullest, ably assisted by Anne. He left a wonderful legacy, his passion handed down to his son Robert, grandson Louis, and granddaughters all of whom he taught to drive and in whom he instilled a love of cars, planes and boats. Motor on Super Wal, we are all the better for the ride that you took us on!

Wellington: 50th Badge speech 2017.

▲ Waitemata lunch run to Matakana. Beesley’s Riley Kestrel pulls ▲ Waitemata: All aboard the mighty McNair Darracq at Hampton Downs. to a stop.

▲ Wellington: Phil’s Essex.

▲ Waitemata: The late Wallace McNair received the Goddard Trophy in 2005 for services to the Club and for the many notable restorations he undertook including this V12 aero engined Sunbeam.

▲ Wellington: Ray’s Model A.

▲ Waitemata Lunch Run to Matakana, Goldingham’s Lea Francis M type. ▲

Waitemata Lunch Run to Matakana. Stan Smith’s Riley ahead of Lea Francis.

Waitemata Lunch Run to Matakana. Beesley’s Riley Kestrel.

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▲ Wellsford-Warkworth: Start of the Break Free from Covid Run.

▲ Wellsford-Warkworth: Shelly Beach finish. ▲ Wellsford-Warkworth: Shelly Beach finish.

▲ Wellsford-Warkworth: Start.

Wellsford-Warkworth: Start.

and boarded-up Waiwera Hot Pools which appear to have been abandoned. The café, like so many other businesses, suffered badly during the lockdown and the owner was very happy to see 28 hungry diners.

We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch and will return to help him get back on his feet.

It was disappointing to lose our Winter Woolies Wander this year. To celebrate the end of the lockdown we had a “Break Free from Covid-19” Run on Sunday 14 June which started in Warkworth and ended at Shelly Beach on the south head of the Kaipara harbour. It was good to be back on the road again in old cars and the drive through the forests on West Coast Road was particularly enjoyable.

Looking ahead, we have a Sunday run on 26 July which starts at Wellsford and on Sunday 30 August we will hold a Daffodil Rally for Cancer. With no national coordination this year we are teaming up with Waitemata Branch to run it from Smale’s Farm in Takapuna to Matakana. The rally is open to all comers and all types of vehicles, old or new, and we hope to have a good turnout.

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WEST COAST

ELSPIE MITCHELL

The West Coast committee was delighted to hold its first meeting post covid in early June and make plans for the resumption of branch runs and our postponed rally.

Our first outing will be a run to Reefton to join fellow enthusiasts for a Fourth of July celebration and vehicle display.

It will be fantastic for everyone to get “back in the saddle”. August will see us again participate in Daffodil Day display and then a run to Hokitika for a further display. A decision was also made to reschedule our Scenicland Rally to 20 March 2021 so please mark your calendars and join us. Consideration is being given to whether we are still able to hold a Rosco trial at the end of the series to stay on the points table, a work in progress.

Of special note for our club is the ordering of two 25 year and a 35 year service badge for presentation at our AGM which has been set for 19 July 2020.

PASSING LANE In this column we acknowledge the recent passing of club members.

Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.



Bain, Barry Gordon, John Knight, Peter McDonald, Alan McNair, Wallace Munro, Rosslyn Rowe, Merv Tombs, John Wiseman, Colin

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