Beaded Wheels 366 October/November 2020

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS

No. 366 October/November 2020

NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95

VETERANS IN ACTION

9 418979 000012

Southland Branch Annual Veteran Rally

GREG PRICE GETS THE PEDAL CAR BUG MEMBERS‘ MOTORING MEMORIES MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

An image from our archive with no information supplied – drop us a line if you can identify where this was taken.

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 Christopher Leith 03 358 5378 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 December 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/- 53 Huia Street, 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 C/- 21 Mornington Road, Balaclava, Dunedin 9011 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/- PO Box 39029, Egmont Village 4361 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/- 9 Marlborough Ave, Glenfield, Auckland 0629 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/- 1999 Kumara Junction Highway, RD 2, Hokitika 7882 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. 366

Issue 366 October/November 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

FEATURES 12 W hen All The Stars Align

Behind the Wheel of a Tri-ang Zephyr pedal car

16 19 22 24 28 30 32

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

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

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%

Production

36 37 38

AGM 2020 Reports and awards from this year’s meeting In Praise of the Maglita Magneto expert Paul Radmall takes on another challenge

Post Office Vehicles Motoring Memories from Barry Barnes Vulcan Factory Digby Young visits the factory in the nick of time

Rally Snippets 32 Balcairn – Banks Peninsula Branch 33 Monte Targo – Central Otago Branch 35 Veteran Rally – Southland Branch Austin Maxi 1750 Donation to Waimate Branch Mad Irish Woman’s Rally 2020 Three Historic Sunbeams

4

President’s Message

4

As We See It

5

VCC Events

6

National Office

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

7 Mailbag

Postal Address: PO Box 2546,

10

The Way We Were

39

Book Reviews

Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch,

Balcairn

COLUMNS

Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.

19

Maglita overhaul

An Indian Story

Closing Date for December/January:

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.)

The Morris Dance

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

Editorial Copy 27 October 2020 Advertisements 10 November 2020

16

National AGM 2020

9 Timelines

27

32

Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring Update

41 Marketplace 47

Swap Meets & Rallies

51

Trade Directory

53

Idle Torque

66

Passing Lane

Marketplace

45

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 It’s time to make a firm commitment. Organisers of the 2022 Vero Festival of Historic Motoring are looking to confirm events and entries in the near future – do your part to ensure the success of this event and register today. Our cover photo is Peter Wilton from Hunterville in his 1917 Ford Model T enjoying the 2016 Vero Festival of Historic Motoring held in and around Dunedin. Photo Mark Brimblecombe

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 At the time of writing this column it is anyone’s guess how long it will take to get this second outbreak of Covid-19 under control, and what further impact it will have on the Club and its activities.

The Club’s AGM was held in Whanganui in August with depleted numbers due to the community outbreak of Covid-19 in Auckland. There were 53 apologies received for the meeting, which would have to be a record. Nevertheless it was a very well run and enjoyable occasion organised by Wanganui Branch.

It has become customary at the National AGM to ask Andrew Anderson, our Club Founder and Life Member, to address the meeting. He didn’t disappoint, with a stirring speech about the need for the Club to work as a team of 9,000. He said that his previous call for “challenges” had been delivered by Mother Nature, with the Covid-19 pandemic. Andrew encouraged the “VCC team of 9000” to stick together and participate, both actively and wholeheartedly, and with the team uniting the Club will prosper and survive.

A highlight for me at the meeting was to present well-deserved honorary life membership of the

Club to Rod Brayshaw and John Coomber.

I also made a presentation to Julie Cairns, our National Office Administration Manager, who has been employed by the Club for 25 years. I thanked Julie for her long-standing service to the Club, often going beyond the call of duty in carrying out her role.

It was also a pleasure to present the John L Goddard Trophy to Don Muller for his outstanding contribution to the Club archive.

The Executive has agreed to leave the national annual membership subscription at Net $55 and the national joint portion at Net $10. Branch levies and GST are additional.

I welcome Chris Leith to the Management Committee in the role as Hon. Secretary/Treasurer.

All other positions were reelected.

I am concerned that I am still hearing or reading that the Club is changing its name. This is not the case. The re-branding discussions relate to the Club’s logo only. I reiterate, there is no intent to change the name. The Executive will be workshopping various logo options at the 2021 March Executive Meeting.

These will then be forwarded to branches to discuss with

their members. There will be no change to the logo without consultation with members first.

I have previously been contacted by some special interest groups enquiring if there was a way they could come under the umbrella of the VCC while retaining their own identity. After positive discussion at the AGM, the Management Committee were asked to investigate if this was possible, and how it could be administered. The Management Committee will report back to the Executive in March 2021.

Next year’s AGM is being held in Christchurch, and as 2021 will be the Club’s 75th anniversary, I have asked Canterbury Branch to investigate making it a three‑day event with a rally being held on the Friday.

With regard to the Vero Festival of Historic Motoring, I plan to email all members at the end of the year to get a non-binding indication of who is intending to enter so that we can determine if the event is financially able to go ahead. If 10% of the Club membership entered we would be looking at over 600 entries.

The Management Committee and Festival Committee are absolutely committed to the event continuing. However it is up to you – the members. At the

AGM, delegates and members were urged to return to their branches and promote the event.

Our world is not what it was before the appearance of Covid-19 and unfortunately the pandemic has a long way to go before it is over. The national body and branches still face having to cancel events. In terms of organisation and planning, the only certainty we have is that everything is uncertain as a result of the crisis. However we must continue to positively plan future events with innovation and flexibility.

As always, be kind to each other, keep safe and, as Andrew says, with our “team of 9000” uniting, our Club will prosper and survive.

Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President

AS WE SEE IT One of the many problems that magazines have to deal with is the advertising/editorial ratio.

Too much advertising and you can have a large magazine, but are there enough stories, and of sufficient quality? Not enough advertising and you can end up with quite a bland result, not to mention the loss of potential revenue to the magazine.

When you get right down to it advertising is there to help the advertisers sell more products or services. But – in many instances that same advertising can help the reader find a solution to a current problem they have. A win/win all round.

That is why most advertising in

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Beaded Wheels is directed at the type of reader we are likely to attract.

Most recent issues of Beaded Wheels have been 68 pages in length, and it could be argued that we have the balance of advertising/editorial ratio about right. To maintain 68 pages and have an ideal advertising ratio we continue to need a supply of good stories. What has helped in this respect has been the flow of articles from regular contributors including Andrew Anderson, Graeme Rice, Stuart Francis, Kevin Casey, Greg Price, Trevor Stanley-Joblin and others, but articles from new

contributors have also made a considerable contribution. In the last issue for instance we had Alan Young and Motorbike Memories, Alan Stoker’s Cortina article, Barry Barnes Motoring Memories to name a few. In the issue prior to that (June/July) we had Ash Price and his Alfa story, Lindsay McKenzie and his Rambler Rebel, John Stewart with his Scott story plus some others. All interesting yarns and they help to make Beaded Wheels a great read.

you could write about that our readers would enjoy? We do print most contributions we receive, and it matters not if you are unsure of spelling or grammar as we can attend to those things for you. Who knows, you may even win a legendary Beaded Wheels cap!

Have another look back at those articles, and have a think about what is happening with your vehicles. Is there something

Kevin Clarkson Chairman Beaded Wheels

VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS

NATIONAL EVENTS* October 2020 16-18 National Veteran Rally

OCTOBER

3 Manawatu Swap Meet

3 Nelson Club Night

3 Southland Vintage/Post Vintage Rally 3 Wellsford/Wkwth Settlers Day 3-4 Otago Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally

4 Auckland Club Run

4 Canterbury P Group Rally

4 Northland Motorcycle Run 4 Wellsford/Wkwth Crank Up Day

7 South Otago Wednesday Run 10 South Otago Opening Run 14 Waikato AGM 14-16 C. Hawke’s Bay Mid-week Adventure 15 Ashburton Annual Dinner 16-17 Marlborough Biennial Rally 16-18 Gore National Veteran Rally* 16-18 Nelson Biennial Rally Marlborough 17 Gisborne A&P Display 17 King Country Journey through Time CANCELLED 17-18 Canterbury Girder Fork Motorcycle Rally 18 Bay of Plenty End of Month/Mid Week Run 18 Gisborne Club Run 18 Horowhenua Run to Feilding 18 North Shore Club Run 18 Rotorua Club Run 18 Taupo Club Run 18 Wanganui Sunday Run 18 Wellsford/Wkwth Kowhai Festival 21 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 21 Northland Dargaville Midweek Run 21 Waikato Wednesday Wander 23-26 Hawke’s Bay Safari 2020 24-25 Auckland Hunua 100 Rally 24-25 Central Otago 50th Anniversary Weekend 24-26 Sth Canterbury Mt Cook Annual Rally 25 Canterbury Grasskhana 25 Gore P60 Run 25 Northland Club Run 28 Rotorua Midweekers Run 29 Otago Midweek Run

31-1 Banks Peninsula Ruapuna Meeting

NOVEMBER

1

1

1

4 6-8

Canterbury West Coast Waikato Wanganui Gisborne

Awards Dinner Reefton Rosco Trials Veteran Rally Night Trial Inter-Branch Visit by EBOP Branch 6-8 Sth Canterbury Safari Weekend

7 Canterbury Veteran, Vintage, PV, PWV Malvern Anzac Run

7 Otago Taieri Tour

7 Southland Commercial Rally 7-8 Wellington Annual Rally 7-8 Northland Far North Tour 8 Banks Peninsula Hawkswood Sprint

8 Bay of Plenty Swap Meet

8 Canterbury Veteran & Vintage Annual Rallies 11 Bay of Plenty Mid week Run 12 Nelson Night go-kart racing 13 Canterbury Show Weekend Tour 13-15 Nelson Blazing Saddles Tour 14 C.Hawke’s Bay A & P Display 14 North Otago Swap Meet 14 South Otago Annual Car Rally/Clutha Rally 14-15 Southland Arrowtown M/C Rally 14-16 Sth Canterbury All American Weekend 15 Auckland Ladies Rally 15 Marlborough Swap Meet 15 Rotorua Club Run 15 Taranaki Potters Paddock Gymkhana 15 Taupo Club Run 15 Waikato Swap Meet 15 Wanganui Ladies Run 18 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 18 Waikato Wednesday Wander 20-21 Taranaki Maunga Moana Rally 21 Auckland Annual Motorcycle Rally 21 C. Hawke’s Bay Veteran Rally

March 2021 12-14 National Motorcycle Rally Wairarapa Branch

21 Wairarapa Poker Run 21-28 Otago Commercial Veteran Rally 22 Banks Peninsula Peninsula Run 22 Canterbury Homestead Run 22 Gisborne Tahaenui Fete Run 22 Horowhenua Tararua Trundle 22 North Shore Lunch Run 22 Sth Canterbury Veteran Vintage & Commercial Rally 25 Rotorua Midweekers Run 28 Far North Dunny Run 28 Sth Canterbury Christmas Dinner 29 Bay of Plenty End of Month Run 29 Gisborne Club Captain’s Wing Ding 29 Gore Josephville Hill Climb 29 South Waikato TTT Rally 29 Wairarapa Car Show at Tui Brewery Mangatainoka

DECEMBER

2

2

5

5

5

5

5 10 11-13 12 12 16 26 31-1

Bay of Plenty Annual Bus Trip Wanganui Restoration of the Year Bay of Plenty Annual Christmas Party Canterbury Children’s Christmas Picnic Northland A&P Show Display North Otago Windsor Rally Otago Moped Rally Nelson Club Night Sth Canterbury Three Day Rally Bay of Plenty Children’s Christmas Party Wanganui Christmas Parade Bay of Plenty Midweek Run Canterbury Boxing Day Run C. Hawke’s Bay Gumboot Rally

JANUARY

1 Banks Peninsula New Years Day Picnic 1 Sth Canterbury Fairlie New Year’s Day Parade

1 Wanganui Gumboot Rally 10 Sth Canterbury Ladies Rally 10 Waikato Blue Smoke & Pedals

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.

NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING/ BRANCH OFFICE DETAILS AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS

secretary for a VIC change of ownership form, complete this and return it to National Office.

The National AGM took place on 15 August 2020, in Whanganui, as planned. During the AGM weekend the Executive Meeting was held. A copy of the minutes are held by your branch secretary. Your branch delegate, a member of the Executive, will have also reported to the members.

HISTORIC RACE LICENCE

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

Application forms are located on the Club website. An open book Licence Test is required for all those applying or renewing their VCC Historic Racing Licence.

For those who currently hold a VCC Historic Racing Licence, please keep an eye on the expiry date and if it needs renewing please complete the required documentation.

All application forms for the above can be obtained from your branch, the vcc.org.nz or the National Office.

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.

discount, payment must be received at the National Office by 20 October 2020. When paying direct into the Club’s bank account, please make sure you put your membership number as the reference.

not paid nor advised of their wish to cancel their membership, one reminder notice will be sent out.

If payment has not been received by the March Executive Meeting where the approval of the Membership Status report is undertaken, then anyone who wishes to be reinstated after this time will be required to re-join and will lose any continuous service.

Please remember that you must be a fully paid up financial member of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc) to be insured under the VCC Vero Insurance Scheme.

Membership cards will be sent in early November to those who have paid. For those who have

VCC MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION

Vintage Car Club members will have received an annual account for membership covering the period 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021. To receive the

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

6 Beaded Wheels

VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME

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

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

The minutes from the AGM are traditionally included in this issue of Beaded Wheels, along with the Branch Office details and Calendar of Events. Due to Covid-19 and the delay in several branches holding their AGMs, we have delayed the distribution of the these until the December/ January 2020 issue.

It is compulsory for any member entering a VCC Speed Event to hold a current VCC Historic Racing Licence, and a VCC Log Book for the vehicle they are using.

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.

and a Falcon. It was a good day for Ford.

The Ford in New Zealand book is due for release on 1 November.

John Stokes Member - Wellington

MYSTERY SOLVED

Regarding the photo on page 2 of Beaded Wheels 365. This photo is on page 21 of the book The Veteran Years of New Zealand Motoring, with caption “The footbridge over the Matai, Waimea County.” The Matai River flows through Nelson.

Don and Marlene Muller

CORTINA QUESTION ANSWERED

It was good to see an original example of a Cortina GTE in Beaded Wheels (365 - Aug/Sep 2020). The writer asked some questions which I can probably answer.

The raison d’etre for the Cortina GTE was for Ford New Zealand to compete in the 1970 Benson and Hedges 500 for production cars in the 1600-2000cc class. To be eligible for entry a minimum production run of 200 locallyassembled examples was required.

The man behind the Cortina GTE was the then Sales and Marketing Director at Ford New Zealand, J Reyn Penny. I interviewed Reyn extensively for the about-to-be-released book Ford in New Zealand - Driving Ahead 1936 to 1997 and, of course, this included the GTE. The full story is included in the book.

Essentially, it was a standard production Cortina with the GT goodies. By 1970 the GT body was essentially the same as the standard cars – earlier ones were heavier duty, and with slight differences such as mounts for rear suspension tramp rods. Up to this point only standard production Cortinas had been assembled here, thus

the GTE body was the first such variant to be locally produced.

Reyn wanted to take it a step further and emulate, to a degree, the 1600E variant, which had become a big hit in Britain.

However he was constrained by budget and the copying was for looks only, the New Zealandmade wooden dash overlay (made in Christchurch) was the main 1600E item copied. Other luxury items included on the GTE were driving lights, reversing lights, a remote boot release and high-back front seats. To give the GTE a sportier appearance, the grille and rear panel between the lights were blacked out, and (horrible) wheel covers fitted on standard wheels.

The 1600E was a very different car. Amongst the many differences were Lotus suspension and wide Rostyle wheels. The 1600E is, in my opinion, probably the best of all Cortinas, and for many reasons.

While I cannot be absolutely certain, I am 99 percent sure that it was just the 200 GTEs that were built. They were available in only four colour schemes.

The Cortina GTE went on to do what it was designed to do - it won its class in the 1970 B&H 500. Indeed first and second places in class, and 6th overall behind a V8 Valiant, Fiat 125s

I am fairly sure the Olds in the river shot is at the Maitai River in Nelson. The ford crossing was replaced by the first bridge over the Maitai around 1950 and is close to two popular swimming holes still in use today. I think one was called Dennes Hole.

Beyond this point was Richardson’s farm. The area has recently been suggested as a possible new residential subdivision. I also would like to clarify the Mailbag query on page 7. The vehicle shown appears to be a Chev 4 with a tractor radiator. That’s my guess.

John Sigley Ed note: Thank you to the many members who wrote to let us know the origin of the image on page 2 of issue 365. Unfortunately there are too many to publish here but at least we have the information now.

NEW PROJECT

I have acquired a new project car from my grandfather Gordon.

It is a Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Mark III that until recently had next to no history apart from the fact grandad bought this car back in the ‘90s from Tauranga. The car came with boxes of parts, a rusty rolling chassis and damaged body and had been in dry storage for 20 years. Grandad was going to sell it but I talked him out of it and said I’d like to take it on as my next project. Having no chassis numbers, plates and tags could

prove a challenge as the project progresses.

With the help of social media we have found out that it was raced in the early days, subsequently crashed and put back on the road again with incorrect plates and tags, then taken off the road again.

I have contacted Rootes group and the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register and they were not aware that there was a Mark III in New Zealand. There were only 300 Mark IIIs made and only 1200 Mark Is (there was never any Mark II) Without chassis numbers I cannot confirm that it is a Mark III, however it is fitted with a Mark III dash. It has old New Zealand rego stickers from 1970 and underneath the layers of paint its original white finish can be seen. There is a blanked over hole in the mudguard where an aerial would have been fitted as can be seen in the photo of a Mark III Alpine racing at a Gisborne hill climb in 1960.

The driver was Basil Lawrence.

There is a hole in this same spot for the aerial and this car was then painted burgundy red which would match the colour scheme as shown in the photo.

I am seeking information about this car in the hope that I can find out what my chassis number should be and the history of the car. There are only four Mark I Alpines in New Zealand and one special so I am hopeful that the information is out there.

Jared Dacombe 027 547 7968 jjdacombe@gmail.com

Beaded Wheels 7

standard H10 or H12 hp with OHV and independent knee action suspension on a fixed tubular axle.

I restored and motored one of these. See photos at left.

Vauxhall H12 hp Calèche circa 1940 body by GM Holden on Bedford commercial chassis, restored by Tom Clements.

END OF AN ERA

I have just received and read with interest the End of an Era about GM Holden and their most innovative productions with clever design features.

They didn’t only produce vehicles as available from the manufacturers, but built in features such as split windscreens and even special bodies such as “slopers” designed by their own designers. Utes were also produced on various chassis including Bedford commercials on Vauxhall 10-12 running gear.

Tom Clements, Christchurch

INFORMATION PLEASE

I’m seeking information and/or history on the car in the below photo.

Imported new by Tony Shelly of Shelly Motors, Wellington when he was the Porsche agent.

The photo shows Tony in the car at the NZGP meeting at Pukekohe on 4 January 1969 when brand new.

I would like to trace later owners and history.

Glyn Jones, Christchurch glynjones1356@gmail. com or 021 892 887

HISTORY REQUIRED

I am attempting to research the history of a 1950 7R AJS motorcycle which I have owned since 1960. I have been told that Bob Burns bought the bike from Lloyd Williams Car Sales, minus the motor, in the 1950s. He then obtained a motor from the AJS factory(?).

One very special sports tourer was designed about 1938. This was the quite attractive Calèche Sports 4 seater tourer, built on the robust Bedford Commercial chassis. The motor was

In 1951 AJS built three works 7Rs and two spare engines. The motors had no engine number and a different spec to standard production models. The works motors had roller cam followers, and a different cam profile, GP Amal carb. My motor has no engine number, but has 51 engraved on the cam lobe and has early Amal GP carb.

Any help from members who may know anything about the bike would be most appreciated Ian Wilson Mem Marlborough 03 972 0250, RD 4, Blenheim

GM Holden’s Calèche sports tourer circa 1949.

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TIMELINES Photo:©flickr.com/photos/42220226@N07/

Mechanical Restorations Vintage & Classic Spares (1980)

1946 Oldsmobile Ace series 66 sedan, possibly just a slightly dressed up ‘42 model.

Historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by compiled

by Graeme Rice 100 YEARS AGO OCTOBER NOVEMBER 1920

After visiting several American, English, French and German car makers, the Tench Brothers decided to import to New Zealand the American Norwalk Four with its luxurious bodywork and long easy riding springs. It would only last until 1922.

A second, equally short-lived choice was the 3.7 litre Stephens Salient Six, built by the Moline Plow company of Illinois to keep their factories going during an agricultural downturn. Like many assembled cars it failed to attract a big following, despite being described as having style and beauty unmatched among medium priced cars.

50 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1970

Toyota revitalised their sporting ambitions with the new Celica shown at the Tokyo auto show in October. Based on the Carina, the two door 2+2 was offered with a wide range of engines and transmissions that could transform it from a 1.4 litre stylish shopping basket, to a five speed, 2 litre high performer. Thirty-six years later, in its seventh series, the Celica would be phased out.

75 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1945

Oldsmobile announced their 1946 models with an improved Hydramatic gearbox which gave a clutchless operation. “In fact, there is no clutch pedal in the car, gear changing is accomplished by oil pumps controlling the four sets of planetary gears” said one reporter.

Buick’s 1946 models were waiting for plant conversions to be completed. Once commissioned the new plants would enable annual production of 550,000 cars, up from 308,615 in 1941.

Meanwhile New Zealand car buyers were tolerating an exceptionally old car fleet. Very few cars were less than five years old, 11% were six years old, 13% seven years old, but almost half the fleet, 43%, dated from 1935 or before.

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

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

A minor scandal erupted as Vauxhall launched the £46,000, 177mph 3.6litre, 377bhp, twin turbo Lotus Carlton. Autocar’s editor recalled the political fuss over the Chrysler Charger E49 15 years earlier and raised the question whether anyone buying the Carlton could possibly argue he would either need or will be able to use the top speed of just under 300km/h.

Graeme Rice

Beaded Wheels 9

THE WAY WE WERE

s Kent Tubman K3 Magnette in the hairpin.

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

by Andrew Anderson

NATIONAL HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP 10 MARCH 1951 Our triumphant exit from Modern Motorsport management!

ANDREW ANDERSON VCCNZ FOUNDING & LIFE MEMBER

10 Beaded Wheels

The late lamented NZ Sportscar Club in the persons of Trevor Wickham and Errol Ansell began the negotiations for New Zealand’s Big Hill, Paekakariki, in 1944 and its first event was staged in May 1946. It already had a “name”, having been an active competition in pre-Kaiser War days with an ftd by Sizaire-Naudin! It was a Big Hill of some 1½ miles and 800 ft and attracted entrants from all over New Zealand and Sportscar magazine has in its March 1949 issue the write up of the 12 February fourth event including the New Zealand Hill Climb Championship. In 1948 Ron Roycroft had set a new record of 2 mins 32.4 seconds in his Bugatti midget. The 1949 climb saw Roycroft again, this time with Rubber Duck Austin, Ken Hemus with 30/98 Vauxhall,

BH Clinkard with Speed 20 Alvis from Auckland, Rob Shand, Del Drewery and Bob Christie in MGs from Christchurch and Halsey Logan from Nelson with the Singer Special.

Rob was hugely enthused and the murmurings for a South Island Big Hill was on, with the 2½ mile Governors Bay to the Sign of the Kiwi our vigorous target. Our two very successful and slickly run Kiwi climbs had “officialdom” well on side and it could be totally observed from an easily accessible area of the harbour face of Sugar Loaf Hill.

A dummy run was organised for 7 October 1950 with an invitation to Canterbury, South Canterbury and Otago Clubs of course with vintage classes.

We arranged for Air Training

Corp people with ZC1 radio sets as the best means of communication between start and finish, pits and the many intervening marshal points, saving an awful lot of cable laying! I was posted for a stint in the North Island on business and missed it completely. A good vintage entry involved a 4½ Bentley vs 30/98 Vauxhall duel, this time won by the Vauxhall. Hec McLean in the ex-Sammy Gibbons Invicta made ftd followed closely by Hec Green in the Wolseley.

It was a very successful day with a lesson learned that ZC1 radios with their lengthy calling procedure were just too slow and cumbersome as a sole control and communication system for the hill.

With all lessons duly learned

s Kent Tubman getting the hockey stick from Pete Luxton.

s

s Tom Sulman’s 4C Maserati – changing plugs!

s John McMillan Jeep Sport and Ted Reid Midget await the start.

Tom getting his FTD mug.

Ken Tubman and John McMillan. Mrs Nuttal (Bob Blackburn’s mother) is behind.

and with the 1951 National Championship status duly confirmed for March 1951, we proceeded to concentrate wholly on the upcoming Centennial Rally and procession.

The success of these made us decide formally:

transport to the Sign of the Kiwi from the Sign of the Takahe terminus. Frank Blandford and Jack Nuttal’s team of programme sellers, by which the programmes acted as entry tickets, worked perfectly and the weatherman joined the team!

1. That the Big Hill event would be our last modern event.

Control of the entrants, and the danger point marshals, was by telephone from the Sugar Loaf Hill HQ which also had Air Training Corp lads with ZC1 radios to deal with the service side of things; St Johns, crash crews and police. Mike Haggitt had two PA systems to keep the big crowd entertained and informed.

2. That it must be the best ever!

As it was a National Championship decent prize money was necessary, and at Charlie Stanton’s suggestion guarantees were called for and immediately taken up. A vigorous advertising campaign was put in hand and comprehensive public viewing areas covered with PA systems all prepared including bus

A 5.50 am start on telephone and timing cables set things off. Our 28 entries had been scrutineered at Dominion

Motors the day before so our usual prompt start and slick running went all according to plan. The season had both 3rd Wigram on offer and also the very first real road race in Mairehau to attract both overseas and locals to Christchurch. We attracted two Australian visitors to add to the interest of spectators.

The Vintage section attracted only three entries. Bill Cope with the now very well-sorted Ulster Austin, Spud Jackson fresh from his Nelson successes with Ashley’s 30/98 and Roy Cowan from Wellington with the “Grader”, his weird rehash of the Lord Galway 35 hp straight 8 Sunbeam.

Moderns ran from Bob Blackburn and Colin Rudd’s

Austin 7 racers, two dirt track Midgets, various TD MGs and Singers, to Rob with the Light Sports Railton and Jack Tutton’s XK120. The Aussie Ken Tubman’s K3 MG and Tom Sulman’s 4C Maserati, which pulled off ftd, with Rob Shand taking second place just pipping Jack’s XK120.

Spud almost came next, just beaten by the McMillan Auto Union replica! Both Hec Green’s Wolseley and Frank Shuter in the ex-George Smith V8 Special had mechanical problems.

All 28 entrants had as many runs as they wanted and the final prize giving and dinner at the Governors Bay Hotel wound up that most ambitious, and thankfully profitable, speed event.

Beaded Wheels 11

HIN BE

D THE WHE

EL

“Holy Jupiter, Batman, it’s a Tri-ang Zephyr pedal car!”

WHEN ALL THE

STARS ALIGN WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS GREG PRICE

I’m not entirely sure if Batman and Robin actually had anything to do with Lines Brothers back in the 1950s, but given the names that Tri-ang used for some of its range of Zephyr pedal cars, there was seemingly some emphasis placed on some of those stars when selecting appropriate names for their high-end models.

Initially three big Zephyr models were listed in the 1955 Tri-ang catalogue, and while clearly based on the Ford Zephyr Mk I models, they were not called Zephyrs as such, rather the range included names such as Neptune, North Star and Jupiter. Later, around 1960-62, a further model called the Meteor was added to the range

by Cyclops in Australia. There were other models of this large Zephyr made (for example) in Canada under the Thistle brand (of Tri-ang), and two of them were called the Rocket 88 and the Comet.

Cyclops began manufacturing Tri-ang products in 1952 as part of a major post-war restructure.

As the names imply, pedal cars were pedal-powered by and large, although some of the more sophisticated were chain-driven.

Inexplicably one of the models covered in this article had a driveshaft and a two-speed gearbox!

But first, let’s look at the options available.

Neptune – Enclosed chain drive, rubber aeroplane mascot, dummy gear shift and a two-tone horn.

North Star – Cycle-type pedals, driveshaft and a two-speed gearbox (in both forward and reverse) brake, two-tone horn, mechanically operated trafficators and windscreen wipers, aeroplane mascot and AA badge.

Jupiter – Traditional pedal-crank, two-tone horn, dummy gearshift, AA badge, and mechanical windscreen wiper.

Meteor – Opening bonnet/hood, dummy engine (similar to that fitted to the Tri-ang/Cyclops Wolseley, Morris Oxford and Riley pedal cars), fillable petrol tank and radiator,

12 Beaded Wheels

fillable engine oil with dipstick, and a working handbrake.

It also had mechanical windscreen wipers, a two-tone horn and working lights, albeit fitted in the grille.

Having owned a full-sized Zephyr convertible for nigh on 42 years, finding one of these pedal cars was a must-do from day one, (many Zephyr owners purchased Zephyr pedal cars to complement their full-sized car) but these fancier high-end models were more elusive. The first example I spotted in 1981 was a Neptune then owned by a Zephyr enthusiast in Christchurch. I had obtained several of the smaller Tri-ang Zephyr pedal cars but this didn’t seem to cut it because of their being largely dissimilar to the real thing. In 1988 we finally located a well-used one in a farm paddock in Hampden, Otago. The (then) NZ Road Services bus driver following me at the time apparently did not appreciate my slamming on the brakes in front of him – if his subsequent horn blasting was any indication!

Luckily for me the pedal car’s owner was now too big for it, and was making the transition to horses, so my contribution to a new saddle for her was much appreciated (especially by her mother).

Initially the unrestored barn-find resided in the lounge until restoration commenced in earnest, and it became a miniature of our full-sized car, complete with everything scaled down to appropriate size, including the small packet of Craven A cigarettes, and a working scale-version of the original Echo 5-Star radio (which was a mini-cassette player in behind the replica drop-down facia). A continental kit and fender skirts were also fabricated from new aluminium oven trays. All the scratch-built

accessories were fabricated from Ford parts of one sort or another.

The working hood’s material, door trim, spare wheel cover and seat upholstery were once the soft top for a Mk II Zephyr! While doing some research on these pedal cars, it became evident that there were other models in the range so, as collectors often do, we set out to find and purchase the other models. For those interested in pedal cars in general, particularly those from Tri-ang, there is a very good Schiffer 2001 book entitled Collector’s Guide to Children’s Automobiles, by GG Weiner.

Next up was another barn-find in the early 1990s, this time the North Star model with the gearbox, albeit with only one of the gears functioning, and missing a wheel. When new it was advertised as “The only pedal motor car of its type in the world”. As can be seen from the pictures, this was in sad condition, having clearly been discarded by its most recent child owner and abandoned in the garden. Upon dismantling the gearbox it was evident that there were some parts missing, not to mention the whole gear lever mechanism. It begs the question, “What on earth possessed Tri-ang to produce a pedal car for a three – five year old kiddie, with a two-speed gearbox with muck-metal gears, and no synchromesh?”

Despite being advertised as “Synchro-speed” I couldn’t envisage a three – five year-old being able to gauge exactly when it was safe to shift gears. Being able to compare notes with another owner of a North Star, his too was missing one of the gears, and both our cars had been converted to single-speed. This was evidence enough that synchro-speed was a bit of editorial license in the advertising. Factory service manuals for these pedal cars don’t exist, and not being an engineer necessitated my laying all the parts out on the table and trying to work out what was missing, and of the parts present, what part they played in moving the car forward (or backwards). Having had Zephyr gearboxes apart on many occasions, it was a relatively easy exercise to work out how this one was meant to function. Firstly there was a main shaft with two gears – one large and one small, and then there was a lay shaft, also with two gears – one large and one small, but opposite opposed.

By that I mean that the small one was opposite the larger one and vice-versa. Adjacent to the main shaft was the selector lever which moved a locking piece (similar to the synchromesh on the full-sized gearbox) backwards and forwards, engaging the smaller or larger

gear to facilitate the two speeds – high and low gear. As it was nonsynchromesh, any kiddie trying to move between gears while going forward was inevitably going to stuff up (read strip) the soft gear teeth. Thus the remedy for the backyard dad was just to remove one each of the small and large gears together with the gear lever itself and bingo, you had single speed only.

It took a while, but I eventually worked out that I could replicate the missing parts by getting both missing gears remanufactured, and fitting two fairly beefy return springs to keep the gears engaged. Early attempts at casting the missing gears proved unsuccessful so the option was to go for laser cut parts. As some of you might already know, getting gears laser- manufactured is no cheap exercise. So I got no change out of $300 for the two gears.

I then had to make the shift lever from scratch, and that involved measuring the distance between the differential and the shift mechanism so the rod could be threaded for adjustment purposes. Once assembled, a test drive was out of the question due to the absence of any suitably-sized kiddies, and I was too big. And in any event I wasn’t going to let an otherwise well-intentioned kiddie loose in my project. So I had to be content with setting it up on the barbeque table and pedalling with one hand while changing gear with the other. From memory, one revolution of the pedals equated to two revolutions of the rear wheels in first gear, and three in second. That seemed to work okay and indicated that

Beaded Wheels 13

my gearbox rebuild had been successful. All that remained was to complete the re-assembly and repaint in a bright red. The gearbox and drive-train were painted blue for contrast. The North Star decals were easily enough reproduced because the original stickers were still evident, so a photograph and a few pictures of the fullsized pedal car were enough for my computer graphics expert (Let’s Get Graphic) to make some nice new ones.

So that was two down and two to go. Next was a Jupiter with the traditional pedal-crank mechanism. Because of the earthquakes from 2010 onwards, this example was stowed in the garage rafters for a few years, as the priority was sorting out our earthquake claims. Then a Meteor (with the opening bonnet and dummy 4-cylinder engine – same as used in Tri-ang’s Morris Oxford range) was bought at the McLeans Island Swap Meet in 2016. Given that a Meteor was superior to the Jupiter in terms of additional features, it became a work in progress. We haven’t decided on a colour scheme yet, as the temptation is to paint it the same as our Mk I sedan, but from a purist’s perspective originality should be paramount. While the working lights are situated in the grille, the guards looked a bit funny without lights where they are situated on the other models, so the extra lights were added. Interestingly this pedal car was bought by the previous owner in the United States, so it is pretty well-travelled.

On the to-do list is finding a rare-as jerry can like the ones on the Tri-ang Jeeps, which were fitted on the inside of the car, fabricating some new bonnet hinges, fitting the engine oil reservoir, fitting some bulbs to what are now the spotlights, fitting the handbrake mechanism, and completing the surface rust removal from the other half of the grille. I also have a spare Mk 2 bumper which can go on the back, complete with over-riders, as the rear end looks a bit bare without a bumper. And of course flat-dash early Ford Zephyr glove box emblems make perfect scaled-down grille badges. We also have an original pedal-car-sized AA badge that was available back in the 1950s, primarily for the Austin J40s.

The big advantage with pedal cars is that they do not take up anything like as much room as full-sized cars, don’t take anything like as long to restore as their full-sized counterparts, and restoration costs are considerably cheaper. So, what are you waiting for?

SPECIFICATIONS Length:

40 inches (102cms)

Wheels:

8 inch diameter artillery or balloon disc (depending on the model)

Drive:

edal crank / bevel gears with shaft drive / chain P driven pedals

Lights:

(where fitted) 3 volts

Horn:

1.5 volts

Accessories (depending on the model): Handbrake, rubber bonnet emblem, Jerry Can, wipers, dummy gear lever, and an upholstered seat base.

Maximum Speed:

14 Beaded Wheels

How fast can you pedal?

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Beaded Wheels 15

NATIONAL

AGM 2020 Despite lockdowns and travel restrictions the club managed to hold a highly successful 2020 AGM in Whanganui.

National President Diane Quarrie with the pilot, Richard Harding, and Andrew Anderson.

WORDS CHRIS LEITH After some 29 years membership of the VCC it took an arm twisting nomination to the position of Hon Sec-Treasurer to finally get me to attend my first VCC National AGM. Very ably hosted by the Wanganui Branch, led by their Chairman, Bruce Ardell, and held in the Kingsgate Hotel, the events of the weekend ran like clockwork. The conference room, foyer and main entrance were very well decorated with cars, motorcycles, and motoring memorabilia.

Because the current Covid-19 lockdown situation prevented a number of the North Island delegates in particular attending as well as attendees from the Deep South there was one of the longest ever apology lists for the Friday Executive meeting. The AGM on Saturday fared little better, with nearly 50 apologies.

The highlight of the AGM was the bestowing of Life Membership upon Rod Brayshaw and John Coomber. The John L. Goddard Trophy was presented to Don Muller. Another highlight was being addressed by Founder and Life Member

Andrew Anderson. His very thoughtprovoking message was well received.

The business of the day was very efficiently conducted by the president, Diane Quarrie, with both the Executive and AGM agenda’s being completed by about 1.15 pm Saturday afternoon.

Sunday saw the Wanganui Branch conduct a tour for the out-of-towners. We were treated to being chauffeured in club members’ cars as we visited two places of interest. The first was a storage facility and an old warehouse next door owned by Mr Rick Dennison. Rick gave a rundown on the history of the brick storage facilities – initially built to house petrol and oils around WWI era and now used as vehicle, machinery, and other memorabilia storage. The warehouse next door was refurbished in the 1970s into the national HQ of Warnocks Ltd, a travelling shop and mail order drapery and clothing company.

Warnocks was finally liquidated in 1992, 106 years after being founded originally in Wellington. Rick and his wife are converting the Warnocks building, which is a

JOHN L GODDARD TROPHY RECIPIENT – DON MULLER Don’s contribution to the club archive is above and beyond just keeping the collection in order, he is also currently entering thousands of photographs into a dedicated digital database.

They are reproduced in excellent quality and cross-referenced to several key words so that members can retrieve photos by name, previous rally numbers, or owner and previous owner.

Many long-playing factory recording discs, as used when new models were introduced,

16 Beaded Wheels

have been placed on memory sticks. Some of these vinyl discs are very old, requiring much research and locating obsolete record playing equipment.

His dedication to the task sees him at the archive every Friday morning, and spending countless hours at home refining the huge collection into user-friendly, memberaccessible data, suitable for members with only basic computer skills. Don was proposed for the award by Alan Wills, who wished for public acknowledgement of Don’s great work and dedication.

perfectly preserved “time warp of 1970s award winning interior architecture”, into a museum and private living quarters. The second place visited was the home of the son of the founder of Wanganui Aero Work Ltd, Mr Richmond Harding. He gave a talk about the family business, established in 1950 by his father Wally, and sold in 2004 to Ravensdown Fertiliser. After his talk he treated the assembled members to a display of precision flying in his own ¾ scale Spitfire aircraft – and a more accurate display one would be very hard pressed to find anywhere.

Soon it was time for the short trip back to the VCC Wanganui Branch clubrooms for a very well presented lunch, then the drive back to Palmerston North for the flight home to Christchurch.

Many thanks to the club members who freely gave their time and vehicles to transport us to the displays, and a huge thank you Wanganui Branch, I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience at a National AGM.

TWO LIFE MEMBERS HONOURED The VCC is a club run largely by volunteers, without the countless hours of work donated by members we would not have the active organisation and long list of achievements that exist today. The 2020 AGM saw the conferring of life membership on two of our members who have devoted many years of outstanding service to the club.

JOHN COOMBER John was approached by the then National President, the late Frank Renwick, to stand for the position of Hon. Secretary and was elected in August 1994. In 1997 the position was changed to Hon. Secretary/ Treasurer. John held that role until he became National President in 2009, a position he held for six years, followed by one year as Immediate Past President At around the same time as John became Hon. Secretary, it was estimated by the late Ian Docherty that, at best, the Vintage Car Club had total assets of $15,000 (that’s money in the bank and any property). When John stood down the Club had over $1 million in the bank plus a property still worth $400,000 to $500,000.

We were at that time over one-hundred times better off than the estimated worth of the Club 20 years previously.

While this was of course not just down to John, his sound and steady management was a contributing factor. In 2001 John was part of the team that negotiated the purchase of our present National Office in Aberdeen Street, Christchurch.

This proved to be a very sound business decision. Even after being paid out for the

damaged building due to the Christchurch earthquake, the value of the land, because of its commercial zoning location, is still increasing exponentially. John was also one of the group that did a lot of the decorating of the building when it was initially purchased.

John also joined the Beaded Wheels committee in 1995, a role he still continues twenty-five years later.

He was a policeman for 37 years, and his friendly approach and negotiation skills that were obviously part of his job in the Police were brought very successfully into his roles within the Vintage Car Club.

John’s family, in particular Christine, have been a big part of his VCC journey and have supported him in all of his roles. The Coomber family have been such a friendly and welcoming host to all of the management team (and others) who have stayed with them over the years.

When John stood down in August 2016, he had been a member of the Management Committee for 21 years, 14 as Hon. Secretary/Treasurer, six as National President and one as Immediate PastPresident. That was roughly one third of his life at that time! That is an outstanding

commitment to our Club and a great achievement.

Since standing down from his role on the Management Committee, John has held the positions of Secretary and then Chairman of Canterbury Branch.

John has played a significant part in the success and history of the Club and we consider him a most worthy recipient of Life Membership of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand.

s Rod and Jill Brayshaw

ROD BRAYSHAW From the 1960s the Club had a system of registering and dating club eligible vehicles, and all members were encouraged to have their vehicles recorded as an indication of the vehicles authenticity. Over the years the system became modified to encompass the PV and later PWV acceptance. These vehicles were required to pass a thorough inspection before acceptance as club vehicles.

The need for an identity card was initiated by then then National President, the late Alastair McIntosh, and he and Roger White did some preliminary work.

But it only gained momentum when the late Frank Renwick became President.

FIVA had updated their ID Card application and Frank, along with current Registrar Don Dennis, thought it would be good to do something along the same lines.

Don felt that he would not be the right person to do this, but that it was definitely the way to go. He advised that he would not be seeking re-election, but he thought he may know someone who would be good to take over his role and lead this process.

That person was Rod Brayshaw.

s Diane Quarrie, John and Chris coomber.

Beaded Wheels 17

Rod was elected as Registrar at the AGM held in Whangarei in August 1996 and the Executive at that meeting unanimously passed a decision to develop a registration and dating system suitable for New Zealand use.

Rod, together with Frank Renwick and with help from Julie Cairns from National Office, began work on the foundation for what would become the Vehicle Technical Code and the Vehicle Identity Card (VIC) system.

This was a huge and all enveloping project with enormous commitment and input from Rod. It would be fair to say that without Rod’s skills and extraordinary work ethic the VIC system would not have ever got off the ground.

It would also be fair to say that initially this proposal did not receive overwhelming support from members and Rod and the other members of the Management Committee spent from late 1998 to March 1999 presenting a travelling road show to all the branches in New Zealand, which in itself was a huge commitment. The first data input was in August 1998 and the first VIC issued in early 1999.

In developing the system Rod had continual dialogue with the Land Transport Safety Authority (as the NZTA was known in those days), to ensure that they were completely comfortable with the planned VIC system introduction. As a

result of this dialogue, the LTSA officially recognised the Vintage Car Club as the Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand.

Rod also negotiated with the New Zealand authorities to remove the “Vintage” term from legislation and replace it with the term “Historic vehicles”.

This was done to correct the impression that old vehicles were vintage vehicles, and to separate out all our Club vehicles that were 30 years and older as Historic vehicles.

There is no doubt that the VIC will be an increasingly important document as a conduit with NZTA for keeping our historic vehicles on the road in New Zealand.

With the support and backing from the VCC Management Committee, Rod attended FIVA meetings in Europe which gave him the opportunity to get to know leaders from other countries and to discuss the many challenging issues that they were experiencing or likely to face in the future.

Rod’s expertise did not go un-noticed, and in November 2016 Rod was elected to the FIVA Technical Commission, a position he continues to hold. The high regard in which Rod is held throughout FIVA, and the valuable contribution that he makes to the world-wide scene, cannot be down-played. We are fortunate indeed to have Rod with his knowledge and expertise advocating on our behalf both in New Zealand and overseas.

The Vintage Car Club’s VIC system was ahead of anything else developed in the world. We are the leaders in this field and the world is now copying us.

Rod continues to maintain strong relationships with the NZTA, anticipating issues as they arise, advocating on behalf of members and lobbying on behalf of the Club to ensure that any legislative changes do not adversely affect us.

He also regularly attends the meetings of the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (of which the Vintage Car Club is a founder member), and liaises between the two organisations and again, reports back any concerns or information which could affect the club.

Rod is always available to members to assist with issues around obtaining a VIN or warrant of fitness.

He has carried a huge work-load and the scope and complexity of his endeavours is legendary, and we know that this has been to the detriment of his own business. We also know that he couldn’t have done it without the backing of Jill and his family, and we acknowledge and sincerely thank them for supporting Rod over the years.

Rod has held the position of Registrar for 24 years and there is no-one more deserving of the award of Life Membership of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand.

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

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

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

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Maglita FD and early E Type

IN PRAISE OF THE

WORDS AND PHOTOS PAUL RADMALL

“What on earth is this?” I asked my friend Tiger when rooting around the electrical section of our Marlborough Branch parts shed. “Ahh”, he said, “That is what is left of a pile of Maglita spares, which no one is interested in.”

I had heard the name but never seen one, and here were the remains of three.

Tiger also explained that they had been left for good reason, in his words, “They are supposed to be a magneto that also provides battery charging and lighting current for motorcycles.

Unfortunately they had a reputation of not providing both at the same time.”

To someone like me that is a red rag to a bull. I felt that I just had to have a look at them and understand why he made the comment, and of course, prove him wrong.

So what is a Maglita? Well it is a very early attempt at providing electric light to a motorcycle world that was used to acetylene-based

MAGLITA lighting systems. The ML Magneto Syndicate in Coventry UK designed and produced them, starting around 1920 through until 1939. Lucas bought the company in 1930.

The novel feature was that the unit provided a magneto and lighting generator with only one rotating part. Lucas produced the MagDyno unit which did the same thing, but had two distinct units, a much larger six volt generator and a separate magneto, coupled by gearing.

The Maglita sales information claimed simplicity and hence greater reliability for the system. Since they were produced for around 20 years there must have been some substance to the claims.

So getting back to my heap of junk, I rapidly found that apart from the usual jokes there was not much information available. As is usual with these things you spend hours on the net, and eventually I got a result. BarnStormers.co.nz yielded a couple of ML technical leaflets that described units very similar to the heap of junk.

To my delight, the heap turned into an insight into how cleverly the engineers of the time had got so much out of so few components.

What they had done was to use a simple disruption of the magnetic field from the permanent magnets to provide the ignition system function and as this occurred, the winding on the armature cut the flux of the same magnetic field, producing the DC lighting supply. In other words, wiggling the bit of iron (the armature) caused the spark and the rotating of the same armature, with its winding, gave you lights. Magic.

I love elegant thinking like this, so I felt that a restoration had to be done. It proved to be a difficult job with virtually zero chance

s The magnetic flux flow.

Beaded Wheels 19

of commercial gain, and a good chance of humiliation, so altogether perfect.

THE REALITY

The three units turned out to be 2.25 really, as one of them was almost corroded away. The other two, potentially, could be rotated and a lot of parts had been robbed over the years.

Interestingly, one of them had a brush mounting plate s Plywood brush holder. made from rotten plywood and a few nails. It is amazing what people do when they are desperate.

After a lot of careful work with an impact screwdriver I was able to assess the task.

One of the units was a very early Type E and beautifully made, with elegant brass pressings, nickel plating s Type E as found. and no expense spared on the construction. The other was technically more advanced, but economies of production were apparent. What I had was an early Type E, 4 volt unit (approximately 1923) and a Type FD 6 volt unit (approximately 1929). The voltage refers to the voltage of the battery fitted to the system.

They must have been a revelation to riders used to acetylene lighting even though their lighting output was just around 14 watts.

THE RESTORATION

There was no alternative to a complete ground up restoration, so every part was carefully removed and examined. Firstly, the armatures had serviceable windings (they are very low voltage) but one of the drive shafts was loose and the thread broken off. The other had severe corrosion of the contact breaker cam. A new shaft was made and silver brazed into the bronze end-piece. The contact breaker cam proved to be a tricky job in the tool and cutter grinder, but in the end was made serviceable.

Otherwise the fitting of new ball bearings all round worked wonders, and all could be smoothly rotated again.

The early machine had a fabricated commutator made from huge blocks of solid copper and Paxolin strip. Yes,

it did fall apart in my hand, but all was well in the end after careful finish machining of the armature assembly.

Electrically and magnetically the design is very interesting. ML had shaped all the pole pieces such that they had to be precisely stacked in the correct relationship to each other and then held in a jig to permit accurate assembly. Easily done at the factory, I am sure, but a little frustrating to the apprentice Maglita technician.

The ignition coils are a small bobbin around an iron core that just slips into the top of the unit. The bobbin is wound with the usual primary and high voltage secondary windings, just like a normal magneto, except that it is stationary. The rotating armature causes the flux in the iron core to reverse at the right time and induce a voltage in the primary coil. This is interrupted by a pair of contacts in the usual way, and hey presto, the secondary produces a high voltage spark at the plug.

The coils for these two machines were in fair s Old FD coil. condition despite their 100 year history. It was decided to rewind the coil for the later machine and compare the performance with the original coil in the older unit. The older coil appeared to be in better condition and both tested reasonably ok electrically.

The rewind followed its usual s FD core ready for rewind. course and lots of corrosion was found during the strip down. I have observed the green copper corrosion often when stripping magneto coils, even the enamel coating on the old wire is very brittle and easily crumbles. Clearly, coils in this condition will s New coil for the FD.

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TEST AND ASSEMBLY

s New contacts and blade

not stand much handling and could not be relied upon if part of a rotating armature magneto.

I took the opportunity to alter the winding formula a bit to see if I could get a better spark out of the design. Having completed the rewind to Marlborough standards, I can be reasonably confident that s 3D Printed Cover in ABS. the insulation will withstand the higher voltage I hoped for.

Unfortunately the contacts and spring steel blades had been robbed years ago from both units. These bits are always difficult as they are spares and tricky to make. Anyway, it is all part of the fun.

In this case some spring steel was carefully annealed in a temperature controlled furnace, shaped and polished. The finished blade was then hardened and tempered in the furnace and it adopted that nice shiny blue colour. New tungsten points were riveted into place and Bob’s your uncle. Fortunately, they now work well.

The capacitor on the older machine was spectacular in appearance, but unserviceable, so had to be replaced with a modern unit.

The 1929 machine had a conventional tube shaped capacitor that tested very well indeed, so was retained.

Other sundry parts were made, and the brush gear manufactured. Carbon brushes can usually be made from modern ones carefully re-profiled. Tiger found some brush springs at our branch, so I was glad not to have to make them.

Covers for the contact and electrical area were something else.

The early machine was fitted with a cast aluminium cover, which of course was missing. The later machine has a Bakelite cover. Both are made of Unobtainium as far as we are concerned.

The solution is to measure carefully and draw a new cover on 3D CAD. The resultant file can then be 3D printed as a pattern, or the actual final object, if the materials are suitable. Fortunately, this is one of the areas in which I have had professional experience and the process can be used for lots of unobtainable plastic parts.

Additive manufacture like this has to be the way forward in these increasingly isolationist times.

There were no real dramas. Both units went together well and mechanically felt good. Now we come to the moment of truth.

First, each was re-magnetised, which is a tricky operation requiring careful positioning of the already assembled armature and a controlled series of operations. s 5 mm Spark at 120 rpm.

Once re-magnetised, each unit felt really “notchy” when turned by hand, a good sign.

I really could not resist a bit of late night work at this stage as I was curious to see how well they worked.

The moment came, I flicked the shaft and yes, s Good primary waveform. a spark! Not only that, but when I set the unit up in the test rig it almost passed the aerospace test of a 5mm spark at 100 rpm. It actually managed a 5mm spark at 120 rpm. I am sure it did not manage that when new.

The older machine, with the s Regular Sparks at 4000 rpm. original coil did not manage the test, but did achieve a 3mm spark at 120 rpm. Maybe I will rewind it one day.

Furthermore, there was output from the lighting coil at the same time as there were sparks at the plug.

Is it time to gloat? No, not yet, I have been caught out too many times. So I let the machines run for a day or two on the test rig and fortunately they kept working at various outputs and speeds to give me confidence.

The time came to gloat, so I called Tiger and told him he could have sparks and light at the same time. He was delighted and so was I. OBSERVATIONS

I keep telling myself I did all this work for fun, but I suppose eventually I will have to pass them both on to people who need them for an early, single cylinder, British motorcycle project, giving it that extra bit of originality. The reliability should be similar, if not better than most magnetos due to the simple design.

You might say that the lighting output is pathetic by modern standards and I would agree except for the following three letters, LED. I conducted The Maglita bench tests with an LED headlamp bulb and 6 volt battery have shown that the lighting output and battery charging capabilities are well up to the mark, if LED bulbs are used. A bit of hidden electronic trickery and imaginative thought should yield a reliable lighting system for an early motorcycle.

Beaded Wheels 21

THE MORRIS DANCE WORDS AND PHOTOS ROGER LUSBY

As with every dance, there is a circle to it, and everyone eventually comes back to where they started from. So it is for the story of my first car, a 1934 Morris Cowley 12/4.

I became involved with this car when I was 14 years old. Living in the country, seven miles outside the town of Roxburgh, I needed transport. I was keen on a motorcycle at the time but my mother and father were cautious by nature, and believed motorcycles to be unsafe in the hands of teenagers. They made arrangements with Norman Dennison, the owner of Walden Motors, a small motor repair garage in Roxburgh, to purchase an old car owned by the leading hand in the workshop. Later the following year it was my luck to become an apprentice mechanic in this garage, but at the time of purchase, that good fortune had not been realised.

s The mahogany dash board and leather seats add class to the interior.

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Jack Egerton was the leading hand at Walden Motors, and had just purchased an immaculate Austin A95 from one of the local senior citizens of Roxburgh. I still remember the smell of that car, real leather trim and as pristine as the day it was built. The car could really go too, and I vowed one day I would have one of them.

I did manage it, but that’s another story.

Jack was not impressed with the Morris, “Had a soft head” were his words, and he had learned that the crown wheel had spat a bolt out one day, causing some noise and a hole in the diff backing plate.

I think this shook Jack’s confidence in long distance travel in the Morris. Anyway, his loss was my gain, and with my father’s help £75 changed hands and the Morris was mine.

This car most likely started its life in New Zealand in Dunedin, and if anyone can supply more information about this supposition, I would love to hear from them. The first local owner in the late ‘40s was the Dance family. Jack Dance was a local orchardist and had traded the old Morris on a 1952 Morris Oxford. He also owned a beautiful old Reo 1500 cwt truck, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have a shed full of these beautiful old machines.

Anyway, the Morris went to Dunedin to be owned by one Doctor Stewart for a time, before he traded the car again on a Jaguar from Viv Angow of Angow Motors. Norman Dennison was a friend of Viv’s and arranged for the purchase of the car by Jack Egerton.

Another interesting fact is the car appears to have been the first car of everyone who owned it.

My first recollections of the car was again the wonderful smell of leather seats, mixed with that sweet oily smell of the old English machinery. I loved the detail of the car, the mahogany dashboard and door caps, the netting mesh above the driver where daily papers and important documents could be stored, the temperature gauge on the bonnet, and the difficulty I had keeping the car in a straight line above 40 miles per hour. This was later remedied by welding up the cracked brake backing plates on the front wheels, where the steering bolts on. This came back to haunt me 45 years later when I purchased the car again, as my welding attempts carried out as an apprentice had failed.

However I remembered the feeling of the wandering steering and with a good re-weld, everything was under control again. I did manage to get 75 miles per hour down the Hydro hill after I fixed the steering the first time, but how I managed to get around Weatherall’s corner at the bottom of the hill, I will never know, probably something to do with the blind confidence of youth.

Anyway the car was now mine and independent transportation was bliss. The back seat could be arranged in such way that I could get a lilo and sleeping bag into the space and many a scout camp night was spent in comfort. Rock and roll band practices, trips to places I could only dream of before, and girls were now on the trip list. I didn’t get far with the girls, but the trips were many and fun.

I raced a plane taking-off from Momona Airport once, and nearly rolled the car at the end of the runway - I don’t think we could get away with that nowadays. The car did prove to have a soft head, and blew a couple of head gaskets, once on a test run when I was trying to sell the car which was a bit of a blow, but then we did take the car from Roxburgh to Benmore and home via Dunedin on a test run with the prospective buyer and the gasket blew on the Kilmog Hill. Funny thing, the guy didn’t buy the car after that!

I remember when I bought the car it was a beautiful deep green colour, as it is now, but I decided royal blue was the colour, so burned all the old paint off, managed to melt most of the lead filler around the body joints in the process, and when I applied the paint, there were more runs than a bad day against the West Indies, so I took the car to Harold Bloxham, a painter in Roxburgh and father of a friend of mine, and he did a great job. The car now looked like a powder puff but I loved it.

I fitted a radio, valve of course, it drew 10 amps and flattened the battery in half an hour, and the hum of the voltage generator drowned out the music, but we all thought it was cool. The aerial was 6 feet long and had a flag on it, and I fitted wing mirrors. What more could a guy want?

Well, a steering wheel cover, so I fitted one of them too, and an electric windscreen de-mister. A heater would have been good, but these were the old days and we were tough then!

The tyres got low on tread, then blew out when the canvas came through, usually going round a corner after coming down a hill, but I did have a spare on the back. We got about ten of us in it one day at a riverside barbecue, didn’t go far but we had fun. Then I decided I needed money so I sold the car to Mum. Dad thought she could learn to drive in my car and that would save his 1936 Pontiac.

Now that was a car for courting in, but that’s also another story.

Anyway Mum found it all too hard to drive. The accelerator was in the middle between the clutch and the brake pedals, so she got a bit tangled up at times, which made hill starts very interesting.

So one day a passing fruit picker decided he would like it and £50 changed hands.

s Outside our orchard packing shed in Roxburgh Central Otago, with a fresh coat of blue paint.

Thinking back, I am sure I could never get as much fun out of 50 quid again, and I didn’t miss the car at all until 40 years later when I saw it advertised on TradeMe. A Mr Gilchrist had found the car in a hen house just outside Oamaru where it had lain in a dismantled state for 20 years. He collected up all the pieces and spent the next 20 years putting it back together. I could not believe my eyes when I saw it again, nicely restored to a very usable standard, still blowing head gaskets, and the steering was up to its old tricks, but then I knew all its bad habits, so with a deep dig into my bank book (funny how £50 becomes $10,000 over 40 years) and the car was mine again.

My wife said “You don’t need another car”, but I got around that by pointing out that it was always mine, so it’s not like buying another one. Anyway another head gasket, a re-weld of the backing plates and a few oil seals and we are enjoying Norman the Morris again so very much. I normally name my vehicles, and it brings back so many happy memories when I think of my first boss, Norman Dennison, that the name Norman seemed fitting for the Morris. He passed away a couple of years ago and just before he died, he gave me a photo of the old garage just north of Roxburgh where we had so many happy days fixing all the machinery that was brought into us for repairs. I can still remember all the customers, their cars and their independent ways. Funny I can’t remember what I did yesterday, but ask me anything about my early garage days, no problem at all.

I have never seen another 1934 Morris Cowley 12/4 in New Zealand, they are always the six cylinder version. Living in Nelson now, I enjoy a drive in the old Morris whenever I can, and when I see it sitting in the shed, I think of all the fun we have had together. That’s what I call motoring, or maybe it’s just a Morris Dance.

Roger has been a member of the VCC since the 1980s. He completed his apprenticeship in Roxburgh, subsequently working for South Island Motors in Christchurch for a couple of years. After a year spent in Antarctica as base mechanic for the 1969/70 season, he spent three years travelling and working in Europe including being trained by Rolls-Royce in London.

On Roger’s return to New Zealand he started his own car repair garage, servicing mainly English vehicles including Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars before setting up a specialist engine tuning business in Christchurch. Roger still has a passion for older cars and although now retired and living beside the estuary at Appleby in Nelson still looks after a small fleet of old machines.

Roger Lusby

Beaded Wheels 23

MOTORING MEMORIES

POST OFFICE VEHICLES WORDS BARRY BARNES

When I left school in December 1958 I started work in the Clerical Branch of the Chief Post Office in Invercargill. My first job was Records Clerk. I had to do the filing of all the correspondence, including motor vehicle running sheets which were prepared by drivers to cover all the running their vehicles had done. These were co-signed by the boss of their particular area.

There was quite a diverse fleet, each vehicle identified by a PO fleet number. The oldest was PO 1209, a 1946 Ford V8 3 ton truck, used by the painting team of the Buildings Maintenance Branch.

As it only got used to take all their gear to the site of the renovation on which they were working, it did not do a huge mileage, hence it was still on the books.

Next oldest would have been PO 1791, a 1949 15cwt Commer mail truck, then PO 3266, a 1953 Ford Zephyr Mark I, followed by PO 3301, a 1954 Humber Super Snipe. PO 3435 was a 1954 Ford Consul, PO 3530 a Bedford mail truck and PO 3544 a Ford Popular car used for telegram delivery. PO 4277 was a Bedford CA van used to do an outlying postal delivery. There were undoubtedly other vehicles I cannot recall after all these years.

The Zephyr and Consul were Public Service Garage cars, which meant they could be hired out to other government departments, and they were used by other Post Office staff members for official tasks. The Snipe was a reserve ministerial car, which was otherwise used by the Chief Postmaster.

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In 1960 or ‘61 we received PO 4515, an FB Holden, which was an additional fleet car that was also used by Hon. Brian Talboys, Minister of Agriculture, as his self-drive car when in his Wallace electorate. This was a real government department special in that it was a standard model, as plain as could be, and was very roughly assembled, with huge gobs of dried glue on the pillars from, I presume, a very poor job of fitting the head lining.

Not long after, we received PO 4805 which was again a fleet car and allocated self-drive ministerial car for Hon. Ralph Hanan, Minister of Justice. It was a Mark II Zephyr, finished in black, as opposed to the scungy light fawn of the Holden, and a really nice car.

For a while my duties involved ensuring the keys of these cars were available at the airport when the Ministers returned home.

Often this was a daytime arrival, so I would meet the Minister and give him the keys. Ralph Hanan would always greet me by name, thank me profusely, saying it was kind of me to bring the keys out. Did I need a lift back to the office? Brian Talboys would offer a perfunctory thank you and it was necessary to ask for a lift, to

which he would grudgingly agree. It did not take long to decide it was better, whenever possible, to leave his keys at the desk and get someone to take out another vehicle and bring me back.

The Snipe was still in the fleet, as the Chief Postmaster, Bob Saulbrey, really loved it and would not see it replaced. It was the reserve ministerial car, and on more than one occasion it was issued to Brian Talboys, whose wife also used to drive the self-drive car. She hated the Snipe, it was such a big thing and the 4 speed column shift was back to front to the Holden. I remember one time she managed to snarl up the gearshift, and fortunately I was able to take the Holden out for her and get the Snipe sorted and back to base.

Anyway, Bob continued to use the Snipe and visited far flung Post Offices like Milford Sound and Te Anau, particularly visiting the 30 odd country Post Offices in the months leading up to his (and the Snipe’s) retirement.

A couple of months out he called me into his office and asked me to bring in the records for the Snipe in which all expenses and costs had been dutifully recorded for the life of the vehicle. He confided to me how much he liked the Snipe (no secret) and he was thinking of buying one for his personal vehicle having never owned a car.

I showed him the sheets pointing out that the lifetime average fuel consumption was 13.1mpg and the cost per mile, which was quite something else too. He had always sent it to the Post Office Workshops to remedy any little thing. The cost for maintaining the unreliable little clock that sits up between the sun visors would have been breathtaking on its own!

He muttered some manly oaths, declaring that he knew it was a thirsty old beast but did not realise just how thirsty. Shortly thereafter he had a brand new Austin A60, which he would proudly bring to work and park in the separate garage that was assigned to the Snipe which he would bring up the block or so to the office.

One day he asked me to get something done on the A60 while he was away and to meet him at the garage around 4.30pm. I was waiting for him at the garage when he arrived and for some unknown reason he decided to back the Snipe in rather than make his usual head on entry. Next thing he has wiped the side of the left front guard against the door jamb.

“Oh bugger!” said Bob, no doubt envisaging having to fill in, in triplicate, Form TY367 Report on Motor Vehicle Accident, and then having to send it to Head Office and write a letter telling himself to be more careful in future!

“Hmmm, Barry have you got a hammer?”

“Yes Mr Saulbrey, I’ve got a bit of panel beating gear.”

“Well bring it along tomorrow and come down here and hit the guard here and here”.

I duly did as bid and also brought some cutting polish. The guard was improved a bit but I didn’t have the ability to bring it right out. The polish, however, helped make the damage less discernible to a casual look.

Old George, whose job it was to wash and clean the cars, came to me in quite a stew a couple of weeks later. He had finally noticed the damage and I had to let him in on the secret advising him keep it to himself, which he was happy to do as he had been scared he would be blamed for it. The car had been declared surplus, and was due to be put aside for sale by tender shortly anyway, and as far as I know the damage was never noted by anyone else.

Another time we were issued with a new Austin A55 van painted Post Office red, PO 4945, which was in effect the office hack. I drove this new vehicle down from the Dunedin Workshops without misadventure, but the following day had to take it the mile or so to

1970 Bedford CA van

Holden Special EJ sedan.

1953 Ford Zephyr Mk I saloon.

the local Post Office Workshops for a check over, setting up maintenance records, that sort of thing.

A colleague, who was to take over my job looking after the fleet while I was moving to other duties, came with me.

I had just turned the van around the Troopers Memorial in the middle of the Tay and Dee Streets intersection when it just died and would not restart.

“Quick, Tom, lets push it out of the traffic.”

We had just got it rolling when suddenly Tom leapt back in the cab.

“What the hell was that about Tom?” “Well I gave a mighty push and split my trousers from front to back, and I wasn’t staying there with my arse hanging out!”

Beaded Wheels 25

I frantically scrabbled to grab opposite lock, first one way then the other.…I managed to catch it just as I lined up the entrance way and gave it a bit of boot and shot up the driveway to the amazement of a small audience that arrived out of nowhere.

Tom stayed in the van while rescue was organised, then ended up sidling along the office wall until we organised a lift home to get a quick change of garb.

The problem turned out to be simple - a loose lead to the coil.

In 1962, my brother Trevor (then 15) and I went up to the second Windsor Rally in Oamaru with Russell McIvor. We had the 1908 De Dion on the trailer with Trevor’s 1923 Douglas lying on its side under the De Dion. Part of the deal for getting the leave was to pick up Brian Talboys’ next ministerial self-drive car, PO 5315, a new EJ Holden, from the Dunedin workshops on the way back. I took the new government plates with me and pickup was duly carried out as arranged, on the Sunday afternoon.

We stopped in Milton to visit Russell’s girlfriend, Diane, only to find the family had gone down to Bull Creek, so the plan was to go there to look them up. As I recall it, Russell did not want to take the Morris Oxford tow car and de Dion down there and am pretty sure he and Trevor jumped in with me, but in any event, I ended up taking the Holden down there with some trepidation as it was not an official trip.

Diane’s Dad, Tom, (later Russell’s father in law), was the highly respected local policeman and an all-round good dude. He was the owner of a very nicely kept EK wagon. He was all over the new Holden, despite the uninspiring paint colour of Silverton Grey, which I thought did nothing for it, but there were not many of that model around yet. Thankfully he said nothing about the government plates which were not properly displayed and had been sitting up in the front and rear 26 Beaded Wheels

windows. They had in fact had been taken right down for the impromptu trip and were sitting on the floor. Quite unlawful!

My boss signed off the running sheet without demur – whew!

Later additions to the fleet included a MkIII Zephyr, PO 5757, again a ministerial car for Ralph Hanan, which I did not think was as nice a car as the MkII. This was followed by a denim blue AP6 Valiant Regal auto, easily the best car to date in our fleet.

Although, I was not directly responsible for the fleet by the time it arrived, it fell under my general overview as supervisor of that area. The Assistant Manager of the Branch, who knew I had a 1955 Plymouth Belvedere V8 automatic, asked me to show him how to drive the Valiant, as he had never driven an auto. I had driven with him before and knew his technique was to slam down on the clutch when approaching a stop or intersection.

I said “It’s real easy Fred. Just consciously tuck that left foot back under the seat then forget about it” He selected Drive on the push button selector and off we set. At the first corner, slam goes the left foot down on the extended brake pedal and we would have both gone into the windscreen had we not been wearing belts.

“OK Fred, Just remember tuck that left foot away and use your right foot on the brake as usual.”

“Yeah yeah right” and bang, same thing at the next intersection!

This happened three times in all before he said “Bugger this thing – you drive it back!” I imagine he lived out the rest of his driving days never again having a go at an auto!

Speaking of the Plymouth, I was driving it to work one frosty morning after a rainy night before. There was a gravelled area just south of the Post Office, due to demolition of Ralph Hanan’s old legal offices actually, and it was first-in, first-served, with access via the Post Office vehicle parking area.

I had negotiated the very slippery roads until turning right at the intersection of Leven Street and The Crescent, which has a marked slope across the road. It was like glass, and the Plymouth performed a

delicate slow motion waltz while I frantically scrabbled to grab opposite lock, first one way then the other. I managed to catch it just as I lined up the entrance way, and gave it a bit of boot, and shot up the driveway to the amazement of a small audience that arrived out of nowhere. My knees were still knocking when I parked the car!

Another Plymouth tale concerns Ken, one of the car salesmen who brought in to Motor Registration a change of ownership for a 1956 Plymouth, again a V8 Belvedere.

I thought I recognized the name of the new owner and asked “Is that Dave the builder?” “No,” he said “this guy’s a farmer out West Plains, you’ll know him, he walks round town in a grubby marl singlet with holes in it. He came into the showroom and I was about to invite him to leave when he said ‘How much is that Plymouth?’ I told him and he pulled a great wad of notes out of his pocket paid me and put the rest away!”

I said, “Don’t you want to take a test drive?” and he just said “No. It’s all right isn’t it?”

I told Ken I always imagined this guy never had two bob to rub together and Ken said “Me too and it just goes to show you shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

A final tale about another automatic Chrysler product was told to me by the Service Manager for Dominion Motors, the Dodge agents, in Gore.

They sold a new Dodge V8 to a local farmer who was well pleased with the car but complained it was excessively thirsty.

The mechanics checked it out on more than one occasion but could find no reason for excessive fuel consumption. “But it’s only doing about 4 mpg” said the cocky.

On a hunch, the Service Manager asked the customer to take him for a drive. He noticed that he selected L on the 2 speed selector on the dash but said nothing. They got up to 30 mph and the selector was still in low. “Excuse me, aren’t you going to put it in to top gear?”

“Son, this car is an automatic, it changes gear by itself!”

In a future article I will cover some memories on motor registration.

Fun during the Pomeroy at the VCCNZ 2016 Festival

VERO INTERNATIONAL

FESTIVAL OF HISTORIC MOTORING Sunday 16 to Friday 21 January 2022, start planning now.

The Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring committee is still working diligently to bring to you a world class event in 2022.

The change of date from 2021 to 2022 has given us an opportunity to review the original Festival programme and fine tune or change some of the proposed activities. Our original programme had included a public display on the Wednesday evening. However, this had presented some logistical challenges and we are working on a viable alternative which we should be able to announce before Christmas. This has necessitated a bit of a shuffle, and the proposed event will be on the Thursday evening rather than Wednesday. What I can tell you is that its something that has never been done at any of our international events and will be remembered in the future.

Covid 19 still has everyone wondering what the future will bring. Unfortunately, it’s quite feasible that we will have a reduced number of international entrants and a possibility of none at all.

However, the upside is that with no or limited overseas travel available, and if you were planning an overseas holiday, and not able to proceed with it, we would love to see you at the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring where you can enjoy the wonderful sights of Taranaki. ▼ Field events are always a crowd pleaser, here’s some of the intense competition from the 2016 Festival of Historic Motoring in Dunedin.

ACCOMMODATION If you had booked accommodation in or around New Plymouth for this event please make sure you have changed this to the new dates in 2022.

If you haven’t booked accommodation yet, don’t forget the Auto Lodge or Plymouth International Hotels as possibilities and remember to tell them you are entering the Vero International Festival of Motoring.

We are aware there has been some difficulties in changing accommodation to fit the new dates when bookings have been done through booking agents. It may be better to deal with hotel or motels directly rather than through an agent.

REGISTRATIONS We are working toward registration forms being available in March 2021. This is a bit later than would be ideal, but with the current situation with Covid -19 and the reluctance of companies to confirm prices so far in advance, the later we can open registrations the easier it is to get acceptable costings.

SURVEY In last month’s Beaded Wheels, Diane, our National President, stressed the importance of supporting The Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, in 2022. Towards the end of this year there is to be survey sent to all VCC members to gauge your intention to attend. If there is a low indication of attendance, we will have no option but to seriously review the viability of this event. To be blunt, without the support of our members we can’t continue. It’s quite simple, the Management Committee expectation is that breaking even financially is the bottom line and a financial loss is not an option or acceptable.

The organising committee certainly hopes we can showcase Taranaki to you all so please get behind us, and along with your friends, plan now for January 2022 Greg Terrill Festival Director Beaded Wheels 27

VULCAN FACTORY VISIT WORDS AND PHOTOS DIGBY YOUNG

110 years later and just in time…

On a recent trip to the UK I was fortunate enough to be hosted in Wales by John Viner, the current owner of the ex-Giltrap Auto Museum 1908 Vulcan. The car was sold back to the UK in August 1989 when Giltrap’s museum on the Gold Coast, Australia closed down.

This car was an amazingly original vehicle, still sporting its factory paint and upholstery. It was originally sold to Mr Fredrick Dodds of Newcastle, Mayfield NSW and came with a van body which could be fitted in place of the rear seat. In the UK it was repainted, and the original pleated upholstery was replaced with deep buttoned upholstery, a superb job.

John collected me after my lengthy train trip from London, and we motored to his beautiful little village, Llanrhaeadr ym Machnant (no I still can’t say it), and he asked “What would you like to do first?” I replied, “John, I’ve been studying your car for 20 odd years, I just want to touch it.”

Over the next few days measurements taken from my build were compared to John’s car, and overall I was very pleased with what I had done. Bonus upon bonus was a trip in his Vulcan to a pub at Llangedwyn about 10 miles away where we had lunch.

When organising my trip I had mentioned to John that I wanted to go to Crossens just north of Southport and visit what was left of the Vulcan factory.

John was unable to come so a friend of his, Bob James, (who has rallied in New Zealand) volunteered. He picked me up and off we went to Crossens. On the way we called on Ken Medcalf who owned the remains of a 1925/6 Vulcan. He also had an FN, Sunbeam, Rolls-Royce, Graham-Paige and numerous Austins.

But most memorable was a 1911 Daimler - absolutely original, paint, upholstery, speaking tubes and vases in the enclosed rear.

An amazing car.

On a trip to the Atkinson Museum in Southport I saw another Vulcan which once belonged to Bob. An 11.5 hp model from 1911 that was on loan from the Liverpool Museum. Apart from a repaint it is an original car, still with its leather hood and leather aprons between running boards and bodywork.

At last it was time to find the Vulcan Motor & Engineering factory in Rufford Road, Crossens. A little over-run but very recognisable from original photos. The factory has seen many occupants, including Phillips, Brockhouse, and Mallards, since Vulcan was taken over by Tilling Stevens in 1933. Car production ceased in 1928 but trucks kept the name alive until 1953 when Rootes Group took over. We decided to walk along Slackey Lane which runs along beside the building and this took us to a fenced off area where people were working. After explaining to a chap that I am restoring a car that was manufactured here 110 years ago he said “So you’d like to have a look then?” Absolutely! We made our way through to the old factory now used mainly for storage. A naturally well-lit environment that has succumbed to the ravages of time and a multitude of roof leaks.

28 Beaded Wheels

Heading toward the front entrance we made our way up the oak staircase into what had been the Vulcan board room.

Beautifully paneled in oak, with a fireplace near the entrance.

Two chandeliers still hung from the ceiling. The only things missing were the board table and chairs, and maybe the smell of cigars or cigarette smoke instead of damp. The manager’s office was decorated in the same vein, but most other offices were quite dowdy by comparison. Downstairs to the original oak front doors where office staff would have come through and probably clocked in. Factory workers had a separate entrance or entrances as 700 plus people from around Crossens and Southport worked there having a significant financial impact in the area. Using Google maps, what is left of the factory covers about six acres, and old aerial photos show the factory would have covered around 12 acres. The whole area is due for demolition this year, and a new housing estate will be built in its place. Maybe they will name a road after the old factory, who knows? A few days later I was back on the train heading to London and another adventure, but thinking how a common interest brought two people together. I am especially grateful to John for his hospitality, and to Bob for his guidance and company to Crossens.

s We parked near the main entrance on Rufford Rd, walked down Slackey Lane and entered the car park. What is left of the factory is indicated by 4 arrows. (Photo courtesy Southport Visitor) ▼ The board room with Bob James surveying the area.

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s The factory today with its original front doors still there as can be seen in period photos, including the army ambulance one.

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s Vulcan army ambulance outside the front doors of Vulcan Engineering Co. ▼ John Viner’s 1908 20hp Vulcan with Garry Johnson, our chauffeur, outside the Green Inn pub at Llangedwyn in Wales.

General Shambles addresses the troops.

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Beaded Wheels 29

ME

AN INDIAN STORY WORDS JOHN LOUDON

Our family had the Danseys Pass Hotel in the Kakanui Ranges of the South Island from 1947-1959. I attended the local Ranfurly District High in the early 1950s, and during the school holidays would work in some of the Maniototo woolsheds, doing pickups and putting down wool bales with the old Donald presses. s Trevor Loudon’s circa 1942 Indian 741B motorcycle. Foot and hand clutch made this quite a different machine and all round a very nice bike.

John Loudon’s 1937-38 350cc 4 speed gearbox Royal Enfield in original condition.

s

30 Beaded Wheels

This was quite tiring, and if not staying on the farm I would have to saddle up the horse and ride home to the pub, often not arriving until after 7pm and only fit for bed to catch up for the next day.

Not telling Mum or Dad, I took the bus to Dunedin early in my second season in the woolsheds, and after a few hours going around the motorcycle shops, I purchased a 1937 Royal Enfield 350cc which seemed in reasonable order, very tidy and ran well.

A visit to the army surplus shop in South Dunedin provided all the necessary clothes and I set off for home some 94 miles away on my new steed. The greatcoat I purchased that day was a woman’s airforce blue one and quite long, so covered the legs nicely. I have it today, and often wear it in the winter, but when it gets wet the feet drag a bit and it becomes very heavy after a while.

My arrival home was greeted with a pretty cool reception, but my old man calmed down the next day when he had a ride, although was quick to point out it was not like the big Harleys of his day. He and his friends must have been a mad lot of buggers by some of the stories he told, always trying to out do each other as they rode from A to B and sometimes ending up at D (the ditch).

Trevor, my older brother, had been working away from home when he got a job with the Rabbit Board. They used just about everything then from poison to gas, shooting, traps, and dogs, and all had different areas to cover but would often shift around and try different things on different blocks. Trev settled on dogs and shooting as his job, and lived at home on and off. When away he would borrow the Enfield and really took to motorcycling, so

took off to Dunedin one day to see what he could find and afford.

A couple of days went by and Dad got a phone call from Trev, could he lend him £50 as he had found the bike he would like, but was a bit short on cash and a decision had to be made that day as other purchasers were very keen also. Dad obliged.

I arrived home from work the next day to see the most beautiful Indian you would ever see sitting outside the bunkhouse.

Painted red, complete with tank transfers, black frame and most other parts chrome plated, even the rims – complete with crash bars, pillion seat, pannier bags and windshield. I have no idea where he found it but the previous owner or owners must have been fanatics as it was in as-new condition with big fat tyres on it as well.

I have in recent years been lent a book on Indians, and some were built to special order, so this may have been one or it could have been assembled in New Zealand to USA specs – who knows, as it was just a 741 model Indian motorcycle to us then. It proved to be a very powerful and willing steed and on occasions we even used it to tow start the Model A as once it was rolling there was no problem.

After a couple of years and many thousands of miles the Indian was starting to smoke a bit on the downhill run. It still had plenty of grunt and was always an easy starter, even mid-winter, although in summer you had to be careful with the choke.

A decision was made to strip it down over the winter, and while we had a reasonable selection of Dad’s tools to use we still needed some pullers, so Trev wrote to Valentines. A parcel arrived from them in due course with everything we required and a complete list of Indian parts in stock.

This included just about everything, and a even a complete motorcycle could be made if required at around £195, plus on-road costs of course.

At this stage we boys slept in a separate bunkroom from the hotel, and it seemed an ideal place to work in, so in went the bike for its overhaul, much to Mum’s disgust, and from then on it was “make your b…. beds and clean up”. Then the fun started.

All went well and we had lots of the bike laid out and all cleaned up for inspection.

The clutch plates were worn and this was put down to towing the A at times so a list was started and added to. The triplex drive chain was stretched to the limit but sprockets seemed okay and were left as is.

We found that the rear chain and sprockets were a large pitch and not what the parts

book said, so we knew then that the bike was built to different specifications. The electrics had been converted to 12v and had a 75w sealed beam headlight which made night riding much easier and the rider could see for miles.

Valves were burnt on exhausts but the inlets were okay and were much larger in diameter with larger stems. Where to get valves could have been a problem until one of the staff in Pringles garage at Ranfurly said he knew what they were from and produced four valves which were spot on and only needed lapping in.

The crankcase and bottom end all appeared to be in good order so were left well alone and we just replaced the rollers on the drive-side bearings. To get the bore right for the rings we just used a feeler gauge for the ring gap and sent it away with this measurement. In due course they arrived with instructions to give a minimum gap on the top ring of 0.16 inch and to this day, on all air-cooled engines I have stuck to this and never had a ring problem.

When all the parts arrived the big job of assembly was all on. By the end of the weekend we started it up and proved all our worries were over. It ran very nicely and was back to full power again. Trev had a girlfriend by this time and after a few very cold rides in the winter she put the hard word on the poor bloke to find better transport or another girlfriend. As usually happens, she won the day and the hunt was on to find a suitable vehicle.

Eventually he arrived home with a 1934 Bedford pickup, also in very good original order so the romance was still on (it blew up later anyway).

Trev was very reluctant to sell the Indian after all our work, and I ran it in and rode it over the next few months until I finished high school. I then went back to the woolshed job using the Royal Enfield most of the time. I did ride the Indian to Dunedin to sign up for my first job at John McGregor’s as a fitter turner machinist which started after the summer holidays.

While in Dunedin I was approached by a guy who seemed to be very interested in the Indian, so got his name and address and passed it on to Trev. He bought the bike at the asking price and it was double what Trev paid for it three years previously and everyone was happy except me as I lost a very easy to ride and handle motorcycle.

So ends the story of an Indian with a difference, and maybe it still survives, but I never heard of it after it left the Danseys Pass Hotel and Loudon ownership.

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A round up of notable rallies and events from around our branches Jared Dacombe confident in the direction chosen, driver Gordon Dacombe has his doubts.

RALLY SNIPPETS THE BALCAIRN 2020 Banks Peninsula Branch Words Michael Williams, Photos John McDonald

s George Kear in his MG based Covid Special.

Vaughan Morrison was easy to spot in his bright Austin 7.

s

32 Beaded Wheels

In the spirit of looking back, I have before me the results of the 1997 Balcairn Trial. There were 31 entrants, and only one Austin 7 Special. The winner was George Calder in a Fiat 501, with Peter Croft in an MG J2 second and Warner Mauger in the dreaded A7 third, closely followed by a flock of Pidgeons in a Bugatti Brescia and a Fiat 509. The Good Old Days.

This year history repeated itself, albeit in a somewhat modified form, as there were four Covid Specials competing. A Covid Special is a vehicle/thing that has been cobbled together by a bored vintagent from bits and pieces found lurking in dark corners of the garage. One of them was an MG Special, put together by George Kear. It had bits of a PA, of a J2, a Morris 10 and lots of George Kear innovation, and it looked great. So it’s a distant cousin of the J2 of Peter Croft, although I’m sure Peter the purist will deny any family connection. But aren’t all MGs Morris Specials? The other Covid Specials were Warwick Marshall’s Mostly Ford, and the two minimalistic Model As of Bob and Dave Molyneux.

They looked great, they sounded great,

the crowd loved them, but with no weight over the back wheels. their progress was minimal.

The course this year was ideal, not too wet, not too dry, and the organisers aimed for stages that required minimum towing, so for the first time in some years we were able to complete six stages. The winner from last year did not compete, so the perennial favourites, Messieurs Hyde, Govan, Rose, Dacombe and Co were feeling confident, and there were more spectators than usual to offer advice.

In general terms all stages were similar in that if you were an early runner you scored well. On very wet or very dry years it’s usually too easy or too hard, but this year was, like little bear’s porridge, just right. So on stage one, when the first two entrants got maximum points, the organisers were slightly concerned, but as the course got cut up the scores went down, and many didn’t make the first hill, let alone the dreaded final right hander.

Stage two suited the lighter cars, and became nicely muddy at the top, but varying lines and some judicious bouncing meant high scores for many. Giles Gill in the Morgan three wheeler, and thus one wheel drive, got to 17 and was overcome with joy, while Mike Ludecke, in his Ford

Special, who tends to treat the white pegs with a lordly disdain, actually stayed on the course and scored 19.

Stage three was a new one, with a judicious mixture of muddy swamp, Austin 7-high reeds , a nasty turn and then a stop/start on a steep shingly climb. The organisers presumed most would get to the shingly climb, thus the stop/start, but the nasty turn turned very nasty and slippery indeed, so very few got beyond that, and if they did, met their demise at the stop/ start. A low scoring stage especially for those that started at the end of the field, with the muddy swamp claiming many victims.

So going into stage four, Jelfs Shelf, many competitors were muddy but unbowed, to misquote Invictus, not a state of mind the organisers were aiming for, but a bit of thinking and strategy is always needed on this time honoured stage, and proved to be the undoing of many. With steep ascents and descents, some mud and a tricky hairpin, this stage has it all, but the old campaigners did well, and quite a few scored 20. It’s great stage for spectators and hecklers, but not for those with a wide turning circle or a sensitive nature.

Lunch time meant repair time for some and then it was down to the far end for Newells Nemisis, and once again, the old hands tended to get 20 far too easily. The first turn claimed a few victims, and lots of bouncing was needed for the track, but the final hill was far too dry and next year, guess where a stop/start will be?

However, quiet confidence quickly turned to gloom as competitors walked or perhaps waded the course on Stage six, and after the first car sank up to its hocks at 16, the organisers and the crowd settled down to enjoy a classic mudplug type stage. The competitors were very sporting and charged at the morass at maximum rpm, and it became quickly apparent that standing behind a car meant a substantial drycleaning bill. Remarkably no engines were completely destroyed, but George Kear did regret removing his front mudguards at lunchtime. I have seldom seen a muddier person.

No one got too stuck getting back to terra firma, and the warmth of the Anglers Arms at Sefton was a welcome refuge for all. The highly desirable Old Boot Trophy is to be shared this year, as Gordon Dacombe from Nelson in his Morris Sports and Lance Braid from Hokitika shared first place, with posterboy Avon Hyde only three points behind, in third place. One

of the Molyneux brothers, in his Covid Special Model A won a bottle of wine for embodying the Spirit of the Day, which means he was grinning all day in a not very competitive car, and having the time of his life. And that’s what Balcairn is all about.

MONTE TARGO 2020

Central Otago Branch Words Graham Taylor and Don Yeaman Photos by Lynne Yeaman An idea came to me during lockdown.

I hadn’t had a good vintage drive for a while and came across the Banks Peninsula Monte Carlo rally rules. With some tweaking to allow for a shorter time duration, the rules went out in Puff n Stuff in May. Fast forward to the event which substituted for the Daffodil Rally, 17 cars and crew arrived at Cromwell via the Haast Pass, Crown Range, Lindis Pass and Moa

Creek, one of which was a compulsory passage. After that it was a matter of making up 250 points; there were three real dogs and two look-a-likes worth 20 points, coffee 10, NZ flag 20.

The aim was to do something with a difference, cars were all over the place and only came together occasionally. The Cardrona Hotel was the most popular coffee stop, then the finish at the Cromwell clubrooms, where there was swapping of stories and lunch.

Yogi the teddybear added a valuable 20 points to the authors score.

From left to right are Rod and Ann Corbett, Mike Elliott, Pam and Jerry Vaughn.

Beaded Wheels 33

Our route was Hawea Flat 20pts, Tarras 50pts, Cardrona 50 pts, Crown Range (compulsory) Gibbston, 20pts, dog (Harold) 20pts, two of New Zealand flags 40pts, car ’79 Mini 1000, 40pts, coffee 10pts. There was quite a bit of juggling as the 250 pts was a bit tricky, and our second dog had other plans, one entrant had a china dog, another a stuffed (knitted) dog. Both were within the rules, so will we have a vintage hearse next time? Needless to say everyone finished on 250 points as the judge’s decision was final and he couldn’t add very well either.

Will we do it again? It’s relatively easy to set up, caters for those who enjoy a blast and a bit of fun. British cars like that, we can make allowances for the two American cars, almost a colony anyway, and not a French one in sight.

We’ll have some tougher rules to keep Lex Westoby happy next year.

In addition to what Graham has said, we (the Yeamans) were invited to add our two cents worth. Lynne and I both liked the idea from the start and spent a few evenings each doing our own interpretation of what we thought we needed to do and what we thought we could get away with. Then of course we had difficulty in agreeing on the best route. Part of the decision was, whether we wanted to travel as far as possible to get our points, or did

we keep it short and pick up our points as quickly as possible.

As the TR2 had let us down on a couple of occasions recently, we erred on the side of caution, and took a relatively short route as follows; Wanaka to Cardrona (50pts), then over the Crown Range (compulsory) then at the bottom on the Queenstown side we turned around and went back over the Crown Range again to Cardrona (another 50 pts). Or as the Irish would say “Just to be sure, to be sure”. We stopped for coffee at the Cardrona pub, where we met three other couples from the competition.

Then back past home and a quick pit stop (compulsory according to Lynne because of the coffee stop at Cardrona) and then over to Tarras (50 pts) and down to Cromwell for lunch.

Our tally was 150pts, as above, plus 40 for the TR2, 20 for our passenger Yogi (a teddy bear), New Zealand flag 20 and two coffees 20 for our total of 250 points. The TR2 behaved very well and had a great day out. Would definitely do it again.

DAFFODIL RALLIES

s Taupo members about to deliver Daffodils

Despite the cancellation of our National Daffodil Day a few branches managed to maintain the momentum gained over the last few years and still held successful local events. For more details see individual branch reports in Idle Torque.

s Gisborne: From left: Kent Wilkinson, owner of the 1941 Ford 1-ton truck, Tairawhiti area manager of the Gisborne Cancer Society Lianne Jenkins, Gisborne branch Daffodil Rally for Cancer co-ordinator Graeme Revell, and Rick Brenchley, owner of the 1954 Chevrolet sedan.

Photo Rick Brenchley.

GISBORNE BRANCH On Sunday, 23 August, 56 vehicles took part in our fourth annual Daffodil Rally for Cancer run to Tolaga Bay, where entrants enjoyed an ice cream or a cup of coffee and a chat before returning home.

Vehicles ranged from a scooter to an exarmy Unimog truck, with everything in between.

An impressive $735 was raised from car and bike enthusiasts who enjoyed lovely weather for the drive.

s Otago: Graeme Duthie in his Model t tourer

34 Beaded Wheels

s Otago: Bryan McConachie and cousin Maggie in his Mini

VETERAN RALLY

Southland Branch Branch, Photos Rae Wilson Compiled from notes by Janet McCulloch

Line up of entrants left, Eunson’s Wolseley Siddeley, Brian Dunick Renault, Colin Pearce with two Sunbeams, SVCC Darracq

s B Sheddan, Saxon tackles the field tests.

s Eunson’s 1909 Wolseley Siddeley.

s Greg Elder, Gore Branch Chairman, in his Cadillac with navigator Southland Branch Secretary, Janet McCulloch.

s Wayne Nicoll, Cadillac.

Our 2020 event was successful with 14 entrants from local branches meeting at the Windsor Community Church for the start of the run. The morning was spent enjoying country motoring from Invercargill to Riverton, with a diversion for a quick lap around the local Bupa retirement village, much to the delight of the residents.

Lunch was followed by field tests and then a return to Invercargill for prize giving. Navigator in the Greg Elder’s Cadillac, Janet McCulloch reported “My one memory of this trip was sitting up in the car looking around at the scenery, smelling the countryside – some good smells, some not, but in general how peaceful and calming it was just travelling along enjoying the day”.

s Phillip Toomey in the 1913 Humberette took the Concours honours.

s Brian Dunick, Renault.

VETERAN RALLY 2020 RESULTS:

Time Trial 1 Greg Elder 1917 Cadillac Tourer.

2 Ashley Bell 1912 Renault AX. Field Tests 1 Tony Warren 1907 Darracq Service Car 2 Ashley Bell 1912 Renault AX. Motorcycle Time Trial 1 Casey Lyons 1912 Humber.

Motorcycle Field Tests 1 Ray McCulloch 1911 Abingdon King Dick.

Overall Motorcycle: First Equal - Casey Lyons and Ray McCulloch Best performance by a Model T Paul Heron 1911 Ford Model T. Best performance by a four-cylinder Tony Warren 1907 Darracq.

Concours Vehicle: Phillip Toomey 1913 Humberette.

Concours Motorcycle: Ray McCulloch 1911 King Dick.

Overall Winner: Ashley Bell 1912 Renault AX. Beaded Wheels 35

John Bell handing over keys to Steve Dyson Waimate Branch Chairman

WAIMATE BRANCH

AUSTIN MAXI 1750 Words and photo Ann Hind (segments supplied by John Bell on history of other Maxis)

In February 2020, the Waimate Branch was extremely fortunate to receive a wonderful gift from Mr John Bell of Waimate of an Austin Maxi 1750.

John took delivery of the Austin on Friday 13 October 1978 from GT Gillies of Oamaru. This car was in fact the last Maxi ever sold by them. At the time GT Gillies were Austin agents for North Otago, and for Waimate via their local branch operated by the brothers Bill and Colin Veitch.

The Austin Maxi was depicted as a most versatile production car. At the time it was a revolutionary design and one of the first British-made cars to have a five-speed gearbox.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOME OTHER FAMOUS MAXIS In November 1979 an orange Maxi, identical to this one, was involved in a daring escape in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

Owned by the then First Secretary at the British Embassy in

CAST IRON WELDING 36 Beaded Wheels

Tehran, the Maxi was used to rescue five US diplomats after the Embassy was stormed.

In 1972 a couple fled East Berlin passing through Checkpoint Charlie in the boot of a Maxi.

On 1 July 1969 John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono crashed their white Maxi into a ditch in the Scottish highlands. Lennon then had the car removed to his Tittenhurst home where it was placed on a plinth as homage to their lucky escape.

In 1975 Dunlop set out to prove the quality of their new “Worldbeater” tyre range by fitting them to two Maxis which were then driven around the world passing through Europe, the Middle East, India, Australia and the USA. From 1975 to 1980 British Leyland supplied the Lawn Tennis Association with official “Wimbledon Maxis”.

The Waimate Branch appreciates this kind gesture from Mr Bell in donating this car and feels it is very fitting that this particular Maxi will stay in the Waimate area.

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

MAD IRISH WOMAN’S RALLY 2020 Words Trevor Appleby

Our group of fifteen cars and about 40 people just got in before the Covid-19 Lockdown of social gatherings. I came on board with the South Waikato Branch to resolve hiccups that I experienced last year. The club did the paperwork, while I created the rally routes for two days. The Wharepapa South School, near Te Awamutu in South Waikato, did the catering. This all worked out really well. We had cars from Auckland, Waikato, South Waikato and Te Kuiti. Model Ts, Model As, Chev ute, Standard, Oakland and Riley. A good mix.

Some of the group came to my place on Friday night for a barbeque and get together. The normal lies and a few beers.

The school had set up a continental breakfast from 8 am, this was a chance to park up and meet the group before briefing at 8.30 am. With a slightly staggered start, we were all on the road before 9 am, in a follow the leader fashion. Lots of breakdowns, fuel issues, and a sign having been flogged off a post. This resulted in an hour and a half wait for some at the end of the tarseal before the climb up to the Rangitoto Station woolshed. Here we stopped for lunch and a cuppa. A further talk and up to the air strip. It was a beautiful day, with the usual breathtaking views. From here we tracked back down to the woolshed, through two locked gates and followed the instructions to get home. This had options for a quicker route back to the school (and starting point).

We were all invited back to Nathan and Vanessa’s house on Rotongata Rd for happy hour and dinner. This was very well received by all. A great effort on behalf of the school. Most had headed back to their accommodation by 9.30 pm.

Sunday morning breakfast at the school and some more instructions were handed out for the day’s journey. This would mainly follow the lead 4x4. This took us through Kaiwhio Farm, where a new Amazon series inspired by the Tolkien Lord of the Rings, has just finished filming.

Out onto the main Mangawhio Road, which was built during the depression years. This was the reverse of last year which confused a few entrants. On again through Ngaroma and on to another station, up to Rusty’s Roost, to boil the billy (literally) for a hot drink.

From here through three more farms and nice tracks through bush, blackberry brushing the vehicle running boards (take care in your convertibles), back over the goat track to get back to the school by 3 pm. Had a talk and everybody left for home. All said they had

thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and wanted preference bookings for next year.

We intend to keep the numbers below 30 cars. This makes a small small social group, which also suits the terrain and tracks that we are on.

Roll on next year for the Mad Irish Woman’s Rally for all pre 1931 vehicles. We can take a few more entries.

Beaded Wheels 37

THREE HISTORIC

SUNBEAMS WORDS AND PHOTOS WILLIAM HEARNE

Sunbeam, with their very talented motor engineer Louis Coatalen, were possibly the one of the most successful motor company in the United Kingdom in their day. The early aircraft engines led to the development of both racing cars and recordbreaking cars. Their first success was winning the first three places in the 3-litre section of the French Grand Prix at Dieppe in 1912. In 1923 a Sunbeam driven by HOD Seagrave, won the French Grand Prix at Tours, with second and fourth places also taken by Sunbeam cars. During WWI, Louis Coatalen earned fame as the designer of the Sunbeam-Coatalen aero engines with 6, 12 and 18 cylinders. After the war he worked on Seagrave’s land speed record car. Sunbeam racing cars were also sent to the USA to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 5 litre 6-cylinder car owned and raced in the UK by Julian Mazub is one such example. In my 15 years in the UK I saw this car in action at the various racing circuits.

Here in New Zealand we were lucky to have had two very important Sunbeam racing cars for a number of years. How appropriate that the 1914 4 cylinder Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and the 1922 8 cylinder Isle of Man Tourist Trophy cars were owned for a time by two of the founders of the Vintage Car Club of NZ, Andrew Anderson and Robert Shand. Both cars are now back in the UK and Andrew Anderson’s old car is regularly raced there.

▲ The 1922 3 litre 8 cyl IOM Tourist Trophy Sunbeam as rebuilt by Auto Restorations for Tom Wheatcroft.

▲ The 1917 5 litre 6 cyl Indianapolis Sunbeam owned and raced by Julian Mazub for a number of years.

38 Beaded Wheels

▲ The 1914 3 litre 4 cyl IOM Tourist Trophy Sunbeam.

▲ The 1914 3 litre 4 cyl IOM Tourist Trophy Sunbeam which spent 70 of its 105 years in New Zealand. Photograph taken in 2004 when owned by the late Brian Moore in the UK.

▲ Julian Mazub’s 1917 5 litre 6 cyl Indianapolis Sunbeam.

BOOK REVIEWS STORIES FROM OUR BACK ROADS: THE SOUTH ISLAND. STORIES FROM OUR BACK ROADS: THE NORTH ISLAND. Author Ray Stone RRP $49.99 inc GST each. Both soft cover.

Published September 2020 by David Bateman Ltd. Available at book stores and online.

ISBN 978-1-98-853829-7 (Sth Island) ISBN 978-1-98-853828-0 (Nth Island) Reviewed by Bevars Binnie

These two books tell stories about many of the lesser-known roads (or tracks) in New Zealand, and encourage you to drive them – in a suitable vehicle. They are not really route guides, but they do describe the routes, and recommend the maps you would need to find your way through.

Ray Stone has driven all of the routes, and has obviously done a large amount of research about their history and their reasons for being where, and what, they are today. He gives some context around their place in both Maori and European history, and tells the stories of some of the people who helped create them, or

in some cases made them famous. There are notes about things to look out for on the way, and advice about places where washouts or other hazards may make the going difficult.

He recommends the type of vehicle he thinks is needed to drive each road or track, and the type of tyres he thinks you should use (highway, all terrain, or mud). What he doesn’t say is that many of our veteran and vintage vehicles are quite capable of successfully negotiating a large number of them. After all when most of the roads in New Zealand were built they were little better than these.

Ray does include warnings about steep descents in some places, so care would be required in two-wheel-braked vehicles.

Ray gives some advice about respecting the environment, why heritage tracks are important, land ownership and access, maps, and much more.

Most of the roads are unknown to me, and reading about them will probably tempt me to investigate at least some new

ones. There are quite a few that I have driven myself over the years, whether that has been on my own, or as part of VCC rallies. Reading the history and background of these has given me a greater understanding of them, and a desire to drive some of them again.

introduction, the section about the books, and the advice at the end of each one, then each road or track stands on its own.

In these Covid-restricted times they will give readers many ideas for new, exciting and beautiful motoring experiences in our own country

I haven’t read all of the journeys in both books yet – I don’t think that many people would sit down and read them all in one go. The books are more suited for dipping into for a short diversion, planning a trip, or getting a fresh perspective about a road or track that you have already driven. There are about 65 back roads in total, and there are a few that could be combined into one trip.

Those of you who have a copy of Bruce Ansley’s Wild Roads – A New Zealand Journey will wonder if it is in some ways similar to these books. However they complement each other rather than being direct competitors, as Wild Roads incudes more main or major roads, and fewer tracks.

There are a few, but not many, duplications between the books.

Read all three of them if you get the opportunity.

Both books are a great read, and once you have read the

Deadlines for the December/January issue of Beaded Wheels EDITORIAL COPY 24 October 2020 ADVERTISING 10 November 2020 GIFT SUBSCRIPTION CLOSE OFF FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS 18 December 2020 Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

Beaded Wheels 39

101 Harman St PO Box 9164 Christchurch 8149 New Zealand Phone 03 338 4307 email office@veterancarrims.co.nz

Lock ring Heavy and light.

Now available

Beaded Wheels

writers wanted

Beaded edge Wide range 30x3 to 895x135 Split Rims Motor cycle rims

Well base Rolled edge.

All sizes

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. Unfortunately we are not in the position to provide financial recompense for services rendered but we are sure you will be compensated by the thrill of seeing your words and photos in print.

Email your articles and ideas to: 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 Roger Lusby and Digby Young

40 Beaded Wheels

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 “BRDVAN” PERSONALISED NUMBER PLATE for sale. Ph Mervyn 03 325 2448. MEM CANTERBURY 1927 RUGBY 6, coach, restoration project started.

Some woodwork and panel work done. Reg on hold $2000. 1949 Fordson E27N tractor. M/B motor and two heads plus parts, small sandblaster cabinet, assorted Skoda parts new and second hand. Phone David Manson 03 443 7906. CENTRAL OTAGO MEMBER 1928 WILLYS KNIGHT 70A SEDAN and 1927 Willys Knight 56 sedan. Both cars unrestored. Also available body parts, running gear, wooden wheels 20” front and rear (no borer), motors. WK manuals and parts books for various models including truck. Also Model 20-20a WK motors, chassis, diffs, tourer body about 1920. Phone Geoff Neal 021 169 4088 or email discountshuttles@gmail.com

MEM WELLINGTON CARBURETTOR RECONDITIONING including classic and performance makes. 40 plus years 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

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 1959 MGA TWIN CAM COUPЀ. Fully restored to top cond. A full history of the car is known from production days. Imported into NZ in 1975. Mileage now 67,000 miles. Rust free and has had extensive mechanical work as follows: Engine - new engine block and pistons; front axle and suspension; rear axle parts; steering parts; gearbox parts; brakes.

Much printed material. Numerous other parts.

A two page list of history, work and parts can be emailed on request. Location Rotorua. Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1964 MORRIS 1000 FLATDECK TRUCK S mall amount of work required to complete, comes with original black plates, spares included. Contact Tony Adams 021 126 7992. MEM ASHBURTON 1970 FORD V8 FAIRMONT W hite unfinished project, runs. Also 900 Triumph Daytona motorcycle and crash damaged Triumph Super 3. Phone Mr Webb 09 275 6381 forced sale.

M EM AUCKLAND

1929 CHEVROLET TOURER PROJECT. Complete except for a few parts. A great restoration project BALANCING BALANCING BALANCING, with a few spares included. $7,900 ono. Pick We can balance most vintage and single up from Blenheim. For full details and photos cylinder engines, fans, driveshafts etc. Work contact Grant on 021 767 234 jolley@xtra.co.nz is carried out on a modern digital machine.

MEM MARLBOROUGH M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, 1931 STUDEBAKER MOTOR COMPLETE. 205 ci. Suit Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: 53 or 54 model. Also JAGUAR 1958 MARK 8 Picnic info@mscoombes.co.nz table. Offers accepted for both. Phone Richard 03 1975 RENAULT 12TL SEDAN Registered and 383 2077, Christchurch MEM CANTERBURY WOF current. Spare motor and other parts.

1938 CHRYSLER ROYAL GRILLE, dash parts and $1800 ono for the lot. Phone: Peter of 027 492 9375 radio 1937-39 Dodge body and mechanical parts,

MEM ROTORUA gasket sets 23” and 25” motors and parts ‘35 to ‘57, 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S500 V8 SEDAN C olour new set 215 x 65 x 16” radial tyres. Contact Peter Black, 218,000 kms, some spare parts. Registered 027 526 9170 MEM GORE and WOF current. $3,500 ono. Phone Peter 1957 JAGUAR XK150. Chassis 824075 DN . Ex Bob 027 492 9375 MEM ROTORUA Gibbons with competition history. All matching numbers. Extremely good original condition. One of only 16 disc-wheel cars produced. Unbroken registration. Present owner 45 years. A significant New Zealand car. Email: nzluddites@gmail.com

MEM CANTERBURY HUBCAPS – a ny problems contact me. I now produce either hubcap skins or complete GOT VIBRATION PROBLEMS? hubcaps. These are top quality replicas.

The crankshaft pulley/balancer/damper may Pressed not spun to the closest possible original be the cause. Rubber perishes over time. John specifications. I can manufacture any model that at Harmonic Damper Rebuilds can rebuild your uses the skin system plus many others provided pulley like new. He has a proven system to they do not exceed 10½ inch in diameter. For re-rubber and re-sleeve dampers. Most can be more information phone Dave Patten Replica rebuilt as good as new and save you money and Manufacturing (2003) Ltd, Phone 027 247 engine repairs. 027 666 3350 or 07 863 3350 7956, 160 New York Street, Martinborough. damperdude@gmail.com dave.patten@wise.net.nz

Beaded Wheels 41

MARKET PLACE

ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY CHASSIS a nd most of VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS the running gear of a 14 -15 hp, circa ’26-’28 , little All Classic and Vintage Car restoration. bodywork; Vanguard phase 3 radiator; Vespa • Panel making • Wooden body repairs, ’62-’65 front brake cables ( n.o.s ); Marina 1300 rear • Bumpers and moulding repair axles; Ford 10 doors; Triumph Herald diff and rear • Competitive hourly rate. axles/brakes etc. ; F B Holden grill; Vauxhall EIP grill Unit 1 11 Penn Place, ‘55; XA Fairmont grill; A55 axles; ’37 Dodge bonnet; Upper Riccarton, Christchurch Renault Dauphine facia panel ; A30 grills; A7 panels Phone Grant 341 5100 or 027 223 9474 and manifolds; Morris 10 head ; A40 Farina Mk2 granttvin@gmail.com grill. All enquiries to waikatospares@gmail.com

MEM WAIKATO OLDSMOBILE ENGINE 1928 F28 Phone 027 833 3580. MEM CANTERBURY CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS AND VEHICLE OWNERSHIP P lease advise the National Office in writing if you have changed address, phone numbers, email address or vehicle ownership.

OPERATIONAL MANUAL f or the Morris 5 CWT Van Series Z. Export edition in used condition. Slightly torn but readable. $5. Phone 021 749 142

MEM OTAGO FIRESTONE 3” WHITE WALL CROSS PLY 560x15 tyres. Two near new, one good for spare. $200 PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS the lot. Phone Ian McDougall 03 313 1010 FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC &

MEM CANTERBURY ODDBALL ENGINES. LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CYLINDERS We can supply piston sets for most makes and for 1951-59 ½ Ton Chevrolet truck. May also models. All piston sets come complete with fit some cars. Brand new in box. $50 each rings and gudgeons. We have over 700 listings Noel White 022 323 3498 or 03 448 6368. at competitive prices.

MEM CENTRAL OTAGO M S COOMBES LTD 344 ST ASAPH ST, CHRISTCHURCH Ph: 03 366 7463 E: info@mscoombes.co.nz

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 VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes.

Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan on 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier. MEM GISBORNE BRANCH PARTS SHED IS FULL to bursting and we need to tidy it up. We may have the parts you are seeking. Try us! Open Sundays and Wednesdays 10am to noon, or by appointment. Phone Greg on 06 868 4781 or email gisborne@vcc.org.nz with as much detail as you can.

HUDSON STRAIGHT 8 MOTOR w ithout starter motor. Fan to gearbox. Block numbers 152501 and 12937. Offers please, contact Don ph 027 471 4654 jdonrob@xtra.co.nz or MEM WAIKATO BRANCH TRANSFER To transfer between branches, complete a transfer form. This can be obtained through your branch secretary.

MORRIS COWLEY 1924 SPARE PARTS. Crankshaft, steering column, crank case, starter generator, diff, foot pedals, wheels tyres hub caps, head lamps, park lights, 4 pistons complete. Ring gudgeons, head gaskets (3), Buick choke control. Phone 022 640 5030. MEM CANTERBURY 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

42 Beaded Wheels

PAIR OF FORD RUNNING BOARD step plates $38 plus freight. Also Beaded Wheels magazines from early 1960s to 2018 (4 boxes) free just pay freight.

Phone Graham on 06 378 7422. MEM WAIRARAPA PERSONALISED PLATES white and black letters MI 35 V8 offer $950 ex order. Contact Gerry 027 233 4635 MEM GORE

RUSHMORE MOTORS HAVE THESE and many more vehicles listed.

1980 Daimler Sovereign. 2003 Corvette soft top. 1964 Rover. 1963 Studebaker. 1956 Francis Barnett M/c. 1896 Roper Steam Bicycle. 1930 Model A Ford sedan. 1952 Ford Consul, reqs assy.

1939 Ford V8 sedan. 1926 Flat Nose Morris. 1914 Overland Tourer. 1928 Buick Std. Sedan. 1926 Chev truck. 1938 Morris 12/4. 027 2245 045 inc a/h. rushmoremotors@xtra.co.nz

VAUXHALL H AND I 10/12HP 1940-1949 Genuine factory service manual in mint condition. No greasy fingerprints! Comprehensive details for workshop. $30 firm. Phone Tom Clements 03 352 7457.

MEM CANTERBURY PENRITE OILS W e carry a large range from vintage to modern engines. Gearbox, diff, SU dashpot and water pump grease.

M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz VINTAGE AND VETERAN CAR MARKETING. I maintain a database of buyers and sellers of veteran, vintage and post vintage vehicles, placing buyers and sellers together. Free to list.No hidden costs. No computer, no problem. Just call me.

Whether buying or selling a veteran, vintage or post vintage vehicle, contact Les at Rushmore Motors Ltd. Phone 027 224 5045. Inc. Sat. vintagecars@xtra.co.nz Free catalogue available.

Finance may be available on most vehicles.

WAIRARAPA VCC PARTS SHED: Rover P6 L/ rear guards, hubcaps, P5 drive shaft, 1952 De Soto range of parts, (enquire), Austin 10 doors, bonnet, panels. Ph Frank, 06 379 7167 email Jeff, j.percy@xtra.co.nz, Barry, ljandbjwells@gmail.com VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME P lease note: Financial membership of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) is a requirement to be insured under the VCC/Vero Insurance Scheme.

QUANTITY OF NEW SIMCA 1510 CAR PARTS. 1978-81 Mazda B1600 new tailgate. 1952 Chev gearbox, Falcon XW gearbox, 1925 Buick gearbox, 1923 Buick radiator, bullnose Morris Cowley radiator average condition. 1981 Audi 5 cyl motor, Austin 7 early 1930 chassis, radiator etc. Phone John Taranaki VCC spare parts on 06 751 5554 or email megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz

Please advise National Office of any changes of address or sales/purchases of vehicles.

Email admin@vcc.org.nz or post details to VCCNZ, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 PENRITE ENGINE COOLANT A colourless hybrid-organic non glycol based corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for use in Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage and Classic Car cooling systems. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz VINTAGE ENGINE SHORT BLOCKS We can in most cases rebuild your short block using modern shell bearings, new pistons and rebuilt oil pump.

Please contact us for more information.

M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, CHRYSLER WINGED RADIATOR CAP $50. Contact Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: Phil phone 021 749 158 MEM OTAGO info@mscoombes.co.nz

MARKET PLACE

1928 MODEL A PHAETON Unrestored but in very MORRIS 8 SERIES E, tidy body, motor runs, needs 1972 P6 ROVER 3.5 V8 - Rare Opportunity. One good condition. Motor rebuilt 26,000 miles ago. finishing. Comes with some spare parts, $2400 family owner for last 45 years. British assembled.

New diff last year. $25,000. Phone 03 489 2326 or ono. Info phone 03 214 0426 or email bruce56@ 158,000 miles. Always maintained and garaged.

027 2611166 MEM OTAGO windowslive.com MEM SOUTHLAND Auto transmission rebuild 1996. Engine fully rebuilt at 119,000mls, Oct 2000. Receipts for all work since 1975. Reg & wof. $6,650. Ph Christine 09 530 9265 or 027 261 2441.

1941 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT STRAIGHT 8 Brakes and motor overhauled, new rings and bearings, timing gear, exhaust valves. New brake cylinders with stainless steel sleeves fitted.

Overdrive, indicators, electric wipers. Orig mileage 85,000. $34,000 invested asking $26,000 ono.

Contact Ken Patterson 027 926 8639 S TH CANTY

1914 WARRICK PARCELCAR Veteran commercial single cylinder air cooled. Three wheeler 2 speed and reverse. Tiller steer. Reg on hold, spare engine.

Brass fittings etc. Has rallied well in the past, also makes a great display item. Appeared in Steve Reids book Veteran Cars. $23,000 ono. Phone Trevor 021 262 4009 MEM NELSON

1937 ASTON MARTIN 15/98 DROPHEAD COUPE 2 litre. Fully restored and always maintained to the highest standard. Impeccable provenance. 1 of only 25 examples bodied by ED Abbot and believed to be 1 of just 6 remaining world wide. Contact John Bain Ph 027 274 5279. Fazazz The Motorists’ Shop. ChCh

1948 MORRIS 8 SERIES E. All new interior, radio, USB charger, paint, tyres, lined boot. Converted to 12 volts, personalised plates MY DORY. Original colour. Rego and WOF. $15,000 ono. Phone 07 562 1940

1924 HUMBER 12/25 2/3 SEATER Same ownership for over 61 years, orig ownership papers. Maintained to very high standard. Super rare body style.

Handful of this model worldwide, would be a great addition to anyone’s vintage collection great motoring vehicle, sensibly priced. Ph Robert Benge 021 757 215, horselessauto@gmail.com MEM WGTN

CHEV 1939 MASTER 85 (straight axle). Maroon with beige leather upholstery. Blue Flame motor, 12 volt electrics, high ratio diff, fully rebuilt over many years.

Large file of receipts and photographs of work done.

Workshop manual, handbook and parts List. New exterior sun visor included. Phone Ian on 07 863 3554 , ianverrall@outlook.com

MODEL A FORD REBUILT SHOCK ABSORBERS, as original. With exchange $210 each, or $240 outright. Arms and all connecting parts available.

Postal delivery extra. Phone Jack 03 352 6672, 0274 322 041 Christchurch. MEM CANTERBURY

A VERY NICE EXAMPLE OF THE PEUGEOT 202, only one in New Zealand. Featured in Classic Driver issue 50, article available on request. Odometer shows 82,357 km (car imported from The Netherlands). Michelin tyres, new battery. Reg on hold. [202 BH] plate is not inc, can be sold separately. Seen also on TradeMe. Ph 027 769 5919, sven@slager.co.nz MEM TARANAKI.

LUGGAGE TRUNK EX 1928 BUGATTI TYPE 44: 36 x 22 x 14 inches (915 X 560 X 355mm). Slide out upper tool box / small items tray, fold down rear lid come picnic table. Beautifully built by professional Australian Body Builder. Suitable for a smaller car with pretensions of grandeur. Open to sensible offers. Ph Ian Goldingham 09 445 8811, goldie@ kiwilink.co.nz MEM WAITEMATA Beaded Wheels 43

MARKET PLACE

1953 ALVIS TA21 3 LITRE Nicely reconditioned with new shock absorbers, near new tyres, radiator cleaned, valve grind. Excellent leather seats and refinished woodwork. Sunroof. WOF and Rego.$18,000. ono. K Minchin 09 434 3649

1926 MODEL T 4 DOOR. Restoration 10 years ago.

Motor done years ago, been garaged always. Done 50K km on motor. Handbooks, receipts on motor and bodywork. Rego on hold. Seen in Waikari North Canterbury. $25,000. Contact 027 437 6709, angusgaskell9@gmail.com MEM CANTERBURY

1928 MODEL 23 RALEIGH MOTORCYCLE and side car chassis. Motor 500cc OHV exposed valve gear.

Motor and 3 speed gearbox Sturmey Archer brand.

This is quality restoration. Price by negotiation.

Phone 09 419 0373 or 027 294 3280 MEM AUCKLAND

ORIGINAL MG TD-TF WORKSHOP manual and 1927 PACKARD 426 ROADSTER. O rig factory book Maintaining the Breed the saga of MG racing roadster fully restored. Toured throughout NZ. cars and tuning specifications for 1250 & 1500 Leather upholstery, rumble seat incl, nickel plating motors. Asking $80 ono Contact 0274 485 633. in excellent order. A very motorable 6 cylinder vintage ready for new adventures. Some history

MEM FAR NORTH available. Photo files available $105,000 ono.

Ph 027 490 3248, tdeleeuw@xtra.co.nz MEM WAIKATO

1928 MODEL A FORD 4 DOOR Washington Blue with straw rims. A perfect Briggs body, no rust, no dents. Very sound, rot free wood, has original door hardware inside and out. Comes with 1930 two tooth steering box. $23,990. Phone Feilding 06 323 4462 or 027 616 7902 MEM MANUWATU

1936 AUSTIN RUBY Good tidy condition, has been restored, the rego is on hold. $7,000. For further information or photos please contact Ken 03 208 6901.

MEM GORE

1930 CHRYSLER 77 ROADSTER. Good running order.

Older restoration. Set of new tyres inc. Location Dunedin. Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1947 MATCHLESS G3L. O lder restoration but still looks good.34000 miles by me both in UK and NZ. Very reliable. Much paperwork and matching nos.

Rego on hold as of ownership but can supply with new warrant and rego. $7000. Phone Brian on 09 534 5493 or 021 0231 8146. MEM AUCKLAND

1926 ESSEX 6 COACH. R eg & WOF. Starts and stops like a good vintage car should. Two new tyres. Engine work Aug 2017. Rotorua. Rushmore Motors Ltd. Ph 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1930 STUDEBAKER SEDAN. I n Ex. cond. Reg & WOF. Excellent restoration. A lovely car to drive. Very reliable. Location Nelson. Rushmore Motors Ltd. Ph 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

RARE 1964 3300 VELOSOLEX. 49cc Tubular steel frame in great order and running condition. $1900. ph 027 682 4040 M EM HOROWHENUA

44 Beaded Wheels

MARKET PLACE

1976 MG BGT Only two owners. NZ new.

1956 NASH RAMBLER CLASSIC 6 cylinder with 1936 PLYMOUTH BUSINESS SEDAN Good reliable motoring vehicle, serviced regularly, Overdrive, leather front seats. Driven and serviced 3 speed, electric overdrive. Well maintained and in always garaged. Immaculate condition, original regularly. $13,000. Phone Michael 0274 148 145 original condition. WOF and Reg. Very tidy interior. receipts and workshop manual available. Reg & MEM BANKS PENINSULA $15,000 ono. Also a lot of parts j.percy@xtra.co.nz WOF. Numerous spare parts. Reluctant sale. Price Ph.06-3774622 MEM WAIRARAPA negotiable. Phone 027 227 7799 all enquiries welcome

ery VINTAGE CAR CLUB BADGE A Wellington Branch 1915 STUDEBAKER ROADSTER SD. V VCC badge in solid brass $20. Contact Graeme motorable veteran car. Purchased in 2005 in Gandm.crawley@xtra.co.nz ph. 09 5249 255 restored condition. 15 years of regular use and maintenance with good reliability. Current

MEM AUCKLAND WOF & Reg. Good waterproof hood and leather upholstery. $35,000 ono Ph 07 308 7928 or 0274 354 328, wamcfarland@farmside.co.nz MEM EBOP

CHEVROLET 490 SPEEDSTER 1923. Well known matching numbers car. Ex Ron Roycroft. Original low mileage vehicle. WOF & Reg. Sympathetically restored between 1998 and 2010, and entered into many Chelsea Hillclimbs, Roycroft Trophies, two Leadfoot Festivals and the Manunui hillclimb.

Ph Ryan McDonald 021 138 8961 MEM WAITEMATA

1961 MK2 JAGUAR PARTS B org Warner transmission (reconditioned but leaks), torque converter, flywheel, bell housing, starter (done approx. 90k miles), 2 leather front seats. Offers wanted. Collect from Alexandra, other parts also available. Phone Hugh Clarke 0274 33 44 18

MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

1962 PA SX VAUXHALL VELOX 2651cc & 3 speed manual, full strip and 2 pot epoxy repaint in original colours. Engine, clutch, brakes, radiator and most mechanicals reconditioned. Photos & list of work available. Considering sale only and so open to consideration of realistic offers. Contact: Consultech@xtra.co.nz MEM MARLBOROUGH

EXTREMELY RARE, HIGHLY COLLECTABLE 1955 Alperson Sprite 14. One of 30 imported into NZ. Likely the only totally original, complete, holidayready example surviving. Leak free seam-welded aluminium body. 4-berth. As-new awning.

Detailed photos available to genuine enquirers.

Contact Gordon 022 547 4580.

NEW MODEL A FORD SHOCK ABSORBERS. Precision manufactured in NZ. They are fully adjustable and work as per the originals, $322 each. New 1928/29 and 1930/31 Model A open car windscreens. Ph 03 359 0565 or 021 128 9252 or www.vintagefordparts.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY

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

1989 HONDA ACCORD $ 1250. Registered and warranted. Phone 03 453 0592.

M EM OTAGO

Beaded Wheels 45

MARKET PLACE

WANTED 100E FORD ANGLIA 5 3/59 for restoration.

Preferably a runner and complete. Also HA Vauxhall Viva 63/66 for restoration. Preferably a runner and complete. Ph Dave 06 843 5151. MEM HAWKE’S BAY 1977 MINI CLUBMAN T idy paint & condition.

Reconditioned motor, power brake booster. New upholstery & carpets. WoF, Registration and VIC. Located in Hawke’s Bay. Ph 027 488 5019, karinya@xtra.co.nz MEM CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY

1928 ERSKINE REGO LS462 I sold this vehicle in the early 80s. Would love to know if it has been restored and if possible to see it. Phone Maurice 03 322 6394. MEM CANTERBURY 1937 B26 BSA, 6 V generator wanted in good working condition. Ph Peter 022 058 7944. A VINTAGE HAND CRANK SIREN t o utiliise on my

MEM CANTERBURY 1924 Ford T Fire Engine restoration. The picture is 1948 INDIAN CHIEF MOTOR CYCLE three speed gearbox. Any condition considered. Phone Colin on 021 131 6699. MEM TARANAKI

indicative only. Will consider any old hand crank siren. What have you? email: aeroview@xtra.co.nz.

Peter cell 021 1291 333 MEM ASHBURTON

1982-89 XJS OR XJS-C JAGUAR HE V12 in excellent condition. Reasonable price paid, preferably Auckland area. Phone Ben Creemers 021 575 356 or email b.f.creemers@gmail.com MEM

1948 CHRYSLER WINDSOR. A big car suitable for wedding hire or winery tour business. Recent mechanical work. Tyres ex. Location ChCh. Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

ALVIS 12/50 1926 MAGNETO WANTED. BTH CE4 or similar that would be suitable for this car.

Phone Barry 027 443 5479 barryhoff@xtra.co.nz

MEM TAUPO AUSTIN 12 V GENERATOR f or 1927 Austin 12/4 plus a crank handle. Phone Graham 07 308 7683, cell 0274 773 731. MEM BAY OF PLENTY

1935 CHRYSLER AIRSTREAM C6 RADIATOR complete for rebuild or tanks and mounting brackets for same as picture. Also require two BEDFORD/VAUXHALL 1935, Model ASXC Van, 1935/36 Chrysler/De Soto Airstream artillery parts wanted, 500 x 17ins tyres, Workshop manual, style road wheels 16 inch x 4½ inch (not 4¼ inch head light glasses, side lights. Contact Clive 03 as used on Plymouth or Dodge) Contact Peter 021 439 5207, or email blunden@slingshot.co.nz 965 260 or 09 426 2492 or peter@bingley.net.nz

MEM NORTH OTAGO

MEM NORTH SHORE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE 1940s or ‘50s. Will look at anything restored. Canterbury area preferred.

Phone Richard 03 383 2077.

MEM CANTERBURY

1923 FORD TOURER Warranted & registered, older restoration. Was an original car not a bitser. Well used and goes well. Two new tyres on the front.

Improved oiling system. Phone Ron Galletly 03 308 1940 MEM NORTH SHORE

1930-1931 5 WINDOW, MODEL A COUPE. On the road, Rego’d and warranted. Phone Alan 021 0622132 or home number 03 686 3385.

MEM SOUTH CANTERBURY

BUICK 1930 -31 PHAETON OR ROADSTER wanted in good condition and working order. l live in ChCh but will travel anywhere in NZ to search for a suitable vehicle. Ph Owen, on 021 511 908 .

CONTINENTAL ENGINE PARTS WANTED - models 7R , 6Y or 7U ( all 6 cylinder engines) Please contact John 027 448 1430.

MEM CANTERBURY DODGE 4 TOURER 1920 hood bows wanted in any condition. Ph John 06 751 5554 or email megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz MEM TARANAKI

1976 PONTIAC COUPÉ ASTRE GT. 2 door coupe.

V6, 3.8 litre. Original retro upholstery. Auto. 94,000 miles. WOF & Reg. Location Temuka. Owned for 26 years. Rushmore Motors Ltd. 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

NEW ZEALAND NUMBER PLATES ALL YEARS From County plates thru to 1966. In particular with prefixes A, B, C, D, E, H, L, P, R, S, T, V, X, DPL, GOVT, GVT & motorcycle plates similar to samples above.

Will purchase singles through to entire collections.

Good prices paid. Ph Graham 03 349 4779, 021 365 449, graham.freeman@xtra.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY

GISBORNE BRANCH PARTS SHED is full to bursting and we need to tidy it up. Have you tried us for FORD CORTINA MK 4 OR MK 5 I am looking that part you are seeking? We may have it! Open for that special well loved car in top condition. Sundays and Wednesdays 10am to noon, or by Ph Brian 021 550 429, tuffey@gmail.com appointment. Phone Greg on 06 868 4781 or

MEM MARLBOROUGH email gisborne@vcc.org.nz with as much detail as you can.

GEARBOX FOR FIAT BAMBINA 500F wanted with good first and reverse as mine is stripped. Ph HILLMAN IMP/SUNBEAM IMP (or other Imp) must Roger 021 025 46184, ferrari.sailing@gmail.com, have reasonable body. Reg if pos. Anywhere in

MEM NORTH SHORE North Island. Contact agpearson39@gmail.com or phone 09 437 6317 MEM NORTHLAND

MARKET PLACE

BONNET EMBLEM / TRIM FOR 1948 MORRIS 10 , Four Series M, also interested in other parts. Please contact Trevor 027 455 8201 or mattinglys@outlook.co.nz MEM OTAGO

, as per above 3 STUD RIM WANTED like the one in this picture TWO TRAFFICATORS SF 28 photograph.

Also a rear window blind as fitted to for my 1959 lightweight caravan. I have been told it is a Hillman rim that came from England for those early English cars. Email gandsmcghie@xtra.co.nz MEM NORTH SHORE lightweight caravans. Ph Aaron 021 0853 0341.

MEM WAIRARAPA

LAYCOCK J TYPE OVERDRIVE UNIT pref ex Triumph 2000/2500. Ph Ross 021 941 002 anytime

MEM WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH

RILEY 4/72 Must be tidy and original condition. WATER PUMP WANTED for a sidevalve Morris Ph 027 382 0386, alandandlorraine@hotmail.com Minor motor 1951, also motor for a Morris

MEM CANTERBURY 1000. Phone Russell 022 636 961, 03 615 9668.

MEM SOUTH CANTERBURY LUGGAGE RACK IN GOOD CONDITION wanted for TRIUMPH STAG. G ood condition soft top. Reg a Model A Ford. Phone David 027 451 0700, 07 543 and WOF. Prefer V8 Rover manual o/drive but WOULD READERS OF THIS ADVERT know anyone 3684.

MEM BAY OF PLENTY anything considered. Phone 027 275 9920, who would have pair of backside window frames handleys@kinect.co.nz for my 47 Ford Businessman coupe. Desperate.

MARK II OR MARK III ZEPHYR ZODIAC must be Please txt or phone Jim on 021 344 794 in mint condition. Phone 027 303 7290 or 03 303 BSA 1915 FRONT FORKS, SADDLE, HANDLEBARS. 7290. Private buyer. MEM ASHBURTON BSA 1926 250cc, tank caps, gear lever, guards, rear brake backing plate. Chris Parker 03 351 1084 MODEL A OR CHEV ROADSTER HOOD BOWS or chris.parker.chch@gmail.com MEM CANTERBURY or irons. Email quarrienz@gmail.com or phone Geoff 027 422 7696 MEM CHB TRIUMPH 2500/TRG PETROL INJECTION W anted looking for all PI gear, to convert our car back to MODEL A PICKUP. Will also look at project car or original. Condition any. Also interested in any car needing repairs. Phone 021 398 086 or email 2500 saloon/estate parts. Phone 027 688 4448 rollybell@hotmail.com MEM OTAGO MEM OTAGO

SWAPMEETS AND RALLIES

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

JOIN US ON THE GREAT ROADS OF THE WAIRARAPA ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR OUR DECEMBER/JANUARY ISSUE IS 10 NOVEMBER 2020

Beaded Wheels 47

SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH VCC

Swap Meet Gore

SWAPMEET AND BAZAAR

Swap Meet And Boot Sale Run by the Gore Vintage Car Club

Saturday 27 March 2021

SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021

Contact Details: Site Bookings Phone Michelle 03 686 4824 Email: scvccswapmeet@hotmail.com Chairman; Colin Johnstone ph 03 693 9093

WAIMEA STREET, GORE – 8AM START Hot Food Available Admittance Adults $5 Accompanied Children Free Sellers’ Stalls $10 (includes one free entry) (If you have items you wish to sell please come along and set up a stall) Enquiries to Gerry 03 208 5806, 027 233 4634

WINCHESTER DOMAIN, SH1 7.30AM START NO DOGS ON GROUNDS • HELD WET OR FINE Something for everyone

PEUGEOT 404 – 60th ANNIVERSARY RALLY

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND 2020

NORTH OTAGO SWAP MEET Coinciding with the Victorian Heritage Weekend

SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020 A & P Showgrounds Ettrick St, Oamaru During Labour Day weekend 2020 the 60th Anniversary Rally of the Peugeot 404 will be held in Taranaki and King Country.

The organisers are looking for expressions of interest.

Public Entry from 8am – $5 per adult Children under 15 FREE Hot Food and Coffee available Enter your Vintage, Classic Car or Hot Rod in the Show & Shine

We are also looking for Peugeot 404 owners to update the Peugeot 404 register.

Please email Nick Watson (Nick.Watson@ruapehudc. govt.nz) or Sven Slager (sven@slager.co.nz ).

Site Holders entry from 7am - $15 including 1 free entry All enquiries to The Secretary, northotago@vcc.org.nz or Derek Brehaut 021 390 518

Art Deco Weekend 2021

THE VETERANS ARE COMING 18-21 February 2021 Kindly sponsored again this year by Euro City Ltd

In 2021 the Featured Group will be Veteran Motor Vehicles (all will be over 100 years old). We are expecting 50 plus Veterans this year and already have 25 Veteran entries as at 10 September. Cars, commercials, motorcycles, high-wheelers, steam , electric and petrol.

Veterans entered already include an 1895 Velo Benz, 1903/4 Oldsmobiles (3), De Dion, Calcott, Hupmobile, GWK, Dodge (3), Sears, L’etoile, Darracq (2), Cadillac, Mitchell, Holly, Briscoe, New Pick and 5 Model T Fords.

2021 will be the 90th anniversary of the 1931 Napier Earthquake. We want to get as many EQ survivor cars to attend the 2021 AD Festival as possible. A commemorative banner or similar will be presented to all qualifying vehicles. To qualify your vehicle must have been in Napier or Hastings at the time of the EQ. Please contact me if you have such a vehicle or know someone who has. The same applies if you own or know of any First Response Vehicles that may have been present during the EQ. (eg Ambulance, Fire Engine, Police, Military).

For 2021 the main annual rally is again on Friday and we plan to have a touring run plus a picnic lunch at a great lunch venue. On Saturday we will have the morning tea and car show and popular choice at the HBVCC clubrooms, followed by the grand parade. Sunday events include breakfast at the HBVCC clubrooms and the Gatsby picnic in the afternoon. There are many other events offered by Art Deco Trust on the Friday and Saturday nights.

Come and join the other 180 plus club eligible vehicles we expect to enter the 2021 Event.

If you are entering a Veteran there are special additional events for you on the Wednesday and Thursday of Art Deco Week. If you plan to attend these please plan to arrive in Napier on the Tuesday. Otherwise we suggest you plan to arrive in Napier on Thursday 20th so you can attend the Dinner at the Clubrooms that evening. We have prizes for the best dressed again this year.

Dinner tickets are limited so be in quick.

Go to the HBVCC website for an Entry Form. www.hbvcc.org.nz Entry forms for 2021 are available now.

Accommodation in Napier is already filling up for Art Deco Weekend so book now to avoid disappointment.

Contacts: STEVE TROTT stevetrott@xtra.co.nz STEVE DONOVAN stevedon@xtra.co.nz

48 Beaded Wheels

Sponsored by

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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R 12 FREE

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

COVID This event will only take place if New Zealand is on Lockdown 1 or below that level.

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

& 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

Beaded Wheels 49

NORTH OTAGO BRANCH INVITES YOU TO THE

NELSON

60th ANNUAL RALLY

SWAP MEET

Incorporating Windsor

Saturday 5 December 2020

Entries Close 24 November Late Entries will be accepted but participants cannot be competitive.

Departing from Historic Precinct Area, Tyne Street, Oamaru

BAZAAR

Come and enjoy North Otago’s rolling hinterland and celebrate this milestone rally Contact Windsor Rally organisers for entry forms Derek Brehaut 021 390 518 Email: windsorrally@gmail.com PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444

20 FEBRUARY 2021 Speedway Grounds – Lansdowne Road, Richmond SITE SALES : www.nelsonvcc.org.nz/book-a-site EMAIL nelson@vcc.org.nz

GISBORNE BRANCH ANNUAL

THREE RIVERS RALLY

Food and drink available on site

FEBRUARY 12-14, 2021

Site and Cars for sale : $15 (Both above include 1 entry) Entry non-site holders $5

Come and join us on our “Mission to Mahunga Rally” Entry forms now available

Gates open; 7am Stall Holders 8am Public.

Enquiries: Brian Williams Phone 09 361-1632 Email: Zakman77@gmail.com More information at gisborne@vcc.org.nz

SCENICLAND TIMBER TRAIL RALLY 20 March 2021

Contact: Donna Lee Ph 03 736 9994 Email: westcoast@vcc.org.nz Entry forms available January 2021

Come and join us WEST COAST BRANCH

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TRADE DIRECTORY

Hamco

Feature your business here Advertising in Beaded Wheels puts your company in front of every member of the Vintage Car Club (and a whole lot of other readers as well). Our trade directory section advertising starts from just $65 per issue. Phone 03 332 3531 or email us at beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

INDUSTRIES

Motorcycle & Car a Wire Wheel Repairs & Restorations We Specialise In • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels Rim and Frame Lining • Wheel Building & Truing • Complete Wheel Restoration

Vintage – Classic – Modern Craig & Debbie Hambling

Phone 06 324 8345

NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE

Mobile 027 231 7864

410 Green Road, RD 6, Palmerston North Day or Night

CARBURETTOR SPECIALISTS

reconditioning service Carburettor body, re-bushing and shafts supplied.

Specialising in Weber, Holley, SU, Stormberg, etc

▼

▼

▼

Full

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

40 YEARS TRADE EXPERIENCE FREE Contact: GRAEME TULLOCH ADVICE Ph: 027 612 2312 or 06 368 2202 Email: tullochfamily@xtra.co.nz ı tulmac.co.nz

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

OLD AUTO RUBBER products for the car restorer

“Dedicated to preserving the Jeep”

PENRITE

LUBRICANTS full range in stock

Listings for over 800 models

VINTAGE AUTO PARTS phone or fax 03 359 8592

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

Our core focus is the supply of parts for Ford and Willy’s Jeeps from 1941-1945 We stock over 1500 parts and are the Australasian supplier for Joe’s Motor Pool UK

www.milspares.net.au +61 488 111 184

Repairers and Restorers of Vintage and Classic Instruments Speedo Cables repaired or made new to order

105 HARROW STREET DUNEDIN 9016

13 Fleming Street, Onehunga, Auckland Beaded Wheels 51

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Personal Service Chevrolet Truck Parts

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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.

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

ASHBURTON

COLIN SWEETMAN

We welcome new members Phyl Ellis and Richard O’Reilly.

During the lockdown Peter and Larraine McQuarters were working on their 1955 Dennis F8 fire appliance. Peter is a vintage fire engine enthusiast, also owning a 1924 Model T Ford fire appliance and a 1940s Colonial Motor Company trailer pump. The Dennis F8 was ordered new for the Timaru Fire Board, and was built in Dennis’s Guildford factory in the UK, entering service in Timaru in November 1955. It was the brigade’s first fully enclosed appliance, and during its 27 years of service in Timaru became affectionately known as Old Number 2 – a dependable and faithful fire appliance. In 1982 the Dennis was transferred to the Wakefield Volunteer Brigade, before passing into private ownership, initially in Prebbleton, then Southland and back to Timaru. It has been owned for the last few decades by an ex-Timaru mayor and Fire Board member, but with this custodian now in his late 80s the baton has been passed to Peter. The F8 has not been running for a number of years, so is now undergoing remedial work on the brakes, fuel tank and cooling system. Peter and Larraine intend to fully kit out the lockers with period equipment. When finished it will be displayed at heritage vehicle events around the region, with the first objective being the Timaru Fire Brigade’s 150th celebrations in late September. We look forward to the Dennis F8 joining the 1927 Leyland and the 1953 Dennis Metz F14 100ft turntable ladder fire appliances, also owned by Ashburton members.

AUCKLAND

JOHN STOKES

Motorcycles: We welcome Terry Doherty with a 1969 BSA Lightning.

Douglas Ormrod has completed restoration of a 1960 Sun Wasp motor scooter.

Veteran: Phil Henley has bought the correct Rayfield carburettor for his 1913 Mitchell from the USA. Barry Birchall has

▲ Ashburton: Dennis F8 under tow on the Fairlie Hills.

▲ Auckland: Terry Doherty’s 1969 BSA Lightning.

▲ Auckland: Douglas Ormrod's Sun Wasp scooter.

▲ Auckland: Val Ball getting the Bill Shears Trophy from Royce Shears.

▲ Auckland: Mark Heaslip’s Triumph Herald estate.

been fielding an enquiry about having his International High Wheeler Buggy at next year’s Art Deco Event. He also made an interesting discovery about Auckland’s Grafton Bridge. Two designs were commissioned, one in concrete and one in steel.

Auckland opted for the concrete design, the steel design being given to Hamilton to become the Victoria Bridge. Denis Lowe displayed a Kingston carburettor from a 1910 Maxwell Model 25. John Morrison has bought Greg Terrill’s 1906 Cadillac.

Roy Sharman produced a handbook for a 1910 Swift single cylinder.

Vintage: Peter Wood has had hubcaps cast for his 1930 Marquette.

PV P80V: Mark Heaslip has brought a Triumph Herald estate.

▲ Auckland: Peter Woods Marquette hubcap.

General: The first post lockdown run on Sunday 1 August took us around the Franklin area. We had an entry of 12 bikes and 33 cars, including our youngest member Ben Cremers and friends in Ben’s 1935 Pontiac touring sedan. Wayne, Carrie and Eileen Roberts had the oldest vehicle, the 1924 Velie. Our postponed AGM took place in daylight for the first time in 66

Beaded Wheels 53

years, and a new face on our committee is John Morrison. Trophies were awarded as follows; Rally Points - Ken and Annette Foot, Pride of Ownership - Michael O’Kane, Motorcycle Points - Brian King, Ladies Trophy - Annette and Ken Foot, Partners’ Trophy - Michael and Elizabeth Hilliar, Jim Lewis Rear Wheel Brake Trophy - Peter Alderdice, Bill Shears Memorial Trophy for outstanding branch service - Mrs Val Ball. Long service awards presented were; 25 years - Ian Julian and John and Dianne Poole, 35 years - Carrie Roberts and Stephen and Tracey Winterbottom.

Jack Nazer is working on reorganising our spares section.

BANKS PENINSULA DON GERRARD We welcome new member Nick Cressey with his 1935 Austin 7 Special.

Our August Night Trial attracted a dozen or so well rugged up teams with a varied selection of vehicles, including Morris 8 Sports, MGs, Jaguars, Model As, Citroen and a few moderns. Starting in just above freezing, but fine, conditions we were taken up the Pegasus Bay coast in and around Kaiapoi, Leithfield, Waikuku, and then inland using a good mixture of shingle and tarmac country roads around Balcairn and Sefton, ending at a well-known hostelry. Awards went to the Keenans (Jaguar) the Rennies (Fiat 130) and Best Endeavour to the Morrison clan in the Model A tourer.

Several teams made the journey to Nelson to compete in their annual Mud Trial in August. In slightly drier but challenging disciplines - five in total, Avon Hyde in his Austin 7 Special (Doris 2) was in great form, eventually taking out 2nd place overall, with Thomas Mauger in his similar mount ending 5th. However, the biggest accolade must go to Giles Gill, who not only piloted his 1933 Morgan three wheeler through the day’s contest, but drove his trusty steed to and from Christchurch - a bold man with Malvern magnificence?

This year’s Awards Presentation on Sunday 23 August was moved to a luncheon function at the Tai Tapu Hotel, and was very well received with over 50 members attending. Our National President Dianne Quarrie was guest of honour, and it was great to see Andrew Anderson, VCCNZ Founding and Life Member, among many other illustrious past award recipients. The three 50-Year Awards this year were presented to John Ferguson, Clint Inns and Tom Cloudsley,

54 Beaded Wheels

although Tom’s health unfortunately prevented him from attending. The fourth recipient of an Award was Richard Foster for his 60 Years dedication, to which he and wife Kate gave a most suitable reply and thanks to the branch. It was encouraging to see the families of those awarded in attendance, which bodes well for the future of the branch.

We say farewell to Merv Rowe who passed away suddenly last month. His knowledge, enthusiasm and service to the branch, together with his exploits in his self-constructed AML racecar will be missed. Our condolences to his family.

BAY OF PLENTY

DONN WHITE

The fluctuating levels of Covid-19 lock down have affected our plans considerably in recent weeks. Full marks go to our committee for keeping the lines of communication open, and having the ability to think outside of the square when sudden changes to fixtures have to be announced.

We have managed to keep up a good level of camaraderie, what with breakfasts, movie nights at Rialto Cinema (albeit with some social distancing) and some low key runs in the region. Unfortunately events on a larger scale involving other branches, such as a combined planned run with Waikato and a speed event at Bruce McLaren Motor Sport Park at Taupo, have had to be shelved meantime.

This year has been a milestone one for long time member Maurice (Morrie) Nottle.

Sixty years have passed since he joined our branch. Morrie explained that he is almost a founding member - but not quite. He was aware of the fledgling activity concerning our branch in 1958 but he did not actually join up until 1960. At a recent Club Night a formal acknowledgment was made concerning the six decades that Morrie and his wife have been associated with the VCC. Over that time Morrie has been very involved with Club activities and is one of our former Branch Chairmen.

CANTERBURY

TONY BECKER

At our delayed Branch AGM there was a lively discussion about our necessarily modified motoring and social activities.

The effective loss of The Hub magazine as we knew it, created concern, as did our ageing membership. Past Chairman John Coomber expressed the need for new and younger members to gain a sense of belonging. The valued services of John and

committee members were acknowledged with applause and gratitude. Most key people, such as Secretary Rod Thrower and Treasurer Kevin Sarjeant, were re-elected unopposed, to the relief of everyone. Newly elected ¨young blood¨ Katryna Shaw was welcomed on to the main committee and Ross Butler became our new chairman.

Still missing a Club Captain of course. The AGM’s attendance of 82 from our Branch’s 1300 members was disappointing. We were shocked to learn that the annual cost of printing, packaging and posting The Hub magazine monthly is now close to the total income of our Annual Swap meet, and therefore quite unsustainable. An interim online newsletter version, as well as limited printed copies for no-computer members, has been adopted. The popular new “Old Cars Bikes and Coffee” monthly event was well attended in July, however level 2 Covid-19 rules spoiled any chance of an August repeat. The annual National Daffodil Rally was also cancelled. The Motorcycle Section was able to complete much of its programme and the 9-90s midweekers group escaped lockdown.

Colin Hey’s Swap Meet Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel our long running swapmeet for this year.

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY JOHN FOOT Our AGM was held at Oruawharo reception centre, and there were only two changes to committee. Lynn Cross stepped down as Chair to be replaced by Bruce Poole, and Ruth Parker also stood down to be replaced by Neil Malcolm. The meeting and dinner were attended by 41.

Two 35-year badges were presented, with National President Diane Quarrie presenting one to myself (John Foot) and in return I had much pleasure in presenting Diane Quarrie with her own 35-year badge.

The 26th July midyear Xmas dinner was organised by Dannevirke residents Laurie and Gloria Malcolmsen. The event started with a visit to a collection of high performance Ford cars, one of which was an ex-Dick Johnson Bathurst race car. The dinner was at Merrylees Hotel in Dannevirke, and was attended by 35 members. The twilight/night rally was held on Saturday 8 August, with 20 cars out, including three from Hawke’s Bay Branch.

The first section took us out through the Ashley Clinton area to Takapau for a refreshment break at the Takapau RSA. The second section took us to the east of Waipukurau to finish up 10 kilometres

▲Banks Peninsula: John & Christine Ferguson 50 Year Award presented by Dianne Quarrie.

Banks Peninsula: Clint Inns receives his 50 Year Award.

▲

▲ Banks Peninsula: The Foster family with their well-travelled 1923 Humber 18/8 Roadster.

▲Banks Peninsula: Kate & Richard Foster, 60 Year Award recipient. ▲Banks Peninsula: Clint Inns with his very desirable Series One E-Type Jaguar Hardtop.

▲ Banks Peninsula: A Ferguson family affair with their 1936 Rolls Royce 25/30 HP Gurney Nutting Limousine.

Bay of Plenty: At a recent breakfast venue, a bevy of cars basks in the winter sunshine. These include a 1970 Austin 1800 Utility, 1968 Morris 1100, 1959 Jaguar XK 140 and a 1930 Ford Model A. (Donn White Photo)

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▲ Central Hawke’s Bay: Mid winter Christmas dinner.

Bay of Plenty: Sixty years have passed since Morrie Nottle joined the VCC BOP branch. That milestone was acknowledged at a recent monthly Club Night meeting. Pictured is our Chairman - Ken Frew, Morrie, and Val Nottle, and Northern Region Club Captain - Kaaren Smylie. (Paul Beck Photo)

Beaded Wheels 55

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▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Night Owl start.

▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Bevan’s Regal.

▲ Far North: Military and commercial vehicles. ▲

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▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Night Owl winners Brian and Janette Milner.

▲ Far North: Club Captain Warren Mackay, Clubman of the year Ruth Reid, Chairman Win Matthews.

Gisborne: Landrover and Unimog: A long wheelbase Landrover and an ex-Army Unimog were among the entrants at the Gisborne Rally.

Hawke’s Bay: 1947 Lea Francis sports special, Hawkes Bay Restoration Run.

▲ Gisborne: The big and the small enjoyed the run to Tolaga Bay. ▲ Hawke’s Bay: Winter Decodence in July. ▲ ▲ Gisborne: Australia, Britain and the United States united for the Daffodil Rally for Cancer Day in Gisborne.

Hawke’s Bay: Dot Harris receives her 35 year badge at our AGM.

Hawke’s Bay: Paul with his 1913 Fabrique Nationale project, Hawkes Bay.

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from Waipawa at River Park Event Centre for dinner and prizegiving.

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

BRUCE SEDDON

Harry and Gay Sutcliffe have started organising a mid-month/mid-week run for those who don’t have employment responsibilities. The concept has caught on, and we have had some grand outings. The first trip was lightly attended, but worked out well as it was a sunny autumn day.

The route started at Kawerau, travelled to Matata, then over the hills via Manawahe to the lakes, with lunch at Okere Falls.

The next month’s mid-week run was from Whakatane to Opotiki via Ohope, with seven cars gathering at Hikuwai Beach to enjoy a picnic lunch. The return trip included a stop in Opotiki’s shopping hub, and the scenic route back through Taneatua. The following month’s run was from Awakeri (10kms south of Whakatane) to Murupara, Waiotapu, Rotorua and home. About a dozen cars made the run and enjoyed another breakout from winter and pandemic restrictions. Clearly Harry and Gay have found a format that is appealing to branch members.

Our annual Night Owl Rally became a day rally because of foul weather on the original date. It was slightly different, and got some of us confused at times, but we all got to the finish point at the Thornton Beach Domain for afternoon tea and prize giving. Winners were Brian and Janette Milner, two of our newer members from Opotiki. Having this rally in the daytime received favourable comments, and this may be repeated in future. New members Bevan and Rebecca Lange with their two children were also on the rally in their very tidy 1963 Valiant Regal.

We managed to get our AGM and associated potluck dinner completed before Covid pandemic restrictions were re-imposed.

FAR NORTH

DAVE DUIRS

At our annual dinner and awards night our Clubman of the Year award went to Ruth Reid for so efficiently keeping us posted with events, crises and newsy bits.

Recently a large group visited Peter and Judith Matthews’ collection of very well restored commercial vehicles, many of which served in the Far North way back.

Their collection of mainly Ford cars are in pristine condition, reflecting the high

standard of care. There was much discussion on the remarkable morning visit during lunch at an Awanui café on the water.

Fathers’ Day run began at Mason’s Panel Beaters where we learned a lot about the skills of restoration. A ’23 Minerva and ‘20s Isotta-Fraschini being totally rebuilt from chassis up certainly demonstrated Vince’s skills. From there a leisurely drive over the hills to Ahipara reminded us just how special it is up here. High up on the hill, looking out on to the Tasman and way up 90 mile beach.

A mid-day luncheon run out to Sharpe’s hilltop home overlooking the Bay of Islands brought some old cars out and we mingled with some folk we hadn’t seen for a while.

The above events have all been well attended and reflect the focus we are having on simpler, more social events which we hope will encourage more participation of folks and vehicles.

GISBORNE

RODNEY CLAGUE

As noted in the report on page 34 of this issue, our Daffodil Rally For Cancer attracted 56 vehicles for a run to Tolaga Bay. The main street was taken up with vehicles as the owners and passengers enjoyed a cup of coffee or an ice cream and a chat for an hour or so before returning home.

We are looking forward to hosting the Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch for our Annual Inter-Branch visit on 6/7/8 November, and to visiting the Tahaenui Christmas Fete at Nuhaka on November 22.

Our branch has been offered a freestanding mezzanine floor to replace our existing one, which was erected in the late ‘60s, using the floor from a demolished schoolroom as the basis. It has become quite cramped, and although it has served its purpose well, the time has come when we need to clear the floor of all the parts and stack them elsewhere while we demolish the old floor so that the new one can be erected in its place.

Have you tried us for that elusive part you are seeking? We have motors, gearboxes, differentials, steering boxes, starter motors and generators, mudguards, bonnets, and a myriad of other stuff. We need your help by purchasing parts so that we don’t have to put them back on the shelves after the new floor is erected. See our adverts in the Market Place column for contact details.

GORE

JIM MCFADZIEN

Top marks must go to Katy and John Parish for this year’s Night Trial.

Participants had to find and record all of the children’s playgrounds in Gore, yes the whole 16 of them, no wonder some kids are late home.

Two carloads had the correct number but were in modern vehicles, which excluded them from the trophy. It was taken by Evan Henderson, who managed to get his MK 2 Jaguar slow enough for his son Mark to record 14 playgrounds, and thereby win the trophy. Supper back at the clubrooms, then a video about Len Southward and his world class museum at Paraparaumu, north of Wellington.

Our AGM was a carbon copy of last year, a report from our building committee told us about the usual wait on consents for any action.

Gore is host to this year’s National Veteran Rally. Convenor Paul Herron reported on good entries, even at this stage.

The rally will be held from 16 to 18 October.

HAWKE’S BAY

HELEN BALL

July, and with a lucky blue window in an otherwise miserable day, 17 cars travelled through Napier CBD on the Winter Decodence Run out to Old Park Island Cemetery, which has the massed grave and memorial to victims of the 1931 earthquake. Questions along the way kept passengers occupied, and the finish was at our clubrooms.

Fifty-five members attended our branch AGM in August, with the changes to committee being Steve Donovan coming in as Chair, Trevor Charman as Club Captain, and Esther Smith on committee. One of several awards that evening was a 35 years badge to Dot Harris. A couple of days later we had our Restoration Run, a real back to nuts and bolts viewing at four local sheds. An impressive 37 cars were on the outing. First stop was a collection of Wim Hulman’s Auburns, the pride being a newly painted 1936 654. A 1929 8-90 Phaeton and 4.8 litre Lycoming engine also sparked interest. Paul Anderson’s 1913 Fabrique National, Type 1950, was definitely nuts and bolt. With only three known to be in New Zealand, Paul’s one started life as a tourer, was converted to a utility and used as a milk float in Taradale before becoming a saw bench. After various owners, his three-year project is to bring it back to all its glory.

Beaded Wheels 57

▲ Horowhenua: Mark’s workshop.

▲ Horowhenua: 1914 Overland axle looking for a new home.

▲ Horowhenua: Dan with his Holden V8.

▲ Manawatu: Cars parked up at the clubrooms before the August Post Covid-19 Rally – first Rally after lockdown.

Marlborough: Tony Pyne receives his 50 year badge from ex-VCC Secretary Treasurer, Michael Lavender.

North Otago: Garage raid 1958 Wolseley under restoration.

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▲

Marlborough: Carole and Phil Taylor with the Fortitude Trophy (motorcycle section.).

Manawatu: Lined up at Bulls ready to depart on a run to Wanganui for Neil Farrer’s birthday celebrations.

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Manawatu: Cortina, MG BGT, 1906 Cadillac & Austin A40 –Parked up at the Cheltenham Pub lunch stop on the Post Covid-19 Rally.

▲

Richard Anderson has a 1947 Lea Francis sports special, of which there are only five in New Zealand, and a 1930 Roesch Talbot AO 70 on the go, 60 built mainly for export, and only three in New Zealand.

Grahame Smith’s long term project taking a box of parts to completion has his 1935 Humber Snipe 80 taking shape.

HOROWHENUA

BOB BARTON

On Sunday 25 July we had a good turnout for our first run after the Covid 19 lockdown. More than 65 members came out to play. This was our “day time” Night Owl Run, done during the day to get us back into the swing of things. The winner was Andrew Judd in his Valiant, and it will be his turn to organise next year’s run.

Our AGM on 5 August attracted 60 members, and most committee positions were filled except for the secretary’s.

Mark Morgan has located a 1914 Overland axle, gear box and drive shaft, retrieved from a river. If anyone is interested please contact the branch and we will put you in touch. Mark at the moment is restoring a Chev for a customer, and his son Daniel is restoring a Holden V8 304 ci engine.

Our next trip out on 16 September is to the Linton Army Camp near Palmerston North to visit their spectacular private museum and church. We are really looking forward to it.

MANAWATU

BRYAN ABRAHAM

What a relief to get out of lockdown and back into our vintage cars for club outings.

The first run after lockdown saw new members Nina and Christian Hayes join us in their very nice green Austin A40 Devon. Nearly 50 people turned up for that outing which took us on a pleasant drive on country roads through Opiki to the Murrayfield Café on SH57 just south of Shannon.

With gatherings again allowed the branch held its overdue AGM, and now has a new committee in place for 2020/21.

After meeting up at Bulls, the July run took members north to meet with Wanganui Branch members at their clubrooms for afternoon tea. The occasion was Wanganui member Neil Farrer’s birthday, and it was a well-attended and very sociable outing.

August was a sad month for the Manawatu Branch with the passing of Dave

Williams. Dave had been a VCC member for nearly 50 years, and was a well-respected and active member at both local and national levels.

Having missed out on the opportunity to hold our Post Vintage and Twilight Rallies earlier in the year, a Post Covid-19 Rally was put together for August and took a good number of cars and members out over quite a few unsealed roads in the Pohangina area to a roast lunch at the Cheltenham Pub. The afternoon section was on sealed roads through Halcombe, Sanson and Rongotea and back to the clubrooms for afternoon tea.

MARLBOROUGH

CARROLL WIBLIN

We have enjoyed some freedom from restrictions over the last few weeks and I think the majority of us have made the most of it. Our branch has a good number of retirees, so mid-week outings are proving popular.

July saw a number of members heading for Pelorus Bridge to meet up with the Nelson Branch for a picnic lunch and a “good ol’ catch-up”. The weather was kind, and the 14 vehicles and about 30 people had a very enjoyable day.

The run to Lower Wairau was to hear Barry Holdaway, a local historian, give a talk about the period of the Moa Hunters through to Te Rauparaha’s influence in the 1820s to 1840s and the Wairau Affray in 1843, and of the fledgling capital of the Marlborough Province at the Wairau Bar, and its decline because of two seismic events and better transport. There were 28 vehicles on the run and 54 people. A great turnout.

Our annual prizegiving function was held at the Woodbourne Tavern, with the Concours Trophy going to Dave Kemp for his beautifully restored Morris. The Mortimer Trophy for runner-up went to Kelly and Janice Landon-Lane. The Lady’s Trophy was won by Dale Nicholas for her efforts in the kitchen, and for organising events such as the monthly Noggin ‘n’ Natter.

The motorcycle section is increasing in popularity. They accept non-members on runs and this has resulted in a few new members.

NORTHLAND

TREVOR REILLY

Our August run was set by a long serving local member, with the end of the run to be at a food eatery. The planned course

▲ North Otago: garage raid 1923 Diatto Tipo20S, Targar Floroi, 1913 DeDion Bouton, 1923 Ansalsdo Tipo6a Torpedo

became a difficult exercise when the first road sign board was missing. The locals knew the road’s name, but others participants, newish to the area and following the written instructions religiously, carried on for a considerable time before realising that they had missed the turn. The usual map carried in the car was at home, after a clean out in preparation for the run. Still, those members who knew the way arrived safely and enjoyed the get together over the meal, while the lost ones drove to town to enjoy a lonesome meal. Lesson learned - do not forget the map, follow a local if possible, have contact phone numbers on instruction sheets, praise the organiser for setting an interesting run and blame the local road authority for their lack of maintenance.

The new branch committee is in place, and with some new members on board there will be another interesting year ahead.

The 48th Far North Tour is plotted, meals arranged, and depending on the Government’s response to Covid-19, the tour is set for the early November date.

NORTH OTAGO

DEREK BREHAUT

Our first event post lockdown was a garage raid, an annual event hosted by Ashburton, South Canterbury, Waimate and North Otago branches on a rotational basis. This year it was North Otago’s turn, and with eight garages to see, and a healthy turnout in excess of 110 participants, all

Beaded Wheels 59

▲ North Shore: The slightly sad Dennis fire pump

▲ North Shore: Cars at Shelley Beach.

▲ Northland: Variety through the years.

▲ Northland: Model A regular.

▲ Rotorua: David Tomlinson addressing ▲ Rotorua: Not quite a Le Mans start, but the members prior to August run.

Austin 7 first away on the August run. ▲

▲ North Shore: Kevin Lord’s Ford Thunderbird – winner of Restoration of the Year.

▲ Northland: regular Austin 7 entry

South Canterbury: Bob Hopper’s 1938 Buick Special displayed at the South Canterbury American Car Club’s Independence Day show.

▲

South Canterbury: Gavin Ladbrook, Donald Campbell and Dave Diamond studying a Ford V8 set up ready to run at one of the visits on the Oamaru Garage Raid.

was set for a busy day. Participants were split into four groups, each with their own instructions which had them attending four garages in the morning and four in the afternoon. Each group started at different venues to allow plenty of room and minimise parking issues. Lunch on these affairs is a long standing tradition of Pea, Pie and Spud, this year served up at the North Otago clubrooms, and by all accounts it went down well. There was a varied selection of vehicles and other memorabilia on display, ranging from veteran through to post ‘60s, with motorbikes and railway engines thrown in just to mix things up. One of the venues had a V8 Pilot motor running on a stand. The sound of a V8 flathead idling away brought back a few memories for those attending, as quite a few stories of younger days spent with these machines were heard during the lunch break.

NORTH SHORE RICHARD BAMPTON North Shore VCC was saddened to learn of the passing of John Tombs, a well-liked committee member and regular attendee at restoration Thursdays, who will be missed by all his friends at the club.

A fantastic milestone was reached in July when over 50 members and guests turned up for the regular Thursday morning restoration session and working bee to keep the club looking good.

At the recent AGM there were a few changes, with Chairman Kevin Lord being replaced by new Chairman Tony Sparkes.

Committee member Clive Sandham retired and new committee members Ray Jackson, Peter Lloyd, Mike Swanton and Arnold Van Zon were elected, with Paul Collins and Stuart Battersby being elected as Club Captain and Delegate respectively.

Twenty-five year badges were awarded to Neville Gregory, and John and Carol Reeves, while Peter Aitken received his 35 year badge. Murray and Alice Ransfield were awarded the Club Captain’s Cup, Most Enthusiastic Member was Bruce Pitcher, and Kevin Lord won the Restoration of the Year for his Ford Thunderbird.

The July run through rural roads saw 12 cars and 20 members enjoying lunch at Shelly Beach. Although billed as the Fish and Chip run it was noted that only a minority partook of that particular dish.

The arrival of a Dennis fire pump that will be towed behind the club fire truck was met with either enthusiasm for another demanding restoration project,

or disbelief that the machine that arrived looked in rather worse condition than the photograph we had been shown earlier.

But, as fire pump project leader Bruce Pitcher remarked, “it will soon buff up”.

A new axle has been fabricated and it is looking better already.

OTAGO

MARION McCONACHIE

Although branch news has been silent through this media recently, it doesn’t mean that we have been in total isolation.

As soon as the Covid levels dropped our members were out and about again, starting with a Sunday afternoon tea run to Moeraki Boulders, with a good number bringing out their vintage vehicles. We had a combined midweek run and lunch with South Otago Branch members. The Wednesday morning group has seen an increase in numbers attending these gatherings, as it seems a number of our members have chosen to retire or reduce their working hours over recent months.

Last Friday of the month has seen a good selection of guest speakers. Bob Woodford gave us some interesting history about businesses in the lower Octagon in the ‘60/’70s. Another was a demonstration and talk on hot water engines.

We had good support from members in their VCC eligible vehicles to help deliver Daffodils for the Cancer Society in August – sadly it was agreed not to pursue the Rally for Cancer due this year. Hopefully next year this will be back.

The Annual GM Night Rally we host for the Vauxhall Club drew about 25 crews to cruise beside the Otago Habour, which was picture perfect with reflections of lights on the still water. Stewart Hewson in his Austin Chummy took on the challenge, hood down and without a navigator – he did good time and managed to complete the circuit.

The 1939 Norton International 490 owned by Bill Veitch gained the Graham Dalton Cup – for Motorcycle Restoration of the year.

Planning continues for our Dunvegan Rally and Taieri Tour.

ROTORUA

RONALD MAYES

Our postponed night run took place on 11 July. First course of dinner (pea, pie, potato – beautiful) at the clubrooms, then off we went in search of 17 sheets of paper attached to various buildings around town, each bearing a large letter. One had

vanished from the wall of a grocery shop, and locals were wondering what was going on with the occupants of old cars searching high and low around the area. Back to the clubrooms for dessert and the instruction to make up the letters (the missing one supplied to us) into a Beaded Wheels headline. “Swapmeets & Rallies” was the answer. Gloria Mayes came up with that title, so she and the writer will have the task of preparing next year’s rally.

The mid-weekers’ July run had a good number of cars on the road, with participants enjoying the drive around the lakes and over the Rotoma hills to a country cafe lunch stop.

Chairman David Tomlinson prepared the August run, commencing at his workshop and shed in Ngongotaha – great to see so many enthusiastic members taking part, both old hands and new recruits. Pleasant driving in the country lanes west and north of town and some tricky questions to answer, while David and Fleur were preparing an excellent lunch for us to enjoy amongst their fleet of RRs and other treasures.

Finally, masks and social distancing were the order of the day on 25 August for daffodil deliveries for the Cancer Society.

Eleven cars on the road and each had 50 bunches of flowers to deliver to various residences and businesses.

SOUTH CANTERBURY

SHANNON STEVENSON

A number of members took part in July’s South Canterbury American Car Club’s Independence Day Show at Southern Trust Events Centre.

The July mid-week run attracted 15 vehicles, the run taking members through the Taiko region to reach O’Neills Reserve near Cave.

The AGM took place on 6 August.

Presentations were to the following: 25 year badge: Ray Harkness, Lindsay McKenzie, Phil O’Brien, Peter Casey.

35 year badge: John Lester, Allan Edmonston, Stewart Frew, Kelvin Marriott, Dave Toomey, Les Wenlock.

Miles Winter and Ross Walkinshaw have stepped down from their positions on the committee, while John Lester has joined. Pauline Young has been appointed as secretary, other members retaining their positions. Swap meet committee members have retained their roles from the previous year.

Beaded Wheels 61

▲ Southland: Photos from the annual Switzers run. Waikaia (formerly known as Switzers) is a former gold mining town nestled between the Garvie and Umbrella mountains 54km from Gore. This event has participants from all over Southland heading off from their various home bases to congregate at Waikaia township in Northern Southland. A great opportunity for our motorcyclists to get together and swap a yarn (or two).

▲ Taupo: Daffodil Rally briefing

▲ Taupo: Happy Taupo recipients of fresh daffodils

▲ Taupo: Taupo treasurer Maureen Ransley about to deliver daffodils

▲ Taupo: Tony Mannington heading off for the Taupo Daffodil Rally.

▲

▲ The magnificent 1918 Cadillac Landau owned and restored

by Keith and Chrissy Steele of Hawera.

62 Beaded Wheels

Taranaki: Keith Steele sitting in the chauffeur’s driving seat of his 1918 Cadillac Landau.

▲ Taranaki: 1905 Fowler 18 ton steam traction engine owned by the Lintern family of Hawera is fully restored, and takes two hours to get steamed up ready to go.

▲ Wairarapa: Paul Furkert logged 40 untroubled miles on his Trojanpowered bicycle.

A mid-week run took place on 13 August, taking 19 participants southwest of Timaru in the direction of the Hunters Hills, with a picnic held at Mt Nimrod.

The re-emergence of Covid-19 placed a dampener on a number of events, notably the cancellation of the Annual Quiz Evening with Ashburton, and the Daffodil Rally for Cancer. These events will return in 2021.

A number of our members participated in the late August deliveries of daffodils around the Timaru area, supporting the Cancer Society.

For the weekend of 11/12/13 December Alistair Day and supporters are organising a Three Day Rally starting from Timaru, the route taking participants via Cromwell and Dunedin.

SOUTHLAND

▲ Wairarapa: A family outing, Ian Hamilton and daughter Ellen.

RUSSELL MCIVOR

A smaller number of members were at our AGM. The branch is financially viable with assistance from the Saturday evening bar and parts sheds sales. Two of our assets are the 1906 Darracq service car and 1920 Chalmers fire tender. We recently donated a sum to the Southland Charity Hospital for materials and equipment. Our details are shown on a plaque.

Our library was previously a reference library but is now a lending library with over 2,000 books and magazines. Our librarian, Roy Shanks, and members recently catalogued about 100 motorcycle magazines from club members’ estates.

The road test has been noted with the model in each magazine.

Our branch has been given the okay to hold the 2023 National Motorcycle Rally in Invercargill.

The ever-popular mid-week rally attracted 42 people in 11 cars. They travelled to Mataura Island, a forestry block, then the Southern Scenic Route, with lunch at the Tokonui Hotel.

Unfortunately, we had to postpone our auction night because of Covid-19 and it will be held at a later date. Our parts guys, whose collection is bulging at the seams, are having sale day prices on veteran parts with 10% discounts on other items. Sounds like Briscoes.

The branch membership has increased noticeably lately with many being motorcycle owners.

▲ Wairarapa: Sunshine meant mud-free motoring on grass at the Stewart farm.

TARANAKI

COLIN JOHNSTON

Our branch is saddened by the passing of Tiddley Cox, who was a really likeable character and a great supporter of our branch, and this was evident at his funeral with a large guard of honour. Tiddley and his wife Rose enjoyed all club activities, and they were often seen driving and enjoying his LHD Ford Model A. His friendship and participation will be missed, and we send our sincere sympathy to Rose and all the family.

A garage raid into the South Taranaki area was well supported, and members were treated to some eye opening restorations. Keith and Chrissy Steele have just completed restoration of their very rare 1918 Cadillac V8 landau. It has already been used in a film that is being shot in the South Island. The sectioned-off passenger compartment complements the chauffeur’s driving compartment, and it is truly a magnificent example of this period of vehicle. Another shed belonged to member

Brian Morris, with five different Vauxhall cars, including a 1938 Vauxhall 25 under restoration, and Bedford trucks. On to another shed owned by the Lintern family.

We were treated to a huge 1905 Fowler 18 ton traction engine, which tows a trailer to give over 30 people a ride behind this beautifully restored and operating black beauty, all shining paintwork and pin-stripes. The final shed housed Stuart Craig’s Citroen collection and workshop.

TAUPO

NEIL CHAVE

With the lockdown now behind us the Taupo branch was able to hold its AGM, with a new and experienced team appointed to the key positions of chairman, secretary and club captain. We were keen to get our branch events back on course, but because of the shift back to level two our annual Quiz Night was regrettably cancelled. Although the VCC national plan for the Daffodil Rally was

Beaded Wheels 63

cancelled this year the Taupo branch did run a local event, and this was the biggest turnout we have had since the rally began.

We undertook sponsored advertising, and this, along with other car clubs getting involved, meant that our car park was full, with an estimated 70+ cars joining in the fund raiser. Cars left Taupo, and headed south towards Turangi, with various stops on the way for afternoon tea. Those that made it all the way were entertained at the Cadillac Café, with the owners providing a rock ‘n’ roll dancing demonstration. With the support of the ANZ Bank in matching our donations we have raised around $1,800 for the local Cancer Society. The branch also managed the deliveries of fresh daffodils to local businesses, and about 20 members arrived early on the Monday prior to Daffodil Day to deliver the bunches.

WAIKATO

HUGH MCINALLY

The branch is starting to get back to normality with club nights filling up (not over a 100 of course) and a new revised coming events schedule has been produced for the rest of the year and beyond. Fingers crossed that the branch can, hopefully, complete all the events outlined while dealing with the current Covid 19 environment.

By the time this goes to print the club will have had the AGM. There are a number of our members who have indicated that they are stepping down this year, so the new committee will see many new faces.

New faces, new ideas?

Due to Covid 19 impacting all our lives the club had no choice but to cancel this year’s planned Daffodil Day as the country moved back up to level 2. It was decided that there must be some way that the branch could help towards gathering donations for the Cancer Society that didn’t involve breaking any level 2 rules.

After much discussion, a Shiny Parts Auction in the clubroom was voted on. All auction items were donated by members with the club offering to go dollar for dollar with a limit of a $1000 donated by the branch. The evening was limited to a 100 members etc. A professional auctioneer donated his time to run the auction.

What an evening. After much bidding with members sometimes buying their own donated items back with much laughter the evening was over. The Treasurer did the total up and over $2,000 was raised.

Well done everyone.

64 Beaded Wheels

WAIMATE

ANN HIND

Our branch celebrated Henry Ford’s birthday by holding a get together at the Waimate clubrooms on 2 August. There was a presentation given followed by viewing of two highly informative videos on the life and history of Henry Ford and the development of the Ford Company.

Afterwards a delicious afternoon tea was served, which was enjoyed by all.

It is hoped this will become an annual event with different speakers to provide presentations to those in attendance

WAIRARAPA

KEVIN BALL

Two gambles during winter paid off big time for the Wairarapa Branch. On 26 July we scheduled two garage raids, one urban and one rural, and on 23 August we went ahead with our Daffodil Rally, despite rotten weather in the lead-up. We were blessed with fine weather and a bunch of fun at both venues.

New member Brendon Odell introduced us to his prized collection of DKW mini-cars at his Masterton home. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the marque and shared that with the occupants of around 20 cars. DKW is a German car and motorcycle marque, that was one of the four companies that formed Auto Union in 1932 and hence is an ancestor of the modern day Audi. After morning tea we headed out into the country to the farming property of Ian Stewart. For some time he collected Bedford vans, 17 of them at one point in time. However, interest focused on souvenirs of Ian’s long sojourn in the United States where he drove trucks and tractors. The vehicles include a 1981/82 Corvette, an original 1947 straight-six Chevrolet coupe, and a caravan which he hauled 6500 miles around the US behind a Buick convertible.

The sun shone again for the Daffodil Rally, which took around 50 cars for a grand tour of Wairarapa towns. Organiser Val Ball was delighted with the $800 raised for the Cancer Society. Cars ranged from a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley to a handful of MGs and Escorts. At the other end of the scale were two huge Impalas.

Plans are well advanced for the National Motorcycle Rally, which will be staged by the branch in March next year.

WANGANUI

TONI JENKINS

Our treasurer, Neil Farrer, has celebrated a significant birthday recently, and this celebration included our club.

The monthly Sunday run in July was rescheduled to Saturday and a beautiful cake was prepared by Siobhan Pitkethly.

Neil set us a lovely run up the gravel roads of Whanganui and we had a fantastic afternoon. Many people came to enjoy Neil’s event, and to witness him actually part with some of his money. He generously shouted the whole club afternoon tea.

Marion Johnson, who is the Immediate Past Governor of Rotary NZ, spoke at the August club meeting. She presented a riveting talk including many pictures of her travels around the world as the Governor. Sue Voss also received her 35 year membership badge, congratulations.

Whanganui hosted the National VCC Executive and AGM meetings in August, and members were very supportive of this event. Many used their cars to ferry guests to points of interest, including the viewing of Rick Dennison’s Warnock Warehouse car collection and the Harding’s aircraft hanger display.

The annual Shiny Parts Auction was held on 2 September. Huge thanks to all who donated goods to the auction and to those who came and bid on the items. Our coffers were improved by nearly $1200.

Our professional auctioneer was not able to attend due to Covid restrictions, and so two members (Linda and Peter) stepped up and did such a good job the committee plans to continue with member auctioneers.

WELLINGTON

RAY BETTERIDGE

I’ve always thought the Highland Fling a bit challenging in all ways, but I was disappointed when the “non-bagpipe” Taihape version had to be abandoned this year. What a relief to learn that Kaaren and Alastair have had the tenacity to give it a go next year.

Things are slowly cranking up in Wellington, and in July the Lady’s Rally became a low-key run in the Western Hills then out to Eastbourne, with Colin and Jocelyn White taking the honours.

With the Daffodil Day events cancelled our team cobbled together a tour. People drove the Akatarawa Rd to Staglands for coffee. After a break they continued through Waikanae to go to Queen Elizabeth Park. We had a lunch in the buildings before we were treated to a tour

▲ Wellington: Three Vauxhalls and an eclectic mix of others. ▲ Wellington: Steve talking about this $1m tramcar restoration.

▲ Wellington: A lovely Fargo towers over a Rover.

Wellsford/Warkworth: Left and below - a visit to the Malvern Morgan factory.

Wellsford/Warkworth: New to our branch this 1989 Morgan +8.

▲

West Coast: the Inaugural 4th July celebration and display in Reefton was a huge success. ▲ Wanganui: Linda O’Keefe as auctioneer at the Shiny Parts fundraiser.

▲ Wanganui: Neill and Siobahn with her amazing cake creation.

of the Tramways Museum. These restorations make our car jobs seem rather puny.

But with teamwork and Lotto funding they do some amazing restorations. The tramcar that is almost completed will be worth at least $1,000,000.

We have a real night trial coming up, the first dark one for years. That will be welcome.

On July club night we had a very informative talk by Nickola Loodin, who works at the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office. Rather appropriate for Wellingtonians, and we all learned a lot about how to prepare for, and respond to, an emergency.

We finally held a belated AGM in August, and the committee members were all returned, except for Chairman Bill Pinkham who was replaced by Phil Kidd after four years of sterling service.

66 Beaded Wheels

WELLSFORD WARKWORTH

WEST COAST

Our first outing post the lockdown was a fantastic success.

Club members travelled to Reefton, along with hot rodders, classic and other car enthusiasts, to take part in the inaugural 4th of July celebration and car display. Despite the threatening weather there was a massive turnout of in excess of 160 vehicles, and heaps of support from locals viewing vehicles and engaging in conversation with vehicle owners. It will be bigger and better next time.

The annual Daffodil Day vehicle display in Greymouth and Hokitika has been postponed because of level 2 lockdown, with no alternate date at the time of writing. Branch members still assisted with the delivery of daffodils to local businesses -thank you.

The Rosco trial date for the Coast has been set as 1 November 2020 - mark your calendars.

CHRIS HARVEY

Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water …..Like the monster lurking beneath the waves in JAWS 2, the menace of the corona virus scuppered most of our planned activities for July and August when the greater Auckland area went back to level 3 restrictions. We did manage to have a Club Night Dinner in July, and a lunch at the Warkworth Golf Club early in August, before the restrictions came back into force, and the only real motoring activity was a Sunday run on 26 July. Twelve cars took part in a run along the scenic back routes from Wellsford to Waipu, ending up at the museum and eateries there. Unfortunately we had to abandon our plans to run a Daffodil Rally for Cancer together with Waitemata Branch on 30 August.

On a happier note our branch has a new member with a striking red 1989 Morgan +8. In 1968 the +8 was introduced with the 3.5 litre Rover V8 which was enlarged through 3.9 and 4.0 litres to 4.6 litres before being replaced by a 4.8 litre BMW V8 in 2012. The cars are still built by hand and to order in the factory at Malvern, UK, and one can tour the facility to watch the process. The frames which support the body are still made of wood and the production line would make Henry Ford spin in his grave.

ELSPIE MITCHELL

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

Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.



Atkins, Barry Cox, Jerrery (Tiddley) Coulson, George Duncan, Robert Godfrey, Ian Rex Greaves, J.A. (Snow) Taylor, Bob Thompson, Keith White, Hilda Williams, Larry

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