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
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