Beaded Wheels 367 December 2020/January 2021

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS

No. 367 December 2020/January 2021

NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95

9 418979 000012

1924 DELAGE ROAD TEST – ARIEL SQUARE FOUR NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY – MARKETPLACE MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

Photograph sent in by Ann Jeffries who is looking for any information that will further identify the vehicle style of this Ford Model T. Ann writes “Owned by my mother’s grandparents of the Hunter Valley NSW”.

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.

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 LIFE MEMBERS Andrew Anderson Roger White Norm Dewhurst Rod Brayshaw John Coomber

COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz SECRETARY/ TREASURER Christopher Leith 03 358 5378 hon.sec@vcc.org.nz 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 SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@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

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

archivist@vcc.org.nz

Murray Trounson mgmt3@vcc.org.nz

VCCNZ MANAGEMENT

Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2021

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. 367

Issue 367 December 2020/January 2021

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.

FEATURES 14 France’s Finest Car

Behind the Wheel of a 1924 Delage DI C

20 26 30 32 33

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

Correspondence & Editorial Contributions

38

Resurrecting A Swinging Arm Ariel Square Four Stuart Francis’ restoration The Salvation of Silver Ghost 47YG Motoring Memories from John Stewart

20

Ariel Square Four

Excelsior Big X A Virtual London – Brighton Rally Snippets 33 Blossom Rally – Central Otago Branch 34 Hunua 100 – Auckland Branch 34 Far North Tour – Northland Branch 36 National Veteran Rally – Gore Branch

26

Silver Ghost

The Joys of Owning My First Car (Part Two)

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

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

Closing Date for February/March: Editorial Copy Advertisements

10 January 2021 10 January 2021

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

Postal Address: PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.

Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand.

COLUMNS 4

President’s Message

39

Captain’s Log

4

As We See It

40

Archivist News

5

VCC Events

41 Obituary

6

National Office

43 Marketplace

7 Mailbag

49

Swap Meets & Rallies

8 Timelines

52

Trade Directory

10

54

Idle Torque

66

Passing Lane

The Way We Were

12 Awards 25

Book Reviews

39

Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring Update

National Veteran Rally

Marketplace

36

45

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 David and Jennifer Owen’s 1954 Austin A30 was part of the Canterbury Branch vintage vehicle display at the Hororata Highland Games on 7 November 2020. The run out to the games also comprised part of this year’s annual Dutton Garage Malvern Run which was postponed from Anzac Day. Photo Kama Frankling

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

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

Beaded Wheels 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I am pleased to advise that the Vintage Car Club and Motorsport New Zealand have signed an update of the agreement of cooperation and mutual support between our two organisations.

There has only been one change to the existing and ongoing agreement, which is a change in eligibility date for circuit racing.

Previously it was 31 December 1960, however this has now been moved to 31 December 1965.

This change will give event organisers an additional group of vehicles and competitors to call on and we hope it will bring new competitors to our races. As has always been the case, the choice of which group or era of vehicles invited to compete at an event will remain in the hands of the organising branch.

The combined meeting with the Federation of Motoring and the VCC with the Associate Minister of Transport was rescheduled because of the election. We will now be looking towards early next year for our meeting.

It has been a busy few months for me with regard to 50 year awards. It is not feasible for me to do every presentation but I do my best within my available time on weekends. With an

even busier year next year with awards, I will be delegating more of this to other members of the Management Committee.

Geoff and I were lucky to attend the National Veteran Rally in October hosted by Gore Branch.

Paul Herron and his team are to be congratulated on their organisation. It was an extremely well run event with 54 entries and we were made to feel very welcome.

Once again it really struck me at the public display we had for the Veteran Rally, that the general public (of all ages) are still really interested in our old vehicles.

One of the things that I and others in the Club have stressed over the years is that we must use every opportunity we have to get the public on board and enthused about our vehicles.

Our National Day – the Daffodil Rally for Cancer will be held on Sunday 22 August 2021. I am delighted to announce that Kaaren Smylie is going to be our event organiser with assistance from myself and National Office. I know how disappointed members were that we had to cancel the event this year and I was very heartened to see that some branches still held it later

in the year or made a donation to the Cancer Society out of branch funds. With Kaaren’s enthusiasm and energy, I know that next year’s National Day will be one to remember.

The Management Committee is currently working on a new publicity brochure that branches can use to hand out at public events. The development of a proposed new logo for the Club is continuing. At the 2021 March Executive meeting delegates will undertake a workshop where they will be presented with various options. Once the options are narrowed down, they will be circulated to branches for members to make comment.

As mentioned in my previous Beaded Wheels column, the Management Committee is considering what constitutional changes would be required for the Club to include Special Interest Groups or Clubs under its umbrella. Work is underway on a possible Notice of Motion which could be voted on by members in August 2021.

With positive news about Covid-19 vaccines, there is a glimmer of hope that we may be able to host overseas visitors for the 2022 Vero International

Festival of Historic Motoring.

They certainly add a wonderful dimension to our international events and it would be fantastic if we would be in a position to welcome them to New Zealand again.

What an unprecedented year this has been, and as it comes to an end, I would particularly like to thank those members who put up their hands time after time to organise events for us or to stand on committees. They are the backbone of our Club and they are our greatest asset.

Winston Churchill said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

On behalf of the whole Management team, I wish all our members and families safe travelling over the holiday season and best wishes for Christmas and the coming year.

Warmest regards

Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President

AS WE SEE IT Having an insurance background I was interested in this cautionary tale about insurance that may help members.

Recently a friend of mine had a vintage vehicle in a workshop for work to be carried out. The garage burnt down. No worries, my friend thought, the garage legal liability cover will pay out for my loss. But ….. not so. He found out that if the garage had a liability for the disaster then there would be a pay-out. In this case because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the incident the legal liability cover did not kick in and so no claim!

The good news is that eventually all parties found a solution that left everybody happy. Vero have an insurance cover they call “restoration and storage” as does

4 Beaded Wheels

Star Insurance. In the instance above that would have paid out without question. Maybe you might consider the benefit of placing this cover on your stored or undergoing restoration vehicles.

I think most of us will be pleased to see the back of 2020, given all that happened both here and around the world. I am not sure that 2021 will be much better because it seems we haven’t seen this Covid-19 off yet. Are we waiting for a vaccine? Will we be able to keep it out of New Zealand? I don’t have the answer but taking the average age of members into consideration I suggest that we do all we can to look after ourselves.

Despite our year of upheavals

we have managed to publish every issue of Beaded Wheels.

We are as grateful to our regular contributors for providing us with copy for each issue as we are to our more occasional contributors adding extra value and character through their articles for Beaded Wheels.

We thank you all for your contributions during the year.

If you haven’t quite had the motivation up until now to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) why not add another resolution to that New Year’s list we are always keen to hear from new and aspiring authors.

We regularly receive positive feedback from members about Beaded Wheels, and from time to time suggested

improvements, which we take up if we can. Keep up the comments and suggestions and we can make the magazine even better.

The Beaded Wheels committee of Judith Bain, Bevars Binnie, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber and Marilyn McKinlay and I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the Christmas season, New Year celebrations and, most of all, for a great 2021.

Kevin Clarkson Chairman Beaded Wheels

VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS

Some of the tour cars in the Blossom Festival Parade.

DECEMBER 6 Auckland Picnic

6 Central Otago Christmas Function

6 Horowhenua Christmas Dinner

6 Manawatu Christmas Party

6 Nelson Run to Willow Bank

6 Northland Motorcycle Run

6 South Otago Moped Run

6 Waimate Christmas Barbecue

6 Waikato Club Run

6 Wellington Children’s Christmas Party 7-14 Ashburton Oakley Pre Christmas Tour

9 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 10 Nelson Club Night visit to Cartel 11-13 Sth Canterbury Three Day Rally 12 Bay of Plenty Children’s Christmas Party 12 C. Hawke’s Bay Christmas Party 12 Far North Christmas Event 12 Nelson Christmas Picnic 12 Waikato Christmas Dinner 12 Wanganui Christmas Parade 13 Auckland Motorcycle Barbecue 13 Bay of Plenty Children’s Christmas Party 13 Gore Christmas Run 13 Hawke’s Bay Christmas Club Run 13 Manawatu Feilding Christmas Parade 13 Northland Christmas Lunch & Gymkhana 13 North Shore Christmas Event 13 Otago Christmas Barbecue 13 Rotorua Christmas High Tea Run 16 Bay of Plenty Mid week Run 16 Waikato Wednesday Wander 20 C. Hawke’s Bay Reliability Trial 26 Canterbury Boxing Day Run 28 Otago Mid Week Run

JANUARY

12-14 12-14 13 13 13-14 14

FEBRUARY

MARCH

1 Ashburton

New Year’s Day Run & Barbecue

1 Auckland New Year’s Day Run 1 Banks Peninsula New Year’s Day Picnic

1 Manawatu New Year’s Day Picnic 1 Sth Canterbury Fairlie New Year’s Day Parade

1 Wanganui Gumboot Rally

3 Northland Motorcycle Run 10 Sth Canterbury Ladies Rally 10 Waikato Blue Smoke & Pedals 13 Wanganui Barbecue Picnic 15 Wellington Club Captain’s Monte Carlo Rally 16 Banks Peninsula Pomeroy Trophy 16 Far North Summer Picnic 16-17 Otago Dunedin-Brighton Veteran Rally 17 Gore Ladies Run 20 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 22-25 Wanganui Vintage Weekend 24 Auckland Club Run 24 Otago Jackson Rally 24 Rotorua Lakefront Car Show 24 Wanganui Burma Rally 28 Otago Mid Week Run 30 Ashburton Annual Rally 30-1 Taupo Club Captain’s Run

5-7 Banks Peninsula Skope Race Meeting

6 Marlborough Waitangi Day - Heritage Day at Brayshaw Park 6 North Otago Wee Wheelie wander

6 Southland Southland Rally 6-8 Sth Canterbury Weekend Away

7 Taupo Open Day 7 E. Bay of Plenty East Coast Rally

7 Manawatu Veteran Rally

7 Northland Motorcycle Run

Southern Classic Levels Three Rivers Rally Annual Veteran Rally Wallaby Rally Summer Saunter Discovery of the Kaipara Harbour Run 14 Rotorua Barbecue Run 14 Wanganui Blue Smoke and Pedals & Posh Picnic 16-18 Otago Otago Rally 17-21 Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Festival 17 Northland Mid Week Run 20 Canterbury Annual Motorcycle Rally & Commercial Rally 20 Far North Run 20 Nelson Swap Meet 21 Ashburton Club Captain’s Run & Barbecue 21 Otago Vintage/PV/Ladies Run 21 Sth Canterbury Chairman’s Run 21 Taupo Club Run 24 Rotorua Midweekers Run 27 Gore Festival Rally 27 North Otago 60th Anniversary Rally incorporating All British Day 27 Sth Canterbury Open Day 28 Horowhenua Heritage Trust Historical Society Parade 28 Wellsford/Wkwth Swap Meet

Banks Peninsula Gisborne Auckland Waimate North Shore Northland

6 Manawatu 6 Southland 7 Gore

Ruahine Ramble Southland Veteran Rally Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers

7 North Shore Brits & Euro Show 7 Sth Canterbury Motor Bike Rally

NATIONAL EVENTS

March 2021 12-14 National Motorcycle Rally Wairarapa Branch

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

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

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Membership cards were distributed in early November to all members who had paid their subscription by 31 October 2020.

BRANCH TRANSFER

To transfer between branches, complete a transfer form. This can be obtained through your branch secretary.

VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME

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

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

If you currently hold a VCC Historic Racing Licence, please keep an eye on the expiry date. If it needs renewing complete the Historic Race Licence Renewal Form and Test, and forward this to National Office, along with payment, and a new one will be issued.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBERS/EMAIL/VEHICLE OWNERSHIP

Please advise the National Office if you have changed address, phone number, email address or vehicle ownership.

VCCNZ FACEBOOK PAGE

Did you know that the Club has a Facebook page? We also have a private facebook group that provides a lively source of online debate, banter and information among its members – if you haven’t joined facebook this might be just the excuse you need.

VISITING NATIONAL OFFICE

The National Office welcomes visitors, with the Archive being open most Friday mornings (see Archivist). Limited parking is available for those people who are members. Please do not assume you can ‘park and shop’ as parking is required by staff, visitors to the office/Archive and all the parking is often needed when meetings are taking place.

NATIONAL AGM MINUTES/ BRANCH OFFICER DETAILS AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Members, please find enclosed a copy of the AGM minutes, branch

All Vehicle Identity Cards (VIC) have an expiry date. This expiry is upon change of ownership or 10 years from the issue date. Your vehicle must also be as described on the VIC. The renewal process is as follows.

1 Three months prior to expiry a renewal form for your vehicle is sent to current financial members by the National Office.

2 This form must be checked, current mileage noted and signed (even if your vehicle has had no changes).

3 Completed form and either • existing VIC (if appearance is unaltered) or • two new photos

should be sent to your branch for validation.

4 The VIC will be reissued for a further 10 years. Major changes or change of ownership affect card validity.

It is compulsory for all vehicles entered in National or International VCC rallies to hold a current VIC. If you have sold your vehicle, please notify the National Office.

officer details and calendar of events. During the AGM weekend the executive meeting was held.

A copy of these minutes are held by your branch secretary and your branch delegate should have also reported to their members.

ASB BANK – OVER THE COUNTER PAYMENTS AT ANY ASB BRANCH

ASB are no longer taking third party payments over 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

6 Beaded Wheels

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

CHRISTMAS HOURS

I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy and safe New Year. The National Office will close midday Wednesday 23 December 2020 and reopen on Monday 11 January 2021.

Julie Cairns-Gee National Office Manager

STOP PRESS: Please note the following change to the Branch Officer details enclosed with VCCNZ members’ copies of Beaded Wheels. Manawatu Branch - Chairman Bruce Dyer Ph: 027 871 3536, Secretary: Diana Dyer Ph: 027 727 3371

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

counter. This means that if you are not an ASB client, they will not accept payments made from you into a specified ASB account.

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

NATIONAL OFFICE

HOW TO RENEW YOUR VEHICLE’S IDENTITY CARD

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.

THE RIGHT CROWD

While the world fights a losing battle with a three billion overpopulation, the VCC as an entity does not proportionately have the same problem, but it can’t rule out extinction eventually.

A friend visited me today, he had gone to his computer to check out an entry form to join the VCC. This advised he needed to be nominated by two financial members of the VCC. I was unaware of this probably because I am not a computer person, however I have belonged to motoring clubs who, 30 years ago, deleted this stuffy requirement from their membership criteria.

Dom Ammon Nelson

AMAZING TRIUMPH

Many thanks for publishing my letter about David’s amazing Lagonda in Beaded Wheels Aug/ Sept issue.

The idle torque picture has now pride of place on one side of my wardrobe facing my bed.

Underneath are pictures of Bentleys, Rolls, Alvis, Daimlers and Jaguars, the photo of my dear deceased uncle’s two-door aluminium coupe by James Young, blue over black, is now in another place.

It was my uncle who told me that WO Bentley was Lagonda’s engineering consultant for many of Lagonda’s cars (if not all).

I have heard them described as “badged Bentleys” perhaps for that reason. My uncle and I always admired them, the lovely original Lagonda radiator “on the run” does look very Bentleyish, (none the worse for that!)

What an amazing Triumph Gloria on page 28, issue 365 showing the owner driving it with two

young people in the backseat, one little man waving to the crowd in the street on the right, and a young lady on the left, presumably grandchildren.

The Triumph owner’s wife who diligently stitched the leather work would have had a hard job for sure. A friend of mine made leather seats for this Rover P4 using an industrial sewing machine – six layers to do it.

Quite a job. Well done to Ron Elton’s wife, the whole car looks amazing.

It is great to see the young people involved with vintage and veteran movement as they are, of course, the future.

The pensive young navigator, with Avon Hyde in his Austin Special (Balcairn Trial) and for me (knowing the chequered background) of the Delorean which Jared Dacombe has one now and mentioned an Austin Mash (Nash), Metropolitan he restored before, aged 17 great.

As a trainee mechanic working on BMC cars the first time I saw a Metropolitan come in for service the foreman said don’t worry about it because underneath its body it is an Austin A40. They were pretty popular and still sought after now.

Well done Jared and all the other young people who are getting involved. Lastly Barry Barnes reminiscing about his motoring, reminded me of my ex-wife’s friend, aged 13, driving a big Citroën Light 15 on her father’s farm in Limoges. It is still in the same family now as a perfect original runner. Great cars, great to drive, addictive. All good, looking forward to the next issue of Beaded Wheels as usual.

Ken Braddon

flying B mascot, I wonder how many Bentley dealers and owners know the truth of the number of feathers there are on each side. This was designed

by Gordon to fool anyone who made copies of it, thus they would be recognised as copies by anyone who knew the true number of his original design.

Most copiers would assume the same number each side which is not the case.

CAR QUERY

MYSTERY SOLVED

Andrew Macfarlane Palmerston North clanman57@gmail.com

I have found a copy of the image on page two of the last Beaded Wheels that indicates the Post Office Hotel was located in Pahiatua. See the website of the current hotel for more information www. postofficehotel.co.nz Carole Lindsay Tauranga

I’m hoping one of your readers may be able to identify the little sports car on this snippet of a magazine cover as shown above.

From my own research it doesn’t appear to be MG, Jaguar or Allard. I like the bead in the rear guards and once identified would like to try tracking some down.

WHERE IS IT NOW?

1928 Erskine two door rego LS462. I sold this vehicle partially restored in the early ‘80s. Would love to know where it is now, and to see it in its restored state if possible.

Maurice McTeigue 03 322 6394

1946 OLDSMOBILE

Regarding the 1946 Oldsmobile on page 9 of Beaded Wheels issue 366. Late 1980s I visited Smash Palace – Horopito Auto Wreckers standing at the counter (might not be like that now) an Oldsmobile (looked complete) body shape same as 1949 Chev. The roof was dented down over the seats, the grill I don’t think had as many bars.

Was that car ever recovered and restored?

Bryon Husband Palmerston North

PS I was thinking about the original Gordon Crosby Bentley

Beaded Wheels 7

TIMELINES

Mechanical Restorations Vintage & Classic Spares (1980)

1971 Chrysler Valiant Charger VH

Photo: www.mad4wheels.com

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

Historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by compiled

by Graeme Rice 100 YEARS AGO DECEMBER JANUARY 1920/21

Postwar motoring manufacturers were considering their futures. It was obvious bicycles and motorcycles would lose some popularity when faced with the rise of the car. Triumph was one of many faced with this dilemma, although their seven-story factory was fully occupied building twowheelers, some directors argued cars were the future. All was resolved when, after refusing offers to buy Hillman or Morris, Siegfried Bettmann bought the Dawson car factory, and the rest is history.

50 YEARS AGO DECEMBER JANUARY 1970/71

Excitement amongst Valiant fans as 1971 proved to be their year. Gone were the boxy 1963 AP5, and AP6 which had been followed by the equally unimaginative VC to VG range which lasted until 1970. Instead, 1971 saw the launch of the VH series with curvaceous bodywork harking back to the original Valiant R series. The sedans were exciting enough, but the mid-year launch of the famous Charger really set the Australasian motoring world alight.

“Probably the best-looking car ever produced by an Australian manufacturer,” was the common

75 YEARS AGO DECEMBER JANUARY 1945/46

Good news as the Minister of Supply announced that Petrol Coupons would be worth twice their face value from November 1945 until February 1946. This was, he said, intended to mark the first peacetime Christmas and New Year holiday season for seven years. Service Motors of Opotiki were quick to launch publicity suggesting your car would carry you 740 miles (1180 kilometres) this holiday.

But best to get them to give it a good tune up just to be sure.

30 YEARS AGO DECEMBER JANUARY 1990/91

After 15 years and over a million variants, Volvo finally phased out the DAF based 340 and 360 range. Solid and reliable, if not inspiring, their layout, with the rear mounted five-speed gearbox, the De Dion rear suspension and Renault’s 115bhp, 2-litre sohc engine, offered extremely comfortable and safe open road motoring.

A surprising number can still be seen with their original owners still satisfied with the quality of motoring their 360s offer.

verdict.

Graeme Rice

8 Beaded Wheels

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

THE WAY WE WERE

s Jack Brewer loses the Wolseley (13), John McMillan, Jeep Special on the left. Ron Symons 1000cc Cooper in the distance.

s First appearance Hec Green’s RA Vanguard at practice.

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

by Andrew Anderson

ANDREW ANDERSON VCCNZ FOUNDING & LIFE MEMBER

10 Beaded Wheels

s Halsey Logan’s Jackson Special in the pits during practice.

THE FIRST WIGRAM WITHOUT THE VCC OF NZ 1951 Our decision to no longer promote and manage modern motor sport resulted in a very first Wigram without VCC input on the weekend following our triumphant Big Hill. No official input but huge petrol-headed interest. Just before the Big Hill day, Frank Blandford heard rumours of the secret arrival of fabulous race cars that were possibly hidden in the old rambling stables in Chester Street that were the Rink Taxi headquarters. Result, Anderson and Blandford stealthily enter, climb into the rafters and finally find, and closely inspect, the ex-Nuvolari P3 Alfa Romeo Monoposto, and the ex-Earl Howe 2.3 litre TT car. Wow! Les Moore was to leave speedway for four wheels in the grandest possible manner. However son Ronnie, though provided with

s Don Ransley in 2.3 Alfa.

the material, simply wasn’t enthused and carried on to further heights on two wheels so Don Ransley drove the 2.3 litre Alfa.

Hence a truly miserably wet day was to provide as much interest and thrills as any petrolhead could ask for. Aussies were there in force. Our two Tom Sulman and Ken Tubman, Nind with a very quick 1100 Cooper, and

Peek with a most disappointing Q type MG. Ron Roycroft had a new XK120 Jag, and ‘Papa’ George Smith his new GCS V8 Special that was to give Moore a real run for his money.

Hec Green produced his final masterpiece, the RA Vanguard, and I’m afraid I can’t actually remember who won.

s The start. Nind (Aust) 1100 Cooper, Ron Roycroft XK120 Jag, George Smith GCS Special, Moore P3 Alfa and Ransley 2.3.

s Les Moor sliding the P3 at hairpin.

s Tom Sulman 4C Maserati just before retiring with a cracked head.

s Les Moore and Smith duel at the hairpin. Gee Cee Ess still on S/V heads!

s

W igram Airfield Circuit, Christchurch, New Zealand

s Don Ransley in major slide in ex Howe 2.3 Alfa.

Beaded Wheels 11

50 YEAR Daue, John Phillip

AWARDS

Ferguson, John

Banks Peninsula

Gough, Robert

Canterbury

Hedgman, Ian Inns, Clynton

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

Lightfoot, Trevor Loudon, John Mathers, Terry Mattsen, Eric

60 YEAR Foster, Richard

McCarten, Geoffrey

Banks Peninsula

Galletly, Ron

Canterbury

Mundy, Robin James

Canterbury

Nottle, Maurice

Canterbury

Whitaker, Ken

Canterbury

Canterbury Central Otago Wellington Canterbury Wellington

McClintock, Andrew Canterbury

Bay of Plenty

Paterson, Gavin Thomas

Canterbury Banks Peninsula

McClelland, Donald Canterbury

Ashburton

Kay, David

Canterbury

Meadows, Terry

Canterbury

Mitchell, Phillip

Canterbury

Pratt, Alan Pyne, Anthony Stanley-Joblin,Trevor

Wellington Marlborough Canterbury

Ward, Brian

Wellington

Wilkens, John

Wellington

Woodford, Robert

Otago

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PHONE 0800 15 0800 • brent@classictowing.co.nz • classic towing.co.nz 12 Beaded Wheels

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF THE VCCNZ

WILL WE SEE YOU IN 2022?

HELP US TO HELP OUR PLANNING TEAM Our hard working team organising the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring are dedicated to ensuring our next event is well organised, great fun, and financially sound.

To assist with meeting all of their goals they really need a firm indication as soon as possible that you are planning on

IMPORTANT NOTE Your response to this request does not act as your rally entry, it is purely an indication to ensure the event organisers book venues of the appropriate size for the festival.

attending. If you haven’t registered yet but are planning to

Thanks for helping us to ensure 2022 is our best international

attend there are three ways you can let the organisers know

event yet.

you are coming.

Kind regards

1 Respond to the email that was sent to all club members on 3 December 2020, or

2 Follow the link to our online attendance survey at www.vcc.org.nz or

3 Call National Office on 03 366 4461 and let them know if

Diane Diane Quarrie President Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

you are coming and how many in your group.

Responses close 22 December 2020.

 

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

½

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

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

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Beaded Wheels 13

HIN BE

D THE WHE

EL

The Delage has earned its patina through honourable use over more than six decades of Jamieson ownership. The front axle bears comparison with the earlier photographs.

14 Beaded Wheels

FRANCE’S FINEST CAR MAX JAMIESON’S 1924 DELAGE DI C WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN KING

Beaded Wheels 15

Vintage Car Club members come in all sorts of groups and sub-groups relating to their vehicles and ownerships. Some like to collect multiple cars, motorcycles or trucks; some specialise in certain marques; some change things around, apparently on a whim; and some are noted for such longevity of ownership that a particular car will always be regarded as belonging to that member—even during subsequent ownerships.

Max Jamieson falls into the latter category.

The Waitemata Branch stalwart has earned his 60-year VCC badge and has owned his 1924 DI C Delage since 1958.

Not that it was his first vintage car. Still in his teens in Dunedin, he owned a Model T Ford, a Dodge 4 and another DI Delage before this one, and somewhere in there is also mention of a brief fling with a Fiat 501S. Andrew Anderson recalls: “In Mornington lived a young Max Jamieson, petrolhead to be. Opposite his abode across the main street, where now a supermarket reigns, there used to be the Mornington Garage which provided help, advice and support to Sharpe, Hunt, Grimsdale and yours truly for 4½ Bentley, 2 litre Ansaldo, 40/50 Napier, bullnose Morris and other beasties, to the perpetual wonder of said young Jamieson, and as the years rolled on we all took delight in his acquisition of a very nice DI Delage.”

Max served his apprenticeship at New Zealand Railways’ Hillside Workshops, starting in 1955 as the last of the locally made 4-8-2 JA

COMPETITION Louis Delâge was always an enthusiastic driver and, like so many of his contemporaries, saw the publicity benefits of motoring competition. Delages were raced on a regular basis from the 1906 four-day Coupe des Voiturettes (second place for the Type A of works driver Ménard and mechanic Lucas) and winning the fourth Indianapolis 500 in 1914 as well as major grands prix.

Even as Delage et Cie slid into voluntary liquidation in 1935 and the rights to the proud name were sold off to Delahaye, Delâge was allowed to create a separate racing company that could make a maximum of 12 racing cars per year—although the days of Grand Prix Delage racing were long over.

Staying at the top of motor racing wasn’t easy — the 1927 title of world champion motor manufacturer cost Delage 7 million francs, and the company withdrew from top competition at the end of that year — but it did lead to technical innovation. From 1911 the racing cars bore no resemblance to the run-of-the-mill production, and some, such as the Type DH V-12 of 10,570cc which briefly took the land speed record in July 1924 at 230.548 km/hr, were one-offs.

The most successful of all racing Delages, in terms of races won over several years, was the straight-eight supercharged Type 15 s

class steam locomotives was being built. Somehow he became the go-to man to overhaul the booster trailing bogie of NZR’s 4-8-4 KB class, but he considers himself fortunate to have had a thorough ground in all matters engineering—except welding. “There was a specialist welder at Hillside,” says Max. “He never let anybody else do any, so I’ve always considered myself only an average welder.”

After some of the more mundane vintage cars, Max moved into Delages. His first, bought locally, was a DI with no body to speak of, but that sort of thing didn’t stop a young lad hooning around Dunedin with a couple of seats tenuously attached to a chassis.

Then another DI, a DI C (Colonial) was advertised in Christchurch, complete with body and so a bit more respectable in most ways.

It had been owned by a group of air force types who used it for

pig hunting in the Canterbury foothills and, with its correct 880 x 145 beaded edge tyres unobtainable 60-plus years ago, had been modified with 16 in x 800 wheel rims from some sort of military vehicle. Attaching those rims to the original Delage centrelock wheel centres was achieved by the simple expedient of cutting off all the spokes and welding eight lengths of flat steel, four inners and four outers, as a crude imitation of Bugatti’s trademark aluminium blade wheels.

The drive south across the flat and straight Canterbury Plains soon brought to Max’s notice a weakness in the execution of the wheel modifications. Although close, the rims weren’t quite concentric with the centres, and every now and again, as the wheel revolutions synchronised, the car would develop an interesting if unsettling cantering motion. So the Delage needed new wheels, and Max built up a set using more readily obtainable wellside rims. His noted expertise with wire wheels, thus started early, continued to the present day although deliberately being tapered off.

In its heyday Delage enjoyed the sobriquet “France’s finest car”. The Delage Automobile Company was started in 1905 by Louis Delâge (he has the French accent, the circumflex; the car doesn’t). After graduating with an engineering degree from Arts et Métiers Paris Tech and following military service in Algeria and working for five years at the state railways in the Gironde region, he joined Peugeot in 1903 where he was in charge of design studies and testing.

The first Delages were modest and conventional two-seaters powered by single-cylinder De Dion-Bouton engines of 1059 cc (9 hp Type A) or 496 cc (4.5 hp Type B), with most of the rest of the components sourced from external suppliers. The company had a stand at that December’s Salon d’Automobile in Paris. The following year a 3,000 square metre factory was established for proper manufacturing and the 6 hp Type D of intermediate size was introduced.

16 Beaded Wheels

The 1927 Delage Type 15 S 8 was all-conquering in Grand Prix racing that year. Three of the four team cars still exist, and this example, no 1, is by far the most original, having spent all its later career in the USA where it placed 7th in the 1929 Indianapolis 500, driven by Louis Chiron. Seen here in the Briggs Cunningham Museum in California in 1966, it now resides in Florida as part of the Miles Collier collection at the Revs Institute. (Photo Tom King)

Max Jamieson campaigns the Delage at the Waitemata Branch’s Chelsea hillclimb in 1984 when the car was a mere 60 years old. Max looks forward to driving it on its 100th birthday.

s The engine-turned dashboard (this is a quality French car, after all) contains the usual instruments and controls. Hand brake and gear levers look identical but there’s little chance of confusing them, and the gearbox reflects the rest of the driving experience by being well mannered and without obvious vices.

s DI C engine has a Max Jamieson-designed aluminium cylinder head with twin SU carburettors mounted on the head instead of the side of the block below. Coil and distributor replace the RB magneto.

▼ The Colonial DI model with increased track had an axle weakness and caused this ‘failure to proceed’ during the 2006 R’Oil Can Rally. The trolley jack is part of the standard kit Bryan Wyness carried in his XK120 Jaguar and allowed him to tow the Delage, with adequate supervision, well clear of a nasty drop at the apex of a T junction.

▼ Max Jamieson’s Delage is rumoured to have a hood, but nobody in the Waitemata Branch can remember ever seeing it erected.

Beaded Wheels 17

Delage built more of the DI than any other model, around 20 percent of total production. Max Jamieson’s 1924 DI C (for Colonial) has worn its Carrosserie Générale Automobile tourer body since it was imported new.

S 8 designed by Albert Lory. Conforming to the 1½ litre formula of the day, with its twin overhead camshafts it produced 170 hp at 8000 rpm and was introduced for the 1926 season. After the engine and other components were modified to make the car more habitable, the Type 15 S 8 won the 1927 world championship for Delage and the four examples continued to win grands prix and other important races in private hands, particularly with Lord Howe and Richard Seaman, for another 10 years.

PRODUCTION Normal production cars were nowhere near as advanced, of course. By 1909 Delage was offering both voiturettes and light cars, each with either single-cylinder De Dion or four-cylinder Delage (actually Ballot) engines, but the following year the singlecylinder models were on the way out and a 2565 cc six-cylinder was added to the range.

Wartime production of artillery shells and other materiel, plus a few trucks, pickups and some cars, kept Delage occupied while planning for eventual peacetime production of one model, the six-cylinder CO with Perrot front wheel brakes first used on the 1914 racing cars at Lyons. That was introduced in 1917 in military guise and so was fully tested by the time postwar production restarted in 1919, with the CO having increased in engine size to 80 x 150 mm, 4524 cc (20 hp). Louis Delâge himself carried out endurance testing and ambitious high-speed circuits of both France and Spain.

But the French motor industry was in a parlous state, and stocks of unsold CO chassis accumulated. Delâge himself anticipated this to some extent, and by July 1920 the 15 hp DO (80 x 150 mm, 3003 cc), slightly less sophisticated mechanically and pared to four cylinders and with four-wheel brakes optional, was ready. The company also reverted to subcontract work to keep the factory going.

Pushrod overhead valves were introduced on the GS (Grand Sport) in 1921 with an increase in bore size to 85 mm (5088 cc) the following year and renamed the CO 2 in 1923. Also in 1921 came the side-valve DE, smaller at 72 x 130 mm, 2116 cc, and lasting until 1923 with the introduction of the DI, of similar engine size (75 x 120 mm) but with pushrod overhead valves. With a five-year

18 Beaded Wheels

production run of more than 10,000, the DI series was the most numerous of the 50,000 or so Delages made.

The DM, with essentially the same engine with two cylinders added for 3180 cc, followed in 1926, but French car manufacturers were in trouble with overstocking. Still, Delage managed to weather that crisis and produced the six-cylinder side-valve DR for two years from 1927 before introducing what is often regarded as the ultimate passenger Delage, the straight-eight D8 of initially 2660 cc but culminating in the D8 105 of 3570 cc in 1934. The six-cylinder D6 equivalent came in 1930 and was the mainstay of production until 1954.

By the end of the 1920s, however, Delage was tottering as a result of the depression, surviving with the help of bank loans until April 1935 when the company went into voluntary liquidation. Production and naming rights were bought by Englishman Walter Watney, who sold them in turn to Delahaye whose truck manufacturing business was declining.

So the Delage marque continued, although further pre WWII D6 and D8 models (and a resurrected four-cylinder DI 12) were often rebadged Delahayes, albeit with handsome and at times flamboyant coachwork. Postwar French austerity measures worked against any but the most modest cars, and the Delage name ended in 1954 with only 330 or so made after the war.

The marque had outlasted Louis Delâge himself, who died, almost impoverished, in 1947 at the age of 73.

THE DI C Max Jamieson’s 1924 Delage DI C, one of 20 known survivors worldwide out of 442 produced, is New Zealand new, a handsome tourer still wearing its original Carrosserie Générale Automobile body. Steel-panelled, it’s not particularly lightweight and so the 2120 cc 36 hp is asked to cope with around 30 cwt.

The DI series comprised, in addition to the original base model, the more powerful and improved DI S and its more sporting DI SS successor. The DI C (Colonial) differs in some minor ways from the standard DI, including wider track (1.42 m vs 1.32 m) and RB (for Robert Bosch) magneto. The extra width led to some weakness in the front axle, and Max’s car has a completely new unit, properly engineered.

Over the 60-plus years of ownership he’s also made a few other engineering changes. The five main bearings are now shells, and Max thought the original induction system, with a Zenith Triplex bolted to the side of the block and feeding through a tortuous series of pipes up through the head and into the cylinders, seemingly a leftover from its side-valve antecedents, could be improved. It now sports an aluminium cylinder head of Max Jamieson design, feeding through a pair of SU carburettors.

“It’s made no noticeable difference,” says Max. Most manufacturers who made specific Colonial models geared their cars for the colonies’ reputedly near-vertical roads. The DI C’s back axle ratio was 4.9:1, the standard DI had 4.55:1 and the DI SS was 4.08:1, so this example now runs a 4.0:1 Chevrolet crown wheel and pinion. An extra tooth on the gearbox input shaft and a corresponding tooth less on the layshaft make the intermediate gear ratios a bit more driveable.

HOW DRIVEABLE? This is a large tourer and is climbed into, in the normal manner of 1920s cars of substance. The pedal layout is standard, so eliminating confusion in any crisis, although clearance between the brake pedal and the side of the car suggests Delage didn’t design things with modern footwear in mind, so this tester’s right foot operates brake and accelerator without benefit of shoe.

Two substantial and similar tubular levers topped by identical black knobs occupy front centre. They are, as one might expect, hand brake and gear lever and work as usual but with a slight twist. The four speeds are in the usual H pattern with first gear to the left and forward, but lifting the knob and going further under the dashboard finds reverse. The hand brake works all four wheels via the cables of the foot brake, and in anything but the most gentle of braking it’s natural to resort to that comforting lever. By leaving the knob alone it works as a fly-off hand brake.

The better French cars were noted for their engine-turned finish on some components (the 2-litre Type 2 LCV Delage which Albert Divo drove into second place in the 1924 Grand Prix of Europe at Lyon had the entire bodywork engine-turned), and Max’s Delage has the finish on some engine parts and the dashboard.

The dashboard layout is fairly standard, with larger instruments for speedometer, tachometer and clock, plus smaller ammeter and oil pressure gauge. Ignition advance/retard isn’t obvious, and the hand throttle works more as an idle adjustment. Horn and dip switch occupy centre spot on the coaming inside the windscreen, and Max has added indicators, with a non-cancelling switch on a stalk on the steering column, in recognition of modern drivers’ ignorance about hand signals.

Having had all that explained, it’s time to sample the Delage’s road manners. A button on the centre toe board gets things revolving—silently, courtesy of the Dynastart—first gear is selected, hand brake off, signal right and we’re away.

The clutch is smooth, but the high gearing and heavy car mean initial acceleration is modest, especially starting uphill.

The gearbox turns out to be one of the better-mannered examples and rewards proper pauses in neutral. Max seems to make silent upward changes without having to double-declutch, but habits accumulated during a lifetime of driving a vintage Riley mean I chicken out and automatically double-declutch both up and down.

It might have something to do with the gearbox location below the floor, but even slightly muffed changes are felt through the lever rather than heard. Quick blips to change down work like a

SPECIFICATIONS In production: 1923–28 Engine:

4 cylinders, 75 x 120 mm, 2120 cc Pushrod ohv, 2 valves per cylinder 14/40 hp, 11 CV 5 main bearings

Transmission: 4-speed gearbox Wheelbase:

Track 1.42 m (standard DI 1.32 m)

charm, and I soon get to enjoy driving this example of France’s finest car (advt).

“It’s best on the open road, not around suburban streets,” says Max. “We should really take it on the motorway and into the country.”

But having endured Auckland’s clogged, stop-and-go motorway during my (modern) drive to his house, I’m not willing to face it in somebody’s else’s precious vintage Delage and so I limit my impressions to suburbia.

The steering is precise and no means particularly light at 30 mph, and with sharper corners the best technique seems to involve armfuls of wheel. The foot brake is on the heavy side, but assisting with the hand brake comes naturally, and the seating position above that of lesser vehicles gives a good line of sight and traffic anticipation.

The overall impression is that of a solid vintage touring car, by no means a sports car but well-engineered with pleasant characteristics. Max finds driving it less enjoyable as his arthritis progresses, but he’s determined to drive it on its 100th birthday.

Considering the Delage was only 34 years old when he became its custodian, and he’ll then have owned it for two-thirds of its career, that’s a pretty good ambition. It’s a fine motorcar.

John King joined the Canterbury Branch in 1965 as soon as he bought his 1931 Riley 9hp Plus Ultra tourer. He has kept this through subsequent moves northwards to Wellington and Auckland to be a current Waitemata Branch member. After a couple of false starts he’s made a career out of photojournalism, specialising in vintage cars and aviation. He is the present editor of the monthly New Zealand Aviation News, now working from his home office as a result of Covid-19.

John earned a private pilot’s licence not long after buying the Riley and has always tended towards older and more interesting aeroplanes as well as cars. With his cameras he has made a speciality out of air-to-air photography, which he insists is work in the hope that others don’t realise how enjoyable and satisfying it is. His material has been published in many countries although all nine books have been written for the local market.

On the motoring front he’s still content with his Riley, having no great wish (or budget) for anything more exotic. He and Dorothy continue to enjoy the Waitemata Branch activities although he says it’s time she renewed her type rating on the car.

John King

Beaded Wheels 19

RESURRECTING A SWINGING ARM

ARIEL SQUARE FOUR WORDS AND PHOTOS STUART FRANCIS

Stuart Francis was on the receiving end of an act of generosity from a friend.

He shares with us the tale of the rebirth of this Ariel.

Back in the 1970s my old mate Tuck had an old grain barn in the UK village of Holt (Wiltshire) that attracted motorcyclists from far and wide. Tuck’s barn was a cornucopia of British motorcycles and parts, with a number of interesting machines and rolling chassis tucked away in the dark recesses under the floor. As one of Tuck’s minions, back in the day, I spent some time under the floor moving machines around. I was always intrigued by what looked like an Ariel Huntmaster, but with an extended top tube and parts of the front down tubes missing. It turned out to be a Huntmaster frame modified to take an Ariel Square 4 motor and gearbox. I helped Tuck move his collection of machines and parts to North Devon (six heavy truck’s worth) in the late ‘80s, and remember wheeling the Ariel rolling chassis under a bench in his new shed, where it remained for the next 30 years.

20 Beaded Wheels

Fast forward 30 years (by which time I had moved to New Zealand) and I was pondering my next project. I was looking for a larger machine that was useable, not too demanding to ride, but sufficiently different to make it stand out. My thoughts immediately turned to Tuck’s modified Huntmaster rolling chassis, concluding it shouldn’t be too difficult to get a Square 4 engine and gearbox, (how naive I was). It turned out that separating surplus Square 4 engines and gearboxes from their owners is like trying to peel super glued limpets off the bottom of a ship. I was looking for the later Mk2 engine with the better cylinder head and four pipes, and a later gearbox. However after some very frustrating false starts I had to settle for a rather expensive partly dismantled two pipe Mk1 and earlier gearbox.

On a trip back to the UK in 2016 I visited Tuck and tried to buy the rolling chassis, he refused to negotiate and just gave it to me,

As it arrived from the UK.

Fork ears.

Home made centre stand.

Filling and rubbing down the tank.

Bottom end.

Cylinder head after repairs.

Front wheel before rebuild.

Primary chaincase replacement dome being machined up.

Rear brake.

another act of kindness for which I will always be grateful. At my sister’s farm I attacked the rolling chassis with a high pressure steam cleaner to meet New Zealand’s strict importation requirements. Years of grease, gunk and debris melted away, revealing a fairly sound frame. The cleansed rolling chassis, plus a hoard of bits acquired on my travels, were boxed up by Oakwood Logistics, and shipped to New Zealand. My confidence in Oakwood Logistics soared when the packing agent turned up on a very tidy Panther Model 75.

Eight weeks later after clearing customs and a bio hazard inspection, the stripped frame was on the bench and I was test fitting the engine bottom end and gearbox. It didn’t look right, the engine was canted up by about 10 degrees, although the extended top tube looked ok. On a positive note the engine and gearbox plates were ok.

I did not like the way the engine was canted up so after a lot of measuring and dithering, I finally got the angle grinder out. The first job was to trim the lower frame tubes just in front of the engine mounts where the tubes started curving up to get the engine and gearbox to sit level. With everything lined up attention turned to the engine and gearbox plates as some of the holes were now slightly out of line with the frame holes. Moving holes sideways involved a lot of filing and then filling in the redundant part of the holes with weld. After several trial fits and double checks everything lined up. The frame and engine plates were then professionally blasted and powder coated.

Attention turned back to the engine bottom end. Taking it apart wasn’t that bad except the two drive gears were a really tight fit, requiring a lot of heat and lot of pulling before they came off. The

Modified frame after powder coating.

only significant issue was the front timing-side main bearing had obviously spun in its housing. With new big end bearings and bolts it all went together quite cleanly. The cylinders and pistons weren’t too bad and after a light hone, some new rings and improvised ring clamps, it all slipped into place. Working on the bottom end I could see glimpses of Turner’s other famous machine the Triumph twin, the cam followers look identical.

The cylinder head was altogether another matter, all the holding down studs had been repaired, one of the spark plugs came out with part of a helicoil attached, and two of the valves were stuck open. Some of the stud repairs were badly done, with helicoil inserts standing slightly proud and burrs around some other holes.

The only sensible thing to do was remove all of the studs, fix the problems and check the head wasn’t warped (a common problem).

One of the studs came out with all the head thread attached to it.

Hours of work, dressing the areas and helicoils that were proud and making a double diameter replacement stud, finally produced a flat cylinder head face. The valve guides were checked with a reamer, two were tight, all of the valve seats were recut and valves ground in.

Fitting the cylinder head correctly is a long tedious job with 20 nuts to fit and tighten in a fixed order. The nuts hidden in the cylinder fins can be a bit fiddly as is getting an even torque setting on them all. Blown cylinder head gaskets have been a problem with Square Fours but modern Otto Super Gaskets, and following the tightening down instructions religiously, can produce a good seal.

The gaskets continued to settle so they were re-torqued after the initial rides during running in.

Beaded Wheels 21

Rear wheel after rebuild.

Disappointing front brake.

Repaired primary chaincase.

The next challenge was the Burman gearbox as once it was fitted none of the chain lines seemed to quite line up. Further checking revealed it was the wrong gearbox, it was from a twin with the input shaft modified, with a crude adapter, to replicate the longer main-shaft needed for a Square Four. I was not best pleased, with a mutilated main-shaft I am unlikely to recover anywhere near what I paid for it. The correct Square Four GB Burman gearboxes are like hens’ teeth and after months of fruitless searching the correct box popped up on Draganfly Motorcycles’ (UK) second hand list. I have never been on the phone so quickly. The box slotted in perfectly and the chain line was much improved and a small amount of shimming got them dead on. I should have stripped the gearbox at this point, perhaps questioned why it was a second hand box, but enthusiasm got in the way and fitting the box allowed a whole host of other jobs to be completed.

The primary chaincase is in three parts, the front half of the inner cover is part of the drive gear cover, the rear inner chaincase bolts onto the front inner cover and a full length outer cover completes the chaincase. The outer covers are prone to damage and the only one I could get had a broken engine shock absorber dome. After cleaning up the damaged area a dome was made that was glued in place with epoxy metal. I did consider welding the geriatric die-cast aluminium but it is extremely difficult to achieve a clean join. The finished job looks slightly different to standard but does not look out of place.

The cylinder head exhaust stubs were badly worn. After weighing up different repair methods, shrinking on thin steel sleeves seemed the best approach which seems to have worked.

Exhaust pipes were stainless steel pipes from Armours (UK). Lining up the pipes with the Huntmaster frame and silencers took a few squiggly bends and a sleeve at the silencer ends due to different pipe diameters. The cut, shut and bent pipes are far from perfect and another set will probably be made when time permits.

The carburettor should be a Solex, but it came with an SU from a Mk2, so a conversion plate was made to accommodate the different mounting bolt positions and bore diameters. I had extensive knowledge of Amal carbs but knew nothing about these small SUs. A rebuild kit and a new damper spring from Draganfly Motorcycles was a good start and it seemed to go together fairly easily.

The clutch cover was a mess, it looked as if somebody had played football with it, an hours’ worth of panel beating got it back roughly in the right shape so it would fit (more of this later). I hope to find a better one on my next trip to the UK.

22 Beaded Wheels

Well on the way.

The lengthened top tube presented a problem with the petrol tank, a standard tank was now too short. Fortunately I had a rather battered BSA A10 tank that seemed to fit after cutting off the front mounting ears (easily replaced). After blasting the tank to bare metal, substantial dents were pulled out and cracks welded up.

The protracted process of priming, filling, rubbing down, priming, filling, rubbing down… took a number of cycles before the tank was ready for a top coat. At this point I should have used tank sealant, but I applied it after the top coat, definitely a mistake! Despite extensive precautions there was a small spill on the paintwork but what was worse the cling film used to protect the paint finish caused fine marks on the new paintwork. After another rub down and repaint, a local car painter applied a coat of two-pack clear spray, the only finish that seems to cope with modern petrol.

The change to the tank also meant the seat had to be altered.

Rather than modify an existing seat I made a new seat base out of 20mm ply. A relatively simple bit of woodworking, with a fibreglass cover over the rear mudguard cut-out. A local vehicle upholsterer made an excellent job of covering the seat but I specified a stepped seat which was a mistake, it was too cramped up for me. I subsequently had the seat recovered with a thicker flat top.

The bulk of the cycle parts are standard Ariel items and didn’t present much of a challenge particularly with the excellent parts availability from Draganfly Motorcycles. I re-spoked and trued the wheels, fitting Hiedenau tyres, with the semi-ribbed K44 - 3.25 x 19 on the front and the block pattern K34 - 4.00 x 19 on the back.

The classic Hiedenau tyres look the part and are made of modern rubber compounds that grip well.

STARTING DIFFICULTIES The first attempts at starting the machine were not promising, the engine being rather stiff to kick over, with intermittent backfires in the exhaust and the SU carburettor occasionally flooding. A quick check with the spark plugs out revealed weak and intermittent sparks. Suspicion fell on the distributor cap, a good clean helped but it was still not right. Fortunately a friend had a brand new Austin 7 distributor cap, the same item as the Ariel. This with a “MagneticPowerNZ” electronic trigger system, produced excellent sparks at all the plugs.

After resetting the carburettor float level the second attempts at starting the machine were an improvement but not by much. As soon as it fired there was sound in the primary transmission like a

The rider’s view.

fire bell going off. After a quick shut down and a bit of head scratching, removing the clutch cover revealed witness marks confirming my suspicion that the clutch was hitting the cover. Attacking the clutch cover again with panel beating hammers and some washers under the mounting screws solved the problem.

Things were going better but a quick ride up the lane revealed that it seemed a bit constipated, didn’t sound right and needed quite a bit of throttle to tick over. I decided to go back to basics and check valve and ignition timing. Removing the front crankshaft end cover (so I could turn over the crankshaft) revealed why the engine had been stiff to kick over. The crank end nut was rubbing on the end cover, some deft work on the lathe soon fixed that.

Turning the engine over revealed the ignition timings were spot on but the plug leads to second and third cylinders had somehow become crossed over. With the leads on the right spark plugs she purred into life first kick, idled nicely and shot up the lane like a scalded cat.

To protect the freshly painted and vulnerable petrol tank all the early tests were undertaken with a small test tank strapped to the top tube. After sorting the problems of fitting the tank and plumbing it in, the rest should have been a doddle. After putting four litres of fuel in there was little or no fuel flow. Initial suspicion fell on the fuel taps, had I bought reserve taps with extended fuel pick-ups? They checked out as normal taps. After some more head scratching I poked a drill up into the tank to find a blockage. I suddenly remembered that these BSA tanks had separate filters that screwed up into the tank and they must now be covered in tank sealant – doh!

Initial test rides were very promising, loads of smooth torque, comfortable sitting position and beautiful sound, however there were some teething problems. Oil leaked profusely from the gearbox, renewing the outer case gasket significantly reduced the flow but it looks as if I should have replaced the inner cover gasket at the same time. The gearbox is notably noisier in third, not an uncommon problem. It will be addressed when the box is taken apart to fix the oil leak. The clutch was dragging a bit but improved with adjustment, although still not right. Another job to address when the gearbox is taken apart. The cylinder head still seems to be settling down requiring the head nuts to be regularly retightened.

Twice, under braking, while turning right into our drive from the main road, the steering seemed to lock and the front wheel felt it was about to slide away, releasing the front brake freed up the steering. After some head scratching, and spotting a witness

mark on the mudguard the penny dropped. With the front forks compressed under braking the mudguard was touching the left hand exhaust pipe however it did not happen when turning left.

Another light bulb moment, the main part of the engine and cylinder block sits about two inches right of the frame centre line because of the crankshaft coupling gears. Slightly shortening the left hand pipe and bending it out to the left created the needed clearance.

The most painful part of getting on the road was the legal process of registering the machine, involving government departments and organisations extracting large sums of money from my wallet. The first part of the process was allocating a 17 digit VIN and attaching a plate with this to the machine. The second part was a Low Volume Vehicle Certification because of the frame modifications and engine change (the nearest motorcycle certifier is 220km away). The absence of a registration document meant applying for alternate document approval. The final part was a compliance check (duplicating most of the LVVC tests), registration and number plate. The final insult was the registration authority insisted it be called an Ariel Huntmaster as this is what it originally was. The total direct cost was $1200 not including transportation and expenses.

So what is it like to ride? After turning on the petrol and pulling up the enrichment lever on the SU carb, a couple of healthy swings normally brings it rustling into life. It can be a bit cold blooded so the enrichment lever is slowly lowered as it warms up. Once fully warm, after a short distance, the engine will settle down to an even tick-over. Unless the clutch has been freed off before starting, first goes in with a very definite clunk. Pulling away is extremely smooth thanks to a progressive clutch and loads of low speed torque. Acceleration is brisk, with none of the harshness usually found with singles and twins. Gear changes are deliberate and best not hurried but given the acres of smooth torque being produced it is not an impediment to swift progress. The machine certainly buzzes along and feels under-geared, I have a sneaking suspicion that it is running on sidecar gearing. I will change that when I take the gearbox apart.

The handling is slightly on the slow side, just right for touring, and the weight distribution, slightly longer frame, and riding position make for a comfortable ride. The machine holds a line nicely and is not easily moved off line by bumps and potholes. The exhaust pipes are slightly further out than the Huntmaster’s and will touch down if pushed but this is not the machine to try to get

Beaded Wheels 23

Carburettor conversion plate.

Cylinder head with built in rockerbox.

Impressive lump.

Crankshaft coupling gears.

your knee down. The only disappointing items are the brakes. On paper and looking at the quality of the shoes and mechanism, they should be good but lack initial bite. Don’t get me wrong, they are more than adequate but they promised more. I had a BSA A10 with the same brakes back in the ‘70s and they were disappointing too, the BSA single sided 8 inch felt much better. I hope the brakes will improve after fully bedding down and further adjustment.

Most swinging arm Square Four specials use the Mk2 engine, that with their four exhaust pipes look different to the Mk1 based machines. The Mk1 with two exhaust pipes and its more conservative looks can initially be confused with a twin. I tried to emphasise this conservative look with the classic mauve and black paint scheme.

Was it worth the all effort and did it meet my original goals? I can answer with a resounding yes. There are a few machines that you immediately feel comfortable on and give you confidence despite a few niggles, this is one of those machines. What would I like to improve? Obviously the brakes and a bit more power.

THE ARIEL SQUARE FOUR The original Square Four engine was designed by Edward Turner in 1928. He was trying to get work as an engine designer with a number of motorcycle manufacturers, using his unique engine design as a calling card to demonstrate his skills. The idea for the engine was considered by BSA but then rejected, however Ariel liked the idea and decided to make it.

The early engine with two transverse crankshafts was essentially a pair of across frame OHC parallel twins joined by their geared central flywheels, with a square four-cylinder block and a single head. With a chain driven overhead-camshaft 500 cc engine, early Square Fours used a hand-change, fourspeed Burman gearbox. The first Ariel Square Four 4F was shown at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in 1930 In 1932, the cylinder bores were enlarged by 5mm to give a capacity of 601 cc, specifically to accommodate owners who wanted to attach a sidecar. This model was used for the Maudes Trophy test, covering 700 miles in 700 minutes, followed by a timed lap of 87.4 mph.

The cammy engine gained a reputation for overheating the rear cylinder heads, so in 1936 the engine was completely redesigned, emerging as the 1937 OHV 995 cc model 4G. The crankshafts of the 24 Beaded Wheels

1931 Ariel 500cc OHC Square Four.

new engine were connected together by coupling gears on the drive side of the engine. In 1939 Ariel’s patented Anstey-link plunger rear suspension was offered as an option. In 1946, the plunger rear suspension was available again, with oil damped telescopic front forks replacing the previous girder forks.

In 1949, the Ariel Square Four Mk1 saw the cast-iron cylinder head and barrel replaced by alloy head and barrel. Saving about 30 pounds in weight, the 1949 machine was still no lightweight, weighing around 435 lb dry. The rather constricted and tortuous inlet tract, small valves, conservative valve timing, low compression ratio and car like combustion chambers, all constrained power to 35 bhp at 5,500 rpm. The Mk I was capable of 90 mph-plus.

In 1953 the four pipe 997 cc Ariel Square Four Mk 2 was released with a re-designed cylinder head to improve cooling and breathing, with four separate exhaust pipes from two castaluminium manifolds and a rocker-box combined with the inlet manifold. The frame was redesigned to accommodate the tall, car-type, SU carburettor and the oiling system was updated with a gear pump (replacing the antiquated plunger pump). The Mk2’s better breathing arrangements still could only produce 40hp and was just capable of 100 mph. It weighed 425 lb and cost £336.16.6.

In 1954, Ariel built a Mk3 prototype with Earles forks and swinging arm, but the model was never put into production. It is believed that the factory also made a couple of other swinging arm prototypes.

The Square Four found a new lease of life in the 1970s when the Healey brothers produced the Healey 1000/4. The brothers had tuned and upgraded the big 1000 cc engines for racing throughout the 1960s and when Ariel ended production of the Square Four they obtained a large assortment of spare parts. The brothers updated the engine with a special camshaft, increased the compression ratio to 7.5:1 and improved the lubrication system, power increased to 52 bhp. Installed in an Egli-style frame (incorporating the oil tank), with Metal Profile forks, the Healey 1000/4 was well received when launched at the 1971 Earls Court Motorcycle Show. It weighed less than that year’s Honda 250, handled well, and achieved a top speed of 126 mph on a road test. But in the mid-1970s the Healey 1000/4 could not compete with the cheaper and faster Japanese superbikes like the Honda CB750. Production ceased in 1977 after 12 bikes were built, the few surviving Healeys are highly sought after.

BOOK REVIEWS developing a successful business restoring warbirds for clients from around the world.

Garth was involved in many businesses, the main one being Pioneer Auto, and within the book are many insights about good business practice that would benefit many a wannabe businessman.

Best book I’ve read this year and highly recommended as a present for the petrolhead in your life.

GO FAST OR GO HOME THE GARTH HOGAN STORY

Author: Tim Hanna Soft Cover, 480 pages, RRP $49.99 Published by Go Fast Publishing ISBN 978-0-473-52887-4 Reviewed by Kevin Clarkson Before I read this book I had only peripheral knowledge of Garth Hogan and his exploits and I guess that is true of many of us.

Let me tell you that this book is a great read and at times I was left gasping at the multitude of activities that Garth could involve himself in at any one time – too many to detail here.

The book details his life right from his early years, and before, and in great detail. Tim Hanna, author of The Legend of Burt Munro, John Britten and One Good Run, has excelled himself once again with his well-written biography detailing Garth’s life. A life which was heavily involved in drag racing and resulted in Garth being the first New Zealander to exceed 200 mph when he set the New Zealand record at 203 mph. When he retired from drag racing in 1993 he still held the New Zealand record which was 263 mph.

Never one to be idle Garth took up flying and this ultimately developed into a desire to fly warbirds and participate in air shows such as Warbirds over Wanaka. This led to his

LIVING THE GOODE LIFE AT FULL THROTTLE

Author: Richard Goode.

Published 2020 by Porter Press, who provided the review copy.

ISBN 978-1-913089-13-9 Review by Mark Holman I know this magazine is called Beaded Wheels, not Beaded Wings, but read on…

In a departure from their excellent motoring titles, Porter Press has published the autobiography of Richard Goode.

Among other things, he has been an international aerobatics competitor, the driving force behind very successful air display teams, and the broker of some amazing deals involving selling Russian aircraft to the West.

Goode also has owned a fascinating selection of cars and made some incredible overland expeditions, in completely unsuitable vehicles such as

a London taxi and an Austin Gypsy! Jaguars have been a special enthusiasm, including an XK120 that shed a front wheel because the owner and friends had put the right-hand front suspension on the left and vice versa! There also were an Aston Martin DB5 which he raced in a muddy autocross, and Ferret armoured cars used as pub transport.

In addition to the usual material you’ll find in an autobiography, the book centres around aviation. After doing pretty well in aerobatics events, Goode focussed on flying displays.

As a pioneer of international executive search (headhunting) he was well paid for many years but running display aircraft isn’t cheap so he arranged sponsorship from Vladivar Vodka (made in England!) and Pace Petroleum. More great anecdotes accompany the aviation parts of the book; some of his experiences operating in Eastern Europe are hair raising!

It wasn’t all fun as his description of more than one serious prang demonstrates, but he was a hard man to keep down.

There’s definitely a lot to enjoy in this nicely-produced 378 page book.

SUPERFINDS

Author: Michael Kliebenstein.

Published 2020 by Porter Press.

ISBN 978-1-907085-89-5.

UK price £90 Review by Mark Holman In recent years there have been quite a few books published about barn finds, but none of them are like this new title from Porter Press.

Fifty to sixty years ago, Corrado Cupellini tracked down hundreds of cars – mostly pretty exotic ones - all around the world and in all sorts of conditions. Many of them were acquired and sold on; he also raced a few of his finds. Cupellini documented these treasures with just a

pocket Minolta camera. Some are immaculate cars in elegant settings; more often it’s a classic that has been left unloved for many years in a shed or in the open.

Within 420 very large pages are about 900 photos selected from some 4000 negatives that Michael Kliebenstein unearthed in an old garage in Italy. What a treasure trove! To take just a few examples, there’s an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was used on a horse race track with a rig in the back, a Maserati 250S from an Italian race driving school and a Bugatti Type 43A chassis that was found in France. Hopefully most of them found appreciative new homes…

As well as Europe and the USA, South America and Africa were promising places for automotive finds, which is why we see a sad Porsche 906 in Dakar. The unexpected appears on almost every page including a cache of Ferrari GP components that Cupellini rescued just before the Scuderia sold them to a scrap merchant. Talking of scrap, how about a Lamborghini Miura alongside a Ferrari 250GT in a French wrecker’s yard?

You can dip in and out of this beautifully-presented publication for hours, admiring Cupellini’s ability to track these cars down and wondering about their before and after stories.

This is a book to treasure.

Beaded Wheels 25

MOTORING MEMORIES

47YG as commissioned by Liston Wilson in 1922.

Here in Auckland, New Zealand.

THE SALVATION OF SILVER GHOST 47YG WORDS AND PHOTOS JOHN STEWART

One day in March 1986 I had a call from good friend and one-time neighbor Trevor Hudson to ask whether I would like to buy a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Hudson was General Manager of European Distributors, a Giltrap subsidiary with the New Zealand Rolls-Royce agency. It transpired he had had a call from an attorney whose client owned the car and was in serious financial difficulty. The bank decreed he must sell the Rolls-Royce to raise the funds and deposit them in the bank within three days to avoid foreclosure on his house.

Although I had spent a good deal of my spare time over many years restoring old cars and motorcycles including Model A Ford, Vauxhall, 3 litre Bentley, Stanley Steamer and many others, never in my wildest dreams had I visualized a Silver Ghost as a project.

However, after some pretty intense negotiations with the lawyer I bought the car for $27,000 and had it transported to my home in Auckland. There was a touching moment when the handover by the owner and his charming wife was taking place. She asked to be excused and shortly after returned to the room with something wrapped in a striped pyjama top. She unwrapped the contents and with tears in her eyes handed me the Flying Lady mascot from the car which she had kept in the bedroom closet for many years.

I soon found that I had taken on a major project that was to dominate my life for a number of years. Before going into that, let me sketch the history of 47YG. The car was commissioned by Liston Wilson, a director of Wilson and Horton, publishers of New Zealand’s largest daily 26 Beaded Wheels

paper, the New Zealand Herald, and came off test on 17 October 1922. Wilson ordered a Barker tourer body, “the same as on his earlier Daimler” which in my opinion was not particularly elegant.

When the car was ready for delivery, Wilson sent his chauffeur to England to participate in Rolls-Royce’s School of Instruction. He duly graduated and returned to New Zealand with the car, known as Gentle Jane, and a large packing case of recommended spare parts, most of which were never used.

After about nine years of use Wilson had the tourer body removed and an upright sedan body built by DSC Cousins and Cousins, a well-established coachbuilder in Auckland. Incidentally, that firm rebodied a number of Silver Ghosts over the years including one as a fire engine and another as an ambulance during WWII. After using the car through the 1930s in sedan form, Wilson sold it circa 1938 to a George Tremayn of Papatoetoe. Tremayn had established himself as a specialist in the repair of Rolls-Royces, and on occasion claimed he was an official Rolls-Royce service

Replacement sedan body built by DCS Cousins and Cousins, circa 1932.

agent, which was not correct. He set about highly modifying the sedan body by lowering it on the chassis, fitting a large built-on trunk, adding new wheels and tyres as well as a new steering wheel, flushing the rivets on the hood, relocating the battery from the running boards to below the floorboards, extending the rear of the body over the springs, and reshaping the guards. He also built a front apron and raised the headlights. The job took three and half years but cost him less than ÂŁ10. The overall result was a much more handsome body of more modern styling. In the redesign the lower body rails were located just above the running boards and were below the front shackle of the rear springs. If in time any attention would ever have to be given to the springs or shackles then the whole side panelling and frame would have had to be removed to access the spring.

During the war and immediately afterwards the car passed through a number of hands, including a vintage car enthusiast, a plumber, a taxi driver, and others. Surprisingly it escaped the ignominy of having a gas producer fitted during the war, the common fate of large-engine cars when New Zealand was desperately short of petroleum products.

In due course 47YG was acquired by Frank Kerslake, a wealthy property developer of Rotorua. Unfortunately the car was stored out in the open and suffered severely from the sulphurous Rotorua atmosphere that turned every bright part jet black, and the damp climate started severe rot in the untreated pine framing of the body. So, this is what I had let myself in for.

On inspection the body was found to be totally beyond repair and could not be removed in one piece. Neither could the panels be readily removed as they were attached by literally thousands of tiny panel pins. The solution was to pass a chain through the back windows, attach it to a tow bar, and rip the rotten body from the chassis. Undignified but practical. All hardware, instruments, and other useful bits were of course carefully preserved. Time

As purchased by John Stewart from F Kerslake, Rotorua, 1 April 1986.

Sedan body of 1932 modified by G Tremayn, circa 1938, pictured used as a taxi

by McKeating in the 1950s.

now to consider design of a replacement body and restoration of the chassis. I had decided I wanted a touring body of somewhat crisper lines than the original Barker and after much research of body styles selected a Barker-type sports tourer but with a slightly lower cowl line. I believe the final result is appealing but acknowledge that the windscreen is about two inches too low.

The engine was found to be totally worn out but the rest of the mechanicals were in surprisingly good order. The back end, gearbox, steering box, and steering gear required no attention.

Wheel bearings and spring shackles needed replacing. The engine appeared as though it had never been dismantled. The crankcase contained an unbelievable amount of thick black sludge. Piston rings were broken, big end and main bearings shot, and pistons worn out. To add to my woes, the previously mentioned Tremayn had removed the air pump and replaced it with an electric fuel pump but had also removed the cylinder wall oiler valve and all the lovely little fittings on the cylinder blocks. The starting carburettor was also gone as was the clutch stop and the firewall-mounted resistance unit. I was fortunately able to borrow all these bits from another Ghost to use as patterns for new castings and have replacements machined. I found an engineer who had recently made patterns and core boxes for a set of Alpine Eagle pistons for an Australian customer and he was happy to repeat the order for me so I ended up with an engine of slightly higher compression. The rest of the engine reconditioning was entrusted to a very skilled engineer who made a superb job of crankshaft grinding, cylinder boring, bearing pouring and so on. I was very fortunate to have the help of Steve Litten, well known these days in US Ghost circles, in the final assembly of the engine.

I would like to interrupt this narration with a little story about him. When the car was at the body builders, for whom Litten was then working, the hub nuts were sent to local electroplaters for attention. Unfortunately the “boy� left them in the stripping bath

Heading for Auckland, April 1986.

Beaded Wheels 27

First stage of body removal for scrap.

Wooden bucks to form guards.

Steel reinforcing scuttle panel. Aluminum panel covers.

Guard fabrication.

over the weekend only to find on the Monday no thread left and much of the splines gone. The car was booked for the Australian Bicentennial Rally which was only a few weeks away. No time to search the globe for replacement hub nuts. Litten to the rescue.

Don’t worry he said, I can fix it. He worked long hours for about four days and produced a beautifully machined set of nuts.

Superb threading and splining and when plated and fitted I would defy anybody to tell the difference from the original. A brilliant engineer and machinist.

I commissioned Gulf Motor Bodies (since closed) to design and build the replacement body. Drawings were produced and construction commenced. The senior body builder on the job was a UK-trained coachbuilder and I need have had no qualms about the quality of the workmanship I was to receive. He did a magnificent job of producing the Southland beech wood frame with all joints glued, screwed, and steel-plated. A concealed steel cowl was fitted between the screen and hood, which was then covered by aluminum panelling. This contributed to a very strong scuttle area so there was no flexing or scuttle shake. In the meantime other tradesmen were producing body panelling, completely new guards, and a new laser-cut firewall as the original had been cut down 2.5 inches each side by Tremayn. New hood tops were made but the old side panels with vents were useable.

While all this was going on I was working on completely stripping the chassis and running gear restoring where necessary and painting. I had been warned that all bolts, attaching brackets and shackles were fitted with the famous Henry Royce 1 in 200 taper and should not be removed as they would not reseat tightly so they were not disturbed. I designed and had constructed a stainless steel silencer and exhaust system to the original dimensions. However, I could not find an exhaust cut-out. The radiator was recored.

The wiring was an interesting project. An immigrant from South Africa had brought with him several Cricklewood Bentleys and also part of the wiring loom from a multi-story elevator. The loom was probably about 40 ft long and consisted of dozens of 28 Beaded Wheels

Chassis ready for installation of engine The engine room as it should be. and body.

color-coded braided wires. I was told to use whatever I wanted.

Selected color-coded wires were removed and a loom to suit all the connections in the car was laid out and roughly taped at various junctions. This was then sent to a VCC member who had very cleverly adapted an old silk stocking machine to braid such looms.

The end result was a very tidy white braided assembly that suited the white of the chassis and body of the car.

Gulf Motor Bodies completed the body to fully painted level, and with the chassis now finished to driveable state the two were reunited. The upholstery, carpeting, and top were dealt with by another firm that used New Zealand vat-died leather for the seats and doors. The original ivory tusk door pulls were used along with ivory door knobs. Back home and the reconditioned instruments were fitted and all the tidy-up jobs dealt with. It was by now January 1988 and only a few days until the shipping deadline to Australia for the rally. We did make time to squeeze in a 200-mile shakedown run. To say I was impressed with the performance is a massive understatement. The car was smooth, relatively quiet, and had prodigious torque. It simply loafed along on the open road and I began to feel that the years of work had all been all worthwhile.

Back to Auckland and into the container the next day and off to Sydney.

This total rebuild had taken just under two years.

With a couple of old friends who were to travel with us on the rally, we picked up the car in Sydney about a week later and set out for Brisbane some 760 miles north by the inland route and the starting point for our chosen route to Canberra. Rain was pouring as we left Sydney and continued for most of the first day. The car performed perfectly. On the second day we continued with the car feeling better all the time until in a totally deserted part of the Outback we failed to proceed. Ignition OK. Fuel supply OK. Time to be concerned. Literally miles from anywhere and approaching late afternoon we were certainly not equipped for a night in the open.

After going over and over all the possibilities I finally decided to dismantle the carburettor. Removed the dashpot—and there was the culprit. The pennysized disk hinged to the dashpot spindle had

Concentrating on the pattern for the top’s frame.

Replacement air pump and cylinder wall oiler valve. New on the left.

At speed, (note flags) Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1988.

worn through the hinge pin and dropped down to close off the gas passage to the manifold. We removed the broken parts of the pin and searched fruitlessly in our tool and spare parts boxes for a piece of wire or something similar to replace the pin. By now we were getting fairly desperate when my wife found a hair clip (or bobby pin) in her handbag. Now, she has never used these items in her life so how it came to in her bag is a total mystery. A bit of cutting and twisting and we had a useable piece of wire. With huge relief we carried on, arriving in Brisbane after dark and totally exhausted.

That piece of hair clip is probably still on the car because I have no recollection of replacing it!

The rally was a hugely enjoyable experience but I will not try your patience by detailing it in this epistle. Suffice it to say that we won the concours in our group, and as a consequence were obliged to enter the final concours where we were runners-up out of 1200 cars. Not bad for a car that had only 200 miles of road test before starting the rally and with an owner who dislikes concours events.

After the rally we continued touring in NSW and Victoria for some weeks and completed over 3000 miles of absolutely troublefree motoring.

In 1993 we again shipped the car to Australia to participate in the first Wholly Ghost tour. Thirty-eight Silver Ghosts and another fabulous tour. Apart from a minor plumbing problem we enjoyed trouble-free motoring again. After returning the car to NZ we travelled to many events throughout the country and never again failed to proceed. However, advancing years and the difficulty in handling even a wheel change determined that I should reluctantly consider selling. On receiving an offer too good to refuse from a fellow club member, I let her go.

After I sold the car it sat in a museum for a number of years and was subsequently sold at auction and found its way to the present owner in the South Island of New Zealand. He has toured it extensively and recently shipped it to Europe for the Alpine Rally reenactment where I understand it performed impeccably.

Apart from the thousands of miles of huge enjoyment from 47YG it also opened the doors to another extraordinary experience.

In December 1991 the famous AX201 (the original 1907 Silver Ghost) was shipped to Auckland for a two-day visit as part of a worldwide publicity tour. A parade through Auckland City had been arranged for which an appropriate driver was required. My Silver Ghost experience was related to Rolls-Royce UK by Trevor Hudson and the company provided me with a Certificate of Authority to drive this fabulous car. Despite its great age I found it easy to drive. Excellent steering, smooth clutch, lots of power on the hills. Not quite as quiet as I expected and a slightly difficult gear change but nevertheless an unforgettable experience.

A VCC member for 55 years, John Stewart records his motoring pedigree.

Before joining the VCC I had owned a number of what today are considered club eligible vehicles but had not considered joining the club. Partly because my impression was that the VCC catered for owners of WO Bentleys, 30/98 Vauxhalls and other exotic vehicles which I imagined I had no hope of owning. However my view changed after participating in the 1960(?) Morrinsville Rally in my Stanley steam car. I had a great time, met some nice people and sometime later joined up.

Since I was 15 I have owned something in the order of 30 veteran, vintage, and classic cars and motorcycles, the majority of which I restored.

Included were: 1905 1 cyl Cadillac, two Model A Ford roadsters, a Stanley steam car, 1916 Dodge, Hudson project, three Vauxhall 14/6 one of which was a Holden-bodied 4 door tourer, very original 1926 Rover 9, early Morris 10, 1935 Nash. 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn drophead, 1932 RR 20/25 sedanca, 1922 RR Silver Ghost, 1926 WO 3 litre Bentley, 1949 Mk6 Bentley.

1952 R Type Bentley, 1935 Ford V8 coupe, 1962 Ford Zephyr, 1962 Ford Zodiac, and seven Scott motorcycles. Every one has a story to tell. My last and probably most important restoration was an 1898 MMC, De Dion tricycle. This vehicle, or remains, had been in my family for approx. 110 years having been taken as a trade-in from John Bidwill of Featherston by my father, on a new car. I completed a mint condition total restoration Throughout, my wife of 68 years, Maureen, has shared my enthusiasm for the hobby and at one time or another, drove all the cars but none of the motorcycles. Great club and lots of great people.

John Stewart

Beaded Wheels 29

EXCELSIOR BIG X Words Bob Bullock

Occasional contributor Bob Bullock ruminates on the splendid portrait of the Beary family aboard the Excelsior Big X motorcycle/sidecar combination featured on page two of Beaded Wheels 355.

The motor is a 45 degree V twin of 1000 cc or 61 ci capacity of Iinlet overhead, side exhaust (ioe) design. A robust three speed gearbox debuted in 1915 along with valanced fenders and a more shapely, rounded fuel tank. The Excelsior big twins were handsomely finished in rich pearl grey paintwork highlighted by maroon tank panels, outlined with gold striping and gold lettering on the name transfers, while scarlet striping adorned the front fork tubes. Cylinders along with many small cycle parts were nickel plated. 1917–1919 models were painted military olive drab with the maroon tank panel, while the 1920 Series 20 Big Xs were finished in rich dark blue with gold striping and grey wheels. They also shared the trailing link forks used by big Excelsior/Henderson four cylinder bikes. With suitable low gearing, the big twin sidecar outfits from Harley-Davidson, Indian and Excelsior (in production number order) made excellent, economical family transport.

However once the mass produced, low cost, Ford Model T began rolling off the production line and into dealers’ showrooms complete with easy, affordable time payment plans, the days of family oriented motorcycle transport soon drew to a close. The motorcycle companies began looking for alternative ways to bolster flagging sales numbers and began marketing their products along sporting lines, join a club, enjoy weekend trips away with fellow motorcyclists. A hundred years down the road, little has really changed from that mantra today.

With the advent of even larger capacity 1200cc, 74 ci twins from Harley-Davidson and Indian in the early 1920s, plus the introduction of the Excelsior/Henderson 1301cc four cylinder Model K in 1920, the smaller capacity Big X began to slide in popularity and demand. Estimates of only about 500 sales from 1920 through to 1924 saw the Big X dropped from production at the close of the 1925 season with a lowly 22 sold. However, all was not lost for 30 Beaded Wheels

the Excelsior twins, as the company debuted their new, groundbreaking 750cc, 45 ci small twin, the Excelsior Super X, in 1925.

The smallest member of the so-called American big three motorcycle companies, successfully set a new benchmark standard with their forward thinking unit-construction 45 ci ioe twin, which also featured almost ‘life-time’ reliability with a fully enclosed, oil bath sealed, helical gear, primary drive system. It would be remiss of me not to mention that Indian had already debuted this system on their 600cc Scout in 1920. The downside of the helical gear system was the expensive machining cost, plus, after large mileage, the worn teeth could develop an objectionable whine. While the other two big players in the motorcycle market feigned indifference to this new upstart, they were soon in catch-up mode, with Indian and Harley-Davidson unveiling their own models in 1927 and 1929 respectively. By early 1931, the ageing Excelsior CEO Ignaz Schwinn, tired of the roller-coaster motorcycle game and very real depression-era market vagaries, suddenly decided to cease all motorcycle production. He and his son Frank W continued on with Schwinn bicycle production for many years.

Returning to the featured bike in the period photograph overleaf, I would estimate it to be of 1916 manufacture as 1917–1919 models were painted military olive, and had additional front fork side bracing for added strength. The bike is the optional non-electric model, equipped with acetylene gas headlight and taillight.

The gas generator canister can be seen clamped to the top, front sidecar brace tube, with a couple of feet of rubber tubing coiled around the left handle-bar, extra tubing would be routed back to the rear taillight. The hand operated, rubber bulb horn can also be seen mounted on the left handlebar, close to the rider’s hand ready for a quick honk should it be required.

In the US, the 1917 electric Big X listed at $295, while the nonelectric model sold for $265.

Referring to the handlebar cross brace, it serves a couple of purposes. Namely to give added strength to the long and wide bars, especially beneficial when countering the ergonomic stresses imposed when piloting a fully laden sidecar rig. The electric horn frequently adorned the centre position or it could be moved sideways, allowing for a spotlight to be clamped to the other side, very handy for long distance night riding. However it primarily serves as a secure base to clamp the magneto advance/retard and carburettor throttle outer cables to. The long metal handlebar outer sleeves when rotated, push or pull the thick piano wire inner cables, thereby operating the magneto or carburettor settings. See the recent photo of my latest acquisition/restoration project, a 1925 low-frame Excelsior Super X 45 ci V twin (ex Norm/Grant Dewson, Southland bike) for reference purposes. The two bright plated outer cable clamps can be clearly seen at either end of the cross brace, the rusty right-hand outer sleeve is also fitted. Although almost invisible from this distance, there is a small, elongated metal block welded at the top of the sleeve, close to the inner cable operating arm. Two small threaded holes on each block allow for securing a small electrical cutout button, one is for operating the electric klaxon horn, while the other serves as the magneto cutout. A rubber handgrip, embossed with the logo “X-X” is firmly pushed onto the rider’s end of the outer sleeve. One final note, the Super X handlebars are perhaps more of a modern, contemporary buckhorn style, with the cross-brace nearly halfway along the bars, as compared to the original big twin, equipped with its long wheelbarrow style tiller handlebars that remained through till the end of Big X production.

The headlight is mounted via two curved, support rods to the front of the handlebar base. The detached sidecar sits in the background.

Once the bike is completed I intend to compile another history/ restoration article covering the wider Excelsior story.

Finally, back to our photo again; they say a picture equals a thousand words, so what can we deduce from this one? It would appear that the family is about to embark on a summer day trip, with no oilcloth or wet weather protection visible (I doubt mum and the kids would even venture out if inclement weather was forecast).

The outfit is still relatively clean, with no copious amounts of road grime or mud spattered on the sidecar body (remember, these were the days of gravel or dirt roads that turned to mud when it rained), not to mention the exhaust emissions from the many horse drawn vehicles still plying the roads back then, plus the added hazards of countless horseshoe nails that littered the roads. Some motorcyclists even resorted to fitting nail~catcher scraper devices to their fenders. The bright midday sun shines harshly on a couple of inclined faces. The children, with eager looks of anticipation of a day’s adventure, are suitably well dressed with coats and warm headgear, essential once underway in the chilling breeze. Mum looks cheerful enough, finally all ready for the time of departure, her wide-brimmed hat shielding her eyes from the overhead sun. The older girl behind dad, appears to be sitting sideways on a modified wooden chair base, that could be easily attached/ detached to the rear carrier. The wooden base is well padded to absorb road shocks from the rigid rear frame and high pressure, beaded edge tyre. The sidecar frame mounted, gas generator would be cleaned out, ready for a fresh charge of calcium carbide pellets, with the upper chamber topped up with sufficient fresh water, ready for any unexpected night riding should the trip be delayed.

Dad has a determined look on his face, perhaps thinking, its time to go, doubtless hoping there are no punctures or mechanical

Loose or flapping clothing creates unnecessary wind drag, perhaps not necessary with this large, unfaired sidecar rig, breakdowns along the way. Excelsior sales brochures show a spare wheel fixed to the rear of the sidecar body, but it is not visible in this case. His dependable, much used, white riding coat is buttoned at the neck, while the lower portions are firmly tucked away from the soon-to-be-hot motor, by his legs. Loose or flapping clothing creates unnecessary wind drag, perhaps not necessary with this large, unfaired sidecar rig, but nevertheless, it’s another indicator of a seasoned rider. The capacious left hand coat pocket is well rounded, although sagging down with weight in it, possibly a spare inner tube or a new set of spark plugs securely wrapped in a large cleaning rag. Such fragile items would soon be rendered useless if they were consigned to the frame mounted toolbox. Other items of clothing worn or riding accessories of the day, include the almost compulsory, rearward facing cap, heavy long pants (with oilcloth leggings for winter use) and a stout pair of leather shoes or boots.

Two other essential items not observed in the photo, are the rider’s goggles and a pair of long leather gloves/gauntlets. The VCC Canterbury Branch motorcycle fraternity would probably still retain memories of well known local legend, Ray Shearman, aka the Red Baron, and his fleecy lined, leather muff equipped, 1919 Indian Powerplus, which I am lead to believe acquired the slightly, eyebrow raising title of The Flying Camel. The local Nelson owner of said motorcycle assures me he can vouch for their heat retaining qualities. The lack of goggles and gloves in this instance could indicate a short trip is on the cards, or possibly once the photograph is taken, the rider duly dons his final pieces of riding gear, kickstarts the big Excelsior twin into life and with a well practised flourish, engages first gear, while simultaneously casting a final glance over his precious cargo, at the same time releasing either of the dual hand/foot operated clutch and finally moving out into some welcome cooling breeze. It’s time to go.

Thanks to David Macready for submitting this charming, period photo. It is of a time in motoring history when this was viewed as the norm, a fun, family day out on a big motorcycle combination.

The arrival of the low cost Ford T, mass produced automobile a few short years later, heralded the end of an era, but also ushered in a new one at the same time. Time stands still for no one.

Beaded Wheels 31

A VIRTUAL LONDON – BRIGHTON WORDS LEON SALT PHOTOS ANNE HAMILTON

While visiting the UK in 2013, Doug and Anne Hamilton participated as spectators in the London – Brighton Rally. Doug enjoyed the experience enough to decide that he would purchase a pre-1905 vehicle and compete himself.

He duly purchased a 1904 Model B Cadillac from Australia, built and fitted a tonneau style rear passenger section, and invited Brendda and I to join them on the 2017 London – Brighton run. Then followed the lengthy process of having this vehicle accepted by the RAC dating committee.

Documentation was forwarded with proof of the date of completion of this specific vehicle being just before Christmas, 1904.

However, the dating committee declined the application as this vehicle did not leave the factory until 12 January 1905.

Frustrated and disappointed, Doug then explored the possibility of borrowing a vehicle for the run eventually coming to an arrangement with David Arrigo of Malta who owned Malta’s first motorcar, a 1904 Model B Cadillac which had twice previously entered the London-Brighton.

Doug took delivery of the car in London, the day before the rally. We took a short drive around the back streets of Chelsea which caused us some concern as it seemed to lack power. An investigation did not reveal the cause but not having a facility to enable a more thorough search for the likely problem, we hoped it might come right.

Before dawn on Sunday 5 November 2017, clothed in many layers, we headed for Hyde Park and assembled on Serpentine Rd alongside 603 other vehicles. Dawn revealed a cloudless sky and at 7.55 am in car number 350, we left the start.

Spectators, including a number of Kiwis who cheered as they saw our flag, lined the start and the streets as we motored through

32 Beaded Wheels

Driver Doug Hamilton, Anne Hamilton (in pink) with Brendda and Leon Salt.

and past London’s best known landmarks.

At a set of traffic lights near Clapham Common our car spluttered and stalled.

With the help of bystanders we pushed it onto the footpath and managed to get going again. Unfortunately, on the A217 at Rose Hill, we came to a halt with roadworks ahead. The wee Cadillac which was still running rough, was certainly unhappy to sit idling and hardly moving for what must have been close to an hour. Finally, just as it seemed we may clear the hold-up, the car decided it had had enough. Try as we might, we could not get her to fire. We were just a couple of miles from Redhill where a workshop had been opened for entrants to make repairs or work on their vehicles. We phoned the RAC breakdown service and were told we could expect help within half an hour but despite further calls none was provided. Sadly, a fatal accident involving a 1902 Mercedes and several other vehicles caused the breakdown services to be diverted. Finally, the Clerk of the Course came through and advised us to arrange our own transport through to Brighton as he was now closing the course.

Although we enjoyed what we completed of the rally, we were disappointed not to finish, as was David Arrigo back in Malta. When the car returned, David discovered that the problem was with the linkages to the advance-retard lever which had vibrated loose, something we may have found had we reached the workshop at Redhill. We had been unable to advance the spark sufficiently to give the power we needed.

Fast-forward three years and Covid-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 London – Brighton. This time, the organisers decided on running a virtual London – Brighton, inviting people to participate in an event of their choosing, on Sunday 1 November, wherever that may be. We agreed with Doug that we should, so he proceeded to lodge an entry. This time there was no problem having his vehicle accepted by the dating committee and he was given entry number 864.

Our course took us from the Hamilton’s home in Scotts Landing to the Salty Dog Pub in Snells Beach. With flags flying and dressed for the part but wearing far fewer layers than we did in England, we set off. The passengers alighted to walk up one steep hill while Doug coaxed the Cadillac to the top but the remainder of the journey was accomplished with ease and with waves and toots from an appreciative public along the way. After a celebratory luncheon and suitably refreshed, we completed the return trip.

2017 London-Brighton, 1904 Cadillac.

A round up of notable rallies and events from around our branches Buick at the Alexandra Blossom Festival Parade.

Lloyd and Gwen Ewing ( Nelson), Lloyd and Gwen also attended our first blossom rally in a Chevrolet truck in 1974.

RALLY SNIPPETS BLOSSOM RALLY 2020

Central Otago Branch Words Graham Taylor and Don and Lynne Yeaman Photos by Lynne Yeaman One of the highlights of the Central Otago calendar is their annual Blossom Rally. It is always an amazing day out enjoying the delights of spring, this year we have reports from two entrants. s Central Otago: Ian McKenzie’s Mercedes.

Central Otago: A very nice 1933 Dodge.

s

Central Otago: Veteran Dodge in historic surroundings.

Graham Taylor We had 24 cars from Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and Southland and 12 locals.

The rally was divided into two routes.

We took the route from Earnscleugh over the hills to Bannockburn via the Hawkesburn, a real Central Otago experience. We visited the Como vineyard which is a fascinating experience. As to the results, as I was the navigator we didn’t have a hope. Question: what was on the cover of Beaded Wheels ? Well I often pick up and enjoy Beaded Wheels but all I could think of was a veteran and daffodils, I had admired Avon Hyde and his effort at Hadstock, didn’t click, and there he was with the Austin Special. The moral of this story, if nothing else, memorise the front cover of the latest Beaded Wheels it is a sure bet that that will come up again.

The Yeaman’s version of the Rally.

We had decided that we were not going to take part in the parade this year so we headed to Clyde for a quiet lunch with John and Wendy Martin at the Old Post Office instead.

After lunch we consulted our rally instructions and decided to take Earnscleugh Road from Clyde to Alexandra and start the rally from there instead of trying to negotiate the busy streets of Alexandra to the start. The first check point was at Fraser Dam where we sort-of answered the questions asked by the marshal Alan Porter. We then turned around and drove back to Earnscleugh Road.

At this stage the rally split into cross country and scenic routes. Due to the lack of clearance on the TR2, we took the scenic route which was mostly sealed roads. This took us to Clyde and past the dam to Cromwell. We then headed toward Bannockburn via Lowburn Valley Road and Pearson Road, then into Felton Road with a stop at the Bannockburn Sluicings.

From here we made our way back to the clubrooms on Litany Street where we were asked more questions which we did not answer very well.

The rally route was well set out and took us through a lot of orchard areas in blossom, and the weather even held up for us, a bit windy but dry.

We were the first ones back to the clubhouse and as the weather was packing up, we decided to make a quick trip back

Beaded Wheels 33

s

to Wanaka and swap vehicles for a more comfortable Toyota Prado. We made it back to the club rooms in time for the prize giving but of course none of the prizes came our way.

The swap meet the next morning did not fare so well. We were back at Cromwell at about 7:30am to help set up and were greeted by rain and wind. Things did pick up as the day went on and we did get the occasional bit of sun. Due to the weather, we did not get many stalls/trailers with goods for sale but we did have a reasonable number of people through the parts sheds and a few sales were made.

HUNUA 100

This year’s Hunua 100 rally started with a successful garden party and a spares and book sale on the Saturday prior to the rally.

Life Member, Norm Dewhurst, presented Sixty Year Awards to Alan Roberts and George Mihaljevich. The pre-rally dinner at the clubrooms was well attended.

The rally itself attracted a wide variety of vehicles, the most impressive of these being Philip and Caroline Henley’s 1913 Mitchell 60hp. Philip could write a book about the issues he had getting compliance, but that’s all behind him now.

Steve Keys brought his 1930 Packard 640 along to the start, after many years hibernation in the former Monterey Park museum. Steve wants to sort some things before longer distance driving. A rare car for New Zealand was Don Willans’ 1976 Chrysler Centura. These were a combination of Rootes Group and Simca design and technology, but the original 16/1800cc engines were considered too small for the Australian market, so a Valiant engine was substituted. There was a reasonable motorcycle entry and pre-war entrants amounted to about forty percent of the field.

The rally started at Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bus, and after some suburban roads around Ardmore and Papakura, travelled into more rural country around to the lunch stop at Pokeno. The afternoon section travelled to Onewhero before heading back to Tuakau and the outskirts of Pukekohe and on to the finish at the Karaka Hall. It was very pleasing to see Neil and Jan Bieleski completing the run in their 1926 Renault NN 8hp, the smallest and least powerful car in the rally. This car has been in Neil’s family since new.

34 Beaded Wheels

s Auckland: Steve Keys, 1930 Packard 640.

s Auckland: Neil Bieleski’s 1926 Renault NN.

s Auckland: Don Green, 1973 Norton Commando with Peter Alderdice, 1954 Ariel in the background.

Auckland: Don Willans, 1976 Chrysler Centura.

s Auckland: Mike and Sue Coleman’s Bentley Mk VI

s Auckland: Philip Henley, 1913 Mitchell 60hp.

s

Auckland Branch Words John Stokes Photos by John Stokes and Gavin Welch

s Auckland: Gavin Welch, 1934 Ford Y.

The competitive rally was based on observation, entrants had to be aware of upper and lower case road signs, and a keep left instruction which saw entrants arrive at manned checks from different directions, only one of which was correct.

There was also an emphasis on observing the straight ahead rule, while not crossing the centre line.

Gavin Welch and Sophie Zhao were overall winners in the 1934 Ford Y. Class winners were Michael and Elizabeth Hillier 1930 Ford Model A, Wayne and Carrie Roberts 1924 Velie, John and Janice Gardner 1949 Ford Anglia, Alan and Shaaran Price 1965 Vauxhall VX, Dianne and Virginia Poole 1967 Vauxhall Victor and Peter Alderdice 1954 Ariel Square Four motorcycle.

FAR NORTH TOUR Northland Branch Words and photos Trevor Reilly The 48th running of The Far North Tour in early November saw 50 cars and 110 people experiencing a mixture of good sealed and gravel roads, and a section of pot-holed rough gravel. Hopefully it showed those who had not experienced our Northland roads before what we often see as normal.

Friday evening meal was time for a get together and issue of goody bags.

A fine Saturday saw the cars and passengers heading west before turning north onto the first of gravels then a long section of seal before more gravel, that needed repair work. These conditions showed up some of the faults that the rough ride often brings out in the older cars.

The lunch venue was the Okaihau country hall with food furnished by the local Lioness’ club.

After lunch the second section was more seal and gravel until the afternoon

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

s A variety of cars at the evening meal venue.

s Not a modern in sight. Friday evening.

tea stop was at the evening meal venue.

Eighty attended the evening meal and participated in good fellowship and the raffle draw.

Lock ring Heavy and light.

Now available

s Friday evening get together at the Northland clubrooms.

There were 11 vintage, 12 post vintage, 9Â post war, 16 P60 and two P80 vehicles.

The comments from the participants after the event indicated that it was a very enjoyable and successful run.

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

Well base Rolled edge.

All sizes

Beaded Wheels 35

RALLY SNIPPETS

NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY GORE BRANCH OCTOBER 2020 Words and Photos Bill Sheedan

Every club has to have at least one motivator for it to thrive otherwise it will wither and cease to exist. A few years ago our branch member Keith Nunn said “why don’t we hold a South Island Easter Rally.” The branch got behind him and a successful rally was held…

Rex and Carrol Baxter in their 1915 Model T in front of the tulips.

The author’s 1914 Saxon leaving Marairua.

Homestead

John Taylor approaching the start point in his 1912 Fiat 252B.

36 Beaded Wheels

Old cars being enjoyed by one of Gore VCC’s founding members, Neil McVicar.

Greg Elder’s V8 Cadillac.

About three years ago he did it again. “We don’t see many veteran cars about now. Why don’t we hold a National Veteran Rally?” Our veteran owners and enthusiasts with Paul Herron as director got a committee together and, with the club behind them, held a very successful veteran weekend.

Old acquaintances were renewed and new ones formed on the Friday night (16 October) meet and greet with the help of solid and liquid refreshments. With so much to catch up, talk it was difficult to hear but they quietened down to hear Paul’s briefing of the weekends planned events.

Saturday morning saw 54 veteran entries, including five motorcycles, ranging from a 1903 Oldsmobile (Ian Close) to a 1918 Hudson seven seater (Ray Miller) lined up on one of Gore’s main streets.

The public enjoyed the spectacle in pleasant conditions until 10am when we were flagged away by Mayor Tracy Hicks.

With a choice of a long or short run we travelled on mostly secondary roads until our lunch stop at Marairua Homestead where we parked up in their extensive grounds. In 1866 building of the homestead commenced. It was situated on 1778 acres of fertile freehold land, a fitting site for our veteran cars almost 140 years later.

After a leisurely lunch we departed for a photo shoot with a paddock of one of Southland’s export crops in full spring flower as a backdrop. An estimated 175 million tulip bulbs are exported to markets around the world each year.

We then motored on to our next and final stop where we were amazed and fascinated by the creations of club member Gary Mikkelsen. Among the results of his handiwork was a motorbike powered an early Lister engine, originally stationary but now powering the bike. Another bike was powered by three Villiers mower engines mounted in line. Clever.

We returned to the clubrooms for a barbecue tea then it was a night out at the movies. So we could enjoy ourselves without risk we were bussed from our various accommodation and transported to the movie theatre for a nostalgic look at Gore by Selwyn Toogood before the main feature, Genevieve.

Sunday morning saw us at the show grounds competing in the field tests using the skills of both navigator and driver. The

usual throw the balls at a target then go fishing with a magnet, position your wheels on the rope test then finally position a hat at the correct height for your navigator. Interesting tests that were enjoyed by contestants and the public alike. An outstanding effort here by Greg Elder’s navigator Daphne helped propel him to overall winner.

Dinner and prizegiving was held in the evening amid good company and good humour. Our National President, Diane Quarrie, gave us an update on club matters and a rousing talk on membership and attracting new members.

The Gore Branch is grateful for the support of entrants, some who travelled great distances in varying conditions to get here. Without your support it would not have happened.

NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY 2020 WINNERS Overall Winner Ian McLean Trophy Greg Elder 1917 Cadillac Type 55 1 or 2 Cylinders Ashley and Gwen Bell 1912 Renault AX 4 Cylinder under 20hp Russell Jenkins 1910 Clement Bayard tourer 4 Cylinder over 20hp Greg Elder 1917 Cadillac Type 55 Motorcycle Fixed Drive Ray McCulloch 1911 Abingdon King Dick Motorcycle with Clutch Stewart Russell 1914 BSA Model K William McLean Trophy – Peoples’ Choice Ian Close 1903 Oldsmobile Model R McLean Motor Car Act Teams’ Trophy Dodgillacs – Allan Hardacre, Rob Ross, John Callesan National Veteran Rally Achievement Award Ian Close 1903 Oldsmobile Model R Conlon Trophy Bruce Shadbolt 1904 L’Etoile Best Period Dress Shirley Shadbolt Appreciation Award – B ruce McDonough, McDonough Contracting Ltd Marairua Homestead, Lex and Christina Glover

Mataura Pony Club helps out at the National Veteran Rally 2020 Words John Parish

The 2020 National Veteran Rally Gore-based organising committee was approached by the Mataura Pony Club to see if they could be involved. The Pony Club has close ties to Marairua Homestead at Tuturau near Wyndham and this was to be the lunch destination for the rally.

The homestead’s owners are involved with the Pony Club.

After some discussion it was agreed the Pony Club members could help direct the cars and assist organisers, then after lunch put on a display in the

arena. The committee had been made aware that the VCC had Youth Grant money available for groups of young people who helped at national events, so we put in an application and had a positive response within a week.

The kids were decked out in hi-viz vests, and performed their marshalling duties with aplomb.

interest to the rally and provided positive feedback from the participants. The kids loved seeing the veteran vehicles and for them putting on the display was the icing on the cake. The Gore Branch would like to thank

the VCC for making Youth Grants available to help foster young people’s involvement in our vintage car club events.

Most of the rally participants lined the rails of the arena to watch the display and applaud the jumping prowess of the youngsters. Involving the Pony Club added another facet of

Beaded Wheels 37

THE JOYS OF OWNING

MY FIRST CAR (PART TWO)

WORDS AND PHOTOS ROGER DOUGLAS Way back in the August/September 2017 issue, I regaled you with my experiences of ‘My First Car’, a 1937 Austin Seven Ruby. At the end of that article, I left you hanging with the sentence, “Later came the fly wheel rumble, but that is another story.” After that I got sidetracked with the Austin A70 saga.

Time has marched on, and I now have reached the even riper age of 81. If I don’t tell you about the flywheel rumble soon, I may forget. But age is only a number.

It must have been back in 1958 that my pride and joy, the Austin Seven Ruby, taught me a lot about dismantling and reassembling small internal combustion engines. Having got this little car’s engine running beautifully, I was quite proud of myself. But pride goeth before a fall. I didn’t realise that more trouble lay ahead.

About a week after getting mobile again, I cranked the old girl up, and while it was idling, I heard this ominous low-pitched rumbling sound. What now? Discussed it with various friends to no avail.

OK, back to my local mechanic. What do you reckon is causing this John? My boy, he says, with a big grin on his face, you don’t have a screw loose, you have a loose flywheel.

Oh no! After all that work, I have to take the engine out again.

Now Mr. Austin had another little difference with the design of the attachment of the flywheel. As I recall, most engines have the flywheel bolted onto a flange which forms the back end of the crankshaft. But not Mr. Austin.

His crankshaft finished with a taper, a keyway and a threaded portion for a single big hex nut. Fitted under the nut is a large washer with a tab which you bend over one of the hex nut’s faces to lock the nut in place.

To fit the flywheel, you insert the key in the keyway, line up the key slot in the flywheel, and quietly push the flywheel on. Easy eh? Then fit the lock washer and hex nut and tighten up the whole assembly. Not forgetting to fold the lock tab over and tap it down.

Now here is where I went wrong, as I came to understand much later. I had never heard of a torque wrench, let alone used one.

And I had no idea that that nut had to be, in contractor’s language, “bloody tight”. Remember, I had planned to be a carpenter, not a mechanic.

So up to Seabrook Fowlds in Symonds Street and buy another lock washer. All good.

The weather is fine on Saturday morning, so I’ll take the engine out, tighten the flywheel, and put it all back together. Six hours later I had it all done. Wasn’t too hard. I mean, drain the water remove the radiator, remove the front bonnet grille, take up the floor boards, disconnect the drive shaft, unbolt the gearbox and remove, unbolt the clutch and remove. Remove all the peripherals from the engine, and lift it out. One person can do that. Fit the new lock washer, tighten everything up, and put it all back together. No great problem really.

Start her up and she’s quiet as a mouse, the flywheel that is. Oh yes.

Two days later the rumble was back. Must be that pesky lock washer. I’ll have to do it all again.

Back up to Seabrook Fowlds, Austin Seven flywheel lock washer please. Off I go.

The next Saturday, I did it all again. Bit quicker this time, only four hours. The problem was not yet solved. I became a bit of a joke in our street. What are you doing this weekend Roger I was often asked, usually with a grin?

In all I did the engine removal four times. Muggins was a sucker for punishment. I think I set a record the final time as I completed the whole procedure in only two hours. Practice makes perfect.

Yes, a torque wrench is a must when assembling engines. End of story.

s

s Gutted.

38 Beaded Wheels

Austin Seven in original blue.

s Backache territory.

CAPTAIN’S LOG

Motoring action from the VCCNZ 2016 Festival

The little town of Taihape tucked away in the highlands of the Central North Island, will come alive in April 2021 to sound of a traditional lone piper for the opening of the inaugural Highland Fling Rally.

By the time you read this column, barring any unforeseen challenges due to COVID, you will have in your hot little hands the entry form and information pack.

VERO INTERNATIONAL

FESTIVAL OF HISTORIC MOTORING

January 2022? That’s so far in the future it’s not worth thinking about just yet. Or is it?

By the time you are reading this, the 2022 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring will be a mere 13 months away. In six months (give or take) entry forms will be distributed.

So best you use the Christmas break to get out in the shed and get that “I might take this to New Plymouth” project back on track – you’ve got a year to get it done. The “I’ll give this thing a bit of a birthday before the festival” vehicle is sitting expectantly with its cake and party hat, birthday time is here.

When your children and grandchildren arrive at your place for the international festival of gluttony (aka Christmas) why not get them into your car or motorcycle. Not in the passenger seat… toss them the keys and get them to go for a drive. It just might

get them enthused enough to want to come to New Plymouth with you. Or if you have a spare eligible vehicle in the shed (which I suspect 95% of us do), get them to join up and join in. It’s a win all-round. Sharing your passion and time with family (or friends) is always rewarding. The more entrants we get for the festival will make for a greater spectacle and atmosphere on the roads of Taranaki. And getting the next generation involved is the best and easiest way to ensure the long term survival of our Club.

The committee of the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring wishes you all a safe and merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in Taranaki.

Greg Terrill Festival Director

Sunday 16 to Friday 21 January 2022, start planning now.

Co-organiser of the Highland Fling Alastair Jones has this to say…”Our hopes of being able to push the reset button and then GO have suffered a couple of setbacks, but the enthusiasm of all the potential entrants has softened the blow.

Unfortunately Safari Motel has now been bought by the Government for emergency housing, making it just a bit more difficult to accommodate those who want to partake in back-country motoring at its best. If you were booked there and find it difficult to locate alternative accommodation there is a community newspaper which we will use to try to find residents who may be keen to help out with temporary accommodation such as billets or unlisted Airbnb. Our initial goal of 100 entries would be easily exceeded, however the limiting factor is the number of beds Taihape can muster up, so rest assured we want to find ways to meet this shortfall.

We have also been gazumped by the initial Saturday lunch providers, who during lockdown accepted a wedding booking at the idyllic spot we had chosen by the Rangitikei River. The good news is that with a school in the area with a roll of only seven pupils, and not too many options for fund-raising, the locals have accepted the challenge of feeding possibly over 200 ravenous motorists. Then to top it all off, one of the farms we were going to travel through, has been sold during lockdown.

Fingers are crossed that the new owners will honour the arrangement we had.

We are 100% positive these are only minor setbacks and nothing for you, the potential entrant, to be concerned about.

We are looking forward to hosting you and showing you what magnificent motoring country there is for veteran and vintage vehicles in the centre of the North Island” Another event of interest on 8 – 11 September 2021 will be the Club Captain’s Tour. It is my turn to plan this event which will kick off in Tauranga and will be combined with the Bay of Plenty Branch annual First of the Summer Wine Tour. This format worked very successfully on my last tour.

Information and entry forms will be sent to all branches early next year.

Since lockdown any member that has organised a rally or two for next year will know that members’ positive responses and support for these events is heartening.

It is obvious we all just want to start our engines and get out there and motor, everyone is chomping at the bit to take on a little bit of challenging off-road motoring.

Please keep up this momentum and your fantastic enthusiasm through to January 2022, to participate in our International Festival of Motoring.

Kaaren Smylie North Island Club Captain

Beaded Wheels 39

ARCHIVIST NEWS Our club archive is located at the VCCNZ National Office in Christchurch. The Club archive is open to visitors on Friday mornings.

It contains a wealth of historic material, a lot of which has been digitised. It is well worth a visit or if you have any queries do get in contact with our current archivist Don Muller phone 03 385 6850 or archvist@vcc.org.nz.

A member of the public recently made contact with the Archive, wanting to find a good home for an owners’ handbook that he had. He also mentioned that he was seeking information about an Automobile Association cup they had found while cleaning out a relative’s house in Auckland.

The cup turned out to be presented by the Canterbury Automobile Association, to H Lane in 1912 for a gymkhana event.

or similar, use the date filters, ie. 1923-1930. I am sure you will be pleased with what you find.

I entered the appropriate key words, and there was all the information, when and where the AA Gymkhana was being held, as well as a report on who won the various events. This was great and I was able to pass on the information to the AA cup’s new owner.

The same person also sent me a photo of H Lane triumphantly sitting in a 1929 Morris Minor in Wellington after a successful drive of 476 miles from Auckland to Wellington on 1 October 1929, achieving 64.72 mpg. Without any information on this event I once again used Papers Past to search, with success, finding numerous results from different New Zealand newspapers.

I also found a reference to H Lane driving a Saxon car to Hanmer in 1918, when he was a salesman at Dexter & Croziers Christchurch.

At the Archive we have a collection of cups on loan from the Canterbury AA. One of these on display is the Gilchrist Cup, which was presented in 1910 to Mr Gilchrist for a Reliability Trial. Being curious, I searched the VCC Archive for information on both of these cups, without success. Where I have had success searching for old information on previous occasions is the Papers Past website, https://paperspast. natlib.govt.nz/newspapers

Many years ago, the first VCC Archivist, John Palmer, produced two well produced large scrapbooks, one on the 1965 Haast Rally and the other on the 1972 Nelson Rally which are displayed at the Archive. Not having been on the 1965 Haast Rally, I was interested in the red

When using Papers Past, you can filter the search by an individual date or by all dates, the same with the newspapers.

If you are looking for original old car advertisments for your car

s

s Shell petrol coupons 1965

40 Beaded Wheels

1912 AA Gymkhana Cup. presented to H Lane.

s Harold Lane’s economy run Morris Minor.

Shell Petrol one gallon coupons that were displayed in the book.

Referring to the 1965 entry form under the heading of “Petrol and Oil” it said: The Organising Club will be making a substantial contribution towards fuel costs in the form of issuing each competitor with petrol coupons which may be exchanged for fuel and oil at nominated service stations along the rally route.

The exact number of coupons issued will be in accordance with an estimate of each vehicle’s consumption.

Well wasn’t that a really great bonus to have on the rally and if you had some one gallon petrol coupons left over, sorry they expired on 19 March 1965.

FROM THE INTERNET

I found this Ford Model T website by accident, that I thought was great and I have handed it on to a few Model T enthusiasts who were also impressed. If you want to know anything about Model Ts, it’s all here: http://www.cimorelli.com Select either: My Ford T Projects, or Cimorelli’s Ford T Digital Library, select which search you would like on the left hand side and there are hours of viewing and information.

AUCKLAND STAR, ISSUE 232, 1 OCTO

Using This Item

Fairfax Media is the copyri

Auckland Star. You can rep

material from this newspa

commercial use under a C

New Zealand BY-NC-

newspaper is not available

without the consent of Fai

on reproduction of out-of-

from this newspaper, plea

Copyright guide.

Acknowledgemen

This newspaper was digiti with Auckland Libraries.

s Advert Morris Minor eco run Auckland Star 1 October 1929.

videos put together on one site.

There are hours of interesting viewing. Instead of viewing the movie with the stage reducing the screen size, you can scroll down and revert to a normal Youtube full screen viewing.

AN INVITATION

During the last year I have had enquiries on various subjects from Poland, Belgium, South Africa, Australia and numerous from New Zealand.

If you are passing though Christchurch, you are always welcome to come and visit the Archive, I am always there on a Friday Morning or please call.

For 97 interesting old movies and car advertisements try this site out. http://www.tvraaca. org/oldmovies.htm#movie These are a lot of Youtube

Page 17 Advertiseme Column 2

Don Muller Archivist archivist@vcc.org.nz

OBITUARY

1954 Deans Bush.

JOHN PALMER Words James Palmer John Palmer joined the Vintage Car Club in 1952, when it was only six years old and he was 20. It was a small local Christchurch based club with no more than 40 enthusiastic young members, seeking adventure with whatever old cars came to hand.

In those constrained post-WWII days, owning a car was quite a privilege. John had the distinct advantage that his father was in the motor trade, so he had access to ‘wheels’ from an early age. The family Ford Prefect got quite a workout, as John and his younger brother Richard entered as many local motorsport events as they could, especially when their parents were travelling overseas.

Early days involved events with local car clubs like the Canterbury Car Club including rallies, multi hour trials (Bluff to Picton in 14 hours!), mud plugs and local racing at venues like the beach at New Brighton and the short-lived track at Lake Bryndwr. Many of these events combined with the VCC, which John was soon to join.

John was one of handful of members who stuck with the club through its brief recess in 1953, when with waning numbers and enthusiasm it almost folded. The club soon revived with founders Shand and Anderson returning to firmly take the helm, and then prompted by the influential and popular movie ‘Genevieve’, the club was to never look backwards again.

John and his brother Richard came across a 1912 Unic lying derelict on a raspberry farm just out of Christchurch.

Under the tattered and much faded paint they had discovered an original Ballantynes department store light delivery truck. A quick restoration, and the Unic became a staple of the vintage car scene for decades to come. The Unic remains in family ownership with son Tim regularly campaigning it to this day.

John took part in innumerable events over the years – far too many to individually mention, but his participation was regular in every aspect and class of the vintage car movement right up to his passing.

Notable early events included the big public events such as the first Deans Bush Rally in 1954, attended by an estimated 3,000 spectators. Leaving in the dark, with kerosene lamps flickering, John, Richard and friend John Moulton drove over 100 miles on the shingle roads of North Canterbury to Motunau and back on the day of the rally in order to get maximum marks for the age mileage. It must have worked as along with a win in the concours, they won the rally.

A month later in early 1955, John took the Unic to the first Dunedin-Brighton Rally. In 2004 John proudly took the Unic with sons Tim and James, and grandson Thomas to the 50th running of the same event.

Other notable early events for John included the popular Penzoil sponsored rallies, and the extraordinary and epic Haast Rally in 1965. His one and only Irishman Creek Rally was in 1959. Having had the most miserable time with freezing conditions and constant mechanical breakdowns in an old Overland that had

been found especially for the event, he never again summoned the courage to go!

Always wanting to do his bit to support the organisation which he loved, John got stuck into club management over the years. He was on the National Executive briefly, then a stint as National Secretary in the late 1960s/early 1970s leading up to the hugely successful 1972 International Rally. John was at times on the Canterbury Branch committee, and notably was chair of the branch when they purchased the infamous Colwyn Street clubrooms. He eventually found a home, but no clubrooms of course, as a founding member of the Banks Peninsula Branch.

When Beaded Wheels came into being in the 1950s, with its necessarily

Scatter Rally action.

Off for another expedition.

Beaded Wheels 41

expensive professional printing costs, it was John who took on the role of advertising manager to ensure it came into life on a sound financial footing.

John owned many vehicles of different ages and types over the years. A veteran Triumph motorcycle, a magnificent 1935 Lincoln K series limousine, a 1957 Aston Martin, a Model T race-about, a 1923 Fiat 501, a 1911 Renault are just some of them.

All were campaigned regularly and with enthusiasm.

In his retirement it was the little 2-cylinder 1911 Renault AX which saw epic drives from Christchurch to Blenheim, Nelson, and Mt Cook for different rallies.

His Fiat 501 was rallied, trialled and toured in all manner of events from the midweek Grey Beards, to the mud of the Balcairn Trial.

John had a strong interest in the history of motoring in New Zealand, and the VCC’s part in it. With much cajoling and hassling, John persuaded the VCC management committee to establish and fund a permanent archive. John was appointed as first archivist, and the existence of this rich

CAST IRON WELDING

Off for another expedition, 1990s.

treasure is a legacy that the club benefits from today.

John was a member of that very early group of active club members - that defined and built the club we have today. He was

part of a movement for 68 years that grew from that small band of young enthusiasts, to a robust collective of 36 branches with a membership of 8,500. He was very proud to be a member.

Deadlines for the February/March issue of Beaded Wheels EDITORIAL COPY : 5 January 2021 ADVERTISING : 10 January 2021

GIFT SUBSCRIPTION CLOSE OFF FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS 18 December 2020

Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

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

42 Beaded Wheels

Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

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.*

FOR SALE 1930 (approx) IVORY CALTHOP MOTORCYLE Open to offers around $5,000. Phone 03 349 8869

1938 MORRIS 8 four door, excellent condition for age, registered and WoF ready to go. Some good spares and extras. More information ring 027 2448162 any time.

MEM WAIMATE 1959 VELOCETTE VALIANT 200CC FLAT TWIN. Very rare and original machine, in storage with previous owner 28 years, subsequently rebuilt and engine reconditioned. Current rego and WoF. For more information contact Kenton phone 06 844 7285 Napier or email Kenton.sylvia@gmail.com 1980 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN e x cond $8,500. 1928 Buick sedan, rest cond $27,000. 1931 Model A coupé. LHD. $22,000. 1914 Overland tourer. Rest. $45,000 ono. 1925 Buick Master 6 tourer in very original unrestored cond. $22,000. 1963 Studebaker. rest. $27,000. 1964 Rover P110. $9,500. Rushmore Motors Ltd, classic, vintage and veteran marketing specialists. We may have a buyer waiting for your vehicle. Listing is free. Phone 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

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

DISPLAY RATES* Casual (per issue) 3 Issues (per issue) Full Page $900 $720 Half Page $530 $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.).

MEM CANTERBURY

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 AUSTIN A40 SOMERSET. A s is, where is. Tidy condition. Needs tyres and repairs to brakes.

Rego on hold, no WoF. Restored approx 2008.

Present owner 12 years. Situated in Canterbury.

Phone 027 222 7918.

MEM CANTERBURY

AUTOMOBILE QUARTERLY FULL SET a s published 205 books plus indexes. 1929-34. Ohc and sv Morris Minor and early MG parts. 1937 Dodge coupe, past restoration including full repaint motor recondition radiator carpets, very tidy and reliable. 1982 TVR Tasmin 2.8l Ford based very original P80 accepted.

Phone Wilson 06 845 3333 MEM HAWKE’S BAY BUICK 34 SERIES 40 SIDE MOUNT WHEEL COVERS $100. Buick 38 Series 40 four new hub caps $450.

Also headlamps lenses, tail lamp lenses, manuals, handbooks, sale leaflets. Phone 04 567 5979

MEM WELLINGTON

GOT VIBRATION PROBLEMS?

T he crankshaft pulley/balancer/damper may be the cause. Rubber perishes over time. John at Harmonic Damper Rebuilds can rebuild your pulley like new. He has a proven system to re-rubber and re-sleeve dampers. Most can be rebuilt as good as new and save you money and engine repairs. 027 666 3350 or 07 863 3350 damperdude@gmail.com

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 FOR SALE 1960S MERCEDES-BENZ MOTOR, t wo heads, sumps assorted parts id tag on motor reads Daimler-Benz m180-v 180 941-20. 1956 Hillman Husky gear box email skoda_dave@hotmail.com ph David Manson 03 443 7906 M EM CENTRAL OTAGO GISBORNE BRANCH PARTS SHED IS FULL TO BURSTING AND WE NEED TO TIDY IT UP. We may have the part you are seeking. Try us! Open Sundays and Wednesdays 10am to noon, or by appointment. Phone Greg on 06 868 4751 or email gisborne@vcc.org.nz with pictures and as much detail as you can.

MORRIS 8 SERIES E 2DR $1800, 1975 Renault 5spd $350, 98 Ford Mondeo dsl, $800, 56 Daimler Conquest $800. Details phone 03 214 0426 or email bruce56@windowslive.com MEM SOUTHLAND BALANCING BALANCING BALANCING, We can balance most vintage and single cylinder engines, fans, driveshafts etc. Work is carried out on a modern digital machine.

M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz MORRIS 8 SPORTS r ight rear quarter panel and mudguard; 1929 Chevrolet front guard, rough; 1928 Buick right front guard; Oldsmobile radiator surround, circa 1926; Austin Big 7 front guards, pair; Austin 10 front guards, circa 1939-46, pair. Phone/ text 021 161 0455, or email gisborne@vcc.org.nz PERSONALISED NUMBER PLATE MYZCAR $1,500 ono. Ph Adrian Collins on 022 1862 559 or 07 322 8886.

MEM EBOP HUBCAPS – a ny problems contact me. I now produce either hubcap skins or complete hubcaps. These are top quality replicas.

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

Beaded Wheels 43

MARKET PLACE

TRUMPH MKI 2000 NEW PISTON RING SET, S TD $150. Chev 1937-39 new top overhaul gasket set $65. Jaguar new front upper arm suspension bushes and new top suspension ball.

Suit saloon MKI to XJ6 Series 2, top ball all $70.

Jaguar workshop manuals MKI and MKII genuine factory $60. Workshop manuals MKI and II XJ6 S1 + 2 $20. Lucas dome top horns 12v working pair suit most English vehicles 1950 to mid ‘60s $30. Tacometer Smiths 4½” black face 12 impulse calibrated to 6500 rpm suit 8 cylinder circa late sixties through seventies very nice gauge $100.

Tacometer Smiths 4½” black face from Daimler V8 generator type inbuilt clock not working $60.

Phone Don 03 541 9391 MEM NELSON PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & ODDBALL ENGINES. We can supply piston sets for most makes and models. All piston sets come complete with rings and gudgeons. We have over 700 listings at competitive prices.

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

VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS

All Classic and Vintage Car restoration.

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

Unit 1 11 Penn Place, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch

Phone Grant 341 5100 or 027 223 9474 granttvin@gmail.com USED TRUCK PARTS EARLY ENGLISH, CANADIAN AND LANDROVER. Enquiries with your contact details to PO Box 7011, Stoke or email historictransportmuseum@gmail.com with details of parts required. Higgins Park, Wakefield, Nelson.

1972 SUNBEAM RAPIER FAST BACK $5,000 ono.

Rego on hold. Phone 07 829 5261 MEM WAIKATO

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 VW TRIKE 1963 P rofessionally built new 15x10 mags and tyres, 3 seater, car registration, fully certified. Reg & WoF. Excellent condition $13,000 phone 027 271 0094 M EM EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY WAIRARAPA VCC PARTS SHED. Z ephyr parts, Mk1,2,3,4, g/boxes, diffs, carbs etc. Please enquire.

Ph Frank, 06 379 7167, or email Jeff, j.percy@xtra. co.nz, or Barry, ljandbjwells@gmail.com.

NEW MODEL A FORD SHOCK ABSORBERS. Precision manufactured in NZ. They are fully adjustable and work as per the originals, $322 each. Exhaust systems, correctly drilled and baffled for that genuine Model A sound $295.

VINTAGE ENGINE SHORT BLOCKS Phone 03 359 0565 or 021 128 9252 or www.

We can in most cases rebuild your short vintagefordparts.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY 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, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz

VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes. Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier, acjones760@gmail.com MEM 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.

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

VETERAN 4 CYLINDER BUICK MOTOR 1915-16.

For further information and photos contact Jim Watson email jim.berylwatson@xtra.co.nz or phone 027 410 4749. Offers.

MEM TARANAKI

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 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

44 Beaded Wheels

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

1935 DODGE O riginal condition. Runs well, new WoF, rego on hold. Low mileage,shed stored.Five brand new whitewall tyres. Offers over $30,000.

Phone 027 432 3156 MEM CANTERBURY

MARKET PLACE

AUSTIN HEAVY 12/4 &16/6 PARTS FOR SALE Plus items as shown in the photo. A large collection of running gear including: cylinder head, engine parts, gearbox, steering box, brake parts, pair of leaf springs, shackles, prop shaft, oil filler etc. Phone 09 445 6483 or jbryvelo@gmail.com for details.

Some items listed on TradeMe MEM AUCKLAND

SOUTHLAND BRANCH HAS TWO CHANDLER RIMS, as per the photo, for sale. We also have quite a few rear axles looking for a new home.

Contact John on 027 226 0067 or email southland@vcc.org.nz MEM SOUTHLAND

1934 AUSTIN 7 RUBY Rare sunroof model. Tidy, unrestored condition, in regular use. Current owner from 1971 and full ownership history. Registration plate 34RUBY. $7,500. Phone Bill 07 346 0394.

M EM ROTORUA.

1924 STANDARD MODEL V3 1300cc OHV engine, 3 speed gearbox, charming English built aluminium bodied touring car, restored Rego & WoF. $16,500.

Paint, body, hood and side curtains tidy. Many spares. Cruise all day at 40 mph. Motored since 1974 all over NZ. Phone T Lightfoot 03 3851 200, trevor.wendyl@xtra.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY

1923 FORD TOURER Warranted & registered, older restoration. Was an original car not a bitsa.

Well used and goes well. Two new tyres on the front. Improved oiling system. Phone Ron Galletly 03 308 1940 MEM ASHBURTON

1929 DURANT COUPE Little used since restoration.

Good tyres, motor rebuilt. Registration on hold.

Spare block $20,000. Contact selling on behalf of owner Rob Ross phone 03 308 2356 mobile 027 473 1684, email randross@kinect.co.nz

MEM ASHBURTON

HOLDEN HD PREMIER SEATS in excellent condition. Front bucket seats also fit models EJ and EH and also probably HR. $800. Many other Holden EH parts available. Location Wanaka.

Phone Martin on 03 443 8152 MEM CENTRAL OTAGO

1937 AUSTIN RUBY Excellent running condition, interior and paintwork. Fully reconditioned motor mid 2016, only 2,419 miles since overhaul. New WoF, rego on hold. Professionally maintained and garaged for past 16 years. $9500 ono. Phone 021 358 156 with any enquiries. MEM HAWKE’S BAY

ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 DIFF FOR SALE. Please contact Neville on 09 434 6690 or 027 491 4420.

1949 AUSTIN 16 very tidy older restoration. Rego and WoF. Open to offers phone 027 544 6440

MEM CANTERBURY

1964 MGB ROADSTER, 1800CC n on-overdrive.

Well looked after since 2001. Has had: repaint; re-upholstered seats (leather), door & kick panels (vinyl); motor overhauled; some trim replaced/ rechromed. New speedo, driveshaft, shocks, tonneau cover, windbreak and timing chain. $20,000 ono. Ph Glenise Corcoran 03 208 6862, email glenpaul@xtra.co.nz MEM GORE

1933 MORGAN 3 WHEELER SUPER SPORTS beetle back. Matchless MX4 engine, 12 volt electric lighting and starter. Imported to NZ in 2004 from Canada. All mechanicals and body work professionally restored. Three forward gears and reverse. Includes custom built enclosed tandem (twin) axle trailer with electric winch for loading and unloading. Phone: 021 655 171 MEM AUCKLAND

MEM NORTHLAND

Beaded Wheels 45

MARKET PLACE

1976 MGBGT Only two owners. NZ new. Overdrive, leather front seats. Driven and serviced regularly. $13,000. Located central Nth Island. Ph Michael 0274 148 145 MEM BANKS PENINSULA

1951 CITROËN LIGHT 15 Current warrant and reg, in tidy condition. Headlights etc rechromed, new glass in all windows, new hood lining, seats refurbished, good engine, repainted, sundry spares. Contact Colin 09 407 8510 or colandmarga@gmail.com MEM FAR NORTH

1913 BRASS MODEL T FORD ROADSTER Buffalo wire wheels, Ruckstell with high ratio Diff. Bomac crankshaft, alloy pistons, stainless adjustable valves. New tyres, Rocky Mountain brakes, immaculate brass. Trailer built to fit car, bonded Alum. flat deck, elect. winch, hydraulic disc brakes. Ph 027 544 9998 jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz

MEM MARBOROUGH

1953 MG TD MARK II (TDC) Tidy car with correct chassis / engine numbers. Present owner since 1976. Imported to NZ 1970 following extensive UK rebuild. Mileage 23,000 now 45,000. Always garaged – not used in wet conditions. Fully serviced. Rego and WoF. Price $38,000. Ph Dennis 07 348 8448 evenings only. MEM ROTORUA

MATCHED PAIR OF 6 VOLT HORNS W ork very well.

Just require coat of paint. (Sparton Brand USA).

Phone Graham 06 378 7422 MEM WAIRARAPA

1956 NASH RAMBLER CLASSIC 6 cylinder with 3 speed, electric overdrive. Well maintained and in original condition. WoF and reg. Very tidy interior. $15,000 ono. Also a lot of parts j.percy@xtra.co.nz Ph.06 377 4622 MEM WAIRARAPA

1986 ROPER STEAM BICYCLE E xact copy from the original. Precision engineering. Only one bicycle ever produced in 1896. Many pics. and videos available. Rushmore Motors. Phone 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1930 CHRYSLER 77 ROADSTER P rice reduced to $88,000. Inc. 4 new whitewall tyres. Location Dunedin. Rumble seat. Many pics. available.

Rushmore Motors. Phone 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1930 STUDEBAKER SEDAN P rice reduced to $22,000. Ex. rest. Many pics. available. Rushmore Motors. Phone 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

ORIGINAL (UNRESTORED) 1929 FORD MODEL A FORDOR in good condition. Goes well, recently driven to Alexandra to Blossom Festival. Original ownership papers. Has 5 new tyres, new 6V battery, new radiator core. Front seat needs TLC. Approx.

82,000 Miles. $28,000. Will be sold with rego and WoF. Contact Andre on 021 996 223 or lunatigs@ hotmail.com MEM CANTERBURY

STRAIGHT-EIGHT ENGINES BY STEPHEN MOORE a PDF book on USB stick. Over 800 pages trace the history of the straight-eight automobile engine from the 1900s, its 1930s mass production and 1950s decline, to some more recent specials.

Includes technical and statistical analyses, over 560 specification tables, with over 370 images and graphs. Price in NZ incl. P&P $75. To order email: s8history762@gmail.com MEM CANTERBURY

1962 PASX VAUXHALL VELOX 2651cc & 3 speed manual, full strip and 2 pot epoxy repaint in original colours. Mechanicals include engine, clutch, brakes, kingpins, wheel bearings and radiator overhauled. Photos and list of work available. Offers over 20k considered. Parts include, front windscreen, mechanical & electrical spares, NOS rings & bearings. Phone 03 577 5509 or email Consultech@xtra.co.nz (Blenheim) MEM

46 Beaded Wheels

MARLBOROUGH

MAKE CHRISTMAS LAST A WHOLE YEAR WITH A

Christmas GIFT Subscriptions A subscription to Beaded Wheels will save on the newstand price and guarantee you don’t miss a single issue at the same time.

Please send a subscription for 6 Issues - New Zealand $45* (inc p&p) 6 Issues - Australia NZ$76* 6 Issues - Elsewhere NZ$136* Payment by

Cheque or

Visa/Mastercard only (Amex & Diners not accepted) Processing by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 3%. NZ Post money orders not accepted.

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beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

FREE ADVERTISING*

Up to 45 words including phone number, no photo.

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

$54 Text and colour photo advertisement.

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

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

FOR SALE

FREEPOST 1757, Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141

$21 Text only advertisement.

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

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

WANTED

Post to:

I am a current financial member of the VCCNZ and wish to advertise for FREE. My VCCNZ Membership number is

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

• Advertisements must be of a non-commercial nature.

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

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

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

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

Beaded Wheels 47

MARKET PLACE

FOR SALE

WANTED

1926 AUSTIN 7 CHUMMY, rear axle, including differential and torque tube. Ph Mike 021 027 08848, meandma@xtra.co.nz MEMAUCKLAND 1928 CHEV CHASSIS ALUMINIUM SPEEDSTER BODY. 1973 - 79 Holden Kingswood sedan. Premier.

1949 Bonus. Built in NZ.1948 Chrysler Windsor.1932 Buick. 1930 Model A closed cab pickup. Can be from a cut down Sedan body for farm hack. Rushmore Motors. Phone 027 2245 045 inc a/h.

1930 MODEL A FORD STATION WAGON Model 150-B 13000 miles since full mechanical restoration. Body work constructed in accordance with Ford engineering blueprints. WoF and rego.

Believed to be only 1930 example in NZ. $45,000.

Contact john.herd@actrix.co.nz Ph 03 541 8818 or 027 688 8200 MEM NELSON MEM. NELSON

1930 RUDGE DIRT TRACK PARTS. Countershaft with clutch, fuel and oil tanks and any engine parts.

1930 Douglas Dirt Track girder fork top spring mount with handlebar fitting. Ph 09 238 6833 earlyridersnz@gmail.com MEM AUCKLAND

MEM SOUTH CANTERBURY

1957 VAUXHALL must be reg & WoF. A tidy vehicle.

Phone 0204 025 3911 or 03 327 7111 MEM CANTERBURY

1972 TRIUMPH T120R WANTED. Front mudguard, inlet and exhaust rocker boxes with long filled covers, 4 gal slab-sided fueltank, cast inlet manifolds. Phone 03 488 3776 MEM OTAGO FLYWHEEL to suit an Austin Heavy 12/4 1926. Phone Paul Hicks 09 425 7015 or hicks.family@xtra.co.nz MEM WELLSFORD WARKWORTH GEARBOX FOR FIAT BAMBINA 500F with good first and reverse as mine is stripped. Ph Roger 021 025 46184, ferrari.sailing@gmail.com MEM NORTH SHORE

DISCOVERED: V eteran? motor, manifold broken, otherwise condition unknown. Better than the one you haven’t got. Enquiries 021 161 0455.

MOTO GUZZI I CONVERT, 1978, a pp 77,000kms.

Current WOf and rego with original pannier boxes, frames and “wings”, recent maintenance work.

Believed to be the only Convert imported NZ new.

Price by negotiation,+64 027 272 1974. M EM AKLD

48 Beaded Wheels

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

MEM WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH

MGB GT 1974 CHROME REAR BUMPER WANTED in straight tidy condition. Phone David 027 431 8078 or email hunterdav7@gmail.com MEM BANKS PENINSULA

TRIUMPH TR6 GOOD CONDITION, rego and WoF. Hardtop and O/Drive. Contact Owen Ph 07 552 4637 MEM BAY OF PLENTY VAUXHALL MAGNUM GRILLE. Also headlamp mounting brackets for four round light conversion on HC Viva. Txt Colin 021 671 626 MEM CANTERBURY

1930-1931 5 WINDOW, MODEL A COUPE. On the road, Rego’d and warranted. Phone Alan WANTED 1970S CITROEN 1220 CLUB in 021 0622132 or home number 03 686 3385. reasonable condition. Contact Clive 03 324 2168

1972 MG BGT, not concours but tidy and genuine.

Manual/overdrive $11,000. Phone 0274 386 924, Gary.

MEM CANTERBURY

HOLDEN COMMODORE VL BERLINA 1987-1988 Immaculate original condition. Phone 027 430 1113

GISBORNE BRANCH PARTS SHED IS FULL TO BURSTING AND WE NEED TO TIDY IT UP. Have you tried us for that part you are seeking? We may have it! Open Sundays and Wednesdays 10am to noon, or by appointment. Phone Greg 06 868 4751 or email gisborne@vcc.org.nz with pictures and as much detail as you can.

MEM BANKS PENINSULA

WANTED A PAIR OF HAND GRIPS to fit 7/8 inch handlebar on left side and 1 inch on the right side and 4 inches long. White would be great but black is OK. A speedo cable inner and outer about 620mm to 650 long to fit a Cresent Moped 2000, inner cable is about 2mm in dia. Phone 03 355 4017

MEM CANTERBURY WANTED RILEY ELF REAR BUMPER. Contact Tim 021 727 660 MEM AUCKLAND WANTED TO COMPLETE JAGUAR MK2 TOOLBOX: Jaguar Girling branded 1/2AF-7/16AF spanner.

Jaguar Girling branded 11/32AF-3/8AF spanner.

Dunlop bleed tube tin yellow. Black handled Jaguar branded screw driver. If you have anything please email rcbester1991@gmail.com MEM WANGANUI PARTS FOR A 1947 MORRIS 8, phone 027 667 7100 or 027 391 2221 MEM MARLBOROUGH AUSTIN KIMBERLEY PARTS P

hone Terry 09 828 5562 or 021 237 0375. MEM

HILLMAN HUNTER STATION WAGON 4 DOORS AND TAIL GATE. Phone John 06 751 5554 or email megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz MEM TARANAKI

VAUXHALL 20-60 PARTS WANTED URGENTLY 20” wire wheel or wheels. T Type engine to suit 1929 model contact Peter Ph 027 611 9835 , peter@chatsford.co.nz MEM BANKS PENINSULA

REAR MUDGUARD STONE GUARD, i n brass, as per photo pattern, H.36 cm x W 16.5cm. Please email Neil at neil.nonie@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 434 9470

WANTED LAND ROVER SERIES 1 STATION WAGON as pictured. Any condition considered. Ph (03) 329 5148 MEM BANKS PENINSULA

MEM NORTH OTAGO

SWAPMEETS AND RALLIES

GRAB YOUR HELMET 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 SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH IS PROUDLY HOSTING THE

NATIONAL VINTAGE CAR RALLY (1919 - 1931) EASTER 2021 Fri 2 – Mon 5 April 2021

This will be a non competitive rally, based on fun and friendship and will comply with all National Event Rules.

Entry forms will be out in January 2021 SC Swap meet is the Saturday before.

The Veteran Vintage Tour will commence after this rally.

Make a holiday of it and combine the 3 events GET YOUR ACCOMMODATION SORTED NOW There are other events on that weekend so we have secured accommodation at Girls High Hostel at reasonable rates.

ALL ENQUIRIES TO Alistair Day, 9 Wellington St, Parkside, TIMARU 7910 Phone 027 202 5007, home number you can leave a message 03 688 6108 or email nola.day@xtra.co.nz for an entry form now, or download one from the South Canterbury Website after 5 January 2021

Burma Rally 24 January 2021

& 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

SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH VCC

SWAPMEET AND BAZAAR Saturday 27 March 2021 Contact Details: Site Bookings Phone Michelle 03 686 4824 Email: scvccswapmeet@hotmail.com Chairman; Colin Johnstone ph 03 693 9093 WINCHESTER DOMAIN, SH1 7.30AM START NO DOGS ON GROUNDS • HELD WET OR FINE Something for everyone

Beaded Wheels 49

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

SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021 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

VCCNZ Ashburton Branch

SWAPMEET •

Saturday 1 May 2021 Club Grounds 86 Maronan Road, Tinwald Ashburton

No Dogs Allowed • Catering by Ashburton Lions Club

Site Bookings to Karen Bell 72 Creek Rd Ashburton 7700 Email: funky_gran117@yahoo.co.nz Phone 021 0243 1955

Gates Open 7.30am

FRIDAY 2ND – SUNDAY 4TH APRIL

Easter weekend 2021 NZ’S BIGGEST ALL-VEHICLE EVENT; it’s huge and fun for the whole family!

Register your unique vehicle today at

www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz 50 Beaded Wheels

Saturday 27 February 2021 Swap Meet starts at 7.00 a.m.

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

Venue: Wellsford/Warkworth Vintage Car Clubrooms Satellite Station Rd –off SH 1 – 3km south of Warkworth All enquiries to 021 277 9010 or wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz

NELSON

SWAP MEET

BAZAAR 20 FEBRUARY 2021 Speedway Grounds – Lansdowne Road, Richmond SITE SALES : www.nelsonvcc.org.nz/book-a-site EMAIL nelson@vcc.org.nz Food and drink available on site Site and Cars for sale : $15 (Both above include 1 entry) Entry non-site holders $5 Gates open; 7am Stall Holders 8am Public.

GISBORNE BRANCH ANNUAL

THREE RIVERS RALLY FEBRUARY 12-14, 2021 Come and join us on our “Mission to Mahunga Rally” Entry forms now available

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

VETERAN VINTAGE TOUR 2021 This tour commences

Wednesday 7 April 2021 after the National Vintage Rally held in Timaru over Easter.

Information regarding accommodation will be sent to all those who express their interest.

Make a real holiday and come to South Canterbury for more than one event. Your Veteran Vintage tour will take you over some interesting roads out of the South Canterbury area. This rally will conclude on Wednesday the 14th April at a destination yet to be confirmed.

Email nola.day@xtra.co.nz or ph Alistair Day 027 202 5007 or home ph 03 688 6108 and leave a message.

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

HERITAGE DAY SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2021 AT THE HOROWHENUA VCC CLUBROOMS AP & I SHOWGROUNDS LEVIN GATES OPEN 10am to 4pm Gold Coin Donation A special Levin Heritage Day provided by The Vintage Car Club and The Levin Historical Society.

Among the displays on show will be Vern Jenson (Wheelwright) along with Warren Bailey (Blacksmith) who will be demonstrating their skills.

There will also be Tractors/Fire Engines, and Veteran, Vintage and Classic cars all on display, including a gaggle of Ford Model T Racers (what a sight to see).

It will be a fun day out for all the family with plenty of things to do and see.

And I have promised good weather.

Beaded Wheels 51

TRADE DIRECTORY INSTRUMENT REPAIRS Hamco INDUSTRIES

Motorcycle & Car a Wire Wheel Repairs & Restorations

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Beaded Wheels

writers wanted 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.

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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.

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

Beaded Wheels 53

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

▲ Ashburton: Rhino and Friends – Akaroa weekend run.

ASHBURTON

COLIN SWEETMAN

We welcome new members Graeme and Margaret Stevens We held our Opening Run for the season on 6 September, and attracted 75 cars. The route took in some of the best scenery of the district, going via Mt Somers and the Ashburton Gorge to the Historic Hakatere Station. It was fine and warm at Hakatere where lunch was enjoyed in front of the woolshed, and we learnt that the stone building was Mid-Canterbury’s oldest building, having been built in 1857 and recently restored. The southerly change arrived just after most had departed the Station, well timed for the drive home.

On 2 October 15 vintage cars, mainly from the Ashburton area, met at Leeston for a weekend run to Akaroa. After lunch it was on to Birdlings Flat and the big grind up Bossu Road to Wainui. Duvauchelle was our destination for the day, with a lovely view across the bay to Akaroa. Next day we headed for Akaroa, stopping off at the Rhino Walk (Childrens Bay Walkway), where most of the navigators walked down the track to meet the cars in Akaroa. Then more gruelling but beautiful roads to Le Bons Bay, Okains Bay, Little Akaloa and back to Duvauchelle down the Old Stock Route. The next day saw us on pleasant Peninsula roads to Pigeon Bay, where Tim Coop talked to us about farming over the 100 years his family has been there. Lunch at Diamond Harbour then home.

Isla Jones has been appointed our new Branch Reporter.

AUCKLAND

JOCELYN MCALPINE

On the weekend of 3 October our members enjoyed two postponed events.

The 60th wedding anniversary celebration of life member Norm Dewhurst and his wife Pat on the Saturday, then on the following day a run to the Glen Afton Bush Tramway, organised by their grandson

54 Beaded Wheels

▲Ashburton: Members enjoying the talk at historic Haketere Station – Opening Run.

Ryan Winterbottom. Congratulations all round.

Highs and lows during lockdown - joy for 3rd generation member Charlotte Bovis on the birth of her son. Pain for Chairman Martin Spicer who broke his hip, and now has a titanium rod inside his femur.

We welcome new members: Peter Sinclair, 1954 Triumph Speed Twin; Michael Clarken, 1948 and ‘49 Ariel, 1949 and ‘50 Norton; Glynn Findlay, 1913 Morris Oxford roadster; Dudley Stace, 1971 Honda SL350.

Veteran - Colin Dickinson’s restored 1920 Darracq is now with Chris Field. The Branch Charabanc has had the petrol header tank repaired and the hood reinforced, thanks to the skills of George Mihaljevich.

Vintage - Noel Shaw has acquired a fully restored 1930 Essex coach, and a very original but unrestored 1928 Essex sedan.

Stephen Keys has the ex-Mike Evans, Bryan Jackson, Bruce Catchpole, 1930 Packard.

Motorcycle - Jack Clark now has his 650 Matchless back on the road. Julian Jones has his 1970 Commando back on the road for the first time since 1981.

Congratulations to the following. 25 Year awards: John Cooke, Peter Cooper, Janet Whitehouse and Max Colman. 35 Year Awards: Grant Williams, Daniel Nathan and Merv Young.

Our condolences to the families of James (Jim) Francis, foundation Auckland Branch member who owned his veteran Delage since 1946; and Bruce Madgwick, a 50 year member who enjoyed driving his 1913 FN, 1918 FWD truck and Austin 7 Top Hat Saloon.

BANKS PENINSULA DON GERRARD We welcome new members Tim McIvor, 1972 Morgan Plus 8 roadster, and Gary Sturgess with a 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 and Triumph TR5T motorcycle.

In September 19 VCC cars took to the grid at the Brooklands Race Meeting at Levels, Timaru. The ex-Crowe MGV, now

▲Auckland: Julian Jones 1964 Triumph Bonneville.

Auckland: Jack Clark 650 Matchless.

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▲ Auckland: Glynn Findlay 1913 Morris Oxford roadster. ▲

Banks Peninsula: Peter Jones’ unique Dunelt 500cc single.

▲ Banks Peninsula: On the dummy grid for the last race at September’s Levels Brooklands Meeting. ▲

Bay of Plenty: Our clubrooms have been modified so that vehicles can be brought indoors and admired during meetings. The Sutton family were the first to take advantage of this concept and proudly displayed their 1972 Mini fully restored during the 5 week Covid 19 Lock Down (Deidre Rennie Photo).

Central Hawke’s Bay :They really tie things down at Cape palliser.

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Central Hawke’s Bay: Morning gathering on final day of the tour.

▲ Bay of Plenty: Jim and Kaaren Smylie drove their 1913 Ford Model T all the way from Tauranga to Bluff and then on to Gore and much of the way back home in order to participate in the Veteran Rally. (Photo by The Weekend Sun).

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Central Otago: John Loudon.

Photo supplied

by Bernice Hassed.

Beaded Wheels 55

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▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Graham & Lois’s collection – 1959 Cadillacs in a café setting.

▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Matahina Dam.

▲ Eastern Bay of Plenty: Graham and Lois’s collection – Cadillac that Marilyn Monroe rode in.

▲ Far North: Open Day. Pete Odell & Warren MacKay.

▲ Hawke’s Bay: Land Rover 109 on the left, WWII jeep on the right.

▲ Far North: Open Day visitors.

▲ Hawke’s Bay: The WWII Bofors 40mm anti aircraft gun.

▲ Far North Open Day: Locals

▲ Horowhenua: Keith Bade’s 1930 Triumph CTT. Horowhenua: Mike Khull’s Morris Minor.

Horowhenua: Winton’s 1936 Wolseley.

▲

piloted by Russ Haines, kept John Peno in the RTC, Jim Bennett in the Furi Impulse, and Paul Coory in the CAE Sprinter on their toes. The Ashworth Daimler SP250 was rewarded with an excellent 1st place in one of the races. Ramon Farmer’s Ransley Riley was as smooth as ever, and both Lotus 23B Reps of Tracy & Mark Barrett looked splendid. The only DNF of the day was Colin Hey in the Wolseley 1500, with some wobbly wheel nuts that couldn’t be replaced.

At the Nelson Round of the Mainland Trials Series 1st place went to Lance Baird, Austin 7, with Avon Hyde in the Austin Special in 4th place.

The Opening Run on 27 September departed from Tai Tapu. A varied selection of marques including Alvis, Morgan, MG, Jaguar, Citroen and Triumph navigated to Southbridge, Rakaia and on to the Ashburton Aviation Museum, with the 1924 Dunelt motor-bike of Peter Jones in hot pursuit. This rapid 500cc single machine is the only one of its type in New Zealand, and has been raced by Peter for many years. After perusing the very interesting museum the run headed for Lake Hood, just before the predictions of unpleasant weather eventuated.

Michael Pidgeon now has a 1954 TR2.

No ordinary Triumph, but the ex-Leon Witte, and Phipps and Amanda Rinaldo, factory modified car that came here new in 1958. It set a NZ Speed Record of 122 mph for the 1500 - 2000cc Class on the South Eyre Road, Canterbury. A very original Jowett Javelin is now in Ramon Farmer’s stable.

BAY OF PLENTY

DONN WHITE

The installation of a new and wider doorjamb to our clubrooms means that vehicles can be brought inside and admired by other members during the course of our meetings. This got off to a great start in October when the Sutton family brought along a pristine, fully restored 1972 Mini, as well as 16 year old Paige Sutton, the enthusiastic new owner. Long-time member Murray Sutton put on a slide show showing how he and his son Greg put the Covid-19 Lock Down to very good use. Over the course of five weeks, when much of the nation was wondering just what to do with themselves, they fully rebuilt the car.

Branch Chairman, Ken Frew, awarded a 25 year membership badge to Richard (Dick) Ashton. Our very keen and hardworking

members Jim and Kaaren Smylie had to put in an apology for the meeting, as by that time they were on the road in their 1913 Ford Model T heading for the Veteran Rally in Gore. The Smylies encountered some unseasonal winter weather on the route, which also took them to Bluff for good measure. The intrepid pair dealt with two tube failures on the side of the road, and then mechanical woes a little more serious on the return trip home. Full marks for enthusiasm and the Smylie’s efforts in driving all the way from Tauranga raised many eyebrows.

CANTERBURY

TONY BECKER

Our regular income from the Annual Swapmeet and Display, cancelled because of Covid-19 lockdowns, makes for some testing challenges for Canterbury Branch Management Committee. Accommodating fixed overheads becomes the foremost consideration, followed by a reshuffle of member-activity events. The latter is no guarantee that revised plans can be followed, however we are all hopeful.

The loss of National Day Daffodil Rally and Swapmeet, as well as disrupted Noggin’n’natters, 9-90s rallies, other events, and Parts Shed schedules had collectively turned Cutler Park into a quiet peaceful place. The Parts Shed boys operated over what would have been the Swapmeet weekend. October’s post-lockdown Noggin’n’natter was particularly well attended, with several chatty catchups.

Displays organiser, Don Muller, called for displays of members’ creations during their confined-to-home lockdown time. Eight entries resulted. Some ‘crafty women’ displayed gorgeous quilts, needlecraft and handmade occasion cards, while the men presented garage/workshop hobbies, represented by a parachutists folding bike, and vintage car projects including Tim Palmer’s Riley Special, a novel Model A chassis complete with bathtub and Bill Woodhouse’s beautifully homebuilt drivable small replica brass T, complete with petrol power, created in just six or so weeks from scratch.

The Motorcycle Section managed to maintain much of their programme over several weeks, with Cutler Park Clubroom Noggins becoming a popular additional get together.

A Grasskhana fun event certainly stirred the dust up at a very dry Cutler Park on a brilliant 29 degrees Labour Weekend

day. Our planned Annual Show Weekend Tour, Homestead Run and Christmas Lunches are among the quite busy preChristmas lineup. The branch new member list continues to reflect enthusiastic optimism for our hobby.

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY JOHN FOOT Well another year bites the dust, and what a tumultuous year. On 4 October Onga Onga Historical Society held a Victorian Market Day, and 10 of our members had 14 vehicles on display. October, and Rod and Scarlett McKenzie organised a midweek three day tour that started with a coffee at the Pongaroa Hotel, then carried on to Castlepoint, back to Masterton to visit the Pointon Collection, before going to our accommodation. Next day we travelled to Martinborough, then to Cape Palliser, where a few members climbed the 258 steps to the lighthouse. The bulldozers for launching the fishing boats at Ngawi created some interest, but the adult seals and their pups stole the show. We had lunch at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel before returning to Masterton. The last day saw us heading south to cross the Rimutaka Range, then the very narrow road across the Akatarawa Range, to spend time at the Southward Car Museum before heading home. There were 18 cars and 33 branch members taking part in this very interesting few days away. Four members, and their Model Ts, travelled to the Manawatu to take part in the Labour Weekend Model T Tour. The same weekend one car took part in the Auckland Branch Hunua 100.

1 November saw a few cars take part in the Picnic Pow-Wow at Back Paddock Lakes.

CENTRAL OTAGO

DON YEAMAN

We are saddened by the loss of Robert Duncan, one of our long-time members.

Robert and Lynnette have been members since 1985, and Robert served in various positions, including that of chairman. Our sympathies go to Lynette and family.

We were pleased to have one of our founding members, John Louden, presented with his 50-year badge. John is currently the Patron of the branch, and has served the club in many positions over the years, including those of chairman and editor. For many years was the head of the parts section. John and Sheila’s involvement with the branch since its inception has included many milestones for the club,

Beaded Wheels 57

▲ Horowhenua: Parked up at Foxton Beach during the annual Vintage Rally lunch stop.

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Horowhenua: The Callesen’s family Datsun undergoing a meticulous restoration in John’s workshop.

▲ Marlborough: Hawkesbury Carriages.

▲ Nelson: Blossom Festival Tour cars ready to rock at Rolleston.

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Nelson: The T hub and drum in two bits.

▲ Nelson: Rob and Karen Thompson’s T on the Waimate Road.

▲ Nelson: Some of the tour cars in the Blossom Festival Parade.

▲ Nelson: Rob and Ray eat a VCC Waimate provided meal from the T mudguards in Digby Haywood’s engineering shop.

▲ Nelson: Ron and Jan Johnsons Model A on the Alexandra to Roxburgh.

as well as organising and taking part in many rallies and runs. Congratulations John.

We have just completed another successful Blossom Festival Rally with about 40 entries, ranging from Nelson to Invercargill. The weather cooperated for the day, and the blossoms were spectacular. A well-run event and a real credit to the organisers.

We were not quite as lucky for the swap meet on the Sunday. The weather kind of packed up and dampened things a bit.

However, quite a few people came to look through the parts sheds, and some went home with that prize bit that they needed.

By the time you read this the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the branch will have been and gone. Hopefully the branch will be around for 50 more years.

branch picnic at lakeside. Timed to enable Bevan’s South Island mother to be treated to a scenic tour of bush clad BOP before returning home the next day.

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Day at the clubrooms, and invited other clubs such as Rod & Custom and Classics to have a sausage and chip lunch. The parts shed was very well patronised by visitors, and the variety of vehicles created plenty of socialising. There wasn’t a modern in sight, which is just what we like to see.

The monthly Caffeine and Classic was compromised by Covid-19, but the Resort is back in action so we hope the numbers will increase. It’s a good morning out, and again the vehicles don’t have to go far.

BRUCE SEDDON

Steve and Joy Growden organised a Daffodil Day fundraiser which was well attended by members and other car clubs.

A display of cars before and after a parade through town to the Heads provided a casual social gathering for locals of all ages.

Over $700 was received and donated to the Cancer Society.

Harry and Gay Sutcliffe’s mid-month runs have continued to attract good turnouts. In September we were off around lakes Rotoma, Rotoehu and Rotoiti, north through Okere Falls and then to Te Puke for lunch, and home to Whakatane or Kawerau along the coast road. In October we left Matata for another coastal run to our neighbouring village of Tauranga and the Cadillac Cafe of Graham and Lois. There we enjoyed inspecting their immaculate collection including 1959 Cadillacs, a Cadillac limousine once graced

by Marilyn Monroe, a sparkling 1966 Ford Thunderbird, a summertime red Chevrolet Impala convertible, and a matching era roadhouse café complete with jukebox, bar, booths, and checkerboard black and white tile flooring. Graham and Lois were wonderful hosts, and shared their sunny garden setting with us for lunch.

In October new members Bevan and Rebecca Lange organised their first run: Whakatane west to Thornton Beach, a grand tour around their soon-to-be home of Matata, and then through the hills of Manawahe to Lake Rotoma for a

FAR NORTH

DAVE DUIRS

We now have two Club Captains to help coordinate activities in our very long and narrow area. They plan for their area, but work together and publicise events for all members. In reality the northern and southern folks support their area but can still join in. This way we can all be close to something each month, as well as taking part in the bigger branch rallies. This allows us to take the old vehicles for the shorter outings, which will keep them fit for the longer runs.

Cormack’s hosted a Southern lunch for 20+ folks, and most of the vehicles were oldies. In the northern area we had an Open

GISBORNE

RODNEY CLAGUE

We celebrated our fifth 50-year continuous membership presentation in November when Bill Harding was presented with his badge by the club’s Speed Steward Tony Haycock.

October 18 was our monthly run which had us visiting both ends of the city, as well as parts of the central city. November saw us hosting the Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch for the biennial Inter-Branch Trophy, which is competed for between the branches each year. Later that month we visited Tahaenui Station on the outskirts of Nuhaka, where several members attended the Tahaenui Fete, where numerous stallholders with artisan wares, food and beverages displayed their products in the extensive homestead garden. The following weekend was our Club Captain’s Wing Ding which wound up our activities for the year.

A reminder that entry forms are out for our Three Rivers Rally being held on 12 to 14 February next year (see advert in

this issue). A great weekend is promised as usual.

Don’t forget we have a parts shed that is full to the brim - maybe the part you are seeking is waiting for you to come and collect it. Email us with pictures and details at Gisborne@vcc.org.nz.

GORE

JIM MCFADZIEN

Covid-19 was still hanging around at level 2 when our Annual Dinner was held on 22 August, so with tables spaced to the relevant requirements some 40 odd members enjoyed the meal as usual.

Between courses Chairman Gregg Elder and Club Captain John Parish awarded trophies to winners in various classes for their year’s efforts.

On 13 September 15 local members, along with two keen members from the South Otago Branch, went on our Opening Run for 2020. Fortrose on the mouth of the Mataura River was our destination, with playing cards picked up from different places to make up a Euchre hand on the way. Roy Buchanan, driving his Holden station wagon, won this event. One card was to be found at the Tuturau Reserve, site of the last of the Maori wars in 1837.

Another card was at a recent Memorial at the Pine Bush - Titiroa Road junction. A pity the rain kept everyone in their vehicles as there are no buildings in Fortrose for shelter.

Gore was the host of the New Zealand Annual Veteran Rally, and convener Paul Herron was pleased with the 54 entries. Irk Street was blocked off for public viewing and this, like the driving tests, was well supported.

HAWKE’S BAY

HELEN BALL

September’s midweek run had the magic word “restoration” in the advertising, and had nine cars taking to the roads.

A country run towards Central Hawke’s Bay headed down into a valley where we arrived at CARS Classic and Restoration Services to view vehicles in varying stages of repair and paintwork. Custom paintwork and design is all done on the site, the finish a high quality gloss.

To entertain the ladies there was a collection of animals, horses, dogs, bantams and cats all looking for attention and pats.

Our Sunday run was again into the country, driving up the Taupo road to visit

Beaded Wheels 59

▲

▲ Northland: Northland Branch Past President’s (Ron Anderson) latest project that he has been working on over a long period of time. Car is the 1912 FIAT Type 1

▲ Northland: Dargaville airport day.

▲ North Shore: Jim Drummond and team in his Chevrolet on the Northern Raid.

Otago: Bob Woodford and his family – during 50 year award presentation

▲

▲ Otago: Macrea’s picnic spot – club cars.

▲ North Shore: Brian Cullen receives his 35-year award from Vice-Chairman Peter Lloyd.

▲ North Shore: Fiat Bambino at Classic Paint and Restorations, Silverdale.

▲ Rotorua: Range of cars awaiting start of September run.

▲ South Canterbury: Mid week run – Members at the start of the September mid week run, with the clubrooms roof replacement scaffolding up

▲ South Canterbury: Jones family vehicles – The eight vehicles entered by the Jones family on the Mt Cook Rally.

▲ Rotorua: Doug Green and his Graham Paige.

▲ Rotorua: Under the Velox’s bonnet.

▲ South Canterbury: Mt Cook Rally entrants’ vehicles lined up in inclement weather at Mt Cook Village.

Trelinnoe Park. This is a 30 acre reserve of native trees, shrubs and one of the largest Magnolia collections in the world, all of it having been developed over the past 60 years.

October was the Club Captain’s run to Maraekakaho to visit a New Zealand military collectors club. Nine Army vehicles were on display, a WWII 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun being of great interest. Some of the jeeps once used in Vietnam are now used as general runabouts.

Our spares department thrives, bringing in a few extra dollars to help the running of our clubrooms, and the group of about 25 people enjoy their weekly Tuesday get togethers.

Safari is over Labour weekend, and November’s highlight will be the annual Homestead Run.

about motor racing at Bathurst and some New Zealand tracks.

Following the Post-Covid Rally in August, members were treated to a second rally in as many months. The annual Manawatu Vintage Rally was a non-competitive run on mainly flat roads through farmland to Shannon and then to Foxton Beach for a picnic lunch at the Manawatu Marine Boating Club. The day provided perfect weather for open car motoring. A slightly longer variation of the rally route was in place for Post Vintage, Post War, P60 and P80 entrants.

Our branch was very fortunate to be able to hold our annual Swap Meet this year, which was very well patronised as usual.

The event is held indoors at the Manfeild Stadium in Feilding, and sees buyers and sellers attending from all around the country.

HOROWHENUA

Mid October saw members out on the road again in lovely weather for a quiet Sunday run to Hansen’s Café in Kimbolton for afternoon tea.

BOB BARTON

Keith Bade, a member of 48 years, mostly in the Wellington Branch, passed away at the end of August. He had spent 40 years restoring a 1930 Triumph CTT and managed to WoF and register the motorcycle before his license was taken away because of poor eyesight and illness. He did though manage a run down his drive before he passed away. He did a beautiful restoration of his motorcycle, and will be missed by his bikey mates in our branch.

Winton Cleal has finally got his lovely 1936 Wolseley sorted. Verdon Heath helped him to fit replacement shock absorbers, and repaired his faulty carb.

Mike Khull has just purchased a lovely 1954 Morris Minor Traveller, in reasonably sound condition, with just a little work needed for the WoF. We hope to see it at the clubrooms in the near future.

MANAWATU

BRYAN ABRAHAM

The first event for September was an Open Motor Shed afternoon at John Callesen’s property, where a good number of people viewed several projects which are under way, including the meticulous restoration of the family 1970 Datsun 1200 coupe.

Club night in September was combined with the Central Hawke’s Bay Branch, and a number of our members headed over to Dannevirke for a combined branch dinner and meeting. The guest speaker spoke

MARLBOROUGH

CARROLL WIBLIN

We had to cancel our Daffodil Day event because of Covid-19, so our chairman and committee did a spot of door knocking and raised $9,000 for the cause. We are so lucky to have such great sponsors who believe in the causes we support. Well done team Marlborough.

We had a short run to Hawkesbury Carriages where we had a picnic lunch on the lawn. It was a very interesting place to visit. The gardens have a very eclectic feel to them, and the aviary was very popular.

But the best part was viewing Dudley’s collection of carriages. Some restored, and some under restoration. He has a horse drawn buggy which he hires out for weddings, and a very elaborate horse drawn hearse which he also hires out. A really enjoyable outing.

Another short run took us to the venue for a talk on the aviation history of Marlborough. This was very interesting, with Lester Hope giving us an in-depth understanding of how Marlborough’s aviation evolved. From the first crossing of Cook Strait, to the war time effort where Woodbourne was chosen as the main training base, to the post war years and Safe Air, to the present. Some of us were then treated to a flight simulation of the Argosy, which was the last plane to carry

freight for Safe Air. We then went on to John Walsh’s Woodbourne Farm, part of which was taken over in the war effort and, I believe, never returned to the Walsh family.

NELSON

RAY ROBERTSON

We’ve recently had two successful working bees to tidy the Branch’s landscaping.

A bus trip to Blenheim organised by driver Gordon Dacombe was very well received by the participants. Some of our Model A owners travelled down to Murchison for the International Model A day.

Another group of eight Nelson cars joined four Canterbury cars on a Kevin and Ruth Mercer organised tour to the Central Otago Blossom Festival and Rally. We travelled mostly over backcountry roads, enjoying the normal trials and tribulations that motoring often brings, from breakdowns to extreme weather bombs.

A plug for local Waimate engineer Digby Haywood, after he spent six hours one evening rebuilding Rob and Karen Thompsons Model T hub/brake drum which had become several pieces held together by luck really. Digby machined, manufactured and welded together the bits to allow the T to not only complete the Blossom Festival Tour (about 1500 kms) but to also do the Marlborough Biennial Rally a few weeks later. I suspect this temporary repair has become a permanent one.

The Marlborough Biennial Rally saw a few more Nelson cars head over the hill to Blenheim for a very relaxed and enjoyable run around the district. It included the interesting Port Underwood Road from Rarangi to Picton.

A couple of small community collaborations saw daffodils delivered to local business houses, and some members of the Blind Citizens picked up in old vehicles and driven to and from our clubrooms for afternoon tea.

NORTHLAND

TREVOR REILLY

Our September outing was combined with Dargaville and Whangarei members, meeting at the Dargaville airport for a day of cars and planes. Attending were 23 club eligible cars, and one member’s plane as well as a hive of 2 seater “egg-beater” gyrocopters from the local aero club. After lunch there was a display of aerobatics

Beaded Wheels 61

▲ South Otago: Co-drivers dwarfed by the retired tyre at Macraes Gold Mine. John Cook’s ’63 Vanguard Six, Gordon Duthie’s ’66 Wolseley 6/110 and a nearly eligible MX5 featuring.

▲ South Otago: Ward mags on Robin McCall’s MK4 Zodiac redecorated by South Otago roads.

▲ South Otago: The ’64 Singer Gazelle of Don Jenks, pursued into Middlemarch by the 1970 P6B of Gaynor Falconer.

▲ Southland: Nicols in 1908 Cadillac.

▲ Southland: 1911 BSA S, Russell.

▲ Taranaki: African Elephants made of recycled cars in Zambezi Africa that have been imported and positioned along with other sculptured animals throughout the Te Popo Gardens inland from Midhirst that we visited.

▲ Taranaki: A unusual 1928 Austin ▲ Taranaki: Jim Logan (left)and Les Bognuda early camper van and a 1928 Austin (right) with Veronica Oliver who presented the Ute awaiting restoration at the Twenty Five year membership badge to them at Taranaki Microcar Museum at Toko the Taranaki branch AGM. Stratford.

▲ Southland: Eunson family 1909 Wolseley.

▲ Southland: Ray McCulloch 1911 King Dick.

▲ Southland: 1906 Darracq, Tony Warren.

62 Beaded Wheels

Taupo: Members’ cars at Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

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▲

▲ Taupo: Members going aboard the Lake Rotomahana Lake trip.

Taupo: Eric Foley awarded Taupo VCC Life Membership with the three other life members - Graham Mock, Bob Pettigrew and Joe Ridley.

from a yellow machine (a combination of motorcycle and helicopter) doing fast, low level passes and all sorts of manoeuvres that did not seem as though they would be possible in this type of craft. Club member Doug Grant bravely climbed aboard and had the ride of his life to prove that these machines can be safe and a lot of fun. A visiting vintage biplane arrival created a lot of interest, as did the local top dressing aircraft.

Our clubrooms became the venue for early voting in the recent elections, so the monthly morning tea was successfully arranged around the vehicles in the truck shed, which gave a different atmosphere to the gathering.

NORTH SHORE RICHARD BAMPTON Recently Brian Cullen (former long serving committee member and Progress Editor) received his 35-year badge while John and Carol Reeve received their 25-year badges.

The second Auckland lockdown curtailed our activities, so the first run was the September Annual Spring Tour. The 19 cars and 39 people went to Whangamata via the Kaiaua Fish and Chip shop for morning tea. On to the Model Barn at Orongo, Paeroa for lunch, Waihi, the Goldfields Railway, the Martha Gold mine and then to Whangamata for the night.

Sunday was a Tiki tour of the township before exploring Pauanui and Tairua, then returning to Whangamata.

The Northern Raid was skilfully plotted

by Paul Collins. His team of marshals supported an excellent run for 22 entrants.

The run included the usual silent checks, cunning questions, dreaded straight-line navigation, feared timed sections and included an excellent lunch provided by Waitoki School. The afternoon section ended with a visit to Classic Paint and Restoration Ltd in Silverdale, where we saw a beautiful Fiat Bambina, and the Austin Ruby body of member Richard Ellis, among other work. Returning to the Mason Road Clubrooms we partook of our traditional roast meal before the prizes were awarded. First overall went to Auckland’s Neville Olsen and Gill Stephens in their 1966 Morris Mini, with Jim Drummond, his grandson, navigator Bruce Pitcher, and branch treasurer Ross Moon coming in as the top scoring North Shore competitors in Jim’s Chevrolet.

OTAGO

MARION MCCONACHIE

We have been fortunate to have been able to continue running our normal branch calendar of events, with some boasting good numbers of entries. The annual Dunvegan Rally weekend started with the 50 Year Award presentation to Bob Woodford by Kevin Clarkson – a long standing entrant in the Rally, and Max and Barry Dewar were presented with their 35 year badges during the Friday night nog ‘n’ natter. Our PWV/P60/P80 rally took us to Macraes goldmining country for a picnic lunch on a sunny spring day. We were told no gravel, but even the organisers were surprised to see that a good few kilometres of road had been shifted, to allow for the ever changing direction of the big machines that shift the workings of the mine to the processing plant. This was quite disorientating, but we all managed to reach the lunch spot. Most took the opportunity to visit the Golden Point Historic Reserve and battery. Congratulations to: Kevin and Trish Fowler (PWV), Mark and Nicola Wilkinson (P60) and Kevin and Val Mason (P80) for winning your respective categories The branch has seen a significant increase in the number of new members over recent months. So we look forward to meeting them during our summer of motoring.

Planning is in full swing for our annual Taieri Tour – which is showing an increase in entrants for the first time in about eight years. The Dunedin to Brighton run is promising to be another great event in early January.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Bob Oakley, a founding member of our branch in 1954. He was also involved with Southern Festival of Speed, the formation of the Otago Motor Club Trust, and an AA Otago Councillor. He continued to take part in our Taieri Tours, and Dunedin to Brighton Runs, but latterly with either Roger or Norman driving. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

ROTORUA

RONALD MAYES

Branch meetings and runs have resumed. At the September meeting Doug Green had his 1929 Graham-Paige in the room (third time lucky as earlier in the year it inexplicably failed to start, and the second planned session was cancelled by The Virus). He gave a very entertaining talk

about its rescue and restoration, which was completed in 1996. It is still immaculate despite having been extensively rallied, and is a tribute to his skills and the painstaking work he did to rescue it from the damaged wreck it had been. The story of its restoration was featured in the December/ January 1996 issue of Beaded Wheels.

At the October meeting Neil Handley showed us his 1957 Vauxhall Velox, resplendent in high-gloss black. Before buying it he ensured that it had been certified by NZTA as it had been repowered with a larger than standard Vauxhall engine.

New and potential members have joined us on Sunday runs, and it is pleasing to see a Morris 1100, a 1980s Daimler Sovereign, and a Jaguar Mk II 3.8 adding more colour and variety to our fleet.

24 January 2021 is the date of our annual Rotorua lakefront car show, 9am to 2pm. All donations will once again go to the St John Ambulance Association. This year we had over 400 vehicles on show and hope to see even more in 2021.

SOUTH CANTERBURY

SHANNON STEVENSON

The Opening Run with Ashburton took place on 6 September. Starting from Hinds, the run took over 50 participant’s vehicles to Mt Somers, and finished at Hakatere Station.

The final 2020 mid-week run was held on 10 September, taking members through Holme Station and Bluecliffs to reach Otaio Gorge.

The Continental Rally took place on 20 September, attracting more than 20 vehicles of European origin. The run took participants towards Geraldine, then across to Fairlie, with the settlement of Kimbell being the end stop.

A key behind-the-scenes task occurred over September with the replacement of the roof of our 1970s A-frame branch clubrooms building. The job overseen by several of our members.

The Mount Cook Rally took place over Labour Weekend, attracting 54 entrants’ vehicles, 19 of these built before 1940. A majority of members present were from outside the South Canterbury district.

The Jones family entered eight vehicles.

The routes took members to Twizel via the Waitaki Valley, with a number of the more intrepid members tackling the

Beaded Wheels 63

rugged Elephant Hill and Clarksfield Road backcountry track near Ikawai. Mt Cook was reached on the Sunday in inclement weather, the absence of tourist traffic being noticeable.

SOUTH OTAGO

MARTIN DODGE

Back in full swing, with a Spring Opening Run, Wednesday Runs, and entries for our Annual Rally pouring in.

Middlemarch was the lunch stop on a 330km Opening Run loop which took in the Macraes gold mining operation and Palmerston. 2019 production was approximately the weight of three 1967 Wolseley 6/110s. The scale of the operation certainly was put in perspective as the Dinky toy trucks rumbled past close up.

Gravel roads feature in all our runs, as sealed options are limited down South.

Meticulous preparation and a reconnoitre of the route produced a scenic cruise for the organiser of our latest monthly run - the following day members faced challenging mud, rocks and a murky view through frantic wipers. A win for the weather and grader driver.

Tripping down memory-lane provided some hoots ‘n’ hollers at the October meeting. An 18-year-old video of a Blue Smoke and Pedals Moped Rally entertained. Seeing ourselves as others saw us.

SOUTHLAND

RUSSELL MCIVOR

We welcome to the fold new member Matthew Furness, with a Yamaha motorcycle. We look forward to seeing him competing in rallies and other events.

Our thanks must go to Louisa Black for organising our monthly mid-week runs around scenic Southland. Barry Hayman will now take over the running of these popular events.

Because of the Southland floods our hill climb venue has been washed out.

This event will now be held in February or March, giving participants extra time to tune their vehicles.

National President Diane Quarrie is shortly to present 50 year badges to Brian Stroud, Ian Ridd and Ray McCulloch.

Our delayed auction proceeds will go towards the purchase of a defibrillator, which is to be installed in our clubrooms.

Better late than never, the projector was replaced at the clubrooms in time for the Bathurst event. This event was organised

by Peter Pryde and his committee. Of

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special interest were the Kiwi drivers competing successfully.

Competitors in the Invercargill based 2023 National Motorcycle Rally will be able to watch the Burt Munro event here, adding interest.

Twelve Branch members competed in the Gore National Veteran Rally. Our drivers had six class wins. The 1906 Darracq Service Car was driven by Tony Warren.

New motorcycles on the horizon are a 1902 Mitchell, vintage New Hudson and a Post War Ariel Square Four.

Finally, condolences to the Skeggs, Hoskins, Weiring and McDonald families on the loss of their loved ones.

TARANAKI

COLIN JOHNSTON

At our recent AGM two members, Les Bognuda and Jim Logan, both received their 25 year badges. Congratulations to both members.

Guest speaker for a recent Noggin and Natter club night was the Hon Harry Duynhoven, who is President of the Federation of Motoring Clubs. Harry spoke to us about how the Federation liaise with our club, the Automobile Association and other industry groups. By working together we can make worthwhile recommendations to the rule makers. The FOMC has garnered great respect in government circles over the years of its operation, and has become a significant lobbying voice in Government.

The midweek run for September was postponed to October, and we were treated to a collection of microcars at Toko near Stratford. This is a private collection built up over the years, and housed in an old cheese storage building built in 1918. We then proceeded to the Te Popo Gardens inland from Midhirst. This garden has been established for quite a while, with large trees and parklike gardens. The owners have bought about 25 sculptured animals, made in Zambezi out of recycled cars. They include elephants, giraffes, lions, springbok and wildebeests, and are all in natural positions. They certainly complement the bushes and trees around the gardens. Well worth a visit when you are here for the big international rally in 2021.

TAUPO

NEIL CHAVE

In September we held our annual Breakfast Run, where members complete a run around Taupo while the committee prepares a sumptuous brunch for their return. This year Elaine Taylor and her navigator were the winners, so they were excused from doing the dishes.

At our September club night we listened to a talk by Senior Constable Barry Shepherd from the Taupo Police, and Search and Rescue, about the challenges of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the difficulties maintaining safety around this iconic tourist attraction in the central North Island. Our October club night was a presentation by Steve Bowden from Cheal’s Surveyors about laser scanning, and how scanning hard-to-find car parts can save a lot of time and money. Provided you have the part available the scanner can produced a 3-D image for design and then manufacture. The branch awarded a Life Membership to Eric Foley who joined in 1980, has worked on various rally committees and held a number of senior committee positions, including secretary.

Eric now joins the three other branch life members who hold this honour. We supported the grand opening of the new Mobil service station at the Taupo Airport roundabout with a display of 16 members’ cars. In October the branch had a run to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, just north of Taupo. A good number of members had a great day out seeing the amazing sights, and experiencing this highly awarded ecotourism destination. The highlight of the day was a cruise on Lake Rotomahana.

WAIKATO

HUGH MCINALLY

Finally the club has had its annual AGM, after many postponements. All positions were filled bar one. After officers were voted in, the floor was open for discussions about the branch building a 6 x 9m workshop. After much discussion there was a show of hands, with the result being an overwhelming yes for the shed.

The shed organising committee is starting the preliminary paperwork required by the shed company. One presumes that in a couple of months the branch could be the proud owner of a new workshop, which will hopefully benefit many members now and in the future. After the shed discussion another motion was put forward for the purchase of a Bowranda style all-weather

▲ Wairarapa: Sandy and Simon O’Hara with the Margaret Gee Memorial Trophy.

▲ Wairarapa: Club pioneers Will and Ruby Holmes came to see the cars off. ▲ Wairarapa: Alec O’Hara, left, holding the trophy, and all the other winners.

▲ Wellington: Dave Nisbet’s newly acquired MG at the Colonial Cup run.

▲ Wellington: Ashley Blair’s 1936 BSA.

▲

Wellington: Terry Mathers Peugeot 203.

Wellington: Briefing at the Colonial Cup start.

▲ ▲ Wanganui: Faye and Ian Chamberlain at the start of their club run.

West Coast: Duzgo won the peoples choice award.

▲ Wanganui: Beautiful car and fabulous fish.

cover that would join the clubhouse with the library building. This would give members an all-weather covered area to socialise in. Once again there was a show of hands, and it was approved with almost 100% support.

The Branch has created a Post 60 motoring group. The only real criterion for members to be able to participate in the group is that the vehicle must be able to keep up with modern traffic speeds.

Two social runs have been held to date, resulting in an excellent turn out of members on both occasions. Do you have a club car that can keep up with modern traffic? Are you only interested in doing social non-competitive runs with fellow members? If yes, then put your name down for the next Post 60 run, I’m sure, you won’t be disappointed.

WAIRARAPA

KEVIN BALL

It’s always interesting/exciting when a newcomer organises their first rally, so it was with great anticipation that we signed up for Graham Hodder’s Spring Rally, which incorporated the Peter Smith Memorial Rally. The first indication that this was an unusual event was the starting point, the lovely old Dalefield Hall, south of Carterton, with an adjoining paddock for parking. We had all been assigned start times, but most people, 35 carloads of them, turned up early for a cuppa and a yarn with old friends. Included among them were Will and Ruby Holmes, not competing but pleased to see friends. The finish and prize giving was at the clubrooms at the end of the afternoon session. Francis and Gaye Pointon, in an Austin 12/4, won the vintage section, while Alec and Simon O’Hara took overall honours in their Austin 7.

Another new members rally, the 100km Margaret Gee, attracted another big entry, with divisions for sealed and unsealed roads. Directions were by way of tulip diagrams, with a straight-line navigation section. All completed the latter, with not even one threat of divorce. Roads to the north of Masterton were used.

WANGANUI

TONI JENKINS

Organised by Ian and Faye Chamberlain the branch run in September was attended by 33 cars. We went on a wee jaunt round some historic points of interest in town, with a memory test thrown in (which I failed miserably, having no memories

66 Beaded Wheels

of old Wanganui). We then visited Tom Clouston’s property to view his extensive collection of memorabilia and vehicles. It was a wonderful day out, with some very creative work done by the navigators.

Garth Stevenson of the Men’s Shed spoke at the October club night. There are some very skilled men working on the community projects there.

The Daffodil Rally was held on 11 October, and supported by more than 120 vehicles. This rally is organised by Pete Hardy and Keith Turner. This year has been very difficult for our charities, and Keith and Pete were determined that our local Cancer Society would receive as much money as they could arrange. A healthy donation of about $2,000 was made to the Society.

The October club run was a town run, touring our city’s collection of murals and organised by Keith Turner and Toni Jenkins. To our great surprise there were 29 murals within the city limits, and we managed to confuse everyone and send them round in circles on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone won a prize. Even Mr Ardell who came last in the heaviest car he owns. Corners were a challenge.

WELLINGTON

RAY BETTERIDGE

Motoring life just gets simpler. Put away your feeler gauges and timing light as all you need is an $8000 analyser, bluetooth and a laptop. Then sit back and watch.

Bruce Stevens of Hutt City European demonstrated all of this on a modern Beemer. It was a real eye opener. Sadly I will retain my feelers and timing light as the A is sensor-less and I don’t have $8,000 to spare anyway.

The branch had its first night rally in years, and the good turnout of members had takeaways together before driving through the city then up to the Byrd Memorial for some great night views. We returned to the clubrooms for dessert.

(The services of the entrant Bedford tow truck were not required).

October Club Night was, once again, the Motor Cycle Section`s Annual Overture. A good number of players brought their rides. Ashley Blair talked about the beautiful restoration of his 1936 BSA Q8 Empire Star, a rare and significant bike. One can only admire the tenacity that Ashley displayed bringing this project to its fruition.

Finally, in October we had a modified Colonial Cup Rally, but without restoration judging. We had a good turnout with cars from America, England, France, Sweden and Japan. The star was Terry Mathers’ Peugeot 203 out for the first time. Terry bought this mint car blind on TradeMe then spent a mint making it mint. But the huge expenditure of time and some money produced a wonderful result. He must be very proud of it.

WEST COAST

ELSPIE MITCHELL

Despite an atrocious weekend being forecast, a reasonable number of members took the opportunity to travel to Franz Josef and support an inaugural car show which raised $900 for the local school.

More than 51 vehicles supported the show, including classics, hot rods and vintages. It is hoped this will become an annual event on the local calendar.

A run to the Hokitika Gorge and lunch at the Treetop Walk cafe was well attended just prior to Labour weekend. Not for the faint hearted, you walk through the canopy of the native trees on a walkway, and it is amazing. Great to see locals supporting locals in such difficult times for our tourism and hospitality businesses.

Our Rosco trials are all set for November, and planning is well under way for our Christmas get together

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

Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.



Carey, Bruce R Banks Peninsula Francis, James (Jim) Auckland Holland, Keith Ashburton Horrell, Kerry William Ashburton Madgwick,Bruce Auckland Mauger, Warner Banks Peninsula Oakley, Bob Otago Robertson, Wallace (Wally)

Eastern Bay of Plenty Thomas, Keith Northland

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