A Tale of Two Veterans

and of younger owners

WORDS AND PHOTOS GRAHAM TAYLOR

The arrival of the latest Beaded Wheels inspired me to contribute something about two of our Central Otago Branch members’ veteran car restorations – John and Wendy Martin’s 1915 Studebaker SD 4 cylinder roadster, and Murray and Jenny Pryde’s 1909 De Dion BQ, also a four cylinder but a four seater.

s Murray Pryde with De Dion.

The Pryde’s car has history going back to the original Hubbard family ownership in Timaru. It was purchased by Jenny’s father, Doug Pedlow, in the late 1950s from Arnold Hubbard, pretty much in bits. Doug started the restoration but the many missing parts stalled him and he changed to a veteran Ford Model T. The De Dion was donated to the Southward Car Museum in the late 1960s, where it ended up in storage. Murray being a vintage car enthusiast from the 1960s, made a point of seeking the car out on various trips to the North Island, and became interested in buying it as Southwards were more interested in restoring later model cars at the time. Around 2011 the De Dion arrived in Wanaka and the long process of re-building it had begun. The challenge was the rear transaxle and drive shafts, as there were a lot of missing and mis-matched parts. Trying to keep oil in that transaxle was a challenge too ( I suspect the original lubricant was a heavy sticky grease), there were no oil seal housings as we know them now. That problem having been overcome, the guards, bonnet, chassis and wheels have been painted and the motor overhauled. The car is largely assembled, with the seats ready for upholstery. The inlet manifold is being re-designed to suit the carburettor which sits low down on the front right side of the engine as the fuel is gravity fed.

A lot of the missing brasswork has been remade when it could not be found, and where it was found some was at eye-watering prices. But then it is partly explained by Murray saying he has found only two other similar cars, one in the UK and one in Perth. He has seen both of these cars. Murray would like to acknowledge the substantial help he has had from other enthusiasts, especially with engineering problems.

The Martins’ car was purchased recently and is now in Cromwell, registration on hold, in a partially restored state with an assembled chassis and running gear, but with the bodywork and guards to do.

The Studebaker was a Christchuch car, purchased from Percy Ralston. It is uncertain who the first owners were but the Weastell and Stevenson names appear on different papers. The car was one of three that were restored at the same time to give some efficiency to the re-build. There were enough body parts to serve as patterns. John decided that he wanted to tackle the metalwork and this is coming along well. He has benefitted from a demonstration given by George Page, a veteran Hupmobile restorer from Arrowtown, on the use of

s Studebaker.

s▼ De Dion.

MDF as a useful metal former. Once the guards and valances have been completed he will concentrate on the hood bows and turtle deck.

These cars are only six years apart but the advances in technology and mass production are evident; I would use the words ‘cute’ to describe the De Dion and ‘sophisticated’ for the Studebaker, (electric start and lighting).

‘The why’ is also important as we have seen with our Olympian’s, inspiration is the start of any journey. In Murray’s case it was to rescue a rare and interesting veteran with family connections. John and Wendy wanted a suitable veteran that both could enjoy as his Royal Enfield is a single seater.

Both restorers are doing as much of the work themselves as a challenge, they have both had their rewards; the standards are high, and I have witnessed real progress.

The Central Otago Branch is hosting the National Veteran Rally in October; both the Martins and Prydes are involved in the organisation, and if the October date seems tight at the very least there will be two more veterans on display at this colorful event.

INSTRUMENT REPAIRS

Experienced expert technician available to refurbish or repair your automotive and marine instruments