This month’s feature car is not VCC eligible, but the styling is heavily based on cars that are.
I made another visit to Highlands this morning and I was captivated by it. I had never heard of them. I really recommend visits to the museum. It is an amazing collection for Central Otago and where else can you see a Formula 1 car, a Can Am car and a Supercar together at the same time? Displays change frequently.
Editorial
The opinions expressed here are the editor’s only and are not endorsed by the club.
I once read a story about an old Chinese curse which went along the lines of “May you have an interesting life”. Think about that; not long, nor happy nor prosperous but interesting. Interesting is associated in my mind with, among other things, challenging.
Well, car manufacturers and retailers are currently having an interesting life. The Chinese invasion is underway here in NZ. Currently we have MG, Volvo, Geely, BYD, Great Wall Motors and probably others but there are also models scheduled to be released here from Omoda, Leapmotors, Dongfeng Xpeng and Skyworth. Models from these later manufacturers have already been registered in NZ, presumably as demonstrators Most, but not all, are electric or hybrid. With the Trump Traffifs effectively locking these manufacturers out of the USA, these cars have to go somewhere. According to Dr Google, China manufactured 31million cars in 2024, the States10.5 million and, in 19th place, the UK at 0.9m. Remember when the UK was important?
Some of the names are odd to my ears. BYD stands for Build Your Dreams, a friend just brought a GWM Tank, I am not sure I could have a Leapmotor or a DongFeng but I am old enough to remember Nissan Cedrics and Prince Skylines so maybe that is an Asian thing.
The tariffs, if they remain, will really affect traditional manufacturers - Land Rover for example sells a third of its cars in the States. They initially stopped exports to there but due to a pause are now exporting, presumably flat out in the short term. Doubtless some will go to the wall and join all those other failed brands.
Crystal ball gazing - what does this mean for our hobby? Well, I again predict most of the current crop of electric or hybrid cars will be in wrecking yards before their 10th birthday because it will be uneconomic to repair them or replace the batteries. Few will get to VCC eligibility. They will be throw-away items such as todays microwaves. Who fixes these? They go until they don’t and then you buy a new one. Think I am being pessimistic? Do a Trade Me search on older electric or hybrid cars. Once the battery is nearing the end of life the cars become cheaper than a new mountain bike. If the USA effectively bans cars not manufactured there, car development there will slow, and the cars will start to feel outdated.
While I have no evidence of this, it appears to me that the Chinese cars are well specified but I would be cautious here. I remember when my company bought Daewoos from GM Daewoo. The bean counters compared the spec sheets with the equivalent Toyota and decreed they were the car we had to have. The reality
was different, they didn’t drive well, bits kept falling off and they were unreliable. One colleague even had a crankshaft break in his driveway.
On a more positive note, I received an email about the new Toyota Corolla GR I saw that the engine is a three-cylinder 1600 so I started to dismiss this as yet another hairdressers’ car but I read on and it has a 6 speed manual, a turbo, and permanent 4wd, lsd at both ends 221kw. Am I dreaming, has Toyota been on a drug trip. Nope. The secret is the GR letters. GR= Gazoo Racing. I want one.
Regards
Garry
A blast from the past Allan Moffat in the GTHO followed by Leo Leonard and Ron Rutherford in E49s.
The Charger won beating the factory Ford
Notice of COVCC Annual General Meeting
Sunday 15th June 2025
1.30 pm
At the COVCC club rooms, Litany St, Cromwell
The AGM will be preceded by a BBQ lunch beginning at 11.30 am. Please bring a salad or a dessert. BYO drinks.
Date Event
JUNE
2025
Wednesday 11th June
Club Night: Clubrooms
Organiser Detail
John Gray John Martin discussing how he builds a new wood frame for a vehicle body, or undertakes wood repairs. John will also touch on wood bending, making hood bows and possibly veneering work.
Sunday 15th June Annual General Meeting Graham Taylor AGM, to be preceded by a potluck lunch at 11.30 am.
Thursday 26th June
JULY 2025
Wednesday 9th July
Thursday Muster
Club Night: Clubrooms
Sunday 13th July Weekend Run
Thursday 31st July
AUGUST 2025
Thursday Muster
Wednesday 13th August Club Night: Clubrooms
John Gray No Thursday Muster this month, due to the reduced winter program
John Gray TBC
John Gray No Weekend Run this Month, due to winter.
John Gray Curling at Alexandra. Due to there being limited rink space. The first 16 members registered will be able to play. Preceded by lunch at Alexandra. Others are able to attend to view. Registrations required.
John Gray TBC
Sunday 17th August Weekend Run No Weekend Run this Month, due to Winter
Sunday 24th August Daffodil Day Cancer Society fund-raiser
Thursday 28th August
Thursday Muster
TBC
Show and Shine. Gates open 11.00 am. Display 12.00 – 2.00 pm. Barbeque and raffles. All proceeds to Cancer Society. Please bring your vehicle for display and support this event and this great cause.
Run to Oturehua to visit the historic gold mine and poppit head structure, with lunch at the Oturehua Hotel.
SEPTEMBER 2025
Wednesday 10th September
Club Night: Clubrooms
Sunday 14th September Weekend Run
Thursday 25th September Thursday Muster
Saturday 27th September Blossom Festival Rally
OCTOBER 2025
Wednesday 8th October
Club Night: Clubrooms
Sunday 12th October Weekend Run
Thursday 30th October Thursday Muster
NOVEMBER 2025
Wednesday 12th November
Club Night: Clubrooms
Sunday 16th November Weekend Run
Thursday 27th November Thursday Muster
DECEMBER 2025
John Gray
TBC
John Gray
Ewen Duthie
TBC, but possibly a weekend trip to Invercargill to visit the museums etc
No Thursday Muster this month owing to Blossom Festival Rally
Further details from Ewen and in later P n S editions.
John Gray
Martin Curtis
John Gray
TBC
Trip to St Bathans and Cambrians to see the Bluebell Glade. Morning tea at St Bathans and possibly a garage collection visit.
No Thursday Muster this month due to Labour Weekend
TBC
John Gray
John Gray
Sunday 7th December Branch Christmas Lunch Committee/John Martin
Thermette Picnic
TBC
Weekend Run Thursday Muster
Club Christmas Lunch at clubrooms. Meat supplied, bring your own drinks and a Pot Luck salad or dessert for sharing. Presentation of membership Awards.
No Weekend Run or Thursday Muster this Month, due to Christmas
Chairman’sReport
When you sit down with a coffee or something stronger to read this month’s Puff N Stuff the Golden Times Rally in Arrowtown will be just a fond memory to members who attended.
We had 43 entrants with the oldest vehicle not counting drivers was a 1910 Model T Ford and a 1910 Triumph Motorcycle. The newest was a 1991 Mitsubishi 3000. Very pleased to see 25 Central Otago members participating.
Our Wednesday morning Muster of blokes and ladies is gathering momentum with a good turnout of interested folk turning up the other morning so if you have a free Wednesday pop in for a coffee and a yarn and a look around.
Sadly, Gerry Spencer has moved to Blenheim so we now have the safety officer’s position up for grabs. Don’t all rush at once as there are other positions available also. I would like to thank Gerry for all the sterling background work he has done in steering the club in the right direction. His term as Puff’N’Stuff editor a few years ago was also very commendable.
Daffodil Rally for Cancer date has been settled on Sunday 24th August.
Our road trip to Napier was uneventful with the hood down for about half the trip and 5 warm sunny days in Napier. The motel was great with good food, company and 20 other Alvis vehicles.
Thank you to the members who helped at the Easter Wheels into Wanaka show and by all accounts it was awesome. It will be a shame if it is the last one
The alarm system has now been installed in the clubrooms and parts shed and we hope that our insurance company will come to the party with reduced rates
Happy motoring
Regards
John M
attend on all three days, on the latter two, avoiding all the traffic delays by arriving on site around 6.30am, to be ready for the briefing at 6.50.
I was totally blown away by the variety and diversity of vehicles attending, the enthusiasm of all participants, the very high calibre of the organisation of the event and the very high numbers of people attending on all three days, despite the inclement weather on both Friday and Sunday, which didn’t appear to dampen anyone’s spirits.
This was a ‘world class event’ in every aspect, with many people saying it would probably be impossible to ‘gather’ the vast diversity of vehicles and machinery that were present, anywhere else in the world, and to have these vehicles moving about on site for the continuous parades in the ‘Parade Arena’, which was great to see. Vehicle events such as this elsewhere, tend to be ‘static’ displays only, mainly due to the ever invasive H & S regs.
I am told there were over 300 Volunteers who assisted to make this event happen. From my perspective, I consider it was an honour to have been asked to participate and assist in a very small way as part of this fantastic event, and is something I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life.
Also, a big thank you to all our COVCC members who assisted with parking and other tasks, it is getting more and more difficult as we all get older and busier to find volunteers to undertake such tasks, but without us, all events such as this would not be the success they are, and give others the enjoyment that such events generate.
I give an extra-large shout out to the event organising committee, who did a fantastic job in organising and co-ordinating this amazing event, which flowed like clockwork each day, well done to all. I have also received the following email from Rod Corbett and Lynette Duncan, thanking our members for assisting with the Classic Car side of the event.
Subject: Thanks to VCC Central Otago Branch for Wheels car parking assistance
Hi John,
Sincere thanks from Lynette and me for the Central Otago Vintage Car Club's enthusiastic assistance with exhibitor car parking for Wheels at Wanaka this weekend.
Your team's contribution to having that number of cars parked quickly and safely made a huge contribution to the outstanding success of this event.
Thanks again for your assistance in "Rounding up the troops".
Kind regards,
Lynette Duncan
the.duncans@xtra.co.nz
027 201 6976
Rod Corbett
rod.corbett88@gmail.com
+64 27 433 8772
CONONET PEAK HILL CLIMB 2025
On another matter. Our branch committee, through Graham Taylor, had been approached regarding our interest in being involved in administering a VCC Class at this years Coronet Peak Hill Climb, to be held on Saturday 29th November this year. Initially, Graham indicated that he would not be available for the Scrutineering Duties and that finding a suitably qualified Steward may also be a problem.
However, following discussions I had with Rod Corbett, progress has been made and it looks like there will be a VCC Class after all. Rod has been in touch with Banks Peninsula and Gore Branches, respectively, and between them they can provide the required officials, and handle the admin of the VCC entries. VCC Gore branch is running the Josephville Hill Climb, on Sunday 30th, and are keen to also be involved at the CPHC as well.
Members of our Branch, who are interested in competing, should keep a look out in Beaded Wheels for further information, as the requirements to compete in the VCC Class, (with an eligible vehicle) are considerably reduced from those required for Motorsport NZ eligible vehicles.
Rod has asked if I can co-ordinate a few marshals to assist at the CPHC and possibly Josephville, if possible. I am now in the loop with these events and will send out further n1otices looking for support, as the time gets closer.
Text: Wendy 0272729137, or jbgray@xtra.co.nz
Some nibbles will be supplied, but you may wish to bring extras.
THURSDAY 29th MAY –
THURSDAY MUSTER – MANIATOTO VISIT
Following a previous successful visit to this area organised by previous Club Captain John Wilson, it has been decided to undertake another visit to the Waipiata tavern for lunch to again sample their delicious home-made pies. I am told their ‘Lamb Shank’ pie is well worth the visit.
The program for the day, for those from Cromwell and points west, meet at the Clubrooms at 9.45am, to leave at 10.00. Proceed via Clyde and Springvale Road. For those from Alexandra and points south, meet us at the carpark at the eastern end Springvale Road at 10.30am. We will then stop along the road for morning tea, with the potential to boil the ‘thermette’, if so desired. Otherwise bring your thermos and a biscuit, along with your picnic chair.
We will then proceed to lunch at the Waipiata Tavern, arriving around 12.00 noon. Others may meet us there. Following our last visit a couple of years ago, Wendy and I went ‘off Piste’ and visited a few of the historic delights surrounding this area. These suggestions are not compulsory following lunch, but may be of interest to our members. There may be some sections of good quality gravel roads. The proposals are; visits to the Hamiltons Goldfield and historic cemetery. Patearoa, Southern Maniatoto Plain, and rare endangered native Olearia (scented tree daisy) enclosure. A map of the proposed route on the Maniatoto, will be provided on the day.
John Gray
COVCC
Club Captain
ArrowtownAutumnFestival
Report: Graham Taylor, Photos: John Gray
After missing last year it was rewarding to return to the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, theAutumn weather was perfect trees bursting out into vivid colours.
The Arrowtown street scene takes a lot of beating for the car display and the viewing public who are back post-Covid, in large numbers, and it was difficult to get more than three or four cars into the photo.
The organisers had put in our entry packs coffee vouchers which saved the effort of providing morning tea also more time to catch up with friends/members.
The run was perfect for the times, follow the map and avoid the worst of the traffic, ending up at the Flight Park for lunch, (I had the blue cod and chips the best anywhere and good value for money).
People had a relaxing lunch in the sun before heading back to Arrowtown, some headed to the festival parade, others to Butlers Green, which soon became busy with spectators and cameras.
The parade appeared to be colourful hope no one was scorched.
Organisers Greg Doran, Michael Wyatt, John and Wendy Martin.
Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor from Luggate contemplates the afternoon run instructions, while Wayne and Dennis Henderson of Dunedin prepare to depart.
Cars lined up in the Arrowtown main street awaiting departure
Trevor Toshach on right, with his navigator, displays the ‘Overall Winners’ trophy
Trekking is the predominant tourist activity, and there are no Sherpa’s, unlike Nepal, with all tourists required to hire a guide and a driver if they are traveling around by car. All trekkers have to hire a guide and all equipment for camping, food and their personal gear is transported by horse, donkeys or Yaks, together with the associated staff and cooks etc. This provides good employment and income for the local population.
Bhutan has many very high mountains, however there is no mountaineering in this country, as all mountaineering was banned in 1987, as the mountains are considered very sacred to the people. There is even one prominent mountain there that has not been climbed at all.
Martin’s presentation of the country and its people was very extensive and he remarked that the Bhutanese people are amongst the happiest of any population throughout the world. Thank you, Martin, for a very enjoyable presentation.
NewMembers
We welcome:
Rod Sinclar and his Alfa Romeo Gilleta Sprint from Springvale.
Jacqueline Potter and her 1935 Austin from Clyde
Stuart Cameron and his 1955Triumph T100 from Jacks Point.
PassingLane
Good month, no notifications.
NeilStevensonJaguarrestoration
She is a big job as they say in the Mitre 10 ads
National Daffodil Day Coordinator:
Golden Times: Alan Sutton 027 434 6018
Facebook Page TBC
BitsandPieces
Name badges
Alan.Sutton@bayleys.co.nz
Graham is preparing an order for these. He gets them done in batches of 10 or so. If you need one, please talk to him.
Photos and some notes on events
I can’t get to every event, and I enjoy it when others help with contributions, We urgently need some help on this. John Gray has been doing a stirling job but we are a club not a one-man-band. This way, you will end up with a better mag that is well-rounded and better targeted to the wider membership interests. Thank you to those of you who contributed. The Editor.
LetterstoEditor/Secretary
Original Message
Subject: Save the Date - SUNDAY 24 AUGUST !
Date: 2025-04-18 15:30
From: Kaaren Smylie <kaaren@linsa.co.nz>
To:
Happy Happy Easter Members
I trust wherever you are in the country today you are keeping yourself warm and dry and enjoying the commencement of Easter.
Attached below is a reminder for you about our upcoming Daffodil Rally for Cancer. Any questions you have about this year's awesome campaign, please feel free to fire them in my direction.
Easter hugs
Kaaren
Stickers for COVCC members
Let others know which branch you belong to at events away from home. These are produced locally and are made from high quality vinyl. They are external stickers and go on the outside of the windscreen, or on the body work. They are easily removed with a hairdryer. Cost $3.00 each. (A small profit goes to our club.)
