COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025
LadiesFriendshipGroupGetTogether-seepage7ofthisTourer
SundayJaunt-seepages6,7and12ofthisTourer
Afternoonteaattheclubroomsafterthe‘Jaunt’,thenaBYODinner
ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding
WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage6ofthisTourer
RegisterinterestintheOctoberInter-BranchCampoutbefore13th Aug ClubNight-7.30pmat‘TheGrove’
VCCNationalDayforCancer-seepage8ofthisTourer
SundayJaunt
ClosingDateforEntriesfortheManawatuBranchVintageRally
ClubNightistheAnnualQuizNightwithCHBBranchinDannevirke
VintageOnlyRally (TWODAYEVENT)
AnnualSwapMeet
NOVEMBER 2025
Sunday2nd
Sat/Sun22nd -23rd
DECEMBER 2025
SundayJaunt
MotorcycleRally
AnnualInter-BranchCampoutat“BaseCampRangi” - seeparagraphintheClubCaptain’sRamble - page12ofthisTourer -interestinattending-notifytheClubCaptainnolaterthan13th Aug
SundayJaunt
Annual“Overnighter”
Saturday6th Sunday7th VeteranRally
BranchChristmasParty/LongServiceAwards
Exceptforformaleventsbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving,althoughahistoricvehicleispreferred.
AUGUST 2025
OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025/6
Sat/San16th &17th ManawatuMotorcycleShow
SEPTEMBER 2025
Saturday6th CentralHawkesBay3rd VintageOnlyRally
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026
Feb24th > Mch1st TheModelTFordClubofNZInc.33rd NationalRally
AsupplementtothisTourerwhichincludesnotices fortheseevents hasbeen postedto ourbranchOneDrivesite.
Thelinktothesiteisinthe ‘ManawatuBranchGeneralNotices’ pagewhichisonpage9 ofthisTourer-(Notice:‘EarlierIssuesoftheTourer ……..’).
VINTAGE CAR CLUB VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS
VETERAN: MotorVehiclesconstructedpriorto31st December1918
VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1919and31st December1931
POST VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1932and31st December1945
POST WAR: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1946and31st December1960
POST 1960: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1961and31st December1980
POST 1980: MotorVehiclesconstructedafter1st January1981providedthatnovehicleis deemedeligibleforthiscategoryuntilthedayimmediatelyfollowingthe30th anniversary ofitsoriginaldateofconstructionasdeterminedinaccordancewithSection2ofthe ClubVehicleTechnicalCode.(refertotheClubBy-laws)
AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION VEHICLES: MotorVehiclesnewlyconstructedtotheexact specificationofanoriginalfactoryproductionvehicle.(asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
FACTORY BUILT & HISTORIC RACING VEHICLES: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
PERIOD SPECIALS: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
SUNDAY JAUNT - 3RD AUGUST 2025
1ST SUNDAYOFEACHMONTH
MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingintimefora 2.30pmdeparture.Itwillbea‘RestorationRun’toviewtwo members’projects,-thenontoourclubroomsforalateafternoon tea,andifyouwish,stayingonforaBYOdinner/drinks. (seepage7andtheClubCaptainsRambleonpage12ofthisTourer)
WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
2ND WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH
13TH AUGUST 2025 9.30 AM > 12 NOON
OntheagendafortheAugustworkingbeeisacleanoutoftherearshedso thatwecangetto,andhavesomespace,torepairtheSwapMeetsigns. Also,weatherpermitting,thetreetrimmingwillcontinue.Ifyoucan,please bringalongsawsandchainsaws,andofcourse,trailersforfreefirewood. Andthereisongoingtidyingupofthepropertyandgardeningwhichalways needsattention.Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong.
Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
NEXT CLUB NIGHT
3RD WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH 7.30PMWEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST 2025
EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTS TOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE
Anelectronicresourceisinplacewhichmakesalargenumberofearlier issuesoftheTourereasilyavailabletomembersforreference.
Thelinktothoseearlierissuesisbelow.Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCC Branchesonlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.
Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters
IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?
IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT.
Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehicle inoriginal,restored,orunrestoredcondition.
TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotograph ofyourvehicleinlandscapelayout.
Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes, thephotographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ‘THE TOURER’
BecausetheToureristheMagazineforyourbranch-itisyourmagazine. Shouldyoucomeacrossanythingthatyouthinkcouldinterestyourfellowmembers,orif youwishtocontributeanarticleonanyofyourmotoringprojects(pastorpresent),or yourrecentparticipationinrunsoreventswithotherbranches,pleasedonothesitateto senditalongwithanyphotographswhichyouhave,totheeditor.
THE PARTS SHEDS (WHEREALLITEMSAREPRICEDTOMOVEOFFTHESHELVES)
TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles.
Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutterandyourfriendsareinvitedto donateanyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchso thatwecantradethemontofellowenthusiasts.
EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooks forwardtoassistingyoufindthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartor toolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyourprideandjoy.
ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Wehadagreattimeatthelady’sfellowshiponSaturday5th July withacoupleofmembersfromHorowhenuaBranchandapast memberMaureenScottwhocamewithphotosandgreatstories ofwhattheLadiesgotuptointhepast.
Wesawaphotowhichwastakenbackonthefirstnighttrial. Itwashardtotryandpickoutwhowasinit.Wehadagreat lunchwithlotsoffoodtobehad.
ForthenextLadiesfellowshipon2nd August,wearegoingto CarolinesCafé.Thereisanicegardenandalovelyshopwithsomethingforeveryone. Itwouldbegreattoseeeveryonethere.
OnSunday6th JulywehadagoodnumberofpeoplebravingthecoldtogotoLuttrellsWhite PineGardensandworkingPioneerMuseum.Itwasinterestingwithafewcars,household items,andagreatrockcollection.Therewasasmalllakebehindthehousewithalotof Fantail’senjoyingthesunnyday.ThankyoutoGlynforagreatrun.
LastSaturdaynightwehadourMid-winterdinnerwiththethemeofthe60’s.Itwasabit disappointingthatwehadveryfewmembersthere.Thereweresomegreat60’scostumes andalotoflaughterwithgreat60’smusic.
Wewouldlovetoseemorememberscomingoutandsupportingthecommitteewiththe differentactivitiesthatweareputtingonforeveryone.Pleaseputthe24th Augustinyour calendarsfortheDaffodilDay.Weareneedinghelpersforparkingandafternoonteaatthe clubrooms.
Thebigthingistohaveasmanyofourmembersaspossibleoutwithcarsandmotorbikesfor therunanddisplay.
Happymotoringeveryone, Esther
S
Winter?IcallitperfectweatherforaBranchEvent!
Sure,it’sabitbrisk…butthat’snothingawoollyhat,agood scarf,andacarheatercan’thandle.Solet’sdustoffthe cobwebs,givethoseenginesalittlelove,andheadoutfora BrancheventinAugust!Abitoffreshair,afewwindingroads, andahotcuppaattheend-whatmorecouldyouwant?
BRANCHMID-WINTERSOCIALGET-TOGETHERHELDSATURDAY 19JULY
I’msorrytosay,averydisappointingturnoutforthiseventwithonly 22membersattending.Iwouldhavethoughtwiththemeal being subsidisedandonly$20/perhead,andyounothavingtodothe dishes,theeveningmayhaveattractedmoreinterest.Lastyear’sMid-WinterDinnerbroughtout 65membersonaverycoldnightandthemealwasmoreexpensiveat$55/perhead! Maybeitwasthe“theme”thatputyouoff?TheCommitteewouldliketothankthosemembers thatdidattendfortheirsupport.Itwasafunnight,everyonewaswellfed,andthesocialising wasveryconvivial!Weevenhadafewmembersgetuptodancetothe60smusic!Photos elsewhereinthisissue.
NEXTLADIESFRIENDSHIPGROUPGETTOGETHER-2ndAugust!
Detailselsewhere. TheLadiesGetTogetheratthebeginningofJulywasanothersuccessfulevent.(Photos elsewhere).Itwaspleasingtobejoinedbyneighbouringbranch,HorowhenuaClubCaptainJulie RiepenandmemberDianeStrachan.Thankyouladiesforsupportingus.Wewerealsodelighted towelcomeMaureenScott.MaureenandherlatehusbandLachlan,wereveryactivemembersin thisbranchovertheyears.Maureenverykindlybroughtalongsomeoldphotosandtoldafew storiesofpastmemories.
LONGSERVICEAWARDS2025
Thistimeofyearisverybusyformeadministrativewise.Iamcurrentlyworkingthroughthe paperworkforthefollowingLongServiceAwardswhichwillbepresentedattheAnnualBranch ChristmasPartyatthebeginningofDecember.Ifyournameisonthelistbelow,pleasekeepan eyeoutinyouremailsforamessagefromme-there’sabitofpaperworktofillout!
35YearAwards
PeterCreighton AlanRowe MichaelClifford
50YearAwards
JohnCallesen BruceDear NormCook
DAFFODILDAYFORCANCER2025
Detailselsewhereinthisissue.
TheCommitteeisverybusybehindthesceneswiththeorganisationofthisevent.There’splenty on,someofourmembers'VCCvehicleswillbedisplayedintheFordDealershipShowRoomsin PalmerstonNorthandFeildingintheweekleadinguptotheevent.EveryoneisWelcome-No matterwhatkindofvehicleyoudrive!ComealongandsupporttheBranch!
HiAll
I’vespentafairamountoftimeoverthelastmonth(over60 hours!)readingeveryoneofour“Tourer”Newsletters-from February1990toFebruary2023-some384issues!Theinitial reasonforthiswastoconfirmorfindmembersjoiningdatesso CathcansortthefileonServiceAwardsgoingforward.Ialso foundmanystoriesofthedozenofmemberswhodidsomuchfor theBranchandbuildingoftheClubRooms.Ittrulywasa mammotheventbysomany,ofwhichsadly,veryfewarestillwithus. IshouldhavebeensortingtheheadontheMorrieMinorbutasIsaidinthelastissue,it'sjust beentoocoldtoventureouttotheshed.IthinkI’vehadtwodaysoutthereinthelast5or6 weeks.There’snoralliesorrunsIneeditforinthenearfuturesonopanic-Yet!
ComingupisDaffodilDayandwewillneedabout10-12ParkingMarshallsforboththestart attheCoachHouseMuseuminFeildingandthefinishatourClubRooms.Pleaseseemeat theAugustClubNighttogetaHi-VisJacketandwewillhaveawordonwhat'sneeded.If youcan’tmakeClubNightbutcanhelppleasecontactme.
SeptemberisourVintageRallyontheweekendof20th/21st.Iamtryinga2-dayformatto capitaliseonthemomentumfromthe“HighlandFling”(EntryFormelsewhereinthisissue), andtheSwapMeetisaweeklateron Saturday27thSeptember.Pleasenotethenewdate whichwillnowbethe“norm”infuture(lastSaturdayinSept)astheHorseArenaisnow requiredeveryyearinearlyOctoberforanEquestrianevent.
October-InterbranchCampout-LabourWeekend-BaseCamp-Apiti.I’mlookingatrunning thiseventagainthisyearbut neednumbersNOW.Ifyouareintendingtoparticipatethen emailmebyWednesday13thAugusttogoontheMailingListforupdates/EntryForm.
IfIdon’tget10vehiclesfromManawatuBranchthentheeventwillbewithdrawn.Ineedto givethepeopleatBaseCamptheopportunitytotakeabookingforthelongweekendfrom someotherorganisationifwedon’tgetthenumbers-SoemailmeNOW!
SundayJauntforAugust(seeinformationelsewhere)isaRestorationRungoingfirstlytoJohn Callesen’stoseetheNewton-BennettandthenontoDerekandBeckyHaycock’stoseethe 1932ChevRoadster,afterthatitsbacktotheClubRoomsforBYODinneranddrinks. Start2.30pmsharpattheCoachHouseMuseumCarPark,Feilding.
Seeyouthere?
INTRODUCING A NEW MEMBER
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomeanewmember.
NEIL HICKMOTT
NeilhasanumberofAustins:
1924Austin12/4
1924Austin12/4
1928Austin12/4 1946AustinSixteen
1952AustinA40Devon
AustinA95Westminster Awarmwelcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.
SundayJaunttoLuttrellsWhitePineGardensandMuseum-PohanginaRoad
ABOVEANDLEFT: parkedupatthe meetingplace–the CoachHouseMuseum inFeilding
BELOW: thebriefing
ABOVEANDRIGHT: parkedupatLuttrells
BELOW: keenlyheadingforthesheds
THISPAGE: abitofeverythinginthesheds
THISPAGE: morefrominsidethesheds
ABOVEANDRIGHT: andevenmorefrominsidethesheds BELOW: thenaturalhistoryroom
ABOVEANDRIGHT: oneoftheoutsidesheds,andan MGintheworkshop
BELOW: awanderaroundthegrounds
RIGHT: therewasabirdaviaryplaced amongstthetrees
LEFT: thedietthatthebirdsare(apparently)beingfedisstored inoneofthecages,nodoubtexplainingtheverycontented birdsandtheirhealthy-lookingplumage
BELOW: backattheclubroomsafterwardsforafternoonteaand the‘firstSundayofthemonth’BYOtea
Thephotographs forthis pageintheTourerare usuallysourcedfroma bookofAntiqueCar Wrecks.
ButnotthismonthThephotographsthis monthcomefromyour Editor’sfamilyhistory photoalbum.
TheEditor’sGreat Grandunclewasthe driver.Noinjuries fortunately.Thedriveris theoneinthehatinthe photoontheright standingbehindthecar.
AND WHY CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUEL MATTERS
Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyUmmeaimonShabbir12May 2025
Classiccarshavealwayshadthepubliceye,withsomeevenchoosingthemtobetheirdaily drivers.Ifthat'sthecase,youbetterbeinformedaboutwhatkindoffuelyouneedtouse. Thebestfuelformostclassiccarsisethanol-freegasoline(E0),preferablywithahigh-octane ratinglike91orhigher.Thisisbecauseolderengineswereneverdesignedtorunontoday's ethanol-blendedfuels.Ethanol,evenat10%,canwreakhavoconvintagefuelsystems. Itcorrodesmetal,softensrubber,attractswater,andreducespoweroutput.Ethanol-freegas avoidsallthatandcausesfewerproblems.
Butfindingethanol-freepetrolisn'talwayseasy.IntheU.S.,moststationsonlysellE10 (gasolinewith10%ethanol).Fordriverswhocan'tgetethanol-free,thenextbestoptionis premiumfuelwiththelowestethanolcontentyoucanfind,typicallyE5orE10.Someowners addoctaneboostersorethanolstabilizers,especiallybeforelong-termstorage.
Ifyourenginestillhassoftvalveseatsandwasoriginallydesignedforleadedfuel,consider addingaleadsubstitute.Theseadditiveshelppreventvalveseatrecession,especially importantifyoudriveyourclassicregularly.Withoutit,long-termuseofunleadedpetrol couldeventuallyleadtovalvedamage.Ifyourcar'senginehasbeenrebuiltorupgradedwith hardenedvalveseats,thisisn'tascritical.
Whyethanol-blendpetrolisaproblemforoldercars
Ethanolisharmfultoclassiccarengines.Backwhentheyrolledofftheline,gasolinewas leaded,highinoctane,andfreefromalcohol-basedadditives.Today'sfuelsaretheopposite: unleadedandblendedwithethanol.Thatswitchcausesproblems.
First,ethanolishygroscopic.Itpullsmoisturefromtheairandintoyourfueltank,whereit promotesrustinthetank,lines,andcarburettor.Italsoleadstofuelseparation,wherewater andethanolsettleatthebottomofthetankandcancausemisfiresordamagewhendrawn intotheengine.Thisisespeciallyriskyifyourcarsitsforlongperiods,likeoverthewinter.
Second,ethanolisasolvent.Itbreaksdownoldvarnishandgunkinthetankandfuellines, whichthenclogsfiltersandcarburettors.Italsodegradesvintagerubberfuellines,gaskets, andseals.Replacingthesepartswithethanol-safematerialsispossible,butit'sextrawork andcost.
Third,ethanolreducesenergydensity.Thatmeansworsemileageandlesspower,whichis noticeableinolderenginesthatweren'tdesignedtocompensateforthelowerBTUvalueof alcohol-blendedfuels.Manyclassiccarownersreportuptoa10%dropinfuelefficiency whenusingE10versusethanol-free.
Whathappensifyouusethewronggas?
Ifyoufuelyourclassiccarwiththewrongtypeofpetrol,theissuesmightnotshowup immediately,buttheywillshowup.
EthanolblendslikeE10orE15cancausecorrosioninsidethetankandlines,eatawayrubber seals,andleadtoexpensivecarburettordamage.Ifyouletthatpetrolsitfor90daysor more,itcanseparateandgobad.Startthecarinthatcondition,andyouriskenginedamage orcompletefuelsystemfailure.
Valveseatrecessionisanotherriskinenginesoriginallybuiltforleadedfuel.Withoutleador apropersubstitute,thevalveseats(whichweren'thardenedinolderengines)wearoutunder heatandpressure.Thatleadstocompressionlossandeventuallyanengineteardown.
Loweroctanefuelsbringpre-ignitionor"pinging,"especiallyunderload.That'swhen combustionhappenstooearlyinthecycle,whichcanburnpistonsandseriouslyshorten enginelife.Itmightsoundlikealightrattleatfirst,butitdoesrealharmfast.
Toavoidthis,knowyourcar'sfuelrequirements,checktheethanolcontentatthepump,and addstabilizersoroctaneboosterswhenneeded.
Forbestresults,sticktohigh-octane,ethanol-freegas,oratleastminimizeethanolexposure withprotectiveadditivesandsmartstorage.
BITS & PIECESFROM BYGONE DAYS
APublicInformationLeafletFrom1940(England)
Julyclubnightsawagoodturnoutwiththirty-fourbravingthecoldtocomealongandhear Robbo(Phil)Robertson'spresentationonhis48-yearcareerintheNZAirForce(inuniform, andasanAirForcecivilian).
Itwasaveryinterestingtalk,memorabiliadisplay,toppedoffbyRobbodressedinuniform.
LEFT:PhilandhiswifeLanise.
THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR CARS
ReportwrittenbyandprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile
Recently,myDadandImadeatripuptoalittleplaceinthemiddleofnowherecalledKaitaia. Thoughitwasatreacherouslylongdrive,itwaswellworthit.There,inthebackcountry’s backcountry,waitedanengineforourStutz.Itallstartedwhenafriendsentmeamessage thatdetailedaTradeMelistingfora“1920sStutzSpecialproject”.Iwasseriouslyintrigued becausea1923StutzSpecialSixiscurrentlyresidinginthecomfortofourshed. Ofthe1000orsoexamplesthatwereproducedover1923-24,fewsurvivorsareknownto remain.TheSpecialSixlinewasalower-pricedOHValternativetothelarger,sportier,more powerful4-cylinder16valvemodelsthatdisplayedhomagetotheiconicStutzBearcat. Althoughacheaperunderlingtothehearty“SpeedwayFour”,theSpecialSixhada4.4L Weidleydesignedandmanufacturedengine,withanoutputof75horsepower,a126inch wheelbase,andastartingpriceofaround$2700.
Theenginelookedprettymint,sowemadethedealandpackedourselvesupandwentfora roadie.WetookmyGrandmawithusasweweregoingtostopoffatherbrother’splacein Auckland,sowe’dleavehertheresoshecouldhaveacatchupwhileweheadedfurtherup north.Thetripupwasgood,butitwasheavyrainmostofthewaywhichprovedsome challengingdrivingconditions.Therewerecoupleofteaandhomemadegingernutstops,soit wasn’tanunpleasanttime,eventhoughtheywerehadinthecar.Afterarriving,theevening wasatimespentwellwithroastlambfordinnerandapplecrumbleandminticecreamfor pudding.Atraditionwhenstayingthere!
DadandIhittheroadjustbeforethecrackofdawn.Wehadtotakethebackroadsas Northlandhadbeenhithardbytherainandtemporaryroadclosureswereputinplaceon StateHighwayOneduetofloodingandsomebigslips.Nevertheless,wemadethetripintoa goodone,almostninehoursallup!Theenginewaslocatedaboutaquarterhourfrom Kaitaia,soitwasoutintothewopsforus.Whenwemetwiththeguyafterarriving,we receivedatroveofinformationfromhim,includingcontactdetailsforownersofSpecialSixes intheU.S.&Canada,partscatalogues,photosofsomeoftheveryfewStutzcarsinNew Zealand,andabunchofstuffrelatingtothecarthattheenginecamefrom.
TheenginewassalvagedfromaculvertwherethecarwaswreckednotfarfromKaitaiainthe late1930s.Itpoweredalargesawbenchinatimbermillrightupuntilthe1960s.TheStutz wasboughtnewbyJohnHellaby,sonofRichardHellaby,founderofwhatisknowntodayas Wilson-HellabyMeats.
Loadingtheenginewasaneffort,asitwasquiteheftyanditrequiredatractortoputiton theute’sdeck.Itweighedametaphoricalton(althoughitseemedclosetoanactualton)and weighedthebackoftheutedownabitsoitwasagreedthatextracautionwouldbetaken whengoingoverbigbumpsonthewayhome.Whenwewereallpackedup,weheadedoff withgoodfeelings.Thegorgewasopenagainastheslipshadbeencleared,sowesawsome differentscenerywhiletravellingback.Whenwereturned,weweremetbysomemoreroast lambfordinnerandapplecrumbleforsupper,spoiltasalways! Thenextmorningwewereoncourierduty.Wedroppedoffsomerimsandaspreaderfrom PalmerstonNorthforaguywitha1929Chevroletflatbedtruck,whichwaslocatedcloseto wherewewerestaying.Afteraviewingofhisshed,wehittheroadagainandstartedthe longjourneyback.
Allinall,itwasagreattriptoKaitaia,andaveryrewardingone.Nowallthereistodoisget a1923Stutzthathasbeensittingfor70yearsrunningagain.Ifwedon’tusethisengine,at
leastwe’llhaveaspare.Andyouknowwhattheysayaboutspares…itdoesn’thurttohave them!
ByHarryJackson-Vile
ABOVE(TOPRIGHT): fromtheMarch2009Tourer LEFT:fromtheJune2009Tourer
IN YOUR CLASSIC CAR’S ENGINE (ANDHOWOFTENSHOULDYOUCHANGEIT?)
Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyJohnDavis02May 2025
Engineoilisanessentialcomponentforvehiclesthatrelyoninternalcombustionenginesfor theirpower.Notonlydoesoilprovidecriticallubricationforinternalparts,butitalsohelps preventengineoverheatingissuesandthedevelopmentofexcessfriction.However,despite howvitaloilisforyourengine'sperformanceandhealth,it'ssubjecttowearandtearandcan loseitsabilitytoprovidelubricationandpreventheatbuildupovertime.That'swhyregular oilchangesaresoimportantandwhyyourvehicle'smanufacturerprovidesdetailed informationaboutrecommendedreplacementintervals.
Thatsaid,notallcarsusethesametypeandclassificationofengineoil.Differentengines requiredifferenttypesofengineoil.Whilemodernvehiclesuseincreasinglythin(less viscous)oils,thankstodecreasingenginetolerancesandclearances,mostoldervehiclesrely onthickerormoreviscousoilstoprovidelubrication.Classiccars,inparticular,regularlyuse farthickeroilsthanarestandardinmanymodernvehicles.Someoftheoilsmostcommonly usedinclassiccarsinclude10W-30,10W-4015W-40,and20W-50.
However,thatdoesn'tmeanyoucanpouranythickeroilintoyourvintagevehicle. It'sstillcriticalthatyoufollowthemanufacturer'srecommendations.Ifyouhaveaccessto thevehicle'soriginalowner'smanual,that'sthebestplacetocheckforinformationregarding engineoil.Youcanalsochecktheoilfillcapontheengine,reachouttoautomotiveexperts, askforassistanceatanautopartsstore,orsearchfortheinformationonline. Ifyou'reinterestedinlearningmoreaboutclassiccaroil,includinghowoftenyoushould replacetheoilinavintagevehicle,stickaround.Asaformerprofessionalmechanicwhohas workedoninnumerableclassiccars,I'llbreakitdownforyou.
Howoftenshouldyouchangetheoilinyourclassiccar?
Whenitcomestoreplacingtheoilinyourclassiccar,you'llmostlikelyneedtoperformthe servicemorefrequentlythanyoudoforanynewvehiclesyouown.Whilemany manufacturersnowrecommendoilchangeintervalsbetweenevery5,000and7,500miles, otherspushthatrangeouttoevery10,000milesforvehiclesthatusesyntheticengineoil. Howoftenyouactuallyneedtochangeyouroildependsonfactorsliketheoiltype,the vehicle'sage,thetypeofengine,andmore.However,inthecaseofclassiccars,youshould sticktothelowerendoftherecommendedrange,whichisevery3,000miles.
Oldervehicles,andespeciallyclassiccars,tendtoburnmoreoilastheyage,necessitating morefrequentoilreplacements.Theenginesinthesevehiclesarelessadvancedthantheir moderncounterparts,which,alongwithyearsofuse,causesthemtobelessefficientwhenit comestousingoil.Replacingtheoilevery3,000milesallowstheenginetomaintaina healthysupplyofthelubricantandhelpspreventdamage.
However,it'sworthnotingthatmanycollectorsdon'tdrivetheirvintagevehiclesthatoften. Becauseofthis,manyclassiccarexpertsrecommendreplacingtheoileverysixmonthsor,at aminimum,onceayear,whetheryou'veput3,000milesontheodometerornot. Thatsaid,itneverhurtstochangeyouroilmorefrequently,eveninanewercar.It'soneof themosteffectiveandaffordableformsofautomotivemaintenanceyoucanperform,andit's agreatDIYautojobanybeginnercantackle.
FREETOA GOOD HOME : (PREVIOUSLYADVERTISEDINTHEMARCH2022TOURER)
Oneonly5.50 - 16cross-plytyre. Lookstobeinsoundcondition. Hasabout50%ofthetreadremaining. (4mminthecentretwogroovesand 7mmintheoutsidegrooves).
Contact:BryanAbraham (06)3584014or bryabr8@gmail.com
Advertisinginthe‘TourerTrader’columnisatnocosttoVCCmembers. Makemoneybygettingridofthoseunwantedpartsorvehiclesthatyounolongerwant. ForwardyouradvertisementstotheEditor. Rememberthattheseadvertsarenotonlyreadbylocalbranchmembersbut byVCCmembersinotherVCCbranchesandmembersofothercarclubs.
‘THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR CARS’ - PAGE 29 OFTHIS TOURER
Findthefollowinghiddenwordsinthegridbelow:
APPLE BEARCAT BUMPS CATALOGUES
CAUTION CHALLENGING CHEVROLET CRUMBLE
CYLINDER FLATBED FOUR GRANDMA
HELLABY HIGHWAY KAITAIA LAMB
METAPHORICAL NORTHLAND RICHARD SALVAGED
SPECIAL SPEEDWAY STATE STUTZ
TEMPORARY TRACTOR
