THE
BRANCH INFORMATION
BRANCH DETAILS
CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth
POSTAL ADDRESS P.O.Box385,PalmerstonNorth4440
EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz
COMMITTEE MEETING
SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.
CLUB NIGHT
ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.
LIBRARY
Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
NOGGIN & NATTER
FirstTuesdayofeachmonthat7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.
PARTS SHED
Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE
CanbemadethroughCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse. -phone(06)3542780 or Email: info@creativecatering.co.nz
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Juneclubnight-DerekHaycocktalkingaboutandshowingpicturesandmovieclips oftherecentIrishmanRallythathecompetedin.
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, HarryJackson-VileandEstherWilliams.
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBER: GaryMillar
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
JULY 2025
Tuesday1st
Saturday5th
Sunday6th
Sunday6th
Sunday6th
Wednesday9th
Wednesday16th Saturday19th
AUGUST 2025
Sunday3rd
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025
Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding Inter-BranchLadies‘WinterSharingLunch’-seepage7ofthisTourer SundayJaunt-seepage6ofthisTourer
Afternoonteaattheclubroomsafterthe‘Jaunt’,thenaBYODinner ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage5ofthisTourer
ClubNight-7.30pmat‘TheGrove’ Mid-WinterDinnerattheClubRooms
Afun“60sThemedNight”-seepage8ofthisTourer
Sunday24th SundayJaunt
SEPTEMBER 2025
Sunday7th
Wednesday17th
Sat/Sun20th - 21st
VCCNationalDayforCancer
Saturday27th SundayJaunt
OCTOBER 2025
Sunday5th
Sat/Sun11th - 12th
Fri > Sun25th - 27th
NOVEMBER 2025
Sunday2nd
AnnualQuizNightwithCHBBranchinDannevirke
VintageOnlyRally (TWODAYEVENT)
AnnualSwapMeet (NOTENEWDATE)
DaytriptoWairarapaBranch’s“RexPorterRally” MotorcycleRally
AnnualInter-BranchCampoutat“BaseCampRangi”
Sat/Sun22nd - 23rd SundayJaunt
DECEMBER 2025
Saturday6th
Sunday7th
Annual“Overnighter”
VeteranRally (NOTENEWDATE)
BranchChristmasParty/LongServiceAwards
Exceptforformaleventsbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving,althoughahistoricvehicleispreferred.
JULY 2025
VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025/6
Sunday13th HorowhenuaBranchDay/NightOwlBreakfastRally
SEPTEMBER 2025
Saturday6th CentralHawkesBay3rd VintageOnlyRally
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026
Feb24th > Mch1st TheModelTFordClubofNZInc.33rd NationalRally
AsupplementtothisTourerwhichincludestheseeventnoticeshasbeencompiledand postedtoourbranchOneDrivesite.
Thelinktothesiteisinthe ‘ManawatuBranchGeneralNotices’ pagewhich isonpage9ofthisTourer-(Notice:‘EarlierIssuesoftheTourer ……..’).
MANAWATU BRANCH EVENT NOTICES
CancelledlastmonthduetoroadworksonourcornerofKelvinGrove Roadwhichpreventedaccesstoourproperty,thismonththefocusof theworkingbeewillagainberepairstotheceilinginthemainhall. Scaffoldingisgoingtobeerectedinthemainhalltofacilitatethework. Andaswellastidyingthegrounds,thereisalwaysongoing workrecovering chairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatprogresswiththattaskcancontinue. Anddon’tforget,thereisamorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
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.
PARTS SHEDS (WHEREALLTHEITEMSAREPRICEDTOMOVEOFFTHESHELVES)
TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles.
Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutterandyourfriendsareinvitedto donateanyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchso thatwecantradethemontofellowenthusiasts.
EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooks forwardtoassistingyoufindthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartor toolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyourprideandjoy.
ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
LIBRARY
Theclublibraryhasacomprehensivesectionontechnicaltopics; therearealargenumberofgeneralbooks,andtherearesectionson Veteran,Vintage,PostVintage,PostWarVintage,Post60’sand Commercialvehicles.
Thelibraryisavailableforyoutoviewonclubnightsorby arrangementwiththelibrarian.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298
SCRAP METAL BINS
Thescrapmetalbinforlargermetalitems(i.e.tinsandbigger)wheremetalscrapcanbe contributedislocatedoutsidebetweenthetwopartssheds,andthereisabinforsmall scrapmetalinplaceinthePartsShed.
Thereis24-houraccesstotheoutsidebin(usethegatenearthePartsShedwhichisnot locked).Thebinforsmallscrapmetalisonlyaccessiblewhenthepartsshedisopen. Moneyraisedfromthesaleofscraphelpswiththeongoingmaintenanceoftheclubrooms andpartssheds.
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoorganisetocollecttheirfreebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoarrangeareplacementforalost ordamagedbadge-atcost.
DO YOU KNOW OF A GOOD DESTINATION FOR A RUN OR A RALLY ?
TheBranchislookingformemberstoorganiseruns/outings/rallies. DifferentorganiserscanaddvarietytoourBranchOutings. Membersareencouragedtovolunteertoorganisearun,anoutingorarally. Thecommitteecanassistyouwithyouractivity. IfyouwouldliketoorganiseaBranchOutingcontacttheClubCaptain.
REQUEST FROM YOUR EDITOR
Thisisyourmagazinesolet’sshareourvintageandclassiccarswithall. IfyourvehiclehasnotbeenthesubjectofanarticleintheTourer, pleaseconsiderwritingsomethingupaboutitandforwardingittothe editorwithaphotographortwo.Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostartor howto approachthematter,thereisapageofprompts(questions)whichtheeditorcan emailtoyouwhichwillsetyouintherightdirectionforanarticle-oryoumightjust choosetomakenotesundereachpromptandreturnthepagetotheeditorforwritingup. Contributionsneednotbelengthy.Halfapage/severalpages-itisuptoyou.
HiEveryone.
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Thetemperaturehascertainlybecomealotcolder.Therewere over30bravesoulswhobravedthecoldtemperatureonSaturday the21st MaybeingtheNightTrial.Itwassogoodtosee membersfromotherbranchesaroundtheregion.Congratulations toBrianandLynJamesforwinningtheNightTrial.
Itwasgreattohavesuchanawesomecrowdatthelastclub night.ThankstoDerekforthetalkandphotosofthelastIrishman Rally.TheywereveryluckytofinishtherallyjustbeforethebigsnowhittheSouthIsland. FortheLadieswearegoingtohaveLadiesfellowshipon5th July.Therewillbelunchand fellowshiparoundthetabletogetherwithstoriesofpastandpresentthingsthattheladiesof thevintagecarclubdoandhavedone.
ItwouldbegreattoseealotofthememberscometothefunMid-WinterDinneronthe19th July2025.Thefunistodressupinthe1960’sfashionandcomealongandhavealaughat thefashionweallusedtowear.
Onthe24thAugustisVCCNationalDayforcancer.Weasabranchhavehadmemberspass awayandanumberofthosehavehadthisterribledisease.Pleasekeepthisdatefreeandif youareinothercarclubsinandaroundtheManawatuwewouldlikeyoutoletthemknow thatwewillbehavingacardisplayandruntotheclubrooms.Wewouldreallyliketomake thisabigdayandcollectasmuchmoneyaswecanforthecancersociety.
Happymotoringeveryone,
Esther
“There’snothingbetterthancurlingupwithagoodbookand sittinginfrontofthefireonwinterevenings.”-LeoSayer IcanimaginetherewereplentythatthoughtthatonSaturday nightwhentheybravedthecoldtojoinusfortheBranch’sNight Trial!Whatagreatturnout!Thankyoutoeveryonethatjoined usfortheevent.IthinkoneofthebravesthadtobeDerek HaycockandhisNavigator-inDerek’sChevwiththeroofdown! Theycertainlyneededthehotsoupandcrumpetswhenthey returned!
APOLOGIES
ApologiestoallourwonderfulMembers-Iknowsomeofyouhavebeenwondering“Where’s thismonth’sTourermagazine?-andyou’reabsolutelyrighttoask!TheTourerhasbeen runningalittlelatewithdistributionoverthelastfewmonths,butIpromise,it’snotbecause we’vebeenloungingaround!YourCommitteehasbeenflatoutbehindthescenes,planning andpreparingsomefuneventstokeepeveryoneentertainedandconnected. Withsomuchgoingon(inthebestpossibleway),theTourersometimesgetsabitdelayedbutdefinitelynotforgotten.
Thanksforyourpatienceandunderstanding.Thislatesteditionisfullofupdates,news,and allthefunwe’vebeenworkinghardtodeliver.
NEXTINTER-BRANCHLADIESGETTOGETHER-5THJULY!
(Noticeelsewhere)
OurBranchNavigatorsaretakingawell-earneddetour...straighttothelunchtable! Norallyinstructions,nomaps,no“leftatthenextcone”-justgrazingplatters,sharedlaughs, andabitofharmlesschaos(withzerou-turns).Wearetradingdirectionaldutiesfordelicious wintertreats,andouronlyrealchallengewillbewhoisgettingthelastsliceofcake!
Where:ManawatuBranchVCCClubRooms,TheGrove,684KelvinGroveRoad,PN Time:11.45amonwards
Pleasebringaplateofyourfavourite“WinterLunchNibbles”toshare.
BRANCHMID-WINTERSOCIALGET-TOGETHER-SATURDAY19JULY!
(Noticeelsewhere)
Theme: DustoffyourBell-BottomsandthrowonyourLoveBeads!Comedressedinyour best60sattire-thinktie-dye,Retro,andGo-Goboots!
ThankstoallthosewhoattendedtheNightTrial.Wehadentries fromWaipukurau,Levin,WhanganuiandTaihape,aswellasafew hardylocals.Ioftenhearthecommentsof“TooOld”forareason nottoenterfromsomeofourlocalmembers.Ageisnotabarrier andI’mpleasedtosaytheoverallwinnersforthenightwere BrianandLynJamesintheir1939ChevCoupe. Thecaris 86yearsoldandBrian’sabouttohit85withLynbeingthe youngestoftheTrio!Welldonetoyouboth.
OurSundayJauntisonthe6thJulyandwearegoingtovisitLuttrell’sWhitePineGardens andworkingPioneerMuseuminPohangina.Meetat2.30forapromptstart.(infoelsewhere intheTourer).
Saturday19thisourMid-WinterDinner-60sTheme-(infoelsewhereintheTourer).
Saturday26th-ManawatuVintageMachineryClubarehavingavisittotheLintonQuarryand theVCChavebeenaskedalong.MoredetailsonthiseventatClubNighton16th July.
ThankstothosewhorangmeaboutmyMorrisMinorhead.Muchappreciatedthattheclub networkisaliveandwell.Iwasluckyenoughtogetonefromourownclubspares,thanks Gary.I’veboughtnewvalvesandsealssoIcangetonwithitovertheWinter,butit'stoo damncoldtogetoutintheshedoflate!
StayWarm! Cheers
ReportprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile
IfelttheairhadquitethebitternesswhenIsteppedoutintothedarkoutside.Thewarmhug ofthefireplaceleftmysurroundingsanditwasreplacedwiththebrisknipoftheblacknight. Istumbledthroughtheblacknessandmademywaytotheshed.Outcamethe1928Dodge andinwehopped.AcoupleofminutesandwepulledintoTheGroveandgotourselvesinto afewconversationswithseveralfellowentrants.Weweretheoldestvehicleontherun,with DerekHaycockinhis1929Chevroletbeingthesecondoldest.Derekandhisnavigator,Ray, werebraveenoughtohavethetopdowninthetourer.Itwastobeacoolnight'sdrivewith thetemperaturesupposablydroppingto4degrees.
Therallyorganiser(ClubCaptainGlynClements)informedusthatwewouldendureamixof gravelandtarsealroadsonourjaunt,70milesallup.Wewereexpectedtoreturnby 11:30PM-12:00AM.Anyquickerandyouwouldbeprovidedwithaspeedingticket.Ifyou weren'tbackbythenyouwouldbemarkeddownasmissinginaction.
FirstcarawaywasKen&AnnetteFoot intheir1958Humber80.Wetravelled foragood25-30minutesbefore reachingtheCheltyPub,thenonfrom therewehitourfirstgravelroad,Coulter Line.Withheadlightsthatlituptheroad justastwosmallcandleswould,itwasa challengetospotthecornersonthe gravelroad.About10milesafterthe crunchingofstonesbeneathourtyres wefoundthepavementagainandkept onitformostofwhatwasleftofthe rally.Onethingthatisworthnotingwas thesheeramountofbeehivesinsomeof thepaddocksnexttoCoulterLineand SpurRoad.Afterpassingthrough Kiwitea&thenthroughPohangina,we cameacrossValleyRoadwhichwas quitetheclimb.Thewhineofsecond gearaccompaniedusforthenextquarterofanhourorsothroughthatarea.Wearrived backattheclubroomsatroundabout11:20PM,early!!Wewerewelcomedwithdelicious soupandcrumpetsandtea,coffee,andhotchocolateforsome.
PrizegivingsawBrian&LynJamesinthe1939Chevroletreceivethetrophyfor1stPlace. Wecame4thoverallbutplacingdidn'tmattertous.Thedriveandexperiencewasthemain factorinourenjoyment.Afterall,thisiswhatclubeventsareallabout!
BigthankstoGlynandtheteamfororganisingthisgreatnight.I'msureeveryonefeltthe same.ROLLONNEXTYEAR'SRALLY!!!
Harry
1931 MINERVA AL ROLLESTON SEDANS IS UP FOR AUCTION
Source:TheSunNewspaper-WrittenbySayanBose,06Jan2025:ForeignNewsReporter
Oneofjust12survivingvintageconvertiblesinexceptionalconditionafter94yearsissetto gotoauction. This1931MinervaALRollstonSedanhaswoncountlesscompetitionsand travelledallovertheUSinitsnear-centurylifetime.
The1931MinervaALRollstonConvertibleSedaninexceptionalcondition
Finishedintealandblackthecar'simpressivechromedetailinghasstoodthetestoftime remarkablywell.Itevenhasthe"GoddessMinerva"mascotfixedabovetheradiatorshell. Only50oftheTypeALchassiscarswereproducedandjust12ofthemarethoughttohave survived.
TheretrocarwonBestinClassatthe1999PebbleBeachConcoursd'EleganceandSecondin Classin2018.Itsaward-winningrestorationwascompletedin1998.
ThecarisgoingupforsalewithBroadArrowAuctions.
Itwasproducedbyafirmdescribedas"oneoftheworld'spremierluxurypre-warautomotive manufacturers".Thecompanyprovidedcarsto"eliteclientele"thatevenincludedKing AlbertIofBelgium.Asitexportedsome1,000chassismodelstoEnglandperyearbytheend ofthe1920s,itbecameknownasarivaltotheinfamousRolls-Royce.
TheMinervaALmodelbecamethearchetypalcarsoldbythecompany-witha6.6litre engineand120horsepower.
Speakingaboutthehistoryofthecar,thelistingexplained:"ThetimingoftheAL's introductionaheadofthe1929WallStreetCrashsadlylimiteditsproductiontojust50 chassis,ofwhichfewerthanadozenareknowntosurvivetoday."
“Thedesign'ssophisticationliesinthecohesivealignmentofthewindshield,pillars,and windowswiththedramaticdoorangle,whileadarkeraccentalongthebeltlineemphasizes thebody'sdramaticswept-backprofile.
“TheresultisaformalConvertibleSedanthatmasterfullybalancesflowingelegancewith dynamicpresence."Thecarwaspassedthroughseveralnotablecollectionsovertheyears. ItwaspickedupbyaMinervacarenthusiastin1967beforespendingthreedecadesina collectioninTexas.Afterthatitwasboughtbyanothercollectorin1997andrestoredinNew Jersey.Overtheyearsitwaspickedupbyotherprestigiouscollectorsbeforefinallyfindingits waytotheAcademyofArtUniversityCollectionin2015.
Thecarhasbeendescribedasinamazingcondition,withthelistingstating:"Today,thisAL presentsinnolessspectacularconditionthanwhenitwasfirstrestored.
TheRollston coachworkstands amongthefinest collaborations betweenanAmerican coachbuilderand Europeanchassis manufacturerofthe pre-warera.
Thiscombinedwith itssuperlative restorationand numerousaccolades, chassis80105ranks amongthemost
Incredibledetailingaroundthedialsinthecar
1931 MINERVAUPFOR AUCTION: CONTINUED significantsurvivingexamplesofboththerareMinervaALchassisandRollston'sinnovative designwork."
Itisnotclearexactlywhenthecarwillgoupforauctionorforhowmuch,butoneprevious similarcarfromthesamefirmsoldforaround£530,000afteraSotheby'sauction.
Thegleamingvintagemotorhas silverandblackdetailing
Aglimpseunderthebonnetoftheelaboratecar
I
TWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……
Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.
EarlyFordV8ownerswillbeinterestedinthisphotographtakenonJuly30th 1936.Itshowsatwoyear-oldModel40Fordorsedanwhichtookahardcloutintherightrearquarterregionofitsbody. Fordbuilt22,394oftheseinstandardtrim,butproduced102,268asDeluxeequippedmodels,which hadpinstriping,cowllights,twinhornsandtwotaillamps.ThiscarhastheDeluxeequipment.
A POINT OF VIEW : ARE AUTOMATED CAR WASHES
SAFE FOR CLASSIC CARS?
Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyZohaibAhmed 5May2025
Classiccarsaremorethanjust machinesyouuseforyour commute-they'rerollingtime capsulesofautomotivehistory. Manyofthesecarsarecrafted withintricateattentiontodetail, whichstandsinstarkcontrastto today'smass-producedvehicles thatarechurnedouton assemblylineswithlessfocuson individuality.
Becausethey'redesignedinacertainway,thesevehiclesgenerallydemandmoreTLCthan theirmoderncounterparts.Theyoftenfeatureolderpaintformulations,fragileclearcoats, andtrimmaterialsthatsimplyweren'tbuilttowithstandmoderncleaningchemicalsor abrasivebrushes.
Theymayalsocomewithdecadesofwear,oxidation,orrestorationwork-allcallingfora gentlerhand.Thatcasual$10tunnelwashmightbefineforyourdailydriver,butforyour '60sMustangora'70sChevelle?
Onecarelesssessioncanresultinhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofdollarsindamage.Let'sdive intowhatreallygoesoninthoseseeminglyconvenientdrive-thruwashes.
THEHIDDENDANGERSOFAUTOMATEDCARWASHES
Manyexpertsagreethatautomaticcarwashes, especiallythespinning-brushtunneltypes,can wreakhavoconyourclassiccar'sfinish.That's becausethesebrushesslapandspinagainst thecar'spaint,andtheycancarryalonga nastycocktailofgrit,dirt,anddebrispickedup frompreviousvehicles.Suchremnantscan introduceswirlmarks,micro-scratches,anddull thefinishovertime-damagethat'sevenmore noticeableondark-colouredcars.Fixingthatkindofwearisn'tcheap,either.
Olderweathersealsaroundaclassiccar'swindowsanddoorsmayalsostruggletowithstand thehigh-pressureblastsfromautomaticwashes.Therehaveevenbeencasesofbroken antennasanddamagedchromeduetotheroughnatureofthesesystems.
Even"softcloth"washesaren'tentirelysafe,astheclothsaren'talwaysproperlycleaned betweencycles.Thatleavesjustacoupleofsaferalternatives:touchlessandlaserwashes. Theseavoidphysicalcontactbutdependoncarwashsoapsthatoftencontainstrong chemicalstobreakdowngrime,whichcanberiskyforolderpaintandtrim.Longstoryshort:
ifyou'rehopingtopreserveyourride'sclassicgoodlooks,mostautomatedoptionsarebest avoided.
SOWHATOPTIONDOESTHATEVENLEAVEFORACLASSICCAROWNER?
Ifyouwantyourclassicridetokeep turningheadsfortherightreasons, perhapsit'stimetorethinkyourcar washinghabits.Thesafestrouteis, asalways,aproperhandwash,but makesuretodoitcorrectly.
Startwiththerighttoolsand techniques.Useasoftsheepskinor cottonchenillemitttoavoidswirl marksandfollowthegoldenrule: alwayswashfromthetopdown. Thatway,you'renotdraggingroadgrimefromthedirtiestpartsofthecaracrossfreshly cleanedsurfaces.
Moreover,investinagood,thickcarwashsoap-notdishsoap(thatstuffwillkillyourpaint's shine).Workwithtwobuckets-oneforsoapywater,oneforrinsing-andalwayscleanthe wheelslastsincetheycarrythemostgrit.Afterrinsingthoroughlywithfree-flowingwater, drythecarcompletelyusingacleanmicrofibertowelorsoftleatherchamois.Startfromthe topagain,workingdownandswappingtowelsoftentoavoidre-contaminatingthesurface. Thebottomlineisthatwhenitcomestoclassiccars,alittleextracaregoesalongway. Trytoskipthe"scratch-o-matic"wheneverpossibleandshowyourridetheloveitdeserves.
From:TheExpressNewspaperspublication-Carsofthe40’sand50’s
1924 VAUXHALL 30/98 “WENSUM”
Themakersnevercalledthe30/98asportscar:tothemitwasaFastLightTouringcar.The storyofhowthefirst30/98wasmadebyL.H.PomeroyoutofaPrinceHenryiswellknown. Acustomer,JHigginson,wantedacarforShelsleyWalsh;L.H.Pboredoutblockto98mmand stretchedcrankshaftforgingtogivea150mmstroke.Thatwasin1913,butproductiondid notbeginseriouslyuntilaftertheArmistice.The30/98remainedessentiallyEdwardianin characterallthroughitslife.
TheoriginalE-type carswithside-valve enginehada3to1 axlegiving33m.p.h. per1000revs,but theywereverylight, andastonishingly flexible.Whatismore theyoversteered,so thatwithadriverwith good‘hands’,who understoodhowto usethehandbrake andwasnotdismayed byatransmission foot-brake,could cornerastonishingly fastandliterallysteer clearoftrouble.
Agood30/98usedtoupsetalotofpeople,especiallythosewhohadboughtnewBentleys. TheE-typehadafinerecordinhill-climbsandsprints.
In1924thePomeroysidevalvewasreplacedbyapushrodconversionbyMr.King(98by 140mm;3.3to1axle)andthechassisgotfour-wheelbrakes.Latermodelshadabalanced crankshaftandanearlyhydraulicbrake-gearwhichwasnotapplaudedbyall.
ThecarshownisanOEoverhead-valve30/98beautifullyrestoredbyJ.C.Broadhead.During themiddle1920stherewasavoguebothhereandinFranceforbodiesbuiltonmotor-boat lines,withmahoganydecking(comparethetulipwoodHispano).Amongthosesmittenwithit wasA.J.Hancock,thegreatBrooklandsdriverofVauxhallsin1910-1914.Hancockkeptafast boatontheriverWensuminNorfolk,andthismodel,themostdashingofallVintagetypes wasnamed‘Wensum’aftertheriver.
TheVauxhall30/98hadafinerecordatBrooklandsdrivenbyMajorRopner,Capt.Coe,H.W. Cookandothers.R.J.MundaywonaGoldStarhandicapat114m.p.h.inhisownWensum, andonlyafewyearsago (keepinmindthisisfroma1960publication) T.H.Plowmancovered more than 107 miles in an hour at Montlhѐry.
ArticlebyDamienO’Carroll-04June2025
TheBentleyBlowerJnrisanall-electric85%scalereplicaoftheiconic1929Bentley racer.
TheBlowerJnrisacollaborationbetweenUKcompanyHedleyStudiosandBentley Motors.
HedleyStudioshaspreviouslyproduceddriveable75%scalemodelsofFerraris,Aston MartinsandBugatti’s.
HedleyStudios(formerlyTheLittleCarCompany) hascommencedproductionoftheBentleyBlower Jnr,afully-drivable,road-legal85%scaleelectric versionofthemighty1929BentleyBlower.
Thecompany-knownforits75%scalereplicasof exoticclassicsliketheFerrari250TestaRossa,the BugattiType35andtheAstonMartinDB5designedanddevelopedtheBlowerJnrin conjunctionwithBentley’sHeritageCollection.
ABOVE: SuzukiIgnis-sized,butcertainlynotIgnis-priced;theBlowerJnrishandcrafted tothesamestandardsastheoriginalcar(centre).
Theoriginalracingcarfrom1929-insuredforacolossalNZ$56million-wasusedbyHedley StudiostodesigntheBlowerJnr,withdetailsrecreatedatasizeable85percentscale.
Theresultisavehiclethatthecompanysayswillhaveevenexpertslookingtwice-unless theyseeafull-sizepersonstandingnexttoitthatis.
Whilesmallincomparisontothemassiveoriginal,theBlowerJnrisstill3.7metreslongand 1.5metreswide,orroughlySuzukiIgnis-sized.Thismeansthat,unlikeHedleyStudios’other products,theBlowerJnrisfullyroadlegalanddesignedspecificallytobeusedontheroad, andisperhapsthemostelaborateandinterestingcitycareverbuilt.
TheBlowerJnrmayberoadlegal(inthe UK,EUandUSAatleast),butit'snot necessarilypracticaldailytransport.
HedleyStudiossaysthattheBlowerJnris craftedbyhand"tothesamestandards asanyBentley"andisbuiltarounda48V electricpowertrainwitha15kWmotor thatwillprovideatopspeedofjustover 70km/h.Well,intheUKandEUatleastitisrestrictedto40km/hintheUSAdue tolegislationaroundroadlegallowspeed vehiclesthere.Thecompanysaysthe UK/EUversionwillhavearangeofaround105kilometres.
Theelectricmotorismountedacrosstherearaxle,whilethebatteriesanddriveelectronics areallhousedinahiddenundertray.Muchlikethethoroughlymodernpowertrain,other concessionstomoderntechnologyweremadeinthescalingdownprocess,andwhilethe suspensionfeaturesleafspringsandscaled-down,period-correctfrictiondampers,brakingis handledbyBrembodiscbrakesatthefrontanddrumsattherear.
TheBlowerJnr'sbodyworkiscraftedintwosections,andwhiletherearbodystructureis craftedincarbonfibreratherthanbeinganashframe,itiscoveredinimpregnatedfabric,just liketheoriginal,whilethebonnetishand-craftedinaluminiumusingtraditionaltechniques andfastenedwithleatherbuckledbonnetstraps.
Yes,itisatwo-seater-thepassengersits behindthedriver.
Thetwo-personcockpitisina1+1layout, withacentraladjustabledrivingpositionand thepassengertravellingbehindintherear seat.The"fueltank"isnowastorage compartmentcompletewithalockablelatch andHedleyStudiosoffersanoptionalbespoke weekendbagthatwillfitintoit.
Atthefrontofthecar,thesuperchargernow housesthechargingport,whilein thecockpit,whatlooksatfirsttobeascaled-downreplicaoftheoriginal,hasalsobeen repurposed.Thefuelpressurisationhandpumphasbeenrepurposedasthedrivemode selector,withachoiceofComfort,BentleyorSportmodes.
Forward,NeutralandReverseareselectedviaaleverthatlooksandfeelsliketheignition advancecontrolfromtheoriginalBlower,whileotherswitchgearfortheheadlightsand indicatorscopiestheformandmaterialofthemagnetoswitchesfromtheoriginalcar,andthe batterychargegaugerecreatestheoriginalammeter. Whilethecockpitlooksliketheoriginal, mostoftheswitchgearhasbeen repurposedformodernEV-purposes.
Thecompanysaysonly349examplesof theBentleyBlowerJnrwillgointo production,withprospectiveowners abletocustomisetheircarto"theirown individualstyle".HedleyStudiossaysits teamwill"workcloselywitheachclient tocurateaBlowerJnrthatisbespoketo theirtaste,fromspecificcolourfinishes toachoiceofracingnumber."
"HeadingintoproductionoftheBentleyBlowerJnrmarksaseminalmomentforourbrand,as webringtolifeourveryfirstroad-legalpieceofautomotiveart,"saidBenHedley,CEOand FounderofHedleyStudios.
"Ourteamofengineersandcraftspeoplehaveworkedtirelesslytodesignandcraftthe BentleyBlowerJnr,andinclosecollaborationwithclientsaroundtheworld,theyhavebegun thedesignprocessofsomewonderfullyuniqueexamplesoftheBentleyBlowerJnr.
ABOVE: Dadwiththekids:theBlowerJnrisreallyonlysmallwhencomparedtotheoriginalcar...
"We’reanticipatingthatthefirstcustomerdeliverieswillcommenceinjustamatterof months,andwe’rejustasexcitedasourclientsaretoseethembehindthewheelandouton theroad.”
Ofcourse,itmightbeSuzukiIgnis-sized,butitcertainlywon'tbeSuzukiIgnis-priced.Asthe oldsayinggoes"ifyouhavetoask,youcan'taffordit".
BITSAND PIECESFROM BYGONE DAYS
From:FiftyYearsofPopularMechanics-1904
Cross-countryautoruns,testingperformanceunderordinarytravelconditionswerehighly popular.ThefirstsuchrunonrecordwasheldonThanksgivingDay1895,onasnow-covered roadfromChicagotoWaukegan.ItwaswonbyJamesF.Duryeaatanaveragespeedof7½ milesperhour.
WhentheVanderbiltCupRacewasheldoverthesamecoursein1904,thewinneraveraged betterthan52milesperhour.
MODERN STUFF: WHATARETHE COLOURED LINESON NEW TYRES?
Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyChloeClougher:02 May2025
RegardlessofwhetheryougetbehindthewheelofanoldToyotaCorollaeveryday,ahighperformancesupercarontheweekends,oratrustyoldHondamotorbike,oneconsumable thatallmotoristsdependonistyres.Notonlydowealldependonthem,butwegetthrough them,too.Itdoesn'tmatterifyourdailycommuteseesyoucoverathousandmileseach week,orifyoujustziptotheshopseveryotherday,covering10or15mileshereandthere. Thisisbecausetyresneedreplacingregardless,beitduetowear,failure,orsimplyage.
So,itstandstoreasonthatall ofusshouldatleasthavea basicunderstandingofwhat tyresweneed,andwhatthe secretmarkingsonourtyres mean.Alongsidenumerous letters,numbers,andcodes, brand-newtyreswillshowa numberofdifferentcoloured linesofthem-butwhatdo theymean?
Thesestripesformasimilar functiontotheredandyellow dotswhichappearonnewtyres,andaren'treallysomethingthatmotoristsneedtopaymuch attentionto.Instead,thecolourfulstripesprovideimportantinformationtothemanufacturer andretailers,usuallyrelatingtoqualitycontrolandtracking.
Thecolouredstripesontyresactasuniquecodesformanufacturersanddistributors. Ratherthanbrandingthetyrewithpermanentinstructions,suchasthetyresize, manufacturersusethesestripes,whichwillwearoffafterafewmilesofdriving.Thestripes tellemployeesatthetyreproductionplantimportantinformationwhichhelpstomakethe manufacturinganddistributionprocessassmoothaspossible.
Forexample-onetyremanufacturermaybrandacertainbatchoftyreswitharedstripe, whichcouldindicateeveryso-brandedtyreistobedeliveredtoacertaincustomer.This stripeactsasaquickandeasily-identifiablevisualcueforthosesortingthetyresfor distribution.
Thiscodewillbeuniquetothatonemanufacturer,though,asthereisnouniversalcoding systemforthecolouredstripesontyres.Oneexamplewouldbethataredstripeata separatemanufacturercouldmeanthetyreisacertainsize,ratherthanrelatingtowhereit needstogoafterproduction.
Thestripesareonlyprintedon,andso,afterjustafewmilesofdriving,theywillwearoff. End-usersmayfindthisuseful,astheycaneasilyidentifythatthetyresfittedtotheircarare new,andthatpart-worntyreshaven'tbeenfittedbyagarageinstead.
Giventhatthemeaningofthesestripesispurelyforthemanufacturer,it'sperfectly acceptable,andactuallyideal,thattheywearoffsoquickly,astheiruseisoverbythispoint.
F
REETOA GOOD HOME :
Yes,youdorecogniseit-itisthepianointhe clubrooms-anditisbeingofferedfreetoagood home.
Andbetterstill,ifyouliveinPalmerstonNorth deliverycanpossiblybearranged.
Ifinterested,contactCliffBennett: cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 063563383 or 0212837088
Advertisinginthe‘TourerTrader’columnisatnocosttoVCCmembers. Makemoneybygettingridofthoseunwantedpartsorvehiclesthatyounolongerwant. ForwardyouradvertisementstotheEditor. Rememberthattheseadvertsarenotonlyreadbylocalbranchmembersbut byVCCmembersinotherVCCbranchesandmembersofothercarclubs.
Anda‘heads-up’fromoneofourmembers-themessagebeingthatyoushouldbeinsoonif youarewantingtobuyfromthissupplier.Thebusinessisclosingdown.
Theydohaveacomprehensivecatalogueon-line.
VintageandClassicReproductions (AU)
Havealargerangeofreproductionparts,manyareproducedinpolishedstainlesssteelreadyto befittedtoveteran,vintageorclassiccars. However,theyareadvisingclubsthattheyhaveceasedproductionandthatnostockhasbeen producedsinceSeptemberlastyearsosuppliesofsomeitemsnowgettinglow.
P.O.Box323TheGap BrisbaneAustralia4061
Phone:61733001130
Web: https://vintageandclassicreproduction.com
Email: vintagereproductions@bigpond.com
Anelderlygentlemanhadbeenhavingserioushearingproblemsforanumberofyears. Hewenttothedoctorandthedoctorwasabletohavehimfittedforaset ofhearingaidsthatallowedthegentlemantohear100%. Theelderlygentlemanwentbackinamonthtothedoctorand thedoctorsaid,“yourhearingisperfect. Yourfamilymustbereallypleasedthatyoucanhearagain.”
Thegentlemanreplied,“Oh,Ihaven’ttoldmyfamilyyet. Ijustsitaroundandlistentotheconversations.I’vechangedmywillthreetimes!”.
Anoldercoupleislyinginbedonemorning,havingjustawakenedfromagoodnight’s sleep.Hetakesherhandandsheresponds,“Don’ttouchme.” “Whynot?”heasks. Sheanswersback,“BecauseI’mdead.”
Thehusbandsays,“Whatareyoutalkingabout?We’rebothlyinghereinbedtogether talkingtooneanother.”
Shesays,“No,I’mdefinitelydead.”
Heinsists,“You’renotdead.Whatintheworldmakesyouthinkyou’redead?” “BecauseIwokeupthismorningandnothinghurts.”shereplies.
Remember,onceyougetoverthehill,you’llbegintopickupspeed.
Ilovecookingwithwine.SometimesIevenputitinthefood.
Ifitweren’tforstress,I’dhavenoenergyatall.
Everyonehasaphotographicmemory,Some,likeme,justdon’thaveanyfilm.
Ifyoulooklikeyourpassportpicture,youprobablyneedthetrip.
Somedaysareatotalwasteofmakeup.
Middleageiswhenthebroadnessofthemindandthenarrownessofthewaistchange places.
Junkissomethingyou’vekeptforyearsandthrowawaythreeweeksbeforeyouneedit.
Myneighbourwasworkinginhisyardwhenhewasstartledbyalate-modelcarthat camecrashingthroughhishedgeandendeduponhisfrontlawn.
Herushedtohelpanelderlyladydriveroutofthecarandsatherdownonalawnchair. Hesaidtoher,“Youappeartobequiteelderlytobedriving.”
“Well,yesIam,”sheproudlyreplied.“I’llbe97nextmonth,andIamnowoldenough thatIdon’tevenneedadriver’slicenceanymore.”
Heasked“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,thelasttimeIwenttomydoctor,heexaminedmeandaskedifIhadadriver’s licence.Itoldhim‘yes’andhandedittohim.
Hetookscissorsoutofthedrawer,cutthelicenceintopieces,andthrewthemintothe wastebasket,saying‘Youwon’tneedthisanymore’.” “SoIthankedhimandleft!”
InthegridbelowfindthefollowinghiddenstreetnamesfromthesuburbofKelvinGrove (2):
ACACIA ADAMS BOUNTY BRANI
BRYCE CHESTNUT CLEVELAND DRYDEN
GENEVA HILLCREST JAMES JORDAN
KARAMEA KAIMANAWA MARIA MERIDIAN
MOHAKA MOTUOAPA PARNELL PEPPERTREE
ROBERTS RHODES SCHNELL SHAKESPEARE
SORRENTO SUZANNE
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.
11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.
VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.
Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches
Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.
M
BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2025 / 2026
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