THE TOURER
MANAWATU BRANCH NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2025
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: ManawatuBranchVintageRally-Sundaystartattheclubrooms.
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, LaurieCocker,KenFooteandHarryJackson-Vile.
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBER: GaryMillar
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,motoringstories, restorations,technicalinformation,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com
IfyourTourerhasnotturnedupinyour‘InBox’bytheendofthemonth,checkyourSpamFolder.
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
Saturday27th AnnualSwapMeet-informationintheSeptemberTourer
OCTOBER 2025
Friday3rd Saturday
Sunday5th
Sunday5th Sunday5th Sunday5th
Tuesday7th
Wednesday8th Saturday11th Wednesday15th
NOVEMBER 2025
Saturday1st Sunday2nd
Sat/Sun22nd - 23rd
DECEMBER 2025
Saturday6th Sunday7th
ClosingDatefortheManawatuBranchMotorcycleRally
LadiesFriendshipGroup- NOTE:Nooutingthismonth DaytriptoWairarapaBranch’s“RexPorterRally” -seetheClubCaptain’sCorner(page7)intheSeptemberTourer SundayJaunt-seepage9ofthisTourer Afternoonteaattheclubroomsafterthe‘Jaunt’,thenaBYODinner ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage9ofthisTourer MotorcycleRally-entryformonpage44ofthisTourer ClubNight-7.30pmat‘TheGrove’-seepage10ofthisTourer
LadiesFriendshipGroup SundayJaunt Annual“Overnighter”
VeteranRally-seetheClubCaptain’sCorner-page8ofthisTourer BranchChristmasParty/LongServiceAwards
Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformaleventscomealong tobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.
OCTOBER 2025
OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC
.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025/6
Saturday4th Saturday4th RexPorterMemorialRally-Wairarapa KingCountryScenicTour
NOVEMBER 2025
Sunday30th TTTRally-SouthWaikato
-entryformsforthethreeOctober/Novembereventslistedabove areavailableonrequestfromtheManawatuBranchSecretary
FEBRUARY/MARCH2026
Feb24th > Mch1st TheModelTFordClubofNZInc.33rd NationalRally-Pukekohe -aposter/flyerforthiseventisavailableonrequestfromthe ManawatuBranchSecretary
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)
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Itlookslikethebadweatherhasn’thittheManawatuyetasIwrite this.
Ihadaweekendofnohotwater,soIwaspleaseditwasnotcold. IhadtowaittogetitfixedonMondaymorningthendriveto Hamiltontopickupmygranddaughterfortheholidays.
WewereveryluckywiththeweatherfortheVintageonlyRally. TheSaturdayhadnotacloudinthesky.Itwassonicesittingout atApitiPubforlunchinthesun.Sundaywascloudy,butthewind gotupintheend.IwasverydisappointedwiththeturnoutofnumbersfortheRally.Glyn andCathygotoalotoftroubletoputtheseRallieson.
Pleasemembers,wewouldlikesomemoresupportattheRalliesweputonforyou.
ForthelastWednesdaynightclubnightitwasverydisappointingthatwedidnothaveenough numbersforthecombinedCentralHawkesBayandManawatuQuiznight.So,wecancelled thenightinDannevirkehadaclubnightintheclubrooms.AbigthankyoutoStanandDerek fororganisingthefilm.
OurnextbigclubeventistheSwapMeet.Iwishtothankthosethathaveputtheirhandsup tohelpwiththis.Thisisaverylongdayforsomeofourmembers.
Wehopethatwehaveagreatdaywithlotsofbuyersandsellers.
Happymotoringeveryone, Esther
HiEveryone-Thismonth’stopic…
APATHYvsPARTICIPATION-WHYYOUMATTER!
AClubisonlyasstrongasthepeopleinit.Eventsdon’tjust happen-theyrelyonplanning,effort,and,mostimportantly, participationfrommembers.
Lately,therehasbeenaworryingtrendofapathycreepingin. Fewerhandsgouptohelp,fewerrallyentriescomein,andtoo manyofusareleavingitto“someoneelse”tokeepthings running.
Butifeveryonewaitsfor“someoneelse”…nothinghappens!
Yourpresence,yoursupport,andyourwillingnesstobeinvolvedarewhatkeepsourBranch aliveandthriving.Whetherit’sattendingarally,helpingsetupchairs,lendingideas,or simplyshowingupwithasmile-everybitofparticipationmakesadifference.
Remember:
EventsareforYOU!.They’reputonsowecanallenjoythefellowship,thecars,themotoring andthefun.
YOUR supportencouragesOrganisers-Agoodturnoutmakestheeffortworthwhile.
YOUR involvementkeepstheBranchstrong-Withoutactivemembers,clubsfadeaway.
Let’snotletapathyrobusofthevibrantBranchwe’reallsoluckytohave.Pleasemakethe efforttocomealong,joinin,andhelpusbuildthekindofeventswecanallbeproudof.
Together,wecankeepourBranchbuzzingwithlife!
HiAll
DisappointedanddisillusionedaretwopolitewordsIcanputin printthatcovermythoughtsontheapatheticturnoutforthe VintageRally!
Forsometimenowtherehavebeenmanyinthe“VintageOnly Brigade”thathavebeenvocalinhavingtomotoroneventswith moremodernvehiclessuchasPWVandP60Vclasses.
So,weputonaweekendforVintageOnlyVehiclesandwhat supportdoweget-DamnAll!
WithinourBranchandthethreeneighbouringbrancheswehave 696Members withinan hourofPalmerstonNorth,yetweonlygetonefromWhanganui,nonefromCentralHawkes Bay,nonefromHorowhenuaandonly10fromourownbranch-Manawatu.
WehadthreeentriesfromNapierandoneheartycrewfromAucklandina1931Bedford Truck,andtothosefolk,thankyousomuchforyoursupport.
IhavetheMotorcycleRallyinhandforSaturday11thOctoberwithentriesfromWellingtonWhangarei-AucklandandTaranakialreadyin,plusthreeofourownBranch.
December6thisourVeteranRally(notenewdate)-runinconjunctionwithCHBBranch.It willstartandfinishatTuiBrewery-Mangatainokawithapicniclunchstopataninteresting collection.ThiseventwillbeopentoVeteranand2-wheelbrakedVintagevehiclesand Vintagemotorcycles,socomeonyouearlyvehicleowners-howaboutsomesupport!Entry formswillbeoutshortlyandifyouwouldliketogoonthemailinglistforone,pleaseemail meat cbz1@xtra.co.nz toregisteryourinterest.
SundayJaunt-5thOctober-willbeashortruntoamember’spropertytoviewacoupleof stunningvintageeravehiclesthathaverecentlybeenacquired.Fromthere,headtotheClub Roomsforafternoontea,BYOtakeawayeveningforthosethatwishtostayon.
Seeyouthere!
Regards
WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
8TH OCTOBER 2025 9.30 AM > 12 NOON
Abigthankyoutothosewhoturneduptotheworkingbeelastmonthand workedawayinextremelymuddyconditionstocompletethefencerepairs behindtheStoreShed.Pleasebringshovels,spades&rakesalongtothe Octoberworkingbeetotidyuptheareawherewewereworkinglastmonth. Weatherpermittingthereisweedsprayingtobedonethismonth. Andthefencealongsidethemaindrivewayisinneedofrepair(somebroken wires),sopleasecomealongwithtoolsthatwouldfacilitatethatwork. Andthereisalwaysongoingtidyingupofthepropertyandgardeningwhich needsattention.Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong. Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
3RD WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH 7.30PMWEDNESDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2025
"THEGROVE" VENUEFORHIRE
BranchMembers:
ForallinquiriesregardingHallorMemberRoomhire, pleasecontacttheBranchSecretarydirectlyat cathyclements5@gmail.com
AllOtherInquiries: Pleaserefertotheeventflyerfordetails.
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
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)).
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoorganisetocollecttheirfreebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoarrangeareplacementforalost ordamagedbadge-atcost.
REQUEST FROM YOUR EDITOR
Thisisyourmagazinesolet’sshareourvintageandclassiccarswithall.
IfyourvehiclehasnotbeenthesubjectofanarticleintheTourerplease considerwritingsomethingupaboutitandforwardingittotheeditor withaphotographortwo.Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostartorhowto approachthematter,thereisapageofprompts(questions)whichtheeditorcanemailto youwhichwillsetyouintherightdirectionforanarticle-oryoumightjustchooseto makenotesundereachpromptandreturnthepagetotheeditorforwritingup.
Contributionsneednotbelengthy.Halfapage/severalpages-itisuptoyou.
VINTAGE
C
AR CLUBOF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED
- 8TH & 9TH AUGUSTHOSTEDBYTHE SOUTHLAND BRANCH
IattendedthemeetingasBranchDelegateandwithCathyClementsasobserver.Wewere lookedafterverywellandtransportedtoanywherewewantedtogoinoursparetime.
TheExecutiveMeetingwasheldonFridaynightandcontinuedonSaturdayafternoonafter theAGM.TheFridaynightfocusedontheNoticeofMotionregardstotheupdatestoour Constitution.Fridaynightmeetingwasspentdiscussingandresolvingconcernsraisedby GisborneandWellingtonbranchesaroundthewordingofMarch2025Executivemeeting minutesandwhethertheupdateswerefollowedassetoutbythebylaws.Itwasconfirmed thattheprocesswascorrect.
Saturday’sAGM
TheystartedtheAGMwithanhilariouswelcomefromGaryForde(SpiritArmy,Southland spiritofanation)itwasgoodtohaveagreatlaughbeforetherestofthemeetingscontinued. Therewere33branchesrepresentedatthemeetings.SomeofthehighlightsoftheAGM WewereshownphotosofthenewNationalofficeinChristchurchandupdatesonthelasttwo monthsofmovingoffices.
ThesaleofAberdeenStreetandpurchasing4MeadowStreet,withalsotheearthquake payouttherewasasurplusof$120,000.
TheNationalOfficehaskepttheNationalsubscriptionsfortheyeartoremainthesame amount.
The NoticeofMotion wasvotedbymemberswas86%majoritytoapprovethechangesto theConstitution.Thenewconstitutionwillbefiledbyendoftheyear,withtheupdated structurewhichwilltakeeffectafternextyearAGM.
The GoddardTrophy wasawardedtoElisabethSmits-Brouwer.Elisabethandherlate husbandFredtouredtheworldintheir1957Mercedesover10-yearperiod.
Electionofofficers- noelectionwasrequiredasallcurrentofficersstillstand.DonMuller wasreappointedasClubArchivist
ThePresidentialAward wenttoDon&MarleneMullerforalltheirworkonmovingand settinguptheArchivesinthebuildingat4MeadowsStreet.
12MonthWOF. GarryJackson(FOMC)spokeaboutthesuccessofgettingthe12month WOFacrosstheline.Thistakeseffectfromthe1st September2025.Garryappreciatedallthe supportfromalltheclubmembers,withathankyouforeveryonethatdidtheNZHistoricand ClassicVehicleResearchSurvey. HeisworkingwiththeHeritageMinistertoseeifourvehiclescanberecognisedaspartof NewZealand’sHeritage,justastheyareinEuropeasmovingmonuments.
Thefollowing HostsforNationaleventswereaccepted.
2026NationalAGM-ManawatuBranch
2027SouthIslandRally–OtagoBranch
ThebidfromHorowhenuaBranchtohost2027NorthIslandEasterRallywaswithdrawn.
UnderGeneralbusiness
Adelegateaskedifitwastimethat100+YearsvehiclestobeincludedintheNationalVeteran Rally?
GeorgeKearspokeabouttheout-of-dateinformationheldatNationalOffice.Theyaretrailing thruOtagoBranchandBayofPlentyBranchesbyemailingtheirmembersaskingiftheycan updatetheirvehicleinformation.Withgivingthemtheoptioniftheywanttohavethe informationonalistertoothermembersorjustforHeadOfficeinformationonly.
NowtheConstitutionhasbeenadopted,theDraftBy-Laws
AsabranchweneedtoupdateourBranchconstitutioninaccordancewiththenewNational officeConstitution
ByEstherWilliams BranchDelegate
LEFT:Derek,Beckyand(the firstrallyfor)Roan–the2011 VintageOnlyRally
PublishedintheOctober2011 Tourer
LEFT:AlistairHowardaccepting the2nd placeprizeonbehalfof ‘TeamHoward’(Alistair& Richard)fromDaveLivingston. Theeventwasthe2011Brass Monkey.
PublishedintheJuly2011Tourer
LEFT:againthe2011Brass Monkey,withDonDennisreceiving his3rd placeprize.
PublishedintheJuly2011Tourer
RIGHT –morningteabeforeheadingaway.
Saturday21st -LunchStopattheApitiTavern
Sunday22nd Rallystartfromthe Clubrooms
Ontheroad……….(fourpagesofphotographsfrombothrallydays) -
SteveBright-Manawatu
1931Austin7Sport
AndrewVile-Manawatu
1929ChevroletInternational
JohnGarrett-Manawatu
1929ChevroletInternational Convertible
MurrayandPennyFirth-Auckland
1931BedfordWLGTruck
MurrayandPennydrovethisBedford downfromAucklandespeciallyforthe rally–itwasa3-daytripeachway!
TonyPrebensen-Napier
1928FordModelA
LenHaycock-Manawatu
1929ChevroletInternationalSaloon
PatBrenandMikeStuart-Napier
1926AlvisTE12/50Convertible
CliffBennett-Manawatu
1931FordModelASaloon
DaveLivingstone-Manawatu 1933Austin12
AlistairHoward–Manawatu (Saturday) 1929EssexSuper6
BillTurner-Manawatu 1930FordModelASaloon
TomDavey-Napier 1928ChevroletNationalCoupe
DerekHaycock-Manawatu 1929ChevroletACConvertible
AlistairHoward–Manawatu (Sunday) 1928EssexSuper6
DonaldandMarleneRobbie/ VivandOwenReid-Manawatu 1930FordModelAConvertible
RallyFinishattheChelty
TOPROW : Thebriefingfortheseconddayoftherally wasfollowedbyprizegivingwhichwas basedonthetimedsectionfromthe previousday.
CENTREROW(LEFT) 1st place
AlastairHoward,1928Essex,ManawatuBranch
CENTREROW(RIGHT) 2ndplace
TomDavey,1928Chev,NapierBranch
LEFT 3rdplace
PatBren&MikeStuart,1926Alvis,NapierBranch
ReportprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile
Itwasanearlystarttothefirstday,muchlikeotherrallieswhichdadandIhaverecently attended. Itwasaclearmorning,blueskiesasfarastheeyecouldsee,withonlyafewsmall puffycloudsdottedagainstthehorizon. Theusualchecksweremadeonthe1929Chevrolet flatdeck. Oiltoppedup,watertoo,nipplesgreased(soundsabitrude!),sparetyresecured, lunchpacked,toolsorganised,airputintyres,wheelnutstightened,etc. Wewereplanning ontakingthe1928DodgeSedanforthetwodays,howeveritfaileditswarrantduetothe hydraulicbrakesneedingattention.
ThiswasthefirstrunfortheChevinaboutsixmonthsduetoitsregistrationbeingonhold. WearrivedattheClubroomsaroundtwominutesafterwelefthome,handylivingroundthe corner. Weweren’tthefirsttoarrive-thekeencouplewhohadtravelleddownfrom Aucklandintheir1931Bedford2-tontruckhadbeatenus. AlsotherewasTomDavieswith his1928ChevcoupeandLenHaycockfromBulzBranch(beenreadingsomeold“Tourers” recently,thistermwaspopularin1980sand1990seditions)inthe1929ChevInternational coupe. Wehad11entrantstoday(threefromCHBbranch),ashamewedidn’tgetmoreasit wasdestinedtobeabloodygoodrun. Teaandcoffeeandanarrayofnibbleswereprovided forrallyists,thankstoCathClements&Company-goodtohaveacuppabeforeweleft! Whentherestofushadarrived,organiserandClubCaptainGlynClementsgaveadetailed briefingtothetroops. Around100mileswouldbecovered,with45ofthosebeinggravel. We werethefirstcarawayat10AM. Inthefirstfewmiles,thetruckdevelopedanastymisfire andwepulledoverabouthalfwaydownWatershedRoad.Aquickassessmentofthesituation concludedthatthecoilwirewasloose. Problemfixedandbackontheroadinnotime,but notbeforeCliffBennettblewpastusinhis1931Ford. Theinstructionssoonmadeitclearthatweshoulddropouraveragespeeddownto26.7 MPH,butweweren’tworriedaboutplacinginthetimetrialsowecarriedonatourownpace andarrivedatthefirstcheckpointaroundsevenminutesearly, MrClementswastakenaback! Thetruckwasgoingbetternow,cruisingspeedwasaround45MPH,butitwouldagaindrop whenwehitourfirstbitofgravel. Whenthemomentarrivedwhenstonemetrubber,itwas nicetonotfeelroughcorrugationsforonce. Theroadstookusthroughnicescenery, especiallywindingcurvesandinsomespotsdeepravines.Therangeswerevisible,snow cappedandgleaming.Greatviewsfromgreatroads. Talkingofroads,ChrisRhodesdidan excellentjobbeingTail-End Charlieforbothdays,bar theafternoon,whenIsent usroundawrongturnand gotusseparatedfromthe packforafewmiles. Chris, youmighthavelostsightof theMightyGreenGroaner forawhile,butI’llletyou offasitmayhavebeenthe navigator’sfault! Lunch wasatApiti.
Nearonsilentupthereapartfromtherattleofexhaustpipesandacoupleoflambsbleating forsomemilkfrommum. AmajorityofrallyistschosetheApitipub,whileafew(includingus) chosethepicnicoption. Thankfully,allvehiclesmadeit. Afterlunch,wewerebackonthe roadwhereanearmisswasinstoreforus. Abush-whackingbikercameroaringrounda blindcorneronRidgeRoad. Luckilywewentfurthertotheleftandhedidaswell. Whata waythatwould’vebeentogoout…runoverbya96-year-oldChevroletdoingawhopping20 MPH,ouch! Afterwindingourwaythroughtheback-countrywefinallyarrivedbackat“The Grove”. BeerO’Clockitis! Storieswereexchangedandliesweretold,withenoughlaughter tomakeupforboth. GoodoldBangers‘n’Mashfordinnerwithicecreamandpeachestotop italloff. Whatagreatfirstday!
AnotherearlymorningforDayTwo. RoundtotheClubroomswhere14carsweresettoarrive today. TheO’Keefe’swerecomingfromWanganuiintheir1927BuickMasterSix. Alsotojoin werethelocalRobbiefamilyintheir1930Ford‘A’Phaeton,andJohnGarrettfromMartonin his1929ChevroletTourer,ofwhichIthinkhisfatherboughtnew. Anotherfamilycarinthe lineuptodaywasAlastairHoward’s1928EssexSuperSixCoach,thecarthathadoncebeenin hispossessiongrowingup. AlsojoininguswasDaveLivingstoninhis1934Austin. Hewas goingtobringthe1927PaigeCoupeout,however,likeus,hehadissueswithhisbrakes. IwastonavigateforSteveBrightinthe1931AustinSevenSpecial. Itwasatreatforme today,asIhadneverbeenforadriveinalittle‘Ulster’before. ThoughIhavetechnically beeninanAustinSeven,andbythatImeanIwasonceencouragedbyacertainGlyn ClementswhilewewereonashedraidtohopintoMauriceWasley’s1927Tourer. Theeasy (ifyoucouldcallitthat)partwasgettingin,howevergettingoutproveddifficult. I’mnotsure the‘Chummy’Austinswerebuiltforsix-foot-tall18-year-oldstodrivethem. Notthosefrom the1920sanyway! ItwasagreattimeintheAustin. Onethingthattookalittlegettingused towaswhenIwould glancetothesideand seetheroadwhizzing bytwoorsofeetbelow me. Lunchwasat Marton,whererallyists eitherwentforthe bakery-cafeorpicnic options. Wechoseto haveapicnic,along withotherswhoparked upnexttotheHistoric CottageandMuseum. Stevechosetohavea poshlunchsoIwas
droppedoffatChevroletCentral. Afterabitetoeatandacuppa,wesetoffoutofMartonto driveandtakeinthestunninghillcountryofthebackblocks. Mt.CurlRoadwasmyfavourite oftheroutes. Arealstunner. Unfortunately,wehadtomakeaU-Turnhalfwaydownthe roadduetoafallentreeobstructingourpath. Itmust’vehappenedjustaftertheHaycock
grouphadpassedthroughastheywereonlyaboutamileortwoaheadofus. Alastair Howardtoldustofollowhimforashortcuttogettothenextinstruction,andfollowhimwe did. TheAustinwasbeggingtoovertakeonthehill,upsetovertheslowgrindoftheEssexin front. Alas,itseagernesswasputtorest,forwehadtohavesomeoneguidingusthroughthe unfamiliarterrain. Backonthemainrouteagainandthedriverinstructedthenavigatortoput theinstructionsaway.
Duringhisyearsasahome-killbutcher,Stevehadworkedpartofthisnextareawewere travellingthrough,andhewasconfidentenoughindecidingwhichroadtotaketogettothe CheltenhamPubwherewewouldfinish. Wemayhavecaughtafewglaresandlooksof disgustfrombehindfencesasthelittleAustinroaredandcutthroughthecountryside. Aswe finallycamedownStateHighway54,theCheltyPubcameintoview. Stevelookedasifhe couldtastethecoldbeeronhislipsalready. WeparkedupnexttoLenHaycock’sChevand RobO’Keefe’sBuick,with anotherfamiliarvehicleoff totheside. LaurieCocker’s 1906Cadillac. TheCadi hadbeenkeentocomeout foralittlejaunttoseethe endoftherally,draggingits driverwithit. Afteracool beer,achinwag,andabig thankyoutotheteamfor organisingthefantastic two-dayevent,SteveandI, DadandnavigatorMum, andthecrewfromCHB
EndofRallyattheChelty Tookatrundlebacktoourhouseforalittleshedraid.
Allinall,the2025VintageRallywasawesome. Greattoseetheoldcarsgetoutforarunlike theywouldhavebackwhentheywerenew. Although,itwasabitofashametoseethatonly afewcarsmadeittothiswellthoughtoutevent,whendozensofrally-eligiblevehiclesarein thearea(Wanganui,Manawatu,Horowhenua,Central-HawkesBay,etc).
Wecan’tgiveenoughthankstoGlynandhisteamfororganisingthistruly‘beaut’event.
ByHarryJackson-Vile ManawatuBranch
ResultsfortheTimeTrialonDayOnewere:
FirstPlace-AlastairHoward,1929EssexCoupe(Manawatu)
SecondPlace-TomDavies,1928ChevroletCoupe(Napier)
ThirdPlace-MikeStuart&PatBren,1926AlvisTourer(Napier) Nohardluckprize,luckily!
Source:https://www.jalopnik.com:ArticlebyBrittanyCrow-July2025
Ifyou'veeverremovedyouroilcapduringaroutinecheckoroilchangeandnoticedacreamy whiteoryellowish,almostmayonnaise-likesubstanceunderneathit,you'renotalone.You'd bewellwithinyourrightstobecuriousaswellasgrossedout.Thisbuildupofsludgeisamix ofoilandwatervaporthathasemulsifiedintoathick,lightpaste.It'sdefinitelyoff-putting, butitdoesn'tnecessarilyindicateabigproblemwithyourvehicle.
Enginesnaturallyproducewatervaporaspartofthecombustionprocess.Normally,this moistureexitstheengineviatheexhaustsystem.However,undercertainconditions,water vaporcancondenseinsidetheengine.Whenitmixeswithoilandlackstheopportunityto fullyburnoff,itcreatesthatfunkyresidue.Thissubstancewilltypicallyonlycollectoncooler partsoftheengine.
Themostcommoncauseofoilcapsludgeisshort-tripdriving,especiallyincoldclimates. We'renottryingtoaddtothedebateoverwarmingupyourcarinthewinter,butifyou're onlydrivingyourvehicleafewmilesatatime,theenginemaynotbereachingitsfull operatingtemperature.Thispreventsmoisturefromevaporatingoutofthesystem,so insteaditcondensesandaccumulatesassludge.Thesludgeisn'tnecessarilyharmful,butit canbeasignthatyourdrivinghabitsshouldchangetoavoiddestroyingyourengine. Takingyourcarforalongerdriveonceortwiceaweekcanhelptheenginereachasufficient temperaturetoburnoffexcessmoisture.
Shouldyouworryaboutoilcapsludge?
Beforeyougrowtoocomfortablewiththe whitegoop,knowthatsomeserious conditionscancauseasimilaroccurrence. Chiefamongtheseisablownhead gasket.Whenaheadgasketfails,coolant canleakintotheengineoil,creatinga similarmilkyemulsion.Unlikeharmless condensationsludge,thiscommonoil contaminateisamajorissuethatrequires immediaterepair.Leftunchecked, coolant-contaminatedoilcandestroyinternalenginecomponentsduetolossoflubrication. So,howcanyoutellthedifferencebetweensludges?Ifyou'reonlyseeingthesubstanceon theoilcap-notonthedipstickoroilpan-andtheengineisrunningsmoothlywithnormal coolantandoillevels,it'slikelyjustduetocondensation.
It'salwaysbettertoerronthesideofcaution,somonitoryouroilandcoolantlevels,and checktheappearanceofyouroilonthedipstick.Iftheoilonthedipstickappearsmilkyor you'relosingcoolantwithoutvisiblefluidleakproblems,it'stimeforamechanictoinspectthe vehicle.Acoolingsystempressureorcompressiontestcanconfirmablownheadgasketor internalcoolantleak.Ifthesludgepersistsafterchangingyourdrivinghabitsoryouseesigns thattheoilthroughouttheengineiscontaminated,don'tignoreit.Intheend,thewhite sludgeundertheoilcapisyourengine'swayoftellingyousomething-moreoftenthannot thatitsimplywantstobedrivenabitmore.
A MEMBER’S CAR
1928 DODGE VICTORY 6 SALOON
“Takemeforadrive!”
NameofMaker
Alittlecomplicated-technicallyitfallsunderthe“DodgeBrothers”marque,however bothbrothers(John&Horace)diedin1920,andin1928(theyearthisvehiclewas manufactured).
WalterP.ChryslerboughtthebrandanditbecameaChryslerproduct.
Theykeptthe“DodgeBrothers”nameandlogoupuntilaround1939,thenitwas phasedoutwiththelastinsigniabeingthewingedbadgewiththeStarofDavidinthe middle.
So,ifIhavethisright,thecarisa“ChryslerDodge-butalsocanbecalledaDodge Brothers,DB,andofcourseDrips-Oil-Drops-Grease-Everywhere”. However,despitealltheseclearandconclusiveindicationsdetailingthebrandname,the registrationstatesthatitisaDODGE,soforgetthecomplexhistory,theoldgirlisjust plainoldDodgey!
Model
VictorySix-Model“M”.Namedthisbecausethecarwasintroducedonthe10th AnniversaryoftheAlliedvictoryofWorldWarOne.
Year 1928.Specifically,thebodywasproducedinAugust.
Body
EdwardG.Buddmanufactured“Mono-Piece”All-Steelbody.
Countryofmanufacture UnitedStates.
Historyofthemanufacturer
TheDodgeBrothers(JohnFrancis&HoraceElgin)startedoffinthebicyclebusiness, andthencametheDodgeBrothersCompany,knownformachiningandsupplyingparts toautomobilemakerssuchasOldsandFord.
Alongcametheideaofmakingcarsthemselves,sotheysuedoldHenryhimselfand receivedadecentpayout,enoughtogivethemastartinmanufacturingautomobiles. 1914gavetheworldtheModel30,a212cidL-headfour,producingagenerous35hp andcameinONEbodystyle-tourer.
BythetimetheVictorySixarrived,theDodgeBrothershadproducedover1.1million vehicles.Thebrothersdiedin1920fromtheSpanishFlu.Themarquewaskeptwithin theirfamilycircle,untilitwassoldtoDillon,Read&Co.in1925.WalterChryslercame afterthatandtherestishistory,andabloodyinterestingandlongonetoo!
WhenfirstregisteredinNZ
Unsure,assuming1928or1929.
Whendidyouacquireit?
September2024,fromtheKapitiarea.
Whatcondition?
Hadbeendrystoredforover40years.Itsatonaxlestandsformostofthetimeitwas inthepreviousowner’shands.
Hasitbeenrestored?/Whorestoredit?
Guessingithadapaintjobandatidyupinthe70s.Otherthanthattheinteriorisall originalandenginelooksasitshouldhavedonein1928,althoughataddirtier.
Mileagetravelledsincerestoration.
SpeedostoppedworkingonHighlandFling.BettergetthatsortedforthenextWOF. ThanksforremindingusMr.Editor.Mostlikely800milesorso.
AnyPetnameandwhy?
“OldGroaner”andasubstantialamountofbluewordsinseveraluncomfortable situations.
Enginedetails/Specifications
208cidside-valveinlineSixCylinder,58hp@3000rpm.
TheStandardSixwasthecheapestoptionforDodgein1928,anditwasthelastDodge modeltohavefour-wheelmechanicalbrakes.OurVictoryisaDeluxeSedan.
TheDodgehappilygoesalongatagood50mph.Thepricewas$1095,alittleextraif youwantedvariousaccessories.TheSeniorSixhadthebigcontinentalengineandwas considerablymoreexpensive.Thereisa1928StandardSix(JohnRickard),VictorySix, anda1929SeniorSix(JohnCallesen)intheManawatuBranch.
ThelateBobClarkeofBullshadtwoVictories,onenowinthecareofBruceArdell.
Longestjourney
HighlandFling2025.
Funniestincident
HighlandFling2025Day2.RunoutofgasduetoleakycarbydownCheltenham HuntervilleRoad.Pulledover,checkedgastank.Bonedry.Hadput20litresinatApiti lunchstop.Therestofthecarsthoughtitwasquiteamusingandmanytootedand wavedastheywentpast.Soonenough,BranchClubCaptainandNICCGlyn&Branch Secretary/wifeCathpullupwithalittlebitofgas.Initgoes.Starterstuck.Quickfix thenbackontheroad.Weweregoingtolosegaseitherwayifwewentsloworfastto thegasstationonKimboltonRoad.
Wegotitupto57mphandweshotpastModelAFordsliketherewasnotomorrow!
Worstincident
Brakeslockupon2025HighlandFlingDay2.Pressurebuildingupinmastercylinder. Smelledsomethingburning.Pulledoverandhadtobleedallthebrakes.Aquarterhour laterwewerebackontheroad.
Bestassistancereceived
DodgeyManAllanHardacrewhohelpeduscheckitover,startit,andgetitdriving,plus assistingonseveralotheroccasionswithcarburettortroubles,timing,hydraulicbrakes etc.
Mostsignificantthingtoyouaboutthevehicle.
Theinteriorsortofsmellslikeanantiquarianbook,withatouchofpetroleumanda dashofmustyoveralls.
Whatotheroldervehiclesdoyouhave?
1929CHEVROLETINTERNATIONALPICKUP -athreegenerationproject,Grandfather (woodwork,cabanddeck),Dad(mechanicalworkandchiefcurser),Me(amateur enthusiastwithaterminaladdiction,alsoassistantcurser),plustwogenerationsof Haycocks(Len,DerekandTony).
Itwasourbeatervehicleforawhilebeforeitwasdecidedthatalittlemorecomfort wouldbepreferredforlongertrips-theanswer:DODGE.
1971CHEVROLETCAMAROTYPELTCOUPE -Dad’sbaby.Boughtin2015fromChristchurch.A decentbitofworkdone.Ithasabitmorepowerthanthe‘29,around270hpcompared tothetruck’s46.LooksgreatinracyredandcankeepupwiththeMorrisMinors.
1923STUTZSPECIALSIX(6-93)TOURABOUT -Ararefindwithaninterestinghistory. 268cidWeidleyOHV75hp,guaranteed70mphfactorystandard.120”wheelbase. Oneofaround1000produced1923-1924.Essentiallyacheaperpassengercaroptionto the360cidT-Headinlinefour(88hp@2400rpm)“SpeedwayFour”withhomagetothe originallineofBearcats.TheSpecialSixSedancost$1995whiletheTouraboutcost around$2400.
In1924theimprovedSpecialSixescouldcost$2700andup.Theyonlyevermade around200.OnlyotherbodyofferedwasaRoadster.
OurSpecialSixhasalocalhistorywithmostofitsyearsbeingspentatLongburnwiththe Zurcherfamily.Itwascutdowntoafarmtruckduringthewarandwentofftheroadin 1951.Itsatforaround15yearsbeforebeingpurchasedbythepreviousowners.Itwas thenstoredtillwepurchaseditin2024.Ithasanoriginalpaintjobandhas37000miles ontheodometer.
IwroteanarticleinapreviousTourerdetailingourtriptopickupanengineandgearbox fromtheonlyotherStutz6-93thatcameintothecountry.Thatwaswhatwasleftofit. Agreatfind.
MylategrandfatherDonaldVilewasalsoabranchmemberformanyyears.
1930DeSoto8(CF)
1926REOT-6E
1927Austin12/4
1929BSASloper500w/sidecar
1914Daimler(nowacompletecarinAuckland)
1912BSATourer4Cyl.(unsurewhatbecameofthis)
1931/32DeSoto8(nowacompletecarinWaikato)
“Ineedabloodygoodcleanafterthisone!”
“I'mthirsty…also.”
ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……
Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.
Thiscarprobablyhadbetter“air-flow”totheengineafteritsAug1935accident. Actually,itisa1934ChryslerAirflowCustomEightfour-doorsedan. TheStreamlinerswereintroducedin1934,butfailedtoreachpopularitywithnewcarbuyers.
Whateverhitthis1935Fordinflictedheavysheetmetaldamagetotheright-handsideofthe vehicle.Thewindowsandthewindshielddidn’tfareverywelleither. WirespokewheelswerestandardonFordsforthelasttimein1935.
BUGATTI - DEVELOPMENTTHROUGHTHEAGES
BugattiType13-1914article:publication‘Motor-cars,APictureHistory’byL.C.Munro-1971edition Photographs‘Bugattithroughtheyears’from YouTube
LocalTrainTimetable-1881
Singer
ENGLAND’S BEST DEAD CAR COMPANIES
Singergraduatedfrom bicyclestocarsin1905,with apre-warLeManssportscar beingitsbestmodel.
Theclunkinglyugly1947 SM1500saloon(pictured right)plungedintothearms ofRootes,whereitliveda badge-engineeredafterlife until1970.
Source:Autocar
MODERN STUFF: DON’T ‘TOP OFF’ YOUR FUEL TANK
VariousSources-incl:RAC,Quora,Jalopnik
Tryingtosqueezeasmuchpetrolaspossibleintoyourcar'sfueltankisahabityoushould reconsider.Onceyouhearthatfirstclunkofthepetrolpumpshuttingoff,it’stimetostop tryingtosqueezeanymoreintothetank.
Apetrolpump’sautomaticshut-offwillkickinjustbeforethetankiscompletelyfulltoensure anyoverflowisavoidedandtoallowsomespaceforfuelvapours.
Moderncarshaveasystemdesignedtominimisetheamountoffuelvapoursthatescapeinto theatmospherebyinsteadtrappingtheminsideacarboncanister.Trappedvapoursarethen laterabletobeburntoffintheengine.
Ifthelinetothecanistercan’tbreathebecauseitisfulloffuel,itcancauseafaultcodethat shutsdownthefuelpump.Itisnothardtoremedybuttakesalittletime,andsometimes justsiphoningoffsomefuelandleavingthecapoffforadaywillbeenoughtoclearit. (Anotherprobleminsomemoderncarsisthatifthefuelcapisnotfullysecured,thefuel pumpmayswitchoffandactivatethe‘checkengine’light).
Overfillingbringsthepotentialforfueltoenterthevehicle’sevaporativeemissionssystem (EVAP)whichcanpossiblydamageit.Thiscanleadtoa‘checkengine’lightandpoorfuel efficiency.Whenyouoverfill,liquidfuelcanfloodthecharcoalcanister-acomponentwhich isdesignedtotrapfuelvapours,impairingitsfunctionandpotentiallydamagingotherparts likethepurgeandventvalves.
ReplacingadamagedEVAPsystem,especiallythecharcoalcanister,canbecostly.A damagedEVAPsystemleadstoincreasedpollutantemissionsandhigherfuelconsumption.
T
Interviewer:“Whatdoyoudoforalivingsir?”
Retiree:“InthemorningIdonothing. IntheafternoonIfinishwhatIstartedinthemorning. IntheeveningIrest”.
Husband:“What’sfordinner?”
Wife:“Nothing”.
Husband:“Wehadnothinglastnight”.
Wife:“Iknow,Imadeenoughfortwodays”.
“Doyoubelieveinlifeafterdeath?”thebossaskedoneofhisemployees. “Yes,sir.”theclerkreplied.
“That’sgood,”thebosssaid.“Afteryouleftearlyyesterdaytogotoyourgrandmother’s funeral,shestoppedintoseeyou.”
Iwassittingatabarwithafriendtheothernightwhenhecasuallypointedacrossthebar fromusandsaid,“seethosetwoolddrunkssittingthere…that’sgoingtobeusintenyears.” Ilookedathimandsaid,“that’samirrorstupid!”
Atruckdrivers’wifeisstandingbucknakedstaringatherselfinthemirror.Shesaystoherself “I’mfatandwrinkly,myskinisoldandweatherworn,myhairisfallingoutandIjustdon’t feelbeautifulanymore”.
Sheturnstoherhusbandandsays“Honey,I’mfatandwrinkly,myskinisoldandweather worn,myhairisfallingoutandIjustdon’tfeelbeautifulanymore.Iwantyoutocompliment somethingaboutmybody”
Husbandlooksoveratherandhesays“Sweetheart….youreyesightisperfect”
HusbandandWifewenttoadiscoparty.There’saguyonthedancefloorwhowasdancing likeaking-moonwalking,breakdancing,headspinsandsoon.
Thewifeturnedtoherhusbandandsighed,“Youseethatman?25yearsagoheaskedmeto marryhimandIsaidno”.
Husbandsaid“Yep,itlookslikehe’sstillcelebrating!!”
Husbandaskedhiswife.“IfIdied,wouldyoumarrymeagain?” Wifereplied,“Ohsweetheart,ofcourseIwouldn’t,I’dgoandlivewithmysister,andifIdied wouldyouremarry?”
Husband:“No,IthinkI’dgoandlivewithyoursistertoo!”
InthegridbelowfindthefollowinghiddenstreetnamesfromthesuburbofHighbury:
AMBERLEY ATHENA BOTANICAL BRENTWOOD
BRIGHTON CHARWELL CHIPPENDALE CLARKE
COVENTRY DRAYTON DUFF ELLESMERE
HAVELOCK HAVERSHAM HIGHBURY HULL
JACKSON KAIPARA LANCASTER MARYBANK
MONRAD MORAY OTAKI PEMBROKE
PENCARROW RENFREW ROBINSON RONBERG
SEFTON SOMERSET
MANAWATUBRANCH
MotorcycleRally
StartingfromtheClubrooms
Saturday11th October2025
ENTRYFORMONNEXTPAGE
EntriesCloseFriday3rd October2025
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.
11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.
VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.
Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches
Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.
M
BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2025 / 2026
BranchCommitteeOfficeHolders:
Chair: EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
ViceChair: CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 0635633830212837088
Secretary: CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927
Treasurer: KenFoot(Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882
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BranchCommitteeMembers:
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AppointedPositions:
Custodian&Librarian:
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IdleTorque (BeadedWheels) Scribe: BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
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MurrayThomson(Jill) murray.jill@xtra.co.nz 063233901
NewMemberLiaison/MemberWelfare: AllCommitteeMembers
