BRANCH DETAILS
BRANCH INFORMATION
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: BranchMembersatSchnellsFarm-NovemberSundayJaunt
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, CathyClements,LaurieCocker,RobertHeath,HarryJackson-Vile,LynJames andEstherWilliams.
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS: DerekHaycockandGaryMillar
MANAWATU BRANCH PATRON: LenHaycock
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
IN THIS ISSUE
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE FEBRUARY TOURER
Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,motoringstories, restorations,technicalinformation,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com
IfyourTourerhasnotturnedupinyour‘InBox’bytheendofthemonth,checkyourSpamFolder.
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS - 2025/6
Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformalevents comealongtobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.
DECEMBER 2025
Tuesday2nd Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding
Saturday6th CombinedVeteranRally-Manawatu&CentralHawkesBayBranches
Sunday7th ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
Sunday7th SundayRunbeforetheBranchPresentations-seepage10ofthisTourer
Sunday7th BranchLongServiceAwardPresentations,DinnerandEntertainment
Wednesday10th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage10ofthisTourer
Wednesday17th ClubNight-seetheSecretary’sDeskonpage7ofthisTourer
JANUARY 2026
Thursday1st Len’sNewYearDayPicnic-seedetailsonpage10ofthisTourer
Sunday4th ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
Tuesday6th Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding
Wednesday14th NoJanuaryWorkingBee attheClubrooms-seepage10ofthisTourer
Friday16th DropintotheclubroomstomeetupwithWellingtonBranchmemberswho areusingourclubroomsforalunchstopen-routetotheWanganuiBurma RallyWeekend -detailsareintheClubCaptain’sReportonpage8ofthisTourer
FEBRUARY 2026
Sunday1st ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
Tuesday3rd Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding
OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2025/6
-EntryFormsfortheseeventsareavailableonrequestfromtheManawatuBranchSecretary
JANUARY 2026
Thursday1st TaihapeGumbootRally-seepage11ofthisTourerandalsothe ClubCaptain’sReportonpage8ofthisTourer
Sunday18th 67th BurmaRally(Whanganui)
Sat & Sun24th & 25th 72nd Dunedin-BrightonVeteranVehicleRun
Fri>Sun23rd-25th Wellington19th BiennialVCCMotorcycleRally
FEBRUARY 2026
Saturday7th EasternBOP-EastCoastRally
Friday20th HBVCCArtDecoRally2026
Feb24th > Mch1st TheModelTFord33rd NationalRally
MARCH 2026
Sat & Sun21st & 22nd TheSteamTractionSocietySteamFair
Hieveryone.
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Lookslikesummerisfinallyherewiththenicewarmweather.It wouldbeniceifthewindwentaway,sothattheplantsinthe gardendon’tneedwateringeveryday.
ItisstartingtogetbusywithChristmasfunctionsnow.Ihave alreadyhadoneandnextweekIhave5Christmasfunctionsto attend.
ThefinaloftheLadiesFellowshipgroupwasheldonthe1st of November.Theweatherwasgreatandsowasthefood.AlotoftemptationsforChristmas decorationswithalotofclothesandhomewareaswell.WewillbestartingtheLadies Fellowshipagainin2026sometimearoundFebruary.
TherewasagreatturnoutfortheSundayrunonthe23rd Novemberwhichwasvery enjoyable.IthasbeenalongtimesinceIhavebeenonthoseroads.Thelunchwasgreatat ArgyleHotelinHunterville.BigthankyoutoGlynandCathyforagreatdayout.
IamlookingforwardtotheAwardsEveningon7th December.AbigthankyoutoCathyforall thehardworkshehasdonetowardsgettingtheCelebrationsfor50yearand35yearbadges. IwouldliketosaycongratulationstoDerekHaycockforreceivingtheLifeMembershipwhich isverywelldeserved.
IwouldliketoalsocongratulateLenHaycockonreceivingthePatronoftheBranch,thisis alsoverywelldeserved.
Greatmotoringandstaysafe.
Esther
Hieveryone
Thismonth’sbeenonelongblurwithadminwork,meetings, events,travellingtootherNorthIslandVCCbrancheswithGlyn, andhowChristmasmanagedtosneakuponusagain!Withthe yearnearlywrapped,therearestillafeweventstobeattended.
VeteranRally -Saturday6thDecember-I’msureifyouhavea lateentrywecanbendtherules!
LongServiceAwardsDinner -Sunday7thDecember
ThankyoutoallourmemberswhosupportedourSpecialGeneralMeetingsinOctoberand November-agreatturnoutforboth.Iamnowverypleasedtoadvisethatwehaveanew LifeMemberfortheBranch-DerekHaycock,andaBranchPatron-LenHaycock.Wewillbe celebratingthesetwosignificantmilestoneson7thDecemberwithanofficialpresentationto boththeseamazingGentlemen!Thankyoubothforyoursupportandcontributionstothe ManawatuBranchVCC.
TheCommitteeisgearingupforawellearnedbreatherafterourClubNighton17th December.Beforeweallscatterfortheholidays,we’rehavingafestivesocialeveningtoclose outtheyear.TheCommitteeisputtingonaChristmasSupper,soyoucansimplyturnup, bringacoupleofdrinks,relax,andenjoysometimetogetherforourfinalgatheringof2025.
Seeyouallsoonforacheerfulfinishtoabusyyear.
Regards,
HiAll
Asthisisthelastfrommethisyear,mayItaketheopportunityto wishyouallaveryMerryChristmasandaHappyNewYear. Staysafeoutthere,especiallyinthatholidaytraffic-wewantto seeyouallnextyear.
GreatturnoutfortheCountryPubRuntoTheArgyle,Hunterville. Thelocalsdeserveforthisplacetothrive.
ComingUp:
NewYearsDay -Len’sPicnicatMtLees,headstraightthereforan11.30meet.
GumbootRally -Taihape,NewYearsDay-forthosewholikeitHotandDusty!(justdoaday tripifyoulike?).
Friday16thJanuary2026,theWellingtonBrancharerunningtheirusualMonteCarloRunto WhanganuifortheBurmaRallyWeekend.Theyaregoingtouseourclubroomsforthelunch stopontheway.Wewillbeopenfrom11.00amto1.00pmsoifyouwouldliketocome along-pleasedoso.
TheBurmaRallyitselfisonSunday18thJanuary.EntryFormsareoutnow.ContactCathyif youareinterested.Howaboutsupportingourcloseneighbour(evenifit'sonlyadaytrip-like CathandIwillbedoing).
Cheers,
Deareditor,
IamamemberoftheVeteranCarClubofQldandreadwithinterestthearticlepublishedin thelatestissueofyourclubmagazine.
Iappreciatethatyouwerenottheauthorofthearticle,butIwouldliketoclarifyone omissioninanotherwiseexcellentarticle.
ThatistheAustinHealey100S,alimitedproductionsportsracingcarbuiltbytheDonald HealeyMotorCompanyinWarwick,UK.
The100SwasintroducedinOctober1954attheEarlsCourtMotorShowandasall50ofthe chassisproducedwerefittedwithfour-wheelDunlopDiscBrakes,itisgenerallyacknowledged tobethefirst.
Ofthetwo100SsentnewtoNewZealand(andonearrivinglater),thereisonlyone remaininginthecountry. Keepupthegoodwork.
Kindregards,
JoeJarick
HiJoe,
Thanksforyouremail,andyourclarificationonthediskbrakearticlewhichIincludedin theNovemberissueoftheTourer.Clearlytheauthorofthearticlewasnotawareofthe fittingofdiscbrakestotheAustin-Healey100model.
Imustadmit,whenIseeanarticleandconsideritforinclusion(tohopefullyfurtherthe knowledgeofreaders),Itendtoviewafewofthemwithdoubtastotheaccuracyofthe contentforonereasonoranotherandgivethemamiss.
ThisoneIdidn’tpickupon-knowingthattheMk1Jaguarhaddrumbrakesallroundand thattheMk2(1959onwards)hadDunlopdiskbrakesonallfourwheels,thearticletended to‘ringtrue’,butforthearticletoomitasignificantBritishmakersuchasAustinHealey issomethingofasignificantoversight,especiallysincetheyareawareofandmention otherBritishvehiclesofthesameera(theTriumphTR3andJaguarXK150).
ItispleasingtoseetheTourerbeingreadfarandwideandhopefullyyouwillcontinueto enjoyfuturepublications.
Thankyoufortakingthetimetocomment.
Regards-Bryan
SeecommentsfromtheEditoronsourcinginformationfromtheInternet-page32ofthisTourer
2025 MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeilding at2.30pmfora3.00pmdepartureonarun togetbacktotheclubroomsintimefor a PROMPT5.00pmstart forthePresentations.
WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
Aswellascontinuingtidyingupoftheproperty(treesandgardening)thereis afencerebuildprojectatthepartsshedgatethathastobetackled. Pleasebringsomegardeningandcarpentrytoolsalong. Iftheweatheriswetworkwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. ALargeTurnoutisrequestedforthislastWorkingBeefortheyearplease. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreak(andCathyismakingmorningteaforthisworking bee)–abreakfromtaskswhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
NOTE:TherewillbenoJanuaryWorkingBee
TaihapeGumbootRally
TheTaihapeGumbootrallyisonagainthisyearonNewYear’sDay.
Aswithpreviousyears,membersfromCentralHawkesBaybranch,plusanyother membersfromotherbrancheswhoareinterested,arejoiningmembersfromManawatu BranchtodoabackroadsruntoTaihapeonNewYear’sEve.
WearemeetingatthewarmemorialinFeilding’sManchesterSquareat1pmforashort briefingbeforesettingoff.
ThecafesinFeildingwillbeopen,soyoucanhavelunchinoneofthecafesorbring yourownandpicniconthelawn.Can’tguaranteetheweatherthough! IfyouareinterestedpleaseletmeknowsoIcanprintenoughrunsheets.
KenFoot 0212427882/kafoot@outlook.com
"THEGROVE" VENUEFORHIRE
BranchMembers:
ForallinquiriesregardingHallorMemberRoom hire,pleasecontacttheBranchSecretarydirectly at cathyclements5@gmail.com
AllOtherInquiries: Pleaserefertotheeventflyerfordetails. 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
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
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.
SCRAP METAL BINS
Thescrapmetalbinforlargermetalitems(i.e.tinsandbigger)wheremetalscrapcanbe contributedislocatedoutsidebetweenthetwopartssheds,andthereisabinforsmall scrapmetalinplaceinthePartsShed.
Thereis24-houraccesstotheoutsidebin(usethegatenearthePartsShedwhichisnot locked).Thebinforsmallscrapmetalisonlyaccessiblewhenthepartsshedisopen. Moneyraisedfromthesaleofscraphelpswiththeongoingmaintenanceoftheclubrooms andpartssheds.
INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomenewmember/s.
BRUCE SPARKS
- andtransferredtoourbranchis L RENDALL witha 1959Ford100EPrefectSedananda1957Ford100EAngliaSedan
- alsotransferredtoourbranchis JOHN HEMINGWAY witha1978Triumph2500TCMk2
- andalsotransferredtoourbranchis MURRAY WALKER witha1967HillmanHunter
Welcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.
PHOTOGRAPHS
- FROMTHE NOVEMBER INTER-BRANCH LADIES GET-TOGETHER
THISPAGE:meetingup attheCoachHouse Museumcarparkin Feilding
LEFT:uponarrivalatthe farm,memberswere givenabriefingand overviewbythehost.
Becauseofthegoodturnoutofmembersforthisjaunt,thegroupwassplitintotwoandwhilehalfwentto checkoutthefarmingandmilkingsideoftheproperty,theotherhalfwerelefttoexploreandrummagein theshed/workshop.
ABOVE:Thecattlefind theirownwaytothe milkingshedswhen theyarereadyfor milkingandwaitfor oneoftherobotic milkingbaysto becomefree.
RIGHT:Onceinthe milkingbaythe machineautomatically cleansthecow’s udders,automatically attachescupstothe udders,thenreleases themwhenmilkingis completed.
ABOVEcont:Thecattle eachhave theirownnumber–theywear collarswhichidentifiesthemto thecomputerwhichopensand closesthegatesenablingthemto movearoundthemilkingshedas necessaryandrecordingtheir movementsaroundthesheds. Computersrecordwhenthecows aremilked,thequantitycollected andmuchmore.
LEFT:Wherethemilkendsup–waitingforthetankertocollect it.Onceagain,averyautomated processwhichwasexplainedto members.
ReportprovidedbyAnnetteFoot
Whataday.Asunnydayandawarmday,wehadhadabout30carsfrommodernto vintage.
JustashortruntotheRoboticfarmandwhataninterestingplace.Weweresplitinto2 groupsof15people.Onegroupwentintotheshedhousingfarmmachinerywhichsomeof themarestillworkingtoday.ItwasalookaroundatownpaceasEmma'sdadwasupin Aucklandsowemissedoutonalotofgoodknowledge.
Offtovisitthemilkingshed.Itwasamazingforthetowniesamongstus.Andyes,there wereacoupleofusthere.Iwasamazedtoseehowwithmoderntechnologyfarmersare abletohavethecowsarrivedupto3timesadayiftheywant.Also,howquicklythefarmers areabletopickupifthereisaproblemwiththemilkandisolatethecowfromtheherd.
OverallIthinkeveryonehadgoodvisit.
Thankyouallforyourattendance.
CheersAnnette.
ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……
Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.
Well,well,well...what'sthatyousay? Anotherrallyreportfromwho? Surelynot,hemustberunningoutofmaterial...
Yougotitright,folks!HereIamagain(again).
ThispastSunday,IcaughtaridedowntoMastertonwithLenHaycockwhereIwould participateintheannualveteran&two-wheelbrakerallyforthearea,whichforthefirsttime wasopenforallpre-1931vehiclesaswell.Lenwastraileringdownhis1916Chevrolet490 Tourer.The490wasamodelintroducedtocompetewithHenry'sModelT.The'490'was theadvertisedpriceforoneofthesecarsin1916.Bothelectricstarterandlightswerean availableaccessoryforanextra$60.
Thoughpricesincreasedoverthesevenyearsthatthe490waspurchasable,themodel designationremainedthesame.Anyway,backtoreporting.
ItwastobeahotdayintheMastertonarea,solotsofsunscreenandwaterwasneeded. Wearrivedatthestartpointingoodtime,abouthalfanhourfromwhenweweredueto leave.LenparkedtheuteandtrailernexttothepaddocknexttothePointonCollectionand unloadedthe490.Ablokenexttouswasdoingthesamething,howeverhehada1914 Saxon,amarquecreatedbyHenryFord'scousin.IwastogowithRyanDewesinhis1913 Sunbeam12/16.Ryanisalocalcarnutwithsomethingthatsetshimapartfromtheothers ontherally-youth!Itwasgoodtohopinanoldbombcarwithafellowenthusiastcloserto myage.Nooffence,Len.
MrHaycockhadhisgranddaughterLauraforanavigatortoday,asperusual.Lauraisa fourth-generationVCCmember.Notmanyfamiliescanboastaboutthat!
RyanandhisfriendSamMillarsoonarrived,withSamdrivingthe1925ModelTFord.Francis PointonalsohadaFordTontherally,slightlyolderandwithshinierbrass-a1915Roadster example.Withanannouncementthattherewouldbemorecarsmeetingupwithusat Martinborough,weweresoonontheroadandtrundlingalongatagoodpace.Intermsof veteranvehicles,theSunbeamfeltlikeIwasridingonair!Itisabeautifullyrestoredcar, featuringagleamingroadsterbody,a4.5Lfour-cylinderengine,andafour-speedgearbox, thecarreallylookedandactedthepart,whetherparkeduporcruisingthebackroads,the 12/16wasavehicletobereckonedwith.
WestoppedataninterestingcollectionnotfarfromFrancis'splace.Afittingnameforthis placewouldbeHammerHaven.Ihaveneverseensomanyoldhammershangingonwallsin mylife.Theownerofthecollectionalsoshowedushishandyworkinmakingfiguresand statuesoutofoldmechanicalparts.Anintriguingfirststop.
Soonwewereoffagain,andafteranotherhalfhourorso,Ryan,Sam,andIfoundourselves drivingalongaroadthroughavineyard.Suddenly,RyanpulledoffandSamdrovepastus
andintothedistance.IwaswonderingwhatwasgoingonwhenRyansaid:"It’syourturn now!"
WechangedplacesandthereIwassittingbehindthewheelofaveterancar.Aftera(very) brieflessoninthetheorybehindpilotingthisgreatoldmachine,Iputthisinheritedknowledge tothetest,thoughIdon'tknowhowmuchwasretained.Acoupleofgearchangesresulted inaloudCRUNCH,butIgotthehangofitanddroveusafewhundredmetresuptheroad andintoagrandestatewhichwouldrevealalargeshedthatwithheldgreattreasures.Aftera coupleofminutesofstaring,Ipickedmyjawupofftheground(asitwasthepolitethingto do)andwatchedinaweasa1905Rolls-RoyceLight20startingprocedurewasundertaken. Thecarwasabeautifulexampleoforiginality.Theupholsterywasoriginal,littlehadbeen donetorestorethemechanicals,andtheenginetickedoversoundinglikeitdidwhennew. Thecraftsmanshipwasastounding.ImetamannamedJohn,andwithaquickshakeofthe handandacommentonhowamazedIwasbytheRoller(orthethreeofthem,shouldIsay), Ihoppedinthepassengerseatandwestartedoffdownthecobbleddriveway,withRyan leadingthewayinthe1922SilverGhost,acarwhichhadachievedaround250,000miles duringthetimeithadbeenafaithfulservantandcompanionofJohn.
WeendedupintheMartinboroughsquare,andafantasticsightfelluponmyeyes.Adozen orsoveterancarsparkedundertheshadebeneaththelargeoaktrees.Joiningthepackwas a1913DaimlerTourer,1909Wolseley-Siddeley,anda1918IndianPowerpluswithcanesidechairattachedtoit.
Afteraquickphoto,chit-chat,andabitetoeatforsome,wemadeourwayacrossandoutof towntothePalliserEstateWinery.Thesheerhistorybehindthecaramazedme,butwhat wasevenmoreremarkablewashowimpressivethecarwastorideit.Apartfromgustsof windrudelysmackingmeintheface,theridewasverysmooth.ItalmostfeltlikeIwas ridinginamodern.Nocrunchinggearseither,mostlikelybecauseJohnhadbeendrivingit for40plusyears.Itwasagreatplaceforaphotoofthelineupatthevineyard,withplenty moreofinterestshowedbypeopleofallagespassingby.
SadlythedaywasoverbeforeIknewit.However,IwasgreatlypleasedthatIhadridden (anddriven)inmultipleveteranvehicles.Isayitwastimewellspentamonggoodcarsand theevenbetterpeople.
Manythankstoeverybodythatmadethiseventpossible.
I'llbebacknextyear,that'sforsure,andhopefullywithaveteranofmyown!
ByHarryJackson-Vile ManawatuBranch
PHOTOGRAPHS -
Q
PhotographsprovidedbyLaurieandWendyCocker
InSeptember LaurieandWendyheadedacrossthe Tasman to Queensland-thistimetoattendacoupleofVeteranCarrallies. Laurie,aswellasbeingamemberofourbranchoftheVCC,isa memberoftheQueenslandBranchoftheAustralianVeteranCar Club.
ThefirstoftherallieswasatOakeywhichissome150kmsinland fromBrisbane.Afterfivedaysofrallyingtherewasathree-day breakwithparticipantsheadingofftoLaidleywhichisabout 75kmsbacktowardsBrisbaneforanotherfivedaysofrallying.
Andaswithpreviousyears,their1906Cadilacstayedhomeand theyjoinedthetourinacampervan,assistingasrallysupportas/if requiredornavigating(beingaswaggie).
Lauriehasagainkindlysharedsomeofthephotographshetook ofVeterancars,enablingthemtobeincludedintheTourersothatmemberscangetalookat someoftheAustralianvehiclesthatheandWendymingledwithwhichwedon’tseeoverthisside oftheditch.
Themeetingplace wastheCoach HouseMuseum carparkinFeilding.
Therouteto Huntervillewasout throughKakariki, MartonandMt.Curl Roadto Hunterville.
ABOVE:(left)–TheFeildingandDistrictSteamRailSocietykeptaneyeonmembersastheydrovenorth. (right)–WewerenottheonlygroupofmotoringenthusiastsdiningattheArgyleHotelthatday. BELOW:memberssettledinforlunchattherecentlyre-openedArgyleHotelinHunterville.
42ND ANNUAL GOLD MEDAL MOTOR CYCLE TRIAL
ReportprovidedbyRobertHeath
Saturday22Novemberwasanearly7am.startfortravellingsouthofMastertonfor9.30am. briefing.The42nd AnnualGoldMedalTrialwasorganisedbyKevinSullivanoftheWairarapa VCC.
Fastorslowaveragespeedsandshortorlongdistancerouteswerechosenatenrolmenttime. DaveRobinsononhis1947NortonandRobertontheHondaGB500representedour ManawatuVCCClubwithotherridersfromWellington,Wanganui,HawkesBayVCCtaking part.
LEFT: Photopriortodeparture
.
Themultiagegroupridersleftthe ClarevilleClubRoomsat10am.forawarm andsunnyrallythroughtheverdantEast WairarapapasturelandviaPonatahi, Gladstone,StronvarRd,Wainuioru, Tauwera,andBlairlogietolunchat RiversdaleBeach.
Approximately122kmforthemorningrun. Achoiceofeatingoutletsandfoodtypes sawmanyexchangingtherideexperiences. TailEndCharliehadsparefuelifrequired.
Therewereewesandlambs runningwildontheroadatone stage.Asusualtheroute directionshadsomemembers takingthewrongturnsbutthey sooncaughtupagain.
Thirtyfivecompetitorsonarange ofEnglish,European,American, andAsianbrandsinVintageand postvintage,Postwar,Post60’s, Post80’splusClassicsmachines tookpart.Thesceniccountryside wasenjoyedwithexcellentsurfacesandhardlyanytrafficexperiencedbutsomeroadswith heavymetalsurfacearestillrecoveringfromcyclonedamageacoupleofyearsago,with plentyofdustormeltingtar,meantcautiousridingplusthetractorsanddiscsonroadswith nopassinglinesonunfamiliarroadsdelayedsome.
ThenontimedafterlunchrunreturnedtoclubroomsviatheMastertonCastlepointrouteto refuelstopatMasterton,thenontoClarevilleforacuppaandprizegiving.TailEndCharliehad torescuethreebikesthatranoutoffuelonthewaybacktoMasterton.NeitherDaveor Robertwereinthefinalplacegettersbutwehadagoodrun.
BELOW: Riversdalelunchstop.
INTERNET INFORMATION
WrittenbyBryanAbraham–(Ed).
Followingonfromthe‘mailbox’conversationonpage9ofthisTourerIthoughtitcouldbeuseful tohighlighttofellowmembersacoupleofrecentoccasionswhereIhavesearchedtheinternet forinformationinrelationtovehiclerepairsthatIhavebeenundertakingandreceived‘unreliable advice’,whichiffollowedwouldhavemostlikelycausedissuesdownthetrack. Whatthishighlightsisthattheinternetisnotalwaysright.Whileinformationismostlyspoton anditiscertainlyaverygoodguide,itshouldnotalwaysbetakenasgospel.
Ineededtoreplacethefrontdisks(rotors)ontheMk2.Todothisthebrakecalipershadtobe removed.Intheprocessofdoingthis,anumberofwashers(shims)weredislodged.Themanual warnsoftheseandtellsthereadertonotethenumberofshimsandtheirpositionsbetweenthe calliperassemblyandthemountingbrackettoassistwithreassembly. Theshimsarefittedtoensureanequalgapisachievedbetweenthesidesofthecalliperandthe disk(i.e.centringthedisktothecallipers),bothtopandbottom.
IhadfoundashortvideoonUTubewhichIwatchedbeforestartingthejob.Whenthefellow hadreplacedthesealsetcinthecallipersandhadreassembledandfittedthemtothemounting bracketshefoundsomewashers(whichwouldhavebeentheshimwashers)ontheground. Headmittedthathedidn’tknowwheretheyhadcomefromandsaiditdidn’tmatterbecausethe jobwasdoneitwasallworking.Verymisleadinginformationifyouweren’tawareofthe existenceandimportanceoftheshimwashers.
Havingreplacedthefrontdisks(rotors)itthenallhadtobe putbacktogether.Isearchedtofindinformationon tighteningthewheelstubaxlenut.TheHaynesmanualonly specifiesan‘endfloat’measurementof0.003”to0.005”. TheMk2Jaguarusestaperedwheelbearings.Preloading themordoingthemuptootightwouldcauseexcessiveheat andpossiblyearlyfailure.
OneGooglesearch(righttop)cameupwithinstructionswhich suggestedthatthewheelbearingsshouldbeseatedby tighteningto200ft-lbs.Thissoundslikeasurewaytopit(or evencrush)thewheelbearingsandpossiblydamagethe threadonthestubaxlespindleand/orthecastlenut!.
AnotherGooglesearchusingbasicallythesamesearchwords butinadifferentordercameupwithdifferentinstructions (lowerright).Thistimeitwastotightento‘only’140lb-ft,but tothentightenalittlebitmoretoenablethecotterpintobe slippedintothenextavailablehole!
Intheabsenceofameanstochecktheendfloatandnot findingreliableadviceonanalternativemethodofsettingthe tightnessofthestubaxlenutIendedupusingthemethod thatIuseonourAustin-whilerotatingthewheel,tighten lightlytillsnug(probablytoaround5lb-ft),thenbackoffto getthecotterpinthroughthenearestalignmentslotonthe castlenut,ensuringthatalittledetectableplaycouldbefeltat thetyretread.
Ihavesincelearnedindiscussionwithothersthat3thouend floatdoesinfactgivesomedetectableplayatthetyretread.
CAPTION PLEASE
Oneofourmembersintouchwithhisfeminineside-eitherthatormaybeabitofheatstroke. Thinkofasuitablecaptionandsendyouridea(s)totheSecretary. Ifyoursisthebestsuggestionthentherecouldbeaprizeinitforyou.
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)
FOR SALE :
GoffandJudyBriantneedtomovetheirtwocarsontonewowners. BothcarshavebeenwellralliedaroundtheManawatuoverthepastyearsandbothcome withaselectionofspares.
LocatedintheMartonarea.
1927EssexSedan
Theenginehashadacomplete rebuildapprox.2014,otherwise averyoriginalexample. Sparesinclude,vacuumtank, brakebands,engineblock,sump etc.
Asking$8,000ornearoffer
1939Nash400
Agreatcruisingcar. Ibelievetheremaybean overdriveunitwiththesparesthat gowiththecar.
Asking$14,000ornearoffer
ContactJudyon 0272547601 oremail gjw.briant@xtra.co.nz
FOR SALE :
PlymouthP5flathead6
Fullyrebuiltmotorandgearbox
Opentoreasonableoffers
PhoneJohnJameson 0274760872
FOR SALE : Caravanneedsanewowner.
`
19743.3MSuperior3berthcaravan.
Hasgasstove,electricrefrigerator,fullsizeawningwithdetachablewalls(spacefortwo berthscomfortably),Registered,newWOFandelectricWOF. Hydraulicdiscbrakes,newsparetyre.
Surplustoourrequirements,notusedoverthepast3years. Alwaysstoredinshedoverthepast15years. Easytotowwith2litrevehicle.
Askingprice$10,500.00.ContactRobertH- 063232849 (ManawatuVCCMember).
FOR SALE :
ModelAtaillightlensinperfect condition.
ManufacturedbyVintique,USA. Sellingonbehalf.
$20.00
Contact:AlistairHoward. Phone: 027-448-8652
Vintage6voltspotlightinworkingorder.Pushbuttonswitch. Asperphotos Sellingonbehalf.
$30.00ono
Contact: AlistairHoward. Phone: 027-448-8652
FOR SALE :
TwoAustin10’s-oneisa1936modelandtheothera1937model. Allrunning,butneedsfinishingoff. Havesparepartsincl.motor,gearbox,diff,axlesetc.
InquiriestoGrahamBrowne Phone: 02108636240
T
AttheElectricCompany: "Wewouldbedelightedifyousendinyourpaymentontime. However,ifyoudon't,youwillbede-lighted."
AtanOptometrist'sOffice: "Ifyoudon'tseewhatyou'relookingfor,you'vecometotherightplace.”
OnaPlumber'struck:"Werepairwhatyourhusbandfixed.”
OnanotherPlumber'struck:"Don'tsleepwithadrip.Callyourplumber.”
OnanElectrician'struck:"Letusremoveyourshorts.”
AtaCarDealership: "Thebestwaytogetbackonyourfeet-missacarpayment.”
Findthefollowinghiddenwordsinthegridbelow:
AMAZING ANNETTE ATTENDANCE COWS FARM FOOT GROUP HERD INTERESTING ISOLATE JAUNT KNOWLEDGE MACHINERY MILKING MODERN NOVEMBER
‘BONUS’ WORD SEARCH
- WORDSFROMTHE 2025 MASTERTON VETERAN RALLY REPORT
Findthefollowinghiddenwordsinthegridbelow:
BRASS CHEVROLET CRAFTSMANSHIP DAIMLER
ESTATE FORD HARRY HAYCOCK
INDIAN LEN MARTINBOROUGH MASTERTON
PALLISER POINTON POWERPLUS RALLY
ROLLS ROYCE SAXON SIDDELEY
SUNBEAM TOURER VETERAN WINERY WOLSELEY
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.
11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.
VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.
Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches
Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.
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
ClubCaptain: GlynClements(Cathy) cbz1@xtra.co.nz 06328597902108334081
BranchCommitteeMembers:
StewartBird(Natalia) stewartbird01@gmail.com 0273285506
AnnetteFoot(Ken) kafoot@outlook.com 0272107532
ErrolGray(Ann) errans255@gmail.com 0275564176
VivienneReid(Owen) owenhome@xtra.co.nz 0211713148
BrianRowe(Sue) felstone@xtra.co.nz 063258725
AppointedPositions:
Custodian&Librarian:
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
Delegate:
EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
Editor (Tourer):
BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
IDCardAdvisor:
JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
IDCardAdvisor:
DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
IdleTorque (BeadedWheels) Scribe: BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
PartsShed:
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
PrivacyOfficer:
CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927
SwapmeetCoordinator:
JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
AssistantSwapmeetCoordinator:
MurrayThomson(Jill) murray.jill@xtra.co.nz 063233901
NewMemberLiaison/MemberWelfare: AllCommitteeMembers
