Get Involved: Share Your Experience and Keep the Club Rolling
The Vintage Car Club is built on the passion, knowledge, and dedication of its members. To keep our events and traditions alive, we need more of you to step up whether by joining a committee, organizing a rally, helping at the swap meet, or supporting events like Daffodil Day.
Many of our members have a wealth of experience in vintage motoring, event organization, and club operations. Sharing that knowledge ensures our club continues to thrive, passing down valuable skills and traditions to the next generation of enthusiasts.
Volunteering isn’t just about helping out it’s about shaping the future of our club, keeping our events running smoothly, and strengthening the camaraderie that makes our community so special. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s a role for you. Let’s keep the wheels turning get involved today!
Oh and don’t forget, support the Top Of The South Motor Show by taking your vehicle along to display
Kind Regards
Ray
Front Cover : David & Sheree Ching and their 1934 Vauxhall ASX
At the New Years Day Picnic at Waiiti Domain (Looks like a candidate for Restoration of the year !) more pics page 19
Wes Dayton Roy West Clubrooms Custodians Website/ IT Librarian 0275449998 or 0275448001 0220357110 027 298 6994 jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz wesdayton29aus@gmail.com 61motra@gmail.com
CHATTER FROM THE CHAIR.
MARCH 2025.
Hi Everyone,.
Our year is well underway with several activities behind us already!
Nationally, 2025 has started sadly as we farewelled our last Founder member, Andrew Anderson, who with his Canty Varsity mates had had the foresight to kick everything off for us way back in 1946! Thnx Andy!
The 50th Anniversary Rally for the VCC, was an extremely well organized event at Addington Raceway, in 1996, to which a large contingent of Nelson members attended. The Rally Director was Clynt Ines, for many years a member of our National Management team, sadly Clynt also passed away in February after many years service to the VCC.
Our Wed Morning Teas have been well attended, with a few folk enjoying the runs to lunch venues afterwards. Thanks Rob for starting the year with a drive around the suburbs to a gathering at the Honest Lawyer for lunch. Several vehicles attended the Golden Bay Show in January and those staying at the River Inn for the three nights, enjoyed a tour on the Sunday, taking in the Waikorupupu Springs, Collingwood, Rockville Museum, Bainham store for a lovely lunch, before dropping into galleries at Tukurua on the way home.
The following weekend could have been a Taxi Tour to the Hira Hop at the attractive Nelson North Club. Pete was there with his Vanguard, complete with a TAXI top light and rear signage, and alongside was Darcy in his ex TAXI, his 1954 Chev. As a retired Cabbie, I had the Hillman Californian, and beside me Chris had the PA Vauxhall, which in their day were popular cabs in NZ! Today Charil is taxied around in it! Heaps of prizes were sponsored with most members attending taking home prizes, although why Darcy needs 3 sets of car mats, I don’t know!
Afterwards the VCC received a lovely letter thanking us for bringing our cars, flying the banner, and inviting us to call in when we are on a future run!
Coming up we have the TOP OF THE SOUTH MOTOR SHOW on the 22 Feb at Richmond, see our notice elsewhere, but this is another way where our Branch can support another Motoring organization, raise funds for charity, and promote ourselves. Surely a win/win for all! See you there!
Another promotional opportunity from which we sometimes get possible members, is the TDC’s POSITIVE AGEING DAY at the Headingly Center, Richmond, on 5th April. Vehicles and members will be needed on the Sat. To fly our flag! Pop this date in your diaries now.
March continues as busy. All hands will be needed to help with our huge Branch fund raiser, our 2025 SWAP MEET on Sat 8th March. There will be jobs for all, an opportunity to display your vehicle, sell your unwanted bits and donate to the Branch site to sell your items for you! [Ron Johnston is the man to see on our stall!] Our coordinators Malcolm and Lloyd, along with their team members, have been doing a fantastic job on your behalf... now it’s time to step up and support them on the Friday setting up and on the day, Sat 8th March. Thank you!
Unfortunately the National Executive meeting at Cutler Park, CHCH, is the same weekend and Joanne and myself will be down there, representing you, updating on everything at a National level and keeping pace with the new National Constitutional changes. Ray will also be there updating everyone on the progress both he, and his team, are making on the next Vero Int. Festival of Historic Motoring in March 2026. One year way and there’s still heaps to do.... HOW WILL YOU BE INVOLVED?
Saturday March 22nd is the Westcoast Branch hosted SCENICLAND RALLY, this year beginning and ending in Greymouth. Entries are open now, [ see note elsewhere here ]. Please support our neighbouring Branch, as we expect them to support us on the next Biennial rally, 12th - 14th Sept, based on Reefton, and our next COAST 2 COAST, set for the 8th - 10th November 2025. Pop these dates in your diary now and plan to attend with your friends NOW!
A lot of work, by a handful of people, goes into organizing these tours and rallies away for you, so thank you for supporting them! Murchison member Rex Smith is putting together a TACON TOUR, after the SCENICLAND to revisit areas on ‘the Coast’ that Ivo guided us to 5 or 6 years ago
Rex plans to travel North on Sunday 23rd March, stopping in at Punakaiki and Charleston before staying the night at Carters Beach. Monday will take us onto Westport for a wander around before heading further North, perhaps visiting Denniston, Museums in Granity, Ngakawau, with perhaps that night at Gentle Annie, or if time, continuing on over the hills to Little Wanganui. A private military and 4 wheel drive museum is situated here, as well as an excellent pub with top class units and self contained cabins. [ Rex knows the new operators and promises a good deal will be cut! ] A day could then be spent touring onto Karamea and out to Kohaihai and perhaps a walk into the Arches, which were closed for upgrading on our last visit. Please let Rex, or myself, know your interest now as this will help with the advance planning !
Behind the scenes many members are doing things for YOU, that we don’t all appreciate! Besides the afore mentioned members involved in the VERO RALLY and the SWAPMEET, others are beavering away unnoticed. The Vero Rally routes have to be discussed, plotted, checked, set, rechecked... and the vehicles that you plan to participate in need checking, in some cases being checked and inspected for new VICs. Max Clarke handles our vehicle IDs and is very busy at the moment checking and approving certificates ,both for our Branch cars, as well as many in the Nelson Classic Car Museum. A huge job, so please have patience if you need a VIC and book yours in good time for taking part in a National tour or rally!
Others, look after our Clubrooms and grounds, a vital part of our tenancy agreement with the Speedway. The grass normally needs cutting before each SPEEDWAY meeting and the big meetings require us to manage the parking of the public attending. All this involves all Club members contributing as they can... it is a big task, a big ask, but you are all BIG people! Thank you! The speedway helps our Branch coffers for this work, and keeps our Branch levy, that you pay, down!
Our covered courtyard extension is almost complete, with only planters and more outside furniture to be built, or purchased. What a great facility this will be! Stage 2 can now begin, with a new access door having been purchased and a new verandah and entrance area being designed to allow for easier access for disabled members, and dryer coverage on wet or windy days! This should also enhance our entrance and with a new verandah and entrance area being designed to allow for easier access for disabled members, and dryer coverage on wet wet or windy days!
This should also enhance our entrance and with a planned mural being added, as well as a new colour scheme for the buildings, we will be one of the most attractive Clubroom complexes in the VCC! A huge thanks to the work happening here, behind the scenes, by Max and Paul and others!
12 Month WOFs are still on the agenda and with their granting to Veteran vehicles could be the ‘next step’! Rest assured these have not been forgotten... in fact as I type this, it has been mentioned on the National News on the Radio ... it all remains a ‘work in progress’ but we are not taking our foot off the pedal yet! [The radio has just told me there is a survey now on the NZTA website... let’s have a look and show our support!]
We are now only 4 months to go until our 2025 AGM set for 28th JUNE. This will incorporate our RESTORATION of the YEAR and our PRIDE of OWNERSHIP, so it’s time to work on finishing those ‘beauties’ now! Joanne will want to start her time as your new Chairperson with a full Committee and we don’t have that currently. A new Club Captain is needed to lead this team and a couple of new Committee members Are a must to spread the work load, as current members are feeling a bit over worked! Please think now, how you could help ‘spread the load’ and serve your great Branch better!
One of our long time members who once gave his all for our Branch, has recently transferred to Canterbury. Thank you Dennis Le Cren for all you did for Nelson and we wish you all the best for your life closer to family in Christchurch. Denis produced the green booklet ‘First 50 years of the Branch’ copies of which, along with Ray’s 60 year booklet, are still available on the table at the Club rooms. $5 and $15 each, or buy both with lots of photos, for $20!
I cannot finish without extending our combined CONGRATULATIONS to your Vice Chairperson, Joanne Hoffman, on completing her Pharmacy Certification recently. Jo has worked so hard on this for the last several years and still organized her time to serve you well as my right hand on the Committee ! Well done Jo! Already she is planning more short day rallies and runs to places of interest for picnics etc, as she used to put together, before life got in her road!
Recently, Joanne had an old man at her pharmacy counter requesting some anti – depression pills. Jo had to point out that he needed a Doctors script and that a photo of his wife and their marriage certificate was not enough!
Another old man was asked ‘ even after 70 years of marriage, you still call your wife, Dear, Honey, Darling.... What’s your secret? ‘ Well I’ve forgotten her name... and I’m too scared to ask her!’ he replied!
In the 60s, young ones took acid to make their World more weird.... Now our World is more weird and we need to go to our pharmacist and get Prozac to make it more normal!
Get them out, polish them up, fire them up, grab the family and grandees, and get the wheels rolling to our next great VCC activity!
C U THERE, MIKE B, Your Chairperson.
NEED A VCC NAME BADGE?
Nane Badges help everyone to get to know you when at VCC events. Give Wayne Price a call on 03 542 3033 or catch up with Wayne at Wednesday morning tea
Acting Club Captain’s Report
Acting Club Captains Report
January 10 and 11 Speedway parking
ThankyouPaulandJohnforleadingthesedaysandtoallmemberswhohelpedout.Fridaywentverywellapartfromsome membersofthepublicarrivingveryearlybeforethecarparking team. Saturdayeveningwentwell,upuntilahugesharpdown pour. AftermuchdeliberationfromtheSpeedwayof icialsitwas decidedtocantheeveningsracinguntil4.00pmSunday. That gaveourgroupanotherday’swork,whichafteradiscussionitwas decidednottochargeforourtime,agestureofgoodwill. TheSpeedwayonSundaywasfreeentrytotheracing.Theparking isprettystraightforward,butattimessomequickthinkingisrequiredtokeepthingsrunningsmoothly. Thenthereisthemealbreakandgeneralchinwagwhen99.9%of thepublichavearrived. Thisweekenditwaslikehavingtwo Christmasdinnersonconsecutiveevenings,thankyouLeslieand theladies.ToppingitoffwerethefreshsconesforSundayafternoontea,delightful.
Many volunteers are needed on set up day on Friday 7th March and on Saturday 8th March for various duties including carparking and processing entries of both Stall holders and public gate takings
Membership
We warmly welcome the following new members to the branch
Nigel Howard of Upper Moutere - Nigel owns a 1976 Jaguar XJC Coupe and a 1936 MG SA Sedan
Stephen Tanner of Stoke Nelson - Stephen owns a 1972 MG BGT Coupe
Tom Ransom of Nelson - Tom owns a 1954 Morris Minor Tourer and a 1995 Mercedes 410 Commercial
We would love to see you and your vehicles and encourage you all to come along to any event listed in the Calendar of Events or alternatively give one of the committee listed on pages 6 & 7 a call, they will gladly steer you in the right direction
Bereavement
Sadly we announce the passing of Ken Morris.
We offer our deepest sympathies to Ken’s wife Diane and family, but also to his twin brother Geoff, Phylis and family. The brothers were very close and of course shared a love of vintage cars and latterly Mercs. Ken joined the Nelson branch 31 January 1966
Ken at the SI Easter Rally 2024
Ken’s Family advise he will have a private funeral service. A memorial service will be held at the VCC Clubrooms on Sunday 2nd March 2.00pm- 4.00pm
Ron Johnson and Dave Bell chew the fat at a recent Model A Group BBQ held at Roger and Dave Humphries establishment
FOR SALE
1924 AMILCAR Model CS - car was owned by Alex McLennen who passed away a few years back.
There is an article about the car in the Beaded Wheels issue 285 April /May 2007 pages 12-14
If anybody is interested in obtaining this vehicle or finding out more
Contact: Joanna Collins at the Copypess on 03 547 2972 or email jo@copypress.co.nz
Golden Bay A & P Show
Rex Smith at Langfords Store Bainham
Mike Warnes MG
We encourage you all to enter your vehicles in the Top of the South Motor Show and support this Rotary Club Community Event
Speedway Carparking
When Saturday 15th March at 5.00pm Racing starts
And Sunday 16th March 2.00pm Racing Starts
Give Paul Lewis a call on 021 250 553 to put your name down for this Club Fundraiser
It is really easy to help at this event and you have a meal supplied.
You will need to be at the VCC clubrooms 2 hours before the times above.
Have a bit of fun and help the club
Rob & Karens Sojourn South to Gore for the National Model T Rally
If you want a tyre shagged, Rob can help you
National Veteran Rally Marlborough
1913 Buick Model 28
1909 De Dion BG
1907 Cadillac K
1903
1906
Oldsmobile Curved Dash
Darracq
1918 Cadillac Type 57
1909 Schacht High Wheeler
1900 Wolseley Voitturette
1909 Briton
Dear Italian culture lovers
,
After the great success of the 2024 Nelson Italian Festival, on behalf of the Club Italia in Nelson, I am very pleased to confirm that we are already organizing the 2025 edition.
I am sure it will be even bigger and better! Therefore: SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY 2 MARCH 2025
Would
For Sale
Austin 1100 engine, manual gearbox and radiator. The motor has had new rings and bearings before it was placed in storage.
Offers
For enquiries, please contact Randolph on 0274 500174
For Sale
1929 Whippet Model 96A - It has had a fully rebuilt motor, the car is in excellent condition, it has spent most of its life in Ray Wins Collection at Higgins Park, hence the low mileage
Offers around $23,500 it comes with heaps of spares. Phone Mike Lyall on 027 4483 453
For Sale
1956 HILLMAN CALIFORNIAN [No not mine but almost the same.] In Richmond.
Restored about 6 years ago, beautiful condition with some extras, NEW WOF and REGO.
Will consider trade on car, bike, boat etc up to $5000.
Selling for $11 000’
Phone Darryn on 027 278 5004.
For Sale
1925 DODGE TOURER. Dry stored in Dunedin. Older restoration but needs very little to bring back on the road again. Motor still turns over. New set of tyres. Good hood and bows.
Sadly, Registration has lapsed.
Owner was a VCC member but ill health is now bringing it on the market.
With a little work this old girl would make a great vehicle to take all the ‘grandees’ rallying in!
Offers considered. Phone TONY, 021 045 3533, or I can be contacted if you can’t reach Tony.
LADIES CRAFT GROUP Sew, Paint, Knit, Everything
Calling all VCC ladies Wives, Partners, etc. to come and enjoy the company of other members at our Craft group. Held on the first Thursday of every month at the clubrooms.
Next meeting Thursday March 6th 2025 9am to 4pm
Just come for a chat and or share your hobbies with others. Come for the day or an hour or two. Tea and coffee on the house. If staying for the day bring your lunch. Need to be pickup, this can be arranged.
For more info contact
Kyra 544 9998
VCC Member Discount at
Mitre 10 Mega Nelson
Present your membership card at checkout and you will get a discount on every purchase.
How it works: After completing your shopping go to any checkout, simply tell the operator the account number: NNVCC (Nelson Vintage Car Club) then present your membership card.
Every item gets a discount which in some cases is better than other accounts and is definitely a better discount than gold card. Its that easy.
If we support this scheme there could be opportunity in the future for a rebate back to the club.
TASMANAUTO ELECTRICS
We have the largest range of batteries in the Top of the South, including batteries for –Vintage Cars, Golf Carts, Mobility Scooters and more!!
All with GREY POWER DISCOUNT!! 10 Poutama Street (off Gladstone Road) Richmond Ph: 544 8388 – Come in and see us!!
2 x 20 inch tyres for rear wheels of a Model TT. Size is 4.75-5.00-20 rear and 2 x 4.50-4.75-21 for the front. They all need to be warrantable Contact Murray by email: murraybuchanan50 @gmail.com
VEHICLE VALUATIONS
Classic, vintage vehicles & all trucks
For Insurance, Tax man, Lawyers 35 year’s experience with valuations in Nelson and Marlborough Area I will come to you
Mobile: 027 442 1786
Phone: 03 573 8964
Email: p.pascoe@xtra.co.nz
Wanted
I am in need (through a series of unfortunate circumstances quite some time ago) an engine block and its internals for my 1929 Essex Coach. I have the sump and head.
Contact: Brian Morris(Member) on 021 279 1018 or Email brianandleonie@xtra.co.nz
For Sale
Singer 9 rolling chassis, engine no. A3 476T, dismantled recon motor, gearbox, twin carbs, extractors Tank, radiator etc. May have history!
