Chairman/Secretary
Report November 2025
October has certainly seen us enter into spring properly, and much appreciated it is too.
This month we have two newmembers, Steven Smith, and Karl Van de Water. I would like to welcome both of these members and hope that everyone assists them to settle into the club.
Gill andI have been tothe last two coffee and Cars events and it is great to see the momentum it has gained. Perhaps it is just the better weather, but the field seems to increase every time. Last weekend there were around 40 carsfrom all sorts of eras and clubs. Long may this trend continue, and if it does, they may need to add more staff in the café.
By way of an update on Daffodil Day, the VCC overall ended up raising around $130k for the cancer society, which is impressive, and while much Kudos must go to Kaaren Smylie and her team, therewas alsothe impact of the support from Ford in some regions. In at least one case the local Ford dealership contributed a significant proportion of the profit on each sale during themonth and also made a contribution for each test drive. I hopewe can gain more traction with Ford locally next year.
I went to Christchurch in October for amanagement meeting and also attended the opening of our newNational Office. Our President, George Kear, coordinated the ceremonial planting of aTotoraTree in the grounds, and everyone in attendance seemed to be impressed with the new facility. Our archivist, Don Muller, assisted massively by his wife, Marlene, put in a huge effortto have the new archive building fitted out internally in timefor the opening. The archive looks fantastic, so if you are down that way you should find timeto drop in and have a look.
Also while in Christchurch I spent timeat the annual Canterbury Swap meet at Mcleans Island. With around 700stalls this is not a one-day event if you want to do it justice. I couldn’t buy much because I was flying in and out, but the site is impressive, not just forthe parts and bric-a-brac on display, but also for the carnival atmosphere. Many of the vendors and club member’s camp on site, and in the evening tell tales over BBQ’s and beer. It is a not-to-be-missed event on the Canterbury calendar.
Back inNorthland, the shed team have virtually completed the new parts shed transformation with newshelving and newlights tocap off the back breakingwork of shifting allof the parts around. In the hall, Peter Lovatt has singlehandedly sanded and re-varnished the cork flooring, which nowlooks superb. I dropped in there just as the last coat was finished, and fromthesmell of it I think Peter must have been on a high for a fewdays from the vapours!
By the time you read this the Far North Tour will be almost underway, so weare keeping our fingers crossed for good weather. The turnout is pretty respectable at about 33 cars and motorcycles, with quite a number from further south, so we are looking forward to it.
I have been having major PC problems due to a broken computer, so please bear with me if I don’t always get straight back to you. I have a new computer under training, but like all youngsters it is proving to be a bit annoying at times. If you need to get me and I haven’t responded quickly, try emailing me on my personal account, which is rsanders@xtra.co.nz.That lives on a different computer.
Gill andI will be away for much of November attending the FIVAconference in Brazilon behalf of the VCC, and for the first timeI am leaving my Northland VCC computer behind in the capable hands of committee member StephenAtkinson, who will be able to do mail outs etc. I will stillbe getting VCC emails on myother PC and phone while away but due to potential travel difficulties I didn’t want to take the VCCcomputer.
I look forward to catch up at the Far NorthTour or November MorningTea.
Ray Sanders
RUN 5th October ‘Kick-Start Capers’
Last month was the Rubber Duckie Rally in New Plymouth. Unfortunately, Lo y was unable to ride due to a non-bike injury (hopefully he will be back riding soon), while Robert and Chris ne missed a turn while reading an instruc on immediately a er comple ng the instruc on before. (Note to self: morning tea is designed to dull your naviga ng concentra on). Our Northland team were out of the prize-winners’ circle this year, but at least were able to enjoy a beau fully fine and clear day’s riding in Taranaki.
Once again, a dodgy weather forecast was just that. Sunday a ernoon served us a few spots of rain on the visors, and some wet patches, but was mainly fine and blustery with dry roads.
It was great to see Brian Taylor was back a er many moons of distant travel, although Lo y and Robert were absent, plus Beate’s foot is s ll healing, so hopefully she will be back next month. 5 NVCC riders and 4 of our group riders was a good turnout. Stuart arrived with 3 friends in tow (a VCC eligible ‘80s Suzuki, a retro-style modern Yamaha and a modern small capacity sports bike) but as one rider was a very new rider they were heading elsewhere.
Trevor, Ron, Helen, and Bruce were all there to see us depart. Parakao was our des na on, via Tangowahine Valley Rd, with a couple of pauses along the way to make sure everyone was OK. I was at the rear following Trevor and Cam having a laugh at Trevor waving his arms about like an Italian talking. He was having circula on problems. And then we almost ran into the rear of Cam’s Indian as he slowed and was bent over fiddling away for 20 seconds or so, before gaining speed again as if nothing had happened. He was turning on the reserve tap; rather earlier in the run than op mum, although later he did manage to get home without running out completely. Brian, Tim and Clive were ahead riding at their pace with Roger, Peter and Stuart somewhere in between. Parakao was fairly quiet when we arrived, the only other customers a small bunch of Ulysses riders returning from Kohukohu. For us it was a welcome stop to discuss all the issues and miss a short shower.
Then it was the ride home. A er a few kms, Peter pulled me over as I had a rear indicator holding on by the wiring, so I have some repairs to be done before I head for a WOF. Today was another great day to be out on our bikes, with my Yamaha covering 120kms.
This month, Robert heads to Palmerston North for the Manawatu m/c rally, then next month is Auckland’s m/c rally on 22nd November (Tutukaka coffee & cars day).
Shiny side up.
Peter Lova
Dargaville Doings
Summer is fast approaching and so too Christmas – just 9 weeks away. Have you sorted the cake and pudding recipes, it is me!
The Dargaville Group is swinging along and enjoying the monthly mee ngs.
Tony’s1939FordCoupe,withKeven’sAus nandVons’s Miniintherear.
George started our Wednesday “History” Run reminiscing about all the past businesses, buildings and happenings in Dargaville from 1960 forth. We set off, slowly driving past these icons of the past.
Past previous bus and railway sta ons, service garages, hotels, Dairy Factory, sports fields, sewing factories, Cameo Lounge, Town Hall and a look around the hospital grounds with a view to the new Social Housing estate. We ended with a ernoon tea at Mike’s garage and
viewed his collec on. On a trailer is a 1932 Aus n 7 AH model tourer, ready for the sandblaster. Perhaps two of our drivers “should have gone to Specsavers” before star ng!
1928MorrisOxford14/28.Inheritedwhen hisfatherdiedin1969
Mikes1929Aus nChummy
The November hosts and rally planners will be Sue and Dave. The mee ng is on 12th November at the Aero club star ng at 7.30pm and the Midweek Run on 19th November star ng at the NW Boa ng Club Car park at 1pm. Please bring your own a ernoon tea and chairs.
I am sad to report that Elaine Hooker died on 27th October in Florida. Elaine and Bob were respected members of the Dargaville Group. She will be deeply missed.
Claudia
Hukerenui Car and Bike Show
Saturday 11th October was a wonderful day for the annual Hukerenui Car Showand Swap Meet, organised by the Northern Street Roads Club.The show is held at the Mid-NorthernRugby Club’s fields at the Hukerenui Domain and War Memorial Hall. The Mid NorthernRugby Club was recentlyon theTV news when one of their junior teams was selected, ahead of all of the poshAuckland Clubs,to go to Monaco to a tournament for under 12s.They apparently had a wonderful time, even though they didn’t win the event.The tournament was held at the Sainte Devote stadium which is also the name of a famous corner in the Monaco Grand Prix.
Jen and I estimated that there were about 250 cars of all ages and about 50 motorcycles.
Arthur Jenkin’s Jewett tourer attracted much Jewett Motor attention because the car was over 100 years old and was the oldest car at the show. We are certain that some of the younger visitors would have been amazed at the age of the car.
It stillhad 4 road wheels, asteering wheel, doors, a gearbox and a petrol motor; little has changed in the last 100 years and there wasn’t a hybrid nor electric car in sight.
The number and quality of the swap meet sellers seamed better than last year with less junk and more items of value. I was able to sort through a large selection of sockets and was able to find a set of individual “long reach” sockets in SAE sizes;
some ¼ inch drive and some 3/8 drive for $1.00 each. One of our club members was seen buying a 44 gallon “drum pump” so we don’t all have all of the tools we want or need.There is always another tool to be bought.
As this event was agenerally an “American Car” showthere were the usual Chev, Ford, Holden, and Mopar prizes which were keenly contested for. Each car was given a number and voted for. Our Citroen wasn’t even slightly in contention, c’est lavie!!
Ford Mercury
There was a goodselection of our Club’s member’s cars; so many, I cannot remember who they all were.
Another great local car showand it was good to seeso much local support.
Steve Cornwall, Paihia
A er a few months off the road, our Citroen Trac on now has 1 year Warrant at her first visit to the tester, under the new regula ons.
Over the last month, I completely rewired the dashboard with less wires than before. I made up short sec ons of harnesses providing power to several terminals on the same loom. I also made up an “earth wire” loom for the whole of the back of the wooden dashboard. My soldering isn’t the best but shrink tube covers a mul ple of “sins”.
HillmanMinx
The Cornwall Citroen Trac on
I now have 4 fused circuits; 2 live from the voltage regulator and 2 circuits through the igni on key; many Bri sh cars s ll only had 2 fuses well into the 1970s. The radiator fan also has its own fused relay.
When I rewired the car, 10 years ago, I had to use “wire glue” to hold the ammeter together because the housing had a crack in it. This me I accidently dropped the ammeter on the car floor and it broke in half. To get a more accurate ba ery condi on and be able to use light gauge wire, I decided to fit a voltmeter instead.
The first voltmeter was faulty and Supercheap willing exchanged it for another voltmeter.
I also fi ed a new water temperature gauge to match the style of the voltmeter which I housed in a piece of Formica, reversed and painted ma black on its reverse side, before fi ng the set into the metal instrument panel.
Because the wiring colours are different to the original loom and other circuits for an auxiliary power socket and modern indicators had been added, I decided to make an Excel spreadsheet and then use it to print individual labels for each wire.
Next came the tes ng the instrument lights and other wiring.
A er blowing a couple of fuses with the instrument lights, I me culously cut off the shrink tube and found that I had soldered a “loop” power circuit which blew the fuses. With a bit more soldering and another foot of shrink tube everything was OK.
Before I replaced the ammeter, it always showed “charge” and “ discharge” when appropriate but obviously didn’t show what the actual voltage was when the engine was running at road speed.
Now with the voltmeter installed, it showed 12.5 volts when the igni on switch was “on” but showed 16 to 17 volts at 50 mph with the engine running; not good! The WOF tester said that because the electronic igni on was working and the ba ery wasn’t hot then it should be OK for a while.
Fortunately, there is an “old school” auto electrician in Paihia who used his “old school” tester and said the regulator wasn’t working properly and due the fact that it was 70 years old, he suggested that I bought a new one. He also said that NOS parts, “new old stock” would also be very old.
We asked if the car would get to the Hukerenui Show and back without serious issues and he said that we could always disconnect the generator wire if the gauge reading went too high. Removing a wire off an alternator with the engine running, is a “no no” though.
On the way home from the auto electrician, Jen asked me if the voltage would drop much if she turned the headlights on; what a brilliant idea because the voltage dropped to 15 volts!
So, if drivers were wondering why an old car had it’s headlights on from Paihia to Hukerangi and back, it was to “regulate” the voltage from the generator.
On Tuesday, I ordered a new voltage regulator from Hawkswoods in Takapuna and it was delivered within 24 hours. I took the regulator back to the auto electrician who “set it up” for me and it is now installed in the dashboard and reading correctly. Putaruru, here we come for the South Waikato VCC forest rally at the end of November.
Steve Cornwall
The Dunny Run
Well the day dawned fine and clear 10 am start so we le before 9.00am. Great trip heading north to Kawakawa when we arrived there was already a good number of cars. So some me to have a na er and see some of the cars from the far north, I was talking to the man who looks a er the parts shed so asked him if he had any Wolseley hub caps ( yes was his answer) but not sure of the sizes so I will have a good look during the far north
tour. Well 10 am came and it was me to get the show on the road our treasurer had mapped the course, but he had handed the running of the event over to me!!!!! It was headed up, A ROAD TRIP WITH AMAZING VIEWS.
and when I handed out the sheets lots of complaints as nobody had seen such a layout.!!! They all agreed that this is why he was not here! But no, he had taken his Citroen to Auckland for an event. So, it was up to me to smooth the way. It started off going le in Kawakawa and heading onto a back road towards Russell, but only for a short distance before turning right at the top of a hill. The old car in front of us turned right. We thought that was wrong and kept going straight ahead. Coming down the other side 2 cars in front including Ray surely, we must be right, but no we had to make a u turn and head back up the hill to proceed up a no exit road to the end of seal and u turn again. The amazing views of rural Kawakawa on the way back down were great. Then back through Kawakawa Past the Moerewa Freezing works which is powered by wood chips. Up over Turntable Hill to the amazing views down into the valley. We drove the back road to Okaihau past the old church at Pakaraka, a 100 year old hotel at Ohaeawai and many Volcanos along the way and into the Original Remuera. This is where we struck the metal roads. Oh, what a view of lake Omapere . Then a quick look around Okaikau where the railway line from Auckland ended. Then we drove over the top of this hill. Yes, higher than the Brynderwyn summit. 350metres above sea level. What a view!!! Looking out to the east coast and the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the oldest roads in New Zealand having been made in the 1830’s.
Then it was onto the Waimate Mission House and gardens for our picnic lunch. Built in 1832.
5 Cars and 1 motorbike from NVCC and 12 cars from FNVVCC were parked in 2 neat lines and we went and gathered in a large circle. Cars were s ll turning up 30 minutes later as they had been very lost. Everyone had made at least 1 mistake. No one had a clean sheet for this event. But everyone had had a good day and thought that Steve had done a great job of plo ng the event. The Wolseley’s is running fine no problem keeping up with modern traffic .
Next year it is the job for the Far North to organise. Thanks Steve for this adventure tour.
Roger Billing
Harry Currell’s Story… Continued
So then my CousinJohn and I would build up anAnglia Cross car, using myWilmont + Engine and Gearbox, , using what parts we could from my 105E front suspension was the classic struts, larger brakes, much stronger struts Bendix free pump, racing seat, brakebooster, and cage (in the UK a cagecould be welded into place, but it had to be bolted in.) The rear springs were modifiedby fittingthe second top leaf upside down, on top of the main leaf. This got rid of the axle tramp which they suffered from.An ex-van 4.4 Diff welded up and off we went. It was okay and good fun. Sometimes we got a class result, and prizes were cash. The season was from May tillOctober.
Nearly every other weekend, travel was around 100 miles south to Whitby, Yorkshire, west toKirby Longdale, by the Lake District, and Northto Scotland, Berwickshire, andDumfries and Howick. This was pronounced Hoik!!
The next winter we decided to go in the 1300cc class. Meand mycousinJohn, he drove a truck for myDad.
I bought a very early MK1 1300 Escort GT, Kept the engine. Sold it on. We were losing out ontraction at the start of races. So, we put the engine inside the car. The prop/ shaft was only 10inches long. There was no room for side draught Carbs. So it had the one 28/36 webber ,1100 pistons andFordA-3cam. It worked and was a winner.
I fancied a MK1GTCortina, but instead bought an early MK1Cortina wagon, for fifty pounds.
Intoit went a1600 cross-flow motor, 1100 pistons,A.3 Cam etc, also Ford Bullet gear box
4.4 LSD Diff. Lots more was done to it and was mydaily driver, towed theAnglia and our Sprite caravan. On a night rally I managed to put it through adry-stone wall. Right/front damage. Previously, I had swapped a rally 107/s (a piston had burnt out) for a Cortina, so this was cut up and bits welded to the Estates car,and that was sold.
In 1972 two of us drove to the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.The car was an early MK1 Lotus Cortina,Alloy bonnet and Boot. There had been a firein the engine area, and the bonnet was burnt etc. He only paid 60 pounds for the car. In the boot was a cylinder head which turnedout to be a big valve type. Think they were fitted to the 4seater Elan and rates at 100Hp. The box ratios were similar to the Ford bullet Box, these were competing units with straight cut gears, and coulddo 40mph in bottom gear.
After the tripto Mont CarloI got the hots for a Lotus Cortina, which I did, and it cost 300pounds, But I didn’t likethis car. It was a later versionwith leaf spring rear suspension, and the later box with the 1600E ratios. One morning turning upfor work the place had been burgled. All that was pinched was the cylinder head of my Lotus. Nothing else was taken, sothat was fixed and my sister bought the car.
Then I bought a Renault 1600TS. It turned out a great car, never went wrong, tyres didn’t wear out, Michelin ZX, and was good todrive. Used every dayand towed theAnglia. Another time at theAuto Cross thesecond gear on the box stripped, so in went the bullet box with the high first gear. It was adisadvantage off the line, but once moving was great.
Trucks were Bedford, Dseries Fords, and Kews garden Dodge. Three of the Bedford’s all were TKs had Leyland Comet engines, 5 Speed gear boxes and 2 speed diffs. Cousin John drove one and if it was unloaded, we used it to transport theAnglia. One on the D Fords had a Cummins V8 motor and was verythirsty, Pa reckoned the LeylandTKS did14mpg with a 9 ton pay load.
After the OilCrisis, things were not good inthe UK. Everything was going up in price, and strikes were common. I think it was the winter of 1973 /1974 people (the workers)were not allowed to work more than 3 days per week, It was awful. By this time, we had got rid of the garage and bought an old brass foundry where we worked from. During the three-day thing we blanked out the windows and kept
on working, and we didn’t get caught.To light up our home we used candles and old train lanterns .
Terrible times. So, we decided to make a move, we couldhave made it to NZ or to OZ, but my wife wouldn’t go there, but she would goto SouthAfrica!!!Which we did. So, we sold upand moved. I also had an earlyAustin10, and it was a 1932 car.They had skinny tyres like anAustin 7 and I don’tthink that made it here. The ones I have seen here allhave the later different wheels. I bought it of an oldman, he had bought it newand had keep a logbook about every about the car, also I had 1934 BoxAustin7, they were both sold to a bloke for 150 Pounds. This was near the end of 1975.
Harry Currell
Cars, Motorbikes Coffee Morning (4th Saturday of the Month )
Marina Woodfire Dining 8.30am – 10.00am Plenty of parking
We Welcomed
Older Vintage Cars Newer Vintage cars The Classic Cars Vintage Motorbikes
Coffee and Cars Saturday October 25th 2025
We woke to a lovely Sunny morning for Labour Weekend. What could be be er than a drive out to Tukukaka to meet up with owners of the 40 cars and 2 motorbikes that thought it would also be great for a drive. What a surprise to see so many from different clubs joining together. The café area was fall, but there was s ll plenty of room in the other area. And yes plenty of parking. There was lots of motor inspec ons and tall tales talked about. Our next ou ng to Tutukaka will be November 22nd. This is the 4th Saturday.
Yes there is 5 Saturdays in November. So see you 22nd November .Roger
It was good to see NIFTEE all belted up for the ride out.!!!!!
2025-2026 OfficeBearersNorthland VintageCar Club Inc
Position Name Phone Email
Chairperson RaySanders 021632563 northland@vcc.org.nz
Vice Chairperson PeterLovatt 0211930948 pandjlovatt@gmail.com
Secretary RaySanders 021632563 northland@vcc.org.nz
Assistant
Secretary GillSanders 021776733 sanders.gill@gmail.com
Treasurer SteveCornwall 094025006 jensteve@xtra.co.nz
Club Captain RogerBilling 0273275059 rogerbilling@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter
Editor RogerBilling ChristineBilling 0273275059 rogerbilling@xtra.co.nz
Committee
PeterMeares 094352002 petermeares@gmail.c0m
KevinWing 0275744972 wingie@xtra.co.nz
MargaretWoods 0275744672
LawrenceHillier 0210414522 hillierlawrence@gmail.com
ArthurJenkins 0274579688 Vintagejewett@gmail.com
StephenAtkinson
JimShaw 094387028
Parts/Vehicles
LawrenceHillier 0210414522 hillierlawrence@gmail.com
AllanPearson 094376317 agpearson39@gmail.com
PeterMeares 094352002 petermeares@gmail.com
RobHughes 02041165612 poodlepalace@xtra.co.nz
LouSchoenmaekers 02108332981 louans@hotmail.com
DerrickDoar 094380966 dmp.doar@gmail.com
KevinWing 0275744972 wingie@xtra.co.nz
JimShaw 094387028
SaturdaysOnly
Hall Custodian PeterLovatt 0211930948 pandjlovatt@gmail.com
Librarian PeterMeares 094352002 petermeares@gmail.com
Motorcycle Rep PeterLovatt 0211930948 pandjlovatt@gmail.com
Museum Delegate RaySanders 021632563 northland@vcc.org.nz
VIC Inspectors LawrenceHillier KevinWing 0210414522 0275744972 hillierlawrence@gmail.com wingie@xtra.co.nz
Social Media Co-ordinator
Trophy Steward
TimHarris 0274777709 Tim.Harris@carters.co.nz
PeterMeares 094352002 petermeares@gmail.com
Beaded Wheels Representative RaySanders 021632563 northland@vcc.org.nz
Gardener
ArthurJenkins 0274579688 Vintagejewett@gmail.com
Dargaville Representatives ClaudiaJeffery GeorgeTier 0211614868 094398911 ladybird.nz@gmail.com
