DrivingourHistory
“For
AORANGI - TRICAR
NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
CLUB ROOMS
19-25 REDRUTH ST. TIMARU SOUTH
Replica Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
October
2025
NOGGIN AND NATTER First Thursday of the Month
And just like 746 bunches of Daffodils are heading your way for delivery South Canterbury!
Thank you to the SC Vintage Car Club and all our volunteers who pulled this together !!
Thank you for your continued support South Canterbury!
Spring Greetings All.
Sadly, our annual Daffodil Rally for Cancer planned to proceed on Sunday 31 August had to be cancelled due to very wet weather here and even worse weather at our intended destination venue. It's always a difficult decision to cancel, but given all of the circumstances, the right call was made. Hopefully, we can replicate the organisational arrangements from this year into next years' event. Our thanks to all those who again assisted with the daffodil deliveries on Monday 25 August however and the collecting of donations at Pak 'n' Save!
We have however passed on monies that were donated on the 31st August and we have 'topped-up' from the balance of our All British Day receipts to see that our local Cancer Society is remunerated similarly to what we have been able to achieve in past years....
Our September noggin was well attended, and we were well informed and entertained by Donna Hitchcox from Red Cross on matters CPR, AED's (Defibrillators), and general 1st aid techniques.
A Special General Meeting to vote on the motion received by the Branch Secretary to adopt the draft Branch Constitution developed by the Branch Committee, will be held on Thursday October 2nd, 2025, at 8pm sharp". (This is our monthly noggin night which will follow the short SGM). Ross & Wendy Hamilton will present on their recent trip & holiday in Alaska.
The Opening Run with Ashburton met at Hinds Domain on Sunday 7th September and was well represented by a number of our members.
Sunday 21st September saw 12 of our members vehicles attend the Strathallan Lifecare Village off Wai-iti Road. This event and our visit was requested by their Activities Co-Ordinator, Maria WILLETTS, who was well organised and we were happy to oblige. A large turnout of residents gathered to view the cars, many took the opportunity for a ride, and we shared a nice afternoon tea post the drives. Thanks to our members who made themselves available, a worthwhile community service and a most enjoyable occasion! Also, to our Tri-Car editor Les RZEPECKY, who travelled in from Temuka to photoshoot the event and put up some great pics on our Facebook page. 'Shot', thanks Les!!
A quieter period now ahead of our annual Mt Cook Rally primed for Labour weekend.
Regards
Colin HAWKE Chair
Two coats on a hot day
A businessman went into the office and found an inexperienced handyman painting the walls. The handyman was wearing two heavy parkas on a hot summer day. Thinking this was a little strange, the businessman asked the handyman why he was wearing the parkas on such a hot day.
The handyman showed him the instructions on the can of paint. They read: “For best results, put on two coats.”
Noggin and Natter night, 4 September 2025 at our Timaru clubrooms - Donna Hitchcox from Red Cross demonstrates an AED Defibrillator
Kyle Park Subcommittee.
The committee have appointed the sub-committee to investigate the options of joining Kyle Park;
Kevin Mercer Chair, Ross Hamilton, Bruce Washington, Colin Johnstone, Gavin Ladbrook and Barry Smith, Wendy Hamilton is our minutes secretary but has no voting rights should this be required.
Our first meeting was recently held at the Kyle Park, which include a tour of the facility and viewing of the proposed area they are working towards purchasing. The meeting was positive and some costings have been received for a possible Museum Facility and as part of looking at a budget for funding options our committee are requesting that any members that would be interested in storing a car please contact me, khmercer23@gmail.com, and express your interest.
We have discussed the possible storage costs involved and other entities have current charges ranging from $100 to $250 per year with options of possibly a one-off payment for permanent storage or debentures.
This is purely for budgeting purposes and we would be happy to hear from any members with interest in car storage. Looking forward to your response.
Kevin Mercer, on behalf of the sub-committee.
Kevin Mercer
0272009474
“Special General Meeting”
Thursday October 2nd 2025 ( Noggin Night) 8.00pm
“To vote on motion received by Branch Secretary to adopt the draft Branch Constitution developed by the Branch Committee”
NOGGIN & NATTER,
2nd October 7.30pm
Clubrooms, Redruth St Timaru.
SPEAKERS :- Ross & Wendy Hamilton –Talk on recent trip to Alaska
KITCHEN DUTY :- Brian Roycroft and Lex Westoby.
BAR :- Sandy McMillan
No new registered members this month
NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY
October 2025 by Barry
Barnes
On our last Club Night, it was pleasing to note a number of members perusing the new books that have come into the Library, now displayed in the Club Rooms before being filed away in the Library, and I also saw people checking out the framed early number plate referred to last month, and reading the story behind it. We have had a number of magazines donated recently, thank you Shannon Stevenson and Bruce Brown. A number of these are duplicates so they have gone out on to the table. We have also received a donation of a number of books from John Darling which mainly focus on motorsport with titles relating to Michael Schumacher and “Gelignite” Jack Murray, (both of these have been loaned out already), Aaron Slight, Hayden Patton, Steve Millen, Fangio, Damon Hill, Porsche , and Formula 1 Race Cars (Nigel McKnight) plus “Classic Convertibles” and “Vintage Cars” an impressive looking volume by Craig Cheetham. There are also several scrapbooks of extracts from Road and Track magazine. I recently received an inquiry through member, Lindsay Mckenzie about the sales records we hold for Excelsior motorcycles starting in 1917 in a ledger originally used by Adams Limited. Lindsay’s Christchurch based friend has a 1917 Excelsior which he thinks was once owned by his uncle. Although we had been given the serial numbers of the bike unfortunately there was no trace of it amongst either the new or used Excelsiors recorded in the book. Did find however records of a Vauxhall 14/6 and then later an EIP Vauxhall purchased by a relative apparently a great uncle, so I suppose that’s something. Had we been able to find a record of the sale of the Excelsior it could have been very helpful in the ultimate compliancing of the bike once restored. Even though my efforts this time were unsuccessful I am more than happy to research the ex Hervey Motors ledgers on request if it might be helpful or even just of interest. Finally, I have recently read Kimchi Kiwis by Gareth and Jo Morgan covering a particularly rugged motorcycle tour starting in Magadan in Mongolia, through eastern Russia into North Korea and finishing in South Korea. In 2014 this was the only traverse of the 2 Koreas since the Korean War and I doubt it’s been done since, so it’s a unique commentary. Although I bought the book at the Red Cross Book Sale we have a copy in the Library. I recommend it to our bikie brigade and any other interested members .
ACCOMMODATION Friday 6 February 2026 120 year Mt Cook Anniversary. I still have 1 room available at the Irishman Creek Shearers Quarters just out of Tekapo, for that first night. Room has 2 single beds and 2 bunks. We will be splitting the tariff per person and only looking for a couple but of course 4 would be welcome. The complex has 3 bathrooms and has all been renovated. (not like the Shearers Quarters the single men used to get allocated at Mt Cook Rallies back in the 1960s.) Check it out on line. Contact Barry B bandcbarnes@slingshot.co.nz 0276885105
SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
To access other club newsletters go to www.vcc.org.nz scroll to News from our Branches as hard copy newsletters are not mailed out now.
SCVCC website - September 2025
- September newsletter placed up
- Focus given to Mt Cook Rally - a number from outside the district are entering using the online form
- Public SCVCC events placed onto Eventfinda
- Events page updated
- Behind the scenes wordpress updates
Upcoming - More stories of various runs, online version of newsletter, information about upcoming events, members vehicles in gallery, Stories and photos from members are ENCOURAGED and can be sent through to website.scvcc@gmail.com
MID WEEK RUN (Final for 2025 ) 11`September.
On a fine sunny morning 13 cars (26 people) gathered at the car park on Morgans Rd.
Leaving there we turned left and travelled up to Pages Rd. where turning right we went down as far as Selwyn St. veering left onto Old North Rd.
On to state highway 1, then left onto Washdyke Flat Rd. Then Right into Rosewill Valley Rd. Continuing on this Rd. and then Right into Basset Rd we headed toward Pleasant Point via Rolling Ridges , Doake, Smart Munro and Manse roads.
From Pleasant Point we took Halstead Rd. Then Waitohi-Temuka Rd.
Passing by Seven Sisters turn (for a change) and continuing on to turn Left onto Earl Rd.
At the end we crossed over the Geraldine Fairlie Highway and travelled up past Barkers Processing Plant , to turn Right into School Rd. Then Right at Geraldine 8km sign.
Arriving at Geraldine we took a couple of side streets then part way up The Downs, then back down to the Highway turning Left then Right just over the Bridge into Mckenzie St. heading towards Orari.
At Orari we arrived at our destination, the Cafe Mes Amis.
Everyone enjoyed the cabinet food ,Tea and Coffee.
Thanks to all who attended and hope you all enjoyed the day.
Barry and Lynette.
PARTS DEPT. REPORT. September 2025.
Another month gone , another month closer to Christmas! Where has the year gone?
Here at the Parts dept. the routine carry's on as usual.
I have arrived and opened up the parts dept. and garage. Next to arrive is Allan Holland who fills the ern and turns it on.
Barry Yates soon arrives and sets to and sets out the cups and biscuits ready for morning tea'.
John Campbell is there as well with sleeves rolled up ready to tackle any odd job that may arise.
Wayne Young just appears and starts with attending to the gardens, followed by getting the mower out and attacking the lawns.
Others soon arrive and are ready for a cuppa before going about their chores, such as sorting through parts that may have come in, or placing said items onto shelves.
Barry Barnes and new assistant, Clive Merry, cuppa over, return to the library to continue with sorting books that may have come in from donors.
During the morning we have walk- ins who have a browse and usually purchase an item or two.
This is a normal Wednesday morning for us, and for all of us it it is what we enjoy.
Why don't you come on down and see what it is all about, you might like to be part of our Wednesday team.
We are open every Wednesday morning from 9am to 12 noon.
Barry Smith, Parts Manager.
Other Coming Events Elsewhere
For Sale:
1 x 1939 Studebaker Commander 58,000 Miles Overdrive 4x new Tyres' 1x 1947 Studebaker Champion. For Details contact: Russell Black. Cell Phone. 0226369961
Phone Nora 027 2015889
Visit to Strathallan Lifecare
Village – September 21st 2025
Rodger Baird with Margaret in front with Hazel and Tam in backseat
Jill in front with Marian and Ivor in back, waiting for Rodger
John Campbell and Tam
Colin Hawke with Gordon
Chris Chambers & Esme
Grant Stewart & Marian
Brooklands Race Meeting- by Grant Stewart.
At the recent Levels Classics meeting Valiant Chargers were the invited guests with about 20 taking part in the lunchtime cruise around the track, including 6 or 8 with race history. The two photos show a big kid getting local legend Leo Leonard to sign his toy Bathurst model Charger that Leo drove round Bathurst, no playing with it now Alistair! The red Charger is an E49 Gary Sprague drove at NZ tracks, Gary flying from Aussie to take part in the Saturdays event. Gary also raced at Bathurst (not in this car). Brother Grant was co-pilot for the Levels cruise, the younger Sprague’s in the back seat, alongside Grant Stewart. Yeeha! I always work on the principle if you don’t ask, you don’t receive. They either say yes or no, in this case it was yes
CAR RALLY FOR CANCER.
No-one was more disappointed than me at having to cancel this much awaited Car Rally Fundraiser for the Cancer Society. The decision had to made early and notices were put over the radio stations and on as many facebook pages as we could, as well as our own VCC website. I stood in the rain and thanked the 40 brave vehicles and owners, that turned up, for making the effort, and explained why we had to cancel. All but about 2 said they thought it might cancel, but came anyway so they could make their donation. I accepted all donations, and pleased to say I collected $901.10 down at the bay, and many of our generous members gave as well, which pooled together made a total of $1411.10. After our last committee meeting, the rally was discussed, as was the amount of money raised. The committee made the decision to top up the amount and I am pleased to advise you all, that as a branch we donated $2250 to a very worthwhile cause. I have transferred the money to our local Cancer Society, passed this information onto our local Cancer Society and also to Kaaren Smylie the NZ VCC organiser. Our local Cancer Society is ever so grateful for this contribution, and we hope for better weather next year. We might try and have a postponement date on hand just in case. You can all feel proud of what we achieved. For those who donated raffle prizes thank you so much. With no raffle sales this year, these are now stored away until next year . My sincere thanks to all those who put their hands up to help in many ways. I appreciate your offers and will be in touch next year.
Thank you one and all. Regards Nola
Marlborough Mud Plug Kevin Mercer
Although not much mud present at this time despite a bit of rain Thursday.
Saturday 6th September saw 4 cars and 5 drivers head north to participate at Marlborough, with Bruce picking up his mate in Christchurch and Lex Westoby gaining a second driver at the pub that night. As normal for Marlborough the circuits best suit the cars with good tight turning circles, and this year saw longer courses which are great because it gives the drivers more time in the seat having fun and testing the skills. The usual deep-water crossing featured again this year, about 18” of water, and the addition of a stop/start on a relatively steep and slippery hill was the undoing of many including Lex (see picture), he also had a spot of bother with a rather sharp knob becoming so well bellied that the tow vehicle was unable to tow him free of the mound.
A good result overall with Andre Kraenzlin 4th equal, myself 6th, Jody Leitch had a few teething issues with his newly acquired Hillman special, Lex struggling a bit with our old Morris 8 especially with the longer wheelbase and Bruce was a little off colour and experienced some fuel starvation issues.
On board with Andre, approaching 1 of many water crossing, note the electric fan is turned off to prevent water being sprayed everywhere.
Lex wiping out the markers after hill start.
Bruce coming out of the river.
Ashburton and South Canterbury branch Opening Run
On a sunny though windy spring Sunday morning over 30 vehicles from over 100 years to under 30 years materialised at the Hinds Domain for the Opening Run. With three runs to choose from it was a trip up into the labyrinth of mid-Canterbury roads in the direction of Mayfield and Mt Somers, encountering a number of sheep farms. Although it appeared we were going along flat roads the reality was that we went from 147 metres above sea level at Hinds, to 380 metres at Mt Somers township. The height drop was apparent when travelling along Tramway Road near Mt Somers, with dairy farm irrigation ponds appearing to look as if they were going uphill.
The end venue for the run was the Ashburton branch clubrooms, where picnics were out, and one could spend much time in their parts shed and museum - with a fair number of interesting vehicles within. Also heard nearby was the toots from a steam engine in action on the Plains Railway, and sirens from historic fire trucks. Overall an interesting day’s run.
Shannon Stevenson
Rally briefing
2025
Club Calendar of Events 2025 / 2026
October 25th- 27th Mount Cook Rally
November 7th - 9th Safari Weekend
November 16th Veteran, Vintage & Commercial Rally
November 29th Club Christmas Party
2026 - January 1st New Years Day - Fairlie
January 18th Ladies Rally
February 6th - 8th 120 year Commemorative run to Mount Cook
February 15th Chairman’s Run
February 21st Club Open Day
March 8th Mid Island Rally
March 22nd Motorcycle Run
March 28th Swapmeet
April 9th Midweek Run
May 14th Midweek Run
May 17th P Class Rally
May 24th End of Season Run
May 31st
Kings Birthday Weekend All British Day
June 4th AGM
Deadline for November 2025 Tricar 20th October 2025
National Motor Cycle Rally
12th, 13th 14th February 2027 Timaru.
(Hosted by South Canterbury Vintage Car Club)
120 Years celebration
South Canterbury Branch celebrates 120 years of the first car to Mt Cook.
CALLING ALL VETERAN, VINTAGE, AND POST VINTAGE VEHICLES
Thursday =5th February 2026 Overnight in Timaru. Friday 6th February = Timaru to Lake Tekapo Make your own Tekapo reservations now.
Saturday 7th February = Tekapo, = Mt Cook = Twizel
We have the Hotel at Twizel booked. ( 88 Rooms.) These will be booked thru your entry form. First In first served. Or feel free to book your own accommodation elsewhere. Contact Nola Day nola.day@xtra.co.nz for enquiries or entry forms from September 2025
Not on such as grand a scale as the 100 years, but a very important milestone in the motoring world. We have come a long way.
Following on from Graham Pauley’s story on Hervey Motors days, since I didn’t get a mention, I’d better do something myself and get my name in lights. I started in 1974, not long after Graham. Here is the not so serious side. Graham mentioned Noel Brady’s GTRXU1, it’s now in the hands of local Graeme Sargent in race car trim. Incidentally Sargie worked at Hervey’s also, for a short time in the parts department. The basement garage where the old Vauxhall was stored had a really smooth concrete floor, home to many burnouts in customers cars, or new ones. A Yank from Mt John Baker Nunn crowd had a Dodge Charger which probably did the best one. To get to the basement from the workshop was via some stairs (yea, I know, surprise, surprise). After a Friday night session one of the tractor mechanics decided to see if he could ride his workmates step-thru down the stairs and back up again. He got as far as the bottom, then Mark Hervey walked in the door at the bottom, shook his head and carried on walking. Speaking of Mark, he got called down to work in his PJ’s one night by the police, we had all just got back from a social outing bus trip to Tekapo, and boy, was it social! The mechanics had decided to start the Massey Ferguson tractors in the yard about midnight, and since their senses had been dulled somewhat, didn’t notice the cops going past, however they noticed us! Another shake of the head from Mark.
The lube bay and petrol pumps were separate from the main building, DB Breweries got their trucks serviced there before they cottoned on to do it themselves. The late Mike Chapman would bring an empty flagon or two and had worked out how to fill them from the truck. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but one time the tap or valve would not shut off, beer everywhere, and I mean everywhere!
Dave Lyng was the manager of the previously mentioned (by Graham) Rental Vehicles, which also had a couple of petrol pumps out front. Dave was rather partial to his cigars, often could be seen filling up cars, nozzle in one hand, cigar in the other, kept at a distance. His theory was as long as it wasn’t a naked flame he was ok. Must have been a good theory cos there were no fireballs, but kids, don’t try this at home.
Best drives for me was taking a lime green 350 HQ Monaro 4speed to get a WOF at the testing station, and a Group A Commodore road test. Worst drives for me was Hervey’s delivery pushbike, small wheel at the front with basket above front wheel. Try riding one of them with a bloody heavy 6 cylinder head up front, steering is erratic. This ended up going to the dump (not management’s decision), where Charteris grabbed it, then to Workman’s junk shop, and a few years later I saw it in a North Island car museum, still in Hervey’s livery.
Yes, we occasionally fixed cars also, with an HQ Holden you could get at everything without skinning your knuckles. They were put together at Petone, a Monday or Friday job weren't the best, sometimes we’d have to send them to a local panel beater to get the doors to shut.
By Grant Stewart.
Riddle answer -Theresa ( There’s a ….)
Office Bearers 2025 - 2026
Chairperson: Colin Hawke (Glenys) 6889955/ 027 4896663
Vice Chairperson: Kevin Mercer (Ruth) 027 2009474
Secretary: Pauline Young (Wayne) 6861833/ 027 5399225
Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) 027 2035007
Club Captains: Kevin Manchester (Ngadia) Kevin 027 5178769
News Letter Editor: Les Rzepecky (Helen) 021 1220011
Clubroom Convener:
Sandy McMillan 027 6155150 027 4484655
Parts Shed Manager: Barry Smith (Lynette) 6847405 027 6881919
Librarian: Barry Barnes (Carla) 6885105
IT Officer: Shannon Stevenson 6863263/ 027 2453519
Committee: All of the above
Ross Hamilton (Wendy) 021 2407137
Identification and Certificate:
Swap Meet:
Alistair Day, Colin Hawke. Kevin Mercer (Ruth) 027 2025007 6889955/ 027 4896663 027 2009474
Acting Chairman: Colin Johnstone (Trish) 021 08189988
Site Convenor/ Secretary Michelle Munro (Gavin) 6864824/ 021 1726168
Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) 027 2035007
Ground Convenor: Barry Smith ( Lynette) 6847405
Committee: Gavin Munro (Michelle) 6864824/ 021 0528264
(Plus all above)
Krystal Munro 027 8567940
Grant Mitchell (Wendy) 021 2961126
Glen Hawkins 027 2076625
https://www.facebook.com/groups/southcanterbury.vcc