THE
OURER
BRANCH INFORMATION
BRANCH DETAILS
CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth
POSTAL ADDRESS P.O.Box385,PalmerstonNorth4440
EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz
COMMITTEE MEETING
SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.
CLUB NIGHT
ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.
LIBRARY
Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
NOGGIN & NATTER
FirstTuesdayofeachmonthat7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.
PARTS SHED
Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE
CanbemadethroughCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse. -phone(06)3542780 or Email: info@creativecatering.co.nz
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: 2025HighlandFling-thestartofthe‘Fling’attheTuiBrewery,Mangatainoka
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, StewartBird,CathyClements,ErrolGrayandDerekHaycock.
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBER: GaryMillar
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarilythose oftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
JUNE 2025
Sunday1st Tuesday3rd
Wednesday11th
Wednesday18th Saturday21st
JULY 2025
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2025
ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage5ofthisTourer ClubNight NightTrial-seeEntryFormonpage39ofthisTourer
Saturday5th Sunday6th Sunday6th Saturday19th LadiesFriendshipGroupGetTogether SundayJaunt
ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm MidWinterDinner,ClubRooms“60sTheme”
AUGUST 2025
Sunday3rd
Sunday24th SundayJaunt
VCCNationalDayforCancer
SEPTEMBER 2025
Sunday7th
Wednesday17th Sunday20th -21st Saturday27th SundayJaunt
OCTOBER 2025
Sunday5th Sunday11th -12th Saturday25th -27th
NOVEMBER 2025
AnnualQuizNightwithCHBBranchinDannevirke VintageOnlyRally (TWODAYEVENT) AnnualSwapMeet (NOTENEWDATE)
DaytriptoWairarapaBranch’s“RexPorterRally” MotorcycleRally
AnnualInter-BranchCampoutat“BaseCampRangi”
Sunday2nd Saturday22nd -23rd SundayJaunt
Annual“Overnighter”
DECEMBER 2025
Saturday6th
Sunday7th VeteranRally (NOTENEWDATE)
BranchChristmasParty/LongServiceAwards
Exceptforformaleventsbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving,althoughahistoricvehicleispreferred.
ORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
ThismonththefocusoftheWorkingBeeisgoingtobe repairstotheceilinginthemainhall. Scaffoldingisgoingtobeerectedinthemainhalltofacilitatethework. Andaswellastidyingthegrounds,thereisalwaysongoingworkrecoveringchairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatprogresswiththattaskcancontinue. Anddon’tforget,thereisamorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
MANAWATU BRANCH NOTICES & INFORMATION
EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTSTOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE
Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCCBranches onlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.
Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoorganisetocollecttheirfreebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoarrangeareplacementforalostor damagedbadge-atcost.
IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?
IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT. Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehiclein original,restored,orunrestoredcondition.
TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotographof yourvehicleinlandscapelayout.
Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes,the photographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ‘THE TOURER’
BecausetheToureristheMagazineforyourbranch-itisyourmagazine.
Shouldyoucomeacrossanythingthatyouthinkcouldinterestyourfellowmembers,orifyou wishtocontributeanarticleonanyofyourmotoringprojects(pastorpresent),oryourrecent participationinrunsoreventswithotherbranches,pleasedonothesitatetosenditalong withanyphotographswhichyouhave,totheeditor.
PARTS SHEDS
TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles.
Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutteryourshedsandyouandyourfriendsareinvitedtodonate anyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchsothatwecantradethemonto fellowenthusiasts.Allitemsarepricedtomoveofftheshelves. EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooksforwardtoassistingyou findthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartortoolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyour prideandjoy.
ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
HiEveryone
Astheweatherisgettingalittlecolderwithshortdaysaheadit wouldbegoodtoseepeoplecomeoutandsocialisewithfellowcar andbikeenthusiasticpeople.
WehadagreatturnoutfortheAGMonWednesdaynight.Iwould liketowelcome3newmemberstothisyearscommittee.Glyn ClementsforClubCaptainwithStewartBirdandBrianRoweforthe committeemembers.Asacommitteewewillbecontinuingtohave somethingforeveryonethroughrallies/runsandclubnights.IwishtothankCathyClements forallthehardworkshehasdonefortheAGMandabigthankyoutoKenforgettingthe financialreportreadyfortheAGM.
Asyoureadthis,thePostEraRallywillhavebeenandgone.Therewerealotofentriesthis yearwithanicehotteaattheendoftherally.
IwishtomakeabigthankyoutoDerekforallthehardworkhehasdonefortheclubinthe past4years.HehasbroughtManawatuBranchtogetherandasanewcommitteeweare goingtocontinuetodowhatDerekhasdoneforthebranch.
Happymotoringeveryone, Esther
MANAWATUBRANCHAGM
Wearenowatthebeginningofthe2025/2026termforthe Committee,andwhatagreatsuccessourBranchAGMwas!Thank youtoallourmemberswhocontributedtheirtime,insightsand support.Withrenewedenergyandacleardirectionweareready tomoveforward-Togetherforanothersuccessfulyearaheadfor theBranch.
AswewelcomenewfacestoourCommittee,wewouldliketotake amomenttoextendourthankstoJohnIrelandwhoisstepping down.Johnwillstillcontinue(inanancillaryposition)tobeour No.1ManfortheSwapMeetsandalsoworkingwithDerekHaycockontheVehicleIdentity Cardapplications.ThankyouJohnforallyourhardwork.
WealsofarewellTomGilchrist.Tom,wearinghis“LegalHat”,hasassistedtheCommitteein reviewingtheHallHireageContractwithCreativeCatering.ThankyouTomforyour contributionstotheCommitteeforthelast2years.
Last,butcertainlynotleast,wefarewellourClubCaptain/PastChairman,DerekHaycock. DerekhassteeredourBranchwithpassion,dedication,andunwaveringcommitment.Ashe stepsdown,wereflectonthemanywayshehasshapedthisbranch-notjustthroughhis leadership,butthroughthegenuineloveofvintagecarsandthepeoplewhosharethat passion.Whetheritwasorganizingclubruns,offeringguidancetonewmembers,orsimply lendingahandunderthehood,Derek’spresencehasbeenthesteadyenginebehindsomuch ofwhatwe’veaccomplishedtogether.YourtimeDerekasClubCaptainmaybeending,but yourlegacywillcontinuetodriveusforward.Thankyouforthemiles,thememories,andthe meaningyouhavebroughttothisBranch.
Wishingyouopenroadsandsmoothridesahead,andawell-earnedrestwithyourlovely family!
WewelcomeBrianRoweandStewartBirdtoourCommitteethisyear.Boththeseguysonly joinedtheBranchlastyearandtheyarealreadylookingforjobs!Bothputtheirhandsupfor jobswiththeNationalMotorcycleRallyinJanuary,andarealwaysthereatBrancheventsto lendahand.Wewelcometheirenthusiasm,positivityand“cando”attitude.Thanksfor joiningusBrianandStewart.
NEXTLADIESFRIENDSHIPGROUPGETTOGETHER-5THJULY!
Detailstocome.
BRANCHNIGHTTRIAL-SATURDAY21STJUNE!
EntryForminthisissueoftheTourer. Markthedateinyourcalendarandgetthosewinterwooliesready.Andyes,itisaNIGHT Trial.Startingat8.30pmattheClubRoomsandfinishingaround11.00pmwithhotsoup, toast/crumpetswaitingforyoutowarmyouup!Seeyouallthere.
BRANCHMID-WINTERSOCIALGET-TOGETHER-SATURDAY19JULY!(thiswillbeour
clubnighteventforJuly). Dressinyourgrooviest60’sgearandcomealongandhave somefun!Detailstocome.
CLUB CAPTAIN’S CORNER - GLYN CLEMENTS
HiAll-I’mBack!
WithDereksteppingdownforawell-earnedrest,I’vecomeback onasClubCaptainforthenextyearwiththeideainmindto mentor,withthehelpof“LarryReid”,anewkeenmemberintothe rolegoingforward.
TaranakiBranchhadanewmemberwhowaskeenongetting involvedbutwasn’tquitesureofthe“Do’sandDon’ts”when planninganevent.Oneoftheoldhandssteppeduptoshowhim theropesandbyallaccountsitsasuccessfularrangement.Soit’swiththisinmindthatI’ve comebackontocommitteefortheyearandI’vegotasuitablecandidateinmind(no pressureStewart!).
Wehavegotaprettyfullcalendaraheadofus(seeprintedelsewhereinthisTourer),so there’ssomethingforeveryone.Ifyouwouldliketoputonanevent,orknowofagreat placeforustovisit,pleasegetintouchwithme.
ThereisnoSundayJauntforJuneasitsKing’sBirthdayWeekendandWhanganuiBranch holdtheirAnnualRally.Iencourageyoutoentertheirevent,evenifit'sjustadaytripas supportforneighbouringbranchesisgreatfororganisersandparticipantsalike.
OurnextBrancheventisourAnnualNightTrial.Thistimeit'sonSaturday21stJune. Itwillbea NIGHT Trial,startingat8.30pmattheClubRoomsforabriefing,beforefirst carawayat9.00pmandyouwillbebackby11.00pmforhotSoupandToast/Crumpets. Ifyou’renotuptobringingyour“old”caroutatnight,thenpleasecomealonginyour modern.It'saboutthepeople,notjustthecars.
Seeyouthere??
Cheers
LETTERTOTHE EDITOR
Afterthisweekend'sHighlandFling,IwanttocongratulateDerekforthefabulousweekendof exceptionalandexcitingvintagemotoring.Derek,alongwiththegreatsupportofhiswife, Becs,theirfamilyandsupportteam,didafantasticjob.
Participantswillbetalkingaboutthisweekendforaverylongtime!
ThetripthroughAkitioStationhasbeenoneofthethingsthatIhavehadonmybucketlist forquitesomeyears,soIcannowtickthatoneoff.
Again,verywelldone,andnow,willyoubeputtingyourfeetupforawhile??????
AlistairHoward
AGM QUESTION
AquestionwasraisedbyAlistairHowardattheAGMregardingwherethecostsforTheTourer wereintheannualaccounts.
Forthe2023-2024year,thecostsofTheTourerareintheMiscExpensesrow.Thecostwas $5,200.
TherearenocostsattributedtotheTheTourerinthe2024-2025year.However,thisyear's increaseininsurancecost($1,000)andreductioninHallIncome($4,400)offsetthesavings.
KenFoot
INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcome BRYCE CLIFFORD asanewmemberoftheVCC,and
JOHN FOOT hasrecentlytransferredtoourbranch,andwehavealreadyseenJohn onsomeofourbranchrunswithhis1990FordFalcon. Johnalsohasa1925REOanda1938REO.
Welcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyoubothatfutureclubactivities.
ReportprovidedbyStewartBird
Firstly,amassivethankstoDerekfortheworkheandhisfamilydidinorganisingthis wonderfuleventagain.
GoingofflastyearIknewitwasgoingto beanothergreattwodaysofvintage motoringagainandhedidnotdisappoint.
Dayonehadmeasapassengeralong withmybrotherandmysonindads1930 ModelAPhaeton.Thisdaysawusmeet forthedriversbriefingattheTuiBrewery inMangatainoka.With80carsentered therewasacouplethatdidn’tmakethe startforcertainreasons.Afterthe briefingwesetoffheadingtowardsthe coast.Smokowasplannedatawoolshed wheretoiletswereavailable.Wewere meanttotravelthroughthisfarm,butdue toweathertheroutewaschanged.
Fromtherewemadeourwaythrougha mixtureofgravelandsealedroadswith somemagnificentviewstoAkitio settlementandcalledintoAkitoStation forlunchatthewoolshed.Afterlunchwe travelledonaprivateroadfollowingthe coastthroughthestationandcameout justsouthofHerbertville. Fromthereweheadedinlandto WimbledonandthenontotheTararua LimeWorks.Fromtherewemadeour waydowntoCoonoorandontoMakuri andfinallymadeourwaytoPahiatua wheretherunended.160milescovered thatdayfromtheBrewerytoPahiatua.
Daytwohadmypartnerjoinuswhilemy brotherwenthome.Thisdaysawusstart attheCoachHouseMuseuminFeilding forthedriversbriefing.Fromthe museumweheadedouttowardsStanway andoutontoSH54,fromtherewewent throughWaitunaWestandthendropped
ABOVE: Thefirstday–betweenthestartandsmoko.
ABOVE: Dayonesmokostop
ABOVE: Dayone,headingthroughAkitoStationalong thecoasttowardsHerbertville.
downintoRewaanduptheothersidewhereweturnedoffjustbeforeVinegarHill,we trundleddowngravelroadstothePakihikuraReserve.FromtherewemadeourwaytoPeep ODaythenheadedtoRangiwahia.Turnedjustpastandheadedaroundthetoptowards Apiti.JustbeforeApitiwepulledoffand headedbackwardsthroughTwinBridgefarm comparedtothewaywewentthroughlast year.
LunchwasinApitifollowedbyalooptowards theRuahineRangestopassbackthrough Apitibeforemakingourwaytowards Beaconsfieldwheretherewasanotherquick farmloop.Thendownthehilltotheonly riverfordintheManawatuthatweknowof whichissuitableforoldcars.Approximately 140mileswascoveredonthesecondday.
ABOVE: Dayone,headingtowardstheLimeWorks.
ABOVE: Daytwo,headingtowardsWaitunaWest.
ABOVE: Daytwo,furtherontowardsRewa
ABOVE: Daytwo,goingthroughTwinBridgeFarm
ABOVE: Daytwo–lunchatApiti
Fromtherivercrossingitwasaniceeasy runbackintoFeildingtoendtherun,that nightwehadthetraditionalHaggis ceremonyfollowedbydinner,aswellas awardsgivenoutandanauctionheldto raisesomefundsforthenextiteration.
Thankstoalltheextrapeoplethathelped fromthemarshalstotheTailEndCharlies. AshoutouttoKRscaféforadelicious dinner.
SELECTIONOF PHOTOGRAPHS - FROMTHE 2025 HIGHLAND FLING
StewartBird
ABOVE: Daytwo–headingtowardsBeaconsfield
ABOVE: Outsidethe RangiwahiaHall
RIGHT: AtApiti
LEFT: AtApiti
RIGHT&BELOW: AtCheltenham
JAGUAR - HOW
JaguarCarswasaBritishcarmanufacturerinitiallyestablishedinBlackpoolbytwomotorcycle enthusiasts(WilliamLyonsandWilliamWalmsley)astheSwallowSidecarCompany. ThiswasinSeptember1922,andtheyoriginallymademotorcyclesidecarspriortoexpanding anddevelopingbodiesformotorcars.
In1927thecompanynamewaschangedto TheSwallowSidecarandCoachBuilding CompanyandSwallowbegantoproducethe AustinSevenSwallowcarbuiltonastandard Austinchassis.Achangeofpremises,andby 1928,whilestillproducingsidecars, productionhadincreasedtoabout50carsa week.Thenamechangedagaintothe SwallowCoachbuildingCoandseveralnew modelsfollowedwiththecompanystartingto buildcompletecarsinassociationwiththe StandardMotorCompany,manybearing Jaguarasamodelname.In1934the companywasrenamed,becomingS.S.Cars Ltd.Latein1935theS.S.Jaguar100was released.Thiswasthefirstsportscarto carrytheJaguarname.Ithada3.5litre engineandwascapableofmorethan 100mph.In1945thecompanychangedits nametobecameJaguarCarsLtd.
In1951,JaguarmovedintoaformerWW2 shadowfactoryonBrownsLane,Coventry whereitwouldbuildsomeoftheworld’smost iconiccars.Forsometime,SirWilliamLyons hadbeennegotiatingwiththeGovernmentto buytheBrownsLaneplantandinearly1959 hisofferof£1.25mwasaccepted.Butby 1960,withthreesuccessfulmodels(XK150, Mk2andMkIX),Jaguarhadoutgrownthis factory.WithLyons’requesttoexpandthe companydeclinedandthecompanytoolarge tomove,LyonsinsteadboughtDaimlertoget accesstoitsonemillionsq.ftfactoryin Radford.ThissitebecameJaguarsengine plantandengineeringcentre.
In1960theMk2Jaguarbodybecameoneof thefirstofthemarquetobe‘shared’with Daimlerandre-badgedasDaimler. UnliketheMk2Jaguarswhichwerepowered byastraightsixengine,thisDaimlerwas poweredbya2.5litreV8engine.
ABOVE: ExamplesoftheAustinSwallow andtheRadiatorGrillelogo.
BELOW: The1938-39JaguarS.S.Roadster
A MEMBER’S CAR
1960 JAGUARMK2 : BY BRYAN ABRAHAM
BackgroundoftheMk1andMk2Jaguars
AfteralmostthreeyearsofdevelopmenttheJaguar2.4litre(Mark1)Saloonwasintroduced attheEarlsCourtMotorShowinOctober1955asanentirelynewmodelwithaunitary constructionofbodyandchassis.
AllpreviousJaguarmodelshadbeenofthe(then)conventionalseparatebodyandchassis construction.TheonlycomponentsinthenewmodelwhichfollowedearlierJaguarswerethe engine,clutch,gearboxandsteeringgear.
Thesixcylinder DOHC engineused intheMk1wasa modifiedversionof thethenexistingXK engine,witha shorterstrokegiving acapacityof 2483cc.
The2.4litrecarwas anexcitingcarby postwarstandardscapableof100mph+ performancewith reasonable economy,comfort anda‘slippery’ shape.
InFebruary1957,the3.4litremodelwaslaunched.Thiscomprisedofthe2.4litrebodyshell withabiggerenginewhichhadtwinSUcarburettors,highliftcamshafts,andadualexhaust system.Thismadeitpossibletobuya4-doorsaloonfromtheshowroomandhaveoneofthe fastest(120mph),bestbrakedcarsavailableatthetime.
NomajormodificationswereintroduceduntilOctober1959whentheMk2modelwas announced.FromthemomentoftheirintroductiontheMk2saloonsscoredinstantaneous successandcreatedsuchworld-widedemandthatadoublingofthecompany’soutput becamenecessary.
TheMk2featureddiscbrakesonallwheels,awidertrackrearaxle,andmanyinterior modifications.DiscbrakeshadbeenavailableasanoptionalextrasinceSeptember1957,as hadoverdrive,theBorg-Warnerautomatictransmissionandwirespokewheels. TheMk2bodyincludedalargerwindscreen,anewwrap-aroundrearwindow,slimmer windowpillars,aredesignedinstrumentpanel,andnumerousothersubtlechanges.
The3.8litresaloonwasannouncedasaMk2modelinOctober1959andwasoutwardly similartotheMk23.4saloonapartfromthe3.8badge.Ithadabiggerbore220bhpengine andalimitedslipdifferentialasstandardequipment.
OurCar
Afterthewarandintotheearly1960’s,theBritishMotorindustrytendedtobe‘thrifty’with componentswhichremainedinstockfromasupersededmodelofcar,usingthemupinthe firstofthe‘replacement’models.OurJaguar,whichwasmanufacturedinApril1960wasone oftheearlierMk2’stoarriveinNewZealandandisagoodexampleofthis‘thrifty’practice. TheinteriorisfittedwiththeMk1stylehoodliningwhichhasflushfittingsun-visors.
InsidethefrontleftmudguardistheoilbathaircleaneraswasfittedtotheMk1Jaguars. Ductingtakestheintakeairthroughthesideoftheleftguardintotheenginebayandacross thetopoftheenginetothetwincarburettorswhichareontherighthandsideoftheengine. ThereareanumberofotherlessobviousMk1componentsonthecarsuchastheoilpressure gaugewhichismechanical(capillaryoil-feed)ratherthanelectricaswasfittedtoMk2’s.
Thecarwasregisterednewto Archibald’sinChristchurchin November1960,importedby thefirstownerwhoclockedup justover36,000milesinthe threeyearsthatsheownedit. Inthe62yearssincethenithas stillnotclockedupanother 36,000milessoisafairlylow mileagecarforitsage. Thesecondownertookthecar toDunedinwhereitremained until1989whenhissontook overtheownershipandthecarwenttoAuckland.Thefather/sonduoownedthecarfor 41yearsaddingonly18,000milestotheodometer. In1996itsregistrationlapsedanditwassevenyearsinstoragebeforebeingre-registeredhenceitscurrent(later)registrationplatenumber.
Thenextfiveyearssawthreeshorttermownerswhobetweenthemaddedlessthan2,000 milestothecar.Duringthistimeitreceivedamechanical‘refresh’anda’doorsshut’repaint. Itleftthefactoryasalowcompression(7:1)engine,buttherefreshsawtheenginefitted withhighercompression(8:1)pistonsandmatchingcylinderhead.Documentationconfirms thattheengineretainsitsstandardbore.(i.e.ithasnotbeenrebored)
In2008thecarwentbacktoChristchurchtoanewowner,andfouryearslaterchanged ownersandwenttoNelson.In2017wepurchasedit,bringingitbacktotheNorthIsland. Wehavenothadanysignificantissueswithitinthetimewehavehadit-everythingwithit hasbeenfairlymuchasyouwouldexpectfroma65yearoldcar.
ButanearlypuzzleIhadwastryingtofindthecorrecttimingmarks.Severalmarkswere eitherscratchedorpaintedonthefrontpulley,mostfairlycloseto eachother,butsomedistancefromthefactorymark.Obviously, peoplebeforemewerealsostrugglingtogetthetimingspoton. Andonceset,thetimingseemedtobeslightlydifferenteachtimeit wasre-checked.Ieventuallyworkedouttheproblem-ithadthe wrongrotorinit.Thecorrectoneisontheleft.Ontherightisthe onewhichIremoved-havingatsomestageinthedistantpastbeen fittedtoadistributorthatrotatesanti-clockwise! Althoughthecarhadbeenrunningwell,withthecorrectrotorfittedandthetimingset accuratelyusingthefactorymarkings,thecarstarted,ranandpullednoticeablybetter.
Thefirstradiatorflushwasalsointeresting.NotmanymilesafterIhadtreatedthecooling systemtonewwaterandanti-freezemostofthefrostplugsstartedtoleak.Clearlyithad previouslyhadBarsLeaksorasimilarproductaddedtothewater.Replacingthefrostplugs fixedthatproblem.
Andquiterecentlyitbecamenecessaryformetooverhaulthebrakemastercylinder.Theline pressurevalveinthemastercylinderfailedwhichmeantthatthebrakepedalwentstraightto thefloorwithnopedalpressureatall.Notthebestwhenyouare50kilometresfromhome!
Forthetechnically minded,thecarhas the3.4litre(209 cubicinch)XK6cylinderDOHCengine fittedwithafour speedMoss(manual) gearboxwith overdrive.
The3.4litreengine develops210bhpat 5500rpmwith215lb fttorqueat3000 rpm.Kerbweightis approx.29cwt.
Ourothervintagecarisa1951AustinA40Devon.AnarticleontheAustinappearedinthe August2015Tourer.
17TH MAY 2025
ReportprovidedbyManawatuBranchMember-RobertHeath
AgoodnumberofcompetitorsfromWellington(1), Horowhenua(1),Manawatu(3),Waikato(3), Rotorua(1),Auckland(21),Warkworth(1)and Northland(12)alllefttheWhangareiVCCroomsat 10.00a.m.at30secondintervals.
TheparticipantsfollowedSH14towardsDargaville thenturnednorthwardstoParakaoonsomegood qualitytarsealedroads.Therallyrouteleadonto TangowahineValleyroadwithhardlyanytraffic. Majorroadworkscausedsignificantwaitingdelays whichlaterwastobediscoverednottobeinthe timedsection,sonopenaltiesincurred.
Competitorsownchoiceofaveragespeedsrangedfrom25mphforVeterans,30mphfor Vintage,PostWarVintageandPost60Vintage.35mphfor;Vintage,PostWarVintage,Post 60Vintage,Post80Vintage,40mphforVintage,postwarVintage,Post60Vintage,Post80 Vintage,andmodern.
TherouteleadbacktotheDargavilleforrefuelingandtheroastmeallunchbreakatthe DargavilleAeroClub.Microlightsandgyrocopterswereflyinginandtakingoff.The gyrocoptersmainrotorcanbeengagedwiththepusherpropellordrivemakingforveryshort runwaytaxiingbeforebeingairborne.
TheuntimedAfterLunchrun40Mileincludeda18kmunsealedroute,backtoWhangareivia Mititai,MaungakarameaRd,SH1,OtaikaValleyRd,SH14andbacktotheHeritagePark clubrooms.
Therewasachoiceofasealed27milerouteviaSH14,thenSH1,southtoOtaikaValleyRd, SH14andbacktotheHertitageParkclubrooms.ThisrouteaccommodatedtheVeteranand slowbikes(i.e.50ccNSUQuickleymoped)andthosewhodidnotwantadustcoveredbike.
Theoverallroutesweregoodroadswithlittletraffic.Thestartbriefingdidnotspecifystraight aheadruleapplying,ortheuntimedsectionwouldapplyaftertheoneandonlycheckpoint. Thebackuptrailerwasbusywithpickups(5)withthe1938Morganthree-wheelerbreakinga frontstubaxle,fortunatelynoinjuriesonlysteelscrapemarksleftonthetarsealwithno othertrafficaroundatthetime,someothercompetitorshavingbikestartingissues,nopower supply,andapuncture.
TheroastdinnerofbeefandchickenprecededtheLineDancingdemonstrationbythe Whangareimembers,thatontheseconditemhadsomeofthecompetitorsjoiningin.Prize givingfollowedandthendessertforall.
OurclubmembershadsatisfactorytimingwithErrolGray2.23minutesearlyandDave Robinsonlateby57secondsandRobertHeathlateby2.23minutes.
OverallwinnerwasCamFrancisfromNorthlandClubwitha3second’searlyresult. AnenjoyableeventwithfellowNorthlandVCCmembersRobertYoungandLoftyhostingus. ThankstoeventorganizerPeterLovettandtheNorthlandteam. p.s.IhadbettergoandcleantheaccumulateddustofftheHonda.
RobertHeath20/5/25
RALLYPHOTOGRAPHSABOVE&BELOW: TakenoutsidetheNorthlandVCCroomsatHeritagePark, WhangareiafterregistrationandpriortotherallybriefingonSaturdaymorning.
REPORTON THE EASTER RALLY
ReportprovidedbyAnnetteFoot
Thursdaydawnedwetandmiserable.Glyn,Cath,BrendaandChrisHeronbyallaccountshad agoodtriptoTurangi.
Ihadtowork(abitfrustrating)andhadtoworktill3.30pmwhichwouldhavegotusat Turangiatabout7.30pm.TomysurpriseIwasabletofinishabout2pmwhichallowedusto arriveat5.30pm.Wewoketomistyrain.
WeheadedofftoourlunchstopatWhakamaruwhichwasverynice. Aftertakingawrongturn(Glynwouldtellyouthatitwasplanned)andadetourthrougha verynicebeachsidecommunityandgettingbackontrackwewerebackontracktoourfinal destinationCambridge.
Saturdaystartedwithbreakfastattheclubroomsthenoffwewent.Wetravelledthough someamazingcountryroads.Somewentthroughford'sastherewere3differentroutes. WeallendedupattheMorrinsvilleRSAforlunch.Thenitwasmorenicecountryroadsback totheclubrooms.
Sundaystartedwithgymkhanaskills.Thenit wasatouraroundCambridgebeforeheading backtotheclubroomsforlunch.Therestof thedaywasfree. Thenwastimetoplaydressupandgotothe finaldinner.
MondaysawusleaveCambridgeforhomevia theForgottenHighway.Onceagain,verynice countryroads.ThefirststopwasTeKuitifor lunchandatoiletstop.Thenitwasoffto Whangamomonaforcupofteaandscone. ThenextstopwasatWaverleyforlunch. Thenthenextstopwasourrespectivehomes.
Itwasaveryenjoyableweekendandwearelookingforwardtothenextweekendaway. Somethingmoreclubmembersshouldparticipatein.
AnnetteFoot
ABOVEANDPREVIOUSTHREEPAGES:Clubroomsbeforedepartureandsomeoftheparticipants‘ontheroad’. BELOW&NEXTPAGE:AttheWanganuiBarracksBar/Restaurant(LunchStop)-thenbackattheclubrooms.
SaturdayMay24th,saw28entriesfrom7VCCBranchesconvergeontheClubRoomsforour annualPostEraRally.OpentoClassesfromPVtoP80V,wehadamixedfieldfrom1932to 1995.OnlythreePreWarcars,Derek’s1932ChevPickup,Stewart’s1936FordV8,andthe James’inthe1941ChevCoupe.EightPostWarEra,10P60VEraand5P80VEra.
WiththecurrentroadworksblockingourmainentrancetotheClubRooms,amapwassentto allentrantsafewdaysbefore,showingtheaccessvia“TheDips”andourPartsShedgate. Anawkwardentryin,onabitofanangle,butwhenwereturnedlaterinthedaytheroading crewhadformedamucheasiertemporaryentrywayinforus-muchappreciated!
TherunwentthroughFeilding/HalcombeintoMarton,thenupFernFlatsRoadintoTurakina Valley,onthroughFordellbeforejoiningSH4NorthofWhanganui,thenovertheDublinStreet Bridgeandontothe“Barracks”BarandRestaurant(theoldRSA)foragreatlunch.
GlynwaswaitingintheBarwiththetimedcheckpointwhichwasthefinishofthecompetitive partoftheday.79milesat31.6MPHaveragemeantexactly2½hourswastheexpected times,mostEntrantswereearly.
Derekwas33minutesand30secondsearlyandwasfirstin.However,hehadhadissuesin Martonwithboththefootbrakeandclutchpedalshittingthefloorboardsatonce.Abroken enginemountbeingtheproblem.HelimpedtheChevdowntoBullstoDad’splace,grabbed asparecarandcametothelunchstop.AfterlunchheheadedbacktoBulls,jackedupthe engineandgearbox,removedtheoffendingmount,weldedit,reinstalleditandmotoredback totheClubRoomsfor“HappyHour”.Hewasn’tthelastinfortheafternoonastheroutehad takenEntrantsoutthroughFordellontoHuntervilleandbacktoFeildingviaSH54“Vinegar Hill”(another79miles).
“HappyHour”from4.00pmwithashortbreakat5.00pmforPrizeGivingbeforeaPieand Mashmealfor60peopleat6.00pm.
Agreatday’smotoringwithspecialthankstothe14outoftownEntrants,especiallythe contingentof7fromHawkesBayBranchwhowereallfirsttimersforthisevent.
1stPlace-PatHeneghan–Manawatu-1969Daimler-40secsearly
2ndPlace-ChrisRhodes–Manawatu-1977TriumphTR7-1m10seclate
3rdPlace-JohnJackson–Horowhenua-1962Riley1.5-1m40secearly
TOPLEFT:
1stplacePostEraRally
1969Daimler
PatHeneghan
NavigatorKenGray
TOPRIGHT: 2ndplacePostEraRally
1977TriumphTR7
ChrisRhodes
NavigatorHarryJackson-Vile
LEFT: 3rdplacePostEraRally
1962Riley1.5
JohnandJennyJacksonfromOhau
GLANCING BACKAT EARLY ISSUESOF BEADED WHEELS
SNIPPETS FROM 2008 - MAGAZINE NUMBERS 289 > 294
A CLASSIC CAR (ANDWHY)?
Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyMadelineCuccio 28April2025
Owningaclassiccarposessomeissuesthatmightnotbeimmediatelyobviouswhenyou're ontheoutsidelookingin.Forinstance,let'ssayyouplanonkeepingthecarlong-termbut don'twanttoaccruemilesforonereasonoranother.Maybeit'sashowcar,orit's particularlyrareandassuchcostlytorepair.Thereareavarietyofreasonswhythesecars oftengetparkedforlongstretchesoftime,butwhatdoesthisinactivitydotothecar,and howoftenshouldyoutakeitoutforaspintohelpcurtailtheseeffects?
Tobegin,wemustfirstestablishwhat'smeantby"driving."Itmaysoundabitredundant, butit'simportanttodistinguishbetweensimplywarmingupthecarandactuallyusingitasit's mechanicallyintended.Carsareengineeredandbuiltforregularuse,andmostworkbest whentheyaredrivenregularlyundernormalconditions.Someofthemoreeccentricvehicles outtheremaynotbedailycommuters,butthemajorityofcarsyouseeontoday'sroadsare designedforfrequentuse.
Thesamephilosophyappliestoclassiccarsaswell,datingallthewaybacktothepioneering daysofmotoring.HenryForddesignedtheModelTasanaffordableandaccessible commutercar,andthebulkofthecarssoldsincethenhavefollowedthattemplate.Formost productioncars,it'sbesttotakethemoutatleastonceamonthanddriveforatleast10-15 minutes.
Whatdoesregularlydrivingyourstoredclassicdo?
Prettymuchallcarsutilizethesamebasicmechanicalandstructuraldesignusingcomplex, sometimesperishablepartstooperatenormally.Theseincluderubberhoses,bushings,belts, gaskets,andtires,exposedmetalonbrakesandthelike,andvariouschemicalfluids.Allof thesearepronetodamageordeteriorationifacarremainsparkedforanextendedperiodof time.
Attheabsolutebareminimum,it'simportanttostartandwarmupthecaronceeveryweekor two,simplytokeepthebatterycharged.Ideally,acarshouldbeproperlydrivenaboutonce amonth,meaninglowdouble-digitmilesandcyclingthroughallofthegears.Thisensures thatthevariousfluidsreachallofthecar'sworkingcomponentsadequately,brakemating surfacesareclearedofrustbuildup,andthevariouspressurizedlinesdon'thardenandcrack fromlackofuse.Gettingtheengineuptooperatingtemperatureandexercisingthesteering, brakesandsuspensioncanalsorevealissuesthathavedevelopedwhilethecarwasparked. Let'sextendthattimelinefrommonthstoyears.Nowyourfuelhasgonebad,yourtireslikely developedflatspots,andthebatteryistotallydrained.Assumingyoudidn'tfillthefueltank alltheway,theremayberustandpittingwhichcanleadtoleaksorhazardsfromescaping fumes.Failingtorecognizethisdecayisoneofthebiggestclassiccarbuyingmistakesyou canmake.Itmightnotbetheendoftheworld,butunderusewillattheveryleastleadto someextramaintenanceprocedures.
Whattolookforwhenstartingyourparkedclassic
Startbycheckingyourtyres;theycanbecomebrittleandmustbecheckedforcracks.Tyres canalsodevelopairbubblesinthesidewalls,orflatspotswheretheymeetthegarageflooror driveway.Batteriesbecomedrained,andmoistureandrepeatedtemperaturechangescan
causehavocwithelectricalcomponents.Ifyouhaven'ttakenthesestepstokeeprodentsout ofyourcarwhileinstorage,theymightchewthroughrubberwireinsulationorhoses.
Yourfuelcanalsogostale.Providedthegasisstillviable,it'seasytostarttheengineand chargethebattery.Butperhapsthebrakelineshaven'tbeenexposedtoanypressureina longtimeandsteppingonthebrakerevealsacrackedlineorleakyfitting.Ordryrothas crackedahose,andrunningtheenginerevealsacoolantleak.
Intruth,classiccarsareeverybitasdependableasmoderncars-ifthey'rewell-maintainedin thefirstplaceandusedonaregularbasis.Butwhileit'sperfectlyviabletodailydriveclassic cars,sometimesthat'snotalwaysthemaingoal.
Oldermilitaryvehiclesmightonlygoonparademaybeonceayear,forexample.Incaseslike these,it'salabour-intensivebutultimatelynecessaryproceduretoproperlycheckandreplace anythingthatlooksrustedorbrittlebeforecommittingtoevenaquicktestdrivearoundtown, letalonealongertrip.
Ifyouhaven'tdrivenyourclassiccarforawhile,thoroughlycheckthebelts,hoses,brakes, fluids,andsteeringcomponentsbeforetakingitoutontheroad.You'llpotentiallysave yourselfaheadacheortowtruckcall,andmightevenbepreventinganaccidentorcostly breakdown.
TOURER TRADER - BUY, SELL & EXCHANGE
WANTED :
Advertisinginthe‘TourerTrader’columnisatnocosttoVCCmembers.
Makemoneybygettingridofthoseunwantedpartsorvehiclesthatyounolongerwant. ForwardyouradvertisementstotheEditor.
Rememberthattheseadvertsarenotonlyreadbylocalbranchmembersbut byVCCmembersinotherVCCbranchesandmembersofothercarclubs.
InthegridbelowfindthefollowinghiddenstreetnamesfromthesuburbofKelvinGrove(1):
GLADYS LOGAN LORENZO HALL
MANAWATUBRANCH
NIGHTTRIAL
StartingfromtheClubrooms
Saturday21st June2025
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.
11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.
VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.
Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches
Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.
MANAWATU BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2025 / 2026
BranchCommitteeOfficeHolders:
Chair: EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
ViceChair: CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 0635633830212837088
Secretary: CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927
Treasurer: KenFoot(Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882
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
Welfare: CommitteeMembers
