A mixed bag this month, enjoying my first Garage Raid and a visit to the well Stretched Gymkhana.
Dennis Burns Editor.
Cover.
See my take on the recollection by John later in the News Letter
Club Night 7th April
Club Night 5th May
Guest Speaker Grant Morell - Railway Modeller
The Car is the Star Morris Cars still going strong!
Grant who resides in Carterton, with an old photo of Carterton railway station and his model of the station as it was in 1965. PHOTOS/LYNDA FERING, ARTICLE/Wairarapa Times-Age
FIXED
Yes, I am back.
All four legs are soundly back attached to the chair.
Many thanks to those club members who attended Barry Wells funeral. Acts of love and support are so important when we lose loved ones. Barry was a very quiet person and didn’t like the limelight. He was a member who provided help and support whenever needed. It is the quiet members that get the daily tasked done that we do miss the most.
Club night was again a huge success. Many thanks go to Kevin Sullivan for pulling a magic collection of MG’s together. Thanks go to Neville Milby, Pual Greet, Willie James, Alec O’Hara, Shaun Leahy and Rae Kennedy for displaying their vehicles. The personal background information from each of them added to the atmosphere and allowed us an insight into the history and stories behind each one. Well done everyone. What a wonderful outing in Martinborough on Saturday. The weather was fantastic and the attendance was exceptional.
Many thanks to Bob and Linda Cumming and John and Rae Kennedy for allowing us to visit their homes. Rolls Royce was the flavour of the day with the first stop at Bob and Lyn’s and then onto John and Rae’s. More to follow, I am sure.
April Club night is an evening with Morris Motor Cars on display along with resumes from their owners. I am looking forward to another informative an enjoyable evening.
With the change back to daylight saving on the 7th of April this will conclude the “ Car is the Star” club nights until next Spring. Many thanks to all of those who provide vehicles. It has been an engaging and informative club activity, enjoyed by all.
The Club Captains run is to be held on Sunday the 13th of April. I have spotted Hugh Hunter with armfuls of maps and copious amounts of notes as he puts another interesting and enjoyable rally together.
Make sure you plan ahead with the highlighter and mark the date. More info to follow.
I attended the National Executive Meeting on your behalf in Christchurch over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of March. I will send a separate summary of the meeting. The main item is the twelve-month WOF and possibly getting a three-year WOF exemption for Veteran Cars. If you haven’t already completed the survey sent out by head office which closes on the 4th of April. Please do so ASAP. If you need the link resent, please contact the secretary Mike D’Alton.
The AGM is to held again at the Working Men’s Club, Greytown on the 8th of June at 11.00 am. We will be having a meal following the meeting. The cost per head is $42.00 per head. If you wish to dine after the meeting, please email Kevin Sullivan with numbers attending and prior payment into the club account is also necessary.
kevsully52@gmail.com
The account details are:- Wairarapa VCC03-0687-0323649-001- Surname in the reference please.
June’s club outing is the Winter Wander on Saturday the 21st of June. More details to come.
July’s club outing will be the Annual Gravel Challenge. More details also to follow.
Events 2025
Saturday 5th April
Inter-Branch ladies Lunch
Horowhenua Branch
Sunday 13th April
Club Captains Run
Details to come
Easter Weekend 18th to 20th April
Wheels at Wanaka 25
This is the last Wheels to be held, so it will be a special Event.
https://www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz/
May
Saturday 3rd May
Motorcycle Reliability Trial
June
Sunday 1st June
Annual Alpine Classic Auto & Cycle Show National park
Sunday 8th June
Club AGM
Saturday 21st June
Winter Wander
July Gravel Challenge
August National VCC AGM & Daffodil Run
September Spring Rally
October New Members Rally
November Gold Medal Motorcycle Trial & Mangatainoka Vintage Car Day
December Club Christmas Function
15th - 21st March 2026
VERO International Festival of Historic Motoring
Being held in the Nelson Tasman region by the VCC, details can be found on the Festival website
https://www.historicmotoring.org.nz/
Monthly
1st Monday of the Month - 7:00pm Club Night
2nd Tuesday of the Month Committee Meeting
3rd Saturday of the Month
Parts Department open
Each Tuesday morning following club-night. The 3rd Saturday of the month, from 9:30am - 12noon
Pre-GPS and Google maps rally navigation thingy?
It’s amazing what you find that you didn’t know existed and wouldn’t know what it was unless you asked.
I had no idea what it was before I spotted it on Willie James’ Norton Commando.
Well here it is.
Behind the very faded sheet of ‘perspex’ is a set of rollers, to which you attached a preprepared route map or rally instructions. Having wound it onto one roller and attached it to the other, you could then (using the side knobs, advance the route map as you progressed in the rally.
PS - If its got a proper name, lease let me know editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Click the link and start your reply.
Dennis
The inside workings -
Ghost on a hairpin From John Kennedy
1987 Summit Loibl pass
Reaching the Summit from the Austrian side. In swirling early morning mist John reconnoitered down on, what was then, the Yugoslavian side of the long disused pass and found out that it met the modern road right where the modern tunnel was
On the way back up John thought “ How long has it been since a Silver Ghost was on this road” and it would be nice to get a picture from the summit hairpin (no 13)
John was of course on his own, so he backed the Ghost down the pass to hairpin 12
Stopped, Handbrake on and in gear! John found some big stones to put behind the rear wheels.
Walked back to the summit, photos taken and the moment recorded for history, then it was time to return to the car and drive it back to the summit
Not as an easy task as initially thought! The Ghost started perfectly, however the roadway was of course not giving any traction due to decades of weeds.
John thought “ I wonder how long it has been since a Silver Ghost was abandoned on this road”
Plan B was called for, especially as John couldn’t push it up a 30% gradient.
Luckily, chopping the weeds away from the rear wheels, backing back a bit gave the Ghost enough traction to get moving.
Back at the summit and the barrier once again secured with a piece of No 8 wire. John was ready for more adventures and now motivated to re-enact the original Austrian Alpine event from 1913, using the original Loibl Pass route up to the old summit
Garage Raid(s)
My first garage raid, however no report this issue.
We had a great day and as Graham has mentioned, a big thank you to our hosts for the day.
Due to prior family commitments I missed the Palliser lunch, so will leave you with a few photos of everyone enjoying themselves in my absence
Well I think they were enjoying themselves, maybe they’re all camera shy?
Stretched Gymkhana 2025
A very hot day is how you would describe the Wairarapa VCC Stretched Gymkhana 2025. But that just made for a fun day and a (very) dry course.
Participant numbers were up from the previous year and everyone seemed to have a bit of competitiveness in their attempts which made for great discussion and laughter. This year’s course was a little shorter than last year, with less tricky ‘gates’ to negotiate, thus making it easier to find your way.
The morning session started with a follow the leader around the course to get acquainted, although in the first few runs after that some still managed to miss a few gates.
by Simon O’Hara
As the track become worn it was easier to stay on course. The times were very tight throughout the day with some only seconds off their allotted time.
After lunch came the knockout rounds, first top sixteen, then top eight , top four and lastly the top 2.
The fight for the honour of being the most consistent driver once again went to Verdon Heath in the little Citroen 2CV with Alec O’Hara once again the bridesmaid in the Mini.
We really enjoyed organising the gymkhana once again and seeing the smiling faces and listening to the friendly banter. Thanks to all who participated and those that helped tidy up at the end of a great day.
Come and join members of neighbouring VCC branches for a natter and nibble. A chance to catch up with friends and make new ones.
Bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided
RSVP: By Monday 31 March 2025
TO: Julie, mjriepen@xtra.co.nz, (027)6565757 mjriepen@xtra.co.nz
https://www.historicmotoring.org.nz/register/
THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
2025 Reliability Trial
The 2025 Reliability Trial will take place on the 3rd and 4th of May. The destination this year is Whanganui. The route will take as many secondary roads as possible and will include a stop at the world renowned Paloma Gardens at Fordell. The gardens have a number of zones containing exotic plants from all over the world. It also has a motorcycle collection that is worth a look. There is a $10 charge to view the gardens and motorcycle collection payable in cash on the day.
Accommodation will be in cabins at the Whanganui Riverside Top 10 Holiday Park.
Once again we are inviting car drivers to participate in this event alongside the motorcyclists.
The entry fee is $20.00.
Accommodation is $48 per person which includes bedding payable in advance.
The event will start from the VCC clubrooms in Chester Road, Clareville. There will be a riders/drivers briefing at 9.30am with the first vehicle away at 10am.
Fill out the attached entry form and email it to Kevin Sullivan at kevsully52@gmail.com
Wairarapa Vintage Car Club
Winter Reliability Trial May 3rd/4th 2025 Entry Form
Entrant
Phone email
Passenger(s)
Vehicle Make/Model/Year
Entry Fees $ 20
Accommodation $48 x (entrant plus passengers) = $
Total Payable $
Please pay entry fee plus accommodation costs into the following bank account;
Account name Wairarapa VCC
Account number 03-0687-0323649-01
Code Rel Trial Reference your surname
Email this form to kevsully52@gmail.com
Please contact Kevin Sullivan on 022 377 8443 or by email at kevsully52@gmail.com if you have any queries.
Model A Nationals
A Summary of events that took place from Monday the 24th to Friday the 28th of February.
The event started on Monday with 138 Model A cars assembling at the Solway Showgrounds for a collective photo and public display.
The entrants also had the chance to test their driving skills with a short Gymkhana obstacle course. This event was put together and run by our local Vintage Car Club. There were six phases to complete- three to test the drivers’ skills and three to test the navigator / passengers’ skills.
Driving skills.
1. The correct distance travelled by the rear wheel to a line with an orange line
2. Placing a plum bob nearest to the centre of a target
3. Backing into a parking space as near the centre as possible.
Navigator skills
1. Throwing six bean bags at a target
2. Pegging six garments onto a washing line
3. Throwing four darts at a dart board.
Thanks go to all of the helpers who made it a fun and enjoyable outing for all. The overall winners were Kevin and Graeme Benson from the UK in a loan car.
Monday evening was Hubley Racing.
Miniature models of Model A’s race three at a time on a specially designed carbon fibre track. The best from various
heats go through to the final. The models are scrutineered to make sure they conform to the rules prior to being accepted for racing.
Tuesday was the start of four different rally routes.
Cars had been assigned a colour group for each day. The day started with four groups assembling at the showgrounds in the morning and heading off in different directions for lunch and their final destination.
The destinations were : > Castlepoint via Alfredton and Tinui with lunch at the
Whakataki Hotel, returning home through Castlepoint and Otahome Stations.
Travelling to Cape Palliser via Ponatahi with lunch at Luna Estate in Martinborough.
Travelling to Pukaha Wildlife Sanctuary and then returning via Mauriceville to Le Gran Estate on the loop Line for lunch and a visit to Pointon’s Museum.
Travelling to Wharekauhau and Ocean Beach via the western side of lake Wairarapa and returning up the eastern side to Cobblestones in Greytown for lunch.
Friday evening completed the event with a period costume dinner at Solway Park and prize giving.
The 18th National Rally will be held in Blenheim and Nelson in 2027
Another chance to talk Fords and tell stories.
Graham Hodder
Model A’s enjoying the Wairarapa weather
Contacts
Chairperson Graham Hodder
027 226 3738 g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz
Secretary Mike D’Alton 021 137 2395 secretarywvcc@yahoo.com
Treasurer Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Club Captain Position vacant
Committee
Hugh Hunter 027 665 9911 j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz
Pat Dutton 027 711 2735 betyjo29@gmail.com
Simon O’Hara 021 141 2332 simonsandieohara@gmail.com
Francis Pointon 06 378 6710 pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz
Dave Patten 027 247 7956 dave.patten28@gmail.com
Frank Lipinski 06 379 7167
Social Convener Position vacant
Custodian Position vacant
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Zenith Editor
Judi Harding 022 379 9126 editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Dennis Burns 021 428 547 editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Librarian Pat Dutton betyjo29@gmail.com
Motorcycle Liaison
Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Spares
Frank Lipinski 06 379 7167
Graham Reidy 06 372 7855 g-a.reidy@xtra.co.nz
Jeff Percy 06 377 4622 j.percy@xtra.co.nz
Dave Walker 06 379 5008
Vehicle Inspectors
Francis Pointon 06 378 6710 pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz
Dave Patten 027 247 7956 dave.patten28@gmail.com
Hugh Hunter 06 306 9847 j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz
Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Our Information
Clubrooms:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road,Clareville
Postal Address: PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 Branch
Website: www.sporty.co.nz/wairarapavcc
Club Night:
First Monday of the month (except January) and June (second Monday) at 7pm.
Committee meet:
Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm
Parts Department:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road, Clareville
Join Frank, Graham and Jeff for yarn and a cuppa when the Parts Department is open.
In this treasure trove, you might also happen to find any bits and pieces you’ve been looking for.
Located at the clubrooms, the Parts Department is open:
• Each Tuesday morning following club-night.
• The 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:30am - 12noon.
You can also contact Frank for an appointment outside standard opening hours by phoning (06) 379 7167
Model A Nationals
A
It was great to receive some random Model A pictures taken by Rob during Model A Nationals. he was helping at the precision reverse parking in your garage exercise
Rob wrote . Me and the bloke who works at the Resource Centre, Brian operated the precision reverse parking in the garage exercise. It was hilarious fun and at lunchtime when I had to depart there had only been 3/100 mark scores”
The car below was not one of them
extra from Rob Jones
A better effort by a different model Model A
The American crew before realigning after explain imperial measurements to them
If there was a peoples choice this would have been mine
This one is not the same as the next one
And this isn’t the same as the previous one
The AA pickup atop the loading ramp in the middle of the park. I don’t think it did the gymkhana. We met these people at Hood while in our MX5 and they have a red NA just like our blue one.
Model A Nationals
Concours Winners
The Concours Judging was undertaken by Murray Ashby as Chief Judge and his band of Associate Judges.
Overall winner of the Car of the Rally went to Paul and Kaye McNabb of Balclutha (Rally No 46) for the restoration of their 1928 Fordor Leatherback, a very rare car, there being only one other of this model in NZ.
The restoration happening over a 40 year period
Collecting
Some people are train spotters, other collect teapots, My father was a plane spotter.
Rob Jones collects photos of old “A” series number plates, having amassed the best part of 1200.
You can imagine his delight in spotting the AW series plate, the scarcest of the all.
For Sale
Club Member Richard Witheford Smith was in a quandary. He had just sold his house, but the family Vulcan was in the garage and not part of the sale. It needed to be moved quickly. At this point I must explain. This was not a 1956 Avro Vulcan V Bomber, but a 1910 Vulcan Motor Car, built in Southport, Lancashire.
Step forward Branch Members Frank Lipinski and Jeff Percy. Using their combined 160 years of experience, they easily managed to get the Vulcan going and drove it from Richard’s house to Dudson’s premises in Carterton, where the proprietors’ had kindly given permission for the car to be stored.
The Car is roadworthy, and a delight to drive according to Jeff. Richard hopes to have it running from time to time in the Wairarapa, and wishes to thank all in the Branch who helped to find the Vulcan a new home.
Remembering and Celebrating Barry Wells
There was a good turnout of members and their vehicles at the service in Masterton on Monday 17th March to remember Barry Wells. Barry’s wife Linda and their children told of fond memories, and longtime friend and branch member Dave Henwood then related some amusing anecdotes in his inimitable fashion.
Barry had been a well-respected and popular member of the club for 34 years, and was often to be found with Frank and Jeff delving through the spares collection.
On the road, he was known primarily among the biking community riding his BMW R50 or BSA Gold Flash. More latterly he and Linda would also turn up in their Triumph Stag or 1938 Chevrolet Coupe.
Linda would like to thank all the club members who attended this celebration.
Rest in Peace Barry.
This is an Avro Vulcan
This is not an Avro Vulcan
MG’s - Car is the Star
by Kevin Sullivan
Thirty four club members attended the March club night where they had an excellent selection of MGs to view, ranging from an early 1930’s supercharged sports car to a 2025 electric sedan
Paul Greet’s 1933 supercharged J2 attracted a lot of attention
with its supercharger and a large SU carburettor between the chassis rails ahead of the front axle. Paul removed the valve cover from the 847cc motor to reveal the overhead cam valve gear on the cross flow head. It was quite a sophisticated design in its day and with the supercharger is capable of speeds up to 80 MPH. Paul has undertaken a lot of work to correct the front axle assembly and to get the motor running properly and reliably including electroplating the carburettor needle to increase its diameter.
A total of 2083 J2s were produced from 1932 to 1934. Neville Milby’s 1939 MG TB will be familiar to most club members. This very well presented car is a favourite with the public at events in the region. The TB had a short production life (4 months) with only 379s units made before production was curtailed by the outbreak of WW2. This makes it a relatively rare car. It was the first MG to use the XPAG which was more tunable and reliable than the earlier TA engine and was used in MG sports cars for the next 15 years. Neville has the complete history of the car including a list of the names of every owner.
Alec O’Hara brought his recently acquired MG TC along. This car has an interesting history having spent the first couple of decades of its life as a race car. It was not road registered until the 1970s. Now refurbished and with a replacement engine it is a fine example of the model.
Willie James’ Magnette was built as a race car with an MGB motor bored out to 1900cc with a twin choke side draft Dellorto carburettor projecting into the left hand guard. It has seen action on the race circuits of the North Island over the last decade or two and competed in the Targa in 2023. It provides Willie with a lot of fun and with its Écurie Écosse paint job and its Minilite wheels it certainly looks the part.
Sean Leahy and Stephanie McGreevy presented their MGC. The MGC is derivation of the MGB with the body shell modified to take a 3 litre 6 cylinder engine. Whilst it might not be quite as agile as the MGB it is a fine touring car. Sean and Stephanie have spruced up the car since they acquired it and it certainly looks fast with its red paint job.
Rae Kennedy gave us a rundown on her MG4 EV. A range of 450km and 0 to 100 kph in 7.2 seconds are impressive figures. The crisp styling and the plush interior add to the attraction. One of our members tried the drivers seat for size and looked so comfortable I thought he would have to be forcibly removed from the car.
As the sun went down we went up to the Clubrooms for a couple of videos giving the history of MG followed by a cuppa and a natter. Overall the evening was a great success. We had a great selection of cars to look at and our thanks go to the owners who brought their cars along. At the end of the evening I asked myself which one would I like to take home. The answer was all of them, if only I had a bigger shed!
I expect that you will all have heard the news that the government have proposed an amendment to the Land Transport Rule concerning Warrants for older vehicles and Motor Homes. If you are unsure of the changes here is a link to a comprehensive article which appeared in One News recently.
The Minister of Transport is proposing changes to the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 (the Rule) and we’d like to know what you think about them. The changes would reduce the frequency of warrant of fitness (WoF) checks on vintage and veteran vehicles and certificate of fitness checks (CoF) on privately owned heavy motorhomes. The link below will take you to the short and simple survey on the NZTA website. I
would encourage all of you to complete this survey to show your support for the change. The survey can be reached by cutting and pasting the link below.
