Welcome to the April edition of the Rivet. The best news that I have heard this week was that our esteemed treasurer, Neil, has been discharged from Wanganui Hospital and is convalescing at home. He has requested that if anyone wants to visit him, then please phone beforehand to see if he is able to take visitors, and to please limit your time with Neil for no more than twenty minutes to enable him to, in his words, ‘sort himself out’.
You would recall in last month’s Rivet, that I expressed concern I may not be able to complete and publish this edition until later in the month. Quite the reverse has happened and I have been able to get it completed and off to the printers and emailed out extra early. I have been somewhat under the pump of late with business matters and succession plans leading up to my retirement. My son says that he still needs me on site and in the office, but I wish to reduce my time spent there and indulge myself with my cars and other hobbies, including being your Editor for the time being, or until someone out there in our membership puts their hand up to take over this role. I hope to spend more time with Frances and also my girl-friend and faithful companion, Missy. There you are, I’ll bet you all thought that this old Editor has a bit on the side when I mentioned I have two ladies in my life! Missy is my German Shepherd dog. All jokes aside, I need something to occupy my time and I do love being on the farm and assisting my son. I have been here since I was six months old.
Last Saturday night, some members volunteered to transport special needs people to their Annual Ball at the Racecourse. It only took up an hour or so of our time, and it really does make one feel so pleased to be able to see the joy on these people’s faces when we escorted them to their fun night. They are lovely people to be around and seem to be so happy. I salute all of the IHC staff and volunteers for the effort they put in to ensure these special people are made a fuss of. Sincere thanks to members who provided transport, Craig and Wendy Ryland, Ian Chamberlain, Dave and Glynis Robinson, and Neville Gorrie with his bus. I was also there.
The following day Mike Marshall organised a full day run to Feilding and beyond. A full report of the day’s activities is be found in this Rivet. Thanks Mike, it was a thoroughly enjoyable run.
Don’t forget the Motorcycle Rally on the 12th and 13th of this month. For those members not participating, come along on Saturday the 12th to the Clubrooms to see these machines and the riders. First bike away at 9.30am. Please read the programme of events in this edition of the Rivet. Rally convener is Bill James. Amazing what Bill and Heather do for the bike fraternity. Another event which I am looking forward to is the Wanganui Road Rodders Park-up on the 27th of this month at City College. I enjoy seeing all the different types of vehicles, and clubs supporting them. My heart is in the VCC and our branch, but I do like looking at the ‘hotted up’ street rods and muscle cars, plus of course, the military vehicles, being a proud member of the Miliary Vehicle Club. I also support the Sunbeam Car Club with my Imp.
Keep in mind that our Annual Rally is coming up in June. The entry form and detailed programme will be in next month’s Rivet. I will also email this out to members who can receive electronic copies, as soon as everything is confirmed.
That’s all from me this month. Yours in cruising, Editor Ian.
Chairman's Report — April 2025
Greetings members
The Saab rejuvenation has progressed rather well. The fuel tank was removed and the fuel pump taken out. Twelve years of stale fuel had left around a centimetre of a tarlike substance all over the bottom of the tank and through the pump. The tank was cleaned out thoroughly and the fuel pump replaced along with the fuel filter. With new fuel added it was time to start the engine. It did start but only on two cylinders. Replacement Bosch fuel injectors are due very soon so we are hopeful that will be the end of our troubles.
I did give Bruce a little cheek about the maintenance manual being on a computer stick. Well, I have to eat humble pie because although it was on the stick, it was written in some unusual code that required a computer geek to make it usable. Ian has ordered a paper book manual written in English and that will arrive about the same time as the injectors.
Just this morning we had a knock on our door and a very excited friend of ours had arrived in his Austin 12/4 New Ascot with all the re-upholstered seats and door trims fitted. He is so happy with his car, and although it still has other areas that probably need attention, he cannot hide his excitement. I think that is one thing a vintage car can do for you. I have been reading about well heeled celebrities with very expensive modern vehicles in their collections, but their favourites are the older simpler ones.
Our builder friend Roger Tibbs and his lovely wife Denise have been here for few days sorting out the last build issues with our kitchen. As Mike Marshall was using the window we had just removed, he came over at the same time. Both Mike and Roger have Aerial Square Four motorcycles in their collections. It was just fantastic to hear these two sharing their experiences and knowledge about this marque. A point of interest is that Roger is looking for a Vintage American pickup truck to restore. He has toured a lot of back woods America in his role as a Country Singer and has grown to love the old machinery they have there as well as the music.
We really enjoyed the whole day out with Mike Marshall on his run. We do not get to see many of the collections over in the Manawatu ourselves. I can say I have been to the Thompson Motorcycle Museum three times and it still thrills me to see such a collection.
A point of NZ etiquette. A very normal greeting on country roads is to raise the index finger up off the steering wheel and nod the head slightly as you pass an on coming vehicle. It has been referred to as the Chev wave but it is considered polite and welcoming. Try it next time you are out in your Vintage and see what response you get.
Andrew Dittmer
Club Captain’s Report— April 2025
Greetings members
Autumn seems to have arrived quite quickly with cooler nights and shorter days. For our March Club Night we visited Ed Boyd’s Autobarn. Hinemoa has been keen for us to visit the Autobarn for a while. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing evening. The displays were relevant to all of us and the movie including the Waimarie restoration was a great reminder for me of weekends and time spent making and fitting the timber work for the boat. It’s funny how quickly pictures, especially movies, look old fashioned. 2000 was only a couple of years ago though wasn’t it. Thank you Hinemoa for a great evening. We have the Motorcycle Rally coming up on the 12th -13th of April. I’m sure it is organised by now with Heather and Bill at the helm. If you would like to be involved as a spectator or helper talk to either of them. Wanganui Road Rodders have their Parkup Fundraiser on the 27th of April. This is always a popular day with our members. Meet in Cooks Street by 8.00am and then travel over to City College as a group. There is no Sunday Run in April, we have the Motorcycle Rally and the Road Rodders Parkup, also the normal run weekend is in the middle of Easter. It seems a bit hard to fit everything in.
On the weekend of 8th -9th of March I attended the VCC Executive Meeting in Christchurch, I found it very interesting and worthwhile. We were told about the purchase of a building in Christchurch by the VCC. This is a replacement for the earthquake damaged building and will be the headquarters for the national VCC office. Another item that deserves our attention is the change of the national constitution, the structure of the national management of our Club is changing. This is to streamline decision making and to meet the requirements of the Government’s upcoming law changes for clubs. Once the National Constitution is adopted, we will need to update our club constitution. We had a report on the International Rally in Nelson next year, and entry forms will be out soon. The Nelson organisers are working hard to get as many people as they can to the rally. They also told us there is a time limit on entries and if they don’t reach a break-even number within a certain time the rally will not go ahead to avoid a situation like the Dunedin rally which didn’t work out too well. A gentleman from NZTA spoke to us about registering vehicles that had been off the road for a long time. His first point is that the NZTA want to see our cars on the road and will work with us to make that happen. We do need to work through their process. Photos and building a story around a vehicle is one of the best tools for registering a car. WOF’s were discussed, the introduction of one-year warrants for vintage vehicles is imminent. There is still work going on for veteran vehicles, they are looking at 3-year warrants for them. Initially they discussed no warrants for veterans but the stumbling point was that they would be restricted to a speed of 30kmh. Military vehicles are a group that is still being negotiated, I don’t see an issue with them, if they’re club Vintage Car Club vehicles they should come under our umbrella.
That’s it for me folks, enjoy the change of seasons. Rob.
Taylor’s Treasures
A visit to Karen and Lee Taylor’s property
I am very pleased to bring Karen’s and Lee’s VCC story this month. I little bit of arm twisting on my part, saw this coming to fruition. Where do I start? Lee is a much respected tradesman in Wanganui, particularly when he was in business here in town. I have heard from one of his opposition engineers that Lee could bloody near weld sheets of paper together such was his welding and machinery prowess. High praise indeed. This lovely couple have been together for coming up thirty nine years, and were married nineteen years ago in Rarotonga. Lee said that wife Karen has always been an enthusiastic supporter of his affliction to Veteran and Vintage cars, as evidenced by her presence at our rallies and many Sunday runs. Lee has been a VCC member in our branch for over fifty years. Note the photo below. Lee was presented this after daylight saving came in. Lee organised a successful petition back in 1972, which he presented to Parliament. I’ll bet many members didn't know that! Here is Lee’s motoring story written by the man himself. Editor Ian.
I started work for the ministry of works in Wellington at the draughting training centre in 1965. I came back to Wanganui in 1966 and worked in the MOW Civil Design office Government Life Building on Guyton Street, Victoria Ave corner. Then transferred to Palmerston North office where I did drawings for the Massey University ring road and some of the culverts on the Foxton Strait. Then transferred to Auckland Office for 2 years and came back to Wanganui in 1970 where I worked until I left to start my own engineering business in 1978. The last job for them was to design and produce working drawings for the construction of the Tangarakau River Bridge No 3 on State Highway 43. (the Forgotten Highway) between Stratford and Taumarunui.
I bought my first car when I was 13 with lawn mowing money. It was a Ford Model Y Unfortunately it was written off when I inadvertently pulled out from the Aramoho bus stop in front of a car, so I then bought a Ford Model C chassis and body and transferred the running gear over. Next was a 1951 Hillman Minx which I drove to Auckland and back many times when I was working there for the Ministry of works. I sold that and bought a lovely 1955 Ford Zephyr which I sold to a young man when I returned to Wanganui in 1970, only to see it a week later written off on the Gonville Service Station tow truck. Next was a Fiat 125 which we toured the South Island in. It was a great car to drive and one of the first double overhead camshaft engine cars before the Japanese started making them. My first model A was a 1930 town sedan which I bought from a local builder and came with a trailer with Model A wheels. We drove this car for some time as our daily driver and it did a few trips to Gisborne and back and toured Northland with Geoff and Wendy Lawson. It was very original and not restored. We eventually swapped it for a 1932 Ford Model B4, which we later sold to Graeme Purves, but I wish I still had it today. I bought the bones of my 1928 Model A Phaeton in 1972 and joined the VCC. I built/rebuilt it over the next two years and did all the panel work, painting and engine rebuild including making a set of adjustable cam followers which are still working in there 51 years later. Albie Voss was very helpful and did a great job of the upholstery as I had nothing to start with, no seats or door cards. I’ll never forget Albie, he was a real treasure to our club.
Taylor’s Treasures
Just before the 2012 international rally here we bought a 1926 Ford Model T Roadster. It was advertised on Trade-me in Lower Hutt so David McDermid and I went to see it. The bonnet hinge was seized and Dave was trying to see under that while I looked underneath, then Dave said “I think you better buy this car” so I looked and saw that it had an overhead valve aftermarket head. The next week Alex Garrett kindly loaned me his Ford Falcon, and with a borrowed trailer, Dave, John Bullock and myself went and brought it home. That was the start of my Model T affliction. It turned out that all the big end bearings were without white metal so we changed the engine for one I had got from driving a saw-bench some years before near Waverley. Next was the 1915 Model T Ford which satisfied my urge for a Veteran. Driving this all day is very exhausting, as it is not at all like driving a Model A. Next was the 1965 MGB roadster, which we later sold to Sietse and Pierre Zeilstra. I left The Ministry of Works in 1978 and started my own business doing automotive repairs and servicing but over time I transitioned to doing precision engineering work as I had acquired more equipment. Later on I started doing automotive radiator repairs and recores and continued until I retired in 2020. A major engineering job I did was to rebuild the Waimarie paddle/crankshaft, and machine up the new bearing housings and bronze bearings. Dave McDermid tells me that they haven’t had to be touched for twenty five years and are still working fine. Recently I line-bored and re-metalled the main bearings in a Ford Model T block for Chris Lawrence to fit a new counterweighted crankshaft he had bought with Model A size journals. Model A rods were too long and had the wrong little end for the Model T pistons, so I cut up a set of A rods and T rods and welded the appropriate pieces together and re-metalled them to fit the crankshaft.
Top left: 1915 Ford Model T
Top right: 1928 Ford Model A. Owned by Lee since 1972. Has to be Editor’s pick. Lovely old car.
Left: Sitting in a back shed, a 1926 Ford Model T Roadster. There are a couple or so more T’s in parts in another shed awaiting restoration!
Lee also showed me his well equipped workshop where this very gifted man still manufactures those hard to find parts. Thanks Lee and Karen. Editor Ian
Burma Rally 2025
Top left: Bruce Thomas and Jacky Evans, Wanganui, in Bruce’s 1956 Vauxhall Cresta.
Top right: 1930 Ford Model A. Wanganui’s David and Mihi McDermid.
Above left: James Whibley and Thomas Wilson, Wanganui. 1971 Volkswagen Beetle 1302s.
Above right: 1980 Ford Cortina with Win Bishop and Daphne Williams from Manakau.
Below left: Barry and Hilary Pettengell, Waikanae. 1926 Chrysler Finer 70.
Below right: 1964 Hillman Series 5. Mike Green and Evert Van Reenen from Wanganui.
Burma Rally 2025
Top left: Steve and Lesley McCann, Whakatane, in their 1975 Triumph Spitfire.
Top right: 1935 Morris 8. Wanganui’s Pat and Sandra Carrick.
Above left: Glen Loveridge and Janine Vicars, Taihape. 1939 Chevrolet Master 85.
Above right: 1951 Javlin with Neville Gorrie and Roy Sharman, Wanganui.
Below left: Richard and Shona Hopper, Wanganui, in their 1968 Ford Cortina 1600e
Below right: 1957 Morris Minor Ute. Matt and Kaylee Andrews from Wanganui.
Burma Rally 2025
Top left: Ian and Sarah Howell, Wanganui, in their 1986 Citroen 2CV.
Top right: Bernie Quin, Naenae, in his 1966 Hillman Super Minx.
Above left: From Napier, Paul and Janine Anderson. 1936 Chevrolet Standard Coupe.
Above right: NI Club Captain Glyn, and Cathy Clements, Feilding.1961 Morris Minor.
Below left: 1960 Jaguar Mk2 with Alastair McCarthy and Angela Edgely, Lower Hutt.
Below right: Sue Voss, Eilidh and Siobhan Pitkethley, Wanganui, in Sue’s 1978 Marina.
Motorcycle Rally
On Sunday 23 February 2025 the Horowhenua Branch of the Vintage Car Club held its annual Ted Green Memorial Motorcycle Rally.
Three Wanganui Branch Members of the Vintage Car Club travelled to Levin to participate in the event – Bill James, Dave Henwood and Frank James. Bill was riding his Triumph, Dave his BSA and Frank was on his Suzuki – all VCC eligible bikes with current VIC cards.
Some 24 riders assembled at the Horowhenua Branch VCC Clubrooms at Levin for the rally with the first rider away at 10:00 am. A number of VC Branches were represented including Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Wanganui together with hosts Horowhenua. The rally started with a tricky ‘Field Test’ then onto the route which turned out to be a morning ride of around two hours taking riders though many town and country roads of Horowhenua (including some gravel roads) before arriving at Foxton for the lunch-stop which was a BBQ held in a local park.
After about an hours break the afternoon ride took us out through Foxton Beach before crossing SH1 and riding through the eastern side of one of the VCC club member’s farm before getting back to the Horowhenua Branch Clubrooms for afternoon tea and prize-giving.
There was some success for the Wanganui riders with Dave winning his class and Bill shared the most accurate time with two other competitors through the timed section.
A really good friendly event and most enjoyable day out with like minded motorcyclists.
Bill James Motorcycle Convenor
42nd Autumn Motorcycle Rally
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April 2025
Sponsored by:
Boyd’s Auto Barn
H&A Print Printing and Stationery
Wanganui I-Site
Horizons Regional Council
Rivercity Press
Bunnings Wanganui
ACC Wanganui
Please support our sponsors
42nd Autumn Motorcycle Rally 2025
12th-13th April
Route: Approx 100 miles Speeds: 20 – 50 mph
Programme:
Saturday 12th 8.00 am - Clubrooms open to collect Rally Packs and cuppa
8.30 am - Close of Day entries (Meals not available)
9.00 am - Trial Briefing
9.30 am - First Entrant away
4.00 pm - Completion of runs and cuppa
6.00 pm - Drinks, to be followed by an informal dinner for ticket holders and prize giving
Please BYOG
If you are not having a meal you are very welcome to come along and enjoy the prize giving.
Sunday 13th 9.00 am – Clubrooms will be open for a short ride to a place of interest, morning tea and farewell.
Rally Rules:
1. The Rally is open to anyone and any motorcycle.
2. To compete for VCC prizes vehicles must be eligible as defined by club rules, be entered by a financial member of the VCC of NZ Inc, and either the owner of the vehicle or the driver on the day shall be a member of the club, or if resident from overseas, a member of a recognized overseas organisation.
3. All vehicles are expected to be in a clean, tidy and roadworthy state of presentation.
4. VCC members with non-eligible vehicles, and non-club members are welcome to enter and compete for the Classic Class prizes.
Rally Classes:
1) Veteran 2) Vintage 3) Post Vintage 4) Post War 5) P60V 6) P80V 7) Classic
All replies and enquires to:
The Rally Convener, Bill James, 4 Eaton Crescent, Wanganui, 4500.
Phone: 027 353 2190
Email: heatherandbilljames@gmail.com
Please
Burma Rally 2025
Top left: Sam and Irene Wilson, Wanganui in their 1958 Morris Minor 1000.
Top right: Chrysler Valiant Panel Van with Toni Jenkins and Fay Wilbur, Wanganui
Left: Last car away. 1990 Holden Commodore. Ian and Frances Higgins, Wanganui. Mr Editors car.
Below left: Best dressed lady at the dinner, Alice Brotherston, Wanganui
Below right: Best dressed man at the dinner, Neil Beken ( right), North Shore.
This winds up all the pics from our Burma Rally 2025. Thank you all for participating. Thanks also to the hard working members who organised the week-end of events. Hope to see you all at our Annual Rally in June. Keep an eye on the Rivet. Editor Ian.
Sunday Run with Mike Marshall
By Editor Ian
Well Mike, you have lost none of your run setting skills since you retired as Club Captain years ago. Twenty cars turned out for the last Sunday Run, including some members from outlying areas who met up with the main group which left the Clubrooms Sunday morning. We journeyed up Durie Hill and turned down Warrengate Road, then left into Turakina Valley Road. Lots of twists and turns later, we ended up in Crofton and eventually Halcombe Road. The leading car in the grouping I found myself in, suddenly veered off in the wrong direction at one set of crossroads we encountered on the back country roads. No, I am not mentioning the names of the people in the Vauxhall. I tooted out, but as others were behind me, I thought bloody hell, I am now the lead car! Good luck everyone I thought. Luckily I had my trusty GPS so the rest was easy with a map constantly in front of me. Cheating? Yes but who cares. Only my pride was at stake and it was not a competitive run.
Anyway, after negotiating many roads, both metalled and sealed, including a very long and at times winding Finnis Road, our sub-grouping arrived at Poangina Village and found Luttrell’s Museum. So much memorabilia there with many old vehicles and machinery (below left). I just loved the collection of old tractors. I didn't have time to wander through the maze of well cared for gardens, but no doubt some members did. A most interesting venue. After having lunch here, we set forth over lots more metaled roads interspersed with those sealed. Travelling through Watershed Road, and along with many twists and turns, we ended up at The Black Barn at 48 Harrisons Line in Ashurst, the home of Kirsty and Steve Ward (on right). An extremely well present American styled car and memorabilia museum awaited our inspection, containing a few mainly gigantic Cadillacs set among all sorts of motoring memorabilia. An old motorcycle (pictured) caught my eye. Not being a bike man, I cannot recall the make or model. No doubt our bike guru, Bill James will know! Thank you Mike for setting an interesting Sunday Run. Something quite different with roads many of us have not ventured over before. I’m glad that I took my old Holden, which, like me, doesn't mind the metal!
May
June
Club Calendar
Club Runs meet at the Clubrooms at 1pm unless stated
2nd Club Night.
10th and 24th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am
12th-13th Annual Motorcycle Rally.
27th Park up at City College. Wanganui Road Rodders .Meet by 8.00am in Cooks Street, then travel as a group to City College.
No Sunday Run in April because of Easter.
7th Club Night.
8th and 22nd Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
10th Working Bee at Clubrooms. 9am to12 noon.
18th Wanganui Toy Fair at Springvale Stadium. Vehicles required for display. Space limited to 12 cars. Please contact Sietse and Pierre to let them know about bringing your vehicle. Phone 027 345 6977.
18th Sunday Run after Toy Fair. Meet at Clubrooms from 1.00pm, leaving at 1.30pm. Please bring a plate for afternoon tea.
1st Wanganui Branch VCC Annual Rally.
107 Rapanui Road Westmere
Farm shop opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday 8am to 1-30 pm
Bates Watchmakers
130 Victoria Ave, Wanganui
Phone/Fax 06 345-2235
Email: bateswatch@gmail.com
Watch Specialists for Whanganui
Sales & Repairs
Mainstreet’s Top Shop Award Winner
WANGANUI ELECTROPLATING CO. LTD
‘NZ’s Finest Automotive Platers’ 68 Wilson Street Wanganui
Acknowledged experts on all types of Vintage and Post Vintage Nickel and Chrome Plating.
For all your METAL FINISHING REQUIREMENTS
Copper, Brass, Bronze, Antique Finishing and Metal Polishing Phone Dave on Wanganui 06 345 5042 or 021 057 6726 for prompt and efficient service.
Ed Boyd Parts Shed
We have an outstanding collection of engines, gearboxes, body parts, spares, new and used, from a vast range of manufacturers. These parts span from the early 1900’s to more modern production vehicles. If you are looking for anything, large or small, to keep your car on the road call us to see if we can assist. You will find our prices unbelievable. Please call or email us:
Dave 06 347 6915 027 555 4201 whanganuiriverboats@xtra.co.nz
Chris 06 348 7335 027 443 1184 cgandkrwhite@gmail.com
For Sale: 1927 Essex. (Right) Very original. $12000 ono. Includes spare parts. Contact Judy 027 254 7601
For Sale: 1939 Nash 400. ( Below) Great cruiser. $20000 ono. Includes spare parts. Contact Judy 027 254 7601
For Sale: Austin 7 Single Seater. Unfinished project. Modified. Contact Mike 021 235 2035
For Sale: 1953 Lanchester Leda 4 cyl 4 speed Wilson pre-select, Rego on hold, 58574 m, new tyres, brakes relined, has been running, always garaged, sound body, fair interior. $4000 ono. Barry Cleaver 06 3887871, Taihape
For Sale: 1930 Austin 7 Special. Roadworthy and registered. On standard wheelbase chassis. Older owner needs garage space for another project. $2500. Phone Colin 06 3089238
For Sale: 1978 Leyland Marina HDL. Original condition. Health reasons for selling. $6500. Phone Sue Voss 021 296 6210
