Property Manager Bill Pinkham pinkham@outlook.co.nz 021-221-7116
Club Talks Coordinator Brian Christensen bestelectronics@outlook.co.nz 565-0664
Social / Welfare Tasi Betteridge tasiandray@gmail.com 027-601-5399
Appointed Officers
Librarian Peter Simpson psimpsonnz@gmail.com 0274-748-220
Scribe to Beaded Wheels John Stokes tourist.times@xtra.co.nz 027-537-9491
Fire Engine Custodian John Jackson jackapp@xtra.co.nz 027-2348702
Motorcycle Rep Peter Simpson psimpsonnz@gmail.com 0274-748-220
VIC Officers: Don Hawkes mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz 232-8514 David Gwynn gwynn.family@xtra.co.nz 527-7875
W/shop Custodian Don Hawkes mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz 232-8514
Archives John Sheppard john@johnsheppard.co.nz 027-312-1089
Web Master Trevor Barnes trevor.barnesnz@gmail.com 0211-588-033
New Member Liaison for December: Brian Christensen
NO CALLS AFTER 9:00PM PLEASE Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of VCC Wgtn Branch
Chat from the Chair pages 4, 5
From the Captain’s Table page 6, 7
Kapiti Midweek Runs pages 8, 19
Long Term Membership Awards page 9
Christmas BBQ Notice page 9
November Rally Report pages 10, 11
page
NAME BADGES
CHAT from the CHAIR TasiBetteridge
“HEARTBEAT” November Club-night marked a significant milestone for our Branch. We unanimously voted to adopt our Vintage Car Club NZ Wellington Branch Inc. constitution!! Sincere thanks to Phil Kidd, Alastair McCarthy, Tom Hudig and Don Hawkes for the sterling effort they put into making this document conform to all requirements to please all the powers that be! Thank you too, to all those members that responded with suggestions which the above committee were able to apply to the document. It was great to have Ian McCulloch’s legal eye give our constitution the once over. I guess a constitution is one of those necessary evils – a pain to go through the process, but golly gosh if something gets up someone’s nose the Constitution soon rears its head and proves it’s worth – so it’s awesome that we have an up to date, compliant document which we can now lay to rest for a little while. Thank you too to our members for turning out to have your say. I was a little worried about our attendance being down due to the subject being discussed, but I was pleasantly surprised.
One thing that would have helped the attendance at clubnight was our advertised speaker, Barry Rozenberg, who talked about his trials and tribulations when restoring his caravan. Wendy, you are a true trooper with your support during this restoration. Barry was presented the Meritorious Restoration Award for his meticulous work, attention to detail and perseverance on what is truly a meritorious restoration. Also receiving an award was David Wilkens, getting his 35 year badge. Congratulations to you both.
My heart gives a flutter when I think of Christmas – I just love it –much to Ray’s regret!! My tree is up in its full glory and all I get is –it’s November!! This brings me to put on my Social Convenor’s hat. As this goes to print we will have just had the Children’s Christmas Party which is always a fun event for the children. If your children/ grandchildren/great grandchildren attended, we hope they had a great time with all the activities available and the treats handed
Chat from the Chair, continued from page 4:
out! Thank you to all the volunteers - those who decorated the clubroom, helped with crafts, provided vehicles for rides, drove “Sqwirt” the fire engine, to our jolly Santa and to the organisers. This event would not be the success that it is without all of you giving of your time – thank you!
Now to our Branch Christmas BBQ. This is on Tuesday 16 December at 6pm. Please let me know if you are attending and please make your payments online. (See notice, page 9)
This is our last Motoring Spirit for the year, so on behalf of our Branch Committee I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas, full of love, joy and happiness. I wish you good health, some wealth - and everything that makes your heart beat to a tune that makes you happy in 2026!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Be safe, be kind, and God Bless - Tasi
Children’s Christmas Party: Santa and his helpers; a dad tries his hand at facepainting; and all ages enjoying fire engine rides.
If not do it right now; all we want to know is who is coming and your email address so the "waypoints" can be sent to you. It is the only rally of the year where you can start wherever you like (after 9am) and any instructions are done by you, so they can't possibly be wrong can they? Get to the lunch spot by midday and the end point by 4pm visiting as many or as few of the waypoints as you like and all should be fine. Remember there are points incentives for Vintage and Post Vintage vehicles too, so a bit of preplanning once the waypoints are sent out and anyone who enters could be this years winner. The lunch stop will be at the Manawatu Vintage Car Club's rooms on Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North and the finish will be at the Motel, 151 on London, Whanganui. We will have the conference room available at the motel for our usual bring your own barbeque meal that evening.
The following day, (Sat 17) is the display day –a major part of the Whanganui Vintage Weekend. The lower part of Victoria Avenue is closed off for the (all) vehicle display and there are different bands and other activities as well as the riverside market. Late afternoon there is a run around Whanganui for those who wish to attend.
Sunday 18th, the Whanganui VCC is running their "Burma Rally", an all day event which is always popular. The entry form is available now. Monday 19th, the weekend is winding down, but the trolley derby is back this year; anyone from Wellington want to enter? So if you want to attend, get your entries in now please and get your accommodation sorted to as it’s a very popular weekend. February will be busy too, with American Car Day on Sunday 1st and British and European on the following Sunday 8th. Art Deco Weekend in Napier is on from 19 - 22nd, with a feature of Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles. So there are entries to be done and maintenance to be attended to; off you go and get it done. And you have Christmas to deal with too!
Regards, Neale
November Kapiti Midweek Run Jenny and John Jackson
This was our last event for the year. Approximately 28 people, half in classic cars and half in modern cars, arrived at the Lavender farm in Te Horo at 10am. Suzie (who has been running the farm for 25 years) introduced herself and explained how the Lavender farm worked. Their Lavender oil has won many awards all around the world and she put it down to the way the farm was first set up. The lavender flowers are put through a steaming process at exactly the right temperature. Suzie also showed us the unique way they harvest the oil with a contraption invented by a local man. We enjoyed a coffee, tea and a piece of lavender shortbread at the farm. Suzie had a lovely shop full of lavender gifts, calendars, soap and, of course all types of oil. I bought some oil (apparently it is meant to make you sleep better – so I will have to experiment a bit more before I can say it works).
After our visit we came to our home in Ohau for a picnic lunch. A tour of the house and garden, picnic lunch and a look at a Riley or two. We enjoyed the company of our vintage car club members.
Some of the cars (left) on the run to the Lavender Farm (above).
LONG TERM MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
The following members have received long term membership awards this month:
50 Year Awards: Peter Chaney and David Millman.
35 Year Awards: David Wilkens and John Viner.
25 Year Awards: Peter Simpson, Colin White, Nigel Duncan. Wellington Branch congratulates them on this achievement.
NOVEMBER RALLY by
Claire Benge
The November Rally was getting close and Bruce and I were discussing which vehicle we would take - his 1946 Ford V8 or my 1986 Citroen 2CV Special. Bruce argued that I had driven the 2CV on last years rally while I argued that this was only because the truck was having trouble with its motor and that the problem had been fixed since and we had taken it on several rallies
Then Bruce had a good idea. "Why don’t I see if my old friend Colin Dray can come down from Cambridge for the November Rally. He was a member of the Wellington Vintage Car Club in the early days before my Graham Paige was restored. I navigated for him in his 1925 Oakland on the first International Rally here in 1965. We could do a swap and Colin could navigate for me in the Ford truck and Jean could navigate for you in the 2CV." "Great!” I said, so Bruce immediately rang Colin and it was settled.
Colin and Jean duly arrived a couple of days before the rally, and on Saturday 1st November we set off. Jean and I were leading as it would be the first time I would be driving over the Remutakas in the 2CV, and I was not sure if I could cope. With the good start that Bruce and Colin gave us, we were halfway down the Wairarapa side before they caught us up. From there we all motored successfully into Featherston for the start.
After checking out our friends and the large variety and number of cars (well over 20, but not all competitive) Jean and I were one of the first cars to set off southwards to Martinborough then northeast to end up crossing over SH2 in Greytown. That was where we (and several others) got lost because we ignored the 'straight ahead unless otherwise instructed' rule (did Neale put that in on purpose?) We all found ourselves back on the route however, heading towards Masterton before turning off the main road towards the east on back roads again.
After following more instructions Jean and I found ourselves lost again, having not seen any cars for a while and with it being nearly
1pm, I made the decision to head for the lunch stop at Masterton. Previous rallies had given me a sense of where to go, so we soon got to Hood Aerodrome where we checked in (last).
We had a very pleasant picnic lunch with the others on the verandah of the Wairarapa Aero Club (the first Aero Club to be formed in New Zealand) rooms. A representative of Legend Aviation was there to show us around the collection of small vintage aeroplanes next to the Club rooms that we had been admiring.
Both Jean and I were tired from the journey over the Remutakas and then getting lost around the countryside, so we decided to drive home (me because it was the furthest I had driven the 2CV and Jean probably because she had to cope with the navigating and with my erratic driving). We had plenty of time to prepare for the evening. The Dinner that night was the usual very high standard as Tasi had will we/won’t we win anything? Well, we did!!! Bruce and Colin won the Post War section while Jean and I were awarded the First Lady driver award (probably we were the only entry considering our lousy performance). But it was a pleasure to receive it and hopefully there will be
Above: Bruce and Colin with the Post Vintage Class award.
Left: Tasi presenting Claire with the Vera Southward Rosebowl.
1Equal John & Deidre Blakemore 1930 Ford Model A Roadster
1Equal Ray Betteridge 1928 Ford Model A Coupe 3rd Barry &Hilary Pettengell 1926 Chrysler Finer 70
1
ANNUAL RALLY, DINNER AND AWARDS - PHOTOS
VCC National President, George Kear (at left in the photos), presented Peter Chaney (L) and David Millman (R) with their 50 Year Membership Awards at the Branch Annual Dinner.
Left: Peter’s black Packard seen at the beginning of the rally run in Lyon St, Featherston.
Right: Keeping it in the family? Tasi presents the Gavin Croft Memorial Trophy to Will Chaney, the overall Rally winner. Tasi made him sit as he towered over her when he received the Post 60 winner award earlier!
Annual Rally Top photo: Bevan explains about one of the Tiger Moths at Legend Aviation. Photo at Left: Neale giving the briefing before the rally. Heritage Festival Display
Centre photo: Cars on display at Paekakariki Tram Museum, Nov 2nd.
Barry Rozenberg’s CARAVAN RESTORATION
Barry brought his 1962 Starliner Caravan to the November club night and gave a talk about the restoration. Note the colour match with the ute being used to tow the caravan! See pg 16
Barry Rozenberg’s MERITORIOUS CARAVAN RESTORATION
Barry, from Upper Hutt, started work as an apprentice joiner with the MoW in the 1980s but later moved to working for himself building houses. He bought the caravan about 12 to 14 years ago, bringing it home in two pieces, and has spent about 10 years of spare time doing the restoration. This included stripping and sanding, folding new aluminium panels (at VCC) , replacing bracing, restoring fibreglass, new cedar framing, and making all the cabinetry (oregon plywood). The windows are original except the front one which is now safety glass. The broken skylight was replaced, and wool insulation put in the walls. He also made the two period surfboards (one cedar and one redwood) on the roof and went to Opunake to get the fins. They hide a secretthey have solar panels in them! The interior of the caravan is beautiful -ly done with period bench formica and other décor. The photos of the caravan don’t really do it justice!
Barry and Wendy did their first trip away in the caravan last Christmas and say it is very comfortable and gets lots of attention. Barry was presented with a Meritorious Restoration Award for the amazing work he has done. Congratulations to Barry and to Wendy; it’s a marvellous restoration and looks great.
From the Editor
VCC helping the THIN BLUE LINE: Recently the local Police used the clubrooms as a base for one officer. A drone was used to monitor a public event at Petone foreshore so Police could respond quickly if there were any problems.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Ray Betteridge and Will Chaney for the use of some of their photographs in this issue. Will took photos at the rally: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCALYp
Thanks also to all the people who sent material and photos during the year, particularly Trevor Barnes regarding the Motorcycle Section, and Phil Pearce and Jenny Jackson mostly for the Kapiti group.
Cars seen at the November Southward’s Cars and Coffee.
MOTORCYCLE SECTION REPORT
Meeting Monday 24 November: 10 people attended. Apologies from Peter Simpson, Dennis Palmer. Past Events attended.
October Club Night Motorcycle Presentation 21 Oct: This study of veteran motorcycle "gearboxes" was very well received. John Appel, David Gwynn and Vince (Snow) Benge talked and illustrated various veteran motorcycle gearing systems. The example bikes on display were a Rudge, a Rex and a P&M.
BSA Bantam Rally 8 Nov: Based on the Coach House Museum in Feilding. Ashley Blair attended. The focus, as usual, was Joy McKean, who rode a Bantam around the world. The museum displayed about 800 digitized slides amongst other items. The ride was local to the Fielding area. There will be another rally next year.
Manawatu Classic Rally 15 November: Ashley experienced a flooding carb on this run but still scored 1st 1960’s bikes on the BSA Gold Star. The biggest drama was a bike with a broken throttle cable loaded onto the trailer to later cartwheel off!
Wairarapa Gold Medal Trial 22 November: Attendees were Ashley Blair, Ian Munro, Adrian Macnee, Paul Switzer and Trevor Barnes. A good run in fine weather with lunch at Riversdale. The long route took in the Long Bush Road and the Te Wharou-Westmere Road route to the Castle Point Road, then took the second turnoff to Riversdale. A few riders went off-track or accidentally onto the short route but still found themselves at Riversdale. The afternoon run was the direct route back to the clubrooms. Very pleasing to see Ashley’s Gold Star BSA on the run. Class winners from Wellington were Paul (PV) and Trevor (P60). Medals were Ashley (Gold), Paul and Ian (Bronze). Simon Byrne took the overall trophy, the Ken Bull Sheild.
Auckland Motorcycle Rally 22 November: Peter Simpson attended this rally. We look forward to hearing about it when he returns.
Coming Club Events.
Club Night BBQ Tuesday 16 December: Joining with the Branch.
Christmas Ride Thursday 18 December: In the Wairarapa. Leave Brown Owl at 9:30am for a ride down Western Lake to Lake Ferry.
Aaron’s South Island Tour 27 Feb-8 March: **Bluebridge requires the make and rego of your bike. Details to Aaron ASAP. Non club events.
BSA International Rally 13-20 Feb: At Silverstream Retreat.
Matchless/AJS Jampot Rally 20 Feb: To be held in New Plymouth. Other Business: Biennial Rally 2026 24-25 January: Organised; marshals needed. 2026 Meeting Dates: A schedule has been supplied to the Empire for confirmation. April and October will be 3rd Monday.
Next Meeting: Monday 26 January 2026 at the Empire, 7:30pm.
KAPITI MID-WEEK VISIT TO MAVTECH, FOXTON, 29th OCTOBER
The Museum of Audio and Visual Technology in Foxton is in the original Foxton Cinema built in 1926 and is one of the very few in the world still showing the early films on original carbon-arc projectors. To begin our visit we were shown half-an-hour of newsreels from around 1960, followed by a couple of early silent movies. Then, as we explored the various eras of radios, cameras, phonographs, sound-recording, plus movie-making and projection equipment, the museum volunteers showed that many items still worked as well as they did the day they were made. The 99 year-old pianola seemed to be the most popular, with several members demonstrating uncanny musical talents! Afterwards, about 20 members enjoyed a good natter over lunch at the Cafe de Molen.
Kapiti Midweek members checking out the equipment at MAVTECH.
FOR SALE: MERCEDES BENZ 280 CE 1978
White COUPE , Automatic 6 -cylinder petrol, Lovely order. To be sold with current WOF and Rego; Mileage 112,000. Price $21,000
Phone: Tony 027 687 7757
FOR SALE: 1930 MODEL A PHAETON
Henrietta is the ex-Bill Oppatt 1930 Model A Phaeton. Has current WOF & Reg, runs well, etc., just doesn't get much use these days; garage space needed. 15 years current ownership. Located Upper Hutt.
Asking $30,000. Contact martin_ lists@yahoo.com
STORAGE AVAILABLE
Location - 11 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wgtn. Secure basement parking; $70+GST per week (24/7); Long or short term; Entry by FOB (keyless remote). Currently installing camera security system. No public access. Other tenants - people who live / work in the building/ local professionals. I live onsite, (apartment upstairs) and store my cars here (64 Impala, 64 Pontiac, 63 Chevy Nova). Also have another tenant who stores a Mustang and a Corvette. I am a former VCC member (late 80’s/early 90’sLevin Branch) Contact: Julian Zawada Phone: 0220523192
COMING EVENTS
If no details are provided, check the VCC website or contact Wgtn Branch Secretary for details/entry forms.
Saturday 13 December: Lake Ferry Run
45th Anniversary Excursion organised by the Sunbeam Car Club. Start 11am at the Fell Engine Museum in Featherston. All vehicles and people welcome, from car clubs or general public. Lake Ferry Hotel will be open or bring a picnic lunch.
16 DECEMBER 2025
CLUB NIGHT BBQ at the clubrooms from 5.30pm For details, see page 11
WELCOME 2026 NEW YEARS DAY PICNIC
At Te Haukaretu Park, Upper Hutt from 11am. Directions: Turn into Akatarawa Road from SH 2, take the first left (Norbert StreetNo Exit), continue along towards the swing bridge, turn left and follow the road to the end. Bring your lunch and drinks, and sunscreen. There are toilets at the park.
16 January 2026: Monte Carlo Rally to Whanganui for their Vintage Weekend
Instructions will be emailed out in January. Entrants from Wairarapa, Horowhenua, and perhaps Whanganui Branches have been invited too. To enter, email your Name and Vehicle to mccarthys@xtra.co.nz
Don’t forget to book accommodation if you are staying in Whanganui for the weekend; it is very popular.
OTHER EVENTS
23 - 25 January 2026: Biennial Motorcycle Rally. See page 20 for details.
25 January 2026: Rotorua Annual Lakefront Car Show.
1 February 2026: American Car Day, Trentham Memorial Park (Note new venue this year).
8 February 2026: British and European Car Day at Trentham Memorial Park; includes Royal Enfield Motorcycles riding from Capital Motorcycles via Blue Mountains and Mangaroa Valley for display at Trentham.
PARKS TOWING PETONE have recently bought Porirua Towing and Total Towing, and have a new depot on the corner of East and Waione streets.
Special prices for VCC Members:
Covered Storage: (normally $250 a month), for VCC: $199; $150 for non-covered.
Wellington transfers (as long as rolling): $120 +gst.
Transport out of town will be as per job coming through.
Phone: 04 499 2123
FERRY DISCOUNTS FOR VCC MEMBERS
See details on page 26 of this magazine.
VERO INSURANCE
If you arrange your car and household insurance through Vero, the Wellington Branch gets a commission. In 2021 the amount was approximately $4,159!! Well done everyone!
We are the company that offers you Total immersion stripping of Car bodies and panels WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS
Contact: Warren Leslie
Phone: (04) 232 6880 Fax: (04) 232 6882
11 Wall Place, Tawa
Email:
BUY & SELL
WAIONE AUTOMOTIVE:
Advertisements are free to Wgtn VCC members and will be repeated four times.
Lance Styles is soon moving his business to Pharazyn Street, taking over the premises of Gordon McIntosh. WOFs, Vehicle Servicing (including motorcycles). Call or text: 0274 488 025
TWO TYRES FOR SALE
One 600/16 and one 575/16. Both in good condition with plenty of tread. Make me an offer I can't refuse.
Contact: Brian Christensen Phone 04 - 565-0664 or Mobile 027 442-4557
EASTBOURNE SHARED PATHWAY OPENING:
The Eastbourne Community Board has suggested that Wellington Branch members could bring club cars to the opening ceremony some time in March 2026. No further details known at this stage. If interested, please contact the Secretary. 1
VCC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Visit the VCC Website: VCC.org.nz and click on “Membership Benefits” for details on various benefits and instructions on how to apply for them.
THE INTERISLANDER - Code WH5465
WELLINGTON BRANCH - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Club nights are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Clubrooms, Halford Place, Petone (Eastern end of Jackson St) starting at 7:30pm
The Clubrooms are also normally open for casual gatherings on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:00, and for Noggin and Natters on Fridays 7:30pm.
Motorcycle Meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Butcher and Brewer, 75 Jackson Street, Petone at 7:30pm.
