FROM THE CAPTAIN’S TABLE NealeRyder
How has 2026 been for you so far, been anywhere, done anything? Some of us have been places and first was the Lake Ferry Run in December. This very informal event has been organised by the Sunbeam Car Club since 1980 and is still going strong. Most years you never know who will turn up in what and 2025 was no exception. The range of vehicles were a lot more recent than some years. Joanne and I attended in her Nissan 350Z convertible which caused a bit of confusion as some people seemed to have never seen me without a Vauxhall. They must have missed the year I took a 1956 Singer Hunter along.
NEW
YEARS
DAY PICNIC:
Our first event for 2026 was a victim of the poor weather we have had during the summer so far. Fortunately Coral and Phil Kidd offered the use of their home, so the picnic was held in the comfortable and dry surroundings of their lounge. Thank you both so much for that. The indoor picnic went well with the afternoon passing very quickly.
MONTE
CARLO RALLY: This year saw us with entrants joining us from Horowhenua and Wairarapa Branches and some who had never competed in it before. A lot of effort was put in by all to get the most points on the day to arrive in Whanganui. It was a bit slight failure to proceed in their MGA, but after some attention in efforts with wonderful bribes, they did not take home the bottle of bubbly; next
Left: M/C entries at Manawatu VCC club for
Saturday saw the lower parts of dart flying and more. The riverside market was large, and had a pretty good variety of things on offer. Also the traction engines were there driving around the streets amongst the usual traffic
Some of our Monte Carlo entrants in the Fashion Competition in Whanganui, Saturday
1920s and 1930s Category
1960s and 1970s Category
Alastair & Angelica
Malcolm & Gina from Wairarapa Branch.
Sunday was the day for the Burma Rally, which I can't tell you any -thing about since I didn't enter. Joanne and I have always found so much to do in Whanganui on the Sunday that we have never entered; maybe next year.
{Editor: See back cover. The few Wellington entries in the Burma Rally (out of 59 entries!) did Wellington Branch proud, with four of the five winning a place or better in their class, and the Pearces winning the rally overall!}
While everyone else was out driving we visited a huge vintage market at the stadium, then had a look through the vintage radio museum (yes there is one). Tucked behind a suburban house is a large number of garages, the biggest holding a collection of 500 valve radios, all different and apparently all in good working order. Two were playing with the programme being broadcast from the owner’s private AM station. All were very well displayed and the people helping out were very knowledgeable. Apparently there were at least another 500 radios stored elsewhere on the property.
From there we went to the riverside to see a steam locomotive (called Skunk) - recently exhumed from a sand dune near the Whanganui river mouth. Built in Wellington around 1875 it was simply left on a siding when the harbour board had no further use for it and the shifting sands took over. A century or so in salty, wet sand hasn't done it any favours though; it looks very, very fragile in places. I believe the plan is to preserve it as found, but even that will be difficult I expect. Following lunch we discovered just how big the reserve is around Virginia Lake; its huge.
The final day, Monday saw the return of the trolley derby, a full on affair with all sorts of trolleys from conventional to a bathtub with a shower, and a beehive. Ages of the entrants was wide too, it looks like great fun, perhaps we need an entry next year.
So there a just a few things you might have missed out on so far this year. What is on in the future? As February is such a busy month with some very popular events which VCC members love to attend, we don't have any Wellington Branch events to clash with them.
Sunday, Feb 8th British and European Car Day: This is held at Trentham Memorial Park. This year marks 40 years since the late Vic Walters, a Wellington VCC member, organised the first British Car Day.
Feb 19th-21st Art Deco Weekend: This is the ever popular event in Napier. Usually a fair number from Wellington attend this.
Again in March we won't be having a formal event. This of course is due to the Vero Rally in Nelson which has a good number of Wellington members entered. However if anyone who isn't going to Nelson wishes to arrange something by all means do so. Just let me know if you do please.
In the meantime, get your vehicles prepared for coming events, or just get that rebuild finished at last and get out and drive your old car or ride that old bike while you still can. Regards, Neale
“Skunk” being towed on a sledge from the Whanganui river mouth after being found last year and excavated.
Photo from a You-Tube clip.
Biennial Motorcycle Rally by
Paul Switzer
The weather report promised heavy rain, easing to showers with the possibility of thunderstorms - not very promising at all. Most of the
The route took us out of Petone, into Wellington, up through Karori and over the hill to Makara Village. Most of this was done in light rain, with wet roads and visors, making visibility a little challenging. We turned into the Takarau Gorge, with its many twists and turns and duly arrived at Johnsonville.
From there it was head north with a brief section on SH1/SH59. This was almost a compulsory throttle opening session to exercise some numbers on the speedo that don’t often get used, before a turn off into Papakowhai to find the start of the timed section. We continued our ride around the water’s edge until reaching Pāuataha -nui, which was the start of the Paekakariki Hill road section. By this stage the weather had improved a little, but the compulsory stop sign at the bottom of the hill road and SH59 is always a challenge for old vehicle brakes. From there it was a straight run to Queen Elizabeth park for the lunch stop, which also provided some relief from the firm motorcycle seat.
merton and back onto SH58. The Moonshine Road provided more than its usual challenges, the roads still being wet with all its twist and turns, ups and downs and slow corners and plenty of bumps.
The final leg was down through Upper Hutt, along the Eastern Hutt Road, joining Ludlam Cres, and continuing on to the Seaview roundabout, with a few more turns until the finish at the clubrooms.
In all it was approx 100 miles of riding mainly in lightish rain, with plenty of twists, turns and bumps along the way.
Maybe its the road maintenance or my bike seat and suspension, but there seems to be more bumps on the roads than there used to be!
Biennial Motorcycle Rally 2026 24-25 January: Results:
Post Vintage
1 Norman Hill 1938 Velocette MSS
2 Paul Switzer 1937 Royal Enfield Model G
3 John Williams 1937 Morgan Supersports
Post War
1 Simon Clearwater 1952 Matchless G80S
2 John Rapley 1958 Royal Enfield Clipper
3 Ashley Blair 1950 BSA ZB34 Gold Star
Post 60
1 John Poole 1973 Norton Commando
2 Keith Ballagh 1969 Velocette Sportsman
3 Kevin Sullivan 1967 BSA A65S
Post 80
1 Aaron Janes 1980 Honda CX500
2 Robert Young 1961 BSA Golden Flash A10
3 Robert Heath 1986 Honda GB500TT
Guest
1 Dave Robinson Moto Guzzi
2 Dave Palmer Triumph Tiger
3 Ian Hubbard 2014 Triumph T100
Overall Winner
John Poole 1973
Norton Commando
Wellington VVC member Peter
Simpson presents the Doug Banks Trophy to the overall winner
John Poole (at right).
JANUARY CLUB NIGHT - VAUXHALLS
Neale’s talk included a fair bit of interesting history, and went over the Vauxhalls that he has owned over the years, some of which go back to his mother’s and grandfather’s days.
Neale started as an apprentice mechanic in 1979 at Manthel Motors (GM) and has been a contractor at Bristols in Upper Hutt for the last 25 years.
He gave a brief history of Vauxhall, which started in 1857 in London and made their first car in 1903. In 1925, they were bought by General Motors (American). He touched on several political and geographic factors during the history of the make. Vauxhall were the first cars assembled in Petone; they were modern and sold well. This continued after WWII and Neale owns several examples of these post-war cars. His collection started at age 13 when he inherited a 1929 20/60 from his grandfather (the car in which Neale was brought home from hospital as a baby!), which began his long association with them.
On club night Neale brought along a 1951 Vauxhall Velox (see page 15), and in 2023 he brought along his 1954 Vauxhall Velox Vagabond for which he received a Meritorious Restoration Award. Another 1954 Vauxhall of Neale’s was driven by two young men on the Monte Carlo Rally, which they won.
One of the visitors at club that night brought along their own Vauxhall in support.
Left & Below: Scenes at the Trolley Derby down Drews Avenue (down from beside the Sarjeant Gallery).
Neale brought along his 1951 Vauxhall Velox.
JANUARY CLUB NIGHT: Neale spoke about Vauxhalls in general and his in particular; he’s owned many!
Monte Carlo Rally Results (rally held on January 16th)
1st Sam Millar & Ryan Dewes, 1954 Vauxhall. 2520 points
2nd Diane McLennan & Paul Eayrs, 1989 Mazda MX5. 1775 pts
3rd Win Bishop & Daphne Williams, 1980 Ford Cortina Mk4. 1715 pts
4th Phil & Pat Pearce, 1977 Saab 96. 1350 pts
5th Alastair McCarthy & Angelica Edgley, 1960 MkII Jaguar. 1245 pts
6th Tim Savage, 1981 Datsun Bluebird. 1000 pts (morning section only)
7th Barry & Hilary Pettengell, 1926 Chrysler. 793.15 pts
8th Malcolm Fleming & Gina Jones, 1957 MGA. 787.5 pts.
Note: Win and Daphne are Horowhenua Branch members and Malcolm and Gina are Wairarapa Branch members. Sam is Joanne’s nephew and he and Ryan were in one of Neale rally! (Ryan is the brother of the pilot at Legend Aviation who talked to our group on the November Rally).
Photos Below: Ryan and Sam accepting the Monte Carlo Rally prize at the post-run BBQ. Ryan plotted the route they used in the second half of the MC rally on Google Maps, showing the places they went to on the afternoon run from Palmerston North to Whanganui.
This is how a two to three hour trip becomes six hours of driving!
Number plate toppers, Stainless steel laser cut. Just the thing to bling the number plate on your classic or vintage vehicle. $10 ea plus postage. Available Wellington, Levin. Contact peter.alderdice@me.com
VCC Member
MOTORCYCLE SECTION REPORT
Meeting Monday 26 January: 8 people attended. Apologies from Ashley Blair.
Past Events attended.
Christmas Ride Thursday 18 December: A ride to Lake Ferry.
Auckland Motorcycle Rally 22 November: Peter Simpson rode his BMW on this run, which was based at the North Shore Branch. About 50 bikes rode to lunch at the Warkworth Branch before visiting an impressive private collection on the way back to base.
Biennial Motorcycle Rally: See report on pages 10 and 11.
Coming Club Events.
Horowhenua Ted Green Memorial M/C Rally 22 Feb: Entry forms have been circulated. This is before the next meeting, so who is going? Paul and Trevor will depart Hebden Cres at 8am. Anyone wishing to join, please contact Trevor.
Aaron’s South Island Tour 27 Feb-8 March: Bluebridge tickets have been distributed, along with a general info sheet explaining such things as chillybin drink prices with a “special” on Coke multipurchases.
Riders to be at the Bluebridge terminal by 7am.
Non club events.
BSA International Rally 13-20 Feb: At Silverstream Retreat, which is already heavily booked.
Matchless/AJS Jampot Rally 20 Feb: To be held in New Plymouth.
Other Business:
Des Vinten Memorial Service: At the Petone Working Men’s Club RSA Room, Saturday 21st February, 1pm.
Next Meeting: Monday 23 February 2026 at the Empire, 7:30pm.
2025 VCC Motorcycle Section Christmas Ride Trevor Barnes
The 2025 event was a leisurely ride to the Lake Ferry Hotel via Western Lake. Nine riders and two in the backup van turned up at Brown Owl by 9:30 for the ride over the hill. However, two were having tyre pressure problems, with one (riding a Triumph) having visited multiple service
stations trying to find a working pump. The one that worked did not have a functioning display! The other returned home after finding the local one disabled and caught us up by the cuppa stop.
No troubles on the hill, and we regrouped at the start of Western Lake Rd where the tenth rider joined us. The lead rider knew where the picnic site for the cuppa stop was and we spent some time there admiring the chooks that were pecking away in the grass. On to the hotel via the East-West Access Road. Most bikes were parked in the new parking area, though a couple parked in the original area (old habits die hard?).
The meals at the hotel were of the usual high standard, and after a relaxing time in the outdoor seating we went back to the bikes. Oh dear! First, one of the Honda CX500s had no electrics. That was tracked to a blown fuse and remedied, only to find that the Triumph had a flat tyre – so it went into the van. Gluttons for punishment, we then went to the Village Café in Martinborough for afternoon tea before heading back over the hill. (Or just Gluttons? Editor)
All in all, an enjoyable ride and social event. The bikes were: One each of Norton, BSA Triumph and BMW. The rest were Hondas from 200cc to 750cc.
Cuppa stop on Western Lake Road. (Photo: Allan Burgess)
JAGUAR PARTS AVAILABLE: I have shipped my Kougar roadster to US and have a few mid 60's Jaguar parts that may be useful for other members:
- IRS differential cover gasket - new
- two rear Dunlop brake caliper rebuild kits
- three front Dunlop brake caliper rebuild kits
- four new brake pads
- two new handbrake pads
- handbrake hardware
- used laycock overdrive solenoid.
Is there a member who might find these useful? Stuart W +64 27 299 0910
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
A taster for the Marangi Gardens trip on 25th Feb.
28 Feb - 1 March: HIGHLAND FLING in South Waikato. (Entries closed mid Jan)
1 March: RAM RODDERS Swap Meet, Car Display and Market Day at Tauherenikau Racecourse. See page 20.
7 March: WAIRARAPA BRANCH STRETCHED GYMKHANA.
Masterton A & P Showgrounds, off York Street, Solway, Masterton. Driver Briefing: 8:45 am
8 March: MANAWATU BRANCH RUAHINE RAMBLE. Meet at the Manawatu clubrooms 9.30am. Entries close 28 February. Route includes some gravel roads.
14 March: WEST COAST SCENICLAND RALLY - The Dairy Run from Greymouth. Entries close March 7.
21 March: HOROWHENUA BRANCH SWAP MEET in Levin. See poster - page 17.
When a man says he'll do anything for a woman, he means fight bad guys and kill dragons....not vacuum or wash dishes!
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
Advertisements are free to Wgtn VCC members and will be repeated four times.
AUTOMOTIVE: Lance Styles has moved his business to Pharazyn Street, to Gordon McIntosh’s premises. WOFs, Vehicle Servicing (including motorcycles) on older cars. Note: He does the WOF for the Branch Fire Engine for free. Call or text: 0274 488 025
TYRE FOR SALE
575/16. In good condition with plenty of tread. Make me an offer I can't refuse. Brian Christensen 04 Mobile 027 442-4557
FOR SALE 1964 V8 DAIMLER
Previously owned by my Mother; Complete restoration; Rust free, panelled and new paint; Rebuilt engine and restored woodwork; New head lining; All new leather upholstery; Stainless steel exhaust system; WOF and Rego. Price is $30,000. Car is located in Mataura. All inquiries to Darryl at 021 270 4999. (More photos available)
VCC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Visit the VCC Website: VCC.org.nz and click on 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.
2026
FEBRUARY CLUB NIGHT
At the VCC Whanganui Branch Annual Burma Rally prize giving, the small Wellington Branch contingent took out several awards. Phil and Pat (centre) won their class (post 1960) and the overall Rally. Well done all of you!
Left: Barry, Hilary and two grandsons in their Chrysler also placed in their class in the Burma Rally.
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