NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORIC MOTORING MAGAZINE

No. 279 April/May 2006 $5.50

VERO VCCNZ DIAMOND JUBILEE

PEKING TO PARIS an epic Veteran journey

Behind the Wheel of a PACKARD TWIN SIX 9 418979 000012

bw279.indd 1 10/10/2007 12:42:14 PM This framed photograph which carries the title Easter 1927 was taken at a Feilding Racing Club Meeting. Approximately 300 cars in view. The photograph was found by Peter Olsen and will go on display at the Feilding Coach House Museum. Supplied to Beaded Wheel by Rob Knight.

Submissions of photographs for this page are welcome from Beaded Wheels readers. Please send original photographs of historic interest with any available information to Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch. Laserprints/photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.

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management committee A full list of branch addresses and contact details can be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz All administration matters should be addressed to CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN the NATIONAL OFFICE in the first instance see Diane Ross Bob Ballantyne Kevin Clarkson opposite page for details. 03 308 2356 09 444 4066 03 385 9821 The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Please note this information changes annually SECRETARY/ TREASURER Gary Beaumont SPEED STEWARD Frank Renwick - these details are valid until August 2006 John Coomber 03 415 9169 03 352 4383 03 348 0062 [email protected] PRESIDENT [email protected] Leigh Craythorne [email protected] 03 342 9110 [email protected] REGISTRAR Greg Terrill ARCHIVIST CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Rod Brayshaw 07 846 4355 Betty Wallace Rob Knight 07 549 4250 [email protected] 03 332 4261 06 323 3104 [email protected] [email protected]

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bw279.indd 2 10/10/2007 12:42:23 PM Beaded Wheels Publisher THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ (INC.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LV No. 279 Editorial Committee Beaded Wheels Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Issue 279 April/May 2006 Marilyn McKinlay, Chris Stevens, Robin Wells, Allan Wylie. Material for Publication Reports of restorations, events, road tests, FEATURES historical and technical articles etc should be forwarded to PO Box 13140, Christchurch, typed or neatly printed, double space on one 11 The Colonial and His Cars. Part III of Don Broome’s side of paper only. Email of text and photos is European Odyssey acceptable, digital photographs should be high resolution eg 300dpi. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements 12 VERO VCCNZ Diamond Jubilee Rally - expressed in letters or articles in Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not – Cover Feature necessarily express the policy or views of The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc). Reports and photos from the Vero 18 1961 Ford Zodiac Mk II E-mail VCCNZ Diamond Jubilee Rally in [email protected] Invercargill, page 12. Advertising Address 20 The Eagle Has Landed Classified and Display Advertising to: P O Box 13140, Christchurch. Alistair McIntosh enthuses over Alvis Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3827 Rate schedule available on request. 23 Bugatti Type 59 GP Back Issues Available on request to P O Box 13140, Christchurch. 24 “Behind the Wheel” of a Packard Twin Six Correspondence & Editorial Contributions Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3827 P O Box 13140, Christchurch. 28 Peking to Paris Subscriptions Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to 33 25th Wallaby Rally P O Box 2546, Christchurch. Phone 64 3 366 4461, Fax 64 3 366 0273 Annual subscription (6 issues) $30.00 inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$45 COLUMNS Other countries (6 issues) NZ$65. Production 5 President’s Message Typesetting & design by RGBDesign Peking to Paris 2005, page 28. Printed by Spectrum Print Ltd, Christchurch. Closing Date for June/July Issue 5 Vintage Viewpoint Editorial Copy 28 April 2006 Advertisements 10 May 2006 6 National Office News The Vintage Car Club of – 6 VCC Events New Zealand (Inc.) National Office Phone 64 3 366 4461 Fax 64 3 366 0273 7 Mailbag Email [email protected] Postal Address 10 The Way We Were P O Box 2546, Christchurch, New Zealand. Address 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand. 17 Sounding the Brass Website www.vcc.org.nz 27 Federation of Motoring Clubs report Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Mark Dawber test drives the big Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 35 Packard Twin Six, page 24. branches covering the length and breadth 32 Book Review of the country. The efforts of our members continue fostering and ever widening the interest in this segment of our country’s history, 42 Overseas Events and provide rallying points for the constantly increasing band of enthusiasts. It is to these people, who appreciate the fascination of age, 36 Marketplace the individuality and the functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that this magazine 41 Swap Meets & Rallies is dedicated. Beaded Wheels – It is a very apt and well-known title however readers may wonder at the origin 44 Idle Torque of the name. By way of explanation beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres that are kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which 54 Obituaries fit into the rolled edges of the wheel rim. This style of wheel was a distinctive feature of early motoring being used on early bicycles, many COVER pre-1924 cars and most motorcycles until 1927. The VCCNZ adopted the title Beaded Wheels for Bob Hyslop 1957 Austin Healey 3000 recorded the fastest time at their quarterly club magazine in March 1955 the Hillclimb (Post 1940 Class) during the Vero VCCNZ Diamond which was the successor to the monthly Guff Jubilee Rally. See page 12 for more photos from this event. Sheet. Copyright Information The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced complete or in part provided that reference is made to “Beaded Wheels, the Beaded Wheels 3 magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc)” as the source.

bw279.indd 3 10/10/2007 12:42:29 PM bw279.indd 4 10/10/2007 12:42:32 PM vintage president’s message viewpoint

As you read this, our Diamond system before recommending a host branch One thing that makes our job of Jubilee Rally will be a happy memory. for ratification by the Executive. Watch producing Beaded Wheels easier is having It is interesting to read members’ stories this space! a selection of articles to choose from and recollections recording not only the The March Executive Meeting was held when putting together the magazine. My actual Rally, but also the accounts of their in Christchurch and thanks are given to entreaties for articles over past years could journeys to and from Invercargill. Canterbury Branch for hosting the event. be said to be successful, although in saying While the best-prepared vehicles can At their previous meeting, the Executive that, I do not wish to deter members still let us down, the number of breakdowns members had been charged to go back from continuing to give us copy for future reported during the Rally or travelling to to their branches and discuss the possi- issues! the Rally compared with the number of bility of extending the one-day Executive Whilst we do have articles in stock, the entrants was very low. The majority of Meeting held in March to two days, in more we have, the better the magazine entrants enjoyed a trouble free trip with preparation for a vote at this meeting. we can produce. Those articles that are few, if any, motoring concerns. This subject had been raised several times “date sensitive”, such as rally reports and As the Historic Vehicle Authority of over the past few years, with valid discus- New Zealand, our Club covers all catego- sion for and against. Following further the like, need to go in straight away and ries of vehicles and it was good to see a discussion at this meeting, the Executive command space because they would fall number of motorcycles and commercial voted, in a secret ballot, to extend the out of date if we didn’t use them immedi- vehicles entered in the Rally. March Executive Meeting to two days. ately. Other articles are timeless, such as Our sincere thanks are given to Russell The voting figures were 49 for the Motion, technical articles and restoration accounts Hawkes - Rally Director and his entire 12 against the Motion, with 6 invalid etc, and we are able to use them in future Rally Team - Judy Willis (Rally Secretary) votes. I envisage that perhaps subsequent editions as the magazine requirements Brian Midgley (Rally Controller) Alastair March Executive Meetings will begin late allow. I sometimes hear the comment “I McIntosh (Publicity and Communications Saturday morning, with members staying sent an article in some time ago and it Representative) Raewyn Hawkes overnight to finish the meeting late hasn’t been used yet – when can I expect (Treasurer) Bill Obers (Camping Ground) Sunday morning/early Sunday afternoon. to see it?” Rest assured that we will use and John Wallace (Rally Headquarters This not only makes travel arrangements your article, it just may be that its time has and liaison for Open Day) as well as all easier, but also will allow workshops that not come yet. their helpers, for the successful celebration may be necessary from time to time to take Our members are a very communicative of an important milestone in the Club’s place – a valuable exercise for all taking lot and very willing to share of their experi- history. Special acknowledgement is given part. Of course, these arrangements can be ences and information and this certainly to Gary Beaumont (liaison between the adjusted to suit each meeting requirement. makes our task of putting together an Management and Rally Committees). Gary At my branch’s March noggin ‘n natter, interesting magazine very much easier. So not only chaired the Rally Committee I had the pleasure of meeting Keith and – please don’t stop sending in articles! meetings, but also took on additional tasks Jan Mellor, from Rotherham, Lancashire Over the last couple of months I have that were further to his brief. We all appre- who were travelling around New Zealand. received unprecedented positive comment ciate the countless hours, weeks, months They are members of The Vintage Motor about Don Broome’s story of his early life and years that these members worked to Cycle Club Ltd in the United Kingdom, with motor cars Of Course Cars Have ensure the entrants enjoyed this Diamond which is affiliated to our Club. A copy of Jubilee celebration. our Beaded Wheels is exchanged with their Personalities, of which Part Three is in It was very pleasing to see that 92% Club’s monthly magazine and recently Eric this issue. Unfortunately there are only of the vehicles taking part in the Rally Londesbrough (Overseas Clubs Liaison four parts to this story but I suspect that were clearly identified as having Vehicle and Affiliation Officer) reminded us that there are other tales that Don may be able Identity Cards. Many of those entrants their facilities and help are available to our to share with us in the future and help us that were perceived as not having a VIC, members. They would be delighted also make the magazine a good read! Further, I were vehicles that were substituted when to welcome us to their events. Eric wrote consider that Kim Gabara, our cartoonist breakdowns occurred or restoration of the that members of the VMCC have received for this story, has picked up on the ethos of entered vehicle was not completed in time splendid hospitality when travelling to the story very well and presented us with for the Rally. These vehicles were classed many parts of the world and if you were some wonderful illustrations to bring the as non-competitors and members can be over their way you will be assured of a warm story alive. All makes for good reading. assured that any vehicle that won a prize welcome. Their website is linked with our during the event, did meet the correct Club’s one if you would like further infor- Kevin Clarkson Rally requirements. mation. They too are celebrating their Chairman, Beaded Wheels I am very happy to announce that we Diamond Jubilee this year. have received a written bid from a branch What a great motoring brotherhood we to host the next International Rally with all belong to. (as I write) at least one other branch Leigh Craythorne considering placing a bid. A sub committee from the Management Committee will now be formed to work through a selection

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bw279.indd 5 10/10/2007 12:42:33 PM VCCNZ Inc Executive Meeting most topics within the Club and answers National Office, The Executive meets every March most questions? One copy is for the use of PO Box 2546, Christchurch ph 03 366 4461 fax 03 366 0273 and during the Annual General Meeting the Branch Secretary as they are the first email [email protected] weekend. Their last meeting was the 4th people members normally approach. The www.vcc.org.nz March and was held in Christchurch. other copy is normally kept handy so that national office news Minutes are sent out to branches and your members can browse through them. Please representatives who form the Executive ask your branch where this copy is, if you VCC Subscriptions will be able to personally report on the are unsure. VCC membership subscription invoices contents discussed. Courteous Drivers were forwarded in February and were Notice Of AGM Once again we have been advised that due for payment by 31 March 2006. A You will find a Notice of AGM with some Vintage vehicles were holding up reminder notice will be sent to members requests for nominations for Management travel on a main highway recently. These who have not paid. If you have not paid Committee positions. There is no Notice drivers may not have been our members. your account, please note that this will be of Motion to vote on this year. We know that VCC members pride the last Beaded Wheels you receive until FIVA Identity Cards themselves in being courteous to other your payment has been received. You will If you intend entering an event overseas, drivers on the road. Please keep up the also not receive your Branch Newsletters. which requires a FIVA Identity Card, good work by keeping an eye on traffic National Office Bank Change please obtain the relevant forms from the following you and if you notice you are Just to keep you all up to date, the National Office. There is a cost involved holding traffic up, please pull aside when National Office has changed banks from (normally NZ$30 plus a bank draft for 50 it is safe to do so. Please make members Westpac to ASB. Swiss Francs) and you need to allow for a aware if they are holding up traffic not minimum of 12 weeks. pulling aside. Membership Cards For those members who have paid their Branch Manuals annual subscription by 31 March 2006, Did you know that every branch of the you will receive your membership card in Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) has two early April. This year’s colour is Blue. copies of the Branch Manual that covers

For inclusion in our next issue, fax details of Club Events to 03 332 3827 by 10 May, 2006 or VCC Events email us at [email protected] APRIL 6 Ashburton Swap Meet 8 Far North Brian Parker Memorial Rally 7 Manawatu PV/PWV/P60v Rally 8 Southland Annual Rally 7-8 North Otago All British Weekend 8 North Otago Motorcycle Rally 14 South Canty PV/PWV Rally 8/9 Wanganui Autumn Motorcycle Trial 13 Wellsford Swap Meet 9 Gore Swap Meet 20 Southland PV/PWV Rally 22/23 Taranaki Maunga Moana Rally 21 Otago PV/PWV Rally 23 North Shore Northern Raid Rally 21 Banks Peninsula Pomeroy Trophy 29/30 North Otago All British Weekend JUNE MAY 4 Sth Canterbury All British Day 1 Waikato Hill Climb 18 Sth Canterbury End of Season Run

While Beaded Wheels makes every attempt to check the accuracy of the dates published in this column we advise readers to confirm all dates with the individual branch concerned.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2005-2006 PRESENT OFFICERS: President: L. Craythorne Club Captains– THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND (INC.) Northern Region: R. Knight National Office: P O Box 2546, Christchurch Telephone: 03 366 4461 Southern Region: D. Ross Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: J. Coomber NOTICE OF MEETING Registrar: R. Brayshaw Speed Steward: F. Renwick The Annual General Meeting of the Club will be held on Saturday, 12 August 2006 at Beaded Wheels Chairman: K. Clarkson The Quality Hotel - Plymouth Hotel, Cnr Courtenay & Leach Streets, New Plymouth, Three other members of management committee: commencing at 9.30am. B. Ballantyne, G. Beaumont, G. Terrill RULE 8: ELECTION OF OFFICERS President seconder. Only a Member who has served at least one Club Captain – Northern Region year upon the Executive of the Club shall hold the Office Nominations for the Management Committee must be Club Captain – Southern Region of President. Members shall be eligible for election to the received in this office by 5pm 18th June 2006 Secretary/Treasurer accompanied by a current biography and photograph of Beaded Wheels Editorial Committee Chairman Management Committee if they shall have paid all monies the nominee and their association with the Club. Registrar due by them to the Club and have been financial Members The biography shall contain the name, address and Speed Steward of the Club for a least six months prior to nomination. Three Other Members of the Management Committee occupation of members nominated for each position. If the number of candidates for the Management and shall invite nominations for such offices to be Committee exceeds the number of respective vacancies Not less than 75 clear days before the Annual General forwarded in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer to arrive Meeting the Management Committee shall cause notice not less than fifty-five clear days before the date appointed to be filled, an election shall take place. to be given to all members intimating the date for closing for the Annual General Meeting. Every such nomination to You can obtain a job description from the Branch Manual. nominations for the offices of:– be signed by the Member nominated, their nominator and Contact your Branch Secretary or National Office.

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bw279.indd 6 10/10/2007 12:42:35 PM scone making, gardening, painting or other Dear Sir clubroom based activities. The ever incre- A Rat and Death of Bastard asing social club, as opposed to motoring Diary note 6.4.05. Took Caddy for run, mailbag club, activities would therefore remain nearly lost over bank when a rat jumped unchallenged for those who are attracted out of the hood lining onto my head, not The editorial committee reserve the right to publish, edit or nice. refuse publication of any item submitted as comment. The foremost by that activity. views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not From the feedback that I have received 8.1.06 While cleaning the engine I necessarily express the policy or views of the Vintage Car from participants of the 60th, there needs noticed fur below the radiator and front Club of New Zealand (Inc.) or the publishers. to be a re-organisation of the club before chassis member. “A rat,” I said and poked it it’s all too late and the Vintage and Veteran out with a stick. It was a half rat, rear end faction join other more focused clubs that to be precise, complete with tail! Dear Editor, cater for the V and V motorist, such as the When the bastard rat pissed through I have just returned from Invercargill extremely succcessful and growing Veteran the hood lining, jumped on my head, ran and the Vintage Car Club of New Car Club of New Zealand, to name but down my arm and leg and disappeared Zealand’s 60th Anniversary Rally, or one. under the dashboard, he got through to VERO for short. Indeed, the sponsor got Peter Croft the engine only to be sliced in half by the their money’s worth, because, sadly, many trusty six bladed fan. people didn’t know what the rally was Dear Sir Bloody good job too as his sudden supposed to be celebrating. It was supposed I require a photo of Mr EJS Walker who appearance nearly put the whole caboodle to be a celebration of 60 years of the was Chairman of Canterbury Branch in over the bank. Vintage and Veteran movement in New the years 1960-1963. Mike Blundell Zealand but, again sadly, there was, in I wish to insert a photo of all Past percentage terms, not much Veteran and Chairmen in the book on the history of Dear Sir Vintage even with numbers swelled by Canterbury Branch and this is the only Re: MG WA, Beaded Wheels No. 277 overseas entries; and a lot of classic, and photo I am missing. The article was fascinating but contains not good classic at that. If someone can help me with this one hole I can plug. “Hotted up” semi-modern family saloon request it would be very much appreciated. In the late 1950s on Sybil’s advice I cars, which often looked as though they Colin Rae purchased the Dunedin garaged WA for should be at a street rod or boy racer 28 Cranbrook Avenue my sister (McLeod) together with a small meeting, with lowered suspension, non- Christchurch 8004 D engined pre-select K chassis pillar-less original widened wheels, and a number of Phone 03 358 3099, Fax 03 358 3094 saloon for myself. Wonderful handler. cars that honestly were simply not up to At this time the WA appeared in standard, devalued the 60th celebration. Dear Sir excellent condition and looked splendid in The presence of kit cars within our club The photograph is of the Morgan silver grey with sound bodywork and tidy ranks is also pushing the boundaries too which our Branch President imported from interior. far. Canada last year. Initial engine bearing problems were It is well past the time when The only resolved after discovery of a bent Vintage Car Club of NZ stopped trying crankshaft. to be all things to all people and got on Interesting to compare it with my with being what its name indicates; or father’s (so called Mk IV) Jaguar 2.5 perhaps it should change the name as the saloon. The MG was more impressive but club’s stated objectives, which were always less sprightly; grand tourer rather than printed in Beaded Wheels, have long since sports saloon. Tight curve attractive line been abandoned. MG body design made the Jaguar appear Time is right for the club to be re- almost vulgar when they were parked organised under a new overall banner such together. as The Historic Motoring Association A few years after it was sold I was of New Zealand. That would cater for distressed to see the car in Kean’s garage the club’s apparent objective of being the Photo of Jaime Taylor’s Morgan, similar to one Reg in a rotten and rusted state with mouldy biggest car club in New Zealand with all had in England. interior and wondered how it could deteri- the perceived clout we think we would orate so quickly. Outside storage? have with the government and the elevated Reg, my husband, informed me that he The KN was passed on to a friend who status the large organisation bestows on its had one in England but had to sell it to pay dismantled it with plans for a K3 style officials. Under the above organisation’s for his airfare out to New Zealand. Sea fare machine. One I should have kept and banner, there could be (re)formed: a is much cheaper admittedly – but when would now like to have the use of. Vintage (and Veteran) Car Club, a group Reg worked it out, the shipping takes at Alan Bryce that caters for pre 1940 vehicles, a classic least four weeks (and one has to get a ship Invercargill. grouping; one for motorcycles, commer- coming to Napier and maybe – yes, just cials, and other special interest vehicles, maybe you have to share a container with Dear Sir, such as military and farming if the need someone doing a similar transaction!) Over recent years I have noticed the be. There could also be an affiliated group By air, naturally the fare is more difficulty some branches are experiencing to cater for, dare I say it, fake and copy expensive but it gives you days in which you finding someone willing to put their name cars which appear to have a growing could be working in your new country! forward for the Club Captain’s position. acceptance by the club hierarchy. Reg now tells me that he only had a This concerns me. How can we help? If the club were to reorganise itself as half share in the Morgan and that the As you know, Club Captains are respon- suggested above, there should be no loss London traffic cops were not too thrilled sible for organising and overseeing events. of precious clubrooms for some current to have a car like that in the traffic, and There are ways we can all make it easier. factions of our disparate club, as the affili- were pleased when it was sold to older If you are entering an event with a ation to the parent body would ensure owners, Reg was only 21 at the time. closing date don’t be late. It may not seem that the use rights would continue and Olive Kilbey to matter much to the individual but to members could still fulfill their duties of

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bw279.indd 7 10/10/2007 12:42:36 PM mailbag

the organiser it means extra effort. Worse Rally to celebrate the centenary of the first appropriate annual event for services to still those who wait until the day and journey of motor vehicles to Mt Cook. Vintage Motorsport. roll up. This is frustrating as by then the We felt privileged to take part in this The success of the event and the master sheet is all set up and starting times historically significant event. The organ- publicity it generated for Vintage and allocated. Obviously there are situations isation could not be faulted. The rally Classic Motorsport is massive, but it was where entrants may not be sure whether instructions were full of information and only a success because you and many they will be free on the day, in this case very entertaining in themselves. The others cared enough to get involved….. send your entry in early with any fees clarity of the VCC signage as we entered and for that I thank you. payable and a note setting out your circum- towns left us in no doubt where we should Craig Pidgeon stances and I am sure your needs will be be parking. The marshals were everywhere #2 Son met and it may be possible to have a refund and always had a big smile for us. The of some or all of the monies paid if you are dinner at the Hermitage was superb. The Dear Sir, unable to attend. whole weekend had a real “feel-good” I read with interest the Southland I have been contacted about an occasion factor. Branch report in the Dec/Jan issue of BW when accommodation and other benefits Congratulations to Kevin and Ruth regarding the sale of a 1903 De Dion to were heavily sponsored for entrants. It was Mercer and their team of helpers for a job Christchurch. It was reported this car had upsetting for the organisers to find some well done. probably been Invercargill’s first taxi and members had booked without intending to Judy Forster had travelled to Dunedin for Brighton runs enter the event. Perhaps it was unclear to Hamilton in the 1950s. members that this was for entrants’ benefit My father, Chum Bryan, who passed only but it was embarrassing to have to Dear Sir away in 1986, was a partner in Central front up and ask for an entry or a cancel- I am writing to thank VCC members Taxis, Dunedin, from around 1938 till they lation of rooms in favour of bona fide for their support and encouragement closed in 1966 and he always claimed that entrants. Please don’t put our organisers throughout my endeavours to secure the his father, Jack Bryan, had operated the through this. naming rights for the Bruce Pidgeon first taxi in Invercargill, a 1908 De Dion. Occasionally old vehicles let us down Memorial Classic race meeting. I remember attending the Brighton and we have to change to another. If I (with the financial support of others) run in the 50s and Dad recalling the car possible it is helpful to be told of this in personally underwrote the event naming again as possibly the same one. About 20 advance allowing time for alterations to rights for this year, I felt it was a fitting way years ago I visited the then Queenstown entrants lists, classes and spreadsheets etc. to honour a man whose first and last love Motor Museum and saw a 1908 De Dion It could be you have to bring a vehicle was Vintage, historic and classic cars. on display, which was reputed to be that no longer qualifies for that particular The VCC class was very well supported Invercargill’s first hire car. No-one there event. You may still be able to participate with 28 cars and their drivers travelling could tell me about its original ownership but not compete. It is appreciated that many kilometers to attend. details. Is the same car, referred to as a taxi under these circumstances you keep a low Your respect for Dad and support of in the last issue, the Queenstown car, or profile and be discreet. myself played a major role in the success another one? Most of us join the VCC to use and of the event. With over 170 entries (more Is this the same car my grandfather enjoy our vehicles and the company of than double that of previous years) operated as Invercargill’s first taxi? (Maybe others with similar interests. Let us never spread across all racing classes, there was he never owned the car, perhaps just drove forget that those who are out there organ- something for everyone. Some historically it.) Later he owned a circa 1914 Dodge ising these events are all volunteers and special vehicles at the event included Ron taxi with which he carried dance bands deserve our consideration. Silvester Chev, Cologne Capri, Charles throughout Southland, I believe. The Diane Ross McCabe’s 250F Maserati from USA, Gavin family then moved to Dunedin where they Bain’s Bugatti T35B, Ray Farmer’s Ransley were involved first in Silver Fern and later Riley, Leslie Murray’s Curtiss de Dion, and with Central Taxis. A cousin, Doug Bryan, many more. Unfortunately the Darracq of continued with Blue Star, Invercargill for Anne Thompson didn’t run due to gearbox many years. I hope someone can enlighten problems from the previous weekend. me about this little bit of our family history Cars were in Dad’s blood, Motorsport that I have never been sure of. Email is the was but one of his many interests, both best way to contact me as I am currently he and the late Bruce Winder raced the residing in Japan. now Farmer owned Ransley Riley for Mike Bryan more than a decade at circuit meetings, 12 Park Ave, sprints and hill climbs, with their many Takaka, Golden Bay successes historically recorded on cups and Email [email protected] in journals of the time. Many of Dad’s cars both Vintage and modern held his Dear Sir Club Captain Southern Region collectable interest because of their special Reading FE Glasby’s letter in BW issue performance component which in latter 278 also brings back memories for me. Dear Sir, years led him to his passion for Bugatti. For I was the apprentice in the garage Who is this person in the photo? Photo me to drive his 37A at Levels dicing with that serviced her family MG WA. I well framed at Cameo Fine Arts, 265 High the Ransley Riley was very special. remember the day they traded it in to my St, Rangiora. Replies to Ray Shearman, Congratulations to Graeme Hamilton enterprising boss, Norman Dennison, for a MNZM. Please phone 03 3895845. as the first recipient of the Bruce Pidgeon very tidy, black 1956 Morris Oxford. Ray Shearman, MNZM. Memorial Trophy. Thanks to Noel and Pip I lusted after the MG but was told by my Sutherland of Charter Trucks for providing boss it was “a bad investment boy!” How wrong he was! Dear Sir this very special trophy and four smaller I did enjoy driving it to the post office I would like to congratulate the organ- trophies (covering the next four years) one day and when reversing out from the isers of the recently held Mt Cook 2006 to be presented by the committee at an 8 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 8 10/10/2007 12:42:37 PM curb I stripped the splines on one of the Hawke’s Bay rear wheels. Of course I was accused of Commemorations youthful vigour on the accelerator, to this A close relationship has developed verdict I plead innocence, however, that did not stop my boss taking the repair cost between the Vintage Car Club of New from my wages. Zealand, Hawke’s Bay Branch and the I have often wondered where the car Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Trust – this was went and would love to see it again. To me evident at many of the events held the dash board, the view over the bonnet throughout Hawke’s Bay during the and the sporty gear lever were the best 75th commemoration of the Hawke’s Captain Clive Holmes, RNZN. Commanding Officer parts of the car, pity about the rear view Bay earthquake. HMNZS Philomel in David Lane’s though! NZ Post developed a Commemorative 1930 Studebaker at HMNZS Philomel, Devonport, My most painful memory of the car was Auckland. Stamp Issue of twenty 45c stamps, the day I had to take the prospective new owner for a test drive, he obviously knew a one of the largest special issues to be released in New Zealand. The stamps feature good thing when he drove it! many of the services and aid agencies that rendered assistance after the Earthquake and If you are reading this Fay, my kindest images of the destruction and rebuilding of the region. regards to you and Des if he is still with us. On February 7 2006 a framed set of stamps, along with 258 First Day Covers was flown Roger Lusby from Napier to Ardmore Airfield in Auckland by Vintage aeroplane and delivered by a convoy of Vintage cars to the Devonport Naval Base.

VINTAGE & CLASSIC ENGINE PARTS

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Beaded Wheels 9

bw279.indd 9 10/10/2007 12:42:42 PM kindly loaned by the Richardson Truck the finish of that car trial. The first prize Museum. was worth £1,000 (roughly $50,000 today) THE WAY I managed to ferret out some informa- and a further £1,000 was to be shared tion relating to these exhibits and hope among the next nine placegetters. Jack, readers of T.W.W.W. will find it a s inter- along with two companions, entered and esting as I did. the Rally started with 73 entrants which WE WERE My most memorable moment in included one Australian driver. The cars Invercargill though was away from the were started at two minute intervals and As compiled by Grant Hitchings Rally itself. In town one day, hearing a were penalized a point a second, late or loud noise, I looked around and saw a large early, at all secret and official checks. The I quite enjoyed the Vero rally and saw 4 wheel drive accelerating away from a first day cars travelled from Invercargill a lot of very unusual vehicles. I, like service Station with the petrol filler hose via Te Anau to Dunedin, going to many others, was greatly impressed still anchored in its fuel tank, flailing Christchurch via Tekapo on the second. about in the wind. It looked like a mid- The third stage was an overnight run with the reception I received from air refueling operation gone wrong. The to Nelson through Blenheim, then back the townspeople who were always forecourt staff did not smile. to Timaru via Murchison and Arthur’s friendly, courteous and most helpful Pass before heading on the final overnight The Zephyr Six stage (day 5) back to Invercargill via the when needed. Its owner, Jack Johnstone, is a long-time Catlins. The event was held in mid-January member of the VCC and lives on a lifestyle and Jack said that only two cars retired, block on the north side of Invercargill. His typical example of this occurred one through an accident and the other purpose-built garage has the appearance of at 10 o’clock one evening when through mechanical failure. With Jack in a car showroom and houses his fleet of cars. Athere was a knock on the door of Highway Service Station was John Glover, This includes a 1954 Alvis, six different our town house – the third of three at the the assistant driver and navigator, while model Rileys, a Cooper S, Alfa Romeo end of a long right-of-way. A young lady Roger Preston performed speed calcula- 1750 GT, a 1969 Triumph Herald Estate walking her dog had noticed the lights of tions on a circular, disc-type Blackwell and his 1955 Zephyr. For town running he our car parked in the street had been left calculator. Many crews used the trusty has a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 (V6) saloon. on and had called in to tell us. Towards the slide rule*. I was surprised to learn that Phew! He is a life member and present Rally’s conclusion I noticed every garage, these calculations were carried out every patron of the Southland Sports Car Club. minute of the journey by many entrants. service station, engineering firm or any Jack was born in 1927 in Riverton, a Unfortunately, although they were in third place connected to the motor industry was little seaside township about 20 miles west place entering day 5, for various reasons taken over by historic vehicles needing the of Invercargill. For a whole four days he they completed the event in sixth place kiss of life. Here again all seemed to be attended the Southland Technical College with an overall loss of 3883 points. most impressed with the helpfulness of the before starting in the Parts Department of The Rally winner was a Motueka mechanics and the pleasant and efficient the local Ford Dealership in 1941. After dentist, Colin Hay, driving a 1955 Morris way the repairs were done. It seems the taking a mechanical trades course at the Oxford, with 2784 points lost. charges made were very reasonable too. local night school, Jack worked in various The black Mk 1 Zephyr on display I trailered my antique motorcycle down Invercargill garage/workshops until 1958 was not the original trial car but a very there and was sad because it ran like a when he started a Massey Ferguson tractor good replica prepared by Jack who still dog for much of the time. My rally routes dealership called JJ Ltd which was to has the original metal number disc, trial were long and the tin seat on my bike a keep him occupied for the next 25 years. instructions, result cards and photos and pain in the posterior and I felt the need Although now officially retired, he still newspaper clippings. to complain. It was then that I realized has a number of directorships in motor- I will feature the Koehler truck and there would be many people who would trade related companies. Jack married wife The Fastest Indian in the next issue of love the chance to ride an ancient motor- Betty 56 years ago and they have four Beaded Wheels. cycle (or drive an old car) in the mild children, none of whom, he admits, are *Slide rule – an early hand-operated climate we were experiencing, over the greatly interested in the old car movement calculating device superceded by the electronic rolling sealed roads surrounded by the but remains optimistic that they and his calculators introduced in the early sixties. green and pleasant land of Southland so eight grandchildren will eventually “see Easier to use than an abacus or logarithmic lightly trafficked. It was then that my day the light.” tables but not as exact and no decimal point suddenly brightened. Jack bought a Ford Zephyr 6 car new at position given either. I think my wife summed up the event a cost of £858 in 1955. In 1956 Southland rather well when at the final dinner was set to celebrate she said “Grant, if after ten days, the its centenary and only thing you can grizzle about is the the local sports car disproportionate quantity of unpeeled club and other motor apple chunks in the fruit salad then the related groups were Invercargill Branch organizers have indeed asked to stage a relia- done well.” bility trial traversing Headquarters for the Vero was Stadium the South Island, Southland – impressive in size and well finishing at the able to accommodate the approximately City’s Showgrounds 2,000 diners for the final get-together. at the exact time There were three displays that attracted the celebrations my attention, a 1955 Zephyr 6 Rally vehicle were to be officially owned by VCC member Jack Johnstone; started. Jack pointed memorabilia from the production of the out that the present film The World’s Fastest Indian, and an Vero Rally started 50 original condition 1911 Koehler truck years to the day after

10 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 10 10/10/2007 12:42:47 PM The annual Racing Car Show at Earl’s Court was a magnet to me and while there I entered a competition to win a set of tyres. Imagine my surprise on receiving a letter advising that although I had not won the main prize, I had won a consolation prize which was an invitation to attend a Pirelli demonstration day at Brands Hatch. This was too much to resist and so on the appropriate day I presented myself at the circuit. I was surrounded by motoring writers from all the leading newspapers and magazines and the format of the day was explained to us. We were invited to do several laps in supposedly identical cars, one shod with Pirellis and the other on tyres from which the brand name had been industriously scrubbed. We were then supposed to fill in a form presumably singing the praises of the handling advantages of the Pirelli shod cars. I guessed that the rush would be for the E Types and Jensens, so set my sights a bit lower and was first in the queue for the pair of Sunbeam Tigers. After a few laps in a fairly gutless one on the unmarked tyres, it was a joy to set off in the The Colonial and his Pirelli-shod one, which was much quicker. On my third lap, I was right on the limit, coming on to the short front straight in front cars … of all the PR people, when I was confronted by a wildly spinning Aston Martin. I managed to miss it which confounded everyone Text Don Broome, illustrated by Kim Gabara. (including me) and later a very relieved journalist thanked me and said he had thought that he would never again get a David Brown or Rootes Group product to test. I had all but forgotten this Part 3 incident when about a month later Pirelli launched a new adver- I acquired a Jaguar to bring back to NZ, but this lived in a tising campaign. There in all the newspapers was a large photo garage at the end of the mews and was only used sparingly. On of a Sunbeam Tiger on three wheels with the outer front tyre one of its outings I was heading up the M1 motorway early on a almost rolled off its rim, surrounded in rubber smoke and the large Saturday morning. There was no speed limit in those days and I caption “Cinturatos can take it!!!” Unfortunately the photo was was cruising smugly at 100 mph, when in the mirror I saw a pair so clear the driver was clearly visible and the next morning when of headlights gaining on me. To my astonishment a small dark I arrived at work, the night shift had pinned up copies all over the car immediately shot past me and its tail lights merged together factory. Such is the price of fame! as it disappeared into the distance. I was so stunned I checked Our fleet of vehicles was soon enhanced by the addition of a my speedometer and rev counter and assured myself that I was new Triumph Herald and a bicycle called Gertrude. But first the not stuck in 2nd gear. Several miles further on was the “Busy dreaded Gertrude. Gertrude was a bicycle of indeterminate age B” highway diner and fuel stop and in the almost deserted car and pedigree with an incredibly malevolent personality. Gertrude park was a large furniture van and not one, but two of these dark was used to determine who did the dishes. When every pot and green projectiles. Of course I had to investigate and pulled in pan had been used and the sink was full, it was lap times around alongside one of these cars as a very tall gentleman uncoiled out the block on Gertrude that determined who did the washing up. of it. I inquired as to what speed he would have been doing when The energy expended would have done the dishes for a year but he passed me some miles back, and he replied nonchalantly with this was completely irrelevant. The circuit consisted of uphill and an American twang “oh about 190 - 200 I guess”. On Monday downhill sections, with a tight bend at the bottom. I rarely had to morning I was relating my experience to my workmates, when do the dishes as Gertrude and I got on fairly well, although she did one of them produced the morning paper with an article from once shed her front wheel on the high speed downhill section. She came to us from the country, and when one of my flatmates an outraged politician about cars practicing for Le Mans on the informed her that she was now “Gertie the town bike”, she saved motorway. The cars were AC Cobras and the driver was Dan her most diabolical tricks for him. On the uphill section when he Gurney. The Rover/BRM turbine car had also been out testing but was grunting on the pedals, she would slip her chain or mysteri- unfortunately I hadn’t seen it. ously the handle bar brackets would loosen and the handlebars My Jaguar deserved its motto of Grace, Pace and Space and I rotate downwards through 180 degrees, likewise at high speed revelled in driving it quickly on the unrestricted roads. I had not the saddle would rotate through 90 degrees, all with eye watering owned it long when I arranged to deliver an elderly relative to her results. He never received any sympathy and could be heard daughter’s home about 100 miles north of London. I phoned the rattling about in the kitchen well into the evening. However, one daughter for directions and was warned that her mother was a very rubbish day when the Council workers mistakenly took Gertrude nervous passenger. About 70 minutes later I delivered a smiling away, it was this very flatmate who rang up to demand her return. mother to her totally astounded daughter. To the comment “you He was outraged when they offered a paltry ten shillings compen- didn’t take long ,” mother replied “I know and we never went over sation. Finally one pound was accepted which was sufficient for 45”. I thought it diplomatic not to tell her she had been looking at twenty pints of the landlords best at our local. By the end of the the large rev counter in front of her and 4500 rpm in overdrive top evening not a bad word could be heard about Gertrude. was about 100 mph. to be continued Beaded Wheels 11

bw279.indd 11 10/10/2007 12:42:48 PM VERO 2006 VCC SIXTIETH DIAMOND JUBILEE RALLY

Text by Alastair McIntosh for the Vero 2006 Rally team

hen Southland Branch members balmy weather, however, we were shocked obviously by someone with a love of British put forward a case in 2000 by the really terrible stormy days that motorbikes. The actual opening ceremony Wfor hosting this rally, we did greeted us over that weekend and morale was brief with everyone being welcomed so bearing in mind two major facts we was tested with the thought of trying to to the province. The Deputy Mayor of knew we could count on. The first was cope with more than 2000 wet visitors. the District Council, Jim Copeland, a totally supportive community offering Happily, skies cleared for the Tuesday officially opened the rally before a meal traditional Southland hospitality from the arrival in Invercargill and hundreds of was provided. Entrants were busy meeting city fathers down through to the lending cars drove through the centre of the old friends, checking out the Help Desk institutions and the ordinary citizens. The beautiful Queens Park, being welcomed by and looking at the displays in the stadium. second factor was our magnificent traffic- a band, crowds of people and the official These included unique items from the free roads and scenery. In the event both welcoming party of City Councillors, Club Richardson Truck Collection, The World’s came through solid for the nearly 1000 Officials, Rally Director, Russell Hawkes, Fastest Indian display and the first and entrants. and Rally Secretary, Judy Willis. last Begg racing cars made by gifted local About two thirds of the starters took the We were fortunate in having the engineer and enthusiast, George Begg. opportunity to travel in the now- accepted new, huge stadium as Rally HQ and on Nearly every motel in town had been Monte Carlo style of tour and all sorts of Wednesday entrants converged to collect booked, some for years, and numerous stories were reported from venues around their rally bags, route instructions and private homes had been rented. We the South Island. After several months of daily newsletter, named The Oily Rag, found that supplying caravans was a real

12 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 12 10/10/2007 12:42:50 PM She: this will be no prize for me!” He: “Patience dear girls, as you see, the horse has thrown another shoe so now I have some work to do. I shall go and find a part To f ix this perambul ated cart and while I scrape and file and chop Can you look after ruddy shop?” Jess D’Moment Photo G Tier

Beaded Wheels 13

bw279.indd 13 10/10/2007 12:42:54 PM problem and it ended up with rally people took advantage of discounted tickets to see staying in all sorts of interesting places. the Bert Munro film, The World’s Fastest Possibly the most unlikely was the group of Indian. Even jaded world tourists approved Hamilton reprobates who took over the St of this heart-warming saga of a local man’s Johns Private School for Girls dormitories, bid to go faster. stocked them with entrants from all over Holding an event like this in a smaller and proceeded to have themselves a ball! city means that the impact on the place The Rally Route team, led by Brian is much greater than it would be in, say, Midgley, had gone to a lot of trouble to try Auckland. Sometimes the streets looked and ensure that each entrant, no matter like a film set; local retailers offered what class or average speed nominated, discounts; restorers flocked to Hayes would be sure to travel different and inter- Hardware; entrants even enjoyed Freedom esting roads. This was mostly successful, of the City status which led to no parking although one Waikato entrant said he was fees. An amusing aside was to find that sick of looking at cows as he saw them all all the second-hand shops run by the the time. I can only say that we are too. Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul For all that, few entrants could fail to have were cleaned out of clothing from Gore been impressed by the superb views from to Bluff as visitors searched successfully the hills above Wyndham on the way for period costume. The local newspaper home from Gore, or the southern coast supported the rally too with articles and around Tuatapere on the way to and from interviews nearly every day. Their featuring Te Anau. of the rally helped to raise interest until A feature of the hub rally venues was just about everyone in the province was the great reception from the locals in ready to go out and get their own car! all the towns visited, with perhaps the If the weather was required to be good smallest town of Otautau providing the for any day at all, it needed to be fine on most memorable welcome. Others found the Open Day. In consultation with the the Vintage aircraft factory at Mandeville City Council we had opted for a venue to be a magic spot. beside Teretonga so that there would be no Stories abound of acts of good will from traffic or parking problems. The day was the natives. One English entrant broke an hot and sunny and people from all over axle and trudged off across the fields to the south converged, giving Invercargill find a phone. A local farmer saw the wifely its first real traffic jam in years. Entrants navigator sitting forlornly, so popped over really enjoyed the chance to look over the on the 4-wheeler and took her home for a fleet and the day was a huge success from hot cuppa before hitching up his salvage all viewpoints. Interestingly, the cost of trailer and taking the whole assembly back running such a day, complete with no- to town for repairs. Numerous breakdowns, cost venue, amounted to virtually half some deemed terminal, were repaired and the gate receipts. Now if it had rained relieved rallyists sent on their way. By the ….? John Wallace, the organiser from the end of the two weeks The Oily Rag, ably committee, was a very satisfied man at the compiled every day by Kathie Henderson, end of this wonderful day, as no doubt was was full of such tales. Raewyn Hawkes who acted as Treasurer! The stadium, the layout of which was The Hill Climb for about forty enthusi- the responsibility of committee man Gary asts was held on a Hokonui hillside. Costs Beaumont, was the home for a great enter- of providing an infrastructure (like porta- tainment line-up in the evenings. The loos) for visitors meant it could not really dine-and-dance, the rock-‘n-roll night and be publicised which was a shame, as some the Scottish night were all simply top-class great efforts were recorded. Similarly, an in any locality, at any time. Other activities event at Teretonga racetrack was open were found all over the city and hundreds mostly for those taking part in a reliability

14 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 14 10/10/2007 12:43:00 PM event, but a great day was enjoyed on this famous circuit. The rally organisation encouraged visitors to use their free days for tourist purposes, so hundreds went to Stewart Island and Milford Sound as well as Bluff and Riverton. I enjoyed catching up with Past President, Norm Dewhurst, on top of Bluff Hill one day. Fluctuating numbers made it hard to plan for the Diamond City camping ground, but in spite of the weather committee member Bill Obers had it ready on the day and it proved very convenient for those there. I wonder if it is a sign of the age of entrants that most are now opting for the comfort of motels rather than under canvas. For all that, a camp city gives a special core to any rally and this one was no exception. All too soon we were at the final night where a sit-down meal was provided for 2000-odd people, not without some unnec- essary queuing, and prizes were handed out. Wellington might have missed out on hosting this rally but they were well represented everywhere and even took out the top prize when Bob Smythe was over- all winner in his Jaguar. Alan Sutton did the honours for us as MC while a local dixie-jazz band provided great music and National President Leigh Craythorne cut the cake to mark the Club’s Diamond Jubilee. Many people were wondering how the rally would finish but in the end, the evening really belonged to Invercargill’s well known mayor, Tim Shadbolt, who made a guest appearance and wound up the formal part of the rally with a rollicking speech, which, I think, concluded by thanking everyone for coming and wishing them a safe return home; sentiments which reflected accurately the feelings of everyone in the south.

BW

Beaded Wheels 15

bw279.indd 15 10/10/2007 12:43:06 PM Big VERO RALLY equals Big Impact Text Kathie Henderson

Southland is a province the size of Holland but it has a sparse population of 100,000. Just under 50,000 live in Invercargill and the rest are divided among the far flung corners of the province and the half dozen country towns. When the half empty roads started to fill up with cars displaying red and yellow plaques, we knew the rally was in town.

he entire province embraced the back of their memories, flashes of romance Op Shops would like to know when the rally and the participants. The and fantastic tales emerged everywhere. A next rally is! Tfeeling was mutual and the entrants month later people are still eager to tell us In typical Southland style the weather often remarked on the amazingly friendly where and when they spotted the cars. went from fiercely cold to piercingly hot. people everywhere. Where else could you The rally routes covered a lot of mileage The soft tops went back up to prevent the be sitting in your Vintage machine at a into some of the more remote country entrants from being totally scorched in our stoplight and have the lady in the car next areas. One astounded Englishman arrived ozone depleted atmosphere. But that didn’t door leap out, thrust a bottle of wine in back at Headquarters with a local farmer. prevent the country kids standing for hours your hand and welcome you to Southland? He had broken down about an hour out by the side of the road waving at the cars That happened not once but twice that we of town and when he went to ask for help on their runs. The oldies climbed into their heard about, probably more! from the farmer in the pouring rain, he got rest home vans and toured the venues and Southlanders are keen motorists. The it alright. The farmer loaded the man’s car the HQ parking lot. The volunteers spent roads are good, relatively flat and the onto a trailer and hauled it back to town hours in the heat by the roadside checking scenery is the most spectacular in the to us at HQ, enquiring “So where do you cars on the timed sections. Groups of country. The traffic by any standard is very want him?” We thanked him profusely friends and their cars went off on expedi- light. And Southlanders have always been and directed the pair to the local garage tions to the beach or the mountains. keen on cars...all sorts, all ages, all speeds around the corner. “Don’t thank me”, said The country women made sandwiches thanks to the provinces agricultural base. our local farmer, “I’m just the silly bugger and baking galore for rally goers as fund The Teretonga racetrack was built around that went to help him!” He got the box of raisers for their communities. The allied 40 years ago by keen motoring enthusi- Speights he deserved! services were busy all over town repairing asts. The Southland VCC was formed in Another panic-stricken Englishman bits and pieces of the cars, often for free. the early 50s with some pretty spectacular rang from a farm house to say he had Gear was on loan everywhere. The large cars among those early members. Relatives broken down way over in Western Stadium Southland, usually home of the of those early motoring pioneers are still Southland. It might have seemed to him Sting netball team, was put to the test around the province in droves. Someone he was in the back of beyond but we knew for catering and versatility as our Rally has taken the old family car wreck from where he was and whose farm he was on so HQ and principal venue. Local groups under the macrocarpa trees years ago but a quick chat with the farm owner got him provided entertainment most nights was everyone can still remember it. sorted. There were many stories of local well received if the noise level of cheering, Given the long relationship with cars people helping rally people and it made the clapping and dancing was any indication! that Southlanders have had, it is not rally so enjoyable for everyone. If it all seems like a faded memory to surprising that 14,000 people turned out Even the Op Shops got a great spin off you now, you can jog your memory with a to look at what might have been (and from the Rally. The first two days were memorabilia package to show your friends sometimes was) the old family car on Open really cold and the jerseys and jackets and family. Look for our ad in this issue. day. Hundreds more turned out during sailed out the door of the Sally Army And remember we would like you to visit the lunch breaks in the four major towns shops. Then the entrants discovered the again in your Vintage or your modern. You of Winton, Gore, Otautau and Te Anau dress-up racks of used clothing and had a saw a lot of Southland but you still didn’t on the rally days. Wistful looks into the great time buying up period outfits. The see it all! BW

16 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 16 10/10/2007 12:43:14 PM Reunited after 100 years. Doug Willis’ 1906 Reo at front and Ian Chamberlain’s 1906 Reo at rear. It was a privilege for entrants to visit the wonderful Richardson truck collection where some recently imported rare breeds of Veteran trucks were on display among so many other beautifully restored makes and models. Magnificently dressed, Bryan and Lynn Thomas along with their former 1902 de Dion-Bouton were rightfully the darlings of the crowd and the public at the Timaru start of the Mt Cook tour, and indeed throughout the tour. Bryan had intended to trailer the car over parts of the route but the car was running so well and he got so caught up in the excitement that he drove the complete route over the two days. 140 vehicles, an almost equal mix of Veteran S SOUNDING THE BRASS and Vintage, supported the tour which T Text and photos Rob Knight gained coverage on two TV channels. As a conclusion to a memorable weekend, Bryan uch will be written elsewhere about so the car was garaged for the rest of the delivered a very funny after dinner address the Diamond Jubilee Vero Rally rally. Ron Carey’s Stoddart-Dayton from on how he became involved in old cars and Mand the Mt Cook re-enactment Canada never made it out of the North his experiences with the de Dion-Bouton. tour but a few comments about both are Island despite the best efforts of Graham Full marks must go to organisers Kevin and appropriate for this column perhaps. Miller to seal a cylinder sleeve which had Ruth Mercer and Russell and Joan Paul. There was a pleasing turnout of an moved in the blind-head 4 cylinder engine Jim Bowden phoned from Oamaru to array of delightful Veteran cars at the Vero during the drive to the ferry. Patterns for say that he had recently completed some Rally, probably the most seen at a similar a new cylinder block are now being made difficult legal negotiations to purchase event for many years. Among others, the near Palmerston North. a 1913 Matchless motorcycle from his single cylinder Cadillacs of Ivan Allen The Callesen entourage, which did grandfather’s estate. Jim said that, other and Stephen Oliver and Tony and Judy some serious touring before and after the than needing new tyres, the machine is Gairdner’s 1909 de Dion-Bouton (illus- rally, included other Veterans besides the a complete and original runner and he trated in the last BW) were completed in 1918 Cadillac; Mermie Karger’s lovely 1913 intends to keep it that way. time to attend, but last minute problems Rolls-Royce from Philadelphia, the equally Shortly after the Vero rally, Ken and frustrated the efforts of James Welch with splendid 1913 Rolls-Royce of John and Rae Trish Jonathon’s Reo project was delivered his 1905 Riley and Neil Cox with his Kennedy from UK, and Martin and Joan to Gore to complement some parts already Overland so those cars stayed at home. Ferner’s well travelled 1912 Minerva. owned by Robin Dickson. The load John Callesen’s mammoth rebuild of Of particular note was the attendance included a Ford T raceabout project going the wrecked 1918 Cadillac was finished of three cars from the Alldays and Onions to another buyer. in time to proudly lead an entourage of factory which Bob James of Wales thought Having completed the 1909 de Dion- overseas Veteran and Vintage cars on an must be a record at any event; Roy and Bouton, Tony Gairdner now has a extensive tour before and after the events. Shirley Benton’s 1910 10hp running ever well-campaigned but reliable 1910 model No problems with the 1918 Cadillac have better and better, George and Sue Lee’s in excellent condition for sale, while Bruce been reported but not so fortunate was splendidly restored 1905 10hp, and Philip and Wilma Madgwick’s 1908 de Dion- Frank Taliaferro with his 1915 V8 Cadillac Boult’s 1913 Midget appearing after many Bouton has joined the 1915 Ford T in the town car. Having been purchased in a laid- years of hibernation. We chose to leave Wayne and Wendy Welch stable up condition it needed much work to make our Alldays behind in favour of touring Ivan Horn of Levin is on the lookout for it roadworthy when it arrived at Callesen’s South Island roads in the Buick, otherwise a viable early Veteran project which will Valhalla in December. Ray McCulloch of there would have been four! Incidentally, involve some wordwork. Invercargill rebuilt a bearing that had failed both Messrs Alldays and Onions began as John Pauling phoned from Picton near Haast, allowing the car to motor on, bellows manufacturers so it was of personal to correct me on the model of the Ford but more terminal damage was found later. interest to find five A&O blacksmith prototype seen at Toowoomba and Water in the oil in a blind head V8 is not bellows and one A&O portable forge in mentioned last issue. Apparently prototypes something that can be remedied overnight various locations during our tour. never had model numbers but this was to be Also of note was the reunion of two a model J if it ever entered production. single cylinder Reos. One serial number By the time you read this the five day apart, these cars had been owned by doctor HCC re-enactment of the 1906 Reliabilty and dentist brothers at Richmond and trial from Auckland to Taupo and the Motueka. Ian and Fay Chamberlain’s now Wairarapa based VCC Triangular Veteran well campaigned Reo from Wanganui joined Rally will be over and will be reported on the newer restoration of Doug and Judy next issue. Willis of Southland at the public display. Good to see three Veterans keeping up with the others on Manawatu’s Ruahine Mt Cook Darracq Service Car at the Timaru Ramble in February; Cocker’s much start.

Beaded Wheels 17

bw279.indd 17 10/10/2007 12:43:18 PM The history of this English Ford Zodiac 1961 Sedan starts as one of two cars bought out from England for the English Embassy in Australia. The story goes that extra heavy suspension and 1961 Ford Zodiac Mk II insulated pipes were fitted for the Text and photos Rod Rugg rugged Australian outback.

995 the history continues with Victor work has been done or any major panel Mays fuel-injected head and was not happy Pace purchasing the car and taking it work needed, a credit to the Pace brothers. to sell this set up. The end result; we 1to Melbourne, he started restoration Victor carried on purchasing parts and ended up with the block “only” Victor and by stripping the car to bare metal by hand. the brake lines were installed. Steering stripped it that night. This was done over many years with minor was set up, differential reconditioned with It was July 2004 and the car was on its panel beating required and no rust was new parts, gearbox completely new inside, way to New Zealand. found. The car was in excellent condition Victor was looking at producing a 2004 Work started on the project straight for its age, only 75,000 miles on the clock. Zodiac sedan or the nearest he could to away, in fact, without knowing it, all the A roll cage was made to roll the car into this. Time passed and interests changed for spare time after work and all weekends any position required for the painstaking Victor, he decided to sell his entire Zephyr were spent from this time on with the car. task. As this was being undertaken, Victor collection and parts. The last one to go One of the main problems early on kept his eye out for new parts; suspen- up for sale was his beloved MkII Zodiac. was that all the new parts were 25 years sion, fuel tank, fuel sender, brakes steering As the car was advertised on the internet old now. Chrome had to be redone, all box and column, clutch – brake master there were many who came and viewed the the original door rubbers were split and cylinder and clutch slave cylinder to name vehicle but none wanted to part with the unusable, even the fuel pump rubber was a few. Victor’s brother Joe stepped in and amount of money asked and Victor was not found to have aged and needed replace- supplied his expertise in painting and a going to give it away as the cost had been ment. This resulted in many nights on match for the original colour was sprayed enormous. It had to go to the right person. the internet and parts being purchased (although metallic paint was applied to I had previously owned a MkI Zephyr from England, Australia and New Zealand. the bottom of the car as a jazz up from convertible and restored this to show Rare parts were found and with some I the original) the final colour scheme was condition when I was twenty, and now I did not realise at the time just what I had Conway yellow and Ludlow green. This wanted a sedan to continue the Vintage purchased. paint is what we see today, 25 years on, and rallying that my wife, Bobby, and I had Two weeks after arrival home and is still in excellent condition. No panel been enjoying in our Model A. We had contact was made again with the Auckland been four years looking and you don’t see Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac Club about a new many Zodiacs coming up in near new 1962 marine engine that was up for sale condition. This was what I was after. from another, later to become very good The specification of the car had to be friend, Alan Godfrey. After meeting with original, but small alterations were okay, Alan it was decided the new motor was the original numbers had to be present for to be used as a donor and all the parts a sale. The car was not being purchased as fitted into the original block, it all had a short-term ownership, more for the long to be balanced. As the donor motor was term. So when we came across the Pace car originally for a boat it was decided the cam the cost was not looked at until toward the needed a grind, so of course a mild ¼ race end of the transaction. It took three weeks cam was chosen to give it a bit of spice! of emails and phone calls between Victor As progress was made, I found the and I, and then Bobbie was advised of the original block had been bored out a bit, intended problem ahead. Laurie Roberts, so this girl was going to move! Alan has now a good friend, had his beautiful MkII made a super job on the motor, the donor Zodiac (the same model) 100 yards up the motor giving us a new head, pump and the road from Rod’s work and after Bobbie saw balance of parts needed. this, it was decided a plane ticket should be While installation of the motor/gearbox purchased. A container was sent to Victor was underway it was also time to track Pace’s house just in case a deal was struck. down a quality upholsterer. Jim Woonton All went well, Victor had the original came from a good recommendation through motor block but had fitted a Raymond the VCC and was contacted. Although he

18 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 18 10/10/2007 12:43:23 PM could do the work where would you get the original hood lining? Nowadays not even material that could be painted was around. Many, many phone calls and contacts were made, a contact in England sent the wrong lining and all was going bad. Another new contact was made who knew a friend that had an original lining that was still in its plastic bag, this was mind blowing. The purchase was made (modest cost) and Jim was away. The pattern was copied from the original seats, and matching leather found in Wellington. All the chrome trim was sent to Christchurch where more miracles and another true tradesman showed his skill, more thanks must go to Max Wintermouth for the quality of his workmanship. As the car came out originally with the large white wall tyres we aimed to find a control, a genuine after market deluxe tool similar set. This was done through Classic kit and tyre pump (all Fomoco). These Tyres in Tauranga and before long a set of again very rare. This contact also had a set BF Goodrich white walls came from the of genuine English metal rear Venetians, USA. Victor had the original wiring loom these do not come up often so I gritted my overhauled and added some modern altera- teeth and put them away for a rainy day. tions, this did not suit what I was after Jim the upholsterer phoned and the so a new standard specification wiring fitting of the hood lining and wireless loom was purchased through Australia. beading around the doors was done at As we had no diagrams for the overdrive our home. The hood lining was not easy Bobbie and I made the overdrive loom as it had a mind of its own! Jim was ourselves. All the looms were grey taped very patient, and steamed the lining and as per original to cover the wiring, and the eventually it all fitted like new. The rear have been oil leaks from new oils seals car started to look like a project. window was fitted, we learnt that this that are now 20 years old. The restoration Enthusiasm was lifting, the upholstery was a very rare green tinted glass and was completed June 2005. was going well, chrome started to go on could not be replaced so the experts from It always amazes me on a project like the car, the paintwork received a cut and Performance Auto Glazing were called in this where the love of classic cars brings was found to be metallic, badges and and four hours later the glass was in (not a the best out of people. Many thank to the names were installed. As the engine was in job for the faint hearted). Auckland Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac Club and the gearbox fitted the drive shaft was The car was now sent to Jim Woonton and members. BW balanced, painted and installed. for seats to be fitted and carpets made. A Alan came around and fitted the head wooden box providing the seating position. on the motor; the exhaust could now be What a transformation. made. An original muffler was copied Now ready for the compliance, WOF and a tail pipe fitted with all the correct and VIN, the car was taken straight to mountings found, we could now fire up the the AA New Lynn and flew through engine. Problems with fuel pumps (new but its checks without any problems at all. 20 years old!) were understandable and new Amazing really, thirty years and eighty kits were fitted to overcome these issues. percent new and it is on the road. The The worries of the ¼ race cam and the next day the wheel alignment was done extra oversize cylinders did not make any and the first run made on the motorway. difference to the idle and the car purred The love of this car will no doubt mean away. The original throttle control Victor more polishing will be done. After two had was not good as it suited a Raymond days on the road the car was taken to Mays head and second throttle control was the Zephyr International Convention. It fitted but was for a four cylinder Consul could not compete but received admiration so another had to be sourced. More phone from all. So the future showing of this car calls and another contact and close friend should be interesting. After test runs over now and the purchase of a good throttle the following weeks the only problems Special thanks must go to these tradesmen HPC Coatings and suppliers Resto Spares Allan Godfrey Main Radiators Gordon Stevens Progresssive polishers Dave King Component Powder coaters Grant Anderson, Max Wildermouth Jim Woonton Mobile Panel and Paint Classic Tyres Glenburn Tyre Enford Spare Parts Vintage Auto Parts Robinson Instruments Scott Auto Parts Dashboard Restorations Performance Auto Glazing.

Beaded Wheels 19

bw279.indd 19 10/10/2007 12:43:26 PM The Eagle Has Landed…

One make, three cars and a quarter century of reward.

Text and photos Alastair McIntosh

The completed Speed 20.

The 4-cylinder 12/50 as mine and the engine has been seldom Within a year I had the mechanical cold in ten years. bones and started a fairly major recreation of a 1925 12/50 four cylinder Ducksback. The 6-cylinder Silver Eagle This body style was not originally called In the event, however, this exercise Twenty-five years ago I was smitten duck’s back, you understand, but this is a was one of bad karma and I resolved family magazine and the polite version is with the Alvis bug. This came about never again to let the heart rule the head! always used. Virtually no part of the kitset was usable when I was buzzed by a swarm of This car proved to be simply superb and or if it was, it wasn’t correct for the year gave about 100,000 kms of sheer pleasure; and only the chassis and axles made it to Vintage Alvis 12/50s from Australia trials, track and touring. The 12/50 Alvis, the finished car – the other vital compo- with its 1500cc engine, is rightly regarded nents being sourced in expensive packages during the Rotorua International Rally. by the pundits as one of the outstanding from all around the world. While in the Vintage cars. It is responsive, economical, UK, I photographed and measured an They sounded great, looked even light and attractive, easy on tyres, petrol original Beetleback, which was the sports and the eye. Above all it is as simple as successor to the Ducksback, and from better and vanished to the horizon like an axe with no water pump, no fan, no these details we built a body that Auto Restorations panelled. They also supplied fuel pump, but a dash tank and a magneto the alloy wings to pattern. It was a long fertiliser off a shovel. that could be replaced in three minutes. and expensive rebuild but eventually the The 12/50 has, to my mind, those four car was finished, accurate in detail and essential Vintage features of wire wheels, looking pretty sharp. Confusingly, but cast sump, wind-up clock and nickel silver typically English, the Silver Eagle had a radiator shell. standing hare mascot like the early cars. However, the experts also said that the The eagle mascot came later. six-cylinder, two-litre Silver Eagle was even Because I had heard stories of this better – more power, smoother – you know model overheating, a lot of attention had how these things are sold! So when I been given to isolating the triple carburet- heard that Dale Parsell had a 1929 kitset tors, heat resistant coating of the manifold of a Silver Eagle for sale in Melbourne, the (HPC) treatment, fitting a new radiator temptation was too great and I quit the core and adding an electric fan where the Ducksback to Bob Beardsley. I believe his standard cars had none. For all that the experience with the car has been the same car disappointed, and I’m partly to blame

The excellent 12/50.

12/50 Office

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bw279.indd 20 10/10/2007 12:43:28 PM because it did not get the sort of sophis- coupes appeared. At a time when money ticated tuning it required, although every was so tight that the factory had to ring detail had been rebuilt. I had been spoiled the salesroom to ensure some cars had by the rugged simplicity of the 12/50! It been sold before they could pay the men’s mostly ran hot, culminating in a backfire wages, Follett’s offer to buy 100 cars was leading to a real fire that nearly destroyed heady stuff. The cars were good too, with us on top of the Dunedin motorway. Had 90 mph and excellent handling, unlike Austin Banks not brought along a fire the early SS Jaguars which looked good Classic back ends at Lake Dunstan. extinguisher that day in 1997, we would but, basically, were dogs. The motoring have been left with only the bolt-holes and press was full of praise and even Sir Henry a melted patch in the bitumen. Birkin said it was the best British car he I believe this over-heating was a design had driven. This early series of cars had fault caused by the fact that the under- a beam front axle, non-synchro gearbox bonnet area was virtually sealed, leaving and short stroke engine and while they no place for cooling air to get out after were down on the sheer horsepower of passing through the radiator. Even the the later series with the independent front extensive louvres in the bonnet sides were suspension, synchromesh gears and built-in not enough, and as soon as one got near jacks, they remain probably the liveliest of to the legal maximum, the oil got too the thirties cars on account of their much 1929 Silver Eagle Beetleback woodwork. hot and pressure dropped off. On one lighter weight. incredible and highly public day while whistling up Arthur’s Pass, the pressure Finding our Speed 20 of steam in the radiator blew the poor I had always admired Bob Oakley’s hare mascot right out of the cap and into tourer in Dunedin and Joe Marsden’s the undergrowth! Steering, handling and saloon in Tauranga – they are simply performance otherwise were excellent, but beautiful to look at. When Wallace you couldn’t realise the potential of that McNair came into my car shed in ’95, he brilliant motor. (By 1930 the company had asked if I was interested in a Speed 20 he’d widened the chassis and cut away the side found in South Africa. Negotiation took flanges on the crankcase – I know why!) 1993 In South Africa, sixties colour scheme but about three micro seconds and I forgot any has the eagle. When I had a call from a chap who really lessons learned about buying a dream. Car wanted a ’29 Silver Eagle there was a rapid No 14959 was a first series SA that had left meeting of minds. The other reason was I the factory on Feb 6 1933. It had belonged had found a Speed 20. to a dentist who had commenced a restora- tion in the ‘60s. In usual style everything The Origins of the Speed 20 had been dismantled. The Alvis Company in Coventry was Cape roads and voracious bugs had always a small outfit – in Vintage times reduced the smart body to history, but the Austin plant, for example, would have the chassis had been stored inside when made more cars in a morning than Alvis he died. It was clear that things had been made in a year. The company persisted thrown together for sale, (the carburettor floats were on the wrong side for example) in making expensive, supercharged, f.w.d Speed 20 restoration progress. racing and sports cars alongside their but it appeared that most mechanical main models and were always on the brink essentials were still present. There were five shilling postal notes before buying of financial ruin. By 1932 they needed no guards at all but the bonnet and two anything from England. (New Zealand original wooden front seat frames had a winner, so rapidly designed a new car used to be the same). The dentist had survived. It arrived in Invercargill in the around their excellent Silver Eagle engine, all the paper work needed to bring in middle of 1995. MAF made me scrape increasing the capacity to 2.5 litres. dozens of small parts for the restoration. out all the mudwasp nests and ensure no At a critical moment a London The final list of new parts, including new hairy passengers were hiding on board. salesman, Charles Follett, had lunch with pistons, from Alvis in UK, ran to several Even in forlorn chassis form, however it the Alvis top brass and sketched on a table pages. My guess was that the car had done looked promising and it had its proper napkin the sort of car he wanted to sell. about 60,000 miles as it was on its second eagle mascot. Instead of the conservative cars planned, rebore. It did not appear to have been in It was also like a time warp. South the Speed 20 range of fabulous tourers and an accident, although some parts were Africans forty years ago had had to collect bent and the headlights unusable. It had

The real proof of this pudding is found in all those intangibles that make up a real Vintage driving machine.

Beaded Wheels 21

bw279.indd 21 10/10/2007 12:43:32 PM left the factory as a two-door saloon made by Vanden Plas – almost the same as Joe Marsden’s car. A rebuild of that magnitude was out of the question so we settled for a Vanden Plas tourer replica but hoped to at least retain the green paint and tan trim that was mentioned on the build sheet.

The Restoration Saga Back to Melbourne again, this time to photograph and measure a car belonging to Barry Gough. This car is an amazingly Happy owner, September 2005 original old tourer he uses for everyday work. Armed with information from this touring ratio. The SUs were rebuilt in visit, my neighbour at Millers Flat, Geof Sydney and I had the manifold treated by Pierce, and I built a new wooden frame out HPC in Auckland—which process I believe of Southland beech. A contact in the UK is hugely valuable for old car comfort. With offered to supply a set of correct new wings my heating memories still warm, a new and a squillion dollars later these arrived radiator core was a must, too. from factory issue. The car finally cleared in a container with Mike Hirst’s car for A shift to Wellington for three years LTNZ (a story in itself) in November 2004, the 2000 International Rally at Hamilton. at this point meant that the car went after nine years of ownership. They were not very good. Sad to say, into Auto Restorations for panelling nearly every experience with UK suppliers and mechanical checking. Allan Wylie Summary has been the same - the price is either reported that the engine, while superfi- So how does it rate as an Alvis? It is outrageous or the quality poor; sometimes cially rebuilt, needed a complete strip and a heavier car than the Vintage ones so I both. And I’ve had dealings with some of reassembly. So the whole mechanical set don’t feel so adventurous on corners but it the top names. (When I asked Mike about up was dismantled, balanced, checked and sits much lower on the road. Steering and this dubious Pommie characteristic he said reassembled. I made up a set of hood frames brakes are good and the crash gearbox is that I shouldn’t feel I was being singled out to pattern and a windscreen was fabricated very easy to use. We are still being careful like a colonial sucker, as the Poms rip each that looks great. My friend, Peter Healey, with the new motor but it wants to go, other off as well!) painted the car a proper Vintage green does 60 mph without breathing hard and The South African sun had perished and Steve Whitren from Alexandra uphol- shows no trace of over-heating. The 12/50 the tyres, new in 1960, and a few of the stered it in the tan hide that we bought always returned 30 mpg, at the moment smaller bits were missing like the hand in Melbourne. Clynt Inns had delivered we are getting around 20 mpg. The engine brake and linkages from the controls at the it from Christchurch to Alexandra for is very sweet, confirming the view that bottom of the steering box. These rods and me and shortly after that we returned to balancing is well worth the effort. Brakes levers and ball-joints are amazingly compli- Invercargill. can be adjusted from the driver’s seat with cated where they fan out to attend to Even when it looked finished, the car a star wheel and the exhaust noise is satis- controlling the vital functions; they are all still needed three months nearly full-time fyingly crisp. The driving position is good different lengths to give various ratios. It work including fettling the dual ignition with comfortable bucket seats, a clear view was a slow business. But, generally, fortune system and the triple carburettors. I had to of the big dashboard dials and a satis- smiled. Like all major restorations it was a make a new speedo drive gear for the back fying vista of long bonnet and chrome mix of things you do yourself or farm out. of the gearbox as the original had seized headlights. That eagle sitting there is There is a story attached to every part. For and was damaged beyond repair. New ones appropriate. example I met a chap at a party in Geelong were not available from anywhere so after The real proof of this pudding is found who had a set of correct Rotax headlights extensive calculations to accommodate the in all those intangibles that make up a in excellent order, and later found a new 4.1:1 diff and the 20" wheels, I had one real Vintage driving machine. Alvis were crown wheel and pinion set with a suitable made by a local engineer. Before fitting excellent engineers and these chassis were the new gear, I made before compromise with marketing re-checked my produced so many bad cars in the thirties. maths and found For all that, this car looks magnificent, two major errors. and as a 90mph car was a sensation seventy Is there a reverse years ago. It still is. of Sod’s Law? It BW records speed For the Technically Minded: exactly! 1933 ALVIS SPEED 20 MODEL SA Engine 6 cylinders, ohv, 2511cc. Restoration Bore and stroke 73mm x 100mm standards are Ignition Dual BTH magneto and coil getting higher system all the time and Carburation Triple SUs I was determined Output 87hp @ 4000rpm to get this right Transmission Alvis clutch and 4 spd crash box and authentic. Diff ratio 4.11:1 There are only a Suspension Live axles, semi elliptic springs, Hartford friction shock absorbers couple of invisible Tyres and wheels 5.50 x 20 on Dunlop wires modifications Total chassis production 1932-33: 351

22 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 22 10/10/2007 12:43:35 PM Bugatti Type 59 GP Chassis No. 59121

The last of four Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix works team cars imported into the United Article John Hearne, photos John Hearne, Kingdom in March 1935 was put up for sale at Carol Coorliss. the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 24 June 2005.

hen I attended a track testing Monoposto he said that “the Bugatti gave doctor and a marshal were also killed in session at the Donington Park me endless trouble and cost a small fortune the accident. WRacing Circuit earlier in 2005 in repairs.” Stafford East, who was a mechanic I was surprised and delighted to be able The new owner, the Duke of Grafton, on the type 59, retained the wreck and to view up close this wonderfully original was killed in his first race with the car. He completed its rebuild in the mid 1980s. machine and also to try it for size. crashed within 300 yards of the start of Even though it was rebuilt around 20 years This car is one of eight type 59 racers the Limerick Grand Prix and suffered fatal ago it did not appear to the writer to be in built and one of only five that still survive. burns after the petrol tank exploded. The running order. The many VSCC enthu- More importantly, it is the last remaining wreck was given to the Duke’s chauffeur siasts who were viewing it at Donington example in the United Kingdom of the who in turn sold it to Bugatti specialist asked whether or not it could be seen four works’ cars that were sold here in Arthur Baron. The black and white photo- running. They were told that that would March 1935. This car was driven into sixth graph of the car taken at the Lewes Speed be up to the new owner. place by Rene Dreyfus at the 1934 Spanish Trials in August 1939 should be compared I have been a member of the Vintage Grand Prix in San Sebastian carrying with the present day colour photos. My Car Club of New Zealand for 45 years race number 26. Robert Benoist was to observations are that it appears to remain and am now based in England with my campaign it at Monaco but crashed in remarkably original in spite of its tragic 1929 Alfa Romeo 6c Works team car and practice and failed to make the race. past. After several modifications, which hoping to attend as many events as possible When I sat in this incredibly beautiful must have taken place after the 1939 photo, in my retirement. My car UV 819 was first machine I felt sad to reflect that two of including a pre-select gearbox which is still registered in London in July 1929 and its owners, plus several other folk, were intact, and twin rear wheels, the type 59 I have managed to reinstate its original killed in accidents involving this car. proved very fast and was successfully hill- registration. Chassis no 59121 voiture moteur No 3 climbed by George Abecassis. I should like to say to all critics of the was imported into the United Kingdom This car claimed a second life when club’s Identity Card Service that this card by Charles Martin who elected to drive sold to wealthy Bugatti Owners’ Club has proved invaluable here in the UK with it from Molsheim back to the U.K. He founder member Kenneth Bear who died both clearing the car through customs and campaigned it in many events and when after brake failure during practice for the also with verification of its history for the he sold and replaced it with an Alfa Romeo 1949 Jersey Road Race at St Helier. A Department of Transport. BW

Beaded Wheels 23

bw279.indd 23 10/10/2007 12:43:38 PM 1918 PACKARD TWIN SIX BEHIND THE WHEEL Text Mark Dawber, photos Kevin Clarkson

When Selwyn Craig began racing his stripped down 1918 Packard Twin Six, the Mountain Road Special, at Muriwai Beach in 1922, he would have given little thought to the possibility that the smooth and powerful V12 engine under his control would live again 75 years later, resurrected, rebuilt and powering a recreation of his car in its original touring form.

PACKARD JW believed that there was no need for severed his ties completely with Packard There are several versions of how the more than one cylinder – ‘he noted that after a disagreement with the Board over Packard Motor Company came into being, simplicity is akin to dependability’. He was the future direction of the company but in all of them the central character is a skilled engineer with a good business Packard moved from tiller to wheel James Ward (JW) Packard. Born in 1863, sense. Among the inventions he patented steering on the enlarged 12hp 1901 model he and his brother William (born 1861) was automatic spark advance in 1901. C (6" x 6 ½" bore & stroke – a 3 litre were members of a successful business In July 1900 the Ohio and New York single!) along with the aforementioned family in the town of Warren, Ohio Company was incorporated as the Ohio automatic spark advance and foot throttle. about 200 miles from Detroit. In the early Automobile Company. The fortunes of the The last single cylinder model was the ‘F’ 1880s he gained a degree in mechanical company changed dramatically after a visit of 1902-3, which saw the introduction of engineering and in 1890 the two brothers in 1901 from Henry B. Joy who headed sliding gear transmission (mounted in unit formed the Packard Electric Company. In a group of Detroit investors looking for a with the differential - a feature retained 1891 they established the New York and suitable automobile company to put their until 1915). It was one of these model Ohio, Company to make light bulbs. As money in. He was responsible for the Fs that was used to set a trans-America early as 1893 James became interested in company moving to Detroit and in 1903 record of 61 days. 1903 also saw the first the possibility of building an automobile the Packard Motor Company was formed 4 cylinder Packard, the Model K, but this but it was in 1898, when he bought one with Joy as General Manager. James W. and the 1904 Model L were not a success. of the earliest Winton cars and experi- Packard became President of the company The factory actually repurchased all cars enced considerable trouble with it, that and was later Chairman until his retire- that had been sold of the 34 produced. he decided to go into manufacture. The ment in 1916. It was Henry Joy who guided One example did have some success – the first Packard car was driven through the the company’s progress from 1903 through stripped and lightened Model K racing streets of Warren on 6 November 1899 and to 1910. He brought in the best people to car “Grey Wolf”, driven by its designer ex- quickly gained a reputation for its depend- help run the new enterprise. After Charles Mors engineer Charles Schmit, achieved ability. By the turn of the new century Schmidt (who had worked on the first 77mph, on Ormond Beach, Florida, in another five Model A Packard cars had Packard 4s) left, Russell Huff, who had January 1904 and gained fourth place in emerged from the new premises of the been with Packard since the beginning, that year’s Vanderbilt Cup. Automobile Department of the New York was made Chief Engineer and became a The 1905 Model N proved to be better and Ohio Company. The first car was sold key figure in the development of the six as well as being the first model to use on 3 January 1900 (for US$1250). Like all cylinder models. Joy got architect Albert the distinctive radiator shape for which of the As and the subsequent Model Bs, Kahn to design a new factory in Detroit for Packard came to be recognised for the next of which 49 were built in 1900, it was a Packard – the first purpose built automo- 50 years. These early fours all had ‘L head’ single cylinder runabout with a planetary bile production facility and the first to use side valve engines. 1906 saw a change to transmission much like many of its reinforced concrete. Henry Joy became ‘T-heads’ (arguably a less efficient design), contemporaries, but was a little larger and Chairman of the Board on the retirement which Packard stayed with until 1915. In more powerful (9hp) and of better quality. of James Packard in 1916 but the next year 1907 the 4 became the Model 30. Now 24 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 24 10/10/2007 12:43:40 PM behindthewheel

The Mountain Road Special in 1922. increased in size to just over seven litres, tors. There were a total of three different this model, along with its smaller stable designs used over the next four years. The mate, the four and a half litre Model 18 smaller Model 38 used an L head seven (introduced in 1909), would be the staple bearing engine of 415 cubic inches (just of Packard production for the next five less than seven litres). It was also the years. These were all relatively expensive first Packard to have electric starting and cars - $US3,000 and more when a single the first with left hand drive. The larger cylinder Cadillac was less than $US1000. Model 48 used a four bearing T head six At this time about $US1400 would buy a of 525 cubic inches (about 8 ½ litres). three bedroom house. Early in 1914 this engine was redesigned In 1910 Henry Joy employed Alvan with seven main bearings and, mounted Macauley who was arguably the most on a wheelbase of 144 inches, made the important person in the whole of Packard’s Model 4-48 a very large and impressive car. history. By 1911 he was General Manager Prices ranged from $US4750 - $US6510 and was to guide the company through – more than twice the price of the first of the next 25 years and finally retired as the V8 Cadillacs, introduced at about the Chairman of the Board in 1948 at age 76. same time. In these early years Packard He was a qualified patent attorney as well was not a volume producer – total four as a brilliant manager. From 1900 he was cylinder production over the nine years responsible for growth and prosperity of was about 12,000 cars and only about the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. 10,000 sixes were made in four years. One of his colleagues there had been Jesse Cadillac by comparison were making more Vincent and in 1912 Macauley offered than this number each year and Ford built Vincent a job at Packard. Vincent was about 200,000 cars in 1914 with significant made Chief Engineer and was to become increases annually thereafter. the designer of all of the successful Packard The introduction of the V12 ‘Twin Six’ models for the next 20 years. He designed in May of 1915 was a major advance. In the Twin Six single-handed and went on to one fell swoop Packard leapfrogged the design the post WWI Single Six (produced competition, many of whom were still until 1927) and the straight eight (intro- contemplating whether or not to build a duced in 1923 and initially called the V8. A side valve, 3”x 5” bore and stroke V12 Single Eight), which in various forms was with Delco coil ignition, non-detachable to be the mainstay of Packard production heads and a three main bearing crank- for the next 30 years. More importantly shaft, the Twin Six was smoother running for the United States as a country, Vincent than the old six and more powerful even was one of the principal designers of the though it was not as big at 424 cubic Liberty V12 aero engine of 1917-8 and inches. Compared with the big six, the 25 years later, in WWII, was responsible Twin Six was very free-revving, having for making the Rolls-Royce Merlin aero the ability to exceed 3000 rpm partly due engine suitable for mass production at to its use of roller tappets. Like most of its chassis than its predecessor and still have Packard. Packard, incidentally also made a contemporaries the six would probably self as much space for the body. There were large variety of different aero engines, both destruct at half that speed. Most impor- two wheelbases on the first series – 125" air cooled radials and liquid cooled in- tantly the Twin Six was considerably less and 135". This was the first Packard to lines and vees in the inter-war years. They expensive – prices began at only $US2,600 have its gearbox mounted in unit with managed to build a diesel powered radial for the short wheelbase runabout and the the engine. The Second Series models in about 1929 which flew, but the project most expensive limousine model was just introduced in August 1916 had detach- wasn’t continued with. over $US5,000. The compact nature of able cylinder heads and used 25" wheels Packard introduced its first six in April the engine with its much smaller bore instead of the 27s on the First Series. The 1911 – some years after its major competi- size enabled it to be mounted on a shorter Third Series was introduced in June 1917

Beaded Wheels 25

bw279.indd 25 10/10/2007 12:43:43 PM and remained in production until 1923, was solved by Mason and Porter Limited constructed for which Tom imported a although the short wheelbase variant was of Auckland who evolved an ingenious body side from the USA as a pattern. phased out in 1919. The Third Series model arrangement in the three speed gearbox, Tom did the woodwork himself and had had improved breathing for more power where low gear had new wheels cut to Malcolm Cameron do the panels to his and was the first model to use a central provide an overdrive ratio. Craig now usual high standard. The car was trimmed gearshift (the handbrake lever remained started in what had been second speed, and painted in time to be used in the to the driver’s left), and to have the speed- changed into top gear (direct drive) and Vintage Car Club of New Zealand 50th ometer driven off the rear of the gearbox then into the old low gear position. It was Anniversary Rally in 1996. Since then instead of the front wheel. The wheelbases a very successful modification, the main another rebuild of the engine has taken were also lengthened slightly – the model drawback being a rather high starting ratio, place which has improved the running 3-25 to 128" and the 3-35 to 136". An making the car slower off the mark at the of the car immensely. The most recent innovation introduced in the Twin Six start and after the turns. In the race the job has been the construction of a hood in 1920 was the ‘Fuelizer’. This consisted overdrive gear would not stay in mesh, and complete with a matching envelope which of a device with a spark plug inserted the riding mechanic had to hold the gear sets the car off a treat - a tribute to the into the inlet manifold which supposedly lever in place. This was all right until the high quality work performed by A and V improved the mixing of the fuel. Kits were gearbox heated up and the unfortunate Auto Trimming in Christchurch. made available to enable earlier cars to be mechanic could not hold the lever with his Driving the Twin Six proved to be not retro-fitted with the device. The Fuelizer bare hand: apparently he did not have a as easy as I had imagined. The multi- remained in production for only about five cloth to use, so in the final stages he used a plate clutch takes some getting used to years and was then quietly dropped. It was handy pair of pliers.” The Mountain Road and the gearshift reminded me of the used only in Packards and its efficacy is Special was successful in winning the New one in my Massey-Ferguson tractor, being open to debate. Zealand Motor Cup (at over 70mph) that quite stiff with a short close ‘gate’ and By the time of the introduction of the year and also won a sprint race held later requiring care in use. Like the tractor it Twin Six the Packard name was known the same day. No further mention is made is almost impossible to engage a gear from and respected widely and the Twin Six of the car in Flat to the Boards and it is rest without crunching. (The tractor has found its way to many corners of the world, assumed it wasn’t raced again. been like that since new - almost 30 years a fact evidenced by the number of survivors Some time later the Twin Six was ago - and shows no sign of distress). Instead to be found today in faraway countries. dismantled and the motor was to be fitted of the usual shift out - pause - shift in gear It has been said that Enzo Ferrari was to a speedboat. This didn’t eventuate change the Twin Six needs to be shifted influenced to use a V12 in his own cars and the parts were put away in a shed. straight through with little delay. All of by seeing Twin Sixes in use as staff cars in They were rescued by Martin Smith of this is not helped by the unfamiliar engine Europe in WWI. Te Awamutu but little was done with note which sounds busy even at idle. Even It is an example of the Model 3-35 them and when he died, Tom Cloudsley Tom finds it difficult to engage a gear that is the subject of this article. This bought them from the estate. The car at rest without graunching. There is a seven passenger touring model was priced was minus its Buffalo/Rudge-Whitworth suggestion that in both cases the clutch is at US$3850 when new (in comparison wire wheels however three of the originals not ‘freeing’ completely. a Buick 6 tourer was $1250 and a V8 turned up in Christchurch and later three In deference to the rear-wheels-only Cadillac tourer was $2600). more were able to be re-constructed from brakes, speeds are kept low and much The early history of the car from when parts, enabling the car to be returned to forethought given to the possible need to it was new in 1918 until its appearance its original specification. Very few Twin stop. This is a very long car and that fact, on Muriwai Beach in 1922 is unknown. Sixes appear to have been fitted with wire combined with the limited steering lock As mentioned before it had a hard time wheels and this is the only known survivor and heavy steering at low speeds, means early in its life on the beach at Muriwai. to have them. Incidentally only six Twin that the turning circle is of oil tanker According to Douglas Woods’ book Flat Sixes of this (1918) model are thought to proportions. On a more positive note the to the Boards, Craig realised early on that exist today. ride is comfortable and bumps are soaked the Twin Six had an unsuitable rear axle After a lot of research and hard work up with ease. On a clear open road quite ratio for the high speeds sustainable on the car first went back on the road in good speeds can be maintained but always the beach and an alternative crown wheel 1990, initially with a temporary touring in the driver’s thoughts are those brakes. and pinion set was not available. Instead body made with plywood sheeting which BW a new high ratio gear set was cut and put soon became known locally as the “Van in the first gear position. “The problem den Ply”. A new correct style body was

Above: Phil Jeeves and Malcolm Cameron confer. Right: Tom Cloudesly takes the Packard for a spin.

26 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 26 10/10/2007 12:43:47 PM New Zealand Federation of Motoring Clubs

has been arranged by Rod Brayshaw and refer the vehicle to the Transport using technical information and engine Registry Centre for a decision. The more report from VCC rep descriptions that I prepared for him. These of the above alternatives you can supply Andrew McClintock emission and smoke rules are due to come the better. Although not mentioned, a idecar owners need to be aware into force by the end of 2006. They will receipt for the vehicle will help and if an that it is now compulsory for all be followed by additional rules expected to old number plate came with the car take Spassengers to wear an approved come into force by late 2007 that will ban it along. helmet. I have made inquiries at local tampering with or removal of emission You must make the inspector aware motorcycle dealers and approved helmets control equipment. that the vehicle is original or restored for small children are hard if not impossible using original parts from one vehicle. Use to obtain. Approved helmets for 6-10 year Re-registering a Vehicle the term restored to original condition not olds are heavy in relation to their spine If you are about to re-register a vehicle rebuilt or replicated. If you have improved and neck and may cause more damage don’t leave it until the last minute as something for safety reasons eg fitted softer than no helmet at all. I’m told that the it may take some time. In LTNZ’s pre brake linings, don’t use the term modified NZ Karting Federation don’t recommend registration procedures manual they say to or alarm bells may ring. children under the age of 6 wear a helmet. re-register a vehicle previously registered You may be interested in a definition LTNZ’s website publication of 18-06-05 in New Zealand you will need evidence at the back of a 2006 LTNZ yellow draft. Scratch-built vehicle means a motor stated that full consultation was carried of previous registration in NZ (eg a vehicle that is either: out with a range of interest groups. The certificate of registration) showing you as NZ Sidecar Register, F.O.M.C and to my the person on the certificate or in the A Assembled from previously unrelated knowledge the VCC were not consulted. I LANDATA system or you must provide components and construction have been unable to establish who was. It a clear ownership trail linking you to the materials that have not been predomi- effectively means small children can’t be vehicle. If this is not available you must nantly sourced from donors of a single make or model and thats in carried in a sidecar. This may be a good have a letter from the police stating that its complete form, never previously decision, I can’t decide, no argument for or the vehicle is not of interest to them. If no documentation is available verifying the existed as a mass produced vehicle, against, no submissions or discussion. vehicle was previously registered in NZ the although the external appearance following alternatives can be used. may resemble or replicate an existing Changes To Driver Licensing vehicle; or The F.O.M.C have put forward 1 For club accepted vehicles a certifi- cate of authentication from the B A modified production vehicle that submissions on driver licensing and VCC which indicated Previous New contains less than the following emission testing. Submissions have Zealand registration components from a mass produced closed but a decision is yet to be made. vehicle of a single make and model: The proposed major changes to driver 2 A letter from the New Zealand Police 1 40% of the chassis rails and 50% licensing involve removing the need for to indicate the vehicle is not of of the crossmembers or alterna- an on-road test for seniors unless your GP interest to them. 3 The vehicle must have original and tively 40% of a spaceframe or recommends a road test when you get your 40% of the floorpan of a unitary medical certificate. Yes you will still need untampered with identifiers affixed and constructed body, whichever is to renew your licence at age 75, 80 and appropriate; or two yearly thereafter and you will need a 4 Other evidence must be available, eg 2 For light vehicles, 40% of the medical certificate each time. At present photographs of the complete vehicle, bodywork (based on the surface if your licence has not been valid for more receipts for insurance, repairs, WOFs etc area of bodypanels not including than 12 months you are required to take the floorpan, subpanels, bulkheads a theory and on-road test to renew your 5 Manufacturers’, importers’ or dealers’ or firewall) Scratch-built vehicles licence. The proposal is to extend the 12 records that show the vehicle was need to be certified by the Low months to five years. originally imported or manufactured Volume Vehicle Association (I think they mean assembled) in NZ. If you need to register a second hand Emissions 6 Written anecdotal vehicle history import you will need de-registration papers Again a decision is yet to be made but from previous owners giving a history from the country of origin. Remember if the proposals for emissions and exhaust of the vehicle, eg a farmer confirming any major components on your vehicle smoke are to check for clearly visible dense it had been in a shed on his farm for with identifiers, eg motor, chassis or body smoke as part of your WOF check. Post 30 years. Someone simply stating they are imported as second hand imports 1990 vehicles will also have to comply know the vehicle is not enough. be aware your whole vehicle may be with emission standards appropriate to considered an import, it would be up to their age. You will be relieved to know that The registration manual also warns – if you to prove it’s not. there is a chance the vehicle is a replica, bw if your vehicle has its original equipment a used import or a vehicle assembled engine and can’t reasonably comply due from parts do not continue with the re-- to its design eg two-stroke, sleeve valve, registration. Affix a VIN plate and enter total loss oiling etc you may be given the details into the LANDATA system Contact Andrew on 03 338 4049 an exemption from the smoke rule. This

Beaded Wheels 27

bw279.indd 27 10/10/2007 12:43:51 PM Peking t

Northern Mongolia, We had a group of monks come and bless In the Gobi, the Spyker with the Itala in the distance. our expedition. We took them for rides afterwards.

n January 1907 the Parisian Zealand, ten from Australia and one newspaper, Le Matin, issued the from Holland. As you can probably Ichallenge, “Will anyone agree appreciate it is very hard to compress to go this summer from Peking to two months travel into a few pages Paris by motor car?” There were no but I will mention some of the rules, no maps and for that matter, experiences along the way. no roads for much of the route. We were very lucky that we had However the gauntlet was taken up obtained some very good sponsor- by five cars: two De Dion-Bouton, ship which enabled complementary The blue De Dion being towed up a steep hill in China. John an Itala, a Spyker and a Contal three air travel for the competitors and Matheson at the wheel. wheeled motorcycle, and included shipping of the vehicles to Beijing. the two characters of the trip, Even the Spyker was air freighted to Italian Aristocrat Prince Borghese China from Holland at no charge by in the Itala and the rogue / con artist KLM. This was a last minute arrange- Charles Goddard driving the Spyker. ment as the Spyker underwent a full Goddard talked the Spyker owners mechanical restoration and was into giving him a car and a load of not ready until the week before the spare parts, but he sold all the spare rally start and there was no time parts for the Spyker to obtain a first to ship it by sea. Although KLM class ticket to Peking even before he paid for the huge air freight bill the left Europe. Chinese Customs wanted to extract The race left on 10 June 1907 a US$10,000 “fee” to get the car from Peking, for a 14,000km odyssey smartly and trouble free through taking just on two months for the customs, or it would as the Chinese Typical Petrol station in Mongolia The Spyker and the Itala, driven first car to roll into Paris. This feat put it, “take a while”. With the car by Warren Brown, fill up. has gone down in motoring history trapped in customs, the leaving as one of the all time great races. date looming, we had to pay the Nearly one hundred years later a gratuity or not have the Spyker on small group of Veteran Car enthusi- the expedition. asts were game enough, not only to We left Beijing on 15 May 2005 cover the original 14,000km route, and slowly settled into a daily routine; but repeat it in Veteran cars and in we would get up early and be ready period costume. to set off from 6.30-7.30am, leaving The 2005 line up in Beijing independently as each car traveled (Peking) comprised a 15 hp Itala, at different speeds with the wee blue 20hp Spyker, two De Dion-Boutons 6 hp De Dion often setting off one (6 and 10 hp) and a replica Contal hour before the rest. We would leave all driven by an eclectic bunch of with a rough finishing point for the The Spyker being towed out of soft sand by camels in the Gobi. blokes and some gals, two from New night that was around 250-320 km

28 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 28 10/10/2007 12:43:52 PM to Paris Text and photos Rob Spyker

With his own Spyker vehicle still under restoration Canterbury Branch member (and relative of the original car manufacturer) Rob Spyker joined Dutchman, Stynus Schotte, in his 1907 Spyker to take part in this epic motoring event … Line up of cars below the Eiffel tower on 12 July, Rob Spyker and Andrew Snelling below the Eiffel tower at the finish line.

away. As each car was independent we carried them to the nearest large town to having not found the petrol station, and sometimes would not see some of the other have repairs made. stop someone and again mime out the cars all day. If we did happen a chance We would travel about six days out of “where do we find petrol” routine, eventu- sighting of another car stopped at the seven, trying to time the lay day at major ally homing in on the petrol station. In side of the road, or at a café, we would cities for those large repairs. This gave us Mongolia we found one petrol station after pull in to render assistance or relax with the chance to track down a workshop to much difficulty where an old toothless a cup of coffee for a chat. The group manufacture the parts we needed, or if the woman passed out the hose through what would aim for a large town for the night car did not need major work to get to see appeared to be her bedroom window! Most stop, arrive and hope the town was big the highlights of the city we were in by stations were prepaid, guessing how much enough to have a hotel of some sort, but doing the tourist thing. you would need and then go back to the often we would end up between towns We carried with us enough supplies pump to fill the car. Often we would find and have to camp. Depending on travel to be self sufficient in case of being when pulling the nozzle from the pump conditions and progress made we would stranded. This meant we had to carry that it was jammed on, spraying petrol at refine this end point. Each car carried a most mechanical supplies as well as tents, high pressure everywhere until we could satellite phone and would get an update sleeping bags, cookers etc. We had enough get it into the filler. The pumps would late in the afternoon of the campsite GPS food for around one day but really did not not stop when the tank was full so again need to use it as, apart from Mongolia, we it gushed over the car and ourselves. Hot co-ordinates or hotel we were staying at. had ample access to food at the various manifolds were always at the back of our We would get to each night’s destination cafes, truck stops and restaurants along the minds as the Spyker’s gas tank was attached anywhere from 4-11pm, find somewhere way (although most of these by western to and forward of the firewall as well as the to stay or pitch tents, service the cars, and standards were of very poor condition and always present hangers-on with glowing finally obtain something to eat and drink, dubious hygiene). I still have no idea what cigarettes in their mouths crowding around then collapse into bed. we had eaten in some places, certainly not for a look. With the distances we were traveling we recognisable and we really probably did Chinese authorities treated us with expected some major breakages and were not want to know anyway if we wanted to suspicion, especially since we also had a not disappointed. All cars had little niggles ensure it stayed down. film crew documenting our every move. We such as persistent fuel blockages or magneto Petrol was not too much of a problem had to be escorted through China and our troubles, many of which were fixed at the with the greatest distance between pumps route was dictated by the authorities. We side of the road. Most cars suffered major being 200km but usually less than 50km. were also followed furtively by an army van breakages at some point such as the diff Finding a pump in some places was an odd with a radar type antenna on top that tried falling out of the de Dion with the Itala affair. Many times we had to stop people in as best it could to hide from us – with very and Spyker both breaking drive shafts. It the street and get out of the car and mime little success. Any unplanned deviation is surprising how many locals came out of the action of filling the car with petrol, from our route was frowned upon, and was the woodwork who would know someone often several times with several variations impossible to do, until a careless left turn with a part or welder that would help us on including gyrating hips and nozzle pushing found us off the marked route and into the our way. If all else failed we had Anthony, until the hapless individual we accosted countryside on our own, leaving a trail of a mechanic, following with a small truck would cotton on to what we meant and bewildered and stressed minders trying to and trailer that would collect the strag- would point us in the right direction. We track us down. Despite the bureaucracy glers or broken-beyond-repair vehicles. He would go as far as we felt was far enough, and the officials making things difficult at

Beaded Wheels 29

bw279.indd 29 10/10/2007 12:43:58 PM The Itala caught in the truck traffic The Verst Pole marking the border between Asia and Europe. The original rally stopped here in 1907. jam on the road to Jining, China. Right: The yellow De Dion on the road to the in both directions were stopped and the Chinese Mongolian Border Keith Brodie driving with gap between them was too small to squeeze his wife Louise as co-driver. through, one of us would have to walk Below: Night camp in Ochansk, Siberia. The police ahead several hundred metres and wake check on us again. up truck drivers and through gesticulations get them to move their trucks one after the other to the side of the road so we could pass. Much more dangerous was when the trucks were flowing in our direction and the opposing line was stopped. The corridor that we found ourselves in had an unmoving wall of steel to our left and to our right a moving almost fluid wall of trucks. Often a truck would stray to every step, the Chinese people greeted us the centerline not aware that we were warmly where-ever we went, full of smiles beside it and tried to make us the meat in and a helping hand if needed. a metal sandwich. A lot of screaming and Initially the roads coming out of Beijing yelling usually alerted the driver to our were modern and well surfaced. The smog plight so he could take evasive action. We and traffic put a damper on travel and often were exhausted by the end of that highly we had camera crew or officials wading stressful day, throats sore from the yelling into the mass of vehicles at intersections to and ingesting diesel fumes. It was a long try and stem the flow so we could proceed. 12 hours for us but the poor Chinese truck The slow flow of traffic put a stress on the drivers could expect to be on that road for little De Dion as it did not have a fan to four to seven days. cool the radiator and had a tendency to The only time we had to prearrange boil at every opportunity. accommodation was in Beijing and Paris, China provided some interesting driving where we had sponsored accommodation with one of the most bizarre events being a but in Mongolia there were no hotels in truck traffic jam. When on our way to the desert. We had an Australian company Jining, we came across trucks blocking erect a Ger (round Mongolian felt tent) the road ahead of us. The line of trucks at predetermined points in the desert and stretched into the distance as far as we they, on our arrival, provided dinner and Rob Spyker in the Itala beside Lake Baikal in Eastern could see with the occasional truck coming then breakfast for us. Siberia. towards us. After sitting behind the last Mongolia was a breath of fresh air truck for one hour our minders arranged compared to China. At the Mongolian for a police escort to assist our passage past border the oppressive feelings from this truck blockage down the centerline China were gone. We were flagged down of the road. What we did not realise was in no-mans-land by several car loads of that this line of trucks spread nose to tail Mongolians who had rolled out a speaker in both directions for around 120km. The system for speeches from dignitaries. There sheer heaving mass of trucks was creating was also a brass band and five young ladies their own traffic jam as at no time did we in traditional dress to entertain us prior find an accident or any other obstruction. to crossing the Mongolian border and The police escort only lasted around 20km launching into the Gobi desert. and after that we were on our own to push The Gobi was four days of travel over a and shove our way down the centerline, rock strewn moon-like surface with no real parting the trucks very much like Moses roads to speak of, only some tracks that and the Red Sea. At times when the trucks Lost in Siberia, the road deteriorates. wound their way across the desert. These

30 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 30 10/10/2007 12:44:03 PM St Basils in Moscow late in the evening. Blue De Dion Stuck in a small hole in the road through Siberia. tracks were often very rutted, corrugated very quickly we got used to it and started and had sharp rocks over the surface which treating it as a bit of a joke (ignorance is constantly chafed and cut the tyres. Flats bliss). As we were a novelty on the road were common and we spent quite a bit the police felt obliged to pull us over all of time changing punctured tubes in the the time. With all the going through of middle of these vast deserted plains. The paperwork and the lack of language they tracks would often peter out to nothing became real time wasters (up to a hour if and we would run free across the desert they decided to find an irregularity) an trying to avoid the piles of bleached animal hour wasted could be another 25km further bones and more punctures. On day two in down the road. It became quite a competi- the Gobi the Spyker became stuck in some tion to avoid them, either by tucking in soft sand. A local camel driver was alerted behind a truck so they did not see you until and came to the rescue with two of his it was too late to stop you, or when they beasts. With some sturdy ropes and a bit of were waving you down, put on your best pushing and shoving, the camels were able smile, wave furiously back at them and roar to tow the Spyker to firmer ground. through the check point. We knew if they Next stop was Russia. The immense really wanted to stop us they would have The Contal boys, Mick and Chris, having a nap on Siberian plains stretched in all directions come after us. None of them did. the road to Moscow as far as the eye could see. These were Getting lost was a frequent event. We composed of lush pasture and enormous had local road maps that, as well as being in the more generous they became and it put tracts of trees that didn’t change much over Cyrillic, were frequently wrong. At one stage our civilised western world to shame. If you the three weeks we traveled through them. we found ourselves lost on a road made out stopped a Russian in the street (lost again) The roads varied from wide, well-surfaced of prefabricated concrete slabs. These roads and asked for directions, instead of just roads to dirt/mud tracks. The roads were were for tank traffic as they were sturdy pointing they would hop into their Lada often damaged due to constant heavy and quick to construct. We were stopped and tell us to follow them and lead us to vehicle traffic that had built up pressure by the only truck we saw on that road, and our destination whether it be 100m, or as ridges in the road up to half a metre high the driver told us that we could not proceed in one case, 17km. from their passing, and pot holes that you down that road as it led to a military base On 12 July we pulled into Paris and after would literally lose a small car in. It is very and no access was permitted. He took off rounding the Arc De Triomphe, paraded hard to maintain these roads due to cost down the road leaving us to turn back. down the Champs Elysees to pull to a stop restrictions and the fierce winters that rip After scouting out the other roads available in the shadow of the Eiffel tower. A large the roads to bits. We became very used we came to the conclusion that it was crowd of well-wishers and family greeted us to being overtaken by cars that were in the correct route and despite the truckie’s after our two month odyssey. We switched themselves being overtaken by another car, warning, continued down the road only to off our engines for the last time and both of which were heading into oncoming find several kms later that that same truckie reflected on our journey. 14,000km of solid traffic. Several of our Veteran drivers (looking rather sheepish) had a crane and Veteran driving through some of the most witnessed, at very close range, accidents was pinching the road. No wonder he did remote and amazing countryside you could from these antics, one car having to dodge not want us on that route! ever hope to see. We had spoken to people car parts raining down on them from a car, After Russia the route through Poland, that had never spoken English outside the that after clipping another car, disinte- Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany and classroom, people who had never seen grated in front of them. It is no wonder that on to France was rather tame and quite foreigners, or even white faces, in the the Russian road toll is 35,000 per year. civilised. We could relax a lot more with remote areas of Siberia and China. The The Russian police had road blocks that western comforts, good food, clean beds motor car has changed the world and our would stop us two to three times per day to and toilets you could sit on, and not squat journey recreated the expedition of 100 inspect our papers for irregularities. These over. The people however were not helpful years ago, introducing the motorcar to the East and proving that the motor car is a stops became a bit of a hassle. Initially and carried on their busy lives. In most of reliable means of transport over large I felt the police intimidating with their Russia, people had time to share with you distances. BW Kalashnikovs pointed in our faces, but and were very generous. The less they had,

Beaded Wheels 31

bw279.indd 31 10/10/2007 12:44:14 PM book review

Beaded Wheels Golden complete volumes as presented here in an elegant collector’s library edition with Anniversary Edition British Racing Green binding and gold Published by Eoin Young titling. Price $125.00 The contents make fascinating reading Softcover 290 pages and I particularly enjoyed the reports of the Available from Fazzaz, The Motorists Shop, first Dunedin – Brighton run and the first 84 Lichfield St, Christchurch Irishman Creek Rally. This is a publication Reviewed by Kevin Clarkson that can be dipped into from time to time, especially if you want a reminder of how we This well presented publication is a were in those days. Interestingly, there are compilation of the first two years of Beaded many comments and debates contained Wheels, well bound in a soft cover. It therein that sound just as familiar to me represents a preservation of these first two these days. Perhaps things don’t change volumes of the Vintage Car Club magazine as much as we think they do! exactly as they appeared half a century Well worth a look and the publica- ago. There were fewer members in those tion would make an ideal present for days so there will be few copies of the the keen old-car enthusiast that you originals surviving, let alone the first two are having trouble finding a present for.

The The

Stockists of VINTAGE PV REPLACEMENT AND PW AUTOMOTIVE UK-based, is the only 1912-80 The Automobile PARTS ENGLISH international magazine devoted exclusively to AMERICAN pre-1960 cars and commercial vehicles. CONTINENTAL Every issue packed with articles by leading motoring journalists and old-car experts. Kingpin sets Engine gaskets Gearbox gears Profiles vehicles from all corners of the world, Suspension parts Steering joints Crownwheel & pinions including New Zealand, and contains informative Spark plugs Electrical fittings Wiper motors (vac) technical articles and restoration features. Engine bearings Shock absorbers Wheel cylinders & kits The Automobile is now available on subscription Master cylinders & kits Shackles (pins & bushes) Ring gears & pinions in New Zealand at £59 for 12 issues. ◆ save $$s on the news-stand price Rear axles Water pumps & kits Clutch plates ◆ pay by credit card Clutch covers Carburettors Fuel pumps & kits ◆ delivered by airmail in the month of Brake & clutch cables Pistons Steering box parts issue. Valves, springs, guides Speedo cables Ignition parts For information and a free sample copy Timing gears & chains Lenses Engine mounts contact: Douglas Ormrod, 56 Whitehaven Road, MECHANICAL RESTORATIONS & VINTAGE SPARES (1980) Glendowie, Auckland. Ph/fax 09 575 4879 RD 7 • Fordell • Wanganui • Phone/Fax 06 342 7713

32 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 32 10/10/2007 12:44:19 PM Waimate Branch 25th Wallaby Rally Text and photos Lynda Holland The Waimate Vintage Car Club’s 25th Wallaby Rally was held on Saturday 11 February with 70- plus entrants from Invercargill in the deep south to Whangarei in the North Island taking part in a time trial rally and field tests to compete for various trophies.

hairman John Chynoweth At the school a well deserved rest and of laughter and still talking about the welcomed all participants and lunch break was taken, and time was taken performance the next day. Cvisitors and wished them well on to look at all the vehicles on display and to Special thanks to the people who their trip around the Waimate country chat to old friends about the rally and their organised this most successful weekend. roads. Mayor John Coles said a few words, own vehicles. There were many friends made and stories and Club Captain Michael O’Sullivan gave After lunch, entrants headed back into will be told for weeks to come. BW the briefing before all set off on various town visiting various places on the way Results routes. Veterans, Vintage, Post Vintage, including the White’s mud and straw house Veterans Post War Vehicle, Post 60V, Commercial and Douglas’ historic cottage at Waihao T Holland, Waimate 1913 Model T and Motorcycles left from the clubrooms Downs, where Barry Henshaw related the Vintage and headed out on either the short or long history of the Waihao Downs area and 1 G Ladbrook, Timaru 1922 Dodge route. Ted d’Auvergne’s bottle of beer left at the 2 J Chynoweth, Waimate 1930 Singer 3 M Thomas, Waimate 1925 Essex The short route was 35 miles, travel- Waihao Forks Hotel. Post Vintage ling through the Waituna, Uretane area, Members and visitors gathered at 1 I Kirk, Oamaru 1937 Chevrolet through the Waimate Gorge heading for the the Rugby clubrooms on Saturday 2 R McCall, Balclutha 1936 Plymouth Waihao Forks Hotel where the field tests evening where VCCNZ President Leigh 3 B Austin, Timaru 1932 Austin 10 Post War Vehicle were held, then out onto the Waihaorunga Craythorne presented trophies to the 1 D Paterson, Ashburton 1954 Vauxhall Road heading for the Waihaorunga School. various winners. Guest speaker Ashley 2 K Copeland, Timaru 1954 Ford Mkl Zephyr The long route of approx 56 miles took the Bell from Invercargill spoke about his long R Winter, Waimate 1947 Sunbeam Talbot participants through the Waimate Gorge, association with Burt Munro and the bike Post 60 Vehicles Greenhill Road, Gumtree Flat Road, Mt world. He related various incidents which 1 L Withers, Oamaru 1969 Daimler 250V8 2= P Dellow, Timaru 1972 Austin GT 1300 Harris and into Waihao Forks car park for happened during the filming of The World’s driven by Tania Dellow field tests. After leaving the hotel, they Fastest Indian of which he had a small L McKenzie, Oamaru 1965 Rambler Rebel travelled past St Michael’s Church, along part. The jubilee cake was cut by Andy Commercial Serpentine Road, Elephant Hill Road, and Colleen Davis, who both took part 1 J Wing, Oamaru 1929 Austin 2 R Galletley, Ashburton 1939 Dodge Pentland Hill Road on their way to the in the first Wallaby Rally. The Waimate 3 L Hossack 1930 Morris Cowley Waihaorunga School. Theatre Company entertained throughout Motorcycle the evening leaving the audience in tears 1 P Dellow 1947 Ariel Red Hunter Lady Driver Brenda George, 1935 Plymouth Lady Navigator Robyn Kirk 1937 Chevrolet Youngest Navigator Jordan Taylor (9½ yrs) Furthest Travelled K Thomas, Whangarei 1930 De Soto, Field Tests 3= R McCall, Balclutha 1936 Plymouth, M Eunson 1968 BMC 1800 K Dellow 1960 BSA C15 R Todd 1941 Austin Overall Winner I Kirk, Oamaru 1937 Chevrolet

Beaded Wheels 33

bw279.indd 33 10/10/2007 12:44:21 PM Classic Tyres SOUTHWARD for all Veteran Vintage & Classic Cars 1888-1970 DUNLOP, AVON, LESTER, UNIVERSAL, EXCELSIOR, DENMAN, MUSEUM TRUST FIRESTONE, COKER CLASSIC & DIMENSION IV RADIALS etc, INCORPORATED also Dunlop racing tyres.

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Contact PETER WOODEND Otaihanga Road (off State Highway 1) Ph 07 571 5525 • Fax 07 571 5526 Paraparaumu, New Zealand Mobile 025 605 4040 PO Box 2245, Tauranga Phone 04 297 1221 • Fax 04 297 0503 Email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Website: www.classictyres.co.nz www.southward.org.nz

• Industrial Hard Chrome • Industrial Chemical Cleaning • Zinc Plating • Gold Plating • Tin Plating • Copper/Nickel/ Brass/Chrome • Anodising or Chrome Plating onto aluminium• Metal Polishing on steel, stainless steel, aluminium copper and brass • Wood Stripper PH/FAX 03 218-3228 0800 TO-CHROME (0800 86-2476)

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34 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 34 10/10/2007 12:44:25 PM Vero Pix CD, over 1500 images $29.95

DVD or Video. Run time 95 mins $39.95

Collectors edition of The Order items individually or buy the Oily Rag. $14.95 whole package for $119.95 and Your own souvenir poster save $24.85 with your car on it! You send or email us your ORDERS TO photo, or we might have it Hometown Publications, Phone 03 218 3509 on file. $59.95 PO Box 6032, Invercargill, New Zealand.

VCCNZ VEHICLE DATABASE Please advise National Office if you change your address, sell your vehicle or buy new vehicles. Your assistence will help keep the Club’s database current and accurate.

a great gift idea subscribe today & save Why not treat someone special to a gift that lasts all year? By becoming a subscriber to Beaded Wheels you can save 10% on the newstand price and guarantee that you don’t miss a single issue at the same time. Beaded Wheels subscription form

Please send a subscription for Name: ______6 Issues - New Zealand $30 (inc p&p) Telephone: ______Email: ______6 Issues - Australia NZ$45 Address: ______6 Issues - Elsewhere NZ$65 Payment by Cheque ______Credit Card Expiry Date: __ /__ / Renewal sent to: (if different from above): Visa/Mastercard only (Amex & Diners not accepted) Name: ______Card Number Telephone: ______Email: ______Name on Card: ______Address: ______Cardholder Signature: ______Post to: FREEPOST 1757, Beaded Wheels, P O Box 13140, Christchurch

Beaded Wheels 35

bw279.indd 35 10/10/2007 12:44:28 PM CLASSIFIED RATES Due to space limitation, classified advertisers should refrain from the use of dashes, spaces, marketplace logos, blank lines and centering. All classified rates include GST. FOR SALE The 65 word limit includes contact details. 1911 CADILLAC FOUR CYLINDER MODEL THIRTY. 1947 CHEVROLET FLEETMASTER Sound Advertisers requiring ads longer than the Pretty complete mechanically, no body, very original condition throughout. Drives nicely. standard 65 words, or who require typography little rust. Some restoration completed, have Rallied often. New WOF. VIC registered. or space, must apply display rates. instruments lights., 27 inch wheels. Some hood $10,500. Phone 07 345 7997. Mobile 021 069 The advertising department reserves the right 4647. Email [email protected] to edit or return classifieds not meeting the gear. Phone Barry Birchall 09 818 8755. MEM criteria 1915 SWIFT 15 4 CYL. 3 litre. Chassis rebuilt, 1954 MGTF 1500CC colour cream red Member of Vintage Car Club Inc loose bolted for final assembly. Radiator rebuilt, upholstery spoked wheels. Top condition $12.00 for first 40 words or part thereof, new core, cap, badge etc. Three engines, two cruises comfortably 50-60mph with high thereafter 15 cents per word to a maximum of gearboxes and rear axles. Non-original steering 65 words per advertisement. Members must be ratio transmission option fitted. Full and half financial and state their Branch.. box. No body but bonnet and guards for patterns. tonneau covers. Personalised plate ITF some Non Member Lamps, horns, many sundries. Good set of 21” spares. $50,000 or very near offer phone 06 Sankey wheels. Believed third known survivor, $16.00 for first 40 words or part thereof, 758 1991 for further details MEM thereafter 15 cents per word to a maximum of interesting project. $10,000. Grant Taylor, phone 65 words per advertisement. 06 879 8517. MEM AUTOMOTIVE WOODGRAINING When restoring your car there is only Text in a Boxed Ad 1925/26 OLDSMOBILE Most likely suitable for $20 members, $24 non-members. one way to restore your metal window parts. Wooden spoked wheels etc. All negotiable. frames & dashboard: metal woodgraining. Photo Ad in Box Phone 06 377 1689 after 5.30pm or leave For information and free quotes contact $32.00 members, $44 non-members, enclose a message or 027 235 0555. clear photograph and an SAE if return required. Alan Markby. Phone 03 445 0988 or write to 11 Boyne Place, Cromwell. MEM Colour Photo Ad in Box 1927 ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY TOURER good $50.00 members, $54 non-members, enclose a exterior, new upholstery and carpet, rewired AUTHENTIC CHROME METAL FUEL/BOURBON clear photo and an SAE if return required. recently and WOF. Full history available. Serious PUMPS 900ml Texaco, Ford, Chev, Shell, Harley- Above rates apply for each advertisement. offers considered. Phone Jennifer 09 435 6744. Davidson etc $79.95 inc freight. All major credit Advertisements should be typed or clearly cards accepted. Delta Diecast, Phone 03 377 printed. 1927 WHIPPET 4 90% complete spare motor plus 0029 business hours. ENCLOSE PAYMENT chassis motor, diff. Gearbox front axle etc. also Cheques Payable to Beaded Wheels. handbook $6,000 or ono. Phone 06 328 8684. CHROME 16" METAL WHEEL TRIMS. Top quality, Post to: Advertising, P O Box 13140, low price $49.95 inc freight. Phone 03 377 0029 1928 FIAT 501, engine balanced ‘S’ head and Christchurch, to arrive not later than 10th of bus. Hours. All major credit cards accepted. month preceding publication. final drive 60mph+, 35-40 mpg. Five new tyres, COLORTUNE 500 GLASS SPARKPLUG with Phone 03 332 3531, Fax 03 332 3827. documented history from new. $30,000. Phone 06 877 4083. MEM instruction pamphlet – complete. SV Carbalancer for balancing SUs. Book “Tuning SU Carburettors” DISPLAY RATES 1929 AUSTIN 7 COMPLETE ROLLING CHASSIS . 2nd edition offers. Phone 03 208 4795 or Casual 3 Issues Includes front and rear mudguards, seats, petrol [email protected] (per issue) tank, bonnet. Dash instruments radiator and Full Page $900.00 $720.00 surround. Motor runs well, no body. Car was a DIECAST MODEL We stock 1/18 scale models Half Page $490.00 $390.00 top hat sedan. Good wheels and some spares. from CMC, GMP, Exoto, Carousel 1, Precision Horizontal Quarter Page $270.00 $216.00 Ready to make that 7 special. $2,000 phone 03 Miniatures, Mini Champs, Autoart and most of All display rates quoted exclude GST and are for finished 3516 167. MEM the more common brands. Over 200 different camera ready artwork supplied. Artwork can be arranged models available, covering from vintage to post at an extra charge. 1929 FORD MODEL A PHAETON, dismantled for war classics, sports and racing cars. Road Deadline for copy 10th of month preceding publication. restoration. Most metal work done, no rust, new and Track Gallery, 5/173 Chester Street East, Beaded Wheels will consider articles of a technical splash aprons, sill plates, wood kit, hood bows, Christchurch, Telephone 03 3664404 or email nature for inclusion in its editorial space. Beaded Wheels original excellent condition. Call for more infor [email protected]. however regrets that it is not able to offer editorial space $6,000 ono phone 03 755 6085. for advertisements nor for the promotion of products. COMPLETE ESSEX 4 CYL CHASSIS and running 1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II Two door, four Marketplace advertising cancellations received in writing gear. Front scuttle, windscreen surround, seat faux cabriolet. Price negotiable. Phone 03 prior to advertising deadline will be refunded in full. bonnet, radiator surround, 2 spare motors, 3 Where possible Beaded Wheels will refund 70% of the 215 6006. MEM. advertisement cost for any cancellations received after the spare gearboxes, $6,500. 1928 Hudson chassis booking deadline. 1965 SINGER GAZELLE SERIES 5 (all-synchro – engine, gearbox, diff, front axle, 1929 Hudson Beaded Wheels makes every effort to ensure no misleading claims are gearbox), 112,000 miles, only 4 owners (all motor, $1,500. 1968 Ford Escort – 2 door, 76,000 made by advertisers, responsibility cannot be accepted by Beaded Wheels Wanganui). Near new Goodyear radial tyres, miles, reg on hold, $2,000. Contact Morris Gray, or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) for the failure of any product new battery, recently reconditioned generator, or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not 12 McGowan Street, Runanga, Westland. be construed as endorsement of it by Beaded Wheels or by the Vintage negative earth electrics some spares. Offers Car Club. invited – genuine enquiries only please. Phone No liability can be accepted for non-appearance of advertisements and the John 06 345 5888. MEM. MANUALS AND HANDBOOKS More than text of all advertisements is subject to the approval of the editor who reserves the right to refuse any advertisements which are not compatible with the MOTOR CYCLE BOOKS: Recent arrivals include 800 Handbooks and Parts Books, including aims, objectives, and standards of Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club Brooklands Behind the Scenes by Mortimer, Gilera Citreon Repair Manual 12 and 15, Essex 1924, of New Zealand (Inc.) Jaguar Service Manual 1946-1948, Automobile In accordance with the provisions of the Human Rights Road Racers by Ainscoe, The Scott Motor Cycle by Commission Act 1977 Beaded Wheels will not publish any Clew, Vincent HRD Gallery by Harper, Francis Beart Ignition and Valve Timing Starting and Lighting advertisement which indicates or could reasonably be A Single Purpose by Clew. Check our website including Ford System (1920). Check our understood as indicating an intention to discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, religious or ethical beliefs. Advertisers www.wheelsonpaper.co.nz Wheels on Paper website www.wheelsonpaper.co.nz, Wheels should take all care in drafting advertisements as they could be Ltd, 5/173 Chester Street East, Christchurch, on Paper Ltd, 5/173 Chester Street East, held liable, as well as the magazine and the Club. Telephone 03 3664404 or email info@ Christchurch, Telephone 03 366 4404 or email wheelsonpaper.co.nz. [email protected].

36 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 36 10/10/2007 12:44:33 PM DISTRIBUTOR PARTS AND SERVICE 6 – 12 VOLT INVERTERS, run any 12 volt accessory We can supply many new old stock distributor in your original 6 volt vehicle. Very simple three VINTAGE CARS parts for Lucas and other makes, and have built wire installation. J. Hibbs, 12 Grace Nicholls a New Zealand wide reputation for restoring Grove, Riverstone Terraces, Upper Hutt, Phone FOR SALE worn distributors to as new performance 04 528 4621 or email [email protected] One 1928 DODGE STANDARD and finish. All aspects of repair undertaken HOROWHENUA BRANCH PARTS SHED has for Wooden Spoked Wheels. Chroming completed for including Vacuum Advance Units. Work fully sale a set of early Overland diffs 2 of and a 1930s Rims on Lights, reflectors, headlights, dash, door guaranteed. Contact Quality Rebuilds, 5 Fenhall Dodge truck gearbox. Phone Callum after 5pm handles. New Vinyl Roof. New Tube and Band St, Christchurch, 8004. Phone/fax Barry Emms 06 364 7238 Liners. Most parts available to complete restoration. 03 342 5677, email: [email protected] Original registration papers available. www: qualityrebuilds.com MEM MORRIS 10 SERIES M 1948 Broken axle. Otherwise ONE 1928 DODGE VICTORY SIX running order. Unregistered. Unwarranted. FORD A, V8, DODGE, Plymouth, De Soto, Chrysler, Wire spoked wheels. 90% restored. Everything Original. In our family since 1950. Much too Chev generators 6 & 12v in stock. Also now complete except top coat. This vehicle is a vintage sound to use for parts. Offers. Phone Cyd Wright changing these to regulator models, so you can enthusiasts dream. Unfortunately her past is 03 358 4410 email [email protected]. run quartz halogen lights. Wiring looms made, unknown to me. Has Personalised Plates to be ac.nz MEM. picked up “DBVIC6”. braided and fitted, indicators in loom. Horns 6 & 12 volt new also repairs. Brian Hickey 03 354 MORRIS OXFORD, 1969 IVORY good condition, ONE 1928 OAKLAND 0103, email [email protected] MEM. quantity of spares (bumpers, light stacks etc). in “original immaculate condition”. A full history of Garaged, only two careful owners from new. this car has been published in an edition of Beaded FORD SIERRA XR4X4 1987. 2.8 litre V6 inj, 5 Towbar. Spare car regularly used and warranted Wheels. Available if required. Personalised Plates speed. White 5 door hatchback, factory alloy until recently, no further need. Phone for details “EARLY 1’. Registered, WOF. Original 45,000 miles. wheels. Receipts and service records. Hardened New tyres. “Miss Bonnie” is a pride & joy to own. (Dunedin) 03 482 1840 or 03 467 5516. valve seats, quite lively. $2,500. Phone 03 329 She is to go to a good home only. 0199. Email [email protected]. MEM ONE 1938 MORRIS 8 SERIES E CAR. NEW MOTORING BOOKS Latest shipment “Penny” has been fully restored and in immac. MOTOR SPORT: New arrivals include Motor includes Austin Seven Source Book by Purves, Fords condition. Racing Reflections of a Lost Era by Carter, Sebring by Mk1 to 4 by Allen, The Rise of Jaguar by Price, Breslauer, Motor Racing at Goodwood by Barker, Mercedes Benz 8 Vol 2 by Melin and Hernstrom, Il ONE MORRIS 8 SERIES Z VAN. Needs loving restoration job but all parts are there. Sports Racing Cars by Pritchard, Racing in Colour Signor Touring by Tavoletti, The Birth of Hot Rodding 1954-1959 by Coltrin, The American Stock Car by by Genat and Cox. Check our website www. Burt. Check our website www.wheelsonpaper. wheelsonpaper.co.nz, Wheels on Paper Ltd, Contact co.nz, Wheels on Paper Ltd, 5/173 Chester Street 5/173 Chester Street East, Christchurch, Phone [email protected] East, Christchurch, Telephone 03 3664404 or 03 366 4404 or email info@wheelsonpaper. Phone Carol 09 813 9439 or 0274 191 060 email [email protected]. co.nz. All Offers Considered. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING REALLY WORKS… Many of our advertisers have told us of the quick response they have to their advertisments in Beaded Wheels marketplace. Beaded Wheels is delivered to over 8,000 subscribers and members of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club every issue – our advertising is read by enthusiasts throughout the country and overseas. Now you can reach a broader audience by choosing to publish your advertisement in our magazine and also on our club website. Advertisements are listed on the internet for the length of time the issue of Beaded Wheels remains current.

Tick which column you require Tick which column you require $ $ List my advertisement on 50* WANTED FOR SALE 12* WANTED FOR SALE the internet. Text & Text only Yes colour photo. advertising For an additional cost ($5 text only , $10 to include Up to 40 words including phone number. Supply Up to 45 words including phone number, no photo. your photo) we can now publish your advertisement a colour photo of your vehicle. Include SAE for *$12 rate for VCCNZ members only, on our website. All advertisements must appear return of photo. non-member rate $16 *$50 rate for VCCNZ members only, in Beaded Wheels. Advertisements remain on the non-member rate $54 internet until the release of the next issue of Beaded Wheels. $5 text only, additional $5 to include photo

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Payment must accompany your advert. Cheques should be made payable to Beaded Wheels. Post payment & advertisement to Marketplace, PO Box 13-140, Christchurch. VCCNZ members must be financial and state their branch to receive discount rate. Deadline for receipt of advertisements and payment for June/July issue 10 May 2006. Beaded Wheels 37

bw279.indd 37 10/10/2007 12:44:34 PM RILEY PARTS. Ex-Ivy Stephenson 1936 12/4 KING-PIN KITS, TIE ROD ENDS, OLD & RARE MOTORING BOOKS Latest arrivals special. Includes wheels, tyres, hundreds Spring shackles, ignition parts, bulbs and include Bentley Specials and Special Bentleys by engine/gearbox/axle parts, period as new sealed beams, spark-plugs and coils, engine Roberts, Bentley The Silent Sports Car by Ellman- Rootes supercharger with fittings, part-built high bearings, engine mountings, head gasket/ Brown, Seventy Years of Buick by Dammann, MG The performance 12/4 engine with all recond parts to sets, pistons and valves, timing chains and Art of Abingdon by McLellan, RR Ghosts, Phantoms, complete, damaged but repairable block, Scintilla gears, flywheel ring gears, tyres, carburettors, Spectres by Oldham, The Salmson Story by Draper. Vertex magnetos etc. email David Garrett at magnetos, etc, or all makes and models, Check our website www.wheelsonpaper.co.nz, [email protected] for list of various lots and especially: Austin, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Essex, Wheels on Paper Ltd, 5/173 Chester Street East, prices. MEM Ford, Hillman, Morris, Standard, Vauxhall. Christchurch, Telephone 03 3664404 or email VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC VEHICLES sold on Ronald Lever, [email protected]. behalf. Contact Pearson’s Vintage Restorations. 87 Tui Rd, Papatoetoe, South Auckland. PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS [email protected] or www.pearsons. Phone 09 278 3888 evenings. co.nz for cars for sale. I have customers wishing FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, to purchase Veteran, Vintage and Classic vehicles. 1923 FIAT 501 engine balanced ‘S’ head and CLASSIC & ODDBALL ENGINES. final drive 60mph+, 35-40 mph. Five new tyres. Ph 03 313 2924. Mobile 027 2245 045. P. O. Box We can supply piston sets for most makes & Documented history from new. $30,000. Phone 550 Rangiora, Canterbury. models. All piston sets come complete with 06 877 4083. Mem rings & gudgeons. We have over 700 listings WOLSELEY 15/60, one family owner since new 1962, 99,000 miles. Fire damaged rear MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS REPAIRED. at competitive prices. end, requires restoration and re-registration. We can restore that faulty pump, including fuel M S Coombes Ltd Interested parties please phone Auckland 09 resistant diaphragm. Work fully guaranteed. 344 St Asaph St, Christchurch 534 6734/021 945 152 to view. Negotiable $ to Contact Quality Rebuilds, 5 Fenhall St, PH 03 366 7463, FAX 03 366 7462 a good home. Christchurch 8004. Phone/fax Barry Emms 03 342 5677, email: [email protected] PISTONS FOR VINTAGE AND CLASSIC ENGINES WORKSHOP MANUALS & SALES BROCHURES www: qualityrebuilds.com MEM. Most models available in standard or large stock of new and used for all types oversizes. Also pistons can be made to special of vehicles from early 1900s onwards including dimensions. Contact George Calder, 307 Hoon cars, motorcycles, farm equipment, tractors, Hay Road, Christchurch. Ph 03 338 5372. trucks. Transport book-find specialists. Fax 03 338 5482. Member. Mail, telephone and secure online orders. PENRITE OILS. We carry a full range from DML Manuals & Motor Books. Vintage to Modern Engines. Lubricants for pre- www.manuals.co.nz Phone 03 614 7900. 1984 HD motorcycles, gearbox oil for Japanese PO Box 25, Pleasant Point, South Canterbury 2 strokes. Full range of diff, steering box and VINTAGE WOOD PROBLEMS? For all your gearbox oils. Competitive prices. Try us first. Vintage wood work requirements, I can M.S. Coombes Ltd., 344 St. Asaph Street, Chch. reproduce your car’s woodwork from original Phone 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462. WOODEN WHEELS made for your metal- parts, patterns and photos. Model A parts work. Steam-bent felloes, any shape SU FUEL PUMPS REBUILT, we rebuild your made to order, also Morris Traveller Van kits. spokes. New beaded rims available in pumps 6V and 12V. We also stock a full range N Rhodes, Furniture of Distinction. Purakau Rd, of spare parts. All work fully guaranteed. Marton. Phone 06 327 6164. some sizes. Phone Vern Jensen 06 323 Contact SU Fuel Pump Services (NZ), 31 Forests 3868, 16 Osborne Terrace, Feilding. Mem. Road, Stoke, Nelson. Ph Barry Johnson 0274 WHEELS ON PAPER LTD We would like to 528 178 or 03 547 0076 afterhours. Email: [email protected] advise that our new hours are Monday to Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, otherwise by RESTORED CARS ROLLED STEEL SPARE WHEEL COVERS Made appointment. We also now stock a superb Magazine Australia in the USA. Suitable for 20" tyres. A classy range of Diecast Models trading under the Was first published in 1973. chromed or painted accessory. Phone David Lane “Road and Track Gallery” name from our All back issues are available. 021 979 667 for all details. MEM All vehicles featured are restored existing premises at 5/173 Chester Street, or in original condition. Events, Christchurch, Telephone 03 3664404 or email How To’s and Australian motoring VALVES exhaust quality stainless for Vintage History are a specialty. engines. Available in blank form or machined [email protected]. 6 ISSUES (ONE YEAR) to size required. Contact; George Calder, 307 Aust $63.00 Air Mail Hoon Hay Road, Christchurch. Phone 03 338 12 ISSUES (TWO YEARS) 5372, Fax 03 338 5482. Member. Aust $123.00 Air Mail

Bankcard – Visa – MasterCard available EDDIE FORD PUBLICATIONS P/L 29 LYONS ST, NEWSTEAD VIC 3462 AUSTRALIA Ph 61 3 5476 2212 Fax 61 3 5476 2592 VINTAGE & CLASSIC QUARTZ halogen bulbs. HUBCAPS – ANY PROBLEMS CONTACT ME Replace your existing bulbs without rewiring I now produce either hubcap skins or complete the headlamp assemblies. Up to 100% brighter hubcaps. These are top quality replicas. Pressed than your existing Tungsten bulbs. Will fit most not spun to the closest possible original reflectors fitted to Pre & Post war cars and specifications. I can manufacture any model motorbikes. Also available in single filament 55 watt P22 & BA 15 bases for use in spotlamps that uses the skin system plus many others VINTAGE TRUNKS as seen in Issue 201, and mechanical dip reflectors. Most bases and provided they do not exceed 10½" in diameter. page 17. Leather trim, waterproof, stock size or configurations available in 6v & 12v. Further info: For more information phone Dave Patten Replica made to your measurements. Phone/Fax Allan Norm & Jan Sisson, sole NZ Agent. Ph/Fax 03 389- Manufacturing (2003) Ltd, Ph 027 247 7956, 160 on 06 844 3959 or 025 469 331 to discuss 0643 also Henrob Welding Torches. Model Boat New York Street, Martinborough. Email dave. your requirements. Allan Jones Joinery, Napier. Supplies, 38 Ottawa Road, Christchurch 6. [email protected] Member.

38 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 38 10/10/2007 12:44:36 PM 1926 CHEVROLET SUPERIOR K 1 Ton Truck 1926 CHRYSLER SIX Most panel beating done, 1910 DE DION-BOUTON MODEL CE 9hp 4cyl ohv recent restoration ready for road, not Sound mechanics. Original lights etc used to go Roadster One cylinder. Professionally restored. reg. $6,000 ono. Phone 06 364 0101, Otaki. and used to stop. Good roadster project. Some Successfully completed many long rallies. spares $2,200 firm. Phone Owen 03 688 3537, Excellent condition and very reliable. P.O.A. Timaru. MEM. Genuine enquiries only to Tony Gairdner phone 09 534 9264 Mobile phone 0274 432 022 or email [email protected]

1929 PLYMOUTH PICK-UP A beautiful example 1930 MODEL A ROADSTER in all round good 1934 AUSTIN 10/4 LICHFIELD older of pre-war vintage engineering. Two Motors condition. B motor and converted to 12 volt. restoration, but in still very good condition. and many spares. New tyres, 12V electrics, first Reluctant sale. $34,000. Phone 03 528 9790 Original papers, reg & WOF on hold. Also 1935 year of hydraulic brakes. Last on road 1992-95. a/hours. 10/4 spares car (restoration started) $6,000 the Phone 07 893 7572 and leave contact name and pair ono. Contact Leo Martin, Hamilton phone number. $8,800 ono. 07 846 4248

1935 PONTIAC COUPE. A rare model, 1937 CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH fastback sedan 1953 NORTON DOMINATOR 500CC TWIN. fully restored and in excellent condition. Restoration just finished, everything done. New First featherbed frame model, with bolt on VIC registered. $35,000. Phone 06 329 6886. Reg & WOF, personalised plate, radial tyres. sub-frame. Restored to a high standard of Email: [email protected] MEM All mechanicals, wiring, body, paint, interior, workmanship and materials. Best offer over chrome rubber, stunning car, $20,000. Phone $12,000. Phone 09 419 0373 or 027 294 3280. 06 844 8860 or 027 263 6946 for more details. MEM.

1939 PLYMOUTH 4 DOOR SEDAN. Reg & 1951 AUSTIN A40 One of the best you will see. CARAVAN 1957 Christchurch built Dodge 4.3m WOF. $14,500 ono. Phone 07 345 5521 after All the extras – mechanically sound, upholstery (13ft) original condition. One family owner. 6pm. MEM excellent, lots of spares.. $6,000. View at Te Always stored under cover. Needs some work. Puke Vintage Auto Barn, phone 07 573 6547. Original awning. $3,000. Phone 03 389 5870 MEM. email [email protected].

Beaded Wheels 39

bw279.indd 39 10/10/2007 12:44:37 PM This pioneering story of Colonial Motor Company and its subsidiaries from Kaitaia to Invercargill, tells the history of Ford and the saga of motoring in THIS CLASSIC FORD PARTS BUSINESS IS New Zealand from the OFFERED FOR SALE. New Zealand’s only full very beginning. CMC time, 1932 to 60s US Ford specialist. Thriving started in the horse age, its forebear in 1859, business, established in 1974, with huge potential IVY STEPHENSON RILEY. 1936 Riley 12/4 the first Wellington because of the proliferation of these vehicles historic sports racer, built early 50s & restored 544 PAGES A4 WITH coachbuilder – today a some years ago. Very fast touring/racing. Offers currently being imported and the retiring baby major motor group. boomers turning to hobbies. Easily relocated over $40,000. David Garrett (09) 817 2669; NEARLY 1,000 PHOTOS or long term lease available in current location, e-mail [email protected] for full description A few remaining copies of Ford Ahead are Katikati, New Zealand. $50,000 + SAV. 2 Hyde and photos. Spares sold separately: see available and can be purchased at $59.95 incl accompanying Riley Parts advert. MEM St, Katikati 3063 Phone 64 7 549 4211 fax 64 7 post/pack in NZ. Contact roger.gardner@xtra. co.nz 549 2000 email [email protected]

WANTED TO BUY

1925 BUICK ROADSTER restored in good going MODEL A FORD phaeton, roadster or coupe MGA 1959 $35,000. Phone 06 758 4244, New order. Phone 03 206 4122 email trstwmok@xtra. wanted. Prefer with WOF & Reg. I would be quite Plymouth. MEM. co.nz happy with an older restoration. Phone Tony on 03 382 6541 or email tony.annette@paradise. 1954 CHEVROLET 15 CWT TRUCK wanted, also net.nz MEM. Blue flame motor in good order. Phone Michael 06 374 5591 Mem. PERIOD PHOTOS AND HISTORIC INFORMATION 1956 JAGUAR XK140 DHC prefer fully restored. on Sunbeam Cars 1900-1935. Work is well Will consider other long bonnet coupe convertible underway to produce an illustrated history from UK or USA of similar era. Phone 07 856 of Sunbeam cars in NZ. Any assistance with 3297 or 021 056 8955. Email radiusproperties@ locating photos, sales brochures, booklets, books or anecdotal information would be wave.co.nz greatly appreciated. Phone Jim Maud, 4 BEADED WHEELS ISSUE DECEMBER 1956 , Rudge Mahana Place, Rotorua. Phone 07 348 4227. [email protected] MEM 1914 T ROADSTER Nice original mechanicals, Whitworth 70 spoke wire wheel, 500.600x20 new tyres, Rootlieb bonnet, mudguards Michelin Tyre, 48k Zenith barrel throttle sheetmetal etc, body rewooded, full set JNO carburettors, Lucas King of the Road projector REO SPEEDWAGON TRUCK WANTED TO BUY. brown lamps, horn, correct front and rear axle, No 986 Acetylene headlamps, 815 x 105 Betco Phone Linday de Groot, 03 347 9929. MEM. new wheel bearings, mint windscreen, alum. (excelsior) tyre, 4 matching Veteran priming VW KOMBI single cab pickup wanted. 1954-1967. pistons, adjustable tappets, rebuilt transmission- cocks. Phone Paul Hicks 09 425 7015 or hicks. jack rabbit clutch. Painted ready for upholstery, Any condition or parts considered. Phone 03 325 [email protected] engine needs to be assembled. $20,000. Ph 03 3205 or 0274 410 035. MEM 573 7558 or [email protected] MEM BOSCH DUAL IGNITION SWITCH dash mounted, WANTED FOR 1925 STD 6. Studebaker tail/stop wanted. Bosch DU4 mod 5 magneto, has 2 sets light. It has “Studebaker” written around the of contacts. Splitdorf 4 cyl magneto model A. top of the lens and stop across the centre and a Phone 09 434 3512. MEM. bullet lens in the bottom half. Also a radiator cap with a motormeter. Phony Tony Daligan 09 479 FORD A ROADSTER 1930 Body panels from door 4177, email [email protected] MEM back including rumble seat or any other parts for 1930 roadster. Phone 04 478 6168 or email WANTED: NORTH EAST DISTRIBUTOR for 1927 [email protected] MEM Dodge 4 or suitable alternative. Phone Tony on 07 855 5014 or email [email protected] MEM HOLDEN HK, HT, HG MONARO PARTS WANTED. Anything considered. GTS hubcaps and 6inch x WANTED Enots fuel filter 1942 GMC BREAKDOWN FOR TENDER as fitted to N type Dennis 14inch wheels for HT, HG also wanted. Ph Paul Re-manufactured by GT Gillies in 1954, this fire engine. Generally famous wrecker operated as their main recovery 03 313 9020 or email [email protected]. Mem mounted below chassis vehicle until 1992. Two Garwood winches + all MATCHLESS SILVER HAWK AND ARROW PARTS under driver. Contact associated original equipment in working order. Smiths PA Type speedo 120 mph right angle Frank in Townsville, Rust free, remarkable cosmetic/mechanical order drive. Panel tank for 1938 Ariel SQ4 (restorable). Australia on 07 4775 for its age. Enquiries and tender documents Any American 4 cylinder motorcycle project. 7885, or cerutfa@ from Hugh Scofield, PO Box 1616, Christchurch ozemail.com.au or phone 021 727 375. Tenders close 28 April. Phone 03 322 6210 or 03 322 1446 A/h Email [email protected]

40 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 40 10/10/2007 12:44:41 PM SWAP MEETS & RALLIES

REGISTRATION FORM REQUEST

Parliamentary Tour of 1917the North

re-enactment

Auckland (Devonport) to Kaitaia following the original route where possible

Dates 26 January - 4 February 2007 Registration form request to Organisers: The Registrar, Horseless Carriage Club of New Zealand Inc. C/ PO Box 1383, Auckland New Zealand Email: [email protected] www.horseless.org.nz

Ashburton Branch Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc SWAP MEET Saturday May 6 2005 Held on the Club grounds, Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton Gates open 7.30am. Note: No Dogs Site bookings. Asburton VCC, PO Box 382, Ashburton or contact Swap Meet coordinator Rod Begbie Ph 03 308 4402 • Branch Secretary: Milner Jacob. Ph/fax 03 308 3392 VINTAGE & VETERAN VEHICLE UK TOUR Escorted by Trevor Carson, Departs 20 October 2006 HIGHLIGHTS • London/Brighton Rally • Nottingham Lace Centre • Haynes Motor Museum • Midland Motor Museum • Biggleswade: Cars/Aircraft • London Sightseeing • National Motorcycle Museum • Beaulieu Museum • Coronation Street Plus the Heritage Motor Centre & Brooklands and many more places of interest.

For further details contact Selwyn Brown Air New Zealand Travelcentre, Palmerston North Phone 06 351 8800. Email [email protected]

Beaded Wheels 41

bw279.indd 41 10/10/2007 12:44:43 PM ATTENTION!!! MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS Start tickling your carburettors

ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE 20th National Motorcycle Rally Christchurch • 16-18 February 2007

Entries available from your Branch Secretary in July 2006 OVERSEAS EVENTS A small selection of significant one-off and major annual events have been garnered from a variety of sources Hamco as a guide. Readers are urged to check the date of any event with organisers before making plans to attend. A INDUSTRIES much more extensive list is available by country and period from Rob Knight, 48 Fairview Avenue, Feilding. Tel 06 323 3104 or fax 06 323 3102. Motorcycle & Car a 2006 Wire Wheel Repairs & Restorations a May Tour of Brittany, veterans to modern. We Specialise In Assoc. Bretonne des Vehicule Anciens, 8 Rue de Moulin A Papier, 22000 St Brieuc, France. • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels May Annual sokenkeiker-Fahr, international run for pre-1915 motorcycles. Harsewinkel-Greffen, Rim and Frame Lining • Wheel Building & Germany. www.motorradmuseum-beckmann.de/gb/ Truing • Complete Wheel Restoration May 8-13 Scottish Malts Trial - www.hero.org.uk Vintage – Classic – Modern May 12-14 Buick National Meet, Australia. Phone 0061 2 465 31244 Craig & Debbie Hambling May 18-31 Sweden/Norway Viking Rally, Vintage MC Club, linked with British Car week in Gothenburg. Phone 06 324 8345 May 19-21 International Alvis Weekend, Norwich, England. Tony & Pat Cropper, [email protected] Mobile 025 231 7864 May 20-21 Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, UK. 410 Green Road, RD 6, Palmerston North Day or Night June 4 Old Car Concours, Landelles, Normandie. Guillaume Bourrel, 14380 Landelles et Coupigny, France. Phone 0033 231 688 411 June 4-9 HCC Ntional 1 & 2 Cylinder Tour, Guillaume Bourrel, 14380 Landelles et Coupigny, France Phone 0033 231 688 411 June 10-11 Centenary Return to Le Mans, Cora Bingham, phone 01 803 292775 June 17 Celebrations of 75 year of Norton Inernational at ZZ-Races-Netherlands. www.zzraces.nl June 19-24 Rambling Round Rochester – pre 1916 Vehicles, Rochester NY. [email protected] June 23-24 Antrim Coast Weekend - motorcycle tour Northern Ireland. Jack Agnew, phone 028 944 572 85 wwwvmccni.org.uk June 28-July 2 50 Year Anniversary Rally of Royal Automobile Club of Belgium www.rvccb.be June 28-July 5 1 & 2 Cyl National Tour, Bundaberg, Queensland TeI 0061 7 3283 3990 June 30-July 7 Fourth Scarborough Vintage Bike Week, email [email protected] July Goodwood Festival of Speed, [email protected] Phone 0061 7 3283 3990 July 2 Shelsey Walsh Hill Climb, Nr Worcester, Worcestershire July 7-9 200th Anniverary of Isambard Kingdom Brunei, at Clevedon, UK. Ph Cora Bringham 0044 1803 292 775 July 8-9 Festival of 1000 bikes, Vintage MC Club, Mallory Park, England. www.vmcc.net July 20-26 Centenary Event, Return to Le Mans, Jim Worsley Tel 01 382 543563 July 22-23 60th Anniversary of Cooper Cars, Prescott, England. Richard Neale. www.coopercars.org July 23 Mallory Park Race Meeting, Nr Hinkley, Leicestershire July 26-28 Silverstone Classic historic meeting. 3 day UK event. Tickets on sale now. August 5-6 Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Gloucester, UK Tel 0044 1608 644777 August 18-20 33rd Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, 50th Anniversary Laguna Seca raceway. Pebble Beach Concours, California, USA. August 20 33rd Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, 50th Anniversary Laguna Sec Raceway, Pebble Beach Concours – California, USA. August 26-Sept 3 34th Manx Rally, Vintage Motor Cycle Club, www.vmccmanrally.co.uk August 27-Sept 3 Vintage Golden Oldies Tour, vehicles 1919-1930, Victori. John Davis, PO Box 802 Kyneton, 3444 Vic, Phone/fax 0061 3 5422 3570, entries close 31 May. September 8-9 Beaulieu Autojumble, England, Tel 0044 1590 614654 September 9-16 50th Anniversary Rally of Veteran Car Club of Australia (Qld), at Miles Qld. October 2-6 Model T Ford tour, Warwick, Queensland, Doug Partington. Phone 0061 7 4666 3801. classic@

42 Beaded Wheels

bw279.indd 42 10/10/2007 12:44:47 PM wheels trade directory • beaded wheels trade directory • • • beaded wheels trade directory beaded wheels trade directory OLD AUTO RUBBER products for the car restorer IN VOGUE 40 Rosemont Road, Waihi SH2 (Coromandel Gateway) Opposite Waihi Post Office (Tauranga Road) Stan & Kathy Blackmore-Palmer welcome you to visit their wide range of Vintage (& new) ladies and Come and be inspired! gents clothing plus all accessories PENRITE DRESSES• FURS• HATS• GLOVES• JEWELLERY… LUBRICANTS Open Tuesday to Friday (Mondays until Easter) 10-4 full range in stock Listings for over 800 models Saturday 10-1, Sunday groups by appointment VINTAGE AUTO PARTS Open most holidays but please phone first. phone or fax 03 359 8592 Phone 07 863 9366 Mobile 021 146 5525 Gary and Ruth Arps • PO Box 5369 Papanui, christchurch www.invogue.co.nz email [email protected] E. Parrott & Son Ltd automotive instrument specialists Specialist gauge repairers since 1946 Over 75 years of combined instrument repair experience. SPEEDOS TACHOS GAUGES CLOCKS CABLES Vintage & Post Vintage Restoration Work Undertaken

Email: [email protected] 360 St Asaph St, Christchurch, NZ. Phone Fax 03 366 9554

NAVITE air equip If you are into any restoration of any type Cars – Bikes – Boat – Aircraft – Trucks – Farm Machinery – Industrial Airconditioning FREE– Refrigeration – Boiler or most anything. You must order one of our NEW CATALOGUES NOW.

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You can reach your customers quickly and cheaply by advertising in the Beaded Lost Wax Process Mould Making Wheels Trade directory. From only $55 per issue your full colour Having trouble getting parts? advert will be seen by over 8,000 readers We are now able to reproduce Vintage car parts using and motoring enthusiasts every issue. highly accurate lost wax casting method. To find out more contact Rosalie Brown at Beaded Wheels, For all your non-ferrous casting requirements. phone 03 332 3531 or email [email protected] Phone/fax 04 973 3615 Mob 027 476 3616 Deadline for June/July issue 10 May [email protected]

Beaded Wheels 43

bw279.indd 43 10/10/2007 12:44:50 PM idletorque

Ashburton Roger Hart private trip through the Molesworth on the members. Alongside our own cars including Despite the mass exodus of local members way to the start, the MGA taking it in its Craig Pidgeon in the newly refettled T37A and cars to the Vero rally, 60 cars and two stride. The Peter Wood Chev Stylemaster is Bugatti, we were joined by such exotica motorcycles joined Captain Percy’s Annual properly run in as a result of his trip. Owen as a Talbot- Lago Grand Prix car, and a Rally. Now Percy with his extended lines and Jayne Hayward had some interesting Cameron Miller 250F Maserati. of communication had ample warning that moments in Arthur’s Pass with the 1922 Late January saw what was quite possibly rally day was going to be a scorcher and Paige. Your scribe wishes to thank Ian Ridd the largest number of Bentleys seen in this so planned a lunch venue with plenty of and Ray McCullough for their efforts with part of the world depart on a month long shade – the Rakaia domain. This may have a blown, not burnt exhaust valve on the tour of New Zealand. Organised by three Whippet 96A. No doubt other Aucklanders local branch and Bentley Drivers Club seemed a pretty straight forward drive. That will have tales aplenty. members, almost 50 cars with half of them is for those unfamiliar with the Percy plan Motorcycles: Jed Dormer has modified being Vintage made a very impressive sight for the long way round. This saw some end a 500cc Ariel frame to take a 650cc Ariel as they gathered in Hagley park prior to up with deeply furrowed brows (as you do in engine. The bike will pull a side car. Ron departure. A touch of Gallic class was added the country) especially those who thought Fey has bought a 1950 BSA A10 and chair. to the proceedings with the arrival of the they knew both their local roads and how Chris Clark is restoring another 1950 Thomson/McNair Grand Prix Darracq re- to cope with the entertaining, rural theme BSA A10 and making his own side car. creation. field tests. Don Greens Norton Dominator is making Several branch cars were seen on the Mt En route we visited the Rakaia mouth progress. It would appear that Bob Masters Cook Centennial rally at Waitangi weekend. and there saw the newly restored and Rudge Ulster has moved to Waitemata’s It was great to see over 150 Vintage and gleaming Gielingh Land Rover tackle some Russell Ward. The New Year’s Day run Veteran cars together and proves that the off-roading. Which almost needed some pulled sixty to seventy bikes and ten or cars which were the foundation of our club manpower to get it back on the hard stuff. twelve cars. are still able to pull a good entry and an The success of the day’s motoring and the Commercial: Hans Dorbeck has bought even greater number of spectating public. fellowship that followed was very obvious as a 1938 Hillman Van. Alven Bonney has The organisers must be congratulated on the large gathering shared some hospitality finally got his KB International painted, I giving the event such a huge positive public in the lead up to the trophy presentations. think it still awaits signwriting. profile. And even better that there wasn’t a Noel Etwell was Best Overall Performer Vintage: Kevin Slater has moved his single Morris Minor to be overtaken. while the writer collected the Crum Trophy collection to Kerikeri where he is involved in Pete’s Transport and Pioneer Museum. Bay of Plenty Jim Webb for Vintage Motorcycles (not too difficult Our club can be considered very active, In the process he has disposed of the Aussie being the only entrant) I think, when the long list is viewed of the bodied ‘28 Whippet 96 pickup to Caleb Speaking of the Crum family, who in numbers who took part in the motoring Fryatt. Jim Boag has aquired the 1927 miles of the Vero rally in Invercargill and previous days they had a concrete making La Salle coupe that Whangarei’s Tracey immediately after, in the Art Deco Double firm and placed the following ad in the MacKenzie restored in the eighties. Rather Weekend 75th Anniversary Commemoration local January 1972 Blowout. sadly this year’s Rear Wheel Brake Rally was in Napier and Hastings. Totals were 31 “NO ONE HAS ENOUGH TIME cancelled through lack of interest. cars southwards and 12 in the latter event. Cover your garden with polythene, chips and rocks PV PWV P60V: We welcome David and and have more time to work on your car! All are home again now with many stories Arleen Hoyland with a ‘39 Chev Delux Green Ready-Mix concrete to cover your lawn. and much enumeration. Among the prize Coupe. Don White of Sizaire Naudin fame Get a load of concrete for your shed floor and get up winners from Vero were: Harold and Mary has invested in a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow out of the dirt! “ Smith in their 1931 Austin 7. It is common ex the Wanaka area. The Ladies Run on 26 February saw 33 knowledge that if the two islands stretched cars bedecked with a few glamorous and Banks Peninsula W. Crapo further South and North they’d still be many not so glamorous navigators (No! Once again our branch has lost one of swallowing up the miles with their seven David Oakley you won’t make the Penthouse its great characters, with the passing of horses! Bob Hyslop the Hill Climb King centrefold) head off. But it was the field tests Jim Riley. Jim was a true intrepid Vintage in his 1957 Austin Healey and Bruce and that showed many of these “navigators” were motorist, with an emphasis on “Vintage” Lynne Hutchinson in their 1936 Jaguar S.S. sadly lacking in experience when it came to Our club captain recalls turning up to a Congrats go out to these winners. peeling potatoes, folding the washing and speed event in a post-war Peugeot, only On the quieter scene back home, there making beds. to find when alighting from the offending has been mini golf at Memorial Park for A warm welcome to new members – car that Jim was waiting. A sharp jab in the mid-week outing on February 15th. Keith and Lynn Payne, 1937 Chev truck the chest and the bearded chap demanded On the professionally set-up course 18 or and Barbara Pickford with her 1937 Chrysler “Where is your PROPER car laddie??” Lee, so members took part in the event and Deluxe and 1955 Hillman Californian. we feel for you in this sad time and we hope thoroughly enjoyed it all so much that it to see you out in the Chev. soon. is to be considered for an annual event. Auckland John Stokes January and February are the traditional Shelter and all facilities were well and truly Vero rally stuff: A good number of racing months, and 2006 has been no catered for. Aucklanders attended the Vero Diamond exception, with local members competing Another annual event on the 22nd Jubilee Rally and most were pretty satisfied. in Southern Festival of Speed meetings at February was our visit to Carter House in The 1915 Renault Charabanc was success- Ruapuna, Levels, and the Dunedin Street Te Puke to take some of the elderly residents fully driven to Bluff and Te Anau, time race. The meeting at Levels was of special on an outing. This was a picnic where 41 constraints saw it trucked back from Te significance as it was run this year as the older folk were helped into 25 older variety Anau. The Ball, McAlpine, Morris group in Bruce Pidgeon Memorial. Whilst Bruce cars and taken off to Pikowai on the ocean their Model A Fords successfully took on the never belonged to our branch he attended beach front near Matata. With perfect Nevis Road. Paul and Carol Fussey enjoyed a more of our events than many of our own weather conditions, shelter, food, and all

44 Beaded Wheels

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manner of refreshments supplied by Carter Stadium Southland proved a fantastic base missed in their own way. Our condolences House were readily available. for the daily servicing of rallyists needs as go to Leslie Miller Ellen Forbes, Marge Vintage cars of which there were only well as the nightly entertainment. Catering Matheson and their families. two certainly need mention. Old cars and for almost 2000 members at a sitting was, for Our usual Christmas entertainment was old people go together and there were two the majority, impressive. The unforgettable well attended and it was especially pleasing lovely old ladies who were adamant that displays of The Worlds Fastest Indian motor- to see members and wives turn up who we they must ride in the Dickey Seat of the bikes of Burt Munro from the Hayes family do not see often during the year. Members 1928 Buick Sports Roadster belonging to collection, the historic race cars of George Barry Walker and Barry Drake did a great Dick Ashton from Te Puke. Getting them Begg, together with the truly amazing trucks job on the barbecue and the girls in the in and out twice was quite hilarious but from the late Bill Richardson’s private kitchen ensured that a lovely meal was determined as they were, proved their well- museum, converted the massive Stadium enjoyed by all. being. Martin Carey, also of Te Puke, drove into an historic heaven for petrol buffs! Restoration of the year saw a good line his 1923 Buick Tourer also filled with lovely Enjoying the privilege of ‘freedom of up of vehicles with the eventual winner of ladies whose only regret was that their make- the city’ meant that our high downtown the Tapper Trophy being Brian Roff in his up and hair-dos in an open tourer were profile brought droves of local enthusiasts MkII Ford Zephyr. Brian has had this car completely wrecked. However this all added into discussion with us about our vehicles from new and a recent restoration is very to their pleasure of open country motoring, and hobby. well done with a great colour scheme. A air-con thrown in with a vengeance! Both The Public Display Day endorsed new trophy this year for Peoples’ Choice, these old Buicks are fine examples and a that. Southlanders turned out in their the Loudon Trophy for the best Non-resto- credit to their owners. Paint jobs and resto- thousands on a real scorcher to view our ration vehicle covering all years went to rations excel. wares. This resulted in major traffic jams for Keith McStay with his recently imported February 26 was another gymkhana at Invercargill! 1947 Mercury sedan. A very nice car with a Keam Park, organised once more by the The Monte Carlo Rally routes elevated few mods from original. Scotts. Twenty-five cars lined up at the public awareness throughout the South Some of our members were in the Vero barrier but when it came down there were Island preceding the ten-day event. VCC rally and by all accounts had a great time. three scratchings. A Nissan, a Jaguar and vehicles travelling the Hub Rallies, one- At our last meeting various incidents a Mercedes. Much enthusiasm from the make runs and ‘day-off’ touring, graced were reported. Wilf Miller, Bill King and I start when drivers had to find 12 o’clock by the beautiful countryside and near-empty attended the Public Day on the 22nd but moving forward with the front wheel tyre roads of Southland from Te Anau to The with over 950 cars to get around there was valve to show midday. A large mirror gave Catlins. Several VCC Cantabrians tripped too much for us and we only managed about assistance. Space the planks came next with to Stewart Island or toured Fiordland and three quarters of the field. What a selection much spacing and pacing to get the wheel Central Otago while returning from the with some obviously only out for the show; width correct in order to drive on and over Deep South. Club vehicles were to be seen but others, the majority, very well used as them. Quoits was a difficult task for the all over South Island long after the Rally they were intended to be. A great chance navigators, even from the standing position. had finished. to meet old friends from various rallies over Flush the toilet and get to the end of the Some overseas enthusiasts in loan the years. The day was very hot with no pipe to net the balls which were coming vehicles extended their holiday once wind and many were looking very red in through was done well by most drivers they discovered what we have here! Few the face and other exposed areas as they but the water flow variation caused some Canterbury Branch members experienced tried to get out of the parking area to leave. resentment. However the judge’s decision trouble, however those who did were treated This was a drawn out affair and took over was final and no discussion was entered to the legendary generosity of Southlanders. an hour to move 100m and then a queue into. Light the light but no blowing of the Stories of support extended to the ‘unlucky’, almost into the city. A very dry day and by horn proved tricky among peals of laughter were of the kind that has earned the the time the city was reached the first one with all competitors and onlookers showing province its enviable reputation! did taste good!! The rally was a well-run great interest in the events. Afternoon tea Another historic motoring event, event so well done Southland and very well in the shade, with Jill’s pikelets in great marked at Addington Raceway, was the supported. demand, was much appreciated. centenary of New Zealand’s first car race. The Ranfurly Art Deco Saturday Two Hudson Super Sixes and three Bob Hayes, Veteran Convenor and a small involved the VCC with cars from Central Essex cars of about the same Vintage looked team of dedicated VCC members, staged Branch, Southland, Otago and a selection mighty together. We thank Joe and Jill “the Great Automobile Gymkhana”. from the Zephyr Club. Lots of activities all for the work and effort put into this after- Veteran cars and bikes took part on a sunny the time with plenty of stalls and products noon’s events, certainly enjoyed by all those Boxing Day. It attracted a large crowd. The to browse. An Australian juggler with a present. ‘racing’ was breathtaking and humorous, non-stop act and patter was very clever and especially the braking tests! Supported got the crowd going as well. Canterbury Tony Becker by a display of VCC vehicles, many folk Some of our members also travelled to A ‘Vero Good’ Rally! Good fun and were dressed for the era and all enjoyed Napier but as they are not back yet we have great enjoyment were the main Cantabrian the picnic atmosphere. February’s Branch no report. expressions after the NZ Vintage Car Club’s Annual Rally motored mostly westward this Allan Sutton recently imported a Diamond Jubilee Rally of Southland in year, lunching at pleasant Darfield Domain. stunning 1931 Auburn Roadster with low January. The value of gathering nearly 1000 Some 130 entries had a happy competi- mileage and original condition. I believe it historic vehicles into what has to be New tive time that included the usual field tests let him down on one Vero rally and he was Zealand’s friendliest city for a couple of and brainteasers. February’s sunny days also seen pushing a large Packard up the road. weeks brought boundless benefits to our witnessed this year’s well-supported Branch This is only heresay though. movement. Motorcycle Section Annual Rally. Jim Davis from Wanaka has his 1928 The mostly fair weather plus widespread Buick almost finished. This was a sedan enthusiasm more than made up for any Central Otago John Loudon originally, being turned into a tourer. This irritations one may have experienced over Sadly since the last report three of our is being mostly done at home by Jim himself two weeks of outstanding Vintage motoring. members have passed away and each will be with a few modifications as it progresses. Beaded Wheels 45

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I have just finished a 1939 Chevrolet degree heat I could sympathise with my Master 85 sedan using up most of the spares forebears. for the coupe which have been lying around I would like to thank Sue Moore for for a few years. The car travelled to Ranfurly being our Beaded Wheels scribe for all the and it performed well but was not happy years she has done it. with the gusty nor-west wind in the Ida Valley on the way home. Far North Dave Duirs “Summer” is here, the paddocks are Cheers until next time and happy parched, the tanks are low, but Hughey motoring. has it wrong somewhere as the wind and Eastern Bay of Plenty temperatures are not right as those who Walter McFarland travelled to Vero and back can testify. The last two months have seen the Members have been very busy these branch head off in different directions. past few months. The BIG day, our annual Firstly five cars headed off to Invercargill, Autospectacular was just that. The day where, as many know, a very friendly and was brilliant, the new venue spot on, near successful Vero sponsored rally was held. to one hundred vehicles were on display The weather was not up to much for the first together with about fifty stalls with all few days, especially in a tent, where the hail manner of wares. Club members banded at night sounds quite spectacular. Finally together, as the great team they are, to they sorted out the weather, and I can assist with the organising, cooking, parking see no reason how anyone could not have and smart clean up after. We are indebted enjoyed themselves. Between us we had a to the many sponsors who gave generously few mishaps, such as the 1928 Chevrolet towards prizes, the Peoples Choice going with a blown gasket and burnt valve, the ‘51 to visitor David Lane of Auckland with minute even though I had to buy jeans, Velox popping a shock absorber through the his very smart 1930 Straight 8 Studebaker gumboots and a bucket on day one! boot floor, and the ‘38 Buick with a drive Tourer, and the weekend for two at Ahipara Celebrating one hundred years of Austin, shaft problem. It’s funny how they were all Shipwreck Lodge to our own John and the Austin register rallied from Bluff to GM products. In future I will have to be Phyllis Crisp. Far North District Council Cape Reinga and the Far North VCC careful with my comments about Fords. Mayor, Yvonne Sharp graced us with her hosted a good number to dinner to conclude One of our members carried on from presence and presented a scroll to Vero rally their great effort. Vero and did the complete Bluff to Cape participants to present to Invercargill mayor Another big event was the hosting of Reinga Austin trip. One has to be keen. In Tim Shadbolt. some forty magnificent old Bentleys which the meantime the branch tried to hold the Eight vehicles wended their way to the had toured New Zealand. The evening was monthly run and only four cars attended. deep south, all managing to meet their ferry based at Matthews’ Vintage Museum where The run was to Wainui valley to a fellow schedules inspite of some fixable problems our guests witnessed a kapa haka welcome that designs and manufactures motorised on the way. The trip from Picton was a followed by tua tua fritters (beautifully made adjustable invalid equipment. This could tight schedule but a good bit of touring was in ostrich egg batter by Raewyn Pennell) be useful in the future. Just down the road, enjoyed in spite of the very strong West and local fresh mussels while folk meandered and up a very steep, rough hill to another Coast winds and some rain. around the museum exhibits and watched inventor who designs and exports pressure In Invercargill some had motel accommo- the three sheep roasting on the spit and switch gear for traffic lights. We may do dation and those of us booked into Diamond the spuds and kumara in the camp ovens. another trip there when more members are City, the “official” Vero camp on the soccer Some had never seen this before, and it was on deck. fields adjacent to the Rally HQ at Stadium quite something to listen to the comments Last weekend four cars went over to Southland had a tough baptism……straight as we carved and served the finest of Real Napier for Art-deco weekend. As usual this into a soggy paddock with rain, wind and Far North hogget. They came back for more was a fun weekend, and for two couples it hail to welcome us! However the following and in true far North fashion there was was their first time. They are now hooked. days provided some incredible camaraderie, more and more! The evening concluded When wearing a three piece suit in 26 challenges and scenery based around a great with dessert and dancing and singing to facility which was used to the full with Winston Matthews on the pianola. functions each evening and the feeding of For those who did not travel to Southland, some two thousand for the dine and dance Colleen’s Summer Something was the local and final dinner. The Public open day was challenge with instructions to bring Teddy a brilliant hot day and the public support Bears! Challenged with many clues and so great that the unexpected traffic jams questions, the team eventually met under caused one and a half hour delays! The the trees on the beach at Whatuwhiwhi rallies took us far and wide and most of us where the crews and bears picnicked. The found the timed sections quite a challenge bear with the cool shades bathing in the to meet. Our group all managed to return sun was declared the winner. home safely although our car kept taking Our most recent run, Win and Lyn’s side roads which offered a challenge so we Wonderful Wild and Wet Wally, wasn’t were last home….6,500 miles after heading wet at all as the day was perfect as we south! assembled at Taipa beach. First up was a Grateful thanks to all the Vero organ- bit of straight line navigation to comple- isers….someone will always have a niggle ment the recent club training night, this about any event, but the writer and his crew was short over urban and rural sections. and guests from Australia enjoyed every Most folks managed to reach the destina- tion without too much fuss while some of

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us need a bit more practice! Our relaxed Gore Branch Raewyn Dodds Annie road to Taihape, which has lost a navigation then took us cross country over If you stop and count the months we bit of the challenge and intrigue for some Matthews’ farm with spectacular views of don’t have long until the ‘End of Season’ now so much of it is sealed. They returned Doubtless Bay before lunching down on a run, but boy are we going to pack a lot in south passing over the Saddle Road and private beach. The journey home proved before then! We have held another very had a look at the huge wind turbines now daunting for President Rosco Pennell’s old successful Festival Rally on 18 February situated on the summit. Stop by for a look Harley and the biggest of us, the Chevrolet with 55 cars entering. Many of these were some time, you can drive right up to one Silverado, just could not get traction on the from out of town. Murray and Gerry, once and stand under it. They are immense and steep kikuyu and required a modern 4x4 again, challenged our drivers and naviga- all the statistics of what they produce is pull. tors in a run out and about eastern and recorded for all to see. We’ve had a great few months, happy northern Southland to the holiday Mecca Central Hawkes Bay members were motoring for the rest of summer! of Waikaia. Picnic lunches were enjoyed involved putting on this year’s “Veteran in bright sunshine, then it was a free jaunt Run” in November visiting three inter- Gisborne Rodney Clague back to Gore for a delicious dinner served esting properties, and the regular stops Our last run for 2005 was the Club by our social committee. Well done to allowed the slower vehicles the chance to Captain’s Wing Ding, which, like the Colin Pearce, Veteran section winner, the catch up. Quiet roads for the most part previous run, started off in patchy weather Burrows for winning the Vintage section, were travelled by the 20 entrants with the which developed into very heavy rain as Russell Newland for the Post Vintage and first stop being an elderly farm house loved we travelled out to the Rere Falls, suppos- the Coopers for the Post War section. Post by its present owners. The second stop edly for a leisurely afternoon tea and to 60’s was won by the Milnes and the Lady was a more modern home with a fabulous have a look at, or take part in, the rockslide Driver award went to K McNabb. During garden and small museum where we sat nearby. Following a quick cuppa between March we have had the Frank Robson in the sun and cooked our lunch. The showers we moved on to have a look at a Run for Vintage and Veteran Cars and the next stop was unscheduled when we drove nearby homestead, and it was here that the Clearwater Capers for all other cars, held through Tikokino village, as radiators heavens really opened, nearly drowning our on the same day, also our Safari Weekend, needed replenishment at the local watering guide. The rain did ease and a few hardy which this year went to Berwick, in the hole according to some of the drivers who souls took the opportunity to have a look at hills between Lawrence and Waihola. are always masters of their maintenance. the gardens while others had a spy around We host our Biennial Swap Meet on 9 The final stop was at another farm where the sheds, despite being requested not to April. Barry has had lots of booking for stall the owners are developing a winery, so do so by our guide. Well, boys will be boys! space so this looks to be a day full of lots of tasting of the product and afternoon tea From here it was back to the clubrooms for a great Southland bargains for all those who were partaken with proceeds going to a barbecue tea, where 25 sat down to a lovely travel from near and far to attend. We look local cancer charity. Tony Prebensen in his meal prepared by our cooking team who are forward to a day of great weather, great food recently-to-the-road 1903 Holley completed perfecting the art of attending to the needs and extra great buying opportunities. The the event, putting 60 miles behind him to of the hungry. day starts at 0800 hours with a hot brunch applause from other entrants at the evening Reports coming back from our teams and cuppa available for as long as there function. at the Vero Rally suggest that it was well are people to feed. May is our Ladies Run. Through December and January, mostly organized and apart from the first week the This is organised by the previous year’s minor yet regular runs kept the troops weather was good most of the time they winner and is always a good outing for both amused, with the major outing being the were away. Philip Cook’s Mercury decided men and women. June 23, 24 and 25 is our New Year races at Hastings. There were no that it did not want to leave the South 40th Birthday. Friday is to be an informal reports of anyone having huge wins on the Island so packed a sad just before entering get-together at the Clubrooms. Saturday single horse-power transport, so I imagine Picton on the homeward journey. is a short run and Annual Prizegiving and we will be sticking to the mechanical horse- February 26 was our Neil Peterson Trophy Birthday Dinner, while Sunday is wind- power units we are involved with. Run, organised again by Gail Menzies, down day back at the Clubrooms, with Some members ventured south to which started at Nuhaka and meandered the Parts Shed open, of course, over the Invercargill for the Vero Rally, and reports through to Mahanga Beach for lunch then weekend. Our Birthday Committee has to date are of a very friendly atmosphere and on to Mahia for a lazy afternoon with a worked hard at trying to contact past good times were had by those participants. light tea at Café Mahia. The meal and members but some will have been missed As we were in the South Island having dessert were delicious and the establishment – that’s Murphys Law. If anyone is inter- attended the Annual Model T Rally in is recommended to travellers in the Mahia ested in attending or knows others who are Ashburton and taken some time out for area. It is also the home of Roger’s Preserves interested but have not made contact with a holiday afterward, we ran into several the Gore Club yet, please let us know via and Jams where all sorts of concoctions Vero entrants making their way south. They PO Box 329, Gore or email murrayproctor@ made from fresh vegetables and fruit are looked to be having a load of fun just making xtra.co.nz. I hope the second part of the bottled for public sale. their various ways to the event! year slows down! Enjoy your motoring – our Our 2007 Rally Committee is moving We are now coming down to earth in club members certainly will be. along dotting the eyes and crossing the Hawke’s Bay after the biggest “Art Deco” tees as they go, and are confident that Hawke’s Bay Rod McKenzie. rally that has been held, being led again Gisborne will provide a great weekend for I missed the cut with the last notes so by Diane and Geoff Quarrie. There were Easter 2007. A warning though, if you are there is plenty to report on this time, and over 260 entrants for the event this year, all coming it would pay to book accommo- there has been a huge amount of activity driving pre-1945 vehicles. As it was the 75th dation now. Your delegate at the recent within the district. anniversary of the great Hawke’s Bay earth- executive meeting should have brought Our Annual Safari Rally this year went quake of 1931, the whole of the celebrations some flyers home and on the back of those to Taihape, where the entrants were taken extended over about 12 days. Earlier in is a list of motels near the venue. There are on a circular tour of the area seeing some the week preceding, entrants had the many other motels closer to the city as well of the interesting geography of the district. chance to visit the outlying townships of as motor camps. Cars were driven over the renowned Gentle Wairoa, Waipawa and Waipukurau, joining

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the steam train visiting the townships. for the organisers to see eight of the Morris The main events were on Saturday 18 Enthusiasts Car Club and several other and Sunday 19 February with the cars Vintage cars on show for the public to and entrants assembling at Church Road admire. winery in Taradale where we were all able Our Tourer editors Brian and Shona to look at the cars and the people, who were Burrough participated in the Austin for the most part attired in period dress. Centennial Tour from Wellington to Taupo Some of the costuming is really fabulous via Hawkes Bay. Other members did parts and members were turned out in original with two driving the whole tour from Bluff clothing and in modern replica gear. A run to Cape Reinga. out into the country and then assemble Derek Haycock gave us a very inter- for the parade through the main shopping esting account in The Tourer of being precincts of Napier were the instructions. involved with the movie King Kong. Finally This had entrants drive through a crowd after many changes of plans Derek’s 1929 of onlookers estimated to be as many as Athol Smart (Marlborough Branch) standing by his Chevrolet and his father’s 1929 Chevrolet restored Chev chassis, mentioned in Idle Torque in 15,000 people, up onto the-closed-to-all- Sedan arrived on the set with Len’s car issue 278. but-vintage-vehicles Marine Parade. On being driven by Ray Wilson. Finally the Sunday people assembled on the Parade for shots were recorded and Derek was very restored tractors and stationery farm and the Gatsby Picnic, with all the period silver, impressed with the accuracy and the food mill engines, puts on an annual display china, clothing and phonographs getting an provided for the many “film stars”. Their which we call Heritage Day.All the park airing. What a huge spectacle it all was and cars appeared at the beginning and the end residents including VCC, put on a best tremendous fun for both the entrants and of a very long movie. possible display of their wares and invite the viewing public alike. What has started At the Ruahine Ramble held on 25 the public in for the cost of a Gold Coin out as a “not too serious” celebration of February we all heard about the Vero run. and I believe the collected monies from all the earthquake and the art deco theme of There were good, bad and interesting tales events after expenses are put into the fund the buildings of Napier, has now become a from those fortunate to have travelled which administers the operation of the park major success with businesses set up because south. The Ramble of about 90 miles was overall. I think I am correct in saying the of it, a huge rally and an overall event via the many hills where the windmills park operates under the umbrella of the which is an icon on the calendar of Hawke’s turning out our power for Palmerston local council but the various clubs have to Bay people. North are situated. This was followed by maintain their own properties and local Horowhenua Peter Nightingale a gymkhana resulting in many laughs and grounds which is no mean achievement in Preparation for the Vero Rally took all the won by Laurie Cocker in his 1906 Cadillac. such a large and complex park. spare time. Nine branch members attended This beautiful car recently clocked by 3,800 On this particular day the public turned the Vero Rally and all enjoyed what they miles down to the South Island. The overall up and gave us maximum support and we, did. Our choice for the Monte Carlo was winners were Keith and Lee Turner from the VCC turned on a pretty good display Christchurch, Arthurs Pass, West Coast, Wanganui in a Morris Minor. Ex members of cars but not so many motorcycles as Wanaka and Invercargill. Great motoring Bruce and Trish Jefferies travelled from evidently there was a clash of dates . and scenery, no mechanical problems. We Taupo in their 1946 Ford Coupe to win the It’s a really great day’s entertainment found the Venue and the Southland people greatest distance travelled. Val O’Leary won with model railways of three or four great hosts. An experience we will always the Hardluck prize in his Essex and Dave different gauges, model boats in a large remember. and Liz Livingstone won the Concours purpose built lake, model racing cars and On the home front we, as a branch, are Trophy with their recently restored 1927 boy do they motor on their special circuit, now homeless but good progress is being Paige 2 door coupe. Fifty cars enjoyed a the local museum with interesting displays, made on our new clubroom facilities. great day out organised by Steve Bright and the fire brigade group who have a number Meetings are now being held at the his helpers. Following this run the 25th of historic engines shedded in the park, the Events Centre which is also at the Levin anniversary of the turning of the first sod rock hounds and the wood working guild. Show Grounds until our club building is for the clubrooms was celebrated with a Plenty of interest for young and old. built. There are many advantages of the barbecue. A few months ago during one of our club new site. We are well away from the State Several members who helped 25 years outings, we paid a visit to the shed of Athol Highway and already use the grounds for ago were thanked by the Chairman Allan Smart, a member of our club, to inspect his rallies and swap meets. It has a choice of Hardacre. An excellent day out. 1934 Chevrolet Master 4 door sedan resto- entrances and exits which will be a great ration project. I took the liberty of asking Marlborough John White advantage. The ½ acre site opens up onto Athol for a few details about his work which There is not a great deal for me to say the grounds with lots of available space. has been ongoing for about two and a half on branch activities for this issue because The site is now pegged out and the lease of years. He has completed the chassis and I was away attending the Vero Rally which ground being organised. overhauled all the mechanical components I thoroughly enjoyed. It seemed like I was Three members attended Manawatu for ready for the body to be fitted. Sadly the away for more than a month and I’ll not say the annual Ruahine Ramble. body was in a pretty bad way with much of anymore on that subject as no doubt there At the end of March and in April Levin the woodwork rotted and much rust in hard will be much correspondence on that event celebrates its centenary so lots to do. to repair corners. Both rear wheel arches by better authors than me. were in non restorable condition and he has Manawatu Robyn Corpe Marlborough’s Brayshaw Park is home with a little help from an expert fabricated The New Year’s Day run to Duddings of our branch clubrooms, along with a new ones. It is starting to look like a body Lake organised by Len Haycock was enjoyed number of other clubs the most predomi- again and he will be tackling the woodwork by 15 members. nant of which is the well known Farm in the not too distant future. Athol used Settlers’ Day celebrations were held in Machinery Club, which has a number of to be a keen circuit racer, his favourite car Feilding on January 21 and it was pleasing large sheds displaying a large collection of being a Hillman Imp.

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On Wednesday evening 22 February we counted out a month’s worth of medication ants were seen emerging from roads where had a special club evening to which those and left it all at home. Lucky we have a they should not have been. members who participated in the Vero Rally good neighbour. After lunch by some difficult field tests were invited to come along and voice their “The Likely Lads” – Darcy Bovey, Chris were held in almost oppressive heat at the experiences. We had quite a good attend- Milne and John Millar (chef for the trip). Enfield Domain. Most entrants would have ance and it was interesting to listen to the Caught giving three giggling geriatric girls encountered a brief downpour on their way different and varying happenings amongst a ride in the 1929 Buick at Winton after to their accommodation. The after-match this group. running out of petrol. Erin and Ray Day function and presentation of trophies was The motorcycle gang were invited with ‘Agnes’ their 1935 Austin 7 back on held at the Stoke St Clubrooms. to meet up with the Nelson VCC MC the road after 30 years off the road. Rob and There were approximately 57 cars and gang at Lake Rotoiti on Sunday 19 Feb. Sharon Thompson and their two boys Josh their crews competing, the most for a number Unfortunately this clashed with another and Adam, squashed into their 1926 Ford T of years, and very pleasing to the organisers. planned run on the same date part way on who were victims of gale force winds when The Christmas social function was held the same route so it was left to those partici- the welding on their windscreen broke. Jill at the clubrooms and was also very well pating to do the long or short run. It was a and Trevor Quinn all the way from Takaka attended with numbers about twice those of very nice day so about half decided to go 1934 Vauxhall coupe. It was good to catch last year. Things are looking up. to the lake and enjoy a pleasant chat with up with Stu and Gaye Milne (plus dog) now Local member Gilbert Ellery, having our friends from over the hill while the rest living back in Invercargill after their stint completed the restoration of an early 1950s stopped at the Wairau pub and had a meal in Nelson. Ford Prefect is working industriously on a and cooling beverage Debbie and Tim McDowell did the miles Bedford pickup truck of about 1950 Vintage. Today, 26 Feb we held a gymkhana for all the way to Lake TeAnau and back in I believe that the motor is beyond salvation our Events Trophy at Brayshaw Park. The the 1925 Willys Knight and Marion and and Gilbert is looking for a replacement, winner will be announced at a presentation Lewis Smithson in their 1936 Morris 8, Vauxhall 12 I think. dinner when other awards are also given Invercargill to Christchurch in one day On a sadder note the branch records out. Thirteen of our branch members and on the homeward leg. Giannina and Cliff with deep regret the recent passing of two family competed on a brilliant sunny day Wratt absolutely traumatised after getting of its members, Bert Bennett and Jim Riley. and a lot of fun was had by all. lost in the first hub rally but improved daily after that experience. Bev and Alan Moss North Shore Peter Aitken We are now well into 2006. Looking back Nelson June Campbell looked great in their Jaguar. Good to see We welcome the following new members at the latter part of 2005, our annual Swap you both there. to the Branch – Stephen Caunter (D2 Meet in December was successful. Also, a Annette and Derek Martin – full points International truck), Michael and Helen recent Auction night, which raised more for persistence with Annette breaking her Stanley (1931 Riley Special, 1935 Austin dollars - both lots of proceeds were donated ribs in an accident at Alexandra and Derek 7 Special, 1932 Riley 9). Also Gordon to the Hospice, which is our fundraising coping with two punctures first day out and Routledge who has transferred from the event for the year. then motor problems at Invercargill. But Banks Peninsula Branch. Peter and Heather Lloyd enjoyed a with wonderful Southland assistance, they It’s been fairly quiet on the home mystery weekend at Paihia for achieving completed the Rally and drove home in the front when 31 vehicles travelled down to maximum points attending Rallies last year. 1929 Reo. Pauline and Monty Scarborough Invercargill to take part in the Vero Rally. Our new Club Captain, Robin Strachan, from Thames – new friends who we made So here’s a few memories and moments from has injected plenty of interest and imagina- at a morning tea stop, huddled in a gazebo the trip. tive ideas for monthly runs, and I hope the at Wyndham trying to get shelter from the Wee Isaac Julian-Adams (1 year old) members respond, because it is difficult to wind and rain. Both of us in open cars, the at the open day, possibly a future member keep thinking up new and different runs to ladies ready to head home and our menfolk (maybe Chairman) on his first Rally. All keep everyone happy. trying to make us believe we were having a those enjoying their first Big Rally experi- We have the Posh Picnic returning again good time. ence while Geoff and Margaret Clark have on 19 March - always popular - a good To cap it off, John and Sandy Graham attended every NZ held International Rally excuse to get all the old gear on, and the won the Southland Times Peoples Popular since 1972 plus extras in Australia and period picnic sets of yesteryear out. Choice with their lovely 1949 Woody and USA. All the 10 entries to the Vero Rally who caravan. Sharon and Pat Kennedy – bad luck travelled so far to Invercargill, returned First branch outing for the year was a when their motor home broke down only a without any major problems - The Whitham picnic at Rabbit Island, a good opportunity few miles from home, luckily close enough Austin had a little rear tyre trouble. The for those who wanted to give their vehicles to go back and pick up the 4WD and start Collins Chrysler had an attraction for a a run and for those who somehow couldn’t again. Lesley and John Barker – “Mission large dog (massive bumper versus angry stop driving, to get together and enjoy some Impossible” at the supermarket trying hard Rottwieler - not sure which came off best!) time in the sun. to stuff their groceries into their wee Austin Also, the Urbahn Buick had a few sparks 7. Tony White – in his Hawaiian shirt and North Otago Tony Aker missing, but all came home in one piece, the ever patient Michelle shepherding the Since my last contribution a few months safe and sound. I know we enjoyed the run triplets who are big girls now. It seems only ago, the most significant event has been the by ‘modern’ to Bluff and back immensely. yesterday they had three baby seats lined up 45th Windsor rally held in early December. The South Island scenery always so beautiful in the back of the Model T. Organisers Merv Aitcheson and Graeme and the roads so enjoyable to travel on. Anne and Gary Plum, creating havoc Dodd plotted an excellent long route which Finally, the Branch welcomes the while searching for Morrie Minor’s petrol included little-used unsealed roads between following new members: cap only to find it in the boot. My hubby Tokarahi and Danseys Pass which are William Drummond, Blair Jackson, John David – trying to squeeze into my jeans and generally out of range of our weekend club Kemp, Garry Learmouth, Ray Murphy, having to buy new because I packed two events. Some long time locals had never Bob Pearce, Cedric Stockman, Tom Van pair of mine and then discovering he had been on some of them and some contest- Heuven, Nigel Wells and John Wilmott.

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Otago Marion McConachie and Barbara Barker from England driving rather than travel along Chewings road. Arthur Bennett, our usual idle torque Colin and Joan Pearce’s 1911 Sunbeam, (1st At Mossburn we learnt from the plaque contributor, is currently making his return Class 2); Monty and Pauline Scarborough there, that the district was famous for journey home, after participating in the 1913 Ford Model T, (2nd Class 3). Also popularising Chewings fescue — a grass Austin Centennial run which travelled entered with newly restored vehicles were: that was used extensively during WW2 for from Bluff to Cape Reinga. With not many Gary and Leonie Young, 1917 Ford Model temporary aerodromes. Drivers travelling local runs, Branch members who chose T (Concours d’Elegance); Michael and Jane along Chewings road would appreciate the not to attend the Vero Rally, were instead Curry, 1914 Humber 14hp (Age- Mileage). historical nature of the region rather than kept entertained as they hosted entrants of the long stretch of dusty shingle. Rotorua Doug Green various Monte Carlo routes. One member Straight after the Vero Rally about We have been very quiet as the Vero indicated he should have taken his sleeping 120 Austins set off from Bluff on their Rally was in full swing. Four cars ventured bag to the clubrooms, as he was there more Commemoration Run. It was quite a sight south to participate and they report that often than at home. Four tours started to see the many and varied Austin vehicles they had a great rally and travelled over from Dunedin on Sunday 15 January, all shining for the occasion early on the some wonderful scenery to parts of the some entrants having come from various sunny Saturday morning. There were a few country not normally seen under usual overseas countries. Judy Willis’s group, from short speeches, and local members could motoring. Invercargill, took the opportunity of our see and hear the Vintage Austin Register Our February run was out to a beautiful hospitality, parts shed, hot drinks and food. President Peter Fry, who normally was only spot at Lake Rerewhakaaitu. A walk and a One Tour Group from Christchurch was a voice on National Radio. cuppa of course. We had a good turnout of expected and had already had a day in While the Southland Rally has been cars and the rally was set by Adela and Bill Dunedin. The following report was printed put to April from its usual slot the mid Skelton. Well done folk. in the official Vero Oily Rag on Tuesday week runs continue apace, even though Surprise surprise, Dennis and Pat Burr 24 January: ‘A dispatch received this day the first rally was put back a week because who travelled south, came home with a confirmed the arrival of Colonel and Mrs of the Vero Rally. On the 8 February 26 new addition to the stable of four cars. Meadows, ably escorted by his aide-de- people in nine cars set off on the first run Yes, another Chrysler, a very tidy 1954 camp, Lt Newbury and Mrs Newbury at 1730 for the New Year. With overcast skies and Dodge wellside pick-up. Just what Dennis hours. After a blustery journey of three days, a rather cool breeze, the rally set off from had wanted for a long time. Now he has a during which the Colonel led a contingent the racecourse gates on a roundabout route, commercial to alternate his rally classes. of troops from the 9C Brigade Canterbury to finally finish up at the Hedgehope Hall Two Vintage car members from Adelaide Crusaders deep into the Highlanders for the lunch stop. Entrants felt it was good stayed with Doreen and me for three days. Territory, they succeeded in capturing the catching up with everybody again, since on They hired a car and went to Gleesons general HQ of the Otago VCC regiment the Vero Rally you only saw the people that of Napier, Horopito Motor Wreckers and and raised the red and black flag. Following were on the same route as yourself. A very as well as the Pukekohe Swap Meet to the partaking of hearty provisions, the enjoyable hour or so was spent over lunch top up their parts supply, and also bought sergeant-at-arms, Howard Porteous (1929 before everyone made their own way home. a very nice Holden VN Commodore car Chevrolet, Waikato) proceeded to fine Many of the local members took part in to take back to Oz as this VN was a 4 Troopers present for disobeying regulations the South Canterbury Branch organised cylinder and was an export only. There while on Convoy. Only he himself received Mt. Cook run commemorating the first were none in Australia. This car is going the largest fine of £10, the total sum of fines journey to Mt. Cook 100 years ago by John into a museum along with dozens of other being donated to defray expenses to the Rutherford and Rudolph Wrigley. Everyone export cars, Valiants, Falcons and Holdens. Otago VCC catering corps. Noted merce- thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. The museum owner only collects Australian naries from abroad who were also fined were: A successful Open Day was held at the export cars and has a vast collection. 1) Magnus Westlund from Sweden driving a Club Rooms in beautiful weather. It was Good motoring. 1927 Humber, which would not behave en very pleasant to see the old cars out again route, 2) Richard Unkles, Australia, for Southland Paul Rodmell after the Vero Rally. racing a Fiat (1922), 3) numerous Yanks in The Vero Rally is now a distant fond South Canterbury Bill Weir their tanks (Names withheld by Homeland memory for us. It was wonderful to have We have had a busy and exciting Security directive, 4) and some Canadians the vintage contingent so prominent in motoring season this spring and summer for flying the Canadian flag against the City. Vintage cars were very visible with two major events of historical signifi- regulations. Forward….March! Saturday in parking places while their owners went cance. Both involving Mt Cook and The 28 January saw Registration for Dunedin shopping and it was not uncommon to pull Hermitage. The first was our very popular Brighton Run entrants, and a large group of up at a service station for fuel before a rally, Annual Mt Cook Rally held over Labour Austin owners in Dunedin after their first with three or four other vintage cars also weekend. However, this time with a differ- day on the Austin Centennial Run, attend filling up. ence, it was the 50th event to be run to the Clubrooms for nog ‘n’ natter and supper. For many members, their hard work over Mt Cook by the club. John Campbell and Ralph Harrison was reported to have a “For many days is now ended, and more normal Alistair Day organised a very good weekend Sale’ sign on his Austin A/35 4 door. Did he pursuits can now be undertaken. rally with many variations in the route sell? The Dunedin Brighton Run on Sunday For most of us it was nice to renew old through the McKenzie country with over 50 welcomed 29 entrants. The following acquaintances and forge new friendships. cars participating. entrants, I understand, have not previ- I personally would have liked to see some Not with this copy must be in other ously attended this particular run (placings history and highlights put onto the rally envelope. in brackets): Auckland 1915 Renault instructions for visiting friends. I, and many The second major event, was the re- Charabanc driven by Alan Price; Dave and of the local members who know the area, enactment of the first car to The Hermitage Nancy Stuart, 1906 Star (Best Dressed); went straight to Mossburn for a comfort Mt Cook back in 1906. Barry Goodman Ian and Fay Chamberlain, 1906 Reo; John stop and ice cream on the Te Anau run, approximately three years ago researched

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the history of the event, contacted several their judges around the show people with an interest in the occasion and grounds. As always the club did a suggested the club front a Re-enactment fine job. Rally. Kevin Mercer and Rusell Paul took On 4 December, a beautiful up the challenge and planned the event. summer morning, six of our Because of the nature of the rally and members joined the Tauranga the logistics of possible numbers it was group of British Car Club members restricted to Veteran and Vintage classes. A at the Park for a very enjoyable good idea as final numbers attending were day. 150-plus vehicles and 450 people. The Christmas parade in The Hermitage Hotel Group picked up Tokoroa on 10 December saw on the idea and purchased the 1902 Di Tiger Moth of Ashburton member John eight of our members parading in Dion rumoured to be one of the first two Copeland. two Wolseleys, a Chevrolet, a Chev Ute, cars to make the trip and borrowed back While on the Christmas Run I had the Rover, Daimler, Jaguar and Sunbeam Talbot one of the early Darracq Service Cars origi- misfortune to spear a tyre on a kerbing Convertible. nally used on the Mt cook Run. This all out at the Airport. Unfortunately for me Alice and I travelled to Te Awamutu culminated to make a fabulous weekend there was a camera handy to capture the to join the Bay of Plenty Rover Car Club event on Feb 4-6. moment. “Bugger, don’t forget the wheel with members from Auckland, Waikato As to other Club activities our usual brace.” Where was it – back home. Here and Tauranga at a Pride of Ownership Day events have been held: Veteran Vintage I am doing what I do best, hands on hips held at Chris and Helen Empson’s home. Commercial Run, The Christmas Kids Rally giving advice. The weather was fabulous and we lunched and Club Christmas Dinner, enjoyed by all Sorry to hear of Edgar Ridgen’s death under old shade trees and afterwards who participated, then The Fairlie New (Banks Peninsula Branch). He and his wife viewed Rovers of all ages and the beauti- were regular attenders of our annual Mt fully restored P5 Coupe of Chris and Helen Cook Rally. which won the day. South Waikato John Lee In February we held our Christmas A pleasing muster of 31 cars partici- Dinner gathering at the Putaruru pated in our TTT Rally, travelling through Servicemans Club. Our sheriff relieved us of a changing local countryside where large our gold coins and ex-mayor Gordon Blake sections of our bush is being converted back commented on our TTT Rally and the to farming due to the down turn in forestry sensible time of holding our Dinner after products. the Christmas rush. Peter Smit, with helpers did a very good Taranaki Colin Johnston job with his mixture of road surfaces, clearly A Veteran 1908 Cadillac Tourer owned defined directions and some sneaky silent by Steven and Veronica Oliver of Egmont checks. The overall winner of father and Village and a Veteran 1910 Alldays and son was Andre De Haan from Otorahanga. Onions owned by Roy Benton of Bell Block Other results made an appearance and competed in Vintage the 33rd annual Waitara Mini – Vin Tour Year Parade which is always well supported. 1 Joe and Lorraine Bruntlett, Waikato rally held in Waitara in February. Fresh David Jones astride his latest restoration 2 Denice and Pat Burr Sulphur City Rotorua from competing in the big Vero rally in a 1916 Dayton motobicycle, believed to be Post Vintage the South Island these beautiful Veteran the only one in NZ 1 Gordon and Pam Blake, South Waikato cars joined twenty three other entrants to Grant Stewart’s MG under the wing of 2 Shirley and John Foote, Waikato enjoy a rally that took them around some Pionair’s Lady Jane. With the DC3 up for Post War 1 Andre De Haan, Otorohanga town and country and North Taranaki sale another photo opportunity might not 2 Brian and Val Russell Waikato farm scenery and on to the back roads of be possible. A quick trip to Ashburton to Post 60 Tikorangi and Urenui. The winners this join their members’ display of cars. The 1 Reg and Karl Ridley, Hamilton year were Hugh and Jill Cowan driving a DC3 was taking passengers on 20 minute 2 Jill and Hugh Cowan, New Plymouth 1964 Wolseley, with second placing going flights over Ashburton and doing a steady Furtherest to Travel Jill and Hugh Cowan to our club President Des Cornwall and wife Costume Phyllis in his 1929 Graham Paige. Third John and Shirley Foot placing went to Noel and Sheryl Thompson Hard Luck with their 1949 Ford BB Truck. Kevin and Christine Davies, Waikato Twelve vehicles were entered in the Ian Reid Trophy for South Waikato Sunday, 8 January run to the Mount Gordon and Pam Blake Damper Falls in the back country east South Waikato Santa Parade Midnight Taranaki area where we were able to amble Madness involved a mixing of cultures in along the forgotten Highway stopping in the that we had an English car driven by a Whangamomona Township and visiting the Swiss, a Rarotongan Santa helper, a Maori one and only historic Hotel. We carried on Santa wearing jandals (because of global to the lunch stop at the Moki Forest picnic warming) spot and then stopped at the Mt Damper trade. Other aircraft to arrive included a Also in December nine of our members falls. We carried on, ending the run at Harvard, some Chipmunks, a Yak and a escorted fifteen Miss A & P Show girls and Urenui with a welcome afternoon tea stop.

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We welcome new prospective members away it made it pretty quiet around here. Our next major event will be the Rex Pat and Bruce Hewer with a very nice DKW. There have been so many good reports Porter memorial Rally 11-12 March. The 41st Annual Maunga Moana Rally about the Vero that they stand re-telling Wanganui Fay Chamberlain is being held on April 21-23 and is being here. Whats the most frequent words said Special thanks to all those members who centered around the Inglewood district. about the Vero? Well it’s a close contest stood in for those who attended the Vero Excellent accommodation is available in between, enjoyable, excellent, friendly, and Rally in January – having the Burma Rally Inglewood or New Plymouth and south to great roads. Which all seems to add up to while many were down South (including Stratford. The dinner and prize giving will a great time. The Waikato cow bells were a the Branch Chairman, Secretary and be held at the Inglewood Town Hall that real focus when rung by Brian and Lorraine Treasurer) meant extra responsibility for has just been refurbished. Cossey – they took them everywhere and some at that time. Numbers for the rally whenever they had a chance they rang Taupo Jack Hindess were down, as expected, but a great time them. What a great rallying call, and with The period following Christmas is always was had by all, with a more casual approach, everyone wearing the tee shirts organised by a quiet time for branch activities as we do some interesting visits, and as usual, there Sharman Orr the Waikato was well repre- not have a meeting or event scheduled for appeared at the end of the day a winner. sented. Joe Bruntlett’s Vauxhall was one January. However, it is a good opportunity Congratulations to Lee Turner (navigator of 45 in the Vauxhall section organised to check on some of the restorations in Kate Stephens) driving her 1960 Morris by a very sprightly gentleman from the progress. Minor. Her husband came second this time. Invercargill club who (I’m told) is in his 80s. Rex Tindall’s 1972 MGB Roadster has With respect to, and in commemora- Well done, what a great achievement to still been painted, cut and polished and is tion of Don Simpson, one of the Branch be giving pleasure to other people by being looking really good in a nice red livery. The stalwarts who died recently, a new event has an organiser, and doing it so well. While motor and gearbox were dropped into place been instigated. The Blue Smoke and Pedals still on the Vero, the entertainment theme recently. The conversion of Joe Ridley’s will be an annual event. The first of which nights went down really well and were all Austin Top Hat Saloon into a Chummy is will be at the clubrooms on 19 March. thoroughly enjoyed. All in all “well done” now almost complete. I must say the wider Wanganui Heritage weekend will also for the Vero and the organisers. Back here doors make access into the car a lot easier see club members suitably attired, out and in the Waikato its been very quiet with not than the original chummy. about providing transport etc. on 11 and 12 too much happening, although now that Norm Pointon’s 1935 Riley Kestrel’s body March. John and Shirley Foote are back from the work is now complete although there was Club nights continue to be well attended. South Island its full on to get ready for the a bit of bother getting the boot correctly March will see members reporting back National Motor Show at Mystery Creek to fitted. The wiring loom is currently being from the VERO experience, with much to be held 17-19 March. fitted and body upholstery is under way. tell and many photos to show. The 1950 Bradford Van of Ray Harwood Wairarapa Rosemarie Hickland Motorcyclists have their annual rally on has progressed to the rolling chassis stage, Branch members ventured out to Ngawi 8/9 April, a first for Bill James as convenor. with a little work still needed on the brakes. for the Coastal Run in January, organised by Clubrooms are open each 4th Sunday Ray’s wood working skills will now come Graham and Annette Clark. Unfortunately afternoon for BYO teas, with parts shed into play with the bodywork. some of the road works had not been open. Attendance has not been high since The Vintage Austin Register Centennial completed which resulted in a rather rough this was instigated late last year. This can Tour passed through Taupo en route to Cape ride for some. Lunch was BYO and held in only get better hopefully. Reinga on 5-6 February. There were about the newly refurbished Fire Station Hall, Waitemata Keith Humphreys 50 Austins of all models participating in the offering a wonderful view of the boat Waitemata Branch has been a little Taupo to Hamilton section. After leaving yard, coastline and a glimpse of two of the quiet on the activity front over the last Taupo there was a choice of three routes Kaikoura Mountains. All in all, it was a two months, the weather being too good to all terminating at the Hamilton Gardens. very enjoyable day. Thank you Graham and challenge the macho tastes of your typical The short route, of 102 miles, was the most Annette. Waitemata member. popular and it generally followed the main As there were a number of members There have been two major events; the road north, with variations where possible participating in the Vero rally and/or VERO Rally and the 75th Anniversary of to keep the cars off S H 1. The medium continuing up the Island on the Austin the Napier Earthquake combined with the route of 130 miles went through the center Rally, numbers were short for the February Art Deco Week. of the North Island to Te Kuiti, and then Casual Run, organized by Ian Cutler, an Only a small number of Waitemata followed SH 3 through Otorohanga and Te afternoon run which took them on the back members attended the VERO Rally, but Awamutu to Hamilton. The longest route of roads in the Carterton area. those that did, returned with glowing 165 miles went through Rotorua, Te Puke No medals were won at the Vero rally by reports of the event. and Tauranga on to Hamilton. There was any member of the Wairarapa contingent, As a precursor to the Art Deco Week, some positive feedback on the medium but a great time was had by all. A big thank Auckland, North Shore and Waitemata length route that passed through some of you to Southland VCC for the wonderful Branches combined to hold a Great Gatsby the more isolated parts of the central North job they did in hosting this event and I Picnic at the Devonport Windsor Reserve. Island. think everyone will agree, the Southlanders’ Two rallies starting from Auckland and hospitality was wonderful. A very friendly Waikato Arthur Muldoon North Shore arrived at Fort Takapuna lot (both VCC members and Southlander’s Summer is with us and the new rally year for a look around before continuing on to in general). I was very impressed with their got off to a great start for all the members Devonport. There under the shade of giant from the Waikato who went down to the lovely wide streets in the urban area. We all Moreton Bay Fig trees, elaborate picnics Vero rally in Invercargill. There were 39 now know Southland intimately and it is a were set up to the sound of jazz from four cars from the Waikato, and with so many wonderful and diverse region. different groups. The locals too, had been

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Mike Curry and Emily Latham rolling the ball Bev Munro sweeping the ball

invited to join in and it made a delightful out: the Wellington Branch is planning to scene which will become an annual event. come with a very big contingent next year! Wellsford/Warkworth Rita Jorgensen As another precursor to the Art Deco In spite of so many members of Wellington What an experience to be part of the weekend, a coterie of quality Vintage cars, being away, the branch still had a very busy magnificent display of Vintage vehicles at with owners dressed in period costume, January. During club night David Crooks Invercargill. Congratulations to Southland converged on Ardmore airport to meet an gave a very interesting talk about his flying Branch. Our branch members who made the aircraft delivering first day covers and stamps time in the RNZAF, including his flights to long trek south, (we did 3,625 miles) were to Auckland. These were then delivered in the Antarctic. We also opened our doors for Rita Jorgensen with Paul and Kathy Collins, convoy to the Naval Base where a formal four days to support VCC travellers passing North Shore – 1951 Chrysler Windsor, Ron reception and lunch was held. The covers by on their way south to the Vero rally. and Gay London – 1963 Bedford, Harry and and stamps were then to be delivered to During the Art Deco Weekend the Margaret Heaven – 1950 Citroen, Colin and Napier by Naval vessel in recognition of the Biennial Motorcycle Rally was held in Sandra Ashby – 1930 Ford, Don and Lyn part the Navy played in the hours and days Wellington. The route was challenging with a number of points of interest along the way, Muirhead – 1925 Jewett, Grant Stott in John immediately after the 1931 earthquake. while the lunch, supplied by the Friends of Stoke’s Auckland – 1930 Whippet. Once again, those that attended the Makara School was outstanding. The mix This Branch put on a good display of Art Deco Week returned full of praise for of city running and country roads was not Vintage vehicles at the Warkworth A&P another amazing event. too arduous for the 23 starters and with all Show on January 21. B and V Guest 1929 It is of interest that Waitemata had 23 finishing there was no call for the back Rugby, T. Tomas 1947 Chevrolet Truck, J two survivors of the earthquake: Brian up. The weather was superb and the day and G Lawrie 1937 Chrysler, (under resto- Johnstone was at his first day at Primary was capped off with a fine meal served in ration) T and M Belch 1958 Wolseley, A School in Napier when the earthquake the Clubrooms. Overall winner of the Rally Mason 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, L Middleton struck, and the owners of the Goldingham’s was Horowhenua’s Richard Caldwell who 1951 Austin A 40, K Stachel 1974 Alfa- 1924 14/40 Sunbeam Roadster slept either received the Banks Trophy. Romeo convertible, M and L Brown 1901 in it or beside it in the days immediately The British Car Day held at Trentham White Steamer (under restoration) T and J after the ‘quake. Memorial Park in Upper Hutt was a great Buckley 1939 Austin 7 Ruby, B Mudge Morris Friend of the Branch, David Lane’s 1930 success according to Basil Gowenlock with Woody, J Downie 1973 Yamaha motorcycle, Studebaker President Roadster was also a several of our members attending with their J Meharry Velocette Motorcycle 200 cc, R ‘quake survivor. motorcycles and cars. The show was well Page, and D Lipinski and G Coomber with The event calendar looks more hectic in spread out giving everyone plenty of room an impressive display of stationary engines the future with a ‘Drive and Dine’ in March to display their machines. The BSA Owners’ which always draw a crowd. and two speed events in April Club was also in attendance with their The branch Restoration of the Year Keith Humphreys stand and provided riders with a barbeque Trophy will most certainly be presented lunch on site. Wellington Elisabeth Smits-Brouwers this year at our May Swapmeet, with The last weekend of February we had our We are still on cloud 9 from the Vero Ted and Joy Buckby’s Little 1939 Austin Posh Picnic and Gymkhana, which, as in Ruby finished off with a splendid paint rally; what a great event that was. Meeting previous years, was held during the Upper so many people, all the car-talk, the Hutt Summer Carnival at the Trentham job, Wilbur and Aileen Brown’s 1917 Metz rallying, and seeing the beautiful country- Memorial Park. Most of our members were and the 1901 White steamcar of Mike and side of Southland, it was truly spectacular. dressed up for the event in period clothes, Lorraine Brown. Most enjoyable was the socialising in the and we had much attention of the public. At our February Club Night a motorcycle evenings, the shared dinners, and the music Our next Ladies Sewing Day will be held video was shown followed by the documen- and dances after the challenging rally routes. in March after a joint shopping day to buy tary on the making of the film The World’s The citizens of Invercargill showed us their the materials or clothing from the local Fastest Indian. Anthony Hopkins certainly great southern hospitality; thank you so second-hand shops. If ladies from other put his heart and soul into the whole project. much Southland branch for organising this branches would like to join in, they are Living on the main road at Wellsford I have splendid event. most welcome to do so and can stay with been entertained by the sight of various Coming back home we quickly changed one of our members. makes of Vintage vehicles on rallies in the cars and attire to go to another great event: I will tell next time how the night trip to north. I hope we will always be free to travel the Art Deco Week in Napier. Napier watch the zoo was. New Zealand roads.

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bw279.indd 53 10/10/2007 12:45:06 PM ROY ELWIN Motor Car Act Rally and the Wellington keen members to forward the aims of the 4.1.1943 - 18.12.2005 to Napier re-enactment rally. club during these terms of office. After the Wairarapa Branch His contribution to the smooth running completion of the Michael Haggit Lounge, Roy lost of our Branch will be sorely missed. Roy Gordon could be found on Friday nights his battle with held the position of Branch Chairman ensconced in the “Smokers’ Corner”, cancer and died on no less than four occasions from 1977 an area set aside beneath an extractor peacefully in to 1979; 1981 – 1982; 1993 – 1995; 2003 fan where he and his particular friends the company of – 2005. He also held the position of gathered to tell all those stories beloved of his loved ones Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain and old car restorers and where they fossicked last December Committee member over many years. He out the whereabouts of sorely needed parts, – thus ending a was our vehicle identification officer until or even arranged to have them made. In a long and active retiring last year. lighter vein, during his chairmanship, the involvement with Two highlights stand out in Roy’s regular Christmas function of the Branch the Club and the involvement with the Club which were was held at a scenic and secluded spot on Wairarapa Branch which had spanned 50 particularly satisfying for him. First, the the Taieri River known as Hemlock Flats. years. presentation of a long service award made There, on one occasion, Gordon lined up As a 12 year old youth he would during the Branch’s 25th celebrations, and all the Ford Model A owners, presented regularly navigate for one of the Club’s early the second the presentation of his 50 year each with an eye patch, then shook them members, Rex Porter, firstly in the 1900 De award made by President Leigh Craythorne by the hand with his own left eye covered Dion Cudel and then later in “Denny”, late last year. This was a very satisfactory by his left hand. He exclaimed that this a 1907 De Dion. Roy was rewarded with highlight for his outstanding service to the was the usual way in which one-eyed Ford membership of the Club in those days the Club and the Branch. Model A owners greeted one another! nearest and only Branch in the North Roy’s passing has left a huge void for his It can be appreciated that as both Club Island was the Wanganui Branch. loved ones and his friends in the Vintage Captain and Chairman, his contribution His interest and involvement from movement. His boots will be very hard to to administration and club welfare was of those early experiences developed and he fill. great value to the Branch as a whole, while was able to acquire and rebuild his first Our sincere condolences and sympathy the value of his volunteer work simply project, an early model T. He entered his are extended to Frances and the family. cannot be overstated. Gordon turned his first major rally as an 18 year old, joining Will Holmes. skills to the restoration of several Model members in the 1961 Easter rally held in T Fords, keeping a Vintage roadster for the Hawke’s Bay. his own use. The late Sandy Long’s Ford His restoration achievements were Model A pickup was another effort in numerous and in most cases daunting GORDON JENKS which he played a major part. Last, but and included a couple of early model Otago Branch not least, he applied all his knowledge and Ts, a 1934 Lagonda, a 1918 Paige truck Gordon Jenks passed away on 1st skills to the restoration of the magnificent (formerly owned and operated by a local January, 2006 after a courageous fight 1913 McIntyre roadster. Ingenuity, brewery). A 1952 Austin A40 convert- against cancer. During his membership of inventiveness, trial and error and sheer ible was acquired and rebuild and became the VCC of NZ Inc., Gordon showed great determination brought this latter to a his wife Frances’s daily transport. Roy’s devotion to the aims and spirit of the Club. successful conclusion. For this man was passion for early vehicles however, was An ultimate clubman, he was vigorous in an achiever, a man who got things done mainly targeted toward the Veteran era his efforts to promote the Otago Branch while others only thought about them. and his restoration energies were directed in particular and the Club in general. His His drive, his leadership and tenacity in along these lines – firstly with the restora- first restoration, a jailbar Ford pickup of pursuing information to be sure he had the tion of a 1912 Newton Bennett in which the post war era was quickly followed by correct detailing bear witness to his many they attended the 2nd (1996) Pan Pacific a Vintage Arrol Johnston revived from administrative, mechanical and manual Rally in Christchurch, and more recently a collection of bits. Being in the metal skills. An institution at his workshop the 1905 Star twin cylinder roadster. business, Gordon cast new aluminium parts was the “Wednesday Club”, a meeting of This vehicle was rebuilt from the very sad as required for this car and generously did like-minded friends who gathered of an looking remains which had been discov- similar jobs for other restorers from time to afternoon to socialize in a companionable ered under the floor of a house following time. When the Branch decided to move manner, solving difficulties through demolition. When completed he drove the from Park Street to Forbury Road, Gordon discussion and perhaps lending a hand at Star in the re-enactment of the first motor threw himself whole-heartedly behind the fettling the current project. vehicle trip from Wellington to Napier, an project and put in many hours doing the Yes, this man of character will be event which he organised. alterations to convert an old telephone missed from our ranks. Good motoring in His organization skills benefitted the exchange into a comfortable clubrooms. the Great Beyond, Gordon. May you find Branch immensely as he would offer his He played a major part in erecting new a celestial workshop full of rusty relics to services repeatedly for the more involved partitions, building a new storeroom, restore. calender events which every Branch has pouring concrete for an entrance ramp, Olly Laytham each year, and in addition was to the fore and, in conjunction with Ray Craig, when the Branch was involved in National building a mezzanine floor over the bar events. These included the National area. Gordon served the Otago Branch Motorcycle Rally in 1983, the North as Club Captain and as chairman on two Island Easter Rally 1993, the Branch’s occasions, 1993 to 1995 and 1998 to 2000. 21st birthday rally, the William McLean He gathered around him a band of good,

54 Beaded Wheels

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