Phill and Glenn Ward Unit 6, 28 Foreman Road. Hamilton

November 2014 Vol 51 Waikato Branch

VentureNewsletter of the Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Waikato) Inc.

Xmas Raffle

Workshop Repairs & WoF Vehicles of all Ages Vintage Vehicle Towing & Delivery Repairs & Rebuilds

Phill and Glenn Ward Unit 6, 28 Foreman Road. Hamilton.

Mailing - 20 Glenview Tce. Hamilton 3206 Ph/Fax: 07 849 4895 ** Mobile: 021 474 894 ** [email protected]

Classic & Vintage Cars Service and Repairs Phone Me

Contact Knud Nielsen Ph. (07)829 4886 / 021 595 600 10-14 Willoughby Street, Hamilton Phone (07) 838 9299 www.hondahamilton.co.nz

TYRE TRADERS 24 Commerce St. Cambridge ENGINEERING SUPPLIES

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Your local metal plating and polishing specialists

We offer electroplating Automatic Transmissions services in gold silver, chrome, copper, nickel, Torque Converters tin, brass, galvanising and anodising, as well as repairs to antiques, precious metal items and Manual Gearboxes trophies etc. CVT Transmissions . Overdrive Units Note our new address: Custom Machining 151 Ellis Street, Frankton Ph. 07 848 2476 www.marshalltrans.co.nz www.advancedchromeplaters.co.nz Ph 07 8472799 fax 07 8470472 Editor’s Snippet

I was sent an email the other day from a member that had recently attended the Wellsford VCC Clubrooms. His attention was drawn to two signs on the noticeboard. One was headed “Mid Week Café Program 2014”. The other was headed “Wednesday Social Venues 2014- 2015” In a nutshell it is a years schedule of once a month mid week events . The mid week picnics are over the Summer months and the mid week café runs are during the Winter months. How do they run them? The wording on the picnic poster suggest you make your own way to the allocated picnic area. Questions; Do they start at their clubrooms for every run or different locations? Do they visit interesting places on the way? How far afield do thye travel What a great idea. Someone has certainly put a great deal of thought and effort into creating the schedule. Should we have a monthly mid week schedule on our notice board????? Would you be interested in such a monthly event???

I Need Photos!! If you are organising a run can you please appoint someone to take photos. Most plotters or rally organisers of an event do a great job in getting a report on the event to me, but photos are not that forthcoming. In this day and age of phones being able to take photos I would have thought getting them would be the least of my problems. Next time you are out on a run, snap away and send the photos to me at [email protected]. It would be very much appreciated.

As you can see, I have allocated the front cover to this years Xmas Raffle. Last year Bronya and I produced one and gave it to the club to raffle, with very rewarding results, so we are doing it again this year. A great surprise for the grandkids at Xmas, if you win it. Tickets will be available at all club events from now on until the Xmas Nog, Natter ‘n’ Xmas Cake club night on the 13th December, when the winning ticket will be drawn. Cost; 3 tickets for $5

Safe Motoring - Keep to the left Hugh

Chairman Report 4 Aroha Cruise Report 15 Club Captain Report 5 PV Rally Report 16 Secretary Report 6 Motorcycle Report 17 100 years of Dodge Brothers 7 For Sale & Wanted 20 History of School Buses in NZ 10 Front Cover: CONTENTS Events Page 12 October Run Report 14 Sample of This years Xmas Raffle

3 Chairman’s Chatter

If you didn’t attend our October Club night, you missed a recollection of an experience that we would all hope to never encounter. In 1988 Jan and Gordon Dearlove were on a cruise around the Greek Islands when the ship was taken over by terrorists. The top deck was raked with machine gun fire and the ship disabled and set on fire by grenades being thrown into the engine room. Their rescue was also dramatic with chaotic scenes both getting off the ship into rescue craft and the four plus hours trip back to the mainland. Thank you Jan and Gor- don for sharing this with us, it was obvious the vivid memories of this are still with you and even after nearly 30 years, the trauma of it hasn’t gone away. The Waikato Branch supported the Te Aroha cruze in recently, ably organised by Des and Val Harvey. While the weather was not the best, the event was well attended and the new Branch banners certainly stood out. Thank you to all involved. The covering of the area between the library and the clubrooms has been put on hold, until we finalise the costs of minor repairs to the back wall, and also the painting of the clubrooms. The committee has some thinking to do around the suggestion that we should instigate regular mid week events and reinstate the social night which was recently discontinued due to lack of support. Mid week events are popular in other branches; my personal opinion is that there is a place for them as one off events such as the recent trip to the Steel Mill where we couldn’t attend at a weekend. However as a regular event we need to question the purpose of these. It could be argued that these events may suit our members who no longer work, although would those that take part also support weekend club events as well. Presently we struggle to get volunteers even to make a cup of tea at club nights let alone introduce more events. While I don’t want to discourage enthusiasm and ideas, I have always believed mid week runs tend to divide a branch between those who work and those who don’t. I would prefer events to cater for the majority and encourage new members to a united club. If you have any thoughts or comments on this please contact one of our committee members to enable your views to be represented.

The information in this newsletter and on the club’s web site, is supplied as a service to club members. Articles and other copy of interest are always welcome and encouraged. The opinions expressed in this newsletter and on the club’s website are those of the author alone. Neither the club nor any of its officers accepts responsibility for the accuracy of any statements or opinions.

4 Club Captain

WVVCC Hi Folks Club Captain Club Well on a freezing cold Saturday with Rain Hail and a bitter Captain wind 18 members turned up to the Te Aroha Cruise In this is in contrast to the Oct 12th Sunday afternoon Club run on a fine sunny afternoon when only 8 cars bothered to show up. If you only want to be show Ponys that’s fine as it makes my job a lot easier but don’t grizzle and moan when nobody comes forward to or- ganise events for you. Once bitten twice shy. !st Nov is the Veteran Rally. 2nd Nov 150yr Hamilton Celebrations details further in venture. 16th Nov is the Swap Meet at Karipiro. 30th Nov is the progressive meal day $10 per head book prior with Jenny as numbers are required. 14th Dec is a combined car and motorcycle run. Club Nights 12th Nov unfortunately our speaker is unavailable so we will just have to wing it. 13th Dec Nog and Natter BYO.

Tony Attention! Volunteers URGENTLY Required SWAP MEET Volunteers are urgently required for the up and coming swap meet on the 16th November.

If there is ever a time that we need all hands on deck, it is for the swap meet.

If you can help on the day please, please make contact with either Mark Smith or Jeremy Brook

Mark Smith Jeremy Brook 07 827 9220 07 824 1641 [email protected] [email protected]

5 S e c r e ta r y

We enjoyed the Brits at the Beach, although the weather did its best to disrupt everyone’s enjoyment – it was atrocious! Poor Lucy (Austin) was consigned to the garage, so it was just as well that I took Bee (MG) along, too. It certainly wasn’t the time for open top motoring!

I have entry forms for - The National Veteran Rally 2015 , Oamaru 29-31 January 2015 The William Drew Goldsmiths Lake Taupo Rally 14, 15, 16th March 2015

I have the new Interislander Ferry discount rates for club members. Please contact me and I will send you a copy.

We have notification from the Historic Racing Club of their 2 Festivals – The Gulf Oil F5000 Festival celebrating Howden Ganley – 16-18th & 22-25th January 2015 TR Group Waikato 400 V8 Festival – 1-2nd November 2014 If you are interested in these events, both of which are being held at Hampton Downs, let me know and I will send you the information that I have. There are special rates for club members.

The Thames Valley Vintage & Classic Car Enthusiast Group are holding 2 events – Coromandel Gold Rush & Gum Diggers Charity Cruise 14-15th February 2015. Thames Heritage Festival Week 14th March 2015 An indication of interest is requested for these events. Email [email protected]

To celebrate Hamilton’s 150th Birthday there is to be a Hamilton Classic Motor Show 30th November 2014 starting at the Classic Car Museum with a display of vehicles, followed with a parade, finishing at the Waikato University with a display and a movie night. Any queries please contact Jeremy Brook 07 824 1641 or [email protected]

Craig Bullock, photographer and author, is looking for people with ‘classic’ cars and dogs for his new book on dogs throughout New Zealand. He would like to photograph dogs in cars set in our beautiful scenery. If you can help him please contact Craig directly at [email protected]

That is all from me this month. Happy riding/driving! Jan

Historic Race Licence Please keep an eye on the expiry date of your Historic Race Licence. If it is due to expire, you will need to complete the "Application Form to Renew your NZ His- toric Racing Licence - Section 23S of the Branch Manual". You can also obtain a copy of this from the Club Website www.vcc.org.nz or the National Office at [email protected] or your branch 6 100 years of Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicles

Part A On 14 November 1914 the first Dodge Brothers car was put on public display in the show room of Thomas J Doyle in Chicago with a price tag of $US785.00. Over 6000 people inspected the car on this day at a time when there were already 145 brands of motor vehicle on the US market. Production by the Dodge Brothers of their first car both fulfilled one of their ‘dreams’ but it also marked the tangible start of a motor vehicle manufacturing venture beyond their wildest dreams! In this centennial year of Dodge Brothers Motor Car a few words about John and Horace Dodge and what they achieved is warranted. Born in 1864 and 1868 respectively John and Horace Dodge were the sons of Daniel Dodge who operated a foundry and machine John & Horace Dodge - shop. The family moved to Port Huran and the brothers found Dodge Brothers work in their teens across the Detroit River at the Dominion Ty-

Corporate Background In 1900 the red haired Dodge brothers opened their own shop in Detroit officially es- tablishing “The Dodge Brothers Co” to build various steam engines, stationary engines and to continue to service and provide parts for typesetting machines and presses for nearly 200 newspapers in the US. This line of business was short lived for in 1901 Ran- som E Olds contracted with the Dodges and also Leland & Falconer to build engines for his curved dash Oldsmobile. After the unfortunate 1901fire in the Oldsmobile plant, they also received an order for some 2000 transmissions.

1903 was the turning point. During this year the brothers built a larger factory having signed a contract with Henry Ford to build a substantial number of components for a car; even before the Ford Motor company existed. This was Henry Ford’s third attempt to get into the automobile business but even so the brothers decided to no longer provide a service to Ransom E Olds and elected instead to focus on Henry Ford with a contract for 650 sets of ‘running gear’, in the form of engine, transmission and axles mounted on a frame for $US250 each. The initial batch was for 60 but the brothers had trouble getting paid right from the beginning which was a problem as they had invested $60,000 on retooling and raw materials. The newly incorporated Ford Motor Co issued stock in June 1903 with a nominal value of $US 100,000 even though they only had $US28,000 invested. In the same month, with the new company habitually behind in payments , the Dodges agreed to write off overdue payments of $US7000 and extend Ford a credit of $3000 in exchange for 10% of the Ford stock.

The rest, as they say, is history!

For several years the brothers continued to make the engines and major components for Ford; some half a million engines. The brothers knew the Model T Ford was a good car for its price but they could see that it could be better but Henry Ford was stubborn- ly insistent that the Model T was good enough- after all they were selling at a rate and price that no one would have dreamed of a few years earlier

The Dodge brother were becoming increasingly concerned about their business’ de- pendence on the Ford Model T and decided in 1912 a more sustainable business was to ‘do their own thing’ and so gave Henry Ford one year’s notice of their intention to cease manufacturing for the Ford Motor Co in June 1913. Then they set about to simply apply all their know how, well-oiled machinery, experience, reputation and goodwill together with their ideas for improvements to manufacture a motor car; an unbeatable combination! Incorporation of their business took place in July 1914 with a capital stock of $US 4million.

When word got out that the Dodge brothers were preparing to make a car of their own, promising it would be better than the fantastically successful Ford, harried auto dealers by the thousand joined the long line of those wanting to sell the new Dodge Brothers cars. By the time the first car rolled out of the plant with Guy Arnell at the wheel in late 1914, there were more than 22,000 dealers waiting with open arms to welcome the new car. And so came the customers; they poured into the show room to look and to buy.

In what was left of 1914 the company, employing 482 people, was able to finish only 249 cars (all tourers) because of start-up problems. The selling price was $US785 this being less than the cost of $1000/car to make at this time (The Model T Ford was selling for $US 490).

In 1915, the first full year of production things began to move fast, 44600 cars (both tourers & roadsters) were built and in 1916 the total increased to 71,000. Their sales slogan was “It speaks for itself”.

In 1919 more than 100,000 were manufactured and by 1924 the Detroit plant was pro- ducing 1000 car per day, employing 20,000 men and still Dodge Brothers was being inundated by dealer orders. By 1935 the workforce stood at 35,000 men with a factory production area exceeding 120 acres!

The relationship between the Dodge Brother and their former business partner, Henry Ford, was to say at the least “strained” with Ford threatening to start an entirely new company and new plant to build a car for $US290! The fact was that the Dodge Brothers still owned their 10% interest in the Ford Motor Co; now worth millions.

The Ford strategy was to cease paying dividends on his profits. These had been making the Dodge Brothers rich and helping to finance their competing product. The Dodge Brothers sued Ford in1916 and recovered over $US16 million in accumulated earnings. Later in 1920 Henry Ford bought out the Dodge Brothers 10% share paying $US27 million in cash. During 1920 both brothers died and on 1 May 1925 the heirs to the Estate sold the business for $US 146 million. The business was subsequently sold in 1928 to the Chrys- ler Corporation for $US 175 million. The name “Dodge Brothers” continued to appear

8 on Chrysler Dodge Division products until about 1938 when Dodge Brothers was short- ened to ‘Dodge’. ‘Dodge’ is still being used today. Some commentators say that perhaps no other automobile has ever been launched on- to the American market with so many ingredients for success behind it and in fact became a financial success so fast.

Next month Part B will briefly deal with some of the vehicles made and the contri- butions these vehicles made to the company success

Cost $10pp

As you can see we have a name change for the Xmas function. It was going to be a Progressive Dinner but has been changed to a Progressive Day as the planning progressed.

So what has been planned for the day?

9 - 10.15 am. Waffle Breakfast at the clubrooms.

10.15 Leave the clubrooms NO LATER. You will be given instructions for a 45 minute drive in the country arriving at a morning tea venue at 11am.

11.00 Arrive for morning tea. Great home - lawn for first game (may be with car). There is a “shed” to see. We have not been here before. Plenty of parking. Depart for Greg and Gaynor Terrill’s residence.

12.30 - 1.15 Arrive at Greg & Gaynor’s NO LATER than allocated time. Let the games begin. BBQ lunch.

Depart late afternoon

WE NEED NUMBERS BY THE 23RD NOVEMBER Please contact Jenny Patton Phone; 07 855 6899 Email; [email protected]

Club Night Raffle Winner!!! Gordon Dearlove Congratulations Gordon!! 9 Terry Pidduck

Having an interest in Passenger Transport, Vintage Commercial vehicles and being a school bus driver, I thought some background to the humble rural school bus might be of interest to some folk.

The Education Act of 1877 required all chil- dren living within a two miles of a school to attend. The thinking for country kids was to Loading First Trip Home have schools (usually sole charge) throughout the ‘backblocks.’ Most pupils attending these schools rode their horses. All schools had horse paddocks. There is pictorial evidence of some schools and/or groups of parents operating horse- drawn buses. These were probably ex city buses and were ‘closed in’ whereas the motorised versions were open-sided up until the mid 1930’s

Early in the 1920’s a new policy of consolidating schools was developed. The first being in the King Country where three schools were closed and a new, much larger school was built in Piopio. Ninety kids were effected and so made history being the first ever to travel to school in a motorised bus.

The Department of Education built three buses on Ford chassis and started the new services on the 1st April 1924. The Ford TT is the truck version of the model T car. It has a longer, stronger chassis and a worm drive final drive. Prior to the TT’s being produced by Ford, a number of truck kits were available to turn the car into a truck. The most popular seemed to be an extension to the chassis, sprockets where the rear wheels were and a chain drive to a stronger back end.

Although the policy of consolidating schools proved to provide better, cheaper outcome for kids, it clearly favoured town kids. This appeared to be no good politically, so the departments fleet of TT’s grew. After 1927 other makes were used, first Commerce Supers then Albions, Morris’s, Austin’s and from the USA - Ford AA’s and Dodges. All buses were, at this stage, built in timber at either the Post Office or Railway workshops.

No much changed until 1936 when open-sided wooden bodies were phased out. The Depart- ment’s vehicles were built in steel by New Zealand Motor Bodies Ltd and all on Bedford chassis’s. About the same time the Department realised (but never ad- mitted it) that it was cheaper to use private operators for school transport than it was to run their fleet, and so a very important section of the Passenger Transport Industry developed.

The private operators usually had small fleets and were often part of another business (farm, country store, carrier or mail contractor). They all struggled to Loading Up First Trip to School

10 keep their business going through WW2 as did the Department. The private operators were not well paid and were often unable to replace vehicles, so many gave up. Private operators at this stage operated many makes of buses, some coming to mind - Ford, Bedford, Sed- don, Leyland, Mack, Stewart, Maudsley, Reo, Repub- lic, International, Dodge, Diamond T and White. Most still had wooden frames, single braking systems Leaving School First Trip Home and no safety glass. After an accident, all buses had to have safety glass fitted and either a dual braking system or a park brake operating on the rear wheel, not on the drive shaft.

The school bus industry continued to grow with Governments of the day determined to give country kids the same access to education as town kids.

As time went on, the Department became keen to have private contractors take over their runs to save money. The only ones they wanted to keep, was where they had a fleet operating from Gar- aging with Workshop and Staff.

By now Bedford’s had become the school bus fleet (not 100% but say, 85%) not only were all the Department’s own fleet Bedford’s, but buses and coaches that became available from urban and long-distance operators were predominantly Bedford. The odd R111 Ford, Leyland, Comet, Com- mer, Avengers, Seddens were rare.

In 1987 the School Bus Industry along with all New Zealand got a wake-up call. A change of Government put two politicians into power (Roger Douglas and Richard Prebble) who understood how many beans made five and Governments can’t run businesses. For the Passenger Transport Industry licensing changed from Quantity to Quality and fir the school industry, all contracts were cancelled, the Department fleet disbanded and all school runs were put up for tender. After providing decades of excellent service at a lesser cost to the taxpayer than the Departments own fleet, this was a shock to the operators. I remember standing up and asking Richard Prebble why, when our costing was better than the Departments, operators should be sacked. He almost smiled and asked how I knew the taxpayer was getting value from the Department’s operations?

Since tendering of School Bus Services started, the number of operators has decreased dramati- cally and small fleet operators have long gone. However, school buses still cater for all eligible, country school kids - over 100,000per day in 2,100 buses now called Mitsubishi, Nissan, Isuzu, Toyota and Hino - a far cry from those three Fords 90 years ago in Piopio

www.nostalgiamotors.co.nz 07 846 1623

11 Events Ahead Home

Sat 1 Veteran Rally November Sun 2 150yrs Hamilton Celebrations Wed 12 Club Night

Sun 16 Swap meet - Karapiro Domain

Sun 30 Xmas Progressive Meal Day

December Wed 10 NO CLUB NIGHT shifted to Dec 13 Sat 13 Xmas Nog ‘n’ Natter & Xmas Cake Sun 14 Combined M/cycle & Car Run

January Thurs 1 New Years Day Run Sun 11 Blue Smoke & Peddles

Wed 15 Club night

Long Term Events Ahead Home February 1 The Mansfield Garden Party at Hamilton Gardens see pge 14 February 15 Club Open Day at Clubrooms

March 1 Vintage Venture

March 14/15 Commercial Day

Wife’s Nicknames I was listening to the radio this morning when the host invited callers to reveal the nick-names they had for their wives.

The best call was from a brave chap who called his wife, "Harvey Norman" The Host asked him why that name? He replied, "Absolutely no interest for 36 months." 12 Events Ahead Away

Sun 2 Waitemata Chelsea Hillclimb November Fri-Sun 7-9 Northland Far North Tour Sat 15 Hawks Bay Homestead run

Fri-Sun 21-23 Auckland M/C Rally & Swapmeet

Sat 22 North Shore Show & Shine

December Sun 7 Auckland Gymnic

January Thurs 1 Taihape Gumboot Rally Wanganui Sun 18 Burma Rally Wanganui

Long Term Events Ahead Away February 7 Auckland Veteran Rally February 20-22 Art Deco Rally Hawks Bay

February 28 WellsfordSwap Meet

March 14 Roycroft Trophy - Hampton Downs

Karapiro Swap Meet - Club Sausage Sizzle

We are organising a sausage sizzle at the swap meet (16th Nov) and need help to man the BBQ etc etc. Can you assist??

Contact Hugh 0274362875 or [email protected]

13 October Club Run Report 12th October Paul & Carol Fussey Carol and I took part in the October club run plotted by Colin and Lorain Patterson, This was an excellent run with a little of everything that makes a great rally starting with instructions to take us out of Hamilton and into beautiful Waikato country where we found Tony Brieley who requested we tell him how long it would take us to drive 5.3kms (4 miles), this was the time section so you could drive at your own nominated speed. later we started the straight line section which was around south Hamilton. after the straight line we found 10 lines of script which we did not see the importance of until we realised it was the instructions for the next part of the rally. I will give an except of this, " This is where we came across a Wal, and Dog shifting a bunch of cows and flamboyantly doing the Kaipaki two step tango down the road past the church, doing a Right, skipping a Left and a Right, then Left, Left, Left, Right, left, Right, Right, Right, Left, then with a twirl and a dosedo, changes step", This ended with and I quote " funny thing he disappeared into the mist and didn't see him again" Not the rally instructions we are used to but it all worked brilliantly with us ending at the club rooms for afternoon tea and prize giving. I must thank Colin and Lorain for a brilliant afternoon rally- ing the only disappointment was after all the time and effort they put into this event only 8 cars took part with one of these not having a navigator going home from the start.

Regards Paul and Carol Fussey.

And the First Place winners were; Paul and Carol Fussey

Do You Own A Smart Phone? If so, give some thought to Googling “The Waikato War Driving Tour” and take it from there.

Basically you start from South of Auckland and follow the driving instructions (and the commentary that goes with it). It is an interesting run. You will get to the end having learnt a great deal about our early history while enjoying the drive and the stops along the way.

Make an interesting run?????

14 Des Harvey Twas a real cr---y day for those who supported the first Waikato VVCC awareness promotion display using the newly acquired flags, banners etc in Te Aroha. A phone call during the week from a concerned TeAroha member, highlighted that erecting a gazebo in TeAroha in weather condi- tions such as those predicted was for the brave or fool- hardy so the new gazebo is yet to have it’s first outing. (Thanks Ron).

19 vehicles assembled in a new location that was pre- arranged during the week. The domain was a great spot but not if you were trying to promote our organisation, so we lined up in the street in front of the domain/information centre, an area that became very, very busy as the day grew. The organisers of the event can surely take the credit for the thousands of members of the public that turned out on the day.

Val and Heather handed out brochures and old copies of Beaded Wheels (great way to get rid of the old ones) as the rain and hail fell. Thank good- ness the breaks in between offered brilliant sunshine.

The Vintage Car Club truly stood out with it’s flags flapping in the breeze and even though this event was more for those with heaps of chrome, big blocks, fancy paint jobs and usually left hand driven etc, the vintage car club did attract a lot of attention and was well worth the effort. Again follow ups of membership packages for those that made genuine enquiries have been arranged proving the importance of regular promotion.

Special thanks must go to Tony Brierly who stood in the rain outside TeAroha directing our members to their location and to Heather and Val, the two VVCC hostess’s who handed out the Beaded wheels and brochures and anyone else who assisted on the day. Last but not least, to those members that displayed their cars, you helped create the happy buzz in TeAroha on the day.

Regards Des & Val Harvey

15 Brian Weightman

I find myself as a volunteer to scribe for the 2014 PV Rally so I will give it a go.

We met at the Huntly War Memorial Hall which was Rally Headquarters for the day. Arriv- ing around 8.30 to find our rally packs and instructions waiting for us and in plenty of time for a cuppa before the first car away at 9.30

A different format this year, no silent checks or questions with the plotters setting the speed for the straight line and the entrants nominating their own speed for the other timed section

Off we went into straight line around Huntly East where we met cars going every which way. I was beginning to doubt if we were on the right track by my navigator (Granddaughter). She kept telling me to trust her as we were on course because the named roads were working out correctly. I believe there were a couple of different instructions for the straight line.

After the straight line we headed across town over the Tainui Bridge which spans the Waika- to River for a tour around the suburbs of the West and on past the Huntly Power Station to our right on to Hetherington Rd. This part of the rally we had to nominate our own speed until the next manned check - a bit of a guessing game for us as part of this was around the town and on open roads, no silent checks or questions just a nice easy run we were told.

Having time to look at the views of the farms and the rolling hills, pockets of bush and on to Rotongaro Hall and district until we reached highway 22. The timed section finished just before we turned into Woodleigh Road. This is where we hit the metal road and the dust. We travelled through the Waikaretu Valley, past the Nikau Caves and onto the Te Akau Coast road. This gave us great views of the west coast with waves breaking on the beaches and the sun shining on the ocean which made us think that Summer is on the way at last.

After travelling for several miles on metal and in dust, up hills and down dales we hit the tar seal and arrived at the Te Akau Sports Complex for our lunch stop. On leaving the sports ground we turned back on to the Te Akau road before turning left into Ruakiwi Road through a pine forest and past people white baiting on the river.

We passed the Waingaro Springs, turning left and driving past Glen Afton and Pukemiro which were once busy coal mining towns. Past the Bush Tramway and through tailings of the Rotowaro Open Cast Mine and on past the small village of Waikokowai. Back on to Hetherington Road but this time leaving the Power Station on our left along Huntly west to cross the river and back to Rally Headquarters for afternoon tea and prize giving.

Thanks to the plotters Russell & Rosie Hutcheson for a very enjoyable day. Results; PV C & L Patterson Waikato PWV K & A Foot Auckland First Overall I & A Stevens Waikato 16 M o to r c y c le

As reported in the last Venture there were a number of us going to the Rubber Duckie Rally in New Plymouth. As I mentioned I was going down with Ron to be passage in his side car. We borrowed a tandem trailer that we hoped would take the unit, so by removing the kick start and gear lever it was a perfect fit. So we loaded up on Friday but the weather forecast during the week was not good, so with another check on Friday before we left it said that a storm was due around the New Plymouth area on Saturday. As Ron had just got over the flue and the thought of getting wet, as I did last year, was not a good idea, we decided to leave the loaded trailer behind and head off in the car, as a good part of any rally is the social side. Well the weather at Saturday briefing was not good at all. Did we make the right decision? as come start time the sun came out, Ron said I knew that would happen. We did not feel too bad not riding as 10 others did the same and we then did the run in the car. It well plotted around 100 miles which included 10 mile of metal road and 15 silent checks to keep you on your toes. The prize giving in the evening was at the usual high standard and again the place mats were a map of the area with the route out lined including showing all the checks etc. The winner was some one riding a combination, must be the way to go! only lost 65 points, 60 for miss three silent checks and 5 minutes late at one of the two time sections was a great effort. Let us hope it is fine for next year’s rally. By the time you are reading this we will have had our South Waikato Run where we look like having 20 plus bikes, more on this next month. Safe Riding Peter Spiller

A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Tim Ross Cambridge 1947 International KBI Pickup

David Gardiner Hamilton 1967 Jaguar Mk1

Ken & Fiona Miller Te Awamutu 1926 Ford T

Noel & Sharon McMillin Hamilton 1927 Essex 1962 Buick Slyline Convertible

We hope that you will enjoy the club and it’s many activities

17 $ note donation - Contact Margaret Jenkins 07 847 9953 - Proceeds will go to

Please Note The above advert shows two more events (4th & 6th November). these are separate from the 150 year celebration on the 2nd November as shown on page 20. 18 WOULD YOU, WITH YOUR CAR, LIKE TO BE PART OF THE HAMILTON CITY 150 YEAR CELEBRATIONS ON SUNDAY THE 2ND NOVEMBER ? The Rotary Club has organised a car display of cars at the Classic Car Museum at Railside Place. This is open to all members cars and the intention is to display the cars there for an hour and a half from 1pm on the above date From there they will drive the cars through Hamilton and up to the University where there will be a second display for about an hour. From 4pm the Rotary Club has organised a Gala Film Festival showing movies with champagne and nibbles. There will be a cost of approximately $35 and will be showing a selection of black and- white movies. The evening may be reasonably formal so members of the club would be encouraged to wear their best dress up clothes suiting the age of their vehicle. The event will end at approximately 8-8.30pm.

Jeremy Brook, the co-ordinator between WVVCC and Rotary encourages all club members to participate in both car displays along with the film evening. This is a great opportunity to advance the cause and to show off your car to the people of Hamilton as you cruise down the main street in convoy (?????) on you way to the University.

Any profits from the event will go to Cure Kids. What the Rotary Club would really like is to have drivers take passengers on the drive from the Museum to the University for a monetary note donation which would go to the charity.

I suggest you contact Jeremy Brook or Graham Boswell if you intend to be part of the celebrations of Hamilton’s 150 years in existence. Jeremy Brook 07 824 1641 or Graham Boswell on 027 2926083 [email protected] Stop Press!!! Every Classic or Vintage car from the club that attends the above gathering at the Classic Car Museum at 1pm will receive 2 FREE TICKETS INTO THE MUSEUM on the day. This is a very generous offer on the part of the Museum Management and one that you shouldn’t miss out on. See you at the museum with your old car on the 1st November at 1pm

19 PARTS SHED Now the 50/50 is over check your car over—lights, wipers still working? For spares see the parts guys

Harold, Reece, Fred and Paul

V8 60 SPECIAL Hill CLIMB - CIRCUIT RACER SINGLE SEATER

PV. 1938 Ford V8 60 HP 2200 cc 17 stud engine. Edelbrock Hi -compression finned cyl. heads and twin carb manifold with V8 60 ‘ 81 ‘ carbs. Lincoln Zephyr 3 speed G/box with o/drive. Ford 10 front/rear axles and steering box. ‘ Terrill ‘ chassis. All aluminium panels, Ford Y grille. Wide stud 39 VW widened wheels with sensible radials. V8 sounds solid, drives well, XK 140 / C Type hill climb tormentor! Lots of fun. Here’s your last ‘ racing car ‘ chance to have some fun without hurting your regular vintage at a budget price. Owes me over $12,000. Open to offers

Contact details; Phone Roy 07 847 5648 11

NASH SILVER STREAM 1946

Registered, warranted and drives well. Tidy condition

Selling for $15,500 O.N.O

Contact details; Phone Mark on 0273 308 331 (working hours) 12

CAR TUBES, MOTOR, GEARBOX ETC ETC Tube 650 X 16 (2 of) Tube 600 X 20 Tube 650/700 X 20 Tube 32 X 3 ½ (2 of) All with long valve steams $10.00 each

Mid 20’s Chevy motor, gearbox, head & start motor, Exposed overhead valves, No.R2218744 cast No. A 20 6, offers

Contact details; Phone Theo de Leeuw 0274 903248 01

20 1938 LINCOLN CONVERTIBLE, V12 1938 One of 220 built, maybe a dozen survivors, only one in NZ; Beautiful, well-balanced, classical lines; Very tidy original vehicle; Has over-drive, radio and heater; See story in Beaded Wheels, issue 227, Aug/Sept 1997, page 32.

Contact details; Roy Rowe on (07) 847 5648 01

HUMBER HAWK Mk4 1951. (Was Bruce Murcott’s pride and joy). Excellent condition. Drives very well. $6,000 ono

Contact details; Lloyd Murcott. 07 838 0025 . Email: [email protected] 01

DIFF FOR WOLSLEY 15/50 Will also fit; anted A40 - up to 1955 or MO Morris Oxford or Wolsley 444 51 - 55 W Contact details; Brian McKernie 07 876 6161\

WANTED KNOWN: Calling all Triumph Herald (and Vitesse) owners! I am organising a gathering of these marvellous motors in the summer sometime, maybe early December.

Please contact Andy Hammond. Ph. 07 823 5712 or [email protected]

CLUB BADGES FOR SALE These are available from the Badge & Trophy Guardian Fred Rix;

Lapel or Cap Badges - enamelled $5.00 each Car Bumper Badges - cast in brass $35.00 each Windscreen Transfers $2.00 each Windscreen Vinyl Stickers $2.00 each Club Emblem Jacket Patches $5.00 each Number Plate Surrounds $5.00 pair Rally Number Holders $10.00 each Motoring Safety Kits $100 each

21 F.B. HALL & Co. Ltd EST 1923

Conveyancing, Commercial Wills, Estates, Trusts Immigration and Family For New Work and Repairs Domestic and Commercial 7a Princes Street, Hamilton Phone 07 838-3385 Fax 07 838-3381 07-847 4780

Automotive, Trailer & Tractor Spares, Accessories & Tools 3 EMPIRE ST. HAMILTON PH 07 847 8908 Shock absorbers. Suspension components. CV joints Aerials. Hand Tools. Trailer Components. Disc pads Water Pumps. Timing /Fan/Micro Belts. Gauges. Speedo Cables. Speedo Repairs

W B S Waikato Bonding Services 6 Belfast Place Hamilton

For all your brake & clutch re-lining services. Specialising in re-bonding of all veteran, vintage and classic brake shoes, pads and drive lines.

Steven Hunter - Manager Phone: 0800-BOND-007 0800-2663-007

Open 7 days a week - 9am-4pm

We are 11 Railside Place, Frankton Ph: 07 957 2230

www.classicmuseum.co.nz

PAUL CLARK - PROPERTY LAWYERS For all your legal Requirements

SPECIALISING IN PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Octagon House,1 Seddon Rd. Hamilton PH: 07 839-1258 FAX: 07 839-1259

Thinking of Selling?

If you are considering selling your property this spring you need to call us now

We are offering a complimentary marketing package to ensure we maximize the value of your property

Steve Cochrane Bob Pennycook B 07 858 5329 M 027 243 8315 B 07 858 5329 M 027 243 8313