NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORIC MOTORING MAGAZINE
No.No. 258258 OCTOBER/NOVEMBEROCTOBER/NOVEMBER 20022002 PRICE $4.50 INCL GST Beaded Wheels
Balcairn Trials Action 9 418979 000012
bw258.indd 1 10/10/2007 10:36:53 PM John Pauling has supplied these photographs which Beaded Wheels were obtained from Alex Sudesen in Feilding. Nothing NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORIC MOTORING MAGAZINE further is known regarding the whereabouts and date. Submissions of photographs for this page are welcome from Beaded Wheels readers. Please send original photographs of historic interest with any available Are any readers able to provide information that might information to Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch. help identify these? Laserprints and photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable. 2 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 2 10/10/2007 10:37:06 PM Beaded Wheels Publisher THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ (INC.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol L No. 258 Editorial Committee Beaded Wheels Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Issue 258 October/November 2002 Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Chris Stevens, Barry Thomson, Robin Wells, Lindsay Wogan. Material for Publication Reports of restorations, events, road tests, historical and technical articles etc should be forwarded to PO Box 13140, Christchurch, FEATURES typed or neatly printed, double space on one side of paper only. Email of text only 4 Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud acceptable, do not email pictures/graphics. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements expressed in letters or articles in 15 VCCNZ Annual General Meeting 2002 Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not necessarily express the policy or views of The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc). 17 John L Goddard Trophy Award 2002 E-mail [email protected] Bill Datlen and son wallow in the 18 Just Desserts Advertising Address mud at this year’s Balcairn Trial, Classified and Display Advertising to: page 4. PO Box 13140, Christchurch. 22 Gordon-Crosby Country – Targa Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request. 24 Tasmania on two wheels – Cover Feature Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 13140, Christchurch. 26 Think Pink – Les Boddington’s Nash Metropolitan Correspondence & Subscriptions Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address 28 Red Ruby Rally - Manawatu Branch to PO Box 13-140, Christchurch. Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3531 Annual subscription (6 issues) $27.00 inc GST 50 The Fourth Rear Wheel Brake Rally Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$42. Other countries QSM for Bruce Hutton’s (6 issues) airmail NZ$62, seamail NZ$36. photography, page 18. 52 Behind the Wheel - 1929 Alfa-Romeo Production Beaded Wheels is typeset and printed by Wyatt & Wilson Print Ltd, Christchurch. COLUMNS Closing Date for Next Issue Editorial Copy 23 October 2002 6 President’s Message Advertisements 10 November 2002 6 VCC Events The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) 7 News from the National Office National Office Phone 64 3 366 4461 Fax 64 3 366 0273 9 The Way We Were Email [email protected] Postal Address 10 New Zealand Federation of Motoring Clubs report PO Box 2546, Christchurch, New Zealand. Address 11 Mailbag 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand. Website 30 Marketplace www.vcc.co.nz This 1927 Chrysler is just one of Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage the superb range of vehicles for 37 Technical Tips Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and our sale in Marketplace, page 30 branches whose efforts are fostering and ever widening the interest in this movement and 37 Swap Meets & Rallies to form rallying points for that constantly increasing band of enthusiasts. It is to these 41 Idle Torque people, who appreciate the fascination of age, the individuality and the functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that 49 Obituaries this magazine is dedicated.
Beaded Wheels – It is a very apt and well- COVER known title however readers may wonder at the origin of the name. By way of explanation Canterbury motorcyclists enjoying the open roads of beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres Tasmania. Front to back, Lyndsey Sanders 1951 Norton that are kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which fit into the rolled edges of the Dominator, Ian and Marilyn McKinlay 1955 BSA B33, wheel rim. This style of wheel was a distinctive Mike Glenday 1956 Triumph Thunderbird, page 24. feature of early motoring being used on early bicycles, many pre-1924 cars and most Photo Moving Images, Tasmania motorbikes until 1927. The VCCNZ adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their quarterly club magazine in March 1955 which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet.
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bw258.indd 3 10/10/2007 10:37:11 PM Peter Henry rutting in the “very rare” Austin 7 Cyclops. Flanders and Swan summed it up well in their immortal song. The muddiest Balcairn Trial ever provided the usual ingredients of laughter, mud, competition, mud, embarrassment, mud, family involvement, mud, frustration and skill, that we have come to expect. Bill Datlen, winner of the coveted Old Boot Trophy in Fools Circle. he Balcairn Trial is a series of climbs Morris Special and Bill Datlen’s invinci- undoing of many an Austin but provided up a range of slopes on a hobby farm ble Ford 100E/10 Bitsa. In fact, of the 35 success for the big cars with the notable Tthat would defeat most four-wheel entrants, 19 were based around the dreaded exception of the Daglish Studebaker drive vehicles. The climbs range from diffi- Austin, so entry criteria will clearly have to Dictator truck, which had the tow vehicle cult to devious to impossible, the intention be tightened up for next year. working very very hard. being to score a possible 20 for each of the Competition is usually intense amongst No one cleared Newell’s Nemesis, seven sections. To cater for the wide range half a dozen front runners, and this year and then it was on to Waterloo, the river of vehicles amongst the 35 entrants there Bill Datlen (Ford 10 Special) Avon Hyde section. This section has great spectator are deep rutted bits to catch out the low (Sunbeam Special) John Rogers (Chevrolet appeal, with a number of cars and drivers ground clearance Specials, twisty slippery Terminator) and Kevin Stevenson (Austin getting very wet indeed, although most of bits to catch out the big cars and Waterloo 7) were determined to wrest the coveted the front runners scored 20. After lunch, is the Kowhai River to catch out everybody. Old Boot Trophy from multiple past winner there was a new challenge, Fools Circle, a Increasingly Trials’ Specials are becoming Phil Mauger. But mud is a great level- short swampy very muddy section, which more popular, this years crop being based ler and no one scored 20 in the first two caused more hilarity than the rest of the round Austin 7s with the main honourable sections, Flemings Flanders and Scotlands sections put together. Mayor Garry Moore exceptions being John Rogers’ Chevrolet Joy. Section three, the Sandpit, involves a thinks of himself as a colourful charac- Terminator based round a Chevrolet tractor steep plunge into a pond, then a desperate ter, but a liberal coating of mud from the from the 1920s, Graeme Sword’s Reliant/ sprint through a rutted swamp, and was the mudguardless Mauger Austin turned him
Three approaches to crossing the Kowhai River L-R Russell Yates, Austin 7 Special, Avon Hyde, Sunbeam Special, Gordy Routledge Austin 7 “Very Special.” 4 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 4 10/10/2007 10:37:12 PM Anne Rogers powers the family Chevrolet out of the “The Sandpit”.
as grey as everyone else. The last section of the day, Mt Pisa, was the decider, with Bill Datlen roaring up to collect nearly maximum points and thus winning for the first time, The Old Boot. And so to the Sefton Pub where results were announced, complaints ignored, excuses made and mud removed. bw
Results 1 Bill Datlen Ford 10 134 pts 2 George Kear Austin 7 114 pts 3 Russell Yates Austin 7 113 pts 4 John Rogers Chevrolet Terminator 112 pts
Geoff Owen contemplates life as the cavalry comes to the rescue.
A determined Earl Preston attacks Newell’s Kelvin Merrin meets his Waterloo in the redoubtable Model T. Nemesis. BEADED WHEELS 5
bw258.indd 5 10/10/2007 10:37:21 PM behalf of the membership for the coming PRESIDENT’S year. I congratulate them all on their re- election to the management team. Our affiliation to MotorSport NZ Inc. MESSAGE was ratified during the Executive Meeting and events are being planned to once again Well done Wairarapa ready for our chosen long-term rally. If you enable members to take part in Historic Branch on successfully would like to find out what, where or when Motor Vehicle Competition events. The organising our 2002 in advance, please refer to the National agreement will be re-visited annually and AGM and Conference Calendar of Events that all members will meetings between the two organisations will at Masterton. Branch members had gone receive. There’s nothing like anticipation to be ongoing to ensure a smooth association. out of their way to make sure delegates and add to the enjoyment of the occasion, not Tony and I joined Manawatu Branch fellow members enjoyed both the meetings to mention an incentive to have your resto- in their 40th (Red Ruby) celebrations and the fellowship at the Branch clubrooms ration completed by a certain date. recently, thoroughly enjoying the festivi- on the Sunday. Members from the length A report from Russell Hawkes (Rally ties. More and more branches are marking and breadth of the country appreciated this. Director of our Diamond Jubilee Rally their anniversaries in a special way and this If you have an opportunity of attending one in 2006 to be held in Invercargill) was is to be commended. of these conferences, I encourage you to presented to the AGM. An enthusiastic Enjoy your summer motoring. do so. Apart from the “business” side of team has been assembled to provide the Leigh Craythorne the meeting, it is a great opportunity to get backbone for the rally organisation and they together with old and new friends in this have endorsed our appreciation to Royal & great Club of ours. SunAlliance for committing themselves as The National Calendar of Events, as the sponsors for this the highlight of our approved by the Executive, looks to be sixtieth year celebrations. Rally dates have another varied package of activities where been confirmed (15 January to 27 January members will be able to enjoy motoring 2006) with Sunday 15th seeing a Monte their vehicles, either at their own or fellow Carlo rally starting from several South branches’ events. The Long Term Calendar Island points. This will be a BIG one! of Events also looks an interesting one. At We welcome Kevin Clarkson (newly the meeting, delegates approved events up elected Chairman Beaded Wheels Editorial to and including 2005, so we are all in a Committee) to the Management Committee. position to really look ahead and plan our He joins the other Management Committee holidays, savings and have our restorations Members who continue their tasks on VCC Events For inclusion in our next issue, fax details of Club Events to 03 332 3531 by 10 November, 2002 or email us at [email protected] OCTOBER Rotorua Sulphur City Rally 9 November Manawatu Swap Meet & Pomeroy Shield 5 October Canterbury Show Weekend Tour to Otago Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally 5-6 October Blenheim 15-17 November Waitemata Pebblebrook Hill Climb 6 October Hawkes Bay Veteran Rally 16 November Wairarapa Reliability Run 16-18 November Waikato Post Vintage Rally 6 October Southland Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally 16-17 November King Country Journey Through Time 12 October Waitemata Chelsea Walsh Hill Climb 17 November Canterbury Swap Meet 11-13 October Waikato Swap Meet 17 November Manawatu Veteran Rally 19 October Auckland Motorcycle Rally & Swapmeet 22-24 November Bay of Plenty Swap Meet 19 October North Shore Swap Meet 23 November Southland Hokanui Hill Climb 20 October Horowhenua Tararua Trundle Wairarapa Biennial Rally & Swap Meet 25-28 October 25th Anniversary Rally 23-24 November Hawke’s Bay Annual Safari 25-28 October Marlborough Biennial Rally & Swap Meet 26-27 October Banks Peninsula Pomeroy Trophy 23 November North Otago Windsor Rally 23 November Auckland Hunua 100 26-27 October North Shore All American Car show 24 November South Waikato TTT Rally 24 November Banks Peninsula Labour Weekend Run 26-28 October Wairarapa Gold Medal Trial 29 Nov-1 December Canterbury National CommercialRally 26-28 October South Canterbury Mt Cook Rally 26-28 October Wairarapa Janice Groves Memorial Rally 27 October DECEMBER Auckland Gymnic 1 December Otago Christmas Barbecue 1 December NOVEMBER Southland Family Fun Run 2 December Waikato Veteran Rally 2 November South Otago Annual Moped Rally 7 December Wellington Annual Rally 2 November Wairarapa Concours and Gymkhana 14 December Otago Taieri Tour 2 November Banks Peninsula Peninsula Run 15 December Southland Commercial Rally 2 November Canterbury Girder Fork Motorcycle Run 2-3 November Northland Far North Tour 2-3 November JANUARY South Canterbury Annual Motorcycle Rally 3 November Banks Peninsula New Years Day Run 1 January South Otago Annual Car Rally 9 November Ashburton Annual Rally 25 January While Beaded Wheels makes every attempt to check the accuracy of the dates published in this column we advise readers to confirm with the individual Branch concerned.
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bw258.indd 6 10/10/2007 10:37:30 PM The Wairarapa Branch hosted the • A list of Long Term National Events this with your Branch Secretary. All it National AGM over the weekend of the was confirmed up to 2005 with some costs you as a member is three photos, 3-4 August 2002 providing a weekend of events up to 2009 having bids lodged. one postage stamp and approximately business coupled with pleasure. For further details contact your Branch 20 minutes of your time! (Application The Minutes of the Executive meeting Secretary. forms can be obtained through your have been circulated to each Branch. The • The Executive passed a motion that Branch) AGM minutes are included as an insert “the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) • The John L Goddard Trophy was with this issue of Beaded Wheels along affiliate to MotorSport New Zealand awarded to Scott Thomson. Further with the Calendar of Events, Branch Office (Inc.) to enable the joint development details on page 17. details and Management Committee contact of Historic Motor Vehicle Competition • Due to the unfortunate and untimely details. events in accordance with the death of the Beaded Wheels Chairman Life membership of the Vintage Car International Agreement”. A compe- Bruce Pidgeon, nominations were Club of NZ (Inc.) is a prestigious honour tition licence will be available and called for at the Annual General that only a few will attain. In recognition information, when it comes to hand, Meeting. Kevin Clarkson, a member will be sent out to each Branch. of the importance of this honour, you will of the Beaded Wheels Committee and note the inclusion of all the Honorary Life • It was noted that information sent from appointed Acting Chairman by Bruce Members’ names with your Branch Office the National Office to branches was not Pidgeon in his absences was nominat- and Management Committee details. reaching the branch membership and ed and elected unopposed. in some cases the Branch Committees. • Both Notices of Motion voted on were Points to note from both meetings: It was suggested that the Branch passed. • Budgets were discussed for the period Delegate be the Branch Secretary so 1/4/2003 to 31/3/2004 and this resulted that the significance of information and The next Annual General Meeting will in no increase in member’s subscrip- discussions may be passed on to the be in Blenheim, hosted by the Marlborough membership. Information is sent out Branch. The date will be the 2 August 2003. tions. NZ Post have been making For further details refer to the AGM changes with their products and in time for branches to discuss items on the Agenda and everyone attending Minutes enclosed. Remember your Branch increases in bulk mail rate postage. was represented by at least one member who This will be reflected in postage meetings should be fully conversant with how their members feel. forms part of the National Executive. Feel charges. NZ Post would no longer free to ask them questions! provide “Business Reply Paid” postage, • It was moved “that the Vintage Car currently used for the Ballot envelope. Club of NZ (Inc.) Vehicle Identity Therefore the Executive acknowledged Card become compulsory for National that members will have to pay the and International Rallies from postage for sending in ballot papers in 1 January 2005”. Beat the rush and the future. fill out an application form and lodge
Corrections and Clarifications The August/September issue of 75th Ards TT Anniversary Beaded Wheels contained an obituary of Bruce Delabere Pidgeon. Unfortunately Commemoration, June 2003 it was not recorded that Frank Renwick, a friend of Bruce’s for some 50 years, he Ulster Vintage Car Club (UVCC) est drivers and cars of their day. All remain wrote the obituary. We apologise for that omission. will be running a programme of and will once again bear witness to the Tevents to commemorate the 75th sights and echo to the sounds of that famous Detailed Registration/Entry Application Anniversary of the first race in the world era. Every entrant/car will be photographed Forms for the Commemoration and associ- famous series of Tourist Trophy Races. in action against an historic background. These races between 1928 and 1936, were Optional supporting events will include ated activities will be available later this organised by the Ulster Automobile Club, a touring run up Craigantlet Hillclimb (still year, and will be sent to all those who have on behalf of the Royal Automobile Club, part of the British National Championship), already given us their details. on the 13.7 mile Ards Circuit in Northern driving tests and barbecue at Ballywalter Event dates 18–22 June, 2003. Ireland. According to contemporary Park on the Ards Peninsula, by kind permis- reports, these races in their heyday attracted sion of Lord Dunleath, and for speed If you have not already been in touch crowds of almost half a million spectators merchants, a one or two day hillclimb in and wish to receive a Registration / Entry - a statistic which is unrivalled in the history the grounds of the Ulster Folk and Transport of British, and perhaps world, sport! Application Form in due course, then The highlight of the 2003 motoring Museum. This event dates back to 1905 and please contact: - is run by the Thoroughbred and Sports Car programme will be three demonstration Mike Wilson, Ards TT Event Co-ordina- Club Northern Ireland under Motor Sport laps of the original 13.7-mile Ards TT tor, ‘Summerseat’, 5 Marino Station Road, Circuit, which is largely intact and Association regulations. ‘unspoilt by progress’ (40 miles of nostal- Ideally, the majority of cars taking part Holywood, Co. Down, gic fun!). Legendary aspects such as will be of Ards TT type, from the period Northern Ireland, BT18 OAH. Quarry Corner, Glen Hill, Watering Trough up to 1936, however, depending on the Phone - 028 9042 1409 Corner, Bradshaw’s Brae, Conway Square availability of places in the various events, e-mail - [email protected] (Newtownards), Comber Straight, the we hope to be able to accept entries from Chemist’s Shop and the Butcher’s Shop a wider range and period of cars, provided We look forward to hearing from (Comber), Ballystockart and the Dundonald that their design and appearance are in interested parties with appropriate cars, Hairpin, all of which challenged the great- keeping with the Commemoration. especially ex TT cars. BEADED WHEELS 7
bw258.indd 7 10/10/2007 10:37:31 PM bw258.indd 8 10/10/2007 10:37:31 PM The Way We Were
As recorded by Grant Hitchings
uring the year many unusual and ised in the design of light tanks. They were in its area - South Canterbury, Ashburton, unexpected items are donated to powered by a Ford V8 motor and built by J Banks Peninsula and Canterbury Branch. Dthe Vintage Car Club office. I Thornycroft & Co Ltd, England, reknown It was Allan who introduced the idea of Always interesting, most (size permit- for making trucks. Parts were made locally nationwide tours for the Club Captain, ting) eventually find their way into the under licence as well as a few built-up units having the first in 1973 around the North Archive for storage and reference. . Island, thereafter the tours to each island Lately one of the most intriguing Dominion Motors in Christchurch, the were in alternate years. As well as becom- donations has been what appears to be a agents for Morris, Packard, Terraplane, ing involved with many branch activities set of account books. Handwritten with Hudson, Dodge and others was the next over the years, Allan has helped with the old style pen and nib fueled from organisation of most of the major an equally ancient inkwell, they rallies in New Zealand. In 1965 he contain the names of various vintage was responsible for the supply and cars with all sorts of pertinent infor- transport of fuel, luggage and other mation and in one volume, cash necessities for those taking part in the amounts added in columns headed International Rally Haast. Planning up in pounds, shillings and pence. the routes for the 1972 International Nicely bound in glossy green Rally to Nelson was another of his and black. In their fly-leaf the name tasks, followed by the post of 2IC for “A D STORER” is recorded. the 1980 Rotorua International Rally. Checking back it was found that The 1986 Pan Pacific and the Royal our benefactor was indeed one Allan & SunAlliance 50th Anniversary Douglas Storer, a stalwart of Banks Rally in 1996 also had his input. Peninsula Branch, and so, with Allan’s work background has curiosity aroused, Betty Wallace meant that his main interest has always (our Archivist) and I paid Allan a The writer (left) with Allan and the Willys Utility (bonnet removed) been with commercial vehicles and he visit to shed some light on these at the Fowlhouse. Photo Graham Wallace. was instrumental in the formation of mysterious volumes. the Canterbury Branch Commercial It proved to be a very interesting and recipient of Allan’s expertise until March Section in 1973. Today he still remains one rewarding afternoon. 1948 when he transferred his skills to of its mainstays and no doubt the name The venue itself was special in that it Newman Bros as mechanic and driver for Storer will appear somewhere in the credits was at a place known as the “Fowlhouse” the Christchurch based bus company. for the National Commercial Rally held in nesting in the suburb of Brooklands, north In partnership with Lyall Lester he October this year. of Christchurch. It appears the daughters of opened a garage and service station in a His own fleet makes interesting viewing. a father engaged in large-scale egg produc- northern suburb of his home town in April Pride of place would have to be his 1912 tion at the site tired of tending the poultry 1954. With the untimely death of Lyall Albion 10 cwt lorry converted to passenger and cleaning the eggs. Crying foul (or in 1973 and tiring of the pressures of his operation. On loan to VCC member Don fowl, not sure which) they chickened-out, business Allan sold out in 1974. Bennetts (also a Commercial fan) it is used collapsing the business and in 1975 Allan After a few months of boredom he extensively and was awarded two branch benefited by procuring a very large shed answered a request from the International trophies in this year’s prize list. He has a although, as he says, it required a thorough Harvester Company to help out for three 1912 Cadillac Service Car. Once a Mount clean-up of cages and bird by-product. months checking truck assemblies, a job Cook Company vehicle, it has been fully Happy and cheerful he belies his 78 which extended until he relinquished it in restored and travels well albeit at a fuel years and his physical and mental faculties 1986 to enjoy a well-earned retirement. consumption of 11 mpg. He also has a 1 have certainly not dimmed with time. Allan joined the VCC in 1957, mainly ton 1937 Diamond T truck and, for hacking Allan was born in Christchurch in at the insistence of Robert Bruce Shand about a 1930 Model A Ford Ute. September 1924, attending Papanui High who had previously employed him to Under restoration are a 1927 Thornycroft School, leaving in 1940 at age 15. An maintain his Vintage vehicle fleet. Over 30 cwt lorry and a fascinating 1913 Willys apprentice motor mechanic, his initial the years Allan had developed a passion Utility. Very rare, it has solid rear tyres on weekly wage was 16 shillings rising by five for old machinery and tiring of his other wheels chain driven by a transverse shaft shillings after the first six months. great passion, car racing, the new VCC behind the gearbox. Its appearance is like A year later with the dogs of war now movement seemed to be the way to travel. something seen on the battlefield of a WWI well and truly slipped, his apprentice- He speaks proudly of his membership film although its bright yellow colouring ship was transferred to a firm engaged in application which had Shand nominating is definitely not. Originally used for farm manufacturing military equipment. him and Andrew Anderson as seconder - work, it will be an interesting display at the He was called up for active service in both founding members of the VCCNZ. National Commercial Rally in Christchurch 1944 but after one month’s training was In 1957 Canterbury was the only this October. released for essential duties as a machinist branch of the VCC in the province and And now I find I have exhausted my producing thousands of parts for the British Allan was soon an elected member of the allocated space for this issue of Beaded designed Bren Gun Carriers. March 1945 Branch Committee until 1972 when he Wheels and still not touched on my chosen saw him back in the military fold, this time was appointed Club Captain for the New subject, that of the unknown tomes. at an Officer Training School in the North Zealand wide movement. In 1987 the North However I am sure their enlightening and Island until hostilities ended later that year. and South Islands were granted separate other interesting facts emerging from my I was interested to learn from Allan that Club Captaincy and Allan carried on as enquiry can wait until the next issue. the Bren Gun Carriers were the brainchild of Club Captain for the South until the end of bw an Englishman named Lloyd who special- the year. Canterbury now has four Branches
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bw258.indd 9 10/10/2007 10:37:31 PM The motoring public needs to encourage New Zealand Federation of Motoring Clubs Inc the oil companies to supply the best quality REPORT Andrew McClintock they can. VCCNZ Inc representative to the Federation of Motoring Clubs Inc. To get back to the stale fuel/hard starting Phone 03 338 4049 problem. Small engines and motorcycles are the worst affected. So if your vehicle won’t start and has been sitting around the simplest thing is to drain the carburettor need lap and diagonal belts for a WOF give o date there are no results to report bowl and refill with fresh fuel. You could me a call. on the submissions regarding the try a squirt of ether, white spirits or engine TStreet and Illegal Drag Racing Beware of stale fuel start into the intake but I don’t recommend Amendment Bill as reported last issue. Unleaded petrol, which we all have to any of them in high compression engines. The other rule changes coming up are use now, has a nasty habit of going stale It’s the air that makes the fuel go stale, so driver licencing amendments. I can remem- very quickly. In the 1920s when fuel went a full tank (less air) will last longer than ber discussion on this three years ago at the stale it formed a residue like varnish in a low tank, but if it does go stale you’re AGM in Dunedin. We were told if an older the fuel tank and fuel lines. This residue stuck with a full tank of the stuff. It won’t driver re-sat their licence in an automat- blocked filters and carburettors and caused do your vehicle any harm as long as your ic transmission vehicle they could only no end of trouble. I haven’t heard of this engine is not pinking. The best thing to drive an automatic and our older members happening with the fuel we have now. do is go for a long drive and use it up, weren’t happy about having to sit their What I am referring to is the problem of then fill up with fresh fuel. Sounds like a licence in an open tourer if the weather the light ends evaporating. What are light good idea to me. Your fuel will go stale isn’t good. The VCC were to look into it. ends? Light ends are added to the fuel in the carburettor long before the fuel in Well it must have worked. I don’t know at the refinery. They vaporise very easily the tank. This is because there is a lot if the Federation of Motoring Clubs did and aid in starting especially when your more air surface and not a lot of fuel. It a follow up or not but someone at LTSA motor is cold. The problem is they also is recommended that you turn the fuel off must have been listening, the proposal is to evaporate when petrol is in storage. It takes and idle your engine until the carb runs out remove the automatic only condition. Good a long time in a sealed container but your of fuel especially with motorcycles. I have news. Thanks LTSA. petrol tank and carburettor are ventilated heard of people calling out their mechanic I think there are more mishaps with and the fuel can go stale in as little as four and having their cars tuned when all they automatics than manuals, people hitting the weeks. That’s four weeks from when you needed was fresh fuel. accelerator instead of the brake etc. Back last filled the tank not four weeks since bw in the 1970s my mother who was into her you last used the vehicle. The toluene also 70s owned a Hillman Hunter automatic. I evaporates lowering the octane rating. The asked her how she managed to put a dent in symptoms of stale fuel are hard starting or the top of the rear guard. “The car took off a failure to start at all. In some instances by itself and ran into the windowsill of the the motor will fire but won’t start. You may house” she told me. She had owned this car also find you need a lot more choke than FORD & CHEVROLET from new and it appears she had been in the usual. Most vehicles will start reluctantly REPRO PARTS habit of backing out of the garage leaving with a tow. Once the motor has warmed the car in reverse with the choke out and up it will perform and start normally. You ‘28-‘48 running while she locked the garage. This may have had these problems and not day she had trouble with the lock and it realised why. Leaded petrol was a lot more took longer. The idle speed came up as stable. I can remember starting cars on fuel it warmed up and to her surprise away it that had been in the tank for ten years or went. more. When unleaded first replaced our old ‘OLD AUTO RUBBER’ As of 1 April 2002 new seat belt leaded fuel we had shipments of fuel that regulations came into force. I will have a were absolute rubbish. It damaged seals comprehensive report on seat belts ready and hoses, took off paint if spilt on it and for the next issue of Beaded Wheels. In the the octane rating was all over the place. meantime be assured that if your pre 1979 The supply is a lot better now but every vehicle has a lap belt or a diagonal belt VINTAGE AUTO PARTS shipment is different and it varies depend- ROAD AND TRACK SUPPLIES and they complied under the old rule then ing on its source and age. you can still continue to use them as long PO Box 5369 Papanui, Christchurch as they are up to WOF standard. If you are told they no longer comply and you now
VETERAN PIN STRIPING
SPECIALISING IN PAINT AND BODYWORK FOR MOTORCYCLE PARTS. PH/FAX: (03) 365-3089
10 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 10 10/10/2007 10:37:32 PM Mail Bag
At Houhora en route to the GP.
Model T special. (Not entered?)
LETTERS
The editorial committee reserve the right to publish, edit or refuse publication of any item submitted as comment. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the policy or views of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) or No 9, Brabham Cooper Bristol (car lacked the publishers. the more normal exhaust, and down draught carburettor airbox/scoop system). No 20 Tilsley Singford (reserve, did not start). Dear Sir, the fuel pump points failed (after having course copies will be offered to the Turnbull Re letter from Geoff Warner re the to push up steeper hills) and the pump had Library in Wellington, to perhaps join my Fordson Pickup he has. I started as an to be operated manually. Further on, nearer modest collection of 1956/59 motor racing apprentice in January 1951 and our work Thames, a rear spring fell victim to extreme colour slides, previously donated. van at that time was a 1949-50 Fordson road surface wash-boarding. With the Yours faithfully, which ran quite comfortably at 40-45 mph spring tied up and braced with fencing wire John Moffat with a lot heavier load than two sets of golf we managed to make Auckland where we clubs (and over 50 mph at times when the carried out repairs and booked seats in the Dear Sir, boss wasn’t looking.) stand for the Grand Prix. We then headed There will be hundreds of tributes to I would suggest that the white line on the north, intent on reaching North Cape via Rob Shand pour in from the members of speedo which Geoff refers to is more to do Waitangi. North of Kaitaia the wash-board- the New Zealand Vintage Car club. It will with the maximum speed allowed in built ing on the sand road foundation wasn’t bad be Andy Anderson of Christchurch who up areas than the maximum speed of the - it was dreadful and a long suffering rear will be missing him most - for they were vehicle. A lot of cars at the time had this. half-shaft failed. No problem, we were pals even in the days when they attended Those little Ford 10 engines were carrying (too many) tools and a spare axle, St Andrews College in Papanui Road, capable of quite high revs and were sought and with two of us being motor appren- Christchurch and they formed the Vintage after for speedboats. tices a change was soon accomplished. Car Club soon after leaving. Perhaps instead of altering diff. ratios However even with an excess of youthful I got to know him well when I travelled etc. which would upset any hill work he optimism it was obvious the ‘8’ was failing with him from Christchurch to the AGM may have to do, he applies a little more (the engine seemed to be consuming as held in Dunedin - way back in the very pressure on the accelerator. much dust as petrol), so we had a beer with early days travelling in his beloved rangy Graham Clark sympathetic locals at Houhora and headed Railton. Believe it or not, we talked the Martinborough. south only to break another half-shaft whole way there and the whole way back. somewhere near Dargaville. No spare! No Rob and his wife also visited us at our Dear Sir, spare in town either but a friendly garage home in Napier. At that time he was a I write enclosing a few photos taken owner allowed us to use his rather basic young lawyer - but he told us his yearning by RC Cooze, at the January 1954 NZGP. workshop. Equipment was sparse so we was to be a farmer. They were taken in the pits on the Thursday rather amazed onlookers by cutting the Obviously he was doing what he loved or Friday practice days. useful parts off two broken axles, tapering to do in the months before his untimely Also enclosed are a number of press them in a hefty old grinder, aligning in an death. Reg and I recall how sad it was clippings of the event retrieved by my old piece of angle iron then brazing them when his wife died so young. amateur researcher-wife from Turnbull together carefully. Only general purpose At the Hawke’s Bay Branch meeting on Library records. Though a little faint and bronze and some damp looking flux, and 10 July we all stood in silence as a tribute patchy these do identify the car number/ no asbestos sheet, etc, for heat management to the man responsible for the establish- entrants and the order of starting, presum- - but we were grateful. The owner wouldn’t ment of the NZ Vintage Car Club which ably generated from practice times. charge, as I think he said “you’ll be lucky now has so many branches throughout the The background to these photos began to get out of town on that anyway!” Well country. almost fifty years ago when Jack Hobson, the brazed shaft did fail as he said - in the Olive and Reg Kilbey Ron Cooze and myself decided to tour the main street of Auckland, not far from a 24 North Island beginning late December 1953 hour garage which had a spare! Dear Sir, in my trusty 1936 Morris 8. Hopelessly So, having little money, as petrol and Your tributes in the August/September overloaded and driven too fast, considering spares had broken the budget, we headed issue to Rob Shand and other VCC stalwarts gravel road conditions of the day, the car for Ardmore to fill in time before the GP. reminded me of early car club days. managed, between breakdowns, to cover We camped near the track on the roadside, I arrived at Canterbury College early in a lot of ground. Today all three of us are attending both practice and race days. 1949 bringing, for student transport, a 1910 staggered at our optimism and the basic So that’s how Ron Cooze came to take Austin tourer found in Wanganui in my durability of the car. these photos. final school year and bought for all of £30. We travelled fairly uneventfully via Almost 50 years later he retrieved them, Of course I joined the VCC. Wairakei to the Coromandel Peninsula a bit yellowed and dog-eared from his In those days Veteran cars were properly where nearing Whitianga (over the hill) Clyde shed, and sent them to me. In due used. The Austin was a spacious reliable BEADED WHEELS 11
bw258.indd 11 10/10/2007 10:37:33 PM machine and good for social life. Apart ence, the legend, the delicious foolishness from Club outings there were Canterbury of it all! trips to the Windwhistle Winter Sports In all of my trips to Christchurch, Club Balls, other less respectable outings, Bruce was there for me. Night or day, and Capping Day parades. his cheery face could be counted on at Among club events, competing with the airport, to then whisk me to his place, Rob, Andy Anderson and others, I recall which he and Adrienne made home for a ‘speed’ hill climb from the Sign of the me as well. Breakfasts and dinners were Takahe where, 4 up, I came a close second family occasions, of which I became a part. to a fully loaded Midland bus. The Austin Home cooking always included “proper” was not a speed machine. roasts which took me back to my mother’s We spent little on our cars, having little wonderful English Sunday productions. to spend. I bought no new tyres or equip- All along we would discuss motoring ment and relied on acetylene headlights gone. Barely older than myself, I am of course, and also cricket, football, and long after they were illegal. A friend surely not alone in feeling cheated and rugby – Bruce, you see, was also an avid hired out his 1912 V8 Cadillac, an early short changed. and knowledgeable sports fan. Christchurch-Akaroa service car, as the This was not supposed to happen. We When the television was not on with official annex for student balls - it was tall had so many more shared fun experiences some kind of ball game, or our mutual- enough for dancing in the vast back seat to go. ly enjoyed British dramas and comedies, area. Another group owned a huge old If I was asked to sum Bruce up in one we would select jazz from his extensive limousine (Lanchester or Daimler) called word, would it be enthusiasm, energy, or collection of LPs and CDs. Bruce and I “Bed & Breakfast” and kept mobile only generosity? In fact, it is impossible to would feed on each other’s music likes and by syphoning petrol from parked cars. describe Bruce in a single utterance. To do knowledge, dissecting each Jelly Roll and Syphoning (for other reasons) was a neces- so would be a gross disservice. Bruce’s Armstrong riff …. It was always joyous. sary Veteran skill. myriad facets truly place him in the realm Never one to lag behind, Bruce I had to sell the Austin in 1950 to pay of an unique, best, special, and irreplace- enthusiastically embraced new-fangled a fare back to New Zealand after a defin- able friend. computerization and, one finger at a time, ing Australian work holiday. Apparently I first met Bruce through our mutual mastered the PCs at work, resulting in (my brother arranged the sale) a reluctant love and interest in fine cars, from Fiats to some memorable humorous exchang- Christchurch Austin agent bought her for Ferraris, via Alfas and Bugattis. Bruce’s es. The most recent was my sending an £70. Since then I’ve owned many worthy knowledge, passion, and actual driving “approval” note to the girls in the office vehicles here and overseas but none really experiences melded with mine to create giving them “permission” to return Bruce’s justifying renewed VCC membership. a strong and enjoyable synergy. I was warm jacket, which he had thoughtfully left Back again in New Zealand in 1998, 50 never more happy than when helping Bruce for me in my borrowed Range Rover when years later, I rediscovered the first car at a tinker with one of his 509s or Brescias! I was leaving on another motoring adven- meeting in the Wairarapa. Now identified The first to admit that he was no ture, noting that Bruce was “getting a little as a 1913 Austin Sirdar, possibly the only mechanic, Bruce made up for his lack of soft” needing such apparel for an upcom- one left, it is now splendidly restored and mechanical skills with boundless optimism, ing event as “balmy as the Irishman”. well used owner John Wilkins of Upper knowing that he always could be saved Whilst Bruce and Adrienne were never Hutt. by the wizards at Auto Restorations, the aware of it, I was in truth a little envious John took me for a drive around the company which he so ably conducted on a of the relationship he had with his sons, Wairarapa countryside. It felt like day to day basis. daughters-in-law, and ever growing number Canterbury again. I regretted only the loss My first drive with Bruce (in a “real” of grandchildren. What an outstanding of the original pearl grey finish and my car at least) was in his much loved, hard grandpa, and how lucky I was to join VCC youth. working, and long suffering Bugatti Type in with many a gathering as an honorary Graeme Thompson 37A. As luck would have it rain was uncle. pouring down. “All the better for the Bereft of a son myself, I was always Dear Sir, demonstration” was Bruce’s reaction! After moved to witness Bruce and Craig working Unbelievably Bruce Pidgeon, the all of these years, blood is still absent from as a team when campaigning the demand- quintessential motoring enthusiast, has my knuckles, yet we survived this and many ing Cooper 500. other automotive experiences, including a That was what Bruce was all about … Greybeards when Bruce’s Brescia smote being there for his wife, his family, his a bank so hard that our left rear wheel friends, his business, his clients, his various resembled a pretzel, and my teeth joined my clubs, publications, and affiliations. knuckles and other body parts in permanent Bruce’s output in work and support was less-than-perfect condition. awesome, yet he made time for domes- On one Bugatti rally I was so cold that tic and continental motoring adventures .. cryogenic suspension became a distinct most recently the enjoyable Bentley rally possibility. Wooly hatted, multi layered, which took him and Adrienne all over the and yet still as stiff as a board, I crunched North and South islands. Subsequently gears whilst passenger Bruce (wearing this was catalogued in true Pidgeon form shorts and a T-shirt) rhapsodized about the via his photo albums, the accompanying Levin 1948 “fine weather”. notes on which bear testament to his great Despite my friends’ dire warnings and sense of humor and occasion. predictions, I even passengered with Bruce Most recently Bruce decided, along with during one of the infamous Irishman rallies. his mates and business colleagues, Leon Whilst my chums repaired to their warm and Gavin, to participate in the Tuscan and inviting motels, Bruce and I, in the Bugatti International Rally. Directly half light, slithered uphill through steaming Bruce learned that it could only be one dung heaps to a windowless, heatless, light- Bugatti per family, along with limited less, and long abandoned shearers’ shed, numbers from each country, he did not with a frost covered hedge as a bathroom. miss a beat in unstintingly deciding that his I have to say that I have never in my son Michael and daughter-in-law Louise life been as frozen and miserable. Yet would attend. Luckily, the organizers somehow, by the blessed morning at least, I subsequently managed to slot Bruce in as was elated to have been part of the experi- well. So it was that he was able to have Masterton 1998. 12 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 12 10/10/2007 10:37:34 PM one more epic motoring adventure with his I had contact with Bob a few years ago error. But no one realised what the future friends and family. when he was installing the Lloyd engine held. And the auto industry in general was Bruce would not want us to grieve for in his car. I am at present helping another in deep financial trouble. To say nothing too long. Instead, simply to remember him enthusiast in Christchurch restore his about municipalities and government. when Take Five is heard, a rally enjoyed, SE328. So now you know the big brains of or a grandchild with castor oil in his or R Eggers Detroit thought up the great idea all on their her genes becomes another in the line of own in order to save the money they were Pidgeon motorheads. Bruce had the ability Dear Sir, investing in all the unnecessary hardware to make many of us feel like special friends, Left versus Right. to have the gear change on the right side and in my case, even family. Irrepressible This is the actual reason. It is not of the driver who from Roman times had and irreplaceable…in trying to aspire to something to make Detroit proud. And always been sitting on the right side of the his example and memory, we will all make today it costs them even more than it did at vehicle travelling down the left side of the his special world and ours an even better the time they worked hard to bury the real carriage way. place. reason from general public knowledge. All Detroit was thinking about was the Peter Giddings In 1910 after lengthy deliberation gear shift and other engineering to be saved among themselves the various American by a simple shaft coming out of the top of Dear Sir, manufacturers and assemblers of automo- the transmission where it was located in Recently while reading through some tive vehicles travelled to Great Britain for a most vehicles. back copies of the Chrysler Restorers Club meeting with European manufacturers and Bayard Sheldon. of Australia magazine dated April 2000. acknowledged interested parties. I came across the enclosed photograph in They were to propose everyone saving Dear Sir their oddities page. It is decribed as “half a lot of money by all agreeing to simply I have had a number of inquiries relating Chrysler/half Dodge”. No further informa- design the lever for gear changing such that to recent references in BW regarding the tion was supplied. it protruded directly through the floor boards book “Magic of A Name”, which I have I recall seeing this vehicle in Auckland in the centre line of the vehicle with a shaft reviewed and criticized in BW lately. in the late fifities and as I recall it was long enough to be grasped by the driver and All books, including the Bible, painted in a brickwork pattern. I under- this in conjunction with the use of the clutch Shakespeare’s-and even my own;-contain stand that the car(s) was constructed by pedal change gears as necessary. errors. As I have said before, Harold students of the Auckland University School Until this time in world history it was a Nockolds’ book, brilliantly illustrated by fact everyone drove on the left side of the his brother Roy, has long been a handy road. This was a survival of the custom in reference for me on Rolls-Royce history. Roman times. And, incidently the standard However, it does contain various claims gauge of railroad tracks everywhere is the that are little more than company propa- gauge originally set by Roman chariots. ganda. Some are so grossly inaccurate Everyone chose it because vehicles of all they demand correction. As a former La kinds had the same width between wheels. Salle owner myself, I have already given New Zealand has a narrow gauge. an example (BW 255) of the high speed The meeting was called because the endurance of American Vintage cars that wise(?) men of Detroit were afraid to intro- completely refutes Nockolds’ ridiculous duce the American driver to having to shift claim in this area (page 176, Magic of A gears with their left hand. Name) and there are many other examples of Engineering. Their solution was to move all road that could be quoted, such as Chrysler and I don’t know where this photo was taken traffic to the other side of the road to make Stutz at Le Mans in 1928, the very year but you can clearly see a map of New it possible to shift gears with the right quoted by Nockolds’ the Stutz 24 hour run Zealand drawn on the back/front door with hand. Their argument prevailed except for at Indy the previous year (1927) that won an arrow pointing to Dunedin (I think). the British. Their opinion was the English the Stevens Trophy with a car declared I would be most interested to hear if any were not so stupid they could not learn completely stock by the AAA Contest readers remember the car and know of it’s to shift with the left hand. Besides at the Board, the Studebaker runs also using history or present whereabouts. time their roads were all set in place with certified stock cars selected at random Colin Keenan. everything established over centuries. So from production, some of them then driven Queensland (VCCNZ member) too in Europe in general. But only the at high speed on Atlanta Speedway for Scandinavian countries stood with England. 30,000 miles. Again around 1928, the stock Dear Sir, Asia also followed Britain. Cadillac V-8 run at Chicago Speedway, in After reading the article on the Berkeley To this day horses pulling wheeled 1915 where full throttle was maintained for sports car of Mr Bob Oakley in your publi- vehicles are driven from the right side of well over an hour not minutes, as Nockolds cation of last February I thought you may the vehicle even in the United States, this would have it. Many more records which be interested in my ownership of several is probably because of the strong British will be familiar to American car fans. How of these cars. The present car I have is a influence on the “horsey set” of the entire would Nockolds explain the year-in, year- red B95 (one of only two in New Zealand) world. Besides horses and wagons were out record of Studebaker, Hudson and which I imported from UK as a heap of bits going out. Cadillac service cars in this country back and restored over the years. Also the SE328 The United States switched in 1910. in the teens, twenties, thirties, and even which is the same as Bob’s. Vehicles did not convert immediately. I forties-grossly overloaded, and driven at know Pierce-Arrow ran out Model numbers high speeds all day long? All were just into 1918. But the vehicles began moving production cars converted to bus body to the other side of the road state by state usage. and all road regulations followed suit. It The late Gerald Nairn told me that was the same in Europe. they used to cruise their Cadillacs across It wasn’t until later Detroit realised the the Syrian Desert in the 1920s at up to stupidity of the decision. They still did not 70mph for hours, as a matter of course. dream of the costs involved such as they Confirmation of this can be found in TR suffer under today But then the British Nicholson’s book “Five Roads to Danger”. themselves had to suffer as well in order Another of Nockold’s little misapprehen- to supply the biggest market - USA and sions concerns the real reasons for the failure Europe. of the American Rolls-Royce venture. Not as Every year it becomes a worse problem. he has it, preference for the English import. Berkeley B95 with 700cc Royal Enfield twin There was a time back in the twenties and The Springfield Rolls-Royce outsold the cylinder motor. thirties it would have paid to undo the imported English model at least a hundred BEADED WHEELS 13
bw258.indd 13 10/10/2007 10:37:35 PM to one. As my friend and well-known Jaguar historian Paul Skilleter has pointed out, a comparison of specifications, prices and Mount Cook to be Revisited volume sales of the top American marques gives us the real answer here. A third example (out of many) concerns On 6 February 1906, four intrepid young and not so young men, made the American makers’ production of the Merlin first trip by car, de Dion, from Timaru to The Hermitage, Mount Cook. in WWII. Nockolds has Rolls-Royce “educating” Ford and Packard on how to mass-produce the engine to precision stand- s announced at the Club AGM, the have any information whether concrete or ards allegedly unique to Rolls-Royce. The South Canterbury Branch, intend hearsay, we would love to hear from you. actual facts as given by Sir Stanley Hooker Ato promote a repeat of this histor- In 1960 Mr John Rutherford attended in his biography “Not Much of an Engineer” ic event in conjunction with our Annual the Mount Cook Rally Final Dinner at the are completely the opposite! Having never built more than a few hundred aero engines Mount Cook Rally, which will be the 50th, Pukaki Hotel and presented a shield, which annually, Rolls-Royce were completely during Labour Weekend, 2006. is still competed for by Veterans today. unfamiliar with the requirements of mass To us, the incredible thing is one of the I have his autograph on my menu from that production, unlike Ford and Packard, nor two de Dion motor cars is still in existence same dinner, but being only 17 years old, I did they have the modern tooling. Packard’s and motoring, and with the co-operation did not question this gentleman as I would Colonel Vincent was astonished to find Rolls-Royce“still building Merlins by the of the present owner, Mr Brian Thomas of today. hand method” and as I knew his right-hand Fielding, the De Dion will be the star of the Whilst the event will be open to all man, Clyde Paton, I got the story from the show in 2006. classes of vehicles catered for by the VCC horses mouth. I can say that Nockolds’ We have formed a small sub-committee we will be promoting the Veterans and version, naive as it is, does not give the to organise this New Zealand historic event stress it won’t be over similar conditions true and full picture at all, particularly regarding the Merlin’s notorious failing of and any information re the original trip eg to 1906 - in fact some people get photo- cutting dead in combat aerobatics. Contrary names of drivers and crew, route taken, and graphed at speeds in excess of 140kph on to Nockold’s opinion, this problem was not which is the surviving car (Rutherford or these modern roads. properly solved until Rolls-Royce adopted Wigley) would be gratefully accepted. We Please, all you amateur historians out the Stromberg injection carburettor-which believe the crew were Rutherford father there, we need to hear from you, and more Packard had used from the start! Ford and Packard between them built more Merlins and son, Rodolph Wigley and Dr Marchant, or less in keeping with the event, contact than Rolls-Royce and other British makers the route across the top of Lake Pukaki, but me by mail or telephone at: combined. Rolls-Royce themselves built this is subject of a debate and the bottom of Barry Goodman, 17 Huxley Street, Timaru. all the precision parts of the Merlin with Pukaki seems more likely, so please if you Phone 03 686 1617. American machine tools, some diverted from France in 1940, others hastily shipped from America on the Queen Mary. Hooker states flatly that Ford’s contribution to the success of the Rolls Merlin “has never been fully recognized”. Maurice Hendry
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bw258.indd 14 10/10/2007 10:37:36 PM AGM 2002 By John Coomber
Members of the organising committee Francis Elwin, Ruby Holmes (secretary) and Evelyn Chisholm. The Club AGM was hosted this year in the Wairarapa. The combined business and social sides of this event reflected the hard work of many VCC members while they enjoy their hobby.
he Wairarapa Branch hosted the completed by 9pm. Frank de Lautour had been invited to attend the meeting National AGM and Executive reported on the completion of the signed to speak about the Dunedin Street Races T meeting at the Copthorne Resort in agreement with Motorsport NZ and the video he had helped to produce, and was Masterton over the weekend of 2-4 August Executive approved the affiliation of the quite lost for words when presented with 2002. Like the previous two AGMs, this VCCNZ to Motorsport NZ to enable the the trophy. The two Notices of Motion venue was a little off the beaten track but joint development of Historic Motor Vehicle were both carried. The first, amending Rule thanks to early planning and co-ordina- competition events in accordance with the 6.2 was carried with 97% support and the tion by the Wairarapa Branch and our International Agreement. The Management second amending Rule 3.1 received 94% office manager, we enjoyed a pleasant Committee was thanked for the effort they support. As it had been decided that the and successful weekend, and I didn’t hear had put into bringing a positive relation- guest speaker would be invited to speak any complaints. Those of us who flew ship with Motorsport NZ together and the after the evening meal instead of at the into Wellington were met with pleasant President thanked Roger White for the time AGM, the meeting finished earlier than weather, and a bus waiting to take us over he had put into the agreement as a media- usual in time to enjoy a delicious lunch and the Rimutakas to Masterton, The trip was tor. time to chat. relaxing and we all arrived in plenty of The AGM on Saturday was opened The Executive meeting resumed at time to unpack, enjoy the evening meal by the Mayor of Masterton, Bob Francis, 2.15pm. Our Registrar Rod Brayshaw and prepare for the Executive Meeting at after a welcome from Will Holmes. The spoke about his trip to Europe to meet with 7.30pm. The foyer of the hotel was filled Management Committee members were re- the technical committee of FIVA. They with some fabulous Vintage and Veteran elected with the addition of Kevin Clarkson were most impressed with the work which cars and motorcycles to make us feel who was elected Chairman of the Beaded has been done here on our vehicle ID welcome and envious. Wheels Committee. The John L Goddard cards. Our systems are more advanced than The Executive meeting on Friday night Trophy was awarded to Scott Thomson for they have. Rod spoke about the ID cards went smoothly with most of the business his contribution to Beaded Wheels. Scott and the need for members to obtain these
John Coomber (National Secretary/Treasurer), Leigh Craythorne (National President), Mayor Bob Francis and Will Holmes (AGM Commmittee Chairman).
A Star attraction. One of the five vehicles that set the theme in the foyer of the meeting venue “Denny” the 1907 De Dion Bouton, formerly owned and restored by the first Chairman of the was the 1905 Star owned and restored by Roy Wairarapa Branch, Rex Porter-–-now owned by Will and Ruby Holmes. Elwin.
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bw258.indd 15 10/10/2007 10:37:37 PM PISTON RINGS
WE CAN MAKE CUSTOM RINGS FOR MOST CARS, TRUCKS & MOTOR MOWERS
Local members Evelyn Chisholm, Noel Bassett, FIVE DAY DELIVERY Roy and Frances Elwin. PROMPT SERVICE ASSURED
for all their vehicles. After some discus- sion the Executive passed a motion that the 20% DISCOUNT Vehicle Identity Card become compulsory ON MENTIONING THIS AD for all National and International Rallies from 1 January 2005. The meeting closed For N.Z.’s largest range of piston at 2.50pm. rings contact: The evening meal and entertainment JOHNSON’S PISTON RINGS LTD. were most enjoyable. Our guest speaker OPEN SATURDAY PH: 09 579 7219 / 579 8788 was our own Peter Fry of Wellington. Peter MORNING - 8.30-12.30 will be well known to most members as the 918 Gt South Road, Penrose, man with the golden voice on both National CUSTOM BUILT PISTON RINGS PO Box 12-230, Penrose, Auckland Radio and Concert FM programmes. Peter entertained us with tales of his youth in England and the interesting historic motor vehicles he was associated with as a youth. We were all spellbound and could have listened to much more, despite a “very important” rugby match being telecast at 9pm, but Peter was cut short because further entertainment had been arranged. I suggested to Peter that he should continue with the rest of his story in serial form each afternoon on the Cadenza Programme he hosts on the National Programme. The Harlequin Players then entertained us with half an hour of dance and comedy. Len Woodcock featured a bit in the entertain- ment as it was his birthday. Leigh and Tony Craythorne were invited on stage to help act out a humorous but embarrassing situation which occurred on the London Underground Rail system shortly after Leigh became President. The entertain- ment was of a high standard from both the professionals and the amateurs and enjoyed by all. During the evening many prizes were given out for all sorts of reasons, so many left with something in their hand. After the disappointment of the All Blacks losing the rugby in the last five seconds of the match, Sunday morning at the clubrooms was very pleasant. Time was spent browsing around the parts shed and admiring the magnificent display of local member’s vehicles. As would be expected, there were tables groaning with the most fabulous food for morning tea and as if that was not enough this was followed by even more for lunch. After we had all gorged ourselves, we boarded the bus for the trip back to Wellington. I hope there were a number of charities in the Wairarapa in need of food, because there was enough left when we departed to feed the five thousand. Congratulations and thank you to the Wairarapa Branch for a wonder- ful and unforgettable weekend. This was another memorable AGM. See you all in Marlborough next year.
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bw258.indd 16 10/10/2007 10:37:38 PM Hamco John L Goddard RECIPIENTS Industries JohnJohn L GoddardL Goddard motored motoredextensively aroundextensively Europe, around Europe, New ZealandZealand and and Australia. Australia. The The trophy trophy is presented is presented annually Motorcycle & Car Wire Wheel annuallyin recognition in recognition of his of memory his memory and and nominations are Repairs & Restorations nominationsinvited for are any invited member for any memberwho has who hasmade some We Specialise In madesignificant some significantachievement achievement to the toClub. the Club.It may be Ita mayparticularly be a particularly significant significant restoration,restoration, a • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels amemorable memorable motoring motoring journey, journey, an an important important Rim and Frame Lining Wheel Building & Truing • articlearticle oror seriesseries ofof articlesarticles publishedpublished inin BeadedBeaded Complete Wheel Restoration • Wheels oror somesome specialspecial serviceservice toto thethe Club.Club. Vintage – Classic – Modern Craig & Debbie Hambling Phone 06 324 8345 1994 Bill Cross Mobile 025 231 7864 April 1989 Southland Branch historic 410 Green Road, RD 6, Palmerston North Announcement of award. restoration of the 1907 writing. Day or Night Darracq. 1989 Jim Shipman Bluff to Cape 1995 Reinga riding a 1914 BSA Barrie Binnie restoration of raising funds for Camp Quality. trucks 1990 1996 Tracey McKenzie restoration of Mollie Anderson editor for the the Veteran Lacre Bus. 50 year VCC book. 1991 Jack Newell Veteran, Vintage 1997 cars and Motorcycles motoring Bill Richardson establishment over extensive distances. of Truck Museum. 1992 1998 Ivan Allen for the restoration of Lawrence Cocker extensive his 1911 Wolseley car. Veteran motoring. 1993 1999 Michael Waldron motorcycling John L Goddard TROPHY 2002 Nominations were received for this of F Gordon-Crosby as well as working on year’s presentation and were adjudicat- articles for the Behind the Wheel series. ed on by Kate Goddard (John’s widow, He has also had a close association with who lives in Australia) Gavin Bain and the production of the video Streets Ahead. Leigh Craythorne (the VCCNZ National His motoring stable includes a 1929 President of the day). Riley Nine Brooklands 2 seater, 1934 This year’s recipient of the trophy was Rolls-Royce Phantom II Saloon, 1953 Scott Thomson of the Wairarapa Branch. Renault and a 1964 Bentley Standard Scott has followed a family interest in Steel Saloon. the motoring scene particularly in early Beaded Wheels extends its Dunedin road racing. congratulations to Scott on being awarded Motor racing journalism as a hobby this trophy in recognition of his valued has taken him on travels around the contributions. world, attending motoring events that he has reported for a world-wide reader- ship. His writing has including a book Racing Around the Houses, a history of the Dunedin Festival Road Races. Extremely knowledgeable on the motoring scene, our recipient writes for various motoring magazines, including our own Beaded Wheels. There are not many issues of Beaded Wheels that do not contain a contribution by him. We are delighted to report that his writings engender letters to the editor, proving that readers do actually digest the content of his articles. Currently he is writing a mini series for Beaded Wheels featuring the art
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bw258.indd 17 10/10/2007 10:37:39 PM 18 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 18 10/10/2007 10:37:47 PM Just Desserts By Barry Thomson
Janes and Morgan’s 1928 De Soto.
Bruce Hutton honoured with Queen’s Service Medal
nlike some in a field of tall poppies tives of the Manawatu Police District was a I always find it a delight to look up fortuitous entry. The replica police van based on a 1921 Ford to see another fellow has stood his I had previously suggested the creation Model TT on its first outing in the Wellington U area in January 1986. The occasion was staged ground against the reaper long enough to of a replica Ford Model TT Police Van for a promotional video. receive due reward. So it was that Bruce from parts I had gathered. Post WWI the Hutton, resident of Paremata and 28 year New Zealand Police had built two such VCC member received the Queen’s Service vans. One of the vans had finished its Medal for public services in the Queen’s days in Christchurch as a butchers deliv- Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours just ery van, eventually having its van body past. replaced with a flat deck for use on a North I first became aware of Hutton as I Canterbury farm. respectfully refer to him (perhaps it’s It was from there that I gathered the bits. something to do with his lack of a second These parts along with my Ford Model Bryan Belcher’s Packard radiator mascot. given name as I also refer to our erstwhile TT flat-deck as a specification guide were and similarly afflicted National Secretary/ shipped to Wellington in an early move Treasurer in the same fashion) soon after he to get the project rolling. It all looked a joined the New Zealand Police in the early forlorn hope as the majority of my parts 1970s. He was canvassing police around the were found to be unserviceable. Enter country to gauge interest in a Vintage car Bruce Hutton with a “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off rally specifically for police staff. I had no to work we go” attitude, he, with the insight suitable car at the time and didn’t involve and Aitchison with the overview, it seemed myself and I’ve no idea of the outcome of at times every Vintage enthusiast in the this plan but his enthusiasm struck a chord lower North Island was involved in resur- with me. I didn’t get to meet Hutton until recting this penal dinosaur. 1985 although I recall hearing about him Bruce’s wide network of contacts brought Bayard Sheldon’s American-La France at in the intervening years. Hearing is the together a team of volunteers at Woodville Carterton. operative word here as when the occasion oozing with enthusiasm and generosity. eventuated I heard Hutton before I saw him. The result being the fabulous re-creation A booming great laugh as he shared a joke of a special piece of New Zealand Police with (or perhaps about) a ranking officer as history. It was my great privilege to work he entered our meeting room and the large many of those long fun hours alongside a hand of bonhomie was extended. Bruce restoration team the likes of which I have had been invited (or perhaps he invited not seen before or since. The ambitious himself) to a meeting of the New Zealand project took only three months to complete Police Centennial Steering Committee. In and was a great source of pride for us all, any event, however brazen, his presence particularly body builder Phil Brunskill as with Murray Aitchison, both representa- we drove around the streets of Woodville Left: Hutton’s 1927 Chrysler tourer. 1955 Humber Super Snipe prowling Pauatahanui. BEADED WHEELS 19
bw258.indd 19 10/10/2007 10:37:54 PM Rural sector downturn, Takaka. to Beaded Wheels or VCC membership. There is a subtle difference between a snapshot in time and recording an occasion so we can be grateful for Bruce’s dedica- tion and professionalism. Bruce and wife, Seona Ashton JP, own a 1951 Lanchester Leader which has an interesting All Black rugby connection. They also own a 1925 Finer 70 Chrysler four door tourer, 1930 Chrysler 70 saloon and have under way the restoration of a fabulous 1911 Austin 10hp. Bruce also has a large collection of motor- Peter Nightingale’s Veteran Ford T at Clareville Cemetery, Carterton. ing memorabilia. enjoying a celebratory beer in the cleverly Zealand and was the first New Zealand We extend congratulations to Bruce on crafted “Jail-bar” Ford. In recognition of Police photographer to win the Australasian his award which was presented at an inves- his contribution Bruce was entrusted with Police Forensic Photography Competition. titure at Government House, Wellington, driving the Model T throughout the Police While endless television shows glamor- late last month. We know we can rely Centenary celebrations. ously portray a glut of forensic this and on continued significant involvement by Hutton’s public life has been studded forensic that, the reality of Hutton’s work- this former North Island Club Captain. with membership of and involvement with a-day world is hard yards spent recording Beware however, if Hutton floats an idea it groups and organisations from Rotary to the unseemly side of life and death. will invariably mean work, but you can be marae and more individual contributions His day often starts or finishes in the assured it will work. His F & L (facilitate from photography to his alter ego in the place we all visit usually once and have and liaise) principle will guarantee this. red suit at Christmas time. His interest in no memory of. It is warm comfort that the As a tribute to Bruce we publish the photography stems from receiving his first delicate balance of circumstances at the accompanying photographs reflecting his camera as a 12 year old. This interest led to end of one’s life is placed in the respect- fine skill. his appointment in 1993 as a member of the ful hands of someone the calibre of Bruce bw Wellington Police Forensic Photography Hutton. This stressful job is no doubt, in Unit. He soon became a sound practitioner part, countered by his enthusiastic pursuit of the photographic art. He had become a of the perfect Vintage or Veteran vehicle Fellow of the Photographic Society of New photograph. His photographs have long Phil Brunskill’s 1926 Hupmobile model A. adorned the cover and pages of Beaded Wheels. This has been done at no expense
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bw258.indd 20 10/10/2007 10:37:59 PM WE WITH PRIDE
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bw258.indd 21 10/10/2007 10:38:03 PM Gordon-Crosby COUNTRY Targa
By Scott Thomson
“Divo’s had an accident; go and help Crosby and party could lap with the cars, Gordon-Crosby Country is a mini series for him; take him some wheels,” screamed the stop where they liked. Beaded Wheels featuring the art of F Gordon- Bugatti pit manager, for ours was the only Gordon-Crosby loved the wildness: Crosby. Scott Thomson collaborates with car that could go on the road. We roared for just over 100 kilometres per lap. And the Michael Gordon-Crosby. the photographer, for the artist, unceremo- tension. In the late twenties this was the niously bundling them aboard, risking a lot only really big European race for pure to reach the disabled car… racing cars. But for five years on end the The artist in WF Bradley’s epic French Bugattis beat the red Italians. account of the 1930 Targa Florio was Both colour pictures feature the same F Gordon–Crosby. 1927 incident. Materessi’s winning Bugatti Race reporting was different then. is closing on Ernesto Maserati. The small Escaping from early spring rain in England, black and white of the Divo incident is a Gordon–Crosby loved the long drive south, typical quick sketch to illustrate Bradley’s often with Bradley. The artist loved the race report . clear Mediteranean light and the affair The artists also drew and painted several was mutual. Count Florio commissioned Targa fantasia pictures with exaggerated some of Gordon-Crosby’s finest work. With drops, viaducts – and bandits. He obviously Florio’s own chauffeur, Mario, at the wheel dreamed about the trip much of the year! and triple Zero on the car, Bradley, Gordon-
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bw258.indd 22 10/10/2007 10:38:10 PM BEADED WHEELS 23
bw258.indd 23 10/10/2007 10:38:11 PM Tasmania on two wheels by Chris Leith
Chris Leith continues his account of one of the most adventurous overseas tours undertaken by motorcyclists of the VCCNZ.
Chris Leith, 1954 Triumph Thunderbird. Photo Glenn Wills, Moving Pictures - Tasmania s reported last issue this rally was a bloke riding a penny-farthing bicycle cello maker whose class of work has the spawned by Hobartians Ken and through the streets. Yes, he is in regular music fraternity beating a path to his door AFrances Hall when attending our contact with the man in Oamaru who makes from anywhere in the world. At $10,000 National Motorcycle Rally in Dunedin in these machines! for a violin, they must be good! Further 1999. An around Tasmanian Rally was too Thursday 21 March along the road was “The Pub in the Middle much of a challenge to decline and after a Launceston to the East Coast, again a of a Field.” Literally, that was what it couple of years and considerable planning ride of about 150 miles. Steep winding was! Nothing else for miles! Other points the Kiwis were emulating the tasmanian roads greeted the riders, especially that of interest on the route included the St devil. Chris Leith, riding with a pen in his part through to Weldborough. We passed Columbia Falls and a cheese factory at hand continues his chronicle. through Scottsdale which had a very Pyengana. Accommodation was scattered Wednesday, 20 March from St Helens to White Sands, about 12 Hobart to Launceston via miles away. From the Falmouth/ Bothwell, the Central Highlands, St Marys Junction there was an Cressy and Perth. A distance of 150 optional (longer) route to the miles. Today the group travelled White Sands accommodation. up the A1 Highway towards The detour provided one of the Launceston, and took the left turn best roads we encountered. Not onto the A5 to Bothwell. Just as too tight, but plenty of peg-scrap- we left Hobart, it started to rain ing corners, no traffic (once you quite heavily, so it was on with the got past the school buses) and “wetties”. Just as well, as the rain scenery that was nothing short of persisted but lightened off as we magnificent – assuming you had approached the Central Highlands, time to look at it while absorb- where the temperature dropped to Lunch stop, outside the school at the mining town of Roseberry.. ing the complexities of the road! 4˚C, with sleet and snow flurries! Photo Marilyn McKinlay White Sands turned out to be a Soon we were near Mt Blackwood, very ambitious accommodation on the top of a very high plateau, ready interesting Eco building housing a forest park in the middle of nowhere, very family to begin a long zig-zag descent down the research group. Derby had an interesting orientated, and we heard it had just been north-east face towards Poatina, where the shanty museum recording the history of the purchased by a church group. It provid- weather was hot and sunny and the temper- local tin mine. On to Weldborough, where ed excellent family accommodation, but ature was 18˚C! An easy ride followed the local pub boasted of being the worst lacked the usual trappings of tourism, like through to Longford and Perth with a pub in Tasmania! Over the road from this a telephone or internet connection. There deviation to Evandale before arriving at pub was a rundown, ramshackle building was not even a shop or store on-site or Launceston. Evandale was a quaint old that housed the business of a violin and nearby. A group barbecue was put on by town, not unlike Oamaru, complete with the White Sands management, with the
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bw258.indd 24 10/10/2007 10:38:11 PM a
Ian and Marilyn McKinlay, 1955 BSA B33. Photo Glenn Wills, Moving Pictures - Tasmania
rally participants staying at other places complement the Market Day there each being bussed in to join in. That evening, Saturday morning. The 165 bikes from the a freelance photographer who had been rally were soon joined by probably another shadowing the run showed off photos 100 bikes from moderns back to the age of he had taken Wednesday and Thursday. the participants, providing a very spectacu- Needless to say, he did a roaring trade from lar display, well appreciated by the crowds. Worst Hotel, Weldborough, photo Lyndsey people eager to get permanent proof they In the afternoon, a number of us rode to the Saunders rode the tour. top of Mt Wellington, a peak of some 1200 Friday 22 March metres overlooking the city. The views East Coast to Hobart via Richmond, from the top were breathtaking, but bush another trip of about 150 miles. The day fires to the north west produced a smog- was near perfect, plenty of sun and no wind. like pall on the horizon. Longer straights ending in sweeping bends Sunday 24 March rather than corners made the day effortless Hobart to Launceston, a distance of 130 on the bike. As lunch was organised for miles. A fine, cool day greeted the riders, us at the Swansea Primary School, about soon to warm up as the highlands were 55 miles away, there was no hurry to get reached. The main road (A1) was followed there. A stop at the Nature World Animal until reaching the C305 junction to Ross Preparing for the days run from Launceston. Park just before Bicheno enabled all to see where we turned off to pass through Ross, 1952 BSA B32 (left) of Quintin Wearing, wombats and tasmanian devils in the flesh. Campbell Town, and Longford. Just before Triumph Thunderbird (right), Mike Glenday. The Bark Mill at Swansea provided another Longford, we went down one of the rough- Photo Marilyn McKinlay point of interest as well, as did Kate’s est roads travelled so far, to reach Woolmers a 1939 Dodge, and a 1956 Dodge, both Berry Farm. The town of Richmond was Estate. In the Archer family from 1816 to with very low mileages recorded. Indeed, a most interesting, the bridge over the river 1994, it displayed a near perfect picture of most impressive place to visit, the escorted being built in 1834 using convict labour. life over six generations of occupation in tour through the house was one of the tour The town jail and old church all being a house still containing all the furniture, highlights. After settling into our hotel, we places to visit in this historic old town. paintings, cellars, kitchens, servants dwell- had a look through the Tasmanian Transport After Richmond there were only ten miles ings and out-buildings from a by-gone age Museum in Launceston. The displays there or so over the Bowen Bridge to Hobart and in Tasmanian history. In a shed was a 1913 were mostly restored or original examples our accommodation, with luck in the same Wolseley car purchased by Thomas Archer of a variety of vehicles, and the more place as a week ago. for his honeymoon. In totally original know-ledgable had some fun pointing out Saturday 23 March condition, it is still run regularly in Vintage the errors in description and in restoration Up early, as all the bikes were expected events, winning many awards for its origi- detail, especially the motorcycles. to be lined up in the grounds of Parliament nality, even down to still having the original tyres fitted! Other vehicles on display were House, Salamander Place, for a display to Continued on page 54 BEADED WHEELS 25
bw258.indd 25 10/10/2007 10:38:13 PM Think Pink Text Leone Boddington, Photos Alex Baumanis
Les Boddington of Wanganui, came across an advertisement with an accompanying photo for a Nash in a car magazine and realised it was the car he had been looking for all his life!
he Nash Metropolitan Twas designed and engineered by Nash in the early 1950s. The idea for the first Metropolitan was originally conceived in 1945 and was introduced to the Nash Motor Company in 1946. It was well received. Various designs were studied and it was decided by Nash that to re-tool for the Metropolitan would be too expensive, so it was decided Austin Motors. The first cars were made sales were slow in the United States. It to have the cars made in England. in October 1953 and were shipped to the was thought that Europe would be a good Six years of design problems brought the United States for the 1954 model year. The market for the small cars, but this turned decision that Austin Motors of Longbridge, first Mets showed up at Nash showrooms out not to be the case. From 1957 until the England would produce the Metropolitan. on 19 March 1954. end of production in March 1961 only a The first order for 7,500 Metropolitans was This was the first time in automobile small number of cars was sold in Europe. placed for delivery in 1954. history that a car was designed in America In the meantime the American Rambler Fisher and Ludlow Limited of and built in a foreign country for resale was doing well in worldwide sales. Birmingham, England built the body of the Nash with engine, other mechani- solely in the United States. There were problems with Austin over cal components and final assembly by Later, in 1957, the AMC people decided price increases and design changes so it to allow the cars be sold in Europe as was decided by AMC to discontinue the
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bw258.indd 26 10/10/2007 10:38:14 PM Metropolitan in March 1961. Unsold cars stainless-steel moldings in the shape of a Restoration were marketed as 1962 models. stylised Z. When the little pink and white car first The Met came in both hardtop and Over 94,000 Metropolitans were import- came home it was squeezed into a corner of convertible models. A 1200cc four-cylin- ed to the United States and Canada. Today Les’s upholstery workshop. It soon became der Austin A40 engine powered the early the Metropolitan lives on through the clear that if any restoration work were models. Unlike other small cars being efforts of enthusiasts of old cars. to be done, we would need more space. built in England at that time, the True Love The existing 1952 Hillman convertible was Metropolitan was built for One such enthusiast, my husband Les immediately displaced into storage. American tastes. This required Boddington of Wanganui, came across an The Nash was driven about for the first a soft springy suspension advertisement with an accompanying photo couple of weeks so that Les could identify and a three-speed stand- for a Nash in a car magazine and realised any little quirks it may have. It behaved ard transmission with it was the car he had been looking for all beautifully, so the next thing was to begin his life! the serious task of restoration. There began a Les gradually stripped the car down and series found a small amount of rust at the bottom of the doors; after this had been repaired it was then given a new coat of pink and white paint. After painting it was complete- ly rewired and then Les began sorting out what parts could be used in the restoration and which ones would need replacing. Sourcing parts was a difficult job until he went onto the internet and found The Metpitstop in the USA. This was a lucky break indeed, because Jimmy Valentine, (who with his wife Eve) own the business, actually make replica parts for Nash Metropolitan cars. All parts were new and of high quality. The only problem was that at this time the $NZ was low! of Fortunately the windscreen could be trips made locally as it is a flat screen, so we, around the in the interest of safety, chose to have this North Island slightly tinted. Some of the rubbers came viewing Nash from the Valentines, the rest from BASIS Metropolitans in Blenheim. a column mounted (in the in various states of The Nash sports a fair amount of Met’s case a dash-mounted) decay until he was chrome. This was an expensive but neces- gear-shifter. Car Life referred to informed of one that sary exercise, with rewarding results when the Met as a “big car in miniature.” ‘may’ be for sale in Fielding. we saw the finished product. Facelift Les and I journeyed over to see And then there was … After Nash and Hudson merged to form the Met. We both fell in love with the little About this time Les heard about another American Motors, the Met was sold with pink and white car and couldn’t get it home Nash for sale in Te Kuiti. Off he went to either the Nash or Hudson grille medal- fast enough. investigate, and then there were two! lion depending on which showroom it was Of course as all car enthusiasts know, Garage space was now at a premium, so sold from. Later the 1956 Metropolitan the word gets around that a particular type now one of the modern cars was temporar- underwent a complete facelift with the of car is being sought and the information ily displaced. The work continued on the 1500 series. It sported a 1500cc Austin A50 about Nash Metropolitans that could be for pink and white Nash. Dave from “Dave’s engine, a new mesh grille, a new hood with sale kept on coming. Upholstery” came to lend a hand and a scoop, and a two-tone body side with together he and Les reconstructed the head lining. Les finished the interior putting more padding into the seats for comfort. Once it had seating, Les and I took it for a test drive. Les found the steering a bit unresponsive, so he decided to fit a set of radial tyres to replace the original cross plys. This proved to be a wise move as the handling improved dramatically. Late one night a phone caller advised that there was another Nash for sale in Levin. Either the owner would sell it, or dump it. You guessed it! Now there are three! Les is currently working on restoring the red and white Nash for me to drive and we intend rallying against each other. Since restoring the pink and white Nash, we have collected three trophies, the latest being the Concours Cup at the Wanganui Vintage Car Club’s Queen’s Birthday Rally. It seems that both the Boddingtons are hooked on these little cars. bw
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bw258.indd 27 10/10/2007 10:38:18 PM Red Ruby Rally Text by Rob Knight Photographs by Dave Livingston
Manawatu Branch decided that 40 years as a branch was worth celebrating. The enthusiastic team which undertook the task of organising a suitable event in July 2002 coined the name Red Ruby Rally. here had been members of the VCC On Saturday morning about 50 vehicles in and around Palmerston North gathered at Manawatu Branch club rooms Tbefore 1962 but they had to travel to to collect their instructions for a simple Wanganui for meetings. In that year Ken rally through town and gown (Massey Organisers Gerald and Diane White pose before their Ford V8 at Opiki Hall. Townshend decided there were probably University) and out over the roads of enough other like-minded enthusiasts in the the Kairanga Plain to finish at Opiki district who could be persuaded to join a Hall for a lunch catered by the locals. A local branch so a meeting was convened in simple but effective competition involved July whereby it was agreed to apply to the answering questions which were in some VCC to form a branch in the Manawatu. way associated with the colour red, and And so it came to pass. so we were looking for red signs and red Old membership lists were perused places of interest. and members’ brains were picked in an An optional competition was the dress- effort to locate and invite as many previ- ing of entrants in clothes contemporary ous members as possible. In the end only a with their vehicle. Seeing these folk few took up the invitation to attend for the wandering around at the start, lunch stop weekend but a few more did show up for a and the finish added spice and interest Manawatu Branch foundation members. chat on both Saturday and Sunday, while to the day. Such was the quality of the we were able to round up five foundation outfits that Leigh Craythorne, who judged members for a photograph before the start the entrants in a cold wind outside Opiki on Saturday. Hall, commented it was hard to pick some A Noggin ’n Natter, that traditional winners and she had relied on small details talkfest of the VCC, kicked the weekend which appealed to her. The Corpe family off on the Friday night in a cosy bar in (mum, dad and three small boys) and their Palmerston North. It was attended by local 1939 Hillman were judged the best, while members and some ex-members who had the Corpe seniors, Rex and Robyn and moved to other branches. We were also privi- their 1928 Dodge were second. Bernie and leged to have Leigh and Tony Craythorne Joan Svendsen and their 1927 Austin 7 present as our guests for the weekend. were third. The historic Doble steam car makes a welcome return on Sunday. The red questions continued as we wended our way north past Linton, Aokautere and Ashhurst to the clubrooms where the prizes were presented. A few spot prizes here and at Opiki added to the fun. As we assembled back at the clubrooms on a very cool evening we were greeted with a welcome mug of hot mulled red wine, very suitable for the occasion. Each table had been tastefully decorated with an artistic centre-piece Alex, Max and Josh Corpe with cousin Rebecca Bill, Alex, Josh, Max and Pam Corpe winners of the Ruby rally dressed comprising three red Gregory. in the era of their 1939 Hillman. 28 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 28 10/10/2007 10:38:20 PM Turn your spare parts into cash today … just by advertising in the next issue of Beaded Wheels. Beaded Wheels is delivered to over 7,000 subscribers and members of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club every issue – our advertising is read by enthusiasts throughout the country and overseas. Do you need to find a buyer for your vehicle, a vital piece for your restoration jigsaw puzzle or are you just ready to gain some space in your garage? Get your message directly to the people who need to hear it – book your advertisement today for the next issue of Beaded Wheels.
Text Only Advertising (No photo) Text and colour photo. Up to 45 words including phone number. Up to 40 words including phone number. *$12 rate for VCCNZ members only, non-member rate $16 Supply a colour photograph of your vehicle. Include stamped, addressed envelope for return of Tick which column photograph ______you require WANTED FOR SALE * ______$50 rate for VCCNZ members only, non-member rate $54
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Payment must accompany your advert. Cheques should be made payable to Beaded Wheels. Post payment and 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 December/January issue 10 November 2002. candles on a red diamond, the fire was After the speeches and cutting good company is always a recipe for roaring, the band was ready for action, of the commemorative cake by Leigh success. and the television (New Zealand v South Craythorne and Lachlan Scott, who was Locals and visitors alike gathered again Africa rugby match) had been declared the only person present holding continu- on Sunday morning at the clubrooms for out of bounds for the night. We were ous membership of the Manawatu Branch. morning tea, more chat and a rummage there to party and party we did. The President Leigh presented 25 and 35 year through the parts shed. When we put them versatile band trotted out the old waltzes, badges. on the aeroplane in the afternoon Tony and fox-trots and quicksteps and we trotted A sumptuous supper was enjoyed and Leigh were still wearing the grin from their accordingly. A gay gordons was all the once the tables had been cleared away recent ride in the Doble steam car and were more interesting because of the regional dancing resumed for the stayers while still talking about that mornings visit to variations applied and the ad-lib versions a few, not so young, drifted home. The Bryan Thomas and his workshop. from a few who hadn’t danced a gay evening, and the whole weekend, was bw gordons for too many years. voted a success. Good organisation and
Recent new members Organisers Christine Allan Hardacre (left) and Bruce Deer receive Leigh Craythorne and Ron Blanchett receives Joan and Pat Henaghan and Maurice Entwistle their 25 year badges from Leigh Craythorne. Lachlan Scott cut the his 35 year badge. dressed for a day out in look pleased with their cake. their Ford model A. efforts.
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bw258.indd 29 10/10/2007 10:38:27 PM AUTOMOTIVE WOODGRAINING. When restoring your car there is only one MARKETPLACE way to restore your metal window frames CLASSIFIED RATES & dashboard: metal woodgraining. For Due to space limitation, classified advertisers should refrain from the use of dashes, spaces, logos, information and free quotes contact Alan blank lines and centering. All classified rates include GST. Markby. Ph 03 445 0988 or write to 11 The 65 word limit includes contact details. Advertisers requiring ads longer than the standard 65 Boyne Place, Cromwell. Mem. words, or who require typography or space, must apply display rates. The advertising department reserves the right to edit or return classifieds not meeting the criteria. HUMBER SNIPE 1938 MODEL, 3 litre Non Member: $16.00 for first 40 words or part thereof, thereafter 15 cents per word to a motor, 4 speed gearbox. a useable classic of maximum of 65 words per advertisement. the thirties, restored 1996. Reg & WOF. Price Member of Vintage Car Club Inc: $12.00 for first 40 words or part thereof, thereafter 15 cents $8,000 neg. Phone 09 535 8810. per word to a maximum of 65 words per advertisement. Members must be financial and state their Branch. 1953 LANCHESTER LEADER, 46,000 miles. Text in a Boxed Ad: $20 members, $24 non-members. One careful lady owner (Church Wednesday Photo Ad in Box: $32.00 members, $44 non-members, enclose a clear photograph and an SAE if and Sunday) valve radio in good working return required. order! Reconditioned motor. Rural condition. Colour Photo Ad in Box: $50.00 members, $54 non-members, enclose a clear photo and an Reg on hold. $700 Phone 025 248 4665. S.A.E. if return required. Above rates apply for each advertisement. Advertisements should be typed or clearly printed. 1924 AUSTIN 12/4 CLIFTON TOURER ENCLOSE PAYMENT unfinished project. All mechanicals finished, Cheques Payable to Beaded Wheels. Post to: Advertising, PO Box 13140, Christchurch, to arrive easy job to complete. Heaps of spares, not later than 10th of month preceding publication. eg two motors, two gearboxes, five new tyres, $5,000. Phone 06 278 4672, DISPLAY RATES Casual 3 Issues email: [email protected] mem (per issue) Full Page $363.00 $297.00 Half Page $198.00 $154.00 Horizontal Quarter Page $121.00 $98.00 1 Column x 80mm $65.00 $55.00 Price on application for covers and four colour process All display rates quoted exclude GST and are for finished camera ready artwork supplied. Artwork can be arranged at an extra charge. Deadline for copy 10th of month preceding publication. Beaded Wheels will consider articles of a technical nature for inclusion in its editorial space. Beaded Wheels however regrets that it is not able to offer editorial space for advertisements nor for the promotion of products. Marketplace advertising cancellations received in writing prior to advertising deadline will be refunded in full. Where possible Beaded Wheels will refund 70% of the advertisement cost for any cancellations received after the booking deadline. Beaded Wheels makes every effort to ensure no misleading claims are made by advertisers, responsibility cannot be accepted by Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) for the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not be construed as endorsement of it by Beaded Wheels or by the Vintage Car Club. No liability can be accepted for non-appearance of advertisements and the 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 aims, objectives, and standards of Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) In accordance with the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 Beaded Wheels will not publish any advertisement which indicates or could reasonably be understood as indicating an intention to discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, religious or ethical beliefs. Advertisers should take all care in drafting advertisements as they could be held liable, as well as the magazine and the Club.
KING-PIN KITS, TIE ROD ENDS, FOR SALE Spring shackles, ignition parts, bulbs and sealed beams, spark-plugs and coils, VINTAGE WOOD PROBLEMS? For all engine bearings, engine mountings, head your Vintage wood work requirements, I can gaskets/sets, pistons and valves, timing chains and gears, flywheel ring gears, reproduce your car’s woodwork from origi- tyres, carburettors, magnetos, etc, for all nal parts, patterns and photos. Model A parts makes and models, especially: Austin, made to order, also Morris Traveller Van Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hillman, Morris, Standard, Vauxhall. Ronald Lever, Kits. N Rhodes, Furniture of Distinction. 87 Tui Rd, Papatoetoe, South Auckland. Purakau Rd, Marton. Ph 06 327 6164. Phone 09 278 3888 evenings
1929 ESSEX 2 DOOR COACH with spares. FOR TENDER 1930 DURANT COUPE 1936 Hudson Terraplane 4 door sedan. Phone 07 544 8611, Tauranga. imported from America complete and original. CHRYSLER 1929 MODEL 65, 4 door sedan, Not registered in New Zealand. Also 1930 chassis and mechanicals fully restored, body on chassis, needs minor finishing prior to painting, garaged for past 20 years. For further details Rugby truck partly restored. All the hard work phone Brian 04 526 9714 or 021 400 859. has been done. Most parts or patterns available FOR TENDER 1934 HUMBER SNIPE 80 to complete restoration. For tender details sports saloon. Body by Thrupp and Maberley. Rave and very collectable car. not running but and further particulars send SAE to Estate complete. Car can be viewed by contacting Ken on (03) 6880 473. Highest or any tender Owen Jones, 1172 Pareora River Road, RD 2, not necessarily accepted. Tenders close with Secretary-South Canterbury Vintage Car Club, PO Box 623, Timaru on 31 January 2003. Timaru.
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bw258.indd 30 10/10/2007 10:38:31 PM RENAULT 4 CV 1953/6 space forces sale CHRYSLER 72 ROADSTER 1927 Full body 1952 DAIMLER CONSORT (navy blue) of significant post war car, possibly last true off restoration. This is one of the best and Car No 8 in 1953-54 Royal Tour. Excellent touring model to race at Le Mans. VIC and most motorable and reliable Vintage cars in condition with all its original accessories. MSNZ participation under Appendix AA. New Zealand. The car is sold with a full range 63,000 miles. Current Reg & WOF. $15,000 Rebuilt 4,000 miles ago by aircraft engineer. of spare parts, literature, restoration log books ono. Phone 06 843 7148. Dauphine engine and some running gear. and data. $55,000 ono. Phone Ian Maclean Very many spares. Tenders invited closing 04 479 2433. 1 December. Phone Scott 06 377 0805.
1939 CHEVROLET COUPE. Older 1937 RIKUO Japanese made, Harley V twin BUICK MODEL 14B 1911, two cylinder restoration, reg & WOF. Reluctantly offered, 1200cc design, 3 wheeled servicar, 3 fwd, Veteran, older restoration, extensively motored. View during working hours at Hokonui Honda 1 reverse, ex WWII. WOF & reg, only one Price $30,000. Phone 09 276 8529, Bill Miller. Ltd, 9 Hokonui Drive, Gore. Highest or any other known to exist. Fully restored. New Mem. tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders should Zealand telephone 64 9 298 4427, 021 661 400 reach our office by 10 October, 2002. Email: [email protected]
CAPRI 1961 (FORD CONSUL 315 COUPE) 1937 CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH P2 SEDAN. INDIAN 741B (CIVILIAN) with period Runs well. Over $20,000 spent. Reg & Art Deco car sidemount spare. Nice original Goulding sidecar, 740cc stroked conversion WOF. Must sell, no longer have storage. car. Lots of work done. A drive anywhere and alternator conversion for excellent spark Offers around $11,000 invited. Phone/fax car no work to do. $12,000 ono. May trade and lighting, very reliable had thousands spent. 03 388 0062 or 0274 526 505. on roadster. Phone 06 835 1990 morning. $16,000 (firm). Phone/fax 09 435 5350 or 027
1947 16/6 ROVER Reg and WOF. 1929 CHEVROLET 6 CYLINDER 1924 DODGE 4 TOURER 4,000 miles Full restoration late 80s and still in good Completely restored. Excellent condition. runs since full restoration lots of spares available. condition. $11,000. Phone 03 216 1605. well. Current reg & WOF $14,000 ono. Phone $14,000 ono. Phone Rob 03 332 1411 or 06 843 7148. email: [email protected]
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bw258.indd 31 10/10/2007 10:38:34 PM 1923 ALVIS 12/40, CARBODIES MORRIS COWLEY COUPE 1929. STANDARD TOURER. Well known car in Professionally restored, minor finishing good motoring order. Denco crankshaft and required. Factory sunshine roof. Personalised 1909 DARRACQ 14/16 2 SEATER rods, close ratio gearbox, 4.5:1 diff. Full plates complete with spares. $18,000 ono. An immaculate and authentic Veteran car, the weather equipment, new carpets, good tyres. Phone 03 388 3238 or 03 383 1274. Mem subject of a painstaking restoration in earlier Comprehensive spare including 12/50 engine years with negligible use since, is now for sale and gearbox. $55,000. Phone 06 879 8517 by written tender, highest or any tender not evenings. necessarily accepted. Please direct enquiries to Robert Holmes. Phone 07 871 9828 (evenings) with tenders addressed to Darracq Tender, PO Box 10038, Te Rapa, Hamilton closing on November 30, 2002.
1923 AUSTIN 12/4 TOURER Well preserved, 1930 MODEL A FORD ROADSTER PICK unlike owner (despite liberal applications of UP. Fully restored, fitted with B engine and alcohol) Ill health forces sale $24,000 includes optional 4 speed gearbox. 12 volt wood stake spares. Maurice Hornsby, Kerikeri, email: sides, tray cover, personalised plate. Reg & [email protected], phone 09 407 4121. Mem. WOF, $20,000. Phone M Howson 09 422
ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW COUPE by Mulliner Park Ward. Owned 18 years. Visual perfection. Owed $85,000. Offers 1973 ROLLS ROYCE CORNICHE 2DR ZODIAC 1954 Probably one of the best over $35,000 or exchange for old RR. Phone A rare marque in remarkable original condition. original Zodiacs you will find. Still has all its Wellington 386 1043. 82,000 miles, I have owned it for 18 years. original extras, plus radio from new! This car $37,500 consider mobility scooters as pp. has never been restored and motors beautifully. FEATURE YOUR VEHICLE HERE Maurice C Hornsby, Kerikeri phone 09 407 $7,500 (much cheaper than restoring one) Advertising deadline for December/January 4121. Mem. BEADED WHEELS is 10 November 2002.
WANTED WANTED
PACKARD 1939 SEDAN Excellent condition. WANTED FOR 1929/30 AUSTIN 16/6. DODGE HUBCAPS WANTED ANY Recon engine and gear box. Parts available Zenith carburettor type 30UX03 (forward CONDITION Consider same size other makes. current WOF. Reluctant sale offers appreciated. facing) Phone/fax John Campbell 09 828 Also 19x550 silvertown tyre suitable for spare. Phone 06 354 1796. 7850. mem. Ted Bade phone 03 578 9755, 5 Birchwood Ave, Blenheim.
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bw258.indd 32 10/10/2007 10:38:44 PM 1932 MG J2 CHASSIS #J2166, engine # 691 AJ. This MG has been fitted with a supercharger, 16 inch centre laced wire wheels, the desirable 12in brakes, twin fuel caps and the racing style large revolution counter. All the above modifications have converted this J2 into a specification similar to what the MG factory provided for competitive use. Although this is not fitted with the usual ENV gear box it still remains a highly desirable vehicle. This is almost unique in New Zealand valued between $32,000 and $40,000. 1930 MG M type special. Chassis#2/M2 112. This is an assembled typical beach racer, and grass autotest vehicle. Valued at $8,000. For further details about cars contact Jayne 04 904 8940
FORD T 1910 CLAMSHELL DIFF and 1925 1918 MODEL T TOURER was prepared for tourer mechanically restored, most parts there and took part in Royal & SunAlliance 50th including reproduced items. Sell only as one Anniversary Rally in 1996, not used since as lot. $6,000 firm. Phone 06 362 6564 or 025 owner incapacitated. WOF and registered in good 471 891. working order. $18,000 ono. Phone Trevor 03 358 4440 evenings or weekends. Mem. WOLSELEY HORNET, early 1931, 6 cyl. SOHC 1294cc. Full pressure lubrication. Twelve volt electrics, full mechanical overhaul, details, receipts and invoices available. Jarvis style alloy body, two seater; auster fold flat w/screen. Requires minor finishing, paint and AUSTIN 20, 1925 Complete running chassis chrome. View by appointment (Christchurch), with kauri C-cab van body by Harrison & phone 03 326 5480. Price $7,000. Gash (Newmarket) circa 1916. Excellent wheels and tyres and many spares. Easy 1939 LWB Ford V8 truck chassis. Includes restoration. Phone 07 849 0696. Mem. both axle assys, springs, steering box and linkage. Also LF guard - rough. Very complete and straight. $60. Phone 03 578 4216 Mem.
BENNETT AND THOMSON – I AM trying to trace relatives, family members, descendants, company secretary etc of the above named company that operated from MODEL ‘A’ FORD GEARBOX. All 58 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington from complete, with a good set of original gears. the 1930s – 1980s. The company was the New cluster shaft and all bearings replaced. original owner of a Porsche 356 sports car for which I am seeking further infor- mation. Please contact Bob Magowan. WILLYS 1930 MODEL 98B 4 door sedan. Phone 025 907 356 or Auckland 534 mudguards, radiator, 2 x 6 cyl motors, 1 4007. gear box, 3 steering boxes, spare chassis and dash with all the gauges and more, offers. We also have for sale 1927 Whippet PARTS OR PROJECT! 40/41 Chev ute. Cab Model 96, 2 door coach partly restored $998 $498 chassis, front guards, no doors, motor, radiator with numerous spare parts $1,800 ono. I and backend with wheels. First $300 takes it also have five complete wooden wheels, away. Phone Mike, evenings 06 838 8543. hubcaps, front and rear brake assembly, large amount wooden spoke rims etc for 1929 96A Whippet offers. Contact Joe phone 025 353 400 or 03 386 2062 a/h. MODEL ‘A’ FORD, NEW 1930 RADIATOR Shell and Stone Guard. Sold separately, or both for $1196 (inc). Save $300! Pearson’s Model ‘A’. Phone 03 313 2924
ARIEL MOTORCYCLE 1929 MODEL F DISTRIBUTOR PARTS AND SERVICE We can supply many new old stock twinport 500cc. Restored but never used, Distributor parts for Lucas and other makes, $5,500. Phone 07 548 1990. Mem. and have built a New Zealand wide reputa- tion for restoring worn Distributors to as EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS. Camper vans, new performance and finish. All aspects motorhomes and cars for hire. Excellent 1918 OAKLAND TOURER, model 34B of repair undertaken including Vacuum helpful service, best rates in UK. For New restoration in year 2000 and has had very Advance Units. Work fully guaranteed. brochures phone 07 847 3650 or phone Kiwi little use since. Electric starter, lights, rare, contact Quality Rebuilds, 5 Fenhall St, Hire Direct 44 1 432 870 410 fax 44 1 432 Christchurch, 8004. Phone/fax Barry Emms 870 875. 03 342 5677. Mem.
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bw258.indd 33 10/10/2007 10:38:51 PM ROSIE STUDEBAKER, AN CARPENTRY AND CAMPING AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Second edition now • Floor cramps available. Still only $10 inc p&p. Just send • Primus $10 to Jack Hoven, 201 Darraghs Road, • Blow lamps • Sprit solder irons • Roofing square (with instructions) • Jack planes We’re here to make it easy • Large steel plane CLASSICS DATABASE: Reply Taylor, 35 Waterhouse St, Taradale, We’ll locate what you want & place what you have! Napier. Phone 06 844 9475. CLASSICS CASTING List your unique vehicle for TV, Film, Adv Free! 1937 CHRYSLER SEDAN running, partly CLASSICS VALUATIONS rebuilt good body, $3,000. 1938 Chrysler Is your Investment Insured correctly & for it’s full value? sedan, body parts, doors guards grill, bonnet etc. 1939 Plymouth chassis guards doors 25 years’ experience bonnet etc. 1939 Dodge rolling chassis, doors, made for your metal- sidepanels, complete dash panel. Phone 04 WOODEN WHEELS Ph 04 586 1500 work. Steam-bent felloes, any shape spokes. 526 7302. New beaded rims available in some sizes. Fax 04 586 1501 1939 CHEVROLET M/D 73,000 mls motor 1 TWO RUGBY MODEL F TOURERS. Just pick up the phone runs, body and frame straight, /4 restored, phone Deane 09 437 0020, Whangarei, 1924 complete original car, engine, registra- Email: [email protected] $5,000. tion certificate. All chassis bushes renewed. Near new wheels and tyres. Crankshaft MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS REPAIRED. reground. All bearings remetalled and We can restore that faulty pump, including linebored, crankshaft assembly balanced. fuel resistant diaphragm. Work fully guaran- Body and hood need restoring, $3,500. teed. Contact Quality Rebuilds, 5 Fenhall St, 1925 body back to dashboard. New bearings Christchurch 8004. Phone/fax Barry Emms for most part (both cars), new tyres $2,500. 03 342 5677. Mem. Spare motors $100 ea, gearboxes $40 each, deals negotiable. Phone 09 534 6102. VETERAN PROJECT 1914 BRISCOE model B15. Four cylinder 2.5l Cyclops headlamp 1938 DX VAUXHALL complete including VINTAGE & CLASSIC QUARTZ halogen model, virtually complete mechanicals, spare new bonnet. Interior requires re-upholstering. bulbs. Replace your existing bulbs without engine, some rebuilding work done including Complete with papers and copy of workshop rewiring the headlamp assemblies. Up to wire wheels and four new 30 x 31/ tyres 2 manual. Clean dry storage in Auckland. 100% brighter than your existing Tungsten some body parts suitable for patterns. Contact Unfinished project, health and residence bulbs. Will fit most reflectors fitted to Pre & Warwick phone 09 638 7110. changes force sale. Must be sold. $750 ono. Post war cars and motorbikes. Also available Phone 09 275 4053. in single filament 55 watt P22 & BA 15 STEERING WHEELS, hard rubber and most bases for use in spotlamps and mechanical plastic type wheels repaired and recoloured FOUR TIDY DOORS OFF WOLSELEY dip reflectors. Most bases and configurations back to new. Please phone for more info, VIPER 1930s $200. Three Sankey available in 6v & 12v. Further info: Norm & Doug Green 07 347 1874 a/h, 07 347 9728. wheels, five stud 31/ centres $200. Jan Sisson, sole NZ Agent. Ph/Fax (03) 389- Mem. 4 1x600x16 6 ply commercial tyre $80. Phone 0643 also Henrob Welding Torches/Model Boat Supplies. 38 Ottawa Road, Christ- VALVES exhaust quality stainless for 07 886 7698. Wanted also information of any church 6. Vintage engines. Available in blank form or other Wolseley Messengers about. Note change of phone number. machined to size required. Contact; George Calder, 307 Hoon Hay Road, Christchurch. PENRITE OILS. We carry a full range from Phone (03) 338-5372, Fax (03) 338-5482. Vintage to Modern Engines. Lubricants Member. PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS for pre-1984 HD motorcycles, gearbox oil PISTONS for Japanese 2 strokes. Full range of diff, QUALITY MOTOR BOOKS. Over 250 in FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & steering box and gearbox oils. Competitive stock including Pomeroys Grand Prix car Vol ODDBALL ENGINES. prices. Try us first. M.S. Coombes Ltd., 344 1 & 2, A Racing History of the Bentley, The We can supply piston sets for most makes St. Asaph Street, Christchurch. Phone 03 Racing Coopers, Skilleters Jaguar Sports Cars, & models. All piston sets come complete 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462. BRDC Silver Jubilee Book, The Custom Body with rings & gudgeons. We have over 700 Era. Enquiries or to go on mailing list contact listings at competitive prices. NEW AUTO ELECTRICAL SPARES. Wheels on Paper phone (03) 322 9575, fax M S Coombes Ltd For cars, truck, tractors 1930-1980. distrib- 03 322 5180 email: monza_mistral@yahoo. 344 St Asaph St, Christchurch utor caps, points, condensors, rotors, lights, com.au Ph 03 366 7463, fax 03 366 7462 lenses, bulbs 6V, 12V, 24V, starter/genera- tor parts, distributor rebuild parts, etc. BROCHURES. Good range of brochures Lucas CAV Delco-Remy Bosch Autolite. including Bugatti Type 101, Vauxhall 20- PISTONS for Vintage and Classic engines Mail/phone: Bygone auto electrics, PDC, 60 coachwork, 48 Healey, 36, 37 and 38 . Most models available in standard or Fordell, Wanganui. Phone 06 342 7786, Ford V8, Austin and mid 30s, huge range of oversizes. Also pistons can be made to fax 06 342 7788, email: sales@bygone- 50s -60s. Also hundreds of original adverts. special dimensions. Contact George Calder, auto-electrics.co.nz Enquiries or to go onto mailing list contact 307 Hoon Hay Road, Christchurch. Ph 03 Wheels on Paper, phone 03 322 9575, 338-5372. Fax 03 338 5482. Member. HUBCAPS – IF YOU HAVE a hubcap problem contact me. I have produced skin fax 03 322 5180, email: monza_mistral @ 1974 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE SE5A 3LV6 yahoo.com.au pressings for most cars between 1930 and auto, red, good condition, used regularly 1940. These are top quality replicas. No has current reg & WOF. $5,000 ono. Also matter how rare the make of vehicle it MG 1100 TC. Excellent condition original car. 1967 BSA Thunderbolt 650cc, purple, Red with beautifully kept grey interior. 1965, is possible to reproduce as original. For tidy condition, west coast import, Boyer further information phone Les Hayter 07 three owners, only 55,000 miles. Heater, tools ignition. Many new parts. Reg & WOF, and handbook. Excellent reliable motoring 378 9230 or 025 485 994 or write to my $4,400 ono. Phone 09 298 1648 or 0921 new address 810 Tukairangi Road, RD 1, vehicle. WOF/REG. $2,950. Photos available, 102 5939. phone 03 545 1013. Taupo, PO Box 762 Taupo. Mem.
34 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 34 10/10/2007 10:38:55 PM ALUMINIUM WINDSCREEN CHANNEL 2x1m 2x600mm lengths cost $175 sell $150. Newly made rear body tub 1915/25 American OFF THE RECORD VINTAGE & CLASSIC tourer $200. 1928/30 Chrysler diff head 1947 – 1997 3 speed gearbox big model $100 each. A commemoration of 50 years of the ENGINE PARTS 1 Chrysler block no. c 12816 3 /8 bore 7 main Hawke’s Bay (Sports) Car Club crankshaft $100. Veteran Falls 6 cyl engines and parts, offers. Durston gearboxes and parts, A great Christmas present for the offers. Contact Barrie Grant, 83 Aberdeen motorsport enthusiast in your family Drive, Hamilton. Phone 07 846 1238, email [email protected] 360 A4 Pages • Hard Cover • Stitched Binding Colour Jacket • Hundreds of Photographs 1929 WOODEN WHEELS – three front “A wonderful, well written history of motorsport in PISTONS, VALVES, HEAD GASKETS wheels, two rear wheels, two wooden no hubs Hawke’s Bay over the last 50 years. A terrific read!” all 19in, two split rims all in good order. Rear TIMING GEARS, MORSE CHAINS (Inc P&P axle diff assembly complete from De Soto 6. OFF THE RECORD costs $64 in NZ) ENGINE BEARINGS Phone 03 614 7685 evenings. Post to…HB Car Club Jubilee Committee GEORGE CALDER LIMITED PO Box 2316, Stortford Lodge, Hastings 307 HOON HAY ROAD, CHRISTCHURCH HUMBER SUPER SNIPE 1962 series 4 rare or contact Lily Baker 06 878 9883 A/H PH 03 338 5372 FAX 03 338 5482 English classic, 3 litre manual, new clutch, new reg & WOF. Very reliable, radio, heater and towbar. Excellent original condition, one CHEV PARTS 1924-40. Engines, gearboxes, owner $5,000 phone 07 308 2498. manifolds, cylinder heads, plus reproduction pedal cars, aeroplanes, American racer, sad face sedan. Phone/fax Ross 06 377 3948.
EH HOLDEN 1964 54,000 miles original unrestored, but new paint, original carpets, upholstery, boot mat, 179 Hydramatic. 19 of 24 factory extras, heater radio working $10,000 ono. Phone G. Lewis 06 377 7973 member. Wanted 4.50 21" tyre or tyres suitable for recapping. VINTAGE TRUNKS as seen in Issue 201, HOUSE SITTER AVAILABLE. VCC member page 17. Leather trim, waterproof, stock willing to house sit anywhere in New Zealand. size or made to your measurements. Phone/ Able to care for house, garden and animals. Fax Allan on 06 844 3959 or 025 469 331 Phone Peter 07 312 4147. email coralw@ to discuss your requirements. Allan Jones xtra.co.nz Joinery, Napier. Member.
• 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
BEADED WHEELS 35
bw258.indd 35 10/10/2007 10:38:56 PM BUICK. INLET MANIFOLD wanted for CONTACT WANTED WITH OTHER FORD 1939 Buick. Casting number on existing PILOT owners, view mutual benefit, exchange WANTED manifold is 1306218. Terry Stock, 135 Major information, possible newsletter, register etc. Drive, Lower Hutt, phone 04 565 0069, email: Phone Trevor Mitchell 07 378 1989, Taupo. 1920s AEC/LGOC 108 x 140mm 4 cylinder [email protected] Mem. bus/truck side-valve petrol engine - the one with the sump at the front. Contact Nick OIL CO ENAMEL ADVERTISING SIGNS, Taylor, 35 Yarnells Hills, Oxford OX2 9BE, WANTED FOR ZENITH MODEL 48K Motor Spirit, cap, tyres, oil etc, anything updraft carburettor suit Dennis 60hp England. Phone (United Kingdom) 0044 1865 from Big Tree, Texaco, Europa, oil bottles, 723 0500. N type any documentation, writing, delivery drivers hat & jacket badges, any pictures to enable restoration and tuning. PONTIAC 1935 parts and information wanted old oil company promotional items. Bob Frank (Australia) 07 4775 7885 or email: to restore coupè. Phone/fax 03 337 2840. Ballantyne, phone 09 444 4066. Mem. [email protected]
COMMER CAR Parts, remains, literature DISTRIBUTOR WANTED FR WADE & CO etc for circa 1912 Commer Car needed to BRADFORD CHROME RADIATOR 4 cylinder suit Dennis 60hp N type. Contact assist restoration of Gisborne’s first motorised surround wanted in good condition. Phone Frank (Australia) 07 4775 7885 or email: fire engine. Anything considered. How many 025 925 159 after 6pm. Mem. [email protected] Commer Cars exist in New Zealand? Phone BUICK DX45 1916 DIFF PARTS crown- Rod 06 868 5969 evenings, 06 869 0639 BSA C10 – M20. Complete machine or parts. wheel 53 teeth part no. 64546, pinion 14 teeth work, or email [email protected] Mem. can exchange some C10-11 cycle spares. Phone 03 234 8740 Southland. part no 64547. Any info would be very much appreciated. unable to use car. Phone Brian FORD V8 1936 3 or 5 window coupè or MODEL A WATERPUMP HOUSING with Rogers 03 358 5322, Christchurch or write roadster body wanted. Anything considered. small drain hole, in good reusable condition. 3 Thoresby Mews, Hydepark, Christchurch Phone 07 533 4040. NZ number plates in very good condition: 8004. 1925/26, 1926/27, 1928/29, 1931/32, 1932/33, DUCATI CUCCIOLO LITTLE PUP cycle 1934/35, 1935/36, 1941/46. Phone 03 418 SUPERCHARGER WANTED, any make, motor with or without bike or moped wanted 1587. Mem. model or condition, for 30s special, 1200cc to buy. Phone Warren 027 444 1088. Mem. FORD 28/29 MODEL A ROADSTER pickup, engine. Phone 09 625 5159. FORD 1934 V8 SEDAN PARTS fuel and can trade 1940 Indian m/c. Original and relia- ble. One sentimental owner last 36 years. OLD QUALITY MOTORING BOOKS, amp gauges, front seat ratchet and slides, Phone/Fax Bill, 09 420 7492. brochures, motor racing photos, pre-1960s windshield garnish mouldings, inside light, 1 magazines, old posters in fact anything on panels for holding rear /4 window, regulators 1929 DA DODGE PARTS. Front seat, sunvi- motoring on paper. Anything from single item front bumper stays. Write details to Roger sor, bonnet, chrome radiator grille. Foot to complete collection. Phone/fax or email Imanse, 66 Sydney St, Invercargill. Mem. rest for rear passengers. Phone 03 528 8059 Wheels On Paper 03 322 9575, phone 03 322 evenings. mem. 5180, email: [email protected] VETERAN EXCELSIOR RESTORATION AJS OR MATCHLESS 1937. Frame forks, requires hand control levers, hub clutch, and INTERNATIONAL 30 CWT TO 2 TON TRUCK wheels, hubs, mud guards, chain guard, headlight, parts wanted; pre 1927. Scuttle, steering pedalling gear. Pair of Druid forks, front and petrol and oil. Phone 03 308 3270. Mem. box, radiator and front panels. Lycoming or rear brake parts. Phone Mike evenings 06 838 Waukesha 4 or 6 cylinder engine or parts of. 8543. CHAUFFEUR UNIFORM of the early to mid twenties style, especially seeking uniform Phone 07 315 5032. SPEEDO FOR 1925 CHEVROLET items, patterns, photos etc. Also Buick litera- CROSS FLOW CYLINDER HEAD SUPERIOR K black faced AC type, approx ture of all eras – parts, books, brochures, WANTED to suit a 1929 overhead cam engine 4in diameter, drive at bottom at an angle of reference and operation pamphlets and promo eg those fitted to the Morris Minors. Please approx 45˚ trip meter on bottom. Phone Joe model cars. Phone Neil 03 434 9470. Mem. phone or contact Ian Jones 03 685 8666, 57 Mt Cook Road, Fairlie. Bruntlett, 07 849 7517. Mem. FRONT AXLE WANTED Front axle with brakes to suit a 23/60 Vauxhall required: 28 CHEVROLET 1942-1946 TRUCK DASH WANTED TO COMPLETE RILEY RED inches centre to centre on the spring pads, unit in good order wanted to buy. Phone WING restoration any 4 cyl s/v Riley engines 4 foot 8 inch track, stub axles approx. 2 AI Tomas 09 423 8394, Wellsford. and gear boxes, pair Rotax K type headlights inches above spring pads, tie rod 6 inches 9in ODx7in glass dia ball mounted, Watford max. behind axle, large splined hubs. It is BODY PARTS FOR 1931 FORD MODEL A dash mounted clock brass or nickel rim, understood that some engineering may be phaeton wanted. Phone 03 338 4299, fax 03 roman numerals, black or silver face small needed to modify a suitable axle. Contact 365 1060. Mem. fold down winder at 6 o’clock. Phone/fax 03 Keith Humphreys, phone/fax 09 445 7587 BUICK Inlet manifold wanted for 1939 Email: [email protected] 578 6677. Buick. Casting number on existing manifold VINCENT FIREFLY PARTS WANTED is 1306218. Terry Stock, 135 Major Drive, BUS ENTHUSIAST WISHES TO BUY Carb mount brackets etc or brackets to copy. Lower Hutt; phone 04 565 0069; email Also VAP clip-on bicycle motor. Rudge memorabilia relating to older NZ bus compa- [email protected] nies eg, signs photographs, magazines, badges autocycle petrol tank. If you can help please (AEC/Leyland), uniforms, model toys etc. contact Doug Willis 03 215 7308. Email: MOTORCYCLE PRE 1950S SINGLE OR Companies such as Midland, Newmans, Mt [email protected] TWIN in restored condition wanted. Phone Cook, Edwards, Gibsons, NZRRS etc. Contact FORD MODEL T Early engine wanted, any Gary 03 4159 169. Brian Smith, 10 Kanuku Place, Christchurch condition considered. Phone 03 344 2222 or MOPED - NSU, ZUNDAPP, ETC WANTED. 8002, phone 03 332 0873. 021 950 745. Anything considered. Phone Gary 03 4159 ENGLISH COLLECTOR OF PRE 1918 169. AEC, Thornycroft, Napier, etc seeks anything MK I ZEPHYR CONVERTIBLE. Please from a button to a complete vehicle. Please phone 06 844 5733 or message to call back INTERNATIONAL 1946-49 KB1 Windscreen send details and photo with relevant numbers on 06 844 5708. frame only wanted. Must be in good order no to Pat the Anorak, Glazebrook Farm, rust. Fax 09 296 0139. RESTORATION PROJECTS WANTED Ashingdon, Essex, England, SS43Jl or phone MARELLI MAGNETO WANTED (upright 001 702 206686 for a confidential cash offer. European or English, pre 1960. Phone 03 344 2222 or 021 950 745. distributor style) to fit Fiat 1100 engine 1953 to 1960. Phone 03 342 1172, Christchurch
36 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 36 10/10/2007 10:38:59 PM RESTORED CARS Magazine Australia Technical Tips Was first published in 1973. These tips have been collected from recent branch newsletters. The Beaded All back issues are available. All vehicles featured are Wheels Editorial Committee thought they deserved a wider audience. If you restored or in original condi- tion. Events, How To’s and have any tips that you think other readers would be interested in, send them Australian motoring History are a specialty. to Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch. 6 ISSUES (ONE YEAR) Aust $61.00 Air Mail 12 ISSUES (TWO YEARS) Aust $119.00 Air Mail Harmless Rust remover the current that shocked the original victim Mix two parts Molasses and one part of is still present so you need to ensure that water and soak rusty parts in this mixture. the power is off before you touch a person The rustiest of parts will clean up in two who has been electrocuted. It helps no one to three weeks. if you become a second victim. When taken out of the solution wash off The electrical code requires that electric- with water and paint or oil as soon as dry, ity intended for outside use be connected as the rust starts to re-form in an hour or so. to Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit Whilst soaking in the solution, parts must breakers or receptacles. Perhaps your shop be kept submerged and out of the air. was wired prior to these regulations or All parts should be checked every day or perhaps circuits were added without a so, for if left too long, good metal can be permit. You should contact an electrician if eaten away too. the advantage of this treat- there is any doubt about the safety of your ment is that it is non-poisonous but deadly electrical supply. In recent years, new GFI on rust. plug ins (receptacles) have become avail- Wellington Branch able. For a few dollars, an electrician can replace a standard plug with one of these Rejuvenating Bakelite or Ebonite new, safer plugs. Clean parts with WD40 or similar and Be particularly careful with extension then soak in kerosene overnight. This cords being used in damp locations. If replaces oils in the pores of the material. liquid flows onto the connection where Polish to regain original shine with car the tool is plugged into the cord, current polish. can flow from the line and may pass into Wellington Branch your body. Never use electrical tools while standing on a wet surface as current may Good Workshop Practices pass from your body down to the ground Electrical Shock through your feet. Electric shock is a real concern in Many power tools are fitted with workshop settings. Electrocution can occur grounded three prong plugs. Never cut the if sufficient current passes through the ground plug off as it is there as a safety body. In particular, any current that crosses measure. All extension cords used in your the chest can interfere with breathing and shop should be the three-pronged style. heart function. If a peron has been electro- Wellington Branch cuted, it is important that help is summoned and CPR is initiated. There is a danger if
ADVERTISING DEADLINE SWAP MEETS & RALLIES FOR NEXT ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2002
ALL NEW 15TH Annual ALL AMERICAN CAR SHOW Organised by the North Shore Branch, Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. & SWAP MEET 40 Masons Road, Albany, Auckland GATES OPEN 8AM BOTH DAYS • ADMISSION $5 (Children free) All American cars welcome to display (sunday only) Driver free entry. SWAP MEET ONLY: Saturday 23 November 2002 (Raindate 30 Nov 2002) CAR SHOW ONLY: Sunday 24 November 2002 (Raindate 1 December 2002) Contact for more info: Roger Duke 09 444 9925 or Brian Cullen 09 444 3261
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bw258.indd 37 10/10/2007 10:39:00 PM NZVCC Inc Bay Of Plenty Branch SWAP MEET & MARKET 19 OCTOBER, 2002. BAYPAC COOLSTORE – Totara Street, Mt Maunganui • Vintage Car Display • Car Parts Old & New • Garage Sale • Collectables • • Books Old & New • A must for car enthusiasts • food • hot and cold drinks • All catering by BOP VCC – No other refreshment stalls permitted. Further information from Ray Singleton 07 573 6547. Gates open 7am • Seller’s Vehicles & Driver $5 • All others $3 • Children Free
BUICK SOUTH ISLAND CENTENNIAL RALLY TIMARU 2003 The South Island Buick Centennial Rally will leave from Christchurch and Name: ______Invercargill to assemble in Timaru for Queen’s Birthday Weekend in 2003. Vehicle: ______It is hoped for a gathering of one hundred vehicles and their owners to enjoy each others company and vehicles for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Address: ______Would you please indicate your interest in taking part in this once only rally ______by returning the detachable slip to the rally director. Phone: ______Fax ______A programme and entry form will be sent in November to those who Return to: indicate their interest in taking part. Rally Directory 28 Cranbrook Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch 8005 BOOK YOUR OWN ACCOMODATION EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT Phone 03 358 3099 Fax 03 358 3094
50th
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bw258.indd 38 10/10/2007 10:39:00 PM MODEL T FORD CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
Feb 6–9 2003 10th National Rally MOTUEKA & NELSON Feb 11–13 2003 Extended Rally GOLDEN BAY
For Entry Details Contact Neal and Ann Dorne 03 527 8104, Fax 03 527 8105 Email: [email protected] Tony and Michelle White 03 527 8208, Email [email protected] Rob and Karen Thompson 03 547 5120
FOVEAUX FORD A RESTORERS CLUB 6th National Model A Rally Easter 2003 17-21 April, Invercargill
Local Tours – Rally – Peoples Day – Points of Interest
Entry forms available now
Please contact Graeme Rattray, 166 George St, Invercargill. Phone 03 217 5649 Fax 03 218 2254 Email: [email protected]
CANTERBURY BRANCH – NEW ZEALAND VINTAGE CAR CLUB NATIONAL COMMERCIAL RALLY 2002 Labour Weekend 26 • 27 • 28 October There are various venues for the rally and camping facilities are available at Cutler Park. Excellent rally routes and a major Truck Show and display being organised over the weekend. Enquiries and registration of interest to: RALLY CO-ORDINATOR: Roy Grainger, Ph/fax 03 322 7200, 122 Kennedys Bush Road, Christchurch 8003 RALLY SECRETARY: Jill Hockley, Ph 03 352 7862, Fax 03 352 7894, Email: [email protected] or write to The Rally Secretary, 27 Dunbarton Street, Redwood, Christchurch 8005
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bw258.indd 39 10/10/2007 10:39:03 PM Beaded Wheels South Island Advertisers in Beaded Wheels please note the deadline for our next CLUB CAPTAINS TOUR 2003 issue - December/January. All advertising must be postmarked no later than 10 November 2002. 18 – 29 March inclusive Booking and advertisements should be posted to Beaded Wheels, ITINERARY PO Box 13140, Christchurch 18 Tuesday Christchurch 24 Monday Westport 19 Wednesday Banks Peninsula 25 Tuesday Motueka 20 Thursday Banks Peninsula 26 Wednesday Collingwood 49th 21 Friday Ashburton 27 Thursday Collingwood DUNEDIN-BRIGHTON 22 Saturday Greymouth 28 Friday Nelson 23 Sunday Westport 29 Saturday Nelson VETERAN CAR RALLY Further information and recommended accommodation available after September from Diane Ross. Club Captain Southern Region. Saturday 1 February 2003 Keenans Road, 2RD, Ashburton. This is the dress rehearsal for the 50th Phone 03 308 2356 Anniversary in 2004. Fax 03 308 2355 An interesting day’s Veteran Motoring and field events are planned, followed by dinner at the historic ‘Dunedin Club’ premises. For further information and entry form contact John Gray Phone 03 476 7773 or Fax 03 477 9147 Otago Branch VCC NZ Inc
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bw258.indd 40 10/10/2007 10:39:09 PM Auckland John Stokes Our Vintage Muster attracted 43 entrants Re-tyred Toilers group during their visit to and about 42 starters. This included nine the National Office. pre 1928 vehicles, two rear wheel brakers South Canterbury (showing their and two motorcycles. Thirty-three were Wallaby connections) came from behind, of US or Canadian origin and ten were to beat the locals by half a point in the UK origin. The main marques were 11 keenly fought Annual Quiz battle. Fords, seven Mopar, six Austin, five GM, Welcome to new member, Jennifer and three Willys. Russell and Jocelyn Andrew and her 1920 Briscoe. McAlpine won the fast class and overall in their Model A Ford, Colin Bell was second in the fast class in his ‘31 Chev and Alf and Bay of Plenty Garry Linkhorn Rosemeri Williams third. The slow class Many of our members have defied was won by Alan and Sharaan Price in the the winter weather to take part in regular 1930 Chevrolet with Paul and Jodie Tomlin rallies. second in the ‘28 Plymouth Q. The 1922 On Sunday 23 June, Jack Anderson Paige of Owen and Jayne Hayward finished arranged a rally and 27 cars and 50 people VCC Branch in third place. Special mention should be started with lunch at Rapurapu Reserve. made of Stipe and Raewyn Borich, 1927 We then drove off to the base area of the Dodge 4 and Waikato’s Bob and Jillian Reports Kaimais where we trudged through dairy Hayton, 1922 Essex 4 (the two rear wheel farm paddocks side-stepping the obvious brakers) while Neville Olsen, 1924 BSA and viewed the Western Portal of the model L was the lightest vehicle on the run. The route was skilfully plotted by the Kaimai Rail Tunnel. After we returned to Ball family and used good Franklin district the cars it was a short drive to the Waiere The branch extends its condolences to roads with some Papakura to Penrose ‘round Falls Reserve, where we had hoped to view Dave Dawson’s family. Dave was very the houses’ in the afternoon. Other out-of- the cascading water, but DOC had closed involved with Veterans, purchasing the ex towners were Alan Sharp, 1926 Hupmobile the area for safety reasons. Chas Edwards 1912 Austin. Dave motored 8 and Colin Turner 1929 Austin 7 from Mid-week rally 10 July: Jo Edlin this car extensively and also carried out a Waikato and Paul and Kath Collins, 1930 had organised a mid-winter luncheon at great deal of refurbishment work. Plymouth from Wellsford. Sadly the non- Bureta Park Motor Inn. Fifty-seven of There is not much to report on the competitive tour was deleted from this years our members satisfied their palates with vehicle movement front. John Campbell has event. On a more positive note next years scrumptious food. brought an immaculate 1929 DA Dodge ex muster will be held in the warmer month of Sunday 28 July: Roger Newland with Morrie Prendergast. Bill Miller has brought April. It may also be time to consider giving 36 cars, 65 adults and nine children, led us a Bradford and George Haffenden has sold rear wheel brakers substantial bonus points on a rally to the Victory Battery, a disused his 1955 107 inch wheelbase Landrover if they enter. Waihi gold mining plant at Karangahake offshore and is replacing it with an 88 inch Gorge. Members and friends enjoyed tours wheelbase model. Phil Jones is making through the plant and rides on the mini rail Ashburton Roger Hart steady progress on a 6 cylinder Citroen open carriages. while Jim Boag’s 1926 Studebaker Duplex After being postponed because of snow, On Wednesday 14 August Ray Singleton looks as though it will soon be mobile. the Branch AGM was an event that the arranged a rally tour of the Paengaroa Mark Ball has finished his Aussie bodied government probably should have had spies farming area. Nineteen cars and 40 1929 De Soto tourer. It has been restored at as a lead into the election. Competition members braved the rainy conditions, but to Mark’s very high standards and made for many positions, including the commit- succumbed to the weather and retreated to a first appearance on our Vintage Muster. tee, was very keen. Never have so many Don Johnson has entered his 1937 Chev the Te Puke Vintage Autobarn for a cuppa ballots been held for the election of offic- and social hour. pickup for the National Commercial ers. The poor scrutineers spent more time Rally. Bryan Belcher and Alvin Bonney On Saturday 17 August our Annual out in the cold, counting votes (and resolv- Prize-giving Dinner was held at the historic have been spending much time and money ing ties) than within the meeting. Steve on the hubcaps for their Diamond T and Tauranga House. Seventy members enjoyed Gielingh takes up the new position of Club a buffet dinner, followed by the prize- International KB 3 trucks. Some new Vice Captain. Chairman Vern might need giving, dancing and socialising. recruits are Ross McCarthy 1935 Auburn to clarify with Steve just which interpreta- No rest for our members! Next day 653, Malcolm and Joan Jacques 1947 Riley tion of vice he is to follow! (Sunday) 16 cars and 35 members drove RMA saloon, Mike Moffatt and Adie Read With a background of snow covered 1951 and 52 Riley RMB sports saloons, paddocks, 34 cars enjoyed the New Country to the Rotorua VCC clubrooms to have Wayne Stockman with a 1971 Ford Capri, Houses Winter Solstice Run, which was lunch before driving off with the Rotorua Sue and Robert Wymer 1954 Alvis TC 21, very ably organised by Neil and Ngaire members on their Garage Raid. Six Vintage and Norrie and Joan Smith who are still Holland. The number of new houses and cars under restoration were viewed along looking for a vehicle. dairy conversions locally go with several other cars awaiting restora- Brian Carkeek has been awarded a BNZ to prove that it is not just the gold medal for helping young motorcycle Fonterra management who racers. His protégé is Glen Jeffery, current benefit from hefty pay-outs. NZ 250cc champion. The much mentioned National Secretary/ Treasurer three legged motorcycle group have John Coomber was guest finished a 1928 Model J Harley-Davidson. of honour and speaker at the It was trialled on our Vintage Muster and very well attended Club dinner some teething problems will have to be held at Brigadoon. During his overcome before it is taken to the USA. speech John stressed the need New motorcycle members include Duncan for the branch to support the Anderson 1929 AJS M12, Brendan Duffy Vehicle Identification scheme. 1950 Matchless G 80 and 1970 Triumph, The advantages of the scheme and Bob Gibbs also with a 1961 Triumph and how quickly it works were Bonneville. subsequently illustrated to the Trophy winners at the Bay of Plenty prizegiving. BEADED WHEELS 41
bw258.indd 41 10/10/2007 10:39:11 PM Beaded edge Wide range 30x3 to 895x135 Lock ring Heavy Split Rims Well base Rolled edge. and light. All sizes Now available
tion. Afternoon tea back at the Rotorua makes as well as household bric-a-brac Worrall were third in the Post War Vintage clubrooms completed a great day. from yesteryear. An interesting museum. in their newly acquired 1947 Buick convert- Our July meeting night was special and The Winter Picnic was scheduled for ible. very important. A good attendance gave Spencer Park, however the small number At 5.30pm on the shortest day of the members the opportunity to cast their vote who bravely turned out ended up by a cosy year a good number of cars lined up for or against our much debated clubrooms fireside at the Barn. What would we do at Watchorn’s Museum for the start of project. The negative won. Back to the without it? the annual “Night Owl” run. We travelled Bowling Club Boys! The sometimes-mentioned difficulty about 30 miles around local roads looking The August meeting had our Branch new and prospective members express in for clues and silent checks, working up an stalwart and miniature engineer Bill “getting into” the group of their particular appetite for the pot luck dinner back at the Janes display a 1/ scale working model interest may be greatly assisted by Club finish. The theme for the evening was “Bad 4 1 De Havilland engine and a /4 scale Captain Colin Rae, on Noggin ‘n Natter Taste” and looking at the assortment of Offenhauser engine. Bill explained the nights in future. Colin has set up a table clothes and jewellery that presented itself at history and capabilities of both engines to and welcome sign with the purpose of the dinner tables, there was plenty around! a very attentive audience. directing or introducing new members to After close scrutiny by an unbiased judge, the appropriate marque people as well as the ladies prize went to Betty Valentine and explaining the various sections, facilities the men’s prize went to Walter McFarland. Canterbury Tony Becker and activities available with the branch. The winner of the Rally and recipient of the With winter all but over and spring-like The Motorcycle Section’s Round the “Night Owl Trophy” was Val Gibbons in days signalled by blossom bursts, looking Bays Run 2002 was a happy day out with her 1962 Morris Minor. The Barry Piercy back at winter activities seems an age ago! over 30 bikes travelling from Sumner Trophy was presented to Lorolei Pollard 9-90s Christmas mid-winter dinner, through Allandale, Pidgeon Bay and via for her assistance and kindness to other organised by John Kuipers, took place in Hilltop to finish at Springston. One Tiger club members. the barn with a cosy atmosphere on a cold Cub rider found the going fairly tedious in Instead of a run in July, Club members winter’s day, complete with roaring fire. bottom gear for a big stretch and some previ- met at the Truck Museum for a Photo A friendly turnout of over 30 members ously unseen bikes including a Featherbed and Question Evening. Some of the Club enjoyed the novelty of a male prepared, Norton were welcome additions to the history was sorted out and a number of byo, menu which exposed some wonder- scene on a great day. Another Motorcycle photos of members’ vehicles were hung on ful hidden kitchen talents! They made so Section event, the Waiau Run was this the wall. A delicious “Soup and Dessert” much great food that a generous quantity year modified to a Hanmer overnight at a meal was enjoyed by those present and was trundled over the parts shed boys who backpackers. warmest congratulations were offered to welcomed the unscheduled banquet! Usually attracting few more than a Sandie Piercy and Paul Lett on their recent The next 9-90s outing was a compact dozen starters lately, it was quite stagger- engagement – Happy Motoring! tour of some wonderful North Canterbury ing to see a turnout of some 58 bikes. The countryside complete with hospitality usual support from Blenheim and other Far North Dave Duirs locations, courtesy of Tony Babbington. areas made this year’s run a most success- Commercial section gatherings are ful one for the section held again in lovely Our Annual Dinner at the Northerner in reportedly gaining a few new faces as the weather for July. Kaitaia was enjoyed by about 40 folk after interest in October’s Canterbury Based With High Tea and the Grand Dance a short run and visit to the historic kauri National Commercial Rally based here rounding off winter evening activity good gum stores and old office of Milan Jurlina gathers traction. Visits to section members’ times have been plentiful over recent at Lake Ngatu. A beautiful meal, some hobby bases plus venues of general interest months, leading into the big Canterbury laughs and the tail end of the rugby test are broadening participation. The carpet Branch Swap Meet, Homestead Run and were rounded off with trophy presentations factory visit idea may lead to good turnouts Vintage Rally coming up in the next few and special 25 year membership award to socially, and need not neccesarily be motor- weeks. Stu Carter, witnessed by his family who ing subjects. had underhandedly convinced him that he The grasskhana that took place in July should attend the dinner! Eastern Bay of Plenty Sue Moore drew a small muster of keen trialists who Member Bob Francis also had to be enjoyed the Judson hospitality once again Four Eastern BOP cars travelled to talked into a night out for dinner recently at Woodend. Drizzling conditions made Hamilton at Queen’s Birthday weekend to receive his 25 year badge, one year late getting grip more interesting on the day for the Double 50 Rally, two of which – the bait being that wife Debbie was to which ended with another peek at the gained places, and a great time was had receive the Topp Mother’s Day Trophy. Judsons’ superb gathering of memorabilia by all. Bevan and Jean Westley in their A very well attended August monthly from well preserved Ford, Morris and other 1939 Chevrolet coupe, were third in the meeting adopted the working party recom- Post Vintage section, and Peter and Coral mendation that the Branch Plymouth have
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bw258.indd 42 10/10/2007 10:39:12 PM some dollars spent on her aging chassis. have attended in several years. It was great June with around 70 entries taking part. Fund raising options were tabled with to catch up with old friends and to be able This tour visited Teretonga Raceway and the emphasis that the Branch is healthy, to visit the Wairarapa Branch clubrooms. many other areas around Southland and has but needs to have a look at keeping the Thank you Wairarapa for a great weekend. become a popular event. coffers full while having some fun doing it While in the Manawatu area I was able Our End of Season Run was held – swap meet, car boot sale, trading tables, to uplift some parts which may suit the on 30 June on a very cold and wet day. advertising surplus parts and catering being East Coast Museum of Technology’s 1912 The run went north to as far as Tuapeka suggestions. Ideas from members will be Commer Car, purported to be Gisborne’s Mouth. Lunch at the Tuapeka Museum was put together as a plan. first motorised fire engine. More parts followed by a run home via Beaumont and We have a huge geographical area to are sought – do any readers know of any Raes Junction. cover and with increased membership we lurking about? The Annual Dinner and Prizegiving was plan to cater for most needs by having We held our annual dinner on 10 August held on 13 July with a good attendance and events rotated around our patch and we will with numbers down on previous years. The most dressing up 60s style. A good meal also have some of our evening monthly biggest surprise was to find that our party and light music provided by Don Neilson meetings away from the clubrooms to of 23 were the only diners that evening. made for a good evening. Ray Tressler and encourage participation from members At a Special General Meeting called for Harvey Young were presented with 35 year from afar. the purpose, it has been decided to extend badges by Chairman Alex McLennan. Club captain Naomi Mason has complet- the kitchen area of our clubrooms and add Our Branch has had a few new members ed the membership phone book which is another toilet. These alterations were found of late with more modern vehicles filtering proving very popular. necessary after hosting several groups in into the club. Not far around the corner Members are reminded that this year the earlier part of this year. We should be is an opening day run, the Central Otago the Far North Tour celebrates 30 years. better equipped for next year’s round, for Branch’s Blossom Festival combined with Our branch has always hosted and fed this which we have one booking already. a swap meet on the Sunday. This will large contingent from Whangarei, but this The grapevine tells me that Russell be closely followed by the Canterbury year they are “giving us the day off” so Gregg has sold his original 1929 De Soto Branch Swap Meet so there will be plenty that we can participate. It will be in early sedan to the Canterbury area. of variety in events coming up. November and centred around Kerikeri, so There haven’t been many new resto- FNVCC, watch for details and book your rations in the last year or two but there Gore Ron Osborne digs for a fun weekend when we won’t are still some long term projects which have to do any work! Eight cars took part in our Annual hopefully will get finished one day. Summer is on its way so let’s enjoy. Ladies Run on 18 May. After a tour around the town it was on to Railway Esplanade, over the hill via Talbot St to Whiterig. Horowhenua The Nightingales Gisborne Rodney Clague Knapdale, veering left at Chatton Corner Our AGM was held in July. Alton Our June run was organised by David and on through Otama before turning left Harrison remains as Chairman and Hec Clark and Gavin Bartlett and we were sent at the Pyramid Bridge and proceeding to Newton is Vice Chairman - welcome Hec, off seeking streets starting with specif- Riversdale. From here it was up the hill Yvonne Cooper re-elected as Branch secre- ic letters of the alphabet, and noting the past the cemetery, back down the Kingston tary, Tony Wallace as Treasurer. Bruce colour of the roof of a house at a particular crossing road, through Mandeville and Jacob and Mark Dunn sharing the Vice address as we went by. I am sure there back to Gore for afternoon tea. Thanks to Club Captain’s job. Laurie Jenson, Tom were some suspicious residents wondering organisers Bill and Annette Ainge. Lancaster, Mark Dunn, Callum Farmer, what on earth we were up to. On the weekend of 25 and 26 May some Peter Rangi and Marlene Wallace form The July run was postponed due to of our members joined with members from the committee. Many regular and new unsavoury weather on the day, and was the Southland Branch on a combined run members are doing specific jobs within run on 11 August. Organiser Bevan Moore to Central Otago to view some of their the branch and we really appreciate their has a penchant for springing surprises on members collections of cars. Cars viewed involvement. us and this was no exception – straight over the weekend included Mercedes An enjoyable mid-winter dinner was line navigation with no straight lines, just Cabriolet, Auburn, Fords, Veteran held on the 27 July at the Foxton Boating the written word (L1L, L1R etc). Try it Hupmobile, V12 Packard roadster and Club by the Manawatu River at Foxton sometime, you won’t complain about the Vintage tractors. The three car-loads from Beach. This was preceded by a visit to the diagram style after that. Gore all enjoyed their weekend. Foxton Audio and Visual Museum where Club Captain Tony Bartlett and I attend- Several Gore cars joined in the mid old movies were watched. A selection of ed the Club AGM in Masterton, the first I Winter Country Classic Tour on the 23 New Zealand and overseas newsreels were
Latest Model A catalogue/pricelist now avail- able! Send for your copy today.
Phone/fax 03 755 6085 Email [email protected]
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bw258.indd 43 10/10/2007 10:39:12 PM shown followed by two hilarious Tom and treated to a beautiful panorama of the of Club Captain and it certainly looks as Jerry cartoons. snow-covered Seaward Kaikoura Range if she is going to keep us on our toes (or Fourteen cars participated in the Night around to spectacular Lake Grasmere. All wheels). Owl Rally on 13 July which was organised this whilst surrounded by lovely Vintage July club night was a demonstration by last years winners Dave and Linda Bang motorcars, does it get better than this? of car grooming products. August club and won by Marlene Wallace and Brian Well it may on Labour weekend when night we got together for a social evening Bull. Apparently the temperature on the Marlborough Branch hold its Bienniel to watch videos of the 80th Anniversary town clock thermometer was three degrees. Rally. Tony and Marie Hansen have Austin 7 Rally in Blenheim, held earlier On 28 July lunch was provided for the planned a super weekend combined with this year and the combined Nelson VCC Wellington Branch members who were the swapmeet. and Nelson Classic Motor Cycle Club Run participating in an annual outing. to Marahau also held earlier this year. Ten cars joined Mike Peryer for the The July club run was a Garage Raid August monthly run from Waikanae over Manawatu Robyn Corpe and 32 vehicles left Richmond and visited the Akatarawas to Upper Hutt. Lunch was On our June Club night Dallas Denby’s Richard Conlon’s workshop to have a look had at the Benge Hall and followed by a son Warwick, a constable with the New at his restorations. Beautiful workmanship tour of a new upmarket subdivision then on Zealand Police Highway Patrol, spoke to a on a range of classic and exotic vehicles. to Lower Hutt to the Construction Car Club large crowd. He displayed his radar speed This was followed by a picnic lunch at Motor Show. detector and the spikes for stopping cars. Wakefield’s Faulkners Bush where we In 1995 the Rangiatea Church (the Warwick has a great enthusiasum for his were joined by some more club members. oldest surviving Maori church) in Otaki job and his talk was thoroughly enjoyed. A trip up the Wairoa Gorge was made by was burnt down. It was constructed On 22 June the annual Brass Monkey some after lunch to inspect Mark Brown’s between 1848 and 1851 and at our August run was held - a lot of fun and well organ- collection of motor scooters, a great variety club night Andre Baker (chairman of the ised by Roy Haywood. Thirty-one cars all of makes and all in immaculate condition. Church Committee and Art Director) spoke arrived safely at the Apiti Tavern where soup The August Club run was the annual to us of the rebuilding process as it now and buns were enjoyed. The run continued Snow Run, this year to Lake Rotoiti. No stands. They are endeavouring to replicate through to Peep of Day and came down snow but plenty of rain which didn’t deter the original church and like many VCC through the Beaconsfield Valley, via Te Awa our new Club Captain from putting us members rely on history or knowledge of and back to the clubrooms for a delicious through our paces, testing vehicles and what went before. In 1993/94 the church meal. The results were - brains. How many vehicles and motor cycles start with the letter Z? - You would had been restored and the Historic Places P60 and overall winner Trust had photographed every stage of the never believe it! But we had some winners restoration which has made today’s work 1 Bob and and they were - so much easier. Robert Ewing, Wgtn 1968 MKII Jaguar Vehicles and motor cycles beginning with Z The Horowhenua Branch is 25 years old 2 Peter and Adrian Noara 1963 PB Vauxhall Geoff Clark, Paul and Diane Lewis and Chris and this year and we will be celebrating this 3 Trevor and Sandy Hardy 1970 MG Charil Milne on 23-24 November at the Tararua Trundle PW Guessing the parts - Neale Dorne which will start at Foxton this year. After 1 Chris Butler and Figure Eights - Richard Conlon and Shelley Horrell the rally we will be returning to Ohau Robin Simpson 1954 Alvis Grey Lady Blowing up and running over a balloon - Gordon (next door to the present clubrooms) for 2 Mort Andrew and Dacombe the official opening of our new clubrooms. Eddie Holmwood 1957 Wolseley Booby Prizes Diane, South Island Club Captain, and Rob 3 Shorty Cole and Josie 1951 Sunbeam Most original answers - Maurice Dodds For teaching their car to wolf whistle - Debbie Ross had a preview on their way to the PV AGM in Masterton which we attended and and Tim McDowell 1 David Buchanan and thoroughly enjoyed. For unmentionable comments - Lesley and John Andrew Ward 1935 Pontiac Entry forms for the 25th Anniversary Barker 2 Bill and Pam Carpe 1939 Hillman Minx Tararua Trundle will be sent to clubs but if The Fix-It Shop Ltd “Gear Crashers and Hard Luck 3 Brian and Lynn James 1939 Chevrolet you require one contact us on 06 368 7160 Award” - Derek Martin in his 1929 Reo for a stop/ or email: [email protected] Vintage start trip to the Lake 1 Pat and Joan Henaghan 1930 Ford Model A Northland Lyn Wrack Marlborough Andrew Dittmer Roadster You should have been here on 21 July. 2 Terry and Sally Reed 1929 Austin 16/6 Our branch has been in a rather sombre Twenty-three cars toured over sealed 3 Derek Haycock and mood these last few months with having mountainous passes, over historic bridges, Becky Richards 1929 Chevrolet to say goodbye to two of our members past salt lakes, on gravel roads and closed A certain Hillman nearly made the as well as close family contacts. We said scenic access tracks. Our destination was correct time - thanks to a flat tyre and a farewell to Jock Garden and long stand- the remote historic Cape Campbell. child being carsick. ing member Les Jenkins the same week, Earl Ireland added to the occasion by On a cold wet 7 July eight modern while Terry and Alison Lambess’s son and developing a fuel blockage in the middle of cars and two Vintage cars enjoyed Dallas Ava and Keith Thomas nephew passed the Weld Pass. Denby’s Fun Run. Who would have thought away the following week. Edie Carter and The run spread cars all over the north of going down a no exit road and coming Lois Vallancey have also passed away. We east South Island. Not to worry because back again to be on the correct route. Six extend our sympathy and support to all the by 12.10pm everyone had arrived at the tricky word puzzles kept us all busy. families involved. We also send Shirley former lighthouse village. Fifty-four people registered and enjoyed Scampton our best wishes for a full recov- Our ladies prepared their sumptuous an action packed weekend for the highlight ery after major surgery. Congratulations to offerings as we explored the lighthouse, of our year, the Ruby Rally, July 10-12. George and Joyce Young on their golden the remaining buildings and scenic coast. See the story on page 28 of this issue. Wedding Anniversary it must be the motor- After lunch John Peters, local historian and ing in a Morris 8 that keeps them looking father of the landowner, kept us amused and so youthful. Nelson June Campbell informed on the history of the area. Our AGM kept most positions as of last Nobody really wanted to leave but the Our AGM is now behind us and all year with Keith Thomas at the helm and trip home was equally special. We climbed offices filled for the coming year with Rex Graham as secretary and Neil Porter up out of the cape access road and were Trish Conlon agreeing to take up the reins the Club Captain. Club events have been
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bw258.indd 44 10/10/2007 10:39:13 PM well organised but not as well attended as they played in icy cold blizzard conditions rebuild was the subject of a Beaded Wheels one would like when so much time is put to ensure that carparking was satisfactory. article and is a true example of dogged into plotting the courses. The Night Rally The feature cars were Jaguars. It was really determination and perseverance to rebuild was great, especially when each entrant a car show more than a swap meet with a a choice old Chevrolet from scratch (ie a was asked to bring a bag of rubbish – only $600,000 Ferrari prominently displayed. hubcap). to be asked to drop it off at the transfer A 1901 Minerva powered motor cycle Third pit stop was Tony Sarich’s “Chev station on the way. Thought there may have manufactured by the Stella Cycle Company Heaven”– four in the shed with a couple been a possible trick with this request and I in Ashburton gave several demonstration or three under cover outside, Tony says if for one, chose my ‘rubbish” carefully! runs the length of the Stadium. A Ford I can’t take them with me, I’m not going. Mothers Day Run in the Dargaville area Model T was assembled by a team of six Seriously his 1961 Bel-Air is nearing was well attended. Don and Betty Norman amateurs in 17 minutes 47 seconds, started completion and when completed will top arrived in style in their white Daimler, and ran 60ft before conking out. Well done. the list in the head turning category. Betty bedecked with stylish hat and pearls Around 350 vehicles to suit most tastes Four on the floor was next at Doug aplenty was sitting in the back and waving were on view. Green’s Kiwi Metal Polishing Depot, where to all. The tour of the river bank beautifica- Sixty people went on the Annual Dinner he displayed a fully restored 1929 Austin 7 tion project was very interesting before we Run to Waikouaiti. Our South Island Club sports, a partially restored 1930 Graham- headed over the rolling hills to the Kaihu Captain Dianne Ross gave a short talk on Paige tourer, a Jaguar XK 150 and a 1964 Primary School for a lovely meal prepared activities about the National Office and Ferrari Lusso V12. But top of his display by the parents after which we invited them various runs coming up. list was a rusted cowl complete with petrol to go for a ride in the Vintage vehicles. Our Branch Editor has changed, Leonie tank and windscreen surround all belong- The Northland Motor Cycle Rally Young has now taken on the job from ing to a 1930 Ford Model A. was again very popular both for the visit- Glenda Jenks. Last but not least at number five was ing bikies and the locals with over 50 The mortgage has been paid off on our Alan Young’s Studebaker collection. What bikes here for the weekend. Our end of Clubrooms and we are now debt free. can you say about Studebakers. They were Registration Run and Annual Dinner and Motorcycle news is sparse. Hec Browett a great car and Alan’s collection of this Prize-giving was a great success. The Club has just returned from a sojourn in Greece great marque needs to be seen to be really Person of the Year Shield was awarded to and Turkey. No sign of him saying he appreciated. Ava Thomas for all her backup work on the found any WWII bikes laying around for The ladies attended a garden show at Easter Rally. A well deserved recognition. the taking away. Bruce Murray says its “all Palmers Garden centre and the day conclud- Claudia and Bruce Jeffery won the rally in upright” and Dunvegan looks good. ed with afternoon tea at the clubrooms. Our their Austin 7. An innovation for Parts Dept is the midweek group continues to have interest- A great muster turned up for the Clarke displaying in the main hall on the last ing and varied runs which attract good Cup which Bruce and Claudia Jeffery and Friday of the month all parts of a type in attendances. George and Iris Tier had set. The rally route stock eg generators/starters for sale. June’s run was to the popular Orakei- took us back into the hinterland where Korako tourist venue with a visit to the very few of us venture. Lots of wonderful Reporoa hot pools on the way home, while Rotorua John Kirkland scenery and country roads on a Sunday the August trip was to the Wairakei natural afternoon with good instructions and few I am pleased to advise that one of our thermal valley where we had lunch and a questions to keep our navigators alert. main events, the Annual Swap Meet, was very interesting walk up the thermal valley. We have upgraded the clubroom floor even more successful than ever. It just Thermal draw-off for power purposes has recently by adding a layer of coloured keeps getting bigger and brighter each year. almost totally depleted this natural resource concrete across the very worn area out A noticeable feature is that there appear to and one can only wonder what it must have from the kitchen, and under the veran- be slightly fewer sellers counter balanced been like 50 or 60 years ago. dah. Remember – the Far North Tour 30th by more public viewers. After some 20 odd Our midwinter social was its usual Celebration will be centred around Kerikeri years it is probably time to acknowledge success, and the after dinner entertainment this year so book your accommodation in the tremendous support our Swap Meet has in the form of an “It’s in the Bag” type quiz this area. We are giving the Far North VCC had from the Rotorua public in general, with Chairman Cliffy trying to impersonate members a rest from catering. both local and surrounding and also the the late Selwyn Toogood, was hilarious and Keep on motoring. adjacent Vintage Car Club branches. thoroughly enjoyable. Without their support our Rotorua Branch Many of our members also belong to would not be in the very healthy position it the Rotorua Vintage Tractor and Machinery Otago Arthur Bennett now finds itself in and all branch members Club and some twenty members recently Locomobile enthusiasts be prepared to and the executive would do well to reflect travelled to Whangarei to view that club’s accept another vehicle into your ranks. on this from time to time. collection of old tractors and machinery. Otago Branch have reactivated their It was Rotorua’s turn energies into building/rebuilding the this year to host the annual Kempthorne 1901 Locomobile which was August Garage Run and reputed to be the first Dunedin owned some 80 people attend- horseless carriage. Thomas Kempthorne ed, some from Taupo, was the proud owner. The Branch has had Eastern Bay of Plenty, the early Locomobile steam car engine South Waikato and Bay for more than 30 years. We are working of Plenty. hard to have this car ready for the 50th First stop was to see Brighton Veteran Run in 2004. The Branch Ralph Risely’s 1956 acknowledges that the positive response MK VII Jaguar. Pristine and assistance has been overwhelming polished and perfect could and somewhat humbling at times from all be words to describe this known Locomobile and steam car owners vehicle which is now in New Zealand. mobile and ready for the The Auto Spectacular has come and road. gone, attendance was steady at around the Second port of call was same as last year. Thanks to the North and to Trevor Coker’s 1926 “Hey! that’s my leg!” South Otago Clubs on the sterling part Chevrolet Superior. This
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bw258.indd 45 10/10/2007 10:39:13 PM CHRISTCHURCH
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The Whangarei complex houses not only Stewarts where Grant showed off his newly amazes me that with such a large array tractors but stationary engines and Vintage restored MG, a very smart example in red. of parts, I still could not find what I was and Veteran cars and a working railway Our AGM saw the return of the looking for. Always a great time to meet plus the Whangarei Museum. This was a Committee with Jim Steans accepting people you haven’t seen for some time. thoroughly enjoyable weekend. the position of Assistant to the Club July saw the South Waikato struck by In conclusion, don’t forget Rotorua is Captain. Highlights of the evening were the rain bomb which filled Chuck and Glad hosting next years National North Island presentations of Long Service Badges, 25 Hausman’s basement and drowned their Easter Rally. It promises to be a real year to Mervyn Chapman, Kevin Mercer nice Toyota Hatchback along with all of boomer, and Uncle Duggie says the faint and Dave Thomson and 35 year badges Chuck’s momentos and Glad’s washing hearted should definitely not attend. to Dereck Brownie, Eric Robins and Colin machine and basement furniture. As luck Until next time. Lyons. would have it their nice ’48 Ford V8 was parked on higher ground and was not damaged. We wish them speedy recovery South Canterbury Bill Weir South Otago Bill Cross with the restoration of their basement flat. A new member’s car on the End Of The annual meeting of the Branch held On 21 July eight of our members met Season Run, The Burleighs’ Essex Six. This in June elected Tony Smith for another term up with the Waikato Branch group in 22 car belonged to Sandra’s father, the late as Chairman, along with the re-election cars for a lunch stop then a visit to the Wally Walker, who was a partner of Fred of Keith Collier as Secretary and Branch “Memorabilia Revisited” Museum in Whitely in Whitely & Walker Services. Delegate, Paul McNabb as Treasurer, Wally Putaruru. It is always interesting to see Fred Whitely is also an active member of Ollerenshaw as Club Captain and Stuart the number of different cars that other our branch, motoring a Hudson Coupe, and and Noeline Milne as Bulletin Editors. John branches have. it is great to see the Essex come out of the Cook was installed as Deputy Chairman On 11 August our branch hosted ten woodwork as it were and show up in the and Stuart McElrea, Social Convenor and AFS students for our Annual Student Rally club again. Ian McDonald as Librarian. Parts Shed, when the visitors do the navigating. After End Of Season Run. Stuart Hatton Allan Budge, Phil Sell, Angus Katon and touring some two hours we stopped at the planned an interesting route out through the committee comprising Allan Budge, Arapuni powerhouse where the students Seadown, into Temuka, then via Domain Neville King, Ian McDonald, Bill Falconer had to cross the swingbridge to find the Avenue to Orakipaoa Island (this area and Leon Maguire. date the powerhouse was built. alongside the Temuka river stopbank, Club Captain Wally Ollerenshaw has the Cars that took part, Reg and Poko was under 1.5 metres of water in the Clutha Rally for 9 November already well Blomfield-Talbot coupe, Fred and Eileen 1986 flood). From here we drove past planned, and also has the Weekender Tour Mathis-Daimler, Graham and Dawn Irwin Black’s property, on the Milford- for 2003 under way to the Pleasant Valley Cooper-Fiat Bambina, Chuck and Glad Clandeboye Road, to the dairy factory. It Camp on SH1 3km south of Palmerston. Hausman-1948 Ford V8, John and Alice was obvious that the main dairy season Gary Beaumont gave an informal talk Lees-Rover 90, Dolphy and Jo Mathis- has finished judging by the truck park on the happenings at national level at the Wolseley 68. being full of tankers and trailers. Back up June meeting while Tony Devereaux from I have found a 1929 Wolseley Messenger Canal Road to the Orari Bend, through Dunedin spoke at the July meeting on his wreck with five good wheels and three Orari township and up into the Hilton area, vast experience in restorations over the good tyres to finish my project. The motor from there to Te Awa. Temuka Domain was years. appears to have been rebored not long the end of the run where, with the help of The quiz night held in June at our before being parked up. Mr Grant and others, Stuart and Val were clubrooms was an enjoyable success thanks On 22 July our branch lost a great friend the perfect pre-lunch hosts. Thanks to this to organisers and Kaye and Paul McNabb with the death of Laurie Hope. He will be couple for their efforts. and Judy and Neville King. sadly missed, our sympathy goes to Wyn Our ‘Blokes and their Sheds’ run began Olly Laytham was acknowledged by the and family. at the community lock up where Alan Otago Branch in Beaded Wheels issue 257 Ferguson has several cars stored. Among for his long period of service as the branch Taranaki Colin Johnston his collection was an early fifties Humber scribe. Prior to moving to the city Olly Super Snipe and several Vauxhalls includ- was Bulletin Editor and Scribe to Beaded The Brick Run was organised by Robert ing a Vauxhall Viscount, there was also an Wheels, for the South Otago Branch from and Margaret Gudopp and this year started upmarket Cresta of the mid sixties belong- 1975 to 1986. at the Inglewood Railway Station. The run ing to Eddie Gould, and Wayne Austin’s took us around the Inglewood and nearby Morris 8. districts combining silent checks, straight Over the road Roger Smythe showed South Waikato Dolphy Mathis line navigation, written instruction and us his 1929 Chevrolet Pick-up, well on the July 14 saw a number of branch members loops. The winners were Hugh and Jill way to completion. Next stop was at the at the Rotorua VCC Swap Meet. It always Cowan. 46 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 46 10/10/2007 10:39:13 PM “Weather Bomb” on the area a good number Our Annual Mountain Run saw 32 cars of members ventured out on our Night converge on the mountain road that takes Taupo Graham Mock Run. The run started in Hamilton and took you up to the Stratford Mountain House to July 2002 was a sad month in Taupo the participants to Cambridge via foggy again enjoy the warm mulled wine comple- Branch with the passing of tw rural roads. A couple of vehicles gave their ments of our hosts Keith and Bertha. The o of our members and the relocation of two others owners some roadside repair practice – but road to the Mountain House is very well there is always a lot of help around. There’s sealed but winding and a great test for to Auckland. Aileen, the bubbly Vintage car enthusi- not much light out on country roads and the our cars. It is a popular tourist attraction ast wife of founder member Jack Hindess, watery moon didn’t help spotting signposts and from there you can go to the plateau and Frank Kernohan another long-standing very much either. The final turn near the and see a million-dollar view over the rich member died on the same day. Our deepest clubrooms seemed to pick the winners; top Taranaki farmland. sympathies go to both Jack and Kath and honours went to John and Shirley Foot Veronica and Steven Oliver attended their families, they will be sadly missed. Our July club night took us to a Games the Waikato Double Fifty and won the On a lighter note, our traditional Mid and Social evening at the Masonic Hotel Veteran Section, Ron and Margaret Ingram Winter Christmas Potluck Dinner was a in Cambridge, a whole lot of fun in the attended the Wanganui Annual Rally and huge success. A highlight of the evening middle of winter. July’s run saw in excess won the Vintage section driving their 1929 was the Branch farewell to Tom and of 50 branch members take off past Lake Dodge Victory Six. Congratulations to all Bronwen Biggar. Joe Ridley gave us a run Karapiro heading for Putaruru where we our winners and thanks for representing down of the involvement of the Biggars in were treated with some magnificent collec- our branch. the revitalisation of the Taupo Branch from tions of trinkets and memorabilia in the old Many of our members went to the when they arrived in the mid l980s in time Post Office building. It was a great day to Rotorua Swapmeet. This year the early to organise the 21st Birthday Rally to their tour with the hood down – so long as you birds were there in force and a lot of sales present rallying successes. kept out of the slipstream! It was good to were made before daylight. An amazing The Brass Monkey event was well be joined by a Waitamata member and a array of bits and pieces were there includ- attended, with soup and rolls to fortify number from South Waikato Branch. ing books, old toys, car parts, and in fact everyone before they departed on a cold The Wellsford Winter Woollies was anything of a collectable or antique nature. wet windy night run. Angela and Jeff well attended by Waikato members and our A lot of parts changed hands and some Clark who said “here are the questions Robert and Glenys Bradock took away first members came home with that prized find. and an indication of where they are located place in the Post 1960 section. Laurie Callander gave us a very now work out your own route to find and Planning is well underway for the Swap interesting talk at our August “Noggin ‘n answer them” presented this fun run. The Meet at Cambridge and we look forward to Natter” night. He spoke of his fifty year winner was selected on the ratio of the seeing a great number of you there. involvement in the Taranaki Speedway and number of correct answers, quickest time in particular the opening night back in and shortest distance. Bill and Marilyn Wairaparapa Frances Elwin January 1951 when lights were installed and in their open sided Model A Tourer were a huge crowd packed the racing grounds at the wet, bedraggled but worthy winners. The branch has been quiet rally wise for Waiwakiho, now an industrial area. In the last two months, but very busy hosting 3 The evening was rounded off with a lavish 1953 his father built a TQ ( /4) Midget supper. the National Executive and AGM meeting. which was raced for many years and then Club Captain Keith Carr’s first run of Great to catch up with other branch sold on. It has now been fully restored by his new term was a mystery tour. Those members, one hundred percent attendance an Auckland person. Dave Gifford is now that participated had a great day out. of branches was great to see. All thanks recording the history of the speedway in Turangi Lodge for a leisurely morning tea to the hard work by Ruby Holmes and Taranaki which has been popular since then on to the Tongariro Trout Centre for committee. The Copthorne (Solway Park) 1949 when Willys Jeep powered midgets lunch. After viewing the Tongariro River, venue was ideal for this event as all activi- were first raced. the Rearing Ponds, the underwater viewing ties could be held at the same location. Five Work on the 25th Rubber Duckie Motor chamber and the children’s fishing pond it local members loaned their vehicles for Cycle Rally is now well in hand with the was off to the Tokaanu Thermal Baths for the weekend for display in the entrance of rally being organised by Bruce Davidson in either a walk in the park or a soak in the conference centre, which set the right tone. New Plymouth. This will be a great motor- hot pools. A leisurely drive home complet- Sunday saw members bused to Wairarapa cycle ride and we expect a lot of entries ed a very relaxed day, VCC clubrooms for morning tea and lunch; from outside Taranaki. The rally will centre Quite a few members attended the this also gave local members a chance to on the Fitzroy area and the New Plymouth Rotorua Swap Meet which is a wonder- show off some of their vehicles, 30 in total. top ten Holiday Park. ful venue to meet with old friends from A rummage through the spares department Des and Colleen Moore organised this many other Branches and still find the saw smiles on faces for visitors. Back to the year’s Ladies Only Rally, the men had to odd Vintage bargain. Thanks again Rotorua buses and the final trip back to Wellington stay and get the afternoon tea ready. There Branch for a fine day and a well run meet. and home. A great weekend, and from all was a disappointing number of entrants Keith Moore is doing a great job making accounts a good friendly time was had by for this years event. The rally was well the monthly meetings bright and inter- all that attended. For more details see the organised with all the trimmings of straight esting. Last month Alistair MacDonald, separate article in this issue and News from line, tulip and written instruction to test the Taupo’s “Mr Bungy Jump”, gave us a the National Office. entrants. Everyone enjoyed the day and this very interesting talk on his involvement in The weekend prior saw the Wellington year’s winner was Margaret Gudopp and developing this facet of the tourist industry VCC members visit us for a lunch stop and first navigator was Rosalene Hunt. Second and future projects in our area. Next month rummage through the spares department place went to Beryl Watson and third to it is Constable Mike Henderson, intelligence plus our local shops. Veronica and June Oliver. analyst, speaking on the role that computers The Casual Run had its theme changed Steven Oliver has purchased a single play in detective work. Our next club outing from a bus trip over the hill to just a local cylinder Cadillac and Steve Trott has is to the Rotorua Branch for lunch and then run and as always with the organisers Peter purchased a very rare 1935 Auburn Super to join in their Garage Raid event. and Evelyn Chisholm it was a run with a Charged Special, the only one in New difference. Start point was the SPCA in Zealand. It was formerly owned by the Masterton with a donation of pet food to Hamilton domiciled Palmer family (of Waikato Bill Smith the Society, a run through the country to racing fame) and Steve had been trying to Despite the winter months the Branch Greytown for lunch then back to clubrooms purchase this car for a very long time. has been active. After the impact of the for afternoon tea. BEADED WHEELS 47
bw258.indd 47 10/10/2007 10:39:14 PM July club night was the Branch overnight stay. It’s an Art Deco restaurant winner was Neale Ryder driving his 1949 Annual Games Evening with the Vintage with Art Deco dress a prerequisite. Vauxhall Velox, second was Basil Sharp in Machinery Club, This year the VCC took a 1971 Holden Torana and third-equal to the Thornycroft Trophy. August club Gary and Glenys Saul and Tony and Julian Wanganui Fay Chamberlain night saw Roy Elwin giving a talk on his Wright. earlier days with the VCC. Roy joined the I’m assuming that every branch contri- On the weekend of 27/28 July a number Wanganui Branch in 1956. bution will have the same theme this time of Wellington members participated in Finally our congratulations to our Branch … the weather! Not a good time for rally- Tom’s Tour which has become an enjoy- club member Scott Thomson, the winner of ing, and we’ve all had our share of the able annual event on our Branch calendar. the John L Goddard Trophy for his work in rain! We met just north of Upper Hutt on a very the making of the video Streets Ahead and We did manage though to have one cold wet winter morning before ambling his contribution to Beaded Wheels. Sunday afternoon (when it didn’t rain), and over the Rimutakas. Our first stop was a large number turned out for a little jaunt Featherston for coffee, and to visit antique round the many resthomes in Wanganui. and curio shops. We continued on through Waitemata Keith Humphreys Drivers keys were swapped, and added to the southern Wairarapa towns before reach- “PHOENIX”, the Branch’s newsletter the fun - (not every senior citizen has the ing our lunch destination just south of has been full of energetic debate in recent say who will drive their wheelchair!), and Masterton at the Wairarapa Branch with issues with the founding principles being ‘grannies’ lollies were shared, with the the guys checking out the spares depart- expounded by founding members and as a winners being the combined two ages of ment for treasures. In the afternoon we result, a general freshening of our attitudes the “youngest” and “oldest” combination continued on through northern Wairarapa to events and the type of Vintage motoring driver/navigator. to Eketahuna and Pahiatua before heading the Branch was established for. All good The working bees continue (they slowed to Palmerston North to find our accom- healthy stuff! down a little, but they NEVER actually modation. Some brave souls elected to stay The R’oil Can Rally attracted an excel- stopped)! By the time of publishing this it in the motor camp but we softies opted for lent entry of 29 cars, all with their tops will be known by all members that we have a motel. We headed out to the Manawatu down as required by the rules except for received a grant from the community to club rooms in the early evening for fish ‘n two! One was Chairman Allan Booth’s build a second entrance to the clubrooms, chips and a very pleasant evening. Sunday Riley Kestrel loaned to his brother, which (thus allowing us to not only have a friend- morning we motored out to the clubrooms suffered a breakdown shortly after the ly welcome in, but a happy exit too! again to visit the spares department but start, and the other, a founder member who We’ve had a few new members join the nobody was home. We waited patiently would undoubtedly claim it was because branch lately too-it’s great to see new faces but after a phone call somebody arrived he had his young grandchildren with him. coming along. Club night attendances have to open the spares department. I think Frankly I would rather see members start been very good, (despite the cold), and a they must have been warmly tucked up in with their tops up if need be, than not start lot of fun was had by all when Keith (our bed and who could blame them in such at all. They can always be eliminated from new Chairman) was upstaged by his wife atrocious weather. We continued on our the prize list, but then who wants to win? Lee with a great little quiz! way to Foxton to visit some more antique The winner organises next year’s event, and coffee shops before finally arriving at but this is a very arbitary decision. Dave Wellington Elsie Ewing the Horowhenua club rooms for lunch to a Pitches was chosen as a very worthwhile warm welcome. It was really good to see winner. The club has instituted a Friday night some former Wellington Branch members Starting from the Manurewa Botanical video evening on the second Friday of each who have retired to the Kapiti Coast. Gardens, organisers Allan and Lee Booth month and members bring along videos Everyone on Tom’s Tour had a thoroughly set us a very interesting route, via Miranda of interest to club members such as the enjoyable weekend and I guess one of the to Coromandel and then over highway 309, 1965, 1972 and 1980 International FIVA reasons we belong to the Vintage Car Club still suffering from the recent ‘weather Rallies and the 1955 Dean’s Bush Rally in is to enjoy the hospitality of other branches bomb’ to the east coast of the Peninsula. Christchurch. If you are visiting Wellington and to chat about our various vehicles. Down through Whangamata to Waihi, and please feel welcome to come along to our The following weekend quite a number then via Hogg’s Woodlands Park Motor Club activities. of Wellington members again crossed Museum to the finish at Tauranga. The Colonial Cup was held on 30 “The Hill” to the AGM of the Vintage An excellent dinner at the Tauranga June where we congregated at Battlehill Car Club meeting held at the Copthorne Historic Village with a DJ to help dance the at Pauatahanui to view the three vehicles in Masterton. Whilst the chairmen and night away, saw a rather bleary eyed crew entered for the restoration trophies before delegates from their respective branches surface for breakfast and the long drive commencing the rally which took us attended the meeting the wives/partners home. Since then we’ve had Club Captain around the Porirua Harbour inlet, across to were treated to a tour of the Wairarapa. “Di’s Devonshire Run” taking us via many Titahi Bay and then onto Tawa and finally On 7 August a good turnout of motor country roads from Northcote to Oratia. finishing at the Royal New Zealand Police cycle and general club members gathered Once again there was an excellent entry College at Papakowhai for afternoon tea. at the Firemen’s Arms in Petone to listen on what looked like being a miserable day The Colonial Cup for the most meritorious to the guest speaker’s very interesting talk (and it was briefly) and the final destina- restoration was awarded to Ivan Gardiner on his group’s five week, 3,000 mile trip tion at the Packing Shed Cafe intrigued all for his cute little 1938 Bantam Roadster. from Delhi in India to Nepal and return on entrants with it’s associated antique shop, The Southward Salver for most meritorious Indian Royal Enfield motorcycles. It was craft shop and restored railway buildings first restoration went to John Kinvig for an extremely interesting evening and the and railway memorabilia. Quite a surprise his 1933 Austin 7 followed closely by Ray slides of the conditions they encountered in this former orchard setting. Winner Betteridge’s 1936 Ford V8. en route were superb. A trip not for the of this event was arrived at by asking The Night Rally took place on 20 July faint hearted. questions relating to the Branch’s history. ably set by Winton Cleal and Ruth Findlay. Mike Greig, a founder member proved to Their route took us from the clubrooms have the best knowledge. through the Hutt Valley, over the Moonshine Wellsford Alma Henson Our next event is the Annual Ron Road and back through Whitby and Tawa Our Winter Woollies Wander fared much Roycroft Memorial Run organised by friend to their home in Wadestown where we better this year with most entrants being of the Branch, David Lane and as always, a were treated to an excellent supper provid- able to dodge the showers. The morning good entry is expected. Also coming up is ed by Ruth and Winton. Fourteen vehicles run took them through metalled back a run to Whangarei for a restaurant dinner/ took part (including two moderns) and the roads to Tapora on the Kaipara Harbour
48 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 48 10/10/2007 10:39:14 PM and a visit to Minniesdale Chapel built from material brought out on sailing ships from England. It was on this section that one person unfortunately needed a quick Henry Lawrence Hope toilet stop only to find that the undies he was wearing belonged to a member (Lawrie) of the opposite sex. Did his partner have his? Lunch stop at Te Hana where soup South Waikato Branch and goodies awaited them. The afternoon On Monday 22 July the branch was anybody but if you asked for it, he let it section was much shorter with a run down saddened to hear of the sudden death of all roll out. When it came to a bit of club the East Coast through Manganwhai and Lawrie at the Tauranga Hospital. He will be maintenance all eyes would turn toward back to Warkworth and afternoon tea. Not sadly missed. Lawrie, he would shrug his shoulders and many branches have the opportunity of Lawrie and Wyn joined us from the mutter “am I the only person in this club a trip to the Pacific and Tasman in a few Rotorua Branch in 1987 and moved to and get on with the job?” hours but that is one of the opportunities we Tauranga last December. Lawrie was an This club has lost a valuable member have. If we started at one coast we would active member right until the time of his and I have lost a great mate. be at the other in under ten minutes (no death and his vast knowledge whether it To Wyn and family we extend our big earthquakes please). Dinner was held was with nuts and bolts or hammer and deepest sympathy. at the Warkworth Bowling Club where the nails will be hard to replace. He was a Chuck Hausman prizes and trophies were presented. Overall man who would not force his opinion on winner was R and B Graham, Wellsford Winner N and A Fowler. A wine tasting evening by Ron Adkins from Pieroth Wines caused much hilarity and by the comments that flew across the room I’m sure everyone looks forward to the next one. Clive Nicholls, an enthusiastic stamp collector, shared with us samples of his hobby. Vintage cars and other vehicles made interesting viewing. The Ti Point Reptile Park is set on sloping bushland near the coast. Winding concrete steps lead from area to area where lizards, geckos and various other rare New Zealand natives are housed. The two monkeys trying to coax visitors into giving food kept a number occupied but the alligator pen was the most popular. Some were debating whether it was genuine or concrete but the blinking of an eye gave them their answer. One casualty on the day was the breaking of a half-shaft by Wilburn Brown. The best part of the day – the sun shone! We ended the outing with fish and chips at Leigh. A good turnout of Vintage and moderns, and one bike in showery weather for Don Oddie, Noel Croft and Dave Bowman in the 1910 F-N outside The Hermitage during the first Maureen and Tom Belch on their organised Mount Cook Rally. trip to Iron Park at Helensville. A collec- tion of all things iron from cars and trucks to early farm machinery. Unfortunately for Tom he has since had a serious fall result- Don Oddie ing in a trip to hospital but is now resting at home. Hopefully spring will soon be here South Canterbury Branch and we’ll be back to the winterless North for our outings. With extreme sadness, I write to Christchurch, as well as attending most of record the death of a Founder Member the local rallies. and Honorary Life Member of the South Don was always available to offer help Canterbury Branch, Don Oddie. and advice and his input was most thank- Don’s interests ranged from a 1910 FN, fully received when I was restoring my 3 through Veterans, Vintage, namely 3 and litre Bentley and many others in the branch 1 also benefitted from his wide knowledge. 4 /2 litre Bentleys to PVs, a Railton and MGs. Don was a family man who included Don was the second Chairman of our Norrie and his children in rallies and other branch and in the early days his home, at activities such as skiing, water skiing and 36 Wai-iti Road, was the venue for most of sailing. Although Don moved away from the branch’s social activities. He possessed South Canterbury, his contribution to the an astute mind and the Mid Island Rally founding and formation of our branch is was his idea alone. well remembered by those who knew him. 1 We offer our sincere sympathy to Norrie He motored the 4 /2 to National Rallies in Morrinsville and Blenheim along with and family for the sad loss of a husband, regular trips to Invercargill, Dunedin and father and grandfather. Barry Goodman
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bw258.indd 49 10/10/2007 10:39:14 PM TheThe FourthFourth RearRear WheelWheel BrakeBrake RallyRally Text and photos Peter and Lynette Barnett
1912 Ford Model T, Andrew McClintock, and 1927 Ford Model T, Brian Cook, at Strowan, Christchurch
nother fine day greeted us on Andrea Hayes) and a 1907 Cadillac (Neil 3 March 2002 as we assembled at McFedries). Our latest vehicles this year ASt Andrews College in Christchurch were a Dodge and an Essex both 1927, for this year’s running of the Canterbury they soon completed the longer routes to Branch Rear Wheel Brake Rally. Over join us as we started our picnic lunch on thirty vehicles were parked in front of the the large grassed areas around the house. historic Strowan for a public display with This was an ideal area as the established owners chatting and the general public trees sheltered us from the increasing nor- taking the opportunity for a close up look west wind sweeping across the Canterbury at the cars. Plains. Strowan was built in the 1850s on 50 Winfield was established in 1863 and acres originally owned by Sir Thomas has been home to four generations of Tancred. He built the house but only lived Osborne family. Job Osborne who estab- Lunch in the homestead grounds of Winfield in it briefly before returning to England lished the property arrived from England near Leeston. in 1858. Seven years later Thomas Smith in 1859. After working as a farm hand and Duncan, the Christchurch Crown solici- trying his luck on the Otago Goldfields he tor, purchased the property and named it purchased land in 1863. He cleared and Strowan after a family property in Scotland. drained by hand, fences and a first house During his ownership he extended the were constructed from sod. house and built a lodge. Constant problems with neighbour’s The next owner was GK Stead in 1890. cattle roaming his land resulted in Job He was responsible for the development rounding up the cattle and driving them of the house, gardens, and stream as they into the Christchurch Pound, a journey appear today. Following Stead’s death the of some twenty miles. The owner of the 1924 Dodge, Peter Clemence, at Strowan, St property was split in 1918 with the St cattle took him to court and after success- Andrews College, Christchurch. Andrews Presbyterian College Board of Governors purchasing the house and 29 acres for £18,000. Since then Strowan has operated as a school. At rally start time the vehicles headed off for the day’s motoring on one of four routes. These all headed South towards Rolleston before splitting to head directly to our lunch stop or to take an extended run via a range of touring roads. The shorter routes offered fully sealed options while the longer runs included gravel sections touring through Brookside, Leeston. and Southbridge before heading back to our lunch venue at Winfield Homestead near Leeston, a beautiful Mid-Canterbury property with a large house, extensive trees and ponds. The first vehicles to arrive at the lunch venue were a 1909 Renault (Bob and 1927 Ford Model T, Brian Cook, and 1917 Dodge 4, Tony Best, lined up at the lunch stop. 50 BEADED WHEELS
bw258.indd 50 10/10/2007 10:39:15 PM fully defending his case Job named his land On the way to our lunch venue entrants Also worthy of mention are Bevis Begg ‘Winfield’ in honour of his victory. visited the fountain recently completed in from Ashburton in his 1915 Ford T and Soon after this he began contracting for the main street of Leeston recognising the Alistair and Nola Day from Timaru, 1926 local bodies and was involved in forming achievements of this New Zealand well Dodge Tourer. They made the day trip again the rail bed for the new Midland Line as drilling pioneer. to join us. This year they were accompanied far as Springfield. In 1879 he purchased Following an interesting talk on the by Paul Finch also from South Canterbury a traction engine and began agricultur- homestead and some family history by driving his 1924 Dodge. The branch is in al contracting establishing the Werner Neroli Osborne we departed via Coes good health with this sort of support. Engineering Works at nearby Doyleston. In Ford (now bridged) and Greenpark back to Next year will be the fifth event and 1881 he invented a well-driver that drilled St Andrews College. we would be very pleased to welcome you and drove in one operation using the same The day finished with a meal at the all back on the first weekend in March power source. When drilling he pumped College with the only formalities being whether as an existing supporter of this water through a hollow pipe in the drill to to hand out bottles of wine to some lucky event or a new face . loosen the earth as the well was sunk. He recipients. As the day is non-competi- first began drilling for the Christchurch tive these are given out based on vehicles Drainage Board and ultimately had seven chosen by the person whose property we bw machines in operation throughout New visit for lunch. Recipients this year were Zealand. He drilled to depth of over 250 Don and Judy Bennetts, 1912 Albion, metres depth at Cheviot and sunk wells in Graham Blackwood 1925 Rugby, and Nelson looking for coal, gas, and oil. Andrew McClintock 1912 Ford T.
List of Entrants Des and Janet Fowler 1923 Chevrolet Bruce Burney 1925 Chrysler Neil McFedries 1907 Cadillac Selwyn Cox 1923 Essex Graham Langham 1925 Dodge Bob and Andrea Hayes 1909 Renault Alex Beijen 1923 Fiat 501 Dave and Felicity Backhouse 1925 Hupmobile Don and Judy Bennetts 1912 Albion Jim Paterson 1924 Austin 12/4 Graham Blackwood 1925 Rugby Andrew McClintock 1912 Ford Model T Graham Meynell 1924 Crossley Alistair and Nola Day 1926 Dodge Brian Black 1912 Unic Peter Clemence 1924 Dodge Chris Dyer 1926 Ford Model T John Sampson 1913 AC Paul Finch 1924 Dodge Bernard Crossen 1927 Dodge Bevis Begg 1915 Ford Model T Graeme and Judy Hau 1924 Ford Model T Don McClelland 1927 Essex Ian Hogg 1916 Dodge Phillip Jeeves 1924 Hupmobile Brian Cook 1927 Ford Model T Tony Best 1917 Dodge Trevor Lightfoot 1924 Standard Paul and Margaret Seaton 1922 Dodge Dick Appleyard 1924 Studebaker John and Jenny Thompson 1922 Ford Model T Ken and Deann Whitaker 1924 Willys Knight
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bw258.indd 51 10/10/2007 10:39:18 PM Behind The Wheel ALFA-ROMEO 6c 1929 1500 Super Sport Text Scott Thomson Photos Euan Cameron
How should I drive an Alfa? They say the little man with the brown hatchet face and deep-set eyes broke into rippling Italian “Rest your hands on the wheel. Lightly! Now look where you want to go and the car will take you there.”
like to think maybe that Tazio Nuvolari Czar’s cavalry, Boris Ivanowski before the to sodden Ulster for the TT. A little hectic said just that before young Giulio Irish Grand Prix. perhaps but fast - and very fast in the pits IRamponi set off to race this very car, “Boris, for the love of the Madonna, - UV 819 was seventh, one of five Alfas in UV 819, and win Britain’s twenty-four don’t fight it. Lightly!” the top nine, winners of the Team Prize. hour race - the Brooklands Double Twelve Boris was a good pupil and UV 819 won Marinoni made fastest lap of the Alfa team, of 1929. again. In fact it was Ramponi that finished but it was Campari’s sister car that finished Remember, Giulio, lightly! in the fence that day at Phoenix Park. second to Caracciola’s big Mercedes. Attilio Marinoni from the test depart- Also racing that day were 1750cc I wouldn’t doubt that someone had a ment would not have needed telling when versions of the 6c, and it was on this word to the big burly ex-officer of the he made the long journey from sunny Italy version that the works concentrated
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bw258.indd 52 10/10/2007 10:39:19 PM for 1930 races. UV 819 was sold to an English driver with the exciting name of RS Outlaw. It took part in the same three races as in the previous year, but mechanical troubles seem to have plagued the previ- ously reliable car. Another thing that was changed was the stark two-seater Zagato body. Cars over 1500cc were required to have four seater bodies for sports car races. In the Outlaw period, UV 819 was fitted with the present Carlton Carriage Company light fourseater from one of the 6c/1750s raced in the 1929 TT. (See Mail Bag, BW 247) The Call I had been admiring UV 819 at the Hawkes Bay Hill Climbs, when John Hearne decided that the shortest way to Auckland might just be via Masterton. John - a distant relation of slip it. Up to 1500 rpm and a quick snick to on a tight or tightening corner I felt the the redoubtable American champion Eddie second. A couple of changes are all that is back drift out to maintain the chosen line, Hearne - isn’t exactly tired of the car, but needed to establish that this is a lovely box. but certainly not skid or break away. three cars to three drivers implied I would From third to top, a slight pause helps, but Early on I had a little trouble if there have it all to myself. ordinarily, the warmer, the faster. was a bump, specially on the inside wheels Roads free of traffic and almost free of Downward changes are equally delight- of a left corner that caused the car to move. stock; no wonder the sun shone on my very ful. Soon the driver is doing it for pleasure My reaction in a strange, and let’s face it first drive of a Vintage Alfa. with none of the tyro’s sheer terror to keep very valuable car, was to correct with the Walking up to UV 819, two impressions a strange pre-synchromesh car moving. steering. This the Alfa does not like and predominate. Firstly, this is a working Provided the driver remembers the basics I soon learned to leave it alone. A couple Vintage car. Secondly it’s long. It may of gear changing, the gear change is as of times in the two hour drive I had strong be the four seater body, or the absence easy as any modern and possibly the great- cross winds. Again the car prefers to be left of running boards or just too many hours est pleasure in driving a very pleasant car. to do its own thing with just a hint of helm drooling over pictures of Zagato two- I took care not to let the car slog on the into wind. seaters. Both impressions were reinforced many back road hills, but the motor is very Gravel roads were taken slowly in defer- during the drive flexible, changing down at 1700 and cruis- ence to the expensive rubber, but I can say For starters John gets ready to swing it. ing at 2,500/2,700 rpm. that corrugations are dealt with admirably It’s kinder that way. John suggests that I When the foot goes down, the blower by springs, shock absorbers and a degree climb up and then sit down, but I am still pressure leaps into the positive, 5lb being of chassis flexing. Where, as so often, these flexible enough to slide in under the steer- the maximum boost. Gearing gives 20 mph occur on a tight climbing corner, the usual ing wheel. The Alfa floor flexes a little too. per thousand in top. I was content with a tendency for a car to hop and step out is This is a light car on 9-foot wheel base, say maximum of 3,300. John has been timed at not at all marked. Few Vintage cars could 15 cwt -1680 pounds. a maximum of 4,500 (90 mph) and during match the Alfa poise, and many moderns The driver sits high, commanding. the hill climb saw 5,500, more through might envy it. Forward are the cycle type guards, the inattention than anger. The 6c is notori- Brakes and body small 7 inch Marchall headlights and a ously easy to over rev. radiator mounted thermometer. The mechanical brakes have 13 inch Hearing John at Chelsea is a symphony drums, nicely progressive, and with a bit of Panel of sound, but at 60 mph the car settles into a shove they really bite. On Dunlop racing The instruments begin with a clock on a smooth cruise, the burble of the exhaust tyres (5.50/6.00 x 18) I did not shove hard. far left, the supercharger pressure gauge being the loudest single Alfa noise. The Nobody expects luxury in this sort of and a big speedo which seems to read gears are essentially musical though 72 car, but there are nice touches in the body. about l0 mph slow at highway speeds. Then years of work have left third a bit grindy. There is a slim but useful - and water tight comes a panel with simple light switch and The supercharger is not obtrusive to the - map pocket for the front seat passenger key and a twisting knob that adjusts the driver except on acceleration. Driven off and a useful tool-box under that seat. The mixture. Next, oil pressure which likes the nose of the crankshaft, there is no train battery is under the driver and sticks down to flicker around the l l o’clock position of gears that contribute to the signature of rather a long way. The back seat is raised, where the edge of the scuttle prevents me the straight eight GP car. partly because of the axle and also because seeing it easily (say 25/30 lb) and finally From the driving and mechanical points of the 25 gallon tank. The owner uses 91 a very visible rev counter and the amps. of view the 6c is a thoroughly practical pump fuel with Carbonflow to supplement There is an ignition advance/retard on the touring car, not the racing box of tricks that the diet. Compression is quite low, 5.25 steering wheel. I’m told to leave mixture I had half expected. The performance in this from memory and timing alone. age of car from only 1500cc is remarkable. Engineering and History In the centre of the floor is a big very Lightly grab-able handbrake that works on all four One of the pleasures of the Alfa is the The other great pleasure is steering - beautiful workmanship. As everybody wheels. Beside it is the long ball-topped Nuvolari was right, believe it or not. Once gear lever rising from the exquisite gate knows, the Jano designed engine is one or twice I thought I would have to tighten of motoring’s crown jewels. The diff case change of conventional pattern, reverse the line or add power to avoid touching a being left and forward. Big clutch and is beautifully welded out of four pieces of verge on exit from a corner, but the Alfa sheet steel. Two pieces have been welded to brake pedals flank the centre accelerator. thought differently. Provided the initial line There is plenty of room for my big feet. In make the torque tube. The steering column is good and the apex selected - look where is rigidly mounted in three places, includ- contrast to some recent centre throttle cars you want to go - the car copes. that induced severe brain strain, this for ing a ball joint against the motor as well Or as Ron Roycroft used to say, “when as being fixed to chassis and scuttle. There some reason feels totally natural after the you try, it tries too.” Make no mistake, the first five minutes. is road feel to perfection, but no steering Alfa is on your side. shake. Behind the Wheel This Alfa has the traditional stiff front UV 819 is chassis 0312872, one of With a multi-plate clutch, plenty of revs and more flexible rear and John had left the ten third series 6c built, the first six being and a direct and decisive start are required. shock absorbers the same way - a little too 1,500s the rest 1,750s. The designation I’m told to be almost brutal, not to ride it or much so, he later confessed. Once or twice is 6c. Many people have tried to distin- BEADED WHEELS 53
bw258.indd 53 10/10/2007 10:39:23 PM guish the two engine capacities as separate models. Incorrectly. Many 6cs, original or restored, have radiator stone guards with a neat little circular cut out to expose the badge. This feature is lacking on UV 819’s stone guard, period pictures confirming the originality. There was also variation about where the words Alfa-Romeo in traditional flowing script were fixed to the radiator. This car has them low and left as seen from the front. A nice detail is the old roller blind, which can cover the lower portion of the radiator. This too says Alfa-Romeo, so identity should not be in doubt. One shred of mystery is attached to the car. Writing six years after the race, Count ‘Johnny’ Lurani - nominated co-driver with Ramponi - stated that the engine of the Double Twelve winner was not quite what it seemed. A TF (fixed head) unit was used to withstand higher supercharger pressure, fake cylinder head nuts being soldered agent, FW Stiles. Angela Cherett in Britain before the 1929 TT. A very good customer in place to successfully deceive even the now has the Stiles team records which named Fronteras apparently kept nagging Brooklands scrutineer. show the 1929 cars all had corresponding Stiles for the engine from John’s car. It did John Hearne discounts this story, engine and chassis numbers which seems to Fronteras no good, as chassis #873 finished pointing out that the gasket join on his indicate that the TF story (IF true) involved one place behind Marinoni in #872! What (detachable head) engine is both easily returning the head/cylinder block unit to experiences this car has had. seen and felt. Alfas of this period were Italy after that race and keeping the rest of Viva Alfa-Romeo! bw usually entered in British races by their the engine! An engine swap did occur just
Tasmania on two wheels continued from page 25 Saturday/Sunday 30/31 March We boarded our planes for the flights back from what is generally regarded as a most fantastic holiday and motorcycle rally. Truly, a trip of a lifetime. Looking Back The New Zealand participants received highly complimentary comments from others who marvelled at the team spirit, the camaraderie, the team uniforms, and the friendly nature of all the members. In particular, most were very impressed at the efforts taken to ship two containers of motorcycles, totally organised by the groups themselves. The Canterbury Team would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Above: The final dinner at Ulverstone Soccer Mediterranean Shipping Company who Club rooms. L-R: Roger Wright, Mike Glenday, assisted with the container hire and sea Ian McKinlay, Barry Stevens, Frances Hall freight, the Automobile Association (organiser), Quintin wearing, Sally Kirk, who helped with the Carnet preparation, Bob Leask, Jens Christensen. Photo Lyndsey MacAndrew Insurances International for Saunders. arranging the marine insurance, Geoff Left: A study in contemplation.L-R Gary Arps, McClelland of PDL Industries’ Export Barry stevens, Mike Glenday. Photo Marilyn Shipping Dept for his assistance and McKinlay contacts in the right places, and PDL Monday 25 March tions to certain key people, but the most Industries for providing container loading The last run of the tour, a short distance popular acclamations being reserved for and unloading facilities. Also, thanks to to Devonport and Ulverstone, a journey Ken and Frances Hall, who had done a the Australian and New Zealand Customs, of about 80 miles. A short day distance- most magnificent job organising the event MAF and AQIS, for their assistance in wise, but packed with plenty to see and almost single handed. helping with information and inbound and exit inspections that meant a smooth do. The historic Entally House at Hadspen, Tuesday 26 March the Pearns Steam World and White House entry and exit from both countries. Our The Canterbury contingent assembled at Westbury, and the Don River Railway Australian agent Ken Hall receives thanks at the Ulverstone Caravan Park for a team all provided points of interest for the day. for handling the container and associated photo, then on to the transport yard where The Auckland contingent did not waste any paperwork in Australia. Finally, thank you all the bikes were crated up and stowed in time getting back, they had an appointment to Graeme Templar Logging Contractors, the container ready for the journey home. at the trucker’s yard, and by 5.30pm all of Ulverstone, for providing the transport for their bikes were cleaned, drained of petrol, Wednesday 27 March both containers to and from the Burnie and safely stowed in their container ready The Canterbury contingent flew to dockyard, and allowing us the use of their for the trip back. That night the last group Melbourne, for three days of relaxed sight yard to load and unload them. dinner was held, again at the Ulverstone seeing, raiding local bike, antique, and Thank you all. bw Soccer Club rooms. There were presenta- book shops. 54 BEADED WHEELS
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