~~ o CAR STANDS *All STEEL TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION * MAXIMUM lOAD 1TON PER STAND *HEIGHT FROM 11 ~"to 17 ~1I * 7 HEIGHT POSITIONS * UNDER $10'00 PER PAIR 5 6 7 Vintage Car Club of N.Z. [lnc.] VOL. XIV, No. 86 NATIONAL EXECUTIVE February-March '74 President: Mr N. C. Skevington (Canty) Club Captain: Mr A. D. Storer (Canty) Club Vice-Captain: Mr M. H. Femer (Wgtn) Hon. Secretary: Mr J. S. D. Wallis (Canty) IN THIS ISSUE Club Registrar: R. W. Sarchett, 597 Madras Street. Christchurch I. Ph one 66-5I I. The Stokell Story 2 Executive : Messrs N. A. Dewhurst (Auckland), R. J. Hasell (Canty), L. J. D. Priest (Hawkes Bay). Restoring a 1929 Chev. Roadster 6 L. B. Southward (Wellington) On the trail of the great Whatisit 7 CLUB OFFICE Denny De Dion 10 Phoenix House, Blackwell Motors' 50th 82 Hereford Street. Christchurch Telephone 74-003 Anniversary 12 Hours 12-4 p.m. Layman's Guide to Vintage Motoring 16 CLUB CORRESPONDENCE Club correspondence, including members' changes of 'Autoparts' Historic Cars Event 18 address, must be sent to More about Six Wheelers 22 The Vintage Car Club 01 NZ. (Inc.) r.o. Box 2546. Rally West - Australia 28 Christchurch. All Beaded Wheel s correspondence to r.o, Box 13140 More about Rotary Aircraft Engines 29 BEADED WHEELS EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Branch Notes 31 Chairman : Tom Clements Committee : Gavin Bain, Geoff Hockley, Bruce Pidgeon, Letters to Editor 36 Bob Scott, Paul Gieseler Material for publication is the responsibility of this Classified Ads 37 committee and should be forwarded to p.a. Box 13140, Christchurch, typed or neatly printed. double spaced on one side of paper only . Reports of restorations, events, road tests. historical and technical articles welcome. No payment made to contributors. The opin ions expressed in letters or articl es in Beaded CLOSING DATE Wheels are the authors' own views and do not necessarily C opy for Apr./May issue closes MM. 6th express the policy of the Vintage Car Club of N .Z. (Inc.)

PRODUCTION Beaded Wheels is published bi-monthly by Purse Willis COVER PHOTO & Aiken Ltd, Chnstchurch for the Vintage Car Club 1930 Broo kla nds Riley owned by Lindsay W oga n of N .Z. Inc .. at its editorial office, p.a. Box 13140, was the winne r of t he first Lad y W ig ram Trop hy Christchurch. Race in 1949. See n he re in the pits prio r to Mailed free to all members. Annu al subscription $2.00. competing in the 'Autopa rts' Histor ic C ars Event Indi vidual copies and back numbers 4Oc. a t W igr am on Ja nuar y 20th, 1974 . -Photo by Derek Stewer r. ADVERTISING

Reg istered a t Post O ffice Hea d q uarters We lling to n Rate schedule available on request to Advertising a s a Mag azine. Manager. p.a. Box 13140. Christcburch. Phone 67-346. The Stokell Story

In the tranq uil surroundings of his boy hood home in a sma ll Canterbury to wnsh ip. an elderly gentleman, alert and with a lively interest in the motoring past despite the burden of his 85 ye ars. recently rolled bac k the curtains of the ye ars and disclosed a fascinating vista of the m otorcycling past to a couple of vastly interested visitors. through whose enterprise I'm privileged to pass on to " B.W." readers the highlight s of a memora ble interview. I hope they'll find it as int erestin g as I did!

Shand's Road, in the bustling such annoy ing incidents. Padd y time ago so I shall onl y dwell little modern community of evidently decided tha t something briefly on my visit, which was too Hornby, situated on the Main would have to be don e abo ut it sho rt to gain more than a hurried South Road some twelve miles (the thought of putting him self im pressio n of the place or to from Christchurch, is as well in the care of Alcohol ics Ano ny­ question Mr Clement Stockell kno wn to the inhab itants of the mou s doesn't seem to have very closely as to his associatio n township and its environs as occurred to him. or perhaps that with the early mot orc ycle scene. Ca thedral Square is to Christ­ valuable institution didn 't exist in I can recall the sprawling old church dwellers or as Que en tho se da ys) and he finally came building which housed a remark ­ Street is to Aucklanders. It wasn't up with the rather drastic solu­ always a roa d, however, and how tion of blazing a trail across the ab le array of machine tools-a it achieve d this sta tus is perhaps huge old lath e, with a bed which wo rth relating, even though it looked to be at least fifteen feet has only an ind irect bea ring on By Geoff Hockley long, a sma ll treadle lathe, an this little sketch of ea rly motor­ ingenious mechanical hacksaw ing days in the district. In the wilderness from the main road fab ricated from old ag ricultural early [900' s the little hamlet was turn-off to the Shand domicile­ machiner y part s, a hand-operated a sca ttered collection of a few quite a chore in those pre-bull ­ shaper, a boring and grinding houses and farmlets dispe rsed dozer da ys, but after some grue l­ attachment fo r the larg e lathe, a over a typical Ca nterbury tus­ ling sessions with a plough the forg e, anvil and num erou s sock-dotted plain. Among the Hornby landscape boasted a track accessories. And our interv iewers residents was one Padd y Shand. across the tussock s so clearl y report that everything is still there defined that even the dumbest of a local "character" who se pro­ in this year of grace 1973-even Dobb ins had no difficulty in pensity for lingering in the var­ " Mr Clem" him self (his brother foll owing it. Thus was evolved ious pubs between Hornby and Gerald passed on some time ago). Christchurch during his visits to what for many years was kn own Gone, however. were some of the the big city per his sole mean s as "Shand's Track". now Shand's mach ines over which I pored of tran sport-a horse and cart­ Road , and though . as I ha ve said, involved him in some embarras­ it onl y has an indirect bearing on du ring my all too sho rt visit back sing situations. He was kn own to this narrative. it is here that the in 1938- a hu ge twin-cylinder be unable to navigat e his way home of the Stokell brothers, who B.A.T. with a sideca r chass is home after a prol onged session figure prominently in it, is part ially att ached, and a four­ of ale-sampling on the long trek located. Here they were born, and cylinder F.N . of 1906 vintage, to from Christchu rch. It seems that even in their youth acquired a mention but two-to say nothing poor old Dobbin, afte r patiently reputation in the distr ict for their of engines, boxes of old mot or­ wait ing out side the various hostel­ self-taught skills, not only in cycle parts and oth er treasu res ries while his driver imb ibed, things mech an ical but in other amo ng which I co uld cheerfully fina lly plodded leisurel y home ­ such diverse subjects as orchid­ have spent a week. However, it's ward while the latt er dozed un­ growing and the study of fresh­ encouraging to know that some stea dily on the sea t of the cart. of these items, including the F .N., water fish. However , it is in their and all went well until the main are now in the possession of a engineering prowess that we are road had to be for saken for the prominent V.C.C. member and trackless wildern ess where the most intere sted. of course. and will be preserved for posterity. Shand residence was locat ed Thi s especi ally in its application to However, enough of my person al a ppa rently ca used the long­ the ir mot orcycle doings. recollections-let's view the scene suffering equine to either wander It is roughly 35 yea rs since my as it is today. wearily around in circles or end first and only visit to the Stokell Th e Stokell homestead must up footsore and blown so me menage and I believe I have have been a Mecca for sur round­ miles off course. After several referred to this in " B.W." some ing owners of all kind s of motor PAGE TW O transport, particularly motor­ ing them out from a Ito dia­ models of the day and exceeded cycles, and indeed for any owners meter bar and then putting the that of quit e a few well-known of mechanical device s requiring stem through a hole in the anvil makes." repairs, in the early days. "We and forging the head to the The Stokell engine doesn't used to do a lot of work on bikes approximately correct diameter seem to have survived the march for friends and neighbours," Mr for machining. They stood up of time. which is a matter for Stokell told the interviewers. "We better than imported valves but regret , but the interviewers rebored cylinders on our boring were still prone to break. Finally gathered that some of the attachment on the big lathe, we rather reluctantly decided to foundry patterns for the cylinder machined pistons, made up big­ convert the engine to the side­ and crankcases are "still around end and small-end bushings-in valve type and my brother somewhere". fact, there was very little, if an y­ designed and made a cylinder "Were you and your brother thing, which wc couldn't do on which was superior to that used interested in motorcycle com­ the premises. and it wasn't un­ on the Triumph, which in those petition-racing, trial s and such usual for a man to bring his bike days was looked upon by many like?" Mr Stockell was asked : in around eight in the morning as the standard by which other "Well. we didn't participate in and ride it away in the late after­ machines were judged. The bike any officially organized events," noon with a completely recon­ to which we fitted our engine had he replied. " but there was quite ditioned engine. Of course, the a performance equal to most a bit of impromptu racing in the average engine in those days was very sim ple compared with the more comple x designs which appeared later." "I've heard that you and your brother actually built at leas-t one engine from the ground up , as the saying goes. Can you give us a few details?" M r Stokell was asked. "Well," he replied, "we did so mainly because the average motorcycle engine in tho se very early day s wasn't trem endously efficient, and we thought we'd try to turn out something better." So - drawings were made, patterns fabricated. castings produced and machined on the treadle lathe. >:it and in due course the engine took IDENTIFICATION R-::QUIRED. The make of thi s typic,,1 cyclecar of th e pre-World shape. The Stokell boys had pro ­ \'/M I period h" ,n't been established. Details of it and its career are lacking. gressive ideas-not for them the Anyone recognize it? conventional woolly side-valve set-up or the asthmatic automatic inlet valve ring. "We decided from the sta rt that the engin e should be of the overhead-valve type, and it proved greatly super­ ior to the run-of-the-mill motor­ cycle engine of its day," remin­ isced Mr Stockell. Alas! like many another "ahead-of-its-time" project, design and performance outstripped contemporary mater­ ials. "We were troubled with broken valves," he said, "and the engine being of the valve-in-head type, this resulted in damage to the pistons. We made our own valves, forging them from the best available material in those days-nickel chrome steel- draw- Side car made by Stokell Bros. PAGE THREE district. We were both keen fishermen and used to go out to Coe's Ford quite a lot. and man y a time we ha d a friendly brush with other motorcycle-m ounted anglers on their way out to Coe's. Then of course we rarely missed a Brighton beach race event (I think these were first organized about 1906) and though we neve r actually competed, we enjoyed a run on the hard smooth sa nd after the races were over. It was a treat after our rough country roads." "Talking about roads-what were they like around here in the ea rly days? " DOUGLAS AN CESTOR.This ea rly o pposed twin Fair y was n't ren owned for "Well, th e surfaces were poor, " ho rse pow e r" a nd occasiona lly had to be e ncouraged with a little " L.P.A.". of co urse, but most annoying (See t ext.) were the wa ter -races-some quite deep-which had to be forded helped along with a little l.p.a., the minimum of delay. Pretty good, eh?" Th ey heartily agreed! every few miles. Th is did n't agree especially against a strong wind I'm pleased to record that some with magnetos, most of which or when tackling a slight gra de. photographic evidence of the were fitted in front of the engine Then we had-" "Excuse me interrupting, but Stokell geni us survives, Due to and suffered from water on the the enterprise of the interviewers, contact breaker. However, we what's the meaning of l.p.a.? I don't recall heari ng th is term some sixty-yea r-old negatives of used to take off the cover, let the the glass type were une arthed water ru n out, squirt some petrol before." Mr Stokell chuckled."Well, it and responded to expert attention, over the breaker and light it, with the result that a dozen or so was common enough in the early which dried things out very quick­ qu ite respectabl e prints material­ da ys, when some engines were ly and we were never delayed for ised. Because space conside r­ very long. The water made the prettv pun y and their ma nu­ ations preclude the pr inting of belts slip, too. and we had to factu'rers knew it-hence their more than two or three in these tighten them by screwing up the advice to purchasers to help them pages , perhaps a description may adjustable pulley flange." alo ng with a little l.p.a. (otherwise be of interest. One of the mo st "How was the fuel supply " light pedal assistance") if interesting (and tantalising, in situation in those days?" the necessary." that no information on it could interviewer asked. All too soon, it seemed to the be obtained) is tbat of a cyclecar "The nea rest petrol stockist was interviewers , thei r visit came to of un kn own origi n. about whic h more than ten miles from here an end, and they departed lost in "Mr Clern" cou ld remember no so we ha d to keep some on ha nd. ad miratio n for th is remarkable details, so I'm una ble to state if We used to get it in case lots­ gentlema n-self-taught mechanic, it was of overseas origin or there were two four-gallon tins in coach bu ilder , machinist, ho rti­ "home brew". Th at the brothers a case ." cu ltu rist-jack of all trades and inclu ded coachbuilding among "And how man y motorcycles master of them all, and still able have you owned, and what to cope with an emergency, as BODIES BUILT makes?" was related by Mr Carnpbcll, the Ve tera n, Vi ntage, PV.V. built " I can 't recall how many. but gentleman who keeps an eye on to fram ework st age (wood­ we had quite a number over the " M r Clern" and the Stokell estate, work only, no panelbeating) , years. T he 1906 four-cylinder "Not ver y long ago one of the Work can be done from phot os etc. or to y our des ign. F .N. we bought second-hand for locals turned up in distress- a New Work only. For further £10, and had a lot of use out of bushing in his rotary hoe had details enquire: it," replied Mr Stokell. "A rat her slogged out at a most aw kwa rd W . R. JANES, uncommon machine was the time for him," related M r Camp­ C ABINETMAKER opposed twin Fairy. which was bell. "But Clement rose to the 37 Church Street, Gate Pa, the ancestor of the Douglas. It occasion and turned up a new Taura nga . 'Phon e Tau ranga was smooth running. but lacked bush , fitted it, and the delighted 84-803 (bus. hou rs ) . 87-583 (evenings ) . power and it often had to be owner was on the job again with PAG EFOU R their diverse abilities is evidenced by three pictures of motorcycle sidecars (on e a two-seater) which they built. The construction, up­ holstery and finish look to be beyond criticism and all are fitted with windshields. N ot the leas t attractive feature of these old pictures is the " period" back­ ground in most of them- shingle roads, venerable farm bu ildings, a "smithy" complete with a mas­ sive grindstone, and other glimpses of a tranquil past. It's good to think that some­ one had the enterpri se and fore­ sight to make possible the pre­ Could be Calthorpe? serving of the Stokell story for are not being used. Much fiddling posterity. Co ngratulations, Bert around is in order eac h time a William son and Malcolm Me­ .~ hints night run is undertaken. Quick Fedries, and thanks, also, for en­ by LenElliot adjustment can be made by fitting tru sting to me the job of "re­ a small lever to the bru sh holder. write man". It surely provided me Rem ove the screw that holds the with an interesting session! . Stuck for a cylinde r head gasket replacement, well take the wire to the third bru sh, and braze old one, if it is in reasonab le con­ it to a 2" piece of 3/16 rod. Slip dition , and soak in very hot water a piece of plastic tube over the FROM OUR MAN IN for about an hour. This causes the rod and replace. Cut a slot in the GERMANY asbestos to swell, and it will pull generat or co ver so when it is on, A friend who owns a rare old do wn when the head is replaced . the lever (and with it the third car, an ancient twin cylinder bru sh) can be moved to increase A handy gadget you can make or decrea se the amount of charge " Blurtenpharten " . I' e c e n t IY at home to test the condition of sho wed me the maker's instruc­ at will. If one wishes, a cable your motor only requ ires an old similar to a choke type, can be tions for operating the Micro­ spark plug from your car, and a densitometer with which the fitted so it ca n be operated from metal stem from an old tube. inside the vehicle. vehicle is fitted . Break out the porcelain from the Achtungl plug and fix into it the stem by Retrieving small objects that Das machine is nicht fur Ge­ solderi ng or brazing. N ow, to use have dro pped in aw kwa rd places fingerpoken und mittengrabben. this handy tool, rem ove all the can be acco mplished by taking a 1st easy schnappen del' Springen­ spa rk plugs from the motor and sma ll magnet from a magnetic werk, blowenfusen , und poppen­ bring number 1 piston to the top type cupboard catch and fixing to Korken mit spitzenspa rken. of its stroke with both valves it a piece of cord by slipping a 1st nicht fer gewerken by das closed. Screw in the tool and fill piece of rubber over it. The dummkopen, das rubbemecken the cylind er with air from a pump rubber hold s the cord and also sightseeren, Keepen hand s in das (hand or free). By listening at the insulates the sides of the magnet pockets. exha ust pipe, the sound of esca p­ so only the end is effective. This Relaxen und vatch das blinken ing air indicates a faulty exhaust can then be passed down between lights. valve, if at the carburettor, an in­ small components to retrieve the INDICATORS, die blinkenlight­ take valve. At the adjoining dropped pa rt. enmittiokenfurturnen. cylinder a blown head gasket , Worn king pins, tie rod ends, BONNET, de fingerpincer und bubbles in the radiator, a cracked shafts of all kind s, can be built up kopfchopper. block or head . From the oil filter and remachined if built up with AIR HORNS, das vatd erhellvos­ or breath er, faulty rings. Co ntinue the Eutalloy process. Broken dat klaxonfanfaren. test in all cylind ers in the same manifolds and cas tings in iron and MINI, del' buzzboxin mit traffik- manner. aluminium, valves and cracked veeringfiststakeenund finger- Fitting larger capacity bulbs to cylinder heads etc., are onl y some razen. the head lights usually means of the jobs that can be brought CROSSROADS, das kussund­ stepping up the charge rate of the back to servicea ble condition with schveeringstrassen. generator and causing it to run hot this process. Enquire at your local From Bert WiUiamson and over-charge when the lights welding sho p.

PAGE F IVE Restoring a 1929 Chevrolet Roadster

A few yea rs ago whilst I was complete, 1929 sedan which a t vintage Studebaker and a Mod el vintage touring in the Roxburgh one fell swoop provided most of A roadster fo r which Howard area with a few other like-minded the missing items. was also expected to wield the lads, we spotted a set of hood Other pa rts were gathered from spraygun. Th is did have the ad ­ bows with the tattered rem ain s so urces as the annua l Club vantage of supplying extra ha nds of a hood hanging therefrom and Auction , and other members' for rubbing down , and the mutual obviously an old tourer und er­ scrap piles. The local tip provided incentive to get on with it all was nea th. a spa re pair of door s that were the 1972 Internat ion al Rally. The two wheeled brakes were poun ced on by ano the r member, The bod ywork was expected to firm ly applied a nd immediate and a small deviati on on a trip bring probl ems and some were steps were taken to investigate the to Christchurch resulted in a enco untered in the wooden fram­ object on the hori zon. The group of enthusiasts bringing ing particu larly around the fram­ friendly cocky to whom it home in triumph, a good set of ing of the lid to the cave rnous belonged told us it was a 1930 hODd bows and irons. boot. Most of this work was done Model A that he had pu rchased by H oward himself but when it as spa res to keep his farm truck by Barry Barnes came to the pan elwork this was running. No he didn 't need the placed in the hands of an exper­ bodywork and if anyo ne wanted Once restor ati on was sta rted it ienced trad esman who fo rtunately it, sure, they were welcome to it. followed the usual pattern, chassis agreed to do this work in his We felt that this find (no t then was dismantled and sandblasted, spare time. He made an excellen t as rare as it would be today) painted and built up with com­ job. sho uld be put in the right hands pleted restored parts. This sounds Part wa y th rough the restor­ and in due co urse Alwyn H oskins easy but of course was far from ation, no trace had been found of gathered it up and has it on the it, as everything was taken full y a wind screen a nd fram e so one stocks fo r rebuilding after his apart, renewed , and rebuilt where was borrowed from a Southland E.M .F. is finished. necessary. R ight from the word fa rmer who ca nnot be sepa rated Sho rtly after bri nging hom e the go it had been decided that a fro m his similar model car, but goo ds Alwyn happened to ask high mech anical standard was was most willing to help. The whether we had spo tted an old desired as well as ob tai ning a sta nchions were cas t and several Chev roa dster bod y lying in a standa rd of finish to match. old windsc reens purchased from paddock nea r Millers Flat. Well, Paint work was all done by the a wrecker in Oamaru were cut we hadn 't , and as at that time owner and invo lved undercoat and welded to form a frame. the Hot R od boys were becoming after tireso me undercoat before Shortly after all this was done very active it was th ought that the surface was goo d eno ugh for a Club Au ction produced, of all this prize had bett er be collected the fina l coats. Wh ile this was things, a windsc reen frame and too. goi ng on similar work was being stanchio ns. Th e origina l type Accordingly a team of six lads done on a veteran Humber, a pressed steel sta nchio ns were with a Holden and a Nash pickup plus trailer headed fo r Millers Flat to gather the rem ain s. This turned out to be a 1929 model, the first Chev 6, and consisted of a chassis, guards, a very rott en body minu s wind screen and hood bows, a flattened bonnet and a few other bits and pieces. A Fiat bac k end was alsD gathered while we were at it. T he elde rly owner pa rted with same fo r $2 and a co uple of glasses of a popular a mber-co lou red beverage. H o w a r d Kin gsford-Smith ass umed owne rship and once we had it ho me began to gat he r bits, starting with a fairly seedy, but "THE START." Photo B. J. Barnes. PAGE SIX therefore made use of, but the fabricated windscreen frame was retained becau se it was bette r than t;1e mor e corroded a uthentic one. For the paint work a dashing red with black guards and bead­ ings and ivo ry stripe was chosen. Agai n this was the owner's hand i­ wor k a pa rt from the striping which was don e by Neil Me­ MiJlan in return fo r a coat of paint for his 1911 Vulca n. The uph olstery an d hood was entrusted to a local upholsterer who had previously upholstered Howard's Austin 12/ 4 va n. He made a most accep tab le job in black vinyl for the trim and an authen tic light co loured rubber­ ised duck fo r the hood. This mater ial was also used for a hood envelope and a ty re cover. Both "THE FINISHED PRODUCT." Photo H. B. Binnie. hood and up holstery tone in ious trip was the N orth Island coming up quite readily, even bea utifully with th e co lour tour which was again virtually fully lad en , as was proven on the scheme. trouble-f ree. The un usually capac­ Wellin gton mot orw ay during a Th e car was finished in time to ious boot was loaded choc k to the friend ly dice with a Humber 80. take pairt in the 1972 Inter­ hilt and the tour's only motor­ The owner is more than satis­ nat ion al Rall y travelling to Nel­ cyclist had his pack on the run­ fied with his decision to rebuild so n on the Invercargill spo rting ping board so it was perhaps as his machine from the wreck he route via Wanaka, the West Coast , well the tool kit was not needed. sta rted with, and th e mot oring so Ar thurs Pass and Christchurch. It The car has proved a most far enjoyed has vindicated the performed witho ut fault apart relia ble machine logging up 6000 time and ex pendit ure involved. It from some overhea ting on the miles in just over a yea r and its is to be hoped that some owners first day caused by a retarded smart ap pearance has been the whose equally co mprehens ive spa rk. Local event s have also been subject of co mment from bo th rest orat ions a re bogging down in tackled with gusto. club mem bers and the public. Per­ the middle, will tak e heart and Last yea r an eve n more am bit- forma nce is very good, 60 mph realise that it reall y is wo rthwhile.

On the trail of th'e Great Whatisit

Tha t fictional super-sleuth-cum­ Malcolm found the rema ins In his sleuthing efforts lat er. Mean­ vintagent, Mr She rlock Ohms, Northern Victoria and is keen to while, let's tak e a look at tbis very would prob abl y have had to in­ estab lish their identity, but I was interesting relic, which is just one clude the riddl e which I'm ab out sorry to have to let him down on more illustra tion of the hard, un­ to propound in the few cases palatable fac t proven in hundreds marked " UNSOL VED" in his by Geoff Hockley of cases- namely, that once the files if he'd been retained to estab­ wrec kers move in and start dis­ lish the identity of the piece of the question of ident ification , and mantling a vehicle-in most cases machinery in the acco mpanying to da te, anyway, Au stralian witho ut any particular object i:1 photo. It first came to my atten­ antiq ue motorcycle fan s haven 't view other than just pulling it to tion last May whe n Malcolm been able to contribute a great pieces- you can kiss the co rn; leic Grant of the Vic to rian branch of deal in this direction eithe r. But mach ine good-bye. How man y the Veteran Car Club of Australia ['11 be surprised if Malcolm times have we seen this happen. was kind en ough to write giving does n' t eventually come up with a At first glance the rem ain s loo k pa rticulars of his discovery and lead- if not, it won 't be fo r lack as thou gh they might be by Indian enclosing pictures. It seems that of trying! However, more abo ut out of Big X, with one or two PA GE SEVEN other items culled from various can be said to have been before other makes, and hazarding a their time. There's still a ch ance guess I'd say that is one of the though that his identity may be several Aussie-assembled jobs esta blished. Recently, Malcolm which were comparatively com­ dismantled and sandblasted the mon prior to and after the 1914-18 remains in the hope of finding an identificati on mark of some kind war-in fact, I seem to recall that scrutin~ a few carried on well into the but to no avai l. A close of the spring leaves, however, 1920's. The majority used l.A.P. revealed that one or two were or Precision engines, though when stamped with the legend "W. gfitish power units became un­ Evans.Melb.", so away he went procurable in the war-time a with his nose to the ground in popular substitute was the Spacke sea rch of a possible lead. Alas! De Luxe, made in Indianapolis. " W.Evans.Melb.", had long ago This engine, of which I possess an " gone with the wind", according example, was also used in the Fron! end assembly showing duplex to the original founder's grandson, American-built Dayton and incor­ leaf springing on front fork. and a par t from establishing the porates unusual features. But fact that the springs had been judging by the engine plates I'd slouch, and it's a pity that his made around 1917, Malcolm was­ sa y that a British prime mover name can't be handed down to n't much further ahead. But I provided the "oornph". What posterity along with that of the hope he keeps trying-a lot of us gearbox it was which was attached Whiting designer, and others who would like to know the answer! to that platform with four bolts, is anybody's guess. Sturmey­ Archer, Burman and Jardine were among several used , and the gear­ shift on the tankside has an Eng­ lish look about it. But when the You've met him! remains are scrutinized closely it becomes apparent that this is a "G'day mate, what's goin' on?" "Why doesn't that big, fat man cut above the average assembled "I thought gymkhanas were job. Take a gander at the front with the stomach get a larger car, kids on horses." end-no Druids or Bramptons he can hardly squeeze into that "You something to do with this with about an inch of spring tiny one?" mob?" range were evidently good enough "When are they gain' to race?" "Wh at's this race called? That for the designer, so he set to "Where do you buy these old chap's good in the big, yellow and work and came up with what ad­ bombs?" black car, he's knocked down mittedly looks like a dead ringer "Really, who'd think to look three poles already. Why's he of the old Ex or Indian leaf spring under a hedge. I suppose the weaving about chasing those men fork, except that he used two bodies are all made of plastic?" springs instead of one. Looks like "Amazing, queer how some by Bill Janes it might have been quite cushy in people will waste their time. I've its day! Note also the round sec­ seen that bloke around and he's tion fork blades with strengthen­ got pots of money, you'd think he in white coats-nearly got that ing gussets on their sides, and the could afford a better car than one-just missed him 'HARD very sturdy handlebar assembly that old crate. Oh, look they're LUCK'." on American lines. lining up . Are they goin' to race?" "Why are they trying those That the designer was no "Why are they standing all that pieces of string to the front of stickler for convention is way from the cars? Is this a the cars and what are those evidenced by the rear springing Lerrnanz start?" boards for on the end of the system, and if at first glance this "Why don't they use the string? Why is that man lying might appear to have a touch of starter? They're away! Oh no, one down?-and now he's patting the truck in its ancestry it probably poor bloke's left at the start­ grass fiat. Is he going to have a worked very well, and the pro­ 'WHAT'S THE MATIER game of putting?" vision of a guide for each spring MATE? WANT A NEW FLINT? at the top of the frame probably HAW! HAW! HAW!''' "Oh I see now, they have to kept lateral instability to a min­ "Why's he grinding his teeth drag those empty beer bottles imum. Yes-altogether, the and why's his face turned along on the boards. Does the designer of the "Whatisit" was no purple?" winner get a full bottle of beer?" PAGE EIGHT "That b-ig, green car's a beaut can 't be all that difficult to get. "Why has the red one won, the -looks fast. Will it be in the Gee , that was corker!" blue one is much funnier?" race? Has it got a V.S engine? I "Why are those motorbikes "Th at man looks a b-ully, he's bet the owner's rich-what's his right up the far end of the pad­ shouting at his wife. She's in name?" dock? Won't you let them play tears and he's threatening her "I see. How does he drive 25 with you? Poor sportsmanship, I with that bent tube from the cars all at once?" call it." front of the car." "What do you call cars with "Why don't you wear old fash­ "I don't see why it serves her right. What's she done?" collapsible roofs?" ioned clothes to go with the cars?" "And the ones that are closed "Does it matter that she's left in?" "I don 't see why you don't the tool kit behind on the bed want people to laugh at you­ back home?" "Glass hou ses, eh! I thought after all it's all a bit of a giggle, "What kind of race is this? Is that was what they grew tomatoes isn't it?" in." that as fast as they can go? That "Do you always get your wives man in the black car has got out "Look at all the smoke coming to do all the polishing? It must and is walking by the side of his from that one-he ought to tune be tough on thei r hands, using all car. Is that fair? By the way, it up." that Brasso." what are you doing with that "Oh, steam-like a train?" "Fancy! They enjoy it!? Must watch and board?" "Well, he should put in more be daft!" "Oh, you're the time-keeper. water or his radiator will over­ "Who are those men with Who won then? " heat." boards? Wh y are they looking in­ "You've no idea-how can you "Oh look, tho se two are going side and crawling under the write down the time and answer to hit, the passenger in the red cars? Are they from the Customs my stupid questions! Well, I like car is shouting at the driver. Too and looking for hidden drugs? that ! If that's your attitude when late ! CRASH! They're all getting They seem to be taking down someone shows an intelligent out. I think the man in the blue particulars from the man who interest, you can be sure I won't car is going to cry. Those funny owns the yellow car. Perhaps be joining YOUR Club! GOOD­ square light s that have got broken they 've found something." BYE!"

WHATEVER YOUR CAR fr ~

lACE!,, SELL THE PRODUCTS

YOU'LL NEED Branches throughout N.Z.

PAGEN INE less steel as it is not necessary with diesel fuel. The trouble was completely overcome by having Denny De Dion the face of the valve built up with "stellite". Speedo is now reading 8000 odd and compression is still The December 1960 issue of gear with alt ernate use of foot good . Beaded Wheels told the story of and hand brakes. The latter acting Latterly I was finding the the old 1907 single-cylinder De on rear hubs was very effective absence of screen or hood jus-t a Dion Bouton which had been re­ and gave one a good feeling of bit rugged. In fact my wife built from a rusty wreck. The safety, but it disengaged the clutch refu sed to come with me on the story can now have another and the engine-braking was lost, 1972 International unless I fitted chapter added covering its exploits The shoes were unlined bronze. a screen and hood. I managed to over 8000 miles on the road since original, and we did not want to buy a set of folding hood-bows then. It was dri ven on a daylight wear them unnecessarily. The foot and hardware that looked suit­ warrant for a vear or so until a brake acted only on a tiny trans­ able, and made a wood-framed full set of kerosene and carbide mission drum and would over­ screen. Now with sidecurtains in lamps were acquired by dint of heat quickly. A very steep descent place it is completely weather­ much trading and swapping. Thus proof and we can drive in com­ equipped, it was able to venture fort regardless of the elements. further from home and attended by Rex Porter We even have a "heater"-me rely Rallies at Wellington, Hastings a small trapdoor in the dash and Wanganui. There was no could be taken safely in low gear which can be opened to let some need for a trailer to be used as but it was terribly slow. So the warmth come from the engine. it was quite fun driving these local hills were proving a bit With the D e D ion sealed crank­ distances. The old bus proved difficult and it was felt some case there are no oily fumes. thoroughly reliable and could be minor modifications were justified. Anticipating the careful scru­ driven at near full throttle for A simple two-bladed fan mounted tineering prior to the International hours on end without showing on a circular-saw spindle bought Rally, it was feared there could any sign of distress, regularly from local hardware store and be hasty things said about the turning on an average of 20 mph. driven by belt from a pulley fitted state of De Dion's rear wheel Cruising speed on the flat was 30 to the cranking-dog was installed bearings. Not that it affected to 35 rnph reduced to a mere 25 and completely cured all boiling stability at all but the full inch by a strong head wind or a bother. In fact it was almost too of play did look alarming and, gentle up-grade. Driving the De effective. You could put a hand well. it was just not right. (Dur­ Dion, one became very con scious on top of radiator at the Summit ing the rebuild this repair was of gradients. Hill s were found without getting burnt. The pitch beyond both my ability and my where none pre viou sly existed, of the fan blades was reduced to pocket.) Trouble was due to wear second gear became necessary as half and proved to be just right. in large diameter "stubbs" of the speed dropped below 20 and then Down-hill driving was much im­ DDB rear axle , and the corres­ it would be low gear and 10 mph proved by the fitting of an "extra ponding bronze bush in the hubs. for the rest of the climb. The air" valve (ex Ford T) hooked up It was thought not possible to seven miles low-gear climb up the to the original mixture control remove stubbs from the axle Rimutaka Hill usually took half lever on the dash which was in­ beam but have since found that an hour and was no trouble so operative with the present Zenith they are pressed in and sec ured long as there was a light head­ carburettor. With air-valve full y with a large grub-screw filed oft" wind. A following wind or calm open and second gear in use, our flush and effectively hidden under day and there was trouble with a hill could be crossed at a com­ paint. Not aware of this detail, boiling radiator. Tt was useless to fortable 20 with only occa sional the job was handed over to an stop to let it cool as then the use of the foot brake. engineering shop and they made a radiator would empty itself by In the course of the first 4000 good repair by rcbushing hubs dribbling water out in a steady miles on the road the exhaust and re-grinding axle -stubbs. They stream from the radiator vent. Tt valve had to be re-ground a num­ admitted it was a difficult job as helped a little to open the bonnet ber of times . It did not seem to the wheel s are cambered. and both sides and fix them with a be getting "burnt" but rather just stubbs are not in alignment. The leather snap. We used to do this corroded. Possibly partly due to whole axle had to be swung in a at the foot of the hill and not stop weeks or months of disuse large grinder with one end turn­ to replace the bonnet till well between events. Fortunately Ford ing in a 6 inch circle while down on the other side. All diesel tractor valves fit exactly opposite end ran true against the descents were made in second but these are not made of stain- grinding wheel. The job was PAGE TEN Seen at Martinborough School Jubilee procession East er Sa t u rd ay 1972. Rex Porter's 1907 De-Dion follow ed by Gordon Hugham Ltd 19 12 Mod el T Ford dri ven by Torque Hudson. priced at $200 which was co n­ there will be no more people tell­ every local even t and several sidere d reasonable for the work ing me "Do you know your back further afield in the past yea r, and involved. Had we known about wheels are loose? They wobble." will be co ntinui ng on these lines, the hidden grubscrew the who le Mention was made of reliabi lity especially the Veteran Rally to be job would have cost much less. and this will illustrate it. During held at Masterton on 17th March Anyway, I'm glad this final bit of the three weeks on the road for '74. It is to be hoped this event restoration has been done and the Int ern ational, De Dion was will entice man y other Veterans driven 1307 miles, home to home, to at tend and enjoy it as we all and needed only petrol and oil. did the 1972 International. It was JUST BELO NG? No water ha d to be added to the grand to drive in the company of Are you an ac tive member. the kind radiat or . so many others of comparable that would be missed " Denny" has completed in perfo rmance. Or are you just conte nted that your name is on the list ? Do you attend the meet ings and "Buick 1903-1973" - 52 pp - 194 illus. mingle with the flock Or do you stay at home and crit icize "Packard 1899-1942" - 52 pp. - 76 illus . and knock? Do you take an active part to help "Lincoln 1921-1973" - 52 pp. 76 illus. the work along "Second 50 Years of Studebaker" - 132 illus. Or are you sa tisfied to be the kind that "Just Belong" ? "Last Years of Studebaker" 140 illus . Do you ever go to visit a member who is sick ALL NEW AND ONLY $2.98 POSTED. Or leave the work to just a few and talk about the clique? "From Here to Obscurity" (Model T Ford ) We have some serious probl ems that "Henry's Lady" (Model A Ford) I'm sure you've hea rd abou t And we'll appreciate it if you, too , "The V8 Affair" (Pre -war VS Ford ) will come and help us out. Don't be just a member. but take an ALL $16.95 POSTED active part, (a lthoug h the Publisher has had a major fire , we have Think this over, remem ber you know a deq uate stocks.) right from wrong. Are you an ac tive memb er or do Fro m: you "J ust Belong" ? te~hni~al Author Unknown books Itd. p.a. Box 9335. Morrow St. Newmarket. Auckland 1. Reprin ted fro m The Vintage Ca r of Ca nada. PAGE ELEVEN Blackwell Motors' 50th Anniversary

It is just fifty years since the well-known motor reta iling firm of Blackwell Motors was established in Christchurch by two far-seeing and capable businessmen, the late Messrs W. F. Blackwell and G . W. Fairweather. Waiter Blackwell, the first managing director and sales manager. began his career in the motor business away back in 1915 in Rangiora, later becoming manager of Buick Sales. G. W. Fairweather's motor career began when he worked for Amuri Motors, later transferring to Buick Sales as service manager.

by Maurie Hockley

In 1923 Buick Sales Ltd. found itself in financial difficulties and these two availed themselves of the opportunity to commence in business on their own Tough AO Spark Plugs will account under the name of BJackwell Motors Ltd., in Buick Sales' old premises in Durham Street, from help keep it going. which address, as it transpired, they were to carry on their business for another 48 years. Right from the start the company was renowned for its service, Three times around the clock and still going and this reputation has endured through the years. strong. Give it eve ry he lp with tough When Blackwell's opened the ir business a staff of ACSpark Plugs, about a dozen was sufficient to cope with all requirements-to-day, around 350 staff members O.K.So ma yb e they a re mode rn - b ut the y can do a lot for veterans of the highway . are employed in the Blackwell Group throughout Canterbury. ACSpark Plugs . In the early days, the Buick was the firm's best­ Built toug h . . . for q uick sta rts , smoother performance, imp ro ve d re liab ility . .. selling car, but other makes were handled also , in any kind of car. including the Rover and the Standard. Used cars were of course dealt in, and the firm has always enjoyed an enviable reputation in this branch of the trade. In 1927 the company was successful in obtaining the franchise for the popular and reliable Chevrolet. These cars and trucks sold in ever­ increasing numbers, and a chat with a few long-term keeps you going staff members suggest that the "Chevy" played a big part in making the business what it is to-d ay . when the going Throughout their career, Blackwells were known for the large number of vehicles supplied to business gets tough firms. Probably Chevrolet's popularity was greatest from about 1935 until the outbreak of war in 1939, and the popular "Master 85" was used in large numbers by many business houses for their travel­ ling representatives. But World War 11 soon dras­ Pa rts & Access orie s Divis ion of Ge ne ral Moto rs Ne w Zea lan d Lim ited . ticaUy reduced the numbers of new cars available, with the result that vehicles which normally would 1------1 PAGE TWELVE have been replaced carried on and clocked astronomical mile­ ages, giving almost legendary service. Like pr actically all businesses in this and other countries, Black­ well Motors had its share of trials and tribulations in the years of the Great Depression. Trad­ ing figures showed a decline and although there was no shortage of cars, buyers became few and far between. By mid- I93 I the question of wage and sa lary re­ ductions was discussed and a cut of 10% was made in the pay of aIL staff members, including the directo rs. Disinclined to sit back and wait for business to come its way, the company appointed a staff mem ber to interview old ONE-STOP clients, canvass for jobs and genera lly go after business. The agency for a well-known bra nd of radio sets was obtained, but CAR SERVICE this venture was not an unquali­ fied success and was later drop­ at Blackwell Motors ped. Long hou rs, always seem­ ingly inseparable from a car the leading Holden- Vauxhall agent's business, were curtailed to cut overhead expen ses, and Dealer in Christchurch closing-time was drastically re­ duced from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m., and has stayed at this ever since. But the depression passed- a slow and painful process-and business, while not booming, was beginning to return to something approaching norma l, until by 1935 jobs and mo ney became more plentiful and the fut ure ap peared moderately bright. Always progressive, the firm • 5 ONE - STOP CAR CENTRES commenced a supera nnuatio n scheme for its staff shortly after for petrol-parts-andallrepairs the 1939-45 war, and later 300 Manchester Street Phone 62-999 479 Colombo St Sydenham Phone 40-984 63 Blenheim Rd Phone 488-822 Dalgety St Addington Phone 488-835 AUTO RESTORATIONS LTD 420 Main South Rd Hornby Phone 499-144 Help offered to any enthusia st with coachwork problems. Auto Restorations Ltd a new company run by enthusiasts fo r enthus­ 11111111fUI~ iasts, ca n help you with your h41 rebuild. We specialise in new panelwork gua rds etc. Woo den L.M .V.D. bodyframes undertaken. We will undertake work on any veteran, vintage , historic racing or USED@)CARS thoroughbred car. Contact us at P.O. Box 22273, High Street, ':4 great choice - over 250 OK TESTED Used cars - the finest around" Christchurch. PAGE THIRTEEN Where it all began. Blackwell Motors' original premises at the corner of Durham and Kilmore Streets, Christchurch. The firm was to occupy these buildings for 48 years

Blackwell Motors' stand at the Olympia Motor Exhibition held at the King Edward Barracks, Christchurch in 1935. The Chevrolet Master Sports Coupe is advertised at £405 and the Touring Sedans at £372. Special attention is being called in advertising to the solid steel turret roof. PAGEFOURTE EN Fine new buildings in Manchester Street which Blackwell Mdors occupied in 1971. introduced incentive bonuses for With the merging of the three made to a new property at the its mechanics. The staff was also main country G.M. dealers the junction of Manchester and given the opportunity to purchase farming community received an­ Salisbury Streets. This splendidly­ shares in the rapidly growing other service-the sale and ser­ appointed building is "Head company. vicing of International Harvester Office" to all the Blackwell Without its General Motors Company machinery and replace­ Group branches and more than agencies it is doubtful if the firm ment parts by the Blackwell 100 of its total staff are located would be as large as it is to-day. Group. LH.C. products are too here in what must be one of the 15000 new vehicles have been well known to need describing most modern motor business pre­ sold since those far-off days when here-suffice it to say that the mises in the country. the fledgling firm had Buick as firm has been manufacturing It would be fascinating if one the sole string to its bow . The farm machinery for 130 years. Holden franchise in 1954 proved could peer into the future and one of the greatest-ever assets , With the old building incapable see what the next fifty years will and increasing sales year after of accommodating any further bring, but whatever is in store, I yea r have testified to the popu­ expansion, Blackwells directors would like to think that in the larity of these Australian­ decided that bigger and more year 2023 the Black well tradition manufactured cars and utility modern premises were impera­ of service will be still as firmly vehicles. Branches in other parts tive, and in 1971 a move was established as it is to-clay. of Christchurch were opened, and several sub-agents in country dis­ tricts were appointed and later HOW DO YOU. ·. ? merged with the B1ackwell Group. STRIP OLD PAINT FROM CAR PARTS • The latest Christchurch branch was opened in 1972 in B1enheim SANDBLASTING Road. The Vauxhall and Bed­ b ford light commercial agency was obtained at this time also, and ~J~c~!!P&I~u~,!,!D sales, especially of the low­ 1 priced 4-cylinder Viva, have been most encouraging. Another qual­ J'I7\jjrl/.T>11 ' W ILL STRIP AND CLEAN OLD PAINT AND ity N .Z.-assembled Holden is the RUST TO THE METAL AND LEAVE AS Torana, available with either NEW manual or automatic trans­ PHONE 30-141 DUNEDIN. PHONE ~3-410 mission. BOX 2093 PAGE FIFTEEN Layman's Guide to Vintage Motoring

THE FORD fully precedes the FORD by night skilled ope rators. Today they are In the 1920s one road authori ty automatically fades at corners, even blacker and beautifully debated whether or not to con­ Before embarking, the FORD burnished. Wooden wheels are sider FORDS in the same category owne r has to manipulate the start­ french polished and tyres carry as automobiles- no insult to the ing handle carefully to avoid a fr ee ads for their makers. Ford, really, considering the broken wrist, ensuring beforehand After FORDS there were shortcomings of mo st of the that the machinery is properly MODEL A's for students who automobiles. adjusted against motoring slowly have sold them all back to the Th e FORD offers all the joys over him when it comes to life. Americans to empl oy in the treat­ of Vintage Motoring, protracted Once aboard he has to balance ment of NOSTALGIA. The com­ voyaging, fr esh air, phy sical and against the motion of his airy pany is still in busines s. FORDS mental stimulation: adding the perch which he should abandon are very desirable and very ex­ unusual features, in its time, of pensive. by David Richardson cheapness, silence in motion and BARGAINS independence of roads. It was put into mass production at the dawn when the tran smission fails on a Bargains repose in decayed out­ of motoring and set the world on descent, choosing the risk of houses partly covered by debris. wheels. That is, until 1927 when brui ses against the certainty of They were placed there by the the unwheeled world discovered fractures and the possibilities of widows of their late owners ten alternatives to carry it in greater incin eration (gravity tank) and years ago in original condition speed and comfort on the new laceration (sedan models). A sec­ after an undemanding life which carriage ways which the Ford did ondary function of some of the hardly sufficed to run them in . not need. levers and pedals is to actu ate The present owner of a BAR­ brakes, but the surest way of GAIN has oot had time to effect arresting progress is to throw the the restoration he planned but, works into an opposite motion­ out of regard for the BARGAIN, like railway locomotive. Paint would like to know that a fellow­ removed from the sidelamps and enthusiast would take it on. Al­ other parts reveals brass which though he does not know much these days is invariably polished . about vintage motors he knows Until technology provided some­ that this one is unique and very thing less expensive radi ator sur­ valuable. His 'boy' too would like rounds were bra ss too. FORDS to restore the beloved BARGAIN were uniformly black in sombre for his own use (in earnest of tribute to the memory of their less which he has already taken off ~~ Ford. j\w~ The FORD is spindly and high, -{ I suspension and seating are firm. ~ Punctures are repaired in situ as - ' the rims do not detach-a burden from the mind of the vintage pilot . ;> accustomed to being overtaken by his own wheels. The FORD can go in one direction whilst its wheel s rot ate in another. For some reason it mounts hills back­ ward s. The wheel which imparts a general direction to the mo vement is upside down and there are no instruments to distract the oper­ at or. The electric glow which fit- Bargain. PAG E SIXTEEN and sold ever y removable pa rt) P.V.s but he is away ove rseas / at Var­ A PV . is eithe r a cha nce sur­ sity /i n Auckland. vivor of millions or a cherished The sta te of utt er ruin apparent one of a valu able few. In order to you is superficial and prob­ to be 'accepted' in (V .c.c.) soc­ a bly caused by the fowl s. You iety it mu st be restored in every CRESTER wonder which rooste r took away detail to its original specification the body a nd wheels. in a way calculated to inspire Desi rable? Yo u need the axle breathless admiration from even CAR and gearbox to complete your a CLASS IC owner. If you don't own restoration. Expensive? buy it a keen youngster will get 'Look, a bloke from Dunedin there first and CUST OMIZE it. SALES offer ed me five hundred dollars Until then its present three but you could see he was a dealer owners (they sit in the fro nt, their .. . etc... . etc.' birds in the back) will co ntinue 374 Worcester Street to distribute emp ty beer bottles ANCIENT BRITONS from it. D esirable if yo u've got to Christchurch British motorists tra veiled in the have it. It may be valua ble when fre sh air long after their Am er­ you have finished. It will certainly ican cousins shut out the unkind be expensive. Buying elements. E ach manufact urer ex­ pressed his ow n individu alit y all or Selling the way to insolvency when Wil­ Good Used Cars liam Morris kindly bought up the remaining assets. 'Saloons' looked like railway ca rria ges without and Methodis t chapels within and al­ NOEL ways outlasted thei r over wo rked motors. As a measure of the BEECROFT strain which the motor is cu r­ Ancient Briton . rently enduring every ANCIENT BRITON has a large calormeter EARLY AMERICANS Member L.M.V.D.A. a bove the waterworks which the Most of these resem bled peram­ Member Vintage Car turmoil beneath now a nd then bulat ing tool sheds pain ted a Club (N.Z-l dramatically displaces, The ca r gloom y hue. EARLY AMER­ has four wheels, cylind ers and ICANS were reliable, safe, dur­ Telephone 897-715 seals: also several gears, some able and until recently, unapprec­ After Hours 897-155 low and one high. ANCIENT iated. There were many different BRITONS all sound and look manufacturers who were all taken quite differ ent from each other ove r by General Mot ors in 1929. which used to make it easier to Onl y the survivors kn ow the joys distinguish and a void the most of sealed roa ds, new pai nt, polish erratic ones which are of course, and loving care. They always win today th e . .. most desirabl e and V.C.C. rallies. Desirable and Have expensive. expensive. "Beaded Wheels" posted regularly to your address. Only $2.00 for 6 issues (includes postage). Write to Subscription Dept. P.O. Box 13140,

Early American. Christchurch. I, PAG E SEVENTEEN 'Autoparts' Historic Cars Event

To mark the 25th Wigram R ace, the N .Z. evolved with the obviously fastest machines off Grand Prix left Au ckland for the first time and first. A most impressive sight and sound as the was held at the historic aerodrome at Sock burn , full field took off! Christchurch. Our old friends and suppliers, The very wide range of performances helped Auto Parts Ltd were to celebrate a half century to keep the race interesting and developed a of existence at the same time a nd a "marriage" whole ser ies of "dog fights" spread right round of these seemingly disconnected anniversaries the circuit with the very fast machines inter­ resulted in an invitat ion to the Vintage fr aternity locking these as a complete whol e! to a place in the G.P. programme in a six lap race for Vintage, historic racing and P.V. cars. by A. Anderson An impressive field of 29 ca rs a rrived for Fro m the flag fall Ray Archibald with the C 'practice on Saturday, January 19th-the practice type Jaguar, Brian Middlemass (Cooper Bristol), was not sufficiently long in view of the possible Warner Mauger (Stanton "Cropduster"), Leon performances of the quic ker machinery but it Witte (TT. Aston Martin) and Gary Harris was sufficiently lon g to result in bearing trouble (Lo tus 18) led off as a leader bunch from which with Atho l Asher's P type M.G. and a burnt Archibald and Middlemass quickly dr ew ahead valv e sea t for Devon Basher 's 500cc Coo per­ until Archi bald spun up on lap 2 to drop to Norton. The latter ho wever was on deck again 4th place and reall y pulled the stops out to fight next morning complete with insert installed! back to the lead-a most exciting run. The very sho rt practice left no possib ility of The two Ran sley Riley specia ls had a great a handicap race and so a scratch start was dice together in th e hands of Bruce Pidgeon and Malcolm McMillan and the old ex Morrie Proctor Brooklands Riley now in the hands of Lindsay Wogan (th e winner of th at 1st Wigram back in 1949!) was going very nicely and well up with the field having been restored to original wheels, carbs etc. (See cover photo). The Big Vintage, represented by Geoff Owen (4{- Bentl ey) and Jack Newell (30/ 98), were hav­ ing lots of fun with standa rd XK 120s and Me­ Kellar, M45 Lagonda and were running away from the Austin Healy 100 which (togethe r with the Alta and the 6-!- Bentley) wasn't really on form at all.

THE AUIDPARI? ~ANNIVERSARY ~

Sunday, 20th January at Wigram immediately prior to the Lady W igram Trophy Race. ~'l" We at Auto parts (Christchurch) spo nso red this race 2 as a fitting and exc iting way of celebrating th e 50th ~Autoparts Anniver sar y of our Company an d 50 years of supplying Chr istchurch with its need s in used car parts. It proved to be qu ite a race. thecar wreckers Christchurch

PAG E EIGHTEEN Austin Hadler had the worst LIST OF ENTRANTS of luck with L type M.G. lock­ ing his brakes into the hairpin Malcolm McMillan, Dunedin, 1953 Ransley Riley, 4 cyl, 2-!- litre . I. E. O. McKellar, Ashburton, 1935 Lagonda M45, 4t litre. and collecting a drum, in the Ray Archibald, Christchurch, 1953 Jaguar C type, 6 cyl , 3i- litre. Ex Peter process putting his car on its side Whitehead-Jack Tutton. Still holds N.Z. Class C speed record at 144 - he was not hurt though the car mph. suffered a broken front axle beam Murray Cockbum, Oarnaru, 1936 A.C., 1991 cc, 6 cyl, and other damage-a great pity. Brian Middlemass, Queenstown, 1953 Cooper Bristol, 1991 cc, 6 cyl, Queens­ town Motor Museum entrant. No other accidents or mechanical John Stanley, Nelson, 1925 Delage , 2 litre , 4 cyl , derangements marred the day Leon Whitte, Teddington, 1953 Aston Martin DB3S, 3 litre , 6 cyl, Ex works which we trust finally and very car. publicly dispels the notion of Ted Leveredge, Christchurch, 1934 M.G. N.A. 1286 cc, 6 cyl, supercharged. vintage racing as a car smashing This car was raced at Wigram in mid 1950's by Doug Housedge. exercise. Austin Hadler, Chri stchurch, 1933 M.G. L type, 1098 cc, 6 cyl. John Bain , Christchurch, 1954 Jaguar XKI20 ,3t litre, 6 cyl. Bob Tidswell and your sc ribe Geoff Owen , Christchurch, 1926 Bentley, 4t litre, 4 cyl. were hard put to it to determine Ga ry Harris, Christchurch, 1960 Lotus 18. 997 cc, 4 cyl. the very close finish which, by a Mike Ludeke, Christchurch, 1954 Cooper 500. 500 cc, I cyl. happy coincidence, as best could Pete Macfarlane, Balclutha, 1951 XK 120 Jaguar, 31 litre , 6 cyl. 'le determined amid the haze of Bruce Pidgeon, Christchurch, 1937 Ransley Riley , 2t litre, 4 cyl, tyre smoke and Castrol "R", was Nick Macfarlane, Nightcaps, 1954 Aust in Healey lOOS , 2t litre, 4 cyl, a dead heat between Ray Arch­ (Ex Vensen) ibald's "C'. type Jaguar and John Devon Basher, Christchurch, 1947 Cooper 500, 500 cc, I cyl. Stanley with the smallest and old­ Alan Kerr. Dunedin. 1952 Cooper, 650 cc, I cyl. est of the Vintage machinery his Lindsay Wogan, Christchurch, 1930 Riley Brooklands, 1089 cc, 4 cyl. D.T. Series Delage! (Ex Proctor, winner 1st Wigram). Bob Beardsley, Christchurch, 1935 Alia , 2000 cc. 4 cyl. In all this was a triumphant Warner Mauger, Christchurch, 1953 Stanton Special, 6124 cc, 4 cyl. return by the Club to Wigrarn Norman Sisson , Christchurch, 1958 A50 Special, 1500 cc, 4 cyl. where we last raced in 1950 when Frank Renwick, Christchurch, 1933 12 M.G ., 848 cc, 4 cyl. supercharged. six sta rters and th ree finishe rs Bob Oak ley, Dunedin, 1934 Alvis Speed 20, 2772 cc, 6 cyl. over the same distance was not Jack Newell, Rangiora, 1925 Vauxhall 30/98, 4200 cc, 4 cyl. quite so good! -Honour is now Gavin Bain , Governors Bay, 1924 Bentley, 3000 cc, 4 cyl. satisfied. Bill Chamberlain, Leeston, 1928 Bentley, 6500 cc, 6 cyl.

-:~ . 1 •

A typical scene in the 1920s on the Canterbury Plains near Wigram Aerodrome. The vehicles are a 8.S.A. combination and a Talbot. PAGE NINET EEN

The'Autoparts' Historic Cars Event at Wigram on Sunday, 20th January photographed by Euan Sarginson. Prints of this event are available at 272 High Street, Christchurch.

Left: Warner Mauger in the Stanton Cropduster. Right: Jack Newall's Vauxhall 30/98 being harrassed by a Cooper 500. Below: Leon Witte Aston Martin DB3S. More About Six Wheelers

Maurice H ockley's story ill a recent issue about unusuu! six wheel ca rrying the Vickers gun s of a vehicles has brought response from an authoritative source, namely the cav alry regiment". " M ORRISR EGISTER" a club for ow ners of M orris vehicles manu­ Nicknamed the " Gin Pal ace ", factured prior 1940. a "0" type Mo rris Co mmercia l Wellwood Farm Wireless Van was used on the Lower Stock Rd Experimental M ech ani sed Force West Hanningfield man oeu vres. Equipped with C.W. N I' Chelmsford wireles s sets the "Gin Palace" Essex, En gland pro vid ed morse communication Edit or. from static positions where the Bead ed Wheel s. ae rial suppo rt frames, normally Christchurch, folded flat on the roof when New Zeal and. mobile, could be erected . 10th July, 1973 In Hong Kong the 38 M .T. Dear Sir, Co mpany R.A.S.C. were kept As yo u would expect , it was with interest that I read of the Mo rris busy between April 1927 and Six Wheeler "60" Saloon car in the March 1973 issue of your March 1928 demonstrating the magazine . versatility of the six-wheeler to You may find the enclos ed photo copies (unfortunately the ori ginal high ranking officers. Cross­ "Journal" now out of print) of an a rticle I did on the va ria tions of country runs and paddy field interest. Feel free to reproduce any or all of this if you so desire. wading appeared to have been all Wi shing your Club the very best , in a day's work. On on e occ a­ Yours sincerely. sion, at least, the vehicle was HARRY EDWAROS, driven down a long flight of wide Club Hi storian. steps . The Morris Co mme rcial " 0 " In the seco nd half of 1926 across country except in marshy type had a four-cylinder side­ Morris Co mmercial announced ground and was superio r to it on valve engine driving through a what they described as an "en­ road surfaces in terms of speed conventional four-speed gearbox tirel y new type of tran sport and econom y. This a ppealed to and a two -speed a uxiliary gear­ vehicle, the six-wheeled rigid the commercial firms and being box allowing for a low gear of 80 :I where necessa ry, and it was frame vehicle". Th e twin rear virtually a normal commercial not long before Morris Commer­ wheels allowed the fitting of type lorry with the addition of a cial became the maj or producer simple chain tr ack s which fitted seco nd back axle the military were of thi s light 6 x 4 type of vehicle neatly between each pair of assured of qu antity production in in face of competition from old er wheel s making the vehicle int o a the event of war. Menti on has al­ esta blished commercial manufac­ rudimentary half-track. Dem on­ ready been made in the last "In turers such as C rossley and Vul­ strations of the perf ormance of Focus" article of the "Experi­ ca n. Military version s of the "0" this Morris Co mmercial " 0" type mental Mechanised Force" which type took the shape of ambu­ and prototy pes from other manu­ was formed in the late 'twenties. lances. mobile workshops and, in facturers were held at a milit ary Within this Force the 2nd Somer­ greater numbers, general service testing area at Chobha m Ridges set Light In fantry was a machine trucks. Articulated versions were in Oct ober of 1926. Was the War gun battalion equipped with these also in service using the "0" type Office specifica tion based on this 6 x 4 vehicl es as was the 3rd chassis as prime mover. A no vel Morris Co mmercial o r vice versa? Carabiniers whose horse transport use for the six-wheeler was at the Hard to say , but in 1926 the first was repl aced with eleven six­ Sea rchlight Tattoo at Oxford o rder was placed with the Soh o wheeled lorries. Later. in 1929. about August 1926 when the firm by the War Department to the Carab iniers moved from the vehicle was completely boxed-in equip the Ind ian Army then. later Fo rce at Tidworth to Ca nte rbury to resemble a tank (prototype?) the British Army. to take part in exp eriments "with and used to tow a field gun. In a series of trials, both in the a view to comparing the merits of Foreign governments were be­ V.K. and at bases ab road , the six­ the Morris six-wheeler with pack­ coming interested in the vehicle, wheele r rivalled the half-t rack horses as to the best method of a number were armoured by

PAGE TWENTY·TWO Vickers Arrnstrong and sold to tain ed power plants. Cate rpill ar were using the Mo rri s Comm er­ Siam, and a trio of basic 6 x 4 rear tracks being fitted to cope cial following an order by the lorries were supplied to the Lat­ with soft desert ground. A repeat All' Ministry of 31/ venicles ear iy vian Wa r Office. order came from the Egyptian ID 1928. ill Oct ober 1930 an Th e Egyptian Sta te Telegraph Gove rnment a few months lat er order from the same Mirustry was Department commissioned a fleet for more six-wheelers. Th is time placed with Bonauack for oooi es of three mobile wireless un its the trucks were equ ipped with for six-wheelers - Morris Com­ mounted on Morris Co mmercial flam e-throwers fo r exterminat ion mercial? In April 1930 the six-wheelers which were for use of locust swa rms in the Sinai Admiralty ordered a nu mber of in areas of that co untr y not then region. An attempt was even " D " type lorries. (1930) supp lied by telephone or made to interest the Chinese mili­ The Staff-C ar versio n of the telegraph links. Eac h vehicle was tary autho rities when , in early Morris Commercial six-wneeier equipped with 500 watt med ium 1933, a demonstration was ar­ was a 4/5 seater apparently well wave and 100 wa tt short wave ranged in Ca nton. equipped having roicing (abies, transmitters runn ing on self-con- At hom e the Roy al Air Force map lights and luggage and wea­ pon compartments over the twin I rear wheels and a t the rear. T he four-cylinder petrol engine de­ veloping 40 b.h.p, (85mm bore x 120mm stro ke) ariving through a single dry-plate clutch and a four­ speed sliding spur type gearbox and a two-speed auxiliar y gear­ box. Overhead worm-drive rea r axles were driven by open prop­ 'shafts and these axles were sup­ ported on centre pivot with semi­ elliptic springs on each side, located by leading and trailing torque arms. The mean wheel­ base being 122 inches. At least one of the six-wheeler Staff Cars held by the Artillery T ranspor t Company was a six­ cylinder version which, if follow­ ing the specificat ion of the "c ivil­ ian " version (Type "6D") listed in the Morris Co mmercial cata­ Determining th e point of balance, 38° logue fo r 1931, was pow ered by a 26.8 h.p. engine developing 74 b.h.p, at 2800 r.p.m, The wheel­ base being four inches shorter. Orders for six-wheeler ca rs were placed by the War Office in Janu­ ary 1930 and contemporary photographs show two of these vehicles in use by the C.I.G.S. brass inspecting the lst Brigade Royal Tank Corps exerc ises on Salisbury Plain in 1931. The Mo rris Co mmercial "D" type continued in . production until 1932 in both 30 cwt. and 40 cwt. longwheelbase qu ize. A t the time of a repeat order fo r thirty-three Mo rris Co mmercial six-wheel chassis , to be fitted with eleven am bulance bodies and twenty-two lorry bodies, it was Traction in any terrain revealed that the Birmingham

PAGE TWENTY-THREE company had up to 1932 supplied new forward-control version was Notw ithst anding all that ha s the War Office with something also introduced known as the been written so far, the Morris like 1,000 vehicles . The "D" type Mo rris Commercial type "CDF" Commercial six-wheeler also play­ was superseded by the "CD" type (production peri od 1933 to 1940), ed its part in many civil ian roles. normal control 6 x 4 in 1933 at a this had basically the same wheel­ One of the first rigid six-wheeler time when the original War Office base and overall length as the fire engines was a Mo rris Com ­ specification for the "Light", normal-control lorry but the mercial "D" type supplied to the "Medium " and "Heavy" types of space saving characteristics of the Bridport Brigad e, perhaps the sec­ six-wheeler were combined in one Io rward-control cab allowed fo r ond was that used by the Work s new manufacturers specification a longer platform at the rear. A Fire Brigade at Morris Motors whic h covered pneumatic tyred variation of this forward-control fact ory at Cowley. Thi s latter rigid frame six-wheelers of model fitted with a 4 ton winch vehicle was used in a most uncon­ from 30 cwt. to 12 tons capacity. took the designation "CDFW". ventional manner on one occasion New requ irements included single 1939 saw the beginning of the when du ring a particularly hard rear low pressure/large section Seco nd World War and with it winter in the late 'twenties Wil­ tyres instead of twins. The pro­ the formation of the British Jiam Morris and guests on route duction of the new "CD" type Expeditionary Force which took for Henle y-on-Tharnes, snow­ continued until 1939. The general with it man y thousands of mili­ bound at Huntercombe, were service version, weighin g 2 tons tary vehicles to France. Nine rescued and tak en to their destin­ 12 cwt., still retained a four­ months later with the fall of ation in the fire engine with tracks cylinder petrol engine albeit with France and the British retreat at fitted to the rear wheels. The Fire a five-speed gearbox (no longer Dunkirk the majority of the Engin e, kno wn as the "FD" type gate change). Wheels for reasons vehicles were left behind. A vast used the 30 cwt. chassis and was menti oned were now single at the number at vehicle dumps at SI. equipped with a two-stage turbine rea r run ning on 750 x 20 tyres. Nazaire were (whe re time allow­ pump capable of delivering 250 Worm dri ve was retained in much ed) destroyed or deliberately gallons per minut e. the same form as before. In com­ damaged by the British Army. It Two six-wheeler Morris Com­ mon with Morris Commercial was discove red after the war that mercials were supplied to the civilian models of the peri od, the Morris Commercials from these Prince of Wales for his hunting radi ator design had been updated. sources were repaired, modified. expedition in Africa in 1930. One, In addi tion to the "CD" type a and used by the German Army. a closed caravan , was well APEX TYRES LTO (Incorporating Hampton Tyre Co. Ltd.)

"Try Us For All Your Tyre Problems"

VINTAGE VETERAN RADIALS CROSSPLY TRUCK TRACTOR We Indent From Overseas

Cnr. DURHAM & PETERBOROUGH STREETS CHRISTCHURCH, I 170 HIGH STREET, RANGIORA

PAGE TW ENTY-FOUR c. HUNION (1967) liD SS KI LMORE STREET CHRISTCHURCH Telephone 69-786

rI Quotations gladly given for- REBUILDING VETERAN & VINTAGE CARS RENEWING ROTTEN WOODWORK Specialists in ... NEW BODY WORK BUMPER REPLACEMENT SERVICE GLASS REPLACEMENTS DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW REPAIRS CHASSIS STRAIGHTENING PAINTING

WE TAKE THE DENT OUT OF ACCIDENT

appointed and completely mos­ of the water con tainers at the wheel arches. quito-proof, fitted out for use as back of the caravan which was Special bodied versions for dining room, bedroom, kitchen or pressurised by air fro m the hunting purposes were shipped bathroom. The shower bat h was engine -driven pump. Rubberised out to India about the same an ingenious affair consisting of curt ain s slung from hooks com­ period. The Maha raja of Udaipur a square zinc sump with a rubber pleted the mo bile bathroom in­ had such a vehicle and a two ­ bath mat in its middle and a stallation.The second of the two seater "Sports" version was added drain to one side. Above, in the vehicles was an open car used, to the garage of the wea lthy roof of the vehicle, was the nozzle litera lly, as a shooting brake and Maharajah of Bhopal in 1929. connected through a tap to one had gun boxes fitted over the rear An expedition led by Captain the Hon. B. F. H .Clifford left Mafeking on June 16th, 1928, to cross the Kalaha ri Desert in two standard W.D. type Morris Com­ mercial six-wheelers. The total mileage cove red in twenty-one days was about a thousand mi les and this incl uded fo ur hundred miles across the actual Desert. No mechanical failures were re­ corded but the cars averaged twenty punctures per day between them! The ob ject of the venture was 10 explore the possibilities of opening a trade route across the desert so that the north-west edge cou ld be brought into closer touch with the rail heads and busi­ ness centres of Bechuanaland. As an ticipated (for this was in the "waterless" months) no wa ter was found and the two fifty gal­ lon wa ter tanks carried in one of On m anoeuvres near Hong Kong 1927-28 the vehicles allayed human and PAGE lWENTY-FIVE machin e th irst. Nat ives, disco v­ THE LAST WORD IN ECONOMY - STAR CARS ering the spoor left by the wheels, "A delaide Evening Journal" Sept. 1, J9J3 foll owed it for miles under the imp ression that an eno rmous A RECORD IN ECONOMY snake was trailing across the desert! An extraordinary record for of tyres lasted 15,932 miles, which No mention has been made in eco nomy has just been under my is a bout a world's record. The these not es of the Mor ris Com­ merci al six-wheel bulk load car­ notice. Mr E. J. Herbert, of the pet rol consumed was 788 gallons, riers, known as the "RD", as thev Port Wakefield district, claim s to and works out at 21-} miles to a com e outsid e the sco pe of an have run a 15 h.p. Star car 16,971 gallon. The repa ir bill during the article on the "6 x 4". This type miles at a total cost of £90 /15 /­ three and half years the car was of six-wheeler having a trailin g equivalent to the amazi ngly low used did not amount to a sover­ axle. figure of Hd a mile. Th e first set eign . Mr Herbert has signified his willingn ess to allow any bona­ fide engineer to inspect his books to prove these figures. He has always tak en great care of the automobile, and the shed in which it is kept is qu ite dark. Wh en the vehicle was left for any length of time is was jacked. up, in orde r to rake all weight off the tyres. The owner is a steady driv er , and seldo m exceed s 20 miles an hour, which will acco unt for the long life of the car, An independent motorist who has seen Mr Her­ bert's books sta tes that he will wager £ I00 tha t the figures, in­ credible as they may seem , are co rrect Rep rinted from "Spit and Polish"

FRO M SA MO TOR JULY J913 Motori sts a re resenting the prosecu tion s for exceeding the speed limit which occur nearly every day. It is maintained that most motorists exceed the speed limit at times and it is th ought

~ .;c-..::r.- rema rka ble th at no Government ~ ' - ­ cars are ever convicted. ~ Th e lat est mode of trapping In early times the automobile was by no means generally accepted by the motorists in the busy streets is by public of the day and all sorts of restrictions were placed on their use. Here an artist depicts some of the horrifying possibilities of a "machine" out of plain clothes detectives carrying control. speedo me ters on push bicycles! PAGE TWENTY-SIX Talking About Radiators and Cooling

There have only been two main most unu sual by today's standards. and it will at some time have cooling compounds used over the but to the Vintagent, because you been used. The early Cadillac years; air and water. Both don't see it. doesn't mean it has jacketed its cylinders with a principles are still used today but not been used on a motor vehicle . copper cover, and piped the in a more efficient manner than The Honeycomb is the most radiator water to them . Copper the early automobile. Water has common, or is it? How many real has the quickest transmission of always been the most favoured honeycomb radiators can you heat of all the common metals, because of availability and cost. bring to mind? The finned tube , hence the copper bottom sauce­ The latest development is a sealed would I think take first place. The pans. Thermo syphon - the block and radiator, so none of the tubes may be round with natural phenomena of hot water fluid is lost during its lifetime. The r efficiency of the motor in output corrugated discs as spacers to im­ to rise to the top , therefore dis­ and miles per gallon is relative prove the air flow, or the discs placing the cold and forcing it to the temperature at which it into the water jacket was used by runs. This fact was known even in by Len Elliott many makers until the late 30s 1918, when a test car used 1 who left it until then to fit a pump. Ford as usual , was one of gallon of fuel to travel 1# miles may be just flat spacer plates. The the last, considering it an unneces­ at 15 m.p.h. with no thermostat tube itself may be corrugated, sary extra. in the cooling system. A thermo­ oblong or elliptical and may run stat was fitted and set at 160 either vertical or horizontal. Not degrees and mileage rose to 16t The bacon rind hint is ideal if only may it have a tank top and m.p.g. When the setting was raised your pump gland is leaking, but if to 180 degre es mileage increased bottom but on the sides as well your radiator is inclined to over­ to 191. This is approximately 38% and may be mounted in front, heat , and the cause is not a increase in economy, just by underneath or at the dashboard cracked block or faulty pump, increasing the temperature to the like the Arrol Johnston, Fiat or don't mess about, take it to the optimum for the particular motor. Renault. You name the shape and expert. It will payoff in efficiency At today's price for petrol it is place no matter how unlikely, and peace of mind. well worth checking yours. With regard to air cooling, the main one that comes to mind is the Franklin. Figures show that in 1916, only one automobile manu­ Bound Volumes facturer out of 169 was using this method. The main users are still 01 Beaded Wheels aircraft and motorcycle firms but we cannot forget the Beetle VW. The second number of Beaded Wheels bound volumes I recently noticed an unu sual will be available next month. This incorporates Vols. 17 feature in the placement of fixed and 18 Nos. 74-85 published 1972-73. We also still have available a few copies of the number one bound bonnet louvres on a 1937 AC. On volume. This incorporates Vols. 15 and 16 Nos. 62-73 published one side they faced forward and 1970-71. on the other they faced rearwards, presumably to channel the air Here is your chance to dispense with a lot of of loose across the motor. Have you copies and replace them with beautifully bound noticed this on any other make? permanent records. Your library will be enhanced by There are many different types the addition of these books finished in green cloth and of radiator cores and one only gold lettered on spine. has to be observant at a Rally to see 4 or 5 types. The early Inter­ $6.00 each including Postage national trucks had a series of (or both numbers for $11.00) coiled copper tubes, approx. 2ft. 6ins. across, with a fan mounted Send payment to P.O. Box 13140, Christchurch in the centre and a tank top and bottom. This would be one of the PAGE-TWENrY-SEVEN Rally West Australia

Come and join Rally West was barbecue lunch in a beautiful So ended Rally West '73, an event the invitation from our friend in bushland setting some 50 miles that we certainly won 't forget for Perth, and when a newly restored distant. Back to rallying then many, many years. 1915 Model T was dangled as and further down south through On the latter part of our visit bait for us to drive, who could some most attractive country and to Australia we spent a few days resist the temptation to go West. over two much talked about in N .S.W. and during this time Leaving our children and my hills, which being New Zea­ 1 spent a very interesung couple business in capable hands, Bar­ landers we hardly even noticed. of hours with Jim Scott at Pen­ bara and 1 took off and after Even the model T took them rith, just north of Sydney. Jim much flying across that huge con­ without losing too many revs. is in the spare parts business but tinent we duly arrived in the beau­ Overnight accommodation at spends a lot of time on hIS hobby, tiful city of Perth. Manjimup with a barbecue and veteran and vintage cars. The The 80 Rally West entrants boo ze to pass the evening. yard behind his business houses were on display at a large subur­ ill fact something like 48 vehi­ ban shopping complex, a local by Bruce Bartlett cles, many awaiting restoration charitable organisation running but he has several motorable or this and making a public charge nearly so. Amongst this great to view the vehicles. Quite a A bit of the South Island's West Coast the next day with the collection were many very inter­ large sum of money was made esting makes; a Morriss London during the week-end without famous giant Jarrah forests and timber mills. Beautiful wild­ of 1922, made in the U.S.A., but much effort on the part of the with the dome of St. Paul's Veteran Car Club of W.A. but flowers, for which Western Aus­ tralia is renowned, growing right Cathedral, London as its radiator it was certainly a wonderful emblem. Others included a 1919 public relations effort on their alongside the road. A magnificent sight. Minerva, a German Hansa of the behalf. Amongst the entries were same year, a Summit and an Aus­ representatives from most of the A sightseeing day with a visit to some spectacular coastal lime­ tralian 6, both made in Au stralia, Australian States and included a a 1932 Daimler straight 8, 501 number who had been over to stone caves at a place called Yallingup, the day rounded off and 509 Fiats and so the list goes the International here. back at Bunbury with a buffet on. In his flat above the garage Contrary to the usual weather meal for all participants. Friday is a collection of old bottles and of the state, the start on Saturday and the end of the touring sec­ phonographs to make any enthu­ morning was in cool and damp tion , and the end of motoring siast's eyes boggle. conditions, but fortunately the for us as the T Model had deve­ rain did not last too long. As Space won 't allow more elab­ loped some rather odd noises and oration on our month's visit, but strangers to the city we had a time didn't allow a full survey. few problems reading our route to finish my main comment is The rally continued for a fur­ that having an interest such as sheet to leave the city but we ther two days with drives around were soon on the outskirts and old cars is a wonderful way to Perth and suburbs and con­ get off the usual tourist beat and then into the country and well on cluded with a final dinner and the way. But alas, not for long. a great way of meeting people. pri ze giving. As mentioned, hav­ When they share your interest, A sudden bang and a blowout ing the honour of the first punc­ with no spare put us on the so much the better. 1 hope, that ture, we were duly presented with if only only some of those on follow up truck until the lunch the usual wooden spoon. Many stop. This earned us the honour Rally West who showed interest of the prizes were quite outstand­ in coming to N.Z. do in fact ?? of having the first puncture of ing, a far cry from the traditional the rally. come here to rally some day, we trophy cup. During the evening will be able to return some of the The first day's run took us various members of the organis­ hospitality that was extended to south to Bunbury where again ing committee spoke and as the us. the vehicles were put on show only New Zealand entrant I was by the local Lions Club who also called upon to say a few words. provided overnight security From the interest I received to measures. my invitation for anyone present Sunday saw all rally entrants to attend the next International taking a nostalgic ride on a re­ Rally in N.Z., we could almost stored steam train to partake of a have an invasion on our hands. PAGE 1WENTY-EIGHT More About Rotary Aircraft Engines

Th e April-May 1971 issue of are uncovered by the piston, and rotary and this engine had the Beaded Wheels contained a des­ the petrol vapour is drawn in lowest oil consumption of any of cription by Bob Entwistle of the from the crankcase, charging the the other five rotary engines. rot ar y engines which played such cylinder. At 20° past B.D .C. the This came into production by an important part in the develop­ ports are covered by the piston early spring of 1918, and the final ment of the aeroplane . Unlike the again, and the cylinder moves order Was for 30,000. These present day rotary, these were around to T.D.C. on the compres­ engines were used to power the piston engines which rotated sion stroke. Ignition occurs at 20° later versions of the Sopwith about the crankshaft, the pro­ Camel and the new Sopwith peller driven by gears from the by Bob Entwistle Snipe. crank-case itself. In the course of his painstaking before T.D.C. and then the Nieuport 1/271/ Fighter research the following technical cylinder moves forward on the Nieuport "27" was fitted with a points were noted. power stroke until it comes to 90° Monosoupape rotary engine, and past T.D.C. when the exhaust was described by pilots as an air­ 100 h.p, valve opens and remains open going polo pony, and fought like Monosoupape through the remainder of the one. cycle. Thi s engine is an air cooled The pilots of World War 1 who Carburation if you could call it rotar y type with 9 cyclinders, 110 were about to take one of these such, consisted of a petrol tank, m.m. by 150 m.m. developing 100 single-seater aeroplanes up for the which was pressuri zed by a small h.p. at 1200 r.p.m. first time, had to lis.ten to some compressor driven off the engine, As the name of the engine im­ hair-raising tales from those who through a main petrol tap, a fine plies it has only one valve per had already flown one in combat. adjustment valve into a co pper cylinder and this was situated in pipe to a jet situated within the the cylinder head . hollow end of the crank shaft , so The chief points of difference that it would spray petrol into the from any other rotary engine crankcase. were that no carburettor was Air was also drawn up the fitted, and it did not have inlet valves, only inlet ports in the hollow crankshaft to vapourize cylinder walls. the petrol, as well as being The cylinders were made of assisted by the churning action of the connecting rods , and the heat nickel steel, and were machined from the crankcase. from solid, with a large aperture at the top of the cylinder to take Lubrication if you can call it the valve cage, which also carried such consisted of part pressure the rocker arm as well. It is also and part centrifugal force, in the interesting to note that the main mostly total loss was used. exhaust valve was made a lot 150 h.p. B.R.l heavier than necessary, just so it would balance the centrifugal w. O. Bentley who was a com­ By the time the instructors had action of the push rod , which missioned officer in the R.N.A.S. finished telling the pupil pilot, 'do would otherwise have tended to at the time, was to develop an aero this', 'don't do that','look out she force the valve off its seat. engine of his own design, which doesn't', etc., you could not blame Starting with any cylinder on he did very successfully, and a him for being scared stiff when it fine engineering job, as can be I T.D.C. and the exhaust valve was take off time, only to find that opens, then the cylinder moves judged from the petrol consump­ it took him in hand when he i forward drawing in air through tion of the 150 h.p., B.R. 1 as it opened the throttle. It was like the open valve port until it was was known, which was 0.0866 gal­ riding a high spirited polo pony, at 45° before B.D.C. At this point lons per brake h.p., per hour. away she would buck , up she the valve is closed . The cylinder The B.R . 1 was developed and would shoot, tail heavy as a duck then mo ves forward creating a ready for testing by the early and the stick nearly breaking his parti al vacuum until it is at 20° summer of 1916, it had a bore arm! before B.D.C. At this point the and stroke of 120 x 160 m.m. I am told that pilots had to be ports in the base of the cylinder The B.R. 2 was a 230 h.p., careful on the turns or she would PAGE TW ENTY -NI NE ,.. want to roll over and spin in, due I to the terrific torque set up by the rotary engine. What antics these old crates must have put on when the coupee switch was pushed to cut the ignition . This switch was usually fitted to the joy stick. But you can imagine what it must have been like with all that mass revolving, squirting castor oil over everythi ng, and the pilot worried over the air mixture, so as not to overheat the engine, blippin g the switch, and the engine belching flame all around the cockpit, every time he released the switch. Quite often it would simply cut out flood ed with oil. Pilots in those days certainly earned their med als!

The 80 h.p. LE RHONE rotary. The method used for attaching the "s hoe " syste m to the crankshaft on th e * * Le Rhone. The illustrat ion also shows the cut away portion of the t railing edge OTHER SPEC IFICAT IO NS of the piston, to allow it to clear the other piston at the bottom of the stroke. 100 h.p. Monosoupape Approx. oil consumption 2 gallons per hour TELL OUR petrol consumption = 10 gallons per hour weigh t of engine = 300 Ibs, i.e. 3 Ibs per rated h.p. ADVERTISERS ao h.p, Gnome YOU SAW IT 9 Cylinder Rota ry, air cooled , 120 m.m. by 160 m.m. Rated at 80 h.p. and ca pable of developi ng abo ut 65 h.p. at 1150 r.p.m. IN Approx. oil con sumption = I·} to It gallons per hour "BEADED WHEELS" petrol consumption = 7 to 8 gallons per hour weight of engine = 210 lbs, Le. 2.63 Ibs per rated h.p. 110 h.p, Clerget EASTER WEEK-END 9 Cylinder Rotary, ai r cooled, 120 m.m. by 160 m.m. North Island Rally 1974, Rated at 110 h.p . but capable of developing 130 h.p. at 1200 r.p.m . Approx. oil con sumption = 2 gallons per hou r Rotorua petrol consum ption = 10 galIon s per hour Rotorua Vintage & Veteran weight of engine = 365 Ibs, i.e. 3.3 Ibs per rated h.p. Car Club. ao h.p, Le Rhone Th e above club regrets that 9 Cylinder Rot ary, air colled, 105 m.m . by 140 m.m. the above will not now be held . Rated at 80 h.p . but capable of developing 93 h.p. at 1200 r.p.m. Th e ENERGY CRISIS has Approx. oil con sumption = 1 gallon per hou r created a situation that makes it petrol consumption = 6 to 7 galIons per hour too "dicey" to continue with the ,. weight of engin e = 240 Ibs, i.e. 3 Ibs per rated h.p. pre-RalIy planning, coupled with The Le Rh one engine was developed about 1912 by the se quin HQ's dictum that all vintage brothers of Paris, and was very widely used, so much so that in fact, mot oring, on an organised basis. the Le Rhones were made und er licence in Germa ny, and they co pied sho uld cease fo rthwith. the French T ampier bloc-tube ca rburetter fitted to some of the Le This clu b is. however, making Rhones. For pat riotic or some oth er reason the name was later changed an immediate bid for the 1975 to Oberursel. North Island Easter Rally and, Its chief point s different from other rotaries were : provi sionally, we invite you to ( 1) Cas t iron cylinde r liners. attend: Please regard the 1974 (2) N o obturator rings fitted . Easter Rally, Rotorua, as post­ (3) Induction pipes from the crank case. poned until Easter 1975! (4) No master con-rod. (5) Inlet and exha ust valves operated by one push-rod, per cylinder. S. HALLIDAY. Hon. Secretary PAGE TH IRTY Branch Officers and Meeting Nights

ASHBURTON-Chairman: S. Culimore, 154 Victori a Stre et Ash­ NORTH SHORE-Cha irm a n : F. B. D e l.at our. 26 Aramoana burton. Secretary: Mrs J P. Hosken, P.O. Box 382 A\ en ue Devonp urt . A uc k land '.3. Secretary: J ohn Hearne. Ashburron . Third Thursday at Clubrooms, Maronan Road , P.O. Box 33-033, Takapun a. Ev ery Wednesday at 7 .30 Tinwald p.m . Cl ubrooms, Cl ar ence Stre et, Devon po rt. AUCKLAND-Chairman : NA . Dewhurst. 21 Mahia Road Auck ­ OTAGO-Chairm an: M 0 , M cMillan , M ain South Road, East land , Secretary : B. H. Sole P.O. Box 3382, Auckland. Taerei. Se c reta ry: R. V D uel!, P.O Box 5352 D unedin . Club rooms, 39 Fa irfax Aven ue , Penrose. Open ev ery T hu rs ­ Every Fr id ay night at Park Street. day from 7.30 p.rn . to 10 .30 prn , and every Saturday (ra m ROTORUA-Chairm an : B . Rollo 27 Franc is St reet , N gongotaha 4.30-6 .30 p .rn . Secr et ar y : S . Halliday, 39 Ni kau Street , Rotorua. Second BAY OF PLENTY-Chairman' Mr J . W Van der Haven, 39 Wednesday in ev ery mon th ( exc ept January) at the Con ­ Devonport Road, Tauranga. Secretary: J. M , Webb, P,O. ference Room , Ngongotah a Hall. at a prn . Box 660, Ta uranga. Se c ond Monday each month, smal! SOUTH CANTERBURY-Chairm an : F. C . Whiteley, 7 Braerna r hall behind St John's Ambulance Hall. Camaron Pl ace , T irn ar u , Secretary: G . F. Brown ie. 126 Pag es Road Road Tauranga, at 8 p .rn Timaru . First Thursday at 7 .30 p .m .. Showgrounds Supper CANTERBURY-Chairman: R. B. Scott. Se cratary: D. C, Fowler. Aoom. P,O. Box 13160. Armagh, Christchurch . First Thursday at SOUTHLAND-Chai'm an : D , M clvor. 433 Yarrow Street 55 Colwyn Avenue, Bryndwr. Every Saturday aftarnoon at In ve rca rgi l l . Secretary: R. B. Pearce, P,O. Box 1240 , United Service l nv e rca rqil l . O tatara Clubrooms las t T h ur sday in every GISBORNE-Chairman: Mr J. S. Dw ight. 6 Ora Street, M akaraka, mont h . Gi s borne . Secretary: Mr R.T . Clague, 8 Porter Street SOUTH OTAGO-P.O. Box 80, Balcl utha . Chairman : A. Budge . Gisborne , Third Wednesday in month in Club Rooms 17 Y ar e Lane, Bal clutha . Sec retary: J l nqlis . No . 2 R.D. behind Atkinson Stree t Church at 8 p.ffi. Bal cl u th a Mee ti n g nig hts la st M o n d ay i n ev ery month, GORE-Chairman: R. l. Grant, PO. Box 12, Baflour . Secre­ C row n H ot el Cl y de St reet, Bal clutha . 8 p .m tary : W . R. Shanks (P.O. Box 329), 203 Broughton TARANAKI-Chairman:R. K Voss 24 Pembroke Road , Strat­ St reet. Go re . Sec ond Tuesday at Clubrooms, Woolwich ford . Secretary : W. S . H unt . 28 A Ct aw ton S tre et. Ne w Street. Phone 7825 R. Shanks. Plymou th T h ird T h ursday at Mot o r- c y cle Roc ms, June­ HAWKES BAY-Chairman : W. A . Sinclai r . Secretary : B. E. tion Road . 8 c.m . Newman. P.O . B ox 1036, Hastings . Se cond Wednesday at TAUPO-Cha irman: P. KA ndrews PO Box 711 . T aupo. Sec­ a pm .. Cl iva Town Hall retary : R. F. de Sirn n s. 6 K ur ap oe Roa d. Ta up o .Fir st MANAWATU-Chairman: M. K. Holland, 41 St. Albans Avenue, Wednesday. contact Chairman Palmerston North . Secretary: A . Pra 6 Surrey Crescent. WAIKATO-Chairman : J. Wh ite. 100 Aval on Drive, Frankton n. Secretarv : S. G , Arm an . P.O . Box 924, Hamilton . Sec ond Palmerston North . Third Wednesday of each month at Werln e s rl ~ y th e Manawatu Car Club Rooms, Newbury, commencing Wood st oGk School Hall. Hamilton WAIRARAPA-Chairm'3n: RPorter . Andersons l.ine, Carterton. at 8 .00 pm . Secret arv: R. Elwi n . P.O Box 7, M a sterton Second and MARLBOROUGH-Chairman: T. May, 41 Muller Road , Blenheim Four-th Mondays, clubroo rn s .A h u ra Road. at 8 p .rn . Secretary: I. Dymond, 16 Howick Road , Blenheim. l. WANGANUI-Chairman: WM . Birch . 146 Anzao Parade, Last Wednesday at 8 p .rn .. Modellers Club Roo ms, Wanqanui East, Se cretary: G. Cr ornerty . P.O Bo x 726. Br ay shaw Park. W anoFlnui NElSON-Ch.irman: Mr K. Iv o ry . Secratary: Mr l. J. Roberts, WElllNGTON-Chairm"n- J . G . Watson, 51 Chatsworth Road. a Salisbury Road, Richmond, Nelson. Silverc:tream , Weflinqton . Se cretary: JP. Southward , NORTH OTAGO-Chairman : J . O'Brien, P.O, Box 246, Oarna ru. 21 T ilbury Street, Lower HUll. Th ird Tuesday, Club­ Sec ret ary: Keith Perry, 150 Eden Street, Oamaru. First room s .Jock s on Street, Petone Wednesday each month at Cl ubrooms Sev er n Street WHANGARE'-Cheirman: Royce Hannah. Sec retary: Michael D. (o p p. poli ce station) . Collins, P.O . Box 17, Whangarai.

compare them with one 's 0"'11. middle of restoring were sitting on Something which appeared quite a a bo x looking as new , T he 350 Iltranchnotes novel idea in Dick's. was a remov­ Douglas was there too , but 1 hear able rubbish tin about 3 feet deep this has no w been exchanged for a sunk into a hole in the floor and 1929 600 cc model. covered with a metal lid. Having Thi s was an excellent night's out­ given numerous demonstrations on ing and defin itely the type of ent er ­ how this feature worked in reply tainment enjoyed by enthusiasts, to the obvious question, I think Our scribe for B.W, Branch December was fairl y qu iet for us Notes. narnelv John Morrison. has Dick was quite relieved when we all moved on, The workshop of a as we have no official meeting that left Ashburton to take up residence mon th and unfortunately we missed Chev. enthusiast was the third stop, in Takaka. taking amongst other out on our usual pre-Christmas that of Merv. Chaoman's. His vel­ things his nicelv restored Model T Dinner Dance due to the bookings and I've no doubt all the Rover low truck, and rrrev tourer which bits and pieces John is working on has been in the family all its life, have gone also, All of us here in are both well known in this part Have Ashburton wish him well and hope of the country and further afield we'll still see the Model T rall ying TIle main attraction in this clean "Beaded Wheels" through this part of the country on and tidy shed was the fine collec­ posted regularly to the odd occasion: better still , we tion of coloured and black and your address. Only J hope John might bring the Rover white pictures and phorozraphs back to let us see it once the which Merv, had well displayed, $2.00 for 6 issues restoration is complete, And of course since the even ing was organised by a member of the (includes postage). Our November club night, organ­ motor cycle fraternity. it wouldn't ised for us by Graeme Stevens, con­ have been complete without a look Write to sisted of a workshop tour, The first at some vintage bikes, so this is Subscription Dept. two belonging to Buick enthusiasts what we did at Graharn TIlOmP­ Ra y Hosken and Club Captain son 's. Graham's 1924 lndian was P.O. Box 13140, Dick Searle. It's always interesting on displ ay and parts of a white Christehurch. to see other members' sheds and 1925 Indian which he is in the PAGE THIRTY-ONE at our local hotel filling fa ster than with them a nd it stayed brilliant all way wagon s a t th e st ation. This we had realised . However. we did day. By mid -da y the sa usag es were afternoon's work ea rned $134 fo r have a visit fr om Father Christmas so on being enjoyed by a ll a nd our club funds . a t the Ch ildren's Party orga nised plenty of so ft drink a nd ice crea m this yea r by Ch ris an d Maurie Ala n. fo r the chil dren . T hen the old gen t Sa tur da y, D ecember l st, saw a Hughi e Rainey's miniature traction in red a rr ived in a Mot or Cycle number of slee py looking members en gine made a " wh istle sto p" on its Combo th rowin g loll ies right and mee ting at a local park to prepare \V'

((Do you use Molyslip in all the cars you restore for the Museum.'" MONTAGU: " Yes, we feel it's absolutely essential. These cars are easily damaged beyond repair; and it's our policy to keep them running, not just static museum pieces . We have to pamper them like thoroughbred racehorses. Vintage car lubrication is I I always hit and miss, especially at starting, or on steep hills, where * 1920 350 h.p, Sunbeam you can starve the forward cylinders. ,------*---.,------* I wouldn't dream of taking one out the gearbox is grease lubricated. The THE TECHNICAL STORY. Molyslip is a spe­ without Molyslip." protection Mo)yslip gives here and on cial motoring preparation 01 the new engineering WARNE: "We were amazed at the the chassis is fantastic. It quietens lubricant, Molybdenum Disulphide, plus other down rattle considerably, too. And important additiv es . You add it to the oil in your results of Molyslip right from the this new Liquid Grease injector engin e. gearbox, back axle and steering, and it word go. It's one product that really spray is useful-some of the old 'p Iates '11a metaI -to-m etal b eearianng sur1 aces with I f ti I thi does all that's claimed for it, and engines are frightfully inaccessible. " ayers 0 wearproofib, u nca' Ing moII ecu es . n IS probably more. For instance, we way, Molyslip improves the performance 01 your entered a 1904 Brushmobile for the oil, reducing power losses and the detrimental London/Brighton run. Our driver effects 01 engine and transmission Iriction . In exceeded the 760 maximum revs, practical terms you get smoother running, less broke the crank case and lost nearly wear, more power, more m.p.g. , less engine noise all the oil. But the car completed the and a complete absence 01 transmission whine. run, and she'd have gone on running. Ask for Molyslip at your local service Without Molyslip she'd have seized station, garage or MOLYSLlP E up. All our engines run sweeter with accessory store. for engines 10oz. flask Molyslip. We often run the old lasts .. 5,000 miles Edwardian racing cars faster than through oil chan ges. when they were made, with modern MOLYSLlP G fuels. There's a 1920 Sunbeam* that for gearbox, back ax le still does over 100 m.p.h. It's quite a and stee ring 10 oz. in­ "Mr. Warne, do you recom­ jector flask lasts 10,000 test for old cars, so we use the best mend Molyslip to your other materials possible." miles. customers?" MOLYSLlP LIQUID " Do you use Molyslip WARNE: "Oh yes. I always tell them Grease?" it's essential to go on using Molyslip ~T ~'~~::l~risCd MONTAGU: "Yes. In many old cars, after their cars have been restored." ~S;? s p ra y : ="" GREASE every Available from all Branches of OILIN G point! Canno t NEW ZEALAND i'vIOTOR CORPORATION dra in, wear 01'1'.

MOLYSLIP IS MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE SLIP GROUP OF COMPANIES New Zealand Distributors, JACK WI LSON SALES LTD. 86-88 Victoria Street (P.a. Box 514) Christchurch. entrants ha ving several runs in the very ac tive , and two very informal va rIOUS event s which included meet ings have been held m Tokoroa. Wiggle Wo ggle, D ra g the Bottle, I ne nrst get-together was held a t Garaging, Straigh tlme Drag , May narry Peircy's home, who IS the Letters Pol e, Slo w Rac e, Le Man s Dash and proud owner ot a IY 3U Model A to theEditor Braking Test. co upe. 1 ms IS rast becoming a very At the end of November o ur ruce looking car. Barry a nd Ius wife TANK EN GINES branch were ver y pleased to enter­ and ia rruly na ve since shmed 10 Sir, x o roru a. 11 IS un rorrunaie m at m tarn Norm Skev ington on his visit On reading the report of the 9th to A ucx land, Norm was met at i oxo ro a where many at the people interested in the club work at the Annual Hawkes Ba y Safari in the Airport by committee member s December " Beaded Wheels" , I wish with H arold K idd's Na sh Ro ad ster mill on shifts, a nd so man y can 't a ttend all the meet ings. without pointing finger, and as a and the Sunbeams of Br ian John­ not so old so ldier (retired) to put stone and Dick Sta nley, After I ok oroas second meeung was facts right. cmner we had a ver y pleasant held at 0 rah am M acsre s pla ce or T he M4 1 Tank has a petrol evening a t D ave and Christine resiuence. 0raham, wno IS on e or Keruses Victorian Devonport home engine, beli eve it or not. and not a their keenest mernoers, IS restoring diesel as reported. where films were show n of the a I Y2J Buick II l ourer, which pro­ The APe's and M54 8's do have 0ymkhan a men tioned a bove. Ea rly nuses to be a IOVt:IY <.:ar. kcss in December we did our littl e bit Mortcn, who has recent ly joined the a diesel engine. to brighten the live s of the Crip­ ':IUO , showed up at uu s meeting III I a m, etc ., pled Children at the Wil son .Ho me. his ver y unusual IY1.6 C ne v tru ck. R.S. FERENS, Ot ago Branch. Several members made their cars r'ms velucle has no door on the availa ble and Father Christmas drivers Side (the spa re IS moumec was transported with a garden party where the door snouio be).Ano the r to follow. ot the unusual vehicles o wned Oy Our Christma s social was held at i okoro a members IS tile I\I-,v YIo ** Bob and Bess Ball antynes garage Cadillac belonging to Barry Grant. worksho p and finali sed a very suc­ I oeueve Barry has been reouucnng ABOUT BOOKS cessf ul year for the bran ch . With the ca r fifteen yea rs, and he s Still the current situa tion future avuvi­ going. 1 rus vehicl e Will be magrun­ "Restored Cars ", $6 for 12 ties will be con fined to mo re social cent whe n it finall y get s back on issues. We have received the fir st events however we are planning a tne ro ad. issue of a new " o ld car" m aga­ h illcli~b in March or April which G etting back to Rotorua, Eric zine f rom Australia. will be a first for the Auckland Bu ckley has just go t his 1\12.1 Model area . Several very interesting cars T back from Bill Jan es in Ta ura nga. This 50 page periodical is to be have com e into the branch of lat e. o ill has been , hard a t It building a n published bi-monthly on glossy Amongst these a re the 20/ 60 Sun­ unu sual and ver y beautiful Sta uon beam Tourer ex Peter Maxwell a nd paper and fea tu res se veral Wagon bod y on ll.. i ne whole body the La gonda L.G .45 Ca brio let ex tram the cowl bacx IS built in wooc , vehicles o n the colo u red fro n t Fred Gover of Brian Johnstone. with roJ! down canvas Side curtains cover. T he Ki ssel Speedster ex Mick Rob­ (go t to keep the k ic s dry, 1 sup­ Volume I includes re st oration in son of Harold K idd, Al so Don pose). Suckling ex Christchurch is now a hints, ph otos a nd detailed de scrip­ resident of the North Shore a nd we John Shields has purchased a 1930 tions of 14 cars, events reports "A " T udor m ver y origmal ccndi­ hope that we may see hi s 0.0. a nd lots o f adverts . for desirable Vau xhall T o urer at a future event. lion and plans to use the ca r and goodies. T here a re lite rall y hun­ We were ver y pleased to take a do {t up a bit at a time, whi le still visitor from Holland around the getting the enjo yment out ot driving dreds o f photos of cars, wreckers city over the holid a y period . Han s it. yards, etc . Compter, who is the Sec ret ary of Ou r camping trip was a gre at Published by Ford Publishing, one of the Dutch clubs, has a very success, even more so, 1 think, than vari ed collec tion of machines and our 1972 trip. Ab out a dozen ca rs Newst ead, Vi ctoria, Australia , was visiting the co untry with his left Rotorua for Opo tiki 00 Satur­ 3462. N.Z. wife. da y morning. We sto p ped for lun ch JOHN H EARNE at Port Oh ope, and boy did it pour. We continued on to arr ive at Opotiki a t a bo ut 3 p.m., having left Order your copy of . .. the rain behind us. Saturd ay night ROTORUA everyone sa t around the " bar-b-q" and sa ng to the mu sic provided by Motorcyclin9's Stan McCutchen on his accordion. GOLDEN AGE OF THE By now all those who were con­ sidering attending the 1974 North Sunday morning wa s beautiful FOURS Island Rall y, to have been put on and the slee p was hu rr iedl y rem ov­ by our branch , will k no w that due ed from many of our eyes by our from to the petrol shortage this event is "early bird" club ca ptain who start­ postp on ed . I say postponed because ed letting off crac kers a t 5 a.m. After FISH ERS BOOKSHOP the branch still has hopes that it a morn ing swimming and sunba th­ will be abl e to sta ge the event in ing we all headed for home a t 564 COLOMBO STREET 1975. We 've all go t ou r fingers ab out 2 p.m . A very enjoya ble CHRISTCHURCH crossed. ca mp and we wi ll all look forward 10 this year's camp out, Stocks to arrive sho rtly. Tokoroa members, who belong to the Rotorua branch, are becoming Dean Longhurst PAGE THtRTY-SIX TilE Aurocxa. ADVERTISEMENTS. OcTorH~R 25TH . 192 9 . Cllassified ads

ADVERTISING RATES Members of Vintage Car Club Inc. $ 1.00 for first 40 word s or less th ere­ De/oqe af ter 12 cent s f or ev ery 8 wo rds. Non Member $ 1.50 for first 40 word s or less ther ea fter 12 ce n t s for eve ry 8 words . Adver t isemen ts m ust be typ ed or cl early pr in ted . Cheque or postal note must be e ncl osed. Send to: The Ad ve rti sing Manager, p.a. Box 13140, CHRISTCHURCH. not later than 10th o f m on th pre ceding pu blicat io n . Specia l display advertisements w ith ph ot o ca n be ar ranged; wr it e for details

THE NEW EIGHT CYLINDER -----_. 8~cyl. DELAGE ! 1939 ME RCURY V8 De Luxe. This bea utiful ca r is in original fac ­ chassis p rices Sensa tion of the Paris Show. tory condition througho ut, so lid from HE new eight cylinder Delage is acclaimed leather u pho lstery unmarked. a ll instru ments, all new tyres and tub es. £620 T by critical engineers to be the most ad­ new battery. Mechanicall y guaran­ vanced motor car prod uction of the year !T he teed as new. Brill iant gloss y black Saloons perfection of its appearance, performance and duco, only one of its kind in New as illustrated specification is only approac hed by cars costing Zea land. A real inves tment for treble the price of this magnificent automobile. en thus iast. Price $2400. All enq uirie s f rom Ph. 385-704 Ch ristchurch. See and test the new eight cylinde r Delage for .£860 yourself at Olympia where-on Dclage Stand No . WH EELS WANTED FOR-3 1 St udebaker (8) 6 only 6 stud 19" 118 and on the Vanvooren Stand No. 136 in the ,8.2 & 21 h.p. wire whee ls. 3"Y' stud centres, 4" SIX CYLI NDER bodywork section - the latest editions of the or wide r rim widt h. Model 90 Pres­ CARS from 18 .2 H.P. and 21 H.P. 6 cylinder models filled with ident. tyre size (600 x 650 x 19) £580. everymodern typeofbody work will also beexhibited a pprox. B. Jackson , 228 Ma rua Rd . Mt Wellington . Auckl and , New Zea land). Ph. 596-759. H UD SON, Essex, Terrap lane Club of New Zea land. Dedica ted to pre­ Automobiles serving the grea t ca rs built by Hudson. H .E .T. ow ners . ioin our progressive club and ob tain man y benefits, monthly ma cazine. tech­ nical tips, libra ry. For further in­ DELAGE for ma tion contact Me mbership Secretarv. 5 Leslie Avenue " Rotorua . 118 CADILLAC Mo tor. approx. 1912. OLYMPIA STAND AVENUE o Has electrics. 4 cylinder with co ppe r wate r jackets. valve spr ung covers­ ======~('~ maunet to an d carbie . The larger model not the 30 model. $395. Pho ne 596-759 or B. W. Jackson. For Vintage Car Upholstery 230 Maru a Road. Mt Wellington . Auck land. Experience and Quality REPLICA RADIATOR EMBLEM MINIATURES Available in different applications J. H. SILVESTER such as Cuff-Links, Tie Tac and cha in, and Lapel Pins. (Jack and Graeme SUvester) Name plates, door-sill plate avail­ abl e, and full size Rad iator SS Kilmore St, Christchurch Emblems, or anything similar to sample. Phone 6S-874 C. Jack, 5 Creyke Road, lIam, Christchurch.

PAGE THIRTY-SEV EN Al so wanted, 19J4 , Indian two speed WOULD-The person who replied gear box with contro ls, and NS U to my ad vertisement regarding my two speed engine pulley of a bo ut 1923 Sunbeam Tourer, regret that I 19 10 year. Also have (New) 1937-38. have mislaid your letter and would crown wheel and pinion for Pontiac a pprecia te the person concerned to or Oldsm obile.Also a Quantity of contact us again. Replies to W . J. Graham parts too numerous to Matheson, P.O. Box 1305, Inver­ CRESTER -adv ert ise, inquiries invited. Also cargill. (Member) wan ted , Indian petrol tank. 1916 or MORRISCOWLE Y 6 1934, rad­ be fore . Repl y Tom Ro gers, Box iator a nd grille shell wanted . Al so 22-112 , Otahuhu. sho rt-block or two con- ro ds for CAR WANTED WANTED--{.\ead or same. New parts required to rep air a live. Some one mu st have one, running-gear, etc. of my wife 's '37 know of one, or parts of one. Wh at Morris 8. P . Purcell, 194 Darlington is it? A J929 Biddle and Sm art 7 Road, Wellington. Phone 882-952. SALES passenger bod ied Hudson of course. WANTED-For 1929 D. A. Dodge, If you haven't a whole car, bodv headlights, side lights, tail light. parts. fitting s, IW' wire wheels will split rims, radiator, radiat or su r­ help as I have a lot of parts alread v. round, hub caps. spa re wheel holder. 374 Worcester Street· Will procure parts for swapping if doo r handles. Will buy or swap. T o po ssible. Bri an Miller, Bay Road , swa p I have a D.A. motor, gear­ Christchurch Oxford. Canterbury. box. diff., sho ck observers, etc. For SWAP-Hudson 1917- 18 7 pas­ enquiries. Brian Sim pso n. Phone sen ger tourer rem ains would make Browns Bay 89-506 collect. ideal race a bout for suita ble remains MERCEDES 300 B 1955 /5 6 Sa loo n Buying of 1929 Biddle a nd Sm art. 7 pas­ for sa le or swa p. Ch o ice of two. senger Hudson. Sell or swap approx. Both ca rs have done high mileages 1918 Buick 6 mot or in apparently but a re in good condition a nd could or Selling very so und order missing onl y carb o be restored to be of immense sno b plus cliff a nd ru sty gearbox for value. Asking $1.500.00 each. Al so Good Used Cars 1929 Hudson. Biddle and Sma rt 18" wanted buy 1925 /26 Chev. Tourer. wire wheels, body parts. etc. Brian I.en Southward. Main Road North, Miller. Bay Road, Oxford. Canter­ Paraparaurnu, Phone 4627. bury. Phone 81M . FOR SALE---Cadillac 353 motor NOEL WANTED TO BUY-P.V. Sports and gea rbox very complete except Tourer or Droohead Co upe. An v for original carburretor and some small to medium size car considered clutch parts, in good running order. BEECROFT resto red or un restored but mu st be Price o n application to O . L. Jones, co mplete and prefer ablv mobile. All Holme Station, No. 2 R.D ., T ima ru. replies acknowledged. N . Christia n. Phone 85-96 1 (M em ber). Member L.M.V.D .A. 171 Selwyn Street. Timaru. Phone SWAP- 1948 Lea Francis. complete, 6416 .(Membe r) ideal for restoration. for pre war Member Vintage Car Spo rts ca r any make but mu st be FOR SALE-XKI50 Bonnet in complete enough to restore. Al so Club (N.Z.) good condition. N . Christian. 171 sell 1952 Sunbeam S8. rebuilt motor Selwyn Street, Timaru. Ph one 6416. $500. Joe Oswald. 41 View Road, (Member) Telephone 897-715 Wellington. Phone 872-760. (Mem­ WANTED for 1924 Buick 4 cylinder ber) After Hours 897-155 hood bows bu y or swa p for larger FOR SALE- 1952 Riley 2-} litre ones. Motor meter , horn button, 2 Sa loo n in reasonably good con­ insid e door handle surrounds . dit ion . C urr ent Warrant of fitness. Di stributor. rear window and frame Price $1,200. All enquiries to D . G . For Austin 6/1 6 1928, petrol gauge. T urn er, Box 155. Tauranga . Rich ard Langridge, 18 Lincoln St, Auckland 4. Phone 675- 899. (Mem­ INFORMATION WANT ED-For ber). 1938 Nash Coupe, Sea ma n Bod y No . 3814-34 8. Co uld any readers WANTED-Indian Powerplus FOR SA LE-I928 Au stin 12/4 engine, complete or not. bottom help with the foll owing plea se ? Saloon 2 /3 restored full y rec on­ What is the cornp ratio and RP. half wanted or complete Indian big ditioned motor erc. , many spares. valve 1920- 23, somebody. so me­ (Bo ne 3;\- x Stroke 4t)? Is there Offers o ver $1000 00. Write Vintage , a Nash Owners Club in N.Z.? Does where has go t o ne whi ch they will C/- P.O. Box 259, Wanganui. never use so wh y not se ll or trade a nyone know how many of these it. I ha ve an as so rtme nt of pre WANTED-Information a nd body cars come to N.Z. in 38? Any 1930 Indian part s wh ich could be parts to sui t 1928 Whippet Four. correspondence from a ny owners of swo pped with ca sh in a deal. There Repl y C. R . Cleland. 38 Grove SI, such cars would be welcomed. G . are head lamo brackets. ammeter Ashburton. La wson . Box 17. Ratana, Wanganui. bo xes, for Chief or Scout, Corbin WANT ED-American Car 1928 to FOR SALE or SWAP- 2 Pirelli Brown speedo, geared to 28 x 3. 1932 in unrestored condition. 32" x 3i" x 26" Wheels with 12" wheel, C hief K j start cra nk with Please write giving relevant parti­ drums a ttached, Dodge 4 motor shaft. Chief timing gea rs with cul ars. All letters will be a nswered . with mac wat er pump, a nd ca rby rock ers a nd va lve lifters, crank pins Also wa nt 1934 Plymouth headlight for '2 8 Chev, side lights, tail light and drive shafts. big end roll or glass, boot handle. bumper.Stephen surround a nd Kl axon horn. Contact cages . Chief con rod s. Ch ief crank­ Satherle y, 37 Pinches Stree t. Mt Mick O'Rourke, 5 Balmoral Street, case with timing cas e and oil pump. Roskill, Au ckland. Taradal e. Phone 47-935 . PAGE THIRTY-EIGHT This NEW prestige publication will tlelight the ~ @~1f , c 1r~il~~ ;" "A " RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST

.Large 12/1*x 10/1 format .226 fascinating pages • Lavishly illustrated * THE GREAT TRAINS produced by Edita Lausanne

This is a great book about the great trains - a lavish production befitting a great era. It is a ticket to the scores of colourful tro ins wh ich ran all round the world . Illustrated by some 300 black and white illust ra tions, specially collected for th is book, and many of which have never before been published, and 40 full colour illustrations, which combine with the te xt to provide a nostalgic and all-embracing picture of the famous trains of the world. By turns colourful, witty, informative and escapist, THE GREAT TRAINS displays for the railway devotee and the armchair traveller the heroic story of the luxury express. $35.65 Post Free ADCOCKS BOOK A!ND GIFT CENTRE! BISHOPDALE, CHRISTCHURCH 5. PHONE 597-091.

N ew Zea land Distributor s: Whi tcou lls Lld

PAG E TIIIRTY-NINE Photo Courtesy ot Vintage Car Club ot New Zealand. Colour pr ints ar e av ailable at Head Office. Lomb ard New Zealand Limited. 1925 4 5hp Renautt 9.1 lit. Owner M r G. M ihaljevick Lombarcl Deposits Lombard unsecured deposits accepted only on the printed earn maximum allowable rates. form attached to the Deposits are acceptable for prospectus available from any fixed periods or payable at recognised stockbroker, or call. Applications can be nearest Lombard branch .

Lom bar d Ho use . Johnston Street. Wellington, or p.a. Bo x 3444

38054