Vauxhall Crossley
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NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORIC MOTORING MAGAZINE Beaded Wheels No. 266 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2004 $5 IRISHMAN a retrospective CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF VAUXHALL 9 418979 000012 CROSSLEY CENTENNIAL bw266.indd 1 11/10/2007 12:04:31 AM Submissions of photographs for this page are Ray Shearman from Christchurch has supplied and Indian motorcycles and pedal power welcome from Beaded Wheels readers. Please send our historic photo for this issue. cycles. One rider with bowyangs around original photographs of historic interest with any He has supplied some information but is keen his knees. to learn more … available information to Beaded Wheels, PO Box Could some reader identify where the This photo taken around the 1930s is photo was taken or supply any further 13140, Christchurch. Laserprints/photocopies are of a genuine plumbers workshop. I can information? not suitable. identify T Ford and Dodge cars, BSA Photos will be returned as soon as practicable. PISTON RINGS WE CAN MAKE CUSTOM RINGS FOR MOST CARS, TRUCKS & MOTOR MOWERS Example: FIVE DAY DELIVERY 475-19 PROMPT SERVICE ASSURED 4ply 20% DISCOUNT ON MENTIONING THIS AD For N.Z.’s largest range of piston rings contact: JOHNSON’S PISTON RINGS LTD. 2850 Temple, Long Beach, CA 90806 USA PH: 09 579 7219 / 579 8788 562 595 6721 • Fax 562 595 0381 20 MINUTES FROM OPEN SATURDAY 918 Gt South Road, Penrose, P O Box 12230, Penrose, Auckland LOS ANGELES AIRPORT, USA MORNING - 8.30-12.30 CUSTOM BUILT PISTON RINGS management committee A full list of branch addresses and contact details can be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vccnz.org.nz All administration matters should be to the CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Gary Beaumont BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN NATIONAL OFFICE in the first instance see Diane Ross 03 415 9169 Kevin Clarkson opposite page for details. 03 308 2356 email: [email protected] 03 385 9821 The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc email: [email protected] email: [email protected] MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Please note this information changes annually SECRETARY/ TREASURER Greg Terrill SPEED STEWARD - these details are valid until August 2004 John Coomber 07 846 4355 Frank de Lautour PRESIDENT 03 348 0062 email: [email protected] 09 418 2164 phone/fax Leigh Craythorne email: [email protected] email: [email protected] 03 342 9110 REGISTRAR email: [email protected] MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ARCHIVIST Rod Brayshaw CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Bob Ballantyne Betty Wallace Rob Knight 09 444 4066 07 549 4250 03 332 4261 06 323 3104 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] 2 Beaded Wheels bw266.indd 2 11/10/2007 12:04:37 AM Beaded Wheels Publisher THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ (INC.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LII No. 266 Editorial Committee Beaded Wheels Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Marilyn Issue 266 February/March 2004 McKinlay, Chris Stevens, Robin Wells, Lindsay Wogan. Material for Publication FEATURES Reports of restorations, events, road tests, historical and technical articles etc should be 11 Gran and the 90 Mile Beach Races forwarded to PO Box 13140, Christchurch, typed or neatly printed, double space on one side of paper only. Email of text only 12 Vehicle Identity Card Endorsements acceptable, do not email pictures/graphics. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements expressed in letters or articles in 13 North to Bluff in a pint-size car Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not necessarily express the policy or views of 14 Vauxhall 1903 - 2003: The Car Superexcellent The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc). E-mail Leith Newell revisits the early years in 18 The Long Gestation of a Veteran Twin [email protected] a celebration of Vauxhall’s centenary, Advertising Address page 14. Classified and Display Advertising to: 21 Far North Tour P O Box 13140, Christchurch. Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3827 22 Crossley Bros. - A condensed history Rate schedule available on request. Back Issues 24 Behind the Wheel – 1910 Crossley 12/14 Available on request to P O Box 13140, Christchurch. 28 A Mackenzie Adventure – Cover Feature Correspondence & Editorial Contributions P O Box 13140, Christchurch. 31 Wellington Clubrooms Opening Subscriptions Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to P O Box 2546, Christchurch. 32 Bulletin from Belfast Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 332 3827 Annual subscription (6 issues) $27.00 inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$42 34 32nd Clutha Rally Other countries (6 issues) NZ$62. Production COLUMNS Printed by Spectrum Print Ltd, Christchurch. Closing Date for April/May Issue 5 President’s Message Editorial Copy 23 February 2004 Superb pictures of early Irishman run Advertisements 10 March 2004 accompany David Barker’s trip down memory lane, page 28. 6 News from the National Office The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) 6 VCC Events National Office Phone 64 3 366 4461 Fax 64 3 366 0273 6 Federation of Motoring Clubs report Email [email protected] Postal Address 7 Mailbag P O Box 2546, Christchurch, New Zealand. Address 8 The Way We Were 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand. Website 27 Book Review www.vcc.org.nz Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car 35 Marketplace Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 35 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. Details of this 1938 Chevrolet The efforts of our members continue fostering 42 Swap Meets & Rallies and ever widening the interest in this segment coupe and more are available in our of our country’s history, and provide rallying Marketplace section, page 35. points for the constantly increasing band of 44 Idle Torque enthusiasts. It is to these people, who appreciate the fascination of age, the individuality and the 54 Obituaries functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that this magazine is dedicated. Beaded Wheels – It is a very apt and well-known COVER title however readers may wonder at the origin of the name. By way of explanation beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres that are This photo from 1959 shows John McLachlan and David Kay taking kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which the 1912 Cadillac for a spin during an early Vintage Car Club fit into the rolled edges of the wheel rim. This Irishman Rally. style of wheel was a distinctive feature of early motoring being used on early bicycles, many Photo David Barker pre-1924 cars and most motorbikes until 1927. The VCCNZ adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their quarterly club magazine in March 1955 which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet. Copyright Information The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced provided that reference is made Beaded Wheels 3 bw266.indd 3 11/10/2007 12:04:38 AM special rates for over 30s like these old girls With Vero, special insurance rates for cars of a certain age are nothing new, even though our name is. As Royal & SunAlliance we’ve been supporting the Vintage Car Club and its members for over thirty years. As Vero we offer the same special rates for VCC members on vintage and private vehicles, home, contents, boat and travel insurance. And we’ll continue to donate money to the club every time you take out or renew a policy. Call us now on 0800 505 905 to find out how much you could save by switching to Vero. bw266.indd 4 11/10/2007 12:04:40 AM president’s message ow often have you heard - “Our In November 2003, I was honoured to Club needs to canvas for younger open the Wellington Branch’s clubroom’s Hmembers.” “We have an ageing refurbishment and extensions and to take membership, what is to become of the part in their Annual Rally. Congratulations Club?” “Look at all the grey heads!” to Wellington Branch on the combina- “There are no Veteran/Vintage projects tion of two very successful events. It was around for younger members to restore” pleasing to see several family groups taking etc etc. part with youngsters (from babies, toddlers, I believe we should be enjoying the primary and secondary school age) all membership we have and catering for them enjoying the celebrations. If we cater for with events that they take pleasure in. We such groups, I am sure the children will have a growing membership covering all continue on to become members in their age groups (including several generations own right in the future. of families) all with a varied interest in the As we motor our historic vehicles, let motoring world. Our mature members have us make the most of our diverse member- a lot to offer younger ones who, in turn, ship, share our motoring knowledge with give us a fresh look at different aspects of each other, enjoy each other’s company motoring, while bringing enthusiasm to and not be too concerned as to what age all levels of Club life. When you look at group we fall into! branch magazines, there are events to suit At the November Management all – whether they be picnic runs, tours, Committee Meeting, Gary Beaumont rallies (where trophies and awards can be presented the Club with the finished competed for), speed events, homestead display board containing all the plaques runs, rough runs, swap meets – you name received from branch events held during Where older cars are seen and loved … it and I am sure you will find something the year 2002.