Veteran Report

Although it’s been a quiet period over Christmas, there’s still been opportunities to get the veteran cars out and take part in a few outings.

Very wet weather for the Boxing Day Picnic Run to Ouruhia Domain forced a change of venue to the Barn. Around 20 people turned up though, so we still had a good catch-up. A vote of thanks to Don and Judy Bennetts for organising the day and the last-minute change of venues.

Perfect weather prevailed for the Banks Peninsula Branch New Year’s Day outing at Little River, and Malcolm and Anita McGibbon and Jenny and I trailered our cars to the Banks Peninsula Transport Yard in Cooptown and then drove them back to the Little River Domain from there. Malcolm and Anita took the 1914 Renault (DIC delivery car) and we took our 1909 Wolseley Siddeley. Our car ended up a bit one-eyed though after one of the headlight brackets broke off as I was loading it onto the trailer – luckily I was on the lawn, and it was only slightly damaged when I ran it over! There was a huge turnout of cars in the domain – in places lined up three rows thick in the shady areas – and lots of happy people walking around catching up with friends and checking out the cars. Together with a brass band playing and a real picnic atmosphere, this would have to be one of the best casual old-car events anywhere.

We also took our Wolseley Siddeley to the Picnic Run on 10 January (with both headlights this time), but we did cheat a bit by using our 6/99 for the run (which included a drive up the new Northern Corridor and back again). The finish destination was Peter and Carol Gatehouse’s property in Jowers Road (only 3km from home) so we called in and swapped cars. A very pleasant afternoon having a picnic lunch with friends and then enjoying the stunning garden in the property next door, and another opportunity to give the veteran an outing.

The highlight for the month for us was the annual Dunedin to Brighton Run on 16th January. We took our 1912 Wolseley, and Malcom and Anita took their 1915 Swift – the only two entries from our branch out of a total of 40. Arriving in Dunedin on Friday afternoon, proceedings got underway with registration and a supper in the Otago clubrooms that evening. The following morning we all assembled in the First Church car park a short distance from the Octagon, before driving around the block to line up in the centre of the Octagon at 10am for the public display. At 11am we were waved off by the mayor, and soon over the slightly challenging hills before the easier run from Green Island out to Brighton where the field tests and lunch were held. Our son Matthew came with us for the weekend, so the three of us filled the seat in the Wolseley and thoroughly enjoyed the drive out there and back. Prize giving that evening saw Malcolm and Anita awarded runner-up in the field tests, and overall winner of the concours trophy.

There has been an excellent video uploaded that shows all of the cars on display in the Octagon and then leaving on the run – go to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HoauPTIktJU&t=352s COLIN HEY

Veteran Convenor Ph 359-8737 021 883 807

Cars and bikes lined up in the Dunedin Octagon for the start of the 2021 Dunedin to Brighton Run

for lunch, and then bid our farewells for another year to go and catch up with some Wolseley Car Club friends in Dunedin.

For February, the highlight will the Garden Party on Sunday 7th February. The run from the assembly point in Prebbleton is approximately 25km of flat running, so will suit veteran cars and bikes. Note the call to come dressed in the era of your vehicle and to bring some ‘panache’ to brighten the venue up a bit. Remember that veteran vehicles attending will be parked on the lawn at the homestead.

Later in February there is the Branch Annual Rally on 27 - 28 February (see elsewhere in the Hub), but I hope many of you will also use this as another opportunity to fly the veteran flag. The Sunday part of the event will be good too, with the opportunity to drive to the clubrooms and relax with lunch and entertainment provided. Unfortunately Jenny and I will miss this as we’re taking the 1912 Wolseley up to the Art Deco event in Napier. I understand Bruce and Shirley Shadbolt and Ian and Rosemary Close are also taking their cars up, and with over 50 veteran entries it should be a great event. Wheel Brake Rally on 14th March, and the annual Dutton Run on Anzac Day 25th April. There are several veterans already booked from elsewhere in the South Island for this event, so it’s shaping up well. This excellent run around the Malvern area is once again being organised by Malcolm McGibbon, and entry forms will be in the March Hub.

Event organiser Colin Winter (left) hands Malcolm and Anita McGibbon the Concours trophy

Colin, Jenny and Matthew Hey (1912 Wolseley) flagged off at the start of the 2021 Dunedin to Brighton Run