VCC AUCKLAND BULLETIN JUNE 2024

JUNE 2024

Coming Events

Chairman’s Report

With our AGM fast approaching, I need to remind you that we will be looking for new blood on the committee. Having recently moved to Warkworth, Russel McAlpine will be leaving the committee, and as we are already running two short, help is required to keep Auckland Veteran and Vintage Car Club running. Please get those nominations into Jodi ASAP.

I’m sure you don’t need reminding about the cost-of-living increases that are with us these days. Your committee has been keeping their eye on our everyday expenses and will be recommending for ratification at our AGM that our annual levy be increased by $10.00. Once ratified, this will be included in your annual subscription from VCC National Office due in October.

I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM, 2.00pm, June 29th 2024.

Now let’s take a look back at the year that has passed in my annual report.

ANNUAL REPORT

Another very busy year has come to an end. With the Archgola installed over the deck and the second barbeque, kindly donated by members Alastair and Karen Moffat, living there permanently we’ve been able to use the deck on Noggin and Natter nights for light meals. Those evenings have been very enjoyable.

Russel McAlpine took charge of the clubroom chairs being reupholstered in a navy colour to compliment the new grey blinds and walls. The carpet has been professionally cleaned as the advice was that there are still a good few years of life in it. Russel and his band of merry men have also cleaned the floors in the barn and the kitchen. Thank you guys, your effort is greatly appreciated.

Perusing our events since the last AGM, it is clear that we offer plenty to give all members outings and entertainment every month. These events take a lot of organising. The reward for the plotters/organisers is to see members turn up and enjoy themselves. We hear too often that the Sunday Runs are too competitive, and members do not want that. Repeatedly the answer is that we have not had a competitive Monthly Club Run for over ten years! Club Captain, Tracey Winterbottom, and other organisers try very hard to find places of interest for you to enjoy at the end of the runs.

Your committee decided it was time to make some changes, to try and draw people out and it was decided to amalgamate the Vintage Muster and Post Era Rallies and introduced the Inaugural Autumn Tour. Entries could have been better, but everyone enjoyed a very scenic tour over traffic free roads in the Franklin District and chattered over lunch at a café at the end. There are also some changes approaching toward the end of this year. Our annual Hunua 100 is being replaced with Hunua Spring Tour which is to be held the weekend before Labour Weekend. Please show your support and come and enjoy.

cont’d... Each month the Mid-week Tourers continue to get good numbers who enjoy viewing interesting collections and places of interest. Thank you to Norm and Pat Dewhurst and Jack

Nazer for their great effort organising these events. Do note that Norm, Pat & Jack would keenly like some helping hands to take on organising some mid-week runs.

The Veteran, Vintage and Motorcycle Sections continue to get good numbers attending their Section Meetings each month. Thank you to John Stokes, Murray Firth, and Martin Spicer for their efforts each and every month.

The Spares Team, led by Bill Hulse with Jack Nazer, John Towers and John Stokes have made great progress sorting and selling parts. Many large contributions of spare parts have been received and sold throughout this year. The money received is gratefully accepted. Do come and have a look at the great job the Spares Team have made lining the Barn walls and displaying our memorabilia.

While we are in the Barn, thank you to the Charabanc Team for your continued efforts at keeping Angelique on the road.

The Library Team, led by Richard Green, have put in a magnificent effort tidying and clearing old magazines etc from the mezzanine floor in the Barn. The weight of these magazines and books was becoming a concern. Again, thank you to all concerned in this venture.

Our grounds have been kept ‘ship shape’ by Jocelyn and Russel McAlpine. Their work is very much appreciated. We will miss these two and wish them well now that they have moved to Warkworth.

To the two Bar Managers, Leo Fowler, and Charlotte Bovis –“thank you” for stocking and serving on the bar. Your time and effort too is very much appreciated.

For almost thirty years Rodger and Val Ball have seen to us all getting our Bulletins. For those few left getting a printed Bulletin these days, Val gets the Bulletin to the printer and then posts them to you. Rodger hand delivers many to members while out on his daily walk. I say –“Dedication at its best”.

I thank and acknowledge the hard work of Beaded Wheels scribes, John Stokes, Jocelyn McAlpine and Peter Wood, and the VIC Officers – John Stokes, Neil Stott and Alan Price.

To the Committee, Glenn Morris (Vice Chairman and Continuous Membership Awards), Jodi Tomlin (Secretary, Bulletin Editor, Website Manager and the The Week Ahead Email provider), Ian Hubbard (Treasurer), Tracey Winterbottom (Club Captain, Trophy Steward), Lynda Spicer (Social Convener), Martin Spicer (Entertainment Officer and Motorcycle Rep), Jeremy Lambert (Health and Safety), Russel McAlpine (Maintenance), I thank you for your support throughout the year and wish everyone all the best for the year to come whether that be on or off Committee.

All the best Shaaran Price.

Club Captain’s Log

Thanks to everyone who has supported branch events over the past twelve months from a monthly Sunday run, to the reimagined Muster and Post Era Rallies now the Autumn Tour, to our National Daffodil Day, now, more than ever, our focus is on more relaxed touring events with a competitive element for those who choose to opt in on our calendar events.

I have enjoyed my first year as Club Captain and as someone who personally enjoys driving and motoring the back roads of NZ, as far as time and money allow I am keen to see as many of you as I can getting out and “driving our history “ whether it is a 40k Sunday cruise or a more testing event.

I would love to hear from as many of you as I can about what sort of events you would support.

I look forward to another year if you will have me and would like to thank my family, particularly my husband Stephen, for their support which has made things that much easier to manage.

Thanks Tracey

NZ Welder Repair Services Ltd.

Unit 4/5 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland

For personal service call Rod Rugg (Member)

Stick, MIG, TIG and Plasma cutters. All welding machine types and consumables for sale.

“Over 30 years experience”

Repairs to machines, new sales and used. Hire options available. For home or work. Large or small. We deal with only good machines not rubbish.

Phone: 09 8261425, e-mail: rod.rugg@nzwrs.com Postal address: P.O. Box 19272, Avondale, Auckland 1746

This last year as your Secretary and Bulletin Editor has certainly been VERY busy. I average about 3 hours a day, every day, doing something for our branch. I’ve learnt quite a lot about what makes this club tick over, probably more than I ever imagined I’d need to know.

I thank you very much for the kind words of support you have given me for what I am doing for the branch. It’s nice to know that the effort is appreciated.

It’s been pleasing to see that the branch member numbers remain around the same, we seem to hover around the 625-640 mark each year.

It’s my job to collect up the Nomination Forms for Committee positions and I eagerly await the first form to arrive. Come on, WE NEED YOU! Please, remember, if you are nominating someone for a position, they do need to know you are doing that! We don’t want people put into an awkward position at the AGM.

I am happy to stick my hand up and say that I am willing to continue as Secretary and Bulletin Editor if you still want that. If so, maybe one of you would kindly like to nominate me?

Thank you

Jodi

Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc. NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 29th June 2024

To be held at the branch clubrooms

39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose

Meeting commences at 2:00pm

Agenda:

Apologies

Annual Reports

Financial Statement

Election of Officers

Prize Giving

25 & 35 Year Presentation Awards

General Business

Afternoon Tea will be provided.

Members will be required to show their membership cards to receive voting papers.

All nominations for office should be duly proposed, seconded and accepted by Financial Members and delivered to the Secretary, or may be made from the floor at the AGM, if required.

Jodi Tomlin Secretary, AVVCC

Veteran Section Report

We had a reasonable attendance for the May Veteran Section meeting with apologies from David Oliver, family commitments and Bill and Denise Mercer, out of town.

Phil Henley has the new block for the 1913 Mitchell back from Melbourne, two Auckland companies will do the machining, one handling most of the job, while the other will be boring the cylinders as the first company can't bore long enough. Phils single cylinder Cadillac is running well.

David Lane showed people how to use Google Lens on your phone to identify where you can buy parts. You take a photo of the part in question, submit it to Google Lens and then search. I tried it with a ball point pen and it seemed to work. I was less lucky with an updraft brass Koala carburettor. Apparently it won't work on desktop and possibly laptop computers.

Roy Sharman brought along a brass petrol tin plunger. You may not remember that four gallon petrol tins were completely sealed during veteran and vintage times, so you stabbed the pointy end of this device into the tin and a tap arrangement allowed you to pour the contents into your tank. Roy also brought a Model T sales brochure shaped in the form of a Model T.

Russell Vincent had Steve Oliver visited and they talked single cylinder Cadillacs.

Barry and Nicola Birchall went on an extended rail trip organised by Glenbrook Vintage Railway, visiting a number of North Island towns and cities. The train was hauled by a mid 'fifties Diesel loco, one of the reasons for this is that it costs seven dollars per kilometre to run the diesel as opposed to thirty five dollars a kilo for a steam loco. During the trip Barry called on Harry Mowbray who is building a railway village near Cambridge, this will contain upmarket accommodation. Harry has bought a number of old railway buildings including the old Pukekohe station. He’s even gone as far as buying the removal company to shift the buildings. He also owns the DeDion Bouton that the late Bruce Madgwick restored.

Denis Lowe brought a very small engine ex George Urqhart, the engine is new and was returned to Motor Specs unused in the early sixties as it wouldn't run. The problem turned out to be a loose condenser. He also produced an article on singer Harry Lauders visit to the country.

Gavin Welch has replaced the original rivetted diff housing in his Model T, because when the rivetted housings begin to leak, they are a nightmare to repair.

John Morrison has his Sears Auto buggy registered and WOF’d, as well as his single cylinder Cadillac and the Briscoe. His Model T is a work in progress.

That's it for this month.

John Stokes

Vintage Section Report

The upcoming AGM reminds us that another year in the Club calendar is almost over and a busy year it has been.

The Vintage Section is alive and healthy with some of our number having represented our branch as far away as the South Island and others nearing completion of ambitious major restoration projects. As a group we tend to be very ‘hands on’ and an important aspect of our meetings is information sharing. Modern garages no longer have the skills or even the desire to service or repair our old vehicles, but within our group is a wealth of knowledge, willingly shared, about fixing any problem, or maybe knowing someone who can help. Keeping our cars running is keeping history alive!

Don Johnson is battling with hydraulic brake lines and has my sympathy – nasty messy things. He has also acquired a very old pedal car which he brought along. The paint has all but gone but the car is all there and sound with a little panel beating maybe.

Neil Bieleski showed us an alternative to a Nylock nut. He has cross-drilled a small bolt with a 1/16th hole and pushed a nylon line thru. When a nut is screwed on it shears the line, but leaves enough resistance to stop the nut vibrating off.

Ross Bellamy has an annoying squeal in one of the Model A back brakes and received plenty of helpful advice. He and Neil Lucas attended the annual Chev Club swap meet, now held at the Meremere dragstrip. A big improvement.

Tim Gray can now check the integrity of his Model T coils with an electronic gadget that also measures the dwell on the points. When everything is set up right the improved running is very noticeable. I am sure Henry would be impressed.

I have had an inquiry about the FN that was given to the club a few years ago. It was sold to an Australian who needed the brightware to complete his project, but we think the remainder of the car stayed in NZ. Does anybody know of its whereabouts?

John Towers has repaired the gearbox of his ’29 Chev and it is ready to be reinstalled.

John Cook is having trouble refitting the front axle in his ’30 Chev after doing the kingpins. Neville Holland has offered to help as soon as he has finished a job he is helping someone else with. Thank you Neville.

John Morrison has the Wilson pre select gearbox in the Talbot-Largo properly adjusted now. The car has a new WOF and is ready to go.

New to the group today was Russel Vincent, who has several vintage cars. Welcome Russel and we hope we see you become a regular participant.

Murray & Penny

Motorcycle Notes

Motorcycle meeting Saturday started with a very cold morning in Pokeno, with ice covering the cars! Lynda’s morning was busy with baking for the afternoon tea. I set about loading up my first ever ‘ new’ motorcycle (a Triumph 400 Speed Single) onto the trailer. On the way to the clubrooms we picked up Malcolm Brown.

Meanwhile, in Penrose, Jeremy Lambert had opened up the clubrooms and member Graham Waters, our guest speaker, setup his 1972 Norton Commando to show the members. I had asked Graham if he could also bring his Honda CBX 1000 6 cylinder, but we then realised that we’d have to remove 2 of its cylinders to get the bike through the front door. So in lieu, I put my Triumph along side the Norton for people to view.

We had 17 bikes parked up out the back, and 40 members in attendance.

VISITORS & NEW MEMBERS

We had member John Bryant’s son David come along with John, David was up from Manapouri at the bottom of the South Island for John’s 86th Birthday, David is a past member of our branch, he has a bike collection that includes 2 of John’s Velocette’ s.

We welcomed new member Don Henlon (Triumph Bonneville).

As Martin was short on jokes today Peter Alderdice told us a cracker.

REPORTS

• Peter Alderdice told us about the recent Highland Fling rally, there were over 100 vintage cars taking part, and one motorcycle (Paul & Jodi Tomlin on the Harley & sidecar).

• Don Green told us about a recent Norton club run to Port Waikato.

• Member John Poole is out of action for a couple of weeks with a broken collarbone, John was at the meeting, but sadly will miss next weekend’s Northland Motorcycle Rally.

COMING UP

• Northland Rally see report elsewhere in this Bulletin.

• June 2nd - Kaiaua Fish’ n ’Chip Run, meet at the Jolly Farmer 10.30am.

• June 15th - Motorcycle Meeting – speaker Andy Gourlay.

• July 20th - Motorcycle Meeting - speaker Peter (Honda) Cooper.

GENERAL BUSINESS

David Broadhead told us about the Men’s Shed he goes to in Remuera, amazingly they have around 200 members.

Don Green told us about some work he’s been doing on windmill pumps in Australia and here.

Motorcycle Notes continued

GUEST SPEAKER

Member Graham Waters told us about his collection of vehicles. He started with the bike on display his 1972 Norton Commando Combat 750. When he bought the bike it needed a new front wheel and new forks. He had the engine rebuilt by a so called expert at great expense. When it first ran, it seized up. Eventually the problems were fixed. Graham then fitted an electric starter, it’s now a great bike to ride.

As mentioned, he has a 1982 Honda CBX 1000cc 6 cylinder, he heard stories about these engines which worried him, so he bought a spare engine, and after many years use he hasn't needed it, he now finds the CBX a bit of a handful due to its weight.

He has another Honda, a 1973 CB 350/4 he bought from his son as a project, this is still to be completed. His other bike is a very nice 1974 Triumph T150 Trident.

Grahams favourite car is his 1966 Ford Mustang 289 Notch Back. Graham bought his wife a 1967 MG BT, which they use on club events. Graham’s son bought a Japanese Nissan 280ZX to restore, but it seems that Graham is the one doing all the work at the moment. Graham concluded his talk by answering questions from the floor.

Martin thanked Graham for coming along to talk about his vehicles.

Martin Spicer and Jack Clark

Motorcycle Section Annual Report

Hi everyone

Where does the time go? It seems that the older we get the time just flies by faster each year. Sadly we have lost a few long-time members this year, we will miss them all.

Since our AGM last year we have had a number of new members joining our branch’s motorcycle section, plus there was a pleasing number of new members with cars and commercial’s joining the branch too.

Over the past 12 months we have had some very entertaining and interesting speakers at our monthly motorcycle meetings.

We've had branch members – Al Gill, Graham Viall, Tony Naylor, Graham Waters, come along to show and tell us about their great motorcycles and their own stories. We had new member Karen Molesworth come and show us her 850 Norton Commando and tell us about her racing Suzuki and her Ford Mustang, all being part of her very interesting life story.

We had former Auckland branch motorcycle coordinator Tim Gilbert come and show us his classic racing BSA sidecar outfit.

One of the highlights of the year was Waitemata member Les Harris. The oldest competing racing motorcyclist in the world at the age of 98!

Our monthly bike runs paid visits to members bike collections and a large number of our members continue to travel to out of town rallies too.

I manned our branch stand at the Henderson Classic Motorcycle Show, where we had 28 motorcycles on display.

Don Green plotted a very successful Annual Motorcycle Rally for us, which I won and have already plotted this year’s event.

We had a great New Year’s Day Fish’ n ’Chip run with around 100 people in attendance.

So here's to another good year for our section. Keep those 2,3 &4 wheels turning safely.

Martin Spicer

Mid-week Tourers

The weather forecast for last month’s run was not good, but still nine left Westgate for a short drive through the Waitakere Ranges to Huia. Despite lots of road works, some roads closed, slips and wash-outs in abundance, everyone arrived safely in Huia.

All the usual stalwarts, plus Allan and Christine Allbon,were out and we welcomed Frank and ‘Tricia Prowk, new members from Waitemata. They were driving their Mk II Zephyr, and have other cars in their garage

It was good to see Marilyn accompanying Jack, as well as several solo drivers who coped well with the route instructions.

The Huia Settlers Museum welcomed us. It has a very comprehensive collection of information and artefacts from the shipwreck of HMS Orpheus. Huia was the nearest settlement to the disaster and many survivors and flotsam, plus bodies ended up there. The Orpheus was, and still is, the worst maritime disaster in NZ waters.

Kauri logging is another major feature of the museum. All in all, well worth a visit.

Most of us had lunch at the quaint little cafe, which used to be a general store, and dates back to the pioneers of Huia.

Coming events:

Wednesday 19th June: Starts from the BP Service Centre, Southern Motorway, Drury. 10-00 am for a 10-30 am departure. Our destination is the home and garage of long time member Barry Phillips, motorsport and Transport industry entrepreneur. BYO everything

Wednesday 17th July: Should be a Westgate start, anyone out there with ideas? Volunteers are needed for providing fresh new destinations plus also one or two new plotters to replace the aging, worn out pair.

Watch the Week Ahead for developments and see you at the AGM.

Wednesday 21st August: Usual start details for Drury. More details to come.

Your Mid-week Team - Norm, Pat and Jack.

Library Notes

Waitemata branch member and frequent visitor to the Penrose Clubrooms, Ian Goldingham, has made an important donation to the club’s library - a gift of the twovolume edition of LUCAS - The First 100 Years by Harold Nockolds, that he acquired some years ago. Published in 1976, this is a comprehensive history of company which had its beginnings in 1875 when Joseph Lucas a self-employed metal worker, with very limited schooling, patented a ship’s oil lamp. It was called a Tom Bowling lamp, the name apparently derived from the title of a popular sea-shanty. Later when the bicycle boom arrived around 1878, with the creation of the Pennyfarthing, known at the time as the ‘Ordinary’, he created a cycle lamp that was slung from the hub of the front wheel. He named it The King of the Road. This was followed by a number of other lamps, bells and cycle accessories. Shortly after, his eldest son Harry, who having the benefit of a much better education and had been working for him since he finished school, was made a partner in the business –Joseph Lucas and Son.

After his father’s untimely death from Typhoid fever while on holiday abroard, it was left to Harry to continue and tackle the opportunities that arose with the arrival of the motor car. Lamps were initially oil, quickly making way for acetylene and finally electric lamps. Harry’s early friendship with William Morris since the beginning of the War, when he began development of the first Morris Cowley, proved to be a major advantage. In 1915 Morris fitted a Lucas 6-volt dynamo and Lucas Electric head and tail light as standard equipment. This was the first proper contract received by Lucas from a motor manufacturer and a quantity of 50 sets a week was considered enormous and was considered by some of the workmen as beyond the capacity of the works at the time.

The publication - Volume one especially, is as much a social history as an industrial history as it describes the people and the factories as well as some of the products they produced. The volume (at right) is just one of seventy one hardcover books added the library’s catalogue in the past 12 months, together with around one hundred and fifty technical manuals appended to the manuals and handbook section.

Your Library Team - Barry Birchall, Barry Robert, Chris Wood, John Stokes, Neil Bieleski, Owen Hayward and Richard Green.

Building Report

Our clubrooms continue to prove to be something to be proud of. From the humble beginnings of an old house, to the addition of the mezzanine floor, library and toilet facilities in 1986, then the building of the Barn in 1996 It has come a long way.

However it was time again to do some maintenance and modernisation, so the clubrooms have been repainted inside and out, chairs reupholstered, new blinds installed, new bar fridges fitted, a pergola erected over the verandah, new crockery purchased, so it continues to be a pleasure to host guests and members alike. The Barn too certainly has not missed out over recent years with a new roof, paint job and with the enthusiastic Spare Parts team lining the walls and each month new displays and renovations going up.

Jocelyn and I moved to Warkworth in January this year, though I will be retaining my Auckland membership, I will however, be standing down from the committee. It has been a pleasure and rewarding time working on the committee. I continue to look forward to seeing as many members as possible enjoy all our clubrooms has to offer, whether it be visiting the library, checking out the spare parts, viewing the displays or just catching up with other members sharing views, tales and information at special interest meetings or club nights and social functions.

Russel McAlpine

June Club Night Speaker

We are very pleased to welcome David Weisz-Koves From Sub Zero specialist Dry Ice Restoration and Detailing.

Join us for a very interesting evening Thursday 27th June—7:30pm.

July Bulletin Delivery

With the AGM and change of Committee at the end of June, the first Committee Meeting will be held on 2nd July. This means that the July Bulletin will be completed and issued after this meeting.

It will be in your Inbox on Monday 8th July as part of your Week Ahead update.

2024 Expert’s Rally

This year’s Annual Experts Rally started from Ray Small Park, Papakura with the first 5 miles being around suburbia before heading out to the country areas of Hunua, Clevedon and Ardmore to finish at the Ardmore Café at Ardmore Airport.

When plotting first started, it was intended to finish the event at the Botanical Gardens, Manurewa, hence why a straight-line section was around these environs. However, trying to enter or exit the Gardens by turning right on a Sunday afternoon is anything but pleasant, so plan “B” became the finishing area.

Less than half the route was actually timed, but Silent Checks were encountered until the Final Manned Check and one “Off Course” such check was recorded by all, but one participant. Perhaps the thought of being on the last instruction and smelling the end, allowed teams to relax and forgot that marked No Exit carriageways did not exist for the entire event!

Thank you to those members who participated in the 2024 Experts Rally and also Gavin Welch and Sophie Zhao for checking the event and Alan and Shaaran Price who assisted as Start and Trail Marshals.

Congratulations to all participants and the placegetters are:

1st Colin and Pam Bell - 1980 Holden Premier

2nd Leo Fowler and Peter Alderdice - 1952 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley

3rd Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine - 1962 Austin Healey Sprite

13 Fleming Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061 P O Box 13426 Onehunga, Auckland 1643 Mob 0278 173 885 Ph (09) 636 5836

Email: sales@robinsoninstruments.co.nz www.robinsoninstruments.co.nz

Val & Rodger Ball Robinson

Can you help your Club?

Being a Committee Member is voluntary work that is very satisfying. It’s a great way to get more out of our club. You also get to know many more members.

Being part of the committee is a perfect opportunity for you:-

 If you believe you can make a difference;

 That you can contribute time to the club;

 You want to get a bit more out of your club.

Join your Committee or take on one of the Non-Committee Positions.

All positions are available for nomination, here is your opportunity to put your name or someone else’s forward, with their permission, for the following Committee positions: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain or Committee Member (6 positions). Non-committee positions: Librarian, Beaded Wheels Scribe (shared job), Spares Team Member, Bulletin Editor or Web Master.

If you think you’d like to help but are unsure of the full extent of the jobs, please have a chat to any current Committee Member to find out a bit more of what the positions entail.

Nomination Form

For Committee & Non-Committee Positions

I wish to nominate:

For the Position of:

Name: Signed:

Name: Signed:

Please submit by email or in person to the Secretary, Jodi Tomlin, at any time up 1:30pm, Saturday 29th June. The Annual General Meeting is being held at 2:00pm, Saturday 29th June, in the AVVCC Clubrooms. Email: auckland@vcc.org.nz

Action in the Barn Attic

The library boys are nearing the end of a huge sort out. Bill Hulse arrived with his van and trailer to load up for a visit to the tip. With all of the rubbish accumulated from the clean up in readiness of Russel McAlpine’s floor scrub and the Library’ s contribution, Bill had a full van & trailer load. Up in the attic a number of forgotten items were found, amongst them was this length of bunting which now enhances “Angelique”.

Your Spares Team - Bill Hulse, Jack Nazer, John Towers & John Stokes

Spares Dept. Offerings

of new old stock Neo 910

condition

Very old but still unused (tested OK) Vintage dash mounted IB7033.S Autolite coil for ignition switch to be located on the back. $50

Pair

Near new Rubber Mallet $5 12 volt headlamp units. $30

Nut Splitter near new

$10 New screwdriver set $5

Spare Dept. Offerings

Moore & Wright toolmakers scraper set. New old stock $50

Shotgun cleaning kit manufactured by Outer Laboratories of Wisconsin USA $20

Workmate vacuum gauge engine analyzer as new $30

Bill Shears Trophy Nomination

Nomination Form For the Bill Shears Memorial Trophy

Members of the Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Inc) are invited to nominate a fellow member for this Annual Award. The nomination should be for any member that they regard as having been involved in a significant event. It may be a particularly memorable motoring journey, an important historical article or series of articles published or some special service to the Branch. This trophy will be awarded at the Branch AGM in June.

We wish to nominate:__________________________________________________

Proposer

Name: Signed: Details of the accomplishments:

Seconder

Please submit to the Secretary, Jodi Tomlin by 31 May 2024. By email: auckland@vcc.org.nz or By post: P O Box 12 138, Penrose, Auckland 1642

We want to build on our team, impart knowledge and keep Angelique out in the public view.

If you are interested please contact a Committee Member or John Stokes - Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz

May Club Night Review

When the guest speaker for our May club night had to drop out for family reasons, I asked Waitemata’s Mike Greig if he could think of an interesting speaker for us, he suggested Waitemata’s Kevin Beesly. I phoned Kevin and he was delighted to be able to come and talk to our members.

Kevin arrived at 7.30pm on club night, he had driven over from the North Shore in his open-top 1931 Talbot AM 90.

With 25+ in attendance, Chairman Shaaran Price, opened the proceedings. Shaaran reminded us that next month it’s our AGM. She noted that with some committee standing down, along with us having been running the branch short of two committee members this past year, we really need members to consider coming on board to help run our branch. Shaaran then reminded us of the Expert’s Rally coming up on Sunday and on the following Sunday, 2nd June, is our annual Kaiaua Fish’ n ’Chip Run.

I then introduced Kevin as our speaker for the evening.

Kevin told us of his first car, a 1934 Vauxhall ASX, a car he said he didn't want to buy, but he did, for £100 in 1966. He then told us some amusing stories about the Vauxhall. This car was replaced with a 1937 Riley Lynx 12/4, and then that car was replaced by a 1931 Talbot AM 90 that he has now owned for the past 40 years. Another car he cherished was an oily rag 1913 Delage Ai that he campaigned for many years. This was replaced by a 1937 Riley Kestrel Sprite that he has now owned for 9 years. Kevin was an Auckland branch member at first, he then became a founding member of the sporting Waitemata branch. He was also the editor of the renowned Phoenix newsletter. Kevin ended his great talk by answering questions from the floor.

I thanked Kevin for coming along and telling us his interesting car stories.

Martin Spicer

Kevin’s son with the Talbot

Kevin and the Talbot on the R’oil Can

Note to the Editor -

Ford v Dodge

Hi Jodi, just a point of clarity on the May Library Notes.

Yes, there was a bitter feud between Henry Ford and the Dodge brothers, but it wasn't so much about the Dodge car being launched. It went back to Ford's policy of re-investing all profits into the Ford Motor Co. eg: the 5 dollar day for workers, profit sharing with purchasers, and plans for what would become the vast Rouge Plant. To achieve all this, he stopped paying out annual dividends to the shareholders. As pointed out Ford held 58% of the shares which somewhat gave him overall control. This failure to pay out any dividends understandably upset the shareholders of the other 42%. John & Horace Dodge were so enraged they took Ford to court and sued him for the non-payment. They won and were awarded what was owed [ a considerable amount] and costs. Ford had no choice but to pay up. However, this galvanised Ford into getting rid of his shareholders, who he always regarded as parasites anyway. He did so by continually buying them out with his own profits. By 1919 Ford Motor Co was a family owned Company with just three shareholders, Henry himself, wife Clara, and son Edsel.

A little anecdote here from the time. It is reputed that John Dodge was quizzed at the launch of the Dodge car, as to why they were doing so. It was pointed out to him that there had been half a million Fords sold that year. Dodge's answer was, "That is why we are going into production, we are thinking of all those Ford owners who are one day going to want to own a car!"

Just a note to try and clarify a bit of automotive history.

Cheers

Neil Lucas

The Modern Day frontage of the Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan.

2024 Northland Motorcycle Rally

As my BSA is off the road now with a knocking engine I decided to ride my new Triumph 400 Speed. Starting the ride north, first took me to Don Green’s home, waiting there with Don was Michael Watts. We chose to use SH20 and SH16. We stopped at the Kumeu BP station where Ian Hubbard was waiting for us on his new 350 Royal Enfield. We then all rode up to Wellsford and onto SH1. The Brynderwyn Hill is currently closed due to major slips, so we went onto SH12, the Dargaville road. We had lunch at the Gum Diggers Cafe opposite the Kauri Museum. We then back tracked to the Paparoa/Oakleigh road, this was a great riding road with no traffic. It came out on SH1 just outside Whangarei. Don, Ian and Michael stopped at their Motel where a great many more of our branch members were staying. I carried on to the home of the Northland branch’s Vice Chairman and Rally Organiser Peter Lovatt. Peter and wife Jennifer were hosting me, plus the chairman of the Far North branch Keith Lyndsell plus other family members who were also riding in the rally.

We woke up to a chilly but bright sunny Saturday. We rode up to the Northland clubrooms to find the carparks were packed with motorcycles, there was 82 entries, an all time high. There were 24 Auckland members, 12 Northland members, 2 from the Bay of Plenty, there was 1 entry from – Rotorua, Wellington, Far North, North Shore, Wellsworth/Walkworth and Neil Barnard who rode up from the Eastern Bay of Plenty on his 1954 500 cc Vincent Comet, the rest were guest riders.

Peter Lovatt gave the briefing and sent us on our way with a good joke. The first rider away was Stephen Jeffery, now bear in mind that the rally was 115 miles and Stephen was riding a 1957 50cc NSU Quickly moped ‘brave man’.

The rest of us left at timed intervals. We headed north up the middle of the island on very good traffic free roads, then came out onto SH1, after 23 kms we turned left into a very large boat / truck repair yard. We were then invited to look over the restoration of the TSS Minerva, a twin screw steamer, the work is being undertaken by the Kerikeri Steam Trust. She was built in Auckland in 1910 as a harbour ferry. In 1922 she was taken to the Kaipara Harbour and converted into a tug. She was retired in 1945 and became a pleasure launch, and then a commercial fishing boat. Sadly she was abandoned in the mud, until 2010, when the Kerikeri Steam Trust took on the restoration. So if you’re up that way do go and have look at the TSS Minerva.

We then headed over to the Opua/Russell ferry. This was quite a sight with dozens of our bikes filling up two ferries. Coming off the ferries we had a short ride over to Russell. The instructions took us through the town and along the water front, this was entertaining for the many tourists there. We were parked around the edges of the local rugby pitch, from there it was a short walk up to the Fire Station. This station had a bar and social area above the station where we were given an excellent lunch.

After a sizable lunch we left Russell for a brilliant 90 km ride down the East coast finishing the rally at the Northland clubrooms.

We returned there just after 6pm for the prize giving dinner. After dinner we were entertained by Dave Mayhew playing his Ukelele and singing a song. Then 3 rallyists sang a very funny song about motorcycles to the tune of ‘’The house of the rising sun’’ we all had a song sheet, and joined in the singing. Then we had the rally prize giving, here are the results:

Vintage 1st Paul & Jodi Tomlin 1925 Harley Davidson 7/9 & sidecar.

2nd Peter Alderdice & Leo Fowler 1926 Harley Davidson J & sidecar

PV

PWV

P60

Guest rider

1st Dave Williams 1937 Harley Davidson model U

2nd Cam Francis 1935 Harley Davidson VLD

1st Robert Young 1952 Matchless G80S

2nd Rory King 1957 AJS 350.

3rd Trevor Hacket 1947 Vincent Rapide

1st Martin Salter 1961 AJS Model 31

2nd Don Green 1971 Norton Commando

3rd Alastair Ward 1973 Triumph Trident

1st Wayne Johnson 1958 BSA Gold Star.

2nd Stephen Jeffery 1957 NSU Quickly

3rd Keith Lyndsell 1995 Yamaha V Max & sidecar

Furthest ridden Neil Barnard 1954 Vincent Comet Whakatane 474 kms

The overall winner was Robert Young

Sunday morning again dawned sunny, I met up with Don, Ian and Michael and we rode down to Waipu, and then took the twisty coast road. We came back onto SH1 at Kaiwaka. We had brunch in Wellsford then hit the usual Auckland traffic at Albany and near the Harbour Bridge. Ian left us at Green Lane, Don at Takanini, Michael at Papakura, and I got home in Pokeno at 2pm. And so ended another a great motorcycling weekend of rallying.

Martin Spicer

An attentive bunch at the briefing!

Northland Motorcycle Rally in pictures

A lot of bikes and riders awaiting a great days ride...

TSS Minerva

All aboard! On the Opua Ferry

Don on the green! (couldn’t resist ☺)

Triss, Warwick & Peter at lunch stop.

New Members

A most sincere welcome is extended to this month’s new members. We hope to see you taking an active part in Branch activities whenever possible. Should you require any assistance or advice, please feel free to ask any Committee member?

Nicholas Rump

James Devereaux & Barbara Harris

Northcote Big Omaha (transfer from North Shore Branch) 1952 Bentley Mk VI N Series

1970 Chrysler Valiant VG Saloon

1970 Honda S90Z

1960 Honda C72 Dream

Stephen Barnett

1964 Honda C320S Moped Devonport

1964 Rover P4

William Hunt

Mount Eden

1955 Triumph Tiger Peter Hansen

1977 Triumph Bonneville Thames

1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador

1969 BSA Firebird

Vehicle Identity Cards (VIC)

Did you know that you must have one of these for your vehicle to enter any National Rally? The VIC is the club’s formal system for identifying and verifying the authenticity of your vehicle and officially it’s vehicle class.

There is paperwork to be filled out and photos to be provided and then one of our VIC signatories will check things over before sending to Head Office. The process is run by volunteers, and is a serious one (our system is recognised by LTSA).

Please allow 3 months from lodging the forms to receiving your card.

Note that renewals can now be done on-line.

Auckland Branch Signatories are:

John Stokes

Alan Price

Phone No: 09 236 4582

Phone No: 09 833 8575

Neil Stott Phone No: 09 817 5915

Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz

Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com

Email: neilxstott@gmail.com

Chairman

Your Committee & Officers

Shaaran Price (Alan) Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com

Vice Chairman/Continuous Membership Awards Steward

Glenn Morris (Marion) Email: glenn-maze@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 833 8575

M: 0204 195 2476

M: 021 136 5926

Secretary /Privacy Officer /Bulletin Editor /Website Maint. /New Member Liaison

Jodi Tomlin (Paul) Secretary Email: auckland@vcc.org.nz

M: 021 678 258 Editor Email: avvcceditor@gmail.com

Treasurer:

Ian Hubbard (Lesley) Email: iant120@outlook.com

Club Captain / Branch Delegate/Trophy Steward

Tracey Winterbottom Email: runnymede@hotmail.co.nz

M: 0274 426 748

H: 09 232 0246 (Stephen)

Committee Members:

Martin Spicer (Lynda)

Motorcycle Section Rep/Entertainment

Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com

Lynda Spicer (Martin) Social Convenor

Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com

Russel McAlpine (Jocelyn) Building & Garden Maintenance

Email: rjmcalpine@xtra.co.nz

M: 021 732 209

H: 09 233 6382

M: 022 102 5954

H: 09 233 6382

M: 021 189 3120

H: 09 818 4285

M: 027 473 5451

Jeremy Lambert (Michelle) Clubroom Bookings/ Health & Safety Officer M: 027 576 7045 Email: velo500@icloud.com

Non-Committee Positions:

Library Team Leader Spares Team Leader

Richard Green (Lois)

Email: randlgreen@orcon.net.nz

H: 09 489 2427 M: 021 818 334

Beaded Wheels Reporters

John Stokes

Jocelyn McAlpine

Peter Wood

Veteran Section Rep & VIC Officer

Bill Hulse (Sherrill)

Email: bill.sherrill@xtra.co.nz

M: 09 579 0494

Mid-Week Tourers Rep

Jack Nazer H: 09 378 4580

Email: jack_nazer@yahoo.co.nz

Vintage Section Rep

John Stokes Murray Firth (Penny)

H: 09 236 4582 or M: 0272 772 108

Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz

Insurance

Email: pennyandmurray@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 818 6434

Vero Consumer Insurance Specialist F: 0800 505 905 or B: 09 356 4501 Agency Number: 0300126

Clubrooms Phone: 09 579 5625

Street Address: 39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose

Postal Address: PO Box 12 138, Penrose, Auckland 1642

Club Night: 4th Thursday of the month

Open: 2nd & 4th Thursday 7:30-10:00pm, Every Saturday 4:30-6:30 pm

Branch Email Address: auckland@vcc.org.nz

Library Email Address: libraryavvcc@gmail.com

Branch Website: www.avvcc.org.nz

Branch Honorary Life Members: Barry Robert Norm Dewhurst QSM