This is a bit of a nostalgia trip. Working in the family service station side of things before I got a real job, I became quite adept in repairing punctures on split rims, so when I visited one of our older members to drop off a One Make Club long service badge, he called on my help to fix a “flattie” on his car and I didn’t hesitate. A 700 21 is a fair lump of rubber but the tube was quickly extracted and then I found there is no such thing as a puncture repair facility at tire shops anymore. Rummaging in the basement I found some very old repair kits, but the rubber cement was solid, so a light bulb moment said, use SupaGlu; if it hold a 5 ton elephant it should hold 50lbs of air, but it didn’t. Then on the run to the Bird Gardens, a brief chat at lunchtime resulted in Paul P suggesting the Big Red Shed would probably have cycle kits with rubber cement in them and he was right. Many thanks Paul. In short time the tube back where it belonged with the wheel quickly re fitted to the car.
Again back in history when Allan W gave me a railway enthusiasts magazine that was celebrating 50 years of Steam Inc., there in the double page photo spread was a photo of the steam train involved in the trips radiating from the 1992 International Rally at Palm. Nth. that was so wet, with cars on wagons behind the carriages.
We booked for the day trip to Taumarunui with coal fired J1234 pulling our train and Ka945, being oil fired, running in tandem with us. We had a long stop at Taihape for water and arrived at National Park a bit late, and at that station the train manager came into our carriage and announced he was looking for a volunteer, and there was not a muscle twitching, until Gwen put her hand up and was then informed it had to be a male. She hoisted my arm up and then I was led away to find myself being escorted up to the cab of J1234 and instructed to climb up into the driver’s seat which caused a bit of mirth from the crew because I was wearing a very white KZ7 sweater. Of course hundreds of my fellow travellers desperately tried to join me but they were rebuffed. We got going with me staying out of the way but being allowed to pull the whistle cord at level crossings until we eventually arrived at Taumarunui. That was a very long stop while the locos were turned around and then they were “double headed”, the trains linked together with J1234 at the front. I thought that was the end of the excitement until the train manager located me and placed me back in the cab which is where I stayed until the Raurimu Spiral where the locos did a number of photo stops at the tunnels and I was allowed to hang out the driver’s window and wave to all my fellow passengers.
Around mid night we arrived back at PN on such a “high” that sleep didn’t come easily and the sweater had a few marks worn as badges of honour. If anyone has photos I’d love to see them.
A very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from the Jones’
DECEMBER 2022
06
Gold Card Christmas Lunch at the Nautilus 50 Cross Road Tauranga ( Notice will be sent out with details and rsvp date for the lunch)
12 Coffee Morning at the club rooms
12 Club Night this will be a social evening as it is the last club night for 2022 Members with birthdays bring a plate please
14 Our Christmas run around the Retirement villages (More info December Klaxon)
21 Our last coffee morning for 2022.
January 2023
1st Our Annual Club Picnic at Tuapiro Point under the trees .
22nd Rotorua VVCC Lake Front 10th Anniversary meet ( notice will come out later about this. It will be an informal run over to Rotorua to join The RVVCC and other car clubs for a display at the lake front )
No club night or runs over the January holidays.
But there will be a January Klaxon!
February 2023
13
Club Night ( Speaker to be arranged )
Members with birthdays bring a plate please
13 Start of Coffee mornings again from 9am
15 Mid week run Hamurana Springs Rotorua finishing with lunch at the Golf Club.
20
26
Coffee Morning
End of Month run this will be an afternoon run finishing at the club rooms for a barbecue tea ( $ 5.00 pp for the barbecue) ( sausages , meat patties, bun, tea and coffee supplied.)
27 Coffee Morning
Members if it is your birthday for the month that your birthday falls in can you please bring a plate for Supper
Four magnificently restored vehicles came forward for this year’s judging, each one a masterpiece in its own right. Significantly there was no quick lick and polish amongst them but hours of hard graft looking for the precise part, fixing the double action window winder, or fitting the door post just right to produce a car that is possibly better than when it originally came from the factory.
Murray Sutton’s early model Austin Mini van immaculately and fully rebuilt to a precise original specification and the only one of the three resurrected from a completely rotted out shell. The 1934 Ford V8 owned by Andy Weenik had been for some time a museum car in South Africa, but after being imported by Andy it underwent some panel replacement work and a bare metal repaint as well as a mechanical upgrade. Ivan Allen’s 1929 Austin 16/6 has been a labour of love over more than many years. A ground up restoration that included many fittings being manufactured by Ivan to an exacting standard befitting the bespoke Austin. Ivan is no stranger to car restoration, and this one is equal to any of the others he has done over the years. Colin Cavanagh’s 72 Fiat 124 BC splendid in red completed the foursome. This vehicle has had a complete going over and for its age and sporting prowess is remarkably original condition complete no doubt with its snappy up and go. It is interesting to note that for all the vehicles being judged each owner was responsible for nearly all of the restoration work within each case a bare minimum of outwork required. The judging is done by examining some 25 different aspects from door fits, chrome work, upholstery, suspension, authenticity, and degree of difficulty to restore. In this way a Lada can be compared to a Bugatti, or an American open tourer to an English everydayer. This year the 2022 Restoration Award went to Ivan Allen and his 1929 Austin 16/6 so completely restored right down to the Austin brass spark plug nuts.
A credit to him. Overall four very outstanding cars, each with a full effort by their restorers.
Report from Klaxon Editor Bryce Strong before the judging of the Restoration of the year!
We congratulate Ivan on completing this restoration to his usual very high standard!
Ivan has owned the Austin for 12 years, and he has worked on it for 7 years.
The 16 6 designation stands for 16hp, 6 cylinder engine. It has a 4 speed gearbox.
It is said that “The Devil is in the detail”, and with this car Ivan's attention to little details has been amazing! Throughout the car original details have been repaired or remade or otherwise replicated.
Original Jack (painted the correct green) and jack handle are located inside the engine compartment.
An immaculate engine bay.
The engine was overhauled and now starts and runs very smoothly and quietly.
The gearbox was in reasonable condition, only requiring a couple of bearings.
Ivan cast and machined new brake drums, and overhauled the brake system.
And if you happen to need to bleed the fuel system whilst on the road, here are some spare fibre washers!
Indicator lights front and rear.
Red LED light strip complementing the original stop light (of which the knurled top required much work!)
There was no upholstery in the car when purchased.
Ivan made the hood bows. Getting an upholsterer was difficult and expensive (none were really interested), so Ivan and Yvonne bought a new industrial sewing machine, and made the fabric hood, and the leather seats and door cards!
And made a beautiful job of them!
The cars wooden frames and metal body panels required many hours work, repairing and manufacturing new replacements.
An interesting original feature is the luggage carrier which sits behind the spare wheel. To ease the removal of the spare wheel, the carrier is mounted on a wing nut adjustable bracket to enable the carrier to pivot away from the spare tyre.
Closed position
Open position
From 7 am Monday the intrepid train travellers started to arrive at the club rooms, dropped off by friends, family, taxi. or in their cars.
All being present early, the coach left before time heading for Hamilton, the coach arranged by Alan, with 31 on board, and driven by his colleague Gary, arrived in good time, at Hamilton Railway Station. After a short delay the train arrived, luggage was loaded, and we were seated in our reserved seats and away. The journey was great, good scenery, and lots of laughter and chatter to keep us entertained. The Cafe carriage supplied coffee, drinks, sandwiches, etc., so morning tea went well, but most of the lunch food was gone before noon, so many missed out, but the drinks lasted well. Eric enjoyed his 'Saigon tea', or that is what he claimed it was! The arrival in Wellington was late, so the arranged Shuttles vans did not get us to the hotel until approximately 7 pm, but John had delayed our dinner at the Chinese restaurant, almost adjacent to the hotel, so all was well we thought! It should have been called Faulty Towers, as the staff had trouble in understanding English, the beer and wine was kept on shelves behind the bar, where you helped yourself to the glasses, poured your own wine [ I have seen some full glasses, but this was ridiculous! ]. The food came slowly, some of us having a long wait, but when it came it was good.
Tuesday morning dawned fine, and stayed that way all day, in spite of the forecast. As a free day we all did our own thing, some taking bus and/or ferry rides (God bless Winston) other walking to the attractions, Te Papa, the Cable Car, water front, shops and lunching out. Happy hour took place in the Roof Garden in the sunshine, before most of the group went for hotel's 'Christmas Dinner'. We were expecting to order your choice from the menu, but instead we were served with shared platters containing everything on the menu, plenty of it, and all very good.
An early start Wednesday morning caused breakfast to be cancelled, our trusty shuttles on time took us back to the station. After a bit of confusion John sorted the tickets, we were loaded on our way. Most bought a few items for breakfast before boarding (lessons learned).
After a while we had an important announcement “The train will have a stop at National Park while a slip further ahead is cleared, and on reaching Taumarunui we will be transferred to coaches for rest of the journey” Great!!
We had a dedicated coach to Hamilton, stopping at McDonalds in Otorohanga for refreshment, during which time we saw our train passing through. We then travelled on route 31, arriving in Hamilton, happy to see our coach and Gary waiting to convey us safely back to the clubrooms.
What a great trip, our thanks and appreciation to John and Jill for the event, and Alan for organising the coaches.
Report by Michael Thorman
By Ken Frew
On Friday 4th November a group of our members, organised by our Treasurer Keith Perkins, arrived at Bellevue Primary School for their annual Indy 500 Car Day. Representing our local VCC we had 12 cars with a very wide range of models and makes of cars from a 1926 Delage DI to Model A’s, a Dodge, a Valiant, a Holden, a Zephyr, a Daimler, a Ford Truck and even a 2022 Ferrari F8.
For those members that haven’t been to an Indy 500 Bellevue style you have missed a treat. Each year in November the school encourages the pupils to make a cardboard car of their choice, sit it over their body and run a relay race around the field track, this is led by the Vintage and Classic cars with a local police car in front with flashing lights and sirens going. Whilst the Ferrari was not an eligible club car it was very popular with the children and staff. The morning was very successful with a great display by our own VCC members and a great way to show off our cars. The organisers have shown their appreciation by the way of a thank you letter to the club.
The King Country Vintage Car Club hold an Annual Vintage Car Rally, called the Journey Through Time and apart from the last two years (due to Covid), we have attended a good number of these runs. This year we were really looking forward to our trip, but the weather forecast was ominous to say the least.
We left home late on Friday morning, the 28 th October and watched the rain showers crossing our path for much of the journey, but we had no rain at all. The further south we travelled, the better the road surface got and from Te Kuiti south, traffic was light. We were however, amazed, at all the slips that had been repaired between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui and some of them were huge. At one point a large washout had taken half the highway and they had traffic lights controlling traffic. There was also a huge amount of logging going on in the ranges which gave the area a whole different look.
We arrived at our accommodation, the Alexander Spa Motel, around 4pm and it was wonderful to see Thelma and Graham Jack from our Bay of Plenty branch, in their Ford Capri, their friends Jill and David Philps from Matamata in their Nissan Laurel and old friends and ralliers Joy and Steve Growden from Eastern Bay of Plenty in their Ford Cortina, all settled into their units in the same motel. In past years we have booked out this motel. It is very close to the town area, close to the R.S.A. and Cosmopolitan Club and the great Thai Restaurant in the main street. (It used to be directly opposite the Fire Station and several nights we were ALL rudely awakened by the siren in the middle of the night. There is now a new Fire Station elsewhere in town.)
Just a shout out for the Alexander Spa Motel. It is an older motel, but very clean and the facililties are very adequate. If you are intending to do any of the Rail Cart adventures, we would recommend this accommodation, and the proprietors are great as well, always interested in our cars and a chat.
Over Happy Hour drinks and nibbles we found we were all intending to go to the Thai Restaurant for dinner and our booked table grew from 4 to 11, when Pieter and Johanna Ebeling from South Waikato and Colin Dray from Waikato all arrived to join us.
The King Country VCC has a grand total of 12 Active Members, up recently from 5 or 6 a few years ago, but those members are all ageing, well aren’t we all! However, it is becoming an enormous task for those few members and for that reason alone, this year, took the form of a drive in the country, with a few questions thrown in for good measure. In fairness, the rally covered some 120 miles or 192kms, basically over three roads, so it was quite difficult to go off line as the questions were strategically placed.
Saturday morning dawned grey and overcast, but apart from a very few drops of rain prior to the start, the day was just great for driving, fine, sunny but not overly bright, so the roads were dry. Sadly only 20 cars rolled up to the start, coming from Horowhenua, Wanganui, King Country, South Waikato, Waikato, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Bay of Plenty and Auckland, so a great little group. We had a great send off from the new Mayor of Taumarunui and away we went. A short trip around Taumarunui and out past the DOC Base Camp, we turned left at the Ngakonui Valley School and continued on for some 30 kilometres on the one road. Beautiful country side with beautiful flowering trees, Rhododenrons, Azaleas and the like, fresh green foliage on the trees overhanging the roads, cliffs on one side and river on the other, with plenty of switchbacks on winding narrow roads. In that whole 30 kms, we saw ONE car, and three “Timber Trail Shuttles”, with trailers, travelling together, heading to a meeting point to pick up cyclists on the Timber Trail.
When we got to Ongarue, there was a quick left and right turn and another short road leading back to the Highway, where we turned left and then 3rd right into Mangapapa Road where we started another single lane, gravel road, (again with a fabulous surface), lots of switchbacks and amazing views for miles. Finally, just before 1pm, we arrived at the Matiere School where they had a barbeque lunch going.
Last time we were here they had Calf Club/Agricultural Day in full swing and I won a box of chocolate in a raffle. The box was a wine box, full of cakes of chocolate and chocolate bars = lots of happy grandies!
Time for a catch up and we were then off again, this time we headed up and over the Okahukura Saddle on sealed roads and heading back towards Taumarunui, then across the river, and on to join up with Taringamutu Road which we followed for close to 30 kilometres again. After a bit of straight line navigation to challenge our tired brains, we arrived at the “Tracks” headquarters for afternoon tea.
Tracks is being built by a group of volunteers including Ivan Stevens who had plotted the run. These men are building several miniature railways within the former “Goods shed” and have a couple of trucks already restored, a large traction engine and a steam roller which had just been re certified, so several men were busy putting the finishing touches to that. There was also a large Steam Crane that had belonged to NZ Railways in Taumarunui. It is an amazing place and very popular with the men in town, so well supported. We look forward to seeing their progress next year.
We had enjoyed a really lovely day in the country, travelling on the route used for the first motor car trip from Wellington to Auckland in 1912. Motorcars certainly have come a long way in that 112 years. The dinner at the Cosmopolitan Club was much less impressive and not an experience any of us care to repeat, but the Taumarunui VCC members had gathered some great prizes for raffles and lucky draws, so I doubt anyone went home empty handed.
Sunday we headed for home and got to Te Kuiti before the rain started. From there it never stopped.
Another great weekend of old cars and old people in a very old town.
See you there next year??
Norma and Ian Dougherty have been stalwarts of the King Country VCC for many years. After Ian passed away, Norma has remained a very active member and the Annual Journey Through Time is her “baby”. So nice to see her be given Life Membership.
Before the start in Taumaranui Entrant cars getting more modern Paint style copy?
st National Veteran Rally
26
2023 Tuakau
As members will know from previous notices in the Bulletin, the Auckland branch is hosting the 21 st National Veteran Rally in 2023. Most of you will be on our email list, and have received newsletters and the entry form. This is a Final Reminder that entries close on 15 December 2022. Please get your entries in now. Late entries will be considered but a late fee will apply. We hope that as many as possible of Auckland veteran enthusiasts participate in the 3 day rally.
blc.strong@gmail.com
an entry
Celebratingthe50thanniversaryoftheAucklandannualveteranrun
event also occurs in 2023. The Jubilee Run will be celebrated as part of the National Rally on Saturday 24 February with a run to Port Waikato, followed by a display of veteran vehicles at LaValla, and a special afternoon tea to celebrate. If you are unable to participate in the full 3 days, there are TWO opportunities for to be involved. A separate entry form has been prepared especially for those not participating in the rally but who want to be involved in the event on Saturday.
Cleaning with out chemicals or abrasives, it is eco friendly and cost effective way compared to other methods such as media blasting or paint stripping. It can remove light rust off delicate car/engine parts. It will easily clean a metal head gasket previously impossible with conventional cleaning methods. Benefits are no harsh chemicals, no abrasives, no expensive set up cost (as with media blasting), no loud noises during the process, no hazards as with high pressure equipment, very precise cleaning and no clean up cost!
This cleaning can be done in your garage if required as it is plug and play! Cost is dependant on size of job
Sam & Morris Sent in by Tony Fraser
Sam & Morris met in the park every day to feed the pigeons, watch the squirrels and discuss world problems.
One day Morris didn't show up. Sam didn't think much about it and figured maybe he had a cold or something. But after Morris hadn't shown up for a week or so, Sam really got worried. However, since the only time they ever got together was at the park, Sam didn't know where Morris lived, so he was unable to find out what had happened to him. A month had passed, and Sam figured he had seen the last of Morris, but one day, Sam approached the park and lo and behold there sat Morris! Sam was very excited and happy to see him and told him so. Then he said, ‘For crying out loud Morris, what in the world happened to you? Morris replied, 'I have been in jail.' 'Jail!' cried Sam. What in the world for?' 'Well,' Morris said, 'you know Sue, that cute little blonde waitress at the coffee shop where I sometimes go?' 'Yeah,' said Sam, 'I remember her. What about her? 'Well, one day, she knew I had money, and she filed rape charges against me; and, at 89 years old, I was so proud that when I got into court I pleaded 'Guilty'. 'The damn judge gave me 30 days for perjury’.
by Brian Pratt and Bryce Strong
CHAIRMAN
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
PAST CHAIRMAN KEN FREW (DIANNE) 07 5764263
SECRETARY MICHAEL THORMAN (JANE) 07 5444291
TREASURER KEITH PERKINS (JANE) 027 578 1231
CLUB CAPTAIN JILL WHITCOMBE [JOHN ] 07 552 4201
COMMITTEE BRIAN PRATT (CINDY) 07 5447952
COMMITTEE KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 07 576 4180
COMMITTEE JOHN WHITCOMBE [JILL ] 07 552 4201 COMMITTEE DON WHITE 07 544 0938
PATRON
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
HALL HIRE KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 021 664341
LIBRARIAN YVONNE BECK (PAUL) 07 5720163
PARTS SHED JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN) 07 5766346
PROPERTY MANAGER JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN) 07 5766346
NEW MEMBERS KEN FREW (DIANNE) 07 5764263
SWAPMEET RON ELTON (KERRY) 07 5799621
HON. SOLICITOR PETER BUTLER (MARION) 07 5756892
VIC CERTIFICATION ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
VIC CERTIFICATION IVAN ALLEN (YVONNE) 07 5432629
WELFARE MERILYN ANDERSON (JACK) 07 5766346
WEBSITE PAUL BECK (YVONNE) 07 5720163
RUN CO ORDINATOR JILL WHITCOMBE [JOHN ] 07 552 4201
KLAXON EDITOR BRYCE STRONG ( CHRISTINE) 0274 966706
FACEBOOK DEIDRE RENNIE (TONY) 021 665 875
SAFETY OFFICER BRIAN PRATT 07 5447952
KLAXON EMAIL: klaxoninfo@gmail.com CLUB WEBSITE: www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com
SECRETARY EMAIL: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz FACEBOOK bay of plenty vintage car club (Public page)
For Club enquiry's at anytime contact Kaaren Smylie (Club Captain) 07 576 4180 or 021 66 43 41
The Club Rooms are 29 Cliff Road. P O Box 660, Tauranga, 3144.
Key contacts are:
Chairman Alastair Jones 07 5761124 Email: gandajones@kinect.co.nz
Secretary Michael Thorman 07 5444291 Email: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
Club Captain Jill Whitcombe 07 5524201 Email: johnandjill37@gmail.com
Club night (except January) 2nd Monday, start time 7.30pm
Mid week run — Wednesday following the club night End of the month run Held on the last Sunday of the month.
Committee Meeting Last Monday of the month Noggin ‘n’ Natter 4th Tuesday at 6pm
Location Sequence of Noggin ‘n’ Natter
1, Tauranga Tauranga Citizens Club, Cameron Road. Contact is Kaaren Smylie phone 021 664341 or 07 576 4180
2. TePuke The Anann restaurant. 4 Palmer Place. Contact is Paul McIndoe phone 5733328
3. Tauranga Tauranga Citizens Club, Cameron Road.
4. Katikati Forta Leza Café, SH 2, Katikati. Contact is Owen Smith, phone 07 570 2000
If your birthday falls in this month please remember it is your turn to provide a plate for supper. Thanks to last months birthday people for their food.
Please remember to wear your name badges to all events. BADGES ARE FREE TO NEW MEMBERS.
LIBRARY HOURS— The library is open on club nights from 7pm. Also on most Monday mornings Yvonne & Paul work in the library until midday. Members are welcome to call in to search for or return books. If making a special trip please phone them at home on 07 572 0163 or 027 6098510 beforehand to ensure that they will be there. We are accepting good clean car service manuals or books that relate to automobile history or travel for our club library
PARTS SHED—Clean out your sheds and bring those surplus parts down. They may be just what someone else needs Parts shed open most Monday morning. Contacts are Jack 07 5766346 or Colin 027 2629161 HELPUSHIREOUTTHECLUBROOMS!
CONTACTKAARENSMYLIE075764180OR 021664341