Thanks to Paul Beck’s expertise and enthusiasm moves are underway to replace the old projector that went phut last Club Night. I’m looking forward to seeing a heart warming BP movie from 1963 featuring the restoration of an “icon” at next Club Night and a short clip from the C.C Tour on it if he has been able to find one at the right price with suitable specs; fingers crossed. If that doesn’t happen we will have an interesting second option .
There’s a number of interesting activities like the Swap Meet and Xmas Party with Restoration of the Year judging coming up, but without your attendance, it’s a bit like one handed clapping, so make a note of the dates and a commitment to join in the fun.
Thank goodness Donn White was able to fill in for me at short notice for last Club Night which confirms I’m not indispensable, but having him and Kerry Williamson facing only about 40 brave souls would have left them thinking another plague had broken out.
I note the FOMC has assurance from the Transport Minister that fuel companies will have to provide unadulterated petrol when ethanol is added in the near future and with a 12 month WOF interval coming in very soon, there are no dark clouds on the horizon. Just to keep a foot in both camps I’m going to get a sign for the Railton that reads “This car is a hybrid, it burns petrol and rubber”. You may not have noticed that the curtains have been washed to get rid of any old virus residues or for anything like black mould spores for that matter and to keep them off the end window which tends to build up condensation, the tables have been moved to the other end which should also make accessing them easier for supper time.
Looking forward to seeing you at some Club events soon, regards, Alastair Jones
This is our major fundraiser for the year and lots of help on the day will be required to make it a smooth running and successful event.
We need a small team to run a sausage sizzle, folk to collect money at the gate, parking Marshalls from about 7.30am for an hour or so, raffle ticket sellers, and a host of other tasks. As well are running our own kitchen sales so please, if you can, donations of fresh home baking will be most appreciated.
At the October Club night we gave out large Swap meet signs (and stakes) to members who should have placed them by now. This has proven to be very effective (and cheap) local advertising.
Contact Ron Elton on ron.elton@kinect.co.nz, or 07 579 9621 if you can help, or simply add your name to the list that will be circulated at Club night.
So, remember the date, and remember that we need YOU.
On Sat 5 Nov we are holding the annual working bee at the clubrooms. This is for a couple of hours or so from 9.00am. Bring along a broom or a spade or some garden tools or other handy man tools. We want to sweep some of the swap meet area, tidy up the shrubs, clean the hall inside and out, and set up a few things for the swap meet the next day including the temporary fencing. All help appreciated.
For those who have indicated they will help out on swap meet day, we will need a good muster at 7.00 am to assist with display car and swap meet marshalling. The public are due from 9.00am help with the entry gate money collection, sausage sizzle, security and many other tasks. Keep your fingers crossed for a fine day, see you all there.
Needed ladies to help in the kitchen for the Swap Meet 6th November Jill would like to have a roster system so that nobody does more than 2 hours at a time in the kitchen. Please ring Jill on 07 552 4201 or email johnandjill37@gmail.com And then she can slot you into a time to suit you where possible.
Also Needed- Donations of food for the kitchen such as Sandwiches, Savouries, Cakes and Slices.
Thanking you all in advance from Jill, Club Captain
After selling my 1948 De Soto Fluid Drive I started looking for a more modern American convertible for Beach Hops etc. At the time there was not much for sale around the country, Trademe had plenty of ordinary cars but nothing that appealed.
My friend Pat had purchased two cars and imported them both from the USA with not too many problems so I thought why not try E bay well there were a multitude to chose from there.
A 1966 Mercury Comet Caliente took my eye for sale in Bridgetown Missouri from no less than a Rolls Royce and Lambourghini dealer, and it looked a picture in front of the showroom. I contacted the Principle and getting assurances the vehicle was in top condition we settled on a price, that done cartage to New York Docks was arranged, plus all paperwork for shipping, by Jas Jenners.
I received a call from Freight Forwarders my car had arrived at the Port of Auckland. I rang my friend and he and I went up to see what I had bought. Before handover there were Custom Cleaning MAF Inspection/Exam, Fumigation and GST charges to pay phew! We trailered the car to have a compliance clearance in Henderson, but it failed on leaking front and rear brake cylinders, plus rust in left and right rear guards and in the front cross member. Left the car at a local panel beaters for repairs that had to be done, he rang a few days later to say come and have a look at all the rust oh no! Bad rust in both front and rear cross members filled with foam and painted over, under floor panels both driver and passenger side virtually non existent all underguards pitted and rusty.
I rang the seller and told him he had sold me a bucket of rust but all I got was a denial, no sympathy there. Emailed the Governor of the state of Missouri to tell him my sad tale and was offered $500US compensation, you can stick that too mate. By the way the seller is still in business today.
Brought the car back home and shoved it in a corner of my orchard shed for a while so I could consider what to do next. Most people advised me to scrap it or sell the parts but I was determined to fix the damned thing one way or the other. Through the grapevine I heard of a retired panel beater in Te Puke who was looking for a project car to work on in his spare time. Contact was made and agreement on price and timeframe was settled. The car was completely stripped out and put on rotisserie to enable the cut and repair. About 6 months later my car was ready and he had done a fantastic job of it all (with a big bill to prove it!).
Compliance came next but not before new nolathane bushes were fitted throughout the front suspention
2008.
Next step. Warm up the motor as the standard 289 was a bit ho hum. Etchells Race Parts was approached , they fitted a Holley570 carburettor, Eidelbrook Intake manifold and Electronic Distributer plus Blaster coil. Much better performance.
Editors note—Thank you Bill.
I admired Bills car , a really nice example of sixty's Americana. and asked him to pen this article, which I am sure Members will be interested in, and will appreciate his determination to save the car. Many of you have similar stories, and I ask that you submit the story and photos for inclusion in future Klaxons. Photos next page!
The children make cardboard cars to wear as they race around the school running track. Children are grouped in teams under vehicle manufacturers names and compete in a relay. This year they have again asked our club for cars to attend the event. In previous years we have parked beside the track, then driven around the track to the tooting of klaxons/horns and great cheering. We have then re parked prior to the children’s relay. It is a great way to promote young people’s interest in our cars.
Organisers have asked for anyone interested to arrive at 10am and drive through the Anne Road gate onto the school grounds. All cars should be parked by 10:25am, when the children come out for play. The event starts at 11am and should be finished at 12:30pm at the latest. Cars can leave after that. Anyone interested please call: Keith Perkins 027 578 1231 or landline 578 1231 or Ken Frew 027 576 4263 or landline 576 4263
is holding its ‘Bellevue 500’ event again this year on Friday 4th November.
After years of delay, the old Incorporated Societies Act 1908 has finally been updated and came into force in April this year. One fundamental point that will impact on next steps is that new constitution/rules will need to be adopted and re registration of every incorporated society will be required by December 2025.
The main focus of the new Act is to strengthen the governance framework and provide increased protection for those who belong to and run incorporated societies and it imposes a number of new requirements and obligations.
Some of the obligations and requirements do not affect our actual rules/ constitutions and others are already in our Club and Branch constitutions however all our rules will require amendment so that they comply with the Act.
Under the Act officers will be required to meet defined standards of integrity similar to those imposed on directors of companies, such as:
a duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of the society and to exercise reasonable care and diligence.
Officers cannot be undischarged bankrupts, prohibited directors or convicted criminals.
Clubs must have at least 10 members to register, a decrease from the 15 members previously required under the old Act however now a society must have at least 10 members at all times.
Constitutions must include written procedures for resolving disputes which are consistent with natural justice.
The new accounting standards require clubs to prepare their financial statements in accordance with a standard that suits their size. Smaller societies with annual turnovers of less than $50,000 and total assets of less than $50,000 may prepare their financial statement according to generally accepted accounting practice and they will not need to be audited. However the financial statements of larger societies will have to be audited.
The first step, as part of the updating process will be to determine what is the best structure for governance of the Club. Under the new Act the governing body of the society can be described as a board as it now has the same meaning as a committee.
We will be investigating moving the Management Committee into more of a “board like” structure, with some elected and some appointed members.
There are some positions on the management committee (such as Registrar, Beaded Wheels Chairman) which are fundamental to the Club and it is vital that they are filled by persons with the right qualifications and experience. Moving these to appointed positions would ensure that we have the right people for the job.
The ability to appoint a professional person onto the Board for their specialised skills (such as a lawyer or marketing type person) for a specific purpose or task would set up the Club for the future.
We will also take the opportunity to investigate fixed terms for committee/board members which currently is not in the Club rules.
Importantly in terms of the Vintage Car Club, the new Act specifies the make up of a governing body of a society which is a committee or board made up of officers who are electedorappointed. This is how Branch and branch committees operate so it will not necessarily mean any change to branch constitutions in that regard.
However I am just giving you a heads up at this stage, that it will affect the governance of the national body. As you know the Club is governed by the national executive which is made up of the duly elected members of the Management Committee and delegates (who are elected at a branch AGM or appointed by their Branch). Delegates are not elected by members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand.
It is likely that the current governance structure we have now, i.e. the Executive, will not be possible under the new Act which says that the operation and affairs of a society must be managed by a committee, which “hasallthepowersnecessaryfor managing,andfordirectingandsupervisingthemanagementof,theoperationand affairsofthesociety.” The committee must be made up of officers who are elected or appointed and under the new Act it is described as the “governingbodyofthe society”. It would not be possible, workable or manageable to have a committee of approximately 46 people (made up of branch delegates & management committee) who are elected by Club members to manage and operate the affairs of the Club.
We will be taking legal advice on whether our current governance structure can continue under the new Act.
The governance structure of our Club is, from what I can ascertain, quite unusual. For instance the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association have the main body as the incorporated society and regional groups (which are not incorporated societies and do not own any assets).
As I mentioned, we will be taking legal advice on this. The new Act is a whole new learning process for both Clubs and for legal advisors as there aren’t any precedents which can be used to form opinions.
A working group will be formed to define and formulate what changes will need to be made.
As a first step, a discussion paper will be sent to Branches towards the end of this year setting out onabroadbasiswhat changes the Management Committee will be recommending.
Once that has been extensively canvassed amongst the branches and members and discussed at the March 2023 Executive meeting the process of drafting a new Club constitution will commence.
Members will have plenty of opportunity to thoroughly discuss the draft and brief their delegates and at further executive meetings the draft would be workshopped until a consensus is achieved.
Ideally, the new Club constitution would be voted on by members in August 2024 to allow one further year for contingencies before the deadline of December 2025.
In terms of Branch constitutions, a new template will be developed once the Club constitution has been drafted.
Rather than seeing this as an obstacle or problem, we should see this as an opportunity to update and future proof our constitutions to reflect modern day procedures and technology (such as on line banking and zoom meetings) so that the rules that govern us (both at national and branch level) will guide the future operation of our Club.
This popular car event is returning to Classic Flyers Sunday 13 November!
YOU WILL
Gates open for the public at 10.00am Entry is $10.00 per family or $5 per person
Plenty of chrome and awesome machines are on display.
Along with trade stalls selling all manner of US automotive items.
Entry to the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum is included as part of the show.
You can win a classic adventure scenic flight as a gate prize!
SO, See you there....!
Clive sent me an interesting link which describes the development work JCB (the earthmoving machinery manufacturers) are doing with hydrogen fuelled (not fuel cells) industrial machinery. It’s a little long, but well worth a look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Q7nAYjAJY
Jack and Colin have a very good selection of specialist tools you can borrow at no cost to do those jobs you been putting off because the Maintenance Fund is a bit low, and you can’t afford the tool to fettle your historic machine.
For instance, they have ring and spring compressors, ridge remover, compression tester, timing lights, chassis alignment measuring callipers, axle stands etc etc.
The only tool that has a small hire charge is the Exhaust Gas Analyzer. This should not have the tube from the exhaust pipe to the machine sitting on the front car seat when you do a check while the vehicle is in motion (ask Paul Beck why this a No No!)
The Parts Shed is open every Monday from about 9am and you can stay for tea or coffee and a bikkie—also at no cost.
LETTER # 1 Following a positive re action from the members who attended the September Meeting when the question of whether an up to date branch members list could be made available again, in similar size (A5) to the last one printed in 2015 via Irene Hill. The proposal is for a new branch members list to made available to members in the new year, after the National Members List is sent to the branch secretaries.
When that BOP list has been received by our Secretary, the list can be analysed by area to find out the numbers of members within. From there members can be advised via the KLAXON and an invitation issued for any members who would be interested to be a local contact within their area. The purpose of that idea is that many new members especially, who have joined in the last ten years do not know who or where their nearest fellow member is located to where they live. Plus a section in the handbook listing the areas and surnames of the members within will make it easier for members to contact each other. The opportunity is also available for members e mail addresses to be included in the booklet as well.
If any member does not want any of their details published in the new branch members booklet they can advise the secretary accordingly, this is in additional to those members, if we have any, who want to remain anonymous having notified the National Office via the branch secretary. Members views are invited and can be sent to me by e mail kane@netsmart.net.nz or to the secretary Michael Thorman bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
Clive Taylor Omanawa,
Last week a friend of mine gave me a couple of an old photographs, one taken in Fiji prior to 1928. In it there is a motorcycle and a car plus four men. We know who the men are but can any member/s identify the motorcycle and car please?
The second photograph shows a man on the left of three with a T shirt advertising Tauranga Car Club. Can anyone provide more information?
Plus for a bit of fun I have attached a cartoon drawn by my late friend Tony Phillips Smith known as Apsley. Members might like to put a copy on their garage / shed wall. Safe motoring to you all, Clive in Omanawa
A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor's office. "Is it true," she wanted to know, "that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?"
"'Yes, I'm afraid so,"' the doctor told her. There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied, "I'm wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked 'NO REFILLS'.."
An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia, he asked to speak to his son. "Yes, Dad, what is it?"
"Don't be nervous, son; do your best, and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife...."
Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. This is so true. I love to hear them say "you don't look that old."
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. (Mostly because we forgot why we were waiting in line in the first place !!)
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me! I want people to know why I look this way. I've travelled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Two guys, one old, one young, are pushing their carts around Wal Mart when they collide. The old guy says to the young guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for my wife, and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
The young guy says, "That's OK, it's a coincidence. I'm looking for my wife, too...I can't find her and I'm getting a little desperate." The old guy says, "Well, maybe I can help you find her...what does she look like?"
The young guy says, "Well, she is 27 yrs. old, tall, with red hair, blue eyes, is buxom...wearing no bra, long legs, and is wearing short shorts. What does your wife look like?'
To which the old guy says, "Doesn't matter, let's look for yours."
Good friends are like quilts, they age with you and yet, they never lose their warmth. Take good care of them.
The newsletter for those committed to keeping driving alive.
by Larry Webster • 10/14/2022Robot drivers may not get tired, but they sure do burn a lot of cash. A recent Bloomberg article estimated that investors have already spent $100 billion in autonomous vehicle R&D at various companies. For that kind of dough, you could buy Ford and General Motors, which would get you, among many things, the first Corvette Z06 off the line, prime seating with Roger Penske at the Indy 500, and at least one corporate jet. But we do not appear to be appreciably closer to widespread autonomous vehicles than we were five years ago.
The article, by Max Chafkin, drew on a McKinsey & Co. report for the financials and quoted many early AV pioneers who now question giddy predictions of robot drivers. Google’s Waymo division, with millions of testing miles and the Google cash machine behind it, has tested autonomous cars for a decade, yet they are still confined to small pilot operations. The timelines for widespread AV usage are continually delayed.
New technology is always a risk. The whole point of a research and development budget is to experiment and perhaps develop a new business or competitive edge. For over a decade now, proprietary software and hardware for autonomous drivers seemed like a must have for any company in the transportation space.
Last week, I mentioned Akio Toyoda’s refusal to jump, both feet in, into development of battery powered vehicles. He’s having to defend what is, in my opinion, a rational decision. According to an article in Automotive News, Toyoda claimed that his company can produce eight plug in hybrids with 40 miles of electric range for every 320 mile battery electric vehicle, which would ultimately mean less overall carbon emissions. That’s because most people don’t drive more than 35 miles a day, so those eight plug in cars would largely be driven in EV mode.
Do Toyoda’s statements and the Bloomberg article signal that we’re entering a new phase where practical realism trumps overly optimistic PR statements? Perhaps, but there’s too much need for robot drivers, especially in the trucking industry, for there to be any significant spending reduction in AV research. There’s simply a new awareness that it’s all going to take much longer for widespread adoption than the original rosy predictions. We’re talking a decade or more.
We met at the clubrooms at 9.15am for a 9.30am start. 15 cars started there for the run which was organised by Bill Heard. Bill had plotted the run which took us down through The Strand, along Devonport Rd, through to Greerton, along Fraser St, along Cameron Rd to Oropi Rd.
Arriving at The Thrupp’s residence, we spread out in the beautiful grounds for a BYO morning tea. A few more cars arrived here taking the total to approx 20 cars & 36 people, which included Carl & Bernadette Fisher From Queensland, Australia, guests of the Howards.
After morning tea we headed into Graham’s incredible garage to view his impressive American cars & memorabilia. The first is a 1959 green Cadillac pillar less sedan, then a 66 Ford T”Bird, a red Cadillac convertible , a 1960 Chev convertible complete with a Drive in movie tray clipped onto the door with hamburgers & drinks. The condition of these cars is absolutely amazing.
Dotted around the area are petrol pumps, number plates & various American signs etc. The walls are completely covered in photo’s of cars & visitors who have visited the shed. Some of the car photo’s are of VCC club members.
Also in the back of the shed is an American Milk bar complete with black & white tiled floor, and red leather seating in a booth. There is a standard bar with milk shake machines, vintage cash register. Sitting on the bench are replica Sundaes and a juke box sits in one corner.
Graham took us into his workshop where he restores old tractors etc. After spending nearly an hour there , we headed now for the second half of the run. We headed up Oropi Rd through beautiful countryside & eventually came out on Pyes Pa Rd, ideal driving for vintage cars. One question was included in the trip, “Spot the Naked Lady” Correct answers were rewarded with a chocolate bar 10 people collected on this.
Travelling down Pyes Pa Rd we reached our lunch venue which was Four 14 Express Café where we had a great lunch. It was a fabulous day . Thanks to Graham Thrupp and Bill Heard.
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
NEW
JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN) 07 5766346
KEN FREW (DIANNE) 07 5764263
SWAPMEET RON ELTON (KERRY) 07 5799621
HON.
VIC
PETER BUTLER (MARION) 07 5756892
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN) 07 5761124
IVAN ALLEN (YVONNE) 07 5432629
MERILYN
(JACK) 07 5766346
PAUL BECK (YVONNE) 07 5720163
JILL
BRYCE
DEIDRE
BRIAN
07 552 4201
0274 966706
021
07 5447952
The Club Rooms are 29 Cliff Road. P O Box 660, Tauranga, 3144.
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
PROGRAMME :
Start at South Waikato Vintage Car Clubrooms
09:00 Hrs: Begin registration & cup of tea
09:45 Hrs: Briefing
1000 Hrs: First car leaves designated start area.
At completion of run{approx 3.0hrs} lunch {byo}or Sausages sizzle / bread, tea, coffee, hot water & milk available at finish then presentation of prizes.
The rally will once again be set through pleasant country and where possible, Forestry Roads.
As is usual it is a family event. No fiendish navigational rules or instructions written to get you lost.
We encourage you and your team to dress for the period when your vehicle was built or most typically used. We will award a prize for best crew/vehicle combination
To assist with organisation, entries should be sent by November 20th however we will accept them up to starting time.
South Waikato Vintage Car Clubrooms Vospers Road, Lichfield. (OffSH1overrailwaylineoppositePotteryshop)
FUEL : The rally distance is approximately 120 kilometres. Please ensure you have sufficient fuel to complete the event.