The term 'March Madness' springs to mind penning this as it's been a full on month concerning all sorts of matters VCC on a local and national level. The month has proved to be a real eye opener for me personally and I've more than had a full realization that things with regard to our daily functioning and planning don't simply happen by fluke. Our existence as a branch of the VCC body is indeed the result of some meticulous planning and foresight by some very dedicated people. A raft of stuff goes on behind the scenes that contributes to our motoring enjoyment as a club. Up until recently - I didn't have a clue about much of it.
Naturally with all of the agenda that is addressed by our branch I'm in very regular contact with our energetic committee. During one of our many talks these people decided that I should attend the VCC Executive Meeting held in Christchurch mid March. So when the alarm went off at 4.00am on a chilly morning recently so as I could catch a flight which left in the dark - I did for a wee while wonder just why they came up with that bright idea!
It's always interesting when you get to finally meet up with people that you've heard about for sometime and read of their names and roles in print. Shaking hands with the 36 VCC delegates from all over the country plus the leadership team reminded me of my time in the radio industry. It was like a case of 'I've heard you on air for years - now I've finally got to see what you look like!' Seriously though - I was impressed with the skills set evident in the room and coming away from the meeting on Sunday afternoon I must admit that my head hurt a bit from information overload.
Now I'm slowly working thru all of this information and much of the stuff gleaned will assist our local committee in working with the day to day housekeeping. All of this will hopefully contribute to us providing an even better branch for all of your enjoyment and at the end of the day that has to be the ultimate objective.
APRIL
1 – BOP Jazz Festival Classic & Mini Car Parade – Organiser – Deidre Rennie
6 – Mooloo Meander – Waikato Branch
7 – End of Daylight Saving
8 – Club Night – Guest Speaker – Richard Cranswick with his ‘Fiat Bambina’
10 – Mid Month Club Run – Organisers – Margaret & Bob McGarva
21 – Open Day & Car Show – North Shore Branch
26 - 28 – Highland Fling Rally – Manawatu Branch
28 – End of Month Club Run – ‘Summerset Village Run’
29 – Committee Meeting
30 - Nog & Natter – Papamoa – ‘Rain Bar’
MAY
5 – Hall Hire
12 – Mother’s Day
13 – Club Night
15 – Mid Month Club Run – Organiser – Kaaren Smylie - (to be the ‘Last of the Summers Days’ Run on 18 & 19 May)
26 – End of Month Club Run
27 – Committee Meeting28 – Nog & Natter – Tauranga Citz Club
31 – Irishman Creek Rally – Canterbury Branch
Irishman Rally – 31 May
Gold Card – Winter Morning Tea – 9 July
BOP VCC – AGM – 10 June
VCC AGM – 2024 Host Branch – Bay of Plenty – 9 August
Please note changes to the venues and day that our monthly Nog & Natter (N&N) will be held on for the rest of the year!
From April there will only be TWO VENUES that N&N will be held, Tauranga and Papamoa, alternating between:
1) Tauranga Citizens Club, and
2) Rain Bar & Restaurant, 3now0 Gravatt Road, Papamoa Beach.
Also, please note that N&N will be held on the LAST TUESDAY of every month
It is with regret we advise we had to make the decision to cancel meeting in Katikati, due to the lack of the availability of a venue that is priced to suit our members.
Therefore, commencing in April, N&N will be at Papamoa, at the Rain Bar & Restaurant.
Thereafter, on the 28 May we are at the Tauranga Citizens Club.
Any questions please contact Kaaren Smylie 021 66 43 41 or 07 576 4180
Librarian required for the clubrooms.
Hours are flexible to suit – 2x hours required on either at the monthly Club Night, or at Monday’s Café Cliff mornings at the clubrooms.
DUTIES -include Filing, and keeping a record of the book transactions. This is a very simple little job that would suit someone that wants to get out of the house, and potter around in the world of books, plus keep a log of what is coming and going with our reading material in our library.
For further questions please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Kaaren 021 66 43 41
I look forward to hearing from someone who can volunteer their assistance
DATE – 18 – 19 May 2024
DESTINATION – North Shore Branch (NSVCC) of the Vintage Car Club, which is in Masons Road, Auckland
ACCOMODATION – It is up to you to arrange your own accommodation for the Saturday night. There are several, motels at a reasonable price in Albany.
ITINERARY
Depart our clubrooms Saturday morning for Auckland.
There will be a lunch stop on route.
Arrive at the NSVCC clubrooms by 3pm for an afternoon tea provided by their members
After afternoon tea those that are interested are invited to take a leisurely walk around the awesome sheds the branch has, that are filled with treasures. The NSVCC Branch are well known amongst the VCC fraternity for their parts-sheds and restorations. Their clubrooms are very comfortable, so if anyone doesn’t care to view the part-sheds, and restorations, you will be very welcome to just relax and have a cuppa while the others go walk-about.
Our group will stay on after afternoon tea, and the NS Branch members will provide us a scrumptious early meal at about 5.30pm so it won’t be a late-night meal. The cost for the meal will be a modest $25.00 per person. Please make payment of this meal to the BOPVCC bank account by 3 May.
Payment Details – ACCOUNT NUMBER – 03-0435-0492753-00
REFERENCE – Your Name
SUNDAY RUN DETAILS – Those who are keen for an adventure are to arrive at the NSVCC clubrooms for a briefing to join the NSVCC members on their Monthly Run. Their Run is to view two fab car collections at Taupaki, followed by lunch at a country café. NOTE: The Run will be on sealed roads, and in the country out West, to avid any heavy dense traffic.
IMPORTANT – I need please numbers please ASAP who will be doing the Sunday Run, and who intends attending the café lunch.
RSVP – ASAP to Kaaren 021 66 43 41 or 07 576 4180
Don’t miss out this is going to be a fun weekend away!
New WOF and 12 months registration but needs lots of fiddly little jobs sorted out. Column change gear shift needs sorting out. Comes with complete set of boot lid tools, workshop manual, drivers handbook and VCC identification card.
$6500 to cover my costs. Phone Ian on 07 863 3554 or email ianverrall@outlook.com
Colin Cavanagh advises that the Feilding Austin Museum is being sold and he has provided a list of the following vehicles for sale.
The vehicles are—
1957 -59 Austins as listed below
A35 A35 Countryman
A40 Devon A40 Somerset
A50 Cambridge A55 Cambridge
A55 Cambridge Van A60 Saloon
A70 Hereford A60 Countryman A90 Westminster
A95 Westminster Station Wagon
A99 Westminster
Also a FX3 Austin Taxi Austin J2 Camper Van
Plus a few more!
Contact Colin Brown 06 2120473 or 0276666742
Cleaning with out chemicals or abrasives, it is an 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 and location (if it cannot be delivered to us)
sales@bopradiatorspecialists.co.nz
PLEASENOTE:The application form for a Vehicle Identity Card has changed from a 7 page application to 15 pages. The extra pages relate to explanations regarding whether you receive a “DOMAS” or a “VIC”, depending on the state of the Vehicle at the time of the application. Go to wwww.vcc.org.nz, and in the panel on the LHS is the option “RESOURCES/ DOWNLOAD” accessing that will show “VIC Application”. Print the required pages and note the requirements for the photos.
It is suggested that you complete all the pages and then contact either
Alastair Jones 07 5761124 - or - Ivan Allen 07 5432629
beforesending the photos to Nat. Office Christchurch. This is to ensure the photos are as required and don’t get there before the paperwork, which in almost all cases has to be checked against the vehicle to make sure there aren’t any errors. Either of the VIC Officers are there to assist not hinder!
Wednesday 13 March was our first Mid-Month Run for 2024.
There were several successes to the day.
Firstly - an excellent turnout of nearly 40 of our members who came along with their guests, all enjoying and driving their pride and joys!
Secondly – the weather was ‘A’ ok.
Thirdly – lunch at ‘The Ciderie’ was excellent cuisine. They catered for our large group in a timely fashion with their extensive menu choices. And of course, you can’t forget the rather nice cellar cider that was enjoyed by the majority. No one left Te Puna hungry or thirsty.
On route to The Cidery, we made a slight detour to the home of Les and Helen Duggan. Les and Helen were most generous to allow our group to view their amazing collection of well-loved autos.
I am sure amongst our large membership there are several members who would like the opportunity to share with like-minded enthusiasts their pride and passions.
If you have a few goodies tucked away in your garage that you would like to show off, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with myself or a fellow committee member, we are keen to visit.
SAT 08 JUNE 9.00am
Starting at our clubrooms for breakfast, followed by a lovely run through the Waikato Countryside. Lunch will be at an interesting museum (entry included). Dinner and prizegiving in the evening back at the clubrooms - it’s a beach theme - decorate your sun hat, dig up your bucket and spade and let’s have a party!!
Your rally plotters - Bryan and Lorraine Cossey
SATURDAY 8th June 8.00am
Parts shed open. Branch Clubrooms, Maclean Street, Cambridge. Rally Packs available to collect 9:00am Breakfast and cuppa served to all entrants
10.00am First car away
12-1pm- Lunch stop at museum (entry included)
3-4pm Cars return to Clubrooms for afternoon tea
5.30pm Clubrooms open - bring along your drinks and snacks for a pre-dinner get-together
6.30pm- - Buffet dinner followed by prizegiving and surprise entertainment. The most innovative sun hat may win a prize.
For an entry form contact Rally Secretary:
Gaynor Terrill Email: terrill.g.j@gmail.com
What a fabulous event organised by an amazing and dedicated couple in Jim & Kaaren Smylie. Jim and Kaaren overcame a range of challenging obstacles in planning and arranging this different, but very enjoyable and memorable event. While needing to overcome some challenging health issues, Jim and Kaaren were met with venue challenges which would have defeated many but not our Jim & Kaaren. At a very late stage the owners of the Rally Headquarters in Ohakune advised they were closing and would not be able to provide meals and other necessary services. However, at short notice a very suitable alternative was sourced in the nearby Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club – this facility proved to be excellent.
Our first Rally Day was the longest of the Rally but what a fabulous and eventful day it was. After the 8.30am briefing we travelled through a wide range of scenery from the central plateau to the early stages of the Whanganui River at Pipiriki and Jerusalem, following down the Whanganui River to Whanganui where we had a memorable ride and lunch on the Paddle Steamer. Following lunch and an inspection of the historic Steamer maintenance and museum facilities, we headed back to Ohakune via the renown Parapara’s – renown for challenges in the form of some steep hills, as we were heading back to the Central Plateau and Ohakune. Happy Hour and the excellent meal at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club ended a most enjoyable day.
The second Rally Day was predicted to be a quieter day and to some degree it was, but it was also quite varied but most enjoyable. From Raetihi we proceeded down SH 4 towards Whanganui to the Kakatahi Primary School for a wonderful lunch and refreshments prepared by the school parent/teachers which currently has around thirteen pupils. Even though temperatures were around 31 degrees Celsius, the pupils were treated to many rides in the participating Model Ts.
Following the enjoyable time at the School, we travelled a few k’s back towards Ohakune before turning off SH 4 onto unsealed ‘Fields Track’ (which lived up to its name!)/Whangaehu Valley Road. After negotiating many blind corners and challenging hills we eventually came out onto SH 49 to take us back to Ohakune. Happy Hour and dinner at the Raetihi Club was a fitting end to another enjoyable day.
The third Rally Day was a run to Taumaranui with options. For those opting not to take the more scenic route, they could motor down SH 4 from Ohakune/Raetihi to the Makatote Viaduct Lookout and then on to Raurimu and Taumaranui town and the Manunui Primary School. The more scenic route travelled down SH 4 to turn left at Raurimu village onto an extremely scenic route including Coopers Crossing (which is an old military district steeped in history and included a unique ‘statue’ of a horse) plus a number of scenic reserves and not to be ignored – logging trucks!
Eventually the two groups met at the delightful little Manunui School where again a generous lunch and refreshments were provided, and many pupils enjoyed rides in the Model T’s.
On the return trip back to base there were a number of scenic points of interest, including the Raurimu Spiral, the Last Spike on the Main Trunk Line and Smash Palace at Horopito. Again, another enjoyable day was completed with happy hour and an enjoyable meal at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club.
On Sunday 11th Feb. the AGM was held at the Ohakune Club followed by a run to Waiouru with options. Entrants could take the longer more scenic route via back roads with unsealed sections to rendezvous with those who had taken the shorter route to Waiouru Army Museum where most enjoyed lunch before motoring back to Ohakune/Raetihi for our final night as a full group. This included a sumptuous meal, award presentations and a guest speaker.
Monday 12th February was an Optional Day (This report contributed by Lorraine Hallen)
Graham (Hallen) and I, Rob and Karen Thompson (1926 Speedster Nelson), David and Yvonne Bell (1915 Speedster Nelson), Stuart Scott and Andrew Mulholland (1926 Speedster Amberly) plus Cliff Bennett (with us on his way home to Palm. Nth., headed for Fordell to visit Bruce Ardell’s workshop/ showroom ‘Mechanical Restorations’. We left Ohakune at 8.30am and headed for Turakina Valley Road. I was keen to do this as we travelled on the Southern part of the road during the Highland Fling weekend.
Another fine day, Cliff made sure we stopped at each intersection to make sure that we didn’t get lost – ‘real back country stuff’. We came across a farmer shifting a very large bull down the road, the bull didn’t look very happy as the dog was keeping it moving. Soon after, rounding a corner there was a large branch across the road. Not sure how long it had been there, obviously no locals had been down recently. Manpower couldn’t shift the large branch, so the guys put a strop around it and Cliff with his Pickup managed to get it off the bank and we squeezed past - further on, stock was being moved two kms along the road, so we stopped and had some morning tea while we waited. A great visit to Bruce Ardell’s place and he was most accommodating even though we were a little late. His knowledge, amount of stock and his cataloguing system, plus his collection of cars etc. was certainly something not to be missed. From Bruce’s place we all made our way back to Rally base, apart from Cliff who headed back to Palmerston North.
A great end to a fantastic week.
I came across this phrase yesterday - 'FENDER SKIRTS'
A term I haven't heard in a long time, and thinking about 'fender skirts' started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear from our language with hardly a notice like 'curb feelers'
And 'steering knobs'
Since I'd been thinking of cars, my mind naturally went that direction first.
Any kids will probably have to find some older person over 50 to explain some of these terms to you.
Remember 'Continental kits'?
They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental.
When did we quit calling them 'emergency brakes?
At some point, 'parking brake' became the proper term. But I miss the hint of drama that went with 'emergency brake.'
I'm sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the accelerator the 'foot feed.'
Many today do not even know what a clutch is or that the dimmer switch used to be on the floor.
For that matter, the starter was down there too.
Didn't you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the 'running board' up to the house?
Here's a phrase I heard all the time in my youth but never anymore - 'store-bought.' Of course, just about everything is store-bought these days. But once it was bragging material to have a store-bought dress or a store-bought bag of candy.
'Coast to Coast' is a phrase that once held all sorts of excitement and now means almost nothing. Now we take the term 'worldwide' for granted. That floors me.
On a smaller scale, 'wall-to-wall' was once a magical term in our homes. In the '50s, everyone covered his or her hardwood floors with, wow, wall-to-wall carpeting!
Today, everyone replaces their wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. Go figure.
When was the last time you heard the quaint phrase 'in a family way?' It's hard to imagine that the word 'pregnant' was once considered a little too graphic, a little too clinical for use in polite company, so we had all that talk about stork visits and 'being in a family way' or simply 'expecting.'
Apparently, 'brassiere' is a word no longer in usage? I said it the other day and my daughter cracked up. I guess it's just 'bra' now. 'Unmentionables' probably wouldn't be understood at all.
I always loved going to the 'picture show,' but I considered 'movie' an affectation.
Most of these words go back to the '50s, but here's a pure '60s word I came across the other day 'rat fink.' Ooh, what a nasty put-down!
Here's a word I miss - 'percolator.' That was just a fun word to say. And what was it replaced with? 'Coffee maker.' How dull...
I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro. Words like 'Dyna Flow' and 'Electrolux' and 'Frigidaire'. Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with 'Spectra Vision!'
Food for thought. Was there a telethon that wiped out lumbago? Nobody complains about that anymore. Maybe that's what Castor Oil cured because I never hear mothers threatening kids with Castor Oil anymore.
Some words aren't gone but are definitely on the endangered list. The one that grieves me most is 'supper.' Now everybody says 'dinner.' Save a great word
Saturday 18 th May 2024
6:30-7:00am Break away from club rooms.
7:30 – 8:00am Stop at either the Z-Station at the Napier-Taupo roundabout (84km 1hr @ average 80kmh) or
in 8:15-8:45am Turangi Z Station (49km 45min @ average 65kmh from Taupo).
9:30 – 10am aiming to be at the chateau to rendezvous and get a group photo of the cars in front of the chateau. (48km 45min @ average 65kmh)
11:15-11:30am Leave The Chateau for smash palace Horopito
12pm - be at smash palace (Horopito) $10 entry per person. P.S. bring your best pair of walking shoes, comfy ones. (36km 30min @ average 70kmh)
2:30-3pm leaving Horopito for Ohakune (15km 12min) and head to accommodation and check in.
6:00-6:30pm dinner at the Powderhorn Chateau in the Matterhorn room
Powderhorn Chateau address 194 Mangawhero Terrace, Ohakune 4625
Sunday 19 Mayl 2024
Breakfast and check out prior to leaving at 10am
10am Meet at Carrot Park Ohakuni and travel to the Tangiwai Memorial
10:20 arrive Tangiwai Memorial (18km 20min)
10:50am leave Tangiwai and travel to National Army Museum Waioru (10km)
11am to 1pm National Army Museum. Cost person Adult $15, School age child $5, Senior/student $10, Family pass $35.
1pm Leave National Army Museum for Rotorua/home (Waioru to Rotorua 200km 3hrs @ average 70kmh)
Accommodation in Ohakuni
Powderhorn Chateau Accommodation
Ruapehu Mountain Motel
The Peaks Motor Inn
Kings Ohakune Accommodation
Sister motel SnowHaven
CONTACT—
Hayden Duncan—
Rotorua Branch Secretary
Phone 021939705 Email— rotorua@vcc.org.nz.
The Club Rooms are 29 Cliff Road. P O Box 660, Tauranga, 3144.
Key contacts are:
Acting Chairman– Donn White 0274 764465
Chairman– John Whitcombe 027 552 4203 Email: johnandjill37@gmail.com
Secretary– Michael Thorman 07 5444291 Email: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
Club Captain Kaaren Smylie 07 576 4180 Email: kaaren@smylie.co.nz
Monthly events—
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 Last Tuesday of the month at 6pm
Coffee Mornings - Every Monday Morning Noggin ‘n’ Natter held last Tuesday of the month at 6pm and location alternates between-
1. Tauranga- Tauranga Citizens Club, Cameron Road.
Contact is Kaaren Smylie phone 021 664341 or 07 576 4180.
In 2024 at Citz Club in - May, July, Sept, November
2. Papamoa/TePuke– Rain Bar and Restaurant, 30 Gravatt Road, Papamoa
Contact is - Lynn Howard. Phone 020 4042 7624.
In 2024 at Rain Bar in April, June, August, October, December
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 if they need one.
LIBRARY HOURS— The library is open whenever the Club is open. Members wanting to search for or return books should ask a Committee member to open the library. We accept good clean car service manuals, or books that relate to automobile history or travel for our 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