VCC HAWKES BAY OCT 2022

SEND IN YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS//

ARTICLES, PHOTOS, REMINISCENCES, MECHANICAL TIPS, NOTICES, FUNNIES.

DEADLINE

20th of the month (late contributions are accepted if time allows, please phone to check if this is ok)

Email: themag.vcc@gmail.com

Editor: Kay Elmsly 06 845 0577 or 027 286 6480 during work hours 9am - 5pm Monday-Friday

11 Claridge Place, Taradale, Napier 4112

Please label well, THE MAG HBVCC

Designer: Liv Coleske Ladybug Design 021 474427 during work hours 9am - 4pm Monday-Thursday

VIEW THIS MAG IN FULL COLOUR ONLINE

Front page image supplied by Kay Elmsly.

HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH CONTACTS//

Chairman: Esther Smith (Graham) c. 027 464 7314 humber@xtra.co.nz

Past Chairman: Ian Elmsly (Kay) p. 06 845 0577 c. 0274 790 682 ian.elmsly@xtra.co.nz

Club Captain: Paul Anderson (Janine) p. 06 844 2912 c. 0274 463 908 p.anderson1@xtra.co.nz

Secretary: Sandra Marsh (Kevin) p. 06 8700493 c. 021 2334476 hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz

Treasurer: Paul Eager (Carol) p. 06 845 4779 c. 027231 4304 paul-carol@xtra.co.nz

Committee: Malcolm Blair (Lesley) p. 06 843 7664 c. 021 576 360 malcolmblair52@gmail.com

Alastair Chalmers (Jean) c. 020 4088 4523 alastairchalmers@hotmail.co.uk

Kevin Cains (Kaye) p. 06 842 2496 c. 021 560 905 kevin.cains53@gmail.com

Steve Donovan (Pam) p. 06 835 9956 c. 027 217 7730 stevedon@xtra co.nz

Graham Bowker (Lyn) p. 06 845 0663 thebowkers@xtra.co.nz

Librarian: Larry Morgan (Cindy) c. 021 401 092 lazzer56@gmail.com

Club Custodian & Room Hire: Steve Donovan p. 06 835 9956 c. 027 217 7730 stevedon@xtra co.nz

Wednesday Run: Barrie Browne (Lindsay) c. 027 720 1238

Cruise ship Co-Ordinator: Colin Barnes c. 027 695 7075 cruiseshipcoordinator@xtra.co.nz

Mag Editor: Kay Elmsly p. 06 845 0577 c. 027 2866 480 ian.elmsly@xtra.co.nz

Spares Manager: Brian Taylor (Margaret) p. 06 844 5982 c. 027 443 6009

Spares Assistant Manager: John Durry (Jenny) p. 06 843 5798 c. 022 676 9401

Groundsman: Trevor Charman (Lyn) p. 06 844 5140 c. 027 292 6068 trevlyncharm@actrix.co.nz

HB Branch Life Members

Allan Harris life member

Trevor Charman life member

CONTENTS

HB Branch Contacts

Chairman’s Report

Club Captain’s Report

Up & Coming Events

Mid-Week Runs

September Mid-Week Run

Cruise Boats

New Librarian

Art Deco Event

Your Branch Photos 15

Obituary - Paul Stichbury

To Your Rootes – No 10 20 Spare News

Notice Board

Calendar of Events

Magazines

Sale

to all Members

BRANCH

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT//

By Esther Smith

I think I’ve been conned as when I had a discussion with our Immediate Past President Ian Elmsly about taking over the role of Chairman, he told me it’s a walk in the park and that the Club Captains role was much bigger and as I had been the Club Captain for 3 years I would have absolutely no problem being Chairman. How wrong he was !!!

It’s been a busy few months so far as after having been off the branch committee for a while I had to get up to speed with the prevailing issues. One of which is the return of the Cruise Ships after a two year break, I had presumed that it would be a trickle at first but it now appears that the number of ships expected this season is similar to pre-covid. Therefore we urgently need more people to join the pool of volunteers who take their cars down to the Port as some of the regulars from previous years are no longer available and the more the merrier, contact Paul Anderson or myself if you are interested.

We farewelled Allan Twort with Steve Donovan speaking on behalf of the Branch at Allan’s funeral, he mentioned the services that Allan had carried out for the Club, as he was the head Chef and chief bottle washer in the Kitchen for many years and more recently the Librarian where along with Helen they were in the process of cataloguing the library contents. We also farewelled Queen Elizabeth II and at some stage we will have a special “Brits” evening to mark that event.

The various Club events are going well, Paul has being organising interesting speakers for Club nights, the Kitchen is always an evening well worth attending and now there is a hint of Spring in the air albeit between showers, it’s time to join in get those vehicles out for a spin on either the Wednesday or Sunday runs, or just bring it along to a Tuesday morning at the clubrooms, from what I’m told any new/ different vehicle is always a welcome subject for scrutiny and some tyre kicking.

Our Club Run to Tutira was a great afternoon out, Paul did us proud with a run over some “interesting” roads, an opportunity to actually see inside the Tutira Church then afternoon tea by the lake .

You will see further on in the MAG that we have filled both the roles of Cruise Ship Coordinator and Librarian, We really appreciate the members who took the time to volunteer for these positions.

Last week Graham and I took the Chev on the North Island Club Captains Tour, there were 33 cars entered representing VCC branches from both the North and South Islands. Interesting motoring and interesting people. I’m sure I can say a good time was had by all. There are many events that take place around the country, it’s well worth considering entering as you get to see a different part of the country and meet a whole lot of fellow enthusiasts.

I look forward to seeing you at our branch events.

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT//

By Paul Anderson

TUTIRA RUN: It was a pensive and concerned Club Captain that sent the 21 assembled cars off on the September run to Tutira and beyond. He had previously told the club that the run down Darkys Spur Road was optional… but it really wasn’t. Also, he did not reveal that he and Janine had driven the road the previous Thursday and when we got back their white car was beige brown from top to bottom, with a fine silty mud from the unsealed section of the route. Janine spent most of the following day with the water jet trying to get it clean.

We had three and a half days of sunshine on the road and I felt that this would allow the road to dry out, but I was unsure. Circumstances had prevented us going back to check the road condition on the Saturday or Sunday. I had visions of twenty mud caked cars turning up at the afternoon tea break and what was worse I was going direct to Tutira to pick up a key and not travelling on the unsealed section of road. I also envisaged Nigel Brown whose vehicles are always in absolute pristine condition, apoplectic with rage over mud on his car. But when the cars turned up at the church we were visiting in Tutira in a clean condition, it was clear that I need not have worried.

» The church

The views from the church over the lake were fabulous and all that Garth Eyles had told us they would be when he spoke to us at our members evening the previous month. From the church we proceeded to the Lake Tutira Reserve and enjoyed afternoon tea in the sunshine.

SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETING: Mike Perry brought his veteran Napoleon car to the members meeting and gave a very interesting presentation. It was no small effort for Mike to load the vehicle on to a trailer to get it to the club and load it up again after the meeting and we are indeed very grateful that he did this for us.

ACQUISITIONS: Brian Taylor has recently added two 1986/7 Volvo vehicles (and a donor vehicle) to his fleet. He and it seems half the club recovered the vehicles from Woodville. They are not in pristine running condition but have been saved as desirable future classic cars.

Happy motoring.

UP & COMING EVENTS//

MID WEEK RUN

Wednesday 5th October

ALWAYS 1st Wednesday of the Month.

• Where: Meet at HB Vintage Club Rooms

• Time: 10.00am

More details on page 9.

CLUB NIGHT

Wednesday 12th October

Details of a guest speaker will be emailed to you nearer the time of the meeting.

Come along on the 12th October then at the close of our meeting, enjoy a chat with fellow members and a cup of tea/coffee and cake.

SUNDAY CLUB RUN Sunday 16th October

You will be visiting a Car Collection. Details for this Sunday run is being sorted at present. You will be emailed all the details of where you will be leaving from/start time and if there is anything you need to bring with you nearer to the date of the run.

KITCHEN NIGHT

Friday 21st October

PLEASE NOTE THIS KITCHEN NIGHT HAS BEEN MOVED FORWARD DUE TO SAFARI BEING ON THE 28TH TO 31TH OCTOBER.

Put your name on the list at the club or contact Malcolm & Lesley Blair on 06 843 7664 or email –malcolmblair52@gmail.com no later than Tuesday 18th October.

HBVCC MID-WEEK RUNS//

HBVCC Mid Week Runs.

for the November Run.

need t let Ivan Fisher know if you will be joining us he needs numbers to book lunch at the Patangata Tavern. See below for details.

October Run Wed 5th

Our very own John Cocking QSM and Lee Ann are working on this and knowing these two it will be a most interesting day out, don’t miss it.

November Run Wed 2nd Lunch at Patangata

organised

Ivan Fisher,

a most enjoyable country cruise

Patangata Tavern.

numbers

Ivan

December Run Wed 7th

Nothing planned as yet so best we decide

will do the February

March and April please.

on

have

names and ideas

October Run. Also looking for someone to draw up the New Year runs,

MID-WEEK RUN WED 7TH SEPTEMBER//

Mid Week Run Wed Sept 7th

Good as Gold Run prepared by Barb and Jim Speers.

Just goes to show that support for our mid week run is healthy. Beautiful sunny day, snow on the mountains, blossom on the trees lambs in the paddocks and a run that would deliver many surprises.

Fourteen cars turned up with Barb and Jim decorated in daffodils, yellow hats and a gold car, that should have given us a clue as to what was about to happen, and no it was not a daffodil finish.

Good to see everyone took note of the earlier start time, on arrival at the club rooms we were greeted by our club captain Paul Anderson, short brief was delivered by Barb explaining that don’t hurry, take note of everything that is gold along the roadside and mark the number of these on your sheets. Next time you are out you should do the same its mind blowing, my poor navigator doing ticks and following where to go next.

There were a couple of questions as well for example how many bins are there in the T&G yard? Our answer was “ALL”. Then out to Arataki Honey to see much we could buy in 15mins, think that stretched out to 30 mins.

From there it was a pleasant drive out to the Red Bridge, along Kahuranaki Rd for 12KM then into no 1233 to visit the “Marty’s Red Barn” the late Martin A ‘Court that is, he had gathered and saved a large variety of everything you could name and some.

Off after our hour stay at the Red Barn, back over the Red bridge, through Havelock North on to the Longlands Road and left onto the main road, Railway Rd or now known as SH51 and into 1357 which is where Jim stores his hay and where we enjoyed lunch some sitting on hay bales. Just a note here, when Jim was just 14 his father said, do you want to go to school today or rake that paddock of hay? 70 years later Jim is still playing around with the lovely stuff.

Prizes were handed out for the successful Gold count to Juliette and to Mary who had won the count competition, a gift of gold wrapped coins to each presented by Barbara.

What a heck of a lot of effort and work our two run organisers put into the day so that we could do something different and most enjoyable, our thanks to Barbara and Jim, it’s you who should get the gold wrapped coins.

Thanks, and see you next month for John Cockings run.

Barrie Browne

Jim & Barbara Speers, “The hay barn”

CRUISE BOATS//

Colin will be available on Tuesday morning 4th October & 11th October and also at the club meeting of the 12th October to assist those who have to do their Port H & S refresher for the cars to the cruise ships. Also any new volunteers with suitable pre-1950 cars are welcome to join the group.

You can contact me via email cruiseshipcoordinator@xtra.co.nz or 027 695 7075

Our first ship is on Monday 24th October (Labour Day) THE OVATION OF THE SEAS AND THE PORT REQUIRE 20 CARS AT THE ARRIVAL OF THIS SHIP. Cruise ship Co-Ordinator – Colin Barnes

CRUISE SHIP COORDINATOR

We have a new Cruise Ship Coordinator it is Colin Barnes.

His Contact Details are cruiseshipcoordinator@xtra.co.nz ph 027 695 7075

We really appreciate Colin taking on this role, he has hit the ground running in getting to understand what is involved for us and what the Napier Port requirements are. Please support him to get the job done, the revenue that the Club receives from the Cruise Ship visits is worthwhile and contributes towards covering our branch operating costs.

I would also like to thank others who put their name forward, it’s great to have willing volunteers and as they say “ we will keep your name on file “ for when we require a helping hand in the future

THE CRUISE SHIPS ARE COMING (back)

Can you help

We want to add to our roster of volunteers, who go down to the Napier Port to say farewell to the ships and their passengers as they leave port

If you are interested and would like more information on what is involved then contact our Cruise Ship Coordinator Colin Barnes on cruiseshipcoordinator@xtra co nz ph 027 695 7075

LIBRARIAN

We appreciate Larry volunteering for this role, and look forward to him putting his own stamp on managing the club’s extensive Library, Larry is a newer Member of the VCC so introduce yourselves next time you are in there.

Esther Smith Chairman

We are very pleased to welcome Larry Morgan as our new librarian.

ART DECO EVENT 15-19 FEBRUARY 2023//

A selection of events over the Napier Art Deco weekend aimed at vehicles 1945 and older, so fitting into the period when the Art Deco style was to its fore. The feature group for 2023 is Early Ford V8’s (to 1945), who will have visits arranged specifically for them Wednesday and Thursday 15-16 February.

Then there’s a celebration dinner on Thursday 17th open to all entrants and the club’s main rally, picnic and display on Friday 18th. Saturday 18th is the run for up to 300 vehicles through Napier CBD with a display at the end, and finally there’s a brunch at the club rooms on Sunday 19th with a live band, also open to all entrants.

Bookings open 1 October 2022 at www.hbvcc.org.nz/art-deco

Enquiries: Paul at hbtreasurer@vcc.org.nz or Steve on 027 217 7730

BRANCH

Driving through the country side on Darky spur road

Waikoau Viaduct

view the viaduct and

Lake Tutira Memorial Church up on the hill

Driving along on the Pacific Coast highway

BRANCH

» Lake Tutira Memorial Church up on the hill

» Cars lined around the front of the church

» The church bell

BRANCH

Members cars at Afternoon tea spot

over the lake

OBITUARY PAUL STICHBURY//

My association with Paul began in 1968. He started coming to VCC meetings then, he was an auto electrician for John Hills at that time and I asked him if he could fix the wiring on a 1930 Whippet we owned then so we could start it, which he did.

He was restoring the 1930 Essex Coupe then and our friendship began at that time.

Paul finished the car in 1970 and he and his brother in law entered it in the 1972 International Rally in the South Island. He was very involved with the VCC then, he served on the Committee and they took part in safaris and many club runs.

About 1980 he bought the 1928 Cadillac and began restoring it and he sold the Coupe to us in 1981.

Originally the Cadillac was a tourer and he decided to rebuild it as a Cabriolet Coupe

By Wayne Evans

and had the woodwork built for that style. He decided to sell it and bought an Aston Martin DB 2-4 in very good condition.

Paul became keen on sailing and bought a Nolex 22 and then a Nolex 25 trailer sailer.

About 1973 he bought Jerry McKitricks’ garage in St Auburn Street and began working from there, his workshop vehicle was a 1933 Essex and an around town runabout a little 50cc motorcycle, later on, about 1980 he bought Thompson Motors. Special memories include being part of a team with him in a tuna fishing competition at Whakatane, a weekend sailing on Lake Taupo in his yacht and going with him in the Aston Martin to Manfield to see the Humber 80 and Mk1 Jaguar race.

Paul was a very talented, generous man who was always prepared to help with any job and I will miss him very much.

BACK TO YOUR ROOTES – NO 10

The following article is one of a number I wrote several years ago for the Humber/Hillman Car Club’s ‘Torque’ Magazine - Graham Smith 2022

In my last instalment I recounted the purchase and transport home to Wellington of the 1935 Humber Snipe ‘80’ I purchased from Wanganui in 1975. In that article I recounted how the intended tow car, our 1951 Humber Imperial, has died on the Petone foreshore at the beginning of our drama-filled weekend. I sorted out the problem a couple of days later – it was a faulty distributor rotor that had developed a short to earth. No apparent sign of a crack but faulty nevertheless. Something I’d never experienced before nor since ‘Restoration’ of the Snipe ‘80’ over the next couple of years was mainly trying to sort out just what I had and what needed to be done – a daunting prospect. Around that time there was a real Aladdin’s cave of early Humbers and other vintage vehicles in the old steam tram shed in Devonport, on Auckland’s North Shore. From memory amongst the cars were a 1930/31 Humber Snipe ‘80’. A 1933 Humber Snipe ‘80’, a 1934/35 Snipe ‘80’ and a c1946 Mk I Humber Super Snipe. Some of these were owned by Peter Noonan. There may well have been other Humbers there too. As an aside, some of these ‘Back to Your Rootes’ notes are drawn from my memory of things 40+ years ago and maybe I get somethings wrong so if other members can correct or fill in more details then please do so. The late Frank de Latour owned the 1934/35 Snipe ‘80’ at one stage and while talking to him in Albany he asked if I knew where he might find some proper ‘original’ 17” wire wheels for his car as his car had some odd heavy steel 16” disc wheels. Well, our

1935 Humber Snipe ‘80’ had the same 16” English disc wheels and years later I came across parts of another Snipe ‘80’ in Hastings including the same 16” wheels so they may well have been a standard fitting to late production cars and maybe export ones. It goes to show again that you never assume that an item is not ‘original’. Many an expert has said such things only to be wrong. I was told several years ago by one such ‘expert’ that there was no such model as a Jaguar XK150s drophead with the three carb head yet in the early 1970s my flatmate in Wellington owned a 1960 one, a vehicle I drove a number of times and used one Friday evening to take out my future wife. I often wonder it she would have been as suitably impressed if I’d been in my Series IIIB Hillman Minx. By the way my other flatmate had a c1958 Holden powered sports coupe built by the late Ferris de Joux, considered one of New Zealand’s most talented automotive designers. A very attractive vehicle – wonder what the ‘expert’ would say that was!

Anyway back to the 1935 Snipe ‘80’. Ken Hunt from Devonport subsequently bought both the 1933 and 1934/35 Snipe ‘80’s and commenced restoration of the latter one. He had the 1933 engine rebuilt by a firm Alloy Bearings in Wellsford and fitted this to the 1934/35 car. That same firm rebuilt our 1935 Snipe ‘80’ several years later. I kept in touch Ken as he was a little ahead of me and had made a nice job of the chassis and running gear and then he went to work in Australia for a couple of years. I caught up with him on his return and met him in Devonport.

He was somewhat distressed as it seems that while he was away the body of his car had been dumped. He still had the chassis, running gear, doors and bright work etc. but no body shell. He disposed of everything and the 1933 Snipe ‘80’ is now with Neville Gregory reunited with the rebuilt engine and, as at a couple of years ago, the 1934/35 remains also survive.

I used to try and see and photograph every 1934 or 1935 Snipe ‘80’ I could both in New Zealand and Australia as a means of solving some of the riddles of my jigsaw.

On one holiday to Australia I met up with a Humber Snipe ‘80’ owner near Melbourne. He had a 1934/35 Sports Saloon bodied in Australia by Martin and King of Melbourne and in seeking parts had bought a second one partly restored. I have a picture of that car and reflected in the mudguard is my two year old son – he’s just turned 35 (2022 update – turned 40 last year!) so,

as they say good things take a while! The Australian bodied cars are a little different from the two Snipe ‘80’ Sports Saloons in New Zealand that have English Rootes bodies. The owner also had a similar period Australian-bodied Humber Pullman. On a subsequent visit to him I found that he had sold his Humbers but still had a spare instrument panel that he kindly gave to me. In view of the delicately curved glass on the instruments I decided to take it on board the plane as carry-on luggage. It of course had several instruments, a clock and lots of wires in the back so the customs official had a really close look at it and called up his supervisor, just to make sure it was nothing sinister. How could it be – the clock wasn’t even going (no, no I didn’t say that!)

More on the Snipes and Imperial next time. Graham Smith, Napier.

The Aladdin’s cave of Humbers in Devonport late 1970s.

SPARES NEWS//

By John Durry

Hi All,

We had someone ask us for some body clips the other day, we have a vast selection of these, so found a ladder & started looking. This was a major operation, so we decided to make a purposeful rack to have all these fittings in, with easy access, so we decided to spend a bit of time building new shelves and reorganizing things. We needed to shift our parts books to make room for the body clips, see picture 1 right.Thanks to BT for supplying the shelving material & JD for getting this done.

Now you can see by picture 2 right, the ease of being able to find these parts (body Clips) which are now all labeled.

Still getting a good turnout on Tuesday mornings, and getting some new faces as well.

Don’t forget if cleaning out your shed give the parts department first option.

Until next time.

CLUB SPARE PARTS CORNER

For any enquiries phone Brian Taylor on 027 4436009 or contact the Club’s Spares Dept. on Tuesday mornings between 9am & 11am on 06 835 1483.

Inaugural event - Nelson and Tasman Districts

MAGAZINES//

FOR SALE//

FOR SALE: CLOTHING TAPE Mend your furs in time for Art Deco Festival 2023. $4 per metre. Phone Carolyn on 06 844 3323 or email carolyn@asian-seed.co.nz.

FOR SALE: Four cross-ply tyres 6.70 x 15” these are retreads less than a third worn. Have been kept in the dark. $100 the set. Graham Smith phone or text 027 2290158 or email humber@xtra.co.nz.

RELUCTANT SALE: Chevrolet Master Sedan. Older restoration; regularly serviced and maintained by local mechanic for the 20 years of current ownership. Very good all-round condition. Contact: 027 244 5938.

FOR SALE 2 small Fords 1935 Model Y a 2 door and a 4 door also 2 model CX De Luxe 4 doors they are striped down for rebuild some work done. Email frontstuffer@gmail.co.nz or phone Glenn 027 293 4024.

Ads for Wanted or For Sale that have been in the Club Mag for 4 months or more will be removed if the editor has not been notified that you wish to continue with advertising your item.

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

It is very nice to think of the Club when you are decluttering at home

But can you please talk to Steve Donovan for general goods Malcolm and Lesley Blair for kitchen items

To see if they are of any use before DROPPING them at the clubrooms.

At present we are FULL and have to do our own decluttering! Thank you.

WANTED//

WANTED: ROYAL ENFIELD MOTORCYCLE BITS. Indian or English, anything up to a complete derelict considered. Particularly looking for gearbox and clutch. David 06 835 9492 or dirgeandsal@orcon.net.nz

WANTED: OLDER VEHICLE. Ideally we want a vehicle that is user friendly i e that will cruise at 95 – 100 kph as we will be using it for trips away and on daily trips out. We do not want a ‘show queen’ but something clean and tidy. Ideally it will be a coupe. It needs to be Registered and WOF. I am 73 and are past restoring vehicles but just want to drive and enjoy. I’m thinking a 1934 Chrysler, Dodge, Desoto, Plymouth coupe would be good. Possibly a Model A Ford but it would need to have period speed equipment and overdrive to attain the travel speed we need. 1932 33 34 Fords and Chevys are probably more than we want to spend. I’m aware of a ’34 Plymouth Roadster for sale on trade me which would be good but it’s a Roadster and we are both past being baked in the sun or getting wet and cold. Contact dave Goodman Ph: 027 4427325.

WANTED: 1 PINION SEAL FOR 1946 DODGE. Outside diameter 3 9/64” or 3 3/16”, Inside diameter 1 7/8”, Width ½” or 9/16”. Please phone Lance on 027 464 2018.

WANTED: Road wheel for Standard Vanguard car. Early to mid 1950s. Geoff Johnston 879 9700 or 0273421 696.

Ads for Wanted or For Sale that have been in the Club Mag for 4 months or more will be removed if the editor has not been notified that you wish to continue with advertising your item.