BRANCH DETAILS
BRANCH INFORMATION
CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth
POSTAL ADDRESS P.O.Box385,PalmerstonNorth4440 EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz
COMMITTEE MEETING
SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.
CLUB NIGHT
ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.
LIBRARY
Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
NOGGIN & NATTER
FirstTuesdayofeachmonth(exceptJanuary)at7.00pm atMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.
PARTS SHED
Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE
CanbemadethroughCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse. Phone(06)3542780 or Email: info@creativecatering.co.nz
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: JuneClubNight-AllanHardacreexplainingthebrewingprocess.
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyRobertWilson, DerekHaycock,LaurieCocker,BryanAbraham,EstherWilliams andHarryJackson-Vile.
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarilythose oftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
ManawatuBranchNoticesandInformation -includingVintageCarClubVehicleClassifications
UpcomingEvents/Activities&EventNotices -forotherVCCBranches,NationalEventsandotherClubsetc.
Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,yourmotoringstories, restorations,technicalreports,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email:bryana@xtra.co.nz-orphone:(06)3584014
2nd TueNoggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding -seepage5ofthisTourer
7th SunSundayJaunt-‘GarageRaid’toseeMauriceWasley’srestorationproject -seepage5,andtheClubCaptainsRambleonpage12,ofthisTourer
7th SunPartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm 10th WedWorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage5ofthisTourer
17th WedClubNight-7.30pmattheClubrooms
15th MonRSVPdateforconfirmingattendanceattheBranchMid-YearDinner
20th SatBranchMid-YearWinterWarmerDinner-seepage6ofthisTourer
AUGUST 2024
4th SunSundayJaunt
4th SunPartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
6th TueNoggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding 14th WedWorkingBeeattheClubrooms
21st WedClubNight-7.30pmattheClubrooms
25th Sun * National VCCDaffodilRallyforCancer-seepage7ofthisTourer
SEPTEMBER 2024
20th -23rd CombinedBranch-ManawatuMeander-seepage8ofthisTourer
28th Sat * ManawatuBranchVintageRally
30th MonEntriesclosefortheManawatuMotorcycleRally
OCTOBER 2024
5th Sat * SwapMeet
12/13th * ManawatuBranchMotorcycleRally-entryformonpage39ofthisTourer
26/27/28th Inter-BranchCampOut-seepage8ofthisTourer
NOVEMBER 2024
23/24th Overnighter
DECEMBER 2024
1st SunManawatuBranchChristmasParty&ServiceAwards
* DenotesaNationalCalendarEvent Exceptforformaleventsbringvehiclesthatyouarecomfortabledriving,althoughahistoricvehicleispreferred.
NextNoggin&Natter
MurraysIrishBar
78/80FergussonStreet,Feilding
7pm-Tuesday2nd ofJuly2024
SUNDAY JAUNT - 2.30 PM - 7TH JULY 2024
MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingat 2.30pmforadrivetoMauriceandJillianWasley’stohave alookatMaurice’sWalkerElectricTruckrestoration (previouslyfeaturedintheMay2023issueoftheTourer) -finishingatourclubroomsforalateafternoontea,andif youwish,stayingonforaBYOdinneranddrink.
Iftheweatherpermits,treetrimmingwillcontinuesoifyou can,pleasebringalongsawsandchainsaws,andofcourse, trailersforfreefirewood.
Ifyouareunabletohelpwiththetrees,thereisongoing tidyingupandgardeningneedingattention. Autumncanbemessywithfallenleaves,andiffine,this workingbeewillbelookingtocleanupleavesaswell asongoingtidyingupandgardening. Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong.
AvolunteerisalsowantedtorunthevacuumcleanerovertheMembers’Roomfloor -pleasecontactCliffifyoucanhelp.
Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs.Please bringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask.
Andnaturally,therewillbethemorningteabreakwhichallows timeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
NEXT CLUB NIGHT 7.30PMWEDNESDAY 17TH JULY 2024
CHAIRPERSON
Hieveryone,
ItwasgreattoseealotofcarsatthePostErarally.Wehad somecarsfromotherbrancheswhichisreallypleasing. IwouldliketothankGlynforagreatrallyrouteandCathyfor organizingthenightmeal.Itwaspleasingtoseetheyoung peopleoutinthecarsdoingthenavigating. AsyouseebythephotosfurtheronintheTourershowingthat theyevenwontwoofthethreeprizes.
WearehavingalotofmemberscomingfromotherbranchesjoininginonourRallies whichisgreat.Itwouldbegoodifalotofuscouldgoandjoininonotherbranch rallies.Wearesoluckytohavelotsofbrancheswith2hoursdrivefromus.
Asyoureadthisthenighttrialwillhavebeenandgone.Itlooksliketheweather shouldbebetterthanlastyear.IwishtothankDerekandBeckyforalltheworkthey havedoneonthenighttrial.IthasbeenalongtimesinceIhavedoneanighttrial withDave,soIhopeIdon’tgetLenlost.
Itwasagreatnightthislastclubnight,withAllanHardacreexplaininghowbeeris made.Wehadtimetotastealotofdifferenttypesofbeers.Whichheexplainedabout thedifferencesbetweenthem.Itreallyshowshowweallhavedifferenttastes,as somelikelightbeerwhileotherslikedthedarkbeer. IwouldliketoencourageeveryonetocomealongtoMid-winterteaonthe20th July 2024.
HappyMotoring
EstherWilliams
SECRETARY’S SCRIBBLES - CATHY CLEMENTS
HelloEveryone,
Feelingthewinterchillcreepingin?Whynotembracethe Danishconceptof“hygge”(pronouncedhoo-guh),which emphasisescosinessandcontentment.
Indulgeincomfort,treatyourselftosmallpleasuresthatmake youhappy.Whetherit'ssippingacupofhotchocolate(with Marshmallowsofcourse!),havingaglassofgoodredwineor curlingupwithagoodbook,self-carecandowondersforyour mood.Remember,Springisjustaroundthecorner!
JUNECLUBNIGHT
Ourfirehadbeenburningallday,andthehousewastoastyandwarm. IwasveryreluctanttoventureouttoClubNightlastnight,butIamsogladwebraved thecoldnightandwent!Whatanevening!Agoodturnout,withaveryinformative presentationabout“BrewingforVintagents”wasgivenbyAllanHardacre,followedby abeertastingsession(foodwasonhandtosoakupanyexcessalcohol!) EvenGlynlearntafewthingsaboutbeerthathedidn’tknow!Nowthatshockedme!
“MIDYEARWINTERWARMER”
Feelingthemid-winterblues?Shakethemoffandbringsomewarmthandpositivity backintoyourdays!Whynotconsidercomingalongandjoiningthe Committee/BranchMembersfora“MidYearWinterWarmer”Dinner? WehaveadeliciousMenuonofferanditwillbeagreattimetoreconnectwithother BranchMembersifyouhavebeenunabletoattendeventsofrecent.
Remember,Springisjustaroundthecorner!FurtherdetailsinthisissueoftheTourer.
29thNationalMotorcycleRally,January2025,
HostedbytheMANAWATUBRANCH
AsRallySecretary,IampleasedtosaythatplanningiswellunderwayfortheNational MotorcycleRallyinJanuary2025.
EntryFormswereonlysentoutatthebeginningofthisweek,andwithinonehourwe hadourfirstentry!
AstheManawatuBranchishostingthisNationalevent,thisisagreattimeforusto showcaseourBranch!
Haveyouconsideredvolunteeringyourtime???
TheNMCRCommitteeislookingfor
15MarshallsfortheRallyDay
3TailEndCharlies
4VanDrivers(x2forMainRallydays-andx2fortheweekoftheAfterTour)
12MarshallsforGymkhanaDay
Thesearetheminimumnumbersneeded.
WealsorequirehelpersforservingfoodontheFridayNight“MeetandGreet”,andalso helpwithMorningandAfternoonTeasonbothMainRallydaysandalsorequirehelpers fortheeveningmealsoftheAfterTour.
Ifyouareabletohelp,pleasecontactmeon0272862927oremailmeat cathyclements5@gmail.com
Wewillbegratefulforanyassistanceyoumaybeabletogive.
HaveagreatmonthEveryoneandstaywarm!
CLUB CAPTAIN’S RAMBLE - D
Freshlybackfromtakingpartinthe70th IrishmanCreekRally coveringjustover1300milesandthehoodontheChevTourer stilldownitwastheperfectwaytochecktheupcomingNight Trialinstructions,myco-pilotforthenightofthe8th ofJune wasmySouthAfricanfriendwhoapartfromgettingcoldknees wasshockedtoseetwoshootingstarsandactuallivePossums ontheroad!
Wehad16entriesfortheNightTrialheldonthe22nd and aftersomecalculationsitwasthe49th as3havebeencancelledovertheyears.Itwas greattoseemostoftheentrantsjoininginattheclubroomsbeforehandtoenjoytheir dinnerbeforethe6:30pmstartwiththetwooldestcarsAlistairHowardandcrew settingofffirstintheir1928EssexcloselyfollowedbyAndrewVileandsonHarry JacksonVileontheirfirstNightTrialwiththerestofthecarsinorderorage. Therunwasaccordingtomyspeedo119miles.Wehadatieforfirstplacebetween VerdonHeath-VivSpiersfromLevinandBrucePoole-PaulSquirefromWaipukurau. PhilandLaniseRobertsonsecondRob-LindaO’KeefeWanganuithird. BigthanksforallthehelpersinthekitchenonthenightIhavenowlearntthe crockpotsarenotthebestwaytoheatsoupasafteranhourandaHalfitwasstill rathercold!!
TheSundayruncomingonthe7th ofJulywillstartattheCoachhouseasnormalfrom 2:30ishandweareheadingofftoMaurceWasley’stohavealookathisWalkerElectric TruckthathasfeaturedinpastTourersthenwanderbacktotheClubRoomsfora cuppaandBYOdinnerforthosewhowanttostayon.
UnlikethephonecallIreceivedfromSteveBrightwhoalongwithBillTurnerwhomust haveoverenjoyedAllanHardacre’sbeertalkandtastingatclubnightwerewondering whytheyweretheonlyonesattheCoachhouseonthe23rd notthe7th
TheNationalDaffodildayrunisthenextbigonefortheclubAnnetteFoothasthiswell undercontrolandmoredetailsinthisTourer.
HappyMotoring
DerekHaycock
1938 MORRIS E
Everydecadehasitstypicalfamilycar,andfortheBritisheconomymotoristinthe 1930sthiswassurelytheMorrisEightof1935-1940.
WearestillalongwayfromAlecIssigonis’sMorrisesofthe1940sand1950s,evenif theEight’senginepoweredpost-War‘Minors’untiltheendof1952.Mechanicallythe 1938modelisnotveryfarremoved1924Cowley.Thereisstillaseparatechassiswith beamaxles,theengineisstillaside-valve(overheadvalvewerereservedforthe biggerMorrismodels),andstylingisstilltraditional.Asforthechassis,therigidityof thebox-sectionsidemembershassufferedsomewhatfromliberaldrillinginorderto saveweight.Themainimprovements,infact,arehydraulicactuationforthefourwheelbrakesandtheeasysynchromeshgearbox,althoughonaneconomymodel threeforwardspeedsarestilldeemedsufficient.
Thespreadofpresswork techniqueshadenabled Morristomarketa saloonwithslidingroof andnear-leather upholsteryfor lessthan £150,while918c.c. actuallygivingfourmore brakehorsepowerthan Fiatwereclaimingfor twicethelitreagein 1913.Iniquitousthough thehorsepowertaxwas, thefamilyofeightsit bredweretrulyquartsin pintpots.
Callcheapandnastyifyoulike.By1938pressed-steelwheelsandapaintedradiator shellhavegiventheMorrisanairofausterity,andthemodelhadsomequirksofits own.Thegearleverwaslongandwhippy,andtheenginerockeddisconcertinglyon itsfour-pointrubbersuspension.TheS.U.electricfuelpumpkeptupadistantbut maddeningobbligatoontheothersideofthebulkhead,thehandbrakerequiredtwo handstofreefromthe‘on’position,andasensitiveacceleratorlinkagemadeforjerky starts.Fifteenpoundspersquareinchhotwasanexceptionaloilpressure-notthat experiencedownersworriedundulyovernegligiblereadings!Anentertainingtouch wasthewasp-wrappedinstrumentpanelwithdialsofpostagestampsizeflankedby bottomlesscubbyholes,andthetinymirrorsinthetopcornersofthescreenenabled thedrivertoseeifhissemaphore-typedirectionindicatorswereworkingproperly. Butthecarwasproverbiallyreliable.60milesperhoureasy,agoodEightaveraged 42milespergallononcommercial-gradepetrol,anditwasviceless,renderingita
‘natural’forlearners.Nowonder100,000foundbuyersinlessthan2years,andthe quarter-millionmarkwasreachedduringSeriesII’srunin1938.
Numberofcylinders,valves: 4cylinder,s.v.
Bore,stroke,capacity: 57x90mm,918c.c.
Ignition: coil
Gears: 3-speed.
Transmission: Shaft.
Brakes: Foot,hydrauliconfourwheels; Handonrearwheels.
Suspension: Half-elliptic:half-elliptic.
Pricewhennew: £149pound.
Modelcurrent: 1935to1948.
A1938Morris8tourerrallying atBrooklandsin1939
Sourcedfrom‘AnEraofMotoring–ThevehiclesofaPastAge’. BasedonthecollectionattheNationalMotorMuseum,Beaulieu.
ENGLAND’S BEST DEAD CAR COMPANIES
Triumph
Despitesizable‘50sand‘60ssuccesswithanexceptionallyprettyrangeofsportsand salooncars,TriumphwasrundownbylaterownersBritishLeyland,withtheoddball TR7beingthelast cardeveloped in-house.
Thatwasfollowedby the1981HondabasedAcclaim,acar whichraisedhackles withTriumphfans, butcompensatedby beingthefirstand indeedlastTriumph nottobreakdown withtedious regularity.
From:Autocar(UK)
ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……
Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.
ThiscarlostpartofitsidentityinaJanuary1934accident.Thedecorativebarbetweenthe head-lampswasbroken,hidingthefactthatit’sa1930Studebaker8. Damageofthistypewasverytypicalofwreckswhichoccurredinthisera.
Thisphotographcouldbetitled“SilentKnight.” Thecarisa1930Willys-KnightModel87four-doorsedan.
PHOTOGRAPHS -
Above:ParticipantscarsparkedupattheclubroomsbeforeheadingawayonthePostEraRally.
Right: Thebriefing.
Belowleft: Ontheroad.
Belowright: Backattheclubroomsaftertherally.
Nextpage: Carsbackattheclubroomsatthe endoftherally.
Thispage: Rallywinnersbeing awarded theirtrophiesbytherally organiserGlynClements(NICC).
Right:the1st placetrophybeingawarded toAlisterHowardandhisgrandson HudsonHowardwhowasoneofthe navigatorsand‘driversintraining’.
Below:BranchChairEstherWilliams capturingthemoment.
Bottomleft:2nd placetrophywasawarded toDerekHaycockandnavigator EmilieHaycock.
Bottomright:the3rd placetrophywentto RobertWilson
A BRIEF HISTORYOFTHE EARLY ELECTRIC CAR
Thefirstelectriccarsappearedlongbeforetheearliestgasautos,andthehistoryof electriccarsislitteredwithinnovativetakesonfour-wheeledtransit. They appearedlong beforetheinternal-combustionsort,anddreamershaveneverstoppedtryingtomake themworkbothontheroadandasabusinessproposition.Alackofhistoricalperspective sometimesleadstomisunderstandingsofhowthingscametobeastheyarenow.
EarlyElectricVehicles
Westartinthe1830s,with Scotland’sRobertAnderson, whosemotorizedcarriage wasbuiltsometimebetween 1832and’39.Batteries (galvaniccells)werenotyet rechargeable,soitwasmore parlortrick(“Look!Nohorse norox,yetitmoves!”)than atransportationdevice.
AnotherScot,Robert DavidsonofAberdeen,built aprototypeelectric locomotivein1837.
Abigger,betterversion, demonstratedin1841,couldgo1.5milesat4mphtowingsixtons.Thenitneedednew batteries.Thisimpressiveperformancesoalarmedrailwayworkers(whosawitasa threattotheirjobstendingsteamengines)thattheydestroyedDavidson’sdevilmachine, whichhe’dnamedGalvani.
Batteriesthatcouldberechargedcamealongin1859,makingtheelectric-carideamore viable.Around1884,inventorThomasParkerhelpeddeployelectric-poweredtramsand builtprototypeelectriccarsinEngland.By1890,aScotland-bornchemistlivinginDes Moines,Iowa,WilliamMorrison,appliedforapatentontheelectriccarriagehe’dbuilt perhapsasearlyas1887.Itappearedinacityparadein1888,accordingtothe Des MoinesRegister.Withfront-wheeldrive,4horsepower,andareportedtopspeedof20 mph,ithad24batterycellsthatneededrechargingevery50miles.Morrison’sselfpropelledcarriagewasasensationatthe1893ChicagoWorld’sFair,alsoknownasthe famedWorld’sColumbianExhibition.Morrisonhimselfwasmoreinterestedinthe batteriesthaninmobility,buthe’dsparkedtheimaginationofotherinventors.
EVsfromElectrobattoColumbia
Electrobat!Isthatnotagreatname?ItbelongstothefirstcommerciallyviableEVeffort. PhiladelphiansPedroSalomandHenryG.Morrisadaptedtechnologyfrombattery-electric streetcarsandboatsandgotapatentin1894.Atfirstveryheavyandslow(likeatrolley car,withsteel“tyres”and1600poundsofbatteriesonboard),theirElectrobatevolvedto employpneumatictyresandlightermaterialssothat,by1896,theirrear-steercarriages usedtwo1.1-kWmotorstomove25milesatatopspeedof20mph.
Electrobats(right)andanother electricbyRikerwonaseriesof five-milesprintracesagainst gasolineDuryeaautomobilesin 1896.
MorrisandSalomincorporatedthat yearandmovedontothe“cash-in” phaseofasuccessfulstartup.
HavingbuiltafewelectricHansom cabs(below)tocompetewiththe horse-drawnvehiclesthenserving
NewYork,theysoldthatideatoIssacL.RicewhoincorporatedtheElectricVehicle Company(EVC)inNewJersey.Heinturnattractedbig-moneyinvestorsandpartnersand bytheearly1900s,theyhadmorethan600electriccabsoperatinginNewYorkwith smallerfleetsinBoston,Baltimore,andothereasterncities.
InNewYork,thedowntimeittooktorechargebatterieswasaddressedbyconvertingan icearenaintoabattery-swappingstationwhereacabcoulddrivein,haveitsspent batteriesreplacedwitharechargedset,andmoveonout.Brilliant,butlikemanya startup,itexpandedtooquicklyandranintounforeseenconflictsamonginvestorsand partners,andthewholetaxiventurehadcollapsedby1907.
EVC’sbatterysupplier(whichwasaninvestorandpartner)becamewhatweknowtoday asExide.Itsmanufacturingpartner,Pope(alsoagasoline-carpioneer),tookthe technologyandappliedanamefromitsthrivingbicyclebusiness,Columbia,toarunof carsforpublicsale.Columbiareachedthe1000-units-builtmilestonewellbeforethose visionarymass-manufacturersinDetroit,RansomOldsandHenryFord,gotuptospeed.
NeverSatisfied
Electriccarsprovedtheirmettleinearlymotorsports. BelgianCamilleJenatzy,abuilderofelectric carriagesnearParis,engagedinseveralspeed stuntstopromotehisfirm’sengineeringacumen,the highlightofwhichcameinthespringof1899. Drivinghisracingspecial(right),LaJamaisContente (“theNeverSatisfied”),hebecamethefirsttobreak the100-km/hand60-mphbarriers.
Apairofdirect-drive25-kWmotors,runningat200voltsanddrawing124ampseach (about67horsepower),propelledthetorpedo-shapedmachinecraftedfromalightweight aluminiumalloycalledpartinium.LaJamaisContenteranonMichelintyres;theFrench tyremakeradoptedareproductionbuiltin1994toserveasasortofmascotforthe company’sChallengeBibendumseriesofsustainablemobilityralliesfrom2004-2014.
TheHistoryofElectricCarsIncludesManyNamesYouKnow
Thelate19thandearly20thcenturiessimplybubblewith automotiveinventionsallovertheglobe.Thelimited marketforcars(stillmostlyexpensivetoysforrichfolk) allowssteampowertodominate,withelectriccarsand gas-poweredvehiclestrailingbehind.Somebrandnames stillfamiliartodaydabbledinelectricsduringthisera.
RansomEliOldsbuiltashortrunofelectrichorseless carriagesbeforedevisingthefirstmass-marketOldsmobile cars-theoneknownelectricsurvivor(bottomright)isina museuminLansing,Michigan,whichbecamehometo OldsmobileafterafireinMr.Olds’sDetroitfactory. HebuiltnoelectricsinLansing,butGeneralMotorswould ...nearly100yearslater.Anotherone-offmuseumpiece istheEgger-LohnerC.2Phaeton(topright)engineeredby 23-year-oldDr.FerdinandPorsche,whosesonwouldfound today’sPorschecompanyafterWorldWarII.The1898 car’selectric-drivesystemweighed286pounds,made5 horsepower,andcouldpushthebuggyto22mph.
Onspec,itdoesn’tlookmoreimpressivethanMorrison’s1893World’sFair“car,”butit wona25-mileraceforelectricvehiclesataBerlinexhibitiononSeptember28,1899. Andthenthere’sStudebaker,whichhad builtwagonsandcarriagesinthe19th centurybutenteredthe20thasan electric-carmanufacturer.That’sThomas Edisonaboardhisown1902Studebaker Electricinthephoto.Edisonandhis campingbuddyHenryFordalsotriedtheir handatanelectriccarandbuiltatleast oneprototypebeforebothdecidedthat thegasolineenginehadamorepromising future.Onefactorwasthatelectricitywas notyetwidelyavailableoutsidecity centres,severelylimitingthemarketfor carstiedtothatinfrastructure.Drivers couldcarrysparecansofgasolineforlong journeys,butsparebatterieswerealot heavierperunitofenergy.
20thCenturyElectricCars
PresidentWilliamMcKinleywas assassinatedwhiletouringthe TempleofMusicatthePanAmericanExhibitioninBuffalo,New York,onSeptember6,1901. Hewasrushedtothehospitalviaan electric-poweredambulance,one quitesimilartowhat’sseeninthis photo,whichwasrecentlyfeatured intheHBO/Cinemaxtelevisionseries TheKnick,aboutaNewYorkCity hospitalin1900-1901.
McKinleysurvivedthegunshotbutdevelopedgangreneinthewoundanddiedeightdays later.Thetriptothehospitalwasn’thisfirstinamotorvehicle-hehadbecomethefirst U.S.presidenttorideinacarwhenhetookademonstrationrideinaStanleySteamer. ThisdistinctionisoftenascribedtoTheodoreRoosevelt,McKinley’svicepresidentand successor,becauseTheodoreRooseveltwasthefirsttotakeapublicrideinacar,a Columbiaelectricin1902.McKinley’selectricambulanceridealoneshouldsecurethe Ohioan’splaceinhistory-EVorotherwise-asthefirstmotorizedpresident.
ElectricCars,History?
Itcouldgo25mphwitharangeof80 miles,butbythetimethis1923Detroit Electric(right)wasbuilt(in,yes,Detroit), thewritingwasonthewallfortheearly electriccarbusinessandthiscompanyin particular.DetroitElectricstartedin1907 anddidwellincompetitionagainstBaker andMilburnelectriccars,eventhoughthose twocompaniesweremoreinnovative.Even asinternal-combustioncarsbegantowin thetechnologyrace,electriccarsmaintainedamarketparticularlyinthecitieswheretheir silentoperationandeaseofuseappealedtomany.Often,thedriverswerewomenwho didn’twanttohand-crankanenginetostartit,socityshoppingdistrictshadcharging stationstoattracttheseaffluentcustomers.
TheFordModelT,though,wasfarmoreaffordableandkeptgettingcheaper.Thefirst ModelTcost$850in1908.Atthetime,mostelectriccarswereatleasttwicethat expensive.TheModelTpricewasunder$300by1923andmanyelectriccarswere10 timesascostly.
Inthemid-1910s,aDetroitElectricupgradebatterypack(withEdison’snickel-ironcells) cost$600allbyitself.Thisdidn’tmattermuchtowealthyfolkssuchasClaraFord,wifeof Henry,whofoundherhusband’sproductdirtyandnoisyandinsteaddroveasuccessionof DetroitElectricsfrom1908to1914.
Ironicallyenough,itwasanelectricmotorthatbecametherealenemyofbattery-powered carsandhelpedovercomeClara’sobjections.Theadventoftheelectricstarter(invented byCharlesKetteringatDaytonEngineering,firstforthe1912Cadillac)didawaywiththe hand-crankproblemforgascarsonceitspreadthroughtheindustry.Electricsgotabitof aboostduringWorldWarIwhengasolinepricesroseandfuelavailabilitywassometimes spotty,butbythemid-1920s,DetroitElectric’s“new”carswereoftenconstructedon bodiesthathadbeenbuiltyearsearlierandunsold.Allthesame,itbuiltmorethan 35,000vehiclesbetween1907and1939.
DeliveriesandTaxis
Gasolinewonthetechnology battlebeforeWorldWarII, andmostelectric-carmakers hadeitherconvertedto internalcombustionorgone outofbusiness.ButEVs stillhadtheirstrengths, especiallyforthelow-speed, short-rangeusestypicalof urbancentres.Britain maintainedafleetofelectric “milkfloats”forhome deliveryintothe1980sand beyond,whileinpostwar Japangasolinewasscarce andexpensive.The governmentencouragedtheproductionofelectriccars,andthis1947Tamaresidesinthe Nissanmuseumtoday(theTamacompanybecamePrince,whichbecameDatsun/Nissan). Itcoulddoabout20mphwitharangeof40milesonlead-acidbatteries,goodenoughfor taxidutyjustaselectriccarshaddoneinNewYork50yearsearlier.
Abridgedfrom‘CarandDriver’–anarticlebyKevinWilson-published:April2023.GettyImages
WELCOMETOA NEW MEMBER
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomeanewmember.
WalterWilliams 1929FordModelA,1923FordModelT. Welcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubevents.
SATURDAY 22ND JUNE
WRITTENBY HARRY JACKSON-VILEAND ANDREW VILE
ThefamedNightTrialisaneventthatIhavebeenwaitingtoparticipateinforalong while.AsmydadandIarenewmembersoftheclub,thiswasonlyourfourthtime drivingourrecentlyrestoredandregistered1929ChevroletPickuponarally.We restoredourvehiclefromthegroundupfromOctober2022toJanuary2024,andit hasonlybeenroad-registeredforaroundfourmonths.Mydadfondlyrecounts partakinginnighttrialswhenhewasaboywithhisfather,DonaldVile. Thenightitselfwasabriskone,anddadandIwerepreparedforalongnightout. We’dpackedourtools,extrapetrol,ahandheldspotlight,andourwarmjackets.We leftfortheclubroomsaround6:00PM.Thetruckhadtowarmupyet,sowewere runningabitrich,butitsooneveneditselfout.Oncewereachedtheclubrooms,it wasnicetoseethattherewasatleastoneothervintagecarthere;AlastairHoward’s 1928EssexCoach.Therewereacoupleofpre-warvehicles,buttherestofthecars weremuchyoungerthanours.Itwasgoodtoseethataroundfifteenvehicleshad turnedup;quiteadecentturnoutaccordingtotherallyorganiser,DerekHaycock. Afterparkingup,wemadeourwaytothecommonroomwherewecouldalreadyhear thesoundofchatterandlaughter.Afteraquickchinwagwithothers,wehadatalk fromDerek,andwerethentoldthatthetwooldestcarswouldbeawayfirst.Weleft atapproximately6:31PM.Weturnedrightoutoftheclubroomsandheadeddown HenaghansLine.WethenheadeddownHenderson’sandthenleftintoStoneyCreek. WethenhitahardleftatWhakarongoSchoolandchuggedourwayalongtoAshhurst. Afterpassingthroughthetown,weheadeduptheSaddleRoad;thetruckseemedto bepullingalrightupthehills,whichwasgoodconsideringwehadhadissueswiththat sortofthinginthepast.Thetripoverthehillswasquitebeautiful;thefullmoonlitup thecloudsandreflectedoffthewindmillswhichtoweredaboveus.Themoonwasso bright,wealmostdidn'tneedtheinteriorlightonwhenreadinginstructions. WehitthefirstgravelroadafterjustafewminutesofdrivingaroundruralWoodville. Itwasfoggy(nosurprise),andwehadlowvisibility.Wemissedacoupleofroads duringtherallyduetovisibilityissues,backedupbydull1920sheadlights!Soon enough,weheadedintoBalanceoverGorgeRoad,andspottedafewinteresting things:
Asmall,suspiciouslookinggroupofgypsycaravans,parkedinapaddockinthe backblocksofWoodville.
Alargehare,zigzaggingalongthesideoftheroad,makingustestthebrakesa bit.
Afewpossums,somedead,someplaying“possum”ontheroad.
Acowscratchingitsrearendonthefencethatsurroundeditsenclosure.
Andlastly,awildfallowdoe.Shewaspeacefullynibblinggrassneartheculvert, butsoonsheprancedawayoverthefenceandthroughthepaddockwhenshe heardusapproachingintheoldbombcar.
Allinall,thetripthroughBallancewasagoodone,withlotsofgravelroadsto navigatethrough.Therestofthecarssooncaughtupwithus,andwewereoften passedbythequicker,morenimblevehicles.Wedroveforwhatfeltlikealongtime downNikauRoad(thecorrugationsweresobadthatdadalmostswallowedhisteeth!), beforepullingover(very,veryquickly!)becausealoudscrapingnoisewascoming fromwhatsoundedliketheenginebay.DadandIthoughttheworst,butaftergetting outandinspectingunderthetruck(dadthoughttheexhausthadfallenoff),we realisedthatoneofourpreviousproblemshadbeenreborn.Thefrontbumper'sleft bolthadcomeloose,andithaddroppedtotheground,draggingitselfalongtheroad aswedrove.Therightsidewasstillboltedonstrong.Despitebeingwiredon,it seemedthatithadnotbeenstrongenoughwhenwedroveoverthegravelroads,and someseemedasiftheyhadhadnewmetalputonthem.
Afterspendingabouttwentyminutesonthesideoftheroadunboltingthebumper, withcarsstoppingbyandaskingifwewerealright,orifweneededassistance,a couplethatweredoingtherallyintheirmoderncarofferedtotakeourbumperbackto theclubroomsforus.Soonenough,wewerebackontheroad,butatleasttwenty minutesbehindeveryoneelse.Thatdidn’tmatterthough,asweweren'tworriedabout gettingfirstorsecond,oreventhird,becauseweweretheretoenjoyitingeneral,I thinkthatmanyotherswouldthinkthesameaboutit.
Afteralongjourney(weleftathalf-six,gotbackhalf-ten),wewereshatteredand prettyhungry.Weweremetwithsavouries,soup,bread,the“HardLuck”prize(a chocolatebar!),andagoodtalkwiththerestoftheparticipants.Overall,itwasa greatnightoutinvolvingvintagemotoring,andwecan’twaitfornextyear’sone.Big thankstoDerekforsortingitoutandplanningit,andthankstothepeoplethathelped withthecookingandpreparationsforwheneveryonegotback,thatsoupwas fantastic!
SUICIDE DOORS
ANDDOTHEYSTILLEXIST ?
Mostofusgetinthecaroneway: Weliftorsqueezethedoorhandle,andthehinges nearthefronttyreallowthedoortoopen. Thenweslideinbehindthewheel,and we'reonourway.
Butwhyopendoorstheboring waywhenyoucanputthose hingesanywhere?Gullwing doors,liketheiconic MercedesBenz300SL ofthe1950s,have thehingesatthetop,sothe doorsliftupwardandlooklike thewingsofaseagull. There arealso"scissordoors"like thoseofthe Lamborghini that haveahingeatthefront,but ratherthanopeningoutlike usual,thedoorslidesupward andoutoftheway. Theywere
Notethe“suicidedoors”intherear.
designedtoletthedriverseebehindtheLamborghiniCoutachwhilereversing. That's howhorribletherearvisibilitywasinthatcar.
ButbackbeforeWorldWarIItherewasafadintheUnitedStatesforputtingthe hingesofthereardoorsnearthereartyres,sothedoorsopened"backward." These rear-hingeddoors(called"coachdoors"intheautobusiness)hadtheadvantageof makingiteasierforthepassengertoenterandexitthevehicle. Nooneknowwhy theygotthenicknameof"suicidedoors." Thereare,ofcourse,manytheories.
Somesaythatifdoorshingedatthebackweren'tlatchedalltheway,theycouldblow openatspeed. Anyoneinthebackseatwhotriedtoreachforthedoorhandletoclose itwouldgocareeningoutofthecarandontotheroad. Thisseemsdubious;forone thing,that'smoreofanaccidentaldeaththanasuicide.
Otherssaythatgangsterscouldmoreeasilypushenemiesoutofthesedoors,which again,isnotreallyapersonvisitingviolenceonhimself.Anothertheorysaysthat anyonegettingoutofthebackseatonthestreetsidewhenparkedatthecurbcould becrushedbyanoncomingcarhittingthedoor. It'snotaveryconvincingexplanation.
Suicidedoorsweredesignfeaturesof mid-century Ford,LincolnandMercurycars. TheLincolnContinentalofthe1960swasquitefamousforitscentre-openingdoors. In2019and2020,theContinentalwasagainavailableinalimitededitionwithsuicide doors. ItwasaswansongfortheContinental,asthenameplatewasretiredfor2021 Theonlyholdoutforrear-hingeddoorsasofthiswritingisRolls-Royce. Itstilluses themonitsfour-doorsedans. Theideawiththesesuperluxurycarsisthatachauffeur wouldopenthereardoorfromtheoutside,allowingtherearpassengerstoexitmore
TheShahofIranstepsoutofaLincolnContinental convertibleduringavisittoRome,May25th,1961.
easilyandelegantly. That doesn'tquiteexplainwhy theRollsRoyceDawn,a two-doorconvertible, shouldhavedoorsthat openfromtherear,butit does.
Right:Alookinsidethebespoke 2021Rolls-RoycePhantom Oribe,viaitsrear-hingeddoor.
From:HowStuffWorks(Trivia)–byKristenHall-Geisler–July2021.GettyImages
Findthefollowinghiddenwordsinthegridbelow:
ACHILLES ARANUI ARATAKI FOREST GLOUCESTER HYDRABAD KAHUKURA KANUKA
KENT MARIRI MATAKANE MOWHIA
PARK QUAIL RAMONA RUMMEL
SOMERSET TAKITIMU TAONUI TE ARIKI
WINDSOR
FOR SALE :
Myfatherhasa1959MorrisMinorinhisshedinMarton. Iamwonderingifanymembersofyourcarclubmaybeinterestedinit? Wearelookingforanyoffersplease."Asiswhereis"andbuyertocollect.
Thanks, RussellAtkinson-ph0274525544
A REQUESTFORSOME HELPWITH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: AlistairHoward(mem)wouldliketohearfromanybodywhocan steerhiminthedirectionofsomeone(preferablyfairlylocal),who undertakesthe‘LostWaxMethodofBronzeCasting’. Ifyoucanhelp,pleasecontactAlistairHowardon0274488652
EMAIL RECEIVED REQUESTING HELP / INFORMATION:
HOPEFULLYWEHAVEALONGSTANDINGMEMBERWHOCANHELPCRAIG.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
Subject: 1929REOSpeedwagontruckTonnerDC
Date:14/06/202412:11PM
From:CraigGass<craigjanegass@gmail.com>
To:manawatu@vcc.org.nz
Himembers.
MynameisCraigGass.Iamcompletingrestorationoftheabove-mentioned vintagetruck.
ThetruckarrivedinPalmerstonNorth1929asarollingchassis.Ihavefoundthe coachbuildersplaquescontainingthecoachbuildersname–AdamBurgeswith registrationnumberasacoachbuilder.
Myenquirieshavefounditwasusedasapastrytruckandatsomestagewasinthe stableofacompanythateventuallycameundertheTipTopbrand.Ihavegone backtoTipTopthroughcontactsIhadandyestherewasmentionoftheReobut nophotos.
Justwonderingifanyofyourmembersmightrecallthisvehicle?Iteventually cametotheNelsonTasmanregionandwasusedbyWilliamGrindleattheKohatu HoteloutofNelsontowardsTapawera.Itwasusedtocarrycasksofbeerfrom Nelsontothehotel.
Ipickeduptheoldgirl42yearsagoandhavegotherupandrunningagain.About tostartontheall-woodencabandwoodenpaneldeckconstructiontocomplete theproject.
AnyinforethistruckyourmembersmighthaveandthecoachbuilderAdam Burgeswouldbeappreciated.
Contactthroughthisemailoraddress 9QuailRise,Stoke,Nelson7011.
Thankingyouforyourtime.
Cheers
CraigGass
OLDMANAWATUBRANCHDOCUMENTS
AFriendlyReminder,ifyouhavebeenonapreviousCommitteewiththeBranch andhaveanyoldBranchdocuments(e.g.oldmembershiplists)storedawayat home could you please return them totheBranchatthenextClub
Nightoralternativelycontactthe Secretary,CathyClementsto arrangeapossiblepickup. Eventhoughtheymaybeoutdated documents,theystillcontain members/pastmembersprivate contactdetails.
Itisimperativethatwecontinueto keepthisinformationconfidential.
ThankYou.
EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER AREONLINE
Anelectronicresourcehasbeensetupmakingalargenumber ofearlierissuesoftheTourereasilyavailableforreference. Thelinktothoseearlierissuesisbelow.
Cutandpastethelinktoyourbrowser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link - AND THE CURRENT MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS FROM OTHER VCC BRANCHES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE
Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseethecurrentNewsletterfromother VCCBranchesonlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.
Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranch Secretary,toorganisetocollecttheirfree namebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretary,toarrange areplacementforalostordamagedbadge-atcost.
IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?
Ifnot,pleasehaveatalktoRobertWilsonatclubnight.
Morephotoframeshavebeenpurchasedsothingsareallreadytogo-wejustneedthe photographs-whetheritbeofyourvehicleinoriginal,restored,orunrestored condition.
TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisa photographofyourvehicleinlandscapelayout.
Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16cmwidex11cmhighmeaningthattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensizealthoughthe photographsizewillbealittlelarger(i.e.18cmx13cm(5x7inches)).
VINTAGE CAR CLUB VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS
VETERAN: MotorVehiclesconstructedpriorto31st December1918.
VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1919and 31st December1931.
POST VINTAGE : MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1932and 31st December1945.
POST WAR : MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1946and 31st December1960.
POST 1960 : MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1961and 31st December1980.
POST 1980 : MotorVehiclesconstructedafter1st January1981providedthatno vehicleisdeemedeligibleforthiscategoryuntilthedayimmediately followingthe30th anniversaryofitsoriginaldateofconstructionas determinedinaccordancewithSection2oftheClubVehicleTechnical Code.(refertotheClubBy-laws)
AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION VEHICLES: MotorVehiclesnewlyconstructedtotheexact specificationofanoriginalfactoryproductionvehicle.(asdescribedin theClubBy-laws)
FACTORY BUILT & HISTORIC RACING VEHICLES : (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws).
PERIOD SPECIALS : (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws).
StartingfromtheClubrooms
Saturday12th October2024
UPCOMING EVENTS / ACTIVITIES
- OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS & OTHER CLUBSETC.
AUGUST 2024
25th SunNational VCCDaffodilRallyforCancer-seepages7and42ofthisTourer
SEPTEMBER 2024
7th SatCentralHawkesBay2nd VintageRally-seepage43ofthisTourer
OCTOBER 2024
18th -19th Marlborough/NelsonBiennialRally-seebelow/page41ofthisTourer
25th -28th 7th NationalCommercialRally-seepage44ofthisTourer
JANUARY 2025
25th -27th 29th VCCNationalMotorcycleRally-seepage47ofthisTourer
NOTICESFOR UPCOMING EVENTS
- OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS & OTHER CLUBSETC.
MANAWATU BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2024 / 2025
BRANCH COMMITTEE
Chair EstherWilliams e _williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
ViceChair CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 063563383 : 0212837088
Secretary CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 063285979 : 0272862927
Treasurer KenFoot(Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882
ClubCaptainDerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
ViceClub Captain VivienneReid(Owen) owenhome@xtra.co.nz 0211713148
Committee Member AnnetteFoot(Ken) kafoot@outlook.com 0272107532
Committee Member TomGilchrist tomsdgilchrist@gmail.com 0274403346
Committee Member ErrolGray(Ann) errans255@gmail.com 0275564176
Committee Member JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Custodian& Librarian
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
Delegate DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
Editor(Tourer)BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryana@xtra.co.nz 063584014
IDCard Advisor JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
IDCard Advisor DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
IdleTorque (BeadedWheels) Scribe BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryana@xtra.co.nz 063584014
PartsShed GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
PrivacyOfficerCathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 063285979 : 0272862927
Swapmeet Coordinator JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
Assistant Swapmeet Coordinator Positioncurrentlyvacant
Welfare CommitteeMembers
