VCC NORTH OTAGO DISTRIBUTOR JULY 2023

The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.

Chairman's Report.

As you may know Rebecca retired from being chairperson at this year's AGM. I would like to thank her for her two and half years as Chairperson, and also congratulate her on being elected to the VCC Executive.

At the AGM I was elected Chairman and "who am I?" you may ask. I am Clive Blunden, I joined the VCC North Otago branch in 2013, I believe that I was sponsored by Keith Perry and John Miller. My first task after joining was cooking sausages at the Ngapara hill climb. Since then I have tried to be an active member, after all what is the point of joining a club if you do not want to be actively part of it.

In the time I have been a club member, I have been scribe [I still am], Treasurer for two years and a committee member for five years. I have organised two All British days, and helped in the construction of the new Library. I enjoy being part of our club, and I will do my best as Chairman.

I have chaired my first Committee meeting and survived, I would like to thank the new committee for their support, Ernest George has kindly taken on the position of Club Captain.

Alas we are still without a Secretary, surely there is someone out there that could give it a go. The lucky volunteer would be given all the help they need, and it has been suggested that the position could be split in two to make it easier. The alternative is to employ someone to do it, as other clubs have done, but this would mean your yearly subscription might go up to cover the expense.

If you have any ideas concerning club nights or runs please let us know, thank you for your support, All the best,

Clive, Chairman.

Situation Vacant

Secretary

North Otago Branch of VCC NZ

Key Responsibilities:

Communicating with National Office of VCC, Other Branches of VCC, Committee

Members and Local Members of North Otago Branch. Writing Agenda for Committee meetings

Taking minutes at Committee Meetings and also on Club night

This role is able to be shared by splitting the responsibilities, this can be worked out based on minutes secretary role and an admin secretary role ( branch computer)

If you are interested in this position or would like to discuss the position further than please Contact Rebecca George on 021 2937714 or Clive Blunden on 03 439 5207

Event Organisers and Workers

Swapmeet, Windsor Rally, All British Day, Daffodil Day and Victorian Parade

If you have previously been involved or would like to be involved with organising these events for this year, please contact Ernest George 027 2090609

Club Captain

Hi Everyone

Trying to get a program going for this year, mark the dates in your calendar or put them in your diary. If there is a place or an area you would like to visit let us know and we can work together to make it happen. Looking forward to a great year of Motoring

Ernest George Club Captain

Calendar of Events

July 2023

Club Events

5th July - Wednesday Club night

19th July - Wednesday Committee Meeting

13th July - Thursday Mid-month Coffee Run

23rd July – Sunday Club Run

26th July - Wednesday End of month Motorcycle Run

2nd August - Wednesday Club Night

10th August – Thursday Mid Month Coffee Run

16th August – Wednesday Committee Meeting

20th August – Sunday Daffodil Day Run

30th August – Wednesday End of Month Motorcycle Run

Check our Other Events Notice Board for information which has been sent through from other branches about their various activities. Also Beaded Wheels is a good source to check out other regional events you may be interested in attending.

Note:-Every effort has been made to keep these dates as accurate as possible at the time of printing. However, check with the Chairperson or Secretary to confirm any particular event of interest or for entry forms.

Garage Raid 2023

Hi all The Ashburton Branch are holding the Garage Raid on the Saturday 12th August 2023 starting with a cupper from 9.00am at the Club Rooms on Maronan Road and leaving at 9.30am, The cost will be $10.00 per head for Pea Pie Pud as normal , we look forward to seeing you all on the day.

We are looking at carpooling, If you want a ride or have a spare seat please get in touch with Ernest George 027 2090609

An Evening with Emma Gilmour hosted by Otago Vintage Car Club

An evening with Emma Gilmour– International Rally driver and local Icon

7.30pm on Friday 28th July at the Otago Vintage Car Club 125 Forbury Road, Dunedin

$5.00 per person with funds going to K9 Detection NZ

If you are interested in attending this, please get in touch with Ernest George on 021 2090609 or Rebecca George 021 2937714 to arrange car pooling or possible van hire. Please get in touch by Wednesday 12th July.

Parts Shed

Welcome James Mackenzie to the team. Derek and Wayne will be continuing on as well. Thanks to everyone for bringing a plate on their birthday week. Looking at opening on a Saturday would anyone be interested?

Club Night and other events

Club Night – Wednesday 5th July –

7.30 We plan to have a guest speaker come along for the evening, please bring a plate for supper

Mid-Month Winter Coffee Run

Thursday 13th July

Turn up at the clubrooms about 1pm

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Contact John Gale on 03 437 1112 if you need to know more.

Month End Motorcycle Run

Wednesday 26th July

Turn up at the clubrooms about 1pm to leave at 1.30. Weather permitting!

The route and destination will be decided on the day.

Ring John Gale 03 437 1112 if you need to check on anything.

Winter Club Run – Sunday 23rd July

Meet at Club Rooms at 1.30 pm for a short run. Afternoon tea at the clubrooms please bring a plate.

Henry Ford Day

We are inviting all Vintage , Veteran, Classic Car Owners

To Join us to celebrate the birthday of Henry Ford A display will be held in Seddon Square Waimate From 9am to 11.30 Saturday 29th July A run will be held following the display Ending up with lunch at the Waihao Forks Hotel Contact: Peter Bland 0276443824

Cars & Computers

As the VCC 30 year rule creeps into the 1990’s we will see club cars with computers. The full history of ODB is here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics but the summary is with the USA wanting a standardised system in 1988 as ODB1. As more sophisticated management systems came about there was ODB1.5 but there were a few variations so the US mandated a new ODB2 in 1996. The EU made it compulsory from 2001 (although some adopted earlier) and New Zealand/Australia dragged the chain until 2006. It meant that up until then one had to see the dealer to get a 2004 Commodore checked for example but allegedly one can get an ODB2 cable, swap a couple of wires and is then compatible. So hmmmmmm............

ODB1 A typical system such as on an early-mid 90s car and often all you need is a paper clip. Short 2 terminals together and the Check engine light will flash to give the 2 digit error code. My Rover 416 uses this method.

ODB1.5 Usually a 3pin plug and a 12V input. This requires a computer or laptop and a program to talk to the car. While it needs more hardware also provides much more information about the car including live data while running. For example Voltage temperature, mixture settings and whether there are any faults. Also can be used to reprogram key fobs etc. My Rover 220 turbo has this system.

ODB2 A more standardised system using a 16pin socket. Cheap wireless plugs can be bought that will talk to your phone or laptop to give error codes. Ones with a cable and screen can be bought from REPCO. Jaycar or Supercheap Auto etc.

Stahlcar https://www.stahlcar.nz/ do a conversion cable for pre 2006 GM cars to convert them to ODB2. Contact them if you need a cable for your car and are unsure what you may need.

More extensive maintenance stuff can be done if you get the right software. Software for some cars is very expensive but the program MULTIECUSCAN for my 2004 FIAT was less than $100 (also free version) and does things like bleed the clutch, check clutch wear and the status of sensors without even opening the bonnet. I was able to determine a faulty coil when noticing a misfire. It even told me which cylinder.

I checked a 1998 Mondeo with a cheap ELM327 cable and a free program called FORScan. $23 a year if you want some fancy features.

Graeme Simpson

Reading codes on early ODB with paper-clip

How to talk to your Rover. MG & Landrover even if pre ODB2. Also Lotus & Cateram with Rover engine

How to use a basic ODB2 scanner

Thanks, Graeme

NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS

Committee Meetings 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.00 pm. Members welcome.

Nights 1st Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm

(details in The Distributor)

Wee Wheely wander