VCC NORTH SHORE PROGRESS JUNE 2024

Hello all,

Over the years on various training courses on the subjects of Presentations, Proposals, Speeches, Product Announcements and Press Releases I’ve had drummed into me that the main overall agenda and content of any announcement was as follows:

• Tell them what you are going to tell them.

• Then tell them.

• Finally, tell them what you have told them.

You can still see that today in, for example, Ministerial Announcements:

• The Prime Minister will wear a pink tie tomorrow.

• Well bless me the Prime Minister is wearing a pink tie today!

• Yesterday the Prime Minister wore a pink tie.

The logic here is that you have three opportunities to make your point rather than the simple one-off statement that may be missed or forgotten too easily.

So in this editorial I am going to thank those who have helped me produce Progress over the past five years.

Thanks go to all those who have contributed articles and photographs. Special mention goes to Richard Bampton for his rambling articles; to Terry Costello who somehow makes the same photograph of the restoration shed look different every week; to Bruce Skinner who manages a never-ending supply of interesting short articles for each edition; to Maurice Whitham for consistently making the deadline for the Committee Notes; to Tony Sparkes for checking my final draft and on many occasions saving me from a defamation court case; and finally to Helen, my wife, for reading this drivel each month and pointing out every grammar mistake, every spelling error and all those damn full-stops and commas that I add in the wrong place!

Before I forget can I please ask all contributors to make a note of the new editor’s details: Wade Alexander: 027 272 2130 or wadeyboy@xtra.co.nz

So that’s me finished and to quote Douglas Adams, “Goodbye and thanks for all the fish!”

Cover Girl this week to support our focus on Lagonda is a stunning 1936 Lagonda LG45 'Silent Travel' pillarless saloon, 4.5-litre 6 cylinder Meadows engine. I haven’t included this photo in the article because it has only just been published on Facebook. The car is owned by a VCC member in New Zealand.

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I’m afraid that I have ‘bleathered’ (Manchester talk) on a little too much and not left enough space for our contents list this month.

Now I’ve got a little too much space! Bother! I will have to write about ‘the price of tripe’ for a few more lines. Here then is a quick update on our project vehicles:

• The Wolseley: Is shortly destined for Trade-Me. We are selling it in a number of lots: 1) The restored engine, 2) The complete vehicle with an engine, and loads of nice trim parts. 3) An almost perfect chromed grill and probably two extra lots comprising lots of spares, diffs, axles, gearboxes that currently occupy two long shelves in the tractor shed.

• The Bedford Truck has had a chassis inspection that revealed some issues and possibly a workaround, but we must wait for the written report to plan a way ahead. Bruce and Jim have adjusted the brake servo and they are all looking good. The steering has been checked all over and no faults found. The weight of the truck at slow speeds just means it needs a tough bu66er to steer it.

• The Chevrolet is looking good, engine’s running, brakes are good, not far away from fitting seats and going for a warrant.

• Work on the BSA has slowed a little as John Ellis has a full-on plaster cast down from knee to pinky. Despite that he has still been sanding the T&G for the interior.

• Pearl (The Singer) is still on blocks as Clive and the team focus on finding homes for new tools.

That’s it! Now I’ve finished….. Whoopee!

Stuart Battersby

In this edition:

 Chairman’s Report.

 Terry Costello: Candid photos from around the club.

 Klieber Vehicles: Good spot by Bruce Skinner.

 BoP visit and May run: Report and photos.

 Humour me, one more time: Fabulous English small Fords.

 Adventure in a Lincoln Town Car: True story of a visit to Microsoft, Seattle.

 Upcoming events: Now through to September.

 Focus on the Marque: Lagonda.

 1967IsoGrifoGLSeries1:Another spot by Bruce Skinner.

 Committee Notes: May meeting.

 Contacts.

Chairman’s Report: John Higham. May 2024.

Hello Members,

June 2024

Our operational year draws to a close and it is time to reflect on the last twelve months and what the future might hold.

First and foremost the Branch is a member centric organisation. It was established, is managed and run on a 100% voluntary basis by members for members. So there are a lot of roles that have to be carried out for the Branch to run smoothly. Have you thought about who sprays the weeds, weed -eats the edges, mows the lawns and the two fields, paints the buildings, picks up the rubbish and puts out the bins, fixes a leaking tap, gets morning teas ready, does the gardening, locks up and unlocks, runs the storage shed, replenishes the first aid and fire safety equipment, follows up on the sick and wounded and all the other odds and ends, too many to list. Do you as a member turn your hand to the successful running of the Branch? Well now’s a great time to offer to go on the committee and bring your expertise to the fore. Our Annual General Meeting is in June and we would welcome a few new faces on committee.

So thank you to all those who cheerfully assist in the Branch activities, it has once again been a successful year.

The Auckland Transport – NZTA Whaka Kotahi – Te Tupu Ngatahi – Supporting Growth outfit that managed to put a Notice of Requirement on a portion of our land at the north western corner of the site in early 2023 is still in the picture. Our submissions to them were that they did not need any land for their stated purpose of building a combined walkway and cycleway on this side of Oteha Road, as it already existed (much to their surprise as they had not bothered to have a look first). They have now reduced their initial requirement but still retained an element of it. We are currently attempting to get that removed before they set it in concrete with their submissions to Auckland Council for the total project approval. We will be circulating separately some information to be considered at the AGM. Please take time to study it and come along to the AGM and have your say. Finally, thank you to all the committee members, Delegate and (retiring) Bulletin Editor for your support and hard work over the past year.

John Higham, Chairman.

09-478-7973 or email: jmhh.higham@gmail.com

Have lens will snap: More shots from Terry Costello.

Above: Sad to report that Richard Lloyd and Jim Drummond are both trying to win the heart of young Shelly. “Should have gone to SpecSavers”

It’s surprising how many folk, do NOT look up. Terry risked life and limb to take these shots from our spares shed.

Young Russian lad detailing the Morris.

Gerald Miller caption competition? Drilling an engine block??

Terry Flude and Jim Drummond. Jim Woonton checks Chev interior.

Left: Owen Sturgess: “You missed a bit Julie”.

Julie Croft: “Yea, Nah!”

Kleiber Cars: Yet another marque that you’ve never heard about.

Progress June 2024

The Kleiber automobile. Never heard of it? Well I’m not surprised. Kleiber (rhymes with cyber) wasn’t blessed with longevity. But like International Harvester and Autocar, it continued as a truck manufacturer, briefly.

The story began in 1889 when Paul Kleiber, a 25-year-old blacksmith living in Germany, booked passage on a ship bound for America. After an interlude in Chicago, Kleiber moved to San Francisco where he got a job as a blacksmith, and within three years opened his own profitable business. In 1900 he formed Kleiber & Company to manufacture wagons and buggies. With Kleiber’s "Old World" standards, the company quickly gained a reputation for quality products and became one of San Francisco’s leading producers of horse-drawn vehicles. Kleiber was also a distributor for the Gramm truck.

Like other wagonmakers, Kleiber quickly discerned the future of transportation. In 1912 he sold his wagon business and organised the Kleiber Motor Truck Company to produce commercial vehicles, all his own design. The first truck it built was sold to the Milwaukee Brewing Company.

By the early 1920s, Shell Oil, Standard Oil, American Can Company, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Del Monte were operating fleets of Kliebers, which were promoted as being 'No more expensive than an Eastern truck. Demand soon outgrew plant capacity, so a new facility was built to meet demand. By then the Kleiber Motor Truck Company was believed to be the largest truck manufacturer west of the Mississippi.

In 1923 Kleiber decided to build automobiles too, which required a separate plant. Initial models were built in 1924, and sales were limited to just the three westernmost states, plus a dealer in Baltimore, Maryland. They were nice cars that featured a 60-hp Continental Red Seal six-cylinder engine on a 128-inch wheelbase. The company boasted its hand-built automobiles contained “more solid bronze parts than any other car under $5,000,” although many - if not most - of the major components were off-the-shelf items. But knowing Kleiber’s reputation for quality, he likely chose the best. Asa Chandler, the founder of Coca-Cola, was so impressed he purchased three Kleiber cars.

Advertisements boasted that Kleibers were “Aristocratic in Appearance” and were positioned towards the top of the upper-medium price range. The company's five-passenger Sport Touring started at $1,885, and a four-passenger Coach (two-door sedan) or a five-passenger California Top Touring was offered for $2,285.

Kleiber San Francisco factory.

Kleiber Cars: Cont.

At the top was a five-passenger sedan priced at $2,350. The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 states 69 Kleibers were produced for 1924; that rose to 186 units a year later, and 212 cars for 1926, when the line was expanded to six styles. It would prove to be Kleiber’s production peak.

Fairly high prices landed Kleiber in a competitive market segment that, combined with distribution essentially limited to the West Coast, affected sales. A 122-inch wheelbase chassis was introduced under all seven 1927-’28 body styles, but the price structure remained virtually unchanged. The most expensive model was the $2,675 five-passenger sedan.

Production dropped to 133 units for 1928. It could have been reversible. Kleiber announced that it would offer an 85-hp Continental straight-eight in its ’29 cars, but just two prototypes were built. Another 37 cars were built with the old six, after which Kleiber ended car production. Automated assembly, and the October crash, conspired against Kleiber’s hand-built efforts. Though auto production ceased, Kleiber built trucks through 1937.

It's believed only two Kleiber cars remain today. One is owned, appropriately enough, by Paul Kleiber III, grandson of the founder. The other is owned by Jay Leno.

1929 Kleiber Truck.

Two door Kleiber coupe

The B.o.P. branch visit weekend: Afternoon Tea, Shed tour and Sunday run. By Tony Sparkes.

It all started last year when Sarah and I went to the Chatham Islands. We sat down for dinner in the hotel on the first night and started a conversation with the couple opposite. In the way of things in a small country, it turned out that John was the Chairman of the BoP branch of the VCC and his wife Jill, had been host to our branch on our spring tour. Over the next few days we found out that we had things in common other than old cars. I suggested that we, the NS branch would be delighted to host them at our premises. John and Jill went back after the trip and spoke to their committee and it was on. On May 18th twenty BoP branch members arrived at “Brooklands” for afternoon tea and a tour of our facilities. A few committee members were joined by David Lane and Terry Costello as we gave our guests a quick tour of the premises. Kaaren Smylie, past NI Captain, said we probably had the best facilities of any car club in the country. So well done to everyone for what we have achieved over the last 51 years.

An evening dinner followed with some committee members looking after our guests. It was an excellent evening of good food, drink and chatter.

Sunday was another sunny day and around 32 cars from both branches enjoying tours of two sets of sheds. First was Malcom Turner with three sheds of American cars and a couple of motorbikes. Not my thing as you know, but there was lots of enthusiasm from others.

Saturday afternoon, featuring the stunning Triumph Gloria.

Kaaren and Jim Smylie in their Model A.

Afternoon Tea, Coffee and Cakes (by Barb Stubbs).

The second venue was Mike Courtney with several AUSTIN 7s, complete, specials and one for restoration (also for sale). Bruce Pitcher was particularly taken with the radiator mascot, a dummy or pacifier. He has promised me that should I ever buy another 7, he will turn one for me. There was an hot-rod, a Mustang and a Jaguar special under construction.

Both venues were well worth visiting. It never ceases to amaze me what is hidden away in sheds.

Lunch was at the Huapai Golf club. Consistently good as always. When I said goodbye to our visitors, they said they had had such a great weekend that they might come up again.

In the second way of things in a small country, one of our guests was staying with his son who just happens to live 2 doors away from me!

For me, the driver of the weekend was Jim Smylie in his Model A all the way from Tauranga. Car of the weekend was a superb 30s Triumph Gloria which had ventured onto a motorway for the first time. Tony Sparkes

Photos on this and subsequent pages by Bill Duffy.

The B.o.P. branch visit weekend: Further photos

by Bill Duffy and Andrew Lunt.

The photo on the right is interesting. Allegedly taken by Andrew Lunt….But that’s Andrew’s Datsun in front of Julie Croft’s MGB… Curious and Curiouser.

Humour me just one more time: Small English Fords.

I realise by now that most of you are total besotted with Small English Fords. There are still one or two of you that still Austins and unbelievably a number of you admit to liking vehicles from His Majesty’s North American colony. Just for those few wavering souls here are a few of my older photographs of your favourite older vehicles: Nice eh?

Right: Old Fords never die.. They just get more expensive.

Stunning Ford 7W Saloon.

My own 100E Prefect.

E493A Prefect. Aka “High Guard“

Fordson E83W.

The shiniest Model CX around.

Model Y with WW2 paint job.

103E Pop with full Aquaplane kit.

Ford Thames 300e Van. Ford Anglia E04A

Lincoln Town Car and a visit to Leavenworth, Washington State: Blast from the past.

This photo taken by Bill Duffy on the last club run brought back some memories of a business trip in America.

In the mid 1990s my company spent a lot of time working with Microsoft developing various ‘Plug-Ins’ to their software to satisfy the needs of a strategic sector. Microsoft are based in Redmond, Washington State, a few miles east of Seattle. The time difference from Manchester UK to Seattle was 8 hours and so for important meetings we would often fly over a few days early to give us a day or two to recover from Jet Lag. On one such trip we flew over on a Thursday and on the Friday took off on a road trip through the Cascades mountains and over to Wenatchee, whereon we chilled out, drank beer and walked along the Columbia river banks. Our rental car for that weekend was a Lincoln Town Car. It was huge, but needed to be as our Technical Director was a big lad, weighing in at 24 stones (155KG?) in his jeans, open toed sandals and silk paisley waistcoat!

On our way back to Redmond we stopped in Leavenworth for lunch. As you’ll see from the photo and text below Leavenworth is modelled on a Bavarian mountain village. Its quite an odd anachronism, nestled as it is in the West of the USA. I should probably also say the Lincoln Town Car had a bit of a reputation as a Gangsters, Pimps and Feds car. Especially the black ones with tinted windows as was ours.

We pulled into Leavenworth car park and before we had turned off the engine a posse of lederhosen-wearing locals had surrounded the car. In a semi-scary way we were questioned about our purpose for the visit, where we had come from and where we were intending to stay that night. Thankfully after a few minutes they classified us as “Limey software geeks” and we were directed towards the best bars and restaurants. Scary at the time, but long forgotten until Bill’s photo rattled that memory.

Leavenworth, Washington, is a charming Bavarian village nestled in the picturesque Cascade Mountains. Known for its unique architectural style and festive atmosphere, the village transports visitors to a quaint European setting. The town exudes a lively ambiance throughout the year, with seasonal decorations and events adding to its allure. Visitors can explore the village’s charming shops, indulge in authentic German cuisine, sample locally brewed beers, and immerse themselves in the vibrant festivities and cultural experiences.

Upcoming Events: Events through to

April 2024.

Future Events:

June 2024

June 16: Unfortunately due to logistical issues we have been unable to organise a run this month: Apologies.

June 19: Club AGM: Start at 8pm prompt. Calling notice, Agenda and Notice of Motion sent to branch members under separate email.

July 2024

July 21: Club run to South Head: Meet at the car park by the Pools at Parakai at 9.00am. The run will include a coffee stop enroute and lunch at Ginger Crunch Cafe.

August 2024

August 25: Daffodil Rally: In conjunction with Waitemata and Warkworth Branches

September 2024

September 20-23: Spring Tour. First night Taumarunui, two nights in Hawera, Forgotten World and loads of other interesting visits. Paul Collins is organising.

Do you have any interesting ideas for a club run? Suggesting a destination does NOT mean that you have to plan the run. We just want ideas for potential trips.

Regular Diary

Committee Meetings: Last Monday of every month, 6.00pm. Observers always welcome.

Tuesday Mornings: Restoration shed open. Coffee and tea at 10am.

Wednesday Evenings: Club night. Coffee, tea and banter, 7.30pm.

Thursday Mornings: All sheds open. Why not come along and explore the parts shed? Fantastic experience, even if you don’t need any bits! Coffee, tea, cakes and savouries at 10.30am. Gold coin donation please.

...And remember...

International Festival of Historic Motoring: Nelson 15-21 March 2026

Focus on the marque: Lagonda

The beginning: The Lagonda company was founded in 1906 in the UK in Staines, Middlesex, by American-born Wilbur Gunn (1859–1920), a former opera singer. He became a British national in 1891 and worked as a speedboat and motorcycle engineer in Staines. He named the company after the Shawnee settlement "Lagonda" in modern-day Springfield, Ohio, the town of his birth.

Gunn had built motorcycles on a small scale in the garden of his house in Staines with reasonable success, including a win on the 1905 London–Edinburgh trial. In 1907 he launched his first car, the 20 hp, six-cylinder Torpedo, which he used to win the Moscow–St. Petersburg trial of 1910. This success produced a healthy order for exports to Russia which continued until 1914. In 1913, Lagonda introduced an advanced small car, the 11.1, with a four-cylinder 1,099 cc engine, which, by 1914, featured a Panhard rod suspension and a rivetted unibody.

During the First World War the Lagonda company made artillery shells

Between the wars: After the end of the war the 11.1 continued with a larger, 1,400 cc, engine and standard electric lighting as the 11.9 until 1923 and the updated 12 until 1926. Following Wilbur Gunn's death in 1920, three existing directors headed by Colin Parbury took charge. The first of the company's sports models was launched in 1925 as the 14/60 with a twin-cam 1,954 cc four-cylinder engine and hemispherical combustion chambers. The car was designed by Arthur Davidson who had come from LeaFrancis. A higher output engine came in 1927 with the twolitre Speed model which could be had supercharged in 1930. A lengthened chassis version, the 16/65, with a six-cylinder 2.4-litre engine, was available from 1926 to 1930. Their final car of the 1920s was the three-litre using a 2,931 cc sixcylinder engine. This continued until 1933 when the engine grew to 3,181 cc and was also available with a complex eight speed Maybach transmission as the Selector Special.

A new model for 1933 was the 16–80 using a two-litre Crossley engine with preselector gearbox from 1934. A new small car, the Rapier came along in 1934 with a 1,104 cc engine and pre-selector gearbox.

1925 Lagonda 1`2/25 LC.

1927 Lagonda 2.5L 16-65.

Focus on the marque: Cont.

This lasted until 1935 but more were made until 1938 by a separate company, D. Napier & Son of Hammersmith, London. At the other extreme was the near 100 mph (160 km/h) 4.5-litre M45 with a Meadows-supplied sixcylinder, 4,467 cc, engine. A true sporting version, the M45R Rapide, with a tuned M45 engine and a shorter chassis, achieved a controversial Le Mans victory in 1935 Also in 1935 the three-litre grew to a 3.5-litre.

All was not well financially and the receiver was called in 1935 but the company was bought by Alan P. Good, who just outbid Rolls-Royce He also persuaded W. O. Bentley to leave Rolls-Royce and join Lagonda as designer along with many of his racing department staff. The 4.5litre range now became the LG45 with lower but heavier bodies and also available in LG45R Rapide form. The LG45 came in three versions known as Sanction 1, 2 and 3 each with more Bentley touches to the engine. In 1938 the LG6, with independent front suspension by torsion bar and hydraulic brakes, came in.

Along with ex-Rolls-Royce employees, Stuart Tresillian and Charles Sewell, and design expert Frank Feeley, Bentley hid distaste for the primitive conditions of Lagonda's factory, and got to work on the new engine that was to become his masterpiece, the V-12, launched in 1937. The 4,480cc engine delivered 180 bhp (130 kW) and was said to be capable of going from 7 to 105 mph (11 to 169 km/ h) in top gear and to rev to 5,000 rpm. The car was exhibited at the 1939 New York Motor Show: "The highest price car in the show this year is tagged $8,900. It is a Lagonda, known as the "Rapide" model, imported from England. The power plant is a twelve-cylinder V engine developing 200 horsepower.”

Lagonda at war: Richard Watney was managing director of Lagonda at the start of the Second World War. He was Rootes' retail sales manager for the London area until 1935, when he became managing director of Lagonda Ltd.

Circa 1930 2-litre 16-80 Weymann saloon.

1934 4½-litre M45 sports tourer.

1940 4½-litre V12 drophead coupé.

Lagonda WW2 Flame Thrower, mounted on a Cockatrice Armoured Truck

Focus on the Marque: Cont.

He was a production expert, who during the war organised and controlled for Lagonda one of the largest British gun production plants, as well as factories that produced 50,000 25 lb shells a day. Watney also developed and produced the "Crocodile" and "Wasp" flame-throwing equipment for armoured vehicles."

Watney finished second at Le Mans in 1930 driving a Bentley. He returned to Rootes in 1946, and was posted to Australia.

Takeover by Aston Martin: In 1947, the company was taken over by David Brown and moved in with Aston Martin, which he had also bought, in Feltham, Middlesex. The old Staines works at Egham Hythe passed to Petters Limited, in which A.P. Good had acquired the controlling interest. Production restarted with the last prototypes from Bentley, the 1948 Lagonda 2.6Litre with new chassis featuring fully independent suspension. Its new 2.6L twin overhead cam straight -six became the basis for the Aston Martin engines of the 1950s. This was replaced by the 3 litre Lagonda engine in 1953 and continued to be available until 1958.

Many thought that the marque had disappeared, but in 1961 the Rapide name was resurrected, with a four-door saloon based on the contemporary Aston Martin DB4, with an aluminium body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan and a 3,995 cc engine capable of taking the car to 125 mph (201 km/h). By this time, Aston Martin-Lagonda as it now was, had moved to Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire. The Rapide lasted until 1965. In 1969, the Lagonda name was briefly resurrected, appearing on a four-door prototype of the new Aston Martin DBS model. Between 1974 and 1976, seven Lagonda four-door saloons were produced based on the 1969 prototype. The production models adopted a single-headlight treatment with a Lagonda "horseshoe" grille in place of the twin-headlamp treatment of the prototype.

In 1976, a new Lagonda saloon appeared, the large and futuristic Aston Martin Lagonda designed by William Towns. This low, rather square, wedge-shaped car was built on Aston Martin V8 components and was available until 1990. A total of 645 were built.

1953 2.6-litre drophead coupé by Tickford.

1964 Lagonda Rapide.

1989 Aston Martin Lagonda

Focus on the Marque: Cont.

Aston Martin produced a concept car called the "Lagonda Vignale" at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show.

During 1993–94, nine Lagonda four-door saloons and seven Estate Cars (badged on the rear door or tailgate as Les Vacances) were made based on a stretched Aston Martin Virage. These were (until the 2018 Vanquish Zagato estate car) the only factory-built estates in Aston Martin's history; six were bought by a foreign royal family. They could be ordered with the 5.3-litre V8 (310 HP) or the 6.3-litre V8 (500 HP) engine.

Revival: Aston Martin said on 1 September 2008, as reported by Automotive News Europe, that it would relaunch its Lagonda brand to help it expand into new markets such as luxury saloons and celebrate Lagonda's centennial anniversary in 2009. "The Lagonda brand would allow us to develop cars which can have a different character than a sports car," said CEO Ulrich Bez in a statement. "Lagonda will have its own niche with luxurious and truly versatile products suitable for both existing and emerging markets". "Lagonda models would be vehicles that could be used all year round in markets such as Russia where specialized sports cars such as Aston Martins could only be used for three or four months each year", said Aston Martin spokeswoman Janette Green. At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin unveiled a 4WD, four-seat SUV to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Lagonda car. It includes a V12 engine and 22-inch wheels. The Rapide name was revived in 2010 as the Aston Martin Rapide saloon. Aston Martin confirmed the revival of the Lagonda brand on 9 March 2011. The new range was to consist primarily of high-end SUVs. In 2014, however, Aston Martin announced a large, low-bodied saloon version, the Taraf, a £1 million car powered by a normally aspirated V12 producing 565 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. The Taraf was initially planned to be sold only in the Middle East but was later sold in the UK, Europe and South Africa, with production limited to 200 units.

2015 Lagonda Taraf.

1935 Lagonda Rapide: How we should remember them?

1967 Iso Grifo GL Series 1: Nicely spotted by Bruce Skinner.

While the De Tomaso Pantera comes immediately to mind when thinking of strikingly-styled Italian GTs with American powerplants, the Iso Grifo is another take on the same recipe – but in far more limited quantities. Powered by a 350 b.h.p. 327cubic-inch V8 and equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, this Grifo Series 1 listed here on the RM Sotheby’s website remains in excellent condition and has a minor claim to fame for appearing in a movie called The Violent Professionals.

Iso has built some truly memorable cars over the course of its limited history, even though many of them haven’t risen to the same level of prominence of models like the Lamborghini Espada and Ferrari 330 GT. The Iso Rivolta, Fidia, Lele – these are all examples of gorgeous Italian GTs with big, domestically-sourced V8 and back seats. For whatever reason, these models don’t seem to come up for grabs nearly as often as some of the other models mentioned here, and the Iso Grifo Series 1 is another example of a model that combines striking design with V8 power and seating for four.

A few years ago, when prices for numerous different collector cars began to spike as the bizarre pandemic economy took hold, the Iso Grifo began to take off. Shops responsible for servicing models like the Grifo began to notice customers taking greater interest in restoring cars as opposed to simply maintaining them, and deeper appreciation for the easily sourced parts for the thundering Ford and GM-sourced V8s under the hood. And let’s not forget this is a beautiful car regardless of the affordable parts, as this stunning interior goes to show. The car shown here was delivered new in Italy and later registered in Holland. It went to New York after that, where a restoration to return it to its original colours and other freshening up was performed. It retains its original engine and is still in excellent condition today, which should drive strong interest on the bidder side. The market for Italian GTs will always be active, and an under-the-radar classic like the Iso Grifo and related models seems like a smart buy in the vintage 2+2 segment.

Certainly has those Italian looks!

Leather and wood interior. Can’t beat it! Shiny Power.

Committee Notes: Precis of May 2024

Committee Meeting from Maurice Whitham.

New Members: Darren Tohill, Rachel Dawson.

NZMCA: The two-part proposal relating the dealings with NZMCA was accepted in principle however a number of amendments were discussed and accepted. A motion will be placed before the AGM.

NZTA: The North Projects have a hearing scheduled for Monday 17 June 2024. Further correspondence to be sent to NZTA.

By Laws Approval: The Branch by-laws, which have been put together by a sub- committee, and then put out to the membership for comment, have been approved.

Parts Shed Security: Door alarm, smoke alarms and fire alarm have been recommended for the Parts Shed and approved.

Storage Shed: A written agreement has previously been prepared and should be signed by all members renting spacing in the storage shed.

Five bay shed roofing paper: Paper under skylights has deteriorated. Wide Span have agreed to remove the paper under the skylights.

Richard Lloyd - Committee: Richard was thanked for his service to the branch. He has decided to retire from the committee after spending many years working hard and giving wise counsel. Richard is still prepared to assist the club by supplying wood if necessary.

Tools Insurance: With the tools recently supplied by Clive Sandham, the value of the equipment now held by the branch has significantly increased. The question was raised whether the insurance policy needed to be reviewed as soon as possible.

Equipment Inventory List: It was suggested that a branch equipment inventory along with supporting photos be prepared. It was approved and something that can be attended to on Thursday mornings.

Female Toilet: Men are not to use the women’s toilet – needs a bigger sign. To be arranged.

Bedford inspector: The certification inspector has inspected the Bedford truck and will prepare a written report. Maybe a suggestion to have a full commercial truck certificate downgraded. Wait for the written report until acting further.

More small English Fords Aren’t they just wonderful??

Club Address: 40 Masons Rd, Albany, 0632

Phone: 09-4792779: email: northshorevcc@gmail.com

Website: www.northshorevcc.com

Club Nights: Every Wednesday from 7.30pm.

Restoration Shed: Every Tuesday & Thursday morning 9am - 12pm.

Committee Meetings: Last Monday of the month, 6.00pm.

Club Runs: Normally 12.30-1pm start, 3rd Sun. of month. Always check the ‘Upcoming events’.

VERO Branch Reference Number: HO0300144 (Quoting this number when renewing your insurance gives a small commission back to the club).

Club Committee

Chairman: John Higham 09-478-7973

Vice-Chairman: Terry Flude: 021 958 678

Secretary: Maurice Whitham 09-627-0310 or 027-296-9293

Treasurer: Ross Moon 09-426-1508 or 022 426 1508

Club Captain: John Castle: 09 479 4135 or 021 957 032

Club Delegate: Tony Sparkes 09-473-5872 or 027-499-5588

GENERAL COMMITTEE Members:

Stuart Battersby: 022 471 2759

James Liu: 021 0274 4158

Richard Lloyd: 09-420-5048 or 027-483-2898

Andrew Lunt: 0274 996 803

Barb Stubbs: 0274 768 120 or 09 420 4094

Arnold Van Zon: 09 473 5750 or 027 2765336

OTHER CLUB OFFICERS (Non Committee)

Editor Progress Magazine: Wade Alexander: 027 272 2130 or wadeyboy@xtra.co.nz

Members’ Garage Manager: Kevin Lord 027 235 0142 or 09 413 9157

Welfare Officer: Brian Bisset 09 554 1740

Librarian: Kevin Benseman 022 678 5629

Beaded Wheels Correspondent: Richard Bampton 09 947 3042

Magazine Editor: Stuart Battersby: 022 471 2759 or email battersby56nz@gmail.com This magazine is published by the North Shore Branch, Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated, also known as The North Shore Vintage and Classic Car Club. THE INFORMATION IN THIS MAGAZINE IS SUPPLIED AS A SERVICE TO MEMBERS. ARTICLES OF INTEREST ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND THE CLUB ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF ANY ARTICLES OR STATEMENTS HEREIN. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical without permission in writing from the copyright holder