VCC OTAGO ROADRUNNER DECEMBER 2022

December 2022

Magazine of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Otago Branch Inc.

The Otago RoadRunner is the official newsletter of the Vintage Car Clubof New Zealand Otago Branch Inc. Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Otago BranchInc.

CHAIRPERSON Mark Wilkinson markandnicolaw@gmail.com 476 4004

PAST CHAIRPERSON Nicola Wilkinson markandnicolaw@gmail.com 476 4004

TREASURER David Ross vccnzobt@gmail.com 455 8800

SECRETARY Marion McConachie bmmcconachie@xtra.co.nz 453 0404 CLUB CAPTAIN Kevin Mason 027 2286431 488 5198

HOUSE MANAGER Bill Partel thepartels@gmail.com 489 4033

PROPERTY OFFICER Bill Veitch w.veitch@xtra.co.nz 489 1626

EDITOR Eleanor Harrison eleanor.harrison@otago.ac.nz 479 8280

COMMITTEE MEMBER Colin Winter wolseley2@xtra.co.nz 456 4382

COMMITTEE MEMBER Andrew Roxburgh 488 3866

COMMITTEE MEMBER Ross McTaggart rossandgay@xtra.co.nz 476 4005

CLUBROOMS

125 Forbury Rd., Dunedin , 9012

Phone 455 0586

Postal Address: 125 Forbury Road, Dunedin, 9012

BRANCH EMAIL otago@vcc.org.nz

COMMITTEE MEETS

2nd Monday of month 7.30pm CLUB NIGHT Friday 7.30pm to 11.00pm

MOTORCYCLE NIGHT First Friday of the month MONTHLY MEETING Last Friday of the month 8.30pm

PARTS SHED Friday 7.30pm 9.30 pm. Wednesday 09.00am 12.00 noon

BRANCH EVENTS (listed in bold)

Please contact your branch secretary if you would like Entry forms for other branch rallies / events

2022

DEC Fri 2nd

Motorcycle Group Meeting

3rd Windsor Rally North Otago

Sun 4th 4th Moped Rally South Otago Wednesday 7th picnic with South Otago Branch

Sun 11th Christmas BBQ

Wed 14th Clubrooms open as per usual - This will be the last day until January 2023

2023

JAN Wed 11th Clubrooms open as per usual

Sun 15th Jackson Rally

Fri 20th Clubrooms open 3 6.30pm for Dunedin Brighton registrations 21 22nd Dunedin Brighton Run 21st Vintage M/C rally Waimate 0276443824

Fri 27th Club Night screening of Taieri Tour photos

FEB Fri 3rd

Motorcycle Group Meeting - Clubrooms open 4th Southland Rally Wed 8th Fruit picking at Roxburgh with South Otago 11th Wallaby Rally Waimate

TBA Vintage Post Vintage Ladies Run 19th All British Day North Otago

Thurs 23rd Midweek Run 25th Annual Gore Festival Rally

Fri 24th Club Night

MARCH Fri 3rd

Motorcycle Group Meeting

Clubrooms open

4th Veteran Rally Southland

5th Wee Wheelie Wander North Otago 11th Annual Motorcycle Rally South Otago

Sun 5th Best of British - more details to come 12th Mid Island Rally South Canterbury 18 15th South Island Club Captains Tour 19th Gore Swapmeet 25th 40th Scenic land Rally West Coast

Thurs 30th Midweek Run

Fri 31st Club Night

APRIL Fri 7th

Motorcycle Group Meeting

Clubrooms open

1st Winchester Swapmeet South Canterbury 15th Gerald Lynch Blosse Memorial M/C Rally NO

Thurs 30th Midweek Run

Fri 31st Club Night

MAY Fri 5th

Motorcycle Group Meeting

Clubrooms open 6th Ashburton Swapmeet

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to reflect on the last 12 months. While there have been lockdowns due to COVID; some members contracting COVID and some managing to “dodge the bullet” to date, what is apparent COVID is here for some time to come. All anyone can do is look after yourself plus those around you and try to stay safe.

The branch rallies that have been held lately have been well organised and attended. The branch this year held two major milestone events, namely the 50th Dunvegan and the 50th Taieri Tour. A big thank-you to the organisers and helpers for both events you did the branch proud and your efforts were appreciated by all. Without organisers the events simply do not happen so if any member would like to organise a rally or help out, please let a committee member know.

It was good to see large turnouts for both of these events with a large contingent coming from outside of Dunedin. The Canterbury Branch came to Dunedin to attend the Taieri Tour as part of their annual show week tour and I am still receiving feedback on how they enjoyed the weekend and comradeship.

The South Otago branch also celebrated its 50th running of its annual Clutha Rally which once again was an enjoyable, albeit dusty, rally.

By the time you read this, the Commercial/Veteran Rally will have been completed, so thank you to Colin for organising this again.

The monthly week-day runs have been well attended as have the Wednesday morning group. We have also seen a good number of new members joining the branch which is pleasing to see. We hope that you enjoy the comradeship and look forward to seeing you join in the branch activities.

The Christmas BBQ is being held on the 11 December details of who to contact are in the Road Runner and it is essential for catering purposes that you advise if you are coming and any dietary requirements you have.

The first event for 2023 is the Jackson Run followed by the Dunedin Brighton Veteran Run, details of which are in the magazine.

In the meantime, with the Festive season upon us please stay safe, have a merry, happy and safe Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2023.

Mark

Dunvegan - 50 years on

The sun was shining on the Chinese Gardens as bikes assembled for the 50th Dunvegan run on 1 October 2022.

Dunvegan started with runs to the Pearce family farm at the head of the Owaka valley, named after a village and castle on the Isle of Skye and the seat of the McLeod clan. The Pearce brothers, Colin and the late Brian and Allan had a strong interest in vintage cars and bikes and 50 years ago they were happy to host a 2 day motorcycle run from Dunedin which included an overnight stay in the woolshed. The event evolved and has included a multitude of destinations across Otago, Southland and South Canterbury. For the 50th it was centred on Dunedin with a run to Dunvegan on the Saturday, a dinner at the clubrooms and a Peninsula run on the Sunday morning.

60 Bikes and riders, plus a few pillions, lined up. One of the charms of the event is the wide range of machinery it attracts, and the distances people travel to attend. Adrian Collins on his 1952 BMW travelled from Whakatane. Bill Irwin, this year Vincent mounted, made the pilgrimage from Nelson while the large Canterbury contingent fronted up again including a couple of tigers for punishment, Bruce Miles on his Honda CB 125 and Kurt Ebrecht on a delightful Puch 125 SG. Overall we had a great mix of British, German, American and Japanese. 2 strokes were a bit thin on the ground, but these ranged from the Puch through to Brent Clarkson’s V4 Yamaha RZ500.

The ride down was very pleasant with a good mix of seal and gravel surfaces. We lost a Honda 750 early on with ignition problems but gained Percy Ralston’s beautiful 1915 Douglas in Balclutha where we stopped for a cuppa put on by our South Otago friends. Lunch was at the ‘new’ woolshed with a visit to the original and the homestead gateway before a relaxed run back for all but Colin Winter who lost all the ‘go forward’ on his 1926 BSA with a broken gearbox input shaft.

The 50th Dinner at the clubrooms was a step up from the usual BBQ. It was a fairly noisy crowd renewing acquaintances, swapping lies, exchanging important technical information, the odd “If you just give Joe a call he might be able to put you on to…..” and arranging to come together at the next swap meet. If the Dunvegan run has a reason, this is probably it!

Sunday morning was a little more “reflective” with a quiet run down the Peninsular, a buzz through Harwood and a coffee stop at Portobello which for many served as the dispersal point.

Dunvegan 50 years on (continued)

I loved the beautifully smooth sounding 4 cylinder ACE/Indian mounts from the 20s, the Commando burble and especially Paul Ainsworth’s fastback. The painstaking work which had gone into some magnificent restorations always impresses me while it is great to see those “come as you are” originals too. Yes, and as a 2 smoker, I was pleased to see Kurt Ebrecht’s kinky little Puch take out the top prize.

Thanks to the organising team for a very smooth event which only comes about because the work has gone in and the detail attended to. Thanks too to Brian Walker for being tail end Charlie. Not often you have a Jag towing the rescue trailer!

And for the results!

• Age/mileage award - Alan McLeod 1923 Indian

• Oldest Bike Percy Ralston. 1915 Douglas

• Hard Luck Colin Winter 1926 BSA

• Rider’s Choice David Warren 1930 Indian 4

• Nut Strangler Award Adrian Collins 1953 BMW

• Dunvegan Rock Martin Dodge 1987 Honda

• Special 50th award, Dunvegan Spirit of the Rally - Bill Veitch

• Overall Winner Kurt Ebrecht Puch 125

Thanks to: Trevor Kempton words Trevor Chalmers—photos

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE

From National Office Membership Cards for those members who have paid up to and including 9th November 2022 have now been printed and are in the process of being posted out. Members should receive them by late November / early December. NB if you have not received your membership card please contact your branch secretary in the first instance.

Change of Address/phone number/email address Contact National Office directly to advise these changes!

ALL BRANCH NEWSLETTERS

All branch newsletters are available on the Club Website. www.vcc.org.nz scroll to News from our Branches

Entry forms to individual branch events should be accessible and printable via this forum. Or there should be a copy in the clubrooms or contact me for a copy. Entries usually close within two weeks of the event.

NNB: Please if you are planning to enter a local event, and running late with entry forms, please contact the organizer by phone or email to let them know you are coming. They need to know numbers for printing the instructions, and catering purposes for some events.

Otago Branch - Name Badges -

If you do not yet have one please contact David Ross treasurer to order one. They are $10 each and good to wear when attending events. We have a number of new members and it can be difficult for everyone trying to identify and remember who you are.

Tech Talks Last Friday of the Month Club Nights We are always looking for more interesting speakers. Please get in touch with a committee member if you have any contacts.

SPARE PARTS SHED: Parts shed is usually open every Wednesday morning, and Friday evenings when the clubrooms are open. Reminder see if you can effectively recycle your parts before scrapping them. NO TYREs by request.

Vero Insurance Scheme Just a reminder, the VCC Vero insurance scheme is set up for those with current VCC membership. If you become unfinancial you will no longer receive discounted insurance premiums

The VCCNZ Facebook page at: www.facebook.co/ vintagecarclubofnewzealand

If you want to add photos and short write ups for insertion to Facebook please send to: comms@vcc.org.nz

Please Make sure of the following:

Please write clearly capitals preferred: ensure that the application forms are completed fully, especially in regards to mileage, engine manufacturer, some history of the vehicle (even if it is only “purchased from Trade Me in April 1999”)

Get 3 identical photographs of the vehicle, correct size as indicated on application form Photos of Chassis/frame number and/or engine numbers. PLEASE CHECK THAT ALL PAPERWORK/(PHOTOS - CORRECT SIZE!!!) ARE PRESENT BEFORE FORWARDING TO YOUR BRANCH VEHICLE REGISTRAR It gets very time consuming when we need to contact you time and again to ensure everything is sorted. THE VIC CARD BELONGS TO THE VCC AND MUST STAY WITH THE CAR!

ENSURE YOU SEND YOUR VIC CARD ALONG WITH CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP DETAILS TO NATIONAL OFFICE

There is a form that needs to be completed for this (available from Branch Secretary or on the VCC website)

VIC information is the property of the National Club this is their way of keeping records of Vehicle ownership etc.

AED DEFIBRILATER -There is one on the outside wall of the 4 Square shop on corner of Bayview Road. Please make a point of familiarising yourself of its location Never know when it might be needed.

Library - we are looking for one or two members who might be able to assist with sorting a new data base for the Library. Please contact a committee member.

My Vintage www.myvintage.co.nz is a new online marketplace devoted to all those people who are passionate and enthusiastic about Old Cars and other old vehicles.

For the G.C. Jackson Memorial Trophy

This rally marks the beginning of motoring events in the Branch for the New Year. G.C. (Gerie) Jackson was a long-time member of the branch who lived on the Otago Peninsula and loved its sights, so close to but so different from the city. Not long before his death he raised the idea of this rally and outlined his concept of what it should be to the Branch Committee.

When the Committee later decided to take up his idea his family donated the trophy, which bears his name.

The Mary B. Jackson Trophy

For Best Motorcycle at the VCC Otago Jackson Peninsula Rally

Donated by Bill Veitch and Ron Gilbert in memory of Mary Jackson MA (Hons) wife of Gerry Jackson who instigated the Peninsula Rally. Mary was a BSA and Norton rider at a time when few women rode motorcycles. Mary nee Kibblewhite had a distinguished academic career earning University scholarships and prizes. She later taught at Otago Girls High School and St Hilda’s Collegiate School. The trophy is a Norton kick-starter shaft.

This year's rally will take place on Sunday 15th January 2023

If possible, the result of the afternoon competition will be announced during afternoon tea, before everyone returns home, failing that the result will be posted in the Clubrooms on the following Friday. The overall winner will be awarded the G.C. Jackson Memorial trophy

The event is open to all classes of vehicle accepted by the V.C.C. of N.Z.

All entrants must be financial members. Those who wish, are welcome to take part in a modern vehicle, but will not appear in the final results.

Enquiries to: Kevin Mason 0272286431 or Bill Veitch 489 1626 Entries Close: Friday 13th January 2023

50th Taieri Tour Report

Well, what a buzz the 50th Tour was! Friday 4th of November saw the organisers Travis and Margaret Michelle and David Mills along with members of the committee, move into the Dunedin Rugby Club rooms to set them up in preparation for the anticipated arrival of 106 entrants and their crews later that day for registration, nibbles and briefing. Then it was all on.

Saturday morning tea and briefing again then all the crews headed over to the car park where they needed to check out some items in buckets before heading out on the tour. Three rally routes saw entrants heading in three different directions, often crossing each other’s paths. The slower vehicles heading out of Dunedin and then around the streets of Chatsford Retirement Village in Mosgiel, and a route around Momona Airport carpark area. The medium route went directly out to Mosgiel and then back up via Saddle Hill to Taieri Mouth and Waihola. The long route travelled north through the city and over Three Mile Hill and the western side of the Taieri before being directed around Mosgiel and up Saddle Hill to Taieri Mouth and Waihola this route offered amazing views of the coast looking southeast, and of the Taieri Plains as you looked out west. All routes then came together as we travelled to our lunch stop at the Outram Domain. What a sight to see all 100+ vehicles parked up around the perimeter of the field! A good opportunity for everyone to wander around and catch up with many people who we may not have seen for some time.

We had a large group of Canterbury branch members, some of whom had chosen to take 3 4 days to get here and another 3 4 days to get back home. Past National President John and Christine Coomber 57 Bentley, Kevin (Beaded Wheels chair) and Shona Clarkson 1972 Rover, Marilyn (past National Archivist) and Ian McKinley 1971 VW, Don (National Archivist) and Marlene Muller 1981 Fiat we soon found out why they were doing circuits around the roundabout as they were heading to Saddle Hill!!! Alon (SI Club Captain) and Cameron Mayhew 1982 Ford Cortina Yippee! We have managed to find a replacement front passenger door for the Cortina. These were some of the group along with a good number of Ford Model A’s.

At Outram Domain entrants needed to answer questions in relation to the items they viewed at the start. The trick question being ‘what was under the table?’ Not sure that many got ‘shoe’ for that answer!

Prizegiving dinner began with a moment silence for past and absent members, then a very lively Haggis ceremony Kevin Clarkson, Nicola Wilkinson and Alon Mayhew were nabbed to assist with this well done guys. Following this Kevin Clarkson was given the opportunity to speak and present Boyd Wilkinson with his 50 Year Award. Next Colin Winter and Robert Herron who had both been entrants on the 1st Taieri Tour, and Marion McConachie noted for having held Branch Secretary position for 22 years, were invited to cut the cake. By this time people were feeling hungry the meal provided by BBQ Bill satisfied everyone’s appetite nicely. There was some food left over, which was shared amongst those who drove out to Michelle’s on Sunday. A good number attended for BBQ lunch and a visit to a couple of sheds displaying vintage petrol pumps etc. Everyone was then bid farewell and safe journeys home.

50th Taieri Tour Report continued

The Winter family had their 1900 Wolseley Voiturette and 1967 Wolseley 1100 on the tour.

Travis’ family had a good showing with their 1917 Moon and 4 Model A’s entered, involving his children and grandchildren.

Other vehicles of note were 1978 Ferrari BB, 1986 BMW M635, 1954 BSA B31 Motorcycle, 1910 Triumph Roadster Motorcycle, 1963 Hillman super minx, 1936 Chrysler convertible, to name just a few.

It was humbling to see that some of the vehicles were now being driven by the younger generation of older members. E.g. Mehrtens 1924 Delage DI, Harrex’s 1920’s Jewett, North’s 1925 Ford Model T.

Thanks must go to:

• Cooke Howlison for their Sponsorship

• Travis & Margaret Michelle as organisers and also opening up their property on Sunday. Decorating the vases for the tables

• David Mills and friend Ian as organiser and for the artwork provided for the Rally Badge (hand drawn by David) placements, bookmarks and signage. And the important role of book keeping.

• David Ross our Treasurer for ensuring that all payments were present and correct.

• Kevin Mason an amazing front man as he welcomed everyone into the venue with his cheery greeting and smile

• Robert and Myra Herron, Gil and Ruth Edmunds for their assistance and guidance for the beautiful floral displays around the venue.

• All those who assisted with marshalling and time keeping over the two days without you things would not have run as smoothly as they did.

• Sue Partel and her helpers who had set up a Pop Shop for vintage clothing and accessories. The entrants loved the opportunity to be able to see what was available and to add to their wardrobes.

• Tony Pomfret and Brian Trainor for all the fantastic photos We will endeavour to make these available for everyone to view digitally.

• Stephanie Pomfret who waited the tables to ensure the water and juice jugs were topped up.

• Those who stayed behind on Saturday night to assist with the cleanup.

• Those who opened the Parts shed and put on morning tea at the clubrooms on Sunday morning.

• All the entrants who supported the event and made it a great weekend. Thank you all for a great weekend. ***We will be screening all the photos during a Last Friday of the Month Club Night

Taieri Tour 50th Anniversary

50 YEARAWARD - Boyd Wilkinson Joined 18.6.1972

It was with great pleasure that Kevin Clarkson was able to present this award to Boyd before the 50th Taieri Tour Dinner on Saturday 5th November

Some would say Boyd was born with a spanner in his mouth as he has always liked tinkering with things mechanical. Boyd’s first involvement with the Vintage Car Club was in the mid to late1960’s while still at school, when his parents purchased a 1914 Bradbury Motorcycle and Sidecar combination. As a family they went to as many rallies as possible from Timaru South. It was in the late 1960’s early 1970’s that he came across parts of a 1924 Austin 7 in the Karitane / Waikouaiti area and with the assistance of the late Les Nye, over a period of time this vehicle was restored to be put on the road on 30 November 1971. This vehicle remained in family ownership until February 2022.

Subsequent to this Boyd purchased and still owns a 1962 Morris Mini Cooper and 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI and has taken over ownership of the 1914 Bradbury. He has previously owned a 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.

Since Boyd joined the Vintage Car Club he has served on the branch committee at times during the 1970s and 1980s and was an organiser of the Dunedin to Brighton Rally in the 1980s. He represented the Vintage Car Club Otago on what was known as the Dunedin Festival Committee and was one of the organisers of the resurrected Dunedin Road Race around the Wharf Street circuit and finally the Oval Circuit until the 2000s. His responsibilities were sponsorship, advertising and attaining overseas entries. In the latter year the Dunedin Road Race also formed part of the Southern Festival of Speed Circuit.

Boyd has been in the motor industry all his working life, (due to working 6-day weeks his attendance at events was limited) and he currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the AA Otago District Council. Since his retirement, Boyd has been a regular attender on the Wednesday mornings at the clubrooms and local rallies. He has also supplied many interesting DVD’s for viewing during our last Friday night of the month meetings.

The branch look forward to having his continued support well into the future.

Taieri Tour photos

Thanks to:

Tony Pomfret Brian Taylor

Clutha Rally Report

A smaller than usual contingent of Otago Branch members attended the 50th Clutha Rally on the 12th December. The venue being at the Town and Country Club. We were directed out of Balclutha via a relatively new subdivision on the hill behind the club and over SH1 to Benhar. Round the back to Stirling, Kaitangata with a detour onto Inch Clutha (reknowned for its numerous market gardens and dairy farming). Back to Balcutha and heading south to Kakapuaka and then a few back roads until we got to Kaka Point. Some took the opportunity to visit the Nugget Point light house. Then back inland towards Owaka. Our time section finished at the Hina Hina lunch stop. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch before making our way back to Balclutha.

Their 50th celebrations were cancelled last year due to Covid. During afternoon tea the organisers gave a bit of history of the branch and the Rally, thanking those who had worked tirelessly for the branch over the years and then had the cutting of the cake. The day finished with a delicious dinner for those who chose to stay after the prizegiving. Congratulations to the South Otago Branch on reaching this milestone.

Marion

Stu and Lynn Neill - gained 1st Post Vintage with their Dodge at the 50th Clutha Rally

Welcome to New Members:

The Otago Branch extends a very warm welcome to

Neil and Anja Steel who own P60 and P80 vehicles Paul Harrison - who owns a 1958 Kombi van Brett Richardson who owns a 1952 Austin Tim, Anne, Max and Flynn Walsh - who have moved within our area from Gore Rick Wellington who owns a BMW

The branch welcome you to the Club. Some of you already have family members in the branch. It has also been great to see some of you already attending our local runs.

We look forward to seeing you at local and neighbouring events.

Congratulations to everyone who helped with the 50th anniversary Taieri Tour and the 50th anniversary Dunvegan rally.

A lot of work was done these were great celebrations for the branch and thoroughly enjoyed by attendees.

Enjoy your holidays and summer motoring, Eleanor

Modeling some of the product outside Sue Partel’s Pop Shop for vintage clothing and accessories.