VCC TARANAKI TORQUE NOV/DEC 2022

Taranaki Branch Committee

CHAIR - VACANT

PAST CHAIR - COLIN JOHNSTON E: cajohnstoncollections@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 06 754 6216

M: 021 131 6699

SECRETARY - ROB THOMSON(Acting) E: railmodelsl@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 758 4881

CLUB CAPTAIN - VACANT

TREASURER - ROB THOMSON E: railmodelsl@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 758 4881

LIBRARIAN - ROSE COX

EDITOR – JIM LOGAN

E: logandj49@gmail.com

Ph: 06 751 0316

COMMITTEE M: 027 604 4821

MARK MASTERS

E: rmmasters@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 765 7544

KEVIN FABISH E: kev.fabish@gmail.com Ph:06 756 7665

IAN WILLFORD Ph: 067533691

GRANT BISHOP Ph: 0272958492

HISTORIAN/CUSTODIAN – ROSE COX E: roselcox7@gmail.com Ph: 06 752 2525

M: 027 353 9968

NAME TAGS/BADGES – KEVIN FABISH E: kev.fabish@gmail.com Ph: 06 756 7665

BEADED WHEELS - Ph: 06 754 6216

GROUND & VEHICLE VIN’S/VIC’S - Ph: 06 755 2810

PARTS COMMITTEE -

NEIL ROOK

JOHN MUTER

PAT STIELLER

CES BUDD

VEHICLE VIN’S/VIC’S -

COLIN JOHNSTON LES BOGNUDA

Ph: 06 758 6737

E: megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 06 751 5554

Ph: 06 754 6096

Ph: 06 7588380

MIKE WILLIAMS

MID – WEEK COORDINATOR - BRYAN MORRIS

At our June meeting, a motion was passed directing that “Upon joining the Taranaki Branch, a new member is to be given a VCC name badge with their name engraved on it, without charge to the new member”. Any new member should approach Kevin Fabish, on committee, to action this change to ensure the correct details are supplied.

Ph: 06 765 4419

Ph: 06 272 8027

COMMITTEE CHATTER

Hello Members

It’s hard to believe that we are now into December and another year is just about to finish. There is a lot happening around our province with the TSB festival of Lights running in New Plymouth from the 17th of December to the 22nd January and they always have a great and varied programme that will attract all ages. So I recommend you get out and about in our towns and cities in your vehicles and enjoy the wonderful weather that hopefully will be with us all over this holiday period. Our next Noggin and Natter night on the 15th of December is our Xmas gathering and if you would like to bring your own tipple of your choice, I am sure there will be others to help have a bit of Xmas cheer along with some festive supper. We will also be presenting seven members with their 25-year badges which had to be postponed from the Maunga Moana Rally dinner back in March.

Our Club BBQ with kindred clubs was held early December and the weather held fine. Thank you to all who helped with the organising of the BBQ and parking. Although numbers were down on attendance this year those who did attend enjoyed the event. Ford V8 parts have been offered to the club from the Butler estate in Inglewood. John Muter and Les Bognuda has been to inspect the parts. If you require information on this offer, please contact John or Les. The preparations are under way for the 50th Celebration of the Waitara Mini Vin Tour and a full day on Sunday 26th February is being planned, see advert later in this newsletter. Please be aware the date has been changed from the previous set date of 19th Feb, so we did not clash with the Art Deco rally in Napier. Please keep this date free and get ready to rumble. Its Celebration time. Sunday26th February. Entry Forms will be sent Dec/Jan. The rally will follow the format of the previous rallies of the 21st the 25th the 30th and the 40th. Who has attended and entered the most Waitara Mini Vin Tour rallies over those past 49 years and will they be there entered in the 50th rally.

The Club will be supporting the Fossil Fuelled Extravaganza to be held by the Taranaki Machinery club in Hawera on 4th and 5th March 2023 by providing parking marshals to organize parking and collect a parking fee of which the proceeds from this fee will come to our club. We will have full details of this in the next newsletter. Our club has supported this event in previous years by attending in our vehicles and leaving them on display of which we will do this time again. This is always a great two days of working machinery from days gone by including traction steam engines and farm machinery. We would like to advise members that we have been in touch with Waka Kohati (NZTA) over our road reserve frontage and the state of the entrance way into our clubrooms. We have asked that the huge water filled potholes be filled to make it safer for our members when turning into the clubrooms without driving through water. Downers answered our enquiry and have advised that their patrol crew can complete some repairs when next in the area. So let’s hope it is not too far away. If you have not received your membership renewal that was emailed or posted in September, please contact the National Office in Christchurch as the new membership cards have now been sent out to fully paid-up members.

On Behalf of the Committee, I would like to wish all members a very Happy Christmas and Holiday period and a Very Happy New Year. Let’s hope that the New Year will see us all getting out and about enjoying driving our vehicles. Please take care on the roads over the festive season and very safe motoring to you all and we will see you all at the Xmas Noggin and Natter. Cheers. Keep the passion........... Keep to the Left...........Enjoy your Xmas pudding......Here comes 2023. Colin Johnston for the committee.

SET IN THE 80’S

Jack Edward - is shooting a music video sometime before the end of the year. Its set in the 80’s and I’m wondering if there is anyone that would be keen to have their vintage or classic family car in the video. Contact can be made via Les Bognuda 021 084 82 323, and he will pass your info onto Jack.

BRANCH NEWS

MARK and SHEILA’S EUROPEAN ADVENTURE

While travelling to the top of Norway and back down to Amsterdam we were following Fred and Elisabeth Smit who live in Lower Hutt normally but have spent much of the last 8 years travelling the world in their 1957 Mercedes 220 Ponton towing a camper trailer wherever they go. We first met in Guatemala in 2016 and met up again at the Vero Rally in January. As it happened, they were travelling the same route ahead of us and we caught up with them in Riga Latvia where they were talking to the local Mercedes Benz Cub members at an impressive Mercedes dealership who allowed Sheila and I to camp in their courtyard under the watchful eye of the Video surveillance cameras. However, while were were there the Club members took us to a motor museum with a difference. Being a BMW fan, I was particularly intrigued by the Black 328 and the blue one next to it. The blue one is what an enterprising Russian has done to keep an identical 328 on the road in Russia. It looked rather horrible and I am not sure what it would be worth compared to its original sister car that is worth in the vicinity of $500.000 / $1M. There were many beautiful cars, but the Red and cream Styer took my eye along with the Russian Presidential Sil limousine with Stalin in the back. [I thought they were Zil but it was spelt Sil.] Also, a fascinating Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that had been severely bent. Rolls Royce objected to its being in the Museum in that condition as we all know that Rolls Royce

don’t have accidents or break down. [they just fix them at night!] Also, a Moskovic Woody that looked the part. From there we travelled through Poland and camped in the woods at the site of Hitlers Bunker hidden in the Polish woods. 5 metres of concrete on top of it. The bunkers were above ground and Hitlers is the one with the Information sign in front.I think he may have thought someone may try and drop a bomb. Wonder why? I hadn’t realised the Hitler along with the rest of his henchmen with their own personal bunkers had spent over 800 days at this site prior to going back to Berlin in the final days of WW 2. Was a bit spooky appreciating that over 2000 of the worst people imaginable had all been camped at this site. Well, back home now. Did a full day on the farm yesterday. Must be time for another holiday! Cheers, Mark

EDITORS REPORT

Hello folks, time again for Christmas Cheer and all that, but not too much. Here’s hoping that the Jolly Red Gentleman has his fine weather hat on this Christmas, we could do with some sun. Not a lot happening on the local scene, but I did manage to get out to Huiakama school for their 125-

year celebration last month and a great day, with lots of memories and reconnections made between past staff, pupils, and residents of the district.

The Bell Block Lions Christmas parade also went off with a bang on Saturday last, with three cars from the Branch and a whole lot of spectators enjoying the fine weather. Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas, see you in the New Year, 2023. Jim Logan

JANUARY 2023 1 – Gumboot Rally Whanganui/8 – Blue Smoke and Pedals Waikato/20 – Club Captains Monte Carlo Rally Wellington/22 – Lakefront Car Show Rotorua/22 – Burma Rally Whanganui,(entries close 13 January)

FEBRUARY 5 – East Coast Rally Eastern B O P/10-12 – Three Rivers Rally Gisborne/12 – Veteran Rally Manawatu/15-19 – Art Deco Festival Hawkes Bay/25 –Annual Veteran Rally Auckland/25 – Swap Meet Wellsford/Warkworth.

APRIL 7th- 9th WHEELS AT WANAKA: Australasia’s biggest all vehicle event. go to wheelsatwanaka.co.nz 3-6 2023 National M-cycle Rally Southland 24-26 2023 National Veteran Car Rally Auckland

FOR SALE

• 1947 Plymouth sedan – 1955 Humber Hawk OHV – 1951 Humber Hawk SV –1964 Hillman Minx all suitable for parts. Two Ford V8 motors(24 stud), Two Dodge 6 motors condition unknown. Ph Mike 0225119003 or email mikegabites@gmail.com

• Hillman Californian 1955, rego on hold, motor fully rebuilt, brake drums machined, brake cylinders rconditioned,only three owners, $9500 ono, would consider 90’s Toyota wagon as part trade.Holden Calais VL, 1987, 3 litre, very tidy. Ph 0274188045(mem)

• Morris Minor 1000 engine, no carburettor, $200 ono, ph Steve, 067522149(mem)

• Austin 8 1940 rego on hold – phone Lynette 0212317385 or John 067655428

• 600x20 tyres, suitable for retreading - $50 + one 1970’s Landcruiser motor complete fan to clutch - $250 + Dash clock ex 1923 Bullnose Morris, requires service by Bates est’ $40, looks good for $50 as is, for any of above phone Neil 06 7586737. (mem)

• 1997 Jaguar XJ Sport. British Racing Green 4 door sedan.66,000 km odometer. Small dent, few scratches. Offers above $11,500. Ph 06 758 9981 or 027 656 0858 - phone only, no texts or messages please.

WANTED TO BUY

• 1964 six-cylinder Rover engine, complete or parts, Ph Marshall 02108840556