VCC TARANAKI TORQUE FEBRUARY 2023

TOPICAL TORQUE

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2023

2021 22021

On The Cover: Midweek visitors at Barry Rickards Collections

Taranaki Branch Committee

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.

Committee Chatter for Topical Torque

Hello Folks

We have a very busy next two months of Activities with the next big event The Waitara Mini Vin Tour to be held on 26th February, that is celebrating for the 50th time as this rally has been held since 1973. All those who have entered will be contacted with details of the programme and we look forward to this now iconic event for the branch being celebrated in True Mini Vin Tour style.

The next big event after this one for our branch is in the following month of March when the Maunga Moana Annual Rally will take place on March 24th/25th . Unfortunately the date in Beaded Wheels is wrong so our apologies for that error, Entry forms have been sent out and are now available on line. The Maunga Moana rally will be held in conjunction with the Plymouth Hotel.

Another event that the branch requires helpers for is the Fossil Fuelled Taranaki Machinery Clubs open day in Hawera. We have been asked to park the cars and we are able to keep the parking fee for our branch funds. Please contact Jim Logan if you are able to help. Details are elsewhere in this newsletter.

Michael Kruse contacted the committee with a suggestion to see if members would be interested in a logo-ed polo shirt with our branch VCC Taranaki logo printed. The committee felt that it could be a worthwhile project to see if there is interest at our Noggin and Natter night but were adamant that any orders would have to be pre-paid and be of a good quality. We warmly welcome 2 new members ,Nigel Bates and also Chris and Joyce Blackhouse who own an Austin Mini and Austin Ruby. We would encourage members to attend this next Noggin and Natter night as member Mark Masters will give us a talk on Mark and Shelia's trip to Norway and the Northern Lights with pictures.

We have dug out all the agapanthus at the front gate of the clubrooms to make it easier to see the gateway entrance for members especially in the dark. Many thanks to Grant Bishop for his help in removing them and taking away the plants. We intend to paint the existing posts white and install red reflecting tape on them. We are still waiting for Downers to fix the huge water potholes on the road reserve in front of the clubrooms, yes, we know, does that surprise you that we are still waiting. It is disappointing as we have been asking for this to be fixed for a very long time to make it safer for our members to turn into our clubrooms on this part of an extremely busy state highway.

The painting of our clubrooms has caused plenty of comments from the public we have heard and they all agree that the building looks clean tidy and is a credit to us. So there you are people do notice how we are looking after our clubrooms.

We hope to see plenty of members participating in the activities that have been arranged for you.

Enjoy this beautiful weather that we are having even though we have been relatively lucky to miss the horrible weather from up north. We certainly are thinking of our wider members up North and what they have been through.

Keep the passion........ Drive Safely..........Keep to the Left..... Enjoy.

Colin Johnston for the Committee.

Midweekers at the home of member Lloyd Gleeson, built 1890

February Mid-Week Run to Rickards,Gleeson’s and Muters.

A real good turnout of members and cars assembled at the Water tanks car park on the corner of Junction and Mangorei Road in New Plymouth for the midweek run organised by John Muter. We made our way to Barry Rickards place just around the corner to his amazing collection of vehicles and memorabilia. The collection was housed in a huge shed and we were able to walk around viewing all the different makes. There was a great hub caps, bottle, antique, old tools from a bygone era and car parts collection on the walls which made it easy to view. Barry had cars outside the building as well as inside. In all over 100 vehicles and some were for sale. Thank you Barry very much for allowing us to view your collections.

We then made our way to member Lloyd Gleeson’s beautiful old 1890s two story Villa home where Lloyd welcomed us and invited us to view his cars models and memorabilia. His house was a stunning example of early Villa architecture with its steep gable style and 13 ft inside stud on both the lower and upper floors. The house built on Rogan Street New Plymouth around 1890 was the farm house residence of William John Shaw who farmed all the area which later became the New Plymouth racecourse. The residence was later known as "Hillcrest". Lloyd has owned the property since the 1970s and has maintained the house and property to a very high standard. It was a real pleasure to visit this homestead and learn about the history. We were invited to inspect the house inside and out and even to the upper floors up the beautiful winding stairway. The rooms have been kept in the era with wallpaper and frieze giving a real taste of days gone by. Thank You so much Lloyd for letting us view your beautiful residence. From there we made our way to John and Meg Muter’s house where Meg had prepared a scrumptious afternoon tea with cold and hot drinks to finish off an excellent Mid-Week Run. Well Done John and Meg for arranging this excellent run for those that could attend. Dodge Brother Colin.

BRANCH NEWS

FOSSIL FUELLED EXTRAVAGANZA – 4 – 5 MARCH

Hi folks, at this event over the weekend of 4-5 March we will be looking for helpers to assist our Branch with visitor car parking on both days. If you may be able to help with this task which could prove to be a good fundraiser for us, please contact me, Jim Logan, with the day and time which would suit you to help. We can supply safety vests for you to wear while assisting. I would need about six people to share this task each day with each person needing to do a two-hour stretch, leaving the rest of the day to enjoy the show. If interested parties could contact me sooner rather than later, that would be much appreciated.

My email: logandj49@gmail.co.nz or phone 0276044821, Thanks, Jim Logan, Editor.

Train whistle blowing!!!! , Rock and Roll and riding !!!!! all along the way !!!! to Lepperton for all the entrants in the Waitara Mini Vin Tour. Oh happy days.

The 50th Waitara Mini - Vin Tour 2023.

& Johnston Collections As Sponsor Remembering

INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE THE 50TH WAITARA MINI-VIN TOUR

SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2023

A RALLY IN THE TRUE MINI-VIN TRADITION CELEBRATING THE MILESTONE OF THIS EVENT 1973 – 2022

ENTRY FORM

Name: .....................................................................................................................

Address: .................................................................................................................

E-Mail Address: ......................................................................................................

Vehicle Year & Make: ..............................................................................................

Vehicle Registration No: .......................... VCC Membership No: ...........................

Number of People in your Crew, including Driver; .............. [for Catering purposes]

Entry Fee – Nil

Commemorative Plaque – Free <> BBQ Lunch - Free Afternoon Tea – Please bring a plate

ENTRY CONDITIONS:

Return this entry by February 19th

This event is open to all financial members of the Vintage Car Club entering a club eligible vehicle. A member may enter with a vehicle which does not fit the category of a club eligible vehicle but will not be eligible for any prize awarded on points.

Yesterday, Today, For Tomorrow. Colin

TARANAKI BRANCH

Events Calendar

FEBRUARY

2 Committee meet at 7.30

16 Club night meet at 7.30pm, Mark Masters will be telling us all about his latest trip to Scandinavia, with photos. 26 Waitara Mini-Vin, (the 50th)

MARCH

2 Committee meet at 7.30. 16 Club night meet at 7.30pm,

Coming Events

FEBRUARY -- The Inglewood Rotary Annual Charity Car Show will be held on Sunday 19th February 2023

FEBRUARY -- WAITARA MINI-VIN TOUR FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY 26 FEBRUARY 2023

OTHER BRANCH EVENTS

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/18 – Car Show Horowhenua/25 – Swap Meet Wellsford/Warkworth/26 – Ted Green Memorial Rally Horowhenua.

MARCH 11 – Country roads Rally Taupo/11-12 – Rex Porter Memorial Rally Wairarapa/12 – Ladies Rally Waikato/18 - Swap Meet Horowhenua/19 – Vintage Venture Waikato/

APRIL 7th - 9th WHEELS AT WANAKA: Australasia’s biggest all vehicle event. go to wheelsatwanaka.co.nz

3-6 February 2023 National M-cycle Rally Southland

24-26 February 2023 National Veteran Car Rally Auckland

18-25 March 2023 South Island Club Captains Tour

20-23 October National Commercial Rally

EDITORS REPORT

Hello again folks, quite a bit going on this month, so pay attention!! On the 14th, Tuesday, at the Fitzroy Golf Clubat 7.30pm, we have been invited by the Historic Speedway group to come and hear about the Mt Messenger Bypass project from the project manager, gold coin donation. Please call me or Rob Thomson if attending, Our club night speaker on the 16th is Mark Masters who is telling us of his recent travels in Scandinavia.

Sunday the 19th is the Inglewood Car Show postponed from 29th January. The 26th sees us celebrating 50 years of Mini Vins, you have until the 19th to get your entry in to Colin.

The first weekend in March has the Vintage Machinery Club’s Extravaganza on Turuturu Rd, Hawera. I am still looking for helpers to assist with car parking over the two days, please contact me if you can help for a couple of hours.

The 25th of March is the date for our anual Maunga Moana Rally, entry forms will be sent out shortly so get your’s filled in and returned to Rob, so that we can continuue our proud tradition that this event has. Thats all for now, Jim Logan.

FOR SALE

• Five new DENMAN tyres (5.25x5.50x17)complete with tubes and flaps, $1,000, Ph Ces 06 2410454.

• Hillman Californian 1955, rego on hold, motor fully rebuilt, brake drums machined, brake cylinders rconditioned,only three owners, $9500 ono,.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

• Two, disc wheel dust covers for 29 Chev (215mm x diameter), six hole, ph Ces 06 2410454

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

• Vanguard parts for a 1963 ute, front guard’s, front and corner bumpers, a tailgate, headlight surrounds and a heater, ph Frank, 0276324178