VCC TAUPO TORQUE OCT 2022

Taupo Vintage Car Club Officers

PATRON Graham Mock

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Bob Pettigrew • Graham Mock • Joe Ridley

• Eric Foley

CHAIRMAN

SECRETARY

Eric Foley

07 378 7006 chairman@taupovcc.org

Elaine Taylor 027 232 4792 secretary@taupovcc.org

TREASURER John Searle

027 703 6374 treasurer@taupovcc.org

CLUB CAPTAIN Owen Duncan 07 378 8327 captain@taupovcc.org

MAGAZINE EDITOR Dean Packwood editor@taupovcc.org

COMMITTEE

Murray Stanley 021 352 333 Peter Lockie 027 839 4296

Maureen Ransley 07 3776360

Non

ARCHIVISTS

POSITIONS

June & Graham Mock 07 378 7513

BEADED WHEELS SCRIBE Neil Chave 07 376 5262

CLUBROOM HIRE Neil Chave 07 376 5262

LIBRARIAN Trish Jefferies 07 378 4774

Trish Jefferies 07 378 4774

RALLY

SPARE PARTS

KIRK Automotive 027 200 2570

Bruce Jefferies 07 378 4774

CLUBROOMS CUSTODIAN Owen Duncan 07 378 8327

VIC CERTIFIERS

Bruce Jefferies 07 378 4774 Kelvin Trim 07 378 9055

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Chairman’s Report

Eric Foley

Chairman’s Report for September 2022

With improving weather and the Covid scourge reducing, it is pleasing to see club activities back in full swing. The past month has been a good, active period for our members, with strong attendance at the various events that have occurred.

The month’s activities commenced at The Hub with our regular breakfast. About 30 members turned out for this event. The staff there are very helpful, and the food

is of good quality. With earthworks still going on in Roberts St where we used to park our cars, it looks as if it could be some time yet before any consideration needs to be given to the idea of whether we return to our former parking site.

The Petrolheads’ morning tea at The Hub also saw about 30 members present. Nice food, good coffee, pleasant staff, and good company made this a very pleasant

Taupo Vintage Car Club

occasion. Barry Hoffman is the brains behind this venture which many members obviously enjoy. It certainly provides an opportunity for fellowship for some of our older members who may be uncomfortable with coming out to our night meetings.

Club night was a very interesting dissertation from a project engineer working on the new Tauhara geothermal power station being built by Contact at the base of Mt Tauhara about opposite the motor racing track. Six hundred workers, $720 million cost, and enough power produced to power all of Wellington. It was a really interesting evening, and I have no doubt the members present were suitably impressed by the presentation.

The monthly club run was the Brass Monkey event. Running somewhat contrary to its title, it was a very mild afternoon run, taking us on a short trip around town before we headed out into the country northwest of the town. The 45 min journey finished up at Maverick café where we enjoyed a bevvy (or two) and a very pleasant meal.

The recent committee meeting was faced with a couple of significant expenditure items. The heat pump, which we believe to be approaching 20 years of age, has died. Repairs will cost almost as much as a replacement, so we have opted to have a new unit installed. My understanding is that the average life of a heat pump is 12 – 15 years, so we haven’t done too badly. The new unit will be in place by the time you read this report. Also, many of our fluorescent light fittings have only one tube, and some of these are on the way out. The big issue with using this type of tube is disposal which is a complex and expensive issue. Owen has been able to source replacement LED tubes at a very modest price, and these will be fitted shortly.

In closing, I would remind members that our Patron is still in hospital, although he is now in Taupo. I have no doubt he would welcome visitors. We look forward to Graham returning to good health without delay.

Eric

Murray StanleyWinner of the Brass Monkey, 2022.

Captain’s Report Owen Duncan

Captain’s Report for September 2022

It’s quite satisfying seeing a good number of our members attending the various functions we’re holding, long may it continue.

Strong numbers are in for breakfast at the Hub again, so if you’re coming on 2nd October don’t forget to give me a call or text.

Barry should be pleased with the 28 members enjoying the last Petrolheads Coffee and Cars at The Hub. This month we will be heading to Licorice Cafe down at Motuoapa. Come to the clubrooms for a 9.20 am departure, as we will travel in convoy. This is all set for Wednesday 12th October.

Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque

Club night on the 12th is a night out at The Landing. Come along for a beer, wine, or coffee, and if you’re adventurous, join in some fun ten-pin bowling. The cost of a game is $15.00. I will need to book the lanes, so a committee member will ring you for attendance numbers.

Sunday 16th, is treasure hunt time. Last year’s one was a hoot. Turn up to the clubrooms at 1.00 pm, ready to depart around 1.30 pm and you will be given a list of treasurers you need to acquire. Afternoon tea will be at the clubrooms upon completion, along with a prize giving.

A reminder for Sunday 30th October. This is the Annual Rotorua Lakefront Car Show from 10.00 to 2.00 pm. This was cancelled last year, so it will be nice to see a collection of special cars again all in one spot. We will meet at the clubrooms and be ready for an 8.30 departure. We will attempt to travel in convoy to the Rotorua Village Green at Whakaue Street. This is a fundraiser for St Johns Ambulance. There is a small entrance fee to park on the green. Pack a picnic or stop at a local café or Eat Street. The weather is certainly warming up for picnics.

For the ladies – Mrs Harris Goes to Paris starts in the Starlight Cinema on 20th October. We will email everyone with a date once we get something sorted.

The good news from me is that our 1934 Chev Coupe is finished with a new WOF after a diff malfunction on our way to Wanganui from New Plymouth last January. I can’t say how much it cost though. We will head to Wanganui soon to bring it home.

As Heather and I were the last to leave Maverick’s after the Brass Monkey run we paid $22 for a glass of wine and a beer that went unpaid. If you forgot to pay for your drinks just give me a call and arrange to settle this issue.

That’s enough from me for now. Drive safe and stay safe.

Owen

Elaine’s Long Road To The Perfect Car

Unlike Goldilocks, who only needed three tries to get it “just right,” Elaine Taylor needed four attempts to find her perfect classic car. A Taupo girl born and bred, Elaine’s family home was at the Taupo boat harbour where her father was a boat builder. But he was also a fan of old cars, as were her two older brothers, and she has fond memories from her formative years of their cars – a Buick and a De Soto. Her own cars from those days were a 1955 Ford Prefect followed by an MG Midget.

by Murray Stanley

After an interesting life working in various jobs around NZ and the UK, and Australia, Elaine came back to Taupo to settle down. As retirement seemed to be getting closer, she thought she needed to rekindle her interest in classic cars. She is no fan of modern cars (her daily driver is a 1990 Mazda Familia), and she avows that she will never, ever own an electric car! And so, in 2015, she began trawling Trade Me to see what was on offer.

Car No 1 – 1957 Humber 80.

The first car to seriously get her interest was a 1957 Humber 80, Series 1. It had previously been in the Te Puke Car Museum, and when that closed, the car ended up in Auckland. Elaine purchased it and drove it back down to Taupo, saying, “The drive home was great, once I figured out the column change. She didn’t miss a beat. My best trip with her was around the lake. When I stopped at Liquorice Café, a man came running out to see her and tell me he had worked on the assembly line in England when she was assembled.”

Unfortunately, the Humber was in great condition, and ironically, that was the main reason why it had to go. The only space she had available to store it was on her back lawn (albeit under a cover), and she felt guilty that such a nice car was

Taupo Torque

Taupo Vintage Car

deteriorating in the weather. So the end result of her Humber 80 experience was that the car didn’t suit her because it was just too good!

Car No2 – 1948 Morris 8 Series E

With the Humber gone, Elaine was back on Trade Me and soon spotted a 1948 Morris 8 that looked good, and so on impulse, she bought that. This was also when she joined Taupo VCC. However, love affair with the Morris didn’t last long. She began to have serious doubts about the car when it took her nearly 4 hours to do a drive around the lake!! The 29-horsepower engine was so underpowered that if she ever took a passenger, she needed to change down to second gear just to keep going. And then, as a final ignominy, it broke down unexpectedly, and Elaine knew that it had to go. So the Morris 8 didn’t suit her because it was just too slow! She needed something faster.

Car No 3 – 1974 MGBGT

Back on Trade Me once more, Elaine spotted an MGBGT that bought back memories of the MG Midget from her early years down at the boat harbour. It was be-

Taupo Vintage Car Club

Torque

ing offered at a really keen price that made it impossible to pass up. She did a few club runs with it, but after about 12 months, reality began to bite. “I started to hate the effort to lower myself into the driver’s seat .”She couldn’t remember it being so difficult to get into her old Midget, but that may be explained by the fact that she was only 17 at the time!! So it was time for the MG to go too. It was just too low and too awkward.

Car No 4 – 1976 Hillman Avenger

After her three previous car experiences, there was to be no more Trade Me scrolling for Elaine. This time, one of her brothers was able to provide her with a 1976 1.6-litre Hillman Avenger resplendent in burnt orange with a tan vinyl roof. This was one of the last Hillmans to be assembled at Todd Motors before the name changed to Chrysler.

The Avenger was launched in the UK in January 1970, and local production commenced here later that same year. The main local rivals of the Avenger included the Ford Escort, Vauxhall Viva, Austin 1300, Toyota Corolla, Datsun 1200, and the Mazda 808/RX3. Avenger sales were initially good, but by 1976 figures were declining and something had to be done to arrest this.

What Todd Motors did was to look to racing – or, more specifically, rallying. They decided to enter the low-selling Avenger into the 1976 Heatway Rally of New Zealand. Coincidentally, Avis rental cars were looking for a new medium-sized car to be purchased in large numbers for their fleet. They struck a deal that if Todd’s entered an Avenger in the rally, and it reached a top ten placing, then they would then buy Avengers for their rental fleet and also use them in their promotional advertising. Todd’s accepted this challenge, and Avis sponsored the car. The driver they employed was renowned Scottish rally champion Andrew Cowan who brought with him a heavily modified Avenger from the UK.

This explosive combination of Cowan and the modified Avenger did wonders for Todd’s, and the Avenger’s reputation in general. The Cowan Avenger blasted all the

other competitors into the dust. It flew through the course to win the rally without incident or major battle scars (until the end when Cowan buckled the roof while standing on it for a celebratory photoshoot). The Avenger’s general reputation in New Zealand rose dramatically, and car buyers soon couldn’t get enough of them. This led to a resurgence of sales in Todd’s showrooms and continued until local production eventually stopped in 1981.

Elaine doesn’t drive her Avenger like Andrew Cowan, but it still gives her a lot of pleasure. She really likes its unusual colour and the fact that it is so easy to drive. She has no plans to do any long-distance drives with it – she is happiest when exploring out-of-the-way backroads in and around the Central Plateau region. She uses her Avenger regularly on VCC Club runs, and a favourite memory was driving it over one of New Zealand’s most iconic roads – The Gentle Annie Road from Taihape to Hawkes Bay on a club run in 2018.

It’s been a long road for Elaine to find her perfect car. After having one that was too good, and then one that was too slow, and then one that was too low, she’s now got one that’s JUST RIGHT!

Taupo Vintage Car Club

Taupo Torque

The North Island Model A Ford Club Inc will be holding its 50th year Anniversary in Taupo from the Tuesday 25th to Friday 28th of October 2022.

Approximately 40 cars will be arriving in Taupo on the afternoon of the 25th and basing ourselves at the Suncourt Hotel for the next 3 nights. On Tuesday afternoon we will be setting up our Hubley Track at the Cossie Club for a practice session and then dining at the Cossie Club.

From 8.30 am on Wednesday you will be able to see our Ford Model A’s on display on the Suncourt lawn frontage.

More Hubley Racing and then on to our AGM. Finishing the day off with our 50th Anniversary Dinner and cake cutting.

Thursday morning brings on relaxing activities before we head out to Kinloch where the Kinloch Volunteer Fire Brigade are putting on a BBQ meal. A fund-raiser for the Volunteer Fire Brigade.

If VCC members wish to come along and bring their cars to display that would be great. For more information about the 50th anniversary celebration, Please contact: Tony Mannington, 0274942445

Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine

(prior to 31-12-1918)

(01 01 1919 to 31 12 1931)

(01 01 1932 to 31 12 1945)

(01 01 1946 to 31

1960)

SOUTH WAIKATO VINTAGE CAR CLUB

ANNUAL T. T. T. RALLY

SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2022.

PROGRAMME :

• Start at South Waikato Vintage Car Clubrooms

• 09:00 Hrs: Begin registration & cup of tea

• 09:45 Hrs: Briefing

• 1000 Hrs: First car leaves designated start area.

At completion of run{approx 3.0hrs} lunch {byo}or

Sausages sizzle / bread, tea, coffee, hot water & milk available at finish then presentation of prizes.

RALLY INFO :

The rally will once again be set through pleasant country and where possible, Forestry Roads.

As is usual it is a family event. No fiendish navigational rules or instructions written to get you lost.

PERIOD DRESS :

We encourage you and your team to dress for the period when your vehicle was built or most typically used.

We will award a prize for best crew/vehicle combination

ENTRIES :

To assist with organisation, entries should be sent by November 20th however we will accept them up to starting time.

START LOCATION :

South Waikato Vintage Car Clubrooms Vospers Road, Lichfield. (Off SH1 over railway line opposite Pottery shop)

FUEL : The rally distance is approximately 120 kilometres. Please ensure you have sufficient fuel to complete the event.

car

(roll

etc),

Inaugural event - Nelson and Tasman Districts

VCC/VIC eligible,

etc), required.

First time ever to the Upper South Island

New Dates: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October, 2022 (Scrutineering, Documentation & Briefing Friday 14th October, 2022)

027 433 8772

photo: proshotz photography

Photo

Proshotz Photography

Art Corner

The 1968 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the MontTremblant Circuit on September 22, 1968. It was the tenth round of the 1968 Formula One season. Hulme lead Bruce McLaren home to take the win in 2 hrs 27 min 11.2 secs.

Denis Clive Hulme OBE (18 June 1936 – 4 October 1992), commonly known as Denny Hulme, was a New Zealand racing driver who won the 1967 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship for the Brabham team. Between his debut at Monaco in 1965 and his final race in the 1974 US Grand Prix, he started 112 Grand Prix, resulting eight victories and 33 trips to the podium. He also finished third in the overall standing in 1968 and 1972.

Denny Hulme - M7A

Original oil on canvas by NZ Artist, Don Packwood www.donpackwood.co.nz

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Taupo VCC 2022 Event Calendar

(subject to change)

October 2022

Sunday 2nd October . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Hub breakfast 8.30 am

Wednesday 12th October . . . . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm

Sunday 16th October . . . . . . . . . . . Club Run

Monday 17th October . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

November 2022

Sunday 6th November . . . . . . . . . .

The Hub breakfast 8.30 am

Wednesday 9th November . . . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm

Sunday 20th November . . . . . . . . . Club Run – Boot Picnic Pow Wow

Monday 21st November . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

December 2022

Saturday 3rd December . . . . . . . . . Club Christmas Dinner

Sunday 4th December . . . . . . . . . . . The Hub breakfast 8.30 am

Wednesday 14th December . . . . . . Club Christmas Morning Tea 10.00 am

BRANCH

Taupo Vintage Car Club Hickling Park, AC Baths Ave, Taupo. PO Box 907, Taupo 3351

Taupo Torque is also available online with other VCC magazines via the online digital publisher Issuu. https://issuu.com/vintagecarclubofnewzealand An Issuu mobile app is also available for IOS and Android.