VCC TAUPO TORQUE DECEMBER 2022

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Chairman’s Report Eric

Foley

Chairman’s Report for November 2022

The past month has been relatively quiet insofar as club events have been concerned.

Club night was a very interesting evening with Bryce Gliddon talking to the gathered throng about the Targa event that he and Marion entered not too long ago in their MGA. The section they entered was for VCC eligible vehicles and was held over four days. Bryce explained the vehicle preparation he undertook, the pre-event preparation, the routes travelled, the cars entered, and the characters involved. I think many of those present were a little surprised at the entry costs of $4600 plus accommodation and personal expenses. I found it a really interesting dissertation. Obviously, many of those present enjoyed it, and it was quite late in the evening before the hall was cleared of members. Our thanks to Bryce for his efforts.

Regrettably, the club run was cancelled because of a really poor weather forecast. The morning started off ok, and I wondered whether the right decision had been made, but the afternoon saw some very heavy showers. That certainly would have put a dampener on any picnic.

The committee continues to meet monthly, and our meetings are generally of fairly short duration. There was a discussion in the November meeting about the 2023 Country Roads rally, and a Rally Committee meeting will be called shortly to get things rolling. Much of the work done for the 2022 event will carry over to next year’s event, but there will still be a need to solicit some prizes and check out earlier arrangements.

As the festive season approaches, I would like to share one salutary lesson with you all (and I have already shared this with some of you). Recently Terri and I were out with family for dinner. Over a period of about 3 hours, I consumed a meal and three modestly sized glasses of wine – i.e., about half a bottle. On our way home, we were stopped at a police checkpoint, and I was asked to count to 10 – a task which I managed. As a result of that effort, I was asked to pull aside, and I was given a breath test. After a brief delay, the police officer advised me that I was very lucky as I was only just under the limit. I was so surprised at that outcome I overlooked asking him the actual reading. I think the lesson is that we all need to be very careful when we drink and then drive.

On that sobering note, I will bring my report to a conclusion.

Eric

Captain’s Report Owen Duncan

Captain’s Report for November 2022

The weather was not on our side for November, so let’s hope we can enjoy clear days as Christmas and the festive season draws closer. Fingers crossed for an uninterrupted 2023.

Our next event for the Club is our Christmas dinner and presentations evening. This commences at 6.00 pm on 3rd December at the Cosmopolitan Club. Dianne Quarrie will join us this year to present a number of member milestones during the evening. We will also have a quick-fire raffle. For those attending, don’t forget some cash for this and drinks.

Sunday, 4th December, is our Breakfast at The Hub, so come along and mix and mingle at this popular morning out. Just give me a call to book your space so The Hub can ensure they have enough staff to serve us.

Wednesday 14th Barry Hoffman has arranged the Petrolheads Coffee ‘n Cars at Lacus Café up at The Landing at 10.00 am. In the past, this has been a great catchup for everyone who attends.

Friday, 16th December, is our last event for 2022. This is our annual club Christmas morning tea at the clubrooms at 10.00 am. Bring along a plate of goodies and come along. Everyone is welcome, even your grandies are with you.

As I have said all year, breakfast at The Hub is the first Sunday of every month. That being the case, our first event of 2023 will be on 1st January at 8.30 am, for those of you who are around. Come and join us. The Hub is expecting us, so let’s start the year well. See you there.

Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine

Another important date to record in your 2023 calendar is the Annual Taupo Country Roads Rally which will run on Saturday, 11th March, 2023. If you don’t wish to participate but can assist on the day, contact Heather or myself. This year we hope that you as members will get behind this and enter or help out. Even if you don’t participate in the Rally, you are welcome to join us for the evening prizegiving.

There will be no Special Christmas Edition of the Taupo Torque at New Year (the next magazine will come out around February) so from me, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Drive safe and stay safe. Owen

What Is It? –Barry Hoffman’s SAAB Sonett V4

by Murray Stanley

Hidden away in a corner of the “Aladdin’s Cave” that is Barry Hoffman’s storage shed, sits a little red coupe that leaves most car enthusiasts stumped when asked to identify it. The mysterious vehicle is actually a very rare 1968 SAAB Sonett II-V4. So rare, in fact, that it is probably the only one of its type in this country!

Barry’s car is the second iteration of the Sonett line – the original Sonett I was a two-seat, open-top, light-weight road-racer that was developed in the late 1950s using aircraft design concepts. It featured a three-cylinder 748cc two-stroke engine with a projected top speed of 120 mph. This fiberglass-bodied vehicle was given the name “Sonett,” which was said to be derived from the Swedish phrase Så nätt den är (“how neat it is”).

SAAB anticipated a production run of 2,000 units for the Sonett I, but unfortunately, racing class rules were changed, and only six cars were ever made, with pro-

duction ending in 1957. All six of the Sonett I’s were right-hand drive as Sweden did not change to driving on the right until 1967.

However, by the early 1960s, SAAB was once again back into light-weight sports car production with the Sonett II. Like the Sonett I, the Sonett II had fibreglass body bolted onto a box-type chassis with an added roll-bar to support the hard top. The entire front hood section hinged forward to allow easy access to the engine, transmission, and front suspension - all of which were ahead of the front axle. The two-stroke, three-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 841cc, and produced

59 hp, which enabled the early Sonett II models to achieve a 0 to 100 km/h time of 12.5 seconds, and a top speed of 150 km/h. In contrast to the Sonett I, all Sonett IIs were left-hand drive.

By 1967, the old two-stroke engine had failed to meet US emission control standards, and a switch was made to the Ford Taunus 1,500cc V4 engine. The model was then renamed the Sonett II-V4. Apart from the engine and related drivetrain, the Sonett II and Sonett V4 share much of their componentry, although the additional weight did require some strengthening of the chassis and suspension. Approximately 50 percent of the Sonett II production has survived, being preserved and maintained by museums, collectors, and enthusiasts like Barry.

Designed as a race car, the Sonett II competed successfully against other small European sports cars, including the Austin-Healey Sprite and Triumph Spitfire, in races of the period. All Sonett II transmissions – which are 4-speed column change - had a freewheel capability (a carry-over from the 2-stroke configuration) that could be engaged and disengaged while in motion via a pull handle near the throttle pedal.

Barry’s Sonett was brought to New Zealand in the 1990s by a tractor importer who found it in a classic car dealership in California. It was a one-owner car in the USA, and Barry is the second owner in this country. He came across the car while participating in a Classic Alpine Rally in the South Island several years ago. One of the other participants mentioned that he had an unusual car that Barry might like to add to his car collection. Initially, Barry had no interest in acquiring an old

SAAB, but once he actually laid eyes on the Sonett, he was hooked. He loved the attractive and compact coupe shape and was also intrigued by its uniqueness and rarity. So the deal was done, and the Sonett left Nelson and went up North to join Barry at Dannevirke. That was 14 years ago. The car is totally original and unrestored – all that it has needed was a bit of a paint touch-up about seven years ago. Barry says that the car has a spirited performance and great road-holding, given its front-wheel drive and light weight (770kgs). He doesn’t drive the car a lot - but he has taken it on one of the Classic Alpine tours several years ago when it was held in the North Island.

As far as Barry is concerned, the little SAAB is just such a beautiful design that it gives him a lot of pleasure simply by looking at it. Interestingly, not everyone

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loved the Sonett styling as much as Barry – a review of the Sonett II-V4 in Road & Track magazine in 1968 described the car as having great handling and performance, but in the looks department, “everything seemed tacked on as an afterthought; the styling was not integrated from end to the other.”

The photos included in this article do make one wonder what car the Road & Track writers were actually looking at – it’s hard not to like the styling of Barry’s Sonett.

As a postscript, in 1970, the Sonett II-V4 design was updated by SAAB and designated as a new model - the Sonett III. This model had revised styling, and the

Ford V4 engine capacity was increased to 1,700cc, but power output remained the same as the 1,500cc engine due to US engine emission regulations. Sadly, disappointing sales and the 1973 oil crisis turned out to be the end of the line for the SAAB Sonett, and production was finally terminated in 1974.

A Weekend Away In Wellington

by Owen Duncan

At the beginning of November, Trish, Noel, Heather, and I entered the 65th running of the Wellington Annual Rally, celebrating their first rally and establishment of the Wellington Branch of the VCC.

After a briefing, the run took us around Wellington’s suburbs and some steep and narrow roads making it a challenge for us both in large classic cars. However, we saw some stunning scenery, following the coast at times.

After a morning run of around three hours, we ended up for lunch at Nga Manu Nature Reserve. This is an interesting place to visit if you like wildlife. With no planned afternoon event, we then headed to Southward Museum as we had not been there for ages. It was a mind-blowing experience to see so many rare and valuable cars. If you get the chance, it is something for your bucket list. In the evening, we attended their Nibbles and Natter, followed by dinner and presentations by Dianne Quarrie to three of their ’50 year’ members. It was great to catch up with their members who had attended our rallies in past years.

Heather and I managed to finish third in our P60 class. However, the Wellington Club had to phone Noel and Trish to find out where they were and if they were okay. Between us, we all got lost at various stages.

On Sunday, we headed north to Wanganui to leave the Valiant with our son and pick up the 34 Chev Coupe, which has been under repair after a major diff failure on our journey home from the Vero Rally in January. Parts for these repairs were sourced from Horopito Motors, Bruce Ardell of Wanganui, and a bearing from the US. A complete rebuild of the torque tube and brakes saw the job complete. Special thanks to Bruce Ardell, as without his knowledge and the skills of Shane Hobman and Bob Anderson, I think we would still have the car off the road.

As we left Wanganui, we heard the news of the truck crash at Bulli Point. Our trip home of 2½ hours turned into more than a 4-hour drive around Western Bays back to Waitahanui and Reporoa. It was a long day, but we had a fantastic weekend. It’s nice to have the little coupe back home. See me some time, and I’ll share our accommodation dramas down there with online Airbnb! That’s another story!

PROGRAMME:

Friday 10th March

6.00pm At the VCC (Clubrooms), off Spa Road. Collect rally packs / noggin and natter BYO food and drinks Tea and coffee provided

Saturday 11th March

8.00 am Registration rally packs available before start at Clubrooms

8.15am Briefing

8.30am Stage 1 – First cars away to the morning tea stop.

Stage 2 – Cars away to the lunch stop.

Stage 3 – Cars away to end. Toilets at each point.

6.00pm Happy hour, dinner and prizegiving - Taupo Cosmopolitan Club.

Sunday 12th March

9.30am Breakfast - at your own expense, details TBA.

CLASSES

Class 1 Veteran and vintage vehicles (VET and (VV) Before 1931

Class 2 Post-vintage vehicles (PVV) 1932-1945

Class 3 Post-war vehicles (PWV) 1946-1960

Class 4 Post 1960 Vehicles (P60V) 1961-1980

Class 5 Post 1980 Vehicles (P80V) 1981 onwards

Touring Non-competitive

RALLY REGULATIONS

1. One person in each vehicle MUST be a financial member of the Vintage Car Club of NZ and may be called upon to produce their current membership.

2. If fewer than three vehicles are entered in a particular class, then these vehicles will be placed in the next appropriate class.

3. In the event of a dispute, the decision of the organiser, in consultation with the Chairman and Club Captain of the Taupo Car Club Incorporated will be final.

MORE INFORMATION

Morning Tea Provided

Tea, coffee and cold drinks available at lunch stop at your expense. You may want to bring a thermos, picnic chair optional. See Choices for pre-ordered lunch.

COVID - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All participants must adhere to the current COVID-19 protocols, if any.

ENTRY FORM

To be sent to Taupo VCC as below: Email entry form to: Heather Duncan – heatherduncan@xtra.co.nz Phone 027 232 4866

Pay total owing below via internet banking to: Westpac 03 0430 0246086 01 Please use your Car Rego as Reference.

Alternatively post this form along with your remittance to:

Taupo Vintage Car Club, PO Box 907, Taupo 3351

Name of Entrant: Address: Phone Number/s: Email: Navigator’s name: Make, model & year: Class entered: VCC member No: Note: If not a VCC member, please sign waiver overleaf. Branch Name: Car Reg No: Qty Cost Total

Entry Fee (per car) $25.00 $________ Lunch (per person) $19.00 $________ Dinner (per person) $46.50 $________

TOTAL OWING $________

GUEST INDEMNITY WAIVER ADVICE

The organisers of this event draw the attention of participants of the following rule regarding eligibility:

Events should be open to vehicles as defined by Club Rules – All vehicles accepted must be entered by a financial member of the Club. Either the owner of the vehicle or the driver on the day shall be a member of the Club, or if resident overseas, a member of a recognised overseas organisation.

This means that if you are NOT a member of the Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc and you wish to drive in this event in a vehicle owned by a club member, we welcome you as a guest in a non-competitive capacity and because the Club’s public liability insurance only covers incidents involving Club members, we ask that you sign the indemnity waiver below.

INDEMNITY WAIVER

I agree not to hold liable the Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc, Taupo Branch, it’s members, officials or representatives, for any loss, however caused, or for the consequences of any action by an official member or representative of the Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc, and accept that my participation in this event is as a non-competitive guest only and I do so entirely at my own risk.

You agree as a condition of entering the event that the Taupo Vintage Car Club has the right to cancel the rally in the event it considers, in its sole discretion, that NZ Government Covid19 restrictions will or will likely adversely affect the feasibility of the rally to the point that holding the rally is not feasible, financially or otherwise. In such an event, Taupo Vintage Car Club will endeav our to refund entry fees that have been paid but may withhold some or all of such paid entry fees to pay for rally expenses already incurred or committed.

I/we have read and accept this Indemnity Waiver

Art Corner

1929 Packard, Napier Arch, NZ. Original oil on canvas by NZ Artist, Don Packwood www.donpackwood.co.nz

Taupo VCC 2022-23 Event Calendar

(subject to change)

December 2022

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

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

Wednesday 14th December . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars, Lacus Café 10.00 am

Friday 16th December . . . . . . . . . . Club Christmas Morning Tea 10.00 am

January 2023

Sunday 1st January . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Monday 16th January . . . . . . . . . . Committee meeting

February 2023

Sunday 5th February . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am, followed by Taupo VCC open day venue to be decided

Wednesday 8th February . . . . . . . Petrolheads coffee n cars 10.00 am Club Night - Taupo VCC Club Summer BBQ 6.00 pm

Sunday 19th February . . . . . . . . . . Club Run

Monday 20th February . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

March 2023

Sunday 5th March . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 8th March . . . . . . . . . Petrolheads coffee n cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm – Rally Packs

Saturday 11th March . . . . . . . . . . . Taupo VCC Club – Country Roads Rally Monday 20th March . . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

April 2023

Sunday 3rd April . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 12th April . . . . . . . . . . Petrolheads coffee n cars Club Night 6.00 pm – Fish n Chips and Quiz

Sunday 16th April . . . . . . . . . . . . . Club Run

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

May 2023

Sunday 7 th May . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Petrolheads coffee n cars AGM – Clubrooms 7.30 pm Sunday 21st May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Club Run –Monday 22nd May . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

Wednesday 10th May . . . . . . . . . .

June 2023

Sunday 4th June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Petrolheads coffee n cars Club Night 7.30 pm –Sunday 18th June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Club Run – Brass Monkey Monday 19th June . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.00 pm

Wednesday 14th June . . . . . . . . . .

July 2023

Sunday 2nd July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 12th July . . . . . . . . . . Petrolheads coffee n cars Club Night Mid Year Pot Luck Christmas Dinner 6.00 pm

Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th July . . Hobby Expo

Monday 17th July . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.00 pm

August 2023

Sunday 6th August . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pmSunday 20th August . . . . . . . . . . . Daffodil Run for Cancer

Wednesday 9th August . . . . . . . . .

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

September 2023

Sunday 3rd September . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 13th September . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm –

Sunday 17th September . . . . . . . . Club Run – BBQ Breakfast

Monday 18th September . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

October 2023

Sunday 1st October . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wednesday 11th October . . . . . . .

Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm –

Sunday 15th October . . . . . . . . . . Club Run –Monday 16th October . . . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

November 2023

Sunday 5th November . . . . . . . . .

Breakfast the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 8th November . . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm –

Sunday 19th November . . . . . . . . Club Run – Boot Picnic Pow Wow

Monday 20th November . . . . . . . . Committee Meeting 7.30 pm

December 2023

Saturday 2nd December . . . . . . . . Club Christmas Dinner Sunday 3rd December . . . . . . . . . . Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am

Wednesday 13th December . . . . . Petrolheads Coffee and Cars, 10.00 am Friday 15th December . . . . . . . . . . Club Christmas Morning Tea 10.00 am

BRANCH

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

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