JULY
Sunday 4th Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am
Wednesday 14th Petrolheads coffee n cars
Club Night 7.30 pm
Sunday 18th Club Run – Brass Monkey
JULY
Sunday 2nd Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am
Wednesday 12th
Petrolheads coffee n cars
Club Night Mid Year Pot Luck Christmas Dinner 6.00 pm
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th Hobby Expo
AUGUST
Sunday 6th Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am
Wednesday 9th
Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am
Club Night 7.30 pm
Sunday 20th Daffodil Run for Cancer
Huka Falls, next to the helicopters. Special menu for Club Members. IMPORTANT: Please let Owen know by 3pm Friday if you will be there: 07 378 8327. Please be seated by 8.30 am.
Cover:
CLUB NIGHT
The second Wednesday of the month at the clubrooms - Hickling Park, AC Baths Ave, Taupo. CLUB DAY
Third Sunday of the Month.
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It has been an interesting period with meetings and events providing a range of activities for our members. The month began, as usual, with breakfast at The Hub. This was attended by about 30 members who tucked into their bacon, eggs, or whatever they had selected with gusto. This was all washed down with cup after cup of coffee. This gathering provides a good opportunity to catch up with your fellow members.
Mays Coffee and Cars was also held at The Hub. I gather the original intention was to hold it at the new airport café, but parking charges resulted in a transfer to The Hub. This event was also attended by about 30 of our members. The intake of coffee and cakes was followed by a visit to Barry Hoffman’s storage sheds to view his excellent selection of motor vehicles. Unfortunately, because of a prior commitment, I was unable to take part in this aspect of the day’s activities. This is the second time I have missed seeing Barry’s collection.
That evening was AGM time, and the outcome of that evening was the subject of a report in the last Taupo Torque. It was disappointing that no one was willing to put their hand up to replace Owen, but maybe he was irreplaceable. The appointment of an Events Sub-committee will undoubtedly assist in this regard. The initial meeting of this group resulted in Murray Stanley becoming Chairman, and I have received Murray’s excellent report on proceedings. If this is anything to go by, this group will be very important in the smooth running of club events. Some interesting ideas are being debated!
A few days after this, a number of our members attended a Memorial Service for Noel Henderson. Noel had succumbed earlier in the month following a fight with
bowel cancer. As usual, cars were formed up as a guard of honour. Regrettably, I was absent from the service dealing with a family matter in Wellington.
The monthly Club run on this occasion took participants to Tihoi Tavern. Owen (who is still involved with organising things) had done a reconnaissance run prior to this trip and had observed a sign on the door as to opening times. Departure time from the club rooms was put back an hour because of this sign. I gather that when the cavalcade arrived, the operator was a little grumpy as he had opened up early, expecting an earlier influx. I’m told his manner did not improve as the day wore on. However, reports have it that the food was good!
There are events on the horizon that will require assistance from members. 8/9 July is the Hobby Show. A roster of members will be established to assist in public enquiries/vehicle supervision. I’m thinking 3 x 2-hour shifts over each of the two days. Volunteers will be sought. Also, on Sunday 20th August, VCC NZ have arranged for a national celebration in which our branch has agreed to participate. Further details will follow, but please keep the day free.
Regards
Eric
With a rich heritage spanning nearly a century, Alvis Cars Limited, established in 1919, has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry. From its early years producing reliable and luxurious motorcars to its contributions during times of war and the creation of legendary sports cars, Alvis has carved a unique place in automotive history.
The original company, T.G. John and Company Ltd., was founded in 1919 by Thomas George John. Its first products were stationary engines, carburettors, and motor scooters. In 1921 the company officially changed its name to The Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd. The very first Alvis engine had four cylinders and was relatively advanced for its time with aluminium pistons and pressure lubrication.
The engine designer, Geoffrey de Freville, was also responsible for coming up with the Alvis name. Some have suggested that de Freville proposed the name Alvis as a compound of the words “aluminium” and “vis” (meaning “strength” in Latin),
or perhaps it may have been derived from the Norse mythological weaponsmith, Alvíss. De Freville vigorously rejected all of these theories. In 1921 he specifically stated that the name had no meaning whatsoever and was chosen simply because it could be easily pronounced in any language.
Known for their craftsmanship and innovative engineering, Alvis vehicles quickly gained a reputation for being reliable and technologically advanced. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Alvis focused on producing high-quality luxury vehicles, catering to an elite clientele. These pre-war Alvis cars featured advanced features such as independent front suspension, servo-assisted brakes, and a powerful sixcylinder engine.
During World War II, Alvis contributed significantly to the war effort. The company halted car production and shifted its focus to manufacturing military vehicles, including armoured cars, staff cars, and scout cars. Alvis also manufactured aero engines (as a sub-contractor of Rolls-Royce) and other aircraft equipment.
Following the war, Alvis re-emerged with new models and continued to innovate. The Alvis TA 14, launched in 1946, marked the company’s return to automobile manufacturing. However, it was in the 1950s that Alvis truly made its mark in the world of sports cars. The Alvis TC 21, later known as the Alvis Three-Litre, gained acclaim for its powerful six-cylinder engine and distinctive bodywork. Despite critical acclaim for their sports cars, the 1960s proved to be a challenging period for Alvis. The changing automotive landscape and increased competition led to financial difficulties. In 1967, Alvis was acquired by Rover, and the production of Alvis cars under the company’s name ceased in 1967.
Although sad that Alvis factory production ceased in the mid-1960s, all was not lost. The legacy of these iconic vehicles lives on through the efforts of a
company called Red Triangle Continuation Alvis Cars. Founded in 2008, this venture seeks to preserve the heritage of classic Alvis cars while incorporating modern engineering and technology. Thankfully the production drawings, data sheets, and specifications for every Alvis model survived the original company’s demise, and these have been acquired by the Red Triangle organisation. Their new “Continuation Series” Alvis lineup comprises several iconic sports coupes and tourers from prior times. Every aspect of each vehicle pays homage to the timeless design language of Alvis cars. And so, the Alvis name endures – for those that can afford it!
Alvis 3 Litre.
Our fully equipped modern workshop facility offers a reliable, accurate and affordable solution to all your reconditioning and machining needs. Includes high performance race/street, general automotive, motorcycle, marine, light and heavy diesel and industrial. We offer extremely quick turn around times and can pick-up or deliver if required
Brian Henson / Scott Murray
Unit 6 / 465 Broadlands Road
Rotokawa, Taupō 3378
Ph; 3773570 Fax; 07 3773572
Email; Engines@hmltd.co.nz
Taupo
Mobile: 0274 496363
Our Club Run this Sunday took us out to the Tihoi Tavern in Mangakino.
It was a good turnout, with sixteen of us gathering at the Club Room at noon, and we set off in a loose convoy for the nice drive out to the pub. It was sunny for most of the time and as my aunt used to say there was “enough blue up there to make a sailor a pair of trousers” –odd what you remember from your childhood!
When we arrived, there was a bit of confusion about what time we were expected and the manager told us we were late and that the fire had gone out and he didn’t seem to want to light it again. We were unfazed by this and ordered coffee, beer, and lunch. We ate with a terrifying array of chainsaws suspended from the ceiling, and there was a huge double-handed chainsaw precariously suspended over the pool table.
The portions were enormous, and the burgers were towering concoctions that even the most dedicated person would fail to conquer. After a bit of a rocky start, we had a nice lunch and get-together.
by Fiona Holliday Bill Rendle checking under the bonnet before departure to Tihoi. John and Jill Roberts parked atTihoi surrounded by rolling paddocks.
1ST JULY 2023
** 89 TAUHARA ROAD, TAUPO ** (AT THE TBC WORKSHOP)
10AM – 2PM
Wednesday, 14th June at 7pm
For one night only!
“Elegant and side-slicingly funny, Some Like It Hot is the film all high-concept comedies want to be when they grow up” – Total Film
Ice cream at half time!
We have some new additions to the library:
by Fiona Holliday
The library is for you to browse and/or borrow books that interest you and will be open every time we meet in the clubrooms. Come and have a look round!
We are just minding our own business doing something decidedly girly for a change when the man appears from the garage, having just spent hours fiddling with his pride and joy (I mean his car). He wants to regale us with tales from the engine bay and proudly peppers his slightly dull story with any manner of technical jargon that he absolutely knows we won’t understand. Most of these terms, in fact, involve three or four letters – probably can’t remember anything longer.
Now we all have a car and come across other cars all the time. We read about them, we admire them, and most importantly, we dream of owning them (only the posh ones, of course). We are perhaps in a car showroom looking over the most expensive car they have, because it’s nice to pretend sometimes and we like the colour! Whilst browsing, we notice in passing that there are many technical features listed on the card stuck inside the window, along with the price, which we ignore obviously. We think it might be useful to learn some of these terms so we can speak knowledgeably in polite company and get a modicum of revenge.
ABS stands for Anti-Lock Braking System. This is very useful to avoid locking the wheels if we panic (unlikely) or stamp on the brakes in a fit of temper (likely) so we don’t lose control of the car (as if). We don’t often panic or suffer from temper tantrums, although we might do if we are told too many times we are driving too fast, too slow, or have gone the wrong way at an intersection.
EBD stands for Electronic Brake-force Distribution. This decides the amount of brake force applied to the wheels when we stamp on said brakes, and it stops our car immediately. EBD is always present along with ABS in a car. Phew, we were worried that it wouldn’t be!
ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program. If our car starts sliding, then the computer detects it and corrects it, bringing back control to the car. Clever car, but in the event of going out in slippery conditions, there is no way the man will let us
drive the car in case we have to utilise the ABS or EBD. Anyway, we thought ESP meant extra sensory perception!
Our favourite is ORVM, which stands for Outside Rear View Mirrors. These are present on both the left-hand and right-hand sides of the car, so we can see areas behind and at the side. Do we actually need a technical term for wing mirrors?
Puddle Lamps. These lamps illuminate the ground beside and under our car so that we can safely get out and miss putting our dainty foot in the puddle that is always outside our door and not the man’s. Of course, if we drove a Mustang, the puddle lamp would have a pony in it.
So, are we interested in what it all means, or are we really looking for lots of lovely red leather?
I had the thrill of posing as ride on mechanic, with Anne Thomson, the seasoned driver of this 100mph+ 14.25 litre race car. This car was Malcom Campbell’s original “Bluebird” in 1910. A thrill doing four wheel drifts at speed at Hampton Downs NZ... simply amazing.
The 1906 Darracq weighed in at 2,156 pounds with a wheel base of 96 inches and a track (from one wheel hub to the other on the same axle) of 53 inches. Mounted on the wheels were Michelin tires.
The four cylinder engine that powered it had a bore of 7 inches and a stroke of 5.9, making for an engine capacity of 908 cubic inches. Estimates of its horsepower rating ranged from 100 to 110. The car had a three speed transmission with a reverse gear and used what was called a cone clutch, common during this period.
Read more... https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/cars/story/darracq_10_19061
“True Grit”. The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup winning Darracq. Original oil on canvas by NZ Artist, Don Packwood www.donpackwood.co.nz
Dear exhibitor
Welcome to the 28th Hobby Expo.
We have pleasure in confirming your inclusion in the 28th Hobby Expo. With this letter please find details concerning the Weekend, Exhibitor Badges, the Friday Evening Meal Menu and a Venue map.
The venue is laid out to make the best use of space available and in so doing we have made every effort to accommodate your requests. A copy of the layout is attached with this Email. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL BE UNABLE TO MAKE CHANGES ON THE DAY. Any major deviation will be notified before the day. Exhibitors are REQUIRED TO CONFINE THEIR DISPLAYS TO THEIR ALLOCATED AREA and not to encroach into walkways, public access or other exhibitor’s space.
COVID:
This virus is still around so, if you think you are vulnerable, then please make your own decisions re precautions before attending the event. If you are unable to attend for any reason then please let us know.
ROCKWALL:
Once again, the Rock Wall will be in operation and the back section of the venue will be coned off. All paying patrons attending the Hobby Expo will be able to have one attempt to climb the wall for free
These will be available when you present your exhibit for setup on Friday 6th July. For obvious reasons Exhibitor Badges must be worn at all times within the venue . Remember, Exhibitors not wearing their Expo Badges may be refused entry or be asked to pay at the door
Exhibitors wearing their ID are entitled to free tea or coffee with their morning , lunch and afternoon tea breaks. This is available in the kitchen area.
The venue will be locked each night with resident security personnel also patrolling the premises. Having made that statement please be aware that the Taupo Model Railway Club Inc and Taupo Venues take all care but no responsibility of any breakages, losses or damage incurred during the Expo
The Taupo Model Railway Club is unable to supply accessories such as power leads, individual lighting or barriers. Exhibitors must supply their own such requirements. This means that exhibitors are responsible for completely equipping their own stands.
Please note that all electrical leads, power boxes and the like need to have a current test and tag label attached. This is your responsibility, so action it before you arrive.
Travel assistance to out-of-town exhibitors will not be guaranteed. A decision to pay this will be made by the Taupo Model Railway Club Inc. after the event and will be notified to exhibitors. Any payment will be made into the exhibitor’s bank account.
Whilst the Club is only too willing to assist with the temporary staffing of a particular stand it is unable to assist on a permanent basis. Therefore, exhibitors should ensure they have their own staff for adequately servicing their display Notwithstanding this requirement, Club members are available to assist with the carrying of large objects from vehicles to the display area. Also, to avoid a nuisance situation, exhibitors who have young children accompanying them must at all times be responsible for their control, safety, welfare and actions.
(subject to change)
June 2023
Sunday 4th June
Wednesday 14th June
Sunday 18th June
Monday 19th June
July 2023
Sunday 2nd July
Wednesday 12th July
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th July
Monday 17th July
August 2023
Sunday 6th August
Wednesday 9th August
Sunday 20th August
Monday 21st August
September 2023
Sunday 3rd September
Wednesday 13th September
Sunday 17th September
Monday 18th September
October 2023
Sunday 1st October
Wednesday 11th October
coffee n cars Club Night 7.30 pm
Run – Brass Monkey
at the Hub 8.30 am
Petrolheads coffee n cars
Club Night Mid Year Pot Luck Christmas
Dinner 6.00 pm
Expo
Coffee and Cars
Run for Cancer
Coffee and Cars 10.00 am
Night 7.30 pm –
Run – BBQ Breakfast
Meeting 7.30 pm
at the Hub 8.30 am
Sunday 15th October
Monday 16th October
November 2023
Sunday 5th November
Wednesday 8th November
Sunday 19th November
Monday 20th November
December 2023
Saturday 2nd December
Sunday 3rd December
Wednesday 13th December
Friday 15th December
Committee Meeting 7.30 pm
Breakfast the Hub 8.30 am
Petrolheads Coffee and Cars 10.00 am Club Night 7.30 pm –
Club Run – Boot Picnic Pow Wow
Committee Meeting 7.30 pm
Club Christmas Dinner
Breakfast at the Hub 8.30 am
. Petrolheads Coffee and Cars, 10.00 am
Club Christmas Morning Tea 10.00 am
Vehicle Servicing
Car Repairs
Vehicle Brakes
Car Exhausts
Shock Absorbers
Towbars
Tyres
Warrant of Fitness
Club Lapel Badges and Car Stickers
We have most stock available at the club rooms.
Safety Checks
Batteries
28 Oruanui St
Taupo
Owners: Susan & Peter Wall 07 3783132
Mobile 021 717131
