VCC FAR NORTH FOCUS SEPTEMBER 2023

Far

Rex and Sandra’s 1962 Wolseley 6/99

and Morris 8 1937 saloon.

Who’s Who for 2023/2024

Committee: Winston Matthews, Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Mike Pooley, Naomi Mason, Keith Lyndsell, Tom Deverall, Steve Edwards, Margaret Deverall, Margaret Ilton.

The full list of the elected officers is circulated with the minutes of the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Club Cleaning Roster

September N & V Mason

October Everyone

November M & T Deverall

December Winston & Glenis

January C & M Ilton

February J Wright

March P O’Dell

April M & T Deverall

May M Pooley

June R & W Mackay

July C & M Ilton

August D & B Francis

Caffeine & Classics

3rd Sunday every month 9.30 to 12

Next date: Sunday 17th September

Taipa Beach Resort

During the month and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over. This includes cleaning the toilets, hand basins, checking kitchen, table tops, window ledges, sweeping the floors etc.

If your cleaning date does not suit you, please swop with someone else.

Thanks for supporting the running of the Club.

Window cleaning, washing walls etc. will be done at working bees.

Take note of any required maintenance and pass on to:

Building Officer - Warren Mackay 09 4061955

For any further enquires please contact our Club Captains.

The Far North Branch of the VCC has a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected please.

Calendar of Club Events

2023/2024

September

2nd Father’s Day Run

9th Saturday 1.30 Monthly Meeting at the Clubrooms

17th September

Taipa Caffeine & Classics

9.30 -12.30 Taipa Beach Resort

23rd Working Bee @ Clubrooms 10 am

October

7th Boot Sale/sausage sizzle

9-9.30 am Club members & 10 am open to public

10th Tuesday Monthly Meeting 7 pm

14th Dunny Run

November

3-4th Friday/Saturday Far North Tour

11th November Wheels of Mayhem

14th Tuesday Monthly Meeting 7pm

December

12th Tuesday Monthly Meeting 7pm

16th Saturday Xmas Lunch @ Clubrooms

Win organising a fun event

January

2024

6th Taipa Show and Shine

20th Saturday Picnic

February

10th Saturday Northern Captain’s Run

Deverall’s organising.

13th Tuesday Monthly Meeting 7pm

March

12th Meeting 7 pm

Southern Captains Run

April

13th Saturday Monthly Meeting 1.30 pm

Brian Parker Rally Ron & Beryl organising

May

18th Saturday 1.30 pm AGM with a monthly meeting to follow.

Mother’s Day Run Dave & Dorothy Duirs

organising

June

8th Saturday Monthly meeting 1.30 pm

29th Molloy Trophy Warren and Robyn MacKay

organising

Monthly - 2nd Saturday

Club Meeting @ Aurere Clubrooms

Monthly - 3rd Sunday

Caffeine & Classics

Log hauling at Donnelly’s Crossing

Club Notices

Father’s Day Rally

2nd September

Meet @ 9.30 am at the Mitre 10 car park in Waipapa, for a punctual 10 am departure.

Details of the day are outlined in our Southern Captains report.

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Please note: The September meeting will be held at the clubrooms, not in Kerikeri as previously printed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Expect an email after our next meeting with details about the working bee at the clubrooms . September 23.

This will be a general tidy-up and preparation for the Boot Sale in October.

From the Chair…

I missed our August run and meeting as I was in Nelson for the National AGM.

Much of the preceding Executive Meeting was taken up with financial matters. Without the Vero commission, the Club would have made a loss with costs rising. The main discussion was about the Club's building – should we own or rent?

Aso discussed:

How to maintain the archive material

Subscription amount

Reduce Beaded Wheels from 6 to 4 issues per year.

The recommendation to the AGM was to keep looking for a building to purchase, increase subscription by $25 (to $80 plus branch levy) and keep Beaded Wheels at 6 issues.

The use of QR codes for National (Daffodil) Day was strongly recommended – our branch is not holding a rally for this year's Daffodil Day

At the AGM the suggested increase of subscriptions was approved. There was further (inconclusive) discussion on the Club's HQ.

Regarding the new structure to meet Incorporated Societies legislation a lawyer's report on possible options was discussed and a decision was (yet again) deferred to the next meeting.

Of 3 applications for the next (2026) Vero International Rally the Nelson one was approved.

The John Goddard trophy was awarded to Steve and Sue Keys for the restoration of their Diamond T Texaco fuel tanker.

The motion on the official Club name was carried.

The Motorcycle Rally will be held by the Manawatu branch January 25-31, immediately before the NZCMRR Classic Racing Festival at Manfield.

A NI Monte Carlo Rally will be held September 14/15, with starting points at Whangarei/Hamilton/Tauranga/New Plymouth/Napier/Wellington, ending in Taupo.

The next AGM will be at Tauranga from August 9-11, 2024.

Those not taking part in the AGM had a choice of tours (the lucky ones transported by Rolls-Royce).

At the AGM there was a car park show of some cars that competed at the Tahunanui Beach Races post-war. They were mostly home-built specials including a Chev powered Renault Dauphine – that must have been a handful!

On the Sunday following the meeting, we were taken for a visit to the Nelson Classic Car Museum which was most impressive.

The (mostly family-owned) collection were mostly in immaculate condition, well displayed in four main sections mainly Veteran/Vintage, Jaguars, American, and British/European. Included are several rare exhibits

I had the chance to go into the workshop where I had a chat with a restorer working on a racing Delage and a couple of flat-tank Nortons (amongst others).

– very impressive.

Keith

September 9

Monthly Club Meeting

Saturday 9th 1.30pm meeting at the Clubrooms

One of several Lalique mascots (very valuable)

Our transport to the airport was mainly by limos supplied by Nelson branch members or borrowed from the Museum

Southern Captain’s Report

Hi Everyone,

Father’s Day rally will start at the Mitre 10 carpark at Waipapa, just north of Kerikeri.

Meet at 9.30 am with cars leaving at 10 am sharp.

Being a Father’s Day rally, I have put more emphasis on the mechanical things. Some of you have done this run before and some have not. We are going back to visit the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway and the Twin Screw Steamer Minerva again.

There are a few differences this time.

The first stop will be to see the Minerva Steam Engines. One has just been reconditioned and the 2nd engine is in the process of reconditioning. The 2 steam engines are 2 of only 5 that we know of in the world.

We will be visiting Mike and Dave Collins on Inlet Road in Kerikeri, where these engines are being rebuilt.

We have to meet up with the train at Kawakawa which leaves at midday, sharp.

There is a café at the train station for people wanting a snack, lunch, or bring your own. The last carriage on the train has seating and tables, so you could dine on the train as it meanders its way through the countryside.

This time we cross over Long Bridge, the longest wooden rail bridge in the southern hemisphere and towards Opua.

Unfortunately, we can’t get all the way to Opua as the track stops before the tunnel which is being repaired. Maybe next year. Then back to Kawakawa on the return trip on the train.

Your engine driver is none other than Steph Edwards, operating the vintage diesel train engine for us.

Unfortunately, again the steam train, Gabriel, may be running on Sunday and not Saturday.

Once back to Kawakawa, we drive to Opua to have a look at Minerva. Built in 1910, the vessel is being restored as a commercial ferry as it was in its day. Once in the water, it will be part of the wide running cycle trails to take people and their bikes further to Russell, Paihia, and Waitangi.

Minerva, when in the water, will be the oldest running steamship in the Southern Hemisphere, beating the Earnslaw in Queenstown by a couple of years.

There is a cost for the train trip approx. $25 per adult. Children over the age of 5 are $10.00.

Bring the family and the grandkids.

There will be a small surprise on the train trip but you won’t find that until we get there.

After Minerva's visit, you are free to visit the sights of Paihia and its restaurants, go for a swim or paddle in the water, or meander your way home after a very eventful day.

There will be a handout given to each car, with directions and questions to be answered for the brand new FNVCC Father's Day trophy.

Hope to see as many people as possible for a fun, eventful rally.

Steve Edwards

From behind a shed door…

From the North, Wol’s has been to approximately five Sulphur City Rotorua rally events and went to the Wanganui International Rally 2012 with a vintage mini camper of the same era as the Wolseley in tow and to many FNVCC runs.

Happy vintage motoring.

Sandra and Rex.

Rex’s first car was a 1936 Morris Sports when he was sixteen. Because of his roguishness for example: taking the muffler off the Morris Sports to make it sound louder his parents made him sell

it after he had only owned it for six months.

Rex’s first vintage car was a Ford Prefect 1951 E93A. Presently Rex owns a Morris 8 1937 and a Wolseley 6/99 1962.

“Clarice” the Morris 8 1937 saloon was bought by Rex in 2001 with a lot of spare parts. The previous owner of the Morris 8 purchased it for $40.00 in 1974, and spent ten years almost completing a full restoration and had documented the restoration with photos, receipts, etc.

Rex fitted a luggage rack, a new windscreen, and in Pride of Place on the front bumper a period AA badge that belonged to his father.

The Morris 8 has been to and from the North to Cape Reinga twice, Wellington twice, two Art Deco weekends in Napier, and many FNVCC runs.

In 2009 Rex bought the Wolseley 6/99 1962 [Wol’s for short] from his friend John Hughes, a Northland Vintage car club member.

The history of the Wolseley is, the first owner was the Ideal Shoe Co LTD Wellington.

Wol’s still has the original Dominion Motors Wellington Limited sticker on the back window.

Another special feature is the grill light Wolseley badge.

Rex had the engine rebuilt at 37600 miles in 2010 with the same gearbox still in place.

From Max Allan

After at least 60yrs interest in Vintage cars I came across this Allen yesterday, up for auction on Sunday. I had never heard of them. It's in useable condition, excellent upholstery and tyres, but body is best described as a very old restoration. Expected to make between $NZ20 to 30k.

As it was…

A short history of our Club

“ or how it began”. Exactly 8 months later we held our meeting in our own Clubrooms…

Our bid to host the 1981 National AGM was successful. So- into gear we get to organise this major event to make sure it would be successful, as we hope to show a profit.

A special General Meeting was held on 2nd Sept. 1976 when our Chairman, Vern gave a full account of plans to extend our building to provide us with a suitable venue to hold meetings, dinners etc and that we have to new extensions to our building ready for the National Event.

Our new Clubrooms were opened by our National President, Lionel Priest on the 1st December 1980, followed by a Mini Motor Show, Social Hour, grand opening dinner and entertainment.

The National AGM was held on the 15th & 16th of August 1981. Everything went according to plan and our expectations of a wonderful and profitable weekend were once again realised.

Various fundraising efforts gave us the finances to get started, from the sale of watermelons to motor shows. Our first motor show took place in the A & P Show building in conjunction with the Provincial Vintage Car Rally of 1973. The reenactment of the 1917 Parliamentary Tour was right on top of us, but with no signs of panic, we came through with the satisfaction that comes with the success of a job well done.

The Motor Show, Music Hall evening and Gala Dinner went extremely well and showed a healthy profit.

Arrangements were made for another Motor Show to be held in Whangarei during the 1979 North Island Tour to raise money for Stage II of our building project.

During the excitement of building the first stage of our project, Mrs Arona of Nukutawhiti donated a 1942 Model T Ford Truck (Kutai) which has been fully restored and taken to Mrs Arona who was so pleased at what she saw, she promptly donated a 1932 Ford Truck.

A little later Mr McKenzie of Kerikeri donated a 1929 Chev Truck, which we have restored as a very motorable workhorse for the Club.

A very sad event in the death of Norman McDonald, left us with a memorial to him, as in his will he left us his 1927 Austen 7 Tourer.

Back to Mrs Arona, a phone call from this dear Lady had us racing to Nukutawhiti again, this time to be given a 1936 Ford V8 Truck loaded with spare parts for the vehicle, also a 6-inch buzzer and a band saw to help us with our restoration.

Mike Collins, (of Kerikeri citrus orchard fame) gave details of an early Leyland Truck at Maramarua, and on approaching Carter Merchants, this vehicle was donated to the Club. Terry Rogers then made arrangements and transported this vehicle to Whangarei, and we hope it will eventually become a replica of a London Bus.

1983 saw the start of our truck shed. The response from our members with labour and donations saw the completion of this fine building well ahead of anything we had envisaged, amazing how much can be done in a short time.

The shed opening and Bar-B-Q were held on the 6th of October 1984.

Conclusion of article.

Pantry Perks… thank you Zena for sharing this long-time favourite with us.

Instant Pudding Biscuits

6 oz butter

6 oz sugar

1 tsp Baking Pdr

1½ cups flour

1 pkt vanilla instant pudding

3 tbs cornflour

1 egg

Cream butter & sugar.

Add egg & beat well.

Add dry ingredients.

Roll into balls & with fork, flatten slightly on tray.

Cook until golden brown @ approx 180˚ for 10 mins or so.

These freeze well.

Add to tops before cooking: chocolate buttons, piece of crystalized ginger, sprinkles…

In the Focus for August & September, we have had photos contributed by: Margaret D, Rosco, Keith, Rex and Sandra, Max, Marg I.

Reports, notices & contributions from Zena, Keith, Rex & Sandra, Steve, Max, Margaret D.

Thank you for your support.

Caffeine & Classics

August Meet.

Repco has again been very supportive to Caffeine & Classics, sharing with all drivers last month a quality polishing cloth. Thanks Repco.

Northern Club Captain’s report

Spring is in the air!

Many thanks to those good cooks in our club who provided us with a great potluck dinner on August 12 - a good turnout of food lovers.

Tom and I were privileged to visit John McGee with Claude and Marg last week.

John’s Heritage Century farm is a delight to visit. A special place with such history, many challenges and lots of hard work, is a credit to John and his family.

And this was only morning tea!

Quite some log it was & a reminder of how things got done.

Thanks for the photo, John.

We have ahead of us, Steve and Stephanie’s Father's Day rally on September 2nd which looks fascinating with a longer train ride from Kawakawa. We are looking forward to crossing the bridge on this trip.

We also called on Ian McGregor for a timely catch-up with lots of reminiscing. Cheers.

Marg

Omnium gatherum…

Thinking of all Members who are managing daily health issues. Look after yourselves and keep warm.

Fingers crossed for a run of sunny weather soon to cheer the inner soul.

Remember when

…

Max has been doing some window shopping…

A rather expensive red Ferrari! The second one, a retro look, was much nicer!

Photo Share…

August Run to Puheke & Whatawhiwhi & mid-year Potluck Xmas Lunch