VCC WESTCOAST JULY 2023

WEST COAST BRANCH – VINTAGE CAR CLUB

JULY 2023 NEWSLETTER

Who’s this enjoying the mud splash? at the Rosco Sporting Trials held in Reefton

This months contents

Front cover - Griffin Tucker in the mud at Rosco Trials

Until we meet again, forth coming events,” Keep the wheels rolling”and From the Editor Report on West Coast Trials held at Roscos, Reefton 18th June 2023

The Fair (Es)sex - Honeymoon experience – by Iris Lawrence and Pineapple Brandy recipe VCC members discounts Committee members

Until we meet again

1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms at Shantytown 3rdh Aug 7.30pmat last ZOOM is working

3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown 18th July at 10.00am

4th Sunday month – Lunch gathering Club Run 23 July 2023

Don’t forget you are welcome to attend any of our events in your modern vehicle if you are unable to use your vintage one, it is just good to have your company.

LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

16 July 2023 * Nelson Club invite Snow Run to Lake Rotoiti

23 July 2023 ** Lunch gathering 12pm Moana Hotel, Moana

20 August 2023*** 9am * Daffodil Day Anzac Park Greymouth

early Sep 2023 **** Club run TBA

23-24 Sep 2023**** Biennial Rally Murchison

* We have been invited by the Nelson branch to join up with Marlborough and meet up on their Snow Run to Lake Rotoiti Community Hall. Nelson will be leaving their club Rooms at 10am on Sunday 16th July. Bring you own lunch. Tea and Coffee will be provided. Nelson contact Jenny Conlon 02733227 or our Club Captain – Bruce. We plan to go with the Vanguard leaving Reefton at 9.15am. Join us if you wish

** Club Run lunch gathering at Moana Hotel. Greymouth members leaving REPCO at 11am. Hokitika and Westport please organise your own meeting point and time. Travel to Lake Brunner for lunch at the hotel. To assist publican, numbers appreciated before hand. Cheers Bruce

*** Daffodil Day plan Sunday 20th August 2023

9am – gather Hot Rod Club Anzac Park Greymouth for the public display of vehicles, 10am leave in convoy and travel to Westport (its a shorter public display to allow our older vehicles to get to Westport)

11.30 – arrive Victoria Park Oval park up for another public display of vehicles

I would like to thank Buller District Council for allowing us use of Victoria Park, Hot Rod Club for use of the Hot Rod club grounds, Cancer Society for arranging a food caravan at the Hot Rod Club and at Victoria Park Westport, Greymouth Rodders, Buller Rodders, our Westcoast Branch and many others who will support.

Tuesday 22nd August 2023June & David Campbell plus their helpers will be delivering daffodils to various businesses in Greymouth as per previous years. Thank you June and Dave for organising this and to the helpers for giving their time.

National office have been given our plan for the day and will be producing adverts for us to have (I hope) so please advertise this event as much as you can.

Keep the wheels rolling...

**** “Kick start run” I am planning to run with this early September, due to the biennial rally on the 23/24 Sep, which some of our members are going to. It will only be a short run as the weather may not be advantageous for the Kick starters brr. I look forward to as many of you who have kick start bikes to come along. Also as will be the only club run (unless someone would like to arrange one?) in September I feel we should encourage wives of kick starters and other club members to join us. So get fixing, wofing and registering and lets see the old girls (2 wheeled variety)

I would like to thank Keith in Hokitika for assisting in the organising of runs/events down the Hokitika end and welcome feedback and assistance for future runs and events from anyone else including offers of shed and garden visits! Overnighters have been mentioned either to join with other branches or do our own. SO PLEASE if you hear of events planned ie car show or similar in other areas let me know and maybe an overnighter can be arranged. I am also keen to meet up with our other West Coast car clubs ie Greymouth and Buller Rodders on breakfast runs or similar. Thoughts on this please?

For those interested in joining the biennial rally the information is as follows...

VCC BIENNIAL RALLY, 22nd - 24th SEPTEMBER. Based on MURCHISON.

Hi everyone,

Just to be different, and because our organizers live in MURCHISON, the Nelson Branch has decided to base the 2023 Rally in Murchison!

As this is very Central to all our 3 TOP of the SOUTH Branches, we are hoping for a great crowd to come, either for the day..... or better still to make a weekend of it!

[ List of local accommodation houses for you below.]

The program is not totally set in mud yet.... but here is the outline... with confirmation of the final plans in August.

The registration forms will also be sent then, with the closing date for applications and payments to be Friday 8th Sept.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Friday 22nd Sept. 6 – 8pm Registration and Noggin and Natter. BYO, snacks. Venue in Murchison TBA.

Saturday 23rd. Registration and Assembly 10.30am, Lake ROTOROA water front. BYO M/Tea

11.15am Head up the Braeburn Saddle. Road is gravel but in reasonable condition.

Three shallow fords but OK for average clearance vehicles. Tail end Charlie

following.

It is hoped to visit a developing, new, agricultural property during this trip. BYO lunch which we will have at their facilities. [TBA.]

Arrive though in Murchison by 3.30 pm, settle into your accommodation.

HAMPDEN Hotel opens at 4pm, if you want to settle the dust before dinner.

6 pm, gather at the MSRCC [Rec Park] for BYO drink before dinner.

6.30pm Catered Dinner by Club Murch, followed by presentation of Rally winner.

8.30 ish.... feet up and night cap...ready for the Sunday run!

Sunday 24th. Day two, non competitive.

10 am. Assemble at the MSRCC car park for 10.30 rally start. BYO lunch.

10.30am Today we travel up the Matukituki, with a couple of stops and over the Maruia Saddle. [Note toilets are limited once we leave Murchison... about 2 hours, road stops are possible.... come prepared! ]

Aprox Midday, emerge on the Christchurch side of the Shenandoah Saddle. Your choice now, returning to Murchison and home... travelling to Springs Jnct. And over the Rahu Saddle to Reefton and home... or stay another night...Over to you!!

Accommodations recommended in MURCHISON.

HAMPDEN HOTEL. O3 523 9008. PENMAN MOTELS. 03 523 9278.

MATAKI MOTELS. 03 523 9088 RIVERSIDE HOLIDAY PARK, Cabins. 03 523 9591.

GRAND SUITES 0800 854 551.

ORGANIZER; Rex Smith, 021 250 3307. Mike Bryan, 027 753 2038. rootesgpnz@gmail.comt

Well that’s all for now folks catch at coffee morning or on a run! Cheers Bruce. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the editor.

I am sure you are all with me on wishing Allan and Maria good luck, good health and enjoyment in their “new stage” of life as Allan has closed the “North Shore” famous lawn mower business, which is going to be sadly missed. Never mind onward and upwards to you both I am sure you have a”plan”. This fits in nicely to our wishes to you both for a fantastic holiday in the USA (make sure you take some vehicle photos please?)

Also I know you are with me in wishing Marianna all the very best as she is caring for her Dad over in Christchurch. Our thoughts and wishes are with you it is not easy especially as Marianne is also working from “home”. Take care.

Reefton car show will be reported on in the August newsletter as I have no space in this one! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

West Coast Branch

Rosco Sporting Trials held on 18th June 2023Report and photos Zoe Gough

Getting prepared

The weather could not have been better for this years Sporting Trials held as previous years at Rosco’s Yard Reefton.

and

our

and

at

Nick getting all the rules and H&S out of the way

Nola

Lyn

back up

scorer’s

the wheel of Nick’s Land Lover also ferrying Nick, helpers tow rope, first aid kit and so on, out to the course.

Line up for first test..

The numbers of competitors was down on last year but those that did enter showed great determination and enthusiasm in what proved to be a very hard course over very rough farm land which, was made more difficult at the start of the competition by the moistness of the ground.

Oops not that easy (many failed this it was quite steep, slippery tight turns as well as clumps of reeds) fun to watch frustrating to have it happen as these snaps show.....

Peter Thwaites & “Cockroach” reverses out after elimination

first to try it Allan, started by Roger

Allan moves marker as Dave Bright reverses after elimination

The “cockroach flounders” sort of got stuck on the top! This mound on the second trial caught a few out. Avon Hyde (last 2 previous years winner looks on).

John going to the ‘mound’ ...plenty of welly

The coppice before the above obstacle

Determination “boot it” Dave Palmer

Concentration navigating the trees and markers and bumps, go Dick (Anderson). Dick built this car, sold it and the present owner let him drive it for the day.

The Quarry trial with steep drive down, tight turns and climb out the other side caught many out.....

Oh heck “cockroach” failed again looked on by John (R) one of the days marshalls

“Keep her going John nearly there?”

Brent capturing the final push.

Steady as she goes Avon (Hyde)

Downhill run Allan

Brent’s turn to get to the top ...

Waiting to take part in the “water Trial’.......

I wonder if this is the best bit of the day ... driving through muddy water and making a splash?

Dick Anderson

Tracy handling Rosco’s car well

Robert Trumpetter Dunedin 1st time here

I think Allan is enjoying this!

Break for lunch Allan is giving Bruce a lift!

As there were only a few entrants it was decided to run a second round of the trials after lunch. By now the course had dried out which made the going slightly easier in some of the trial areas but it still caused drivers difficulties. It was a very challenging course.

A different mound on the 2nd trial (the coppice) caught out Dave Bright – he was the first of the day to need a tow...

Lester and Allan look on

Mike

The same mound caught Dave Palmer

All over the cars are all washed and loaded ready for home

I bet Allan is telling Bruce and John that this is an easier way to travel.........?

We all gathered in the workshop where a BBQ, tea, coffee and lovely cakes awaited us.

Mike Lester battling the coppice in the car shared with Dave Bright

Prize giving with Nick doing the presentations

First place for the third time was Avon Hyde from Christchurch in his Austin Special with a A35 engine fondly named Doris II (Avon built this car plus several others here on the day.)

Second place - John Fowler from Greymouth in his Austin 7 Special Third place - Griffin Tucker from Greymouth driving Allan Giles’s car an Austin Special (sadly Griffin’s own car took fright at the course and broke!)

We were pleased to welcome two first timers to this event held in Reefton, Chris Mc Sherry from Westport driving a Special and Robert Trumpetter all the way from Dunedin with his Austin 7.

I am sure all competitors will have gone home sore but elated.

Thanks go to Rosco for allowing us an excellent venue once again, Nick Harrison for organising the trials, BBQ and prize giving, Tom Griffin who checked all the vehicles, all the helpers who gave their time and donned appropriate warm gear, foot wear and set about marking the course, spotting, pushing stuck vehicles, scoring, encouraging, cooking the BBQ and to the recovery vehicles manned by Tara and Ian who had to tow a few that got stuck on earth mounds. To the ladies Lyn Rothery and Nola Weir who drove Nick’s Landrover, ferrying folks, first aid kit and so on as well as taking down the scores AND supplying lovely baking for lunch and the BBQ.

For me it was my full first time at a trial event, I was astounded at the beating these vehicles took, as well as the drivers (no power steering on these girls) and found it enjoyable, of course the participants aided to this as well as the event itself.

The Fair Es(sex)

My honeymoon experience - as recalled by Iris Lawrence

We got married in May 1966 and decided to split our honeymoon. I week in the Isle of Wight and a one week in the Isle of Mann. The International 6 day Trials was being held there in September.

We booked onto the midnight ferry from Liverpool. Its 6pm and Norm is still working on the bike. I think it was a Mark 3 Douglas. We got away soon after and headed for the motorway North.

Not long before we reached a stop we had a puncture. Fortunately for us a fellow London Douglas member came by and took Norm to get it fixed. Back on track to Liverpool we went like the clappers to make it on time.

We reached Liverpool about 11.45. Could not find where the ferry was. We were going round in circles. We have driven around these gas works twice now I said. To be told that the round building was the New Liverpool Cathedral. At last we found our way only to see them about to pull up the gang plank. “Quick they shouted get up there we will push your bike up”.

Once on board we met up with other club members. What a night raining lots of wind and a very choppy sea. I passed out sea sickness tablets to everyone to find none left for me. Funny enough I was the only one not to be sick. The trip took twice as long to get to the island. Once there we were looking for somewhere to get out of the weather and to get a hot drink. We spotted a light in a cafe so knocked on the door. A guy opened and we asked if we could come in for some food and drink. He looked at Margaret and I the only two girls and asked is if we would help with the drinks he would open up. Thank goodness as we were all cold and wet. Then off to find our digs.

Each day the Trials were held in different places. Great watching the skills of the riders. One afternoon we decided to go for a drive around the TT course. We ran out of petrol on the mountain. No one in sight. Then a car pulled up it was a local who took Norm to get petrol. That evening we had dinner in town with our friends Trevor and Margaret. It was so busy that we didn’t finish dinner to around midnight. Walking back we stopped to look in a jewellers shop. I spotted a charm of the Laxey Wheel. Norm said if the shop was open he would buy it for me. With that the door opened and a guy said please come in. I still have got that charm on my bracelet today.

On our last night there Trevor said that his cousin has invited the Douglas Club members for a drink at a hotel. When we arrived there Trevor introduced us to his cousin who happened to be Geoff Duke it was also his hotel. Great way to finish off a holiday.

The ferry back to Liverpool was like a mill pond a much quicker trip back.

Still raining glad to get back home. Our luggage was all wet as the pannier bags were canvas.

A great week so glad that we did it.

Thank you Iris for sharing this with us and for the being the first to contribute to the Fair Es(sex) ladies section.

Editors note - Interesting points in Iris’s article......

The Laxey Wheel is built into the hillside of the village of Laxey in the Isle of Man. It is the longest surviving working waterwheel in the world. Designed by Robert Casement, the wheel has a 72 foot 6 inch diameter, is 6 feet wide and revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute. Geoff Earnest Duke OBE was born in Lancashire was a British multiple motorcycle Grand Prix road racing world champion. He raced several brands of motorcycles, Norton, Gilera, BMW, NSU and Benelli. After retirement from competition he was a businessman based in the Isle of Man.

Bit of background on Iris.....

Iris and Norm moved over to Auckland in 1974. Iris trained as a kindergarten teacher and has many talents, dressmaking (especially theatre costumes), cooking, home craft and so many other talents as “she likes to keep busy”! It was Auckland’s loss when her and Norm moved to Greymouth

(especially on the theatre front) and our gain. Iris’s handiwork has been seen at many theatre productions at the Regent Theatre – her most recent “The Little Mermaid” Sadly Norm passed away not long after they moved here. Iris has her son and 2 small grand children living close by and often goes up to stay at her daughters (in Auckland) who has a daughter. Needless to say Iris is a loving mum and grandma, with the local ones benefitting from her crafting skills not only in eating or wearing but also in learning how to do them.

Iris is one of the Shanty Town coffee morning crew, and keeps us amused with her tales. I am also trying get her to contribute a recipe or two to the ladies section especially, cake in a plant pot, chocolate and orange sweets and Bailey to name a few!!

Thank you again Iris

Small space filler

I have an old “home made wine” book and it has this small interesting recipe (which will fill the gap in the newsletter). I have not tried it yet, but it sounds quite nice.

Pineapple Brandy

Ingredients – Fresh ripe pineapple, peeled and cut into small pieces, some powdered sugar candy and a good brandy (powdered sugar candy is confectioners sugar or icing sugar - thanks Google!)

Method - Weigh the pineapple and to every pound of fruit allow half a pound of sugar candy (icing?). Put the fruit and sugar into a wide- mouthed jar so that it is 3 parts full and fill up with brandy. Cover closely and allow to stand for 78 weeks. Strain the liquid carefully and bottle. Use as required.

Special discounts for VCC members (at last I have worked out how to do it!!)

Vero’s top-notch insurance deals for Vintage Car Club members!

Vero Consumer Insurance Specialists have supported the Vintage Car Club for over 30 years and can offer the best insurance package for your Vintage, Veteran and Classic cars. These special rates also extend to your house, contents, every-day vehicles and boat insurance!

Vero offer VCC members…

• Up to 30% off premiums of subsequent classic or vintage cars

• Low excesses for vintage vehicles

• Special storage and restoration policies

• Competitive premiums for your house, contents and vehicle insurance

Support your Club – Not only does Vero provide attractive rates and the most comprehensive cover around, they also donate a portion of the annual premium back to your local VCC branch!

To take advantage of these special VCC deals contact Vero on 0800 658 411 to obtain a quote or email them on veropersonallines@vero.co.nz

Make sure you have your VCC membership number handy!

Bluebridge VCC member rates until 31 Oct 2023

Terms and Conditions:

• Rates are valid for bookings and sailings from 1st November 2022 through until 31st October 2023 and are subject to availability.

• Peak rates will apply to sailings between 20th of December through till the 10th of January annually. Also Easter weekend including the Thursday before Good Friday and Tuesday after Easter Monday. Off-peak rates will apply through all other dates in the remainder of the year.

• These special rates are exclusively for NZ Vintage Car Club (NZVCC) members.

• Discounted passenger fares available for both walk on and vehicle travel.

• A maximum of six passengers in one booking.

• These rates are not available in conjunction with any other offer.

• NZVCC discount only eligible for bookings that include a minimum of one NZVCC member.

• Members must present their NZVCC membership ID when they check-in as proof of entitlement. If not presented, the standard fare will be charged.

• Flexi Sail fare conditions apply. You can find these fare conditions at; https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/payment#fare-types

• Simply use promo code ANTIQUECAR when booking at www.bluebridge.co.nz. Or quote the promo code when you call 0800 844 844.

• Payment must be made when booking via the following payment methods; Poli (bank transfer), Credit card and/or Afterpay.

• The promo code must be used at the time of booking and cannot be retrospectively added to an existing booking

Interislander VCC member rates (until 15 Dec 23)

RATES QUOTED FOR-

NZ Vintage Car Club

Booking Reference: WH5465

The below rates are based on prices to date, inclusive of GST and subject to availability.

Off Peak Fares: Each Way

Adult $54.00

Children $29.00

Motorcycle $47.00

Car/Van/Trailer up to 5.5 metres $139.00

Each half metre over5.5 metres $24.00

Premium Plus Lounge $80.00 18yrs plus

Queen Charlotte Lounge (Kaitaki ONLY) $30.00 18yrs plus

Off Peak Travel Dates

01 March – 05 April 23

12 April – 15 December 23

Peak Fares: Each Way

Adult $60.00

Children $29.00

Motorcycle $59.00

Car/Van/Trailer up to 5.5 metres $146.00

Each half metre over5.5 metres $25.00

Premium Plus Lounge $80.00 18yrs plus

Queen Charlotte Lounge (Kaitaki ONLY) $30.00 18yrs plus

Peak Travel Dates

01-28 February 23

06-11 April 23

Booking conditions and instructions for members are:

• • Each reservation must be made direct with Interislander online using the special link below–

• • Book online at https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/members-fares

• • To access these rates members must insert the reference “WH5465”

• • Payment is required at the time of booking.

• • • Space is subject to availability at the time of the booking request.

• • Refunds

Once paid for fares are 90% refundable if cancelled prior to check-in and non-refundable if cancelled after check-in.

• • Members are required to present their current NZ Vintage Car Club Membership credentials on check in or retail fares will be charged.

Fares valid for travel 01 February through to 15 December 23