ADVANCE AND RETARD
West Coast branch of the VCC MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER
A
different mode of transport on this monthly run!
Lovely group photo at the ridge of Stockton coal mine
Contents
Front cover - Stockton Mine visit
Until we meet again, Forth coming events
Requests
Stockton Mine, Westport visit Sat 17 February 2024 – report and pics Zoe Gough
Nelson Coast to Coast Wed 21 February 2024 – report and pics Zoe Gough Display at the NZMCA rally held in Reefton Sat 24 February 2024 – report and pics Zoe Project Torana – submitted by Mike Meuli, Hokitika member THANK YOU Mike Sorry nothing else this month.
Until we meet again
1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms, Shantytown 4th April 2024 7.30pm and on Zoom – Here I would like to give a big thank you to one of our newest and youngest members who travelled all from Hector (sorry if I have got that wrong Mark) to come to our March meeting. Look forward to seeing you on our Scenic Land Rally
3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown 19th March/ 18th April at 10.00 am
Monthly run for March is – Scenic land Rally on Sat 23rd March 2024
Don’t forget you are welcome to attend any of our events in your modern vehicle if you are unable to use your vintage/classic one, it is just good to have your company.
FORTH COMING EVENTS
23rd Mar 2024 weekend – Our Scenic Land rally 2024 – good response to date 50plus entries from top to bottom of Sth Island. All on track so far with organisation. If any of you who are not taking part but will be around and prepared to give a hand on the day eg marking questionnaires etc please contact Judy Hay 021086453641. Huge thanks to Judy and her team for the great job they are doing.
Sunday 14h April 2024 - Run to Moana via Kumara, lunch hotel Brunner, after lunch call into garden/shed on Arnold Valley Rd – more info by email. Shorter run via Stillwater is optional. THIS will be combined with the Kick Start run as their April run.
Sunday 19th May 24 – possible Reefton trail taking in shed, Blacks Point museum, Roger McKay’s collection of miniature vehicles, museum, recycle garden no specific food venue chosen, or bring a picnic day is yours as you choose when & where.
June date tbc - AGM – as in previous years it will probably be 2nd Sunday in June. PLEASE come forward to join the committee, the more of us on it the easier the work load and support, especially as our club covers a vast area. Now we have ZOOM we would like to see more from our other areas other than Greymouth being involved.
Runs are one of the main areas that require localised support to organise, advise and so on. So any of you there in Westport, Hokitika, Franz, Karamea that would like just be involved with this aspect as a representative, as you have the on the ground knowledge, please think about it.
DON'T forget we are looking for a treasurer to replace Tom and 2 signatories
June Sunday 23rd Rosco Trials, Reefton more info will follow
Requests
Waiuta Visit - 15th Mar 2024 10.30 am in situ - The time has now changed to 10.30am and there will be no specific area for us to park we will just be there as members of the public and will just have to park where we can. However if we can get there by about 9.30am we may be able to get into the area by the old boiler house. Margaret gave her apologies and hoped that a few of us could be there with our classic vehicles. (Sadly we cannot be there due to the Exec Meeting)
June/July Run - “Alternative Mid Winter Christmas” venue Empire at Ross (obliging, friendly, and great fire). This is just a thought at the moment as June is full.
Ideas welcomed from you all.....PLEASE
STOCKTON MINE TOUR 16th February 2024 – report and pics Zoe Gough
It was a pretty early start for the majority that came on this tour, the weather had once again been kind and all started to arrive at the bus pull in outside the I site in Westport around 8.45am. I would like to thank all of you that came on the tour for all bringing cash money to pay, signing the forms and wearing the correct attire to go onto the site, making the start of the run so smooth and easy for me.
Out West blue 21 seater Mercedes (specially chosen and kitted out to meet the conditions of the terrain) gives a comfortable, safe ride with great visibility for the passengers turned up. Mickey the owner and our tour guide for the day gave us a run down, H&S and so on before we got on the bus. We left Westport and travelled to Ngakawau, passing through the various coastal towns on the way. Mickey was a hive of local knowledge which he shared through the whole trip. Granity is particularly interesting as it has a well appointed museum (Northern Buller Museum with the re homed Historical Inangahua Railway station outside as a display. Sadly I cannot recall all of Mickey’s stories and if I tried I would get many facts incorrect. If you have an interest in the history of this area please visit the museums around and about. Ngakawau again a hive of history part of which related to one of our members on the tour, Roger Devlin. Here I thank Roger for this personal input “My Grandad was Charlie Strongman, he was employed by the Westport Coal Company in 1927 to 1935 as the manager of the Milllerton mine, he then went on to be the superintendent of mines for the whole of NZ. Irene and I have photos of the mine managers house in Granity where he lived with his wife and my Mum Esma, it was fantastic that Micky was able to tell us the location of the house, We are looking forward to going back to the Museum in Granity, to find out more.”
If you are ever around at Ngakawau check out the mine mangers house which has an interesting garden feature - A CAVE - the garden is open to the public. Next time we are up there I would like
to call in and see it. Sadly there was no coal movement off the incline the buckets were still as they do not work at weekend, coal was being transported away by trucks collecting from the stock piles.
We then climbed the “new road” to the mine itself, checked in at the gate house and then Mickey was in radio contact for the rest of the visit checking in as we travelled around. IT IS HUGE!! but on checking it out (website) it states the Stockton resource area covers approximately 22.9km², a roughly rectangular shape up to 3.5km wide (E-W), and 8km long (N-S). The roads were good fairly smooth due to the constant use, and dry to travel on thanks to the weather. Mickey did not think we would be able to go “into the hub of the operation” the GPS room, as it was not working but we were fortunate and were invited to go in to see it. Every aspect of the mine and mine operation is on camera, various monitors cover various areas, all is watched, advice sought and answered and actioned from this area. Part of the operation was at work and Mickey was to take us there later on.
As we travelled around Mickey kept us informed of every aspect of the mine, covering facts and figures of the mine area, the production figures and who are supplied, points of interest and history of areas surrounding Stockton (although not directly involved), the equipment and vehicles involved with the mine production, all the uses of the buildings, loading areas and to many the most important aspect the maintenance, care and regeneration of the site as they complete each section. This was mind blowing to see what they have achieved when you see bumble bees, insects, and hawks. We were told that the notorious Mount Aspect snails are back home safe and thriving alongside skinks and other critters local to the terrain, and to see Rata in flower, wild orchids, and many many other wild flowers, shrubs, tussock grasses, other grasses and the amazing landscaping they have created using placed rocks even down to the creating and placing of water runs so that all areas benefit and there are no slips. When you see the effort that goes into the collection of native seeds (from the site) sent away to germinate, the peeled off vegetation moved in total that is cared for in special areas, plants growing ready to be placed you realise that the way every aspect from the growing, nurturing of regenerated areas, wildlife, insects and the unique snails are monitored it brings home the expertise, care and money it takes to recreate this terrain that live alongside the working operation. We were told by an operator on the site that if you take leave for 5 weeks when you come back it has all changed and you have to relearn the roads the routes.
Mickey managed to get us to the “ridge” before the fog came down (daily regular occurrence) to experience the amazing panorama of that part of the coast.
The sites “smoko room” and facilities were made available for our lunch stop, where we could help ourselves to hot beverages and water. After we had chance to walk around the car park where some of the big loaders were parked. As you will see from the picture they are large. The day we visited it was dry, but this area still held water from previous storms, just makes you realise how wet and muddy it would be in the rain and snow storms.
We were able to see the part of the operation that was working on the day and saw how they lay out the explosives ready to detonate.
The tour ended in Westport at the ISite, Mickey was thanked, we said our goodbyes and headed for home.
Editors note...this report and all the comments are the editors, it is voicing my own comments and thoughts. If more informations is required as to the Stockton mine itself check on the Bathurst website, historical background of the Stockton mine and areas try the localised museums especially
the Northern Buller Museum at Granity, and of course websites. Information regarding Out West tours they, and their website are very helpful.
We are on the way first leg down the main street of Westport
on the road to Karamea
continuing on its travels when it is poured into trucks and trains to its various destinations
Passing through Granity - the old Inangahua Railway station behind band rotunda
At Ngakawau coal is sent down from Stockton mine using aerial buckets which empty the coal into the hoppers for dispatch by rail to Lyttelton
One the way up to the mine on the “old bit of the road”. New bit of the road, note the rock strata
Entering Stockton Mine, Mickey checks us in. One of the mine trucks
Start of the aerial bins
Vehicle roads good use for tyres
Close up of the bins loaded and ready for journey to the bottom.
Stop at the GPS room and facilities
travelling around the site
a view
View of the coastline from the ridge
Continuing on
Mickey got us to the ridge before the fog/cloud fell, what
We were able to get off the bus at the ridge.
note man made lake
Regenerated land note the
See what I mean about large!
View off the top looking North
rata
Area at work on our visit, extracting coal
Nelson Branch COAST to COAST RUN – Westcoast leg 21st Feb 2024 report and pics Zoe Gough
This run was organised by the Nelson branch taking in Marlborough and the Westcoast branches with the idea of making it a yearly event. Bruce as our Club Captain was asked to assist with the last leg which was to be the Westcoast, taking in Bell Hill, Mitchells and some off roading ending at Paroa. Route was planned, checked, and assistance obtained as necessary and route was passed onto Gordon Dacombe and Jo, Nelson organisers for their agreement. Gordon also obtained permission from Ngai Tahu for use of the forestry road.
The Coast to Coast commenced on the 19th Feb, first night Hanmer Springs, second night Murchison. They were not able to take in Molesworth due to fire danger but were able to traverse the Rainbow.
Bruce and I met up with them in Reefton to guide them on the Westcoast leg, (we did not join in on the other legs). It was a beautiful day and the intrepid drivers and vehicles had a couple of hours in Reefton to explore, sample the gin and have lunch (many of us picnicked in the park below the cenataph, some of the 17 cars being parked on Buller road near the miners hut. On the road again, trusty Vanguard leading the pack of much older vehicles to Ahaura via Carters Rd, Nelson Creek domain for last comfort stop before Paroa, through Bell Hill (good gravel), Mitchells (good gravel). Towards the end of this stretch we turned opposite the old gold miners shed on the left and were guided over to Camerons on an old logging road (very rough – but apparently not as bad as the Rainbow!) led by Steve Rothera (Rolls) a local, ex logger and hunter who has a great love and knowledge of the Westcoast, who led those that wished to do the final leg over to Camerons and Paroa. At the turn for this road there was the option to continue into Kumara and Paroa that way, several chose this option, as the day had turned out to be longer than anticipated.
Editors comment – I had never been in a lead vehicle with 17 vehicles behind relying on you to get them safely to the destination! As you are all aware, our roads have corners hills and so on and I found it very frustrating not to be able to keep all together, especially as phone coverage was nil so no contact with the back up vehicle. As you can imagine the air in the Vanguard was pretty hot as I got annoyed at poor B for going too fast. As we approached Nelson Creek I realised that the Domain turn is after a blind corner and we would not be seen dropping down, I insisted B let me out of the car and I stood in the road to direct cars to the Domain, the last car turned 15 mins after the first! At Rotomanu, again, due to loosing sight of vehicles, I left B with the idea of been closer to the end vehicles and hitched a lift in a 1929 Buick with the Ewings from Nelson (glad I did it was an amazing ride through Mitchells, with a lovely couple and gutsy, capable car). At the turn for the logging road, the Buick was game and carried on following Rolls, I said my goodbyes to them and
joined B in the Vanguard who was also game and did the logging road as well. There were a few hiccups with flat tyres and oil problems on our bit, but all were able to continue. We left them at Paroa for the evening activities all tired but hopefully they can look back on it with enjoyment especially as the weather could not have been any better.
What I have learned from this is the Vanguard is feisty (nearly as bad as me!!) and any future runs going off road etc should be signposted or someone there to direct, and all should have a route map as we all know people will always do their own thing. At least if that happens and folk end up getting lost they know how to get to the final destination. Most importantly just how kind and patient most people are.
What B has learned – Zoe is a pain in the butt and even more brattish than he thought.
Sadly Bruce and I were the only Westcoast VCC members to join in BUT it was a weekday, thanks go to Dave and June for joining with them at Paroa, maybe a few more will be able to if there is a next time.
THANKS have to go to Steve (Rolls) Rothera for giving his time and knowledge for the Mitchells/ Camerons route and for leading over the logging route, and patience in waiting for us to get to him, as well as the time he spent with us planning this part of the route before hand. I pass my thanks to Tom Williams for giving me a map of the area and advice. Sorry these are the only pictures that I was able to take.
Gathering in Reefton
Great picnic spot on a lovely day
This is my favourite photo from the many I have taken, you would think it was an old historical photo and not one from 2024, but it is. I took it while travelling as a back seat passenger in the Ewings Buick on the Mitchells stretch. The greyness is caused by dust off the gravel.
Reefton
NZMCA Rally
2024 held in Reefton on 23 February 2024 report and pics Zoe
GoughThe New Zealand Motor Caravan Association rally was once again held in Reefton. The organisers contacted our branch to see if we could organise a few vehicles to go there to display on their public open day for a couple of hours as an interest to the attendees and public. As you are all aware we are having a very very busy time of it, but I was able to round up a few of our members plus others with vehicles of interest in the town. TO ALL OF YOU WHO TOOK PART - THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, PATIENCE, FRIENDLINESS WHEN DISPLAYING AND STAYING WITH YOUR
One of the most important vehicles on the run the “back up”VEHICLES ANSWERING MANY QUESTIONS, especially as the weather decided to take a nose dive and it was cloudy, showery and chilly (and dusty!) It was also a chance for us to check out some of the caravans and mobile homes on display. On site were 776 vans, 1400 people, 191 dogs, 26 cats and 6 birds!!! I give credit to the organisers in the layout, parking, numbering of the site and vans, emergency services in attendance, manned St Johns’s tent (even a helicopter pad), and for the shuttle buses which must have been a boom for the attendees. Signs were clear, plenty of facilities, food outlets and of course Reefton Race course is an excellent venue.
Reefton town did its bit in extending its warm welcome from the shops, cafes, pubs, locals. On the Saturday a market was set up on the Reefton Hotel car park. Many of the caravanners were seen cycling around our streets, which is another thing in favour of Reefton, it is easy to do and there is plenty to see. I also had the pleasure of meeting up with 2 of our members from Hokitika who not only belong to us, the Jaguar club but also the NZMCA. Yep you have guessed right, our special friends Frank and Karen Bradley (just how do they do it all?) It was a pleasure to chat to them.
In alphabetical order thanks for displaying go to...
Bruce Anderson – 1935 Morris 8 Sports
Russell & Philipa Begg and Penelope (delightful granddaughter) - 1930 Model A
Zoe Gough – Austin A35
Nigel & Stefan McKay – 1929 Model A
Graham Martin – 1949 Series 1 Land rover
Nick & Annette Harrison – 1989 Land rover 110S (they could not be there but left us the Land rover to display – thank you). Graham thanks for driving it there and back.
Bruce Heyward – 1954 Matchless and 1956 Indian Trail Blazer motorcycles
Peter (Nipper) & Colleen Robertson – 1949 Morris Minor
Lining up for convoy to racecourse
Russell & Philipa’s car listening to the conversations! Before take off
At the Racecourse
In line for starters orders at the racecourse (bit of a back end view!) Sadly we had to display in line due to where we were positioned on an access – spoils the pics a bit
These girls look as though they want to go grass tracking! But are thinking about it.
She’s not alone NickThis one of the mobile homes caught our eye a 1938 Stewart Model 45, very well appointed internally.
Restoration - 1972 Holden Torana LJ GTR – article and pictures submitted by Mike
MeuliWe purchased this Torana in 2014 from a farmer in Canterbury with a passion for classic cars. His plan was to restore this very rough and rusty Holden, but he ultimately concluded that the project would be too big and too time consuming. This was in fact, the conclusion of the owner before him, and the owner prior to that as well! I could not track ownership further back than these three, covering the previous 10-15 years but clearly the restoration was considered a daunting task. The car was purchased sight unseen, and upon collection, I was excited to finally have in my possession a genuine Torana GTR. The project though, was clearly going to be major, with the vehicle far from running, and many parts in boxes and bags. The motor and gearbox were out of the car, and looked like they had been that way for years. The good news was that pretty much everything was there, although I would not have the huge advantage of dismantling the car and recording and cataloguing that process. The bad news of course was that there were no plates and no rego. More on that later.
Anyway the car and its boxes sat in the corner of the shed for a couple of years while I finished my then current project.
In the mean time, our local panel beater, Bruce Wright, had plenty of time to look over the project, and come to the same conclusion as the previous three owners! Bruce is a very talented panel beater with many “old school” skills, and I convinced him that we should at least go to the first stage, which was to complete the disassembly and send the shell off to be bead blasted.
So that is what we did, and the car returned from Baird’s Blasting in Greymouth looking, in my opinion, fantastic in its new epotec paint. They did an excellent job of cleaning the car up and getting a very thorough coat of protective paint into every part of the body, as well as bonnet, doors and boot lid. However Bruce was still not convinced. Now he could see exactly what was required, and he was not impressed. After lots of discussion however, we made the decision to give it a go.
The panel beating process involved replacement or fabrication of new panels over rear wheel arches, inside these wheel arches, sills, boot floor, front floor, front fenders, bonnet, boot lid, around front and rear windscreens. Many other smaller areas throughout the car required work also. The A pillars were a major challenge, as were the doors and hinges.
Rare Spares and Restocountry were a major source of parts as we worked our way around the car. Panel by panel, the car was repaired and eventually completely covered in new epotec paint and then primer. After
blocking of the primer, we managed some of the painting ourselves, but the main paint was applied by Denis Pweaniusu of Trimline Autobody Shop in Hokitika. Denis is surely one of the most skilled car painters in the country and his support of this project was huge. The painting was done at our place, not with the benefit of his spray booth, which makes the final result even more exceptional. Dublin green metallic was chosen simply because it’s always been my favourite Holden colour. The car was originally Aztec gold but this made way for the green which is a genuine 1972 Holden GTR colour. Three coats of clear finished the paint job beautifully.
Upholstery work was done by Bond upholstery in Kaiapoi. Daniel is a master of this art, and always at a very reasonable price.
Chrome work was done by Shiny Bitz in Geraldine. These guys are also the best, however because of that, you can wait up to 12 months to get your items done.
Engine was done locally with a full rebuild. The wiring loom was restored in Christchurch. New replica globe sprint master rims and tyres completed the look. Genuine triple stromberg carbs were a lucky find and fully serviced also by our engine guy. Even a new windscreen was available and fitted.
My decision to deviate from the factory original colour and upgrade the GTR a little towards XU-1 specs was always going to be contentious, but I made this decision because I’d always had a huge passion for those cars, and was unlikely ever to justify buying a genuine XU-1. The changes are reversible and the genuine GTR parts ( such as the rims) are still in the shed.
I love the look of our car with the globe sprintmaster rims, iconic rear spoiler, and the triple carbs and other engine mods. The houndstooth trim is another favourite but I think that is more GTR than XU-1. All of the above had taken a staggering five years but the car was finally now ready for the road.
So back to the problem of no plates and no rego.
Throughout the restoration I had been somewhat anxious about the re-vinning process. It seemed a very complex and daunting process, especially with no plates and no history. We could find no trace of the vehicle in any data base and so we really were starting from scratch. This was despite there being two correct body plates, and the engine number which did confirm the car as a genuine Brisbane built GTR.
During the strip down prior to bead blasting, I’d notice “Johnson Motors - Hawera, 1972 “ written in marker pen on the inside of the left rear fender, visible from the open boot. I contacted these guys, and they did their best to help but after several ownership and name changes during the years, all physical records had been lost.
The re-vinning process (as best as I understand it) was therefore as follows
1. Proof of ownership. This was an easy starting point as we had an invoice from the seller.
2. Identification of the vehicle. This is done by way of an authorised VCC officer inspecting the vehicle thoroughly, filling out several forms (thoroughly!) and dispatching this, along with several photos of all angles of the car and body plates to head office for verification. The result is a “ Historic Motor Vehicle Date of Manufacture and Authenticity Statement”
3. Once approved ( and because of the thorough effort of Tom Griffin, this was accepted first time and in a matter of days) this certificate, along with a further form and a fee of course, all goes to Waka Kotahi for approval from an administration perspective. This again was approved first time, and after only a couple of weeks.
4. This certification then allows us to move forward to the actual physical certification of the vehicle by an authorised certifier. I chose to do this via VTNZ in Greymouth. An appointment was made, and the car was driven (legally apparently!) to Greymouth for this inspection. I have to say that Bruce McNeish ( now retired I believe) was very helpful and supportive. The main issue at this point was that as the car had had welding repairs, it had first to be certified by an authorised repair certifier. Suitably qualified people are quite rare, but Bruce directed me to Neville Simpson from Nelson ( also now too retired I think) who regularly visited the coast for this purpose. He readily agreed to fit our car in when next down, about a week away. In the mean time, because we had the car at VTNZ, Bruce suggested that he do his full inspection on this first visit. We left the car for a few hours, nervously returned to be told that the Torana had passed this inspection with flying colours. An incredible feeling.
5. A week later we were back at VTNZ for the repair certifier’s inspection. He also looked over the car very thoroughly, then set off home to examine a computer stick full of photos of the work that had been done on the car.
6. Another week later I was delighted to receive a phone call from Bruce - come and collect your number plates - the car had passed the final hurdle. This re-vinning process was perhaps the most daunting of the whole restoration, but in the end, with thorough attention to detail, and the professional support of those two guys, it was very straight forward. My
very clear conclusion was that if you filled out the appropriate documentation accurately, provided all of the necessary support material, and of course do a good job with the restoration itself, then re-vinning need not hold any fears, even with little history and no plates. By this point we had invested over five years of effort, but the ultimate result is absolutely stunning, and worth every day of that commitment.
We are very grateful to have people of the calibre of Bruce Wright, Denis Pweaniusu, Daniel Bond, Bairds Blasting, Tom Griffin and Bruce McNish who all willingly shared their skills and their advice. Many others contributed in smaller ways too.
Now onto the E-type !
Mike MeuliStart
Stages of restoration
Finish – wow. Thank you Mike for sharing this informative and interesting report.
PATRON
CHAIRMAN
COMMITTEE
Tom Griffin
John Canning 7626235
VICE CHAIRMAN Vacant
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Ted Beer 0274333832 Jill
SECRETARY
Marie Giles 7685771 Allan “
TREASURER
CLUB CAPTAIN
Judy Hay 7627832 Kevin
Tom Griffin 7627830 Daphne
Bruce Heyward 7327060 Zoe
MEMBERSHIP/SERVICE BADGES Fred Ruesink 7380878 Adrienne
PR & MARKETING
Allan Giles 7686047 Maria
NEWSLETTER/ BEADED WHEELS Zoe Gough 7327060 Bruce 0284083208
VIC FORMS
ROSCO TRIALS
Tom Griffin 7627830 Daphne
John Fowler 7626538 Trina
Nick Harrison 7328819 Annette 0275419296
SCENICLAND RALLY CONVENOR The Giles
2024 SCENIC LAND RALLY ORGANISERS – Judy Hay and team
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Te Aroha Cook (TC) Don
Judy Hay 7627832 Kevin
Kevin Hay ‘ Judy
Mariana Manning Warren
Warren Parker 0275803136 Mariana
Don Scot 0276880899 (TC)