JANUARY 2025
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NZ (Inc)
Lamb Country
Branch Email: centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz
Club Night 7.30pm
3rd Wednesday of every Month
1937 Cord 812 Convertible—owned by Amelia Earhart!
Amelia Earhart acquired this Cord 812 Phaeton less than a year before she, navigator Fred Noonan and her Lockheed 10E Electra disappeared over the South Pacific in 1937. In September 1936, Earhart was famously photographed standing with the Cord and the airplane she would ultimately take on her final flight.
Amelia Earhart was well known for her affection for automobiles throughout her life. Her first sports car was a 1923 Kissel Gold Bug that she took on a cross country road trip with her mother, stopping at various National Parks along the way. In the early 1930s, she worked as a spokesperson for Terraplane, helping launch the brand’s aviation themed car line.
Her husband, George Putnam, sold the Cord shortly after Earhart’s disappearance and the Phaeton passed through a number of owners throughout the decades. It was eventually disassembled and split up across the country. After decades of research, travel, and acquiring the original components, in 2004, the car’s body, frame, and engine were finally reunited by collector Ray Foster who sold it to its current owner, The JBS Collection. In 2018, The JBS Collection commissioned noted marque experts LaVine Restorations, Inc., to return the car to its original specifications with a restoration that has captured numerous awards.
1937 Cord 812 Convertible—owned by Amelia Earhart!
The JBS Collection’s fully-restored1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart. The Cord, designed by legendary American automotive designer Gordon M. Buehrig. In 2018, Smith Jr. purchased the Cord from previous owner Ray Foster, who toiled for years to reunite the vehicle’s original body, frame, and engine. Smith Jr. then worked with the restoration experts at Nappanee, Indiana’s LaVine Restorations, Inc. to painstakingly bring the Cord back to its former exact glory.
Saturday 18th January 2025—Beach Run organised by Paul and Judy Jensen
Thank you to Paul and Judy Jensen's for again offering their Shoal Beach property to hold our Annual Beach run. Paul and Judy are kindly supplying a ham to add to your picnic salad. Please bring your own picnic salads plates, knives and forks, chairs, hats, sunblock and plenty of water.
Travel to Waipawa and follow the Pourerere Beach road signs, just before Pourerere is Gibralter Road, camping ground on the corner. Turn down Gilbralter Road and travel about 5km and veer-left into Shoal Beach Road, Paul and Judy's place is number 67, next to the tennis court. There is some parking in front of the courts, and some at number 67. Paul will be around to sort you out.
Mark this day on your calendars if you are not already away on holiday Shoal Beach will be a great day out.
Thank you to Eva Gollan and members of the committee for organizing another successful end of year function. There was an excellent member turn out, all dressed formally creating a great Christmas Atmosphere. The venue and food was most enjoyable. and great entertainment making this a memorable evening.
67 Shoal Beach Road
CHB Branch Christmas Function 2025—heldatOruawharoHomestead Takapu
Rod McKenzie entertaining the members
Tuesday 14th January 2025—CHB Branch Dinner and Meeting
To be held at the Waipukurau Bowling Club—Francis Drake Street—Waipukurau
Arrive from 6.00pm Dinner 6.30pm Meeting 7.30pm
Main and Dessert $35.00 per person
PLEASE PAY EVA CASH ON ARRIVAL FOR MEAL.
Eftpos available at bar for drinks
Menu: Roast Lamb with condiments
Salmon Mousse
Couscous Kumera Salad
Spinach, Apple & Cranberry Salad
Mushroom Salad
Potatoes
Peas
Dessert: Cheesecake with Fruit Salad
Please reply to Eva with numbers by the evening of Friday 10th January 2025
06 858 9105 021 170 9978 nga-oki@xtra.co.nz
No late bookings please
If you have any dietary needs, please advise when you book your meal.
PLEASE NOTE: The CHBVCC branch will make payment for any late dinner cancellations or no shows, then an invoice will be sent to the member/members concerned.
CHB Branch Chairman
GaryWeaverQSM
January 2025
Tues 14th
Sat 18th
February Sun 9th
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Club Dinner and Meeting Waipukarau Bowling Club
Shoal Beach Run organised by Paul and Judy Jensen
Club Run to be organised—by Iain and Eva Gollan-details to come. Sat 1st
MANAWATU BRANCH VCC
LADIES FRIENDSHIP GROUP
INTER-BRANCH “PICNIC LUNCH ON THE LAWN” Time From 11.30 am
Wed 19th Club Dinner and Meeting venue TBA 13th to 16th Hawkes Bay Art Deco Festival Sun 16th Manawatu Branch Veteran classification vehicles
March Sun 16th Club Run Still to be finalized Sun 9th Manawatu Branch Ruahine Ramble
Wed 19th Club Dinner and Meeting venue TBA
April
May
June
Wed 16th Club Dinner and Meeting venue TBA
When Saturday 1st February 2025
Time From 11.30 am onwards
Location Manawatu Branch VCC
To be held at “The Grove” home of the Manawatu Vintage Car Club. 684 Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North.
Bring your chairs, picnic baskets, drinks (Some refreshments will be available).
For those who require husbands/partners to drive them.
Shed Raids and Lunch at a Country Pub will be arranged for the Men folk!
Please RSVP to:
Cathy: cathyclements5@gmail.com by Monday 27th January 2025. Please also advise if husband/partner are coming.
Ladies, Pack Your Picnic Baskets and come along and join in with visiting members from neighbouring VCC branches for a great networking opportunity, a few wines, and a relaxing “Lunch on the Lawn”.
Vintage Automobilia Auction
STEVE TROTT IS DOWNSIZING HIS COLLECTION
Get ready for a thrilling auction experience! Explore an exciting collection of vintage automobilia and petroliana, featuring enamel signs, petrol pumps, hubcaps, radiator badges, AA badges, pedal cars, money boxes and so much more. There will be in excess of 100 quality lots.
Register your interest now: vintageautomobiliaauction2025@gmail.com
Once you register your interest we will be in contact to give you event information and catalogue details. Floor bidding and online bidding will be available on the day. The photos show examples of items that will be for sale at the auction. Once the catalogue is finalised in December, there will be no sales of catalogue items before the auction.
Auction Date—14th February 2025—Location—Napier City
Viewing from midday—auction starting at 2.00pm—(Other viewing times will be confirmed)
Email any enquiries: vintageautomobiliaauction2025@gmail.com MANAWATU BRANCH VCC—LADIES FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Club Captains Report—Laurie's Lot—January —2025
Happy New Year to everyone. Hope you all had a great Christmas. Since our last meeting we have had our Christmas function at Oruawharo, and Seton and Judy's reliability run around Pukeora.
Saturday 18th.January is our beach run out to Paul and Judy Jensen's Shoal Beach property. Paul and Judy are kindly supplying a ham to add to your picnic salad etc. Please bring your our own plates, knives and forks etc.
On Sunday 9th February Iain and Eva are organising an event details to come.
On Sunday 23rd March there will be a club run on details to come
On Saturday 15th March the Dannevirke Lions are holding a Club Expo. The purpose is for clubs to promote what they are about and what they do. I have booked a stall so I can show off the VCC to the locals. This will run from 10.00am until 2.00pm.
Have fun in the summer sun.
Safe Motoring
Laurie Malcolmson Club Captain.
Pukeora Reliability Trial By Scarlett McKenzie
Seton and Judy’s “Reliability Trial”. It was such a hot and sunny day. Ten cars and their drivers took part. We had one run before lunch, and the second run after lunch, aiming to make the same time for both runs circulating the seven kilometre track over and around the Pukeora hill in Waipukarau.
Keeping in mind all the traffic on the main road, the give-way signs and the sticky tar. Just to stop us nodding off in the heat, Judy had prepared for us a “Logo Quiz” and that was a challenge! 55 logos to name. Well done to Henk who got the most, (and Ella second!).
Oh! and the winner of the time trial, driving a Holden Commodore, was me! Scarlett. I was just 0.9 of a second out. Second was Bryan Malcolm in his Mer-
you to Seton and Judy for
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin visited the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum Friday13th December and delivered a statement honoring the REO Motor Car Company's 120th Anniversary, which was entered into the official record of the United States House of Representatives. The congresswoman’s statement included the following:
“Today I honor the 120th anniversary of the founding of the REO Motor Car Company, a pioneer in American automotive history founded by Ransom E. Olds. Established in 1904 in Lansing, Michigan, REO played a foundational role in shaping both the automotive industry and the city of Lansing. Throughout its years in operation, REO Motor Car Company stood as a symbol of innovation, producing vehicles that helped define an era in American transportation.”
Accepting a copy of the statement was Debbie Stephens, a board member of the R.E. Olds Museum and great-granddaughter of R.E. Olds. While R.E. Olds may be best known for founding Olds Motor Works, the maker of Oldsmobile vehicles, it wasn’t the only car company he founded. Tired of his investors meddling in his vehicle designs, R.E. left the Olds Motor Works in 1904 and started another competing company, the Reo Motor Car Company, right next door to Oldsmobile in his hometown of Lansing. Unable to use his own last name anymore (Oldsmobile would have sued), he named the company after his initials, Ransom Eli Olds.
The REO factory was built on South Washington Avenue, sandwiched between E. South St. and Baker St., just south of where the Lansing Board of Water and Light building sits today. REO vehicles actually out-sold Oldsmobile until around the 1910s when Oldsmobile became part of General Motors. REO was a major employer in Lansing, employing 5,620 in 1927, meaning that approximately one out of every ten Lansing residents at that time was employed by REO.
REO became most famous for its Speedwagon, a truck first introduced in 1915 which used a spiral bevel rear axle design vs. a chain driven axle and pneumatic (air filled) tires vs. solid rubber tires. The result was a top speed of 25 mph, nearly twice as fast as their truck competitors. However, like many auto manufacturers, REO struggled during the Great Depression. It stopped building cars and moved exclusively to trucks. It eventually became a subsidiary of White Motor Company, which combined REO with another truck company out of Chicago, Diamond T Trucks. Diamond Reo trucks were built in Lansing until about 1974.
Eventually, the REO factory buildings were torn down, though the former REO showroom building remains standing to this day at 1314 S Washington Ave. The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum opened to the public in 1980 at its present location at 240 Museum Drive in Lansing. It preserves and promotes Lansing’s automotive heritage, its lasting impact on the midMichigan community and the American automotive industry. The museum cares for over 90 vehicles, ranging from an 1899 Olds Motor Works electric vehicle to a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass nicknamed “Darth Vader.”
Pahiatua council’s—Old Truck and what happened to it Bush Telegraph
Mangatainoka resident Paul Gleeson reminisces about an Albion truck once owned by Pahiatua County Council. It’s believed that the truck was brought over from the UK, sailing from Glasgow in April 1926. Paul’s story, in his own words, is an example of his love of vintage machinery and his tenacity in efforts to own the vehicle. For me, it all started around 1952. I was about 9 and I noticed the Albion truck parked at JC Davidsons, they were manufacturing engineers in Main St, Pahiatua. What attracted the truck to me was a number of brass cast badges which were in excellent condition. I saw the boss of the engineering firm. Bert Barton was a short, tubby man and very growly towards kids who disturbed him, like me. Mr Barton always wore a dust coat and his eyebrows met when he was talking to kids. I asked him about the Albion and he informed me that it was none of my business. “Why are you not at school?” he asked. So I asked him, could I remove the badges?. He told me it was getting converted to a farm trailer and he couldn’t see that the badges would be of any value. He said, yes, I could take them. So I did. And polished them up and treasured them all my life. The next time I saw the Albion, I would have been around 22 or 23 and it was parked behind a hedge at Joe O’Brien’s, in Scarborough Road, Mangamutu. Mr O’Brien was a short man, second generation Irish, who talked very fast and was proud to be an Irishman. He ran a large dairy farm there. I was very interested to see if I could purchase the Albion off him as I knew the history. He assured me he would never sell it. Over the succeeding years, myself being a general carrier, we did lots of work for Mr O’Brien and it had become an obsession for me to ask if he would sell it. Quite often, before any conversation was taken on the next farm visit, he would say, “No, Paul.” As time went on, I became a big truck collector myself and always fancied that I would like a veteran truck and the Albion was pretty complete. Alas, one day I drove past and the Albion was gone. I dived in to find Mr O’Brien and he said: “I always told you Paul, that I would never sell it (to you).” But he told me that a fellow Irishman had called in and said if he could purchase it, he would take it back to Ireland, that he would restore it and write O’Brien Brothers on the door. Joe O’Brien had two brothers: Jim and Vince. And they all thought it was marvellous. So once again, I wrote the project off. However, many years later, my brother Maurice and I had gone to see the Fox's at Ōtaki, Stewart and his sons Brendon and Jeff. I remember the day clearly because it was teeming with rain. I dashed out of the car to shelter in a shed where the Fox's were standing and upon looking across the yard, my eyes focused on the Albion. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Getting totally drenched, I walked over and had a look at it. Lo and behold it was Mr O’Brien’s Albion. I said: “How come?” The Fox's all giggled and said there was an Irishman out doing the Pan Pacific Rally and Stewart knew this man, so they paid a visit to Mr O’Brien where the Irishman conned him that he was going to take it back to Ireland and restore it. But Stewart told me “It ain’t going back to Ireland, I’m going to restore it”. So once again it slipped out of my hands. However, sadly, a few years later, Stewart Fox died. While he was a carpenter by trade, his hobby was restoring motor cars. His sons contacted me and said, “You were so interested, would you like the Albion back?” Of course I would. Back then, I owned an old dairy factory at Mangamutu. So I parked the truck behind the hedge there thinking how ironic is this? It was less than half a kilometre from Mr O’Brien’s. Meanwhile, I had purchased a 1912 Daimler Type CKA, which is a magnificent truck, and I have fully restored it. I felt I only needed one veteran truck. Mike Cameron and his wife Jackie, who live in Taupō, had gotten a Thornycroft off me and expressed great interest in the Albion. So in the end I gave it to Mike and Jackie and they have restored this Albion to brand new condition. It’s perfection-plus. I was delighted at that stage to give him the badges for it which he didn’t know I had until that moment. I had held onto those badges for 70 years. Publicly I would like to thank these two folks because this truck is now restored for all time.
Paul Gleeson (left), with Mike Cameron (right), who restored the Albion, a truck which once belonged to Pahiatua County Council.
MANAWATU BRANCH
Veteran classification vehicles
Sunday 16th February 2025
Two-wheel brake vintage and Pre 1930 Motorcycles
FORMAT
9.00 AM Meet at Clubrooms, 684 Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North for a tea/coffee before the Rally
9.30 AM Rally Briefing
10.00 AM First car away Veteran classification vehicles up to 1919 Run length 50 Miles with a couple of interesting shed visits
Bring your own Picnic lunch Rally Entry Fee includes a Plaque Run will conclude at the Clubrooms for Prize Giving and BBQ Dinner Please bring your own Drinks for the BBQ (water/tea/coffee will be available)
Please advise any dietary requirements (GF, DF)
ENTRANT NAME
NAVIGATOR/PASSENGER NAME NAME
TELEPHONE ( ___ ) ___________ EMAIL
ADDRESS
VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR
VEHICLE REGO. NO. ______________
PAYMENT DETAILS
Please make payment via Internet Banking Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Manawatu Branch Incorporated 03-0718-0027253-01 Ref: Name, Reg No. (Veteran rally)
Please send completed Entry Form to Organisers: Derek Haycock, derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz or 375 Albert Street, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North 4410 Cell 0274 419 153 Derek If you haven’t received an email confirmation of entry by the closing date, please contact the Organiser. **ENTRIES CLOSE: Saturday 1st February 2025**
Ruahine Ramble Sunday 9th March 2025
FORMAT
9.00 AM Meet at Clubrooms, 684 Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North for a tea/coffee before the Rally 9.30 AM Rally Briefing
10.00 AM First car away All VCC classification vehicles
Run length 110 Miles this includes one gravel road Fuel is available
Bring your own Picnic lunch plus chairs or blanket Rally Entry Fee includes a Plaque Run will conclude at the Clubrooms for Prize Giving and BBQ Dinner
Please bring your own Drinks for the BBQ (water/tea/coffee will be available) Please advise any dietary requirements (GF, DF)
ENTRANT
NAME
NAVIGATOR/PASSENGER NAME NAME
TELEPHONE ( ___ ) ___________ EMAIL
ADDRESS
VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR
VEHICLE REGO. NO. ______________
RALLY ENTRY @ $20.00 / Per Vehicle $20.00 BBQ / per Head @ $15.00 / No. of People $ TOTAL $______________
PAYMENT DETAILS
Please make payment via Internet Banking Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Manawatu Branch Incorporated 03-0718-0027253-01 Ref: Name, Reg No. (Ramble rally)
Please send completed Entry Form to Organisers: Derek Haycock, derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz or 375 Albert Street, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North 4410 Cell 0274 419 153 Derek
If you haven’t received an email confirmation of entry by the closing date, please contact the Organiser.
**ENTRIES CLOSE: Saturday 1st March 2025
Ford in New Zealand—Driving Ahead
The story of Ford in New Zealand had never been told before John Stokes’ book Driving Ahead was released by New Holland Publishing. The thorough research is evident in this comprehensive history of the Ford marque in New Zealand, which begins with the arrival of the very first Ford in New Zealand in 1904 (photo included), through to the 20’s and the 30’s, when the Ford Motor Company of New Zealand was founded. The motor industry became huge business for New Zealand and Driving Ahead considers all the influences, and in plain English. What the “No Remittance” scheme was all about; why the need for overseas funds to buy a car or a truck or a tractor? Why New Zealand switched allegiance from American cars to British ones and then the Japanese invaded! This book is essential reading for anyone interested in our once vibrant motor industry and in New Zealand history.
Beaded Wheels said: “an excellent example of what a marque history should be. Thoroughly researched, well written”. This book is suitable for anyone interested in New Zealand’s motoring history and, of course, any Ford fan. The book shops are out of stock, but I still have some to sell.
Contact John Stokes on 027 5379491 or email tourist.times@xtra.co.nz
Or order online at www.fordnewzealand.co.nz
Pack and Post: $8.50 to any urban address, add $5 for rural delivery
Can deliver in the Wellington region.
Central Hawkes Bay Branch oftheVCC— Directory
Chairman Gary Weaver 027 442 8920 weave@xtra.co.nz
Secretary—Ella Domper 027 201 2546 superscandi@gmail.com
Treasurer —Kaye Carswell 021 124 3620 accounts@wpkmotors.co.nz
Club Captain—Laurie Malcolmson
06 374 9823 or 021 579 133 volvo9349@yahoo.com
Vehicle Inspection—Keith Hopping
06 857 8255 or 021 742 302 keithhopping@gmail.com
Welfare—Sandra Cross 06 858 9814 secross@xtra.co.
Bleat Editor Joyce Calder 022 166 1403 joycecalder@gmail.com
Torqueheads Bruce Turner 021 100 4333 sulturna@gmail.com
Committee Bruce Poole 027 244 9090 brucepoole1930@gmail.com
Committee Paul Jensen 06 855 6862 matangi@farmside.co.nz
Committee—Rod McKenzie 027 446 7198 rod.mckenzie.wpk@xtra.co.nz
Committee—Neil Malcolm
06 858 5099 or 027 457 8945 pat.neil2016@gmail.com
Committee Gloria Malcolmson
06 374 9823 or 021 579 133 supagran14@yahoo.com.au
Catering—Eva Gollan
06 858 9105 or 021 170 9978 nga-oki@xtra.co.nz
Raffles Scarlett McKenzie
06 858 9562 or 027 446 7198 rod.mckenzie.wpk@xtra.co.nz
Beaded Wheels—Heather Cheer
06 374 0864 or 027 235 6649 ghcheer@xtra.co.nz
Angela Annear
An authorised Travel Broker for Searle Travel Ltd.
Consultations are by appointment. Angela Annear Travel Broker
10 Brooker Place, Waipukurau 4200, Central Hawkes Bay.
Email: angela@searletravel.co.nz
Webpage: www.Angelas-Travel.co.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Searle-Travel/
For more details: Email: angela@searletravel.co.nz
Phone: 06 858 9082 Cell: 027 281 1306
Website: www.angelas-travel.co.nz
Free Advertising available for members OR non members for PRIVATE SALE Vehicles, parts, machinery etc, please contact Gary Weaver, Kaye Carswell or “The Bleat” Editor joycecalder@gmail.com to place your advertisement.
Four luxurious units available to hire
Contact us now so we can show you how to add luxury to your event
06 857 8757 or 027 235 5996 karen@premierloos.co.nz www.premierloos.co.nz
We now have CHB VCC windscreen stickers available Contact TREASURER accounts@wpkmotors.co.nz
Kaye Carswell 021-124-620
