CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 70 YEARS
No. 341 August/September 2016
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $6.95
MUD PLUGGING AT IRISHMAN 2016 Porsche 944 Rallying from Around New Zealand 9 418979 000012
MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
John McCormick from Hastings has supplied this photograph which was taken on Railway Road, Hastings, in 1929. The officer on the left is Jim Dunnett, a traffic officer employed by the Hastings Borough Council. On the right is policeman Bill Craigie. He retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1965 and died later that year. Both men are mounted on P & M (Phelan and Moore) Panther 600cc motorcycles. These four speed machines were capable of 75mph and were first manufactured in England in 1928. They were probably near-new when this photograph was taken. Craigie wasn’t a motorised policeman and it is assumed that the men are posing because they rode similar motorcycles. Apparently
management committee Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, lighting endorsement, registration of vehicles, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events. The Vintage Car Club Of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
branches ASHBURTON PO Box 382, Ashburton 7740 ashburton@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND PO Box 12-138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA 27 Showgate Ave, Riccarton Park, Christchurch 8042 bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 660, Tauranga 3140 bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz CANTERBURY PO Box 11-082, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 canterbury@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL OTAGO C/- 4B Roto Place, Wanaka 9305 centralotago@vcc.org.nz
2 Beaded Wheels
Bill Craigie’s motorcycle was owned by him personally while Jim Dunnett’s was owned by his employer, the Hastings Borough Council. Bill Craigie’s headwear is known as a shako. It was the type of helmet worn by members of the New Zealand Police from 1927 to 1929. An identity recalls that the best means of evading Jim Dunnett when being chased was to head for one of the many shingle or gravel roads, the motorcycle being quite unsuitable for giving chase in those conditions. Prior to the Borough Council purchasing this machine, Jim Dunnett rode a 500cc TT Triumph machine. The photo was taken opposite the old courthouse.
PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz
REGISTRAR Rod Brayshaw 07 549 4250 registrar@vcc.org.nz
CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Paul Collins 027 292 2204 nicc@vcc.org.nz
SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz
CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Alon Mayhew 03 443 7030 sicc@vcc.org.nz
BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN Kevin Clarkson 03 385 9821 kevin@vcc.org.nz
SECRETARY/ TREASURER Michael Lavender 03 325 5704 hon.sec@vcc.org.nz
Ed Boyd 06 348 4547 mgmt3@vcc.org.nz Tony Bartlett 06 867 9850 mgmt1@vcc.org.nz David Yorke 06 358 8060 mgmt2@vcc.org.nz IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT John Coomber 03 310 7056 coomber@clear.net.nz Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2016.
A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 94 Mt Herbert Road, Waipukurau 4200, centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH C/- 64 Mangakaretu Road, RD2, Kerikeri 0295 farnorth@vcc.org.nz GISBORNE PO Box 307, Gisborne 4040 gisborne@vcc.org.nz GORE PO Box 329, Gore 9740 gore@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY PO Box 3406, Napier 4142 hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz
HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 34 House Ave, Taumarunui 3920 kingcountry@vcc.org.nz MANAWATU PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440 manawatu@vcc.org.nz MARLBOROUGH PO Box 422, Blenheim 7240 marlborough@vcc.org.nz NELSON PO Box 3531, Richmond 7050 nelson@vcc.org.nz NORTHLAND PO Box 17, Whangarei 0140 northland@vcc.org.nz
NORTH OTAGO PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444 northotago@vcc.org.nz NORTH SHORE C/- 7 Godwit Place, Lynfield Auckland 1042 northshore@vcc.org.nz OTAGO PO Box 5352, Dunedin 9058 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY PO Box 623, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz
SOUTH OTAGO C/- G. Beaumont, Tuapeka Mouth, RD 4, Balcultha 9274 southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz TARANAKI C/- 112a Marlin st, New Plymouth 4312 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO PO Box 907, Taupo 3351 taupo@vcc.org.nz WAIKATO PO Box 924, Hamilton 3240 waikato@vcc.org.nz WAIMATE 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 waimate@vcc.org.nz
Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2016.
WAIRARAPA PO Box 7, Masterton 5810 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- Embroidme, 23E William Pickering Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Wanganui 4540 wanganui@vcc.org.nz WELLINGTON PO Box 38-418, Petone, Wellington 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST C/- 17 Loris Place Greymouth 7805 westcoast@vcc.org.nz
Beaded Wheels Publisher THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ (INC.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXVI No. 341
Editorial Committee Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Bevars Binnie, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Marilyn McKinlay.
Beaded Wheels
Issue 341 August/September 2016
Material for Publication Reports of restorations, events, road tests, historical and technical articles should be submitted to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz. Email of text and photos is preferred, digital photographs should be high resolution eg 300dpi. Alternatively mail your contribution to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141, typed or neatly printed, double space on one side of paper only. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements expressed in letters or articles in Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not necessarily express the policy or views of The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc).
Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz
Advertising Address Classified and Display Advertising to: PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 Rate schedule available on request.
FEATURES
Michael Williams, Citroen DS23 speeds around the paddock at this year’s Hadstock Park Gymkhana. See page 30.
10
My Bedford Exploits
14
1937 Alvis Speed 25
19
The BMC A Series Engine
20
Irishman 2016
24
1982 Porsche 944
29
School Bus Revisited
30
Keen competition… Banks Peninsula Branch Hadstock Park Gymkhana
32
Café Racers
35
Rally Snippets ANZAC Weekend Display North Otago – Garage Raid
37
Marlborough Branch’s Nautical Experience
Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.
Subscriptions Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Phone 03 366 4461, Fax 03 366 0273 Annual subscription (6 issues) $39* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$70* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$100*. *Payment by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 3%
Production Typesetting & design by RGBDesign Printed by Spectrum Print Ltd, Christchurch.
Closing Date for August/September Issue Editorial Copy Advertisements
COLUMNS The annual Irishman Rally drew a large crowd for a weekend in glorious sunshine. See page 22.
24 August 2016 11 September 2016
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
Postal Address PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. Address 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand. Website www.vcc.org.nz Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 35 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. The efforts of our members continue fostering and ever widening the interest in this segment of our country’s history. It is to these people, who appreciate the fascination of age, the individuality and the functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that this magazine is dedicated. Beaded Wheels – A very apt and well-known title however readers may wonder at the origin of the name. By way of explanation beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres that are kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which fit into the rolled edges of the wheel rim. This style of wheel was a distinctive feature of early motoring being used on early bicycles, many pre-1924 cars and most motorcycles until 1927. The VCCNZ adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their quarterly club magazine in March 1955 which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet. Copyright Information The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced complete or in part provided that acknowledgement is made to “Beaded Wheels, the magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc)” as the source. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.Epuda dolorest officiatem int ut pro quis solores derupta tectorempore laut faccum et doluptatem fuga. Mi, quiscia perspietus eatur, que volest, sequi rera consed modiorporio volum ut que
Marlborough Branch members all aboard for home see page 37.
4
President’s Message
4
As We See It
5
VCC Events
6
National Office News
7
Mailbag
9
Captain’s Log
9
Timelines
38
Book Review
39
50 Year Awards
39
Mutterings of a Mature Motorcyclist
40
Brass Notes
42
Marketplace
48
Swap Meets & Rallies
52
Idle Torque
62
Passing Lane
COVER
Evan and Fraser Kear in their Austin 7 special enjoying the field tests at Strathconan during the 2016 Irishman Rally. Photo: John McDonald. Beaded Wheels 3
president’s message
I have no doubt there will be vigorous debate over the loss made by the International Festival of Historic Motoring at the AGM. However, it is now time to move forward. Learn from it – yes, but focus on what to do next. The Club is still in a very strong financial position and the Management Committee have recommended that the subscriptions for 2017/2018 do not need to be increased. “By changing nothing, nothing changes”. Tony Robbins. Organisations and people that don’t embrace change are bound to lose ground and stagnate. I sense that there is a growing mood for change within the Club. While suggested changes are meant with the best intentions the ramifications can be far reaching. As a whole, the Management Committee’s level of understanding and experience of the workings of the Club and related statutory and governmental bodies is wide-ranging and it is part of its function to fully evaluate every suggestion before it goes to the Executive for further discussion. Then, if it is a major change, on to the members for a decision. Change is good but for the right reasons and we have to make sure that we get it right and that it does not disadvantage us further down the track. To give you an idea of what I mean, let’s hypothetically look at what would happen if we agreed to change the name of the Club. What would happen to our present name? It is a given that if we relinquish our VCC name then another group would grab it. So to prevent that happening we would have to keep the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated Society going which means making sure that office holders are in place, annual meetings are held, annual accounts prepared and filed with the Incorporated Societies office. A name change would also have some effect in relation to VIC cards and government legislation which would have to be carefully considered. And of course, there is the issue of how much it would cost to the Club and branches. So we have to tread very carefully and slowly. One of the life lessons I have learned is that for every action there is a re-action. Bear in mind a name change would have far reaching consequences for the Club and, in the end, might still not 4 Beaded Wheels
achieve the desired effect, i.e. more members. It would have to be publicised widely. Playing the devil’s advocate, why not spend that money on publicising the Vintage Car Club first and see what happens. I personally think that within the Club we place too much emphasis on the word “vintage” as meaning just our Vintage classification class. I believe that to the general public a “vintage car” is just an old car and I think that we need to spend our time and resources educating the public on what we stand for and what we do. We will have our new Communications and Marketing Officer up and running soon with the idea that they will make a difference to the way we publicise our events and Club. When the Club was formed in 1946, it was a far different Club from what we have today. It was made up of just Veteran and Vintage cars and we now encompass not just cars but motorcyces and commercial vehicles. Maybe a name change is on the cards but I am not convinced there is a clear consensus to change at this stage. And if there was, what do we change it to? The ensuing debate could be just as divisive as the New Zealand flag referendum! There has been a ground swell regarding introducing the word “classic” into our name. You will, of course, have noticed the by-line on the top of Beaded Wheels – Classic, Vintage and Veteran and Motoring for 70 years. This initiative is something that the Management Committee has introduced. Thinking outside of the square, how about the national body retaining the Vintage Car Club name but branches changing their names to something that they feel is more relevant? There doesn’t appear to be any constitutional reason preventing this. I have had the pleasure of presenting a number of 50 year badges over the last year. While it is of course an award for paying subs for 50 years, it is also our opportunity to honour long time members and to recognise their commitment to the Club. These badges tell a story. In most cases of, not only the recipients, but also their wives and families and their 50 years of adventures and contribution to their branch and our national club. These stories of cars, restorations and rallies are what enrich our lives and have made us the successful Club we are today. Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President
as we see it
Over recent issues we have enjoyed some articles from a couple of new contributors and we look forward to their continuing future contributions. Stuart Francis is a UK born weapons expert who spent his entire working career with the UK Ministry of Defence before moving to New Zealand to live. Following his article on café racers in this issue we have included a brief biography of Stuart on page 28. Greg Price, author of Behind The Wheel in this issue, has been involved with cars and motorbikes most of his life. While he has had a varied career he has been a freelance writer for the last couple of decades, mostly writing about motor vehicles. Following his article on page 16 in this issue there is a pen portrait of Greg. The observant among you would have noticed that commencing last issue, we made a subtle change to the top line of the cover of Beaded Wheels. Go on. Have a look at it now! We already have had good feedback from the change with one reliable witness telling me that while they were at a bookstand a couple of young men were browsing nearby when one picked up a copy of Beaded Wheels and said to the other “I didn’t know this magazine covered classic cars”. Interesting stuff! In June I received an email from a member covering a number of subjects of interest. He was fulsome in his appreciation of the work that the Beaded Wheels committee does do to bring you the magazine every two months and we appreciate those comments. Another comment he made was that as a younger member in his late ‘30s he connects with the vehicles of his youth those being of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and he would like to see more of these covered in the magazine. We do cover these when we get suitable contributions but he possibly buys Classic Driver and Classic Car for his fix above and beyond Beaded Wheels! He concluded his email by saying that in his opinion it was time for a name change for Beaded Wheels. This just seems to keep coming up all the time, doesn’t it! A suggestion he put forward was Beaded and Classic Wheels which he, quite accurately, considered to be a traditional, yet still looking forward title. Excuse me, I’m off to I put my hard hat on! Kevin Clarkson Chairman, Beaded Wheels
This list of events is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and branch events as listed in each branch newsletter. Any deletions, additions, alterations need to be notified to Beaded Wheels by the Branch Secretary before 10th of the month prior to magazine publication
VCC National Events 12-14 August 2016
VCCNZ AGM
AUGUST
6 Canterbury
Around the Bays Motorcycle Run 6 Marlborough Chairman’s Matinee, Garlic Shed 7 Taranaki Brick Run 12 Nth Otago Ten Pin Bowling & Dinner with Waimate 12-14 Rotorua VCCNZ NATIONAL AGM 18 Ashburton Quizco with Sth Canterbury 20 Canterbury Night Trial & High Tea 14 Marlborough Trials 14 Nelson Mid Winter Dinner 14 Waikato Motorcycle Run 14 Wairarapa Janice Groves Memorial Run 16 West Coast Morning Tea Shantytown 21 Ashburton Newcomers Run 21 Gore Opening Run 21 Marlborough Butchers Flat Run 21 Marlborough Motorcycle Cold Nose & Toes Run to Wairau Valley 21 North Shore Triple Combined Rally 21 Waikato Club Run 21 Wellington Leprechaun Rally 26 Nth Otago Daffodil Day with Cancer Soc. 27 Rotorua Sulphur City Rally 28 West Coast Club Run 28 Gisborne Club Run
SEPTEMBER
3 3 4 4 4 10 11
Banks Peninsula Waimate Ashburton Waikato Canterbury Wellington Auckland
Levels Race Meeting Swap Meet Opening Run Kairangi Hill Climb Under 25 Drivers Rally Twilight Rally PV/PW/P60/P80 Rally
VCC Events
11 Canterbury
Motorcycle Rough Run & VICs 11 Nelson Trials 11 Wairarapa Peter Smith Memorial Rally 17 Ashburton Hororata Swap Meet 17 Manawatu Vintage Rally 17 Taranaki Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally 17-18 North Shore Spring Tour 18 Marlborough Run to Ward Beach 20 West Coast Morning Tea Shantytown 24 Canterbury Awards Dinner 24 Central Otago Blossom Festival Rally 24-25 Wellington Tom’s Tour 25 Ashburton Spring Rally 25 Banks Peninsula Opening Run 25 Gisborne Club Run 25 Marlborough Shiny Parts Auction 25 Nth Otago Teapot & Opening Rally with Waimate 25 Waikato PV/PW/P60/P80 Rally 25 Waimate Tea Pot/Opening Run 25 West Coast Club Run 26 Central Otago Swap Meet 26-5 Canterbury Veteran & Vintage Tour
OCTOBER 1-2 7-9 9 14-16
Otago Canterbury Wairarapa Marlborough
Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally Swap Meet Historic Places Rally Marlborough/Nelson Biennial Rally 15 King Country Journey Through Time 15 Manawatu Swap Meet 15 Waikato Waikato Country Motorcycle Run 15-16 Banks Peninsula Hillclimbs 15-16 Canterbury Girder Fork Rally 30 Waikato Club Run 16 Wellington Heritage Rally 18 West Coast Morning Tea Shantytown 20-23 Auckland Hunua 100 Rally 21-24 Hawke’s Bay Safari
22-24 Marlborough
Marlborough/Nelson Biennial Rally 22-24 Sth Cant Mt Cook Rally 23 West Coast Club Run 28-30 Banks Peninsula Ruapuna Racing 29 Gore P60 Run 30 Canterbury Annual Veteran Rally
NOVEMBER
5 Canterbury 5 Northland 5 Otago 5 Wellington 5 Waikato 5-6 Wairarapa 6 Sth Cant 11-13 Canterbury 11-13 Sth Cant 12 Nth Otago 12 Sth Otago 12-13 Southland 13 Bay of Plenty 13 Hawke’s Bay 13 Horowhenua 13 Nelson 18-20
Annual Motorcycle Rally Far North Tour Taieri Tour Annual Rally Veteran Rally Peter Chisholm Economy Trial Motorcycle Run Show Weekend Tour Safari Weekend Swap Meet Clutha Rally 50th Arrowtown Rally Swap Meet Homestead Run Tararua Trundle Rally History Run Auckland Motorcycle Rally & Swap Meet 19 Banks Peninsula Ruapuna Racing 19 Canterbury Vintage Annual Rally 20 Gore Joesphville Hill Climb 20 Banks Peninsula Hawkswood Sprint 20 North Shore Car Show & Swap Meet 20 Sth Cant Vet/VV/Commercial Rally 20 Southland Josephville Hill Climb 20 Taranaki Potters Paddock Gymkhana 20 Waikato Swap Meet 25 Gisborne Navigator’s Run 26 Ashburton Commercial Run 26 Sth Cant Night Trial 27 Canterbury Homestead Run
While Beaded Wheels makes every attempt to check the accuracy of the dates published in this column we advise readers to confirm all dates with the individual branch concerned.
Repairers and Restorers of Vintage and Classic Instruments Speedo Cables repaired or made new to order
Beaded Wheels 5
Julie Cairns-Gee
National Office Manager VCCNZ Inc National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 ph 03 366 4461 fax 03 366 0273 email admin@vcc.org.nz www.vcc.org.nz Office Hours Mon – Thur 9-5pm
national office news National Annual General Meeting The Club’s Annual General Meeting and Executive Meeting take place in Rotorua on 13 August 2016. The executive also meet on 12/13 August. The executive is made up of one delegate from each branch plus the management committee. Your delegate will report on the proceedings. The minutes for the Executive Meeting are distributed to each branch secretary and all members will receive minutes of the Annual General Meeting, branch office details and a list of calendar of events as an insert in the October/November issue of Beaded Wheels. Branch Annual General Meetings Branches around the country have all held their annual general meetings and as a result there are a number of new committee members. I would like to welcome all the new committees and thank all those who stood down for their assistance over the past years. The work that committee members put in to running the Club and assisting with the work undertaken by the National Office, is greatly appreciated. VCC ID Card/Authenticity Statement Requirements Vehicle Identity Card/Authenticity Statement applications must go to your branch which will deal with them. The only exception is a straight change of
Find out more about the Vintage Car Club Join our enthusiasts as they motor their classic vehicles and motorcycles. Visit vcc.org.nz to download membership application forms or contact your local branch directly for application forms and details. See page 2 for contact details of your nearest branch. 6 Beaded Wheels
ownership with no alterations to a vehicle. In this case, ask your branch secretary for a VIC change of ownership form, complete this and return it to the National Office. All applications for Vehicle Identity Cards and Authenticity Statements MUST include photos of the vehicle. Applications cannot be processed without these. If you require a lighting endorsement for a vehicle, you must complete both the Vehicle Identity Card/Authenticity Statement application form and the Lighting Endorsement form and return these to your branch secretary for processing. Change of Address Please advise the National Office in writing if you have changed address or vehicle ownership. Branch Transfer To transfer between branches complete a transfer form. This can be obtained through your branch secretary. VCC Speed Events It is compulsory for any member entering a VCC Speed Event to hold a current VCC Historic Racing Licence and VCC Log Book for the vehicle they are using. If you currently hold a VCC Historic Racing Licence, please keep an eye on the expiry date and if it needs renewing please complete the Historic Race Licence Renewal Form and forward it, along with $23 and a new one will be issued. All application forms for the above are obtainable from your branch, the VCC website or the National Office. VCC ID Cards Renewals Please note that all VCC ID Cards expire upon change of ownership, or 10
years after the issue date (whichever comes first). Approximately three months prior to its expiration the VCC National Office will send a renewal advice out to owners of vehicles who have VICs due to expire. Please remember that valid VICs are compulsory for national events. Subscription Time Again! The membership year was altered this year and will now run from 1 November to 31 October annually. This means renewal invoices will be sent out to all members in September 2016 for the period 1 November 2016 to 31 October 2017. To receive the discount of $11.50, payment MUST be received by the National Office NO LATER THAN 20 October 2016. If you don’t receive your invoice then please let your Branch Secretary know before the end of September so they can advise the National Office. You don’t want to miss out on the discount because the postman has lost yours! Members who have not paid by 1 November 2016 will show as unfinancial. One reminder notice will be forwarded and the $11.50 will be payable. Membership cards are forwarded to financial members in November. Don’t forget to let National Office know if you have changed your address or sold/ purchased any vehicles. It is also appreciated if you advise them by 31 October 2016 that you wish to resign. The option is given for payment direct into the Club’s bank account. Please remember, you MUST put your membership number as the reference for the payment. This is very important.
mailbag The editorial committee reserve the right to p ublish, edit or refuse publication of any item submitted as comment. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the policy or views of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) or the publishers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Chevy 490….hubless! Problem! I have a very original Chevy 490 from 1918. I need two wooden wheels replaced and the best place to have them made is in New Zealand! Although I live in NZ for two months each year and have enjoyed 20 years of New Zealand Vintage motoring the Chevy is at my other house in Ireland! To have wheels made I need an early Chevy 490 hub. Is there any kind member in New Zealand who could lend me one? I recall New Zealand Chevy friends who I have lost touch with; the Rogers from Pleasant Point and Lee Orchard. Les Murray lpm36@btinternet.com Looking for a history lesson I am hoping someone in VCC land can help with the history of my 1928/29 Dodge Brothers Fast Four. I purchased the car in January from Invercargill. The owner had only had the car a few years and couldn’t locate the paper work from the previous owner, who he thinks was in the Nelson area. There were no plates and the glass had all been upgraded to safety glass, so consequently, no warrant or lube stickers. The chassis number was found when we took the body off to start the under carriage refurbishment. The chassis number is A931103 and the engine number is 1055-118. The interior had been stripped and some parts are missing. I would be grateful to anyone who could help me source parts locally, as I have exhausted most of the avenues like ebay. The purchase started after my son was given a 1925 Dodge ¾ ton truck, the idea being I could rob parts from one to complete his truck, but the condition of
mailbag the sedan was too good, so now we have two Dodges being rebuilt. Appreciation in advance for any help or history. Simon O’Hara simonoh36@gmail.com 36 Ranfurly Street, Solway, Masterton
Ready for the road Here is a photo of a road-going hedge cutter that was built by our neighbour Bruce Alexander of Dalzeill Road, Eltham. The cutter was mounted on a WWII Valentine tank, the ½ ton 16 foot blade was driven by another tank engine, I have great memories as a youngster of this working on our farm. On the farm next door it chomped through a concrete power pole as though it was a toothpick! The cutter part has long gone but the tank base still survives somewhere in the Manawatu. I only send this as it was driven on the road till the authorities decided against that. Peter Coleman, Putaruru Parliamentary Tour Participants I may be able to add some information about one of the participants in the 1917 Parliamentary Tour of the North, featured in BW Issue 339. The article named one participant as Mr Gerald Watson, but the note on Blomfield’s Caricature looks more like Mr Gerald Jackson (middle of bottom row). A quick search of ‘Papers Past’ has shown that a Mr G A Jackson was County Engineer for Waitemata County between 1911 and 1920, which may explain the caricature note ‘shakes up old Waitemata’. I am not sure if he was a relative, but my grandfather had an older brother Gerald Arthur Jackson. He was born in 1870, so would have been about 47 years old in 1917. My great uncle Gerald was County Engineer for Otorohanga County in the 1930s, which leads me to wonder if he was the Mr G A Jackson of Waitemata. Also, though perhaps rather fanciful,
the caricature very closely resembles my grandfather as I remember him. I wonder if the copy of the motor registration records in the Auckland Branch library could be checked to see if Gerald Jackson is listed. If so I will be able to make enquiries within our family, and perhaps obtain another participant in next year’s re-enactment. Brian Jackson School Days It never ceases to amaze me the time and trouble people take to restore a classic vehicle. The Graham Paige car a perfect example for its extensive work. I was told I know a lot about cars. I have learnt a lot more since coming to New Zealand from the UK. There are cars I have heard of but never seen anywhere until I came here. The first time someone mentioned a Jewett I thought he meant a Jowett Javelin or Jupiter. I stood corrected. I was led to believe that most American cars in New Zealand were imported from Canada as import tariffs were, and may still be, lower than the USA? Ford have for ages made small cars in Dagenham UK knowing most mainstream USA cars were too big and wouldn’t sell in Britain. For many years it was very rare to see one anywhere. For many years I thought Ford was as British as Austin Morris, MG, Riley etc. I thought Alldays and Onions was just a bad joke until I saw one here. Thank goodness I am still learning. Ken Braddon Jaguar Correspondence I have followed with interest the letters on the Jaguar Airline cars. Back in the early 1960s while passing through Christchurch I looked at buying one that was at a car sales yard. It was on wire wheels and sported faded maroon paint. I’m not sure but it may have had a fabric body. Around the same time a nurse at the Balclutha Hospital arrived with one painted green / cream two tone. While it looked good I can still recall it grinding up the hill to the hospital sounding like a heavy truck. One day she was stopped by a guy from the USA who, I believe, offered her a large sum and it went home with him. In the late 1950s I lived in Milton and spent time at a friend’s house at the south end of town near a large boarding house where one of the boarders traded his 1928 Chev for an SS tourer. The motor was reconditioned in the car garage behind the church. We all thought it was a dreadful gutless car and it was sold on very quickly. Beaded Wheels 7
mailbag Now also at the south end of Milton was the local undertaker and his hearse was a 1936 Buick much like the one Neville Smith has written in about. I wondered if it was the same one but the dates do not match. Long after the undertaker moved away and the home and buildings sold I was passing through Milton and lo and behold the Buick was being pulled out of its lair all covered in dust where it had sat for 20 plus years. I was told was that it had been a Mount Cook service car before it was converted and, when the engine was rebored at a friend’s father’s garage, I took time to look over it. Proof it had been a service car was evident by the original seats that were all folded down under the platform that now supported the coffins. I never saw another and if not for the dates would have thought it was the same Buick. Mel R Tapp RD3, Balclutha Down Memory Lane, I would like to thank Kevin Clarkson for his high praise of Branch reporters to Beaded Wheels, as a reporter for the North Otago Branch the article is much appreciated, Thank you. But may I point out though that waxing lyrical, with “pens flowing freely and buttons being shiny”, may in some quarters, be likened to “Fluff”! Lol. Great write up by Kevin Casey about the King brothers, Spencer and Doug. I lived in the Maheno district for 35 years and knew them well. They never had a bad thing to say about anyone and always went out of their way for their customers. They are sorely missed. Alas, the petrol station on SH1 is no longer used, the pumps are out and the building is in need of repair. Shame. Clive Blunden
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SS Update As a new member I haven’t read all the correspondence from Ivan Verral regarding the Waihi SS Airline but further to Bernie Snalam’s reply I can confirm the the car did belong to Les Lowry (famous for keeping his money buried in the garden) and was bought by John Roninson of Auckland around 1990. John did a sympathetic restoration and the SS made its debut at the 25th anniversary dinner for the Auckland Jaguar Drivers’ Club in 1994. The car has since been sold to a collector in the US who has around 200 SS cars! It won best in show at the 2003 Greenage Concours d’Élegance show. Hope this helps. Stephen Ward. Bedfords The article in Beaded Wheels issue 340 mentions Murcott’s breakdown trucks as being model K or M Bedfords, however the one shown is a model O. That is as obvious as the nose on your face, or should I say the nose on the truck. The K and M models had a full length bonnet (they were normal control) and had three equal length vents on the bonnet flaps. The O was a semi forward control with an engine that protruded into the cab. The bonnet was therefore shorter and ironically the bonnet flaps had four vents which makes them easily recognised. Anyone working these ones hard had to leave the flaps off to prevent overheating as they didn’t ventilate the motor well enough if left in place. L Cross Waipukurau.
feel that these workhorses of the past are not recognised for the heavy work they did in the early years of motoring. They were not comfortable to operate, were slow, had no doors, came with no headlights and made do with only kerosene sidelamps. Some 40 odd years ago I dragged home the remains of what was supposed to be a 1914 Republic. I photographed it and sent the image, along with engine and body plate number, to a friend in America who relished tracing vehicle records. In reply he told that it was not a 1914 model as they used pneumatic tyres on the front from 1912. In addition the radiator was wrong and it had a Continental engine. I lost interest until a similar truck was featured in a car magazine. I contacted the owner and found that it was exactly the same with engine and body numbers only a few apart. It would appear that the Yanks had gathered up left over incomplete vehicles, fitted off-the-shelf components and palmed them off to unsuspecting Aussies as new vehicles. Although much of the woodwork on my truck has rotted away and the side-lights are gone, it is relatively complete with a full engine cover and front mudguards. Will I be restoring it? I don’t think so. Frank Rodwell Cooma, NSW, Australia
Republic Truck It was pleasing to see Ian Cochrane’s 1912 Republic truck (page 28 Beaded Wheels issue 340) in running condition. I
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8 Beaded Wheels
Alon Mayhew South Island Club Captain
captain’s log There has been a lot of concern about the impact that the new Health & Safety Act will have on our hobby, and while we need to take it seriously we do not need to be afraid. A while back I found myself parked in the main street of Fairlie, early enough to still be dark, on my way to the Winchester Swap Meet. An acorn fell on the roof of the car from the oaks that line the road. I was immediately taken back to when I was a child and was afraid of the unknown, especially at night. Now that I am older I know the difference between what can harm me and what cannot. It is the same with these new regulations. When we realise that they can’t harm us we can embrace them as we do any change. To bring about that change, all we have to do is think about the things around us and look at what may harm us or others and act accordingly. As kiwis we have a reasonably laid back attitude and that is probably the biggest thing we need to be afraid of. It has in the past led to laziness and sloppiness and that has got us into a whole heap of trouble and danger.
If we think rationally about the dangers around us and listen to the recommendations in the new act then we will have a safer environment for everybody. You can have some fun with it and make a game of finding issues and pointing them out to those concerned. For instance, the other day I was in a jewellery shop and looking at the glass counter I noticed it was covered in scratches. Now while this is probably quite normal, I pointed out to the shop assistant that for their work safe plan, they needed to check whether or not the glass was toughened. Seemingly a small observation, but it highlights the idea of thinking about our environment and being aware of any possible consequences. The only time we will be affected adversely by the new act is when we ignore it and go about life the way we used to. We ignore warnings at our peril. Now most of us in the workforce will have to face many issues that we will think ridiculous, as no mishaps have happened in the past, but things are different now as the change occurs and we all need to be more thoughtful of our surroundings. Sort of “Love Thy Neighbour”, which in my book is not a bad thing. So next time you climb onto a chair to get that suitcase down, put the rarely used best glasses back in the high cupboard or think about where we store stuff in our workshops or in the parts shed down at the clubrooms, ask yourself “is this the only way or is there a better way?” BW
Citroën in New Zealand Wouter Jansen
wouter@citroexpert.nl
For a publication on the brand Citroën ‘all over the World’, Wouter Jansen is looking for one (or some) original and authentic photograph(s) of Citroën in New Zealand: showing a then more or less new car from the rearwheel drive generation (1919-1934) with NZ-registration, and/or a dealership? He would be very pleased if a fellow collector could help. It goes without saying that a scan (preferably 600 dpi, 25 cm width) will do perfectly. Wouter is a prolific car historian, editor of the specialised magazine CitroExpert (www.citroexpert.nl) and co-author of a dozen books on Citroën. Contact him via email if you are able to assist. 1940s Citroën Traction Avant in Vaxholm, Sweden 2012, photo Bengt Nyman.
historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by Graeme Rice
timelines 100 YEARS AGO 1916 – Tests carried out by the Automobile Club of America established the car as the fastest form of transport whether on land, sea or air. From slowest to fastest it was the motorboat – 21mph, the Battle Cruiser – 34mph, the Torpedo Motor Boat – 37mph, the Motor-Cycle – 100mph, the Aeroplane – 120mph. Maximum speed for the car was 141mph. 75 YEARS AGO 1941 – Matic was the magic word as new season American cars were full of innovations designed to dispose of the clutch and gear lever. Oldsmobile had their modern Hydra-Matic, Lincoln Mercury offered a Fluid Drive Liquamatic where the gears changed as the accelerator was moved. Studebaker offered their TurboMatic Drive, De Soto had a Fluid Drive Simplimatic and Chrysler listed their Fluid Drive Vacamatic. 50 YEARS AGO 1966 – What did the VW 1600 Fastback and the Boeing 727 have in common? According to VW’s advertising people both were rear-engined and this, they claimed, minimised noise, increased performance and offered superior comfort and appearance. The advertising went on to claim the “VW Fastback was as elegant, reliable and functional as todays fine jets.” “VW pioneered rear engined cars and now the birdmen of Boeing, recognising something good, have followed suit.” 30 YEARS AGO 1986 – Gnashing of teeth as Roger Douglas’s controversial 10% gst, a falling dollar and rising Yen lifted new car prices to levels that wouldn’t look out of place today. Fiat’s Uno started at $14,990 in March, by August it was up to $16,500. Hyundai’s Excel increased from $15,000 to $16,995, while the 2 litre Stellar rose $2000 from $24,500 to $26,500. Ford’s Laser GL went from $18,426 to $20,800. As sales of new cars slowed, the supply of modern second hand cars decreased but increased in value. The scene was set for second hand imports from Japan on a grand scale. Beaded Wheels 9
My Bedford Exploits
Words Sophie Hammond, photos Neil Hammond
Fifteen year old Sophie Hammond joins the ranks of our growing teenage enthusiasts as a vehicle restorer.
I
am restoring a KM model Bedford truck and have about 2.6 trucks worth of parts. Yes, it’s pretty weird for a 15 year old girl to be into Bedford trucks, or anything mechanical really, but everyone has to be different, otherwise (as my dad Neil Hammond says) there would be no Bedford trucks left to restore because everyone would want one. This all started about three years ago when I discovered my obsession with VW Kombis. I always knew that I loved old cars much more than modern ones (excluding Jaguars, Daimlers and now that I’ve seen James Bond movies, Aston Martins). When I discovered how expensive VW Kombis were it didn’t really worry me that much as I hadn’t realistically been interested in getting one at 12 years old. I quite literally didn’t know anything about cars. I soon extended my obsession for cars to trucks. Having no idea of the difference between a Chevrolet and a Bedford, whenever I saw one I liked I would ask Dad what it was and after a while I learnt about which was which.
10 Beaded Wheels
Then I discovered the Bedford. They became my new and slightly more refined obsession. Dad told me they’re pretty cheap and easy to get hold of, as they were everywhere and so commonly used until about two or three decades ago that virtually everyone drove one once. Still, for me, even though Dad was extremely mechanical, getting one was very unrealistic and the thought never crossed my mind. One day, Mum and Dad told my little sister Ashleigh and I we were going on a car trip to Wairoa because dad had to fix one of our machines that was working there. We were passing the Putorino pub and I saw an old Bedford KM type truck. I yelled out to dad, who was expecting it and already knew it was there, “Stop! Dad stop – look!” He stopped the car and we got out to have a look and take photos. All through this, I still never really registered that I may own a truck in the not too distant future. Between the “oh-my-goshdad-this-is-so-cool”s, I managed to ask if we could look at it on the way back and see who owns it.
After a very long car trip and my continuously thinking that dad was pulling my leg and we had passed it, we did actually come back to see her. We asked at the pub and were allowed into the roadside paddock to have a closer look. Dad found the owner’s phone number and we left very excited. We had already looked at a pretty good truck before this but the price was too high for my very small budget of $500. The next day Dad made a few phone calls and eventually it was organised that we would pick up the truck in a few weeks if we could find a replacement chassis for the man who had already bought it. I was so excited. This would be great! Yes it would take up virtually all of my spare time, but it’s great to have a new hobby! I’ll never be bored again! On the car trip (or truck trip to be more specific) up there I was trying to convince myself not to change my mind. People would probably see me differently from now on. I was probably going to be the only 14 year old girl restoring a Bedford truck in New Zealand. Dad was really excited that I was finally interested in something mechanical. So I didn’t say anything. When we got there those thoughts disappeared and I was so excited. It would
It’s all in the family, Sophie and Ashleigh Hammond with their new toys.
be so cool to actually restore her and be able to drive MY OWN Bedford truck! Dad ran me through his plan of attack. With a couple of winches in hand, we were going to try and roll her onto the trailer we backed up behind her. But the brakes were stuck, she had been sitting in this paddock for years. In between morning tea in the slightly falling apart cab and my asking what he was doing; Dad had tried to get the brakes unstuck. Alas, they stayed stuck and we had to try and drag her onto the truck anyway. But then the trailer winch broke. He said that it was no problem to replace because Dad had another one at home. Luckily enough, as he always had a plan B, he had brought a second which was in his truck. Hopes restored, we started again. Obviously, Alice (which was the new name I had given my truck) wasn’t interested in being moved and this winch broke too. I was so upset. Dad had enlightened me on the way there that we may not be able to get her today, and may have to come back another weekend. This was not what I was hoping for, as we really didn’t know when we could come back. Dad came up with a plan C and we drove down the road looking for cell phone coverage. He called
some of our good friends because they had a 4WD that could tow Alice out. Funnily enough, they were free and thrilled to come down and help us. When they arrived, it only took about 20 minutes of manoeuvring to get her out of the paddock, across the road, and onto the trailer. During this process the brakes came free which made things a bit easier. Very relieved, we arrived home before dark. What a day! I couldn’t wait to get started. As I really didn’t know anything about engines, Dad was telling me what was what. That night after dinner we took some of the spark plugs out and put in an inspection camera to have a look at the bores. They were actually pretty good and I went to sleep that night, filled with excitement, hoping the week would pass quickly so we could get started next weekend. Unfortunately, a few minor technicalities called ‘high school’ and ‘homework’ were in the way. Mum said that I could only work on Alice at the weekend and homework was to come first. That weekend we took off the head and the sump to have a closer inspection of what was going on. More good news. Everything was looking far better than expected. Over the next few months, I
took the bonnet, radiator, mudguards and entire deck off and got the seized engine freed up and turning over. The wood on the truck deck was Australian jarrah and really pretty, so we saved it and Dad helped me make a few easels out of it, (for my artwork). With access to the engine, Dad got the forklift in and we lifted it out. Next job was to completely strip down the engine. At the beginning Dad was pretty certain that the engine was going to be shot. As we got further into it, we discovered that is wasn’t nearly as bad as we initially thought. We needed new bearings and would possibly have to get it rebored and oversize pistons put in. When we measured the block there was only 5 thou wear on the bore and the pistons looked pretty good so we possibly could get away with just new rings. I stripped the entire engine down and it is presently in the machine shop until we decide if we are indeed going to use the original engine or not. The crankshaft is standard and within spec, but we have not been able to find standard or 10 thou undersized bearings for it. So we will probably be using another engine we have which is in better condition.
Beaded Wheels 11
As I am only 15, I really would like to drive Alice as soon as I can. I did some research and discovered that a KM type Bedford was too heavy to drive on a car licence and I would have to wait another few years to be able to legally drive her. The K type however was light enough that I could drive it on a car licence. Dad and I are on the hunt for a good K chassis and debating doing a K or my original KM. Our next find was in Woodville. My little sister Ashleigh picked up an interest in Bedfords after my excitement of buying one and would sometimes join Dad and I down in the shed, wanting to learn too. Dad found another really good running KM type Bedford and a third one that would be good for parts for me. After having a look and taking lots of photos for us, Dad was keen to get us on board with the idea. Originally he thought that it would be a good idea for me to get the running Bedford because, being at school and starting NCEA soon, I wouldn’t have too much time available. Although it was a really cool truck I said no immediately. I had decided I would restore Alice and I would. I would learn so much more restoring an entire truck anyway. Ashleigh soon leapt at the proposition and it was decided. She would purchase the running Bedford and I would buy the parts truck. On the journey to Woodville, Ashleigh and I debated over names. When we saw her, Ashleigh decided on Juliette. Dad first got the parts truck onto the trailer. That took most of the day as unfortunately, we couldn’t buy the original canopy off the back so we had to take it off. After that, we unhooked the trailer to back the truck up to the loading ramp to drive on Juliette. Luckily that didn’t take long and we were soon on our way home. I’m still working on Alice whenever I have time and really enjoying it. Ashleigh is also enjoying working on Juliette. I will have another update later. Meanwhile, if anyone knows anything about a good K type chassis, please let me or Dad know as we would be really keen to get in touch. I was working on Alice recently and cleaning the glass bowl of the petrol pump as it had varnish from old petrol in it. Dad had told me to leave it to soak overnight and I did. I got it spotlessly clean and was just drying it when it slipped out of my hands and I dropped it, and it smashed. Ashleigh and I would also like to say a big thank you for the awesome Beaded Wheels caps we got sent in the mail from the Beaded Wheels Editorial Committee. They’re great. BW
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1937 Alvis Speed 25 Words Greg Price, photos Kevin Clarkson
Classic British Motoring
14 Beaded Wheels
When the Editor asked me to pen an article about an Alvis, I thought he’d said ‘Elvis’, and momentarily wondered why the King was to be a feature of a Beaded Wheels article. I soon realised that he was talking about an Alvis, and that initially the featured car was to be an Alvis Silver Eagle.
U
nfortunately some unforeseen mechanical issues prevented the necessary hook-up for the required interview and photography session from taking place (as they sometimes do), but VCCNZ Hon. Secretary/Treasurer, Michael Lavender’s Speed 25 was conscripted in at short notice. While I’ve been around classic and Vintage cars for longer than I care to remember, and have owned more than my fair share of 1920s and 1930s vehicles, I still had to go scrambling for the reference books (read VCC library) so that I would at least have a fair idea of what I would be writing about. The closest I’d ever been to an Alvis was back in the 1960s, going for a test ride in a brand new 1966 Alvis TF21 that was in the then MacMillan Rover car dealership in Greenlane, Auckland, where I was an agency teller for the Bank of New Zealand. Apart from a ride around the same time in an acquaintance’s Alvis Grey Lady, I was more familiar with Elvis than Alvis. For the uninitiated, Alvis are perhaps best remembered for their sports and touring models, most notably, the Speed
25, which was (according to the reference books) ‘one of the best Alvis creations’! Even today, Alvis (albeit after take-overs and name changes!) are still manufacturing the personnel carriers and tanks that come out of the United Kingdom, not to mention hovercraft and helicopter engines, so that would suggest that their technology is still ground breaking – particularly the tanks! (Ground breaking? Get it? No? Moving right along then…) The featured car has an interesting history and is testimony to those like Michael who can envisage the finished product from what is often a bucket of bolts, or in this case, the proverbial basket case. So it was that at the conclusion of the 1996 National Rally at Cutler Park, three UK members with Michael and his wife Sherryn were having the traditional post-rally natter, and it was mentioned that there were the remains of two Alvis back in the UK. Michael, who had driven their Grey Lady on the rally and was on the lookout for another project, learned that he could have the choice of either a saloon or a basket case. As he was hankering for an open car, he opted for the basket case,
which essentially was just a rolling chassis with a dis-assembled engine and gearbox. The good thing about such a project is that the owner has a wide choice of body options. Knowing his Alvis, Michael was aware of a Speed 20 in the UK purposebuilt at the time for Tim Birkin, so the decision was made to base his car on the Birkin example. An excellent choice, I might add. Starting from scratch, it befell Ted Loversidge to prepare the body plan drawings based on the Birkin example. Len Rickard built the beech frame. Brian Dowty built the body, skinned it in aluminium, and also applied the paint – British Racing Green, of course! Lex Westoby rebuilt the motor and was the one that took the project from basket case to running chassis. Interestingly, the original motor had no fewer than 108 valve springs, in clusters of nine per valve. (Jeepers!
The Birkin Alvis Beaded Wheels 15
Imagine the time it would take to do a valve grind.) However these were replaced with two per valve (with double valve springs). A 4.33 ratio differential replaced the original 4.77. The late Alan Roberts produced the conrods with Carrillo fullyfloating little ends to compensate for the extra power of the supercharger. An oil cooler was fitted, as was an electric fan, as the original two bladed fan was deemed ‘a waste of space” and virtually ineffective. The motor has German Mahle forged pistons with three thou clearance. Les fitted a full-flow oil filter, and also fitted baffles into the Alvis sump to prevent oil surge during, among other things, my handbrake turns. Another interesting fact is the ‘Kiwi’ connection in the restoration which involved the use of the good old number 8 wire. Yes, in order to follow the period design, it was necessary to fold some number 8 wire into the edges of the front guards, which were made in three sections. The centre swage line of these was created by Brian using a one-inch cold chisel, forming the line as he went along the upturned guards bedded on a bag of sand. It was Michael’s idea to mount the front guards to the front hubs so that the guards would follow the directional turn of the wheels. The cross-ply tyres didn’t work out that well so Michelin DR (double-rivet) tyres were utilised instead to improve handling – which Michael tells me is superb. The massive front cross member effectively provides independent front suspension. 16 Beaded Wheels
A remarkable aspect of the Alvis is that its 4-speed synchromesh gearbox was the first ever available in a production vehicle. It is interesting that the cost of this Alvis gearbox alone was equivalent to the total cost of an Austin Seven rolling chassis! And, very few readers will know this – the ball-joint cups use lignum vitae. (What’s lignum vitae, I hear you ask?) Well it’s a very, very hard oily, self-lubricating wood, also known as Ironwood, that is used in a number of industries, including shipping where it is used as bearings that enclose ships drive shafts. The wood weighs 1.23 grams per cubic centimetre (or 73lb per cubic foot, for the metrically challenged) and sinks in water. See? Even I learned something new. In the seven or eight years since this Alvis has been back on the road, Michael has driven it on rallies to the top of the North Island and to the bottom of the South Island. It has also been on the Manfield racing circuit during the 2012 Pomeroy Event. Of particular note on one North Island trip was the fact that it went up the notorious Rimutaka Hill in top gear! It also has climbed Christchurch’s Gebbies Pass in top gear. Another notable feat was motoring from Auckland to Wellington in just the one day! Miles per gallon? I remember the famous line in an episode of the TV Series To The Manor Born, Lady Forbes-Hamilton once intoned drily in response to a question about the mpg for her Rolls-Royce, “When you own a Rolls you do not worry about miles per gallon!” I reckon that’s applicable here – if you
can afford an Alvis then mpg would not have been a necessary part of the decisionto-buy process! Michael confirmed that economy was NOT a factor he considered when contemplating purchasing the Alvis. As an aside, Michael and Sheeryn are also members of the Alvis Car Club of New Zealand, which was formed in 1969 – just two years after the last Alvis rolled out of the factory. The club holds its Annual General Meetings alternately between the North and South Islands and is a weekend event with various activities to keep everyone busy. Membership currently stands at approximately 100 with the total number of cars owned by the members being a similar number. The New Zealand Alvis Club has hosted New Zealand tours for Alvis owners and their cars from Great Britain and Australia, and some New Zealand Alvis Club members have visited Great Britain and Australia to take part in some of their premier events. The test drive My first glimpse of this magnificent machine was when Michael drove it into Cutler Park for the photoshoot, on what was a cold, overcast (with some rain) winter’s day. He looked resplendent in the obligatory oilskin full-length motoring coat, white silk scarf, with leather flying helmet, driving gloves and WWII goggles. The engine’s faint six-cylinder growl was barely discernible as he glided to a halt. Once the introductions were dispensed with, and the editor had taken some good pictures, it was time to clamber behind
the wheel for a hoon down the road. And therein lay the first problem – getting into the damn thing! Unlike the Tim Birkin design, this Alvis had no doors (to aid strengthening, apparently) and with no running boards one had to hook one leg over the edge of where the door should be, lever oneself up and into the car, then slither down either side of the steering wheel. As it was then quite wet, I was reluctant to place my foot anywhere near the seat base, but Michael assured me it was the only way to enter and exit the car. Editor Kevin was more fortunate – he at least had the massive insulated exhaust system on his side of the car to facilitate easier entry, and Michael assured Kevin that it was okay to stand on the exhaust. Once astride the steering wheel and ensconced in the seat, I gingerly turned the key and the massive six burst into life and settled down to a quiet purr/rumble. Despite the flywheel being lightened somewhat, I was not able to stall the Alvis and slowly motored off towards the road outside the park. Already I was wishing I had not parted with my old leather flying helmet, as it was cold and damp (the weather, not the flying helmet!) The ‘armstrong’ power steering was surprisingly light for such a large car, and the steering box itself was about the size of an Austin Seven engine! The synchromesh gearbox made it easy to select the gears although I noticed a rather large gap across the gate from 2nd to 3rd gear. Michael had shown me the process for selecting reverse gear – apparently there was a small lever
hidden under the gear lever shroud, which needed to be moved before reverse could be selected, but I wasn’t paying attention, hence the decision to opt for a handbrake turn if need be. That was until I remembered that the handbrake lever was on the outside of the car probably because there would have been no room for it inside the cab. So the test drive was to be contingent upon locating a suitable spot for a 3-point turn, if necessary. The acceleration was smooth, and effortless, and immediately I was back in my school day’s comic book pages where war-time pilots were racing around between the aerodromes in their open sports cars. “Gimme a speedo reading, will yuh, Kev?” I asked, as the massivesized speedo was on Kevin’s side of the dashboard. “That’s about 55mph, Greg!” replied Kevin. I’d have got him to turn on the windscreen wipers as well, except there weren’t any! As you can see in the photos, the Alvis was sporting those neat little racing screens that fold flat when there is no danger of a mouthful of insects at speed! Even a reasonably slow speed will ensure that these small screens stay clear of surplus water curtesy of the airflow over the lengthy bonnet. I initially thought that the Alvis had been fitted with a speed limiter, but that turned out to be just a section of the ash frame that my right foot was resting against, and in so doing, it was temporarily stopping me from putting my foot down! (That might have been a good thing?)
As luck would have it, a suitably large layby produced a sufficiently big enough space for a U-turn, rendering the handbrake manoeuvre unnecessary, and we were then safely heading back to McLeans Island – where I’m sure Michael was anxiously awaiting the safe return of his pride and joy. It would have been interesting, to say the least, to have been behind the wheel if the supercharger had been operational, but in hindsight, I doubt that I would have been brave enough to want to try such a gadget out, especially when it was someone else’s car. We motored back up the Cutler Park driveway and I could’ve sworn Michael let out a huge sigh of relief as we rolled to a halt beside where he was standing. I managed to clamber out of it more easily than I had got into it and then waited for the adrenalin rush to subside. I’d have to say that I was pretty honoured that Michael had agreed to let someone whom he’d never met previously (Canterbury Branch does have over 1300 members) get behind the wheel of his magnificent Specifications
Year: 1937 Bore and Stroke: 83mm x 110mm Cubic Capacity: 3571cc Transmission: 4-speed, all synchromesh Top Speed: 100mph Body by: Dowty, NZ Number Built: 391 Number remaining: 220 Engine: 7-bearing crankshaft Fuel: Triple SUs Beaded Wheels 17
Beaded Wheels welcomes our newest contributor machine and hoon off out of sight in it. But I was very grateful for the opportunity to have a decent drive of what is still a significant piece of motoring history. It certainly makes writing about it far easier. By now the rain had properly set in and Michael was going to get very wet on his way home. It was now quite late in the day so he was going to encounter the notorious Christchurch rush-hour traffic, and had to negotiate crossing SH1. (Christchurch tends to use only a single lane on what are mainly quite wide roads, and many of the main roads are marked for (mostly) non-existent cyclists, and bus lanes which are required for but a few hours per day.) In my humble opinion open cars are always great, even when it is raining, as the water generally goes harmlessly over you – as long as you still moving forward. The minute you have to stop however is when the water comes straight down on you. Michael confirmed later that evening that he was absolutely soaked when he finally got home. Despite the weather I relished the opportunity and privilege I was afforded to get to grips with Michael’s Alvis, which better enabled me to write this article for Beaded Wheels. It just reinforced my firm view that there are still lots of enthusiasts out there who are prepared to spend many hours (and most likely, many dollars) plus utilising their innovative ideas, to keep our motoring history alive and operational. Long may that continue! BW
18 Beaded Wheels
Greg Price
My father was a car dealer in the late 1940s and used to bring home many of the latest models so I was indoctrinated into cars from a very early age. My first car was a 1937 Austin Seven which I had to fund myself. A succession of other marques followed including the obligatory V8s but the ideal car for me was always going to be a Ford Mk I Zephyr, preferably a convertible – which I’d lusted after, since having seen a school chum’s Dad driving a brand new one in 1956. In 1973 I bought a 1953 Mk I sedan, which I still have. In 1978 I bought a Mk I convertible which I also still have. Armed only with the trusty workshop manual I have been able to carry out much, if not all, mechanical work myself, including the occasional paint job on some of them. Other vehicles came and went in the subsequent years, including the only 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special in New Zealand at the time, which we owned for 18 years. In addition to cars I was also interested in motorcycles, having been influenced by an uncle’s 1950s Panther. This interest resulted in a succession of bikes and scooters gracing
the garage over the years as well. My employment saw me reside in Auckland until 1987 when a promotion provided an opportunity to move to the South Island, initially to Dunedin and later to Christchurch. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have travelled overseas and thus have driven in Europe (France, Switzerland and Germany), the United States and Australia. Pre-earthquake plans included setting up a private museum for which my wife (Karen) and I had been accumulating items. Pre-quakes we had amassed 27 cars, bikes and scooters and an eclectic collection of 1950s/1960s cool stuff. I’ve been a freelance writer (according to IRD) since 1995 when I began contributing a monthly column and the occasional feature to New Zealand Classic Car Magazine et al. We joined the Vintage Car Club Canterbury Branch in 2005 primarily so we could get into the McLeans Island Swap Meet on the Friday! Conflicting commitments to other car clubs limits our participation in most of the VCC activities – except the swap meet, of course.
The BMC A Series Engine Words Ronald Mayes
The article on the Austin A30 in the June-July issue of Beaded Wheels brought to mind the story of the engine which started life in that car and continued in production for almost 50 years.
T
he 1200cc A40 engine, which sometime later became the long-running B series, was very successful and Austin decided to use its design features in its post-war light car. The first A Series motor had a 58mm x 76mm bore and stroke which gave an 803cc engine developing 28 bhp, sufficient at that time for a small, light car. It was to have along life in many different capacities. The Morris Minor, which was some two cwt (102kg) heavier than the A30, had been introduced with the 57mm x 90mm, 918cc, side valve, 28 bhp engine inherited from the Morris Eight. There were plans to fit it with the ohv conversion used in the Wolseley Eight to give it 33 bhp but these came to nought with the amalgamation of Austin and Morris. The 1200cc A40 engine was apparently considered for the Minor, but thought to be too powerful at 40bhp and the 803cc A30 engine was adopted instead. The course of history for the little engine
was changed forever. An SU carburettor helped to squeeze a little more power from the engine for the Minor but it gained very little extra performance over the sidevalve Eight that was previously fitted.. Realistic power (37 bhp) finally came in 1956 with the increase in bore to 63mm and size to 948cc for the Minor 1000 although the Austin, now the A35, still used a Zenith carburettor and that engine produced 34 bhp. The engine went from strength to strength. Twin carburettors were fitted to Austin-Healey Sprite and MG Midget engines. It was reduced to 63mm x 68mm to give 848cc for the transverse Mini-Minor application It was increased to 62.4mm x 81.3mm to give 997cc for the Mini-Cooper, and then further increased to 64.5mm x 83.7mm to give 1098cc and 48 to 59 bhp for the 1100 range. That engine’s stroke was then reduced to 76.2mm to give 998cc for the Riley and Wolseley Minis.
Next came the 70.6mm x 81.3mm, 1275cc engine, in production from 1964 to 1980. Used in the Mini-Cooper S it produced 76 bhp and from 1967 it was fitted to a wide range of BMC/BL vehicles, both transverse and conventionally mounted and with a range of power outputs from 58 bhp. Meanwhile, in 1966, Nissan began building A series engines under licence in Japan and the design became the basis of several of their later engines. By 1980 it was time for a new engine. Overhead camshafts and 5-bearing crankshafts were common in other 4-cylinder engines, but BL decided that the A engine’s basic strengths held it in good stead. After £30 million was invested the A-Plus engine was introduced. With many details improved, it was produced in 998cc form until 1992 The 1275cc A-Plus version (including a 94 bhp turbocharged variant) was built right up to 2000, a memorable run for any engine design. BW Refs: The BMC A Series Engine, W V Appleby, Chief Designer Power Units, BMC, 1964; The Motor Guide to Makes and Models, 1958; BMC A Series Engines, Wikipedia, current. Beaded Wheels 19
Irishman 2016
Bev Orchard in 1926 Chev Special.
Words Louise Russell and Michael Pidgeon, photos John McDonald and Dave Inwood
The annual pilgrimage…
I
n true Pidgeon fashion 14 May (closing date for entries) found me phoning George Kear Jnr to get an email address to send in our entry for this year’s Irishman! Duly entered, Michael then thought it wise to ‘just check’ the internals of the Fiat 501 gearbox as he was concerned about a possible ‘noise’ he had noticed on our way back from the Dunedin rally in January. So Sunday night of the weekend prior to Queens Birthday the gearbox was dutifully removed and inspected. As suspected, second gear was indeed a little toothless (well one tooth missing) and a replacement required. Fortunately there were spares on 20 Beaded Wheels
hand due to first gear having had to be replaced before Dunedin… Wednesday night and all was back in place running quietly, grease, oils and water topped up ready for the pilgrimage on Friday to Fairlie. Weather-wise this has been one of the warmest winters for many an Irishman however the pelting rain on the Monday and Tuesday before did have me wondering where I had stashed the Drizabone and checking that Michael had packed the chains. The run to Fairlie was under clear blue skies and uneventful. We arrived late afternoon at our accommodation in Albury to be advised that the electric blankets
were on in our room and the fire blazing in the bar. (No shearers quarters for this girl!) Saturday – up bright and early along with all the other guests in the pub, which was full to capacity and then some, in readiness for our 8am start from the Gladstone. The morning’s preparations were interrupted by flickering/no lights, heaters off and on. We got down to the dining room where were greeted by candle lit ambience and the toaster and kettle plugged in to very long extension cords! Fortunately there was sufficient hot water in the cylinders that we did get a shower.. On arrival in Fairlie one could be forgiven for thinking that there was a Model A restorer’s convention on in town,
One of the many Ford Model A entrants pushing on.
Assembling at start in Fairlie Main Street.
Follow the leader, looking towards the Albury Range. Beaded Wheels 21
The Pidgeon Fiat receives attention as the Palmers’ similar vehicle goes by.
as these were by far the dominant breed of vehicle present. Entries numbered 136, though some had fallen by the wayside before the start of the rally. Danny Ryan from Auckland became the recipient of the Hard Luck trophy when the Lancia Kappa failed to make an appearance. After a briefing by this year’s main organiser Graeme (Woody) Wood we were off retracing our route back toward Albury. Due to the heavy rain at the start of the week the organisers decided not to put us through the Opawa fords and kept us on the main road. It was then off up Mt Nessing Rd, through farm land and winding our way around back roads toward Timaru. The pack quickly spread out and for parts of the route we were on our own. The instructions had us working our way back toward Cave, then crossing the main road and back through Raincliff and Middle Valley Rd, eventually on to Highway 79. The good roads and excellent instructions meant time for a coffee at the top of the hill and to take in picturesque scenery before we returned to Fairlie for lunch. The 80 mile route after lunch had us travelling back over Spur and Raincliff Roads, toward Winchester Hanging Rock Rd eventually ending up in the Woodbury area on the far side of Geraldine. At this point we were back on main roads and back to Fairlie, after enjoying another coffee. We arrived back at our accommodation just as the linesmen were removing a fuse 22 Beaded Wheels
from the switch board before they departed into the night. Fortunately for us (and the publican) the bar and kitchen had power so a good meal and a few ales were consumed before ascending the darkened stairs to bed. Sunday A crisp start (not just those who braved the now cold showers, shearers quarters were beginning to look attractive) from the Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie, back and this time through the Opawa fords – being near the head of the pack we didn’t see anyone being hauled out, though Michael did wonder why the Fiat wouldn’t accelerate easily through the second ford, only to discover he was in the wrong gear. A quick change and a clean exit followed. From here our instructions took us up on to the Brothers Rd and across farmland. The views were amazing. Many took the opportunity to stop and take them in. We continued on down to Middle Valley Rd and eventually back on to the Fairlie Highway before turning right at Fat Alberts Smoke House heading toward Kimble and the ever popular Stoneleigh Rd ford. Some already there had opted to take the concrete bridge, but in true Pidgeon fashion we took the ford, even though the backups were not in position at the time. Once on the other side we enjoyed watching the Corbett and Kear Austin 7s take the plunge in their semi – submersible vehicles. Ann Corbett wisely opted to walk the bridge, keeping her rear
end dry! Cheered on by his father, young Fraser Kear restored the family honour by not getting stuck, as George had done the previous year. Our route then looped us around the back of Fairlie through the three (dryish) fords on the Jack Lovelock Track before returning back into the town via School Road. The afternoon had us up at Strathconan for Pete’s Patch. This involved a blind assisted driving test, then the perennial cambelt course (sighted). The winner of the first test (someone who listened to their navigator) was Greg Inwood, followed by Greg Barnard with Jim Smile 3rd. The Cambelt, and overall Patch winner, was John Newell, 2nd Brad Govan and 3rd Justin Orpwood. At the conclusion of competition the bonfire was lit (no sacrificial Austin 7s were provided) and the b…s….. started to flow as the sun set over another successful Irishman. Sunday night prize giving was held at the Community Centre where the lucky winners were announced. Congratulations to Mike Becker in taking away the prize and Gilbert Dallow the runner up. Thanks to Graeme, his team and the Canterbury Branch subcommittee providing another great weekend of motoring. P.S. power had not been fully restored when we left our accommodation, however we are hopeful that this will be remedied by 2017 or else the shearers quarters might have extra guests. BW
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Beaded Wheels 23
1982 Porsche 944
Cheap. Practical. Reliable … the three reasons why I bought an old Porker Story Tony Haycock Photos Tony Haycock, Alex Mitchell
I
was needing a car to use for work, which at that time meant going from one end of the country to the other, generally loaded up with someone else’s crap which needed to be moved between islands. Due to my previous employer running into a spot of financial bother I no longer had a car provided and I was doing way too many miles in my good cars. I needed something cheap. Comfortable. Reliable. Did I mention cheap? And VCC eligible would be useful too. In January 2015 I was heading north to Hampton Downs for the annual Festival of Motor Racing. To kill many birds with a single stone I was going up in my trusty 1971 Peugeot ute, fully laden as normal with someone else’s crap, along with various bits of bodywork from my 1928 Renault. 24 Beaded Wheels
The Renault bits were going to Nigel Fraser at Classic Auto Repaints in Opunake for a bit (a lot) of panel work. The phone call to arrange the work ended with him dropping the following into the conversation; “Don’t suppose you know anyone looking for a Porsche 944?” As the work car which had sadly disappeared was a Porsche 924 Turbo (and there is one of the most under-rated, serious performance cars you will ever see) I had a liking for
I had a liking for Porkers with the engine at the proper end, so I agreed to take a look at it… you know… just looking…
Porkers with the engine at the proper end, so I agreed to take a look at it… you know… just looking… So, with the Renault bits dropped off at his workshop, we went back to his house to check out the Porsche. Let’s be honest, first impressions were not great. It was RHD, but had hideous North American spec bumpers. The seats were black vinyl and a little tired, and the dash was typical 1970/80s – completely ruined by the sun. The leather on the steering wheel was falling off, which nicely matched the gear knob which was also in a bad way. While the paint was the correct Guards Red, the car had clearly been repainted at some stage. By the look of it this had been applied with a vacuum cleaner in the middle of a swarm of sand-flies. Not to
No longer looking like a three grand porker. At Hampton Downs for the 2016 Porsche festival with fellow Banks Peninsula Branch member Alex Mitchell’s 1985 911 alongside
Doing what it does best. On track at Hampton Downs
mention the runs and the orange-peel. It all had the appearance of a nasty old heap. Very expensive cars, as a 944 was when it was new, if properly mistreated later in life, can be very expensive when they are old and tired. That was the impression this car was giving me however I thought I would give it the benefit of the doubt and at least take it for a drive. Wonder of wonders, it started instantly and with no evidence of smoke from the rear. The 2.5 litre four cylinder engine never was one of the world’s nicest sounding power plants but this one sounded fine. The clutch wasn’t too heavy and didn’t judder as I backed out of the shed. The gearshift felt positive as I went from reverse to first. These cars use a transaxle so the gearbox is quite some distance from the gear lever and worn
linkages are not a good thing. Out on the road it got better, the gearshift was perfect and there were no worrying signs of worn synchos. The suspension seemed fine and it drove far better than the appearance would suggest. The oil pressure was exactly where the book said it should sit when the engine was hot. Maybe there was hope for it after all. The main issues were electrical as nothing seemed to work except the gauges and headlights, but there was evidence of dirty contacts in the fuse box and the relays so I wasn’t too concerned. With the initial test-flight concluded, we had a conversation about the price, there being some discrepancy between what Nigel was asking and what I was prepared to pay. Eventually we came to a mutually acceptable agreement with the proviso that I pay a deposit initially,
and had a little time to sell my Peugeot 404 sedan which I wasn’t using enough to justify its existence. All Nigel had to do was get a WoF for it and we were in business. Or so we thought. I was travelling with friends and as we were heading south ten days later Karen kindly offered to drive the ute back to Christchurch and I would follow a day later in the Porsche. What could go wrong? What went wrong was that initially the damned thing wouldn’t go. That was traced to a dirty fuse. The essential electrics were all ok except the indicators. The WoF had only recently expired so we were confident that there wouldn’t be much wrong there. After most of a day head-first under the dash we were not so confident. We had a workshop manual but I challenge anyone not versed in the ways of such things to Beaded Wheels 25
interpret what Porsche wiring diagrams are trying to say. In the end I had to call for help; in this case Steve Rasmussen at EuroPacific in Pirongia, the expert on front engined Porsches. The news was not good. Where the hazard light switch should be there was instead an over-ride switch for the cooling fans and it was clear that no science or finesse had been applied to the removal of the hazard light circuit. Worse, according to Steve, if that circuit and switch were not complete the indicators would not, and could never have, worked. Whoever issued the last WoF must have been blind. Of course, this was not helping our cause of getting the car legal so I could drive it half the length of the country. Time was getting short and so was patience. It was time for plan B. Plan B? Find the wires under the dash which go to each indicator light. Find a live wire. Add in a toggle switch and flasher unit. Not elegant, ideal or practical but it worked. Around to the local garage for a WoF and there is a problem with a front wheel bearing. So back to Nigel’s workshop we go and pull the bearings out. I was about to start making phone calls to Hawera and New Plymouth (bearing specialists are thin on the ground in Opunake) while Nigel was talking to the local garage – the one which had just failed it. For the first time in a couple of frustrating days he was smiling. The Opunake garage had Porsche 944 front wheel bearings in stock! Of course they weren’t in a Porsche wrapper, but they turn out to be the same size as your standard light trailer. Cost? $25 for the pair – inner and outer.
Job done and with it legal the trip home to Christchurch was soon going to confirm either that the car was sound but tatty (as I hoped) or a complete disaster (as my mate Alex thought but in a rare moment of discretion for him hadn’t shared with
The golden rule with these cars is that, unless you are VERY careful, there is nothing so expensive as a cheap Porsche!
me). The golden rule with these cars is that, unless you are VERY careful, there is nothing so expensive as a cheap Porsche! It got me home, and with a smile on my face. It drove as a 944 should – not the fastest car in a straight line, you need the Turbo version for that, but from point A to Point B in its day one of the best available and today, still an amazing fun, smileinducing little rocket. All I needed to do was make it look better. Nigel’s advice (and he’s a car painter so he should know) when I first saw the car was that some time spent on it with 2000 wet and dry then a decent buff should make a huge difference. It took two pretty intense weeks of sanding to remove the orange peel, runs and a multitude of other sins and then I attacked it with some cutting compound. I rubbed as hard as I could but I was not getting any sort of shine. Had I just finished off what was an
Here it is as I first saw it in Nigel’s shed. The hideous USA-spec. back bumper does the svelte lines of the 944 no favours at all. Luckily Phil Ansell had a European one in stock from a 924 and with a squirt of Guards Red, the back of the car now looks much better.
Beginning the dash repair process at Fibrenew. Even at this stage it looks much better than it was in the car before I removed it. 26 Beaded Wheels
The finished item, with all the little electrical bits now working!
already grotty coat of paint? I hadn’t really lost much as it was looking awful before I started but I really was hoping not to have to repaint it, which would have cost more than the car was worth, so I gave Nigel a call. He laughed at me. By a decent buff he didn’t mean rubbing it by hand. So off I trotted to buy a decent electric buffer. I have to admit that when I got home, plugged it in and squirted Mothers cutting compound (which is REALLY good stuff) onto the fleece pad and approached the car I could see it going very horribly, badly wrong. I was thinking swirl marks and paint polished right down to bare metal. What I got was shiny Guards Red paint and while it’s not perfect and I really need to give the doors a bit more attention it more than holds its own when parked alongside other 944s. The horribly split dash was the next on the list for attention. There isn’t much point in looking for a better one, they don’t exist. Well they do occasionally appear but a perfect 944 dash is worth more than what I paid for an entire car so that wasn’t going to happen. With instructions, complete with photos, downloaded from one of the several excellent 944 web forums I set out to remove the offending item. It only took an hour but more than once, what the pictures looked like and the instructions mentioned, bore little resemblance to what I was looking at. With the dash removed, and taken to Fibrenew, who are experts in repairing split vinyl or leather seats and trim as well as re-covering terminally damaged things such as my dash, it was time to get serious with those damned indicators. On a trip north I had
Removing a failed crank sensor required some lateral thinking. I could see it but was having trouble getting a grip. Hence the invention of Tony’s 944 Long Nosed Vice Grip Slide-hammer. A cheap set pair of vice grips, some threaded rod, a nut, washer and a dirty great socket.
If you have ever wondered what lives behind the dash of a 1980s Porsche, wonder no more!
stopped at Pirongia (something which now happens quite often) and went shopping at EuroPacific, coming away with, among other things, a hazard light switch. Despite suffering from the dreadful handicap of owning a Ford Model A, Brendon Wilshire is otherwise quite a clever bugger and likes working with electrical challenges. He was up to the challenge of Porsche indicators but there were two conditions! I had to get the car to his place at West Melton and he could only spend two days on the job. With the dash out, instruments disconnected and bits of wire and switches hanging everywhere I wasn’t even sure if it would start, let alone be able to be driven. Amazingly, it did and it was. Even better, two days later I had indicators which worked from the proper lever and I even had hazard lights. It hadn’t been an easy job but he was not going to be beaten by the Germans. While I was waiting for the dash to come back I was in search of the answer to a bit of a mystery. Six months later I’m still not sure I have solved it. The car is right hand drive. According to the registration papers it was first registered new in the UK in 1983, and, in 1987, arrived in New Zealand Yet it had ugly North American bumpers, a North American VIN and left hand drive carpets. Adding to the question, the window and mirror switches are set for right hand drive. A borrowed book gave information on how to decode the VIN and the mystery got deeper. I found the build date was February 1982, which raises all sorts of issues. According to the on-line experts there were no 1982-build, North American spec, 944s. Except mine, which clearly is. Not only that, but the North American
VIN, which appears in three separate places on the car so it has not had the “cut ‘n shut” treatment, says it is chassis number 97 which makes it quite likely the oldest production 944 surviving. Test mule number 7 still survives as the oldest 944 of any sort. With the entire interior removed it was obvious that the car has always been righthand drive but, as I was to discover at the Porsche Festival at Hampton Downs, this not your ordinary RHD 944. The steering column finishes inside the cabin where a geared shaft takes the steering across the car to enter the engine bay and then the rack from the left hand side of the car. This was something which no Porsche expert here has ever seen and it
… what the pictures looked like and the instructions mentioned, bore little resemblance to what I was looking at. …
is something far too complex to be part of a back-yard RHD conversion yet not a production 944 piece either. Then there is the small matter of the windscreen wipers. Nothing unusual here I thought, until it was pointed out that my 1982 944 had RHD windscreen wipers. Pre-1985 facelift 944s do not have windscreen wipers which sweep for right hand drive. There simply is no such thing on early cars. Except this one.
Clearly this is not a production RHD car, but equally, there is no evidence that there ever was a steering wheel, pedals and switches on the left. It has been suggested by Auckland front-engined Porsche enthusiast Jae Ekman (who has also been a very generous supplier of some of the parts required for the “rolling rejuvenation” of the car) after he saw the car at Hampton Downs that maybe it was one of the first RHD prototypes or a pre-production press demonstrator. I don’t yet know what the whole story is, but I will find the truth eventually. In the 15 months since I bought the car, has it been reliable? The answer is an absolute yes. Has it let me down and stopped on the side of the road? Yes, but that was more my fault than anything wrong with the car. Not long after getting it home I noticed a slight hesitation in the engine at a constant throttle, starting at 2800 rpm. Everything and everyone pointed to the airflow meter (AFM), a standard problem with the 944. Apparently I just needed to take the top off the AFM, bend the arm which sweeps over a carbon contact so it sweeps across a new track and that will fix it. I tried it and it didn’t make much of a difference but the car was still perfectly drivable so I wasn’t greatly concerned and I set off for Bulls, via Nelson. All was well until somewhere near the Hanmer Springs turn-off when the motor stopped, stone dead. I am not noted for my mechanical skills, nor for my desire to ever have any, but I bravely opened the bonnet where to my intense horror I found the engine looking back at me, intact but inert. If it had fallen out I would at least have known what the problem might have been. The only thing Beaded Wheels 27
I could think of was to have a fiddle with my recently repaired AFM. I gave it a quick tweak and tried the starter. Woohoo! It goes! Let’s press on to Nelson while it still runs. The next morning I went down to the hotel carpark, jumped in and turned the key. It fired, ran for two seconds, then stopped. And for the next hour that is all the damned thing would do. I had a spare relay in the glovebox for the ignition/ injection system so I tried that. That didn’t work. I tried swearing at it. I felt better but the thing still was dead. I had a ferry to catch and it was clear that I was not going to make it. It uses a standard Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and ignition so in desperation, I rang the local Nelson Bosch service agent. That was a waste of time, they were rude, ignorant and clearly couldn’t give a shit. Which was actually a good thing as it forced me to think a little more laterally. Gary Orton at Victory Motorsport, attached to the WOW museum, services and builds racing cars. He will know Bosch injection. I rang but he was out. However one of the staff said they would come with a trailer to take the car to the workshop. Ten minutes later the cavalry arrived and the chap (who’s name I have completely forgotten) announced that his father had a 944 and was a fan of them. Better still, he knew what makes them tick and he was soon investigating under the bonnet. The first thing he noticed was that the cover for the AFM had recently been disturbed. He then got me to try the starter, and the damned thing went. It seems that my “repair” to the AFM arm wasn’t as good as it might have been and with his expert attention it now was. Feeling suitable chastened, I headed for the, rebooked, later ferry. The only other trouble was a crank sensor failure (cost of a new one, $75) which caused it to fail to start one morning and early this year a relay, part of the aftermarket, poorly fitted and even more poorly removed alarm system failed causing the starter motor to not want to work. Two minutes with side-cutters and some insulation tape and normal service was resumed. I still had the annoying miss at 2800 rpm though, and that was driving me mad. Discounting the AFM (and I tried three different ones on the car so I was sure I had eliminated that from the equation), what followed was basically a renewal of everything which might cause a 944 to misfire. It felt like fuel starvation, except that if I gave it full throttle, it would run perfectly. Only on a partial throttle opening would it manifest itself. Nothing I changed made any difference but 28 Beaded Wheels
fortunately nothing I had changed was expensive either so I was basically just making sure anything which might cause trouble was now new and at considerably less cost than rebuilding a carburettor, generator or magneto on something old and awful. But I still wasn’t getting anywhere and with the trip north to Hampton Downs for the Porsche festival I had decided to have one more try at sorting it myself, or it was stopping at Pirongia and not leaving there until it was behaving. There are two very good Porsche web
… Working on the theory that I had nothing to lose, I undid the double plug and started the motor. …
forums online so I went back and, listing everything I had replaced or checked, with a detailed description of the car’s behaviour, begged for help but did really not expecting to make any progress. The next day, along with all the “it will be the AFM” comments, one new suggestion was put forward to check the oxygen sensor – if the car had one. So I did some research. In theory, my car shouldn’t have one. There are two kinds of O2 sensors. The single wire version costs USD$75.00 and is what earlier model cars have. Later cars (mine is a VERY early car) have a three wire one and they are USD$350. I opened the bonnet, shone a light into the depths and found a sensor in the front exhaust pipe. Following the cable up into the engine bay I was surprised to see that three wires were coming from it. Yep, the late model one… Back to the internet and this time I was looking to see what would happen if a car with an O2 sensor had it disconnected. It seems that many 944s which are raced have this sensor unplugged. The cars go perfectly okay but the fuel consumption increases. In the grand scheme of running a car using a bit more fuel is basically irrelevant so that wasn’t a concern. Then came the interesting part when I read that the O2 sensor works off exhaust temperature and the puzzling thing about my misfire was that for the first couple of minutes when starting from cold the car would run absolutely perfectly. Then it would play up. Switch the car off to refuel and when I would restart it, even though the engine temp hadn’t dropped, the miss would take a minute to reappear… as the exhaust heated up again.
Back under the bonnet I looked at the wires. A single plug for one wire, and a double one for the other two. Working on the theory that I had nothing to lose I undid the double plug and started the engine. It seemed to run ok so I set off for a lap of my usual test course which was normally just long enough to have the car start to miss. After one circuit it seemed to be perfect. So I did another lap. The damned thing was perfect. Not really wanting to believe that the unplugging of two wires had fixed it I rang Alex and told him to meet me at the Cust pub for a (hopefully) celebratory beer. It is a half hour drive from my place to Cust, plenty long enough to make the miss appear, and without wishing to incriminate myself I conducted it on the open road in a manner which would ensure it was definitely at full operating temperature. And the thing ran like clockwork. Yes, I had fixed it. And now it is still fixed I have not replaced the sensor, just left the two wires disconnected. Fuel consumption? Gone from quite thirsty, to better than 35 mpg on a trip and the engine temperature has dropped noticeably as well. No one can really tell me why this has happened but I’m not complaining! Now it is going like it should attention has returned to the cosmetics as there are still a few little things to attend to before I will be completely satisfied with how it looks. First on the list is replacing the awful USA front bumper. Thanks to Jae Ekeman, I now have a European front bumper. EuroPacific came up with the correct brackets and fittings and a Trade Me purchase a few months ago meant I already had a pair of the correct indicators and one park light. There will be a little re-wiring to be done for the park lights and I still need to find a right hand one (next time I am in Pirongia…) but the exercise will be a huge improvement to the look of the car. The wheels still need some attention but none of this is essential or urgent. As it stands now I have a VCC eligible car which looks great for its age, is one of the best handling cars ever made, and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Which is every day. Getting the car to this state would not have happened without the help, advice or expertise of the following people. Nigel Fraser and Amber Brown at Classic Auto Repaints, Opunake; Steve Rasmussen and his team of Porsche nuts at EuroPacific, Pirongia; Clive at Fibrenew, Christchurch; Phil Ansell – Ansell Eurospares, Christchurch; Brendon Wilshire; Alex. Mitchell; Jae Ekman BW
Centre page Auckland Weekly News 924.
School Bus Revisited Words Brian Tegg The buses parked outside the Pio Pio District High School.
The Piopio College Trust embarked on a restoration project that may pique the interest of some of our readers … the replication of the first school bus in New Zealand located now in Piopio. In April 1924 the first school buses in New Zealand ran to Piopio District High School. It was decided that passenger compartments to accommodate 30 pupils would be built on the deck of three Model T Fords. While somewhat primitive by today’s standards, with no windows and drop down canvas blinds that were less than effective on wet days, the buses heralded a new era of access to secondary education. The challenges of running these three buses over rugged King Country roads were significant. Cutting Ti Tree (Manuka) for fascines over the muddiest roads was a regular task for the then Headmaster
Mr R Webster and Ford Motor Company appointed mechanic Tom Agar. The issues of tyres, benzine supplies, wages of the mechanic and poor performing brakes were matters of regular correspondence between Headmaster Webster and the Department of Education. The trust has have been fortunate to locate in Department of Education files, now housed in Archives NZ, the original specifications for this conversion along with responses/suggestions of separate tenders re material for side blinds and upholstery, seat layout. While casually browsing a Beaded Wheels magazine I noticed Errol McAlpine’s advertisement re restoration
of Model T’s. A subsequent family visit to Auckland and discussion with him about the dream to replicate the first bus, saw contact made with Michael Evans who had a roadworthy/restored 1921 Model T Ford Truck for sale. The acquisition of this truck has kick started the project, with a local committee being formed of Piopio College Trust members, Snow Nicol (Threeway Motors) and Alan Dobson (Dobson Motors) Max Laver, a boat builder in Piopio with extensive experience in building and fitting out boats, is to undertake the necessary alteration of the truck and building of the passenger compartment. The completed bus is now housed in a display garage in the main street of Piopio. BW
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Keen competition… Banks Peninsula Branch Hadstock Park Gymkhana Words Craig Cowie, photos John McDonald All eyes on the opposition.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person in he Banks Peninsula Branch has long recognised the need for its members to emotionally regress and, as it always has, the Hadstock Park Gymkhana provided an ideal setting. It doesn’t take much. John and Cynthia Chamberlain again generously provided a paddock for us to plough up and we are indebted to them. We put some cones out in various patterns, clicked a couple of stopwatches at roughly the right time and wrote some indecipherable figures on a piece of paper at the end of each run. Oh, and we laughed at others’ misfortune. That’s the best bit! Canterbury was in the midst of a particularly harsh drought and consequently the competitors were faced with an unusual navigational impediment in the form of dust, and lots of it. The usual state of affairs for this event is that the first few runs are very slippery, dew being what it is. Dew however was notable only by its absence.
The autumn day was about right, a bit nippy initially and warming a little through the day. Cars and people of all shapes, and abilities trickled in, and kept trickling in until we had 27 starters on the books, easily a record. And a diverse collection of cars too. From pre-war, Morris, Austin, Riley, Pontiac and Buick to post war MGs, Jags, De Lorean, Triumph and the inevitable Citroen. The format was that five tests would be conducted, the first four allowed two attempts and the fifth, one. The regular starter was the basic slalom, there and back in a zig-zag pattern to stop with axles straddling the finish line. Over the mark meant a couple of teeth off reverse to remedy the result as quickly as possible. Brad Govan in his Austin 7 Hawk set the pace, a portent of what was to come. Following what was understood to be a fairly comprehensive blow-up recently, the rebuilt engine was treated very gently for the first fifteen seconds. Best of the rest was Stu Moore in the TF, driving as he always has, neat, economical style… and quick. Following Stu was Craig Cowie in a Riley 9, and the ever present Avon Hyde, last year’s victor in his MG special Rod Corbett, recently introduced to the
Alex McNicholl, Austin 7 Ulster Special.
Courtney Chamberlain, Jaguar XK120.
possession of a silly old car, must be in want of a gymkhana
T
30 Beaded Wheels
Brian Smith, Morris 8 Sports.
Brad Govan, overall winner, Austin 7 Hawk.
joys of Austin Sevenry came in next in his lovely wee ex-Nelson Special. Test two was a new one, a moderately fast manoeuvring around a pattern of cones. Despite vociferous predictions of gloom and public humiliation, virtually everyone got it right. Obviously favouring the front wheel drive, enormous wheelbase, antiquated engine and door handle scraping cornering stance type of vehicle, Michael Williams in the Citroen DS impressed with a tidy drive for first place. Second was Avon Hyde, the MG special being better suited to the faster courses. After a leisurely lunch break, test four commenced in the form of the well-known radial cam-belt. The Govan / Moore duo again did the deed followed by Michael Williams (Citroen DS) and Craig Keenan in his ‘not designed for gymkhanas’ Jag Sovereign. Very nicely driven we all thought. Young Courtney Chamberlain did very well in the XK 120 for sixth. Due to our large entry, the last test was limited to one run, the shadows having inexplicably lengthened. The course was the
Harry Dawber, Pontiac special.
Avon Hyde, MG special.
John Chamberlain, Jaguar MK 9.
ever-increasing circles, which in this or the related ever-decreasing format has caused a few contenders to crack under the pressure in years past. Emotional trauma was less likely this time as the course was relatively tight and hence less confusing and in consequence everyone seemed to manage. We must remedy that next year. And so we retired to the pub, added the scores and declared the results. A resounding win for Brad Govan, proving beyond doubt that Austin Sevens are the best cars ever made. This type of event is important to a branch such as ours. Part of our brief is to promote and support competition over a wide range of events. I haven’t mentioned in the general commentary, but a really positive aspect of the event was that people of all ages turned up and enjoyed themselves. We had as many under 25 as we had over 70. These type of events will build the future of the VCC. It is this type of event, rather than renaming the club that will make the difference. BW
“Go West young man”. Course instruction.
At stake was the Cynthia Trophy, organiser Craig Cowie delivering it to Brad Govan.
Neal Elder, OHC Morris Minor special. Beaded Wheels 31
Café Racers Words Stuart Francis
A Triumph engine in a Norton “featherbed” frame. Photo Mark Robinson, Williton, UK
How, why and where the Café Racer came about has been a much discussed issue since their emergence in the UK in the late 1950s. My own opinion is that a number of intertwined strands of motorcycle, economic and social development merged to spawn the classic Café Racer.
A
number of Café Racers were just stripped down production models, some were genuine production racers, but the quintessential ones were homebuilt hybrids using engines, gearboxes and frames from different manufacturers. The epitome of these hybrids was the Triton, a Triumph engine in a Norton featherbed frame, modelled on the sparse looks of a Manx Norton racer. So how did Café Racers emerge and get their name? Britain in the 1950s was emerging from the rationing and the shortages of post war austerity. Teenagers had disposable income, an interest in Rock ‘n Roll and were rebelling against their parents’ staid post war attitudes. Motorcycles and scooters were becoming easier to obtain, giving them the chance to travel farther and meet up. UK drinking laws prevented teenagers going to the pub until they were 18, so 32 Beaded Wheels
transport cafés and then coffee bars and cafés emerged as meeting places. Transport cafés were conveniently placed on major roads to act as starting points for impromptu races; places like the Ace café on London’s North Circular road became a mecca for café racing motorcyclists. As the UK post war economy improved the restrictions on hire purchase lending were gradually relaxed to the point where only a small down payment and a modest weekly payment allowed a teenager to afford a new or a good second-hand machine. After the war motorcycles got progressively heavier and bulkier with better weather protection, larger tanks, and heavier accessories. These heavyweight machines did not really appeal to teenagers and boy racers. The only bright spots were machines developed for the Clubman TT races, the ultimate incarnation of which was the 500cc BSA DBD Gold Star, really a road legal racer. The best rolling chassis available at the time was the Norton Featherbed with the lighter and better equipped Manx Norton version being the pinnacle of handling. Formula 500 racing was a cheap way of going car racing, but all the drivers wanted a new 500cc Manx Norton DOHC engine. Norton’s refusal to supply engines as a separate unit forced drivers to purchase
whole machines, leaving a ready supply of Manx Norton rolling chassis. The very poor handling of 1950s Triumphs, a surplus of Triumph engines, availability of tuning parts and its light weight made the Triumph engines an obvious choice for these hybrids. Although the Triton was the most popular hybrid there were other variations on Triumph engined machines, TriBSA (also the basis of the Rickman Metisse), Tri-Field, Tri-Cati and Tri-Greeves. A cottage industry built up around these machines and any motorcycle shop worth its salt offered go-faster bits. Eddie Dow, who won the 1955 Senior Clubman TT on a BSA Gold Star, started offering tuning parts and accessories for BSA Gold Stars and Rocket Gold Stars. Unity offered Dural engine plates for most common combinations of engine, gearbox and frame that saved hours of work and heartache. Later Dave Degen, of Dresda, (who won the Barcelona 24hr race on a Triton) offered complete machines, fitted with his trademark box section swinging arm. Paul Dunstall initially offered tuning parts for Norton twins, then started supplying other parts like exhaust system based on his successful racers, eventually offering complete Dunstall Nortons dripping with his go-faster parts.
Engine tuners emerged, and some manufacturers and speed shops offered tuning kits and tuning notes. Books like Tuning for Speed (Phil Irving) or Speed and How To Obtain It (the staff of Motorcycle) also fuelled interest in creating these machines. Initially the holy grail of café racers was the NorVin (Vincent engine in a Norton Featherbed frame), until it was eclipsed by Fritz Egli who manufactured an outstanding rolling chassis to create the sensational Egli Vincent. Most back street builders fitted sweptback exhausts, Gold Star style silencers, carb bell-mouths, an aluminium or glassfibre racing tank, bacon slicer brake rings, aluminium mudguards, a single seat racing saddle, a central oil tank, and clip-on handle bars or Ace bars. They also ditched air-cleaners, fork shrouds, nacelles etc, to save weight and try to create that spartan look of a racer. The more daring fitted higher compression pistons, lumpy cams, heavier valve springs, gave the inlet tracts a quick polish, fitted a close ratio gearbox, fitted racing linings to the brakes and had them trued. They fitted Avon GP tyres, stiffer rear suspension units, two way dampers in the front forks, alloy engine plates, rear set footrest and controls. Properly implemented this produced a machine of stark beauty that performed significantly better than the standard machine, turning heads wherever it went. As cobbled together by a number of backstreet builders it finished up as a collection of mismatched bargain parts
Ducati 900 Super Sport (factory café racer).
Rickman Honda CR750
which was usually no faster, and less reliable, than the standard machine! Factory Café Racers In the 1960s and ’70s some British manufacturers did produce a few models aimed at the café racer and clubman racer. BSA produced the Spitfire and Lightning Clubman, Triumph the Thruxton Bonneville, AJS & Matchless the CSR versions of their twins, Royal Enfield the 250cc Continental GT aimed at the learner market boy racers and Velocette the Thruxton. The final throw of the dice was the John Player Norton, a Commando dressed up to look like the factory racing machines. Ducati entered the market with Desmo versions of their single cylinder machines and then eclipsed everybody with their
Super Sports (SS) version of the 750cc V twin, which lead on to the iconic SS900 and Hailwood replica. Café racers enjoyed a brief renaissance in the 1970s when the power outputs of the early Japanese superbikes outstripped the performance of their frames. Early machines took the traditional route of fitting the engines into Norton Featherbed frames but this usually meant sacrificing some of the sophistication of the original machine. Rickman, Seeley and Dresda started offering purpose built frames and accessories to house Japanese engines. This developed to the point where they offered complete rolling chassis kits with fairings that just needed a donor bike to produce a stunning machine. Another form of café racer, the street racer, emerged in the 1970s because of problems with Japanese exhaust systems. As these became more restrictive to meet noise regulations they collected a lot of combustion acids that quickly corroded them. Genuine replacements were very expensive, so a thriving industry developed producing simpler, cheaper, noisier go-faster ones. One of these exhaust systems along with aftermarket mag alloy wheels, uprated brakes and shocks, better tyres and flat handlebars, produced a neat street racer. As the Japanese learnt how to build frames it became more difficult to build a cost effective superior frame on which riders would notice the improved handling. Companies like Bimoto, Buell, Peckett & McNabb did succeed. The market for such machines decreased as the Japanese developed cost effective techniques for short production runs of race replicas and custom machines. Traditional riders of café racers seem to have adopted a dress code that harps back to the 1960s Rockers; leather jacket Beaded Wheels 33
Beaded Wheels Southland Recruit (sporting several badges), jeans, riding boots with white fisherman’s socks, a pudding basin helmet (or jet open face) with Mk8 flying goggles, a white silk scarf and racing gloves. The Japanese have also taken them to heart with groups riding around on imported machines, dressed up as 1960s Rockers. The Ace Café, on London’s North Circular Road, has become a mecca for British and foreign café racers, with large numbers of machines turning up most weekends to pose and blast past if they can find a break in the traffic. Having owned two café racers, ridden a few more and written one off, I have a tiny bit of experience with these machines. So what are they like to ride? A difficult question to answer until you define the conditions. Stuck in heavy traffic on a wet afternoon in Bath, with water trickling off the back of your pudding basin helmet down the collar of your flying jacket, goggles misting up, avoiding using the grabby (when damp and cold) racing front brake on the greasy road, sitting on what feels like a scaffolding plank, trying to hook your boots up on the rear sets when you do move, with aching wrists from the clip-on handlebars and an erratic tick-over, it can be challenging. However the following day on the same machine, in the dry, blasting through the twisting uphill road known as “Sally in the Wood”, just outside of Bath, as you mould yourself to the tank, swinging through bends with slight pressure on the clip-ons, cog swapping with the exhaust echoing off the hillside and the warm brakes reducing speed at a touch, it can be pure joy, inducing a big cheesy grin behind the obligatory white silk scarf – such fun. BW
101 Harman St PO Box 9164 Christchurch 8149 New Zealand Phone 03 338 4307 email office@veterancarrims.co.nz 34 Beaded Wheels
Introducing Stuart Francis Stuart was born in 1955 in the UK a few miles from the roman City of Bath. From an early age any form of machinery and mechanical transport gained his attention. He undertook a Naval Weapons Engineering apprenticeship with the UK Navy Department and studied Electrical and Electronic engineering at Bath. Stuart’s entire career was spent working for the UK Ministry of Defence, initially involved with the installation and commissioning of weapons equipment and systems on ships and submarines and latterly involved with weapons system design and in-service support. A serious motorcycle accident left him with injuries that made working difficult so Stuart retired on medical grounds in 2009. Stuart writes: My first motorcycle was an Ariel Arrow, it arrived in the back of a pig trailer as the previous owner had hit a milk float and slightly damaged the frame. It was my first rebuild. Forty years later I am still rebuilding and restoring old motorcycles, currently having three restorations underway. The 1970s were a great time for motorcycle nuts like me, as old bikes were relatively cheap and parts easy to find, so I was able to own and sample a large number of bikes. I bought my first motorcycle and sidecar when I was 17 and never been without at least one since then. This led to my fascination with three wheeled vehicles. A Morgan three wheeler was always on the shopping list but I could never afford one, so I now own a kit-car replica of one. You are probably wondering how did this Brit finish up in Invercargill? All I can say is it is all Carol and Mac McGarry’s fault. I met Carol and Mac when he was in the Royal Navy and they were living in Portsmouth. They introduced me to their expat Kiwi friends one of whom I later married! At their invitation I came to New Zealand 22 years ago for a holiday and fell in love
Lock ring Heavy and light. Now available
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with the South Island. On the second visit I fell in love with Ann-marie, she came back to the UK on the condition that when I retired we would move to New Zealand, not a difficult choice. As you can see I have little experience of old cars other than riding in Dad’s succession of Austin 7s and Ford Prefects as well as driving the usual collection of dilapidated Morris Minors, Minis and Maxis in my youth. However I hope to remedy this by cadging rides in member’s vehicles and writing up the experiences, any offers?
Well base Rolled edge. All sizes
rally snippets
South Canterbury: To misquote a recent TV advert; The look on the kids face - priceless. South Canterbury’s most expensive paddock racer.
ANZAC Weekend Display Words and photos Grant Stewart
Anzac weekend saw a display of old cars, traction engines, aeroplanes and a military re-enactment at Russell and Linda Brodies place at Rangitata Island in South Canterbury. Vehicles and owners from South Canterbury, Ashburton and Christchurch attended. A few local members gave free rides in their cars which was a popular attraction. The biggest queue was for the Bentley ride. At one stage people were having to wait over 30 minutes for their turn, although Bentley owner Bruce Washington
was seen to do extra laps when he had a car load of young ladies. The Tiger Moth taking to the air was of interest, and even the Westpac Rescue Helicopter made an appearance. This event is held every two years, with some South Canterbury VCC members on the organising committee. The airstrip is halfway between Timaru and Ashburton.
Garage Raid North Otago
Words and photos Clive Blunden
Our Garage Raid took place on Saturday 18 June with members from Dunedin, South Canterbury and Waimate
taking part. There were over 80 people around the many interesting vehicles and machinery on show. The itinerary included: Bruce Watts: An amazing machine workshop in Weston; everything you would need when restoring an old vehicle. Trevor Jopson: Trevor’s place up north end has a great collection of Ford Zephyrs, including a rare 1959 Mk II Zodiac convertible station wagons and a Morris 8 sport. All are in immaculate condition and well displayed. David Duff: The Heads Off Workshop in Trent Street was very impressive, with many different machines all set up for inspection. On display were many vehicles belonging to David; his partially restored 1936 V8 Ford coupe, two John Deere
North Otago: 1938 V8 Ford Coupe.
South Canterbury: member Gavin Ladbrook flies his Storch replica over his Ford Mainline ute.
North Otago: David Duff’s John Deere. Beaded Wheels 35
rally snippets
North Otago: Clive Blunden’s 1928 Willys Whippet pickup.
Model A tractors 1943 and 1946 with their horizontal twin cylinder engines and a 1969 Chevrolet Impala. Other vehicles seen there were: Ralph Wear’s 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air, Steve McLeod’s Chevrolet Impala 4 door hard top, Len Withers Wolseley Hornet mini auto, Quinton Barrows early 1920s Jewett in original condition, Mike Lannigan’s 1956 Studebaker 4 door saloon, Charlie Walsh’s 1966 Mustang, J Bowden’s 1962 Rover 100 and Malcolm Muldrew’s immaculate 1961 Chevrolet two door hard top, or ‘bubble’ top. Our lunchtime display of members cars included Gilbert Ellery’s newly completed 1948 Vauxhall 10hp. After lunch at the clubrooms we went to Mr Thorpe’s place at Kakanui to view his collection of Chevrolet trucks plus
North Otago: Gilbert Ellory’s 1948 Vauxhall 10hp.
North Otago: Ken Hall’s Stanley Steamer.
a rare 1963 Holden. From there we went to Gary Ford’s well-kept shed in Herbert to see some Fords, a Pontiac TransAm and a beautiful 1972 magenta coloured Chrysler Charger. Back to Tyne Street in Oamaru to where a further line-up
North Otago: J Adamson’s 1932 Hillman.
of members’ cars were on show; John Adamson’s 1932 Hillman saloon, Clive Blunden’s 1928 Willys Whippet pickup, Graeme Simpson’s Austin 8, and Ernest George’s 1925 Chrysler 4 ute and his 1936 Plymouth. It was a real joy for the writer to see Ken Hall’s Stanley Steamer actually working and moving, Ken had a very informative display of pictures, and spent at least half an hour with each group explaining in great detail how the Stanley Steamer functioned. JS 1920 arrived in New Zealand in 1920 but alas, suffered considerable damage in 1922. She was owned by quite a few people up to 1950 when she was bought and fully restored by John Stewart in Auckland. BW
WIN
this limited edition Beaded Wheels cap Here at Beaded Wheels we are always on the lookout for a good article for a future issue. To encourage you to put pen to paper two lucky authors or photographers per issue will win a limited edition Beaded Wheels cap. We can accept articles in handwriting, typed or via email. Post to: Beaded Wheels, PO Box 13140, Christchurch 13140 or Email: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz High resolution digital photos are preferred. Please contact me if you wish to discuss an idea for an article. Kevin Clarkson, Chairman Beaded Wheels Editorial Committee. Phone home 03 385 9821 or email kevin@vcc.org.nz Our lucky winners of the Beaded Wheels caps for this issue are Stuart Francis and Tony Haycock. 36 Beaded Wheels
Marlborough Branch’s
Nautical Experience Sounds Wrecking Company 1952-1957 Words Tristan Winstanley Modern photography Linda Laing
Lined up under Cape Campbell Lighthouse.
A run to Cape Campbell lighthouse attracted 41 cars to traverse the dusty and steep gravel roads on a day with bright sunshine and no wind. The local residents advised they only have two calm days annually and this was one of them.
O
ur Club Captain not only thinks outside the square but appears to have divine intervention from the weather gods. Sunday 13 March he organised a day trip involving two launches, 84 enthusiastic mariners and a three and a half hour journey (each way) to the historic bay Wakatahuri. Wakatahuri is a deep water bay bordering Cook Strait, which during the 1950s was the scene of a ship wrecking enterprise established by Francis and Tom
Marlborough Branch club members arriving at Wakatahuri
Wells. It saw the acquisition of at least nine vessels, the largest around 1350 tons. The various ships were towed by launches to Wakatahuri, where the wooden ones were beached, any useful kauri timber removed, then the hulk was burnt to recover the non-ferrous metals. The Wells brothers collaborated with a Wellington based scrap metal dealer (strategically Wellington is 37 nautical miles from Wakatahuri), who had access to scrap metal markets in the Far East. Many tons of assorted scrap was loaded onto a coastal trader ship in Wellington – including the city’s old tramlines – then shipped to Wakatahuri. At Wakatahuri the scrap was loaded onto two of the Wells old steel ships, which had been stripped of mechanicals, for a journey to Hong Kong where it was to be sold. The two old hulks, Totara and Matangi, were towed to Hong Kong by a chartered Admiralty tug Bustler.
During the 1950s there was an embargo on the export of non-ferrous metal. However the Wellington scrap dealer had sealed 44 gallon drums full of non-ferrous metals and loaded them into the holds of the two hulks at Wakatahuri and then loaded the other, legitimate, scrap on top to avoid detection! Over nine years Francis Wells built a large launch, Valmarie, in the boatshed. The boatshed still exists and is currently being used to rebuild an historic wooden boat using traditional methods. Today Wakatahuri is a derelict site, still with tons of nautical (ferrous and non-ferrous) metals strewn around the property with much of it dumped into the tide. When approaching the bay the first rusting hulk one sees is the remains of a Ruston-Bucyrus 10RB dragline unceremoniously dumped upside down in the tide, possibly as a breakwater.
Wakatahuri.
Arrival view of the remains of a Ruston-Bucyrus 10RB dragline. Beaded Wheels 37
book review Reviewed by Kevin Clarkson
Matangi at a ship-breakers yard in Whakatahuri, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough, with Kitoa. Wilkinson, James Douglas: Shipping negatives. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington New Zealand
Near the beach several ancient anchors are evident, the largest having been recovered from the wreck of the Lastingham wrecked at Cape Jackson, Cook Strait, on 1 September 1884 with the loss of 18 lives. As remote as Wakatahuri is, a Post Office was established there during the Wells occupation and as evident by a warning sign on the winch shed OSH have had a presence there. The slipway and winch are still operational, the latter being powered by a Vintage stationary engine. The bay is off the grid and so electricity is sourced from generators and solar panels. Our launch master assisted in making this a memorable day by providing a running commentary of points of interest, including WWI gun emplacements and even the bay where Sam Slyfield recovered the remains of my 1911 Brush Runabout in the 1960s. BW
By Neill Birss Published by Penguin
208 pages, softcover, RRP $35
Vehicles waiting for one of the gates to be opened.
Kaitoa (left), the Valmarie, and a dredge, at a ship-breakers yard in Whakatahuri, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough. Wilkinson, James Douglas: Shipping negatives. Ref: 1/4-012027-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22883622 38 Beaded Wheels
Burt Munro: The Lost Interviews
The book has the subtitle of: Kiwi legend Burt Munro who rode the “World’s Fastest Indian” talks about his life. In the late 1960s Neill Birss, a junior reporter in Invercargill, did many interviews with Burt over the period of a few months, while Burt talked of his life Neill was hammering away earnestly on his Olympia portable typewriter recording Burt’s story. Neill was intending to do a number of feature articles on Burt for overseas motorcycle magazines using the material he had gathered but this never happened. Due to circumstances such as moving from Invercargill, job changes and life generally, he lost the typed pages of Burt’s story until they recently resurfaced under strange circumstances some decades later. Now published in this book these tales make for great reading and give some real insight to Burt the man. This would be a great addition to the motorcyclist’s bookshelf alongside the other Burt Munro books. While Neill started out as a young journalist in Invercargill he is now a Christchurch business and technology reporter. He does have some motorcycle experience having ridden an ex-army Indian on a farm as a schoolboy and much later commuted on a Honda road bike.
50 Year Awards Owen Goldsmith Bay of Plenty Owen has been living at the same address for an amazing 67 years. As an adolescent he took over his father’s 1929 colonial-bodied Ford Model A pick-up and set about restoring it. At about that time, he started his own garage, known as Goldies Garage. He still works part-time there on his numerous clients’ cars. Owen joined the BOP Branch just before his 21st birthday and this proved invaluable to him in his early days running his own garage. Owen has restored many Vintage and classic cars. He is very proud of his current fleet of vehicles all of which he has restored. They include a 1951 Daimler Consort, a 1952 Daimler Special Sports, and a 1962 Peugeot 403B. He and Margaret have participated in major rallies all around New Zealand. Many will be familiar with Owen and Margaret’s Vintage mobile home; his beautifully restored 1930 Ford Model AA 1.5 ton truck with a pop-top caravan mounted on the deck.
Big End Knocks
mutterings of a mature motorcyclist Why is it that so many good machines are cursed with control cables that festoon and droop from the bars looking like after thoughts? It’s a fact that smooth curves and nice clean lubricated cables make such a difference to the feel of a bike. In the old days of heavyweight trials machines throttle cables always went in a smooth curve up from the twist grip down onto the top tube and gently in to the carb, black tape waterproofed the
Owen intends to complete the restoration of two more of his cars, a 1928 Model A coupe and a 1929 Ford Model A business coupe. Bill Durling Taranaki Branch Bill bought his first old car, a 1930 Willys, in 1964 and after some restoration it was put on the road in 1966. At the time, Bill’s Willys was not really considered an old vehicle. He later moved to New Plymouth and by now had an unfinished 1924 Essex tourer on which restoration was completed in 1974. Over his 50 years with the VCC he has had many cars but his Mercedes has served 27 years so far. He went on most international rallies all over the country in various old vehicles, and these days they are fondly remembered by all his family. Bill says that after a life time of restoring about 13 vehicles, mostly sports cars, he has decided that whilst he enjoyed the restoration work now he likes to look at other people’s handiwork. He prefers vehicles of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s and he
twistgrip end round the cable and the damper screw. In a magazine I read recently there was a help section explaining how to make new cables and care for them. It was interesting but I didn’t altogether agree with some of it. Neither did Arthur who used to work at Velvin and Creswell’s. They told you how to solder the nipples on with a soldering iron; now I find this a bit cumbersome. Both Arthur and I use a solder pot and either Bakers fluid or Duzal flux. The scheme is as follows; I have a little pot made from a 1" (25mm) galvanised cap bought from the plumber’s supplies with a stiff wire handle. One of those camping gas rings is nice and easy to use as a heat source, don’t ever heat the cable with the gas or you will stuff the steel and it will surely break. Now to solder the nipple on, heat the solder to just molten, dip the cable end in the flux, dip it in the pot, back in the flux in the pot and out. Fit the nipple and scrunch the end and pull the nipple on to the end where you want it. Again dip in the flux, in the molten solder, in the flux, in the
enjoys the rallies and great social gatherings provided by the VCC. Joseph Ridley Taupo Branch Joe joined the Manawatu Branch in 1965 with a 1922 Wolseley tourer and that was the start of his club involvement. Three years later he restored a 1925 Chrysler, then later a 1935 BSA car, a 1929 Austin tourer, then a 1957 Standard 10. He also restored a 1914 Royal Enfield motor cycle and a 1964 NZeta scooter. For a small town centenary parade, Joe also made, from a photocopy, a 1864 Stirling bone shaker bicycle which is now in Australia. Joe and Beryl transferred to Taupo in 1983 and have been active in organising club and national events, plus attending the VCC International Rally celebrating the Club’s 50th Anniversary Rally in Christchurch 1996. Joe has served for many years on the Committee, Club Captain 1989-1991, Chairman 1994-1996 and again 2005-2006. In 2009 he was made a life member of the Taupo Branch.
solder again and if there is any sh##t in it you will see it bubble out. If it looks nice and clean you’ve got it fixed. There are all sorts of fancy cable oilers that have been made and sold over the years but I have found the simple things best. Curse the expense buy a packet of balloons for the kids and then pinch a few of them. My system is to take the balloon and pour a small amount of thin oil, a drop of petrol and a squirt of CRC in it. Poke the cable end in to the balloon and take a piece of thin string and wind it tightly round the neck of the balloon to seal around the outer cable. Now all you have to do is gently squeeze the balloon and coax the mixture down the cable ‘til it comes out the other end. If you don’t believe me try it on one of those old cables in your junk box. Just a small point take it off the carb first or it could make starting the engine difficult!
Beaded Wheels 39
Diane Ross 38 Keenans Road RD 2, Ashburton randross@kinect.co.nz
brass notes At the Southland Rally a few weeks ago Tim Eunson won the overall prize riding a 1902 Ariel. I’m led to believe this is one of the earliest Ariel motorcycles in New Zealand. The Eunson name has been around Southland for a number of years, Tim’s grandfather, Ray Eunson, was a well known VCC member of bygone days. On advice I contacted Tom McDonald for more information on the bike’s history. Tom’s father and Ray restored it, having started with the frame and engine Ray had found. In those days Mervyn Coutts, a well known motorcyclist was the only person who would ride it. While talking to Tom he told me about his 1908 Motosacoche clip-on power cycle. When he was 18 he built a fret saw. In 1943 he joined the Air Force and whilst away his father swapped it for the clip on that Tom used to ride to work every day on his return. It is still in use, having been ridden (pedalled most of the way actually) by one of the McDonald sons earlier this year on the rain plagued Dunedin to Brighton Rally. The Auckland Branch have a 1910 FN for tender. The proceeds will go towards the 2017 National NI Easter Rally they are hosting. The FN was owned many years ago by Julian Loughnan in Christchurch and was purchased unrestored by N. Whitaker who, I think, lived in Wanganui. Quite a lot of restoration was completed before the Whitaker family donated the car to the Auckland Branch to do as they wished with it.
This 1910 FN for tender.
1902 Ariel motorcycle.
Terry Meadows from Kaikoura is making a move on the restoration of the 1918 Indian Power Plus that he’s owned for many years. His intention is to finish it in time for its centenary. Joe Grose is working on the mechanicals and John Martin along with the panel beating and upholstery team in Cromwell have crafted a magnificent side chair that now sits in waiting for the bike. Bevars Binnie has decided to part with the 1914 HA Hupmobile that was owned by founder member of the VCC, Clem McLachlan for many years. Although it passed through a couple of hands after Clem sold it nobody has done anything to it. The price is right and Bevars has other projects so if anyone is interested he would love see it go to a new owner. I picked the following up from the Otago Branch newsletter. One of their readers found it in a 1929 issue of Otago Motor Club. “One of the first if not the first motor cycles to come to Dunedin was built from a Minerva set imported by an Oamaru boy named Every. Young Every was working in a Temuka bicycle shop. The frame was that of an ordinary but strong bicycle, the parts were built into the frame. About the same time Mr R L Jones of Turnbull and Jones and H Nees each secured a Werner motorcycle. These machines were fitted with engines on the handlebars, another striking feature being their surface carburettors. Several Clément-Garrard and three or four Minerva motorcycles were imported by Messes. Cooke Howlison and Co. The Clément-Garrard was built into a strong bicycle frame and this made a fairly efficient mount. At one of the early
hill climbing competitions the ClémentGarrard secured the first eight places. An interesting fact was that the machine needed a fair amount of pedal assistance up hill and this was regarded as a weakness. When it came to selling, part of the back wheel of a ladies bicycle was incorporated into the machine and with a few minor alterations a lower gear was fitted. The machine then climbed hills unaided. According to ‘Demon’ in the Otago Witness of 24 January 1905, Mr Wimpenny built a motorcycle for himself. The engine and frame were imported. The engine being a 4½ hp twin cylinder Hamilton V type fitted with 2 speeds and free engine. It was said to climb Rattray St, which is very steep, with ease.” The organisers of the Parliamentary Tour I mentioned in the last issue now have the Auckland City Council on board as a sponsor and this will allow them to hire a venue on the waterfront to stage a motor show at the end of the event. Think about moving on and taking part after the National Veteran Rally at Wanganui.
Side chair for 1918 Indian Power Plus owned by Terry Meadows built by John Martin of Cromwell.
I am always happy to receive historic or restoration articles and updates on Veteran vehicles as it is only by readers’ input that this column can continue. Email your Veteran stories to me at randross@kinect.co.nz 40 Beaded Wheels
The following is an abridged version of a talk given by the late Neville Souter on the early cars in the Cambridge area, sourced from the Cambridge Museum and printed in full in the Waikato Branch newsletter.
In 1906 Cambridge’s first car, a White Steam car, was owned by James Sinclair, proprietor of the Masonic Hotel. Steam generated by a kerosene lamp took about an hour to generate enough pressure to move off. There were dire predictions among the prophets of doom that one day it would blow up. Thankfully it never did. This car was closely followed by a Vauxhall and a French Vinot owned respectively by Hugh Ferguson and F Bunyard. The two cars were very similar in construction being small two seaters of 5hp. Two speeds forward but no reverse, tiller steering and chain drive. In the same year Mr Souter’s father, in partnership with Arnold Wilkinson, imported a 5hp Starling. A very up to date machine with wheel steering, three speeds and reverse. However beauty was only skin deep as it had a cone clutch of the grabbing variety and this, coupled with the poor quality of the early century steel that the gears were made of, caused many replacements due to gear stripping. The car was passed onto someone at Waihi and replaced with a 10 hp Cadillac that under favourable conditions with the wind behind it could travel at 30mph. The rear tyres were of solid rubber that were not conducive to easy riding. It was eventually sold to W F Buckland, Mayor of Cambridge. The next car to arrive in the district was a 12hp 4 cylinder Darracq acquired by the local postmaster. Among other things it had steering column gear change, a feature that that was shortly afterwards discontinued and did not make a re-appearance until Chevrolet set the pattern in 1939. However this was short lived and most manufacturers reverted to floor change. Many Cadillacs were bought and sold by W Souter & Co. The make was so successful that Mr Souter was heard to say that he never wanted anything better, but his brother, and partner in the firm, upon seeing one of the first Ford adverts was hooked and in 1908 an order was placed through a New York agent. A Ford duly arrived painted a vivid red with two seats in front and one behind. The engine was 4 cylinder and 15 hp. The flywheel was
up behind the radiator where it acted as a fan. There was a Schebler carburettor and a Bosch low tension magneto as well as a water pump, making it quite different from the Model T that was to follow. The Ford was a great success and the Souter family became Ford agents for the Auckland Province. It used Benzine at 5/- per case of eight gallons, somewhere about 7p per gallon. By 1909 car design was developing in leaps and bounds. Cadillac introduced a 4 cylinder model and one of the first was bought by Jack Rowe, proprietor of the Criterion Hotel now known as the Central Hotel. The first Model T made its appearance in 1910, going to Hautapu. It was a left hand drive model and had neither hood, screen or lamps and cost UK£375. By 1912 there was a strange collection of makes in town including a 12 hp Humber, 2 cyl Buick, KRIT, Marathon and a Cutting that was incidentally the first taxi in the area. There was a GWK, Grant, Calthorpe, Metz, Abbott-Detroit, Warren, Hupmobile. One of the characteristics of the Humber was that the engine rotated anti-clockwise. The roads weren’t up to much and one notorious area was behind the Mercer Railway Station where it was regularly flooded. Private enterprise being what it was a man and a horse were usually on
duty. The price of a tow being 10/- if you hooked on before entering the deep section otherwise the price went up to 20/-. To cope with the conditions it was wise to carry a wire strainer, a spade, an axe, some wire cutters and a collapsible canvas bucket as heavy slogging radiators required frequent topping up. During the 1914/1918 war no cars were manufactured in England or on the Continent therefore all imports were from USA or Canada. One of the outstanding models of this era was the Dodge first introduced in 1914. Several car makers were experimenting with self starters. Cadillac and Dodge had the first really reliable ones, coupled to the engine by a silent chain that was a single unit system that worked both motor and generator. Dodge had the benzine tank mounted at the rear. As this was before vacuum tanks or electric mechanical pumps the fuel was raised to the carburettor by a hand pump mounted on the dash. During WWI and for sometime afterwards the pattern of motoring remained substantially the same. Ford sold in ever increasing numbers probably because of the price. They looked like being the best value but Dodges, Buicks, Maxwells and Dorts all had their own followers. BW
1914 Dodge Touring vehicle. mad4wheels.com
Beaded Wheels 41
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42 Beaded Wheels
1938/39 CHEVROLET driveshaft bushing and seal assembly $135-00 plus freight. Phone 027 202 5007 or 03 688 6108 (evenings) MEM SOUTH CANTERBURY 1953 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN DELUXE 4 door sedan: straight eight 4.6 litre Hydramatic gearbox overhauled, 120” chassis sandblasted painted with POR 15, new suspension parts fitted, some panelwork completed and spares. Need room for another project $6750. Phone Les 03 358 4549 or 027 339 0962. MEM CANTERBURY 1964 FORD ZEPHYR MK III 6 cylinder good original condition. White with gold roof. Five local owners. Been in storage 26 years. No reg or wof. Genuine enquiries and offers. Phone 03 693 8951. MEM STH CANTY 1972 FORD CAPRI MK1 f acelift, 1600cc c/flow Australian built. Have owned for 26 years. Selling owing to health problems. Car in Taihape. Reg on hold. $7,000. Phone Peter 021 059 0800. MEM WANGANUI BOOK – How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive. As new. This covers all air-cooled 1200cc through to 2000 models, very detailed, over 400 pages and lots of diagrams. $30 plus freight. Phone 03 455 6314, h.browett350F@outlook.com MEM OTAGO BOOKS Morgan history 1884-1972, 3 and 4 wheels, 190 pages racing, people, facts, $35. 1947 Oldsmobile sales brochure, shows all series and models. Colour, specs 112x84mm, folds. $30. Greyhound buses 1926-48, 96 pages, photos. Covers Wills; Pickwick stages, Yellow Coach, Supercoach; Silverside, timetables and routes. $30. Amateur Mechanic magazine, mid 1920s. 160 pages, car section $25. Phone 03 354 9264. M E M
COACHWORK F or all your coachwork, woodwork and timber rim steering wheels for your Veteran, Vintage or commercial vehicles contact Designs N Wood, John Martin, 11 Bell Avenue, Cromwell. Phone/fax 03 445 0598, 021 109 1309 or email martin_jw@xtra.co.nz MEM CENTRAL OTAGO DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS We can alter or make driveshafts with fabric components to take modern universal joints and yokes, as well as performing dynamic balancing. We also carry a large range of driveshaft components for car, trucks, industrial and marine. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, Ph 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462, Email: mscoombesltd@clear.net.nz
DISTRIBUTOR & FUEL PUMP PARTS AND SERVICE e rebuild distributors, vacuum advance units, W mechanical fuel pumps and supply parts new, NOS, remanufactured and used. Vacuum advancers restored. Electronic ignition kits to eliminate points. Quality Rebuilds, 85 Polo Prince Dr, Manurewa, Auckland, 2576. email: peter@qualityrebuilds.com www.qualityrebuilds.com
PHONE PETER 09 267 4700 GOT VIBRATION PROBLEMS?
T he crankshaft pulley/balancer/damper may be the cause. Rubber perishes over time. John at Harmonic Damper Rebuilds can rebuild your pulley like new. He has a proven system to re-rubber and re-sleeve dampers. Most can be rebuilt as good as new and save you money and CANTERBURY engine repairs. 027 666 3350 or 07 863 3350 BRITISH BEDFORD 1934 BXC 10 cwt pickup damperdude@gmail.com Complete needs timber in cab and rewire. Shed FORD CORTINA 1500 block Anglia fly-wheel. One stored. Offers to Malcolm phone 03 365 6223. set of Mk1 Cortina doors. Fiat 501s crown wheel MEM CANTERBURY and pinion. 1957 Vauxhall Cresta fuel cap. Phone CHRYSLER 6 PARTS, 1920 s. Complete diff and Dean 03 693 9016. MEM SOUTH CANTERBURY rear end for 20 inch wheels. Early new brake hoses, other brake parts, replica winged radiator MAGNETO, L ucas 4 cylinder in very good order cap, vacuum tank. Phone Murray 03 332 0734, fits in place of most standard Lucas distributors, additional new spare cap. $150. Tachometer electric m.c.s@clear.net.nz M EM BANKS PENINSULA impulse 8 cylinder neg earth. Rev range 0-6500 COOPER 500 O riginal rear drive housing in cast Smiths black face, 5” nice tidy instrument, $150. Elektron [casting number 186] with provision Tachometer generator XK Jaguar, Daimler V8, $100. for mounting twin AC type mechanical fuel Jaguar Factory black cover original 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 litre pumps. Drive shaft and yokes also available. service book, exceptional condition, $100. Phone Phone 09 424 1290 MEM WAITEMATA 03 541 9391. MEM NELSON
BALANCING BALANCING BALANCING, We can balance most Vintage and single cylinder engines, fans, driveshafts etc. Work is carried out on a modern digital machine. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, Phone 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462, Email: mscoombesltd@clear.net.nz CARBURETTOR RECONDITIONING — including classic and performance makes. 40 plus years trade experience. Free advice. Contact Graeme Tulloch, Tulmac Carburettor Specialists on 027 612 2312 or (Levin) 06 368 2202
MOPED, RALEIGH RM2. F iat 128 front spring compressor (agent issue). Fiat 125 woman’s headscarf. Mini bonnet (1975). Twin SU carbs on manifold with extractor exhaust (BMC A type inline ie Sprite, A40 Farina etc.) Morris 1100 grill 1965 (excellent condition). Austin 6/110 gearbox 3 speed with OD Floor change. A40 Somerset gearbox (overhauled). Carbide rock. Austin 12/4 pistons +030. Phone 09 439 8911. MEM NORTHLAND MORRIS 1800 MK1. Has been totally stripped down, with all parts removed. Comes with two spare engines with trans. Body in good order, but rear guards been flared out. Everything must go complete, will need trailer. Stephen Belcher. Phone 07 576 3773. MEM BAY OF PLENTY
HUBCAPS – any problems contact me. I now produce either hubcap skins or complete hubcaps. These are top quality replicas. Pressed not spun to the closest possible original specifications. I can manufacture any model that uses the skin system plus many others provided they do not exceed 10½" in diameter. For more information phone Dave Patten Replica Manufacturing (2003) Ltd, Phone 027 247 7956, 160 New York Street, Martinborough. dave.patten@wise.net.nz KING-PIN KITS, TIE ROD ENDS, Spring shackles, ignition parts, bulbs and sealed beams, spark-plugs and coils, engine bearings, engine mountings, head gasket/ sets, pistons and valves, timing chains and gears, flywheel ring gears, tyres, carburettors, magnetos, etc, for all makes and models, especially: Austin, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Essex, Ford, Hillman, Morris, Standard, Vauxhall. Ronald Lever, 87 Tui Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2025. Phone 09 278 3888 evenings.
PENRITE ENGINE C O O L A N T A colourless hybrid-organic non glycol based corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for use in Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage and Classic Car cooling systems. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, Ph 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462, mscoombesltd@clear.net.nz PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & ODDBALL ENGINES. We can supply piston sets for most makes & models. All piston sets come complete with rings & gudgeons. We have over 700 listings at competitive prices. M S Coombes Ltd 344 St Asaph St, Christchurch PH 03 366 7463, FAX 03 366 7462
VINTAGE & CLASSIC QUARTZ h alogen bulbs. Replace your existing bulbs without rewiring the headlamp assemblies. Up to 100% brighter than your existing Tungsten bulbs. Will fit most reflectors fitted to Pre & Post war cars and motorbikes. Also available in single filament 55 watt P22 & BA 15 bases for use in spotlamps and mechanical dip reflectors. Most bases and configurations available in 6v & 12v. Further info: Norm & Jan Sisson, sole NZ Agent. Phone 03 389 0643 Model Boat Supplies, 38 Ottawa Road, Christchurch 6. Email modelboatsupplies@snap.net.nz
TYRES, set of five unused 730 x 130 Dunlop beaded VALVES exhaust quality stainless for Vintage edge Tyres. Now surplus to requirements. Offers engines. Available in blank form or machined for lot. Phone Neil 09 298 7162, nimble@xtra.co.nz to size required. George Calder, 307 Hoon Hay Rd, Christchurch. Phone 03 338 5372 or email M EM AUCKLAND gandkcalder@clear.net.nz TYRE DUNLOP SP B ranch new unused 640 x 15 MAGNETO & COIL WINDING SERVICES Magneto $120. Phone 03 385 7724. MEM CANTERBURY repairs, coil rewinding, work guaranteed. We buy and sell magnetos of all types except aircraft. 1 & 2 CYLINDER RALLY, New Plymouth. 11-12 March 728 Waimutu Road, RD2 Marton 4788. 2015 (Taranaki Anniversay Weekend) Come and Phone Warwick 06 327 3849, 027 281 8066, join us in the Naki with your 1 & 2 cylinder Veteran walandlynn@farmside.co.nz MEM vehicles. Long and short runs catered for. Register MODEL A FORDS FOR SALE. I maintain a database your interest by phoning Veronica or Steven Oliver of buyers and sellers of Model A Fords, plus some on phone 06 752 2149 or email fordt@xtra.co.nz. other Vintage makes. I place buyers and sellers Event organised by Horseless Carriage Club of together. No hidden costs. Whether buying or New Zealand selling a Model A Ford. Phone 03 528 7924 for a colour printout. vintagecars@xtra.co.nz
VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes. Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan on 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier. MEM
PENRITE OILS W e carry a large range from Vintage to Modern engines. Gearbox, diff, S.U dashpot and water pump grease. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, Ph 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462, mscoombesltd@clear.net.nz SUMP PLUG MAGNETS M agnetic Solutions (N.Z) Ltd. Diameter: 10mm x Length: 30mm (Other sizes also available) Code: AD2010H 3 for $20.00 (Prices Inclusive of GST). Freight would be $6.33 anywhere in New Zealand. For Rural Delivery, add $5.49 Inclusive. Email: Sales@magneticsolutions.co.nz Phone 07 847-8881, Fax: 07 847 8851, Hamilton
WOODEN WHEELS m ade for your metal work. Steam-bent felloes, any shape spokes. New beaded rims available in some sizes. Phone Vern Jensen 06 323 3868, 16 Osborne Terrace, Feilding. MEM .
VINTAGE ENGINE SHORTBLOCKS We can in most cases rebuild your shortblock using modern shell bearings, new pistons and rebuilt oil STANDARD VANGUARD STEERING column stalk/ pump. Please contact us for more information. overdrive switch. $20. Email pfefshoes@xtra.co.nz M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, Ph 03 366 7463, Fax 03 366 7462, M EM WANGANUI mscoombesltd@clear.net.nz TOYOTA CORONA 1986 2.0 GLI. Two owners, 200k, new wof. A well maintained sohc 5-speed with Chris Amon suspension. Factory interior and mag VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS wheels in very good cond. 40mpg. Towbar. Top of Unit 1 11 Penn Place, Upper Riccarton, the line car that was NZ assembled. Worth saving. Christchurch (formerly 15a Empire Road, Belfast) VCC eligible. $750 ono. Photos from atepushrods@ Phone 341 5100 Fax 341 5101 gmail.com or ring 07 823 5712. MEM WAIKATO SET OF 10 INCH MINI MAGS, C heviot type for sale. $250. Phone 03 308 2297. Mem Ashburton
TRIUMPH MK II parts and manuals. Humber Supersnipe MKII and IV parts and manuals. Phone 06 843 5151. MEM HAWKE’S BAY
All Classic and Vintage Car restoration. • Panel making • Wooden body repairs, • Bumpers and moulding repair 37 years experience • Competitive hourly rate.
THE FOLLOWING MODEL A FORDS are for sale. 2 x 1928 roadsters. 3 x Brass Model Ts. 1930 Closed Cab pickup. 1930 roadster. 1930 coupé. 1929 special coupé. 4 x 1930 Fordor Sedans. 5 x 1928/28 roadster pickups. 1929 Tudor. 2 x 1930 Tudors. 3 x 1928/29 Phaetons. Plus variety of other makes. Email or phone for a free brochure. vintagecars@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 528 7924.
Give the gift that lasts a whole year Subscribe today to send six issues a year full of motoring features, historical articles and our popular marketplace to your family and friends. A Beaded Wheels subscription makes an ideal gift to send anywhere in New Zealand or overseas. Phone 03 366 4461 or email us at beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE
Beaded Wheels 43
MORGAN 3 WHEELER V TWIN JAP ENGINE. Water cooled. This is a 1920s total loss 1000cc side valve complete engine. Turns over but has not run for around five years. Complete with cone clutch flywheel and ring gear. Will fit any two speeder car. Comes with two good front exhaust pipes. $5000. Phone Barry Hoffman 027 443 5479. MEM .
1909 TALBOT VETERAN 12/15 hp model 4A chassis No 2688. Professionally restored 1999, drives well, been around the South Island twice also many short rallies. 4 speed box and synthetic cone clutch, dark green with red leather, buff hood/covers. Selling to purchase another Veteran. Phone Dennis Scanlan 09 416 7692, 027 474 4769
1928 FALCON KNIGHT MODEL 12. D ue to shortage of space. The body has all new woodwork, all panels repaired, new valance panels, and running boards. Engine checked and new rings fitted, some nickel work has been done. $8,000 ono. Phone Bill 03 212 8786. MEM SOUTHLAND
1959 GALAXY First model top prize 1959 Paris DAIMLER CONSORT 1951. In good order, drives 1976 TRIUMPH 2500 TC. Automatic, power show, trophy winner in NZ, T/bird top plus well. Comes with lots of spares. Full ownership steering. 165,000 kms. Interior original and very insignia, auto, P/S, big block V8. 81,572 miles. history. WOF and Reg. up to date. $12,500 ono. tidy. Five new tyres. Drives well, very comfortable Two owners. C/W (FINE-59) plates. Maintenance Contact the Nielsens for more info and more photos. motoring. $5,400. Phone 021 970 547, tsrogers6@ history, complete set of manuals. Great original viking.nielsen@xtra.co.nz Phone 021 595 600. gmail.com MEM FAR NORTH cruiser and rally car. $40,000. Phone 09 817 8611, MEM WAIKATO paulidon@slingshot.co.nz MEM
1963 AUSTIN A 40 FARINA MK 2, 1 098cc, all original two owners, 78,000 miles including original tools, some spares inc, colour stone. $6,350. Phone 03 355 4017. MEM CANTERBURY
1951 JAGUAR MKV DHC 3½ LITRE 3 position hood. Fully restored, drives well. Blue/grey and dark blue. Upholstery blue/grey with dark blue trim, dark blue carpets and hood. Reg and WOF. Genuine New Zealand new, rare vehicle. $110,000. Phone 07 863 9497, h.hayward@xtra.co.nz. MEM BAY OF PLENTY
1957 MORRIS MINOR Completely stripped and 1910 FN – FABRIQUE NATIONALE For sale by re-painted, some boxes spares, plus carrier etc tender by the Auckland Branch 90% complete available, excellent running order, all new tyres but dismantled. Enquiries by email to AVVCC recently, runs well, very economical. $6000. Chairman Colin Bell at camero@xtra.co.nz or Phone Bruce Shute, Hamilton, 07 824 0191, ph 09 299 6457. Inspection by appointment only. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. brushute@gmail.com MEM WAIKATO Tenders close 31 August.
1961 MK II ZEPHYR SUPER DELUXE. A daily runner, 103,329 miles. Comprehensive service record of speedo, date, and upkeep notes. Four owners, orig. papers. Car has very sound panels, needing some window rubbers. Spare windscreen. Any realistic offers. Ken 0274 340 557 or kerae@xtra.co.nz
1937 CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH Runs very well, good leather upholstery, good tyres, some spare parts including tow bar. Motor re-conditioned by previous owner, well maintained. $16,000. Contact Bruce Shute, Hamilton, 07 824 0191 or brushute@gmail. com
44 Beaded Wheels
1924 DODGE 4 door sedan all steel Budd body, on Budd Michelin 20" steel wheel rims. No time to complete, hard yards done. Car components over 95% complete, almost everything is here. Plenty of spares and enough materials/hardware to complete. $9,500 ono. Phone Barry 06 835 9575 MEM HB
1924 HISPANO SUIZA H6C 8 LITRE, 6 cylinder, short wheelbase. Coachwork 35 years old in good condition. Former owners: Glen Kidston and Morin Scott. POA. Contact John 027 495 5599 or h6cforsale@gmail.com for genuine enquiries. Auckland.
GRAY FRONT AXLE. Mid 20’s. Excellent wheels in good restorable order. Ex-trailer and not welded. $50.00. Phone Don Laing 03 579 4865 or Earl Preston 03 577 7839 MEM MARLBOROUGH
1982 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN 4.2 L, 116,070 miles, current registration and WOF. Drives very nicely. Shed housed for the past eight years. A little rust in left rear door and rear window rust has been repaired. A very motorable vehicle needing a minimal amount of TLC. $4,000. Phone Ron Hopps 06 862 5781, rohoney@clear.net.nz MEM GISBORNE
1983 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE TURBO – Club Eligible! Completely orig low mileage Mirage Turbo – the only one left in this condition? NZ new - one owner until 2012. Genuine 65,000km. Excellent condition except for small scrape and some fading on decals / carpet, trim superb. $4,750. Phone Roger White 04 5636 236, white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz MEM WGTN
1926 CHRYSLER 50-4 ROADSTER, complete recent restoration including new hood, upholstery, motor reconditioned, 12 volt alternator, new tyres, current Wof, rego. $35,000 negotiable. Phone John 03 329 6882 or 022 651 9344 MEM CANTERBURY
Recently 1958 PACKARD SEDAN, n eeds full restoration, 1951 CHEVROLET DELUX SEDAN. 289 V8, auto, P/S, air con, has stuck motor. Some restored, new paint. Blue flame engine. Major parts, new upholstery fabric, and personalised money spent on this one family car. Will be sold with plates included. $8,000. Phone Dave, 03 693 7050. reg and WOF. $19.000 ono. Phone 03 434 8844, judith.john.miller@xtra.co.nz. MEM STH CANTY MEM NTH OTAGO
1964 TRIUMPH HERALD. Probably the most original model in the country. Reg & wof. Runs well, no issues. Genuine reason for sale. Located in ChCh. $10,000 ono. Contact Stephen 027 270 5980, farmall@xtra.co.nz MEM
VCC NEW ZEALAND 70TH ANNIVERSARY LAPEL PINS LAPEL PINS produced to commemorate the Club’s 70th anniversary are now available. $5.00 plus $1 postage (within New Zealand). Contact VCCNZ National Office, admin@vcc.org.nz to order and arrange payment.
1947 LEA FRANCIS 1800 cc. Rolling chassis project. 1913 DELAGE 2.1 LITRE 4 cyl. 4 sp gearbox. Exc. Full mechanical restoration carried out 15 years ago condition, ex CHCH car, matching numbers. Probably – has been in storage since then. Engine has not low mileage from new. Prof.restoration 2011, regular been started up after overhaul. Wheels repainted, use since. Delightful sporty 2/3 seat skiff, superb four new tyres. No bodywork at all. $4,800 Phone brass jewellery, leather. $95,000. Don’t let this go Brian 09 236 0691, janyce100@hotmail.com. overseas like the last one. Wallace McNair, phone 07 838 2882, v12sunbeam@gmail.com MEM WAITEMATA MEM AUCKLAND Beaded Wheels 45
1980 CORTINA MK5 V6 GHIA Interior in 1935 AUSTIN 7 RUBY. F ully restored, certified, reg very good condition, new tyres and mufflers. & wof. Personalised plates. $10,500 ono. Phone 027 $6,000 ono. Phone John 07 377 2280, 608 0892 or 04 938 3069 Wellington. john.godfrey@xtra.co.nz MEM TAUPO
MG TC MODIFIED SPECIAL the car was built for hill climbs and hood down rallies. Drives well, 14’’ wire wheels, cycle guards, aluminium panels close ratio box. Hood and side screens, some spares,$37,000. Phone 09 416 7692, 027 474 4769. MEM WAITEMATA
A RARE OPPORTUNITY to purchase this 1937 MG VA 4 seater tourer. Health reasons force reluctant sale. Complete 6 year restoration to highest concours standards. Regular concours winner, great open road car. $90,000 ono. Personal plate by arrangement. Email j.beresford@clear.net.nz MEM TARANAKI
low ownership 500cc 1912 RENAULT AX 2 Cylinder older restoration 1951 BSA B33 MODEL A 1996. Still running well. Excellent canvas hood and motorbike in tidy condition. Reliable, goes very tonneau, cover, Stepney wheel, complete set period well. Mag has been redone, good tyres, tidy brass fittings. Reluctant sale due to age and health. paintwork. Fresh WOF and 6mth rego will be Only serious offers considered. Phone John 03 579 completed after sale. $4,500ono. Phone Royce 021 323 571 for further details. MEM CANTERBURY 5053 MEM MARLBOROUGH
1931 MORRIS MINOR SV S cuttle tank coachbuilt saloon. This fine example of this rare model fully restored in good running order and condition comes with full history and spare parts. Current Rego and WOF. $16,500. Please send your initial enquiries to jm.nthaiz@xtra.co.nz MEM AUCKLAND
1969 ROVER 3.5 18,000 miles since complete 1909 RILEY V TWIN 12/18 HP SPORTSMAN Two motor, gearbox, carb and engine bay rebuild to seater model. One of only 7 known in existence and original and much more. Re-leathered seats, mats. the only one of this very rare sportsman model. A great rally car. Phone Don 07 827 3696 Reliable very driveable car with a lively performance. M EM WAIKATO A Veteran car that you’ll enjoy driving. Phone Ivan 03
1927 RUGBY MODEL M. L ight two-door coach Durant Motors, Ontario, Canada. Colonial body Cooper and Pryce Coachbuilders, Chch. Ground up restoration 3,500 miles ago. Recon motor, running gear. Indicators, brake lights, electric w/screen wiper fitted for safety. Spare parts galore. $22,000 Ray 027 444 3368 Levin 06 368 2151. MEM HOROWHENUA
1934 ASX VAUXHALL COUPE Very rare model. Restored in 2003, 15,743 miles. New Zealand built body. 14hp six cylinder motor. $35,000. Phone Jill 03 525 8042 or 027 417 4108 EM TAKAKA M
46 Beaded Wheels
327 8189 or Chadwell.Donkeystud@xtra.co.nz MEM
1964 MORRIS MINOR FOUR DOOR SALOON. New upholstery, reconditioned gearbox and clutch. fitted with remote brake booster. Radial tyres as new. Excellent chrome. Paint and panel above average. Late model taillights/indicators as standard. Original 1100cc motor. Need space so selling. Phone 03 578 6133 evenings. MEM MARLBOROUGH
Want to find out how Vero has made home insurance go further? 1923 SD TRIUMPH owned since 1957. Last started about 2009. Has all the parts not attached to complete it. Will consider offers. Phone 07 886 9083 M EM SOUTH WAIKATO
1938 BSA TICKFORD DROP-HEAD COUPE Front wheel drive. Twin carbs. Ground-up restoration. Low mileage. Very rare. Runs well. Only 14 made with this body. Only one left in UK. Many spares. $35,000. Phone Bill Janes 07 578 7583 or email sunbeam@kinect.co.nz M EM TAURANGA
See our ad on the back page
1920/21 SUNBEAM 16/40 OHV 3 litre engine. Light sports tourer. Two wheel brakes. Older ground-up restoration. Rare model. Good performance. Only seven left in the world. with spares. $85,000. Phone Bill Janes 07 578 7583 or email sunbeam@kinect.co.nz MEM TAURANGA
1914 OVERLAND MODEL 79T Fully restored in top condition. A great motoring car. Spares and relevant infromation incl. Asking price $60,000. Phone 021 0233 3948 MEM CENTRAL HAWKES BAY
WANTED TO BUY 1950S AUSTIN SHEERLINE/PRINCESS, I need to find some inner door handles, any of the switches and most importantly a front bumper. Even a bumper of the same cross section from another model would be helpful as I could widen it to suit. Phone 03 445 8150, 027 281 7665, bandy@xtra.co.nz M EM CENTRAL OTAGO 1977-79 YAMAHA RD400 c ylinder barrels wanted. Phone Peter 021 193 0948. MEM NORTHLAND AUSTIN 7 HORN WANTED f or 1934 Ruby. Looking for an original horn to match the year. Phone Robyn 021 275 8034 MEM ROTORUA 1970 RAMBLER REBEL suitable for parts/ restoration, must have live registration or on hold (exemption). With or without running gear. Contact Lindsay, Oamaru 03 437 0809, 021 230 1062 or plymouthnut@xtra.co.nz MEM SOUTH CANTY. 1930 s PHAETON in restored going condition wanted. Phone Greg 027 285 9153 MEM 1938 P6 PLYMOUTH BUS / COUPE. Require P6 motor and trans. Also need complete interior and extra body trim, will trade for nos Mopar items or purchase. Phone 03 388 7677 MEM CANTERBURY 1942-1947 FORD, Pickup, Speedo-gauge cluster 0-100mph. Any condition considered. Phone Jim 027 248 2620. MEM EAST BOP
BENTLEY R-TYPE REAR WINDOW WANTED. P hone Andrew 07 575 3819, andson4000@gmail.com MEM BAY OF PLENTY
SPARK PLUG TERMINAL TOPS/CAPS e tc wanted especially French: Oleo Electra, Eyquem. Also brass oddball terminal tops. Please email to s.d.gooch@ paradise.net.nz with qty and price and also any oddball spark plugs. MEM CANTERBURY
CAR TO DO UP WANTED. Austin A30, Morris Minor etc. Up to $1,000 Marlborough, Nth Canterbury area. Phone 03 575 7227, 027 575 7227. M E M HILLMAN SUPER MINX 1965/66. Two bumper over-riders with rubber inserts. In good order MARLBOROUGH please. Phone 027 202 5007 or 03 688 6108 COVENTRY CLIMAX ENGINE F W series. Complete (evenings) M EM SOUTH CANTERBURY engine or parts wanted for my project Lotus. ANTED Needs to be 11 ⁄ 32 Contact Barry 027 271 8734, garland1@xtra.co.nz HOLDEN CARB W choke. Has the size stamped on the side of carb. M EM WAIKATO Phone Olly 03 236 1408 or leave a message. M E M FORD POPULAR WANTED. M ust be in very SOUTHLAND good condition with current registration and warrant. Would prefer previously restored. Phone J TYPE OVERDRIVE rear aluminium casing (as fitted Mervin Paterson 03 339 8474 or 027 488 9701, to Triumph vehicles) email pfefshoes@xtra.co.nz MEM WANGANUI mervin.paterson@xtra.co.nz M EM CANTERBURY Beaded Wheels 47
MODEL A PHAETON Wanted to buy a 1930s SUNBEAM RAPIER, preferably series 3, 4, or 5. Phaeton in restored going condition. Phone Must be in good original condition or restored. Greg 027 285 9153 MEM CANTERBURY Phone Graham 07 868 9453 or kgbrooks@ihug. co.nz M EM AUCKLAND MORRIS OXFORDS 1954-1958 Any condition anywere in New Zealand. Phone Trevor Shaw 09 TAIL LIGHT for my 1931 Studebaker President made 415 1010 or 027 283 0415 or write with photo if by Oval Standard and measures 146mm height and possible to 95 Mahoenui Valley Road, RD3 Albany, 76mm deep. Please contact Neville Harper 0274 Auckland 0793. MEM AUCKLAND 947 249 or daharpers@gmail.com MEM ROTORUA MOTORCYCLE PARTS WANTED. Any Triumph parts VAUXHALL CRESTA 3.3 I am sure someone should (pre 1928 ) have some swaps, CN, N, N Delux, P, be able to help me with some new engine parts. B.E Douglas, BSA etc need SD gearbox, handlebars bearings std, main bearings std, gasket sets top and and more. Have baby motor need the rest, frame, bottom. Interested in any other new engine parts. wheels. Need Alldays gearbox. Phone 09 533 8050, Phone Murray 07 332 3343. taylorhq@xtra.co.nz M EM AUCKLAND engine parts or complete VELOCETTE LE PARTS, PARTS OR HANDBOOK WANTED for Morris Series Y bike for spares, please call Bob on 06 367 8216 or light truck phone 03 308 2297. MEM ASHBURTON bobandthegaffer@gmail.com
INFORMATION WANTED from previous owners of my 1965 Black Falcon Hardtop Coupe to build a dossier of past history. First registration Sept 1965 was CW3284, next registration Dec 2003 was BSS165. Email Bob – sunrisenz@kinect.co.nz
RADIATOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE f or 1924 Essex ZEPHYR SIX OR ZODIAC, MARK I OR MARK II Must Super 6. Email: claudeilton1@gmail.com. Phone 09 be in good condition. Contact David Yorke 06 358 8060 or email ozkiwi@xtra.co.nz MEM MANAWATU 406 8565, 027 479 1697 ROVER P5B COUPE Must be in good condition. Contact David Yorke 06 358 8060 or email ozkiwi@ xtra.co.nz M EM MANAWATU
SWAP MEETS & RALLIES NORTH SHORE VINTAGE CAR CLUB
Southern Electrical
ANNUAL CAR SHOW AND SWAP MEET CLUB DISPLAY THEME: AT THE RACES
September 10 2016
In support of
9am-4pm Edgar Sports Centre Cnr Portsmouth Drive & Midland St, Dunedin Spectacular Vehicle Displays featuring RYCO SIMULATOR, Porsche, race cars and much more. Swap meet and trade sites.
$1,000 tyre voucher ize doorrtepr sy of
For information and sites Kevin Casey Phone 03 453 0818 email caseyleadlights@xtra.co.nz www.otagoclassicmotoring.co.nz
cou Mag & Turbo Ltd
SWAP MEET & Vintage Car Show
Sunday 13 November 2016 8am - 1 pm BAY OF PLENTY BRANCH VCC At the Clubrooms 29 Cliff Road, Tauranga - by the Rose Gardens (Vendors & display cars admitted from 7am )
Featuring: Car parts, old & new - automobila, motoring accessories, motoring books & magazines. Parts Shed open for sales. Enjoy sausage sizzle, plus superb hot & cold food, tea & coffee in the Clubrooms. Enquiries - John Payne Phone 07 576 9497 jomj65@kinect.co.nz
48 Beaded Wheels
Admission Vendors $15 Buyers & spectators $5 Children 12 years & under free
40 Masons Road, Albany
SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016
GATES OPEN 8.30am – RAIN DATE: 27 November 2016 Admission OVER 100 CLASSIC $5
CARS ON DISPLAY
ts Adul 0 PRIZES AWARDED FOR: Best Club display • Best in show • s $2 People’s choice • Spot prizes will be awarded during the day S e ll e r Show Car Driver free – Children under 12 free
VCC NZ NORTH OTAGO BRANCH
SWAP MEET
Saturday 12 November 2016 A&P SHOWGROUNDS, ETTRICK ST, OAMARU Seller’s Entry: 7.30am; Buyer’s Entry: 8am Hot Food and Coffee available Enter your Vintage, Classic Car or Hot Rod in the Show & Shine Site Holders: $15 including one entry free Public Entry: $5 Adults, accompanied children under age 15 free. Enquiries to: Rebecca George 021 293 7714 Email: northotago@vcc.org.nz
SWAP MEETS & RALLIES NATIONAL
MOTORCYCLE
R A L LY and after rally Hub Tour
WAIKATO VINTAGE
SWAPMEET
KARAPIRO DOMAIN, CAMBRIDGE Sunday 20 November 2016 Gates open 7am • Public Entry $5 • Children under 12 Free Sites $10 • Commercial sites $50 Organised by Waikato Branch of VCC and Waikato Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club
Enquiries Ph Jeremy Brook 07 824 1641, George Gardner 07 839 1822
For more information visit www.wvvcc.co.nz
CANTERBURY BRANCH
Friday 17 February 2017 Registration and Meet ‘n Greet BBQ Saturday 18 February 2017 Competitive & non-competitive Rally Light dinner and Kiwi Culture Show Sunday 19 February 2017 Gymkhana and Concours Presentation dinner
Entry forms and accommodation suggestions have been sent to past entrants and branch secretaries. Intending entrants are encouraged to confirm their accommodation requirements now All events based at Waitomo Village Meals and entertainment at Woodlyn Park, 1 km away from the village.
After Rally Hub Tours Monday 20 February to Friday 24 February 2017
Five days of hub tours will take entrants to places and towns of interest in the beautiful Waikato, returning to home base each night. Thursday 23 February 2017: After Tour (Rally) final dinner at Roselands (held early to cater for entrants who need to leave a day early on the Friday)
Rally Director: Bob Hayton • Event Co-ordinator: Peter Alderdice Rally Secretary: Jillian Hayton Enquiries Rally Secretary at vccrally@gmail.com Phone: 027 423 0608 or (07) 8567238
BIGGE & BET R T FOR 2 ER 016 Please notify National Office if you have changed your address or sold/purchased any vehicles.
7,8 & 9 OCTOBER 2016
admin@vcc.org.nz • www.vcc.org.nz
Cutler Park – McLeans Island Road Join us on this fun weekend and visit the Mecca of Vintage Motoring of New Zealand For information write to Swapmeet, PO Box 5279, Christchurch or phone Kevin 03 385 9821, 021 0270 6525 or email kevinclarkson1@gmail.com EFTPOS facilities available. No Dogs. ROAR.
Friday/Saturday 9am-4.30pm, Sunday 9am-2pm Admission: Friday $10 general admission, $5 VCC card holders. Saturday and Sunday $5 for all adults. Accompanied school children free.
Major landscaping redevelopment at Cutler Park will be completed by Swap Meet weekend this year
www.theswapmeet.org.nz Beaded Wheels 49
SWAP MEETS & RALLIES Total engine overhauls Invitation to register your interest
MOTOR RECONDITONERS 2002 Ltd • Bearing Remetaling Specialists • All Workmanship Fully Guaranteed
Wanganui Vintage Car Club is pleased to host the
NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY being held
20th-23rd January 2017 Entrants will enjoy: • Optional Activities • Social events • Great Scenery • Parts Shed Shopping • Being Part Of Whanganui’s Vintage Weekend We are also hosting the historic Burma Rally on this weekend. It is a great opportunity for all Veteran and Vintage vehicle owners to experience a unique Wellington Anniversary Weekend. To receive further information, newsletters, entry form Contact: Linda O’Keeffe email: lokeeffe@xtra.co.nz (preferred method) Ph: 0274 733 767 Postal: PO Box 726, Whanganui 4540
Shirley MOTORS
28 January- 6 February 2017 The North Shore Branch invites all Veteran owners to participate in the 2017 Centennial Re-enactment of the Winterless North Parliamentary Tour. The event encompasses 6 days of non-competitive touring over essentially the same roads that were travelled by the 1917 Winterless North Parliamentary Tour. The total distance to be travelled is about 450 miles over hilly terrain on both sealed and unsealed roads with sealed alternatives for those not wishing to travel on unsealed surfaces. The Tour travels north from Devonport on Sun 28 January and returns to Auckland on Sunday 5 February with a car show at ‘The Cloud’ on Monday 6 February- Waitangi Day 2017. The Tour is not considered particularly suitable for vehicles of limited capability and/or inexperienced drivers.
Entries close 14 Nov 2016 Entry forms will be available with Tour Newsletter Number 3 or can be obtained after 1 August 2016 from the Tour Registrar, P O Box 5697, Hamilton, 3242, or by emailing 2017parl.tour@gmail.com
Phone (03) 366-0914 Fax (03) 366-0912 Mobile 027 3081 292 Email motorrecon@paradise.net.nz
Full Mechanical Servicing
www.motorreconditioners.co.nz
FREE ADVERTISING* Classified advertising in Beaded Wheels magazine is free *for all current financial members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc buying or selling club eligible vehicles or parts. Our standard advertising charges apply for all non-members or members wishing to advertise commercial services. Email your advertisement to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Payment where required must accompany your advert. Cheque should be made payable to Beaded Wheels. Post payment & advertisement to P O Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. $21 Text only advertisement. Up to 45 words including phone number, no photo. Additional words over 45 up to a maximum of 65 words, 15 cents per word. $54 Text and colour photo advertisement. Up to 45 words including phone number. Supply a colour photo of your vehicle. Include SAE for return of photo, submit high resolution digital photos via email: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz
Advertisement for Beaded Wheels.
2017 Centennial Re-enactment of the Winterless North Parliamentary Tour
Contact Jared Hanson 8 Hills Road Christchurch 8148 PO Box 26 033
Tick which column you require
WANTED FOR SALE
I am a current financial member of the VCCNZ and wish to advertise for FREE. My VCCNZ Membership number is
______ ⁄___________________
Payment where required must accompany your advert.
Name (block letters) ______________________________ Phone ________ Advertisement text (45 words)______________________________________
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Principal Sponsor of the 2017 Centenary of the Parliamentary Tour
50 Beaded Wheels
See www.vcc.org.nz for conditions of free advertising
TRADE DIRECTORY CLASSIC LOOK OVERALLS Ideal for • Classic race teams, • Spectators & Officials Roycroft Trophy Leadfoot Festival Classic or Vintage events
Proudly made in New Zealand Tel: 09 401 7205 E: grant@northernsouth.com RESTORED CARS MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA First published in 1973. Most back issues are available. All vehicles featured are restored or in original condition. Events, How To’s and Australian motoring history are a specialty.
Subscription Rates
Australia 6 Issues $47.50 or 12 issues $92 New Zealand 6 Issues AUD$74.50 or 12 issues AUD$146 Overseas 6 Issues AUD$87 or 12 issues AUD$171
Visa – MasterCard available Eddie Ford Publications P/L 29 Lyons St, Newstead Vic 3462, Australia. Ph 61 3 5476 2212 Fax 61 3 5476 2592
Hamco OLD AUTO RUBBER INDUSTRIES
Motorcycle & Car a Wire Wheel Repairs & Restorations a We Specialise In • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels Rim and Frame Lining • Wheel Building & Truing • Complete Wheel Restoration
Vintage – Classic – Modern Craig & Debbie Hambling
Phone 06 324 8345
products for the car restorer
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LUBRICANTS full range in stock
Listings for over 800 models
VINTAGE AUTO PARTS phone or fax 03 359 8592
Mobile 027 231 7864
410 Green Road, RD 6, Palmerston North Day or Night
Gary and Ruth Arps • PO Box 5369 Papanui, Christchurch 3482
E. Parrott & Son Ltd
automotive instrument specialists
Specialist gauge repairers since 1946 Over 75 years of combined instrument repair experience.
SPEEDOS
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CLOCKS
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Vintage & Post Vintage Restoration Work Undertaken Email: parrotts@ihug.co.nz 124a Wordsworth St, Christchurch, NZ. Phone 03 366 9554
Done the old way – the right way COPPER – NICKEL – CHROME
Specialist in restoration of Vintage and Classic cars and motorcycles FREEPHONE
0800 862 476
www.classicchrome.co.nz
EMAIL stephen_winteringham@hotmail.com
51 Beaded Wheels
idle
Ashburton: Cars assembled before Solstice Run on 26 June.
Auckland: Gavin Welch’s Ford Y roadster.
Auckland: Peter Alderdice’s 1928 Harley Davidson and chair. Auckland: Lois Hadfield presenting John Campbell with the Rolls-Royce/Bentley book.
Ashburton Owen Wilson We welcome new member Elton Wooldridge with his collection of Rovers. Our AGM was held on 16 June and the only committee change was that David Oakley replaced Neville Ross as club captain. David will organise a different type of run which will have us thinking outside the square. Neville is staying on as vice club captain. This is the first time that we have had to have an election for a committee position. It was a wet morning for the Solstice run on Sunday 26 June. About 30 cars started at 10.30am with the aim to be back at the club rooms for lunch. There were two different runs, a more relaxed one and a competitive one which took the form of a scatter run read off maps – points were earned for this and it was won by Trevor and Craig Begg. After lunch the afternoon was spent watching car related films. This is a quiet time of the year motoring wise and time to do maintenance on our vehicles ready for the next season which, going by the look of the calendar of events, will be busy
and Pat Campbell. Ladies trophy, Wayne and Carrie Roberts. Pride of Ownership trophy, Bill and Sherrill Hulse. Gymkhana trophy, Russell and Jocelyn McAlpine. Triers trophy, Murray Atkinson and Gary Bax. Rear Wheel Brake trophy, Gavin Welch and Sophie Zhao. Motorcycles: New members include Anthony Anania with a 1960 Triumph Bonneville, John Meharry with a Velocette collection and a Honda CB350, Frank Van Lingen 1979 Ducati 900 SS, Ian Bell has a 1960 Triumph Speed Twin, while Mike Eadie has a 1964 Vespa GL 150, Mike Yeoman has a 1968 Triumph T120 and Ben Van Den Berg owns a 1959 Royal Enfield Crusader. Dave Warren and Dave Williams both on ‘28 Harleys took first and second places in the Vintage class at Northlands Motorcycle rally. Don Green 1930 Rudge and Neville Olsen 1924 BSA took first and second Vintage at Waikato’s Mooloo Meander. Vintage: New Members in this category are Dugald Hoyland with two 1931 Model A Fords, and Denis and Margaret Tippens with a 1925 Flint. They also have some Auckland John Stokes interesting later category vehicles. Awards presented at our AGM went PV PWV: Gavin Welch and Sophie to; 35 years Wayne Roberts, 25 years Don Zhao won the experts rally in Gavin’s 1934 Johnson, Martin Spicer and Brent and Ford Model Y roadster. New members in Dagmar Bellamy. Points trophy, Rodger and this group are Hugh and Anne-Marie Hulse Val Ball. Husband and Wife trophy, John with a 1939 Oldsmobile businessman’s 52 Beaded Wheels
Canterbury: Farm road hazard on this year’s Irishman run. Photo Dave Inwood
coupe, and Max Betteridge with a 1936 Austin Seven special. John Stewart has sold his Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn convertible. P60 P80: Katheryn Jaggard and Beth Farrell have joined with a 1966 Ford Mustang and a 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon. We welcome Grant and Patricia Bickerton with a 1969 Riley Elf and a 1971 Triumph Spitfire. Commercial: Bryan Belcher has finally solved the performance issues with the 1940 Diamond T; the manifold ports were too small and the correct size manifold has now been fitted. General: Don Grayson and Robert Robinson have joined, but have yet to get vehicles. Auckland took the Waikato Auckland Trophy at the Double Fifty. They also took the teams trophy; the team consisting of Russell and Jocelyn McAlpine 1930 Model A Ford, Alan and Sharaan Price, 1930 Chev and Stephen and Tracey Winterbottom, MG B. Banks Peninsula Colin Lewis A slight error in interpreting the symbols for a new or full moon for our Night Run was compensated for by the weather. A strong sou’westerly gale and at times driving rain ruled out most, if not all, open cars and in fact the moon as well. The few who braved the elements evidently found cell phones or iPads are not as good
as torches to read sign boards hung at some height above the ground. Christchurch and surrounds still have some challenging roads. Some are closed without warning, some might be tomorrow, or might not, and most are rougher than before. (BE = before earthquakes; SE = since earthquakes). The instructions/questionnaire led to the usual confusion for some. However, first into the warmth of the appointed hostelry were Michael and Louise Pidgeon. Next home were the Dawbers and shortly after the Keenan family. Sometime later, and some were heard to ask what stops had they made along the way or had they gone round twice, was the team of Alan Rennie, Pat O’Connell and Ron Hasell. Whatever the answer to those queries might have been they conceded the glory to the Keenan team by half a point,. To quote the scribe of our Drip Feed newsletter which seems to sum up the night’s events “Some said they’d never been through some of the roads, others said they would never go through them again; yet a third opinion was to repeat the event in daylight so they could see where they had been”. Bay of Plenty Bryce Strong We would like to introduce the Bay of Plenty’s newest member, Mason, who is just two years of age. He is keen on Vintage vehicles, particularly Model As, because of his heritage – his great grandfather Jim Webb was a stalwart of the BOP VCC, as is his grandfather, Alan Webb. The Webbs have had a passion for Model A Fords for many years and the sound of an approaching Model A is enough to get Mason excited – “that’s a Ford like Poppa Alan’s, it’s a Model A Mum.’’ He loves to sit in the driver’s seat and pretend he is in control. He also likes the pictures in Beaded Wheels. He has been coming to the club since birth, and is very popular with members. We wish him many years of joy with the VCC.
We have had a busy few months here in the Bay, with regular and wellattended mid-week and month-end runs, movie nights, seniors luncheon, Last of the Summer Wine run, and our recent AGM. Few questions were asked about the financials with most of the branch officers standing again for another term. We had a large attendance and a nice meal at the Ladies’ Luncheon held at Jim and Kaaren Smylie’s homes and the men got the opportunity to learn how to drive Jim’s Model T (the planetary gearbox confused many.). John Payne’s name was drawn for a 20 minute flight around Tauranga in Jim’s aeroplane. Great fun. One of our members fortunately managed to survive his car falling off his hoist onto its side through mechanical failure of the hoist. A timely reminder to check all vehicle hoists and ensure their correct lubrication and maintenance. Canterbury Tony Becker Warm early winter days encouraged strong participation in all of our Diamond Jubilee Year activities. The conditions have been a huge help to our member teams currently revitalising Cutler Park after ECAN removed many old pine and cover trees that left the park positively naked. Debris clean up, stump removal and levelling added considerable work to the project. Reparation includes the planting of some 2000 young native and deciduous shade trees. The riverbed nature of McLeans Island required 15 tonnes of mulch, lots of watering and control of rabbits and possums. An ongoing irrigation plan is a further necessity to ensure minimum loss of plantings across the large area of Cutler Park. Mike Foster’s maintenance team, together with a recently added ground restoration team lead by George Kear jnr and Peter Gatehouse, have employed the expert services of Lincoln College student professionals to plant the best selections
Canterbury: New branch committee L to R: Mark Drury, Don Bennetts, Mike Foster, Des Fowler, Gill Stevenson, Leigh Craythorne, Greg Lamb, John Coomber, Cindy Hey, Kevin Sarjeant, Paul Seaton, Rodd Thrower.
for McLeans Island’s dry climate. As always, there is a serious need for more member hands in order to meet our goals for Cutler Park. The Branch AGM on 26 June reported a healthy financial situation and happily, the return of most committee folk and activity representatives. Outstanding long-service recognition for Alan Parris read as a citation summary by Chairman Leigh was applauded spontaneously. Ill health and post-quake rebuild has forced Alan to stand down after 38 years of exceptional service to Canterbury Branch. Alan’s 25 years dedication toward development of our major fundraiser, the annual swap meet and display, as well as his advice to branch committees on researched statutory matters was applauded. Swap Meet Committee leadership has passed to Colin Hey, another long service member of that important committee. Leigh Craythorne retains the chair for a further term and new personnel were elected to secretary and club captain positions. Incoming Secretary, John Coomber, was elected Branch Delegate. Central Hawke’s Bay John Foot We welcome five new members to the Branch and hope you will take part in club activities and enjoy your membership. May Happenings: For this month’s branch event we met at the Otane Hall. Our instructions took us to Waipuna Station and a shed high up on a hill that held a collection of ‘50s Fords and Chevrolets. The owner gave us a talk on the collection and history of the station. From here we proceeded to another interesting collection of vehicles comprising a truck, car, and motorcycle plus woodworking machinery. Our next stop was to view a newly restored 1981 Ford Falcon ESP and a collection of other restorable vehicles while the ladies were treated to a demonstration of fingernail wraps and everyone enjoyed afternoon tea at McCool’s home. The monthly club night was held at the new Hastings Club where Wayne Clark gave
Central Hawke’s Bay: Studebaker and Chrysler on the downhill run. Beaded Wheels 53
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Central Hawke’s Bay: Nearing the top of the climb to the airstrip.
Central Hawke’s Bay: Under the bonnet of the Ford Falcon ESP.
us a very interesting talk and picture show of a traction engine trip from Feilding to Rangiwahia. June Happenings: At our AGM the whole committee and magazine editor were returned to office. The branch event for this month started at Sherwood School and took us into the foothills of the Ruahine Ranges and up to Pukenui Airstrip where we were given a very interesting talk about the property and the part the airstrip played in the development of the area. From here we proceeded to the end of the road where we visited a property that had been owned by one member’s grandfather. The day ended with afternoon tea at the Jensen’s property. Central Otago John Loudon Recent work on our grounds at Cromwell saw a team from the branch plus parents of BMX track members erect a new security fence along two boundaries. Graham Taylor now has his Model T truck restoration finished and by all accounts it is a nice job. Weekend runs have been well supported. A recent one was to Owaka which was very damp. Coming home on Sunday we visited Colin Robb’s Ford collection in Roxburgh. Colin has a good collection with some restored and others in very original condition.
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Central Hawke’s Bay: Some of the vehicles at Pukenui Airstrip.
EBOP: Branch run to Karaponga Reserve.
A team from our parts department went to Roxburgh to pick up all the garage stuff that that the branch was given from the estate of late member Les Davidson. Anyone looking for a Lanchester engine and pre-select gearbox should give us a call. The Golden Times Rally in Arrowtown was another day of surprises and part of the route took us through to the Jacks Point new housing area. We couldn’t get out of there quick enough, all the houses look the same and are a similar colour, very bland. I can’t say I’m a fan of the traffic in Queenstown either. Maybe we struck the wrong time of day but I’m in no hurry to go back again. Roddy Maxwell produced slides and talked about his recent Australian job in the Northern Territory. This involved paving a road for a gold mine operation for 40km through the red dust in 40° plus heat.
EBOP: Robyn and Peter Hadley with the Night Owl Trophy.
A recent run to the Kareponga Reserve to view the power station, dam and falls attracted nine cars despite threatening weather. With gravel roads, deep wheel ruts, wet grass and a challenging walk leading to a magnificent sight, it proved to be a memorable and satisfying exercise. The presence of McCann’s Land Rover was a reassuring factor. Many joined the Classic Car Breakfast, an event which allows members to network with local car people and provides public interest. Our intrepid Chairman/Secretary team, Les and Gail Costar, travelled to Wanganui, and while not rewarded by rally success, the total experience, including the views and the icy road through National Park, provided a great weekend for them. Mid-June has been celebrated with our annual Night Owl Run with potluck dinner. Alan and Lorraine organised a EBOP Peter Donovan great run through the town. The winners Our AGM has resulted in new faces were the Hadleys. Thanks to Honorary on the committee and for some outside Branch Member Lorolei Pollard for her committee responsibilities. Steve has given sponsorship. lengthy and efficient service as club captain but a replacement has yet to be forth- Far North Dave Duirs coming. The meeting itself was convivial, Our AGM brought in a few committee enhanced by an excellent potluck meal. changes with some suggestions for altering Gail and Les Costar travelled to some of our activity formats to encourage Taranaki for the Maunga Moana and more member participation. found the rally quite challenging but very A Men’s Shed day at Pakaraka Primary enjoyable. school was enthusiastically received by
idletorque the students who were able to test the eleven vehicles after doing projects about the various marques which they knew were coming. A most interesting morning for all and hopefully some prospective members in years to come. Our Club Captain organised the Mother’s Day/ Topp Trophy run, meeting at the Te Tii Waitangi Marae. After protocol was explained we were officially received on the historic (Treaty signing days) Marae with welcome speeches which covered the history of the the significance of Te Tii, the national flag and Treaty signing. We were hosted for morning tea followed by an explanation of the significance of the carved poles on the grounds. Lunch was at the Waitangi Golf Club and we were given a detailed explanation of the origins of Mother’s Day which had been the basis of our on-road quiz. The last Men’s Shed day was an invitation to wives, partners and family to luncheon at a local Mangonui restaurant where, no doubt, some automobile conversation snuck in. The End of Registration/ Malloy Trophy run around Doubtless Bay had us guessing as we meandered through what has become a busy house building spot of late. Gisborne Rodney Clague The year has commenced well for our branch with five new members having joined so far, with two more prospective applications about to join. Our annual Neil Peterson Trophy Run attracted a good number of entries,
including three of the five new members. The run, as always, was centred on Wairoa and the organisers Gail Menzies and Mike Little sent the teams around some of the district’s historical sights, stopping for lunch at the Frasertown homestead of members Bryan and Michelle Brownlie. The Chairman’s Run in May sent us out to Patutahi to view a collection of mainly Triumph motorcycles from the ‘70s, some restored and some undergoing restoration. There was also a three-owner 1938 Buick in original condition which has been owned by the family for several years. From here we travelled out to Ormond to view the progress on Trevor Jukes’ landfill operation. The Three Rivers Rally earlier this year attracted another good attendance, and we were pleased to have our two new motorcycle members, Adrian Cave with a 1929 Indian and Andrew Champion with a 1949 Matchless, along for the day. Gavin Bartlett brought along his great-grandfather’s 1916 Buick which has been in hibernation for several years, and was pleased with the way it performed. The motor on the Carlton car has been undergoing surgery over the past few months. The bores have been honed with new pistons and rings to be fitted, the crankshaft has been straightened and will be fitted with new white metal bearings. It has been a long process but light is beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel. Gore Jim McFadzien A dark showery night greeted the starters on our annual Night Trial. We didn’t leave
the town of Gore, and in the East Gore area had to find street names which came from our native bird species such as Kiwi, Tui or Weka and also complete a crossword. Back over the bridge more zig zags to find other streets and also the cemetery. This took about an hour and 17 km. Back at the Clubrooms supper was put on hold while we faced the quiz master. The winners of the trial were the Martyns and the questions the Proctors – both in Rovers. Our closing run on 11 June was supported by 23 cars. Greg Elder had 10 questions to be answered before we received the instructions, which took us south through Mataura, over the rolling hills of Tuturau and behind the town of Wyndham where the next sign said Fortrose 42km - however the next sign said follow Wyndham Valley Road and onto the Mokoreta Hall. Very few members had been on some of these roads, and only five to be imported to had been to this hall before. Greg had a winner – John and Katy Parish in their 1923 Bentley (the first such car in New Zealand) and as a bonus he gave them a one kilo pack of whitebait! Hawke’s Bay Esther Smith Our AGM was well supported with many offering to join the elected committee or take on one of the numerous roles that keep the branch operating effectively. The returning branch officers are Steve Donavan (Chairman) Trevor Charman (Treasurer), Ian Elmsly (Club Captain) the committee are Helen Ball, Derek Gordon, Malcolm Blair, Steve Trott and
Far North: Malloy Trophy winners Peg Hills (left) and Dave (right), organisers Sandra Trafford and Rex Graham (centre).
Far North: Malloy Trophy.
Hawke’s Bay: Esther Smith, Lesley Blair, Kay Elmsly. 1960 Humber Super Snipe on the lady drivers run. Beaded Wheels 55
idletorque Esther Smith. At this stage we don’t have a secretary, but hopefully this will be remedied soon. The AGM was also an opportunity to present various awards, they were as follows. Best Restoration of a Vintage Vehicle, 1920 Oakland, Bruce and Alison Small. Best Restoration of a Post 1960 Vehicle, 1965 Anglia, Barrie and Lyndsay Browne. Best Restoration of a Commercial Vehicle, 1929 Ford AA Truck, Jim and Barbie Speers Best contributing non-committee member, Bruce Carrad Hawke’s Bay: Rob and Ann Watts. 1939 Dodge Best Attendance at Club Events, Dick Hawke’s Bay: Tom and Helen White Model A 1928 Business Coupe on the lady drivers run. Saloon on the lady drivers run. and Lesley Clark Another highlight is the Lady Drivers run. Of the 18 vehicles entered, 11 had the required women drivers. It was a stunning winter’s day and ideal for a tarmac trundle around an amazing scenic route while attempting to answer the numerous questions. The run concluded with a grand afternoon tea at Totara Stables, the home of Sharon and John Hayes. Thanks to Pam and John Thompson for organising the event and congratulations to the winners Horowhenua: Kapiti Mid Week group visit Helen and Peter Ball who now have the Horowhenua: Clubrooms - getting closer. Ohakea. job of organising next year’s run. Tom and also was world famous in his day. Frank Helen White won the prize for the best has donated books to our library. He and a The annual night trial was held on presented plate partner owned Performance Workshops in 27 May. As Graham and I won it last year, We have winter Art Deco celebrations to Wellington. Frank purchased a Mini from we had to organise it this year. I plotted a look forward to in mid-July. This is a much the Earl’s Court motor show in 1959 and course then took Graham out and made smaller event than the summer version, but went on to become the foremost engineer him navigate so I could check if there were is still an opportunity to get out the furs and racer of Minis in England and the any mistakes, and after a couple of discrepand enjoy some winter motoring. continent ancies were ironed out, all was well. It was As I write our clubroom extension is certainly enjoyed by those who took part. Horowhenua Peter Nightingale now closed in and almost ready for use. A busy March with the swap meet and Nelson Jim Wareing April continued at a fast rate as well. Marlborough Carol Wiblin Junior member Jared Dacombe kept a The Fox family lost their mother and Our Branch Patron Trevor May passed crowded club night entertained with his grandmother Ada. She and the late Stuart away last year and since then we have also excellent talk and video about his Nash were very active members of the branch, lost Des Palmer, Garry Turner and Gordon Metropolitan’s five year restoration and Stuart having been a former chairman. Findlay and past member Ruthin Green. Dunedin trip. The evening including a Bill Doddington also lost his battle with Trevor had a lot of input into the branch dash-cam video of his Pomeroy exploits. illness this month and our thoughts are and was well known for his generous nature The Gymkhana and Restoration of the with Norma. He kept his Ford Prefect in in helping others with their restorations. Year day had the addition of an official first class order and used it daily around He is very much missed. Des was a branch birthday party to celebrate Branch Patron town right up to when his illness prevented stalwart for over 50 years, but due to failing Ken Ivory’s 90th. Three cars and a bike it. health and eyesight, he was unable to were presented for the restoration award, Graham Cottle from the Farm attend as many things as he would have won by Matthew Dickes, Austin A30. Machinery club brought along his original liked over the last few years. Eight cars and eighteen people undertook family car, a 1932 Ford B model with a V8 There was a run to the Yealands a Queens Birthday weekend tour organised engine, one of the first models after the A. Vineyard on 15 May which I believe went by Kevin Mercer to Portage in Kenepuru Our Sunday run was to Shannon via off very well. This is a “green” winery Sound then via Queen Charlotte Drive to back roads to lunch at a local cafe museum. with many wastes being recycled for other Picton for Saturday night. Sunday’s run was The Kapiti mid-week group made a visit uses. Peter Yealands even imported some the long twisty loop to Port Underwood, to the Biggin Hill hanger at Ohakea air miniature sheep to keep the grass down. Rarangi and back to Picton. The home run base to view the six aircraft displayed there. This was done so the sheep would not eat on Monday visited the Omaka car collecThis includes a restored Spitfire painted the young leaves on the vines as they were tion in Blenheim then went up the Wairau in the colours of the famous New Zealand too short to reach them. I don’t know if he Valley to Tophouse and home via Wai-iti pilot Alan Deere who was highly decorated still runs these animals, but he certainly Valley. A very enjoyable trip. for his involvement in the battle of Britain. puts a lot of thought into everything he The Branch AGM attracted 70 members The death of Frank Hamlin a local who does. and all positions were filled. The branch 56 Beaded Wheels
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Nelson: Restoration of the Year line-up.
Nelson: Port Underwood from the highest point of the trip.
Nelson: The Team at turnoff to Fighting Bay where the inter-island cable connects.
was honoured to have Immediate Past President John Coomber and wife Christine attend and make the following 25 year badge presentations; Richard Conlon, Trevor Evans, Chris and Charil Milne, Graham St John, Rex Westley, Ray and Carolyn McGuire. Absent were; Peter Campbell, Dale Shattock and Neil Scott. 50 year badges were awarded to twins Geoff and Ken Morris, during this presentation John Coomber noted the many areas of the branch that Geoff and Ken had been involved in and commented that twins getting 50 year badges must be a first for the Club. Twelve VCC cars entered the Sandy Bay Hill Climb, Jim Bennett, Furi Impulse, of Dunedin was a clear winner nine seconds ahead. Other interesting cars; Gavin Bain 1926 Bugatti 35B. James Shand 1935 Railton, Lawrence Poolman 1931 MG.
Northland: 1952 Vauxhall Velox, six cylinder.
Northland Bruce Cosson Crikey, what a fantastic turnout at the Northland Branch AGM. The meeting room was chocka and a sound system was used so that those out on the fringes could stay tuned. Our ‘Westie’ friends from Dargaville had survived another Coast to Coast and were present in droves. Excellent. Although not too many Vintage vehicles turned up, the latest from the Allan and Meagan Pearson stable did, providing serious drool time for those of us loitering around the car park. The car is a wreckersyard lucky find. A 1952 Vauxhall (six cylinder) Velox, looking extremely cool in soft blue. Smooth? You bet … and fast too. Flat tack is 70 miles per hour (110Kph). “The most expensive bit was the paint,” confessed Allan. Completion of the restoration is not too far away if I read the enthusiasm of the owners correctly. Back to the meeting. Those retiring Lawrence Hillier Branch Chairman, Keith Thompson Secretary and Newsletter Editor, and Club Captain Carol Thompson, were thanked and spontaneously applauded by all, for their dedication and effort during their years of service. It’s new Branch Chairman Keith Taylor’s turn to drive now, with the navigator seat to be taken by secretary and long-time club member, Lyn Wrack.
North Shore Mary Lloyd The slightly different format used for the Northern Raid Rally was most enjoyable and successful including the dinner afterwards at the Clubrooms. Nice to have members from Auckland and Warkworth/ Wellsford Branches joining in. Brian and Gaylene Cullen from North Shore came first overall. Our AGM was held on 15 June and once again Paul Collins found himself in the Chair. Paul brings a wealth of experience with him and despite his sad loss when dear Kathy passed away he accepted the position and we all wish him well. Paul has been working hard on the Spring Tour, which is going to be longer than in previous years and with even more places to visit so we envisage it will be well patronised. Two members received their 25 year badges, Brent Mathieson and Matt Matthews while Tony Gillett received his 35 year badge. Much work has been carried out in the sheds and amazing restorations should be emerging very soon. The 1924 Dennis bus is well underway as are other projects. Work has started on the 1949 Bedford tow truck and the 1939 Chev taxi has made some progress under Jim Drummond’s expert guidance. It’s not just the vehicle restorations keeping the boys busy, we now have a new stainless steel urn for the tea and coffee
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North Shore: Jim Drummond working on 1939 Chev Taxi.
North Shore: Inside the 1924 Dennis bus.
North Shore: Peter Lloyd filling radiator on Catherine North Shore: Run to Helensville Golf Club Café. Macken’s 1929 DeSoto.
making, a very important addition to the kitchen. Otago Graham Duthie Following our AGM we have a new Chairman in Nicola Wilkinson and I am now club captain. It is nice to have new blood on the committee and new ideas. The branch trophies were also awarded. Best performance at all speed events, Chris Read. Best attendance at rallies, Bruce Murray. Best performance of events, Stu and Lyn Neill. Best attendance at local events, Bill Partel. Most meritorious performance of a Veteran vehicle Colin and Joan Pearce. Motorcycle restoration Bill Veitch. Car Restoration Bruce Murray. Hard Luck on a Motorcycle Bill Veitch. Greatest effort in Vintage motoring Gill and Ruth Edmunds. Chairman’s award Bill Partel. Mid May saw the branch take a bus full of members and wives to the Bill Richardson Transport World at Invercargill. Leaving Dunedin in the morning and travelling south we had a great day. Not only are there trucks but there is a full complement of Fords from before the Model T through to Model A. There are trucks of all ages and a large complement of petrol pumps, oil containers and number plates. After lunch we went to E Hayes and Sons Hardware where there is a large collection of Vintage and Veteran motorcycles. Their hardware stock is also very comprehensive. We were back home by six pm. Sparkoholics visited Kevin Casey’s garage and workshop where we were shown 58 Beaded Wheels
North Shore: Tony Gillett North Shore: Brett receiving his 35 year badge. Mathieson receiving his 25 year badge.
how he repairs enamel car badges and we learned all about leadlight windows. The Cancer Society is coming to the clubrooms to talk to us about what they do this month as we are delivering daffodils for them. Rotorua Ronald Mayes A busy time mid-winter with the annual swap meet on Sunday 17 July, the National Annual General Meeting between 12 and 14 August and the ever-popular Sulphur City Rally on 27 August (the scenic attractions of the Rotorua lakes a feature this year.) Recent events have included a Sunday afternoon town and country run which terminated at a local hotel for high tea and the annual prize-giving ceremony. Branch chairman David Tomlinson, aided by assistant club captain, Kevin Scott, handed out the trophies and was a little embarrassed at himself receiving no less than five awards. Twenty-eight members and potential members turned up at the Ngongotaha meeting place one Sunday morning for a run to a see a collection of artefacts at a country address. Unfortunately it was cancelled at the last moment when the owner decided the recent bad weather would have created difficulties for our cars on his property. Old hands Doug Green and Reg Munro quickly came to the rescue and organised a run around the countryside and lakes, terminating at a site beside Lake Rotoiti where everyone enjoyed their picnic
lunches. Learned from this experience will be to always have a back-up option when a planned event is reliant upon third parties. The mid-week group continue to visit new places of interest with recent highlights being visits to a large-scale, high-tech operation of a Te Puke kiwifruit packing house and member Graham Manson’s fascinating shed to see his current restoration project, a Mack light truck. South Canterbury Shannon Stevenson Our Annual Post Vintage Rally took place on 15 May with over 65 vehicles participating. The rally took members, a number of whom were from surrounding branches, out through Bluecliffs and Pareora Gorge regions to reach Lindisfarne Presbyterian Camp. During May we were saddened to hear about the passing of Geoff Mehrtens, a foundation member of our branch. Although settled in Dunedin for many years, Geoff supported our rallies over the decades, his most recent attendance being the 2014 Mount Cook Rally which he participated in with his 1924 Delage with wife Rosalie. The All British Day was held on 6 June starting from Caroline Bay. Attracting a record of 142 entries, a number of those from outside the district, the run took participants over two sealed routes – one via Pareora Gorge, the other via Totara Valley, out to Albury. Upon arrival British
idletorque vehicles filled almost every available spot on the town’s main street. On 18 June over 20 of our members attended the North Otago Branch’s Garage Raid, visiting vehicle collections and projects in the Oamaru area. The Restoration Rally was held on 19 June. The run attracted over 15 vehicles, a number of those wood framed with canvas hoods. This run took members through the farming communities of Fairview, Beaconsfield and Lyalldale to reach Southburn, where the restoration entries; 1939 Ford V8, 1926 Buick, 1934 Morris 8 and 1955 Holden FJ were displayed outside the historic Southburn Church.
working hard to get most items on offer sold. The branch’s AGM is over for another year with our Chairman, Stuart Milne, standing down after three years and our secretary Mel Tapp is standing down after seven years These positions haven’t yet been filled. Bill Falconer has been busy in his shed recently, overhauling the motor on his 1952 Rover 75 and it is now running very nicely. Russell and Jenny Carr have brought a very tidy 1964 series Five Hillman Minx and we look forward to see them out and about in it.
South Otago John Cook Bill and Gaynor Falconer put together a very good night trial in May with a good number of vehicles turning up. The route took us out around Warepa, Waiwera South onto Blacks Bridge Rd to Clydevale and out and around Clydevale. We had a few things to look out for with questions to match. The recent rain and a few gravel roads made for some grubby cars. Winners for the night were Devon and Jeanette Baird in their Rolls-Royce. Our Annual Combined Auction with the Vintage Machinery Club was a busy night. Auctioneer Stuart McElera was
Taranaki Colin Johnston. Following our AGM we have a new Secretary in Raewyn Kruse who took over from Les Bognuda. Les has shifted to a committee position. We also have a new committee member in Brian Bolland, otherwise all other positions have remained the same. Many thanks to Mike Williams who did not seek re-election after many years on the committee. Mike is still responsible for our vehicle VICs. As announced at our AGM there is to be a change in the timing of the publishing of our Topical Torque monthly magazine for members. Starting from 1 July members will pick up their copies at the monthly Noggin
Rotorua: Inspecting the Bedford bequeathed to the Rotorua branch.
Rotorua: Branch members inspect Graham Manson’s Mack restoration.
South Canterbury: The replica of the 1900 Dennison, the first car to travel between Christchurch and Oamaru. This vehicle re-enacted the trip in 2000, and was displayed at Heads Off Engineering, Oamaru.
South Canterbury: A variety of vehicles converged on Caroline Bay for the South Canterbury All British Day on June 5 - one of the oldest being a 1929 Austin 7, seen here parked alongside a 1969 Rover P5 coupe.
and Natter nights. For those members not at the Noggin and Natter they will be posted as usual but they will receive them a little later. We can also email the newsletter to any member. Some of our motorcycle members attended the Wanganui Autumn motor cycle trial. This year’s run was north of the city into the Patea area. Before the lunch a good number took off to ride the old Whenuakura racing circuit. There was an untimed afternoon section which did the Kohi loop then joined with the short course at Kai Iwi with the rally finishing at the Wanganui clubrooms. Member Eric Darrah of Stratford is restoring an early Austin Sheerline ambulance previously in service for the Stratford Hospital Board. When this is finished it will be stored at the Stratford Pioneer Village as they have a large display of old hospital equipment. Taupo Greg Nattrass At our AGM Brent Davidson, our chairman of four years, stood down and previous Club Captain, Neil Chave, stepped up to the vacant post. A relative newcomer to our branch (ex Waikato member) Tony Mannington stepped in as club captain. Long-time members Peter and Maureen Ransley have joined the committee
South Canterbury: Oamaru home to a number of steam powered vehicles. One is a Chrysler Airflow, undergoing restoration, which has been in this configuration over many decades.
Rotorua: Rotorua prize giving: Chairman David Tomlinson embarrassed at receiving yet another trophy from Kevin Scott.
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Wairarapa: Will Holmes, left, 35 years, and Barry Wells 25 years, got long-service awards.
Wairarapa: Alec O’Hara and his Mini at the Greek Waitemata: Vaughan Beesley & Kevin Beesley Hotchkiss, Danny & Vicki Ryan Lancia Kappa and Orthodox Church. Keith & Di Humphreys Model A Special head to the South Island and brighter days.
Wairarapa: Newly re-elected chairman John Clark Waitemata: Waiting for the Irishman Start presented the Torque Hudson Cup to Pat Dutton, whistle. left, and Barbara Lang.
as Bruce Jefferies and Bob and Maxine Taylor stepped down. Marty Sutherland has also re-joined the committee after a year’s absence. The highlight of our night was a visit from National President Diane Quarrie to present Life Member, Joe Ridley, with his 50 year badge. Run for the month was the Navigators Run, set by last year’s winner Brent Davidson. This year it was won by Rod and Helen Campbell. June saw us tucking into our mid-winter Christmas dinner. This is a pot luck meal that always goes down well with our members. The evening went off very well with a good turnout of members and always a good chance for a catch up. Brass Monkey changed tack this year, becoming a late afternoon, early evening event. This year it finished at a local restaurant where we had a meal and trophies were awarded. This year’s winner was Bruce and Trish Jefferies. Wairarapa Kevin Ball At our AGM club stalwart Will Holmes received his 35 year badge and Barry Wells’ award marked 25 years. The branch has a special prize, the Torque Hudson Award, marking outstanding contribution to the 60 Beaded Wheels
branch. The winner is chosen on a points system which takes into account a whole range of activities. Two women members, Pat Dutton and Barbara Lang, shared this prize, presented to them by Chairman John Clark. A book voucher was given to retiring treasurer Tony Lane, who stepped down after many years of sterling service to the branch. He has been replaced by Tina Goodin, who also wears the hat of secretary. Tony’s swan song was organising, with his wife Myrna, the annual Winter Wander, which took around 20 cars – and one Puch motor scooter – on a roundabout route culminating in lunch at the Lone Star restaurant in Masterton. A highlight of the run was visiting the magnificent Greek Orthodox church on the outskirts of Masterton. The church is in need of some TLC but the interior, including its fabulous art work, is still awe-inspiring. Less popular was a double dose of straight-line navigation which left several entrants bemused. However, everybody made it to lunch so any pain was minimal. Another development at the branch is the move to delivering our newsletter Zenith by email to reduce printing and postage costs. Our editor, Myrna Lane, puts together an excellent publication and online it is in
Waitemata: We stop for coffee at Geraldine.
full colour. Not all members are computerliterate so they continue to get the printed version. Waitemata Di Humphreys The Long Day Run, held in May took us down the coast to Thames and up the Coromandel coast to Driving Creek Railway. We have been there before but the journey and the destination are worth the trip. It was great having Waitemata’ites out in cars we hadn’t seen for some time and having Auckland Branch members join us too. The AGM re-installed all the existing committee members, and having finally made a decision about the continuance of the Roycroft Trophy event the committee can concentrate a little more on things we used to do. A number of Waitemata and FOB (Friends of Branch) cars travelled to the Irishman Rally and the group that we were with did over two and a half thousand miles getting there and back. Great days of excellent motoring, wonderful scenery and in mostly brilliant weather. The Roycroft Trophy has been put out to pasture until someone comes along to take the helm. In the meantime, instead of it dying altogether, we are looking at holding,
idletorque
Wanganui: 1924 Woodville Fire Brigade (Ian Chamberlain/Mike Marshall.
Wanganui: Bruce Hutton’s 1912 Austin.
Wellington: SQUIRT” went to Wanganui for their 150th celebrations of their fire brigade. Photo Claire Benge.
Wellsford-Warkworth: Atiu Reserve, Garrick and Margaret Oliver’s 1950 Jaguar MK V convertable, James and Gloria Lawrie’s 1963 Ford Capri and John Duffy’s 1976 MGB.
Wellsford-Warkworth: Francis Ross’s 1968 Jaguar, John Duffy’s 1976 Morris MGB, Anne and Grahame Power’s 1964 Holden Special.
with a VCC Permit, a Roycroft Trophy meeting in conjunction with the HRSCC at their annual Taupo Track December meeting. Waitemata always gets an invite to join for this weekend and holding just the Roycroft Trophy races there could be a way forward. It would also enable VCC eligible cars who live some distance from Auckland the opportunity to enter as Taupo is mid Island and the track seems very suitable for the Vintage models. Coming up we have our annual mad Mid-Winter Christmas at Whatipu, our annual R’OilCan followed by our Drive, Dinner and Movie night. We are currently negotiating with the Auckland Council in the hope that once again we can use the Chelsea Refinery road for our annual Chelsea Waitemata Annual Local Sealed Hill climb.
There were 64 cars entered, with 27 out of towners, including the winners. A pleasant afternoon Sunday run saw members inspecting/viewing a castle in the process of being built in a paddock at Turakina. Interesting construction work. The kiddies loved the turrets! The 34th Annual Castrol Motorcycle trial also drew good numbers. The usual happy assortment of both motorcycles, riders and passengers heard the great announcement of the winners being Barry and Linda Wells on their BSA combination. Ian Chamberlain has had a particularly busy month. Wanganui’s iconic riverboat paddle steamer (Waimarie) 34 metres long, 75 tonnes in weight, has drawn lots of interest both among locals and tourists. It’s now due for its five year check-up. Many VCC members have been involved and interested in this too. Ian has been responsible for producing the 18 metre length by four and a half metre width cradle to fit it for side slipping onto the riverbank at Kowhai Park for the big survey. There will be many sightseers! He’s also been busy restoring and panelling Bruce Hutton‘s 1912 Austin. The community had a wonderful celebration parade for the 150th anniversary of the
Fire Brigade in Wanganui and District. 58 engines from the early 1900s to the present day drew a magnificent crowd.
Wanganui Our AGM was well attended with the committee largely unchanged except for the secretary who will be David Whiteside. The annual Queens Birthday June rally has now come and gone. No breakdowns, good comments, great scenery and plenty of eager entrants. The overall winners were Ted Mathews and Peter Robinson.
Wanganui: Ship shape, the Waimarie cradle.
Wellington Stan Garmonsway In April we had our Dawn Breaker Rally. Eleven vehicles assembled at the top of the Rimutaka Pass to view the sunrise over the Wairarapa but rain and cloud obscured the sight so everyone set off for breakfast in Featherston. Shaun Leahy joined in at the café and invited everyone back to his place to see his collection of cars. The Ladies Rally on 22 May saw six cars entered, among them being one driven by Diane White who has driven in every one of these and this year won the event. Navigators are required to bake a cake for afternoon tea and Ernie Pailthorpe’s effort was judged the best. In May we had our AGM and election of officers. All positions except that of secretary were filled. The financial report showed the finances to be very healthy indeed so no increase in levy was required. Following the AGM we were treated to a talk by Dave and Pauline Gwynn who brought along their 1966 Mini Cooper to show. This car has been in Dave’s family from new and he has restored it to factory condition. Beaded Wheels 61
idletorque
West Coast: John Fowler and Allan Giles ready to go.
West Coast: Rain, what rain.
Coming up, but alas three days too late for this report, is our annual Colonial Cup Rally at which the restorations first on the road for the year are judged. So a report will be in the next Idle Torque. Wellsford – Warkworth Anne Hamilton Winter hasn’t slowed down branch activities with at least two social outings per month. Our first twilight run finished at a local restaurant and was very well supported with 23 cars. Another run was to Atiu Regional Park on the West Coast near Port Albert. Some 20 cars, including returning members Robert and Beth Page, took the opportunity to explore some areas of this little known park that are usually shut. Some 2000 acres were gifted to the Auckland City Council in 2006 and the park opened in 2008. It certainly is a wonderful facility with camping, horse trails, and great walking tracks over scenic coastal farmland. We then visited the historic home of Kay Fairweather’s family for afternoon tea. Everyone enjoyed the fabulous old photos and a walk through the homestead. Two members entered the Waikato Double 50 rally on Queen’s Birthday weekend and Brian and Vivienne Guest, driving their 1928 De Soto, won the post 1945 section. Leon and Brendda Salt were just out of the running in their trusty 1928 Model A. It is with regret that we farewell two branch stalwarts. Our diligent, committed Club Captain Murray Fairweather, and 62 Beaded Wheels
West Coast: Tom and Daphne Griffin and our Chairman.
wife Kay are moving to Christchurch while caterers extraordinare, Harry and Gay Sutcliffe are relocating to Kawerau. They will both leave big gaps to fill but we wish them luck. A warm welcome to returning members Errol McClintock and son Scott, with their 1927 Buick, which is currently under repair. West Coast June Campbell We welcome new members John and Lauren Canning of Greymouth who own a 1965 Daimler 2.5 V8 saloon and a 1946 Bedford MSC truck and Eric De Boer from Westport who owns a 1913 Excelsior motorcycle. Our May Club run was the long route to Hokitika from Greymouth, with a visit to Cranley Farms along the way and, after lunch, an inspection of some beautiful copperwork produced in an old bank building in the town. Our AGM in June attracted plenty of interest and we are pleased to have new members on board. Kevin Tucker remains
at the helm and Colin and Elaine Peacock have taken over the club captain’s role. We also had the pleasure of appointing Tom Griffin as our first branch Patron. Tom has been a member of the club for 42 years and was involved in the forming of our branch when we separated from Canterbury. His wife Daphne has also put in many hours helping Tom in the clubrooms. The following were presented with service awards – 35 years to Stewart Nimmo and 25 years to Brent Woolhouse, Marie Woolhouse, Paul Daglish, Keith Bradley and Greg Stenhouse. The Frances Hunter Trophy was awarded to Alistair Lee. The Rosco Sporting Trials on 19 June, attracted 28 entries. Organiser John Fowler’s prayers were answered… plenty of mud. But no rain on the day, couldn’t be better. West Coast member Lance Braid was presented with the winner’s trophy which he had made for the trials.
Passing Lane In this column we acknowledge the recent passing of club members. Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.
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Beaded Wheels 63
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