CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 77 YEARS
Beaded Wheels
No. 380 February/March 2023
New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine $8.95
9 418979 000012
FIAT RESTORATION MARKETPLACE
VEHICLES FOR SALE AND WANTED
BEHIND THE WHEEL RILEY KESTREL DRIVING OUR HISTORY
This image is one of many from glass plate negatives that were found by Barry Stephens some time in the late 1970s. Barry used to do maintenance work on the buildings that the McFarlane’s owned around the vicinity of the Christchurch Square. Any further information available would be gratefully received. Photographs Required: Submissions of suitable prints and information are welcome. Post or email original photographs or high resolution digital files of historical interest with any available information to: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz or Beaded Wheels, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Laserprints/photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.
NATIONAL OFFICE
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
VCCNZ LIFE MEMBERS Andrew Anderson Roger White Norm Dewhurst Rod Brayshaw John Coomber
VCCNZ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz SECRETARY/ TREASURER
CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Kaaren Smylie 021 664 341 nicc@vcc.org.nz CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Alon Mayhew 027 202 9491 sicc@vcc.org.nz
REGISTRAR Neil Beckenham 09 426 5831 registrar@vcc.org.nz SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz EDITOR, BEADED WHEELS Kevin Clarkson 021 0270 6525 kevin@vcc.org.nz Tony Bartlett 06 867 9850
mgmt1@vcc.org.nz
George Kear 027 221 4332
mgmt2@vcc.org.nz
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING comms@vcc.org.nz ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850
archivist@vcc.org.nz
Murray Trounson 03 339 8830 mgmt3@vcc.org.nz
Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until the next AGM
VCCNZ BRANCHES A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz 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 3144 bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz CANTERBURY PO Box 11-082, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 canterbury@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL OTAGO C/-114 Shortcut Road, Luggate, RD2, Wanaka 9382 centralotago@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 448 Tukituki Road, RD1, Takapau 4286 centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
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FAR NORTH C/– PO Box 312 Kaitaia 0441 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/- 923 Taringamotu Road, Taumarunui 3994 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 C/- 125 Forbury Road, Saint Clair, Dunedin 9012 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY 19 Redruth St, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz SOUTH OTAGO C/- 1931 Breakneck Rd, RD 4, Balclutha 9274 southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz
TARANAKI C/- 7 Leatham Ave, Strandon, 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 WAIRARAPA PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- 8 Jean Place, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparoa 0932 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 4541 wanganui@vcc.org.nz WELLINGTON PO Box 38418, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST C/- 143 Ward Street, Cobden Greymouth 7802, westcoast@vcc.org.nz
CONTENTS
Beaded Wheels Publisher
The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXIV No. 380
Issue 380 February/March 2023
Typesetting and Design:
RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch
FEATURES
Editor: Kevin Clarkson Sub Editors:
Judith Bain Rosalie Brown John Coomber Mark Dawber John McDonald Greg Price Charles Rushbrook
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 2546, Christchurch 8140, typed or neatly printed. 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 Enquiries
Classified and Display Advertising to: PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.
Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140.
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions
10
1922 Fiat 510 S Torpedo Restoration
16
Banks Peninsula Branch Little River New Year’s Day Picnic
18
Behind The Wheel – 1937 Riley Kestrel Sprite
24 27 30 32 36
Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz
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) $52* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$112* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$185* Digital subscription (6 issues) NZ$39 available from vcc.org.nz or issuu.com. *Payment by credit card incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 3%
Closing Date for April/May: Editorial Copy Advertisements
28 February 2023 10 March 2023
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch,
Fiat 510 S Restoration
10
Success on Two Wheels Part 2 of Ashley Blair’s research into the origins of New Zealand developed motorcycles. Electric Cars Thoughts from the UK Aston Martin Owners Club
1937 Riley Kestrel
18
Success on Two Wheels
24
1955 XK140 SE
32
Market Place
44
Lost Treasure A Special Jaguar Phil Benvin’s 1955 XK140 SE Rally Snippets 36 Dead End Tour – Wellington Branch Members 37 50th Taieri Tour – Otago Branch 39 Annual Motorcycle Rally – Auckland Branch 40 Arrowtown Run – Southland Branch 41 Matakohe 2022 - Wellsford/Warkworth Branch
COLUMNS 4
President’s Message
43
Archivist News
4
From the Editor
51
Awards
5
VCC Branch Events
44
Marketplace
6
National Office
49
Swap Meets & Rallies
7
Mailbag
52
Trade Directory
9
Timelines
53
Branch News
23
Book Reviews
66
Passing Lane
42
The Way We Were
COVER
New Zealand.
Website: www.vcc.org.nz 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. Reproduction of articles must be at least 12 months after original Beaded Wheels publication date. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.
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Phil Jeeves has spent 10 years restoring this incredibly rare 1922 Fiat, see page 10. Together with wife Marietta the Fiat turned heads at this year’s Banks Peninsula Branch New Year’s Day picnic at Little River. Photo John McDonald.
10 The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is the worldwide organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles and related culture. The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc) is a founding member of FIVA. VCCNZ Registrar Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE There are going to be some vacant positions on the Management Committee at the end of this term. I will advise what positions they are in my next Beaded Wheels column. If you think you would be interested in a role on the management committee, please contact me or a member of the Management Committee to discuss. We are still without a Hon Sec/Treasurer. This is a vital role and requires someone who ideally has excellent written and verbal skills, at least some basic knowledge of accounting processes, good computer skills and lives in the Christchurch area. If you are interested please contact George Kear, Murray Trounson or myself. If we are unable to fill this position, then we may have to employ someone to undertake the role which could result in an increase in subs. Recently I have received several enquiries from members asking about how they go about registering a vehicle when the ownership trail is incomplete and where there is no proof of previous New Zealand registration (or there is no proof of previous overseas registration). A “CA03 Alternative documents form” can be downloaded from the NZTA website as follows
EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT Mark Hayward’s article on electric vehicles (EVs) on page 27 may give some pause for thought. There is no question that the number of EVs on our roads is increasing rapidly. I don’t know the stats but a couple of years ago one might have spotted one or two EVs a day as you drove around town or country whereas today there are many times that number to be seen. I appreciate that it must be great, from a financial viewpoint, not to have to fill the petrol tank all the time, particularly with the fuel prices today,
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https://vehicleinspection.nzta. govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0008/32876/Alternativedocuments-form.pdf There is a checklist of documents that must be provided along with the form, one of which is a statutory declaration covering how the vehicle was obtained and condition of the vehicle at time of purchase. NZTA charge a fee of $184 for processing the exemption but we have found that if the correct documentation is provided as above, then this assists with getting a vehicle registered. Obtaining a DOMAS (Date of Manufacture Authenticity Statement) from the VCC is also recommended. With regard to the new Club constitution, a discussion paper has been sent around branches setting out on a broad basis what changes the Management Committee are recommending with the aim that branches canvas the various options, come up with new ideas and generally discuss the questions posed by this paper. The first step will be to determine what is the best structure for governance of the Club. The new Act specifies the make-up of a governing body of a society which is a committee or board made up of officers who are elected or appointed.
and I don’t expect there’ll be much change to that! However, EV owners make no contribution to the roading network improvement and maintenance via fuel tax or road user charges and who knows for how long that situation will apply? Mark’s article highlights some harsh facts of EV and battery manufacture and even if only half of the damage that he outlines is done then that is still too much. In the end the price may be too high! Then there is the problem of keeping the EV batteries charged. Currently we in New Zealand are keeping the lights on, but on occasion, only just.
As previously advised, the current governance structure we have now i.e. the Executive, will not be possible under the new Act as it would not be workable or manageable to have a committee of approximately 46 people (made up of branch delegates and management committee) who are elected by Club members to manage and operate the affairs of the Club. The Management Committee is proposing a “board like” structure, with some elected and some appointed members. The Board would be the governing body of the Club and would have responsibility and accountability for the management, direction and governance of the Club’s affairs in accordance with the constitution, bylaws and regulations. It is envisaged that the President and five or six board members would be elected (the make-up of those board members would include North and South Island Club Captains and regional representatives). The Hon Sec/Treasurer, Registrar and Beaded Wheels Editor would be appointed. The reason for that is that it is vitally important that the people appointed to those roles have the knowledge, ability and capability to perform them. We also think that the Board should have the
The situation is not much different elsewhere. In Japan, for example, they are cranking up some older nuclear plants and are embarking on a program of building new ones. We hear about the unreliable power from wind turbines and solar installations and in countries where they are in use, they provide very little power which can only be to a maximum of 25% anyway. They have a limited life, are costly and dirty to build, damage bird life and are hard to dispose of at the end of their life. There is also a considerable dependency on fossil fuels involved in their manufacture. Some countries are now cranking up their
power (as required) to appoint an individual to provide a specific skill (such as a lawyer, PR person). The Speed Steward and Archivist positions would be appointed by the Board and would report to the Board but would not be members of the Board. It is also proposed that rather than annual elections as is the case now, a board member would be elected or appointed for a term (we have suggested three years) with a set number of terms. Board elections would follow a three year cycle so that only one board member per year is up for election. As the new constitution will guide the future operation of our Club and branches, it is important that branch committees and members take the opportunity to fully discuss this (before the March Executive Meeting if possible) so that delegates can come along fully briefed with their branch’s view and any new ideas to put forward. Stay safe and keep driving our history.
Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President
coal recovery activities to keep the lighting and heating going for households. Not to mention – oh OK, only briefly – EVs weighing much more than conventional vehicles so extra tyre and brake wear and the perceived fire risk – or maybe even a real fire risk, as the firefighters can only stand by and watch them burn at present! Perhaps some fresh thinking is required if we are ever to solve the problems that our vehicle usage creates. Kevin Clarkson Editor Beaded Wheels
VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Central Otago branch: Lookout over Clyde and surrounds from Hawksburn Road.
FEBRUARY 5 5 10-12 11 11 12 12 12 12 15 15 15-19 18
18 18 19 19 22 23 24-26 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 25-26 26 26 26 26
C. Hawke’s Bay E Bay of Plenty Gisborne Canterbury Waimate Ashburton Horowhenua Waikato Wairarapa Bay of Plenty Waikato Napier Far North
Gymkhana East Coast Rally Three Rivers Rally Boot Sale Wallaby Rally Car Show Rally and Picnic Road Runners Run Remembrance Rally Midweek Run Wednesday Wander Art Deco Northern Club Captain’s Run Horowhenua Car Show North Otago All British Day Rotorua Barbecue Run South Canterbury Chairman’s Run Rotorua Midweekers Run Otago Mid Week Run Auckland National Veteran Rally C. Hawke’s Bay Hoe-down in Waipukurau Hawke’s Bay Mix n’ Mingle Social Evening Gore Festival Rally North Otago North Otago A & P Show South Canterbury Open Day Taranaki Maunga Moana Rally Wellsford/Warkworth Swap Meet Canterbury Branch Annual Rally Bay of Plenty End of Month Run Horowhenua Ted Green Memorial M/C Rally Taranaki 50th Waitara Mini-Vin Tour Wanganui Bruce Ardell Museum
MARCH
1 Hawke’s Bay 4 Wairarapa
Midweek Run Grass Time Trial / Gymkhana 5 North Otago Wee Wheelie Wander 5 Otago Best of British 5 South Canterbury Motorcycle Rally 11 Canterbury Back Country Run 11 Nelson Swap Meet 11 Taupo Country Roads Rally 11-12 Wairarapa Rex Porter Memorial Rally 12 Canterbury Rear Wheel Brake Run 12 Hawke’s Bay Sunday Country Run 12 South Canterbury Mid Island Rally 12 Waikato Ladies Rally 13-20 Wellington Vintage/Veteran Tour 15 Bay of Plenty Midweek Run 15 Waikato Wednesday Wander 18 Canterbury Jim Toohey Run 18 Far North Southern Captain’s Run 18-25 National Event SI Club Captains Tour 18 Horowhenua Swap Meet 19 Gore Swap Meet 19 Rotorua Chairman’s Run 19 Waikato Vintage Venture 19 Wanganui Sunday Run 25 Canterbury Commercial Annual Rally 25 Gore Diggers Run 26 Bay of Plenty Run to Private Shed 26 Gisborne Club run 29 Rotorua Midweekers Run 30 Otago Mid Week Run 31 Hawke’s Bay Mix n’ Mingle Social Evening
APRIL 1 1 2 5 9 13 15 15
South Canterbury Waikato Canterbury Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa South Canterbury Far North North Otago
15 Wanganui 16 Gore 16 16 19 21-23 22 23 25 26 28
Hawke’s Bay Rotorua Waikato Bay Of Plenty Canterbury Wanganui Canterbury Rotorua Hawke’s Bay
30 Canterbury 30 Gisborne 30 Waikato
Swap Meet Mooloo Meander P Group Annual Rally Midweek run Club Captain’s Run Midweek Run Brian Parker Trophy Gerald Lynch-Blosse Memorial Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle Trial Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers Sunday Country Run Twilight Run Wednesday Wander Highland Fling Autumn Run Sunday Run Anzac Run Midweekers Run Mix n’ Mingle Social Evening Rural Run Club Run Venturers Run
NATIONAL EVENTS 24 -26 February 2023 National Veteran Rally, Auckland 18-25 March South Island Club Captain’s Tour 20-23 October National Commercial Rally
This list does not contain all branch events – Check branch newsletters for up-to-date details of smaller events. This column is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and 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.
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.
A valid Vehicle ID card (VIC) is required for any vehicle entered in a National VCC event. Visit www.vcc.org.nz for more information on how to obtain a VIC for your vehicle.
Beaded Wheels 5
NATIONAL OFFICE NEWS Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, historic race licences, logbooks, registration of vehicles, lighting endorsement, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.
SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS
Members may be interested to know that from May to December, the club has had 345 new members join through our new web form process. There have been 83 deceased, 212 resignations, giving an overall net increase from 1 April of 311, taking us to 8519 members, including joints and juniors. Since the AGM, there has been a steady stream of ID Card and DOMAS applications. From mid-August to mid-December, National Office has processed 335 new ID Card and DOMAS applications and renewals. 2022/2023 MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE NOW
To remain a member of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated you must have fully paid your 2022/2023 subscription fee by 3rd March 2023 (last day before the March 2023 Executive Meeting). If payment has not been received by this date your membership will be cancelled as per the constitution. Any continuous membership is lost at the point of cancellation. In mid-September the annual invoices for membership for the year 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023 were sent out. These were sent via email or for those members that do not have an email address in our system, the invoices were posted.
If you haven’t received your invoice, please contact National Office directly. Statements of Account were sent out in late November. Membership cards are sent once the subscription is paid in full, that is, including joint members. If you intend to resign it would be appreciated if you notify the National Office. VEHICLE IDENTITY CARD AND DATE OF MANUFACTURE AND AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT APPLICATIONS
Did you know that a change of licence plate triggers the requirement for a replacement Vehicle Identity Card? Please notify National Office if you change the licence plate of a vehicle that has previously had a VIC issued and provide a new photo of the vehicle with the new licence plate. We have noticed an increase in the number of applications being submitted at the last minute, requiring an urgent turnaround. This is unfair to those who already have applications in our processing queue. These urgent applications are only processed in extenuating circumstances. Please think ahead as we cannot always guarantee that we can meet your timeframe. Please be sure you have completed the application form properly and completely, and that your Branch Vehicle ID
Beaded Wheels
Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 36 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. The efforts of our members continue to foster and ever widen 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.
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Card signatory has signed the form as having authorised and/ or inspected the vehicle. The photographs required must be attached or emailed to National Office, as part of the application, before the processing is started.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ DETAILS
Members may or may not be aware that once an ID card application is entered to our system at National Office, it is then emailed to and processed by the members of the Vehicle Technical Committee. They instruct the staff to prepare the ID card, unless they require further information from the applicant, or the Branch, or if they reject the application for any reason. Some vehicle applications are more technically complex than others, sometimes requiring extended communication involving the VTC. All of this takes time.
VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME
Kindly note that our processing times are generally 2-6 weeks from the point the application is received at National Office. There has been an increase in applications over the past year which has meant that we often are running closer to the 6-week processing time. We thank you for your patience.
Please advise the National Office if you have changed address, phone number, email address or vehicle ownership.
Please note: Financial membership of the Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated is a requirement to be insured under the VCC/Vero Insurance Scheme. BOUGHT A VEHICLE THAT HAS A VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ VEHICLE ID CARD?
Upon a change of ownership, the Vehicle ID Card is no longer valid. It is easy to transfer this into your name. Complete the VCC Change of Ownership form (found on the Club Website, through your branch, or direct from National Office). COMMUNICATIONS WITH NATIONAL OFFICE
Please include your membership number in all communications with National Office including payments to the National Office bank account. This can be found on your membership card in the top right-hand corner.
NATIONAL OFFICE HOURS
Mon-Fri 9.30am to 1.30pm. Email us on: admin@vcc.org.nz
Linda Duffell Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc Office Administrator
Beaded Wheels – Our long established title may have readers wondering about its origin. 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. In March 1955 The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their club magazine which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet.
MAILBAG The editorial committee reserve the right to publish, 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.
WHITE WALL TYRES With reference to Mr Greg Price’s ‘Behind The Wheel’ column and his reference to white wall tyres - ad nauseum. Okay Greg, we get the message, you like white wall tyres. That was amusing the first few times you made the comment, but really mate, it’s getting a bit tedious. Now, if you care to read on, here’s a different perspective.
As an enthusiast of most cars of the vintage and pre-to early post war period, I am probably very much in the minority here, as I don’t have white walls on any of my vehicles. Yup, they sit on plain ordinary black walls. ‘Why is that?’ you may say. Well, I prefer my vehicles to look like they would have when new and in service. Surprised? If anyone cares to look at photos or films of traffic from that era, the most striking thing is the lack of white walls tyres, the majority being by far black walls. Why was this? White walls were usually among the dress up extras found on up-market and more expensive cars, purchased by the more well off. The average Joe Blow when buying a new medium or low priced car, if he could be persuaded to buy any accessories at all, was more likely to opt for something more practical, like a radio, heater, or extra taillight. As the majority of cars during that time were by far of the low to medium priced group, it becomes quite obvious why white walls were in the minority. Again Mr or Miss Average drove a two or four door sedan or maybe a coupe, practicality being the primary objective, not ostentatiousness. It may interest many also, that not all Americans lived in Hollywood California, in which
their Packard, Pierce Arrow, Lincoln, Chrysler Imperial, Cadillac, Hispano Suiza and Rolls-Royce all displayed fancy white wall tyres. No folks, there were another 47 states in the USA and most people drove their Fords, Chevs, Plymouths, Dodges, Studebakers, Willys and were happy to do so. They may have patronised the movies and dreamed, but they were far too busy earning a living. It would have been very much the same here in New Zealand too, with the average Kiwi just wanting practical transportation. Of course there were some low priced cars with white wall tyres, particularly dealer demonstrator models, which would be all gussied up with all the extras to get foot traffic into the show rooms. So, you may deduce from all this that I am against white wall tyres? No, not at all. But I am against the obsession with them, and the fitting of them to all and sundry. At the end of the day it is your choice naturally, what you decorate your old car with but, Model As, Chev sedans, Chrysler coupes and, heaven forbid, Model Ts all wearing white walls, while perhaps not exactly overrestored, are almost certainly over-dressed. I realise I’m stepping on a few toes here and shattering some illusions, but that is often the case with history. Motoring history being no different.
restoration and finally, evaluation of his many years of Club projects tickled my memory cells of when we were both young chaps in the Wellington Branch, and probably the bane of the older members who looked askance at some of our escapades. His ownership was not looked at through rose-tinted spectacles and reflects a very detailed appreciation of each vehicle’s attributes and foibles. And then Alistair Robinson has provided us with enthralling accounts of his “Tallbut” ownership and the way the Club went about vintage motoring all those years ago when a visit to a pub to celebrate a bit of memorable motoring didn’t cause the frowns from the public it would today on seeing one of our easily recognizable cars outside. I was well aware of the Talbot reputation when we were in Oz for the ‘78 International in our 1926 3 litre Bentley, and with four up, we would have probably succumbed like Montague did! If I may be permitted one comment, I believe the Aussie Vauxhall guru was Peter LaTreille, not LaTroube. His photos and comments about the Fiat 510 S I can relate to as we were the subsequent second owners after it was sold to a “chap in Levin” and the appetite it had for tyres was a little bothersome as he suggested. Sadly when it came time to find a buyer in New Zealand, prospective owners seemed to think brakes on
the rear wheels only, a hood that took about 10 minutes to erect, and the biggest beaded edge tyres ever made were an insurmountable handicap, so it went to an appreciative new owner in Norway, but what a presence it had. The stories go back to a time when we spent many weekends searching the countryside for restoration projects hoping to find a Bentley or Mercer Raceabout, with the “thrill of the chase” keeping the adrenaline pumping. Today, sitting on your chuff in front of a computer screen looking for exciting vehicles doesn’t have the same excitement. My heartfelt thanks chaps for the excellence you have contributed to our motoring memories. Alastair Jones, Bay of Plenty
CONTINUING THE CORRESPONDENCE – ROLLS-ROYCE
Further to recent correspondence from John McDonald and Fred Bull. The biography of Robert McDougall (1860-1942) by Jennifer Howarth records details of the 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Chassis # 7KG. The original body by The Regent Carriage Co was a V windscreen four door saloon. I include an early photo of the car parked on a rural roadside which may have been in North Canterbury. Robert bought part of Brookdale Station at Parnassus near Cheviot in 1919, and would have used the car to travel to and from the property.
▼ The McDougall Rolls-Royce
Neil Lucas
EXCELLENT CONTENT
Two recent articles in BW have been excellent in content and composition, and are deserving of my public acknowledgement. The whimsical trilogy from Roger White on the acquisition,
Beaded Wheels 7
MAILBAG Robert bought the car on 25 August 1922 while in England with his family and after the body was built had it shipped on the SS Athenic on 28 December 1922 direct to Lyttelton. Robert never sold the car and on his death in 1942 Malvina, his wife, left it in storage for five years until in 1947 she sold it via Archibalds Garage to Pete Davey, a saxophonist who used it as a band bus. In 1954 the car was sold again to Roly Parker of Otira. Fred Bull’s letter in BW379 and John McDonald’s in BW378 take up the story of its life over the following 30 years during which time it was washed down the river, retrieved, rebuilt and then rebodied as a tourer and driven on the Peking to Paris Rally in 2007 by Bruce McIlroy and Neville Jordan. The chauffer Robert employed during the ‘20s and ‘30s, William Armstrong, slept upstairs in a small flat above the garage. He drove Robert home for lunch each day from the Aulsebrooks factory to his home Fitzroy, in McDougall Avenue, Merivale. He also of course drove the three McDougall girls to their dances and parties, and at night waited with other chauffers to bring them home. Armstrong also drove the girls on their wedding days. Malvina never drove, so Armstrong was also responsible for taking her wherever she wanted to go .
The overhead valve version, in 1916, could run on six by cutting out one bank of cylinders. I haven’t found any images or further technical info. Hope this is of interest to Peter. Brian Jacobsen Port Macquarie NSW
LEESTON FIRE ENGINE
I have been away from New Zealand for some 50 years and am planning a trip back in a few months. I would like to make contact with whoever owns the Leeston Chev fire engine that I originally recovered and looked after with my Dad Harry Thoms. Harry and I were founding members of the Wellington Branch back in the mid to late ‘50s, I have a lot of photos of the Leeston tender over the years. We did the International Rally with it back in 1972.
A note on Facebook as well as asking around local and national club members produced no information so maybe the wider audience of Beaded Wheels might reveal its history.
If anyone has any information about Mr Forge, or the 1929 Panthers in the photo, please contact me at bevanw58@gmail.com
Many owners of vintage cars are curious about the vehicle’s history. But multiple owners and the passage of time usually obscures. My uncle George Culver of Napier purchased a near new 1928 Dodge and used it into the 1960s. The car was renovated by a subsequent owner and was seen at an old car event, probably painted grey. Family members familiar with the car remain. If any owner is curious I can supply some information and leads to more. The car was a four door sedan with relatively ornate moulding around the windows and originally had a two or three colour scheme; mustard beige and dark brown. It was a five bearing model. The owner did some work in Taupo during the Depression. On the steep severely corrugated grades of the Napier road the two wheel brakes apparently did not!
Bevan Clark Member, Ashburton Branch
MYSTERY PLAQUE
Mike Thoms Sales and Technical Director Digicel 00679 772 5467 (Fiji) mike@impressivefiji.com
THE FORGE MYSTERY
I am interested in finding any information about an expoliceman and motorcyclist by the name of Fred Forge who lived in the Waikato region. In 1987 he sold a 1929 Panther motorcycle that he had restored from a basket case to a contact of mine in the United Kingdom.
Robert was a keen golfer and Armstrong drove him to Shirley Links every Thursday afternoon. Martin Vincent Member Canterbury
ENGER INFORMATION
Re. the enquiry from Peter Meacheam in issue 379 “Mail Bag” re. the ENGER car. This was an American car company that existed in Cincinnati from 1909 to 1917. They initially built a highwheeled two cylinder car. By 1911 they offered a four cylinder, 40 horsepower for $2,000. In 1915 they announced a V12, claimed to be America’s first. s Two 1929 Panthers.
8 Beaded Wheels
At that time, I gather that he also had a Norton, so I am assuming he was an active motorcycle enthusiast, so may have been well known in the area. I am curious as to whether that 1929 Panther may possibly be one of the two in the photo below, which was published in the July or August 2016 edition of your magazine.
Recently the parts manager of our local VCC branch stumbled across the following Armstrong Siddeley plaque and passed it on as he thought it would be of some interest.
Don McAlpine donmcalpine@xtra.co.nz Mobile 0272438417
DODGE HISTORY
Bob 021 1472153
E RS K I N E TO E T Y P E
WHATEVER YOUR PASSION Award Winning Restorations
Mechanical repair and rebuilding. Panel repair and creation. Premium Spray Painting. Precision Engineering. Vehicle Servicing WOF. Vintage/Classic Cars and Motor Cycles.
Contact George Kear: +64 3 366 9988 e: george@autorestorations.co.nz w: www.autorestorations.co.nz 10 Kennedy Place, Christchurch, New Zealand.
TIMELINES
1903
120 YEARS AGO
1923
100 YEARS AGO
1948
75 YEARS AGO
1972
50 YEARS AGO
1992
30 YEARS AGO
Leyland P76 sans.. Photo by Sicnag Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
F ROM
VETERAN VEHICLES
Mr W H Paterson’s Stirling Motor Car, which he imported from Scotland, was, according to the Mataura Ensign, creating much interest. “It is a 5hp oil driven carriage of the latest type, a four seater of the simplest construction, practically noiseless with the added merit of being inexpensive.” Apparently the car ran smoothly, was able to develop a high rate of speed and was a marvel at hill climbing.
VINTAGE VEHICLES
Racing driver, designer, and brilliant diagnostician about sums up the remarkable Vincenzo Lancia. They also partly explain his 1923 Lambda, described as a great vintage car, a prophetic design and a thoroughly practical and comfortable fast car. Lancia’s unique stressed hull design, independent front suspension and compact 2120cc, 50bhp V4 engine made it suitable for closed or open body styles. Given its superior road holding, steering and balance the Lancia was about the quickest point A to point B car, whether over unsealed, tortuous roads or on smooth pave.
PW VEHICLES
Mixed reactions to post war General Motors products after the flamboyant Harley Earl encouraged his stylists to feature fighter plane symbols on the new Cadillac. Fins at one end and imitation rocket nacelles at the other, flanking the grille and appearing on top of the bumper over-riders. “Odd”, remarked some, “cars are trying to look like jets, yet jets aren’t trying to imitate” cars.
P60 VEHICLES
Underfunded, poorly resourced and struggling with inferior body pressings, Leyland Australia’s staff were struggling to get the new P76 rattle free, watertight, and reliable before the big launch in June. Available in two versions; the 2.6 litre, six-cylinder, 121bhp, ex Austin Kimberley engined version with just two headlights and less trim, and the more familiar 4.4 litre, 192bhp, V8 which sported twin headlights. Tragedy for British Leyland as the “make or break” P76 unfortunately didn’t “make”.
P80 VEHICLES
Renault’s one box super mini, the trendsetting Twingo, was full of wacky design features. Centralised instrument panel, semicircular headlamps and offset bonnet vents. Its economical 1240cc 55bhp engine took it from 0 to 100 km/h in 15 seconds, and a useful 146km/h maximum. We didn’t see many here, but fortunately it had many imitators. Compilation of developments in the motoring world this month in history. Graeme Rice QSM
Beaded Wheels 9
1922 FIAT 510 S TORPEDO OWNED BY PHILIP AND MARIETTA JEEVES Words Kevin Clarkson, Photos John McDonald, Kevin Clarkson, Marietta Jeeves.
“Nihil Melius“* The highest examples of mechanical skill, careful construction, power, speed, silence, and elegance, are found in the model 510 standard and sport six-cylinder car, the last word in modern large car production” Quote from FIAT Model 510 S handbook.
*Nothing Better 10 Beaded Wheels
The first FIAT (Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino) plant opened for production in Italy in 1900 and in that first year they made 24 cars with staff numbering 35. By 1910 they were the largest car manufacturer in Italy. Over the years the company has endured many changes to its structure and ownership, including being seized by the workers at one stage, but Fiat vehicles are still being made today. To answer the unasked question I can advise that Fiat have changed the way they use the name. In the early years the FIAT name was all capitalised and later they used Fiat as it is at the present time. The FIAT 510 and the 510 S (sports model) were made between 1921 and 1926 and they produced some 14,000 examples, most of which were the standard model with only 414 examples of the 510 S models ever made. They were regarded as the top-of-the-line gentleman’s carriage in their day. There are now very few 510 S models left and only this one in New Zealand. There is another with the original type body, similar to this one, in Central Europe and there are a very small number of 510 S with different bodies dotted around the world. Some cars are merely a pile of bits – yet to be restored. The customers had the option, at the time of purchase, to order the car complete with FIAT torpedo body or order a running chassis with motor, gearbox and running gear with the body to be completed from the scuttle rearward by a bespoke body builder to the owner’s taste. I believe that one chassis even had a saloon body built on it when new. The S model could be easily distinguished by its huge and very imposing V shaped radiator with nickelled surround. Running boards were replaced with single foot treads for the three doors and the motor was given greater horsepower by using an increased compression ratio and a higher performance camshaft. There were other visible changes also, including a shorter chassis and wheelbase. RESTORATION
Philip purchased this car as a collection of parts from the estate of the late Paul Gieseler in 2012 and he started the restoration process immediately. Incidentally, Paul was a member of the Beaded Wheels committee for 30 years between 1971 and 2002. Paul had been accumulating parts for the 510 S over the previous four decades but had done very little work on the components during his ownership. He did have the motor overhauled some years ago but to be on the safe side Philip recently stripped the motor and reassembled it to be sure it was sound as it had been sitting around for many years. As it happens this was a valuable
Beaded Wheels 11
▲ Chassis complete.
▲ Where it all began – a pile of parts.
▲ Bodywork underway.
▲ Painstaking progress but moving ahead.
▲ Hinges and door catches all manufactured by Philip.
exercise as it gave Philip a bit more insight as to how things worked inside this engine and its ancillaries. Included in the parts Philip got with the car were the scuttle, front guards, and rear tub, all in very poor condition but at least he had something to start with. Once the chassis was laid out Philip began finding what went on where and repairing or making new parts as he went and this was to be the continuing saga as he progressed the restoration. Philip made a huge number of parts during the restoration process. So many, in fact, that I feel compelled to list some of them so you may have some idea of the work involved. For example: the tread plates for entry (3), door catches and striker plates, door handles, spring shackle bolts complete with grease caps, some hinges, taillights and number plate light, petrol tank, the wooden body (Southland beech), windscreen frame, canvas top wooden bow mechanism, the side mounted toolboxes, the bonnet catches plus many other major and minor parts. Philip had some guidance from a local expert with the wooden body manufacture, and also with the steel bodywork where Philip was essentially the apprentice and he helped with steel panel work, guard repair and manufacture. A person in Melbourne who was knowledgeable in all things early FIAT was able to provide factory drawings of the body with full dimensions which assisted greatly. The same gentleman was also able to provide Philip with the correct model carburettor for the car, as well as other helpful information during the rebuild. When it was time, late last year, to fire up the engine getting the carburettor to operate properly was an interesting exercise but once sorted is now relatively trouble free.
Philip built the gearbox up from the parts of two that were in the pile of bits. The rear axle was stripped and rebuilt. One major component that needed a huge amount of work was the unique radiator and surround, it has been re-cored and rebuilt and I can confirm that this was not a job for the faint hearted! The many separate tasks involved in getting that fitted correctly meant a few sleepless nights! Philip made the seat frames and the upholstery was done locally, as was the canvas hood. The walnut dash, door cards and cabinetry in the rear were done by a craftsman in Central Otago. The results of both jobs are outstanding and are a credit to the professionalism these craftsmen have applied to their work. Philip had no starter motor in his pile of bits, and these are not easy to come by. Eventually he tracked one down and after overhaul it has proved to be excellent. The wheels he had were not quite right but luckily he managed to purchase a set of five at the Canterbury Branch Swap Meet at McLeans Island and they look just great. You never know what could turn up at a swap meet! The new wiring was installed as the build progressed with Philip assisting in that process and he has made a great job of routing the cabling and finalising that process. Philip will readily admit that the wiring thing is not his favourite activity but his ability in the engineering process involved in completing this car is without peer. It has an unusual, to me anyway, magneto but Philip soon had any issues with that sorted out and it now is a reliable unit that works as it should.
12 Beaded Wheels
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine:
6 cylinders, side valve, 3446 cc, 53hp Stroke 130mm Bore 75mm Top speed: 60mph (96.5kph) Wheelbase: 122 inches, track 54 inches Weight: 1550kg Carburettor: Patented FIAT type Ignition: Magneto Clutch: Multiple steel disc type Gearbox: Four speed plus reverse. Gear lever placed inside the body. Cardan shaft to rear axle with spiral bevel gears Steering box: Worm and wheel, throttle and ignition levers mounted on the steering wheel Brakes: Rear wheel, operated by foot pedal and hand brake operated by lever adjacent to gear lever Wheels: Steel spoke type 23 inch rim with 33 x 5 inches 95 tyres Cooling: By water with centrifugal pump Fuel: Pressurised petrol tank by air pump on motor Electric lights: Dynamo and battery. Lighting includes headlights, side lights, tail lights, number plate light and, on this car, stop lights! Starter: Electric starter or manual with crank handle Accessories: Spare wheel, electric horn, dashboard clock, speedometer, number plate carrier, two front mudguard-mounted toolboxes, petrol tank protector, rear view mirror mounted on spare tyre
▲ Engine.
The arrival of the Fiat created quite a stir at the Banks Peninsula New Year’s Day picnic. Phil was kept busy explaining the finer points of the restoration.
▲ Road test.
Beaded Wheels 13
▲ Elegant entranceway, rear door.
▲ Tool box and treads manufactured by Phillip for each side.
▲ Driver’s viewpoint. Thoroughbreds at Wheels rest. 14 Beaded
▲ Walnut dash.
▲ Petrol tank and carrier.
▲ Rear seat comfort.
▲ Right hand side engine bay.
▲ Not complete without the drinks tray and original style decanters.
When it came time to choose the colours Philip and Marietta wanted colours that were common in the 1920s but didn’t necessarily feel that they had to stick the original colours. They chose FIAT Avorio for the ivory colour and Braungrau for the green. The combination works well together, and the overall impression is that this is one imposing car! Late last year it was time to bring the beast to life and come to life it did. As expected, there were a few teething problems, natural in an extensive restoration such as this, and these were dealt with one by one until finally it was time for compliance and registration. This was completed without drama and the FIAT now proudly wears number plate 510 S. I was involved during this final stage and as a result I have spent some time in the passenger seat, probably about 60 kilometres, and I can report that the car motors well, without any vices, and even the rear wheel brakes seem to work well. We have been motoring along at about 45 – 50 mph without drama and while the steering is heavy-ish at very low speeds, once on the road it is easy to steer with no shaking or wandering being evident. The motor revs easily and has bags of torque meaning fewer gear changes are necessary, even when driving around town. One thing was very obvious as we were driving around was that bystanders and drivers of other cars certainly took some notice as we drove by, confirming that this car is a looker! I have never been waved to by so many people! The first event the FIAT attended was the Bank’s Peninsula New Year’s Day Little River Picnic on 1 January 2023 and it completed
this event without a problem although Philip did give it a rest on the homeward journey as it got a little overheated on this very hot day. That issue is now sorted, and it is ready for the February Art Deco event in Napier where I’m sure it will make an impression. For the last 10 years Philip has done little else but work on this car and Marietta has also been involved and is extremely supportive of the project. Now that it is finished, I know they will enjoy using it. But there is no escaping that restoring a car can be a frustrating exercise, full of compromises that needed to be made and dealing with the many problems as they arise. All that is now behind them, and they are free to enjoy the fruits of their labours in this magnificent restored car.
I was a member of the Otago Branch in the ‘70s and ‘80s and transferred to Canterbury Branch when I moved to Christchurch in the early ‘90s. My interest was primarily in motorcycling but now includes cars. Hard to believe, I know, but my wife does not see it as fun or enjoyable to ride on the back of a motorcycle any more. Who would have thought that! I have been on the Beaded Wheels committee since 1999. Kevin Clarkson
½
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Beaded Wheels 15
MG TF back on the road after 50 years.
PICNIC DAY 2023
Sights from the Banks Peninsula Branch New Year’s day tradition. Photographs by John McDonald and Don Gerrard Striking in blue, Fiat Bambina.
Brian Smith gave rides in this self build De Dion replica.
Model A with full complement. 1912 Ford T heading for home.
E type, Ferrari, C type Rep seeking the shade.
Veterans always attract attention.
Alvis open for inspection.
16 Beaded Wheels
Boat tailed roadster built with Jaguar componentry.
*Shipping out of COKER USA monthly
HALF PAGE FOR COKER
18 Parkwood Place, East Tamaki, Auckland
Stockists of new AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CAR, TRUCK & TRACTOR 1912–1997 (85 year span)
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MECHANICAL RESTORATIONS VINTAGE & CLASSIC SPARES (1980) RD 7 • Fordell • Wanganui • Phone/Fax 06 342 7713
CAST IRON WELDING
Powder Spray Process, Cylinder Heads, Manifolds, Cooling Fins, Castings, Mechanical Repairs & Rebuilds Thomas Rowe Motoring Engineer ltd 6 RD Palmerston North
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06 324-8707 Beaded Wheels 17
1937 RILEY KESTREL SPRITE Words and photographs by John King
18 Beaded Wheels
HIN BE
D THE WHE
EL
Elderly vehicles in New Zealand, at least those considered worthy of continuing existence by VCC members, tend to vary in overall condition. At the top are those ensconced in museums, often without any indication such as visible grease or oil in working joints that they might be capable of moving a wheel once in a while; and at the other end of the scale are those whose owners concentrate on roadworthiness and can sometimes appear downright scruffy (their cars, too). Somewhere in the middle is a subset which, although never having been subjected to a full strip and restoration, has been maintained to a high standard and, while perhaps not pristine, has retained originality and acquired a certain patina which to some people is more attractive than outright perfection. Firmly into this middle category fits Kevin Beesley’s 1937 Riley Kestrel Sprite, chassis no SS27K7009. Imported new by the Farmers Fertiliser Company of Wanganui but apparently not sold into private hands until 1946, it has remained on the road (barring the odd spell of heavy maintenance) through only five owners. Today it’s in fine fettle and an excellent example of British motor engineering and manufacturing. In 1937 Riley (Coventry) Limited was at the peak of its production – and past its financial peak, never very strong, as it succumbed to an excess of corporate enthusiasm and serious overextension of resources. Four engine sizes were offered that year: the immortal Nine of 1087cc; the 1½-litre 12/4; the 1726cc 15/6; and the 8/90, a V-8 essentially combining two 9hp blocks for a capacity of 2178cc. Towards the end of 1937 the 2½-litre 16/4 was also available in some models. The V-8 Autovia, a 3-litre with 12/4 engine origins, was set up as a subsidiary company to compete in the luxury class, already well catered for by the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and only 44 were completed before the company folded when the Riley company went bankrupt in 1938 and was bought out by Nuffield. These engines, all sharing the Riley trademark twin high-set camshafts, short pushrods and hemispherical combustion chambers, powered a bewildering variety of models, although by 1937 some rationalisation had begun to creep in. The only
two-seater sports car offered was the 12/4 Sprite with the same chassis as the preceding 6-cylinder MPH (and reportedly available with the 15/6 engine), joined by the four-seat Lynx tourer with 12/4 or 15/6 or, in one surviving case, a 16/4. The saloons started with the 9hp Kestrel, Merlin and a resurrected Monaco, although that resembled a scaled-down Adelphi rather that its squarer predecessor. On the 12/4 or 15/6 chassis – and that was by no means standardised across the range – were the Falcon and outwardly similar Merlin, and sharing the wider 4ft 3in track chassis were the Adelphi family saloon and the sleek Kestrel. Joining them in 1937 was the Continental (officially renamed Close-Coupled after a legal challenge from Rolls-Royce) Touring Saloon with the body style that obviously inspired the Nuffield Riley postwar RM series of 1½- and 2½-litre saloons. Just in case anybody has kept up with all that, most 12/4 models were also offered as Special Series with twin SU carburettors and 52bhp instead of the standard 46bhp. Or, if you wanted even more performance and were willing to pay another £48 over the basic £350, a Sprite engine could be inserted into your outwardly standard saloon or tourer to impress the lads down at the pub. The Kestrel Sprite made its debut in September 1935 at Brooklands. In a One Hour Run at the MCC High Speed Trials, surrounded by sports cars with drivers clad in helmets and goggles, the Kestrel carrying driver and three passengers all comfortably clad in lounge suits covered 81.90 miles in the hour. That same day it also won a two-lap handicap event at 77.81mph with a flying lap at 86mph. The Sprite engine benefited from higher compression ratio and different valve timing to bring the quoted power up to 60bhp.
▼ The cooling water exits the cylinder on the inlet side, back into the radiator. The Scintilla magneto is prominent at the front, above the oil filter housing.
▼ The normal Riley 12/4 water inlet is where the blanking plate and tap are located on the later Sprite engine, which gives priority to cooling the exhaust valves by entering straight into the cylinder head. In 1937 Riley finally managed to locate the dipstick and oil filler cap on the same side.
Beaded Wheels 19
▲ The Kestrel back seat, bucket-shaped, is definitely best in class, even more comfortable than the front although a centre passenger might disagree. Proper use by all owners – and this was the Oswin family transport with two young boys for years – has resulted in the preservation of all leather upholstery and equipment.
▲ Kevin Beesley demonstrates the back seat knee room with the driver’s seat all the way back. Riley introduced the rear foot well with the 1926 Monaco, later copied by other manufacturers.
▲ An unrestored 85-year-old car has earned a certain patina of use.
Immediate recognition under the bonnet comprised the Scintilla magneto and Elektron magnesium alloy oil filter housing, and later in 1937 the cooling system was changed. Instead of the normal Riley circulation from the radiator through the pump, into the engine block and back out via the head, the later Sprite engine had an emphasis on cooling the exhaust valves. Water was pumped
▲ All lights are now LEDs, offering much better illumination with lower power drain.
▲ The view from the back seat, in the days before headrests, is excellent. In top (fourth) gear the British Jaeger speedometer and rev counter needles are parallel, in this case 2500rpm at 40mph. The selector is in third, ready for the next change.
20 Beaded Wheels
straight into the nearside cylinder head, between numbers 2 and 3, and back out the other side via the inlet manifold into the radiator, leaving the water in the block to navigate under its own steam, as it were.
SECOND RILEY Kevin Beesley’s Kestrel Sprite is not his first Riley. Back in the 1960s as a teenage surfer, his first interesting car was a 1934 Vauxhall as everyday transport. The local Beach Haven streets were a test circuit after fettling, and one day he saw, and lusted after, Dave Reid’s Speed 20 Alvis. From there he was put on to John Stanley who happened to be selling a 1937 Riley Lynx on behalf of his brother Richard. The Lynx was originally a Lynx Sprite, from which the engine had been extracted to power the Riley Special of Bob Greenwood and John Caulfield, later campaigned successfully for many years by Ivy Stephenson and subsequently David Garrett. When Kevin caught up with the Lynx, though, it wasn’t worth pursuing the original engine as by that time a connecting rod had ventilated the crankcase, so he bought the remaining bare bones of a Kestrel and used the engine from that. During 15 years of ownership – not helped by an overseas sojourn – Kevin completely rebuilt the Lynx, but he hadn’t quite got around to finishing the project with new upholstery when something even better appeared on the horizon.
Kevin Beesley drives his 1937 Kestrel Sprite on a rural road north of Auckland.
In the mid-1980s Alistair Robinson was selling his 1931 Talbot 90, but the price put it out of Kevin’s reach – until Wallace McNair offered a sum for the Lynx that couldn’t be refused. Wallace immediately embarked on substantial refurbishment and modifications, all to his usual high standards, and re-engined it with a postwar Riley 2½-litre. Now, having gone full circle, the Lynx with much higher performance than the original Sprite engine could ever have provided is back with John Stanley. The Talbot has been maintained and campaigned ever since and is a familiar sight on VCC Waitemata Branch outings. For many years Kevin was also to be found out and about in his 1913 Delage AI, in outstandingly original condition (“If I had to do something to it, I had trouble finding bolts rusty enough not to stand out,” says Kevin) and with a history of having served as the Denniston doctor’s sole means of transport before he went off to the war in Europe. It would be fair to say that Kevin could cope with higher performance than that offered by a 2-litre veteran Delage, and he offered it for sale. No New Zealanders were interested, but somebody in France did want it – but only if its apparent barn find condition was a true representation. Now it happily motors its native roads. That freed up some capital to buy the Kestrel Sprite from Allan Booth in mid-2015, whereupon Kevin became the fifth in a modest list of private owners of an interesting 85-year-old car.
The first, in November 1946, was William Galpin of “Woodlands”, Marton. The Galpins were no strangers to Rileys and reportedly had a connection with Farmers Feilding, importers of many of New Zealand’s prewar Rileys, while in the mid-1930s Bill Galpin owned and campaigned the ex-works Brooklands Riley now being looked after by Peter Croft. After only a couple of years the Kestrel Sprite went to Wanganui to Sam Gibbons, whose motor racing career began at pre-WWI Brooklands with Iris and Humber. War service in the Royal Flying Corps led to Sam’s flying career as instructor and commercial pilot in this country from the 1930s with the Canterbury and Western Federated Aero Clubs, and his son Bob, one of New Zealand’s outstanding racing drivers of the 1950s and ‘60s, offered SS27K7009 to Jack Oswin in Pukekohe in 1955. For the next 46 years the now-black Kestrel Sprite was a familiar sight on the roads around South Auckland and on Riley Car Club rallies, a practice maintained from 2001 by Aucklander Allan Booth, the third generation with his brother Harold of Booth Riley owners. For health reasons Allan relinquished this rather special Riley, now one of only three Kestrel Sprites in the country, to Kevin Beesley in 2015. Even without a full restoration, such a car requires a fair bit of ongoing maintenance. Thanks to a continuing appreciation of the marque, spares are readily available and consumables still made, and Kevin has treated his car to a full rewiring, courtesy of a new
Beaded Wheels 21
loom from the UK. The engine block developed serious cracking, cured by a replacement block, standard throughout the 12/4 series as the Sprite differs only in the cylinder head.
ON THE ROAD Proper use of this Kestrel Sprite throughout its life is reflected in its condition just as it emerged from the Coventry factory, particularly the interior where the leather upholstery and even the head lining and rear window blind are original. The driver’s seat is superbly comfortable, with the large steering wheel offset slightly to the left of the driver’s centre as the column is aligned with the chassis fore-and-aft axis. Immediately below the wheel, for fingertip use without having to remove the hand from the rim, is the control for the preselector gearbox. For the first year or so after abandoning the non-synchromesh gearbox (although both were offered as alternatives for a period), Rileys used ENV preselectors, but from 1935 onwards the Armstrong-Siddeley unit was fitted. This gave rise to the characteristically noisy Riley gearbox, grumbling away in neutral and whining through the intermediate ratios until in direct-drive top gear. But SS27K7009 is notably silent, thanks to Jack Oswin’s overhauling the gearbox using postwar Armstrong-Siddeley parts, so there’s nothing to hide the distinctly sporting exhaust note, much in keeping with the car’s character. Getting the best out of what Ted Loversidge liked to call a Kickamatic takes a bit of practice. In my case that was through my first car, a 1937 Riley 12/4 Adelphi, although the intervening 57 years of stirring a vintage Riley Nine’s Silent Third crash box have threatened to take the edge off the finesse of operating a preselector. But I needn’t have worried unduly, and the basics of driving a preselector aren’t easily forgotten. The main rule is to select the gear you think you might need next, then engage it by swiftly depressing what in a more ordinary car would be the clutch pedal. In a way it can work like a clutch, although the bands grip only in the last inch or so of outward travel and it’s far better to use it solely for changing gears. (And it pays to treat it with some authority. Most preselector owners have discovered the penalty for over-timorous use of that pedal, which can come thumping all the way back out with considerable force.)
▲ With no cooling fan, SS27K7009 is not too happy in heavy traffic.
Start the engine in neutral and, in preparation for getting underway, select and engage first gear, immediately moving the lever to second. All being well and the automatic clutch doing its thing with the engine idling slowly enough, nothing much happens. When the rest of the traffic reacts to the green and starts disappearing into the distance, simply press the accelerator, whereupon the automatic clutch wakes up, takes up the slack and starts things moving. The next gear is already selected, so simply engage it with the pedal when appropriate and move the selector to third (etc). Once in top gear, move the selector back to third to avoid the indignity of niftily changing down into top halfway through the next corner. On the road this Riley shows what progress had been made from the vintage era. The direct steering is heavy at low speeds but well weighted and accurate once in the cruise, and radial-ply tyres have tamed any skittishness it might once have had. The ride is firm but well-damped, and Rileys have always handled as well as or better than most of their contemporaries. The Kestrel Sprite has no trouble keeping up with modern motorway traffic, and Kevin says it can be driven for hours at a stretch without being unduly tiring. He and Mariette recently undertook a major South Island tour in it – including stopping in to see John Stanley. With modern linings, the brakes are adequate rather than spectacular, not helped by the close proximity of the two righthand pedals and a tendency for a wide shoe to press accelerator as well as brake. The view ahead, down that long bonnet flanked by large headlights, is a commanding one, and the Riley Kestrel Sprite is truly a delight to drive. Its post-vintage manners are rather more polished than its earlier stablemates, and its condition and originality are a credit to all five owners. More cars should be like this.
Many 1930s cars were offered as “aeroline” saloons, but the 6-light Kestrel is arguably the best-looking of them all. Riley coachwork design was the envy of many, albeit at the expense of some structural strength.
22 Beaded Wheels
BOOK REVIEWS were downright bizarre, in looks as well as in name. How about the Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan, Sir Vival safety car, Besasie Explorer, Astra Gnome or the Dale. The latter was another three-wheeler billed as “Dollar for Dollar the Best Car in the World”. It was promoted by ‘Elizabeth Carmichael’: $2 million was raised with no cars being produced and Carmichael turned out to be a bail-jumping fraudster called Jerry Dean Michael…
THE OTHER US CAR MAKERS (Auto Review 186) By Rod Ward. Published 2022 by Zeteo Pubishing. ISBN 978-1-85482-185-3
The book contains only 32 pages, of A5 size. Despite that, it manages to fit in 180 small photos and plenty of interesting text. Others in the series range from Jowett and Bristol to ERF, Cadillac and Italian Specialists. It’s an enjoyable book at a modest price.
Review by Mark Holman By way of background, Auto Review is “a series of compact monographs on subjects related to transport, collecting and popular culture”. The fact that this title is #186 in the series indicates that it’s a successful formula! Some of the marques covered in this book will be familiar; Checker for instance (they made more than taxis too) and de Lorean. Others might be on your radar, such as the ill-fated Tucker and the racing cars of Chaparral. Dual and Muntz were among others that might have succeeded. Kit cars also feature, from the likes of Bradley, Fiberfab and Victress. But, in many ways, the beauty is in the really obscure brands, many of which were little more than a prototype, unrealistic market forecasts and calls for investors. The Davis (a bulbous three-wheeler) was launched in the late 1940s with a promise that production would rise to 1000 cars a day. In the end, some 300 prospective dealers signed up but only 17 were built and Gary Davis was jailed for two years. Some others looked as though they might have potential but hardly matched US market demands. And some
assist the car dealers in how to present the cars and how to up-sell the various addons. There are 18 chapters, each with a story followed by the photographs and other information. An easy book to pick up, read a chapter and come back to it later. Chapter 13 is particularly interesting as it tells the story of the author and a mate doing a round Australia trip in an HD Holden 149 in 2013. Auckland based Kiwi Glenn Flinkenburg has had a lifelong obsession with HD Holdens and his passion comes through in this book.
AS THE CROWE FLIES The Trevor Crowe Story By Steve Holmes Hard Cover, 200 pages, 210 photographs RRP $49.99 Published by Catch Phrase Media NZ Ltd To purchase, contact www. crowesportshop.co.nz or reputable bookshops like Mighty Ape. Reviewed by Greg Price
TAKE THE WHEEL A fond look back at the HD and HR Holdens By Glenn Flinkenberg Hard cover, 270 x 222, 212 pages ISBN 978-0-473-64854-1 Currently the book is only available online. $60 inc GST. Contact Glenn at: theflinks@xtra.co.nz
The first thing that catches your eye is well-known photographer Euan Cameron’s great front cover shot of Trevor Crowe saving on tyre wear during a rally in his Subaru! Terry Marshall is another well-known photographer whose images are dotted throughout the book as well. If you didn’t know who Trevor Crowe was, then
upon completion of this book author Steve Holmes would have brought you right up to date with his involvement in motorsport where he started racing against the legends like Robbie Franicevic, Ron Sylvester et al. The keen-eyed reader will notice that Trevor’s involvement in things cars, may well have been triggered by his ownership of his ‘dad built’ pedal car. As Steve says, and I quote, “Certainly this book boasts countless car and racing stories, but it’s much more than that. It is an inspiring portrayal of an inspiring person. Perhaps we should all aspire to live life the way Trevor Crowe has. This is not simply a book about car racing. It’s a book about an adventurer, who happens to like cars.” For non-motorsport fans, Trevor Crowe is probably better known as the Subaru Dealer in Christchurch – Trevor Crowe Subaru! I found this a very good read about an individual who has risen to the various challenges in his life, and again, to paraphrase the author’s quote, “This most remarkable Kiwi, with his everpositive attitude, boundless energy, and addictive sense of humour, has led a most fascinating life, a life lived to the full!” But don’t just take my word for it, check it out for yourself.
Reviewed by Kevin Clarkson This is a must for any HD and/or HR owner, is well worthwhile for Holden followers everywhere and is also very interesting for car lovers generally. The two models are extensively covered with much information and specifications for all the variations that Holden made during these two model years. There are countless photographs and examples of Holdens advertising brochures and even some brochures to
Beaded Wheels 23
SUCCESS ON TWO WHEELS THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL MOTORCYCLES BUILT IN NEW ZEALAND By Ashley Blair
Part two of Ashley Blair's research looks into the claims that Cecil Wood's motor cycle was manufactured before Every's Stella Every’s success with his motor bicycle motivated him to travel overseas to gain experience in the new field of “automobilism”. On 8 May 1902 he left Lyttelton aboard the Athenic for London. From there he went on to Antwerp to work briefly at the Minerva factory. His reference from Minerva stated that he had “been working in our shops to get an inside view of erecting and repairing small motors and we consider that he is now perfectly posted for doing such work.” After he left Minerva, and for the rest of his working life, Every was involved with cars rather than motorcycles. He joined the Swift Motor Company at Coventry in September 1902. Within a few weeks he was an observer for Swift on the 1,000 mile trial organised by the Automobile Club of England and Ireland and he worked on the
▲ Raymond Every was sent as an observer by the Swift Motor Company to the 1903 Crystal Palace reliability trials .
Swift stand at the 1903 Crystal Palace Automobile Show. He became manager of the finishing and testing department, took part in many reliability trials and won seven gold medals. While working for Swift he took out two patents, one in 1906 and the other in 1911, both for improvements to carburettors for internal combustion engines. He was presented with a gold watch when he left Swift in June 1912 . On his return to New Zealand he became foreman at P H Vickery Motor Works, Invercargill. This was one of the earlier garages to recondition motors and he also gave evening lectures on car mechanics to drivers at the Southland Technical College. In 1918 he moved to Carterton and set up his own motor garage which he ran until he retired in 1954. Many motorcycles are known by the maker of the frame and running parts rather than the engine maker. Marques such as HRD, Zenith, Brough Superior, Rex Acme, James, Francis-Barnet and Excelsior all had engines by other makers. In 1902 the first Triumph had a Minerva engine. It is quite fair to claim that R H Every’s motor bicycle was New Zealand’s very first BSA motorcycle. But was it the first motorcycle constructed in New Zealand? The October 1899 issue of The New Zealand Wheelman had a headline which read “The Pioneer Motor Cyclist of New Zealand.” This was the report of an interview with William Acton-Adams who had just returned from Paris with a motorcycle. It is only near the end of the article that it becomes apparent that the Comiot he brought back was a tricycle.1 In June 1900 there were brief reports in Auckland newspapers of “a motor cycle that goes humming along like an oil launch on wheels” 2 but further reading reveals that this was the De Dion and Bouton tricycle owned by Service and Henning. 3 In late September 1901 Percy Skeates of the Auckland cycle firm Skeates and Boekaert, returned to New Zealand with one American and two English motorcycles but these were complete machines. Cecil Walkden Wood of Timaru claimed to have constructed a petrol engine in 1897 and then “applied his motor to a bicycle, quite possibly creating the first motorcycle in New Zealand and apparently managed to run it for about 100 yards.”4 However there were no contemporary newspaper reports or photographs of this vehicle even though Wood’s later vehicles were reported and photographed. With his “motor-cycle engine Wood at first experienced great difficulty with the accumulator and coil, but this was mastered, and the first engine attached to a cycle was successfully placed on the road, on 20 May, 1900. He then built a three wheeled motor-car, with tiller steering wheel, which was first run in Timaru on 4 June, 1901”.5 Wood used newspaper articles to promote his business such as when he built a tandem and later a built bicycle for a customer who weighed 127 kilograms. He imported a novel replacement for a 1 The New Zealand Wheelman, 4 October 1899, p.9 2 Observer, 2 June 1900, p.5 3 Auckland Star, 30 May 1900, p.4 4 McCrystal, 2003, p.21.
▲ Cecil Wood posing on his three-wheeled motor vehicle.
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5 Anderson, 1916, p.468
bicycle bell powered by an air pump driven by the front wheel. The noise was supposed to be loud enough to “warn a dead cow to get out of the way.” Today we have access to newspapers through the New Zealand National Library’s Papers Past. This research tool allows a much closer look than ever before at past events recorded in newspapers. A search of Papers Past gives February 1897 as the first time Wood is mentioned in relation to motor vehicles when he was “looking forward to the arrival of motor vehicles, and he intends to undertake the fitting up and repair of the new means of locomotion.” 6 The next mention is not until July 1901 when Wood displayed a working petrol engine he had built at his Tourist Cycle Works in Timaru. Both the South Canterbury Times (20 July 1901, p.2) and Timaru Herald (20 July 1901, p.2) reported that: “A large crowd was attracted to the window of Mr C W Wood’s cycle establishment yesterday to view a very interesting working model of a gas engine shown there, and very complimentary remarks were made regarding the perfection and smoothness of its working. The engine stands about 14 inches high by 19 inches long, both measurements including a 14-inch fly-wheel. The fittings are perfectly and neatly made, the workmanship put into them being most painstaking and delicate. The cylinder has a two-inch bore, and allows a four-inch stroke for the piston-rod. The engine, though only driven up to 800 yesterday, is capable of 1000 revolutions per minute. The exhaust pipe and valves are faithfully reproduced, and do their work splendidly. It is most gratifying to be able to state that the production is the result entirely of Mr Wood’s and staff’s work, every one of them doing certain parts, and conducting their own experiments to perfect their ideas. It is intended to have the engine working today, when it will be connected with and drive several bicycles. Mr Wood intends also to build another model, for attachment to a bicycle, and promises that at no very distant date a ‘motor cycle’ will be seen on our streets.” It is highly likely that the engine described in this report, from its size and the 14 inch flywheel, is the engine in the well-known photo of C W Wood on a three wheeled, tiller steered vehicle outside the Tourist Cycle Works. Wood’s “motor cycle” was not completed until December 1901. The Timaru Herald reported that “Messrs C. W. Wood and Co., of the Tourist Cycle Works, have completed the construction of a motor bicycle, which only needs the correction of some defect in the electric coil used for ignition to be brought into use.” 7 He built the motor from imported rough castings and made the frame stronger than a normal bicycle. The motor was placed within the frame between the saddle tube and bottom tube, an arrangement commented on by the Timaru Herald reporter as the neatest and most convenient as any he had ever seen. This machine was, as Wood claimed at the time, the first frame and motorcycle engine built in New Zealand and it attracted a great deal of attention when displayed in his shop. He announced he was going to manufacture motor bicycles that would be far cheaper than any imported and already had several orders. 8 The Tourist Cycle Works was well set up to build both engines and frames. The two storied brick building in Stafford Street housed a blacksmith’s plant, brazing and jointing furnace, case hardening furnace, plating baths and an enamelling room. Lathes, emery wheels and polishing buffs were powered by a 4 horsepower Tangye gas engine.
The problem with the coil prevented Wood’s motor bicycle from running until Wednesday 18 December but he only went on a short ride as Timaru horses were unused to the noise. 9 As reported in contemporary newspapers Cecil Wood’s first ride in Timaru was seven weeks after Raymond Every first rode the Stella in Temuka. Wood and Every actually rode together at the South Canterbury Caledonian Society New Year’s Day Sports Meeting in 1902. “Mr Wood’s machine did not go well, seemed sluggish and inclined to jib, owing, Mr Wood thought, to some mistake in using mixed oil. Mr Every’s machine ran without trouble, and much easier than the other.” Wood must have worked on his machine overnight as it was reported to be running much better the next day. 10 In April 1902 Wood sold a motor bicycle with a Minerva engine to W J Huggins, manager of Charles Begg and Co, Timaru. This was the third of his six orders for motor bicycles. “Mr Huggins had his trial run last Thursday and was more than satisfied. For short distances the speed reached was 25 miles per hour. There was very little noise, no smell, and no more vibration 9 Timaru Herald, 20 December 1901, p.2 10 Timaru Herald, 2 January 1902, p.3,
6 Timaru Herald, 6 February 1897, p.2 7 Timaru Herald, 12 December 1901, p.3 8 Timaru Herald, 12 December 1901 p.3, Lyttelton Times, 13 December 1901, p.5
▲ R H Every's reference from Minerva dated 17 July 1902. Image Nigel Every
Beaded Wheels 25
than in an ordinary bicycle. The bicycle is built of BSA fittings throughout, with the necessary modifications to suit the motor. The front forks are specially strengthened with two vertical rods from the front axle to the head. There is a hand brake and a powerful back pedalling brake fitted, which allows the machine to be brought to a standstill in five yards.” 11 The use of BSA fittings makes this the second recorded BSA motor bicycle built in New Zealand. Wood advertised that they were taking orders for motor cycles the same as the one sold to Mr W J Huggins. The cost was £40. The advertisement went on to say “we claim to be the first in New Zealand to build a cycle motor throughout.” 12 From the evidence in contemporary newspaper reports the motor bicycle Wood rode on December 1901 was the first with both motor and frame built in New Zealand and the second BSA made in New Zealand. Like Every, Wood moved on to motor cars, but his distinguished career has been recorded including an entry in Wikipedia. 13 In May 1902 Charles Jessep sold the Stella Cycle Works in Temuka to local cyclist John Connnell but a year later re-purchased the business with C S Elmsly as partner. By October 1903 ten Stella type motor bicycles had been made at the works and with Elmsly riding they even had some success racing. In July 1904 the company became known as the Stella Cycle and Motor Manufacturing and General Importing Company Ltd, with a branch in Timaru. Jessep relinquished management in 1907 to J G Buttolph, a 25 year old coach builder from Gore, to “enter into another line of business.” A year later the company was in financial difficulties. On 15 August 1908 a notice appeared in the Temuka Leader: “The Stella Cycle and Motor Manufacturing and General Importing Company, Limited. Notice is hereby given that Mr J G Buttolph is no longer authorised to receive moneys on account of the above Company.” Buttolph must have absconded following financial impropriety. Six months later C T Jessep offered £1 reward to anyone who knew where he was. The liquidation of the company was a sad end to a cycle shop business that had made New Zealand motorcycle history. The name Stella lingered on with the cycle shop that took over the premises. A Stella bicycle was made as late as 1913. Around 1990 Dennis Quinton, grandson of Charles Jessep, became interested in researching The Stella. He read the early article in Beaded Wheels and was shown papers relating to the Stella Cycle Works. He acquired an early Minerva motor from vintage motorcycle enthusiast Glen Bull in 1991. The motor came from under the bench of a Carterton garage. As the 100th anniversary of the Stella’s first appearance at the North Otago A & P Show approached, motoring historian Rex Murray asked Dennis to build a replica of The Stella. Dennis, an engineer, used a photo of The Stella to draw a full-sized plan on a large board. The replica was finished in time to take part in a parade and go on display at the 2001 North Otago A & P Show, the 100th anniversary of the Stella’s first appearance at this Show. It was also used in a re-run of the first organised motor race won by Raymond Every on the Stella at Lancaster Park on 8 November 1901. Based on contemporary reports in newspapers including the Temuka Leader, Oamaru Mail, Star, Press, Ashburton Guardian, Timaru Herald, North Otago Times, Evening Star, and Otago Witness as well as cycling magazine The New Zealand Wheelman, three different contemporary photographs and a later recorded interview, 11 Timaru Herald, 22 April 1902, p.2 12 Timaru Herald, 24 April 1902, p.1 13 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Wood_(engineer) 26 Beaded Wheels
▲ 1906 Henry and Radford patent for improvement in carburettors, 1906. Photo Nigel Every.
The Stella built by Raymond Henry Every was: • The first successful motorcycle built in New Zealand • The first BSA motorcycle built in New Zealand • The first motorcycle in New Zealand to make a significant tour (270 miles) • The first winner of an organised motor race in New Zealand Raymond Henry Every was an enterprising yet modest man, engineer and mechanic, who has a unique place as a New Zealand motor cycling pioneer. He deserves to be given credit, to be far better known and to be celebrated for his achievements.
REFERENCES Adshead, Rona and Rex Murray (2002). Replicar! A century of motoring in North Otago and beyond. Dunedin: Square One Press. https://www.ancestry.com.au/ Andersen Johannes C. (1916) Jubilee history of South Canterbury. Auckland: Whitcombe & Tombes. Caunter, C.F. (1970). Motorcycles A Technical History –2nd Edition. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Every, R.H. (1968). Recording of interview with Gordon Powell. https://www.familysearch.org/ McCrystall, John. (2003). 100 Years of Motoring in New Zealand. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers Porter, Rex. (1974). Early N.Z. Constructors. Beaded Wheels, April/ May. Porter, Rex. (1957). Reminiscences. Beaded Wheels, March. Sheldon, J. (1961). Veteran and Vintage Motor Cycles. London: Batsford. Sullivan, Jim. (2007). Canterbury Voices. Christchurch, Hazard Press. The New Zealand Wheelman
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Christine Allan-Johns Alan Brehaut Christine Hall, Archive Assistant, Waitaki Museum and Archive Dennis Quinton Nigel Every Shirley Armstrong, Temuka Courthouse Museum Tony Rippin, South Canterbury Museum
ELECTRIC CARS
ELECTRIC CARS….WILL THEY REALLY CUT OUR CO2 EMISSIONS OR IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE? By Mark Hayward
This article comes to us courtesy of the Aston Martin Owners Club UK. It was originally published in 2019 so it may not be quite up-to-date but the content makes sobering reading – possibly providing more questions than answers. Along with a number of people I have been looking to replace my ageing RS6 which was 17 years old, had done 230,000 miles and was still going strong, but unfortunately my garage could no longer get the spares from Audi. I have continually rationalised that spending £5000 a year on parts and servicing was better than buying a new car and losing £20,000+ in depreciation in the first year. I do short journeys locally or long journeys on holiday but do need a car to tow a trailer to VSCC events and abroad. One gets used to having 500bhp and lots of grunt so I bit the bullet and bought a new RS6, which is actually homologated for towing but it is just like driving a fast computer. Everything is touch screen or push button. The only vintage homage is having 22-inch wheels which are an inch bigger than my 1928 FWD Alvis, although the width of one wheel is about the same as four Alvis wheels. Electric did not meet my towing requirements but the search led me to investigate the pros and cons of Electric Vehicles (EV) more thoroughly. Using the internet and The Rare Metals War by G Pitron, I discovered some astonishing facts about where we are headed. With the Government pledge to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and JLR and Ford announcing they will only
produce electric from 2025, and even Bentley now going electric, it is obvious the whole motor industry is also going down this road. So, let’s look at the pros and cons of not only manufacturing EVs for mainstream use, but also on running them. According to Strathclyde University, to power these vehicles, heat our homes and supply industry by 2040, we will need to increase power generation capacity in the UK by 26%. Currently, less than 25% of our electricity is generated by renewables, we are decommissioning fossil fuel stations (42%) and no one is investing in nuclear (14%). It has taken us 20 years to generate less than 25% of our current needs from wind and solar, despite the Chancellor pledging £20m to off shore wind. How are we going to generate 66% or more of our needs from renewables in the next 20 years, assuming fossil fuels are zero? This requirement is the equivalent of building six to eight Sizewell nuclear stations. To manufacture the world demand for wind turbines, up to 2050, will require 3200m tonnes of steel (70% of the current world steel production) plus 310m tonnes of aluminium and 40m tonnes of copper. In addition, erecting them takes 15 x the concrete, 90 x the aluminium and 50 x the copper that would be used in the equivaBeaded Wheels 27
▲ Weikuang Lake in Mongolia – 3.9 square miles which leaks into ground water. Photo: Google Earth.
▲ Photo courtesy Ensia.
▲ Open cast rare earth mine.
lent fossil or nuclear plants. Either there will not be enough steel to make high rise buildings, or bridges or cars or ships for that matter or the lights will go out, our electric car batteries will be flat or our home heating won’t come on!
ELECTRIC VEHICLES Some interesting facts based on the UK model: The production of an EV requires more energy than a conventional car, its industrialisation is three to four times more energy intensive than a conventional car. In its manufacture, assuming the same power generation split as above, an EV will generate 32 tonnes of CO2 versus 60 tonnes for a conventional car. For EVs with longer range (500 miles) they will generate 100 tonnes because the batteries are built in China which uses mainly coal power generation. The energy consumption of an EV over its lifetime is equivalent to an efficient internal combustion (IC) car. True they do not produce exhaust CO2 but unless the power is generated 100% renewably then on total CO2 emissions, they balance out IC v EV. Forty percent of the cost of an EV is its batteries and account for 25% of its weight. The effective life of an EV is half that of a conventional car because the batteries degrade. Replacements will be over £10,000. Currently there is no recycling facility for these batteries, nor is there yet a mass production facility outside China, where 80-90% of demand is produced. So, if an EV still generates around 30 tonnes of CO2 but lasts half of the life of a conventional car, we would have had to buy two EVs for every conventional car. No wonder the car manufacturers are all going electric! Importantly EVs contain 10kg of rare earth metals which is twice the amount used in conventional cars.
RARE EARTH METALS Our modern digital age demands enormous amounts of data to be processed on smaller and smaller devices at greater speed. Whether it be mobile phones, iPads, lap tops, watches, cars, electric car batteries, energy efficient light bulbs, networks, TVs, solar panels or wind generators they all rely on minute quantities of rare earth metals to make them work. In fact, without them we could not have wind turbines as the motor weight would be too great. The irony is that extracting these metals is anything but green
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and their extraction is highly polluting. Once used in products their amounts are so small that recycling is difficult and uneconomic. In consequence we are on a path of continual rare metals extrac▲ Waste slurry discharging into Weikuang Lake. tion with its associated Photo: BBC.Com pollution. The worst thing is they are called rare because they appear in very small quantities. The best analogy is in baking a large loaf, the pinch of salt used is the equivalent to all the rare earth metals found in a loaf of ore. In general, it takes 50 tonnes of rock to release 1 kilo of rare earths. So, 500 tonnes for each EV. Then this ore has to be processed, all taking energy to extract these quantities. Often these metals are found closely related to Uranium and radio-active metals, so their extraction can be hazardous. In addition, copious amounts of water (purifying one tonne of rare earths ore requires 200cu m water) along with sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids are required to separate the metals from the ore. This makes the industry one of the most toxic in the world. These acids are either poured into the ground or held in large lakes. Most of this takes place in China where there is little regard for human working conditions, pollution control or dumped waste. The western world has taken the decision not to be involved in this ‘dirty’ rare earth extraction but export the problem to China who has positioned itself as the major world supplier. It sits on 40% of the world’s rare earth metals; the rest are mainly in Vietnam, India, Brazil and Russia. The legacy for China is obvious; it is the biggest world emitter of green-house gases, 10% of its arable land is contaminated by heavy metals and 80% of its ground water is unfit for consumption. Other less developed countries in Asia, Africa and South America want to get on the rare earth gravy train, and are vying to exploit the associated economic boom. With the world going ‘green’ rare earth production needs to double every 15 years, meaning that over the next 30 years we will extract more minerals from the earth than the human race has done in 70,000 years.
GREEN ENERGY Not only do wind turbines require rare earths (an off shore wind turbine uses two tonnes of Neodymium in its generator) but solar panels do as well; each panel generates 70Kg of CO2 in manufacture. World demand will require an increase in production of 23% over the next few years so that 10Gw of panel-power can be produced each year. This will generate 2.7bn tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 600,000 conventional vehicles.
LI-ION BATTERIES The battery is the heart of any EV, but its Achilles heel; 80% Nickel, 15% cobalt plus a small amount of lithium. In a Tesla S the battery accounts for 25% of the weight of the car and 40% of the cost. They degrade over time, and more so if fast charging is employed. Currently 70% of cobalt comes from the Congo, mined by hand using 19th century techniques and there is no effective Li-Ion battery recycling available. Just meeting the UK’s projected demand for EVs by 2050 will use 1.5% of global lithium reserves.
SECOND-HAND CAR MARKETS If one assumes that the life of a modern car is up to 20 years then by 2050 all 40 million cars in Britain should have been replaced by electric, apart from a few classic and historic vehicles. On average two million new cars are sold every year in the UK, but about eight million second hand cars are sold, so the second-hand market is four times that of the new. The majority of these traded cars are 9+ years old which means the average price paid is around £6700. This is in line with the depreciation estimate of a car being worth only 20% of its new value after 10 years. The reason is probably obvious; not everyone can afford a new car. EVs are more expensive when new but the batteries may only last about 8-10 years so, by the time they would come within the reach of a second-hand buyer they could be poor value. Depending on what you read, motor manufacturers think batteries could last 20 years but others think 8-12 as their capacity degrades. The longest warranty EV manufacturers offer is eight years and 70% capacity. Buying a second-hand EV could be difficult as buyers may be misled regarding useable battery capacity and left with a hefty bill of thousands of pounds to replace them; effectively such an EV would be a write off.
According to the British Independent Motor Traders Association, around 20% of used cars are exported from the UK to developing countries which will give the UK the opportunity to export the battery recycling problem, as it has the battery production problem. The chances of replacing all conventional cars with electric is therefore a political pipe-dream as it is most likely the public will struggle on with their conventional cars, unless electric cars become cheaper, last longer or can be easily recycled. Strathclyde University predict that His Majesty’s Government will have to recover the loss in Fuel Duty with the EV revolution by surcharging domestic charging points by at least 30p/Kwh; legislation comes into effect in June 2022 to enable this. Charging a Tesla S at home may cost £130+, depending on what we will have to pay for electricity in the future. No longer cheap motoring as currently advertised!
AN ALTERNATIVE We don’t really need driverless cars, or ever more complicated cars which tell us we have drifted over the white line, are Wifi enabled, have cameras in every corner and sensors in every orifice. My wife’s 1952 Morris Minor is on its third engine, has recycled seats from a Metro, disc brakes and steers where you want it to go. It is a recycled car with little rust because it has been looked after (it was Viscount Lindley’s first car). It gets us from A-B maybe a little longer than a modern vehicle, but it is easy to fix, and has not a computer or any electronics in sight. Her DB6 does the same job but quicker. We should stop building all these electronically controlled, unsustainable modern boxes on wheels and concentrate on making spares for cars 20 years + old so we can keep them on the road. Cuba managed! These vehicles generated their CO2 in production 20+years ago. Let’s find some technology to capture their exhaust emissions, or use hydrogen powering existing IC engines rather than raping and polluting the earth still more in the name of ‘Going Green’. In the words of David Attenborough ‘we should not waste a thing’, but the so-called green policies of our government are flying in the face of this advice. Reproduced Courtesy Aston Martin Owners Club
Beaded Wheels The Beaded Wheels team is always on the lookout for a good article for future issues. To encourage you to put pen to paper two lucky authors or photographers per issue will win a limited edition Beaded Wheels cap.
writers wanted
Alas we are not in the position to provide financial recompense for services rendered but we are sure you will be compensated by the satisfaction of seeing your words and photos in print. Email your articles and ideas to: beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz High resolution digital photos are
preferred. Or contact our editorial committee chairman, Kevin Clarkson, if you wish to discuss an idea for an article. Phone 021 0270 6525, kevin@vcc.org.nz Our winners of the Beaded Wheels caps for this issue are: Phil Benvin and Mike Courtenay.
Beaded Wheels 29
Pictured in my garage 53 years after I first owned it.
LOST TREASURE Words and photos Mike Courtney.
Prelude… In 1968 as a 15 year old I bought an Austin 7 Special that had been abandoned. A well-made body but with no bonnet or front guards, not running but mechanically complete. My family was not that mechanically minded so my main guidance was a well-used copy of Pitmans’ The book of the Austin Seven and Eight. After a family move from Morrinsville to Auckland and with the help of the Bill Williams book Austin 7 Specials The Building Maintenance and Tuning, I refurbished and painted the car, eventually settling on BRG. Total restoration would have been well beyond me at that stage of my life. My after school and holiday jobs helped with the cost of materials including those used in my low pressure Webster spray painting set up. Fast forward a few months, January 1969 and the car was ready to be registered on the road. In those times it was just necessary to fill in some forms, present at the local Post Office, pay a small fee and you got a registered car complete with papers and bright shiny new plates, head to the local garage, get a WoF, and you were legal on the road.
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The Austin Seven Special provided much fun, heaps of frustration and bucket loads of experience and knowledge. It was the source of many stories. However by the time I sold the car I had not taken any photographs despite its colourful history, so didn’t have a record of my ownership and eventually lost track of its whereabouts. During a chance conversation about Austin Sevens with a fellow member of the Historic Racing and Sports Car Club about 18 years ago, we realised that maybe my first car and a car he had owned were the same. He had taken photos which confirmed that each of us had owned the same car. He had bought it from the man I sold it to who then sold it to a chap from, he thought, Matamata. This contact enabled me to have some photos of my first car. A few years later I sold some Austin parts to a chap called Dave in Papakura. He moved to Whangamata and we caught up from time to time. Dave used the parts he bought for a Special based on an A7 but with many Datsun 1200 components. He acquired a 1934 Austin Seven Ruby from a generous Whangamata local called Ray. The car was a gift. Many years passed. It was now 2022. Dave had too many projects and offered me the Ruby which he had not progressed. Having cleared the decks in my own workshop during Covid lockdown, I readily accepted. Because this Austin Seven had been gifted by Ray who had died in 2014, I needed to negotiate purchase with his son David who runs an engineering business at Tatuanui outside Morrinsville. David explained that I could buy the Ruby but must also take a container of Austin parts including a pipe framed Special that his father Ray had bought years before. It had no motor or gearbox but was otherwise complete. The car and the parts had been in the container since Ray bought them in 1973. A very reasonable price was agreed. Having relocated the Ruby from Whangamata to Auckland in the weekend, my wife and I headed to Tatuanui on Monday with a trailer and small truck to collect parts, the Special and pay David. Imagine my surprise when I opened the container. Here was my first car, an Austin 7 Sports Special, slightly the worse for wear after 45 plus years in the container, less motor but otherwise complete. The container was leaky and most of the spare parts were badly rusted. After loading up I showed David a photo I now had of my Special. “Gosh that looks just like what we have loaded on your trailer!“ So I confirmed that it was my first car. He was delighted. Happily, I started off for home but soon received a call from David asking us to come back. He had found the ownership papers for the car, showing I had registered it at the New Lynn Post Office on 30 January 1969 and that his father Ray was the fourth and last owner. I left Tatuanui a very happy man. The list of coincidences and crossed paths is extraordinary, and goes beyond what has been described in this story. The car will be stripped down now. I’m just waiting for the sandblaster to recover from Covid. New parts and a new screen have been ordered and the full restoration will soon now proceed.
▲ Leaving Tatuanui, very happy young man.
FOOTNOTE:
By Mike’s own admission, he now has nine Austin Sevens in his shed. This number includes a 1926 Austin Chummy project bought at a Vintage Austin Register Swap Meet the same weekend as he collected the Ruby and Sports Special.
▲
Back on the road, 2023.
Beaded Wheels 31
A SPECIAL JAGUAR
With 2022 marking 100 years of Jaguar, it is appropriate to take a look at my very special Jaguar which an has an extensive racing history. It is a 1955 Jaguar XK140 Special Equipment (SE) Fixed Head Coupe (FHC), sold new in Christchurch, New Zealand. Words Phil Benvin, photos various sources.
32 Beaded Wheels
The car left the factory on 2 November 1955 finished in Pastel Blue, the colour it still wears today. The first owners were Frank and Elizabeth Cantwell of Christchurch, owners of the ladies fashion business Cantwell Creations. The Cantwells made regular trips to England, and while there would attend Jaguar Drivers Club meetings in London. At one of these meetings they were introduced to Sir William Lyons, the owner of Jaguar Cars, who invited them to visit the factory in Coventry. At the factory they were given a tour and while there they ordered their new Jaguar XK140 with Special Equipment options. Frank intended to race the car, a step up from the Jaguar Mk VII saloon he began racing with. The fixed head coupe was chosen so that he could enter both saloon and sports car races. This XK140 is chassis number S 804481, and is a Special Equipment model and following Jaguar’s success at Le Mans, the factory offered the C-Type engine with the Special Equipment package. This engine included the C-Type cylinder head with
2021 Hawkswood Sprint,
larger valves and revised porting, higher lift camshafts, lightened flywheel, high speed crankshaft damper, and the larger two inch sand-cast carburettors. It is one of 843 right hand drive FHC cars built of which only 199 were SE models, and very few of these left the factory fitted with the two inch carburettors which were generally only fitted if the car was intended for racing. Apparently only five XK140 FHCs were imported new into New Zealand. They were also introduced to Lofty England, the Jaguar Competitions Manager, and a friendship developed which was very helpful to Frank’s Jaguar racing career. With the new sports car, Frank embarked on an extensive racing programme which included major national meetings at Ardmore, Levin, Wigram, Ryal Bush (near Invercargill), and Dunedin. In addition to these events were local Canterbury meetings at Mairehau, Lake Bryndwr and Southbridge. He was quite successful at some of these events. With a top speed of 130 mph, this was a very fast car in its day, and very few cars at the time could go faster.
Frank wrote several magazine articles detailing his racing exploits, and spoke of being overtaken by Ross Jensen in the Monza Ferrari at Ryal Bush, then getting a tow in the Ferrari’s slipstream. I have visited Ryal Bush and driven the XK around the roads which formed the circuit, and it beggars belief what it must have been like to race at those speeds on the narrow undulating country roads. An Archibalds’ mechanic, Arthur Praed, attended the race meetings with Frank and looked after the car. Mrs Cantwell said to me when I visited her with the car in 2003 that after a race meeting she would not see the car for a couple of days as it would be in at Archibalds having the brakes rebuilt. I have heard that at the Dunedin Road Race, Frank tipped the car onto its side. There is still a little crease in the roof which I attribute to this incident. Late in 1957 the Cantwells imported the fearsome Tojeiro Jaguar sports racing car from England, and the XK140 was passed on to its next owner, Mr David Owen of Christchurch. Even though
Beaded Wheels 33
2021 Hawkswood Sprint, photo John McDonald
David had been racing his XK120 Jaguar, I have found no reference to him having raced the XK140. As was often the case with sports cars, the XK140 changed hands frequently. In January 1960 David sold the car to Mrs June Monk of Lyttelton. June had been racing her Triumph TR2 for several years, after starting her racing career in the family Jaguar Mk VII saloon car. June continued her racing career in the XK140, and shared racing the car with her husband Bruce. Events entered included several national meetings, twice at Waimate in 1960 and 61, and Renwick in 1960. In late 1963 the car was sold, with 55,761 miles on the clock, and after two more Christchurch owners it went north into the long term ownership of Tom Elliot in Whangarei, who kept the car for 22 years. In a phone conversation I had with Tom, he said he did around 200,000 miles in the XK which means that the car has now travelled about 350,000 miles. He raced the car in many classic race meetings such as TACCOC Wings and Wheels at Whenuapai. At some point the engine was bored out from 3.4 to 3.8 litres and the original block eventually cracked and was dumped. The original Special Equipment components were rebuilt into a replacement block. Tom said he was timed at 138 mph at a speed event. He repainted the car in a colour very close to the original Pastel Blue, and the car still wears this paint job. Tom even fitted a tow bar and would tow a horse float with the XK! Tom said he first saw the car when Frank Cantwell was racing it at Ardmore in 1957. Both Tom and Mrs Cantwell told me that Stirling Moss did some laps at Ardmore in the XK, but I have not been able to verify this. In 1991 the car changed hands again, this time to the well known Jaguar mechanic and collector Les Parkinson in Auckland. 34 Beaded Wheels
In Les’s hands the XK140 certainly did not get a rest, as he continued to add to its racing miles at a variety of events including club meetings, Wings and Wheels, and even the first Dunlop Targa in 1995. Les’ navigator in the Targa was Jaguar collector John Fernyhough, and I have been told that John had never been so terrified. They had a couple of major frights along the way, at one stage hitting a power pole, thus instigating their second Targa all-nighter to get to the start line next morning. They finished the event third in Category 3. My love affair with the car began in 1995 when I attended the Wigram Wings and Wheels event in February. There was the Pastel Blue XK140 with number 88 on the doors being raced by Les Parkinson. Throughout the 1990s I attended the classic race meetings each November at Manfield, and got to know Les. I did not think he would sell the XK140, so I never asked him about it. I was gutted when in 2000 there it was featured in NZ Classic Car magazine, and it had a new owner, a chap called Bruce Gray in New Plymouth. I immediately sought out Bruce’s address and wrote to him requesting first option if he ever decided to sell. Out of the blue one evening three years later I received a phone call, and it was Bruce asking if I was still interested in buying the car. I just had to have it, and after receiving approval from an understanding partner, and a few days of negotiations, the deal was done. It was an exciting trip to New Plymouth to view the car, hand over a cheque, and drive it back to Nelson. During Bruce’s ownership the car notched up more competition miles when Bruce took part in the Ngawhini Classic Hillclimb in 1999 and 2001.
In a few months I will have owned the car for 20 years, and continue to get a lot of pleasure from it. I have now clocked up around 40,000 miles, including a couple of tours around New Zealand, have attended five National Jaguar Rallies, and carried on the life this car is used to by competing in hillclimbs and sprints, enabled by membership of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. The competition events I have taken part in include the Hawkswood Sprint near Cheviot, the Sandy Bay Hillclimb at Nelson, the Josephville Hillclimb near Gore, and one foray to the Banks Peninsula double header hillclimb weekend. I have two brothers-in-law down south who are also Jaguar enthusiasts, and with their red Mk2s they also compete in hillclimbs, so we have a lot of fun and family rivalry. My XK140 has never been restored, but still looks and sounds great. The Pastel Blue paint is now over 40 years old and the interior has a nice patina. It has had new leather on the seats and new carpets at some stage, but the headlining looks original. The car has received a few upgrades throughout its long life such as front disc brakes, Koni shock absorbers, and 15 inch 72-spoke chrome wire wheels. The diff ratio has been changed to a higher 3.54:1 to suit the smaller wheels. Originally the car had 16 inch wheels and a 4.09:1 diff ratio. The gearbox is still the original Moss 4 speed with overdrive. The car is very enjoyable to drive and has good handling. Compared with more modern cars it has a very vintage feel. I have been very fortunate having had a local Jaguar expert, John Smalley, look after the car for me. He has been through the car from end to end attending to mechanicals and electrics. I first met John in the early ‘90s when I was looking for someone
to build me a special 3.8 litre Jaguar engine. When I visited his workshop in Tahunanui, Nelson, he had Ray Archibald’s factory built Jaguar Mk2 race car in pieces carrying out an overhaul. I was very impressed that the South Island Jaguar agent had entrusted his very special car to John in Nelson, and I knew I had come to the right place. John worked at Archibalds through the ‘60s and again in the ‘80s, and had done much work on the Archibald Jaguar race car. I now have that special 3.8 litre engine in the XK140 and am resting the Special Equipment 3.4 with its C-Type cylinder head. I enjoy the car in its unrestored condition, and can use it in the way the factory intended, and not worry about a few more stone chips. I have managed to either visit or speak to five previous owners of the car, including the first owner Mrs Cantwell. She was very excited to see the car again after so many years, and when I suggested we go for a drive, she trotted off to get her sunglasses. These former owners have been very helpful in providing memories, documents and old photographs, which have enabled me to assemble a comprehensive scrapbook detailing the car’s interesting history. This car has certainly been around the block a few times, and has had many adventures along the way.
Beaded Wheels 35
RALLY SNIPPETS
A round up of notable rallies and events from around our branches
DEAD ENDS TOUR A SIX CAR ADVENTURE 20 November 2022 – 2 December 2022 Wellington Branch Words and photos Ray Betteridge
Wellington Branch members the Benges and Betteridges decided there was a need to address some dead ends in the South Island roads that they had overlooked in the past. Tour participants were Deirdre and John Blakemore (1930 Model A Ford), Joanna and Kevin Buck (1955 Zephyr Zodiac), Alison and John Kinvig (1958 Austin A95), Jocelyn and Colin White (1951 Ford F1), Claire and Bruce Benge (1946 Ford Jailbar) and Tasi and Ray Betteridge (1928 Ford Model A). We left Wellington on Saturday 20 November, crossed the strait and spent the first night at St Arnaud and started the tour proper the next day heading for Hanmer Springs for the night. The two Model As and our ‘46 jailbar headed south up the Matakitaki Valley from the middle of Murchison, to cross the Maruia Saddle Road that joined up to the Shenandoah to Springs Junction. We enjoyed the country road up to the top of the valley, crossed an old bridge over a narrow rocky waterfall before turning right onto the Maruia Saddle Road. This soon turned into a narrow metal road with no fences and grass growing up the middle. Then uphill through native bush to the first of three fords after which the road became even narrower. It was a lot shorter going down the other side of the Maruia Saddle and we were soon on Shenandoah Highway, arriving at Springs Junction to meet up with the others and have lunch. A picturesque drive over the Lewis to arrive at Hanmer Springs. Monday morning and we set off down the main road, eventually turning off toward Leeston and visited an old farmhouse where a young friend of ours, Sarah Jane, was staying. Gerry, the owner, is a Zephyr fan but has other cars also and we were able to have a good look over them before enjoying a picnic lunch on the lawn. Next door there was a beautiful rose garden that we checked out before heading to Timaru for the night. Next morning we headed inland on the road to Fairlie via Pleasant Point where we found a very interesting garage and repair shop with a coffee and dress shop tucked in the ▲ D-Type Replica at Pleasant Point – note the exhausts. 36 Beaded Wheels
corner of a big old warehouse. What a combination. The guys went to the main area to talk to the owner who is restoring Rod Tempero’s D Type Replica which now houses a Toyota V12 engine, while the girls went through the dress collection. On to Geraldine for lunch and a browse through the main street with its many interesting shops. Back to the Pleasant Point turnoff then on SH 8 to Fairlie for coffee and fuel before carrying on over Burkes Pass to turn left at Dog Kennel Corner into Haldon Road then Hakataramea Road, a mainly straight flat road. Having crossed four fords successfully, the Betteridge Model A stopped in its tracks going up a steep rise. Ray managed to run it backwards down the hill and get it off the road and we had our picnic lunch while Ray contacted the AA. Once the tow truck was on its way the rest of us continued on. The road took us through the Hakataramea Pass, down the Hakataramea Valley to the township of the same name, then across the bridge over the Waitaki River to Kurow on SH83 and down the valley to Duntroon where we turn onto the Danseys Pass Road. This was another great gravel road winding through the steep hills to our night’s stay at the, now restored, luxurious Danseys Pass Hotel, a bit of an extravagance but worth it! The rooms were comfortable, and the lounge was a delightful place to relax from the wild roads with a pre-dinner drink and the dinner was superb. Ray and Tasi arrived well after dinnertime, having been to Timaru with the disabled Model A then returned to Danseys Pass in a modern. In the morning we continued down the Danseys Pass Road, through Naseby towards St Bathans and just before its turn off the main road we decided to try another unsealed back road - Home Hills Runs Road. This time we all went. Were the others getting tougher? The road was great to begin with but deteriorated to quite a rough narrow road with five fords, and four gates to open and close. The streams we forded; typically small but braided and looking fairly innocuous, ran into a river close by. We were still hoping for a bridge we could use to cross the main river. The bridge was there alright - or at least the middle, but the approaches were washed out at each end, and not recently either, from the look of the well weathered broken timbers. We watched a modern 4WD in front of us ford the deepest braid of the small river and, deciding it wasn’t passable even for our higher wheeled Fords, took photos and turned back through the four gates and five fords on what, thankfully, seemed a far quicker journey. Even my recently bought Kiwimap still showed the road as continuous. But it was another interesting journey with a dead end. On the main road again, we turned off to St Bathans for lunch at the Vulcan Hotel and a walk around the historic neighborhood and the Blue Lake, formed by diggings during the gold rush. Then on to Queenstown via Clyde and Cromwell. A few of us had
▲ Lord of the Rings territory.
▲ The bridge was down at Hills Run Road – another Dead End!
planned to take an alternative route over Thomsons Gorge track to the north end of Lake Dunston then down to Cromwell but we were running out of time. Once in Queenstown we had an early night as we had long day ahead of us. This morning we set off for the 28 kilometres drive along Glenorchy Rd to visit “A Wild Dream Garden”. Thomas Schneider and his wife Christy have spent 28 years creating this botanic masterpiece. There are poppies the size of saucers, roses of every hue, irises and almost any other colourful plant you can imagine. Interspersed in the garden are sculptures, by Thomas, of figures in yoga positions (none of which I could achieve). The small lake has rainbow trout and eels and the peacocks are so vain. We were also treated to a tour of the house. Thomas’ craftmanship is ever present with bed-ends hand carved from one disc of timber, and much more. After a cuppa we went to Glenorchy and on arrival at the jet boat depot we were disappointed to find our trip up the Dart River had been cancelled due to impending rain. Plan B was to drive up the road to Paradise which was just a yellow AA sign amongst tussock. There were no vacancies, so we continued on the metal road. There were some serious fords to negotiate, with ample water and large rocks, and soon we entered primeval forest dripping with moss and lichen, one could see why this area was used for Lord of the Rings scenery. Eventually we reached another dead end and had to return and cross the Dart River to visit another dead end near Kinloch. We reluctantly returned to Queenstown and it was noted that plan B was every bit as great as plan A. First stop next morning was Arrowtown and it was lovely to visit again before we travelled over the Crown Range for a caffeine fix at Cardrona before continuing to Wanaka. The women enjoyed some retail therapy at Wanaka and after lunch we set out for Haast and as expected things were a bit damp. This didn’t stop John and Deirdre opting to go topless in their Model A despite the rain. We enjoyed a spectacular display from the waterfalls. We stayed In Haast for the night and the next day was a rest day so took a short trip south to the Jackson River. What a fantastic scenic drive in warm sunshine, this is the southernmost dead end on the West Coast. Leaving Haast next morning we were, sadly, drifting in a homeward direction with caffeine at Franz Josef before we reached our destination for the night, the Greymouth Top 10 situated beside the rugged beach littered with interesting rocks and driftwood. Day 11 and another busy day as we needed to reach Karamea with sufficient time to do some exploring in the afternoon. The Pancake Rocks area is always an attraction, especially with no tourists. Once we were settled in at Karamea we returned to the road to travel
north to the Oparara Limestone Arches. It was quite a drive on a very rough road but eventually we arrived at another dead end for a short walk through lovely native bush alongside the beautiful Oparara River to behold this magnificent arch. It was formed 35 million years ago ▲ Oparara Arch – some people can’t read! and measures 200m long x 49m wide x 37m high and is reputed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. After returning to the state highway, we continued to the northernmost dead end on the west coast. This picturesque spot is the start/finish of the Heaphy Track. Back to Karamea for the night. The next morning, we retraced our steps to Westport then on to SH6 alongside the Buller River which had swollen somewhat since we had started travelling along it from its source at the start of this journey. On to Murchison for the night where we had a last taste of whitebait fritters. The local junk shops were well worth a visit before we continued to Richmond for our last night. Next morning we had a leisurely drive to Havelock then took the scenic route to Picton over Queen Charlotte Drive blissfully unaware of recent flood damage. The trip was very slow with frequent stops at traffic lights - what a mess! Arrival at Picton to board the ferry to enjoy a calm crossing to end another fantastic South Island tour.
50TH TAIERI TOUR Otago Branch Words and photos Marion McConachie
What a buzz the 50th Tour was! Normally a one-day event – this year it was run over three days. The organisers had put the word out to other branches a good year prior and this saw a big number of entries come from the Canterbury area. I understand a good number of the Canterbury entrants had planned a three to four day tour to arrive in Dunedin on Friday for registration. Sounds like that trip was a lot of fun too. Some of those on this tour were; Life Member John and Christine Coomber, ‘57 Bentley; Kevin (Beaded Wheels Editor) and Shona Clarkson, 1972 Rover; Don (VCC Archivist) and Marlene Muller, 1981 Fiat – we soon found out why they were doing circuits around the roundabout as they were heading to Saddle Hill. Alon (SI Club Captain) and Cameron Mayhew, 1982 Ford Cortina
Beaded Wheels 37
▲ Original Model A Ford always attracts interest.
▲ O tago: 50th Taieri Tour.
– Yippee! We have managed to find a replacement front passenger door for the Cortina. These were some of the group along with a good number of Ford Model As. Friday 4 November saw the organisers, Travis and Margaret Michelle and David Mills, along with members of the committee move into the Dunedin Rugby Club rooms to set them up for the anticipated arrival of 106 entrants and their crews later that day for registration and briefing. Then it was all on. Saturday morning tea and briefing again – then all the crews headed over to the car park where they needed to check out some items in buckets before heading out on the tour. Three rally routes saw entrants heading in three different directions, often crossing each other’s paths. The slower vehicles heading out of Dunedin and then around the streets of Chatsford Retirement Village in Mosgiel, and a route around Momona Airport carpark area. The medium route went directly out to Mosgiel and then back up via Saddle Hill to Taieri Mouth and Waihola. The long route travelled north through the city and over Three Mile Hill and the western side of the Taieri before being directed around Mosgiel and up Saddle Hill to Taieri Mouth and Waihola – this route offered amazing views of the coast looking south east, and the Taieri Plains as you looked out west. All routes then came together as we travelled to our lunch stop at the Outram Domain. What a sight to see all 100 plus vehicles parked up around the perimeter of the field! A good opportunity for everyone to wander around and catch up with many people we may not have seen for some time. At Outram Domain entrants needed to answer questions in relation to the items they viewed at the start. The trick question being ‘what was under the table?’ Not sure that many got ‘shoe’ for that answer. Prizegiving dinner began with a moment silence for past and absent members, then a very lively Haggis ceremony - Kevin Clarkson, Nicola Wilkinson and Alon Mayhew were nabbed to assist with this – well done guys. Following this Kevin Clarkson was given the opportunity to speak and present Boyd Wilkinson with his 50 Year Award. Next Colin Winter and Robert Herron who had both been entrants on the first Taieri Tour and Marion McConachie noted for having held branch secretary position for 22 years were invited to cut the cake. By this time people were feeling hungry – the meal provided by Barbecue Bill satisfied everyone’s appetite nicely. There
38 Beaded Wheels
▲ O tago: Nicola Michelle and team in 1930 Model A.
was some food left over, which was shared amongst those who drove out to Michelle’s on Sunday. A good number attended for barbecue lunch and a visit to a couple of sheds displaying vintage petrol pumps and other paraphernalia. The Winter family had their 1900 Wolseley Voiturette and 1967 Wolseley 1100 on the tour. Travis’ family had a good showing with their 1917 Moon and four Model As entered, involving his children and grandchildren. Other vehicles of note were – 1978 Ferrari BB, 1986 BMW M635, 1954 BSA B31 motorcycle, 1910 Triumph motorcycle, 1963 Hillman Super Minx, 1936 Chrysler convertible, to name just a few. It was humbling to see that some of the vehicles were now being driven by the younger generation of older members including Mehrtens’ 1924 Delage DI, Harrex’s 1920s Jewett, North’s 1925 Ford Model T. Thanks must go to Cooke Howlison for their sponsorship of the event and Travis and Margaret Michelle as organisers and also opening up their property on Sunday. David Mills and friend Ian as organiser and for the artwork provided for the rally badge (hand drawn by David) placemats, book marks and signage, and the important role of book keeping. Tony Pomfret and Brian Taylor for all the photos There were also many of our members who stood up and helped in many different ways throughout the event. Without their help this tour would not have been the success that it was.
▲ Otago: Olly and Simon Henderson with the 1926 Bentley.
Peter Alderdice 1924 HarleyDavidson
ANNUAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY Auckland Branch Words and photos John Stokes
This year’s Auckland motorcycle rally attracted some 37 entrants. Peter Alderdice and Paul Tomlin upheld vintage honours with the 1924 Harley solo and the 1925 Harley and chair. The entrants had bikes from USA, Britain, Japan, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia. There was very strong out-of-branch support from Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland, Rotorua and Wellsford Branches, these plus a couple of non-VCC entrants accounted for more than a third of the field. The rally was centred on the Port Waikato School Camp, a former Health Camp. The organisers had plotted an event that took in a number of battle sites and redoubts from the Waikato portion of the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. These included the Whangamarino Redoubt from 1863, the Meremere Pa site, Te Wheoro’s Redoubt and the Rangariri Pa site. A most informative pamphlet desribing the sites and battles fought there was provided by the organisers.
Honda GB 500
The rally left the school camp and travelled back towards Tuakau bridge and then on Highway 22 cutting across towards Mercer, into Island Block and then towards Springhill, Whangamarino and into Churchill, before heading to Te Kauwhata School for lunch, there was a short metalled section in the morning, but it was in good condition and didn’t appear to cause anyone problems. The afternoon section covered the Rangariri Pa site then on to Glen Murray, parts of Waimaramara, then to Onewhero, Te Kohanga and back to the school camp for the evening meal and prize presentations. Don Green on his Norton lost the least points. The roads chosen were excellent with little modern traffic, except for about four or five riders on modern sport/road machines who blew the lot of us into the dust, but they too were enjoying the quality of the roads. The run could only be described as an excellent day out.
Mike Hardman 1938 Ariel Square Four
Beaded Wheels 39
ARROWTOWN RUN Southland Branch 12 - 13 November Words and photos Stuart Francis ▲ Lunchtime stop at Kingston golf course.
Lumsden Railway Station was a hive of activity for the start of the 56th Arrowtown Run. It was the usual scene of older machines being taken off trailers and coaxed (some reluctantly) into life, some middle aged machines being checked over after the ride from Invercargill and owners of more modern machines wondering if they will get thumb strain pressing the starter button. The 22 motorcycles lined up for the timed start were an impres-
▲ 1928 Rex-Acme TT8 - Greg Eunson.
▲ 1950 Triumph T100 - Darren Kidd.
40 Beaded Wheels
sive array of machines. The oldest being Nevelle Ridd’s awesome 1922 Henderson Model K DeLuxe, closely followed by Wayne Nicoll’s 1926 Triumph Model P, ridden by his grandson Lucas. Rounding off the 1920s machines was a pair of very rare Rex Acme machines owned by father and son Robert and Greg Eunson; a flat tank 1928 TT8 and a saddle tank 1929 Speed King, both with Blackburne engines (rather than the usual JAPs). Ferg McDowell’s 1939 BSA B26 was the only entry from the 1930s and there were two entries from the 1940s. The 1950s and 1970s were both represented by six machines and the 1980s by three machines, surprisingly there were no entries from the 1960s. The youngest machine was Matt Furness’ 1986 Honda VFR750. The entrants set off from Lumsden accompanied by four moderns. Two routes were available, the short route was just a straight ride on SH 6 to Kingston. The long route took a run out to Mossburn before rejoining SH 6 at the Five Rivers Café. The end of the timed sections for both routes was just outside of Garston, with both routes continuing on to Kingston, (all the usual stopovers, like the Garston pub, have become Covid casualties). As usual the weathermen got it wrong; it poured down from Fairlie to Kingston but it cleared up during lunch. The lunch stop at the Kingston Golf Club, at the top of Lake Wakatipu, was a welcome break, a chance to catch up. Despite a couple of mechanical issues nearly all of the machines got to Kingston. Lucas Nicholl on the 1925 Model P Triumph had a plug problem. The plug was replaced at Kingston, he then rode to Frankton, then back to Invercargill. Tony Warren’s BSA C11 got a puncture in the major road works just after the Five Rivers junction. Your scribe’s 1946 Velocette MAC is ideally suited to the run, my favourite bit is the afternoon run alongside Lake Wakatipu to Frankton. With little tourist traffic, bend swinging along the Devil’s Staircase was an absolute blast, especially when the only vehicle that was potentially going to spoil the fun pulled into a layby. Prizes were awarded at the Frankton pub. Donald Ward on his 1955 AJS model 20 was amazed to win the Arrowtown rally – he was only two seconds out on the timed run! Bob Moore won the Publican’s Choice with his immaculate 1971 BSA Rocket 3. The run back to Lumsden on Sunday morning was uneventful except for one machine running out of petrol.
▲ 1974 Norton Commando, Craig Cunninghame.
▲ 1947 BSA C11 Tony Warren.
MATAKOHE 2022
▲ 1929 Rex-Acme Speed King,Robert Eunson.
▲ 1922 Henderson Model K DeLuxe, Nevelle Ridd.
Northland and Wellsford/Warkworth Branches
Words and photos Steve Cornwall
The weekend of 15-16 October 2022 celebrated this anniversary with contingents of cars from both the Northland and Wellsford/Warkworth Branches. This photo is of Darcy Sterling’s Mercury V8 coupe towing his kauri launch at the 60th anniversary of the founding of the iconic Kauri Museum in Matakohe, Northland.
The Mercury was assembled in 1949 and the launch was built in the early 1950s, from local kauri timber, by a boat builder in Dargaville. This combination of car and launch would have been a familiar sight on the roads of the Otamatea area long before the main road to Dargaville was re-aligned and sealed in the 1960s. The Sterling family have a long association with the Matakohe and Ruawai area and even owned a farm that included a
▲ The pair of Rex-Acmes setting off from Kingston golf course.
golf course with one fairway being used as a landing strip for a WWII Tiger Moth aircraft that they owned. The family were also members of the “Old Time Transport Preservation League” which collected old trams from Auckland and which later formed the basis of the collection of trams at MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology in Point Chevalier, Auckland.
Beaded Wheels 41
tricks of the trade The moral of this story is: Never Let A Chartered Accountant Touch Your Car My 1951 Morgan Plus 4 was retrofitted with front disc brakes by a previous owner, and years ago when I was racing the car I added a split system with a remote booster for the front brakes. Recently the brakes weren’t working very well – in fact not even well enough to switch the stop lights on, so an overhaul was indicated. I stripped the system, sent the calipers to a brake shop, re-kitted the booster and bought a new master cylinder. Reassembled, the brakes bled perfectly. But when I did a road test the pedal went to the floor. I bled the brakes again – perfect, no air. But still the pedal went to the floor. I got the booster tested by the brake guys, blew the lines out with compressed air, and dismantled the new master cylinder. No problems anywhere. Bled the system again – solid fluid all the way. But still no brakes. Consulted various experts but no-one could suggest a reason. Bled again. No pedal.
THE WAY WE WERE Remembering the origins and very early events of the Vintage Car Club as recalled by Andrew Anderson
The second of June 1953 in London was gloomy, misty rain for the Coronation itself. New Zealand house had all visiting New Zealanders among trees along the route to and from the Abbey from which quite a good view of the whole procession could be had. Just a long dismal wet wait between the to and the from processions. The seventh of June, however, turned on a fine day for the Veteran Car Club’s Coronation Rally to Windsor where we had the run of the Green Park and Elizabeth Nagle, then the VCC of Great Britain secretary had me down to sell programmes. For this the Alvis was therefore an official car with the run of the
park and thus a good look at all the best cars of the club! Back home on 2 July the VCC of New Zealand went into recess officially. As usual with us, the young proceeded to keep the ship afloat! Long before my departure Rob and I discovered a very complete veteran Sideley Deasy in Sumner and David Barker happily took it on. He had just finished school but had very supportive parents who put up with the car in their somewhat cramped yard! Dave took on the post of interim secretary to Frank Blandford’s interim chair and kept everyone in touch with his first two issues of his Guff Sheet!
It took a month to solve the problem. Bleeding yet again (the tenth time at least) by pure luck I noticed that on each caliper the bleed nipple was below the flexible supply hose. Reason: I had fitted the left caliper on the right, and vice versa. Well they weren’t marked Left and Right. Not even Debit and Credit for Chartered Accountants. Nor even Port and Starboard for boaties. I swapped them over, bled them again, and now I have excellent brakes. The moral of this story is: never let a chartered accountant touch your car. … In fact don’t even let him in your garage. PS. Save your marriage by single-handed brake bleeding. Get a spare cap for your reservoir, fit an ordinary compressed-air union, and turn your air-compressor down to 4 pounds psi, or .3 bar. Brake bleeding without assistance will then be a dream provided, that is, you haven’t got the calipers on the wrong sides.
s 7 June 1953: Pat and Pauline, Moll’s old school friends in the car with Moll looking on, Andrew is off officialising!
Supplied to Beaded Wheels by Marsden B Robinson
Beaded Wheels is always looking for hints of a technical nature. If you have a top tip that deserves a wider audience email us today and we can help spread the word.
42 Beaded Wheels
s
If you don’t have an air compressor, use your spare tyre. Mount the valve from an old inner tube, with the inner valve removed, on a spare reservoir cap, fit a piece of rubber tube to it. Drop your spare tyre to 4 psi. Then in one swift action remove the inner valve and slap the other end of the rubber tube onto the outer part of the valve. You’ll probably have a leak or two, but it should work.
Excerpt from The Guff Sheet June 1953. The full newsletter is available on the VCC club website at vcc.org.nz.
ARCHIVIST NEWS Our club archive is located at the VCCNZ National Office in Christchurch and is open to visitors on Friday mornings. It contains a wealth of historic material, a lot of which has been digitised. It is well worth a visit or if you have any queries do get in contact with our archivist Don Muller phone 03 385 6850 or archivist@vcc.org.nz.
BEN NEVIS CONQUERED Ford Model T 1911 and Ford Model A 1928 For all the Ford T and A owners, here is a great story of a car and its driver who in 1911 with extreme difficulty, drove to the top of Ben Nevis and back, conquering Britain’s highest mountain (1,345m). It’s not the height, it is the ruggedness of the terrain that made this ascent extremely difficult. At the Archive there is a great book, A Centenary Celebration of the Conquest of Ben Nevis 1911-2011. ISBN 9780956011817, published in 2011 by The Ford Model T Register of Great Britain. The book is about the achievement of a standard American made 1911 20hp Ford Model T tourer, with its mud guards, windscreen, and the lights removed. The fuel tank position was elevated to behind the front seat to prevent fuel starvation on the steep inclines. After a gruelling seven days they had worn out five sets of Parsons Nonslip Chains. The editor of the Motor World UK suggested to the Ford company that they should promote the Ford T by driving it to the top of Ben Nevis, witnessed by the UK and motoring press, a feat that had never been done before. Henry Alexander the son of the Ford dealership’s owner in Edinburgh, was chosen to be the driver. On Monday 8 May 1911 the lone Ford T departed from Fort William, attempting the ascent by the normal walking track,
but this was abandoned and a northern route via Torlundy was chosen. This new route was not wide enough for a car in many places, so a gang of workmen widened the boulder strewn path, but many sections were still only just wide enough for the Ford Ts wheels to fit, with a 500-foot drop on one side. Because of the light weight of the Ford and the cross sprung perching of the chassis allowed it to twist and clamber on all fours like a cat, which made negotiating the rocking terrain and steep tight corners relatively easy. On Saturday 13 May after six days, and four nights on the mountain, with the last day fighting through deep snow, the summit was reached. As the Ford T has only two gears, the low gear pedal had to be held down for more than 28 hours during the trip. Each night everyone in the party would return to Fort William on horseback, to repeat it all again the next day. The press were not invited to attend until the Ford was at the summit, so the car waited four days, for the arrival of more press reporters, to gain the maximum publicity. On 17 May the treacherous descent commenced from the summit to Halfway House where the car was rested for a further night. It was described as 2½ hours of constant thrill, slithering down
the gradient of 1 in 3 hanging a wheel over a precipice, then corkscrewing around a corner with death on three sides with the plucky driver looking like he was enjoying it. The ascent required determination, but the descent demanded the most skill and courage from the driver. The descent took a heavy strain on the brakes and mechanics of car, but there were no breakages, the only repairs were adjusting the brakes.
Nevis by 70 people, where it was reassembled. If you Google “Ford T Motors over Ben Nevis” there is a rare seven min video. Thanks to the Model T Ford Register of Great Britain for permission to use their book, especially Chris Barker Librarian and Archivist, who compiled it.
The car reached Fort William at 1pm on 18 May where the adventurous Henry Alexander and Ford Model T were both given a truly Highland welcome. At the head of the parade was a gentleman with a wheel barrow, the only person to have climbed Ben Nevis pushing one. At the finish the car was successfully driven home to Edinburgh. This was a great motoring achievement for both car and driver. In 1911 Ford UK sold 1,484 Ford Ts, reaching 16,204 in 1916. Their publicity was a success. On 13 September 1928, a Ford Model A also made the return trip to the summit of Ben Nevis, this time using the normal walking route via Glen Nevis. During the 2011 celebrations, a Model Ford T was driven half way up the mountain, as far as it was allowed to go. Another Ford T was carried in pieces, less its engine, to the top of Ben
Don Muller Archivist archivist@vcc.org.nz
Beaded Wheels 43
MARKET PLACE FOR SALE Terms and conditions CLASSIFIED RATES Due to space limitation, classified advertisers should refrain from the use of dashes, spaces, blank lines and formatting. All classified rates include GST. The 45 word limit includes contact details. Advertisers requiring ads longer than the standard 45 words, or who require typography or space, must apply display rates. The advertising department reserves the right to edit or return classifieds not meeting the criteria Member of Vintage Car Club: No charge for text or photo classified advertising. Members must be financial and identify their Branch. Limited to one free advert per issue, maximum of three insertions per advertisement. Non Member: $21 for first 45 words or part thereof. Text in a Boxed Ad : $24 non-members* Colour Photo Ad in Box: $56 non-members, enclose a clear photo and an SAE if return required.* Advertisements should be typed or clearly printed or submitted through vcc.org.nz/ beadedwheels. Advertising Email address: beadedwheels@vcc.org. nz Advert and Payment: to arrive not later than 10th of month preceding publication. Payment by Credit card or Internet banking (for Internet banking details email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz). DISPLAY RATES* (gst exclusive) Casual (per issue) 3 Issues (per issue) Full Page $900 $720 Half Page $530 $390 Horizontal ¼ Page $270 $216 All display rates quoted exclude GST and are for finished digital artwork supplied. Artwork can be arranged at an extra charge. Deadline for copy 10th of month preceding publication. Beaded Wheels will consider articles of a technical nature for inclusion in its editorial space. Beaded Wheels however regrets that it is not able to offer editorial space for advertisements nor for the promotion of products. Marketplace advertising cancellations received in writing prior to advertising deadline will be refunded in full. Where possible Beaded Wheels will refund 70% of the advertisement cost for any cancellations received after the booking deadline. *Payment by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 4% Beaded Wheels makes every effort to ensure no misleading claims are made by advertisers, responsibility cannot be accepted by Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) for the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not be construed as endorsement of it by Beaded Wheels or by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.). No liability can be accepted for non-appearance of advertisements and the text of all advertisements is subject to the approval of the editor who reserves the right to refuse any advertisements which are not compatible with the aims, objectives, and standards of Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) In accordance with the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 Beaded Wheels will not publish any advertisement which indicates or could reasonably be understood as indicating an intention to discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, religious or ethical beliefs. Advertisers should take all care in drafting advertisements as they could be held liable, as well as Beaded Wheels and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.).
44 Beaded Wheels
1910 WOLSELEY SIDDELEY 12/16. Chassis No.4576 Monobloc 4cyl engine No.170747 only available 1910. Fully rebuilt mechanically. new wheels, wooden 2 seater body. Also sets front stub axles for 14 HP and 40/50 HP models. Crankshaft and flywheel for 14 HP? Details at sigleyjrex@ gmail.com. ph 027 2720584. MEM. MARLBOROUGH 1926 MODEL T RACEABOUT r educed from $45,000 to $32,000. 1926 Model T tourer reduced from $32,000 to $19,000, 1931 Model A Traveller reduced from $57,000 to $19,000. No compliance. 1931 Model A raceabout selling for $65,000. (Stunning vehicle). The above two Ts are pictured in issue 379. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h for pics and info. 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 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz 1926 BUICK ROADSTER, 6 cylinder, cream & black paint, reg on hold, starts and runs. Good, tidy original car, advertised on trademe. Can be viewed in Auckland. Offers over $30,000. Email: Briannicky@xtra.co.nz Ph 027 659 1724 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 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 1928 WILLYS OVERLAND WHIPPET c oupe/soft top. It is completely disassembled apart from the chassis, wheels, engine and radiator. All parts are there as far as I know. This vehicle was my father’s who will be able to answer any questions. Ph 027 204 2123
GOT VIBRATION PROBLEMS?
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 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz 1955 MORRIS MINOR TOURER (CONVERTIBLE) restoration project (Disassembled) have original ownership papers but registration has lapsed. Located in Palmerston Otago. $2,500 ph Steve McDonald 027 928 0002 MEM NORTH OTAGO. 1986 MITSUBISHI L200 FLAT DECK TRUCK. No cab. All chassis and running gear, brakes etc there. This was my daily driver until a tree blew down and crushed the cab. Lots of near new parts fitted. Email: mickeyrat@windowslive.com Ph 021 177 3328. MEM BOP A60 RECOND SHORT BLOCK, ‘29 Buick motor and g/box, Triumph NOS 2000/2.5 rear hubs and discs, good ‘56 Oxford and ‘53 Sunbeam boot-lids, early Chev truck bonnet and doors, wide range of New Departure bearings, genuine good Stag wheels. Alastair 07 576 1124 BOP PARTS SHED BENTLEY MK 6 GEARBOX, complete in working order. $1500. forkpart@xtra.co.nz BUICK 1924 MCLAUGHLIN TOURER. One lady owner. Fully refurbished. Genuine 31,776 miles. Original ownership paper, excellent body work. Should really go to a museum. $36,000 Ph Peter Lowe, Paeroa. 07 862 7418. MEM WAIKATO. DYKES AUTOMOBILE ENCYCLOPEDIA 1929, Floyd Clymer early seventies # 3, 4, 5 historical motor scrapbooks, large Harley-Davidson book collection, plus many more motorcycle books, all very good condition. Further enquires welcome. Bob Bullock. Mob 021 146 0578, rjbullock38@gmail.com MEM NELSON GOOD PROJECT 1934 Bedford panel van model ASXC. Requires complete rebuild. All parts plus spares present including new tyres. Factory model based on Vauxhall car 14/6 produced at Petone Wellington. $1,000. To View contact Mark Cooper Ph 027 498 6039. MORRIS MINOR 1930S c hassis and scuttle, guards and other bits $1000 ono. Ph Bill 06 758 4244 . MEM TARANAKI
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 engine repairs. 027 666 3350 or 07 863 3350 damperdude@gmail.com
HUMBER ABOUT 1921 90% complete, new body and tyres $5,000. photos available. Forkpart@xtra.co.nz
1937 CHRYSLER/DODGE/PLYMOUTH. Rolling chassis with diff 4 wheels and tyres. Front suspension steering box, column and steering wheel. Front and rear seat frames. Brake Master cyl and pedal and clutch pedal. Sell complete $500. Ph Mark Smith 03 314 4114, leave message.
PENRITE OILS W e carry a large range from vintage to modern engines. Gearbox, diff, SU dashpot and water pump grease. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz
MG BOOKS 20 in the collection. All excellent condition. Covers OHC Model. T Type & MGA can be sold as one lot or individual copies. Please call for full details. Dennis 07 348 8448. MEM ROTORUA
MARKET PLACE
RUSHMORE MOTORS LTD can market your Veteran, Vintage or Classic car immediately. We have great success with most makes and listing a vehicle it is completely free. We hold a huge database of prospective buyers and we endeavour to match sellers with buyers. If you have an unused vehicle sitting in your garage and would like your bank balance considerably enhanced, give us a call on 027 2245 045 inc a/h. rushmoremotors@xtra.co.nz
VALVES exhaust quality stainless for vintage engines. Supplied semi finished with a range of stem and head sizes for machining to dimensions required. Contact George Calder, phone 03 338 5372 or email gandkcalder@ gmail.com
1947 PACKARD CLIPPER DELUX 6 NZ new. Bare metal body restoration and retrim. Factory overdrive, radio and heater. Motor recently fully reconditioned. Can cruise at 95 to 100kph. New WoF and rego. Price $52,000. Contact Barry phone 027 443 5479. MEM TAUPO
JAGUAR MK8 GRILL. O ffers. Phone Richard 03 383 2077, Christchurch. MEM CANTERBURY LARGE SHED WITH CARPORT AND HOUSE Shed 108 m2 with car port 66 m2 and house. On tidal river near Whangarei. Bush waterfalls and pond. 110 m2 architect designed house with sleepout and garage. Ten minutes to city edge or coast. Bruce 09 437 7077, bruceyoung@xtra.co.nz. MEM NORTHLAND
VAUXHALL 10 BUMPER CRANK HANDLE INSERT Removable cover. $25. Phone 027 287 1634. MEM BAY OF PLENTY
MYFORD SUPER 7 LATHE f or sale with attachments and accessories. Offers please. Phone 021 023 33 948. MEM CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY. NORTON COMMANDO INTERSTATE. 850 1973 . 8,340 miles. Close to new condition. Been owned by collectors. Started regularly. Reg on hold. $25.000 firm. Bike in Manawatu. Email: wandj1340@xtra.co.nz PARTS FOR SALE CHEVROLET 1929-1931. Two de-carb sets. Two front brake cables, radiator 1948 WOLSELEY 8HP. A rare opportunity to cap 1929/1930, interior and exterior door handles. purchase. Less than 50 believed imported into the Brushes for both generator and starter motor. country. Partially restored with an abundance of Set of points and other parts. Ph 027 434 5636. extras difficult to obtain including gears, chrome MEM ASHBURTON work, and backup spares, from years of meticulous salvaging. Ph Ivan 021 233 8953. MEM BOP PENRITE ENGINE COOLANT
AAA BADGE FOR SALE. Royal Automobile Club Associate Auckland Automobile Association. $350. Phone Evan or Wyn 07 346 0458. MEM ROTORUA
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 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz VINTAGE CAR REPAIRS
All Classic and Vintage Car restoration. • Panel making • Wooden body repairs, • Bumpers and moulding repair • Competitive hourly rate. Unit 1 11 Penn Place, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch
Phone Grant 341 5100 or 027 223 9474 granttvin@gmail.com
1970 XJ6 JAG. SERIES 3. Fuel injected. Engine rebuilt. Repainted, New headlining. Whanganui. $25,000. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h
1920 FORD MODEL T COUPE. NZ New. In excellent condition. Right Hand Drive. 2 Spare Wheels + many other spare parts. Coil Ignition, Stewart Speedo. More photos available on request. $33,000.00 ono. Located in Nelson. Contact Roy 021-0271 0374
1933 RILEY 9 TOURER – Reluctanct sale after 20 years of fun. Time to let go. Recent concours winner. Twin carbs and new crank. Four seater convertible. Very comfortable, presentable and reliable. $39,000. Ph 07 855 2631 to discuss. MEM WAIKATO
4 REBUILT WIRE WHEELS HUBS r espoked to new well side rims 6 5 ⁄ 8″ by 5½″ inside well. 6 5 ⁄ 8 studs @ 7½″ centres, 24 outer spokes 7 ¼″ x 3 ⁄ 16″. 48 inner spokes 5 ¼” x 3 ⁄ 16”. Suitable for 600/650/700 x 18 tyres. Never used, abandoned project. Best offer. (tyres not inc). Ph: Geoff Gaudin 07 543 2113, 027 413 1869, viv.geoff@kinect.co.nz MEM BAY OF PLENTY
VETERAN PARTS DREADNAUGHT HEAD LIGHTS, divers tail lights, Bosch DF4 mag, m/cycle gas headlight, fuel air pump, Austin 21” steel wheels, Sunbeam Watford speedo and clock. Ph 07 348 4227. MEM ROTORUA
Beaded Wheels 45
MARKET PLACE
MAGNETO AND COIL WINDING SERVICES Magneto repairs, coil rewinding. We buy and sell magnetos, except aircraft. Phone Warwick 027 281 8066, Email: walandlynn@farmside.co.nz MEM
1947 TRIUMPH ROADSTER owned this car for almost 30 years and is well loved, and in good running order. WoF & Reg. Orig leather in good condition, new tyres. This car is identical to one made famous by the television program Bergerac. Would like to pass it on to the next generation for safekeeping. $45,000. Ph 027 497 0980, brianandisabel@hotmail.com
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 & BA15 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 027 311 6563 , Amuri Motorcycles, 2C Birmingham Drive, Christchurch. Email modelboatsupplies@snap.net.nz
1937 NASH LAFAYETTE V ery nice condition with many factory extras inc o/drive, radio, heater and wheel spats. Fully refurbished interior, w/wall tyres. Good usable classic. Reg & WoF. $21,000. Ph Ray 027 696 2965. MEM WEST COAST
1916 MODEL T FORD Complete restoration. All parts sourced to make electric start. (not done at this stage). Many spares including an engine, radiator and wheels that may be available at time of purchase. Reg & WoF. $37,000. Location Wanaka. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h.
1934 CHRYSLER FOR SALE, immaculate condition. $90,000 negotiable. Phone Lee-Anne 0274 354 811.
VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes. Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier, acjones760@gmail.com MEM
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, sandvo@callsouth.net.nz MEM MANAWATU PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & ODDBALL ENGINES. We can supply piston sets for most makes and models. All piston sets come complete with rings and gudgeons. We have over 700 listings at competitive prices. M S COOMBES LTD 344 ST ASAPH ST, CHRISTCHURCH Ph: 03 366 7463 E: info@mscoombes.co.nz
BOOK YOUR ADVERTS ONLINE
Just visit the club website vcc.org.nz to book your classified advertisement for the next issue of Beaded Wheels. Our deadline for receipt of advertising for our April 2023 issue is 10 March.
46 Beaded Wheels
1969 MORRIS 6 CYL FGK 60 R estored tip truck in Timaru. 39,744 miles original. Manuals and history. Registered, CoF, & hub meter current. Spare glass. New Rubber, 4 speed box. Garage stored. Ph 03 684 5775, 027 860 2898 or email: bossnme@xtra.co.nz. MEM BAY OF PLENTY
1983 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE GL, done 209,166 kms, Rego expires 1-4-23, just failed WoF on rust on inside bottom of driver’s and left rear door. Runs and drives very well, overall tidy. Email for more pics and to make an offer to: andrewgrieve57@ gmail.com MEM WANGANUI
VINTAGE ENGINE SHORT BLOCKS We can in most cases rebuild your short block using modern shell bearings, 1939 VAUXHALL 12. REGO ON HOLD Minor repairs new pistons and rebuilt oil pump. required for WoF. Selling due to ill health. Offers Please contact us for more information. wanted. Lots of spares. Phone Diane 027 867 7219, M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, dianeejanes@xtra.co.nz MEM WELLINGTON Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz
MARKET PLACE
1965 S TYPE JAGUAR. W hite with spoked wheels. 116,382 miles four new tyres and warranted and registered and is running beautifully. We have original ownership papers and number plate. In excellent original condition inside but the head lining has been replaced. $35,000. Inquiries 027 454 5790. MEM CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY
1924 RUGBY TOURER FOR SALE. R estored by my late father in the ‘70s, including engine tidy up. In good condition. No WoF, Registration on hold. Runs well, last used in June. Located in Ashburton. $12,000 ono. Contact Maree 021 738 348 for more info, viewing welcome. MEM ASHBURTON
SUNBEAM TIGER REPLICA 302 V8 C 4 auto hard top and new soft top power steering electric windows drives beautifully built by the late David Craw. Immaculate condition. Phone John Milligan 027 434 7436 MEM BANKS PENINSULA
1991 TOYOTA CORONA G LX1 SEDAN. Low Km 1922 REPUBLIC TRUCK Runs well and been used 123,000 (76,000 miles). Qualifies as club P80 Class for a variety of occasions plus been on show at vehicle. Very well looked after and serviced. Current local vintage machinery shows. Ideal for wedding Rego and WoF. NZ new. $5,000. Ph 021 133 0408. parties, funerals, fun rides for children etc. Location MEM OTAGO Waikanae. Lycoming 4 cyl. $22,000. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h.
MODEL A FORD SHOCK ABSORBERS New Zealand made, new as original. If your old shock can be rebuilt, cost is $240. Postal Delivery extra. Arms and all connecting parts available. Phone Jack 03 352 6672, 0274 322 041 Christchurch. MEM CANTERBURY
1956 MK1 ZEPHYR In remarkable condition. Many receipts available. Very straight with no rust. Road noise proofed and undersealed. Motor runs beautifully and gearbox rebuilt. Location Horowhenua. $35,000. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h.
1957 JAGUAR MK7 M. 3.4L. K ept very dry. No rust. Reg on hold. Ex. upholstery. Small tear in the headlining. Leather good. Auto. Bench seat. $22,000. Sold ‘as is’. Needs exhaust repair and brake work. Drives well at 60 to 70 mph. Carpets good. Paintwork requires cut and polish. Owned 25 years. Arrowtown. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h.
1990 HONDA ZOOK. Rare one-year-only model features 50cc engine (same family as Nifty Fifty) and auto box. Runs well, 40 kph top speed. Rego on-hold. Fun entry-level classic. Located in Waihi. For more information, email: pteeboy@hotmail. com or ph/text: 021 146 4568. MEM AUCKLAND
1927 CHRYSLER 50 Full restored by the previous owner. Engine recon, new upholstery. Runs well. Drive away. Three speed gearbox and mechanical brakes. Indicators fitted for safety. Lots of spares inc. a wicker trunk for the rear carrier. New WoF and rego. $19,500. Balclutha. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h.
1930 RILEY 9 TOURER, R ecent engine overhaul 1972 MERCEDES BENZ SL R107. S oft top/hard (rebore, rings, bearings, cams, mag). Colonial bodied top. Reg & WoF. Original unrestored. V8 Electronic and full wet weather hood etc. New WoF. Current Injection – D Jet. 4 stage auto - recon. Minor rust owner 18 years. $17000 ono. Call Mike 021 936 062. removed, new hood and hard top reupholstered MEM WAITEMATA 10 – 15 years ago. Paintwork very good condition. Chrome excellent. $34,500. Location Napier. Contact Rushmore Motors Ltd 027 2245 045 inc a/h. Beaded Wheels 47
MARKET PLACE WANTED 1928 DODGE SIX-SPLINE AXLES. C ould the gentleman who has two of these please call me again. I lost your phone number – sorry. Does anyone know where I could find a chassis with the later four-wheel brakes or a parts car. It would need to be in the South Island. Kevin Casey 03 453 0818, caseyleadlights@xtra.co.nz MEM OTAGO PANTHER MOTORCYCLE PARTS For 1938 Model 95 (500cc). Need front & rear frames to build a complete bike from a partial M95 engine. As per factory drawings shown; are they in your cupboard unidentified? If so I’d love to hear from you. Also looking for Enfield 8” half hub rear wheel and 7” half CASTLE 1207 OR 12076 BRASS HEADLIGHT Wanted hub front wheel, lighting set and control levers for 1” to buy. . Also H and B model 1000 brass sidelight. handlebars. Possible exchange for 350cc M75 frame Phone John 06 751 5554, megandjohnny@xtra. (front and rear), LWT Dowty forks and engines. Any co.nz MEM TARANAKI parts or leads appreciated. Thanks to those that have replied previously. David Broadhead 021 324 DECK RUNNERS for 1956 Mainline ute. Ph 03 302 762 dbroadhe@xtra.co.nz MEM AUCKLAND 8039. MEM ASHBURTON 1990 TO 94 FORD LASER TX3i. 1800 twin cam. 3 door hatch. NZ new. Mint condition. Low km. 1913 swift car parts. Packard memorabilia. Steam engine. Andrew marshall 027 611 6225. Email steamer.boy@gmail.com MEM CANTERBURY
DKW HOBBY SCOOTER PARTS WANTED f or a DKW Hobby scooter. Phone Simon 0274 410 035 or email si.fraser@xtra.co.nz MEM CANTERBURY GEARBOX WANTED. A complete gearbox for an 1948 to 1953 Austin 16/4. Phone John Kinvig 0274 524 326 or 04 234 1262. MEM WELLINGTON
WANTED FOR 1967 RILEY ELF, a pair of rear overriders as shown below. If anyone has one or two available, or knows of someone who may have some, please contact Peter on 021 057 0078. MEM CANTERBURY
GEARBOX FOR 1903 TWIN CYLINDER ARGYLL. This has a separate lever for reverse. Any other Argyll parts would be welcomed as I have contact with other Argyll owners looking for parts. email; jendale@gmail.com Dale Conlon. MEM NELSON
HOOD BOWS OR PARTS THEREOF t o suit 1926 Chrysler Tourer. Any help greatly appreciated. Carl Gaudin ph 06 370 2112 or 027 295 2145. MEM WAIRARAPA. WANTED A 1913-16 VEE SHAPED OAKLAND JAGUAR MARK 1 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. radiator for my Curtiss OX5 engined special to be Must be in very good condition, have current rego built on a 1916 Oakland chassis. Any other veteran and a new WOF. Would also consider a Mark VII. Oakland chassis parts appreciated. For reference google ROMANO Special. Bill Cowie 027 221 8341 or Please phone Bruce at 06 753 3169. bilco1915@gmail.com BANKS PENINSULA MORRIS 25 RUNNING BOARDS f or 1939 Morris 25 JAGUAR MK 4/MK 5 bare block for 3½ litre engine. car wanted. Mine went away for repair & were lost. bell-housing and gearbox optional. Please contact Contact Ian Jenner 021 923 156. MEM AUCKLAND MEM CANTERBURY MESSERSCHMITT OR BMW ISETTA WANTED in Monty, 021 0226 1295 . MOTORCYCLE PARTS WANTED: Front wheel 20 any condition complete or not, required to keep an inch, 36 or 40 spoked British motor brake girder old fella off the streets for a year or two. Reply to fork hub or similar. Back wheel 19 inch, 40 spoked 021 102 8717 or email:sangimmie@gmail.com British motor brake hub, LH sprocket/brake drum or similar. Just hubs for above ok. Wayne WANTED TO BUY :- A COMPLETE REAR AXLE for 07 863 7232, pam.wayne.c@gmail.com an Austin A90 Atlantic. Please phone John Kinvig 0274 524 326 or 04 234 1262. MEM WELLINGTON MEM BAY OF PLENTY ORIGINAL CRANKHANDLE WANTED for a 1925 TRIUMPH LS (BABY) PARTS OR PROJECT WANTED Rugby. Phone Graham 07 308 7683, 0274 773 731. Any veteran Triumph and King Dick or Alldays Matchless parts some swaps available. Email MEM BAY OF PLENTY veterantriumph@gmail.com . MEM WELLINGTON SUNBEAM ALPINE SERIES V HARD TOP TOGGLE LATCHES WANTED. These are the forward two that attach to the windscreen top rail. Also required are the hardtop gutter mouldings, and the hardtop rear screen mouldings. Contact John at 03 5775087 or jamanamas@outlook.com MEM.MARLBOROUGH
MARCHAL OR LUCAS HEADLAMPS 1 0 (ten) inch single spoke, a set of, as per photo. Phone 06 278 6937 email ijs@xtra.co.nz. MEM TARANAKI
TILTRAY FLAT LENS. G uide Ph Russell Wallace, Ph 021 0245 7984, rwallacebuick@gmail.com. TRIUMPH 2500 PI LUCAS INJECTION PARTS especially intake throttle butterfly assemblies to SHELLEY 7” JACK FOR 1937 MG VA. Has following complete the restoration of my car. Also exhaust castings “31 SHELLEY” vertically on one side and manifold and wooden instrument dash section. “7 INCH” vertically on the other. Any condition but INLET MANIFOLDS FOR 1950-53 A40 SPORTS. Ph Roger Lusby 027 410 0889, rlusby@xtra.co.nz restorable. Ph 027 247 2674, elmar@gailitis.com. Please check your shed so I can get my A40 sports MEM NELSON MEM WELLINGTON back to original. Carbs (SU) are sorted just need manifold. Phone George Tier 09 439 8911. 48 Beaded Wheels
SWAP MEETS & RALLIES
All vehicles entered in National And International Rallies must hold a current VehicIe Identity Card (VIC).
NELSON
SWAP MEET
BAZAAR 11 MARCH 2023 VCCNZ Ashburton Branch
SWAPMEET
Saturday 6 May 2023 Club Grounds 86 Maronan Road, Tinwald Ashburton No Dogs Allowed • Catering by Ashburton Lions Club
Site Bookings to Karen Bell 72 Creek Rd Ashburton 7700 Email: funky_gran117@yahoo.co.nz Phone 021 0243 1955
Gates Open 7.30am
Speedway Grounds – Lansdowne Road, Richmond Site sales and registrations now open online at
www.nelsonvcc.org.nz/book-a-site EMAIL nelson@vcc.org.nz
Food and drink available on site Site and Cars for sale : $15 (Both above include 1 entry) Entry non-site holders $5 Gates open; 7am Stall Holders 8am Public.
Swap Meet Gore Swap Meet And Boot Sale Run by the Gore Vintage Car Club
SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2023 WAIMEA STREET, GORE – 8AM START
7 MAY 2023
Hot Food Available Admittance Adults $5 Accompanied Children Free
Sellers’ Stalls $10 (includes one free entry) (If you have items you wish to sell please come along and set up a stall) Enquiries to Gerry 03 208 5806, 027 233 4634 or Katherine 021 261 6986
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 $69 or 12 issues $135 New Zealand 6 Issues AUD$117 or 12 issues AUD$231 Overseas 6 Issues AUD$150 or 12 issues AUD$297 VISA – MASTERCARD AVAILABLE EDDIE FORD PUBLICATIONS P/L 29 LYONS ST, NEWSTEAD VIC 3462, AUSTRALIA.
PH 61 3 5476 2212 RESTOREDCARSMAGAZINE.COM
Saturday 25 February 2023 Swap Meet starts at 7.00 a.m. Entry: Sellers $10.00 Buyers/Browsers $5.00 Children (under 12) Free Vintage Car Display - Car Parts Old & New - Motoring Books & Manuals Collectibles – Bric-a-Brac Refreshments – Sausage Sizzle – Bacon Butties
Venue: Wellsford/Warkworth Vintage Car Clubrooms Satellite Station Rd –off SH 1 – 3km south of Warkworth All enquiries to 027 423 8122 or wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz
Beaded Wheels 49
IRISH WOMANS R ALLY MARCH 11 & 12 2023 Hosted by
WANGANUI BRANCH
6th National Commercial Rally 2023 Friday 20th to 23rd October Labour Weekend REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: Rally Secretary - Linda O’Keeffe 0274 733 767 Treasurer - Neil Farrer 027 457 9634 Email: natcomrally2023@gmail.com
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION EARLY!!
Join us on a fun weekend in the South Waikato travelling mainly off ffrroad for cars from before 1931. Limited numbers Contact: southwaikato@vcc.org.nz or Pieter on 0274845071
2023 SOUTH ISLAND
CLUB CAPTAIN’S TOUR
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
18 March 19 March 20 March 21 March 22 March 23 March 21 March 24 March 25 March
Ashburton Rangiora Cheviot Hanmer Murchison Hokitika Hanmer Springs Haast Cromwell
25 MARCH 2023 80km run with evening dinner at Shantytown
SCENICLAND RALLY
Entrants may join and leave at any point of the tour. Accommodation list and entry forms are available from Alon Mayhew 027 202 9491 Email sicc@vcc.org.nz or alon.tracy@xtra.co.nz As there is limited accommodation in some areas, prompt booking is recommended.
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
50 Beaded Wheels
Entry forms available from your branch secretary or email enquiries to John Canning on johncanning2022@gmail.com
NORTH SHORE BRANCH VCCNZ
50
Anniversary Celebration
th th
AWARDS Congratulations to the following members who have been awarded their 50 and 60 Year Awards.
SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2023
50 YEAR
OPEN DAY and MORNING RALLY
Bainbridge, Andrew Rotorua Baird, Rodger Sth Canty Buckley, Peter Bay of Plenty Buckley, Kelvin Bay of Plenty Croft, John Canterbury Dawson, John Waimate Dymond, Ian Nelson Elder, Greg Gore Branch Evans, Graham Canterbury Genet, Owen Canterbury Grace, Brian Sth Canty Hammer, Ronald Sth Canty Harvey, John Taupo Hobbs, Anthony Sth Canty Hicks, Paul Wellsfd/Wkwth Kayton, Angus Central Otago McGaughey, Owen Waikato
All members of VCC Branches and One-Make car clubs are cordially invited to join the North Harbour Branch of the Vintage Car Club for: Morning Rally Coffee Cart Tours of the restoration and storage sheds
All day sausage sizzle – with real snarlers
Rides in the 1924 Dennis Bus and 1934 Chevrolet Fire Engine
Open Day and Rally start at 9.30.
Competitive and touring morning rally starts from NSVCC Clubrooms, Masons Road. See our website for entry form. www.northshorevccc or look up our Facebook page
60 YEAR
Duckworth, Ron Canterbury Ferner, Martin Wellington Gordon, David Wairarapa Howell, Ian Wanganui
Just turn up at any time on Sunday to meet our members and see our cars.
Beaded Wheels
CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 70 YEARS
No. 352 June/July 2018
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95
A subscription to Beaded Wheels will save on the newstand price BEADED WHEELS and guarantee you don’t miss a single issue at the same time. CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS
CLASSIC RACING AND TIME TRIAL ACTION FROM RUAPUNA AND CHELSEA
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Matthews, Winston Far North Maude, James Rotorua Moore, Garth Canterbury Munro, Bevney Wellington Nelson, Roger Rotorua Page, Robert Wellsfd/Wkwth Ritchie, Jim Canterbury Skelton, Bill Rotorua Stott, Grant Wellsfd/Wkwth Taylor, Lee Wanganui Turley, John Canterbury Rhodes, Neville Wanganui Vesey, Ross Canterbury Warren, Selwyn Wellington Whimp, Dennis Rotorua Wilkinson, Boyd Otago
Lane, David North Shore Sew Hoy, Ron Canterbury Taylor, Martin Wellington White, Roger Wellington
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MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
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TRADE DIRECTORY
Repairers and Restorers of Vintage and Classic Instruments Speedo Cables repaired or made new to order 13 Fleming Street, Onehunga, Auckland
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Experienced expert technician Bruce Chaytor ph 021 631 700 Nicolette Prangley 021 166 8374
We Specialise In • Custom Made Spokes • Speedway Wheels Rim and Frame Lining • Wheel Building & Truing • Complete Wheel Restoration
nap.chaytor@gmail.com 5 Gibbs Place, Kinloch, RD1, Taupo 3377
Vintage – Classic – Modern Craig & Debbie Hambling
Phone 06 324 8345 Mobile 027 231 7864
FOR THE REPAIR & RESTORATION OF ALL CLASSIC OR VINTAGE CARS & MOTORCYCLES
410 Green Road, RD 6, Palmerston North Day or Night
MARLBOROUGH MAGNETOS
CARBURETTOR SPECIALISTS
Hard-to-get parts manufactured
Coil Only service for DIY assembly
Magdyno and Maglita units restored
Curiosities investigated
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Contact Paul Radmall at paul@magnetos.co.nz
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Full reconditioning service Carburettor body, re-bushing and shafts supplied. Specialising in Weber, Holley, SU, Stormberg, etc
40 YEARS TRADE EXPERIENCE Contact: GRAEME TULLOCH Ph: 027 612 2312 or 06 368 2202 Email: tullochfamily@xtra.co.nz ı tulmac.co.nz
FREE ADVICE
Done the old way – the right way COPPER – NICKEL – CHROME
Specialist in restoration of Vintage and Classic cars and motorcycles
EMAIL stephen_winteringham@hotmail.com
FREEPHONE 0800
52 Beaded Wheels
862 476
www.classicchrome.co.nz
BRANCH NEWS ASHBURTON
ISLA JONES
AUCKLAND
JOHN STOKES
The annual Gymnic at Richard Langridge’s property in Brookby was enjoyed by a number of members. The new registrar Neil Beckenham attended a VIC discussion day where applications were proccessed and some concerns raised by members were addressed. The December veteran section meeting was well attended. Wayne Welch mentioned he had won a 100 mile Ford Model T rally, and the branch
▲ Ashburton: cars at the top of Jacks Pass on our way to the Rainbow Road.
▲ Ashburton: some of Antony Hampton’s collection of Massey-Harris tractors.
▲ Ashburton: Commercial run.
▲ Auckland: Trevor Hacketts NORVIN 3.
▲ Auckland: Grant Williams’ 1930 Franklin at New Year’s Day run. Auckland: Roy Sharman’s 1937 Packard New Year’s Day run. ▲
We welcome new members Bruce Newton, 1982 Ford Cortina; Ian Cullimore, 1906 Stanley Vanderbilt Racer; James Winchester, 1974 Rover P6B. On 6 November our P60/P80 run took us to the Vintage Machinery Club grounds at Keating Park, McLeans Island, then to Mandeville for lunch before heading a short distance away to Wilsons Mill Garden at Ohoka. Here we viewed a collection of vintage and veteran cars. Some had been imported from America and were models not seen in New Zealand. Members spent some time looking around the large rose garden. The site had been a flax mill, built by Isaac Wilson in the late 1870s, then later it milled flour. Trevor Begg was invited to Ashburton College to see how progress was going on the Morris restoration project. Some rust has been cut out, but as there are only two students working on it for a couple of hours a day it is going to take some time to finish it. David Oakley’s annual December run was themed on ‘Admiral Nelson Victory’ over the French at Trafalgar. The trip started at Waikari and then went to Hanmer and through the Rainbow to Nelson, where the Nelson Cathedral and Millars Heritage Museum at Wakefield were visited. It was then over the Takaka Hill to visit the Cobb River Dam and Powerhouse. A good drive down to Takaka for the night, and the next day was back over the hill again to Motueka, Tapawera and to Murchison before heading home.
Charabanc made a couple of TV appearances during the annual Santa Parade. The December motorcycle section featured Trevor Hackett’s immaculate NORVIN restoration. This is a Norton frame with Vincent mechanical. A good number of members went to the christmas pot luck dinner. The New Year’s Day run to Kaiaua was attended by a good mix of cars and bikes, somewhere in excess of 70 vehicles. The January veteran section meeting was again well attended with Barry Birchall reporting on almost fifty entries for the National Veteran Rally which will be ready to start by the time you read this. North Shore’s
Tim Edney has brought the majority of the Mihaljevich collection including the 1912 Hudson. He is considering disposing of a 1905 and 1907 Darracq and a 1917 Nash. Mike Courtney has done much refurbishing of his 1909 Sizaire et Naudin, new paint and upholstery. John Morrison has the differential back in his Briscoe. The Ladies Rally, which featured a hat theme, was won by Jocelyn McAlpine and Christine Campbell in the McAlpine Austin Healey Sprite. This rally also served to keep members up to scratch with rally rules. Work has progressed reinstating the library after our near miss flood, new bar chillers have been brought, and hopefully
Beaded Wheels 53
Bay of Plenty: New Year’s Day stayed fine for our annual Tuapiro Point Picnic Day. Photo Donn White.
▲ Banks Peninsula: A true ‘wood-shed’ find. Photo Michael Williams
▲ Peninsula Run lunchtime rest. Photo Michael Pidgeon
▲ Bay of Plenty: Ivan Allen won our Restoration of The Year Award with his 1929 Austin 16/6 Tourer
▲ Bay of Plenty: A train trip from Hamilton to Wellington and return was a huge hit with participating members. Photo Brian Pratt.
Canterbury: Picnic time on the Homestead Run.
the council will be rectifiying a blocked storm water drain which exacerbated our flood. Spares reorganisation is going well.
BANKS PENINSULA
DON GERRARD
Sadly, we report the passing of Clive Dodds, an early Branch member. A true enthusiast owning, with his brothers, a variety of cars, one, a Sunbeam, now being refurbished by Brad Govan, that will be a real tribute to the new owner and Clive. Our sympathy goes to the Dodds family. We welcome new members Maureen Cowie, Shadetree single-seater racing special; Tony Steer, 1970 MGB race car; and Rochelle Ealam, 1972 MGB GT. We hope to see Andrew Roxburgh out and about soon in his recently acquired 1951 Morgan Flat Rad model. After languishing in a wood shed in Timaru for about 40 years the Vanguard engine coughed and spluttered into life for approximately 400 metres and then cried for more TLC please. Our annual Peninsula Run in November 54 Beaded Wheels
▲ Bay of Plenty: North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smylie found that inclement weather during our visit to Tauranga Retirement Villages meant the soft top stayed on her Triumph Spitfire. Photo Brian Pratt
began at Tai Tapu and headed for Kinloch Road at Little River, with a beautiful scenic accent to the Bossu Road at the top, then down into Wainui with the very steep descent testing all braking systems. Then to Duvauchelle and up to the Summit Road, only to traverse down again via a tight country Camerons Track, onto Panama Road, with some parts scoured out by heavy rain requiring a steady-as-she-goes approach. After lunch at sunny Le Bons Bay we all checked that our ‘undercarriages’ had survived before heading for Okains Bay and back to the Hilltop View for a wellearned liquid refreshment. Thanks, Brian Smith, for a true pioneering event. Planning is already underway for this year’s Monte Carlo Rallye in November, so start getting your Equipe together for a weekend of motoring mayhem.
BAY OF PLENTY
DONN WHITE
Our Annual Swap Meet and Car Show was a huge success, with a new record of
$9,668 being collected. The weather cooperated on the day, and despite threatening skies the rain did not arrive, much to the relief of event convenor Ron Elton. Club Captain Jill Whitcombe and husband John organised a train trip to Wellington from Hamilton, which was enjoyed by all. Interest in this sort of excursion remains high, so planning is underway for another trip later this year. In November Ivan Allen was the 2022 Winner of our Restoration Award with his pristine 1929 Austin 16/6 Tourer that has seen thousands of hours work. Ivan has rebuilt many of the restored components by hand. At the same Club Night Peter Buckley was presented with his 50 Years membership badge by North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smylie. Brian Pratt organised a Christmas themed run around some of Tauranga’s retirement villages. Summer was not evident in Tauranga on the day but we had a good turn out, and high spirits were evident.
The fine weather encouraged many to participate in our New Year’s Day Picnic at Tuapiro Point - north of Katikati. Friends and guests also attended with their vehicles. Everyone made the most of a fine summer’s day despite an easterly wind which heralded a batch of nasty weather over most of the North Island for the next ten days.
CANTERBURY
TONY BECKER
One of our most popular annual branch events is the Homestead Run. Late last year this took us to one of Canterbury´s historic high country stations. Following a pleasant museum tour and a relaxed coffee at Glentunnel, Club Captain Katryna Shaw´s plan pointed us up the high and scenic Rakaia Gorge. Picnic lunches came out on the lawn of one of the oldest existing (est.1855) Canterbury high country homesteads, Lake Coleridge Station. Member Jim Miles delivered a brief history of brother Bruce´s merino sheep station, with its sweeping lawns, olde worlde gardens, complete with several original outbuildings and the nearby huge old historic woolshed. A couple of weeks earlier our veteran and vintage sections had supported the nearby district´s Hororata Annual Highland Games. Dave Inwood’s Show Weekend Tour to Central Otago attracted popular participation with many reports of a really great time. Packed into our busy
▲ Central Hawke's Bay Geoff and Diane Quarrie, 1915 GWK.
summer motoring season were the Annual Vintage and Motorcycle Rallies together with other events, as well as a welcome return to all formerly suspended Christmas happenings. That included the Children’s Christmas Santa Picnic and Sports Day. Sub-section noggin ’n’ natters, OCBC, 9-90s, and other catchup activity also welcomed back normality. On the domestic front, we have not seen Cutler Park as handsomely presented as right now. Planting selections, skilful groupings and the overall layout plan are maturing Cutler Park into a wonderful parkland. Unbelievable when considering the stony riverbed of boulders shaking hands underneath it all. Full credit to our dedicated green-fingered care and maintenance team.
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY JOHN FOOT During November (Movember) some of the members held a competition to see who could grow the largest moustache, and while all the entrants were winners for effort the ladies’ choice for the most impressive was Peter McKenzie. On 12 November some 13 Manawatu Branch members stopped at Rod and Scarlett McKenzie’s for a cuppa on their way to Napier for an overnight stay. Eleven cars were entered for the Branch Annual Veteran Rally that was held on 18 and 19 November in Dannevirke. The event, organised by Club Captain Laurie Malcolmson and assistant Gloria, also attracted
▲ Central Hawke’s Bay Mike and Neroli Perry 1904 Napolean.
a bit of attention from the local press. The following day an organised run for all VCC classes took us out on some country roads to a place of interest. The Torque Heads coffee group is still functioning well and supporting different cafes in the Hawke’s Bay area. The Branch Christmas party and dinner was held at Oruawharo dining room, which is in the relocated and beautifully restored Saint Vincent’s Catholic church, with 56 sitting down to the meal. We would like to welcome new members Robert Castles from Dannevirke, and Robert and Cherry Fleming of Waipukurau. Some local history has returned to Waipukurau in the form of the old Waipukurau Hospital Board 1949 Humber Pullman ambulance. The vehicle has been restored and painted by a previous owner and has been purchased by a local anonymous purchaser. We understand it will be available for use on special occasions locally.
CENTRAL OTAGO
DON YEAMAN
The Sunday Run for November took us over the Lindis Pass to Omarama where we had lunch at the airfield café. We then carried on for about another 10 km to visit the Clay Cliffs. This is an area of sharp pinnacles and ridges made up of layers of gravel and silt, somewhat reminiscent of parts of the North American Badlands. Our branch also hosted the Combined Rally, which is comprised of Southland,
▲ 1949 Humber Pullman Ambulance.
▲ Central Otago: Al fresco dining for COVCC Christmas dinner. ▲ Central Otago: Manning the gate on Hawksburn Road, Combined Rally.
Beaded Wheels 55 55 Beaded Wheels
Gore, South Otago and us, on the 19-20 November. We started from the Cromwell clubrooms with a few table-top type tests and then went out onto the road through Cromwell to Bannockburn. On reaching the end of Bannockburn Road, we turned onto the Hawksburn Road which took us about 25 kms over the Hawksburn hills to the historic town of Clyde. The descent down to Clyde is fairly steep with some very good lookout points. Most people stopped in Clyde for coffee before returning to Cromwell and the evening meal at the Victoria Hotel. The next morning was breakfast at Highlands Motor Park where some five cars tried a few laps on the track. Then it was back to the club rooms for lunch and prize giving. The Branch Christmas Dinner was held at the clubrooms on 14 December, but because the clubrooms were being repainted we couldn’t eat inside. A quick set-up of tables under the front verandah enabled us to carry on with a great evening to finish the year.
EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY
BRUCE SEDDON
We welcome new members Simon and Annie Cherrington with a 1939 Ford Deluxe sedan We had our annual inter-branch meet with Gisborne at the beginning of November, this year in Gisborne. Our travelling group met in Opotiki for lunch after viewing John Burton’s Jowett Javelin restoration. Friday night was quiz and barbeque night in Gisborne. The competitive rally was run on Saturday afternoon around Gisborne and the surrounding countryside, finishing at the clubrooms. The Inter-Branch Challenge Trophy went to Gisborne, led by Gavin and Deanne Bartlett. On the same weekend several cars not on the Gisborne trip spent the Sunday in Tauranga at BOP Branch annual swap meet and car show. Harry and Gay Sutcliffe led the midmonth run around the Rotoma and Rotoiti lakes to Tikitere Gardens and Nursery, and the Okere Falls café. The return was a scenic route through Paengaroa. EBOP members also attended events in the South Waikato TTT Rally in Litch-
field, a wet trip to the Far North Tour run by the Northland and Far North clubs, and a covid infected attendance at Whangamata’s Beach Hop. Branch members were prepared to give everything a go even if the results were unpredictable. We spiced up our last club night for the year with a pizza and dessert night where members had enjoyable end to our monthly meetings. We had a good turnout of cars to run in the Kawerau Christmas Parade on the last weekend before Christmas, followed by a visit to Harry and Gay Sutcliffe’s riverside property in Kawerau.
FAR NORTH
The 50th annual Far North Tour organised by Northland Branch was a huge success. During the Saturday night dinner in Matthews Vintage Museum, Neil Beckenham, the VCC Registrar, presented a 50-year membership badge to Winston Matthews. From our branch perspective, Winston’s 50-year badge was not only recognition of length of service, but also for the breadth and depth of commitment he has given over the years to our club.
▲ EBOP: Simon and Annie Cherrington’s 1939 Ford Deluxe ▲ EBOP: VCC cars awaiting Kawerau Santa’s starting orders. at the Kawerau Santa Parade.
Gore: Greg Elder being presented with his 50 year badge and certificate by Alon Mayhew.
56 Beaded Wheels
Far North: 50 year member Winston Matthews with his ‘27 Chev.
MURRAY CORMACK
▲ Gore: Athol Martyn and John Tremaine at John’s shed, Gore Branch Christmas Run.
▲ Gore: David North and Dawn Sheddan prior to the Gore Branch Christmas Run.
▲ Hawke’s Bay: Picnicking at WhanaWhana Homestead.
▲
Northland Branch Chairman Ray Sanders presented a long-service badge to Donna Nobilo, and the awards ceremony was rounded off with Peter White from Far North Branch receiving his 25-year badge. On the Sunday morning, Peter and Judy Matthews provided a great morning tea with a viewing of their extensive collection of cars and trucks for all Far North Tour entrants. This was followed by a run to Cape Reinga to conclude the Tour. The weather for the whole weekend was exceptional, and members from all Auckland and northern branches enjoyed great driving and convivial company. We again joined with Northland Branch for our annual Dunny Run, which they had organised. This began with a visit to the Jack Morgan Museum at Hikurangi, followed by an exploration of the new Hundertwasser Art Centre in the Whangarei Town Basin. A relatively small but successful Christmas Lunch and Gymkhana event was enjoyed by members at our clubrooms.
run and a visit to the Tremaine collection, followed by a potluck tea at the clubrooms. A pleasing conclusion to the day was Greg Elder receiving his 50-Year Badge, presented by South Island Club Captain Alon Mayhew.
GORE
BILL SHEDDAN
Branch members who attended the various runs and social get-togethers prior to Christmas had an enjoyable
time. Often the attendance was less than expected. The effort the organisers put into these outings could and should be enjoyed by more than 10-20% of our 140 Branch members. Thirteen members set off from the clubrooms for October’s Tuesday Ramble, destination Clinton for lunch and a good old chin wag. Eight cars and members participated in the Ladies’ Run held early November. The destination was a trophy room, where the host’s grandfather had an amazing collection of preserved animals. Whilst not everybody’s cup of tea, it was at the very least impressive. Ten cars competed at the branch hillclimb, held on the disused section of the Josephville Hill on SH6. This can be seen on Google Maps, Lumsden, follow SH6 Lumsden Dipton Hwy and you will see the bypassed loop in the road. The fastest time was put up by Neil Longman in his Mallock. Second was Jim Bennett with his own-built Furi, which he told us about in Dec/Jan Beaded Wheels. Twenty six attended the Ramble Christmas Dinner. Once again an enjoyable and social affair. Nineteen cars fronted up for the Christmas Run, which consisted of a shortish
Hawke’s Bay: War Memorial Carving-Rissington.
HAWKE’S BAY
ESTHER SMITH
In November our annual Homestead Run took us to WhanaWhana Station, a property owned by the Beamish family. We were concerned about their ability to host us, as they were way behind in their work program because of the continuing unseasonal wet weather. It worked in the end, with the rain holding off until 2pm when incoming rolling thunder, along with an ominous darkening sky, sent the stragglers racing to pack their cars. Some had an exciting ride home with lightning striking the road in front. As this run is about visiting an historic venue, we put an emphasis on asking people to come in their club eligible vehicles. Our reasoning was that if the historic property owners are willing to open their homes to us, give their time, and often Beaded Wheels 57
▲ Horowhenua: Entrants on the Tararua Trundle. ▲
▲ Manawatu: Having a quiet drink at the Cheltenham Pub before being ushered inside for dinner. ▲ Manawatu: Members meeting at the Coachhouse Museum in Feilding for departure on the Christmas
▲ Manawatu: Enjoying some fresh air at the New Year Day picnic at Mt Lees.
put in a lot of effort preparing their gardens and lawns for our visit, then we can repay that by showing off our vehicles for them to enjoy. To finish the year we had a run to visit the recently completed war memorial at Rissington, carved from a huge redwood tree which is one of a line planted by a local cocky 120 years ago. Its scale hits you smack in the eye as you round the corner off Rissington’s one-lane bridge. The sixmetre stump of a 40-metre redwood with two main branches has been carved into two soldiers who stand, back-to-back, their eyes and rifles lowered. The chainsaw carvers created a “digger” in a slouch hat facing towards Sydney with his kiwi cobber in a lemon-squeezer pointing the other way towards Napier. Quite spectacular.
HOROWHENUA
BRUCE JAMIESON
On Saturday 19 November a large number of cars gathered at the clubrooms for the start of the Tararua Trundle, one of our annual rallies. Heavy rain had been forecast up to 9 am, which may have deterred some entrants (rag-tops, roadsters and the highly polished) but the day turned out fine and sunny.
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▲ Marlborough: Images from the devastating fire which swept through our parts shed at the end of 2022.
The instruction sheet was somewhat different this year. Instead of the usual style of directions we were given a list of destinations, each of which had a question to be answered or a clue to be solved. These attracted several points, the value of which depended on the distance from the start point, and the difficulty of the question. With no fixed route to be followed, competitors had to determine their own programme and be back at the clubrooms within the two hour time limit. Points were accumulated by bringing in the correct answers and deducted for exceeding the time limit. CLASS WINNERS
Vintage Owen and Vivienne Reid, Ford Model A, PV Bruce Lawrie and Heather Carter, Chrysler PW Bob Barton and Merv Edwards, Austin A35 van P60 John and Kerry Rapley, MGB GT P80 Diane McLennan and Paul Eayre, Mazda MX5 This was a new type of event for many of us, and some will need to brush up on their planning and route selection.
MANAWATU
BRYAN ABRAHAM
The Branch 60th birthday celebrations held over Labour Weekend were a big act to
follow, but the Christmas Run succeeded in giving members another great outing, with the first stop being at the Christmas Barn shop in Lockwood Road where a café also operates. A magical treasure trove of trees, gifts and decorations of every imaginable type kept everyone wandering around browsing (and some purchasing) until it was time to head off on a route out through Halcombe to the dinner destination at the Cheltenham Pub. In early December branch members took their vintage cars to Winchester Primary School in Palmerston North for the children to look around the vehicles - hopefully to even spur some interest for future membership. On 1 January some 45 vehicles converged on Lees Reserve near Mt Biggs for the New Year’s Day picnic. The event is organised annually by Len Haycock, with members from surrounding branches invited to join the Manawatu Branch for lunch, a few hours of convivial dialogue, and bush walks for the more energetic of the members. And while most were picnicking, a contingent from the branch were in the Taihape area, indulging in the twice-ayear Gumboot Rally, which sets off on
▲ Nelson: L-R Leigh Joblin, Chev; Darcy Bovey, Buick; Jim Wareing, Chrysler; Vern Hoffman, Morris. Ready for the off at the Nelson Santa Parade.
Run to Cheltenham for dinner.
▲ Nelson: Wareing Chrysler and Lusby Rolls-Royce being readied for the Richmond Santa Parade.
▲ Nelson: Ian Dymond 50 Year membership presentation.
▲ Nelson: L-R Mike Bryan, Vauxhall leads Fiat and caravan seen preparing ▲ Nelson: L-R Darcy Bovey, Buick; Ray Robertson, Gray; for the Nelson Santa Parade; Chris Milne. Jim Wareing, Chrysler; Roger Lusby, Rolls-Royce; Graeme Ellery, Ford V8, all await start of Richmond Parade.
an automotive themed scavenger hunt in search of back roads, scenery and out of the way settlements which most motorists never see.
MARLBOROUGH
CARROLL WIBLIN
After the devastating fire in our parts shed, things are on track for the building of a new shed. I am told that it will be bigger and purpose built. It brought a smile to my face when Viv Broughton and I were fundraising for the shed and we asked the members if they were sure it was big enough. The answer was a resounding YES, of course it was. It will be a great asset when finished. Sadly, we lost 60+ years member David Bruce on 27 December. David had always been an active member and served six years as Club Captain during recent times. Unfortunately his health deteriorated quite quickly over the last few years, and he passed away after spending a very happy Christmas with family. Another member, Arthur Anderson, lost his wife Sue on the 28th. Sue was a lovely, bubbly person who was very family orientated. Gone too soon. We have welcomed two new members and one junior member, indicating that
we are still building our membership, which is great. A run to Don and Kaye Register’s on Boxing Day was arranged by Catherine. We were one of many who were out of town over Christmas, so are not sure how many attended that run. I am sure it would have been well attended as they are great hosts and make everyone welcome. The next event on our calendar is Heritage Day, which is always a great day with all the societies within the park participating, some even wearing period costume.
NELSON
RAY ROBERTSON
Our last formal run for the year was the Jenny and Dale Conlon organised run to Mapua for a very pleasant lunch and afternoon viewing of Lloyd and Gwen Ewing’s sheds and Buick collection. A highlight was seeing the progress on the restoration of the ex Motueka and Collingwood Ford V8 fire engine. A pre Swap Meet working bee was held to rejig advertising signage with new dates, and to erect some of the signage where possible. We flew the VCC flag at both NBS Nelson and Richmond Unlimited Santa Parades,
with a huge and very “in mood” turn out of spectators at both events. The show of branch vehicles was very well received, with much laughter at the sound of our various horns. Following the parade many of the branch participants met at the clubrooms for a meal and some cheer. Member Roger Lusby recited his dissertation on how Hip Hop came into being – very humous and well received. The most important event this December was the arrival of Ian Dymond’s 50 years membership plaque and badge, and while this was presented to Ian in a quiet manner at his home, he was very pleased to receive them. The last event for the year was a visit to Manuka Street Hospital, a private surgical hospital, to view the workings of the hospital infrastructure following an extensive eight year redevelopment.
NORTH OTAGO
CLIVE BLUNDEN
The 62nd Windsor Rally on Saturday 3 December 2022 was a brilliant day weather wise for the 28 cars and four motorcycles entered. There were a number of vehicleage appropriately dressed participants,
Beaded Wheels 59
North Shore: Branch Chevrolet fire tender at Orewa Beach Santa Parade. s North Shore: Geoff Thorpe and 1930 20/60 Type T Vauxhall.
North Shore: Worthy winners Jim and Lynn Heffkey presented with the Gymkhana Cup by Chairman Tony Sparkes.
Northland: Winston Matthews receives his 50 year Badge.
s North Shore: Neil and Trish Beken undertake the blindfold slalom.
s Northland: Who would have thought there were cars 110 years ago...
Northland: Peter Meares with his pair of 1934 Morris Minors.
s Rotorua: Tony Sarich took centre stage in November. South Otago: Malcolm Thomson’s Alvis and Morris coming to the lunch stop. His Moke was also on the Rally. s
60 Beaded Wheels
which added to the occasion. Three routes were available: long, gravel and short, with each one well planned. It was very interesting to see the North Otago countryside looking so fresh and green. The lunch stop was at the site of Elderslie Homestead, which was a beautiful old two storied wooden home before it was completely destroyed by fire some years ago. The present owner Dr Peter Rodwell, conducted two groups of club members around the remaining whitestone block buildings and the grounds, pointing out items of special historical interest. There were a number of photos showing the buildings and grounds as they originally were. Afternoon tea was a special royal themed event with, Paddington Bear and friends, marmalade sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, and a lot of other goodies all appropriately named for such a grand occasion, and of course tea and coffee. The prize giving followed, with certificates and chocolate fish. This was a special day for the last remaining foundation member John Adamson. His family secretly entered four of his Hillman cars, with three of them being driven by his two sons and one daughter, whose navigator was her eight year old grandson and John’s great grandson. The 4th Hillman was driven by one of John’s grandsons with Theo’s two younger siblings Jensen (5) and Zara (3) occupying the back seat. John had entered and drove the Overland. Thanks to an innovative and dedicated organising committee the family had a wonderful day, as did all other participants.
NORTH SHORE RICHARD BAMPTON In November several members went to the home of Mike and Christine Swanton to view their beautiful garden, admire a large collection of Vauxhalls, and enjoy a barbecue. Among the collection are three 1937 models, all on the GY chassis, but with different body styling, as one was English made while the other two were bodied in New Zealand. Interestingly the Australian one is much more American looking than the others. Several club vehicles attended Santa parades, including Orewa Beach and Browns Bay, where the Chevrolet fire engine was a star. Although earlier rain meant that the field was unusable, in December the gymkhana was held in the car park area, and was hotly contested. In the reversing event Colin
Austen stopped within one inch of the pole, and Geoff Thorpe stopped exactly over the oil drain tin. The blindfold slalom was everyone’s favourite. Everyone won at least one Quality Street munchie, and although Arnold and Marika Van Zon were the noneligible car winners, the overall winners in their Almac, Jim and Lynn Hefkey, were presented with the Gymkhana cup. An invitation is extended to all vehicle enthusiasts to join North Shore Branch for their 50th Anniversary celebrations on Sunday 19 March for a morning rally and Open Day barbecue (plus coffee cart), when the newly redecorated clubrooms will be open as well as the parts and other sheds. There will be a great turnout of club and visitors vehicles to see. See www.northshorevcc.com or our Facebook page for more details and a rally entry form.
NORTHLAND
RAY SANDERS
Right up until the day before the Far North Tour in November, Northland had been hit by two storms with high winds and widespread flooding. On the day we enjoyed much better weather. Some participants had to take serious deviations just to get to the start at our Manu clubrooms. The run to Taipa went very smoothly. With part of the route taking us through the Fern Flat Road from Maungamuka Bridge to Taipa, a wonderful run on a one-lane gravel road through pristine native bush. Winston Matthews and his Far North Branch group hosted us at Winston’s Vintage Museum for the anniversary dinner, and the various speakers told many tall tales of the old days. Winston was presented with his 50 year badge by Michael Brenstrum, and a 35 year badge was presented to our Northland Newsletter editor, Donna Nobilo. Everyone stayed overnight in the Doubtless Bay area, and the next morning saw us depart for Cape Reinga via Peter Matthews Awanui collection of beautifully restored cars and trucks. After a visit to the Cape it was back to Doubtless Bay for the final evening before dispersing home. The Whangarei A&P show in December saw a huge turnout, with everyone having a great time. It was a chance for us to get our message across as a club that caters for all ages and types of vehicles. I think we were successful with that, with plenty of interest being shown. Two of our club cars, our 1912 Scar and an Austin 7, were among our members’ vehicles on display, with the
Scar fascinating onlookers with its amazing brassware.
ROTORUA
RONALD MAYES
In November the branch run took participants to the Tirau Museum. It is often bypassed by SH5 traffic, but is well worth visiting, containing a wide variety of artefacts. However SH5 was noted to be in poor condition at some points, with an abundance of potholes. The car in the room at the November meeting was Tony Sarich’s 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air, which had been the subject of a meticulous restoration project some years ago and still appears immaculate today. At our December meeting Dennis Whimp gave us an update on his 1930 Buick roadster restoration, followed by John Newson discussing his latest acquisition, a 1960 Rover 100. Later that month the high tea run, with participants asked to dress up appropriately in the era of their cars and bring their best china, had us driving all over town looking for the clues on the instruction sheet before returning to the clubrooms for lunch. Bill and Adelai Skelton (1929 Austin 7) won the prize for best dressed. By the time you read this we should have held our 10th lakefront car show – third time lucky, we hope - on 22 January. It has twice been postponed due to Covid or weather conditions. The local St John Ambulance Association will benefit from all the attendants’ donations.
SOUTH OTAGO
NOELINE MILNE
The highlight of the year was the Branch 50th Anniversary Rally held on 12 November. Entrants gathered at the Town and Country Club in Balclutha to begin with morning tea, briefing, and collection of rally packs. A choice of two routes saw entrants arriving from varying directions, having ventured through the Nuggets to Hina Hina Yacht Club in the Catlins for the lunch stop. The fine weather ensured a perfect occasion for mixing with friends old and new, with the opportunity to look over the wide variety of vehicles from veteran through to post 80 era. The return to the starting point in Balclutha through Owaka was at our own leisure. Raffle draws took place with a great selection of items, along with presentation of certificates and trophies, with Star McDougall of Gore Branch being the overall winner in his 1962 MGA. Foundation member and 50-year Beaded Wheels 61
▲ South Canterbury New Year’s Day Picnic, Fairlie. ▲
▲ South Canterbury New Year’s Day Picnic, Fairlie.
Taranaki - A very rare 1912 Cutting under restoration by member John Muter. The new body will be a sport roadster. The bones of this car was one of three sold in the Inglewood district in 1912.
badge holder Malcolm Thomson cut the cake made by Stuart Milne’s daughter-inlaw, Casey Milne. Several participants were children/adults of long-time members, carrying on the tradition and enjoying the experience. An evening meal finished off a wonderful occasion. Other events have been supported of late including the Blossom Festival Rally, Taieri Tour, Combined Rally and Otago Branch lunch at Clinton. The monthly Wednesday Run for December was a picnic at Gabriels Gully in Lawrence, with members from neighbouring branches joining in. Another successful Moped Rally was focused in the Lawrence area, and entrants gathered at the Tuapeka Vintage Club to enjoy the day’s activities.
SOUTH CANTERBURY
SHANNON STEVENSON
The All-American Day took place on Sunday 13 November – around 90 vehicles participated in the display at Caroline Bay, with several participating on the afternoon run to the Roger Mahan Heritage Centre heavy vehicle museum at Geraldine. At our November Noggin night, our guest speaker was Sonia Sullivan, from Aoraki Funeral Homes – their 1966 Chevrolet Impala, a last ride for several members of yesteryear was parked out front of the clubrooms for us to view. The Vintage Veteran and Commercial Rally was held on 20 November. Organised
62 Beaded Wheels
▲
Taranaki: The power plant of John Muter’s 1912 Cutting under restoration. The Cutting Motor Company used engines from Milwaukee and Wisconsin ranging from 30–60hp.
by the Munro family, the run took participants to the Otaio Gorge DOC camping ground. The Christmas Dinner and 50-year badge presentations took place on 3 December, attended by more than 50 branch members. Recipients of the 50-year badges were Ron Hammer, Brian Grace, Rodger Baird and Anthony Hobbs. A number of branch members took part in Timaru’s Christmas Parade on 4 December, and again several weeks later in the Pleasant Point Christmas Parade. A number of members participated in a three-day tour of North and Central Otago in mid-December, the first day from Timaru to Oamaru taking participants on gravel back roads through Mackenzie and Hakataramea Passes, the second day travelling a long distance to Omarama via Macraes Flat, Waipaita and Alexandra. More than 25 members’ vehicles took part in the New Year’s Day parade at Fairlie, a celebration of motoring and machinery of yesteryear.
Cutting car owned by long-time member John Muter. The car was found early in the 1970s in a dismantled state, scattered on a farm in Inglewood where the front and rear end were used for trailers, and the chassis used as foundation for a pig pen. An advert in a car magazine in Australia was successful in obtaining a chassis in good order with front and rear axles which John then shipped to New Zealand. Fortunately there were enough parts in the old sheds to make it an interesting find. The brass windscreen with some parts was found in the creek, with the near perfect radiator being saved and stored by fellow member Rob Thomson, whose grandfather owned the car. This 1912 Cutting originally started out as a tourer, and was used as a taxi or hire car. John is now into a full restoration, the body will be a sport roadster, and he is hoping to have it roadworthy by next year. Preparations are under way, with entries now open, for the celebration of the 50th Waitara Mini Vin Tour to be held on 26 February in true Mini Vin tradition.
TARANAKI
TAUPO
COLIN JOHNSTON
Cutting automobiles were only produced from 1909 to 1912, when the company went bankrupt. One hundred cars were sent to New Zealand and three came to Inglewood. Cutting Motor Car Company used parts from other manufactures in their vehicles. Spending many years in storage and awaiting restoration is a very rare 1912
NEIL CHAVE
As 2022 ended the Taupo Branch continued with the Petrol Heads weekday runs to various destinations around the district for a morning coffee and chat with fellow members. These runs continue to be a very popular event on the calendar, as many of us get to see new places or at least ones we haven’t seen for a while. At our November club night members enjoyed a presentation
Waikato cars lined up at the Cambridge Stud on a club run.
▲ Waikato: Owen McCaughey receiving his 50 year award from NICC Kaaren Smylie.
by members Bryce and Marian Gliddon, who shared their experiences of attending the VCC portion of the Targa Rally. Their briefing to members was of much interest and provided an excellent insight as to how members can attend the Targa Rally in a competitive capacity. November’s weather and rainy days with intermittent thunderstorms meant the Pow Wow Picnic branch run had to be cancelled, as was the Rotorua Lakeside Car Show, but this popular event is now rescheduled for 22 January 2023. We held our annual Christmas dinner party in December with the branch having the pleasure of hosting our National President Diane Quarrie, accompanied by husband Geoff. Diane presented a number of
▲ Wairarapa: Kevin and Willie: Gold Medal winner Willie James (right) collects his trophy from organiser Kevin Sullivan.
WAIKATO
GRAHAM PATE
Our Annual Veteran and Rear Wheel Brake Rally started and finished at the Hamilton Classic Car Museum. There were short and long routes to the lunch stop at the Lumsden’s property at Ohinewai. After inspecting the military vehicle collection and the two early International trucks under restoration we went back to the museum for afternoon tea and prizegiv-
ing. Graham and Janet McKenzie took out First Waikato Veteran. Tom Andrews, the owner of the museum, gave a fascinating talk on the trials and tribulations of restoring the type 57 Bugatti Ventoux and Atlantic coupes. For the December Club night we enjoyed a Christmas Dinner and Long Service awards presentation. The long service awards were presented by North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smiley. 25-year awards went to Kit Maxwell, Barry Wisneski, and Ken Price. 35-year awards went to Lesley Webster, Jean Bayley, John Post, and David Phillips. A 50-year award was presented to Owen McCaughey. It was a great night to end the year on.
▲ Dave and Marie Johnston looked the part on their twin Suzukis. No surprise -- they are both former Auckland motorcycle cops.
▲ Wairarapa: Members were asked to wear a novel hat to the Mauriceville Fair. Ian Stewart scooped the pool with this, South American treasure.
Wairarapa: Jim Laird’s Packard was a prize-winner at Featherston.
▲
▼ Waikato: Waikato members at the Christmas Awards dinner.
membership awards with Taupo member John Harvey achieving 50 years membership. Later in December we ran the final Petrol Heads run and then our Christmas morning tea at the clubrooms.
Beaded Wheels 63
The branch’s swap meet was held in November with numbers a bit down this year, due to the bad weather prior to the event. After the swap meet we had a good turnout at the clubrooms and parts shed, so a very good sales day boosted our coffers. Swap meets are a very sociable event and a great source of potential new members. The last club run of the year was a visit to the world-famous Cambridge Horse Stud, organised by Les King. The Stud gave the members a tour of their Heritage Museum, magnificent grounds, foaling and stabling areas. Our Branch has welcomed five new members in the past two months.
WAIRARAPA
KEVIN BALL
The recent Wheels and Deals swap meet and car show in Featherston, run by Wai Wheels, was very successful. Congratulations to Jim Laird who won the best vintage award with his Packard. The success of this show guarantees a much bigger event at a larger venue, possibly Tauherenikau race-
WELLINGTON Think you’re clever enough? The last day of November saw the last Kapiti mid-week get together for 2022. It took the form of a quiz at the magnificent Gear Homestead overlooking Porirua Harbour. It was organised by our hosts Pat and Phil Pearce, and was followed by lunch. This reporter was fortunate enough to find himself in the A-Team. There was a Biscuit Quiz with abstruse clues, Brain Teasers that worked the grey cells, and a photo selection where the body panels needed identifying. Appallingly there were no prizes, as everyone was a winner on the day. (But especially the A-Team.) In disgust, the writer retreated to the car park for a smoke (although he doesn’t even smoke) where he found Brent and Sue James’ newly 64 Beaded Wheels
course, next year. A major loss to the branch was the death of Gaye Pointon. Gaye’s 43-year involvement with the branch involved many special moments. She was a dedicated member and husband Francis’s right-hand person for many events. Her particular passion was vintage garments and their restoration. The Vintage Car Day at Mangatainoka Brewery was very enjoyable. Congratulations to our local winners Paul and Deborah Hodder in their Rover and Neal Ryder in his 1954 Vauxhall.The annual rally in memory of Peter and Janice Groves to the Mauriceville Fair was again well attended. The short route from the Club rooms to the Fair via the Whangaehu Valley was a very pleasant drive, organised by Chris Giles. Tony and Myrna Lane were guests at our Christmas function. They were thanked for their many years of involvement in the club as officer holders and for the many outings that they enthusiastically facilitated for members and their cars. For the last three meetings we had a “The
JOHN STOKES acquired 1960 Dodge Pioneer, in red, righthand drive and New Zealand-new. It took up most of the Gear Homestead car park. I gave chase, but it was too fast. In the immortal words of Bradley Walsh, did YOU know that there were 40 days and nights in Lent? If so, come along to the Kapiti mid-week quiz next year – you might be clever enough.
Car is the Star” theme, starting with Gina and Sean’s MG Midget, followed by Graham Hodder’s 1914 Saxton, and most recently Mike Blundell’s 1925 Cadillac. Members were entertained with family stories about the car’s history and how it finally ended up in Mike’s ownership.
WANGANUI
IAN HIGGINS
Member Peter Powell is a Sunbeam enthusiast, and is also a member of the Sunbeam Car Club. This affable chartered accountant is currently restoring two Sunbeams, a 1972 Rapier Fastback and a 1970 Imp. I have not seen the Imp yet, but the Fastback is a stunning vehicle. Peter is a perfectionist, and this shows through with his restoration work. Rob and Lynda O’Keeffe recently displayed their motoring collection. They have a liking for GM vehicles, and Buicks in particular. A tough 1938 Chev one ton truck is the workhorse of their fleet, and the only non-Buick. Two of the Buicks are in beautiful condition, a 1938 sedan and a 1924 elegant old lady, which really caught my eye. Two more Buicks are under restoration. Our annual Night Trial around the River City streets concluded with a win to Wayne Gedye and navigator Ian Chamberlain in Wayne’s stunning 1929 De Soto. I was disappointed with the low turnout of members to the annual Christmas Parade. It is great to participate in these Christmas events to raise the branch presence with the public and to see the looks of pleasure in the children’s eyes as our vehicles trundle by. Our annual Restoration of the Year is always a highlight. Ann Bernsten won this year in her Model A. Her late husband and renowned stock car driver, Charlie, aka Big Bad Charlie, would have been over the moon to see the old A restored. The big event though, was the Gumboot Rally in Taihape on New Year’s Day. Taihape is very much an integral part of our branch. Huge thanks to Robert Baines and his team for organising this once again. There is nothing quite like a rally around the Taihape high country roads. A great social event with prizes galore for placegetters. Overall winners were Trudy and Mac Keene from Hunterville in their Austin Sheerline.
WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH
CHRIS HARVEY
Several of our members decorated their cars and joined the Warkworth Santa
▲ Wanganui: Proud winners of the Taihape Gumboot Rally, Trudi and Mac Keene with their Austin Sheerline.
▲ Wanganui: Peter Powell with his stunning 1972 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback.
▲ Wanganui: In the foreground, Ann Bernsten’s lovely 1930 Ford Model A two door. Winner Restoration of the Year.
▲ Wellsford/Warkworth: Graeme and Anne Power with their 35 year badges.
▲ Wellsford/Warkworth: Neil and Lucy Cremer, 25 year members.
Wellsford/Warkworth: 50 Year award recipients.
Beaded Wheels 65
▲ West Coast: Some of the Land Rovers at Dutchy’s.
Wellsford/Warkworth: Warkworth Santa parade.
▲ West Coast: Rae having ago at throwing a pot on the potter’s wheel.
Wellsford/Warkworth: Warkworth Santa parade. ▲ West Coast: Smith Rodley dragline in action.
Parade on 4 December, but our main event for the month was Christmas Lunch on Sunday 11 December. Instead of going to a restaurant we held it in the clubhouse, and the meal was brought to us by outside caterers. We had a full house and a wonderful meal on our own patch, without all the work of cooking and it was a very convivial event. In between courses three members were presented with 50-year badges: Grant Stott, Robert Page and Paul Hicks. In addition, Graeme and Anne Power received 35-year badges, and Neil and Lucy Cremer got 25-year badges. We look forward to more actual motoring activities after the Christmas holiday traffic has subsided. There is little activity in January because of the holidays, and our next big event will be our swap meet on Saturday 25 February. We hope many people will come to buy or sell, display their vehicles, or just admire those of other car enthusiasts.
WEST COAST
ZOE GOUGH
Our November run was to Arnold Valley Road between Stillwater and Moana. It was good to see Arthur Topliss out for the first time in a while in his Model A coupe. He 66 Beaded Wheels
was joined by 27 members at Dutchy van Looy’s, home to 71 Land Rovers of various years, series and conditions, as well many other vehicles and other mechanised items. A haven for project hunters. Dutchy gave us a demonstration of his 1950 Smith Rodley drag line. It has a Gardner engine, and the drag line is worked by a seemingly complicated gear system which throws the bucket and drags in the soil/debris. Next visit was to local Kotuku pottery owned by Sue and Ian Dalzell. We were shown around their workshop and kilns, observing pottery items in various stages
of completion. For the production of their work they dig and blend most of their own locally sourced clay with other special clays from further afield. We were given demonstrations of the two methods they use to create the pots. Our picnic lunch venue was Moana, but due to rain we all scattered, some to the pub others to the shelter by the lake at Iveagh Bay. We are now preparing for our 40th Scenic land annual rally which will held 25 March 2023.
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
PASSING LANE In this column we acknowledge the recent passing of club members. Information is supplied to Beaded Wheels by VCCNZ Branch Secretaries.
Anderson, Susan Bruce, David Dickson, John Dixon, Heather
Marlborough Marlborough Waikato Marlborough
May, John Pimm, Tom Taylor, Geoffrey
Marlborough Central Otago Ashburton
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COME AND JOIN US WHATEVER YOUR WHEELS
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Vehicles, motorcycles or trucks from 1890 to 1990 are club eligible. Or just join us and grab a ride with another member. visit www.vcc.org.nz and get motoring with us today.
Photo Graham Bailey
Are you looking for an excuse to get your car out of the garage – we have 36 active branches around New Zealand. Our events range from weekly runs and coffee get togethers, to hill climbs, speed events and touring. For the more intrepid, our infamous off-road adventures are the stuff of legends.
Beaded Wheels 67
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Vero and VCC. Together we go way back. At Vero we’ve been supporting the Vintage Car Club for over 30 years. For a quote on house, contents, vehicle (every-day and vintage) and boat insurance, please contact us and provide your VCC membership number.
Call for a quote on 0800 658 411 and select option 2, or email veropersonallines@vero.co.nz Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to these policies. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.