THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
February 2017
MEETINGS: SECOND TUESDAY of the month at the Clubrooms, Waimea Street, Gore
Next meeting: 14th February Branch telephone number: 03 208 7424
2016-2017 Committee and Officers Branch Patrons Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Club Captain Assistant Club Captains
Neil McVicar, Ray Tressler Murray Proctor Position vacant Katy Parish Glenise Corcoran John Tremaine Ken Buchanan Jim McFadzien Charlie Davis Greg Elder Bill Sheddan Branch Recorder (Wiper Editor) David North Assistant Branch Recorder Position not filled at present House Convenor Position vacant Assistant House Convenor P Corcoran Beaded Wheels Reporter Jim McFadzien Festival Rally Organiser Keith Dodds Assistant Rally Organiser Denis Knight Bar Manager Chris Scoles Assistant Star McDougall Social Committee Beb Kennedy David McDowell, John Parish, Noel Kelly, Paul Corcoran Maintenance Supervisor Ken Youngson Maintenance Assistants Bill Ainge, Barry Clearwater, Alex McLennan, Keith Dodds Swapmeet & Parts Evan Henderson Swapmeet & Parts Assistants Stewart Quertier, Barry Clearwater, Bryan Neilson, Paul Corcoran Hill Climb Alex McLennan Hill Climb Assistant Evan Henderson Sheriff Star McDougall Deputy Sheriff Denis Knight Librarian Stewart Quertier Raffles Gerry Kennedy National Delegate John Parish Health & Safety Officer Des Brewster Privacy Officer Katy Parish Museum & HPP David McDowell Tuesday Rambles Gerry Kennedy Vehicle Identity Card signatories John Tremaine, John Parish, Evan Henderson, Denis Knight Front cover picture: John Hughes’ Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (Photo by the Editor)
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(03) 208 4768 (03) 208 5505 (03) 208 6862 (03) 208 9670 (03) 203 8373 (03) 208 0121 (03) 204 8848 (03) 202 5710 (03) 208 1237 021 172 3281
(03) 208 6862 (03) 208 0121 (03) 208 6038 (03) 208 5404 (03) 208 7023 (03) 208 5450 (03) 208 7582
(03) 208 6938
025 650 8056
(03) 202 5868 (03) 208 6479 (03) 208 5450 (03) 208 5404 (03) 208 7932 (03) 208 5806 (03) 208 5505 (03) 208 1960 (03) 208 5505 (03) 208 6791 (03) 208 5806
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Chairman’s Report February 2017 Festival Rally this month and I'm sure Keith and Denis will have an interesting and exciting event for us. All we need to make it a great day is some good weather and enthusiastic participants. So get your entries in and make 2017, our 50th Festival Rally, one to remember. Keith and Denis would like us to be in period costume for the day. Don't forget that there is a collection box for donations for hamper raffles at the clubrooms, bring along something nonperishable. Also local members, bring along a plate for morning tea. A big thank you to the guys who got stuck in and cleaned and painted the roof of the clubrooms. A job well done. We should all be appreciative for the work done by the members who go up to the club on Wednesday afternoons and work away. Their efforts mean that our clubrooms are maintained and things don't get away on us. Thanks again to all those who work quietly away in the background. Murray
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From the Editor’s keyboard As those of you who attended the January meeting will know, I will be in the UK for most of February. If you have anything that you need to appear in the March issue, please email it rather than posting it to me, as it may not get to me in time otherwise. In any case, the earlier any material is sent the better, as I shall be working on a laptop in hotel rooms! As I also said at the meeting, this issue contains the last of the stories that I had “in stock”. I urgently need more material for What’s in Your Shed, What We Did on our Holidays or, indeed, any stories about anything that might be of interest to the readers. I am also running short of recipes so unless somebody sends me something soon there will be some very serious arm-twisting on my return from the UK. You have been warned! David North
House Convenor Vacancy At the last monthly meeting, I proposed a Motion that there be no supper after the monthly meetings until the branch had a House Convenor. As you will see from the Minutes later in this issue, that Motion was carried and, as a result, there will be no supper after the monthly meetings until further notice. I hoped it would provoke discussion, which it did, and encourage somebody to put their hand up for the job. We need a House Convenor so there is a single point of contact for Clubroom bookings and an identified person responsible for taking bookings, co-ordinating such things as the Pioneer Park use of the Clubrooms for the tourist buses, events such as our Festival Rally and for overseeing the operations of the Social Committee. Surely there is somebody out there who is willing to take this on. David North PS. We also still need a Vice Chairman for when the Chairman is absent! 5
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New Member A very warm welcome to new member Stan Kelly from Mataura. Ken attended the January meeting and owns a fine selection of cars, including a 1954 Riley Pathfinder, a 1978 Reliant Scimitar and a 1985 Mercedes. We look forward to seeing Stan and his cars at meetings and on our runs and events. The Editor 7
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Irish Compassion Shortly after take-off on an outbound evening Air Lingus flight from Dublin to Boston, the lead flight attendant nervously made the following painful announcement in her lovely Irish brogue: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm so very sorry, but it appears that there has been a terrible mix-up by our catering service. I don't know how this has happened, but we have 103 passengers on board, and unfortunately, we received only 40 dinner meals. I truly apologise for this mistake and inconvenience. When the muttering of the passengers had died down, she continued, "Anyone who is kind enough to give up their meal so that someone else can eat will receive free, unlimited drinks for the duration of our 5 hour flight. Her next announcement came about 2 hours later: "If anyone is hungry, we still have 40 dinners available. Sent in by Philip Bewley 9
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Links to other branch newsletters and websites Branch Newsletters on the VCC Website vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches Southland branch website, includes their newsletter (Rumour): http://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar Auckland branch website, includes their newsletter (The Bulletin): http://www.avvcc.org.nz Hawke’s Bay branch website, includes their newsletter (The Mag): http://www.hbvcc.org.nz/ Bay of Plenty branch website, includes their newsletter (Klaxon): www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com South Canterbury branch website http://www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz Gawler Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club Inc. (Australia): http://www.gawlercarclub.com/
Newsletters from other branches These branches are now sending us their newsletters as pdf files: Ashburton, Banks Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Far North, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Rotorua, South Canterbury, Southland, Wellington and Wellsford-Warkworth. If you would like a copy, please contact the Editor or the Secretary. The Editor 11
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February Tuesday Ramble 28th February 9.45am: assemble at Gore VCC clubrooms 10.00am: depart for Stirling Cheese Factory, Balclutha, (sorry for the early start!) 11.00am: visit to Cheese Factory BYO lunch, hall and hot water available 1.00pm: visit Cheese Bar Please note that you can purchase cheese at the Factory Shop
Contact: Gerry Kennedy Phone: (03) 208 5806 Cell: 027 233 4634 No later than 23rd February as we have to advise numbers 13
Gore Branch events for the 2016-17 Season Event
Proposed Dates
People Responsible
2017 Festival Rally
25th February
Keith Dodds, Denis Knight
Frank Robson Run / Clearwater Capers
12th March
Charlie Davis
Swap Meet
19th March
Evan Henderson Stewart Quertier
Ladies Run
9th April
Marilyn Proctor
Night Trial
13th May
Bill Sheddan
End of Season Run
10th June
Greg Elder
Tuesday Ramble
Last Tuesday of every month (variable in December)
Gerry Kennedy
(to be confirmed)
Editor's note to event organisers: if you want to see a report in The Wiper please provide one yourselves or organise somebody to do it for you. (This usually works best if you ask them before the event!)
FESTIVAL RALLY RAFFLE We are again collecting non-perishable grocery items to be used in hamper prizes. There is a box in the clubrooms for your donations. 2016’s Raffle was a great success, let’s make 2017’s even better. Gerry Kennedy 14
Other Events 2017 4th February
Gore A&P Show
4th – 10th February
Proposed 2017 Haast Tour. Register interest with Barry Barnes bandcbarnes@slingshot.co.nz or phone 03 688 5105. Also see website www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
12th February
Balfour Backyard Beauties Show. Contact Jodie 027 2014711 or Campbell 027 4579506
18th February
Nelson branch Swapmeet. Site sales contact Ruth Mercer khmercer@xtra.co.nz , phone 03 548 6338
17th – 19th February
Evolution Motorsport 25th Classic Speedfest, Teretonga
17th – 19th February. 25th VCC National Motorcycle Rally. All events based at After Rally Tour: Waitomo Village. Enquiries to Rally Secretary – phone 07 20th – 24th February 856 7238 or 027 423 0608 or email vccrally@gmail.com Early March
Round the South Island Trip (Southland branch). Contact Olly, 03 236 1408 or 027 428 4666
10th – 12th March
Lake Taupo Rally Golden Anniversary. Enquiries to Rally Secretary, Eric Foley, PO Box 907, Taupo 3351, email Tfoley@Jabiru.co.nz, phone 07 378 7006
18th March
Scenicland 4 Lakes Rally, West Coast Branch. Rally Secretary b.m.woolhouse@xtra.co.nz
14th – 17th April
North Island National Easter Rally, Auckland Branch. Rally Secretary Tracey Winterbottom, phone 09 232 0246 or email vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz 2021
14 – 24 January th
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VCC International Rally, New Plymouth
Spotted! In the Southland Times, 12th January 2016: Murray Proctor and his Rover 3-litre in a half page article about “vintage” motoring, the Vintage Car Club and the Gore branch. The Editor 15
What’s In Your Shed? 1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Long Wheelbase Saloon by John Hughes My father and uncle were from England (although my mother was a Scot) and they both talked about how good Rolls-Royces were. Not surprisingly, I always fancied a Rolls-Royce and decided that, if I didn’t smoke, one day I would be able to afford to buy one new. In 1974 I bought a new Triumph 2.5 and one day found myself talking in the bar to a chap who had a new Rolls-Royce. His name was Bill Chamberlain and he was a member of the Bulb Growers’ Association, as was I. This started me looking for a low-mileage example and I saw this one on the internet. I went to look at the car, test-drove it, and liked it. I got Bruce McIlroy to inspect it before I agreed to buy it. Funnily enough, Bruce was initially a nursery-man and, when his father retired, he got a manger in and started his car business (Bruce McIlroy Ltd., Authorised Bentley & Rolls-Royce Heritage Dealer). The car’s history is quite interesting, but I only found this out when I obtained a copy from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club in the UK, via Bruce McIlroy. It is reputed to have been owned by Shirley Bassey, but, sadly, there is nothing in the file to substantiate this. The file does, however, include invoices for a substantial amount of work carried out in 1996 & 1997 and copies of the UK annual roadworthiness tests. There are also assembly records, rectification sheets, paintwork defect sheets and road test reports from the factory. These records show an astonishing number of (minor) faults and parts not fitted during the car’s build which had to be rectified before it was signed off. (Perhaps a reflection of the difficult industrial climate in the UK at the time.) They also illustrate the close attention given to the paintwork finish by the factory inspectors. The car was first registered in 1986 and sold to me as a 1986 car but when I got the factory build sheet I discovered it was actually built towards the end of 1984. Shortly after being completed, it was shipped to Grosvenor Motors (Parktown N) Ltd. of Johannesburg, South Africa, possibly as a show or exhibition car. The original order was dated the 4th 16
September 1984 and was for a “Rolls-Royce Silver Spur without division, right hand drive, in acrylic white with light blue Everflex roof, light blue fine line, light blue hide piped dark blue, with grey or light blue Marvelon headlining and Mountain blue carpets. South African specification. Windscreen Sundym shaded, modify spare wheel carrier to increase ground clearance, tyres Avon Raidal (sic) white side wall.” The history file also includes a specification sheet dated the 11th October 1984 which “cancels the previous Specification dated 9/10/84” and now specifies dark blue fine lines, grey Marvelon headlining (light blue not available), dark blue carpets and a Blue Spot Toronto radio.
The first invoice to Grosvenor Motors was dated the 30th November 1984, and was for £51,200.00. “Preparation, handling, packing & documentation, inland freight Crewe to Southampton, ocean freight Southampton to Durban” added a further £1,210.25, making a grand total of £52, 410.25. Interestingly, the history file included another invoice to Grosvenor Motors, dated the 3rd December 1984, for the sum 17
of £42,638.00 plus Value Added Tax at 15% (£6,395.70) making a total of £49,033.70. There is also an invoice from Overseas Containers Ltd. for shipping the car to South Africa at a cost of £1178.60 but nothing to explain the difference in prices.
The car was apparently shipped back to the UK about a year later, since there is an invoice to Rolls-Royce Motors Sales dated 15th November 1985 for altering the specification from South African to UK. This entailed changing the speedometer from KPH to MPH and changing the radiator shell from static to retractable flying lady. The first registered owner, Mr. R. Freeman, of Universal Showcards Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex, UK, took delivery on the 14th February 1986 and by 1993 the car had covered 38,216 miles. The UK records from then until February 2004 tell a story of sparing usage, varying between 100 and 2,000 miles a year, taking the mileage to 45,809. On the 31st January 2006, with 48,449 miles on the clock, it was registered to Andrew Charles Lush & Christine Mary Pullin of Ashburton. Perhaps something happened to the relationship as by the 22nd March 2007 it was solely owned by Andrew Charles Lush, now of Temuka. 18
During its life the car has carried a number of different registration plates. Its first plates were C85DUU, which were still on it in January 1993 but by January 1994 it carried SON534Y. When it was first registered in New Zealand it became DDN466, with Mr Lush it was RHRHR and now, with me, it is MY86RR. Thanks to the low mileage and pre-purchase inspection, I have had few things to do to the car. The air-conditioning wasn’t working when I bought it, so that had to be fixed. The front torsion bar has been replaced with the Bentley equivalent, which has improved the handling. We have done over 20,000 miles since I bought the car, mostly on car rallies, etc., despite me being over 80 years-old and supposed to be slowing down. With all those miles there are bound to have been a few “adventures”. The first adventure involves the number plates. When I bought the car the NZ plates were velcro’d over the top of the English ones. In hindsight that may not have been a good idea! As I was driving the car home, a hare ran out of the hedge and hit the front of the car. This was followed by a bit of an ominous-sounding rumble coming from underneath the car. Farther on I came across some cattle on the road and stopped to report the wandering stock to a neighbour. That was when I noticed a petrol smell. When I got home I had a look and spotted petrol pouring out. The front number plate had fallen off when I hit the hare and damaged a petrol pipe. I drove the car into the paddock and let the petrol drip out. I got the pipe repaired temporarily and then Bruce McIlroy fitted a new one. On another occasion, I was coming back from Christchurch at night when all the lights went out. I found they’d work on full beam if I held the column stalk and that got me home. An auto-electrician in Gore found a faulty relay, so that was easily fixed. Another time we got stopped for the Booze Bus and the policeman who came up to the car wanted to know “What sort of beast is this?”! Then there was the time we were driving along and suddenly a stainless steel wheel trim flew off. My daughter, who was travelling in the car behind, witnessed this and retrieved it from the ditch. We were oblivious to the fact that there was anything happening behind us, but my daughter’s quick thinking saved us $1,400 for a new wheel trim. 19
I have no regrets over buying “our fun car”. The car has been used for weddings, to take teenagers to Balls and I am often asked to give people rides on special occasions. The family help out and my son even bought me a special chauffeur’s cap and gloves to wear on these occasions. I am a member of the New Zealand Rolls-Royce and Bentley Club Inc. and enjoy their events and meeting up with other owners. We have also been all round the South Island on the Penrite Mainland Classic Tour. That was a great experience, although, with a fuel consumption of 18.8mpg (15L/100Km), we got to see a lot of petrol stations!
For those with an interest in such matters, here is a brief technical specification, taken from the Owner’s Handbook: Length – 5.37 metres (17ft 7½ inches) Width (including door mirrors) – 1.887 metres (6ft 2¼ inches) Height: 1.485 metres (4ft 10½ inches) Weight (with full tank of petrol) – 2295kg (2.26 tons) 20
The packed engine bay (All photos by the Editor)
Engine – 90 degree V8, 6.75 litres (411.9 cu inch) Gearbox – 3-speed torque converter automatic transmission Engine cooling system – 15.9 litres (28 pints) Engine oil (including filter) – 9.4 litres (16.5 pints) Transmission total capacity – 10.7 litres (18.7 pints) Fuel tank – 108 litres (23.75 gallons) Fuel consumption: Town driving – 23.6 L/100km (12 miles per gallon [mpg]) Constant speed of 90 kph – 15.6 L/100km (18 mpg) Constant speed of 120kph – 17.5L/100km (16mpg) John Hughes (As told to the Editor) 21
COOKERY CORNER Simple Cheesecake 1 pkt (250grams) Krispie Coconut Biscuits 120 grams butter 1 tin sweetened condensed milk 1Kg of yoghurt (your choice) 1 pkt (100gm) Betta Small Baking Marshmallows Crush biscuits and add the butter (melted) Press into baking dish Mix the condensed milk and yoghurt together. Mix in marshmallows Pour over biscuit mixture Place in microwave and cook on high for 5 minutes Place in fridge to cool overnight Decorate with chocolate chips and coconut threads Cut into wedges and serve with whipped cream or plain yoghurt Vanilla Bean yoghurt was nice, also any of the fruit yoghurts Dreamy Lemon with 2tbsp lemon juice added This is so quick to make, and tastes really yummy. Enjoy. Elaine Barron
Lexophilia He had a photographic memory which was never developed. Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it. Those who get too big for their pants will be totally exposed in the end. Bill Sheddan 22
Gore VCC Supper Roster 2017 February March April May June July August September October
IF YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE ON YOUR ROSTERED NIGHT, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE.
John Parish Noel Kelly David McDowell Beb Kennedy Gerry Kennedy Paul Corcoran John Parish Noel Kelly David McDowell
We need to cater for about 30-40 members each night. If necessary, small items can be bought at Gore New World and charged to the Gore VCC account.
November Beb Kennedy December Gerry Kennedy January Paul Corcoran
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Advertisements FOR SALE Five tyres, size 16� x 650; four have done 11,000kms, one never used. Reasonable offers to Charlie Davis 0274 515 234 2/3
FOR SALE 1964 Riley 4/72, Almond Green. Body and tyres in very good condition. Has done 12,000 miles on reconditioned engine and gearbox. Used for VCC events. $8,000.00 or near offer. Phone Keith Nunn (03) 2085403 – evenings 2/3
WANTED Centre cap for standard fitment alloy wheel and a windscreen washer solenoid for a 1986 Toyota Corolla 1.6GL Liftback. David North. Phone 02117 23281 or email northd14@gmail.com 1/3
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Online bonuses this month Southland Times article about the VCC and the Gore branch: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/88223956/mechanic-spendsspare-time-in-vintage-car-club Transport World's Official Opening of Classic Motorcycle Mecca: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_pkOzrD-Uo Classic Motorcycle Mecca - Guy Martin Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXszqZsom3s Short clip of Guy Martin at the Burt Munro Invercargill Street Races: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qojVJtt2Rto
Lexophilia A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail. A will is a dead giveaway. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. A boiled egg is hard to beat. When you've seen one shopping centre you've seen a mall. Police were summoned to a day-care centre where a three-year-old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He's all right now. A bicycle can't stand alone; it's just two tired. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered. When she saw her first strands of grey hair she thought she'd dye. Bill Sheddan 26
Run reports, articles of interest, photos, technical tips, letters and feedback are always welcome. Please send all contributions to David North
before the 21st of each month for inclusion in the next Wiper If you don't have a computer I can type up a hand-written article or put your notes or jottings into shape for The Wiper. If you prefer I can even take notes as you talk to me and write up the story for you - I am always ready to help so just let me know how! e-mail: northd14@gmail.com physical mail: 4 Trotter Street, Riverton 9822 telephone (mobile) 0211723281 Remember that insuring your vehicle(s), boat(s), house(s), contents or travel with Vero Insurance and quoting the branch number (300135) results in the branch receiving a commission payment Please support our advertisers so that they, in turn, can continue to support the Branch The opinions and statements in The Wiper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the Gore branch or of the VCC. The branch accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any statements. The Wiper is printed by i-Cue 10 Wood Street, Invercargill. Telephone (03) 218 3350 27
GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE
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