The
Tourer
n Pacemaker
H is for Hudso
Manawatu Branch
Volume 1776
February 2017
Discounts on Cook Strait Ferry Crossings All financial members of the VCC of NZ Inc can obtain a discount on ferry crossings, for individual or group bookings. You must show your membership card. Quote the required codes: Interislander WH5465 0800878898
Blue Bridge – ANTIQUECAR 0800844844
Number 09/300139
When insuring your valuable items (property, car etc) with Vero, quoting the above number results in a commission being made to the Manawatu Branch. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Coming Events 2016-2017 Coming Events 2017 February 2017
26 12 19 30 6 10 17 28 14 17 21 25 12 19 9 16 13 16 20
Manawatu Branch Veteran Rally Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Mid Month Meander – 1.00pm from Chesters Club night 7.30pm The Grove Mark Buxton Absolute Tooling Solutions – 3D imaging 25th National Motorcycle Rally Art Deco Napier Working Bee Sunday Run picnic - 11.00am meet at Feilding Railway Station – north end Manawatu Branch Ruahine Ramble –details in this Tourer Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Mid month Meander 1.00pm start Manawatu Branch VCC AGM 7.30pm The Grove Sunday Run – picnic 11.00am start details.tba Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove Sunday Run picnic 11.00am start details tba Manawatu Branch Post Vintage Rally Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove Sunday Run details tba Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Manawatu Branch Night Trial Club night 7.30pm The Grove Sunday Run details tba Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Manawatu Branch Vintage Rally Club night 7.30pm The Grove
October 2017
11 18
Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove
November 2017
8 15
Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove
December 2017
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Committee meeting 7.00pm The Grove tbc
5 8 12 15 17-19 17 – 20 18 26
March 2017
4 8 12 15
April 2017 May 2017
June 2017
July 2017 August 2017 September 2017
Notes Sunday Run details are in the Club Captain’s Corner each month. Regular monthly events are listed on the back cover in each issue. The Tourer
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Notes from the Chair Hello everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Those who attended the Christmas Party in December enjoyed themselves, the quiz being popular. 25 Year badges were presented to Ron Persson and Des Locke at this event. We are looking at changing the format next year to a paid catered meal. With the AGM coming up please consider putting your name forward for nomination as there are gaps which need to be filled at committee level. With the resignation of HG Catering from the management of our clubroom bookings, the committee has had a busy time over Christmas and New Year rewriting the contacts between both the manager and the club; and the hirers and the manager. Bryan Abraham has put a lot of time into these contracts, for which I thank him. The club has just appointed Creative Catering to manage our bookings. The new contract starts on the 3rd of February. We thank Hester of HG Catering and her staff for the years that her company has managed our bookings. The new stove has been installed in the Members’ kitchen. The insurance company has accepted our claim and new carpet will be installed in the Members’ room and the vinyl in this section of the complex will also be replaced. There are a number of unfinished maintence items which need urgent
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attention, namely painting of window frames (inside and out) and removing gorse and broom from the bank below the road. To this end there will be a Working Bee at the Clubrooms on Saturday the 18th of February starting at 9am. It gives me great sadness to report that Murray and Dot Martin recently lost their son Chris. The Branch offers their sincere condolences at this difficult time. Our speaker for February Club Night is Mark Buxton of Absolute Tooling Solutions Limited. This company uses 3D computers to fabricate intricate designs. Their work has included parts for vintage cars. Please come along to support this interesting speaker. Happy motoring Sarah Howell Chair.
Sunday tea 5th Feb, Please join us on the veranda at the Clubrooms for a yarn and also view samples of our proposed new carpet. your feedback would be appreciated by the committee, thanks.
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Ron Person receiving his 25 year badge
Des Locke receiving his 25 year badge
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Manawatu Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc) will be held at the Branch Clubrooms “The Grove”, 684 Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North on Wednesday 15 March 2017 commencing at 7.30pm. Ron Persson Secretary
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc) MANAWATU BRANCH Elected Committee Positions # Chairperson
# Vice Chairperson
# Club Captain
# Vice Club Captain
# Secretary # Treasurer
# 4 General Committee Members
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc) MANAWATU BRANCH 2017 Committee Nomination Form I nominate: _____________________________________________________________ For the position of:______________________________________________________ Proposer:_____________________________________ Date: __________________ Seconder:____________________________________ Date: __________________ Nominee: I accept nomination for the above position. Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________ Completed Nomination Forms are to be sent to: The Secretary Manawatu Branch VCC of NZ (Inc) P O Box 385 PALMERSTON NORTH To arrive no later than Wednesday 8 March 2017
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The Manawatu Motor Show is back
Yes ....thats correct, after more than a decade in hiatus the Show is back again on the 2nd April at the Palmerston North Showgrounds carpark. The previous shows were always undercover but the endless increases in costs saw the event become unviable in that format. So.........its now outdoor in what is hoped to be a “settled weather“ time of year. The Show is open to all to display, we want your truck, tank, classic, motorcycle, competition vehicle, car, motorised bar stool, drifter or hot rod ..... being petrol heads if it makes a proper noise when it fires up.......we want it. Its free to display your vehicle......each vehicle entering gets a entry pass........if you need more than one pass bring another vehicle!!! Displaying the vehicle you are proud of is what we are about. Displaying also gives you a golden opportunity to network either with members of your own club or public and additionally you get the chance of someone saying.........I know someone who has one of those in a barn/parts for one of those......or.......I want to buy your vehicle. The Show is not a swap meet and never will be but if you can help yourself or your club by arranging to buy or sell vehicles or parts or get members for your club........fill your boots !!! For your information we will be charging the public $5 per head or $10 a family to enter. This money will be used for advertising and trophies so please spread the word, a great attendance this year will result in more trophies next year. Enclosed is an entry form. We know entries are a pain to fill out and return but please email or post them back because they assist with where to place what vehicles. Hope to see you on the 2nd April, any questions or further info please contact: Chris 3585894 Murray 0274483333 or email manawatumotorshow@hotmail.com The Tourer
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Or email manawatumotorshow@hotmail.com
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Restoration Record
To foster among Members a system of mutual voluntary assistance for the maintenance and preservation of all vehicles catered for by the Club from the Club Constitution. The recent survey of our Branch members found an amazing number of vehicles being restored. This is surely a keystone of the Club’s existence. The Tourer is to introduce a regular column to help this activity and its success will rest solely on the support of members through contributions of all kinds, however brief. Let us start by building a list of vehicles being restored. Please email me with your vehicles which are being restored or are awaiting restoration. We will publish the list until we have gathered all vehicles and then update it annually. That is just the start. The RR wants to publish news of progress on restorations, anecdotes, helpful hints, recommendations and parts sought. It wants to generate interest among all members and its success will be assured when members’ conversational openings go past “What vehicles do you have?” to “And are you restoring anything?” The Editor declares that she is not restoring anything herself and so does not know all topics which will interest our members. That is where you come in. Please do it now. All contributions should be emailed to: erowden@gmail.com The start of the RECORD…….
RESTORATION RECORD as at January 2017 Vehicle Owner Restorer Date begun? 1915 Dodge Roadster J Callesen J Callesen / A Hardacre Late 2011 – had parts since 1987 1921 Citroen 10HP S Howell S Howell Acquired parts in 2011 1928 Packard C McGill J Callesen WIP over last 20 years. 1913 Austin D Milne D Milne 2016 Veteran Austin B Hutton B Hutton
Date finished? End of 2016 2021 hopefully! 3 years with JC
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Sarah’s Citroen
by Sarah Howell I started with just the engine, gearbox and part of the back axle. As you can see these parts were a mess. The back springs were heavily rusted up, the back axle is incomplete. The gearbox has the
wrong top, and the engine has the wrong carby and wrong magneto. I have since sourced the correct parts for each of these incorrect parts.
Our engine with wrong carby
10 hp gearbox and starter motor (ours).
Our 10 hp diff as found
The back axle is interesting for two reasons: it has pairs of quarter eliptic springs either side, one above the other, and the crown wheel and pinion are of a unique design - you can see the chevron arrangement of the gears on the crown wheel. I don’t have a pinion yet. There are only four 10hp Citroens in New Zealand that I know of. (Mine will be the fifth). Since obtaining those few parts pictured here, I have obtained nearly all of the major parts and a lot of the smaller stuff. The photo below the front end as it is today. The chassis is away being repaired).
Our 10 hp parts as found
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New Members contact the Secretary, Ron Persson, to organise for a name badge to be made. I have stripped everything down, cleaned it, painted it and reassembled it. Getting rusted parts apart has been quite difficult at times and I have sought help with this. The wheels have new wheel bearings. I had the front springs made by a spring maker to my patterns. Everything else I have done myself. The back axle is now in a similar condition to the front.
and usable when purchased. It really annoys me when men look at my cars and ask Ian questions about them. Ian (to his credit) always says “It’s Sarah’s car, ask her”. The questioner then usually gets a shock when they realise that I actually know quite a lot about old cars! (Rant over) :) Note from Editor: I am delighted to begin this series of Restoration Records with this article from our Chair. Thanks Sarah. Possible future articles: Callesen / Hardacre 1915 Dodge ‘in the beginning’, and “near the end”.
This photo shows a mock up of the body. I will make a new scuttle - that one is just pattern material. I imported the windscreen from France. The vehicle behind is my Dodge another long term project.... Ian is helping me a lot with building the body as he has heaps of experience in doing that and I didn’t have a clue where to start with it. I have done a lot of mechanical work on other cars in the past but this is my first attempt at a restoration from scratch. My other cars have either been partially finished but missing a few parts (ie the Dodge) or complete The Tourer
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Craig McGill’s 1928 Packard I don’t have any photographs of the Packard as found in Uruguay but attached are two photographs of the 443 taken when it was in the US (owned by Henry Yeska) and one taken when it arrived in New Zealand.
Feilding Farm Meat Processors Ltd Home Kill Servicing the greater Manawatu
* MAF Registered * Farm Meat Slaughtering & Processing * Packed & Frozen Complete Home Kill Service Ph/Fax 06 323 6288 A/hrs 06 323 4265
Steve Bright 021 519 077
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96 Churcher St Feilding
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Tourer Trader Wanted Known Is there a current plumber within our Branch membership who is able to advise me on a hard to find drainage problem? Please phone Brian McPherson on 06-354 6310.
13th Ford Model A National Rally.
This will be held over Easter weekend 13 - 17 April 2017. The rally is centred on the Taradale Club, Greenmeadows, Napier with theme of “Dare to be Deco”. If past National meets are anything to go by, this should be a great fun time. Expect around 100 entrants, with some from overseas already registered. For more information, contact Manawatu VCC member Peter Robinson 06 356 7404
TWO WHEELS ENGINEERING
99a Lombard Street Palmerston North Ph 06 357-2972 Fax 06 355·1634 Mobile 027-241·3413 The Tourer
B&H ENGINE SERVICES 2015 Ltd 298 Broadway Avenue- Palmerston North (Member NZ Engine Reconditioner’s Assn) Specialists in all • ENGINE RECONDITIONING and • PARTS SUPPLY of any make or model. • • • • • •
ALSO Shell Bearing Conversions Remetalling Line Boring Unleaded Fuel Conversions Balancing “Hard to Get” parts manufactured TELEPHONE: 357 1182 FAX 356 6722 Email: bhengserv@clear.net.nz www.bh-engineservices.co.nz
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NomadicNovembers by Ian Rowden
Don was head boy and George captain of the 1st XV at PNBHS and they met Bill and Ian in 1963 at a Christchurch university hostel when they all started engineering degrees, two mechanical and two civil. (Engineering students had founded the VCCNZ less than 20 years previously.) We have been close friends ever since. At Christchurch Bill drove a Chummy and Don a Bambino while George had a BMW boxer bike and me a 1952 BSA 500 twin. Don married Lesley Ireland who was nursing at PN hospital. Her father then owned a flour mill on Broadway. They now live in Thames. Bill had restored the 1928 Chummy as a teenager in the UK and brought it to NZ. After his graduation he sold it to take up a training position with Rolls Royce Aviation in UK and married Jenny before they returned to NZ. The Chummy changed hands among friends and family, the first buyer expanding to a family of 5. Eventually Bill and Jenny were able to buy it back. In 2014 the three retired couples toured Taranaki in our VCC cars while George stayed at work. Don now has a 1949 1.5 litre Riley and Ian then had the1926 Oakland. We first stayed at the Whangamomona Hotel and went on golf carts along the now-closed railway on the following day before proceeding on backroads to Waitara and a New Plymouth holiday home owned by the Simkins. They provided covered parking and showed us their
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collection of Rolls Royces and their workshop complex. Don and Lesley headed home to Thames and we stayed at Dawson Falls on Mt Taranaki and visited a car restorer in South Taranaki before our final night with Jenny and Bill at Bushy Park where Esmee and Ian were married when Bill’s parents were the custodians. Over the years we had enjoyed a number of evenings there, following a work party. For the following year Don organised a tour of the Waikato. We stayed at Out in the Styx, a guesthouse near Sanctuary Mountain at Maungatautari, east of Te Awamutu. The next accommodation was also for two nights, in Raglan. Isn’t it a delightful spot? There are always lots of young foreign tourists to enhance the people-watching. It was a long drive home to PN in one day. I had a very sore hip by the end of the trip. Nice rhyme, eh? In 2016 the Riley had the longest journey, from Thames. Jenny and Bill wanted to re-visit Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay districts, particularly Akitio, and George (from Masterton) joined us as a passenger. George is the youngest son of Paul Evans who masterminded the Lower Manawatu flood control scheme, including the Moutoa Flood Gates. Since the Oakland had been sold to a good home, we travelled this year in the 1935 Chrysler Airstream. With three occupants and no boot, the packing was a bit tight, especially as the Chummy also wanted to shed a few items. We gathered at Esmee and Ian’s on a Sunday night to chaotically agree the final details and a food list. The last minute change of plan was to commence the tour with a visit to Valhalla. As well as the usual enthusiastic welThe Tourer
come and tour from John and Judy Callesen, Allan Hardacre was also at work on final touches for the 1915 Dodge. It looks superb‌.of course. We were privileged to witness the mighty Peerless engine having a final run before being sent to the USA. I understand Donald Trump will use it to charge up his cell phone. To ease pressure on the Chummy we drove via Aokautere to the Gorge and late morning tea at Ballance. The Chummy was a little late arriving having turned right to Linton instead of left to Summerhill. We then followed the Mangahao River and crossed it to pass the Fonterra plant on the way to Pahiatua for car fuel and Tui Brewery for man-fuel. Bill spent under $15 on the car fuel. Makes you spit. We then headed towards Pongoroa through the Makuri Gorge, pausing at the bridge to Pori. In 1939 Ian’s father worked for the Tararua Electric Power Board, and led a team of several men, one truck and several horses, to take the power toward Pongoroa , and after the War, as a self-employed electrician he wired many houses and other farm buildings east of the Puketoi Range. There was a gale as we crossed the range and we did not pause long to admire the view. There was also a mob of sheep. After a drink at the Pongoroa pub and a look at the Wilkins Memorial (a Nobel prize winner) we went on to a holiday house in Akitio. A swim was attempted, with partial success and Bill scored some paua. We had a windy time also at Akitio and after 2 nights we went on Wednesday to the Waihi Falls, had lunch at the closed Wimbledon The Tourer
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School and a drink at the Wimbledon pub, which we had been told had closed. The Porangahau pub was not serving when we arrived, but we were assured it would open later. There was also a mob of cattle! We visited the impressive urupa in Porangahau where many distinguished maori are buried, before refuelling and then overnighting at Chapelwick Homestead, where we enjoyed excellent hospitality. We competed at petanque, croquet and nomination whist, and several of us had a swim (some two swims). We had no time for tennis before the excellent meal! After a great breakfast on Thursday we checked out the chapel. There were loads and loads of citrus fruit throughout the extensive orchard and we took a lot with us. We headed north, travelling mid-way between the coast and Waipukurau, emerging at Waipawa and having an interesting visit to a maker of croquet mallets and polo sticks, near Otane. How interesting! Do you know which part of the polo stick head strikes the ball? The long side. The craftsman is a South American aged 76 who starts work at 6am and has been there for 30 years. Remind you of a certain type? We had a look at the Waipawa Clock
Shop, which is always fun, and then went southish from Waipukurau via Tourere Road, turned left instead of right, and doubled back to eventually reach Ormondville where we stayed at the Railway Station. A local who has an Essex told us about the event which is to be visited in the next Ruahine Ramble. It should be an entertaining day. . Esmee set a fire as it got chilly and George cooked us a meal in the wok which we carried the whole way. The next day was fine for our run home. We got a key to the local historic church from a guy who twice assured Bill that it was possible to make love in the backseat of a Chummy. The church interior had a transept and fine joinery, along with the 10 Commandments. Then we visited or passed the three railway viaducts and took a new route avoiding Dannevirke main street to Top Grass Road with a measure of uncertainty as to the exact route. We then travelled to the Gorge with assurance bypassing Woodville and via Aokautere to home. On the following Monday I had a hip joint replacement. It’s like replacing a half-shaft. Where will we go next year? It�s our turn to lead.
VCC ID CARDS RENEWAL APPLICATIONS Message from Head Office NZVCC
Please note that all VCC ID Cards have an expiry. This expiry is upon change of ownership, or 10 years from the issue date. Your vehicle must also be as described on the Card. A Renewal form personalised for each vehicle ID Card is distributed by the National Office to current financial members, approximately 3 months before the expiration. Even if your vehicle has had no changes, this form must be checked, signed and forwarded to your Branch, along with the ID Card (if the photo correctly shows your vehicle in its present state), or three new photos, as stated on the form. Upon receipt at the National Office, the ID Card will be reissued and will be valid for a further 10 years unless there is a change of ownership or major changes to the vehicle during that time. It is compulsory for all National and International VCC Rallies that vehicles entered must have a current valid ID Card.
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Club Captain’s Corner End of 2016 reports SUNDAY RUN TO THE WOOLSHED – 27 November 2016 The day could not have been much windier, complete with a bit of the damp stuff thrown in for good measure - but even so, twenty people ended up at the Woolshed in Sanson after a 30 mile drive which took the group through Bunnythorpe, Colyton, Feilding and out Sandon and Cemetery Roads to Sanson. Photo 6a Unfortunately the staff at the Woolshed had earmarked their Covered Courtyard area for our group to gather in (which would have been very pleasant had it been a nice day) but because of the windy and wet conditions they had to close the courtyard and we had to use their ‘plan B’ – the smaller of the indoor meeting rooms. This made it rather cosy given that the room was probably only designed for a dozen or so people, but even so there was enough room on the tables for all of the tea, coffee, cakes, scones and biscuits etc. that the group ordered. A pleasant afternoon out to finish the 2016 Sunday Runs with. Hopefully in 2017 we will continue to see fresh faces joining the Sunday Runs. The format for the Sunday Runs is generally an easy 60 > 75 minute run to the destination on sealed roads with the mileage for the day (return to Palmerston North) being approx. 40 > 60 miles. Picnic destinations rather than café destinations are planned for the first two or three Sunday Runs for 2017. Bryan and Catherine Abraham NEW YEAR’S DAY PICNIC This was a particularly well supported event – well done to Len and Gladys Haycock for their organisation. There were cars from the Wanganui and Horowhenua branches which joined us – a total of 37 cars. Use photos 5h and 5k The Tourer
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FEILDING CHRISTMAS PARADE – December 2016
Brian Rankine’s 1929 Bentley Vern Jensen’s 1909 Buick
Brian James’ 39 Chevy Des Locke’s Model A The tour went from Bulls to Mt Lees via Kakariki for a lovely picnic lunch, followed by an optional bush walk. There was also a few ex-members in attendance - Bruce and Mary Leask, and Brian and Lyn Thomas.
Peter Robinson’s 29 Model A Sedan
Coming up in February and March 2017 MID MONTH MEANDER – 12 February 2017 If you fancy a quiet Sunday drive to the Colyton Clocks collection meet at 1.00 pm at the Ches-
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ters Plumbing and Bathroom carpark in Tremaine Avenue (Palmerston North). There is an entry charge of $3.50 per head to this venue – please try and bring the correct change. Colyton Clocks is housed in a 100 year old building and is promoted as containing the largest collection in the southern hemisphere of clocks, watches and timepieces from around the world. With the collection typically taking less than an hour to look around, a short drive of a few kilometres to the Herb Farm & Café after looking around the clock museum will be an attraction for most. Bring suitable footwear for walking on non-sealed surfaces as the entrance to Colyton Clocks is across a grassed area, and the paths around the gardens / bush area at the Herb Farm are also not sealed. SUNDAY RUN – 26 February 2017 Meet in the carpark at the northern end of the Feilding Railway Station at 11.00 am for a 25 mile (40 km) drive to some well-established gardens for a picnic. There is an entry charge of $5.00 per head to the gardens – please try and bring the correct change. The gardens are set in 7 hectares of grounds so there is an extensive network of paths in place to allow you to explore the maples, oaks, beeches, liquidambars, conifers, and many other rare and beautiful deciduous trees, along with dahlias and other perennials, ornamental pools and a waterfall. If the weather is against us on the day a route to an alternative venue has been prepared which will allow us to proceed with our picnic in a sheltered pavilion. If for any reason it is not convenient for you to use your club eligible vehicle on any of the branch events please remember that you are more than welcome to join us using your ‘modern’. RUAHINE RAMBLE – 4 March 2017 The entry form for this years’ Ruahine Ramble is in this Tourer. The Ramble follows the format of the 2016 Ramble in that it is non-competitive. There are several opportunities en-route for petrol, conveniences, ice creams and coffees etc. The Ramble is a 70 mile run to Ormondville with the destination being a roaring 40’s themed Festival Day promoting the restoration work which has been done by the Ormondville Rail Preservation Group. The day is also a Fundraiser for the Group and they have the Pahiatua Railcar coming over and making rides available (at a cost), for people to travel to the nearby Kopua, Ormondville and Makotuku Viaducts. The Tourer
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There will be stalls, food, tours of the Station and restored Goods Shed, entertainment, rides etc. It is planned to be a Fun Day so it will be an opportunity to bring children / grandchildren along on the Ramble for a family day out. The organisers have put aside a designated parking area for VCC members to use and if the weather is wet they have made arrangements for a nearby building to be available for VCC members to use for lunch. CLUB EMAIL ADDRESS LIST In January our branch received an email from the Feilding District and Promotions Inc. inviting VCC members to participate in the Wellington Anniversary weekend ‘Longest Lunch’ at Kowhai Park. I was able to forward the invitation to our members using the email list of members that I have access to – but with less than fifty email addresses on that list some two thirds of Manawatu Branch members missed the opportunity to participate in the event. If you did not receive that invitation to join the Feilding ‘Longest Lunch’ could you please email me so that I can include your email address on the club list. The email list is not used very often so it won’t result in ‘clutter’ to your Inbox. Prior to the ‘Longest Lunch’ email, the last time I used the email list was in August to promote and advise members of additional information about the Vintage Rally. Bryan Abraham bryana@ xtra.co.nz
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Len Shailer Ltd
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THE CAR TAILORS
68 Wilson Street- Wanganui
191 ALBERT ST, PALMERSTON NORTH PHONE 357-9098 * All types of car upholstery * Vintage cars a speciality * Carpet Overlocking
The acknowledged experts on all types of Vintage and Post Vintage Nickel and Chrome Plating. We are one of those old-fashioned firms that take pride in the quality of our work. (Ask anyone who has dealt with us) For all your METAL FINISHING REQUIREMENTS Copper, Brass, Bronze, Silver, Alloy Plating,Gold, Antique Finishing and Metal Polishing Phone Dave on Wanganui (06) 345 5042 for prompt and efficient service
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The ABC of the Manawatu VCC H is for ……. 1950 Hudson Pacemaker Owned by Alistair and Mary Howard Written by Alistair Howard with early information from Geoff Clark
This car was first purchased in Malaya and brought to New Zealand by a N.Z. Army soldier around 1954 and used for a while, then sold to a farmer named Danny Small who had two farms, one at Studholme Junction and the other at Hakataramea in Canterbury. He used it for around 20 years to commute between the two farms, clocking up around 200,000 miles. It was originally LHD, and the parts to convert to RHD were imported from Australia. Mr. Small had this work done early in his ownership of the car. It also had an overdrive transmission fitted at that stage, but the clutch was not upgraded from 9” to 10” and consequently this eventually failed. After Mr. Small passed away the car was sold to a Dunedin man who stored it for some years but never got around to getting the Hudson back on the road. After partnership difficulties, the owner had to sell the car, and his friend, Graeme Brown (deceased 1992), arranged for Geoff Clark of Nelson to purchase the car. Graeme was a Hudson Jet owner, and had also organised Geoff’s purchase of a Hudson Jet eleven years earlier. The car was immobile, unregistered and unwarranted. Geoff travelled down to The Tourer
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Dunedin by public transport with his then 13-year-old son Stephen and a tool kit. Graeme had the Pacemaker towed to his place in Fairfield and in three days of intensive effort, the clutch was re-corked and installed, a complete exhaust system constructed from scratch as there was nothing left of the original system, the hydraulic brakes rebuilt and the hand brake cables unsiezed. This was made more difficult by the fact that the RHD right-angle exhaust manifold output adapter had not been fitted, and when the front pipe was fitted up, the steering could not be turned to the right. So after much cutting, bending and welding, and finally a few judicious hits with a hammer in the right place, there was sufficient clearance for the pitman arm. Wiring was also extremely hazardous, but a few rolls of insulation tape temporarily fixed this. Next was a trip to the friendly local constable at Mosgiel who filled in a form and sent Geoff on his way - how times have changed! Then to the local garage for a WOF. Heaps of play in the right front suspension - top and bottom. The top bolt was worn, but a replacement slightly smaller one and a couple of bigger washers secured this enough to eliminate the play, but where the bottom bolt went through, the wishbone was worn right away and the bolt would not tighten up. A few minutes with the arc welder had that sorted and Geoff and Stephen set off for Nelson. The best performing component was the radio, as it was still picking up 4ZB at the top of the Hope Saddle. Geoff had the car at his place over a period of years, kept it registered and warranted, and did further work to enhance the reliability, such as fitting the correct 10” clutch to cope with the overdrive, new transmission gears, the correct exhaust output, re-chroming the bumpers. He did a few VCC rallies and a trip to Christchurch. They then shifted to Palmerston North and left the car behind at his elder son Andrew’s place, intending to eventually pick the car up and restore it properly. However, in 1988 he found a RHD Hudson Hornet in the U.S.A. which was in much better order than the Pacemaker, so he purchased that and sold the Pacemaker to his namesake Jeff Clark of Taupo. Jeff completely stripped the car, rebuilt the engine, had everything sandblasted with the underneath and most of body painted. He also had many other parts refurbished like the steering wheel and radiator but unfortunately he was stricken with ill health and decided he needed to pass the car on while he was still able to sort things out. I received a phone call from Jeff one evening late in 2011 asking if I was interested as I had told him a few years prior that I was impressed with the car. A deal was eventually done on the understanding that I first had to sell my 1926 Essex van to help finance the purchase. The registration had been on hold all those years and so much of the hard work was already completed which would make it so much easier to get the car back on the road when that time finally came. The Essex van was eventually sold to Ian Martyn of Christchurch and I could now go to Taupo and uplift my new project. I arrived at Jeff’s shed in my son’s ute with a borrowed car trailer. The Hudson had all the rolling gear installed but the motor had not run for a number of years. There was also no wiring in the car so driving
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on to the trailer was not an option. The trailer was parked in front of the shed but it was on a slope which posed a challenge to winch the car on yet stop it running away into the back of the son’s Ute – he would have not been impressed! Eventually it was secure on the trailer without incident and then came the loading of the many boxes of bits which contained everything for the dash – gauges, radio, switches and trim, window glass and all door and window mechanisms, wiper and other engine bay components plus many miscellaneous under car and other spare parts. The spare doors, grille, boot lid and rear window had to wait for a second trip. The car was jam packed as was its boot and the rear of the ute. Getting it home and unpacked was an exciting time indeed. Then it was a process of prioritising what needed doing and putting this jigsaw together. I had decided that my target was to get it up and running for the 2016 international rally (which we ended up not being able to attend). As I progressed with the project, I decided to get the exterior finished and just put everything back in the interior if it was reasonably serviceable, which transpired to be basically everything. Having everything in place meant the car could be used and as time / finances allowed these parts could be restored. Lining up the bonnet and front guards presented some challenges and no matter how I tried, the bonnet would not sit as it should. A call to Ian Chamberlain in Wanganui resulted in a date to take the car over for his expertise. In short time he had repositioned the LH front guard and things came together as hoped. (Now the passenger door would also fit properly.) A re-spray of paint on the areas he had worked on and it was as good as new again. The internet, eBay and the Hudson forum have been a real plus. An amount of rubber for sealing doors and the boot did come with the car but more was needed as was the stainless steel trim which had gone from the car years ago. All this, plus many other bits, were procured from other Hudson members, the USA or on eBay. Towards the end of getting this jigsaw together I just could not work out where three small metal parts fitted. After posting a couple of photos on the forum, the mystery was solved and it all made total sense – why could I not have worked that out!!! I also learned that it is most important to state RHD when getting a glove box insert as the LHD ones sold in the states definitely do not fit – a reverse image RHD one was made to replace the original ordered. Rewiring was, in the main, reasonably straightforward following the mediocre quality wiring diagram I had to work with. There had been some new wires already run by Jeff and some of these I did use but throughout the entire rewiring job I endeavored to keep the colour coding as close to original as best I could and soldered all terminals and joins. The Hudson light switch, however, did have me puzzled for a while. Quietly sitting down with a meter and recording what circuits opened in the various positions finally gave a clear picture of how it should be. Having an extra overload cut out on the switch and two power feeds only added to the initial confusion. I did run a couple of extra wires to the boot with the rest of the rear wiring for future use. I have since used one to take power to the cigarette lighter from a small 12 volt battery held in a special box The Tourer
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in the boot; this can power the Tom-Tom or cell phone charger and has already been well used. The overdrive has its own separate wiring loom and this also took time to study and properly understand. With new wiring, the lights work well so there was no need to convert to 12V as 6V had never let me down with the Essex so I don’t see why it should let me down with the Hudson. I can also use the original radio that works extremely well. Once the wiring had been done and a good check over of the engine it was time to see if it would run. An initial crank with the starter without ignition and the oil light went out so that was positive. I put two gallons of gas in the tank – why can I not get anything through the line??? Another two gallons goes in and after finally getting it to flow through the fuel line it was time to crank it over for real. A couple of turns and she fired into life. The oil light was still out and it was charging the battery. It ran so sweetly that I was just over the moon – the engine, having been sitting for a number of years, did concern me up until that point. There had been absolutely no need to worry at all. With the engine running and everything else working as it should I figured it was time to see if a WOF was an option at this early stage. I made an appointment and it just flew through. There was no interior lining at all but the windows had been installed with new channelling and rubber, while the rear brakes were not totally even but that soon came right after some use. Even though there were many other non-essential bits missing - WE WERE BACK ON THE ROAD!!
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The Hudson was again mobile and road legal after only a year, and since then there has been much more done and there is still much more to do – mainly the interior now. About twenty years ago, Geoff Clark of Nelson had bought a new hood lining for the car and this was there still in its box. We used the car without interior lining for a while but then we had the “new” hood lining installed and I got all interior panels back on. The hood lining looks great and the door linings are very serviceable until we can do that job properly in the future. SMS in the USA recently made a batch of upholstery material that was an exact match to the original used on the Pacemaker, for a Hudson owner over there. After learning of this I decided to purchase the required amount while it was available and hold it until the funds allow me to get the seats done. Since being back on the road, we have covered over 7000 miles doing various rallies and runs plus general local running around, to the beach and a road trip or two for no other reason than to enjoy the journey. The car has a 6 cylinder 232 cu in engine, a three speed transmission with overdrive and a 4.1 diff. It will cruise comfortably all day at 60 mph and easily return over 21mpg; it holds the road well and gives a very comfortable ride. I was fortunate to be able to import a genuine 232 head as when I got the car the motor had a 262 head which is lower compression than the 232. After fitting the 232 head the economy and performance did improve. Over the past 7000 miles, very little has caused issue. A suspension bush did need replacing at the second WOF and a replacement muffler was needed as all the rust let go on the original on the first trip to Palmerston North and it had self-destructed. The overdrive governor required a look at a while ago – it had filled with transmission oil and decided it did not want to work till it had been cleaned out. I did fit an in-line electric fuel pump to prime the carburetor when the car has been sitting for a while (better than just cranking over), a twin cluster of gauges for oil pressure and ammeter so I do not have to rely on the idiot lights. These lights do work but it is nice to know exactly what is happening in the engine bay. The overdrive has a kick down switch under the accelerator pedal which requires full throttle to be applied whenever kick down is required. This works well but I was not comfortable always having to use full throttle so I put an extra set of relays as a secondary system on the firewall that operates the kick down by the push of a button fitted discreetly under the dash along with the fuel pump button and back-up light switch. The best thing about the Hudson is that it is just a joy to drive. Gerry (and the Pacemakers) shares its garage with a very special 1928 Essex which I have had an association with since the mid 60’s – and that is another story! I sold my other ’28 Essex just before Christmas. Hudson began in 1909 and about 1916 they decided to produce a lower end model, which gave rise to the Essex (in 1918/19 these cars were 4 cylinders; in 1924 they switched to 6 cylinders). Then in 1932 they produced the Essex Terraplane, which morphed into a Terraplane in 1933. The Tourer
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Manawatu Branch VCC BLAST FROM THE PAST . . .
A family poses in a De Dion Bouton at Shorncliffe
Outside the Shorncliffe pub wait two ladies in a very fine looking 1917 Studebaker.
Toowoomba appears to have had more than its fair share of them however. The Trevethan family of Toowoomba pose in in their new De Dion Bouton in 1906.
A 1928 Studebaker service car in Birdsville. A 1928 Studebaker service car in Birdsville.
A 1927 or 28 Fiat on a station near Boulia. The Ford behind it is loaded with wool bales.
The butter factory at Wondai in the late 1920’s, the car on the right could be a Chrysler or Pontiac.
Again at Shorncliffe, this time it’s a 1913 Overland.
At the back of Parliament House in Brisbane a chauffeur waits in a Panhard-Lavassor from 1905 -1907. At the back of Parliament House in Brisbane a chauffeur waits in a Panhard-Lavassor from 1905 -1907.
The Birdsville pub, this is hard country for men and cars.
The first car to make it to Camooweal was this Talbot.
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How to negotiate a flood at Barcaldine. I think the car is a 1911 Little but the hub caps don’t look right.
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Feilding Auto Electrical Ltd “All auto electrical faults repaired on Alfas to Zephyrs�
Alternators & starter motors reconditioned or new Batteries - automotive, commercial, marine Computer diagnostics - Engine, ABS, Airbags etc MP3/CD Players supplied and fitted Car alarms Air conditioning Automotive parts and accessories at: Feilding Auto Electrical 71 Stafford Street, Feilding Ph: 323 8427 Mobile: 0274 423 967 Email: fae@inspire.net.nz 32
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THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND (Inc) THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND (Inc)
Competitive Rally Gymkhana Concours Entertainment After-Rally Tour
Waitomo Village offers: Famous glow worm caves Black water rafting Great scenery Tavern and bar-cafe Pizzeria and other eateries Many accommodation choices Small store Your organisers offer: Social and competitive activities Scenic road touring runs Motorcycle display Inter-branch gymkhana Supporters bus tour Iconic entertainment Prize-giving dinner Interesting visits Come and join your fellow motorcycle enthusiasts for this great event
Enquiries to: vccrally@gmail.com Ph: 07-8567-238 or 0274-230-608 The Tourer
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Directory BRANCH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN:
Sarah Howell (Ian) 06 374 6645 iansarahhowell@gmail.com
VICE CHAIR:
Vacant
SECRETARY:
Ron Persson (Josie) 06 354 5266 ron.persson@gmail.com
CLUB CAPTAIN:
Bryan Abraham (Catherine) 06 358 4014 bryana@xtra.co.nz
VICE CLUB Vacant CAPTAIN: TREASURER: Ian Howell (Sarah) 06 374 6645 iansarahhowell@gmail.com COMMITTEE:
Trevor Hardy (Sandra) 06 323 4040 ts.hardy@xtra.co.nz John Ireland (Anne) 06 323 4170 Ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz Brian McPherson (Deirdre) 06 354 6310 briandeirdre@slingshot.co.nz Bill Williams (Lynda) 06 323 2717 waltwilliams51@yahoo.co.uk
CLOSING DATE FOR NEXT TOURER – 20TH FEBRUARY 2017 The next issue of the Tourer will be March 2017.
Please send your contributions: rally reports, your motoring stories, cuttings, technical reports, humorous articles, photos, drawings etc
to: The Editor erowden@gmail.com
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APPOINTED POSITIONS SWAPMEET CO-ORDINATOR:
Trevor Hardy (Sandra) 06 323 4040 ts.hardy@xtra.co.nz
EDITOR:
Esmee Rowden (Ian) 06 3567871 erowden@gmail.com
CUSTODIAN:
Gary Millar (Marion) 06 354 8298 gw.millar@hotmail.com
LIBRARIAN:
Gary Millar (Marion) 06 354 8298 gw.millar@hotmail.com
DELEGATE:
Doug Dickson (Jan) 06 353 3462 jandougdickson@xtra.co.nz
PROPERTY:
Vacant
BEADED WHEELS: Ian Howell (Sarah) 06 374 6645 iansarahhowell@gmail.com PARTS SHED:
Gary Millar (Marion) 06 354 8298 gw.millar@hotmail.com
ID CARD ADVISORS:
Murray Martin (Dot) 06 354 5960 dottiem@clear.net.nz
John Ireland (Anne) 06 323 4170 ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz
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Manawatu Branch Meetings held at the Clubrooms “The Grove”, 684 Kelvin Grove Road, Palmerston North Third Wednesday of each month from 7.00pm. Meetings start at 7.30pm. (Please wear name badges at all Club events) • Committee Meeting— 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7.00pm. • BYO Tea — First Sunday of each month from 5pm at the Clubrooms. • Parts Shed — Opens from 2pm first Sunday of each month. • Library — Open on club nights, and by arrangement with the Librarian. • Noggin & Natter — First Tuesday of month at 7:30pm. Murray’s Irish Bar Feilding. Vintage Car Club Vehicle Classifications • Veteran Motor Vehicles constructed prior to 31st December 1918 • Vintage Motor Vehicles constructed between 1st January 1919 and 31 Dec 1931 • Post Vintage Motor Vehicles constructed between 1st January 1932 and 31 Dec 1945 • Post War Motor vehicles constructed between 1st January 1946 and 31st Dec 1960 • Post 1960 Motor vehicles constructed between 1st January 1961 and 31st Dec 1980 • Post 1980 Constructed after 1st January 1981 provided that no vehicle is accepted for this class until January 1st of the year that is 30 years after its original year of construction • Factory Built, & Historic Racing Vehicles -as described in the Club By-laws • Period Specials - as described in the Club By-laws
THE TOURER: New Zealand Registered Magazine.
The Official Newsletter of the Manawatu Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc) Email: Manawatu@vcc.org.nz Phone: (06) 354 8582 Clubrooms: ‘The Grove” 684 Kelvin Grove Road PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440
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