NEWSLETTER OF THE WAITEMATA BRANCH
VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
CHAIRMAN:
CLUB
SECRETARY:
BRANCH
EDITOR:
SCRIBE
PAST
COMMITTEE:
April 2nd,Manunui Hillclimb
May
June TBA
July 8th R’oil Can
Last time there, we were a splendiferous bunch with a great position. Suggested route from the Shore, off at Te Irirangi, straight ahead to Botany, at the golf links, left into Cascade. At the corner of Cascade and Hope Farm Rd, at the shops park up for the group drive along Cascade right into Lady Marie Drive into the park to our designated place. Exact time will be e-mailed to you.
Keep it free, the 16th of April as we follow Stan the Man to the North Shore Aerodrome for his fabulous Event and this is followed by the famous BBQ at the North Shore Aero Club ( we are invited as special guests). Points will be awarded for attendance. Best bibs are expected.
**This event has now been cancelled as the weather has had an effect of the aerodrome as it has decided to and there would be a loss of vehicles into the returning swamp.**
There was severe flooding on Dairy Flat a few days ago with rescues undertaken by watercraft. There maybe alternatives that the Master will inform us of at a later date.
This type of advertisement kept me interested in the real things when I was young and still holds my attention. There is no mention of the fragrance of ink on paper, the sheen and gloss of paints, from purple, bright greens, stark yellow and blues, the latile odours of fresh tyres and the atmospheric bouquet of caster oil on hot metal. Some poor youth would mix metaphors and burst into Spoonerisms at inappropriate times in the pits when the aroma was strong and when thinking of patchouli musk would voice the opinion that there was the smell of incest in the air, causing occasional race teams to look guilty and leave the area. The sensual caressing of seats with such soft sponge inside, the fondling of leathers of all cuts and dimensions, and bondage. The reek of oilskin and the oily texture after anointing the garment in a warm dark room on cold winter evenings fortified with Stone’s Original Green Ginger wine with rum chasers. The sweating in vinyl jackets and suits, which were waterproof, something new in the day and were they made from free range or caged They were tested by the gods of mud, and dirt, especially with the cattle ordure flung at you by the wretched cattle trucks.
Details as follows:
Entries: lodge them on the day but contact me at paul@mgparts.co.nz for an entry form. That way we will have a record of who is intending to go so that if this dismal weather continues and we have to can it we know who to contact.
Venue: Maioro Rd, Otaua. Starts about a km from the village.
Time: documentation 9.30-10.15, first run approx. 10.30. Finishes no late than 5pm.
From Tribe Dewhurst, Auckland Branch comes this offering. They are regulars at the R’oil Can and great people. A nice offering and should be enjoyed.
Mid-week Tourers Overnight Tour May 2023
aka The 2 Autobahn cafes run, only 8 miles apart, but We did it our way ! (3 days and 300 miles apart.)
N.B. It may be called a “Mid-week Tourers” run, but mid-weekers are just members. Open for any member to come. If you are interested, and have three days to spare (or even one day for the Water Garden bit) and enjoy your Club motoring, then join us, contact dewdrops@xtra.co.nz
Now confirmed , starting on Wednesday 17th. May, in conjunction with the usual monthly Mid-week run.
First stop, the Ngatea Water Gardens, (BYO lunch) then the overnighters will carry on via Tahuna, Mangateparu, Kereone, Hinuera, to the Okoroire Hot Springs hotel where they have 2 nights.
Thursday is a free day, (private Golf course, Hobbiton, two museums, antique shopping, hot mineral pools,) take your choice.
Friday we return via Arapuni, Kihikihi, Pirongia, Waitetuna, Glen Murray, Bombay
As little main roads as possible, with some “pioneering” roads used. The usual Mid-week format, non- competitive touring, enjoyable vintage motoring over quiet vintage roads, with good company, new country (for some of us), and some attractions thrown in. The Okoroire Hotel is a popular heritage place to relax in, has a good restaurant, and they are looking forward to welcoming us. They still have rooms available, but this will change closer to the date.
Hopefully after the last four events we have organised have been postponed or cancelled due to weather. The sun is ordered so we can enjoy a sunny day at the Brit Euro Show this Sunday. If you have not been before it is just a matter of turning up and displaying your car with the Branch. Details in this newsletter. If you do attend, do not forget to look in the bag that they give you at arrival there is usually a gift voucher for a safety triangle, cleaning cloths or such must be collected at the show. Talking of the weather some of our members had a horrific experience during Cyclone Gabrielle. Our thoughts are with them at a later date they may need help clearing their land. Please reach out if you do.
Perhaps some of us in Auckland may also require some help, please reach out.
Sadly in the past month three members have passed. Dave Pitches, Ian
We indeed have been up and down with the weather. This last month saw the cancelling of the Ellerslie Car Show, usually in sunshine and a wide variety of interesting vehicles and club displays. We will advise when it returns perhaps later in the year. There has been a few damaged vintage cars from the floods which brings out the problems the fine print of the policies. I would like to receive correspondence , as it is said ”the large print giveth and the small print With such damage over the country, what is going to mass of destroyed cars, will they come back on the market, what problems are there in the electrical vehicle fleet that has ter? Is there any way of recycling this material?
On another tangent, the Chief and I are still looking for a new discussing the benefits and honours that arise from the ownership flagship of the period, I note that there are few who have sampled the rare and exotic, the wonderful, things that life offers, be this food, clothing, craft, art or exciting conversation. As a s a copy of Wheatley and Morgan, whose various covers had photos of suitable cars to restore that were available in the late 1950’s and 60’s which ranged from large MG’s, forlorn 30/98’s in hedges. Proper stuff to aspire to, and instructions inside the book gave the basic concepts. The Mercedes W140 is of the same ilk as the luxury cars of the 1920’s, powerful, well appointed, a pure pleasure to drive and be carried in the rear of this magnificence carriage. Try it out, you know it’s good for you!
There are sheds that are overflowing with hoarded collections of vintage and pre-war cars. Think of the ‘collections’ we have visited over the years, all in the hands of “Gunners”, that is the same for motorbikes, trucks and sea craft. The main trouble with selecting a project seems to be the choice of mediocrity, the ‘grey porridge’, the less than indifferent, the particularly useless and pathetic automotive failures that a fortune is spent on to raise it to a state that it is worshiped, adored and deified. The same hourly rate can be spent on dross or good stuff.
To address this ‘error’ in some peoples concept of vintage and pre-war cars is through education, lectures on the Vintage period, and taking applicants in the proper cars on the proper roads and how these are to be driven and share the passions they evoke. We live a lifestyle choice with our ‘companion cars’, share their company, their foibles, eccentricities to the benefits of our lives. Most Vintage and Veteran driving motorists are full rounded characters who enjoy the open road, discussing in volatile manners at times, the attributes of their choice of steed.
I was given wise council in the choice of the WD Riley, it complements by its suitability to my driving style, its ability to suit my interest in Colonial and the Days of the Raj history, its sporting heritage and rugged construction. It passes on to family as they are competent in its use and enjoy the driving experience.
The colouring-in section. When completed, cut out and frame. Best in show and tell at the AGM will be presented with an award from the Editor on the night.
Dear Sir, VCC’s future in motoring events.
I have written this letter to initiate debate and not chastise the efforts of those involved
Have we seen the last of VCC in motor racing in NZ or at least in N/Island. What’s happened to the Austin 7’s, and Riley specials and all the other cars that used to fill the grid.
Are motorsport regulations trying to change our original Vintage/ Classic cars into modern day race cars. As we don’t drive around looking like mobile billboards covered in sponsors stickers it is becoming harder for us to upkeep our cars, as we don’t seek money from sponsors to support our passion. It all has to come out of our (as in my case) pensions It is virtually impossible for a younger man to get into Vintage cars, let alone competitions.
Has the cost of entering and running costs put us out? Engineers reports, for every moving part. Not to mention dress code Our cars never came with roll over hoops or roll cages, the fitting of which removes any original looks and hence leaving a car that no longer look vintage but more like a mobile bird cage.
When one compares this with say, the Goodwood Revival, where flaming great early 1900’s GP cars, are thrashed around the track with no roll over hoops or cages. I don’t know if seat belts are obligatory but would seem suicidal as the drivers all seem to be perched on top of the machine.
Has the cost of entering and running costs put us out ? The Taupo flood cancelled meeting last November, when no refund was offered, this was the last straw for some members, a pity as they have vowed never to return. How can we get back to affordable motor racing? Have our cars become so precious that we are reluctant to use them or are we too debilitated to bother?
Formulae Junior’s appears to be flourishing as they are in a different league of gentlemen. They don’t appear to have the same problems with Hampton and Motorsport NZ regulations as VCC. Most are already equipped with up-todate safety issues.
HRC do a great job trying to keep meetings going and I appreciate that they incur costs in doing so, but how much is syphoned off by circuit owners. I believe a grass bond is required if you wish to run an event on a circuit i.e., $2000 for Hampton Downs and $3000 for Taupo, to pay for any damage.
The incentive of prize money does not exist in our form of racing therefore no death defying or body barging moves are in evidence. We just want to be able to drive our cars and have fun, not wreck them and be able to drive over the 100kph limit.
My motor racing experience was in the 1960’s in the UK when motor racing seemed to be more fun, and the aftermatch gatherings were legendary. But, by mid-60’s things began to change with the introduction of sponsorship and when the motor circuits became the property of one organisation. Even though you had entered you were not allowed to access the viewing areas without having bought a ticket. Strict marshalling saw to that. I regaled against this and exposed them in a letter to the Motoring News. This did little to alter things, but it did mark my card for future events and they made me feel unwelcome. So, I left UK in1967.
Options.
If we decide to withdraw from MSNZ and go it alone, we would be no better off as we would still have to deal with H&S and circuit owners. H&S who wish to put their oar in at every opportunity and the circuit owners who are in it to make money, not friends. They know they have us by the proverbial Yes, the future looks bleak, I visualise that VCC would be better served by hill climbs and sprints, thereby giving some power back to us. I don’t think a boycott of the circuits is the answer as they are being populated by dozens of school age kids in indecently fast tin tops sponsored up to the hilt and managed by a team of mechanics and advisors. To the organiser and circuit owners that‘s where the money is. Not with us. After all we don’t hire their garages and rarely go to test days, so are not big spenders. Therefore, circuit owners, don’t show much enthusiasm for VCC cars.
In summary I would deduce from the above the main reasons for lack of event entries ;-
First and foremost, the cost of entry, plus the cost of upkeep etc.( as we have no sponsorship). Secondly, the strict adherence to new regulations .(and they keep coming). Thirdly, age and personal fitness to compete.( no youngsters coming through, mainly due to the above). The combination of all three has led to our lack of entries.
As I have previously stated I have written this so that we can get our heads together and seek a solution, should there be one. Waitemata VCC was always considered to be “The Hairy Chested Ones” What has happened, have we a dose of Alopecia?
‘Carl Over’ Branch Member.
Another one. You can make it bigger for the grandchildren to aspire to.
Ian Goldingham is looking at getting a table to keep the Old , safety in numbers. I note that the bookings are out to members of the North Shore Branch first before older original founding peoples, and there are more in the Waitemata Branch than currently at the NS (the Old Guard), be welcomed with traditional greetings by their Kaumatua, Harold Kidd , fluent in T Reo. I am prepared to speak on behalf of the munuhiri (visitors) if required.
Will oratory, descriptions of the past gods of motoring and their deeds, their fights for immortality, venial sins, heroic failures, journeys along dirt and unformed roads to the ends of the earth with no reason but for the pure joy of vintage motoring be recalled.
Memories of a youthful member then.
In those long off days at the Bus Sheds in Clarence Street, Devonport, when the Dennis arrived, a chassis with the engine and spare, the radiator, bonnet and part of the cab and the firewall, I christened the brave souls that put their hands up which I was amongst, as the Long-Range Dennis Group. This was reported in the early editions of the Progress newsletter and noted in the magazine, Old Motor I had a letter back from Mike Worthington-Williams about the Dennis.
That august publication, Progress, was sent around the world as well as to the National Archives which requested publications to be sent to them. One noted motoring publication did follow the Branch and its reporting was MotorSport, and the esteemed Editor, Bill Boddy would mention occasional snippets. I have seen a sacred relic of his in the South, his initialled overnight bag!
Would we ever see the ’34 Chev Fire Engine attend any of the Hillclimb’s or sprints as a crash wagon, par for the course for its history of use. It would have no trouble removing a vehicle from the course of help upright or recover unfortunate or adventurous drivers.
David was born in Dunedin where he went to School until he was 16. He then decided to go farming at Gore, but within a couple of years he realized the prospect of ever owning his own farm was pretty formidable, so he left Gore and attended University in Dunedin. He found University didn’t really “fly his plane” so he got a job in a lab in Nelson working there for a period before transferring to a lab in Auckland. Here Dave met his future wife Jenny who also worked in the lab.
For accommodation he boarded with a lady by the name of Olive Douglas. Olive’s son Fred worked for NAC and encouraged Dave to learn to fly. You would have to say that this did have the potential to “fly his plane”. NAC were desperate for pilots at the time allowing Dave who had most of his theory by now completed but still needed more flying time to gain his commercial pilots license to be accepted to join NAC. The normal requirement was to at least have a commercial pilots license. Dave completed his flying time with flying colours and became a fully-fledged pilot. He was on his way flying many different aircraft and before long was flying 747’s.
Around the same time Dave he married Jenny and within a year or two they were proud parents of a baby boy Greg, and later on Cameron followed.
Dave’s other interests were cars and motorbikes. Owning Velocette and AJS bikes and among others including later on after the sad death of their oldest son he inherited Greg’s Vincent Comet which he rode with passion virtually until his own health started to deteriorate. Through the 70’s & 80’s he had a couple of other projects on the go. A Riley 9 chassis with potential to become a “Brookland’s” special and a Hudson straight eight. Unfortunately, around 1980 Jenny had a mishap in the garage one day siphoning petrol which went horribly wrong and burned down the garage. Fortunately, Jenny was ok but both vehicles were lost including the garage.
Dave’s engineering ability came naturally, so he later purchased a 12/4 Riley Adelphi which required a serious rebuild. He decided to turn it into a 2-door soft top. There was a huge amount of work to be done, and this project was completed by the early 2000’s. He had created a very nice-looking sports car.
He joined the VCC Waitemata branch in the early 90’s because of their reputation for holding a wide variety of speed events and he also joined the Riley Car Club. However, because of the slow progress with the special he was not very active in his early years of membership in either club, so he purchased a ready-made Riley 9 special which allowed both he and Jenny to attend numerous events in both cars all over N.Z. including many Waitemata branch “R’Oil Cans” and organized a memorable one themselves to Taupo some years ago. At this event we even had under cover parking at our accommodation. A huge privilege when you wake up on Sunday morning with a blanket of frost covering the land, and you don’t have to encourage tired old oil ladened engines into life. The Adelphi in particular, has served them very well indeed and is a credit to Dave’s design and engineering ability. In more recent times he took on the role of Auckland Area Secretary for the Riley Car Club and with Jenny’s help got us out and about on many local runs which often culminated in a delicious meal at the completion of the journey. The Christmas runs in particular were very special events.,
Dave will always be remembered for his friendly audible and jovial personality. A larger-than-life character who always considered others. Being an avid reader, he always gave a fair and balanced opinion gleaned from many hours of studying books and pouring over copious amounts of information.
Rest in Peace David, it has been a pleasure and a privilege knowing you.
Harold Booth
Another member of the Branch who has motored away is the legendary Roy Wombwell, who was a builder and keen racer of a variety of ingenious Austin 7’s, including a rear engined hill climb special. Also, he ran a Wolsley Hornet which is in the hands of young Hamish. Roy ran at many of our hill climbs and sprints ( photos below is at Springlands Airfield.) before he retired to the Thames. Always a jovial fellow and great company, who enjoyed his motorsport throughout his later years. He passed away 1st January aged 93. Motor on!
(Photos supplied by Graeme Banks)
The Last Pukekohe Classic Racing Register Event.
I attended this as I had been to many from the start. It was the first weekend of February that was waited for. The year started with Wanganui and moved up the Island to Puke and then to Paeroa The smell and sound was awaited. The catchup with old friends, chance to take the bike out, the themes that ran, the famous racers and the steeds that were rode with passion. I did take two of my Velocettes there for the Velocette Centenary and did the lunch time parade with the MAC and the MSS, with my brother. A proud moment.
This year was one to remember for me as one that saw our Branch Poster Boy, Les Harris take to the track with a team of three generations. The throng that surrounded the pits, the flash of the paparazzi , the huddle of journalists and forests of microphones and weights of film crews being moved out of the way by Les’s son, Tim, the lead conductor of the pit crew, with the authority of a large bouncer outside a popular night club, sorting out the celebs, hoping to get a word in with the great man himself.
https://youtu.be/johfijFzHZI
Another one with his son, Tim the Team Manager. To meet the Team, the Auckland Branch Motorcycle Section is having them visit on their Saturday monthly meeting at the Club Rooms in Fairfax Road, Penrose on the 18th of March at 2pm. As you can see, they have wonderful guests, take the young fellas along to show that you can ride bikes with the whole family, young and old. ( Picture from Martin Spicer, nice chap.)
The interviews are all over the internet, look up NZ on Cars, 43rd Classic Motorcycle Festival.
➢ Gentlemen of Note in the Trade.
Roger at Action Bike Wreckers. : Still doing WOF for motorcycles on 62A Barry’s Point Road. Call for an appointment.09 489-7987
Don’t forget Mac’s Garage. Top advice, professional service and well known and respected in the Vintage Austin and Riley world. 09 443-3733, found at 4 Ashfield Road, Glenfeild.
A mention of Marlborough magnetos, Paul Radmall at paul@magnetos.co.nz 027 577 8328. Excellent chap! When I was passing during the Targa Rally late last year , I dropped off a spare, spare magneto that I held for the Riley. I donated it so it can be rebuilt and used as an exchange. If you have spare, spare gear like that, it goes to a proper home where it can be used rather than take up room in the shed or hot water cupboard. A magneto rebuilt will last up to 50 years, most owners don’t have cars for very long anyway, but there are exceptions. So, take advantage of tradesmen and support them.
THURSDAY 2nd March
7.00 pm at the RSA Room, King George V Memorial Hall, Library Lane, Albany.
Take Exit 410 Oteha Valley Road. Travel west along Oteha Valley Road, ahead through 2 roundabouts and straight ahead at Traffic Lights into Albany Highway then almost immediately RIGHT into Library Lane then very soon go right again into the parking area. The RSA Room is at the rear.
