AORANGI TRICAR NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
CLUBROOMS 19-25 REDRUTH ST TIMARU SOUTH
Replica Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
April 2017
CHAIRMANS RALLY
NOGGIN ANDNATTER First Thursday of the Month
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2017 January 1st January 8th January 14th January 21st
Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday
Parade at Fairlie Ladies Rally Night Trial Open Day
February 4 - 10th February 19th
Sat - Fri. Sunday
Haast Tour Chairman’s Rally
March 5th March 11th
Sunday Saturday
Mystery Run Mid Island Rally
April 1st April 13th
Saturday Thursday
Swap Meet Mid Week Run
May 11th May 14th
Thursday Sunday
Mid Week Run PV/PWV/P60/P80
June 4th June 8th June 18th
Sunday Thursday Sunday
All British Day Mid Week Run Restoration Run
July 6th July 13th
COVER
Thursday A.G.M. Thursday Mid Week Run ——————————————————
Mystery Ramble organisers Joan Paul and Colin Lyon pose with Bruce Washington’s Chrysler at Mountain View village. This was the 49th Mystery Ramble, what will the 50th entail? ——————————————————
PLEASE NOTE.
The club have purchased a computer designated to the production of the Tri Car, this is an excellent idea as all data is held on this laptop and can be passed on to whoever is relieving on editorial duty without “clogging” up personal computers. The new link is tricar.scvcc@gmail.com
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2016 - 2017 Branch Correspondence to P. O. Box 623, Timaru 7940 E.Mail - southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz Phone 03 688 5234
Chairman ` John Foster (Marion) 615 9066 Vice Chairman Ashley Milliken 686 0834 Secretary Carolyn Gibson (Robert)03 689 1442 Treasurer Nola Day (Alistair) 688 6108 Club Captain Newsletter Ed Bill & Shona Weir 688 6750 E.Mail:tricar.scvcc@gmail.com Sub Editor Frances Irving 688 0370 C/R Convenor Ashley Milliken (Evelyn)686 0834 Parts Manager John Campbell (Janet) 686 0282 Librarian Barry Barnes (Carla) 688 5105 IT Officer Shannon Stevenson 686 3263 Committee Wayne Irving (Michelle) 688 6457 Terence Irving 688 6457 Neil Manchester 688 2112 Darren Ladbrook (Jo) 688 8999 Trailer Hire John Campbell 686 0282 SWAPMEET COMMITTEE Chairman John Knowles 03 693 7680 Treasurer Nola Day (Alistair) 688 6108 Site Convenor Michelle Munro (Gavin) 686 4824 Grounds Colin Johnstone (Trish) 03 693 9093 Committee Tony McGillen (Gloria) 615 8755 Allan Holland 684 4197 Gavin Munro 686 4824 Peter Cooke 03 685 6207 Murray Martin (Jean) 615 9905 Alan Patrick 615 8803 For Identification Certificate Processing Warren Cox 03 688 8758 Alistair Day 03 688 6108
CHAIRMANS RALLY On an overcast, yet mild February day, over 15 vehicles appeared outside our clubrooms for our Annual Chairmans rally – a mix of classes and vehicle types were represented, ranging from 1920s American vintage, to 1980s Japanese. Several attendees were commercial vehicles, including Pauline Young's 1930 Rugby, Helen Cholmondeley's Bradford, and Peter Rhodes Toyota Hilux camper. With teas and coffees consumed, we hit the road by after 10 for a scenic trip south, via Holme Station, Blue Cliffs, Esk Valley and Hunter, skirting the base of the Hunter Hills. After an hour's drive through off-the-beatentrack countryside – which included gravel roads ideal for competitive time trial speed events and a paddock full of horses galloping at full trot up the hills – we made it into the western reaches of Waimate. Our venue for the day was the Bush Town precinct. No sooner had we arrived our deck chairs and picnic tables were out. With lunch consumed, we were greeted by a team of volunteers from Bushtown, including Waimate VCC member Lyndsay Hossack. A talk was had about the progress of Bush Town, which since our 2015 visit has grown in leaps and bounds – particular developments include 'new' old buildings moved to the site to simulate the early days of Waimate, a narrow gauge railway in the laying stages to encircle the precinct and use sections of the old Kurow bridge, and the bush itself, having become taller. When visiting the bush, it certainly had become more forest like since our last visit, with more trees placed by district families and organisations. The key part of our visit was to our own totara tree, planted in October 2013, and while still short in stature, had certainly developed since our last trip. A further point of interest for members was the mill on site – although not in operation that day a number of us were particularly enthralled by the stationary engine alongside, understood to have been initially used for marine purposes. It will be interesting to see the future developments of Bush Town – and our one day 'mighty' totara. Shannon Stevenson. Photos on Back Page
COMING EVENTS NOGGIN & NATTER, Thursday, 6th April 7-30pm at Clubrooms, Redruth St, Timaru Kitchen Duty, Bar Duty
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SWAPMEET 1st April 2017
As the SWAPMEET is only 3 weeks away as I write this. A good response to the start of the working bees would be a great help
Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 at 6pm and the day team will do Wednesday Thursday and Friday. I have arranged a mini bus
to transport people from the car park to the gates , I will need some drivers even for a short time to operate bus so please give me or Gavin Munro a ring if you can help. No drivers on bus. Nola Day needs some help in the office even for a couple hours would be appreciated. Just hope for a fine day on the 1st John Knowles Swapmeet Chairman —————————————
Mid Week Run Thursday April 13th
Start from Clubrooms at 1-30pm Bring afternoon tea and a chair ————————————— Entry forms for the PV/PWV/P60/P80 on May 14th in this issue. —————————————
EDITORIAL
March is always the clubs busiest month for rallies and events and all were very well supported this year The Mid Island rally had an excellent turnout despite it being a miserable wet day. The Mid Island will be featured in the next issue of Tri Car
NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY
By Barry Barnes
All the magazines referred to last month have now been sorted and the table is well loaded with duplicates for members to pick over – old Beaded Wheels, N.Z Classic Car, some motorhome and caravan mags plus others. Please help yourselves. I was pleased to assist Ron Cooper and Les Wenlock in finding manuals to suit their recent purchases, in Ron’s case a very nice wee 1957 Humber 80, while Les has become owner of the late Barry Lovegrove’s Triumph 2500S. I fancy Barry would have been pleased it has stayed local. For what it’s worth we had 3 Triumph 2.5s on our Haast Tour and all the owners had a great trip with their various steeds eating up the miles no trouble. Alas, as the years tick by it becomes more desirable to get something that allows participation in Club events but is much easier to drive in modern traffic. That doesn’t mean I will be pensioning off the Stude just yet though! I would like to thank Grant Keeley somewhat belatedly for his kind donation of filing cabinets which will be utilised for storing brochures. —————————————————————————————
BEHIND THE HEDGE
Thanks Ashley Southgate for the feedback on Behind the Hedge article on OLB Bedfords. “This is the short bonnet Bedford that came to his Uncle’s town milk farm everyday to collect milk around 1959. (Porters Motors.) There was a short upper deck used for cream cans.”
Joan Paul has advised us that the Pauls Veteran “D I C Renault (the late Russells well motored pride and joy) has been on sold to the McGillens of Darfield who are thrilled to be able to add the Renault to their collection
Seen in a neighbours paddock next to our friends farm in Montana while visiting last year. Tempted to load a container but that idea was “not well received”. The 57 Chev was in quite good shape. ED Bill
BLUEBRIDGE COOK STRAIT FERRY Discount code : ANTIQUECAR Valid Travel Dates : Between now and 30th November 2017 Discounted Fares: 10% off all fares. ——————————————— INTERISLANDER FERRY. Booking Reference : WH465. Members are required to present their current NZ Vintage Car Club Membership. For Bookings refer to www.interisland.co.nz ——————————————— PARTS DEPT Our parts boss John Campbell is at present recuperating from a knee op but there is still a full rang of new and used parts available on Wednesday mornings. Dick Edwards will “put you right”.
Chairmans Rally Bushtown Waimate
CHAIRMANS REPORT Hi everyone. Again we have had a busy month. Firstly, on the Chairman's Rally, we visited our totara tree at Bush Town, Waimate. This tree was planted by myself and Alistair Day in 2013 and is growing well. It was a good day for a picnic. More recently we went on an enjoyable Mystery Run. This rally was organised by Joan Paul and Colin Lyon. No doubt there will be more said about this run elsewhere in the Tricar.. It was Joan's 49th year in this well supported event. We are all looking forward to the 50th. I was not able to attend the Mid Island Rally as there was an executive meeting of our national body on the same day and this involved Ashley and Alistair as well. It was a very business-like meeting held at the Holiday Inn in Auckland. Alistair and Ashley are going to give a run down of what took place at our 6th April Noggin and Natter. The one thing that I was pleased about was that they are moving on a National Charity Day along the lines of our August Charity Rally that we ran last year. Although I was away for the Mid Island Run, I have been reliably informed that all went well apart from the weather. Congratulations to all the trophy winners and my sincere thanks go Nola and her team for organising and running this event. Well done! Our Swap Meet is coming up on 1st April. So, all hands to the pump please. Offer to help if you can in setting up, and thanks to those who have already volunteered. It is much appreciated. The first Thursday Run is taking place on the 13th April. So, please come along if you feel like a mid week drive. Have fun out there. . Sorry to read of Member Ian Morten of Orari Estate having passed away. The SCVCC have had the priviledge of being hosted by the Mortens at the Orari Homestead for a rally in 2006. The clubs sympathy is extended to the Morten family John
Thursday 9 February - Day 5 - Westport to Hanmer
SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
February/March - Haast tour article and photos placed up - Link to SCVCC Timaru Herald Article - March Tricar Newsletter placed up - Behind the scenes wordpress updates
Upcoming
- More stories of various runs
Photographs and stories from our members from runs and of vehicles is encouraged, please email shannon.nzd@gmail.com —————————————
Deadline for May Tri Car is 20th April. New address tricar.scvcc@gmail.com
Victoria Forest Park, it was all traffic action through the Lewis Pass,
With a start for most after 9am, it was a trip through the Buller Gorge with a tea stop at Berlins for many. Most of us stopped at Reefton, and a fair number of the locals took an interest in our vehicles. After a relaxed trip through the
complete with roadwork action left-right-and centre. Hanmer was reached mid-afternoon, with many of us taking the opportunity for a dip in the hotpools. The final dinner was held at 5 Stags, where a full house of us filled the function room. Speeches, an informal prizegiving and stories were had - Bruce Washington's Peking-Paris trip being enlightening and many went away happy.
Wednesday 8 February - Day 4 - Hokitika to Westport With the early morning sun blazing overhead and clear views south to Mt Cook, it was a trip up above Hokitika to the airport, where adjacent is the Westland Industrial Heritage Park, where we were treated to a fair number of stationary engine and tractor demonstrations,
courtesy of the volunteers, one of whom was dressed as Richard Seddon. We were further met by Mayor Tony Kokshoorn, and members of the local press, who took much interest in our visiting vehicles.
FOR GOOD OLD FASHIONED SERVICE AUTO ENGINEERS (1984) LTD 14 EDWARD ST. TIMARU Phone: 688 8452 For all your vintage reconditioning Parts supplies suppliers of Penrite oils to South Canterbury to 20 years Suppliers to Farmlands.
Tuesday 7 February - Day 3 - Fox Glacier to Hokitika An overcast day to begin, many of us took time to take a look around Fox, a number of us visiting Lake Matheson - no view of Mt Cook on this day and the Glacier itself. Heading north, many of us stopped for awhile at Franz Josef, where the souvenir shops and cafes were making a roaring trade. The nearby Franz Josef glacier had its share of people, with a carpark full. Heading north, a number of us made the
MYSTERY RAMBLE Enjoying a picnic lunch in the Howey’s garden
opportunity to detour to Okarito beach. With stops further made up the coast at Whataroa, Hari Hari, and Ross - a fair few of us ventured to go onto the treetop walk. Happy Hour for the evening was at Stumpers Bar and Cafe
Monday 6 February - Day 2 - Haast to Fox Glacier An overcast day, it was a trip up north for us to Fox Glacier though for over a third of us, it was initally a trip south-west through Haast Beach and Hannah's Clearing to reach the furtherest settlement south by road, Jacksons Bay, where much time was taken soaking
up 150 years of history, and watching the movements of the fishing fleet. Leaving Haast it was a trip up through the forests, past Bruce Bay and Lake Paringa and across several suspension bridges to reach Fox Glacier. It was just as well most of us reached Fox by early afternoon, as it was then that the renowned rain opened up, drenching the area for many hours straight. Happy hour for us soaked participants was at the old iconic Fox Glacier hotel.
49th Mystery Ramble —March 5th On a foggy Autumn Sunday morning at 9am, 42 vehicles, the oldest over 90 years, descended upon the Southern Trust Events Centre carpark at Morgans Road for our 49th Mystery ramble, organized by Joan Paul and Colin Lyon. The theme for 2017 was 'Transport'. With Joan handing out instructions upon leaving the grounds, we were headed due north-east to reach our first stop, the Mountain View Village retirement village. With a drive around the park-like surroundings of houses – 95 in total that resembled palatial full-size ones at 2/3 the scale, we were soon hosted by residents at the village's recreation centre. Over cups of tea, coffee and biscuits, we were given a talk about the village by resident Robin Harrison, particurly covering the history, the facilities and the costs to live there. Residents took quite an interest in our vehicles – Bruce Washington's globe-trotting Chrysler receiving its share of attention once its engine was fired up in the carpark. With all other engines fired up, it was soon a trip further east for us, out into the industrial environs of Washdyke, and the large truck filled Hilton Haulage complex on Sheffield Street. Ushered inside the staffroom (aka the "Hilton Shanty"), with mostly standing room only, we were treated to a lively talk, from Director, Peter McAuley. Peter gave us a most interesting insight into the beginnings of the freight company in the 1970’s. At that time there was a highly regulated economy, no cellphones, computers, curtain siders and few shipping containers. A big truck was 180 horsepower and could only travel 40 miles without a special permit – often feeling the strain when travelling with full loads gradually uphill between Timaru and Rangitata. To the present day, Hilton Haulage has grown into a large regional transport and logistics company serving most of New Zealand, and their motto ‘Carrying Canterbury’s Future’ is testament to the hard work, straightforward decision making and ‘never saying no’ attitude when doing a good job for their customers. Inside and outside, we saw first-hand the logistic operations making them tick – a modern open-plan office, and the 'mobile offices' outside – lines upon lines of powerful well-presented trucks, a number of which were complete with sleeper-cabs. By this time the morning's fog had lifted, and the day was well over 20 degrees in the noon day sun.
It was just before noon that we hit the road – the Barnes' motorcycle/sidecar combo reaching fair speed at Seadown - due west through Kerrytown and Pleasant Point to reach our lunch venue, the homestead and gardens of Dave and Jenny Howey's deer farm, nestled high on the hills above the Opihi river. It was a long climb up, though we all found a space in their immaculate garden, and picnics were soon laid out in shaded areas. Run as a commercial operation, Dave gave us a detailed talk about the farming practices and the occasional rugged encounters he had received when working with deer. Two sets of antlers were displayed, and these were heavy - which begs one to wonder how the animals carry such a weight on their heads? Further taking our interest were the gardens around the property, developed by Dave and family, which included two ponds nestled into the hills.
Sunday 5 February - Day 1 - Cromwell to Haast After near traffic jams for fuel, heading up first in the direction of Wanaka. Many of us attended the Wings and Wheels 'Petrolhead Sunday' breakfast and brunch, while a few ventured next door to the 'National Toy and Transport Museum' - able to take one's attention for many hours. While many turned right for Hawea, a few ventured into Wanaka - one intrepid traveller ending up at Glendhu Bay. It was open top weather for many travelling alongside Lake's Hawea and Wanaka, and a fair few stopped for awhile at Makarora, Pleasant Flat and the Blue Pools before reaching Haast. The 5pm Happy Hour was held at the Haast Heartland World Heritage Hotel.
2017 Haast Tour continued by Shannon Stevenson Did Shannon get any further than the Masonic Hotel , St Andrews!! Saturday 4 February - To Cromwell
IT was on the road at 9:30 sharp to head to Cromwell for our Haast
Trip, for which over 45 vehicles participated, the oldest Alan Averis' 1912 Overland. An evening meet and greet between particpants, many of whom were from other branches, and a number even from over Cook Strait, was held at the Central Otago Vintage Car Club Rooms.
Several members were further crowded around open bonnets – one of note, Ron Hammer's newly acquired Australian Leyland Marina gaining attention, owing to having a factory fitted 2.6L 6-cylinder engine shoehorned into its compact engine bay. While many of us could have stayed for quite awhile, we had literally a further flying visit – several nautical miles east at the private hangars of the South Canterbury Aero Club at Timaru Airport.With a large club hangar open, there were several categories and ages of privately owned small planes on site, along with a glider. Aero club members were on site to give us a guided tour of the planes, and answered many questions; Allan Barr telling us what each plane on site was capable of. Overall, this proved a most interesting Mystery ramble – Thankyou Joan and Colin, we eagerly look forward to the 50th. Shannon Stevenson , With contributions from Joan Paul
Scenes around Mountainview Village Mystery Ramble
Is Bruce training Joan as a new co-pilot for the next Peking to Paris?
Peter McAuley Director of Hilton Haulage giving a rundown on the history of the company Peter McAuley and Joan @ the novel staff room entry
This Mercedes was the first major purchase in the early days of H .H.
Entering the Howey’s Howey property, Opihi Rd
MYSTERY RAMBLE