AORANGI TRICAR NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
Barry and Carla Barnes dressed for the occasion on the Ladies Rally.
“MEMBERS
PUTTING THE WORLD TO RIGHT’S”
LADIES RALLY Ross and Delwyn Luscombe winners of the Pinny
CLUBROOMS 19-25 REDRUTH ST TIMARU SOUTH
Replica Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
MARCH 2017
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
Thursday Thursday
A.G.M. Mid Week Run
COVER, Robert Gibson and his Graham car outside the old Kakahu School. This was one of the schools that was amalgamated with several other schools in the Cave - Pleasant Point area way back in the 40s. With children then being taken by bus to Pleasant Point. Most of us will remember the huge Ministry of Education Bus Depot at Pleasant Point for this purpose. Thank you to Carolyn and Robert Gibson for organising an interesting Ladies Rally , taking us on roads not previously travelled . Editors Bill and Shona
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:shonaandbill@xtra.co.nz 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
FOR SALE
COMING EVENTS
This Vauxhall has had only four owners. It was passed down in the same family from 1938 till about 1988. I bought from an estate and have done a good tidy up including new upholstery and a 1939 Vauxhall J engine. I would love to see the car stay in this area as there is a bit of history with it. Anyone interested please ring Ron Cooper on 688 1128 The price will be $11750.00 or near offer.
NOGGIN & NATTER, Thursday, 2nd March 7-30pm at Clubrooms, Redruth St, Timaru Kitchen Duty, Volunteers Please. Bar Duty ————————————————————-
MYSTERY RUN March 5th 2017. Please note,— Assemble at SOUTHERN EVENTS CENTRE Carpark Morgans Rd at 9am Details in this edition of Tricar —————————————————
REMINDER... MID ISLAND RALLY 11TH MARCH ENTRIES CLOSE 1ST MARCH. We start at the club rooms with a cuppa from 9-30am —————————————————— STOLEN STUDEBAKER AND MODEL A PARTS. This item has been circulated to clubs from a Vintage collector in Auckland. If offered parts from a “dubious” source report it Storage unit broken into in Auckland and many parts stolen from these vehicles. The sad thing is that the parts were ripped of complete cars. Model A parts, front end headlight bar, fitting instrument panel, radiator surround, Erskine Radiator temp gauge and badge plus many other parts
Concours judging from 9.30am at the rear of the club rooms. First car away at 10-30am. DON’T FORGET YOUR LUNCH WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE Two afternoon visits will add to your day. Blackboard meal at a venue at 5pm to allow travel home in daylight. PLEASE RETURN ALL CUPS FROM LAST YEARS MID ISLAND TO NOLA OR ALISTAIR
FOR GOOD OLD FASHIONED SERVICE
SWAPMEET 1st April 2017The good news is that the deer fence is being started on Monday the 20th Feb.and the contractor has agreed to fence around the corner towards the top middle gate to the trees at a cost of $150.00 to each of the 4 contributers of funds, in total the cost to the VCC will be $400.00 which is money well spent and will save us a lot of time and effort. The working bees will start on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 at
6pm and the day team will do Wednesday Thursday and Friday depending on the progress, there will not be lunch on Friday 31st March at the Winchester Hotel something else has been arrange.. I cannot stress the importance of a good turn out of members at Monday and Tuesday nights as this is our main money earner for the year and the more that assist
means the easier it will be for the day team Thats all from me please hope for a fine day John Knowles Swapmeet Chairman ———————————————
SWAP MEET OFFICE HELP.
For 1st April
Nola requires some help in the office to count money and handle the EFTPOS machine. Its an easy to understand system. Even if you can only give 3 or 4 hours that would be great. She would need office help from 8am through till about 3pm. If you can offer your services for all or part of the time then Please phone Nola on 03 688 6108 or txt her on 027 203 5007. Many thanks.
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.
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 SHED FOR SALE a good assortment of tyres, both radial and crossply, plugs, points, distributors caps, coils. Some new water pump and fuel pumps. New rear wheel bearing kits for HQ HT Holdens and much much more. Try your parts shed first. John Campbell Parts Manager
CHAIRMANS REPORT Things have been busy in the vintage and classic car scene since I last wrote. First there was the Ashburton VCC Annual Rally which took us along the hills from the Rangitata river to the Alfred Forest area and partway up Mount Alfred. A number of South Canterbury members partook in this event, which is good to see because the Ashburton Club are good supporters of our events. Next was the Haast Tour with a great mixture of vehicles, including Allan Averis and Helen Cholmondeley in a 1912 Overlander which must have had the best power to weight ratio of any vehicle on the rally. All went well apart from a bit of moisture between Haast and Fox Glacier. As backup I was only called on once - for a minor problem. I enjoyed the dip in the pools at Hamner after driving a truck for a thousand miles. Everyone seemed to have a very good time and thanks go to Barry Barnes and his team who organised this trip, they can be proud of what they achieved. The final dinner was the crowning glory of the trip -apart from some of us picking up spare parts from the large selection at the VCC in Cromwell. Coming events will keep you busy. First, the Mystery Run, then the Mid Island Rally, and, for those who enjoyed the West Coast, the Scenic Land Rally on 18 March. The Swap Meet is coming up on 1 April, so please offer to help if you can. There are contact names on the back of the Tricar. Have fun out there and happy motoring! John
Chairman John and Marion surveying the scene on the Haast Rally from their own private deck!
GORDON STEVENSON A sad day for the club was the loss of Gordie Stevenson who passed away on the 5th Feb 2017. The Stevensons were part of a “migration” of Sth Otago and Southland VCC members who moved to Sth Canterbury approx 30 years ago for various reasons. Gordie and Yvonne became enthusiastic members of SCVCC and I’ve been told that Gordon was a
Gavin took his 57 Dodge to Edendale seen here in the car display 3rd from left. prime mover of adding onto the original A Frame clubrooms and was a tireless worker to the end. We always heard Gordon before you saw him, a very outgoing personality. He motored a Triumph TR for most of his time in the SCVCC but graduated in more recent times to the VW Cabriolet seen here. We will all miss him. Our sympathies to Yvonne and family. Your Editors Bill and Shona
EDENDALE CRANK UP. Several of out SCVCC members showed up at the annual event at the end of January. Bedfords and Vauxhalls were the feature vehicles of this years event. Seen here Alan Averis driving a TM Bedford which he used to drive for Lunds Construction. This truck is now owned and been restored by his son-in-law Gerald Taylor of Leeston. It is painted in the original owners colours ,Mt Cook Co.
Donald Campbell and Gavin Ladbrook inspecting a completely original 1925 Dodge Sedan been owned by the same Southland family all it’s life. .
Thanks to Barry Smith for organising parking of club vehicles at Gordon’s service.
Gordon’s son with the VW outside the service. It was the first time that we have heard a celebrant give an “advertising plug” mentioning that the car is for sale.
PRIZE WINNERS being congratulated by Bob Gibson
SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
LADIES RALLY January/February - Mid Island Entry Form placed up - Ladies Rally story and photos placed up - February Tricar Newsletter placed up - Swapmeet is prominently advertised on front page. Current 2017 handbook now up. Upcoming - More stories of various runs, particularly the recent Haast Rally Photographs and stories from our members from runs and of vehicles is encouraged, please email shannon.nzd@gmail.com
Ladies Rally by Shannon Stevenson On the second Sunday of 2017, several of our members were up bright and early to create mouthwatering meals fit for a fine picnic lunch, and ready for the 9:30am start of our Ladies Rally, organized for the second year by Bob and Carolyn Gibson. With Carolyn handing out the morning instructions, it was soon a trip out the southern back-blocks of Timaru, and through to the rolling hills of the Cave region, and further north to Opihi and Hanging Rock. A trek down the gravel Rapuwai Road followed, only to find all members at a 'brief compulsory stop' at the Kakahu Hall, formerly the Kakahu Bush School (closed 1938) – where Bob Gibson, his Graham with Supercharger and master photographer Murray were hiding across the road, ready for opportunistic shots. Leaving the 'bush' it was a trip due north and east, up into Woodbury and across the Orari bridge to reach the Tin Shed, at Rangitata – a morning stop which had a great selection of farmyard animals, crafts and clothing – for which a few members were seen trying on. Once 'shopping sprees' and coffees were had, our next instructions were given – sending us further east onto Rangitata Island and into 'dairy farm central' – Clandeboye. With Temuka soon negotiated it was a trip further south to Seadown, and into the 'hustle and bustle' of Timaru – where after a trip through Marchwiel and Glenwood, it was down Wai-iti Road to our lunch stop – the garden setting of Aigantighe Art Gallery. With picnics soon laid out, it was certainly the right weather above, and members were happy to settle in for the afternoon – with a number of onlookers taking a keen interest in our vehicles. There were certainly a number of elaborate picnics – several of our members laid out quite a meal for their other halves – and guest judge Andrea Lord from the Wetlands Cafe had a hard time coming up with a winner for the pinny – particularly with regard to the detailed preparation from a number of members – one even having a mini-cooker for the occasion. After much deliberation, the winner was Ross Luscombe for wife Delwyn – with worthy runner-ups being Barry and Carla Barnes, and Les and Ros Wenlock. Cheers Bob and Carolyn for an interesting Ladies Rally. Shannon Stevenson
MYSTERY RAMBLE Sunday, 5 MARCH 2017 *****IMPORTANT NOTICE**** Please assemble at SOUTHERN EVENTS CENTRE Carpark, Morgans Road (off Wai-iti Rd) at 9am MORNING TEA will be at 9-30am at the first stop Easy local run to new venues this year! Please bring picnic lunch, refreshments & seats Organised by : Joan Paul & Colin Lyon —————————————————
NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY
By
Barry Barnes Recent activity in the Library has centred around processing more of the magazines received from Robin Jenkins. A large number are of NZ Classic Cars starting with the early issues. While we had most copies of this magazine there were gaps and a surprising number of these have been filled. As these are checked out the duplicates are going out on the table for members to pick through and take away. On our leisurely way back from the Haast Tour, which included a stopover in Christchurch, we stopped at the Book Barn in Chertsey which we have always been going to do (when we not in a hurry). They had quite a selection of motoring books as well as books of every description just about up to the roof of the very large building. I got an owner’s manual for our little camper and a book on Rolls Royce among other books, all at modest prices. The book is called The Rolls-Royce Men - The story of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. It is not a massive tome, only 130 pages, but I have found it very interesting. Once I have finished it, it will end up in the Library. Recommended.
Overland ready and then with his companion, Helen, braved the possible vagaries of the West Coast weather in this stark veteran with no doors and no hood. The Overland bowled along well at close to 40 mph and performed creditably throughout. So glad for their sakes the weather was as good as it was and that the worst we struck happened after they arrived at Fox. There was a pleasing turnout of vintage vehicles and a good representation of vehicles from each Club category except post 1980. I was very well pleased with the performance of the Studebaker. Didn’t have anything untoward occur, added some oil at Hanmer and a little water at a couple of stops and that was it, clocking up about 930 miles according to the odometer which if anything reads low. Got roughly about 15mpg, so used quite a bit of gas. Having to fill up at expensive places like Omarama, Haast, Fox and Westport is unfortunately just one of those things but, no regrets, it was totally worth it, enjoyed it immensely and so it seems did everyone else. My thanks to Committee members, Norm Bunt, Alistair Day, John Foster, Shannon Stevenson, and Grant Stewart for their input and support. Barry
——————————————2017 Haast Tour Well, after more than 12 months in the planning, it is all over. Due to a number of late withdrawals, final numbers were down to 52 which included 4 or 5 starters who brought modern machines due to issues with health of driver or vehicle. Peter Heaslip was unable to make the full trip but did join us for the trip down to Cromwell and attended the welcome night and briefing there. We were extraordinarily lucky with the weather given the terrible summer the West Coast has experienced this year. We were told there had only been 3 fine days this year prior to our arrival in Haast, although we enjoyed a lovely motoring day. Happy hour at the Heartland Hotel was well attended and Sheriff Alistair had succeeded in finding stories about participants and regaling the multitude with tales of misdeeds and misfortunes. Although absent that Further coverage on the Haast Rally next issue—ED
I was concerned about the heavy traffic volumes on the Highway between Springs Junction and the Hanmer turn off but it proved not to be the problem I had feared. In many places there were stoppages for road works where only one way traffic was allowed. This had the benefit of allowing you to pull up and let all traffic past and then a clear patch occurred for a number of miles while all following traffic was stopped. Some entrants reported occasional stupid overtaking manoeuvres throughout the Tour but mostly other motorists got by readily, though in some cases needing waving on to overcome initial hesitancy. The final Dinner in Hanmer catered for 109 people and most folk seemed generally sorry it was all over. We were able to make a few light hearted awards, which largely consisted of recipients diving into a bag of Moro bars and the like, taken around by Santa Norm (Norm Bunt). We also recognized the two entrants who came over from Aussie, John and Margaret Roy, Chrysler 77 (the ex Alan Blaikie car) and Geoff and Barbara Clegg, Daimler Sovereign. These wise people keep their cars in NZ to allow regular visits. We had North Island entrants too, Murray and Penny Firth from Oratia, Riley RMB and Bill and Sherrill Hulse, Model A Tudor, also from Auckland, and the Wellington based Crossley of Tom, Marke, Dirk and Diane Hudig. Brother Trevor and his 1977 Honda m/c rounded out the “overseas” entrants. The two Auckland entrants completed their adventure by heading home via the Molesworth. One or two folk had little misfortunes with tyres, starter, generator etc but the followup vehicles were hardly needed. Unluckiest was Graeme Cook who was in Wanaka preparing to move off when an angle parked ute reversed straight into his recently finished and beautifully presented 1948 Mercury coupe putting a big dent in the left hand rear guard. Graeme’s biggest worry was the damage to the stainless trim which is very rare and was quite badly damaged. The man who restored it has given up business and apparently it is hard to get someone else prepared to tackle this delicate work. Hopefully he will soon be able to get this sorted. Most meritorious effort was clearly that of one of our longest standing members, Allan Averis, who burnt a bit of midnight oil getting the 1912
night, Bruce Washington was selected to receive the first daily Dipstick award Next morning there was drizzly rain getting slowly worse as we headed for Fox Glacier where in the afternoon the heavens really opened up. The intention was to get to Fox for lunch and have time to do local walks and sight- seeing but most people gave that a miss and stayed in their digs. Despite the heavy rain Happy Hour was again well attended and just as hilarious. With Bruce getting his award from the night before along with the other lucky tourist selected for that day. Next morning was misty but as we moved north it steadily improved and was quite pleasant by the time we reached Ross. The damp trees glistening in the sunshine was a sight to behold. Many visited the Tree Top Walk which was a great experience and one you should consider if visiting the Hokitika area. The Happy Hour at Stumpers continued the pattern and a good night was enjoyed by all. The Dipstick award went to Helen Cholmondeley for an incident involving the collapse of a bed at Fox Glacier, about which Allan Averis was only too happy to enlighten us! Good sport, Helen. In the morning the weather was beautiful and about half the group showed up at Westland Heritage Park where we received a guided tour and startup of many of the huge stationery engine exhibits, a mayoral welcome, interviews with the local press and a lovely tea and scones morning tea. Those who missed it, missed a very interesting visit. People were spread far and wide heading for Westport with some opting to go around Lake Moana, some to travel up the Grey River valley, some to Blackball for lunch and some direct up the coast. Our Happy Hour at Club Buller was again well attended. The final day dawned all too soon and it started to rain about 7am, not altogether a welcome sight for our solitary motorcyclist, my brother Trevor, who took some solace from the apparent clearing of the clouds a little inland. By the time we were about 10 k out of town the rain which had reduced to a drizzle any way, disappeared completely and it was a fabulous drive through the Buller Gorge on down to Reefton where most people stopped for a while. The main street is quite old time looking anyway and all the old vehicles parked there looked quite the part.
HAAST RALLY Feb 2017 Contestants from throughout the Sth Island at various stops on the Rally.