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Manawatu Branch
Volume 1772
September 2016
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
The Historic Vehicle Authority of NZ The Vintage Car Club of NZ (INC.)
BLUEBRIDGE COOK STRAIT FERRY 1 August 2016 to 30 November 2017
The VCC code for discounts with Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry is as follows: Discount code: ANTIQUECAR Valid Travel Dates: Between now and 30 November 2017. Discounted Fares: 10% off all available fares Promotion Terms & Conditions Members must present a current Vintage Car Club of New Zealand membership card upon check-in as proof of eligibility to Bluebridge staff. Failure to do so will result in a fare difference being required to be paid prior to boarding. Full payment is required at time of booking. Transferring to a sailing outside of the discounted offer period will require an additional payment to match the available fares. Bookings can be made online at www.bluebridge.co.nz by entering the promo code above or by calling 0800-844-844 (8am to 8pm, 7 days), and quoting the promo code. Normal fare rules regarding refunds and cancellations apply. Full Bluebridge ticket terms & conditions can be viewed at www.bluebridge.co.nz
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Coming Events
Coming Events 2016 - 2017 September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016 January 2017
February 2017
14 17 17 21 25 12 15 19 30 9 11-13 16 20 27
1 11 20-23 28 – 5 Feb 8 15 17-19 17 - 20
Committee meeting 7.30pm The Grove Manawatu Vintage Rally
Taranaki Branch ‘Rubber Duckie’ Motorcycle Rally Club night 6.00pm with CHB VCCV Branch, Dannevirke
Sunday Run 1pm start (B Abraham organiser) Committee meeting 7.30pm The Grove Swap Meet, Manfeild Club night 7.30pm The Grove Sunday Run details tba Committee meeting 7.30pm The Grove
Nelson VCC Veteran – Motorcycle –Commercial Rally
Club night 7.30pm The Grove Waikato VCC Swapmeet (this date is correct) Sunday Run details tba
Len Haycock’s New Year’s Day run Committee meeting 7.30pm The Grove tbc Wanganui VCC National Veteran Rally Parliamentary Tour Committee meeting 7.30pm The Grove Club night 7.30pm The Grove 25th National Motorcycle Rally Art Deco Napier
Note – Sunday Run details will appear in the Club Captain’s Corner of the Tourer each month
Regular Monthly Events are listed on the back cover Regular Monthly Events are listed on the back cover.
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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Notes from the Chair Greetings fellow enthusiasts, Ian and I have just returned from the Vintage Car Club’s AGM and Executive Meeting in Rotorua. You will find my reports from those meetings elsewhere in this edition of the Tourer. We found these meetings to be useful and informative. Of greatest benefit to our branch, I feel, will be the ideas presented about gaining and retaining new members and raising our profile within the community. The appointment, by the National Executive, of a Communications and Marketing Officer should help in this regard. The annual Vintage Rally is almost upon us with very few entries to date. Please get your entries to Bryan Abraham as soon as possible. Bryan stresses that vehicles from any class are very welcome to take part but only vintage vehicles will be eligible for the competitive aspect of the rally. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Brian de Lautour who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. There is a tribute elsewhere in this edition of the Tourer. The Shiny Parts auction on August Clubnight raised $248.00 for the branch and a lot of fun was had. Special thanks to Bill Turner as auctioneer who was ably assisted by Clive Bardell. There were some
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interesting suggestions put forward for uses of a spring loaded battery terminal clamp… Next Clubnight is a combined meeting with Central Hawkes Bay and will be held in Dannevirke commencing with a meal. Please see separate advertisement and let me know by the 19th of September if you are able to attend. Happy Motoring Sarah Howell Club night 21 September The September Club night will be a combined meeting in Dannevirke hosted by Central Hawkes Bay Branch. The format will be: · Meet at 6pm at the Citizens and Services Club Queen St Dannevirke for drinks and chat. · The meal will be at 6:30 (main and dessert) and will cost $22.00 per head. · Central Hawkes Bay Branch Chair Bruce Poole has arranged a mystery speaker. · Numbers are needed for catering by the 19th of September. To Chair or Secretary please.
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2016 August Executive Meeting of the VCC 12th and 13th of August 2016 Report to Manawatu Branch The August Executive Meeting commenced on the evening of Friday the 12th. President Diane Quarrie welcomed attendees with a special welcome to life members Andrew Anderson, Norm Dewhurst, Roger White and past presidents John Coomber Greg Terrill and Leigh Craythorne and their spouses. Registrar Rod Brayshaw presented an extensive report about VIC cards and their legal status within NZ. This document covers lighting exemptions, ARVs, LVVs, and rebodied vehicles. President Diane Quarrie announced that the VCC is to employ Ross
Holden as a Communications and Marketing Officer with a fixed contract for six months. Ross has experience in marketing, media, and event management. He will start two weeks after the AGM. The matter of the cost of sending branch magazines to the national office was raised. It was proposed that a link for these be made to the National VCC website. At present this is not technically feasible, but can be achieved via a link from branch websites where they exist. Rotorua have a Facebook page. They hand out magazines at club night and post the rest. The remit to alter the Club by-laws regarding discipline was discussed. I raised the matter which was raised at club night and at committee level that there should be provision for an
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independent arbitrator if requested and was informed that the present remit does not exclude this provision. The remit was passed as it stands. At a previous meeting the issue of a patron for the club had been raised. David Yorke gave a good presentation about the role of a patron. A patron is someone who is well known outside of the organisation and lends their name to the organisation as a form of advertising. Quite a lot of discussion ensued. Some felt that the role of patron is to recognise outstanding service to an organisation. David’s presentation showed that life membership covers the will of the Club to recognise outstanding service to the Club. The addition of a patron would mean the introduction of a new class of membership and would require a change to the Club constitution. This section of the meeting concluded with a workshop which covered “What activities did you undertake
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to make your branch visible in the community?” “How have you made new members welcome and what do you do to make sure they come back?”; and “How have you been building relationships with similar groups or clubs? After the AGM the Executive Meeting reconvened with a discussion about whether to call all VCC eligible vehicles “vintage” as this is the public perception. Rod Brayshaw spoke against the motion as “Vintage” is an internationally recognised term which applies to vehicles produced within a specific period. He also felt that the cost and time that would be involved in changing and reissuing all VICs would be very high. It was also proposed that movers and seconders of new members be removed as branch committees have to pass new members anyway. This idea has been deferred to a later meeting for further discussion. Sarah Howell - Acting Delegate
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Vintage Car Club AGM 13th August 2016-08-16 Report to Manawatu Branch. Reports were received from the Secretary Treasurer, the Registrar, the North Island Club Captain, the South Island Club Captain, the Beaded Wheels Chairman, National Speed Steward, Representative of NZ Federation of Motoring Clubs, and the Issuer of 25 and 35 year badges. Each of these reports were discussed and passed. Founding member Andrew Anderson was presented with his 70 year badge. In reply he spoke about the need to overcome parochialism and to get behind the next International Rally which is being held in New Plymouth in 2021. He urged all attendees to encourage members to put aside 2050 dollars per week towards the cost of entering the event. Diane Ross was presented with the John L Goddard Trophy for her ongoing involvement in organising vintage tours for members, undertaking various roles at branch level and writing Brass Notes for Beaded Wheels. Far North Fuels are offering discounts to VCC members which are available at Mobil, BP and Caltex. A card must be applied for by the member. (Branch Secretary has details) The Dunedin Rally was discussed at length with particular reference to the large loss which was made. The primary reasons for this loss were The Tourer
that the event manager applied for grants to the tune of $600,000 but only received $81,000 and only 9% of the membership attended the Rally. The Management Committee budgeted for 750 entries and received considerably less. When the final entry numbers were known the Management Committee considered calling the Rally off but decided to continue and slashed many of the proposed expenditures. Diane Quarrie offered to resign over the matter but was emphatically told by attendees that this was not the feeling of those present. John Coomber is stepping down from the Management Committee after 22 years of service. The calendar of events was approved. Gaynor Terrill gave a report about the Strategic Plan and gave very good overview of the answers to the questions put to delegates at the Executive Meeting the night before, which included ideas for Open Days, publicity, building relationships with other clubs and ways to make new members welcome. This was a very useful exercise. The 2017 AGM will be hosted by Malborough Branch. I found attending these meetings to be very useful and thank all of those who put in a huge amount of preparatory work. Sarah Howell – Acting Delegate
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Invitation to register your interest Wanganui Vintage Car Club is pleased to host the
National Veteran Rally being held 20th-23rd January 2017 Entrants will enjoy: Optional Activities Social events Great Scenery Parts Shed Shopping Being Part Of Whanganui’s Vintage Weekend We are also hosting the historic Burma Rally on this weekend. It is a great opportunity for all Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Owners to experience a unique Wellington Anniversary Weekend To receive further information, newsletters, entry form Contact: Linda O’Keeffe email: lokeeffe@xtra.co.nz (preferred method) Ph: 0274 733 767 Postal: PO Box 726, Whanganui 4540
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The ABC of the Manawatu VCC The ABC of Manawatu VCC #4 D is for Dodge 1928 Dodge Standard 6 By Leonie and John Rickard
1. Name of Maker Chrysler Corporation 2. Model Dodge Standard 6 3. Year 1928 – originally sold in USA for $895 4. Body 4 door saloon – with rear suicide doors – all steel manufactured by Budd. Wood is only used for attaching interior lining etc 5. Country of Manufacture USA - Detroit 6. History of Manufacture The Dodge brothers opened a machine shop in 1900 and made engines for other manufacturers, notably Henry Ford. In 1914 they built their own car and were immediately successful. At the sudden death of brothers John and Horace Dodge, both in the same year of 1920, the company was then owned for a time by two successive owners – firstly their wives, and then a bank, and finally the Chrysler Corporation took over Dodge as a division in 1928. At that time their 4 cylinder cars were dropped forever from production. The Tourer
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The Standard 6 was the least expensive of three new lines by Dodge for 1928 –which included the Senior 6 and Victory 6. The Standard 6 was only manufactured from February 1928 to 31 December 1929. 7. When first registered in New Zealand 6 July 1928 8. When did you acquire it? April 1973. It was advertised in the Evening Standard. We purchased it from Shannon. 9. What condition? Fit for the scrap heap – in a very rusty condition 10. Who restored it? I did, but it took 37 years to achieve. But being a sheetmetal tradesman doing 9 hours daily I was not very enthused to carry out restoration at the end of the day. The complete interior upholstery was carried out by Kiwitea Upholstery (Chris Tapp) to a very high standard, as original. The painting was done by Jim Thompson from City Car Painters. The colour blue was our choice chosen from the Toyota Corolla range 11. Mileage travelled since restoration Approximately 2000 miles. The speedo on this car is original but has never been reliable. 12. Pet name and why “Ya Girlfriend” – named by my wife, because I am always in the shed talking to her, patting her down or stroking her (the car that is!).
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13. Details of Engine 6 cylinder – 2530cc fully reconditioned by Classic Engine Shop in Tauranga (Hart Bussas). This engine is the original one fitted to the car. 14. Details of car A five seater vehicle with bench seats and wooden spoke wheels. It has a lovely grained wood steering wheel. This vehicle has only had 5 previous owners. 15. Longest Journey With the VCC on a Ruahine Ramble through the Gorge to Norsewood for lunch and return. 16. Funniest Incident Thinking we had a pinecone drop on our soft fabric roof on a very wet, windy, dark night (winter Branch Night Rally). After checking for split rims, blow out etc discover it was only the air vent suddenly slamming shut. 17. Worst Incident Half an hour before a wedding where I was to drive a wedding party and I noticed the wheel rim was split. Getting the tool box and spare wheel off the car, fitted, and pumped up was nerve racking. Leonie and I both ended up on our backs on the concrete driveway when the tire wouldn’t budge, but finally came away unexpectedly. 18. Best assistance received Some people discouraged me by comments that “you will never get that car finished” but I had helpful advice and encouragement from my friends Murray Martin and the late Peter Tapp. 19. Most significant thing to me The beautiful grained hickory wood used on the spokes and also the fact that John’s parents owned a similar vehicle – a DA Dodge – throughout his childhood, therefore still has meaning. As we grew up, us 6 kids were embarrassed by the Ah-ooh-ga horn and used to duck down below the windows. Not embarrassed now though. My main aim was to restore the car as close as possible to original condition. An interesting question arises – what will happen to these older cars? It seems the next generation are more into Classic cars, although very young children holding their Mum’s hand are fascinated by them as we drive past. Maybe they think they are the very latest model. They love the Ah-ooh-ga horn!
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. The Tourer
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Tourer Trader 1930 Ford Model A Parts:
· Standard Head – Gear Box (10,000 miles since restoration) · Tudor Driver side Running Board (new) · Passenger side (needs rubber) · Running board Petrol Can Holder Offers – contact p.robert@inspire.net.nz
New Members contact the Secretary, Ron Persson, to organise for a name badge to be made.
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THE MANAWATU BRANCH
Vintage Rally Saturday 17th September 2016 For Vintage Vehicles - and vehicles from any other VCC vehicle classification category as a non-competitive entry Meet at 9.15am at the Coach House Museum, 121 South Street, Feilding. Briefing will be at 9.30am with the first car away at 9.45am. Lunch stop (at the end of the Rally) will be in the Horowhenua. BYO lunch & hot water for drinks etc. There will be an opportunity to visit the Horowhenua VCC Branch Parts Shed after lunch. Mileage for the morning rally will be approx. 70 miles – plus approx. 35 miles back to PM.
ENTRANT: ................................................................................................................................. NAVIGATOR: ............................................................................................................................ ADDRESS: ………………………............................................................................................ TELEPHONE: (........) .....................................
EMAIL: ......................................................
VEHICLE MAKE & MODEL: .................................................................................................. YEAR: ..............................
REG PLATE No. ........................................
ENTRY PER CAR:
PLAQUE (optional): $15.00 each $...........
$ 25.00
Cheques payable to Manawatu Branch VCC ENTRIES CLOSE:
Thursday 8th September 2016
ENTRIES to: Bryan Abraham, 81 Apollo Parade, Palmerston North 4414. RALLY ORGANISER: Bryan Abraham : Phone (06) 358 4014 Email bryana@xtra.co.nz
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SWAP MEET 2016
A request from the Swap Meet Co-ordinator, Trevor Hardy This is being held at the Manfeild Park on 15 October 2016. As usual, we are looking for people to man the gates, and take the money off our visitors. If you could help with an hour or an hour and a half of your valuable time, please let me know, either by phone on 3234040, or e-mail……ts.hardy@xtra.co.nz I look forward to a rush in response to this request. Actual Vacancies – please let Trevor know asap (phone 06 323 4040) if you can help with any of the following: (only maximum of 2 hours which is not a lot in the scheme of things) For South Street Gate: · 7.30 – 9.00am shift 1 person · 9.00 – 10.30am shift 2 peple · 10.30 – midday shift 2 people For the Kawakawa Road Gate: · 6.00 – 8.00am shift 3 people · 8.00 – 10.00am 2 people
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Directing the Show cars: · 6.00 – 8.00am shift 1 person · 8.00 – 10.00am shift 1 person Directing Sellers at South Street · 8,00 – 10.00am shift 1 person
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Club Captain’s Corner SEPTEMBER SUNDAY RUN 25 September 2016 Meet at 1.00pm at the Chesters Plumbing and Bathroom carpark in Tremaine Avenue, Palmerston North for a run to a small country café. The run is on fairly easy roads (ie not too hilly) but please note that the café does not have EFTPOS. The total mileage for the afternoon ie including back to Palmerston North, will be approximately 55 miles. SUNDAY RUN – 31 July 2016 The July Sunday Run took seven cars out through farmland onto Gillespies Line, the Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Road, Rongotea Road, Leen Road, Banks Road (through Rongotea township), Rowe Road, Taylor Road, Tangimoana Road and Speedy Road onto the Woolshed Café on SH1 near Sanson. Two other club cars went directly to the Café where, with prior arrangement, the Woolshed management had been good enough to put a meeting room containing two large tables aside for us to gather in. After a relaxing hour and a half chatting over tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits we all headed away. For those who returned to Palmerston North the total mileage for the day was just 50 miles – all on relatively flat roads. This made it an easy and pleasant run on a dry although windy afternoon. Thanks to all those who came on the run – much appreciated. Bryan & Catherine Abraham The Tourer
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Irishman Rally 2016. A first timer’s experience! I had not intended to go to the Irishman’s rally this year but a phone call from brother Tony in early May changed that. He called me and asked if I could get a leave pass for Queens Birthday weekend as he wanted to do the Irishman’s rally and the Durant was at Dad’s and he needed it and his Peugeot 404 ute brought down to him. I had my application approved and then called Nigel Fraser from Taranaki to see if he could get a weekend pass as well; with the all clear given it looked as if it was full steam ahead!! How plans can change in a month!! First change was Tony had to go north the week before the Rally so he would go to Bulls first and take the Durant home; considering it had not had much use over the past three years this sounded like a good idea. So Nigel and I would take the 404 down and bring the Durant back to Bulls. Tony was just south of Cheviot when all hell broke loose in the motor of the Durant with what turned out to be top coming off a piston! OK so by this stage Tony was over doing the Rally and said there is an entry in and ferry tickets organised so if Nigel and I still wanted to do the Rally we were more than welcome!! Next was a call to Nigel to fill him in on the proceedings and find out what he wanted to do: the options were stay home, leave passes were approved, gas and beer money was put aside, so this was not much of an option. Option two was take my 29 Chevrolet Tourer or option three take Nigel’s 27 Chevrolet speedster. I was not bothered either way but Nigel was very keen to take his speedster so the speedster it was to be. With Nigel’s car it has only half a windscreen no hood and no side curtains so a slight change to the wardrobe was needed! The decision was made to trailer the speedster from his place just out of Opunake down to me in Palmerston North, pick me up then go to Upper Hutt on the Thursday Night. Arriving
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Kaikoura. The Tourer
at Dave Wilkens in Upper Hutt about 9.30pm it was time to unload the car off the trailer and try and find some room to stow our gear for the journey ahead.
First river crossing Saturday.
Just enough time for a beer and catch up before grabbing a couple of hours sleep before a 2am start and off to the ferry Terminal for a 3.30 sailing. Trying to get some sleep on the boat, man was it cold!
7.30am we get off the boat to a nice frosty morning but up the hill out of town and straight into a thick ice laden fog. Arrive at the service station in Blenheim leap out of the car - bugger the petrol - unpack the car and put on another layer of clothing then think about fill the petrol tank. Next stop Kaikoura, straight round to the point for a toilet stop and some good photos of the snow covered hills. Back on the road and off to Amberley to do a child’s bicycle drop off with a quick cuppa, on board the fun begins with negotiating the out skirts of Christchurch with two wheel brakes, lots of road works and heavy traffic. With that taken care of the long straight roads heading to Ashburton made up for the busy streets encountered earlier. With a quick leg stretch stop in Rakaia, back on the road to Fairlie; with time marching on we start getting the occasional vintage on a trailer passing us (soft buggers). Through Geraldine not far to go now and the light fading we catch up with a good number of fellow rally entrants and follow along to reach Fairlie about 5 30pm pulling up outside our lodgings a 1880’s cottage 470km after starting. Key secured, access gained car unpacked time to go for a wander and collect our rally pack and the most important beer! Dinner and supplies sorted, time to head back to our lodgings light the fire and a damn fine hot shower, by 9: 30 we were sound asleep, it had been a long day. Saturday up at 6:00am with the heat pump going flat out all night it was The Tourer
Nigel’s Chevrolet John’s Austin 7 outside our lodgings.
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about 6 degrees inside, zero in the toilet at the back of the house and negative 5 degrees outside. Not long after this John Newell appeared out of his room, he had arrived at 2am after rebuilding his Austin 7 most of the previous evening and leaving Christchurch at midnight. We were crashing John’s pad for this event and the location was great! Car uncovered time to oil the rocker gear Nigel grabs his oil can out of the tool box but the oil is so cold and thick it would not work! So off to the 7:30am drivers briefing pulling up in the main street with 120 other vintage and a couple of veteran cars.
Iced up fuel line Sunday am.
And we are off, unfortunately the first river crossing was a no go due to the water being too high so the first real test was a steep grass hill that Nigel tackled with ease and just enough wheel spin to get that feel good glow on but with even just a little rain it would have been a whole different story. Most of the rest of the mornings driving was fairly easy going with some brilliant gravel roads a couple of minor water crossings and great scenery especially for Nigel who had never been in the area before then back to Fairlie for lunch just over 100 miles this morning.
First river crossing Albury Sunday am.
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Lunch over with and off again back over some of the same roads as this morning but in the opposite direction and still great scenery and ending up in Geraldine it was round to David Vermall’s for a cuppa and have a look at his Chevrolet 4 collection. Time was marching on so we hit the road back to Fairlie as the sun was starting to set so it was dark when we arrive back at our lodgings to find John under his Austin trying to find the brakes. With the car checked over and covered up for the night it was off to the pub for a couple and a very nice meal. The Tourer
Chevrolets stick together above Albury. Sunday not so early this morning 8:30am briefing and -7 degrees and there is ice covering the fuel line to the vacuum tank! And off we go on day 2, promising start with good river crossings with in the first 15 minutes the first was a short steep drop into the river with about half a metre deep fast flowing water through this and hard right (straight ahead was a drowned 31 Chev) drive down the river bed about 500metres left to where there were three separate crossings one straight after the other. The first part was shallow but soft, the second was much deeper faster, but only a car and a half long and the last part was shallow and very soft again but we got through. Back out to the seal at Albury and head south before heading cross country over some pretty good farm tracks to end up on top of a ridge line with a very impressive 360 degrees view from the Alps to the sea. Then a bit further on we stop again and look straight down on where we had our river crossings earlier. What goes up must go down most of this was easy but taken cautiously with two wheel brakes especially the last part that was very steep. Most of the rest of the morning was quite easy going then the last river crossing, looked easy enough but was a bit deeper than it looked and with a bit too much speed on we drowned the coil and it died just short of the other side but with some skilful foot work around the side of the Chev Nigel managed to unhitch the rope and throw it to the rescue vehicle and get a tow out. A good squirt of CRC and the Chev fired up with ease, from here it was a straight run back to Fairlie but the Kimble pub looked like a good place for lunch and a drink and it was. Back to Fairlie about 85 miles for this morning’s run. The afternoon was the field test at what was called Shands patch but now Pete’s patch at Strathconan Station. We decided that we would only spectate as we still had a long way to get home. This was a good time to have a look round the other cars and talk car talk. About 4pm we decided to head back to town and sort out our stuff as it was going to be an early start again in the morning. Prizegiving was at 7pm but we got there early to catch up with a few people. Back to our lodgings after finding a good steak and salad at the local fish and chip shop. The Tourer
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We hit the road at 7:00am on Queens Birthday Monday to another very frosty start; all was not good about 10km down the road when the motor meter was showing far too hot! It had done the same thing the day before but the temp had quickly dropped and all was good for the rest of the day but not today, there was a lot of steam and the smell of hot oil so we came to a stop 15 km from Fairlie! Bugger!! Ok lets not panic just yet, as it was too hot to take water we let it cool down - this did not take long as it was still subzero. Right we need to try and get some water, luckily enough there was a woolshed across the road that was a good water supply. Starting to fill the radiator and hang on my feet are getting wet. We had a nice little boy peeing out of the radiator about half way down the core bugger no2. Nigel rang David Vermall to see if he has a spare radiator, it was just after 7:30am and he was still in bed asleep (was) no he did not have a spare one but he would take the one out of his car. Now how do we stem the flow of water exiting the radiator as we still had 30km to Geraldine. Banana stems slowed it but hang on we have duct tape, roll it up and poke it in the honey comb with a screw driver and bingo nearly fixed. Water in, it fires up first go and we’re off, we arrive at David’s to see the replacement radiator waiting for us so a quick change over then fuel up in town and look out Christchurch here we come. I had prearranged with Selwyn Wright to meet him at 11am but by now we’re an hour behind time so a quick call and when we arrived to have a look at his Fiat Zero he had stopped off and got us some lunch as he knew time was against us, top guy! After some newly acquired Fiat parts for my current project were stowed it was time to hit the road again - look out Kaikoura here we come, leaving Kaikoura at 4:30 we were looking at having about an hour of driving with vintage lights. Every so often it would drop a cylinder for a second or two but we were still going well as we stop in Seddon to check the water level after a small top up we set off just as we leave town holy smoke it got very dark very quick we had blown a fuse. Managed to pull off the road without ending up in a ditch, Nigel do you have any fuses; yes they are in the turtle deck. About then a police car pulls to see if we are ok, unload all the gear and original radiator off the back and find the fuses reload and set off again. Blenheim was a welcome sight only 30km to Picton. The misfire was getting a little worse Radiator change in Geraldine Monday am.
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but still chugging along but as we pull up outside my in-laws at Waikawa Bay about 7:30 the car was not happy. After a hot meal and cold beer it was time to go to the Ferry terminal hit the starter button and oh, sounded like water in a cylinder bugger!, so we get a tow to the terminal and on to the boat. Nigel removes the spark plugs and there is water on no 2 and 3, ok time to call Dave Wilkens and get him to come down to the terminal with a trailer to pick us up at 1:30am. The very helpful Interislander guys tow us off the boat and round to the car park for Dave to collect us. Winch the Chev on the trailer and off to Upper Hutt for a well deserved sleep. Wow 8: 30 wake up great, time to swap the Chev from Dave’s trailer on to Nigel’s, pack up our gear and head home. Irishman 2016 trip over! What a fantastic weekend!! Words and photos By Derek Haycock
BROADWAY AUTO COURT LTD 5 3 D U NObituary DAS ROAD SANSON PHONE 021 427 454
Brian de Lautour
Written by Ron Persson
Manawatu Branch members are respectfully advised of the passing of Brian de Lautour on 28-7-2016. Brian was born on 26-3-1916 and had a special celebration for his Hundredth Birthday with his picture and an article about his life in 2 of the local papers, as well as in the July Tourer. Brian will be remembered as an enthusiastic Austin man and one of life’s true gentlemen.
Classic Car Specialists
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Classic, Vintage, Veteran cars CLASSIC CAR SPECIALISTS Valuations and motorbikes
Classic, Vintage, Veteran cars and
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Also buying & selling old vehicles The Tourer
Telephone: Garry Price 021 427 454
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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
“refer to August Tourer for details” 22
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Flashback to Beaded Wheels Issue 242 (February / March 2000) Some Early New Zealand Motoring Highlights
February 8, 1906 After a pioneering 22-hour motor car trip from Timaru, Rudolph Wigley and John Rutherford arrived at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, at 4am. The trip established the foundations of the Mount Cook Tourist Company. February 23, 1906 WB Leyland and JA Moody set out from Auckland in a Darracq motor car for Timaru, via Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Otira Pass and Christchurch. They reached Timaru 22 days later, but ended the adventure when no tyres could be bought to continue to Bluff. January 1, 1908 Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod, with 40 crew, dogs, ponies and a modified motor car for sledge towing, left Port Chalmers for the Antarctic. Shackleton got to within 130 km of the South Pole. January 2 1996
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At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?” The little boy nodded in the affirmative. “Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?” The little boy nodded yes. “So,” the coach continued, “when a strike is called, or you’re out at first, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?”... Again the little boy nodded. “Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother.”
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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 26
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The story of the sale of 100 classic cars to a dealer in Beijing …Part One (thanks to Ed Boyd for passing this on.)
VANCOUVER — A car dealer from China has purchased 100 classic cars and trucks from arguably the best and largest collection in Canada. Jim Ratsoy, a B.C. car dealer for nearly 50 years, spent the past three decades selecting the best vehicles in North America for his collection which spans six decades of automobile production. Jim was a longtime Pontiac Buick dealer in Richmond. For a number of years, he drove a 1936 Ford convertible to work at his General Motors dealership almost every day. He became a car dealer on his own in 1957 and acquired his first collector car two years later – a Model T Ford purchased from a local farmer in Northern Alberta who bought it new. The oldest car in the Jim Ratsoy collection is this 1906 Brush roadster powered by a single cylinder engine. “We got it started and put air in the tires to drive it home,” he recalls. “The tires were rotten and didn’t last so we drove it home on the rims – about 40 kilometers to where I lived. Since then, I’ve always played with old cars and enjoyed every episode.” Jim bought his collector cars one at a time and originally housed his collection in a warehouse near his Pontiac Buick dealership. He eventually expanded to acreage in Richmond, approximately five kilometers south of Vancouver International Airport. The growing collection occupied two large buildings on his property. One of the buildings containing rows of beautifully restored classics is ringed by a collection of memorabilia including signs, vintage gas station The Tourer
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TWO WHEELS ENGINEERING
99a Lombard Street Palmerston North Ph 06 357-2972 Fax 06 355·1634 Mobile 027-241·3413
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
TALK TO US ABOUT BOOKING THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB WE CAN MAKE YOUR SPECIAL EVENT MEMORABLE and ENJOYABLE! HG Catering are delighted to design a menu for your individual occasion
▪ Weddings ▪ Birthdays ▪ Family celebrations ▪ ▪ Corporate Events ▪ Team Building ▪ BBQ ▪ Demonstrations ▪ Pop into Create Eatery for an exceptional range of take home food
▪ Frozen meals ▪ Soups ▪ Fresh dinners ▪ Celebration cakes ▪ 50 Princess Street, Palmerston North │ 06 356 6733 │ events@hgcatering.co.nz │www.hgcatering.co.nz Like us on Facebook! HG Catering │ Create Eatery
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displays, pinball machines, jukeboxes, player pianos and music machines from early in the last century. Jim Ratsoy has sold his collection of some of Canada’s best classic vehicles to a Chinese buyer who plans to open a large
museum in Beijing. The majority of the beautifully restored vehicles include a preponderance of convertibles.
“Top goes down, price goes up, Jim would often say at the auctions where he bought some of his cars, adding, “It was the auctioneers’ favorite saying.” His Ford collection includes convertibles beginning in 1929 with a Model A Phaeton running through continuous years up to his fully optioned black 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner retractable hardtop convertible and 1960 Edsel Convertible. In the last model year of production for Edsel, 1960, only 76 convertibles were manufactured. He has a perfectly restored first year 1939 Mercury convertible lined up with Mercury convertibles in the subsequent years of 1940, 1941 and 1948 as well as a 1957 Mercury Monterey convertible. There are also two Mercury ‘woody’ station wagons and a rare Canadian-built yellow 1947 Monarch convertible. The collection includes a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible. Plymouth and Dodge convertibles, beginning with a 1932 Plymouth and going right up to a stunning black 1948 Plymouth convertible, line one wall of the building. The wood-bodied 1947 Chrysler Town & Country convertible that he bought in St. Louis from a collector along with a 1931 Cadillac V12 phaeton are among the 100 vehicles going to China. End of Part One
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Directory BRANCH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN:
Sarah Howell (Ian) 06 374 6645 iansarahhowell@gmail.com
VICE CHAIR:
Doug Dickson (Jan) 06 353 3462 jandougdickson@xtra.co.nz
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 SEPTEMBER 2016 The next issue of the Tourer will be October 2016.
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:
Doug Dickson (Jan) 06 353 3462 jandougdickson@xtra.co.nz
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 7.30pm. • 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