The Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Po Box 2168, Kopeopeo, Whakatane 3159
Email: easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
DRIVING OUR HISTORY VINTAGE and CLASSIC VEHICLES
February
Clive and Louise Wood’s newly aquired MGBGT On it’s first Club outing - the Mid-week Run to Lake Tarawera
Club Night: Last Thursday of the Month (except December) at Whakatane Athletic Clubrooms, Short Street, Whakatane 7.00 pm Social get-together Branch Meeting starts at 7.30 pm Followed by Supper
Chairman’s Report:
Happy New Year everyone
2025 is here and it is certainly off to a great start. The summer holiday period provided plenty of opportunities to get out and about on the Eastern Bay roads and visit the lakes and beaches that our region is famous for.
The boys and I have been very busy building a new engine for the Holden Wagon and installing a new 4 speed auto in place of the factory 3 speed unit. It took a little creativity to get the 4-speed transmission to fit but it is worth it to have overdrive for highway cruising. The car is all up and running now and booked in for a WOF so it should be back out on club runs before too long. Elliot and Charlie have also been taking a keen interest in the little ’93 Toyota that we recently purchased. We have decided to do the car up in the true spirit of the 1990’s import era starting with some period correct wheels and suspension modifications. It is very exciting to see the enthusiasm that the boys have for this car and interesting to see the attention it gets from their teenage friends. I can see that when it comes time for them to get a driver’s licence there is only one car they will want to drive!
Finally, here are a few photos of some of my motoring highlights from 2024. I sure hope 2025 is just as much fun.
Bevan
Club Captain’s Report:
It’s been a quiet month with Christmas and New Year and the silly season going on, we haven’t had much on, but I did enjoy the Christmas Parades and Christmas lunch BBQ at our place.
January 15th Harry and Gay took us to Stoney Point Bay at Lake Tarawera for a picnic. The day didn’t start off too good because of the road works at the top of Kawerau Road where we usually park, some were able to park in the usual spot, the rest parked on the road verge after the corner and a couple parked on the road, which caused the roading co-ordinator to send us on our way a bit early leaving Barry and Tessa behind, however after a couple of stops and a phone call they caught us up.
Because of road works on Te Ngae Road, Harry guided us through the back streets of Rotorua to Tarawera Road, then lead us to Stoney Point Bay, a great spot for a picnic under some shady trees. All had a great time, even the dogs.
Unfortunately because of the bad start at Kawerau corner, we didn’t get to know where we were going and we didn’t use the old travel tip “watch the car behind” if it gets too far behind or stops, you wait for it and hopefully the car in front of you will do the same and so on.
A great day out, driving our cars to a beautiful spot at Tarawera for a picnic.
Sunday 26th two cars braved the weather and travelled to Rotorua for the Lake Front Car Display, supporting St John. About another 83 other vehicles braved the rain and sunshine then rain again.
However there were plenty of enthusiastic people to talk to, so it was quite a pleasant day out.
Thanks Jacqui and John for your company.
Those who attended our January Events
Mid-week Run Wednesday 15th
John Taggart
Trevor & Odell Sutton
Steve & Lesley McCann
Steve & Joy Growden
Cadillac Eldorado Les & Gail Costar
Triumph 2500
Triumph Spitfire
Austin 1800
Harry & Gay Sutcliffe Modern Renault
Barry & Tessa Keene MGB Roadster
Ford Cortina Clive & Louise Wood MGBGT
John Lamont & Magz Rover
Ross & Yvonne McKenzie
John & Jacqui Taggart
Mazda MX5
Noel & Lois Davies Ford Falcon
Trevor Marshall Modern Honda
Rotorua Lakefront Car Display
Cadillac Eldorado Les & Gail Costar
Ford Capri
Les . . . .3.
Club Calendar of Events commencing February 2025
February
Saturday 1st
Sunday 2nd
Fri 7th – Sun 9th
Wednesday 12th
Sunday 23rd
Thursday 27th
March
Saturday 8th
Saturday 15th
Wednesday 19th
Wed 26th – Sunday 30th
Thursday 27th
April
Sunday 6th
Fri 18th – Mon 21st
Sunday date TBA
Wednesday date TBA
Thursday 24th
May
Thursday 29th
Our East Coast Rally and 50th Anniversary Celebrations and Service Badge Presentations 50yr 35yr & 25yr
Classic & Vintage Car Breakfast – from 8am Thornton Bar Eatery, Thornton Road Corner
Gisborne Three Rivers Rally
Mid-week Run to Aniwhenua Power Station Meet 10.30am Riverslea Carpark, Rata Ave, Edgecumbe
Rotorua Tractor & Machinery Working Day & Swapmeet Mamaku ,Cnr SH5 & Oturoa Roads. 10am
Club Night, Athletic Clubrooms, Short St, Whakatane from 7.00pm with the Meeting starting at 7.30pm
Club Run to Pukehina Autorama
Taupo Country Roads Rally entry forms are available Mid-week Run –details to be advised Beach Hop Whangamata – main event day Saturday 29th Club Night
Classic & Vintage Car Breakfast
North Island Easter Rally – Waikato based in Cambridge Club Run to be arranged Mid-week Run to be arranged Club Night
Club Night & Annual General Meeting
If you don’t have a Vintage or Classic Vehicle, come along to events in your modern
Mid-week Run Wednesday 15th
Photo’s by Clive Wood taken at the Picnic spot Stoney Point Reserve at Lake Tarawera
Some more photo’s of the Mid-week Run to Lake Tarawera
Re-group before Tikitere
Lunch at Stoney Point Reserve Lake Tarawera
Some of the cars under the shade of the trees
Steve & Lesley McCann’s Triumph Spitfire and Ross & Yvonne McKenzie’s Mazda MX5 .7.
John Lamont’s Rover Barry & Tessa’s MGB Roadster and below Clive & Louise’s MGBGT
Rotorua Lakefront Car Display Sunday 26th
John & Jacqui Taggart’s Cadillac Eldorado .8.
The old 1927 Austin 12/4 Windsor and not so old Ford Escort
Rolls Royce line-up .9.
Triumph line-up
Morris Minor line-up
and Jaguar’s .10.
THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NEW ZEALAND
Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch
Postal Address: PO Box 2168, Whakatane 3159
Branch Officers: 2024/2025
Honorary Branch Member: Lorolei Pollard
Chairman: Bevan Lange 027 460 3466 bevanlange@gmail.com
Vice Chairman: Clive Wood 027 276 9806 cjwclockmaster@gmail.com
Secretary: Margaret Leaming 027 351 0432 phil.leaming@xtra.co.nz
Treasurer: Joy Growden 07 304 9777 growden@xtra.co.nz
Club Captain: Les Costar 027 271 7022 les.gail.costar@gmail.com
Committee: Steve Growden 07 304 9777 growden@xtra.co.nz
Lorraine Stock 07 307 1965 alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
Alan Stock 07 307 1965 alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
John Burton 021 02501138 wairakael@hotmail.com
Lytle Hall 027 703 4539 lytlehall.hall@gmail.com
Trevor Marshall 07 308 7957
Running Board: Interim Editor Gail Costar 027 271 7022 les.gail.costar@gmail.com
Beaded Wheels Reporter: Bruce Seddon 07 322 2137 bruce.seddon@xtra.co.nz
Almoner: Lorraine Stock 07 307 1965 alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
Name Badge Sales: Margaret Leaming 027 351 0432
VIC Collators: Bevan Lange 027 460 3466 bevanlange@gmail.com
Bruce Seddon 07 322 2137 bruce.seddon@xtra.co.nz
Parts Shed Supervisors: Phil Leaming 07 304 8415 phil.leaming@xtra.co.nz
Steve Growden 07 304 9777 growden@xtra.co.nz
John Burton 021 02501138 wairakael@hotmail.com
Branch Delegate: Bevan Lange 027 460 3466 bevanlange@gmail.com
Raffles: Lorraine Stock 07 307 1965 alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
Supper Supervisor: Lorraine Stock
Archivists: Les & Gail Costar 027 271 7022 les.gail.costar@gmail.com
Community Liaison: Lytle Hall 027 703 4539 lytlehall.hall@gmail.com
Saleable Items: Barry Spry 07 312 4737 basa.mi@xtra.co.nz
Available to purchase at Club Night
EBOP Cloth Jacket Badges $7.50
EBOP Car Window Stickers $1.00
EBOP Lapel Badges $6.00
EBOP Cloth Jacket Patches $10.00
EBOP Car Bumper Badges $20.00
EBOP VCC Windscreen Stickers $2.00
EBOP Cloth Caps $15.00 Rally Number Holders s/s $15.00
NZVCC Winged Lapel Badges $7.50 VCC Cloth Winged Badges $13.00
EBOP Name Badges $23.00 (orders to be placed with Secretary) Please wear your name badge to VCC functions.
Club Night: Last Thursday of the month (except December) At: Whakatane Athletic Clubrooms, Short Street, Whakatane 7.00pm Social Get-together Branch Meeting starting at 7.30pm
