THE MOTORING SPIRIT The Wellington Branch Newsletter FEBRUARY 2017
The Dennis Fire Engine providing rides at the Xmas Party 2016
Santa distributes presents at the Xmas Party 2016
59 years of Vintage motoring 1958—2017
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.)
Wellington Branch Clubrooms Petone
Halford Place
Postal Address
PO Box 38-418, Petone
Clubrooms Phone 568-7463
(East end of Jackson Street),
Email: wellington@vcc.org.nz
Branch Committee Chairman
Bill Pinkham
pinkham@paradise.net.nz
938-3407
Immediate Past Chairman
Colin White
the-whitehouse@xtra.co.nz
569-6549
Secretary
Alistair McCarthy
wellington@vcc.org
589-8248
mccarthys@xtra.co.nz Treasurer
Peter McKeown
peter@smartpower.co.nz
2335113
Club Captains (joint)
Neale Ryder
joannemillar@xtra.co.nz
Assistant Club Captain
Peter Simpson
psimpsonnz@gmail.com
566-2675
General Member
vacant
Property Manager
Bill Pinkham
pinkham@paradise.net.nz
938-3407
Newsletter Editor
Claire Benge
claire.benge@xtra.co.nz
589-8383
Social Convenor
Tasi Betteridge
tasib@paradise.net.nz
Nat Executive Delegate
Ray Betteridge
ray@betteridge.co.nz
Parts Manager
Alick Jenner
0274 493-014
972-2367 565-0174
Appointed Officers Librarian
David Crooks
dcrooks@xtra.co.nz
476-4588
Scribe to Beaded Wheels
Claire Benge
claire.benge@xtra.co.nz
589-8383
Workshop Custodian
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Friend of the fire engine
John Jackson
jackapp@xtra.co.nz
234-8702
Motorcycle Representative Peter Simpson
psimpsonnz@gmail.com
566-2675
Vehicle ID
Roger White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Memorabilia sales
Vacant
Rally Secretary
Diane White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
Archives & Trophies
Michael Curry
alvishumber@gmail.com
526-9522
Bar & Chiller stocks
Paul Switzer
233-8777
NO CALLS AFTER 9:00PM PLEASE
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CONTENTS P2
Contact Details for committee and appointed officers P3 Contents, From the Captain’s table P4 Chairman’s Message, P5 From the Archives, From the Editor’s Laptop P6 & 7 From the Library P8 Motorcycle Section P9 The 2016 Children’s Christmas Party P10 The 2016 Christmas Barbeque P11 As We Were -
P12 Wairarapa Coastal Run P13 January Club Night P14 Letters to the Editor P15 & 16 Club Captain’s Safari P16 & 17 Coming Up - Here and There P18 Kapiti Coast Midweek Run The Whanganui Burma Run P19 Buy and Sell P23 Wellington Branch Calendar of Events
FROM the CAPTAIN’S TABLE
Neale Ryder
Welcome to 2017. A short message this month to leave more room for photos. We have had our first "Monte Carlo" type event & judging by the conversations I had with people at the evening barbeque, it was well received. I wasn't able to stay for the rest of the weekend’s events but I had a bit of a look at what was going on in Whanganui as part of their Vintage Weekend. It all looked really good to me. So it looks like we will be going back next year & rallying up on the Friday so as not to miss out on anything. Have you got any suggestions for places to visit or something different to do? Then how about joining up with the rally committee even for just a short time, see me or Roger White if you are interested. Regards
Neale
(Club Captains Safari write up and more photos on P14 to P16)
One of the places we were forced? to go to on the Club Captain’s Safari - a Monte Carlo Rally
Lunch at Woodville - discussing the different routes we all went on
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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Bill Pinkham
The first column for the year %#@*. It has been good, not having to write these. Have you noticed, I’m not good at it, they read like condition reports on a piece of machinery. Last year was an interesting year for me, promoted to chairman, I unsuccessfully attempted to attend as many club events as possible, but alas I have a lot of things going on, so didn’t get to as many as I would have liked. The year ended with the children's Christmas party that always gets a great turnout, and the December club night and the now traditional BBQ and music, a great night. Christmas for me was a quiet one this year and that was great for me, I'm not much of a Christmas person. Got one really great Christmas present, NO NOT A 34 SEDAN, Being told that we are going to grandparents. About bloody time too. Had to reschedule our next trip to the USA so that we would be here to welcome the newest Pinkham. Now it's 2017:- New Year was pretty uneventful but a very relaxing time away from the office and a struggle going back to the grind. January Club night, the usual informal meeting and the fun run with an interesting twist’ well several of them in the form of drift wood and stories of interesting Petone locations and the odd romantic ones linked to a lover of Fords and Flower arranging. And the supper was an enjoyable surprise, Colin must have been in the kitchen all afternoon! (Actually it was his daughter-ed) The Singer that was so kindly donated by the late Leland Crosthwait has been sold for a good price and is going to a good home in Auckland.
I sat in on part of the briefing for the Club Captain’ s Safari to be run on Wellington Anniversary weekend, sounded like a very interesting concept that could be an easy or hard as each group wanted it to be. I look forward to hearing all about it, and the stories that go with it. I'm sure our editor would be happy to receive a few words and photos too. That’s it for me this month; see you all again next club night! Bill Pinkham
FROM the EDITOR’S LAPTOP
Claire Benge
You may notice that I have written several of the articles myself this time, mainly because I was too distracted by the Christmas parties and the terrible weather to remember to ask other people to contribute. So if you don’t like my articles, or want to be on my best people list, offer to write up an event or article about anything relating to vintage cars or our club activities - a letter, a thank you, a question, a controversy for discussion - what ever, I love them. On my best people list at the moment is Alan Pratt who has sent me not one but two letters (admittedly the first was sent to me the day after the December issue had gone to print). Another is Norman Willis who sent me out of the blue his write up of the Wairarapa Coast Run - and I didn't know it existed! If you cant type or email I’ll type up your hand written copy. Enough from me - here’s to 2017 ahead of us Claire
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Mike Curry
Hello from the Archive Donations from Robin Simpson include records of his time as Treasurer and Club Captain. These cover a period from mid 1970s to post 2000. These records start to fill a large gap in the Branch history. Also Bill and Bev Munro donation of Branch and International events, including Wellington Festival Veteran Rallies. From the middle of next year we will be 60 years as a Branch. The Archive will be a part of the Celebration and in the next few months I will be asking for records to fill the gaps in our archive records so we can put on a better display. Do you have records from Branch events that can be donated or copied for the Branch archive? photos, rally entrants lists, results, posters and any of our many social events etc. Michael.
FROM the SOCIAL CONVENOR
Tasi Betteridge
Happy New Year everyone.
Below is the roster for our clubnight suppers. Please arrange a swap with someone
else if you are unavailable on the given date - thank you. If you have trouble arranging a swap please contact Tasi – email: tasib@paradise.net.nz or text 0276015399 Date
Members on supper
January 17 2017
Ernie & Norma Pailthorpe
February 21 2017 March 21 2017 April 19 2017
Terry O’Leary & Ray Betteridge Dave Gwynn & Alick Jenner Alistair & Angelica
May 16th 2017 June 20th 2017 July 18th 2017 August 15th 2017
Tasi Betteridge & Colin White Deirdre & John Blakemore Diane & Phil Janes Norm Willis and Christina van Dam
September 10th 2017
Tasi Betteridge & Alick Jenner
October 17th 2017 November 21st 2017 December 19th 2017
Tasi Betteridge & Bill Pinkham Tasi Betteridge & John Kinvig Christmas BBQ
If you would like to add your name to the supper roster please contact Tasi. Tea Towels: Our tea towel supply has dwindled slightly. If you have taken one or two home to wash – thank you for that – but can you please return them at your earliest convenience. 5
FROM THE LIBRARY
David Crooks
A Century Ago cont’d. The last issue looked at various machine design/proposals for overcoming obstacles on the WW1 trench warfare battlefields. There were numerous other ideas ranging from the novel to fanciful but offering little that was practical apart from highlighting the range of functions required. A major issue in design was effectiveness of the locomotive traction system. Trials had highlighted the limitations of the conventional wheel in negotiating rough terrain, let alone surmounting obstacles. This shortcoming was not new and a number of adaptions had been devised to alleviate the problem. In 1846 British inventor James Boydell, a leading figure in development of the steam traction engine, had patented the “endless rail”, an articulated system of connected pads (short rails) and fitted via the rims so that the wheel could move over them in continuous motion, see below left. It improved performance on the rough roads of the times and refinements of the system are recorded through to 1907. An ingenious but mechanically complex system was the “pedrail” patented by another British inventor, Bramah Diplock, in 1903. The tread consisted of ‘feet’ (Latin pedes) connected by ball-and-socket to the ends of sliding spokes, each of which had attached to it a small roller which ran under a short pivoted rail controlled by a powerful set of springs. As the wheel assembly revolved the arrangement allowed the ‘feet’ to accommodate to obstacles, even such as steps, as indicated in the simplified diagram below centre. The system was used on agricultural machines and was considered by British developers of the tank and the pedrail was fitted in groups to carry a trial landship, below right. Superseded by the continuous track, there was no further development based on these systems.
It soon became clear that the key to mobility over the moonscape surfaces lay in adopting the crawler track systems in use on agricultural machines, and there had already been proposals along these lines. In 1903 a French artillery officer, Captain Levavaseur, came up with a design which had characteristics later incorporated in “tanks”. It was a box-like structure mounting a 75 mm cannon which ran on crawler tracks, was to be powered by an 80 hp engine and to be operated by a crew of four. It was submitted to the French army who questioned its mechanical reliability, steering limitations and the need for mechanical means when traditional horse power was seen as adequate for existing conditions. Levavasseur continued to develop his project and made further submissions but was completely rejected in 1908 on the grounds that if such need arose tracked vehicles were available from the British Hornsby company, however that alternative was not pursued either. Next page a simple outline drawing of the proposed vehicle. In 1911 Austro-Hungarian army engineer Gunther Burstyn produced an advanced design for a cross-country fighting vehicle with a rotating gun turret and based on an American crawler agricultural tractor. The proposal was rejected by both Austro-Hungarian and German military authorities and no prototype was built, only blueprints and models (below centre) remain. Also in 1911 an Australian inventor/engineer, Lancelot de Mole, was inspired by experiences of travel over rough terrain in the outback to
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design a tracked armoured vehicle capable of carrying heavy loads over rough ground which he submitted to the British War Office. Although it had features that would have improved subsequent early models developed in Britain there was little interest as the need for such a machine was not yet appreciated. To complicate matters, due to bureaucratic blunders, his submissions and correspondence on the matter through 1912-16 were set aside and not directed to the appropriate officers. A model of his design is displayed in the Australian War Museum, see below right.
British army engineer officer Major Ernest Swinton was sent France as Army War Correspondent at the outbreak of WW1. He soon saw the need for some form of armoured fighting vehicle and in a letter to Lt Col Maurice Hankey, secretary of the Imperial Defence Committee, suggested such a vehicle based on a caterpillar tractor. This idea was passed up to Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for war, but he showed no interest. Hankey then brought it to the attention of the Defence Committee but with Army, particularly at high level, resistant to change and influential on the committee, after several months deliberation it was decided that the idea was not practical. However, Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty and a Committee member, thought there should be further consideration and decided that if the Army was not interested Navy should act independently and formed a Landship Committee for the purpose. Army saw the light, joined in further investigations and, in July 1915, a contract was placed to produce a proof-of-concept tracked vehicle. The resulting 14 ton “Little Willie” first ran on 8 September powered by a 105 hp engine. However, trials soon revealed problems with the commercial tracks which proved too light and of unsatisfactory configuration for the envisaged battlefield task, but it was an important first step. The follow-up design was much larger and of rhomboid shape with completely new hull encompassing tracks to decrease footprint pressure and improve climbing ability. To achieve a low centre of gravity the planned top rotating turret was replaced by side hull sponsons fitted with 57 mm cannon. The resulting 30 ton prototype “Big Willie’, below right, entered trials in January 1916 and became the production Mk 1 of which an initial order for 100 was issued in February, later increased to 150. Training, directed by (now Lt Col) Swinton began as machines became available. An initial batch of 50 arrived in France in August 1916 and first took part in the field at Flers-Courcette in September during the Battle of the Somme. Many machines suffered mechanical failure, less than half reached enemy lines and, for lack of training and experience, had little effect on events. But the stage for the future had been set, a factor not lost on the Germans.
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MOTORCYCLE SECTION
Trevor Barnes
Meeting In December, there was no motorcycle meeting, with riders attending the club BBQ and meeting instead. Past Events. My apology to Ashley Blair for missing his name from those who attended the Wairarapa Gold Medal Trial. So that made 10 attendees – some of whom were blown away by the experience. Dec 21st: Wairarapa ride. Nine motorcyclists attended this, plus Mike France driving Aaron’s van as backup. A straightforward ride to Martinborough for coffee, then via the Longbush Road to the Gladstone Pub for lunch. The return journey was by returning along the Longbush Road until Millars Rd, then via Ponatahi to Martinborough and Featherston where we said our goodbyes and rode the Rimutaka Hill to home. Coming Events. 30th Jan: Motorcycle meeting night: Because the 4th Monday is Wellington Anniversary, the meeting is a week later. 4th-5th Feb: Club Captain’s Safari: See your motoring Spirit. Combining with Wanganui car rallies. 17-19th Feb: National M/C Rally: Waitomo. Aaron’s North Island Tour (Raglan Revisited) 16 -20 March 2017: Overnight at Stratford, Raglan, Putaruru and Ohakune. Aaron informed the meeting that the 2018 tour would be to Invercargill. Next Meeting: The January motorcycle meeting will be Monday 30 th January at The Butcher and Brewer as 23rd is Wellington Anniversary Day.
UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS #3 A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, "What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!" The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!" The priest said, "Here comes the greens-keeper. Let's have a word with him." He said, "Hello George, What's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?" The greens-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime!." The group fell silent for a moment. The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight." The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything she can do for them." The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?" 8
THE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY
by Claire Benge
Because I hadn't organised a photographer in time, or maybe that was an excuse, I attended the children’s Christmas Party for the first time ever (I think - I don’t recall they existed in the late 70s). I was markedly impressed and understand now why the contribution from the Club’s precious funds is high. We worry about the lack of families with children as members, but I can tell you there are a lot of grandchildren who will grow up aware of the Vintage Car Club because of the Christmas Party. One grandfather told me that the VCC one is the best kids’ Christmas Party going. The club rooms were crowded with excited children playing with the various activities on tables in the main hall including decorating biscuits, painting nails, working with stickies, face painting and many more. Outside was a bouncy castle oozing kids and the Dennis fire engine had successive loads of kids (and parents or grandparents) on a run to the Shandon Golf Club and back. The fire engine took a break from tripping and went to fetch Father Chrstmas. What excitement as he ho ho hoed his way into the room and then as names were called, presents were distributed and families reluctantly peeled off home. Many thanks to the team of people who set up the hall, ran the activities and who worked in the kitchen to supply party food to the kids and reviving drinks for the parents and grandparents, the guys who drove the Dennis and the ladies who supervised the bouncy castle, and especially to Diane White for her hard work organising the whole event.
One of our oldest active members, Bill Munro was enjoying it as much as the children
Spiderman gets final touches to his face mask before going out to fight for the good or at least for cream bun
MURPHY’S OTHER 15 LAWS 8. The 50-50-90 rule:- Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
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Christmas Barbeque 2016
Claire Benge
The December Club Night is traditionally a barbeque and this year the sun shone on us this time so it must be approved. The Rythmaires led by our own Dave Chapman played 50s , 60s and 70s music with extra vigour as our own John Jackson replaced the usual guitar player who had become ill earlier that week. A great team of ladies prepared and served the meal, organised by Tasi Betteridge while Ray Betteridge organised some of the men to do the barbeque and Roger White served at the bar, all assisting in a good time being had by all. And of course we were joined by the Motorcycle Gang who share with us the Christmas Party. In between the main course and desert Tasi had us getting totally confused with modern version of pass the parcel, reading an inane story that tested people like me who confuse their left and right when under stress, and had most of us giggling out of control. A great way to end a difficult year. (more photos on the back page)
Some of the Motorcycle Section
Christmas spirit ahumming
Would you like your monthly newsletter sent to you as a PDF? Would you like to receive the Motoring Spirit by email as a PDF. Save some postage and printing costs for the club. See all the photos in colour. Receive it anywhere in NZ, or for that matter the world, on your laptop, I Pad or I Phone the day it is sent. Ask for a trial - electronic and hard copy - for a three month trial Send your email address to the Editor at claire.benge@xtra.co.nz 10
AS WE WERE
The November Rally 1958
These two photos are from a collection given to us by Stan Garmonsway and were taken at the 1958 Wellington Vintage Car Club’s November Rally from Upper Hutt to Lower Hutt - Our first November Rally!
Bill Delaney in his 1902 Crestmobile.
The Crest Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They built cars between 1901 and 1904. The 1904 Crestmobile was a touring car model, notable for its removable tonneau. With the tonneau in place, it could seat 4 passengers and sold for US$850. The vertical-mounted single-cylinder engine, situated at the front of the car, produced 7 hp (5.2 kW). A two-speed sliding transmission was fitted. The tubular-framed car weighed 930 lb (422 kg). It was similar in construction to the contemporary Covert. (from Wikipedia)
Len Southward in a 1908 Holsman
The Holsman Automobile Company was an early United States automobile manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois, between 1901 and 1910. Founded by Henry K. Holsman, the company produced a high wheeler automobile. (from Wikipedia)
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Wairarapa Coastal Run
Norman Willis
Sunday 18th January 2017. At 9.30 am we met at Jim Palmers property at Pahiatua to inspect his cars and were provided with morning tea; tea, coffee, scones with cream and jam, muffins and sandwiches. There were approximately 30 cars over 50 years old. The morning run was via Pongaroa to Akitio Bay for lunch. A nice windy undulating tar-sealed road except for the last 10 kilometers of gravel. At Akitio Bay we were joined by another 20, 50 year plus cars from the Central Hawkes Bay branch. We took the mainly gravel in good condition scenic route home. This route wandered up to Waione on Horoeka Rd, then seemed to climb forever over to Coonoor and down to Makuri. At the top of the saddle the wind was very strong, see 2nd photo, and we drove through a limestone quarry. We then went through Pori to Alfredton and home. Cristina said that the country was beautiful, but I did not see much, as it was very windy and narrow. Thank you to the Wairarapa Branch for a great day and it was good to see them getting together with the Central Hawkes Bay Branch.
lunch at Akitio Bay
the high point on the Horoeka to Coonoor road
Contributions for the Motoring Spirit are always welcome Articles, photos, reports or tit bits. Electronic versions are preferred but photos and text can be scanned and if necessary typed up. Send to the Editor, claire.benge@xtra.co.nz or arrange for her to get a hard copy.
PLEASE REMEMBER the deadline for contributions and advertisements is Clubnight of the month before publication. 12
January Club Night
Claire Benge
January Club Night is usually fairly quiet as many people are away for the Christmas/ January period, so it is pretty informal and usually a run followed by supper. This year Ray Betteridge issued us with a list of heritage buildings in Petone put out by the Petone Heritage Group. We were told to go and look at the buildings and report back on one that took our fancy. And on the way to pick up an interesting piece of driftwood. It was a windy night with occasional rain so those that dashed to the beach did not dawdle in picking a piece of drift wood, and some of us who grew up in the area felt that we knew most of the old buildings there anyway, so it was a short outing for most of us. Bruce was eyeing the collection of driftwood accumulating on the floor by the door thinking there might be a night’s firewood in it. but was not impressed with some of the small but intricate pieces that were being likened to a dog scratching behind its ear or a rabbit diving into a hole or whatever. We all took turns at describing our favourite heritage building then had to explain why we chose our pieces of driftwood. Ray gave a fairly complex description of the rather large piece he and Tasi had dragged out of their car (it certainly had potential for firewood), but Tasi exploded as he finished, saying that Ray was talking a lot of nonsense, that he wanted it because the nooks and crannies in it made a perfect stand for his secret hobby of dried flower arranging. After we all stopped laughing, the judge decided that the Betteridges was the best story. The log of wood was then dragged out side and declared too big to fit in the Jailbar’s tray so became an art installation on the side of the Hutt River backwater next to the Club Rooms. I understand that a brass plaque is to be attached. A great night was had by all.
THE SUNDAY RUN
Richard Davies
This month (5 February) , at 11 am meet outside the Janus Bakkerij 700 High Street, Lower Hutt (north of the Hutt Hospital). We will have a coffee there and decide where the run is to be, depending on the weather. (some parking out the back off Mitchell Street) 13
LETTERS to the EDITOR Hi Claire While in Melbourne recently I investigated a classic motor cycle shop that specialises in older British motor cycles and supplies parts Australia wide and overseas. Some of our members may have already used this supplier, but if not, details are below. Modak Motorcycles (the British bike specialists) 299 Elizabeth Street Melbourne 3000 (PO Box 1602, Melbourne 3001 modak@hotkey.net.au Phone 00613 9602 1229 from NZ Supplier of parts for AJS/Matchless, Ariel, Triumph, BSA, Norton and others Cheers Alan Pratt
Hi Claire We wish to thank all the members who stopped on the November Rally, offered help, made sure we were OK after the edge of the road gave way under the LH front corner of the MK2. Once the mud and grass was cleaned off on the following Sunday we had no damage apart from a few scratches that compounded out, Phew! Special thanks to Ray Betteridge and Kevin Buck who contacted the AA for us as we were out of cell phone range on Clifton Road. While we received the Hard Luck Trophy for this adventure, we feel that this should really have gone to the Ewings whose Mustang failed to proceed after lunch, we were merely delayed! Alan and Tony Pratt
A few photos taken by the editor as proof of places the Jailbar visited on the Club Captain’s Safari
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CLUB CAPTAIN’S SAFARI
Mike Pattison
A Monte Carlo type rally. Be given a list of places, pick your start, where you want to go and how fast, with due deference to speed limits … it sounded like the perfect day out for a little Lotus! Reality struck at January clubnight when Roger White handed out the list of 48 places ranging from Wellington to Akitio and Waipukurau on the east, Mangaweka, Raetihi and Jerusalem in the centre, and the finish in Wanganui. Improbable destinations carried 250 points, significant efforts 150 -200, the rest 50 – 100. Replacement of my ancient AA Touring maps was followed by an evening of looking at possible routes, distances and times. Come Saturday morning it was a chilly run from Silverstream into Wellington where we parked outside the railway station while I made the smallest possible purchase from the Metro supermarket, a bar of chocolate for a dollar, to get a receipt proving we were there and had not left before the 8 am start time. My son Jon reported that while I was inside a Mk 2 Jag, probably Doug Banks, had pulled in for a quick photo before burbling off. We made quick stops in Petone and Upper Hutt, me leaping out of the car clutching the front page of the Weekend Dompost then standing in front of any suitable sign while Jon took a pic on his cell phone. As an aside, the Elan handbrake is notoriously inefficient and usually works well for one day every six months. A great run over the Rimutakas to our next stop in Martinborough was nicely on schedule. Once around the square to figure out we needed to go back to Ponatahi Rd, then a lovely undulating drive enroute to Gladstone. We saw a Mk 2 coming towards us and the TR4 parked in a driveway – I think they were buying fruit – before we took our pic outside the pub and carried on ‘the back way’ to pass Masterton and stop at Mt Bruce. The TR was just leaving and the Mk 2 parked outside the café. Were they stopped for a cuppa? At Eketahuna we dived inland to Alfredton, cursing a mile or so of new chips on melting tar, but otherwise enjoying rapid progress, as we sighted only three other vehicles in the nearly 50 kms to Pahiatua. Heading to the lunch stop at Woodville we passed the Viva and Scimitar coming towards us, so clearly they were on a different route to ours. Roger White’s immaculate Tiger marked the finish where Club Captain Neale checked us in shortly before 12 noon and Roger studied the photograph evidence of the places we had visited. We took off promptly at 1 pm, not wanting to be stuck in a convoy up Saddle Rd to the Wind Farm, and then cruised through to Feilding looking for a sign including the word ‘Feilding’ until we realised that it was on the flags hanging from all the lamp posts. At photo stops in Cheltenham and Kimbolton we pulled out just as the Benge’s Jailbar nosed in behind us and they went past when we made an unscheduled stop to change drivers as my legs were cramping up! Continued at the bottom of page 16 Mike holds the paper up at the Rataiti School
The nearby sign post to confirm the location
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COMING UP
HERE AND THERE
Hooters Vintage Race Series 2016/17 Entries are now open at : www.motorsportentry.com The Historic Racing Club (HRC) and Series Sponsors, Hooters Vintage Car Hire (Napier) is being run by the Historic Racing Club overseen by a branch of the VCC who apply for the permit. The VCC races will be run to VCC Speed Event regulations as per Section 23 of the VCC Branch Manual and run under a VCC Permit. Check out the facebook page and website for further information. https://www.facebook.com/HootersVintageRaceSeries/
BLUEBRIDGE COOK STRAIT FERRY Bluebridge has notified us of the latest discounts for vehicles on their ferry between Wellington and Picton for Vintage Car Club members as follows: 1 August 2016 to 30 November 2017 The VCC code for discounts is ANTIQUECAR. Valid Travel Dates: Between now and 30 November 2017. Discounted - 10% off all available fares. Ring 0800 844 844, www.bluebridge.co.nz for conditions NOTE; Warren Corkin, one of our members, reminds us that to get this discount you must present your VCC membership card when you check in on the day of your trip. It is not enough to have quoted it when you booked and paid for the ticket. Also it may not be enough to have booked electronicaly. You need a printed copy of your electronic booking on the day or you may have to pay again then go for a refund for the original booking These rules may apply to the Interislander also. BEWARE.
CLUB CAPTAIN’S SAFARI continued from page 15. Jon was pressing on through the winding stuff, observing that driving the Elan was a bit different from his prized WRX, and as we came up behind the Benges they pulled over at a road leading off to the left. “Stop” I shouted at Jon as he went to pass. The Benges motored off, we took a photo of the Peep –O-Day Rd sign, and as we got going again the Pickup came back. They had pulled over to let us pass, not aware that was all that existed of Peep-O-Day. More photos, Mangaweka and Hunterville, then a diversion into the unknown. Rataiti said our list of destinations and there it was on the map 6 km from Hunterville but invisible. A friendly local with ute and trailer told us there used to be a school at Rataiti so we should look for a building in a paddock near a woolshed. We spotted a possible candidate but it looked too decrepit so we went into a farmhouse to enquire. Our informant appeared never to have heard of Rataiti but she did confirm that the crumbling old building had once been a school so back we went to photograph both it and a nearby intersection in case anyone doubted our story! Back to the main road, then Marton, Ratana and Fordell before checking into the Top 10 Holiday Park at a quarter to five where Neale was noting times and Diane and Roger White’s unit was being turned into the post rally gathering. Jon and I went off for essential supplies, beer, wine, sausages and strawberries, so were still still eating when the provisional results were anst nounced. We hadn’t totalled our points, so it was a surprise to hear “in 1 place, Mike & Jon.” Nice end to a great day! Other places were:
2nd Trevor Stone & Denise McElwain 1966 Vauxhall Viva - 1875 points 3rd Warren & Jan Corkin Simitar - 1770 points 16
The 21st British Car Day DATE:
Sunday 12 February 2017 Trentham Memorial Park 10am to 3pm (or earlier to set up) $5 per display vehicle Use Barton Road, off Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt PROCEEDS TO KEEP THE WELLINGTON FREE AMBULANCE FREE A great range of food and drink and the usual range of British vehicles to admire.
PLACE: TIME: ENTRY: ENTRANCE:
Contacts:
Lyn /Keith Shackleton Phone: 04 973 2904 Email: theshacks@par adise.net.nz
Nelson Branch VCC NZ
SWAP MEET 18 February 2017 Site sales contact; Ruth Mercer khmercer@xtra.co.nz • Phone 03 548 6338 Pit Gate, Speedway Assn Grounds, Lansdowne Road, Richmond Sites $20 each • Site Size 6m x 5m
THE INTERISLANDER The Interislander has sent us an updated quote. There is not enough space to list it all so we suggest that if you are planning to book from 1 February to 18 December 2017 ring the Interislander for quotes, or click on ‘Group Bookings’ at the foot of their home page www.interislander. To access the VCC rates, insert the reference WH5465
MTA100
The next 100 years starts here!
MTA (the Motor Trade Association) is hosting MTA100 in April 2017. If you have a car that you think should take its place in the line-up (or know someone who has one) please contact Kylie or Graeme on 800 00 11 44 or email mta100@mta.org.nz . There will be at least 300400 carefully selected cars to show off to the public. Your car could be one of them 17
Kapiti Coast Mid Week Run Wednesday 22 February: Waikanae Museum & Summer Sausage Sizzle 11:30 am
Meet at The Kapiti Coast Museum, 9 Elizabeth St Waikanae (across railway off SH1) http://www.kapiticoastmuseum.org.nz/ Donation appreciated. New displays of ‘Memory Lane’ (then & now) photographs, and ‘A Trendy Century’ of clothing
12:15 pm
Short drive to Kay & Murray’s place for a backyard sausage sizzle. Sausages & bread, onions, salad etc. tea & Coffee $5 pp - other drinks please BYO
To avoid overcrowding (especially if weather doesn’t cooperate) registrations will be limited to 30 on a first-in basis. On this occasion please reply directly to Kay & Murray by emailing kay.murray@clear.net.nz or tel. 04 2933601 by Sunday 19
THE WANGANUI BURMA RALLY`
Claire Benge
After the Saturday’s Club Captain’s Safari this looked like it was going to be an anti-climax but with a great night’s sleep we set off in the Jailbar keen to start at 9.15. The veterans were being started on one side of Taupo Quay while us Vintage and beyond set off on the other side. The Mayor flagged us off with enthusiasm helped by his 6 yr old son for the count down. We left the city quite quickly, heading out towards Marton on both east and west sides of SH1 looking out for answers to the frequent and sometimes quirky questions, while practicing keeping our nominated 45 mph average. A little while after the one and only officially timed section started we caught up with four slower cars who ignored the instructions to pull over for other cars, but it must have been a good thing for Leadfoot Benge because we did reasonably well. Generally a gentle day but with lovely countryside, although a very strong head wind going back to Wanganui. The rain held off for us (but not everyone) until we arrived back where we started from for lunch. By the time we parked for public display as part of Whanganui’s Heritage Weekend it was teeming with rain so we gloomily ate our lunch under a spreading chestnut tree (or similar). Other competitors arrived then dispersed quickly because of the rain so we joined some friends at a Café then had rides on the Feilding Traction Engines wagons, and the Whanganui Tram. Back at our motel we cheered Kevin Buck cutting his birthday cake. Dinner at night at the Race Club was very enjoyable, with Wellington performing well (see below) - a great evening to finish off the weekend! Thank you Whanganui VCC!!! Norman Willis and Cristina Van Dam in their 1925 Fiat 501C were 1st - Vintage Aaron and Margaret Janes in their 1958 Mercedes Benz 190B were 2nd - Post War , andBruce and Claire Benge in their 1946 Ford V8 Jailbar Pickup were 2nd - Commercial Barry and Hillary Pettengell, and Alastair McCarthy and Angelica Edgley, were 4th in their different classes while Bernie Quin got a respectable 5th place in his class considering he had no navigator and what’s more he answered all the questions correctly!
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Advertisements are free and will be repeated four times
BUY & SELL
Advertisers: please advise editor when items are sold
Four Radial Tyres, 175/80 x 16, 50% worn, Contact Alick Jenner 5650174
3/4
Garage for rent. Avalon area. 7.5M x 3.6m (24’ 6” x 11’ 9’) Powered and alarmed. $40 pw. Contact Jacquie Upchurch. 567 5565 3/4 Tyres – free to a good home; 13 inch, 14 inch, most suitable for a trailer or for off road use, some suitable for a WOF. Also Ford Zephyr Mk I heads also free. See Richard Davies at club night or ring 577 035 2/4
1974 Toyota Land Cruiser – GS7558 – Help Wanted! Could anyone help me piece together the history of my beloved 1974 FJ40, bought in Wellington in 2012 were l lived in NZ before returning to Ireland. Original Registration plate number GS7558 Original colour Light Blue, changed to dark green, then to Khaki Phil pip.omoro@gmail.com 4/4
PICTURES FROM THE NATIONAL VETERAN RALLY AND BURMA RUN HELD ON THE WANGANUI HERITAGE WEEKEND - WELLINGTON QUEENS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
One of the Traction Engines from Feilding showsi ts stuff
An original Chain Measure at the Moutoa Gardens
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Kevin Buck celebrates his birthday on the Sunday
your one stop automotive shop We can offer almost any service required on a motor vehicle and all under one roof. We do complete engine rebuilding.We can service modern, vintage and classic cars, performance and muscle cars, hot rods, micro cars and most importantly, your car. Other services we offer:  Upholstery  Vintage Wooden Bodies Contact us at:
40 Ward Street Upper Hutt Ph/Fax 04 528 2580 admin@bristols.co.nz
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www.bristols.co.nz
METAL IMMERSIONS LTD
FERRY DISCOUNTS FOR VCC MEMBERS
IMMERSION STRIPPING
For details refer to the noticeboard in the Clubrooms or contact the Branch Secretary
ABRASIVE BLASTING POWDER COATING We are the company that offers you Total immersion stripping of Car bodies and panels WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS Contact: Warren Leslie Phone: (04) 232 6880 Fax: (04) 232 6882 11 Wall Place, Tawa Email: wleslie@ihug.co.nz
VERO INSURANCE If you arrange your car and household insurance through Vero, the Wellington Branch gets a commission. Last year it amounted to $2,300.00.
FREE QUOTATIONS
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66 Killarney Rd Hamilton 0800 10 27 39 parts@apexautocentre.co.nz www.apexautocentre.co.nz
Apex Auto Centre
FOR HARD TO SOURCE CABLES, BRAKE PARTS OR HOSES Speedo cable, Handbrake cable, Accelerator cable, Choke cable
Reline shoes, Cylinder repair stainless resleeving, Booster overhaul Brake hoses, Braided hoses, Power steering hoses
Call the Specialists Mention this ad and receive 10% discount Would you like your monthly newsletter sent to you as a PDF? Would you like to receive the Motoring Spirit by email as a PDF. Save some postage and printing costs for the club. See all the photos in colour. Receive it anywhere in NZ, or for that matter the world, on your laptop, I Pad or I Phone the day it is sent.
Free trial offer until February 2017 for both email and hard copy to see which version you want Send your email address to the Editor at claire.benge@xtra.co.nz
Gemac Motor Services 5 Parliament Street, Lower Hutt, 04 589 5483 For WOF and other work on vintage and modern cars 22
WELLINGTON BRANCH—CALENDAR OF EVENTS Clubnights are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Clubrooms, Halford Place, Petone (Eastern end of Jackson St) at 7:30pm. The Clubrooms are also open Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:00. Noggin & Natters Fridays 7:00pm, 175 Jackson Street, Petone. Motorcycle Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of the month in the Butcher & Brewer, 175 Jackson St Petone at 7.30 pm
MARCH
FEBRUARY Sunday Run Committee meeting British Car Day Art Deco Weekend Club night Kapiti Midweek Run Rally Committee Meeting Motorcycle Group Meeting
5th 13th 12h 18th and 19th 21st 22th 24th 27th
Club Night Supper Roster - Terry O’Leary and Ray Betteridge
Sunday Run Committee meeting Club night Gymkhana Motorcycle Group Meeting Kapiti Midweek Run Rally Committee Meeting
5th13th 21st 26th 27th 29th 31st
Club Night Supper Roster - Dave Gwynn and Alick Jenner
FEBRUARY CLUB NIGHT - Tuesday 21 February One of our Wellington members, Ann O'Rorke, has spent the past three years studying at The Learning Connexion (TLC) in Taita and is currently doing her Diploma Honours in Art & Creativity. She's very enthusiastic about the wonderfully supportive atmosphere at TLC and at the February meeting, she'll tell us about the art school and show us art work examples. TLC has many mature students, men and women, so come along especially if you have a hidden creative side and, like Ann, have wondered what would happen if you explored it further. APRIL
MAY
Sunday Run 2nd Committee Meeting 10th Club Night 18th Motorcycle Group Meeting 24th Kapiti Midweek Run 25th Rally Committee Meeting 28th Colonial Cup date to be advised
Sunday Run Committee Meeting Club Night Ladies Rally Kapiti Midweek Run Rally Committee meeting Motorcycle Group Meeting
7th 8th 16th 21st 24th 26th 29th
Club Night Supper Roster - Alastair McCarthy and Angelica Edgley
Club Night Supper Roster - Tasi Betteridge and Colin White
NAME BADGES Don’t forget name badges are available via the Club Secretary at $15 each. Please wear yours on Club Night. 23
The Super Singing Supper Ladies ▲
The Kinvigs show us how to jive
Deidre and John Blakemore enjoying themselves
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