June 2021 Issue 371
Puff ‘n Stuff Central Otago Branch, Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc
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Front Cover: (1984 Toyota Landcruiser in pristine condition seen at Gore dealership) Back Cover: (Serious faces…the AGM! - Gerry Spencer)
EDITORIAL One is never quite sure who reads the rag, so I thought I would ask! A readership survey was emailed out to 146 addresses, of which 71 replied within the cut-off date. As predicted, it didn’t take long to complete, on average 2m19s. From the first 40 returns the resulting highlights were: 85% of respondents read the magazine entirely The remaining 15% read selected articles The editorial is read by 90% (wow!), only topped by 95% reading the trip reports (and rightly so) The other sections are read between 85% down to 68% A high number of readers (88%) claim that the magazine meets their needs Only 45% said the number of photos was about right, but no one said there were too many photos, so does that mean 55% would like more photos? (That’s hard on printer ink though!) Perhaps Facebook is a good place to share photos? (but not taken up much yet.) Only 8% print the magazine out (good to know), although a few more print out entry forms. June and July are traditionally quiet months – although there was the AGM that occupies a fair bit of space in the pages within – however there are a couple of trip reports from intrepid members. Speaking about the AGM, it looks like I’m your editor for another year! Gerry Spencer editorCOVCC@gmail.com Copy deadline for next edition by the 15th of each month. Stories and photos unable to be used will be saved for later editions. © 2021 The opinions and information presented in this newsletter are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the club or its officers. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information or opinions expressed.
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BRANCH OFFICERS 2021-2022
Committee
Patron:
John Loudon
Phone: E-Mail: 448 7192 -
Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Club Captain:
Noel Hassed John Martin Graham Taylor Karelan Doran Bert Turnbull
442 3908 445 0598 443 1416 027 274 3361 027 434 2339
Editor: Committee:
Gerry Spencer Chris Miller Gaynor Miller John Wilson
027 3696 880 021 977 946 ditto 027 533 5626
Greg Doran Ewen Duthie
Club Rooms / Yard:
Parts Convener:
John Wilson Don & Lynne Yeaman John Martin Alf O'Sullivan Steve Reynolds Don Yeaman Don Yeaman Alf O'Sullivan
Idle Torque: Librarian: Area Reps: Wakatipu TBC Alexandra Barry Walker Cromwell John Martin Wanaka Graham Taylor HSE: Steve Reynolds Rally Conveners: Blossom Festival: National Daffodil Day Co-Ordinator: Golden Times: Moped Rally:
Partner: Sheila
noel.hassed@gmail.com martin_jw@xtra.co.nz gtml@xtra.co.nz karelandoran@gmail.com bert.turnbull1940 @gmail.com editorCOVCC@gmail.com rosdowns@farmside.co.nz ditto saddle.hill@xtra.co.nz
Aya lino Gaynor Chris Mel
027 221 6105 027 838 8324 445 1973 027 533 5626 443 2730
gfdoran@gmail.com duthie.e@xtra.co.nz
Karelan Arlene
saddle.hill@xtra.co.nz yeaperson@xtra.co.nz
Mel
445 0598 021 110 7707 022 167 0872 443 2730 ditto 021 110 7707
martin_jw@xtra.co.nz glenda.alf@gmail.com stevesfordv8@gmail.com yeaperson@xtra.co.nz ditto glenda.alf@gmail.com
Wendy Glenda Bev Lynne ditto Glenda
448 6508 445 0598 martin_jw@xtra.co.nz 443 1416 gtml@xtra.co.nz 022 167 0872 stevesfordv8@gmail.com Ewen Duthie, Allan Porter, Bryan Anderson Graham Taylor, Wendy Martin Alan Sutton, Greg Doran John Martin, Lindsay Wilkie
Bernice Wendy Cheryl Greg Jenny
Sharon Wendy Cheryl Bev
When Chuck Norris turned 18, his parents moved out! Our Facebook page is: “Central Otago Vintage Car Club (including Queenstown & Wanaka)” https://www.facebook.com/groups/166652143981001
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CLUB EVENTS CALENDAR Please take care to read and copy to your diary! Tue 6 Jul 7:30pm
Committee Meeting at Clubroom. Any/all members may attend. Wed 14 Jul 8pm Club night at Clubroom – speaker is member Alex Dempster on “Crash Investigation before Crash Investigation”, a study of 100 vehicle driver fatalities in Otago in the 1980s as pathologist. It will deal only with circumstances of fatal crashes without the pathology, but there were a lot of interesting and relevant vehicle and roading issues that were discovered. Jul Note: No Sunday Run in July Wed 11 Aug 8pm Club night at Clubroom – speakers are Elisabeth and Fred Smits (members of Wellington Branch currently staying in our area) talking about their six years (2014-2020) tour around the world in their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S… Sun 22 Aug for noon Daffodil Day Rally - a return of the popular Monte Targo format. Entry form was in May’s mag, and will be in July’s too. Graham Taylor Wed 8 Sep 8pm Club night at Clubroom – speaker TBD Sat 25 Sep tbd Blossom Rally, Alexandra. More details later. Wed 13 Oct 8pm Club night at Clubroom – speaker TBD Fri-Sun 29-31 Oct National Veteran Rally (vehicles up to 1918) probably at least 50 cars from around the country will descend on us for a weekend of highlights. Not to be missed also as a spectator. Wed 10 Nov 8pm Club night at Clubroom – speaker TBD Wed 8 Dec 5pm Christmas Dinner, Clubroom. Karelan Doran
Condolences
For the recent loss of Isabel (Issy) Pimm the wife of member Tom Pimm (Cromwell)
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OTHER EVENTS, NATIONALS &c. VCC Branches that would like any of their events noted in our magazine, please contact us with the details at editorCOVCC@gmail.com For more information on these and other events in Beaded Wheels, check branch newsletters which may be found at http://vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches/ Sun 4 Jul 08:30-10:30am
Fri-Sun 13-15 Aug
Fri-Sun 8-10 Oct 9amMon-Sat 25-30 Oct Sat 13 Nov Sun-Fri 16-21 Jan 2022
Cars Over Coffee Sunday Breakfast. Warbirds & Wheels Diner at the Wanaka Airport, brunch deal $15 ph 03 4437010 (also 1 August, 5 September, 3 October, 7 November & 5 December) 75th Anniversary and AGM, Executive Meeting, Christchurch/Canterbury (see notice p52 of latest Beaded Wheels). Registration online at www.vcc.org.nz closes 31st Jul. Swap Meet & Display, Cutler Park, McLeans Island, Canterbury. www.theswapmeet.org.nz Targa + VCC “The Ultimate Time Trial 2021”. An email about this has been forwarded recently. Monte Carlo Rally, Banks Peninsula See flyer in March PnS or ask The Sec or The Ed Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth. Check all the details on the website www.historicmotoring.co.nz Mark Masters festivalsecretary@vcc.org.nz
The Clubroom & Parts Shed are located at Litany Street, Cromwell
Club Nights: 8pm on 2nd Wednesday of month
Midweek Muster each Wednesday morning starting from about 8:30am at the Parts Shed/Clubroom
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CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
Well I do feel a bit of a fraud delivering an “Annual Report” as our last AGM was only 10 months ago; it was late due to a Covid restrictions. Your Committee has worked well together getting things back to normal while handling the day to day issues of running the branch. I thank them for their support. We finally managed to put the issues around our lease and sharing this site with other organisations to rest, and are now as secure as we can be with a Council lease. Our updated constitution was also accepted by the Companies Office bringing it more in line with the way we currently operate. Highlights of the year included our 50th celebrations along with the usual events like Blossom and Autumn Festival rallies. However to quote Bob Dylan the times they are a changing. This can be seen in the ongoing difficulty we have getting local members to support these events. The reverse is true at club nights and on Sunday runs where the numbers attending are increasing. I went across to Alexandra to see the start of the Irishman’s last weekend and there were 160 plus entrants. For me this helped demonstrate the broad range of interests within our club. Some want back to basics pioneer motoring, others who like travelling further afield in more modern club eligible cars. There are also those who enjoy the social aspects of the Wednesday Muster or at club nights listening to a good speaker. Our challenge for the next 50 years will be to meet these varied and changing needs so that the club remains relevant to all members. Financially we have had a good year, helped considerably by the Wednesday group revamping the Parts Sheds making it easier for buyers to find things. Along with the successful swap meet, held in conjunction with Alpine Street Machines, this added over $6000 to our funds. While things are looking good there is a need for new people to get involved and bring new ideas and enthusiasm. Elected positions are important for the management of the branch but equally important are the non-committee roles that keep it running day to day. Also those that help organise rallies and events throughout the year play a vital role. There is something for everyone! So please consider what you can contribute. In closing I would like to thank all those who have contributed to running the branch in the past year. Noel Hassed Chairman
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SECRETARY’S WORD The Annual General Meeting went off smoothly, new on to the management committee are Chris and Gaynor Miller, Murray George stands off the committee as his past chairman’s term is for one year only, and Alister Stewart has retired from the committee. I made a personal comment on the work done by the Wednesday group in the Parts Dept, it’s much easier to find that bit now. We had a good run to Fox at Queen’s birthday weekend, I was able to deliver Barry Wyber’s 35 year badge and hopefully persuade him to take part in the Veteran Rally with his 1918 Indian combination. Laurie Stanton came up with something that we could have a lot of fun with, the “micro marathon” for our small car enthusiasts maybe in 2022. The Monte Targo is all go for Daffodil Day 22nd August, Wendy Martin has joined me to get this going, remember it’s for our club members and friends, the more the merrier, I can e-mail out the information which is also the only paperwork involved, it’s a good exercise in English comprehension! Graham Taylor Secretary
Welcome to the Club! Our New Members are: Paul & Bridgit Parker
(1990 Ford Sapphire RS 1989 Citroën BX 16V 1974 Rover Sedan)
Daniel Garrick & Kelly Garrick-Rogers (1926 Hupmobile Sedan) Daniel Taylor
Jaiahn Taylor
(1980 Toyota Landcruiser 1975 Porsche 911 Coupe 1973 Toyota 1961 Austin A40 Farina)
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Minutes of the COVCC Annual General Meeting held at the Clubrooms 2pm 13th June 2021
Present;
Mike and Liz Elliot, Glenda Guthrie, Alf O’Sullivan, Chris and Gaynor Miller, Murray George, Steve and Beverley Reynolds, John and Wendy Martin, Greg and Karelan Doran, Aya Iino and Gerry Spencer, Lynne and Don Yeaman, Jenny and Bert Turnbull, Noel and Bernice Hassed, Alex and Dorothy Dempster, Tony Van Gool, Graham Taylor Apologies; John Gurney, John Wilson, Angus and Marg Katon, David and Sally Brewer, Ralph Smith, Ewen Duthie, Roddy Maxwell m. Noel Hassed/John Martin Minutes of the 2020 AGM were read and confirmed m. Graham Taylor/Mike Elliot Chairman’s Report; presented by Noel Hassed m. M Noel Hassed/Murray George Treasurer’s Report; presented by Karelan Doran. Main points; that there was a profit for the year, and no increase of our subs for the year. m. Karelan Doran/Lynne Yeaman Parts Report; presented by John Martin m. John Martin/Don Yeaman Editor’s Report; presented by Gerry Spencer m. G Spencer/Alf O’Sullivan Note reports attached. Election of Officers; Chairman; Vice Chairman; Secretary; Club Captain; Treasurer; Editor; Committee;
Noel Hassed m. Karelan Doran/John Martin John Martin m. Karelan Doran/Noel Hassed Graham Taylor m. Steve Reynolds/Don Yeaman Bert Turnbull m. John Wilson/Graham Taylor Karelan Doran m. Noel Hassed/Graham Taylor Gerry Spencer m. Noel Hassed/Karelan Doran Gaynor Miller m. Bert Turnbull/Lynne Yeaman John Wilson m. Bert Turnbull/Chris Miller Chris Miller volunteered for the committee and was co-opted. Non-Committee; Clubrooms & Yard; John Wilson, Lynne and Don Yeaman, Greg Doran, Ewen Duthie Parts; John Martin, Don Yeaman, Steve Reynolds, Alf O’Sullivan Librarian; Alf O’Sullivan Health and Safety; Steve Reynolds Scribe (Idle Torque); Don Yeaman
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Area Reps;
Wakatipu; (to be advised) Wanaka; Graham Taylor Cromwell; John Martin Alexandra; Barry Walker Rally Conveners;Blossom Rally; Ewen Duthie, Alan Porter, Bryan Anderson Golden Times; Alan Sutton, Greg Doran Daffodil Day; Graham Taylor, Wendy Martin Moped Rally; John Martin, Lindsay Wilkie General; One correction in the last minutes the Annual Financial Report to be sent the Companies Office not the IRD. National Conference Delegate; Noel Hassed. Discussion re remit to allow on line membership applications, possible name change and new logo. Meeting closed at 15:10 pm with thanks from Chairman Noel Hassed. followed by the … Minutes of General Meeting John Martin commented that there had been eight enquiries re the veteran rally so far. Alex Dempster raised the point that there were a small number of MG Car Club members in the area and the difficulty in getting enough to make a run worthwhile. Alex to liaise with our Club Captain, re combining with some of our events which may also encourage them to join our club as well. Alf O’Sullivan; re the yard trees time to remove them. Some discussion, two not in favour but pointed out they could be replaced with more suitable species. Graham Taylor; noted that the “micro-marathon” could be an exciting event for our small cars, quite a bit of interest. Mike Elliot; perhaps in our new environment we could install a charging station in the yard…(to enable electric cars to reach the pub? Tongue in cheek! It is now recorded that the electric car subject is topical) John Martin; the trophy cabinet, add mirrors behind to better display the trophies. Greg Doran to look at costing from Metro Glass.
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Lynne Yeaman; Asked for a new mat to be purchased for the concrete outside the door. (It was mentioned in discussion that we should have a general tidy up before the Veteran Rally in October.) Asphalt for the yard to be followed up. Roddy looking at costs as the first step. Rock and Roll Club request the Clubrooms 3rd July. Petanque; Clubrooms and yard booked for Labour Weekend. Bernice Hassed; concerned about the oven committee to investigate a new one. Glenda Guthrie; ladies toilet door won’t shut. All these items to be considered at the next management committee meeting 6th July. Meeting Closed at 15:36
Treasurer’s Report After 12 months of COVID 19 and only 1 event cancelled (Arrowtown Autumn Festival) the bottom line has resulted in a surprising profit ($9605.43) The sale of parts $6251.60 up from $2424.00 is the result of the work put in by the Wednesday Muster. The sorting, cataloguing and sale of bits and pieces is a job well done by this group. We did increase our levies last year with the anticipation of losses from COVID. Even though our membership has slightly declined, there is sufficient to keep the fixed costs of the club ticking along. I propose NO subscription fee increase for the coming year. Rally fees — those people volunteering their time to organise our rallies must be mindful that this is also a major fundraiser for the club and the budget will hopefully bring a profit. Karelan Doran Treasurer
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Parts Department Report
Interesting year as we started the Wednesday morning Muster with the help of some keen members support, we under took the large task of sorting the parts department into some sort of shape, starting with the doors and tyres in the outside yard and sending a skip load of rusty steel to the scrap man. Into the sheds came next, with new shelving to help hold the numerous parts and to spread the parts out. The combined Swap Meet that we held with the Hot Rod boys was very successful where lots of parts were removed from those shelves and into good homes as well as the large crowd that filed through the gate looking for that illusive part. We will defiantly continue on with this partnership next January so start organising the stuff you have collected over the years and bring it along to sell as it works three ways. 1. you will have more shelf space 2. your wife will like your tidy looking shed 3. some extra money in your pocket to go and buy more stuff! There have been a few vehicles from our outside yard that have also found new homes. We still have a little way to go on the sorting of parts, but with the continued help of members who are keen to come along and help on a Wednesday that is very much appreciated. As you have seen from the accounts we have contributed a large amount of money to the club funds over the year It would be great to see some new faces come and help and have a chat over smoko. Surely you can give up one morning a week in you busy retirement life! I’m looking to step back from running the Wednesday mornings Muster as work commitments are building and would like to hear from any member keen to step in. Regards John Martin Parts Convener
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Irishman Rally (4-6th Jun) Talking with Murray George one club night, he told me he was thinking of doing the Irishman’s Rally this year so I immediately offered to come as navigator. Murray took up my offer, so on the 4th of June we drove to Alexandra to pick up our rally pack and have a barbecue tea with the group we would be staying with in Fairlie. 7.30 Saturday morning the briefing was at Molyneux Park then we set of in Murray’s 2 door model A along with about 160 other pre-1931 cars. All was going well, out through Galloway over Crawford Hills Road to the Ida Valley then oh no! there was steam coming out the radiator cap. Murray had water on board so we put that in. We stopped at the next bridge to replenish our water supplies then carried on for another ¼ hour or so as the car appeared to be going ok. We checked the water again and it was well down again and there appeared to be steam coming from the exhaust pipe. It appeared we had a blown head gasket. It was obvious at this point we shouldn’t keep going so we headed back to Bannockburn to swap over into Murray’s other Model A; the Phaeton. We left Bannockburn again at midday and headed straight to Fairlie meeting up with the rest of the group there. 8am Sunday morning briefing at Fairlie and off we headed to Dog Kennel Corner down through Haldon Station turning left at Black Forest Station following the pylons through to come out at the Benmore Dam. It was a bit foggy and wet so some of the big drop offs on the side of the road where a bit obscured. A quick stop at the top of the saddle for some photos, then down the hill to 5 minute bay where it was a bit more sheltered for a cup of tea. From Benmore we went to Murray Stuart’s property at Omarama for lunch. Some of the more brave took their cars on the race track to race against the time clock. From there it was back to Farlie for the 8pm prize giving at the hall. Monday morning was pack up, group photos, a few running repairs for some then head for home. A great week end meeting lots of interesting people and their cars. Would recommend it to anybody. Thanks Murray. Ewen Duthie
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Cars leaving the top of the saddle with Benmore dam in the background
Cuppa stop at 5min bay with Murray’s car on the left and Bill Crooks’ ute in the foreground
Our group photo Monday morning
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Queen’s Birthday Weekend (5-7th Jun) Five cars containing on average two people (making a total of ten), crested the curvilinear Continental Divide and rumbled into Fox for our 2021 Queen’s Birthday trip this year. It was wet especially late Saturday - at least the cars were clean. Sunday’s jaunt was to Gillespies Beach; the weather improved, and some of us walked along to view the Gold Dredge remains. This dredge worked the ironsands behind the beach from 1935-1942. It is a bit hard to get the scale from the photo, but the bucket ladder would have been around 30m in length, so not as big as the later Lowburn or Alexandra Dredges, but pretty large for all that. Called in to see Clark Johnston’s shed and collection and I was able to call in on Barry Wyber on Monday. He still has a good collection of cars and motorbikes. Verified his 1918 Indian Magneto timing, and hopefully he will make the Veteran Rally in October. Graham
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PARTS DEPARTMENT Come along on a Wednesday morning to view, or contact John Martin. Chromed door handles have now been sorted for your viewing (and buying) pleasure!
SHORT-TERM VINTAGE CAR STORAGE NEEDED While overwintering in Cromwell we need storage for our 1929 Mrs Whippet; she does not really enjoy living outside in the damp and the cold. Cromwell would be ideal, but any Central Otago location would be fine. Elisabeth and Fred Smits at Mercedes@ClassicStrider.com or 022 572 3891
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Puff ‘n Stuff DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT RATES (a member’s car may be advertised free for 3 months) Full Page $300 (for 12 months) Half Page $150 “ Quarter Page $75 “ → Contact the Ed for info
I am enquiring about hiring a car for my daughter’s wedding which is on 4th March 2022 in Clyde. My daughter wants an English theme as she and her fiancé lived in London for a number of years. Also they are getting married in St Dunstan Church Clyde which was built by my Londoner great grandfather - he was a stonemason. My daughter would love to be driven to wedding in a London Taxi or a very English car. Are any of your members of your Vintage Club able to assist us? Many thanks
Brigid More
bfmorenz@gmail.com
I am looking for a complete king pin assembly or a king pin set for my Holden EH Premier. The parts are the same for all Holden models EJ / EH / HD. Martin Curtis 03 443 8152 martincurtisnz@gmail.com
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The stickers are now available to COVCC members
Let others know which Branch you belong to at events away from home. These are produced locally and are made of high quality vinyl. They are external stickers and go on the outside of the windscreen or on the body-work. (They are easily removed with a hair-dryer.) Cost $2 each. (A small profit goes to our club.) To order contact David Brewer 021 280 3307 david@thebrewers.co.nz
Graham Taylor Mechanical Ltd 114 Shortcut Road, Luggate. gtml@xtra.co.nz 443 1416 027 248 9942 MAXXIS TYRES -- MIXTECH BATTERIES — SPAREX AG PARTS
Return Address: C/-114 Shortcut Road Luggate RD2 Wanaka 9382