June 2020
Page 1
JUNE 2020
Page 2
June 2020
June 2020
Page 3
Index In this issue‌ 1930 Chevrolet Notice of Annual General Meeting Nomination Form Bill Shears Memorial Trophy Early Ford in Auckland Clubrooms & Events Vero International Festival of Motoring Can you Identify
Page 12-13 16 17 18 20-21 23 24 25
Regular Features Chairman’s Report Veteran Notes Commercial Notes Mid Week Tourers Vintage Notes Coming Events Notes from your Secretary Wanted Your Committee
4-5 6-7 8 9 10-11 14-15 19 22 26
July Bulletin closing date
Strictly 25 June 2020
Cover Designed by Melanie Ball
The views expressed by the correspondents in this Bulletin are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc. Any articles of interest, comments, letters to the Editor etc are welcome. All contributions are presented to and approved by the club committee prior to printing. Please forward any submissions to the Bulletin Editor.
Page 4
June 2020
Chairman’s Report I hope you are all safe and well out there in semi lockdown land. The rebuilding of the damaged Clubrooms wall has been done and all that remains is some painting, so all looking good. By the time you read this the Committee would have had its first meeting since the lockdown, so here's hoping that we will soon be letting you know when the clubrooms will be reopened and when all our activities will start up again. Have you been spending the lockdown time doing all the little jobs around the house or garage? We have done a lot of sorting and tiding up in the garage, that has given me more work space. I will now be able to restart the restoration of our 1963 Hillman Minx Series 5. She is a runner but the paint needs redoing. I have already removed all the chrome bits. There isn't any rust, so will start sanding down soon. We bought the Minx from an Otahuhu member in 1993. He was selling the car on behalf of his two elderly Aunts who bought it new in Tauranga. When we got it, it had 33.000 miles on the clock and was in good condition. We rallied the Minx for 8 years. We then bought our 1939 Morris 14/6 - its a straight 6 OHV 1800 cc, 4 speed and is 12 volts, with electric fuel pump and wipers. It's fitted with a sliding sun roof that in 1939 cost an extra 10 pound and also in 1939 you could have paid an extra 5 pounds for the jack-all system which meant you could jack up any of the wheels with their own hydraulic jack, all you had to do was lift up the front passenger carpet and open a small lid, select which wheel needed lifting and then put a handle in and pump away, just like they do in Aussie V8 racing, but they do it with a press of a button now. The Morris had been restored in the early 1990's by father and son members Brian and Gerald Wilson. They restored the engine and gearbox, clutch, brakes, new tyres and paint job. The wood and leather interior was left original, but the original wiring needed up grading, so I asked our Indian riding electrician, Leo Fowler to take on the job of making a new wiring loom, which he did and what a great job he did. We have had only one mechanical problem with the Morris and that was loosing a number of teeth from 2nd gear. This was in 2009. I stripped down the gearbox, my first ever gearbox. I did a drawing of the gear cog which was also 1 st gear as well as 2nd and turned up the blank in tool steel, then sent it to a gear cutter in Rotorua who cut the teeth for the gears and put the splines in, that came to $510.00. I then had the gears hardened at Eric Paton's for $50.00. Rebuilding the gearbox was a mission but it all worked ok in the end. When we moved to Pokeno from Auckland 10 years ago I drove the Morris down and put her in the garage, sadly she hasn't come out again, lots of things getting in the way, but I am going to get a new battery fitted soon and see what happens, fingers crossed. These photos are similar to our vehicles. Right 1963 Hillman Minx Far Right 1939 Morris 14/6
June 2020
Page 5
Chairman’s Report Contd.. Recently we lost two of our older members, Norm Maddock and Ray Clarke ''real gentlemen''. We send our condolences to Linda Maddock and Ann Clarke. Rays daughter Judith told me that when the Pukekohe grave diggers were getting the plot ready they dug up a very large rock that they gave to the family. They are now going to attach a plaque to the rock as a memorial to Ray and place it at their farm in Ramarama. Judith says there will be an unveiling and a family and friends get together some time in July. Keep an eye out for the notice in the Herald. Well that's all for now so if you're out and about keep those 2, 3 and 4 wheels turning safely Martin Spicer
Did you know that the Auckland Farmers’ Trading Co. Ltd sold Motorcycles? The advert to your right is proof that they did and look at the price of them! Advertised in the New Zealand Herald in 1928
Page 6
June 2020
Veteran Notes 1990 Festival of Vintage Motoring—Article from Beaded Wheels
On Saturday the 20th of January some thirty entrants in the 1990 Festival of Veteran Motoring arrived in Taupo to prepare their cars for the coming week’s trip. Several such as the 1912 Cadillac in which the writer was travelling had had a very pleasant tour from Auckland. This was organised by Bruce & Wilma Madgwick in the 1913 F.N. They had taken us on an interesting trip from Taupiri to Cambridge via some excellent back roads. Above—1913 FN of Bruce Madgwick It also provided an opportunity for some maintenance, such as a tappet adjustment which made the Cadillac run on four cylinders. After rejoining the main road at Cambridge, we met others who were trailering their vehicles and we had an uneventful trip to Taupo. Upon arrival we went to Keith Hay’s yard where the motor show was to be held. Kel Robinson had the misfortune to run a bearing on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, however he took the T home and returned to Taupo with his family for the weekend. Perhaps Jim & Merle Montgomery were even more unfortunate as they ran a camshaft bearing in the 1912 Scar. Despite this, they got the car to Taupo where it was to be worked on during the tour. Jim & Merle were offered rides, initially with Les & Rose Keys in the 1915 Studebaker. The 1912 Cadillac crew spent much of the afternoon on maintenance as Barry’s obsessive compulsions or compulsive obsessions with single cylinder cars doesn’t leave much time for maintenance. The tappets were adjusted again, an exhaust flange repaired and a water leak fixed as well. Most of the other entrants were more concerned with wiping a little rain off their cars and setting them up for the motor show the next day. Selwyn Jackson had luck on his side, as the 1910 Humber stripped a key in the driveshaft. Some desperate repairs had to be made as the rear universal had been knocked around, but Selwyn would be ready to start on Monday thanks to the efforts of Barry Robert and Tony Forster. Sunday saw everyone in Taupo, except the 1904 De Dion of Dennis Scanlon, which subsequently did not start. The motor show got under way at about 10 a.m. Taupo Branch members who had shown the usual VCC hospitality by providing workshop and material facilities in case of maintenance and repair as well as the good barbeque on Saturday night, provided some of their vintage and PV vehicles which rounded out the display. Entrants had the afternoon free and many took advantage of this to see Taupo’s many attractions. Monday morning 25 starters lined up on Taupo waterfront and as Barry Birchall was check car, we were first away. Heading up Highway One and turning in towards Mokai, travelling through undulating country towards Mangakino the
June 2020
Page 7
Veteran Notes Contd... Cadillac was performing quite strongly on all four cylinders. The weather was good for hood down motoring, a little cool with high cloud and not too much wind. An hour or so of this pleasant motoring brought us to Mangakino, the town looking somewhat depressed. Leaving Mangakino we headed for the shores of Lake Maraetai for morning tea. Ray & Janet Officer in the 1906 single cylinder Cadillac and Malcolm Hall with Don White in the Sizaire et Naudin were not far behind, so the performance of these little cars was quite impressive. Morning tea over, we pressed on through the Pukeroa Forest to Bennydale where we lunched. It was pleasing to see the Jackson’s Humber had held together so far. Leaving Bennydale, we turned off Highway 30 and followed the railway line through Waimiha and Ongarue to then follow Highway 4 to Taumarunui where we were checked in by members of the King Country Branch. Our accommodation was in the old nurses’ home of the Taumarunui Hospital— this building has been utilised as accommodation for the paying public, as well as students from the local Polytech. This has saved the building from closure. Hero of the day would have been Bob Clarke of Bulls, whose 1915 Abingdon King Dick motorcycle towed both a sidecar and a trailer. The undulating hills were hard going as the bike had to be towed in a couple of places and also had to be pushed up the entrance to the Nurses’ Home, some of these problems being caused by gear oil leaking onto the drive belt. It was perhaps the effort of the tour, but practicality was to triumph in the end and the trailer was relegated to a follow-up trailer for the rest of the trip. All other starters finished the day without too many problems. John Stokes
Page 8
June 2020
Commercial Notes Hands up anyone who, like me, hasn’t bought a drop of petrol for two months. I guess now that we are out of Level 3, we can look forward to catching up with one another, if not at the June meeting, then surely at the July one. I haven’t anything to report from the Commercial Section this time around, so a little bit of trivia instead. A close look at this early road marking truck, possibly a Ford AA, reveals it is twin steer and the guy behind the wheel has his left arm out of the window, holding a can of paint. Not a lot of room for error I’d say. Them were the days!
Apropos my report of last month. I was pleasantly surprised when running my old 8mm film through the projector and recording it directly into my digital editor, to find footage that had not seen the light of day for 55 years. I don’t even remember shooting it but am eternally thankful that I did as my father only lived another few months afterwards and he features in it quite a bit, together with our two daughters. Two chocolate fish to anyone who can identify the location. The original picture size measures just 5 mm by 3 mm, hence the quality!! Keep M Rolling
John Campbell
June 2020
Page 9
Mid Week Tourers Still no mid week run, due to Covid, (and no co-ordinator as yet), so we thought a short rundown on the background to these runs would be in order. Many years ago the late Ted Faucett of Velocette fame, started these runs on a very informal basis which involved a telephone ring-a-round amongst a small group of motorcyclists who then went for a ride together. This grew in popularity and soon became a regular once a month day, usually on a weekday. Time went on and some started to use their four wheelers as they succumbed to winter weather and advancing years. Not a problem, the objective remained the same, a group of kindred spirits gathering together for an outing in or on their favoured vehicles, over quiet roads to a venue for lunch together, with no competitive element whatever. The runs have varied from less than an hour, up to 3 hours or more. Destinations have been anything from a members home and garden/garage to the Martha gold mine at Waihi or the homestead at Mataia. Not forgetting several overnight (3 days) runs as far away as Whangarei and Wanganui. Twenty years ago the late Ray Clarke (then 74) made it known that he wished to be relieved of his role as the southern “rep.” and Pat and I (newly retired) volunteered to help. Only months later, the late Russ Miell who was the then northern “rep.” was diagnosed with terminal cancer and asked us if we could fill in for him, “temporarily”. Of course we could, and did so. Over this time we have had assistance from many others, notably Tony & Angela Foster in the north and Jack Nazer, Kelvin Hawke, Barry Birchall, John Cheale, Neville Olsen, Murray Firth, Alf Williams, Neil & Jan Bieleski and grand daughter Jo, Ryan Winterbottom and Larraine Crowther. I trust that I haven’t missed anyone. Many of these are still on “The Team” and there are a couple of new volunteers as well, one of whom is thinking about looking after the southern end. The adherents to these runs have been many and varied and have over the years encompassed all aspects of this large club, including members of neighbouring Branches. It is also true that the “Mid-Week Tourers” have not always had the support of some Club members, who I understand have expressed openly their disapproval of such a “renegade” activity. Is now the appropriate time to perhaps suspend or even cease the mid-week runs? Should the Branch Committee take them under their wing? Or is there someone willing to be the “co-ordinator” to act as a reporter for the Bulletin and to co-ordinate the runs that the team (and others) arrange. Talk to us. Meantime, a sincere thank you to all of you who have supported these runs over the years, those on the team who have arranged runs, those members who have opened their properties for us and not least, those who participate each month. Go well, keep safe, Norman & Pat (The Dewdrops) and the Midweek Team.
Page 10
June 2020
Vintage Notes No Vintage Section meeting for May, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. And what a tunnel! We are looking forward to socialising with friends and family and when we hopefully reach Level 1, some semblance of normality will return. My repainting of our truck turned out to be a bigger job than I had anticipated, but I have had time to attend to details that have proven quite satisfying. Is anyone planning a road trip in their vintage car to celebrate our release? The hospitality industry will welcome New Zealanders now that we have no overseas visitors. If you are, would you care to write a report for next month’s Bulletin? This month we feature Owen Hayward’s next instalment of the Paige and Shaaran & Alan Price’s Chevrolet. Murray & Penny Firth Continuing on from last month’s Vintage Notes on Owen & Jane Hayward’s 1922 Paige Daytona—One final upgrade to the engine. The valve timing needed altering as the exhaust valve closed 8 degrees after T.D.C. and the inlet valve started to open 12 degrees after T.D.C. Taking todays fuel into account together with modern technology this valve timing was not correct. I had the inlet cams on the camshaft ground to start the inlet valves opening 8 degrees before T.D.C. That meant both valves were just off their seats at T.D.C. The flywheel was very heavy. I weighed a 1929 Packard flywheel with a similar stroke and found the Paige flywheel was about twice the weight, so I had the Paige wheel lightened accordingly. These two major modifications made a huge difference to the performance and speed of our car. To balance I had to increase the car’s stopping ability. Brakes: As our Paige is 1922, we did not have front wheel brakes and the rear brakes were bands on the outside of the drums. Any moisture and we had no brakes at all. Late in 1924 Paige went to 4 wheel brakes and as I used parts from a 1924-5 Paige during the rebuild I had a complete front axle with brakes. I fitted the front wheel brakes to my car. This was made easy as Paige brakes from the start were hydraulic, meaning no linkages just a hose to the wheel cylinder. I also modified the rear brakes hydraulicing them to the equalising bar. The result was perfect, although I do have to take my 24inch wire wheels into consideration as these wheels were not meant to skid on tar seal. Transmission: After our first run to Palmerston North in 1992, I realised the transmission was too low. I can start off in top gear, so with first gear giving a maximum speed of 7 MPH it was never used. A higher top gear was a must, so I changed the gearbox for a 5 speed Mitsubishi Dyna 2.5 ton box. This made our car far better in modern traffic. I also, (with Geoff Thorpe’s help) raised the diff ratio using the crown wheel and pinion from a 1962 J2 Bedford truck. With very little adjustment and use of spacers it fitted very well. This took our ratio from 4.9 to 1 to 4.4 to 1 together with the new gearbox resulted in a perfect match. Essential for fuel economy remember this engine is 6 litre and with all these improvements we now enjoy, if we are careful 30 litres per 100 km. We are very mindful of global warming. The gearbox change was not without its critics however after a
June 2020
Page 11
Vintage Notes Contd... speed trial (he was trying to catch me without much luck and I was not aware of his attempts) he realised how much our car was performing, he too changed his gearbox and acknowledged what a wonderful improvement. Owen Hayward
Left is an advert from the NZ Herald, when John Burns sold Paige and Jewett
Page 12
June 2020
1930 Chevrolet 1930 CHEVROLET AD UNIVERSAL SPORTS ROADSTER The year - 1967 The place - Matamata The mission - To find an open topped vintage car. We had become members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand, Waikato Branch and had been maintaining and driving Bruce Catchpole’s 1928 Stutz Tourer for a couple of years. Finding a vehicle to suit us was becoming very difficult. Having driven a fair distance, including Tarawera, where it was reported, a Nash roadster was sighted rusting under a tree. The owner would not let us in to have a look at it. The advertisement - For Sale, 1930 Chevrolet Roadster. In need of restoration. Price £30.00. It was just before decimal currency came in. After a phone call to the owner, we set off for Leigh to investigate and on arrival could see a very rusty roadster under a hedge. The owner produced the ownership papers. It showed 42 owners and he wasn’t on the list! He was very enthusiastic and quick to inform us that he would supply a keg of beer at the restoration completion and that we would not have to restore the front right hand wheel as he had done it by welding 1/4 inch rod around the inside well? The deal was done and an A frame attached to the front of the Chev. Before we got to the front gate it was obvious that the steering was frozen. Much hammering and pushing and shoving took place. The solution - Shaaran would have to sit in it (the Chev) and steer it all the way from Leigh to Matamata! The fact that it did not have any floor-boards, or a seat, posed a bit of a problem. She remembered watching Fred Flintstone and wondered if her legs were long enough to reach the ground. No, that was definitely not the way it was going to happen. After travelling a short distance, Alan cut through the steering rod, hence towing with the A frame succeeded and we managed to get back to Matamata. Shaaran’s mother was horrified when she saw us approaching with our purchase in tow. Right - The arrival of the 1930 Chevrolet at Gordon The restoration - This commenced straight away. It was very much a joint effort as both Shaaran and Alan scraped, sanded and cleaned while every nut and bolt was removed and the Chev was dismantled down to a bare chassis. Remember that “restored wheel” - that was the first thing that was thrown away when we got started on the restoration. Hardly a night went by that we were not visited and encouraged by local VCC members Bruce Catchpole, Ron Grantham, Alan Orr, John Bayly, Ralph Blyde and Brian Dunnett. We cannot thank them enough for their support. We were
June 2020
Page 13
1930 Chevrolet Contd... woken one night, when, just before midnight, we heard the sound of Bruce Catchpole’s Thames van coming down the drive. Bruce had attended the VCC AGM in the South Island and had found a perfect pair of windscreen pillars for us. These were missing from our vehicle until then. We were three years doing the restoration. The motor was machined by our good friend VCC member, Les Diez from Hamilton and Ron Grantham put the motor together for us. To this day that motor has not been touched - cast iron pistons and all. 1970 - Alan was accepted into Teacher’s Training College in Epsom. The Chev restoration was up to the paint and upholstery stage. We towed it out to Shaaran’s parent’s farm at Gordon and stored it in their barn for that year. During the school holidays, we went down to Gordon and Alan prepared and painted the Chev in the farm barn. Meanwhile Shaaran was busy sewing the upholstery on a treadle Singer Sewing Machine on the front porch of Shaaran’s parents home. In March 1971, Alan drove the Chev from Matamata to our home in Birdwood Road, Swanson, where it still remains. It was entered, and came first place in the 1972 Waikato Double Fifty. Our family have always shown keen interest and accompanied us, first of all Angela sitting on Shaaran’s knee and then, when Shane came along Angela stood on the seat between us and Shane was nursed. Indeed our first success at the Hunua 100 was 1974. It teamed with rain all day. We had no side curtains. Shane was seven months old. He sat on Shaaran’s knee all day and played, ripped up the wet instructions. No one was more surprised than us when it was announced at the prizegiving that we were first equal with Norman and Pat Dewhurst. It wasn’t long before both children progressed into the rumble seat and loved every minute of it, rain or shine. Our Chev has taken us all over New Zealand and has never let us down. We were going to enter her in the International Rally at New Plymouth next year but Covid 19 came along. She will have to be patient and wait until 2022. We have been asked many times if we would sell her. The answer - “Never. It would be like selling a member of the family”. Shaaran & Alan Price
Page 14
June 2020
Coming Events June 11 13 20 24
Thurs Sat Sat Wed
25 27 28
Thurs Sat Sun
Bulletin Mailing Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms Branch AGM—POSTPONED—Date to be confirmed Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms Club Run—Combined Run (Cancelled)
7:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 8:00pm 2:30pm
June 30
Tues
Committee Meeting (July)
7:30pm
4 9 15
Sat Thus Wed
2:30pm
18 22 23 25 26
Sat Wed Thurs Sat Sun
Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms Bulletin via Website or email Mid Week Tourers—TBA—watch for email Starts Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms Commercial Meeting Club Night—Noggin & Natter Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms Club Run—starts 35 Titi Rd, Mauku
1 4 8 13 15 15 19
Sat Tues Sat Thurs Sat
22 26
Sat Wed
27 30
Thurs Sun
July
August
Wed
10:00am 2:30pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 2:30pm
Veteran Section Meeting 2:30pm Committee Meeting 7:30pm Branch AGM—Clubrooms 2:00pm Bulletin Mailing 7:30pm Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm National Executive Meeting & AGM (Whanganui Branch) Mid Week Tourers Starts The Warehouse Carpark, Westgate 10:00am Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night & New Members –Guest Speaker on Tyres 8:00pm Club Run (was to be VCC Daffodil Rally for Cancer—CANCELLED) Note—For out of town Branch Events, please check with the hosting Branch that these events have not been cancelled.
Note: The clubrooms are open on the second and fourth Thursday evenings each month from 7:30pm till 10:00pm and every Saturday afternoon from 4:30pm till 6:30pm.
June 2020
Page 15
Coming Events
Thursday 25 June 8:00 p.m.
Club Run Sunday 28 June Starts: Time:
1:30 p.m.
Page 16
June 2020
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday 8th August 2020 To be held in the Auckland Branch Clubrooms, 39 Fairfax Avenue, Penrose.
Meeting commences 2:00 p.m. Agenda:
Apologies Minutes 2019 AGM Annual Reports Financial Statement Election of Officers Prize Giving 25 & 35 Year Presentation Awards General Business
A light afternoon tea will be provided. Members are requested to show their membership cards to receive voting papers. All nominations for office should be duly proposed, seconded and accepted by Financial Members and delivered to the Secretary, or maybe made from the floor at the AGM, if required.
T Winterbottom Secretary AVVCC
June 2020
Page 17
Nomination Form NOMINATION FORM for the 2020-21 COMMITTEE Positions available are: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain and six Committee Members. Non Committee Positions are: Librarian, Beaded Wheels Scribe & Bulletin Editor
All positions are available for nomination, so here is your opportunity to put your name or someone else’s forward for a position. I wish to nominate: ___________________________________(Print) to the position of:__________________________________________ Proposer: ___________________________________________(Print) Signature: ________________________________________________ Seconder: ___________________________________________(Print)
Signature: ________________________________________________ Nominee: ____________________________________________(Pint) Signature: ________________________________________________
Robinson Instrument Ltd Unit 3 31 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland.
Ph: 09 636 5836 Fax:09 636 5838 Email: sales@robinsoninstruments.co.nz Web: www.robinsoninstruments.co.nz
Page 18
June 2020
Bill Shears Memorial Trophy
NOMINATION FORM For the Bill Shears Memorial Trophy Members of the Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Inc) are invited to nominate a fellow Branch member for this Annual Award. The nomination should be for any member that they regard as having been involved in a significant event. It may be a particularly memorable motoring journey, an important historical article or series of articles published or some special service to the Branch. This trophy will be awarded at the Branch AGM in July. I wish to nominate: ___________________________________(Print) for the Bill Shears Memorial Trophy Proposer: ___________________________________________(Print) Signature: ________________________________________________ Seconder: ___________________________________________(Print) Signature: ________________________________________________ Details of the accomplishment and supporting information: _________ _________________________________________________________ Please submit to the Secretary, Tracey Winterbottom by 30 June 2020 via email auckland@vcc.org.nz or post P O Box 12 138 Penrose Auckland 1642
June 2020
Page 19
Notes from your Secretary In this Bulletin you will see the new date for the AGM, please mark it in your diary and give some thought to attending. As the country moves out of alert levels, we can get back to some sense of normality and events will start coming back on the calendar. I am so looking forward to a decent drive! Watch our calendar over the next couple of months. While some planned events such as the Gymkhana and Experts Rally may have to wait until next year, we will have things happening. As I write this before our Committee meeting, we will be finalising and letting everyone know what procedures will be in place to minimise the risk for members when the Clubrooms re open. Keep those nominations coming for the Bill Shears Memorial Trophy. Tracey Winterbottom
PAUL’S MAGNETOS Testing, repairs, re-magnetizing, rewinding and remedial-engineering of all types of magnetos. Magnetos re-engineered to competition standards of accuracy, with improved spark power. Dynamo repairs, 6 to 12-volt conversion, 3 to 2 brush conversion, electronic regulators, adjustment of mechanical regulators.
Recommended by Ken McIntosh, Hugh Anderson, Ken Campbell, Steve Raffills and David Warren. Contact Paul Greet on 021 771 090
Page 20
June 2020
Early Ford in Auckland Recently with Barry Robert, I met with Doctor Haydon. His grandfather had a Ford agency in Auckland opposite the Farmers Trading in Hobson Street, which ran from 1912 to 1942. After the meeting Ron Haydon contacted me and said he wanted to speak to a group on his Grandfathers business and the Model T Ford and could I help him with more information. I did not have to go far to discover by 1922 Henry Ford was producing a very primitive car. I knew from previous research the early Fords were sold on price. In 1923 the Model T Ford still had kerosene side lights and head light that only run if the engine was running. By 1913 most American cars had an electric starter, but the Model T Ford you still started it on crank handle in 1922. The car still had a two-speed gearbox, something most manufactures had moved away from fifteen years before. The car in 1922 did not have demountable rims or windscreen wiper. You still required two people to lower the hood. The car would seat five people, keeping up with most cars on the road and was cheaper than anything else sold. The dealers in Auckland through the twenties often ran out cars as Henry Ford could not build them fast enough. A third of the cars in Auckland were Fords by 1925 and they achieved that on price. A new Model T Ford was 160 pounds and the Austin Seven in 1926 cost 210 pounds. The cars were coming from the Ford plant in Canada. Henry Ford had built over 15 million Model T Fords when production stopped. Only the Volkswagen Beetle ever exceeded those numbers. Ford was hard on the dealers. Repairs had to be carried out for the price set by Ford. They had to use Ford parts and the car had to be fixed within 24 hours of the breakdown. The dealer could not sell another make of new car if they had a Ford dealership. G A Haydon in Auckland Haydon’s in Hobson Street first advertised the Ford in Auckland in 1912. The cars arrived in a crate with wheels, windscreen and hood removed so it reduced the height of the crate for shipping. Haydon’s were putting the cars together on the footpath in Hobson Street. The cars would have had a lot brass and gas lamps and came in a choice of colours. From 1914 the cars were only painted black. In 1915 they had electric head lights and kerosene side lights. The supply of cars continued through the First World War. In 1917 all the brass had disappeared and everything was painted black. In 1919 the sedan was fitted with an electric starter, but very few would have been sold as they were more expensive. Most would have bought an open tourer. With the commercial vehicles, Haydon’s would have gone to a local
June 2020
Page 21
Early Ford in Auckland Contd... body builder in Auckland as they arrived just as a chassis. In 1924 the cars were assembled at the Fox Street plant in Parnell and driven to Haydon’s in Hobson Street. The car by now had some New Zealand content. Haydon’s were reconditioning cars as they often could not get new cars and would fit a two-speed back end if required. By 1925 all the cars were fitted with an electric starter, but the commercial vehicles you still had to crank. The bodies on the trucks and vans would have been built at Fox Street. In 1926 the car was offered in a choice of colours again. In New Zealand we called them the New Beauty. In 1926 if you paid extra you could get wire wheels. The last Model T Fords sold were fitted with a two-speed back end, which gave the car four speeds. The Model A Ford first appeared in May 1928 and it was a very different car but still very cheap. They were sold new for 180 pounds and Austin Seven at the time was almost the same price. The Morris Minor cost 25 pounds more. In three years, Henry Ford manufactured 5 million Model A Fords. Haydon’s never once advertised the Model A Ford so can only assume; they were being sold as fast as they could get them. A lot more closed in cars, now sold as the Model A had safety glass. In 1932 we saw the Ford V8 and the small Ford Y from England, so for the first time Ford dealers had a choice of two cars to sell. The Ford Y was a little cheaper than the Austin Seven at 170 pounds. The Ford V8 was 260 pounds and so it was still not an expensive motorcar. In 1935 Ford Canada took over assembly in New Zealand and built a new plant at Petone. By 1935 they had to pay extra tax if the car had no New Zealand content. When the war started, the supply of cars to the dealers stopped. Ron Haydon tells us his grandfather lost a son in a boating accident in the Second World War and with no cars to sell they closed the business. Many years ago, I meet with members of the Souter family who had the first Ford dealership in Auckland and asked them why their father gave up the Ford dealership in Auckland in 1914. They said their Dad had purchased a new Dodge and discovered it was a much better car. They did say Dad had felt later that Dodge Brothers had also stayed with the same models for too long. Barry Birchall
Page 22
June 2020
Wanted WANTED Bulletin Editor Our Editor Val, has been doing a wonderful job for 17 years and has indicated perhaps it is time to step down. We are looking for someone to take on this role. It is not onerous and involves collating the reports and articles sent, preparing the draft for Committee proof reading and approval, and then getting an electronic copy to the printer. Val is still here and prepared to show a new volunteer the ropes. If you are interested, or just want to find out more detail, please give Val a call to have a chat. VIC Officer Likewise, Michael O’Kane has been our VIC officer for many years and needs to spend some of his time in other areas. This task involves signing off VIC applications before they are sent to Christchurch. Again, Michael is here to show you what is required and will still be on hand for assistance. The role can be done by more than one person, so if this interests you, give Michael a call for more information.
Established in 1993 we specialise in classic & Vintage Car Restorations and Repair work Classic Car Insurance Claims Insurance and Private Work on all vehicles WOF and Rust Repairs Full Panel and Paint Service New! - The Metal Room—Metal Shaping Classes Contact Mark McAlpine—Ph: (09) 820 2299
Email: alpinepb@vodafone.co.nz www.alpinepanelbeaters.co.nz Or call in and see us at 8/2 Lansford Crescent, Avondale
June 2020
Page 23
Clubrooms & Events
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS The Clubrooms and events will be closed for all of June. They will be re-opened in July, providing we have moved to Level 1. There will be rigid rules to follow, to keep us all safe and well. Updates will follow via the email tree.
The Committee
Page 24
June 2020
Vero International Festival of Motoring
Postponed till 2022 MOTOR TRIMMING CLASSIC & VINTAGE CARS LEATHER, HOODS, SIDECURTAINS 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE Trained by Ken Keay FABRIC BODIES A SPECIALITY TOP QUALITY WORK REASONABLE RATES
John McKechnie 66a Ladies Mile Remuera Phone: (09) 522 4418
June 2020
Page 25
Can you Identify In response to my article ‘Can you Identify’ in last months Bulletin (May), thank you to those members who replied. It would appear it may have been 1977-78 or 1981-82 because the latter is nearer the colour to the sticker shown on the windscreen. Both these years had green stickers. The vehicle in the foreground is the late Owen Scarborough’s Model T Ford, the trailer to the right belonged to Rex Benns, towed by his Dodge (ex Frank Knight) and the veteran in the left background, is believed to be Barry Birchall’s 1912 Cadillac. The Editor
NZ Welder Repair Services Ltd. Unit 4/5 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
For personal service call Rod Rugg (Member) Stick, MIG, TIG and Plasma cutters. All welding machine types and consumables for sale. “Over 30 years experience” Repairs to machines, new sales and used. Hire options available. For home or work. Large or small. We deal with only good machines not rubbish. Phone: 09 8261425, e-mail: rod.rugg@nzwrs.com Postal address: P.O. Box 19272, Avondale, Auckland 1746
Page 26
June 2020
Your Committee Chairman/Motorcycle Rep/Delegate Martin Spicer (Lynda) Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 0221 025 954 Vice Chairman/Clubrooms Booking/Name Badges Don Green (Brenda) Email: greend@slingshot.co.nz Ph: 266 8836 or 021 073 2642 Secretary/Privacy Officer: Tracey Winterbottom Email: vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz (Stephen) Ph: (09) 232 0246 or 021 732 209 Treasurer: Ian Hubbard (Lesley) Email: ian@fhp.co.nz Ph: 575 8236 or 0274 426 748 Club Captain: Lynda Spicer (Martin) Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 021 189 3120 Committee Members: Warwick Darrow (Trisha) Building Maintenance Email: waktrish@gmail.com Ph: 520 2882 or 021 203 4562 Robin Elliott Entertainment Officer/Spares Email: robaleen@actrix.co.nz Ph: 0274 922 188 Alan Price (Shaaran) Building Maintenance Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 Shaaran Price (Alan) Social Convenor/New Membership Liaison Officer Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 John Stokes Veteran Rep/Spares/Trophy Steward Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz Ph: (09) 236 4582 or 0272 772 108 Non-Committee Officers: Librarian Bulletin Editor Chris Wood (Diana) Val Ball (Rodger) Ph: 524 9478 Ph: 298 6476 Email: rvball@xtra.co.nz Beaded Wheels Reporter Commercial Rep John Stokes John Campbell (Pat) Continuous Membership Awards Steward Ph: 828 7850 or 0272 446 928 Glenn Morris (Marion) VIC Officer Ph: 273 4975 or 021 136 5926 Michael O’Kane Insurance: Ph: 813 4944 Vero Consumer Insurance Specialist 0800 505 905 or 356 4501 Agency Number: 0300126 Clubrooms Ph: 579 5625 Street Address: 39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose Postal Address: P O Box 12 138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 Open: 2nd & 4th Thursday 7:30-10:00pm, Every Saturday 4:30-6:30 pm Club Night: 4th Thursday of the month
Branch Email Address Library Email Address Branch Website
auckland@vcc.org.nz libraryavvcc@gmail.com www.avvcc.org.nz
Branch Honorary Life Members:
Barry Robert Norm Dewhurst QSM Alan Roberts
June 2020
Page 27
Page 28
June 2020