November 2020
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NOVEMBER 2020
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November 2020
November 2020
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Index In this issue… 60 Year Awards 2020 Picnic & Restoration Awards Christmas Pot Luck Dinner 2020 Hunua 100 Rally Restoration Awards at Picnic Obituary—Bruce Madgwick Obituary—Jim Francis Vero International Festival of Motoring Thank You
Page 11 18 19 20-24 24 25 26 27 28
Regular Features Chairman Report Secretary’s Notes Veteran Notes Library Notes Motorcycle Notes Commercial Notes Mid Week Tourers Vintage Notes Club Captain’s Report Coming Events For Sale Your Committee
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12-13 14-15 16-17 29 30
December Bulletin closing date
Strictly 25 November 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.
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November 2020
Chairman’s Report October started off with John Stokes' Veteran section meeting.. Next was the September club run held on the 4 October and was plotted by one of our youngest members, Ryan Winterbottom. Lynda and I arrived at the Jolly Farmer for the start, where it was pleasing to find 5 motorcycles and 28 cars with around 90 people. Ryan took us on great traffic free country roads to the Glen Afton Bush Tramway. It was also pleasing to see a number of the members had brought their grandchildren along for the train rides. Well done Ryan. Saturday 17 October was the Annual Working Bee with a very good turnout of members to spring clean the inside and outside of the Clubrooms. I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who gave your time and energy to smarten up the Clubrooms. The Motorcycle meeting was next. I did have a speaker lined up for the meeting but he had to cancel a few days before. Anyway the meeting went very well with reports on runs from myself, Peter Alderdice, Graeme Crawley, Don Green and then member Tim Hardy told us about the restoration of a 90 year “Wall of Death”. I was thinking of ending the meeting at 3:30pm when an old friend of our section Dave Tomkins arrived and I jokingly told everyone our guest speaker had arrived. Dave spoke for about 25 minutes on a number of topics. Mid Week Tourers had a great day out visiting motor racing's Angus Fogg's property to view his car collection. This run was plotted by Jack Nazer. Club Night was Rally Rules night. Hunua 100 plotter Glenn Morris enlightened the assembled group on the rights and wrongs of rally rules, which was followed by supper provided by Shaaran Price. Hunua 100 Rally—well what a great weekend we had for this event, starting with a very good Garden Party on the Saturday afternoon, followed by the presentation of two 60 Year Awards to George Mihaljevich and Alan Roberts by Life Member Norm Dewhurst. The Saturday evening dinner was provided by Club Captain Lynda Spicer and she was ably helped by Debbie Ballantyne and Annette Foot. Rally day saw a brilliant collection of club vehicles taking part. I was lucky enough to get a ride in David Adams’ 1932 Sunbeam as his navigator and we had a great day. Congratulations to Glenn and Marion Morris on plotting an awesome rally and a big thank you to all those members who helped with the running of the Hunua 100. Congratulations to all the class winners. The Vintage section held their meeting on 31 October. Coming up: Sunday 15 November is the Ladies Run, this year plotted by Annette Foot and will finish at our farm for a free Posh High Tea. This event is plotted by the Ladies, but is open to all members. Saturday 21 November is the 40 th Anniversary of the Auckland Branch Annual Motorcycle Rally. That's all for this month, so keep all those 2 , 3 and 4 wheels turning safely. Martin Spicer
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Secretary’s Notes At the time of writing these notes, there is only 8 weekends to Christmas! But this means that the International Vero Festival of Motoring is only 14 months away! I hope many of you are planning to be there for a wonderful week of motoring in the Taranaki area. Closer on the calendar, there are entry forms at the Clubrooms for Maunga Moana (be quick, entries close very soon), Eastern Bay of Plenty (Waitangi Weekend), Burma Rally (January). Alternatively I can send you a soft copy. Subscriptions are now overdue, so if you haven’t made your payment to Christchurch yet, get onto it now. During the last month we have lost 3 of our older members, Bruce Madgwick, Jim Francis and John Irvine and our thoughts are with their families at this time. Congratulations to member Charlotte Bovis and partner Peter on the birth of son Heath. Charlotte was able to introduce Heath at the Hunua Garden Party. The Committee have been busy ensuring upcoming events are all organised and dates are set. Watch out for a new date in the New Year for our Gymkhana event. Let’s hope the calendar returns to some sense of normality next year and all our usual events are on. Tracey Winterbottom
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
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November 2020
Veteran Notes Numbers were down at the October section meeting due to several members attending the Fielding Swapmeet and another who had other commitments following a busy post vintage morning. The late Bruce Madgwick donated the magneto remagnetizer he owned to the Branch, for which we thank him for his generous donation. Bruce also gave more books to the Branch Library. The Charabanc is mobile, thanks to the skills of George Mihaljevich who effectively repaired the gravity fuel tank, thanks George. Alan Price has the hood back from the canvas workers. Doug Hamilton has had a new oil sight glass made for his 1911 Cadillac and also expressed satisfaction with Vero after a house insurance claim. Phil Henley’s Rayfield carburettor for the 1913 Mitchell has arrived, all twelve pounds of it. John Morrison is collecting the 1906 Cadillac single cylinder from Greg Terrill. New member Glynn Findlay spoke about his 1913 Bullnose Morris. It originally came from Stratford and was sold to Napier about 1920, where it was used until it blew up about 1930 and was broken up on a Mr Sigvertson’s property. Glynn’s father rescued and restored it and it was used on the Haast Rally and the 1972 International Rally. Glynn subsequently took the car to Australia, where it was re-restored and it's now back here. Wayne Welch is getting his Model T ready for a Model T event in November. There was a discussion about methods of heat treating replacement, single cylinder Cadillac crank shafts. Grant Stott, who owns the ex Jim Francis 1918 Westcott has moved to the Warkworth area. After the meeting, I had a visit from John Judd, who owns a 1912 Mitchell. John produced a photo of this car taken in 1916 and some data on an early restorer/collector in Canada, which was photocopied for the Library. It looks as though the 2021 Veteran Run will start and finish at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club, as it did this year. John Stokes
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Library Notes Recent activity in the Library has been largely directed towards the Annual Book Sale which takes place on the Saturday of Labour Weekend as part of the Hunua 100 activities. It is a highlight of our year and the team very much look forward to the event and in particular to the opportunity of meeting those many members who share our love for all manner of publications associated with the history of motor vehicles. The sale this year followed the well-trod pattern of previous book sales, but with perhaps one exception in that our pricing was even more attractive than it probably ever has been! Books were almost invariably priced as low as $2.00 each as we were determined to move the stock, clear the way for new stock and do our bit for recycling. In the event that aggressive pricing has paid off and as a result of the sale, hundreds of great books have found new homes on members bookshelves. In heaps of cases, members walked out with armloads of top quality books for which they had paid not much. This is all very pleasing for our team as the books on sale are all duplicates of what are already in the Library shelves. While we are on the subject of our collection, we are very pleased to report the addition of a most interesting book donated recently by Richard Green. The book is ‘Under my Bonnet’ by G.R.N. Minchin. It was first published in 1950, and as it is one man’s account of his experiences with and memories of, motor vehicles in the early days of motoring, it is a little surprising that up until now we haven’t had a copy on our shelves. The writer was very well connected in the motor industry in the UK throughout his working life and had close contacts, (indeed friendships) with leaders of the industry as well as with motor sport and so on. He owned over 154 cars and motorcycles across a wide range of makes and in the book has compiled the most wonderful collection of interesting and informative stories and anecdotes. We will be surprised if, over time, ‘Under my Bonnet’ doesn’t become one of our most frequently read books on loan from here on in. Chris Wood and the Library Team—Barry Birchall, Colin Bott, Owen Hayward, Barry Robert & John Stokes
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Motorcycle Notes We arrived at the Clubrooms on a warm sunny afternoon. There were 14 motorcycles parked out the back all sparkling in the sunshine. There were 50 plus members in attendance and we also had two visitors, Doug Robertson who has an assortment of motorcycles and Rick Hayes a retired motorcycle speedway sidecar racer who is now building a classic speedway sidecar racer. Reports: Martin told us about his recent accident - he high-sided while walking down the garden path resulting in a broken femur that required a 400 x 12mm titanium rod to be inserted. Martin then reported on the September Club Night and the Club Run to Glen Afton Bush Tramway near Huntly where this event attracted around 90 people taking part. A number of Branch members also went on runs with the BSA & Norton Owners Club. Peter Alderdice and Graeme Crawley told us about their weekend away that was to makeup for the postponed Rubber Duckie The group of 8 had a great time away starting at Whitford then onto Kaiaua, Thames, Coroglen, Te Aroha, Whangamata and Waingaro Hot Springs. From what we heard they all had great time away with a lot of laughs. Coming Up: The weekend of the 20-21st November is the 40th Anniversary of the Auckland Branch Motorcycle Rally, fingers crossed for good weather and a big turnout of riders. General Business: Peter Alderdice went over the plans for the trip to next years National Motorcycle Rally in Masterton. There is a great group of members signed up to go and this promises to be another brilliant time away riding our motorcycles in great company as we have done many times before, so if you fancy joining the group, give Peter a call on 021 743 906. Member Tim Hardy spoke about his group of friends who are restoring an original 90 year old “Wall of Death”. They are making good progress in restoring the wood and metal of the wall and are looking for a suitable motorcycle to use on the wall. Once the work is finished they plan to take it on tour, watch this space. Around 3:30pm we were thinking we might have an early afternoon tea, when in walks Dave Tomkins who had come to see speedway racer Rick Hayes regarding his Weslake speedway engine. So Martin jumped at the chance to get Dave to talk to us and announced that our surprise guest speaker had just arrived, “please give Dave Tomkins a big hand”. Dave has been a speaker for us a few times in the past and spoke about the UK's Weslake single and V twin speedway engines. Although Dave is a few years past 80, you would never know it. Dave in his early years raced on tarmac, was also a very good motocross racer, speedway sidecar rider and steward. Dave told about some recent Vincent rallies he'd been on, but he also gets a buzz riding around on his big Ducati 1000. Martin thanked Dave for being our surprise guest speaker. Keep those 2, 3 and 4 wheels turning safely. Martin Spicer & Jack Clark
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Commercial Notes For the only time this year, our Commercial meeting for October took place the week after our Club Night and Bulletin closing deadline, so more trivia I’m afraid. Coupled with this, more Covid-19 has arrived in the country with Russian seamen, so who knows what will happen next. I was recently in receipt of a photo taken in the 1920’s of a “Motor Rally Stop” at the Huapai Tavern. Built in the early 1870’s, prior to the construction of the Kaipara railway, the hotel was strategically placed between the main rail and
road routes by Thomas Deacon and capitalised on patrons travelling north from Auckland, as well as the small settlement that grew around it. The Hotel was extended significantly throughout the 20th Century but sadly much of these additions were lost to a fire in 1993. However, the oldest part of the Hotel remains today and only the shingle tiled roof has been replaced, with corrugated iron. I have been advised by Michael Dorbeck, that his father Hans has recently had a spell in Middlemore. He would enjoy the company of any who feel like paying a visit at his home in Papatoetoe, although it would be prudent to phone first and speak to his wife Sue. Hans has been a stalwart of this section forever! Keep M Rolling John Campbell
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Mid Week Tourers Early in the morning it was raining south of the city, but by contrast the sun was shining in the north west. A number of expectant Branch members were there to greet me at the Westgate Carpark and by 10:15 a.m. I was delighted to record 35 vehicles with nearly 80 smiling faced Branch members ready for an adventure. Angus Fogg was looking forward to seeing some old cars parked in his driveway, so I was pleased to see the arrival of David Lane in his Studebaker Roadster, Vaughan Beesley in his Ansaldo, Ed Pollard & Richard Green in the 1930 20/25 Rolls, Steve Driver in his Model A Woody, Mike Courtney in his 1933 Ford V8 Ute. and Dennis Van Houtte in his Arrol Johnson. Added to the flavour was Don Johnson in his 1939 Ford V8 Coupe, Rob Moston & John Munroe in the C Type Jaguar replica and Hank Coenraadts in his Studebaker Hawk. The other vehicles were Post War and moderns. The run set off via Massey, Waitakere and Taupaki to Muriwai. I did get a few complaints about not advising at the start briefing that there was a short distance of loose metal on the back road to Muriwai. It was then back through Waimauku and Old North Rd to Riverhead. It was after crossing the bridge beyond Riverhead that my instructions had the wrong street name. I shall explain: I was born dyslexic but was not aware of it until I was in my mid twenties. Reading has always been a struggle and a word processor with spell check helps a lot, but from time to time I still get it wrong. This was one of those times for which I apologise. Our destination: The lawn in front of the workshop was a great setting and large enough to accommodate every one for their picnic lunch. Angus was a great host, who gave an enlightening talk on his background and that of the neighbourhood. While the guys were right into the facilities and what Angus was up to, the ladies were entertained by the property and live stock. I had a good number of Branch members commenting how much they enjoyed what I was able to put together for them. Jack Nazer Coming Events: Wednesday 18 November—Starts from BP Service Centre, Southern Motorway, Drury. 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure. Mike intends to finish at Wrights Water Gardens at Mauku. There is a café there, or you can BYO and have lunch in their carpark. There is a charge for admission to the Gardens. Wednesday 9 December—(a week earlier than usual) Starts from The Warehouse Carpark, Westgate 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure. Our usual Christmas picnic run to Wenderholm. BYO everything.
Jack Nazer Kelvin Hawke Mike Loosemore And the rest
(09) 378 4580 (09) 836 4795 021 027 08848
The Mid-Week Team (New blood always welcome)
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60 Year Awards 60 Year Awards were presented to George Mihaljevich and Alan Roberts, by Norman Dewhurst QSM and VCC Life Member, during the 62nd Annual Hunua 100 celebrations on Saturday 24 October at the Auckland Branch Clubrooms Below—Norm Dewhurst and George Mihaljevich
Below—Norm Dewhurst, Eileen and Alan Roberts
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Vintage Notes Congratulations to Glenn and Marion Morris on plotting a very successful Hunua 100. It was satisfying to see nearly a quarter of the entries were ‘Vintage’. At our October meeting, we had a visit from Branch member Loretta McGarry, who brought along some very interesting old photo albums. One was Club cars from the late 50’s and early 60.s and the other covered the 1972 International Rally in Nelson. Richard Green has offered to digitalize them and as several of our members know the history of these cars and what has happened to them, they could make the basis of a very interesting club night. There is considerable enthusiasm within the group for the concept of a dedicated ‘Vintage Tour’. Probably over four or so days and avoiding main roads, but no destination or time has been suggested yet. If you are keen on a trip like this and have any ideas about places to visit or stay for the night, please get in touch with us and we will see what we can come up with. John Stokes has kindly offered to chair the November 28 th Vintage section meeting, as Penny and I will be in the South Island. Murray & Penny Firth
My first Model T was truly a barn find. It had been resting for over 20 years and was a 1926 New Beauty Tourer that had the rear body removed and was dropped onto Fordson van 16" wheels. I purchased it for 10 pounds and trailered it back to my father's garage. He had done his apprenticeship in Model T times and knew a few tricks. He asked if I wanted to get it going—"too right". First he replaced the string around the fuel line connections, they had compression nuts on. Next, a battery sitting on the running board and connected with alligator clip leads. A bit of tinkering with the ignition coils, petrol added and we were right to go. I towed Dad with our wrecker and the T started in about 30 feet. Dad drove forwards into his workshop then asked if I wanted to drive? Crank started the engine and with a crash course on T driving I went to back up. The car started to creep forward, so I instinctively put the clutch in. WRONG! It was low gear and I smacked into the rear of a "Jailbar" Ford Pickup parked in front. No real damage to either, except for my vanity. So there it was - my first Model T drive lasted 30 seconds, but better things were to follow! Jim McCutcheon
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The Stationary Engine As Martin, our Chairman mentioned last month, the Spares Department is undergoing a sorting and rationalising process to make the best use of our limited space. At one time ,there was quite a lot of interest in Stationary Engines within the Club and an interesting example that had been donated by a member has been sitting up in the barn for many years. I have a bit of a weakness for funny old engines so when it was offered to me, I said yes. Little was known about it except it had come from Great Barrier Island and was thought to be a ‘Novo’ and had last been heard running about 20 years ago. I googled up Novo Stationary Engines and an amazing amount of information popped up. Novo made 7 sizes of vertical singles, ranging from 1 ½ to 10 horsepower, all looking very much like my acquisition. All the dimensions for each hp model were given, so next morning armed with a tape measure, I went down the shed, curious to see what I had. Absolutely nothing lined up and on examining a little more closely it became apparent that this was not a Novo! After a little ringing around, it was suggested that I ring Bill Clow, a member of Vintage Engine Restorers Auckland (VERA) who within minutes was able to tell me that I likely had a Cooper Little Wonder 2 stand shearing plant, and Mr Google confirmed it. It is a vertical single, hopper cooled, 2 horsepower hit & miss engine with a total loss lubrication system first made in 1905 in America for the Australian market with agents in NZ. The magneto became gear driven (like mine) in 1910, previously being chain driven. The shearing plant ceased production in 1916, although the engine alone kept on for a few more years. I haven’t been able to start it yet as the magneto has no spark, but I am really looking forward to hearing that distinctive sound of a hit & miss engine. Murray Firth
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Club Captain’s Report What a pleasure it is to be able to give a pretty full report. Congratulations Auckland for all your efforts. John Stokes kicked October off with his Veteran meeting, everyone glad to be able to come back and have a natter about their on going projects etc. The Motorcycle section met next with alas no guest speaker who had to pull out a couple of days before the meeting. However, they had a good meeting and finally Dave Tomkins gave some interesting anecdotes. They had a good number in attendance and there was also a fantastic array of motorcycles parked in the rear carpark, mainly due, I think, to it being a beautiful sunny day. On the morning of the Motorcycle section meeting we had our Annual Working Bee. Although Martin and I didn’t take part this year as he would have been more hindrance than help with his additional legs (crutches), we arrived just as they were finishing their lunch. Thank you to all the people who turned up to help out. Many hands do indeed make light work and that surely was proven when the Working Bee this year only took three hours. The Mid Week tourers had an interesting jaunt finishing at a great car collection. Our October Club Night was as usual devoted to “Rally Rules” – this being done in readiness for the Hunua 100 over Labour Weekend. It was good to see some new faces at this informative evening and even some seasoned rallyists asked questions. Thanks to Glenn Morris for presenting this to the members. Hunua 100. Well, the Committee was certainly glad that the event was able to go ahead. Everything was in place but had to be “firmed up” once Auckland came out of Level 2. It was a bit of a rush as there is so much involved in organising this event. The Saturday Garden Party was a huge success and many people had to result in doing some “slip, slap, slop” with suntan lotion as it was so hot in the garden. Lots of afternoon tea food had been provided and of course, the usual BBQ sausages and onions were on offer. Many thanks to everyone who helped set up for the afternoon and clearing up afterwards. Without your help this event wouldn’t happen. The last event on Saturday afternoon was the special presentation for the 60 year citations. This year we roundly recognized George Mihaljevich and Alan Roberts. Our life member, Norm Dewhurst presented the citations and made a little speech about each of them. Many congratulations to you both. Saturday evening members enjoyed an evening meal which I had provided. Lots of laughter and chatter could be heard through the evening. Thanks from me to Debbie Ballantyne and Annette Foot who were my very able helpers throughout the afternoon and evening assisting me in the kitchen. Sunday dawned with blue skies and sunshine and I was at the lunch stop in Pokeno, ready with tea, coffee, fruit juice and home made cakes. My word, what a great bunch of people came through, so much laughter and chatter. The only downer on the lunch stop was the ladies loo started to push water back up the system. I am now a qualified Loo Executive joining Alan Price who is a qualified Ballcock Executive (Saturday evening the ladies loo in the Clubrooms, ballcock got stuck). What fun! There was a wonderful array of cars in the Pokeno Village Hall carpark and across the road. I noticed that a lot of locals had turned up to photograph the cars. Sunday evening, it was for me, feet up, kick
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Club Captain’s Report Contd.. back and enjoy the evening. We finished the Hunua 100 with the traditional Prize Giving and evening meal at Remuera Club. Forty people enjoyed the conviviality of the other members, some no doubt regaling their motoring experiences of the day. At our table, we put the world to rights and also regaled each other with some funny stories about our pasts. Interestingly, no car stories. Prize Giving underway and many, many congratulations to all place getters and class winners. The overall winner this year was Gavin Welch and Sophie Zhao, Well done. Thanks must also go to plotters Glenn and Marion Morris. Everyone said what a fantastic rally it had been, some crafty little instructions (well, you do have to find winners), over some lovely quiet and picturesque country roads. Thanks also to Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine and Rodger and Val Ball who had checked the route for Glenn & Marion and also acted as start marshal, finish marshal and tail end charley. Also, thanks to the other marshals, Ian Hubbard, Norm & Pat Dewhurst and any marshals that I have forgotten. Thanks to my helper at lunch time, Charlotte Spicer and to John & Pat Campbell for looking after everyone at the finish with a well deserved cuppa ‘n cake. To everyone who helped out over the weekend, thank you and lastly thanks to all the entrants who took part in this year’s Hunua 100. Just a reminder that we still require everyone to either sign the register or log into the app whenever you enter the Clubrooms and sanitise your hands. Everything is also plotted and planned for the November Auckland Motorcycle Rally. By the time you receive this Bulletin, entries will have closed but if you talk nicely to Graeme Crawley, then he may well take your late entry. It will start and finish at Ramarama, however Friday night and Saturday night dinners will be at the Clubrooms. Sunday 15 November come out on the Ladies Run. This is a run plotted by the ladies and if you ladies feel like taking over the driving of the vehicle, rather than being a passenger, then all the better. It has been plotted by Annette Foot and it will be finishing at my farm for a delicious Posh High Tea. No costs are involved. However, maybe put in a chair to sit on in case I run out and maybe some of you would like to ‘dress’ for the occasion! Look forward to seeing you out and about Kia Kaha Lynda Spicer
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Coming Events November 14 15 15 18
Sat Sun Sun Wed
20-21 21 Sat 25 Wed 26 Thurs 27-29 28 Sat
Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Ladies Rally—Start Tui St, Drury 1:00pm Swapmeet (Waikato Branch) Mid Week Tourers BP Service Centre, Southern Motorway, Drury 10:00am Annual Motorcycle Rally Maunga Moana Rally (Taranaki Branch) Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night—Speaker from St Johns & New Members 8:00pm Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally (Taranaki Branch) Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm
December 1 5 6 9
Tues Sat Sun Wed
10 13 17 19 23
Thurs Sun Thurs Sat Wed
26
Sat
1 2 10 14 16 20
Fri Sat Sun Thurs Sat Wed
23 24 24 27
Sat Sun Sun Wed
28
Thurs
Committee Meeting—Clubrooms 7:30pm Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Annual Picnic—to be held at Oratia 10:00am Mid Week Tourers (Note: a week earlier) Starts Westgate Shopping Centre 10:00am Bulletin Mailing 7:30pm Xmas Motorcycle BBQ—Starts Jolly Farmer, Drury 12:30pm Club Night—Xmas Pot Luck Dinner & New Members 7:30pm Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Clubrooms—Open
January 2021
New Year’s Day Run—Starts Jolly Farmer, Drury 11:00am Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Blue Smoke & Pedals (Waikato Branch) No Bulletin via Website or email Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Mid Week Tourers Starts BP Service Centre, Southern Motorway, Drury 10:00am Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Club Run—Tauwhare Military Museum, start details to follow Burma Rally (Wanganui Branch) Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night & New Members 8:00pm
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.
November 2020
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Coming Events
Thursday 26 November 8:00 p.m. Guest Speaker from St John
Picnic Sunday 6 December
48 Carter Rd Oratia
Courtesy of Murray & Penny Firth Note: NO DOGS or SMOKING
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2020 Picnic & Restoration Awards
Come Along, Bring All the Family Sunday 6 December
Murray & Penny Firth’s Residence 48 Carter Rd Oratia
Dogs NOT Permitted! No Smoking Children a free ice-cream Everyone receives a free sausage ticket
What’s going to happen: 10:00am 11:00am 12:00noon 1:30pm
Gates open Restoration Awards Judging Sausage Sizzle SANTA arrives—Children 0-12 receive a present
Note: Take your own thermos
Ice-creams available NOTE: If EXTREMELY wet, the Picnic will be CANCELLED Cancellation will be on the e-tree and face-book
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Christmas Pot Luck Dinner
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November 2020
2020 Hunua 100 Rally Rally day dawned fine and went on to be a lovely summer’s day, however, the start to plotting the run was a little less straightforward. Early planning began in our minds at the beginning of March and as we all know Covid-19 arrived and the place was locked down. So after we went back to Level 2, we picked up the thread and managed to get a preliminary route plotted and traversed, but once again we had an interlude forced upon us when Auckland again went into the second lockdown and we were unable to cross the Bombay Hills to check the end of the morning and the afternoon sections. All hands to the pump during September/October and the Rally finally came together. The Rally started at Sir Barry Curtis Park, just a stone’s throw from Murphy’s Bush (which was an old haunt for the Gymnic in the ‘70s/’80s in the then countryside) and meandered via Ardmore airfield through Karaka and on towards Tuakau. From there a short but direct route to Pokeno where the lunch break was held. After lunch we went a little further south to Mercer and west towards Pukekawa before starting back through Onewhero, Tuakau (using the ford in Dromgools Road) and over the Pukekohe Hill. A slight change in direction around Gun Club Road, then back to the finish at Karaka War Memorial Hall for a cuppa. We would like to thank Lynda and her daughter Charlotte for their running of the Hall at Pokeno, including the scones etc. that were provided and Pat and John Campbell for undertaking the afternoon tea at the finish, along with some nice biscuits, slices and juice as well. A big thank you to our Marshals who were ahead of the time we asked them to be at their allotted checks, which is always a stress relief when we are charging around as lead car. Firstly, Paul Hesseling for running the manned check in Morgan Road Bombay, which was both on course and off course, depending on how the competitors used their keep left instruction and was sure to keep him busy. Secondly to Norm and Pat Dewhurst and Ian Hubbard who settled themselves into camp chairs and table to have a cuppa (with the adjacent herd of cattle wandering over to see what all the fuss was about) and await the competitors to arrive. Thirdly to Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine who were our lunch break marshals (with Russel being off course and Jocelyn on course), also checking the rally for us and huge assistance with the Rally results. Fourthly to Rodger and Val Ball who checked the rally, started all the participants, followed behind as “Tail end Charlie” picking up the silent checks and releasing the check marshals and assisted with the certificates. Finally, we would like to thank the Rally participants for entering the Rally. Congratulations to all the place getters and to Gavin Welch and Sophie Zhao being the overall winner. Glenn & Marion Morris
November 2020
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2020 Hunua 100 Rally
Winners Congratulations to those who were presented awards at the 2020 Hunua 100 Rally Prize Giving at the Remuera Club on Sunday 25 October
Veteran 1st
Ron Richards
1915 Ford Model T
Fast Vintage 1st Wayne & Carrie Roberts 2nd Wayne & Karren Welch
1924 Velie Tourer 1931 Model A
Slow Vintage 1st Michael & Elizabeth Hilliar 2nd Owen & Jane Hayward 3rd John & Evan Poole
1928 Model A 1922 Paige 1927 Pontiac
Post Vintage 1st Gavin Welch & Sophie Zhao 2nd Alan Sharpe & Ken Hadne 3rd David Adams & Martin Spicer
1934 Ford Y 1935 Chrysler Airflow 1932 Sunbeam 20
Post War 1st 2nd 3rd
1949 Ford Anglia 1958 Humber 80 1954 Morris Minor
John & Janice Gardner Ken & Annette Foot Paul & Carol Fussey
P 60V/P80V 1st Alan & Shaaran Price 2nd Paul Collins & Kevin Lord 3rd Stephen & Tracey Winterbottom
1965 Vauxhall VX490 1963 Humber 90 1962 Vanguard
Ladies 1st
Dianne Poole & Virginia
Motorcycle 1st Peter Alderdice
1967 Vauxhall Victor 1954 Ariel Square 4
Overall Winner—Gavin Welch & Sophie Zhao
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November 2020
2020 Hunua 100 Rally The 2020 Hunua 100 Rally Dinner & Prizegiving was held at the Remuera Club on Sunday 25 October. Below—Glenn & Marion Morris with Overall winners Gavin Welch & Sophie Zhao
Right—Glenn & Marion Morris, John & Janice Gardner 1st PWV
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2020 Hunua 100 Rally Below—Glenn & Marion Morris, Alan & Shaaran Price—1st P60V/P80V
Below—Glenn & Marion Morris, Michael & Elizabeth Hilliar—1st Slow Vintage
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November 2020
2020 Hunua 100 Rally Below—Martin Spicer (Chairman of the Auckland Branch), presenting Glenn & Marion Morris with the Plotters Pot.
Restoration Awards at Picnic For anyone contemplating entering for a Restoration Award at our Picnic, your Committee would like to encourage you to do so. Most importantly, award judging is not a competition against other entrants. Your entry is judged on its own merits. Each entrant will need to complete an Entry Form on the day and be available to discuss any points raised during judging at 11:00am. Paint, Brightwork, Instruments and Cleanliness are each scored out of 5. Upholstery & Interior, Panel-work and Mechanical are each scored out of 10, for an aggregate out of 50. These figures would be used un-altered for a restored vehicle, but if as original then 10% is added, however if non-authentic, the above scores are reduced by 10% Breakpoints: - Gold 45 and above, Silver 40 to 44, Bronze 39 or less. Don Green
November 2020
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Obituary—Bruce Madgwick Bruce Madgwick passed away recently after a very short battle with cancer. Bruce and Wilma had joined the Auckland Vintage Car Club in January 1969. At the time, Bruce was restoring a 1928 Austin Seven which they motored for many years. Bruce and Wilma’s first major run in the car was to Nelson in 1972. Keen to do another restoration he located the mechanical remains of a 1913 FN, short for Fabrique Nationale and manufactured in Belgium. Wanting to see a restored FN he called on Les McIntyre in Rotorua, someone he knew through work who had a very complete car. Les said to Bruce he could purchase his car and save a lot work. After buying the car, Bruce went right through the car as it had never been fully restored. With that car Bruce and Wilma would go all over New Zealand, including a trip to Australia for the Bi-Centennial Rally. The FN was always driven to an event and we never saw the car on a transporter. Bruce had been a supervisor with International Harvester for many years, so he had to restore a truck. Early trucks were in his blood but always hard to find. He found a 1918 FWD that had earlier come off the wharf at Napier. The vehicle had been made in the States for the US Armed Forces and came to New Zealand after the war. The company at the time was largest producer of fourwheel drive trucks in the world. Typical of Bruce, he did a full restoration on the vehicle. For many years we saw two First World War solid tyred vehicles on our Veteran runs and at the Gymnic in December. The vehicle was sold later to Ron Kerry in Canada, who went on to become a great friend. The vehicle was eventually sold, funding some more overseas travel. He later carried out a major restoration on a 1908 twin cylinder DeDion Bouton, another car that had been found earlier in Hawke’s Bay. Bruce and Wilma saw all four continents in their travels. Their last big run in an old car was to the Pan Pacific Rally in Invercargill. Restoration, family, history and travel were clearly things he enjoyed. Bruce was always interested in history and only too pleased to pass on his knowledge. He often helped others to fix a problem on a car. When he learnt he had terminal cancer and only a few weeks to live, he made sure all his books and research finished up at the Clubrooms. Bruce is survived by his wife Wilma, five children, partners, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barry Birchall
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November 2020
Obituary—Jim Francis Jim Francis passed away in his 99th year. Jim was hoping to get the letter from the Queen, but his heart let him down. He would proudly tell you his mum brought him home in the side-chair attached to a 1912 Royal Ruby motor bike. He bought his first car a 1912 Overland, when he was still at school. He then went on to purchase a 1911 Martini and a 1912 Wolseley which were his transport to get to work. He had purchased in 1937 a 1926 Raleigh motor bike which he still owned. In 1946 he purchased a 1910 Delage which had been converted into a van and used in his business at the time to shift furniture, sometimes with a trailer behind. He bought the vehicle at the time as it had good tyres which after the war were hard to source. Jim was the only founder member of the Auckland Branch still active in the Branch. Jim and Nancy Francis attended the first Club Run to Redwood Park in 1955 in the partly refurbished Delage. Nancy was Secretary for a while and produced the Branch newsletter. Only recently, Jim returned to the Clubrooms the Gestetner used to print the first newsletters. He had stored the equipment for sixty years but knew it was Branch property and it had to come back. When Nancy passed away, he met Dorothy and that put the twinkle back in his eyes for a few years until she passed away. He owned many more old cars over the years, several classic launches, a collection of motorcycles and stationery engines. The 1912 Zedel and some of the motorcycles went to son David in Australia who passed away a few years ago. He was a great collector, dealer and always enjoyed a good party. Our thoughts are with Irene, his only daughter. Barry Birchall
November 2020
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Vero International Festival of Motoring
Most of you will know that the Vero Festival of Historic Motoring will now be held in 2022. The dates are January 16 to January 21 The organising Committee will be sending out a request for your expression of interest later this year. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RESPOND to this if you are considering going. Events like this have significant budgets to manage and some of you will recall the last International Rally suffered significant losses. Whatever your view on that result, learnings have been taken and you will have read in the latest Beaded Wheels that the Management Committee will NOT accept the event running at a loss. To that effect they are looking for some surety that entrant numbers will be sufficient to make the event viable. It will not be a firm commitment and I do urge you to respond. If there is insufficient interest, there is a possibility the event won’t go ahead.
This is an event not to miss, a shorter period than previous International Rallies, in an area with some great motoring and the time of year hopefully means plenty of sunshine. So, get your mates together, decide what vehicle you’re taking and plan to be there.
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November 2020
Thank you
Bruce Madgwick Passed away 7 October 2020 Please accept the thanks of Wilma and family for the lovely tributes of funeral attendance, flowers, cards, visits and phone calls in Bruce’s passing. All very much appreciated. Bruce loved his friends as well as his family and will be missed by all.
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@outlook.com www.alpinepanelbeaters.co.nz Or call in and see us at 8/2 Lansford Crescent, Avondale
November 2020
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For Sale The following items which I’d like to go to good homes, offers please Veteran 0-10v voltmeter, working order King Dick spanners (2 available). Contact Martyn Seay via email - martyn.seay@gmail.com
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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
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November 2020
Your Committee Chairman/Motorcycle Rep/Delegate Martin Spicer (Lynda) Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com
Vice Chairman/Clubrooms Booking/Name Badges Don Green (Brenda) Email: greend@slingshot.co.nz Secretary/Privacy Officer: Tracey Winterbottom (Stephen)
Ph: (09) 232 0246 or 021 732 209
Email: ian@fhp.co.nz
Club Captain: Lynda Spicer (Martin)
Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com
Robin Elliott
Ph: 266 8836 or 021 073 2642
Email: vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz
Treasurer: Ian Hubbard (Lesley)
Committee Members: Warwick Darrow (Trisha)
Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 0221 025 954
Building Maintenance Email: waktrish@gmail.com Entertainment Officer/Spares Email: robaleen@actrix.co.nz
Ph: 0274 426 748 Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 021 189 3120 Ph: 520 2882 or 021 203 4562 Ph: 0274 922 188
John Morrison Alan Price (Shaaran) Shaaran Price (Alan)
John Stokes
Email: morrison03@gmail.com Ph: 521 6307 or 022 655 1479 Building Maintenance Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 Social Convenor/New Membership Liaison Officer Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 Veteran Rep/Spares/Trophy Steward Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz Ph: (09) 236 4582 or 0272 772 108
Non-Committee Positions: Librarian Bulletin Editor Chris Wood (Diana) Val Ball (Rodger) Ph: 524 9478 Ph: 298 6476 Email: rvball@xtra.co.nz Beaded Wheels Reporters 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
Branch Honorary Life Members:
auckland@vcc.org.nz libraryavvcc@gmail.com www.avvcc.org.nz
Barry Robert Norm Dewhurst QSM Alan Roberts
November 2020
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November 2020