THE VOICE OF THE VINTAGE CAR FEBRUARY 2020
New Years Day Picnic at Tuapiro Point
BAY OF PLENTY VINTAGE CAR CLUB (INC) Email: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
WEB SITE: www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com
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COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
KEN FREW (DIANE)
07 5764263
PAST CHAIRMAN
JIM SMYLIE (KAAREN)
07 5764180
VICE CHAIRMAN
KERRY WILLIAMSON (MARY)
07 5734207
SECRETARY
MICHAEL THORMAN (JANE)
07 5444291
TREASURER
KEITH PERKINS (JANE)
07 5781231
COMMITTEE
BRIAN PRATT (CINDY)
COMMITTEE
LINDA DOWNEY (DOUG)
COMMITTEE
DOUG BROWN (LINDA)
021 668117
COMMITTEE
JOHN PAYNE
07 5706084
COMMITTEE
JAMES TURNER (AMY)
021345053
07 5447952 021 02777931
COMMITTEE
KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM) 021664341 or 07 5764180
HALL HIRE
KAAREN SMYLIE (JIM)
021 664341
LIBRARIAN
YVONNE BECK (PAUL)
07 5748482
PARTS SHED
JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN)
07 5766346
PROPERTY MANAGER
JACK ANDERSON (MERILYN)
07 5766346
NAME BADGES
DAVID JOBLIN (NOLA)
07 5441690
NEW MEMBERS
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN)
07 5761124
SWAPMEET
KEN FREW
07 5764263
VIC CERTIFICATION
ALASTAIR JONES (GWEN)
07 5761124
OTHER ELECTED OFFICERS
VIC CERTIFICATION
IVAN ALLEN (YVONNE)
APPAREL
LINDA DOWNEY (DOUG)
02 102777931
07 5432629
KITCHEN
YVONNE ALLEN (IVAN)
07 5432629
WELFARE
LINDA DOWNEY (DOUG)
02 102777931
HONORARY SOLICITOR PETER BUTLER (MARION)
07 5756892
WEBSITE
PAUL BECK (YVONNE)
07 5748482
KLAXON EDITOR
PAUL BECK (YVONNE)
07 5748482
DEIDRE RENNIE (TONY)
07 5767073
SAFETY OFFICER
BRIAN PRATT
07 5447952
KLAXON EMAIL:
klaxoninfo@gmail.com Fax 07 5746482
CLUB WEBSITE: www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com SECRETARY EMAIL: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz For anytime Club enquires: Kaaren Smylie (Committee) 07 576 4180 or 021-66-43-41 FACEBOOK bay of plenty vintage car club (Public page)
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Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club
The Club Rooms are located at 29 Cliff Road Tauranga. P O Box 660, Tauranga, 3144. Key contacts are— Chairman– Ken Frew 07 5764263 Email: kenanddiane@xtra.co.nz Secretary– Michael Thorman 07 5444291 Email: bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz Monthly events— Club night (except January) 2nd Monday Start time 7.30pm Mid week run. Wednesday following the club night End of the month run. Held on the last Sunday of the month. Committee Meeting. Last Monday of the month Noggin ‘n’ Natter 4th Tuesday at 6pm Location Sequence of Noggin ‘n’ Natter 1, Tauranga- Tauranga Citz Club, Cameron Road. Organiser Jim Smylie 2. Te Puke– The Annan restaurant. 4 Palmer Place, Contact is Paul McIndoe 5733328 3. Tauranga - Tauranga Citz Club, Cameron Road. Organiser Jim Smylie 4. KatikatiForta Leza Café, SH 2, Katikati. Contact Owen Smith, phone 07 570 2000 If your birthday falls in this month please remember it is your turn to provide a plate for supper. Our thanks go to last months birthday people for the food provided. PLEASE remember to wear your name badges to all events. They can be ordered from David Joblin phone 544 1690. BADGES ARE FREE TO NEW MEMBERS. LIBRARY HOURS— The library will be open on club nights from 7pm. Also on most Monday mornings until midday Yvonne & Paul work in the library and members are welcome to call in to search for or return books. If making a special trip please phone beforehand to ensure they will be there, phone at home on (07 574 8482 or 027 6098510)
HELP US HIRE OUT THE CLUBROOMS! CONTACT KAAREN SMYLIE 07 5764180
OR
021 664341
Hall Cleaning Roster Volunteers We all use the hall. If you have forgotten to add your name just email the Klaxon or contact Kaaren or Jack and they will do it for you.
No names are on the list for February onwards Volunteers are urgently required Please enter your name on the notice board list if you are able to help. All that is required is a once a month clean taking about 2 hours.
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BOPVCC LOCAL EVENTS FEBRUARY Mon 10th Feb
Club night: Guest speaker Adam Belcher, subject ‘Living with Tourette Syndrome’. This meeting is to be filmed by a TV crew for an upcoming TV Documentary. Come and be a TV star!!
Wed 12th Feb
Mid week run: Organiser Bryce Strong “The Living Museum” located at 109c Centennial Avenue, Te Aroha. Te Aroha is approximately one hour away, so I suggest that we make our way there individually (so that we don’t form a convoy and annoy other road users!) arriving at 9:30 am, when we will have a cuppa before touring the Museum in two groups. Bring your thermos etc for this. The Living Museum is a 1910 Villa set in the beautiful town of Te Aroha, (The Mountain of Love) and is steeped in history. The Villa is set in a 2 acre property, with an orchard, and a shed which houses several American cars – 1929 Graham Page, 1956 Chevy pickup, 1965 Chevy Impala and a 1973 Chrysler, and a 1928 Angela company showman's wagon from the UK. The owners, Bill and Angela Thompson call themselves the "Living Museum" because much of the collection is inside their home. The Villa proudly showcases a vast collection of items on The British Royal family (over 8000 exhibits). There is also a large collection of Te Aroha memorabilia, and personal collections on view of Bison heads, (UK) beer steins and other interesting items. Stories on different items are relayed as one wanders through the rooms of the Villa and the complete tour will take approximately 2 hours. Entry is by donation, of which ALL is donated to deserving causes in the area. At the present donations are assisting a local woman who has to fund $100,000.00 per year for medication. Because of this I would like the BOP VCC Members attending, please donate a gold coin (minimum) per person. After the visit to the Museum we will have lunch at the Te Aroha RSA, located at 67 Rewi Street, Te Aroha. I do have to confirm numbers attending, and will ask for a show of hands at the Clubs Monthly meeting on the 10/2/2020.
Sun 23rd Feb
End of month Run: Ladies Navigator Rally Organiser: Kaaren Smylie. Assemble at the Clubrooms for a 3.30pm departure time. The Run will be approximately 1.5 hours, starting and ending at the Clubrooms. A BBQ early dinner will be provided at 6 pm for the Navigators and their Drivers. Many Spot Prizes will be awarded to participants!!!! Entry Fee (OPTIONAL) Gold coin or Note Donation to the Diabetes Society - Tauranga RSVP - 20 February - to Kaaren 021 66 43 41 or Email kaaren@smylie.co.nz (for catering purposes)
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Mon 24th Feb Tue 25th Feb
Committee Meeting night.
Noggin and natter night: To be held at the Forta Leza Café. Main highway, Katikati
Wed 26th Feb Close off for Klaxon articles
Local events of interest coming up Thu 19th Mar
Waipuna Hospice day run. 15 cars required to take their patients out for a short excursion. Details to follow next month.
Sat 11th Apr
Tauranga Jazz Festival Parade. Note: This will replace our 15th April Mid week run.
FRIDAY–
HIGHLAND FLING EVENT
SUNDAY
This is being organised by Alastair Jones and is a national invitation to all Veteran and Vintage cars only.
24– 26TH APRIL
SEE THE ADVERT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
NEW MEMBERS We would all like to extend a welcome to our new members. Neville and Jenny Falconer: Neville and Jenny own a 1974 Triumph Stag Rocco Fanfulla:
Rocco owns a 1970 Triumph Spitfire.
Donald Shatford:
Donald owns a 1974 Ford Capri and a 1937 Chevrolet truck
Please make contact with David Joblin to order Club Badges. Contact David 07 544 1690 Club badges are necessary for entry to some events and are issued free to new members
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Other club events of interest
7th Feb.
Eastern BOP VCC Annual Rally
9th Feb.
A Car Day for Locals. Esdaile Road. Tauranga.
12-15th Feb
Gisborne VCC 3 Rivers Rally
19-23rd Feb.
Hawke’s Bay VCC Art Deco Weekend
15th Mar.
Gore Swap Meet
28th Mar.
VCC Executive Meeting. Wellington.
10-12th Apr. 10-13th Apr. 24-27 Apr.
Tauranga Jazz Festival National NI Easter Rally. Horowhenua VCC. Highland Fling - Central North Island.
Klaxon is available in hard copy
Payment of $30 for the hard copy version is required and must be made to Keith Perkins (treasurer).
An appeal for volunteers to clean our hall There are no names on the list at present for this year. It doesn't take much effort to do and only involves about a couple of hours for 2 people. Please enter your name on the list on the notice board or contact Paul or Kaaren and we can do it for you if you have forgotten.
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Chairman’s Report February 2020 By Ken Frew
2020 started off with a great start, a large crowd at our New Years Picnic and a good turn out to our January meeting get together, thanks to Paul for supplying the humorous videos, always good for a laugh. I would like to thank Alastair and Gwen for supplying the supper for the night it was really appreciated. The next couple of months look to be very busy with a good and interesting programme organised. Thanks to Kaaren & Alastair for all the hard work going into organising the Highland Fling Weekend in April, great to see it is fully subscribed to with no further entries being able to be taken.
As mentioned at the December meeting we have been able to negotiate an extension to our site lease for our club rooms with the Council. I now have a draft copy which will take us through to December 2026. The Committee are trying very hard to organise a varied programme for our monthly meetings and I would encourage you all to come and support Adam Belcher with his presentation on 10 February. It was with sadness that we had 2 of our members pass away during our summer break, Roger Newland and Derek Winterbottom, our condolences go out to both of their families. I would like to wish all our members and families a happy new year and look forward to a great 2020. Ken
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Your Klaxon Editor Paul Beck Contact Paul at klaxoninfo@gmail.com Hi Everyone, At our final meeting for the year Ken promised something different. A promise he lived up to. We started with a short video on Billy T James as a Car Salesman, which was then followed by a Billy impersonator. A nice little piece of entertainment. His act included presenting some special awards, (a chocolate Santa) of which I happened to be one of the recipients. I guess for a while I will be known as Grumpy. Thankyou for that Billy T. Over the holiday break I have been catching up on computer technology and it’s amazing what is now out there. I am not the brightest spark as far as that goes but it must be remembered that our generation was not taught to use a computer. In fact to put it all in perspective, a computer was almost unheard of and those that had one had a room filled full of cabinets, and a large one only had as much memory as what is available on many laptops today. And the speed was only a fraction of todays modern computer. In amongst some apps I found were Dictate to Text ( where the computer types out speech. This app has been around for a while). But there is another where text is read out to you by the computer (which is suitable for the blind). Then copy only written words written over a photo or a page in a book to digital format on a computer to use elsewhere. Copy any movie, copy old vinyl records or tapes, and on it goes. It is amazing really and I have heard it said that there is an app for everything. I have no doubt that there are still more apps to come that have not yet been explored. Also over the break, a couple of large book and car parts donations came in. The parts shed is bulging and the library is short on space as well. The committee is looking at our options in those areas so it will be interesting to see what if anything can be done. But Yvonne has been real busy sorting books to keep and what not to keep and what has any value for resale. Quite a task really but she is the right person for the job. Well done Yvonne, Jack and Colin. Klaxon hardcopy subscriptions are slow coming in so quite a few members will wonder what has happened and why their hardcopy has not arrived. However the majority of them will still receive a email version. I am trying as you may have noticed a new format for listing our events for the month to see how it goes. I quite like the idea myself but at times may find it necessary to edit some run information to keep it compact and readable. Last of all over the break we lost a couple of members, being Roger Newland and then Derek Winterbottom. Roger was Chairman for a term and Derek served on the Committee for a few years. Also they both were involved in other branches as well and were well known throughout the VCC. It is always sad to see members that have contributed to the running of our club depart and I send my condolences to both families.
A reminder that we need volunteers for cleaning the hall for 2020. No names are on the list at present starting from February. It is important as we also hire the hall out as well. It is not hard and usually only takes a couple of hours to do. A list is on the Notice board so please add your name. Enough for this month. Paul
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Presentation of Long Service Badges At our final meeting for the year North Island Club Captain, Kaaren Smylie, presented 4 long service badges.
Kay Nielsen: 35 years
Adele Lamb: 25 years
Knud and Kay Nielsen: 35 years
Marie Hart: 25 years
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Rest Home Run Before Christmas
Above: Knud Nielson 1923 Austin
Above: Keith Perkins Model A
Below: Ready for the start at Somervale Below: Paul Beck meets his old neighbour
Below: Metlife van leads the parade
Below: Awaiting instructions
Below: Michael & Jane Thormans TR3
Below: Joe & Jill Decorate their Model A
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Dear Editor, The heat and an idle moment got me thinking, and yes, I have been warned about that by She who knows best, that quite possibly, many of our Members who have the car of their desire in their motor-house have had a rush of blood to the head and gone out and bought a motorboat. Of course the problem will have then arisen that in Tauranga or Mt Maunganui, or even more likely in Papamoa they have discovered they have to park it out on the roadway because with “infill”, sections are very small. I can’t help but wonder if they have thought about what lights their vessel should accordingly show; possibly it could be classed as being at anchor, in which case a Port red and Starboard green with a white light at full erection amidships would be appropriate; then again maybe a vessel not under command requiring two red lights. It is entirely possible that being a dab hand at restoration he has bought a project to do up which would class it as a “wreck” and that would appropriately have two white lights showing. Interesting possibilities?
Yours naughty(ically), Alastair Jones
We would like to thank our regular sponsors
CLASSIC TYRES BIRCH AVENUE RADIATORS BOB HYSLOP PANEL BEATERS WALTON RAILTON SUMMIT TYRE SERVICES
AMS PLUMBING AND GAS
THE BOP VCC SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING OUR CLUB
TO ALL OUR MEMBERS PLEASE SUPPORT THESE COMPANIES WHERE YOU CAN
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For further information on the Highland Fling See the next page
2021 VERO International Festival of Historic Motoring
17-22 January 2021
Mark your diary now. Planning for our next international rally in Taranaki is well underway.
Come join the fun more information go to http://www.historicmotoring.co.nz/register-your-interest/
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Highland Fling news: We have reached the maximum number of entrants we can take for the Highland Fling Rally,
100 drivers (plus) have registered!!!!
Unbelievable, never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we would have got the response we did. Thank you all for your entry form and prompt payment.
Please contact me ASAP on 021 66 43 41 or email nicc@vcc.org.nz If you know a member who has still got their entry form but not sent it off yet, PLEASE ASK THEM TO CALL MYSELF OR ALASTAIR! —————————————You can check if your name is on the list and latest newsletter by going to our bay of plenty vintage car club website and go to Useful links. - HIGHLAND Fling.
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THE 39th AUCKLAND MOTORCYCLE RALLY 2019 By Kelvin Nottle The rally started on Friday evening with a pie, mash, veggie dinner that was provided by club Captain Lynda Spicer. There was 25 rallyist in attendance, who also picked up their rally packs. The evening went very well. The week leading up the Auckland rally was plagued with cold wet and windy weather, but luckily on Saturday morning the weather was fine and not as cold as the days before. Whangarei members Simon and Sylvia Clearwater (Last year’s winners) had travelled down on Friday and parked their bus in our farm paddock. We set of at 8am, me on the BSA, and Simon and Sylvia on their Matchless. We arrived at the start in Drury at 8.15am. By the time Graeme Crawley gave the briefing all but 1 of the 54 rallyist had arrived and were ready to go. Graeme told every one to remember that the straight-ahead rule applies, and so do the road rules. For the straight-ahead I think only 2or3 got it right and these people found the silent check BSA. It was very pleasing to see we had 37 Auckland members taking part, and 7 from the Waikato, 4 from Northland, and 1 each from Rotorua and Tauranga. As usual I sent the riders on their way with a joke. We travelled on some really great biking roads and with very little traffic. We rode around lake Waikare and for those who hadn’t done this before they were amazed at the size. We had a few spits of rain but that’s all. The plotters had put in a challenging route for those that like some metal roads, and about 30 took advantage of this. We stopped for morning tea at the Kaihere School, the PTA did this as a fund raiser. The ladies were very friendly and their savoury and jam and cream scones were very tasty. From the school we carried onto more very good motorcycling roads. We also did a 30 k detour to the DOC centre at Kauaeranga again on a great road before making our way to the north end of Thames to stop for lunch at the Boiler House Brewery. Our club captain Lynda Spicer runs this place. All the motorcycles were parked in the car park on display to the public. Some old faces from the past turned up to see us, Paul Whitehead George Haffenden Trevor Birchall. After the excellent lunch (thank you Lynda) the riders walked up the road to the famous pump house museum and had a very interesting guided tour. The rally was now over so the riders made their way back to Auckland either by SH2 and the Auckland motorway or along the coast road via Miranda, Kaiaua, Kawakawa Bay, Cleveland and Botany. Lynda and I went back to our farm in Pokeno.
After a rest we left with Simon and Sylvia and arrived at the Auckland clubrooms at 6 pm. Lynda and others helped get the tables decorated and the cutlery laid out. The diners arrived and settled down with drinks and lots of chatting about their
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days riding. The day had gone really well, unfortunately this changed around 7pm when it was apparent that the caterers we had hired to do the evening meal were not coming. We phoned them and sent emails but got no response. We did eventually get a text from the owner at 10 pm saying they were coming to do the dinner the following night (Sunday), now these caterers have been supplying meals for our motorcycle rally dinners for 10 + years and they have always been held on the Saturday night of the rally, So we found it strange he said they were coming on Sunday? Any way we explained to every one that we didn’t have a meal for them and we would refund their meal money, luckily they were very understanding. So we went on with the prize giving, We thanked Lynda for doing the Friday night dinner and also the Saturday lunches, also Graeme Crawley, the rally secretary and Gavin Welch who co plotted the rally route together. Peter Alderdice was thanked for his sterling efforts in acquiring the large amounts of rally prizes from Castrol oil, CRC – ADOS, I also managed to get sponsorship from Drury Motorcycles, Botany Honda, Auckland Harley Davidson, Pukekohe Honda and British Motorcycle Parts, and Graeme got sponsorship from the BNZ and Fletcher Reinforcing. Below are the class placings
Graeme Crawley
PV 1st Graeme Crawley 1938 600 Ariel VB. 2nd Alice Leney 1938 500 Norton Model 18 3rd Keith Ballagh 1951 350 Velocette MAC . PWV 1st Martin Spicer 1960 650 BSA A10. 2nd Peter Alderdice 1954 1000 Ariel SQ4. 3rd Warwick Darrow 1956 350 Velocette MAC. P60 1st Ian Hubbard 1972 650 Triumph T120. 2
nd
Martin Spicer. Overall Winner
David Broadhead 1975 BMW R90/6.
3rd Kelvin Nottle 1972 350 Yamaha R5F Sidecar 1st Chris Clark 1951 650 BSA A10, 2nd Mike O’Kane 1952 650 BSA A10, 3rd Brian King 1938 500 BSA B22
1st American Bike Cameron Francis 1941 Indian
Grandson on Ian Hubbard bike
741B. 1st Velocette Warwick Darrow 1956 MAC. 1st Lady finisher Jillian Hayton 1975 Honda CB 175. 1st Pillion Trish Darrow.
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Chris Clark
Furthest ridden Alice Leney. Furthest travelled Dave Mayhew Rotorua. Oldest rider Brian King. Youngest rider Corbin Anderson (19)
Overall Winner was - Martin Spicer
Cameron Francis
The cars that tried to beat the BLUE TRAIN article supplied by Deidre Rennie This was a train run by a private rail company – Le Chemins de Fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée, generally referred to as PLM. The service was launched in the early 1920s and withdrawn just before WWII, for obvious reasons. One of the main purposes of the train was to transport wealthy British passengers, who didn’t want to tolerate the vagaries of a normal British winter, to the more temperate climes of the French Mediterranean coast. In order to make the journey as comfortable as possible for those well heeled clients, the train’s carriages included a number of luxury sleeper cars. These were painted dark blue, thus giving rise to the popular name “Le Train Blue/The Blue Train”. It commenced its southward journey from La Gare de Calais – Maritime at 1.00pm having collected its British passengers from the cross channel ferries. It then travelled to La Gare du Nord, Paris, then across the French capital to La Gare de Lyon where it collected additional passengers and carriages. It left Paris in the early evening making stops at Dijon, Chalon and Lyon before arriving at Marseille in the early morning. Now it started dropping off its British passengers at the famous Cote d’Azur the border between France and Italy. Via the press, this train journey captured the imagination of the British public, even of the vast majority who were not in a position to avail themselves of its services. Agatha Christie featured it in one of her Hercule Poirot novels “The Mystery of the Blue Train, published in 1928. Rover Light Six
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The Brits, always up for a challenge, came up with the idea of trying to race ‘The Blue Train’ in an attempt to arrive before it either at Calais or one of the Mediterranean resorts, depending upon the direction of travel. This was a daunting task, roads and their surfaces were not as developed as they are today. Fuel stations, as we know them now, hardly existed, so, special arrangements had to be made for refuelling: tyre technology was in its infancy, not up to the travails of running on poor surfaces, at relatively high speeds, without succumbing. This, over a distance of around 750 miles (1207 Kms). Initially it was ‘gentleman amateurs’ who pitted themselves and their cars against the train. However, it was a commercially inspired team that was the first to succeed in beating it. The Rover Company, led by their PR man, Dudley Noble, was the first manufacturer to exploit a race against The Blue Train as a publicity opportunity. So, what was involved in trying to beat ‘The Blue Train’? Noble was aware that there had been several unsuccessful attempts to beat it, his team and car had to be better prepared. In January 1930 he took the recently launched latest version of the Rover Light Six press demonstrator across the Channel to Calais. He had recruited, as working passengers, Harold Pemberton, the Daily Express newspaper motoring correspondent and Frank Bennett, a member of Rover’s car development staff. The latter to attend to any mechanical adjustments, maintenance or repairs that may have been necessary. Noble had obviously invited Pemberton along to ensure a front page story in the popular Daily Express newspaper. Even in those days paying for a front page advertisement would cost around £750.
The improved Rover, which this run was to promote, was a fairly inexpensive car compared to other cars that had and would, in future, race ‘the train’. The twodoor saloon with cycle type front mudguards cost £325, or £332 with the optional four-speed gearbox. Noble had done his “homework”, although advertising for the train majored on its luxury and 60 mph average running speed, in fact, the actual average, taking scheduled stops into account, hardly made 40mph over the 750 mile journey from Calais to St. Raphael on Le Cote D’Azur. As stated, this was because it took time to travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon. Then it stopped at Dijon to change locomotives and repeated this again at Marseilles. Having crossed the Channel the Rover Light-Six was parked at the level crossing at Le Gare de Calais – Maritime, engine running, ready to drive off the moment the ‘Blue Train’ started to pull away from the platform. The sporting Gods were not with our plucky team on this occasion, after 5½ hours driving, which had placed the Rover an hour ahead of the train, they hit a bank of fog so thick that they had to abandon the run. They then decided to do the run in the opposite direction, so drove down to St Raphael with the aim of leaving with the train from there on Sunday evening 26th January. This they did but again fate was not treating them kindly, after about 30 miles Bennett was at the wheel and misjudged a corner in pouring rain. The car went over the edge of the road and down a ravine. Harold Pemberton was temporarily knocked unconscious, but a passing truck towed the car back onto the RN7. It was found to be undamaged apart from some dents and a broken exhaust silencer. Undaunted, they continued on their journey, despite bad weather (what did they expect in January?) the Rover achieved its goal, arriving at Le Gare Calais – Maritime 20 minutes before the ‘Blue Train’ arrived. Totally amazing, what an incredible story of daring motoring. This naturally provided the required publicity in the British newspapers but especially via Harold Pemberton’s “first-hand experience” story in the Daily Express. Apparently there was a degree of subterfuge used in the telling of some of the stories, masking the fact that the success had been achieved by a “professional” team. The publicity caused others to contemplate racing the ‘Blue Train’. However, the RAC began to object, as it had to the pre-1914 attempts to see which combination
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of cars and drivers could get to Monte Carlo in the shortest time. The RAC who helped to establish the rules for motor car competitions in the U.K. did not look favourably on speed events using roads open to the public. Neither did the French authorities (see the Bentley story). Despite this non-approval, the activity of getting from A to B in the fastest time or beating another mode of transport, most logically railway trains, was not banned. I suppose it would be difficult to do so. The only control that could legally be put into effect was normal speed control measures which in those days would be conducted by police patrols. Researching this subject has raised some interesting issues regarding using cars on public roads to break records. I will leave you with this one thought – Road Rallies organised by local car clubs, in the 60s thru 90s (which I used to do myself), are not anywhere near as popular now, mainly because of the more stringent regulations that have to be adhered to. Apologies for that digression – back to 1930 and ‘The Blue Train’. As I say, the publicity given to the Rover success caused others to think about improving on the time differential achieved by that car. Alvis Silver Eagle
A private motorist, Mr. E.J.P. Eugster, at the end of a golfing holiday on the Cote d’Azur, decided that he would attempt to beat The Blue Train on his way home to England via Calais. He would do this in his recently acquired Alvis Silver Eagle with the ‘Sportsman’ saloon body constructed by the Coventry based coachbuilders, Cross and Ellis (Crosslis Coachwork). He and a friend set off in the evening of an early March 1930, day, at the same time as ‘The Blue Train’ was leaving Cannes railway station. They were lucky in as much as the night was dry and clear, they soon settled down to a steady 55-60 miles an hour along the fine straight road to Brignoles. Aixen-Provence was 76 miles away and was made on schedule, they arrived at Avignon ten minutes ahead of time. They estimated that they would arrive at Lyons at around 12.30am putting them one hour ahead of the train. Then they encounter rain and at the speeds they were doing the tail of the car started sliding causing the driver to raise his foot from the accelerator pedal. By 5.00 am they reached Avalons, more than half the journey completed. Dawn was emerging and visibility improved allowing them to travel a little faster, a steady 70 mph was seen on the speedo. Fontainebleau was reached by 7.00 am with only 300 miles left but bad roads were encountered on the outskirts of Paris causing them to make a detour. With the sun shining they were in high spirits. Petrol was acquired, not without difficulty which slowed them down somewhat and they were ready to race for the finishing destination, Le Gare de Calais – Maritime, via Gomes, Abberville, and Boulogne. They arrived at 12.15pm, three hours before the train! Bentley Speed Six Saloon
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Here is the most famous story of all, regarding a car beating ‘The Blue Train. It resulted in one of the most desirable cars of all time being designed and named after that success. In March 1930 the famous Bentley racing driver, Capt Woolf ‘Babe’ Barnato, heir to a vast fortune from the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa and by this time chairman of Bentley Motors, was holidaying in Cannes on the French Riviera. He was at a dinner party on board a yacht when the subject of racing the famous ‘Blue Train’ came up in conversation, as both a Rover and an Alvis had recently beaten the train from the French Riviera to Calais. Barnato was full of bravado, maybe fuelled by several glasses of ‘Grand Cru’ wine, he wasn’t impressed by the Rover and Alvis achievements believing that he could beat the train by a much bigger margin, driving his own Bentley Speed Six car. Some of the stories say that he accepted a bet from some of his companions in the hotel, that he could arrive at his club in London before the ‘Blue Train’ arrived in Calais. What a claim! But further research by me suggests that there was no bet at all, that this element, like many others, has been added just to spice the story. it matters not! Barnato had arrived in Cannes in his Bentley, a Mulliner bodied, Speed Six fourdoor saloon and it was this car that he was to use for the race against ‘The Blue Train’. Incidentally, the Mulliner body was built using the Weymann method of body construction developed by Charles Weymann of Carrossier Weymann, 20 Rue Troyon, Paris, France. The next day at 5:45pm, as the Blue Train left the Cannes railway station, Barnato and his companion, amateur golfer Dale Bourne, left the Carlton Bar and set off for Calais in their comfortable and speedy Bentley. It was still Winter and as in the Rover’s attempt, the weather was not kind. Heavy rain hampered their journey between Cannes and Lyon. To make matters worse at around 4.00 am, near Auxerre, they lost time trying to locate their pre-arranged refuelling point. Worse followed, dense fog and a puncture which necessitated the use of their only spare tyre. Even the normally ebullient Woolf Banarto must have begun to wonder if the challenge he had publicly announced had been too rashly made. Despite all this they arrived at Calais at 10.30 am. Again, there is some dispute as to whether the original challenge was to get to Calais well in front of the train and beating the Alvis Silver Eagle’s time (which he did by two hours fifteen minutes); and then having achieved that set himself another challenge, that of arriving at his London Club before the train arrived at Le Gare Callais – Maritime. Or, was that the challenge all along? my instincts tell me that it was. They caught a cross channel steamer (commissioned especially for the venture?), arrived in Dover and drove at high speed through Kent. Woolf Barnato parked his Bentley Speed Six saloon outside the Conservative Club in St. James’ Street at 3.20pm. Just four minutes later the Blue Train arrived at Le Gare de Calais – Maritime! Barnato had won his unofficial dare, although the French Motor Manufacturer’s Association fined Bentley Motors around £160 for racing on public roads and barred Bentley from the Paris Salon of 1930. Barnato claimed that he had raced as a private individual and not as the Chairman of Bentley … a claim that failed to convince the authorities. Two months later the bodybuilders, Gurney Nutting, launched a very attractive Coupe based upon a Bentley Speed Six chassis and running gear. Barnato immediately named it ‘The Blue Train’ in honour of the success he had achieved earlier in the year. The name stuck, to such an extent that whenever Barnato’s epic drive was mentioned, even by journalists who should have known better, it was the Coupe that was referred to as being the car in which Woolf Barnato and Dale Bourne had achieved that success. Even Terence Curneo got it wrong in his famous painting –
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The more I researched this Bentley story, in particular, the more I became aware of the myths that have been woven around both the origins of the journey, the car itself and even the attribution of the discovery of the true story. It is true that time layers all good stories with much dust but sometimes the truth is very easy to discover, it is just knowing where to look or being graced with good fortune. The role that Bruce McCaw of Washington State, USA, should be acknowledged as the person who has most recently put the “which Bentley car was it?” to bed. He and his wife Jolene, own both the original Bentley Speed Six Saloon that beat ‘The Blue Train’ and the first Gurney Nutting ‘Blue Train’ Coupe Special. There are many “cars against ‘The Blue Train'” stories on the internet, many of them very detailed and interesting but I haven’t come across one that didn’t contain some inaccuracy or other. I cannot claim that this story is one hundred per cent accurate because I have had to rely on the reports of others but I have tried to make sure that references to the cars and venues are correct. I acknowledge, in particular, articles, on the subject, that have appeared in the Motor Sport magazine over the years. I have really enjoyed researching and writing this story – all from receiving an email from Australia. Thanks Bill.
The ‘Gurney Nutting’ (using the Weymann coachbuilding system) Bentley Speed Six Coupe ‘Blue Train’ Special
A Bob Petersen Engineering replica of the Gurney Nutting ‘Blue Train’ Bentley photographed by me at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours.
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A book review by Paul Beck A book that has just come in grabbed my attention. To FINISH IS TO WIN By Harry Hickling. The book recounts the epic Beijing to Paris journey in 2007 by two Australians, Harry and Cathy Hickling, in their 1938 MG SA. The MG, named Christie, would seem more at home at the Pebble Beach Concours D 'Elegance than on the inhospitable desert tracks of the Altay Mountains. Yet Christie was reborn from a burnt-out wreck caused by a bushfire, into a rally car with the magnificent lines of the Swiss-bodied Keller MGS. Harry and Cathy had to withstand the grueling conditions of the Gobi Desert, driving for two days with a broken chassis and faced the prospect of trucking their car back to Ulaan Bataar with a blown head gasket, whilst in the remotest area of Mongolia. Together they forged on to drive 13,500 kilometers across the world's harshest terrain to arrive safely in Paris. Christie is the first pre-war MG to ever undertake such a journey, or drive to the top of the world crossing the Altay Mountains at over 2,500 meters in altitude. Along the route the Hickling’s saw mystical and ancient Buddhist Monasteries and the Ancient City of Karakorum. Faced with sand storms and river crossings, this story of endurance provides a remarkable insight not only into their journey but also the journey of those original intrepid motorists of 1907. I found the book fun to read. It somehow seemed to make me feel as if I was driving the car myself. It describes well the emotions of the driver when a strange noise may appear from somewhere in the middle of no where, or the effort that has to go into simply keeping the car going and making the next stop to enable a repair to be made. It is well written and illustrated. An enjoyable read and available in our library.
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“Lets hope we don’t come to this by Paul Beck” From time to time in a discussion it will be mentioned about motoring restrictions with a Vintage Car in Australia and in particular in Queensland. A magazine publication from over the Tasie had an article in it and even though I was aware of such restrictions, when seeing it actually in writing really drove the point home. It to me it seems unbelievable that a Govt. would place such restrictions on the motoring enthusiasts that must make the administration of such an act not worth the trouble of having, considering any gain it may achieve. Also the administration involved by each and every Club to make sure every event is documented as a Club event and that every member is able to prove membership of that club. All so that a person driving their vintage car is able if stopped to be able to prove they are on a club event. It also means they are only able to drive their pride and joy on club days. The person who thought this up should make a Hitchcock movie! What a nightmare. I have copied the act for your interest: Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme guide Conditions and restrictions A special interest vehicle must not be used for: General purposes - for example, to commute to and from the registered operator's place of employment, running down to the shops, and other forms of everyday vehicle use. For hire or reward - a fee cannot be charged for use of the vehicle, and the owner cannot receive any consideration or reward for supplying the vehicle. You and anyone driving your special interest vehicle must only use the vehicle for: participating in rallies or events, including impromptu events organised by an incorporated vehicle club or events sanctioned by the Australia Street Rod Federation. a rally is a social event where a parade of special interest vehicles travel together for competition or to meet at an agreed location. Rallies and events must be listed in the incorporated club newsletter or on the incorporated club's website or social media page (or in another manner approved by the club or Australia Street Rod Federation, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event. an impromptu event is an event that has been initiated by a club member, involves one or more vehicles, and must comply with the following elements: involves an invitation to wider club members to attend the event; and is either endorsed in advance of the event by the relevant club or Australia Street Rod Federation committee; or, where it exists, complies with published club guidelines as to what is a valid event; and is listed either in the newsletter, on the website, or social media page (or in another manner approved by the club or Australia Street Rod Federation, such as the club calendar of events) prior to the event. Note: Incorporated vehicle clubs should maintain a register of endorsed impromptu events. This register should contain information on the impromptu event. participating in processions for which a Special Events Permit has been issued under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management –Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015. exhibiting the vehicle in displays, fetes or similar functions conducted for
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You and anyone driving your special interest vehicle must only use the vehicle for: (continued from the previous page)
religious, charitable or educational purposes.
ceremonial purposes (such as weddings, formals, funerals) involving immediate and de facto family members, or as part of a sanctioned incorporated club event, provided this is not done for fee or reward. Immediate and de facto family means parents, grandparents, sons, daughters, grandchildren, adopted children and adopted grandchildren, but not extended family members such as aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. preparing for, proceeding to, and returning from any of the above activities, including events in other states and territories in which the club is directly involved with. direct travel to and from an approved inspection station to get a safety certificate or certificate of inspection before offering the vehicle for sale. travel in order to have the vehicle repaired is allowed. There is no distance restriction, however, such travel must be reasonable and justifiable by the vehicle operator. road testing within a 15km radius from the place where the vehicle is garaged or is being repaired. The purpose of the travel must be to road test the vehicle following repair or restoration, or for general vehicle maintenance and not for any other purpose. This does not include use as an everyday means of transport. A passenger may travel in your vehicle to assist with road testing—only if your vehicle can legally carry passengers. Buses are permitted to carry non-fare paying passengers for journeys (joy-rides) from an event (for example, a fete) and return provided the length of the journey does not exceed 5km. Payment of any kind cannot be received for these journeys. Heavy vehicles over 4.5t GVM are permitted to carry a load provided the loaded GVM or gross combination mass (GCM) does not exceed 50% of the maximum permitted mass for the vehicle configuration. This mass is based on the lesser of:
Individual axle ratings Tyre manufacturer's limits
Manufacturer's GVM or GCM Regulation mass limits. If your special interest vehicle does not have permanent lighting, you must carry a removable lighting system with the vehicle at all times and use that system whenever lighting would normally be required. Carbide lights are acceptable where that type of light was originally fitted. I have provided the link to the act for those interested to read the whole thing.
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/fees/concession/special-interest/restrictions I hope anyone that reads this appreciates the freedom we have in NZ to motor our vehicles on public roads at any time and that we enjoy a reduced licence fee for any vehicle over 40 years old. We don’t have to prove we are on a club event and anyone holding a drivers licence may drive the car without being a club member. Ohhh. It’s also a nice feeling to know we have one over the Aussies. Paul Footnote: I since have had a reply from the Editor of that magazine that it is now better than what they had. REALLY!!!!. I will leave the reader to draw their own conclusions on that. (Paul)
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PARTS SHED Contact: Jack 07 5766346
or Colin 027 2629161 Clean out your sheds and bring those surplus parts down. They may be just what someone else needs
Parts shed open most Monday mornings
BOP VCC LIBRARY Contact: Yvonne 07 5748482 We are accepting good clean car service manuals or books that relate to automobile history or travel for our club library Library is open most Monday mornings .
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SUMMIT TYRE SERVICES LTD
Come to 200 Waihi Road next to the BP Summit Talk to TONCI BARCOT about tyres. We provide a fast friendly service at a very competitive price. We supply and provide Tyres, new & old, Wheel Balancing, Wheel Alignment, WOF Repairs & Batteries Ph. 07 578 2381, Fax 07 578 2381 Mobile 027 2899484
Your connected accountants At Walton Railton we understand you have goals and we are passionate about using our knowledge to help you reach them 415 Cameron Road (Cnr Eighth Ave & Cameron Rd).
Tauranga
07 5786161 | www.wrca.co.nz
Certifying Plumber & Gas Fitter covering the Western Bay of Plenty 25
For Sale or Wanted
Austin 7hp Parts - extensive stock of new spares for all Austin 7s 1923-39 Catalogue available. Also many parts for other pre-1940 Austins - Big 7, 8hp, 10hp, 12/6, etc. Peter Woodend. 07 571 5525 or 027 605 4040
Note: new email address: classictyresnz@gmail.com For Sale: 1930 Ford AA Truck. I also have a 6m container of A parts which need to go. Contact Graeme Taunton. 0273653084 For Sale: 1964 MG 1100 sedan. Reg and WOF. Used daily in good condition with good upholstery and paint. No rust. $4500 ONO. Ph David 0220 193633 For Sale: 1972 Rover 3500 V8 P6B. $6000. Further details contact Murray Burt. 07 5495607 For Sale: 1971 MG MIDGET, MK 3, 1275 cc. Previous owner had this vehicle for over 30 years, during which time the engine was rebuilt. After a period off the road it was recommissioned with considerable work done. Now has registration and W.O.F. A fun thing to drive and performs surprisingly well. A five-speed gearbox adapted to fit this engine is available. Phone 07 8633554 or email ianverrall@outlook.com FOR SALE 1951Alvis Ta21. Manual, Current mileage 80000. Black/ grey 4 owners Regularly maintained. On road, been out and about. Good reliable motoring in style. Reluctant sale and will sell at $20,500. Enquiries to Bev Long 0272753664 Tauranga
For Sale: CHEV 1939 Master 85 (Straight Axle). Maroon with beige leather upholstery. Blue Flame motor, 12 volt electrics, high ratio diff, fully rebuilt over many years. Large file of receipts and photographs of work done. Workshop Manual, Handbook and Parts List. New exterior sun visor included. Phone Ian 07 8633554 or email ianverrall@outlook.com For Sale: 1963 Humber Super Snipe. Series IV Reg and Wof and a beautiful car. Further enquiries from Paul 027 609 8510 or klaxoninfo@gmail.com For Sale: Set of 5 V6 Commodore hubs, stubs, rotors and calipers PLUS 6 wheel and tyre assemblies with 4 good tyres. $400 the lot. All are suitable for a trailer. Contact Graham Holloway. 027 5440406 or email graham.tholloway@outlook.com Wanted: 1927– 29 4 cylinder Dodge Chrysler distributer. Contact Graham Holloway 0275 440406 or email graham.tholloway@outlook.com For Sale: A collection of Bentley and Rolls Royce books. Contact Ann McCaw at 07 543 3535 or email aimccaw@xtra.co.nz For Sale: Triumph 2500TC (Red, 1977, Manual) in good working order. Currently unregistered and unwarranted because it is part of Ken Miller’s estate and has been off the road for 14 months. Ideally the sale would be as is, but all offers considered. Owners are out of Tauranga so viewings will need to be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Contact: Neville Miller on 0204 520 620
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CLASSIC TYRES For beaded-edge, high-pressure/straight-sided, well-based cross-ply, radial, wide whitewall, imperial, metric, car, truck, motorcycle, also whitewall trims, steel & wire wheels. Warehouse: 4/64 TUKORAKO DRIVE, MOUNT MAUNGANUI
PETER WOODEND Web: classic-tyres.co.nz Email: classictyresnz@gmail.com Postal: P O Box 2245 TAURANGA 3140 07 571 5525 Mobile/warehouse: 027 605 4040
Steve and Jan Jones VINTAGE, CLASSIC OR MODERN CARS, MOTOR CYCLES INDUSTRIAL SERVICE, SALES, REPAIRS Fuel Tanks Marine
Heater cores Oil Coolers
FOR ANYTHING THAT NEEDS COOLING Call in for an obligation free quote 86B BIRCH AVENUE TAURANGA Ph: 07 5779883 Email: birchaveradiators@gmail.com
PANEL BEATERS Bob Hyslop Proprietor ——————————————● QUALITY WORKMANSHIP ● ALL REPAIRS ● COMPETITIVE PRICES
74 Courtney Road Tauranga Phone 07 578 2654 27
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PLEASE RUSH TO
IF UNDELIVERED: RETURN TO. PO BOX 660. TAURANGA 3144
FIX LABEL
KLAXON
BAY OF PLENTY VINTAGE CAR CLUB
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