THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
May 2020
The May & June Branch meetings
have been CANCELLED
MEETINGS: SECOND TUESDAY of the month – Covid-19 permitting! at the Clubrooms, Waimea Street, Gore Branch telephone number: 03 208 7424
2019-2020 Committee and Officers Branch Patrons Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Club Captain Assistant Club Captains
Neil McVicar, Ray Tressler Greg Elder Paul Herron Bill Ainge Tim Walsh John Parish Rod Bell Charlie Davis Greg Elder Ray Taylor Branch Recorder (Wiper Editor) David North Assistant Branch Recorder Position not filled at present House Convenor Des Brewster Assistant House Convenor Paul Corcoran Social Committee Beb Kennedy, David McDowell, Russell Newland Beaded Wheels Reporter Jim McFadzien Festival Rally Organiser Denis Knight Assistant Rally Organiser Vacant Bar Manager Chris Scoles Assistant Bar Manager Murray Proctor Maintenance Supervisor Keith Nunn Maintenance Assistants Bill Ainge, Barry Clearwater, Keith Dodds, Russell Newland, Ken Youngson Swapmeet & Parts Gerry Kennedy Swapmeet & Parts Assistants Barry Clearwater, Paul Corcoran, Evan Henderson, Bryan Neilson Hill Climb Evan Henderson Hill Climb Assistant Stewart Quertier Sheriff Denis Knight Librarian Stewart Quertier Raffles Starr McDougall National Delegate David North Privacy Officer Bill Ainge Health & Safety Officer Murray Low Museum & HPV David McDowell Tuesday Ramble Co-ordinator Gerry Kennedy Branch Daffodil Day Co-ordinator John Tremaine Vehicle Identity Card signatories Evan Henderson, John Parish, John Tremaine Front cover picture: Spotted on the internet by Donna North
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(03) 202 5710 (03) 208 6121 (03) 208 9877 (03) 208 3531 (03) 208 5505 027 229 2191 027 451 5234 (03) 202 5710 027 696 2965 021 172 3281 (03) 208 1960 (03) 208 6862
(03) 208 0121 (03) 208 5404 (03) 208 0052 (03) 208 4768 (03) 208 5403
027 233 4634
(03) 208 6479 (03) 208 7932 (03) 208 5404 (03) 208 7932 (03) 208 5450 021 172 3281 (03) 208 9877 (03) 208 4007 (03) 208 6791 027 233 4634 (03) 208 9670
Sent in by Karen Cook
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Chairman's Report May 2020 Well what can I say in these uncertain times with the pandemic and need for the lockdown? As I write this Report it has just been announced that Level 4 will continue for another week and then to Level 3. Because of this we have decided to cancel both the May and June meetings. Hopefully we will be able to hold the AGM at a later date, once things are more “normal�. How about sending David (our Editor) a photo and a caption of your bubble activities and a story. Maybe it’s restoring a vehicle that you have had stored away in the garage and you now have all that spare time to work on it! I have decided to spend time on finishing the restoration of my 1936 Chev sedan that I started on about 25 years ago. Busy trying to find parts that I had stored away. I have the engine running and brakes all sorted. It was reported in the last Beaded Wheels that our Branch-run National Veteran Rally in October this year has been cancelled. This is not correct, we are holding off making a decision until June. Trust you are all well and have not burst your bubble!!
Morning sky at Riversdale, 12th April 2020
Happy Motoring, Greg Elder 4
It seems very little has changed in over 350 years! The Editor 5
Club Captain’s Report May 2020 Under Level 4 lockdown life on the farm has been pretty much unchanged except that it is a challenge to get lambs away to the works. The only outings for us have been trips to the supermarket or the vet. I hope everyone has stayed safe and well. The preliminary indications are that if we move to Level 3 things will not be much different. Gatherings of more than 10 people will still be banned and we will be encouraged to stay within our bubbles. This being the assumption I am working on means the Night Trial scheduled for the th 9 of May is cancelled. I can’t see us being out of Level 3 lockdown by then. At this stage we will leave the End of Season Run scheduled for 6th of June in place and make a call on it in the June Wiper. John Parish
Sent in by Murray Proctor 6
From the Editor’s keyboard Welcome to the first “Lockdown” edition! It is a little late in arriving as I learnt that the printers were going to re-open when the country moved to Alert Level 3. This means that everybody, including the 38 members for whom I do not have email addresses, should be receiving their copy as usual. Thanks are due to Raewyn and Keith Dodds for their Report on the Festival Rally and Evan Henderson for the Swapmeet photos. Also to Matt Cook and Mervyn Frew for answering my plea for material. Without their contributions you would have had very little to read this month. I have received two more stories and the promise of another one which will at least give me something for the next issue or two but I desperately need more! I hope you are all keeping safe in your “bubbles” and are busy writing articles and stories to send me Happy reading! David North
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Festival Rally Report – Short Run After a week of great temps we woke to a forecast top temp of 14º on the 22nd February! My phone did say a 35% chance of rain which was ever so hopeful. Not to be! Drizzle and the occasional shower with a burst of sunshine to tease us was what greeted us. Our wee Ruby did run well though, perhaps the cooler weather helped her. Our only glitch was our ‘mighty’ windscreen wiper (no ‘s’ missing here!) didn’t want to move, causing our only stop, to gently nudge it into working mode. Thank you to Peter and Shirley Jenkins for coming back to check if we needed a hand. Really appreciated the gesture. True Vintage Car Club spirit. The Short Run headed out toward Dolamore Park to join the cycle race leg of the Moonshine Rally. The thrill of passing is few and far between but passing a bike without a motor doesn’t really cut it! Once through the back of the Hokonui Hills we travelled into Balfour via the Waimea Valley Road and Pahiwi Road, a rather tight right here that I took rather Kids in the dickey seat of the Ruby
fast a few years back on a Ladies Run! They really should make signs bigger so we can read them from further back! But I deviate. With the recent ‘rain’ everything certainly looked fresh and green, and given what we have been through the roads were pretty good. We passed through Balfour and back onto the main highway, left onto the Josephville–St. Patricks Road, a lovely flat bit of road where according to a quick calculation/guess the driver appeared to be travelling a tad faster than the nominated speed and needed to travel along at a more sedate rate. 8
Back onto the Lumsden-Dipton Highway and speed was required as the Josephville hill loomed! No problems. Phew. We made it into the back entrance of the Hillclimb and wow we were finally on that sacred piece of road! In our Austin. We can do this, albeit, back to front. Loved driving past all the banners and signs strategically placed, it felt like we were competing. LOL. From there it was a gentle run into Dipton where we were once again met by rain. Felt so sorry for the Marshalls standing out in the weather directing us through the Field Tests while we were tucked in under our solid roof.
The Chairman and his navigator confronted by Jim McFadzien at the Field Tests. (Photo by Denis Knight)
After the Field Tests it was around the corner to check out a Dipton local’s treasures then back to the Dipton Hall for an indoor picnic. Well done Denis and Marie for a great run and destination. Our trip home was in beautiful sunshine. Very typical of the weather lately. Then later back to the Clubrooms for the prize giving and dinner. The catering team put the icing on the cake! You probably think “Phew!” when you put it out. We all think “Yum, Perfect”! Raewyn & Keith Dodds (1936 Austin Seven Ruby) 9
Festival Rally Report – Long Run It was an early start for us as a 9.45am briefing and David wanting to get photos of the cars at the Clubrooms before that meant an 8.15am departure from Riverton. To add insult to injury, it was raining steadily as we left. We arrived at the Clubrooms to find the car park crammed with cars and more still arriving. Inside to sign on and pick up our Rally pack and then David disappeared outside with his camera leaving the navigator to study the route and start puzzling over the “Mystery Board”.
The “Mystery Board” (photo by Denis Knight)
Denis and Marie Knight gave a very comprehensive briefing, covering Health and Safety, road etiquette and advice about the routes to a packed crowd and then those with early departure times headed for their cars while the rest of us gave more thought to the puzzles and the route instructions. Eventually our start time came round and we were faced with the “Starter” and the obligatory pre-start questions. Hoping we hadn’t disgraced ourselves, we set off into a rather overcast, but now drying, day. 10
The long run took us out onto Waimea Valley Road, Nine Mile Road, Dunn & Cody Road, Beck Road and Old Balfour Road before taking us onto the Riversdale-Lumsden Highway. There was a short detour off the Highway to take us down the course of the Josephville Hillclimb. This made quite a change for the Editorial Toyota and its driver, both being more used to negotiating the corners in the opposite direction. It certainly looked very different going down to going up! Back onto the highway and on to Dipton where we were to have the Field Tests, a shed visit and lunch.
Adrian Harris’ 1955 Ford Zephyr Mk1 (photo by the Editor)
First was the Field Tests, and more questions, over which we will draw a discreet veil. Next was the shed visit. Adrian Harris had kindly agreed to allow the Rally participants to look through his collections. The weather was at last showing signs of improving, with the sun trying to make an appearance as we admired a varied selection of cars, both inside and outside his shed, along with his collection of railway memorabilia and some interesting odds and ends scattered around outside. Lunch was in the Dipton Memorial Hall, where we had another chance to make sense of the objects on the “Mystery Board” and also to vote for the People’s Choice as the cars rested in the car park. 11
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II at the Field Tests
Paul Herron’s Model T at the Dipton Memorial Hall car park (photos by Denis Knight) 12
After lunch it was time to return to Gore, either by the direct route – straight down the Highway or, as we did, by following Denis & Marie’s instructions and reversing the short route. This made a very pleasant and interesting alternative and took us over some less familiar roads. The trip back was in bright sunshine, such a shame that it had taken so long to appear. Back at the clubrooms we joined the throng chatting, buying raffle tickets and discussing the day’s events over a few drinks. Then, in no particular order, it was time for the meal to be served, the Rally prizes presented and Gerry Kennedy to preside over the drawing and presentation of the very extensive array of raffle prizes in his own inimitable fashion. We had no luck at all with our raffle tickets but, much to our surprise, we went home with four prizes. We won the Post-80 Field Test, the Post-80 Time Trial and the Post-80 People’s Choice, all topped off with being the Overall Runner-up. We have no idea how we managed all that, although the fact that there were only three Post-80 entries must have helped a lot in that regard! After all of that excitement it was time to wend our weary way home, arriving 12 hours after we had left at the end of a very enjoyable day. Our very sincere thanks to the kitchen volunteers for the excellent meal (and for looking after David’s dietary requirements so well), to the many other volunteers who had worked hard to make the Clubrooms and grounds look their best and to those who manned the checkpoints and the Field Tests. Thank you also to the other entrants, there was a grand total of 52 entries so there must have been at least 100 drivers, navigators and assorted passengers, from not only the Gore Branch but also from the Southland, South Otago, Central Otago and Otago Branches and others who travelled from Balclutha, Timaru, South Canterbury and Canterbury. Our final thanks must go to Denis and Marie Knight who did an amazing job of organising the Rally, devising an intriguing and testing “Mystery Board” and setting the questions as well as plotting such enjoyable routes. Roll on next year! David & Donna North 13
Festival Rally 2020 Results
More photos from the Festival Rally to follow next month. The Editor
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The Chairman and navigator taking opposing views? (Photo by Denis Knight)
Sent in by Karen Cook 15
Race4Life, Teretonga, 3rd March After being invited last year to help at the inaugural Race4Life event to be held at Teretonga race circuit, which was a great success, I was asked again to volunteer, which I was very happy to do. I was also asked by Viv James, the organiser, to find a few others with special cars amongst friends and associates to come along as well. Just in case you are unaware what the ‘Race for Life’ event is, it is created for the support and well-being of palliative care patients to give them a positive experience by allowing them to take part in something they perhaps had never had an opportunity to do before. They can choose to go for rides in racing saloons, motorbikes, helicopter rides, trucks or rides in sports cars or prestige cars. On the day, the weather was marginal with rain and cold winds. I met up with Pat Hurley heading in the direction of Teretonga with the hoods up on our Austin-Healeys, but by the time we got to the track the rain had stopped but a very cool sou'wester was blowing which is often the feature of weather at the track. We were joined by an XKR Jaguar [belonging to Lyall Bailey of Winton and seen on the February Tuesday Ramble. Ed.] and four cars from Dunedin which were an 1954 Austin Healey, the same as Pat’s one, a Porsche 911 GT3, a nice Mustang and a correct replica of a 1966 Ford GT40 created by David Brown from Invercargill and built for his client in Dunedin. Our Editor was in his lovely Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. Several other cars were there including a 1907 Darraq, a TVR, a Ferrari and an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S. Race cars included a number of circuit-racing saloons such as a quick (BMW) Mini, two Ford Falcons and a BMW M3. The motorbikes included a number of Harleys and a Vespa. Before any action, all patients and volunteers had the privilege of a lovely breakfast. Lunch was also put on by the Race4Life organisers, which was great. The racing saloons started taking rides at mid-morning until lunch. The helicopter was busy all day taking flights even in the gusty wind creating a bit of a challenge for the pilot. Motorbikes and large trucks were taking participants at the same time. 16
The Prestige cars and sports cars were then busy with their part to giving rides to patients. The people that we took around the track were very thankful for what was being done for them and enjoyed the thrill of the drive. There were probably forty-odd passengers given different drives on the day. The day finished with a beer or two and a pizza, a barbeque and a yarn or two. After that it was off to Arrowtown for me and the next day I was off to Aussie with some mates to Phillip Island to the Classic Car meeting there. [And I’m hoping for a story about this, too! Ed] 17
Some of the “Prestige & sports cars�, Ford GT40 replica in the foreground
One of the trucks, showing how the patients were able to access the cab 18
The 1907 Darraq, belonging to the Southland Branch
More of the cars: (front, R to L) the Aston Martin, XKR Jaguar, Pat and Mervyn’s Austin-Healeys, the Editorial Fiat 124 Spider and, obscured, the GT40 Replica
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The three Gore VCC cars (L-R) Mervyn, The Editor, Pat Hurley
Viv James was extremely happy about how the day went off and she is looking forward to repeating the experience next year.
2003 Vespa PX200, one of the “motorcycles� giving rides
The drivers of all the cars enjoyed the opportunity to share something with the patients and their care-givers and also the chance to drive around Teretonga race track, whether it was their first time or not, which is always a bit of fun. Mervyn Frew Race4Life website: https://race4life.org.nz/ (Photos by the Editor) 20
Night Trial Saturday 9th of May
CANCELLED Any enquiries contact: John Parish Ph (03) 208 5505
End of Season Run th Saturday 6 June Watch this space! 21
Gore Branch Events for the 2019-20 Season Event
Proposed Date
Organiser(s) John Parish, Greg Elder
Night Trial
CANCELLED
End of Season Run
Saturday 6th June Charlie Davis, (subject to Covid-19) Ray Taylor
Branch AGM
POSTPONED
Annual Dinner & Trophy Night
Saturday 18th July
National Day Daffodil Rally for Cancer
New date to be confirmed Date to be confirmed
CANCELLED
National Veteran Rally
Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October
Paul Herron
Tuesday Ramble
SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Co-ordinated by Gerry Kennedy
Murray Cleaver R.I.P. Murray passed away on the 19th April. Many Tuesday Ramblers will remember that he arranged the visit to Winston Saxon’s shed near Thornbury. He greatly enjoyed coming on Rambles and meeting everybody until his failing health made it impractical. The funeral notice and tributes are here: https://frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes/tribute-details/?id=271 David North
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Other Events 2020 2nd May
Ashburton Branch Swapmeet CANCELLED
10th May
Hawke’s Bay Branch Swapmeet CANCELLED
15th – 16th August
National AGM & Executive Committee CANCELLED
23rd August
National Day Daffodil Rally for Cancer CANCELLED
10th – 13th September
Hawke’s Bay Vintage Only Rally. Contact Esther Smith humber@xtra.co.nz or Rod McKenzie rod.mckenzie.wpk@xtra.co.nz
13th – 20th October Targa New Zealand Time Trials. North Island Contact Rod Corbett 027 433 8772 16th to 18th October
National Veteran Rally, Gore Branch. Contact Paul Herron: phone (03) 208 6121
2021 17 – 22 January Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth. POSTPONED TO EARLY 2022 th
nd
Up to date information can be found on the VCC website here: http://vcc.org.nz/events-calendar-2/
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Haynes Manuals online If you’re looking for help with your VCC vehicle, this might be just what you need. From the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives: Attention all car enthusiasts, mechanics, and tinkerers! Did you know as a Library member you have free access to the Haynes AllAccess online database? Explore over 600 online manuals for popular automobiles and motorcycles. Check it out today! https://tinyurl.com/yc8wdwza The Editor
Spotted! NZ Classic Driver issue 88 (March/April 2020), pages 20 to 26, has an article about a 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible which finishes with the words “Since this was written, the Corvair has gone to a proud new owner in Gore.” Anyone we know?? The Editor 25
Gore Branch Swapmeet, 15th March Wow! Weren’t we lucky to get the Swapmeet in before everything turned to custard (or Covid)??!! From what I hear, Gerry Kennedy and the crew did a fantastic job and both the number and variety of stalls were up on previous years. Evan Henderson tells me “A lot of people through and by what I seen a lot of stuff changed hands, the Parts Shed had one of its best days for a few years.” Unfortunately I had a conflicting engagement so couldn’t be there and nobody else has provided a report. However, I do have these photos, courtesy of Evan:
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More of Evan’s photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/YSMCd1rjpNGHXsTx7 The Editor 27
From: Wheel Torque (the Newsletter of the NZ Federation of Motoring Clubs) (Issue 31, Feb-March 2020)
No Threat Yet to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Vehicles Earlier fears of a zero future for heritage motoring as the Government imposed its Climate Action Plan are proving to be pessimistic so far. Contrary to many promises and predictions the much fanfared Zero Carbon Bill contains no provisions that could be applied to phase out or even limit the motoring fraternity’s continuing use of fossil fuels. Fundamentally all it effectively does is establish a Climate Change Commission to prescribe solutions to the climate change problem and set targets for reducing emissions. But the new Act will also require that Commission to curtail programmes designed to achieve those targets if they may cause adverse economic impacts. As economics pundit Bernard Hickey has said: “The Zero Carbon Act itself does not change a single setting in the policy apparatus that would reduce climate emissions. All it does is create a group of advisors who will then have to depend on the Government and Parliament to create new tools and twist the dials on those tools.” Even a ban on the import of fossil fuel vehicles proposed by the Ministry of Transport was totally rejected by the Government. Despite the Ministry’s contention that forbidding fossil fuel vehicle imports from 2035 onwards would result in a net $2.26 billion economic benefit, Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter confirmed that any fossil fuel ban was “not something we’re investigating right now”. A Ministry of Transport briefing document from March 2018, pointed out that France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Holland and Germany are requiring new cars to be emission-free or low emission by dates varying from 2025 to 2040. But our Government has decided against imposing similar restrictions because New Zealand is too far behind other countries in updating its vehicle fleet, and those lower-income Kiwis not able to afford new or used electric vehicles would be left with too few mobility options. 28
Meanwhile the forerunner of the new Climate Change Commission has already advised the Government that New Zealand lacks sufficient sustainable generation capacity to power a new fleet of up to four million electric vehicles as well as meet all the existing demands for electricity. In a report submitted to the Government last year but initially withheld from the public, the Interim Climate Change Committee (ICCC) warned that massive over investment in wind turbines would be needed if fossil fuels are phased out and New Zealand’s power generation capacity became totally renewable. The economic effect would be a projected 14 percent increase in domestic power charges while the price to industrial users would be 39 per cent higher. It would seem a currently unaffordable multi-billion dollar investment in New Zealand’s power generation and supply networks would be required if Environment Minister James Shaw’s dream of 95 per cent electric vehicles was ever to be realised. Unless of course we shut down the Tiwai Point smelter, increase coal imports from Indonesia, and all cook our evening meals on backyard barbecues. Despite the FOMC’s previous concerns about the impact of the Climate Action Plan on the ongoing use of heritage vehicles and collectable classics there appear to be no significant plans at present which would curb the continuing enjoyment of our hobby. But as is already happening in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia there is always the potential for regulatory restrictions to be imposed on the use of older vehicles. by Roy Hughes, FOMC Submission Secretary
Seeking Reduced WoF and Rego Costs for Heritage Vehicles Following on the last revisions of the motor registration and WoF regimes it has been the policy of the FOMC to seek further reductions in the costs and inconveniences incurred by classic and heritage vehicle owners. Because most collectable vehicles cover only limited mileages each year we are pressing for 12 month rather than six month WoF inspections. We are also contending that as probably most vehicles aged between 30 and 29
40 years are no longer daily drivers they therefore should qualify for vintage registration. But in concurrence with the policies of the Vintage Car Club the FOMC wants to ensure any beneficial changes do not also result in new limits on our unrestricted rights to use older vehicles on public roads, or any other more onerous requirements. In the United Kingdom vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago are now exempt from the previously required MOT check, the British equivalent of our Warrant of Fitness, as long as no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, such as replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine. And there is no vehicle tax or registration fee payable if a vehicle was built before 1980. But this tax exemption must be applied for and can be described as putting a vehicle into the ‘historic tax class’. However exempt vehicles must still be kept roadworthy and owners can be fined up to £2,500 and allocated 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. In the Australian state of Victoria the club permit scheme allows members of recognised vehicle clubs to make limited use of historic vehicles on the road network. The fee is only $153.90 for 90 days usage per year or $79.60 for 45 days usage, compared with up to $800 for normal registration. Vehicles must not be driven for more than 90 days in each 12 month permit period and are issued with specific club permit plates and windscreen labels. In general, the Club Permit Scheme applies to vehicles 25 years and older. The CPS requires owners to be financial members of a club, and a logbook entry must be made if the vehicle moves more than 100 metres from its garage address. Any “abuse of the scheme” can result in far reaching implications for the individual and their club such as fines for driving an unregistered vehicle, loss of the individual’s Club Permit, or loss of their club’s authority to operate the Club Permit Scheme, or even cancellation of the entire Club Permit Scheme for all enthusiasts. 30
In New South Wales, for an annual fee of $100, heritage vehicles may be registered under a conditional scheme known as the Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS) if they are 30 years of age or older and the owner is a member of a recognised historic vehicle club. To be eligible for the much lower rego fee historic vehicles must be as close to original condition as possible, with no alterations except for safety features such as seatbelts and turn indicators. To register a vehicle in the Historic Vehicle Scheme, owners must present a completed application for Conditional Registration, proof of identity, proof of registration entitlement (e.g. an original receipt for the vehicle, which clearly shows the buyer’s name, the seller’s name, address and signature, the VIN or chassis/frame or serial number and the date of acquisition), and a Historic Vehicle Declaration, signed by an official of a recognised and participating historic vehicle club. A vehicle safety check inspection report is also required. Historic vehicles can be used for events organised by recognised vehicle clubs or community organisations, provided an official invitation has been received and recorded by the club in the official minutes, or ‘Day Book’. Historic vehicles can also be driven on a road for servicing or inspections within short distances from their place of garaging. If a longer journey is needed, owners must notify their club and arrange for the details to be recorded in the official minutes or ‘Day Book’. Vehicles registered under the Historic and Classic Vehicle Schemes can be used on public roads for no more than 60 days each year, outside of organised club events, with each day of general road use recorded in their log books. Similar regimes with variations are available to historic and classic vehicle owners in other Australian states. For New Zealand heritage vehicle owners the choice may be whether it is worth surrendering our largely unrestricted freedom to use our collectable cars to obtain a reduction in fees. by Roy Hughes, FOMC Submission Secretary 31
What’s in Your Shed? 1968 Wolseley 1300 Mk2 (Part 2) By Matt Cook Well it’s coming up to two years since bringing him home and starting to get him back to road going spec. The tiny bit of welding led to a bit more, but not as much as there could have been.
The more interesting repair to do. After a couple of false starts I managed to form the shape I wanted and weld it in. In the process of getting him back on the road I sorted out some of his history, but as I don’t have the original ownership papers it is patchy in places. He was sold new in Dunedin in 1968, according to his “Passport to Service” booklet, which I still have. He is a very early Mk2 and wears some Mk1 chrome trim as he was made in the changeover period between the two. BMC practice at the time was to use up all existing parts before putting any updates down the line. He is also a single carb, 1275cc, manual gearbox car and as such probably shouldn’t exist. As a consequence I have been told this makes him quite rare and in the UK quite sought after. 32
The ‘laid back’ rear fins denote a Mk2 bodyshell, but the chrome boot trim is Mk1.
The boot is rather capacious for a small car. Hope to test how much we can get in it at this year’s Mount Cook Rally. 33
Typically Wolseley plank of walnut dashboard. I saw the steering wheel on Trade Me and couldn’t resist. The original was cracked and worn, but I still have it so it can be reinstated if need be. After many years’ service by what I suspect was now an elderly couple he was sold on to young woman in Dunedin who used him daily and kept him in good repair. I have spoken with her and got a lot of information about him from when she had him. The only reason she sold him was she had a young family by then, he lived outside and she could see him deteriorating before her eyes.
The view from the passenger side.
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He was then sold on to another owner in Mosgiel and there the trail goes cold, he was deregistered in 2009 until I picked him up in Tapanui. The person I picked him up from had bought him with the intention of putting him back on the road but had never got around to it. Fast forward to August 2019 and he was finally back on the road, still wearing his original black number plates. Mechanically all I needed to do was rebuild brakes, clutch, replace points, spark plugs etc. and new tyres and that was about it. I still don’t know why he was taken off the road and can only assume it wasn’t mechanical. His first outing was on the Combined Rally in Cromwell and he performed well, cruised at 100km/h and returned decent fuel economy. Oil economy on the other hand, we’ll come back to that.
The 1275cc BMC “A” series engine, after a good service and now what amounts to a freshen up, seems to be still quite a strong wee engine. Now he was back on the road we attended as many rallies as we could with son Ryder navigating and Dad providing commentary and navigational support. The more he was used, the more I decided how 35
much fun he was to drive, although I did have to be careful jumping back into the Commodore and remember that a 3.8 litre ex-Buick V6 has way more shove than a 1.3 litre BMC A series. After about six months of driving I decided that the oil economy needed to be improved. A quick look around the engine showed a couple of leaks, nothing too serious. But I had noticed puffs of a light blue hue every now and then in the rear vision mirror. A compression test showed pressures that were even and within spec. so I decided a top end overhaul might be the way to go. I took the head off, had it skimmed to remove some wear between number 2 and number 3 cylinders and then pressed in new guides and replaced all the valve stem seals with new ones. I also fitted them to all valves as the factory originally only fitted them to the inlet valves. I reused the valves as I couldn’t get new ones and had decided the play was acceptable. The valves were lapped back in and it was all reassembled. The engine now doesn’t burn oil and runs very smoothly. Just the leaks to sort out now! He has what could best be described as a “twenty foot” paint job - from twenty feet away it looks OK. He has had some repairs in the past and the paint has shrunk and cracked and isn’t a perfect colour match. As someone once said, “a car is only original once” and I haven’t decided where to start and when to stop paint-wise. As he stands now, he scrubs up well, is drivable and capable of attending rallies both near and far. Matt Cook [Part 1 was published in the August 2018 issue. The Editor]
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Newsletters from other branches Most of the Branch Newsletters are now posted on the VCC Website each month: www.vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches A handful of branches still send us printed copies and these are displayed on the stand in the Library. Most of the others are received by email as pdf files or links to online versions. These can be requested from the Editor or the Secretary.
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COOKERY CORNER Gingerbread Fudge 50g butter ¼ cup syrup 250g Whittakers White Chocolate 1 tsp cinnamon
¾ cup brown sugar 395g tin condensed milk 2tsp ground ginger ½ tsp nutmeg
Grease & line 20cm tin Put butter, milk, sugar & syrup in pot and stir over medium heat until boiling Remove from the heat and stir in spices & chocolate Heat gently until chocolate melts, stirring until smooth Pour into tin, swirling top with a knife. Can top with glacé ginger if liked Refrigerate for 3-4 hours Linda Nunn
Sent in by Karen Cook
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Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Alvis, 100 years on: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/why-alvis-is-happybuilding-two-cars-a-year/42200 The trouble with small cars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZOqhH-RFfA Lockdown classic car fixes: https://www.msn.com/en-nz/motoring/news/15-ways-to-get-yourclassic-car-fix-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown/arBB11LURI?li=BBqd5YO The Federation of Motoring Clubs of NZ’s Feb/March newsletter in full: http://www.fomc.org.nz/WheelTorque120_low-res.pdf Brit & Euro Car Show, Auckland: https://www.driven.co.nz/lifestyle/classic-cars/the-extreme-and-obscuremulti-million-dollar-car-gathering-takes-over-auckland/ Sent in by Des Brewster - Koenigsegg’s new family 4-seater (with very interesting engine technology – no camshafts!): https://www.driven.co.nz/reviews/previews/400km-h-family-haulerkoenigsegg-unveils-the-bonkers-gemera/ SDC’s First Edition story about the Lumsden locomotives: https://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/assets/First-Edition/FE-online-OURSOUTHLANDERS-.pdf As a complete change, some major art museums you can tour online: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 39
WANTED! BRANCH TREASURER Due to personal circumstances I would like to step back from the Branch Treasurer’s role for a couple of years. Is there anybody out there who would be prepared to take on the job? I am very willing to help the new person get to grips with the duties and responsibilities, both before and after they take it on. Further details, information, etc. from Tim Walsh, phone (03) 208 3531 or email tjalwalsh@me.com
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ADVERTISEMENTS WANTED A member asks if anyone knows how to treat old and thick pre-war vinyl upholstery to make it more supple and prevent cracking? This stuff is reasonably thick imitation leather. Responses to the Editor please: David North northd14@gmail.com or 021 1723281 FOR SALE 1991 Ford Fairmont Ghia 5 litre V8 with XR8 suspension upgrade. 135,000 kms, only 3 owners, very tidy. $9,500 ono. NB will be VCC-eligible next year! Contact Denis Knight 03 208 5404 or 027 3513190 FOR SALE FORD rug hand made by local member. Luxurious thick pile, dark blue and white, must be seen to be appreciated – available for viewing at the Clubrooms. Approx. size: 105 x 50cm (41 x 20 inches) $400 with $200 to go to Gore VCC. Contact Gerry 027 233 4634 FOR SALE Expressions of interest are invited for 4 Firestone tyres, size 6.00 x 20 inch in good order and suitable for split-rim wheels. Contact Garry Mulqueen 03 208 9232
FOR SALE and WANTED advertisements are free to Club members. Each advertisement will be published in 3 consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor 41
Tailpiece
Sent in by Des Brewster
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Run reports, articles of interest, photos, technical tips, letters and feedback are always welcome. Please send all contributions to David North
before the 21st of each month for inclusion in the next Wiper If you don't have a computer I can type up a hand-written article or put your notes or jottings into shape for The Wiper. If you prefer I can even take notes as you talk to me and write up the story for you - I am always ready to help so just let me know how! e-mail: northd14@gmail.com physical and mail: 4 Trotter Street, Riverton 9822 telephone (mobile) 021 172 3281 Remember that insuring your vehicle(s), boat(s), house(s), contents or travel with Vero Insurance and quoting the branch number (300135) results in the branch receiving a commission payment Please support our advertisers so that they, in turn, can continue to support the Branch The opinions and statements in The Wiper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the Gore branch or of the VCC. The branch accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any statements. The Wiper is printed by i-Cue 10 Wood Street, Invercargill. Telephone (03) 218 3350 43
GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE
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