THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
February 2021
Next meeting: 9th February
MEETINGS: SECOND TUESDAY of the month at the Clubrooms, Waimea Street, Gore Branch telephone number: 03 208 7424
2020-2021 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 Rod Bell John Parish Rod Bell Charlie Davis Matt Cook Greg Elder Bill Sheddan Tim Walsh Branch Recorder (Wiper Editor) David North Assistant Branch Recorder Position not filled at present House Convenor Des Brewster Social Committee Beb Kennedy, Murray Low, David McDowell, Russell Newland Beaded Wheels Reporter Jim McFadzien Festival Rally Organiser Murray Proctor Assistant Rally Organiser Marilyn Proctor Bar Manager Chris Scoles Assistant Bar Manager Murray Proctor Maintenance Supervisor Keith Nunn Maintenance Assistants Bill Ainge, Keith Dodds, Russell Newland, Ken Youngson Swapmeet Gerry Kennedy Parts Assistants Evan Henderson, Gerry Kennedy, Bryan Neilson Hill Climb Evan Henderson Hill Climb Assistant Terry Inder Sheriff Denis Knight Librarian Stewart Quertier Raffles Starr McDougall National Delegate David North Privacy Officer Bill Ainge Health & Safety Officer Murray Low Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum 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
(03) 202 5710 (03) 208 6121 (03) 208 9877 027 229 2191 (03) 208 5505 027 229 2191 027 451 5234 027 379 1131 (03) 202 5710 027 434 2935 (03) 208 3531 021 172 3281 (03) 208 1960
(03) 208 0121 (03) 208 4768 (03) 208 0052 (03) 208 4768 (03) 208 5403
027 233 4634
(03) 208 6479 (03) 208 7017 027 351 3190 (03) 208 7932 (03) 208 5450 021 172 3281 (03) 208 9877 (03) 208 4007 (03) 208 6791 027 233 4634 (03) 208 9670
Front cover picture: Barry Clearwater and Alex McLennan (in car) pictured at the Josephville Hillclimb. (Photo from Stewart Quertier’s collection.)
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Chairman's Report February 2021 Well another New Year has arrived. Trust you have all had a relaxing Christmas and New Year with family and friends. I enjoyed the Picnic Run to Ettrick organised by Rod Bell. The weather was perfect and motoring up over the Moa Flat made for great views. I finally had my 1936 Chev on the road so this was its first club event. It cruised up and down the hills well with three on board although on the way back to Gore it developed a thirst and had to be re-watered several times. Lucky for me Gerry and crew came to the rescue with some extra water near Gore. Suspect the new radiator core may be blocked from rust scale. (I should have fitted a sock!!) Very pleased the Sheriff was not at our monthly meeting last night!! We have a busy couple of months coming up for events so get your entries in. Let’s hope the summer weather continues to be good and we can get out and enjoy the lovely roads in our area. Now back to the shed and fix the Chev plus fit new front wheels to my Cadillac and then decide which vehicle to enter for our Festival Rally. Happy motoring Greg Elder
Want to dob somebody in to the Sheriff? Have you got a small tale to pass on? Or a tall tale? There’s no need to wait for a meeting night - you can now do it any time (and completely anonymously) by emailing it to Denis at ramsel@xtra.co.nz Complete discretion is assured!
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Club Captain’s Report February 2021 Rod Bell’s Picnic Run on the 10th of January saw 13 cars depart from the clubrooms and travel through West Otago, over Moa Flat to the Ettrick domain for lunch. Yes, Rod did organise a fine day as he had promised and the drive was very scenic though it did test the brakes going down the other side of Moa Flat. After lunch Rod gave us his versions of the quiz answers and awarded a small prize to Keith and Linda Nunn for the most correct answers. They also got awarded the pleasure of doing a write up for The Wiper. [Although it seems Rod did it anyway! Ed.] Unfortunately, the Ladies Run has again been cancelled, this time due to lack of support. Des and Janet required numbers attending by the 12th and at the meeting night they had only 3 entrants so it was not worth organising catering. This is really disappointing as a lot of effort goes into organising these events and we need members to support them. My apologies to Des and Janet. I have taken over the organising of the Diggers Run from Charlie Davis as Charlie is really struggling with his back, after the accident he had a couple of years ago. The RSA is a little worried about Covid 19 with its older members so getting a decision from them has been a bit slow. At this stage the Diggers Run will be held on Saturday 20th of February and we will need about 10 to 12 cars. Please read the advert later in The Wiper and if you can help contact me to go on the list. John Parish
REMINDERS A few of the vinyl “VCC Wings” badges (as featured on the front cover) are still available from the Treasurer, cost $2 each. To Let: the Gore Vintage Car Clubrooms are available to VCC members for personal functions at very reasonable cost. The Editor 5
From the Editor’s Keyboard Welcome to another bumper issue of The Wiper. My apologies for those of you who were looking forward to reading about the latest addition to the Editorial stable but this has been held over until next month. However, we do have the promised reports on the Christmas Run and Tuesday Ramble Christmas lunch. We also have Rod Bell’s report on the Picnic Run that he organised, with photos by Matt Cook (thank you Matt!) and a wonderful tribute to Barry Clearwater and Alex McLennan from Stewart Quertier. This is illustrated by a large number of contemporary photos from Stewart’s collection and is a great read. As you will see from the Notices and the Coming Events pages, the next couple of months are going to be busy, so get your diaries and polishing cloths out and get yourselves organised to participate in as many a events as you can possibly manage. And then send me a write-up on your adventures. You know it makes sense! David North I saw an article in the December issue of Klaxon, the Bay of Plenty Branch newsletter which started: “CHINA'S NEW "LITTLE CAR" They will sell for US$1,600 and they won't be able to make them fast enough. Here's a one seater car that will get you back and forth to work on the cheap. This single seater car is not a toy, and will be released by Volkswagen next year. Volkswagen did a lot of very highly secret testing of this car in Germany, which was introduced at the VW stockholders' meeting as the most economical car in the world!” I was intrigued and asked Dr Google. As I suspected, all was not as it appeared. See Online Bonuses for the full story! The Editor
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Looking for an unusual and/or useful present? Two mugs featuring advertising artwork for McNaughton Brothers Ltd. (Once Riverton’s Standard-Triumph dealer, located where the Supervalue supermarket is now.) Images are of the Triumph Herald and the Standard Vanguard. Cost $20 each. Available only from the museum (or to order through me for collection at a meeting night or run. The Editor) 7
An error crept into the results of the Josephville Hillclimb published last month. Here are the full results (1 practice & 4 competitive runs):
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Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Paterson Park and Gardens: https://www.waikakagenetics.com/paterson-park-and-gardens Hokonui Pioneer Village and museum: http://www.hokonuipioneervillage.co.nz/ China’s new little car: https://letvent.com/2013/12/31/chinas-new-little-car/ BUT: http://www.jefflewis.net/blog/2013/03/cool_car_e-mail_debunking__ch.html Invercargill-built car destined for Lewis Hamilton's father's lounge: https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/motoring-topstories/123840177/invercargillbuilt-car-destined-for-lewis-hamiltonsfathers-lounge National VCC Award Presented to Invercargill Hardware Store: https://whatsoninvers.nz/national-vintage-car-club-award-presented-toinvercargill-hardware-store/ The Johnston Formula Ford cars: https://talkmotorsport.co.nz/singleseater/johnston-formula-fords-tocelebrate-50-years-at-skope-classic/ No Smoke without Fire – American La France: http://classiccarmag.net/no-smoke-without-fire-american-la-france/ 409 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKKP_cZuk54 Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 9
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Tuesday Ramble Christmas Lunch 2020 In a break from tradition, due to the popularity of the caterers, last year’s Tuesday Ramble Christmas lunch was held on Thursday 10th December. The venue was once again the Gore Racecourse and the caterers were Food Affair. With socialising starting at 11.30am, the dining room (which had been festively decorated by Gerry Kennedy and helpers) was soon thronged with eager, happy Ramblers. By the time lunch was served at 12.30pm a total of 33 Ramblers, plus two “Junior Ramblers” in the shape of the Youngsons’ grandsons, were awaiting their lunch.
As we have come to expect from Food Affair, the meal, of chicken, hot ham on the bone and veges, followed by ice cream, pavlova and (I believe) Christmas pud, was both plentiful and delicious. During the meal, Gerry drew the many raffle prizes and, as nobody had volunteered to do the write-up, I suggested that he draw an extra ticket, the winner to provide a report for The Wiper. I shan’t be making that suggestion again! Most people lingered after the meal for more chat and catching up and a few took the opportunity to inspect the new Editorial steed. (Two or three managed to “persuade” me to take them out for a short spin, too!) Many thanks to Gerry for his organising, to Food Affair for the food and to all who attended for their fellowship. Roll on this year’s! David North 12
Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 February
Gerry Kennedy
March
Noel Kelly
April May June July August September October
John & Katy Parish Matt Cook To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised
November
To be advised
December
To be advised
January
To be advised
IF YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE ON YOUR ROSTERED NIGHT, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE. We need to cater for about 30 to 40 members each night. The cuppa and serving of the supper is to be arranged within the Social Committee. If necessary, ingredients and/or small items can be bought at Gore New World and charged to the Gore VCC account.
I appreciate these people coming forward but it would be great to have some who have not done a turn have a go or even some who may have done it some time ago to do it again. Des Brewster
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Christmas Run Report Sunday 13th December 2020
This year’s Christmas Run saw 12 cars assemble at the clubrooms for a relatively short drive over the Otamita Bridge to Chatton Corner then through Waikaka to Waikaka Station, home of Sharon & Laurie Paterson. We then viewed Sharon’s 5-acre garden which was established by Laurie’s mother in the 1960’s. There are over 70 varieties of Rhododendrons and lots of specimen trees. Sharon told us the garden had been neglected for a time and she was just getting it back into shape. They also have a species of Dogwood crossed in the garden that has since been propagated by Blue Mountain Nursery and marketed as the Greenvale variety. Sharon was pleased to see our cars and brought “Dayzie” her pride and joy VW Beetle out of the shed for us to see. Ken Youngson had fond memories of owning a similar model and Murray Proctor remembered how the 1200cc engine was prone to break crankshafts and they would replace the engine with the 1600cc model that was much stronger. Sharon also has a “Toy Shop” on site where toys made by local crafts people can be purchased. She told us that she always had ambitions of owning a toy shop but then that is probably a secret ambition of the child within most of us. 14
After a good look around and a natter we decided it was time to head back to the clubrooms and crank up the BBQ. Star helped with the cooking and Frances Neilson and Marlene & Russel Newland sorted the kitchen essentials while Murray Proctor manned the bar and Gerry Kennedy did the raffles. Thanks to all those that helped and if I missed anyone then you know who you are. Thanks to everyone who came along and I hope you all had a good time. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. John Parish
REMINDERS VCC name badges: are available from Van De Water Jewellers at a discounted cost of $25. These badges are black with white lettering and bear your name and “Gore VCC”. N.B. If you’re not wearing one at a meeting you are likely to attract the Sheriff’s attention and be fined! Email version of The Wiper A reminder for the computer whizz-kids out there. The Wiper is also available by email; either as a link to an online version or as an emailed pdf file. The pictures are in colour, it arrives earlier and the hyperlinks work too! Just send me your email address if you would like to try this. The Editor 15
January 2021 Mystery Picnic Run The day, as all days thankfully do, dawned, and dawned with potential for most suitable weather for a cruise in a cruiser for a picnic. So that is exactly why apparently 13 intrepid vehicles, their owners and several hangers-on, assembled at the designated spot to receive instructions on where to drive to arrive at a selected, but as yet unrevealed, picnic spot. After a brief chat by the Run Organiser about safety, driver behaviour and enjoying the scenery he leapt aboard his chosen steed of the day and departed, hoping to stay ahead of the crowd. Instruction and quiz sheets were distributed by the Club Captain and Club members made their orderly, I presume, departure. The run meandered from Gore northerly towards Dunedin but turned inland at Mataura Valley Milk to deviate further inland in the general direction of Kelso to eventually turn back to intersect State Highway 90 just north of Tapanui to then head again towards the hinterlands to pass through Heriot and up and over several rolling hills making some magnificent views available for enjoyment, to eventually arrive in the Central Otago village of Ettrick. Being in Central, and summer, the weather was slightly cloudy but warm with minimal breeze.
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Vehicles parked up in the shade provided by large pine trees and disgorged their drivers and passengers. Chairs, tables and picinic (as Yogi Bear would say) baskets were opened and their contents devoured. Much chatter, light-hearted bantering and laughter was heard over the next couple of hours. Quiz results had been collated and answers were shared.
Due to the diligence of participants, well most of them, answers had correctly been found so bonus points were allocated to those who went the extra mile and other results were thrown out due to not answering the question asked or just not providing an answer at all. Prizes were awarded to the Nunn and Kennedy parties for providing the most ‘correct’ answers. Congratulations! The Run, though challenging in places, apparently suited a wide range of vehicles as a handful of ‘moderns’ participated through to a Morris 8! Thanks to participants for making the day thoroughly enjoyable and the effort to organise worth putting in. Until next time, keep your points dry and your petrol fresh! Rod Bell Run Organiser (Photos by Matt Cook) 17
Diggers Run Saturday 20th February 2021
We will need 10 to 12 cars to take the RSA members for a drive and then share afternoon tea with them. We will meet at the RSA car park at 1.00pm If you are available to help please contact John Parish Ph 2085505 18
Tuesday Ramble 23rd February
10.30am: meet at Clubrooms 11.00am: depart for Lorneville Noon: lunch at the destination (Peter & Wendy Johnston, Lorne-Dacre Road) They have a beautiful garden, Wendy grows orchids from seed and Peter has a collection of toys, tractors, etc. Bring a picnic lunch, something to drink and something to sit on
Numbers to Gerry Kennedy BEFORE 19th February: phone 027 233 4634 19
Don’t forget – entries close on the 11th February Get your entry in NOW! WANTED a time-keeper and a couple of helpers for the field tests Gore members: please bring along something for the morning tea Thanks!
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Frank Robson Memorial Run & Clearwater Capers Sunday 7th March
Start time: 1.30pm at the Club Rooms Distance: approx. 50kms to destination all on sealed roads Bring your afternoon tea and something to sit on Greg Elder 03 202 5710 or cellphone 027 4318058
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Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event
Proposed Date
Organiser(s)
2021 Diggers Run
Saturday 20th February
John Parish
Festival Rally
Saturday 27th February
Murray Proctor
Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers
Sunday 7th March
Greg Elder
Swap Meet & Boot Fair
Sunday 14th March
Gerry Kennedy
Night Trial
Saturday 8th May
Tim Walsh
End of Season Run
Saturday 5th June
Rod Bell
VCC National Day / Daffodil Rally
Sunday 22nd August
TBC
Opening Run
Sunday 12th September
TBC
Tuesday Ramble
Normally last Tuesday of Co-ordinated by the month. Gerry Kennedy Variable in December
Editor's note to event organisers If you want to see a report in The Wiper please provide one yourselves or organise somebody to do it for you. (N.B. This usually works best if you ask them before the event!)
Quote of the Month If love means never having to say you’re sorry, then marriage means having to say everything twice. Estelle Getty
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Other Events 2021 29th – 31st January
Edendale Crank Up featuring Allis Chalmers tractors & machinery, Australian classic cars
6th February
North Otago Branch “Wee Wheelie Wander” Moped Rally. Contact Wendy and Gordon: wendympringle@hotmail.com 027 224 2018 or 03 434 7215
6th February
Southland Branch Rally
7th February
Combined Rally, organisers Southland Branch
18th – 21st February Art Deco Festival 2021, Hawkes Bay Branch 19th – 21st February Mobil 1 Classic Speedfest, Teretonga Park 26th – 27th February Moutere Hop: www.mouterehop.com 14th March
Open Day & Garage Sale, Southland Branch
14th March
Best of British, Dunedin
27th March
Swap Meet, South Canterbury Branch
2nd – 4th April
National Vintage Easter Rally, South Canterbury Branch
3rd – 4th April
Wheels at Wanaka: www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz/
22nd August
VCC National Day/Daffodil Rally
Targa VCC Time Trials (North Island) 25th - 30th October Enquiries to: Rod Corbett, VCC Steward, rod.corbett88@gmail.com or 027 433 8772 2022
16 – 21 January Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth th
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2023 Burt Munro Week
National Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch
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Brainteaser Can you guess the common phrase reflected in this lettering layout? /R/E/A/D/I/N/G/ Answer next month!
Answer to Last Month’s Brainteaser If the day after the day before yesterday was Wednesday, and the day before the day after tomorrow is Friday, what day is today? Answer: Today is Thursday.
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The Early Years of Barry Clearwater and Alex McLennan In 2020 we lost two of our most respected Club members. Barry Clearwater and Alex McLennan were brothers-in-law and both were very blessed with natural mechanical ability. This is an insight into their early days and their love of motorsport, long before the Vintage Car Club started in Gore. In July 1956 a meeting was called in the Charlton Hall just south of Gore and the Eastern Southland Car Club was formed. Barry and Alex were among the 31 present. If you wanted to race a car in the 1950s you had to build it. Southland was full of these little home-built specials. Alex built one with the help of Gordon Campbell of East Gore, known for his Vauxhall specials. Alex chose a Singer Junior chassis and a modified Vauxhall 10 engine and the car turned out to be very successful in grass tracks and hill climbs. Its most notable win was in 1959, taking out the annual Chittocks Hillclimb with a time of 46.05 seconds. This little special could cover a standing ¼-mile in 17.13 seconds - which was quite quick 60 years ago. Barry bought his first special some time in the 1950s. It had an Austin 7 chassis and a highly-modified Ford 10 engine fitted with a Ford 8 head. Barry was the 4th owner of this car. It was built in Invercargill by Jack Johnston of Massey Ferguson fame. The next owner was a young Barry Keen, later to become George Begg’s works driver. Sadly, some years and many owners later, it was destroyed in a shed fire. Barry must have had a soft spot for this little car because he built up a recreation of it and got it ready for the standing ¼-mile at the Eastern Southland Car Club’s 40th anniversary. Barry’s little car can be seen at the Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum in Gore. Barry also went on to build an A40 special. The rest of the story continues with the photos on the pages following.
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JBS Ford, this is the car Alex started off with. Hard to believe there is a rare factory JBS 500, one of 18 produced in England in 1951, somewhere in there.
Alex with the JBS JAP 500 that he restored. Very clever man. 29
Grass track racing Te Tipua. J Glover (Ford 10 Special) leading Alex in his Vauxhall Special at a Southland Sports Car Club event.
Very rare photo, Barry and Alex's specials in the one photo. Barry on the inside in the Ford 8, next Doug McDonald’s MG, then J Glover’s Ford 10, J Wilcox’s A40 and Alex in his Vauxhall Special on the outside.
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Alex winning the annual Chittocks Hillclimb. (Photos from 1959.)
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Alex’s Vauxhall Special with trophies won 1958-59
The next car Alex raced was the Elin rear-engined sports car built by Graeme Amos of Dunedin. Alex raced this car for many years in the Classic Motor Racing Club. Alex was President of this Club from 1995-97. He was also President of the Eastern Southland Car Club 1960-61 and President of the Gore Vintage Car Club 2000-04.
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Alex sold the Vauxhall Special sometime in the 1960s and this is the way he found it on Harvey Young’s farm many years later, and restored it to the condition it is in now.
Alex with the Vauxhall Special, restored for the 25th anniversary of the Eastern Southland Car Club. Competing at the standing Âź-mile, Woolwich Street, Gore
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Josephville Hill Climb 2012. Alex hard at it. In 2005 Alex came to the Club with plans to run a hillclimb on a disused part of State Highway 6 just south of Lumsden. In 2006 the Gore Vintage Car Club ran its first Josephville Hillclimb. A fun hill in world-class settings. Thanks Alex.
A very proud Barry showing off his two Eastern Southland Car Club trophies.
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Barry’s Ford 8 Special at speed, Chittocks Hill 1960
Barry at speed, gravel hillclimb, Forest Hill near Browns, Southland Sports Car Club-run event. (Photo could be 65 years old.) 35
In the 1960s stock car racing in farm paddocks became very popular so Barry built up a Dodge coupe and went racing. They also had races for woman drivers and that's Betty in the overalls. Later in life Barry went and worked for an old friend, Peter Woods, at Charlton Auto, and built up some of the fastest, strongest, stock cars New Zealand has ever seen. Peter Woods won many New Zealand stock car titles and they all came out of the little workshop at Charlton Auto in South Gore.
Barry’s A40 Special came after he sold his Ford 8 Special. 36
Looks to be not finished but that did not stop you racing it. Barry sold it to Fred Kirk in South Otago and he fitted a flathead Ford V8 in it.
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Barry and the just-finished recreation of his old Ford 8 Special at its first event, the standing Âź-mile at Woolwich Street, Gore, for the 40th anniversary of the Eastern Southland Car Club in 1996.
Stewart Quertier 38
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COOKERY CORNER Carrot Cake Ingredients 2 cups flour 1½ cups grated carrot 1 tsp allspice ½ tsp baking soda
1 cup coconut 1 cup raw sugar 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp ground cloves 1 cup oil 1 tsp vanilla essence ½ cup milk
Method Heat milk in the microwave for 40 seconds on High then stir in the baking soda and set aside Mix all other dry ingredients together in a bowl Stir in the oil and vanilla essence, adding the milk mixture at the same time When well combined, tip into a greased tin and bake at 180ºC for 40 to 50 minutes Serve plain or top with lemon icing Gerry Kennedy
Newsletters from other branches Most of the other 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 the online versions. These can be obtained on request from the Editor or the Secretary. 41
ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SALE 1938 Ford V8, brown. Body-off restoration in 1972. Two-owner car. Tidy inside and out, good runner, good tyres. Rego on hold. Phone Bing on 027 2265967 1/3
WANTED For a 1960 Humber 80 IIIA NZ-assembled by Todd Motors. Bob McGarry is looking for the light housing mounted in the centre of the boot lid and above the number plate, it also includes a mounting for the number plate lighting. If anyone can help please email Bob on mcgarry@xnet.co.nz
FOR SALE and WANTED advertisements are free to Club members. Each advertisement will be published in 3 consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor
Tailpiece
Sent in by Stewart Quertier 42
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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