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THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)

March 2021

Next meeting: 9th March

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: Little boys come in all sizes and ages! The Treasurer enjoying a swing (and his lunch) during the January Tuesday Ramble. (Photo by the Editor.)

Chairman's Report March 2021 Well summer’s here!! Trust you are all out enjoying motoring while the weather is good. We certainly have lots of events to attend. At the February meeting it was great to welcome new members Katherine and Andrew Welsh with their 1926 Buick Standard 6. Looking forward to seeing it on the Festival Rally. If any member knows of a guest speaker for our monthly meeting let us know so David can advise via The Wiper. Thanks to Stewart Quertier for the article and photos on the history of Alex and Barry in the last Wiper. The new windows are due to arrive for the kitchen upgrade so hopefully the renovation will be underway shortly. Thanks to the Wednesday crew who keep the grounds and building in top shape. This is a lot of work and is certainly appreciated by all members. Happy motoring Greg Elder

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)

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!

Club Captain’s Report March 2021 Wow the March Report already! By the time you read this we will have had the Diggers Run and possibly the Festival Rally. I hope as many members as possible supported these events. The next run we have is the Frank Robson and Clearwater Capers on the 7th of March. Greg Elder is organising this so please come along and enjoy a great afternoon out. The following weekend on the 14th of March is our Swap Meet and Gerry is looking for helpers to man the gate so contact Gerry if you can do this but also come along and buy or sell something to show support for the Branch. Since my last report Katy and I attended the Southland Rally on the 6th of February and the Combined Rally hosted by Southland on the 7 th of February. Both were over 130 miles in length but on great roads and the weather was so good we got sunburnt. Bill Ainge is doing a report on the Southland Rally and I have done one for the Combined Rally so check these out later in The Wiper. John Parish

From the Editor’s Keyboard Those of you who have been curious about the new addition to the Editorial “stable” will be pleased to see that all is finally revealed in this month’s “What’s In Your Shed?” As the new steed is (nearly 6 years) too young to be VCC-eligible it may only be seen on events such as the Tuesday Ramble Christmas Lunch. I am, however, planning (Covid permitting) to take it to the Race4Life day at Teretonga in March and on the Autumn Colours/Mainland Classic Tour in April. I’m very relieved that, once again, there’s plenty for you to read this month as, at one stage, it looked as though I would be the only contributor. An extra-large “Thank you” therefore goes to Paul Herron, Bill & Annette Ainge and John Parish for voluntarily sending reports. Lots more events are coming up over the next couple of months so I hope that some of you will get busy writing and sending me reports on your activities to keep the pages full. Finally, I am altering the deadline for getting items into The Wiper. From now on the deadline will be before the 3rd Wednesday of the month. This will avoid the need to shorten the deadline on months when the 21 st of the month and the last Tuesday (Tuesday Ramble day) are too close to allow time to have The Wiper ready to distribute at the Tuesday Ramble. David North

Haere mai - Welcome A very warm welcome to new (joint) members Katherine and Andrew Welsh. They own a 1926 Buick Standard 6 Doctors coupe and we look forward to seeing them, and the car, at meetings and on runs and rallies. Katherine is obviously very enthusiastic as, not only is she the member and her husband the joint member, but she has already put her name down on the Supper Roster. Good for you, Katherine! The Editor 7

Dunedin to Brighton Rally 2021 Covid couldn't interrupt New Zealand’s longest continuous running car rally which was again held on Saturday the 16th of January. This year was the 66th year this rally was run which is for the veteran era vehicles. Entries were once again impressive with 40 vehicles which included a smattering of motorcycles. Lynne and I travelled up on Friday evening before, trailering our model T and also Dad’s 1915 T which we garaged since the National Veteran Rally in October.

Saturday weather was very sunny and hot which makes for more pleasant day motoring having attended in some shockers. We were the only entrants from Gore branch and assembled as past years at the First Church car park before filing down to the Octagon. We were then eventually flagged away by Dunedin’s mayor and I kept a keen ear on my lynneagator while we negotiated traffic lights and lane changes etc.

Otago branch has a problem in that they cannot deviate in the way to get to Brighton that isn't too steep for the old veterans, so again followed last year’s route.

Lunch again at the Brighton domain after field tests in the sweltering heat of the day. Again we thoroughly enjoyed the rally and to speak with the like minded enthusiasts. Prize giving was again at the Balmacewan Golf course with a great smorgasbord dinner. With not really trying we done ok being 1st in our class and 3rd overall. Look forward to next year’s 67th rally which will be my 16th time entering. Paul Herron 11

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. 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 12

Spotted! (1) Terry Inder’s Datsun collection is featured in an article on pages 76-78 of the February 2021 issue of New Zealand Classic Car magazine. In the same issue, “Next Month” promises that “Quinton Taylor gets taken out for a cruise in grand style in a superbly restored 1917 Cadillac Type 55 and discovers the magnificence of a 103year-old classic”. I suspect many readers of this newsletter will recognise the car! Eric Eaves and his 1912 traction engine are pictured at this year’s Edendale Crank Up on page 17 of the 4th February issue of the Southland Express: https://www.southlandexpress.co.nz/digitaledition/?edition=SXP_2021_02_04 The Editor 13

January Tuesday Ramble After some decidedly dodgy (and wet) weather in the preceding few days it was a great relief when Tuesday 26th of January proved to be dry and sunny. What wasn’t so much of a relief was the accompanying gale-force wind. Undeterred, Donna and I packed our folding chairs and picnic into the Editorial Toyota and set off for the Drummond Golf Club. We arrived just before the appointed time to find a line of cars filled with eager Tuesday Ramblers already there, ready and waiting. The temperature was already into the high 20s, helped by the very warm wind. Definitely not helped by the wind was the signing-in and paying process as the wind did its level best to blow the signing-in sheet, the banknotes and the participants clear across the countryside. Nevertheless all was successfully accomplished and, for once, everybody arrived within the specified timespan. A total of 30 Ramblers (and two “Junior” Ramblers as the Youngsons had once again brought their two grandsons) then set off in convoy on the short drive to Heather Knight’s property.

The parking area and garden where we were to have our picnic lunch were nicely sheltered from the wind, we could see the tops of the trees being blown about and hear the wind roaring like a jet aircraft taking off but the air at ground level was calm and still. After a brief welcome from Heather the Ramblers sorted themselves out with choice spots and set to, enjoying their food with the accompanying chatter and general air of enjoyment.

After lunch we went through to the house where Heather again welcomed us and told us the story of how Heather’s Hazels came into being. While telling us about the hazelnut farm Heather took us on a tour of the orchard, demonstrated how the hazelnuts are harvested from the ground and then how the nuts are processed. Heather had quite a soft voice and I had some difficulty hearing her over the wind, so I apologise in advance for any inaccuracies in my recollection of her story. Heather started off her journey with the idea that she would grow olive trees on the land. Unfortunately, experience showed that the soil and climate did not suit them. She discovered that there was a hazelnut grower 15

not too far away and made contact. This resulted in Heather deciding to give hazelnuts a go and planting out the “orchard” that we were stood in about ten years ago. The hazelnuts proved much more successful, as we could see from the flourishing trees all around us. Heather has had to plant at least three varieties, one being the main cropping one, the others are needed as pollinators since the plants are not self-pollinating. Interestingly, the hazelnut plant is actually a bush, despite their tree-like appearance. This has its challenges as the “trees” are quite determined to revert to bushes and produce large numbers of “suckers” at their bases. However, Heather has found that leaving the suckers in place until after the harvest seems to help keep possums at bay, so they do have their uses. There has been a lot of “trial and error” involved in getting to where Heather is now and she said that she still has a lot to learn. One aspect of this is the method of harvesting the nuts. These fall to the ground when ripe and need to be collected each day otherwise the local wildlife clear them up. At first Heather did this by hand (a pretty back-breaking job!) but then found that a walnut grower had invented a tool for doing the job. Heather demonstrated this and some of the Ramblers and Junior Ramblers also had a go – and found that there is quite a knack to it.

Having successfully grown and harvested the hazelnuts, the next problem was separating the kernels from the shells. Heather demonstrated a handpowered machine similar to a coffee grinder that she uses to do this. She also needed to find a market for the nuts and nowadays this is at farmers’ markets and direct to visitors or mail order. Some of the nuts are sold in their shells and others as roasted or spiced nuts, plus hazelnut dukkah, granola or as hazelnut milk. After the tour and the demonstrations, Heather brought out tasting plates for all those who had expressed an interest in trying different hazelnut recipes. The “sweet” plate included slices of chocolate hazelnut brownie and chocolate hazelnut fudge cake and a hazelnut encased in a dark chocolate heart. There was also a “savoury” plate which included hazelnut dukkah, spiced hazelnuts, dipping oil, bread and another chocolate hazelnut heart. As well as the tasting plates Heather also provided samples of blueberry greek yoghurt, “natural”, “activated” and roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut milk, granola and slices of a coffee and hazelnut cake. Needless to say, nobody went home hungry! A number of Ramblers were seen heading off with purchases and some were also intent on visiting the “Pick Your Own” blueberry farm a few kilometres away before heading home. 17

Heather’s “She-shed” or shop!

All in all, a very interesting and illuminating visit to a very unusual “lifestyle” farmlet set in beautiful surroundings, albeit one that looked like an awful lot of hard work to me, especially as this is a hobby and an addition to a full-time job. (And that’s without factoring in all the work involved in the upkeep of the extensive garden!) Heather was a charming and informative host and quite clearly loved what she was doing. Many of the Ramblers knew very little about hazelnuts and some had never tasted them before so it was a day of discoveries and despite the trials and tribulations of the wind (and the high temperatures) the day went off very well and we all learned a great deal. Thank you very much Heather. David North

Tuesday Ramble 30th March

Garry Mulqueen is organising a visit to Southland Shafts and Wheels 11.00am: meet at Gore Show Grounds Bring picnic lunch, tea, coffee etc. (Hot water supplied) Bring a pack of biscuits just in case we’re still there for afternoon tea! May also be joined with a visit from the Riding for the Disabled Association Contact Garry (03) 208 9232 19

WANTED a time-keeper and a couple of helpers for the field tests Gore members: please bring along something for the morning tea Thanks!

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

Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event

Proposed Date

Organiser(s)

2021 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!)

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. 22

Other Events 2021 26th – 27th February Moutere Hop: www.mouterehop.com 2nd March

Race4Life Event at Teretonga Park: https://race4life.org.nz/

14th March

Open Day & Garage Sale, Southland Branch

14th March

Best of British, Dunedin

20 March

VCC National Executive Meeting

27th March

Hokonui Hillclimb, Southland Branch. Contact Ferg McDowell. Phone 027 6149 723 or 03 235 8449. Email fergandenise@gmail.com

27th March

Swap Meet & Bazaar, South Canterbury Branch

2nd – 5th April

National Vintage Car Rally, South Canterbury Branch. Followed by the Veteran Vintage Tour 2021. See adverts in Beaded Wheels #368

3rd – 4th April

Wheels at Wanaka: www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz/

1st May

Swap Meet, Ashburton Branch

14th August

VCC National AGM

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 16th – 21st January Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth

2023 Burt Munro Week National Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch 23

Southland Branch Rally 2021 Our day in Gore started as a very warm, calm and sunny morning, which clouded over and the temperature dropped as we approached Invercargill however the promise of a good day was there. Meeting up with friends, a cuppa, a briefing from the Rally Director and we headed off. We were on the short run and must have covered about 60km (took 2½ hours - at our speed!). We travelled out through the back of Otatara then South Invercargill and through Kennington to the end of the time trial although all on this section encountered a road closure which didn’t help in a timed section. Several vehicles stopped to ponder the problem when one entrant noticed that in an instruction further on we had to proceed to ‘First Street” which he knew was in Kennington, so off we went and managed to get on course again. Following a pleasant drive through rolling countryside, with some questions thrown in for interest only, our destination and lunch venue was the Waikawa Domain and here after lunch the field tests began. A new test we found was to guess the difference in weight in grams of two stone balls – very difficult for some. Then it was back to the Clubrooms for our evening meal and prize-giving. We had four entrants from Gore: Katie & John Parish, Paul & Lynne Herron, Jim McFadzien & David O’Hara and Bill & Annette Ainge. All managed to collect at least one trophy or certificate. Katie: 1st PV/PW Field Tests, 2nd PV/PW Road Section, Best Lady Driver; Jim – 1st P80 Road Section; Paul - Vintage Concours; Bill – best performance by an Austin. A great day’s outing with the Combined Branches Rally to follow on the next day (Sunday). Bill Ainge P.S. I checked with Katie about the four certificates (for three awards) that she is pictured holding and she was confused too, it seems there were two certificates for one section - one with the cup and one without! 26

Jim McFadzien

Katie Parish

Paul Herron

Bill Ainge

Photos by Annette Ainge 27

Combined Rally Sunday 7th February 2021

The Combined Rally was organised this year by the Southland Branch and they decided to join it onto their Southland Rally. Entries in the Combined Rally totalled 27 cars, with 3 from Central Otago, 3 from Gore, 1 from South Otago and the balance from Southland. The Rally was fairly lowkey with field tests consisting of six questions asked as we went out the gate and a run of 137 miles around the south coast to Tuatapere for lunch then on to Otautau and across to Winton where we visited the sheds of Les Andrews, then back to Invercargill. There were interesting stops suggested around the coast including Riverton Rocks, Cosy Nook, Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach. Lunch was in the public car park on the main street followed by a wander around the delights of Tuatapere. Then we were off to Winton and Les Andrews’ sheds. First it was a visit to the house to view the lacework that his wife (sorry I can’t remember her name!) does and it is amazingly delicate and must take hours to do. 28

The sheds had a collection of motorbikes, a lovely Chev truck and an eclectic mix of stuff that is hard to describe! There were lots of vintage farming tools, old household items through to dental equipment that looks like it came from my old primary school murder house. It was all well laid out but without help from Les I didn’t know what half of it was for.

Can anyone guess what car this cat mascot is on? Originally it would have had a thistle mascot. After a good look around and a natter it was back to the Southland clubrooms for the meal and prize-giving. I don’t know how they worked it out but Gore Branch was declared the Rally winner. We then had an interesting presentation from a Wellington-based couple Fred & Elisabeth Smit who have been travelling around the world in a 1957 Mercedes 220 Ponton for the last 7 years. They still have more to do but ended up back in NZ when Covid-19 restrictions started so are traveling NZ in a 1989 Mitsubishi van until they can head overseas again. If you are interested check them out on www.Facebook.com/ClassicStrider John Parish 29

Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 March

John & Katy Parish

April

Noel Kelly

May June July August September October November

Matt Cook Greg Elder Glenise Corcoran Katherine Welsh Roy Buchanan Beb Kennedy To be advised

December

To be advised

January

To be advised

February

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 30

Spotted! (2) Errol Hewlett’s “new” vintage racing car, a (the?) Gregory Special, is pictured in an article about the cars and exploits of Gordon Gregory, the builder, on pages 44-45 of the Southland Express for the 11th February: https://www.southlandexpress.co.nz/digitaledition/?edition=SXP_2021_02_11 (I think the car also features on the poster for the Southland Branch’s Hokonui Hillclimb earlier in this issue!) The Editor 31

What’s In Your Shed? (an early 70th birthday present)

1996 Ferrari 456GTA by David North

Two Italian cousins at home in Riverton

I was browsing Trademe’s “Ferraris for sale” listings on the 29th June last year when I spotted a Ferrari 456GTA advertised by Southern Specialist Cars of Christchurch. As I have always liked the look of these cars but never got round to sitting in one, let alone driving one, I suggested that we took the Abarth on a road trip to Christchurch so we could have a look at it (something I used to do a lot when I lived in the UK) plus some other cars I’d also seen. Purely out of interest, after all, what harm could it do?! We drove up and looked at the car, took it out for a test drive and I immediately felt at home in it. I turned to Donna and said, “I like this!” She later said that she knew then and there that I was going to buy it…. I told the salesman that I liked it but we would have to go away and think about it. Over the next week I decided that, as Covid had put paid to any idea of the cruise to Antarctica that I was thinking about for a 70th birthday present to myself, it made sense to use that money to fulfil a long-standing ambition and desire to own a Ferrari. So, I negotiated a deal and purchased the car on the 7th July. I was now the proud owner of my first Ferrari and not just any Ferrari, a V12-engined one! 32

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and some problems with the car, we weren’t able to pick it up until the 2nd September, at which time the odometer read 42,273kms. Our first “proper” drive in the car was the 600-odd kms from Christchurch to Riverton which confirmed that it was a comfortable longdistance tourer (no surprise there since that’s what it was designed for!) but with a surprising turn of speed when the throttle is floored. Since getting the car home we have used it a fair bit, mainly for short runs into Invercargill and down to Teretonga but also on some longer trips to Gore, Mossburn (via Manapouri!) and Dunedin. As a result, at the time of writing, the odometer reading has increased to 46,297kms.

It can allegedly seat four adults in comfort, but not with the front seats set where we have them! The “official” colour is Nurburgring Argento Metallic (that’s metallic silver in English) with a dark blue leather interior. I think it makes a refreshing change from the stereotypical red Ferrari and, besides, I always said I didn’t want a red Ferrari! It’s quite an understated car that doesn’t attract a lot of attention when driving along or when parked. Despite the badges and the number plate very few people seem recognise it as a Ferrari and even fewer know the model at all. It’s what you might call a “grown-up” Ferrari, so maybe I really am getting old! 33

Unusually for an “old” Ferrari, the car still retained the original leather document wallet containing the Owner’s Handbook, Service Booklet, Stereo and Alarm/Immobiliser Handbooks and an almost complete toolkit in its leather case. Some invoices for work carried out on the car while it was with the previous owner were also in the glove compartment. I was lucky enough to be contacted by the previous owner after I had joined the Ferrari Owners’ Club of New Zealand. I also discovered that the car is very well-known in the Ferrari Owners’ Club and is reputed to have been very well looked after. This, plus the work carried out by Southern Specialist Cars gave me a fair bit of confidence in the car.

Ownership History New Zealand-new. Imported by Maranello Concessionaires Australia PTY Ltd. Supplied by Continental Car Services to the first owner, Mr. (later Sir) Rajeshwar Sarup "Roger" Bhatnagar in Auckland on the 7 th November 1996 on registration plate UR4141. At that time Mr. Bhatnagar was the Chairman and Executive Director of Pacific Retail who owned Noel Leeming and Bond & Bond. (He was knighted for services to business and the community in 1998, becoming the first Indian to be knighted in New Zealand.) The second owner was a Christchurch psychologist who apparently stopped driving it due to ill health. His daughter sold it to the third owner. The third owner was Mr Roger Heijgen, a member of the Ferrari Owners’ Club of New Zealand. According to CarJam the current number plate, I456I, was applied on the 15th February 2000. Service History First (1,000-1,500km) service by Continental Car Services on the 10 th March 1997 at 1,099km. Yearly service by Continental Car Services on 14th November 1997 at 5,047km. Yearly service by Continental Car Services on 15 th December 1998 at 8,299km. Yearly service by Continental Car Services on 28 th January 2000 at 8,445km. Cambelt service on 11th November 2014 at 30,078km. Minor service on 25th February 2016 by Auto Restorations of Christchurch, no mileage recorded. Follow-up service on 23rd March 2016 by Auto Restorations, again no mileage recorded. 35

Mr Heijgen carried out extensive work on the car, including a top-end overhaul; new cam belts, brake pads and battery; torque tube overhaul (by Auto Restorations), suspension gas units done. In October 2018 the M.G. Service Centre in Kaiapoi fitted new spark plugs, rear O2 Lambda sensors and attended to a current drain from the stereo system. Southern Specialist Cars had the following work carried out prior to sale:  21st January 2020: replacement alternator  2nd March 2020: rectify oil leak from camshaft O-ring  27th May 2020: repair to leaking heater box and damaged climate ECU  9th July 2020: re-cored radiator Since we have had the car I have replaced a damaged inner RH door mirror moulding and replaced a missing rivet on one of the tool case buckles. (Thank you Star!) I have also had shrunken leather on the dashboard binnacle attended to by Southern Upholstery in Invercargill and some paintwork scratches attended to and a replacement battery fitted by Leitch Motorsport in Invercargill. (Apparently the existing battery had the terminals the wrong way round, making it impossible to tighten the connectors firmly.)

12 cylinders of Prancing Horse-power 36

Specification (from the Owner’s Manual) Engine: 5474cc V12; all-alloy, 48-valve, double overhead camshaft per bank, with Bosch Motronic fuel injection Compression ratio 10.6:1 Max power 325kw (442bhp) @ 6200rpm Max torque 549Nm (398lb/ft) @ 4500rpm Transmission: four-speed automatic transaxle, rear wheel drive Suspension: independent; by double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bars front & rear, with self-levelling rear Steering: ZF Servotronic power-assisted rack and pinion, 2½ turns lock to lock Brakes: ventilated discs, with servo assistance and anti-lock system Length: 4730mm (15ft 6in) Width: 1920mm (6ft 3½in) Height: 1300mm (4ft 3in) Wheelbase: 2600mm (8ft 6in) Kerb weight 1,930kg (4,255lb) Fuel tank capacity: 110 litres (24.2 gallons) Sump capacity: 10 litres (2.2 gallons) SAE 5W/40 oil Performance Acceleration: 0-100kph 5.5 secs Top speed 295km/h Fuel consumption: 14.7 to 35.2 L/100km (8 to 19mpg) [It’s averaged 18.5L/100km for me so far!] Ferrari 456 The 456 was the last Ferrari design to be signed off by Enzo Ferrari. This front-engined, rear-wheel drive four-seat grand tourer was designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina and was introduced in 1992. The 456 was a replacement for the front-engined 412 as the company's V12-powered four-seater. Pininfarina built the bodies until 1996 when production was moved to Ferrari. At the time of its introduction it was the most powerful production road car ever developed by Ferrari, and the most expensive. With a top speed of 302kph it was also the world's fastest production four-seater. 37

The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456cc. This was the last Ferrari to use this naming convention until the 488 GTB. At launch only the GT (6-speed manual) was offered but in 1996 a 4-speed automatic version, the GTA, was added. This was the second, and last, conventional hydraulic automatic transmission with a torque converter to be offered by Ferrari. Both the manual and the automatic transmissions were rear-mounted and combined with the differential in a transaxle. In 1998 the 456 was replaced by the 456M (M for Modificato) in both manual (GT) and automatic (GTA) versions. Production ceased in 2003, making it the last production Ferrari to have pop-up headlights. Total production of the Ferrari 456 amounted to 3,289 units: 456: 1,951 (GT: 1,548 and GTA: 403) 456M: 1,338 (GT: 688 and GTA: 650) The chassis is of tubular steel space-frame construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels of aluminium. The body panels are welded to the chassis using a special material, called feran, that, when laid between, allows steel and aluminium to be welded together.

The End!

David North 38

Brainteaser An easy one this month! Can you decipher the phrase reflected in this lettering layout? yyuryyubicuryy4me

Answer next month Answer to Last Month’s Brainteaser Can you guess the common phrase reflected in this lettering layout? /R/E/A/D/I/N/G/ Answer: Reading between the lines.

COOKERY CORNER Apple Curd Ingredients 250g apples, peeled and sliced 2 eggs 50g butter

1½ lemons 2 cups caster sugar

Method Cook apples with a small amount of water then mash them Zest the lemon, adding this and the juice to the apple mash Beat the eggs and add along with the sugar Place in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of water and bring to the boil. Melt the butter in this then turn the heat down to a simmer. Add the prepared apple mixture and cook, stirring constantly till thick, which may take over 15 minutes Remove from heat. Cool Spoon into lidded jars and store these in the fridge Can be spread on toast or a sandwich. Yum Yum! Gerry Kennedy

Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Hazelnuts in New Zealand: http://www.hazelnutnurseries.co.nz/index.html The Ferrari 456: https://viaretro.com/2019/06/the-forgotten-ferrari-456/ Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 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 2/3

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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 3rd Wednesday of each month for inclusion in the next issue of The 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

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