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

June 2021

Next meeting: 8th June

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 Front cover picture:

(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

Chairman's Annual Report 2021 Another VCC year has passed, and it certainly has been rather different with all the upheaval of Covid. Hopefully, the worst is past, and we do appear to be getting back to normal! A special thanks to Bill Ainge and Rod Bell for their help up at the front table. Our branch members have had a busy year with events and monthly meetings. A big thank you to all members who have helped with running events throughout the year. The Wednesday crew do an amazing job of looking after the grounds and buildings along with helping in the kitchen renovations which are progressing well. David North has again done an amazing job producing The Wiper. Thank you to everyone who has supplied articles to David so we can enjoy the magazine. The National Veteran Rally back in October 2020 run by our branch under the guidance of Paul and Lynne Herron and committee was a successful event. Welcome to all our new members who have joined during the past year. Great to see you at our meetings and enjoying motoring in your vehicles at the branch events. The May meeting was well attended to hear guests Fred and Elisabeth Smits talk and show pictures of their six-year round-the-world tour. The branch has lost some members and friends during the past year and on behalf of members I would like to again offer our sympathies. As I am standing down from three years as Chairman, I would like to wish the incoming Chairperson all the best and hope you enjoy it all as much as I have. Happy motoring. Greg Elder 3

BRAINTEASER Another one from Gerry Kennedy this month: A lady was born in 1975 and died in 1975 aged 22 years old. How come? Answer next month

Answer to Last Month’s Brainteaser A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman, an attractive girl named Sarah. The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip that would last a week. Before he left, he gave Sarah seven apples. Why Answer: Because an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Club Captain’s Report June 2021 Katy and I couldn’t make it to the Night Trial but it sounds like entrants had a good time finding all 13 church buildings around Gore. Once again, the McVicar family had the sharpest eyes and were the event winners. Thanks to Tim, Anna, and family for organising the run. The final run for this season is the End of Season Run on the 5th of June. This is being organised by Rod Bell and will be worth turning out for. It is the last branch event before winter so make the most of the opportunity. Thanks to all those who have returned the trophies they won last year. These are now all back bar one which is on its way. If you didn’t make it to the last meeting night the updated Branch Constitution was unanimously passed by members. It now has to go to head office to get a final sign off before we can officially adopt it. We also enjoyed the presentation and slide show by Fred and Elisabeth Smits on their travels around the world in their 1957 Mercedes. The June meeting will be followed by our AGM so please come along and support your branch. Most of the positions are filled but there are always opportunities for members to assist with the running of the branch. John Parish

More Puns Please I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it. Atheism is a non-prophet organization. What did the man say when the bridge fell on him? The suspension is killing me. Sent in by Janet Brewster 5

June Meeting and AGM Tuesday 8th June, 7.30pm start Please note that the AGM will follow the “normal” monthly meeting

VCC Gore Branch AGM – Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous AGM (11/08/2020) Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Elections General Business

All Committee and Officer positions are open for nominations 6

From the Editor’s Keyboard The next monthly meeting will include the branch AGM, which marks the end of another year of branch events and activities. These provide the raw material for much of the content of The Wiper and it is thanks to the efforts of the organisers and the contributors that there is a bulletin for you all to read each month. This month’s contributors include Elisabeth and Fred Smits, who kindly provided a taster of the talk they gave at last month’s meeting for the benefit of those who didn’t (or couldn’t) attend. Unfortunately, I did not have room for all of their pictures but if space allows I will include a few more next month. My thanks must also go to Paul & Lynne Herron for their interesting account of the National South Island Vintage Easter Rally and Keith & Linda Nunn’s account of Keith’s first experience of driving a Model A. Murray Proctor once more put his hand up to report on the Tuesday Ramble, although he told me quite emphatically that it will be someone else’s turn this month! The Walsh family not only organised the Night Trial but also kindly sent in a report on the event. Finally, I must thank the three unsung heroes, Greg, John and Bill (and Annette), who provide the Chairman’s and Club Captain’s reports and the Minutes of the meetings every month. As I have said many times before, without all the willing (and, sometimes, not so willing!) contributors, The Wiper would be a very much thinner publication every month. Thank you! David North

Spotted! John Tremaine was featured on page 18 of The Ensign dated 21st April in an article about him keeping his promise to “downsize” his vehicle collection. https://www.theensign.co.nz/digital-edition/?edition=ENS_2021_04_21

The Editor 7

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

AGM nominations received to date Chairman Secretary Treasurer Beaded Wheels Reporter Bulletin Editor National Delegate Festival Rally Organiser Librarian

Paul Herron Bill Ainge Rod Bell Bill Sheddan David North David North Murray Proctor Stewart Quertier

More nominations needed!

National South Island Vintage Easter Rally After discussing our options for our Easter break we considered a return to the Wheels at Wanaka Show or participate at the first ever National Vintage Rally being hosted by South Canterbury Branch, which sounds like a nicer option. Lynne and I decided to enter my Dad’s 1928 Model A Tudor and chairman Greg Elder has also entered his 1924 Star Tourer. Registration was from 4.00m on Good Friday, which gave us plenty of time to travel up to Timaru with our cars on trailers and to negotiate holiday traffic. Although unplanned, we travelled north together as we caught up with Greg at Pukerau. Arriving in Timaru, finding our digs and registering had us anticipating a great weekend of motoring with like-minded motorists. 46 entrants arrived early on Saturday and duly left at 2-minute intervals to space us out on our non-competitive tour of approximate 200 miles return. We elected for the tarseal only route which had us motoring through Pleasant Point, where the railway society had an open day with the historic steam train operating. Then onto Temuka from the west and up to Winchester. Then onto Fairlie where we lined up in the town centre for our much needed lunch. A great days motoring albeit cooler, however dry.

Lunchtime at Fairlie (photos by Lynne Herron

We were then bused from our accommodation on our return to Timaru to the Pharlap Raceway for our evening meal and entertainment.

Lunchtime at Geraldine (photo by Greg Elder) 15

Sunday dawned a much hotter day, however we were warned about strong winds. Our route was of a shorter drive leaving the clubrooms and our destination was to lunch at Geraldine. We stopped enroute at the Richard Pearse monument for a photo op and on to a museum called Route 79, owned by Paul Robins. Newly completed and recently opened to public, and well displayed artifacts of historic motoring and military items.

Richard Pearse Memorial (photo by Greg Elder)

At Paul Robins’ Route 79 Museum

Proceeded to the domain for lunch, where we were showered with leaves and acorns with the strong winds. We then travelled to a huge museum of Roger Mahan’s which had earthmoving machinery, vintage trucks and veteran cars spaciously displayed, this is yet to be opened to the public. [See photo overleaf, Ed] On our return to Timaru we negotiated downed tree branches and onto the Pharlap memorial which completed a fantastic 2 days of vintage motoring, with the final dinner again at the Pharlap Racecourse. Well done South Canterbury branch and organising committee for a great weekend. Paul & Lynne Herron

De Dion at Roger Mahan’s

Annual Dinner & Prize-giving Saturday 17th July at the Gore RSA

$30 per person for the meal Cash bar More details at the June monthly meeting and in the July issue of The Wiper Enquiries and bookings to Des Brewster Phone: (03) 208 1960 or 027 845 1752

Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event

Proposed Date

Organiser(s)

2021 End of Season Run

Saturday 5th June

Branch AGM

Tuesday 8th June

Annual Dinner & Prize-giving

Saturday 17th July

Des Brewster

VCC National Day / Daffodil Rally

Sunday 22nd August

TBC

Opening Run

Sunday 12th September

TBC

Auction Night

Tuesday 12th October (Meeting night)

TBC

Tuesday Ramble

Rod Bell

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.

Other Events 2021 14th August

VCC National AGM

22nd August

VCC National Day/Daffodil Rally

Targa VCC Time Trials (North Island) 25 - 30 October Enquiries to: Rod Corbett, VCC Steward, rod.corbett88@gmail.com or 027 433 8772 th

2022 16 – 21 January Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth th

2023 3 – 6 February rd

National Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch

8 – 12 February Burt Munro Challenge, Invercargill th

End of Season Run Saturday 5th June

1:30pm: depart from Club Rooms Destination: the Club House Run will involve a quiz and scavenger hunt Participants are requested to bring their afternoon tea (eats & drinks), a seat, a positive attitude and a sense of humour Rod Bell: 027 229 2191

Tuesday Ramble 29th June

11.00am: meet at clubrooms 11.30am:

depart for Tapanui

12.30pm:

lunch at illys Café

(Finger lunch $15 – $20 per head)

1.30pm: visit West Otago Museum (Cost $4 per head) They have a collection of old farm bikes

Contact Gerry 027 233 4634

No later than Thursday 24th for catering 23

Gisborne Model A Rally Before Easter we flew to Tauranga to participate for a week in the 15 th National Model A Rally in Gisborne. We were looking forward to driving in a friend’s Model A Coupe – even though Keith had never driven one before! By the time we got to Gisborne everything about the car became quite familiar as we followed three other ‘A’s around East Cape and stayed a night at Hicks Bay. The Events Centre at the A & P Showgrounds was the base for the Rally of 125 Model As. The Concours were getting judged the first day. Instead we did a self-drive tour which pointed out all the interesting history and sights of the city and seaside suburbs. That evening a Welcome Dinner was held and we were entertained by a school Kapa Haka group and a guest speaker - the owner of Farmers Air.

Lined up to go to Mahia

After picking up our packed lunch, 125 cars (including John and Mary Tremaine in their Model A) left on the first day of rallying to Mahia Peninsula. At Morere we turned onto Tunanui Road which took us to Mahanga Beach, then onto Mahia by lunchtime. It was then down to the end of the Peninsula to see where Rocket Lab is and view Portman Island, calling into the local Te Mahia School on the way. Coming back we turned off and drove through Pongaroa Station, a farm owned by Sir Michael Fay. Lots of hills climbed and corners turned with great scenery on the way!

Wednesday was a drive to Motu via Whakarau Road – 40km of it on gravel, more narrow roads, hills and corners, passing 13 farm stations – amazing where some people farm! On the way we stopped at Te Karaka for morning tea to show off the cars to the locals including lots of excited school children.

At Motu School

Motu School made us welcome at lunch time and all the children got to ride in one of the cars. We returned to Gisborne via Matawai. That night another lovely three course meal with most dressed up for a Hoe Down. The local Country & Western Club entertained with singing and line dancing.

At Ohope on way to Hicks Bay - Coupe we drove in foreground

Outside the Matawai Hotel

Thursday was the Grand Rally at Kaikino Station near Tiniroto on the road to Wairoa. To get there we did a detour on unsealed Parikanapa Road – another road high on the hills, but light rain that day did spoil some of the good views.

On Parikanapa Road - leading the way

The ‘Terrier Race Against Time’ committee hosted us for a High Country lunch – they raise money for breast cancer, and of course we saw the dogs race too which was fun!

Terrier Racing at Kaikino Station

Good Friday was an open afternoon at the Events Centre with market stalls, assembly challenge and field tests and a large crowd of locals turned up to see all the cars. Saturday was the Awards Dinner – another good night. After a farewell breakfast the next morning we headed back to Tauranga through the Waioeka Gorge – a lovely drive alongside the river a lot of the way. It was great to see how many versions of the Model A there are, meet with owners and catch up with others we have met on VCC Tours, and drive the ‘Back of Beyond’ roads we travelled on. Many thanks David & Val, we had a most enjoyable week driving in your Model A. Keith & Linda Nunn

April Tuesday Ramble We arrived at the car club car park at around 9.50am for a 10.30 start. When we arrived 6 - 8 cars were parked up and waiting and just on 10.00 our leader arrived spraying gravel and grinning with enthusiasm. (I’m now wondering if, for all these years, we’ve been blaming the wrong people for tearing up the car park.) All those going had arrived and although it was a bit early it was too cold to stand around talking, so we headed off and got the heaters powered up. We cruised towards Miller’s Flat which, was the lunch stop, some going through Kelso and Heriot while we opted to go through Tapanui. The drive through to Miller’s Flat was pretty uneventful, we had a bit of rain in places and we lost vision a couple of times when logging trucks traveling the other way covered us with dirty road spray (complete waste of time washing the car the day before). Making our way into the Tavern, we were welcomed by our hosts Mark and Lucy McConway. Lovely and warm inside with a large wood fire keeping the cold at bay. Everyone settled in talking, having a drink until lunch or just sitting enjoying the warmth. Lunch was soup and garlic bread or quiche and salad, very nice too.

Lunch time

Later I heard that some missed out on lunch, which was strange because I’m sure I had seen some going up for seconds. After lunch our hosts presented Russell and Marlene Newland with a bottle of Merlot as a prize for publican’s choice (tinny bugger, 1st run in the Sunbeam). After lunch we headed a couple of miles past Ettrick to Wynyard Estate where we were welcomed by Wendy King and Graham Strong, the owners and directors of Wynyard Estate Saffron. After a light-hearted health and safety briefing, Wendy gave us a breakdown of the history and starting up of the saffron growing and also the gardens that surround the house. We were told that the gardens are a direct result of growing the saffron because rocks are brought to the surface when the various growing blocks are worked up. And what better way to use them than to create another garden border.

Graham & Wendy

We ambled down to one of the plots close to the house, braved the rather chill breeze and we were told of the climate, rainfall and soil conditions required for getting the crocus plant to, first of all, grow and then to produce the flowers. Flowers had been picked earlier in the morning and there would be another picking later in the afternoon. Because the plants all grow at different heights, machines can’t be used so everything is done 29

by hand, including opening the flowers to get the stamen out. I was surprised at just how small the flower is, it’s no wonder that the number picked to produce a gram of saffron is quite large and of course also expensive. The growing areas are fenced to keep the rabbits out and generally no irrigation is required although this year was the exception. After viewing the saffron plot, some of the group headed directly to the boutique shop and sampled the goodies on offer. Others took a guided tour of the extensive gardens and pond (no swimming allowed) and they also finished up at the shop. After trying a couple of jams and a slice of cake I would have to say that the flavours are quite discreet. I bought some Lemon Pucker Marmalade, very nice, and Marilyn bought spiced saffron and pear syrup, yet to be tried. We bid our hosts goodbye and we all made our own way home.

We carried on to Roxburgh where we crossed the Clutha and cruised down to Miller’s Flat, re-crossed the river and motored back to Gore, arriving at about 4.00 pm. While going through the Main Street of Gore I noticed a wobble through the car, turned out that the L/F tyre had developed a bulge. So in she goes for 2 new tyres on the Monday.

We had a great day out, even if it was a bit cool whenever we got out of the car.

[and so did Barry Newland, having lunch on a table full of ladies! Ed.]

Thanks must go to: Gerry Kennedy (organiser), Mark and Lucy (Miller’s Flat Tavern) and Wendy and Graham (Wynyard Estate Saffron). Murray Proctor

(Photos by the Editor)

From “The Ensign” Friday August 23rd 1974 Wrightcars Ltd, Gore 1972 1971 1971 1970 1969 1969 1968 1967 1967 *1967 1966 1961 1969 1962

Vauxhall Viva 2-door Hillman Hunter MkII Toyota Corona 1700 Chrysler Valiant Pacer Triumph 2000 Vauxhall Viva 4-door Chrysler Valiant VE Manual Hillman Hunter S/Wagon Holden S/Wagon HR Vauxhall Cresta PC Volkswagen 1300 Vauxhall Velox PAX Jawa 175cc with crash helmet & visor MkII Zephyr

$2695 $2890 $3190 $3630 $3570 $1950 $2530 $1950 $1795 $1450* $1075 $750 $100 ono $900 ono

*I bought my 1968 PC Cresta in 2014, paid twice that price. Sent in by Gerry Kennedy 31

Night Trial - 8th May 2021 This year’s Night Trial was organised by the Walsh Family, it was their first time organising an event. However, the run was designed a few months ago and had to be considerably re-designed when the Gore “Streets Alive” project changed the layout of the town streets. Previous two-way streets became one-way, new roundabouts and road signs were installed. This year’s Run was designed around visiting all the churches in Gore. There are 13 in total excluding all the deconsecrated ones. We had a great turn out with 13 vehicles ready for the challenge. The preRun briefing was held, and the first car set off at 7:30pm in good weather conditions. The remaining vehicles departed at one-minute intervals thereafter so that it reduced the “follow the leader” situation. The cars wound their way around the maze of the newly-changed Gore streets and covered all of Gore from north to south, east to west. The Night Trial was judged based on the time travelled, mileage and questions answered. The main questions were about the church names and these are: Gore Christian Fellowship St Andrews Presbyterian Church The Chapel, St Peters College Calvin Community Church Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament Gore Baptist Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hokonui Christian Fellowship Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses Grace Church Anglican Holy Trinity Church Encounter New Life Plymouth Brethren Christian Church After about an hour of driving, everyone made it back to the club rooms for supper and we thank everyone who brought something to share as the 33

selection of food was outstanding. Prizes were awarded for closest to the miles travelled, accuracy of the questions answered, and time taken to travel the course. The overall winner was Neil McVicar and family who answered the most questions fully and were reasonably accurate to the time and miles. Keith and Linda Nunn had the closest time, and the “Kermit Krew” (AKA the Bells) did the exact number of miles. A big thank you to Des Brewster for setting up, Starr McDougall for running the bar and Matt Cook for arranging for a couple of items to play on the big screen while we all enjoyed supper and a chat. We hope everyone who took part enjoyed the run. The Walsh Family

Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Paul Robins Route 79 Museum https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/124283152/geraldine-manfollows-childhood-dream-of-opening-own-museum Roger Mahans https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/rural-people/countrys-oldest-tractormaking-trip-wanakaV Terrier Race Against Time https://www.terrierfun-gisborne.co.nz/ Wynyard Estate https://www.wynyardestatesaffron.com/ Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 34

Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 June

Greg Elder

July

Glenise Corcoran

August September October November December January February

Katherine Welsh Roy Buchanan Beb Kennedy To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised

March

To be advised

April

To be advised

May

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. 35

Around The World in a 1957 Mercedes–Benz

Imagine driving across five continents through unforgiving terrain in a 1957 Mercedes Benz. In early August 2014, after some three years of preparation, seasoned motoring pioneers Fred and Elisabeth Smits embarked on a ground-breaking worldwide driving adventure. The intrepid couple left their beloved family to encounter breakdowns, corruption, and risk robbery and muggings as they travelled unsupported in their 64-year-old vintage car “Abel”. The team braved inclement weather and challenging driving conditions, planning to spend some ten years living in their specialised, light-weight tent-trailer “Zambezi”, all in the name of adventure. To-date they have travelled 182,247 km through the USA, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Antarctica, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, and, if it weren’t for Covid-19, they would still be chewing up the miles. Being currently back in New Zealand they will jump at the first opportunity to continue their travels through Europe, Russia, the Orient, and then, by way of Africa to Australia before returning home in 2027(?). 36

During their globetrotting adventure, Fred and Elisabeth pay homage to the historic success of 1950s Mercedes cars, particularly the Ponton series. The team visited important locations that celebrate the unequalled achievements of the Mercedes racing and rally cars of the era, including the 300SL, 300SLR and the iconic gull wing. They retrace the famous rally routes, including the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, Nürburgring in Germany, Le Mans and Monte Carlo in France, and the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in Italy.

Their Mercedes 220S was built on 8 August 1957 in Germany, imported into Invercargill, New Zealand and registered there on 8 November 1957. Fred and Elisabeth bought the car in 2003 and drove over 30,000 kilometres in New Zealand before they started the full body-off, complete restoration of the car which took 26 months to complete. The restoration was of a very high technical and mechanical level, whereby every nut and bolt, every bearing and bush, and every rubber component of the car was replaced together with a complete rewire, and improvements towards safety and reliability. The engine was given a full rebuild, including a completely new head with valves, camshaft, lifters, pistons, conrods, crank shaft bearings, oil and water pump, engine timing system etc. 37

Elisabeth and Fred love to share their travel experiences and excitements, their love for seeing this beautiful world and meeting the local people. Aided by short video clips and numerous pretty pictures they tell their audiences about them being pit crew at the Bonneville Salt Flats speedway of Burt Munro fame, how they drove over the nearly 5,000m high mountain passes of the Andes and survived that night in the Brazilian Amazon encircled by hungry jaguars, how red ants invaded their tent and car in Guatemala, about their money laundering in Chile, their visits to the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica, and how they were arrested by a drug squad in Honduras.

Map of completed and planned route

The équipe has now completed 2,164 days on the road (that is 5 years, 10 months and 11 days!), slept in 508 different places, including 142 camping grounds, and were exposed to temperatures between -12 to +64°C. Thirsty Abel consumed 18,478 litres of petrol, 74 litres of engine oil and, together with Zambezi, demolished 41 tyres! While killing one hedgehog, 7,226 red ants and 232,185 insects during their travels, Elisabeth and Fred did not have one single argument together! Please follow them on www.Facebook.com/ClassicStrider Elisabeth & Fred Smits 38

Southland Branch Post War, Post 60, Post 70, Post 80 Rally 2021 This year, without a Club Captain, it was decided to use the rally route which was used for the Combined Rally held in February, but without a timed section and changing the questions as well as adding more. The route started from the Southland Branch Clubrooms, traversed Otatara and West Plains to the Invercargill-Riverton Highway (already we had three questions), continued on through Riverton (7 questions) round the Rocks Highway turning around at Howells Point (another 3 questions) and off towards Tuatapere with options of driving into Cosy Nook, Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach (4 more questions) and on to our lunch stop in the car park in the main street of Tuatapere. The day was a little fresh but the fellowship over lunch made it bearable. A few of us spied a Market Day advertised and so spent some warming time inside looking at what was on offer (not sure if any purchases were made!). [Well, I found a book I didn’t know I needed! Ed] Our afternoon run was to Winton to view the impressive collection of Les Andrews, then back to the Clubrooms for noggin’n’natter, prize-giving and an evening meal.

Members attending from our Branch were: Jim McFadzien, BMW; David North, Toyota; Bill and Annette Ainge, MGB.

David collected the winning certificate in the Post 80 class. (Photo left)

Bill & Annette Ainge 39

COOKERY CORNER Beef Casserole Ingredients 600 – 700g steak, cut into large cubes (use rump, blade or skirt steak) 2tsp oil 1 large onion, diced 1 carrot, grated 1 cup brown lentils 480g tin tomatoes 200ml water or broth 1tsp each of thyme, sage and rosemary 1 bay leaf Method In a large saucepan, sauté the onion in the oil, then add all the ingredients except the steak and bring to the boil Stir in the steak, cover and cook slowly for an hour Enjoy Gerry Kennedy

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SALE 1986 Toyota Corolla 1.6 GL Liftback. Completely original, first (lady) owner for 30 years, then us. 179,000kms. 1600cc, 5speed manual. VIC, Rego & WoF. Body has the usual stone chips and supermarket trolley dings, upholstery is excellent. Fun to drive (suspension tuned by Chris Amon!), reliable, economical and has been a great Post-80 car but I’m now looking for something a bit more sporty and/or Italian. $4,500 ono. David North, phone 021 172 3281 or email northd14@gmail.com 1/3

FOR SALE

Myford ML7 lathe in good working condition, single phase. Forward/Reverse, all gearing & tooling included. Mounted on a good cabinet. $2,300. Please contact Grant Clearwater, Gore. Tel: 021 073 5339 2/3

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 027 226 5967 2/3

Tailpiece

Sent in by Stewart Quertier

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

GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.

WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE