THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
May 2021
Next meeting: 11th May
The May meeting will start at 7.30pm and will be followed by Elisabeth and Fred Smits talking about their six-year round the world tour in their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S “Abel” and towing tent-trailer “Zambezi” 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:
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(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 Report May 2021 Autumn has arrived after a long spell of nice weather. I hope you all have been able to get out in your vehicles and enjoy some motoring. During Easter I joined up with 40 other Vintage vehicle owners in my 1924 Star Tourer and attended the First National Vintage Rally based in Timaru. It was a great well-organised event of non-competitive motoring over the Saturday and Sunday in temperatures of up to 32ºC and nor’west winds which made for great hood down motoring! Make sure you bring friends and family along to our May meeting to hear Elisabeth and Fred Smits speak and show film of their adventures around the world. The meeting will start earlier at 7.30 pm. Rumour has it that Russell Newland has purchased the lovely little Sunbeam Imp from Bill Sheddan. The kitchen renovations are proceeding with all new windows and doors fitted and the old interior and appliances etc. all removed and waiting on new joinery to be measured and ordered. Happy motoring. Greg Elder
Spotted! An easy “Spotted” this month – the front cover of Beaded Wheels #369 featured Katy & John Parish in their Alvis during the Southland Rally. They are also just visible in a photo on pages 58-59, behind Jim McFadzien in his BMW. The Editor
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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 next month
Answer to Last Month’s Brainteaser David’s Father had 3 sons, Snap, Crackle and ------------------? Answer: David - of course! 4
Club Captain’s Report May 2021 Daylight saving has finished and it is starting to get colder as we head into autumn but we still have a couple of events to go on the calendar. Tim Walsh and family are organising the Night Trial on the 8th of May. This is their first go at organising a branch event so come along and show your support. The End of Season Run is on the 5th of June and is being organised by Rod Bell. Rod has promised fine weather for this event so that has got to be worth turning out for. I am sure it will be a fun afternoon regardless of the weather If you won a trophy last year and still have it at home please return it to the clubrooms as soon as you can so that we can get organised for the Annual Dinner and Prize-giving in July. The May meeting is one not to miss with the updated branch constitution being discussed and voted on. We also have Fred & Elisabeth Smits as guest speakers telling us about their adventures travelling around the world in their 1957 Mercedes. The meeting will start early at 7.30pm to fit everything in so put a note on your calendar. John Parish
Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Buick Standard 6: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Standard_Six Two wheeled car: https://carbuzz.com/news/this-2-wheeled-car-is-a-5-million-masterpiece Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 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 Well, what a change from last month. Not only can we once again travel freely within New Zealand but we also have a “travel bubble” open to Australia. I hope that doesn’t mean that all my loyal readers are going to be disappearing over the ditch! As I suggested last time, this month’s issue is slightly different to usual in that there are photos galore as I have tried to incorporate as many as possible of the ones there wasn’t room for in the April issue. We are now getting to the time of year when events of all sorts become scarcer and I have to work harder to extract stories from people. This means that I am particularly grateful to first-time contributors Katherine Welsh and Garry Mulqueen. Katherine has sent a story introducing herself and the family’s “VCC” car and Garry a report on the Tuesday Ramble he organised to the “Shafts & Wheels. To round out this month Gerry Kennedy has supplied two reports and my wife, Donna, spotted some of Margaret McLennan’s handiwork online. It is also nearly AGM time and I am once again putting myself forward as Bulletin Editor and Branch Delegate. I hope that I have done a good enough job over the past year for you to allow me to continue. David North
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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 10
AGM nominations received to date Chairman Secretary Treasurer Beaded Wheels Reporter Bulletin Editor Branch Delegate
Paul Herron Bill Ainge Rod Bell Bill Sheddan David North David North
More nominations needed! 11
What’s In Your Shed? 1926 Buick Standard 6 by Katherine Welsh My name is Katherine Welsh, and along with my husband Andrew we have recently joined the Gore branch of the Vintage Car Club. We have three children, Toby (8), Liam (6) and Duncan (3). My association with the NZ Vintage Car Club began as a young child in the early 1990s. In 1989 my late father Russell Jackson (Southland VCC) purchased a 1926 Buick from Neville Ridd. It arrived looking somewhat like this first photo:
It wasn’t too long before Dad had the wheels painted up and whitewall tyres on. It was ready to drive. I vaguely recall him driving it around the block in suburban Invercargill sitting on a beer crate, as the body of the car was yet to be restored. (Photo overleaf)
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From this point there was still a long way to go to get the Buick ready for the road. It needed the framework done, seating, dash, and much more. This process would take more than 10 years, so in the meantime, my Dad bought a 1937 Pontiac, which was on the road in a much shorter time-frame. We spent many rallies driving around in the Pontiac. My late Grandfather Ken Kyle (Southland VCC) enjoyed helping Dad restore the vehicles, and purchased one of his own, an Austin 10, I also remember going on rallies with him. I especially remember the ones where I was navigating and missed a turn-off. 13
When my father passed in 2000 the bodywork of the Buick was already complete, my Mum ensured the upholstery was finished, and the vehicle was towed back to be stored. In 2008 Andrew asked me to marry him. I wanted the Buick as my wedding car, as Dad had put so much time and effort into the car that it felt like it would honour his memory to have it there. I am forever grateful to my Grandad and his good friend the late Bill Skeggs (Southland VCC) for finishing the Buick and making sure it was running and roadworthy in time for my wedding. I know there was a lot left to do to get it finished, and they worked tirelessly on it. On the day it ran like a charm.
After the wedding it was again trailered home to be stored. Eventually it made its way to my garage where it was stored for 10 years, going for a short run maybe once every two years. 14
Late last year my Mum was ready to finally sell the Buick. But there was a part of me that couldn’t let it go. So I agreed to buy it from her, on her condition that I learn to drive it, and use it. On February 27 this year, Andrew and I, along with our three children attended the Gore Festival Rally in our Buick. Including the return trip from home it would have driven over 100 miles, its longest trip to my knowledge. I even had a drive of it myself on the way back to Gore.
The Buick (L) with “friends” during the Festival Rally (photo by the Editor)
I am looking forward to learning more about the inner workings of this car, I have a lot to learn. But I’m sure our journey with the Gore Vintage Car Club will be key to my learning. Looking forward to our next opportunity to get out and about in our ‘Old Car’. Katherine Welsh
Marriage Marriage is a relationship where one person is always right and the other person is the husband. Sent in by Gerry Kennedy 15
More of Lynne Herron’s photos from the National Ford Model T Rally
At the lunch stop
From viewing platform overlooking the Port of Lyttelton, stacks of shipping containers 16
The drained swamp area at Pyramid Flats
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More photos from the February Tuesday Ramble
Advertisements from the Southland Times
The three Massey-Fergusons
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The Bedford TK
Unusual garden seat
The Editor 19
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Night Trial Saturday 8th May
7:00pm: meet at the Clubrooms 7.30pm: first car away Distance is approximately....hmmm.... you’ll find out (but not too far) Travel is all on sealed roads (except for 80 metres on gravel)
Hopefully, some divine intervention isn’t required but on this run it may help Please bring a plate for a shared supper after the run Phone Tim & Anna 03 208 3531 or cell phone 0274 368 663 21
Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event
Proposed Date
Organiser(s)
2021 Night Trial
Saturday 8th May
Tim Walsh
End of Season Run
Saturday 5th June
Rod Bell
Branch AGM
Tuesday 8th June
Annual Dinner & Prize-giving
July
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
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 1st May
Swap Meet, Ashburton Branch
8th May
Waimea Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch
15th May
Post War, Post 60, Post 80 rally, Southland Branch
14th August nd
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VCC National AGM 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 3rd – 6th February
National Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch
8th – 12th February Burt Munro Challenge, Invercargill
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May Meeting Night (11th May) Come and listen to Elisabeth and Fred Smits talking about their six-year round the world tour in their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S “Abel” and towing tent-trailer “Zambezi”
Approx. 75 minutes of short video clips, pretty pictures and tales of derring do. While this is a car-travel story, it is specifically aimed at a very wide audience
SO DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PARTNERS AND FRIENDS ALONG 24
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
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Wearable Art Bras made by Margaret McLennan some years ago
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Spotted on the Riversdale Arts Facebook page by Donna North
More Puns Please The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester. Need an ark to save two of every animal? I Noah guy. Sent in by Janet Brewster 28
Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 May
Matt Cook
June
Greg Elder
July August September October November December January
Glenise Corcoran Katherine Welsh Roy Buchanan Beb Kennedy To be advised To be advised To be advised
February
To be advised
March
To be advised
April
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.
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Festival Rally Long Route Mary and I went up early so we could be there to get raffle sales underway. Once again lovely yummy morning tea, just what’s needed before heading out on a brain-teaser. We were one of the entrants to head off early, I think the Proctors wanted us to be one of the first to get lost, but No. After leaving the clubrooms we did what may be called a complete circle. Heading out past the golf course and back down onto Lumsden Gore Highway and right past the clubrooms. Then a circuit round town before heading out to East Gore and out to Knapdale, right and headed back to Gold Creek Road where we turned left and onto some roads not often travelled on. Which made some great viewing. Travelling on to Maitland and out towards Kelso, turning to Tapanui, Seddon Hill Road and onto Duncan Road which takes you through to the Tapanui – Raes Junction Highway. Big right onto Cameron Road and round past what was Barrow Box Sawmill and into Tapanui, then onto more roads not often ravelled on which take you back towards Waipahi but taking you to Arthurton and on to Pukerau for final check and field tests and the lunch break. We headed back to the clubroom early to look after raffles and thanks to Bill Sheddan and Starr for transporting prizes down to the RSA after afternoon tea. We headed down to the RSA, sold the rest of the tickets and had them drawn before prize giving. Well a lot of lucky Rally entrants all received trophies and certificates, pleased I didn’t hold my breath. One of the highlights to finish off a great day was Barry Newland being awarded his 50-year badge. Barry’s been a loyal GVCC member, not one for office bearer but sure has done a great job in bike-a-thons, oyster opening, dressing geese, hens etc. Good meal, great Rally, great company. Big thanks to the Rally organisers, another great Rally Gerry Kennedy 30
More photos from the 2021 Festival Rally
Some of the cars, the Walsh Rolls in the foreground
The placemats featured Barry Newland’s Model A
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Bryan Neilson’s Chev truck giving Robin McCall’s Zodiac a helping hand
Barry Newland (L) and George Kear after Barry’s presentation
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Gore Branch Chairman Greg and (L) the Overall Winner, Katy Parish (Gore Branch) and Dave Birss, Overall Runner-up (Southland Branch
The Editor
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More photos from the Southland Veteran Rally
Two Cadillacs, (L) Wayne Nicoll’s (Southland Branch) and Greg Elder’s (Gore Branch)
Some of the cars, including Gore member Paul Herron’s Model T (centre)
…and three more of the cars
Greg Elder 34
More photos from the Clearwater Capers & the Frank Robson Memorial Run
Greg Elder 35
Gore Branch Swap Meet 2021 Firstly a big thank you to all that helped in many ways. Thanks to those who turned up on Saturday to rope off the Heartland Hotel lawn. Big thanks to the gate keepers, it’s not a pleasant job at 7am, bloody cold. Plus those who helped throughout the day, also the parking helpers - not that all vendors listen, they have a mind of their own. Thanks to Evan and helpers in the parts department, bit of a slow start but ending up OK. All helpers in the kitchen. Well the day started off rather cool but by mid-morning the weather treated us kindly. Swap meet vendors were very slow turning up this year apart from a few that arrived the day before and camped overnight.
The stall numbers this year were rather disappointing with 30-35 sites, down on last year’s 50-plus, but by all accounts the sales seemed to be pretty good. We had two inside stall holders, David North and Roger Laird. Roger had a very impressive display of model cars etc. He was a bit disappointed on sales but he enjoyed his day. Thanks to Keith Dodds for his help taking signs down on the Tuesday. So thanks to all, this will help branch funds, a full report was given at the April meeting. Gerry Kennedy (Photo by the Editor) 36
Tuesday Ramble 30th March The March Tuesday Ramble was held at the Southland Shafts & Wheels, located at the Gore A&P grounds. It was a fine but cool day, good for working horses. Our teamsters for the day were Tony Daikee, Neil MacLeod and Erin Allan. The day started with lunch in the clubrooms and a short talk about the Shafts and Wheels.
After lunch, Neil and Wayne (“Doc”) Wilson gave a tour of the shed, talking about and explaining the use of all of the different vehicles stored there. We were surprised when Stewart Quertier brought out photos of one of the vehicles explaining that it was owned by the Quertier family. 37
He also gave a short history of the vehicle (most helpful). [Stewart has kindly provided more information and this will be in next month’s issue. Ed.]
Tony, Neil and Wayne hitched up the horses and most of the car club members went for a ride in one, and for some, both of the vehicles. A lot of early memories were recalled and stories told about experiences of times of a slower lifestyle. A lot of yarning and jokes made for a great day.
Disc brakes on this one!
Garry Mulqueen (Photos by the Editor) 38
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COOKERY CORNER Autumn Cake INGREDIENTS 120g butter 1cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup chopped walnuts Pinch of salt 1 cup chopped dates 2-3 cups peeled and sliced apples METHOD Preheat oven to 175ºC Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy Add egg and beat, followed by the dry ingredients, walnuts, dates and apples. Mix well Spoon batter into a greased and sugared 20cm tin and bake for 20-30 minutes Cool in tin for 10 minutes before turning onto a rack to cool completely Serve warm with cream or yoghurt. Gerry Kennedy
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ADVERTISEMENTS 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 0735339 1/3
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 2265967 1/3
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Tailpiece
Neil McVicar and Fay Graves packing up after the Frank Robson Memorial Run. (Photo by Greg Elder)
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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
GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE
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