The
Toilet paper crisis over Club Meeting on the 3rd June
Distributor
June 2020
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
We’re Back!!
Club Night 7:30 Wednesday 3rd of June 2020 Dr Bloomfield and Aunty Jacinda says we can come out and play now, so we’ll see you at the Club !!! Supper at home… afterwards….
DATE
UPCOMING MEETINGS
3.6.2 0
General Club Meeting
10.6. 20
Club Committee Meeting (note change)
16.6. 20
Clubrooms Upgrade Committee Meeting
20.6. 20
Clubrooms Upgrade Proposals Presentation 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
1.7.2 0
Annual General Meeting (upgrade proposals still on display)
14.7. 20
Clubrooms Upgrade Committee Meeting
15.7. 20
Club Committee Meeting
5.8.2 0
General Club Meeting & voting on upgrade proposals
Chairman’s Chat May 2020 Fingers crossed, we might just be able to get back to something approximating a car club soonish. I am writing this on Monday morning 25th May…so Jacinda hasn’t told me if I’m allowed to have more than ten playmates in my sandpit yet. Maybe after 4:00 pm today. It does exercise the mind a bit when I can avail myself of the services of a brothel, I can tackle, spit and bleed on my mates playing rugby but I’m not supposed to go to church. Something about that that baffles the grey matter. Secret squirrel…plans are afoot for some great activities later this year. We’re hosting the Great Southern Garage Raid this year; always well attended with a gut busting pea, pie and pud lunch. And maybe we’ll have a swap meet too. Stay tuned. More secret squirrel…another early De Dion tourer has just arrived in town….guess who. As for me…the Mk2 needs a new throwout bearing. I find this out just after having the engine installed…somehow it escaped the attentions of the garage mechanic. The clutch on my beastie is difficult because Jaguar tried out a hydrostatic system for a short time and found that it wore out throwout bearings faster than a change of leader at a National Caucus. Long term fix is to add in a return spring to the slave cylinder and buy a lotto ticket. So I’ve gone back to doing a lot of my own work lately because, despite the best intentions and cheerful demeanour of my tame mechanic, I find that I am constantly having to take my cars back for the same problem, or a repair that was only half done. Frustrating. Climbing under a heavy car, bashing my knuckles and peering myopically into the dark, invisible depths of a motor car’s mechanical giblets is not my sport of choice, but someone’s gotta do it. And if it turns to custard I can only utter obscenities at myself. Besides, British motor cars can be financial toilets, just keep flushing! Maybe I’ll have a rush of blood to the head and buy Japanese one day. Like a mind numbingly boring Lexus. Nice as they are, a Lexus will never be a Jaguar. That being said, there have been some amazing cars birthed in the Land of the Rising Sun. I was chatting, at a respectful COVID 19 distance, with a fellow in a British Racing Green Mazda MX5 last Saturday as I checked out the queue length at the New World. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to fix, lots of spares and bags of fun. He was in the passenger side and I told him he was sitting in the wrong seat. He said he wasn’t allowed behind the wheel because it was the boss’s car, and she was inside getting some groceries. They both love it and regularly exercise it out to the lakes and back again. The early versions of these are now club eligible and becoming very collectable… something to think about. Anyway, as usual, I’m running off at the mouth. How can you tell if an Aussie is ‘on the level’? He dribbles out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. Take care, and I’ll see you soon. Peter
Club Captains Report Things are starting to move again with changes to Covid 19 restrictions, while not a given looking pretty good to improve further in the next few weeks. With the change to level 2 the committee have had our monthly meeting in preparation to get activities up and going again. The reinstatement of Monday morning spare parts starting Monday 1st June. Dependant on the Government expanding the maximum group size up from the present 10 the opening will be followed by a BBQ lunch. During the last month Trevor Begg, Ashburton branch chairman contacted the committee to see if we intended to organise a Garage raid this year. This apparently is an ongoing event between Waimate, Timaru, Ashburton branches and ourselves with each club taking a turn to run it. This year it seems, it’s our turn. (The joys of a newbie). The committee agreed that either the 18th or 25th of July would be ideal and I am now making contact with the other clubs to ensure these dates do not conflict with any plans they may already have in place. I have been given some names and suggestions for the raids so don’t be surprised if you get a call. If anyone knows of a venue that would be worth a visit please let me know. We will also be following up with Waimate branch to see if there is any interest in a Tenpin bowling meet between the two clubs in the next few months. More on these next month. Over the next month we will be calling meetings for both the swap meet and the Windsor rally organising committees. If you have put your name down for either of these expect a call. If you haven’t and would like to help or have a view on how we should organise/celebrate the 60th Windsor rally particularly please give me a ring on 021 390 518 or drop round for a chat and cuppa. Derek
Sadly I advise that Mollie Anderson, Life Member of the VCC and wife of our founding President Andrew Anderson, passed away at her home on 30 th April 2020 in her 91st year. Mollie was a founding influence of the Vintage Car Club and was, among other things, editor of the first VCC newsletter, the "Guff Sheet". A memorial gathering will be held when Alert level guidelines permit. Messages to Andrew Anderson, 428 Mound Road, RD2, Amberley, 7482.
Kind regards
Diane Quarrie National President
Secretary’s Report for June Distributor. The Branch Committee met on Wednesday 20th May and we have begun to plan our way forward. At the time of writing it may be possible to hold a June Club Night but we await further Government instructions. At this stage we plan to hold the AGM in July. Nomination Forms are in this Issue of Distributor. As per the Constitution “Nominations are to be forwarded in writing to the Branch Secretary to arrive not less than two clear days before the day appointed for the Annual General Meeting, each nomination to be signed by the person nominated as indicated that he is willing to serve in such capacity. Each such nomination shall require, to be proposed and seconded by Branch Members and shall bear the signatures of the proposer and seconder.” I look forward to seeing some of you in person soon Regards Kathleen
My Very First Car A recent article in the ODT under “The Sleeping Dog” column, written up by Joe Bennett, expressed the wonder of time’s stealth and by his account, you have to be 78 before Joe thinks of you as an old person. Really! Well that caused me considerable reflection so before my time runs out, I will now relate my first venture into automobile ownership. (I won’t count my pedal car ownership, some 75 years ago. Surely that does not need relating). My first car ownership back in the last century, 1962 to be precise, began because of my need to travel across Christchurch to South Hornby School from my parent’s home in Papanui. It had been my practise to bike then bus the daily 6 mile journey. I began a study of the Road Code and a check on The Press daily newspaper sale column, for a small car. I answered an advert pertaining to a 1937 Austin 7 Sports Roadster. Dad drove me to a South New Brighton address in his 1937 Chev 15 cwt truck on one December Saturday afternoon. The seller met us and willingly displayed the little neat white convertible, parked in an underfloor garage. Yes, there would be space for one driver and his school teaching equipment. However, the seller was not the owner! An explanation followed – the real owner was not present because he (a pilot) was missing! Brian Chadwick was piloting a Dragonfly aircraft, ZKAFB, that disappeared during a tourist flight to Fiordland on 12th February 1962 with five tourists on board. To this day, as it appears, it remains as the longest air search ever conducted in our country’s history. Its disappearance is a lasting puzzle. We completed the deal at a later date with my elder brother driving it back home. A programme of sprucing up the roadster and learning how it functioned began, followed by a series of learning to drive sessions. Changing gear seemed to depend on a very light clutch change, using a touch with the left foot big toe. On a summer school holiday break in January1963, I drove to Manchester Street Traffic Department Office. With an officer in the rather cramped passenger seat, a traffic driving test was carried out. This entailed driving from Manchester Street onto Moorhouse Avenue, left into Colombo Street, going south to the Cashmere Hills, up the Port Hills road a short distance and returning to Manchester Street office. My motor driver’s licence was issued successfully. It was a little unusual in appearance and earned the nick name of the ‘The Pram’, from some of my class. A pupil in my 1963 class, Charles Greatbatch, drew and coloured a picture, in pastel, of the Austin. It appears to be going at quite a clip. My father noticed a crack developing on the engine block and suggested that I sell it. An Austin 7 collector was pleased to be able to purchase the roadster. I understand that
the Austin suffered a complete burn-out years late. My next purchase was a bit more modern, a 1950 Ford Prefect which I owned for the next three years. I missed the fresh air of the Austin Roadster but more pleasant for winter weather.
Neil Rooney
Charles Greatbatch - the artist
Click on the picture to run video
The Short-Lived and Expensive Tale of Ford's Edsel
The Best Ford Car THAT FAILED BY ( Arrogance , Ego and Success! )
WANTED: early Oamaru Licence plate such as this one:
Also wanted: 1948-1951 Morris minor chrome door tops in good order (not the later stainless steel ones) Phone Stephen Hinds 03 4395733, cell 0273184169 stephen.hinds@xtra.co.nz
NOMINATION FOR COMMITTEE OFFICER “We the undersigned wish to nominate _________________________________for The position of _______________________________________________” Name of Proposer _______________________________signature______________ Membership # ___________ Name of Seconder _______________________________ signature ______________ Membership # ___________ “I accept nomination for the above position in which I agree to serve if elected” Signature of Nominee __________________________ Membership # ___________ NOMINATION FOR COMMITTEE OFFICER “We the undersigned wish to nominate _________________________________for The position of _______________________________________________” Name of Proposer _______________________________signature______________ Membership # ___________ Name of Seconder _______________________________ signature ______________ Membership # ___________ “I accept nomination for the above position in which I agree to serve if elected” Signature of Nominee __________________________ Membership # ___________ NOMINATION FOR COMMITTEE OFFICER “We the undersigned wish to nominate _________________________________for The position of _______________________________________________” Name of Proposer _______________________________signature______________ Membership # ___________ Name of Seconder _______________________________ signature ______________ Membership # ___________ “I accept nomination for the above position in which I agree to serve if elected” Signature of Nominee __________________________ Membership # ___________
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Targa 2020 VCC Time Trial Itinerary & Accommodation Suggestions (Some Itinerary details may change slightly, but hopefully this outline helps with your planning). (Accommodation where Anne & I’ve booked is highlighted yellow, with alternate suggestion/s below). Monday 12th October: 2pm: Please arrive at the North Shore VCC Clubrooms, 40 Masons Rd, Oteha, Albany, North Shore, by 2pm for our VCC meet & greet, vehicle scrutineering, RallySafe installation, afternoon tea etc. (Exit 410 Oteha Valley Rd off the Northern Motorway). Overnight: Albany Executive Motor Inn, 15 Corinthian Drive, Albany. Tel 09 414 1156 Alternate suggestion: Ramada Albany, Cornerstone Drive, Albany. Tel 09 974 4568
Tuesday 13th October: 9am: Documentation for VCC at North Harbour Stadium, Stadium Drive, Albany followed by car display & compulsory driver/co-driver briefing during the afternoon, (time tbc). 7pm: Legends of Targa Dinner at North Harbour Stadium. (Two tickets included with entry fee). Overnight: As for Monday above. Wednesday 14th October: Targa 2020 starts from North Harbour Stadium & travels west before heading north for lunch at Mangawhai Heads on the East Coast, then on to Whangarei for the first of two nights. Approximately 120kms of special stage & 170kms off touring. Overnight: Kensington Motel, 85 Kamo Rd, Kensington, Whangarei. Tel 09 437 0555 Alternate suggestions: Distinction Hotel Tel 09 430 4080 or Discovery Settlers Hotel Tel 09 438 2699 Thursday 15th October: Starts and finishes in Whangarei with a lunch stop at Russell. Approximately 170kms of special stage & 270kms of touring. Overnight: As for Wednesday above. Friday 16th October Starts in Whangarei & heads south back to Auckland. This is a short day to allow plenty of time to arrive back in Auckland ahead of the rush hour traffic as we overnight in Manukau City. Approximately 80kms of special stage & 130kms of touring. Overnight: Rayland Motel, 12 Lakewood Court, Manukau. Tel 09 263 8738 Alternate suggestions: The Sebel, Manukau Tel 09 261 1821 or Ramada Manukau Tel 09 942 6000 Saturday 17th October Starts from the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau & heads south with a lunch stop at Hampton Downs Race Track (tbc), before heading east to the Coromandel Peninsula, stopping overnight in Whitianga. Approximately 140kms of special Stage and 250kms of touring. 7pm: VCC Time Trial Participation Awards Dinner at the Mercury Bay Club, Whitianga. The Mercury Bay Club at 69 Cook Drive have offered a set menu choice for approx. $25pp + drinks. Hopefully we can all be there together to enjoy a great meal, share stories & experiences from 4 days of our event, along with presentation of Participation Awards for our Targa 2020 VCC Time Trial. Overnight: Albert No. 6 Motel, 6 Albert St, Whitianga. Tel 07 866 0036 Alternate suggestion: Oceans Resort, Whitianga. Tel 07 869 5222 Sunday 18th October Starts from Whitianga & heads south to Waihi Beach & then west to finish in Pukekohe Town Centre. Approximately 120kms of special stage & 220kms of touring. 7pm: Targa Prize Giving Dinner at The Indian Community Centre, 59 Ward St, Pukekohe, including our VCC Time Trial Competition Awards (Two tickets included with entry fee). Overnight: Parkview Motor Inn, 75 Queen St, Pukekohe. Tel 09 238 4068 Alternate suggestion: Aveda Motor Lodge, Pukekohe. Tel 09 239 0074
Who Invented the Wheel? And How Did They Do It? https://www.wired.com/story/who-invented-wheel-how-did-they-do-it/? utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits
Hi all I hope you are all staying safe and like us looking forward to some more freedom under Level 2. I received a message today via the Otago Branch Facebook page from Kelvin Broad. His father was a Riley enthusiast and is in the process of downsizing due to illness. The father has a complete set of Beaded Wheels dating from 1968 through to today that he is wanting to get rid of "some compensation would be appreciated". The magazines will need to be picked up from his address in Dunedin. Kelvin believes that they will be in "spotless condition". If you are interested can you please email Kelvin in the first place - his email address is kiwimtnrnr@gmail.com.
For Sale/ Wanted ads Keep those ads coming. Remember these ads are read by members of other branches and car clubs.
Parts Department Open Mondays
10 – 12noon
Starts with a Cuppa. For Sale 1 Austin A30 suitable parts only. 1 Hillman Husky S V - suitable parts only Assorted Doors and mudguards. N. O. S. BMC Parts. Ford 10 Complete engine. Large selection of tail lights and Hub Caps. Enquiries call Jim Boaden
(03) 4372525
Ralph Weir
(03) 4345103
Wolseley Car Club Rally 2020 Last month I mentioned the plight of our 25hp Wolseley which was to be our transport on the ‘Wairarapa Wander’ our first Wolseley car club rally. As you may remember this vehicle is still in a state of disrepair and Lee’s ever faithful MK1 1500 (Wilma) was pressed into service. This is the second time we have driven the 1500 in the Wairarapa as we purchased it from the Smith family just out of Carterton in 2016. Lee and I flew to Wellington then took the train through to Carterton where Jeff Smith meet us and took us to their home to view the car I had purchased sight unseen on Trademe. That trip home went pretty well with the little car performing great until we run into heavy rain between Inangahua and Reefton (We came home the long way as I had a job in the Upper Buller gorge to do on the way home). The windscreen wiper fuse blew about half way between and it was a pretty blurry view out until we reached Reefton and secured a couple of spare fuses. We travelled on from Reefton up to Springs Junction bypassing the petrol station there, for some reason (the excuse escapes me at present) I decided that a little over a quarter of a tank of fuel would be plenty to get to Culverden. From memory we were not much past the summit of Lewis pass with the fuel gauge rapidly falling I realised I was probably going to have to stretch my legs. It was not long before the gauge was sitting on E for enough and how true that statement was as we managed to get all the way through the pass and just over the bridge about four miles from the Hamner Garage before that tell tale ticking of an empty fuel pump said enough is enough. Lesson learned. (or was it) The Wolseley rally trip earlier this year was pretty uneventful for Wilma covering just over one thousand three hundred miles in ten days and just over $300 in fuel. We joined the rally in Wellington in time for the last event of the first official day, the evening meal aboard the Sweet Georgia launch where we sailed out into Wellington harbour stopping just off Petone foreshore for the meal. The next day we travelled up the SH1 stopping off at Southwood Car museum on the way to Levin. Southwood is a must see for any vehicle enthusiast and having lived in Wellington for a few year I have been there a few times. We had lunch at Levin hosted by Horowhenua VCC at their club rooms where they also supplied a couple of judges to inspect out vehicles for the concourse prise. They were great hosts as were the Wairarapa VCC who also hosted us for an evening meal later in the week. From Levin we went on to the NZRAF base at Ohakea to visit a private aircraft collection including a airworthy MK5 spitfire. We spent that night in Palmerston North then over the gorge road to Woodville stopping off at Meridians windfarm lookout on the way. The rest of the week was spent exploring the Wairarapa, lunch at Castle point one day and another at Martinborough. The organising group had done an excellent job putting the rally together and we visited several private collections in the area from Dodges, Hudsons, Austins, MGs to Daimlers and even a trip around Martinborough square for some in a veteran Wolseley. Breakfast on the Saturday morning signalled the end of the rally with Lee and I spending the day in Wellington before crossing on the Sunday afternoon then taking a couple of days to travel home. Wilma performed very well with no problems on the fuel front all though it would be fair to say the gauge never got anywhere near a quarter full. The little car got us there and back with no issues although on reflection she did have a sore leg. A loose front passenger wheel bearing showing up as a slight shimmer in the steering over 50mph. I had replaced both front wheel bearing just days before we left so was a little surprised to discover the cause of the steering shimmer. These BMC cars don’t have the normal tapered bearings with a spacer between the inner and outer bearings setting the tension. The hub and spacer were not matched leaving the inner bearing cones to shift during service resulting in a loose bearing. A spare hub set was checked and installed fixing the problem. All in all we had a great trip away in Wilma, meet a whole bunch of nice people, saw some great collections and made some good memories. Derek
SMALL BYTES COMPUTING For All Your Computing Needs New systems, repairs
3 Otepopo St Herbert Ph 4395197 0274358983
Printer & Fax servicing
Items for the Newsletter can be posted or dropped off to 6 Waiareka lane, off Saleyards road Or emailed to gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
Newsletter submissions. Preferred formats are Open-office, Libre-office or MS Word as an attached document. Plain emails create extra work. Please, no “enter� key at the end of every line. Contact me for advice if not sure. Thanks, Graeme
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
2019-20
Patron Chairman
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Vice Chairman
Lynette Newall
4372525
Immediate Past Chairman
Gilbert Ellery
434-5289
Club Captain
Derek Brehaut
021 390518
Secretary
Kathleen Perry
4347226
Treasurer
Clive Blunden
4395207
Committee
Jim Boaden
4372525
Neil Rooney
4349470
Murray Frew
0274326756
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Derek Brehaut
021 390518
Custodian
Jim Boaden
4372525
Librarian
Robert Hutton (Mandy)
437 0774
Archivist
Kathleen Perry
4347226
Newsletter Editor
Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
4348285 0272931059
Vehicle Verifier
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Spare Parts
Jim Boaden
4372525
Ralph Weir
4345103
Newsletter Distribution
Club email address northotago@vcc.org.nz rd Committee Meetings 3 Wednesday of the month., Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the month (details in The Distributor)
Wolseley Car Club Rally 2020