March 2021
Wallaby Rally
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
Chairperson report Another month has rolled by, what a busy month it has been. As you are reading this, we will be very close to our All British and All Comers Rally and our 60th Anniversary Dinner. For a moment there I thought COVID may have meant that we would have had to change our plans when we changed to Level 2 again. Luckily it was only for a few days and our plans have remained unchanged, as we look forward to a wonderful day and evening celebrating 60 years of our Branch. I enjoyed attending the Wallaby Rally in Waimate, it was a perfect day for cruising in my MG on a very enjoyable country route. It was great to see at least 12 cars from our branch made the trip up to Waimate. This month I head up to Wellington for the National executive meeting on the 20th March. To be discussed at this meeting is the notice of motion that proposes new members will be able to join online. The notice of motion has been included in this copy of the Distributor. Please have a read of this, we will have time on Club night to have a short discussion about this. I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday at the All British and All Comers Rally or at the 60th Anniversary dinner. Happy Motoring Rebecca Coming events 27th February All British and All Makes 60th Celebration Dinner 14th March Steam up Bushtown Waimate 10am-4pm
Secretary’s Report Your Committee has been kept busy with arrangements & details for the Branch 60th Anniversary Celebrations. Coffee Mugs, similar in design to what were made for the 50th Anniversary have been produced. These will be presented as prizes for the All British Day and the rest of the fifty mugs ordered will be for sale at $10 each. At the end of last year I omitted to welcome two couples as new members. They are Garry & Carolyn Ross who own a 1930’s Plymouth in need of restoration and John & Wendy Nesbitt who have a 1961 Morris Minor. John & Wendy entered Windsor Rally, won the P60 section and were 2nd Overall. This year we welcome Shannon Bray and Malcolm Taylor to our ranks. Shannon has a Datsun & Malcolm a 1939 Chevrolet Master 85 Utility. Amongst recent correspondence I have received an entry form for South Otago Branch’s 47th Motorcycle Rally to be held on Saturday 13th March. Entries close on Friday 12th March. I look forward to seeing many of you at our 60th Celebrations Regards Kathleen
Club Captain Report Seems ages since Christmas with the weather trying to decide whether we deserve some decent temperatures before autumn brings the cooler evenings. The Opening club night was well attended and capped with a evening run around town finishing off with supper and a small quiz on things we had passed on the run. Next Saturday was the Wee Wheelie Wander and since there was a competing event in Dunedin the event was opened up to all bikes and any cars that wanted to attend. A great day with a run from Glenavy to Bush Town Waimate and return. Thanks to Wendy and Gordon Pringle for another well organised event. Saturday 13th was the Waimate Wallaby Rally. A great turn out from the club and a good run on roads that I have not travelled on for a long time, a few never. We only had one missed turn off and on our return to the correct road it was evident we were not the only ones. This was the first run out for our 25hp Wolseley since the engine rebuild. A well sheltered lunch stop at Attwell Park not that far out of Waimate then back to Waimate club rooms for prize giving and afternoon tea. This included cutting of a cake for their 40th Wallaby Rally. Mid-Month run was held on Wednesday 17th out to Borton’s pond just below Duntroon. A good turnout of seven cars and a nice day saw us turn up for our first mid-month run. A run in the country with the hood off the MG with the sun shining finished off with afternoon tea, good company. What more could you want. Thanks to Verna for organising these runs. Our next event is the All British-all makes day this Saturday 27th February. This is part of our 60 year celebrations so get the car out and make a day of it. The lunch venue is Totara Park and we have arranged a deal that includes entry to the park as part of your rally fee. We hope to see all of our members there. Check poster in this issue for details. This will be followed later in the afternoon by our celebration dinner and long service awards. Before we settle into the colder weather the club has a little task to complete over and above the club rooms upgrade. We have agreed to provide security for the Austin Healy club run on the nights of Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th. The Austin Healy Club have agreed with the amount we quoted to provide the service which will help with our upgrade. I have a list of people who have indicated they would be happy to help do this and will be contacting them once we are over the All British weekend. I will also be in contact with those that had indicated they would be willing to help with painting of the club rooms. Refer Club rooms upgrade update. For our next club night a visit to Winders Rod and Restorations in France St has been arranged so we will meet there at 7.30pm on the 3rd of March. Those not wanting to participate in the visit are free to go directly to the club rooms where everyone else will join you following our tour. Regards Derek
Wee Wheelie Wander Number Two Another great run organised by Wendy Pringle. We met at Glenavy and after a cuppa and a catch up headed as a group into the wind along the back roads to Morven then onto the main road for a short distance, off the main road again, and away to Bushtown, Waimate’s heritage site. There were some hilarious moments as we all took part in a field test while on our trusty steeds. There was a ‘Minty’s Moment’ as one of us headed into the bushes – trusty steed and all!! Still, no harm done to bike or rider. The Bushtown team had kindly opened up for us and we were able to have lunch in the church hall, ride the train and venture into the past through some of Waimate’s history. The ladies, dressed in period costume were most gracious and very well versed with stories of each of the buildings and their contents. A highlight for me was Lane’s cottage which has been restored and furnished as in its era by the Waimate Edwardian Heritage Group. It was hard to comprehend a women’s life bringing up a family of nine based around this tiny two roomed building. No electricity, running water or sewer connection, just a ‘long drop’ outside and separate from the cottage. Put into the context of the way we live today reminds us of the hardiness of our early settlers. The men covered off the saw mill and trains and how the mighty Totara tree fits into Waimate’s history. The annual Steam Up Event the second weekend of March would be well worth a visit. We headed back to Glenavy via a different and slightly longer route through the Waimate Gorge. Congratulations to Graeme Simpson for his stirling effort on his motorised push bike. And commiserations to the rider who suffered a puncture. However, Tail End Charlie, Barbara Watt was quickly on the case and performed a diligent rescue back to Glenavy. A big thank you from Wendy to both the back up drivers, Wayne in a van and Barbara, and also thank you to those who came along in their cars and (bigger) motorbikes to boost our numbers at Bush town. It was very much appreciated. Lee Brehaut
WHEELS and MOTORS AUCTION Run by the Methven Vintage Club at the Methven A&P show Grab a pen or pencil because you are going to want to save this date the 20th of March 2021. The Methven A&P show is going to be well worth a tank of full this year as after a fab day in the sun admiring all that Methven has to offer, a large selection of rare collectible items will be going under the hammer. A sun hat and trailer are recommended accessories for the day. The following brands will be making an appearance, de Dion, Tangye, Kelvin, David Brown, Ford, John Deere, and many more. Keep a look out for further updates and spread the word amongst your fellow collecting buddys. This will be a day you won't want to miss. Have something you would like to enter in the auction? Contact methven.v.club@gmail.com for an entrance slip
Mid Month run The day dawned bright and sunny ; 14 people gathered at the clubrooms ready for the run to Borton’s Pond . They were :- Bruce and Barbara , Lee and Derek , Wanda and John , John and Jo , Charlie and Mary , Jerry and Margaret , Marg. and Verna . The weather was perfect and it was really nice to be out in the fresh air . The large pond didn’t have as many swans or ducks as one would normally see swimming around but they were there . The route took us along some back roads to Devil’s Creek Road , into Horse Gully Road and onto Main Rd. 83 . We turned left at the large Gum tree and continued up the valley enjoying the wonderful North Otago landscapes. At present North Otago Countryside is looking magnificent . Do get out and see for yourself in the next few weeks if possible . Thanks for coming today . Cheers , Verna
COLIN JACK Colin Jack passed away on the 12 January 2021. To a man who had so much to tell, from restoring and keeping his cars on the road, from his Austins, Mercedes Benz and his beloved 23 Jewett and his 65 Daimler. Telling stories and enjoying jokes was one of Colins greatest pleasures, especially when talking about his life with Rosemary and his family who were his passion. His life with Rosemary started in Dunedin when they got married 59 years ago, before moving to Invercargill and transferring to Christchurch. This is when Colin joined the VCC, eventually moving to Arrowtown to suit their lifestyle. Colin and Rosemary enjoyed travelling, both overseas and around New Zealand, however some of their trips in their old cars did end in break downs, he told me who helped him to fix things, he was always very grateful to them and would make things for them in return. One of his passions was making enamel badges for VCC vehicles worldwide. Colin was a family man and a people’s person; he was very humble for what life gave him. He was very keen to give to the community and was very well rewarded with the high respect and regard shown to him from the community the community that he belonged to. Ernest George
The Old Restorer, Rebuilding a 1936 Vauxhall/Bedford pickup. I have now finished the wood and steel work that needed replacing on the cab, there was T&G on the rear of the cab when I bought her but you could crunch it in your hands it was so rotten, have beaten out the original steel coverings and replaced them also. The doors have been strengthened and old wood replaced, window winders refurbished and the door catches are in place. As you may know I am retiring as Treasurer at the AGM, I have enjoyed doing it but my computer seems to have developed Dyslexia, I am spending a lot of time going back and correcting it!!! I hope someone can step up and take over, otherwise we are going to be without a Treasurer after the AGM. Take Care, All the Best, Clive.
40th WAIMATE VINTAGE CAR CLUB WALLABY RALLY 2021 I texted Jerry ‘have entered the Wallaby Rally if Margaret is interested.’ Seconds later a reply ‘yes please.’ It was the 40th Waimate Vintage Car Club Wallaby Rally. Our start time was 10.26 am. Margaret tucked herself into the passenger seat and we set off from the club rooms turning right at High Street then left onto Molloys Road, right onto the main highway, left at Packers Road. Following instructions we passed the Fonterra Dairy Factory then continued onto Willowbridge Road. We soon came to the Morven district and observed the huge Oceania Dairy Factory. If you were a visually impaired passenger it would not be hard to realise you were motoring in dairy cow country. Into Glenavy then across the main highway onto Glenavy -Tawai Road. From here the roads got more interesting and winding. Cruising along we were passed again by a happy soul on two wheels not to be seen again until the lunch stop. At SH82 the sign read Waimate 7 km and we trundled through the Waimate Gorge into Hillary Street and the new sub-division previously the old Waimate Hospital Grounds. Our final instruction read proceed along Mill Road to Atwill Park. Field tests then we sat on the bank with Jerry and enjoyed lunch. Prize giving back at the club rooms followed by afternoon tea. North Otago had thirteen entries which included a recently acquired Overland owned by John Adamson and Wanda Kent. It was an excellent run and a big thank you to Steve and his team.
For Sale/ Wanted ads Keep those ads coming. Remember these ads are read by members of other branches and car clubs.
Parts Department Normal Monday morning opening for parts has resumed Open Mondays 10 – 12noon Starts with a Cuppa. For Sale Wolseley 15/50 parts including two 1500cc BMC motors, gearboxes and diffs, suspension and steering parts. Some body panels for these in reasonable condition. Selection of Hillman Avenger-Hunter lights Ford Falcon EA exhaust manifolds Morris 1000, Chevy, Vauxhall parts as well as an assortment of oil filters Good selection of body panels, mud guards and bonnets for various models. Contact Jim or Ralph if you are looking for something in particular. Selling on behalf Ford Model A diff and front axle assembly Enquiries call Jim Boaden
(03) 4372525
Ralph Weir
(03) 4345103
SMALL BYTES COMPUTING For All Your Computing Needs New systems, repairs
3 Otepopo St Herbert Ph 4395197 0274358983
Printer & Fax servicing
Currently wrecking Rover 110 Body rusty but chrome work in good order. 6 Cyl Motor and diff available
Coming shortly Two MK11 Triumph 2000. Manual and Auto, most parts available
Selling on behalf Ford Model A diff and front axle assembly
Enquiries call Jim Boaden
(03) 4372525
Ralph Weir
(03) 4345103
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
2020-21
Patron Chairman
Rebecca George
021 293 7714
Immediate Past Chairman
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Club Captain
Derek Brehaut (lee)
021 390518
Secretary
Kathleen Perry
03 4347226
Treasurer
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Committee
Murray Frew
027 432 6756
Lee Brehaut (Derek)
021 695 6644
Quentin Barrow (Ange)
027 434 5570
Gordon Hay (Joy)
03 4345754
Jim Boaden (Lynette)
03 4372525
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Custodian
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Librarian
Robert Hutton (Mandy)
03 437 0774
Archivist
Kathleen Perry
03 4347226
Newsletter Editor
Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
03 4348285 0272931059
Vehicle Verifiers
Quentin Barrow
027 434 5570
Bruce Watt
03 4345306
Jim Boaden
03 4372525
Ralph Weir
03 4345103
Vice Chairman
Spare Parts
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)
Sarah Miller & the Plymouth Cruisers along with the Plymouth Car they came in