The
The Southland Touring Group and local members appreciating Garrie Ford’s collection of cars
Distributor
May 2020
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
Chairman’s Chat April 2020 I’m not going to say it. You know…the “C’ word. That word that has us all shut up at home, with the vintage looking forlorn and unused in the garage. Boo hoo. No friendly mid-week jaunts to the Enfield Fort for a coffee and sticky bun. No poking around in the mate’s greasy workshop inspecting bits off the current project and telling lies about the size of the fish we caught last weekend up at the lakes. No sneaking off to the bowling alley like Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Like the famous dog on the famous ad once said…’bugger!’ All of us have an opinion about the current state of affairs, and none of us can do much about it. But cheer up, fellow automobilistes, there is a silver lining in every cloud! Once we’ve got over the grumbles and navel-gazing, there are some things we can do to while the time away and enjoy our hobby. For one, ring up your mates on the dog’n’bone and tell them to get off their chuff, get down to the workshop and start work on that project they’ve been putting off since 1967. When you get off the phone, you can get your own chuff down to your own workshop and get cracking. A daily chat with said mate and a bit of friendly competition will see that job finished in no time. If you can’t buy any bits and pieces, grab some dish drops from under the kitchen sink and detail one of the old buggies you’ve been neglecting in favour of watching The Bachelorette. No time like the present, and next time we meet I’ll be asking questions. When you’ve had enough of that, boil the jug, fill your mug, and count your lucky stars that the dreaded “C” word hasn’t hit North Otago. Queues at the supermarket might be a pain, but I’d rather that than have to wait in a queue at the Dunedin Hospital. Oh, and by the way, remember to thank the people at your local for putting their lives at risk so you can get fed, they need to hear that. What did you think of the teddy-bear-in-the-window idea? My house windows can’t be easily seen from the road so I re-homed my teddies to the back window of my wee Suzuki Milkbottle. I traded my self-respect when I bought that car; I could care less! My teddies are probably the cause of much ridicule, but age 60 is in my rear view mirror and the kiddies need a laugh. Speaking of doing stuff with cars, I’ve done some jobs on the Mk2; and now the engine purrs like a…well… like a big cat….maybe a Jaguar. Rear wheel handbrakes have been rebuilt and the carbies work fine with a bit of oil down the spout. Just why motor mechanics can’t seem to understand that SU’s need oil is beyond comprehension. New wire wheels going on soon, a few cosmetics and then a warrant when Jacinda can see her way clear. Nice… There is another kind of bug that’s catchy…the vintage car bug. You all know you’ve been bitten by it and there is no known cure. But, fear not; therapy is as close as your toolbox! This is a DIY disease and the only way to deal with it is to roll up your sleeves and spin those spanners! Group therapy will be available every first Wednesday of the month at No, 1 Stoke Street. When we get the nod from the Beehive. Meantime…take care, stay in touch and keep your distance. Peter
Early Bird Registration is open for the 15th National Model A Ford Rally 2021. This will be held from Sunday 28 March to Sunday 04 April 2021 (Easter Weekend) in Gisborne at the A & P Showgrounds and Events Centre. Come along and join other Model A enthusiasts for a relaxed but entertaining time in Gisborne. Enjoy the friendly people and experience the ‘Real New Zealand’ driving your Model A. Gisborne is situated on the East Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, vineyards, orchards and good Model A roads. Sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Rivers’, Gisborne is the first City on earth to see the sun rise. ‘Early Bird’ indicates to the organisers you have chosen to receive your rally information early and avoid missing out on the news as it comes to hand, or tours that may have limited numbers. Don’t wait too long to register as we are limited to 300 entrants.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE - $20 To obtain your Early Bird Registration Form email the organising team at gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com or phone one of the organising team members David Mossman 0272 350 444 Rob Brown 0274 745 726 Karen Thomas 0274 190 191 Karen Thomas, Secretary 15th National Model A Rally Gisborne 2021
2021
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Tony Bartlett 0272 725 648 - Errol McAlpine 0274 543 983 - Kristina Rarere 022 367 5776 Tairawhaiti Gisborne
FACEBOOK?? Shifting back to Oamaru after 26 years away has brought the realization that I know some people but that I need to relearn who was now running local businesses and new networks needed to be reestablished. I had items to sell and was encouraged to use the local Buy, Sell Exchange Facebook page. Facebook has never really gripped me. Apart from having a profile, I have been more of a browser than a participant. Maybe I should try the local site? No listing or commission fees as with other sites. And so began my adventures into learning more about Facebook. There has been the odd hiccup along the way, like when Hubby decided to send something under my profile to just a couple of people and it went out to many – even my son’s old girlfriends of years back!! Still, I have also caught up with others I used to work with and it has been nice to touch base again. As I have gained confidence, I have joined several other Groups. The next was ‘Oamaru Memories’. It is great. I have seen some wonderful old photos, read comments from people I haven’t heard of for years, has bought new learning about the history of North Otago, and has stimulated my own memories. We are members of the Wolseley Club of New Zealand and I am currently involved in the redevelopment of our website. We also have Wolseleys and an MG, so ‘Classic British Cars’ was my next group. My thinking was that it would help improve my knowledge about what other media was available in view of my website work. Since joining, Hubby and I have enjoyed seeing a wide variety of British cars and reading interesting car stories. A good avenue for a quick read rather than in depth articles. We live beside the railway line and have an interest in trains, so ‘Ghost Railways of Otago’ was my next group. Again we are enjoying learning about the local history of rail, have read interesting snippets, some obviously from people who have their own experiences, and seen amazing photos of the big old steam trains and other locomotives. The Vintage Car Club has a public Face Book profile which covers some personal posts, videos of events, branch news and other business like information, but there is also a private group called the Vintage Car Club of NZ group, which I have now joined. This group is full of more personalized posts and photos. Lots of interesting stories and it keeps changing so is fresh to read and enjoy. If like I was, you are a bit ho hum about Facebook, check it out. Ask family or friends to show you how to use just the bits you what. It is too big a platform to know everything. Now I understand more the bits I am interested in it is a great resource of interesting information with quite a personal feel to it all. Happy exploring! Lee Brehaut
Secretary’s Report As suggested by Diane Quarrie I have tried to phone Branch members who do not have emails, and some who do have emails but are on their own. I haven’t managed to talk with all of them but those I did contact appreciated the call and I enjoyed hearing about how they were coping with lockdown. During lockdown I have spent time sorting Branch paperwork that I hadn’t made time to deal with and my office is tidier that it has been in years! Take Care & Stay Safe Kathleen. One of Murray Frew’s Memories In the days when he drove Zephyr’s and Ford Prefect’s they didn’t go fast enough to cause trouble and if you went fast you broke an axle! Then you had to get a mate to tow you home and Mum told you off for being stupid!
On board a GTHO Falcon at Bathhurst Click the picture or link below
https://youtu.be/AUu5gjyYmMQ
EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION FORM 15TH National Model A Rally
GISBORNE Sunday 28 March – Sunday 4th April 2021 Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Post Code______________ Phone: ________________________ Mobile: _____________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Vehicle Information: _______________________________________________________ ‘EarlyBird’ indicates to committee you have chosen to receive your rally information Early and avoid missing out on the news as it comes to hand, or tours that have limited numbers.
EarlyBird Registration Fee** - $20
Date Paid:
You may transfer $20 to our 15th National Model A Rally Gisborne Kiwibank Account No. 38 9020 0435942 00 with first initial and surname as reference or by cash, to be posted to the address below. *** Receipts will be forwarded by email unless otherwise requested. Please email completed forms to gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com or post to: 15th National Model A Rally 2021 PO Box 9372, Newmarket, Auckland 1459 Enquiries to: David Mossman (0272 350 444) or Tony Bartlett (027 272 5648) or email gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com for further information. ** EarlyBird Registration Fee is non refundable cheques
***Please note we can no longer accept
Club Captains Report We are now nearing the end of lockdown Level 4, for most of us level three will not be much different but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope some of you have spent your free time writing up some stories to share in the Distributor. If you feel you need a hand to get it to print my offer from last month still stands. On the plus side our section has received a lot of TLC and is showing the results, there are a few projects that cannot be completed until businesses get up and running again and materials sourced. It is a similar sad state of affairs for both my Wolseley projects with the 6/90 still in Christchurch awaiting the completion of the upholstery and the 25hp Super Six still awaiting its reconditioned engine. For those of you who read my last offering (The trials and tribulations of owning old cars) you would have spotted my typo, casket which should of course been gasket. In that article I stated that getting the 25hp ready for the Wolseley Rally in Wellington-Wairarapa was looking decidedly shaky and so it proved with Lee’s faithful 1500 being used instead. To add insult to injury the 1500 not only carried Lee and I and our luggage but had a 25hp head on board as well. This had to go to Thomas Rowe Engineering just out of Palmerston North and at this point in time is still awaiting repair. This head was the best of four that I had available. The block out of the spares car was that badly pitted in the bores that at least two of the cylinders would need sleeving. I am keeping this one as a spare with another block retrieved from Ashburton selected as it was sound although someone had managed to drill a 40th indent in the block near number three cylinder which has since been milled out. This block was taken to Timaru to have the main and big end bearings white metaled then on to Christchurch for the Mains to be line bored. The block is now back at ‘Heads Off’ where it will be bored out to fit the old pistons and a new set of rings fitted. So with two cars in bits I am reluctant to start on the 8hp Wolseley sitting in the back of the garage and decided to use the lock down to clean up the workshop and tidy up a few jobs on the 25hp. The car had the back seat modified with some extra timber being added to bring the back of the seat more upright. To access the boot you have to lift up the back seat and a rope was used to hold it up via a hook in the headlining. I started by removing all of the back seat and the extra timber, replacing this with a new top brace, new hinges and the boot strut from a 1500. The end result is working well with the strut holding the back of the rear seat up when access to the boot is required and the extra bracing lifting the seat into a more upright position. I then removed the blind from the rear window as it was just lying in a heap. This was dismantled and the material washed to remove as much staining as possible then the blind was reassembled and tested. (Works beautifully) The manual states it is an anti-glare blind to be activated by the driver by pushing a slide handle just above the driver’s door to raise the blind when a following car lights are too bright. The next thing to be looked at was the fuel gauge which always read empty. A quick check of the sensor indicated the problem was here but to remove the sensor the fuel tank needed to be dropped. As it transpired the only issue with dropping the fuel tank is the exhaust pipe which runs directly under it. The exhaust needed to have the rear mount replaced any way as it now consisted of a piece of number 8 wire twisted around the sub-frame and the exhaust as the original solid mount had broken. So two jobs at once although dropping the tank did mean it started to
pour petrol out of the fuel line as this needed to be disconnected. After emptying the tank the sensor was removed and tested. The rheostat was ok but the metal float had developed a leak and was full of fuel. This was emptied by drilling a small hole in it then the complete cylinder was disassembled, cleaned and soldered up again. At this point it appears to be working OK but the gauge is not that accurate as with a little less than three quarters of a tank it is reading close to full, but at least it is working. A new bracket was then made for the rear exhaust mount using the broken bracket and a piece of heavy rubber to make a flexible support. The other jobs so far include shifting the rear view mirror from the bottom of the front window screen to the top using a rear view bracket from the spares car. This gives a far superior view out the rear view mirror. At the same time I installed the original finger bracket used to open and close the window screen. I had decided to shift the aftermarket temperature gauge as its mounting obscured parts of the dash and interfered with the operating handle for the fresh air vent. This job proved to be more beneficial than first thought as to relocate the gauge face I need to remove (Lift forward) the actual dash. This in turn, gave access to the fresh air vent cover and when this was removed, the drain points. Both hoses fitted to these points were badly perished and leaking so were removed. New ones will be installed when they can be sourced. In the meantime the offending gauge had been completely removed and tested only to find it would not read above 60c when in boiling water. A new gauge has been sourced, tested and installed beside the steering column bracket with the gauge face being easily seen by the driver and out of the way of the artdeco dash. There is still work to do to install the probe into the engine as these engines never had a temperature gauge sensor fitted and the old system was not satisfactory. The cleaning up of the workshop is continuing albeit with delays every time I pick up a piece to decide whether it should be kept, cleaned labelled or scraped, inevitably resulting in other stored spares being removed for checking/sorting. I will get there one day, in the meantime keep busy and keep in touch. Derek
De Dion driven by Martin Perry, Declan wearing his Granddads Hat & Amy in back seat at Ngapara, Windsor Rally 2014.
A True Story that couldn’t possibly be allowed to Happen Today. The Perry 1911 De Dion Bouton, had a history of ‘no grunt’ until John Chynoweth, ‘honed it out’ before the National veteran Rally in Cromwell in 2008. When our family, Keith, Kathleen, Andrew, Martin, Ian & Richard were all on board our combined weight could be a problem. Sometimes, when going uphill we did ‘out, out & out’ depending on the age of the boys. As teenagers Andrew & Martin became very adept at getting onto the running board, jumping off and pushing – that was the first out!. Often the car would go all the way to the top of a hill under its own steam without the extra weight and we had to run! For many years when attending Dunedin to Brighton Rallies we stayed with Bob & Judy Cook and their sons Wayne & Craig. Six boys all in ‘Ding Dong’ all at once was only for Field tests! Ding Dong is the car’s affectionate name and at this time it became known as ‘that green car with all the kids’. In ‘those days’ Dunedin to Brighton always had an afternoon run and Bob would have everything planned before we started. The year that Bob found the afternoon run was to be up and down in the bush behind John McGlashan College he asked the A. A. back up if De Dion could go last and if Judy could drive her station wagon behind De Dion. The A. A. insisted that the recovery vehicle and trailer follow De Dion so Craig Cook, Ian & Richard Perry rode in the back of Cook’s station wagon and Andrew & Martin Perry and Wayne Cook in the back seat with the doors ajar. As we descended Andrew said “now” at the appropriate time and the three older boys ran past the A. A. vehicle & trailer and pushed De Dion to the top of the next rise. Then they would salute the A. A. Driver, climb back into Judy’s car and repeat the process going down the next incline. This happened five or six times and at the end the A. A. Driver wanted to know how these kids knew when to run? Andrew’s reply was “Sir, if you had pushed that car all the places we have, you would know exactly when to run!”
Adventures of an Old Restorer. The adventure continues A TWO SEATER - HALF HORSE POWER RACER Sometime ago my eldest daughter asked me if I could build a Half Horse Power two seater vehicle using a couple of motor bike wheels and an assortment of pieces of steel tube. I was wondering what she was on about until she told me it was for Charlie. Charlie is her miniature horse. He stands at one metre from the ground. She managed to get hold of a draft harness for him and she is currently training Charlie to pull a cart. I did not know much about carts for small horses so I consulted Google. Seems there are quite a few designs to choose from. Then I found a very beat up rusty cart that had really had its day, but it was for a one horse power unit. So I decided to upcycle it and downsize it so that it would fit the half horse power unit. I started the cart well before the lockdown but other things got in the way of doing it and it lingered in the back of the shed. Murry Frew had already made the upholstered seat and back rest, so what better way of passing the time in lockdown than to try and finish it. You never know what materials, junk as Jen would say, you have stored away in your shed not being used. The lockdown soon made me look for what I wanted amongst my precious store as I was unable to go into town to buy it. It is almost finished. A wood slatted floor is to be put in, and the final coat of paint. Then all we have to do is fit the Half Horse power unit into it, if he agrees!!! I am looking for another motor car project as soon as the lockdown is freed up a bit, any offers? All the best to you all, Clive.
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT – DIANE QUARRIE Dear Branch Committees
I want to thank all of the Branch Committees who have had to make very hard and sometimes distressing decisions over this last couple of weeks. The events of the last few days have proved that we did make the right decisions as the safety of our members must be our first priority.
It has become very apparent during the COVID-19 crisis, that communication by email is the quickest and most cost effective way we have of keeping our members informed, either at National or Branch level. However I know that our membership database does not have up-to-date information in terms of email addresses for some of our members.
Julie from National Office has recently asked Branches to check and update email addresses. To make it easier, late tomorrow she will be forwarding another report which only shows members who do not have an email address.
I am reinforcing Julie's request to you to ring those members who do not have an email address listed and check with them whether they do, in fact, have one. For those older members who do not use email, perhaps they can give you an email address of a close relative who can pass the message on or print off the emails and leave in their letterbox.
This request is one of the most important and valuable tasks a Branch can do for their members at the moment. It may also provide a much needed bit of human contact for lots of our older members.
I am sure that now we are all in lock-down, a list divided amongst a willing group of volunteers (who are not working from home) could get this task done very quickly and sent to Julie (ideally by next Monday 30th March). I intend to send a further email out to all members later next week.
Once again, I stress that by doing this you are ensuring that we can quickly communicate
with as many of our members as possible. There has been a change at National Office which has been organised mainly seamlessly and to such effect that most members or branches would not have noticed. Julie has moved to Clyde to look after her mother and is working remotely from her home office with reduced hours. Jo’s hours (our other staff member) have been extended to handle some of the less critical tasks previously undertaken by Julie and to ensure that the National Office is fully manned during office hours. This is being trialled for a year. Under the current COVID-19 Level 4 restrictions, the National Office will now be closed and run remotely. The usual phone number and email addresses will remain in place. While the VCC and indeed the nation are experiencing challenges never seen before, we have put in place measures to ensure that we maintain business as usual as much as possible. The COVID-19 crisis has put additional pressure on National Office staff, Management Committee, branches and members alike. I would be obliged if you could let your members know to please not communicate with National office unless it is completely necessary while the Level 4 restrictions are in place. As advised above, National office is closed and all communication can now only be via post, email or phone. Please be aware that in times of high demand, the office may have to prioritise work-load. Should anything change, we will contact you in the first instance.
Our new national event, the National Vintage Rally due to be held in September has now been cancelled.
The events page on our national website now includes an event status column which is being updated as information comes to hand along with our Facebook page. And the next edition of Beaded Wheels will have up-to-date information on events as of the date of going to print.
Keep safe and kia kaha
Diane Quarrie National President
For Sale/ Wanted ads Keep those ads coming. Remember these ads are read by members of other branches and car clubs.
Parts Department During the Covid-19 level 3 Phone enquiries can be made. 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
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)
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