May 2022
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
Chairperson Report My MG finally made it out of the garage and went on a wonderful run up the valley to see the Autumn colours. At first there was a bit of rain as I went out to wash the MG but it soon went by, I went and picked up my navigator before heading to the petrol station. It has been a while since the MG had a full tank of petrol and I just about had a heart attack at the price, lucky the MG is only a 4 cylinder and not an V8. I must say it was worth every dollar I spent on petrol to see the magic of the autumn colours in the valley. On the way home we stopped at Kurow for a break, Dad checked if I wanted to put the hood on the MG, I said it will be right and left the hood off. Off down the road we went, it had not rained yet but certainly was getting cold and temperature had dropped. Next thing I see is the indicator on the Plymouth being turned on and being pulled up on the left side of the road, so I followed. Dad got out of the car came towards us and said “Darcy (our dog) would be cold.” He was picked up from the back of the mg and carried to the Plymouth for the rest of the drive home. Yes, it did rain shortly after so I am sure Darcy was very warm and cosy in the back of the Plymouth and appreciated being rescued from getting wet. It is that time of year when we ask for nominations for the committee, if you have been thinking about being part of the committee for this coming term, please fill in a nomination form. Nomination forms will be available at next club night and also included further on in the distributor. If you would like to have a chat with me about being on the committee and what it involves then please get in touch by either email or by phone. I will not be at next club night as I am away for a few days up to Auckland and Tauranga for work. Derek and Murray will be hosting a quiz night which I am sad to miss (especially the chocolate fish), See details further on in the distributor. Happy Motoring Rebecca
Club Captain Report Congratulations to Robert Hutton and his helpers for a very successful Gerald LynchBlosse motor cycle Rally. It was the first I had attended and despite a little wobble going down the hill to Georgetown giving me a reminder it was a lot of years since I was last on a bike I really enjoyed the day. I underestimated my speed going into a corner then locked up the rear tyre before letting things settle, giving me a wakeup and those behind me some entertainment. Waimate branch also took the opportunity to survey those present as to whether they would support a Motorcycle Rally if offered by the Waimate branch. There was a good show of hands so Waimate branch are now going to find a date early in the new year to run one. Watch this space. Unfortunately the mid-month run had to be cancelled as it clashed with the funeral of Terry Buchanan, a club member of fifty years standing. His service was held at the Oamaru club with the casket being driven away on the back of the old Ford fire truck followed by his Model A Ford. Last Sunday was the inaugural Autumn Gold Run around the lakes to take in the spectacular autumn colours. Check out the separate write up in this issue. Ashburton Wheels week which has now grown to two weeks starts on April the 30th to 15th May. The full schedule of events is pinned to the notice board in the club rooms or look up ‘wheelsweek.co.nz’ May 4th is our next club night and will be our Quiz night with the usual Chocolate fish prizes for all, or most of us anyway. Please bring along a couple of “questions” complete with answers so you can get a few right. These are fun nights so think of some local trivia if possible VCC head office has set Daffodil Day for us as 21st of August this year and at our last committee meeting we discussed what we could do to support this day. At this stage we are looking to hold a “treasure hunt” rally. This involves each vehicle following the rally notes as usual then picking up “treasure” as noted by cryptic clues on their rally sheets. The winner solves the most clues. Please give us some feedback if you like/don’t like the idea or have alternative thoughts. We are looking for all ideas. As you may be aware this AGM I will have completed three years as your club captain and will not be seeking re-election. If you are thinking of supporting the club in an elected capacity then please look at the club captain position. I can assure you it is a very rewarding role. Derek.
Annual General Meeting –
Reminder of Date and Change of Format The committee has changed the format of the Annual General Meeting to holding it on a Sunday and during the afternoon.
So the date is
Sunday 12th June at 1.30pm at the Clubrooms with afternoon tea provided. Reports and the draft Minutes will be circulated prior to the meeting by email or hard copy on request. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Minutes and each report before they are put to the meeting and accepted. Conversations should be happening now among all members about how the club is running and the make up of a committee to keep things running the way members want it to. If you haven’t seen the upgraded clubrooms, come on up on a Monday morning and catchup with guys. They are great fellows who enjoy a bit of social time over a cuppa.
Put this date on your calendar now. The committee is hoping for a good turnout to support this change in format.
Covid Policy Update The Committee has reviewed the latest changes to the Government Covid protocols and has agreed that scanning in and vaccine passes are now no longer required. Mask wearing is for personal safety and responsibility, particularly where other health conditions exist, as is taking a decision to stay home if feeling unwell. This policy will be updated as required in relation to any changes made by Government as they happen.
Committee - April 2022
Autumn Splendour There was a good turn out with ten cars, with a driver and navigator in each, the weather was overcast at the start in Oamaru but as we ventured up into the Lakes it was great, although there was a small amount of rain for about a couple of minutes just before lunch. The autumn colour, particularly from Kurow to Otematata, from the thousands of willow and poplar trees planted as part of the Benmore Hydro Dam project was its usual annual spectacle and a wonderful backdrop for the Inaugural Autumn Run. Cars (and their passengers/navigators and Mr Darcy) from the 1930s to modern runners enjoyed a very pleasant trip from the clubrooms up the back route to Duntroon then round Lake Aviemore to a lunch stop below the Benmore Dam. We did a U-turn via Otematata and returned back round the back of the lake to gain a second and slightly different view. We all arrived home safely, with no mishaps along the way. A good Autumn Gold Run was had by all. Many thanks to the organisers.
NOVCC Gerald Lynch-Blosse Motorcycle Rally 9 April 2022 Results; Vintage time trial:
Gary Hawke (1929 AJS)
PV time trial:
Roger Wright (1937 Ariel)
PW time trial:
Dave Morris (1956 BSA)
P60 time trial:
Derek Brehaut (1973 Honda)
P80 time trial & overall winner: Riders Choice:
John Gale (1982 Honda)
Bill Veitch (1962 BSA)
This was a great rally, well run, in perfect conditions. Forty riders on bikes and a trike saw the best of North Otago limestone country roads in calm sunny conditions. The roads were in great condition and the route was one of Rob Hutton’s best, through Enfield, Windsor and Tokarahi, to Duntroon for lunch. We came home through Georgetown, Horse Gully Road and Devil’s Bridge. An excellent set of motorcycling roads and a great turnout of high quality machines. The highlight for me was the large attendance of bikes from other regions. They came from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Central Otago, Waimate and Timaru. That is a wide spread for a one day rally and is testament to the Club’s investment in this Rally since its inception. This is one of the premier vintage bike runs in the area and we should celebrate that. Thanks to all behind the scenes and for the non-riders that turned up to help and support us. It was one of the best. Gerald would have enjoyed this one. Stu
A Day at the Races – Murray Frew Wind, rain, sun, Invercargill has it all. Sometimes all on one day. I attended the Mobil 1 Classic Speedfest 2022 at Teretonga Park. Under the new Covid protocols the event ran perfectly. Upon entry to the gate we were all given a coloured wrist band pertaining to our class. The pit area was divided into coloured areas that matched our wrist band and we stayed in our bubble. The canteen was a mobile truck to keep everyone fed. It all worked very well.
For the Vintage Car Club we had 19 entries, which was very good. I myself did not go out on the track as it was wet. It is far better to watch other members in our group skidding around in circles.
In the class there were three Mistrals. These were made by Emmerson and Flockton in Dunedin 1958 -1959. Early fibreglass bodies and the body work has not fallen apart. We also had two Chris Read’s competing which caused some confusion. We lost four cars during the weekend with mechanical breakage and Chris Read from Dunedin due to a back spasm necessitating a visit to hospital. On Saturday night high winds wrecked his gazebo so Sunday morning we all had a working bee and helped him to tidy-up. The cover will now be used as a car cover. And the metal frame was chucked in the rubbish bin. Paul Coory in his Chev Sprinter locked his diff solid. Karen Clearwater had heating problems but on Friday night following repairs, half a bucket of water poured out of the exhaust pipe so a blown head gasket was diagnosed. The second Chris Read driving the BCM broke an input shaft on the gearbox. This vehicle has a Vauxhall engine and a Morris Iris gearbox. Malcolm Gibson at Clifton Falls used to own one of these vehicles. The unique feature about the gearbox is that the lever sprouts from the floor between the seat and the door. My Chrysler kept on getting hot. Upon much though during the night I realised it was when flicking on the electric fan switch. I had it running the wrong way. My Gazebo also came to a sad end. Being a tight arse, my Chinese made frame only had plastic feet which consequently broke when trying to extend the legs. So it ended up in the rubbish bin as well. Paul Coghill was also racing a Vitesse. This is the original ‘Tiny’ (Elwyn) Latta’s car that was imported in 1968 by Tiny brand new for long distance racing. I said to Paul, “What is original on the car?” He said “I think the boot lid is.” On Saturday afternoon he broke a windscreen. The word went out over the PA did anyone have a spare? On Sunday morning the car was all fixed, a second-hand screen was in and upon asking where he picked one up from, he said Karen Clearwater had one in her garden shading her tomatoes!! All in all it was a fun weekend with all these little incidents happening. It’s a five and a half hour one way drive down there. I chose the route with the least traffic– Cromwell, Frankton and down the side of the lake. I came home the same way. An enjoyable drive both ways with very little traffic.
A Day at the Races – Murray Frew Part Two – L Brehaut Murray asked me to type up his story and while chatting after he had completed what he wanted to say, it slipped out that he had received the Best in Class Trophy! He was reluctant to mention this, however, with a bit of persuasion he agreed to me putting a small something together and to get a photo. Lesley Miller provided a photo and said she understood Best in Class can cover all aspects of the racing. In Murray’s case it was because his car is quite unique and stands out. She said there were always people looking at it. “It was quite an attraction!
Congratulations Murray!!
Found!! It is with grateful thanks to Bracken Print that the club has been able to secure an electronic copy of the 50 th Anniversary Book. Whew! Losing so much history when the laptop was stolen makes this resource even more valuable. And so begins a new section in Distributor of excerpts from this great source of our history. And what better way to start than the entry regarding the first rally.
Opening Rally On Saturday 2nd December 1961 the Opening Rally was held. It was reported that ‘brass sparkled and polish glittered as the Thames Street scene reverted back to the early 1900’s when the Oamaru Vintage Car Club held its inaugural rally.
K Perry Model T Ford
C Jones 1918 Buick Fire Engine
C Parker & A Graham 1922 Ford T
Thirty two cars and eleven motorcycles participated. The Mayor Mr. W. R. Laney congratulated the club on becoming established and sent the first cars away at 12.30pm. The oldest car was a 1901 Northern, steered by a tiller, and owned by Mr. T. A. Shadbolt of Christchurch who brought three veteran cars to the Rally. The other cars belonging to Mr. Shadbolt were a 1903 Weston single cylinder and a 1904 Orient Buckboard. There was also a 1906 Reo entered and a 1913 Mercedes with a V12 Zeppelin motor which bent a front axle during the field tests. The oldest motorcycle was a1905 Minerva. There was a large crowd at the Oamaru Post Office (now the Waitaki District Council Building) to watch the cars leave. The instructions read:- AVERAGE SPEED.....M.P.H. DISTANCE....MILES “From start proceed north up Thames Street. Ignore first two streets on left. At Dalgety’s building (just before monument) turn hard left to follow Severn Street and Main South Highway. Cross railway line and proceed up hill. At top of hill bear right to follow Dunedin signs. Ignore first three streets on right. After passing through small cutting at top of hill, bear right at first road on right (sealed) to follow WestonEnfield-Ngapara signs. Keep following sealed highway. After crossing railway line pass through Weston township, cross railway again and proceed on past Taylor’s Lime Works on your right. Pass through next township (Enfield), ignoring domain on your right and continue following highway for approx. another 4 ½ miles until sign Tapui Clifton Falls-Windsor is reached. Make U turn and proceed back to Enfield domain to check in with officials on time. “(WE HOPE!) FIELD EVENTS, GRAND PARADE ETC. ENFIELD DOMAIN FIRST CAR LEAVES ON TIMED RUN TO OAMARU 4.30 p.m. APPROX.” RETURN JOURNEY ENFIELD TO OAMARU AVERAGE SPEED... .MPH/DISTANC.....MILES After leaving Enfield Domain keep to sealed road until Main South Highway is reached. Bear left and proceed towards Oamaru. Ignore first three streets on left, Bear left at fourth (Junction) to follow Main North Road sign. Proceed down hill and cross railway line. Turn hard right around left side of monument on main street and proceed down Thames Street to check in with Officials opposite Post Office. The North Otago Branch thanks you for your support. We hope you have had an enjoyable run. As we are only feeling our way as yet, we hope you will bear with us if we have made any mistakes. If you have any ideas on how we can improve this run, which we hope to make an annual event, please write or let us know. Editor:- And the club has since had its 60th year celebrations. Note. Formatting has been changed to accommodate Distributor
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#_____________
Terry Buchanan 28.10.1941 – 09.04.2022 Terry joined the North Otago Branch of the VCC of NZ Inc. in February 1972 and remained a member until his passing. Terry was co-driver with John Miller in John’s 1928 Chevrolet for one of the 1972 International Rally, Monte Carlo Routes to Nelson and they travelled there and back with no mechanical problems. Thanks to his thorough checking no further mechanical work was done to John’s Chevrolet for many years. A mechanic by trade, Terry worked in the Ford Franchise and was interested in Model A’s. In the 1970’s he gathered up parts for a 1930 Ford A “Phaeton”. Terry’s Model A was restored to a high standard and he was known for helping lots of other members with their mechanical problems. Terry was a regular participant at Annual Windsor Rallies as seen here on the left being waved away on the 40th Windsor Rally. He was a regular Trophy Winner. During their years living at Naseby, Terry and Anne hosted Branch Members and groups at their home for BBQ’s and visits to the Curling Rink. He also helped with vehicle breakdowns on a number of excursions to Naseby. On returning to Oamaru to live, Terry continued to help with restorations and members’ vehicles. He enjoyed Irishman Creek Rallies and regularly participated with his Model A in parades in the town.
Local Motorbike and Windsor Rally Mentioned in Overseas Calendar
What a thrill to read a caption in a British calendar about one of our own branch member’s motorbike, and alongside mention of our branch’s “Windsor Rally, North Otago, New Zealand” And here it is. The owner is Stuart Adamson, local North Otago member now residing in Alexandra and eldest son of one of the founding branch members - John. Stuart gathered bits of this bike while still at high school some 37 years ago and restored it over the following years between further study and life in general. The bike is a 1954 C10L with a 1951 C11 engine.
Calendar of Events Club Date TBC week begining 16th May 12th June - Sunday 16th July - Saturday
Mid Month Run North Otago Annual General Meeting Mid-Winter Dinner presentation of 35 year badge
21st August - Sunday
Daffodil Run
19th November – Saturday
Swap Meet
3rd December - Saturday
Windsor Rally
National and Regional 1st May
Rotary Car Club Ashburton Plains Annual Classic Car Run Part of Ashburton Wheels Week
5th June
Timaru All British
4 -5 th
th
June
21st August – Sunday
Irishman’s Rally Daffodil Day Fundraiser
23rd to 25th September
Alexandra Blossom Festival
7th - 9th October
Canterbury Swap Meet
2023 3rd – 6 February
National Motorcycle Rally – host Southland
8th - 12th February
Burt Munro Challenge
Note:-all events will be subject to Covid protocols at the time. Every effort has been made to keep these dates as accurate as possible at the time of printing. Check with the Chairperson or Club Captain to confirm any particular event of interest.
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 Ernest or Ralph if you are looking for something in particular. Selling on behalf Ford Model A diff and front axle assembly Enquiries call Ernest George 027 209 0609 Ralph Weir 027 434 5102 Derek Brehaut 021 390 518
SMALL BYTES COMPUTING For All Your Computing Needs New systems, repairs
Ph Jerry 027 435 8983
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
2021-22
Chairman
Rebecca George
021 293 7714
Vice Chairman
Vacant
Club Captain
Derek Brehaut (Lee)
Secretary
Vacant
Minutes Secretary
Lee Brehaut (Derek)
027 695 66 44
Treasurer
John Gale (Jo)
03 437 1112
Committee
Murray Frew
027 432 6756
John Law
027 226 0963
Quentin Barrow (Ange)
027 434 5570
Gordon Hay (Joy)
03 434 5754
Tony Hales (Jenny)
03 434 7729
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 439 5207
Custodian
Lee Brehaut (Derek)
027 695 6644
Librarian
Robert Hutton (Mandy)
03 437 0774
Archivist
Kathleen Perry
03 434 7226
Newsletter Editor
Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
03 434 8285 027 293 1059
Vehicle Verifiers
Quentin Barrow
027 434 5570
Bruce Watt
03 434 5306
Ernest George (Brenda)
027 209 0609
Derek Brehaut (Lee)
021 390 518
Spare Parts Club email address
021 390 518
northotago@vcc.org.nz
Committee Meetings 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.00 pm Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm (details in The Distributor)