SIDE CURTAINS
SIDE CURTAINS The magazine of the
ROTORUA VINTAGE AND VETERAN CAR CLUB
MARCH/APRIL 2022
WE ARE ON FACEBOOK ! www.rvvcc.org.nz
FEBRUARY CAR IN THE ROOM
SIDE CURTAINS - March/April 2022 The magazine of the ROTORUA VINTAGE AND VETERAN CAR CLUB
Clubrooms: Neil Hunt Park, Tarawera Rd, Rotorua Postal: PO Box 2014, Rotorua Email: rotorua@vcc.org.nz Website: www.rotoruavintagecarclub.org.nz Vero Insurance: Phone 0800 658 411 and quote your VCC membership number Club Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of month (except January), 7.15pm for 7.30pm start OFFICERS
Chairperson - David Tomlinson Secretary - Dennis Whimp 021 731 678 Treasurer - Terry Fitzpatrick Club Captain Terry Wadsworth Asst. Club Captain Fleur Tomlinson Committee Ronald Mayes Neville Harper Lois Thompson Jenny Cole Dennis Brown Geoff Nitz
CONTENTS Chairman’s Report
2
From The Secretary
4
February Car In The Room I
5
February Car In The Room II
6
February Midweek Run
7
Swap Meet in July
8
Coming Events
12
Mid Weekers - Jenny Cole Side Curtains Editor - David Tomlinson rvvcc.editor@gmail.com Beaded Wheels - Ronald Mayes Librarian - Dennis Kenny Librarian - Ronald Mayes Cards/Flowers - Doreen Green
Cover Photos Front - BMW 2002 Tii engine Back - February Barbecue Run
CLUB CAR PHOTOS
If you want your club car photo on the clubroom wall then get in touch with Doug Green, and he will organise a time and place for a photo shoot. It would be good if we could have all member’s car photos on display. Side Curtains February 2022
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Chairman’s Report
- March 2022 by David Tomlinson
Yet again the pandemic has interrupted our activities. We made the call to cancel all March club events, and I believe it was clearly the right thing to do, as the “wave” of Omicron reached its peak in Rotorua around mid-March, with 3000 cases locally. I am aware that even some triple vaccinated branch members caught the virus, so it was definitely in our best interests to have another month off. Many other events continued to be cancelled, but I did manage to get up to the Classic Car breakfast at the Jukebox Diner in Hamilton on the first Sunday in March, also winning “car of the day” and “farthest travelled” so I got some MTA fuel vouchers and a restaurant voucher. Fleur and I had also entered Taupo branch’s annual rally in March, but this was another one of the many casualties of Covid. In early April I was supposed to take part the last week of a three week national rally of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars, but this event was another casualty, so for the first time Fleur and I took part in the “Oil Down”, a coffee and cars meet at the lower carpark at Tauriko Shopping Centre in Tauranga. There was a very good turnout of cars, but I was told it was down on the usual number. While it was mainly American cars, there were a few Europeans, and a few Aussie, Japanese and UK cars. In March the NZ Ferrari Owners Club had their AGM in Rotorua, and we had tried to get an owner to take Alex for a drive without success, but we did manage to get him a drive around the carpark in a 2013 Ferrari California at the Tauriko gathering. All drivers present were very friendly, and genuinely interested in all the cars on display. We will be back. The cancelled R-R/B Club tour was replaced at short notice with a weekend event as this magazine goes to press in Taupo. Fleur and I entered, but at the last moment we lost our child minder, so I went ahead and managed to win the poker run rally with a borrowed co-driver. Our hand was two pair, “9 high”, and no one else got better than a pair. I took our recently overhauled 1933 car, and there was only one other Rolls-Royce there amongst a slew of Bentleys. I came second in the 2
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R-R concours! We also visited the Arapuni swing bridge, the Aratiatia Rapids to watch the sluice gates open, and attended a glass blowing demonstration at Lava Glass. All went well, other than my holding the clutch in a little too long, late in the day when the car was very warm, and the plate stuck. After it finally freed up it is now working better than ever, but I will have to put up with the burning smell for a while until it completely dissipates. Our April meeting was to feature Michael Thorne’s Rover P5B as the car in the room, but this will now be put back a month or so, and at short notice I will bring in a car I have not displayed in the room before, my blue Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II. With the changes to the “red light settings” allowing up to 200 people indoors without any mandatory vaccination rules, we will be back to normal from now on, but members are encouraged at all our events, indoors and outdoors, to make their own choice as to whether they wish to wear masks. Our April run is the Night Run, which will be on Sunday 24 April, the weekend after Easter, but as this goes to print I can’t give more details. It will be a late afternoon run followed by a simple BYO dinner at the clubrooms. Our Swap Meet is definitely a “go” in July as planned, and we have set a replacement date for the 10th Anniversary Lakefront Car Show. It will now be held on Sunday, 30 October, the weekend after Labour weekend. We will have the whole Village Green at our disposal. We could not get the whole lawn for any earlier date after the middle winter months. Planning will continue for our branch’s 50th year celebrations, and the Sulphur City Rally, and more details will be available for both events as they develop. Hopefully from here on in 2022 will start to normalise, and we can enjoy all manner of events, not just our own branch events. Lastly, our May club night will also be our AGM, and we will have some committee positions to fill. After many years in the role, our Treasurer Terry Fitzpatrick will be stepping down, and we will also lose Dennis Brown and Jenny Cole from the committee as they head off overseas for 6 months, another sign life is returning slowly back to normal. If you have any interest in the Treasurer role, please talk with Terry or with Dennis Whimp. You will be eased in to the role with as much support as we can offer. Any service on the committee is very greatly appreciated. Side Curtains February 2022
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FROM THE SECRETARY by Dennis Whimp The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand holds Executive meetings twice a year and each branch is invited to send a delegate. The March meeting was held by Zoom and I sat in front of the computer screen on behalf of our branch. There were approximately 30 panels on the screen showing all participants. The Chair Diane Quarrie did an excellent job and obviously had two screens so she could see everyone. She used the simple technique of telling no one to speak unless you put your hand up and she would direct in what order the speakers would go. Wish I had done that years ago when all the kids and their friends were around. The amount of work that the National committee put in is staggering. Almost a full time job. Murray Trounson is the driving force behind moving the club from paper based forms into the electronic age. He told me he has spent 1400 hours in the past 15 months on the system as the old computer system was as old as some of our cars. New members now join on an electronic form on line at the VCC NZ website. A separate form is required for each joint member. Completed forms are then sent to the relevant branch for approval. The cost for a full year is $100 for the member and $20 for a joint member, pro-rated through the year. All other forms are being slowly converted to electronic. If a person does not have a computer, then they need sit with a member or the secretary. We were going to discuss the proposed new national logo at the March branch meeting but that was cancelled so I had no overall branch direction as to which way to vote. I had had various comments from members and it seemed to be similar to the rest of the branches views 4
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that the club was not the logo; we were about vehicles, motoring and people. Other branches members were split roughly 50/50 for and against and their branch vote was narrowly won. In the end I voted for the change, but it was lost 17 for 18 against. We were also advised that if a member asks for all their information to be supressed, we should not mention their name, phone number or their vehicles in the branch magazines. The new members form has separate spaces for name and/or vehicle information to be suppressed. The clubroom carpet has come to the end of its life in that it is delaminating. We are getting quotes for replacement with carpet tiles.
February Car In The Room - I
by Ronald Mayes
Terry Fitzpatrick’s 1973 BMW 2002 Tii Terry and Sandra regularly appear on club runs in this bright red car and in February Terry brought it into the clubrooms. He commenced his presentation by giving us a potted history of Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G. then told us all about the car. 824,899 2-Series cars were produced from 1970 to 1976, with engines ranging from 1500cc to 1600, 1800 and 2000cc plus a turbocharged version. Terry’s car, a 2002 Tii, has a 2 litre overhead camshaft, fuel-injected 128bhp engine, one of 2446 right hand drive examples, of which only 10 came to New Zealand. A Remuera doctor was the first owner and two others followed before Terry obtained it 41 years ago. He said that, with all that power in a car weighing only 1010kgs, it could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds and had a top speed of 190 km/h, so is a very lively performer indeed. But he was quick to explain that, in deference to its rarity, he does not push it to those extremes. Side Curtains February 2022
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February Car In The Room - II
by Dennis Whimp
Terry Fitzpatrick’s 1973 BMW 2002 Tii The bright red two door 1973 BMW has been a familiar sight at branch runs for many a year, so it was great to have Terry Fitzpatrick explain the history of the BMW company and of this particular model. Back in 1973 Terry had delivered to him a new built to order Ford Falcon GT which was his family runabout vehicle. Eight years later he saw the BMW with 60,000 miles on the clock available in a Rotorua private sale. A deal was done with the Falcon gone and the BMW his. Terry’s opinion was that compared to the Ford, the BMW was a far better car (a few Ford fans were heard disagreeing with this). It was used as the everyday vehicle for the next 30 years, and then he and Sandra joined the RVVCC with this as their vehicle. It has now done 180,000 miles. The car is still in pristine condition. A small incident quite a few years ago (not Terry’s fault) resulted in the outside of the car being repainted. The engine bay is still the original paint with all the stickers still there like new. The engine head has been off and new valve guides installed, but apart from that it is just a reliable sound vehicle. The BMW 2002 was made between 1971 and 1975. According to the BMW club, 28 came to New Zealand. Only 10 were the fuel injected 130hp 2002Tii top speed 115mph of which Terry’s is one. Ross Jensen imported two twin carb 120hp 2002 Ti cars to race and cleaned out the Lotus Cortina’s that had been winning up until then. One of our ex members, Jack Miller was Ross Jensen’s mechanic on these cars and used to tell some interesting stories. 6
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Midweek Run, 23 February
by Dennis & Jen
Today’s outing was something quite different. Timberline Racing Huskies at Broadlands. Well folks, it was a great day out and it wasn’t till 2.30pm that we commenced our drive home. In between, Taniya and Steve entertained us with not only a live exhibition of racing Siberian Huskies but introduced us to the world of Husky racing, dog behaviour and their passion for their dogs and lifestyle. They showed us the racing chariots adapted from bicycle wheels and tubular steel. Specially designed to give them some control of their direction while being dragged along through forest tracks at startling speeds. Taniya’s Dad has built a traditional wooden snow sled but without snow, we couldn’t see it in action. Light, strong and flexible are it’s characteristics, lashed together with string bindings. A true work of art. The dogs are primal in nature. While enjoying affection they are driven by the need for exercise and prey. They have no loyalty to their owners and must be restrained in compounds or on a leash at all times. Allowed to escape, they have zero homing instincts. While they are no threat to other dogs, they will attack any other animal, including sheep. Those that find freedom often end up being shot by farmers. In 24 years Taniya and Steve have not lost a dog. The star of the day was their German Shepherd who had lots to say and was not to be left out of the racing team, totally unsuited to the task but not prepared to sit and watch proceedings. So, a big thanks to Adelai & Bill who floated the idea for the trip and provided us with contact details. Oh! We have a gorgeous addition to the Midweekers fleet. Les and Thelma have their XKR Jaguar on the road at last after having to scour the world for suitable parts. What beautiful lines it has, maybe as cute as a Mercedes Benz CLS... :-) Side Curtains February 2022
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Rotorua Vintage & Veteran Car Club proudly present the
The 41st Annual Central North Island
Swap Meet
& Car Show Spectacular Paradise Valley Raceway
7am - 2pm, Sunday, 10th July 2022
FEATURING VINTAGE, CLASSIC, MUSCLE CARS & HOT RODS Hundreds of vendors, with items of interest to all collectors of cars, motorcycles, hot rods, automobilia, automotive books, old toys, model cars and trains. Almost everything antique or collectible.
Hot food and refreshments available SELLER SITE INQUIRIES: Neville Harper 07 348 2412 or 027 494 7249, email daharpers@gmail.com CAR SHOW INQUIRIES: Bob Mackay 07 332 3849, email bob.mackaynz@gmail.com ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: Alan Judd 022 049 5492
Admission Seller’s vehicle and driver $10 per site
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www.rvvcc.org.nz
All others $5 per person (Accompanied children FREE)
Side Curtains February 2022
Rotorua Vintage & Veteran Car Club proudly present the
10th Anniversary Annual Rotorua Lakefront Car Show 10am - 2pm, Sunday, 30th October 2022
ALL CARS, BIKES & COMMERCIALS WELCOME! Join us for the 10th Anniversary of this fabulous event. Numbers have increased every year with almost 500 vehicles on display in 2020 and again in 2021. The venue is the Rotorua Village Green at the lake front, off Whakaue Street. This is an informal car show open to any individuals or clubs to display their vehicles. Drivers and visitors will be encouraged to make a gold coin donation during the event for St Johns Ambulance. Car clubs are welcome to display their vehicles in a group. During the day drivers and their companions can enjoy their own picnic lunch under the trees, or take advantage of local eateries, including Rotorua’s “Eat Street” which is at the southern end of the show area. Come and see Rotorua’s newly developed waterfront boardwalk, as well as many other attractions. This event has been very popular with locals and holiday makers alike. Vehicles range from early vintage to almost new. For more information email info@rvvcc.org.nz or check our Facebook page for updates. See you there!
ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TO ST JOHNS AMBULANCE ROTORUA
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www.rvvcc.org.nz 9
FOR SALE 1965 Rover 95 Saloon 6 cylinder 2.67 litre manual with certified power steering. In pristine condition. $15,000. Phone Doug on 027 274 4861
IN THE LIBRARY!
by Ronald Mayes
There are lots of books in the club library waiting to be borrowed, including some fascinating new ones, for example a 1977 NZ Motor Corporation dealer’s guide (really a workshop manual) for the Rover SD1. Did you know that it was to be referred to in the trade as the “Rover 5-Door Saloon” and the P6B 3500 as the “Rover 4-Door Saloon”? It is really a workshop manual for the SD1 and from my experience of the one we once owned, and a workmate’s example, the dealers would have made much use of it. In the Rotorua Public Library are recent (well, August, September and October 2021) issues of the English Classic and Sports Car magazine and there is some great reading to be had. In August is reported the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the Jaguar E-Type, Amazingly, the three cars displayed at the Geneva Motor Show introduction were brought together for a reunion. In the September issue you can read about an amazing 8000-mile journey across India to Bangladesh and Nepal, made in 2012 in a 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 limousine. It was 100% reliable but still wears the battle scars from the encounters with the local traffic. Advertised for sale is an Austin 7 Chummy, the owner said it was ideal for running errands as in his area of London where there is a 20mph speed limit. The price asked is 14500 pounds, about NZ$29000.. In the October issue you can compare the Rover 3500S and Triumph 2.5PI. (The Rover V8 won the power stakes but the Triumph’s cabin space and finish stood out.) Also described are country roads, mostly in the far north-west of Scotland and less-inhabited parts of England, where there is little traffic and are great fun for the likes of MGB owners. (We don’t realise how lucky we are: close to home there are lots of such roads such as on the recent Barbecue Run where we encountered enjoyable driving and very few other vehicles on the Ngakuru area.) 10
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CLUB NIGHT - April 13th Neil Hunt Park - 7.30pm Car In The Room: 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Followed by tea and coffee.
April Night Run Sunday, 24th April This is a week later than the usual weekend due to Easter, and will be a late afternoon run followed by a simple dinner at the clubrooms. As the magazine went to print details had not been finalised, so this will be communicated to members through the website, Facebook page and email as soon as we are able.
Midweekers Wednesday, 27rd April by Jenny Cole Michael Thorne will co-ordinate activities on the day. Meet at the clubrooms at 10.00am. Depart at 10.30am for a short local run ending at Ngongotaha NZMCA Park, which is located at 61 Ngongotaha Road. View a vintage REO camper van. This will be followed by a barbecue lunch. The Club is providing the meat and Michael is cooking potatoes and will also provide buns and will look after cutlery/ crockery etc. Please could you could bring some salads. Michael has kindly agreed to take charge of this event as Dennis and I are heading overseas for the winter. We are sure you will have a great day and look forward to seeing you all again in October. Side Curtains February 2022
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www.rvvcc.org.nz The branch website aims to meet the needs of our members, to promote our branch nationally, and to potential new members. If you have any suggestions please contact David Tomlinson. Please also make sure you “Like” our Facebook page to keep up to date.
Contributions to Side Curtains This is your magazine! Please feel free to share anything you think might be of interest to the membership by sending it to the editor, preferably by email, and a picture says a thousand words, so include photos where possible. Members taking part in club runs or events hosted by other branches are encouraged to pen a short piece about their experience to include in the next issue going to print. All items to the editor by the end of the month. 12
Side Curtains February 2022
February Midweekers
February BBQ Run