15 minute read
Not The Spring Tour
1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk
It all started back in 2010 when I went to Melbourne to purchase our 1961 Studebaker Hawk. The vendor had recently completed an 8 year, body off, full restoration of this car which he did for himself with no intention of ever selling. He let me have a drive in it to show the difference of the handling between a car with cross ply tyres (the 61 Hawk) and radials (on the 58 Golden Hawk). It was like chalk and cheese and it was love at first sight. At that stage we bought the 61 Hawk off him. He was a Studebaker parts dealer so had access to any new parts required during the restoration so did an excellent job of the restoration.
There were only 878 Golden Hawks produced in 1958 and only around 100 were exported and nobody knows how many were sold in right hand drive which this one is which was a real bonus for us. The main differences are that the Golden Hawk is pillarless (a hardtop coupe), has a factory McCullough super charger on the 289 ci V8 which produced 275 HP from the factory, has a heavy duty 3 stage auto, a “Twin Traction” limited slip diff, has electric front windows, electric seat and a vacuum gauge, and was the only year that Studebaker put 14” wheels on their cars. 15” was the norm at this time.
We approached the vendor in 2020 to see if we could buy it from him and because he had now collected and restored several other cars (it’s a terrible disease, just ask David T) he reluctantly decided to sell it to us. Of course this was during Covid 19 lockdown so we weren’t able to go and have a look at it and relied heavily on his description and was very pleased with it when it arrived. When it arrived by container someone on the wharf managed to put a bend in the bonnet even though the owner had put instructions on the front bumper on how to open and close the bonnet and of course nobody would own up to doing the damage so it wasn’t a great start in New Zealand.
We expected it to fly though Vinning and Compliancing but “NO” that wasn’t the case. First we had to get a structural repair certificate which turned out to be the easy part. Then we got a list from VTNZ which we attended to but ended up going back another two times before we finally had it registered and warranted. This of course this went on through the Christmas break which made it hard to keep things moving. We are heading off to Beachop in Whangamata for 5 nights and then off to the Kapiti Coast over Easter for a Studebaker get together which we will have done by the time you read this.
Beach Hop 2021 24-28th March by Neville Harper I have just arrived back after having another fantastic 5 days at Beach Hop 2021 in Whangamata. Beach Hop 2020 which was celebrating its 20th anniversary was held in November instead of its usual time of March because of Covid-19. So, 4 months later in March the event celebrating its 21st anniversary was on again.
They limit the entries to around 1300 vehicles and it sells out within 2 days so probably at least as many cars again just arrive in Whangamata even though they are not entered.
Wednesday is the warm up party in Waihi with the main street closed off and the cars all parked in there with bands playing and street stalls and the “undie 500”. Thursday we went over to Thames for the first time and they put on an awesome day and once again we were parked in the closed off main street so I’m sure that we will be going back there again next year. Friday is always the “Thunder cruise” out to Onemana beach which is a beautiful beach setting and the cars are allowed to take off their exhaust plates which makes them quite noisey ie: “Thunder Cruise”. Saturday the cars do a grand parade through the main street and then has the cars parked at different venues around Whangamata and it is a short walk between each one or you car hop on and off the free buses covering the routes. Whangamata has a usual population of around 4000 residents but Saturday of Beachop the estimates are approximately 110,000 people in town.
They have fantastic sponsorship and this year they had a 1956 Ford Thunderbird convertible, a 1956 Thunderbird Retro caravan, a brand new 2020 Harley Davidson XL 1200C Sportster Custom Motorcycle AND $10,000 cash. Everybody who filled in the voting form in the programme were in the draw to chose whichever prize they wanted.
Of course the Ford Thunderbird was chosen by the lucky winner. They then drew another name out and that person won the motor bike. They then auctioned off the caravan which had fierce bidding on and sold for huge money. They also have the Retro wearable arts and junkyard fashion show, Hop idol finals and the Burger Fuel vintage show leading up to the prize draw so there is plenty to keep you interested and of course there is a HUGE crowd for the prize draw as you have to be there to win.
Sunday they have the top 10 shootout which consists of the top 5 cars, the top 2 motorbikes, and the top 2 Caravans chosen by the public who filled out the voting form in their programme, on display at the Nostalgia Fair. People vote for their favourite vehicle by putting cash in the voting boxes on each vehicle. They have entertainment happening and lots of stalls with sale items. They have fantastic prizes for all sorts events that they have run. The $10000 cash was given away today to a lucky entrant who had to be there to collect the cash. A lot of people come from a long way off and head for home early on Sunday so they had to draw it 3 times to find a lucky winner who was there. The winner came from Timaru so he was a happy chappie.
There are a number of bands playing at different venues around town each night and lots of rock and roll dancing going on as the event started off as a rock and roll dancing competition back in 2000. The night cruising is a highlight for entrants and very popular and can get to the point of gridlock at times but they just extend the circuit as necessary and it seems to work quite well. It is a great event, well organised, has great sponsors and is extremely popular and I think that was number 15 for us. There are just so many extremely nice vehicles there it is hard to actually get to see them all bearing in mind there is probably another 1000 to 2000 cars that are there but not entered. To get into the top 5 cars you have to have something very very special.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Rotorua Vintage & Veteran Car Club Inc
The Branch AGM will be held at 7.30pm on 12th May 2021 at the Rotorua VCC Clubrooms, Neil Hunt Park, Rotorua.
Agenda items will include: Apologies, Minutes of last year’s AGM, Chairman’s Report, Financial Report, Election of Officers, General Business
Only financial members may vote. Nomination papers are available from the club Secretary on request, or you can copy or cut out the form below.
Elections will be held for the following positions:
Chairperson, Branch Captain, Assistant Branch Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, committee member (between 3 and 6 may be elected)
Nomination Form for RVVCC AGM - 12th May 2021
I nominate ……………………………………………………………….
for the position of ………………………………………………………
Signed …………………………………………………………………..
I second the above nomination
Signed ………………………………………………………………….
I agree to have my name put forward for the above nomination
Signed ………………………………………………………………….
14-19 March 2021 Participants: Bob and Pat - Modern, Pat and Shona - Modern, Les and Thelma - Modern, Jenny and Dennis - Modern, Roger and Diana - 74 Triumph Stag, Ronald and Gloria - 77 Triumph 2500TC, Michael and Roz - 85 Alfa Romeo GTV6
For the purposes of clarity and to avoid any lawsuits, this report is partly fictitious but based on actual events. Any resemblance to living persons may be purely coincidental. This year I decided to take a friend on the tour. I couldn’t take the Panther - it hasn’t enough room for a cosmetics case. The Porsche isn’t much better, so I took a chance and took the Alfa which had only just been delivered from Christchurch. On Sunday 14 March 2021 we met at the Mitre 10 cafe in Taupo, where Bill and Adelai joined us for lunch. Adelai decided to share her coffee with me, well at least my shoes. Tour organisers Bob and Pat had prepared the usual, well documented schedule which had us departing for Napier at about 1.30pm. I was unsure how the Alfa would go but was pleasantly surprised with the speed and handling, and it kept good oil pressure and maintained water temperature. And surprise, surprise, Roz and I were first to arrive at the Fairly Lodge Motel. That night it was party central in Rogers room to watch the Americas Cup before dinner. Bob had booked us into Paddys Irish Pub on the water front. They couldn’t find the booking (Paddy must have it) but fitted us in. I had Irish Lamb shanks using NZ lamb. Whats the difference between Irish and NZ lamb shanks?.......me neither. Distance travelled for the day 216kms. The next day we departed Napier at 9.00am for the one hour drive to visit Oruawharo Homestead and Gardens in Takapau. Unfortunately there had been a major accident on the motorway
heading south and an alternative route was required. Fortunately I was following Roger in the Stag who knew the area well. So the Stag and the Alfa arrived just after 10.00am. A few more cars at 10.30am and Les and Thelma at about 11.00am. Les reckons Thelma was navigating. Moral of the story is to drive an old car( or follow someone who knows the area.)
Owned by Peter and Dianne Harris, the 22 room Oruawharo homestead was built in 1886 and is in the process of restoration. It is mainly used for weddings and historic visits including a traditional high tea with a choice of tea and coffee flavours, which we enjoyed before Peter presented a slide show of the homesteads history. (visit www.oruawharo.com) for more details. And then onto the Discovery Motor Lodge in Masterton. Some of the group visited Norsewood for a pair of socks on the way. After some confusion we ended up at Fairleys Restaurant for dinner. Dennis had spare ribs but the plate was big enough to feed the whole table. Distance travelled for the day 230 kms (Les and Thelma 260kms.)
It was great to have first timers Dennis and Jenny on the tour. They are intrepid travellers with many journeys overseas in out of the way places in their LandRover. Wouldn’t suit me...it doesnt have sat TV or a shower. The real bonus was that Dennis was a Coach Tour operator and knows the area well, including the history and many a story was told. Tuesday 16 March dawned bright and sunny...bugger, wrong day. The day was overcast and rain threatened and we had to face the dreaded Rimutakas. But first a visit to the Fell Locomotive Museum in Featherston. Yes, I know what you are thinking- railways, but this is different. This beautifully presented museum showcases the fascinating history of the Fell Engine and the Rimutaka Incline. I wont attempt to explain the complex workings of the system which requires a special track, engines and a separate brake van to negotiate the steep incline. (visit www.fellmuseum.org.nz) The
museum has the actual restored units with an interesting video of the trains history. A train spotter like Ron would have been in 7th heaven. Our visit included jam and cream scones. Just as we were about to negotiate the Rimutakas, a Fire Engine raced past. Sure enough there was a two car crash at the top of the hill. The upwards journey was slow - the rest of our group had passed but I was stopped before the accident by Police so they could move the accident vehicles. Now Ive just spent 3 months travelling in the South Island and two weeks in the Coromandel with some steep mountain passes and drop-offs but there’s something that I don’t like about the Rimutakas. So to be stuck at the top with the rain and wind increasing was not fun. However we finally made it over the top and meet up with the rest of the group at our next port of call,the Police Museum in Porirua. Located on the Police College campus the museum was established in 1908. Today the museum exhibits a a large collection of Police property and criminal cases. Included is a section on the 1980 SpringBok Tour and a moving display on Erebus and the subsequent recovery and investigation. Our visit also included a conducted tour. Next to Waikanae to check into the Kapiti Gateway Motel. I had booked a studio but received a two bedroom unit so we all met at 4.00pm in my room to watch the Americas Cup final. It was a bit of an anti-climax after we won. Our afternoons had been fun watching the cup over a glass of wine. On the motel owners recommendation we walked 500m to a restaurant with its own brewery. I wont bother with the name. Distance travelled for the day 180kms. The next day most tour participants boarded the free train(one of the advantages of the Gold Card) for the one hour journey into Wellington city to visit the Wellington Museum. Interesting but more of a Maritime Museum. After lunch we went our separate ways. Roz and I went to the Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa. Peter Jacksons ability to create such realism out of a static exhibition
is impressive and very moving. We all met up before 3.00pm for the return train journey home and the commentary by tour guide Dennis. We had a great dinner that night at Nicholsons, part of the Citizens Club and walking distance to the motel. On Thursday 18 March we visited the Southwards Car Museum in Otaihanga, just north of Wellington. It was my third visit and by any standard its an impressive museum, and a monument to a New Zealand industrial pioneer. I also found the LaSalle donated by Mr and Mrs Mobray. Most of us will remember Bob was club patron for many years. And then onto Taihape and the Aspen Court Motel. We often use this as a last stop before the journey home. Drinks that night in Bobs room. At one stage the conversation turned to small cars. I explained that when I was young (a long time ago) I got up to some ‘hanky panky’ in the front seat of a Mini - now I cant even get into a Mini. I got the ‘look’ from Shona so decided not to explain hanky panky. As is tradition we went to the previously named Gumboot Manor Restaurant next door. Now re-named Rustic Steak House and re-vamped with a new menu. The food was fabulous and Bob shouted some wine for his birthday. And then he announced this was to be his last rally as organiser. His organisation skills will be missed.Distance travelled for the day 186kms We met at The Waiouru Army Museum for brunch the next day before the usual farewells and the journey home. As usual great company to share a journey. Once again special thanks to Bob and Pat for organising a great rally and some of the best things Ive visited. Michael in the red Alfa Romeo GTV6
CLUB NIGHT - April 14th
Neil Hunt Park - 7.30pm Car In The Room: 1974 Citroen DS
Followed by tea, coffee and biscuits.
Night Run
Saturday, April 17th - 5.30pm
Starting at the clubrooms, light dinner served then a short run in the darkness, followed by dessert back at the clubrooms. $10 pp to cover the meal costs, BYO drinks.
Midweekers - The Last Run by Bob Mackay
Wednesday, April 28th - 10am, clubrooms
Hopefully it will not be the last midweek run but it is now time for someone else to take the reins. After just over six years since I started organising the midweek run my enthusiasm and ideas are running low. A number of members have assisted by arranging a few runs for which I grateful. In that time we have had also had six annual tours, I have arranged five with Rocky Fiske arranging the 2019 tour. For my last run and the last before the AGM we will meet at the club rooms at 10am for morning tea. We will then drive to a café for lunch on the “Forgotten Highway of the Bay of Plenty”. Must be forgotten by the Roads Board as we were able to drive 80km on a sealed road and not a road works in sight. I also believe it is time that the committee was given a bit of a fresh up, so I will not be standing for the committee. Along with Pat, I look forward to enjoying both club and midweek runs where we are not having to organise a run every month. Give it a thought everyone, your club needs YOU! See you on the 28th, Bob
Try and spot the Harper’s Studebaker Golden Hawk
