2 minute read
From The Secretary
by Dennis Whimp
A big welcome to our new and re-joining members. Jim and Carol Bennett who have Austin Minis
Paul Nagle who has a 1972 MGB roadster Tom and Jamie Fyfe and family who are re-joining us We look forward to seeing you at our events and meetings.
Will existing members please wear their name badges as it makes it easier for our new members to get to know you. (And some of our older members who have don’t turn up that often). If you have lost your name badge I can get a replacement for $15. New members name badges are free.
If you have to contact VCC National Office re change of address, or change of cars etc, the new Office Administrator is Robyn Ashworth. She replaces Julie Cairns-Gee who retired after 25 years in the job.
Remember that the Swapmeet will be on Sunday July 11th this year, Covid permitting.
Our signwriter, Roy Burrows who has just changed the date on the swapmeet signs at the stock-car track reminded me
that he was trained in painting woodgrain finish onto metal dashboards and trim from 1930s cars. He is still able to do this work if anyone requires it.
Why I like old cars. They have dip sticks to check the engine oil levels. On many current cars the dipstick is an optional extra costing around $40. The theory is either that you don’t need to know, or that the computer can simply show you the level on the screen. A neighbour with his new Audi had to watch a Youtube video on how to scroll through the screens, which nobs to turn, buttons to push and screens to tap and then the relevant screen would not load if the engine oil was cold. I’m sure life is not getting simpler.
Just as well I don’t live in the USA or I would be tempted to buy lots of vintage vehicles. A quick scan through last year’s Buick club magazines showed some real bargains. A 1930 roadster the same as mine and partially restored at US$7000, a 1934 Buick sedan complete and driving at US$12,500, a 1930 Buick master sedan at US$9,000 and quite a few others of similar vintage for similar prices. It is fortunate that we live this far away although I see there are a few of these vehicles arriving into NZ.
Bugatti Veyron at the Ellerslie Concours
