SIDE CURTAINS
SIDE CURTAINS The magazine of the
ROTORUA VINTAGE AND VETERAN CAR CLUB
NOVEMBER 2020
WE’RE NOW ON FACEBOOK ! www.rvvcc.org.nz
OCTOBER CLUB RUN
SIDE CURTAINS - November 2020 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 Asst. Club Captain Committee Bob Mackay Ronald Mayes Kevin Scott Lois Thompson Neville Harper
CONTENTS Chairman’s Report
2
From The Secretary
4
October Car In The Room
6
Art Deco 2021 - Veterans
6
Lakefront Car Show 2021
7
October Club Run
8
Xmas Social
10
Coming Events
12
Mid Weekers - Bob Mackay Side Curtains Editor - David Tomlinson rvvcc.editor@gmail.com Beaded Wheels - Ronald Mayes Librarian - Dennis Kenny Asst Librarian - Ronald Mayes Asst Librarian - Roger Couchman Cards/Flowers - Doreen Green
Cover Photos Front - October Club Night Back - October Midweek 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 November 2020
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Chairman’s Report
- October 2020 by David Tomlinson
The “classic car” season has started, and since I wrote my last column it has been all go. Starting with our branch club night in October where we had a talk on the Handley’s 1957 Vauxhall Velox looking immaculate in black with red interior. Then we had our October club run, which I was able to take part in this time as I had organised the last two. Committee night followed, then we had our midweekers after Labour weekend. On the last weekend of the month I had a big day out on the Sunday, driving up to Hamilton early in the morning to attend the monthly breakfast meet at the Jukebox Diner at the Classic Car Museum in Frankton. As well as an eclectic bunch of mostly local cars, they were joined by a Triumph club who had 4 Stags amongst their numbers, a convertible Herald and a few 2000 and 2500 models. This wrapped up around 10am, so I then headed north to Rangiriri, and then out into the wild west countryside to the coast to meet up with friends from the NZ Rolls-Royce and Bentley Club for a lunch at the Nikau Caves Café. You could even go caving, but that involved getting very wet, and sections where you had to crawl through narrow gaps, so we all passed on that... Then just before completing this column and sending the magazine off to the printers, I attended the BoP branch’s annual Swap Meet and Car Show in Tauranga, where Ronald Mayes was also present in his Triumph 2000. Despite a horrible forecast, it was mainly hot and sunny bar one 10 minute heavy shower. I even got lightly sunburnt before leaving at 1.30pm. A good bunch of cars there, including a 1925 Delage sports car, and kids (including big kids) got to go on rides in a variety of older cars 2
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including a 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom open tourer. Fleur and Alex came up during “gentleman’s hours”, much later than I, and all three of us went for a spin through Tauranga with Jim Smyllie in his 1913 Model T. Earlier this year Jim and Kaaren drove this little car from Wellington to Bluff! Fleur and Alex also got a ride in the 1927 Phantom. Bob and Pat Mackay also had a big month away, travelling as far south as Invercargill, and they had a look inside the very impressive Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum while there. The branch continues to be busy. As well as our club night in November which will feature a 1967 Chevrolet Impala, we have our early “Xmas Social” on the Saturday night after, and then a club run at 1pm on the next day. As well as our midweek run, some members are also going to Beach Hop which is being held very late this year. In December we will only have our club night and the High Tea run, and the Lakefront Car Show in January, but there are lots of other VCC and non-VCC car events scattered around these times. There are notices later in this issue about our Xmas Social and the High Tea run. We do need to know catering numbers for both events in advance, details for highlighting your attendance are on the information pages. A reminder about WoFs, if yours has expired, it is no longer safe to drive the vehicle. Touch wood, I have taken 3 of my “fleet” in for WoFs in October, all passing! If you don’t have a current WoF or rego for your club car, you should not be driving it until this is sorted, not least of all for insurance purposes. The Harpers new supercharged Studebaker Golden Hawk was the star of North Shore branch’s current magazine, and is planned to be taken to Beach Hop at the end of the month. From the pictures I have seen, it is a very beautiful car, and we hope to see it on our runs soon too! Side Curtains November 2020
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FROM THE SECRETARY by Dennis Whimp In March of every year, the national office sends to each branch secretary electronic lists of all the members in each branch, a list of all the members and their vehicles, and a list of all the vehicles in the club listed by make and then year. I was reminded how important this is after being contacted by a fellow 1930 Buick owner who was looking for info which I was able to supply. I was also able to get the contacts for rare 1930’s car where the owner thought he had the only one in NZ but the lists told us otherwise. A valuable resource when you need information to help with the restoration. It is amazing what is now on the internet. A member was seeking advice on some tricky mechanical adjustment to his veteran Buick and there was a detailed YouTube video on the exact way to do the adjustments for his year of vehicle. I now check YouTube before I do any maintenance as there are always new and better ways of doing these things. I see the new young generation use it all the time. The other day was “How to get a soft boiled egg”. Made me feel redundant. The branch has a Club Captains book which lists out what the various branch trophies are for and how the Rotorua Captain carries out their tasks. It hasn’t been seen for a few years. If you know where it is can you please contact me or a committee member. 4
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Great to see the article and photos in the Nov. 2020 Classic Car magazine about Greeta Hulme’s reminiscing on her and Denny’s life and how they met. It was part of the Katikati Western Bay Museum’s celebration of locals who have made good. The same magazine also recorded the death at 66 of Robert Duncan of Wheels at Wanaka. Robert was the driving force and one of three founding trustees of the charitable trust that probably has the best vintage and classic car museum in the country. He had many 12 cylinder Packards, the 1934 Duesenberg J that he drove to Art Deco, a stunning 1933 Chrysler Imperial Phaeton, plus many others. The vintage car movement will miss him.
OCTOBER MID-WEEK RUN
by Ronald Mayes
Good numbers of regular participants joined us at the clubrooms for morning tea, then we received our instructions from Bob and were sent on our way to the Rhubarb Café at Arapuni for lunch. We didn’t drive directly to the venue, but by SH30 to Upper Atiamuri and SH1 northwards before turning on to Kinleith Road and then Old Taupo Road (I thought that was a street in Rotorua - could be confusing for 111 calls.) It proved to be a secondary highway which we had never before driven, surprisingly busy with heavy vehicles, but an enjoyable excursion with interesting scenery. Arriving in Arapuni we almost took over the café and were settled under a marquee behind the building. After lunch, only one other couple followed our example and headed for the suspension footbridge over the Waikato River, a fascinating piece of engineering in an equally fascinating setting. The photo on the back cover of this issue shows Evan and Wyn on the bridge. Back to Rotorua via Tirau after another pleasant day of motoring in style. Side Curtains November 2020
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October Car In The Room - 1957 Vauxhall Velox by Dennis Whimp
We had the Handley’s immaculate black 1957 Vauxhall Velox as centre stage at our October club night. Neil explained that he had purchased it two years ago and it had been fully restored three years prior to that. The original 2.26L motor had been replaced with a later 3.3L motor and Neil said he nearly fell over when he saw the previous owner’s bill to get compliance. He didn’t say whether or not the brakes had been upgraded to give the stopping power to match the extra horsepower. As with all new purchases, there were initial teething problems, this time with the fuel and electrics, but once these were sorted, the Velox was a joy to drive, keeping up with modern traffic. The EIP model was introduced in 1951 and Neil’s Velox was the last of that shape as in late 1957, the PA was introduced. As such it was smothered in chrome trim, far more than in the earlier years. This would have been one of the approx. 3,500 Vauxhalls that were assembled in 1957 at the General Motors plant at Petone. 1957 was also the first year that GM started assembling the Holden FE series at the same plant. It did bring back fond memories of the only Vauxhall I ever owned, an ex-Transport Department black and white 1965 PB Velox with 3.3l engine that was hotted up and was extremely quick on the open road. What impressed me most was that it was the first car I had where the speedo went to 120mph. 6
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Rotorua Vintage & Veteran Car Club Inc proudly present the
9th Annual Rotorua Lakefront Car Show 10am - 2pm, Sunday, 24th January 2021 ALL CARS, BIKES AND COMMERCIALS WELCOME! 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 will be asked for a gold coin donation upon arrival. All monies raised will be donated to St Johns Ambulance Rotorua. 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. Rotorua’s famous markets will be in operation adjacent to the Car Show, as well as other holiday attractions.
Over 450 vehicles were on display at last year’s show, and the event has been very popular with locals and holiday makers alike. Vehicles have ranged from early vintage to almost new. For further information email info@rvvcc.org.nz or like our Facebook page (Rotorua Vintage Car Club) for any updates. We look forward to seeing you there!
ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TO ST JOHNS AMBULANCE ROTORUA
www.rotoruavintagecarclub.org.nz Side Curtains November 2020
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October Club Run
by Ronald Mayes
I was “volunteered” to set this run so Gloria and I sorted out a course for an easy Sunday drive, a little straight-line navigation around Lynmore, then out to Mourea and on to Hamurana Road. Up Te Waerenga and down via Jacksons and Central Roads and back to town and afternoon tea at the clubrooms ably organised by Fleur. Not a big turnout: only 6 familiar vehicles but great to see 3 new cars and their owners. Maybe post-general election hangovers, or NZ v Australia rugby kept some of the regulars away. We had set just 10 questions on the run so participants could spend time enjoying the drive, plus 4 more tie-breakers at the end. Maybe the latter were too hard, only 1 correct answer in total! There was no clear winner as no less than 4 crews scored 6 points; they were of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, the Chevrolet Apache, a modern Toyota Corolla and a Hyundai i40. Not far behind a Morris 1100, Jaguar Mk II 3.8, 1929 Austin 7 and Morris Minor Traveller with 4 points, and the runner up was a Series III Daimler Sovereign - great to hear that purring Jaguar engine! We do hope everyone enjoyed the afternoon and look forward to seeing the newcomers again, at meetings and on runs. The following letter was received by a branch member in 2008: Waikato Branch VCC NZ - 11 October 2008, Dear Mr W. Skelton (novice owner 1929 Austin 7 Chummy) Starting instructions: 1. Wipe dew off car - Check petrol turned on 2. Check fuel in tank - Check petrol turned on 3. Check car in neutral - Check petrol turned on 4. Check handbrake on - Check petrol turned on 5. Check wifey in car - Check petrol turned on 6. If car fails to start - Check petrol turned on 7. If car fails to start - Heed wifey’s instructions - check petrol turned on If all else fails, ask friends to help with a push - CHECK PETROL IS TURNED ON! Colin Storey and Knud Neilson 8
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CHRISTMAS “HIGH TEA” CLUB RUN SUNDAY 13th December 2020 Be at the club rooms by 11am, first car away at 11.15am Wear your best “bib and tucker” and you may win a prize! Please bring a cup, saucer, plate, chair and a big smile. Price $5 per person Please advise Lois on 345 5767 or Dorothy 348 6270 for catering numbers
FOR SALE
(perhaps a suitable Christmas present!)
Triple AAA badge. Chrome with black enamel. Excellent condition. Royal Automobile Club Associate (Auckland Automobile Association) $350 ono, Evan Dorrington 346 0458
STILL WANTED
For the branch library we still need early Guff Sheets and Beaded Wheels issues, numbers 1 to 36 and 43 to 60.
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XMAS SOCIAL DINNER NIGHT Saturday, November 14th Clubrooms, 5.30pm for 6pm dinner 3 course dinner - BYO drinks Only $25 per person for a night of great food and great company!
Please bring a $5 gift along to exchange and your sense of humour. Wear an item of Christmas clothing or jewellery Please advise Angie on 348 4546 or Dave on 027 412 8227 if you will attend so that catering numbers can be organised. 10
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CLUB NIGHT - November 11th Neil Hunt Park - 7.30pm Car In The Room: 1967 Chevrolet Impala Followed by tea, coffee and biscuits.
November Club Run - Sunday, November 15th - 1.00pm Meet at the clubrooms in Neil Hunt Park from 1pm. That’s all!
Midweekers, Wednesday 25 November Meet at the clubrooms at 10am, followed by a picnic lunch. Please bring lunch and your chair.
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www.rotoruavintagecarclub.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
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BILL RICHARDSON MUSEUM
JUKEBOX DINER BREAKFAST MEET
OCTOBER MIDWEEKERS