AORANGI TRICAR NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
CLUBROOMS 19-25 REDRUTH ST TIMARU SOUTH
Replica Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
April 2021
NOGGIN ANDNATTER First Thursday of the Month
SCVCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
2020 - 2021 Year
July Thur = 9th Mid Week Run Sat 18th Garage Raid at Oamaru August = Thursday 20th Quiz night Ashburton Branch Thur 13th = Mid Week Run Sunday 23rd = Cancer Rally September = Sun 6th , Opening Run organized by Ashburton Branch Sunday 20th = Continental Run October =Fri 24th, Sat 25th, Sun 26th = Mt Cook Annual Rally November = Fri 6th Sat 7th & Sun 8th = Safari Weekend Sat 14th, Sun 15th = All American Weekend Sun 22nd = Veteran Vintage & Commercial Rally Saturday 28th = Christmas Dinner at the Clubrooms (mark your Calendar)
NEW YEAR 2021
January 1st 2021 Friday = Fairlie Parade Sunday 10 th = Ladies Rally February Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Mon 8th = Weekend away Sunday 21st = Chairman’s Run Saturday 27th = Open Day
March = Sunday 7th = Motor Bike Rally Sunday 14th = Mid Island Saturday 27th = Swap Meet April = Easter Rally Fri 2nd—Mon 5th = National Vintage Rally Thurs 8th Mid Week Run May Thur 13th = Mid Week run Sun 9th = ‘” P ” Classes rally Sun 23rd = Restoration Run
June Thursday 3rd AGM Sun 6th = All British Rally Thur 10th = Mid week run Sat 26th = Night Trial
COMING EVENTS NOGGIN & NATTER, Thursday, 1st April
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7-30pm at Clubrooms, Redruth St, Timaru Kitchen Duty, Roger and Barbara Baird Bar Duty, Speaker, Fred and Elisabeth Smits will be pleased to give a presentation about their five and a half year (2014-2020) world tour in their1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S “Abel” towing their tent-trailer “Zambezi” which included one year in the US and Canada, one year in Mexico and Central America, 2.5 years in South America and one year in Europe, covering over 172,000km ———————————————MID WEEK RUNS 2021 The first run for 2021 will be Thursday APRIL 8th. Assemble at the clubrooms from 1 p.m for a 1.30 p.m. departure. An interesting run has been prepared to a not so well known venue. Bring your chairs and afternoon tea. The second run has also been planned for May but please note there will be a $5.00 charge ( much reduced) . So save your parking meter money for entry to this venue. The actual entry is optional I am advised that it will be worth every cent. ———————————————-Volunteers required to serve the supper on Noggin and Natter nights. Two people required on the night. No experience necessary as full training will be given. All ingredients are supplied. Volunteers will be on a roster system and should only be required twice a year or once a year if you so choose. Inquiries to Tony McGillen ph 6158755 or 027 373 5055 or email tgmcgillen@gmail.com Thanks for your assistance and thanks to everyone who has volunteered already. ———————————————— RESTORATION AWARD. Self Nomination for Restoration for the year to be sent to the Secretary by end of May southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz ———————————————— COVER The Gibson s of Waimate on Otaio Backline Rd in their rare 1937 Supercharged Graham Sedan
2021
SCVCC Chairman’s Report April
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HI Fellow Members It is certainly good to have Level 2 behind us and be able to continue with the club activities more or less as normal. Our Open Day on February 27th was very successful with at least 5 new membership applications processed so far. A BIG thanks to all the members who assisted on the day, displaying their cars ,talking to visitors ,promoting the day. All we need to do is to make a real effort to encourage new members to get more involved. I’m sure that nearly every one is looking forward to the Swap Meet , the first major Sth Island one since October 2019. The March Motorcycle Rally was well attended The Mid Island Rally went well but 12 Entries down on last year. Only 4 outside entries ,all from Ashburton Branch. Local entries had their entry fee paid for from the Claire Collet fund. Disappointing really as the Branch has 300+ members but only 10% made it to the rally. A lot of work goes into preparing and administrating a rally. My Thanks to Neil Manchester for planning the routes, Delwyn & Ross Luscombe for their secretarial duties& kitchen help with the afternoon tea. I’m hoping for a better turnout for the PV—P80 Rally in May The branch was unable to attend the National Executive Meeting in Wellington on March 20th but I have had a verbal report from an attendee. The meeting went well with the usual reports being adopted An updated version o the current VCC logo was shown which if adopted could be used in conjunction with the current logo which is expected to still be used well into the future. Murray Trounson gave a presentation on the new integrated computer system which has been installed at National Office , the on going benefits will be of benefit to all Branch Secretaries and members, working towards a paperless future. I attended The Beach Hop on Saturday March 20th and Clive Merry & I judged some categories. Some of our members assisted with the operation of the Event on the day At a future event It would be great If The VCC Members attending could all park together making a show of force. Something to think about.
5 By the time you read this ,the Swap Meet will be done & dusted a grateful thanks to The Swap Meet Committee & members who make the event happen See as many of you as possible at the next Noggin & Natter on April 1 st Ashley Milliken ——————————————————
Notes from the Library April 2021
Barry B.
The index of duplicated Antique Automobile magazines with vehicle marque histories has been completed and the remainder released for Club members to pick over. A fair number disappeared last Club Night As they are good quality magazines I will hold them over for a little longer but the plan for everything else on the duplicates table is for it to be taken out to the Swap Meet to be available free which is a better fate than sending for recycling, so members that will be your last chance! Duplicate manuals and books will also be taken and made available for purchase at modest prices with any proceeds going to library stationery expenses, so check them out at the Swap meet too. Recently Les Wenlock volunteered to take truck and tractor manuals part lists etc out to the vintage machinery museum so these tomes which were unlikely ever to be viewed in our environment have now gone where they are more likely to be of value. There are probably still some more but they can be passed on at a later stage. Should we get a query for information of this nature that request can easily be referred onward, so if you are a heavy truck owner don’t despair! On the recent Open Day I had numerous discussions with interested visitors and with at least one member whom I had not previously seen in the Library. The displays were also viewed with interest. It is your Library, members, and I welcome inquiries and will do what I can to assist. While looking out some of the commercial vehicle material I came across a couple of cyclostyled catalogues dated 1927 and 1932 produced by a NZ company that specialised in supplying body fittings. It’s a shame they are not still around as I would have been interested in the replacement door handles they stocked which were the same as the Studebaker! Other interesting items were stocked such as fittings for building van and other commercial bodies. It’s surprising what turns up.
Imitation Wood graining.
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Late Life Member Stewart Hatton was responsible for applying artificial wood grain to internal fittings of various member’s cars which were so well done it was hard to distinguish them from real wood! I found in an old Antique Automobile magazine an article which explained how to reproduce the mahogany and walnut finishes found in Model A Fords. This is appended below in edited form. Imitation wood grain is a layered strata of paint with a clear protective coating to give the appearance of polished wood. The layers are primer, base coat, wood grain coat and finish coat. The materials suggested are as follows: BASE COAT: One pint of Burnt Sienna automotive enamel WOOD GRAIN COAT: One pint of good quality furniture varnish, one tube of Burnt Umber artist oil colour, linseed oil, pure gum of turpentine and Cobalt Siccative Linolate drier. These items may be obtainable where artists supplies are sold. TOOLS: ½ inch flat brush, 1 ½ to 2in flat brush, a discarded tooth brush, a suitable sealable container and a rag. Cheap coarser brushes are ideal. APPLYING THE BASE COAT: Prime with a suitable primer for enamel and prepare surface as for any other finish. Spray on enamel. Leave for several days to harden and flat off gently with 360 or finer wet and dry paper. APPLYING WOOD GRAIN COAT: This is the most crucial and challenging part but also most enjoyable. Like any artistic or creative work it calls for boldness. Pour 3 tablespoons of linseed oil and 3 tablespoons of turpentine into the container then add the entire contents of the Burnt Umber oil and 5 drops of the drier. The drier is a must or otherwise the oil colour will stay soft for months. Shake mixture well, all the oil must be dissolved. Apply the wood grain coat with the ½ in brush laying on barely enough paint to cover. After the entire surface has been covered wipe the brush clean on the rag. Now grasp the brush close to the bristles with the thumb and forefinger and make long hard strokes as if trying to remove the paint. These strokes should be as long as the entire piece and approximately ¾ in apart. Wipe the brush dry after each stroke. The result should be a thick and thin wood grain effect. Follow this with the toothbrush again pressing firmly to give finer grain characteristic. Finally grasp the larger brush, the shaggier the better, and LIGHTLY drag the brush over the entire surface wiping off the brush at the end of each stroke. That’s it.
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FINISH COAT: Allow work to harden for at least a week, sand lightly and apply 3 coats of varnish sanding down lightly after each coat with 600 sand paper. If you happen to sand down into the base coat touch up these areas with the wood grain paint. After drying apply the next coat of varnish. Allow several days for drying time after the thin coat. After the varnish is dry and hard wet sand again to remove any surface dust and follow with a hand rub of Rottenstone used like rubbing compound applied with a soft cheesecloth dampened in linseed oil rubbing vigorously until the surface shines. Wipe clean and wax.
It will be noted that specific paints and materials have been suggested that might be difficult to obtain in NZ. I would suggest spar varnish and do not use polyurethane which may not stand up to exterior exposure. As to the wood grain coat I would suggest using the old style combined varnish stain if you can get hold of some. Otherwise I think the process should work with a suitable dark coloured enamel maybe doctored with linseed and turps though adding linseed will delay drying. As to the finish coat, fine steel wool can be used carefully in lieu of sand paper but residue must be totally cleaned off. Not sure of a replacement for Rotten stone which I think is what we would call pumice. Perhaps Brasso would work as it is in my view better than rubbing compound on lacquer style paints. Anyway I would suggest experimenting with some old panels or even over scrap wood to see how it works out would be vital. If anyone does give it a try I would love to know how you get on. My theory is,”Do it yourself if you can”. That’s what we all did in the old days as there was not much in the cheque book to fall back on! Barry B.
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SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
To access other club newsletters go to www.vcc.org.nz scroll to News from our Branches as hard copy newsletters are not mailed out now.
March Website Updates
- March 2021 newsletter placed up - Focus given to National Easter Rally - Behind the scenes wordpress updates - Positive 5-star reviews posted for the SCVCC in our Google listing by others Upcoming - More stories of various runs, online version of newsletter, information about upcoming events, members vehicles in gallery Stories and photos from members are ENCOURAGED and can be sent through to website.scvcc@gmail.com
South Canterbury Branch Motorcycle Rally
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by Barry B. At the Club Night before the run, discussion on the uninspiring forecast of rain for the following Sunday was greeted stoically by organizer Neil Manchester, who observed that having had good weather for all his previous ones, he might have to accept a wet one this time. However, whether it was time spent on the knees, mysterious incantations or just plain good luck, Neil managed to serve up a lovely morning, brother Kevin sustained us with morning tea and we all departed in good spirits on a well planned run through Otipua Lyalldale Bluecliffs and Cannington to Cave for lunch. 18 of us made it intact while Leigh Crowe’s BSA languished on the backup trailer piloted by Oliver and Wayne Irving. The problem was electrical with replaced fuses blowing straight away. This could not be diagnosed in situ so this is job for back home. A leisurely lunch at the Cave pub was indulged in by most if not all the entrants and the modest price for a good pub feed was appreciated and worth remembering if out that way at lunch time.
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Return journey under increasingly cloudy skies was via Clelands Hill and Totara Valley back to the Club Rooms where Neil presented Trophies to Davie Jones whose Indian Power Plus won the Veteran/ Vintage time trial while the PW/PV etc went to Kevin Manson with his Honda 400 single. Concours award went to Stewart Gutsell whose rare 1944 Indian Chief was a worthy winner. The run was well supported by entrants from Dunedin, Oamaru Waimate and Ashburton. Our own Branch representation was rather less than par, though in the absence of regular lady bike rider Margaret Dale it was good to see another lady rider, Davie’s other half, Sarah, whose bike featured an L plate. We followed this pair for a fair bit of the trip home and I was hugely impressed with the way the fabulous old V twin Indian gobbles up the miles, sitting on a steady 90 kph through Totara Valley and I saw the needle on the Suzuki touching 100 at times without gaining on the pair. What a bloody good veteran bike! A word of commendation for Sarah too who handled her bike with aplomb with nary an indication of being on an L plate.
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This was such a good run. All you local dudes who could have come missed out on a good day. There was a good variety of bikes present with Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki covering the Japanese bases with examples of Ariel, BSA, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Harley Davidson and Indian making up the field. A couple of particularly nice ones were John Pateman’s Triumph Trident and Russell Dale’s 650 Triumph Trophy. Neil had attended an AJS/Matchless event further north the previous day and in the morning had to recover his bike which had problems, so joined us at lunchtime. Back at the Club Rooms, he showed me his A10 BSA purchased off TradeMe during lockdown, which seems a very complete and original example of this popular model which will come up very well in due course, no doubt after completion of his current Matchless 650 twin project. Do you have an old bike waiting somewhere in the wings? Why not make it your project to get it out for next year and, hey girls, take a leaf out of Sarah’s book and get a bike so you can come too!
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Trophy winners on the MID ISLAND
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MID ISLAND RALLY 2021
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by ED Bill
An entry of approx. 35 vehicles took part in this years event over an interesting route out through Otipua, Brassells Br, Lyalldale and down into Bluecliffs. The next instruction was to quote Ashley at the briefing “After passing what was the Bluecliffs school turn into Back Line Road but the sign post is missing so if you go left you’ll get lost, if you turn right you’ll be right!” Some entrants did get a look at Bluecliffs Station by going left! After a km or two of gravel along Back Line road past the Otaio Gorge campground it was next right into Colliers Road on down towards Gordons Valley then a left into Pattersons Road over the hill and on down into Middle Yards road which took us down to Maungati where the lunch stop was at the Church Hall.
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The afternoon run for those of us who didn’t mind a bit more gravel was carry on Timaunga road and over the next lot of hills to connect up with Limestone Road which took us down to Pareora River road then right over the Pareora Gorge and back to the clubrooms for afternoon tea and prize giving. Thanks to Club Captain Neil Manchester for an enjoyable days motoring.
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From the old to the near new for the field tests on the Mid Island The Jones’s 1914 Buick followed up by The Fosters 1990 Rolls Royce
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SCVCC Mid Island Rally 2021 Results Annett& Darling Trophy, Veteran Field Tests— 1914 Buick West End Motors Trophy-Veteran Time Trial 1914 Buick Hugh Mercer Trophy Best Veteran Overall 1914 Buick Montgomery Cup Best Performance by a Model T 1913 Model T AV Martyn Cup 1927 Erskine SCVCC Cup 1928 Buick Excelsior Trophy 1927 Erskine—
Vintage Field Tests Vintage Time Trial Best Vintage Overall
David Jones David Jones David Jones Stewart Frew
Barry Smith---Clive Merry Barry Smith
M&M Small Trophy PV&PWV Time Trial Ross Luscombe 1960 Vauxhall—F SCVCC Cup –Best Commercial Overall Pauline Young 1930 Rugby TruckJim& Pat Geddes Trophy---- Best P60 Overall Bruce McMillan 1964 MGB Kevin Heywood Memorial Trophy Best P80 Overall-- -John Foster-1990 Rolls Royce AV Martyn Trophy Aged/ Mileage Percy Ralston 1928 Model A
OTHER RESULTS PV Time Trial Les Wenlock PWV Time Trial Ross Luscombe P60 Time Trial Bruce McMillan P80 Time Trial John Foster Commercial Time Trial Eddie Gould
1939 Chevrolet 1960 Vauxhall F 1964 MGB 1990 Rolls Royce 1953 Vauxhall Ute
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An interesting car that has shown up recently on rallies is Neil Manchesters latest acquisition 1973 Lotus Elan imported in from England
It is a very tidy original example, they were known as a high performance vehicle which is obvious by the photo of the engine, apparently they used a Cortina engine block and then delt to it with Lotus modifications such as twin overhead camshafts multi—carburettors etc
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BEHIND THE HEDGE
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A popular family sedan from the Vauxhall stable was the PB Series Velox. Our Vauxhall expert Eddy Gould tells me they were produced from 1963 to 1965, they were powered with the 2-6 litre six cylinder engines (as used in the previous models), and the last of them in 1965 were powered with the updated 3-3 litre version. There is a nice restored version seen around Timaru, it is painted white with a red roof.
PARTS SHED
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We had many positive comments re our parts shed and its presentation during our recent Open Day. One visitor spent 2 and a half hours engrossed in sifting through some of our stock and even purchased a few items! The club is fortunate in receiving donations this month of some obsolete electrical parts courtesy of Stan from Stans Auto Electric and a complete 6 cylinder Vanguard motor along with a 4 cylinder block kindly given to us by Jeremy Talbot. Wayne Williams has generously provided us with an 87 Corona sedan with rego. on hold that the Wednesday Team intend to get running and driving at the earliest opportunity so that it can be offered for sale. On behalf of members I offer our thanks to these kind donors.
In closing I would just like to remind members and non-members alike that the Team is at the Parts Shed every Wednesday morning from 9 to 12 and if you can bring a sample of what you are seeking it significantly improves our chances of finding the items requested. Regards Clive Merry Parts Manager SCVCC
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FOR SALE The following cars are offered For Sale with current registrations and warrants of fitness due to purchase of other vehicles. All are in good going order. 1979 Triumph 2500s Sedan. This car has been motored from the top of South Island to Invercargill and gave no trouble. This is the last model assembled in Nelson. Automatic Transmisson $5,000 ono 1985 Renault 5 Sedan Manual 5 Speed 1400cc. This car performs very well. $1000 ono 1995 Saab 900s Auto 2300cc Four Door. Has Sports Mode. $2500 ono Phone 03 686 0520 Ron Hammer
Penrite Oils Just to let you all know that I am still able to supply you with Penrite Oils for your Vintage Vehicles. Engine and Gear Box oils, also Steering Box grease. Phone Alistair Day 688 6108 ————————————————The Swap Meet Committee has a speaker system for hire. Enquiries to Michelle Munro 03 686 4824 or email scvccswapmeet@hotmail.com ———————————————— NEW MEMBERS Les and Helen Rzepecky, Temuka Brendan Caird, Temuka Angela and Nicholas Broad, Timaru Matthew Millar, Timaru Graham Ellery, Timaru Welcome and hope to see you at some club events.
Deadline for Tricar is 20th April New Address tricar.scvcc@gmail.com
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2020—2021 Branch Correspondence to PO Box 623, Timaru 7940 Phone: 03 6885234 Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Club Captain: Newsletter Ed:
Ashley Milliken (Evelyn) Pauline Young ( Nola Day (Alistair) Neil Manchester Shona and Bill Weir Email: tricar.scvcc@gmail.com C/R Convenor: Alistair Day (Nola) Parts Manager: Clive Merry Librarian: Barry Barnes (Carla) IT Officer: Shannon Stevenson Committee: John Lester Ross Parker Oliver Irving
688 6108 0274 409 384 688 5105 686 3263 6158135 6158260 0223847784
SWAPMEET COMMITTEE Chairman: Colin Johnstone (Trish) Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) Site Convenor: Michelle Munro (Gavin) Grounds Convenor: Barry Smith Committee: Gavin Munro (Michelle) Alan Patrick Lex Westoby Sandy McMillan
03 693 9093 6886108 686 4824 684 7405 686 4824 615 8803 03 612 6556 6155150
For Identification Certificate Processing – Alistair Day 688 6108
686 0834 6861833 688 6108 6882112 6886750
Grant Stewart’s beautifully restored pedal cars on the back of Gavin Munro’s Truck at the Rock and Hop
Some of the cars lined up ready for the street parade on Friday evening Chevrolet and Ford parked together !! but the F100 owner was quick to point out that the F100 had a Chev engine.
McMillan’s and Weirs parked up at the display on Saturday for The Rock and Hop