Issuu

April 2021

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Southland Branch of The Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840.

The next Meeting is at 7:30pm On Thursday, 29 April 2021, At Ariki Lodge, 46 Ariki Ave, Otatara.

The Penrite Classic Car Tour was in Invercargill last week

Office Bearers 2020/2021 Patron Chairman Secretary Treasurer

Wayne Nicoll Ray McCulloch Janet McCulloch Sheryn Warren

215 7136 217 9667 217 9667

Executive Executive Executive

southland@vcc.org.nz

021 712 198

Executive

svccnztreasurer@gmail.com

Club Captain Grounds Buildings Bulletin Editor

We still need a Club Captain!! Olly Olsson John Burke Rae Wilson 235 8567 (027 499 8769)

Executive Executive Executive Executive

wils@southnet.co.nz

Gerry Pethick Ken Officer Trevor Wilkey Casey Lyons Librarian Roy Shanks Parts Shed John Burke Neil Kidd ID Cards etc Ferg McDowell Welfare Officer Barry Hayman Southland Branch website VCC of NZ Inc. Web site facebook

216 5496

Executive Executive Executive Executive

216 6056 217 8177 022 497 0764 235 8449 216 3639 www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar www.vcc.org.nz www.trash.co.nz/vccbb

Bar Roster The bar is open Saturdays from 4:30pm until 9:00pm. April 24 Wayne Calderwood May 1 8 15 22 29

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Peter Pryde Tony Warren Trevor Wilkey Dave Birss Brian Dunnick

From the Chair Hi Folks Well it seems that winter is approaching so I hope you are starting to work through your list of things to do. Our next couple of events are Waimea Motorcycle Run on 8th May then the PW, P60s, P80s on the 15th. Information regards the Waimea Run is in this month’s Rumour, any information required please contact Donald Ward. The PW, P60’s,P80’s run will be a social run with a few questions but no timed section followed by the annual Pea, Pie, Pud meal at the Clubrooms. Please get your entries in before closing as NO LATE ENTRIES ARE ACCEPTED. Our Parts Shed is steadily getting sorted out with at this stage 2 skips of scrap plus a couple of trailer loads been taken away. Thanks to John Burke and his team for the steady work that’s been carried out, it’s quite good being able to wander around the shed without tripping over bits and bobs. If you are wanting to drop off parts please advise someone from the Parts committee so they are aware of what the items are and what vehicle they’re off this makes the sorting out job a lot easier. Also if you have any scrap you want to get rid of we have a skip at the Clubrooms which you are most welcome to dump items but PLEASE NO TYRES. Thanks must go to Gerry Pethick and his team for the organising of the Garage Sale/Open Day. There was steady stream of people coming thru with feedback congratulating us on our great facilities. It was good to see the Southland Branch featuring on the front cover of the Beaded Wheels with a good write up inside. Thanks to Rae Wilson for supplying the photos. The next project is the upgrading of the bar which is a necessity due to damage caused by a blocked drain rotting a lot of the woodwork around the baseline. Our AGM is coming up in May, nomination forms are out with this issue. All positions are up for nomination so if you can or want please put your name forward. We are in need of some helpers for some upcoming events, firstly we would like to run an event for the National Daffodil Day, 22nd August is there someone who would like to organise this? Secondly we have been offered a SVCC Rumour

April 2021

good quantity of wood but need several folks with trailers to collect it. If you can help with any of these projects please contact the Secretary. Ray McCulloch

This month’s contributors to the Rumour. Ray McCulloch, Rae Wilson, Janet McCulloch, Russell McIvor, Barry Barnes, Heather McDowell, Malcolm Hodkinson, Trevor Barnes, Barry Hayman, David Clearwater, Tony Warren.

New Members This month we welcome Graham Webby to the club. We look forward to seeing you at our club functions.

Editor’s comments. I am very grateful for the response to my appeal for content for this Rumour. It is the first time I have not had to ring people for information and articles. Please keep this up. Another reminder about the AGM in May. Nominations for club officers close with the Secretary prior to the May Executive meeting on 13 May. Every position is up for re-election and we need to fill all the committees, particularly the Rally Committee and the Social Committee. Start badgering people and get those nomination forms in on time . Nomination forms are at the back of this issue. Rae Wilson. Closing date for the May Rumour is May 13, 2021.

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For Sale 1. MGBGT – Excellent bones for a restoration project. Car is local. Sunbeam Imp – Rego on hold. 3 lady owners. Needs good cosmetic tidy up and minor mechanical repairs. 2 x Hillman Imps + various parts, enough to make 1 car. $2,000.00 Call Barry on 021 949 531 2. 1939 Morris 8 Series E. British green and black in immaculate condition. Receipts for $10,000 on engine. Asking price $8500. Contact Debbie Lawson on 03 207 3551 or 027 343 2203. 3. Bruce Marshall has an Austin Gypsy to give away. Phone 03 236 8070

Wanted 1. Volunteers to display and talk about their vehicle and its history on a

meeting night. If you are willing to do this, please contact the Chairman or the Secretary on 03 217 9667. 2. Robert James is on the hunt for a side stand for his 1956 single

downtube framed Matchless. Contact him on 027 428 2463. 3. Helpers to collect and transport firewood for our clubrooms.

Contact the Secretary if you are able to help. 4. WEDNESDAY RUNS. We need people to organise Wednesday

runs. The following months are free – July, August, September, October, November and December 2021. If you would like to book a date for 2022 as well that would be brilliant. Please call Barry or Viv Hayman on 021949531 or 032163639. Your participation is appreciated.

Parts Shed The parts shed will be open the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. The following people can be contacted at any time if requiring parts or information on parts in our Parts Shed. John Burke Neil Kidd

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03 217 8177 022 497 0764

April 2021

Important dates. Meetings and Social functions. Southland April May

29 Club Monthly meeting. 13 Executive meeting. Nominations close 27 AGM and monthly meeting.

Rallys etc. Southland May June

August

8 15 5 & 6 22

Waimea Motorcycle Rally. PW, P60’s P80’s Rally 40th and last Brass Monkey Rally. Go to http://brassmonkeyrally.org.nz/ for details and entry forms National Daffodil Day rally.

Mid-week Rally. The May run will start from the RACECOURSE at 10.30am on Wednesday 5th May, so please note this!!! Please phone Heather or Brian on 03 9310583 or leave a message if intending to participate. We need to know numbers, but you will pay individually at the venue.

April report We headed out to the club to start the run. After stopping for traffic lights in Otatara and doubling back, as we could not access the Club's road, as Chorus were working, we finally reached the start line. Don and Peter had put together a lovely run for a beautiful day. We looped round through Browns and up to Centre Bush and across on The Hundred Line East. The roads were all seal and we were taken through Drummond and Fairfax to finish at the Riverton Lodge Hotel for a huge roast dinner and dessert. All in all, we covered 137kms. SVCC Rumour

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2021 National Motorcycle Rally Ride Planning to attend the National Motorcycle Rally hosted by the Wairarapa branch started halfway through last year. First up was to ensure the motorcycle was fit-for-purpose. A quick going over included a clutch rebuild, new primary chain, cylinder head off to attend to an oil leak and a new rear tyre. The next thing to organise was accommodation and ferry crossings which was all fairly straight-forward. This was followed by fabrication of a support and tie down points on the ute deck. All set to go really! On checking emails about a week out from the rally there were two regarding attending the rally. The first one was a receipt for Masterton accommodation and the next was to inform rally entrants that it was cancelled! This was somewhat of a disappointment for all concerned, Covid 19 had got us again. After some discussion with our son Nathan, who lives in Palmerston North, we decided that we were committed so “let’s just go anyway”. At that point Nathan suggested an email to all entrants to see if others were also committed. From there it gained considerable momentum and off we went. The Friday night gathering was a huge surprise to see so many attendees and the Saturday ride was very well supported with close to 70 riders. The ride took us on some great motorcycling roads ending in Martinborough for lunch and watering. After lunch we took a leisurely ride back to Masterton via the branch clubrooms. Willie James, Rally Chairman, invited all riders etc to his house for drinks and a BBQ on the Saturday evening which was very well received by all who attended. Sunday was a rest day for those doing the After Ride Tour to get organised and mentally prepared. All up this was a fantastic informal weekend with great company, good weather and amazing organisation. Thanks must go to the organising committee who did an excellent job under some very trying conditions. Malcolm Hodgkinson **********

Don’t worry about old age; it doesn’t last. ********** SVCC Rumour

April 2021

Can you remember the old days of the Beaded Wheels? In this issue of the Beaded Wheels there is an article about the Brighton Run 1973 and it starts by expressing concern over the declining number of entrants in the event. So nothing has changed in nearly 50 years. Attendances are still declining in all events and vehicles just sit in sheds. What a shame and how can we reverse the trend?

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Delegates Report National Executive Meeting On the 20th March I attended the National Executive Meeting in Wellington. The following are some brief points from this meeting: ➢ Prior to the meeting we received the latest information re our member status. Since 1st August we have had 12 members joined, 11 members resigned and 7 members pass away. ➢ Meeting was advised that the National Veteran Rally will be held late 30-31st October 2021 in Cromwell. So now is a good time to sort out vehicles for this event. ➢ National Commercial Rally is in Wanganui North Island ➢ National Daffodil Day 22nd August. The organising of this event is still to get underway. ➢ Our National Office are endeavouring to change the logo. Some members advised the meeting they prefer to stay with the status quo. There is still some work to be done on this concept, once completed all information will be sent to the Branches for their feedback before the final presentation at the August AGM. ➢ There has been a new accounting, database system installed for the National Office this was completed by Roger Trounsen. ➢ The 2021 AGM to be held in August in Christchurch will be commemorating 75 years of the Vintage Car Club of NZ. There is to be a celebration to be incorporated with the AGM meeting with all members being invited. There will be entry forms out to the Branch Secretaries in May. Ray McCulloch.

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Waimea Motorcycle Run Waimea Run on 8th May will leave from the Crescent at 9:30. Entry fee is $10.00. Sorry guys no morning tea as the gore club rooms are being renovated. Please contact Donald Ward on 0272947692 if going so I can get the numbers to Balfour Tavern for lunch.

CLUB PERSONALITIES FROM THE PAST by Barry Barnes

JIM LAWRY A very early member of the Southland Vintage Car Club, Jim set the bar for motorcycle restoration with his delicate little 1910 FN motorcycle which habitually won the m/c Concours at all the early events. In all the time I knew him, Jim was the parts honcho at Tappers, the well known motorcycle firm, and my first dealings with him would have been getting odd bits for the Corgi scooter I had at High School, an excellent vehicle for teaching the basics of roadside maintenance and repair! Jim was modest and unassuming but had great knowledge of early bikes and was a skilled mechanic. As well as the 1910 F/N he had an earlier( 1908?) 4 cyl F/N which he never quite finished but had it nearly so, as can be seen from the photo taken at the Motorcycle show we ran in the Centennial Hall many moons ago. Jim also had the 1925 Buick 6 pictured below with son Alan behind the wheel.

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I believe the car was purchased new by his mother, Mrs Janet Lawry, from a Motorshow held by A Russell and Co in December 1924. Jim also had a basically complete 1912 Belsize in bits, but minus body, for which I brought down a radiator from Christchurch. It may or may not have been original to the car (which I think came from Mossburn or thereabouts) but fitted as if it was, as I recall. This car is apparently still around somewhere still unrestored. Punctuality was never Jim’s strong suit and the Buick would nearly always be the last to arrive for a Club run, though to be fair, his patient wife also had 4 kids (as well as Jim) to get organised. On the early Arrowtown runs we would try to get Jim cracking first, but by the time he had pulled up his socks, cleaned his glasses, pulled up his socks again and gone through the starting ritual on the stand, other engines would be roaring and bikes on their way, so Jim was as good as last away again! To make up for this Jim just kept going at his steady 25 mph or so, past the Parawa pub, past the Garston pub, and would duly arrive in Kingston about the same time and even before many of the others. He would also carry on to Cromwell to stay the night with family. SVCC Rumour

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In 1961, Jim lent me his Buick to take on the Riverton Rally, which was a huge leap of faith as I was not yet 19 years old! Happily, it was returned unscathed and I have never forgotten that generous act. Jim was the most genial of men and had his own wry sense of humour. I think it was Wayne who was complaining of the Triumph missing intermittently and Jim responded that he would happily trade a few misses for a few more chirps! On another occasion he referred to finding a mouse in the main jet of the diminutive carby! The F/N was superbly reliable, testament to Jim’s ability and methodical maintenance more than anything else I suspect, but on one occasion the front fork stem broke leading to a not particularly dignified landing. I think this occurred during field tests if I remember rightly and Jim suffered no injury. He had the Buick entered for the 1972 International and deemed it appropriate to do some minor body repairs but with only a few days to go, had not got it painted. It was duly arranged for the Buick to be delivered to my Otatara shed and a team of us, led by painting maestro, Howard, who wielded the spray gun, hastily prepared it for repainting a coat of dark blue enamel over the primed repairs and the old paint duly rubbed back. I suppose the guards were redone black also but can’t exactly remember. Anyway it was duly delivered back to Jim in time for him to take part in the event and undertake a trouble free trip to Nelson. This left us a few more days to finish the jobs still to be done on our own cars! These Buicks have a fibre timing gear and Jim had all the timing gears ever fitted to the Buick hanging on the garage wall with the mileages each one had covered marked on them. By this time I think the Buick was fitted with a steel gear made by a local machinist, Doug Ottley, who had run it for some years in his own Buick before said Buick was taken off the road and lay mouldering in an empty section just behind our place in Bluff Road from where I recall Jim coming to retrieve the gear and other various useful bits. Neil McMillan used to recall going around to Jim’s place one evening to load his Rover motorcycle and Jim’s F/N on Jim’s trailer ready for an early departure in the morning for a Motorcycle Rally in Christchurch. Jim decided that it might be best to check out the wheel bearings in the trailer which were duly removed and repacked while the tyres were demounted

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from the rims the interiors inspected and the tubes checked. Then about midnight the bikes were finally loaded ready for the trip. Despite his little idiosyncracies, Jim was the dearest of fellows. We had already been in South Canterbury for some while and Jim and his second wife called in home and had a cup of tea with Carla. His wife suggested they should get on the road but Jim said he was not leaving just yet, he wanted to see all Barry’s kids when they arrived home from school! Alas, that would have been over 30 years ago and the last contact we had with him. The Club has a trophy in his memory, the Jim Lawry Memorial trophy which I have seen previously referred to in these hallowed pages as the Jim Lawrie (sic) Trophy. I remember Jim most fondly and would ask all members to respect his memory and ensure they get that right in future just as surely as they must remember to spell the Patron’s name correctly!

Annual Hillclimb event It did eventually happen as per the advert in the last Rumour.

Thanks for the photos David. SVCC Rumour

April 2021

Russell’s Ramblings. An excerpt (slightly abridged) from an article by Doug Young in the VSCC Queensland Bulletin (with permission of course). I was under surgeon’s orders not to attempt to lift anything heavy, so when working on the seats of my 1964 DB5 Aston Martin. I had to remove these and enlisted the help of a builder and his mate who were doing some work here. He picked up the first one ok and moved it without a problem. However, when he picked up the second one, he remarked, “Cripes this one is a lot heavier than the last one”. His mate peered into the seat base and said, “That’s because there is a carpet snake in there.” The builder and I laughed heartily at his little joke until we realised it was no joke. In the end a 2.5m carpet snake, that answers to the name of ‘Cedric’, was removed and wrangled away by the builders and released a few metres away. The moral of the story is that even reptiles regard post 1960 mobiles as something that can be put to any old use at all. They would never think of doing the same thing with a pre-1960 seat. Observations: 1. When one door closes, another opens. Other than that, it is a pretty good one. It is more difficult when 2 doors close simultaneously. 2. The art of doing it yourself includes knowing when to hire a professional.

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Some websites worth a visit are: Jay Leno’s garage. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMELFlXQL38KPm8kM-4Adg Images from the York Motor Museum. https://www.google.com/search?q=York+Motor+Museum.&sxsrf=ALeKk0 0TU_ba12IrPyD2xBZdVuk0G8IltA:1618867825344&tbm=isch&source=iu &ictx=1&fir=D0LBtMRfR_VMXM%252CSl81J1UFEfk6hM%252C_&vet =1&usg=AI4_-kRWjoyPkap0n-xODKge6dLx0B0bw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXuavNoIvwAhXGcn0KHfgkDSUQ9QF6 BAghEAE&biw=1280&bih=578&dpr=1.5 Quiet Rider 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9qlNCEZWKs The Bugatti Step https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reMYQSKRO24 A big help when restoring a car or a bike is a computer. These have photos and details of your vehicle. I tried it with my brother’s Beardmore Sports. Sure enough, I found photos etc and William Beardsmore’s vast engineering empire. International parts suppliers from around the world still supply parts by air or courier during the COVID lockdown. The computer’s only downside is looking at the Iron Curtain sites. You will have the opportunity of meeting Russian women looking for a partner. Also the odd scam with bikes and cars. Beware of nightly messages. On the local scene: Motorcycle Mecca have on show a recent addition of a number of MotoGuzzis of the 70’s era. Stuart Francis is looking for a 4-speed Birman box or parts for his Ariel Square 4.

Some online info to peruse; Via emails to a number of people, I have received some very interesting links to Steam powered motorcycles. I have tried to put them in order so it all makes sense. My thanks to Barry and Trevor Barnes and Russel McIvor. (Ed.)

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The Steam Powered MOTOcycle - An explanation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXuR97P3MAQ The FIRST Steam Motorcycle in the world, ROPER 1869 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyw_smJ8VcE The Ruscombe Gentleman's Steam Bicycle This is a genuinely usable bike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvS8wtnNQz4 A Russian Style. Looks like a traffic hazard to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj4NHbKC69s&t=65s Coal Fired Steam Cycle 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Kb5r7MHXE Images of Steam powered motorcycles. https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&sxsrf=ALeKk031_bYJUxWMsStMMXSpejd5yj24A:1618799773557&tbm=isch&q=Steam +engine+motorcycle&ved=2ahUKEwiwiNyLo4nwAhV8wTgGHXIfCTgQ 7AkoAXoECAkQCg&biw=1280&bih=578 And it would not be complete without a steam train element. https://twistedsifter.com/videos/1920s-steam-engine-does-casual-55-mphon-highway/ Note: this engine recorded a top speed of 103 mph. in 1941.

********** Its ok to talk to yourself. Its even ok to answer yourself. But when you ask yourself to repeat what you just said, you have a problem. ********** SVCC Rumour

April 2021

Another perspective on the Veteran Rally. 15 vehicles including 2 motorcycles and the Darracq converged on the Windsor street church car park to find it mostly full of modern motor vehicles. This challenged some in their reverse parking abilities with some taking the option of parking on the street. There was good public interest with many people waving as the 1st vehicle left at 10am at two-minute intervals. It was a nice drive in the sun winding out through Myross Bush finding the start of the timed section outside the Makarewa school. Everyone was pulled in and sent out once again at twominute intervals just to keep spaced apart. This worked very well in keeping a good distance between vehicles until the finish check point on the Waimatuku - Thornbury highway. Continuing through Thornbury, back out to the Riverton highway we soon turned off to do a quick lap of the Riverton rest home, with a majority of the residents lined up outside to give us a well-received reception. From there into main street Riverton finding our way to the RSA who warmly welcomed entrants to use their facility to have lunch. During this time, the publican looked over the fleet picking the publicans choice for prize giving. Well done Phil Toomey. After lunch, the usual ritual of field tests was run through. It did seem like there was a fierce competitive streak this year. Once completed a straight run home where everyone returned to the club for an early prize giving. A big shout out to Bruce Marshall and his team for a well-run rally, the Riverton RSA for opening specially for us to use as a lunch venue and of course everyone who attended, with special mention to the Gore contingent who always support us, thanks guy’s – see you all next year. Tony

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Library The lending library will issue books on the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. Other times by appointment - phone Roy on 216 6056

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AGM Notification.

Southland Branch, Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Notice is hereby given that THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of this branch will be held following the monthly members meeting on Thursday 27 May 2021. AGENDA Apologies Minutes of the 2020 AGM Matters Arising Chairman’s Report Annual Accounts Election of Officers Signatories to Cheque Account Presentation of Trophies General Business (Note all General Business is to be in the hands of the Secretary 14 days prior to the meeting) Nominations for Office Bearers must be received by the Secretary by 5pm on 13 May 2021. J McCulloch Branch Secretary SVCC Rumour

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How many Office Bearers and Committee Members do we need for the Club? Executive (12 total) Position

No required

Patron

Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

Club Captain

Social Convenor

Bulletin Editor

Member

The Club Patron is automatically a member of the Executive. Please be aware that nominations close with the Secretary at 5pm on the day of the Executive meeting (13 May 2021). Please don’t miss the deadline.

Committees Committee

Ideal No

Rally

Social

Grounds

Librarian

Parts shed

ID Cards

Buildings

Welfare Officer

Bulletin Distributor

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Let’s have a full complement this year so we don’t sit round at the meeting looking for a sucker to take the position. That is the worst part of an AGM. We need people who are willing to get stuck in; not just someone to make up the numbers.

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Nomination Forms Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc), Southland Branch Nomination Form Nominations close with the Secretary, P O Box 1240 Invercargill 14 days before the Annual Meeting. If less than the required nominations are received, extra nominations may be called for at the Annual Meeting. Note that Nominator, Seconder and Nominee must be financial members. I nominate ……………………………………... for the position of ………………………………....... (Please Print) Nominated by ……………………………………… (Please Print) Signed ………………………………………….. Seconded by ……………………………………….. (Please Print) Signed ………………………………………...... I ………………………………………….. accept the nomination …………………………………………… (Signature of Nominee) Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc), Southland Branch Nomination Form Nominations close with the Secretary, P O Box 1240 Invercargill 14 days before the Annual Meeting. If less than the required nominations are received, extra nominations may be called for at the Annual Meeting. Note that Nominator, Seconder and Nominee must be financial members. I nominate ……………………………………... for the position of ………………………………....... (Please Print) Nominated by ……………………………………… (Please Print) Signed ………………………………………….. Seconded by ……………………………………….. (Please Print) Signed ………………………………………...... I ………………………………………….. accept the nomination …………………………………………… (Signature of Nominee) SVCC Rumour

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