May 2021
R22
Southland Branch of The Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840.
The next Meeting is at 7:30pm On Thursday, 27 May 2021, At Ariki Lodge, 46 Ariki Ave, Otatara. To be followed by the 2021 AGM.
A little bit of culture for a change.
Office Bearers 2020/2021 Patron Chairman Secretary
Wayne Nicoll Ray McCulloch Janet McCulloch
215 7136 217 9667 217 9667
Executive Executive Executive
southland@vcc.org.nz
Treasurer
Sheryn Warren
021 712 198
Executive
svccnztreasurer@gmail.com
Club Captain Social Convenor Grounds Buildings
Bulletin Editor
We still need a Club Captain!! We don’t have one. Olly Olsson John Burke Gerry Pethick 216 5496 Ken Officer Trevor Wilkey Casey Lyons Rae Wilson 235 8567 (027 499 8769)
Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive
wils@southnet.co.nz
Librarian Roy Shanks Parts Shed John Burke ID Cards etc Ferg McDowell Welfare Officer Barry Hayman Southland Branch website VCC of NZ Inc. Web site facebook
216 6056 217 8177 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. May 22 Dave Birss June 5 29 Brian Dunnick 12 19 26
SVCC Rumour
May 2021
Ron Irwin Russell Jenkins Wayne Calderwood Peter Pryde
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From the Chair Hi Folks Well this month has been a busy one. First I had the trusty ’55 Triumph out and attended the annual Waimea Motorcycle Run. This year we did a reverse of last year’s course and I enjoyed it. With the good weather it was interesting see the scenery from the opposite direction, the gravel was good on the Glenure Hill although there was abit more traffic than usual. Many thanks to Donald Ward for once again organising this event. Last weekend we held the PW,P60’s rally with good attendance. We travelled out via the coast to Tuatapere for a lunch break before continuing on thru Otautau, Winton with a stopover at Les & Flora Andrews to view a great range of vehicles and lacework. Many thanks to them for accommodating us. On the morning trip we have several questions to answer, thanks to Ken & Yvonne Officer for organising these. Back at the Clubrooms later on we had Prizegiving and then enjoyed a great meal prepared by Trevor & Norma Wilkey. Thanks to Trevor & Norma for organising this along with their helpers. At our recent Executive meeting Olly Olsson advised that the bush surrounding our Clubrooms is being overrun with Sycamore trees. There is a priority in getting these removed before they overrun the native environment. The Parts shed has had its final clearance with the Club funds being given a boost by the scrap that has been sold off. Many thanks to all those that helped here and will now only be opened on the Thurs afternoon of the Club meeting nite unless otherwise needed. With the next meeting being our AGM we would like to see a good attendance. We have had an overflow of nominations for the Executive thereby there will be a vote for these positions so if you remember please bring a pen. So if you want to have a say in the running of your Club please attend. For those that are nominated for the Executive maybe if you are unsuccessful in gaining a position on the Executive you might like to pick up some responsibility elsewhere within the running of the Club. With this being my last blurb I wish to thank those who have put their time into the running of the Club and also for your support of me. Ray McCulloch SVCC Rumour
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Nominations. Below are the nominations received for club management positions. Chairman: Brian Dunick. Secretary: Janet McCulloch. Treasurer: Sheryn Warren. Nominations were not received for Social Convenor or Club Captain, so nominations will be sought for these roles on the night of the AGM. The following nominations have been received for the Executive: John Burke. Casey Lyons. Gerry Pethick. Trevor Wilkey. Olly Olsson. Ken Officer. Dave Birss. Barry Hayman. Tony Warren. Glenys McKenzie. Of these 10, only 6 are required. There will be a vote for the 6 positions at the AGM. A nomination for Bulletin Editor has not been received either so again nominations will be sought on the night of the AGM. Nominations/Volunteers will be sought for members of the following committees: Rally Committee. Social Committee. Grounds Committee. Parts Shed. Janet McCulloch (Secretary). ********** Car Key. I was in Pack n Save car park yesterday and a distressed woman came up to me and said that she had locked herself out of her car and asked if I could help. So, I rubbed my leg on her car door and the door opened. Amazed, she said “how did you do that?” I said " I'm wearing my Khaki trousers today. SVCC Rumour
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This month’s contributors to the Rumour. Ray McCulloch, Rae Wilson, Janet McCulloch, Russell McIvor, Barry Barnes, Donald Ward, Wayne Calderwood, John Burke, Marilyn Calvert, Gail Wilson.
For Sale. 1. 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. 2. Bruce Marshall has an Austin Gypsy to give away. Phone 03 236 8070 3. A very tidy looking 1959 Morris Minor 1000. Manual transmission, current WOF and REGO, in good condition. It has 2 nearly new tyres and comes with 2 starter motors, gearbox and housing, water pump and clutch plate. Photos are available from the editor or secretary or contact Christine Uhlmann 03 234 8396 (Riverton).
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. Helpers to collect and transport firewood for our clubrooms.
Contact the Secretary if you are able to help. ********* Do you remember the days when we had those things called jokes? They existed for ages and made us laugh, until people decided they wanted to be offended by everything instead.
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Waimea Motorcycle rally. The Waimea motorcycle run started from Feldwick gates on the 8th of May, on a cool calm morning. Nineteen bikes of various makes, models, and ages, left at 10 am on a reverse course to Balfour, heading up the east side of the Oreti river and coming out at Dipton. The older bikes went over the Glenure hill, and it’s gravel. Apparently, there was The Line-up outside the Balfour Pub. more traffic on it than on the main road. The more moderns went over the Josephville hill and on to Balfour for lunch. The lunch was blue cod, or sausages, or chicken, with chips and salad (very nice). We had a discussion on the merits of changing the rally date to a month earlier to try to get slightly warmer weather and most were in favour. The trip home was down the main road or through Hedgehope, so we stopped at woodlands for a breather and then home, and out to the club rooms for prizegiving. It was a bit cooler coming home and a little damp. The only problem was Lucas Nicoll who fouled a spark plug and Grandad didn’t have a spare, so it was on the trailer and a ride in the truck. It was a very enjoyable run. The new route was a great road for bikes, so well done to Donald Ward for a well organised run. Our normal run to Gore VCC for morning tea was off because of renovations to their club rooms. Personally, I thought the new route without stopping at Gore and going the other way was great. We have been stuck in a rut for too long. The Publican’s choice, the Velo trophy, was awarded to Geoff Johnston on a 1978 Honda CB 750 K. The Rally winner was Tony Warren on his 1963 BSA 650 road rocket. Yamazuma!! (Wayne Calderwood) SVCC Rumour
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A teacher set up a small experiment with the class. 4 worms were placed in test tubes, the first one filled with beer, the second one with wine, the third one with whiskey and the fourth with mineral water, and left to stand till the next morning. The next morning the class identified that the worms in the beer, wine and whiskey were dead but the one in the mineral water was alive and well. The teacher asked the class for their conclusions and Johnny’s reply was: Those who drink beer, wine or whiskey don’t have worms.
New Members There aren’t any new members this month.
Condolences This month we extend our sympathies to the Russell/Warren families and Denise and Ferg McDowell.
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
03 217 8177
********** I phoned the council this morning and said, “Can I have a skip outside my house?” They said, “you can do cartwheels for all we care!!” SVCC Rumour
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DID YOU KNOW? Alfa Romeo Though at first glance it appears that the crowned serpent is shooting red flames out of its mouth, it’s actually a man being swallowed. This part of the symbol has been very controversial, seemingly symbolizing the Crusades, wherein the Christians defeated the Moors.
Audi The four silver rings symbolize the 1932 merger of the four oldest car manufacturers in Germany: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. These four companies formed what is known as the Auto Union, and initially, only Auto Union-specific cars bore the four-ringed badge, while the individual carmakers used their own logos.
Maserati The iconic statue of the god of the sea stands in the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy, where Maserati was first headquartered. Neptune stands atop a fountain, powerfully wielding his famous trident sceptre.
Bentley The significance of the emblem is the “B” reflecting the Bentley name, after Walter Owen Bentley, who founded the company in 1919. The winged design links to the original company name, Bentley Aero; the company originally manufactured rotary engines for planes during World War I. Your Advertisement could be here. Contact the secretary for details. 03 217 9667
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Warning: Going to sleep on Sunday will cause Monday. Please Note: Staying awake all night Sunday night does not prevent Monday. There is no cure until you retire, then every day is Saturday.
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Ford Motor Co.
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These pictures are from a poster that will probably appear in the Library in the near future. Thanks to Russel McIvor for sending it. SVCC Rumour
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Important dates. Meetings and Social functions. Southland May June
27 Monthly meeting and AGM. 10 June Executive meeting 24 June monthly meeting
Rallys etc. Southland June
August
5 & 6 The 40th and last Brass Monkey Rally. Go to http://brassmonkeyrally.org.nz/ for details and entry forms. 22 National Daffodil Day rally.
Mid-week Rally. The June run will start from the RACECOURSE at 10.30am on Wednesday 2 June. Please phone Mr or Mrs Petrie – phone 212 8956 or leave a message if intending to participate.
May report 4 May, Wednesday Run The day dawned fine and sunny. We met at the Racecourse and after the usual chat session we headed out through Mokotua, Morton Mains, Dacre, Tussock Creek, coming out at Wallacetown, and then heading back to Invercargill. 115 kms approximately. A very pleasant run with about 50 people participating. We enjoyed a meal at the Invercargill Working Men’s Club. A great day was had by all. Thank you Heather and Brian.
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Russell’s Ramblings. The Moto Guzzi display at Motorcycle Mecca will be on for a couple more weeks yet. This is a 2013 Moto Guzzi Griso 1200cc 4 stroke, 4 valve, fuel injected V twin producing 110 HP. Only 4 of this model and colour have been imported to New Zealand. This looks like an interesting challenging ride. Roy Shanks has recently obtained a 16/6 Austin Limousine. It is an older restoration and is in need of some work on the motor. Robbie Eunson’s 1909 Wolseley is having rings replaced, valves done etc. He said it is sixty five years since his father, Ray, did motor work on it. Tappers, a now closed cycle and motorcycle business, raced two 1927 TT or Horsman Triumphs successfully in all aspects of competition. One is being restored in New Plymouth by Graeme Duckett. He has made a petrol tank and other parts. He hopes to bring it to Invercargill to compete in the Burt Munro events in the future. (continued over page.)
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Have a look in your storage areas to see if you can find any of Tappers early framed photos that hung on their walls. Many are missing. Steve Winteringham has purchased a vintage AJS Single from Auckland. It is quite a project, and he is looking for parts. Give him a call if you can help him. After the successful open day at the club and the associated tidying of the parts shed, it is now possible to walk through the area without standing on anything. Everything is stored orderly now and easy to find. Don’t forget to go to the AGM. Volunteers are required to fill positions on committees. Be keen to volunteer and help.
Some online info to peruse; https://www.facebook.com/wheelsthro ughtime/photos/a.380217387900/1015 8214908357901/ It is worth a look at the exhausts. Check out the Dayton Motor Wheel at https://www.facebook.com/wheelsthroughtime/photos/ 10158173672242901
https://www.facebook.com/wheelsthroughti me/photos/10158118071877901
Or just explore all there is to offer at ‘Wheels Through Time’ at https://www.facebook.com/wheelsthroughtime/photos/ https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/202792471651435/ for BMC vehicles and parts (Auckland region). SVCC Rumour
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Post War, Post 60, Post 80 rally report
Some of the vehicles entered.
Saturday 15 May dawned surprisingly fine, but by the time the rally departed the weather had deteriorated to unpleasant. The format of the rally was rather different form the past. There were 2 pages of directions interspersed with questions to answer. The questions were interesting and ranged from easy to downright difficult. There was also a verbal question prior to departure. It was more like a car trial format than a conventional SVCC rally. I have to admit to being rather dubious about this format, but we found it to be a very pleasant change. The route took us from the club rooms across to SH 99 via West Plains, and then on to Riverton, recording answers to questions on the way. There was a little round trip to the rocks and the end of the road before continuing on the state highway to Tuatapere, all the while recording more answers. The weather was very patchy with some people experiencing hail. It was pretty late in the season to expect to have a picnic lunch. But we did in the car park beside the old railway station. It was cold and seemed more like a Boot Lunch rather than a picnic. There was a lot of the usual chat and public viewing. The return trip was though Otautau, Orawia and a visit to Les & Flora Andrews collection. SVCC Rumour
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Thanks to the organisers. It was good to see they were able to participate too. The Pea, Pie and Spud tea was a really good way to end the day. Thanks to all those who did the work. The winners were:
Owen Davies Rae Wilson David North Owen Davies and Rae Wilson
Post war section. Post 60 section. Post 80 section. Overall winners.
Rae Wilson.
Want to go for a Sunday Drive? Bruce Marshall is advising us of a new social car run being organised out of Winton. It is to depart at 10 am from 5 Gerrard Rd, Winton on the 3rd Sunday of every odd month. Numbers are required for catering purposes, so please phone Pip on 021 920 685. Alternatively, phone Bruce on 027 473 3067. It is a social event and car types are not mandatory.
Golden Times Rally. By Marilyn Calvert (slightly abridged. Sorry if I missed something critical to you, Marilyn. Ed). On Friday 23 April, we loaded up the Mitsubishi GTO and headed off to Queenstown. Saturday 24, dawned fine for the rally out of Arrowtown. We parked in the main street and collected our rally packs at the Village Green. We were on the long route which took us up the hill past the Chinese village and on to Manse Road and Malaghans Road to the private road through the Milbrook Resort, past the old flour mill and back onto Malaghans Road. From there we motored on to Glenys and John Taylor’s place. There was the usual chatter and the voting for the ‘People’s Choice’ and a board called ‘What is it’. There was a range of old tools on it, and we had to name each one (if we could). There was also a big shed to explore. Then it was a return to Arrowtown and managed parking in the Market Place, to display the cars to the festival goers. There was a Grand Parade about 2:30 and prize giving at 3:30. David and I were the only Southland Branch members attending as they didn’t send on any Rally Forms. We were all presented with a mounted plaque. We enjoyed the Golden Times Rally very much. Sunday 25 was very wet so decided to head home. SVCC Rumour
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Straight Line navigation I read this on the Club web site and found it very interesting and certainly challenging. I’m not advocating its adoption as it would cause problems for most entrants and probably result in some awkward if not dangerous situations of stopping and turning. It’s interesting nevertheless.
If you are interested in other navigation systems visit https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=a60fb19a-64ce-46c483b3-c04e66f940a6. Even the section on intersections is worth a refresher.
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. SVCC Rumour
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CLUB PERSONALITIES FROM THE PAST by Barry Barnes WARREN JORDAN Warren joined the Club slightly before I did, and he was also a member of the Southland Sports Car Club. He drove a very tidy 1938 MG TA, which he would enter at SSCC events even though the rest of the field left him behind. He was an ophthalmic technician and worked at J D Gilmores right opposite my own place of work, 20 the Chief Post Office, so we would encounter each other often. Warren was a serious type 1 diabetic, so needed to be extra careful about blood circulation and as a result usually wore gloves especially so when driving open vehicles. He was quite meticulous and managed to work on his vehicles in a 3 piece suit relegated from everyday use without getting it smothered in paint, oil and the other sundry compounds I always slather over my work clothes. He could adopt a somewhat pompous manner which annoyed some people and was greatly influenced by the attitudes of the English pundits of the day who disregarded anything American as inconsequential and modern vehicles were despised as Awful Modern Objects etc etc . Sadly, all this made him the object of disparaging remarks from time to time, which was really undeserved. I travelled with him to various events and in various vehicles, his first restoration the Bullnosed Morris, his 3 litre Bentley, and on one other occasion we went to a meeting in Tokanui in the Morris 1000 with which he replaced the MGTA. He later bought a new Triumph Spitfire to which he SVCC Rumour
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had fitted a towbar to tow a trailer with the 1910 Humber on board to Brighton. He also served a term as Branch Chairman and it was during this term he announced the approval of the formation of Gore Branch. He was Beaded Wheels scribe for a while and wrote several articles for the magazine also. His mount for the 1965 International Rally was the 1923(?) 14/40 Sunbeam which I think may still be in Southland. At the first overnight stop nearly all the Kiwi entrants were camped out in the Hooker Valley at Mt Cook. Warren had a fancy blow up tent which was great until gale force winds struck and he had to chase his tent as it blew through the camping area! He also restored a veteran Baby Triumph and made a really good job of rebuilding the Godward Special, a bull nose Morris based confection very similar to the first MG, which was an excellent performer. I have not heard anything further about this vehicle since Warren sold it. I wonder where it is now. I remember he called around home with the 1910 Humber just after he first got it on the road, and he took me for a spin. No windscreen of course, and I could not believe how cold it was at a breakneck 30 mph or so! After his marriage, like so many of us, his VCC activities were curtailed somewhat, and I think it would have been in the early seventies that Warren moved away to Christchurch. He took with him some early Morgan components with a view to building up a veteran example. He passed away some years ago now and I believe his son has the Morgan stuff. ********** An Irishman and an Englishman walk into a bakery. The Englishman steals 3 buns and puts them in his pocket. He says to the Irishman, “that took great skill and guile to steal those buns and the baker didn’t even see me. The Irishman replied, “that is simple theft. I’ll show you how to do it honestly and get the same result”. So he said to the baker, “Sir, I would like to show you a magic trick. The baker comes over to see this magic trick and the Irishman asks him for a bun and then he eats it. He does it 2 more times before the baker says, “Ok friend, where’s the magic trick?” The Irishman replies, “Look in the Englishman’s pockets.” SVCC Rumour
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By Alvis to Waiuku. By David Clearwater. On 24 April Karen and I joined John and Wendy Martin and Ferg and Denise McDowell in Cromwell to commence a tour to Waiuku for the AGM of the Alvis Car Club of New Zealand. We overnighted in Franz Josef then Westport after experiencing some Serious West Coast rain. Then on to Picton where we were joined by John and Katie Parish from Gore. Next day a smooth crossing of the ditch and a couple of hours at the Southward Museum, well worth a visit. Then on to New Plymouth after buying Cream horns from Viv’s Kitchen in Sanson. From New Plymouth we travelled north to Mokau where we turned off to take the coastal route which had some beautiful country and roads. Then just after Huntley the Martin’s 12/50 developed a terminal knocking from the motor and finished the journey on the AA recovery truck. We eventually arrived at the Resort overlooking the East Coast and met up with the other club members from around the country. The next morning we went to the Glenbook Historic Railway where we had chartered the train for a ride and had lunch served on board. We then got to tour the workshop which was really interesting. SVCC Rumour
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Saturday was Rally day and about 24 Alvis’s took part and drove on some very scenic roads. Sunday was the AGM meeting and at night the Dinner. On Monday a trip was arranged to visit Waiheke Island which was new territory for most of us. Tuesday we drove to National Park and the following day to Wellington and then back to the mainland, We were away 15 nights, drove 2500 miles with no problems and averaged 19.4 mpg, A most enjoyable experience with great people.
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Editor’s comments. So this is issue 22, and the last of my style of The Rumour. I have benefitted a great deal from being editor and I must thank all of you who have given me encouragement and articles for publishing. In particular, I have to thank Russell McIvor for his support and articles. Ferg McDowell has been an immense and valuable support in the form of proof-reader. He has an amazing ability in this role. Thanks Ferg. I hope you are able to help my replacement too. I am thrilled to see that 10 members have been nominated for 6 positions on the Executive. It is some years since we have had more nominees than positions. Thank you to all who have accepted nomination. It is a shame that we still need a Club Captain, a Social Convenor, and a Bulletin Editor. Please consider your availability for one of these roles before the AGM and arrange to be nominated on the night. I have been labouring under a misunderstanding for the last 2 years. On accepting the position of Bulletin Editor, I was told I was also a member of the Executive. It was pointed out at the last Executive meeting that according to our constitution, that is not the case. The only way the Editor can be an Executive member is to be elected as an executive member as well. It just goes to show that none of us can get everything right all of the time. That’s it. I’m done. It’s someone else’s turn now. Editor is a rewarding position and I recommend it to anyone. I’m not going anywhere and will be available to help and advise the next editor if that is needed. Rae Wilson.
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