October 2019
R5
Southland Branch - Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
Next Meeting 7:30pm. Thursday,.October 31, 2019 Ariki Lodge, 46 Ariki Ave, Otatara.
Alwyn Hoskins On Sunday 3 November we will be celebrating Alwyn’s 50 year service to our Club and would like you to join us in a celebratory afternoon tea at the Southland Vintage Car Club rooms at approx. 2:30pm. Those intending to attend please contact the Secretary (2179667) by October 31, to advise numbers attending.
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Office Bearers 2019/2020 Patron Chairman Past Chairman Secretary
Wayne Nicoll Ray McCulloch Gerry Pethick Janet McCulloch
Treasurer Club Captain Grounds Buildings Bulletin Editor
Sheryn Warren Tony Warren Olly Olsson John Burke Rae Wilson
235 8567 (027 499 8769) wils@southnet.co.nz
Ken Officer Trevor Wilkey Casey Lyons Librarian Roy Shanks Parts Shed John Burke Alwyn Hoskins Neil Kidd ID Cards etc Ferg McDowell Welfare Officer Barry Hayman Southland Branch website VCC website My Vintage website
215 7136 217 9667 216 5496 217 9667 southland@vcc.org.nz 217 0524 217 0524
Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive
216 6056 217 8177 2159302 216 3788 235 8449 216 3639 www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar www.vcc.org.nz www.trash.co.nz/vccbb www.myvintage.co.nz Buy & Sell
********************** Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they will never meet. Maths books are so depressing. They are full of problems. **********************
Your Ad Here Contact Rae Wilson for details wils@southnet.co.nz (03) 235 8567 or 027 499 8769 SVCC Rumour
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Bar Roster The bar is open from 4:30pm until 9:00pm. October
26 Ron Irwin
November
2 Russell Jenkins 9 Wayne Calderwood 16 Peter Pryde 23 Tony Warren
Editor’s comments Recently I have heard comments about some members not getting the Rumour until meeting day or the day after. Reading the comments in the Southland Times about the postal issues with the local body elections started me wondering if we need to change our tactics with the Rumour delivery. Of course the obvious solution is to cease physical delivery and only distribute by email &/or access it from the website. Because it is the only meeting notice, accessing it from the website does not comply with the constitution. Maybe there is good reason for getting both the physical copy and the email copy but if you get the email version you get it in colour and can print your own colour copy whereas the postal version is only black and white. Let’s have a moratorium on this. If you receive only the physical version in the post, send me your email address so you can get both. If you don’t have email, let me know that too. Maybe we can work something out that will work for everyone
November Rumour closing date is 17 November 2019. Rae.
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From the Chair On 18th October we were hosts to the North Cape to Bluff entrants for their final dinner. In all approx. 20 entrants attended. A bit disappointing that none of our own members were interested in attending and catching up with fellow car club members. An immense thanks must go to the team who played hosts and helped on the evening. On 3rd November we will be holding an afternoon tea to present Alwyn Hoskins with his 50 year service award. This will start at 2:30. Please advise Secretary on 21 79667 if wanting to attend. It could be nice to see other 50yr recipients attend as well. Don’t forget to get your entries in for the Commercial Rally 2nd November. It will be starting at Feldwick Gates at 1:30 if anyone is interested in going along to view the vehicles. Is there anyone interested in taking the Darracq on this run? If so please contact Tony Warren or Ray McCulloch. For those interested motorcyclists, the 100 Plus Run is on the 3rd good chance to give your bike a blowout prior to Arrowtown. Starts at Queens Park around 12ish. You can register on the day. We have had a substantial donation of magazines from Syd Ayling’s family including some early Cust Event programmes which mention members of our branch. I picked these up on Saturday morning and spent the afternoon thumbing thru them. Had some quite good laughs especially at the very early editions. Check them out in our library. They have also donated quite a collection of tools which will be stored in the Darracq shed once it has been tidied and some shelves put up. If anyone can help please contact me. See you at the next meeting. Ray. **********
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September meeting Wayne Nicoll presented his Steam car and allowed us to explore it. Thanks Wayne for an interesting presentation
North Cape to Bluff rally Meal time at our Clubrooms. This was a very successful evening. They didn’t want to leave. It’s a shame more of our members did not attend though.
This certificate is on the Club notice board.
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Vintage/Post Vintage Rally report A bleak, overcast morning in October could not stop the enthusiasm of the people in the 14 vehicles that headed off on the Vintage / Post Vintage Rally. Meandering around the countryside along some familiar and unfamiliar roads and god forbid, a stretch of good old gravel road! Answering a few questions along the way, we headed out along the Old Dunedin Road, admiring the rolling country, and, would you know it, we got hooked up in the middle of a cycle tour. Good thing it wasn’t in the timed section. Rolling on, we finished up at the Gore VCC where we had warm surroundings for lunch and this is where the field tests took place, ideal with no mud. Credit to the timekeepers and the field test helpers who braved the wet conditions. Thanks to the organisers for giving us a fun run. Dave Birss
Results Class Vintage
Time Trial Graeme McConachie
Field Test Shannon Michelle
Overall Robert Michelle
Post Vintage
Bruce Marshall
Doug Sellars
Bruce Marshall Doug Sellars
Overall
Graeme McConachie
Shannon Michelle Robert Michelle
Robert Michelle
Place the words in the crossword grid. Answer on page 20.
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National Veteran Rally 2019 On a sunny Friday morning with car packed, bike tied onto trailer we headed north to the great smoke of Timaru for the National Veteran Rally. On the way we had a couple of stops to check the tie downs for the bike and stretch our legs. As we approached the Maori Hill Fire station coming into Dunedin here was the Darracq attached to a silver ute parked precariously on a bend. As we couldn’t stop I rang Sheryn to find out what the problem was and was told that the ute had a flat tyre. Fortunately an employer from Downer’s stopped and put cones around them to semi direct the traffic. They had also contacted the police to advise of the situation. After fitting 2 new tyres to the rear of the ute they continued on their way to Timaru. We continued on, getting lunch at Palmerston and by this time the wind had picked up and it was getting cloudy. While we were visiting the amenities in Palmerston Colin & Joan Pearce and Paul Heron went thru. Back on the road we had the odd drizzle patch until we hit Oamaru and down she came. This continued on right to Timaru. It was that heavy that whenever a truck passed coming the other way you literally couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. We were thinking that if this was what the weather was going to be like we might as well turn around and go home again. On arriving in Timaru we found the Clubrooms, checked in and got our rally pack and then headed to our accommodation to check in there. We were very lucky here as they let Ray keep the bike in the guest laundry which was locked up each night. After unloading we headed back to the clubrooms for finger tea and the usual gossip sessions. We found out the next day that they had had 48mm of rain for the day With an 8:30 start on Saturday morning it was up, dressed fed to get to the clubrooms, what luck when we opened the curtains to a blue cloudy day – yah. Ray was down sorting out the bike checking if it would start after its soaking the day before – yep not a problem there however I had received a phone call from Sheryn saying that the Darracq was a non starter; could Ray come and help. So we headed to the Clubrooms, dropped of the bike and headed out to where Tony was staying. After a bit of fiddling, and a little help from Sheryn’s blowdryer she eventually coughed into life. So it was a quick load up and back around to the clubrooms. We arrived there just as they were starting to leave so hadn’t lost much time. Ray went off and got himself ready, I climbed into the back of the Darrcaq and away we went. We headed out back of Timaru to Castle Claremont where each vehicle was photographed in front of this house. Here we found out that quite a few vehicles had water problems that morning. The Darracq still wasn’t running SVCC Rumour
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on full song so the spark plugs were swapped around, also the King Dick was having trouble with its carb. Once these chores were completed we had a wander around before climbing back into our vehicles and continued our way to Caroline Bay where we parked up for the “ show n’shine”, had lunch and then did the field tests. On the way to Caroline Bay the Darracq was going immensely better and a sigh of relief went up. The field tests consisted of riding along throwing darts into hoops which got smaller in diameter as we went along, then drive out 4 revolutions of our tyre, then we were timed and had to drive up, reverse the vehicle into a garage, drive out, get out of the vehicle and hang a pair of ladies bloomers on the clothesline. It was interesting watching the men do this especially once they had worked out which was the top and which was the bottom of the bloomers. Once these were achieved we returned to our accommodation to relax before returning to the Clubrooms for dinner. Well it’s now 9:40 we are back from the clubrooms after a very nice meal, lot of bullshit and some music. Will get things sorted for tomorrows adventure. Sunday dawned another fine sunny day. As we didn’t have to be at the clubrooms until 9am there wasn’t the same rush as yesterday. After morning tea and getting our instructions we were able to leave in our own time as there wasn’t a time section. We headed out of town via a lovely scenic route. As part of this route we were detailed off down thru a park on a very windy hilly road before coming back onto the highway – a really nice diversion. Then onto Pleasant Point where we stopped for ½ hour to visit Lobb’s Garage & Gift shop. Next door to them was a Taxidermist with a full sized Brown Bear in attack mode standing in the window – make a good burglar alarm me thinks. Then continued on to Geraldine where we parked up, had lunch and spoke to the public who came to view the vehicles. On arriving at the lunch stop we were handed our plaques as we came thru the gate. While parked here the teams event took place – the previous night the entrants had been asked to make up a team of 3 like vehicles eg: 3 commercials, 3 motorcycles, etc. Anyway, here those teams received a questionnaire which they had to fill in. Ray joined up with John Martin (Royal Enfield) & Russel Dale (King Dick) and called themselves the “Royal Dicks”. At around 2pm we ventured into Geraldine to have a look thru Auto Restoration’s workshop before heading back to our accommodation, relax, get dressed and head to the Seven Oaks for Dinner and Award night. The final dinner was very relaxing. Between courses the awards were presented. First off were Best Dressed Female, Male and Couple. Also the SVCC Rumour
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Team Trophy was presented which was won by the “Royal Dicks”. Then the lower class awards before presenting the final awards. In all we had 5 members attending. There were 51 vehicles of which 5 were motorcycles. Throughout the night they ran spot prizes of which Sheryn Warren was a lucky recipient. Of our members attending Ray McCulloch got 3rd for Motorcycle section, Robbie Eunson 3rd for Class 2 (4 or more cylinders) and Wayne Nicoll won the Commercial Section. The Overall Winner was George Lee in a 1905 Alldays & Onions. Overall a wonderful weekend and we look forward to all you veteran owners participating in next year’s event as it will be held in Gore. Start getting yourself sorted. Janet McCulloch
********** Why do people say “break a leg” when you go on stage? Because every play needs a cast. ********** SVCC Rumour
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Vehicle Review 1949 Velocette DOHC Works replica Velocette made very few overheadcamshaft 500cc racing singles, the first of which was produced on 1933 with a single-overhead cam with a ‘dog kennel’ cambox, a bronze cylinder head and an iron barrel. The second ‘dog kennel’ bike had an alloy engine numbered 5001 and was placed third in the Isle of Man TT before winning the Ulster Grand Prix in 1934. It was then sent to the New Zealand distributor, Bill White, who used it to win the NZ Beach Championship in 1935. It was later raced very successfully in NZ by several riders including Len Perry, who rode it to many wins between 1938 and 1950. The third ‘dog kennel’ bike, with engine 5002, was used on a successful tour of Australia in 1936. The factory designation for these machines was ‘MT-‘ followed by the engine number. Engines 5003, 5004, and 5005 were manufactured in 1937 and mounted in sprung frames similar to that of the then current Mark 8 KTT production model. They featured large fins on the cylinder head and barrels, and larger crankcase and other castings. They were raced as factory entries during the 1937, 1938 and 1939 seasons with New Zealander, Rod Coleman, as one of the works riders. MT-5003 was well placed in Isle of Man and other races in the late 1930s and was purchased by Rod Coleman in 1949 and used by him in the 1949/50 racing season in New Zealand. Rod later sold it but bought it back ten years later as a burned out wreck. He restored it and it is now in the British Motorcycling Museum in Birmingham.
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In 1949, two double-overhead camshaft engines, 5006 and 5007, were produced. Ernie Lyons was placed third and Reggie Armstrong sixth in the Isle of Man TT. The engines had a larger bevel gear housing to accommodate larger bearings and a second oil pump to return oil from the cambox and bevel chamber. Unfortunately, both engines were destroyed in later racing incidents but in 1985 Rod Coleman gained access to all the casting patterns in the UK needed to remanufacture the DOHC engines. An engine was produced complete with correct magnesium castings for the crankcase and all other castings except for the cylinder head and barrel, which were made to factory specifications. With the resulting engine and period gearbox and clutch, a complete replica of one of the 1949 DOHC factory racers was created. This unique motorcycle was purchased for the Nelson NZ Motorcycle collection from a private vendor in Christchurch, New Zealand. In January 2001. It was then acquired by Transport World for their Classic Motorcycle Mecca collection in May 2016.
Russell’s Ramblings Howard Kingsford-Smith is making progress with his 1916 brass radiator Ford T. He has most of the running gear with Rocky Mountain brakes and a modified front axle. He is going to put a Bosch magneto on his special block and improve the oiling system. He has new mudguards but will have to make a body and petrol tank. It should go well. Casey and Anna-Lee Lyons have tied the knot and we wish them well. Five generations of the Lyons family have now been involved with the Southland Branch, with Pop Lyons (Barry and Ross’s grandfather) being the first. Keep up the tradition Casey. Tony Warren and his crew have represented the Club at the National Veteran Rally in the Club Darracq this weekend. The frame and some parts of Tappers Bike Shop’s 1928 Racing TT Triumph have been found by Graeme Duckett. He has sourced from Australia and New Zealand, racing pistons, mudguards and panels to make up the petrol tank. This bike did 93.5 mph. Timed on the Brooklands Track and held the SVCC Rumour
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Bluff Hill Climb record. The only challenger successful in events against it was H Munro on an Indian Special. ******
Condolences To Gordon Lowe and his family on the passing of Gordon’s wife. ******
With that lean on I wonder if the dealer is trying to push the customer into a purchase or if the customer is trying to pull out of the deal. ********** I didn’t want to believe that my dad was stealing from his job as a road worker. I had to accept it when I got home though. All the signs were there. ********** SVCC Rumour
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September Mid week Rally Report The weather wasn’t the very best when 51 people in 23 cars set off for the monthly run. On leaving the racecourse we turned left onto Highway one at the Tay Street roundabout and set off towards Kennington before turning onto the Kennington-Roslyn Bush Road. We then wended our way to the Winton-Hedgehope road. From there we detoured slightly to finish up on the Hundred line before making our way through Fairfax and on to the Riverton Lodge Hotel where we were served a lovely roast meal. We have been there many times. The first time was in 2010 with Neville and Mabel Dewson. We had a roast on that occasion as well as a pudding for $7.50. Since then we have been back at least 10 times and have enjoyed a lovely meal each time. Thank you Don and Peter for a lovely day out Louisa and Allan
Bob McBurney had his Datsun 1600 out for its first VCC run at this month’s midweek rally.
New Members This month we welcome Anthony and Alana Padget as new members.
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Profile
Janet McCulloch
Club Secretary
Janet is the better half of one of our two husband and wife teams on the Executive, being Ray’s wife and supporter. Don’t worry; only one of them has bank signing authority. Janet is now in the 3rd year of her 2nd term as secretary. She has previously been secretary for 7 years and has been very involved with club activities for a long time. She joined the club in 1990, but of course was active prior to that, as many wives are. We would all be at a loss without their support. Janet’s working life has been in sales and clerical administration so her background equips her well for the secretarial role. Janet and Ray have two offspring. Jane and Ross. Janet’s vehicle is the 1977 Triumph 2.5, but you wouldn’t guess that by the number of times you see Ray out in it. The vehicle I have seen her drive the most is the 1929 DA Dodge. The best vintage car she has driven is John Boyes’ Rolls Royce. That is something most of us cannot aspire to. ********** Why should you never run in front of a car?
You’ll get tired.
Why should you not run behind a car?
You’ll get exhausted
When a dad was washing the car with his son, the son said, “Dad! Can you use the sponge please?
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For Sale 1.
Borg Warner transmissions. 2 available, both in good condition. Phone Bill Gibb 03 215 7667
2.
Suzuki FA50. Registration on hold. Goes well. Comes with a range of new and used parts plus 2 incomplete bikes $1500 for the lot Call Allan Cleaver (Cromwell) 03 445 3253.
3. 1953 BSA B31. Very tidy bike and goes well. $4500. Previous owners include Trevor Gilmour and Gerry Longman. Ph 215 9512.
Wanted 1.
Vespa motor scooter (1960’ to 1970’s model) Phone, email or text Mac Lindsay, any time. cell: 027 553 7503 email: mlindsay486@gmail.com
2. AJS S3 gearbox and AJS OHC engine and gearbox parts Brian Forth 19 Condada Drive Banksia Park 5091 South Australia 3. 60 x 18 crown wheel and pinion outside diameter 11¼” to fit a Clement Bayard back axle. This is to be fitted to a 1906 Gladiator. Contact Ben Julian (benjulian@xtra.co.nz.)
********** I accidently handed my sister the superglue instead of the chapstick. She still isn’t talking to me. What do you call a Mexican whose car has just been stolen? What lights up a soccer stadium?
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Carlos A soccer match.
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Challenge Let’s try something different this month. It is a Sudoku puzzle but with letters rather than numbers. The nine letters of the puzzle are; AEFLMORWY The letters also make the name of a car from the Triumph stable of the mid to late 40’s. Answers on page 20
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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 217 8177 Alwyn Hoskins 215 9302 Neil Kidd 216 3788
Library The lending library will issue books on the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. Other times by appointment - phone 216 6056 *************** Copyright of the contents of the “Rumour� magazine rests with the VCC of NZ Inc. (Southland Branch) unless otherwise stated. *************** From last month: Has anyone else seen this signage? Where is it? Ranfurly.
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Important dates Meetings and Social functions Southland
October November
31 17 28
SVCC monthly meeting 7:30 pm. Closing date for November Rumour. SVCC monthly meeting 7:30 pm.
Rallys Southland
November
January
Timaru
October
2 3 9/10 23 24 25/ 26
Commercial Rally. 100 Plus run. 1:30pm. Feldwick Gates Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally. Hokonui Hill Climb. See p19 for details. Josephville Hill Climb. Edendale Crankup.
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Mt Cook rally.
WEDNESDAY RUN Wayne Calderwood has organised a picnic run for us next month. It departs from the Racecourse at 10.30 am, on 6 November 2019. No contact is necessary for this one. Just bring your lunch, table and chairs and sun umbrella. He is counting on a fine day but has a wet weather alternative venue (you will still need to bring your lunch). Wayne’s contact number is 027 201 2103 if you need to talk to him. ********* Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field. **********
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Views and opinions expressed in the Rumour are those of the authors of the articles and are not necessarily those of the Southland Branch of the VCC of NZ, the Branch Executive or the Editor. Mistakes will be corrected if possible. ***************
Fire Drill We are required by law to conduct regular Emergency Evacuation Procedures exercises and these will be happening in the near future. It may happen on a meeting night or during a function (or both if we really enjoy it). It is important that “we all play the silly game”, so please do. I just hope the organisers do it during fine weather.
COMMERCIAL RALLY – SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019 Plans are in place for this rally which is an afternoon run. There are good toilet facilities and limited shelter. If you wish, bring your afternoon tea basket. We look forward to seeing you at Feldwick Gates at 1pm.
Hokonui Hill Climb Saturday 23 November
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Clark Rd. (Off Jewitt Rd ) Sign-in at the gate. Starts 1.00 pm Inquiries to : Ferg McDowell 03 2358449 0276149723
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The car was the Mayflower.
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