January 2019
Southland Branch - Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc. PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
Next Meeting - Ariki Lodge, 46 Ariki Ave, Otatara 7:30pm Thursday, 31st January, 2019
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Office Bearers 2018/2019 215 7136 216 5496 217 9667 southland@vcc.org.nz Treasurer Sheryn Warren 2170524 Club Captain Ray McCulloch 217 9667 Bulletin Editor Dave Harris 215 6068 or 0272016722 dcharris@southnet.co.nz Southland Branch website www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar VCC website www.vcc.org.nz VCC forum www.trash.co.nz/vccbb
Patron Chairman Secretary
Wayne Nicoll Gerry Pethick Janet McCulloch
Social Roster Bar Duty
Bar Open 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
26/01/2019 2/02/2019 9/02/2019 16/02/2019 23/02/2019 2/03/2019 9/03/2019 16/03/2019
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Russell Jenkins Wayne Calderwood Southland Rally Peter Pryde Tony Warren Trevor Wilkey Lex Simpson Veteran Rally Brian Dunick Ron Irwin
January 2019
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From the Editor I haven’t done much vintage motoring recently. The only events I have been on have been the Wednesday Runs, both in the TVR. The December run had a bit of a troubled start for me. I knew there wasn’t a lot of petrol in the tank as the car had cut out a couple of times on the way home from the November run. It is very prone to fuel surge when the tank is low so I wasn’t too worried. The fuel gauge showed empty but it is British so that could mean just about anything. We didn’t get far, just one block down the road before it came to a stop. Fortunately the garage the Oakland is stored in was closer than home and there was petrol in a can in the boot of it. Sometimes the TVR is stored there so it has the right key on the keyring. It wasn’t long before we were on the road again. That wasn’t the end of my problems. I got my camera out to take some photos at the start only to find it had flat batteries. No problem, just use my phone. It had decided I wanted to take selfies so fired up the wrong camera and before I could sort that out I had a phone call come through. Once I finished the call and selected the right camera on the phone everyone else had gone. So no photos. First stop was the supermarket to get new batteries for the camera. We had no further issues on that run but was a bit concerned about the water across the road at Centre Bush as the car is prone to getting water into the electrics and stopping. I went very slowly through the water. My next outing will be the Evolution Motorsport Speedfest at Teretonga on the third weekend in February. According to my calculations this will be my 25th Speedfest although I haven’t managed to race at all of those as on at least one occasion I have broken the car (clutch failure) during practice so had to withdraw from the meeting. Hopefully the car will go well but it hasn’t been out since the meeting at Highlands in April.
Dave
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Chairman’s Report Welcome to 2019! I hope you all had a great time with family and friends, and haven't broken too many New Year Resolutions yet. We saw the new year in at Cromwell where it was very hot, but going by the greenness of the countryside and the state of the roads over the Rocky Range, and into Macetown, there must have been a lot of rain. The first rally for the year is the Southland Rally on Saturday Feb 2nd, followed by the Veteran Rally on March 2nd. The Executive is thinking of applying to run the next South Island National Motor Cycle Rally. This will be held in 2023 or 2024, and will be 20 years since we last ran this rally. Bring your views to the next meeting so we so we can gauge interest in this idea. There are still several members who have not yet paid their annual subscription. Non-financial members will not receive either the Rumour or Beaded Wheels, and are not eligible to enter rallies or Club events. Cheers
Gerry Cover Photo. Owen Wilson and crew in the 1956 Ford leaving the Top Pub in Winton after the December Wednesday Run. February Rumour. Closing date for the February Rumour is 17th February.
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Classic Racing at Phillip Island (Australia) in March 2018. Formula Fords above with this group led by Keith Cowan (Christchurch) in the first Johnston and photo below of the small saloons.
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Russell’s Ramblings The new New Plymouth owner of Keith Shieffelbein’s 1929 D.A. Dodge Coupe had a trouble free trip home to New Plymouth, doing it over 3 days. Southlander Alan Meredith has been collecting history of the motor industry in the province during the 1900’s. Alan has a preference for De Dion car information and has restored one which is now in the Southward Motor Museum. He is also finding out about the Stone Brothers who imported the Club’s Darracq and other vehicles. Ashley Bell had magneto trouble with the veteran Renault on the South Island Veteran Rally and was rescued by the AA. I had Healey problems at Christmas, puncturing my sump at Pukerau, not knowing until Clinton. The garage found the sump was nearly empty when tig welding the hole. Another few kilos would have been a disaster. Transport World are taking a 1904 Ford, a 1914 Stewart truck and a light International truck by transporter to the Art Deco Event in Napier. Gerry Longman has a 1931 Singer 8HP well under restoration. This has a chain driven overhead cam engine. Makers claimed 50 mph. This I would think driven with clenched teeth and a solid grip. Gerry has built a 3 seater body with it nearly ready for upholstery. I think it has more potential than many small English cars and could be a Hokonui hillclimber. Due to popular demand, E Hayes have more copies of the 1930 Show Edition Motor Cycle magazine for sale. Thanks to Peter Pryde and Tony Warren for stepping up to be our new bar managers as required by the Licensing Act. Apparently there were tests to sit etc. A new bar is on the agenda. David Brown at Classic Car Developments in Waikiwi is building a test bed for engines fitted to his cars. More details later.
Russell
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1936 Rudge Ulster GP Brief Description Manufacturer: Rudge Whitworth Cycles Colour: Black Frame number: 56908 Engine Number: U1380 License plate: FW 7416 This example was registered with the Lindsey Licensing Authority in Lincolnshire in 1936. It is believed to have had racing history at Cadwell Park and on the Isle of Man in the hands of a previous owner named Hunter. In 2003, it was acquired by one Charles Balmforth as a restoration project from a family who had owned it for three generations and had laid it up around 1961. For Balmforth, it was the classic ‘barn find’, as attested by photographs he took, and he undertook a detailed restoration to return it as closely as possible to the original specifications. Its old-style log book dates from 1945 and indicates that it was once fitted with a side car. It is accompanied by a tax disc from 1960, its UK Registration Certificate from 2003, an MOT Test Certificate from 2008, a tax disc to 2009 and a photographic record of it before and after its restoration. It was purchased for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection in Nelson at auction in Staffordshire in April, 2009. It was acquired by Transport World for their Classic Motorcycle Mecca collection in May 2016.
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Wednesday Run – December 2018
Many thanks to Dave and Marilyn for a great run. It had been raining for a few days, quite heavily, in the area we travelled in and there was a lot of water in the lower lying areas around Centre Bush, and we did at one point have to carefully negotiate (NOT) some water across the road. We finished up at Winton’s Top Pub for our Christmas Lunch. Thanks must also go to Louisa and Allan Black for the Raffles and always tasty Christmas cake. A very pleasant day out.
Barry and Viv
Cars at the Top Pub in Winton after the December Wednesday Run. Convertible tops up indicate there was rain.
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Wednesday Run – 9th January 2019
It was a lovely day for a drive in the country when about 50 or so of us set off for the Wednesday Run. We left the racecourse by turning left onto Racecourse Road and then left again at the roundabout, and on out to Mill Road and left again till we met the Riverton Highway. We continued on out through Wallacetown and Wrights Bush before heading towards Drummond and Northhope. From there we wended our way to Lochiel Bridge Road, then onto Calder Road, Forbes Road till we came to Lochiel Branxholme Road. We made our way over various roads to reach the main road at Kennington. Then it was down State Highway One to Invercargill and The Workingmen’s Club for lunch. Thankyou very much Viv and Barry for a great run and for doing this at such a short notice.
Louisa and Allan
Dave & Marilyn Calvert ready to go in the Mitsubishi GTO
Dining at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club
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Hillclimb Results Josephville Hillclimb (Gore Branch) 1st Neil Longman Mallock Mk8 2nd Merv Frew Porsche 911 rd 3 Neil McDonald Formula V Hokonui Hillclimb 1st Dale Simmons Morris 2nd Neil Longman Austin Special 3rd Alan Bryce Ford 10 Special
27.22s 30.82s 31.11s 72.96s 76.82s 78.01s
Alan Bryce in his Ford 10 Special at the Hokonui Hillclimb
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January 2019
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Letter to the Editor Hi Dave Like Ashley Bell I too was very interested in the article about the Matchless Silver Hawk V4. The Southland Technical College teacher Ashley mentioned, who worked out the ignition, was Jim Robertson, a young Art Teacher and family friend. It would have been 1947 and good bikes were hard to find. Jim repainted it maroon and it looked really good. With his girl friend and later wife they toured covering long distances. I was in Nelson for a Conference 1950-1951 and there happened to also be a National Motorcycle Rally at the time. At the display of bikes was a black Matchless Silver Hawk and remember talking to the owner. Jim Robertson bought a Riley 9 car and sold the Matchless to Terry Burtenshaw who shortly after getting it shifted up to Blenheim. During the August school holidays 1952, while on a trip around the South Island with a mate in a 1934 Austin 7, I called to see Terry. He had a new BSA Golden Flash and was ready to sell the Matchless for ÂŁ25 and wanted me to have it. Getting it back down to Invercargill was a bit of a problem at that time. Over these many years I have regretted not buying it. Where it ended up I do not know. Regards Ray Kennedy
Wallaby Run Tour. Olly Olsson is organising a four or five day road trip to the Wallaby Run (Sat 9th February) calling in at places of interest. Lots to see, lots of fun. He needs numbers to book accommodation. If interested contact Olly 03 236 1408
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January 2019
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For Sale Sash Clamps var ious sizes Pacific arc welder 3 phase wir ing 45-220amps 110 piece metric Tap & Die set 2 twin beam headlight glasses 81/4 inches 2 monogram WK headlight glasses 81/2 inches Phone Bill on (03) 212 8786 1952 Riley RMB. 42337 miles, Br itish r acing gr een. Phone Barry Keen (03) 215 6712
Wanted Ross Holden has the following request from a VCC member: “I have a 1924 Model T Ford Tourer which requires a new wood body frame. I am looking for someone in New Zealand who may have the necessary dimensions to make the timber pieces for me. I am trying to eliminate freight costs of importing a kit.” If you can help please contact: Ross Holden Communications & Marketing Officer Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) Email: comms@vcc.org.nz Phone 021 263 8488
Wedding Cars Wanted Kevin Dunlop (03 235 8217) is looking for 3 wedding cars for his nephew’s wedding. He would like cars from the 1930’s-1940’s. It would involve a 1pm pick-up from Otatara and Lorneville then going to Argyle Cottage at Waianiwa then on to three different locations for photos around Lorneville and to be dropped at the Otatara Hall at 5.30pm.
Wednesday Run – 6th February 2019
Depart Racecourse gates 10.30 am Meal $15 per head, payable at start. Numbers by Sunday 3rd February to Alwyn and Dorothy Hoskins on 03 2159302 Rumour
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Calendar Of Events Southland Branch Events
2nd February 2nd March 6th - 7th April
Southland Rally Entries have closed. Veteran Rally Entry form with this Rumour. Autumn Rally Over night r un to Te Anau. John Burke 03 217 8177 or Dave Harris 03 215 6068
Other Branch Events 9th February 9th February
14th - 17th February 15th - 17th February 16th February 23rd February 7th - 13th March 17th March 19th - 22nd April
Wallaby Run, Waimate Swap Meet, Nelson Max and Mer ilyn Clar ke, 03 548 3899. atmore.towers@xtra.co.nz Art Deco Weekend - Napier Special invitation to commercial and veteran vehicles. See Beaded Wheels for details. National Motorcycle Rally - Blenheim Carol Taylor 021 399 649 vccrally2019@gmail.com. Gore Festival Rally Entries close February 5th North Otago All British Car Day Entry forms at Clubrooms North Island Club Captain’s Tour Entry forms at Clubrooms Gore Swap Meet South Island Easter Rally—Ashburton Entry forms at Clubrooms
Other Events 15th - 17th February Evolution Motorsport Speedfest Teretonga Includes Formula Junior, classic muscle cars and touring cars 26th February Race 4 life Track Day at Teretonga See p.11 for details. Cars are needed. 6th - 13th May Veteran & Vintage Tour Starts Ashburton, finishes Hanmer Springs via Haast Pass. Expressions of interest to Diane Ross, (03) 308 2356 randross@kinect.co.nz 14 Rumour January 2019
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 anytime 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 (Southland Branch) unless otherwise stated. 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 if they are pointed out to the Editor. My Vintage - www.myvintage.co.nz is a new online mar ketplace devoted to all those people who are passionate and enthusiastic about Old Cars and other old vehicles.
Your Advertisement Here Contact Dave Harris dcharris@southnet.co.nz 03 215 6068
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rogersmotorcycles.co.nz