August - September 2020
Taranaki Branch Committee Chair Chair VERONICA OLIVER E: fordt@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 752 2149 Past Chair COLIN JOHNSTON E: cajohnstoncollections@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 754 6216
Secretary RAEWYNN KRUSE E: taranaki@vcc.org.nz Ph: 06 753 9743 | M: 027 243 8565
Club Captain (Acting) Secretary John Muter E: megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 751 5554
Treasurer ROB THOMSON E: railmodels1@xtra.co.nz Ph: 06 758 4881
Librarian BILL DURLING E: elinorandbill@hotmail.com Ph: 06 758 4244
Topical Torque Editor Secretary JIM LOGAN E: logandj49@gmail.com Ph: 06 751 0316 | M: 027 604 4821 Committee
LES BOGNUDA JOHN MUTER STEVEN OLIVER MARK MASTERS
Email: bognuda63@xtra.co.nz Email: megandjohnny@xtra.co.nz Email: fordt@xtra.co.nz Email: rmmasters@xtra.co.nz
Ph: 06 755 2810 Ph: 06 751 5554 Ph: 06 752 2149 Ph: 06 7657544
Topical Torque Editor Historian/Custodian
Name Tags Badges
ROSE COX E: roselcox7@gmail.com Ph: 06 752 2525 Mob: 027 353 9968
GEOFF BLACKBOURN E: dblackbourn@orcon.net.nz 06 752 7671
Groundsman LES BOGNUDA
Beaded Wheels COLIN JOHNSTON
Ph: 06 754 6216
Parts Committee NEIL ROOK JOHN MUTER PAT STIELLER CES BUDD
Ph: 06 758 6737 Ph: 06 751 5554 Ph: 06 754 6096 Ph: 06 758 7685
Ph: 06 755 2810
Vehicle VIN’s / VIC’s MIKE WILLIAMS Ph: 06 765 4419 Mid Week Coordinators BRYAN MORRIS Ph: 06 272 8027
From the Chairperson Last month's guest speaker Trevor Cole an Auto Electrician had some interesting tools on display, he didn't know what some of these were and asked if any member could help him out. The mid-week run out to Bryce Barnett's collection of vehicles attracted a large crowd as Bryce has some interesting vehicles on display. A good turnout for Max and Tom's Scatter run. This was different to other Club runs that we have had. Going around with a map and questions to answer to get the most points at different locations and return to the clubrooms within a certain time frame. It is with sadness that we farewell Tiddley Cox. I would like to send condolences to Rose and family and to thank members who were present at his funeral to form a Guard of Honour and to have their vehicles on display including Tiddley's Model A. As we head for another AGM, I would like to thank my Committee for all their support and commitment during the last year. John Muter is looking at moving aside from Club Captain position to let someone else with new ideas to come forth. We will also be looking for a Secretary as Raewynn also has decided to step aside. Good luck to all incoming Committee members. We will be awarding some long service awards at the AGM this year, so it will be a special time for these members. Well done on the continued either 25 or 35 years of membership to you all. I would like to thank the members of Taranaki Branch supporting me, as your Chairman or Chairperson (whatever you prefer!) for the past year. I would like to remind members that when we have guest speakers, may I ask that we allow them to be heard by all members as some members still think that talking among yourselves is OK. If you need to talk among yourselves can I please ask that you do this outside of the meeting room. Take care and Safe Motoring.
Veronica Oliver Chairperson
On the Cover:
Members cars and Tiddley Cox's Ford Model A 2
Club Captain’s Report A bit disappointing to see a small number of members turn out for Max and Tom's Scatter Rally. The run proved a bit challenging for some but enjoyed by all that competed. Many thanks Max and Tom for your efforts organising this event. Our mid-week run the following week had a great turnout to view the Barnetts collection followed by a run to Lepperton to Gary Sarten's sheds full of memorabilia then a cuppa back at the clubrooms, I hope you all enjoyed it. As you may know, I will be standing down as Club Captain at this A G M. I have filled this position for too many years. I have enjoyed this time but feel that it is time for someone with fresh ideas to take over. I am happy to assist the incoming Club Captain in any way I can. I would like to thank all the members that have helped by organizing events and assisting me over those past years. Safe Motoring, John Muter
Upcoming Events: 23 August
South Taranaki to visit a Garage and other collections we will meet at the Normanby public toilets at 12.45pm. A cup of tea will be provided at the end of the run.
28 August
The Cancer Society would like 3 vintage cars to help deliver daffodils around the New Plymouth areas. If anyone can help, please ring me on 7515554.
19 September Rubber Duckie Rally. 20/21 Nov
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Maunga Moana Rally.
From the Editor Hi Folks, this is our last Topical Torque before our rescheduled A G M, and it has certainly been a strange year! Although my job has also had its challenges, I have enjoyed, mostly, bringing you your newsletter over the last fifteen months. My thanks to all of you that have taken the time to send articles and photos to me for including in the mag. If I am appointed as your TT editor this year, I will try to keep you informed of things happening locally and nationally that you should know and be concerned about. Have a think about getting your newsletter on email only, as the cost of sending out our printed copy keeps rising as you will see from the annual accounts, and photos are in colour! In the meantime, keep yourselves safe enjoy your vehicles and please support your branch and its activities whenever you can, remember, this is your club and you get out what you put in.
Jim Logan
The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. When you open a door, do not forget to close it. Treat your mouth accordingly. More tools are ruined by rust then overwork.
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Jeffery Earnest (Tiddley) Cox Soon after I moved to Stratford in 1965, I met up with Tiddley who was working for Popes (later Steel Formers) just a few doors up the road from me. I had always had an interest in old cars, and he was driving a mid-1920's Model T Tourer and was also a Vintage Car Club member, so we shared similar interests. One weekend I was travelling to Wellington when I spotted Tiddley and a couple of friends in the Model T broken down on the roadside just north of Bulls. I stopped to lend a hand and was assured that it was only a minor adjustment, so we all headed on our way. Tiddley and crew finally reached Taihape where the T decided to stop completely, so it was put on a railway wagon for the trip back to Stratford. A few days later, Gerald Burton, who owned Popes, had a phone call from the Stratford Station informing him that a machine for manufacturing long run roofing iron had arrived and would he like to come and inspect it. Upon his arrival at the goods shed they removed the covers only to find the Model T. This story hit the local news and the Stratford Press wrote an article about it in their next issue. Tiddley then bought a Model A which he had painted in the amber and black Taranaki colours but prior to this he had purchased a 1925 Hudson Super 6 from the late Colin Payne. This car has survived and is still in New Plymouth. Tiddley was a star member of the Stratford Savage Club and performed many hilarious skits with them in both male and female attire. He also entertained spectators at the Stratford Stock car track, driving the roly-poly car between races. From memory this car was a Series E Morris 8 fitted with an external roll cage, I believe the record was 2 1/2 rolls. 5
Several years ago, Tiddley and Rose bought a LHD Model A sedan to keep the black Rolls Royce company and they re-joined our V C C Taranaki Branch. Tiddley, being a friendly, likable character with a great sense of humour soon made many friends in our club. Although health issues often hindered him, he and Rose willingly helped at working bee's and maintenance jobs at our clubrooms whenever they could. Both he and Rose enjoyed all club activities seldom missing an event. In his spare time Tiddley spent many hours in his shed making garden furniture and ornaments, as well as the rocking horses bought by many of our members. He donated a set of Toadstools which are planted at our clubrooms and they will be something for us all to remember him by as we go round the corner of the building. So Tiddley, on behalf of all our members, thank you for the years of friendship and contributions you have made, we will always remember you.
John Muter
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Closing date for October Topical Torque, 11 September. Please forward articles to the Editor, Jim Logan 76C South Road NP 4310 – or email to logandj49@gmail.com This magazine is also available by e-mail as a PDF file. If you would prefer to receive a copy this way please contact the Editor. Pictures are usually in colour. Views and opinions expressed in Topical Torque are those of contributors and not necessarily those of the Taranaki Branch of the V C C of N Z, the Branch Executive, or the Editor. Clubrooms: 1040 Mountain Road – SH 3A Inglewood.
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Coming Events AUGUST LOCAL EVENTS: 6 Committee Meets at 7.30pm 20 Club night and A G M 23 South Taranaki shed raid OTHER BRANCH EVENTS: 8 Central Hawkes Bay Twilight Rally 14-16 Wanganui National VCC Conference & AGM 16 North Shore Northern Raid Rally 23 Wairarapa Daffodil Rally 23 Waikato Daffodil Rally 23 Wairarapa Daffodil Rally 23 Whanganui Daffodil Rally
SEPTEMBER LOCAL EVENTS: 3 Committee Meets at 7.30pm 17 Club night 24 Midweek OTHER BRANCH EVENTS: 6 Wairarapa Peter Smith Memorial Rally 13 Auckland Annual PVV/PWV/P60V/P80V Rally 19 Manawatu Vintage Rally 19-20 Taranaki Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally 20 Waikato PV,PWV,P80,P60 Rally 27 Rotorua Swap Meet
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Classic Motoring in a Covid-19 environment As share values, interest rates, and property prices plunge, Kiwisaver and Super funds diminish, jobs disappear by the thousands, and the lockdown shuts down hundreds of businesses, can it still be even a little consoling that our investments in collectable classics may yet turn out to be relatively secure? Beyond the immediate devastation inflicted by the coronavirus Covid-19, climate change and increasing CO2 emissions remain issues threatening the use and enjoyment of our heritage vehicles in the new normal environment gradually evolving. While curbing the deaths, and recovering from the job losses and other consequences of the pandemic must be the immediate objective, various climate scientists, such as Professor James Renwick of Victoria University, have noted how the strategies introduced to combat Covid-19 have dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in New Zealand and around the world. It has become apparent New Zealand could make its promised contribution to stopping the planet burning up as well as meet the requirements of our zero carbon legislation if we converted to working from home, shut down our tourism industry closed our tertiary institutions to foreign students, dry docked all the world's cruise liners, reduced long haul air flights, and cancelled all major international conferences and sporting events. But just how many of the enjoyable aspects of modern life would we willingly forgo in order to continue drinking milk, eating steaks and driving our petrolpowered classics. Back as far as 1861 it was contended by British physicist John Tyndall that changes in world temperatures were linked to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But the significance of his theory was initially discounted by more than 97 per cent of scientists until people noticed mean annual temperatures appeared to have risen by several degrees in the early decades of the 20th century. In 1938 eminent steam engineer and amateur meteorologist Guy Stewart Callendar compiled data to support his hypothesis that increases in man-made CO2 were causing the recent rises in temperatures and it is still known as the Callendar Effect in scientific circles. But initially his findings were rejected by virtually all mainstream scientists as any notion that the 9
activities of puny man might affect the climate of the whole world was just too improbable. Ironically Callendar believed the rising temperatures and CO2 buildup in the atmosphere would be of great benefit to humankind. He expected warmer temperatures would open up colder regions to greater agricultural production and increase crop yields generally and thereby overcome the food shortages then being predicted by the majority of scientists as the world population rose towards 2.5 billion. But by the 1960's world temperatures were declining so dramatically climate scientists were predicting an ice age. Callendar died believing the ongoing buildup of CO2 was actually creating a barrier in the atmosphere which was blocking out the needed increase in the warmth of the sun. Over the years, of course, the many forecasted rises in temperatures worldwide have proved to be so unreliable “global warming” had to be rebranded “climate change”. According to recent NIWA media releases on temperature changes the maximum recorded in New Zealand in 2019 was just over 38deg in Gisborne and Hanmer Springs. This is around three degrees less than the 2011 maximum of 41deg reached in Timaru, and more than five degrees below the all-time maximums more than 43deg which were recorded in parts of North Canterbury on several occasions in 1973. The recent decreases in maximum temperatures in New Zealand are consistent with the fluctuations occurring around the world. Climate data compiled by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has established that since the 1880s overall increases in temperatures worldwide have averaged just 0.07 degrees per decade, or a total of less than one degree over more than a century, while CO2 levels have more than doubled to above 400ppm. Yet according to the latest figures, during the five years since 2015 average temperatures have been decreasing at two or three times the previous rate of increase, and by even more in some regions of the world.It will be interesting to see whether the current cut in CO2 emissions worldwide results in a further fall or another rise in temperatures. But whatever the outcome the campaign against Covid-19 is providing a foretaste of strategies and social changes that could be applied to curb the effects of climate change while keeping our changed world safe for classic motoring.
(By Roy Hughes, FoMC Submissions Secretary) 10
For Sale / Swap Wolf valve refacing machine
1968 Merc
Offers welcome. Contact Anthony 021 227 8177 or willerby@xtra.co.nz
4 door 280S petrol, no WOF, not registered, serious body rust, second donor car also but diesel, offers around $200, ph Basil 067547547
Seagull outboard, overhauled, checked and tested, $280 ph Neil 06 7586737 (mem)
From Parts Shed 2 Ton jack, needs new rear seal $50 Small electric compressor $50
1987 VL Commodore 3L Calais v tidy, road legal and 1955 Hillman Californian, restored in 80's, Rego on hold ph 0274188045(mem)
Wanting to Buy Mag Wheels Four Mag wheels to fit 1996 Toyota (5 Stud) must be in good order, ph 0274188045(mem)
1970's surfboard Old 1970's surfboard as a prop for VW ph 0275205477 Tillotson updraft carburettor Model JR2A Any condition considered but I wish to recondition it for use on the Dodges. Phone Colin Johnston on 06 7546216 or mobile 021 131 6699. (mem)
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In 2022, the Vero Festival of Historic Motoring will be based in Taranaki. Mt Taranaki is the central icon for the region, dominating the view from every angle. The district deliversa wide range of visitor experiences, there'll be plenty for you to see and do before, during and after the Festival. 16 – 21 January
E reservations@autolodge.co.nz
Accommodation • Restaurant • Celebrations • Anniversaries • Birthdays • Reunions