December 2019 - January 2020
From the Chairperson I would like to thank those Club members who helped at our recent working bee at the Clubrooms. A special thanks to Grant Bishop for providing a cherry picker and water blaster to wash down the upper outside of the building and roof, and the removal of the tyres out the back of the shed. Also, to Albie Gordge and Steve Oliver for also providing water blasters. As we were washing the building down, we noticed that it is in need of painting. This will require a grant to help with the expenses for this. While water blasting the building, we noticed our water level in the tank was getting low, so hopefully with the rain we have been having it will again be full or near full. Members will notice that we have two new heat pumps installed in the main hall to help with heating this area in the winter and cool in the summer months. A grant from TSB Community Trust helped with getting this done. We have also now replaced the roller door on the parts shed. Many thanks to those involved in getting these improvements done. I would like to thank Bryan & Alison Bolland for another successful Garden Run this year. Many thanks for organising this run. A reminder to members that our December club night will be a bring a plate for supper and some ales (if you wish), to celebrate another great year of motoring and joyous festive season. Veronica Oliver Take care and Safe motoring!
Chairperson
From the Editor Hello Folks, a short report this month as space permits, a reminder that if your member number is highlighted on your address label, then your membership subscription was still outstanding, as at November 1, however some of you may have payed in the meantime. A few get togethers coming up in the next few months so I hope you will be able to join us at the Combined BBQ on the Ist December or see you at one of the next club nights.
That’s all for now, cheers- Jim Logan
On the Cover:
A Festival Garden 2
Club Captain’s Report This month's Fringe Garden Festival Run in central and south Taranaki attracted a large number of entrants. The standard of gardens seems to get better each year, and this gives visitors inspiration to improve their own gardens judging by the number of plants sold at the various spots we visited. Many thanks to Brian and Alison for once again organising this popular event that was enjoyed by many. Phyllis Cornwall is now residing at the Elizabeth R rest home in Stratford and we all wish her a speedy recovery. Des and Phyllis both joined the Branch nearly 60 years ago and it has been a major part of their lives ever since. They have both done so much for the Branch and have spent countless hours helping make it what it is today. Des is still at home on Broadway so if any members are passing though Stratford please call and say hello. Our condolences go out to Ian Stables and Family following the loss of Ian's wife Jeanette. She will be sadly missed by all the members that knew her.
Upcoming Events: 21 November
24 November 28 November 1 December 19 December 29 December 16 January 19 January
23 February
Club Night - Neil Gray from C N C Solutions will give a presentation of components manufactured on his computer controlled milling machine. Club rooms will be open from 2.00pm Mid-week Run from Normanby, meet at the hall by 1.30pm and remember to bring your afternoon tea Our Combined Car Club B B Q, see details elsewhere this issue. Our Christmas Nog n Natter, please bring a plate for supper, BYO liquid refreshment. We will not be opening clubrooms this Sunday Club Night, a BYO B B Q will be flavour of the month from 5.30pm Picnic run to the East Taranaki Environment (Kiwi) Trust at Purangi, where there is a good picnic area with toilets and bush walks. We will meet at the Inglewood Railway Station at 10.30am. The Waitara Mini Vin Rally, more details next month. John Muter
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Fringe Garden Festival Run 3rd of November Garden Visits Sunday 3rd November, what a perfect day to inspect the lovely gardens that Brian and Alison had organized for us to visit. With a good number of members assembled on Pembroke road and after a quick H E S briefing from Brian and John we were away. The second garden on Brecon Rd was a revelation and it was amazing what the owners had achieved in just three years. Travelling onto Eltham we visited the Village Gallery which is located on Main St just around the corner from King Edward St. There was a lot of interest from the group in the art objects on display and quite a few left with mementoes of the visit and did you know that Eltham was the first to export butter to England in 1884, the site of the first dairy factory in 1887, the first tar sealed street in N Z 1906, the first world axeman's carnival in 1901 and in later years built the first turnstile cowshed as well as producing the first concrete power poles in the country, how's that!! Moving on we called at Gabot's garden on Glover Rd in Hawera, a simply amazing amount of garden worked into a town sized section with lots of plants and trees for sale at very reasonable prices. After the next garden at which there was a model railway set up in the garage, we congregated at Tun's Bakery for lunch just along High St. Now well feed and watered, we followed the leader down SH 3 then onto SH 45 to Manaia where we stopped at Shalom gardens, a ž acre collection of plants and craftwork, quirky but inspiring as well. This garden was the last garden for us as we left the group to return to New Plymouth down Surf Highway 45, but some others carried on back to Stratford and Inglewood to visit one other garden in Inglewood. DADS A crew
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WANTED: An Organizer and Secretary to take on the task of running our 2020 Maunga Moana Rally to be held next year on the weekend of 21/22 March. Contact Veronica at fordt@xtra.co.nz or ph 06 7522149
Rubber Duckie 2019 Well, this year's Rubber Ducky Rally was one out of the bag. What a beautiful day. The weather gods were certainly smiling. I left home about ten thirty to get to the final check at Kaponga. When I arrived the other marshals Rob Thomson, Colin Johnson, Pat Steiller and Bryan Morris had already set up the check. Just as well Bryan had his 1964 Austin Cambridge parked on the roadside as I would have driven to the other end of Kaponga. It's a busy place you know! When Robert said a park, I thought he meant the park by the bridge. Some mothers do have'em! In due course entrants arrived and R commented that one of the entrants said the Rally should be called the Roast Ducky Rally, however I stand to be corrected on this. One or two entrants strayed off course but who could blame them on such a nice day. After a couple of hours or so we were given our marching orders by tail end Charlie. Over the years I have done numerous checks as a marshal and I don't get tired of doing them, but it is more enjoyable when the weather gods are smiling and it's good to catch up with the other club members. After the check had closed, I decided to visit Nigel and Michelle who are restoring a hundred-year-old house. Several years ago, when they were digging out the foundations for their new shed, they uncovered hundreds of old horseshoes. Some time in its early life the site had been a blacksmith's workshop. While I was at Nigel's he took me for a ride in his newly purchased 1924 Chevrolet on ton truck, no logbook required in those days. Joe F.
JOKE TIME A punk rocker with spiked hair, each spike a different colour, and the side of his head shaved, gets on a bus. “One dollar”, says the conductor. “What do ya mean – one dollar its only fifty cents” says the rocker. “That's fifty for you and fifty for the parrot” replied the conductor!! 6
Coming Events DECEMBER
JANUARY
31 Closing date for January Topical Torque, 10 December. Please forward articles to the Editor, Jim Logan 76C South Road N P 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. 7
Coming Events DECMEBER Local Events: 1 Our Combined Car Club B B Q see details elsewhere this issue. 5 Committee meets at 7.30pm 19 Club Night our Christmas Nog n Natter, please bring a plate for supper, BYO liquid refreshment. Other Branch Events: 7 Far North Christmas Rally 14 Whanganui Christmas Parade 17 Wellington Christmas B B Q
JANUARY Local Events: 16 Club Night a BYO B B Q from 5.30pm 19 Picnic run to the East Taranaki Environment (Kiwi) Trust at Purangi, where there is a good picnic area with toilets and bush walks. We will meet at the Inglewood Railway Station at 10.30am. Other Branch Events: 17 Wellington Club Captains Safari 19 Rotorua Lakefront Car Show 19/20 Whanganui Heritage Weekend – Burma Rally 25/26 Wellington Biennial Motorcycle Rally 26 Manawatu Veteran Rally
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Highland Fling Rally 24th - 26th April 2020 NEWSLETTER 18 November 2019 Preliminary planning is completed, with the finer details now being attended to, and if you have been waiting for more information before deciding to express an interest in participating in this exhilarating event, specifically organised for Veteran and Vintage vehicles, this is for you! RALLY HEADQUARTERS: The Gretna Hotel at Taihape has generously agreed to provide facilities for participants to gather on the Friday evening (6 – 9pm) It would be appreciated by the organisers if you could collect your instructions on the Friday evening. BRIEFINGS: The Saturday briefing will take place at 8am outside the Gretna Hotel in Hautapu Street. You may get something to eat and drink at the Hotel and socialise with your mates on Saturday evening. Sunday morning gather at 8am in Hautapu Street ready for another great motoring experience through to lunchtime. After that there will be an opportunity to demonstrate your driving skills when we find that rare commodity, a piece of flat ground. ENTRY FORM: Saturday and Sunday lunch details will be notified in the Entry Form which will be sent out late November. PRIZEGIVING & DINNER: The Sunday evening frivolities (Flings) will be around 6pm – 6.30pm, once again at the Gretna Hotel. ACCOMODATION: We are limited to around 200 beds in Taihape, and with unprecedented interest so far, arranging your accommodation without delay is absolutely essential. FUEL RESERVES: Please ensure you have adequate reserve fuel supplies for an arduous day's motoring on Saturday, the distance will be advised in the Entry Form. For more information or to register for the Highland Fling email nicc@vcc.org.nz or gandajones@kinnect.co.nz or call Kaaren 021664341 or Alastair 077561124
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Targa 2019 VCC Time Trail Results - VCC Branches Thanks to very enthusiastic support from central North Island VCC branches, especially Taupo and Manawatu, the Targa 2019 VCC Time Trial was a great success. Over 5 days we drove almost 2,000km through stunning central North Island countryside, comprising over 760km timed special stages and almost 1,200km of touring stages.
Event Placings-: First: Russell Yates & daughter Alise Inger (1977 MGB Roadster);
Second: Grant Ford & Gary Smith (1977 Holden Monaro); Third: Tim Evans & father Wylie Evans (1970 Alfa Romeo GTV); Parent/Grandparent & Offspring: Russell Yates & daughter Alise Inger (1977 MGB Roadster); Matrimonial: Malcolm Fleming & Gina Jones (1957 MGA Roadster); Best Presented Finisher: Ash Price & Grant Simpson (1968 Volvo 131 Amazon); Best Team Theme: “The Beach Boys� Fraser Kear & Daniel Steel (1987 VW Golf complete with surfboard!); Spirit of VCC: Mark Errington & Peter Cameron (1974 MGB GT). After engine failure in their MG, they re-joined the event in a Subaru & then loaned car parts from the expired MG to enable three other VCC entrants to continue in the time trial, (back axle & diff to Russell Yates MGB, coil to Ross Hamilton's Ford Escort & tow rope to Malcolm Fleming's MGA).
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Time Trail Results continued... Dates & Entry for 2020-: Dates for the next North Island Targa VCC Time Trial are 13 – 18 October 2020. We're very much looking forward to more VCC members joining us for this next event. “Super Early Bird” discount entry fee is available until 16 December 2019 for VCC members in VCC eligible, road legal cars with a VIC, and minimum third-party insurance. (“Early Bird” discount entry fee is also available to VCC members from 17 Dec 2019 to 31 Jan 2020).
Refer www.targa.nz “2020 Events” or contact Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@gmail.com 027 433 8772 for more information. Rod Corbett. Targa VCC Time Trial Steward
T.S.B. COMMUNITY TRUST APPLICATION. The T.S.B. Community Trust have notified me of the success of our Branch application for funds to support the installation of two heat pumps in the main hall of the club rooms. A grant of $5000.00 has been made to the branch, with the branch funds making up a small shortfall to the total cost [approx. $500.00]. Rob Thomson - Branch Treasurer
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For Sale / Swap
Steel Shelving Thirty panels, 200 to 300mm deep, 2.5 metre in height, offers Dave ph 06 7523533 (member) 1965 Jawa 175cc Complete and suitable for restoration, Engine seized. Good spare engine. $1,000. ph John 06 7512264 1935 Morris 8 Series 1
1936 Chev Delux Rego on hold since 2005. Fully restored and mobile. Shed stored. $16,000 ono. 1964 Humber 90 Current warrant and rego ph Regan 0277504031 LPG Heaters: Free standing, one bottle included, not needed, offers, see any Committee member.
Brakes overhauled, new tyres all round and a new dynamo plus other sundry items.12 volt and 4 speed gearbox. Can be viewed on TradeMe.ph Ian 027 952 2366 or Email ian.gibbon@xtra.co.nz (mem) Sensible offers, about $7850.
24 or 25 inch Tyres
Motorcycle Parts
I need four tyres and tubes in good enough condition to move a restored car, ph John 7515554 (mem)
JAP Engine: 1914 Type “M� 350cc Side valve. Also front forks girder type made by Saxon, with forward facing spring, will buy as is if damaged. Ph Dave 06 7523533 (member)
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