TA U P O V C C M A G A Z I N E
M AY 2 0 2 0
TAUPO
MX5 -
How a Dream Became a Reality BR
C H A I R M A N ’ S & CA P TAIN’S REP OR T
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• H OW A D R EA M B E C A M E A R E A L IT Y
B Y M U R R AY S TA NL EY • A NZAC D AY A C A C I A B AY P O P - U PS • A R T CORNER
Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
Coming Events for Taupo VCC 2020
The situation is constantly evolving, but at this stage we hope to resume our normal schedule on the 1st July, 2020... Stay Safe and Stay Tuned!
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MAY 2020
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
COVER
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Coming Events for Taupo VCC 2020
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Taupo Vintage Car Club Officers
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Printed Mag Now Available!
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Printing Tips
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Chairman’s Report
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Club Captain’s Report
13 How a Dream Became a Reality 17 Acacia Bay Pop-Ups 19 Art Corner 22 Taupo VCC 2020 Calendar Year.
Cover: Barbara Stanley and her first MX5.
CLUB NIGHT & CLUB DAY ALL EVENTS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles and materials presented in this magazine are those of the authors and/or reference sources, and do not necessarily reflect the views held by the Taupo Vintage Car Club or The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. Our intention is to stimulate discussion and enthusiasm among the VCC membership and the wider community. All photos, product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
Taupo Vintage Car Club Officers Taupo Vintage Car Club, PO Box 907, Taupo 3351
PATRON Graham Mock HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Bob Pettigrew • Graham Mock • Joe Ridley • Norman Pointon CHAIRMAN Neil Chave 07 3765262 chairman@taupovcc.org SECRETARY Eric Foley 07 378 7006 secretary@taupovcc.org TREASURER Maureen Ransley 07 3776360 treasurer@taupovcc.org CLUB CAPTAIN Tony Mannington 07 3771598 captain@taupovcc.org MAGAZINE EDITOR Dean Packwood editor@taupovcc.org COMMITTEE Brent Davidson 07 378 2691 Chris Smith 07 378 4582 Marty Sutherland 07 376 7259
Owen Duncan 07 378 8327 Trish Jefferies 07 378 4774 Murray Stanley 07 376 8930
Non COMMITTEE POSITIONS ARCHIVISTS June & Graham Mock BEADED WHEELS SCRIBE Neil Chave CLUBROOM HIRE Eric Foley LIBRARIAN Trish Jefferies RAFFLES Pam Mannington RALLY SPONSOR KIRK Automotive SPARE PARTS Bruce Jefferies CLUBROOMS CUSTODIAN Owen Duncan VIC CERTIFIERS Bruce Jefferies Norman Pointon Brent Davidson
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07 378 7513 07 376 5262 07 378 7006 07 378 4774 07 377 1598 027 200 2570 07 378 4774 07 378 8327 07 378 4774 07 378 9226 07 378 2691
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
Printed Mag Now Available! Printed copies of our monthly magazine, Taupo Torque, are now available from Copy Solutions in Taupo! We email the magazine to Copy Solutions each month, so if you would like a copy, you can visit Copy Solutions in Taupo and purchase one of the following 3 options:
Black and White A5 Booklet $2.99 + GST
Full Colour Cover, Black and White Internal Pages, A5 Booklet $4.99 + GST
Full Colour A5 Booklet $12.99 + GST Copy Solutions | 30 Tamamutu Street, Taupo 3330 | P. (07) 378 6278 Note: Prices correct at time of publication, based on page-count, and may be subject to change. MAY 2020
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
Printing Tips Although you can print this magazine to A4 (either actual size or scaled to A4), this magazine has been set up in A5 format. This allows you to print 2 pages up on an A4 or even a booklet if your printer supports it. If you open the magazine file in Acrobat Reader, and select file>print, under Page Size and Handling (see image below), you can print multiple pages per sheet. Click File>Print>Multiple>Pages per sheet> 2 If your printer supports printing both sides of the paper, you can also print a ‘Booklet’. Which allows you to print, then staple and fold up into an A5 magazine.
Here are some more informative links and videos to help: • Printing Multiple A4 Sheets on One A4 Sheet in Adobe Reader
• Printing PDFs from Acrobat Reader • Get Adobe Reader
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MAY 2020
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
Chairman’s Report
Neil Chave Chairman’s Report – May 2020 With our first five weeks of Lockdown now coming to an end, we can look forward to a move in May to level 3 and then with a bit of luck to level 2 if the change is made. It is yet to be seen how all of this will impact on the club, and how we can move back to resuming some organised activities. The committee is still ‘meeting’ by email to cover any issues on a monthly basis. Although the meetings are short, we are keeping a watchful eye on the security of the clubrooms and also managing our finances as all of our operating costs remain with us without the benefit of any income from the other groups that use our clubrooms on a regular basis. It is worth noting that the club is in a strong financial position to cope with this situation, provided it doesn’t continue for an indefinite period. I expect too that all members over the past weeks have now been catching up on those odd jobs around the house, particularly with the rather nice and mild weather during April, and everyone’s car is in top mechanical condition with a fresh coat (or coats) of polish. Good to see club captain Tony has been very busy sorting out the suspension on his Model A. As we have had to defer the club’s AGM until a later date, the current committee has all agreed to remain in their present committee positions until an AGM date may be set. Again, our main aim is to establish when it may be appropriate to arrange some club activities as and when the time and the policy allow. Finally, please remember we are a club, and if any of our members need any assistance, then let someone on the committee know. We will try to help the best we can in whatever way is possible. Keep safe and drive safe. Neil MAY 2020
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Vehicle Servicing Car Repairs Vehicle Brakes Car Exhausts Shock Absorbers Towbars Tyres Warrant of Fitness Safety Checks Batteries
28 Oruanui St Taupo Owners: Susan & Peter Wall 07 3783132 Mobile 021 717131
Our fully equipped modern workshop facility offers a reliable, accurate and affordable solution to all your reconditioning and machining needs. Includes high performance race/street, general automotive, motorcycle, marine, light and heavy diesel and industrial. We offer extremely quick turn around times and can pick-up or deliver if required Brian Henson / Scott Murray 19 Matai Street Ph; 3773570 Fax; 07 3773572 Email; hmrebuilders@vodafone.co.nz
KIRK Automotive Servicing and Repairs to All Makes and Models
Instrument Repairs Bruce Chaytor 021 631 700 Nicolette Prangley 021 166 8374
nap.chaytor@gmail.com
5 Gibbs Place, Kinloch RD1, Taupo 3377
Auto Transmission Service and Rebuilds Mark Kirkcaldie 35 Raywood Cres, Taupo Ph: 027 200 2570
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
Club Captain’s Report
Tony Mannington Club Captain’s Report – May 2020 As we move away from lockdown level 4 to level 3, we are still unable to get the Club up and running again. It’s been unavoidable that we have had to miss out on our Club activities, like our Picnic lunch Run, Navigation Run, Mid Winter Christmas Dinner, and the Brass Monkey as these events in the past have been well attended. Who knows we may be able to reshuffle for later in the year. Our July Club event is usually setting up our car display at the Hobbies Expo, but at this stage, we are uncertain whether this will still be going ahead. We will keep you posted. How have you been managing the lockdown so far, getting your food supplies in okay? Most of us are probably in the 70+ age group, and that certainly doesn’t make it any easier. Pam and I have been managing with groceries delivered by Countdown, but getting up in the middle of the night to secure a delivery slot. Also used Lake Local for vegetables and a 5kg box of Avocado sent over from Ecoavo Organic Orchards at Katikati. Keeping ourselves busy during this lockdown is probably the hardest thing to do, not being able to just jump in the car and head off into town or whatever you fancy. But we have been into town twice, once for our flu injection and another day to pick up some meds. Even though we have grandkids in Taupo and Auckland, it’s hard not to be able to spend time with them. Modern-day technologies certainly help to have a chat and see them online. MAY 2020
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
After competing in our Taupo Rally, our Model A developed a lean to the right. Possibly a front spring problem. Now that has given me a project to get my teeth into. Spent several days removing the front spring and found a broken centre bolt that holds all the springs together. So that was my problem. Our Model A parts supplier has a home-based business and was able to supply me with the parts required and bingo I now have a fully rebuilt front spring assembly, new Centre bolt, and spring shackles. Just need to get out on the road and burn some gas! We are also managing to get out most days for our daily walk around our neighborhood, so that helps the mental health issue. Let us know how you are getting along. If you need help, I am sure that one of our committee members may be able to help you or advise you. The way I see things is that we are going to have a very quiet year as a Club. Going forward, if the Hobbies Expo doesn’t go ahead, our next month of August we could possibly get something on the table. Fish & Chip/ Quiz Night. If we are allowed out of our “Bubble” and safe again to meet as a group. If you are heading past the Clubrooms, please check for us that all’s good, no broken windows, etc. We will weather this “storm” and get back to Club Activities as soon as possible. Thanks to the Local District Council giving us a Lease Credit for three months, this will help out our Club financially. Neil has always been vocal about building our cash reserves, so the Club has money in the bank, saved for a rainy day. The rainy day has come, but we are financially able to weather the storm. Cheers Tony
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MAY 2020
Rob Sinclair
Specialise in; *boat covers *boat canopies *awnings *Tourneau covers etc
83 Tauhara Rd Taupo
Mobile: 0274 496363
John & Gail Eades
47B Matai St, Taupo
T: 07 377 0445 M: 0274 820 598 E: jandgeades@xtra.co.nz
Parts department hours are better than ever: 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday 8.00am to 1.00pm Saturday
Parts and Services offer a comprehensive parts and service solution for your car, van, ute, truck, trailer, caravan, fifth-wheeler or campervan. We’re all about smart servicing – that means getting the parts that you need, and servicing your vehicle to your satisfaction every time.
Still at; 1 Miro Street, Taupo Web; partsandservices.co.nz Phone; 07 378 2673
Taupo Auto & Marine Trimmers
16 Manuka Street 07-378 6969
grant@taupoautomarine.co.nz www.taupoautomarine.co.nz
2x standard life cycle Environmentally responsible 42 mth standard warranty Now available from Partmaster
8 Oruanui Street, Taupo ph 07 378 9644 www.partmaster.kiwi
Please support our advertisers as they support us
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
How a Dream Became a Reality Murray Stanley
Why is there a story about a Japanese “hairdresser’s car” in a vintage car club magazine, you may ask? Well, the answer is that as the Mazda MX5 was launched in 1989, early examples are now eligible vehicles in the post-1980 category of the Vintage Car Club. In fact, we even had one from Auckland entered in our club’s Country Roads Rally in March. So as a previous owner of MGs but now an owner of one of these amazing little cars for 25 years, I feel a need to share the love with a story about how an American journalist obsessed with British sports cars gave rise to this unique vehicle. It was way back in the early 1980s when motoring journalist Bob Hall met Mazda’s head of research and development who had casually asked what sort of car Mazda should build in the future. “I didn’t even work for Mazda when I first suggested the idea for Mazda to build a two-seat sports car,” Hall said. He was a fan MAY 2020
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
of British sports cars such as the MGB and Lotus Elan, but was irritated by their poor reliability. He said that Mazda should build a simple, back-to-basics sports car with Japanese reliability. The seed was planted in the minds of Mazda’s top brass. Sometime later, Hall subsequently joined Mazda and assumed that because he was a journalist, he would be part of the PR team. In fact, he was surprised to find that he was assigned to the design department! While working on the design of Mazda’s B2000 ute, Hall was also allowed to work on his vision of a lightweight sportscar – but only if he worked on it before and after working hours, or in his lunch break. But at least the story of the MX5 was underway. Today, the MX-5 is known for its excellent rear-wheel-drive handling. But it wasn’t always going to be a rear-driver. Styling proposals for three different drivetrain layouts were submitted:– • front engine/rear drive; • front engine/front drive; (as used on Ford Australia’s Capri) • mid engine/rear drive (Toyota MR2) Eventually, the front engine/rear-drive concept from Mazda’s California based design team was chosen over the other alternatives submitted from Mazda’s Japanese design teams in Nagasaki and Tokyo. The selected design echoed a 1960s-era Lotus Elan remastered for the late 20th century – particularly the pop-up headlights.
Some of the early concept sketches for the MX5
As a niche model, the budget was limited. The 1.6-litre petrol engine from a Mazda 323 was picked for its low weight and affordability. It was given double overhead
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Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
camshafts and turned longitudinally to drove the rear wheels using a five-speed manual gearbox from an RX-7. The suspension used in early prototypes, patched together from older Mazdas, was deemed unsuitable, so there was no choice but to build a new fully independent suspension from scratch. Another obstacle faced by the small development team was tight safety regulations – particularly in America. Such regulations were partly responsible for killing the British and European cars that had inspired the MX-5. Fortunately, computer analysis technology, still fairly new in the world of car design in the 1980s, was used and a simplistic, but attractive, lightweight design that met regulations was created. When the car was released in Japan in 1989, Mazda was only expecting to sell around 200 units a month, but in the end, they were reaching nearly 4,000 MX5s per month. The thought that the Mazda MX-5 would be unsuccessful may sound absurd now, but the idea of a 1960’s inspired two-seater convertible seemed old fashioned to Mazda in the early 1980s. However, thanks to Bob Hall’s vision and Mazda’s enthusiastic management, the MX became a raging sales success worldwide with many imitators from other car companies (e.g., BMW Z3, Porsche Boxter, Honda S2000). And despite three full redesigns and a span of 30 years, the MX5 hasn’t spiritually changed much since it debuted in 1989. It just goes to show that classic never goes out of style!
Barbara Stanley’s first MX5 MAY 2020
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Bev & Tony Louis
8/ 1 Manuka Street Taupo Ph 07 3785538 Batteries, Wiring repairs Vehicle electrical repairs Alternator & Starter Repairs
* Vehicle Servicing * WoF * Brakes
Classic! Vintage! American! English!
Dave Morton Ph. 378 8448 Tuwharetoa Street Service Lane dam.auto@xtra.co.nz
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
Acacia Bay Pop-Ups
Maureen Ransley
Over the last week, poppies have been popping up beside neighbours’ letterboxes, in driveways, and on fences, in support of our ANZAC commemoration on Saturday. It created a lot of interest with the big numbers of walkers who are out and about at present. Quite a few of our VCC members joined the ranks with some colourful and meaningful displays. Wakeman Rd neighbours joined the 11 am minute’s silence on their front lawns, with one of our neighbours, Craig (pictured right) playing The Last Post. Lest We Forget Here (right) are Covid 1961 and Covid 1974, all tucked up in their bubble, feeling very secure in their PPE gear. They are just hanging out to join the walkers and cyclists on the road again though!
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
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Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
Art Corner
The 1946 Mercury Eight Convertible. Original oil on canvas by Don Packwood www.donpackwood.co.nz
The Mercury Eight is an automobile that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford between 1939 and 1951. The debut model line of the Mercury division, Ford slotted the full-size Mercury Eight between the Ford Deluxe (later Custom) model lines and the Lincoln. In total, Ford assembled three generations of the Eight (before and after World War II).
During its production, the Eight offered a full range of body styles, including coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. MAY 2020
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Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine
Early Bird Registration is open for the 15th National Model A Ford Rally 2021. This will be held from Sunday 28 March to Sunday 04 April 2021 (Easter Weekend) in Gisborne at the A & P Showgrounds and Events Centre. Come along and join other Model A enthusiasts for a relaxed but entertaining time in Gisborne. Enjoy the friendly people and experience the ‘Real New Zealand’ driving your Model A. Gisborne is situated on the East Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, vineyards, orchards and good Model A roads. Sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Rivers’, Gisborne is the first City on earth to see the sun rise. ‘Early Bird’ indicates to the organisers you have chosen to receive your rally information early and avoid missing out on the news as it comes to hand, or tours that may have limited numbers. Don’t wait too long to register as we are limited to 300 entrants.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE - $20 To obtain your Early Bird Registration Form email the organising team at gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com or phone one of the organising team members David Mossman 0272 350 444
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Tony Bartlett 0272 725 648
Rob Brown 0274 745 726
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Errol McAlpine 0274 543 983
Karen Thomas 0274 190 191
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Kristina Rarere 022 367 5776
Karen Thomas, Secretary 15th National Model A Rally Gisborne 2021
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MAY 2020
Tairawhaiti Gisborne 2021
EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION FORM 15TH National Model A Rally
GISBORNE Sunday 28 March – Sunday 4th April 2021 Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone:
________________________
Post Code______________
Mobile: _____________________________
Email: ________________________________________ Vehicle Information: _______________________________________________________ ‘EarlyBird’ indicates to committee you have chosen to receive your rally information Early and avoid missing out on the news as it comes to hand, or tours that have limited numbers.
EarlyBird Registration Fee** - $20
Date Paid:
You may transfer $20 to our 15th National Model A Rally Gisborne Kiwibank Account No. 38 9020 0435942 00 with first initial and surname as reference or by cash, to be posted to the address below. *** Receipts will be forwarded by email unless otherwise requested. Please email completed forms to gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com or post to: 15th National Model A Rally 2021 PO Box 9372, Newmarket, Auckland 1459 Enquiries to: David Mossman (0272 350 444) or Tony Bartlett (027 272 5648) or email gisbornemodelafordrally@gmail.com for further information. ** EarlyBird Registration Fee is non refundable
***Please note we can no longer accept cheques
Taupo Torque | |Taupo TaupoVintage VintageCar CarClub ClubMagazine Magazine
Taupo VCC 2020 Calendar Year. 2020
The situation is constantly evolving, but at this stage we hope to resume our normal schedule on the 1st July, 2020... Stay Safe and Stay Tuned!
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MAY 2020
Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine | Taupo Torque
The menu shown here is what is on offer at Coffee Club Taupo during the evenings. The Manager of Coffee Club Taupo wishes to offer VCC members a complimentary glass of wine with every evening meal purchased. For your free glass of wine, be sure to state you are a member of the VCC when you go in.
Club Breakfast - First Sunday of each month Suspended until further notice
Club merchandise available on Club Nights. Baseball Cap - $14.00 Polo Shirt - $33.50 Bucket Hat - $17.00 Fleece Jacket - $59.00 Club Lapel Badges and Car Stickers We have most stock available at the club rooms. MAY 2020
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Taupo Vintage Car Club Hickling Park, AC Baths Ave, Taupo. PO Box 907, Taupo 3351
Taupo Torque is also available online with other VCC magazines via the online digital publisher Issuu. https://issuu.com/vintagecarclubofnewzealand An Issuu mobile app is also available for IOS and Android.
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