April 2022
Chairman Bruce (left) presenting the Gymkhana Trophy to Ian Higgins
Official Magazine of the Wanganui Branch of the V.C.C. of NZ P O Box 726, Wanganui , Street Address—Patapu Street, Wanganui East Wanganui@vcc.org.nz
Patron:
Alan Bates
Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer:
Bruce Ardell Andrew Dittmer Liz James Neil Farrer
06 342 7713 027 379 6969 06 344 2221 06 343 6248 027 457 9634
biffoditty@gmail.com. liznfrank@xtra.co.nz nfarrer@xtra.co.nz
Club Captain: Vice Club Captain: Rally Secretary/Trophies: Motorcycle Convenor:
Frank James Andrew Johnson Christine Savage Bill James
021 349 074 06 345 6212 06 342 4755 027 353 2190
lizfrank@xtra.co.nz Datsun@aje.co.nz wanganuirally@gmail.com heatherandbilljames@gmail.com
Linda Kendrick Chris White Ray Savage Ian Higgins
027 775 4644 0274 431 184 06 342 4755 027 201 2706
zilda552@hotmail.com cgandkrwhite@gmail.com thesavages@inspire.net.nz ihiggins@xtra.co.nz
Committee:
Health & Safety: Trophies Manager: Branch Delegate: Kitchen Manager: Hall Custodian/Bookings: Truck Custodians:
Dave McDermid 06 347 6915 Mihi McDermid Neil Farrer 06 343 6248 Liz James 06 344 2221
whanganuiriverboats@xtra.co.nz
liznfrank@xtra.co.nz
Doreen Hardy 021 170 2962 Rob O’Keeffe 0274 332 626 Shane Hobman 06 344 5915 Librarian: Dave Austin 06 344 7513 Parts Custodians: Dave McDermid 06 347 6915 whanganuiriverboats@xtra.co.nz Chris White 06 348 7335 Trevor Roberts 06 345 8897 Editor: Ian Higgins 027 201 2706 ihiggins@xtra.co.nz Beaded Wheels Reporter: Ian Higgins 027 201 2706 ihiggins@xtra.co.nz Archivist: Dave Austin 06 344 7513 Vehicle ID’s: Shane Hobman 06 344 5915 Bruce Ardell 06 342 7713 Rivet Distribution Co-Ordinator: Linda Kendrick 027 775 4644 Frank James 021 349 074 Official VCC Website: www.vcc.org.nz VCC Branch Mags: http://vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches/ Facebook Wanganui Vintage Car Club: https://www.facebook.com/whanganuivcc/? VCC Codes for discounts: Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry ANTIQUECAR Interislander WH5465
FROM THE EDITORS DESK Greetings Members Welcome to April’s edition. Firstly great to hear that Ted Matthews is back from Wellington Hospital and recovering well in Wanganui. Also we wish Treasurer Neil a speedy recovery from his daily treatment in Palmerston North Hospital. Get well soon guys. Hope that all members and your families are keeping safe from Covid. Please do remember to mask up and practice social distancing at all VCC club events. If you are unwell PLEASE stay away and think of others! Really great to be able to run our annual gymkhana and special thanks to Craig and Wendy Ryland for hosting us on their property. Also to Captain Frank and his team of helpers for organising this event. Full coverage in the Rivet. Great idea from your committee ( of which I am a part of ) to incorporate our monthly club meeting into the gymkhana. All outside to minimise the risk of Covid spread. Members, please voice your opinion in ‘Letters to the Editor” column where and how you consider we can safely maintain our monthly meetings. Your branch, your Rivet and your health so please have your say. Just thought, hope that 250 replies and letters don’t come in altogether! Be a good problem to have though as we should all have our say, or please air your views at our next branch meeting if going into print is not your thing. Really keen to incorporate stories from members relating to the motoring scene, be it restorations, excursions, new acquisitions ( vehicles only of course) or in fact anything aligned with our appetite for vehicles from yesteryear. This month I asked Murray Woodhouse, one of our newer members, to outline to readers the mystic of the NZ Military Vehicle Club. Murray is the Wanganui Branch Chairman and Delegate to this organisation, and a gifted writer, so I hope that you enjoy his article. That’s all for now, so keep masked and stay safe. Yours in cruising Editor Ian
Chairman's Report — April 2022 Greetings all, Hanging in there? We are getting through it. Day light savings has finished so more time in the shed doing those repairs and maintenance jobs on your vehicles. This took my fancy. I read a “Revision Time” letter for my funeral insurance policy questions: 1) 2) 3)
Brought a property or increased your mortgage? Changed jobs or had a pay rise> Celebrated a new arrival to the family or have one on the way. (What, I wish)
It was no for all of these. I’ve definitely led a very sheltered life. Mind you men have become fathers again at 73. Yes I survived my first VCC of NZ National Executive Meeting by Zoom at Neil F’s place. No problems apart from the bottom. As a person that doesn’t watch TV 6 hours is a long time sitting still. It was good to vent my spleen at times without anyone hearing. Yes the Club Logo vote finally took place. I’m pleased to report the status quo remains, wings and all. Phew. See Neil’s report. What a good turnout for the March Gymkhana at Craig and Wendy Rylands place. Lovely setting and fine day, also a good selection of sports cars, MG’s, Jaguar XK, Austin Healy and 36 Morgan 4-4. Winner guess who, Mr Higgins. What? This club now has 5 x fifty car continuous membership badge recipients. Bruce Ardell 2018, Ross Glenny and Barry Cleaner 2019, Steven Voss 2021, Alan Bates 2022. Wanganui’s Annual Toy Fair is being held at the Jubilee Stadium on the 15th May 2022 between 112pm. Take a look but remember it’s the same day as our Club Sunday run, so off to the clubrooms by 1PM. The branch will be supplying a few cars for display out the front. On a sadder not we had the passing of Doug Wilton (Hunterville) last month. Doug was a long standing and valued member of our Ford Model A Club and the Wanganui branch of the VCC. Doug and Diane attending all of our Burma and Annual Rallies over many years in his Ford A and many Veteran events in his 1912 Buick. Farwell Doug my good friend, you will be missed. That’s my lot, remember keep up your pecker. Chairman Bruce
Club Captain’s report— April 2022 Hello members The Annual Motorcycle Trial with Bill will be held on Saturday 9 April 2022 – either join in, come over to the VCC Clubrooms to see the riders and bikes prior to the 9:30 start time or give a hand in some way. Give Bill or me a call.
Our next Sunday Run will be one with a difference with Peter Hardy putting something special together for us – see you all on 24 April 2022 at the Clubrooms at 1 o’clock. After the drive we’ll return to the Clubrooms for afternoon tea. Happy motoring Captain Frank
Club Gymkhana – 20 March 2022 A lovely fine and calm Autumn Sunday afternoon set the scene for a very enjoyable and entertaining Gymkhana at Craig and Wendy Ryland’s property at Papaiti some 12 km from the City heading up the Whanganui River. We had seven separate driving tests for competitors to manoeuvre their way around the course. A wide range of Vintage Car Club vehicles including a Model T Ford, Willys Jeep, Morgan, Jaguar, MG and Austin Healey Sports Cars with many other Makes and Models of cars put through their paces by our Club members. The driving skills were of a high standard which was great to see. In a close competition Ian Higgins our ‘Rivet’ Editor came out on top and was presented with the Waitotara County Centennial Trophy by Chairman Bruce. Congratulations Ian. The afternoon was topped-off with a lovely afternoon tea with B-B-Q venison sausages a special treat for Members. A very big thank you to Craig and Wendy for their generous hospitality. Well done to everyone who came along with special thanks to the helpers who made the day a successful and pleasurable event. Captain Frank
EXECUTIVE MEETING 12 MARCH 2022 Delegate’s report by Neil
Because of Covid restrictions the meeting was handled through ZOOM. This meant that Bruce and I did not have to travel , but spent the day in my Lounge. The meeting started with us going on line at 9am – until 4pm with breaks for morning tea and lunch. It worked well but I missed the personal contact and time to chat to other delegates. Others expressed the same opinion. The March meetings are mainly reports of the Club’s activities and discussions on policies. This was no exception. It was unfortunate that 5 Branches were unable to participate. Many of us had never participated in a ZOOM meeting before but we were guided into the system by Murray Trounsen and others. I kept my screen on mute so that Bruce and I could discuss matters in progress, and opened up my screen to transmit speech when invited by the Chairman (Diane Quarrie) When we voted on matters it was by a show of hands which as we all had a pop up screen it was easy to count “fors” and “against”. Matters Discussed -Valuation of Members vehicles - Some Branches use professional valuers who charge , often around the $100 per vehicle. Other Branches have members who are able to place an appropriate valuation on vehicles. It had been suggested that the Club arrange suitable persons or Companies to handle valuations – but this caused further problems. So it is left to Branches to make their own arrangements. NOTE for Vero policies Valuations should be done every two years, otherwise it is “Market Valuation” which may cause difficulties when it comes to a claim. Branch Newsletters - The majority of Branches are now sending them out by email to members. VCC Admin are creating links to the database for all to read Branch News. This may not suit some, but it does allow the print to be increased in size for easier reading on line. VIC Cards - This is a work in progress – shortly members will be able to complete the information on line and submit the photo on line. It is important to ensure that all relevant parts are completed. During the lead up to Vero Rally at New Plymouth there was a large backlog – those who had completed the forms correctly and had been signed off by the Branch authorisers were processed quickly – others had to wait for answers or material returned to correct. The on line forms will force answers to all relevant sections. Unfinancial Members. – Those members who have not paid their subs , which were due in October will be struck off and have to re-apply for membership. In our Branch Frank and I had difficulty in contacting a number of members, on our list of unpaids, as the phone or email detail was incorrect. I do have a list of members with phone numbers etc so contact me or Frank if you need to update your information. It is very important now to have your correct email address for communication – it is quick and simple. ( Note that unpaid members at the moment add up to over $33000 in subs not paid ) National Office – Christchurch. - There has been a rapid turnover of staff which created problems of not understanding how to handle input etc on the new data-base. Murray Trounsen spoke on developments and presented several videos to explain the new on-line facilities
– including Registration and payment of new members on line. There will be a flat fee of $100 for the first year (covering VCC Sub and Branch Levy and GST) There was a lengthy discussion on Junior membership. Many branches have not been aware that this was possible. However on line it will be simple, and the likely Sub will be $20 which is enough to cover Beaded Wheels and GST in the first year. We should encourage Junior membership – I think that we only have about 4 Junior members – They get all the privileges including Vero insurance and their own copy of Beaded Wheels and Branch Newsletters. Plus all the online facilities AND THEY WILL BE BETTER AT THOSE THAN MOST OF US. The link for payment of Subs is now working. There will be new forms to complete for 50 and 60 year membership very shortly – which will ease the process . There are 453 50 year members and 85 60 year members at present. There will be a new “Branch Portal” available shortly which will only be available to Secretary/Treasurers as a lot of the information is protected by the Privacy Act. There was a lot of discussion on “Suppression” many were not aware that members can have their contact details suppressed and / or just the vehicles listed, if you are in this category I suggest that you discuss this with either of Bruce or myself to clarify what it means to you. Only the member can change their status by advising VCC Admin by email or letter. LOGO - No discussion was required – so the delegates voted. It was interesting that 17 voted “FOR” the new logo, 8 of those were Management members, and 18 voted against. So the logo is a non event and we will continue with the wings. VERO International Rally – New Plymouth. Final financial reports are not available but it seems that the Rally will have a profit around $60000. After the huge loss at Dunedin this is very good news. Delegates spoke of their appreciation of the organisation and enjoyment of the rally. Vero have agreed that they will sponsor another event in say 5 years time but there is a lot of work to be done in the initial planning before any announcement will be made.
Heritage and or Classic terminology - There was a notice to incorporate these words into our bylaws etc. But no one could approve a suitable definition of what was intended. Branches are able to operate under a “Trading Name” now - eg Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated Wanganui Branch – Trading as Wanganui Historic and Classic Vintage Vehicles Club. Or something like that. Several Branches already have alternative descriptions and Hawkes Bay Branch wish to change the way they are known. BUT will it increase their membership – most of us do not think so.
Future events – long term calendar –
This year the AGM is to be in Auckland (August) details to come. National Veteran Rally – February 2023 by Auckland Branch National Commercial Rally - Labour Weekend 21-23 October 2023 Wanganui Branch National Vintage Rally – 12 March 2023 Wellington Branch VCC AGM 2023 - August - probably Nelson Branch – to be confirmed. 2024 National Veteran Rally – to be run by Otago to be their 70th Brighton Run in January. 2024 VCC AGM - August run by Bay of Plenty.
ANNUAL GYMKHANA
Various pics of the day’s activities
Above. Host Wendy Ryland
.
receives a gift from Mr Chairman Above right. Bruce’s Vauxhall under starting orders from Capt. Frank
Right. Heather resting after her run in the Chairman’s Morgan.
Left. Chris and Pete yakking at the start line. Bellow left. Lee’s Model T doing a burn out! Below. Great to see Ian and Faye out and about in their convertible enjoying the event.
More Gymkhana Pics Top left. Zeilstra Bros Red Rocket at full throttle. Has Pierre fallen out? Slow down Sietse! Middle left. Deputy Chairman Andrew showing how it’s done sedately in his ute to a backdrop of viewers. Below. Chairman Bruce at speed. Hold onto your hat Bruce! Below left. Ross in his VCC eligible Jappa van joining in the fun. Bottom left. Chief organiser of the Gymkhana in his trusty Austin -Capt. Frank Bottom right. The car leading our run to the Gymkhana-owned by Deputy Capt. Andrew
MORE GYMKHANA PICS Left. What’s this? Heather in another car? Unless Bill has fallen out half way around and Heather taken over the controls? Better go back for him! Middle. New member Jim in the white Mk1 leading Ian’s red MK1. Looks like they are racing-perhaps they were….. Bottom left. Our host and scrutineer, Craig, marking Dave’s score in the “throw the newspaper into the tyre” test. Dave– don’t argue the point with Mr Ryland! Below. Jeff scorching sideways around the track in his Jag. Out of my way!
By Murray Woodhouse Wanganui VCC member and Wanganui Area Rep NZMVC There are a number of VCC members who are also members of the NZMVC – New Zealand Military Vehicle Club – Wanganui Branch – we are the people that stay in convoy order and drive green machines. The New Zealand Military Vehicle Club was established in the 1970’s and a VCC Beaded Wheels magazine of October / November 1977 mentions a military section being formed by the Whangarei Vintage Car Club. With the support of MOTAT the new club gained incorporated society status in 1979, the same year as it was formed as the New Zealand Military Vehicle Collectors Club. A Wanganui branch was established in 1980, with Dennis Whitaker joining in 1981 and Dennis and his Jeep is still a stalwart of the Club. The word collectors was deleted from the name in the 1990’s.
The NZMV Club is dedicated to providing an organisation for military vehicle enthusiasts, historians and collectors of New Zealand and International ex-military vehicles. Many military vehicles have been rescued from farms and industrial sites and restored, both tracked and wheeled vehicles ex NZ Army and US Military from WWII, Korea and Vietnam War eras. Other members have imported ex British and US military vehicles to New Zealand and NZMVC members regularly participate in US MVPA convoys across the USA. The NZMVC has 350 members nationwide and in excess of 700 vehicles in various stages of restoration, from unrestored to mint condition. There is a network of 12 branches spread throughout New Zealand and also a Jeep division. Branches meet from monthly to quarterly, to organise events, both on road and off road for both wheeled and tracked vehicles.
In Whanganui, we held our first Rally at Putiki Marae in 1981 – throughout our national magazine in the 1980’s there are local names like Gerald Weekes, Gordon Hammett, Laurie Kendrick, Russell and June Hughes, Rod and Helen Hurley, Dan Alabaster. In those days the Club was very strong with over 30 members. Fast forward 40 years and with 9 members the Club is still particularly strong and very active. Our in house meetings at held at the RSA / Club Metro preceded by a meal and social chatter about vehicles. The Club monthly Rallies are also very evident – Sunday 20th March, saw the Club heading north from Fordell and up the Turakina Valley Road to SH49, lunch at Tangiwai and across to Raetihi and Pipiriki before heading down the River Road – 159 miles. Events coming up include the 42nd Traverse weekend in the Tongariro Conservation area and over Easter, in conjunction with Taranaki MVC runs through Okara Station and Whangamomona while based at Te Wera Camp. Like the Vintage Car Club, the Military Vehicle Club shares the same values – preservation of vehicles, an opportunity to meet on a social basis through meetings and outings and keeping the wheels of history alive.
Murray Woodhouse, Area Rep NZMVC Wanganui
Thanks Murray. Great synopsis of the NZMVC. I am also a member and encourage VCC members to join up. Great comradeship with on and off road excursions in your military vehicles. Editor Ian
NZMVC boys and girls parked up for a breather while on manoeuvres somewhere out in the sticks
MORE GYMKHANA PICS
Top left. Toni at the wheel of the green Austin. Top right. Come on Pete. You have bunted the fence! Left. Jim backing into the enclosure. Look behind Jim! Below. The Bullocks await their starting orders.
Hope I have not missed taking any contestants pics! Let me know if I have please. Editor Ian
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If we don’t have it, we may know someone who does!
FOR SALE/WANTED TO BUY For Sale: 1958 Morris Oxford. Comes with current WOF and Rego. $7500 ono. Call Jim on 027 538 8133
Wanted: Vellocette Venom 350 Cylinder Head. Contact Brian on 06 345 7499
For Sale: Peugeot 405 SRDT Estate—1995—Diesel turbo 5 speed manual. Economical 1000kms or so to a tankful. Just took for WOF and failed on only rear brake imbalance (that I shall take care of). Tow bar and new radio that can take a reverse camera. I have owned it for about 8 years. New battery and glow plugs—reason for selling I need the space. I am looking for about $3000 ONO. Phone Graham on 02 214 1730
Wanted: A couple of stationary engines suitable for display. Contact Bruce 06 3427713 Wanted: Left side body parts for a ‘83 Toyota Cressida. Does anyone know of any being wrecked? Phone 06 3432422 or email geofferylawson@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: CONDITION OF ENTRY. AT THE DECEMBER COMMITTEE MEETING IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: ENTRY TO THE CLUBS FACILITIES RESTRICTED TO THOSE MEMBERS AND VISITORS CARRYING THE COVID VACCINE PASS Club Calendar All Club Runs meet at 1pm at the Club Rooms unless otherwise stated
April
9th VCC Motorcycle Trial 9.30 am start 24th Sunday Run with Peter Hardy
May
4th Club Night ? 15th Sunday Run 21st Working Bee at VCC Clubrooms
June
1st AGM 5th Annual Rally