THE MOTORING SPIRIT The Wellington Branch Newsletter June 2020 The Beast Of Turin 1911 F.I.A.T S76. 28.4 litre Flame thrower engine. This car does race regularly at the Goodwood Revival races and these pics were taken in 2019. It is owner/driven by
Duncan Pittaway.
It was built to compete
against the Blitzen Benz and was clocked at 135mph. The above photo is by permission of Italiansupercarvideo. Ed.
62 years of Vintage motoring 1958—2020
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) Wellington Branch Clubrooms
Halford
Place
Postal Address
PO Box 38-418,
(East end of Jackson Street) Petone
Clubrooms Phone 568-7463
Email: wellington@vcc.org.nz
Web page address
http://www.sporty.co.nz/wellingtonvcc
Branch Committee Chairman
Bill Pinkham
pinkham@outlook.co.nz
938-3407
Secretary
Alastair McCarthy
mccarthys@xtra.co.nz
589-8248
Treasurer
Peter McKeown
peter@smartpower.co.nz
233-5113
Club Captain/Trophies
Neale Ryder
joannemillar@xtra.co.nz
0274-493-014
General Members
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Brendon Priestley
567-6829
Property Manager
Rob Horne
rjhhorne@hotmail.com
0273459800
Club night coordinator
Brian Christensen
bestelectronics@outlook.com
565-0664
Newsletter Editor
Selwyn Warren
lifeonthecut@gmail.com
021-1928 222
Social Convenor
Jenny Jackson
jackapp@xtra.co.nz
234-8702
Parts Mgr/memorabilia
Alick Jenner
565-0174
Appointed Officers Librarian
David Crooks
dcrooks@xtra.co.nz
476-4588
Scribe to Beaded Wheels
Ray Betteridge
ray@betteridge.co.nz
0274846738
Fire Engine Custodian
John Jackson
jackapp@xtra.co.nz
234-8702
Motorcycle Representative Peter Simpson
psimpsonnz@gmail.com
566-2675
Vehicle ID
Roger White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
W/Shop Cust./Vehicle ID
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Rally Secretary
Diane White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
Archivist
Michael Curry
alvishumber@gmail.com
526-9522
Web Master
Trevor Barnes
trevor.barnesnz@gmail.com
977-4332
NO CALLS AFTER 9:00PM PLEASE
Sunday Run: First Sunday Of The Month.
Contact Ian McCulloch. 04 237 6555
Kapiti Mid Week Run: Last Wed. Of The Month. Contact Ann O’Rorke. 2
0274731136
From the editors laptop O.K., so at the time of writing this column, it is Monday 18 May, and we are five days into level 2 during Covid 19 precautions. So far, so good. I had to go into town on the Friday, to visit the opticians, and whilst in town, I took advantage of the fact that cafes were open, and used my newly acquired Rippl App, so that I could enter premises easily without having to sign a register and so started my Contact Tracing Diary. This is a must if you have a Smart phone, plus it doesn't necessitate a staff member having to be standing at the door all the time.. So, things are looking good for NZ, pandemic wise at the moment. Let’s keep at it, for all our sakes. Weather has been very kind to us here in Wellington and so lots of walking has been the order of the day. I feel a lot fitter than I can remember and have a lot more hair than usual, more like I did back in the ‘70’s! I’ll wait a while longer before visiting the hairdresser as she’s a little busy at the moment!
Remember the competition from last month? Who was this on the left. Well, all can now be revealed! Here he is with mask off!! Nah, just kidding. It was in fact, Alick Jenner, and correctly guessed by Geoff McCarten, all the way from his Asian lock up. No sorry, his lock down. Well, at least he was the only one to send in. Don’t know when you’ll be allowed back in the country Geoff! As you can see, this edition is also another electronic one, and may be so for the foreseeable future. Meetings will probably be a little way off too, even if the numbers that can gather, are increased, in the coming weeks, we will still have social distancing and it could be that the club rooms are a little small to accommodate the numbers. Anyway, winter is approaching and we may just like to settle down in front of the fire instead. Life will be a little different from now on, methinks. Ed. 3
CHAIRMAN’S RAMBLINGS
Bill Pinkham
Well June is almost here and although we are out of lockdown and are allowed to resume business, it is definitely not business as usual; in my case work that would have taken me a couple of hours is now taking me a couple of hours to actually get the access to the building ok’d then there is the sign in etc. I spend as long doing the preliminary paperwork as I do the actual report, and operating from home, well we talk about that. As for VCC business, well the National Executive meeting didn’t happen as it was postponed as we were heading into the crisis and it is now not likely to happen at all as the National AGM in Wanganui will be on us in August. As for the Wellington branch, the AGM was planned for June, and due to the lockdown and uncertainty as to whether this would be possible, this will not happen in June. But the good news is, with the restrictions slowly lifting and now at alert 2, and rumours that sizes of gatherings are being eased and possibly going to level 1, our secretary has come up with a proposed date of July 21 for the Wellington Branch Annual General Meeting. The date is proposed to allow time to provide for publishing the notice of AGM when we get confirmation that we can hold a meeting of more than 10 people. This date will be confirmed when possible or a new date proposed. Still only a proposal at this stage. Discussion is ongoing at time of publishing. Ed. In the meantime, you will all have time to consider who you would like on the committee. Nomination forms are available from Alistair. Until then, stay safe. Bill. ———————
Just filling up some gaps with an article that first appeared 24 years ago, in Metro magazine. Motoring Madness. I’m not perfect, nor do I have all the answers, but I do know one thing: the ignorance of some people on our roads is unbelievable. I’m a tertiary student and I ride a scooter, a cheap means of getting around. While attempting to survive a trip to a lecture in the pouring rain, I was passed by two cars who both crossed a double yellow line! The line is there because the road is over two small rises which prevent a view of oncoming traffic. Yet these morons made the decision to overtake! I’m slower than normal traffic and try to keep to the left as much as possible out of consideration. This is my choice, although it puts me at risk by cars coming out of side streets, or from opening doors etc. Just because I am small does not make me any less important. Cont. on page 13
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FROM THE CAPTAIN’S TABLE
Neale Ryder
Once again I have no events to tempt you with, or reports that made you wish you had come along after all. With the current restrictions on gatherings at 10 people, if we were to run something it would effectively be only 4 cars and 2 organisers at most! The restrictions will, I'm sure, be eased soon as long as everyone in the country treats these temporary restrictions seriously, which I have no doubt we all do. Then we will be able to return to our Vintage Car Club activities, but it is quite likely that our calendar of events will look a bit different for a while. Meanwhile other things are slowly moving along. The difficulties of the 20/60 fan belt have been overcome! By slowly cross referencing through some parts catalogues I have, starting with one from Motor Specialties printed in 1935, I eventually got to a belt of a suitable size that fitted and was available easily. It is now fitted and the radiator refitted with new hoses. Needless to say I have recorded the number of the belt and have a spare too. How are your projects coming along? Keep safe and well. Regards, Neale.
Not Neale's car, but the 20/60 on the right Is a still from the film, “The 39 Steps” The bottom one is of another 20/60, a limo, owned by a Japanese businessman. Ed.
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Reproduced from the August 1971 Wellington Newsletter ‘T’s are where you find them, Continued from last month.
By Brian Ward.
Ed.
My two most recent trips over to the Wairarapa, revealed half a ‘23 Roadster and ‘26 Tudor Sedan. I can't really say that it looked much like Ray Ivin’s Tudor! The gorse was 10 feet high and the car had been used for target practice on more than one occasion. Have you ever wondered if your journey was really necessary? This crossed my mind when I surveyed the scene of this last recovery. It had been raining for 3 hours and Peter Bruce and I were standing in a freezing cold river, wet through, trousers rolled up to our knees, dragging the rusty, battered remains of the Model T’s With this mountain of rust stored at home, I joined the panel-beating class at the Wellington Polytechnic. Using as a basis for a restoration, half a tourer and a rough Roadster, I set out ready to throw one together in next to no time. Anyone in the class will smile when I mention the name of Steve Roberts; either he is a sadist or we are masochists. I have made the rear half of the sub-frame, the panels, the floor, the seat and the cowl. All I am left with is half the sub-frame and four door posts. One wag commented that the only thing original about the car, was the driver!! Thanks to: Finding, lifting and carrying brigade, Peter Purcell and Bruce Judge, also to those worthy men of Model T knowledge, Ray Ivin and Hugh Webly.
Here’s a little joke sent in by Brian Christensen,
Ed.
Social distancing in Ireland has been achieved by banning deodorant and in Scotland they already had the bagpipes. Told you it was little!!
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More from Mercedes@classicstrider.com LOUWMAN MUSEUM During our 20 plus years of world-wide travels, the Classic Striders have visited at least sixty car museums. On 14 March – one day before returning to New Zealand - we explored the Louwman Museum in the Hague, the Netherlands, which we, without hesitation, declared the most outstanding car museum of all. The museum, displaying over 200 historic vehicles, car memorabilia, cartoons and posters, is the largest private car collection in the world that, since 1934, was put together by two Louwman generations. The power of the museum - winner of many international awards is in its rarity, exclusivity or quirkiness of the pieces, held in a marvellous, purpose-designed building. This Facebook post is particularly for car nutters who, whenever in the Netherlands should forget about visiting the windmills, the canals, the flowers, Amsterdam’s red-light district or hash café’s: they should head straight for the Louwman Museum. Those car nutters also should spend time reading the captions of the attached pictures we spent much time on taking for you. Fred and Elizabeth Smits. Photos courtesy of the Smits. Ed.
True-to-life reproduction of a 1930’s street. 7
Cont. pages 8 and 9 Ed.
The Dutch Spyker company built this very special 60HP race car in 1903.
Display of 1920-30s Alfa Romeo race cars
8
Electric cars are not really a modern concept as this is a 1908 Baker Electric Roadster.
Outstanding Hook-and-Ladder, 1922 American Lafrance fire engine fitted with separate front and rear steering to allow the negotiation of narrow city streets
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Museum of (mainly) American tool makers Many of us when working on our Hudson’s probably use hand tools that have a bit of age to them. If you've ever wondered about the history of your particular Craftsman, Hinsdale, New Britain, etc., ratchet set, open end wrenches or needle nose pliers then you'll definitely want to check out the website, Alloy Artefacts. http://alloy-artifacts.org/index.html This is a fascinating, on-going study of mostly American hand tool manufacturers. The site is loaded with histories of hand tool companies, many now long gone or merged into present day tool firms. There are plenty of detailed photos of all sorts of hand tools to view that help provide when and where a certain tool or set of tools was forged. Information from old tool catalogues; patent numbers and Tool Company logos are often used for the detective work performed by this website. I find the section on Sears Craftsman (and the economy Sears brand, Dunlap) particularly interesting as many of us have these tools. Sears really never made it known as to who manufactured their impressive line-up of hand tools, but Alloy Artefacts uses research that shows who was a major beneficiary for manufacturing Craftsman tools for Sears especially after WWII. So, if you've ever wondered about the Plomb, Proto, Challenger, Fleet, and Penens relationship or why Indestro, Wizard and Montgomery Ward’s tools often look the same, you'll want to check out this vintage hand tool website.. This article was provided by David Young.
Ed.
________________ The ministry for bubbles was checking who people were going to have in their bubble. Paddy was first in line. The official said "there are two options, A. Your wife and kids or --Paddy interrupted the official, "give me B option PLEASE". "Ok" said the official, "next". Paddy interrupted again, "so who is going to be in my bubble and what is option B"? The official nonchalantly replied, "Your mother-in-law"!!
Another joke from Brian Christenson. Ed.
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Laughter is the best medicine! A worker went up to his employer, showed him his last wage packet and said: “This is two hundred dollars short,” “I know,” said the employer, “But last week I overpaid you two hundred dollars, and you didn’t say anything then.” “Well,“ said the worker, “I don’t mind the occasional mistake, but when it becomes a habit, I feel I have to draw it to your attention.” Milkman Jokes. Milk is needed for the baby. Father is unable to supply it. —————Please send me a form for cheap milk, for I have a baby 2 months old and did not know about it until a neighbour told me.
Roger and Diane White sent this one in. Pity we couldn't drive them in lock down. Ed.
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COMING EVENTS
There are now no coming events until further notice, due to the ongoing situation with the Covid 19 outbreak.
You will be kept informed of the situation in future newsletters. Ed
Help Wanted/Needed I am a new member without an eligible car at the moment and would like to help anyone. I have mechanical knowledge and also would like to navigate for somebody if required. Contact Andrew Hyder. 021 470 442 hyderfamily119@gmail.com
FOR SALE Mitsubishi Tredia: 1986.1600 cc 160600 km. Bronze original paint. Good runner, straight and tidy. Registered and Warranted. Some rust in lower doors. This is a good, pre 30 year old starter for a next generation enthusiast, In Hutt area. TX 0297705356: Gordon McIntosh.
2/4 12
Cont. from page 4 than other road users, but in being considerate I believe I encouraged these idiots: they saw the extra room and used it. Had I been a car, they would have had to cross all the way over the oncoming lane to pass, which I like to think even they wouldn’t be so stupid as to do. But they still crossed the double yellow by at least half their car width, leaving no doubt as to what would have happened if a car had approached. Not only is this practice scary but I wonder if they even realised what they were doing. It amazes me that people seem to have no understanding of some road rules: for example, giving way to the right. If you are about to enter an intersection and an approaching car would hit your right door, give way! Also, if your exit at an intersection is blocked, don’t enter it and if you happen to be behind that car, don’t honk your horn, he can’t go anywhere! People say I’m crazy to ride a scooter in Wellington’s traffic. Perhaps I’m hoping that the vast majority of road users, that need it, will receive an IQ upgrade. A theory concerning road rage is that the average Kiwi male has poor ability to express emotion and when in the security of a metal machine, becomes aggressive and dangerous. The police have more than enough to do without having to educate fools and I don’t want the responsibility, so is being considerate too much to ask. In case you’re under the illusion that all students are young and inexperienced, I’m 28 and have 5 classes of licences with no convictions. Does this sound familiar? 24 years on and still the same thing happens. You can’t cross a double yellow line unless directed to by the police. Not even to pass cyclists. Ed.
Message from the National President Sadly I advise that Mollie Anderson, Life Member of the VCC and wife of our founding President Andrew Anderson, passed away at her home on 30 April 2020 in her 91st year. Mollie was a founding influence of the Vintage Car Club and was, among other things, the editor of the first VCC newsletter, the "Guff Sheet". A memorial gathering will be held when Alert level guidelines permit; messages to Andrew Anderson, 428 Mound Road, RD2, Amberley, 7482. Although many of you would have seen this in one form or another, I know that a lot of us would have crossed paths with Mollie and Andrew at some time in our vintage lives and so felt it was appropriate to publish it here and on behalf of the Wellington Branch, send its condolences to Andrew, via this magazine. Ed. 13
Now postponed until January 16th to 21st 2022
14
From a past era.
Photos by Selwyn Warren
An early advertisement from Harley Davidson, for their Topper Scooter.
Stirling Moss throws a Ferrari Testa Rossa into a hairpin at Sebring, 1962.
15
Covid-19 update from the National President. Easing of restrictions around gatherings of people With the Government announcing that as from Friday 29 May, gatherings can be held with up to 100 people, Branches can now start to hold meetings and club nights and begin to organise branch events which fall below the 100 person threshold. However, when doing so, Branches must play it safe and maintain hygiene standards, safe distancing and meet existing contact tracing record keeping requirements. Branches should visit the covid19.govt.nz website to download signs, registers and rules as required. However to assist, the following is a link to download a template for a contact tracing register : https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/posters/L2-resources-for-businesses/ COVID-19-L2-Bus-Toolkit-Contact-Tracing-Register-A4-NON-retail.pdf As your Branch begins to ease back into meetings and events, please make your members aware that you are operating under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions and things are not ‘back to normal’. As our Prime Minister has said, “It is still up to each and every one of us to behave reasonably and look after each other”. The Government will again be reviewing this limit and it is very likely that the numbers for gatherings will be increased going forward as long as New Zealand keeps the virus at bay. The Management Committee has decided to go ahead and plan for the Executive Meeting and National AGM to be held in Wanganui on 14/15 August 2020. I acknowledge that there will be some unease amongst delegates and members about flying or travelling to this meeting or being in close proximity to a large group of people. There is also the cost of air flights to consider. We are therefore exploring the possibility of some delegates being able to attend the executive meeting by Zoom. We are further looking at live-streaming the AGM so that, if they wish, members can watch the AGM in their own home. There could also be the facility for questions to be emailed during the meeting for a response by the relevant management representative. The Management Committee has held its regular May meeting by Zoom and this worked extremely well and we intend to use this facility more often in the future. Although we had to cancel our National Day in August due to the uncertainty around Covid19, some Branches have signalled that they may hold an informal Daffodil Rally around that date to keep the momentum going. If your Branch is intending on doing so, I would appreciate it if you would let the North or South Island Club Captains know. Kind regards
Diane Quarrie
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Ian McCulloch has sent me a few old photos from an Estate. I have reproduced some of them here. Ed.
Not brilliant but the best I could do with what I had
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FOR SALE For sale: Tandem axle trailer, Overall length 5.47m, deck length 4m, deck width between wheel arches 1.92m. Tip deck and built in ramps. 4x4 braked hubs, LED lights. Heavy duty construction, and was built in 2011 to carry farm machinery. Is currently registered and warranted. Price is negotiable. Contact Robin Wainwright, 06 3798432. 3/4
HOW THE ARCHIVES WORK
Michael Curry
I have contacted Michael for part 2 of this article, but he needs to get into the archives at the club rooms, in order to do this, but he cannot because of the covid lock down. Sort of a catch 22 situation! Hopefully in the not too distant future, this will be addressed and at that stage, we might all be able to attend club nights. Ed.
New Members One new member this month Brian Austin of Naenae, who has a 1957 Austin A50. Welcome and we hope to see you when next we have a meeting.
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ADVERTISEMENTS ARE FREE AND WILL
BUY & SELL
BE REPEATED FOUR TIMES ADVERTISERS: PLEASE ADVISE EDITOR WHEN ADVERTISEMENT IS NO LONGER NEEDED.
1967 MGBGT Recent repaint. New front guards, sills, door skins, tail gate skin. New leather upholstery, new door cards, headlining, carpets etc. I have owned this car 26 years. Near new Michelin Tyres. Enquiries Shaun Leahy 0276004960 email :mcgreevyleahy@xtra.co.nz Shaun Leahy 70 Jellicoe St. Greytown 5712 Price $19,500.00 ono
Coming up next club night Postponed Phil Kidd’s trip to the USA 19
your one stop automotive shop We can offer almost any service required on a motor vehicle and all under one roof. We do complete engine rebuilding. We can service modern, vintage and classic cars, performance and muscle cars, hot rods, micro cars and most importantly, your car. Other services we offer:  Upholstery  Vintage Wooden Bodies Contact us at:
40 Ward Street
Upper Hutt Ph/Fax 04 528 2580
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METAL IMMERSIONS LTD FERRY DISCOUNTS FOR VCC MEMBERS
IMMERSION STRIPPING
For details refer to the noticeboard in the Clubrooms or contact the Branch Secretary
ABRASIVE BLASTING
POWDER COATING We are the company that offers you Total immersion stripping of Car bodies and panels WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS Contact: Warren Leslie Phone: (04) 232 6880 Fax: (04) 232 6882 11 Wall Place, Tawa Email: wleslie@ihug.co.nz
VERO INSURANCE If you arrange your car and household insurance through Vero, the Wellington Branch gets a commission. Last year it amounted to $2,300.00.
FREE QUOTATIONS 21
66 Killarney Rd
Apex Auto
Hamilton
Centre
0800 10 27 39
FOR HARD TO SOURCE CABLES, BRAKE PARTS OR HOSES Speedo cable, Handbrake cable, Accelerator cable, Choke cable Reline shoes, Cylinder repair Stainless Re sleeving, Booster overhaul Brake hoses, Braided hoses, Power steering hoses
Call the Specialists
Mention this ad and receive 10% discount BLUEBRIDGE COOK STRAIT FERRY Now to 30 June 2021 Bluebridge has notified us of the latest discounts for vehicles on their ferry between Wellington and Picton for Vintage Car Club members as follows: The VCC code is ANTIQUECAR. It excludes travel between 15 Dec. and 15 Jan. Plus Easter weekend. Discounted - 10% off all available fares. Ring 0800 844 844, www.bluebridge.co.nz for conditions. NOTE; Remember to get this discount, you must present your VCC membership card when you check in on the day of your trip. It is not enough to have quoted it when you booked and paid for the ticket. It may not be enough to have booked electronically unless you have a printed copy of your booking on the day. If not, you may have to pay again, then go for a refund for the original booking. These rules may apply to the Interislander also. BEWARE.
THE INTERISLANDER Code WH5465 The Interislander has sent an updated quote. There is not enough space to list it all, so we suggest if you are planning to book from now
to 15 December 2020,
ring the Interislander for quotes or click on Group Bookings at the foot of their home page www.interislander. 22
WELLINGTON BRANCH—CALENDAR OF EVENTS Club nights are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Clubrooms, Halford Place, Petone (eastern end of Jackson St) at 7:30pm. The Clubrooms are also open Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:00, and for Noggin & Natter Fridays from 7:00pm ($1 for biscuits, tea and coffee free) Motorcycle Meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of the month in the Butcher & Brewer, 175 Jackson Street, Petone, at 7:30pm. June 2020
July 2020
Sunday Run.
7th
Sunday Run.
5th
Committee Meeting
8th
Committee Meeting.
13th
Club night AGM
16tth
Club night.
21st
Colonial Cup Rally
21st
Remembrance Rally.
26th
Motorcycle Meeting
22nd
Motorcycle Meeting.
27th
Kapiti Mid Week/Mid yr. Xmas lunch
24th
Kapiti Mid Week Run.
29th
Supper Roster
Supper Roster. Paul Switzer and Alick Jenner.
Jenny and John Jackson.
Calendar is being kept up to date, just in case the
Covid levels are lifted in the meantime.
June 2020 Club Night
cancelled August 2020
September 2020
Sunday Run.
2nd
Sunday Run.
6th
Committee Meeting.
10th
Committee Meeting.
7th
Nat. AGM.
13th & 14th
Nat.Vintage Rally. Hawkes Bay. 10th to13th
Judging for Colonial Cup.
16th
Upper Hutt Festival.
12th
Club night.
18th
Club night.
15th
Daffodil Rally Cancelled.
Toms Tour.
19th & 20th
Motorcycle Meeting.
24th
Motorcycle Meeting.
28th
Kapiti Mid Week Run.
26th
Kapiti Mid Week Run.
30th
Supper Roster.
John and Alison Kinvig.
Supper Roster.
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Mike and John Pattison.
Out and about recently
Haven’t seen this one before. Thought it was my old one for a minute, but no. Ed.
I’ve been staying local and enjoying the sunny days on offer. Ed.
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