The Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch of
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Po Box 2168, Kopeopeo, Whakatane 3159 Email: easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
Driving our history - Vintage and Classic Vehicles
July 2022
Running Board
Bruce Seddon presenting the Lorolei Pollard Night Owl Trophy to
Mark & Karen Spackman winners of the Night Owl Run Club Night: Last Thursday of the Month (except December) at Whakatane Athletic Clubrooms, Short Street, Whakatane 7.00 pm Social get-together Branch Meeting starts at 7.30 pm Followed by Supper
Chairman’s Report: In the last Beaded Wheels I advertised for some parts for my Austin 1800, it was amazing the response that I got with people offering parts for free, others information and advice and others with parts they were willing to sell to me. Isn’t it a great Club Magazine with one ad bringing so many replies. Just goes to show the Vintage Car Club is still a great Club to belong to as there are Members out there with these hidden gems that you may be looking for to restore your car or just keep it on the road. I remember being at a Taupo Club Rally one year in the old Austin 12/4 and broke the gear lever off at floor level, obviously we couldn’t compete, I told the Club Captain what had happened and he said “see Bob over there” so I saw Bob. After the Rally Steve took Les Forward and I to Bob’s place and he had amongst other things (many other things) a complete gear box for the car, so you never know who has got these cars or parts hidden under a hedge or at the back of the shed. Anyway Steve, Les & Garry Bryson helped fit the top of the gear box to mine and we were under way again. Another thing about the camaraderie of the Vintage Car Club, we never see a Member broken down without stopping to help. Drive Safe ......Les Events Reports: Mid- week Run to Classic Flyers Museum Mt Maunganui 15th June We were to meet at Matata for a 10.30 start to go to the Classic Flyer’s at the Mount. Most of us were aware of an accident at Otamarakau, so were wondering what route we would have to take to get to our destination. We pretty much knew the cops wouldn’t allow us to go through the road closed cordon at the Matata Subway to go to Pikowai Road and Old Coach Road, so it was decided to cut through Manawahe Road and Matahi Road to Lake Rotoma (and not the official detour of Braemar Road). This is a nice country road just made for old cars, although there was some road works going on but no dust as the road was damp. From Lake Rotoma Harry and Gay lead us the rest of the way to the Te Ngae turnoff to Okere Falls then on to Paengaroa, through Te Puke and on to Classic Flyer’s at the Mount. It was a great drive as not only is the destination important so is the drive to it. Because we were a wee bit late arriving there because of our longer journey through the back roads we went straight into the Cafe for lunch, there was a good selection of food and good service. Then we went into the hangar (Museum) to view the displays. A great selection of aircraft both on the floor and suspended from the roof.
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It was amazing to me anyway to see how small the cockpits are on some of the planes, especially the Skyhawk and the Catalina. Once you got up front to the cockpit it was very cramped and pretty basic compared to today’s aircraft and to think that the guys that flew these things were only in their early 20’s doing the best to protect the freedoms we have today. A very interesting place to visit and the entry fee was pretty reasonable as well. Most of the cars departed for home and I am told they had to re-trace the way we had come. Steve and Lesley and Gail and I decided to go to Repco to get a couple of things which put us about an hour behind the rest (after doing a couple of circuits around the Mount looking for Repco) we were lucky enough to get to the accident spot at Otamarakau just as the road was opening, what a mess and unfortunately a young man had died as a result.
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A great day out, thanks Harry & Gay.
Les.
Night Owl Run 26th June On Sunday 26th June we had our Annual Night Owl Run plotted by Bruce and Lorraine Seddon. There were 9 cars competing for the Lorolei Pollard Night Owl Trophy. This Trophy was first competed for in year 2000 and has the names of each of the holders written on the base bottom, which is full so we do need to have it properly engraved before those names disappear through handling etc. The run started at about 5pm with instructions Bruce had given us, with a couple of tricky questions thrown in, like “keep an eye on petrol stations, there will be a question” and “name Bruce’s favourite garage” all in good fun. We drove almost the whole perimeter of town, counting the “speed bumps” to the Heads and back.
It was a great sunset from the Heads, where we saw “Alan Stock’s favourite place” (Coastguard) you guessed it, another question. Then back to the Athletic Clubrooms for a dinner of Pizza and Chips, followed by Ice-cream, fruit salad and jelly.
Once everyone was full of Pizza and dessert Bruce presented the Trophy and an Owl Ornament to the winners, Mark and Karen, a great effort by them. Many thanks to Bruce and Lorraine for arranging a great Night Owl Run. Les.
Night Owl Report June 2022 9 cars and 17 members attended our Night Owl rally which was set by Rally Rookies Bruce and Lorraine Seddon. Thank you both for a great drive and interesting instructions- the secret is out now, and I’m sure you will have more practice at rally plotting! Although we cannot attribute the absolutely stunning crimson sunset to you as well, think that has to go to a certain volcano. If you do not know our Night Owl is a short run for about an hour starting at 5.00pm- yes that does mean driving in that horrible twilight for a while, mainly around suburbia, then back to the clubrooms for a convivial pizza, chips and dessert meal with plenty of natter. This years run coincided with our first Matariki public holiday and as our normal venue was prebooked had to change the night from Saturday to Sunday. That seemed to work OK, perhaps worth keeping in mind for the future?? Somehow or other because I know we answered 2 questions incorrectly (who was Prime Minister when the Coronation took place?) our name was drawn out of the hat as the winner on the night and recipient of the Lorelei Pollard Trophy (a cute little owl of course). Many Thanks to all who helped plan, plot, do the dishes etc for the enjoyable evening. Karen and Mark Spackman Thanks to Karen & Mark for this report
Members at our June Events Steve & Joy Growden Noel & Lois Davies Barry Spry
Harry & Gay Sutcliffe Steve & Joy Growden Phil Leaming John Lamont & Eileen
Classic Car Breakfast - Sunday 5th Triumph 2.5 Phil Leaming Ford Falcon Station Wagon Les & Gail Costar Modern Bevan Westley
Ford Zephyr MK2 Ford Capri Chev Coupe
Mid-week Run - Wednesday 15th Wolseley 1300 Peter & Rosalie Donovan Cortina Steve & Lesley McCann Zephyr MK2 Les & Gail Costar Modern
Night Owl Run & Pizza chips & dessert meal - Sunday 26th Bruce & Lorraine Seddon – Run Plotters Chev Truck Harry & Gay Sutcliffe Modern Mark & Karen Spackman Steve & Joy Growden Triumph 2.5 Barry & Marianne Spry Barry & Tessa Keene Modern Les & Gail Costar Bevan Lange Valiant Noel & Lois Davies Trevor Marshall Mitsubishi Phil Leaming
Daimler Landrover Austin 1800
Renault Modern Austin 1800 Modern Zephyr MK2
Classic Car Breakfast at the Red Barn
Bonnets up - what’s under here
and here
Another Car – Another Story Rumination the other day brought on the realisation that each one of our vehicle purchases over the past 20 years has carried a story – each has been an event. And so it goes – it may surprise the ancient readers that we have experienced another event! One recent Sunday night Lorraine took herself off to bed earlyish to read which means fall asleep with a book on her face. So I was left to my own devices with the computer all to myself. After reading various online articles that Trade Me program popped up on the screen. It soon became clear that a certain seller I follow had another of his $1 reserve auctions running and tonight was the closing date. This seller offers Landrovers, Landcruisers and MGBs as his main attractions and the auctions are often entertaining. On this Sunday night though, action on his soon to close auction was slow and after a while I decided that if what appeared to be quite a reasonable vehicle was going to sell cheap I might as well make an offer. Should I check with the boss first? Nah, she was well asleep and the bidding would soon wake up and roar past my offer, so I hit auto bid and wandered off to find something else to get into trouble with. On returning an hour later – oops! Mine was top bid. Better wait till SHE woke up in her own time to break the news. That was next morning at 6am when I had the duty of gently telling her that somehow she now owned another vehicle (after assuring her last time that our purchases were at an end). The purchase of course was nowhere close – it sat in Havelock near Blenheim. Part of softening the acquisition was to package a South Island adventure with it. We would fly Rotorua to Wellington to Blenheim, meet the seller, check out Blenheim and drive home. Easy as! The first snag was Easter and School Holidays and finding Air NZ airfares that weren’t exorbitant. That pushed the excursion date out 2 ½ weeks and the seller wasn’t happy, but accepted the delay. Airfares booked. Let’s check the ferry options to see if we need a night or two accommodation before crossing the strait. On previous trips we just winged it and booked a day or two ahead. Whoa! The earliest space we could book was about 5 weeks out – that wouldn’t work. Now the seller was not happy so plan B got wheeled out and between him and us we booked a vehicle transport company to transfer the vehicle to Tauranga at his corporate rate. Tauranga? This company operates door-todoor and Pikowai is not on the list so we used a friend’s address in Tauranga. This works out cheaper than our planned jaunt to Havelock and back if you disregard the fact that we now hold Air NZ credits in lieu of the non-refundable fares booked. Shame about missing the adventure of the trip north. 10 days later Tauranga friend phones – the vehicle is on the way but the transport company needs another address as they deem his inaccessible. We sort that and Wayne collects the vehicle and reports that : the steering is a heavy as hell, the brakes don’t work unless they are attacked with all his strength, temp gauge doesn’t work (I knew that), and the vehicle runs as hot as a blast furnace. So in the interests of caution and to ensure Lorraine returns
home in the same vehicle we left home in, we travelled to Tauranga with the big trailer and carried the new purchase home. Shades of our January expedition to New Plymouth and back with the Dodge. On inspection at home we find : like any vehicle of its age it has no power steering assistance and wide radials do make steering a little heavy; no power brakes either apart from employing strong leg muscles; and the heater was jammed on – engine runs cool. Turns out Tauranga friend hasn’t driven anything without all the fruit for about 30 years and has forgotten what real life is all about. So what is Lorraine’s new pride and joy? Yes, she has claimed it. 1970 MGB GT in British Racing green. It starts and runs well, has the usual Lucas electrical gremlins in the lighting department which has made some night time running testing. All acceptable for a car bought on the spur of the moment with only the photos and short video provided on Trade Me. I’m pleased the rego is in Lorraine’s name though as it encourages speeds which may attract infringement costs. A check of the receipts folder included show the car has returned to EBOP as the owner before its short spell in the South Island had a Coastlands address. So someone may recognise their old MGB running around the area. Bruce Seddon
Thanks Bruce for your article in this month’s magazine Any photo’s or articles from Members for the Running Board would be much appreciated How about writing a small story or sending photo’s of a Club Run you attended There are always a couple of blank pages that need filling. Email to me at: gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
Mark and Karen’s Events Calendars
Our Club Calendar of Events July 2022 July Wednesday 13
Mid-week Run to Opotiki to view Harbour worksMeet Bunnings 10.00am
Sunday 24th
Club Run meet Matata 9.45am to Mt. Maunganui Numbers needed for BBQ lunch by the 21st. Contact Noel Davies 07 322 8845 / 027 2935225
Thursday 28th
Club Night
August Sunday 7th Tuesday 9th Sunday 21st Thursday 25th
Classic Car Breakfast- Red Barn Café from 8.00am Nobby’s Nosh meal at RSA Daffodil Day Run and Car Show-1.00 The Hub Club Night
September Wednesday 14 Fri 16-Sun 18 Thursday 29
Mid-Week Run TBA Paeroa Vintage Weekend – Contact Growden’s for info Club Night No Vintage/Classic vehicle- No worries come in your modern.
Other Club Events
July Sat 9 Sunday 10 August Saturday 27 October Saturday 1st Sunday 30
Mangakino Hop Rotorua Swapmeet Paradise Valley Sulphur City Rally -Rotorua Contact Karen for Entry Form Te Aroha Cruise-In Rotorua Lakefront Car Show
Our Mid Month Run’s for 2022 Harry and Gay have set the dates for the Mid Month Runs for 2022
July 13 Cafe August 17 Cancelled Sept 14 Cafe Oct 12 Cafe Nov 16 Picnic Dec Santa Parades dates to be announced Venue will be advised for each month via email as to the gathering location. Picnics runs, bring chairs etc, hot water, pick up takeaway food or make up your own. Some Cafe’s will be 2nd time round - Suggestions always welcome
FOR SALE 1929 Hudson Super-six sedan First restored 1980’s with refurbish in 2009 Not perfect but very presentable. Comfortable and reliable motoring. Reg and WoF. Open to offers. Phone Mark or Karen 07 315 8800 or 021 909 766 Or email karen2mark@xtra.co.nz
Also an Arc welder, N.Z.I.G. brand. Single Phase, 40 -140 amp includes Auto-darkening helmet. $100 Contact Mark or Karen as above
FOR SALE 4 Tyre changing levers for old cars One Brake Drum MKII Consul / Zephyr Phone John Lamont 07 322 8566
Please support our East Coast Rally Sponsors
REPCO Commerce Street Autos
Nicholson Autos Whakatane Printers
THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch Postal Address: PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo, Whakatane 3159 Branch Officers: 2022/2023 Honorary Branch Member: Lorolei Pollard Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Club Captain: Committee:
Les Costar Bevan Lange Karen Spackman Joy Growden (position still vacant) Steve Growden Lorraine Stock Alan Stock Mark Spackman Harry Sutcliffe John Burton Trevor Marshall James McCarthy
07 323 6406 027 460 3466 07 315 8800 07 304 9777
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz bevanlange@gmail.com karenspackman55@gmail.com growden@xtra.co.nz
07 304 9777 07 307 1965 07 307 1965 07 315 8800 07 323 6898 021 02501138 07 308 7957 027 365 4595
growden@xtra.co.nz alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com karen2mark@xtra.co.nz thesuttys@xtra.co.nz wairakael@hotmail.com mrjamesfrancismccarthy@gmail.com
Running Board: Gail Costar Beaded Wheels Reporter: Bruce Seddon Almoner: Lorolei Pollard Name Badge Sales: Peter Donovan
07 323 6406
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
07 322 2137 07 307 0373 07 312 5848
bruce.seddon@xtra.co.nz
VIC Collators:
07 323 6406 07 315 8800
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz karen2mark@xtra.co.nz
Les Costar Mark Spackman
donovanz@xtra.co.nz
Parts Shed Supervisors: Phil Leaming Steve Growden John Burton
07 304 8415 phil.leaming@xtra.co.nz 07 304 9777 growden@xtra.co.nz 021 02501138 wairakael@hotmail.com
Raffles: Supper Supervisor: Community Liaison: Archivist: Email Notices/Events:
07 307 1965 07 323 6406 027 703 4539 07 323 6406
alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz lytlehall.hall@gmail.com les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
07 315 8800
karenspackman55@gmail.com
Lorraine Stock Gail Costar Lytle Hall Gail Costar Mark & Karen Spackman
Saleable Items: Barry Spry 07 312 4737 basa.mi@xtra.co.nz EBOP Cloth Jacket Badges $7.50 EBOP Cloth Jacket Patches $10.00 EBOP Car Window Stickers $1.00 EBOP Car Bumper Badges $20.00 EBOP Lapel Badges $6.00 EBOP VCC Windscreen Stickers $2.00 EBOP Cloth Caps $15.00 Rally Number Holders s/s $15.00 NZVCC Winged Lapel Badges $7.50 VCC Cloth Winged Badges $13.00 (these will be available at Club Nights) EBOP Name Badges $15.00 (to be ordered) Please wear your name badge to VCC functions. Club Night: Last Thursday of the month (except December) At: Whakatane Athletic Clubrooms, Short Street, Whakatane 7.00pm Social Get-together Branch Meeting starting at 7.30pm