The Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch of
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand PO BOX 2168, Kopeopeo, Whakatane 3159
March 2019
RUNNING BOARD
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
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THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch Postal Address: PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo, Whakatane 3159 Branch Officers: 2018/2019 Honorary Branch Member
Lorolei Pollard
Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Club Captain
Les Costar Lytle Hall Karen Spackman Joy Growden Barry Keene
07 323 6406 07 308 4044 07 315 8800 07 304 9777 07 308 8204
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz emeny.hall@nettel.net.nz karen2mark@xtra.co.nz growden@xtra.co.nz bkeene201@gmail.com
Committee:
Steve Growden Lorraine Stock Alan Stock Peter Hadley Mark Spackman Keith Watson Margaret Watson Gail Costar
07 304 9777 07 308 7890 07 308 7890 07 312 9069 07 315 8800 07 312 9081 07 312 9081 07 323 6406
growden@xtra.co.nz alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
Editor
Margaret McKerras
07 307 0407
runningboard10@gmail.com
Beaded Wheels Reporter Almoner Name Badge Sales
Bruce Seddon Lorolei Pollard Peter Donovan
07 322 2137 07 307 0373 07 312 5848
bruce.seddon@xtra.co.nz
Parts Shed Supervisors:
Phil Leaming Steve Growden Keith Watson
07 304 8415 07 304 9777 07 312 9081
phil.leaming@xtra.co.nz growden@xtra.co.nz watsonkandm@gmail.com
Archivist VIC Collators:
07 323 6406 07 312 9081 07 323 6406
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz watsonkandm@gmail.com les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
Supper Supervisor Raffles
Gail Costar Keith Watson Les Costar Keith & Margaret Watson Margaret Watson Lorraine Stock
07 312 9081 07 312 9081 07 308 7890
watsonkandm@gmail.com watsonkandm@gmail.com alanlorraine.stock@gmail.com
Community Liaison:
Les Costar
07 323 6406
les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
Saleable Items:
karen2mark@xtra.co.nz watsonkandm@gmail.com watsonkandm@gmail.com les.gail.costar@slingshot.co.nz
donovanz@xtra.co.nz
Club Regalia For Sale: Contact: Keith and Margaret Watson (these will be available at Club Nights) 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 EBOP Name Badges $15.00 (to be ordered) Please wear your name badge to VCC functions.
Club Night: At:
Last Thursday of the month (except December) Whakatane Athletic Clubrooms, Short Street, Whakatane 7.00pm Social Get-together Branch Meeting starting at 7.30pm
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From your Chairman: Chairman’s Report It is now early March and Autumn is upon us, but it’s been a great hot summer and looks to continue into the month or so ahead. We have had great weather for the things we like to do, driving and showing our Vintage Vehicles. We have had a great variety of events over summer and of course the many rallies and events that other Branches have hosted, which quite a few of our Members have entered. The NI Club Captain’s “Last of the Summer Wine” tour is underway and I know some of our Club Members have entered, good on you guys, I hope you have an enjoyable week away. Six cars from our Branch entered the “Gisborne 3 Rivers Rally”, happily for Gisborne we did, otherwise it would have been a “Gisborne only Rally” which would have been a shame as a lot of effort was put into making it a great weekend of their usual goodwill and hospitality. Even our “East Coast Rally” was down a little on entries, although most of our regulars from other Branches entered and a good many of our own Branch Members entered, for which we are grateful. Which leads me on to the New Zealand Federation of Motoring Clubs “Wheel Torque” Newsletters. These have very interesting articles, this time on Electric Vehicles. The newsletters are worth reading as the Vintage Car Club has an interest on your behalf in the work that this organisation is doing to retain the use of our Historic Vehicles on New Zealand roads. The best way that we can repay the efforts of this organisation, is to use our Historic Vehicles as often as possible. Just google New Zealand Federation of Motoring Clubs and click on Wheel Torque. Sunday’s March Classic Car Breakfast was down a little in numbers because of the All Ford Day at the Mount. But our Members and friends had 7 cars there with Bruce and Lorraine showing their 1950 Singer Roadster for the first time. A reminder that our Branch AGM is coming up fast, so think about the role you would like to play in the running of your Branch. I as Chairman, have to stand down, as the Chairman can serve for 4 years and by our Branch Constitution, vacate the Chair. Editor Margaret has indicated that she will not be available for the position this AGM. Parts Shed Working Bee We had a very good Working Bee at the Parts Shed today, we had 8 Members and Keith’s son, sorting parts and cleaning up the site of old roofing iron, pipes and odds and sods. Thanks to John Lamont and his truck, two loads went to the recyclers. And thanks to another Member who took some of the “ junk” home. I guess when his wife finds it, we will get it back, such is life.
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We all had a great day, thanks to all those that took part. Let’s crank those Historic Vehicle up and enjoy the last days of good motoring weather. Les On a sad note, Club Member Bruce Taylor passed away yesterday, Monday 4 th of March. Our condolences go to Maureen and her family. The picture on the front cover is of Bruce and Maureen at Bruce’s 25 year Service Award Presentation on Sunday 12th August 2018.
Bruce and Lorraine Seddon in their 1950 Singer at the Classic Car Breakfast Les
Club Captain Report East Coast Rally Steve and Joy had set a straight forward rally so they said with no timed or straight line sections. Easy to do you would have thought but there were questions and silent checks that needed a bit of concentration. The silent checks were in the instructions as being only on one part of the rally route which I think is a good idea. But the challenge was in finding them as some were very discreetly placed. The questions were mostly easy to see but we had to read them carefully to give the correct answer. The Lyceum Club as a venue worked well and the lunch and dinner were very good. 4
Three Rivers Rally The Gisborne Club certainly look after us well with a BBQ on the Friday evening with one of Tony Bartlett's quizzes. The Rally started from their Makaraka Clubrooms and finished with lunch at Frasertown which is a few miles north of Wairoa. The Rally Instructions were in booklet form and some of us took a few miles to fathom how to correctly read them but once that was sorted they were okay to follow. The weather was great and so were the roads interesting. There were six of our Club members there and the rest of the entrants were from the Gisborne Club. The dinner and prize giving was at the Gisborne RSA which was a good venue with good food. There was a first prize for each class and a first overall. Mark and Karen Spackman did very well and won the Post 60 Class and were also first overall. Our 1926 Willys Knight disgraced itself on the way to the dinner stopped in the middle of a Gladstone Rd roundabout and refused to start again. Tessa and a local chap gave me a push to get it off the roundabout and after tinkering for a while we rang Steve and Joy and asked for a tow. Steve and Les arrived soon after in the Cortina and towed us a few hundred metres back to our motel. The next morning, I found that a direct short had cooked the ammeter and stopped power to everything except the starter. So, I bypassed the ammeter and had things working again. We then went to the clubrooms for the farewell cup of tea and as we drove, another separate problem occurred. A burning smell and smoke poured out from under the bonnet. We immediately stopped and leapt out to investigate and were also instantly joined by several club members. Luckily there was no fire, but a redundant hot wire had finally worn through by rubbing on the front engine mounting creating the smoke. The wire was hard to find as it was hidden under the valance, but Mark Spackman was feeling round to find the source of the smoke when he gave a yell and removed his hand rapidly. He had kindly found the offending wire but now had a burnt finger. Gisborne member Gavin Barlett is an Auto Electrician and with his advice the car was made safe again at least get us home which happened with no further electrical problems. But just before we got home while going around left hand corners, I thought I may have a puncture in one of the back tyres. I tried turning the steering wheel back and forth on straight bits of road and things felt okay so we carried on. But on the last three corners before home we also now had a clunking sound. We got home and looked to see what the problem could be. We then discovered that there was only one wheel nut holding the rear left wheel on and the welded bit on the rim that that nut and bolt went through was broken. I last checked the wheel nuts four months ago but in future I will be checking them more frequently. We have never had so much drama in all our years of rallying and hope that it will not happen again. Except for the ammeter the problems have now been sorted and the car is ready for its next rally.
March Club Run The Model Aero Club visit will now be on Sunday March 31st, weather permitting, at their airfield in Otakiri Soldiers Rd. We meet at the Riverslea car park off Rata Avenue in Edgecumbe at 10.00am.
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Bring your lunch and possibly a chair. After lunch we have a visit to Gary and Liz Bryson's maize drying plant largely computer controlled also trucks and tractors from 1923 to almost brand new. This promises to be a very interesting visit. Also the Parts Shed will be open after the visits. This will give an opportunity to see the new container and layout. If the weather does not suit for the planes to fly we will still do the visits.
Barry
From the Secretary Well we are really getting into the year now, I hope you are making the most of the lovely weather! February has been a promising month for the Club with 2 new membership applications into Head Office and with more to come! Hopefully this bucks the trend of a falling membership which is a concern nationally and to a lot of organisations and clubs other than this. Nothing too controversial in the correspondence at present, the Committee is still to have a meeting to discuss changes to the Constitution, and although I haven’t fully scrutinised the draft proposed document sent out by Head Office, after re-typing our existing Constitution I actually think the change could be for the better. Apart from attending the Gisborne Rally early in the month our Rally attendance has dropped away, however with a new battery and a new WOF for the Marlin maybe we’ll find time to get out again. In the mean-time I’m sure we will hear stories from those who attended the Art Deco weekend in Napier, and did anyone travel to Americarna in the ‘Naki? Then of course we have Kaaren Smyllies North Island Club Captain Tour about to head off next week with a few of our members attending. Should be good, wouldn’t have minded doing that trip myself. Entries have closed for Taupo’s Country Roads weekend, but for those that are able to get ‘out of town’ Taranaki’s Maunga Moana is coming up in April, Entries available at Club night or contact me for an email copy. If anyone out there has ideas for visits, speakers or anything that may be of interest to our members please do not hesitate to contact any of the Club Executive, all ideas considered! Speaking of Executive, something that wasn’t tabled at our meeting but which is rapidly approaching is the A.G.M. and the need to consider if you are able to take an active role in running the Branch. Lastly my apologies to the person whose chocolate biscuits I ‘nicked’ after Club night supper! Should have checked with hubby first!! Happy Motoring
Karen
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From the Editor’s Desk We have finally now moved back to Whakatane and as I am writing this, we are waiting for the bulk of our furniture to arrive out of storage. The last 3 months has been interesting, at first, we treated it like a holiday, however the constant running backwards and forwards from Opotiki and Whakatane, began to lose its shine during February. By the end of the month, we were over it, so it was lovely to be back here last Friday. Well that is all from me for now. Too many boxes to unpack and sort where everything will go. In the meantime, happy and safe motoring. Margaret
A TALE OF TWO WEEKENDS The worst of times- the best of times In brief and a slight exaggeration in the heading! (Maybe not so brief) Our experience on the East Coast Rally started out well, decided to give the 29 Hudson an airing instead of the Marlin which had been entered. Had a good perambulation from Opotiki to Whakatane, took on board two passengers, 2 very new members with not a lot of rallying experience, and prepared to let battle commence! Through some 'round-a-bouts' over a hill and on the hunt for names belonging to royalty, all going to plan until a lurch and slap slap slap. Oh No a flat tyre!! Managed to pull over onto the grass berm outside the Ohope fire station. Mark had had the foresight to freshen up the air in the spare that morning (Which did make it a snug fit for Brian & I to remove, until Mark came around and showed us up). Continuing the run of bad luck, the valve stem had become misshapen and in the process of fitting the spare to the rim the essential fresh air escaped! Bother, damn & so on! Called Tail end Charlie and Bruce and his white steed galloped to the rescue------ Sadly nowhere in Whakatane on a Saturday morning was willing or available to repair a tube for us. (There was a rather large screw protruding into the tyre). Second rescuer arrived in the form of Steve to pick up new member Brian and return him to his modern at the start point. After collecting our lunches and joining the ladies patiently waiting with the crippled Hudson, we picnicked under a tree by the Fire Station, after which our ever-obliging passengers took us home to Opotiki. (Luckily they live there too) where the offending tyre was repaired at home. A short rest was now the order of the day before returning to the crippled chariot which was soon on all '4s' again. We all enjoyed a very nice meal that evening having seen the shortest amount of 7
a rally route since joining up in 1980! Many Thanks to Brian & Jeanette Milner and Bruce Seddon for helping us out. One week later and we are in Gisborne on Friday night, Now the Gisborne Branch has a fear of people going away hungry and go over and beyond in their efforts to ensure this does not happen! It is a shame more outside Branches don't attend as it falls upon the Eastern BOP visitors to try to do justice to the spread. A good turnout of Model A's attended and a EBOP contingent of Costar's (MG) Growden's (Cortina) Keene's(Willy's Knight), Hadley's ( Model A) Sutcliffe's(Wolseley) and Spackman's (Rambler) were the only outside members attending. Handed our route directions as we are about to go out the gate I think 'Oh Crumbs' or something to that effect and say to Mark this is going to be a Nightmare. Lots and lots of questions and a different format for our directions. Seemed like lots of pages to sort out. BUT, no silent checks or timed sections. Anyway off we trundle trying to understand what we were supposed to be doing, looking for answers as well as watching traffic. Through a 'round-a-bout and off the main road, that's better. Start seeing the odd entry coming back towards us, wonder what they are doing. Find a right turn minus its signpost, do we go down there??? Yes everything seems to work out and eventually answer a question or two, that helps. Back on the Main Rd heading to Hawkes Bay, uphill and down, good thing there isn't too much traffic but enough all the same. Mark comments about being on the S/H so much. Around the back streets of Nuhaka, apparently a lot of people missed seeing the Humber 80 parked up the number plate of which was one of our questions. Eventually we reach a right-hand turn onto a gravel road which is never-ending. (I asked Mark if it was far enough off the Main Rd) Actually it is quite interesting, good scenery, some corrugations of course but not too much dust. Finally arrive at Frasertown School for lunch, A good thing they were making burgers or sausages as we hadn't packed a picnic! A lot of conversations about the instructions and questions! Lovely big shade tree to sit under, all very pleasant. Finally time to move off again with a few gymkhana events to test us before leaving, tossing the newspaper, quoits, egg & spoon (car version) and opening the gate. We took the back road for the return to Gisborne and time for a quick walk and recovery, change and time for dinner at the RSA. We had enjoyed our day, and when to our surprise we were awarded 1st Post 60 followed by 1st Overall that topped off our weekend nicely. So our thanks to the Gisborne Branch for all their hard
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work and especially to the ladies for that massive farewell morning tea! We look forward to coming again!
Karen & Mark Spackman
A WORD OF APPRECIATION: East Coast Rally 2019. Not having been involved in the branch’s organizational activities for some time, I am able to reflect on the contribution of those who are involved. From my viewpoint, the rally was a great success in all respects. The organizers altered the classifications to suit the proportionate grouping of the entrants, the route covered the local area comprehensively, there was enough challenge for those with competitive inclinations and the sponsorship wide. The Lyceum Club and surroundings provided a pleasant lunch venue, and afternoon tea provided by members was a highlight. For the locals, there was one part of the route which was new territory, at least we had never driven on it before, and those strategically placed silent checks provided challenge. We never noticed those ‘birds’ in Waimana before and in Ohope the definitive differences between ‘streets’ and ‘places’’ all royally defined, had escaped our notice previously. The evening meal was excellent, and the presentations relaxed and informal. One aspect of the presentations that I appreciated was the return to naming the vehicle driven by each prizewinner; a boon to those with faltering memories! Altogether a happy and memorable occasion! So a hearty vote of thanks to the key organizers and all helpers for their considerable and thorough effort toward the eventual success of this occasion.
Peter Donovan
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For Sale VCC of NZ Winged Cloth Badges $13.00 each. Contact EBOPVCC on easterbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz or Keith Watson on watsonkandm@gmail.com
Out & About. The following photos were taken by Club Captain, Barry:
Three Rivers lunch stop Frazertown school
Mark and Karen Spackman's 1965 Rambler Marlin at Frazertown. They were first Overall for the Three Rivers rally
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Three Rivers at the start.
Peter and Robyn Hadley's 1930 Model A Roadster Pick up
East Coast Rally lunch stop at the Lyceum Club
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Following photos taken by Margaret Watson of the East Coast Rally:
Graeme and Raewyn Fenn from Bay of Plenty won the Post Vintage cup in their 1937 Graham Crusader Graeme and Raewyn Fenn were also the winners Overall from BOP
Phil and Margaret Leaming EBOP receiving the Post War trophy, they drove 1959 Zephyr
Wayne and Tracey Hayward, Waikato won the P60 in their 1977 XJ J6 Jaguare received Tom Needham trophey
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and Karen Spackman received the Ard Luck trophy, as they had a flat tyre in their 1928 Hudson.
Barry and Tessa Keene EBOP drove 1926 Willy’s Knight won the Tom Gibbon’s trophy-first local
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Calendar of Events March 2019 March Sunday 3rd Thursday 7th to Wednesday 13th Saturday 9th
Sunday 31st
Thursday 28th April Sunday 14th Saturday 6th Easter Weekend Thursday 25th Saturday 27th May Sunday 5th Sunday 19th
Classic Car Breakfast. At the Red Barn from 8.00am NI Club Captain Tour. This tour starts in Tauranga and has stops at the following places. Taupo, Napier, Waipukurau, Palmerston North and Wanganui where the tour finishes. Lake Taupo Rally. Based at their Clubrooms. Noggin and Natter Friday 6.00pm, Sat. 8.30am Rally, 6.00pm Dinner and Prize giving, Sunday 9.30am farewell morning tea at their clubrooms and the Parts Shed will be open. Club Monthly Run, Visit to the Model Aero Club site at Otakiri depending on the weather. Meet at the Edgecumbe Riverslea car park off Rata Avenue at 10.00am. Bring your lunch and possibly a chair. After lunch we have a maize factory raid to Gary and Liz Bryson's. The Parts Shed will be open after this. Club Night at the Athletic Club Rooms at 7.00pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm
Club Run Les has offered to arrange this run. He says it will involve a picnic lunch Waikato Mooloo Meander South Island National Easter Rally at Ashburton Club Night at the Athletic Club at 7.00pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm Taranaki Maunga Moana. If interested our secretary Karen can email you the entry form. Classic Car Breakfast. At the Red Barn from 8.00am Club Run
If you don't have a vintage on the road, come along to club runs in your modern
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