#0084
May 2019
PO Box 458, LEVIN 14 Tiro Tiro Road, LEVIN
Patron
Tom Hayes
06 367 9445
Chair
Des St Clare desstclare@gmail.com
0274 191412
Deputy Chair
Pete Collins
06 368 8656
Secretary
Winton Cleal
04 293 3369
Treasurer
Jackie Job
06 368 2565
Club Captain (Joint)
Rex Williams Pete Collins
06 367 0613 06 368 8656
Branch Delegate
Michael Gaffaney
04 905 2402
Committee
Derek Ransom Bob Barton Warren MacMillan John White Colin Brooks
06 368 1011 06 367 8216 06 362 6156 06 368 3299 04 298 5458
Custodian Groundspeople
Andrew Judd Wayne Thrower Julia MacMillan
06 368 6891 06 368 5611 06 362 6156
Spares Team
Callum Farmer callumfarmer77@hotmail.com Rex Williams Mike Khull Bob Barton Jeff Fox Colin Brooks Robert Cammish
06 364 7238
Library Archives
Don McLaren Pauline St Clare
021 1172418 0274 191412
Spark Editor
Mark Gibson gibbos2@outlook.com Bob Barton
04 971 2858
Spark Distribution VIC Team
06 367 0613 06 363 5633 06 367 8216 06 362 6013 04 298 5458 04 905 0772
06 367 8216
Verdon Heath, Ivan Horn, Jeff Fox, Mark Morgan and Mike Khull Meeting Branch Night - 1st Wednesday of the month at 7 30 pm Committee Meeting - Last Wednesday of the month at 7 30 pm Working Bee - Saturday following Branch Night at 9 00 am Spare Parts - Open Saturday following Branch Night Club Bank Account No - 03 0667 0269227 00
Well, here we are already half-way through the year! Time goes by so fast when you are busy, which I don’t mind as I enjoy it. Some of my neighbours and friends tell me how bored they are, so I tell them to come and join our Club and we will keep you busy. At the end of April I took a lovely young couple to their School Ball. The weather wasn’t the best, especially in the Morris with its’ very poor lights and miniature windscreen wiper, however they were overjoyed to be taken in an old car and to be let out under the lights on the red carpet. I enjoyed taking them and find that doing small things like that is very rewarding. The next day we enjoyed a run organised by Bruce Lawrie. I think there were 11 cars in total; some were members of the Free Mason’s Lodge. This was a well organised event with not only a great run but also a lovely afternoon tea and a descriptive tour of the lodge, with a broad outline of what they do and how it operates. So, many thanks to Bruce for organising an excellent run, which was won by Verdon Heath. Our April Club Night was hugely successful, with about 70 members attending. Bruce Hutton’s presentation of his collection of postcards was excellent and very enlightening. He presented it so well that apart from him talking there wasn’t a sound in the room! Many thanks to Bruce and also Mark Gibson, who made the arrangements for Bruce to attend, and to Andrew Heffey for making sure the computer was all working for the presentation. I would like to welcome the new members to the Club, Sandra and Rob Tombleton, and Glenn Peach. Our next Club Meeting on 5th June is our AGM, and I am proud to have completed my first year as Chairman. At times it has been a bit stressful, but on the other hand I look at how well the Club is going and expanding. Could you all please put your thinking caps on about maybe filling a position on the Committee, helping run the Swap Meet, or the 2020 Easter Rally? Or perhaps can you suggest or even nominate someone else. Our main vacant position is for Club Captain(s). We are desperate to fill this gap. It is a lot of hard work but is probably one of the most gratifying positions in the Club. I am sure the retiring Club Captains will guide anyone interested in the position. Remember you don’t need to be a male to fill any position on the Committee. It would be nice to have more feminine input and perhaps husband and wife teams. How about giving it a go! Don’t forget 11th May is the RSA 100 Year Celebratory Parade. Cars are needed, so charge the battery and take the car for a run! The next day (Mother’s Day 12 th) is the Ladies Run. 16th June is the Mid-Winter Dinner at the Club Rooms. Always guaranteed to be an enjoyable day, so go online now and book your tickets. I hope to see you all at the AGM on the 5th June. Cheers!
Des St Clare
Roster for June 2019 Bob & Linda, John Beldham, John and Amber Bellamore, Cheryl Brooks. PLEASE, if you are unable to make it for either kitchen duties on club night, 5 June or the Working Bee on Saturday morning 8 June, 9.00 am till 12 noon let me know on 027 4191412 or desstclare@gmail.com
Speaker for June 2019 There is no Speaker this month as it is the AGM
Janet and I are away for five weeks on holiday. I’m not able to complete Spark for May and possibly June. Should you have any material, notices etc for Spark please send them to Cheryl Brooks on
colin.brooks@xtra.co.nz
Cheryl has kindly agreed to step in to assist and ensure you receive your copy of Spark. Thank you very much Cheryl. Ed
Hi all, Following the hugely successful Roycroft Trophy Races last weekend at Hampton Downs where we were joined on the grid by the Formula Juniors, we have the opportunity to have 1 last outing for the season. We have managed to arrange grids for VCC Cars at the Dennis Marwood Classic meeting being held at BMMP Taupo on the weekend on 27/28th April. There was some discussion at HD about preferring 1 day or 2 days and now I can confirm that we have been offered the 1 day option to run on SUNDAY 28th April. Other Classes racing at the meeting are: Historic Muscle Cars/Historic Saloon Cars, Historic Sports Sedans, Toorace Trofeo Series, Formula Libre/Sports cars, Improved Production cars, Super Karts, AES/Arrows, Escorts /Small Fords. However, in order to make this happen we really need a field of 20 cars, so please spread the word and also get your entries in. Entry now open online at www.motorsportentry.com FJ have also been invited so plenty of chances of good racing and mixed fields. Best regards Tim Tim Hill Series Co-ordinator tim@hrcevents.co.nz 021 614600
The Levin RSA has invited the Horowhenua Branch of the VCC to participate in their 100 Years celebratory Parade. This is to be held on Saturday 11 May commencing from the Levin Mall carpark. Assemble at 10 30 am. 10 to 15 cars are required please? Carpark is opposite New World.
Wrestle the old car off the old man and give this run a go‌. The run has been set by ladies, with the ladies in mind! Held in the Levin area. Everyone is encouraged to attend. BYO lunch, bring gold coins for entry to points of interest. Depart club rooms 9.45 am.
The mid Winter dinner is on again. Meet and greet at midday. Dinner served approximately 1 pm. Please pay at the time you register. Register by emailing Rex Williams rexandbrigid@gmail.com or speak to the Club Captains. Pay by cash or internet banking. A/c No 03 0667 0269227 00 quote your ‘Surname’ and event ‘MWinter’. Payment must be made before the dinner, no door sales for catering purposes! Cutoff date 11 June.
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Talk Electrical Ltd have installed exterior speakers on the Flour Mill. We now have a wonderful sound system for our events. With some labour assistance from our club the Manager of Talk Electrical has spent several hours doing the install. There has been NO CHARGE to the club with the exception of materials. A very generous gesture! Please remember Talk Electrical for your electrical requirements.
VCC Head Office Christchurch have forwarded the above to all branches as Bluebridge have updated their Ferry Package for VCC members.
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE HOROWHENUA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB NZ INC HELD AT 14 TIRO TIRO ROAD, LEVIN ON 1ST MAY 2019 AT 7.30 P.M. PRESENT: Chairman Des St Clare welcomed 65 members APOLOGIES. Murray Doreen. Bill Laney, Denise Liddle, Murray Tinsley, Derek Ransom, Chris Winiata, Pete Black, Roger Keyhorne, Peter Nightingale, Jeff Fox, Bruce Scott, Robert Cammish, VISITORS: Kevin Powell. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Taken as read and approved. Winton Cleal/Colin Geange. MATTERS ARISING: None. CORRESPONDENCE: Winton read out the correspondence. A letter was sent to the Hot Rod club stating we would like to take part in the show in September. A letter was received from Arohanui Hospice thanking us for the free use of our Club Rooms. TREASURER’S REPORT: Jackie read out her report. Jackie Job / Pete Collins CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT: Thanked all the helpers on the Ted Green rally. Also Bruce Lawrie and the Masons for the use of their rooms in Waikanae. 7 cars took part in the run that had straight line and tulip navigation. SATURDAY 11th MAY: RSA need 10 to 15 cars for parade. Meet at Mall car park opposite New World. Sunday the 12th May will be the Ladies run – 9. 45 am start at club rooms. Gold coin for morning tea. See Spark for more info. LIBRARY: Books need to be catalogued. Don McLaren advised that Hawke’s Bay have digitised their Library. SPARES: Very quiet. Morris 8 might be sold. GENERAL BUSINESS: Organisation of the North Island Easter rally is under way. Rally routes are being planned and meal venues are booked. SPEAKER. Bruce Hutton gave a very interesting talk about his collection of post cards. Meeting closed at 9.10 PM
On Sunday 28th we headed off to Waikanae for a run organised by Bruce LAWRIE. This was to be a competitive run, which included Tulip and straight line navigation. There were 7 cars from HVCC and 4 from the Free Masons. Bruce gave us a briefing which included reading the instructions very carefully, (which I failed to do!) However, we all set off on a lovely sunny Kapiti day. It was a challenging rally, with a half time break for those who needed it. I need to brush up on Tulip and straight line. Most people had a go at the whole rally. I have to thank Bruce for the time and effort he put in to the day. He has obviously done this before. Also I would like to thank the Free Masons who were there to show us around the Lodge and explain their history and present day running and community involvement. The overall winner was Verdon HEATH and friend Viv. The next event is participation in the RSA parade on Saturday the 11th of May, meeting in the Levin Mall car park at 10 30am. Parade starts at 11am. 10 /15 cars of a range of years are required. On Sunday the 12th of May is the Ladies run. Depart from the club rooms at 9.45am. Bring a gold coin for morning tea. BYO lunch at the club rooms after. Don’t forget the Midwinter dinner on the 16th of June at $30 a head. Midday at the Club Rooms for meet and greet. Internet banking is available. The club’s Bank account number is in Spark. Quote your surname and event ‘MWINTER” That’s all until the Night Owl run, July 14th. 7 pm at the Club Rooms. A” Pot Luck” supper will be held after the run. Please bring a plate.
Rex & Pete
Article by Graeme McKenzie Another beautiful Horowhenua day greeted 15 entrants in the Annual Ted Green Memorial Rally. A challenging route was presented to the riders on the day. One of the comments was “who knew there were such great roads in the Horowhenua?� Little did he know what an absolute disaster the day could have been, had the weather not co-operated. However we did have a contingency plan! The ride took us over the Buckley Road gravel which has been nicely topped up since the course was set! A total of 73.5 miles was covered and the total distance covered was a measure by which some of the points were awarded. It was amazing how close many were to the actual number considering a lot were using gauges made by Smiths!!! A superb barbeque was organised by the Club Captains, at the top of Heights Road and thanks go to the land owners who permitted us to traverse their land.
John Rapley
Don MacDonald
It was a relief to have the Hard Luck Trophy awarded to Shorty Cole for a mere breakdown rather than a tumble! Derek Ransom
The vintage section was taken away by Don MacDonald on his Norton. There were no Veteran entrants again this year. Post Vintage went to John Viner on his Ariel, Post War to John Rapley on his Enfield and Post 1960 to Derek Ransom on his Nzeta scooter. Post 1980 went to Paul Switzer on
Paul Switzer
his Honda. The Guest Rider was Paul Robinson also on his Honda. The overall winner for the Ted Green Best Performance was John Rapley. Again there were no Matchless, or AJS entrants, so we were unable to award the Tony Wallace Memorial Trophy.
Paul Robinson
Thanks go to Rex and Peter for their organisation and to the numerous helpers from the branch who turned out. It was noted however that the date for this event needs reviewing again. As it was held later in the year last year it clashed with several other events, costing us potential entrants.
John Viner
A return to the March date is preferred by the vast majority of those attending, and probably by those who were not able to attend, because they had other commitments! There is also the increased risk of inclement weather later in the calendar. Lunch and Barbeque Time
Lunchtime Lineup
Ever since the changes to the Vintage Car Club age eligibility rules the motorcycle fellas within the branch have had active participants in the Post 1980 class. A growing number of later model, yet eligible motorcycles have been participating in our events. The recently run Ted Green Memorial Motorcycle Rally showed this to be true once again. There are some very nice and excellently presented bikes coming out of hiding and being used as they ought to be. Sadly there has been no acknowledgement or recognition of these bikes in the form of a trophy to be presented at the Ted Green. The Horowhenua Branch has not had a suitable trophy and to be fair, thought towards obtaining one had not been given. While attending this year’s Ted Green event the guys on the rally began talking about the lack thereof. As these things do the conversation became more constructive and support was born to obtain a suitable trophy and fairly acknowledge a rider and their steed in the Post ’80 Class. The members and visitors in attendance unanimously agreed that something should be done. The discussions and support for the idea culminated in the
Susan Staples
eventual donation of a model motorcycle suitable to be fashioned into a presentable trophy. This is very creatively made from wheel bearings, nuts, bolts, rivets, washers and stainless rod. It is a superbly crafted object and is very worthy of a trophy. Graeme McKenzie has taken this and mounted it on a beautiful piece of timber and affixed the trophy’s name. Of course the name of this trophy was a large part of the discussion had regarding its inception. The collective of motorcycle riders all participated in naming it. Unanimously it was agreed that it was fitting that our recently passed motorcycle enthusiast ought to give his name to it. The Club Captains were consulted who in turn agreed and gave their blessing. All have agreed to name the trophy the ‘Keith Staples Memorial Trophy’. It will be presented to the bike and rider for ‘The Best Performing Post 1980 Motorcycle’ on the Ted Green Memorial Motorcycle Rally. The criteria for this will likely change annually, as set by the Rally Organiser. The news of this decision was taken to Susan Staples, Keith’s wife by the Club Captains for her approval. Aaron Staples, Keith’s son a professional photographer then enthusiastically obtained the shot printed here in Spark of Susan proudly holding the trophy. The Horowhenua Branch thanks Susan for the ‘Keith Staples Memorial Trophy.’
Right: Carl Lutz driving his 1917 Fordson Tractor.
Left: Phil and Judy Brunskill in Bruce Hutton’s 1929 Austin 6.
An unknown club run over the Otaki Gorge Bridge. The bridge was open to traffic and all members drove over. It was later closed to vehicles. Date unknown.
Photos: Courtesy Mark Gibson
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Answer later in this issue of Spark
When insuring your valuable items (property, car etc) with Vero, quoting this number results in a commission being made to the Horowhenua Branch. Thank you for your support.
Number HO/300137
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand invites you to attend the 2021 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring
Visit the website and register your interest www.historicmotoring.co.nz
With the Swap Meet and the last Working Bee out of the way, it’s time to relax! Especially seeing as the last 42 days up to the Working Bee were somewhat flat out! As per normal the Working Bee day was busy with two trailers loads plus a pallet of parts being sorted and stored away. These consisted of a trailer load of veteran Ford Model T parts from Paraparaumu, along with what was left over from the swap meet and also a pallet load of 1937 to 1939 Chevrolet parts. Easter weekend arrived and five members of spares, Des, Mike, Rex, Robert and me armed with a new battery came together to fine tune the Morris 8! This was so it could go for its WOF. Out came the starter motor and petrol pump for cleaning and by Easter Monday we had her running like a Singer sewing machine. At the time of writing we have serious interest in it from a member of Greymouth, more on this next month. Safe travelling everyone.
Callum ______________________________________ _________________ A 1930’s to 1940’s English or European Saloon car wanted to purchase. Maybe Austin or Morris or other manufacturers. Prefer a going concern that can be tidied up as it is driven. Prefer a registered car but WoF not necessary. Something that interior can be redone, cosmetic tidy up and minor bodywork is okay. Please contact Dave Pettinger on mes@slingshot.co.nz or phone 027 5876969.
Library Merchandise HVCC Dashboard Stickers Iron on fabric badges HVCC blue and white caps Name Badges (fill out form)
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$ 4 $ 3 $10 $12 For Sale on behalf. Body shell of 1936 Austin Seven Ruby. Very good condition cleaned and primed. Small amount of panel work to do. Has metal turret top. Some wood work. No dash or instruments. Sale includes door shells, spare wheel cover, windscreen assembly, wiper and full set of mudguards. Extra two front guards. New running board rubber left and right. $950.00 or near offer. Contact: Peter Nightingale 06 3687160 evenings.
FOR SALE 1936 Morris 8 Series 1 Fully restored and in excellent condition inside and out. Registration on hold. Paper work and original manual with car. Spares is open to sensible offers. Callum Farmer 021 155 3445 or 06 36 47 238 or email callumfarmer77@hotmail.com
Hupmobile 1925 E Model 8 cylinder Roadster Registered and Warrant of Fitness. Mechanically restored including full engine restoration. Cosmetics largely untouched. Owned since 2008 and previously shed stored since 1973. Only one known in New Zealand. Enquiries to Michael Gaffaney Ph 04 9052402 or michael@gaffaney.com Picture taken on opening of Kapiti Expressway 2017
Kapiti Coast Mid Week Run (last Wednesday of the month)
Wednesday 29 May 2019
Visit to Stackhouse Knives Shea Stackhouse specialises in creating handmade Damascus cutlery, sculpture and jewellery. His wife, Lena, is a noted bone carver. Shea's passion for steel work includes creating Damascus steel, also known as Pattern Welded Steel, developed as a way to push his materials and practice further. He also offers workshops, classes and private tutoring in Damascus steel, knife making and blacksmithing. Today we’re visiting his forge where he will demonstrate and talk about his work as well as showing many examples of their work. For more details about Shea and Lena, see https://www.stackhouseknives.co.nz/ 10.30 am Shea’s Forge Directions from SH2 Lower Hutt From north or south take the SH2 Maungaraki exit. From the north, take the first exit at the roundabout. From the south, take the third exit at the roundabout. Down the curved ramp and right at the roundabout. Continue on Hutt Rd, veering right into Railway Ave. Get into a right turning lane with care as you go over the river bridge then take the second exit from the roundabout into Woburn Rd which veers into Ludlam Cres. At the roundabout take the first exit into Whites Line East. Continue straight at the lights and the road veers into Wainui Rd (direction Wainuiomata) which will lead you over Wainuiomata Hill. (You’ll have an opportunity to use a stopping bay on the return to see a glorious view of the city.) At the roundabout, take the first left into Parkway and then first left into Waiu St. Shea is at unit 1, 11 Waiu St on the left. Lunch 1pm at the Petone Working Men’s Club Bistro We’ll leave Shea’s place at 12.30pm. Return by the same route until the roundabout just before the Railway Ave bridge. Get into the left lane at the roundabout to take the first exit and veer left down Victoria St to avoid the bridge. Continue 2km down Victoria St which becomes Cuba St. Turn right into Udy St and PWMC is on your right at no. 47. Please let Ann or Hal know if you’re coming by Saturday 25 May as the Club will need catering numbers. Hal 027 4118162 Ann 027 4731136 or 04 5651162 or ann@annandhal.com
CALENDAR of COMING EVENTS May
May
May June June July July August
11th
RSA 100 Years Celebratory Parade. Assemble 10 30am. Meet Levin Mall carpark. Commence Parade 11am. 10 to 15 cars required, old and newer. See item this issue. th 12 Mother’s Day Ladies Run. This run is for everyone. BYO lunch. Bring gold coins for entry to venues. Depart club rooms 9.45 am. It’ll be in the Levin city. th 29 Kapiti Coast Mid Week Run. th 5 Horowhenua AGM and Club Night. 16th Mid Winter Christmas Dinner. Midday meet and greet. Meal served approx 1 pm. See Notices this issue. rd 3 Horowhenua Club Night. th 14 Night Owl Rally. Pot luck supper. Please bring a plate. th 25 VCCNZ National Day 2019 - Daffodil Rally for the Cancer Society. Any enquiries to: Pete Collins Phone 06 368 8656
ANSWER
ISSN
the print bureau 06 367 9330