#0106
May 2021
PO Box 458, LEVIN 14 Tiro Tiro Road, LEVIN
Patron Chair Deputy Chair Secretary Treasurer Club Captains Branch Delegate Committee
Welfare Officer Custodian Grounds people Spares Team
Library Archives Spark Editor Spark Distribution VIC Team
Tom Hayes John White j.mwhite@xtra.co.nz Des St Clare desstclare@gmail.com Bill Laney and Denise Liddle horowhenua@vcc.org.nz Jackie Job jackiejob73@gmail.com Bruce Lawrie Verdon Heath Winton Cleal Derek Ransom Bob Barton Warren MacMillan Colin Brooks Winton Cleal Winton Cleal
06 367 9445 06 368 3299 027 4191412 027 4512408 027 4427306 06 368 2565 04 293 6803 (W) 04 293 4943 (H) 06 368 3824 04 293 3369 06 368 1011 06 367 8216 06 362 6156 04 298 5458 04 293 3369 04 293 3369 021 1784253 06 368 6891 06 368 5611 06 362 6156 06 364 7238
Andrew Judd Wayne Thrower Julia MacMillan Callum Farmer callumfarmer77@hotmail.com Rex Williams 06 367 0613 Mike Khull 06 363 5633 Bob Barton 06 367 8216 Jeff Fox 06 362 6013 Colin Brooks 04 298 5458 Robert Cammish 04 905 0772 Don McLaren 021 1172418 Pauline St Clare 027 4191412 Bruce Jamieson 027 6357336 brucejamieson48@hotmail.com 06 825 9102 Bob Barton 06 367 8216 Verdon Heath, Ivan Horn 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 members, another Chairman’s Chat to be written. I never realized until taking over the chairman’s slot from Des StClare just how much effort & time Des put into this role. We all owe Des a big thanks, & for my part, I am so grateful for Des being there to ask for advice. You are a great help Des, and I hope you can take it a bit easier now, tho’ I suspect you do not take kindly to slowing down your lifestyle. As I write this, it is Mothers Day Sunday, so I hope you all had a good familytype day, pressies from the kids, etc. I made Meryll a breakfast in bed: I call this “Husband Survival Lesson 101”. Heh heh! This also repays her for all the time I spend out in my workshop ignoring calls for domestics to be done! Our recent speaker was Chris Clarke, who I was told was going to talk about cranes, but gave us an interesting yarn about his life & motorsport interests. Many thanks for that, Chris, & as a club member, we hope to see more of you. The June meeting is of course our AGM & club officer/committee election, so we have no speaker for that night, but I believe a nice supper to follow! Our next speaker is Wayne Moore, who is fresh back in the country following extensive motor racing on the European circuit. Wayne will be with us for our July meeting, & we also have the Levin Car Club joining us for the night, so make them all welcome please, and it should be an excellent night! We had an excellent turnout for the working bee. I thought I may have scared you all off with threats of jobs, but no, a good turnout, all asking what task they could do for the club, and yes, we got a fair bit done. Our clubrooms smelled quite fresh at morning tea time. Another good club effort, thanks. Now, on the subject of working bees, these are very social events, and I would very much like our new chums to bring their cars so we can all inspect them, kick the tyres, etc! Our new member Brent James bought down his beautiful Mercedes SL coupe, our resident photographer Bob Barton did the photo job, & we will soon see this great car adorning our ‘brag wall’. So for all of you, not just the new guys, bring your cars on working bee mornings for a photo opp!
While on the works bit, I think we may have to look at some sort of maintenance plan to keep our club home in good shape, rather than waiting for something to leak or fail before we fix it. For example, I climbed up onto our roof last Saturday while fixing a leaky gutter, & found quite a bit of moss and algae growing up there. Now Derek Ransom sprayed this lot just last January, so we will have to re-do it next summer. This growth will eat through the paint/galv on roofing sheets eventually with expensive results. No big effort required, just keep an eye on things like you do on your own place and let someone know when you spot something amiss or even something that can be improved on. Talking about improvements, you may have noticed our smart new lectern, complete with our badge on front, courtesy of Mike Khull. Like everything Mike builds it looks great! Thanks Mike, & we can’t wait to see your Morris Minor woody restoration hit the road. I would also like to take this opportunity as we head towards our end of club year AGM to thank all the club workers, committee, and unsung heroes that keep our club running smoothly. Last Saturday, I happened across Wayne Thrower mowing our lawns. Unusual to see Wayne as he just gets on & does it, usually during the week, so we don’t see these helpers, but we sure would notice if the grass went to jungle! Thanks to everybody. A big thanks also to our lovely raffle lady, Linda Gill, who has volunteered to take on the yearly Daffodil/cancer event for me. I will do this one with Linda, to show her the ropes so to speak, but it is good to see members standing up for these things. We have two outings in May: the Murrayfields lunch get together on the 16th, and the Vintage Machinery Club’s lunch on the 23rd. Both are Sundays. Let Bruce Lawrie know if attending the 23rd, as they need numbers for catering by the 19th, please. See the club captain’s page. On housekeeping, we now have a fire blanket outside the kitchen. Also, our heart defibrilator is back from repair. They replaced the whole unit under warranty, so it is “zero timed“, meaning the 10 year warranty period starts again. That’s it from me, folks, see you at the AGM!
John White
Des St Clare
Roster for June 2021 Wayne Thrower, Murray Tinsley, Rodney & Sandra Tombleson, Barry Walker, Stewart & Rachel Walker. If you are unable to make it for either kitchen duties on Club Night 2nd June, or for the Working Bee on Saturday 12th June, 9 am till 12 noon, PLEASE let me know on 06 368-3299 or j.mwhite@xtra.co.nz NOTE: The Working Bee date is a week later because of Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
Speaker for June There 2021will not be a guest speaker because we will all be busy with the AGM.
New club members
Robin Strachan. Robin has a 1972 Reliant Scimitar with a 3 litre V6. He bought the car approx 3 years ago after it had been sitting for 14 years. It has a fiberglass body, so no rust, is 99 percent complete and is totally original. The car came to New Zealand in 1972 and has had 8 owners.
Tribute to Raymond John “Hec” Newton It is with sadness we record the passing of “Hec” on the 17th April at the age of 88. Hec and his wife Shirley joined our Branch in 1999. He served as our Secretary several times over the years, and as our Welfare Officer. He was on the Committee also for a number of years. Hec drove a 1939 Dodge sedan, and one of his greatest joys was driving it to Napier for the Art Deco Weekends. He and Shirley were part of a large group who stayed at “Mary Knoll” next to the Mission Estate Winery, and didn’t they have some fun! They travelled the length of New Zealand in that car, from the top of the North to the bottom of the South, including Steward Island, enjoying every minute of it! In the early years, Hec did a spot of singing with the Coasters in Paraparaumu and enjoyed the black and white makeup, the Al Jolson songs and he also managed to squeeze in ten years of Pantomimes. He always played the Bad Guy!!! Hec suffered a bad fall while at a Vintage Car rally in Wanganui a few years ago, which resulted in him having a hip replacement. This was not altogether successful, unfortunately. He decided he could not drive his car any more at this stage, and his son Alan is now the proud owner of the Dodge. In 2020 he broke his pelvis, which meant another spell in hospital, and finally into care. Our sympathy goes to Shirley and the family at this sad time. Hec led a full and interesting life, and will be remembered for his wit, and service to the Club over many years.
Brucie’s Burblings Time is flying by as it feels only a week ago that I put pen to paper. Some of our members took part in the Manawatu Branch rally on 1st May. We had a very enjoyable run to the eastern hills of the Wairarapa with a stop at Pongaroa for lunch, then off to the finish at Dannevirke and afternoon tea and prize giving. This event attracted over 30 vehicles, many of which were P60 and P80 class. With simple instructions and only questions to answer made this rally suitable for everyone including a small group from Wanganui. It presented a great opportunity to mix with other members from surrounding branches. The AGM is coming up on the 2nd of June. Please give serious consideration to standing for a position on the committee or even volunteer to run a rally some time in the future. The club captains will be more than happy to assist in the planning of any event. Coming events May 16 Sunday Run to Murrayfields for lunch. Meet at clubrooms @ 11.30, or if you live further north, go direct to arrive by 12.00. May 23 Sunday Visit to Vintage Machinery Club at Graeme Cottle’s farm on Heatherly East Road. They are hosting us for lunch, so need numbers by 19th. Phone me on 04 2936803 during the day. Club qualifying cars only. NO MODERNS. Cadge a ride if you haven’t got a club car. June 2 Wednesday AGM Seriously consider offering your services. June 27 Sunday Mid-Winter Dinner at the clubrooms. $30/head. Must know numbers by AGM. Pay club account: (REF) Mid-winter. (Particulars) your surname. July 18 Sunday Night Owl Rally..Same format as last year. Mid afternoon start (driving in daylight). Finish with a cuppa and prizegiving. Fairly simple instructions. Happy and safe motoring. Have that heater well cranked up.
This Library Report for the merry month of April isn’t much different from any other month. With dear Pauline’s resignation from the hallowed hall becoming official at the AGM there is an urgent need to fill her position. Pauline has indicated she will point the volunteer in the right direction, or directions, as can be sometimes be the case. Whether you need hard facts or just pretty pictures our grand collection can fulfil your deepest desires. Every club night and working bee morning sees the barred door swing ajar so make a point of dropping in. Don and Pauline
Singer Parts and Zundapp scooters
On Sunday the 11th of April, Callum, Mike, Rex, Robert and myself set off to David Smith's abode at Te Horo to collect some Singer car parts that he had donated to our club. It was a wet day (as per usual when Callum makes the arrangments to collect items, but thats another story). Callum said “Follow me, I know where it is”. The road was very narrow and David's drive was steep, twisty, and unsealed, making it awkward for Mike who was towing the trailer. We finally arrived at a house and garage halfway up the hillside and were told by Callum, “Sorry lads, wrong house.” Mike skillfully reversed his car and trailer and headed slowly back down the track. At the bottom was a sharp right turn back onto the narrow lane, which again Mike skillfully managed with forward and reverse moves to get both car and trailer round. We continued along the lane to the next narrow drive and set off to be greeted at the top by David and his pet Jack Russell. We were shown into a garage and loaded the parts into the trailer.
Once done, David asked if we would be interested in looking at his collection of Zundapp scooters. He has a beautiful collection, as the photos show, all rebuilt to a really high standard.
We all had a really good time at David's and thanked him for the parts, and for allowing us to view his remarkable collection. The weather did not dampen our spirits and we were all impressed at a scooter collection that we would not normally see. All the Singer parts were unloaded at the club and we had a cuppa and biscuits to finish. Thanks to Callum and the lads who attended in the rain to help collect the parts.
Bob Barton
Foundation member, Chairman and then…….
Congratulations to Alastair Jones, who has been presented with his 60 year membership badge for VCC of NZ. Alastair joined the VCC as a teenager in the Wairarapa, where he and I both attended Wairarapa College. We met up again when our Horowhenua Branch was formed. “AJ”, as he is known, was then the milkman in Otaki. Drafting our first constitution was done over a few beers at his home. He later chaired our branch and then relocated to Tauranga, where he and Gwen still reside. Double congratulations are in order as Alastair has also been made Patron of his branch. He has owned some exotic vehicles including Grant, Bentley and Railton and is organiser of the Highland fling rally 24-26th April. Alastair, on behalf of the members of Horowhenua Branch, please accept heartiest congratulations and very best wishes for the future. Tom Hayes
______________________________________ Kapiti Coast Mid-Week Run Report: April 2021
The run this month went to Salt & Wood Collective in Waikanae for lunch, followed by an optional visit to Nga Manu Sanctuary. There were thirty attendees for the lunch, which seemed to be well received. At around 1:30pm those who were going to Nga Manu departed, somewhere about half the number attending. The weather was fine but chilly for a wander, first to the nocturnal house and other enclosures before following the map along the tracks to the lookout tower and then along the bush walk in the swamp forest.
The Imponderabilities of a New Apprentice. Just before I was due to start my apprenticeship in the motor trade, my father warned me about some practical jokes that tradesmen played on new apprentices, the universal one being sent to get the left-handed hammer, screwdriver or spanner etc, common to most trades. Being forewarned, when asked to bring a left handed hammer, I asked the mechanic to describe one so I didn't bring back the wrong one? He couldn't! Other mates started different trades & mentioned their "impossibilities" to me also. Listed below are some of the other "impossibilities" apprentices had to find that I heard from them many years ago. BUILDING TRADE: A bevel edged chalk line for really accurate measurements. Checkerboard paint which comes out in black & white squares when applied. Pushing down hard on the brush produces bigger squares. Corner nails which are bent, left or right-handed, for nailing around corners. ELECTRICAL TRADE: Endless cabling. Pre-tested, short-circuited fuses to prove they really work. Wireless cabling. The wire inside normally clogs up the electricity flow. PLUMBING TRADE: Dry water, used for absorbing water & other liquids in pipes & drains. Right or left-hand pipe bends. When the apprentice returns, the pipe bend offered is turned around the opposite way & he is told he brought the wrong one. A high pressure vacuum gauge for measuring........? MOTOR TRADE:
A tin of high-powered exhaust gasses. Elastic shock absorber tape. A tin of compression powder to improve a car's compression. Bulb filament replacement kit.
These are just a few impossibilities that I've heard about, but doubtless there are many more..... from George McLean
Answer later in this issue of Spark
Kapiti Coast Mid-Week Run Report April 2021 The run this month went to Salt & Wood Collective in Waikanae for lunch, followed by an optional visit to Nga Manu Sanctuary. There were thirty attendees for the lunch, which seemed to be well received. At around 1:30pm those who were going to Nga Manu departed, somewhere about half the number attending. The weather was fine but chilly for a wander, first to the nocturnal house and other enclosures before following the map along the tracks to the lookout tower and then along the bush walk in the swamp forest.
BRICK
GOODMAN – OBITUARY
Branch member Rick Goodman died recently from a massive heart attack. He was 75 years of age. His funeral service at Our Lady of Kapiti Church in Paraparaumu was the biggest ever held at the Church. There were 1000 people present and a further 1400 people viewing on line. His casket was taken from the church on the back of the restored Ford Costcutter that was the first truck Goodmans purchased over 50 years ago when starting out in business. A convoy of Goodman vehicles followed Rick to the cemetery. Boarding at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, Rick did not achieve academic success and his father decided that at the age of 15 years Rick would be better off milking cows on their Pekapeka dairy farm. Rick was involved in many community organisations and was a generous benefactor. Rick was a good example of someone who did not achieve academic success at school, but later excelled in business. Goodmans is the largest employer in Waikanae. Rick had suffered from poor health in recent years, with first one leg being amputated and then the second, as well as losing the sight in one eye. Rick is survived by his wife Helen and children Stan, Lance, Vaughan and Marianne. Michael Gaffaney st
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Many thanks to Michael Gaffaney and his undated version of “Mr Punch Goes Motoring” Vol XI ‘Mr Punch Goes Motoring’ Volume XI.
REPORT ON VINTAGE CAR CLUB NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD AT WELLINGTON AIRPORT ON SATURDAY 20 MARCH 2021 Spare Parts The results of a survey sent out to all branches showed that there is no support for a national system of recording what spare parts are held. Branches are encouraged to have their own local system. Covid 19 Registrations – Spare Parts are required to keep a register of members entering the spare parts shed by using the Covid App or writing their names on a list. Duty of Care on Runs and in Clubrooms Branches must use the check list in the Branch Manual before events. It covers the Branch. The Committee people could be held liable under the new Act if something untoward happens. Branches must do their due diligence. The NZTA speaker did not turn up. He let them know 48 hours beforehand that he was not available. In future when a person transfers from a Branch to another Branch, there will be no transferring of branch funds. There have been 13 60-Year Badges awarded. Beaded Wheels Report Secretaries must check that the dates on the Events Pages are correct. Insurance The Branch Manual is being updated. A vehicle worth over $100,000 will not receive a discount for insurance from Vero. Vero will now ask you what you have been doing in your old cars, for example is it being used as a daily runner? If you are using it as a daily runner, you must inform Vero. VIC Cards Considering the number of cars that are owned by members, the 12,017 cards that have been issued is a very poor result. The next Federation of Motoring Clubs AGM is being held in Christchurch. International Festival of Motoring in Taranaki Entry forms are coming out soon and will be on the website that has been set up for the event. There will be a small number of entry forms sent to each Branch Secretary. There are special routes being provided for Veteran cars. Facebook Branches can enter their events onto the VCC Facebook page.
VCC National Day – 22 August The posters are being set up as A3. Branches need to reply with their information to go on the poster. For example, place, time, etc. and what the event is. Special Interest Groups A Notice of Motion was received for groups to join the VCC. They would need to be an incorporated society, eg. The Austin Register could join and that gives them access to all 35 Branches. It helps them because they are stagnating. They could not vote and people cannot be in both groups. The Executive were asked to send all Branches a letter of explanation. The next AGM is to be held in Christchurch and will be celebrating 75 Years of the VCC. It will be held at Rydges Hotel in Central Christchurch. On the Friday there will be a car rally and on the Saturday there is to be the AGM and a walking or bus tour/s around the city. Saturday night will be a celebration dinner. Updating our Image The Mission Statement for the VCC is “Driving our History”. A new design of a logo is in the draft stage and Branches are asked to comment and come up with suggestions to tweak it. It will be able to be used on letterheads, windscreen stickers etc. and will be personalised to each Branch. National Office has a new office computer system. Branch Secretaries will be given a code to access the system to download the information that pertains to their branch. Notices of Motion A Notice was received from Hawkes Bay Branch proposing that if a member dies and the spouse is already a joint member, then the spouse would pay a reduced subscription which would enable them to receive a Beaded Wheels and Branch magazine. This was turned down as being too complicated. A proposal has come in to cut the P80 class at 31st December 1999. From Winton Cleal
Here’s a joke that was printed in Spark many years ago. It’s worth another look.
April 2021 Back in the winter of 2019, I put together a run for all Horowhenua Branch Members over the Tararua Ranges to the Wairarapa Vintage Car Club rooms to look though their Spares. Plans are under way to do the same this June (date to be advised) so watch out for final details in the June Spark. Over the course of this last month spares has been busy with two jobs off site. The first was a visit to a club member with a fantastic collection of Zundapp Bella motor scooters. This would make an interesting place to visit for the Ted Green Motorcycle Rally. He gave the Spares Dept two trailer loads of excellent 1938 Singer Bantam parts.
The second was a member of the public in the Levin area. One of the many interesting items he gave spares was a Metal Cutting Band Saw. This item is for sale, so members who are interested need to talk to me quick.
Safe Travelling Everyone.
Callum
______________________________________ _________________
The first Jaguar E-Type in 1961
Answer to “What Am I?” 1970 Mazda 1800 Delux Car owned by Leon Dunstan, who most of our branch members will know as a good mechanic at Paddy Enright's garage “Fourwins” on Power street Levin. Paddy has now passed the reins over to Leon and Leon's son Matt (who is also a qualified mechanic). He is open to old and new customers and has told me he would keep the pleasant and first class service that his customers expect. Contact Leon or Matt on 06 368 6927 for W.O.F. Servicing and any other vehicle related needs for old or new vehicles.
From Bob Barton
Kapiti Coast Mid-Week Run Wednesday 26 May 2021 Roderick has organised a visit to Rowland Ward’s car collection situated in his premises at: Units 24 to 26, 55 Percy Cameron Street, Avalon, Lower Hutt. 11am: First though we will be going to the Silverspoon Restaurant, 7 Kiln Street, situated in Silverstream. The Mid Week Runners often prefer to meet to chat over morning tea or lunch and this restaurant provides the choice of tea, coffee, or a more substantial lunch menu. 1 – 1.30 pm: Rowland has increased his car collection considerably since we last visited his premises some years ago. We look forward to seeing his latest acquisitions and no doubt he’ll give us a run-down of each vehicle, its history and how he acquired each one. Directions: Most of us will be coming from either the Wellington region or from the Kapiti coast. Once you are on SH2 (Western Hutt Road) going north toward Silverstream, move into the right lane (Stokes Valley, Silverstream EXIT ONLY) to turn off onto Fergusson Drive at the traffic lights. Keep in the left lane to continue straight on Fergusson Drive. Move to the right lane to take the second exit at the next roundabout into Field St leading to Silverstream under the railway bridge. Take the first exit at the next roundabout into Kiln Street. Silverspoon Restaurant is number 7 on the right next door to PetVet. Be there by 11.00am for morning tea/coffee/lunch, after which we proceed to Rowland’s premises at 55 Percy Cameron Street, arriving approximately at 1.00 to 1.30pm. Directions to Rowland’s premises will be given out at lunch for those who require it.
Important: Please let Hal or Ann know that you’re coming by text, email or a call by Friday May 21st as catering numbers are needed by the restaurant. Hal 0274118162 Ann 0274731136 or 045651162 or annviscount@gmail.com
MID WINTER DINNER SUNDAY 27th JUNE 2021 At the Clubrooms, Meet and Greet at 12 noon for approx 1pm seated. Cost $30 per person, pay by internet banking, or on Club Night to the Treasurer Jackie Job. Banking Details A/C NO. 03 0667 0269227 00. Please notify Jackie as soon as possible if you would like to attend, we need to know numbers attending by the 5th of June, for the caterers. BOB
Library Merchandise
HVCC Dashboard Stickers Iron on fabric badges HVCC blue and white caps Name Badges (fill out form)
-$ 4 -$ 3 - $10 - $12
______________________________________ The 2020 National North Island Easter Rally, that never was! Entrants that paid for their rally plaque received an unusually collectable plaque for a rally that was cancelled and would never be run again. There are a small number of these collectable quality made plaques with 11 coloured enamels still available for purchase. $30.00 each. Please contact Jackie (Horowhenua Treasurer) at jackiejob73@gmail.com or on 06 3682565 and 027 2011806
Waikato Vintage Car club Annual Double 50 being held 5-6th June 2021,
Please save the date Queens Birthday
weekend, we will look forward to seeing your cars arrive. Entry forms will be available on the web page, if anyone would like me to email an entry please let me know. Heather Secretary Email waikatovcc@org.nz Mobile 021 684 938 to text or ring.
Club Run and Lunch.
I have organized a small club outing on May 16. I thought of billing it as a late Mothers Day lunch to reward all our good ladies for all the work done over swap meet, and for putting up with us blokes tinkering with our cars instead of doing chores. Assemble at clubrooms at 11.30 am, drive in convoy straight to Murrayfields Cafe for a park-up. People from Foxton and other places north can meet at cafe. Sit down at noon, order & pay individually at counter. John White
CALENDAR of COMING EVENTS
May May June June June June June July August
16 23 2 5-6 6 20 27
1314 August 22 November 13 January 16th to 2022 21st
HVCC Run to Murrayfields Cafe. Vintage Machinery Club luncheon. HVCC Annual General Meeting. Waikato Double 50 Rally. See notice in this issue. Wanganui Rally. See notice in this issue. HVCC run to Wairarapa Club. HVCC Mid-winter Dinner. Night Owl Rally. Info to come. VCC National AGM in Christchurch.
Daffodil Rally for Cancer. Monte Carlo Rally. Banks Peninsula Branch. Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring. These are the new confirmed dates. The organising committee recommend booking accommodation now. Any enquiries to: Bruce Lawrie Phone 027 4762489
ISSN
the print bureau 06 367 9330