“Dripfeed” NEWSLETTER OF THE BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF New Zealand (INC) VOLUME 44, No 6 july 2021. Editor: Michael Williams 10 Selwyn Parade Lyttelton Ph 328 8043, email mimiandmichael@yahoo.co.nz
Chairman: Secretary:
Club Officers: Craig Keenan 322 1006 Ron Hasell 942 1105
Branch Address: 27 Showgate Ave, ChCh 8042 E-mail: bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz Noggin & Natter: 2nd Thursday of the Month • Noggin 7.30 pm at the Papanui RSA. Upham Room – enter either from 55 Bellvue Ave or the first entrance on the left on Harewood Road (Papanui / Main North Road) • Thursday 8th of July • We look forward to seeing you there. Supper is provided.
From the Editor: Astute members might remember that in the June issue I mentioned that Garry Moore’s hotrod Chysler thing had broken down on Irishman because the GM bits had rejected the Ford bits. Garry wants you all to know that the GM bits are the wheels, which hold up the Ford diff, and in general , the GM bits are at the front, and the Ford bits at the back, with Chrysler bits in between. The actual problem was a Chinese bearing that collapsed, which has now been replaced by a Japanese bearing, thus making the car more of an International, rather like those sturdy trucks that were common here in the 1950s and 1960s. From the Will They Never Learn File comes the story of Giles Gill and his motoring maladies. Giles has a 1934 Morgan Family model, powered by a Matchless 1000cc twin, and after doing a lot of damage to the motor, making it more of a Matchless single, he decided to buy a more versatile car that could be used for Balcairn, Hadstock, etc. He was advised to buy an Austin 7 Special and duly did so. The Special looked the part, with the obligatory leather bonnet strap, racing mirror, boat tail body, twin SUs etc and all those other bits so beloved by A 7 Special builders. Giles and Rosie picked the car up and enjoyed about forty minutes happy motoring before it boiled, did in the head gasket etc.. Further investigation on a hoist revealed a plethora of problems involving dodgy chassis welds, dangerous brakes, fuel lines suspension etc, to mention but a few. The solution, according to the committee of experts that Giles consults regularly, is a new chassis, which involves pulling the car completely to pieces and starting all over again. A nice simple job. A replacement chassis has been found.
So at this stage, the Gill garage contained a dead Morgan three wheeler, and an even more dead Austin 7 Sports. Many people at this stage would possibly do some prioritising, and perhaps start some repair work. But Rosie who is made of sterner stuff, skilfully evading possible Social Services Intervention Teams, unilaterally bought another Austin 7. Yes, really. A dear little 1926 Chummy. Surprisingly, it needed a lot more work than was initially thought to get it roadworthy, but this was done, and the great moment of starting the new car arrived. It wouldn’t. At time of writing, it still won’t, in spite of tender ministrations from Giles. So, the Gill garage now contains, one dead Morgan and two dead Austins. So if you have an Austin 7 for sale with a leather bonnet strap....
Welcome to new members Chris Cunningham and Oliver Going, who have joined so they can take part in the Targa as navigators.
Gavin Bain has recently bought two significant cars, an 1899 Benz Velo, and a 1913 Panhard et Levassor. Both of these remarkable cars have considerable NZ history, and are at present at Auto Restorations, being made roadworthy.
The Benz is thought to be the second car in the South Island. It was a wedding present for Mrs Wycliffe-Goodwin and was sent to her and her husband, Mr E. Goodwin sometime in 1900 when they were leasing Rockwood Station near Glenroy, in Mid Canterbury. Petrol had to come from Sydney in four gallon tins. After a short ownership the car got stuck in the Selwyn River and the owner parted with it in disgust. It was sold through Oates Lowry & Co in 1901 to a Mrs H.J.Shaw. While in her ownership , the Benz took part in a race on Ferry Road with Mr Oates, also in a Benz, when speeds of up to 16mph were reached. Claims were made that this was the first motor car race in the colony! A few weeks later it was sold again through Oates & Lowry, this time to Mr J.S.Monck of Moncks Bay. Mr Monck owned the car for over forty years, although for some of those years it wasn’t on the road and was used as the basis for sawing firewood, using its belt drive for a power take off to a circular saw. Mr Monck’s son Charles restored the car back to roadworthy condition some time in the 1930s. In 1946 Mr H.P.D. van Asch from Hastings bought the car, and it remained with the van Asch family until Gavin bought it. The Panhard’s history is equally well documented, and comes with the original 1914 Certificate of Registration, and subsequent ownership papers. The car was first sold to Miss E.G. Gardner of Sumner, who later married a Mr Williams. She kept the car until 1933, when she traded it on a Model A at Ford Motors. The Panhard then had eight owners until 1947 when it was bought by Andrew Anderson, founding member of the VCC. He sold it to Derek Margetts, another early VCC stalwart in 1951, and in 1954 it was bought by Bill Turnbull. He drove in the car to meet Mrs Williams, and she was thrilled to see her old car again. Bill drove the car extensively until 1960 when he went to the UK to live and left the Panhard in the care of his twin brother Bob until 1995, when Bill came back to retrieve it. The car was finally shipped to the U.K. in 1997 and underwent a major restoration. Following Bill’s death, the car came up for auction at Bonhams in the U.K. and Gavin was the successful bidder. These are the basic historical facts of the two cars and once they are both in roadworthy condition, it is hoped that a more thorough article and possible road test can be done for both cars. It’s marvellous to have these two wonderful cars in our branch.
Future Events: The Balcairn Trial, Sunday 25th of July. It has indeed rained, so all is well for a nice sticky time. This is one of our most popular events and always attracts lots of spectators. The dreaded A7s seem to have a stranglehold on the Old Boot Trophy over the last few years, but maybe some new creation will appear to thwart this trend. And maybe the Mauger Bi –Motore might actually appear again. Surely Thomas can sneak it away when Phil isn’t looking. For those of you who don’t know, the Bi –Motore is actually an Austin 7 with two motors, one of which is a Coventry Climax from a fire engine pump. When asked why he built it, Phil tends to reply Why not, as there is no rational reason. To get there, from the Anglers Arms pub at Sefton, head up Pemberton Road, turn right at the T into Marshmans Road, go straight ahead at the shingle and turn left at the VCC sign in to Flemings Road. Please remember that we are very lucky to be allowed to play on the Fleming farm, so if you are a spectator, please drive sensibly and don’t drive your Merivale tractor into some mud and get stuck or we’ll send you home. This is a competitive event on private property, not a playground. Timetable: 8.30 Scrutineering 9.15 Drivers briefing 9.30 Battle commences.
VCC 75th AGM, 13th, 14th, 15th of August. Rydges Hotel Christchurch. There is a full programme of events planned and a special function to mark this milestone in our club history. If you’re interested, register online at www.vcc.org.nz or katryna.shaw@pacificrediology.com
Sunday 22nd of August. Gebbies Pass Hillclimb, if you’re interested Ron has the entry forms, so give him a call.
Awards Lunch, Sunday, 29th of August Once again this popular event will held be at the Tai Tapu Hotel. Meet at 12.30, with the meal at 1.00pm. Fifty year badges will be presented to George Henry and John Reynolds. A great chance to catch up with people in very pleasant surroundings. The cost is $35 person, and if you are going please let Ron know by the 21st of August. You can pay cash on the day, but preferably use the club bank a/c; 03 1355 0611198 00. Don’t forget to enter your name. You can pay cash on the day. Hopefully Peter Croft won’t bring a sockful of threepences and sixpences.
September 26th, Opening Run. National Veteran Rally, 29th – 31st October, Cromwell. Contact rally director John Martin at martin_jw@xtra.co.nz 021 1091309 for details.
Monte Carlo Rallye, 12th – 14th of November. Interest is high, entries are steady including an Austin Maxi that is starting from Puponga. Rats are being smelt for a number of reasons. Are there any Maxis left? Hopefully not. And if there was one
that hadn’t rusted to death, could it get to and from Puponga? Doubtful. And crucially, would a Banks Peninsula member dare to own one?
Past Events The Night Trial. Two real vintage cars came along, a Fiat 510 and a Graham Paige, so all is not lost A good spread of nationalities too, with two from France, two from Italy, and quite a few from dear old Blighty..Cars, that is. Vaughan Morrison’s Wall of Light did not eventuate, as the Model A was not going properly so he turned up with many many family members in a modern, as did Clifton Whall. The route meandered round the back of the airport and then into Upper Riccarton and or Avonhead, with cunning questions along the route. Not cunning enough, as it turned out, as most entrants got the lot. Up Dyers Pass to the Summit Road where some were followed by a Police Car, who quite understandably thought that a 1960s SWB Landrover might suddenly start doing burnouts. Even the trick questions, along the lines of disregard the previous instructions proved no barrier, so the organisers have realised that the only way to foil this sort of thing is to ask questions that can’t be answered by Google. We were too trusting. It won’t happen again. You will all get lost next year! No one got badly lost this year and everyone arrived safely at the Tai Tapu pub. After much deliberation, the Keenan family were declared winners, not just because they made no mistakes, but because the Jag completed the run with all lights working, as did the other British cars. Amazing. The Morrison Clan, all six of them, got a special award through sheer weight of numbers and total enthusiasm. They also came second triple. Many thanks to Michael Pidgeon for all the work he put into preparing the Night Trial .
Taken in the UK during Bill Turnbull’s ownership
Bill & Bob Turnbull in the Panhard at a 1950s Dean’s Bush veteran rally
Dealer’s plate
Two distinguished veterans