“Dripfeed” NEWSLETTER OF THE BANKS PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF New Zealand (INC) VOLUME 44, No 4 May 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 13th of May. A.G.M. • We look forward to seeing you there. Supper is provided.
From the Editor: Another slim edition this month, with nothing to report in terms of past events and thus very little gossip. The Autumn Run on the 18th of April, organised by Michael Pidgeon and Craig Keenan, attracted only two entrants, one of whom was a Canterbury branch member. Very discouraging for the organisers of course and a contrast to our other events thus far this year, which have been very well attended. It raises the perpetual question of what events members want to support, and as always your suggestions are welcome. The ideal forum for such suggestions is of course the A.G.M., which is on Thursday 13th of May, at the Papanui R.S.A. at 7.30pm. Supper is provided, as an extra inducement to attend. The usual gang of suspects have put their names forward again for high office, but we are always looking for new committee members who might bring new ideas and suggestions forward. So please come along and have your say. Pre Irishman fettling is increasing and it will be interesting to see if anyone dares trailer their car down to Alexandra for what will be a quite different Irishman. Searching through the previous editions of Dripfeed, I discovered the following Irishman gem from July 1979. “Once established at “Strathconan”, the lads of the BP branch managed to inflict a fair amount of damage on the property, what with Garry Moore shortening Grant Cowie’s A.C. Special on the corner of the house during the hillclimb, and Bob Beardsley scoring a double with the Bentley. First he took out several feet of fence with a hubcap on the same corner, and then later, demolished Rob Shand’s milk churn stand at the road entrance when the Bentley skidded on a patch of ice as it was turning into the drive. These
events seem to increase our host’s enjoyment of the weekend”. And the Ashburton branch received a complaint that; “two vintage cars were observed near Ashburton, racing side by side.” Surely not. Interest in Rallye Monte Carlo MMXXI continues, with many enquiries pouring in from potential entrants. Entries have been received from members in Dunedin and Nelson, as well as last year’s winner, the Glassons with their Swedish brick. Enquiries from the Other Island are as well, a positive sign that our fame is spreading for this prestigious event. Supreme controlleur Giles Gill assures me that organisational matters are proceeding smoothly. The Clive Dodds Sunbeam, which was last seen running so long ago that scarcely a living soul remembers, was bought last year by Brad Govan of Austin 7 Hawke and Red Mist fame. Steady restoration progress is being made so watch this space for further updates. I included a photo of an early Pomeroy Trophy event a couple of months ago , featuring a very youthful Hamish Pidgeon in the blue Brescia, and a mystery car. That has now been identified as an Austin 7 Special, being driven by Digger Mauger. I received a letter from Basil McCoy, our Irish correspondent, recently. You remember letters? They arrived in envelopes with interesting stamps, and used to be delivered every day. Poor Basil is stuck in Northern Ireland, enduring his first winter in twenty years, because; “Boris won’t let me out and Jacinda won’t let me in.” But he has had two jabs of Astro Zenica, and warns that the next time we see him he might have two heads. A scary prospect, especially if that means he talks twice as much. But the main point of the letter was to say how much he enjoyed the recount of Malcolm and Clynt’s battle with the Morris 1100. Garry Moore enjoyed it too, and thought another instalment was needed. So here’s part 2. “Another Day in the life of Malcolm and Clynt”. Garry was about to add another original fitting to his Chrysler at a workshop in Moorhouse Ave. He optimistically asked Malcolm and Clynt to help him tow the Chrysler there, then in chassis form. They duly arrived with Clynt’s trailer, (with original XK120 wheels), and the three of them managed to push the chassis, which seemed to be showing signs of a steering disorder, onto the trailer. They had carefully measured it (Malcolm had paced it out), and it fitted. Just. A wee bit was poking out over the front and a similar amount over the back. Malcolm and Garry decided to act like those top F1 mechanics when they have finished their part of the pit stop by raising their hands in the air when finished their allotted task. Clynt approved of this because he was, as he modestly said, “good at knots”. Malcolm and Garry looked on in awe as Clynt put his years of Boy Scout training into practice. They pulled out of the drive and into Warrington Street. All was well. Into Barbadoes Street they went, when suddenly, without warning, the traffic lights changed from orange to red. Clynt jammed on the brakes and they ground to a halt. Alas, for some reason the ropes all let go and the front wheels of the Chysler came perilously close to the back window, preceded of course, by the dumb irons. They crept across the intersection and parked on a bus stop. The highly trained F1 crew repeated their handwaving. Three blokes on bikes who happened to be passing stopped to watch and provide advice. Clynt ignored it. He re-tied the Chysler. The hands came down.
They proceeded southwards and very shortly the chassis dropped off the back of the trailer. In the middle of the road. They leapt out as traffic flowed around them The pit crew sprang into action. The three blokes on bikes arrived, bringing fresh advice with them. They watched as Clynt, ignoring their advice, tied the chassis onto the trailer. Again. “Jeez mate,” said one of them, “if I’d known it was going to be this entertaining, I’d have bought a coffee”. They drove towards Bealey Ave. Not a word was said. There were still many sets of traffic lights to go...... We can assume that they did get there, as the Chysler hotrod is still going. After some twenty years, Garry would like to officially thank Clynt for the entertainment, as he has told this story many times. And perhaps Clynt has built an original XK120 around those wheels........ Another story from the mists of time, this time from “The Motor”, and reprinted in Dripfeed in 1983. “Here is a beautiful and typical story about the one and only Ettore Bugatti. It is true, and as far as I know has never been printed before. Among the Patron’s customers was a director of a very great and famous British car-manufacturing house, who permitted himself the luxury of owning a Bugatti because his products were entirely different. Whenever he visited Molsheim the Patron would take him for a ride - literally, and in the latest, most potent of Bugs. It was quite a ceremony and also quite an experience, because these drives had all the characteristics of a road race - excepting the safety precautions and a chequered flag. Peak revs, in the factory yard, a full dress circle slide into the main road and all that. “Tell me Monsieur”, said his passenger as they returned from one such excursion, “are not your driving methods perhaps a trifle heavy on tyres? I should be interested to know what mileage you reckon to get.” The Patron waved the question aside. “I really do not know”, he said. “A new set is fitted every Friday.” And yet another story from the mists of time. This time it’s from that well known trucking publication, as Ettore might have put it, The Bentley Drivers Club Review 1979. A Do It Yourself Buying Guide for the Layman, in ten easy steps. 1. SNIP – This vehicle will be completely worn out, will have a non –original body, the wrong wheels and will be very expensive. 2. BARGAIN – as in 1 above but will be more costly 3. ONE OWNER FROM NEW – Will be much as 1 above, (but all original) although falling to pieces, will need a complete rebuild. 4. ONE TITLED OWNER - As 3 above, but will be found to be a non runner. The body will have been altered in order to carry guns, dogs, hot air balloons or retainers. All the original parts will be missing. 5. NEVER BEEN RACED – Probably true – but has been used extensively for almost everything else, including rallies and trials. From the condition has probably been used for ploughing and muck-spreading as well. 6. LOWERED – Will have been cut and shut out of all recognition, and will be damn near undriveable to boot.
7. IN CONCOURS CONDITION/FULLY RESTORED – This means that all the wrong bits have been chromium plated and it will have been beautifully painted in the wrong colours. It will have a Kenlowe electric fan and you will have to throw away the white wall tyres. It will also be very expensive. 8. LATE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN – You will find out later that there is an outstanding hire purchase agreement connected with this car, as well as some legal entanglements regarding the late owner’s will and testament. See also 3 above. 9. REPLICA – This will be the sort of car that a war time prisoner might have made. Painstakingly constructed without any proper drawings in entirely the wrong style, but the workmanship is beyond criticism. 10. SERIOUS OFFERS ONLY / NO TIME WASTERS – On no account should you even contemplate looking at this vehicle. It will be a combination of all of the above, and the price will be beyond the reach of mere mortals. It will change hands at a price never to be disclosed, to an anonymous purchaser, and will never be seen again.
Future Events: Sunday 23rd of May, Hadstock Gymkhana. Starts at 9.30am One of our signature events, this annual favourite is becoming more popular by the year. Let’s hope there is some grip this year, so that French FWD can perhaps find a way to beat John Foster on his hitherto invincible Triumph. Unless of course, the organisers (who enjoy a nice Cab Sav), come up with some devious anti motorbike rule..... Can Avon Hyde beat the other 4 wheeled entries? Will Brad Govan control himself? More importantly, will it rain? Could this be the year of the Mini? With their ability to do handbrake turns, they ought to win. Everyone gets two turns, as red cones do become confusing when you’re in the middle of them. To get to Hadstock, turn into the Leeston Road from Springston, then right into Bethels Road just before the Selwyn bridge. Proceed for about 2 k until you see the VCC sign on your left and turn into the paddock. Scrutineering at 9.00am for those without a wof. Come along and enjoy what is always a very entertaining day. In 2003. the range of competitors was more varied than it is today – Chev El Camino ute, Alvis 12/50, Morris Minor convertible, Delage, 1904 Cadillac, Durant, Plymouth 4, Model A, XK120, Bullnose Morris, Bentley 3L, etc and a few Austins. We used to apply a handicap formula slightly similar to The Pom: age of vehicle and driver, wheel base, saloon or sports, two or four wheel brakes. The idea was to encourage real vintage cars. The winner, on handicap was Tony Haycock in his Durant 614, with Andrew McGuire 2nd in his Model A and Mark Dawber 3rd in a Plymouth 4. The overall winner was Michael Williams in his Citroen Big 15, with Craig Cowie 2nd in an Austin 7 thing and John Chamberlain 3rd in an XK 120. Another glorious French victory....
Saturday 19th of June. Night Trial. Details to be announced later, but always a lot of fun, especially to see Vaughan Morrison and extended family in the Model A with enough LED’s to illuminate most of Canterbury. But then again, it will be after Irishman, so the A may be off the road.... Please come along and support the efforts that the committee makes to provide you with enjoyable motoring.
July, The Balcairn Trial. Date to be announced. We’ll wait until it rains before setting a date.
August Mid Year 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, who can now start preparing their speeches. Payment details later.
From Beaded Wheels December 1956
Harry Morgan toys with the idea of a fourth wheel
Gordon Sharpe was a well known VCC Otago Branch figure for many years and brother-in-law of Andrew Anderson. He donated the Sharpe Family Trust Trophy that is presented at the Pomeroy Trophy every year. Photograph from Beaded Wheels December 1956