WEST COAST BRANCH – VINTAGE CAR CLUB MAY 2020 NEWSLETTER
If you get desperate …..
COMMITTEE
PATRON
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
CHAIRMAN
Allan Giles
7686047 Hm
Maria
7685771 Wk IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Kevin Tucker
7684847
Lynda
VICE CHAIRMAN
Ted Beer
7625868
Jill
SECRETARY
June Campbell
7684226
Dave
TREASURER
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
CO-TREASURER
Lynda Tucker
7684847
Kevin
CLUB CAPTAIN
Colin & Elaine Peacock
7686934 Ytb8a1@gmail.com
DELEGATE
Roger Devlin
7685382
Irene
MEMBERSHIP
David Campbell
7684226
June
PR & MARKETING
Allan Giles
7686047
Maria
NEWSLETTER & BEADED WHEELS
June Campbell
davenjune@ts.co.nz
VIC FORMS
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
John Fowler
7626538
Trina
ROSCO TRIALS
Nick Harrison
Annette
SCENICLAND RALLY CONVENOR
The Giles
AND SUB COMMITTEE
Dave Houston
7687305
Allison
COMMITTEE
Lance Braid
7557427
Colleen
John Fensom
7686797
Janis
Jill Cowan
7625868
Ted
Elspie Mitchell
7684253
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN … 1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms at Shantytown 7.30pm 3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown at 10.00am 4th Sunday month – Club Run
LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE ALL TO BE RESCHEDULED
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Hello and greetings one and all I'm sorry I haven't been in touch earlier How's Covid been treating you. It looks like there is some light at the end of the tunnel at last and we will soon be able to move forward, but we will have to wait and see just what is allowed at level two. However as a club with membership of mainly more senior members we need to be more mindful of what consequences our actions may have. This was never more evident than when we had to postpone our Scenicland Timber Trail Rally. We were the first off the block and the committee had, what we felt was a hard decision to make BUTTTT, again looking back (and only such a short time ago) justified and validated by our Governments decision and boundaries with level FOUR I realise that for some the rules seemed harsh and for others there has been a real concern. It is up to all of us to make sure that the efforts and gains made so far are not wasted and that we don't rush BACK TO NORMAL ( whatever that is) and adopt the new norm. It will be good to get together, have a cuppa, a natter and just catch up. I am looking forward to that day as much as the next person but I do believe we should all be more responsible and stay away if not feeling well, and of course personal hygiene can always be better Moving forward, with the push towards NZ tourism, later this year or next year could be good for all branches of VCC, sooooooo as the song says keep your motor running and let’s hope to get out on the highway. Allan Giles, Chairman
And a note from Club Captains Colin & Elaine, most of you will have received this but I am including it in the newsletter for the benefit of those who are on the mailing list How are you all bearing up? It's a long haul but will be well worth it at the end of the journey. Unfortunately it is a long way down the track yet but better late than never. Speaking on a personal level, our biggest thrill was at level 3, being able to order and pick up a package of fish & chips and taking a thermos of tea to park up at the Cobden tip head to enjoy it and watch the bar. We were treated by the appearance of the Cook Canyon leaving the port and plunging through some large waves crossing over the bar to head out to sea. Elaine and I wish you and your families the best possible health, and a safe passage through this crisis. Kind regards to all
Colin & Elaine
From the Secretary A belated welcome to our newest members who joined in March. We look forward to meeting up with Michael and Sandra Wade from Hokitika who, in the past joined us for some outings. They drive a 1955 Humber 80. We also welcome Murray, Sharon and Reece Jordan, also from Hokitika. They own a 1962 Vauxhall Cresta. Their son Reece has the distinction of being our first Junior member, he turned 15 years old on the 14th April and his mum tells me that his goal is to have his very own car when he turns 17 – a 1970’s Dodge. Good luck with that dream Reece, I am sure there will be plenty of [old to you] guys in the Branch that will have lots of advice for you. Now we need to locate another 15 year old for company for you.
As yet there is still no indication when we will be able to hold our AGM. We will have to wait and see what eventuates nationwide. At this stage I want to put out an appeal to our membership for members to step up and make themselves available for Committee positions.
Chairman Allan has done his three years in that roll and he has a replacement ready, willing and able which is great. Club Captains Elaine and Colin have done [I’ve forgotten] plenty of years and would really like to have a break now. It is not a hard job, there is always Committee assistance and can be shared with others in some way. Which brings me to the Secretary’s position. I am definitely standing down next AGM as I feel it is most important to bring a change, also younger blood to the Committee. Again, not a hard task but it does involve time. As David and I have always believed … you do get back much more than you put in, in so many ways. We have really enjoyed getting to know Coast members since we returned from Nelson and have made some really good friends. I really do not want to have to put all the books on the table and walk away BUT if I have to, I will. Elspie Mitchell has taken over the Idle Torque column and has expressed a willingness to do the monthly newsletter, this is great and should take some of the time out of the job as it currently stands. As the date of the AGM is still unknown, I make an appeal to members to give serious consideration to these matters. It would be a great shame to see the Branch go backwards because of lack of interest. I do realise that many of our members are working people and at this time quite a lot of people will be having business concerns which is a huge worry. Good luck to you all, it’s all I can say.
I have been notified of the following deaths … Millie Anderson – wife of Andy Anderson our founding member. A sympathy card has been sent on behalf of the Branch Margaret Hyde – wife of Avon Hyde who has been a regular entry for our Rosco Trials
Now a contribution from John Fowler who found this on Facebook … Did I ever tell you this story? The Austin 12 in the pic I purchased it for £20.00 in the early 1980's from a farmer on condition I cleared it away. He had a skip on site so let me put the scrap in that. Had engines axles and all that stuff. But the story. Are you sitting down? Back in the 1950's when these cars were being given away because of the MOT and most "old cars" of that age would be a "fail" Well, these two young men acquired this Austin 12 as a farm hack, to be driven on private land not the roads. The two boys, both about 14-15 years old used the Austin at night to go "lamping", for those who don't know the term, you drive into a field where you know there will be rabbits switch on the headlights, the rabbits freeze in the bright light and you shoot them and they "go into the pot" So the two lads were out lamping. But there was an electrical fault with the Austin’s lighting system and the headlamp fuse kept blowing. Not being particularly bright they looked for something more robust to bridge the fuse-way and keep the lights on. Now I don't know if you are familiar with a 0.22 rifle shell but it is perfect fit and pushed one in to the fuse-way and it worked a treat. However being a bit slow and not the understanding these things they chose to use an unused shell rather than a dead one. That was the first mistake. Anyway the two had the Austins lights back and carried on lamping the rabbits. Mistake two they
should have returned home. Now the lighting fault which would in normal circumstance have blown the fuse wire was being channeled through the 0.22 shell, which slowly was getting hotter and hotter. Mistake three. Then the shell reached firing temperature, and went off! The bullet part leaving the shell casing passing through the bulkhead hitting the underside of the steering wheel boss and ricocheting off down into the young driver. Scored a direct hit on his left testicle and then on into his inner thigh. Well the other brother carried him back to the farm house and father took the wounded son to hospital where the damaged appendage was removed, the bullet extracted and the leg stitched up. Father disabled the car and forbade them to use it again and so it was left in the field where it stood unloved for thirty/forty years gradually falling to bits until it was as you see it. And the wounded brother, well he recovered, inherited the farm, married and went on to have three healthy children. After telling the tail and taking the money I thanked the farmer, and started work gleaning what was salvageable from the wreck, the farmer, he limped his way back to the family farmhouse.
AND… Gary Hopkinson kindly forwarded some funnies through to me. I will send them as a single email after this, there are some good laughs among them but I can’t condense them for the newsletter. So enjoy!! I wonder how Brent Newton is getting on with the remaining sky in their jigsaw. David got our Wasgij out from under the spare bed where it had been resting for a couple of years. I’m afraid progress is very slow, he goes by shape because he is colour blind and I go by colour. But it fills in time, I can’t believe it has taken us so long. It has a lot of cars in it and those tiny wee funny faces do my head in.
USEFUL INFO…PLEASE NOTE – If it is not suitable to you to use your Club eligible vehicle on the Branch runs, you are more than welcome to come along in your modern as we welcome your company. You can go online to www.vcc.org.nz to read the current Branch magazines. On the home page you will see News from the Branches on the left. Click on that and you have access to magazines from other regions.
The Vintage Car Club of NZ is now on Facebook for those who are interested. For those who already have a facebook account: Go to the VCC facebook page and LIKE IT. Posts will then appear in YOUR facebook stream and you can share them with your friends. For those who don’t have a facebook page or don’t want to set up an account: type in the link below and then save it in bookmarks in your internet browser. You will then have easy access to the page whenever you want to see the latest posts. To access the Club facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/vintagecarclubof newzealand/ Or type Vintage Car Club of New Zealand into facebook search.
VCC DISCOUNTS OF COOK STRAIGHT FERRIES – QUOTE… BLUEBRIDGE – Discount Code “ANTIQUECAR” Valid until 30 June 2020 THE INTERISLANDER – Booking Reference “WH5465 Valid to 15 December 2020. Special link is - https//:www.greatjourneysofnz/members-fares 10% discount on Tranz Rail available to 15th December 2020 – Booking reference WH5465 Special link is – https//:www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz For details and conditions refer to the VCC of NZ Website or your local Secretary SERVICE BADGES – To those members who are nearing 25, 35 or 50 years membership, please contact Membership officer David Campbell. You are entitled to a service badge for your continued membership. Check out the date you joined the Vintage Car Club. NAME BADGES – Also, please contact David Campbell if you would like a name badge. The Branch supplies your first one. VIC FORMS - A reminder to all members who have VIC cards that are due to expire, you will receive a personalised RENEWAL FORM from the National Office at least three months before the due date. You cannot download a form off the internet. They are personalised for each individual vehicle. Please fill in and hand to Branch Secretary. Please note that new applications can be downloaded from the website or contact the Branch Secretary. If you wish to participate in any National VCC Event, you need to have a Vehicle Identification Certificate, don’t leave it until the last minute as it takes some time for the processing of paperwork. If you sell your vintage vehicle and it has VIC Certification please notify NZVCC, POBox 2546, Christchurch. Ph 03 366 4461 or email: admin@vcc.org.nz
VERO INSURANCE - If you take your Insurance out with VERO they will then pay the Branch a small Commission which helps with Branch finances. Please note that when applying for Insurance cover with VERO you must quote the Branch number which is 36 plus your membership number. Also you are reminded that this scheme is set up for financial members only.