Issuu

Far North Focus

June 2020

An image from the Far North Tour 2011

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

Far North Focus Who’s Who for 2019/20 Chairman

Murray Cormack

m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz

09 4077255

Vice Chairman

Winston Matthews

win@matthewsvintage.com

09 406 0203

Secretary

Gloria Cormack

m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz

09 4077255

Treasurer

Robyn Mackay

wmackay116@gmail .com

09 406 1955

Club Captain

Graeme Moore

graemarg32@gmail.com

09 4061413

Editor

Peg Hills

comstockdowns@gmail.com

09 406 1077

Communications Officer

Ruth Reid

r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz

09 4060 392

New Member Liaison

Murray Cormack

m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz

09 4077255

Beaded Wheels Scribe

Dave Duirs

dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz

09 406 1288

Area Rep North

Ruth Reid

r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz

09 406 0392

Area Rep South

Warwick Woollams

w.woollams@gmail.com

09 407 7494

Committee

Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Winston Matthews, Graeme Moore, Vince Mason, Mike Pooley, Gloria Cormack, Warwick Woollams, Warren Mackay

Building Officer

Peter Mason

09 406 1409

A full list of elected officers was circulated with the minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting

Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Aurere Clubrooms at 7.30pm.

CLUB CLEANING ROSTER 2019-2020 During the month, and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over, as in: Clean the toilets and hand basins, check kitchen, window ledges etc, and sweep the floors. Window cleaning, washing walls etc will be done at working bees.

Note any required maintenance and pass on to the Building Officer- Peter Mason, ph 406 1409. If your date doesn’t suit you, please swap with someone else. For any other enquiries please contact the Club Captain.

The cleaning roster is parked up for the time being and will be fired up again when things get back to normal. July

C Brownlie

January

D & P Hills

August

D & D Duirs

February

Graeme & Margaret

September

Graeme Moore

March

N & V Mason

October

Everyone– working bee

April

R & W Mackay

November

P & Z Mason

May

M & T Deverell

December

Graeme & Margaret

June

P O’Dell

Calendar of Events 2019 / 2020 June 9th

Club AGM

Everyone

June 27th

Molloy Trophy Rally

Robyn & Warren

PLEASE NOTE: This meeting has been rescheduled for 9 June. th

Notice of Meeting Far North Vintage Car Club Annual General Meeting Held at Clubrooms Aurere Taipa Tuesday 9 June 2020 7.30pm th

Agenda 1 Attendance 2 Apologies 3 Minutes of Previous AGM 14 May 2019 4 Matters Arising 5 Correspondence 6 Presentation Audited Financial Accounts for year ended 31 March 2020 7 Reports: Chairman, Club Captain 8 Election of Officers for coming year 9 Reappointment of Auditor for coming year 10 General Business th

A normal monthly meeting will follow the AGM

Club meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the Aurere Clubrooms, unless otherwise advised.

Just a reminder to all members that the Clubâ€™s Bank, Kiwibank is going cheque free from 28 February. We no longer have a cheque book and are unable to accept cheques so all payments must be done on line. We are still able to accept cash. th

The Far North Branch of the VCC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected.

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

From the Chair……. Greetings

3) Molloy Trophy Saturday 27 June. It is the club intention for this to proceed with Warren and Robyn doing the organising. Your patience over recent times with our cancellations and postponements is appreciated. th

We remain in a different world although change is coming in a relaxation of strict controls. As advised early in the month it was with much sadness that we were notified of the passing of Murray Baird. Our condolences to June and family, and thanks to Dave Duirs, a longtime friend and neighbour of the Bairds, for a personal obituary for Murray in this magazine. Business: 1) Annual General Meeting. The Branch Committee has decided this will be on Tuesday 9 June. Please see details of notice in this Focus. With numbers for gatherings lifted from 10 to 100 from 29 May it was felt appropriate. It is appreciated that some people may feel uncomfortable with such a decision and this is respected. The AGM is important to the club for election of officers, including auditor, yearly audited financial accounts, annual reviews by the Club Captain and Chairman, and policy decisions such as subscription levels and premises rent. Please make an effort to attend – social distancing and other safety measures will be observed. These are challenging times and membership participation is very important. 2) Monthly club meeting 9 June will follow the AGM as is our normal practise. th

In early June Winston, Gloria and myself will present both 25 and 35 year badges of continuous membership to Brian Mulcahy in his private home. A compromised health situation would make a formal club event presentation inappropriate. With a high average age in our membership, active participation is not always now possible. This is acknowledged and respected, and we are grateful for such member’s continued involvement. It is a great occasion to present these badges on behalf of the club. Matters Mechanical: Time to warm the oil! This will be my final Chairman’s Report for our monthly magazine, as our constitution has a two-year period for both chairman and club captain. A big thanks to members for direct help and guidance over the period, and just for being there. Look after yourselves, family and friends, and enjoy your membership of the Far North VCC.

Murray

MURRAY BAIRD

distance rallies around the North Island and attended Ford events New Zealand wide. V8 Supercar races here and in Australia were always a must, requiring Murray was a big guy and always put everything into considerable organising especially in recent years his projects. He and June were a formidable team, when Murray's health was compromised together who started dairy farming as youngsters in Waiuku with issues of rebuilding their home. Their trip across where they developed, by hard graft, a good farm America's Route 66 was a highlight. They just kept and top herd along with their two daughters. travelling!! They "retired" to Cable Bay and became neighbours in 2000 where they built their dream home and realised their interest in Ford vehicles, mostly of the older versions, which were always immaculately maintained as they participated in road rallies and also concourse events with the Zephyrs with considerable success......the 46 V8 Coupe did the long runs and the Zephyrs the shows. They also travelled all corners of the country in their motorhome and loved following sport. He was an active FNVCC member and will be particularly remembered for his leadership and organising of many Autospectaculars. He served as a very thorough Secretary when we had to review our constitution and was club barman with that duty's behind the scenes tasks. With June, he organised several very popular long

It was a sad day when the cars left the area recently as it was when Murray died. We wish June and her family well on the altered journey ahead. Dave DUIRS May 2020

Club Captain’s Report…..

It is with sadness that I acknowledge the passing of our Club Member Murray Baird. Murray was a great club member who was very involved with all Club activities. He was one of the early organisers of the Autospectacular, a winner of many of the Club Rallies, the very proud owner along with his wife June of some beautiful examples of various Ford motor cars. Murray maintained his interest within the Club and cars with his attendance at the Caffeine and Classics Sunday mornings until the cancelling of the mornings for the Covid-19 lockdown. We extend to June and family our sincere condolences. How time flies when you are having fun, or so it seems. To think that we have been in “Lock Down” for just over 2 months is surprising, but I think that we must all agree that it has been worthwhile health wise especially for the senior aged members of the club. There has been a major financial cost to large and small business and the benefits that have been put in place will have to be repaid in the future. Unfortunately it appears that the “Indian Summer” that we have been enjoying and that time when we should have been out enjoying our cars on rallies and excursions is past. There is a distinct feel of late autumn in the air and we have lit the fire on a couple of evenings.

Cool Cars

They say “Rust Never Sleeps”. I know that is a fact with plant and equipment exposed to salt air and water. It also appears that the adding of cars to the collection is an ongoing past time. I am aware of one more car coming into ownership of a Club member during the “Lock Down”. Are there any more out there? I will over the coming months put together some motoring maintenance articles which I trust will be of interest to members and please feel free to ask me questions on anything I write or if you are having a problem which I may be able to help you with. Some of the articles that I have in mind I may have written about before, but they are items which we do often overlook. The Club executive will be making a decision in the coming week as to when and what activities will be commenced. Notification of these will most likely be by e-mail so please keep an eye out for messages. Stay safe and we will all enjoy that first outing together. Regards, Graeme and Margaret.

BMW 507

“Whoever would have thought that in the mid-fifties BMW would have unveiled something as voluptuously beautiful as the 507. The company had a fine pre-World War 2 heritage that culminated in the crisp 328, but it did not resume car manufacturing until 1952, with the curvy, but slightly plump six- cylinder 501 saloon. Then, at the Frankfurt show of late 1955 they hit us with the 507, designed by Count Albrecht Goertz. The 507 was a fantasy made real; not flashy, but dramatic and with poise and presence. BMW hoped the 507 would straighten out its precarious finances, winning sales in the lucrative American market. But BMW’s exotic looks and performance were more than matched by an orbital price. Production, which had been largely by hand, ended in March 1959 after just 252– some say 253– had been built. In fact, the 507 took BMW to the brink of financial oblivion, yet if that had been the last BMW it would have been a beautiful way to die.” From Quentin Wilson’s Cool Cars

A 1957 BMW 507 Roadster sold for more than $5 million at the recent Bonham auction at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The final price not only doubled the car’s preauction estimate — it was expected to fetch around $2.5 million — it also blew past the highest price ever paid for a BMW 507 by more than $2 million. It had been owned by British racing icon John Surtees.

Far North Vintage Car Club

Annual General Meeting 9th June 2020 Nomination Form It is preferred completed forms be with the secretary by Wednesday 3 June. Nominations for all officers’ positions will be accepted from the floor as well on the night of the AGM being 9 June. rd

I nominate …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. For the position of …………………………………………………………………………………………. Signature of proposer …………………………………………………………………………………….

In George Washington’s day, there were no cameras. One’s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington have him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others saw him with both arms and both legs. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted.

I nominate ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Arms and legs are limbs, therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression “OK, but it’ll cost you an arm and a leg.” (Artists know that hands and arms are more difficult to paint.)

For the position of ………………………………………………………………………………………….

88888888888

Signature of seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………. I accept nomination for the above position ……………………………………………………

Signature of Proposer ……………………………………………………………………………………. Signature of Seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………. I accept nomination for the above position ……………………………………………………. All positions within the club will be voted for at the AGM.

FOR SALE BY OWNER. Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, £200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything. 8888888888 WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE Worn once by mistake.

Please return your nomination form to:

Call Stephanie

Secretary FNVCC Gloria Cormack 50 Davis Strongman Place R D 3 Kerikeri 0293 m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz

8888888888888

CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE: Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, or email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size.

Vintage and Classic Car Maintenance During a Restricted Motoring Period Check the tightness of all the hose clips. When was the radiator water inhibitor last changed? Check the radiator for secure mountings, and the radiator for any signs of leaks from the core or tanks. Check the condition of the radiator cap seal. Check the level in the overflow tank where fitted. Check the security of all manifold and exhaust system nuts and bolts. Check the security of the carburettor mounting bolts and fuel line connections. Check the Air Cleaner for need of servicing and its security and ducting is ok. Check the condition of the throttle linkage and throttle return spring(s). Check the condition and security of all engine mountings. On older vehicles, check the condition of the ignition leads and check that the Spark Plug end caps are tightened with pliers. Check the fit of the terminals on the end caps. When were the Spark Plugs and Distributor points, rotor and cap last checked? Remember to check and adjust as necessary the ignition timing if you replace the distributor points. Check the fuel pump mounting bolts are secure and no oil leaks from the gasket. Tighten the diaphragm securing screws and the fuel line connections. Check the security of the steering box mounting bolts. Check the level of the lubricant in the box. Check the level of the engine oil. When was it (and the filter if fitted) last changed? Inspect the engine for any oil leaks from the “Rocker Cover, Engine Side Plate, Timing Cover” etc. Check /tighten all screws and bolts. Check the level of the Brake fluid. When was the fluid last changed? Brake fluid is Hydroscopic, absorbs moisture and can therefore cause seizing of wheel cylinders. It is recommended that brake fluid is changed every 2 years.

Hi all Vintage and Classic car owners. I have put together the following thoughts of some of the items of maintenance that should be considered to look after our vintage and classic cars during this time of restricted running. The following are “thought starters”. Many of you may have some system in place but for others I trust that you find the following thoughts worth considering. As you carry out the checks, make a note of any item that you need to come back to due to lack of replacement items or not accessible at the time of inspection. Tyres. Keep the tyres well inflated. For the older vehicles fitted with narrow rims and tyres, many consider jacking the vehicle up and placing stands under the axles to take the weight off the tyres. Check the treads for abnormal wear. Later model vehicles should have the tyres inflated to their normal pressures as a minimum plus 5-10psi. In all cases, keep the tyres well inflated. Where possible, drive the vehicle or rotate the wheels every 3 -4 weeks. The current fuel (Petrol) has a suspect shelf life. I am not sure what the best approach here is. A low tank of fuel invites internal condensation during the cooler winter months. A full tank reduces this possibility but could it be a waste of fuel? A good fuel additive added to the fuel would not be wasted. Keep a close watch under the bonnet for any oil, fuel or cooling water leaks. When a vehicle is not being used, often you will find a water or fuel leak developing. Lift the windscreen wiper blades off the screen. This stops the rubbers setting in one direction and reduces the need to replace the rubbers early. The brakes need to be used so where ever possible drive the vehicle for whatever distance you can and operate the brakes a number of times. Don’t forget to operate the hand brake to keep the cables free. I would suggest that you park the vehicle with the handbrake in the off position so if the cables do seize, you can move the vehicle. Place wheel chocks under a wheel. Keep the battery charged and ensure the terminals are clean and secure. Use a trickle battery charger or start and run the vehicle for 30 minutes OUTSIDE of the garage every 3-4 weeks. Check that all lights are working. Keep the body paint work clean. This reduces the moisture building up on the paint work. A good time to give the vehicle a wash and polish with a good hard shell wax polish.

The following items are under body inspections if you have a hoist or ramp available.

Inspect the engine sump area for oil leaks. Check the tightness of the sump retaining bolts/screws. Check the tightness of the Sump drain plug. Check the level of the Gearbox oil and for any oil leaks. When was this oil last changed? Inspect the gearbox to engine mounting bolts for security. Check and adjust if necessary the clutch pedal free play. Check the level of the Diff oil and for any leaks. When was this oil last changed? Check the universal joints for wear and the mounting flange bolts for Maintenance Items. security. Now could be a good time to carry out the maintenance checks that we Carry out a full under body including front and rear suspension and sometimes don’t have time for. If you are not sure of the requirements, steering linkage condition checks. Check the condition and security of ask for assistance. I’m sure that there is a club member or some person body mountings to chassis, suspension and shackle bush rubbers, out there that can help and advise you. spring u bolts etc. Check the condition of the exhaust system flexible mountings and the Under bonnet checks. security of any clamps. Fan Belt condition and tension. Inspect the inner surface for cracks and On older vehicles with outboard mounted bumpers and running boards, surface burning. Replace the belt if damage is found. Check that the check the security of all mounting bolts. Generator (Alternator) is securely mounted and tension the belt so that Check the front wheel bearings for adjustment. When were the bearings when pressed down there is approximately 5 -8mm maximum defection last repacked with grease? on wide belts and 3 – 5mm max on narrow belts. To Page 8…….. Inspect the condition of all Radiator Hoses, heater hoses and water transfer hoses. On BMC model motors, check the connecting hose between the cylinder head and engine block. Squeeze the hoses ensuring that they are flexible. It should be changed if it is firm or brittle feeling.

Inspect the front and rear brake linings for wear and wheel cylinders for signs of leaks. Inspect the condition of the flexible brake hoses. Check for any signs of cracks on the surface of the hose or if the hose has lost its flexibility and feels brittle. If any of these conditions are found, the hose should be changed. Inspect the brake pipes for signs of external rusting or chafing or fluid leaks along the pipe or connections. Ensure the pipes are secure in their supporting clamps. On older vehicles, you will find a number of greasing points in the front suspension, steering joints, drive line universals and possibly rear spring shackles. Also look for Clutch linkage and cross shaft bushes, and front and rear spring shackle bushes where fitted. Give each nipple sufficient “pumps” of grease just to see grease exiting from around the unit / bushing. Wipe off all excess grease.

I have come up with more items than I first thought of offering. I have not covered the looking for that annoying rattle that has been under the dash board or in a door etc. I do trust that you find my thoughts useful. It has filled in a few hours during “Lock Down” for me and hopefully given you something of interest to read. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Regards and stay safe. Graeme This article should have been in the last Focus. If you need to think about this in the future, I hope it’s because you’re going on a long trip, and not because of some random virus.— Ed.

MY MEMORIES OF THE ARDMORE GRAND PRIX’S 1954—1962 AND STIRLING MOSS IN NEW ZEALAND (With acknowledgement to reports found online in refreshing my memory)

Ormonds Motors Ltd. in Gisborne were one of the early supporters of the Auckland International Grand Prix (Inc). As a supporter, the company was allocated a number of complementary tickets to the GP’s that were held at Ardmore Motor Racing Circuit from 1954 to 1962. My Dad as a director of the company was fortunate in having tickets allocated to him. I was lucky enough to be taken along to see the early events prior to obtaining my driver’s licence. From memory and research, I have found that I was at the first race meeting held at Ardmore in January 1954, one of the reported 70,000 spectators in attendance, and I was fortunate to be able to attend all of the 7 following years witnessing some of the greatest drivers of the 50’s and 60’s racing here in NZ, along with the up and coming younger New Zealand and Australian drivers having their first races against International drivers, many going on to become notable Formula 1 Drivers. My memories recall the massive crowds attending, 70,000 for the 1954 event and 80,000 at the 1959 meeting. Apart from the 1962 event, most races were run in beautiful hot sunny January weather. These were the days when you could get access to the pits and mingle with the drivers and mechanics. I was often in close company with Brabham, Moss, McLaren and the many international drivers of the time, and watched the mechanics working to repair and prepare the cars for the GP. One incident I vividly recall was at the 1961 meeting, an extremely hot day; I watched the team mechanics cutting air scoops into the side of the cockpit of Graham Hill’s BRM. I also saw the mechanics working frantically to repair the gearboxes of Hulme’s, Brabham and McLaren’s cars. There were often retirements of the top drivers due to mechanical failures so a race winner was not always predictable. The very hot conditions often caused drivers to retire due to heat exhaustion and caused fuel problems. There were no flame proof overalls worn, many drivers opting for short sleeve open neck shirts or Tee Shirts, a crash helmet of the time and goggles. A few drove with lap type seat belts. It was amazing to see in those early years the interest of the

International and Australian Drivers that made the trip to NZ every year for the January race meeting. The first Ardmore race in 1954, had a wonderful entry which was more about cars than stars, but Ken Wharton and Peter Whitehead of England, and Tony Gaze from Australia, had started in world championship events. Other overseas entrants included Englishmen Horace Gould and Fred Tuck. Australians included Lex Davidson, Stan Jones and Jack Brabham. NZ drivers included Ron Roycfoft, Ross Jensen, Ray Archibald, Syd Jensen, Morrie Stanton and 11 other lesser known names. The feature race, the Auckland Grand Prix was started in overcast conditions. The BRM driven by Ken Wharton and producing an alleged 485bhp, screamed away off the line at 12,000rpm and by lap 12, led Peter Whitehead by 27 seconds. A clutch failure ended Whitehead’s race which brought Jones into second place. By 25 laps the BRM had stretched the lead until it started to rain. This along with mechanical problems and retirements of some of the leaders saw Stan Jones driving the Maybach Special take the lead and finish ahead of Ken Wharton. Tony Gaze was placed 3rd. Ron Roycroft was the first Kiwi home in 5 place and Jack Brabham th

was 6 . This race meeting set the stage for the following exciting years. th

The 1955 race featured Prince Bira of Siam (Thailand) winning the GP driving a Maserati 250F which was one of the popular cars of that era. Peter Whitehead of the UK was 2nd and both driving Ferrari 500/625s, and Jack Brabham 5th in a Cooper Bristol. There were 6 Australians and 17 New Zealanders on the starting grid. Among the NZ cars was the

Triumph TR2 of Ross Jensen who finished 9 , the Austin Healy 100’s of Phil Neill 12 , Peter McInally 13 and Les McLaren (Bruce’s dad) who retired on the 30 lap. The 10 fastest cars all qualified within 12seconds of one another in practice. This led to an enthralling race and the first three cars finishing within 1min26 seconds between them. th

The 1956 Ardmore NZ GP race is recorded as being a

“Stirling Moss benefit”. Having earlier won the sports car race driving a Porsche Spyder 550 loaned by Frank Kleinig of Australia, Moss driving his Maserati 250s fitted with the later Dunlop Alloy wheels and the state of the art Dunlop Disc brakes in place of the large Drum brakes was picked to win so long as the car held together. This race also saw Tony Gaze and Peter Whitehead driving Ferrari’s uprated from the previous year with bigger engines and tuned to run on Methanol giving them several more miles per hour. They finished 2 and 3 behind Moss. Jack Brabham failed to start following a gearbox failure in the pits just prior to the start. Moss set a race record of 1min 28sec on the 98 lap following a pit stop to repair a fuel leak spraying petrol into the cockpit and to take on another 8 gallons of fuel. nd

Regretfully there was 1 fatal accident at Ardmore. This was in 1957. Ken Wharton competing in a pre GP sports car race crashed on the pit straight hitting an observation tower. Wharton was thrown from the car and died from his injuries in Middlemore Hospital. Following a delay the GP was raced and was won by Reg Parnell of England followed by Peter Whitehead, both driving Ferrari 860’s, followed by Stan Jones of Australia in a Maserati 250s and in 4 place, the 1 NZ driver home Ross Jensen driving a Ferrari 750 Monza. The NZ built “Lycoming Special” driven by Ralph Watson came in 7 . This was following having been raced in the Sports Car race fitted with mudguards to qualify as a Sports Car, then removing the guards for the GP race. th

Roycroft had Maserati 250F and Ferrari 375 cars, Pat Hoare a Ferrari 625 and Bruce McLaren had been given a Cooper T43 from the Cooper Works. The overseas drivers included Jack Brabham, Bib Stillwell, Arnold Glass and Lex Davidson from Australia, and the UK drivers Roy

Salvadori, Dick Gibson, Archie Scott-Brown and Stuart Lewis-Evans all with some cars not seen here before. It was a very interesting collection of drivers to mingle with in the pits. Of note was Archie Scott-Brown who drove using only his left arm, having a severely handicapped right arm and hand. Bruce McLaren, now 21 years of age had been given the Jack Brabham car of the year before for the NZGP by the Cooper Works on the recommendation of Jack Brabham. Following setting excellent times in the heats, the car suffered a gearbox fault which developed in the pits just prior to the start. Bruce managed to start after the field was on its way, steadily overtaking the back markers to the delight of the large crowd. He was forced to pit with engine overheating problems, and after a short stop was away again cutting down the field. Bruce was forced to pit again for a plug change at the half way stage and was running well before being forced to retire on lap 71 with gearbox problems. It was following this race that Bruce was awarded the Drivers Scholarship to Europe. This was the beginning of an association which brought McLaren up with a rush in the 1958 season driving under the Cooper aegis in Europe to almost pip Jack Brabham for the formula 2 championship and eventually sign on in 1959 as a full time Cooper Driver. Jack Brabham won the 1958 GP with NZ’s Ross Jensen, Ron Roycroft and Pat Hoare taking the next 3 places ahead of Salvadori and Gibson. Archie Scott-Brown and Stuart Lewis-Evans were among the 7 cars side lined through mechanical problems. These early years of motor racing in NZ (and I suspect in Australia and Europe), saw many retirements through mechanical failures. Graeme Moore To be continued………..

January 9th, 1954– first NZ Grand Prix

1955: Prince Bira led all the way

1956: Stirling Moss 9

1957: Brabham’s little Cooper