Far North Focus
November 2019
No-one sent any photos this month, so here’s one from the archives. Were you there?
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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.
November: P & Z Mason July
C Brownlie
January
D & P Hills
August
D & D Duirs
February
Graeme & Margaret
September
Graeme Moore
March
TBA
October
Everyone– working bee
April
TBA
November
P & Z Mason
May
TBA
December
Graeme & Margaret
June
TBA
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Calendar of Events 2018 / 2019 November 17th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
November 16th
Classic Car Show
Classic Car Club
November 23rd
Dunny Run
Northland Branch
December 7th
Christmas Gymkhana
TBC
January 18th
Kerikeri
Murray & Gloria
January 19th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
February 15th
Hokianga/ Far North
Keith
February 16th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
March 14th
Far North /Hokianga
Claude
March 15th
Taipa Bay Caffeine& Classics
Rosco
April 11th
Brian Parker
Rex & Sandra
April 19th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
May 10th
Mothers Day
Terry & Sue (TBC)
May 12th
Club AGM
Everyone
May 17th
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
June 21st
Taipa Bay Caffeine & Classics
Rosco
June 27th
Molloy Trophy Rally
TBA
Greg Muller, who advertised in our newsletters for many years, passed away recently. Greg was the chief dispenser of warrants for our cars in the Doubtless Bay area, and took an interest in all of them. We will miss him.
Club meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the Aurere Clubrooms, unless otherwise advised. 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.
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
From the Chair……. Greetings A big thanks to the enthusiastic members who came to the working bee at the club rooms recently. An apology to all members regarding two incorrect dates in our Calendar of Events in Focus and Beaded Wheels magazine. The Dunny Run is on Saturday November 23 not 24 , and the Brian Parker Memorial Rally is on the 4 April not the 11 . rd
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mercial tour with Kaipara Cruises. Please contact us on 09 4077255 if you require any further details. If there is sufficient interest, our Waimate North member Kae Bond has expressed interest in arranging possible shed and/or museum visits in the Matakohe/Paparoa area on Tuesday 17 March. This is an extra day to make the trip south longer and easier. Kae has very strong personal and family links with the area. Please note this is definitely a midweek event, so as not to clash with our other club events. th
November club events will be largely in the hands of the Northland branch, whose turn it is to organise the Dunny Keith is organising a great Hokianga cruise for Saturday Run, as well as running their traditional Far North Tour. 15 February, if a shorter harbour cruise takes your fanGreat turn-out to the October Caffeine’n’Classics at Tai- cy. pa, with cars and members from several Northland car Matters mechanical: Pride of ownership in our vehicles clubs representing our common interest in motoring and can often ease the burden of repairs, regulations and social activities. frustrations which all seem to finish as chequebooks on th
The participants in the Cape Reinga to Bluff Tour have steroids events. Really hope this pride of ownership can arrived safely at the bottom end having enjoyed some weather all the issues. incredible experiences. We are looking forward to our grandson’s seventh birthA number of club members have inquired about a repeat day celebration, his birthday choice being the Hamilton of the two-day Kaipara Harbour cruise we did last Classic Car Museum. Perhaps I should not worry about year. The only midweek cruise date with Kaipara Cruises sustainability of pride of ownership! is Wednesday 18 /Thursday 19 March. Gloria and I Enjoy your vehicles and the friends associated with them have booked ourselves on this tour and would love to have other members join us. It does start and finish in Murray Helensville and we would be part of an organised comth
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The Dunny Run Saturday 23rd November Starting at Waiomio Rd, Kawakawa (Bowling Club Car Park) Gather at 10.00am for a 10.30 start BYO lunch, chairs etc. See you all there! 4
Club Captain’s Report-
Hi all. Another month has quickly come to an end. The Club Working Bee was attended to by 13 willing workers who completed the planned tasks. The main outstanding job is the water blast of the deck and stools and apply another coat of paint. Past events. The Taipa Caffeine and Classics was well attended and the BOI Classic Car Club also happened to arrive on one of their outings adding to the impressive collection of cars on display. This is an event which is growing in interest and we need to give the event more exposure. There have been some discussions at the last monthly meeting with Nick Laver and Mark Donnelly of the Far North Rod and Custom Club regarding the running of a possible “Auto spectacular”. They had further informal discussions with Rosco at Taipa. We look forward to further developments and information from them. Coming Events. The Far North Tour is being run on the weekend of 2 and 3 November. I know Murray and Winston are taking part in some of the weekend and I look forward to their reports. The 23 of November is the “Dunny Run”. Details of the run have been e-mailed out and can be found in the “Notices” in this “Focus”. I ask that members give their consideration to supporting this event which is being planned by Bev and Doug Grant of Dargaville. The Christmas luncheon will be on the 7 December. It
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will be a “Pot Luck” luncheon at the Clubrooms. There will be a mini Gymkhana type event prior to the Luncheon. Further details will be in the next “Focus” Maintenance Items. Some years ago, I penned an article for the “Focus” on Brake Fluid, and the need to change it regularly. With the hot weather approaching, it increases the brake cylinder operating temperatures which on sustained periods of braking, can lead to Brake Fade due to the fluid boiling within the wheel cylinders caused by the moisture in the fluid. This moisture will also cause the corrosion within the brake cylinders and steel brake lines affecting efficient brake operation. When did you last change the Brake Fluid in your vehicles? Bentley Motors Centenary. The 10 July 2019, marked the Centenary of Bentley Motors. This milestone was celebrated in many countries around the world. Earlier this month, TV1 ran a short feature on the NZ Celebratory tour and showed our member Steve Wynne driving “Amy” on the roads around the “Chateau Tongariro” accompanied by a TV reporter. Well done Steve. That is 2 months running that we have had a Club member featured in the media. Can we make it 3 in a row? th
Happy motoring, Graeme
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CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Stuart manned the check point
FNVCC CLUBROOMS SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER Mini Gymkhana, followed by a Pot luck lunch with a Christmas theme Further details next Focus
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The Ormond’s 1903 Oldsmobile at the Gisborne A&P Show, October 1975, driven by the late Wally Moore, with his wife Audree.
“Ormond’s 1903 Oldsmobile” I was recently asked “how and when did I get interested in vintage cars?” It would have been about 75 years ago, as a 5 or possibly 6 year old inquisitive lad. I would accompany my Dad to Ormonds Motors Garage in Gisborne when he was working there after hours. I would explore the large complex and especially the upstairs storage area where there were all interesting cars and items of earlier years (some possibly dating back to the early 1900’s). I would climb through between the hanging mud guards, doors and bonnets, scramble over the engines, gearboxes and diffs to explore and climb into the 1928 Chev, and a large 1920’s model 30/98 Vauxhall Tourer. I can remember the polished aluminium bonnet and side panels, and the sky blue body and mud guards and the black leather padded seats. Down at the end of the storage area, which used to be the panel shop and spray painting area, in a more open space by the windows, under a cover was an “old” car up on blocks. It had skinny wheels and tyres, it didn’t have a steering wheel, but a long lever mounted in the centre of the foot well like a tiller on a boat. The crank handle was on the side of the seat where the driver would sit. I tried to turn it over, but it was extremely heavy and stopped against the compression. It only had one seat for the driver and a passenger alongside. Only 2 pedals on the floor, 1 for the brake, the other the small accelerator pedal. There was a long and short lever on the side of the driver’s seat. The body was painted a dark Blue, the mudguards were Black and the wheels were wooden spoked painted Red. It had a flat upright dash with no instruments on it. (Different from the Chev and Vauxhall which had many). On the outside of the front dash was the large writing, “Oldsmobile 1903 model”. Wow, that is old.
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I arrived home covered in dust and grime excited that I had found a really old car. The original owner was Capt. Subritzky of Auckland who purchased it new from the Oldsmobile Dealer in Sydney. The vehicle was involved in the first non-fatal motor accident with a tram in Hobson Street Auckland on the 12 October 1904. It came into the possession of Ormonds Motors a short time after the accident who sold it second hand in 1905 for 150 pounds to Mr H.G.Tucker of Gisborne. It remained in the Tucker family until 1927, when it was resurrected from a shed on the Tucker property and refurbished for the Gisborne City’s 50 Jubilee. My late father who was with Ormonds for 46 years became the custodian of the vehicle from about 1946. The car saw many outings for school galas, town parades and Christmas parties, especially the Ormonds Christmas Party when Father Christmas would arrive at and leave the party on the car. Following the Cook Centennial in October 1969, the car was placed on loan with the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology. In early October 1975, my Dad collected the car and returned it back to Gisborne. He spent several weeks restoring and getting the car mobile again to lead the Gisborne A and P Show on the 18 October 1975. This was possibly one of the last outings of the car in Gisborne. th
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The car I believe is now in Auckland. It has had the bonnet style dash removed and the original curved style dash of the 1903 model manufactured and installed. As a young lad, I had the opportunity to have many rides on this very historic vehicle. Graeme Moore.
CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE: Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size. Cost is $30-$35 dollars, depending on size.
The start,
The finish, 7
ART DECO WEEKEND 2020 A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM HBVCC
SIMON SINEK’S 10 RULES FOR SUCCESS Simon Sinek is a British-American author, motivational speaker, and organisational consultant. He is an unshakeable optimist who believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Here are his 10 rules for success. 1
Break the rules. Focus on the goal, not the obstacles.
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Train your mind. Instead of saying you’re nervous, think that you are excited.
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In 2020 the Featured Group will be an A-Z of Motor Vehicles. We are aiming to have a motor vehicle representing each letter of the alphabet. This may be a make or model. There will be a mixture of cars, commercials and motorcycles. Also we expect a mix of veterans, vintage and PV’s… manufactured in UK, Europe and USA.
Be patient. You need to work hard daily to achieve goals and make a difference. Life is a journey and you can’t be impatient.
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Take accountability for your actions. Sometimes, you are the problem.
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We currently have several cars coming in 2020 that have not been to ADW before. These include NZ’s second Duesenberg, our first L29 Cord, and a Stutz to name a few.
Outdo yourself. Rather than just trying to beat the other guy, beat yourself. You are the competition.
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Stack the deck. Choose to be in an environment where people will appreciate you.
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Be the last to speak. Hold your opinions to yourself till everyone else has spoken.
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Be authentic. Say and do what you believe. Encourage trust. Be yourself, don’t put on a front.
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Find your passion. We need more passion in our career, not just at home. Explore new ideas.
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Start with Why. Great organisations define why they do something first, then how they do it, and what they do comes later.
Come to Napier and join the HBVCC for Art Deco Weekend 2020 from February 20th -23rd. Kindly sponsored again this year by Euro City Ltd
We are still looking for a “Napier” vehicle to represent the letter “N”. I am also trying to find the owner of the Willys Knight roadster circa 1929-31 era that has the unusual paint design on the doors. We would also like to get leads on vehicles or vehicle models starting with letters Q, U, X, Y, Z. Please email any leads or ideas to stevetrott@xtra.co.nz asap. For 2020 the annual rally is again on Friday and we plan to have a touring run plus a picnic lunch at a great lunch venue. On Saturday we will have the morning tea and car show and popular choice at the HBVCC clubrooms, followed by the grand parade. Sunday events include a breakfast surprise at the HBVCC clubrooms and the Gatsby picnic in the afternoon. There are many other ADT events to choose from on Friday and Saturday nights. Come and join the other 180 plus club eligible vehicles we expect to enter the 2020 Event.
******* The person who sent this to me recommends showing it to all our millennials. I wondered as I read it how many of us consciously thought about it through our working lives. Some of it seems to be just common sense, and some made me think ‘Do you really need to consider that?’ As far as I can discover, it was written in 2009. Peg
Go to the HBVCC website for an Entry Form. (www.hbvcc.org.nz). Entry forms for 2020 are available now. Accommodation in Napier is already filling up for Art Deco Weekend so book now to avoid disappointment. We suggest you plan to arrive in Napier on Thursday 20 th so you can attend the Dinner at the Clubrooms that evening. We have prizes for the best dressed couples again this year. Contacts: STEVE TROTT stevetrott@xtra.co.nz STEVE DONOVAN stevedon@xtra.co.nz
The Jensen Interceptor- ‘a single figure appetite for fuel– 10mpg if you enjoyed yourself’.
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