August 2018
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AUGUST 2018
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August 2018
August 2018
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Index In this issue… Bulletin Emails Kick Start Rally Are you on the Tree? 2018 R’Oil Can Rally Great find at the Ellerslie Concours 2018 Winter Woollies Wander 2018 PV, PWV, P60V & P80V Rally 2018 Hunua 100 Rally Bingo Night 2018 Hunua 100 Rally
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Regular Features Chairman’s Report Club Captain’s Report Library Notes Motorcycle Notes Entertainment Notes Commercial Notes Veteran Notes Mid Week Tourers Secretary Notes Coming Events New Members For Sale Your Committee
4 5-6 7 8-9 10 11 12-13 14 15 16-17 19 29 30
September Bulletin closing date
Strictly 25 August 2018
Cover Designed by Melanie Ball
The views expressed by the correspondents in this Bulletin are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc. Any articles of interest, comments, letters to the Editor etc are welcome. All contributions are presented to and approved by the club committee prior to printing. Please forward any submissions to the Bulletin Editor.
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Chairman’s Report Time is flying by, did you know its only five (5) months to Christmas? This must go down as one of the wettest and coldest winters for a long time, affecting turn outs for our runs and rallies. The Mid Week Tourers events are still going strong. The July Motorcycle Rally was the Kick Start plotted by John Poole. Unfortunately it was pouring down on the 15th so it was postponed until the 22nd and guess what, it was raining again but it did stop by the time the seven bikes and two cars set off. Waitemata Branch held its R’Oil Can Rally which went down to Waitomo and a few of our members took part in this event. Competitors have to drive open top cars - such a brave thing to do in the wet and cold conditions. Other members attended the Rotorua Swap meet. John Stokes' Veteran section is still having good meetings, so if you're into Veterans, pop along to one of John's meetings. The Motorcycle meeting had a very good turnout to hear Mike Noonan's story of going to the Bonneville Salt Flats and taking a 350cc world record on a Moto Guzzi. Our club run on the 26th August will be a fundraiser for the National VVCC Daffodil Day for the Cancer Society. There will also be a Bingo night on Saturday 25th August. Planning for this years Hunua 100 Rally is well in hand. This year will be our 60th. We aim to make this rally one to remember, so please see the Entry Form in this issue of the Bulletin and join other members of our Branch and neighbouring ones who will be taking part on their motorcycles, cars and commercial vehicles. Well that’s all for this month, hope to see you out and about at our events. Martin Spicer
August 2018
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Club Captain’s Report At the AGM I was pleased to re-accept the position of Club Captain for a second term and look forward to another year of motoring and meeting more of you out and about enjoying the events your Branch puts on for you. Well, winter certainly has arrived, with some bitterly cold weather and rain, rain and yet more rain. July was a quiet motoring month, but there were opportunities for you all to come out with your vehicles to at least one event. The Mid Week Tourers had another good turnout. The Motorcycle Section finally held its Kick Start Rally after a complete washout the week before. Seven motorcycles and two cars started on a pleasant drive through South Auckland country roads finishing at Urban Soul Café in Karaka for some food, coffee and fine company. The winner was Michael O’Kane. Some brave-hearts went down to Waitomo to compete in the R’Oil Can Rally, organised by Waitemata Branch. They got a bit wet, as the rally is for cars with hoods down, but all had a thoroughly good time. Others ventured down to the Rotorua for the Annual Swap Meet. John Stokes Veteran Section continues to see good numbers attending the monthly meeting and whilst John Campbell has retired from Committee he has continued to be the co-ordinator of the Commercial Section meetings held on the third Wednesday night of each month. If you have an interest in Commercial vehicles, give John a call and he will give you all the information you require. The Motorcycle Section had 70 in attendance at their monthly July meeting, with speaker Michael Noonan who brought along his modified 350cc Moto Guzzi which he had achieved a World Record on at Bonneville Salt flats. Club night was well attended with 45 members taking the opportunity of meeting National North Island Club Captain, Kaaren Smiley and husband Jim. They also showed us a slide show of their tour last year on Route 66 which was very entertaining. The club run saw fifteen (15) cars leave BP Drury in lovely sunny weather for the Franklin meander out to Waiuku to view a wonderful collection of Midget Speedway cars from various eras - classic to vintage, plus some speedway bikes and other memorabilia. Thanks to Murray Kemp and his family for hosting us and spending time with everyone who wanted to chat about the vehicles. Murray and family provided a sausage sizzle and a cuppa to enjoy afterwards. Just as everyone was leaving very heavy rains started to fall, together with some thunder and lightning. Hope everyone got home okay and for those Model A's, you didn’t get too wet. The overall winner was Rodger & Val Ball, being 5 seconds off their optimum time to nominated speed, followed very keenly by Trevor & Carol Farr and Glenn & Marion Morris being 25 seconds out and Russel & Jocelyn McAlpine being 26 seconds out. IMPORTANT AUGUST RUN – SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST – NATIONAL VCC DAFFODIL DAY FUNDRAISER. We will be starting the run from the Club Rooms at 1:00 p.m. which will finish at a Retirement Village. Plenty of parking will be available for us which will allow the villagers to come and take a look at a variety of vehicles on display and maybe sit in them reminiscing about the past. We can also
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Club Captain’s Report Contd... take this opportunity of fundraising with them for Daffodil Day. Please support this run and the Bingo night being held as a fundraiser too. September 9 is the Annual PV, PWV, P60V & P80V Rally, plotted by Merv & Judy Stowers. The Entry Form was emailed to you last month, or you can retrieve it from our Branch website. Please complete the entry form and post to Merv now! I am still looking for a couple of volunteers to organise a couple of Club Runs during the course of the next 12 months. July’s run, will be my 7 th consecutive run that I’ve plotted and next month my 8 th, so please, consider plotting a run for your Branch members to enjoy. Congratulations to all the winners of the July events. I look forward to seeing you out and about. Lynda Spicer
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Library Notes We were given a copy of the latest (2017) London-Brighton Veteran run programme by Phil Henley and our old friend Ron Jacob brought in a copy of “The Boy in the Model T“ with a recommendation that we read it and Murray Firth brought in several Jaguar parts manuals that we need time to sort through. We bought “The British Car Industry –Our Part in its Downfall“ by James Ruppert. Most of July was spent doing a stocktake of the “Marques” shelves where we found two donated lots of books had missed being recorded in the computer catalogue during our changeover from manual records. At the same time we have been searching for Hunua Rally records and Barry Birchall has another project to record the early days of our Renault Charabanc. We are also looking for photos of the Clubrooms taken during the first and second alterations. Particularly the work that the late John Williams did to the roof of the main Hall that has stood the test of time and should be recorded. Barry Robert and the Library Team—Barry Birchall, Colin Bott, Owen Hayward, John Stokes & Chris Wood
Photos & Memories Wanted October 2018 sees our 60th Hunua 100. I am looking to collate some photos and stories from Hunua’s over the last 60 years. If you are in a position to scan photos and email them to me with some captions that would be great. If not, just let me know and I can scan photos and return to you. All stories gratefully received, from a couple of sentences to a couple of pages. Many of you will have anecdotes from the humorous to hard luck and all sorts in between, so don’t wait for me to tap you on the shoulder. Please drop me an email or call me. Tracey Winterbottom vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz or 021 732 209 or (09) 232 0246
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Motorcycle Notes We had a wet morning which put off members riding to the July meeting, but 7 did ride to the clubrooms. We had a very good turn out of members, around 70. We had 4 visitors, Ian Hamley, Alan Maccy, George Lewis, Peter Walsh, plus our speaker Mike Noonan. Martin reported on our recent AGM, where he was re-elected as Branch Chairman and wife Lynda was re-elected as Club Captain, Ian Hubbard was reelected as treasurer and Don Green came back for a 2nd term on Committee. Coming Up: Motorcycle meeting 18th August – speaker bike racer and co owner of Pro Rider, Paul Pavletich. Eddie Sim Run 19th August, leaving Cornwall Park at 11am. General Business: Peter Alderdice gave us an update on his programme for the National Motorcycle Rally. He has now booked a 2nd house in Blenheim to accommodate our members taking part. So if you would like to be part of our Auckland contingent and stay with the group, please contact Peter on 021 743 906. Peter has also negotiated some very good ferry fares. Graeme Crawley showed us a short 10 minute film of his recent trip to the Ariel Motorcycle Rally held in Sardinia. The majority of riders came from Italy, with a hand full from other countries. They had a fair bit of rain and the daily runs finished at a nice restaurant for a long lunch. The evening dinner was another long affair. Thanks Graeme for giving us a glimpse of a different part of the world. John Stokes would like to put on a run for pre 1950 motorcycles, if you would like to take part in a run like this, please let myself or John know. Guest Speaker: Mike Noonan worked in Christchurch in the late 80's for an engineering company which did a lot of machining work for John Britten. Now fast forward to Mike seeing The Worlds Fastest Indian film. This inspired Mike to follow in Burt Munro's footsteps. Mike and friend Ian Hamley decided to use a Moto Guzzi as Mike owns a number of Guzzies. They decided on the 350cc class to attempt a record. They bought a very nice 1979 V35 Imola from Taupo, the owner was happy to think that his pride and joy was going to a good home. Little did he know that Mike was going to make drastic changes to the bike. The changes were, fuel injection, a turbocharger, a modified Porsche clutch, Yamaha conrods, Honda piston's and a lot more other machining modifications. The power at the rear wheel was 59 bhp, the bike rev's to 11,500. The bike was fitted with a Manx Norton fuel tank, an alloy front wheel cover and alloy rear guard and seat. The first test run was at Muriwai Beach, unfortunately the rear wheel shaft drive broke. Next stop was Bonneville. After a number of runs they broke the class record they were after, which was 124 mph. If you would like read more and watch the film of the record attempt google Mike Noonan - Moto Guzzi. At the end of the meeting Mike took the Guzzi out into the car park and started it up, oh boy what a very loud noise coming out of that 350 engine. Martin thanked Mike for coming and telling us his and the Guzzi's story.
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Motorcycle Notes Contd... Keep those 2,3 and 4 wheels turning safely Martin Spicer and Jack Clark
Mike Noonan & Martin Spicer
Robinson Instrument Ltd Unit 3 31 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland.
Ph: 09 636 5836 Fax:09 636 5838 Email: sales@robinsoninstruments.co.nz Web: www.robinsoninstruments.co.nz
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Entertainment Notes Don’t forget the Bingo Night – Saturday 25th August – see advert on page 25. Approximately 50 members turned out on club night to hear our National North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smiley’s, presentation. She was accompanied by her husband Jim and they talked of their recent trip across the USA following Route 66. Kaaren was delighted to see that Auckland members were getting out and about and supporting other Branch events. They encouraged members to keep the support going and were very impressed with our clubrooms. And this is what is happening on August Club night the 23rd:- Ever wondered what, if anything, was happening here at the Lincoln Rd interchange? Volunteers and paid contractors have been working here since 2002, when the SS TOROA, last of the Albatross class ferries with original steam propulsion machinery intact, was hauled out from Henderson Creek. This was probably the largest vessel to be taken out of the water anywhere other than on a commercial slipway in Australasia. A talk on the restoration of this Auckland icon, launched in St Mary’s Bay in 1925, will be given by Toroa Preservation Society members on Club Night August 23rd. Russel McAlpine Ph: 0274 735 451
ADVANCE NOTICE – CLUB NIGHT 27TH SEPTEMBER TRADE NIGHT AT THE CLUBROOMS
Displays of products and goods from our Bulletin advertisers
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Commercial Notes The June meeting of our little section, my last as a serving Committee member, saw a bumper turnout of commercial aficionados. Some were surprised when I announced that I was fully prepared to carry on as commercial rep. The table was awash with photographic albums of restored and un-restored trucks from around New Zealand, many of them having been restored by Gavin Abbott. Gavin’s knowledge of New Zealand’s truck fleet is second to none. He has written a number of books on the subject. These are just a few of them.
The July meeting again saw us with a good turnout, albeit with Bryan Belcher being indisposed after a short hospital stay. Murray Firth tells us he has been able to unearth some history on the origins of the early British Bedford. He tells us that in 1926, General Motors (US) acquired Vauxhall Motors (UK) and began exporting trucks to England. The crippling tariffs were a problem, so GM began making trucks in the UK, based on the 1½ ton version, using a Vauxhall motor, Lucas electrics and a Zenith carburettor. Over the next two years, the entire truck became an all English product. Ours is not the only Branch to struggle in filling Committee positions this year. In perusing Bulletins from several other Branches, I see many positions unfilled. Waikato for instance, currently has no Secretary or Treasurer. In a lot of Branches, committee positions are just rotated. We have also lost as tenants, this past year, two one make clubs that one would have thought were very strong. If we don’t fear for the future, we should do. I had to remonstrate with a new member, (40ish) recently who apologised for not putting his hand up at the AGM for Committee. He felt guilty when we couldn’t achieve our prescribed number of six. Nobody should have to feel this way, I told him, especially someone who has been with us for five minutes!! Keep M Rolling John Campbell
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Veteran Notes There was lots of conversation around a massive 1913 Mitchell Phil Henley is bringing in from the States. Phil Henley had gone to the States to buy a 1914 Cadillac but on the test run the car ran a bearing, so it was not purchased. It will be the largest veteran car to come into Auckland from overseas. The car is six cylinders, 60 HP, 9.5 litres, 132” wheel base and standing on 28 inch wheels. Before the First World War, the American’s made some massive cars for the very wealthy but very few found their way to NZ. A new 60 HP Peerless, Packard or Pierce Arrow were 20 times the price of a Model T Ford. Massive sums in 1913. The large Mitchell would have been almost in that same league. Mitchell offered five models in 1913 of between 22 HP and 60 HP. The 60 HP car was only manufactured for one year. The car has been fitted with four-wheel hydraulic brakes, as the previous owner said it was dangerous. Not a bad modification with a 60 HP car that will cruise with modern traffic. When they made the modification, they disconnected the hand brake, but that is being sorted. My 1912 40 HP Cadillac was sold new in Auckland for 585 pounds. You could at the time buy a new house in Remuera for 385 pounds. The 60 HP Mitchell would have sold for three times that sum. About four years ago Craig Marshall of Auckland brought in from the States two 1914 La France 14.5 litre fire trucks and one 9 litre fire truck. Two of those vehicles have been converted into race cars and one vehicle was on the last Parliamentary Tour. La France only ever built fire engines, so the purists would say they were not cars. Ten years ago, Kit Maxwell imported a 50 HP 6-cylinder Maxwell. It is good to see a few very large veteran cars coming into NZ. One of our group recently went to the States to look at a 1913 60 HP Fiat. He did not purchase the car as he said it was not great to drive, but when Phil goes past him on the next veteran run, then drops the car into top gear he might regret that decision. There was an agent for the Mitchell in Auckland in 1913 and they did sell four cars, but they were all small horsepower cars. Those cars never survived, but we do have two veteran Mitchells in Auckland, that have never appeared at a Vintage Car Club event. John Duncan has a 1911 Mitchell which he has owned since 1950. John brought the car in from Australia in 1967 and he did enter the car in the last Parliamentary Tour, but the car let him down before he got to the start. John Judd owns a 1912 Mitchell which came out from Canada many years ago. John did start on the first London to Brighton run but we have not seen the car since. Both those cars are much smaller cars. We were told Jim Boag’s 1915 Studebaker has gone to Gordon Hay in Oamaru. The car had been brought new by the Catholic Church in Wanganui. Ralph Blyde in Matamata purchased the car from Ron Roycroft about 1970 and carried out the restoration. Les Keys had the car on early veteran runs. When Les passed away, it was sold to Russell Vincent. Russell traded the Studebaker with Mark Ball to acquire the Packard. Jim Boag had bought the car off Mark. The car has a great pedigree, an original body and very reliable. Gordon Hay has bought a very motorable veteran. Both David Lane and Dennis Lowe brought in very early items which we discussed. David had bought in a lamp off a horse drawn buggy and Dennis produced a very strange early Motsinger generator. It was a very early accessory
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Veteran Notes Contd... for a car that did not have a generator, this one manufactured around 1912. We talked about the two veteran Austin’s from the lower North Island which have recently gone to the UK. We are losing the English cars and acquiring cars from the States, so we now have a very different mix of cars from previously. We looked at cars imported and exported over the last twenty years on data provided by Statics NZ. We have imported 1,550 early Mustangs from the States and sent 51 Morris Minors back to England. We have brought more early Fords into NZ than we have ever exported. For every car we export, nine cars have come into NZ. Some veterans are leaving NZ as spare parts to get around the import duty at the other end. The material is presently in the Library at the clubrooms. Great conversation and love to see you at the next meeting. You do not have to own a veteran vehicle, but must have an appreciation of the interest. Barry Birchall
Established in 1993 we specialise in classic & Vintage Car Restorations and Repair work Classic Car Insurance Claims Insurance and Private Work on all vehicles WOF and Rust Repairs Full Panel and Paint Service New! - The Metal Room—Metal Shaping Classes Contact Mark McAlpine—Ph: (09) 820 2299
Email: alpinepb@vodafone.co.nz www.alpinepanelbeaters.co.nz Or call in and see us at 8/2 Lansford Crescent, Avondale
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Mid Week Tourers Sincere thanks to Barry Birchall and Jack Nazer for last months outing to Ryders Cinema. Barry had done most of the ground work and had obtained a copy of the film “Genevieve” to screen. Jack had plotted a good drive which of necessity involved suburban roads, but still included some rural areas and avoided the main drags. A number went direct to Ryders, including Royce Shears, now a senior member. Good to see you there Royce. Also nice to have some younger ones there (school holidays). Two of the Driver’s grandchildren and Ken Brownlie had two of his grandies navigating for him in that sweet little Bradford, I love the sound of the flat twin engine! We missed the Bieleski’s, good health germs coming your way Neil, but glad to see Dudley Kitson, Brian Teutenberg and George Urquhart all present, even though not as good as they would like. George even went twice, the first time he thought it a little odd to find no one there he knew and the film was something about ballet dancing, so he went back the following week! Clint Ryder, grandson of the late Jack, put on his usual old fashioned roast dinner, cooked in an old coal range. Brian Belcher and Barry Birchall entertained us with anecdotes about Jack and the early history of Ryders. John Ryder, son of Jack, was the projectionist and gave us a bonus of a couple of old news clips of Jack being interviewed about his collection. The main film, Genevieve, was well received even though most had seen it before. It’s such a classic that it’s always worth repeating. Ryders only charged us $23.00 per person, despite our lower numbers attending, so we decided to put the $64-00 left over towards the Club Daffodil Day collection. Coming Events: Wednesday August 15: Starts from the Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure. John Cheale is organising this run to a collection of model trains in South Auckland. Wet or fine. BYO lunch and chairs, but hot water etc. will be available. Wednesday 19 September: Starts from the Warehouse Carpark, Westgate 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure. Kelvin Hawke has offered to organise this one and it will be finishing at a members home with a wonderful garage. Wednesday 17 October: Starts from the Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway 10:00 a.m. to a 10:30 a.m. departure. More details next month.
The Dewdrops & the Mid-Week Team
Ph: (09) 232 0245 or email dewdrops@xtra.co.nz Mobile (as a last resort) 021 051 3770
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Secretary Notes A quiet month around the Committee table, with the Committee members being allocated various responsibilities and ensuring your Branch ticks along and you have events to attend. While disappointing, I can see why people are afraid to volunteer and commit to being on Committee. Administration of the Branch does not take an army, but what does help immensely is putting your hand up when you can to help out, whether it is in the kitchen on a Club Night when you happen to be there, marshalling or making cups of tea on a club run, convincing that contact or friend of yours to come along and share their story as a Club Night speaker, or offering to organise a Club run. None of these tasks are particularly onerous on a singular basis and offering to help just once would “lighten the load”. Give Lynda Spicer or Russel McAlpine a call and do that run or suggest a Club Night speaker. I have entry forms for both the Rotorua Sulphur City Rally and the Taranaki Rubber Duckie. Also for all you Veteran owners, it looks like the National Rally in Nelson is not to be missed. I have the details on this as well, or call into the Clubrooms for a hard copy of any of these entries. The National AGM will have been and gone by the time you read this. Martin & Lynda Spicer and Stephen & I are attending and there will be a summary in the next Bulletin of what went down. Rodger and Val Ball have the Hunua 100 well in hand and I am hoping you are all intending to attend, particularly if you haven’t been out in recent years. It is our 60th and we are planning a weekend to remember. Lastly, I have already had one request for cars for a Santa Parade. Often these miss timely Bulletin deadlines, so watch the email tree and consider supporting your local Community Parade. Usually a rewarding couple of hours and another way of ensuring our vehicles and hobby are in the public eye.
Tracey Winterbottom
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Coming Events August 11 15
Sat Wed
18 19 22
Sat Sun Wed
23 25 25 26
Thurs Sat Sat Sun
Veteran Section Meeting 2:30pm Mid Week Tourers Starts Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway 10:00am Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Motorcycle Eddie Sim Rally—start Cornwall Park 11:00am Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night—Restoration of “SS Toroa” 8:00pm Bingo Night—Fundraising for VCCNZ Daffodil Day 7:00pm Sulphur City Rally (Rotorua Branch) Club Run—VCC Daffodil Rally for Cancer Starts Clubrooms 1:00pm
September 4 8 9 13 14-15 19
Tues Sat Sun Thurs
22 23 23 26
Sat Sun Sun Wed
27 30
Thurs Sun
2 6 6 11 13 14 17
Tues Sat Sat Thurs Sat Sun Wed
Wed
October
20-21 24 Wed 25 30
Thurs Tues
Committee Meeting 7:30pm Veteran Section Meeting 2:30pm PV, PWV, P60v & P80V—Annual Rally Bulletin via Branch website or email Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally (Taranaki Branch) Mid Week Tourers Starts The Warehouse Car Park, Westgate 10:00am Motorcycle Meeting 2;30pm Wet Leg Run PV, PWV, P60v & P80V Rally (Waikato Branch) Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night—Trade Night 8:00pm Ladies Run—Rally plotted by the Ladies Committee Meeting 7:30pm Working Bee 9:00am Veteran Section Meeting 2:30pm Bulletin Mailing & Rally Instructions Night 7:30pm Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm Motorcycle Mug Run Mid Week Tourers Starts Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway 10:00am 60th Hunua 100 Rally Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm Club Night 8:00pm Committee Meeting (November Meeting) 7:30pm
Note: The clubrooms are open on the second and fourth Thursday evenings each month from 7:30pm till 10:00pm and every Saturday afternoon from 4:30pm till 6:30pm.
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Coming Events
Thursday 23 August 8:00 p.m. Guest Speaker from Toroa Preservation Society talking on the restoration of SS Toroa
August Club Run Sunday 26 August Daffodil Day National VCC Fundraiser Starts from:
Clubrooms
Time:
1:00 p.m.
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Bulletin Emails In the interests of cost and the environment, earlier this year the Committee made a decision to start emailing every second Bulletin. The benefits are: Cost savings (The Bulletin costs on average $1500 to print and post per month, with these costs expected to continue to rise steadily) Environmental – digital copy obviously saves on paper and energy costs Unlimited content in colour, delivered faster and members still have the choice to print a full copy, or perhaps just the coming events page With the Coming Events calendar going forward three (3 )months, those who don’t see their digital copy will still get notice on Coming Events. The Bulletin is also available on our website and the National website where the software allows very easy reading. Three (3) members have made contact and asked for their Bulletins to continue to be posted and we have done that. If you wish to have your Bulletin posted every month, please let me know as soon as possible. If you did NOT receive a Test Bulletin email from me in the first week of this month (August) then I do not have your current email address, please forward it to me as soon as you can. Many of you have opted in to have every Bulletin via email, again, if you wish to do this please email me advising so. Tracey Winterbottom (09) 232 0246 or 021 732 209 or email: tracey.winterbottom@frucorsuntory.com
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New Members A most sincere welcome is extended to the following new members. We hope to see you taking an active part in Club activities whenever possible. Should you or any member require any assistance or advice, please feel free to ask any Committee member. (Refer back page of this Bulletin). Brian Hood One Tree Hill 1979 Mercedes Benz 280 Coupe This new member joined in July
Kick Start Rally John Poole was the plotter for this years Kick Start Rally. It was to be run on the 15th July but it was postponed due to heavy rain, so we tried again on the 22 nd. As I was recovering from a bad bout of the flu, I went along in my car taking grandson Riley with me. We arrived at the start at the Homestead Cafe next to the Howick Historical Village. Guess what it was raining. Anyway we had 7 motorcycles lined up – Michael O'Kane 650 BSA Golden Flash sidecar, Brian King 1939 500 BSA sidecar, Don Green 500 Norton Dominator, Brian Gathercole Matchless 500 G9, Lloyd Wilson 350 Jawa, Ian Bell 500 Triumph, Dave Pitchers 500 Vincent. Peter & Judy Alderdice came along for the ride in their BMW convertible. At 11:15am the rain had stopped and John Poole sent the riders off after they kick started their bikes. The run made its way to Point View Drive, Jeffs Road, Murphys Road, Ormiston Road, Redoubt Road, Mill Road, we then passed the bottom end of Ardmore airfield, from there it was onto that great biking road Ardmore Quarry, then it was Creightons, Jones, Hunua, Boundary, Opaheke, Sutton and Great South Roads. The motorcycles stopped at the Jolly Farmer where John made them kick start their bikes again. Then it was onto Waihoehoe, Drury Hills, Ramarama and Ararimu Roads. We then crossed over the motorway and did a circle using Kern, Runciman and Great South Roads. From there we went on Karaka, Blackbridge, Walters, Linwood and Hingaia Roads and finished at Urban Soul Cafe, where the riders had to kick start their motorcycles for a final time. We then had a good lunch in the very busy cafe. John checked his paperwork and announced that the winner of this years kick start rally was Michael O'Kane. Well done Mike. Thanks John for a good country ride. Martin Spicer
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Are you on the Tree?
ARE YOU ON THE TREE? We have an email tree to remind you what is coming up, and any other relevant information that comes to hand between Bulletins. You won’t get bombarded with rubbish and your email address is not visible to anyone else on the distribution list. If you are reading this and would like to be included please send me an email at vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz and you’ll be in the loop.
WANTED A loan of Hunua 100 Photographs and Memorabilia for a display to celebrate our 60th Hunua 100. Please contact Shaaran Price ASAP Ph 833 8575 Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com
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2018 R’Oil Can Rally Ghost written for Ryan Winterbottom We left home at 5:30 a.m. to get to the start at the Autobahn, Bombay, for 6:00 a.m. Coffee and meet the other entrants, the briefing and then we set off, not yet daylight. I was navigating for Poppa D, Norman Dewhurst, in the Felicia. Section one took us over the river at Tuakau, then up the Onewhero hill and into the hinterland where we had to “beware of slips, one way sections, and wild goats!” Came close to Huntly at one point, then onto morning tea at Ruawaro school. We were welcomed here by Auckland member Dianne Poole whose grand children attend that school. School PTA’s are always a good bet for plenty of home cooking. Section two took us further south and over Otorohaea Trig Rd where our instructions warned us of corrugations both up and down the hill. Good advice! Through Te Akau, and into Raglan to refuel, then another 11 miles to the Te Mata school for lunch, more country cooking! Suitably refreshed, back into the wild blue yonder, yes, there was no rain throughout Saturdays rally. We skirted Kawhia harbour and soon after entered Honikiwi Rd where we enjoyed about 15 miles of pure vintage motoring. Then into Waitomo Valley Rd, which only a few years ago was a “green centre line” road, but is now tar sealed all the way. Our destination turned out to be Waitomo, where we were based for the night at the old THC hotel, now renovated and in private ownership. Spa pools, happy hour, and a good dinner, served in the beautifully restored dining room, then off to bed for a well earned sleep. The rain started during the night and steadily got worse as we headed home. Floods everywhere, particularly from Huntly northwards and by the time we got home our drive looked as though we might need snorkels. About 25 starters, which included seven Aucklanders in three cars. Others from as far afield as Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty. The R’Oil Can is formatted on a full day’s motoring, over lesser used roads, to an overnight destination which is unknown to the entrants until you get there. One entry fee which covers everything and open to all Club eligible vehicles, provided that they are of the “open top” variety. No competition and no winner. I have now participated in about six and have enjoyed them all. Thank you Waitemata Branch and Barry & Heather Howard, this years organisers. Ryan Winterbottom
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Great find at the Ellerslie Concours At the Ellerslie Concours in February 2011 Roy Sharman had his recently acquired 1902 Oldsmobile on display. Someone told Roy at the Concours he had a similar car in a garage at home only a few streets away, that had to be sold. Dennis Lowe and Roy visited the property in Ellerslie on the Monday morning and by Wednesday Dennis Lowe owned a very original single cylinder 1903 Oldsmobile which had been in one family for eighty-four years. I wrote a short article on this in the HCC newsletter in April-May 2011, shortly after the purchase. Since then, Dennis has done more research on the car and carried out some restoration. The car had been purchased new by Captain Subritzky from the Oldsmobile agent in Sydney. Captain Subritzky used to take the Oldsmobile with him on the schooner Greyhound so there are early photos of the car taken in Northland. The car was involved in an accident with a tram in Hobson Street on Labour Day 12th October 1904. There was a photo of the accident in the Auckland Weekly News at the time. It was the first motor vehicle accident in Auckland and maybe the first insurance claim for a motor vehicle accident. The tram was No 40 and No 39, an identical tram, has been restored by MOTAT. The following year, Captain Johannes Subritzky, at 73, received a speeding ticket when he was involved in an illegal motor vehicle race down Queen Street which resulted in five pounds fine. There was a suggestion made he had also run a pedestrian down in Queen Street. The front of the body was altered at some stage but I do believe it was to update the car and not connected with the accident. The curve normally found on the front of the Oldsmobile had been removed and a dummy bonnet had been installed. The damage at the time was to the right rear corner of the car and you can still see evidence of this on the car. The car had one odd wheel and a crease in the guard on that corner. It was common to up-date vehicles in that period and this could have happened after the accident. Dennis has altered the front again so it looks like the vehicle as it first appeared. When Subritzky died, we believe the car was sold in 1911 by Dexter and Crozier in Auckland to a Captain Tucker who could have taken the vehicle to Gisborne. Captain Tucker had made a name for himself in the Maori Wars. He had a farm on Campbell Island in the far south, was chairman of the Hospital Board in Gisborne and did two terms as Mayor. Tucker had leased Campbell Island for fourteen years from the Government and brought people out from the Shetland Islands to run the farm as he felt they would be more accustomed to the inhospitable climate. When he left the island, they had a flock of 6,500 sheep and were taking 200 bales of wool off the island every year. He died in Gisborne in 1919. What happened to the car between 1919 and 1927 we cannot be sure, but it could have stayed on the Tucker property. We know the Nichols family, who had the General Motors dealership in Gisborne bought the vehicle in 1927. The car was well known in Gisborne, as Ormond Motors used the Oldsmobile in street parades and had the car at school galas. The Oldsmobile sat for many years in the back of their showroom. The company had been established in 1900 and was sold in 1950. John Nichols, the son, joined the old company later as their accountant and the car could have gone back to Ormond Motors while John was there. There are several good photos of the
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Great find at the Ellerslie Concours Contd... car in the Gisborne Museum. The car last appeared in Gisborne on the Captain Cook Centennial parade in 1969. Some in Auckland might remember the Oldsmobile when it appeared at MOTAT in about 1970. The car was removed from MOTAT about four years later when someone removed something off the car. I do remember someone driving the car within the grounds of MOTAT. I had always assumed, when the car left MOTAT, it went back to Gisborne. John Nichols, the last owner of the car and now in his nineties and back in Gisborne, had never driven the vehicle. He had only kept the Oldsmobile as it had meant so much to his Dad. Dennis Lowe had the car running within a few days of the sale. He found a nest of mason bees in the carburettor. I was pleased in this case to see the car go to someone who had been looking for a single cylinder veteran car and appreciates the history that belongs with that vehicle. A discovery like this is normally something you read about in some overseas publication, not something that happens here at home. Over the years, Dennis has been going through the car and it now runs like a new clock. It couldn’t have gone to a better home. Captain Subritzky was founder of the well known shipping dynasty in Auckland, his family ran the ferries and barges on the harbour for many years. Dennis has met many of the present Subritzky family and attended a family wedding in the car. Dennis is presently building up a spare motor for the car and has acquired a new crank shaft from England. I want to thank Dennis and Roslyn Lowe for letting me tell the story. Barry Birchall
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August 2018
2018 Winter Woollies Wander Wellsford/Warkworth Winter Woollies Wander attracted twenty Auckland entries this year out off the total of sixty starters. The rally began at the Matakohe Hall along side the Kauri settlers museum on the weekend of July 7-8th. The rally route went over a lot of unsealed roads and with some good luck, the weather stayed fine. The rally covered around 118 miles with the usual questions to answer ending back at Warkworth. Auckland place getters were: Vintage Post Vintage Post War P60V P80V
2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd
Overall winner
John & Janice Gardner Gavin Welch & Sophie Zhao Don & Noeline Huggins Gary & Roseanne Bright Alan, Shaaran & Zoe Price Gary Bax & Murray Atkinson Gavin Welch & Sophie Zhao
Gavin Welch
MOTOR TRIMMING CLASSIC & VINTAGE CARS LEATHER, HOODS, SIDECURTAINS 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE Trained by Ken Keay FABRIC BODIES A SPECIALITY TOP QUALITY WORK REASONABLE RATES John McKechnie 66a Ladies Mile Remuera Phone: (09) 522 4418
August 2018
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2018 PV, PWV, P60V & P80V Rally
for
PV, PWV, P60V & P80V Rally Sunday 9 September 2018 Please phone: Merv & Judy Stowers Ph: (09) 298 1648
Entry Form for this event was sent via email or available on the AVVCC website. Please complete Entry Form and send to Rally Secretary NOW!
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August 2018
2018 Hunua 100 Rally
HUNUA 100 We invite you to take part in the 60th Annual Hunua 100 20th—21st October 2018 Weekend events: Saturday 20 October Clubrooms open from 2:30 p.m. Garden Party with light live music, along with a Book Sale, Commemorative Display and Booklet of 60th Anniversay. 50 niversary. 50year yearawards awardspresentation. presentation. Sunday 21 October Hunua 100 Rally, first car away at 9:30 a.m. approximately 100 miles on rural roads, competitive and non-competitive non-competitive entrants. entrants. Morning Morning tea tea will be available at the start. Evening dinner and prize giving at CT Club, Remuera from 7:00 p.m. onwards. Entry Form included in this issue of The Bulletin We look forward to your participation
Rodger & Val Ball Plotters
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Bingo Night
Saturday 25 August 7:30pm – AVVCC Clubrooms Light supper provided Many thanks to Pat, Fay and Barbara
$10 per person Door prizes
Quick Fire Raffles
and more
Bring plenty of small change Bar open
All proceeds will be contributed to Auckland Branch’s efforts for VCCNZ Daffodil Rally for Cancer
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August 2018
2018 Hunua 100 Rally
for
60th Hunua 100 Rally Sunday 21 October 2018 Please phone: Rodger or Val Ball Ph: (09) 298 6476 or 0274 873 561 or email: rvball@xtra.co.nz
PAUL’S MAGNETOS Testing, repairs, re-magnetising, rewinding and remedial-engineering of all types of magnetos. Magnetos re-engineered to competition standards of accuracy, with improved spark power. Dynamo repairs, 6 to 12-volt conversion, 3 to 2 brush conversion, electronic regulators, adjustment of mechanical regulators. Recommended by Ken McIntosh, Hugh Anderson, Ken Campbell, Steve Raffills and David Warren.
Contact Paul Greet at 021 771090
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For Sale Austin 1100 1973 - 3 owners. Rust work done for WOF. Mechanically sound and was reliable. Has service repair manual. Has new carpet. Registration ran out October 2016. Colour orange. Needs new battery, plus driver’s seat repairs. Ph: Trish Grinlinton 4459288 (Urgent Sale) …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. "Rita" the Riley, 1964 4/72—92,000 documented miles, as new motor running in miles. Very good order. Excellent family car for rallying. Perfect, first car for the Grand Children. Reg. & W o F, $10,000 o.n.o Ph: Brian Carkeek (Member) (09) 483 6949.
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
NZ Welder Repair Services Ltd. Unit 4/5 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
For personal service call Rod Rugg (Member) Stick, MIG, TIG and Plasma cutters. All welding machine types and consumables for sale. “Over 30 years experience” Repairs to machines, new sales and used. Hire options available. For home or work. Large or small. We deal with only good machines not rubbish. Phone: 09 8261425, e-mail: rod.rugg@nzwrs.com Postal address: P.O. Box 19272, Avondale, Auckland 1746
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August 2018
Your Committee Chairman/Motorcycle Rep: Martin Spicer (Lynda)
Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 0274 454 593 Vice Chairman/ Entertainment: Russel McAlpine (Jocelyn) Email: rjmcalpine@xtra.co.nz Ph: 818 4285 or 0274 735 451 Secretary / Privacy Officer: Tracey Winterbottom Email: vintagesunbeam@hotmail.co.nz (Stephen) Ph: (09) 232 0246 or 021 732 209 Treasurer: Ian Hubbard (Lesley) Email: ian@fhp.co.nz Ph: 575 8236 or 0274 426748 Club Captain: Lynda Spicer (Martin) Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com Ph: (09) 233 6382 or 021 454 593 Committee Members: Don Green (Brenda) Clubroom Bookings/Spares/Name Badges Email: greend@slingshot.co.nz Ph: 266 8836 or 012 073 2642 Alan Price (Shaaran) Building Maintenance Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 Shaaran Price (Alan) Social Convenor/New Membership Liaison Officer Email: birdwoodprices@gmail.com Ph: 833 8575 John Stokes Veteran Rep/Spares/Trophy Stewart Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz Ph: (09) 236 4582 or 021 185 5915 Non-Committee Officers: Librarian Bulletin Editor Barry Robert (Elva) Val Ball (Rodger) Ph: 627 9451 Ph: 298 6476 Email: rvball@xtra.co.nz Beaded Wheels Reporter Commercial Rep John Stokes John Campbell (Pat) Continuous Membership Awards Steward Ph: 828 7850 or 0272 446 928 Glenn Morris (Marion) Ph: 273 4975 or 021 136 5926 Insurance: Vero Consumer Insurance Specialist 0800 505 905 or 356 4501 Agency Number: 0300126 Clubrooms Street Address: Postal Address: Open: Club Night:
Ph: 579 5625 39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose P O Box 12 138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 2nd & 4th Thursday 7:30-10:00pm, Every Saturday 4:30-6:30 pm 4th Thursday of the month
Branch Email Address Branch Website
auckland@vcc.org.nz www.avvcc.org.nz
Branch Honorary Life Members:
Barry Robert Norm Dewhurst Alan Roberts
August 2018
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Your Committee
August 2018