CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 79 YEARS
No. 397 December 2025/January 2026 New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine
$8.95
A TALE OF TWO RALLIES
9 418979 000012
NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLIES 50 YEARS APART MARKETPLACE VEHICLES FOR SALE 1928 MORGAN AERO THREE WHEELER
BEHIND THE WHEEL 1936 TALBOT BG 110 SPEED SALOON DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Supplied to Beaded Wheels by Wellington member, John Stokes. A lineup of cars in 1910 outside the Dalgety Buildings, Cathedral Square, Christchurch. The flag is of the Shaw Savill shipping line - Dalgetys were their agents. Even in 1910 Cathedral Square was a transport hub, and probably the cars are taxi cabs. The only car that had been identified is the 1909 or 1910 Model T Ford, at right. That it is a light colour, rather than a dark one, is a mystery!
Image source: Fletcher Trust Archives P5000/66/1: Dalgety & Co Ltd - New Zealand Premises: Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 1910
PHOTOGRAPHS REQUIRED: Submissions of suitable prints and information are welcome. Post or email original photographs or high resolution digital files of historical interest with any available information to: beadedwheels@vcc.org. nz or Beaded Wheels, PO Box 76063, Northwood Christchurch 8548. Laserprints/ photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.
Beaded Wheels
The official magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated).
To find out more about the club visit www.vcc.org.nz or contact your nearest branch.
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
VCCNZ BRANCHES A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz ASHBURTON PO Box 382, Ashburton 7740 ashburton@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND 39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose, Auckland 1061 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA C/O, 722 Waterholds Road, RD8 Christchurch 7678 bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY 11 Ridgemount Terrace, Welcome Bay, Tauranga 3112 bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz CANTERBURY PO Box 11-082, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 canterbury@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL OTAGO C/-114 Shortcut Road, Luggate, RD2, Wanaka 9382 centralotago@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 376 Kopua Road, RD11 Norsewood 4974 centralHawke’sbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH C/– PO Box 312 Kaitaia 0441 farnorth@vcc.org.nz GISBORNE PO Box 307, Gisborne 4040 gisborne@vcc.org.nz GORE PO Box 329, Gore 9740 gore@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY PO Box 3406, Napier 4142
Hawke’sbay@vcc.org.nz HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 923 Taringamotu Road, Taumarunui 3994 kingcountry@vcc.org.nz MANAWATU PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440 manawatu@vcc.org.nz MARLBOROUGH PO Box 422, Blenheim 7240 marlborough@vcc.org.nz NELSON PO Box 3531, Richmond 7050 nelson@vcc.org.nz NORTHLAND PO Box 17, Whangarei 0140 northland@vcc.org.nz NORTH OTAGO PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444 northotago@vcc.org.nz NORTH SHORE C/- 7 Godwit Place, Lynfield Auckland 1042 northshore@vcc.org.nz OTAGO C/- 125 Forbury Road, Saint Clair, Dunedin 9012 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY 19 Redruth St, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz SOUTH OTAGO C/- 1931 Breakneck Rd, RD 4, Balclutha 9274
southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz TARANAKI C/- 7 Leatham Ave, Strandon, New Plymouth 4312 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO 33 AC Baths Ave, Taupo 5530 taupo@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH WAIKATO C/- 7 Pirongia Roaad, NORTHLAND Te Awamutu 3876 WELLSFORD/ NORTH SHORE waikato@vcc.org.nz WARKWORTH WAIMATE AUCKLAND 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 WAITEMATA waimate@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY WAIKATO WAIRARAPA EASTERN BAY 24B Nikau Heights,Lansdowne, OF PLENTY ROTORUA Masterton 5810 SOUTH WAIKATO wairarapa@vcc.org.nz TAUPO GISBORNE KING COUNTRY WAITEMATA TARANAKI HAWKE’S BAY C/- 8 Jean Place, Stanmore Bay, WANGANUI Whangaparoa 0932 CENTRAL MANAWATU waitemata@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY HOROWHENUA WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 4541 WAIRARAPA wanganui@vcc.org.nz NELSON WELLINGTON WELLINGTON PO Box 38418, Wellington Mail Centre, MARLBOROUGH Lower Hutt 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 CANTERBURY BANKS PENINSULA wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz ASHBURTON WEST COAST SOUTH CANTERBURY C/- Shantytown, WAIMATE 316 Rutherglen Road, Rutherglen NORTH OTAGO CENTRAL OTAGO Greymouth 7805, westcoast@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND
GORE
OTAGO
SOUTH OTAGO
Guy Nicol Museum VINTAGE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY and collection of items from yesteryear
Opotiki Museum TE WHARE TAONGA O TE MOANA A TOI Showcased over 3 levels - Early Pioneering, Port History, Whakatohea Research & Archives, Agricultural & Heritage displays.
Shalfoon & Francis Trading Store Museum Over 100 years old, original fittings & stock
Adults $10 Children $5
Over decades Guy and Isobel Nicol have collected and lovingly restored an impressive collection of vintage farm machinery displayed in a private museum on the family home. To arrange a private viewing contact the Opotiki Museum 10am—4pm weekly 07-3155193 or ohas@xtra.co.nz
Museum Opening Times Mon-Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 10.00am-2.00pm
Shalfoon and Francis Trading Store Museum Mon-Sat 10.00am – 1.00pm
123 Church Street, 07 315 5193, ohas@xtra.co.nz, www.opotikimuseum.org.nz
½
–
CONTENTS
Issue 397 December 2025/January 2026
FEATURES 9 14
Bagnold’s Sahara Expedition
10 14
30
16 Gebbies Pass
Marketplace
31
Old Car – New Licence Age is no barrier – for car or driver! JBM Ford 10 Special Something to look out for next time you’re in Nelson The Model A Ford Just another old car? Behind The Wheel – The Invincible Talbot 1936 BG110 3½ Litre Speed Saloon.
21
Back to School Vintage Style
22
A Tale of Two Rallies
26
1949 Willys–Overland, Jeepster
The Invicible Talbot
29 30
Austin Sevens on Rangitoto Island Rally Snippets 30
Gebbies Pass Blast – Banks Peninsula
16 COVER
COLUMNS 5
From the Editor
39
Trade Directory
6
VCC Branch Events
40
President’s Message
7
Mailbag
41
Vero Update
8
Timelines
42
National Office News
8
Tricks of the Trade
42
Awards
31
Marketplace
43
Branch News
37
Swap Meets & Rallies
58
Passing Lane
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated
Banks Peninsula Branch have just wrapped up another highly successful Monte Carlo Rallye – full report to follow in our February issue. Photo: John McDonald
National Office
Phone 03 366 4461 (9.30am–1.30pm) Email admin@vcc.org.nz
Postal Address PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 8548, New Zealand.
Address 4 Meadow Street, Papanui, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Website: www.vcc.org.nz
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
4 Beaded Wheels
Find us on facebook Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is the worldwide organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles and related culture. The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Incorporated) is a founding member of FIVA. VCC Life Member Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.
FROM THE
EDITOR
This Triumph Spitfire is one of those now eligible for an annual warrant.
The welcome new WoF regime where vehicles older than 40 years need a WoF check annually rather than six-monthly has just come into effect and already there seem to be further regulatory changes afoot in the WoF ambit. From what I have seen of the press releases I would judge these to be moves that benefit motorists with longer times between WoF checks. From my observation our members keep their vehicle in a safe condition and are continually keeping an eye on things. However, human nature being what it is, I wonder how many of the great unwashed public take the time to check their vehicle regularly for such things as tyre wear and, that great annoyance to us all, vehicles with one headlight out! The driver is responsible for these things and other safety aspects of the vehicle as well. Maybe some people need a WoF check on their vehicle every week! Let us hope that when an older vehicle is stopped by the police that they check the vehicle
Beaded Wheels
for the obvious faults such as tyres and lights. The police can really do no more than such superficial checks as they lack the technical expertise or ability to delve much deeper at the roadside. The other possible regulatory change that we are all facing is that of Road User Charges (RUCs). Diesel-engined vehicle owners will be well versed in the RUC system with its requirements to always be up to date and are aware of how the current on-line/paperbased system works. It is easy to do and works well under the current load. I understand that EVs are also on that same system so presumably that is working well also. But – if the tax on petrol is removed and RUCs brought in for all vehicles the fear is that the current on-line/ paper-based system may not be able to handle the load. That is a worry because there are few options left other that some kind of GPS/digital telemetry which would indicate to our Government masters how far
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions
The Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXVI No. 396
Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531, PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 8548.
Typesetting and Design
Advertising Enquiries
Publisher
RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch
Editor: Kevin Clarkson Sub Editors: Judith Bain, Rosalie Brown, Mark Dawber, John McDonald, Graham Pauley, Charles Rushbrook
Classified and Display Advertising to: Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Postal: Attn Beaded Wheels Marketplace PO Box 76063, Northwood, Christchurch 85480. Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.
we had travelled, and where, and maybe even how fast we got there! Once the distance travelled is established it will be but a simple task to extract the required amount for the RUCs from your bank account! It’s early days yet, but motorists should be very wary about how this pans out. Perhaps the boffins will come up with a better way to determine how far we have gone — and a better way to pay. Additionally, while I don’t wish to seem pessimistic, once the petrol tax is removed and the price reduces, I wonder how long before it creeps up again, and we end up paying RUCs as well as high petrol prices! I haven’t met a Government yet that doesn’t love good taxation opportunities! This is the final issue of our national magazine for 2025, and I hope that readers have enjoyed the content as much as we have enjoyed putting it all together for you. I thank the editorial team of Judith Bain,
Back Issues
Available for purchase from admin@vcc.org.nz
Subscriptions
Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to: PO Box 76063 Northwood Christchurch 8548. Phone 03 366 4461, Email admin@vcc.org.nz Annual subscription (6 issues) $52* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$112* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$185* Digital subscription (6 issues) NZ$39 available from issuu.com. *Payment by credit card incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 2%
Rosalie Brown, Mark Dawber, John McDonald, Graham Pauley and Charles Rushbrook for their efforts on your behalf. When you meet up with them as you are out and about don’t forget to acknowledge the work they do for Beaded Wheels and the VCC. I take this opportunity to thank those who have submitted stories for inclusion and I would also like to thank our regular columnists. I know what it is like to have the commitment of meeting deadlines every issue and these people do it very well. George Kear for his Presidential words, Linda Duffell and Karen Proctor for keeping us up to date with National Office News, Graeme Rice for his Timelines column and last but not least, the Branch Reporters who send in copy for Branch News each issue. Thanks to you all.
Kevin Clarkson Editor Beaded Wheels
Copyright Information
The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced complete or in part provided that acknowledgement is made to “Beaded Wheels, the magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated” as the source. Reproduction of articles must be at least 12 months after original Beaded Wheels publication date. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.
CLOSING DATES FOR FEBRUARY/ MARCH Editorial Copy 5 January 2026 Advertisements 10 January 2026
Beaded Wheels 5