CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 80 YEARS
No. 398 February/March 2026 New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine
BEHIND THE WHEEL
9 418979 000012
1936 B.S.A. SALOON MARKETPLACE VEHICLES FOR SALE INCLUDING A 1965 SUNBEAM TIGER AND A 1936 CORD WESTCHESTER SEDAN
$8.95
Supplied by Martyn Seay this image is one of several from his father Maurice’s collection. Maurice Seay was a regular attendee of races in Christchurch in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Martyn thinks some of the images are from Mairehau and some from Wigram, but has no further details – readers are welcome to email us with information if they recognise the event and vehicle in this image.
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 club 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. 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
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OTAGO
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1929 BENTLEY 4 ½ LITRE BRUCE MCILROY LTD
This unique Bentley is in original condition. It has been displayed in a museum for forty years and now repatriated. The coachwork is by Park Ward “All Weather” (Body no. 3297). It is one of eight 4½ Litre chassis’ originally bodied by Park Ward. This is the only 4½ Litre Park Ward “All Weather” surviving with original coachwork intact. The car was displayed at the 1930 New York motor show. This Bentley is in running condition and recently serviced by Bruce McIlroy Ltd. It is being sold “as is where is” without current Registration and warrant of fitness. This is a unique opportunity to acquire an original W. O. Bentley. Viewing by appointment only. Please contact Bruce McIlroy Ph (0064) 027 223 1600 New Zealand Tenders close 4 pm Friday 6th March 2026 • Tender document with terms and conditions available on request to – office@bentleyservice.co.nz
BRUCE MCILROY LTD • 309 METHVEN HIGHWAY ASHBURTON, NEW ZEALAND • PH 03 308 7282
CONTENTS Issue 398 February/March 2026
FEATURES
15
Meeting My Morgan
30
10
Behind The Wheel – B.S.A. 10 Saloon
15
Meeting My Morgan
16
A Tale of Two Dipsticks
18
Motoring Memories – A Motorcycling Mystery
22 Coast to Coast
Marketplace
34
A Motorcycling Mystery
26
Treasure House at Tinwald The Ashburton Branch Museum Rally Snippets 26
Rallye Monte Carlo– Banks Peninsula
28
Motorcycle Rally – Auckland
30
Coast to Coast Tour – Nelson
31
Taihape Gumboot Rally – Wanganui
32
November Racing– Banks Peninsula
18 COVER
COLUMNS 5
From the Editor
41
Trade Directory
6
VCC Branch Events
42
President’s Message
7
Mailbag
42
National Office News
8
Timelines
43
Branch News
58
Passing Lane
8 Awards 33
Marketplace
39
Swap Meets & Rallies
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated
Behind the Wheel of the Ashburton Branch 2025 Restoration of the Year winner. 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 After a pleasant Christmas holiday break it’s time to get back to reality and face the deadlines again. After having been on the committee of Beaded Wheels for 26 years and the Editor for 23 years one might suppose that I have a rough idea about how to get cranked up again. I’m not sure. Let’s have at it! There is no doubt that the historic vehicle movement is alive and well throughout the world. The many television programmes about the various aspects of owning an old vehicle, the YouTube clips on cars, the large number of extensive collections and the popularity of classic racing events all confirm that the old vehicle movement we are all involved in is here to stay, even though they are petrol and oil burning behemoths! The only fly in the ointment is that the owners of said vehicles are getting older, and one wonders if younger people coming along behind have the same passion in sufficient numbers to ensure these pieces of mobile history are maintained in working order. Eventually we will welcome electric vehicles into our fold as they turn 30 years old. Time will tell how many of these will join those electric cars from the early 20th century to perhaps form their own class. Quite shocking to think of this aspect already! Interestingly I came across this press release in mid-December: “The EV bubble, or what’s left
Beaded Wheels
of it, popped this week. After carmakers invested billions into EV designs, and the EU and UK vowed to ban internal combustion engines, it’s all come undone. Donald Trump pulled the pin on subsidies for EVs and eased the strict emissions rules that punished petrol and diesel cars. US sales of electric cars promptly fell 40% in November. Ford’s fell by nearly 60%. In response, Ford has killed off several electric cars and will swallow a bitter pill of a $19.5 billion US dollar write down. That’s a lot of cars it will have to sell to make that money back. Gone is the fully electric F-150, the next generation electric truck, and any plan to make electric commercial vans. Instead, Ford says it will shift into gas and hybrid models. General Motors laid off 3,300 workers at EV plants in the US. On the other side of the Pacific, shares of Korean battery makers ‘slumped across the board’ this week after the news.” Recently we received a letter which was notable in that it had no name, address or other identifying features. Perhaps the writer wished to remain anonymous – but we don’t print such letters in Mailbag. The basic thrust of the letter was that while the writer appreciated the work that goes into organising a rally, he (or she) wanted the organiser to cater for those who didn’t enter the rally but wanted extra instructions printed for
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions
The Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXVII No. 398
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, Bruce Rickard, 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.
PHOTO FRANZ HAAG, CC BY-SA 3.0 s This club eligible Flocken Elektrowagen was thought to be the first production electric vehicle. It won’t be too long before we might be welcoming other models into the club.
them so they could take part, even if only on a casual noncompetitive way. The simple answer is that if members don’t enter rallies on time, then the organisers will stop organising them. Simple stuff really. It takes a lot of time and effort to organise a rally — something that some members do not seem to appreciate. Many rallies also offer a non-competitive choice. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities between formal rallies for members to have a casual drive in their vehicles. Most branches seem to have more than one social informal run during the year and sometimes they are monthly. Speaking of mammoth organisational tasks — I am looking forward to attending the Vero International Festival of Motoring being held in Nelson in mid-March. The
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.
rally team have put together a great week of events and the numbers attending will ensure a successful event. I look forward to catching up with Beaded Wheels readers and contributors from throughout New Zealand during the event. The hope is that we will have considerable coverage of the event in our April Issue, but I’m sure we will still likely have to carry over some of the happenings to the June issue of Beaded Wheels. Well, that’s got the year under way. Let’s see how it all unfolds.
Kevin Clarkson Editor Beaded Wheels
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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 APRIL/MAY Editorial Copy 24 February 2026 Advertisements 10 March 2026
Beaded Wheels 5
VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Hawke’s Bay members enjoyed a social run to picturesque Mangakuri Station Homestead.
FEBRUARY
6-8 Banks Peninsula 7 Eastern BOP 7 Marlborough
7 Southland 7 Wairarapa 8 Northland 8 Wellington 11 Hawke’s Bay 12 North Otago 13–15 Banks Peninsula 14 Auckland 15 North Shore 14 Waimate 15 Ashburton 15 South Canterbury 15 Taranaki 15 Wanganui 19–22 Hawke’s Bay 21-22 Canterbury 21 Central Otago 21 Far North 21 Nelson 21 Northland 21 North Otago 21 South Canterbury 22 Ashburton 22 Auckland 22 Horowhenua 25 North Otago 26 Ashburton 26 Otago
Skope Classic Race meeting (Chch) Eastern Bay of Plenty Rally Brayshaw Park Heritage Day Southland Rally Waitangi Day Barbeque Waipu Car Show Brit & Euro Car Day New Year Meeting Mid Month Run Southern Class Race Meeting (Timaru) Annual Veteran Rally Club Run out west Wallaby Rally VCC / VTNZ / Cancer Society Car show Chairman’s Run Waitara Mini Vin Tour Sunday Run Art Deco Festival Annual Rally Gold Motorcycle Rally Southern Captain’s Run Murchison A&P Show /Moutere Hop / Top of the South Motor Show Gymkhana All British Day Open Day Chairman’s Run Points Trophy Club Run Ted Green Memorial Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle Run Midweek Run Midweek Run
NATIONAL EVENTS 15-21 March 2026 Vero International Festival Nelson Region
6 Beaded Wheels
26-27 Waitemata 27 Hawke’s Bay 27–1 South Waikato 27-28 Wellington 28 Canterbury 28 Gore 28 Wellsford/ Warkworth
Lochinver Mix n’ Mingle Highland Fling Aaron’s South Island Motorcycle Tour Booklands to Brighton (for 100 year vehicles) Festival Rally Swap Meet
MARCH
1 Otago Brit & Euro Car Show 7 Canterbury Moped/Clipon Run 7 Nelson Rai Valley A&P Show 7 Southland Veteran & Vintage Rally 7 Wairarapa Stretched Gymkhana 8 Gore March Run 8 South Canterbury Mid Island Rally 14 West Coast Scenicland Rally 15 Ashburton PV/PW Run 15 Gore Swap Meet 15-21 Nelson Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring 21-22 Central Hawke’s Bay Steam Fair Feilding 21 Horowhenua Swap Meet 22 Canterbury Rear Wheel Brake & Veteran Rally 22 North Shore Club Run 22 Wairarapa Garage Raid 26 Ashburton Midweek Run 26 Otago Midweek Run 27 Hawke’s Bay Mix ‘n’ Mingle 28 South Canterbury Swap Meet 28-29 Canterbury Jim Toohey Motorcycle Run 29 Banks Peninsula Autumn Gymkhana Loburn
A valid Vehicle ID card (VIC) is required for any vehicle entered in a National VCC event. Visit www. vcc.org.nz for more information on how to obtain a VIC for your vehicle.
APRIL
9 South Canterbury 11 Auckland 11 Canterbury 11-12 Otago 12 Ashburton 12 Gore 12 Hawke’s Bay 12 North Shore 12 South Canterbury 12 Wairarapa 18 Canterbury 18 Central Otago 18 Far North 24 Hawke’s Bay 25 Canterbury 26 Northland
MAY
2 Ashburton 2 Taranaki 3 Canterbury 3 Hawke’s Bay 6 Hawke’s Bay 9 Canterbury 9 Nelson 9 Southland 9-10 Wairarapa 10 Far North 10 Gore 14 South Canterbury 16 Northland 16 Southland 17 Canterbury 17 Hawke’s Bay 17 South Canterbury
Midweek Run Autumn Tour P Group Annual Rally Southern Backroad Adventure Veteran/Vintage Only Run Frank Robson Memorial Run & Clearwater Capers Sunday Run Annual Car Show Motorcycle Run Club Captain’s Run Scooter and Small Motorcycle Rally Gold Times Rally Brian Parker Rally Mix ‘n’ Mingle Malvern Anzac Day Run Swap Meet
Swap Meet Maunga Moana Rally Autumn Run Back-to-Basics Swap Meet Midweek Run Rural Run Swap Meet Waimea Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle Reliability Run Mother’s Day Rally Night Trial Midweek Run Motorcycle Rally P60/P80 Rally Ross Butler Memorial Grasskhana Sunday Run P Class Rally
This column is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and events as listed in each branch newsletter. It does not contain all branch activities. While Beaded Wheels makes every attempt to check the accuracy of the dates published in this column we advise readers to confirm all dates with the individual branch concerned.
MAILBAG Beaded Wheels reserves the right to publish, edit or refuse publication of any item s ubmitted as comment. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the policy or views of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Incorporated) or the publishers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
LOOKING FOR DAD’S OAKLAND
I am on the hunt for my Dad’s 1928 Oakland sedan, blue, number plate ‘Early 1’ — Miss Bonnie. Dad (Hans Versteeg) passed away 20 years ago and it went through an estate sale. It was sold from 7 Karaka Street, New Lynn or 32 Strid Road, Te Atatu to a guy in Melbourne and it was transported from Auckland to Southland in 2006/2007. I am on the hunt as I would like to purchase it back. Can any readers help me please? Katie Versteeg katie.versteeg@vedunz.com
MUSEUM UPDATE
I enjoyed the article by Tiffany Curtis in the Oct-Nov issue of Beaded Wheels, but offer an update. The Mullin Museum closed almost two years ago and most of the cars were auctioned. I could not find the fate of the Atlantic, but it’s likely that it was returned to co-owner Rob Walton. Collector Jay Leno owns a very nice Atlantic replica. Several years ago, I was a volunteer guide for tours of the collection. The Frazer Nash Mille Miglia that we had restored in New Zealand, and toured with it many times, was sold last year. The website is still active: http:// frazernash-usa.com/ Bob Schmitt & Shannon Miller
TALBOT – AND WINGS
Three items in Beaded Wheels 397 caught my eye. Firstly, the article on the 1936
Talbot, a marque I have always respected. The closest I have come to one was in the 1996 Targa rally when Alison Moores and I swapped stage times. Her 1931 Talbot was built for a private owner (W. Esplen) who ran it in the 1931/32 Tourist Trophy races, along with three similar cars campaigned with success by Fox & Nichol. F&N handled the racing programs of Talbot, and later Lagonda. With 2276cc, Alison would get away from our 1100cc Riley. However, I occasionally got a bit back on the twisty stuff. My outstanding memory of her car is its silent running, so I would expect the 1936 car would be at least as good. I note the quoted output of 120bhp from 3377cc. By the time your featured car came along, Talbot had given up racing, but they were still keenly interested in the power obtained by rivals. I seem to remember that Talbot tested the rival Bentley and either or both the Alvis and Lagonda. Talbot were quite pleased they all checked out at 120. (From memory a Delahaye produced a little less - about 115.) You mention Rob Bagnall of Wellington as a not so satisfied first NZ owner in 1954. In 1953 Bob (?) Bagnall used a Talbot 95 engine in a special and ran it in sprints and in the big race at Ohakea, being overwhelmed by the fast stuff and coming in 13th. Anyone got a photo? Secondly, I note the Wellington branch visited Legend Aviation at Masterton. As John Stokes suggests, people should certainly return and take to the sky with Bevan Dewes and his historic aircraft.
The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL) collection of WWI aircraft is right next to Legend Aviation. I find a lot of people are mystified by TVAL. It is not a museum. It is a private collection holding private flying weekends - usually on the last weekend of October through to April. Watch from the car park. The last weekend they put up 59 sorties. Groups interested in a guided flightline walk need to contact TVAL, via their website, and ask for an invitation. It appears that TVAL gives priority to aviation groups, then car clubs, and then community groups – eg retirement villages etc. So check your dates well ahead, and make your Masterton visit a total flying experience? Thirdly, Mailbag mentions Mac McGregor’s fatal crash, which Bill Hamilton was lucky to survive. I am not sure ‘barnstorming’ is quite the right word for Mac’s flying in New Zealand, as that American stunt usually involved the total demolition of an Avro! TVAL has an Avro 504, gifted to New Zealand in 1924 by the UK. Mac McGregor was one of many famous people who flew this same aircraft. They also have three airworthy examples of the SE5a – Mac’s war-horse.
Hawke’s Bay, a surprise to me considering the locality. Seeing the article about a National Rally 50 years earlier and having experienced the actual motorcycling activity in Hawke’s Bay leads me to the question “What happened?” I have asked about it to no avail. Does anybody know what happened? Peter Lambert Christchurch
STILL GOING STRONG
Barry Barnes’ Tale of Two Rallies. in last issue mentions in the foot note “Barrie Grant on a 1926 7/9 Harley and Alan Lake on his ‘35 Harley did a trip round the South Island covering 2,238 miles.” I have Alan’s Harley still going to rallies. It would have been at last year’s rally if I hadn’t had a mishap last January on my 1927 J and sidecar ending in a ditch. Cameron Francis
Scott Thomson
STILL GOING STRONG
I read with interest Barry Barnes’ article where the Hawke’s Bay and the Manawatu 2025 was rally mentioned. I lived in Hawke’s Bay for a couple of years and my interest in older machines was rekindled after a period as a VCC prospect in Canterbury. My interest was piqued by the strength and regular activities of the Hawke’s Bay Classic Motorcycle Club to the point of obtaining a suitable machine that had been offered at least 15 years earlier. I attended the 2025 Manawatu rally and noted no entries from
LANGUAGE CONCERNS
I have a concern about some words in the editorial in issue 397, I note a phrase “the great unwashed public” used in comments about twelve month warrants of fitness. Such expressions may be socially relevant to the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. Our magazine represents automotive development during this period, not social situations. Phrases or statements of the above type do nothing to enhance the stature of our fine magazine and should be dropped from future issues. John Stokes (Mauku)
Beaded Wheels 7
MAILBAG CONTINUED
TIME LINES
POSTERS
s Sydney Allard created the formidable J2 with the booming American sports-racing scene squarely in his sights. In the late 1940s open-road races on public streets were exploding in popularity as returning servicemen sought fresh challenges.
1906
120 YEARS AGO
VETERAN VEHICLES
Steam cars were having an uphill battle, not because of any flaw, but because they had to compete with petrol cars. A steam car used more petrol than petrol cars and therefore always lost points in the fuel consumption tests. Critics claimed judges ignored the fact that steam cars used a heavier, cheaper grade of fuel and therefore could cost less over the same distance.
1926
100 YEARS AGO
VINTAGE VEHICLES
It’s easy to see why Ford was losing sales. For 1926 the new Chevrolet came with; a powerful ohv motor, a fully enclosed clutch, selective three speed transmission, longer semi-elliptical springs, large 11 inch brakes and a deep channel steel frame. For £229 the roadster or the tourer came with fabric tyres, £235 with five cord tyres or £239 with balloon tyres. Meanwhile the idiosyncratic £125 Trojan undercut the New Beauty Ford Model T by £44. Just far too basic to sell though.
1951
75 YEARS AGO
PW VEHICLES
Motor magazine’s road testers must have wondered if all their birthdays had come at once. They relished getting to grips with Sydney Allard’s thundering, no-holds-barred, not for softies, 111mph Cadillac engined, Allard J2. Acceleration was anatomychanging, 0 to 30mph in just 3.4 seconds and 60mph being reached in a mind blowing 7.4 seconds. They didn’t seem to mind the lack of weather protection, no storage space or the 11 mpg fuel consumption. There was a downside to having too much fun though. The following week Motor got a 71mph Humber Hawk which took 6.7 seconds to reach 30mph. After 6.7 seconds elapsed the J2 was doing about 55mph.
1976
50 YEARS AGO
1996
30 YEARS AGO
P60 VEHICLES
I have just received the December issue of your excellent magazine and refer to the letter regarding posters. As a collector of trucking literature may I suggest yes, but in an A4 size. They can be kept in a clearfile album and as time is slipping by fast with soon be a wonderful addition to a library or something to browse through. It will be cheaper to print too. Best wishes to you all at Beaded Wheels and club members. Gavin Abbot (95)
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR FRIEND
Many of you will have read the article that was published in the December 2025 issue of Beaded Wheels about my son Leon achieving his drivers licence in his 1927 Model T pickup. What I omitted to mention was that Leon was actually gifted the pickup by our good friend and VCC Taupo member, Bruce Waterworth. We are thankful for Bruce’s generosity – a true friend who embodies the spirit of the VCC.
When I purchased the car I was told that it had been owned by two elderly sisters in the Hastings area until it was taken off the road in the early 1960s. Brian also stated that when he purchased the car it had a Wentworth badge on the radiator which was removed to expose the usual Chevrolet badge. Unusually, the car has a folding front seat which converts into an uncomfortable bed. A further problem is that the car does not appear on the General Motors import records of the period. I know it is a long shot but maybe one of your readers may have some knowledge of the car. Mr Watson restored a 1930 Chevrolet roadster instead. Garry Reynolds Ph 027 647 6938 garry.jan@xtra.co.nz
HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!
Chris Lawrence
CHEVROLET INFORMATION
In 1983 I purchased a stripped down 1930 Chevrolet sedan, rego BY2860, from Brian Watson of Waipawa. After a long restoration the car is nearing completion. I am however having the usual reregistration problems with LTNZ as I have no proof that the car was ever registered in New Zealand.
We love hearing from our readers! Whether you have a story to share, a question to ask, or a photo you think others would enjoy, drop us a line for our Mailbag. Submissions for the February/ March issue close 06 January 2026, Email us at beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz — we’d love to hear from you!
Something new, quirky and supremely practical burst onto the motoring scene this month. Subaru’s All Wheel Drive station wagon was available for $7,485. While it was no Range Rover it did go up most ski-field roads, cruised at the legal limit in reasonable comfort and cost a whole $11,515 less.
P80 VEHICLES
Eager to satisfy the thirst for retro themed products Volkswagen were preparing a new age Beetle, the Mark III, for production. First shown at Detroit in 1994 VW now had a third 1.9 litre four metre long, 1.7 metre wide prototype ready, complete with a sunroof and all wheel drive.
Developments in the motoring world this month in history. Compiled by Graeme Rice QSM
8 Beaded Wheels
COMMEMORATIVE AWARDS Congratulations to the following members who have recently been awarded their 50 and 60 Year Awards.
Dawson, Graeme Sowry, Bruce Lord, Kevin Callesen, John Dear, Bruce Trott, Steve
50 YEAR
Northland Northland North Shore Manawatu Manawatu Hawke’s Bay
CAST IRON WELDING Powder Spray Process, Cylinder Heads, Manifolds, Cooling Fins, Castings, Mechanical Repairs & Rebuilds Thomas Rowe Motoring Engineer ltd 6 RD Palmerston North
PHONE
06 324 8707
ENGLISH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL AUSTRALIAN JAPANESE
Stockists of new AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CAR, TRUCK & TRACTOR 1912–1997 (85 year span)
Kingpin sets Suspension parts Spark plugs Engine bearings Master cylinders & kits Rear axles Clutch covers Brake & clutch cables Valves, springs, guides Timing gears & chains
Engine gaskets Steering joints Electrical fittings Shock absorbers Shackles (pins & bushes) Water pumps & kits Carburettors Pistons Speedo cables Lenses
Gearbox gears Crownwheel & pinions Wiper motors (vac) Wheel cylinders & kits Ring gears & pinions Clutch plates Fuel pumps & kits Steering box parts Ignition parts Engine mounts
MECHANICAL RESTORATIONS VINTAGE & CLASSIC SPARES (1980) RD 7 • Fordell • Wanganui • Phone/Fax 06 342 7713
Shipping out of of COKER USA monthly
0800 900 764
18 Parkwood Place, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand
www.cokertire.co.nz
Beaded Wheels 9
HIN BE
D THE WH EE L
B.S.A. 10 SALOON Words and photos John McDonald
I still recall wise words from a vendor when he delivered the somewhat sad and incomplete remains of a small English roadster to my driveway 30 years ago. “You don’t have to restore it to enjoy it John” is forever etched in to my memory. He was right, I did enjoy both dreaming and looking at it sitting derelict in the garage, which was as far as it ever got, the Canterbury earthquakes piling it with liquefaction detritus and sealing its demise as a retirement project in my tenure. 10 Beaded Wheels
John Wells, a well known Ashburton member of the Vintage Car Club purchased his 1936 B.S.A. saloon a good five years before embarking on his restoration, which unlike my intent, he saw through to impressive completion and a well deserved Restoration of the Year win in 2025. Ownership of such a rare car is a story in itself, John is a gifted restorer of motorbikes, of which B.S.A. prominently feature, and was blissfully unaware that B.S.A. had manufactured cars, thinking, when his future car was advertised, that it was “just a Morris 10”. Corrected and laughed at by colleagues for his apparent ignorance, the car then disappeared, fuelling personal frustration at his missed opportunity. Again it came up for sale from a township outside Gisborne, and this time, with no hesitation John purchased it.
Observed from a distance his purchase appeared almost roadworthy, however like many before him John found it flattered to deceive. After all, it was 80 years old and its complete history aside from ownership numbers unknown. It was thought to have been one of a small number imported for a local body fleet in the central North Island, arriving as a chassis/cowl with the four door saloon body made by a local coach builder. The styling of the six light body was quite different from the English saloon of the same period. Timely here to introduce Dave Backhouse, a Christchurch VCC member and owner of a similar 1935 model. Dave has restored his example, and kindly agreed to having his car pored over and questions answered. Both cars have similar body contours, with the earlier car carrying a body builders plaque
on the lower exterior bulkhead reading “Munt Cottrell Nelson & Co Motor Body Designers Builders Petone”. Dave has a much photocopied page from a photo album illustrating two views of an identical car. Captioned with brief but helpful data, it stated the vehicle illustrated was stationed at the PSG (Public Service Garage) Wellington, the number showing as P&T 161, entering service on 18 April 1936. Whether this was John’s purchase cannot be confirmed, but is an interesting possibility nevertheless. The second owner had the unfortunate distinction of running the transmission past a serviceable state, and the car was purchased by the third owner as part of the former’s estate. As noted, John is a motorbike man through and through, but a deciding factor in the purchase was perhaps the registration being
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