Issuu

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 70 YEARS

No. 344 February/March 2017

NEW ZEALANDâ€™S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95

2016 CHELSEA HILL CLIMB

9 418979 000012

NASH METROPOLITAN MOTORCYCLE MECCA MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

These photographs were added to the Beaded Wheels photo archive in 1997. No information is available. We welcome any details that readers may be able to supply regarding where and when the photographs might be taken.

management committee Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, lighting endorsement, registration of vehicles, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events. The Vintage Car Club Of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

branches ASHBURTON PO Box 382, Ashburton 7740 ashburton@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND PO Box 12-138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA 27 Showgate Ave, Riccarton Park, Christchurch 8042 bankspeninsula@vcc.org.nz BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 660, Tauranga 3140 bayofplenty@vcc.org.nz CANTERBURY PO Box 11-082, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 canterbury@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL OTAGO C/- 4B Roto Place, Wanaka 9305 centralotago@vcc.org.nz

2 Beaded Wheels

PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz

REGISTRAR Rod Brayshaw 07 549 4250 registrar@vcc.org.nz

CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Paul Collins 027 292 2204 nicc@vcc.org.nz

SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz

CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Alon Mayhew 03 443 7030 sicc@vcc.org.nz

BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN Kevin Clarkson 03 385 9821 kevin@vcc.org.nz

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Michael Lavender 03 325 5704 hon.sec@vcc.org.nz Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2017.

Ed Boyd 06 348 4547 mgmt3@vcc.org.nz Tony Bartlett 06 867 9850 mgmt1@vcc.org.nz David Yorke 06 358 8060 mgmt2@vcc.org.nz COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING OFFICER Ross Holden comms@vcc.org.nz ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850

archivist@vcc.org.nz

A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 94 Mt Herbert Road, Waipukurau 4200, centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz FAR NORTH C/- 64 Mangakaretu Road, RD2, Kerikeri 0295 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 hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz

HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 34 House Ave, Taumarunui 3920 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 PO Box 5352, Dunedin 9058 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY PO Box 623, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz

SOUTH OTAGO C/- G. Beaumont, Tuapeka Mouth, RD 4, Balcultha 9274 southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz TARANAKI C/- 297 Huatoki st, New Plymouth 4310 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO PO Box 907, Taupo 3351 taupo@vcc.org.nz WAIKATO PO Box 924, Hamilton 3240 waikato@vcc.org.nz WAIMATE 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 waimate@vcc.org.nz

Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2017.

WAIRARAPA PO Box 7, Masterton 5810 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- Embroidme, 23E William Pickering Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Wanganui 4540 wanganui@vcc.org.nz WELLINGTON PO Box 38-418, Petone, Wellington 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST C/- 17 Loris Place Greymouth 7805 westcoast@vcc.org.nz

Beaded Wheels Publisher THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ (INC.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXVII No. 344

Editorial Committee Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Bevars Binnie, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Marilyn McKinlay.

Beaded Wheels Issue 344 February/March 2017

FEATURES

Material for Publication Reports of restorations, events, road tests, historical and technical articles should be submitted to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz. Email of text and photos is preferred, digital photographs should be high resolution eg 300dpi. Alternatively mail your contribution to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141, typed or neatly printed, double space on one side of paper only. No payment is made to contributors. The opinions or statements expressed in letters or articles in Beaded Wheels are the author’s own views and do not necessarily express the policy or views of The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc).

The Courtney MG tackles the hill at Chelsea, see page 18.

beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz

Advertising Address Classified and Display Advertising to: PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 Rate schedule available on request.

Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Motorcycle Mecca, Invercargill

A Novel T Ford 1914 Model T Raceabout

40 years on the hill Chelsea W.A.L.S.H.

A Nash with a story

The 50th Arrowtown Run

Ron and his Chrysler celebrate a golden anniversary

Two Capes and a Hippo

Rally Snippets King Country – Journey Through Time South Otago – Clutha Rally Nelson – Veteran, Motorcycle, and Commercial Rally North Otago – Windsor Rally Ashburton – West Coast Bay of Plenty – First of Summer Wine Run

Five Gorges Show Weekend tour

Speed Wobbles in the A30

Correspondence & Editorial Contributions Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.

Subscriptions Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Phone 03 366 4461, Fax 03 366 0273 Annual subscription (6 issues) $45* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$76* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$136*. *Payment by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 3%

Production Typesetting & design by RGBDesign Printed by Spectrum Print Ltd, Christchurch.

Riders and bikes on the 50th Arrowtown run at Kingston, see page 26.

Closing Date for April/May Issue Editorial Copy Advertisements

24 February 2017 10 March 2017

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

Postal Address PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. Address 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand. Website www.vcc.org.nz Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 35 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. The efforts of our members continue fostering and ever widening the interest in this segment of our country’s history. It is to these people, who appreciate the fascination of age, the individuality and the functional elegance of vehicles from a bygone era, that this magazine is dedicated. Beaded Wheels – A very apt and well-known title however readers may wonder at the origin of the name. By way of explanation beaded edge wheels use beaded edge tyres that are kept in place by reinforced rubber beads, which fit into the rolled edges of the wheel rim. This style of wheel was a distinctive feature of early motoring being used on early bicycles, many pre-1924 cars and most motorcycles until 1927. The VCCNZ adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their quarterly club magazine in March 1955 which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet. 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 (Inc)” as the source. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.

Canterbury Branch Five Gorges tour, see page 36.

COLUMNS 4

President’s Message

As We See It

VCC Events

National Office News

Captain’s Log

Mailbag

Timelines

The Way We Were

Two Wheels and Other Things

Mutterings of a Mature Motorcyclist

50 Year Awards

Brass Notes

Marketplace

Swap Meets & Rallies

Idle Torque

Passing Lane

COVER

Ryan McDonald’s 1923 Chevrolet 490, the oldest car competing at Chelsea W.A.L.S.H., earns full marks for spindliness. See page 18. Photo: John King. Beaded Wheels 3

president’s message

The Management Committee recently had the opportunity to travel to New Plymouth to look at what is on offer for the 2021 international rally. One of the purposes of the meeting was to set the ground rules for the event and as a result of our meeting, along with some members of the rally organising committee, we have come up with new ideas to encourage more of our members to enter the event. Once everything has been set in place I know Colin Johnston and his team will be excited to let you know of these developments as time goes on. In regard to the rally, I have appointed Greg Terrill to be the Management Committee’s liaison with the rally committee. Not only is Greg a past president of the Vintage Car Club, he was the rally director for the 2000 international rally in Hamilton. Greg was born and raised in Taranaki and still has family connections there. He brings invaluable experience to assist both the rally committee and Management Committee. We were very impressed with the venues on offer. The TSB Arena and Racecourse facilities (which will include a camping ground) are right next to each other as is the world famous Pukekura Park. While we were there we took the opportunity on both nights to wander through the park and view the amazing lights and displays. The lights will be on during our event and I am sure that entrants will find it very pleasant to stroll through there after dinner or entertainment (although don’t get lost as some of our Management Committee did). During our visit we travelled over some possible rally routes and also looked at roads suitable for a speed event. All in all it was a very busy day but I have come away with no doubts that our members will have a fantastic time. Although it is four years away I urge you to make the commitment now to be a participant. You won’t be disappointed with the venues, the rally routes or the entertainment. One of the discussions at our AGM last August centred around the drop-off of entries for our international and national events and we could do to enhance or change the way we organise these events. As our National Speed Steward Tony Haycock, said at the meeting, “If you keep 4 Beaded Wheels

as we see it

doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.” In other words, if we keep doing the same thing over and over again, we can’t expect a different result. As a result of that discussion, Life Member Roger White is convening a group of members to undertake a survey of major (successful) motoring events run by organisations other than the Vintage Car Club. The results of this survey will establish what is good and bad about these events. The working group will evaluate and analyse the results and make key recommendations to the Management Committee and the Executive about major Vintage Car Club events in the future. The beginning of 2017 brings a busy time in terms of national events. As I write this, Geoff and I are due to travel to the National Veteran Rally in Wanganui. In February we have the National Motorcycle Rally based at Waitomo Caves and of course the 2017 National North Island Easter Rally in Auckland is not too far away. As well, the reenactment of the 1917 Parliamentary Tour will be taking place in the Far North later in January. Although not a national rally, it is of national significance. The Executive of the Vintage Car Club is meeting in Auckland on 11 March at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Auckland Airport. At these executive meetings, major decisions are made about our organisation and the operation of the Vintage Car Club. While a representative from every branch attends, members are always most welcome to come along and observe and I would encourage you to do so if you have the opportunity. Happy and safe motoring for 2017. Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President

Over the holiday break at the top of the South Island I had the opportunity to ride in Nelson members Pat and Sharon Kennedy’s 1930 Humber Pullman limousine. Restored some time ago it still looks like new and goes like it as well with its large 3.5 litre inlet over exhaust valve engine. It was a very smooth ride and the torquey engine made handling around town very easy and the brakes even worked. Nice car. We also visited a very large well equipped workshop presided over by a sprightly 80 year old bloke who over recent times has been restoring up to three cars each year. In the past he has built racing cars as well. He is currently well on with restoring a Ford MkIII Zodiac from the ground up and the standard of workmanship is excellent. This is one very talented chap. During February I plan to visit Invercargill to have a look at the ex-Tom Sturgis motorcycle collection featured in this issue and also the revamped Bill Richardson Transport World display. By all accounts I won’t be disappointed. I, along with President Diane and the others of the Management Committee, was privileged to be in New Plymouth for a weekend in January. We looked over the facilities there that are likely to be used in the forthcoming international rally in 2021. I was impressed with the facilities and also with the planning that is happening and I am predicting that we will enjoy a first class event with a few different twists in 2021. We are always looking for good cover photos. Sometimes these relate to an article in the magazine but they don’t need to. Why not take some good photos and send them in for consideration for the cover. Attention should be given to the following points. The photographs should be in portrait format and should be clear and in focus. They should be high resolution and not reduced to send by email. The car should be the main focus, not the scenery and action shots are preferred. People enjoying their motoring always will look good on the cover. Go on – explore your creative side. Kevin Clarkson Chairman, Beaded Wheels

This list of events is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and branch events as listed in each branch newsletter. Any deletions, additions, alterations need to be notified to Beaded Wheels by the Branch Secretary before 10th of the month prior to magazine publication

VCC National Events 17-19 February 14-17 April

National Motorcycle Rally, Waikato National North Island Easter Rally, Auckland

FEBRUARY

3-5 Banks Peninsula Skope Racing Ruapuna 4 Southland Southland Rally 4-5 E Bay of Plenty East Coast Rally 4-5 Wellington Club Captain’s Safari 4-10 Sth Cant Haast Tour 5 Manawatu Veteran Rally 6 Marlborough Heritage Day Brayshaw Park 8 Canterbury 9-90s Outing 10-12 Banks Peninsula Enzed Racing Levels 11 Auckland Annual Veteran Rally 11 Waimate Wallaby Run 11-12 Canterbury Annual Rally 11-12 Gisborne Three Rivers Rally 12 Central Otago Wakatipu 12 Marlborough Port Underwood Trip 12 Nelson Club Run 12 Wairarapa Remembrance Day Rally 12 Wellsford/Wkwth Posh Picnic 17-19 Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Rally 17-24 National 25th National Motorcycle Event Rally & Hub Tour 18 Nelson Swap Meet 19 Ashburton PV/PW Run 19 Auckland Galaxy of Cars 19 Canterbury Boot Fair 19 Horowhenua Shannon Car Show 19 Nelson Swap Meet 19 Sth Cant Chairman’s Rally 19 Taupo Picnic Run 21 West Coast Morning Tea at Shantytown 25 Canterbury Annual Commercial Rally 25 Canterbury Fish and Chip Run 25 Gore 50th Festival Rally

25 25 26 26 26 26 26 26 26

Nth Otago All British Wellsford/Wkwth Swap Meet Auckland Club Run Gisborne Club Run Marlborough Boat Trip to Arapawa Island Otago Vintage/PV Rally Taranaki Waitara Mini Vin Tour Waikato Open Day West Coast Club Run

MARCH 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 10-12

Canterbury Manawatu Southland Canterbury Nelson Sth Cant Waikato Taupo

Moped Run Ruahine Ramble Veteran Rally Rear Wheel Brake Rally Club Run to Lake Rotoiti Mystery Run Ladies Rally Lake Taupo Rally Golden Anniversary Weekend 11 Canterbury Back Country Run 11 Sth Cant Mid Island Rally 11 Sth Otago Motorcycle Rally 11 Wairarapa Rex Porter Rally 12 Auckland Vintage Muster 12 Central Otago Wanaka 12 Gore Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers Runs 12 Marlborough Vintage & Classic Car Display 15 Manawatu AGM 18 Horowhenua Swap Meet 18 Waikato Vintage Venture 18 West Coast Scenicland Rally 18-19 Canterbury Jim Toohey Motorcycle Run 18-19 Wellsford/Wkwth “Are We There Yet ?” Rally 19 Central Otago Moped Rally 19 Marlborough Run to Onamalutu 19 North Shore Posh Picnic 19 Gore Swap Meet 21 West Coast Morning tea Shantytown 26 Gisborne Club Run

VCC Events APRIL

1 2 2 8 8

Sth Cant Canterbury Northland Far North Nth Otago

Swap Meet Annual P Group Rally Combined Swap Meet Brian Parker Memorial Rally Gerald Lynch-Bosse Memorial M/C Rally 8 Waikato M/C Mooloo Meander 9 Gore Ladies Run 9 Horowhenua Ted Green M/C Rally 9 Wairarapa Club Captain’s Run 13 Sth Cant Mid week Run 14-17 Auckland National North Island Easter Rally 15 Ashburton Easter Run 15 Wanganui Castrol Motorcycle Rally 16 Nelson Ladies Run 16 Nth Otago Ngapara-Coal Pit Hill Climb 18 West Coast Morning Tea at Shantytown 22-23 Canterbury Autumn 3 Day Run 22 Central Otago Autumn Festival Rally 22-23 Taranaki Maunga Moana Rally 23 Northland Combined Swap Meet 23 West Coast Club Run 29 Canterbury Scooter Run 29 Waikato Twilight Run 30 North Shore Northern Raid Rally 30 Gisborne Club Run

MAY 6 6 11 13 13 13 13-14 14 14

Ashburton Manawatu Sth Cant Canterbury Gore Southland Wairarapa Central Otago Nelson

14 Sth Cant 14 Waikato

Swap Meet Post Vintage Rally Mid week Run Rural Run (All Day Trial ) Night Trial Waimea Motorcycle Rally Motorcycle Reliability Trial Cromwell John White Restoration of the Year/John Stichney Memorial Gymkhana PVV/PW/P60/P80 Rally Restoration Run

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.

Find out more about the Vintage Car Club Join our enthusiasts as they motor their classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. Visit vcc.org.nz to download membership application forms or contact your local branch directly for application forms and details. See page 2 for contact details of your nearest branch. Beaded Wheels 5

Julie Cairns-Gee

National Office Manager VCCNZ Inc National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 ph 03 366 4461 fax 03 366 0273 email admin@vcc.org.nz www.vcc.org.nz Office Hours Mon – Thur 9-5pm

national office news Discounts on Interislander and Bluebridge Ferry Crossings All financial members of the VCC of NZ (Inc.) can obtain a discount with Interislander and Blue Bridge. You must show your membership card. The codes are: Interislander – WH5465 Blue Bridge – Antiquecar Executive Meeting The next executive meeting will be held on 11 March in Auckland. Should you have any item you wish to have discussed by the executive, please advise your branch delegate. Vehicle Identity Card (VIC)/ Authenticity Statement Requirements Vehicle Identity Card/Authenticity Statement applications must go to your branch which will deal with them. The only exception is a straight change of ownership with no alterations to a vehicle. In this case ask your branch secretary for

Alon Mayhew South Island Club Captain

captain’s log I was at my local café the other day chatting with one of the barristas who is in her early ‘20s and has just moved here from Hong Kong. She has recently learnt how to knit and her boyfriend, who works at a stainless fabricators here in town, taught her how to weld. Two totally different skills but both useful no less. A throwaway comment she made was that if it took longer than five minutes to learn something it was too difficult.

6 Beaded Wheels

a VIC change of ownership form. Return the completed form to the National Office. All applications for Vehicle Identity Cards and Authenticity Statements MUST include photos of the vehicle. Applications cannot be processed without these. If you require a lighting endorsement for a vehicle you must complete both the Vehicle Identity Card/Authenticity Statement application form and lighting endorsement form and return these to your branch secretary for processing. Change of Address Please advise the National Office in writing if you have changed address or vehicle ownership. Branch Transfer To transfer between branches complete a transfer form. This can be obtained through your branch secretary. VCC Speed Events It is compulsory for any member entering a VCC Speed Event to hold a current VCC Historic Racing Licence and VCC Log Book for the vehicle they are using. If you currently hold a VCC Historic Racing Licence, please keep an eye on the expiry date and if it needs renewing please complete the Historic Race Licence

That got me thinking about us trying to attract younger members into our ranks and how we can capture their imagination within the first five minutes of getting their attention. To me the best way to do that is to put them behind the wheel and get them driving. Forget how precious our vehicles are and the possible cost of repairs, just teach them. Let’s face it, we can’t take our vehicles with us and they are going to outlive probably the next two generations as well. If others are going to own them, let them drive them before they all end up in a museum gathering dust. Yesterday I put seismic restraints on a hot water cylinder on a building project I have been working on ready for a final inspection. I thought then about the gear stored in my shed. It occurred to me in light of the Kaikoura earthquakes, and prior to that Christchurch, how secure are the shelves and the contents contained

renewal form and forward it, along with $23, and a new one will be issued. All application forms for the above are obtainable from your branch, the VCC website or the National Office. Vehicle Identity Card (VIC)Renewal Please note that all Vehicle Identity Cards expire upon change of ownership, or 10 years after the issue date (whichever comes first). The VCC National Office will send a renewal advice out to owners of vehicles who have VICs due to expire. Please remember that a valid VIC is compulsory for National events. 100 Year Vehicle Badge Financial Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) members can apply to purchase a “One Hundred Year Vehicle Badge” for a vehicle in their ownership which is: • At least 100 years old since the date of manufacture • Holds a current Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) Identity Card, confirming the vehicle’s age as more than 100 years since the date of manufacture. Please refer to the Branch manual Section 40G for full information.

on them? Reading through the South Island branch newsletters, more than one or two had to replace items in their parts sheds that had found their way to terra firma. This caused me to have a closer look at my own parts storage, the security of the racks, what they were carrying, what was down low and what was a bit further up. I discovered that some of the more breakable things were not safely contained and could end up in a pile of broken glass and a whole heap of heartache on the floor. It is probably a good idea to have heavier items lower down and lighter things higher up, limiting the amount of storage above head height. Having rails or even doors in front of the more precious items might be a sensible idea and we need to look carefully at liquid storage and how breakable or puncture proof the containers are. This may be obvious to the thinking man but sometimes a reminder about a job that needs doing isn’t such a bad thing.

mailbag

The editorial committee reserve the right to p ublish, edit or refuse publication of any item submitted 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 (Inc.) or the publishers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

1948 Hudson Car Is there somebody in the VCC with a 1948 ‘stepdown’ Hudson car in their collection? My interest in American cars began when I started work for a stock and station firm in 1948. Our farmer clients were benefiting from increased prices for their farm produce. With overseas funds, usually from the sale of their wool, they were able to purchase the new post war, chrome encrusted “yank tanks” which really made a statement. Some of our clients would arrive at the office with their new cars which were much admired. I had a small VPK 127 camera and I used to take photos of the various makes and models. With their individual flair and appearance, I could, and still can, name them from a distance.

Over the years, my interest has remained for those older model cars. I know very little about what’s under the bonnet but I admire the hard work, patience and excellence that goes into restoration of these vehicles. I regularly attend the Swap Meets and the American Classic Car days and admire and photograph the more recent imports of models that we certainly didn’t see on our roads in the early days. But I have yet to track down a restored 1948 Hudson car. Its new low profile design and re-engineering met with very strong sales for Hudson over several years. Over the years, I have only seen and photographed two cars of that period. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who could satisfy my interest and allow me to follow up and if possible, photograph their car. Clive Morriss, Phone 03 358 2753 clive_eileen@xtra.co.nz

Recommissioning I read Paul Hulse’s piece on recommissioning with interest. I’m sure a lot of us in the old vehicle hobby have done exactly what the author has covered, with both our daily transport and hobby machines. In fact some of us still do, having bought an early, NZ-assembled 1984 Ford Sierra 2.0L station wagon in 2010 to teach a grandson some mechanical skills. It was such a nice car, that I still have it in my garage. I’m slowly doing the finishing touches myself, as the kid has moved on to marriage, fatherhood and a successful career. What Paul’s suggesting, I think, is an excellent way to get younger people interested in preserving motoring history. There are still a lot of cars, trucks, motorbikes and scooters that Millenials can relate to (that is important), and many examples can still be found at very affordable prices. Most are simple enough for our next generation to learn how to maintain, themselves, and parts for most are still readably available. In my experience, such an entry into the hobby usually sees these enthusiasts move onto older machinery. I’d love to hear what others have to say about the subject... Peter Cooper Floyd Lippencott Jr Home for Unreformable Hot Rodders Waihi

Saltwater Creek Garage I used to drive past an old ‘50s style service station at Saltwater Creek on SH1 between Leithfield and Waikuku, attracted by the fact that the owner was slowly restoring it. Parked up for many years under the veranda was an oldish three door hatch. Many readers may recall this old garage because of the large sign on the face board of the front veranda reading in large letters JESUS CHRIST IS LORD and in black plastic block letters SALTWATER CREEK GARAGE. Over the years, it has become an icon of the North Canterbury district. Closed for at least 25 years, the current owner, Mr Mervyn Croat, purchased it 23 years ago, from Mr Barry Giles who had operated it as a motor workshop and service station for 30 years. Mevyn wishes to repaint the building in the correct authentic colours of the time, but does not know which oil company his service station operated under. (In the days when the ‘service station’ was an appropriate name as you did actually get service.) After passing by this building for many years, I finally plucked up enough courage to call in and ask the owner about his Saltwater Creek garage and the car parked up for many years. It turned out to be a 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200 TLS that he had inherited from his mother who had purchased it when nearly new. I was fortunate enough to buy it from him in spite of the fact that many people had approached him over the years, but were turned away. After sitting out there for many years you could not imagine how dirty it was. At least it never got wet in all that time. The interior is a mid-blue and almost like new. Is this the oldest Hyundai in New Zealand? As it is now eligible for VCC and classic events, I thought this

Beaded Wheels 7

HIN BE

D THE WHE

A Novel T Ford 1914 Model T raceabout Words Greg Price, photos Kevin Clarkson, Greg Price

I really must get my hearing checked. When Editor Kevin told me of my next Behind the Wheel assignment, I could’ve sworn he said it was a ‘Novel T Ford Radio’, and initially wondered why BW was doing articles on old novelty transistor radios, (and how did he know I had a few?) but as you’ve come to expect, I got it hopelessly wrong again.

t was in fact Joseph and Fiona McClintock’s superbly restored 1914 Model T raceabout. I’d seen this car before when it featured among some pictures taken during a previous Irishman Rally so I expected to see a rather well-used vehicle showing all the signs of having been rallied over mostly unsealed country roads and farm tracks with lots of sheep and cow poos. I was gob-smacked when this pristine example turned up at what has become our traditional venue for the customary road test and photo14 Beaded Wheels

shoot. There was Joseph, resplendent in his motorcycle gear and crash helmet, effortlessly motoring down McLeans Island Road to Cutler Park – and not wasting any time, either. Once the introductions were dispensed with, and while Editor Kev was taking some photos, I was examining the T for any obvious signs that would indicate its rallying history. I had to get really close before I spotted any, and even then it was only some stone chips on the wire wheels, which I initially thought were spots of mud – until I couldn’t wipe them off. But who cares? This was yet another Veteran that actually gets used, and probably abused at times, yet shows very little sign of its recent life on and off the roads. At least I didn’t have to race for the reference books for this one as I had been in a Model T previously, and in rush-hour traffic. In the early 1990s I used to travel to work with fellow VCC Canterbury member John Irvine, who bought his Model T tourer in 1965, and still owns it today. Despite the best efforts of the 14,000 or so Christchurch earthquakes to destroy most things (including John’s house) his Model

T escaped pretty much unscathed save for some stuff that fell on it or against it. I vividly recall car-pooling with John and another individual back then, and from time to time we would take our classics. John would take the Model T or his 1946 Ford V8, and I would take one of my MK I Zephyrs. John also has a red project Model T raceabout that has been on-going for about as long as I’ve known him. Joseph and Fiona’s Model T (or rather some miscellaneous bits and pieces thereof) was found in 2003 with just the basic running gear in various places on a farm at Horseley Downs near Hawarden north of Christchurch. Rumour has it that it was left there by a shearer in the 1930s. A search of the farm located the front and back axles, the chassis, and parts of the engine which were scattered all over the rural property. Joseph had been collecting Model T bits for some time. Joseph’s Dad, Andrew, had restored his 1912 Model T back in 1980, when Joseph was a mere eight years old. When Joseph was just 12 he was allowed to drive Dad’s Model T at McLeans Island. That was it – Joseph was hooked on Model Ts. Andrew had

some bits left over from his restoration and Joseph thought that there might be enough for another car, but there wasn’t, hence the search for the missing items. As it was always the intention to build a Model T suitable for the Irishman Rally, a pristine rebuild was not on the drawing boards at first, but reliability and originality were certainly a main factor, and before you knew it, it had become a full-on concours quality restoration. Back in 1914, around the start of WWI, Henry Ford began supplying just the running chassis with a firewall for the war effort. (Check out the Model T ambulance at the Omaka Aviation Centre at Blenheim). Thus anyone could purchase a running chassis and have the body of choice fabricated and fitted. Chicago Sheet Metalworks (CSM) was one of several companies that produced bodies for Model Ts and one of their variations was the raceabout. Joseph has used one of CSM’s examples as the basis for his racer. Remembering that the emphasis was on using only original or factory specification parts in the rebuild, this is a veritable encyclopaedia of things period

automotive. The unusual-looking radiator was originally from former Auckland Ford dealer Stan Andrews’ racer, which set the New Zealand and Australian Beach Racing record in 1924 with an average of 93.26 mph and a eye-watering 100 mph plus in one direction. Joseph reckoned this radiator was more aerodynamic than the stock grill/radiator. The front brakes are (probably) 1920s Quadbeck after-market examples and if you are doing 80mph plus, you’d want the thing to stop reasonably fast. Among the other modifications were the five-bearing crankshaft conversion and the custom sump (to aid cooling) made from scratch by Joseph to a period pattern. The original crankshafts were only three-bearing and were prone to breaking. Another extra is the Muncie overdrive – those of you who perhaps move in hot rod circles will know that the Muncie business has been around for decades and in fact is still producing quality speed equipment. Back in the day, one couldn’t remove the original Model T wheels from the hubs, so if you got a puncture you had to

fix the puncture with the wheel still on the car. So some after-market Dayton wire wheels were obtained (with a couple of spares) and the tyres are 30" by 3½". This car also has a Corbin speedometer and rev counter. Another interesting fact I learned was that magnetos were not much chop at low revs so to aid starting, a buzz-box was used to aid starting. Once you’d cranked the thing into life, you had to race around to the dash and switch the knob from the buzz-box to the magneto. Originally there were four such buzz-boxes, but Joseph has converted this to just the one which operates via the magneto distributor – and very effectively too, I might add. In the photos you’ll see the original acetylene tank for the lights beneath the left-side running board. (the lights are not beneath the running boards, the tank is.) However the lights have bulbs fitted for practicality. And check out the factoryspec Hassler shock absorbers. Aren’t they priceless? (no pun intended.) With projects like this it is always handy to have relatives residing overseas. Joseph’s Aunt lives in Canada, and as luck would have it, she knew a neighbour Beaded Wheels 15