CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS
No. 364 June/July 2020
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95
9 418979 000012
WAITEMATA LAUNCHES NEW TRADITION 1961 JAGUAR 3.8L ROAD TEST 2020 GEORGE BEGG SPEEDFEST MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
▲ All packed up and ready to roll in West Wales. Lake Como camp site. ▲
▲ 9 April 1954: West Canterbury Rally. Mollie & Ian Hunt with her 1914 Humber.
▲
Humber at Outram picnic.
Members will now be aware of the passing of VCC Life Member Mollie Anderson. Her friend of many years John Palmer has supplied these photos which give us all a sense of Mollie’s spirited attitude to life and also are a rare glimpse into the history of our club. A tribute to Mollie appears on page 66. 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 13140, Christchurch 8141. Laserprints/photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.
Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, lighting endorsement, registration of vehicles, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.
NATIONAL OFFICE
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
VCCNZ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION Kaaren Smylie 021 664 341 nicc@vcc.org.nz CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Alon Mayhew 027 202 9491 sicc@vcc.org.nz REGISTRAR Rod Brayshaw 07 549 4250 registrar@vcc.org.nz
PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 06 876 4009 president@vcc.org.nz
SPEED STEWARD Tony Haycock 021 662 441 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz
SECRETARY/ TREASURER Michael Lavender 03 325 5704 hon.sec@vcc.org.nz
BEADED WHEELS CHAIRMAN Kevin Clarkson 021 0270 6525 kevin@vcc.org.nz
Tony Bartlett 06 867 9850
mgmt1@vcc.org.nz
George Kear 03 347 0315
mgmt2@vcc.org.nz
Murray Trounson mgmt3@vcc.org.nz COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING comms@vcc.org.nz ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850
archivist@vcc.org.nz
Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until October 2020
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 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/-114 Shortcut Road, Luggate, RD2, Wanaka 9382 centralotago@vcc.org.nz CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY C/- 73 Porangahau Road, Waipukurau 4200 centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz
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FAR NORTH C/– 50 Davis Strongman Place, RD3, Kerikeri 0293 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/- 1931 Breakneck Rd, RD 4, Balclutha 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 WAIRARAPA PO Box 7, Masterton 5810 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- PO Box 13374, Onehunga, Auckland 1643 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 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
CONTENTS
Beaded Wheels Publisher
The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXI No. 364
Issue 364 June/July 2020
Editorial Committee
Kevin Clarkson (Chairman), Judith Bain, Bevars Binnie, Rosalie Brown, John Coomber, Mark Dawber, Marilyn McKinlay.
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).
Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Advertising Enquiries
Classified and Display Advertising to: PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.
Back Issues Available on request to PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141.
FEATURES 14 R eunited
An Italian Love Affair
16 22 24 28 33 34
Grace, Space, Pace Bevars Binnie’s 1961 Jaguar 3.8
16
1970 Rambler Rebel SST coupe Scotting in One Man’s Life 10th International Veteran and Vintage Car Rally, Australia George Begg Classic Speedfest Rally Snippets 33 Taupo Country Roads – Taupo Branch
22
A Break with Tradition Waitemata Branch Hill Climb
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions
Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz
38
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 incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 3%
Production
Design: RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch Print: PMP Ltd, Christchurch.
40 42
Long Drops and Black Holes in The Middle Earth A tour of waterfalls and tunnels across the middle of the North Island Bob’s Temptation The Cop Bike George Begg Classic Speedfest
COLUMNS 4
President’s Message
12
The Way We Were
4
As We See It
20
Book Reivew
5
VCC Events
45 Marketplace
6
Vero International Festival of History Motoring - Rally Update
50
Swap Meets & Rallies
51
Trade Directory
National Office
53
Idle Torque
8 Mailbag
66
Mollie Anderson
Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
10 Awards
66
Passing Lane
Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch,
11 Timelines
Closing Date for August/September: Editorial Copy Advertisements
3 July 2020 10 July 2020
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,
New Zealand.
7
28
45
Website: www.vcc.org.nz 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.
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COVER Taking on the hill at Chelsea WALSH maybe a thing of the past but Waitemata Branch have not rested on their laurels - Lionel Rogers in his Type 59/50S Bugatti was the most spectacular sight and sound on the Manunui hill, whittling his times down to 1:8.60 minutes for fifth fastest. Photo John King. See page 36 for more.
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 (Inc) is a founding member of FIVA. VCCNZ Registrar Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.
Beaded Wheels 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As at the date of publication of this column, New Zealand has had no new cases of Covid-19 for many days. Who would have thought back in March, when the Club and branches had to make such difficult decisions around cancelling or postponing events, that New Zealand would have been so successful in working towards eliminating the virus. We are not out of the woods yet, however with the Government announcing that larger gatherings can now be held, branches can return to holding meetings and club nights, and begin to organise events. However, when doing so, branches must play it safe and maintain hygiene standards and meet contact tracing record keeping requirements. Please continue to be patient and kind to each other. The Management Committee has decided to go ahead with the Executive Meeting and National AGM to be held in Whanganui on 14/15 August 2020. I acknowledge that there will be some unease amongst
delegates and members about flying or travelling to this meeting or being in close proximity to a large group of people. There is also the cost of air flights to consider. We are therefore exploring the possibility of some delegates being able to attend the executive meeting by Zoom. We are further looking at livestreaming the AGM so that, if members wish, they can watch the AGM from the comfort of their own home. There could also be the facility for questions to be emailed during the meeting for a response by the relevant management representative. We held our regular May Management Committee meeting by Zoom, and this worked extremely well. It is intended that we utilise this facility more often in the future. Although we had to cancel our National Day in August due to the uncertainty around Covid-19, some branches have signalled that they may hold an informal Daffodil Rally around that date to keep the momentum going and donate some much needed
funds to the Cancer Society. Please discuss this with your branch if you would like to see that happen in your area. One of the ideas that came out of the Club’s Strategic Plan, was the need to develop some sort of education module that branches could use with schools in their areas to introduce children to vintage vehicles, and hopefully convey our passion and interest in historic motoring. We are still looking for someone to take on the role of assisting in the development of this module. If you would be interested, or you know of someone that would fit the bill, please contact me. The Club’s financial accounts for the last financial year will be mailed out to all members late June. They once again record a healthy surplus which is indicative of the careful management of the Club’s funds by the Management Committee. It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Life Member Mollie Anderson, wife of our founding President, Andrew. Mollie made a huge
contribution to the Club and our heartfelt condolences go to Andrew and family. A tribute to Mollie appears on page 66 of this edition. When Andrew and Mollie Anderson and friends formed the Vintage Car Club, it was a very different club to that of today. We now have a huge variance in the type of vehicles and members. I believe this has become one of our greatest strengths and the reason why our membership has continued to hold steady. I know you will be itching to get out in your club vehicles. I hope you have an enhanced experience catching up with old friends, both human and mechanical. Best regards and continue to stay safe.
Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President
AS WE SEE IT Due to circumstances occasioned by Covid-19 the Beaded Wheels committee worked under some constraints to get issue number 363 April/ May 2020 ready for printing on time. As you will now know, your posted hard copy of this issue was late because the lockdown resulted in the printers not being able to do their work. As soon as the Government moved to alert level 3 the printers opened up again and we were underway. Meanwhile, because of the delay, we emailed, in early April, a digital copy to those members for whom we had an email address so that
4 Beaded Wheels
members at least had that to read. I believe the emailed copy went to approximately 75% of our members. Presumably those who didn’t get the emailed version were left wondering what had happened to their Beaded Wheels. In case such an event should happen again perhaps you might wish to update your details and give National Office your email address. Emails are useful also for getting other information to you, not just Beaded Wheels. We have had some feedback about the emailed issue of Beaded Wheels, and some members thought it was great
to get the digital copy and wondered if they could get that exclusively every time, and not get a printed copy at all. Others liked the digital copy but were also very pleased to get the hard copy when it came later. We do appreciate the feedback but we are not looking to change the way we distribute Beaded Wheels just yet. In the future we may be able to offer some more choices. Meanwhile it is business as usual, and back to the posted copies as before – almost. This issue will be in your hands slightly later than normal to allow a little more time between your receipt of issue 363 hard
copy and this issue. From issue 365 August/September we will have resumed normal service. With the reduction in alert levels we can now look forward to resuming normal club affairs without hindrance!
Kevin Clarkson Chairman Beaded Wheels
VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS NATIONAL EVENTS* August 2020 15-16 National AGM at Wanganui October 2020 16-18 National Veteran Rally March 2021 12-14 National Motorcycle Rally Wairarapa Branch Waitemata Branch: With rather more power than BSA ever envisaged, Ray Ferner’s FWD gives its front tyres a hard time at the Manunui Hill Climb. His 1 min 1.97 sec on his last run earned third FTD. Photo John King
DATES BELOW ARE ALL CORRECT AS AT 9 JUNE 2020 JUNE
11 Sth Canterbury Mid Week Run 13 Wairarapa Winter Wander 14 Hawke’s Bay Monthly Run 17 Gisborne AGM 18 Ashburton AGM 20 EBOP Night Owl Rally 20 Sth Canterbury Night Trial 21 Canterbury AGM 21 Central HB Club Run 21 Nelson AGM 21 North Shore Club Run 21 Waikato Club Run 21 Wanganui Sunday Run 21 Wellington Colonial Cup Rally 25 EBOP Club Night 25 Otago Midweek Run 27 Far North Malloy Trophy 28 Banks Peninsula Hadstock Gymkhana 28 Taranaki End of Rego Run 28 Gisborne Monthly Run
JULY
1 Hawke’s Bay 1 North Otago 1 Wanganui 4-5 Wellsford/ Warkwth 6 Wairarapa
Mid-week run AGM AGM Winter Woollies Wander AGM
8 Taupo AGM 9 Banks Peninsula AGM 12 Rotorua Central North Island Swapmeet
12 15 15 18
Banks Peninsula Balcairn Trial Central HB AGM Waikato Wednesday Wander North Otago Garage Raid (combined with Ashburton, Sth Canterbury & Waimate) 19 Canterbury Old Cars Bikes & Coffee 19 Hawke’s Bay Monthly Run 19 North Shore Club Run 19 Otago AGM & Pot Luck Lunch 19 Waikato Club Run 19 West Coast AGM 11-12 Waitemata R’Oil Can Rally 25 Canterbjury AGM 25 Taranaki The Brick Run 25 Wanganui Neil’s Birthday Run 26 Canterbury Winter Run 26 Central HB Mid-winter Christmas Run to Dannevirke 26 Gisborne Monthly Run 26 Wairarapa Garage Raid 26 Wellington Club Run 30 EBOP AGM & Club Night 31 Hawke’s Bay Kitchen Night
AUGUST
5 Horowhenua AGM 5 Wanganui Club Night 6 Sth Canterbury AGM 7 Central HB Twilight Rally 10 Bay of Plenty AGM 11 Gore AGM 12 Hawke’s Bay AGM 12 Waikato AGM 16 Canterbury Old Cars Bikes & Coffee
16 North Shore 18 Wellington 22 Horowhenua 23 Canterbury 23 Wairarapa 23 Wanganui 30 Gisborne
Northern Raid Rally AGM Daffodil Day Park Up Daffodil Rally Daffodil Rally Special Sunday Run Monthly Run
SEPTEMBER
5 Banks Peninsula Race Meeting Levels 5 Waimate Swap Meet 6 Canterbury Women Drivers & Young Drivers Rally 6 Central HB Daffodil Run 12 Canterbury Awards Dinner 13 Wairarapa Peter Smith Memorial Rally 19 Manawatu Vintage Rally 19/20 North Shore Spring Tour 19/20 Taranaki The Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally 20 Canterbury Old Cars Bikes & Coffee 27 Gisborne Monthly Run
OCTOBER 4 9-11 16-18 17-18 18 23-26 25 25 31
Canterbury Canterbury Gore Canterbury Canterbury Hawke’s Bay Canterbury Gisborne Canterbury
P Group Rally Swap Meet National Veteran Rally Girder Fork Rally Old Cars Bikes & Coffee Safari - Taupo and beyond Grasskhana - Cutler Park Monthly Run Motorcycle Annual Rally
*The National “Vintage Only Rally” for early September has been cancelled due to COVID considerations. It was to be shared by CHB and HB Branches This list does not contain all branch events (eg midweek or small club runs) Check branch newsletters for up-to-date details of smaller events. This column is compiled from the VCCNZ National Calendar of Events, and 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.
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.
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.
Beaded Wheels 5
PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE JOIN IN THE FUN AT OUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL RALLY NOW RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY 16 TO FRIDAY 21 JANUARY 2022 The Covid 19 outbreak has had a dramatic effect on all of our lives and while the early decision to postpone the event may have surprised a few, I’m sure we made the right decision given the uncertainty of the situation. The Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring Committee is still working diligently to bring to you a world class event in 2022. This in itself has some interesting scenarios and at present there are a lot of opinions on what the future will look like, especially with regard to overseas entrants. Unfortunately, it’s quite feasible that we will have a reduced number of international entrants and a possibility of none at all. However, the upside is that with no or limited overseas travel available, if you were planning an
overseas holiday, we would love to see you at the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring and you will enjoy the wonderful sights of Taranaki. Here is a chance for you as either an individual, small group or an entire VCC Branch to organise group travel to Taranaki to take in the magnificent scenery on our own back door step either prior to or after the Festival.
ACCOMMODATION If you had booked accommodation in or around New Plymouth for this event please make sure you have had changed this to the new dates in 2022. If you haven’t booked accommodation yet, don’t forget the Auto Lodge or
Plymouth International Hotels as possibilities and remember to tell them you are entering the VERO International Festival of Motoring. As I said at the beginning, our world has been turned upside down, and it’s now more important than ever to support each other and particularly those who are supporting the VCC. For this event VERO is our major sponsor, and the Auto Lodge and Plymouth International Hotels are additional sponsors. We look forward to seeing you there. 16-21, January 2022
16-21 January 2022 www.historicmotoring.co.nz festivalsecretary@vcc.org.nz
BE IN TO WIN YOUR MONEY BACK AND $300 FUEL
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
John L Goddard Trophy
for achievement Members of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand are invited to nominate a fellow member for this annual award. The nomination should be for any member who they regard as having been involved in a significant achievement. It may be a particularly significant restoration, a memorable motoring journey or an important historical article or series of articles published in Beaded Wheels, or some special service to the Club. Nominations for the Award should be forwarded to: John L Goddard Award, Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc) PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE 19 JULY 2020
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YOU CAN’T GET BETTER VALUE THAN FREE. If VCC members book and travel from now until the end of August they’ll automatically be in to win the cost of their ferry fares back plus $300 Z fuel. There will be four lucky winners – one per month from May to August. You just need to sail by the end of August. Each monthly draw will include everyone who has booked during that month. Terms and conditions apply. See vcc.org.nz/membership-benefits for details of VCC discounts
NATIONAL OFFICE
VCC SPEED EVENTS
Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, registration of vehicles, lighting endorsement, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.
JOHN L GODDARD AWARD
CLUB WEBSITE
Nominations are due to close on 19 July 2020. Is there someone you would like to nominate?
Our website www.vcc.org.nz contains a variety of interesting material. You can download the Branch Manual, Vehicle Identification Manual, Branch Newsletters, and archived copies of Beaded Wheels. You will also find various application forms, including those required for speed event documents and Vehicle Identity Cards/Date of Manufacture and Authenticity Statements.
100 YEAR VEHICLE BADGES
The Club has 100-year vehicle badges are available for purchase at $50 each. They are only for vehicles that have turned 100 years old and have a valid VCC ID Card approving the vehicle’s age as more than 100 years since the date of manufacture. For further details, refer to the Branch Manual, section 40, or contact National Office. VCC VERO INSURANCE SCHEME
Please remember that to be insured under the VCC Vero Insurance Scheme you must be a fully paid up financial member of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc). DISCOUNTS ON BLUEBRIDGE FERRY AND INTERISLANDER CROSSINGS
All financial members of the VCC can obtain a discount with Interislander and Blue Bridge. You must show your membership card. Full information on how to book is on our website www.vcc.org.nz or can be obtained from your branch secretary. When booking with the Interislander, you must book through the Group Bookings option. The codes are as follow: INTERISLANDER – WH5465 and BLUE BRIDGE – ANTIQUECAR
Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) National Office, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Telephone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 email admin@vcc.org.nz www.vcc.org.nz Office Hours Mon – Fri 9-5pm
Members entering VCC Speed Events must hold a current VCC Historic Racing Licence and VCC Log Book for the vehicle they are using. Please check your VCC Historic
CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS AND VEHICLE OWNERSHIP
Racing Licence expiry date. To renew complete the Historic Race Licence Renewal Form and forward to National Office, along with $23 and a new one will be issued.
your vehicle, please notify the National Office.
Please advise the National Office in writing if you have changed address, phone numbers, email address or vehicle ownership.
Beaded Whee Beaded Wheels
BRANCH TRANSFER VCC ID CARD/AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Vehicle Identity Card/ Authenticity Statement applications must go to your branch which will deal with them. The only exception is a simple change of ownership with no alterations to a vehicle. In this case, ask your branch secretary for a VIC change of ownership form, complete this and return it 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 then return these to your branch secretary for processing.
To transfer between branches, complete a transfer form. This can be obtained through your branch secretary. VCC ID CARDS RENEWALS
Please note that all VCC Identity Cards (VIC) have an expiry date. This expiry is upon change of ownership or 10 years from the issue date. Your vehicle must also be as described on the VIC. A renewal form personalised for each VIC is distributed by the National Office to current financial members approximately three months before expiration. Even if your vehicle has had no changes this form must be checked, current mileage advised, signed and forwarded to your branch, along with the VIC (if the photo correctly shows your vehicle in its present state), or two new photos, as stated on the form. Upon receipt at the National Office the VIC will be reissued and will be valid for a further 10 years unless there is a change of ownership or major changes to the vehicle during that time.
Julie Cairns-Gee National Office Manager
It is compulsory for all National and International VCC Rallies that vehicles entered must have a current VIC. If you have sold
Beaded Wheels is the voice of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) and its 36 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. The efforts of our members continue to foster and ever widen 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 – Our long established title may have readers wondering about its origin. 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. In March 1955 The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand adopted the title Beaded Wheels for their club magazine. Older issues of Beaded Wheels are available for download at vcc.org.nz
Beaded Wheels 7
MAILBAG The editorial committee reserve the right to publish, 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.
REMINISCENCES
I never thought I would be enquiring about motorbikes, having never owned one, but I have a question and a comment from the December issue. I refer to the Oldest Essex article which mentioned a Mr Geoff Mardon as the agent for Rink Taxis, the distributor of the marque. The dates don’t quite add up but there was a Geoff Mardon I remember from my much anticipated, if rare, night visits to the Aranui Speedway as a boy. That would be around 1950 in the era when the speedway was the racing place to be. If it were the same person or, more likely, a son (?) he was a most accomplished rider.
Rink Taxis, owned as I remember by the Hayward family was, I believe, the first taxi company in Christchurch to offer a 24 hour service through the telephone back in the 1920s, if not before. They had of course been Rink Stables previously, moving smoothly into the motoring age, though a limited number of horse drawn cabs survived into the 1940s. My first trip over the hill to Taylor’s Mistake was a maiden voyage in a cousin’s first car, a 1926 Essex tourer. I had a good deal of apprehension before we climbed the hill, and even more starting the descent. It turned out to be no real challenge for the sturdy old Essex however. If it was the same Geoff
27TH NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY It’s all on. Planning is well under way for this rally to be held in March 2021, and we are looking forward to hosting members to ride the wonderful Wairarapa roads. However, due the Covid 19 emergency and financial repercussions for many New Zealanders, the committee is concerned that this may have a bearing on the number of entrants required to make the rally financially viable. Because of this we are keen to hear expressions of interest from members planning to attend. This can be done by emailing our Rally Secretary, Beth Taylor, email vccrally2021@gmail.com See our advert on page 48 of this issue of Beaded Wheels for more information. This is not an entry form however these will be coming out soon. We look forward to seeing you March and contact now will give us the confidence to keep planning. Safe riding. Jim Philps
Mardon he would have been riding against Ronnie Moore, mentioned in the Wall of Death letter. That was our first destination at several Christchurch shows where the ability of the Moores to ride almost to the top of the wall was thrilling. We were a bit young to understand that the science behind the Wall is actually fairly simple but that is not how it looked to us. In fact it was claimed the Wall was much safer than the activity it was based on, which was the old “Boardwalk” highly banked, compact wooden tracks for race cars in the States early in the 20th century. When the cars lost momentum for any reason – which was apparently fairly often – they tumbled down the bank with often lethal results. A modified version using motorbikes (Indians were essential) apparently became very popular during WWII in America. Interestingly enough, the first demonstrations in New Zealand of the Wall of Death, in the mid1930s, featured an Austin Seven being driven up the wall as an added attraction. One suspects it was a risk intensive add-on. David J McCarthy 39b Kilmarnock St Christchurch 027 227 6347
THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF 1955 TO 1975
The photo above was taken in late 1971 I think. If it wasn’t for the Datsun wording in the signage, you could be excused for thinking it was photographed in the late ‘20s-early ‘30s period.
8 Beaded Wheels
At the time this photo was taken, I was working at Auto Sales in Buckley’s Road, Linwood, Christchurch. The proprietor was Jeff Cockram, youngest son of the late Bill Cockram, who had established a car sales in Christchurch city as far back as about 1948. Prior to being a licensed motor vehicle dealer, Bill was dealing from his home in Dacre Street, Linwood. (Car dealing in Christchurch during the 1950s through to, say, the 1970s period was a whole different scene. There were so few, I knew almost all of them). I had arranged for the owners of the pictured vehicles to report to Auto Sales at about 6pm one evening in November of 1971. The reason for the photo, was for publicity reasons to promote the upcoming International Rally to be held in Christchurch in early 1972, if my memory serves me correctly. It’s a long time ago, so there’s been a lot of water pass under the bridge since then, but I will do my best to recall the vehicles in the photo. Left – 1924 Overland (Keith Retalick), 1930 Chrysler Tourer (Noel Beecroft), 1929 Chrysler 75 (Jeff Cockram), 1929 Plymouth 4 (Trevor StanleyJoblin). Centre – 1913 Metallurgique (Bob Scott), 1928 Chrysler Roadster (Sam Whittaker). Background – (under car port) 1907 Cadillac (Cockram family), 1929 Chevrolet Wentworth (Bernie Kiesanowski), 1930 Chrysler, Model T and Buick (?) The owners I can’t recall. Keith sold the Overland and shifted to Australia. Jeff is retired and living in Rangiora, I am also
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The recent display and non-competitive demonstration of old race cars at this year’s Skope Race Meeting in February at Ruapuna was a big success and will be repeated at next year’s event and hopefully at other South Island race meetings. To help us with this project, members of the Banks Peninsula Branch of the VCC are compiling a free register of all such vehicles whatever their state of repair, restoration or condition, so that these historic old race cars are never lost or lose their identity. This documented information may also help owners to obtain history, knowledge and even valuable parts required to enable these race-cars to once more be active. “We’re endeavouring to collect as much information as possible on cars residing in the South Island at the present time, but in the future hopefully make this a National Register” says Don Gerrard.
retired, living in Amberley. Bob sold the Metallurgique to the WOW Museum in Nelson. Noel, Sam, Bob and Bernie have passed away. In some ways it’s a pity the photo is not in colour but it looks more authentic in black and white. I wish that I had written the precise date on the back of the photo with the owners’ names. Something you don’t think of doing at the time. My first ever car, at the age of just 15, was a 1928 Essex Super Six, four door sedan. I bought it for £65 ($130) and about eight months later sold it for £95 ($190)! The £30 ($60) profit may not seem much in todays terms, but it would have been three to four weeks wages for me at only 15. I was an apprentice textile mechanic at Millers Worsted Mill at 179 Pages Road, Aranui at the time. This profit set me on a path to buying, improving by immaculate grooming and adding the odd extra or two to them and on-selling. I went from a 1928 Essex (power – what power?) to a 1935 Ford V8
5-window coupe. From chalk to cheese, as the saying goes. While not specialising in Fords, I have owned 42 Fords that I can recall. My present classic, since 1995, is a one lady owner 1965 Ford Falcon. Dark Blue metallic body, two tone blue interior with cream steering wheel. Travelled only 48,474 miles. All original except paint which was re-sprayed from bare metal in about 2008, keeping the original paint code.
It was apparent from many enthusiasts and spectators at February’s event that these old race cars create huge interest and are a vital part of the old car movement which needs to be resurrected and encouraged. Many owners don’t necessarily wish to competitively race their cars, but still wish to exercise them at appropriate venues. Already we have over 40 old race cars on the register which haven’t been seen on the track in decades. So if you missed this year’s event, have such a car or know of someone who has, please drop an email with the details to either of the contacts below and we will be pleased to include it in the register. Don Gerrard, phone 021 212 3074, gerrards2@yahoo.com or Kelvin Brown, kelvinbrownnz@gmail.com
Born 16 December 1916. He was a diplomat, official Ambassador, a permanent representative of New Zealand in Geneva. Is this the same person who owned the Alvis? Handwritten details on the back of the photo read:
My 12/50 Alvis - 1926 TE shortened to 8’ 6” bored out to 70.5mm & 7:1 compression. Tyres 5.25 x 21. Performance not yet known as reconstruction incomplete. Hopefully readers can provide more information and send details to wkane@netsmart.net.nz Clive Taylor Member Bay of Plenty
Trevor Stanley-Joblin Amberley, North Canterbury.
ALVIS OWNER QUERY
I have received a couple of Alvis images from my friend in the UK, Oliver Heal. The car belonged to Geoffrey Easterbrook-Smith, and the photos were taken in Nelson about 1944. He signed his name on a piece of paper with the heading of NZ Sports and Racing Car Club as their Secretary 1944. When I searched the net for the Club details, I could not find anything about it. Then I searched his name, and details appeared about a Geoffrey L Easterbrook-Smith.
Beaded Wheels 9
THE SILENT MAJORITY?
As seems to be his style, Graham Taylor has his finger right on the pulse of our Club. Perhaps I can continue the theme with some comments of my own, as my wife Chris and I have also had a lifelong involvement in car clubs. This has given us an appreciation of how members react to the efforts of the committee running things. Generally, keep the 80/20 rule in mind, only 20% will become involved. It is not up to your committee, it is up to you, all members have to encourage others to join our activities. Get into the garage with those who are “working on getting it back on the road”. It is a two way benefit; you both get to make a friend, and another member can become more active in the Club. As some of you well know, making yourself available to become part of the committee can also be an excellent path to friendships. Then there is the thorny issue of the newsletter. For many this is the sole contact they will have with the Club. Accept that for whatever reason or intentions, this form of contact satisfies many. Chris is editor of the Ashburton branch Blowout and the Morris 8 Tourer Club newsletter. She faces deadlines and content decisions with every issue. Yes, and criticism at times too. She agrees with Graham, that you cater for the active ones, and the rest can read about it.
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Obviously his comment about the lack of women involved is worthy of discussion. It is not as bad as he makes out, but it certainly can be better. A bunch of old car blokes can thoughtlessly turn away from conversation with women, or unknown men for that matter. You know that it happens and all members must make the effort to be inclusive. We have both experienced this, and know that most members are great to know, you just have to break into those circles and get involved. On that area in particular, while not taking responsibility away from all members, having some people who make a special effort to buddy-up newbies is an excellent move. We have always found a phone call to invite a member along to an event has pretty good results. I suggest you pick them up in your old car! Alan & Chris Gulleford Kaikoura
FOUNDERS HAD NAME CHANGE
I have read with interest the various discussions regarding the name of the Club. I have always been proud to have been a member for such a long period - 70 years. The Vintage Car Club of NZ is well regarded by the public in general. I have enjoyed the wonderful international rallies, and early events such as the Picton Rally in the 1950s. However a name or title change seems logical, as VCC does not
seem to include commercial, motorcycles or classics. The founding few wisely chose to call their club “The Vintage Vehicles Assn” which to me is very descriptive of what they hoped to achieve. Could their well-thought-out title, or similar be considered? Tom Clements Canterbury Branch
FOUNDERS VISION
Well done Barry Barnes for your comments in Beaded Wheels issue 363, I think they are well founded in regard to the VCC. The founders of the Vintage Car Club had a clear vision of what was needed and how to form a stable base to achieve it. Their efforts are spread far and wide for all to see, our motoring past new and old now preserved. Their vision should be cherished and respected with pride by members of the VCC. Maybe this break from normal life would be a good time to explore what it’s all about and reflect on why the VCC came about. There is an abundance of motoring groups and one-make clubs to cater for the social and motoring needs of members dissatisfied with the direction of the VCC. Please respect the foundation of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand for what it was formed for and let us enjoy its history in New Zealand motoring old and new. Peter Rhods South Canterbury Branch.
AWARDS Congratulations to the following member who has recently been awarded their 50 Year Award.
50 YEAR Cloudsley, Tom Banks Peninsula Branch
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
TIMELINES
Mechanical Restorations Vintage & Classic Spares (1980)
1974 American Motors Gremlin – ‘70s style.
Photo:©CZmarlin
Stockists of new AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CAR, TRUCK & TRACTOR 1912–1997 (85 year span)
Historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by compiled by Graeme Rice 100 YEARS AGO APRIL MAY 1920
A shipment of England’s quality car, the new six-cylinder five-litre Armstrong Siddeley, was on its way to Gisborne, and buyers were being urged to place orders for one of these much sought after cars. Priced at £875 for a chassis complete with f ive t yres, mudguards, step-boards, an instrument board including a speedometer and clock, Lucas electric starting and five electric lights, gaiters on the springs, and a klaxon horn, the Siddeley was also available with factory saloon bodywork for an extra £420. 50 YEARS AGO APRIL MAY 1970
American Motors cut and shut their slow selling Hornet to come up with the compact Gremlin, a trendy two-door hatchback, powered originally by their everyday 3300cc, 128bhp six, or later the 5359cc, 247bhp, V8. Not surprisingly the Gremlin beat two of its main rivals, the VW and the Ford Pinto, by accelerating from zero to 60mph in 12.6 seconds, while the other two wheezed in six seconds later. AMC executives couldn’t decide whether it was cute, or controversial. Nevertheless, it sold a total 671,475 units to become AMC’s best-selling car. .
75 YEARS AGO APRIL MAY 1945
Announcement that Triumph, newly acquired by Standard, would launch a 14/15hp luxury car capable of 85mph, powered by the four-cylinder, 1800cc, 70bhp engine descended from the pre-war cars. Plans were to build the new 1800 saloon on a tubular chassis with independent front suspension, a column gear change and bench seats giving room for six adults, and to produce them at the rate of 5000 a month by early 1946.
ENGLISH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL AUSTRALIAN JAPANESE
Kingpin sets Rear axles Engine gaskets Water pumps & kits Gearbox gears Clutch plates Suspension parts Clutch covers Steering joints Carburettors Crownwheel & pinions Fuel pumps & kits Spark plugs Brake & clutch cables Electrical fittings Pistons Wiper motors (vac) Steering box parts Engine bearings Valves, springs, guides Shock absorbers Speedo cables Wheel cylinders & kits Ignition parts Master cylinders & kits Timing gears & chains Shackles Lenses (pins & bushes) Engine mounts Ring gears & pinions MECHANICAL RESTORATIONS VINTAGE & CLASSIC SPARES (1980) RD 7 • Fordell • Wanganui • Phone/Fax 06 342 7713
30 YEARS AGO APRIL MAY 1990
After leaving the luxury market to Ford for a few years, Holden hit back with the classy, very upmarket Caprice. Prices began at around $45,000 and went up from there depending on the options buyers wanted. Lavishly equipped, the standard car offered a chrome grille, woodgrain trim, optional leather upholstery, keyless entry, more rear seat legroom, a four-speed auto, a 14 speaker stereo, power everything and the 170bhp, 3.8 litre V6, unless the optional 5 litre V8s were specified. Described by one critic as a Commodore in a dinner jacket, the Caprice proved just how well a good basic product could scrub up for a special occasion.
Graeme Rice
Beaded Wheels 11
HIN BE
D THE WHE
EL
GRACE, SPACE, PACE Bevars Binnie’s 1961 Jaguar 3.8 Words and photographs KEVIN CLARKSON
Grace, Space, Pace - the slogan coined by Jaguar in the 1950s, is one of the most inspirational car slogans of all time. Adorning most of their advertising in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s this short phrase gave an insight to what prospective purchasers might expect from their new Jaguar. HOW JAGUAR WAS BORN When William Lyons was a young motorcyclist aged about 19 he spotted a fellow enthusiast who made Swallow branded sidecars not far away. Lyons soon had one of these sidecars attached to his motorbike, and by the time he was 21 he had joined with the other enthusiast, William Walmsley, in the sidecar business. The parents of both put up the required guarantee for the capital to get the business going and on a sound footing. They soon had a small workforce, and production and sales of sidecars increased to the extent that they had to move to bigger premises. So started Lyons’ career in the motor industry. He quickly developed a reputation as an innovative thinker who paid great attention to detail, not to
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mention his innate ability to know what is right in engineering and body design. These attributes stood him in good stead during his many years at Jaguar. Most manufacturers had whole departments responsible for ongoing development of such things as body design, engineering and so on. William Lyons did the bulk of all this work himself, often at his home after hours. The first cars were called Swallow, then SS. Some say this stood for Swallow Sidecars, but that has never really been documented. By the time WWII was over the SS brand had gone and the Jaguar name as a brand stood on its own. After the war Jaguar produced the large and imposing Mk V saloon with its six cylinder pushrod overhead valve motor. The Jaguar XK120 was introduced at the
same time, but this car had the Jaguar six cylinder double overhead cam (dohc) motor that was to last so long and be used in so many models to follow. It was a strong powerful motor and gave a good account of itself in Jaguar cars on the racing scene. This engine was also used by many enthusiasts for inserting in other racing cars. The successor to the MKV was the Mk VII and it also came with that fabulous new Jaguar dohc motor as did the later models the MKVIIM, the Mk VIII, the Mk IX and the even larger Mk X. All were large, fast, comfortable saloons. In the mid-fifties Jaguar announced a totally new car which it called the 2.4 and 3.4 saloon, still with the now well-known Jaguar six cylinder double overhead cam motor. It was their first small saloon since the 1.5-litre of the ‘30s. The 2.4 and 3.4 saloons were the forerunners to the Mk II, and although they are not known officially as Mk I models that is essentially what they were. They were followed by the Mk II versions which were similar to the Mk1, but had many improvements, a larger rear window, for instance, and it still had that famous Jaguar dohc motor under the bonnet. It was marketed as being a luxury sports saloon and it was well
appreciated by the buying public that a Jaguar got you a lot of car for the money. In comparison to other similar prestige cars on the market Jaguar’s pricing was always less than one would expect.
BEVARS’ JAG Bevars found his Mk II on TradeMe. Having owned a couple of these cars in the 1980s/90s he was attracted to this one by it being the desirable 3.8 litre manual overdrive model, and by its low mileage originality. Its very early history is slightly vague, but it was in England for the first two years of its life with its first 500 mile service being done at Daimler London on 22/1/1962 when it had 814 miles on the clock. Its second 1,250 miles service was done at Moore’s Presto Motor Works, Croydon on 3/7/62 at 1,886 miles. It was then shipped to New Zealand and was registered in Paraparaumu in 1963. It seems that its first New Zealand owner subsequently died and that the car was passed on to his widow, and then when she passed away, to their daughter. These last two transfers are hand written on the registration certificate, with identical hand written dates and mileages that have subsequently
Beaded Wheels 17
Words and photos Stuart Francis
The Transport World Trust, in conjunction with the Southland Sports Car Club, (owners of the Teretonga circuit) have created the George Begg Classic Speedfest. The weekend-long Speedfest is part of an established South Island Competition which the Transport World Trust have taken over the sponsorship of to honour the memory of George Begg. George played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s golden age of motor racing, creating 18 very successful racing cars between 1963 and 1974. George’s cars competed nationally and internationally. The inaugural meeting at Teretonga, Invercargill on 13-16 February 2020, set the tone for the future with a giant poster of George on the side of the control tower, the scaffold sign, officials wearing white dust coats, and the circuit and pits dressed, where possible, to look like a period venue. Spectators and competitors were encouraged to attend in period costumes, (I haven’t seen so many flat caps, tweed jackets and posh frocks in a long time). There was a light hearted feel about the whole event, with the competitors definitely enjoying the event. Transport World trustee, Jocelyn, together with Scott O’Donnell also hosted a couple of social functions that added to the atmosphere of the whole event. Jocelyn, Scott O’Donnell and their team, put a huge amount of time, money and effort into creating this event and already have ideas for future events. Their long-term vision for the George Begg Classic Speedfest is to create a festival atmosphere, similar to other global motorsport events like the Goodwood Revival, held in England.
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GEORGE BEGG BUNKER Transport World Trust have established the George Begg Bunker in the cellar of the Classic Motorcycle Mecca, to house a rolling collection of Begg Racing cars. The exhibit opened on the Thursday before the Speedfest, attended by a number of special guests including George’s widow, Freda, and three of their four daughters, as well as people connected to Begg Racing, including former drivers Barry Keen, Jim Murdoch, and David Oxton. Sixteen of the eighteen Begg cars survive, with amazingly fourteen of them on display at the opening. Subject to demonstrations and racing commitments they hope to keep most of them on semi-permanent display. The bunker has storyboards about George’s life, his achievements, examples of his engineering work, and one of his motorcycles.
GEORGE BEGG George was brought up on a farm in Drummond near Winton in Southland. Realising early on that he was more suited to engineering than farming, he moved to Dunedin to be an apprentice fitter
and turner. George’s first motorcycle was a 1929 BSA Sloper, bought from his brother in 1948 to take him to work. George’s initial interest in motorsport was motorcycle racing, buying a 1938 Royal Enfield Silver Bullet 500cc single to compete in club races. The Bullet was joined by a BSA Golden Flash 650 twin in 1953. The first step into serious racing was a 500cc Triumph GP twin, then a Velocette KTT, followed by a 1953 Manx Norton 500cc. George’s dream was to compete at the Isle of Man. In 1955 he left for Britain with friend Bob Cook. George collected a new AJS 7R 350cc racer from the factory on the way to Isle of Man. He gained finisher’s medals in the Junior (350) and Senior (500) of the 1955 Manx Grand Prix. The pair then competed in British club events, enjoying some modest success. George and Bob competed in the 1956 Manx GP, George received a finisher’s medal, while Bob Cook won a silver replica for his 25th place. Bob died in a racing accident shortly after the Manx GP, a shattering blow. George’s heart no longer in racing, he sold the 7R and returned to New Zealand in early 1957. While on the Isle of Man George met, and married, Freda, his lifelong companion. After his return to New Zealand George joined an engineering firm repairing earth-moving equipment. A few months of dirty backbreaking work convinced that him that the future lay in starting his own business. George established an agricultural engineering business in the car shed of his father’s farm at Drummond. His father later sold him a corner of a field on which he built the engineering workshop. After a difficult start he developed a device to handle sheep while they were treated for footrot, they sold like hot cakes. After further success with front-end loaders and ditch digging equipment G N Begg Engineer was on a firm footing. Looking around for a further outlet for his skills he found a copy of Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design by Mike Costin and David
George at work in 1974.
George retired to Hervey Bay, Queensland, where he wrote four books.
A New Zealand landspeed record holder, the McBegg demo lap.
Beaded Wheels 29