CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS
No. 365 August/September 2020
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95
BALCAIRN IS BACK
9 418979 000012
Tackling the mud Banks Peninsula style
1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR ROAD TEST 1970 MK2 CORTINA GTE MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
No details are recorded with this image which is from our Beaded Wheels archive. Email any information you may have on the possible details to beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz 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. 365
Issue 365 August/September 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.
Correspondence & Editorial Contributions
Phone 64 3 332 3531, Fax 64 3 366 0273 PO Box 13140, Christchurch 8141. Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz
FEATURES 12 H i-Five?
Behind the Wheels of a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
18 20
Production
In Search of a Bright Spark Paul Radmall tackles an interesting magneto project
22
Cortina GTE
24
A Collection of Austins
27 30 33
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%
Motorbike Memories Alan Young reminisces
38 40
Gloria – Triumphant At Last Ron Elton’s 1934 Triumph Gloria 6 Motoring Memories with Barry Barnes
Back to the Future Jared Dacombe achieves a childhood dream Stock Car Racing during the 1950s Hadstock Driving Tests
COLUMNS
Closing Date for October/November:
4
President’s Message
17
4
As We See It
41 Marketplace
5
VCC Events
45
Swap Meets & Rallies
6
National Office
47
Trade Directory
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.)
28
Book Reviews
National Office Phone 03 366 4461 Fax 03 366 0273 Email admin@vcc.org.nz
7 Mailbag
49
Idle Torque
9 Timelines
62
Passing Lane
Postal Address: PO Box 2546,
10
Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
22
Cortina GTE
Rally Snippets 33 West Coast Run – Central Otago Branch 34 Hadstock Driving Tests - Banks Peninsula Branch 36 South Island Club Captain’s Tour
Design: RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch Print: PMP Ltd, Christchurch. Editorial Copy 27 August 2020 Advertisements 10 September 2020
12
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Way We Were
Marketplace
45
Address: 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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 Banks Peninsula Branch members roared back into action with a successful Balcairn Trial. Pictured is Avon Hyde tackling the mud with a pensive navigator, see page 50 for more information. Photo John McDonald.
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 I hope you have all taken the opportunity to get out and about in your vehicles, whether it is on a branch event or just a casual run to a café for a cup of coffee. I’m sure we all appreciate having the freedom again to just hop in (or on) our vehicles after being in lockdown. Branch events are getting back to normal, and the teams organising national rallies are full steam ahead. It seems with the enforced break from motoring, members are keen to use their vehicles, and good numbers are turning up for organised events. I hope this keenness continues and members are looking at the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring in 2022 with renewed vigour. While we have a reasonable number of members who have expressed interest in attending, I know from previous experience that this does not always give a true picture of the number of eventual entries. I am aware that one organisation has been told that the government will not be issuing overseas visitors’ visas until 2023. It is therefore most likely that we will not have any overseas entrants attending, so this means it
is now even more important than ever that members must support this event. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if we do not get the support we cannot hold the Festival. It is as simple as that. Towards the end of the year we will be sending out some sort of communication to members asking for an indication of whether they intend participating. If we don’t get sufficient indication of attendance we will have to seriously consider cancelling the event before we start incurring major expenses. We have no choice but to do this as we cannot (and will not) risk another major loss. This will be a huge disappointment to the Festival team, members of Taranaki Branch and those of you that have already made plans (whether it is a restoration in time for the event, a tour to get to New Plymouth or accommodation bookings). Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. I know that the organising team will put on a fantastic event with great motoring and entertainment. The ball is in your court.
The planned joint delegation of representatives from the FoMC and the VCC for discussions with appropriate government ministers will now take place after September’s general election, when ministerial portfolios have been allocated and there is more certainty. It was disappointing that we had to cancel our National Day – The Daffodil Rally. However it is very pleasing that many branches have decided to go ahead and will be holding a variety of events in August to support the Cancer Society. I know that the Society will really appreciate any donations as they also had to cancel or postpone their major fundraising event around the country – Relay for Life. By now you will have received the Club’s annual accounts which recorded a small operating loss of $19,277 (which is less than the budgeted loss of $30,793). However, when the Vero profit share and interest on investments is added, there is a surplus of $63,459. It will be the recommendation of the Management team at the AGM that the Club subscriptions are not increased.
As I advised in my President’s Annual Report, Michael Lavender, our Hon Secretary/ Treasurer, has not stood for re-election. Michael has held the position for 11 years and he has been integral to the judicious stewardship of the Club’s financial position. On behalf of the Club I thank him most sincerely for his contribution and wish him and Sherryn all the best for the future. Canterbury Branch member Chris Leith will take on the role of Hon Secretary/Treasurer after the AGM and I welcome him to the team. Congratulations to the rest of the Management Committee who were elected un-opposed. Best regards, stay safe and happy motoring.
Diane Quarrie VCCNZ National President
AS WE SEE IT The Vintage Car Club is full of unsung heroes, and without them the Club would be much the worse off. I’m talking about volunteers of course and they all know who they are. A valuable side benefit of being a volunteer is that it is easier to meet more people, form friendly relationships, and just feel more a part of the club than if all you were able to do was pay your subs every year. One group of people I would like to single out for thanks are your branch Beaded Wheels Reporters (formerly known as branch scribes). Every two months they get their
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information together and get it to us on time (mostly!), ready for inclusion in the next issue. Probably a thankless task with little recognition and yet it is important if we are to keep members from throughout New Zealand and overseas informed of happenings at branch level. They are allowed 250 words only so they have to keep it tight and pick the right subject matter to keep it interesting. If they stray too much over the word limit then the editing process takes care of that. We welcome photos in idle torque, as that adds extra interest for our readers, and I’m pleased that Reporters appear to
be sending us more and better pictures of members’ activities. We extend our thanks to our Branch Reporters. May your pens continue to flow freely and your camera button become even shinier. As branch AGMs are being held about now changes in committees will be afoot and this means we are likely to have some new Branch Reporters coming on stream. I’ll take this opportunity to welcome them and advise them that we are here to help and they should get in touch with me if they have a need. The rules for Branch Reporter’s contributions can be
found in sections 26c and 26d of the Branch Manual. Ask your branch secretary for a copy of those pages. Happy motoring and reporting.
Kevin Clarkson Chairman Beaded Wheels
VINTAGE CAR CLUB BRANCH EVENTS A run to West Coast Run got Central Otago Branch members our motoring after lockdown– vehicles pictured here above Cascade Flat.
NATIONAL EVENTS* October 2020 16-18 National Veteran Rally March 2021 12-14 National Motorcycle Rally Wairarapa Branch
.jpg
AUGUST
8 Auckland AGM 8 Central Hawke’s Bay Twilight Run 8-9 Canterbury Motorcycle Mid Winter Run 9 Marlborough Annual Dinner & Prize Giving 9 Northland Club Run 11 Gore AGM 12 Hawke’s Bay AGM 12 Waikato AGM 13 Wellsford/Wkwth Prizegiving 13 Sth Canterbury Mid Week Run 14-16 Wanganui National VCC Conference & AGM 15 Banks Peninsula Night Trial 16 Canterbury Coffee Old Bikes & Cars 16 Hawke’s Bay Club Run 16 Marlborough Trials and Mud Plug 16 Nelson Marlborough Trials 16 North Shore Northern Raid 16 Rotorua Club Run 19 Auckland Mid Week Tourers 19 Nelson Proposed Club Run 19 Rotorua Midweek Run 19 Waikato Wednesday Wander 20 Ashburton Quizco 20 Taranaki AGM 22 Gore Annual Dinner & Trophy Night 22 West Coast Spray the Graves 23 Ashburton Show and Shine 23 Banks Peninsula Awards Lunch 23 Canterbury Daffodil Rally 23 Central Otago Monte Targo Run 23 Horowhenua Park Up for Daffodil Day 23 Marlborough Daffodil Day Car Show Brayshaw Park 23 Nelson Daffodil Rally 23 Sth Canterbury Daffodil Rally
23 23 23 23 23 23 26 27 29 30
Taupo Daffodil Rally Waikato Daffodil Rally Wairarapa Daffodil Run/Car Show Wanganui Daffodil Rally Wellington Daffodil Rally West Coast Daffodil Rally Rotorua Midweek Run Otago Midweek Run Rotorua Sulphur City Rally Wellsford/Wkwth Daffodil Rally
SEPTEMBER
5 Banks Peninsula Levels Race Meeting 5 Canterbury Motorcycle Rough Run & VICs 5 Sth Canterbury Opening Run 5 Waimate Swap Meet 6 Ashburton Opening Run 6 Central Hawke’s Bay Daffodil Run 12 Nelson Dennis King Memorial Trial 12 Northland Cars and Planes Tour 13 Auckland Annual PVV/PWV/P60V/P80V Rally 13 Gore Opening Run 13 Nelson Club Run 13 Wairarapa Peter Smith Memorial Rally 16 Rotorua Midweekers Run 16 Waikato Wednesday Wander 17 Ashburton AGM 19 Manawatu Vintage Rally 19 Wellington Rubber Duckie Rally 19 Waikato PV, PWV, P80, P60 Rally 19-20 North Shore Spring Tour 19-20 Taranaki Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally 20 Sth Canterbury Continental Run 20 Wanganui Sunday Run 24 Otago Midweek Run 26 Central Otago Blossom Festival Rally
27 Banks Peninsula Opening Run 27 Rotorua Swap Meet
OCTOBER
3 Manawatu 3 Northland
Swap Meet Settlers Day Matakohe Museum 3-4 Otago Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally 4 Canterbury P 60 Rally 4 Waikato Kairangi Hill Climb 9-11 Canterbury Swap Meet 14-16 Central Hawke’s Bay Midweek Adventure 15 Ashburton Annual Dinner 16-18 Gore National Veteran Rally 16-18 Marlborough Biennial Rally 17 King Country Journey through Time 17-19 Canterbury Girder Fork Motorcycle Rally 18 Rotorua Club Run 18 Wanganui Club Run 21 Nelson Club Run 23-26 Hawke’s Bay Safari 2020 24-25 Central Otago 50th Anniversary Weekend 24-26 Sth Canterbury Mt Cook Annual Rally 25 Auckland Hunua 100 Rally 25 Northland Club Run 28 Rotorua Midweek Run 29 Otago Midweek Run 31 Canterbury Annual Motorcycle Rally 31-1 Banks Peninsula Ruapuna Meeting
NOVEMBER
1 Waikato Veteran Rally 4 Wanganui Night Trial 6-7 Northland Far North Tour 6-8 Sth Canterbury Safari Weekend 7 Canterbury Malvern Anzac Run 7 Otago Taieri Tour 7 Southland Commercial Rally 8 Banks Peninsula Hawkswood Sprint
*The National “Vintage Only Rally” for early September has been cancelled because of 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
NATIONAL OFFICE Contact National Office for all queries regarding VICs, logbooks, historic race licences, registration of vehicles, lighting endorsement, address changes, subscriptions, membership cards, speed events.
Renewal invoices will be sent out to all members in early September 2020 for the period 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021. Payment must be received by National Office no later than 20 October 2020 for you to receive the discount of $11.50. If you don’t receive your invoice, let your branch secretary know before the end of September. Membership cards will be forwarded to financial members in November. Members who have not paid by 1 November 2020 will show as unfinancial. One reminder notice will be forwarded and the $11.50 will be payable. Members whose invoice is unpaid by the March Executive Meeting will be required to re-join and lose any previous continuous membership. Please advise National Office if you have changed your address, email or phone number or sold/ purchased any vehicles. It is also appreciated if you notify the office by 31 October 2020 that you intend to resign. You can pay directly into the
If you are entering this event you MUST have a valid Vehicle Identity Card (VIC). Please get your VIC application, renewal application, or change of ownership submitted to your branch well in advance of the registration close off for the event. Do not risk disappointment by leaving it to the last minute.
Club’s bank account. Please remember that you must put your membership number as the reference for the payment. This is very important. NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Club’s Executive Meeting and Annual General Meeting will take place in Whanganui on 15 August 2020. The Executive also meet on 14 August. The Executive is made up of one delegate from each branch plus the Management Committee members. Your delegate will report on the proceedings. The minutes for the Executive Meeting are distributed to each branch secretary and all members will receive minutes of the AGM, branch office details and a calendar of events as an insert in a future issue of Beaded Wheels. BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Branches around the country have held their annual general meetings and as a result there are a number of new committee members. I would like to welcome all the new committees
and thank all those who stood down for their assistance over the past years. The work that the committees put in to running the Club and assisting with the work undertaken by National Office is greatly appreciated. THE HISTORIC VEHICLE AUTHORITY OF NZ
Did you know that the Management Committee has a very good working relationship with NZTA, and they officially recognise The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.) as the Historic Vehicle Authority of NZ? Rod Brayshaw has been the Club’s Registrar for
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
Beaded Wheels 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
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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
24 years, and is often called upon by both NZTA and our members to assist with issues that arise. VEHICLE IDENTITY CARD (VIC)/AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Applications for a Vehicle Identity Card / Authenticity Statement must be submitted to your branch. The only exception is a straight 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 National Office.
Julie Cairns-Gee National Office Manager
CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR OVER 70 YEARS
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 which was the successor to the monthly Guff Sheet.
No. 358 June/July 2019
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST HISTORICAL MOTORING MAGAZINE $7.95
MEGA MOTORING
Rally Action From Around New Zealand
9 418979 000012
SUBSCRIPTION TIME
NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY
1966 NISSAN PRINCE SKYLINE, MAGNETOS AND MORE… MAGAZINE OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND
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.
Thanks to all who responded to the request I made in the last edition of Beaded Wheels to show an expression of interest in the forthcoming 27th National Motorcycle Rally. Buoyed up by this, planning is progressing well and some smashing rides are being developed which will enable riders to explore the marvellous roads and scenery in the back blocks of the Wairarapa. There’ll be something for everyone and every bike, so we are looking forward to seeing you all. Jim Philps
INTERESTING ARTICLE
CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS VEHICLE
The above photograph is of a relative, Mr Nathaniel Brown of Brown Brothers Engineering, seated in one of his vehicles sometime in the 1930s in the Upper North Island. If it is of good enough resolution, would you be able to publish it in the hope that someone can identify the make/model of vehicle? The car looks sporty but something
of a bitza which you might expect was built here in New Zealand. Peter Collins peter@qualityrebuilds.com
NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY 2021
Entry forms are now available either on the VCC web page or by contacting Beth Taylor at the address in the advert in Beaded Wheels.
The article in Beaded Wheels 363 regarding the 1970 10th International Veteran and Vintage Rally in Australia was of great interest. My late wife and I were officials on the vintage route of the rally in our 1937 Riley 12/4 Falcon, so the article brought back some interesting memories of the event. The rally was the brain child of the late George Green, the owner of a very successful wool broking business and staunch Veteran Car Club member. The management of the event was
– BREAKING NEWS –
TARGA 2020 VCC TIME TRIAL The Targa 2020 VCC Time Trial is now being run as two conjunctive events: 1. The 4 Day Time Trial starting in Albany, Auckland, on Thursday 15 October 2020, travelling over closed tarmac road stages to overnight in Whangarei, before returning via closed road stages to overnight in Ellerslie on Friday 16 October. 2. A 2 Day Time Trial starting in Ellerslie, Auckland Saturday 17 October 2020. This is a totally new event with a significantly reduced entry fee aimed at VCC members who wish to enjoy an outstanding Targa VCC event over a weekend.
On Saturday 17 October, both 2 and 4 day entrants will travel over closed tarmac roads on the Coromandel to overnight in Whitianga, where all VCC entrants, friends and family are invited to join for a meal together at the Mercury Bay Club, where we’ll also be presenting some fun participation awards. Sunday 18 October will see all of us returning over closed tarmac roads on the Coromandel to event finish and prize giving dinner in Pukekohe. The Targa VCC Time Trial 4 day and all new 2 day event, gives VCC members with VCC eligible cars an outstanding opportunity to test their driving and time-keeping skills over
closed tarmac stages, safe in the knowledge that they are all driving from start intervals, in the same direction, with nothing coming towards them. It’s not a race, and no special car modifications (roll cage etc), are required. Entries may be limited, so please contact me as soon as possible: Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@ gmail.com 027 433 8772, For event pricing and further information please refer www.targa.nz
split between the NSW and Victorian Veteran Car Clubs, and it must be acknowledged as one of the most successful motoring events held in Australia. The vintage route to Melbourne, having started at Warwick Farm Racecourse, was longer by a couple of hundred miles. It was anticipated the veteran vehicles were slower, so there was a shorter veteran rally route. There was a number of vintage Bentleys in the field of 682. Entrants came from New Zealand, England, South Africa USA and all states of Australia. One of the very memorable highlights of the rally was meeting Arthur and Dorothy Ainsworth, competitor number 338 in their 18 hp Fiat. Many years after the rally it was my pleasure to again meet Arthur and Dorothy at an Austin-Healey function in Christchurch in January 2009, and a friendship grew until Arthur passed away. A case of a common interest in motoring and cars, generating wonderful memories and friendships. Geoff Golding
STATUS QUO
Congratulations on an excellent June-July issue. I can be a bit biased having enthusiasm for the sporting side of motoring but feel most were catered for. I hope the right to opinion is alive and well at Beaded Wheels as it would appear. It seems like years of waffling over name changes of Club and magazine have gone on to the point of being tedious. It is my belief that if you are a VCC member, or a subscriber to Beaded Wheels, or even have a partial interest in yesteryear’s vehicles you would have some understanding of Beaded Wheels and what the club encompasses in its name. Even a casual browser looking at the magazine would have to be mentally challenged if looking at the cover of Beaded Wheels did not alert them to the probable content. If not the ability to read
Beaded Wheels 7
the A40 through Waimak Classic Cars in North Canterbury in December 2014 but could give me no history except that it had once been in a museum collection for some years. I later discovered it may possibly have been in Ray Singleton’s Museum in Te Puke.
should clarify all. Please take the time to read the tribute to Mollie Anderson (BW 364) and if you can’t respect history then at least accept that change for the sake of change is a waste of time and money. Even John Key had eventually to resign to that. Don Ammon Member Nelson
DO YOU KNOW THIS A40 ?
I am hoping that someone may be able to shed some light on the history of my 1951 Austin A40 Devon which I purchased in February 2017. It is the GS3 model with steering column gearchange and
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full hydraulic brakes, colour black with brown upholstery and carpets. Now repainted and reupholstered, this was its original colour scheme, although it now also has a red coachline. It was built at Longbridge, Birmingham, on 12 November 1951 so probably not first registered in New Zealand until early 1952. Current registration number is OURA4O which dates from 3 August 1992, before which it was RN6474. This number had been etched on all the glass. The chassis number is GS3. 637819 The previous owner purchased
Any help with information about this A40 would be very much appreciated. Kevin Burden 18 Tarrant Place, Motueka kevinjb46@yahoo.com.au Member Nelson
LAGONDA MEMORIES
Reading through Hawke’s Bay idle torque in Beaded Wheels 362 and seeing the picture of David’s amazing and extremely rare Lagonda, I had hoped to get information about the car but it wasn’t even mentioned. I only ever saw one of these in 1988 at the Bromley Pageant of Motoring. Described as a “rough and willing runner”, the owner told a very large group
crowding round the car that it was “pretty sound mechanically but needed a lot of TLC to repair the bodywork. Not unusual to see a lot of people round rough looking cars, often far more than pristine ones.” We found out later he had said this to someone who intended to have the car completely restored. I wonder how many were made, most with a lot of input from W O Bentley and how many still exist? The wings are very unusual on David’s Lagonda. A truly great looking car and very special. Worthy of an article in Beaded Wheels (if David agrees of course). Ken Braddon Auckland
ERRATA Beaded Wheels issue 364 featured a letter from Clive Taylor. Unfortunately there was an error in his email address. Clive’s correct email address is: kane@netsmart.net.nz
TIMELINES
Mechanical Restorations Vintage & Classic Spares (1980)
Photo:©Simon Finlay Photography
Stockists of new AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CAR, TRUCK & TRACTOR 1912–1997 (85 year span)
Skoda S110R
Historical snippets of motoring interest from years gone by compiled by Graeme Rice 100 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1920
The almost universal practice of making a motorcycle originally built for one rider carry two brought to mind the question of tandem motorcycles. One would need a machine powered by a 4hp or 5hp engine with three speeds, clutch and a kick start. Experts suggested “Such a machine would be sufficiently powerful to go anywhere and convey two heavy riders up the steepest hills.” 50 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1970
Skoda’s 1107cc, 62bhp, 90mph S110R fastback coupe was launched in Czechoslovakia featuring dual circuit brakes and, from 1973, four headlights and alloy wheels. The Italians lent a touch of class by supplying rev-counters, pressure gauges, headrests and drilled out gear levers. Ideal for several seasons of cheap club rallying.
Graeme Rice
75 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1945
One of the compelling reasons to buy British small eights or tens was petrol rationing. Good news was that the basic war-time ration was doubled from this month. Monthly coupon values were as follows; cars over 14.5hp – 8 gallons, cars between 9.5hp and 14.5hp – 6 gallons, and cars up to 9.5hp – 4 gallons. Austin Sheerline 19 mpg = 152 miles. The Austin A70 – 26 mpg doing 208 miles on 8 gallons. Ford Anglia 10hp 36 mpg = about 216 miles on 6 gallons. Renault 760 (under 9.5hp), 46 mpg = about 184 miles Motorcycles, regardless of size, were allocated 2 gallons.
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30 YEARS AGO AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1990
If there were any lingering doubts about the Japanese, the complete mastery of three new cars should have swept them away. First, Mazda’s MX5 was picking up awards for its superb handling and the grins on the faces of those who indulged themselves. Next, the stately Lexus, the product of extensive development. Straining every inch of their cerebellum to downplay its capabilities, road testers could only claim it lacked a European heritage. Finally, the svelte Honda NSX. Potent, handsome and lacking the temper tantrums of some of the red-blooded products from the continent was proving to be every bit as appealing.
Beaded Wheels 9
THE WAY WE WERE
Continuing our series on the origins and very early events of the Vintage Car Club as recalled by Andrew Anderson
s Ron Green, Bob Blackburne and Buddy Harding sitting on Rex Frisken’s 100mph 3 litre and Buddy’s two mates beside me.
Kaiteriteri Christmas/ New Year 1950/51
A SUMMER SOUJOURN As told in last issue, Bob Blackburne and I had had a most exciting couple of days in Nelson in the races and with Buddy, we decided on a nice peaceful couple of days camping to get over it. Bob left his newly acquired Austin monoposto in Nelson and came with us in the two Bentleys. My Maythorne coupe 4½ had a 3 litre speedmodel engine, and was a very early 4½ with cone clutch and pot joints which really went very well if you used that lovely C type box properly. The Rex Frisken car that Buddy was driving was a real bitsa, with that 100 mph 3 litre radiator but different chassis. You can read all its background in Rex’s own words in Guff Sheet No 6 April 1954. It went very nicely and we had a great drive down to Westport through the Buller (as shown) and Bob had to drive the wee Austin to keep in convoy. This is probably the place to fit in the story of Bob, who of course was to be our President at the next AGM. He had had a “good war” as a Fleet Air Arm pilot of some renown, and came home to be the B in the somewhat advanced
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ANDREW ANDERSON VCCNZ FOUNDING & LIFE MEMBER
drawing office supply company GBD Prints Ltd. His time with the ex Sybil Lupp 4½ has already appeared herein and his acquisition of my Bugatti lost his interest in getting the wee Austin which he raced at Wigram and Mairehau. His tendency to get bored with ploys that he felt he had hit the top of came to the fore again, and he sold his share of GBD Prints and rejoined the Fleet Air Arm as Korea and the Cold War intensified, and resigned as our President. When the international scene calmed down a bit, he returned to Christchurch in January 1955 with a new wife Esme and agencies for both sheet plastic fabrication as Weldtex Plastics, and Mistral car bodies, moulds and all. All of which he pursued furiously, founded the Institute of Management in Christchurch and again, bored with it all, he’s off to Australia, leaving Esmé, his house and businesses to look after themselves and we never saw him again. Last heard of he was crew member of that famous very first Aussie challenge for America’s Cup 1967, Dame Pattie. s Home through the Buller Gorge to drop off Ron Green at Westport. Bob’s ex Kennedy Monoposto Austin 7.
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Beaded Wheels 11
HI-FIVE?
NO – THIS IS ONE OF THE TRI-FIVES! Gary and Barbara Johnstone’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS GREG PRICE
HIN BE
D THE WHE
EL
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Beaded Wheels 13
THE HADSTOCK DRIVING TESTS, 28 JUNE 2020. Banks Peninsula Branch Text: Michael Williams, Photos: John McDonald There have been very few good things about the lockdown, but the record number of entries at Hadstock bore testament to the fact that car people wanted to get out and drive somewhere. And so it came to pass that 32 drivers in a wonderfully diverse array of vehicles assembled in the gloom and drizzle at Hadstock, on a very muddy and slippery course. Convivial host John Chamberlain had thoughtfully kept about 50 young steers in the paddock until we arrived, to make sure there was an extra element to add to the mud that changed the event from an example of precision driving to survival of the fittest. And there were so many entrants that there was only time for three events, given that everyone was able to have two attempts, even if the second one was usually slower as the course became more cut up. Yet again there were lots of younger entrants. Whetu Pikari was in a Morris Minor, Courtney Chamberlain in the less than trusty Austin 12/4, Mark Cummings in a Mazda MX5, Thomas Palmer in a Fiat 126, Fraser Kear in an Austin 7 Special, Josie Morrison and Harriet in a VW 1500, Tim Fox in a wonderfully restored 1960s Studebaker pickup. The list goes on. The Model A Club, clearly frustrated at missing out on their Winter Run, (Irishman) were well represented, and there were three examples of French automotive excellence, two Citroens and a Peugeot. At the other end of the scale, Giles Gill was looking quietly determined in his Morgan three wheeler, and John Foster, in his third attempt at victory was on his two wheeler, a Triumph Metisse 500 scrambler. Poor old John. In the previous two years he did so well that we decided to disqualify him for being too successful, but a significant bribe of a bottled nature to a morally elastic organiser meant that he had a chance of victory this year. But Avon Hyde and Brad Govan could not be overlooked The first event was the traditional slalom, and it quickly became apparent that there was very little traction indeed, and the bigger cars, and front wheel drive cars, would be at a significant disadvantage. John Foster, on the one-wheel-drive Triumph, hurtled through in 43 seconds, and at the other end of the scale Andrew McGuire in his Mark 7 Jag took 85 seconds. Andrew is a fairly solid specimen, and with three equally solid sons of the soil on board, the Jag undulated and swayed gracefully between the cones as it struggled for grip in a masterful display of controlled power. Messers Hyde and Govan looked promising, with times in the 50s, and Russell Yates was as spectacular as ever in his MGB. New entrant Warwick Marshall in his Covid Special (mostly Ford) looked
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Giles Gill, (1934 Morgan Family 3 wheeler) and Jason Roberts (Austin 7 Hawk) compare notes.
s
Great to watch … as the mud and the insults flew in equal measure, and driver skill really was put to the test.
promising, but with a time of 102 seconds, Tim Fox was beginning to realise that a Studebaker V8 with twin pipes was not really an advantage. The second event had been borrowed from the MG club and was new, so the Old Brigade reached for their defibrillators, and everyone else (ie anyone under 50) caught on straight away. It was a sort of cambelt thing, on gently sloping ground, and the early starters had a distinct advantage. All the second runs were much slower as the course began to resemble a bog at Balcairn. John Foster cleaned this up far too easily, and the organisers began to wonder if the bribe has been big enough. Neale Elder had a good time in his original boat-tailed Morris Minor, and Josie Morrison, aged 18 and driving her father’s VW on grass for the first time, showed some real skill as she recovered from a few 360 degree moments. Vaughan Morrison was actually using opposite lock in his vastly modified Model A, and Brian Smith was doing well in his Morris 8 Sport. The other one-wheel-drive specialist, Giles Gill, in his mighty Mog was demonstrating his skill at one wheel drifts, as he flicked the back wheel out round the cones. Paul McCulla is a vastly experienced driver who has raced all sorts of interesting machinery on tracks both here and in the UK. He also has a Model A, and is the son-in-law of Basil McCoy, a potent combination. However, the Model A wasn’t going so he arrived in his track car, a Peugeot 205 GTi, complete with roll cage, spoiler, rally interior and racing tyres, not to mention 250 bhp. However, none of those 250 horses seemed keen to engage with the ground, and in spite of skilful handbrake use and every other rally trick he could think of, struggled for grip. But he did do a splendid job of removing every bit of grass that came in contact with his tyres, thus saving John Chamberlain extra time on the tractor. So as we paused for lunch it was clear that the Triumph and the Austin hotrods were well out in front. The French team were sulking over their baguettes and vin ordinaire because their beloved FWD systems seemed to have met their Waterloo, but irritatingly, the Model As were doing well, as were the smaller cars. Round three was a sort of complicated ever decreasing circles variation, once again new and on undulating ground, and as the rain increased, the ground got even more slippery, and for some, forward motion at any speed become the main goal. Great to watch of course as the mud and the insults flew in equal measure, and driver skill really was put to the test. The pattern continued as before, with many cars sliding helplessly into cones at very low speeds. To say most cars understeered would be an understatement. All terribly character-forming of course, and for the younger drivers and first time competitors, I’m sure they really did learn a great deal about car control, which is one of the main ideas of a gymkhana. Getting out of the paddock and onto the road was the final challenge for us all, but no one needed a tow from a handy Land Rover, and the Springston Hotel was a welcome retreat from the cold and the rain. John Foster triumphed on his Triumph with 154 points, and was quite overwhelmed, when presented with The Cynthia, the very tasteful trophy that is always presented by Cynthia Chamberlain, in whose honour it is named. Avon Hyde, A7, was 2nd with 180 points, and Brad Govan 3rd with 191 points. Paul McCulla got a bottle of wine for having the most unlikely/ridiculous car, and yet another great motoring event was over.
Bruce Miles Model A in flight mode.
Andrew Roxburgh and his Traction Avant threading the cones.
Variety is a Hadstock tradition, from front: Morgan, Morris Minor, Dodge Fast Four.
Talking tactics from the gallery.
Josie Morrison (VW 1500) was one of the younger entrants enjoying the day.
A rare (in NZ) Studebaker pickup was entered by Tim Fox
1927 Dodge Fast Four utility living up to its name.
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