Issuu

CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 78 YEARS

No. 386 February /March 2024

New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine $8.95

BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A

9 418979 000012

1929 STUDE’ WORTH A VISIT BROOKLANDS MUSEUM

VCC NATIONAL COMMERCIAL RALLY

TRUCKS ON TOUR DRIVING OUR HISTORY

CRANK HANDLE CLUB: Anthony Wilson is seeking any information on a team from the 1960s, self-styled as the Crank Handle Club and in particular their discovery of a 1915 Calcott under a house in Crummer Road, Auckland. He writes: I understand the car passed first to a Mr John Irvine, then to Tony Leader of Te Atatu. All leads will be energetically followed up. Pleae direct all responses to Anthony Wilson Ph 021 227 8177 or willerby@xtra.co.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 2546, Christchurch 8140. Laserprints/photocopies are not suitable. Photos will be returned as soon as practicable.

NATIONAL OFFICE

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 366 4461 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

VCCNZ LIFE MEMBERS Andrew Anderson Roger White Norm Dewhurst Rod Brayshaw John Coomber

VCCNZ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PRESIDENT George R. Kear 027 221 4332

president@vcc.org.nz

CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHERN REGION Mark Wilkinson 021 168 6068 sicc@vcc.org.nz REGISTRAR Neil Beckenham 021 588 536 registrar@vcc.org.nz

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Diane Quarrie 027 333 1329 pastpresident@vcc.org.nz

SPEED STEWARD Ray Sanders 021 632 563 speedsteward@vcc.org.nz

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Vacant

EDITOR, BEADED WHEELS Kevin Clarkson 021 0270 6525 kevinclarkson@vcc.org.nz

Andy Fox 03 314 3763

mgmt1@vcc.org.nz

Murray Trounson 03 339 8830 mgmt3@vcc.org.nz COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING comms@vcc.org.nz ARCHIVIST Don Muller 03 385 6850

archivist@vcc.org.nz

Rebecca George CLUB CAPTAIN NORTHERN REGION 021 293 7714 mgmt2@vcc.org.nz Glyn Clements 021 0833 4081 nicc@vcc.org.nz Please note this information changes annually - these details are valid until the next AGM

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 3144 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/- 448 Tukituki Road, RD1, Takapau 4286 centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY PO Box 2168, Kopeopeo Whakatane 3159 easternbayofplenty@vcc.org.nz

FAR NORTH C/– PO Box 312 Kaitaia 0441 farnorth@vcc.org.nz GISBORNE PO Box 307, Gisborne 4040 gisborne@vcc.org.nz GORE PO Box 329, Gore 9740 gore@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY PO Box 3406, Napier 4142 hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz HOROWHENUA PO Box 458, Levin 5540 horowhenua@vcc.org.nz KING COUNTRY C/- 923 Taringamotu Road, Taumarunui 3994 kingcountry@vcc.org.nz MANAWATU PO Box 385 Palmerston North 4440 manawatu@vcc.org.nz MARLBOROUGH PO Box 422, Blenheim 7240 marlborough@vcc.org.nz NELSON PO Box 3531, Richmond 7050 nelson@vcc.org.nz

NORTHLAND PO Box 17, Whangarei 0140 northland@vcc.org.nz NORTH OTAGO PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444 northotago@vcc.org.nz NORTH SHORE C/- 7 Godwit Place, Lynfield Auckland 1042 northshore@vcc.org.nz OTAGO C/- 125 Forbury Road, Saint Clair, Dunedin 9012 otago@vcc.org.nz ROTORUA PO Box 2014, Rotorua 3040 rotorua@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY 19 Redruth St, Timaru 7910 southcanterbury@vcc.org.nz SOUTHLAND PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840 southand@vcc.org.nz SOUTH OTAGO C/- 1931 Breakneck Rd, RD 4, Balclutha 9274 southotago@vcc.org.nz SOUTH WAIKATO PO Box 403 Tokoroa 3420 southwaikato@vcc.org.nz

TARANAKI C/- 7 Leatham Ave, Strandon, New Plymouth 4312 taranaki@vcc.org.nz TAUPO 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 5840 wairarapa@vcc.org.nz WAITEMATA C/- 8 Jean Place, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparoa 0932 waitemata@vcc.org.nz WANGANUI PO Box 726, Whanganui 4541 wanganui@vcc.org.nz WELLINGTON PO Box 38418, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045 wellington@vcc.org.nz WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST C/- 143 Ward Street, Cobden Greymouth 7802, westcoast@vcc.org.nz

Will we see you in 2026?

CALLING ALL VINTAGE CAR CLUB MEMBERS Our hard working team organising the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring are dedicated to ensuring our next event in Nelson is well organised, great fun, and financially sound. To assist with meeting all of their goals they really need a firm indication as soon as possible that you are planning on attending. Official registrations are not open yet but if you are planning to attend there are two ways you can let the organisers know you are coming.

Complete the brief survey by clicking on the link in the email that was sent to all club members on 18 January.

Call National Office on 03 366 4461 and let them know if you are planning to come. Have your member number handy.

Your response to this request is not your rally entry, it is purely an indication to ensure the event organisers book venues of the appropriate size for the festival. Thanks for helping us to ensure 2026 is our best international event yet. Kind regards

George

GET MOTORING WITH THE VCC TODAY AT VCC.ORG.NZ

George Kear President, Vintage Car Club of New Zealand DRIVING OUR HISTORY

Responses close 10 March 2024

CONTENTS Issue 386 February/March 2024

FEATURES 10 12 Style and Class

Rescued from a Rubbish Pile

Brooklands Museum

Style and Class Behind The Wheel – 1929 Studebaker Director Six Royal Cabriolet Rescued from a Rubbish Pile Nick Rump’s Honda S90Z Restoration

20 Years On … a Reunion

2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring

26 30

Brooklands Stuart Francis tours a legend.

Rally Snippets 30 Arrowtown Rally 2023 – Southland Branch 31 Windsor Rally – North Otago Branch 31 Now I know what’s in the shed – Otago Branch 32 Cams Southern Classic Festival 34 National Commercial Rally – Wanganui Branch 36 Rallye Monte Carlo – Banks Peninsula Branch

Marketplace

COLUMNS 5

From the Editor

Swap Meets & Rallies

VCC Branch Events

Trade Directory

Mailbag

President’s Message

Timelines

National Office News

Book Review

Awards

Archivist News

Branch News

Marketplace

Passing Lane

The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated

Mountain Goat

COVER Beaded Wheels committee member Greg Price tackles an American - this time it’s Mark Dawber’s 1929 Studebaker Director Six Royal Cabriolet. See P12 for Greg Price’s article on this rare vintage American. Photo Greg Price.

National Office

Phone 03 366 4461 Email admin@vcc.org.nz

Postal Address PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.

Address 12 Aberdeen St, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Website: www.vcc.org.nz

DRIVING OUR HISTORY

4 Beaded Wheels

Find us on facebook Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is the worldwide organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles and related culture. The Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc) is a founding member of FIVA. VCC Life Member Rod Brayshaw is the New Zealand delegate to FIVA and also a member of the FIVA Technical Commission.

FROM THE

EDITOR

The true origins of horsepower revealed. A Talbot (England) circa 1908; model 4A or 4AB, 12 hp. A. E. Ogg and Mr Bloxsome returning from a bushfire with their car towed by the horse. Talbot motor cars at this time were imported by the Canada Cycle and Motor Agency (Qld) Ltd. Photo State library of Queensland.

In the last issue we announced the availability to members of a digital version of Beaded Wheels. I’m pleased to say that the uptake was rather larger than we expected so congratulations to all those techsavvy members out there who were curious enough to respond positively to the announcement. There were a few glitches, as expected, and we will hone the process over forthcoming issues to attempt to smooth the process. We had a small number of members who struck a problem of one sort or another but in most instances, we were able to help. Once they got their digital issue some decided that they didn’t want Beaded Wheels in digital format after all. No problem, we took them off the list. Some wanted to cancel their printed copy (and maybe hope

that they would have a reduced Club subscription) but that is not how it works. The digital copy is an extra member benefit and does not replace your printed version – all members will continue receiving that. Most of the feedback I have received is that members definitely want their printed version, but it is handy to keep the digital version on a computer for future reference or even on their smart phone so that it can be accessed on the go. Some members have suggested that different platforms can result in a better digital product, and while we have already had an initial look at those currently available, we will be looking again during the year at all the available options. To sum up then – digital Beaded Wheels, not everyone’s cup of tea, but to those who can

benefit from having it in this format – definitely a bonus.

Beaded Wheels

Correspondence & Editorial

Subscriptions

Publisher

The Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand ISSN 0113-7506 Vol LXXV No. 386

Typesetting and Design

RGB Design & Print Ltd, Christchurch

Editor: Kevin Clarkson Sub Editors: Judith Bain, Rosalie Brown,

Mark Dawber, John McDonald, Greg Price, Charles Rushbrook

Contributions Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz Phone 64 3 332 3531, PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140.

Advertising Enquiries

Classified and Display Advertising to: Email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Phone 64 3 332 3531 Rate schedule available on request.

Back Issues Available on request to admin@vcc.org.nz

Of course, there may be those of you with email addresses that did not receive the invite to take up the digital offer. The reason for that would be that you have not yet given us your current email address! You can rectify this by emailing National Office at admin@vcc.org.nz and apprising them of your email details. They will then respond with the digital offer, and you will be in the system. I assume that most readers of Beaded Wheels have an interest in vehicles, particularly those over 30 years old. When I am having a philosophical think about cars (this happens from time to time!) I think in terms of the engine being the heart of the vehicle. It’s the engine

Beaded Wheels subscribers change of address to: PO Box 2546, Christchurch 8140. Phone 03 366 4461, Fax 03 366 0273 Annual subscription (6 issues) $52* inc GST Australian subscription (6 issues) NZ$112* Other countries (6 issues) NZ$185* Digital subscription (6 issues) NZ$39 available from vcc.org.nz or issuu.com. *Payment by credit card incurs additional bank fee processing charge of 3%

that makes things possible, it complains if you push it too hard, and it rewards you if you are considerate to its needs. Regrettably I do not have this same feeling about electric vehicles (EVs). These bland eco blobs, all looking very similar, seem soulless to me, not that I am suggesting our old cars have souls! Perhaps the horse riders of the 19th Century felt the same way about the introduction of the motor car gradually taking over from their beloved horses and making them redundant!

Kevin Clarkson Editor Beaded Wheels

The contents are copyright. Articles may be reproduced complete or in part provided that acknowledgement is made to “Beaded Wheels, the magazine of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated” as the source. Reproduction of articles must be at least 12 months after original Beaded Wheels publication date. Beaded Wheels reserves the right to digitally store all published material for archival purposes.

CLOSING DATES FOR APRIL/MAY

Editorial Copy 26 February 2024 • Advertisements 10 March 2024

Beaded Wheels 5

HIN BE

D THE WHE EL

STYLE AND CLASS

Mark Dawber’s 1929 Studebaker Director Six Royal Cabriolet 12 Beaded Wheels

Words and photos by Greg Price, additional photos by Mark Dawber

Style and Class, is what Studebaker’s General Manager Albert Erskine said was lacking in cars back in 1926. Mark’s car has this in spades, but this ain’t no trailer queen, rather it is a very useable classic. One of the perks of penning these ‘Behind the Wheel’ articles, is that I get to learn new stuff every time, and getting behind the wheel of Mark’s Studebaker was no exception. In the first instance I wanted to describe it as a cabriolet coupe, except that the roof didn’t fold down. Not only that but Studebaker never even described it as being a two-seater car at all. It would seem that, back in the day, body style naming was (to quote Mark) ‘very fluid’. Whether or not that meant that the designers had been drinking, is debatable. Where I come from, a two seater car is a coupe, (or a ‘Sports’ in the case of a Morris 8) and a two-seater car with a fabric top that looks like it should fold down, is a cabriolet, except in this case, it is neither. But whatever the idiosyncrasies are, this is still a pretty rare vehicle. For instance, Mark estimates that there were less than 1,000 of these cabriolets made back in 1928, and this example is just one of only two right-hand drive (RHD) models imported. This is what happens when you make a car in America, but don’t import it into New Zealand until mid-December 1928, as it will unlikely sell until the next year – in this case 1929. But before we dig deeper into the New Zealand history of Mark’s car, let’s learn a bit more about Studebaker, that like me, many of you probably didn’t know. It would seem that much of the credit for cars like Mark’s can be attributed to that fellow named Albert Erskine (that’s Erskine, not Einstein.)

EARLY AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURING HISTORY First notable bit of factual information I learned was that the Studebaker name originated in Germany. The Studebaker family descend from Solingen, Germany, and they arrived in America at the port of Philadelphia on 1 September, 1736, on the ship Harle, from Rotterdam, Netherlands. This included Peter Studebaker and his wife Anna Margetha Studebaker, Clement Studebaker (Peter’s brother) and his wife, Anna Catherina Studebaker and Heinrich Studebaker (Peter’s cousin). If you want to know more of the fascinating history of Studebaker, then have a squiz on the interweb. According to Mark’s well-thumbed 1982 copy of The Standard Catalogue of American Cars 1805-1942, about halfway through an article about Studebaker, is a very important sentence which says in regard to one Albert Erskine, who had taken over as manager in 1915, – “It was in 1926, too, that Albert Erskine noticed something was missing from the South Bend, Indiana facility – style and class.” Mark’s particular model was the first to actually address this lack of ‘class and style”. Prior to that Studebaker were very busy selling (around 100,000 a year) strong and reliable, but rather plain, cars. They had a strong export market, selling cars in many countries.

Beaded Wheels 13

BROOKLANDS

The Brooklands track in England was conceived by Hugh Fortescue Lock-King in 1906 after the blanket national 20mph speed limit came into force across the UK. The track was designed by Colonel Capel Loft-Holden, Royal Engineers, with the aim of 120mph hands off motoring. Stuart Francis takes us on a tour of one of the spiritual homes of motor racing in England.

Words and photos Stuart Francis

HISTORY

PRE WWI

Opening in 1907, it was the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit as well as one of Britain’s first airfields, which also became Britain’s largest aircraft manufacturing centre by 1918. Construction on the 330 acre site was not without its problems, nearly bankrupting Hugh Fortescue Lock-King, who had a nervous breakdown during the build. Hugh was bailed out by his family and his wife took over management of the project. The Outer Circuit was 2.76 miles long and 100 feet (30m) wide, with 30 feet (10m) high banking at both ends plus a 0.9 mile finishing straight. A test hill was added 1910, mountain circuit added in 1930 and the Campbell circuit added in 1937. Constructed of concrete it was not a smooth surface, it settled over the years, was damaged during WWI and repaired each winter. After years of neglect and damage, post WWII, it is now a protected heritage site. The ongoing preservation and restoration of the track, and remaining facilities, is covered by a stewardship agreement between the stakeholders.

Close to London with good rail and road links it soon became the Home of British Motor Racing and Aviation. The track was used as a development centre for the emerging British vehicle and aviation industries. A number of racers, tuners and jobbing engineers set up workshops in sheds onsite. Long distance records were very popular as they demonstrated reliability. In 1913 Percy Lambert, driving his 4.5 litre Talbot, covered 103 miles in one hour. A number of aircraft schools and manufactures were also established on site, in what became known as the Aviation Village. These included Bleriot, Sopwith, Martinside and Vickers. Brooklands was the inspiration for the aerodrome in the film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.

26 Beaded Wheels

WWI Racing continued for a while with civilian races giving way to military, so-called khaki, events. However by 1916 all racing and record breaking had stopped due to the needs of wartime manufacturing. By the end of WWI it was the largest aircraft production site in the UK with over 18,000 having been produced. It was

also a major munitions manufacturing facility. Training of pilots and ground crew expanded significantly with a number of RFC/RAF operational and training squadrons based there. The surface of the track was badly damaged by heavy munitions traffic, particularly from large lorries that used iron tyres.

INTERWAR YEARS

Mercedes Benz building and test track, which are very modern additions and not parts of the original Brookland Circuit. Photo: Adobe Stock

Brooklands Motor Racing. Date: circa 1907

Racing resumed in 1920 after extensive repairs which were paid for by the War Office. As racing recommenced noise became an issue with the local population, leading to the universal adoptions of Brooklands Cans (a simple rhomboid shaped silencer with a fish tale exhaust, sized on cylinder displacement). The golden age of record breaking lasted until the Great Depression, with substantial financial bonuses available from vehicle manufacturers, and oil, fuel and tyre suppliers, for any national or international records. A dedicated group of drivers and riders made a good living just exceeding previous records by the minimal amount, allowing time for the record to be ratified before going out for another attempt to raise the record slightly or playing a well-choreographed game of record breaking leap frog with a fellow competitor. The 1.168 mile mountain circuit was added in 1930, using the Finishing Straight, Home Banking and the Fork. It was a cross between road and track racing, tough on drivers and testing the acceleration, braking, and road-holding of their cars. The 2.26 mile Campbell circuit (designed by Malcolm Campbell, World Land Speed Record holder) was added in 1937 to offer a road racing circuit alternative to Donnington Park and Crystal Park. In the early days events were run on similar lines to horse racing, with entrants having their own stables and racing colours. Results were posted on a horse racing score board and on-track betting was allowed. Attracting very large crowds to some events, over 300,000, it became the place to be seen. The smart set were always in attendance for the prestigious events. Certain buildings, including the BARC Clubhouse and the 1932 Brooklands Aero Clubhouse became popular places for them to congregate, with dedicated lounges for lady drivers, riders and pilots (prolific author Barbara Cartland was a member). Long distance and endurance races were popular as they demonstrated the reliability and stamina of particular makes. Handicap races were also very popular because of the very diverse fields. The track timekeeper “Ebby” Ebbewhite created elaborate

Photo: Adobe Stock

Beaded Wheels 27