CLASSIC, VINTAGE AND VETERAN MOTORING FOR 78 YEARS
No. 391 December 2024/January 2025
New Zealand’s Foremost Historical Motoring Magazine $8.95
VCC NATIONAL COMMERCIAL RALLY 2024
9 418979 000012
TRUCKS IN TOWN MARKETPLACE VEHICLES FOR SALE INCLUDING ‘28 GORDON ENGLAND STANDARD
BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A 1947 NASH AMBASSADOR DRIVING OUR HISTORY
Photo (circa 1908) shows Misses Phyllis and Zena Dare, very well known musical comedy actresses in the UK at the turn of the last century. They are pictured here in their 1906 Minerva 40hp with London registration. Supplied to Beaded Wheels by Colin Johnston, Taranaki Branch.
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.
Beaded Wheels
The official club magazine of Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (inc.).
DRIVING OUR HISTORY
To find out more about the club visit www.vc.org.nz or contact your nearest branch. VCCNZ BRANCHES A full list of branch addresses and contact details can also be found on the VCCNZ website at www.vcc.org.nz ASHBURTON PO Box 382, Ashburton 7740 ashburton@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND PO Box 12-138, Penrose, Auckland 1642 auckland@vcc.org.nz BANKS PENINSULA C/O, 722 Waterholds Road, RD8 Christchurch 7678 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 33 AC Baths Ave, Taupo 5530 taupo@vcc.org.nz WAIKATO PO Box 924, Hamilton 3240 FAR NORTH waikato@vcc.org.nz NORTHLAND WAIMATE WELLSFORD/ NORTH SHORE 4 Harris St, Waimate 7924 WARKWORTH waimate@vcc.org.nz AUCKLAND WAIRARAPA WAITEMATA 24B Nikau Heights,Lansdowne, BAY OF PLENTY WAIKATO Masterton 5810 EASTERN BAY wairarapa@vcc.org.nz OF PLENTY ROTORUA WAITEMATA SOUTH WAIKATO C/- 8 Jean Place, Stanmore Bay, TAUPO GISBORNE KING COUNTRY Whangaparoa 0932 TARANAKI waitemata@vcc.org.nz HAWKE’S BAY WANGANUI WANGANUI CENTRAL MANAWATU PO Box 726, Whanganui 4541 HAWKE’S BAY wanganui@vcc.org.nz HOROWHENUA WELLINGTON WAIRARAPA PO Box 38418, Wellington Mail Centre, NELSON Lower Hutt 5045 WELLINGTON wellington@vcc.org.nz MARLBOROUGH WELLSFORD/WARKWORTH PO Box 547, Warkworth 0941 WEST COAST wellsfordwarkworth@vcc.org.nz WEST COAST CANTERBURY BANKS PENINSULA C/- 143 Ward Street, Cobden Greymouth 7802, ASHBURTON westcoast@vcc.org.nz SOUTH CANTERBURY WAIMATE
CENTRAL OTAGO
SOUTHLAND
GORE
NORTH OTAGO OTAGO
SOUTH OTAGO
What drives us?
We believe that classics need to be driven. Which is why we ensure your vehicle is worked on with the same passion and care that you put into driving it. We want to help you keep your classic on the road – because it’s there that the classic car experience really comes to life.
1014 Ferry Road, Ferrymead, Christchurch Info@classicworkshop.co.nz www.classicworkshop.co.nz
Phone 03 376 4686
Shipping out of of COKER USA monthly
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MY THREE GIRLS and the Love of the DODGE DA Words Colin Johnston photos by Honey & Co Creative and from Johnston Collections.
Love is described in the dictionary as ‘Having an Affection’, so would that affection be correct if it’s a 1929 motor vehicle that has been in one ownership for the last 56 years?
As an enthusiastic 18-year-old in 1968 I had plenty of other
My engineering father owned a 1938 Chevrolet for 20 years and I
attractions on the horizon. After all, the 1960s was known as the ‘swinging sixties’ because of the relaxation of social taboos and the emergence of the Beatles, with their inspirational music that led to the British invasion and set the rock and roll era in full swing. Even with all that going on around me I still had a yearning to own an old vintage car. There was something about that era that stirred something deep inside of me which was going to last a lifetime. Not only did I aspire to own a vintage car but I had an interest in antiques, gramophones, phonographs and model cars. Yes! I was destined to become a collector.
believe he instilled some engineering principles in me. I am always amazed at some mechanical knowledge I have when it comes to my Dodge cars, even if I have to ask my friends (like Ashley Smith and mechanical mate Rob Thomson) for their support and advice. My interest in vintage cars really began when a friend of mine took me for a ride in his 1929 Wolseley. He had just purchased a 1928 Studebaker straight 8 sedan back in 1967. After this ride sparked my interest I had an interesting conversation with my Dad about cars. He had sold the ‘38 Chev and purchased a 1963 Rambler Classic 660. In 1968 our first look at a vehicle to buy was a disassembled Model A roadster, then a one-owner Essex, but I was persuaded to find a sedan with an all-steel body. By this time, I had joined the Vintage Car Club (Taranaki Branch) and was attending my first meeting in Hawera. I overheard a conversation about a 1929 DA Dodge sedan for sale at £170 ($340). After an inspection and a drive of this car I knew it was the one. I was able to drive it 60 miles back to my place in Waitara. The Dodge was in pretty good original order and with only three previous family owners. It still had the instruction booklet and some original tools. I was able to keep the car on the road while we tided up the panel work, re-bored the engine, replaced the upholstery and painted it the original colour with the aim of having it ready to be
The powerful engine of the new Dodge Brothers six, is carefully designed and well built. Its performance gives evidence of master engineering.
10 Beaded Wheels
Colin Johnston’s three girls.
My late father and mother and three younger sisters Leonie, Heather and Cheryl attending a VCC monthly club run in 1976.
1973: The second owner, Thomas Henry Baldwin from Hawera, who owned the DA Sedan for 26 years.
able to attend the 13th International VCC Rally in Nelson in 1972. To attend this rally, we joined other entrants in a hub-type rally starting for us in Palmerston North and ending four days later in Nelson. The Dodge stuck a valve on the outskirts of Blenheim but was quickly fixed by another Dodge owner following behind me with a tap on the top of the valve after the removal of number six spark plug. What a great rally that was for all entrants. Over the 56 years of ownership, the DA sedan has given me much enjoyment and pleasure, attending local and other branch rallies. I competed in the 1976 Maunga Moana Rally and was surprised to win the Findlay Cup for first Taranaki entrant. I was with a crew of three friends who had no experience of how to time keep or navigate, we were just out to have a good time. Attending these rallies I have met some wonderful people and made true lifelong friends. This Dodge has certainly stood the test of time. I named the DA sedan “Dixie Ann” (DA) after my first girlfriend, as the back seat was very comfortable to do a bit of star and moon gazing, or whatever, up at the local heights. Owning the Dodge led me to research the Dodge Brothers and what an incredible story to learn of their early beginnings, supplying transmissions for Oldsmobile and engines for Ford cars in Detroit USA. The information that is available for research makes a very interesting read. The Dodge Brothers entered the lucrative American market in November 1914 and their new
12 May 1968: The Dodge as purchased after driving the 60 miles home from Hawera to Waitara.
The Dodge arriving at the Nelson Showgrounds for the International VCC Rally in 1972 following a four day rally route which had started in Palmerston North.
Beaded Wheels 11
HIN BE
D THE WH EE L
PUTTING THE ‘NASH’ IN PANACHE!
Or, perhaps ‘A Flash Nash’ might describe it better? Certainly the car has lots of appeal, and attracts car enthusiasts including Editor Kevin and myself (and countless others) like a magnet at the various car-related activities that it attends. We had actually ear-marked this Nash for a BTW article some months back, but getting all the stars aligned proved a bit of an obstacle until now.
14 Beaded Wheels
DARRYL AND KATHRYN SNOOK’S 1947 NASH AMBASSADOR Words and photos Greg Price
SO WHY THIS CAR? Darryl has been a Nash addict since, well, forever! So, when the previous owner noted that Kathryn liked it, he offered to sell it to them. (Like Darryl didn’t have enough cars already?) But, as always, before we go too far down that track, here’s a précis of the Nash models.
NASH — A CONDENSED HISTORY The Nash Ambassador was a luxury automobile produced by Nash Motors from 1927 until 1957. It was a top trim level for the first five years, then from 1932 on, a standalone model. Ambassadors were lavishly equipped and beautifully constructed, earning them the nickname “the Kenosha Duesenberg”. For a period between 1929 and 1934, when Nash produced a line of seven-passenger saloons and limousines, the Ambassador series was the maker's “flagship”, and remained so following the Nash-Hudson merger in 1954. The newly formed American Motors Corporation (AMC) continued the Nash Ambassador. From 1958 until 1965, the cars were named Rambler Ambassador. They were marketed from 1966 through 1974 model years as the AMC Ambassador. The ongoing use of the Ambassador model name by successive companies made it “one of the longest-lived automobile nameplates in automotive history” as of the late-1970s. Of relevance to this story is that when production was resumed after the war, the 1946 Ambassador Six became the top of the Nash line. It included such embellishments as “Cruising Gear” overdrive, a trend-setting
“Weather-Eye” heater, and a remote control Zenith radio, which enabled the driver to change stations at the touch of their toe! From the New Zealand perspective, the registration records show only 196 new Nash cars being registered in the immediate post WW2 era; with three in 1946, 65 in 1947, 126 in 1948, and two in 1949 (which were likely to have been the last of the 1948 model cars). It would be reasonable to assume the majority of these were the lower price 600, so there is a chance there were less than 100 new Ambassadors sold here in the 1946-48 period. The Snook’s car was one of them. As far as any local assembly in concerned, Mark Webster’s book, Assembly, notes that among other vehicles put together at Motor Assemblies in Christchurch between 1 July 1947 and 29 February 1948 were; 36 Nash 600s and 30 Nash Ambassadors and they had in stock to assemble; 24 Nash Ambassadors and 14 Nash 600s. Assembly also notes in the year ending 30 June 1949 Motor Assemblies had assembled 18 Nash Ambassadors and 24 Nash 600s, among the 404 cars it did in that period, the majority being various models of Standard, along with some Packards and Studebakers. There’s lots more information about the Nash automobile on the internet, so if you want to know more, ask Mr Google. But before you do that, here’s a wee bit more information, as provided by Mark Dawber who aside from being another sub-editor of Beaded Wheels, is also our in-house expert on American cars. One of Mark’s sons, Will, also has a couple of these Nash cars (albeit 1946 examples) stashed away for future restoration. Neither of those two cars show any sign of having had
Beaded Wheels 15
MARKET PLACE
Terms and conditions CLASSIFIED RATES Classified advertisements are limited to 45 words including contact details. Advertisers requiring advertisements longer than the standard 45 words, or who require typography or space, must apply display rates. The advertising department reserves the right to edit or return classifieds not meeting the criteria. All classified rates include GST Member of Vintage Car Club: No charge for text or photo classified advertising for club eligible vehicles. Members must be financial and identify their Branch. Limited to one free advertisement per issue. Maximum insertion of the same advertisement in up to three issues (must be resubmitted for each issue). Advertisements of a commercial nature are not eligible for free advertising. Non-member: $25 for first 45 words or part thereof. Text in a Boxed Ad: $30 non-members* Colour Photo Ad in Box: $60 non-members, enclose a clear photo and an SAE if return required.* Advertisements should be typed or clearly printed or submitted through vcc.org.nz/beadedwheels. Advertising Email address: beadedwheels@ vcc.org.nz Advert and Payment: to arrive not later than 10th of month preceding publication. Payment by Credit card or Internet banking (for Internet banking details email beadedwheels@vcc.org.nz). DISPLAY RATES* (gst exclusive) Casual (per issue) 3 Issues (per issue) Full Page $976 $780 Half Page $530 $425 Quarter Page $295 $234 All display rates quoted exclude GST and are for finished digital artwork supplied. Artwork can be arranged at an extra charge. Deadline for copy 10th of month preceding publication. Beaded Wheels will consider articles of a technical nature for inclusion in its editorial space. Beaded Wheels however regrets that it is not able to offer editorial space for advertisements nor for the promotion of products. Marketplace advertising cancellations received in writing prior to advertising deadline will be refunded in full. Where possible Beaded Wheels will refund 70% of the advertisement cost for any cancellations received after the booking deadline. *Payment by credit card will incur additional bank fee processing charge of 4% Beaded Wheels makes every effort to ensure no misleading claims are made by advertisers, responsibility cannot be accepted by Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) for the failure of any product or service to give satisfaction. Inclusion of a product or service should not be construed as endorsement of it by Beaded Wheels or by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.). No liability can be accepted for non-appearance of advertisements and the text of all advertisements is subject to the approval of the editor who reserves the right to refuse any advertisements which are not compatible with the aims, objectives, and standards of Beaded Wheels or the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) In accordance with the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 Beaded Wheels will not publish any advertisement which indicates or could reasonably be understood as indicating an intention to discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, religious or ethical beliefs. Advertisers should take all care in drafting advertisements as they could be held liable, as well as Beaded Wheels and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.).
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FOR SALE 1931/2 DODGE SEDAN. P roject or spares. Twin side mounted spares. Wire wheels. Motor ran at disassembly of body. Wheels sandblasted. Front suspension/diff painted. Chassis requires LH side metal work. Fabric roof gone. No upholstery but seating springs etc there. Email mcdonaldbuilder@ hotmail.com 1936 AUSTIN 10/4 SHERBORNE SALOON. M uch renovation work completed inc panel beating, repainting. Seats re-upholstered. Door panels, carpet, outside roof, and inside headlining needs to be attended to. A worthy project for someone who does not wish to do a lot of work on a car to finish it off. I have too many cars and not enough time to spend on finishing restoring this one. Make me an offer over $1,000. Phone 027 283 0000, ian@maxtaitlaw.co.nz MEM WELLINGTON
PENRITE ENGINE COOLANT A colourless hybrid-organic non glycol based corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for use in Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage and Classic Car cooling systems. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz
2 NEW TYRES 205R 16 INCH on 1936 V8 Rims. $100 or near offer each. Contact Gavin Mead 021 222 7918 MEM OTAGO AUSTIN – A35 UTE (PICK-UP) Personalised plates (A35 UTE) Been restored, owned by me for 41 years. Only made 475 of this model. This is no 25 off the production line. $30,000. Ph William 021 106 3635. MEM NORTHLAND DO YOU OWN A DV32 STUTZ? I have a part off one. Contact me for more details. Phone John 027 356 0278, North Canterbury.
1960 s JAWA MOTORCYCLES Seven in total. Great for parts or project. 175-250cc. New and used MOTORCYCLE MAGNETOS. Due to ill health parts. $2,000 the lot. Phone Amy 021 0826 4899. 40 years of collecting, restoring and repairing MEM TARANAKI has to go. Huge number of mags and new parts and fittings. Please contact Lynda Maddock, phone 021 187 1373 between 1 to 3pm. BALANCING BALANCING BALANCING, MEM WELLSFORD WARKWORTH We can balance most vintage and single THE STINK WHEEL SAGA Vol 1 and 2, in cylinder engines, fans, driveshafts etc. Work good condition. Offers. Ph 021 565 688. is carried out on a modern digital machine. MEM CANTERBURY M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: VETERAN STUDEBAKER PROJECTS: 1917 SF4 info@mscoombes.co.nz complete running gear, partly done, some panels/ dismantled. 1916 ED6 running gear dismantled. CARBURETTOR RECONDITIONING including Major project (5.8 litre engine). 1914 4F engine classic and performance makes. 40 plus years (number 285118). 1913 SA25 engine (number trade experience. Free advice. Contact Graeme 11397) turns freely, with radiator and chassis/front Tulloch, Tulmac Carburettor Specialists on 027 axle. All cheap! Phone Glyn Clements 021 0833 612 2312 or (Levin) 06 368 2202 4081 MEM MANAWATU 1984 DAIHATSU DELTA DIESEL VANS (TWO). Regos on hold, very rusty bodies. One complete, one dismantled. Plus diff, gearbox, radiator from third van. One has low mileage motor. $2,000 for everything, all must go. As is, where is. Ph/txt Jim Madgwick 027 339 8672. MEM WAIKATO
COACHWORK F or all your coachwork, woodwork and timber rim steering wheels for your veteran, vintage or commercial vehicles contact Designs N Wood, John Martin, 11 Bell Avenue, Cromwell. Phone/fax 03 445 0598, 021 109 1309 or email martin_jw@xtra.co.nz MEM CENTRAL OTAGO
DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS DRIVESHAFTS We can alter or make driveshafts with fabric components to take modern universal joints and yokes, as well as performing dynamic balancing. We also carry a large range of driveshaft components for cars, trucks, industrial and marine. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz
PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS PISTONS FOR VETERAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC & ODDBALL ENGINES. We can supply piston sets for most makes and models. All piston sets come complete with rings and gudgeons. We have over 700 listings at competitive prices. M S COOMBES LTD 344 ST ASAPH ST, CHRISTCHURCH Ph: 03 366 7463 E: INFO@MSCOOMBES.CO.NZ
VINTAGE TRUNKS made to order or stock sizes. Dust proof and waterproof. Phone Allan 06 844 3959 or 0274 469 331 Napier, acjones760@gmail.com MEM
VINTAGE AUSTIN 7 PARTS. 1 925/1929. some new engine parts, valves, pistons, gears etc. For sale or exchange, must divest myself - need the space. Ph Geoff 09 444 1429, Auckland area. VINTAGE, CLASSIC CAR PARTS HUGE SELECTION. Lot of early parts, some NOS, many unknown application, many from USA including Chev, Buick, Hudson, Studebaker etc. including early engine parts plus lots ex Gleeson stock Morris Holden etc Phone 021 754 656 or call 2 Hyde Street Katikati TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1300 1974. A very original tidy MEM BAY OF PLENTY example. Two previous long term owners. Factory hardtop. Overdrive. Sold new and located in Christchurch. Complete fully reconditioned short block included. $18,000. Email mikeharrison08@ hotmail.com or 022 466 0288 for further details. VINTAGE ENGINE SHORT BLOCKS We can in most cases rebuild your short block using modern shell bearings, new pistons and rebuilt oil pump. Please contact us for more information. M S Coombes Ltd, 344 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011, Ph 03 366 7463, email: info@mscoombes.co.nz
MGBGT 1973, current Rego, WoF & VCC VIC 84,000K. Dark blue trim and carpets. Fully reconditioned automatic transmission, reconditioned head with hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel. Inertia seat belts fitted. New fuel pump. $16,500. Ph John, 029 902 4862. MEM HOROWHENUA
STEVE TROTT IS DOWNSIZING HIS COLLECTION Get ready for a thrilling auction experience! Explore an exciting collection of vintage automobilia and petroliana, featuring enamel signs, petrol pumps, hubcaps, radiator badges, AA badges, pedal cars, money boxes etc—more than 100 quality lots.
Register your interest now: vintageautomobiliaauction2025@gmail.com Once you register your interest we will be in contact to give you event information and catalogue details. Floor bidding or online bidding will be available on the day. The photos show examples of items that will be for sale at the auction. Once the catalogue is finalised in December, there will be no sales of catalogue items before the auction.
1978 LEYLAND MARINA HL MANUAL. G reat original condition genuine reason for selling. Vintage member 24/03540 $8500. Ph Sue 021 296 6210. MEM WANGANUI
1954 MGTF 1250. In excellent condition (apart from a few stone chips). Current owner 25 years. Full chassis up restoration to concours condition in 2001. Has travelled 16,800 miles since, touring all over NZ but getting little use these days due ageing owner. Has luggage rack WoF and Rego. Asking $39,000. Ph 027 365 1938 for more details. MEM CANTERBURY
1994 CLASSIC MERCEDES BENZ C 200 5 Speed sport. Body wax injected from new. Original paint. Power sun roof. Done 2,000 miles per year, Michelin tyres, service history from new. Will appreciate in value. Great car for 2026 rally. $9,990. Ph Keith Maegaard 027 616 7902. MEM MANAWATU
PERSONALISED PLATE "RED C" $1950 Many options Phone Lionel 06 868 4261. MEM GISBORNE
1966 DAIMLER V8 AUTO in immaculate order. New paint. Leather upholstery, carpet, wood trim work done by previous owner. Owned eight years and kept in top condition. Recently full service and top tune. Current Rego & WoF. Price drop $22,000. Ph Mike 027 439 2444, steinvale@xtra.co.nz MEM BOP
Auction Date: 14th February 2025 Location: Napier City Viewing from midday with the auction starting at 2pm Auction Date:times 14thwill February 2025 (Other viewing confirmed) Location: NapierbeCity Viewing from midday with the auction starting at 2pm 37 (Other viewing timesBeaded will beWheels confirmed)