6 minute read
Mid Week Tourers
Numbers were a little down on last months run to the West Lynn Gardens, but the quality of people and vehicles was very evident. Ten cars, including Barry & Nicola Birchall in their big veteran Cadillac and Lionel & Mary Rogers in their 1972 Ferrari. If one didn’t see it coming, you certainly heard it. Good to see Max Jamieson out again, for most of last year he had been working on the Delage motor. At least three visitors, Tony Mihaljevich from Perth and Penny Firth’s sister Kate, from the UK. (Sorry, I didn’t get to say hello). The route took us through Oratia, along the Scenic Drive for a short spell and a couple of lovely lanes high up in Titirangi, before descending a bit to our destination. Just a short run this time. The West Lynn Garden is in an old quarry, 2.5 acres, developed and run by a community group of volunteers. Lots of paths, one needs the map to find everything, a butterfly house and ample parking. We all gathered for lunch in the “Palm Circle” and had a good time chatting together before individuals explored the surrounds. Coming Events: Wednesday 11 March: Too late, will be all over by now.. Wednesday 22 April: Note change of day, 4 th . Wednesday this month. Kelvin Hawke is taking us to a collection in Silverdale. Includes cars and motorcycles. Starts from The Warehouse car park, Westgate, 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure. BYO everything. Wednesday 20 May: To be confirmed, but it is expected to be a southern (Drury) start for a run that will include an optional lap or two on the Pukekohe Raceway. Which might bring us to the end of the current monthly Mid-week Tourer’s Runs. They will continue, rest assured, but without a team co-ordinator, they might not be every month. Drive safely and enjoy the countryside.
The Dewdrops& the Mid-Week Team Ph: (09) 232 0245 or email dewdrops@xtra.co.nz
With some of our members at Art Deco, our numbers were down slightly, but the conversations were lively.
Wayne Roberts’ Velie will soon be back on the road after a full engine rebuild, should be right for the next 100 years. Neville Holland’s Chev had a bit of engine noise which he found and cured. Trouble is, it has now made it possible to hear another, which is going to involve deeper investigation. There was some discussion over unsympathetic WoF inspectors failing cars for superficial reasons, so it is best to take your vehicle to your own local garage mechanic who has some empathy with old vehicles. Chris Wood has had new rims made by Veteran Car Rims in Christchurch for his 1924 Austin 20 and is delighted with their workmanship. Norm Dewhurst is wanting to ‘declutter’ and would like to see both his historic 1930 Chev van and his Austin 7 Special go to someone who would finish them. New project anyone? As at 22 February the entries for the Vintage Muster are rather disappointing, but as entries haven’t closed yet we are hoping for a late rush. We are going to feature a member’s vehicle with its history in this column each month so to start, here is John Towers with his Chev. 1929 Chev—John Towers “Early this year I had the privilege of taking over the restoration of a 1929 Chev coupe started by my very good friend, the late Howard Porteous. The car started life in Invercargill, being sold new by A Russell and Company. It was owned by Stan Butler of Gore for many years and once served as a display car for him in the Sign Shop. Howard purchased it from Grant Jolly of Blenheim in 2002 in a very sad state of repair. He restored the body to original specs using the original panels as patterns. The mechanicals were up-graded to make it suitable for an amputee, as Howard had lost his left arm. A brief description of the upgrades follows. A 1953 Blue Flame motor was fitted with two Stromberg carburettors and an automatic transmission 700 R4 from a 1984 Chev, driving a rear diff from a 1994 Mazda. Hydraulic brakes were then fitted to the 17” wire wheels from a 1934 Chev. My problem was, do I return the car to original or put a dummy gear stick in it and retain the upgrades? After much debate at our Vintage car meeting, the general consensus was to leave the upgrade as it is, as a tribute to Howard. The remaining restoration is for upholstery, which I will do in white leather and the roof panel in canvas; bleed the brakes and a few other bits and bobs such as step plates with boot scrapers etc. There are rather innovative ideas in the coupe, such as when the boot is opened, the light shines a perfect CHEV image on the floor. When the final restoration is complete and a Vin obtained, I’ll be showing the guys at the Vintage Car Club the results”. Thank you John for your article. Murray & Penny Firth
March 12 Thurs Bulletin via Website or email 14 Sat Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 14-15 Mad Irish Woman Rally (South Waikato Branch) 15 Sun Bert Cuthbertson Motorcycle Rally—Jolly Farmer Drury 12:00 noon 21 Sat Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 22 Sun Karaka Vintage Day—advised via email regarding time 25 Wed Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm 26 Thurs Club Night & New Members 8:00pm 28 Sat Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 27-28 Maunga Moana (Taranaki Branch) 29 Sun Gymkhana—40 Hunter Rd, Waitakere 1:00pm 29 Sun Vintage Venture (Waikato Branch) 31 Tues Committee Meeting (April) - Clubrooms 7:30pm April 9 Thurs Bulletin Mailing Night 7:30pm 10-13 National Easter Rally North Island (Horowhenua Branch) 11 Sat Veteran Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 18 Sat Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 19 Sun Eddie Sim Motorcycle Rally—Starts Jolly Farmer, Drury 12:00 noon 19 Sun Swapmeet (Northland Branch) 22 Wed Mid Week Tourers
Starts The Warehouse Carpark, Westgate 10:00am 22 Wed Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm 23 Thurs Club Night & New Members 8:00pm 25 Sat Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm May 3 Sun April Club Run 9:00am 5 Tues Committee Meeting 7:30pm 9 Sat Veteran Section Meeting 2:30pm 14 Thurs Bulletin via Website or email 16 Sat Motorcycle Rally (Northland Branch) 20 Wed Mid Week Tourers
Starts Drury Service Centre, Southern Motorway 10:00am 23 Sat Motorcycle Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 24 Sun Club Run—Experts Rally 27 Wed Commercial Meeting & Charabanc Maintenance Night Clubrooms 8:00pm 28 Thurs Club Night & New Members 8:00pm 30 Sat Vintage Section Meeting—Clubrooms 2:30pm 30-1 June Double Fifty (Waikato Branch) Note: The clubrooms are open on the second and fourth Thursday evenings each month from 7:30pm till 10:00pm and every Saturday afternoon from 4:30pm till 6:30pm.
Thursday 26 March 8:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker talking on Tyres
Gymkhana Sunday 29 March
Where: 40 Hunter Rd, Waitakere
