The
Distributor
September 2018
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
Exhaust Specialists Pipe Bending Radiator repairs 30 Ribble street, Oamaru Phone/Fax
434 8777
Get the newsletter quickly and in colour. Send me an email at the address below and I will send a copy to you each month by email. If you have email please put it on our mailing list as it is an excellent way of providing updates and information during the month between newsletters. So the options are: 1. Receive Email newsletter but no printed version (saves the club printing costs) 2. Receive Email newsletter and printed version 3. Just be on our email list for updates. I use a list that hides the emails so yours will not be visible to other recipients. Graeme
Items for the Newsletter can be posted or dropped off to 6 Waiareka lane, off Saleyards road Or emailed to gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com Secretary Jerry Wing 439-5197 Branch Address PO Box 360, Oamaru 9444 Email:
northotago@vcc.org.nz
Newsletter submissions. Preferred formats are Open-office, Libre-office or MS Word as an attached document. Plain emails create extra work. Please, no “enter� key at the end of every line. Contact me for advice if not sure. Thanks, Graeme
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
2017-18
Patron Chairman
Gilbert Ellery
434-5289
Vice Chairman
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Secretary
Jerry Wing (Margaret)
439-5197
Treasurer
Wanda Kent
434 7999
Committee
John Adamson (Wanda)
4347999
Les Gardner (Nola)
022 150 1955
Ralph Weir (Lois)
434-5103
Lynette Newell (Jim)
4372525
Murray Frew
0274326756
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Kathleen Perry
4347226 kathleen2015@xtra.co.nz
Custodian
John Adamson (Wanda)
434-7999
Librarian
Robert Hutton (Mandy)
437 0774
Archivist
Kathleen Perry
4347226
Newsletter Editor
Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
4348285 0272931059
Newsletter Distribution
Lindsay Schaffer (Christine) (with Verna)
434 2223
Vehicle Verifier
Royston Shirreffs (Jackie)
4371667
Spare Parts
John Adamson (Wanda)
4347999
Royston Shirreffs (Jackie)
4371667
Bruce Watt (Barbara)
434-5306
Immediate Past Chairman Club Captain/Joint
Club email address northotago@vcc.org.nz rd Committee Meetings 3 Tuesday of the month., Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the month (details in The Distributor)
From the Committee Up coming branch events to be supported, our Swap Meet Saturday 17th Nov at the Showgrounds Ettrick St, a good chance to get rid of items you don’t need or buy some more. The Windsor Rally is on Saturday 1 December, entry forms will be available late next month, plenty of time to get your car ready. Next Club night is the 5th of September, I’ve been asked to bring in my Austin 7, come and see what you can do with a trailer load of parts and a lot of work, hard work but a lot of fun. We are delivering Daffodils for the local Cancer Society next week and have plenty of offers of Cars. Graeme is still looking for copy for the Distributor, it now gets lots of reads as it is available on the VCC web site along with 34 other branch magazines, one article in ours by local member Clive Blunden on his car restoration received 439 reads!! We still have a vacancy on the Committee for a Club Captain and would like to fill it we have a job description, retired? and would like a challenge? Jerry Wing Secretary
Adventures of an Old Restorer of a Morris 8 in Kakanui Discussing this article with some friends, one of them queried the meaning of the word Restoration, as the car, when finished, will not be truly as it was when it was made. She had been rotting in a shed since 1971, she may not end up the same as when she started life, so we will look upon it as a New Awakening, better than dying of rot! I have often wondered why people like me restore a car completely themselves, instead of having most of it done by other people, by restoring the car completely yourself from the chassis up you not only gather a considerable amount of knowledge about your car, there's also quite a lot of pride and satisfaction when you stand back and look at what you have achieved, you also become self critical, I find myself doing something again just to be satisfied that its dead right, you are never too old to learn new skills, Its great being retired and doing it just for the love of it, Time has no meaning. Having said that I am going to have to get the seats done by someone else as Jen will not let me try and do them on her sewing machine!! Jen gave me a hand at bleeding the brakes, I temporarily bolted one of the seats to the chassis and filled it with cushions, and connected the steering wheel for her to hold on to something, all went well until I found that fluid was leaking out of the front of the master cylinder, later on close inspection I found that there were very tiny marks in the barrel, which had not honed out, nothing for it but to get another master cylinder. Another master cylinder with a brass barrel has been fitted and all's well now. I have at last finished fitting the two steel formers that connect the rear of the body to the front, Over the last few weeks I have managed to line up the rear section with the firewall, making sure that the doors fit exactly in place, it has been one of those jobs where the air in the garage from time to time turns to the colour blue, but perseverance prevailed in the end and everything now lines up, the doors have been overhauled with new wood and bracing, and the inside steel coated with rust preventative. I had good news from Palmerston North, I have been given permission to reuse the original black and silver number plates, great news. All the best, Clive.
Report on mid month run by Donnie and Robyn Mortimer We left NOVCC rooms 1.30 drove Ardgown road onto Homestead road to Weston,to Enfield. Turned left at hotel on to Wellington street on past Burnside homestead a bit of gravel and onto Post office gully road left at Kakanui valley road to Five forks. Right on to Fuchsia Creek road then left on to Kakanui River road to Maheno. On to SH 1 to Hampden to stop for a cupcake at Vanessa’s Place. A most enjoyable afternoon , brilliant North Otago countryside, sunny day, 22 entrants. We found own way home. MANY THANKS VERNA.
Notwithstanding the wiles of the fairer sex, nothing gets a car man’s attention more than the thought of The Garage Raid. What gems of automotive delectation are hiding in the dark depths of another car man’s lockup? What shiny svelte forms of the stylist’s art are lurking there? What dusty, rusty treasures are slowly returning to nature, on the promise of that future restoration, or worse, the Cinderella complex of the wrecks destined to be only “spare parts cars”? These are the anticipations of the intrepid and curious lot who took part in the recent Garage Raid in and around Timaru. Wrecks, Rock-a-Billy roadsters, trailer queens, vintage, classic, concocted veterans and simple, everyday transport were lying in wait for our purveyance. And what a visual treat it was! Starting at the Timaru clubrooms after the obligatory cuppa and catch-up with old mates, we were off, following a contorted route through the countrysides of Timaru and Washdyke (What kind of a name is Washdyke anyway? Who thought that up? ) First stop was a treasure trove of Alvises, minis, motorbikes, a veteran under construction and various treats like an early De Dion marine engine. It was obvious that there were a lot of complex time-hungry projects going on here, but the owner has a sneaky, weasely plan for getting them all done. He doesn’t watch television. “Whaaat??”I hear you say? “No television?!” Splendid idea, Moriarty, simply splendid! So evenings and spare times are spent serenely engaged in bringing these mechanical marvels back to life with rare skill and precision. Post war Alvises figured large in this collection, an unknown marque today, Alvises were a quality British sporting and touring car, favoured by aviators and sportsmen. Known for speed, acceleration and handling, they were pretty exclusive in their day. Another vehicle that caught the author’s eye was a veteran HELBE, constructed from photographs and period parts. Like many early manufacturers, HELBE bought their engines in from De Dion Bouton, the largest engine manufacturer in the world at the time. Buying in componentry was common then and has persisted to this day. We saw motorbikes of a variety of age and condition, Morris Mini Minors and a most ingenious mousetrap using a bucket of water, Duck Tape and implements flogged from the kitchen drawer. Very Heath-Robinson, but effective nonetheless, I’ve been told. I myself, could see the stiffened remains of a poor wee rodent floating around in this mechatronic death contraption. Tragic, really. This is turning out to be far too long an article so I’ll try and shorten things up. Next stop was at The French Connection where we saw lots of Renaults among other things. An early Simca took me back to the fourth grade when my schoolmaster, Mr Vanderloo, had one. Those Renaults of the seventies were quick, economical and fun to drive, but rusted like a chamber pot on a navy boat. A smoky “35 Cormack Deering dozer was giving a demo in the next field whilst French barn-find wrecks were being coaxed into spluttering life. Clouds of oily smoke prompted visions of a foggy day at the Somme…To the trenches chaps, and Vive La Francaise!
Next up was the Rock-a-Billy capital of South Canterbury. Dodges of all ages, most impeccably restored, drop top Zodiac, Mainline ute, cruisers, bruisers and style queens populated this extensive, split level garage. Murphy’s Law says “a bloke’s garage is never big enough”, but this was the exception to the rule. Lots of automobiliana adorned the walls and cabinets at this well stocked power house. The two tone, white-walled convertible Zodiac in blue took us all back to the streetcruisin’, drive-in, girls on roller skates days of the fifties when global warming and emission control was the bad dream of a distant and invisible future. The late fifties Chrysler Coupe, with its fins, chrome and tinted glass was enough to give your mobile mortgage manager a heart attack at the bowser when filling the gas tank. Stunning. As a counterpoint to the shiny perfection out front, there was an Irishman’s tourer lurking out back. Sugar bag upholstery and paint that had suffered the seasons of over ninety years slowly baked, cracked and faded before our eyes. On starting up, one could feel the torque through the pavement; yep, this venerable old gal still had another ninety years in her. The stories she could tell… Lunch. An army marches on its stomach and Garage Raids are no different. Pea, pie and pud, washed down with copious amounts of tea and fruitcake was the A La Carte ‘du jour’. Then the parts shed; a veritable Aladdin’s cave of well-organised, categorised and extensive collection of anything automotive imaginable. Some of it was even carpeted. Neil Rooney would be pleased! The tearoom alone was bigger than some other club’s entire spares department, not mentioning any names of course. North Otago. I didn’t say that. Buicks, Chevrolets, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Mustang formed the eclectic gathering at the destination following lunch. The car that most intrigued me was a very original ‘38 or ‘39 black Chev. It was a timewarp beauty that gave me a profound sense of guilt at my teenage attempts to ‘restore’ a very original ’36 Buick Sloper, back in the day, ruining what would have been a genuine sweetie had I just tidied her up. We all thought differently back then, and fairly average restorations were the order of the day. The early Volksy was a real treat with its shiny paint and white-wall tyres. They were once so common and the butt of many a joke; Hitler’s revenge on the family man, but now very collectable and going stratospheric in dollar value. So much to see. A mid-twenties Buick tourer sat out near the entrance looking grand whilst us fellas gathered round to tell yet more exaggerated story of automotive adventures. Travelling to Washdyke, we saw a collection of works-in-progress and a secret stash of model airplanes. Morris Eight, MGA, MG Midget, ‘40 Chev Grocer’s van, ’56 Inter van, ’60 Chev ute in an eye-watering shade of orange and a wee shed hiding beside the house full of model aircraft gems were to be found here.
By this stage I’ll admit I was a bit shed-weary, but the model aircraft put a bit of lead in the pencil. The detail on those Tamiya engines was so incredibly accurate that it was like looking at a full size Santos-Dumont through the wrong end of a telescope. Lilliputian fins, bolts, pushrod tubes and bearing housings... fascinating! This site was partially a business and what we were seeing were some customers’ cars. Nice to see the hobby not only continuing, but providing employment as well. Last but by no means least, Bill Weir’s collection of Americana. International trucks and utilities mixed company with Chevy style coupés from the fifties. A 1952 Chevrolet coupé shared space with an International commercial of about the same vintage. Looking closely you could see the incredible attention that the original designers paid to little things like the chrome mouldings and frames to the side windows. The “59 Coupé with its batwing fins and cat’s eye rear lamps loomed quietly in the shed alongside other GM treasures. The Chevvies of 1959 were some of the largest production motorcars ever made with a trunk nearly large enough to land a Sikorsky Skycrane with room for an exit strategy. The car really impressed with its Harley Earl styling and broad glasshouse, but I always felt that the pressed aluminium grille let the rest of the car down with a budget appearance. Considering how much tooling expense went into the rest of the car and also comparing it with the Cadillac of the same year, I think GM could have done better. 4/10, Mr Earl, see me in my office during play lunch. Apparently, Bill’s big V8 International truck is petrol powered…I’d hate to think what it costs to run. I could really appreciate the hand painted “Glenwillow” signage to the doors and fenders on the gentle green giant. Such skill and talent is rare in a world of quick-stick and rip-off plastic vinyl when a business or lease is here today and sold on the second hand market tomorrow. Bill, like all the others we visited, takes good care of his vehicles, ensuring many great garage raids in the future. After all of that it was time for a cuppa tea and a lie down. Refreshments and an open spares department at the Timaru clubrooms again, provided the opportunity for the after-match decompress. A great day, incredible turn out, a hearty lunch, lots of scarcely believable yarns (“my conrod’s bigger than your conrod!”) and some amazing much-loved machinery. Thanks Timaru VCC!
National Executive and AGM 2018 3rd - 4th August 2018 As branch delegate I attended the above meetings in Napier. From the executive meeting the results of the two notices of motion were Motion one failed insufficient numbers to pass motion. Motion two passed 1187 88% for against 160 12%. We were given a breakdown of the numbers of each branch who voted and our branch only 12% of our members voted overall 16% of the club members voted on this. An increase in subs was discussed we were presented with 3 draft budgets, one with no sub increase showing a loss, one with a sub increase of $5 main member and $1 joint member showing a small surplus and one with a $10 main member increase and $1 joint member showing a larger surplus. These were voted on and the $5 and $1 increase was decided on, this increase to happen in the 2019-2020 year There was no election of officers as the numbers nominated filled existing vacancies. The Calendar of events was approved, and a number of reports were presented, copies of these are on our clubs notice board and can be emailed if members are interested. A draft constitution and code of Conduct were given out for branches to discuss. The used of Electric Vehicles are increasing and whether 3rd Party insurance should be compulsory. 35 branch magazines are now available on line on the VCC Web Site, read count 38,602, 1678 readers per month, an article by our member Clive Blunden on his car restoration in our magazine received 439 reads. The Clubs face book also receiving interest. There is still hope that our old cars could be allowed to have 12month’s WOF No JL Goddard Trophy presentation this year. We are asked to promote the 2021 International Rally at New Plymouth as a Festival of motoring not just a rally, perhaps do local things in our branch to get members interested. The next AGM is to be held on the 16th and 17th August 2019 at Greymouth. Jerry Wing Delegate
SMALL BYTES COMPUTING For All Your Computing Needs New systems, repairs
3 Otepopo St Herbert Ph 4395197 0274358983
Printer & Fax servicing
Gillies Service Centre Ltd Subaru, Nissan and Honda
Service and Parts
We service all makes and models Complete workshop service
Gillies
Tyre shop
Oamaru. Phone 433-1199
For Sale/ Wanted ads Keep those ads coming. Remember these ads are read by members of other branches and car clubs. PARTS DEPARTMENT
Latest Listings : Cars - Rolling Cars Low Lite Morris Minor, Straight, looks rust free, complete, good for restoration. Austin A30 and 2 A35's 1954 Hillman Husky SV Austin Ruby bonnet and front guards in restored condition. Offers wanted Rare Spares: 1 Dort Block 1 Saxon Car Motor CITROEN motor spares STUDEBAKER COMMANDER blocks (2) 1926 Buick chassis and parts Chev blocks and heads, some crack tested NOS BMC parts some panels and bumpers 1954-55 Vauxhall diffs and suspension parts Ford 10 motors complete 1 100E 50's Chev doors and bonnets, chromes and spats Reconditioned crank shafts for Wolseley Austin 110 and Morris Oxford Van Large selection tail light lenses Assortment new tie rod ends Hub caps and speedos Parts shed open every Tuesday afternoon 1:30pm to 4:00pm or by appointment Contacts:
John Adamson Roy Shirreffs Bruce Watt
ph 434 7999 ph 437 1667 ph 434 5306