Issuu

April 2020

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NZ (Inc) Lamb Country Branch Email: centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz

Contributions to the BLEAT should be emailed to the Editor no later than (25th of each month) joycecalder@gmail.com

Club Nights

7.30pm 3rd Wednesday of every Month

CARROLL SHELBY’S—other V8 powered British Roadster The SUNBEAM TIGER.

1964 V8 Sunbeam Tiger, on display at Windsor Park

Postal Address C/-73 Porangahau Road Waipukurau, 4200

There were two Sunbeam Tiger prototypes developed in the early 1960s, one was built by Carroll Shelby and his team and the other by racing driver Ken Miles. The original idea of building a V8 version of the Sunbeam is credited to Formula 1 World Champion Jack Brabham, though it’s likely that the arrival of the Shelby Cobra was also a contributing factor.

NOMINATED POSITIONS

The team at the Rootes Group, the parent company of Sunbeam, contracted Carroll Shelby to build the first prototype of the Tiger. They gave him a car and $10,000 US, and a few weeks later in April of 1963 they had a running driving prototype. Rootes also sent a car, an engine, and $800 to British fabricator and racing driver Ken Miles to build a prototype, which he did in just a week. A remarkable feat when you consider how much work went into shoehorning an American V8 into the tight confines of the Alpine engine bay.

CLUB CAPTAIN Rod McKenzie rod.mckenzie.wpk@xtra.co.nz 06 858 9562

In order to figure out which American V8s might actually fit, the team at Rootes had measMK 1 Sunbeam Tiger—6450 where made be- ured the Sunbeam Alpine engine tween 1964 –1967 with a 260cu in(4.3L) Ford bay with a yardstick and then V8 Motor sent a staff member out to American car dealerships to find a suitable engine. The only engine that would fit was the 260 cu in (4.3L) Ford V8 and even then only just.

CHAIRMAN Lynn Cross secross@xtra.co.nz 06 858 9814 SECRETARY Ken Lyons Ken.lyons@xtra.co.nz 06 858 8093 TREASURER Kaye Carswell wpkmotors@gmail.com 021 124 3620

COMMITTEE Bruce Poole brucepoole1930@gmail.com 06 858 9940 Gary Weaver janetmweaver@gmail.com 06 858 9908 Iain and Eva Gollan nga-oki@xtra.co.nz 06 858 9105 Ruth Parker brparkrz@xtra.co.nz 06 858 5411 John Foot V.I.C. (I.D. Card) Coordinator jsfoot@xtra.co.nz 06 858 8301 PUBLICITY/WELFARE OFFICER Sandra Cross secross@xtra.co.nz 06 858 9814 EDITOR: joycecalder@gmail.com 022 166 1403

CARROLL SHELBY’S—other V8 powered British Roadster The SUNBEAM TIGER. Shelby began work on his prototype, the white car as it came to be known, in April 1963 and by the end of the month it was ready for trial runs around Los Angeles. Ian Garrad and John Panks, director of Rootes Motors Inc of North America, tested an early version of the car and were so impressed that Panks wrote a glowing report to Brian Rootes. “We have a tremendously exciting sports car which handles extremely well and has a performance equivalent to an XX -K Jaguar, it is quite apparent that we have a most successful experiment that can now be developed into a production car”. Installing such a large engine in a relatively small vehicle required some modifications, although the exterior sheet metal remained essentially the same as the Alpine's. Necessary chassis modifications included moving from the Burman recirculating ball steering mechanism to a more modern rack and pinion system. Although twice as powerful as the Alpine, the Tiger is only about 20% heavier, but the extra weight of the larger engine required some minor suspension modifications. Nevertheless, the Tiger's front-to-back weight ratio is substantially similar to the Alpine's, at 51.7/48.3 front/rear. Once the Shelby prototype was ready to be sent to England the executives at Rootes told company founder Lord Rootes about their efforts. He was reportedly very angry that it had all been done without his knowledge, but he agreed to have the car shipped to England for testing. He then insisted on driving it himself. Upon his return from his test drive he was so impressed with the car he made a telephone call directly to Henry Ford II to negotiate a steady supply of Ford 260 V8s. The two men came to an agreement and the project to create a production version of the car began in earnest. Carroll Shelby had been hoping to get the contract to build the Sunbeam Tiger at his facility in California, but Rootes decided to build them in England instead and pay Shelby a commission on each car they sold. Although the Tiger would forever remain a Shelby creation it wouldn’t be badged as such like the Shelby Cobra, the Shelby GT350, and the many other illustrious performance cars to come out of his American workshops. The Sunbeam Alpine would enter production in 1964 and remain in production until 1967, its lifespan cut short by the sale of Rootes Group to Chrysler. Chrysler didn’t have a suitably sized V8 for the car and they obviously didn’t want to have a car in production that used a Ford V8, so they cancelled the project after a little over 6450 Tigers had been built. Today the Sunbeam Tiger is a highly collectible cross-Atlantic classic, prized for its Shelby heritage and its remarkable performance abilities, even by today’s standards. Shortly before its public unveiling at the New York Motor Show in April 1964 the car was renamed from Thunderbolt to Tiger, inspired by Sunbeam's 1925 land-speed-record holder

2016

Incredibly Historic 1925 Sunbeam Tiger

1926

Fresh from the Thornley Kelham workshops following a full, bare metal repaint, Sir Henry Segrave’s Sunbeam Tiger returned to Ainsdale Beach in Southport on March 16th 2016 to commemorate 90 years since it originally broke the Land Speed Record on March 16, 1926, hitting a top speed of 152.33mph. The former WW1 fighter pilot specially designed the car which had a 4ltr V12 engine, and took his British built Sunbeam Tiger to the beach in an effort to beat the world land speed record, which at that time was held by2 Sir Donald Campbell.

CHB VCC

Events Calendar Date

Date

Sun 5th

Takapau: National ploughing match /car display

Wed 17th

Branch AGM. Dinner, meeting. Venue TBA

TBA

John and Shirley Foot, Run to Pongaroa

July

Wed 15th

August

Sun 26th Sat 15th— Sun 16th

Branch Dinner and Meeting TBA Mid-winter Christmas Run @ Dannevirke: Gloria & Laurie

April

May

Other District's Events

10-13th

Nth Island Easter Rally Horowhenua

tponed k s o p r o Wed 15th Branch Dinner and Meeting: Venue TBA celled brea t n u a o c s e u r r vi Fling Taihape Vintage & 24-25-19Highland ents a v D I e V b O u l C r C Neil and Pat Malcolm. Sun 19th eFarm Cavisit. to the 26thfe” Veteran Only g e a u t d n i e get r V o a u t t S All u e p l f e b e e l a Bruce Back-to-Basics" Swap meeting K and eab Run? Organisers andPoole e are seTwilight e e w r m o n f o e Sat 9th Mya Wairau 10th Meeanee e h h h “Stay into t ll on w a u o y n. ate a Mon 18th Committee meeting d g p a u s r o t a uch our cTBA y Venue ntoBranch o i j e n e b Wed 20th Dinner and Meeting: l l o i t out We w

June

September

October

November

VCC National AGM at Wanganui

Wed 19th

Branch Dinner and Meeting: Venue TBA

Sun 23rd

VCC National Day/Daffodil Day

10th 11th 12th 13th

Vintage Only Rally being hosted jointly by CHB and HB

Wed 16th

Branch Dinner and Meeting: Venue TBA

14-15-16th Mid-week adventure Wed 21st

Branch Dinner and Meeting: Venue TBA

Wed 18th

Branch Dinner and Meeting: Venue TBA

Sat 21st

Veteran Rally

HB VCC Safari @Labour weekend

December

VEHICLE IDENTITY CARDS As there have been changes made to the application forms that you fill in for the VEHICLE IDENTITY CARD could you all PLEASE MAKE SURE that the forms you fill in have the DATE OF 09/2019 IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER of each page underneath the page number. If you need a set of papers please contact me on (06)858-8301 or email jsfoot@xtra.co.nz or download a set from the Club website.

John Foot—Branch Vehicle3 Identity Card Coordinator

Chairman's Report—April 2020 The world has come to a halt and us with it. I’m not even going to mention “corona virus” Covid-19” and “unprecedented times”.(Sorry, I just did.) I will, though, reiterate what has been conveyed by recent e-mails. Our Branch activities are all cancelled for the months of April and May. The Committee will consider the future beyond that in Mid-May when our normal Committee meeting is due, whether this takes place physically or by non-contact communication.    

The “Bleat”, however, will continue as it is our most important and necessary communique. Emails will be used whenever there are developments. The 2020 Daffodil Day Cancer Rally is cancelled. The International Rally for 2021 has been postponed until 2022. The Vintage Only Rally, to be run jointly by Hawke’s Bay and Central Hawke’s Bay Branches, is cancelled.

On a more positive note we might all have extra time to lavish on our cars, old and new, and less chance to get them dirty. (Polish will still be available at service stations.) I know I speak on behalf of all of our members in wishing a quick and full recovery to John and Shirley Foot. They had been on a rally in the north of the South Island and were involved in a nasty crash caused by a driver turning right while indicating left. They are in Hastings Hospital at the time of writing. It makes me wonder about foreign drivers and cars with “indicators ” in unfamiliar places. Today is the first day of total lockdown though for us oldies it is effectively the sixth day we’ve been forbidden to go places. Keep safe, keep communicating and as Dean Martin used to say “keep those cards and letters rolling in”.

LYNN CROSS CHB Branch Chairman

Lynn and Sandra Cross enjoying the sunshine while displaying their Triumph Herald at Windsor park car day. 4

Rod’s Rattling's—April 2020 We joined up with the branch at the “Silky Oak Chocolate Factory” on 15 th for a most interesting tour of Kelvin Taylor’s magnificent shed and collection along with his apple packing operation. Thanks Joyce and Gary for arranging this. The news came through the other day that John and Shirley Foot had a bad car accident whilst in the South Island. They were about to return home from the “Club Captain’s South Island Tour” when it happened. They are presently in care in Hastings Hospital having been flown there in a bruised and damaged state. We all wish them a speedy recovery and look forward to having them with us again as soon as possible. However, their Nissan is apparently a write-off. None of our members should be doing any motoring for some weeks as we go through the present COVID19 crisis presently holding the country to ransom. Therefore, I can’t tell you what and/or when any branch or VCC events are going to occur for the next few weeks or months as everything, rightly, is either on hold or has been cancelled. We are fortunate that we were able to use our old vehicles as much as we did during the first few weeks of the year, and we have some pleasant memories of the good times we had in Gisborne, Napier and Taupo. As I sit here writing this note, it is our 48th wedding anniversary today, which reminds me that it is getting on for 50 years since Scarlett took me for my first ride in their family Ford Model A Tudor. Silly girl! I tarted the old thing up some months later to use as our “wedding car”. Having enjoyed the challenge, I got bitten by the old car bug and some months later, decided we “needed” one ourselves. Consequently, we purchased a scruffy old 1930 Model A Town Sedan which we still have. It was registered and had a WoF. What we paid then, wouldn’t even buy a pair of tyres these days. It is not so scruffy now as it has seen quite a lot of work over the years, it has introduced us to many new friends and taken us to many parts of New Zealand over the last 48 years. Abide by the rules the Government has put in place for our own protection during this crisis, as many of us are on the wrong side of seventy. Keep well. Keep strong. And above all, keep a sense of humour. There’s still plenty to laugh at!

Rod McKenzie. CHB Branch Club Captain

Car Club members enjoying 5 the view while travelling through the Tautane Station

Survivor Cars — by Rod McKenzie What sort of vehicle can be regarded as a survivor? Really it can be any vehicle from an earlier motorcycle to any number of makes or models of car, providing they meet a certain criteria. Are there any specifics as to what would be judged as “survivor”? There must be, as there are some categories that would need to be met. The VCC has a class for “original” when you apply for a VIC, but doesn’t appear to categorise a “survivor” as such. Most survivors would be vehicles that have been particularly well-cared for all their lives, but may still show “patina” or some wear and tear to their coachwork and upholstery. Often, a survivor would be a “one owner” vehicle that has not done much work in its life. A vehicle is only original once, so they need to have original paintwork, interior and engine, and not have been modified in any way from factory finish. They need to be up to WOF standard and safe to use. Some period after-market accessories may be acceptable, such as wheel rims that may have been an option on the day of registration. There doesn’t appear to be a class for “survivors” per se within the confines of vehicles over the age of 30 years so it really would be in the eye of the beholder. However, original paintwork is an important feature allowing for minor repairs such as the repainting of a scratch or rust issue. Faded original factory paint that has weathered is what people who appreciate survivors want to see. Original factory upholstery albeit worn with some stitching repaired or coming apart, would be perfectly acceptable. The engine and driveline should be as x-factory, although it may be that an engine has been repaired or replaced but still the same type as the vehicle began life with. An originally fitted untouched engine would attract more attention. Factory standard wheels add to the provenance, although some vehicles may be fitted with after-market wheels such as alloy mags so long as they are period correct. If you are purchasing a survivor, original paperwork, sales documents and service history documentation substantiates your purchase and can only add value. Photographs from its previous owners would be a fantastic bonus and proof of how it was used and appreciated. An “Elite Survivor” should meet all the above criteria and be in pristine and as new condition. These are usually one-owner vehicles, but may be well-preserved by several past owners, but in original unrestored condition. This branch of the VCC has a number of vehicles that could be regarded as survivors, and we often see them out joining in with their restored counterparts. It doesn’t matter whether you are an Austin fan, a Ford nut or an owner of a Japanese classic, these cars are appreciated by the public and other owners for what they are. Importantly, these vehicles are only original once!

Chrysler Restorers Club—Todd Cup—13th-14th 15th March 2020—written by Bruce Poole Every year the Chrysler Restorers club hold the Todd Club Rally in various regions. This year it was based in Te Aroha, a beautiful little town on the outskirts of the Coromandel Peninsula. I left Friday morning, called into see friends in Matamata and arrived in Te Aroha at about 5.30 in the afternoon. The motel owner had organised a BBQ which was excellent and after a fair bit of socializing it was time to look at a video made by Craig Marshall on the Packard Club Rally around the East Coast in which four of our members took part, they were Ross and Glenys Mitchell and Michael and Vicky Harding. On the Saturday morning after recovering from the excellent BBQ put on by the owners of the motel we set off on the first leg of our tour, not before battery problems with Dennis Tippen's Desoto Truck, a tow behind the owners Toyota Ute and it fired up. The mornings in Te Aroha are quite cool. We all arrived at our destination in Morrinsville to find a large shed with 6 doors. The owner welcomed us, pushed some buttons and low and behold what a site, Convertibles, Sedans, coupes and even a tractor. All different makes and all with regos and warrants, 26 of them. The ladies were impressed with the shed as well as the gardens. After an hour or so it was off to visit Amore Roses and although some of the roses had finished blooming it was very impressive. A group photo of the cars was taken in the centre of the roses and then off again to the Classic Car museum in Hamilton for lunch. Very good service but as the judging for the Todd cup was to be held at 3.00pm there was not enough time to go through the complex. I was talking to a gentleman outside the museum and he was impressed with our line up of cars. He told me that he was the late Bruce Catchpole's son and that he was restoring a 1924 Stutz Speedway six race car and would I like to look at it. A few of us went over to the workshop and we saw a very large impressive car on wire wheels and on talking to Bruce's son this could well be the car that raced at Murawai Beach in the early 1930's along with the Southwood Stutz. In the corner was a Bugatti Atlantic which was being restored. A real work of art in the woodwork alone. After the viewing we all left to travel back to Te Aroha and here lies another story. About 10 miles out of Hamilton the Chrysler 77 just stopped. Ray Crombacks son Bryan who was with me rang his father, Ray and Milton came back and a decision was made to tow the car back to Te Aroha. On looking at the car it was far more serious than we thought and it was decided to transport the car back to Trevor Gordon's workshop in Katikati. Thank goodness for AA Travel Plus, no cost for transport. We borrowed a distributer from Craig Marshalls 77 boat tail, got the car going but missing badly, so a new coil and resistor, hot wire and the car was supposedly fixed and back on the road again. A bit of missing, coughing like an old goat and finally got to Rotorua, called into friends, left the car there and got a lift back to Waipukurau. Another trip with a car trailer to retrieve the car. A big thank you to all the Chrysler Club members who went out of their way to help me out. This is what a club is all about. On the Sunday morning a visit was made to a local collection of about a dozen different cars, 1942 Cadillac fastback, latest Masserati, Mustang, 2 Citroens, Desiel Jaguar, 1937 Lincon Zepyh. We all went out for brunch. I had just finished my food and the car transporter drove past. More different roads travelled on through Waihi and down to Trevor Gordon's just North of Katikati.

Club Run—Sunday 15th March 2020—written by Gary Parker

A huge Bull constructed of all sorts of metal objects

Mad-Max — also made from old metal objects

It was suggested members coming through to Napier from Dannevirke, Norsewood, meet in Waipukarau then head off at 9.30am and call into the Kuni Cafe in Argyll Road for morning tea, but alas it didn't open until 12.00noon, another time maybe. The rally continued along Argyll Road and then on through Valley Road to SH50, following the signs to Napier to reassemble at the Silky Oak Chocolate Factory in Links Road for a leisurely lunch and a natter in the sunshine, and a look around the complex. After lunch and at about 1.30pm we headed off to meet Kelvin Taylor who was only a minute down the road to view his wonderful car collection. Kelvin also owns and operates one of the largest privately owned orchards and apple processing plants around the HB area. On arriving at the entrance of his property the first thing to grab your attention is a huge red bull constructed out of many things from manhole covers to monkey wrenches, it is a very impressive sight. On the other side of the driveway there was another impressive construction called Mad Max on a motorbike. First stop is a huge shed (one of many) which housed his huge helicopter which he uses for many tasks around the orchards (and jokes, “Nips off to Taupo for coffee”) (maybe not a joke)!! Continuing down past more very large structures Kelvin gave us an insight into the orchard operations and the fact that he does not have beehives for pollination. The next door neighbours bees do the job and 8 has never had a problem with pollination.

Club Runâ€”Sunday 15th March 2020â€”written by Gary Parker Then on to the cars which are stored in a huge purpose built shed. What a diverse collection of cars and bikes. Several Harleys Davidson's which is an other interest of mine and a Indian. A 1896 steam powered bike beautifully restored and in working order. There was also a Stanley Steamer car which was immaculate from around 1904. There was a 1910 Model T, 1917 Overlander and several others around the same era, all immaculately presented. A Collection of 50s Chevrolets' and Ford trucks were also in the line up, again all immaculately presented. 1896 Roper Steam Bicycle

In pride of place were two 1967 Mustangs', one of which has had extensive work done on the body and engine giving it about 600 plus horsepower. The other is original. Kelvin explained the history of every vehicle as we walked around. The detailed information on every vehicle was very interesting and kept us captivated. Once everyone had had a good peruse of the cars a tour of the apple processing plant was suggested and off we went dwarfed by huge cool stores and storage buildings. The whole operation is very automated. A lot of money spent on huge camera equipment. Something like 3000 apples per minute are photo analyzed and categorised even giving sugar level information, 250 ton of apples are processed and cartoned per day. A very slick well run operation and quite an eye opener. Not bad for an 18 year old lad who sold his car to buy a block of land 50 years ago I think that might have been the last car he sold. It was a privilege to visit such an amazing private collection.

Art Deco—Packard Car Club—East Coast Tour 2020—written by Michael and Vicky Harding

Most of the Packard car on the East Coast tour also attended Art Deco 2020, as did Vicky and I in Vicky’s Sunbeam. We were in the parade and the car was done up as a wedding car complete with bridal party. The crowd were quite involved as they shouted comments to the bride like. “It is not too late to change your mind” accompanied with clapping and cheering. I feel a theme does help increase people’s enjoyment of this event. On Monday we swapped the Sunbeam for the Studebaker GT Hawk and attended the Sunrise breakfast in Napier. We then drove to Gisborne 215 kms: Stopping along the way at points of interest and Wairoa for lunch. Visited relations in Gisborne and checked into a motel. Day 2 Gisborne to Hicks Bay 184kms: Left Gisborne about 9 00am and first stop was Tolaga Bay. There we visited the longest wharf in NZ. Most of us walked the 600m to the end. This Wharf is being restored at present. Lunch at Te Puka Tavern Tokomaru Bay, also visited their wharf. Then onto Ruatoria, next to Tikitiki and checked out the magnificent church, a memorial to local Maori that lost their lives in the First World War. Visited the East Cape light house then on to the Hicks Bay Motel for dinner and or overnight stay. Day 3 Hicks Bay to Whakatane 197 kms: On the way we stopped many times to check out the beautiful bays and beaches. Morning tea was at the Macadamia Garden and Café at Whanarua Bay a beautiful location with magnificent coastal views, with excellent food and coffee. On to Opotiki for lunch, enjoying all the coastal scenery including seeing a lot of white stuff billowing out of White Island, also various points of interest and then stopping at Whakatane for two nights. All of the next day (Day 4) was general sightseeing and the evening dinner was at the Ohope Charter Club. Day 5 Whakatane to Rotorua. 125kms: We went more inland on this leg, to go past the lakes, the first being Rotoma one of eleven in the Rotorua Lakes District, then on to Rotoehu. We also passed Lakes Rotoiti and Okataina and then Lunch at Lake Okataina Lodge. We arrived at Rotorua with plenty of time to check out tourist spots, and decided to do the tree top walk. Then to our Hotel for a magnificent dinner with the rest10of the group, and bed for the night.

Packard Rally line up at the Whakatane Motel

Tolaga Bay Wharf

Whakatane to Whitianga

Art Deco—Packard Car Club—East Coast Tour 2020—by Michael and Vicky Harding Day 6 Rotorua to Tauranga.110kms: As usual we set off about 9 00am, we travelled onto the Okareka Loop Road which took us around Lake Rotorua and half way around took a short detour up Trout Pool Road to the Okere falls. We were just in time to see a rafting group of 4 rafts going over the falls, all disappeared for a short time one raft re-emerged upside down, and lots of excited shouting. Back to the main road, for a cup of coffee at a local cafe and on to Pyes Pa Road to Tauranga. Arrived in Tauranga about 1.00pm at our daughter Sarah’s house for lunch. Went shopping at the Mount. We re-joined the group for an excellent dinner at Trinity Wharf paid for by our tour fees, as were most meals. Day 7 Sunday 1 March Tauranga to Whitianga 170kms: F i r s t Redwood Tree top walk White water rafting stop was Waihi Beach at Craig and Nicky Marshall’s workshop and storage shed. Craig is a long term VCC member and owns three La France ex fire engines. Two are now cars and one is a restored fire engine. These vehicles are often turned into race cars due to their huge 9 litre engines. At one point Craig gave rides to brave tour members. Had morning coffee at the pub across the road. On through to Whiritoa then Whangamata Ocean sports club for lunch and then fuel stop. I was amazed at the number of beach houses. Drove through Pauanui and bare sections there on a man-made canal with boat moorings were selling for just over a million dollars each. Arrived at hotel at Whitianga mid-afternoon and did some sightseeing. Whitianga Marshalls shed Day 8 second day at Whitianga and the main activity was trip in a glass bottom boat which took us to points of interest along the coast, including Cathedral cove and a large sea cave. Dinner was at the Mercury Bay Winery and consisted of a number of different Italian pizzas cooked by Italian’s in a proper Pizza oven plus lots of wine tasting. Day 9 Whitianga to Coromandel and Thames. 43kms: A lot of steep winding roads, some of the older cars got a bit hot, and all but one made it quite well. One car had major suspension failure and was trucked home to Auckland. We often stopped along the way to take photos and enjoy the magnificent coastal scenery. Had an excellent lunch at a Pub in Coromandel, then on to Thames and a visit to the A & G Price Foundry at 4.30pm This is the largest working foundry in NZ, and they supply castings for NZ and Australian Navy and Army equipment and many other companies around NZ. They have a massive solar panels array on the factory roofs, which reduces their power cost by over $100,000 pa. Day 10 Thames to Matamata wed 4th March 38kms: Stopped at Paeroa for morning tea and Te Aroha for Lunch at a VCC members huge shed full of old, unusual and modern cars. This modern shed also had a self-contained flat, where he could stay if he purchased another car without his wife’s permission. We were picked up by a bus at our motel at 4.30pm to go to Farewell dinner at the Green Dragon Hobbiton where we did the tour and had our tour Farewell DinRestaurant Hobbiton ner. The excellent buffet meal was all you could eat and drink in the Green Dragon restaurant again paid for by our tour fees. Vicky and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and no doubt all those on the tour, which was well planned and organised, 11 as a result went smoothly. There were many other places visited but not mentioned here in order to keep this story short.

The Electronic Ignition System If there is one modification every classic car owner should make to their cars, it is converting the ignition system over to electronic. The electronic ignition systems first surfaced in motorsport during the early 1970s, retro-fit systems were first offered for the road going enthusiast before becoming a standard factory fit on some cars before the decade was out. Of course all cars now use electronic ignitions and even sticklers for originality will admit it is a good alteration from standard. So if you want to make your classic car run better, start more easily and do away with those horrid fiddly contact breaker points that are becoming more pricey and harder to obtain as the years roll on, then join the electronic age now. It was a Frenchman, Etiene Lenoir, who invented the spark plug way back in 1860, but it took an American, Charles Kettering to develop the rest of the ignition and electrical system starting with the generator in 1909. In association with Edward Deeds he formed the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, or DELCO as we know it today, before going on to invent the first electrical ignition system in 1911 plus the self-starter in 1912. The ignition system became known as the Kettering system with points, condenser and coil, it stood the test of time before gradually giving way to electronic systems over the last 40 years. Conventional: While this is called a â€œconventionalâ€? ignition system, they are not used in modern cars. This is an older style of ignition system that uses points, a distributor, and an external coil. They are high-maintenance, and service intervals range from every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. The disadvantage of the mechanical system is the use of breaker points to interrupt the low-voltage high-current through the primary winding of the coil; the points are subject to mechanical wear where they ride the cam to open and shut, as well as oxidation and burning at the contact surfaces from the constant sparking. They require regular adjustment to compensate for wear, and the opening of the contact breakers, which is responsible for spark timing, is subject to mechanical variations. In addition, the spark voltage is also dependent on contact effectiveness, and poor sparking can lead to lower engine efficiency. A mechanical contact breaker system cannot control an average ignition current for very long and this may limit the power of the spark and ultimate engine speed. Electronic: An electronic ignition is a modification of the conventional system, and you will find these in widespread use today. In an electronic system, you still have a distributor, but the points have been replaced with a pickup coil, and thereâ€™s an electronic ignition control module. These are far less likely to breakdown than conventional systems, and provide very reliable operation. Service intervals on these types of systems are generally recommended every 25,000 miles. In the initial systems, points were still used but they handled only a low current which was used to control the high primary current through a solid state switching system. Soon, however, even these contact breaker points were replaced by an angular sensor of some kind, either optical, where a vaned rotor breaks a light beam, or more commonly using a Hall effect sensor, which responds to a rotating magnet mounted on the distributor shaft. The sensor output is shaped and processed by suitable circuitry, then used to trigger a switching device such as a thyristor, which switches a large current through the coil. A conversion would mean purchasing a new distributor, coil leads and spark plugs suitable for your type of car.

Austin Flying A Enthusiasts Car Clubâ€”11th Bi Annual National Rally 23rdâ€”26th October 2020 (Labour Weekend) The Austin Flying A Enthusiasts Car Club is holding its National Rally in Rotorua and would like to invite any Austin Owners to join us. The agenda for the weekend is: Friday Night: Registration from 4.00pm onwards. We will also be having a small BBQ for anyone who would like to join us. Cost per person to be advised (starting 6.30pm). Please note that this is a basic BBQ (does not include dessert). BYO Drinks. Saturday: Car Display Afternoon activity BBQ Dinner cost per person to be advised (starting 6.30pm) BYO Drinks Sunday: Group Photo Car run to a point of interest Afternoon at your own leisure Dinner and Prize giving If you wish to attend without an Austin, you may join in the car display in a Classic or Vintage Car, all moderns will need to be parked on the road. The photo shoot will be for Austin cars then a group photo with all cars attending. All cars must have a current WOF and Registration if taking part in this Rally. Registration forms are available now. If you are interested in attending or have any questions please contact our 11 th Bi Annual National Rally Organisers via E-mail or Phone listed below E-mails: Phone:

Eventscoordinator@austinflyinga.co.nz Secretary@austinflyinga.co.nz 0274810000 William (Club Captain / Events Coordinator) 09 2967 554 Lorraine (Secretary please leave a message)

For Sale 1974 Triumph Toledo 1500 I have only had her a year. I brought her up from Geraldine. Sadly, an old tennis injury to my left ankle flared up from driving a manual car again. It's done 10955k, rear wheel drive, warrant expires April, Rego Sept. She drives well and has no rust, has good tyres, new carpets and sheepskin car seat covers. She is a classic car and deserves to go to someone who will love her.

$3,500 for her â€” No Offers Carole Lindsay Ph 075789579 carn@kinect.co.nz

Austin 7 Ruby 1937 with lots of parts. Offers Contact Ian Bayliss on 027 555 8368 14

For Sale

Wanted Wanted, a front bumper for a 1946 Vauxhall J 14. Please phone Jim Spicer 027 2468 715 or email rustypatch.wpk@xtra.co.nz

1972 Hillman Hunter Excellent original condition Only 47300 miles Polar white with red upholstery. Automatic transmission. Been used on a number of VCC events for a number of years $5500.00 Contact Ray Freemantle 06 858 865.

For Sale

Competing in the CHB Veteran Rally, February 2016

1966 Mercedes Benz 250s 1914 Overland Model 79T Touring

A comfortable reliable touring car, well maintained and comes with a selection of spare parts.

Fully Restored A great motoring vehicle, Spare parts and information Won best restoration award in 2008 at the Willys Overland Club Victoria, Australia.

Interested parties Please Contact Bryan Malcolm, Phone: 06-8585-005 or Email: malcolm-b-j@xtra.co.nz 15

Phone: Neil Cox 021 023 33948