VCC Auckland July 2026

July 2026

AUGUST

Coming Events

All events are held at our clubrooms unless otherwise specified.

SEPTEMBER

Note

While numbers have been good at the monthly Section Meetings, attendance at Thursday noggins and Saturday afternoon gatherings have been small. The Spares and Library have had a steady number visiting and purchasing items each week.

We hosted afternoon tea for representatives of a number of One Make Clubs who are keen to support us in August at our Daffodil Day Display at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple. Fifteen Clubs attended the afternoon tea and were shown around our clubrooms, library and spares in small groups by committee members. They gathered back in the clubrooms where I explained that we are one of 36 Branches of the Vintage Car Club of NZ, which was formed in 1946. Then gave a short summary of our beginnings of our Branch and the purchase of the property at 39 Fairfax. Club Captain, Tracey, gave an outline of our activities and explained the 30-year requirement for vehicles to be accepted into the club. Secretary, Jodi, then went on to inform them of the availability of our clubrooms for hire for meetings etc. And then filled them in on the requirements and programme for this year ’s Daffodil Day Display and some good suggestions came from the floor in regards organising the day. We hope you have 30th August in your diary. A number of the clubs also showed interest in hiring our clubrooms for meetings too.

Over a good many years Ian Goldingham from Waitemata Branch has been working on a project gathering copies of an early publication, NZ Motor and Cycle Journal, published in NZ from 1905. Many years ago Barry Robert our previous Librarian found that copies of this publication were also held at the Auckland Public Library and the Automobile Association and, on behalf of the Vintage Car Club of NZ, Ian took up the task of finding the best home for them. It was universally agreed by everyone involved in the VCCNZ project that these lost volumes should be reunited with the rest of the large series at the Auckland City Library. A morning tea was held at our Clubrooms on Thursday 18th June. Hayley Twort, Communications Specialist from the AA and Andrew Henry and Keith Giles from the Auckland Public Library were present. The last two bound volumes were handed over to the Auckland Public Library. Ian says that after the final bound Journals have been scanned, the publication may be available for viewing on the web as early as the end of July.

With our AGM looming on the 25th of this month, please think seriously about the future of our Branch. We have been running one short on committee all this year, and with Rory King, our Maintenance Man, transferring to North Shore Branch, and at least two others not seeking re-election, we are left in a serious position. Unless these positions are filled, the reality is we may have to close. Do you want to see this happen?

See you at the AGM. Shaaran.

Club Captain’s Log

Firstly my sincere apologies for the missing 2 instructions on Sunday’s club run instructions, which made it very difficult to find William Andrew Road in Pukekohe. The air inside the MG matched the paint colour as we followed behind you when I realised the consequence of using someone else’s printer and not checking the instructions the day before!! I am gearing up for the hard time you will give me on our Rally Rules night later this month! ☺

Thanks to all those who came out on a beautiful winter’s day for our short cruise to Tuakau. It was heartening to see the number of vehicles that turned out, particularly the newer faces and I hope you enjoyed the morning.

See you on Thursday 23rd for our Rally Rules Tutorial night, and then come out on the Experts Rally, Sunday 26 July. This year the rally is being plotted by Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine.

For August, we will be painting the town, club and anything else yellow for our Annual National Day supporting the NZ Cancer Society. You’ll be hearing plenty more on this subject from all the committee.

At one of our more recent Club Afternoons we listened to John Pratt give us a very interesting talk on the preservation and use of the William C Daldy steam tug on the Waitemata Harbour.

We are looking at making a charter booking to go out on her for a dinner cruise, most likely in late January, early February, 2027. At this stage I am gauging interest, to get a feel for numbers?

The cost would be in the vicinity of $90 per person, this includes a 3 hour cruise on the harbour and a 2 course meal. A cash bar would operate.

If you would be interested in attending, can you please drop me an email or text this month. No commitment at this point, but if numbers are good the next step will be a deposit required a bit later in the year.

Hope to see you on the 23rd.

Tracey

To register interest in the W C Daldy trip contact Tracey by phone, text or email: M: 021 732 209 E: clubcaptain@avvcc.org.nz

Please advise by end of July.

Rally Rules Tutorial

Join us…

Thursday, 23rd July

starting at 8:00 pm

With the Expert’s Rally on Sunday, 26th, here is your prime opportunity to learn, or brush up on, true rally instruction interpretation.

Then take on the Expert’s Rally with gusto. It’s a load of fun!

Expert’s Rally

Plotted by Russel & Jocelyn McAlpine

Join us… Sunday, 26th July

First car away: 10:15 am

Starting from the Massey Domain Carpark Red Hills Road, Massey.

The rally ends at Huapai Golf Club, Riverhead for lunch for those who wish to eat there.

Travel over some lesser travelled country roads.

Your one chance each year to really test your Rallying skills!

We’d love for you to advise your intended participation if you know you’ll be joining us.

To do this, click on the advert in the email or use this address: rjmcalpine@xtra.co.nz to advise Russel & Jocelyn.

Nomination Form

For the Bill Shears Memorial Trophy

Members of the Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Inc) are invited to nominate a fellow member for this Annual Award. The nomination should be for any member that they regard as having been involved in a significant event. It may be a particularly memorable motoring journey, an important historical article or series of articles published or some special service to the Branch. This trophy will be awarded at the Branch AGM in July.

We wish to nominate:__________________________________________________

Name:

Signed:

Please supply full details of the accomplishments of the member being nominated in a note that can be read at the AGM, along with a copy of this signed nomination.

Please submit to the Secretary, Jodi Tomlin by Sunday, 12th July. Submit in person or by email: secretary@avvcc.org.nz

Auckland Veteran & Vintage Car Club Inc.

Notice of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, 25th July 2026

To be held at the branch clubrooms

39 Fairfax Ave, Penrose

Meeting commences at 2:30pm

Agenda: Apologies

Annual Reports

Financial Statement

Election of Officers

Annual Trophy Prizegiving

25 & 35 Year Membership Awards

General Business

Afternoon Tea will be provided at the close of the meeting.

Members will be required to show their membership cards on entry, in order to receive voting papers.

All nominations for office should be duly proposed, seconded and accepted by Financial Members and delivered to the Secretary, or can be made from the floor during the AGM, if required.

Jodi Tomlin Secretary, AVVCC

Join the Committee

Being a Committee Member is voluntary work that is very rewarding. It’s a great way to get more out of our club. You’ll also get to know many more members.

Being part of the committee is a perfect opportunity for you, if you can offer skills or be a willing helper in tasks to help keep your club ticking over. There is also the opportunity to take on one of the Non-Committee Positions.

All positions are available for nomination, here is your chance to put your name or someone else’s forward (with their permission) for the following Committee positions: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain or Committee Member (6 positions). Non-committee positions: Veteran Rep, Vintage Rep, Librarian, Beaded Wheels Scribe (shared job), Spares Team Member, Bulletin Editor or Web Master.

Duties that are shared amongst Committee Members are assistance with any events, bar duties, helping at working bees and being a promoter of the Branch.

If you think you’d like to help but are unsure of the full extent of the jobs, please have a chat to any current Committee Member to find out a bit more of what the positions entail.

Nomination Form For Committee & Non-Committee Positions

I wish to nominate:

For the Position of:

Name: Signed:

Name: Signed:

Please submit by email or in person to the Secretary, Jodi Tomlin, at any time up to 1:30pm, Saturday 25th July. The Annual General Meeting is being held at 2:30pm, that day, in the AVVCC Clubrooms. Email: secretary@avvcc.org.nz

2026 Autumn Tour

After a postponement in April, this year’s event finally saw an entry list of twenty-three, of which six chose to be non-competitive. Starting at Ray Small Park, Papakura both routes (i.e. competitive and non-competitive) followed similar routes through Drury, Ramarama, Bombay, Hunua, Clevedon and finished at Windross Farm Golf Course in Ardmore, where competitors arrived from the left and those who were non-competitive were instructed to go right. The other difference was around Bombay, where there was a trick to help sort “the wood from the trees” and hopefully sort out a winner. For those who were competitive, the instruction read: “Right left right, twice”. Because the overriding instructions stated: “Marked NO EXIT carriageways do not exist”, the first right was not actually a right, as straight ahead was a large NO EXIT sign, therefore the right was at the next intersection. Those who went left at this intersection encountered silent check BENTLEY, which had an overrider attached, deleting the current instruction, etc. At this point, those who were non-competitive also went left.

Throughout the route, entrants should have encountered eight correct Silent Checks.

This event finished up “being a plotter’s nightmare” as on the day we encountered Detour signs had been done away with in Drury, which had us phoning the starters and having them change that particular instruction and then near the end the Burnside Rd sign had been knocked down, so I put out a right-facing arrow (which overrides instructions). Sorry to the competitors for this stuff-up, but you all sorted it out in the end.

Finally, thank you Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine for not only checking the event, but were start and trail vehicle on the day.

Placings:

1st Class 1 Slow Vintage

1st Class 2 Post Vintage

1st Class 3 Post Era

Norman Dewhurst & Ryan Winterbottom

Stephen & Tracey Winterbottom

Gary Bax & Murray Atkinson

1st Overall Stephen & Tracey Winterbottom

Rodger & Val Ball (Plotters)

Autumn Tour Prizegiving Pics

Above Left: Tracey & Stephen Winterbottom, 1st Post Vintage and Overall Winners

Above Right: Norman Dewhurst and Ryan Winterbottom, First Slow Vintage

Left: Jodi & Paul Tomlin, 2nd Post Era.

Right: Leo Fowler and Bruce Verrall, 3rd Post Era

Welcome to our New Members & Transferees

A most sincere welcome is extended to the most recent new members and transferees from other branches. We hope to see you taking an active part in Branch activities whenever possible. Should you require any assistance or advice, please feel free to ask any Committee member?

Kevin Paulsen

1933 Auston 7RP

Ludwig Worrall-Bader

1973 Citroen GS Club (Transfer from 1985 Citroen 2CV 6 Special Wellington)

Library Notes

The Motor and Cycle Magazine was the first magazine produced in NZ that focused on the motor car. It was produced in Auckland from 1905 until 1937 and came out monthly. Arthur Cleave who published the magazine was the first person to drive a car from Auckland to Wellington and the first person to take a car up north.

A few years ago, Ian Goldingham, of Waitemata Branch, decided he wanted to see the Motor and Cycle Magazine on the web so everybody could access the magazine. He asked the National Library in Wellington to assist him. They agreed to do so providing Ian located (borrowed) as many loose copies as he could find from around the country. Ian knew the copies that the AA had held in Auckland were in binders and they were missing the editions between 1906 and 1909, so he wanted to find loose copies, as they were easier to duplicate. Ian also knew Mike Curry from Wellington and Alan Meredith from Queenstown had gone around the country looking for the magazines and were happy to assist with information. Many of the early copies were photocopied at the time, but Ian didn’t want to copy copies, as you lose a lot of detail in the photos.

Ian knew the magazines Mike Curry had seen at the Automobile Association in Auckland about thirty years ago were now in the Auckland City Council Library. This was something Barry Robert had organised earlier, when he discovered the Automobile Association had closed all their libraries. By the time Ian Goldingham went back to Auckland City Library, he could see there were copies that Mike Curry had seen, that were not there anymore, so he went back to the Automobile Association and the new management wanted to help. Those missing magazines were found and handed over to Ian and after they were copied by the National Library in Wellington they were then handed over to Auckland City Library at the Auckland Vintage Car Club rooms on the 18th June. There was a formal presentation to the Auckland City Library, held in our clubrooms. Two members from the Automobile Association and two members of the Rare Books section of the Auckland Library were present. A first time visit from either organisation.

Ian did borrow quite few loose copies from the Auckland Branch that have come back. There were also copies from the Auckland City Council library that went to Wellington too. He borrowed from a whole lot of sources all over NZ to get as close as possible to a full set. He went as far south as Invercargill looking for copies.

At the end of the exercise Ian was faced with an invoice from the National Library that he was not expecting, and I know two car clubs have helped him with that payment. Shortly you will be able read those magazines on the web thanks to Ian’s efforts. It’s only the second magazine the National Library have put on the web, and it could be the last for a while as they have recently lost a lot of Government funding.

It was first publication produced in NZ that talked about the motor car. It also had a section on the early history of the motor bike, push bike, motor launch and aviation.

The later copies had a section on camping and caravans. If someone does have a few copies produced between 1906 and 1909, we would love to borrow them. The only copies that exist through that period are held by the VCC in Auckland. Barry Birchall.

Update-Hot off the Press: 30 June 2026, 6:00 pm Ian has messaged that he received the following detail from Charlotte at the National Library. “Just letting you know that we now have a release date in place – Wednesday, 8 July. Please note this will only be the first third of the Journals publication i.e. from 1905 to 1915. The other two thirds will come on line in consecutive blocks in 2027 and 2028.

Fabulous news and congratulations to Ian for all of his hard work on this!

Below: The team chatting over Morning Tea.

Veteran Section Notes

We had a very successful and interesting Veteran Section meeting in June, with nineteen people present. Alan Meredith spoke about the completion of his La Coste and Bateman car powered by a single cylinder De Dion Bouton engine. Alan also mentioned he had been playing with veteran cars since the age of fourteen and in his time has had ownership of a 1905 Talbot, a 2 cylinder Renault and a 1906 Humber, he also mentioned a South Islander Karl Wood, who bought a 6hp Rover single off Southward’s Museum, and from another source a De Dion Bouton Model CP 11hp long stroke single cylinder.

North Shore member, David Lane, reported that he had attended an All American Ford exhibition with his Model T speedster, one of three Model T's in attendance, David was pleased to receive a trophy.

Bill Mercer brought along some windshield stanchions of unknown make, that David Lane took for a friend who is building a speedster. Bill also has an unidentifed bonnet, which could be available to someone who can Identify it. Denise has started on the upholstery for the 1916 Hupmobile, Denise also brought lovely date scones which were eagerly consumed after the meeting.

Mike Courtney said his 1908 Maxwell was making good progress, he is getting pistons cast locally and this led to some discussion about piston expansion and perhaps the need to heat treat new locally made pistons before installation, he is also seeking valve cover gaskets. Some attendees noted that Gaspecs, who make this sort of thing, are now harder to contact. Mike is also selling his Chevrolet 490, which is advertised in the latest Beaded Wheels.

Denis Lowe produced an acid etched patent plate for a Curved Dash Oldsmobile, this was made by Reece Burnett of Hamilton. Denis also produced a cutting about the Doble steam bus, made by AG Price at Thames to Abner Doble’s design for the Auckland City Council.

Phil Henley has got the clutch on his 1913 Mitchell working again. Barry Wade has had the five bladed fan of his 1909 Rover recast, it will now need to be balanced. Russell Vincent is doing some work on both his single cylinder Cadillacs.

Mathew Metcalfe is an extremely busy man, with three veteran Hudson projects underway, Mathew intends launching a YouTube channel about his work in July. The late George Mihaljevich’s Gentleman’s Roadster will get a correctly dated engine, and a 1911 Hudson Torpedo tourer is also underway. Finally there will be a 1911 Hudson aero engined special fitted with a Wright Hispano Suiza 360hp V8. Mathew also brought along an automotive phenomenon called the Disco Acetylene Automobile starter. These phenomena were produced in the 1912-14 period before electric starters really took hold. Tim Edney asked if the system was supplied with false eyelashes. Hopefully a full article supplied by Mathew will appear in the next Beaded Wheels.

North Shore’s Tim Edney has a Central Otago woodworker doing work on his 1911 Rausch and Lang electric car, the sheet metal won't be touched. Barry Birchall still has issues with the 1912 Cadillac Starter motor.

That’s it for this month...

John Stokes

Vintage Section Notes

In the carpark before the meeting, Ross Bellamy lifted the bonnet on his Model A to show us the now restored and functioning vintage Sparton Musical Air Horns – a real treat!

The Meeting began with a discussion around the proposed run for vintage vehicles. A Tuesday ensures no conflict with other club activities and they will probably happen quarterly and always spaced well away from the mid-week runs. Penny and I will plot the initial run which will be fairly short, starting at our place and ending at the Oratia Bowling Club Café. I will email a reminder around a week prior to all those on my email list, but of course all vintage vehicles are welcome.

Norman Dewhurst has been having a hard time dealing with the insurance on his damaged Triumph Dolomite. It was panel damage only but the insurance company wanted to write it off, which considering the extent of the damage was not acceptable to Norm as a written off car cannot legally be put back on the road. A compromise has been reached with Norm accepting a lower payment but the car being ‘flagged’ on ownership records. Norm’s main concern is that the assessor, who is not an insurance company employee, did not even sight the damaged car!

John and Janice Gardner recently enjoyed the Highland Fling in their Model A and also took part in the Waikato branch 50/50 rally, as did Neil Lucas in his Chev coupe.

As usual, Tim Gray spends a lot of time helping others with their Model Ts, this time replacing the valves in a friend’ s car.

Ross Bellamy has given his Model A it’s annual application of Turtle Wax – it certainly is a good advertisement for the product. Recently, he became aware of the closing down auction of the Tirau Honey Museum’s artifacts. Having visited the museum he knew of a Roll of Honour board for the First World War which included his grandfather’s name. He put in a bid and was successful and the board now hangs proudly in his shed.

John Towers inquired for a friend requiring a 1929 DeSoto Model K gearbox. (post script –one has now been found) John has been asked to restore a Big Tree petrol can. It is the very rare red one and he has already found the correct cap to replace the wrong one which it had.

Neil Bieleski has checked and found the cam timing on his 1926 Renault Type NN to be correct so now fine tuning of the magneto timing should have the motor running like clockwork.

Richard Green is away at the moment but he emailed me the following;

The KLG ML50 sparkplug is back!

After many years of being difficult to source, the KLG M50 is being produced again. This might be of interest to some members as this long reach 18mm plug is reasonably HOTgiving better performance for some English car engines from the 20s and 30s. They are being sold by Green Classic and Vintage Spares UK

Murray & Penny

Mid-week Tourers

After arriving out west, having driven in typical Auckland traffic, we started the 50km drive over the hills of Paremoremo, past the prison, then over a flyover by the North Shore Vintage Car Club and through the back roads of suburban Albany to our destination of Bungalo Café, in Birkenhead.

Our cars had much interest from onlookers, plus the kids of a nearby primary school. We were greeted by Chris and his wonderful team for a beautiful lunch; after reminiscing about the old hill climbs on the nearby Colonial Road. Starting in 1976, hosted by the Waitemata Vintage Car Club, the event utilized an 800-meter course running up to the refinery. Drivers began at sea level, crossed a bridge separating cooling ponds, navigated a hairpin turn, and crossed the finish line in front of the colonial houses. The event is no longer held as Chelsea opened a cafe on the refinery grounds in 2019, meaning closing the drive for a race event is impossible.

We made our way down the windy old track to the Chelsea Sugar Factory for our mini tours, where we boarded our train and were shown around the outside of the factory. We saw and learnt about the ships working with raw sugar that is delivered to the on-site wharf carrying up to 31,000 tonnes at a time. A fantastic commentary from the staff at Chelsea. They even learnt some things about Chelsea, back in the day, from one of our own!

Full of food, new knowledge and a few keepsakes, we set off home. Thank you to all who came out on the run and welcome to all the newcomers. We can’t wait to see you all at the next one.

Wednesday, 15th July

Join us for a wonderful trip to the Classics Museum in Hamilton. With a pit-stop at Palmers for coffee and/or lunch, and maybe a bit of shopping ☺? This run is a bit of a longer run (70 miles), taking us over the backroads of north Waikato, down the old GSR, through Ngāruawāhia to our destination.

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy please register interest with Jo and we’ll see you all there. Email: midweek@avvcc.org.nz or 027 943 1545

Start BP Service Centre, SH1, Drury. Meet 10:00 am for a 10:30am start.

I look forward to catching up with you.

Jo Bieleski

Motorcycle Section Notes

By the time we arrived at 1.45pm, inside the clubrooms were 3 motorcycles already set up, in front of our table for the meeting.

Members soon started arriving, with a good selection of motorcycles parked out in the back carpark, a Triumph Bonneville & sidecar, Harley Davidson & sidecar, Indian & sidecar, 1927 Norton model 18 Flat Tanker, 1950 Panther model 100, Velocette Special, 3 modern Triumph T100’s, Velocette Venom, 2 Norton Commandos, Honda GB 500 TT, Triumph Speed 400, BSA Golden Flash and a Suzuki 650 Savage and a Suzuki V Strom. Soon the clubrooms started filling up with people chatting. By the start of the meeting the back carpark was full!

The meeting started at 2.30 pm. We had 60 sitting down. Martin welcomed everyone, then called for any new members or visitors present. There were quite a few –Andy and Daniel Gourlay, Graeme Harrison, Steve & Angela Green, Kenton Short, and the widow of Roy Norgrove, Brenda, who had come up to the meeting from the Hawkes Bay.

Martin told us a Covid related joke, that was amusing.

REPORTS

Martin reported on the recent Kaiaua Fish ‘ n’ Chip run, which had a good turn out.

COMING UP

July’s motorcycle meeting guest speaker will be Ray Pratt talking about the new Triumphs.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Member Tony Christie has recently bought a 1950 Norton 500T from Ken McIntosh, and is looking for any parts, so if any members can help him with this give him a call M: 022 089 1928. The Norton frame was originally a ridged one but some time in the early 1950’s it had a McCandless brothers swinging arm attached. These are the guys who built the first Norton Feather bed frame for Norton in 1950.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Grant McIntosh was first up, he had on display his 1960 Triton and 1938 Panther M30.

He told us he’d bought a 1950’s Triumph TR2 sports car and the seller had delivered it to Grant’s Kawakawa Bay home. Whilst there, the seller had a look over Grant's motorcycle collection, taking an interest in a Honda CB750 4. Grant was willing to pass on the Honda and the seller of the car said he had a 1960 Triton and a 1938 Panther M30 that maybe they could do a swap, which is what happened. Grant said the Triton is a joy to ride.

Motorcycle Section Notes

The Panther is a non-runner and needs some parts so if anyone has any parts for this model please make contact with Grant M: 021 149 6447.

Next up was Ditch Keeling, Ditch had always wanted a Triton to add to his collection, and was looking for maybe a rough but ready one to buy. He told Martin about this a while ago and Martin suggested they should go and have a chat with Ken McIntosh as he has loads of contacts. They rode their bikes out to Ken’s one afternoon. Ditch had been a big fan of Ken from when he was a teenager marshalling at the Paeroa Street Races, where he once met Ken in the Pits.

At Ken’s, they got chatting about Tritons, Ken mentioned that he knew of a McIntosh Triumph that was for sale, by the family of his late friend, Roy Norgrove. Ken arranged for the bike to be brought up to his workshop, it arrived a few days later. Ken phoned Ditch and told him to come over and have a look at the bike. Ditch loved the look of it, but as the bike hadn't run for a few years he asked Ken if he could get it running, then he’d buy it.

A few days later Ken phoned back to say it was going. Ditch was at Ken’s the next day, heard it running, took it around the block, and the deal was done. Ken told Ditch the story of Roy building the bike. Roy had a lock up next door to Ken’s, Roy purchased a McIntosh frame, seat, wheels, tanks and other accessories from Ken, the 650 Triumph engine was mildly tuned.

Once Ditch got the bike home he stripped it down to check all was OK, then reassembled it and took it for a long country ride, he came back all smiles.

Ditch then started talking to Brenda, Ken and others to find out all he could about Roy and this great bike.

Our final speaker was Andy Gourlay, Andy along with Graeme Harrison, Kenton Short, Steve Green, Don Greenslade, Shane Burrell and others, were all long time friends of Roy, and they called themselves the TT group. TT standing for “Think Tank”, not TT as in the IOM races.

They rode their bikes all over New Zealand together. When Roy rode his bikes, he always wore an open face helmet with RAF type goggles and a white silk scarf. Andy recounted various stories about Roy, one being when Roy and 3 others decided they would ride their bikes from the Eastern port town of Vladivostok in Russia through to Europe and finishing at the IOM TT. Roy was the only one who made it, the others all broke down and gave up.

Just before we stopped for afternoon tea Martin asked Noel and Brigid Howe to tell us about their recent trip to Europe. They bought a 650 Suzuki V Strom in the UK, and then they rode it up to the top of Scotland, down to the Channel Tunnel, put the bike on the train, travelled through France, Belgium, Germany and into Scandinavia

Motorcycle Section Notes

where they rode as far north as possible. They had a great time on their trip and didn't have any breakdowns. They told us about getting bike insurance for trips in Europe having found a broker in Germany that provided cover for them in one bundle to ride in all the countries at a very reasonable cost.

Martin thanked all our speakers. We closed the meeting at 3.45pm.

Martin Spicer & Jack Clark

Club Afternoon Review

Our guest speaker, James Duncan, the MOTAT Tram Manager was back to present his third and final talk on the history of the NZ and Auckland trams.

By the time we started the talk at 2.30pm the clubrooms had filled up with the largest crowd we have ever had for a club afternoon, this was very pleasing for us.

Chairman, Shaaran opened the meeting, and then I welcomed James back to our branch. James commenced with a short description of how we got to now with the history of trams in Auckland. He then went on to show lots of pictures of the trams around Auckland, and from other New Zealand towns that ran trams. He told us how the Old Time Transport Preservation League had started with just one tram, and how it grew bigger over the years, ending up with 10 trams. They then joined forces with a number of other clubs and societies to form Auckland City's MOTAT at Western Springs.

James spoke non stop for 90 mins, There was no way I could remember all of what James told us, so if you click on the link opposite you can read and watch the history of Auckland Trams. Plus there are a number of other videos to watch on YouTube on the Trams.

James is so very good at his storytelling, he had us all spellbound from the beginning to the end. I thanked James for coming along to complete the NZ Tram story.

Martin Spicer

James writes:

The photo at the top, opposite, was taken on the 6th May 1957, on the day that one of the founding groups of MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) had their very first official meeting on board the Auckland tramcar they had been formed to preserve - No.253 known as the "Queen Mary". After the meeting several joyrides were had up and down Manukau Road between the Workshops in Royal Oak and the Epsom Depot, with everybody having a drive. Trams in Auckland had finished in December 1956 (photo at the bottom, opposite), and over the next 5 months, the remaining 43 trams were driven in batches of about 2-3 from the Epsom Depot down to the Workshops for scrapping. Thanks to the efforts of the late Graham Stewart, the Queen Mary was saved and was now to be in the care of the Old Time Transport Preservation League. Pictured opposite in Manukau Road outside the Epsom Depot. The Admin building behind the rear of the tram, still stands today, but is now home to a couple of restaurants.

Annual Report from our Chairman

Another very busy year has come to an end. There have been several notable tasks completed this year. To comply with the Incorporated Society requirements, a small group tackled the enormous job of updating our Constitution. Many thanks to Jodi Tomlin, Glenn Morris, Rodger Ball, Tracey Winterbottom and Ian Hubbard.

Then the Buddhist community at the Fo Guang Shan Temple again allowed us to use their grounds for our Display, to raise money for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day Appeal. The total of $8,500.00 was raised on the day; all of it going to the Auckland division of the Cancer Society.

During the year the mezzanine floor in The Barn was reinforced with plywood as the weight of the surplus books was becoming a worry. This work was done by John Towers and our Maintenance Man Rory King. Rory, with the help of Bill Hulse and Bruce Verrall replaced the spouting on the clubrooms and also the top-level spouting on The Barn. New kitchen drawers were installed, and a new storage box for our firewood was built by the back door and the old woodshed was removed.

Perusing our events since the last AGM, it is clear that we offer plenty to give all members outings and entertainment every month. These events take a lot of organising. Club Captain, Tracey Winterbottom, and Entertainment Officer, Martin Spicer, and other organisers try very hard to find interesting speakers and places of interest for you to enjoy at the end of the runs. The reward for the plotters/organisers is to see members turn up and enjoy themselves.

Each month the Mid-week Tourer’s continue to get good numbers who enjoy viewing interesting collections and places of interest. During the year, Jo Bieleski took over the role of Mid-week Tourers organiser from her grandfather, Neil. These events are always well attended. Thank you Jo for organising these events for us.

The Veteran, Vintage and Motorcycle Sections continue to get good numbers attending their Section Meetings each month. Thank you to John Stokes, Murray Firth, and Martin Spicer for their effort.

The Spares Team, led by Bill Hulse, along with Jack Nazer and John Towers, have made great progress sorting and selling parts. Many large contributions of spare parts have been received and sold throughout the year. The money received is gratefully accepted. The memorabilia display is being added to all the time and is well worth a look the next time you are at the clubrooms.

The Library Team, led by Richard Green, continue their work in the Library tidying and clearing old magazines etc from the mezzanine floor in the Barn. Again, thank you to all concerned in this venture.

To: Michelle and Jeremy Lambert our Grounds Maintenance team

Bar Managers, Leo Fowler, and Charlotte Bovis

Beaded Wheels Scribes, John Stokes, Jocelyn McAlpine, and Peter Wood

VIC Officers – John Stokes, Alan Price and Neil Stott

Bruce Verrall – who puts the rubbish bins in and out each week, and helps anywhere that’s needed. And our Committee: Glenn Morris (Vice Chairman and Continuous Membership Awards), Jodi Tomlin (our computer whiz, Secretary, Bulletin Editor, Website Updates, the Week Ahead creator and Delegate), Ian Hubbard (Treasurer), Tracey Winterbottom (Club Captain, Trophy Steward), Lynda Spicer (Social Convener), Martin Spicer (Entertainment Officer and Motorcycle Rep), Jeremy Lambert (Bookings Officer & Health and Safety), Rory King (Maintenance), and Neil Stott (Spares Rep)

I thank you all for your support throughout the year and wish everyone all the best for the year to come. Shaaran Price.

Annual Report from our Club Captain

2026 has seen the usual annual events and monthly runs organised for members with varying degrees of support. Martin has organised some great guest speakers for our Saturday Club Afternoons, and all our section groups are being well supported. We also tried a couple of fun games nights for a Thursday Noggin and Natter; while the numbers were not overwhelming the evenings were successful for those attending.

In December, at the suggestion from a member, I did run a Xmas Lights Tour, not well supported and probably not the easiest evening. The good light displays are in the built up areas, and are sadly not conducive to vintage driving, even in a later class of vehicle.

Daffodil Day last August would have to be one of the highlights of the year, from both the member support, the money raised for the Cancer Society, to the great profile it gave us as a branch and club.

A big thanks to Jo Bielieski who has stepped up to co–ordinate and organise the monthly mid-week runs, ensuring that these did not disappear after a hiatus of a few months. Thanks to the plotters and marshals for our annual events, and those who have supported these by entering. I am pleased to report that the majority of entrants in our calendar event rallies still opt for the competitive section. While touring and competitive rallying are equally enjoyable, keeping the competitive skills of navigation and timekeeping alive within the club is close to my heart. Successful competition can be run, without entrants getting hopelessly lost, and it has been great to see some new members keen to learn and understand Rally Rules.

Many of our branch headed to Nelson in March for the Vero Rally, including the Charabanc which proved to be a very popular entrant. The usual supporters of rallies outside our branch kept the Auckland flag flying from Whangarei to Otago.

The percentage of our membership who are active in some form or other, is not high, but it would seem the branch is not alone in that statistic. Most of us have many competing activities to choose from in our recreational time. As long as we are offering you opportunities to enjoy your interest in a way you like, whether it be a display, motoring or sitting round the table discussing the best solution to a restoration or breakdown challenge. I am happy to take suggestions for activities, places of interest to start or finish from or anything else on your mind VCC related. We do face some challenges in the future; all the parts that go into making up who we areevents, the library, spares, the Charabanc and our wonderful clubroom facilities do not look after themselves; I look forward to seeing a good number of you at the AGM.

Tracey

Annual Report from our Veteran Rep

The section has had a good year with attendances at monthly meetings varying between twelve and twenty people. Some members have brought their vehicle to the meetings, notably Gavin Welch, with his Model T pickup and North Shore’s David Lane with his Model T speedster. Occasional vehicles present have included Phil Henley’s Mitchell, Barry Birchall’s Cadillac, and Gavin Welch's Model T. Round table discussions have gone off well, with members bringing a wide variety of components, tools and literature for identification and display.

The 2026 Veteran Run went off well despite unpredictable weather keeping a couple of entrants at home. An issue which surfaces from time to time is the location of our annual run. In 2025 Shaaran Price organised a pleasant run in the North West of Auckland, most of the runs since 2018 have been done in the Franklin area. It is my personal feeling, that we should perhaps alternate between South West and North West biannually. It would be very difficult for me to plot North West runs. I also have to say, that when this subject is broached at section meetings there seems to be a definite preference for the Franklin area.

The Charabanc recovered from the clutch failure in December, largely thanks to the efforts of new group members Richard Green and Kevin Butler. The Charabanc was well received at the Vero event in Nelson, group member Rob Webster arranging it's transport there and back. The clutch has again been dismantled, reinspected and reinstalled. There are still a couple of issues, which should be resolved by Daffodill Day. Phil and Caroline Henley attended the Vero event in their 1906 Cadillac, also Kelvin Healey and Grahame Ellwood in Kelvin’s 1912 Sunbeam.

We also note that Mathew Metcalfe has a number of projects underway and is creating a YouTube channel which could be running in July. Recent news is that John and Janice Gardner have acquired the late Roy Sharman’s 1915 Talbot which is in temporary storage until John extends his garage.

That is how the year has rolled.

John Stokes

The late Roy Sharman at the 2023 National Veteran Rally at La Valla, Tuakau

Annual Report from our Motorcycle Rep

Well here we are at the end of another very successful motorcycle section year.

I’d like to thank Jack Clark, who has been my right hand man and scribe throughout the year, we certainly make a good team.

And a great big thank you to wife Lynda who has provided us with great afternoon teas throughout the year, the members were certainly spoiled with Lynda's selection of sweet and savoury foods.

Attendance at meetings ranged between 35 to 70. All our speakers were top drawer, as were their breathtaking motorcycles that they brought along to show us.

We also had Fraser Cars come along and tell us their story and show one of their cars, and more recently, we had Ray Ferner come and tell us the story of the Ralph Watson BSA race car.

We’ve had some great monthly rides, visiting club members motorcycle collections, one run, the day we visited the Bill Buckley factory in Mt Wellington, had a very large turnout.

Two other good turnouts were our New Year’s Day Kaiaua Fish’ n ’Chip run, and most recently we had our annual mid-year Kaiaua Fish’ n ’Chip run.

We’ve had a good number of new members come and join us through the year, and sadly we have also lost a few of our long-time members. Their presence will be missed.

So here’s to another great 12 months of motorcycle meetings and rides.

Martin Spicer

Below: Another busy Saturday Meeting

2026 Kaiaua Fish ’n’ Chip Run

After a wet and windy lead-up, Sunday dawned bright and sunny. Lynda and I, plus grandchildren Riley and Isabella, arrived at the Drury Public Car Park at 10.30 am. We can no longer say “meet at the Jolly Farmer” as the old hotel was demolished late last year.

It was pleasing to see a large number of motorcycles and cars parked up, with the owners chatting away with each other. Our branch chairman, Shaaran Price, along with her husband, Alan, had travelled from Swanson in their 1949 Chevrolet. Leo Fowler came along in his 1952 Armstrong Siddeley.

And it was pleasing to see our friend Don Green back riding his Norton after his recent back operation. A number of Norton club members come along to join us too.

Member Bruce Verrall was having his first long ride on his ex-Leo Fowler, 1958 BSA C15. I made contact with Bruce later once I was home. He said he had an enjoyable ride from home out to Kaiaua and back again with no problems with his BSA. He’ s now looking forward to his next long ride.

At 11 am, I gathered everyone and wished them all a safe, trouble-free journey down to Kaiaua. I then told the expected joke to send them on their way with a smile.

From the Great South Road, we turned left, passing the new Drury Railway Station that will soon be opened. We then travelled through the Drury South Crossing industrial area. Eventually, in this area, there will be 22,000 houses, 12,000 jobs and a population of 60,000, with a $12 billion government infrastructure investment. We think the motorway around Drury is crowded now! We then went through Ararimu, Paparimu and out to old SH 2 at Mangatawhiri. From there onto Mangatangi. In Mangatangi, we turned left onto the Kaiaua Road for the ride down to the western shore of the Firth of Thames, to arrive at the famous Kaiaua Fish ‘ n’ Chip shop at about noon.

Both car parks were nearly full. The Ford car club were there on a run with a great selection of Fords from across the decades, and the Vespa scooter club were also out on a run. We also had a group of riders come over from Thames to join us.

After our lunch and a lot of chatting with our friends, we said our goodbyes and headed home. Another great Kaiaua Fish ‘ n’ Chip run complete.

Martin Spicer

2026 Kaiaua Fish ‘n’ Chip Run Pics

The line-up ready for a nice days ride…

Chairman

Your Committee & Officers

Shaaran Price (Alan) Email: chairman@avvcc.org.nz

Vice Chairman/Continuous Membership Awards Steward

Glenn Morris (Marion) Email: glenn-maze@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 833 8575

M: 0204 195 2476

M: 021 136 5926

Secretary / New Members & Privacy Offcr / Bulletin & Website Editor / Branch Delegate

Jodi Tomlin (Paul) Secretary Email: secretary@avvcc.org.nz

Treasurer

Ian Hubbard (Lesley)

Editor Email: editor@avvcc.org.nz

Email: treasurer@avvcc.org.nz

Club Captain / Trophy Steward

Tracey Winterbottom Email: clubcaptain@avvcc.org.nz

M: 021 678 258

M: 0274 426 748

H: 09 232 0246 (Stephen)

Committee Members

Martin Spicer (Lynda)

Motorcycle Section Rep/Entertainment

Email: motorcycle@avvcc.org.nz

Lynda Spicer (Martin) Social Convenor

Email: spicerclan2017@gmail.com

Jeremy Lambert (Michelle) Clubroom Bookings/ Health & Safety Officer

Email: bookings@avvcc.org.nz

Neil Stott (Christine) Spares Liaison

Email: neilxstott@gmail.com

Non-Committee Positions

Library Team Leader

Richard Green (Lois)

Email: library@avvcc.org.nz

H: 09 489 2427

M: 021 818 334

Beaded Wheels Scribes

John Stokes

Jocelyn McAlpine

Peter Wood

Mid-week Tourers Co-ordinator

Jo Bieleski

Email: midweek@avvcc.org.nz

M: 027 943 1545

Clubrooms

Spares Team Leader

Bill Hulse (Sherrill)

Email: bill.sherrill@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 579 0494

Veteran Section Rep

John Stokes

Email: jcstokes96a@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 236 4582 or

M: 0272 772 108

M: 021 732 209

H: 09 233 6382

M: 022 102 5954

H: 09 233 6382

M: 021 189 3120

M: 027 576 7045

M: 0274 949 059

VIC Officers

John Stokes

Alan Price

Neil Stott

Email: vic@avvcc.org.nz

Vintage Section Rep

Murray Firth (Penny)

E: pennyandmurray@xtra.co.nz

H: 09 818 6434

Insurance

Vero Consumer Insurance Specialist

F: 0800 505 905

Our Agency Number: 0300126

Phone: 09 579 5625

Street & Postal Address: 39 Fairfax Avenue, Penrose, Auckland 1061

Club Afternoon: Last Saturday of the month 2:30 pm

Clubrooms Open: Second & fourth Thursdays of each month 7:30 to 10:00 pm, Every Saturday afternoon 4:30 to 6:30 pm

Branch Website: avvcc.org.nz