Library Archives Robin Strachan 063646780 Diane Strachan 021 468763
Branch Delegate John White 022 1601189
Spark Editor Bruce Jamieson 027 6357336 brucejamieson48@hotmail.com
Spark Distribution Murray Tinsley 021 02625971
VIC Team
Verdon Heath, Ivan Horn, Jeff Fox and Robert Cammish
Speaker for June
We have not organised a guest speaker, because we are holding our Annual General Meeting.
New Club Members
Ross Fenton has joined last month. He has a 1947 Studebaker and a 1960 NSU Prinz. We welcome him, and look forward to him joining our events.
Recovering
Don McLaren is in Palmerston North hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident. He was nearing the end of his South Island trip when he had a tumble near Kaikoura. He has fractures to a leg and some ribs, but is on the mend.
Wilf Milner was sporting a plaster cast on his right arm, but latest news is that the plaster is off. His wife, Alison, will be looking forward to handing back the car keys soon.
Cover Picture
The Armstrong Siddeley of club member Don McAlpine. This photo taken several years ago at Southwards Museum display.
Chairman's Natter
Once again, it was a good turnout of members for our monthly meeting. It’s almost a year since I took over as Chairman and I can’t believe how quick the time has flown by. It’s been a busy year for the club as a whole and behind the scenes a lot has happened with changes to our branch constitution, plus an amendment after we had registered our new one! But it all went smoothly. Many thanks to our treasurer, Jackie, who checked all the details, along with the rest of the committee for proof-reading it. (I must mention one person, who from the floor after it was accepted, was able to point out the flaw that meant an early amendment, which shows that at least one person did read what had been put together).
You may not have heard, but our excellent librarian, Robin Strachan, has stood down from the committee and now the library as well, due to a diagnosis of a terminal illness which he bravely informed us at the last club meeting. We all wish him well and we are there should they need anything whilst he puts his affairs in order. I will say that Robin and Diane have made huge progress in rearranging the contents or the library, and removing duplicates which are often on the back table and free to a good home. So we will need a new Librarian. Stop press! We have a volunteer already to take over from the AGM. I would take this opportunity to ask that NO MORE MAGAZINES OR BOOKS ARE BROUGHT IN AS DONATIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Thank you.
Which brings me to my next topic, our splendid Treasurer, Jackie, wants to step back from her front of house role and will work with the new treasurer, whoever that maybe, and has offered to help prepare our end of year reports, so you won’t be alone. So step forward and volunteer. (Again, we may have one lined up) but please feel free to offer your services as nothing is a done deal, until it is.
I have offered to continue for another year as have several of the existing committee members, but there are other roles to fill, so don’t be shy.
In the background the VCC as a whole, is going through a lot of change, and John White as our current club rep has kept us informed and taken our collective concerns to the management committee. How the proposed changes will work I am not sure. At the end of the day the management is there to serve the needs of the branches/membership and not the other way around, which in the end supplies the bulk of the funds to keep the organisation running. If our concerns are not being listened to, to my mind the branches can always be outvoted, even with the proposed new weighted voting system. As for the new multi-branch reps, they will need Superman’s Cape to get around all the branches they are going to represent, and they MUST be neutral in all matters! This is why I, and a lot of members from other branches feel that the current system should remain.
I have no doubt that those remarks will upset some people who support the changes. I will comment no further and will not answer emails from offended parties, because you know I am right.
There are a number of fairly long-distance rallies coming up and it’s good to see several of our Branch members entering them. With the cost of fuel at the moment, you have to be circumspect with what you personally choose to do.
Enjoying our cars while we can is what it is all about, no matter what the event is.
Stay safe and see you at the AGM.
Jon Dayton
Club Captain's Report
The nights are beginning to get darker and the days cooler as we head into our winter months. There is still some great rallying out there, and we have just returned from Taranaki’s 61st Maunga Moana. Thirtyseven cars took part in this rally and it covered approx 75 miles, and timed from the start until the finish with no checks or straight line navigation. Lots of country to view and some roads that I have not travelled on before. There were four teams from Horowhenua, along with Kevin Buck from Wellington and Ian Thomson from Horowhenua his navigator. We all had a great time, with Andrew Judd and Linda Gallagher winning the Post 80s Section, and Winton and Ruth Cleal gaining third place in the Post War Section, and Jane and I gaining second place in the Vintage Section. We all travelled up on the Friday and got caught in a storm just out of Waverly. It was so bad, Richard & Gabrielle Salt thought they were going to lose the soft top on their Sunbeam, and were holding onto it by hand while driving, and I had the foot hard down battling the wind head-on in the Model A. However, we all finally made it in one piece. The next day was raining with showers most of the day, with a short view of the sun at lunchtime, and then rain again on our return to New Plymouth. The Foots from Manawatu were outright winners this year, with the Clements winning the Post 60s Section. So, most of the silverware competed for was won by Manawatu and Horowhenua.
Our April Garage Raid was to The Holden Museum in Rongotea , where members viewed a huge collection of 45 plus Holdens in various states of restoration, and many still in original condition. The 35 members then visited Classic Country Restorations in Rongotea where Karl McKay gave the members a talk on the business where they carry out most of the work on cars & bikes for various clients. These included rebuilds, insurance jobs, restorations, conversions, not only on old cars but also new and later model vehicles. Both visits were very interesting
and well worth seeing and we thank both businesses for showing us around.
Our May Garage Raid, was to the Northern Motorway Project Office Information Centre in Tararaua Road. We were given a presentation by the Team Manager and Deputy Project Manager at the site office about the new Levin By-Pass. There will be more about the visit in our next issue of SPARK.
Unfortunately, due to the bad weather, we had to call off our Club Run to Turakina, and our visit to Tom Clouston’s Collection. Tom is only too happy to have us again, so we will arrange another suitable day when the weather is slightly warmer.
Saturday 18th April was Wanganui’s Annual 43rd Autumn Motorcycle Rally. There were 33 entries this year, and two of our members, Rob McIntyre on his 1918 Excelsior and John Rapley on his Post War 1958 Royal Enfield, competed. John won the Rally and told us on club night that timing was crucial and played a huge part in him winning the event. The Kapiti Mid-Week run on Wednesday 29th April to the Tsunami Recording studios was very interesting for all those who attended. Artists from all over the world come to New Zealand and Tsunami to record albums here and it was interesting to view the recording studios. They have entertainers coming along once a month for concerts and entertainment, and tickets are available. Just visit their web site. Out the back they also make and assemble timber sheds for sale as part of the business.
The next Kapiti Mid-Week Run is to the Kapiti Coast Museum in Waikanae, meeting there at 10.30 am in Elizabeth Street, Waikanae to visit the museum, followed by lunch at the Waikanae Golf Club. Numbers as usual to Phil Pearce by Sunday 24th May. Coming up:
We have the Manawatu Post Era Rally on Sat 16th May, followed by the Whanganui Annual Rally, on Sunday 31st May (Kings Birthday Weekend). This is approx. 160 kms and entries close 15th May. Don’t forget our AGM next Club Night 3rd June. Get your nomination forms completed and sent to secretary (see later in this edition of Spark. Make copies for all those you wish to vote for). There will be a supper provided on the night as well for everyone to enjoy.
On the 6th June is the Annual Waikato Double 50 Rally. This is always a great rally, and Waikato are always very friendly and hospitable and lay it on for everyone during the weekend. This rally usually covers 50 miles in the morning and 50 miles in the afternoon, but they have reduced the distance this year due to the fuel situation and is now 50 kms in the morning and 50kms in the afternoon. Entries close 15th May.
On Saturday 20th June Derek Ransom & Clive Bardell have organized a Bangers & Clangers meeting at the clubrooms from 9.00am until 1.00pm. If you have an old motorcycle covered up and sitting in the back of the garage rusting away, not registered or warranted, doesn’t matter, bring it along. Don’t worry if it does not run, bring it along anyway, as someone will help push you around the field. There will be some really experienced motorcycle members on hand to help load it back onto your trailer or ute. Here is your golden opportunity to bring your old machine out for a run without the fear of getting caught by the local constabulary for not being road legal, some reminiscing of days gone by when you rode the machine many years ago, if you can still remember.
Daphne is putting on a sausage sizzle, and will have the kettle on, so see you there Sat 20th June. There is also the parts dept sale on so if you need spares, you may find something there for your beloved machine. The Mid-Winter Christmas Luncheon is coming up on Sunday 28th June. This is a club subsidized event and will only cost you $20 each.
On the Sunday 5th July is the Annual Day/Night Owl Rally. Last year’s run was a huge success, and so we will follow the same format as we did last year with an early start, short rally followed by a brunch at the club rooms.
That’s it from me, until next time, keep that oil dripping. Greg.
Breaking News: Next Year’s 2027 Easter Rally will be hosted by the Manawatu Branch
Greg Oliver
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Library and Archives
Look at all the extra room on the shelves now that we have cleared out a lot of surplus.
Robin and Diane Strachan
Memorial Function for Peter Nightingale
A large number of people attended a memorial function for Peter Nightingale who passed away last month. As well as members of our club, there were family members and friends, some of whom had travelled some distance. Our patron, Tom Hayes, started proceedings with an eloquent and informative account of Peter’s history and involvement in the formation of the Horowhenua VCC. The floor was then opened for others to reminisce about cars he had restored, notably Matilda, shown below, and his life on the property at Ohau. Many took this opportunity, providing a most interesting event, but of course touched with some sadness.
Kapiti M-W Report
April 2026
Our visit this month was to Tsunami (most members will remember it as the café called Murrayfield just north of Levin on the road to Shannon). Adele and Dave bought the property some years ago, and divided the building into two parts. One part is the is the house and they created a recording studio in the other. Dave has been a producer of music for 45 years, and hosts bands from New Zealand and overseas. He said that when a band or singer arrives they are usually really excited to produce an album and he is there to help them. Before we were introduced to Dave and the recording studio we enjoyed cheese scones and a selection of home-made cakes and sandwiches for morning tea. The fire was blazing and we all sat around in comfortable couches in the huge lounge.
Members of our group enjoying morning tea in the lounge before visiting the studio in the room next door.
Adele runs the bookings for musicians – she said they usually ring her and ask if they can book a night to have a concert, which she runs once a month. The recording studio is quite big, and is also used as the venue for the concerts. Approximately 70 people arrive to listen to a concert each month.
They also run a business of making timber garden sheds in the back of the property. Dave’s father started this work, but died shortly afterwards, so Dave took up the reins. So if you want a garden shed –they are the ones to call.
Dave took us through to the working part of the recording studio. He demonstrated the recording process by composing a tune on a keyboard, and then adding in drums, bass, strings and various other instruments until it sounded like a 10-piece band. Then somebody called out “That’s nice, I will buy the CD”. There were many and varied questions from our members, like “how much the equipment costs” through to “what say you don’t like the music the band is recording”. Dave said he just says “it sounds great”. It is a business after all.
Dave in front of the mixing console where all the good work is done. The studio where the musicians play and concerts are held can be seen through the window.
After a couple of hours at Tsunami we made our way down to Levin to a café which is attached to the movie theatre. We had our own table booked and enjoyed lunch together.
Jenny Jackson
Answer later in this issue of Spark
Spares Report
April 2026
It’s always good to hear what’s happened to former Horowhenua Club vehicles: in this case Ivan Horn’s Ford Model AA House Bus went from Ohau up to the Far North, before recently selling again, and beginning its journey to Fairlie.
All of you would have got an email from our Secretary, Merryl, about the unrestored Morris 8 Series E in the Tararua area. I can report that this vehicle sold within 24 hours of this email coming out. If a Horowhenua member purchased it, only time will tell.
The 4th Annual Spare Parts Winter Sale is to take place on the 20th of June from 9 am to 1 pm. Working with Peter Noble of the Beaded Wheels, we will have ourselves a flash advertisement in the Market Place column in the June/July issue.
I’m currently working on the finer details of the Wairarapa Parts Shed Visit on the 26th of July, with the important information to be published in the June and July issues of Spark. Safe Motoring Everyone
GARAGE RAID ON APRIL 8TH
We visited two places in the country near Rongotea. The first was to the farm of Geoff Hill, who has been collecting Holdens for over forty years. From the first HX and FJ cars from 1948, he has examples of most models up to recent Commodores. Under the bonnets we saw grey, red, blue six-cylinder motors, a few V6s and even a Nissan engine in a Commodore (remember?) Many are restored and regularly used, while there are sheds full of “projects”, and a huge stock of spare parts.
Our next visit was to Country Classic Cars, where they do panel and paint, restoration and modifications to mostly classic and specialty cars. Proprietor Karl McKay has a staff of six working on a most interesting and varied assortment of customers’ cars.
BIG CARS - SMALL PEOPLE
ANZAC DAY SERVICE IN LEVIN
I took this picture just after Mike's M3 Stuart tank arrived at the ANZAC service. A Spitfire and a Harvard did a fly-by before the tank arrived. I heard the noise of the tank coming before it was seen and noted some of those attending started looking skywards for a plane! Understandable, with the tank being powered by an aircraft radial engine.
George McLean
PARKING
A trip to Thailand in 2008. While riding on the bus from the airport to town, I overheard two Americans in the seat behind me…..
“You can rent an R1 for fifty bucks a day.” (An R1 is a Yamaha 1000cc sports motorcycle, for you vintage fourwheeler folk).
A few days later I found this to be true, so naturally I did. After a splendid day riding, I parked it at the end of a row of bikes near my hotel. When I went to ride it next morning, I saw that all the other bikes were parked on the other side of the road.
I later found out that parking is allowed on each side only on alternate days. Staff from all the hotels nearby get out early each morning and move all the bikes, but I had locked the steering on the R1, so they were not able to move it. The locals don’t lock their bikes.
Bruce
Jamieson
MEREDITH ELECTRICAL LIMITED
For all your electrical requirements including: New Homes, Dairy farms, Maintenance, Repairs and all general electrical work.
Give Richard a ring on 027 4415464
Answer to “What Am I?”
The MG SA of 1936 was not a sports car, but a fast tourer aimed at well-heeled buyers wanting something sleek with plenty of performance. This is exactly what they got, because it had the style and could back it up thanks to the powerful 2288cc and later 2322cc straight-six engines. These engines were produced by Wolseley, and were quite tall, but in order to keep the top of the bonnet to a low level, the MG designers used horizontal dashpots for the downdraught carburettors. The four-seater convertible version is shown here.
Will Polish Up
VCC Banners
These fabric windscreen banners in blue with white lettering are again available.
These can be used when displaying your car at shows or rallies. New stocks now at $15 each. Order from Robin Strachan.
Library Merchandise
Dashboard Stickers
Badges (fill out form)
ame Badges (fill out form)
Advertisement for Ford cars in 1936.
Sent by George McLean
1971 BSA Lightning. I’ve owned it for 23 years, and done 55,000 miles on it. Engine and gearbox rebuilt about 1,000 miles ago. Fitted with an oil cooler and external oil filter. Has SRM 6-plate clutch and SRM clutch outrigger bearing, nylon-lined cables, hi-compression pistons, mushroom tappets, rebuilt Amal carbs, Boyer electronic ignition, dual outlet coil, stainless steel mufflers. Current warrant of fitness and registration until Feb 2027. There are engine, gearbox spares and extensive paperwork go with it.
VCC Vehicle Identification Certificate, valid till 2034.
$8,000
Phone 021 879817
Graeme McKenzie
1981 Honda CB650. Reading 99,000 kilometres. Engine rebuilt about 1000kms ago, registration on hold, until 11/07/26. Eligible for vintage licencing fees, 12 monthly warrants and cheaper insurance.
Has a current V.C.C., Vehicle Identification Certificate. This is a rare model of Honda as a prelude to the “Nighthawk” range. $3,500.
Phone 021 879 827
Graeme McKenzie
Three American cars for sale
1951 Chevrolet Delux
WoF to Feb 2027
Rego to June 2026 $37,000
1965 Oldsmoblie Ninety-Eight
WoF to Feb 2027
Rego to March 2027 $55,000
1988 Cadillac Brougham
WoF to Sept 2026
Rego to Sept 2026 $25,000
All are located in Levin. Call Sue on 021 2803767.
Kapiti M-W Run May 27, to Waikanae Museum
The Museum, founded over 40 years ago, is housed in the original Waikanae Post Office which was built in 1907. The displays include treasures from the days of the area's early settlers, many historic photographs, a collection of farming and woodworking tools, and a range of NZ military memorabilia. There is also a re-creation of a typical kitchen and a schoolroom from the 1930s, plus a collection of early radio, telephone and audio equipment.
ARRIVE 10:30am The Museum is on Elizabeth Street, Waikanae. From the old SH1 in the centre of Waikanae, Elizabeth Street is the road which crosses the railway line and the museum is just 100m on the left. There is parking on Elizabeth Street, alternatively there is plenty of angle-parking on Pehi Kupa Street which is the first left after crossing the railway line, immediately after passing the church.
The Museum is normally only open on Fridays and weekends, but is opening especially for our visit. There is no entry charge, but the museum relies totally on donations and volunteer staff, and therefore a gold coin donation is encouraged.
For those who need coffee before visiting the museum, the Relish cafe is directly opposite.
LUNCH -- is at Waikanae Golf Club about 3km away, on Te Moana Road. On leaving the Museum, return across the railway line and turn left. Then immediately take the right turn into Te Moana Road at the next traffic lights. Continue on Te Moana until you have passed under the expressway and the Golf Club is 250m on your right. There is plenty of parking in front of the clubrooms.
The cafe is on the upper level and is accessed via the main door to the right of the building. There will be a range of cabinet food, pies, toasted sandwiches and fries.
Both the Museum and the cafe would like to know how many to expect, so please let me know by Sunday 24th May if you are coming.
Philip Pearce Email: nzpearce87@gmail.com Mob: 027 274 4084
