#0165 ember 2025 2022 2022 2021
September 2026
PO Box 458, LEVIN 14 Tiro Tiro Road, LEVIN
Patron Chair
Tom Hayes Jon Dayton jongdayton@gmail.com Callum Farmer
Deputy Chair Secretary
Treasurer AssistantTreasurer Club Captain Committee
Welfare Officer Membership Officer Custodian & Maintenance Spares Team
Library Archives Branch Delegate Spark Editor
Spark Distribution VIC Team
Merryl & John White horowhenua@vcc.org.nz jaydubbleyou43@gmail.com Jackie Job jackiejob73@gmail.com Diane Fox Greg Oliver Bill Cottle Richard Salt Andrew Judd Gary Scott Dave Bang Bill Laney Daphne Williams Bill Cottle Callum Farmer callumfarmer77@hotmail.com Rex Williams Jeff Fox Colin Brooks Robert Cammish Don Macdonald George McLean Don McLaren Clive Bardell Gary Scott John White Bruce Jamieson editor.spark.HVCC@gmail.com brucejamieson48@hotmail.com Murray Tinsley Verdon Heath, Ivan Horn, Jeff Fox and Robert Cammish
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Meeting Branch Night - 1st Wednesday of the month at 7 30 pm Committee Meeting - Last Wednesday of the month at 7 30 pm Working Bee - Saturday following Branch Night at 9 00 am Spare Parts - Open Saturday following Branch Night at 9.00 am Branch Bank Account No - 03 0667 0269227 02 (Westpac) Name: VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NZ INC HOROWHENUA BRANCH
Speaker for October
We don’t have a speaker, but there may well be more to discuss about the projected increase in subscription.
New Club Members
Graham Hilder from Paekakariki has joined recently, and rides a Yamaha YDS3. Our motorcycling members will no doubt remember them, especially for the sound of the induction from the carburettors. Philip Jackson has transferred from Wellington branch. He has a Jaguar V12 and a 1939 Ford V8 pickup. We look forward to your participating in our events.
Sadly Missed
Brigid Williams, a long-time club member, passed away recently after a long illness. A most engaging and cheerful woman, we will miss her at our events, and send our condolences to her husband Rex, and family and friends. There will be a memorial service at the Cosmopolitan Club on Saturday 19th September at 2 pm.
Recovering
Club Captain, Greg Oliver, has finally had his knee operation after several delays. He will be hard to catch up with soon.
New email addresses
Club secretary is having problems with VCC email. Use his personal email address jaydubbleyou43@gmail.com for now. Correspondence to the editor should now be sent to the following: editor.spark.HVCC@gmail.com , however, my previous email address can still be used.
Cover Picture
Morris Minor convertible belonging to Don and Jan Macdonald.
Chairman's Natter
Prior to the Wednesday branch meeting getting under way, we had the sad duty to remember Brigid Williams, a long time and respected member who passed away recently. It was good to see so many at our last branch meeting, I counted around 66 of us. After a brief normal meeting, the committee had the unenviable task of putting before the members a motion that had come out of the recent national delegates conference and AGM in Palmerston North. We were all emailed the accounts from the national office a week before and were being asked to vote on an increase in subs to offset a shortcoming in predicted expenditure for the coming year. As the email and meeting agenda had only been sent out a few days before and under the terms of the motion proposed by President George Kear at the recent conference, there was to be no discussion, just a Yes/No vote. Surprisingly everyone who was there had read & studied the email. As a result, there was a 100% vote for NO increase in subs. There was a lot of discussion around the accounts and how they were put together, plus the amount of expenditure by the VCCNZ management committee and the way certain events were run such as the Daffodil Day build up and expenses incurred (there should be no expenses for a charity event!) At the working bee after the branch meeting, our treasurer Jackie, delegate and secretary John, past chairman Bill and myself went through the accounts again, and with the feedback from some very knowledgeable members who were
at the branch meeting, composed a reply to the VCC President and National Management committee (copied to other branches via their delegates and the Lower North Island representative), giving the result of our vote, done correctly, and outlining our concerns and suggestions going forward. There appears that there has been no forward planning these last few years, and it would appear to me that the Management have been using the interest from the earthquake payout to run the club with no provision for the future. The money has now been spent on new offices, (I understand two converted houses that have been modified to suit the new purpose). To my mind, and several other minds, some of that interest generated over all those years should have been re-invested for the future and the fresh office situation. This is just one area where we cannot believe money/opportunity has been wasted. There are many other areas where I could go on and on about waste and bad accounting. Beaded Wheels being one, especially the postage/distribution. We, the branch committee, will keep you informed but I predict a backlash from those who pushed us into a corner over the vote and will not be happy with what we have to say. Before I finish, I would like to thank a couple of people with backgrounds in accounting, who came up with queries and pulled the accounts apart on the night. Also, Michael Wintringham, our past secretary for his draft email, that is forming the basis of our reply. This reply will not be made public or sent out prior to the October meeting of the management committee, as all the branches will need to have their own individual discussions & votes in before then. Jon Dayton
Club Captain's Report
We are finally beginning to enter spring season which also means we are now beginning the rally season again. Last club night we were fortunate to have one of our members, Aaron Burns, give us a talk about the Irishman’s Rally, which he had recently returned from. There were plenty of photos to view and some great stories. Although I could not make it on the night, from what I hear it was a very informative talk. Thanks Aaron, for taking time to prepare and give us a very enjoyable brief. The events calendar is slowly filling leading up to Christmas, so please keep a close eye on the list at the rear of the issue. Garage Raid: after handing out directions to members at the club rooms we all proceeded to Otaki. The address was clearly marked on the directions however most of us still managed to end up at Otaki Auto Services in the same street, and not at number 24 as clearly marked. I bet that the owner of the garage was surprised to see so many people outside his workshop. I think it was the case of follow the leader and no one actually checked to see the address on the directions. Anyway, we all finally made it. A special thanks to longtime member Rod Kinghorn and family for opening up their garage to the 50 odd members who attended and viewed their collection of projects and finished cars. Of particular interest was the Packard Clipper which was purchased from Southwards, and Rod’s workshop which he designed and built himself. It included a special paint bay, hoist, parts storage, and panel room. Each weekend he and his sons gather at the workshop and work on the vehicles. He has never sold one yet but thinks he may have to part with a Daimler they have finished some time ago to raise funds for their other projects. It was also great to see Armstrong Siddeleys in various stages of restoration, from a shell to the finished vehicle. Rod’s location
is also home to the spare parts section of the Armstrong Siddeley Club of NZ. I am unfortunately laid up at the moment after just having a total knee joint replacement, and will be back in action within the next month or so. I would personally like to thank those members who turned up for Daffodil Day. It was cold, wet and windy throughout the morning with the sun coming out at mid-day. Approximately 12 cars from our branch turned up at the Coach House Museum in Feilding, and parked up in the museum car park in a group representing the club. After a picnic style lunch, we all headed off on a 30-mile 1-hour run through the countryside, meeting at the Manawatu Clubrooms for afternoon tea and prize giving. It was a great day had by all, and we had a head wind all the way back home. On Wednesday 27th August was the Kapiti Mid-week run to Das Bunker collection at Raumati. This is an amazing collection of military memorabilia dedicated to one man’s grandfather who served in both the first and second world wars. Well worth the visit. Our next Kapiti Mid-week run is to the late Carl Lutz’s family farm and tractor collection in Otaki. The trip was postponed a month ago due to our host being sick. This time it is on, and please let Phil Pearse know if you intend going. We received a request to attend, along with our vehicles, the War Vets Home in Levin on Father’s Day. The residents love the opportunity to view and go for a drive in our vehicles. Julie was lead for this one, however we had to postpone our visit due to the weather being too cold for the residents to venture outside. I’m not sure if any of our members attended the Combined Manawatu / Hawkes Bay Vintage Only Rally on the 12th September. Hopefully someone will be able to give us a quick brief next club night. The annual Taranaki Rubber Duckie Motorcycle Rally is on the weekend 18th & 19th September. I know Verdon has entered this one, and we wish him well. Saturday 26th September is the Annual Manawatu Swap Meet. $20 for sellers and $10 for the buyers. The event is held each year at the indoor arena at Manfeild race track. Beginning 7:00am.
Sunday the 27th September is the Wairarapa Distinguished Gentlemen’s Drive. This is a fundraiser for Men’s Mental Health and Prostate Cancer, combined with Movember Foundation and is now an annual event. On Saturday 3rd October is Wairarapa’s Tin Can Rally. This replaces the Rex Porter Memorial Rally which will now be held biannually. This rally is to support Food Bank by driving your “tin can” on the Rally and bring along with you a can of food for Food Bank. On 10th October Manawatu are running their annual Motorcycle Rally leaving from the Manawatu Clubrooms 10.00am covering 140 kms to Dannevirke and return. We have the King Country Vintage Car Club Scenic Tour of the King Country on the same weekend 10th October. Leaving from Taumarunui , the rally also incorporates a visit to Horopito Motors, returning to Taumarunui for prizegiving and presentations. This is always a great rally and covers countryside you would not normally see. I have saved the best for last. On Sunday the 11th October I have organized a club visit to the Callesen Homestead, Karere. John, with some gentle persuasion, has generously opened up Valhalla for us to view. This is a day not to be missed with something to see for everyone and it is so interesting. Valhalla is a family run business where seeds and grains are sorted, cleaned, and polished for growers that supply them to big names like Sanitarium, Yates, etc. The homestead has a lagoon close to the Manawatu River, and this December the Callesen Family will be celebrating 150 years since first settling in the area. Bring along the whole family and have a photo in front of the homestead. John has an extensive workshop where he restores his cars to concourse condition. At the moment he is restoring a very rare Newton Bennett which he hopes to have completed by the time we get there. John also has a unique collection of other vehicles. I will gauge attendance numbers at our next club night, to give John some idea how many may be coming along, so he can divide us up into groups to tour the operation. Bring your lunch and hopefully it is a beautiful day for a picnic on the lawn. We will gather at the club rooms at 10.45am. and
leave there to be at Valhalla by 11.30am to meet and have an introduction, and complete a part of the tour before lunch. I hope this visit is well supported by the club, as John is a very busy man and I’m so grateful that he has managed to fit us into his program. You will not be disappointed. Well, that’s about it from me, until the next time, keep that oil dripping. Breaking News: the Levin Christmas Parade has been scheduled for Saturday 5th December. Greg Oliver
Library and Archives
"Books and Bits" At last we are making some progress in the spacious room attached to our club lounge. Donations of books have started rolling in again and there are some interesting titles that will soon be on the shelves. Thanks to club patron, Tom, for dropping in a box of Peter Nightingale’s books. With our club’s upcoming 50th anniversary we have started rounding up what there is of our club’s history. The idea is to have it all in one spot in the library so that it will be easily accessible for the celebration organising group once they get going. Find of the month has been this program for the 1972 saloon car championship meeting at the Levin Motor Raceway featuring our very own Bill Cottle as Chief Pit Marshall. This can be viewed on the next club night.
Gary Scott
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
GARAGE RAID ON AUGUST 12th We had another good turnout of members, this time visiting the workshop of Rod Kinghorn. He and his sons are enthusiasts for Armstrong Siddeleys and Daimlers. There were plenty to see, in all stages from parts donors and wrecks to beautifully restored examples.
This Packard is waiting for a spanner attack. There are plans for it.
Answer later in this issue of Spark
PARKING
HVCC DELEGATE REPORT_NATIONAL AGM & CONFERENCE AUGUST 2026 Hi, I'm John White, & I am the branch delegate. The conference was at the Coachman Hotel, Palmerston North, & host branch was Manawatu. The conference was in 2 parts, Friday evening & continuing after the national AGM on Saturday afternoon, with a dinner afterwards. Friday's conference had nothing significant advertised on the agenda, & President George advised us that it would be an informal discussion meeting, with no minutes taken ( a first?). We were presented with a complex financial slide show consisting of line entries & graphs showing income & expenditure. This took about an hour and a half, after which we were advised of a projected financial shortfall of $85,414.00 for the coming 2026-27 year. We were told we would need a substantial increase in subscriptions to cover this, as the national VCC would burn through its reserves in 5 years at the present rate. I personally felt we delegates should have had this financial information well prior to the meeting, in order to fully understand it. I first saw a copy of this 10 days after the conference. Next morning, (Sat) the AGM took place. One of the more interesting statistics is that our club has 8116 members nationally, with a scary average age of 71! Only 4 branches got their annual returns done correctly (under the new rules). It cost $6000 for the President to travel around awarding badges. The last March conference (at Christchurch) cost $27000. There is a suggestion afoot to move to one conference/AGM per year. Each member paid $9 for these conferences. Vero insurance: only 10% of our members use Vero, which is surprising given the amount of financial help they have given us. Vero now has a claims call center in the Philippines, which is a problem for us , as they don't know much about '26 Chevys, etc up there! Our club would like for Vero to have a dedicated person locally who understands us & our needs. Next year, the first Toyota Priuses will be club-eligible. Surprised?? Kevin Clarkson was awarded life membership due to his efforts as Beaded Wheels editor.
Kaaren Smiley was awarded a presidential citation certificate for her efforts with Daffodil Day. The Goddard trophy was not awarded this year. The 4 entries were deemed to be ineligible. Easter rally 2027 is being hosted by Manawatu. Vero Rally 2028, Manawatu have a bid in but has yet to be decided. After the AGM, the conference continued into Saturday afternoon. Chaired by President George, who led the discussion. This mainly consisted of suggestions for future cost trimmings, & amount of subscription amounts needed to cover the projected shortfall. George stated the minimum to cover the fiscal hole was a $20 rise, & after much discussion, President George put forward a motion to raise the annual subscription by $30 per main member, + $10 for joint membership. This to go for a branch vote under the weighted vote system. This has been put to our branch membership at a special agenda vote on Wed 02 Sept .
Will Polish Up
Kapiti M-W Report August 2026 VISIT TO DAS BUNKER, RAUMATI Did you know that during WW2, Pontiac manufactured thousands of torpedoes, field guns and 20mm anti-aircraft cannons, while Cadillac was kept busy building M5 battle tanks? Das Bunker doesn't have any M5 tanks, but makes up for it by having hundreds of every other weapon imaginable from a Colt 44 to a Russian Kalashnikov assault rifle, and several 20mm anti-aircraft guns. It's hard to believe, but 19 million Lee- Enfield 303 rifles and no less than 60 million Kalashnikovs were produced during the 20th century. 25 club members learned all this, and more, on August's Kapiti MidWeek Run to Das Bunker, which must surely be one of the biggest collections of weaponry after the ArmyMuseum in Waiouru. But don't worry --it's all pretty secure, the only entrance is via a huge steel vault door manufactured in 1904 and salvaged from the old Wellington Central Police Station. And it really is all housed in a bunker, underneath the owner's innocent-looking home and all dug out by pick and shovel. Afterwards, lunch accompanied by numerous tall stories was enjoyed at the Sunday Cantina.
Spares Report
August 2026 What started out as a quiet August on the Spares front, slowly got busier as the month went on. The latest working bee saw the sale of two big-ticket items; these being one late Morris Minor ribbed gearbox to a Hawke’s Bay member, and one of the Dodge DD motors that came from the Disher family back in 2007. This item has been purchased by the Wairarapa Club Captain and will be picked up at the next working bee in early October. Colin, our former treasurer, is busy having a clean out, with two bootloads of parts coming via Rex recently. Worth our members having a look before they vanish onto the shelves. Towards the end of August some of the Otaki Railway Businesses did a “Burgers and Bikes” afternoon. There was a good turnout of 1950s Triumphs along with modern Royal Enfield, Indian, Harley Davidson and Japanese bikes, with one or two unusual raffle prizes.
They say the South Island is going ahead more than the North Island economically, and this is true when it comes to our TradeMe sales, with everything heading to Dunedin over the last few weeks. Safe motoring everyone.
Callum
DAFFODIL DAY RUN TO FEILDING
Some HVCC cars on the road north
Cars gathering at the coach House Museum
At Manawatu VCC clubroom after the rally
Any colour you like . . . .
. . . . so long as it’s not black
Answer to “What Am I?” You all thought Renault 4, didn’t you. Go on, own up. But no. Renault launched both the 3 and the 4 in the summer of 1961. They were effectively the same car, but the 3 had fewer side windows and a 603cc engine (rather than the 747cc engine in the 4). The 3 was cheaper to buy and tax, and was aimed more for commercial use. Despite the financial benefits, customers stayed away. While the 4 remained on sale until the early 1990s, the 3 didn’t survive to the end of 1962.
BIG CARS - SMALL PEOPLE
There’s nothing like an attractive French woman in a miniskirt to make a Citroen look huge
While we’re on the subject of French glamour, here’s some more
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 HVCC Dashboard Stickers Iron on fabric badges HVCC blue and white caps Name Badges (fill out form)
$4 $3 $10 $12.50
1961 Austin Healey Sprite ame (fill2-seater out form) This Badges is a classic car with - $12 character. It has always been garaged and is regularly run. A fun, reliable and enjoyable car to drive. $16500. Contact Richard Salt 02111289211
1953 Sunbeam Talbot Convertible This is a lovely Sunbeam Talbot convertible. It has been completely restored by previous owners. $30000. Contact Richard Salt 02111289211
KAPITI MID-WEEK RUN, WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER VISIT TO THE CARL LUTZ TRACTOR COLLECTION, OTAKI
This visit has been organised by Richard and Gabrielle Salt - it was originally planned for July, but had to be cancelled at the last minute due to our host going down with the flu, so it has been rescheduled for this month. Carl Lutz died in 2025 just one day before his 99th birthday, after living on the family farm on Rahui Road since the age of 9 when his parents moved there in 1935. In addition to successfully running the farm for over 70 years, Carl also built up a fine collection of vintage tractors (mainly Fordsons) and other machinery, most of which he restored himself. Now, the farm is run by Carl's two sons and a grandson, making 4 generations of the Lutz family to run the farm, and it's Carl's son Max who will be our host on the 29th. Afterwards, lunch has been arranged at Reds Cafe in Otaki which offers a good choice of counter food, or a blackboard menu for anyone feeling like a bigger meal. MEET: 10:30am at the Lutz family farm ADDRESS: 430 Rahui Road, Otaki. From the main road in Otaki, Rahui Road runs east from the roundabout with the BP service station. Continue along Rahui Road past the racecourse on your right, and past the "No Exit" sign, until you reach number 430. It is then an acute turn left into the drive, with plenty of parking space at the top. LUNCH: from midday at Reds Cafe, 10/5 Arthur Street, Otaki. Arthur Street joins the old SH1 in the centre of Otaki, by the pedestrian crossing. There is some street parking outside Reds, and also a big car park about 100m away around the old railway station. Both venues need to know how many people to expect, so please let me know by Sunday 27th September if you are coming to the tractor collection and/or Reds Cafe for lunch. Philip Pearce Email: <nzpearce87@gmail.com> or Mob: 027 274 4084
CALENDAR of COMING EVENTS
18-19 September 26th September 27th September 30th September
Rubber Duckie MC Rally, Taranaki Swap Meet Feilding, Manawatu VCC Distinguished Gentlemen’s Drive, Wairarapa Kapiti Mid-Week Run
3rd October 7th October 10th October 11th October 14th October 25th October 28th October
Tin Can Rally, Wairarapa Club Night HVCC Motorcycle Rally, Manawatu Club run to Valhalla Callesen Homestead, HVCC Garage Raid Roy Sharman Collection auction at 23 Hyland Pl, Waiuku, Auckland Kapiti Mid-Week Run
4th November 7th November 11th November 13th-15th November 15th November 25th November 29th November
Club Night HVCC Annual Rally & Dinner, Wellington branch Garage Raid MG Classic Race Meeting, Manfeild Featherston Car Show & Swap Meet Kapiti Mid-Week Run Tararua Trundle
2nd December 5th December 9th December 13th December
Club Night HVCC Levin Christmas Parade Garage Raid Shannon Christmas Parade
TAIL LIGHTS
ISSN
the print bureau 06 367 9330