VCC Manawatu Branch Tourer July 2026

THE

OURER

BRANCH INFORMATION

BRANCH DETAILS

CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth

POSTAL ADDRESS ManawatuBranchVCC, 684KelvinGroveRoad,RD10,PalmerstonNorth4470 EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz

COMMITTEE MEETING

SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.

CLUB NIGHT

ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.

LIBRARY

Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

NOGGIN & NATTER

FirstTuesdayofeachmonthat7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.

PARTS SHED

Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH:

WinnersoftheNightTrialonSaturday20th June. AnnetteandKenFootintheir1958Humber80.

PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyCathyClements, RobertHeath,ErrolGrayandHarryJackson-Vile.

MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS: DerekHaycockandGaryMillar

MANAWATU BRANCH PATRON: LenHaycock

Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.

THETOURER: NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.

COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES

MANAWATU BRANCH

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026

Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformalevents comealongtobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.

JULY 2026

Sunday5th ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm

Sunday5th SundayJaunt-seepage9ofthisTourer

Sunday5th AfternoonteaattheclubroomsaftertheSundayJaunt,thenaBYODinner

Tuesday7th Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar,Feilding

Wednesday8th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage9ofthisTourer

Wednesday15th ClubNightattheClubrooms-‘AuctionNight’-7.30pm seetheChairman’sChatonthenextpageandalsopage10ofthisTourer

Wednesday29th “Legover”Wednesday-seepage9ofthisTourer

AUGUST 2026

Sunday2nd ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm

Sunday2nd SundayJaunt

Sunday2nd AfternoonteaattheclubroomsaftertheSundayJaunt,thenaBYODinner

Tuesday4th Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar,Feilding

Wednesday12th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms

Fri14th >Sun16th VCCAnnualGeneralMeetingandDelegateConference-hostedbythe ManawatuBranchoftheVCC-seepage16ofthisTourer

Wednesday19th ClubNightattheClubrooms-7.30pm

Sunday23rd DaffodilRallyagainstCancer-seepage10ofthisTourer

SEPTEMBER 2026

Wednesday16th ClubNightatDannevirkewithCHBmembersfortheInter-BranchQuiz -seetheChairman’sChatonthenextpage

Saturday26th ManawatuBranchSwapMeet-seepage11ofthisTourer

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT - GLYN CLEMENTS

HelloEveryone

Winterisdefinitelyuponusandnottoosoonforusontankwater asthesituationwasgettingdesperate!Cathwasthreateningto ringtheWaterTankermanandspendaweek’spensiontofillthe tank!Ontwopreviousoccasionswehavehadtousehim,and bothtimeswehadrainwithin24hours,Icouldhearthe$20bills flowingouttheoverflowpipe!

Withthecolderweathercomesacertainamountofhibernation, bothathomeandontheclubfront.MyRoverandtheBMWmotorcyclearebackonreghold untilSeptemberandwon’tgetanairinguntilthe“RubberDuckie”RallyinTaranaki,late September.

Myworkshopisnottooinvitingonacoldwinter’sdaysoI’mbecoming“soft”withYouTubein frontofthefirebeingfarmoreagreeable.

OntheClubfront,wehavetheusualSundayJauntsforJulyandAugust,butnocalendar eventsuntiltheDaffodilDayonSunday23rd August.However,theweekbeforeistheClub’s NationalAnnualGeneralMeetingwhichourbranchishosting,sopleaseregisterandbe involved.I’vepreviouslycalledformemberswithclubcarstoprovidecarsforAirportpickup anddropoff(Friday14th andSunday16th August)andcoulddowithafewmore-soplease email/phoneme.

SeptemberClubNightwillbeinDannevirkewiththeCHBmembersfortheInter-branchQuiz night.Wehavehadsufficientinteresttomakeithappenthisyearandwillcallfordefinite numbersclosertothetime.

JulyClubNightIwillputonmyAuctioneershatandtryandextractafewdollarsfromyouall forclubfunds.WehavehadagenerousdonationofbooksandmodelsfromJohnFoot’s Estate.80ofthebookshavegoneintotheLibrarywiththeduplicates,plusexistingLibrary duplicatesandthecollectionofmodelsgoingunderthehammer.Comealongandhavea laughandtakehomesometreasures!

Regards

Anotherbusymonthcompleted,andplentytokeepusoccupied onthecalendarforthecomingmonths.One'sworkneverceases! AbigthankyoutoKenandAnnette,alongwiththeFootFamily, fortheirgenerousdonationofafridge/freezerforourMembers RoomKitchen.Theoldfridgehasfoundanewpurposeandwill nowserveasadrinksfridgeinthesideroom,helpingtokeep yourbeer,wineandotherrefreshmentsnicelychilledduring eventsattheClubrooms.

ManythanksalsototheFootFamilyforthesubstantialdonationofJohn'sbooksandmodel toys.TheseitemswillbeauctionedatourClubNighton15th July,sobesuretocomealong andseewhattreasuresareupforgrabs.Pleaserefertotheposterelsewhereinthis publicationforfurtherdetails.

June'sSundayJauntwasanothergreatsuccess.Membersenjoyedafascinatingvisittothe propertyofAlastairandMaryHoward.Alastairgaveaveryinformativeandentertainingtalk aboutthevehicleshousedinhisstables,providingplentyofinterestforthemotoring enthusiaststhatattended.

Meanwhile,theladiesquietlyslippedawaytoexploreMary'sbeautifulgardens-andthey certainlydidnotdisappoint!ThegardenswereabsolutelystunningandacredittoMary's dedicationandhardwork.Thankyou,Mary,forsharingthemwithus.Weevendiscovered thegrandchildren'sspecialhideaway"atthebottomofthegarden".Itlookedliketheperfect placeforadventures,andI'msureithasprovidedmanyhappyhoursoffunovertheyears. Besuretocheckoutthephotoselsewhereinthisissue.

AsIwritethis,itisbitterlycoldhereinKimbolton,andwinterhascertainlyarrived.Keep warm,staysafeontheroads,andwelookforwardtoseeingyouallattheJulySundayJaunt.

Regards

CLUB CAPTAIN’S CORNER - CHRIS RHODES

Greetingsmembers.Well,theshortestdayhasbeenandgone, andwecanlookforwardtoSpringbyaminuteaday!!! Althoughwewon'tseemuchchangeintheweatherforthenext fewweeks/months.I'musingthe(relatively)settledweather anddowntimefromworktoploughonwiththe17Stude restoration,workingtowardsgettingthemotorstartedafterforty oddyears.Withaneyeontheendoftheyearand2027when thereissomeexcitingmotoringcomingup.

Speakingoftheshortestday.Saturdaythetwentiethwasour NightTrial.Theweathergodswerekindtouswiththerainstayingawaytilltheendofthe night.Thereisareportontherunelsewhereinthiseditionsowilllimitminetothanking thosemembersandout-of-townerswhobotheredtoturnup.Itwasagreatrunandthehot soup,buns,andhamatthefinishwasverywelcome.

ManythankstoGlyn,Cathy,andtoallthosewhohelpedoutforafunnight.

Chris

A NOTEOF APPRECIATION

Thankyoutoeveryoneforyourkindwordsandsupport duringthisdifficulttime.

Yourthoughtfulwordsandpresenceattheservicemeantso muchtoourfamily.

Weappreciateyourcompassionandfriendshipaswe navigatethroughourgrief.

Withsincereappreciation, ThefamilyofJohnFoot. Thanks KenFoot

InRemembrance

ItiswithsadnessthatweacknowledgethepassingofmembersandfriendsofourBranchinrecentweeks.As wereflectontheirlives,weareremindedthatourClubisbuiltnotonlyonasharedpassionforvintagevehicles, butalsoonthefriendships,memories,andconnectionsformedalongtheway.

DOROTHY(DOT)MARTIN,22June2026

DotMartin,wifeofthelateMurrayMartin,passedawaypeacefullyatPalmerstonNorthManoron22Juneat theageof90yearsyoung.DotandMurraywereapartnership,wenteverywheretogether,theywerebothwellknownlong-timemembersoftheManawatuBranchandmadesignificantcontributionstotheclubovermany decades.Dotwasoneofthe“Ladies”alwaysinvolvedinthecateringintheBranchKitchenforevents,along withJillBlanchettleadingtheTeam.

FormemberswishingtoattendDot’sfuneralitwillbeheldatCottonsChapel,697MainStreet,Palmerston North,onFriday,3July2026at1.00pm.

MARIEMASEMANN,20June2026

Marie,widowofpastmemberGrahamMasemann,passedawayat98yearsyoung.Mariewillberemembered forherconnectiontoourbranchcommunityandthefriendshipsmaintainedwithGrahamovermanyyears.

LYNNEHUDDLESTON,9thJune2026

WewillfondlyrememberLynneonherHarley-DavidsonCombowhichsheenteredinthe2025National MotorcycleRallywithhusbandGaryridinginthechair.

JOHNFOOT,29thMay2026

Avaluedmember,John’senthusiasmandinvolvementwithintheVintageCarClubwillbefondlyremembered. JohnwastheNorthIslandClubCaptainforanumberofyears.JohnandlatewifeShirleywerehighlyrespected, long-timemembersoftheVCCNZ,knownfortheirdedicatedinvolvementintheWaikatoandCentralHawke’s BayBranches.Oneofthevehiclestheyownedwasa1937BuickModel41TouringSedanwhichtheyproudly displayedandtoured.JohnandShirleywerehighlyactiveintheclub’stouringscene.Theyauthoredscenic tourwrite-upsandhelpedorganisemajorevents.

WeextendourheartfeltsympathytothefamiliesandfriendsofDot,Marie,LynneandJohn.

SUNDAY JAUNT - 5TH JULY 2026

1ST SUNDAYOFEACHMONTH

MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingat 2.30pm.Later,itwillbeontoourclubroomsforalateafternoon tea,andifyouwish,stayingonforaBYOdinneranddrink.

WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS

2ND WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH

8TH JULY 2026 9.30 AM > 12 NOON

Weatherpermitting,tidyingupofthepropertyandgardeningwillcontinue. Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong. Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecancontinuewiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.

Meetat1.00pmattheFeildingCoachHouseMuseumcarpark.

EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTS TOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE

Anelectronicresourceisinplacewhichmakesalargenumberofearlier issuesoftheTourereasilyavailabletomembersforreference.

Thelinktothoseearlierissuesisbelow.Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCC Branchesonlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.

Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters

IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?

IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT.

Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehicle inoriginal,restored,orunrestoredcondition.

TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotograph ofyourvehicleinlandscapelayout.

Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes, thephotographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).

SHOWCASEYOURPRIDEANDJOY!

We’reexcitedtostartfeaturingmembers’vehiclesastheheaderphotoonourgroup Facebookpage!IfyouareamemberoftheFBGroup,thisisagreatopportunityto showoffyourprideandjoyforeveryonetoadmire.

Ifyou’dlikeyourcartobefeatured,simplyemailalandscapephotoofyourvehicleto theManawatuBranchSecretaryat cathyclements5@gmail.com.

Eachselectedphotowillbeshowcasedforacoupleofweeks,soovertimeeveryone getsaturninthespotlight!

We’rereallylookingforwardtoseeingyourfantasticphotosandcelebratingthe wonderfulvarietyofvehiclesinourclub.

Sendtheminandlet’sgetshowcasing!

CathyClements BranchSecretary ManawatuVCC

INTRODUCING A NEW MEMBER

TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcome GaryStoneley toour branch. Welookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.

PHOTOGRAPHS - FROMTHE JUNE SUNDAY JAUNT

TheJuneSunday Jaunttook membersto AlastairandMary Howard'sproperty. THIS&THENEXTPAGE: Firsttherewasalook throughthe"Howard Stables"

THIS&THENEXTPAGE: ThentherewasalookaroundMaryHoward's beautifulgarden.

ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……

Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.

Today’sfirefightersprobablywouldnotgouptoanoverturnedcarwithoutdonningfullprotectivegear. Thecar,a1955BuickCenturyRivieraSedanlookstobeatotalloss.

Two1960cars–aPontiachardtopandaDodgestationwagon–flankthisaccidentdamaged1955Buick. Withclosetoormorethan200hpinallmodels,Buicksofthiseraweremuchquickerthantheoldstraight eights,whichledtosomespectacularcrashes.

NORTHLAND BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB

- 16TH MAY 2026 MOTOR CYCLE RALLY

IarrivedonFridaytohostRobertYinWhangareiandoncewe hadunloadedbikefromthetrailerwevisitedanearneighbour whohasacollectionofHondasandoneYamaha.

BeautifulfineweatherandblueskiescloudedoveratWhangarei VCCClubroomsontheSaturdaymorning.Thismeantwehadto takeshelterandalldonnedwetweathergearbeforetheriders’ briefingbyrallyorganiserPeterLevettandthe10.30amstartfor the60participants.

ReportprovidedbyRobertHeath

Northlandhad10entries,Warkworth1,NorthShore2,Auckland20,Waikato1,Eastern BayofPlenty1,andManawatuwererepresentedbyErrolGrayandRobertHeath.

Therewasavarietyofbikes(examplesinbrackets):

-Vintagecategory=2(1924HarleyDavidsonmodelFEover100yearsold), -PostVintage=6(1938BMWR71), -PostWarVintage=15(1949SunbeamS8), -Post60Vintage=7(1961BSASuperRocket), -Post80Vintage=4(1981TriumphT140Bonneville&Watsoniansidecar), -Guest=25(1954Moto GuzziFalcone).

-Threewheelers=3a1993HarleyDavidsonSoftailandsidecar,1937Morgan, 1981TriumphT140Bonneville&Watsoniansidecar.

Thebrandsofbikesridden:AJS1,Ariel2,BSA14,BMW4,HarleyDavidson5,Honda5, Indian1,Matchless4,Morgan1,Moto Guzzi1,Norton4,RoyalEnfield1,Sunbeam1, Triumphs6,Velocette2,Vincent5,Yamaha2.

Therallyhadchoicesofaveragespeedforallcategorieswith30seconddeparturespacings leavingfromtheNorthlandVCCClub,ontoSH14,thentravelingtoMangatapere, Mangakaramea,Tauraroa,ongoodquiettarsealedroadwithoneshortloopsectionofgood qualitymetalroadwiththetimedsectionendingattheSherwoodGolfClubforlunch.

Afterrefreshmentstheafternoonnon-timedrouteledustoKakapaRiseandacollectionof manymotorcyclesranginginmultiplecopiesofVincents,Nortons,BSAandTriumphs. OnebrandnewTriumphBonnevillewasstillinitsshippingcratewithjustthetopboards removedsothatwecouldviewthebluetank.Thebikestillsealedinitsplasticwrap.After muchviewingitwasbacktotheclubroomstodropoffnumberedvests.

Thateveningtherewasagatheringfordinnerandprizegiving.Allparticipantsreceivedan attendancecertificateandthetopthreeplacegettersineverycategoryreceivedprizes. Robertwith6minslowgot3rd prizeinP80Vclass.OverallwinnerwasRoryKingonhis1931 BSAB250ccwhichwas1secondlateonhis30mphaveragespeed.

NorthlandVCCmemberswerefriendlyandwelcoming.ErrolandIaimtobebacknextyear.

REPORTONTHE 2026 NIGHT TRIAL

ReportprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile

Thenighttrialfor2026wasagreattimeforallthatattended.40milesallupwithnowrong turnsmade!Wetravelledoveradecentbitofgravelandtookonsomewindyroadssuchas Pohangina,Spur,andZig-Zag.

Wehadfourcarcassesinthe1928Dodge-me, dad(Andrew),ChrisRhodes,andSteveBright.

Itwasgoodthatnovehiclesbrokedownwhile ontherallyastherewasnoTail-EndCharlie!

ThelightsontheDodgewereaveragebutat leasttheyweren'tkeroseneones.

KenandAnnettewon1stplaceintheHumber (astheydoformostevents!)andtheyseemed verypleased.

Lastyear'snighttrialsawKen'slatefatherJohn ridinginthebackofourDodge.Shock absorbershadn'tbeenfittedtothecar(still haven't)andoldJohnwasbouncingarounda bitbutheenjoyedit.Hispresencewasmissed thisyear.

Happymotoring, Cheers

Harry

ASSESSMENTOFTHE 1974 KAWASAKI 250 S1B

AnassessmentfromCycleNewsArchives

TheywereKawasaki’s“musclebikes,”these750cc,500cc,350ccand250cctwo-stroke streetbikes.Theywere“quick,agileandgutsy,”becauseitsaidsorightthereinthe two-pagespreadinyourfavourite1970smotorcyclemagazine.Threespunky adjectivesforfourmotorcycles,whichmeanssomebodymissedout.

The500MachIIIwasdefinitely“quick,”whiletheextracc’smadethebig750H-2 “gutsy.”The350(whichbecameabettermotorcyclewhenitgrew50morecc’sin 1974)wasplenty“agile,”sowheredidthisleavetheS-1250,theruntofthelitter,in thenamegame?

The1974Kawasaki250S1B,little brotherofsomeofthefastesttwostrokestreetbikesaround,was,well, awimpbycomparison.

CycleNewsofferedasuggestionintheirJune11,1974,issue.Theirheadline christenedthelittleKawi“AReasonableMotorcycle.”

Stareatthefloorinsilence.Thelittlebrotherofsomeofthefastesttwo-strokes aroundwasawimp.Thisapplenotonlyfellfromthetree,itrolledfaraway,untilithit JimBelushi,TommyCashandStephenBaldwin.

AKawasaki250cctriplestreetbikeprobablysoundedlikeagoodideaintheearly 1970s.Motorcyclemanufacturersweregettingintotheactofmakingsmallversionsof bigsuccesses.Hondahada350ccversionofitsmightyCB750,andSuzukihadtwostroketriplesinmanyconfigurations.Kawasaki’sbigtripleswerefastandfun,sowhy notmakea250,sellitforunderagrand,standback,andletthegoodtimesroll?

“This250isprettyswiftofftheline,”wrotetheCNcrew,“ifyoustartwiththe tachometerneedleabove7000rpm.”That’snotamisprint.TogetthelittleKawasaki moving,theriderneededtorevittothemoon.Thiswasjust1500rpmshortofthe motorcycle’s8500redline,which,bytheway,wasthestaff’srecommendedrevrange beforeevenshiftingintosecondgear.“Thepowerbandissomewhatnarrow,”they wrote.

Below4000rpm,thecrewsuggestedthereare“notenoughponiestomovethebike.” Onlywhentheridertookthemachinetoitssweetspot(between7000and9000)would thelittleKawasakishowsomeguts,hittingitsclaimedmaximumtopspeedof90mph.

WhattheKawasakilackedinusablepower,itmorethanmadeupforitwithits unusablebrakes.Reallybaddrumbrakes,likebarelyeffectivewhentheywerecold anddangerouslyunreliablewhentheywerehot.Ashort15-milehop-aboutgottherear brakesohotandbotheredthat“ridingatabout25mph,aridercouldpullintheclutch, standontherearbrake,andstillcoastforagood30feetbeforenoticinganysignificant slowingfrombrakeaction.”Stafferslearnedtotakea45-minutebreaktoallowthe stopperstocooldown.

Beingreasonabledidn’tsellstreet bikes.Needlesstosay,the250S1B hadashortlifespan.

1974wastheyearwhenpanic-strickenconsumersweretoldtofeargasolineshortages, andnearlyeveryroadtestreportedfuelconsumption.ThelittleKawasaki,whichput outlittle,stilldrankalot,deliveringonly35milestothegallon.Italsochuggedmore thanabitofoil,withtheCNcrewnotingthatit“burnedonequartoftwo-strokeoilin 750miles.”Anovernightroadtripwouldnecessitatebringingalongextratwo-stroke oil.

Thatwasprobablyanunlikelyevent,becausetheKawasakiS-1wasaboutas comfortableasavibratingIronMaiden.Pilotsandpassengersalikecomplainedofbuttnumbingshakingintheseatandonthepegs.Theshocksandforksweremightystiff aswell,making“thetestersorryhehadevertakenthefreeway.”Everyexpansionjoint andeverysettledslabboundarywastransmittedthroughtotherider’sguts.Changing springpreloaddidnothelp,butmaybeakidneybeltwouldhave.

Groundclearancewasgood.Thefinishwassolid.Thetoolkitwasmeh,withno wrenchtofittherearaxlenut,makingitimpossibletotightenthechainwhileonthe road.Nomajorreliabilityissueswerereported.Intheend,thecrewreiteratedthatthe little250was“reasonable”beforeaddingin“practical,unflashyandbland.” Itdidn’thavetobelikethis.Yamaha’s250cctwo-strokestreetbikewasafine machine,stillsoughtafterbytwo-strokebuffs.TheKawasaki250hadashortlifein thecompany’slineup.Sometimes,evenbeingreasonablejustisn’tgoodenough.

LEG OVER REPORTFOR TWO WHEELERS

ReportfromRobertHeath

AllrunsleavefromtheFeildingCoachHousecarparkat1.30p.m.onthelastWednesdayof themonth.

WemissedfellowmotorcyclistsjoiningusinMay,witharuntotheNationalCanoeTraining courseatMangorejustdownstreamfromMangahao-thefirstHydropowerstationinthe Northislandbuiltin1924.

June24th werodethe1953-54CroftonDownsGrandPrixcircuitandenjoyedacoffee afterwards.Lookforwardtoothersjoiningforthe29th Julyrun.

THE MORRIS MINOR SALOON - 1930

from:the‘Piccolo’Publication–Motor-Cars:APictureHistory

OUT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION?

Source:https://www.slashgear.com-articlebyStephenFogel07June2026

Restingyourhandonamanualtransmission'sshiftlevercandefinitelywearoutcertainparts ofthattransmission.Andeventhoughveryfewcarsofferamanualtransmission,thereare stillquiteafewdriverswhodependonastickshifttogetthemaround.Soifyouhavebeen restingyourhandontheshifterwhileyoudrive,pleasestop-wewillnowexplainwhythisis badforyourcar.

Theshiftleveronamanualtransmissionisconnectedtoacomplexmechanismfullofmoving partsthatchangesgearswheneveryoumovethatleverfromonepositiontoanother-after disengagingtheclutch,ofcourse.Thecontinuouspressureofyourhandrestingontheshift levercangreatlyincreasewearonthevariouspartsofthetransmission,whichshouldonlybe subjectedtomomentarypressurewhenyoushiftupordown.Thesepartsincludeitemslike selectorforksandrotatingcollarsofdogclutches,whichhavenothingtodowitheating utensilsoranythingcanine-related.Butbyrestingyourhandonthatshiftlever,youcould endupcausingsevereweartothedogclutchcollarorevenbreakingoneoftheselectorforks inthetransmission.

Insteadofrestingyourhandonthelever,keepbothhandsonthesteeringwheelandreach fortheshiftknobonlywhenyoushift.Changegears,thenputyourhandbackonthewheel. Yourtransmissionwillthankyoubylastinglonger.

Anotherverygoodreasonnottorestyourhandonthemanualshifterhaseverythingtodo withsafety.Havingbothhandsonthesteeringwheelmeansyouarereadytodealwithany issuesthatmayariseasyoudrivetoyourdestination.Havingtwohandsonthewheelatall timesmeansthatyouarefullypreparedtotakeactionintheeventofanemergency,whether thatinvolvessteeringaroundanobstacleorjustbringingyourcartoaquickandsecurestop.

VINTAGE CAR CLUB VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS

VETERAN: MotorVehiclesconstructedpriorto31st December1918

VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1919and31st December1931

POST VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1932and31st December1945

POST WAR: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1946and31st December1960

POST 1960: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1961and31st December1980

POST 1980: MotorVehiclesconstructedafter1st January1981providedthatnovehicleis deemedeligibleforthiscategoryuntilthedayimmediatelyfollowingthe30th anniversary ofitsoriginaldateofconstructionasdeterminedinaccordancewithSection2ofthe ClubVehicleTechnicalCode.(refertotheClubBy-laws)

AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION VEHICLES: MotorVehiclesnewlyconstructedtotheexact specificationofanoriginalfactoryproductionvehicle.(asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

FACTORY BUILT & HISTORIC RACING VEHICLES: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

PERIOD SPECIALS: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

CARTERCAR: A FORGOTTEN MARQUE

ArticleprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile

ByronJ.CarterwasborninJacksonCounty,Michigan,in1863.Hewasasmartentrepreneur withastrongunderstandingofmechanics.Carterworkedinrubberstampmanufacturing, printing,andbicyclerepairbeforeturninghisattentiontohorselesscarriages. By1899,Carterhaddesigneda three-cylindersteamcarriage. Hisworkcaughttheattentionof localbusinessmen,leadingtothe co-foundingoftheJackson AutomobileCompanyin1902. WhiletheJacksoncompanyhad successbuildingbothsteamand gasolinecars,disagreements formedbetweenCarterandhis businesspartnerswithregardsto drivetrains.

1903CartercarRunabout Carterrealisedthatthegearboxesoftheerawereflawed.Hewantedtoperfecta"gearless" systemhehadexperimentedwithusingcomponentsharvestedfromacommonfarmtool-a cornsheller.Whenhisbusinesspartnersrefusedtoabandonstandardslidinggears,Carter walkedawayfromthecompanyin1905tostrikeoutonhisown.

Withimmediatefinancialbackingfroma groupofDetroitinvestors,Carter establishedTheMotorcarCompanyin Jackson,Michigan,in1905.Production beganintinynumbersonasimpletwocylinderrunabout,builtexplicitlyaround Carter’snewlypatentedfriction transmission.Seekinggreater manufacturingscale,thecompany relocatedtoDetroitlaterthatyearand finallysettledpermanentlyinPontiac, Michiganin1907.There,thebusiness mergedwithalocalvehiclemanufacturer andformallyrebrandedastheCartercar Company.

Whileothermanufacturersexperimentedwithfrictiondrives-includingcontemporary competitorslikeLambert,Metz,andSears-ByronCarter’sdesignwasuniversallylaudedas themostrobustandhighlyengineeredexecutionoftheconcept.

ThearchitectureoftheCartercarinfinitegearboxwasbreathtakinglysimplecomparedtoa standardtransmission.Itentirelyeliminatedtheheavy,mesh-toothedgears,theshifting gates,andthetraditionalflywheelclutchassembly.

Instead,thepowertrainreliedontwoprincipaldisksrunningata90-degreeangletoone another.

Alarge-diameter,precision-milledaluminiumdiskwascoupleddirectlytotherearofthe engine’scrankshaft.Thisdiskspunconstantlyatexactlythesamespeedastheengine. Mountedonasplinedcross-shaftdirectlybehindthedrivediskwasaperpendicularwheel. Theouterrimofthiswheelwaslinedwithaspecializedfibrous,compressed-papermaterial. Usingafootpedal,thedriver couldphysicallypressthe drivenwheelagainsttheface ofthespinningaluminiumdrive disk.Thefrictionbetweenthe twosurfacestransferred rotationalforcefromthe enginetothecross-shaft, whichthensentpowertothe rearwheelsviaanenclosed chaindrive.Movingaside mountedleverpositionedthe drivenwheelclosetothe absoluteofthedrivedisk. Nearthecentre,the circumferenceoftherotating trackistiny.Thismeantthe

ByronJ.Carterpicturedbehindthewheelofhiscreation engineturnedmanytimesjusttorotatethedrivenwheelonce,creatingmassivetorque multiplicationidealforhillclimbingorpullingthroughdeepmud.Slidingthelevertowardthe ofthedrivediskmovedthedrivenwheeltoamuchlargercircumference.Here,onerotation ofthedrivediskturnedthedrivenwheelsignificantlyfaster,allowingforhigherroadspeeds withalowengineRPM.Becausethedrivercouldslidethewheelsmoothlyto anymillimeterexactspotalongtheradiusofthedrivedisk,thecardidnotpossess3or4fixedspeeds.It possessedamathematicallyinfinitenumberofratiosbetweenitslowestandhighestsettings.

Ifthedriverslidthedrivenwheelcompletelypastthedeadcentrepointofthedrivedisk,thewheelinstantlybegan spinninginreverse.Thisalsoallowedthedrivertousethe transmissionasanemergencybrakesimplybyapplying reversepressurewhilerollingforward.

Earlycriticsoffrictiondrivesarguedthatthesystemswould sliphopelesslywhenwetorgreasy,andthatthecontact surfaceswouldwearoutwithinafewhundredmiles. Carterengineeredcleversolutionstobothproblems.

Hedesignedapatented,entirelysealedcast-metalhousingthatprotectedboththeprimary frictiondiscsandthesecondarychaindrivefromroadgrit,rain,andoilleaks.

Whileagearedtransmissionrequiredexpensivegreasepackingandteardownsifstripped,the Cartercar'spaperfibrewheelliningwasincrediblycheaptomaintain.Atatimewhenanew gearsetcouldcostasmallfortune,awornpaperrimcouldbereplacedafter4,000milesof drivingforjust$5.00.

TheCartercarprovedtobeanexceptionalperformer.

InApril1908,justasthecompanywasgainingserioustraction,tragedystruck.ByronCarter spottedastrandedmotoristontheBelleIslebridgenearDetroitandsteppedintohelphandcrankthestalledengine.Theengineviolentlykickedback;theheavyironcrankhandleflew outofhishandandstruckCartersquarelyinthejaw.Theinjurybecameinfectedwith gangrene,andCarterpassedawaydayslaterattheageof44.Carter’sclosepersonalfriend was HenryLeland,theheadofCadillac.Devastatedbythesenselessdeathofhiscolleague, Lelandvowedtoeliminatethedangeroushand-crankfromtheautomobileentirely.He approachedlegendaryinventor CharlesKettering,taskinghimwithcreatingareliableelectric startingsystem.Thus,thetragicdemiseoftheCartercar'screatorbecamethedirect operationalcatalystfortheinventionofthemodernautomotiveelectricself-starter,debuted onthe1912CadillacModel30(picturedbelow).

1912CadillacModel30Touring. Advertisedas“Thecarwithnocrank”

ThedownfalloftheCartercarwasn'tduetoamechanicalflaw,butratherchangingeconomics andrapidadvancementselsewhereintheautomotivesectorsuchastheModelT.AsHenry Fordperfectedthemovingassemblyline,thepriceoftheconventionallygearedModelT plummeted.TheCartercar,whichrequiredprecisemachiningforitsmassivefrictiondiscs, costbetween$1,200and$1,600-makingitfartooexpensivefortheaverageconsumer.

Around10,000Cartercarswereproduced,withonlyafewexampleremainingtoday.Though anengineeringmarvel,themarquesufferedgreatlywiththeconstantrefiningofothertypes oftransmissions,atacheaperrate.

FOR SALE :

SteeringDampener-Meyle 026-022-7949

AMercedespartthatImadebracketsfortouseonthe'28Essex Nolongerneededastheremedialworkisdoneonthecar.

$40.00ono

AlistairHoward 027-448-8652

MOTOR CYCLE RALLY REPORT - P24 OFTHIS TOURER

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PLENTY RALLY ROYAL ROCKET

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VELOCETTE WAIKATO WARKWORTH WATSONIAN

WHANGAREI YAMAHA

MOTOR CYCLE RALLY REPORT - P24 OFTHIS TOURER

Findthefollowinghiddenwordsinthegridbelow:

ARIEL AUCKLAND BONNEVILLE CYCLE

DAVIDSON EASTERN ENFIELD FALCONE

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PLENTY RALLY ROYAL ROCKET

SIDECAR SUNBEAM SUPER TRIUMPH

VELOCETTE WAIKATO WARKWORTH WATSONIAN

WHANGAREI YAMAHA

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