VCC Manawatu Branch Tourer June 2026

T

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: BrianandLynJamesonthePostEraRallyintheir1939Chevrolet.

PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, CathyClements,LaurieCocker,KenFoot,DerekHaycock, HarryJackson-Vile,LynJamesandMurrayWalker.

MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS: DerekHaycockandGaryMillar

MANAWATU BRANCH PATRON: LenHaycock

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

THETOURER: NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.

RearEnd-Fromthe2026PostEraRally -1971MGBGTand1932ChevroletPickup

Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,motoringstories, restorations,technicalinformation,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com

COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES

MANAWATU BRANCH

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026

Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformalevents comealongtobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.

JUNE 2026

Tuesday2nd Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding

Sunday7th ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm

Sunday7th SundayJaunt-seepage8ofthisTourer

Wednesday10th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage8ofthisTourer

Monday15th RSVP-ClosingDate fortheManawatuBranchNightTrial

Wednesday17th ClubNightattheClubrooms-7.30pm

Saturday20th ManawatuBranchNightTrial-seedetailsonpage9ofthisTourer

Wednesday24th LegoverWednesday-seepage8ofthisTourer

AUGUST 2026

Sunday23rd DaffodilRallyagainstCancer-seepage10ofthisTourer

SEPTEMBER 2026

Saturday26th ManawatuBranchSwapMeet-seepage11ofthisTourer

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)

CHAIRMANS CHAT - GLYN CLEMENTS

BranchAGMoverforanotheryearwithitall“doneanddusted”in 22minutes-noissues,nodramas,nodissenters,insteadahappy groupofmembersenjoyingthegreatbranchofours.

Asyoucansee,I’vetakenontheChairman’srole,withEstherstill onCommitteeforthenextyearasPastChair.Iwouldliketo thankEstherforhercommitmentoverthepast10yearsonthe Committee,notonlyasChairforthepasttwoyears,butalsoClub CaptainandgeneralCommitteemember.

TheonlyotherchangesonCommitteeareChrisRhodescomingontobeClubCaptain,and youngHarryJackson-VilecomingontoCommitteetoreplaceAnnetteFootwhodecidednotto standthisyear.I’dliketothankAnnetteforhersupporttotheBranchoverthepast3years, andawarmwelcomeaboardtoHarryandChris.Therearenotmanybrancheswithan18year-oldonCommittee-he’sfullofenthusiasmsowewillchannelhiseffortsintheright direction.

Onceagain,wehavea“fullhouse”ontheCommitteewithnovacancieswhichhasbeenthe caseforthelastfiveyears.Theappointedpositionsasusuallyseeninthebackpagesofthe TourerwillbediscussedatourfirstCommitteemeetinginJuneandappointmentsmade.In thepasttheseappointmentswereusuallydoneattheAGMbutunderthenewlyadopted ConstitutionitistheresponsibilityoftheCommitteetomakesuchappointments.

WehaveanextremelybusyyearaheadwithourbranchbeingthehostsfortheNationalAGM inAugustandalsotheNationalNorthIslandEasterRallyinMarch2027.Ifthatwasnot enough,atourbranchAGM,IproposedaMotion-

“ThattheManawatuBranchVCCsubmitabidtoNationalOfficetohostthenextVeroRally” ASeconderwasimmediate,thevoteputtothemeetingwith100%ofthosepresentinfavour. Thankyoupeopleforyoursupport.Wewilltaketheappropriatestepsandkeepyouallupto date.

IwouldjustliketofinishwithanoteofthankstoallthosewhoattendedthePostEraRally. Wehad27entriesfromsixoftheeightbranchesinourregion.AgreatlunchattheBlackDog inMakotukuandthenafabulousdinnerbackattheclubrooms(Cathcookedfor26peopleshe’sakeeper).

Cheers

WhataverybusymonthithasbeenfortheBranch!

WebeganMaywithafantasticSundayJaunt,enjoyedbyallwho attended-pleaseseemyreportelsewhereinthemagazine.Abig thankyoutoHarryJackson-Vilefororganisingasuccessfulouting.

ThiswasfollowedbyaverysuccessfulPostEraRally,whichonce againshowcasedtheenthusiasmandcamaraderiewithintheclub. Aftertherally,membersenjoyedawonderfuleveningofsocialising together,toppedoffwithadeliciousdinnerbackattheclubrooms.

Aswinterfastapproaches,weencourageeveryonetorugup warmlyandcontinuecomingalongtoclubnightsoverthenext fewmonths.Yourparticipationisveryimportant,helpingkeepmembersconnectedandupto datewitheverythinghappeningintheBranch.Thefriendships,conversations,andshared enthusiasmarewhatmakeourBranchsuchaspecialplacetobelong. Welookforwardtoseeingyouallatupcomingeventsandclubevenings-comealongand meetyournewCommitteefor2026-27!

Regards

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT - CHRIS RHODES

Greetingseveryone,

I'mChrisRhodes,yournewclubcaptain.

Iheldthepositionpreviouslybackinthe80sandIhavebeena membersince1975.

Iamcurrentlyrestoringa1917StudebakerED-6Roadster,which willhopefullybeontheroadbyDecember.Ialsoowna1977 TriumphTR-7.IhaveownedseveralvintageStudebakersover theyearsandhavemanyfondmemoriesoftakingpartinrallies bothintheManawatuBranchandelsewhere.

ThePostEraRallyheldonthe24thhadagreatturnoutwith27entries.Itwasespecially pleasingtoseepeoplefrommultiplebranchesinattendance.I'msureeveryonehadan enjoyabletime.ThankstoGlynforawellmappedoutrally,andCathforcookingdinner!

Happymotoring...

Cheers, Chris

Cathysaying goodbyeto Esther,telling herthatshewill missbeingher "WingWoman"!

ThenextChair isaprettytough taskmaster!

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomenewmembers.

TONYAND JOY PARSONS 1936MorrisEight,1954AustinHealeyBN1100/4

RODNEYAND BRENDA CALDOW 1930FordModelAPhanton

Welcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.

1ST TUESDAYOFEACHMONTH

MurraysIrishBar 78/80FergussonStreet,Feilding 7pm-Tuesday2nd ofJune2026

SUNDAY JAUNT - 7TH JUNE 2026

1ST SUNDAYOFEACHMONTH

MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingat 2.30pmforadrivetoaninterestingvenue-thenontoour clubroomsforalateafternoontea,andifyouwish,stayingonfora BYOdinneranddrink.

WORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS

2ND WEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH 10TH JUNE 2026 9.30 AM > 12 NOON

Weatherpermittingthereisongoingtidyingupofthe propertytogetherwithgardeningwhichisneedingattention. Pleasebringafewgardeningtoolsalong.

Iftheweatheriswetworkwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising. Ifyouwouldliketocomealongforthesocialaspectofthemorningbutnotpartakeinthe outdoorworkonthegroundspleasegiveconsiderationtocomingalongtohelpby beingonkitchenduty-makingtheteaandcoffeeanddoingthedishes.

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

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ‘THE TOURER’ - A REQUEST FROM YOUR EDITOR

TheTourerisyourmagazinesopleaseshareanyinterestingarticles, tips,ideasoranyofyourmotoringprojects(pastorpresent)with yourfellowmembers.Thiscouldincludeparticipationinany activities/runs/ralliesthatyouhavehadwithourbranchorotherVCCbranches.Donot hesitatetoforwardareporttogetherwithanyphotographswhichyouhavetotheeditor.

Thesamegoesforyourownvintage/classiccar(s).Whynotsharethe historyandbackgroundofyourprideandjoywithfellowmembers. Ifyourvehiclehasnotalreadybeenthesubjectofanarticleinthe Tourerpleaseconsiderwritingsomethingupaboutitandforwardingit totheeditorwithaphotographortwo. Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostartorhowtoapproachpreparing anarticle,thereisapageofprompts(questions)whichthe editorcanemailtoyouwhichwillsetyouintherightdirection foranarticle-oryoumightjustchoosetomakenotesunder eachpromptandreturnthepagetotheeditorforwritingup.

Contributionsneednotbelengthy.Halfapage/severalpages-itisuptoyou.

THE PARTS SHEDS (WHEREALLITEMSAREPRICEDTOMOVEOFFTHESHELVES)

TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles.

Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutterandyourfriendsareinvitedto donateanyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchso thatwecantradethemontofellowenthusiasts.

EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooks forwardtoassistingyoufindthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartor toolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyourprideandjoy.

ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

LIBRARY

Theclublibraryhasacomprehensivesectionontechnicaltopics; therearealargenumberofgeneralbooks,andtherearesectionson Veteran,Vintage,PostVintage,PostWarVintage,Post60’sand Commercialvehicles.

Thelibraryisavailableforyoutoviewonclubnightsorby arrangementwiththelibrarian.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298

OnApril25th,fourManawatu Branchmembersparticipatedin theHalcombeANZACParade.

RIGHT: AndrewVile&HarryJacksonVileintheir1929Chevrolet Pickup

1929EssexSuper6

LEFT: Hadtoremembertogo slowroundthecorners, andtrynottohitthe ANZACDonkey!

M

MEN FOLKWERE LOOKINGAT TRACTORSAND SHED STUFF

THE LADIESWERE OCCUPIED VIEWING CERAMICS

AhugeshoutouttoHarryJackson-VileforawonderfullyorganisedMaySundayJaunt. Whenwearrivedatthechosenvenue,theladiesquietlypreparedthemselvesforanhourof tractorviewingalongsidetheirspouses!Fortunatelyforus,the“LadyoftheHouse,”Gail Dench,appearedandgenerouslyspentthetimetakingtheladiesthroughherincredible mosaicgardens.

Gailbeganthisamazinghobbyin2019,anditiscleartoseethemanyhoursofcreativity, dedication,andhardworkshehaspouredintoherstunningdisplays.Wewerealsotreatedto alookthroughherWorkshopandsomeofthelatestcreationsshecurrentlyhasunderway. Totopitalloff,Gailverykindlyinvitedusbackatsomestageforafewmosaiclessonsofour own-certainlysomethingworthconsideringforafutureLadiesFriendshipGroupouting! ThankyouagaintoHarryfororganisingsuchanenjoyableday(keepupthegoodwork!),and toGailforsharingherbeautifulgardens,talent,andhospitalitywithusall. Enjoythephotos!

CathyClements

CONDOLENCES

ThebranchoffersitscondolencestoDianaontherecentpassing ofherhusbandRobin.

RobinandDianaColemanhadbeenmarriedfor63years. ManywillrecallthegoodturnoutofmemberstotheFeilding WoodlandsRetirementVillageinNovember2024whenRobinwas presentedwithhis25-yearmembershipaward.

RIGHT:RobinandDianainAlistairHoward’sEssexfollowingashortride aroundthevillagegrounds.

MANAWATU BRANCH MEMORIES

AselectionofoldbranchphotographsfromHarryJackson-Vile’sgrandfather’s(DonaldVile)album - contributedbyHarryJackson-Vile

ABOVE: TheMaxwellTrophywinners(teamscomp.)fromthe1984NationalEasterRally. Lefttoright:Don&PamVile(1926REO),Dick&PhyllisHaycock(1923Hudson), Len&GladysHaycock(1929Chevrolet).

ABOVE: LenHaycockandsometyretrouble.

ABOVE: LaurieCocker'sCadilookedalittledifferentbackintheday!

ABOVE: BullzBranchlineup

Lefttoright:DickHaycock's1923Hudson,DonVile's1928Austin,KeithTricker's Standard(?),LenHaycock's1929Chevrolet,BobClarke's1928Dodge.

ABOVE: VeteranRallywithseveralManawatucars

ABOVE: StanCorlett's1909MetzandLenHaycock's1916Chevroletbeforerestoration

ABOVE: RonBlanchett's1911Wolseley

ABOVE: BrassMonkeyfuninthe1926REOModelT,1980. (MydadwavingabagofOddfellowsoutthebackwindow)

ABOVE: ManawatuBranchVeteranRallylunchstopatagrandoldestate.StanCorlett's 1909Metz,RobKnight's1906Alldays,plusaDeDionandHolsmanhigh-wheeler canbespotted.

ABOVE: LenHaycock's1929ChevroletACRoadsterand1916Chevrolet490Tourer, BobClarke's1926HudsonSuper6Truck,DonVile's1930DeSotoEightSedan

PREVIOUSPAGE: Participantsparked upattheclubrooms priortothe2026 PostEraRally.

ABOVE: Attentive participantsatthe briefing

RIGHT: KenandAnnette Foot (ManawatuBranch) 1958Humber80

LEFT: VerdonHeath (HorowhenuaBranch) andRobertHeath (ManawatuBranch) 1982Citroen2CV6

: LenHaycockand EstherWilliams (ManawatuBranch) 1975Peugeot504

: ChrisRhodesand HarryJackson-Vile (ManawatuBranch) 1977TriumphTR7

: PatHennighan andLenGray (ManawatuBranch) 1967Daimler

RIGHT: JohnHemingway andhisdaughter (ManawatuBranch)

1978Triumph 2500

1967AustinA110

RIGHT: Murrayand RaewynWalker (ManawatuBranch)

1967Hillman Hunter

LEFT: MatthewandNorma Shute (ManawatuBranch) 1955Humber Hawke

RIGHT: BrianandLyn James (ManawatuBranch) 1939Chevrolet

LEFT: GeoffBinns (ManawatuBranch) (withnonavigator wasstillthe overallwinner) 1974FordEscort

: BrianandSue Rowe (ManawatuBranch) 2001MazdaEunos

1972Triumph Spitfire

RIGHT: CliffBennettand IanLittle (ManawatuBranch) 1955FordZephyr

LEFT: RobertWilsonand hissonGrant (ManawatuBranch) 1971MGBGT

: PhillipandPat Pearce (Wellington) 1948CitroenL15

LEFT: DaveandDebbie Hobbs (Horowhenua) 1965Holden Premier

RIGHT: BrucePooleand NeilCox (CHB) 1965HillmanMinx

1932Chevrolet Pickup

RIGHT: DonaldandAnne Schnell (ManawatuBranch) 1955AlvisTC21

LEFT: WinBishopand DaphneWilliams (Horowhenua) 1980FordCortina

RIGHT: OwenReidand DonaldRobbie (withVivReidand MarleneRobbiein theback passengerseats) (ManawatuBranch) 1969FordZephyr

Winnersforthe2026PostEraRally:

RIGHT:

1stplace-GeoffBinns,ManawatuBranch DrivingaFordEAEscort

BELOWLEFT:

2ndplace-AndrewandLindaJudd, HorowhenuaBranch Drivinga810Westminster

BELOWRIGHT:

3rdplace-ourveryownVice-Chair CliffBennett,ManawatuBranch DrivingaFordMk1Zephyr

A MEMBER’S CAR

1967 HILLMAN HUNTER : BY

IboughtRachaela1967Hillman HunteroffanoldguyinEpsom AucklandinApril2022.

Hehadthecarinacollectionfor12 years,justcomingoutforwarrants.

Ithaddone47,000mwhen purchased,nowsitsat60,000so getsregularuse.

Inevermettheowner,justdealt withhissoninlawthroughthetrade mead(asitturnedoutInevermet thesoninlaweither),whenpicking carupIflewtoAuckland,metthe ownersdaughteranddrovebackto Palmy.

WhenIcheckedthemileageouton Carjampriortopurchasing,I questionedthemileageasitshowed 10,000mcoveredin2014.

Well,thatwasbecauseitcompleted the2014Shanghai-LondonVCC rally,theowneratthetime(an enginerebuilder)tookthemotorout replacedtheclutch(justincase)at 38,000mloadeditintoacontainer andsenttothestartlinewith10 otherKiwiscars.

Knowingthishistoryhelpedinmy decisiontopurchase.

Thecarisquiteoriginalbutforthe rallyhadfitted;sumpguard,electric fan,numberplatelightonparcel trayformapreadingandaturretbar orstruttowerbracetoIguesskeep thefrontendtogether.

MURRAY WALKER

Theteamhadahandwrittenlistofthingstotake,interesting,seephotoonthenextpage. Twocarsontherallygavenotrouble,theHunterandaCortina.

MurrayWalker

ABOVE: Listofthingstotake (seepreviouspage)

ABOVE: ThisnumberplateA00204istheentry licenceplatetotravelfromShanghai toInnerMongolia.

BELOW: Arallylunchstop.

RIGHT: Carsondisplaynear theendoftherallyat the13thcentury BeaulieuPalaceHouse, Hampshire,United Kingdom.Ownedby theBaronsMontaguof Beaulieu,descendants ofThomasWriothesley, 1stEarlof Southampton,Thomas purchaseditin1538.

RIGHT: Thisisalargescale SunTempleChariot wheelandelephant sculptureinOdisha, India.

MAUNGA MOANA RALLY REPORT - MAY 2026

Reportona‘WeekendAway’providedbyKenandAnnetteFoot

WeleftFeildingonFridaymorningandthecloserwegottoNewPlymouththeworsethe weathergot.

WokeupSaturdaymorning-itwaswet,cold andmiserable.

Wegottothelunchbreakanddecidedthatasusualourtimingwaswayoutandjustdecided toenjoytherestoftheday.

Thencametheresultsandwhattheheckjusthappened.Wewon4trophiesandGlynand Cathwonone.

Andthentotopitoffwewontheraffleaswell. Allinallaverygoodweekend.

Annette RIGHT&BELOW:

Thetrophiesthatboth GlynandCathandKenand IwonattheMaungaMoana rallylastweekend.

Thetrophiesand4plaques areoursandsingleoneis GlynandCaths.

TECHNICAL STUFF -

WHATIS DOUBLE CLUTCHING (ANDWHATISTHEPOINT)?

From:Jalopnik–byPaulStadden:June29th 2025

Inthedaysofyore,beforesynchronizedtransmissionswerethenormandyourNissan370Z wouldautomaticallyrev-matchdownshiftsoryourFordFocusRShadclutch-actuatedstall recovery,double-clutchingwasallbutnecessaryformatchingengineandwheelspeedswhen changinggears.Ifyou'venevertrieddouble-clutching,or"doubledeclutching"ifyou're British,andalwayswonderedwhyVinDieseltoldPaulWalkertodosointhefirst"Fastand Furious"movie,herearethedetails.

Let'stakeahypotheticalnon-synchrogearboxasanexampleofhowtheprocessworks. Whenyouwanttoshiftfromfirstgeartosecondgear,presstheclutchpedalandreleasethe gas,disengagingthetransmissionasyoushifttoneutral,lettingtherpmfall.Then,pressthe clutchinagainandshiftintoyourhighergear.Thisprocessshouldhappenquicklyenough thatengineandwheelspeedssyncnicelybeforetherpmfalltoofarandyouhavetorevitup again.

Downshiftingiswheredouble-clutchinggetsmoreexciting.Theprocessisidenticalto upshifting,exceptyouhavetorevtheenginetoahigherrpmtomatchshaftspeeds.Upshifts tendtofallinlinewithouttoomucheffortwhendouble-clutching,butdownshiftingrequires morefinesseandengagesmoreofyoursenses.Itfeelssogoodtogetitright.

Thankstotheinventionofthesynchronizer,double-clutchingisn'tnecessary.Technically,it's neverbeenstrictlynecessary,andtherearepeoplewhocanfloatshift,avoidingtheclutch pedalentirely.Butdouble-clutchingishighlyrecommendedtoavoidgrindingnonsynchronizedtransmissiongearsintofragments.

Withoutgettingintheweedswithtoomuchtechnicalinfo,asynchronizerhubrelieson frictiontoalignshaftspeeds,preventinggeargrinding.(Ifyouwantamoredetailed explanation,ThomasSchwenke'sYouTubevideoonhowblockerringsynchronizerswork showstheprocessinglorious3Danimation.)Thethingis,evenwiththeinventionof synchronizedtransmissions,double-clutchingdidn'tdisappearasausefulskill,anditstillhas meritincertainsituations.You'llevenfinddouble-clutchingasarecommendedtechniqueon page10ofthe1964CorvetteOwnersGuide,andthetransmissionswerefullysynchroatthat point.

Ifyouhaveamanualtransmissioninyourcar,youcangooutanddouble-clutchrightnow. Makeitahabit,andyou'llreducesynchrowear,plusit'llhelpavoidjerkyshifts.Matchingthe enginespeedtothewheelspeedthroughdouble-clutchingduringdownshiftsprevents instabilityandtractionloss,particularlyaroundturns.Thenextstepafterthisistomaster heel-toeshiftingsoyoucanbrake,matchenginespeedtowheelspeed,andengagethe clutchallatonce.

Keepdouble-clutchingalive,fellowenthusiasts

Automatictransmissionsandelectricvehiclesareerodingtheonceubiquitousmanual transmission'splaceintheautomotivelandscape,soitmayseemoddtofocusonaniche techniqueforanincreasinglyrarecarfeature.Butenthusiastsstilldemandmanual

transmissions,asevidencedbytheToyotaGR86andMazdaMiatamanualtakerates exceedingthoseofthe"I'lldothehardworkforyou,human"flappy-paddlealternative. Double-clutchingisjustanothertechniquethatletsstick-shiftaficionadosgainmorecontrol overtheircars.

Personally,learninghowtodouble-clutchhelpedmegainanappreciationforautomotive historyandjusthowfarwe'vecometechnologically.WhenIdrovemygrandfather's1929 FordModelA,theexperiencewasantitheticaltomysynchro-spoiledmusclememory.Doubleclutchingwasessentialtoachievingsmooth,non-grindygearchanges,andatfirst,itfeltodd tohavetopresstheclutchpedaltwice.Withenoughpractice,Icouldeventuallyfeelwhen theinputandoutputgearswerespinningatthesamespeedthroughthegearlever,andI wasabletoupshiftanddownshiftwithoutputtingexcessivewearonthen-70-year-old transmissionparts.

Doubleclutchingmaynotbeaskillnecessaryforlifein2025,butthatmakesitnoless rewarding.

TOURER TRADER - BUY, SELL & EXCHANGE

WANTED :

BTHGA4-K3Magneto workingornotworking-butneeded.

Iownandusea1925Sunbeam14/40whichwasrescuedfromderelictionbyFredCoxofNew Plymouth.Unfortunately,themagnetohasnowfailedafewtimesandIdesperatelyneeda replacement.

Ifanyonehasknowledgeofasuitableunitpleasecontactme-

 byemail alastairchalmers@hotmail.co.uk (it'sokIdoliveinNewZealandnow)

 ortextmeon 0204-088-4523 andI'llcallyouback.

Hopefulregards, AlastairChalmers (MemberHawkesBayBranch)

FOR SALE :

1974Triumph2.5parts.

Motor,Manualgearbox,Diffnugget,steeringrackandpinion,allglassincludingfrontand backscreens,alsoquarterlightsplusothersrearsuspensionarmsallatreasonableprices.

ContactBrianHalcox0272222189 (mem)

InthegridbelowfindthefollowinghiddenstreetnamesfromthesuburbofPapaioea:

ALAN BAMBERY BODELL CARLTON

CAROW COTTLEVILLE DROYLSDEN DURHAM

ELMTREE FEATHERSTON FLORENCE GREGORY

HERETANGA LANGSTON MATAMA MASSEY

MEREMERE NORTH PAPAIOEA PIRIE

RONGAPAI RANGITANE RUSSELL STANLEY

STJOHNS TAWA TITOKI TREMAINE

TYNDALL WARD

T

IwenttotheliquorstoreFridayafternoononmybicycle,boughtabottleofScotchandput itinthebicyclebasket.

AsIwasabouttoleave,IthoughttomyselfthatifIfelloffthebicycle,thebottlewould break.SoIdrankalltheScotchbeforeIcycledhome. Itturnedouttobeaverygooddecision,becauseIfelloffmybicycleseventimesonthe wayhome.

Iaskedmy8yearoldsonwhathelearnedinschooltoday. Hesaid,“ApparentlynotenoughbecauseIhavetogobacktomorrow.”

ShortlyafteraBritishAirwaysflightreacheditscruisingaltitude,thecaptainannounced: “LadiesandGentlemen,thisisyourcaptain.WelcometoFlight293,non-stopfromLondon HeathrowtoNewYork.Theweatheraheadisgood,soweshouldhaveanuneventfulflight. So,sitback,relax,and..OH..MYGOD!”

Silencefollowed,silence.

Somemomentslater,thecaptaincamebackontheintercom.“LadiesandGentlemen,I’m sorryifIscaredyou.WhileIwastalkingtoyou,aflightattendantaccidentlyspilledcoffee onmylap.Youshouldseethefrontofmypants!”

Fromthebackoftheplane,anIrishpassengeryelled“FortheLuvvaJaysus,youshouldsee thebackofmine!”

Stevehadbeeninthehospitalfordays.Hisnursewasextremelyannoyingandhecouldn’t takemuchmore.

Onedayduringbreakfast,hetookhisapplejuicecontainerandpoureditintoaurine specimencupthenursehadinsistedthathefill.

Thenursecameintocheckonhimandlookedatthespecimenglass.Inherannoyingvoice, shesnickered,“Itseemswearealittlecloudytoday.”

Steveputonhisangryface,snatchedthebottleoutofherhandanddrankitdowninafew quickgulps,saying,“Well,I’llrunitthroughagainandmaybeitwillcomeoutclearernext time.”

Mysongotdetentionbecausewhenateacherpointedarulerathimsaying,“Attheendof thisrulerisanidiot,”hecleverlyreplied,“Whichend”.

TheplumberphonesPaddytoaskwhyhehasn’tpaidhisbill.“Yourbillisoverdue,”says theplumber.

“Whatbill?”asksPaddy.

“TheworkIdidatyourhouselastFriday,”repliedtheplumber. Paddysays,“Wellit’syourownfault.WhenIaskedyouwhenyoucouldcome,yousaidyou werefreeonFriday!”

 Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.

 11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.

 VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.

 Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches

 Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.

M

BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2026 / 2027

BranchCommitteeOfficeHolders:

Chair: GlynClements(Cathy) cbz1@xtra.co.nz 06328597902108334081

ViceChair: CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 0635633830212837088

Secretary: CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927

Treasurer: KenFoot(Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882

ClubCaptain: ChrisRhodes studebugga17@gmx.com 0274141669

BranchCommitteeMembers:

StewartBird(Natalia) stewartbird01@gmail.com 0273285506

ErrolGray(Ann) errans255@gmail.com 0275564176

HarryJackson-Vile harrys29chevy@gmail.com 06222329802041198295

VivienneReid(Owen) owenhome@xtra.co.nz 0211713148

BrianRowe(Sue) felstone@xtra.co.nz 063258725

AppointedPositions:

Custodian&Librarian:

GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298

Delegate:

EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275

Editor (Tourer):

BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014

IDCardAdvisor:

JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170

IDCardAdvisor:

DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056

IdleTorque (BeadedWheels) Scribe: BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014

PartsShed:

GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298

PrivacyOfficer:

CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927

SwapmeetCoordinator:

JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170

AssistantSwapmeetCoordinator:

MurrayThomson(Jill) murray.jill@xtra.co.nz 063233901

NewMemberLiaison/MemberWelfare: AllCommitteeMembers