VCC NOVCC April 2026

Chairman Report March

I missed last month’s report as Lee and I were away in the caravan for a month. Started out with a wedding in Christchurch then a couple of days in Auckland and our first trip to Eden Park for the Edinburgh Tattoo. Not likely to see massed pipe and drums like that again in my life time, well worth the trip and as we had a day to fill in before our return flight to Christchurch we spent quite a few hours at MOTAT.

Once back in our caravan it was off to the west coast via the Lewis Pass for a couple of weeks. We returned to Christchurch via Kaikoura and a successful whale watch trip on the Friday before our VCC executive meeting. We parked up at the Canterbury VCC grounds at McLean Island and by coincidence, right beside where the Motor cycle boys have their Friday evening drinks. Very hospitable group.

The executive meeting was, as these meeting are with a lot of time spent on what could be described as pedantic point scoring but that’s the democratic process.

I will give a brief report at the monthly meeting on the 1st of April.

Our All British rally was held the week end after we left but reports back to me indicted it was a successful event. For those of you who attended or supported on the day a big thank you from the committee. The committee will need to discuss advertising events such as our All British in the Beaded Wheels as these are now over $200 each.

The next event on the calendar is the GLB motor cycle rally on Saturday 11th of April. This is the last of our scheduled Rallies before our annual general meeting.

Before then I am asking all our members if they support the committee getting involved in the years VCC Cancer Day. We are looking for ideas on what events we could do other than the usual show followed by a run. If you have any idea’s that could include the local ford dealer or other idea’s, I would be I would be very interested to hear from you.

Finally a little update from our parts department.

Ernest has retrieved a 1930’s Plymouth minus the Chassis, diff and front axle. This now in our yard. The previous owner was setting it up for a hot rod although the body and other parts have not been butchered and are reasonably solid. Lindsay and I retrieved a Ute and trailer of parts donated to us by S Dowdall. Again there are a lot of 1930’s Plymouth parts among some Mopar bits. In the course of retrieving parts from under the house Lindsay forgot to bend over enough and received four stitches on his noggin for the trouble as well as a head ache for a few days no doubt.

Derek Brehaut

Club Chairman

February's mid month run.

Because of rising cost of fuel John Gale had organised a closer destination for our picnic afternoon tea, Gemmells crossing reserve (you don't have to travel far in North Otago to find an ideal spot) and it was a cracker destination, warm, sunny and sheltered, much enjoyed by all.

My wife and I decided to never go to bed angry. We've been awake since last Tuesday.

Thank you John.

Garage Tour

Saturday April 18th - 4pm

Start at the Hot Rod Clubrooms

End up back there for an Asian style

Meal by Chef Trev (Last Post) - cost $15 per head

Numbers required for catering

Txt Geoff on 021 501 494

All Petrol-heads Welcome

All British Day 21st Feb 2026

A good turnout for the day with 40+ cars including a motorcycle were on show.

At 11am cars and m/c set off on the run that was 1 ¼ hours drive time that included going over the hill at Georgetown and ending up at Mt Dasher on the property of Mr& Mrs Rundeniclau.

The view was just magic,. A BYO picnic was enjoyed and food provided by the Rundeniclaus to feed some of the farm animals. We also had a flushing portable toilet on site for the day and it turned out to be well appreciated.

Eventually all participants made their way home. A good day had by all

Wes Hamilton

Gerald Lynch-Blosse Memorial

Saturday 11th April 2026

I am writing to see if you or someone you know might be interested in a 1920s Morris Cowley that we are looking to sell.

The car has a unique history, as it was my husband’s grandfather’s first car and was even converted to run on coal during WWII. It has been stored in our garage for many years with the intention of a restoration, but we have realised that this project is no longer realistic for us with a young family.

The vehicle comes with a variety of spare parts, and I have attached a photo for your reference. While I understand this may not be a standard classic car, I thought it might be of interest to a collector or enthusiast.

Please let me know if you have any leads or if you would like more information.

Best regards,

Laura McGuire

Items for the Newsletter can be posted or dropped off to 6 Waiareka lane, off Saleyards Road Or emailed to gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com

Newsletter submissions. Preferred formats are Open-office, Libre-office or MS Word as an attached document. Plain emails create extra work. Please, no “enter” key at the end of every line. Contact me for advice if not sure.

Thanks, Graeme

NORTH OTAGO BRANCH

OFFICE BEARERS 2025/26

Chairman Derek Brehaut (Lee) 021 390 518

Immediate Past

Chairperson

Vice Chairman

Secretary Brian Harrison (Janette) 03 434 2148

Club Captain Athol Caldwell (Patricia) 03 437 0897

Treasurer John Gale (Jo) 03 437 1112

Committee:

Tony Hales (Jenny) 027 587 8851

Lindsay McLeod (Margaret) 021 871 526

Allan Holywell 0210 813 1323

John Adamson

0274 347 009

Murray Hayes (Diana) 027 239 9009

Wes Hamilton 03 437 2260

Beaded Wheels Scribe Kathleen Perry 03 434 7226 kathleen2015@xtra.co.nz

Custodian

Librarian

Archivist

Steve McDonald 027 928 0002

Murray Bain 0211 785 783

Murray Bain

Newsletter Editor Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com 027 293 1059

Spare Parts

Vehicle Verifiers

James MacKenzie (Angele) 029 770 7105

Wayne Croft 027 608 0002

Quentin Barrow (Ange) 027 434 5570

Ernest George 027 209 0609

Club email address northotago@vcc.org.nz

Committee Meetings 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.00 pm. Members Welcome.

Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm (details in The Distributor)

Golden Times Autumn Festival Car Rally

Saturday 18th

April 2026 Arrowtown

The Central Otago Vintage Car Club extend a cardinal invitation to join us as a part of the famous Arrowtown Autumn festival. Since inception in 1986 our rally has focused on a strong social emphasis, a relaxed atmosphere and sharing the world-famous scenery as we motor around the district. The rally committee are keen to bring back the “flavors” of past events with as many early Veteran and Vintage cars as possible but recognizing that all club eligible vehicles are most welcome.

This year the whole event will be held within the district including lunch, show and shine as well as prize giving at the beautiful Ayrburn Ground

Entry Fee including plaque $40.00

Fees payable to our bank account

Central Otago Vintage Car Club 06 0921 0035742 001

Reference your name when paying please

All Correspondence

To John Martin P 021 109 1309

E martin_jw@xtra.co.nz

M 11 Bell Ave Cromwell 9310