To misquote one of the American presidents “ask not what your club can do for you but what you can do for your club”. It’s that time of year when we need people to step up and fill the positions in the club. We are looking for people to help run the club by joining the executive committee. Our club captain Gerry Pethick is standing down from the role this year and we need somebody else to take over. If you are interested in joining the executive, nomination forms are available from the clubrooms but they need to be filled out and returned to the secretary Carol McGarry by 13 May which is 2 weeks before our AGM.
If you cannot or don’t want to join the executive but want to be a more active member there are many ways that you can help:
*Put your name down on the cleaning roster
*See the social convenor about helping with the catering before or after rallies
*Helping run rallies
*Helping in the parts shed or library
* Helping the grounds man
These jobs don’t do themselves so don’t leave it to somebody else, it’s a good way to meet other club members.
I attended the Cromwell motorcycle rally which was very well run, excellent weather and cold beer what more could you ask for. Well done John Martin, Nevelle Ridd, and the team
Donald
Next run is Wednesday - 7th May 2025
The VCC Wednesday run is on the 7th May 2025, leaving from the Racecourse at 10.30am. Cost:$20pp, Menu: Roast Pork with Medley of Roast Veges & gravy, or Fishermans Basket with fries, or Lamb Pot Pie with mashed potato and peas. Ring Elaine or Angus on 03 2128956 or 0273104239 with your choice, by Sunday evening prior.
Wednesday the 2nd April
Another lovely autumn morning dawned in Invercargill for 38 people in 18 cars to leave the Racecourse. They started by heading to Bainfield Rd and a drive through Donovan Park and over to Lorneville/Dacre Highway. From there to Woodstock Road, and onto Hedgehope, travelling onto Mataura. The route then took the back road to Wyndham and over to Edendale where they had lunch at the Pioneer Tavern, Edendale. Peter Pryde won the Publicans choice of cars and received a bottle of wine.
Bar Roster
3/05/2025
Peter Pryde
10/05/2025 Tony Warren
17/05/2025
Office Bearers 2024/2025
Patron Wayne Nicoll 215 7136
Chairman Donald Ward 027 294 7692
Secretary Carol McGarry 027 277 6878 .... southland@vcc.org.nz
Treasurer Sheryn Warren 021 712 198
Club Captain Gerry Pethick 0210 298 5620
Howard Kingsford-Smith 027 232 3464
Bulletin Editor Stuart Francis 03 213 0529 stuartfrancis9@gmail.com
Welfare Officer Barry Hayman 03 216 3639
Southland VCC website sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar VCC website www.vcc.org.nz VCC forum www.trash.co.nz/vccbb 46 Ariki Avenue, Otatara, Postal: PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
Rumour Notices
Copyright of the contents of the “Rumour” magazine rests with the VCC of NZ (Southland Branch) unless otherwise stated. The Rumour is available by e-mail as a PDF file, contact the secretary if you wish to receive it this way. It also delivered earlier. Views and opinions expressed in the Rumour are those of the authors of the articles and are not necessarily those of the Southland Branch of the VCC of NZ, the Branch Executive or the Editor.
Authors of the articles are responsible for the accuracy of the articles and captions. The editor does not “Fact Check” any article and will only correct obvious mistakes after consultation with the author. Mistakes will be corrected if possible if they are pointed out to the Editor.
Secretary’s Notes - Carol McGarry
Vero 2026 Loan of Vehicles to Australian Competitors
The Australian strict rules on the importation of asbestos and their heavy-handed application means its virtually impossible to re-import older vehicles back into Australia. A number of Australians want to compete in the 2026 NZ Vero Rally, so they are looking for eligible vehicles. Do you have an eligible vehicle you could loan? If you do contact HQ.
April Meeting Video show
After the April meeting on 1 May, we will be showing the DVD “Louie Mattar’s Fabulous $75,000 car” about his road trip from Alaska to Mexico.
Club Cleaning Roster
Club cleaning roster is on the noticeboard – please add your name to the list and assist in the running of your club.
Notes from the Executive Meeting on 10 April 2025
Thank you to everyone who made a submission to the 12-month WoF proposal. We will keep you updated on the submission progress.
The list of library books is now on the library computer. Look on the desktop and see what a huge resource our library is.
We have a subcommittee drafting up our new club constitution that will be shared with you for comment. We will be calling a special general meeting to adopt it later in the year.
Craig Printing has restored some black and white photos from the 1975 National Motorcycle Rally to Hastings. They will be added to our photo collection when framed.
Has any member had a video tape transferred to a USB stick. We are looking at preserving our club history, can you tell our secretary if you know anyone who can do this.
Parts Shed
The parts shed will be open the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. The following people can be contacted at anytime if requiring parts or information on parts in our Parts Shed.
John Burke 217 8177 & 027 226 0067 or Ray McCulloch 03 217 9667
Library
The library will be open on general meeting nights between 7&9 p.m. Other times by appointment - phone 021 159 8319
West Coast Vintage Car Club 2025 -
Three cars headed to the West Coast for the annual Scenicland Rally. Bruce Marshall and Steve Randle 1975 Mark 2 Ford Escort, Wayne Calderwood, Terry Williams and Sylvia McGibbon in 1965 Hillman Super Minx, David and Jennifer Sycamore 1976 Triumph 2500TC. All three cars travelled up the West Coast staying the first night in Haast completing the trip to Greymouth on Friday. From Wanaka the number of vehicles on the highway, rental cars, camper vans were quite incredible with minimal or no parking spaces available in the popular stopping areas.
The trip up the coast is always great and my admiration for the roading contractors working on areas sometimes at great heights above the road is nothing short of breath taking. At times there were great delays but were equal opportunity stoppages as both sides stopped at the same time. When looking way up and seeing a digger bucket being raised up and down with no machine visible its okay to stop. Greymouth weather again was fine and sunny rain, forecast for Saturday with a bit of a warning for heavy falls at times. We were warned and prepared, but Saturday was a great day checking in 60 cars and one motorbike, waved off by Mayor Tania Gibson.
Instructions were very clear “This is not a race” the General Information sheet contained where toilets were sited, fuel available, food outlets and the recommendation of enjoying the drive, stop and look at the views, sample the food and coffee. Points of Interest: Brunner Mine Site, Moonlight est. 1865, Pike River Memorial, Buller Gorge, Berlins Cafe, Hawks Crag and Punakaiki Paparoa National Park Centre. We were encouraged to stop and enjoy the history, take advantage of photo opportunities and to support businesses for lunch or coffee or choose a scenic stop of our own choosing for lunch.
Crossing rivers more than once was the question sheet with the requirement of 15 names, correct spelling to be included, turns out there were 17 in total. We stopped at Punakaiki, having a walk around the board walk talking to some visitors who were astounded with the quality of the walk being free. Reading how earthquakes raised limestone formations that started with lime-rich fragments of dead marine creatures deposited on the seabed - amazing how much can happen in 30 million years.
The prize-giving was held in Greymouth great way to end the day. The Southland contingent made to feel really welcome by members and the Committee with Wayne collecting a prize for the longest distance travelled. In the information pack usual rally instructions, list of every car taking part, VCC Branch and Model, general information sheet, points of interest and where to
find further information if stopping for a look and Google Map printout showing distances between instructions.
Sunday all three cars travelled back in different directions we headed down to Franz Josef into the rain previously forecast showing why places of interest in Franz Josef have Rain Forest in their activity names. With over 3700mm rainfall per annum the torrents running down the street were short lived but made for great photos.
Jennifer Sycamore
2025 George Begg Festival
Forthcoming Events
Waimea Motorcycle Rally - 10th May 2025
Leave The Crescent at 10.30, $10 entry fee Lunch at Balfour Pub at your cost! Donald Ward 0272947692
P60/P80 Rally - 17th May 2025
Entry form on the club website
Distinguished Gentleman Ride - 18th May 2025
Contact Mac McGarry on 021 081 72672. he is looking for sponsors see page 15.
Golden Times Rally Saturday 26th April 2025 contact mwhyit@gmail.com
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring 2026
You are most welcome to join us – we cater for Competitive & Non- Competitive Drivers/Riders
Entry Form is included in this Rumour & Online.
www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar
Car WOF testing
Full Workshop Repairs
Trailer Hire
Tyre Sales and Repair
Southland Branch, Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Notice is hereby given that THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of this branch will be held following the monthly members meeting on Thursday 29 May 2025.
AGENDA
Apologies
Minutes of the 2024 AGM
Matters Arising
Chairman’s Report
Annual Accounts
Election of Officers
Signatories to Cheque Account
Presentation of Trophies
General Business (Note all General Business is to be in the hands of the Secretary 14 days prior to the meeting)
Nominations for Office Bearers must be in by 13 May 2025.
Carol McGarry Branch Secretary
Executive (12 total)
Please be aware that nominations close on 13 May 2025.
be called for these positions on the night of the AGM. We have indicated the ideal number
Let’s have a full complement this year, we need people who are willing to contribute to the smooth running of our club. If you cannot attend the AGM, don’t let that stop you from putting your name forward.
NominationForms
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc), Southland Branch Nomination Form
Nominations close with the Secretary, P O Box 1240 Invercargill on 13 May 2025. If less than the required nominations are received, extra nominations may be called for at the Annual Meeting. Note that Nominator, Seconder and Nominee must be financial members.
I nominate ……………………………………... for the position of ………………………………....... (Please Print)
Nominated by ……………………………………… (Please Print)
Signed …………………………………………..
Seconded by ……………………………………….. (Please Print)
Signed ………………………………………......
I ………………………………………….. accept the nomination …………………………………………… (Signature of Nominee)
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc), Southland Branch Nomination Form
Nominations close with the Secretary, P O Box 1240 Invercargill on 13 May 2025. If less than the required nominations are received, extra nominations may be called for at the Annual Meeting. Note that Nominator, Seconder and Nominee must be financial members.
I nominate ……………………………………...
for the position of ………………………………....... (Please Print)
Nominated by ……………………………………… (Please Print)
Signed …………………………………………..
Seconded by ……………………………………….. (Please Print)
Signed ………………………………………......
I ………………………………………….. accept the nomination …………………………………………… (Signature of Nominee)
Inaugural Golden Times Motorcycle Rally Central Otago
The largest contingent of any outside branch at this event had to be from Southland. Several groups left Invercargill on slightly different routes and converged in Cromwell at the VCC of New Zealand’s Central Otago branch HQ in Cromwell.
To say that my participation was uneventful would be bending the truth to the point of breaking it like a crystal vase. I had arranged to depart with Ray McCulloch and Don Bradley from The Avenal and maybe catch up with others on route.
I left in high spirits but didn’t even get to the rendezvous as riding up Pomona Street. My clutch lever stopped responding. It has done this before and usually responded to a little bit of TLC to the actuator lever that is in the top of the gear box. I rang Ray and diverted to Donald Ward’s to save me unpacking my tools etc. with no clutch. A short amount of fiddling with the actuator saw it reseat and sanity resumed.
Donald and Steve Hackett were awaiting other members of their crew so I undertook to depart ahead of them so that they’d be behind with their trailer. I had an uneventful ride through Hedgehope, Waimumu, Gore, Maitland, Merino Downs, Heriot, A comfort stop at Kelso, Moa Flat and Roxburgh. The long straight before Roxburgh I saw Donald Ward’s red Ducati closing quickly in my mirrors and we all had the nigh compulsory stop at Jimmy’s Pies.
When time to leave the clutch failed again and I made the executive decision to ride on to Alexandra where I was billeted with Nevelle Ridd and sort it properly there. Road Works at Gorge Creek put paid to that idea as I didn’t manage to time my ride up to the temporary traffic lights, without stopping. Once in neutral I couldn’t do the obligatory hill start with no clutch.
This meant that a few seconds behind me Donald and Steve pulled off the road and took the twin off the trailer, put my Matchless on it, I then rode the Twin to Fruitlands and then changed over to my clutch-less ride to get to Alex. Once there, I ruined Nevelle’s plans by taking over his garage and with lots of his help pulling the clutch down and finding that there was a bit much wear in the moving parts and both deciding that another ball bearing in the clutch drive chain would both temporarily fix the issue and allow me to get home. This entailed a trip out to an Engineering friend of Nevelle’s near Mutton Town, smashing a bearing race open and extracting a ball bearing, then returning to insert it and reassemble the clutch. We finished with seconds to spare before heading to the Nog N Natter at Cromwell.
Next day was Rally Day and Nevelle and I left at the same time but in different directions, I went to Alexandra to fill up with fuel (and oil) and proceed to the Clyde Dam for my start point and Nevelle on his 24 Henderson went to his starting point at Chatto Creek. I filled up and completed the rally with not much trouble apart from the larger than usual amount of lubricant that seemed to be escaping the bike.
At the prize-giving some wag decided that a certain “Mac McCreary” won a prize for Central Otago Conservation due to his dust suppression techniques of leaving a puddle of oil behind at each and every opportunity. I reluctantly accepted it on his behalf. I didn’t find out why until the rally was over and I went back to the Servo in Alex the following morning to top up with fuel and oil.
Buy me a beer and I’ll tell you the rest of the story. Mac McGary
For Sale
2001 Jaguar Daimler Super- charged V/8, 4 litre, long wheel base. 93,000 km. Very tidy and runs well. Heaps of grunt. Ex Steve Thomas. $16,000.00 ono. Contact Barry on 021949531
1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 litre, long wheel base. Travelled 141384 km. Light green metallic paintwork. Tidy car. Ex Steve Thomas $6,000.00 ono. Contact Barry on 021949531
1964 Hillman Minx, Current WOF and rego, Kevern & Jenny Cummings, Ph. 027 599 1002
1960 Austin Westminster. It has been looked after wonderfully so it’s in lovely condition. The rego is good till the 04/03/25 and recent Wof. Time for another good owner to look after it, $15,000 ono . Contact Kavindu on 0274830972.
1979 Honda Super Cub 50 cc $3,000 low mileage really tidy rego. on hold.. Contact Colin Fleet 2179734.
1973 Triumph Bonneville T140 750cc with matching numbers, runs really well, re kited front master cylinder and new brake hose. Re-vined 8/2006, reg. on hold, can be sold with Wof and reg. if wanted. Price $14,500 ono Contact Adrian on 0272324276
1925 Dodge Tourer. Good hood, new hood bows, new tyres, fully assembled, motor freely turns, upholstery good...Complete assembled, near drive away car! Very little work required to have a very popular usable vintage! Currently in Dunedin, the rego has lapsed, but there is good documentation. Quick sale required before house move, open to offers around the $15,000 mark, but is negotiable for a quick sale. PLEASE RING TONY STEVELY, 021 045 3533.
1973 Triumph Dolomite $3200
Three Triumph Dolomite projects with 3 regos + trailer load of parts $2000 the lot. 1937/8 Desoto car parts or restore $800. contact Bruce Edington Ph 03 2140426.
1984 XJ900 Yamaha, current registration and warrant, also available a spare parts bike. & 1983/4 XJ650 Yamaha, rego on hold, Needs mechanical attention. Offers for both machines Ray McCulloch 03 2179667 mccpac1@gmail.com
1962 Austin Cambridge A60 early restoration, Black Plates, drives well, $6000 - contact Ken 027 414 3377
WANTED
Socket either 33ml, or Whitworth ¾ inch, or BSF ⅞, or 1⁵⁄6 AF Phone Mac McGarry on 021 081 72672.
