January 2026
Forthcoming Events
Edendale Crank Up Day 31 January
Southland Rally 7 February 2026
Entries close 29 January 2026
Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally 20-22 February 2026
Veteran / Vintage Rally—7 March 2026—entries close 26 February
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring - 15th - 21st March 2026
Waimea Motorcycle Rally 9 May 2026
P60/P80 Rally 16 May 2026
60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally 21 November 2026
Southland Vintage Car Club
There will be no fire at the clubrooms for the 29 January meeting. The firebox requires a major overall and this work will take place as soon as possible. It is Summer. We shouldn't be having to light the fire.
Reminder: Ray McCulloch has suggested those attending the Vero Rally meet up to share travel arrangements and overnight stays etc. Contact Ray on 03 217 9667 or 021 0295 1296
Next run is Wednesday 4 February 2026
Leaving from the Racecourse by 10-30am, Cost: $25pp Menu Chicken Burger, or Blue Cod, or Pizza, or Bangers and Mash. Please ring Elaine or Angus on 03 212 8956 or 027 310 4239 by Sunday evening prior.
Wednesday Run 3 December
The Wednesday Run held on 3 December 2025, 47 people left the Racecourse in 23 cars and two motorbikes.
They travelled south to Mason Road, Mill Road South, Mill Road North and over to Lorneville/Dacre Highway, Hedgehope, Winton and onto Drummond, Fairfax then some went via an optional route through a scenic drive taking in the Pourakino Valley. The others took the road from Fairfax onto the main road to Riverton and all converged at the Aparima Restaurant for lunch and a chat. Angus and Elaine thank everyone for their support and wish everyone a safe New Year.
Bar Roster
24/1/2026 Dave Birss
31/1/2026 Tommo
7/2/2026 Michael Burt
14/2/2026 Ron Irwin
21/2/2026 Russell Jenkins
Office Bearers 2024/2025
Patron Wayne Nicoll 215 7136
Chairman Tony Warren 0272 845 840
Secretary Carol McGarry 027 277 6878 southland@vcc.org.nz
Treasurer Sheryn Warren 021 712 198
Club Captain Gerry Pethick 0210 298 5620
Bulletin Editor southland@vcc.org.nz (until position filled)
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
There is no Chairman’s report this month although Tony Warren has been very busy with our liquor licence renewal and evacuation plan update. He has also, along with some helpers, removed the fire from the clubrooms and will be managing the repairs or replacement. Until the fire is back in place—dress warmly on Saturday nights and meeting nights.
New Member: Welcome to Mathew Burke, Mathew has a 1972 Triumph 2000 restored and a 1950 Bedford Km in storage.
Emergency exit /accessible entry door (beside the bar). This door must be kept clear at all times. If you use this door to drop off or pick up, please then park your vehicle in either the mobility parks or the main carpark.
2025/2026 VCC Subscriptions
We have been advised of a large number of unpaid subscriptions for this 2025/2026 financial year. Check with Head Office phone 03 3664461 (9.30am to 1.30pm) or email admin@vcc.org.nz if you think you haven't renewed your subscription. Continuous membership counts towards your service award badges. Please note: Financial membership of the Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated is a requirement to be insured under the VCC/Vero Insurance Scheme.
Position of Lower South Island Representative
As per the new VCC constitution, we are now looking for a member to take on the position of Lower South Island Representative effective from the 2026 AGM being held in August in Palmerston North. This will be for an initial term of 3 years. The branches covered by the Lower South are: Otago, South Otago, Central Otago, Gore and Southland.
If anyone is willing to take up this very important position which includes representing the branches in your area on the National Committee ensuring that your voices are heard and branch vote counted as required, please talk to our Secretary or Chairman for more information.
Forthcoming Events
31st January -1st February 2026 Edendale Crank Up Day
7 February 2026 Southland Rally Volunteers needed to assist with field tests, contact Gerry Pethick on 0210 298 5620
20-222 February Classic Speedfest, Teretonga
20-22 February Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally
28 February 2026 Gore Festival Rally
7 March 2026 Veteran and Vintage Rally
15 March 2026 Gore Swap Meet
15-21st March 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring – Nelson
9th May 2026—P60 / P80 Rally
16 May 2026 Waimea Motorcycle Rally
Paper copies of the Rumour Please let me know if you receive the email version and no longer need a copy of the Rumour posted to you. Postage costs $33 per member each year. Printed copies are available at our clubrooms and several members pick up their copy on meeting night. Thank you to Denise McDowell who hand delivers to several members each month and saves us a considerable sum.
Editorial
Happy New Year to you all. This is my second Rumour magazine and I ask you all to send me news, articles or jokes that you would like to see included in the next edition. We are still looking for a Rumour Editor and volunteers to put on a run, serve on the bar, do the cleaning or help in the kitchen or parts shed. If you can help, let me know.
Happy 90th birthday wishes to Jean Brown and Arthur Warren. Carol McGarry, Secretary / stand-in Rumour Editor.
VCC celebrates 80 years
2026 promises to be an exciting year for The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated. In March, we look forward to our showcase event, the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, being held in and around the Nelson region. Later in the year, the Club will also mark a significant milestone. From the first official meeting in the Student Union Building at Canterbury University on 16 August 1946, few could have imagined that 80 years later we would be one of the largest clubs in the country. Today, our membership exceeds 8,000, connected through 36 successful local branches. To ensure our focus remains on the Vero Festival, we are encouraging branches to celebrate in their own way throughout the year. To recognise this milestone, we have developed a commemorative brand and a subtly updated byline. These will appear on Club correspondence throughout the year and on the cover of Beaded Wheels. We can all be proud of how far the Club has come and what it represents today. While our shared love of vehicles across all eras brings us together, it is the friendships we build and the enjoyment we share that truly make the VCC so special. George Kear, National President.
Anderson Park House 100-year celebration is now on the 28-29th March 2026 from11am to 4pm. Due to the change of date for this celebration the Veteran and Vintage Rally will not be involved. Members are welcome to take their Vehicles to display over the weekend.
Chairman Tony Warren presenting Karen Varcoe with her 35-year membership badge
Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally 20th to 22nd February 2026
Entries close 5 February 2026 Enquiries to John 021 109 1309 email entry to martin_jw@xtra.co.nz
Free Mk 1 Jaguar 2.4 auto suitable for parts at no charge. Contact:
Grant Sutherland on 021 361 747
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
59th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally
The overall winner was Don Faulkner on his 1929 BSA. Darren Kidd won the post war section on his 1950 Triumph T100 and was awarded the shield donated by his late father Jim Kidd. Bill Moffat won the Post 1960 section Barney Graham trophy on his 1964 BSA 650. Tony Warren won the best prepared vintage motorcycle Jack Toomey Trophy and Grant Butson won the publicans choice and the hard luck trophy on his 1939 Harley Davidson.
The 60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally will be held in Arrowtown on Saturday 21 November 2026. Mark the date in your calendar now and join us on the day to celebrate and remember those members past and present who annually took to the saddle in often inclement weather to
Owen Wilson Overall Winner
Ferg McDowell receiving his With the Bluff Motors Trophy certificate for first in field tests
Commercial Rally— Saturday 6 December—report by Carol McGarry
Due to the storm that ravaged Southland on the 30 October 2025 the Commercial Rally was postponed until the state of emergency had been lifted. Five vehicles entered and a further three turned up on the day to take part on a lovely sunny afternoon.
The A95 had failed its WoF so Mac and I went on the Royal Enfield. Raewyn Murphy drove Ollie’s 1978 Morris Marina van and handled it very well.
Bruce Marshall drove “Jessie” his 1956 International truck previously owned by Jessie Watson Calder of Winton who generously bequeathed funds to the city to create the Jessie Calder Rose Garden at Queens Park. Ferg McDowell’s Bighorn is now 30 years old took part for the first time.
The run took us down Bill Richardson Drive to Lorneville, Around Makarewa, Branxholm to Waianiwa where the field tests were held. Questions, balancing a ball on a spoon while going over boards and throwing balls into holes. Then back to the clubrooms for a cup of tea and the Prizegiving. Results
Owen Wilson
1956 Ford Mainline Ute
Ferg McDowell 1994 Opal Bighorn
Bruce Marshall 1956 International AR110
Carol McGarry 1958 A95 Countryman
Owen Wilson
1956 Ford Mainline Ute
First Commercial Time Trial
First Commercial Field Tests
Second Commercial Time Trial
Second Commercial Field Tests
Overall Winner of Rally Bluff Motors Trophy
Owen Wilson’s 1956 Ford Mainline Ute
Introduced in 1952 the Mainline was the Australian coupe Ute version of the Customline sedan, utilising the chassis from an imported American stationwagon. Just like the Customline the Mainline was given a yearly facelift until production ceased in 1959 when it was replaced by the very successful Falcon Ute.
Owen is now the fourth owner of this lovely low mileage Maroon example. He purchased it from Graham Moore, an Equestrian saddle maker, from Waitakere, Auckland. The two previous owners had both been Picton residents. When Graham purchased the Ute in June 1998 it had just ticked over 68,550 miles (110,320 Km). It is believed that he would have used the Ute for his saddle making business until he parked it up in 2004. At some time (for reasons unknown) he had the Ute re-vinned.
After it had been sitting for 10 years Owen was able to purchase the vehicle in September 2014. It was complete but in very poor condition with the odometer only reading 79,965 miles (128,691 km). However, it was no-longer driveable and so had to be transported from its resting place at the top of the country to Owen’s home in Invercargill.
Michael Barron from Reds Panel Services 2008 Ltd was given the job of knocking out the dents, removing all the rust and repainting the body before the team at Autoglass fitted new front and rear windscreens. The interior was then attended to by Classic Autotrim Ltd, Invercargill. While the bumpers and headlight surrounds were being re-chromed by Witherington Electroplaters. Greg Cooper of Heritage Furniture finished the deck off with some beautiful Kwila Hardwood.
It was Owen who took care of the mechanical side of things. He stripped the gearbox and fitted some new bearings. At the same time the old clutch and pressure plates were ditched in favour of a new set from a V8 Falcon. The 272 V8 Y-Block motor was compression tested, cleaned and then refitted using new engine mounts. The drive shaft and universals were replaced and balanced. All the brake pipes and wheel cylinders were replaced. Owen then finished the engine off with a new set of extractors and a twin exhaust system.
The Ute was finally on the road in October 2017. Owen and his wife Margaret now have a real Aussie classic which they are proud of. The Mainline is also kept in good company sharing the garage at home with a Customline sedan of the same year.
1912 Renault—Restored in 1978
Reg and Wof. Electric start, good hood. Tipping transporter trailer and some spares included. $50,000.00. Contact : Ashley Bell on 03 215 6154
1962 Austin Cambridge A60 early restoration, Black Plates, drives well, $6,000 Contact: Ken on 027 414 3377 FOR SALE: On behalf of the Southland Vintage Car Club 4 wire wheels, will suit MK2 Jaguar. $100 each ONO Contact: Ray McCulloch on 03 217 9667 or 021 0295 1296
