30th October 2025Special General Meeting
1st November 2025Otago Branch Taieri Tour
8th November 2025Commercial Rally
16th November 2025
- Swap-meet and Open day at the Car Club
22nd November 2025
- Arrowtown Rally (note late date)
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring - 15th - 21st March 2026
(see page 4 for more details)
Welcome to the October Rumour.
Stuart’s overseas adventure took an unexpected turn, and we send him our warmest wishes for a smooth and speedy recovery. We’re very grateful to Dave Harris for kindly stepping in to compile this month’s edition his support will be a great help in easing Stuart’s load while he takes the time he needs to rest and recover.
As we head towards the end of the year, things are moving fast! The PV/PW Rally has come and gone, with seven entries – thank you to those who participated. However, the Commercial Rally is shaping up to have low entry numbers too. Let’s change that – get your entry in and help make this event a success!
Looking ahead, the entry form for the Southland Rally will be included in next month’s Rumour. Now’s the time to get those cars and bikes polished and ready – after all, isn’t that why we’re all part of the club?
Bathurst was another fantastic success this year, with around 40 members attending. A big thank you goes to Peter Pryde and his team for putting on such a great event!
Don’t forget the upcoming Open Day and Swap Meet – indoor stalls are fully booked, but there’s still plenty of outdoor space available. So load up your trailer, fill your boot, and see what treasures you can sell (or find!).
Finally – and most importantly – please take the time to read the draft constitution that was sent to you via email or post. This will be discussed and voted on at a Special General Meeting following our usual monthly meeting this month. Your voice matters, and your attendance is strongly encouraged.
There’s still plenty happening before the year wraps up – get involved and make the most of it!
Cheers, Tony
Firewood - please grab a piece of firewood from the pile outside when you come into the clubrooms
Leaving from the Racecourse by 10-30am
Cost: $25pp
Menu: Fish and Chips or Beef Burger and Chips
Please ring Elaine or Angus at 03 2128956 or 0273104239 by Sunday evening prior.
The Wednesday Run on 1st October, was a very wintry day with 28 participants.
They turned right from the Racecourse heading North and onto the Riverton Highway then Waimatuku Flat Road, Isla Bank, Fairfax, Otautau and left onto Tuatapere Road where the view of the Takitimu Mountains was spectacular covered in snow. From there they continued onto Tui Base Camp at Tuatapere for a sumptuous lunch.
25/10/2025
1/11/2025
8/11/2025
15/11/2025
22/11/2025
29/11/2025
Dave Birss
Tommo
Micheal Burt
Ron Irwin
Russell Jenkins
Andrew Brown
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 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
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.
As Secretary, I inherited a supply of cards showing the Club’s Darracq superimposed over the Invercargill Water tower. I use these cards for various communications on behalf of the Club. Stocks were running low, and I was advised the card was designed by a past member Ross Ryan. I contacted Avenal Park Funeral Home and was advised they had kept the template and would be happy to print a further supply in memory of Ross. So, thank you to Avenal Park Funeral Home for this generous gift and the memory of past member Ross Ryan who passed away in 2016.
We had some storm damage to the clubrooms on the weekend of 13 August. The fire alarm was hit by lightning and the motherboard destroyed, the cable on the ETPOS fried and the CCTV needed to be reset. We have been able to claim insurance on these items and thank Laurie Henry for sorting out the security cameras.
We are intending to remove the concrete poles from the carpark and improve the overall layout of the parking area.
Thank you to whoever returned our Southland Branch flag to the library. It was missing when we needed it for the AGM at the Ascot in August, but I am very grateful to have it back.
We are purchasing a new laptop for the Club as only one of our current laptops is Windows 11 compliant.
Open Day on Sunday 16 November from 10am to 2pm. Book your space outside, all stalls inside have been booked. We need cars for a display on the day. Let Gerry Pethick know if you need space outside or can display your vehicle.
VCC Subscriptions are due now. If you do not have internet banking, we can take your cash and pay on your behalf. Bring your invoice and cash to the October meeting. Any break in being a financial member affects your service award status.
Special General Meeting following our 30 October 2025 branch meeting to adopt the draft constitution. If you have not received a copy or have any questions, contact the Secretary.
November Rumour. Dave Harris will again be preparing the November Rumour as Stuart recovers. Please send any information to Dave. daveharris823@gmail.com
25-27th October 2025 South Canterbury Branch Mt Cook Rally
1st November 2025 Otago Branch Taieri Tour
Entry forms at Clubrooms
8th November 2025 - Commercial Rally
14-15th November 2025 Banks Peninsula Monte Carlo Rally (Biennial Event)
16th November 2025 - Swap-meet and Open day at the Car Club
22nd November 2025 - Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally
30th November - Josephville Hillclimb (Gore Branch)
31st January -1st February 2026 Edendale Crank Up Day
5-7th February 2026 South Canterbury Branch
- celebrates 120 years of the first car to Mount Cook
15-21st March 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring – Nelson
9th May 2026 Nelson Branch Swap Meet
Hillclimbs
Cars pre 1995 are eligible as long as they have a VCC VIC and Logbook
Sunday 9 November: Hawkswood, North Canterbury (in conjunction with the Country Gents Historic & Sports Car Club and RATEC).
Saturday 29 November: Coronet Peak Hillclimb, Queenstown (in conjunction with the Queenstown Car Club). This is a first time opportunity for the VCC, with Queenstown Car Club kindly inviting a field of 12 VCC eligible cars to this event. Contact Rod Corbett: rod.corbett88@gmail.com to register interest.
Sunday 30 November: Josephville Hill Climb, Lumsden (organised by VCC Gore Branch). Those keen to participate please email your contact details to Evan Henderson: hender1946@gmail.com
The day started very wet for the drive from Winton to the club rooms. By the time we hit the club rooms it was completely dry for the briefing. There were seven participants on a cold damp day. There were two Buicks, a Rolls Royce, an Alvis, an Austin and a couple of Morris’s. Black seemed to be the order of the day until the brightly coloured Morris Minor brightened up the line up.
The journey took us from the club rooms, through Waikiwi, Rosyln Bush, Rakahouka, Woodlands and Waimatua before heading back to the club rooms. After the timed section we had a field test which entailed throwing hoops over road cones whilst moving – 28 attempts but only two successes!! No points for trying sadly. Next test was centring your headlight on a stick and finishing off with a reversing exercise. Some people unnamed crashed into the object but luckily the object was only plastic.
Back at the club rooms the event finished off with many great cups of tea and coffee and probably a few too many “homemade” cookies followed by the prize giving.
Results
Post War
Time Trial
1st Adian Weaver 1959 Morris Minor
2nd Owen Davies 1947 Buick Super
Field Tests
1st Adian Weaver 1959 Morris Minor
2nd David Clearwater 1954 Alvis TC21/100
Post Vintage
Time Trial
1st Garth Cooper 1937 Buick Straight 8
2nd Bruce Marshall 1938 Morris 18/6
Field Tests
1st Garth Cooper 1937 Buick Straight 8
2nd Owen Bennett 1937 Rolls Royce
Overall Winner
Garth Cooper 1937 Buick Straight
Chairman Tony presenting certificates to overall winner Garth Cooper
Cars at the Club Rooms
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
1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 litre, long wheel base. Travelled 141384 km. Light green metallic paintwork. Tidy car. Ex Steve Thomas now $5,000.00 ono. Contact Barry on 021949531
Ford Thames r/f guard and bonnet $100 each also engine and g/box ask. Ph Bruce 032140426.
1962 Austin Cambridge A60 early restoration, Black Plates, drives well, $6000 - contact Ken 027 414 3377
1939/40 NASH PANELS, including both front and rear guards, bonnet and side panels, part of the pot metal grille (for a pattern), possibly a headlight surround??? (not sure, it's been buried in the shed for 25 years), and a boot lid, all for removal. If anyone wants them, it's all free, they just have to pick it up from Tauranga. The attached pic is just for identification purposes. Please contact Grant Harrison <inthweedz@gmail.com> or call him on 0274 625 666
1955 Austin A50 Cambridge - $3,500 but prepared to let it go to a good home. Car is not registered. Contact Neil Doak by email neildoak13@gmail.com
1910 D26 Brush Runabout with the only BRUSH 2 Cylinder-2.5 litre-Rotary Shaft Balanced. The only one in the world. Designed and manufactured by Alanson Brush. Contact our branch Secretary Carol McGarry on southland@vcc.org.nz for more information.
1967 Triumph Herald (convertible - not factory)
Modified front panel - only modification done. Motor runs but clutch stuck. Rego on hold. 13 x 5.5 Trident wheels. Some spares. Offers Contact Barry on 021949531
1929 Century 6 Hupmobile. This car is in very good condition with spare motor and parts included. Car originally owned and restored by David Brass.
Contact: Jan Blee 027 646 8233
1967 Cortina mk2. Very tidy, rust free, auto, 145000 miles. Red interior, lovely to drive.
Reconditioned trans, new alternator, 12 month wof and reg
Contact: Wayne 0272012103
Race programmes from Ryal Bush 1956 and 1957, Teretonga 1957 and 1958. Also interested in other early motorsport history and memorabilia. Contact Nic, frontfive@gmail.com, 02102748924.
