Next Meeting - Thursday 30th July, 7:30pm - Ariki Lodge
Guest Speaker - Donald Ward displaying his 1929 Chevrolet Wednesday Run - August 5th
David Anderson receiving his 25 year badge from Chairman Tony Warren at the June Meeting.
Don Carter receiving his 25 year badge from Chairman Tony Warren at the June Meeting.
July Wednesday Run meal at Otautau Hotel
Chairmans Report
Little has been happening in the last month, the executive had their first full meeting since the AGM, the calendar of events for the next two years has been submitted to the national office (Beaded Wheels). Next weekend – Sat 25th we will be hosting the sportscar club for the annual combined timed trial with an afternoon tea back at our clubrooms afterwards – contact Nev Coutts for details.
Once again, we are holding a mid-winter dinner at the clubrooms on the 9th of August at a very reasonable cost of $35.00 per person, contact Carol McGarry for tickets.
John Pennicott has kindly offered to split the firewood in the carpark, thanks John this will be much appreciated.
A big thanks to those who turned out to give the clubrooms a good clean last Saturday, it looks great thank you.
Geoff Ellis and Kevin Brown have been busy on the chainsaw giving the grounds a much-needed tidy-up. Currently the back area of the women’s toilets is out of order as a leak has developed in the back wall needing urgent attention.
For the motorcyclists among us, don’t forget the round the Taki’s run 29th – 30th August – see you there.
Cheers
Tony
July Wednesday Run
What a splendid winter morning for motoring!!! We had a record turnout of 54 people in 26 cars and they turned right down Findlay Road, Lorneville/Dacre Highway, Rakahouka/Grove Bush Road, then left down Wilsons Crossing Road. From there to Lochiel Bridge Road and onto Lincoln Road which exits at Otahuti, right onto Lindsay/Calcium Road and over Ringway Ridges into Otautau.
Our lunch meal was at Otautau Hotel and was enjoyed by all.
From the Editor
I have been on a couple of car runs lately that were nothing to do with the Vintage Car Club. They were the Tour of Duty and the Hayes Mechanical Run. The Tour of Duty has been running for many years and is organised by a small group of American car owners. It goes to Te Anau at the beginning of July (close to American independence day) and you can take any American car on the run. It stops at a number of places along the way and everyone stays overnight in Te Anau where there is an evening function. The Hayes run was for any car or motorcycle and was a fundraising activity. It was a one day run around Southland. On both runs I took my 1928 Oakland Roadster.
Most of the cars on both of these runs are Vintage Car club eligible but the owners are not members of the VCC and even on the Hayes run most were American V8s which are very popular in Southland. While there were good numbers on these runs I am sure there are many car enthusiasts who would come on these types of runs but don’t know they are on. The problem is communicating to let people know what is on. Social media looks to be great but you have to be in the right groups to find out about these events. I found out about the Tour of Duty many years ago when I was in Te Anau on a day trip the day the group arrived and I found out about the Hayes run when I saw a poster at our Clubrooms. I did put the run in the coming events last month but it was only by chance that I found out about it.
As far as I know people are often looking for a reason to get their old car out so if I find out about any future runs I will put them in the coming events even if they are not VCC events.
Dave
Secretary’s notes
Previous Patrons: we have photos of three previous patrons to be added to our photo wall: A Walmsley O.B.E. 1958 to 1968, I.D. McIvor M.B.E. 1969 to 1981, N.A. McMillan 2008 to 2011.
Paper copies of the Rumour - with the recent increase we in postage we are again asking if members will give up receiving their printed copy by post and pick it up from our clubrooms on Saturday night or meeting night. Please let the Secretary know if you receive the email version and no longer need a paper copy of the Rumour posted to you.
Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally – Saturday 21 November 2026. We can confirm the evening function will be held at the Arrowtown Bowling Club. Further details to follow.
Cleaning roster we need volunteers to help running our club. Please add your name to the cleaning roster on the noticeboard.
New member: We welcome John Warren to our branch; John has a 1924 Crosley undergoing restoration and a 1965 Jaguar.
Meeting Guest Speakers
We are always looking for guest speakers for our monthly meetings. If you have any suggestions of who may be an interesting speaker let the Secretary know so we can get someone to follow up on getting them along.
For July we have Donald Ward bringing his 1929 Chevrolet along and for August we have Lindsay Buckingham from Southern Steam Trust along. Southern Steam Trust are restoring a steam locomotive, F150 here in Invercargill.
Mid-Winter meal – Sunday 9 August 2026
We have arranged a mid-winter meal for members, family and friends on Sunday 9 August 2026, served at 12.30pm at our clubrooms.
The cost is $35 per person to be paid in advance to confirm your booking. Please put your name and method of payment on the list on the bar or let the Secretary know you have paid by internet banking.
Payment must be made by Wednesday 5 August 2026 by internet banking (bank information below) or by EFPOS at the bar, or cash on meeting night.
SBS 03-1355-0799805-02 Account name: Vintage Car Club of NZ Southland Branch Inc.
Please note your name and Mid-winter lunch in the reference boxes.
Daffodil Rally for Cancer - Sunday 23 August 2026
Come and join us for a show and run starting at Macaulay Ford Motors, Dee Street, Invercargill. Display your vehicle from 10am with the run starting at 1.30pm and ending at the Southland Vintage Car Club Rooms for afternoon tea.
Sausage Sizzle before the run and our bar and parts shed will be open. $20 Entry fee, all vehicles welcome. Enquiries to Nev Coutts 027 896 1497.
Members, please bring a packet of biscuits for the afternoon tea.
Coming Events
25th July 2026 - Car Trial and Social Night
25th July, 2026 - Waikaia Poker Run. www.waikaiaforesttrails.co.nz
9th August - Mid-winter Meal
23th August 2026 - Daffodil Day run.
29th – 30th August 2026 - Round the Takis Motorcycle Run
2nd - 3rd October 2026 - Central Otago VCCNZ 80th Anniversary Rally
2nd - 4th October 2026 - 54th Dunvegan Motorcycle Run - entries available end of August
3rd - 4th October 2026 – Horsepower Rally, Timaru www.kylepark.nz
21st November 2026 - 60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally.
February 2027 - National Motorcycle Rally - South Canterbury Branch.
February 2027 Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally
13th - 20th March 2027 - National Model A Rally is being held in Blenheim.
26th - 27th March 2027 - National South Island Easter Rally in Dunedin
Car Trial and Social Night
When Saturday 25th July 2026
Where Southland Vintage Car Clubrooms, 46 Ariki Avenue, Otatara Meet at 3:30pm for 4:00pm start.
Southland Vintage Car Club have invited Southland Sports Car Club to join us for a fun car night.
Get a car together with your members, friends, crew and volunteers for a fun car trial and social night Bring a pen. Followed by some banter and refreshments. Bar will be open.
To get an idea of numbers for catering please RSVP by 20th July.
Either via email nev_lene_74@kinect.co.nz
Or phone/txt Nev 027 896 1497 or Noelene 027 921 0292
We are looking forward to a fun time and seeing you all again.
Wednesday Run - 5th August
The VCC Wednesday Run is on 5th August, 2026 - leaving the Racecourse by 10.30am. Cost: $25 pp
Please ring Elaine or Angus on 03 212 8956 or 0273104239 by Sunday evening prior.
Daffodil Delivery - 25th August
The Southland Branch will once again be delivering pre ordered daffodils for the Cancer Society on Monday August 25th, probably late morning or early afternoon. 8 vehicles are required. If you can help please let Gerry know on 021 029 85620.
Round the Takis Motorcycle Run
29th – 30th August 2026
It’s getting close to that time of the year again where you need to clean up the riding gear and earn the brownie points for a weekend of riding and gossip.
Leaving the White House on Sat 29th at 10am continuing on for a lunch stop then on to Te Anau for the night, then after a siesta it’s out for an evening meal.
I have some rooms put aside for accommodation, reservation for meals – both lunch and tea for which I will need to know numbers for these by the 24th August.
I can be contacted on either 03 2179667 or 02102951296 or email mccpac1@gmail.com.
Ray McCulloch
Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally February 2027
Thinking of traveling to the VCC National Motorcycle Rally and associated hub rally being held in Timaru between 12th - 18th February 2027? Or maybe the Burt Munro Challenge being held in Invercargill between 10th - 14th of February 2027?
Are you aware that the Central Otago branch of the VCC is holding its annual Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally on the 20th February 2027? You may want to consider adding the Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally into your travel plans.
Full rally details will be advertised later in Beaded Wheels, but if you require preliminary details for travel planning, they can be obtained by calling Ken Roberts on 021 369413. email kbcroberts@xtra.co.nz
Central Otago VCCNZ 80th Anniversary Rally 2nd - 3rd
October
The Committee of the Central Otago Branch, have organised a two-day event to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. Day one is a cruise across Lake Wakatapu on the historic TSS Earnslaw, to partake of a gourmet BBQ lunch. Day two is a non-competitive rally style event starting in Cromwell and motoring through to Cambrians to view the Blue Bell and Daffodil Dell, before moving on to the historic Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans for lunch. We cordially invite members of other branches to participate in these events.
The entry form sets out the program and format for the two days. At present we are only able to reserve 61 places on the TSS Earnslaw for the Friday lunch time sailing, therefore bookings are on a first come, first paid and reserved basis. Payments must be made to our Branch Account as instructed on the Entry Form, not directly to Real Journeys. Please book and pay early, to secure your place. The committee looks forward to your members participation. All participants will receive a NZVCC 80th Anniversary Radiator type Plaque. Thank you for your assistance, to contribute towards the success of this weekend.
Entry forms at Clubrooms or see Secretary Carol for entry forms
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
Office Bearers 2026/2027
Patron Wayne Nicoll (03) 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 Nev Coutts 027 8961497
Bulletin Editor Dave Harris 027 201 6722 daveharris823@gmail.com
Club rooms 46 Ariki Avenue, Otatara, Postal: PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
Bar Roster
25/07/2026
1/08/2026
8/08/2026
15/08/2026
22/08/2026
29/08/2026
5/09/2026
Russell Jenkins
Andrew Brown
Paul Hamilton
Mac McGarry
Peter Pryde
Tony Warren
Kevin Brown
Power Tool Battery Repair.
Lately I’ve been astounded by the price of replacement batteries for Standard 20V Power Tools. So I’ve decided to offer my services as an Electrical Service Technician to repair or restore these batteries for club members, family and friends. This can normally be achieved at a fraction of the price of a replacement battery, I can quickly have most for them delivered to me direct from the manufacturers.
I can handle all the big brands AEG, Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Ozito, Ryobi, Wolff etc.
If you own a battery that is dead, operating slower or with less power than originally, please let me have a look and see what I can do to restore it for you. Further, if you have any old batteries or chargers that you can donate for me to redeploy parts from, that will help all concerned too. Finally I can safely dispose of any old batteries that you aren’t allowed to dispose of in household refuse for no cost to you.
Mac McGarry, 021 081 72672
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 email as a PDF file, contact the secretary if you wish to receive it this way. It is 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.
For Sale
1929 Dodge DA Sedan
REG on hold PZ3748. Has been in storage
Contact Phil 021 0277 0622 philchch@gmail.com
For Sale
1975 Triumph 2.5Ltr TC
Good Motor and Transmission. Spent $3000 on clutch master & slave cylinder and new rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders master and slave cylinders. There is a new set of interior carpets (not fitted)
This is a project car No WOF or Rego. Offers
Phone Allan Wilson 0274748901
For Sale
Austin Cambridge
This is a project car in Dunedin. Rego on hold.
Contact Sarah Marshall marshall19@slingshot.co.nz
Help Wanted
Wanted help with a 1952 Daimler consort. My husband and I intend to restore it - we have experience with older cars but more 70s/80s - Valiant, Chevy, Kingswood etc, but this is out of our scope. This car was too good to pass up in its current condition. Tyres still went up, has been stored covered in a garage so minimal rust, was running last time it was moved. Thanks, Chloe Little chloeheath000@gmail.com
For Sale
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
For Sale
Five C49 Tyres on Jaguar 15 inch rims.
One unused and four half worn. Contact Arthur Warren phone (03) 217 9378
Wanted to buy
197 Villiers 3 speed gearbox housing
Contact Russell McIvor on (03) 217 8481 or Donald Ward 0272947692
Short Term Storage Wanted
A group of 4 Model As,(8 people) are travelling from the North Island and Nelson to Invercargill and Stewart Island later this year. They are looking for somewhere to store their cars while visiting Stewart Island from 9th September until Friday 11th September 2026. They are happy to pay for storage.
If you can help contact Dianne & Roy Eaton. royandi@xtra.co.nz
Wanted
BTH GA4-K3 Magneto working or not working but needed
I own and use a 1925 Sunbeam 14/40 which was rescued from dereliction by Fred Cox of New Plymouth. Unfortunately the magneto has now failed a few times and I desperately need a replacement. If anyone has knowledge of a suitable unit please contact me by email alastairchalmers@hotmail.co.uk (it's ok I do live in New Zealand now) or text me on 0204-088-4523 and I'll call you back.
