APRIL - MAY 2026
ON THE COVER: Scenes from the funeral service for Bryan Morris at Hawera on Tuesday the 31st of March, 2026.
VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NEW ZEALAND TARANAKI BRANCH INCORPORATED. 2025-2026
BRANCH OFFICERS CONTACT DETAIL. BRANCH MEETING DETAILS.
CHAIRMAN: COLIN JOHNSTON ADDRESS: 63 BROADWAY, WAITARA PHONE: 021 131 6699
E MAIL: cajohnstoncollections@xtra.co.nz
SECRETARY / TREASURER: ROB THOMSON ADDRESS: 7 LEATHAM AVE., STRANDON, NEW PLYMOUTH 4312 PHONE: 027 701 2485
E MAIL: taranaki@vcc.org.nz
CLUB CAPTAIN: BRIAN EVANS PHONE: 027 956 0441
E MAIL: brian.julie@outlook.com
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: JIM LOGAN PHONE: 027 604 4821
E MAIL: logandj49@gmail.com
BRANCH COMMITTEE:
GRANT BISHOP: 027 295 8492 grantmerrilyn@farmside.co.nz
KEVIN FABISH: 06 756 7665 kev.fabish@gmail.com
DANNY PATTINSON: 06 756 7735 pattinson-family@farmside.co.nz
PARTS SHED:
JOHN MUTER: 06 751 5554
CES BUDD: 06 241 0454
GRANT BISHOP: 027 295 8492
NEIL ROOK: 06 758 6737
BEADED WHEELS SCRIBE: COLIN JOHNSTON: 021 131 6699 cajohnstoncollections@xtra.co.nz COMPLIANCE/DOMAS/VIC: LES BOGNUDA: 06 755 2810 021 084 82323 bognuda63@xtra.co.nz
MIKE WILLIAMS: 06 765 4419 annmike21@hotmail.co.nz
CLUBROOMS CUSTODIAN: ROSE COX: 027 353 9968 roselcox7@gmail.com
FACEBOOK ADMINIST’R: ALEXANDER JOHNSTON: nakivccmedia@gmail.com
GROUNDS CUSTODIAN: LES BOGNUDA: 06 755 2810 021 084 82323
DANNY PATTINSON: 06 756 7735
LIBRARY: JOHN MUTER: 06 751 5554
MEMBERSHIP/ARCHIVIST: ROSE COX: 027 353 9968 roselcox7@gmail.com
MID WEEK COORDINATOR: Position Vacant
NAME BADGES: KEVIN FABISH: 06 756 kev.fabish@gmail.com
CLUB ROOMS: 1040 MOUNTAIN ROAD, [SH3A], WAIONGANA, INGLEWOOD. MONTHLY MEETING: CLUB ROOMS, THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, 8.00 PM.
Taranaki Branch Bank Account Details
Account name: The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Taranaki Branch Incorporated.
Account No: 15 3949 0381958 00
Chairman’s Chatter
Hello folks
Some of our members attended the big Vero international festival of historic motoring rally held in Nelson. Just about all entrants from all over the North Island had some problems with trying to get across the Cook Straight on either Bluebridge Ferry’s or the Interislander . We were held up for 2 1/2 hours before we could cross going down to Nelson and our booking was cancelled completely coming home and we had to be put onto standby for the next sailing. Luckily we were able to get across and get home safely. These crossings are quite stressful to the travelling public when bookings get absolutely cancelled and are then told that you can’t get across for another five days or more.
However the big rally in Nelson had over 560 entrants and had beautiful fine weather except for a couple of showers on Saturday morning of the motor show at the Richmond Showgrounds that attracted around about 7000 public to view our vehicles.
The members that attended the rally will all have stories to tell and share.
My navigator and travelling mate was Danny Pattinson and we were able to motor down from Waitara all the way to Levin on the first day of our trip with the top down with the wind whistling through our hair and the beautiful sunshine shining down upon us. It truly was a great drive getting there to Nelson and driving home along with great enjoyment on the rally and being able to drive the 29DA Dodge tourer for just over 857 miles using $850 worth of petrol. We also entered the teams relay event which was held on the Friday at the Richmond Showgrounds which involved us driving around the race track for nine circuits. We were in a team of 23 against five other teams and this was a fun experience. This type of rally only happens every five years and it was great to be a part of.
Let’s hope it won’t be the last and I’ll be looking forward to the next one in five years time of which I hope to attend.
It is with sadness that we lost a valued member of the branch with the passing of Bryan Morris. Bryan had served as the club chairman and on our committee and up until recently was responsible for organising the midweek runs of which he did a superb job taking us to many different places not only in South Taranaki but in mid Taranaki and North Taranaki. It was amazing with the venues that he came up with.
It was always an enjoyable outing that had been organised by Bryan.
We send our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and it was a tribute to him to see a very good turnout of members with their vehicles at Bryan‘s funeral service in Hawera. I hope to see a good turnout of members to the breakfast run which is being organised by our club captain Brian Evans this Sunday, 12 April.
And also Brian is organising the end of registration run to the mountain house in June that is always a popular event.
The committee at our last meeting discussed whether we would proceed with the Maunga Moana rally as we were concerned about the petrol price and availability situation and whether that would affect entrants from outside Taranaki and even our own members.
After discussion we decided to proceed and we are underway with organising this rally for Saturday 9th May . It will again be based at the Plymouth International Hotel in New Plymouth and the entry form will be available and sent to all members shortly . So please support this rally so that we have a good attendance and we will reduce the overall mileage of the road run to help members with this world petrol price increase and availability.
We have had quite a few enquiries from outside Taranaki for entry forms over the last couple of weeks for this rally .
So keep the passion………. Get out and about in your vehicle………. We have some great club runs coming up in the next couple of months………… keep to the left enjoy your drive.
Cheers
Chairman Colin
Club Captains Report
Welcome back to all the members that attended the Vero International Rally rally in Nelson
Hopefully you all had a great time and not too many dramas, I’m sure there will be a tale or two to be told at the next club night.
This weekend is the Breakfast run; we have had a good response on this so look forward to catching up with everyone.
Don’t forget the End of Rego run on the 28th of June is fast approaching and spaces are filling up, please let me know if you would like to attend don’t delay or you could miss out !!
March Guest Speaker
This month we have Phil Jackson from 24 Seven Security with some stories from the Security Industry. Next month is our AGM so no guest speaker. If anyone has suggestions or a topic you would like to know more about for future guest speakers, please let me know.
Upcoming Events
12th April 2026 - Breakfast Run
Meet at 09:00Am at the rear of the Inglewood Railway Station, with first car away at 09:30. The run is a shorter run of approx. 1 Hour finishing at Simply Divine Restaurant in Egmont village for Breakfast at 10:30. Those that came last year really enjoyed the venue, so we have booked them again this year. We have reserved tables for 12 people so get in quick !. Members are welcome to meet us at Simply Devine for Breakfast if they don’t fancy doing the run. Order and pay on the day off the menu. There will be an expression of interest form on the table at club night or let me know by text or email.
9th May 2026 - Maunga Moana – details to come 28th June 2026 – End of Rego Run to the Ruanui Stratford Mountain House
The restaurant is under new management this year and they have requested we do things a little bit different. They have asked for pre order of food from the below menu and for one payment on the day to save queues at the bar, so we will ask members to pay into the VCC Taranaki bank account beforehand (use your name as the reference) and the club will settle the food bill directly with the venue. As before we are limited to fifty spaces. Thisisalwaysapopulareventsodon’tmissoutand getinquick.
There will be set menu of two course lunch at $49.00 per person. Payforyourowndrinksasyou go. Please let me know if there are any specific dietary requirements and we will contact them for an alternative option. Please either enter the details using the form on club night or email them through to me directly.
Main (choose one)
Golden Ale Fish & Chips DFO, GFO, CO (Beerbatteredfishservedwithgoldenfries, freshgardensalad,&creamytartaresauce) Slow-Braised Pork Belly DFO, GF, C (CreamyKumara&PumpkinMash,SeasonalVegetables,Apple&PruneChutneywithaPortWineJus) The Alpine Burger VO AVAILABLE (Chargrilledbeefpattywithmeltedcheddar,lettuce, tomato,redonion&beetroot,servedwithcrispyfries&tomatosauce.)
Dessert (choose one)
Caramel Salted Profiteroles (Filledwithwhippedcream,finishedwitha decadentsalted bourboncarameldrizzle.)
Classic Ice Cream Sundae (CreamyVanillaicecreamwithyourchoiceofchocolate, caramel,orstrawberrysauce,toppedwithwhippedcream)
Snickerlicious Slice DF, GF, VG Rich,indulgentslicewithcrunchypistachiocrumb&adrizzleofberrycoulis
Club Notices
As always, your ideas and suggestions are welcome we love hearing from you. We still have a limited number of Club Car Sashes available. Please come and see me if you would like one $15 each Warm regards, Brian
Bryans final Mid-Week Run
Bryan Morris’s final midweek run turned out to be a classic Taranaki VCC outing full of character, mechanical stubbornness, and a navigational "scenic detour" that Bryan himself would have found hilarious. At 94 years young, Bryan was a cornerstone of the vintage car community, but his beloved machines clearly weren't ready to let him go without a fight. The plan was for his "trusty" Vauxhall utility to lead the way, but in true vintage fashion, it staged a sit-down strike and broke down on the way to the funeral.
Mechanical Grievances and Heartfelt Tributes
Inside the service, the human element far outshone the machinery. Bryan’s two daughters delivered superb eulogies that captured the essence of a long life well-lived, while his grandchildren stepped up with readings that did their granddad proud.
The music played on, even as the funeral director a woman facing a series of logistical "challenges" that would have tested a saint battled with a complete lack of internet. While the digital world failed, the stories and tributes kept the engine running.
The Bedford Rebellion
As the VCC members formed a guard of honour, it was time for the backup plan: Bryan’s other pride and joy, his Bedford truck. But the Bedford was clearly in a foul mood. First, it refused to come out of gear, locked in a mechanical stalemate. Once the gearbox was finally coaxed into submission, the old girl promptly stalled and refused to fire back up. It was a classic "vintage moment" that had the gathered car enthusiasts nodding in sympathetic recognition. With the Bedford's protest noted, the decision was made to transfer the coffin to a modern hearse. It lacked the 1930s soul, but it had the one thing the classics were lacking that day a working starter motor.
The Okaiawa U-Turn
The cortege finally set off toward Okaiawa, passing by Bryan’s old farm for one last look at the home paddock. It was a sentimental journey until the funeral director, perhaps distracted by the convoy of vintage iron in her rear-view mirror, missed the turning.
In a scene straight out of a club rally, the entire funeral procession had to perform a synchronised U-turn in the middle of the road. Bryan was finally heading to the cemetery, but he was taking the "we’re not lost, we’re exploring" route.
Laid to Rest
Eventually, the convoy reached its destination, and Bryan Morris was laid to rest at the Okaiawa Cemetery. It wasn't the polished, seamless event the brochures promise, but for a man who spent 94 years navigating the quirks and charms of old engines, it was a perfectly "on-brand" send-off. It was an eventful mid-week run that Bryan would have thoroughly enjoyed even if he’d have been the first one out of the car with a pair of pliers trying to find that missing gear.
(Thanks, Graeme Kempton, for this most entertaining summary)
DID YOU KNOW
That any members are welcome to visit our parts shed by contacting a committee member to organise a suitable time for a visit. There is a wealth of parts within and there is not always time on Club night to rummage through them all. The results of the membership survey that was conducted recently are now available to view at the clubrooms, see Brian Evans.
WANTED TO BUY
• 1929-1933 Chevrolet, urgently required, a fuel pump, phone Ces. on 06 2410454
• 1971 VW, 1500 manual. As a first time VW owner I would like a any parts or advice that you may have. Also, any accessories to fit a 1971 VW or tools for the same. Ph Amy, 02108264899(mem)
• Ford T 21-inch wheel and rim, 4 stud bolt on type, ph John 7515554(mem)
FOR SALE
• 1946 Austin 8 – very good condition, rego and warranted with factory built-in sunroof. Some parts available. Phone 06-2786822 (mem) $6,990. o.n.o.
• V C Cresta, parts for sale, bonnet, gaurds, doors, boot lid chrome trim, contact Les Bognuda, 02108482323
• 1962 Morris Minor 1000, white, and very tidy in Stratford, $8,000 ph 0272836674
• Continental B6A motor, 1930’s MG side valve block with pistons and conrods, 1981 Audi
• 5-cylinder motor, late 1920’s Warner/Muncie 4 speed gearbox. A selection of wooden spoked and Sankey type wheels from 18 to 21 inch. Ph John, 06 7515554 or email megandjohnny@xtra.co.n
1969 MK II JAGUAR – Power steering & automatic gearbox – Original Old English White
Paint – Ambala trim faux leather interior – Luxury, style and history on four wheels.
This vehicle is currently listed on Trade Me; it has been donated to raise funds for the Arohanui Hospice in Palmerston North. This model represents a beautiful era of motoring, and we would love to see it go to someone who genuinely values classic cars and the craftmanship behind them.
You can view the listing here: www.trademe.co.nz/motors/cars/jaguar/mk2/listing/5811465027
You can read the full story here: www.arohanuihospice.org.nz/miles-of-memories-a-future-of-care/ Gemma Vallender Fundraising Operations Manager
Anyone wanting one or more of these stylish decals to go on your vehicle’s windows, please see Kevin Fabish, size 5cm x 12cm Here you are folks, a local business that is keen to help you with any of your clutch and brake problems, give them a call.
(Contact Alexander Facebook Administrator, with photos of events or reports of interest to our members)