VCC Taupo Mag November 2025 by Vintage Car Club of New Zealand

CLUB OFFICERS

PATRON; GrahamMock(deceased)

CHAIRMAN EricFoley 073787006 chairman@taupovcc.org

SECRETARY ElaineTaylor 0272324792 secretary@taupovcc.org

TREASURER JohnSearle 0277036374 treasurer@taupovcc.org

CLUBCAPTAIN TBA

MAGAZINEEDITOR GraemeDoree 0272496974 editor@taupovcc.org

COMMITTEE

MurrayStanley 021352333MaureenRansley 073776360 AndrewBirkbeck 02102632124

NonCOMMITTEEPOSITIONS

ARCHIVISTS June&GrahamMock 073787513

BEADEDWHEELS& BRANCHREPORTER GraemeDoree 0272496974

CLUBROOMHIRE EricFoley 073787006

LIBRARIAN TBA

RALLYSPONSOR TaupoBrakeandClutch 073787429

SPAREPARTS TonyMannington 073771598

CLUBROOMSCUSTODIAN OwenDuncan 0274 482-484

VICCERTIFIERS KelvinTrim 073789055 BarryHoffman 0274435479

Club Breakfast - First Sunday of each month At Café Lacus at the Landing 650 Lake Terrace, Wharewaka, Taupō. Special menu for Club Members. IMPORTANT: Please let Owen know by 3pm Friday if you will be there phone Owen on 0274482484. Please be seated by 8:30 am.

PETROLHEADS

Chairmans Report August 2025 Ladies Day

The November coffee morning will be at Wairakei International Golf Club Wednesday the 19th , at 10 am. Meet at the Club Rooms at 9.30 for 9.40 departure. See you there! Thanks and Regards, Barry.

Vero National Rally Update Parts Shed Update Spanner Man

Chairman’s Report

Eric Foley

Chairman’s Report

October 2025

Improvements in the weather have resulted in a little more activity for our members. The month kicked off with breakfast which sees about 30 members participate. A similar number attend the Petrolheads coffee mornings. The result is a lot of chatter among members about cars, recent holidays, planned events and family news. Both mornings are a very welcome addition to our club calendar.

Club night on the eighth was a very entertaining occasion. Rob Sacklyn hosted a movie night showing a “movie” he had bought back from US. It was a about a man who was build little cars. They looked like the real thing but they were miniature. He had started out building them out of old refrigerator bodies – the really old type with the very rounded top. They were powered by small petrol engines out of old Japanese cars. It took several years work to hand make each vehicle. The commentary was good for a few chuckles and I am confident that the members present enjoyed the event. As usual, ice creams were shared around part way through the evening. At the conclusion, Rob was able to answer questions as he and Jane had visited the workshop and seen the cars. There was a very positive feeling amongst the attendees at the ends of the evening and it took quite some time before the stragglers headed home.

The Chairman’s Run took us out through Acacia Bay, Mapara, Poihipi, Marotiri, Waihora, Otake and Whangamata Roads before we finished up at the café at Kinloch Club. About 30 members took part in this excursion and there has been a lot of positive feedback. Some members had not driven on some of these roads. Others had not been to this café. As a result of 30 people arriving in close succession it took a while before we all got fed, although the food was very tasty once it arrived. I am grateful for the offers of assistance with planning future routes. The roading layout in this area restricts the direction of travel somewhat. The misfortune that came from this run was that the Daimler “pooped its pants” on the way home and is now headed to the workshop for attention to the gearbox. We have only done 7500 km (in 10 years, mind you) since the gearbox was overhauled, so I am a bit perplexed.

Unfortunately, I am pecking out this message a couple of days before the Hospice Run. I am hopeful we get a good attendance as the Hospice clients seem to enjoy the occasion and George has arranged some publicity. I have my fingers crossed for a nice fine day and a good representation from VCC members. I am away for much of November, but I have every expectation that you will get by without me. It could mean that I have little to report on next month !

Safe travels

Eric

Inside the golf club café waiting to be feed.

Good parking at the Kinloch Golf Club

OnFridayeveningofthe17thLynetteandIdecidedwewouldtakeourdinnerdown tothelake.Aquickemailwassenttomemberswith12turningupand12givingtheir apologies(althoughthiswasnotnecessary).Abeautifulnightdownbythefloatplane jettywatchingthecomingsandgoingsofboats,swimmers,ducksandafewswans. Greatcompanyandnicetojustrelaxandchat.

IfanyonewouldliketodothisagainjustsendmeorElaineaquickemailandwewill getitouttotheclub.Doesn’thavetobefancyassimpleisbest.Greatwaytospenda summereveningdiningelfresco.

Impromptudinnerbythelake.

GraemeDoree

MONTHLY CLUB NIGHT

Club night was held with a great turnout to watch a DVD courtesy of Rob & Jane Sacklyn. The topic was Dwarf Cars and Rob & Jane had been to see this guy when they were in the USA.

In their own words,

We had a trip to the USA last year and caught up with our Canadian friends who live in Arizona for 6 mths of every year, One day they decided to visit the Dwarf car Muesum in Maricopa AZ - about 1hr from Mesa .

Now you would wonder what this is about, immediately thinking of kids cars or similar, but no they are miniature cars, that are roadworthy, drivable and fun to see.

The gentleman is Ernie Adams who is now 84 yrs old, and has been building these cars from scratch for 60 yrs. Ernie is 6ft tall and makes it look easy to get in and out. Each car took from 2-5 yrs to build, and when he first started started using fridge panels as they had the right shape and there was plenty of old fridges lying around. As time progress he used sheet panelling and folded to right dimensions to make replicas of original models. Ernie even had to make the dyes before making parts - you could say kiwi ingenuity, but no he is Amercian, He used Toyota parts and running gear. He started off with race stock cars, then street cars, and even a boat - all miniature. The museum is well worth a visit, just to see something unique and handmade. We had the privilege of meeting Ernie who enjoys chatting to everyone about his passion.

Rob and Jane Sacklyn

PS if anyone missed out on wed club night and wants to see video, you are welcome to borrow

Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car

HOSPICE HOUSE PATIENTS OUTINGS

Another highlight for both us and the Hospice House patients was our annual rides. Approximately 10 cars showed up to take some very eager people for a trip down memory lane. A few issues with getting in and out of vehicles but a great day was had by all. A ride favourite turned out to be our little “Inch” Ford Prefect of Maureens. Julie Brunton of Hospice House has said this is a day the patients look forward to and is very appreciative of us giving our time . A nice cuppa and cake supplied by the Hospice volunteer ladies was also well received as a guesture of thanks. Thanks George for organising this with Hospice.

HUBLEY DERBY.

The North Island Model A Ford Club are coming to Taupo on the weekend of 7th to 9th November.

They will have approximately 20 Hubley Model A Cars racing in the Tongariro Room.

Taupo Cosmopolitan Club

From 4.15pm to 5.30 pm on Saturday the 8th November. Spectators welcome.

Some of our members have been asking for more details of what a Hubley Derby is.

So here is a little information.

Hubley Derby. (1/20 Scale Models of Ford Model A's)

The Hubley Derby is a gravity race using the die cast 1/20 scale metal models made by Hubley, Gabriel, and Scale Model. An event for "the big kids" - racing their toy Model A cars.

These Models are built up by our members from Kitsets mainly purchased online from USA.

Photos below of Tony’s and Pam’s cars which will be participating in the Derby.

Also don’t forget an invitation has been extended to join the Model A Club on the Ernest Kemp on the Saturday Midday and then to watch the racing at the Taupo Cosmopolitan Club starting at 4pm.

For those who wish to join the cruise its $45 per head and money needs to be paid to Tony Mannington to secure your place.

UPCOMING EVENT

This one is just up the road and a one day event. Several members have expressed an interest in attending and the thought is to go up together. Meet at the big bike at the top of the hill to leave at approximately 7-45am. The drive to their clubrooms takes about an hour. See you there. Lets show a bit of support for a club that’s right on our doorstep.

Next Parts Shed Open Morning is on the 27th November 10.00am to 12 noon.

Great to see the Parts Shed picking up speed over last few months. Unfortunately for me, being unwell I didn't attend September's day, but our team at the Shed had a great turn out of folks coming and going. That's what we want, members to come down for a chat.

To remind members we have a great selection of "brand new" oil filters, distributors caps, spark plugs. Thanks to Graeme, he has managed to catalogue most of these items. If you know the number on your oil filters we may be able to help. We have acquired an engine block stand and most car jack stands for members to borrow Remember the Parts Shed is open to all Members, come down on the last Thursday of the month. Bring Parts, Talk Parts and Buy Parts. 10.00am to 12noon.

Taupo Torque | Taupo Vintage Car Club Magazine

It's now becoming popular when we close the Parts Shed up, we are invited to join the Clubs Crafty Ladies for a lunchtime cuppa and ofcourse to see what they are creating. Just remember to bring a sandwich, sometimes there is not enough scones to go around or nobody brings them.

27th November, I will be away in Auckland looking after our daughters home and cat while they are on holiday.

Graeme has indicated that he is available and extra support would be appreciated. No Parts Shed Opening in December.

29th January 2026 next open day.

Tony and the Parts Shed Team. 0274942445.

LADIES DAY CRAFTS AND COFFEE.

Held every month on the same day as the parts shed is open. Club rooms open at 10am until 2pm for those who wish to join in. All crafts, hobbies etc welcome. Bring along your machines or whatever you need to create and enjoy the company of fellow women without the need to talk things automotive. Coffee and tea is available so bring a snack for lunch and enjoy a leisurely and relaxing day out.

LOCAL FUNDRAISER AT KINLOCH.

The Kinloch volunteer firebrigade are having the fundraiser mention below and would love to have a display of classic cars to get the public along. If you can help and wish to put your car on display be there by 8am.

Taupo Torque | Taupo

The club is indebted to the continued support from the following sponsors. Members are encouraged to use their services if you can.

Taupo Torque | Taupo

Taupo Torque

That’s right , your club needs you.

There is nothing magic about the events that you get to participate in. Its all down to great organising by members of this club.

We are down to a select few and would like to invite anyone who is willing to help with organising or helping with club activities to stick up your hand.

A case in point is next years “Country Roads Rally”. Most of those who have run this event in the past will be in the South Island at the Vero National Rally.

If you can help with this which is in March 2026. The route has already been plotted. We will require marshalls to assist entrants depart, some course layout and questionaire markers at the rally end. If you would like to help please let Eric, Murray, Graeme or any of the current committee members know so we can co-ordinate those helping with this event..

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