Issuu

Waikato Branch

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Despite the current weather, we have been busy working in the parts shed and workshop sorting things out. Don’t let the weather put you off coming to the club Thursday mornings. The heaters are on and the morning tea is warming, a good place to catch up.

The club is looking at purchasing a 20ft container. This is intended for storing parts when a large quantity of parts are donated. This prevents clutter in the parts shed or workshop. If any members know of a suitable item for the club to purchase, please let us know.

We had a great club night in July with Brian Cossey organising Tim Ross from C&R Developments. Thanks to Tim for filling in with short notice, as the organised speaker withdrew, due to unforeseen circumstances. Tim gave a basic run down of how the company was formed and what they achieved. Tim also had aerial photos of some big projects they did, which were shown on the new TV. Looking forward to seeing you at the next club night as we are planning to have a movie night. Also, please remember Daffodill day on Sunday, 24 August. Come along and participate in the run, you can participate in any car, even your modern. If you know any places to visit for club runs, or any ideas for club nights, please contact your committee, we are always looking for more ideas. Time to fuel up and make new memories.

Cover Picture

VCC #3:

Willys-Knight. David Hall’s first car now motored by Les & Sue King. Refer to page 8 for our tribute to founding member David Hall.

The first self driving car: Christine.

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT

“The Cars we drive say a lot about us”

August is the month to stay in the garage and fix the little things that need to be done on your cars, and when that is done, bring out the polish.

Club night is Movie Night with Hot Chocolate and Eskimo Pie – Come along and enjoy the followship.

The main event this month is Daffodil Day which is coming together with Rally Runs plotted, hot food caravan and BBQ all booked along with the Coffee cart.

All that is needed is for you to bring a friend with a car, member or not, but you have to attend for the nation-wide Cancer Fund Raiser. Lucky Car Number draw for each area when you enter. Hamilton, Morrinsville, Matamata, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.

Driving Our History

Out of Town Events

14 September - Ford Day – Bob Hastie

5-6 Feb 2026 South Canterbury 120 years Veteran, vintage, and Post Vintage. Vero International Rally Festival of Motoring 15-21 March 2026

“Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win”

This brings to mind that Shirley and I came 2nd in the Veteran Run at the Warkworth – Wellsford Winter Woollies Wander 5/6 July. 43 cars, pouring with rain, lots of metal roads, coast to coast – Kaipara Harbour to Pakiri Beach, Waitoki to Te Hana.

100 miles, and Sunday was a great visit to Kenny Campbells shed at Matakana, to see the 2 x 1918 Chandler-Curtiss Racing cars that he is building along with an impressive collection of motor bikes. Very enjoyable, different country to drive and meeting old and new friends - 10 outa 10 Play with your toys!

Chris Hawkings

SECRETARY’S REPORT

My first report being Secretary

My first month has been pretty busy as there is a lot to learn, but Heather and Jillian have been great.

Thanks for everyone’s patience while I get used to when things need to be done and who needs to know what.

The AGM went really well starting with a car run around Cambridge and a lovely lunch at the club rooms. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the day successful. All positions on the committee were nominated and agreed except for Vice Chairman and Club Custodian. These two positions have since been filled, congratulations to everyone involved and I am looking forward to the next year.

All contact details for the new committee are in the Venture magazine so if you need anything please reach out. If you have any ideas for Club nights or somewhere you would like to visit please let one of the committee know. Come along for movie night on the 13th Aug for another entertaining night.

Further to the email I sent out regarding the Vintage Car Club of NZ Incorporated Constitution the committee have recommended voting for the “proposed governance structure”. (Option 2 on page 5 ). 75% of the vote is required to support this change. Your voting papers can be handed to any committee member, brought into the club rooms or sent directly to the National office using the envelope supplied in the voting pack.

Deadline for voting papers is 8am Monday 4th August.

The first run of the new year was held on Sunday 20th July, starting at the Avantidrome in Cambridge and ending at Brewaucracy. A great turn out but unfortunately my car broke down, so I didn’t end up making it to the brewery, maybe next time. It was the first run for my Austin 1300 and although it was disappointing not making the brewery I learnt how to fix a fan belt and what tools I need to carry in future. I am sure someone will write a report and have some photos to share.

Jayne Bentley

A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

We hope that you will enjoy the club and it’s many activities

Delwyn Forsythe - 1975 Toyota Corolla SR Coupe Christine Greer –1960 Morris Minor 1000

Helen Ngakai –1955 Mk1 Ford Zodiac, 1955 Mk1 Ford Consul Convertible 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Convertible

Come along to the club nights on the second Wednesday of every month and/or Thursday mornings workshop and morning teas

MOTORCYCLE REPORT

Past Events:

June 24 Tuesday Legover. A bit of a chilly, cloudy day. 11 people and 7 bikes found different ways to the Top Pub in Morrinsville for lunch.

July 5 An impressive modern museum collection of bikes in Albany. British, American and European. From unrestored veterans through to modern Ducatis and a few classy cars. 10 people met at the Hampton Downs raceway café and another 7 met at the venue. There were only 3 on bikes but it was a wet day through Auckland traffic. The host, Mike Ensor, was very inviting, starting up some bikes and telling stories and supplied food and beverage.

July 12 Club X Stratford Kick Start rally. This annual event is always an adventure. It always rains but the King Country backroads are worth it and the club and clubrooms are great. If you are interested, next year, let me know.

July 20 We had the AGM of the NZ Classic Motorcycle Racing Register at the clubrooms. About 90 people in attendance, there were just enough chairs for everyone. Thanks to those who organised food and drink and clean up.

A new committee is in place and looks good for the future. Spiralling costs, especially track hire, travel and safety requirements are barriers to bringing young people with big mortgages on board. This versus an ageing membership will inevitably mean changes a few years on. Already the number of vintage and pre 1963 (the clubs original rules) racing bikes are on the decline and many more post classic bikes are on track which makes a good atmosphere and more for spectators to see.

Coming Events:

July 29 and August 26 Tuesday Legover. Make your own way to the Top Pub in Morrinsville 12:00 midday for lunch.

October 4 Keep this date free for the next planned ride. Details to follow.

Steve Walter

WORKSHOP REPORT

Hi all

First up I must extend many thanks to Dennis Ogle who has done an excellent job on replacing / repairing some rusty panels out of the petrol bowser which is currently under restoration – well done Dennis.

Also to Jeremy and Graham (Pate) for their help in sorting some of the many different Bolts, Nuts and Screws etc. All this help makes it so much easier to find something when the time comes.

I must also thank Peter Spiller for his donation of a Gas Set and accessories plus a good torque wrench. Ian Verrall for dropping off some spanners, some specially made, I think maybe for a Mk4 Zephyr. It’s been a quiet month with the hoist, so I take it all members have their vehicles all up to scratch ready for summer outings including WOFs – don’t forget our sponsor Hamilton WOF Station where member Joe Bruntlett only charges $55.00 for members cars up to 1999. We could do with some ‘G’ clamps as well as a good 4inch Engineers Vice if there’s any out there that are looking for a new home. Thursday opening hours are from 9.30am to at least 2pm.

Workshop Sub Committee:-

Jeremy Brook 021 152 0922

Bryan Cossey 027 410 7772

Graham Holmes 07 827 7341

Stan Richardson 027 233 4461

Terry Pidduck 027 2726 319

I’m still looking for any Memorabilia, Flags, Signs, Placards, Vehicle Posters or Illuminated Signs etc to cover the plywood walls.

CLUB BADGES - Just a pre warning! I believe there has been appointed a club SHERIFF who is now on the look out for members not wearing their Club Name Badges.

Cossey

Below: Andy working on the Model AA truck engine, making good progress.

DAVID HALL – First Club Secretary

The last significant link with the very first days of the Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Waikato) Inc. was recently broken with the death of David Hall who, together with his wife Nola, in their more recent years lived just around the corner from our clubrooms in Cambridge.

David passed away at Waikato Hospital on Saturday 21st June 2025, aged 95 years. He was father and father-in-law to Linda & Dale, Carol & Michael, Heather & Mark, had seven grandchildren and twelve greatgrandchildren. At David's request, a private farewell has taken place.

Two meetings of old car enthusiasts were convened and held at Stan Nolan’s Upholstery Workshop in Hood Street, Hamilton in early 1958 after adverts had been placed in the Waikato Times. The first was held on 13th February and the second on 6th March. Any of the fourteen at the first or seventeen enthusiasts at the second meeting were considered to be the 31 founder members who went on to formerly establish the club later in March. David attended both early meetings and was installed as the very first Club Secretary. There was no joint membership in those days, but unusually, both husband and wife signed the membership application form, which was an early indication of the significant part that Nola would go on to play in club activities.

At that time David and Nola lived in Hamilton and drove a 1926 WillysKnight tourer, their first car, and though said to be heavy in the steering, was driven by both of them. This car was also used to transport the materials for the building of their house at Huntly and was one of the first to be authenticated by the Club. It still carries the brass authentication record plaque on the dash as well as the original club badge #3 on the radiator bar. The car was sold on a short time after the Club was formed, and after passing through several hands, is now by chance part of the nearby Les and Sue King collection in Cambridge.

David and Nola trialled menswear retailing in Huntly and, having determined there was a dollar to be made, relocated to the town where they built a home. They then bought land in the main street and built a shop to continue menswear retailing. During this period, in the mid to late 1960’s, they were part of a very lively local club social ‘sub-group’ which met monthly and also comprised such well-known early club members as Barry Challinor, Wally Jelaca, Ron Roycroft, Murray & Trish McKie, Fred Rix and others. Although he gave up his committee position at this time, the couple were regular and enthusiastic participants in many club activities. Later still the couple moved onto ‘the farm’ at Kainui Road in Taupiri, at which time there was a lapse in their membership, before moving again, firstly to a new house in Pickering Road, Cambridge until the 1990’s. Finally, another move brought them to the Oaklands sub-division near our clubrooms in Cambridge and a return to our ranks.

David was something of a wheeler-dealer when it came to cars but always had a preference for early veteran and vintage models as well as for fast cars. He would often refurbish them nicely then sell them on, only to be replaced by another needing his attention. He had a real ‘soft spot’ for early veteran vehicles and in particular the restoration of them. There was a single-cylinder 1904 6 hp De Dion for which Dave retrieved the mostly complete mechanicals from somewhere in the Hawkes Bay and completed the restoration in 1964. This was the first early veteran he and Nola motored. This De Dion was later sold on to Denis Scanlan, who eventually sold it to the Moore family in the UK. It is reputed to have participated in last year’s London to Brighton Rally.

Here are the Halls pictured in their 1904 De Dion at a Tauranga rally

Then there was the 1904 2-cylinder Darracq. This car has a bit of a story with it also as David owned the chassis off a Bugatti and Ron Roycroft had a Bugatti motor for it. David tried to get Ron to part with the motor and Ron tried to get David to part with the chassis. In the end David did part with the chassis, the deal including the remains of the 1904 Darracq which David subsequently restored. That Darracq is now owned by David Porter and is often seen on our Club’s veteran rallies.

There were many other veteran cars which benefitted from David’s attention in minor or major ways. Amongst them, the 1906 Model F Ford which Roy Rowe eventually restored. David was involved with the recovery of parts for this vehicle from Tuai, Waikaremoana (notwithstanding the incorrect article in a recent BW). There was also a 1912 Wolseley which he restored, which later went to England and then Ireland. He bought a very complete and original 1914 AC that was known to exist in Auckland, which after restoration by Alan Meredith ended up back in Auckland with Bill Shears; another car we used to see frequently on our rallies. There were others as well, including a 6 cylinder Darracq, a 1930 Rolls Royce, a 1906 Cadillac, a 20/60 Sunbeam and an E Type Jaguar, to list just a few.

In more recent years, and now approaching 90 years of age, David put his hand to a 1906 Humber 10/12 which he restored in Cambridge from basic mechanicals. This car is now in the Craw Packard Motor Museum at Maungatapere in Northland. Not finished yet, the final vehicle to come out of the Hall workshop and again restored in Cambridge from basic mechanicals when David was in his 90’s was the 1911 Delage Type R. This story was written up in the July 2022 Venture and then later reprinted in Beaded Wheels; it was an original South Canterbury vehicle and is now in Rodger Mahon’s Museum at Geraldine.

1911 Delage Type R – David Hall’s final restoration

But David’s pride and joy for many years and the car he regretted selling the most, was the 1931 Alfa-Romeo 8 cylinder model 21/220 8C, supercharged, with Zagato open 2-seater body. This actual vehicle was a factory team car that had won the Le Mans 24 hr. race in 1931, driven by Lord Howe and Sir Henry Birkin. The car was later used by Sir Malcolm Campbell and raced at Brooklands in 1934, where it averaged 112.93 mph in the Gold Star Race of that year. David saw the car advertised for sale on the side of the road and bought it from a university student. The Alfa was displayed at the VCC Waikato Branch Vintage Autorama (held during the Hamilton Centennial Rally) at Easter 1965. It was reluctantly sold about 1971 to a US oil exploration engineer working in NZ at the time, when David needed the ‘readies’ to build his shop in Huntly. Such is life!!!

David was a gentleman. Very knowledgeable in his areas of interest and had a significant library of relevant books, researched his projects well and as a consequence, knew how things should be and that was how things had to be. He enlisted the assistance of local members, neighbours, businesses and even overseas contacts for advice or assistance, but only where he could not do it himself. He was very modest about what he had achieved and was generous in his support of younger members prepared to have a go at restoring, a veteran in particular. He was very patient, spending hours or days, sometimes even weeks restoring or making something out of nothing and maintained a very modest and very tidy workshop. What he achieved and his dedication to the restoration of older cars in general, particularly in his 80’ and 90’s, has got to be an example to us all.

A tribute to our first club secretary, David Hall, made possible by contributions from Reece Burnett, Kathryn Parsons, Murray & Trish McKie, Les King and Bob Hayton.

The Hall’s 1931 Alfa-Romeo Model 8C at Morrinsville c.1966

Readers Letters

While I was In the British army I used to moonlight at a British Leyland garage. At the time [ late1970’s] the Austin Princess was the latest car. A nice wedge shaped front end styling, almost futuristic, but very little thought given to the rear end aesthetics. My friend and I had to de-wax the paintwork and clean and polish the engine bay and interior. The cars had been outside in a field for months and quite often had rusty sills that had to be undersealed to cover up the rust.

After a few months I saved up enough money to buy my third car. A Wartburg Knight saloon.

My father had bought a new one the year before. I bought my 7 owner Wartburg from a caravan towing company. They delivered new caravans all over Hampshire with it. It had a 1000cc 2 stroke engine that had 3 cylinders and a coil on each cylinder, and a freewheeling clutch.

At the garage. I poured a pint of 2 stroke oil into the petrol tank and then 5 gallons of petrol. Then I shook it up to mix it. In East Germany the car was built in an ex-BMW factory. It had settee like, comfortable seats and a cavernous boot that would take my MFO box. This was an army issue wooden box approximately a metre long and 600 wide and deep. The rumour was that they were used for ploughing fields in East Germany.

The Wartburg had terrific torque and served me well without any problems for two years. The funny story was, when I tried to get her up to 90mph. (It’s top speed was 75/80 mph) I took her to the top of a steep hill and floored it. We got to 85 and then everything stopped. At the bottom of the hill, I lifted the bonnet and found all 3 spark plug leads were hanging down with the spark plugs still attached. The speed had pushed them all completely out of the block!

Keith Rodgers Cambridge

From the Editors Desk

I have always wanted a Ford Model T. It’s a great club eligible vintage vehicle, a relic of times gone by, and one that has obvious importance in the history of the Ford Motor Company. That said, if, like me you get the bright idea to type “Ford Model T” into Google, you’ll get slapped with an AI (artificial intelligence) overview right at the top of the search results that suggests the Model T is headed back to market in 2026 as a brand-new model. I don’t think I really need to say it, but there is absolutely no truth to the rumour. Google’s AI overview thinks that the 2026 Ford Model T will be an affordable electric vehicle. Oddly enough. It also specifies that the supposed Model T would be “designed for urban and suburban life,” and aims to “capture the spirit of the original, which made car ownership accessible to a wider population, but with a focus on sustainable transportation in the electric era.”

That sounds all well and good, but it’s all complete nonsense. The AI overview doesn’t even cover what the 2026 Ford Model T could look like, aside from a potential “tall roofline” and “upright windshield.” It also suggests that it will rely on Ford’s “Iron Drive” electric architecture. I’ve never heard of “Iron Drive” to describe anything other than golf, and it’s certainly not related to Ford in any way. The 2026 Ford Model T is a complete lie picked up by Google’s AI overview from various AI-generated videos floating around online. To its credit, Google does specify that its sources are mainly videos, and that they shouldn’t be trusted until Ford itself makes an official announcement. But, for now, the 2026 Ford Model T is just a made-up concept. Completely non -existent. This is why, as you will read in the library section, I was seen lurking in the clubroom library looking for inspiration, from physical books written by actual humans for my true and verifiable information sources.

Michael Overington

Another month has passed, and another quiet month in the library. There have been a couple of people who came in, one being our new editor looking for inspiration for the monthly venture, and another member whom I convinced to make some more book ends for our books. Thank you very much for our book ends, they are very much appreciated. There have been approximately 7 books taken out in the last month, lets see if we can increase the number this month. Hopefully with the minor change made in the library it may get a few more visitors, even if it is to just have a look to see what has been done. There is now a for sale corner, (by the photocopier) with duplicate donated books ready to go to a new home for a low cost. Also there are donated magazines that members can take for free. Least and most importantly there is a reading nook with two comfy chairs to sit and relax. So come on in and see what we have for you, and discover your love of reading. Sue King

Events Ahead Home

Workshop / Parts Shed / Club Rooms open from 6:30pm . 2nd Wednesday of the Month Club Nights 7:30pm - Raffle $2.00 per ticket –cuppa

Wed 13 Club night - Movie night

Wed 20 Wed Wander - Top Pub Morrinsville

Sun 24 Daffodil Cancer Day –Driving our history. Please refer page 13 for details

Tue 26 Leg Over Motorcycles Run Sun 7 Motorcycle Run

Wed 10 Club Night - Guest Speaker to be confirmed Sun 14 Ladies Rally – refer page 12 for details Wed 17 Wednesday Wander

30 Leg Over Motorcycle Run

4 Motorcycle run Wed 8 Club Night Wed 15 Wednesday Wander

Events Ahead Away

14th September Ford day Bob Hastie bobhastie@xtra.co.nz

5-6 Feb 2026 South Canterbury 120 years Veteran, Vintage, and Post Vintage

Vero International Rally Festival of Motoring 15-21st March 2026

Model T Ford Club 33rd National Rally 24 Feb – 1st March 2026 entries close

Open one hour before club nights Now open Thursday mornings 10am 12pm

Lots of parts including: wiper blades steering columns lights gauges generators carburetors light bulbs wheel rims gaskets bumpers armatures alternators axles distributor caps

Recent additions:

1957-1958 Borgward Goliath 1100 2 door kombi station wagon shed stored 40years, no major rust, 4 cylinder boxer engine, lots of parts from 2 other cars partially dismantled.

1929 Chev light truck 6 cylinder totally dismantled, panels in poor condition, remains of Colonial cab, extra gearboxes and parts, not complete.

1935 Willys 77 parts - front hubs, wheels and differential spares for sale.

Parts Shed Committee

Alan Sharp 021 02553853

Les King 021 1909506

Clive Plumtree 07 8275973

Terry Pidduck 027 2726319

Graham Holmes 07 827 7341

Robert Johnson 027 4839825

CLUB BADGES FOR SALE

DO YOU HAVEACAR, CARS, MOTORBIKES OR PARTS THATYOU WISH TO SELL?

1993 Daimler XJ12 with Turbo 400 auto. In factory as new condition with only 31,700kms. Registration current and WOF up to date.. Tenders invited for purchase of this magnificent vehicle. Phone Colin Dray on 021 158 9195.

Parts

Jaguar XJS rims and tyres x 4

Starfish rims 6.5J x 15”

Michelin Tyres: Energy XM1 215/70 R15

98H Tread 5-6mm

Offers around $950.00

Phone Colin Dray: 021 158 9195

The information in this newsletter and on the club’s web site, is supplied as a service to club members. Articles and other copy of interest are always welcome and encouraged. The opinions expressed in this newsletter and on the club’s website are those of the author alone. Neither the club nor any of its officers accepts responsibility for the accuracy of any statements or opinions.

Notice

We are getting non members ask about putting an advert in the For Sale or Wanted section of the Venture. After a discussion with the committee it has been decided that an advert from a non Waikato VCC member will incur a $15.00 charge. This will cover a three (3) month insertion. After the three (3) months it will be automatically withdrawn.