CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
We have enjoyed a great stretch of weather over the past few weeks, although it may come to an end next week.
Several members have been working on the Essex car, tidying the windows and freeing up the winders. Others have been sanding the truck chassis. Work has also continued in the parts shed, where members are sorting parts a task that will take some time yet. The club received a trailer load of new air filters, which Robert Johnson and his wife have been sorting, so if you need one, there is a good chance we have it. We also purchased a new external exit door for the hall; Tony has fitted the hinges and is now painting it before installation.
On Sunday 17 May, 25 members took part in a club run around Cambridge. The outing included a short drive to the Cambridge Stud Heritage Centre, followed by a tour past some of the town’s historic buildings. The run finished at the Cambridge Museum, after which members enjoyed a light lunch at the Good Union. It was also great to see several new members join the outing.
The AGM will be held on 21 June. The day will begin with a morning run to the AGP Glass Factory, followed by lunch and then the AGM. Looking forward to seeing as many members as possible at our upcoming club activities.
Les King
Cover Picture Club members cars on the May Sunday Club run to the Cambridge Stud Heritage Centre before heading off to the Cambridge Museum via historic landmarks and Good Union for lunch.
MOTORCYCLE REPORT
Past Events
Tuesday LegOver April 28th
Great ride out today for LegOver - about 24 bikes of all ages, a very scenic route and lovely weather as well as a good place to have lunch. A couple of new members from that I think.
Bob
May 10th Sunday bike ride
I plotted the route but was unable to attend due to a family event. The forecast had been poor and only seven bikes, but they all seemed to enjoy the format and the route. Dave led off. Bob followed in the car, which was lucky as Kerry had a puncture and was able to leave the bike, to be picked up later, and continue in the car. A little rain at times but nobody seemed to be bothered by it and the cafe at Hampton Downs was very suitable. 2 other bikes joined at the café. Member, Paul Johnson has opened an ice cream shop at Rangiriri and offered discount ice creams which were popular. And a couple of prospective new members from the ride.
Coming Events
May 26th Tuesday LegOver (last Tues. of the month) Meet at Cafe 9, just south of the High Bridge, Cambridge, at 10am -10.30. Interesting back roads to Okoroire.
June 16th Special extra Tuesday LegOver to do a last ride over the Arapuni dam as it is closing for maintenance for 3 years! Meet at the Rhubarb Café Arapuni 10:30.
June 30th Tuesday legOver. We have been invited to a Motorcycle collection and barbecue within walking distance of Café 9 so this will be a Tuesday Walkover!
July 5th Motorcycle ride and, being winter, a carpool option to visit a motorcycle collection near Rotoma.
July 26th Motorcycle ride. Early start, leaving clubrooms 9:00 to visit a motorcycle collection at Karapiro.
July 28th Tuesday LegOver. Probably the winter standby of the Top Pub Morrinsville
Steve Walter
CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT
“You can’t turn back the clock, kid. But you can wind it up again”- Smokey, Cars 3
June
6th Sat – Double 50/50 Rally – Here’s hoping the weather god’s will be smiling on us – we have a good number of entries.
10th Wed Club Night - We have a great night planned - our entertaining Auctioneer will be itching to sell off the wonderful treasures that you bring along. Air out your wallets for a good cause. Details Page 13.
21st Sun AGM – Last year's trial of holding the meeting during the day worked well so we are staying with that format. There will be a short run to visit the APG Factory in Hautapu. The scale of this outfit should impress everyone. We will head back to the clubrooms for a light lunch and then the AGM will start at 1pm. We would love to see you all there especially our new members.
July
8th Wed Club Night -- We all love our cars, and we want you to bring along your pride and joy and tell us about it. Contact Graeme Blackstock on 0279155608 for details.
19th Sun Club Run – We are having a mystery run around some of the Waikato's many hidden lakes. Starting from the clubrooms at 10am the run will finish at the Te Rapa Tavern where they do a great Sunday Special of Fish 'n' Chips and a drink for $25.
August
12th Wed - Club Night
Sun 23rd Daffodil Day – This is a big day for the Club - last year we raised over $8,000 for the Cancer Society and we would like to be able to do the same or even better this year. We want to showcase the club and what it offers. We will be looking for lots of enthusiastic helpers on the day. Save this date and tell all your friends about it.
“There is a lot left in me. I never got the chance to show them” - Cars
Play with your toys!
Chris Hawkings
Mooloo
2026
Can enough ever be said about how it feels to be on a motorcycle? The sense of freedom, the sensory immersion and, as some have described the feel of dancing on the road. In a word ‘joyful’.
The incredibly detailed organisation is what helped make this event and enjoyable success. Participants just needed to enter and show up! With a warm welcoming ‘Jillian smile’ at the door, numbered bibs, route directions. last minute adjustments (Steve hacksawing a handlebar), ride instructions and almost 50 bikes were ‘time-staggered’ and off.
The route planned by Paul and Marguerite, wound through twists and turns of Cambridge hills to the spectacular views from Waterworks Road then eased into gentle rolling countryside. Skirting east of Morrinsville township we headed along flatter land and straighter roads through the Piako area north to our lunch stop at the Orini Hall (rebuilt in 1937). Arrival times were recorded, bibs collected and stories swapped. In one such story I learnt way we drive on the left. In ancient times travellers did so to keep their sword arm free to defend themselves. I imagine this is linked to why we mount out bikes/horses from the left.
As motorcyclists we often tend to seek out curves and hills before straights and flats so its food to reflect on how in 2026 we are actually able to ride this area. The land we had just ridden through was likened in 1866 to an inland sea. Thousands of acres from Hamilton East to the Piako River and from the Mangawera River in the north to Eureka in the south was peat bog known as the great Piako Swamp.
The bog was formed as a result of the Taupo eruption 26,000 years ago when the Waikato River changed course from Hinuera and out the Firth of Thames to instead spilling westward into the Hamilton basin and over time on to its present course, flowing out to the Tasman Sea.
Confiscated from the Maori after the land wars, 98,000 acres of peat bog was bought in 1874 from the Crown by a company headed by Willam Steele (Hamilton East’s Steele Park is named after him).
The laborious and dangerous job of drain digging began, initially with shovels and wheelbarrows. 500 miles of drains, some 3.5m wide and 3m deep in addition to 19+ miles of roads. The dried out peat result in a lot of fires and soil was barren needing huge amounts of phosphate and lime to grow pasture but 30 years later
the area had developed into farmland beginning Waikato’s dairy industry,the names of the roads reflecting the names of those early settlers. The ride back after lunch was slightly west of the morning route with a fuel stop in Huntly for some of us. We soon headed east off the main highway through country that gave glimpses of it’s small peat lakes and on through to Eureka, the edge of this land that used to be swamp.
On the right just before the Eureka/Hunter road intersection is a slight hill and this is the original site of the Eureka/Woodlands estate headquarters. There are two stories as to how Eureka came to be names. One is that Willam Steele, searching for a suitable site, walked up the hill and exclaimed “Eureka I’ve found it”. The other, that Steele picnicking on the site with his wife and friends tossed around names for the headquarters and decided on Eureka which was an amalgamation of the names of the women present.
Riding back through the Cambridge hills we later reconvened to the clubrooms for a much appreciated dinner, prizegiving and the camaraderie of fellow travellers. Such a brilliant way to enjoy a day.
Maggie “350 Honda” Bryce
A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Harvey Visagie
Lionel Phillips
Andrew Thompson
1984 Mercedes 500S
1952 Harley Hydraglide
1979 Honda CBX1000
1985 BMW R80
1980 Honda CB900FA
1960 FB Holden
1972 HQ GTS Monaro
1974 SLR 5000 Torana
1976 HX LE Monaro
Come along to the club nights 2nd Wed of every month 7:30pm and/or Thursday morning workshops with morning tea at 11.00
WORKSHOP REPORT
Hello Club Members,
I have only just recently returned from our South Island trip, (hence no workshop reports from me) which included the Vero Rally in Nelson and two Early Ford V8 rallies. I’ve only been back for two weeks, so I am still catching up on workshop activities.
The 27 Essex car is currently in the workshop and appears to me (not that I’m up to scratch with certification) that it needs minimal work before it can be VIN-certified and put on the road.
Also, what looks like a really good chassis for the 26 ChevTruck has arrived fromAuckland thanks to our Chairman Les and at this point in time is away getting a certifier to check if it’s all set for painting. Fingers crossed it will pass his inspection.
With the AGM coming up and if you are interested, consider putting your name forward for the ‘Workshop Sub Committee’. Expressions of interest must be received by the Branch Secretary before July 1, 2026, to be considered for appointment at the July Branch Committee meeting. Don’t forget if you wish to use the hoist at any time, please contact Graham Holmes (details below).
Also, if you would like to loan any item from the workshop, contact a workshop subcommittee person who will register the details in the Loan Book.
Workshop opening hours are from 9.30am to 1 - 2pm on Thursdays.
Workshop Sub - Committee
Jeremy Brook 021 152 0922
Bryan Cossey 027 410 7772
Graham Holmes 07 827 7341
Graham Pate 021 280 1586
Terry Pidduck 027 272 6319
Stan Richardson 027 233 4461
Cossey
Too Old to Drive
I am having the last word against those ageists who say there's no need for the council to provide free parking for over 80 year olds because they are too old to be driving. This is a true story.
A couple of years back, an 82 year old man headed for France, arrived in Paris at 10.00pm, found the hotel, slept well and next morning, after breakfast got a taxi to a rental car company and picked up a Peugeot car with a manual gearbox.
He was straight out into the Paris traffic, quickly adapted to driving on the left, found the ring road motorway and headed out of town.
Three hours later he was in Calais checking the car onto the Channel car train and 45 minutes later was driving off in the UK.
He said while it took a bit of getting used to left hand driving (on the right hand side of the road) and changing gear with the right hand, the first 10 minutes in the UK were the worst having to adapt immediately to driving from the left but now on the left hand side of the road. He had a week of driving around the UK going as far north as Glasgow, making accommodation bookings each day on the trot and having no fixed route and not using satellite navigation, but a book of road maps to get the lay of the land. Then it was back to France, into Paris for a quick visit including driving around the Arc de Triomphe with its ten unmarked lanes and then tiki-toured down through France, into Spain, parked the car at the wharf side near Gibraltar, caught the ferry to Tangiers for three nights and back to Gibraltar.
The last week was spent tiki-touring along the Mediterranean coast to Monaco, drove around the road Prix circuit three times and on to Nice. Finally a direct drive north back to Paris, dropped the rental car off at the airport and flew home. 12,000 kms in a day over three weeks, no accommodation pre-booked and only using a book of road maps. Only got bugs on the bumper. No dings, no kerbing the alloys on the gutter but cruising on the motorways at 130km/h. I know this is true, because it was me — and I'd do it again tomorrow.
Many 30 year olds who go to Europe or the USA can't handle driving on the other side of the road, let alone a manual gearbox — and they'd rely on satellite navigation and have a properly planned and pre-booked itinerary. So, there we are ageists, put that in your pipe and smoke it.
And the photo? It's where my love of cars and a passion for driving began! I had just swapped the engine in this car a good one for a bad one for my mate.
Alan Dick
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Waikato) Inc. will be held at the Clubrooms, MacLean St, Cambridge at 1.00pm on Sunday 21 June 2026.
Any written nominations for officer and committee positions should be lodged with the Branch Secretary prior to the meeting. Acceptance of nominations from the floor will be subject to the nominee being present at the meeting.
Jayne
Bentley Branch Secretary
Club Run 21st June: Architectural Glass Products (AGP) Hautapu Depart clubrooms at 10:15am and enjoy a short tour to the AGP complex at Profile Park in Hautapu for a short tour around the factory, then return to the clubrooms for a light lunch (supplied) before commencement of the annual AGM starting at 1:00pm. See you there!
Events Ahead Home
Sat 6
Double 50/50 Rally – This year is only one day because of price of petrol and slightly shorter as is in kms not miles.
Wed 10 Club night – Auction night – Bring along what you want to sell – funds going to Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade
Wed 17 Wednesday Wander
Sun 21 Club Run then AGM – lunch provided see page 11
Tues 30 Leg Over M/Cycle Run
Sun 5 Motorcycle Run
Wed 8 Club night – Cars in Detail – see page 13
Sun 19 Club run – Lakes run – see Page 13
Wed 22 Wednesday Wander
Tues 28 Leg Over M/Cycle Run
Wed 12 Club night
Wed 19 Wednesday Wander
Sun 23 Daffodil Day – the day to raise funds for cancer and encourage new members
Tues 25 Leg Over M/Cycle Run
Out of Town Events
Warkworth/Wellsford Winter Woollies Wander 3rd – 5th July
Winter Art Deco Napier 17-19 July
Daffodil Day 23rd August
Historic Club Run
Sunday, May 17 was our club run day to the Cambridge Stud and then a scenic drive through Cambridge’s historic sites. It began as a very cold morning, but thankfully the organisers had arranged a warm cuppa at the clubrooms for a meet and greet at 10:00am. Twenty five people including members, their families and friends turned out for the club run, and among them were brand new members and several teenagers, hopefully future members, which was great to see.
There were a wide range of cars driven on the run, from Chris’s trustee veteran, Elsie the Calthorpe, Les’s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, my newly acquired 1971 Morris 1300, dwarfed by Daves red Chevrolet Impala, a beautiful MGB GT, several Mercs and the Glasson’s Triumph 2500TC and of course Jillians BMW Cabriolet. I was hoping for an impressive photo-shoot of the cars parked around the horseshoe entrance to the largest barn with the statue of Sir Tristam at centre, but this wasn’t to be, as the grounds are strictly controlled. Our tour guide for the day led us into the Cambridge Stud Heritage Centre, from the outside an ordinary looking sort of building but which features world class interactive displays, photographs, trophies and memorabilia that tell the story of Sir Patrick Hogan and Sir Tristram’s contribution to the New Zealand and international horse racing industry.
Once inside the Cambridge Stud Heritage Centre you see Sir Tristram displayed prominently on a turntable in the centre of the room, with interactive displays and all the trophies and prizes locked away safely in surrounding cabinets. Honestly you could spend all day there and still not see and read everything.
On the opposite page you can see the impressive compass on the floor, painstakingly constructed using different types of native wood in one of the biggest parquet creations I have seen, and coordinated by none other than our very own Chairman, Les King who was also responsible for project managing the entire move and refurbishment of the Cambridge Stud from its original site in Hautapu to Discombe Road.
Once everyone had been torn away from the Heritage Centre, we all followed our rally instructions to cruise back to the urban side of Cambridge, past various sites and buildings of historical interest, over the low level bridge and up into the Leamington domain, past the old band rotunda built in 1910, then across to Lauriston Park Retirement village. The residents really enjoyed seeing all our old cars, and many were taking photos and videos as we drove through their complex. Undoubtedly a highlight for their day! From there, it was back to the eastern side of Cambridge where we all eventually arrived at the Cambridge Museum.
The Cambridge Museum is a must visit destination as it offers insights into the establishment of Cambridge and surrounds, law and order, schooling, hydro electric power development and the surrounding displays show ways people in the past made their living, including family run farms, fruiterers, butcheries, surveyors and policy makers plus well-loved items from young ones over the generations who have grown up in the town. And finally, from the museum we all headed off to the Good Union, aka the old pink church for lunch, debriefing and friendly socialising. Mike Overington
Saga of the Calcium Battery
I have been reading comments from people stating that Calcium batteries require higher charging voltages (14.8V) than Lead Acid ones. Also, the AA state this on their website.
I have found NO manufacturer data that supports this as a fact. Indeed, the manufacturers claim that Calcium is just a slight variant and is a Lead Acid by just another name and can be treated the same.
There are also credible comments by various battery manufacturers that Calcium can suffer from higher internal resistance if left discharged, and that can make recharging more difficult. Ifthey are in thatstate, the charger needs to go through a stage of low current charging first before undergoing normal charging.
On a Lead Acid battery anything above 2.15 volts per cell will charge it, as this is the voltage required for the basic chemistry. This also means that nothing below 2.15 volts per cell will do any charging (12.9V for a 12V battery). However, most of the time a higher voltage than this is used because it forces the charging reaction at a higher rate. Charging at the minimum voltage will take a long time. As you increase the voltage to get faster charging, the voltage to avoid is the gassing voltage, which limits how high the voltage can go before undesirable chemical reactions take place. The typical charging voltage is between 2.15 volts/cell and 2.35volts/cell. (12.9V – 14.1V for a 12V 6 cell battery) These voltages can be applied to a fully charged battery without overcharging or damage.
In a conventional Lead Acid battery, grids of lead-antimony are used which is readily available, inexpensive, easy to cast and cheap to produce. In a Calcium battery the antimony is totally substituted with Calcium in all plates. This results in double the shelf life and virtually no gassing in the battery, resulting in less maintenance.
Calcium batteries do require a higher charge voltage (nominally 15 volts) to achieve the same level of charge as a normal antimony battery. They also require a periodic equalization cycle to help maintain optimum operating condition. When installed in a vehicle designed for an antimony battery (i.e. a traditional 12-volt system that charges at 14 volts) the battery will only achieve 85% state of charge.
Advantages
• Higher cold cranking amps (CCA)
• Longer useful life
• Can be 100% maintenance free
• Will accept higher charge rates
Disadvantages
• Takes longer recharge after being run flat
• Requires a calcium specific charger to restore to 100% charge
Abridged from Mark Eaton
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:
1951 Triumph Renown and Vanguard Parts
1957 – 1958 Borgward Goliath 1100 2 door kombi station wagon
1935 Willys 77 parts – front hubs, wheels and differential spares for sale
1 x set of new wire wheel hubcaps for 14 inch wheels
Humber Super Snipe and Hawk windscreens 1963 on
1920’s Motorcycle ‘Million’ seat - $120.00
1952 Plymouth parts including steering box and suspension parts
Parts Shed Committee
Alan Sharp 021 02553853 Les King 021 1909506
Clive Plumtree 07 8275973 Terry Pidduck 027 2726319
Graham Holmes 07 8277341 Robert Johnson 027 4839825
CLUB BADGES FOR SALE
These are available to view and buy at Club Nights
For Sale:
Buy, Sell, Swap Noticeboard
1929 Sunbeam 16.9 Saloon. Mostly original, good provenance, 2.3 litres, 4 speed, cruises at 50 mph (80 kph), plenty of torque pulling up hills. Some spares. Not concours. Registered and current WOF, Offers around NZ$22k. For further details phone Ian: 027 2231066
Swap:
A Ute for a club eligible car or as part payment. Choice of a 2007 Mitsubishi Triton or a 2015 Ssangyong. Both double cab utes with canopies - please phone Terry on 0272726319
Wanted BTH GA4-K3 Magneto working or not working
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
For Sale: 1948 Mercury Eight Parts: One Chrome lower horizontal grille section $40 Bottom of nosecone with Front stone tray $30 Both structurally sound.
1939 Plymouth /Dodge/Chrysler: Plymouth RF fender $50, may fit other Mopars. All steel and straight, minor rust at front & rear. Plymouth frontal chrome trim, 29 pieces for $50.
1967/68 Camaro/Nova hubcaps x 2. Concave centre, with bowtie. Very Good condition, $20 the pair.
Vintage Lister Cream Separators and various vintage milking machine parts for sale.
Vintage Open-end Spanners, (Six of) Lion A.F., 3/8” to 1 ½”. $30 for the six.
Ph Bob 021 825 869
Veteran & Vintage Car Club (Waikato) Inc.
Branch Officers 2025/2026
CHAIRPERSON
VICE CHAIRPERSON
PAST CHAIRPERSON
SECRETARY
TREASURER
CLUB CAPTAIN
VENTURE EDITOR
PUBLICITY OFFICER
LIBRARIAN
SOCIAL CONVENOR
CLUB CUSTODIAN COMMITTEE
PARTS (REP)
MOTORCYCLE (REP)
VIC (CARS)
VIC (M/cycles)
VALUATIONS
ARCHIVIST
CLUBROOM BOOKINGS
MEMBERSHIP
FACEBOOK OFFICER
SOLICITOR (HON)
POSTAL ADDRESS
Les King 021 1909506
Dave Nordell 021 502390
Graham Pate 021 2801586
Jayne Bentley 027 2370351
Jillian Hayton 027 4230608
Chris Hawkings 021 2495845
Michael Overington 027 7236009
Michael Overington 027 7236009
Sue King 021 449686
Heather Boswell 021 684938
Megan Parker 027 3210240
Jeremy Brook 021 1520922
Bryan Cossey 027 4107772
Graeme Blackstock 027 9155608
Alan Sharp 021 02553853
Steve Walter 0274 920095
Dave Nordell 021 502390
Peter Spiller 027 4913387
Paul Clark 021 324911
Kathryn Parsons 022 0246820
Heather Boswell 021 684938
Heather Boswell 021 684938
Jillian Hayton 027 4230608
Paul Clark 021 324911
CLUB ROOMS ADDRESS
C/- 67 Pirongia Road MacLean St, Cambridge RD6 Te Awamutu 3876
Every Thurs 9.30 – 2pm
EMAIL Chairman: sueandles222@gmail.com
Secretary: waikato@vcc.org.nz
Editor: vccventureeditor@gmail.com
CLOSING DATE FOR VENTURE COPY: 15th of each month
