February is not only a short month, I along with others in the club have been short on time.
So a bit short of news items.
With the weather turning for the better, I am looking forward to my first Stretched Gymkhana, this weekend.
Kindest Regards
Dennis Burns Editor
ART DECO 2026.
This year’s Art Deco weekend in Napier and Hawkes Bay was blessed with ideal weather for the pageant. Which this year featured Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars.
John and Rae Kennedy led the motor parade through town in AX147, their 1905 car, fettled for the occasion by Ryan Dewes and Sam Ryder.
Also present in the parade were Mike and Jane D’Alton in B55AE, their 1934 Bentley, and Dave and Gay Stewart in the 1938 Riley 12/4.
Art Deco is full of beautiful cars and interesting costumes!
Club night - February
Garage Raid - Francis’s
A few words about my bike and a couple of additional photos of my late father Barry with it in 1984, along with the photo from 1973 that I brought along to the club night.
My father, Barry, acquired the bike some time around 1971
as far as I can tell. Exactly where it came from, I have no documentation, but from what I’ve been told the bike may have come from Central Otago.
A fellow member of the Otago VCC, Des Ruddle, who was an engine driver for NZ Railways and a keen motorcyclist, spotted an old bike (or bikes) leaning against a fence in Lauder as he was travelling on his route between Dunedin and Cromwell. Apparently they just sat there and never moved. At some stage he approached the owner of the house who said it belonged to a doctor but was broken and wasn’t being used. Des purchased the bike(s) - 1917 New Hudson 3.5hp 500cc machines, and I’m assuming loaded them into the guards van on the train back to Dunedin. Des went on to restore his 1917 New Hudson, so for a while there were two of the same model in Dunedin.
From what I know, early (veteran) New Hudson bikes are quite uncommon in NZ. Looking through the 7th National Veteran and Vintage Motorcycle rally (Dunedin, 1981) entry list there were four New Hudsons, my father’s and Des Ruddle’s 1917 500cc models, a 1912 250cc (P.T. Hilsom, Invercargill), and a 1911 500cc model owned by N.J. Hayes (Invercargill). I haven’t seen any others.
My father restored the New Hudson possibly around 1972 and the first photo I have of the bike in his ownership is February 1973 at the 3rd National Veteran and Vintage Motor Cycle Rally in Christchurch. Dad is standing beside the bike with my mother, Estelle, and I’m propped up on the seat (around 11 months old at the time). It did attend a couple of national rallies and a few Dunedin-Brighton Runs in the 80’s, the last time it was registered and ridden was in the 1988 DunedinBrighton Run. I recall as a young boy following Dad on the bike, wind puffing out his jacket as he motored along - Mum driving our ‘73 metallic brown Valiant Ranger station wagon with my sister and I in the back seat. I rode the bike around the block once when I was old enough after one of the rallies, before it was put away not to be used again for a very long time. Dad had other vintage car projects that kept him busy and the bike wasn’t a priority.
For the last three decades the bike has been stored away awaiting the next chapter in its story. The plan this year is to get it running again, vin’d and back on the road.
Offers and Expressions of Interest
The �me has come to move on Keith and Kathleens car collec�on. Dad passed away 10 years ago, and Mum is moving off the farm. The cars need to be used, and this is currently not happening. More photos of the cars are available on request. Please send any enquiries or offers to Mar�n Perry via email at m.perry@mirak.co.nz. The family will ul�mately make the decision on where each part of this family heritage will go, Mum of course has the deciding vote.
Original car was a tourer and thought to be an Otago Daily Times car from Central Otago, parts were collected by the late Bill Piddington. Rebodied as a Roadster when restored in 1999 due to Keith already owning a tourer. The motor was originally built by Rob Ross of Ashburton, then later recondi�oned with aluminium pistons and new handmade white metal bearings by Peter Shaskey of Christchurch. The large capacity 4 cylinder motors well for its age and it has a�ended many Na�onal South Island Easter Rallies, South Island Club Captain’s Tours and Dunedin to Brighton Rallies as well as North Otago Branch events. Registered, warranted and running motor vehicle.
Offers over $15000 will be considered.
1911 Overland Model 51 Roadster
This Model T is the rst car bought by Keith, one of the rst cars in the NOVCC, and took part in the opening Windsor Rally in 1961. This car has never had a full restora�on but has seen various parts interchanged during its life.
O
ffers around $10 000 will be considered.
1948
Unrestored original survivor car. No rust, original dry car which has been garaged throughout know ownership. Motor recondi�oned approximately 20 years ago(??). Starts, runs and drives very nicely. Original upholstery and hood lining in good condi �on for age.
Offers over $20 000 will be considered.
Older restora�on completed in 1972. Complete vehicle history known. Thought to be the rst car in Waimate, owned by Dr Pi�s. Tourer style body rebuilt by Les Marshall. 1100cc motor has a modern (for the age) oiling system using a sump and oil pump. The motor was originally built using the factory steel pistons, a rebuild with aluminium pistons was completed some years later (date unknown). This is a well known vehicle that was motored all over New Zealand by Keith and Kathleen. Prime Minister of the day Bill Rowling even graced the passenger’s seat at one stage. Registered, warranted and running motor vehicle. Offer over $20 000 will be considered.
1974 Ford XB Falcon 6 Cyl Auto
Single family car. Originally bought brand new from Knights Motors in Oamaru by Keith’s Father (Victor Perry). Sold to Victor by Noel Perry, Keith’s brother. Purchased from Victor’s estate by Keith around 2000. This was the rst XB Falcon sold in Oamaru. It is a NZ assembled vehicle with some Australian op ons including the bench seat, and speedo in KPH. This car is almost completely original; the only modica on was the ng of power steering by Victor when the manual steering became too heavy. The upholstery, carpet, paint, motor and running gear are all untouched and in very good condi on due to being garaged all its life. The odometer currently ready 72 680ks, it is going up slightly with limited use. Power steering box was recondi oned for the last warrant of tness. Registered and warranted motor vehicle.
Price is rm at $40 000.
1911 De Dion Bouton Model CR Tourer
Ford Mercury
Date Event
March 2026
Sunday 1st
Monday 2nd
Ram Rodders Swap Meet, Vehicle Sale, Market Day and Car Display
Club Night
Saturday 7th Stretched Gymkhana
Sat. 7th – Sun. 8th
March Executive Meeting
Tuesday 10th Committee Meeting
Sun. 15th – Sat. 21st Vero International Festival
19th March
Combined Guest Speaker with Wairarapa Machinery Club – John Deane
Other dates / events of interest
Tauherenikau Race Course. Gates Open at 8.00 am
Car is the Star – Ram Rodders Vehicles invited
A&P Show Grounds Masterton - $25 entry fee
Christchurch - Confirmed
Nelson
7.00pm at the Clareville Club Rooms
John is a volunteer at the Vintage Aviator and spends six months in the U.K. each year.
April 2026
Fri. 3rd – Mon. 6th Easter
Sunday 12th Club Captains Run
Tuesday 14th Committee Meeting
Sat. 25th – 27th Anzac Day Weekend
May 2026
Monday 4 th Club Night
Tuesday 12th Committee Meeting
Saturday 9th & 10th
Sun 24th
Motorcycle Reliability Run, Cars are invited to join in.
Bus Trip to the Classic Museum at Trentham with an evening meal
Possibly the Waohine Gorge as a lunch stop
Guest Speaker to be confirmed
Possibly a return to Mangaweka
To be confirmed.
June 2026
Monday 1st King’s Birthday
Sunday 7th Club AGM
Tuesday 9th
New Committee Meeting
Sunday 21st Winter Wander
July 2026
Monday 6th Club Night
Fri. 10th Matariki
Tuesday 14th Committee Meeting
Sunday 19th Gravel Challenge
TBC
Fish & Chip
Wairarapa VCC’s
8th annual “Stretched Gymkhana”
Saturday 7th March 2026
Building on the success of previous years, on S aturday March 7th 2026 the Wairarapa Branch is holding their Stretched Gymkhana. We invite members from all the lower North Island VCC branches to enter this event.
• Do you like the excitement of gymkhana style driving on grass?
• Would you enjoy the challenge of trying to navigate at a constant speed, through a winding course, against the clock?
• Can you meet the challenge of driving a course consistently, so, as to maintain, as far as possible, the same time each lap?
If you answer YES to all of these, then the Stretched Gymkhana is an event for you.
Event outline:
• Driver’s briefing will be at 8.45am, with the event expected to finish mid/late afternoon (BYO Lunch/Drinks or BBQ sausages and bread will be available). Suggest bring a chair or sun umbrella if hot.
• The course will be around a ½ mile in length
o T he course will be on grass, a bit like a classic gymkhana’s cones course, there will be lots of sharp turns, to ensure that excessive speeds (i.e. greater than the speed limit) cannot be obtained
THIS SATURDAY !
• All drivers will have 3 timed runs over the course, after which the average time for each driver will be calculated (this becomes their individual target time).
• From then on drivers have to try and match their target time, with 1/2 the field dropping out each time, until a winner is found
STRETCHED GYMKHANA
7th March 2026
o For example, if there were 16 drivers, once each driver’s target time has been determined (from the practice runs), all 16 drivers have another run. Then the 8 drivers whose time was closest to their target time would move into the next round. And so on until the winner is found.
Location: Masterton A & P Showgrounds, off York Street, Solway, Masterton.
Driver Briefing: 8:45 am
• T his event is not a “Speed Event”. It falls under section 20 of the Branch Manual, as a driving test. For more information please contact the organiser, Simon O’Hara ((06) 3708844 or simonsandieohara@gmail.com).
First timed lap: 9:00am
• The event is limited to 24 combinations (driver + vehicle), so please register early to ensure you don’t miss out
Limited to 24 entries. (Minimum entries to be viable is 14)
• All vehicles must be VCC eligible, ie: 30 years or older (Roadworthy with a current WOF)
Post entries to: Simon O’Hara - Rally Organiser
• The event is reliant on ground conditions being suitable. The organiser may cancel the event at late notice if necessary, as dictated by the weather.
36 Ranfurly Street, Solway
• All vehicles are required to carry a fire extinguisher, due to time of year and dry grass conditions.
• All drivers will be required to sign an indemnity waiver statement on the day. A copy can be emailed if required prior to the day of the gymkhana, upon request.
Masterton
• If your vehicle is fitted with seat belt/s, they must be worn.
Email entries to: simonsandieohara@gmail.com
Organiser: Simon O’Hara (06) 3708844, or mobile: 0211412332
19 March 2026
he aviation talk is a combined gathering with the Wairarapa Machinery Club on the 19th of March at the club rooms at Clareville.
Some members will be away at the Vero Rally. Kevin and Mike will on deck with John Arnold.
THE GREAT MANAWATU STEAM
Contacts
Chairperson Graham Hodder
027 226 3738 g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz
Secretary Mike D’Alton 021 137 2395 secretarywvcc@yahoo.com
Treasurer Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Club Captain Position vacant
Committee
Hugh Hunter 027 665 9911 j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz
Pat Dutton 027 711 2735 betyjo29@gmail.com
Simon O’Hara 021 141 2332 simonsandieohara@gmail.com
Francis Pointon 06 378 6710 pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz
Dave Patten 027 247 7956 dave.patten28@gmail.com
Frank Lipinski 06 379 7167
David Eade 021 227 7338
Bob Cumming
Social Convener Position vacant
Custodian Position vacant
Zenith Editor
Dennis Burns 021 428 547 editorwaivcc@gmail.com
Beaded Wheels Scribe David Eade 021 227 7338 davethehandyman11@gmail.com
Librarian Pat Dutton betyjo29@gmail.com
Motorcycle Liaison
Spares
Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Frank Lipinski 06 379 7167
Graham Reidy 06 372 7855 g-a.reidy@xtra.co.nz
Jeff Percy 06 377 4622 j.percy@xtra.co.nz
Dave Walker 06 379 5008
Vehicle Inspectors
Francis Pointon 06 378 6710 pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz
Hugh Hunter 06 306 9847 j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz
Kevin Sullivan 022 377 8443 kevsully52@gmail.com
Dave Patten 027 247 7956 dave.patten28@gmail.com
Our Information
Clubrooms:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road,Clareville
Postal Address: PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 Branch
Website: https://waivcc.nz/
Club Night:
First Monday of the month (except January) and June (second Monday) at 7pm.
Committee meet:
Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm
Parts Department:
A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road, Clareville
Join Frank, Graham and Jeff for yarn and a cuppa when the Parts Department is open.
In this treasure trove, you might also happen to find any bits and pieces you’ve been looking for.
Located at the clubrooms, the Parts Department is open:
• First Tuesday morning of the Month.
• The 3rd Saturday of the Month from 9:30am - 12noon.
You can also contact Frank for an appointment outside standard opening hours by phoning (06) 379 7167
