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COMING EVENTS

Looking Forward

August 23rd Daffodil Run, joint Branch event. 1st Sunday of the month, Argentine Tango at Devonport Wharf, 15.30-18.00 hrs.

September Ryders Film Night 20th

October Garden Run

November TBA MG Classic Race Meeting, Manfeild 13-15th

December TBA

Club Night. 4th August

See you at the RSA Room, King George V Memorial Hall, Library Lane, Albany, 7.30 pm.

DAFFODIL RALLY & CAR SHOW

SUNDAY 23rd AUGUST

$10 per vehicle: CASH/EFTPOS Donation to Cancer Society

September20th willbringourFilmEveningtoRydersforourmealandice-creamtreat. Itisyourchancetodecidethefilmanddiscussthiswiththeorganiser,Mr. Goldingham.

OctoberwillofferusaGardenVisitwhichwillbeachancetoseeanotabledisplay. Onceagain,detailswillemergelater.

The Wet, Cold and sometimes very Windy but Inspiring 2026 R’oil Can – Dee Humphreys

Yes, a damn fine splendid event even if the other half of the Humphreys team, says, “never again”!!

The Fat Kiwi Café 7.30am parking is at a premium: 4th car in line up Model A Phaeton Tony Perbensen & Mike Stuart

On a sunny warm winter evening in June, I asked Kevin how he’d feel if I’d self-invite the Humphreys to join the Beesley Talbot Team to help make up the numbers needed for this 2026 “Can”. Of course, Kevin, who was backed into a corner said yes, but reminded me of how cold it could be in the back seat of the Talbot. Yes, yes, but we have all the right ‘gear’ and so on Friday 24th July afternoon wrapped up in 5 layers of clothes and virtually unable to even turn a head let alone talk, the new Talbot Team of Beesley-Humphreys set off at a fair clip towards Otorohanga. The real winter had arrived and we had a little rain on route but it was very cold and oh boy! black, black, black skies were ahead.

A large group staying at the Otorohanga Waitomo Motel got a shuttle to the Cosmopolitan Club for dinner and by then it is chucking it down and to top the evening off we experienced a 5.9 earthquake which we later discovered caused a bit of havoc on roads we were eventually going to travel on.

The Fat Kiwi Café opened up early for us and hot coffees, cooked breakfasts and greeting others on the “Can” caused a slight delay in the 7.45am lift-off.

Organiser Nigel Russell with his helper, Jody Grigg handed out very professionally packaged instruction sheets and sent us off to travel the very best of back country roads that the Otorohanga District could provide.

So good to see the Riley Team Rob Moston & John Munro looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. Rob had recently purchased the Riley from Stan Smith (ex-Dave Pitches) specifically for this event and

Steve & Megan Cranch

Nigel Russell & Jody Grigg prepare us for the “Can” start

he’d only arrived back in NZ from an overseas holiday Friday afternoon. They left Auckland 3 am Saturday morning and were on the start line in time…well done you two.

Great to see Piers and son Noah brave the Faulkner Spitfire cockpit. Noah is wearing the helmet…doesn’t he trust dad’s driving? Or is he hoping to keep his hair dry!?

Kevin had erected the Talbot hood during a lull in the storm of Friday night and as ‘Tin Tops’ had been invited to add numbers needed, along with others, we elected to keep the hood erected until morning tea time.

We all headed off almost in procession form which very shortly changed when the first car in the front of our group lost it getting off the very slippery wooden one-way bridge and the Geoff Thorpe 20-60 Vauxhall saloon pirouetted beautifully off into the weeds on the left then corrected and without rolling over headed down a very conveniently positioned side road to the right. After making sure the Thorpe and Robinson team were shaken but not stirred the Talbot took the opportunity to be in the lead.

The roads were superb, the scenery was wonderful and yes, the weather was crap and all I can say is that if you weren’t there you should have been!! This was true “Can” weather! Travelling west doing basically a half loop on virtually all gravel roads we landed back into civilisation for a very welcome morning tea at the Piopio Primary School.

Moody Scenery …………………………………….

Piers & Noah

As always country folk do food SO well…not just one, but three different types of soup, scones, yummy hot mince pies and sausage rolls… just to let you know what you missed!!

The great thinker of the Humphreys partnership, pointed out to me that on this “Can” we had three sons driving their father’s cars. Aaron Aldersley in his dad Steve’s A7 Special, Steve Cranch driving his dad Ivan Cranch’s Riley Special and Piers Faulkner driving Morley’s Spitfire.

After morning tea and a rechargefill up of Piopio petrol and still with the hood erected we ventured further into the wop-wops and this time we found where the worst of the Friday night storm and earthquake had struck. Lots of slips, trees down, large mudstone rock on the roads and fantastic waterfalls. Still, the roads themselves mainly remained in good drivable condition and the odd quarter inch of blue sky could be seen very occasionally but the rain kept persisting.

Just one of the many spectacular waterfalls

Morning Tea stop in Piopio

The happy Calthorpe team arrive at Morning Tea

And you can see the poor Farmer has just patched the fence and installed a new gate after the last lot of flooding

Lunch provided by the Ohura Valley Primary school where the roll is twelve children was in the Ohura Hall and another welcome lot of solidly good country fare was partaken of.

From Ohura we continued travelling in the Otorohanga District to almost complete the loop but veering off it near Taumaranui to head into the timber trail forest near Waimiha. On this afternoon journey it was near the Otunui Hall that farmers stopped us and suggested we wouldn’t get through on the Otunui North Road but as they’d not seen any ‘old’ cars coming back the Talbot Team decided to press on as did the Cranch Riley. Yes, there was a very tricky spot or two. Big washouts, rocks all over the road in places but every car got through including the Kevin & Liz Andrews Alfa Spyder and the Peter & Julie Honda CRX Del Sol.

All the while the Calthorpe 12/5 Roadster of Chris & Shirley Hawkings keep on trucking and fast it was too despite Chris saying it wasn’t running ‘too good today’!

Cars at the Ohura lunch stop with the Willys Jeep of Phil & Christine Smith at the rear

At the 7.30am Driver Briefing we were told to look out for goats and that we’d see more of them than cars. Although others saw goats, we came upon only a couple of cars and a friendly farmer moving a mob of sheep.

Piers & Noah had part of the exhaust fall off the Spitfire and the Rear-Guard Geoff & Gerda Bradley came to the rescue. Maybe his roll of wire and metric tools did come in handy after all !? but then the Rear Guard got a puncture and he had to be rescued himself by a passing 4WD who did have the required tool to undo the bracket that holds the spare wheel in place! The Ford Model Y of Alex & Sascha Disher caused a bit of head scratching when it inexplicably stopped at one point for no real reason but it did make it to the finish. Even the MGSA of Colin & Donna Storey needed a head scratching look under the bonnet. Before dark we had all made it to the Timber Trail Lodge and after tidying up the cars, getting our allocated rooms, cranking up the room heating we were soon at the Lodge watering hole telling tall stories! the roaring fire there was very welcome.

Dinner was served at 7pm and the suspense of who was going to win the “Can” and therefore be next year’s organiser was drawn out till well after dinner. A long-time good navigator for Vaughan Beesley but as Vaughan is in hospital the winner was given the navigational job in the Mike Greig Riley 9 so yes…. the prize goes to Dean Salter!!

Disher Team thinking, Cranch Team look

Even the Rear Guard is not trouble free

MG SA bonnet lifted, Colin’s cogs thinking

Noah & Rear-Guard Geoff chuckling as Front Guard works under the Faulkner Spitfire

After a good night sleep and a hearty cooked breakfast, it was time to remove the ice, stow the hood and head for home. By 10am the Lodge and surrounding forest were at peace again. Mike Greig’s Riley very stubbornly didn’t want to leave but plenty of ‘pusher’s’ forced it to change its mind. The Talbot Team finally found its way out of the forest and heading towards Te Kuiti it came upon a dead Vauxhall. Someone forgot to refill the petrol tank but navigator Alistair Robinson had cell phone coverage and we left him and Geoff phoning the AA.

We motored past the Harold Booth Riley 9 hurriedly parked outside a small village toilet block where the passenger Andre Raymond was so desperate he didn’t even have time to shut the passenger door! We met them again at the coffee shop in Pirongia. Still cold but it wasn’t until we got onto the motorway that heavy rain set in and traffic slowed. By the way, the Talbot has very impressive brakes��

We figured everyone was heading to Eden Park for the Football. By the time we landed at the Beesley residence the Humphreys were soaked to the skin and after a hurried goodbye and a promise to catch up soon for a dinner date we hopped into the 2020 Ford Escape, cranked up the heater and we were steaming by the time we reached Devonport.

We might not completely agree, but I say we had a great weekend and even if we don’t agree on that we do agree that we

couldn’t have chosen a better car or better driver. Kevin might be a small bloke and the Talbot might be a big car but they have done a great number of miles together and they are a true team. Thank you, Kevin & Mariette.

Thank you, Organiser and Front Guard, Nigel Russell & Jody Grigg for another great R’oil Can.

Lodge Dinner

Nigel about to announce the winner

The reluctant Greig Riley

The “C

Random photos on the following pages.

All photos supplied by Keith Humphreys and Nigel Russell

Photo 1 : Hamish Andrew & Grace Christy in their Ford Model A pick-up

Photo 2 : The friendly farmer and his mob of sheep using his well-trained dog

Photo 3 : Harold Booth Riley passenger Andre Raymond

Photo 4 : Cars at rest includes Ian & Graham Patton’s Ford Roadster convertible

Photo 5 : Cars at rest includes David Adams trusty Sunbeam 20 John Stokes his navigator

Photo 6 : Rob Moston & John Munro getting ready to leave the Lodge on Sunday

Above: Talbot team getting very motorway

Happy Piers & son Noah

David Adams & his trusty go anywhere Sunbeam

Aldersley Austin 7 behind the Thorpe 20/60 Vauxhall saloon

Allan Jones & Brenda Smith in the Model A Phaeton

The Winner on the Night, 2026 R’oil Can ‘Champion of Champions, The Legend, Dean Salter!

The R’oil Can Rally’s create a great curiosity about the hereafter!

The Three Maps Showing the 2026 R’oil Can Rally Route

Map 1

Start : Fat Kiwi Café

Otorohanga

To Piopio

Map 2 Piopio to Lunch at Ohura

Map 3

Ohura

To Timber Trail Lodge

Chairmans Report

Congratulations to Nigel Russell on a very successful edition of the R'Oil Can. On the night of the presentation to the winner at the lodge it was announced Dean Salter had the honour. However, due to ongoing medical treatment on Dean's leg to get him back to full fitness his success has been postponed to 2028. Robert Moston and John Munro in the ex-Dave Pitcher Riley 12/4 Special, have been announced winners for 2026. So felicitations to you on your success.

Hill climb we have still have got the venue and are working towards holding an event in conjunction with other car clubs. Until officially we can work out permits with for each group competing we cannot move forward with the event, but working towards it.

For those who have been following the drama with my Riley and our insurance company. I finally collected the car last week from the upholsterer and very happy and with the mechanicals completed with Ryan at Mac's Garage. The offshoot to all of this. Mike Hope-Cross has prepared a remit that Ian will present at the VCC executive meeting in Christchurch. Basically, asking Vero for a direct phone line into their NZ office to someone who will deal with VCC cars. So good bye Manila, Philippines, nice people but no idea.

Rob.

Editorial Comments.

After the fitting of new rims and spokes to the ex-works WD Riley, I ventured out on to the Trial of the Tree Trail, that Wonder of Winter Motoring, the R’oil Can Rally.I was a late enterant but with the cancellation of some participants I was able to find myself on the event with the) well respected navigator, Dean Salter ( A7, DKW and temporary ex-cyclist). It was an exciting trip to the start in the King Country and although too late to get to the charity shops I was able to purchase a new hat for the collection at a well known and repected clothier.

A diverse range of proper sporting motor vehicles attended with their custodians from all points of the compas, many new friends to share the joys of this motoring fest. The performance of some of the cars was astounding. To see the vetran Calthorpe gallop up the twisting, wet and steep gravelly roads was most impressive. I noticed that the corners were connected by only a few meters of staight sections. All cars and drivers took to the roads with a freedom and joy that makes NZ the special place for proper vintage motoring. The weather was as expected; wet and cool. The rest stops, morning tea and lunch to the expected high standards and accomadation,warm and comfortable. Praise and honour to the organiser of the event, and to all of those past, present and future that are presented this daunting challenge. I seem to have done 500 miles over the weekend from the speedo.

All events that are offered by the Branch have consumed time, skill and effort to provide only the best for members. Please accept all these offerings and attempt to enter and enjoy these little jems in lifes rich tapestry.

The Riley's problem; hearing aids and the cars.

The Long Way Home: Part Three

A road trip into the past with Ian and Jacqui Goldingham

Star date Tuesday 24nd of March 2026 and we have reached the perigee of our Southern orbit. It’s a cold crisp but sunny morning in the middle of Arthurs Pass and we are going nowhere! The abseiling high rock road crews have beaten us out of bed and are ripping the mountain slopes apart with great gusto for our future safety! The enforced standby has put a dent in our schedule but the spectacle of big rocks crashing down the steep slopes is more than sobering.

Once flagged away we are on a mission to speed across the Canterbury back country to Ashburton. The simplest and quickest route seems to be in debate, between the GPS system on Jacqui’s phone and my own perception of time and distance, I lose and we go even more cross country to arrive for a rather late lunch at Dave and Gwenyth Robins home.

Breaking out of the Waimakariri High country and down onto the South Canterbury Plains.

Funnily enough we are now at the start of the Lea Francis’s New Zealand story, because it was David’s father Herbert Julius Robins, who was its very first Kiwi owner way back in 1932. David who is Herberts youngest child, is not in the best of health, so we had realised early on in the planning that we would have to divert our route and bring the car to him. As before he was too young to remember the car itself, when his father was a teacher at Waitaki Boys High School. But has very clear recollections of his father talking about for most of his life. Alas yet again no original photos of the car during his ownership seemed to have survived.

Hebert Robins Snr, and his son David reunited with his father’s original Lea Francis from 1932

Post a very delightful lunch and reminisces we said our goodbyes and decided to head up to Christchurch via Kirwee. I had some concerns about bits vibrating off the car plus a nasty noise from behind the dashboard. I realised that my good friend and vintagent Kevin Atkinson was worth a quick visit for some helpful diagnosis and assistance. Sure, enough Kevin soon ascertained the core of the problem, chopped an inch off the badly broken speedo cable, found a few other bits detached, replaced them with the right size bolts, found a spare S.U. top and popped a bronze S.U. carburettor body in the back for the upcoming rebuild! With the M type now running smoothly again we ploughed through the middle of Christchurch’s evening rush hour to find sanctuary in the verdant folds of our friends Mt Pleasant hideaway.

Next day was a frantic round of quick visitations, to old Christchurch broadcasting colleagues like Alastair Ansell whose father used to own the Lea Francis Hyper 14005 just after WW2. It’s a long time since he has been near what he would call a proper Pomeroy quality sports car!

Next on the list is my old mate Garry Moore ex-mayor and raconteur who is now thankfully is back on his feet, firing on all remaining cylinders, and a danger to navigation on his bicycle! Over a cup of tea, we extract a promise from him to make decent attempt at attending our Lochinver Rally in 2027.

Nearby we call briefly into see Alex Flectcher, son of the afore mentioned Mr. Wally Fletcher who owned the M type just after WW2 and sold it to the Coombes Brothers which by pure coincidence is where we are heading next, to round up some vital oil supplies before continuing our journey home. M.S. Coombes Ltd is the premises in St Asphalt Street where our Lea Francis had been modified from a four-seater tourer into the two-seater sports back in 1948. Sadly, neither of the Coombes brothers, Gordon or Morrie are still With us, but the family firm is still there quietly ticking over.

We check our forward ferry bookings and are assured that they are still going to be up and running by then. Price of petrol is still quietly climbing this is not going to be a cheap exercise. Thursday morning dawns grey and drizzly So after our heartfelt goodbyes to Geoff and Brigette it’s off into across the city and onto the Northern Motorway. The LeaF’s running steadily but the electrics are not, no horn and worse still no wipers! A quick stop at Amberely fails to isolate the problem, so we press on tour appointment at Hawarden. At Waikari we swing left and the long flat roads takes us well out towards the Doubtful Ranges. Finally, we turned Northward again tracking across the foothills of the Hurunui River and located the old family farm of Mr Noel Dean who owned the car from 1938 to late 1940. This is our last of the car’s family reunion visits and it’s been a long time coming. I had been in contact with Noel and his son Linton for many years, but in all that time had only managed one brief catchup.

This time was a full-on family lunch with Linton, his sister Noeline Jamieson and their Uncle John Dean. They regaled me with stories of Noel’s kiwi mechanical abilities with the most basic farm yard tools. Unfortunately, John was too young to remember the car in the years before WW2 and once again we have not been able to find any photos of its original tourer body. Linton very kindly gave me the Lea Francis’s original dash board clock which had stayed in Noel’s possession as his bedside timepiece, long after he sold the car back to Don Randsley at Hutchinson Motors of Christchurch.

The Dean family beside the Lea Francis outside the family farmstead at Hawarden

It was then time to make our way back to Waikari and out to SH 1 via the lovely Greta Valley. We had to make a petrol top up stop just short of Cheviot which was surprising and gave me concern that the balance of the carbs was not performing as they should be. We had already booked accommodation at Cheviot and were just settling in when we get a text from Bluebridge – our Saturday Ferry sailing has been cancelled! So much for feeling smug and that things would have been well and truly resolved by this point in time. After a council of war over dinner at the local pub and a couple of quick phone calls. It’s decided that we’ll head back to Christchurch, put the M type into storage and fly back to Auckland. We could have done the same exercise in Blenheim but its already bottle necked with other ex-Vero Rally cars and flights are less frequent and expensive. Next morning the weather is starting to close in and we find the local gas station has run out of 91 and can only offer 95, so we fill our meagre 6-gal tank and head South. It’s soon apparent that the old girl doesn’t like the new brew of petrol and starts to develop an inconsistent misfire. By the time we get down to Waikuku, I’m getting seriously worried that the LeaF may not make it to Christchurch. We divert to Rangiora and pull into a friendly Auto Electrical firm that used to be owned by LeaF owner Alex Doig. Fortunately, his ex-foreman is now the boss and is no stranger to mid-20’s electrical phenomena. He sends a young apprentice upside down under the dashboard, whilst I do a full spark plug change. A rogue 20-amp fuse is found to be the culprit, and the horn and wiper return to full duties. We putter back to Christchurch utilising the old road network, burning up the last of the dodgy fuel and finally top up with proper 91. We are grateful for the help from our friends and have a couple of quiet days to calm down. But just as we are about to leave, before it can even be driven into storage! the Lea Francis packs a sad with a totally flat battery!

Noted events this last month.

Two noted persons were absent from the major event, the R’oil Can.

The Chairman of the Branch, Rob Chapman, had only just emerged from a few days of attention of a medical complaint and was excused from motoring combat and assures the members that he shall with great vigour be entered into the next event. A medical, fire and accident proof St. Christopher will be sought for the Riley 9 Special.

Branch Limbalist (one good with limbs), Vaughan ‘Anny’ Beesley, stabilist (maintains a stable) of European exotica, had been laid low by a dicky ticker early last week. Now at home, longingly gazing at the Annys’.

For those who have motored off.

Peter Sunberg. Had a large collection of motorcycles and cars. The Alfa Monza at the 2012 Roycroft was a fearsome entrant on the grid.

Photo: Balley Neville. 2012 Roycroft. The McNair Riley following.

Peter Cooper:

I met him at the Auckland Motorcycle section meetings. He was from California and had lived here for over 40 years. His interest was in small Japanese scooters, but had been involved in the Classic Racing Register as was starter for race meetings and many other events. He enjoyed the Phoenix and had sent interesting articles which were published, and last commented on Jowetts he had known in California. He attended the Nelson Rally this year on a Yamaha Beluga he had recently restored that I had owned many years ago. A great raconteur. I was going to take a tour to his collection in Waihi. Too late now. He was only three months older than I. Are ra.

Michael Greig

(Above is Peter & Rae in Nelson at the Vero Rally in March) Picture from Auckland Branch Newsletter.

From Head Office, Vintage Car Club.

After minimal communication from the Interislander over the renewal of discounted fare rates that finished on 15 December 2025, the Club has made the decision to work exclusively with Bluebridge as our preferred ferry provider.

Bluebridge have provided competitive pricing for Club members for the period 1 November 2026 – 31 October 2027, this document can also be found on our website under Membership Benefits.

The Interislander has discounts available for AA members, NZMCA members and Gold card holders as outlined on their website under Deals and offers. Promo code: ANTIQUECAR

For Sale:

1946 Royal Enfield 350 model G, fully restored in July 2001, Rego on hold, offers around $7000.

1955 Matchless G9 500, Fully restored in Oct 1999; Rego on hold, Open to offers.

1969 Norton Commando 750 Roadster

Complete ground up restoration in Dec 2001.

Box of spares including a pair of stainless-steel silencers. $20.000 or near offer

.Contact Peter = 0211843479

A chance to use the pre-65 Saloon and pre-war car and test its metal.

What are these parts?

I have recently used this firm, Technical Art Ltd., to make a set of wheel nuts for the Riley and was very pleased with the end product. The work is now in the system and can be repeated when required. I fully support local industry and innovation.