VCC Waitemata Phoenix February 2026

PHOENIX

Morley, our Branch Icon was always a winner on the track, locally and internationally.

“Hark

, the Triumph Angels sing!”

WAITEMATA BRANCH DIRECTORY

CHAIRMAN: ROBERT CHAPMAN

CLUB CAPTAIN: Awaiting appointment.

021 038 3281 robman@orcon.net.nz

SECRETARY: JACQUI GOLDINGHAM 09 44 58811 waitemata@vcc.org.nz

TREASURER: JACQUI GOLDINGHAM 09 445 8811 goldienz@orcon.net.nz

BRANCH DELEGATE: IAN GOLDINGHAM 09 445 8811 goldienz@orcon.net.nz

EDITOR: MICHAEL GREIG 0272455786 michael.john.greig@gmail.com

SCRIBE For Beaded Wheels Mag

PAST CHAIRMAN: BRENDAN LAMAIN 021 132 4557 brendanandterry@gmail.com

COMMITTEE:

MAX JAMIESON, MIKE HOPE-CROSS, HAMISH ANDREWS, MARCUS LING, STEVE SHARP, RAY FRENER

RAY f FERNIER, STEVE CRANCH

Month Our Branch Other Branch’s More Events

February Sunday 8th Ellerslie Car Show.

March Sunday 1st Brit Euro Car Show. Pakuranga The Morley Run and Lunch. Date to be confirmed with family.

Highland Fling 27th Feb. - March 1st Lochinver 26th -27th .

Art Deco 19th-22nd .

Vero International Festival of Motoring 15-21st at Nelson

22nd WellsfordWarkworth Car Show

April 12th Hope-Cross Gymkhana (13th Editors Birthday no pressure))

May 17th Lunch Run, details to follow

June AGM Irishman’s!

July TBA

August TBA

February 8th

If you want to display your car and free entry, phone the esteemed Kevin Andrews at 0274989454

This is an invite to join the Vintage Austin Register, Norwest Branch at their February Drive & Picnic. Mike Everiss always organises an interesting drive and this time you will see and learn about the Penlink Project before a picnic lunch at Stillwater. Start is the carpark of the Albany Hall where Waitemata hold their monthly meetings. Need to BYO everything for the picnic.

SUNDAY15th FEBRUARYSTART:10.30am

Ablyorganisedby MIKEEVERISS0275166427

Hawkes Bay VCC. Featured marque will be Rolls-Royce & Bentley. 19-22 February 2026

Lochinver.

The vintage experience that the proper Vintage Driver must partake in. The journey to the hunting lodge is an adventure in itself. Thursday 26th February/Friday 27th .

# Spaces available, contact Ian Goldingham. 09 445 8811

*Note this event flows on to Highland Fling.

Highland Fling.

Friday 27th February-Sunday 1 March 2026

Held by the South Waikato Branch, overnighting at Te Awamutu. Traditional event that members have enjoyed.

1st March Lloyd Elsmere Park, Pakuranga. Once again join in with other vintage car clubs. Open invitation to all. Contact: Stan Smith, 0274775475

Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring

Nelson Tasman, 15-21 March 2026.

This is an invite to join the Vintage Austin Register, Norwest Branch at their February Drive & Picnic. Mike Everiss always organises an interesting drive and this time you will see and learn about the Penlink Project before a picnic lunch at Stillwater. Start is the carpark of the Albany Hall where Waitemata hold their monthly meetings. Need to BYO everything for the picnic.

SUNDAY15th FEBRUARYSTART:10.30am

Ablyorganisedby MIKEEVERISS0275166427

Wellsford–WarkworthVintageCarClubIncCarShowInvitation.

AllproceedsfromthegeneralpublicgotosupportthelocalCoastGuard.The Wellsford/WarkworthVCChashadseveralmembersinvitedtotheeventstodisplay specialcars.TherangeofcarshasbeenfromthenewAstonMartin&Ferraritotheold vintagevehiclesandoverthepast18monthshasbecomeincreasinglypopular.Our member,PeteSinton,hasmadearrangementswithRichardWooderstohaveaspecial dayforVintageCarClubeligiblevehicleson22March2026,attheSculptureumon OmahaFlatsRd,Matakana.Ourbranchviewsthisasameansofpromotingthevintage carmovementtoagrowingaudience,whileatthesametimegivingsupporttoavital localorganisation.Wewouldliketoinvitemembersofyourbranchtoparticipatein thedisplayThereisnoentryfeeforthosedisplayingvehicles.Theshowwouldrun from8.30a.m.to1.00p.m.andtheSculptureumwouldbeopenontheday.Itwouldbe greatifthiscouldbecomeanannualeventthatwouldhelptogrowtheVintageCar Club.Thoseinterestedareaskedtocontacteither:PeteSinton:Ph:021637772Or LeonSalt:Ph:0274238122

SincerelyLeonSalt

Email:petesinton@townplanner.co.nzEmail:brendda@xtra.co.nz

BranchGymkhanaatMikeHope-CrossFarm

Sunday,12th April

Weatherdependant,Suitableforallages.Nowarrantneeded.Bringthe vehicleonatrailer!

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“Yes,youmustdrinkitasitisrequiredbeforethenextdrivingandparking sectiononthecourse!”

prepare ye the way to the AGM this coming June.

TheBranchhasneedofyourinputtoensurethatyou,the members,benefitsfromsharedhobby,interestandpassionin vintage,veteranandsportingcars,andtheirproperuseonroad andtrack.Wesharetheinterestandknowledgeinthehistory, mechanicalcomplexitiesanddrivingtechniquesfortheseunique andspecialvehiclesoftwo,threeandfourwheels.Pleaseconsider joiningthecommitteeissharingthehelm,tiller,wheelandkeep theBranchatthevanguardoftheVintageMotoringMovement.The positionsofClubCaptain,SecretaryandTreasureareseekingnew holders.Pleaseconsidertheseessentialandimportantposts.

Rob’sSundayRunandLunch.

ItwastheSunday,December7th, thattheChairmansentusoutnorthward toenjoythebackroadmotoring.Amongstthemotoristswastheusual suspects,TeamBenbrookinGreenFrog,Buntyandpassengerinthe seasonallyattiredJupiter,theBeesleyHotchkiss,TeamChairmaninthe RileySpecial.BadenPascoeintheMkIVRiley9Tourerwasawelcome additiontotheeventashehadnotbeenseenforawhile.Ididtakethe 350Zasitneededusing;theRileywheelshavenothadthemissingspokes replaced.

Itwasaninterestingdriveoverbackroads;firsttothewestandthenthe centre,usingtheoldroutesnorthandlonginclines.AfteronelongsectionI stoppedandwaitedtoseehowtwocarscopedwiththeroad.Theyhalted seeingmeattheroadshoulder.Whiletalkingtothem,wewereapproached bytheoccupantsofacarthatparkedbehindusandaskedifweweregoing toacarshowastheyhadbeenovertakenbyoldersportingandclassiccars andwantedtojointhetour.Theyhadalteredtheirtriptofollowthe interestingcars.

ThelunchwasatapleasantcaféatWaiwera,oppositethedemolishedhot pools.Thefoodwasexcellentandtheareanotteamingwithtouristsand closetothebeachfarfromthecrowdedareasatOrewaafewmilessouth. Notfarfromthewell-knownPuhoiPub.Agoodareatoexercisethecaron theweekendtokeepawayfrombusyroads.

Thereareplanstore-establishtheresortagain.Newhotpoolsandrestful afternoons.IdorememberitasastoponanearlyBranchovernightrun manyyearsagoandoftherestfultimespentinthepoolsafteralongnight run.

ChairmanRobalwaysdoesaninterestingSundayrun.Makesuretoattend thenextone.Heputsinthemilagecheckingitout,usuallywiththeRiley.

A photo sent by Marie Roycroft for Phoenix, taken on Christmas day.

When Terry was asked if he would like to travel to the family and friends Xmas lunch at Pukekohe in the Sunbeam, his affirmative response was clear. So, one of his sons lifted him in and I secured him firmly. Terry was looking everywhere during the drive, obviously enjoying things. It was quite emotional for me, for 20 minutes we had just each other's company again and didn't need conversation. In the photo Terry is waving goodbye to the staff. He was away for over four hours which was about the longest he's been.

Yes, the Sunbeam had been spring cleaned after the hill climb!

Dave Adams

The Saints Hill Climb - a last-minute decision to have some fun.

I have been tidivating a few things on the Sunbeam in preparation for the Nelson Rally; specifically, re-chroming the headlight bar, painting the firewall and respraying the bonnet. With all the other things that go in our lives finishing these jobs was a challenge. However, I had a deadline, a WOF booked for Wednesday 3rd December for the Sunbeam’s first annual one, Yay! I was still painting on the Monday and assembling the bonnet sections and hardware on the Tuesday afternoon! Having got the warrant, I needed a fun break so entered the Saturday Saints hill climb at the last minute influenced by the location close to me and the metaled surface that the Sunbeam is suited to. I was asked over the phone if there were two throttle return springs (I have three) and that was it.

On the day, I found my racing license, log book and scrutineering check sheet weren’t required. It all very laid back as it was a private event on a private road organized by the Pukekohe Hot Rod Club. Reassuringly, I did note a medic with ambulance and hay bales in front of prominent fence posts. There were several shiny 30s and 40s rods with big block V8s but none of the Model As that I had been told were usually attending. Some people were looking a little unbelieving that I was entering; my staid old unmodified English luxury car was the complete antithesis of their cars!

When the cars lined up at the start line, I was a bit perplexed; there were only five of them! Two from the Hot Rod club, a single seater flat head V8 special and a battered 30s Chev coupe with humungous V8 with auto trans and no guards. The other three cars represented the Waitemata Branch, namely Mike Courtney’s Ford based single seater special, the Ferner BSA and my car. The shiny rods present turned out to be there for display only. However, there were several British bikes from the fifties and sixties for the grass track circuit set up for them.

It was clear that I was rather out classed but this wasn’t a problem because as well as having fun, in hill climbs I am racing against myself trying to get the best line through each corner on every run. And fun it was. The course was about 1.2 km long and steep with tight corners. From the start line I managed to change into second before a right angle turn through a narrow gateway and up a particularly steep section. There was no way I could drift through this one, a

sideways Sunbeam takes up a lot of room, so I lost most of my speed and the engine dropped off the torque curve for about 30 m. Changing to first was not an option because with no synchro or clutch stop, I would have been nearly stationary by the time second was engaged. After the gradient flattened a bit, I was off and drifted through a set of S bends then reached the main straight where I was hitting 45 mph, still in second, before braking heavily for a nearly 90⁰ left turn. This was followed by a short straight to the finish. I got in eight runs which was pretty satisfying.

I did not check the times; the lovely scenery and the subsequent BBQ were all I needed. However, a few days later I received a video from a spectator, Mark Haggie from Aus, and I can’t do better than repeat his comments: “It's a good day out and a great lot to hang out with. I'm glad you enjoyed the day as did I and hope it continues on in the same way. It was a little down in numbers this year so here's hoping next year will be better. I see there were only a few seconds between the fastest and slowest and your car not only ran like a clock it gave the others a run for their money while doing it in style.”

Above is the Sunbeam in action and on the right isMotoring Marvel, Mike Courtney, Master of many machines with his Model A monster. compared with the miniscule Austin 7 specials he usually motors. Photos from Dave Adams.

Pukekohe Hill Climb

It was good to get the BSA fired up for some action in December at the Pukekohe Hot Rod Club annual hill climb. Three VCC entries helped to make up the numbers with Mike Courtney in the Ford special and David Adams in the Sunbeam alongside the BSA. The event was well organized with the farm track for the cars and a hilly paddock circuit for the bikes. There was also a marquee for shade and a fine after-match BBQ.

Given the relatively small turnout, there were plenty of runs available for the participants. The track started with a flat section and then through a gate into a steep gravel section. Traction, or lack thereof, was a challenge here with copious wheel spin and a shower of gravel, much of which ended up inside the car. After the steep section there were two longer uphill straights separated by a kink through a gate and then yet another gate into the top few turns to the finish.

The track was a bit rough for the BSA with plenty of contact with the gravel at various points…. Not too dissimilar to the R’Oil Can! Perhaps I should put on the bigger wheels that are in the garage.

This event is well worth supporting. The organization was excellent and a good opportunity for an off-tarmac challenge.

Thanks to Rob for his pit crew assistance.

Ray Ferner

Photos from Ray and Team BSA

BSA Interest. Where are the other 6 cylinders!

Both pictures from Ray

BSA ready to go

The Chairmans Report.

Happy New Year Everyone. It is with much sadness to report the death of Morley Faulkner. As you all know Morley has not been so well for a little while. He had hoped for a gathering with his Club mates in lieu of a funeral. Unfortunately, events overtook him rapidly. The family are keen to see Morley gets his wish and in conjunction with the Triumph Owners Club, Historic Racing and Sports Car Club we are planning a celebratory lunch early in March. Date to be confirmed as yet.

On a happier note Max Jamieson is making good progress. He is still in Hospital and is greatly improved if you wish to give him a quick call 0272748127 and best wishes.

There are a few events on the calendar but we are always open for ideas and runs if you have ideas please let the committee know. A big shout out to Steve Cranch as he has he finished our new constitution and it has been sent to VCC head office. Now he can ready his Buick for the National in Nelson. Talking of the national we should co-ordinate phone numbers for those that are going, See you all Tuesday.

Rob

Editorial Notes

Best wishes for the New Year, greetings from the Editorial Team! We have had a varied year of events which I am sure appealed to all members and look forward to the same, and it will be better for this coming year.

On New Years Day, I was offered a trip with ‘Friend of the Branch’, Terry Bracey, in his well turned out Morris Isis Traveller, known as “The Antichrist”. This was to the start of the year runs put on by the Motorcycle Section of the Auckland Branch of the VCC. We started of on a fine day after the period of rain which proceeded this event. When arriving at of any car to overtake. I know of no way of ending this curse of elderly frightened drivers in older club eligible vehicles who deliberately block the roads from all motorists and bring scorn on to the vintage car club. Some of them believe that they are protecting their vehicles, they been driving for many years and have not had an accident. Finally, we ended the run and began the queue to obtain the fish and chips. They were well priced and prepared in the tradition manner. The weather changed and it poured down on all. It was an excellent run and chance to meet up with some fellow spirited drivers and riders.

The trip home was an experience to get to know the Isis Traveller and found it to be a legendary “Q Ship” as it had a surprising covert history. Repowered with a period Austin Westminster / Wolseley 6/110 motor with overdrive and used as a chase car. It had led a secret life as a NZSIS operative. Having traditional dark tinted windows for unobtrusive observation, uprated alternator for powerful radio transmission and a large suite of secret electronic equipment, it represented the peak of available spyware at that time. I did the usual diligent research using my well-respected conspiracy theorist group, ‘The Badge Man at the Grassy Knoll”. Their research led me to contact the NZSIS, who did eventually reply. The letter was fully redacted, which included the letterhead and the writer, his name and position in the organisation. I do have this ‘written’ reply which consists of four blank foolscap sheets of white paper. Rumours still abound of the vehicle’s involvement in the “*** # **** “Affair, and the notorious “** *******-***” Event with its political fallout still felt today. Today the car is in fine and beautiful restored condition, retaining the powerful motor, but if examined closely, evidence still exists of the discreet fittings of intelligence equipment. It would be a perfect tow car for a period race team. Editor, Michael Greig

The Editor would like to offered an opportunity to test drive member’s vehicles to present a portrait of the sporting heritage that the Branch maintain.

Of course, this would be under the total supervision of the owner at all times.

The material and images are only for the newsletter.

The consumables, i.e. fuel, would be the responsibility of the Editor.

All vehicles, however modest, are treasures to their custodians and need their history recorded and honoured.

I await replies with great excitement.

Michael Greig.

Honoured to be the current Editor, “Phoenix.”

The Editor hopes these plans will encourage owners of light cars, three wheelers and motorcycles and sidecars to enjoy the excitement and freedom of camping adventures.

*There is a crank-up day at the Warkworth Museum on the 21st February, 10-2 pm if you are in stationary engine mode. *

Don’t forget Mac’s Garage. Top advice, professional service, and well known and respected in the Vintage Austin and Riley world. Gearbox and diffs a specialty.

Ryan Mc Donald 09 443-3733, found at 4 Ashfield Road, Glenfield.

Wynyard Street Motors. / Devonport Tyres

Aaron Brown, owner/operator 1 Wynyard Street, Devonport. 09 4451357 | 021 040 6111 aaron@ambro.co.nz

WOFS- car and motorbike, sidecars

Batteries, servicing, repairs, brakes, tyres

BASIS open 6 Days 09 869 3141

Classic Auto Rubber Specialists. 7/1 Tony Street, Henderson

PHOENIX

The OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER of THE WAITEMATA BRANCH of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF N.Z. INC.

A proud statement on the bonnet side of the previous owner of the 1929 Riley 9 Tourer of Baden Pascoe. It will be attending the Vero Internation Festival of Motoring in Nelson, accompanied by Steve Cranch in the vintage Buick.

CLUB NIGHT

Tuesday 3rd February

At the usual place with the usual suspects. Come on, join with us as it is your club too!