Welcome to the May Rivet. A very busy period coming up over the next few weeks, what with the Annual Rally and the AGM. I do hope that we get a good turn out for the AGM, as many people seem to skip coming to this important meeting, possibly the most important one in our year. So many say that they do not want to be ‘roped into a committee’. Fine, then do not stand if you think this way, but at least attend please. I used to be one of these people, but believe me that the more one becomes involved in the running of any club, then the more one gets out of it.
I myself will not be standing for committee this time, but am willing to continue in my Editor’s role and as the Beaded Wheels Reporter for another term if that is what members decide. Over to you. If anyone else thinks that they would like to take it on, then I will willingly stand down and assist the next person into these roles. The Editor’s and Beaded Wheels Reporter’s roles really do go hand in hand I believe. It would be great, though, if someone could please deputise when I am unavailable for any reason, should I be re-elected.
Onto the forthcoming Annual Rally. By now those of you on my email list would have received the programme and entry form. These are also in this edition of the Rivet. So how about registering forthwith please. Great assistance for our busy Rally Secretary to get these in asap. I really enjoyed the recent Wanganui Road Rodders Park-up at City College, apart from the racket that a couple of ‘hotted up cars’ made part way through the event. I was nearby at the Military Vehicles site having a cuppa, when these machines started up-I spilt my tea ! However I do admire the work and dedication, as evidenced with all the vehicles on display, that go into presenting such a wide diversity of motoring treasures. Congratulations to our VCC branch members, Christine Savage, with her Citroen, and Shane Hobman, with his Chevrolet, for respectively winning the Cancer Society’s Choice award and President’s Choice award. Also our VCC member, Colin Matthews in military clothing and accompanied by Lex, his suitably attired military dog, on behalf of the Military Vehicle Club carried off the Best Club Display award. Colin was the principle displayer for the Military Club, with a wide range of war time relics accompanying the military vehicles. He has amassed quite a collection. Congratulations. Which brings me onto another upcoming event due to take place from the 15th to the 21st of March 2026, the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring. I realise the registration fee is a little bit expensive, and coupled with travel to the South Island and accommodation, it does cost a considerable amount. But as that this International Festival is only held once every four years, it does make it appear to be a little more affordable. If nationwide we do not support this event, then it will not be held and our registration fees refunded in full. Sounds fair to me. So as the old saying goes, “use it or lose it.” It would be such a pity if this event, and presumably future ones, would not be held because of lack of support. Over to us as VCC enthusiasts. How about those contemplating attending this esteemed event, let your intent be known to the Club Captain or Chairman, so we can all team up together as a branch in Nelson. Frances and I are about to register. We intend to undergo a road trip afterwards and take in a few South Island sights. Great to be retired and forget about those blasted chickens for a while!
That’s all from me this month. Yours in cruising, Editor Ian.
17th National Model A Ford Rally
By Dave and Mihi McDermid
This month I managed to persuade Dave and Mihi to submit a write up of the Model A National Rally held recently. I have been keen to have the McDermid’s participation in these pages for a little while now. They are a great couple and have done, and still do, so much for our movement. Dave showed me around his impressive workshop and projects on the go. Two more Model A’s plus an old Dodge awaiting Dave’s considerable talents to get these beauties back on the road. Hopefully one of the A’s will be at our next Restoration of the Year. What iconic cars these old Model A’s are with so many on the road to this day.
Thank you Dave and Mihi for your report on the rally. Editor Ian.
When it was announced that the 17th National Model A Ford Rally would be hosted by the North Island Model A Ford Club of America in Masterton from 23nd February to 1st March 2025, I was keen to attend. Being so close to home it was an easy decision. Wanganui VCC and Mid Island Model A Club members who attended were Ted and Genny Matthews, John and Wendy Bullock, Peter and Ann Robinson, and Graeme and Karen Langridge.
On Sunday 23rd after much preparation and packing( surprising how much stuff you can get into the back of a Roadster,) Mihi and I headed off for Masterton. We had an uneventful trip down catching up with the Robinsons for lunch in Eketahuna. We finally arrived in Masterton and booked into the Copthorne Solway Hotel, which was the Rally Centre for the week, and picked up our rally packs. There were Model A’s of all descriptions parked at the hotel. We learned later that 132 cars were attending. The entrants were divided into four colour groups, Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. On run days each group had a different destination. Whanganui entrants, with Peter Robinson’s help, had pre-registered into the red group. This was a good group as we didn’t have to hurry back from any of the long runs for the organised dinners at the hotel. Monday dawned bright and sunny and we were off to the Solway Show grounds, about a block from the motel – dressed in period for a whole group photograph taken by drone. Then over to the main show ground for a Public Static Display and Gymkhana. Not a lot of public seemed to turn up –perhaps this was poorly promoted being a Monday and people at work. At 4pm it was back to the hotel for the showers and I went to watch the Hubley Racing. I had never heard of this venture before but it comprises of racing Models of Model A Fords made by Hubley down a sloping track to a finish line, 3 cars at a time. This to eventually decide a winner out of the 36 Hubley’s entered. Sort of racing for bigger people and it was serious stuff, lots of cheering and shouting. At about 6.30, our Whanganui group gathered in the hotel lounge for pre-dinner drinks. At the end of the lounge was a large TV screen which was playing a movie. After a while I began to watch the move and realised it was a pornographic movie. The others in the group also spotted the movie and strange to say everyone burst out laughing. Shortly after the screen went blank. I guess some wag at the hotel was having us on. Next it was off to the first organised informal dinner at the hotel. This included guest speaker Mark Pacey who spoke about “ship-wrecks and lighthouses of the Wairarapa”. There were lots of them, SE North Island is a rough place.
17th National Model A Ford Rally
Tuesday was once again fine and sunny but windy. Early start assembling at Solway Showgrounds at 8am for the first of our runs of 133 miles. Castlepoint Lighthouse and return via Castlepoint Station with lunch at Whakataki Hotel. First part of the day was almost all on metal and then on a rough track which led onto the Mataikona Road north of Castle Point. Parts of this were rough, made the Highland Fling look like a summer holiday drive. It certainly separated the Trailer Queens from the Model A’s. You wouldn’t take your Morris Minor where we went
Lunch at the Whakataki Hotel was good and while we were there a group of Cobra’s arrived so we had Model A’s parked down one side of the yard facing the Cobra’s on the other. In the afternoon I took the long route home through Castle Point Station, lovely views of the coast. The roads through the station while metal, were good, almost as wide as a motorway. Wednesday was “short run day” 100 miles and we went to Ocean Beach via the western side of Lake Wairarapa with a stop over at the Fell Engine Museum.
The group on Tuesday couldn’t get to Ocean Beach because the wind was so strong that it blew the trailer with the portaloo’s on over on its side and that part of the trip was cancelled. The Fell Engine Museum was wonderful. They showed an old movie of the Fell locomotives in action. I could have spent the whole day there. Next it was onward to Ocean Beach, however some missed the turn off at the edge of Featherston and had started up the Rimutaka Hill Road for Wellington. Lucky we realised the mistake and got back on track. Rain was forecast for the day and by the time we got to Ocean Beach it was showering. Because it was raining my wipers stopped working. This was like the bottom end of the South Island. A most wind-swept rugged place. I would not want to be there in a howling southerly. We had a quick cup of tea and then back for lunch at Cobble Stones Museum Greytown via the other side of Lake Wairarapa. This was a long straight road with a great surface. Pull the hand throttle into cruise mode and go. After lunch at the Coble Stone Museum and a Museum visit, we were free for the rest of the afternoon. Mihi decided it was time for shopping in Greytown. Then back to Masterton and the hotel. On the way I fixed my windscreen wiper by wriggling the wire to it and hey presto the wiper came back to life. At 7pm another organised rally dinner was held with guest speaker Paul Kelly from Western Australia, who spoke about crossing the great Australian desert with a group of Model A’s. This was followed by a quiz.
Thursday 27th up early again for a “Long Run” 144 miles to Cape Palliser Lighthouse and return. We drove down to Lake Ferry village via Martinborough where we had morning tea. After this it was on to Cape Palliser to visit the lighthouse. John Bullock and I stopped at Ngawi fishing village to admire the many rusting bulldozers used to launch fishing boats from the steep and stony beach. This is a place where old bulldozers gather to die. The run now took us back through Martinborough to the Luna Estate Winery for lunch. The wine here was very smooth and nice. We even bought a couple of bottles to take home. Then it was back to Martinborough so Mihi could go shopping, then return to the hotel for a quiet evening. Friday 27th the last day of the rally, another fine sunny day and red group had “short run” 58 miles. This was the only competitive run and we were given a questionnaire to fill in about the day’s activities. Then it was northwards up SH2 to Pukaha /Mt Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary. Mt Bruce is a most interesting place with lots of native birds to view. While there we also watched the feeding of a large group of eels which inhabited the creek running through the reserve.
17th National Model A Ford Rally
After a cup of tea in their café we were then away to the next stop which was Le Gra Vineyard for lunch. When we had finished an excellent lunch, we travelled back towards Masterton to view a Greek Orthodox Church with a beautifully painted interior. Some of us got lost on the way to the Church including Mihi and I, and we were part way back to Masterton before realising our mistake. Finally arriving at the Church, we were given an opportunity to view the interior. It was fully painted inside with religious icons in the Greek manner. The painting had been done by a young local man and was truly amazing. After receiving a talk about the history of the Church we were off again to visit the Pointon Collection Museum. Francis Pointon’s collection of Veteran, Vintage, Post Vintage vehicles and memorabilia was most impressive and we spent quite some time there - plenty to look at. On leaving Pointon’s it was return to Masterton and get cleaned up and changed into period attire for the final formal dinner and prize giving.
The guest speaker for the Gala Dinner was Garry Jackson of the Federation of Motoring Clubs. His speech was most interesting, informative and important to us motoring enthusiasts. He spoke at length about the national survey we all did and how this has helped so much to get Government to listen to our interests. It certainly helped with the continuing requests for 12 month Warrants of Fitness for older vehicles. The next morning was the time to get packed up, attend informal farewell breakfast, say goodbye and set off homeward to Whanganui. Our Model A ran well and surprisingly we got over the Pahiatua Track in top gear and arrived safely back in Whanganui.
It was a big week of motoring. We travelled all up 680 miles without any major problems. All the other Whanganui entrants made it home safely with Peter and Ann Robinson the only ones to have serious car issues – gear box.
All up great to be out with so many other Model A’s
A most enjoyable week of motoring.
Dave and Mihi.
42nd Annual Autumn Motorcycle Rally
By Heather and Bill James
The club’s 42nd Annual Autumn Motorcycle Rally with 33 competitors left the VCC clubrooms at 9.30 am on Saturday morning on motorbikes ranging from a 1936 Ariel MG to a 2020 Triumph Scrambler. They travelled North via back roads which included two timed sections, and onto Whenuakura School, where they were treated to a delicious lunch provided by the mothers of the school children. After lunch they travelled back to the clubrooms again via back roads to avoid the state highway.
The prize giving dinner was held on Saturday evening at the Clubrooms. As usual Eilidh and her very able team of helpers, Siobhan, Angus, Dale and Mary Ann produced a wonderful meal which was well appreciated by all. This was followed by fun, frivolity and finally prize-giving.
On Sunday morning they gathered at the clubrooms prior to a visit to Eastown Timber before travelling home. The weather was good although a little cloudy and the weekend was very much enjoyed by all.
Our grateful thanks to all marshals, helpers and to Jim and Mary Ann Bilby (Tail-end Charlie) without whom there would be no rally at all.
The overall winner was Verdon Heath from Levin and the winner of the Coleman Cup (highest scoring local club member) was Frank James.
The results were as follows:
POST VINTAGE
First: Dennis Young riding a 1936 Ariel NG from New Plymouth
POST WAR – Kendrick Cup
First: Dave Henwood riding a 1952 BSA B33 from Wanganui
Second: Norm Hill riding a 1954 BSA B33 from Stokes Valley
Third: John Rapley riding a 1958 Royal Enfield Clipper from Paraparaumu Beach
POST 60 VEHICLES
First: Verdon Heath riding a 1974 CZ 175 Sport from Levin
Second: Frank James riding a 1979 Suzuki GT 125 from Wanganui
Third: Errol Gray riding a 1975 Norton Commando from Palmerston North
POST 80 VEHICLES
First: Mike D’Alton riding a 1985 Honda CX from Masterton
Second: Robert Heath riding a 1986 Honda CB 500 from Fielding
Third: Sam Wilson riding a 1981 Suzuki from Wanganui
CLASSICS:
First: Stephen Haines riding a 1961 Norton Dominator from Masterton
Second: Lloyd Williams riding a 1970 Triumph Tiger 650 from Fielding
Third: Colin and Vicki Tate riding a 1971 Norton Commando 750 from Wanganui
If posting or handing to Rally Secretary or 06 3424755 please return this side with payment.
Wanganui VCC Branch AGM
Nomination Form 2025
Position
Dear Mr Editor
Letter to the Editor
I have found out about the old motorcycle in the Black Barn on the last run organised by Mike Marshall. It’s a 1951 James Comet Standard. Villiers Mk 1F. 98cc and 2 speed gearbox. Sam Wilson. Thank you Sam. I knew that someone would know. The owner didn't. Editor Ian.
25 Year Badges
Sarah Howell (left) and Lee Turner receive their 25 year membership badges from Chairman Andrew at our recent Club Night. Congratulations ladies. Photos by Heather James.
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