Greetings, Members, and welcome to the May Rivet. As you will know, this is my final blurb as Editor, for the time being anyway. This is my fifth year in the role, and I have other matters on my plate to attend to. Anyway, I believe that all those holding roles in any club on a voluntary basis should stand down and be replaced, even before the length of my current term. Ours is a club, not a dictatorship, and people must be voted in or out of office in a democratic manner. The problem, though, is that someone else needs to pick up the tab in whatever role and run with it. I am completely unaware whether anyone else has been canvassed for my position. I have asked several, and apart from one person who has previously offered to deputise for me if required, no one has jumped up and said “Yes, I will allow my name to go forward as a nominee for Editor.” Perhaps this has been discussed by the ‘powers that be’ behind closed doors in committee. I do not know, as I resigned from committee at the last AGM.
It is my hope that some of you will allow your names to be considered as nominees for my position. It is not all that difficult, really. All that is required is a computer on which a couple of programmes can be installed, and away you go. I have already offered to assist for the next three months or longer if required, and Damien, my Operations Manager in the office, is a dab hand at all things computer. I have really enjoyed my time as Editor, and I thank you for voting me in for this position.
I have received many thanks in my role over the years, which I really appreciate and leave me quite humbled. Please give serious thought to putting your name forward. We should not have any role in the club decided upon outside the AGM.
And talking about AGMs, please make certain that you attend ours at next Club Night at 7.30pm on June 3rd. Attendance at AGMs is usually pretty dismal, so those who do not attend cannot possibly grumble if they do not approve of any particular person being voted into committee or in any particular role. Just because you attend does not mean you will be hijacked onto committee. Not every member attending can be elected, but your presence shows the interest you have in your branch. All the committee are people who care for the branch and are giving up their free time for the good of all. If you feel that committee life is not for you, then simply don’t feel pressured to accept any nominations that may come from the floor. Simple as that. I will be attending the AGM, all going well, but am not available for any role should a nomination come in on the night, apart from assisting the new Editor and Beaded Wheels Reporter into the position.
I am sorry that this publication has come in rather late in the month, but I cannot send the Rivet to the printers until all reports have come in to me. You would all have received the entry forms for the Annual Rally electronically. See you all there.
That’s my lot as Editor. Thank you for putting up with me. Yours in cruising, Editor Ian.
Chairman's Report — May 2026
The annual Motorcycle Rally held on 18 April was a great success. (See report later in this issue). Unfortunately the River City Park Up had to be cancelled as you no doubt have heard due to the amount of rain which left the City College grounds too wet to put vehicles on.
Thanks to Dale and the Ladies Coffee Group there is now a small dresser in the Ladies toilet full of trinkets, gloves and fascinators etc which are available for members to borrow if they are wanting to dress up for the year in their car for club events. Please feel free to have a look and/or add to the collection. You may borrow items at no charge and return when you are finished with them. Thanks to Dale and the Ladies Coffee Group for this initiative.
The Speaker at the last club night was Robert Burnside ( right on photo opposite) who again gave a very interesting talk on the use of drones and the rapid advancement of technology. We were shown how small they are and what the camera can pick up. In the Defence Force they are used for security reasons and mapping areas of interest. The drone can take a large number of photos over an area which are then converted into an image by a computer. This can also be viewed as a 3D image.
As the old oven in the kitchen had called it quits, we have replaced it with a new one. Eilidh was the first to use it for the Motorcycle Rally dinner and it meets with her approval.
Entries are open for the Annual Rally which is coming up rather quickly. Don’t forget Kings Birthday is early this year on 31st May.
Look forward to seeing you also at the Working Bee on Saturday 9th May.
Cheers, Bill
Club Captain’s Report– May 2026
This year’s Motorbike Rally was another great success. Thank you to Bill and Heather for organizing it again and thank you to all those who helped out at the event.
May is looking like a busy month for the club with a working bee at the club rooms on the 9th between 9am and 12.00 pm.
We have been asked to provide some vehicles for a park up at the Toy Fair at Springvale Stadium.
At the end of the month, we have our Annual Rally on the 31st May. I hope you have got your entry in if not stop reading this and go put your entry in now.
Our 3rd June meeting is our AGM so please have a think about joining the committee. With a number of people in different roles standing down we will need some more people to help keep the club going forward.
The annual Daffodil Day Rally is set for Sunday 23rd August, if anyone is interested in helping me organize an event for that day, please let me know.
Again, if you want to organize a Sunday run or know of someone who would be interesting for a guest speaker for a club night please let me know.
Captain Wayne
The Tim Price Family Story
By Tim Price
Growing up, I was always collecting diecast model cars. My collection is not huge, but I like to think it’s interesting. Some of the models have been passed down through previous generations of my family, which makes them pretty special to me. Even as a kid, I think I was drawn to the stories behind vehicles just as much as the vehicles themselves. My wife Lennie, our two boys Jacob and Levi, and I have always had an interest in anything with wheels or an engine. We enjoy mountain biking and motorbike riding. We also have good friends in Tauranga who run motorbike camps for teenagers, which we often help out with. Watching young people gain confidence and skills through riding is something we really enjoy being part of. In 2024 we took a family trip to Europe, and one of the highlights was spending seven days on a self-drive canal boat through the north of Wales. That would have to rank as one of the best weeks of our lives. There was just something about slowing life right down and travelling at walking pace through the Welsh countryside that really appealed to us. We travelled along the Llangollen Canal, crossing the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which was an experience we’ll never forget. Steering a narrowboat across a canal suspended high above the valley below is a pretty strange feeling the first time you do it. The aqueduct itself is incredible an old cast iron structure carrying a narrow strip of water high above the River Dee, with nothing much between you and the drop except a low railing on one side. It definitely gets your attention the first time you edge your way across. The whole trip had a simplicity to it that made it special. Opening and closing locks, tying up for the night in little villages, stopping at old pubs beside the canal, and waking up each morning somewhere different. The boys loved helping with the locks and learning how everything worked, and it was one of those rare family trips where everyone genuinely enjoyed the same thing. What I enjoyed most was probably the slower pace of it all. No rushing, no schedules, no pressure to be anywhere quickly just quietly moving through the countryside with the family. It’s hard to explain, but after a few days you almost feel yourself operating at canal speed too. You begin noticing little things you would normally rush past. I can honestly say I can not wait to do another trip someday. During our travels we also somehow stumbled across the British Motor Museum on the very weekend they were hosting a Land Rover event. It turned out people had travelled from all over the UK to display their vehicles, and the place was packed with every type of Land Rover imaginable. There were beautifully restored originals sitting alongside wellused farm trucks, fully kitted expedition vehicles, military models, and some seriously wild custom builds. We spent hours wandering around spotting clever modifications, hearing owners tell stories about trips and restorations, and admiring the amount of time, skill, and passion people had poured into their vehicles. It was one of those events where you quickly realise that no matter where you are in the world, vehicle people are all similar. My first car was a 1988 Mazda Familiar station wagon. That little wagon took me and my mates all over the country at all hours of the night. Like many first cars, it probably worked harder than it was ever designed to.
The Tim Price Family Story
I’m a builder by trade, and after the Mazda I mostly drove Toyota Hilux’s. My first Hilux was a 1984 Surf, although unfortunately I only owned it for about five hours before rolling it out at South Beach. Looking back now, it’s one of those stories that becomes funnier with time although maybe not quite so funny at the time. My favorite Hilux was a 1991 2WD double cab well side that I lowered onto wide rims and blacked out the windows. I loved that Ute. The only problem was that with those wide wheels and no power steering, it was difficult to turn. Once Lennie became pregnant she couldn’t drive it comfortably, so we sold it and bought a Toyota RAV4 . Lennie loved that vehicle, and as the saying goes happy wife, happy life. Eventually I ended up with another Hilux, this time one with power steering. After spending years getting 2WD Hilux’s stuck in paddocks, lawns, and anywhere that looked slightly damp, I brought a 4WD Hilux. They go anywhere. We now drive a Ford Everest, and compared to those older vehicles it has all the bells and whistles.Sometimes I miss the simplicity of the older vehicles. There was something about the character of those old Utes that made them memorable. The Austin A40 Somerset came into my life through my brother. He originally brought the car, although sadly he never got the chance to enjoy it. I remember sitting at his place one evening looking through his Trade Me watchlist while he tried to decide between a Morris Minor and the A40. We both had a soft spot for Morris Minors because our father owned several of them when we were kids. In the end he chose the A40 because he thought it had nicer lines. It was a Sunday morning in March 2021 when I found out my brother was in hospital. We talked about the A40, which he had brought about five weeks earlier but still hadn’t arrived. He was planning on chasing it up on Monday morning. Sadly, early the next morning he passed away. After a few phone calls, I discovered the car was sitting in Wellington waiting to be collected. I managed to arrange delivery by Wednesday, which meant the car could at least be part of his funeral. Seeing it there felt important, almost like a final connection to something he had been genuinely excited about. About a year later I bought the A40 from my sister-in-law. Not long after my brother passed away, I remember talking with a mutual friend about making something as a keepsake to remember him by. I think this car has become that. Every time I see it or work on it, it carries memories of conversations, shared interests, and growing up together. More recently, my oldest son got his driver’s licence, and we went halves in a 2WD Hilux. There’s something special about teaching your kids what you can, but also quietly standing back and watching them discover the excitement and freedom that comes with owning a first vehicle. Seeing him take pride in it, work on it, and head off with his mates reminds me a lot of my own first years of driving. It’s funny how those vehicles become more than just transport they become part of growing up and making memories. My youngest son and I are currently rebuilding a little Suzuki FA50. After my father passed away, I found two of them sitting in his shed in Garston, in the bottom of the South Island. I decided to bring them home, although that turned into a bit of an adventure in itself because I had flown down there. After a few phone calls and a lot of organising, the bikes worked their way back to Whanganui over several months through a chain of mates and whoever happened to be travelling north at the time.
Tim Price Story
There’s not a lot of monetary value in them, but that’s never really been the point. The enjoyment comes from bringing something old back to life and sharing that process together. Hopefully before too long we can source the parts we need and have one of them up and running again. In many ways, cars and bikes have always been more than just machines to me. They seem to carry stories, memories, and connections to the people around us. Whether it’s an old Hilux, a little Suzuki, or an Austin A40 Somerset, every vehicle somehow becomes part of the family story. Tim Price.
Fantastic story Tim. I just loved the fact that you have acquired your late brother’s Austin. As relatively new members, it is great to have you and your family in our branch. I am sorry that I could not find more room in this publication to include pictures, but your A40 has graced these pages recently when you won the Best Local entrant in the Burma, plus second overall. Not bad for a newcomer to our ranks. Well done. Editor Ian
Burma Rally 2026
Above left: Matt and Amber Andrews, Whanganui. 1979 Chevrolet Malibu.
Above right: John and Anne Lawrence, Whanganui, in their 2008 Land Rover.
Below left: 1960 Zephyr Mk 2. Donald Robbie and Owen Reid, Palmerston North.
Below right: Andrew Lyne and Trish Nugent-Line, Whanganui. 1970 Rover P6B.
THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND WANGANUI BRANCH INCORPORATED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Members of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Wanganui Branch Incorporated will be held on Wednesday 3 June 2026 commencing at 7:30 pm at the Vintage Car Club's Clubrooms, Patapu Street, Wanganui East, Wanganui.
Agenda:
Apologies
Minutes of AGM of 4 June 2025 and SGM of 4 February 2026.
Confirmation of Minutes of both Meetings.
Matters arising.
Chairman’s Report.
Club Captain’s Report.
Financial Report by Treasurer.
Election of Officers;
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Club Captain
Committee of at least four Members;
Other Positions – Rally Secretary, Motor Cycle Convenor, Trophies Manager, Branch Delegate, Kitchen Manager, Hall Custodian, Truck Custodians, Librarian, Parts Custodians, Rivet Editor, Beaded Wheels Reporter, Archivist/Historian, Vehicle VIC Certifiers, Newsletter Distribution
Wanganui VCC Branch AGM
Nomination Form 2026
107 Rapanui Road Westmere
Farm shop opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday 8am to 1-30 pm
Bates Watchmakers
130 Victoria Ave, Wanganui
Phone/Fax 06 345-2235
Email: bateswatch@gmail.com
Watch Specialists for Whanganui
Sales & Repairs
Mainstreet’s Top Shop Award Winner
WANGANUI ELECTROPLATING CO. LTD
‘NZ’s Finest Automotive Platers’ 68 Wilson Street Wanganui
Acknowledged experts on all types of Vintage and Post Vintage Nickel and Chrome Plating.
For all your METAL FINISHING REQUIREMENTS
Copper, Brass, Bronze, Antique Finishing and Metal Polishing Phone Dave on Wanganui 06 345 5042 or 021 057 6726 for prompt and efficient service.
31st May 2026
Sponsored by Higgins Poultry Farm Limited
Entries close 15th May 2026
Rally Regulations
1. This rally is open to vehicles as defined in the rules of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.)
2. Eligible entrants must be current financial members of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.), or overseas residents who are members of a recognised Antique Motoring Club. The entrant must be either the driver, rider, navigator, or passenger of the vehicle entered. Invited guests are deemed Non-Competitive and should not interfere with the competitive section of the rally.
3. Actions that may bring The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) into disrepute will incur disqualification.
4. Any entrant found using any electronic navigation device may be disqualified.
5. Any vehicle changes made after the closing date will see the entry moved to the non-competitive class.
6. We prefer that you carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
7. Safety briefing: Entrants must attend the pre-rally briefing at 9.15am on Sunday 31st May 2026.
Please support our Sponsors
Classes
1. Veteran (pre 1920)
2. Vintage (1Jan 1920 to 31 Dec 1931)
3. Post Vintage ( 1 Jan 1932 to 31 Dec 1945)
4. Post War (1 Jan 1946 to 31 Dec 1960)
Saturday 30th May
Programme
5. Motorcycles
6. Commercial Vehicles
7. Post 1960 Vehicles (P60V)
8. Post 1980 Vehicles ( P80V)
9. Non-competitive
3-5.00pm You can collect your rally packs from the Clubrooms 25 Patapu St, Wanganui East.
Sunday 31st May
Bring your own picnic lunch and tea/coffee gear including your thermos of hot water.
9.00am Assemble at the Cornmarket Reserve, Somme Parade, Wanganui.
9.15am Safety briefing, all drivers and navigators must attend.
9.30am First car away.
Dinner and prizegiving will be held in the Wanganui Room at the Laird Park Bowling Club Peat Street.
Period dress is encouraged but optional.
6.00pm Pre-dinner drinks.
6.30pm Dinner.
Entries close: 15th May 2026. Late entries accepted will be entered as noncompetitive. Preferred method of entry is by online registration at the site bit.ly/2026wvccar. If registering online you still need to make payment by bank deposit. Alternatively, by email, to wanganuirally@gmail.com or mail entry form and payment to c/- The Rally Secretary, Wanganui VCC, PO Box 726, Wanganui 4540
Bank Deposits: 03-0791-0210433-00. Vintage Car Club Wanganui Branch.
PARTICULARS: Your Name CODE: AR2025 REFERENCE Your vehicle Reg
Navigators
Pease
Queries:
Wayne (Rally) 027 244 7108
Christine (Secretary) 027 338 3321
If posting or handing to Rally Secretary or 06 3424755 please return this side with payment
VCC Wanganui Branch
43rd Annual Autumn Motorcycle Rally 2026
By Heather James
The club’s 43rd Annual Autumn Motorcycle Rally with 33 competitors left the VCC clubrooms at 9.30 am on Saturday morning 18 April on motorbikes ranging from a 1918 Excelsior to a 2025 Royal Enfield. They travelled South via back roads which included one timed section and onto Feiding, where lunch was had at the Stockyard Restaurant, formerly the Denbigh Hotel (the oldest Hotel in Feilding). They were asked how many one lane bridges and railway crossings they had gone over (6 and 7 respectively) which helped to decide the winners. After lunch they travelled back to the clubrooms again via back roads to avoid the state highway. The day was very much enjoyed by the competitors despite a heavy downfall of rain in the afternoon. (A bit of rain doesn’t daunt these guys and gals.)
The prize giving dinner was held on Saturday evening at the Clubrooms. As usual Eilidh Pitkethley and her very able team of helpers, produced a wonderful meal which was well appreciated by all. This was followed by some fun, frivolity and finally prize-giving.
On Sunday morning they gathered at the clubrooms for coffee then a visit to Bruce Ardell’s museum before travelling home. The day was very well enjoyed by all despite the rain in the afternoon.
Our grateful thanks to all marshals and helpers without whom there would be no rally at all.
The overall winner was John Rapley from Paraparaumu and the winner of the Coleman Cup (highest scoring local club member) was Lloyd Williams.
Left: Cannot see the face of this entrant busy trying to get his bike to go!
VETERAN
Motorcycle Rally Prize winners:
First: Rob Mcintyre from Paekakariki on a 1918 Excelsior Big X
POST VINTAGE
First: Paul Switzer from Lower Hutt on a 1937 Royal Enfield
POST WAR – Kendrick Cup
First: John Rapley from Paraparaumu on 1958 Royal Enfield Clipper
Second: Peter Simpson from Lower Hutton a 1952 Matchless G80S
Third: Norm Hill from Stokes Valley on a 1954 BSA B 33
P60V
First: Lloyd Williams from Wanganui on a 1970 Triumph Tiger
Second: Sam Wilson from Wanganui on a Suzuki GS 650
Third: Kevin Sullivan from Carterton on a 1967 BSA A65 S
P80V
First: Robert Heath from Fielding on a 1986 Honda CB 500 TT
Second: Mike D’Alton from Masterton on a 1985 Honda Euro
Third: Glyn Clements from Fielding on a 1992 BMW R 1100 RS
CLASSICS
First: Neville Upton from Wanganui on a 1982 Suzuki GT 200
Second: Jim Campbell from Wanganui on a 1982 BMW
Third: Graeme Reilly from Lower Hutt on a 2024 BSA Goldstar
FIRST OVERALL – Cliff Lowe Memorial Trophy
John Rapley
COLEMAN CUP – Highest scoring local VCC member
Lloyd Williams
HARD LUCK TROPHY – Bent Conrod
Willie James from Wellington on a 1975 Norton Commando 850 who blew a fuse at the lunch stop but did get back to the clubrooms thanks to another competitor who had a fuse in his pocket.
JOHN KENDRICK MEMORIAL TROPHY – Most desirable British Single Cylinder
Dave Henwood
FIRST ENTRY
Andrew Kidd
FURTHEREST RIDDEN
Brian Yates
OLDEST RIDER
Sam Wilson
New Members
We, the Wanganui Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated would like to welcome the following people who have become new members of the Club over the past few months;
Allan Holdaway of Fordell who has a 1951 Ambassador Supreme Motorcycle.
Frank Browell of Wanganui who has a 1965 Triumph 650cc Bonneville Motorcycle.
Michael Davy of Wanganui East who has a 1930 Willys Knight 66B Sedan.
Murray Pitkethley of Wanganui who has a 1955 Studebaker Sedan.
Wayne Healey of Wanganui East.
Jessica McKenzie of Wanganui who has a 1974 Ford Escort.
Ken Nabbs of Okoia who has a 1930 Ford Model 'A' Sedan.
We welcome one and all and look forward to seeing you at our future events.
Frank James (Secretary)
Club Calendar
Club Runs meet at the Clubrooms at 1pm unless stated
May 9th Working Bee 9am.
14th and 28th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
17th Toy Fair Park Up. Contact Sietse or Pierre if you are interested 027 3456977.
31st Annual Rally. See programme for start times etc.
June 3rd AGM at 7.30pm.
11th and 25th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
21st Sunday Run.
July 1st Club Night at 7.30pm.
9th and 23rd Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
19th Sunday Run.
August 5th Club Night at 7.30pm.
13th and 27th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am
23rd Daffodil Day Rally. Details to follow
Ed Boyd Parts Shed
We have an outstanding collection of engines, gearboxes, body parts, spares, new and used, from a vast range of manufacturers. These parts span from the early 1900’s to more modern production vehicles. If you are looking for anything, large or small, to keep your car on the road call us to see if we can assist. You will find our prices unbelievable. Please call or email us:
Dave 0347 6915 027 555 4201 whanganuiriverboats@xtra.co.nz
Chris 06 348 7335 027 443 1184 cgandkrwhite@gmail.com
If we don’t have it, we may know someone who does
Burma Rally 2026
Top left: Paul and Janine Anderson, Napier in their 1963 Jaguar Mk2.
Top right: 1931 Austin 7 Special. Mike Looseman, Waiuku.
Middle: Graham and Ester Smith in their 1972 Renault 16
Above: .1957 Morris Minor Ute owned by Janelle Andrews, Whanganui.
That’s all from Burma 2026. Editor Ian
Best Dressed at the Prizegiving Dinner : Best man: David Stafford, Tauranga
Best lady: Heather James, Whanganui. Rally Secretary Christine is on the right.
Below: Karl and Rebecca Brown, Whanganui. 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air.
