WAIMATE BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND (INC)
Committee Members for 2018-2019 Chairman
Steve Dyson
689-8711
Vice Chairman
John Dawson
689-7923
Secretary
Owen & Lorraine Richardson
689-8506
Treasurer
Robert Todd
689-8103
Club Captain
Suzanne Anderson
689-6355
Parts Department Keith Blackman
689-8278
Peter Bootsma
689-6011
Bill Ryan
689-7063
Club Room Convener Margaret Rogers
689-1001 0211151301
Newsletter
Barry Anderson
689-6355
b.r.anderson@outloook.co.nz
DECEMBER 2018
Coming Events December 7th
10 Pin Bowling
Waimate
15th
Christmas Parade
Waimate
2019 1st Jan
New Years Day Parade
Fairlie
9th February Wallaby Rally 19-22 April
Waimate
In a lock-up borrowed from Hazel’s parents, Colin re-imagined and reengineered the Austin Seven to create the first Lotus. Built by hand, and with Hazel (his then-girlfriend) helping where needed, he completed the car in the spring of 1948 and immediately entered it in competitive trials. With Hazel in the passenger seat and Colin behind the wheel, they picked up two class awards in the car’s first events. Originally finished in bare, unpolished alloy, the car was then painted white before repainted in red. A restless engineer, Chapman was soon working on the next car, the Mark II, designed using the lessons learned from his first and the experience gain through the competitions he’d entered. As a result, an advert placed in Motor Sport magazine, describing an Austin Seven Special four-seater sports-cum-trials car saw the Mark I sold in November 1950. Chapman received £135 for the car, but the only thing now known about the new owner was that they were based in the north of England. Over the years many enthusiasts have looked for the car, but to no avail. Lotus has previously called on experts to help locate the lost vehicle but, as the company gears up for the highpoint of its anniversary celebrations at the end of September, it’s hoped that a renewed search, on a global scale, will help track down the landmark car.
National SI Easter Rally Ashburton
Next Meeting: There is to Be No Club Meeting In December 2018 the next meeting will be: 17th January 2019 Business Meeting 7.00pm followed by General Business at 7.30pm Cuppa & Parts Morning 1st Thursday and 2nd Saturday of every month 9:45—12.00 noon
Waimate VCC 2019 Calendars for Sale $5 Contact Steve Owen Richardson For Sale 1951-52 Ford Prefects x2 One complete, other for parts Contact Katrina 022-5011215
Calling on enthusiasts, collectors and car hunters worldwide, Lotus needs your help in tracking down the long-lost Lotus Mark I, the first car built by company founder Colin Chapman.
Chairman's Report Happy Christmas everyone Firstly I would like to take this time to give special thanks to all those that helped With the running of the club throughout the year The commemorations for the 100yr anniversary of Margaret Cruickshank all went Very well, with a very good turnout from Waimate branch of V.C.C.with about 10
As the British marque continues its 70th celebrations, it wants fans from around the world to pick up the trail of the most elusive Lotus ever – the competition car that the young engineer hand-built in a small London garage owned by his then girlfriend’s parents. Overcoming the standard car’s limitation Chapman applied innovative approaches to improve its performance in challenging trials competitions. Despite its existence being well documented, the current whereabouts of the Mark I remain a mystery. Built by Chapman, with the help of friends and his girlfriend (who later became his wife), Hazel, he entered a number of events in 1948 with immediate success. However, Colin was constantly innovating, and was soon hard at work on the Mark II. The first car was sold in November 1950 but, from there, the car’s trail goes cold. Despite much research over the years, its whereabouts have never been established.. The birth of the Lotus legend In 1948 Colin Chapman built his first competition car, following his own theories for improved performance. Chapman’s way of thinking and his principles remain as relevant today as they were 70 years ago and his ethos still allows the company to optimize mass and aerodynamics in order to maximize performance and handling. Covering everything from suspension configuration and layout, making sure that ground clearance was not compromised, improvements included reinforcing the chassis, cladding the body in lightweight bespoke panels and ensuring that components frequently damaged in competition could be quickly reattached. Applying theories learned from this formal training as an engineer, Colin was already developing the principles that would go on to define Lotus cars of the future. One notable decision was to extend the rear of the car, and include two spare wheels. This allowed for the better allocation of ballast, distributing weight within the car to maximize traction for each event
Members and about 8 cars.A special thanks to John who went to Oamaru to collect the Doctors car to use in the transport of some of the dignitaries back to the events centre. I would also like to thank Mark Thomas for joining in with his grand ole lady I would like on behalf of the club thank Bruce Milne for generous donation of the Calendars again.If anyone would like a calendar contact steve 036898711 or Owen 036898506 We still have for sale We will require cars for the Christmas parade on the 15th Dec so please try and keep this date free. The Wallaby Rally is well under way with routes all planed out and venue sorted, we will require a good turnout for the January meeting to do final arrangements As there is no meeting in December I would like to take this time to wish everyone a very safe and a Happy Christmas Thought for the month Want to know the secret of getting rich Friendships are priceless Time is invaluable Health is wealth and Love is such a treasure
Have a safe and Happy Christmas
YOURS IN MOTORING
STEVE
Club Captains Report The end of the year is nearly here, and l am not at all organised for Christmas and all that goes with it. We went to the Windsor Rally in the weekend, the Otago club did themselves proud. The flooding, road closures, and more rain in the offering must have given the organisers sleepless nights. But they managed to pull off a great rally. Congratulations to them. We had a great time. The planning for the 2019 Wallaby Rally is well under way. The routes have been mapped out, and the rest of the planning is going well. By the time you read this we will have had our Christmas get together at the Galleon restaurant in Oamaru. So to all those members I don’t get to see l would like wish you all a safe holiday, and a happy healthy 2019. And l hope to see you all in the new year. Drive safely, it really is a madhouse out there at this time of the year! Suzanne Windsor Rally 2018
1994
2019??
Wallaby Rally 1994
15-11-18 Minutes Monthly Meeting Waimate VCC Welcomed a new member, Toni Kerr Present; as per attachment. Apologies;- Margaret Rogers, Robbie & Diane Wilson, John & Barbara Dawson, moved Suzanne Anderson & Glenys Dennison passed Minutes;- of last meeting taken as read, moved Stuart Townshend & Graham Dennison passed Matters Arising;-Cars for Margaret Cruikshank Commemoration, at this stage not sure of time required. Correspondence; from Head office, for manual a change re 50 year awards, A part time [24 hrs] Jo has been taken on at Head Office, Management committee minutes, usual branch Newsletters, Emails re landline mailing addresses. Wte Xmas Parade, want to know if we would support parade, some members said that they will put cars in. Head Office, re resignations Barry Duff, Ron Harris, & Phil Tucker Treasurers Report;-as per attached sheet, zanne Anderson passed
moved Robert Todd & Su-
Club Captain;-Once again 3passes & 3 gorges run had to be postponed because of bad weather. Planning Xmas dinner for the 7th Dec at Galleon in Oamaru, followed by 10 pin Bowling. Clubrooms;- Light needs fixing in the auditorium. Otherwise OK. Parts;-Keith reported, Quiet month. Some parts acquired from the Lange estate. General;- Wallaby Rally, Chairman Steve agreed to be the convenor of the committee, volunteer members, Graham & Glenys Dennison, who said they would organise the short course, Trevor Holland & Robert Todd. They are to have a meeting following this meeting
Senior Citizens 4th December picnic lunch at Kelsys Bush as many cars as possible at 11am to ferry them up to park, approximately 25 people involved. Suzanne asked if Barbara Dawson would be able to use the clubrooms for a private party, the club agreed that club members were allowed to use it. Calendars;- Bruce Milne has once again donated calendars to the Club, suggested they be used as a fund raiser etc. There will be no meeting in December. Next Meeting January 17th 2019 Meeting closed 8.15pm Signed Chairman
One evening, after the honeymoon, Tom was working on his Harley motorcycle in the garage. His new wife was standing there by the bench watching him. After a long period of silence she finally said, "Honey, I've just been thinking, now that we are married, maybe it's time you quit spending so much of your time out here in your garage. You probably should also consider selling your Harley and all your welding equipment along with your gun collection, your fishing gear, the boat and all those stupid model airplanes, plus dump that vintage hot rod sports car and your home brewing equipment.” Tom got a horrified look on his face. She said, "Darling, what's wrong?” He replied, "There for a minute, you were starting to sound like my exwife!” "Ex-wife!?" she screamed, "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE MARRIED BEFORE!”
Tom replied, “I wasn't."