NZ Classic Car Show

This was held as usual at the Ellerslie Racecourse public grounds which did not look as smart as usual probably due to the hot dry weather we have been having of late, but not nearly as bad as Australia where my sister lives at Emu Plains 40 odd miles to the west out of Sydney it was about 46 degrees on Sunday all activities were basically cancelled as people especially children could not cope.

We arrived around 9am and were directed to a parking area where four of our club members eventually arrived not many but better than the usual turn out we have had in recent years, Jim in his bright red Fordson small truck, Thelma and Bud with 1950's dark blue Prefect, Ant and Karen in their black 1949 Anglia and Wayne in his light grey blue Pop, this looks like Ant's except a different colour and a much later model.

This year it was not as crowded as I think there were not nearly the same amount of older car clubs attending, also not the attendance of the public, I did not see this event advertised anywhere in the newspaper or the Heralds lift out publication "Driven ".

The weather though predicted as bad held out well slightly squally occasionally but otherwise very pleasant not too warm.  There were all the overpriced food and coffee stands. Meguiars had a big stand selling their car cleaning products etc., few of the futuristic car dealers would have liked to sell some of the very sleek small to very large modern cars on display in the lawn area in front of the main grandstand.

Wayne polishes his hubcaps ...
"cos I didn't chrome them for nothing!!"

In the main grandstand there were very classy cars to buy perhaps if you had won the Lotto the night before, they were very smooth and slick with beautiful upholstery, a lot were in a rich red colour and some of the dashboards were in the same colour, I think it was to my taste a little overdone. Also in here there was a well attended café with sit down table and chairs this was well patronised.

Way up the far end of the public area there were some very old horseless carriage models  pre 1900 1910  that looked really nice all the woodwork polished and shiny and the brass work gleaming. And a yellow 1950 era  commercial farm truck loaded with hay, the hay was also scattered on the ground this was I think the only truck there and its display looked good.

Thelma.

Club Run to Thames and Beyond

Around 7 am. someone in my house was worried we might be late for the 9am. departure from the Service Station just off the Southern Motorway at Drury, so we departed at around 7:40.

There had been quite a wild rain and wind episode the night before and it was still very windy as we made our way over the North Western Motorway stretch of water going to Pt Chevalier where you turn off to go across the suburbs to join the Southern Motorway near Manukau.  On the Motorway again we proceeded to the meeting place, on the way we passed where a very large tree had fallen on a car near the Service Station the night before injuring three people.

Gradually members started to arrive, we ended up with quite a few more that we had been getting recently. They were as I remember: Stephen, Harvey and partner, Wayne, John, Brian and Beverly, Kelvin and Margaret and ourselves Bud and Thelma. I apologize if I missed anyone.  Bud was given a bright red cap with Bud on it from Wayne.

We waited for some time for Ant and Karen to turn up, eventually someone rang them and Ant was not feeling well so they decided not to come.  So off we went down the Motorway to the Thames turnoff, and then proceeded past lots of wind blown countryside, containing small villages to Waitakaruru where we looked in the second hand shop for bygone treasures while we waited for the arrival of any members from areas south, eventually on time came Andrew, his daughter Sue and her husband Neil in two club cars.

Then along comes Stephen, Wayne and another member ? (I have come unstuck I have not written down the helpers that had  been helping to fix Stephen's exhaust system which had become adrift I gather).  There was a roadside conference on where we were going next as we had no instructions then along comes Martin Healy who tells us we are going to the tip at Thames.
 

On the way to Thames we proceed over the large new bridge which has two red carved Maori warriors carrying I think spears they are at either ends mounted on poles (impressive). Just past the bridge we come across Jennie Comer and her male friend (I forgot his name sorry) in her car; she is from Te Aroha.  Proceeding into Thames following John we arrive at the tip, this tip has a recycling procedure going called "Sea Gulls" where usable items are recycled in a series of sheds, eg clothing, shoes, suitcases and bags, automotive items, electrical goods, gas bottles, furniture, toys, magazines, crockery and cutlery, bikes and many more items it is worth a visit.

It was at this point we lost sight of Harvey and his friend no one knew where they were. From there we made the 20 mile trip up the coast to Terry and Joanne's seaside home at Te Mata for an invited lunch break, it was further than I remembered.

Joanne I think had been preparing food all morning; there were tarts, scones, sausage rolls, etc along with tea and coffee. The members had a lovely time inspecting Terrys cars, looking out to sea at the brown water stirred up by the storm of last night it was still quite windy and nattering between themselves.

Eventually it was time to go. On the way some people went to the Thames Museum to see the model buildings carved and made in recycled Kauri, they had been on a TV program last year Bud said they were fantastic he was very impressed.  A stop for petrol and we were underway the car (1950 Prefect) went very well even though the wind was stronger and a few fleeting showers.

This was one of the nicest trips we have had for a long while it is difficult to do monthly runs that most people have not already been on.  Perhaps we should look at two monthly trips instead to a further away destination perhaps to a member, a different town would be nice.

Thelma .

Kumeu Classic Car Show 2015

On Sunday 18th I decided to take the Prefect for a much needed run, and check out the Kumeu  car show, having not been for a few years.

I took along my son Darryn to peruse the swap meet. He is currently into acquiring memorabilia to hang on his garage walls.

The event has changed since we used to go regularly as a club.  Now a days, the large paddock area that we used to display on is dedicated to large pre-booked clubs and marque sites.

Consequently the casual classic car parking is now relegated to an obscure area of the showground's race course,  wedged between the back of a large fun park area and the Taupaki Road. This seemed miles away from the viewing public.

However, after displaying the club's sash on the windscreen and settling down to wait,  (much like fishing), I was quite surprised at the public's attention. One senior lady was enthralled, when I suggested she start the engine which she did with relish.

"Just like my fathers" she  squealed with glee, "I haven't seen a Prefect since the 1950s."

Also I made contact with a prospective new member who has just acquired a rusty Anglia, and also met up with another member Peter Chaplin. So it wasn't really a wasted trip which I thought it would be.

I can't comment on the rest of the show, as it seemed miles away in the ferocious sun to the trade stalls and the swap meet area, even the toilets for that matter.

Anyway the drive there and back, on the very hot summers day, with windows down and the windscreen open wide and the lovely little Ford 10  motor purring away, drowning out all other noises  especially screaming up Tunnel Hill in second was pure bliss to the soul.

Bud.

Morrinsville Santa Parade

Andrew had two of his cars taking part in the Morrinsville Santa Parade earlier this month.

The theme of the parade was "Cream of the Country", hence the cows on the side. Andrew chauffeured a local 99 year old as a passenger in the Anglia, and Neil (who drove the Prefect) tells us that there were many of the usual "I used to have one of those" comments as they drove past.

NZ Classic Car Show Report

Karen and I were on holiday during the Galaxy of Cars day. I hear that there were around 10 club cars attending, that it was an exceptionally hot day, and that Martin looked like a fire engine at the end of it.

We were back for the next weekend and the NZ Classic Car Show (Concours) at Ellerslie though.

Again, it was a bright and sunny day. Fortunately this year we had a spot with plenty of shade from the trees, making for a pleasant environment.

Unfortunately, there were only two club cars when we had space for at least six.

Still, the lack of cars did not mean we had a lack of interest from the public, with many people stopping by to chat about their days learning to drive, or travelling in the back of the family Prefect for long distances, or with queries for parts.

We also had Terry (who was attending with the Jowett Club) drop by to bring to my attention a Ford 10 special on the Sunbeam Club site. We also bumped into previous members Brian McSwiggan and Philip Pearce and had a catch-up natter with them.

Chris and Jo's Mystery Run

As it was a sunny day, Cornwall Park was pretty busy when we arrived on Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago. We met Chris and Jo, Bud and Thelma, Gavin and Sophie, Stephen, John, and Brian and Bev, along with Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 (Paul and Delia).

After standing around and chatting for a while, we were handed a couple of sheets of paper with about a dozen questions and the location where you would find the appropriate answer. This required plotting your own route to minimise travel time as there was a time limit of a couple of hours.

We pulled out the map, decided on a circular route from our start point to our finish point at the clubrooms. There were many areas of Auckland that I'd never seen (including some you probably wouldn't want to stop in) and after dropping one question as time was catching up on us, we arrived at the finish to enjoy a BBQ and chuckle at everyone's stories.

Eventual winners were Max and 99, who managed to answer all questions correctly and be amongst the first to arrive at the clubrooms.

Run to Puhoi

Despite a forecast of heavy rain, Sunday dawned fine but cloudy. Karen and I arrived at Silo Park (the old Tank farm) just after 8:30am for breakfast, meeting John who'd arrived a little earlier.

After a short walk alongside the nearby cafes and restaurants, Karen chose Jack Tars and we ordered breakfast. When it arrived, it was huge - I was defeated and could only manage about two-thirds of the total plated food.

Still with some time to kill before the 10:30 departure, we were joined by Steve and ambled along the waterfront, then decided to grab a ride on the tram circuit. This was the last day before the lines were being ripped up to be re-laid after the road has been lowered (don't ask me, it's all part of Auckland Council's loony grand plan).

At the end of the tram loop, we arrived to the greetings of the rest of our cohorts for the day, Bud & Thelma, Paul & Delia, and Brian & Bev. Instructions were given out for those who wanted to go on ahead and we departed Silo Park and headed across the Harbour Bridge to the Albany Bus Station where we picked up Martin & Monique.

From here we toured through Dairy Flat, then out to John's old stomping ground of Waitoki (where Ngaire joined us) and out the back roads to Wainui and over the hill into Puhoi. The last portion across Krippner road was true back country with many large water-filled pot-holes, but at least the damp conditions did mean there was little dust.

After a regroup (and congratulations or otherwise on road choice), we drove on and lunched at the Puhoi Valley Cheese Factory cafe. Being that breakfast was so large, Karen and I required not much. Paul however ordered the Ploughman's Platter, a large board with all manner of meats, crackers and cheese. It looked delicious and as there was none left, I guess it must have been.

From here we each made our way home, with some of us stopping in at the second-hand store in Puhoi to see if there were any bargains to be nabbed.

Helensville Museum Display

We met early Sunday morning at Kumeu and drove from here out to Helensville Historic Museum for their Display Day (organised by the Kaipara Classic Car Club) via the back road - a pleasant 30 minute drive that comes into the back of Helensville.

Parked at Kumeu

After parking in the grounds, Karen and I wandered into town for coffee, and then ambled around all the shops before making our way back to the Museum.

The Museum display; Brian and Bev's 7Y at far right.

The rain held off until just before 3pm, whereupon we retired to the Kaipara Classic Car clubrooms for the prizegiving.

Brian and Bev's 7Y took out the trophy for Best Original Car; John and Jan, and Steven got medals for furthest distance travelled; and Bud received a medal for oldest attendee (despite his protests that he's only a young fella).

As the rain continued to pelt down, we said our thanks and left for home.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 6

Finally, a slightly later start to the day with a short(-ish) run back to Auckland.

We drove from Te Kuiti to Otorohonga for a McDonalds breakfast, which Bud enjoyed immensely.

Otorohonga: last breakfast stop of the rally

From Otorohonga, we took the road through Pirongia and regrouped at Ngaruawahia, then on to Pokeno for a food break.

With the rally essentially over, we each then carried on home, with all vehicles having successfully completed the journey.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 5

Today we began the return journey to Auckland, via the Forgotten World Highway. We left Wanganui early to regroup and fuel up at Stratford.

It was raining as we left Stratford and crossed the 3 saddles before a filling lunch at Whangamomona Pub.

Whangamomona Hotel, Forgotten Highway lunch stop

Whangamomona Hotel, Forgotten Highway

The rain had stopped when we left Whangamomona, we proceeded further on some of the smoothest gravel road I've experienced - smoother than the previous tarmac.

Ohura: once a thriving mining town, now a quiet backwater

Pulling into quiet Ohura, we had the museum opened especially for us. From Ohura we quickly rejoined the main highway and finished our day with fish and chips in Te Kuiti.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 4

We left Wanganui this morning for a run out to Marton via country backroads and visited the Mungoven Gardens. After a short walk around the gardens it was time to move on for lunch at Cooks Restaurant in Martin, along with a friendly Auckland vs Wanganui pool tournament.

The trees provided some shade at Mungoven Gardens

Cooks Restaurant car park

From Marton we drove to Turikina to view a private collection of cars and memorabilia, then out to Turikina Beach for some art galleries.

The day was rounded out with dinner at the Grand Hotel.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 3

Durie Hill tower

This morning started at the Wanganui market by the riverside. Karen and I got some coffee and wandered around town, then finished up by the river watching the kids jumping into the water off the road bridge.

We then drove up Durie Hill where some of us decided to climb to the top of the tower for a better look over town.

After lunch, we drove to Ed's Auto Barn and examined the treasures contained within. We the proceeded to tail-end ring-in Woz's pear orchard where we were encouraged to take as many pears as possible as well as checking out Woz's projects. Then it was back to Frank's place (a local resident near Pat) to view a local Ford Y.

Dinner at Pat and Sandra's rounded out a warm day.

Wanganui from Durie Hill

Parked at Woz's

Easter Rally 2013: Day 2

A misty start to the day at National Park Village gave the cars just a little more oomph on the run to Raetihi, where we met up with Warren and Bev from Napier, and organisers Pat and Sandra from Wanganui (along with their tail-end Charlie ring-ins, Woz and Richard).

First stop: Raetihi

We progressed from there away from the State Highway and down to the Wanganui River Rd. Some twisty and windy travelling later we pulled in to Jeruselum to view the century old church and convent. A little further on we checked out the historic Kawana flour mill, followed by a stop in Matahiwi for morning tea.

At Jeruselum Church

From here, we drove on over the final hill, joined the main highway and finished up at Pat and Sandra's place for lunch. A relaxing afternoon and dinner followed before turning in for the night.

Last hill of the day ...

... with this view of the Whanganui River

Easter Rally 2013: Day 1

Rally start: 7am BP Service Centre, Southern Motorway, Auckland

An early start from Auckland had us travelling to Morrinsville to pick up more members, and then on to Te Awamutu.

Gearbox removal in progress

Chris required a gearbox change due to losing 2nd gear. Fortunately Steve, a local member had a spare (and a workshop) and so a replacement was quickly slotted in to enable him to get back on the road.

Further misdemeanours, in the form of a petrol shortage (no names to protect the guilty) resulted in another short stop, but we progressed on through Te Kuiti and Taumaranui, to end the day at National Park Village.

Gavin arriving at National Park Village, with Mt Ruapehu in the background.

Relaxing at the end of the day.

Concours 2013

An amazingly hot and sunny day meant the crowds were out. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our cars, with only two examples on show - Bud and Thelma's Prefect, and Chris and Jo's Y.

As our usual site has no shelter from the sun, we moved about halfway through the day to a shady spot under the trees. Thanks to the American Muscle Car Club for allowing us to steal some of their space.

AGM Report

The committee and a number of members turned up on a sunny day to discuss the past year and consider actions for the future.

After the passing of the previous meetings minutes, John thanked those members attending and spoke about the good runs we'd had this year, the donations we've gratefully received from past members and that overall it had been a good year for the club.

Karen summarised the financial position of the club, and led the meeting through the report prepared by the club's auditor.

The current executive and committee then retired and elections were held. The executive were re-elected unchanged with John as President, Martin as Vice President, Thelma as Secretary and Karen as Treasurer.

There was some discussion concerning the non-appointment of positions (ie. Editor, Building Manager, Spares) at the meeting, this was explained to now be in line with the constitution (updated at the previous AGM) which allows the committee as a whole to allocate these positions as it sees fit. This allows members of the committee to 'play to their strengths' and allows a degree of flexibility that was in the past not available.

Bob then spoke on the remits presented in the agenda regarding fostering closer relations with the South Island club, expanding club membership and participation, and the upcoming Warrant of Fitness changes. These remits were all agreed with, and the incoming committee was charged with progressing these further.

In general business, a remit was tabled that the newsletter needs more articles and information, but that it was not necessarily the job of the Editor to generate every piece of information. All members present agreed. There was then some discussion around newsletter creation (email vs. paper), with Ant briefly detailing the benefits and shortcomings of each. The committee was generally tasked with actioning this in the future.

The meeting was then closed, and the members present took the opportunity to chat with each other whilst enjoying the coffee, tea, and food provided.

During the first committee meeting held on Sunday 2 September, the positions of Building Manager, Editor and Parts Manager were assigned to Bob, Ant, and Stephen respectively.

John & Jan's Rally

Despite being an overcast and dreary looking day, we had quite a turnout at the Papakura RSA for the start of John & Jan's Rally with eight club cars, two  moderns, and a ring-in.

After a quick "Hi, how's it going", Jan began handing out our instructions and with it starting to rain we headed off. We quickly navigated south out of Papakura, through Ararimu and Paparata into Mangatawhiri on old State Highway 2. It's so quiet along there now that the highway has bypassed this section.

We navigated out toward the Miranda coast, then back inland to cross State Highways 25 and 2 in a roundabout route to our destination: Woodlands Cafe, where we met Andrew who had travelled in from Morrinsville.

Woodlands Cafe sits on State Highway 2 just after the turn towards Ngatea and is one of Karen's favourites, with quite a range of tasty food and good coffee. We all ordered our food and coffee (Martin ordering his standard breakfast of fare of bacon, eggs, hash and a beer - or so he tells me) and proceeded to eat, drink and wonder where Harvey had got to. Although cool outside, we were well cosy sitting in the room with the heat pump blasting out warm air.

Being well-fed and watered we all headed off (some to Pokeno for ice-cream, some to mother-in-law duty).

A fantastic outing, organised by John & Jan (Prefect Ute), Bob & Scott(?) (Prefect / modern), Brian & Bev (7Y), Steve (Prefect), Martin (Y), Chris & Jo (Prefect), Andrew (Anglia), Roy (Lanchester), Harvey & Irene, and Ant & Karen.

Ardmore Run

It was a fine but cool day as we all gathered at the clubrooms prior to heading off to Ardmore. John had asked one of his friends to bring his Buckler out for a bit of a run, and we all gathered around and examined and chatted about it (no photos, sorry).

After a little while, we all set off to follow John on a roundabout journey through some of the countryside of South Auckland to the cafe at Ardmore Aerodrome. We had a drink and bite to eat whilst watching the planes and listening to Paul's latest Trade Me exploits.

Later, we proceeded down to the Warbirds hangar and were able to wander amongst and examine the planes on display.

 

ScooterBoy

March Photo Rally

Rather than following a list of instructions in order, this rally presented us with a list of photographs required. It was up to the driver and navigator to determine their own route from the starting point at Western Springs, around the city collecting the necessary shots, and finishing at the Chelsea Sugar works on the North Shore by a specified time. The area covered ranged from Onehunga through to Takapuna, but the allocated time was tight and made you choose whether or not it was worth spending 45 minutes in a cemetery looking for that elusive headstone. Additional points were on offer for various inclusions in your photos, eg. an asian female, a police officer in uniform, etc.

Karen and I went to Onehunga first (a shot of the navigator in front of the Historic Places Trust plaque at the Blockhouse) and worked our way back through the city via Cornwall Park (shots of the car being driven), Mt Eden (the kiosk), the Domain (both driver and navigator outside the Auckland Museum) and Parnell (more historic houses). Whilst at the Museum we came across a couple having their wedding photos taken, and asked if we could have our photos taken with the bride, who was of asian extraction. No problem, said the photographer; although it was hard to tell whether or not the happy couple were all that happy about it.

We then drove into the central city and parked close to the cemetery under Grafton Bridge where we needed shots of the headstones or plaques marking the each of the graves of Governor Hobson, the first lawman, and the first headmaster. This task was far harder than it at first seemed. The cemetery is very old, quite large and parts are exceptionally run down. I think most people managed to get 2 of the 3 required here - the headmaster seemed to be the most difficult to find, yet oddly it was the first I came across.

After this, it was across the Harbour Bridge with two sites left to visit but not a lot time in which to do it. We visited the small cliff-side area directly under the northern end of the Bridge and grabbed the shot of the plaque commemorating those who lost their lives during it's construction. With only 15 minutes left, we decided Lake Pupuke and the last shot outside the Pumphouse was unobtainable so proceeded to the Chelsea Sugar factory.

It seems that despite being directionally-challenged (yes, we led everyone on a scenic route to the post-event cafe), with our photo taking skills - or perhaps that should be our photo "non-deletion" skills - we managed to capture first place by a very close 1 point ahead of Paul and Delia. Others attending were Gavin, Bud, Brian and Bev, Bob and Gwen, and Ngaire.

Many thanks to Chris and Jo who organised an excellent run.