March Mystery Run

This run was devised by Chris and Mel and commenced from the old Auckland Railway Station in the Strand in downtown Auckland; it took a bit of figuring out the road lay out into the station as at appears to have been altered. Eventually everyone arrived several going around a few times.

After the usual chit chat the papers were handed out, these were in a different format than usual, there were 10 questions, one on each street we were to go along, plus a mystery check point but the streets were not in order, you had to work out the route to take giving what you thought would give you the least mileage.

After running around most of the central city suburbs, we all went out to the terrace at the rear of Chris and Mel's and sat in the sunshine. While the men looked at the Prefect under restoration in the garage the ladies chatted, and Mel prepared the lovely buffet lunch of salads and grilled salmon. This was then eaten outside under the umbrella while the guests chatted amongst themselves about the day out.

The members who attended with their club cars were, Paul and Delia, Martin, Harvey, Brian and Beverley. Chris also had his car there, Bud and Thelma had their KA as the Prefect is still ill and under repair, and Karen and Ant.

After Chris had calculated the winners it came down to mileage driven. The winners were Paul and Delia, Ant and Karen and Bud and Thelma who all received small gifts for their efforts.

Concours 2009

Concours d'Elegance 2009 was held in the usual place at Ellerslie Racecourse. We turned up a little after the required time, and because of this we had a "special mention" announcing our arrival over the loudspeaker system as we drove through the event to get to our alloted space.

The cars generated a decent amount of interest throughout the day, while we variously went and admired the other cars, or sat around eating lunch, drinking coffee and having a bit of a natter.

It was good to take a look at vehicles that we as a club don't usually see at the displays that we generally partake in.



Those attending were Paul and Delia with their Prefect, Dennis with his Prefect, Chris and Mel, and Ant and Karen with Chris's Y and Martin's Y.

The Big Day Out at MOTAT

The Lions Car Display and Swapmeet is the biggest day out for the members of the Ford 8 and 10 Car Club of the year. This is the event that all the cars come out to; this year was no exception with a great line up of vehicles.

The cars are supposed to be on site by 9.45am, some came a little later, ours did not come at all as its engine is still on the garage floor awaiting diagnoses of the funny noise it has acquired.

Most people after the Gazebo is erected place their chairs in its vicinity for the day, then wander off looking at the other cars, Motat display halls where a lot of planes reside, the swapmeet, there is a band playing near the swapmeet, and other stalls, various expensive ice-cream and food outlets.

The steam train makes small journeys back and forth blowing smoke everywhere but the children young and old seem to enjoy riding on it. The Trams now also goes back and forth between the two Motat areas and are well patronized.



The first monthly meeting of the year takes place and all members present are welcome to take part. We see many of our members there during the day this year I saw Noel and Terry, and the Chaplin's, I did not spend as much time on the site as usual as Catlin my granddaughter came with us and wanted to see everything three times over.

This was a nice day the sun shone and the wind stayed away, there are things to do and see and no one is bored (as far as I know).

Christmas Dinner 2008

This was the final club outing for 2008 there is the Kumeu Classic Car Meeting this month but your club car is essential as it is a display meeting.

It was the meal at the Gengis Khan Restaurant at Ti Rakau Drive East Tamaki on Saturday 13th Dec.

One member mistook the date of the event and phoned the following week to ask about it, and was disappointed to find it had taken place already.

Those who did make it were John and Janice and two of their grandchildren; Ant and Karen; Paul and Delia; Brian and Beverly and Bud and Thelma.

The food was nice especially the broccoli soup, most people had several small meals to get the different flavors available in the main meals. The dessert was pancakes with ice cream of your choice. Coffee was also available with the meal. Bar services were there for those that wanted it.

After the meal every one chattered for a while, John and Janice left early to get the children home.

Combined Clubs Gymkhana

This is held yearly at the Omana Reserve at Maraetai, it looks out to the Hauraki Gulf and is on a good day a beautiful site, and it was one of those the sun shone and the wind and rain stayed away for the second year in a row.

The event in organized by the Chevrolet Club and each club attending puts on two events, so each year there are different things to do. This year we did throwing the blocks of wood into hub caps again and the second one was using a hook to lift partially water filled milk bottles and carrying them a small way and putting them into another container.

Each club runs its first event before lunch, and the second one after, the cars usually proceed from one event to another, There was one this year with the driver blindfolded, towing a tiny block of wood around a course with three bottles on it with out dislodging any. And also a very fast slalom course where the passenger gets out and undoes two spark plugs and puts them back and returns to the car before proceeding to the finish.

Each year there seems to be fewer clubs making the effort to attend this picnic day out, plus unfortunately this year it clashed with the Auckland Santa Parade the points scored this year put the Ford 8 & 10 contingent in last place but it's only a fun day out.

Harvey and Val with his Model Y; Brian and Beverley in their restored Anglia: Bud and Thelma with their Prefect: Paul and Delia modern : Ant  and Karen in a modern. John came after lunch in his convertible having been up north earlier and all the way from Morrinsville Andrew in a Prefect.

I hope we have a lovely day again next year and perhaps we will be able to take home the "Trophy" we have had it in past years. This year we had the wooden spoon.

Postscript from Harvey. Hard luck prize of the Gymkhana goes to Andrew of Morrinsville who ran a bearing on the way home. 20 miles short, but managed to make it, so now it's out with the motor and back to the Reconditioners who built it. Now I've put Molyslip in my sump having seen the vulnerability of these things.