About 40 people arrived at Ryder's Movie House to have a wonderful roast beef dinner and watch a movie. The movie was an old time favourite "Those magnificent men in their flying machines." Still very funny even though it was old time humour. The meal as always was cooked to perfection and to add to this George Urquart cooked several beautiful plum puddings for dessert. Well done and many thanks George. With an ice cream in intermission, I don't think any one went home hungry. David Porter thanked everyone for coming and also to the guests that people had brought along. Ben Porter advised us all of the up and coming Spring Tour and asked for expressions of interest.

HCC Rally
Nine Veteran cars and the Charabanc met at Rina & Kit's home for a scrumptious morning tea. Neighbours had been invited to come and view the cars on display in the park opposite. What a good turn out we had. I t made an interesting morning for all. The route planned by Kit Maxwell, John Reeve & Murray Greig encompassed a choice of a long or short route tailored to meet the capabilities of the older cars. The route travelled through pretty local areas and finished at Coopers Creel Winery for lunch and Jazz in the Vines. The weather was perfect and the motoring most enjoyable. Many thanks to Kit, Rina, Murray & John for a great Rally.

Forty one people gathered at the NSVCC to embark on a run to Ruakaka. We were lucky with the weather and for the most part the sun shone. Even allowing the ladies to have a morning walk along the beach. The runs there and back encompassed some great scenery and areas which some of us had not seen before. The coast of Mangawai, Langs Beach and Waipu Cove looked brilliant in the early spring sun. The fellowship was great and the weekend well organised. Food was very good too. Thanks goes to all those who contributed to this successful weekend.

On Sunday 20th July about 15 cars met at the Jolly Farmer for coffees and breakfast. Then it was off for a short run to Ponga Road, Hunua to Kelvin’s new home.  A few of us got confused with the instructions when we left the Pub (no alcohol had been consumed  at this stage) but after much guessing we arrived at the correct road and travelled onto the destination.

Here we were greeted by Kelvin, Debbie,  Carole & Rex. After a showing of the newly completed home and time to admire the outstanding views we were given a choice of three delicious homemade soups. Chicken, pumpkin and vegetable were the choices of the day. What a lot of soup had to be made for 38 people attending. Well done Carole. What a lot of work. Thanks must also go to the ladies for providing the delicious desserts to compliment the soup and buns. And of course big thanks to the hosts Kelvin & Debbie.

A great time was enjoyed by all present. Thanks for your help to make this memorable.

Let’s do this again!

65 members and friends gathered on this fine Sunday at Brighams Restaurant and Bar for a most enjoyable, social outing. The atmosphere was Christmas like and the food matched this. Entertainment by way of a quiz and a raffle was well accepted. A real buzzing time with members we had not seen for a long time.

During 2001 this vehicle was for sale. On inspection of this “bones case” the body offered was from a Hudson Tourer and engine from 1916, with some chassis work undertaken and with a correct radiator (previous owned by me during the 70’s and several boxes containing parts, headlights, sidelights, windscreen, odd magnetos and much more.

Delivery was made and the driver remarked he’d carried a lot of loads, but on seeing this, well…….

After sorting out useable parts, restoration began with cleaning, repair and painting.

The chassis remains including engine, gearbox and diff had to be retrieved from a river bed in Hawkes Bay. Some repair work to the chassis had been done with the engine, complete diff and gearbox being discarded. The body and engine were sold and the correct engine, complete diff and gearbox soon purchases and arrived in Auckland from the South Island on a wooden pallet, again the truck driver passed comment.

After restoring a 1912 Overland Tourer prior to Rotorua’s 1980 International Rally, this project was reasonably straight forward compared.  Body drawings were ordered from WORK-USA and given to a competent cabinetmaker/ boat builder in Warkworth. Several trips were made to oversee progress. Within a few months the body was finished and another started for  a South Island member.

Chassis work continued with new springs, shackle plates and pins being made. Some hot riveting was required and this skill has been learnt from previous restoration with Tony Foster as able hand. The body was panelled by a local panel beater, who had performed other local restoration, as well as some for delivery overseas. The body was fitted to the chassis, aligned, removed and delivered to a paint shop and upholstered. This was undertaken to the drawings supplied including the hood. New wooden wheels were made using the original hardware and new tyres and tubes fitted.

The engine and diff were dismantled, inspected and new bearings fitted to the diff. Engine, crankshaft and rods crack tested and found to be okay. Bearing scraped bores honed and valves and seats refurbished. All parts for nickel plating were gathered and sent away, they returned with a large invoice! The cone clutch was inspected for cracks and deterioration and was relined with modern friction material, Kevlar for low maintenance.  The windscreen frame was rebuilt from two old frames with side hinges. Once the vehicle was assembled and the engine running, a wiring loom was made and fitted. The 6volt system still survives with the addition of a rear stop light and a windscreen wiper. Pre delivery was made by Ivan Nobilo, before being shipped to Brisbane.

On arrival, a roadworthy (WOF) was undertaken by the local garage, followed by an engineers report. One this had been achieved, (fit indicators) the vehicle was QLD registered (with my preious restaorations, and a 1912 69T Overland). Enormous help was provided by Bruce Nelson and of late Rod Cripps (WOCV). Detailed drawings from WORK, USA and manual with help from Tony Foster.

The restoration which started in June 2001 was completed in 2006 prior to moving to Australia and returned to New Zealand in 2013 and now living in Blenheim. We have toured the Ipswich Rally in 2012 and the Sunshine Coast Rally in 2013

Neil and Glenys Cox