Concours d'Elegance 2010

This was held as usual at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. We were at the rear of the grounds next to the turnstiles the opposite side to usual, next to the fence. As it started to rain we switched our site to across the street under the trees. It was next to an entrance turnstile and we could shelter under the roof.

The members that came with cars were Dennis (46 Ford), Steven (49 Prefect), John brought his Anglia Tourer, Chris (37Y), and Bud and Thelma (1950 Prefect). Paul and Delia and Ant and Karen also came along without their cars so we had quite a good showing.

There were some very nice displays the Mercedes Benz group had huge bunches of red roses and ribbon like material on their bonnets as the theme was Valentines Day. The Triumph Stag also had a Valentines Day display. The crowd did not appear to be as large as usual but we had some interested people looking at our cars and I think some new contacts were made. They had the usual event of cars competing against each other in a cordoned off area to see who was the fastest around an identical course. One of the cars came to grief, didn't stop when he should have.

Most of our cars were gone by about 3pm.

Galaxy of Cars

This is one event where we can usually guarantee a good turnout of cars, this year we had twelve in line along the back fence of where they usually hold the Swapmeet.

The Swapmeet was transferred to a small area where we usually are along the fence at the side of the large building containing the main aircraft display, (which was greatly reduced inside for maintence) near the train station.  Most of the Swapmeet seemed to be General items, not many part related.

As Motat is in the process of redesigning and building new buildings, most of that area was cordoned off by a large fence. We managed to get the biggest turn out of cars for our club events during the year like always.

Paul and Delia brought their beautifully restored Cortina (not their official club car); Harvey, Model Y; Bud and Thelma, 1950 Prefect; Brian, 7W; Dennis, 45 Prefect; Chris, 37 Y; Cynthia, 54 Popular (former member); Peter and Janet, 53 Prefect; Les and Leonie, 37 Ford 10; John and his family, Anglia and Tourer; Steven, 49 Prefect.

Other members were also there but without cars, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Cleland, Martin, and Terry and daughter Brenda, who were with the Bradford section. The Bradfords had at least 26 cars and a great display. They were the overall winners again this year.

This is usually a good day out for members as they bring along a picnic, its not too far to go and all the cars of various clubs are there to look at, so perhaps you will be able to make it next year.

Auckland Luge Video

Riding with Ant down the luge track at Auckland Luge during the recent club run.

A Country Run

On a lovely spring day the club did its September run, devised by John and Bob to areas south of Auckland that had seen fighting in the Maori Wars.

The run took us into Drury to St. Johns Anglican Church 1862 where women and children took shelter while soldiers protected them. This church was built on land set aside by Bishop Selwyn.
There is a monument at the rear erected by officers and men of the 1st Waikato Regiment, which was mainly recruited in Melbourne.

From there we proceeded south to Runciman to the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church which is on a high position to give a good view of the area. It was built in 862 of Totora and Rimu on
the edge of a volcanic crater, and was the scene of a violent battle 14th Sept 1863 between the Kingite Maoris and seventeen men who held the position until help arrived from Ramarama and Drury. There were many Maori casualties, six of them are buried near the church there is a large stone memorial in the church grounds, but there were a lot more taken away, at one stage during the battle a Kereru flew on to the roof and stayed there awhile. There were no European casualties even though the stockade was not finished as well as the defenders would have liked and the Native Bush came up too close to the church.

From there we went down Harrisville Road through Tuakau to Alexandra Redoubt Road tom the Cemetery at the end of Alexandra Redoubt Road. This cemetery is named after King Edwards VII wife and has a lot of restored fortification for the Maori wars visible and one and possibly 2 VC winners buried here. It was built in July 1863 by part of the 65 regiment it is on a hill 300 feet above the river. In the cemetery there is a large monument to the British soldiers who died in the district in battle it was erected in 1915 by the NZ Government.

The next stop was the Queens redoubt in Pokeno there is not much to see here there is a wall and not much else but it was the headquarters for the British invasion in the Waikato it was
finished in 1862. It was a very large fort it was never attacked, the first advance into the Waikato took place on 12th July 1863 from here place as the war moved south the troops reduced and the buildings sold off by 1864 the area around the Fort was for sale. The site is having work done to make it a Major Historical Place.

From there we proceeded south along the southern Express way to just south of Mercer to the Whangamarino Redoubt which was situated on top of a very steep hill just above the Waikato River where they had two 40 pound Armstrong Siege Guns which came up the river on the Pioneer a paddle steamer. Installed to shell the Maori settlement near where Meremere is now. The guns had come from Sydney on the ”Curacoa”. This was a ship designed to be used in shallow waters, the iron turrets on the deck contained guns one of these turrets now stands at Mercer as the lower part of the 1914-18 soldiers memorial.

From there we went for a drive around Meremere exiting at the rear and driving parallel to the SH1 so we could have a good look over the new race track being built there (Hampton Downs) on the old swampy ground. By devious means we ended up at Rangiriri where there was a question relating to sailors and their ships, there were a lot of ships on the river at the time.

After Lunch we made our way over the river to the Glen Murray Road, then by Churchill Road right through to Pukekawa. We then made our way back to the river and once across the bridge
turned towards Tuakau then we followed basically the same route back to Pokeno that we had used in the morning. Where those that wanted to had refreshments, went to the market, ate ice cream or bought some very expensive Pokeno Bacon, before making there own way home. Pokeno is a town that has reinvented its self since the highway bypassed it very successfully
its always crowded.

Thanks to the organizers.

AGM & Property Report

First, thanks to those members who turned up to the AGM last month. After a presentation from Bob and Chris, and a question and answer session; the resolution to purchase a property previously inspected by the committee at Kellow Place (or one similar, if this one became unavailable) to replace the current club property was passed unanimously.

The passing of this resolution was welcomed by the committee, as much work had been placed into researching the various properties available, and the costs associated with owning said properties. This included almost an entire day touring Auckland and visiting various industrial units that had been short-listed by Paul and Chris. Let me tell you that there is a wide, wide range of units of varying states available. The unit at Kellow Place is quite
a find, and fits all the criteria the committee were looking for.

Since the AGM, the committee has placed an offer on the Kellow Place property, and we are awaiting a response to that offer. Additionally, we are going through the process to list the club's current property with a local real estate agent, and by the time you read this it should be listed.

John and Jan's June Run

The forecast was for isolated showers but nobody told the rain it poured all the Saturday night and in the morning as we made our way down the Southern Motorway to the R.S.A. in Papakura, where the run was commencing from. The very large car park had a lake in the middle.

No sign of the organizer (may be its been called off) however there is a car there already and gradually more and more appear until Harvey and Val, Bob and Gwen, Chris, Stephen with his father, these people arrive in their club cars, then Brian and Bev, Thelma and Bud, Janice, with moderns plus the organizer John arrived in his club car. Later on Caroline and two flat mates join in a very good turn out considering the weather.

We drove off following the instruction sheet across the Motorway bridge, past Wrightsons Bloodstock sale yard complex, towards Clarks Beach following instructions we went down various side roads, up very scenic hills which looked out towards Pukekohe until we arrived at Patamahohe. From there we made our way gradually crossing railway lines etc, to just outside Waiuku, where we drove down a side street to Mr. Sharman’s property.

Once parked we made our way to his home where he has an area set up with tables to entertain clubs etc, he put on some  very welcome coffee and tea for the group and we also ate our lunch’s which most had brought with them before we all made our way to the first shed which housed the model steam train engine and tender and two very large steam traction engines. Mr. Sharman gave a very informative talk about the model train engine and the traction engines. Then we went to another shed which had some seven beautifully restored cars and were told the history’s surrounding them. After everyone had looked at all the things on display and the numerous posters on the walls, everyone went back for another cup of tea etc, before we all departed our separate way.

Morrinsville Weekend Photos

More can be seen here

Morrinsville Weekend 2009

Several cars leaving the carpark by the Morrinsville Water Treatment plant during the Morrinsville Weekend in May.

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.

The Shaw's Collection

At the starting line were Brian and Bev, Paul and Delia, Thelma and Bud Semadeni and myself, from the Ford Club. Bud's Prefect was the only Club car out that day, mine having broken a rear axle the previous day, and Paul's with the motor out getting valve and cylinder head improvements, although their immaculate Cortina was again there.

However there were plenty of Fords 8's and 10's at our destination the Shaw brother's awesome car collection at Coatsville. I combined the Model A club with ours and did not extend the trip beyond there, having learnt that the enthusiast can spend hours looking which proved true.

I saw early 7Y Anglia's: a two door and four door C, a two door Y, Prefects including complete and incomplete 38-39 Ford 10's (7W) and a '50's Popular with its tiny headlights in original light blue colour. The only marque I did not see was the square–grilled EO4A Anglia.

There ware also Model A's, three 36-39 Ford V8 sedans and a row of 60's Holden's and 70's utes,  many Chev's from the 20's and early 50's many Buicks prewar and post war, all the Austin 7 models, a big Seven and a couple of Ten's prewar Morris 8 and square Minor.

Other makes such as Vauxhall, Dodge, Rugby, and Citroen were represented in smaller numbers. There were old trucks large and small as well so there was something for everyone (except the ladies, maybe!)

Many thanks to Noel and Trevor for their hospitality and I will be carrying the images around in my head for some time to come. Now it's back down to earth and the axle replacement for my "Y" plus a few other improvements and modification while the car is on blocks.

Thanks to the Model "A" Club Members who attended.

Harvey.

Martin's Manic Mystery Run

This commenced from Jellicoe Park, in Onehunga just after 11am on lovely sunny day one of the few we have had recently, and there was the best turn out of our cars we have had for some time.

The effort Bud and I achieved was also one of the worst we have had for a while, all went well until Cornwall Park, where things went haywire, first after the pit stop, the wrong road was taken as we did not go back to the round-a-bout but took the wrong road, and had to back track.

As our motor has had a mysterious noise for some time we decided not to go up to the summit and proceeded on, to the clue on the drivers side about a caravan, where a nice gentleman decided to talk to us for some time about all our cars that had proceeded us down his street.

Arriving in the Blockhouse Bay area, there was a clue saying turn left past some houses, I said it said first left, but Bud said no that’s not a street. (I believe it was).

Shortly after that the phone rang saying where are you we are all here, in the process of Bud answering it he missed several streets we were supposed to go up or down. Then we went past an area of paddocks full of sheep, I did not recall ever seeing before, shows you what is tucked away in areas you do not realize they are there unless you live in the area.

By this time we decided to go to the finish as everyone was waiting for us, one of the clues was about a building that Bud knew the location of, so we made our way there, then followed
the clues to the final destination.

I think almost all had given up on us by this time, but we at least made it to the end. Everyone was also waiting for Harvey and Val but they didn’t show up someone said they had seen them having a picnic in Cornwall Park, so I guess they had decided not to finish.

Those that went were John and Janice, Ant and Karen, Chris with Mel and Alison, Paul and Delia, Harvey and Val, Thelma and Bud, Martin (organizer), Jim.

July Club Run

This commenced at the car park at Western Springs which is near the new Valentines Restaurant and was organized by Harvey and Val.

The group of club cars departed at 11am for West Auckland, going along the North Western Motorway, and then Highway 16 towards Kumeu, turning off on to the Riverhead - Coatsville Road, which in the distant past was a main route North towards Whangarei. We then turned off just before Coatsville on to a series of scenic side roads, going past the North Shore Aero Club, and later down Glenvar Road which takes one to Beach Road, which when followed goes through most of the Eastern Beaches which look out to Rangitoto Island which is a dormant volcano just off shore and is a prominent feature of the outer harbour.

We made our way through busy Takapuna, on to Lake Road which goes down towards Devonport where the Naval Base is located doing a circuit of one of their playing fields then on down interesting old streets to Devonport it’s self, where we stopped for lunch at "Clarrie’s" one of the many cafes.



Devonport is a mixture of old and new there are a lot of Art Gallerys, antique stores and small select stores and is busy on a weekend with sightseers wandering in and out the shops. After lunch and a wander about we all returned to the parked cars, and departed to Vauxhall Street where the museum we were to visit at 2pm was, it is in an old church behind some trees and a big gate which was very tightly shut and apparently according to some local residents was going to stay that way.

So to Plan B, go home or go somewhere else, John and Janice left to visit relatives while the Brewers and us decided to go to North Head where the first pilot station for Auckland was established in 1840. Then the first Defense System for Auckland was originally established this was used by both the army and the navy. The army left in 1950 and the navy in 1996.

North Head is a volcano it’s proper name is Maungauika, the first guns were installed in 1885 and for a number of years afterwards prisoners were used to reconstructed the gun sites and build tunnels and storage underground for searchlights and magazines for the guns installed there. Three disappearing guns were installed there as well; one still remains and is now one of the few left in the world.

We spent some time there climbing all the over the mountain going in and out the tunnels and gun placements a very interesting afternoon was had.Those who went all had club cars they were Harvey and Val (organizer), John and Janice, and Bud and Thelma.

Bowling Night

This was held on a Saturday night at the Panmure 10 Pin Bowling Complex and was organized by Delia and Paul.

Delia organized the three teams into the three lanes held for us. There was a drink (glass of wine, handle of beer or a small bottle of soft drink) plus a very nice hamburger that arrived on a food trolley to the lane complex we had. The cost wasn't too bad as we had two complete games and the refreshments for $22. Before the bowling began a few of us had a play on the 2 cent Poker Machines that flashed and beckoned in the far corner, none of us made a fortune I am afraid.

There was a great deal of laughter and cheering and advice as members tried to knock down the pins, one person reckoned one was glued down as all the others would fall except this one. After the bowling was over some of the big boys played on the simulated car racing machines I am afraid I would not like to be with Ant in his racing car as it did some spectacular end over ends and ended up very battered, both him and Paul won one race each. Then there was the Fighter plane one and a table game that was fast and furious two or more people slamming yellow disc's up and down a table until they dropped into a slot at the other end. The games have certainly altered over the years you have to have very fast reflexes these days.

After all the fun was over we made our way to the car park and all our modern cars and made our different ways home. A much bigger turn out than usual, all I think in modern cars as the older cars are difficult at night on Auckland streets and the motorways, those there were....Brian and Bev, John and Janice, Paul and Delia, Bob and Gwen, Bud and Thelma, Chris and Mel & his daughter Alison, Steven and friend Irene, Martin and work mate Josh, Ant and Karen.

There were some good scores on the night including Alison with 203 (a little assistance here as when she slid the ball down the assisting slide, barrier arms came up to prevent the balls going in the gutter a great way for children to enjoy the game). But the final tally up by Delia of the score sheets makes, Martin in first place, Delia in second, and Ant in third. Congratulations to these people.We must do it again next year some time as a lot of fun is had by those that come along.

Phil's Fun Run

This took place on Sunday the 25th from Westhaven Drive which is along the waterfront towards the Harbour Bridge and the meeting spot looked out across the Marina with all it’s millions of dollars of pleasure boats towards Auckland city and its high-rise buildings and with the Sky Tower prominent amongst them.

This was put on by the Morris Register Club and they had by our standards a very good turn out of vehicles of all types, we managed to swell their number by four vehicles, two modern, Brian and Bev, and Bud and Thelma, and two club cars, Chris and Mel with his daughter Allison, and Martin both in Model Y’s.

This run was different to all others we have ever been on it consisted of a series of parts of photos, and you had to drive around in a radius of the inner city area Grafton Bridge was the outer circle and identify the picture and where it was taken. This was a good tour of the area most people avoid owing to lack of parking around Britomart, the Vector Arena, cranes on the Container Wharves, Parnell Cathedral, The Rose Gardens, the Museum, Central Fire Station, The Civic Theatre, The Art Gallery, Victoria Markets Chimney, The Bird Cage Tavern, to mention just a few. This was a rally with a difference and was very interesting and scenic and covered such a short area.

After the run people sat around and ate their lunch while the papers were marked, we did not participate in the prizes, but most did reasonably well.

We would like to thank the Morris people for allowing us to participate with them, it’s a while since we have done so, and we extend an invitation to them to come on our runs.

April Picnic

Took place on Sunday the 27th April perhaps a little late in the year for such an event, but it was cancelled the week before for those people who wished to attend the street racing in Hamilton. Those that went to the racing all said it was great.

Those who turned up in front of the Observatory in One Tree Hill Park, were Brian and Bev in their club car. All the others were in moderns - Ant and Karen, Karen’s daughter Sarah with Hayden who is talking and walking well, Paul and Delia, and Bud and Thelma (apologies were received from John and Janice who had paid for a run with The VVCC which included dinner) and I passed Harvey and Val's Y going south on Saturday.

As it looked like it was going to be a deluge in the next little while the group all adjourned to Ollie’s Ice Cream parlor, for the rest of the time. The parlor is right on the roundabout at Royal Oak it is two lanes and 5 streets merging a very busy intersection.

Quite a few sundaes, bowls of chips, hamburgers and coffee later, and playing on game machines the group dispersed, to make their individual way home.

Easter Experience

We had 3 Prefects, 3 Y’s and 2 Mini’s to start with and were later joined by 3 Popular’s (one Zephyr powered) and 1 Fordson (V6 Powered). All we needed were a 100E or three to complete our range of marques, are these in the club?

We had an excellent run through back roads to Hamilton and lunch at the lakeside. Harvey and Val became separated from the main group through uncertainty over road signs that had been vandalized at Thackeray Street, lost too much time obtaining oil and trying to get out of Hamilton with inadequate road signage and an out of date map and no compass! A used-up prepay cell phone etc so went straight to Cambridge and motorcamp. Very nice here with amazingly few guests for a fine Easter, so we had it largely to ourselves. The rest of the group arrived shortly afterwards and it was community fish and chips or hot dog, or hamburger and chips for the first night.

Next morning Ray and Ollie from Cambridge ran the day’s trip through back country roads east of Hamilton. Very enjoyable, never been there before, there was a quiz as well, very challenging, but Harvey mucked up the directions and had to make another mercy dash back to the motor camp to save time having lost a lot. To the Prince Albert restaurant for a-la-carte dinner that night, good ambience and food there.

Up early next morning for Steve and Cazna Payne’s run which was by devious routes to the awesome Early N.Z. museum at Tirau, a look around the antique and craft shops and then on to Putaruru to an interesting early car display housed in "Burger King" style "50's" décor (this building used to be the post office). Then to a hydro-station at Arapuni and around Mangatautiri Mountain and back to Cambridge by devious routes. Some of the lads went over to Te Awamutu to view Steve’s workshops and cars then a dash back to clean up for dinner at the Riverside Diner for a smorgasbord meal, hosted and entertained by Gerry Merito, late of the Howard Morrison Quartet. Prize giving happened as well for the previous days quiz with Chris Kite taking the honours for accuracy and diligence.

On Monday it was home again by more devious and scenic routes, popping out on to S.H.1 just north of the old Meremere Power Station. Many thanks to Ant and Karen, Ray and Ollie, Steve and Cazna for their hard work, good ideas and a successful weekend!

Harvey.