City-To-Brighton Vintage Car Rally

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 15

City-To-Brighton Vintage Car Rally

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) flagged away the first veteran cars in the Christchurch-to-Brighton run on Saturday morning in what proved to be the most successful rally yet held by the Christchurch branch of the Vintage Car Club. To become a permanent attraction during November carnival week, the rally attracted a crowd of several thousand, who thronged the big rectangle in Beresford street, Brighton, where the cars were marshalled for driving tests after timed runs. There were 56 starters for the Christchurch-to-Brighton run, which began from the Canterbury Museum on Saturday morning. Most of the cars covered about 50 miles by way of Cashmere, the Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay, Lyttelton, Sumner and through various suburbs to New Brighton. For the first time the Christchurch City Council had authorised the holding of the rally in a public street. On the route to New Brighton the vehicles maintained a steady and, in some cases, sedate pace. But on the way home they kept up with other traffic on the road. Public Interest During the height of the busy Saturday shopping period at New Brighton the cars created much public interest. Led in procession by the New Brighton Band and pipe band the cars, with their restored paint and gleaming metal, showed to outstanding advantage in the brilliant sunshine. Marshalled nine abreast opposite the Princess Theatre, the cars went through a series of driving tests in convincing style, supervised by the chief marshal, Mr A. W. Luxton. The display was directed by the organiser of the rally, Mr G. S. Slyfield, and the club captain, Mr H. Wear. The secretary for the rally was Mr J. Cummins. A commentary was given by the national president of the Vintage Car Club (Mr R. B. Shand). This year’s rally the eleventh held by the dub in Christchurch. was preceded by a big static display of cars held tn King Edward Barracks on Friday evening. During the display Mr A. A. Anderson who is recognised as a world ' authority on vintage vehicles. gave an informative commentary on the cars. He said vintage cars, far from being mere mechanical curiosities. could give rugged, reliable motoring. Typical of such cars were Mr P. Clarkson’s 1922 5 h.p. Citroen, which he uses daily and which does better than 55 miles a gallon, and Mir A. T. Cooper’s 1917 Dodge roadster, which is also used regularly. Brake Failure The brakes failed />n a Model T Ford on the load to Governor’s Bay. The driver steered the car into a bank. ■Hie cars covered a manufacturing period from 1901 to 1930. Those made before 1919 are classed as veteran cars, and those made before 1931 qualify for tile vintage doss. The run was divided into three sections. The vintage cars covered the full journey through Governor’s Bay. There was a modified course for veteran cars and also for vintage and veteran motor-cycles. The latter were judged by Mr M. McFedrtes. Two in the veteran class completed the hill course effortlessly. They were Mr J. New-

ell's 1911 Woisetey-Slddetey (joint winner of the Concours award) and Mr A. Storer’s 1912 Albion. Drove Through Slips Proof of his car’s roadworthiness was provided by the winner of the best vintage car award, Mr A. Boustridge, who drove his Hupmobilc through flood waters and slips from Greymouth to take part to the rally. Another fine vehicle from Greymouth was Mr R. Clarke’s Alldays and Onions which was joint winner to the concours award. Besides being a prominent vintage enthusiast Mr Boustridge was the New Zealand champion Gold Star rallies and trials driver to 1960. "The turnout and display were magnificent,” said Mr w. Brown, who, with Mr R. Carter, came from Invercargill to judge the display. “The standard would beat anything to Australia, and I should say that it is rapidly approachtag the best to the United Kingdom. "I was pleased to see very little aluminimum paint used as a finish on wheels and other parts, which is unseemly and untraditional to vintage cars of this class. The standard of paint thickness, nickel plating and upholstery was a wonderful tribute to New Zealand craftsmanship,’’ Mir Brown said. “Christchurch is a stronghold of the vintage movement to New Zealand, which is favoured because of the very wide range of different makes of cars and types. So well have some of these cans been restored by their owners that several of them now have a better finish than when they left the factory 40 or 50 years ago.” said Mr Brown. Educative Value ■“Christchurch is to be congratulated in having the beadquarters of the vintage car movement in the city.’’ said the Mayor when he presented the trophies during a dinner and dance held at the club's hall to Colwyn street on Saturday evening. "Not only are these fine vintage cans delightful to themselves but they are of educative as well as historical importance to younger generations coming on,” said Mir Manning. The rally ended yesterday when the Canterbury branch held a dub picnic to brilliant weather at Cust. Two new trophies were prerented to the club this year by the New Brighton Businessmen’s Association and by Manchester Car Sales The rally results were:— Vintage and Veteran Cars Best vintage car (performance and concours d’elegance): A. Boustridge (Hupmoblle). Beet veteran car (over two cylinders): G. Jeifs (Food Model Best veteran car (one and twa,,(flinders): J. McLachlan (CaoiH'liac). Concours d’elegance award coalition): R. Clarke MdWays and Onions) and J. Newell (Wolseley - Sdddeley) joint winners, Oyer-aH winner (concours. performance and tests): G Jeifs (Fond Model T). Motor-cycles Best over-aH performance by vintage motor-cycle: G. Hockley (Harley Davidson). Best performance by veteran ntotor-cycle: J. Gardiner (Rover). vrauumer