Here we are, only a few days away from the Classic Hits Classic Wheels Show, with planning going very well.

Give me a ring and let us find you a job assisting with the gate, manning the raffle stalls or generally helping out!

Please inform anyone you you know who has a vehicle suitable for display - we will find room for it!

Because of a change of policy we are no longer able to place our Car Show banner on the Church Street overbridge - surely someone can suggest an alternative site? - if you have any ideas please call me.

Don't worry about missing out on Bathurst, as the TV will be going in the lounge at the park, and we are also arranging to have a TV in a tent on the main ground as well.

Hopefully the weather will play it's part on the day, and we will see you all there!

John Hull
PRESIDENT

Another month gone by and the 1999 Convention edges ever closer - only seven weeks to Christmas, and we all know how that time passes as does the next month after that.

You now have less than ONE MONTH to register for the Convention, so if you havent yet, do it today!!!

We have had a very good response so far with nearly 80 registrations and are only waiting for the closing date (30 November 1998) to send further information to those attending. We have some interesting vehicles registered with a large number of convertibles, including a Mark 4 and several Mark 2s, as well as a couple of Specials for display only.

There will also be several trade displays where you will have ample opportunity to purchase those hard to get items and talk to others who have had the same challenges in restoring and maintaining a Zephyr/Zodiac as you have.

Gavin Ladbrook has been working on the various runs which will provide an interesting and varied schedule for participants to follow. We have planned the weekend's events to enable everyone to participate in all the activities, but all our club members may need to provide some manpower for some events. You will be advised of this later.

We still need your help NOW!!! - help in obtaining sponsors, judges and, if you havent yet, your registration.

Barry Goddard
Convention Chairman

Saturday 7th November.
Opuha Dam Opening Day.
Meet at Timaru Motors, Washdyke 9.00am for run to dam site - bring your lunch.

Sunday 15th November.
Classic Hits 99FM Classic Wheels Show.
Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru.

Monday 7th December.
Christmas bus trip to Geraldine for a meal.
Meet at the Doncaster carpark 6.30pm.

Easter 1999
International Zephyr/Zodiac Convention, Timaru, New Zealand

Early Friday afternoon the majority of those going to Alexandra left Timaru, with the first stop at Palmerston, were we just had to have afternoon tea. We then headed inland to Ophir, where Gavin just had to find a shingle road.... We all stopped on a lovely old bridge for photo's (Gavin had recently painted it, so we knew that it would be strong enough to hold all the Z cars) unfortunately it was a busy wee road, and some locals wanted to get past, so we obliged by moving to the parking area while we had a good look around. After a brief stop at Chatto Creek, we headed for Alexandra and our various motels.

It was a very relaxing weekend as everyone just organised themselves. It's amazing how in a small community you all end up in the same place, and appear to others to be very organised......

Saturday morning everyone had arrived, and we were ready for the Parade, 12 South Canterbury cars and one from down South.

Malcolm, Gavin and Dave chaufferred the "Spice Girls", and looking through the rear view mirror will never be the same for these boys! We all spent the afternoon being entertained by the locals, with the parade, fair and concert etc. Sunday, Ross, Mary and children headed for Queenstown, Bruce and Judith went to Wanaka, Malcolm took Christine, Dave and Mary-Ann to Gore, and we believe Malcolm was rooting around under trees - he told us he was he was going to se his childhood haunts.

The rest of us went to Fruitlands (Donald's childhood) and cruised down and around the Roxburgh dam, which was very impressive, then up to Clyde for afternoon tea by the river.

Sunday night we all went to Bonny & Clydes for tea, most via the courtesy van, and when the cook had finished in the kitchen she was called out to entertain us along with the boss - very good music.

They played until midnight, just for us, and even persuaded a number of our members to sing.... Not wanting to offend anyone, but Garey was the best, though he has had a lot of practice, but for some of the others - trust me - practice won't help! but it was all very entertaining, and thank you all for your willingness to step forward - thank God the band stopped before they got to us.

Monday we all headed home in own time, with various stops and catching up with each other most of the way home.

A great weekend! thanks Gavin.

Ruth.

Well, we got the cars home alright, but some of us had to break the news to our wives...... having a very understanding wife myself, I was OK - she is ready for anything that I may drag home - well, almost anything..... But the others had some fast talking to do.

Stick had rung Ruth, who met us on arrival, so he could break the news to her with everyone present (smart move), but much to his surprise Ruth said "I like it - and don't the wheels look good!"

Well, all cars cars spent the night in my shed. while Bob went home to break the news to Anne......

The next few days saw the new owners cleaning and fixing up cars - especially Bob, who turned up rather green looking one evening with Anne, to show her his new purchase. I think her first reaction was "Good God", but after having the vehicle's great potential pointed out to her, she felt a bit happier.

The next weeks were spent getting the cars going properly - Stick was busy looking for new wheels, as the ones that everybody liked were off a Falcon, and Stick being Stick wanted the original ones that Henry fitted.

Another trip was made to Naseby to retrieve a MkIV parts car which was part of the deal, and resulted in an interesting journey home after a few trailer problems, but meant that Stick had the necessary parts to repair the steering on the MkIV, and another car body to decorate his property.

Bob's MkII has had some engine work done, and the seats re-upholstered, and he is in the process of stripping and repairing the bodywork prior to painting, and when that's done the interior will be completed - hopefully in time for the Convention.

I have stripped my MkII, and after repairing minor rust in doors and sills etc, it is almost ready for a paint job, and I hope to have it on the road about Christmas time.

All in all, this was a fun experience and a lot of laughs were enjoyed by all.

Happy motoring!

Mark Two.

Bruce bought his MkIII in August 1995, after hearing about it from Don Campbell, and joined SCZZEC shortly afterwards. The car was first registered in Christchurch, before moving South to Temuka and Timaru. He had previously owned a MkIII when he'd been "young and silly", and remembers trips to work from Holme Station to Tregenza's yard taking 12 minutes........

When purchased, the car had 5 previous owners, 87,000 miles on the clock and was in reasonably good condition, with the motor overhauled and virtually no rust, no major work was planned. However the front screen seal leaked badly and was replaced, followed by a new headlining,"and the restoration sort of progressed from there". The gearbox was rebuilt using two donor boxes but new bearings etc. when available, in fact Bruce has tried to use new parts whenever possible throughout the car and these have been obtained from swap meets and various other sources.

To date, the brakes have been overhauled, the dash and interior restored, bodywork stripped and repainted in Christchurch, both bumpers rechromed, and a rusty fuel tank replaced. It now only needs minor work like replacing the door rubbers to complete "a usable not a show car".

With this in mind, the MkIII gets used at least once a week, plus usually a run on Sundays, and apart from taking care when parking it at supermarkets, it get no special attention.

Bruce has no intention of selling it........

FOR SALE

WANTED

MkII Zephyr 56-57 Set of4 armrests. Wanted for a restoration project.
Ph. Bob Stevens 03 688-1296

Secure garage wanted to rent, to store my Zephyr in.
Ph. Mike Constantine 03 688-8391