It never ceases to surprise me about the number of vehicles and parts that just seem to turn up.

Recently I spoke to a chap who needed a part for a MkIII Zephyr (a part that is always hard to find) - when he called into a country wrecking yard the owner said "have you got 15 minutes to spare?". He closed the yard and drove him to his own house, opened the garage door and said, "there's the part you want, but you have to buy the lot"..... So, a truck and trailer load later he had it... a collection of MkI, II & III parts. It appears that the wrecker had owned Zephyrs, this was his private collection.

I was also reminded recently of a red MkIII Zodiac stored in the Sth Canterbury area, it has done 44,000 miles and the current owner has had it for a number of years.

I've said it before, but there are more and more cars getting closer to completion all the time, so the future is looking good for all Z car enthusiasts.

John Hull
PRESIDENT

We have now received over 50 registrations, including two from Australia, and indications are that we should receive, at least, another 50. We will soon be writing to those who have registered confirming the receipt of their registration and asking them to confirm that their name and vehicle details are correct.

The committee are now working on the finer details of the programme and will, within the next six to eight weeks, be able to advise the attendee costs. These will be notified to all who have registered together with details of what those costs cover, such as meals etc.

Trophies for the 16 different classes to be judged, Peoples Choice and Car of the Convention have been designed and the committee are now looking for sponsorship for the two trophies (first and runner-up) in each class. If you have any suggestions for sponsors of the trophies, or anything else, please let Gavin Ladbrook know. We are also compiling a list of people to consider as judges and ask for any suggestions to be notified to Phil Rooke.

The committee is very pleased with the response from Zephyr people and is encouraged by the interest locally as well as nationally and internationally. All we ask is that you, too, get involved.

Barry Goddard
Convention Chairman

Friday 25th September.
Weekend run to Alexandra Blossom Festival.

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

This car was purchased new in England by Mr Christopher Fleming from Ashburton. It covered 4,000 miles there before being imported into NZ. Six months and 5500 miles later it was sold to David Craw Hardware Ltd of Christchurch. After another 7 owners all around the South Island Peter bought it at a car auction in Timaru in May 1990.

The car was then stripped inside and out to the bare metal, rust patches were cut out and it was repainted by Trevor Robinson. The motor was overhauled by Auto Engineers of Timaru, and the interior completely replaced by Radfords of Ashburton.

The restoration was completed just in time to take part in the Southern Connection in Timaru. It has travelled about 6,000 miles since then, and now has 107,000 miles on the clock.

Since the restoration it has been driven mainly in the Timaru area, with the occasional trip to Tekapo.

Peter has been a member of SCZZEC since buying the car, in fact he was given a membership application form by an enterprising club member the morning of the auction!

Friday 17 July.

We took the MkIV in for a wheel alignment, only to find that the right tie rod end was well worn out. After some phone calls we managed to locate one at McKay, which came down by courier Tuesday morning. We took the part over to the workshop, only to be rung an hour later to be told that the part was for the left side..... At this stage it didn't look like the car was going down to the Gold Coast afterall, but not one to give up, Doug made two phone calls, and within an hour we were driving into the centre of Brisbane to a firm that could rebuild the old part. They said they would ring when it was done. Thursday at 8.30am the phone rang, whereupon I had to do a fast trip to pick it up and get it back to the workshop. That afternoon the car was back at Doug's where I got busy cleaning and polishing it.

Friday 24 July.

10am saw Doug & Kathleen head away in the Zodiac with Mavis and myself following in the Landcruiser. That night there was a great get together at the Carrara Sports Complex to view 30 vehicles that were to be auctioned on the Saturday afternoon. Shannons, who were running the auction put on drinks and nibbles for two hours that night, and we were fortunate enough to speak with Peter Brock - great guy!

Saturday 25 July.

After having a sausage sizzle for breakfast, we all went down early with the car to the starting point of the Cavalcade of cars through the streets of Surfers Paradise, to be televised by Channel 7 later that morning. The MkIV was the only Zephyr there, and a lot of people didn't know that that such a car had been made.

As I wandered about I heard a voice call out, to find Ron & Audrey Hodder standing there! Doug & Kathleen came back, and we had a good chat for an hour or so.

The street parade started at 11am and it took about 45 minutes to complete - hopefully I will be getting a video of it. After the parade we went out to the Carrara Sports Centre to view the swap meet, have some lunch and head for the auction.

The highest price paid was $125,000 for a 1972 Rolls Royce Corniche convertible, with a lot of other cars going for $25,000 - $65,000. There was also a 1944 DH Tiger Moth which sold for $48,000, and a 1935 Ford V8 Coupe going for $35,000.

Sunday 26 July.

The day started off very wet and cold, so Doug decided to head back to Brisbane early, and Mavis and I went out to Carrara to have a look at the Concours cars and the rest of the vehicles, but it was very wet underfoot so we didn't stay too long. We stayed on at Surfers for two more days, met some friends on the Monday and had lunch with the Hodders on Tuesday, before heading back to Brisbane.

Our thanks to Doug for a great time!

Ron Thompson.

An ad in the paper started it - "For Sale - MkII Zephyr" - and after trying about 10 times over 4 days, contact was finally made. After a long talk it was discovered that this chap also had a MkIV, a MkIII and another MkII that he wanted to sell, so arrangements were made to view the next weekend.

I rounded up some cobbers - Stick, Bob and Les, put the A-frame in the back and we set off. Naseby was the destination, yes, over Danseys Pass, with a stop at the hotel for a cuppa - yes - a cuppa. On the way many things of great import were discussed, and heaps of bull spoken.

On arriving at Naseby and meeting with the seller, I think he was a bit puzzled as to how many people there were, as Don was introduced as Don, but called "Stick", Bob as Bob but called "You Idiot", Les as Les, but called "Ya Old Fool", and myself as Gavin called "Cobber".

A time was spent looking, kicking, questioning, driving, more looking, and then saying "Yes, I'll take it" then "No, I'll take both, and the parts that go with them" - the two MkIIs this was.

Meanwhile, Stick was in a state of total confusion, "what do you think Cobber? should I or not?" was the question - "well it looks good to me - especially the wheels - but don't take any notice of me - remember the last time I told you not to buy something? you bought it anyway, but that was only a Dodge". Bob reckoned it was a snip, Les went to put in his bit, but was stopped by a stream of abuse along the lines of "what would a Jag owner know about Fords?" In the end Don bought the MkIV anyway.

"How are we going to get them home?" was the next question - drive them of course! - and put the old MkII on the A-frame behind the 4Runner. The MkII needed a brake job, so up it went on the grass at the side of the street, and the front brake cylinders were honed out with a battery drill, and new cups fitted. While this was going on, Les was sent on old fool's missions backwards and forwards to the local garage getting parts etc. With the roadside workshop in full flight, the seller's wife and son stared on in total amazement at what was going on, and wondered what the hell had come to Naseby.

"Are you really going to drive them home?" - "Yep, up over the Pass, down the other side and home".

Then came the loading up of parts.... boots, back seats, back of ute, yep, all full. Meanwhile, Bob was showing interest in buying the second MkII off me - the shortest time I have ever owned anything!

After fueling up and having a feed, we set off for home.... the first stop was about 10km down the road - Stick's wheels were rubbing on the back guards and I had lost a hubcap, but Bob had picked it up.

Another stop at the top of Danseys Pass for a look around - the MkIV was steering like a pig, but the MkII was going like a champ - we might make it!

After stopping for a cuppa just before Duntroon, Bob and I swapped places, and he drove the MkII home from there.

Dark came on, and we discovered Stick's lights didn't work, so he went in the middle, and the back roads were negotiated for the last half hour to home.............

Gavin Ladbrook

To be continued...................

During the judging some went for a walk around the Bay and others just stood around in the sun swapping BS.

Six of the cars then went on a run across town and out to Geraldine via the back roads were a stop was made for afternoon tea.

On the way out of Geraldine there was almost an incident when a local yokel tried to back in through the MkIV's passenger door as we were passing - still can't understand how we missed him. After the adrenalin had stopped pumping and I had sent my entire collection of of profanities in his direction, we had a pleasant drive through to Skipton's Bridge, Raincliff and Sutherlands returning to Timaru for a meal at the Doncastor.

Trophies awarded:

Best MkI - Ken Copeland
Best MkII - Gavin Ladbrook
Best MkIII - Eric Scott
Best MkIV - Mike Constantine
Best Club Car - Eric Scott

Thanks to the judges for their time and effort.

FOR SALE

1958 MkII Zephyr Ute. Well known around South Island Conventions. In excellent condition, will be sold with new Reg. & WOF.
Extras include: Mags, whitewalls, sunvisor, wing mirrors, MkII Zodiac motor, carpet in rear, radio cassette etc.

1961 MkII Zephyr Station Wagon, very rare, blue/white in very good condition. Original crossply whitewall tyres, chrome roofrack.
4 speed gearbox.

Both of the above vehicles are offered for genuine sale to fund a new project.
For more information Ph. Garey Hanifin 03 688-6663

Set of MkIII Zodiac wheels, complete with good tyres.
Offers.
Pair of 6.50x13 crossply tyres - very good condition
$50 the pair.
Ph. Garey Hanifin 688-6663

1964 MkIII Zephyr, blue/white, 7 owners, straight body,no rust, good interior.
Running, but motor needs attention, gearbox slips out of second.
Ph. Bill 03 688-0944

MkII Parts for sale. Bonnet, front guards, boot lid, 3 doors, windows, carb & manifold, plus various other bits.
Ph. Trevor Everett 03 396-9227

MkIV Parts:
Front Screen, Diff.

MkIII Zodiac Parts:
Rear axle and springs
Complete front suspension
Set of seats, grey vinyl with cloth panels - good order
Rear bumper, Front grille, Dash.
Numerous other parts also available.

Ph. Colin Chambers 03 688-0807 or Eric Scott 03 688-6930

WANTED