Greetings Bill,   Trust this finds you well.   Over the last few months I’ve been working with a group of  fellow Waitemata Branch VCCNZ colleagues on an event we’ve named ‘The Roycroft Trophy’   It is to be held at the new ‘Hampton Downs’ Race circuit, .about an hours drive South of Auckland, over Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of April (being Easter) this year.It was to be a vintage and historic car and motorcycle event run as an entertainment alongside a Wine, Food and Jazz Festival organized by Hampton Downs Management. In the last few days Hampton Downs have dropped the ball and essentially said, it’s your venue make it work and we’ll build it in the future.   My major contribution has been to produce poster images. Now that the administration has ‘pulled’ I’m thinking of ways we might get our message out as we’re no longer just responsible for finding competitors but need to attract spectators who fancy a weekend of motoring nostalgia. It might be a long shot but if you could publish the ‘Roycroft’ poster as it’s gone to local publications it just may get through to a wider audience (maybe Motormarques has a following here in NZ? and we want to attract drivers/cars from Australia and beyond too!)   A little background to the name: 3 generations of the Roycroft family have made a significant mark on motor racing in New Zealand, and Terry, the latest and his sister Deanne have given great support and enthusiasm to our suggestion.   What I’m asking constitutes advertising and may not fit with your objectives. But maybe from a contemporary motoring art point of view?   Also find attached the latest picture of the Class ‘H’ model Austin 7.... more or less finished. The paperwork to get it closer to road legal may have been lost in earthquake ravaged Christchurch!   very best wishes   Richard

   Photos by Lucas and Bill Hunter

Anne Thompson's  (NZ) 4 cyl Darracq .

The Darracq company was founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq. In the early years of automobile manufacture Darracq was prominent in automobile design and manufacture. The company also built a 200 hp V8 Special that set a land speed record of 168.22 km/h in1904. and again in 1905. at 176.46 km/h. In 1906 at Daytona,it reached 197.06 km/h.The car shown here is clearly a 4 cylinder car. It was specifically here for the AGP and PI as a bonus. In fact Grant Campbell (VHRR) knows  the lady owner  - Anne Thompson - quite well. She comes from NZ. The car was the first ever to win a Grand Prix and Anne took Grant  for a ride in it at the Australian Grand Prix. He describes it as "Quite an experience!" It is definitely a 4 Cyl - 14400cc.  A restoration. Grant  believe Anne has owned it for some time. She said she would have liked to stay for Historic Winton but the carnet didn't extend that far. Grant Cowie - 1934 Frazer Nash

Archie Frazer Nash had developed a chain-driven sports car as early as 1924. It had a dog clutch, separate chains for each of the three forward speeds driving a solid rear axle. Quarter elliptic springs, and very highly-geared steering were another inheritance from the 1924 car. In its day, the Frazer Nash could  "carry on all day at 40 m.p.h."- althoughin fact it could cruise between 60 and 65 m.p.h. Considering its fairly low price of £315, the "Nash", though distinctly crude in places, with almost solid suspension at low speeds, represented very good value for money.    The chain drive and very smooth plate clutch gave an exceptionally rapid gear change and the solid rear axle made the car stable under the most difficult conditions, although with some tendency on greasy surfaces to go straight on. The steering was always of the highest quality, absolutely accurate and devoid of play, rather heavy, and very high-geared (usually less than one turn from lock to lock)

The 1500 cc car displayed here is owned by Grant Cowie (Up the Creek Workshops)   Ah. Yes. There were some more familiar classics as well. Thanks for watching Motormarques ! .