North Canterbury News: December 14, 2023

NEWS
The North Canterbury News, December 14, 2023
35
Pansy has travelled afew miles in her time
By ROBYN BRISTOW
Anold Ford V8 dropsidetruck, Pansy,
is looking as spick and span now, as
when she was bought by Hawarden
farmers, Thomas and Ame Grieve in
1947.
Nicknamed aJailbar model, because
of the front grille design, the
Hawarden couple owned Pansy until
their retirement in 1965, when they
sold it to local Waikari plumber Leo
(Curly) Beard.
It gained its third owner when Mr
Beard retired and sold it to Waikari
mechanic Brian Wood.
Trevor Stanley Joblin, of Amberley,
Ame Grieve’s grandson, has fond
memories of the Ford truck.
‘‘I can remember having to rise very
early in the mornings to accompany
Tom to drive to the Hanmer Hotel.
‘‘He had acontract to deliver milk to
the hotel, on the condition that the
milk was there before the guests had
breakfast!
‘‘I can tell you it is very cold in the
front cabin during the winter months
in atruck of that vintage, with the only
upholstery being the seats.
‘‘And of course, quite noisy.’’
His grandmother, was born in 1892.
She met her second husband Thomas
Wardell Grieve during World War II in
Australia, during which she was aRed
Cross driver for atime.
On returning to New Zealand they
bought asmall block of land on the
corner of Horsley Downs Road and
Bentleys Road, Hawarden,
This became the base of theirnew
bee farm, which Ame named Amedale
Apiaries.
They built anew weatherboard
house which is still referred to by the
locals as the Rabbit Board house.
Trevor believes it may have been
bought by the Rabbit Board, when Tom
and Ame sold it.
He says Ame was abit of a‘boyracer’
—she loved to go fast.
‘‘I remember as aboy aged about
nine to 14, riding in the truck, with my
eye on the speedometer, because Ame
was determined to reach 50 mph (80 ks)
in the relatively short distance from
Bentleys Road to the cross roads, by
the Four Square grocery store at
Hawarden.’’
‘‘Later when she bought a1939Ford
Ford V8 De Luxe, she increased her
aim to 60 mph (96kms).’’
Trevor says on retirement in about
1965, Pansy was sold to Curly Beard
Proud owner... Restorer and Waikari vehicle mechanic Brian Wood with the old Ford
dropside truck he restored.
PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
who used it as his work horse during
his plumbing years, until his
retirement.
‘‘When Curly passed away, his
widow sold Pansy to local Waikari
mechanic, Brian Wood in 1981.’’
During the dismantling process,
Brian discovered the original
manufacturers Operators Guide
manual in the glove box with Tom and
Ames AMEDALE APIARIES personal
stamp in several pages.
‘‘It had lain there all thoseyears
while in the ownership of both Tom
and Curly, until Brian discovered it.
‘‘Amongother original documents
that came with Pansy, was aoriginal
sales invoice for 220 pounds at the time
of sale when Leo (Curly) purchased it
on September 25, 1965,’’ Trevor says.
Brian finished restoringPansy in
2007.
‘‘I am pleased to see Brian has
chosen to repaint her in the original
colours of light green and cream, just
the way Iremember her when Istayed
at Amedale Apiaries during the years
from 1949 to 1953.’’
On display ... The restored truck on display at the Hanmer Motorfest.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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