NICK.BROOK@cluthaleader.co.nz
Drivers of about 60 vehicles gathered at Balclutha Town & Country Club to motor off for their 50th anniversary rally, on November 12.
Founded in 1972 with a clubhouse in Johnston Rd, the South Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand has about 85 members.
The club boasts more than 150 restored historical vehicles, from 10 classes including motorcycles, commercials and veterans over a century old.
Until the years of Covid-19 the club always held its annual rally on the second Saturday of November.
‘‘Back in the early ’70s I had a 1965 Valiant,’’ Triumph 2000 owner Terry Maynard said.
‘‘I took a new Triumph like this for a test drive and I never forgot the interior and the smoothness of the ride.
‘‘I always kept my eye open and saw this for sale on the side of the road years later and took it from there.’’
National president of the Wolseley Car Club Gordon Duthie of Lawrence had a similar tale.
‘‘I drove a Mark 1 Zephyr as a young man and I remember the look and luxury — like the heater — in the Wolseley when they came out, and it always left an impression.’’
Mr Duthie finally collected his own Wolseley in 1994, and repainted, re-upholstered examples like his now fetch up to $18,000.
This year’s rally rambled into the countryside with friends, family and casual enthusiasts in tow to see Stirling, Kaitangata, Inch-Clutha, and on to the Owaka Yacht Club for lunch.
The rallies are a friendly, competitive scenic circuit, measuring time against distance for over 120km of mixed driving.
The South Otago Branch of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club is online and welcomes all interested people to meet them at their clubrooms at 8 Crown St, Balclutha on the last Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm.
