WHEN LOCAL VETERAN AND VINTAGE RALLIES LED THE WAY
New Zealand’s robust enthusiasm for old cars is reflected in the huge turnouts at local veteran and vintage rallies, which have regularly amazed overseas visitors. Yet a less-than-happy outlook for fossil fuel vehicles is causing concern among some owners and admirers of our early motoring heritage.
It is almost half a century since the 13th International Veteran and Vintage Rally was hosted in New Zealand in February 1972. The event attracted more than 750 entries and included 20 varying routes in the North and South Islands. In the Monte Carlo-style event, many of the driving routes finished in Nelson, and Mervyn Winter from Dunedin had the distinction of running the oldest car in the event — a 1900 Wolseley. Fourteen cars entered had been built before 1916.
The country’s initial foray into a major gathering of historic vehicles came earlier with the Sixth International Rally for Veteran and Vintage cars held in the South Island in March 1965 — the first to be held outside Europe. magazine’s report concluded that it was a roaring success, and many of the international entrants said it was possibly the best held.
