Archive for July, 2009

Two Forty

July 15, 2009

Memories

Memories

In a recent Japanese Nostalgic Car forum poll it was stipulated that the AW11 Toyota MR2 made a suitable contender for the most significant Japanese car debuted in 1984. And while the ensuing thread turned into a lively (and at times heated) debate amongst various forum denizens over what specific vehicle traits embody the definition of “significant”, I personally couldn’t help but think how valid that contention actually was. Don’t need oodles of luggage space? Got a missus but no kids? Then why not vote for the MR2?

AW11 MR2 G-Limited Super Charger

AW11 MR2 G-Limited Super Charger

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1919 Hupmobile

1919 Hupmobile

So after getting my hands on a camera that wasn’t decrepid and useless I set about taking photos of the cars in one of their several meetings places before they would scurry about the Southland countryside.  The majority of this next selection of photographs was taken from the car park area of Stadium Southland the remainder were taken at various motel car parks on the way to the Stadium.  Such a fantastic variety of vehicles involved in this rally with everything from the 1900′s through to the 1970′s, from Europe, the U.K., the U.S., Australia and Japan.  (more…)

WAAAAAAAAAY back in 2006…

…OK, so it’s not that long ago.. still though, back then Invercargill was host to one of the best Vintage car rallies I’ve ever wrapped my beady little eyes upon, a massive number of cars descended upon the town and went on varying journey’s across, around and through Southland over the week or so that they were in town.  It was clear that cars had come from all over the country and with all hotels, motels and otherwise booked out through-out the city it was likely a large boost to the local economy.  I didn’t care about that however… all I cared about were the magical metal chariots of the ages that had made Invercargill their temporary home.  (more…)

Goodbye Sweet Silvia

July 7, 2009

So the day finally came and went.  I made a voyage to Dunedin this weeked been to swap my S12 Silvia for a D21 Terrano.  Though the exchange was not without it’s hiccups, the Silvia ran faultlessly all the way to Dunedin, it was sad to see it go but these things have to happen in order to aid the other more important cars.  I drove into Dunedin in the early afternoon, the car covered in road grime from the journey up on roads that had been covered in grit due to the ice, for many days previous, so I gave the S12 one last clean and took a few photos of it for memory’s sake.

Of course, having done that, I figured I’d visit young Zeb (proprietor of gx61.wordpress.com) to see whether he was at work.  Turns out he was and despite expecting to see his Alto, I was amusingly surprised to see his Toyota MarkII in it’s currently unfinished stance.  (more…)