Visiting NZ??

[nomad]

My wife and I will be in New Zealand next week and was wondering about can't miss sites concerned with auto's.

We will mainly be visiting with relatives and seeing the country but I know there are a few Kiwi's on here that maybe can recommend things . Maybe a Lotus salvage yard!

New Zealand has a pretty rich motorsport heritage and I probably should have posted something a while back. As a matter of fact just thinking now about how much fun it would be to tour the country in an old Brit roadster! Of course the wife wouldn't be happy with me wrenching at the side of the road.

Kurt.
26/3754

[DJ908]

Hello Kurt

If you are going to be in the South Island you might like to check the Southern Lotus Register website for they have a number of activities scheduled over the next few months. Christchurch was the place where the Lotus 7 was assembled under licence to Lotus years ago.

Salvage yards! You bringing a big suitcase??

Bringing your wrenches? We pride ourselves in having sorted out those British cars, they might still leak a bit of oil but I doubt you will have to carry much!

Robert

[nomad]

Thanks Robert.
Most of my relatives are on the South Island and I will be visiting a couple of cousins in Christchurch area. Shame about your earth quake. My sister was there at that time.
I'll check the site.

Kurt

[alan]

i can suggest Invercargil and the Hardware shop with the fastest Indian motorbike and some Aerial Square Fours. Also the Southward car museum at Paraparaumu on north island
Alan

[reb53]

The Southward museum is worth a visit.
The International Bugatti Rally is in NZ this year and they will be visiting Southwards on 22nd Feb between 12.00 and Approx 16.30.
If I can't catch them elsewhere during the week I'll be there, ( with the Sprint of course....).

Otherwise just enjoy having a nice quiet cruise around our semi deserted roads.
And please stay on the left, every year one of your countrymen takes a couple of us Kiwis out....
Cheers
Ralph.

[fatboyoz]

Kurt,
Try the WOW museum in Nelson. http://www.wowcars.co.nz/
Your "better half" will thank you for it.
Cheers,
Colin.

My wife and I will be in New Zealand next week and was wondering about can't miss sites concerned with auto's.

We will mainly be visiting with relatives and seeing the country but I know there are a few Kiwi's on here that maybe can recommend things . Maybe a Lotus salvage yard!

New Zealand has a pretty rich motorsport heritage and I probably should have posted something a while back. As a matter of fact just thinking now about how much fun it would be to tour the country in an old Brit roadster! Of course the wife wouldn't be happy with me wrenching at the side of the road.

Kurt.
26/3754

[nomad]

Thanks much for all the reply's!
As an old biker I was aware that Burt Munro's home town was Invercargil[sp]. Remember reading of his Bonneville exploits every year in the cycle mags back in the late 60's. May have to check that out though, I believe, his streamliner is in the US.
Will be in Nelson [cousin there] and would love to meet a touring group of Bugatti's!
My first British car was a MG TC all of which were RHD. So sitting on that side of the auto won't seem unusual but I do hope in a panic situation that instinct doesn't make me turn to the right!!

Kurt.

[DJ908]

Kurt

If you are travelling from Nelson down to Christchurch and are coming down the East Coast, which is a very pleasant drive in any weather condition, do try and spend a few hours in Blenheim and go and find the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. It is a magnificent museum which includes a lot of World War 1 aeroplanes. Dotted around that airfield you might well stumble across several flyable recreations of aircraft from that era as well as some more modern (!!) aircraft, some of which you might well recognise for they originated in the USA.

There are Lotus folk in the Nelson region, I know of at least one Elan up there. They like me can be identified for they are usually now showing either very little hair or going grey at the temples. Not from the problems of ownership mind you. Merely that such cars are those of "our" era.

Hope your travels are pleasant and you will note that we have painted some very large arrows on the road to remind you which side to drive on.

Robert

[nomad]

Thanks Robert. Our tour of the island will be somewhat in reverse with a long delay in the middle where I have several cousin's who grew up on Lake Ohau station. Always wanted to visit there but it is now a resort so I will be relying on them to show me around.
Blenheim isn't far from Nelson so may take in the Air museum. I will keep track of the suggestion's and see if they will fit into our somewhat loose schedule.

Kurt.

[DJ908]

Kurt you have picked your family well if you have cousins who grew up on the Lake Ohau Station. This is the view of the station on the far shore of the lake.

This photo was taken early one morning in mid winter last year for it is an area which I know well.

You will I am sure enjoy driving into this area and will be longing for the day to return driving your Lotus. Be forewarned though that there are some real British car enthusiasts living in the Lake Ohau village. They are worth seeking out just to see the 8 or more cars housed in the barn overlooking the lake and this view.

Have a safe journey

Robert