Fords ford ford
WATCHING the perfectly preserved soft tops and big wheels of the Ford Model A roll past at Walter Peak, it was easy to imagine life on the road in a different era.
The Model A — successor to the Model T — was built in the United States between late
1927 and 1931, but enthusiasm for it among collectors is undimmed many decades later.
A contingent of 150 classic cars, with about 300 drivers and passengers, hit the road on a fiveday journey through Southland this week as part of the 14th National Model A Rally.
On Monday, the Ford fleet took off from Te Anau, arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm’s Colonel’s Homestead for lunch yesterday.
Drivers will travel on alternative routes via Western Southland or Borland Saddle, before returning to Te Anau for a goodbye breakfast on Friday.
Rally director John
Tremaine said the Model A was known for being reliable and a hugely popular ‘‘people’s car’’.
‘‘There were once 20 million Model As, but obviously there aren’t that many left.
‘‘Some at the rally are originals. Others have been totally restored,’’ Mr Tremaine said.
Rally participants come from around New Zealand and as far afield as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
In 2001, Dave Rees from Christchurch bought nothing more than the bare bones of his 1930 Model A.
It took him about 10 years and a lot more than elbow grease to get his car, ‘‘Wander’’, on the road.
‘‘I had to source parts from America. Someone had the bumper bars under their bed, and I had to get them flown from there and tidy them up.’’
The vehicles in the rally cost between $15,000 and $40,000, but that does not include ongoing restoration and operational costs.
But for Mr Rees, it seems you cannot put a price on passion.
‘‘I’ve told people when I die, just dig a big hole and bury the car with me. I’ll never sell it.’’
The rally will be in the North Island in 2021.
1. Just in case . . . Nigel Washer, of Blenheim, checks the fan belt of his 1927 Model A at Walter Peak High Country Farm as the steamship Earnslaw pulls out of the bay. While the car’s exterior is original, it has been completely rebuilt underneath. He found the car in a barn where it had sat for 40 years. 2. Washing off the dust . . . Jock and Shirl Burridge, of Nelson, drive their 1930 Roadster through a creek en route to
Walter Peak station.
3. They will never believe it at home . . . Michael LeAnn, a selfconfessed petrolhead from the United States, was on a threemonth vacation in New Zealand when she ran into the Model A tour in Te Anau and was offered a day trip yesterday. Back home she attends the RPM nationals, where they dragrace soupedup Model As, and also the Bonneville Salt Flats racing.
4. Loving it . . . Terry Castello with passenger Ross Bolton, both of Christchurch, shoot the breeze as they cruise in their 130 coupe tourer.
5. Follow the leader . . . Terry and Carrol Streach, of Christchurch, in their 1930 closedcab pickup, lead a group of Model A cars along the Von road towards Walter Peak station.
As the 14th rally of Model As rolled into Walter Peak High Country Farm, after negotiating all the many bumps and tracks along the way, Otago Daily Times illustrations editor Stephen Jaquiery captured the action.