Doubtless Bay’s special vintage

Inside a massive shed, a short distance off the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, is Doubtless Bay’s Matthews Vintage Collection. It’s the result of a 50-year obsession with the machines of yesteryear.

There is much more than just cars, although naturally they feature prominently, as well as farm vehicles such as bright red Farmall tractors, a horse-drawn gig, motorbikes, and a 1925 fire engine.

You will also find vintage pianolas, floor polishers, irons, telephones, typewriters, gramophones, saucepans, and soda siphons.

There is even a dentist’s chair and drill, as well as stuffed birds, antique radios, chunky cash registers, gardening equipment, a shoemaking machine, and a variety of tools used in kitchens, workshops, and in the gumfields.

Owner Win Matthews started the collection with a 1927 Chevrolet, which he bought in 1965 and restored to gleaming perfection. Since then, he has rescued all sorts of machinery, some just piles of rusted metal, which he’s brought back to life.

The display includes items from the pioneer days, as well as early farming equipment such as stationary engines and several makes of tractors.

But the cars are the stars. There are Chevrolets, Nashs, a glamorous red Singer Roadster, a cute blue BMW bubble car and many more, lined up, loved and shiny in the shed.

Why go?

Because you have never seen a pair of lady’s bloomers made from a flour bag before or, probably, a 1945 electric invalid carriage.

Everywhere you look, there is something recognisable, the ancestor of today’s smaller, sleeker versions.

A number of the exhibits were used by the Matthews family, who have lived in the area for generations. Win, if he’s not busy in his workshop on the next project, is happy to talk about them, and demonstrate the pianolas.

Insider tip

Be sure to go outside to make the acquaintance of a selection of birds and farm animals.

Children will find toy cars to play on. You can buy cold drinks and icecreams, too.

On the way/nearby

The glorious long, sandy curve of Doubtless Bay is nearby, and Cable Bay and Coopers Beach are also well worth your time.

It’s a cliche, but for good reason, to visit Ma¯ngonui Fish Shop, on piles over the water.

The fish and chips are fresh and delicious, and you can’t beat eating them inside by the window, looking out at the boats moored in the bay.

Or, since you’ve just been looking at all that gum-digging equipment, you could head in the other direction to Gumdiggers Park, near Waiharara.

How much?

Adults $10, children $5 and under-5s free. The museum is open 1pm-5pm daily, except Saturdays. Winter hours (May-November) are shorter.

Best time to go

As everything is indoors, this is a great rainy day option, but don’t miss out if it’s sunny. matthewsvintage.com