CLUB CORNER
Auckland North Vintage Austin Register is a friendly and lively branch of the New Zealand Vintage Austin Register ( VAR) and is involved in a wide range of activities involving pre-war Austins. The 36 members enjoy, normally on the first Sunday of every month, a variety of activities — from garage raids, car shows, gentle local scenic tours, and interesting visits, through to joining up with other VAR branches for weekends away.
The national register, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019, organizes an eventful National Rally each year and an enjoyable AGM. These two events swap islands every year, so that there is a national event within reach of all members annually. The register itself is an important part of the organization and is currently being updated. It is a comprehensive record of all known New Zealand pre-war Austins, including engine and chassis numbers, and analysis of it can reveal interesting history and facts about the cars. For example, the oldest and youngest Austin 7 RM Box Saloons and (probably) the oldest 16/6 Clifton tourer in the world all reside in the Auckland north area. A local ‘ barn-find’ subsequently identified as an Austin 7 Arrow Foursome Sports is now also known to be one of only four original examples of this model still surviving.
A special branch activity is the fortnightly meeting of the ‘Bodybuilders’. These gentlemen are maybe not as fit as you might imagine from their title but are building a replica 1929 Austin 7 Ulster — a factory sports car that achieved considerable racing success and was also sold to the public.
Some members are not mechanically minded — just driving their Austins is their delight — but there are other talented and helpful members who can advise and assist with advice, repairs, or restorations. Early Austins were well built from quality components and, if maintained regularly, rarely break down. If they do, the national VAR spares operation or other members can source the vital part. The VAR website — austin.co.nz — contains the details of all the branches.
At last count, six Specials or replicas are currently being built by the more mechanically minded members. ‘Specials’ are sporting/racing cars based on Austin 7 components that are either used for historic racing or as sprightly little sports cars. Although they only have a 748cc engine, their light weight and nippy performance make them fun cars to drive. A replica of Bruce Mclaren’s first racing car, an Austin 7 Special, which was used in the film Mclaren, was built in 14 days by three members of Auckland North VAR. The body was subsequently sold to the Southward Car Museum, where it has been reunited with a chassis and is proudly on show.
There is something for everyone at Auckland North VAR. Classic Austin 7 Chummys, more sober Box saloons or Rubies, swift Specials, the bigger 12/4 and 16/6, or the post-vintage 10s to 18s — all are welcome and all are well supported (and fed).