AUCKLAND BRIT & EURO CLASSIC CAR SHOW
With a series of weather bombs hitting the Auckland area following Cyclone Gabrielle, the seventh running of this popular classic car show looked as if it might have to be cancelled.
Indeed, the ongoing weather conditions in Auckland kept the organising committee on edge right up to the day of the show, but with the weather finally showing signs of clearing the show took place as scheduled on March 5. As a reminder of the wet weather, the Lloyd Elsmore Park grounds were still a little spongy from all the rain, with the organisers having to cordon off a few especially boggy areas as well as making a few last-minute adjustments to the event site plan.
Alas, a number of South Island enthusiasts who had planned to bring their classics to the show couldn’t make it due to current Cook Strait ferry challenges. Cyclone Gabrielle also meant some Hawkes Bay drivers weren’t able to attend while, closer to home, a number of car owners from West Auckland were also unable to attend. Despite these difficulties, the park’s grounds were well filled with just over 1000 vehicles, including classic motorcycles and historic military vehicles.
Stand out displays on the day included a colourful line-up of Fiat Bambinas which, along with a selection of micro cars brought to the event by Tom Andrews of Hamilton’s Classics Museum, were the highlight of the show’s overall Brit & Euro Revival theme.
Wandering around the park it was hard not to notice the huge number of Minis on display, while a delectable selection of rarely seen Lancias was a highlight for fans of Latin classics. And while a display of Citroën 2CVs put on a show of Gallic cuteness, when it came to French classics we especially liked a rather rare Matra Djet, generally regarded as the world’s first mid-engined production car. Also spotted, sitting alongside an Ariel Atom – a British sports car that looks as if it was constructed from left-over scaffolding
– was an interesting looking GT that, at first glance, bore a strong resemblance to a Ferrari 275GTB. However, its dimensions seemed a little off until you realised that this car was actually a BMW Z3 in disguise. Nevertheless, a real head-turner. It was also great to see so many cars at the show that have featured in the pages of NZ Classic Driver – including Daimler SP250s, Triumph Spitfires, the previously mentioned Lancias, Austin-Healeys, Porsche 356s, Herons, Metropolitans and even the works replica Mini that appeared on the cover of the first edition of the magazine put together by the current editor. Then there was a terrific showing from the Jaguar Drivers’ Club, long lines of MGs and classic Fords, a thunderous gathering of TVRs as well as a large number of Alfa Romeos – and while we had the chance to wander around the showgrounds a few times, we’re sure we missed viewing almost as many of the cars as we spotted!
Finally, thanks to Bruce McDonald – the sales brochure guru – for allowing us to take up a small part of his stand. This was Bruce’s first time selling his wares at the Brit & Euro and while he was busy with browsers and buyers, we managed to unload a few backissues of the magazine. We also met up with a few friends and enjoyed a chat with veteran motorsport photographer Ross Cammick attending the show in the Austin-Healey he’s owned for many years.
March 3 has been selected for the 2024 running of the show, so mark your calendars now, and let’s hope the weather next summer will be an improvement on this year.