Americarna: From the Big Apple to cruising along Stratford’s Broadway
Tokoroa car enthusiast Debbie James has never been to New York, and can’t explain why she’s always had the urge to own an authentic yellow taxi.
“I’ve just wanted one for years and years,” she said, moments after parking up at the front of the Americarna line of cars on Stratford’s Broadway yesterday.
“We looked and looked, and it seemed to be getting a bit out of reach, and then Colin (husband) found this one, which was in Brisbane.”
The iconic and authentic yellow Checker cabs serviced the famous city between 1956 and 1982, the same year as James’ taxi.
She said the taxi, which was attending the Americarna festival for the first time, was still a work in progress as she progressively brought it up to her standard.
“It’s genuine – it’s even got the sticker on the back window that says it’s a Checker cab.”
James was not entirely sure how the taxi ended up in Brisbane, only that the previous owner was forced to sell it after his wife got tired of looking at it.
The taxi had garnered plenty of attention in the opening days of the festival, she said, with a lot of people having admired the interior and exterior of the famous symbol from the Big Apple.
While not sure why she had always wanted one, James admitted she was a fan of the sitcom Taxi, which ran from 1978 to 1983 and starred the likes of Tony Danza, Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd.
Until driving it south this week, James said she had only previously driven it a kilometre down the road since it was delivered.
The taxi was one of the last 50 to be built at the Michigan factory before Checker Motors closed its doors.
Meanwhile, thousands of people took the opportunity to inspect the cars and enjoy the festival atmosphere in Stratford and further south when the fleet made its way to Hāwera yesterday afternoon.
The day was scheduled to finish with the annual night cruise around New Plymouth’s central business district.
The festival will wrap up today with the Americarnival up New Plymouth’s Devon St, while there are also a number of family activities planned on Puke Ariki landing, and music from Blistered Fingers and Jack Moser at Huatoki Plaza.
The carnival starts at 10am and runs until 3pm.