Hot rods out and about around Te Awamutu
If you saw a few hot rods around Te Awamutu on Sunday it was for two reasons. One was the Te Awamutu Rod & Custom Club had advertised a Swap Meet and Car Show in and around the former Bunnings building — but it was leased just weeks prior and the 2022 was cancelled. Next year’s meet is scheduled for April 2.
The club tried to spread the cancellation message, but not everyone got it and a few people and cars turned up.
Secondly, as the club had already committed to the day, a run was put together instead so members turned up at the clubrooms at about 9am and headed off through town to meet up with Stragglers Club from Cambridge, Westend from Whatawhata and a few Hamilton rodders for coffee and a visit to a Hamilton collection of military vehicles.
The now substantial group of hot rods and street machines then made their way through Hamilton to visit Te Awamutu Rod & Custom Club member Trevor Halstead’s StudeVille at Rukuhia, prior to lunch at Vilagrad.
Trevor is a legend when it comes to Studebakers and his amazing custom work — all done from his rural workshop. Trevor does everything apart from upholstery.
Google StudeVille to see what has been written about this man.
Star of the visit was Trevor’s latest project
— a 1951 Studebaker Starlight Custom in its fresh new coat of mint green.
And while the front sheds showed off four other amazing creations, the back sheds had another collection of earlier projects — some waiting their turn for a refresh and some for sale.
The property is also home to a couple of classic caravan projects and what to everyone else look like Studebaker wrecks — but for Trevor are his next potential project.