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We are passionate car enthusiasts who live and breathe American classic cars, and are based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Our mission in life is to provide an environment for other like minded car aficionados to savour and enjoy their American classics, without the rules and restrictions that seem to dog other areas of everyday lives. If you are an American classic car owner who feels the same as we do, we invite you to take a small journey through our site to see if this sounds like you. If you like what you see, and want to be involved, then send in a membership application. The only hard and fast condition of membership is that prospective members must own an American classic car that is over 25 years old at the time of joining, which must be of historical interest. |
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Proud to be a Kiwi
PLEASE NOTE: American Classic Car Club members are unable to provide classic vehicles for events such as weddings, birthdays, family outings etc, as our members are not licenced to do so. Thank you for your understanding.
Huljich Military Shed raid – 21 June 2020
What a wonderful turn out we had for our first club run post COVID-19 to the Huljich familys’ military collection. The weather was a little dicey looking at times but that didn’t deter the large gathering of members, with around 21 classics and 5 daily drivers meeting at Westgate Starbucks around 9:15 for the 10am departure. A convoy of classics left Westgate via a scenic route out to Herald Island and then onto Whenuapai bypassing the airbase. It’s mind boggling to see how fast the area has developed over a few years. Green paddocks that stretched for miles have made way for Auckland style “high density” living. Additionally, the usual childcare facility and gas station has popped up too. We arrived at the Huljich property and spent a good 90 minutes viewing the vehicles and catching up with each other. The military collection consists of a 1941 Field cannon, 1945 GPW Jeep, 1942 Dodge personal carrier, 1942 Studebaker, 1965 RL Bedford, BSA collapsible bicycle and a paratrooper bike. Additionally, there was also 1932 flathead roadster which drew a lot of interest, and a Toyota Echo electric car which is a project that Allan’s brother Kevin put together whilst tinkering around in the shed. Prior to departure for the Swanson RSA Rob found a suitable platform (soapbox) to take a group photo and to get a rough head count for lunch. A round of applause for the hosts and we left in convoy via Taupaki to meet Greg and Julie Dietch, who are members of the Swanson RSA. The first club run after being in lockdown for so long went without a hitch. It was great to see so many members take up the $21 per head buffet lunch, which had a great selection of meats, salads and veggies, along with dessert to finish. Our thanks to Greg and Julie for signing us in. A prize draw for 3 free lunches was won by William Cairns, Fred & Diana Vermeulen, and Shane & Adith Stoneman. Well, to sum up the day it’s fair to say it was a great turnout with members showing interest in upcoming runs. A common thread shared was how it’s great to be back to a sense of normality and the comradeship of being in a car club and getting out and about in our cars. Until our next run... all the best. Allan and Frances Huljich Photos from the day can be seen here..... Port Waikato Run – Sunday 22nd March 2020
Sunday March 22nd will always be remembered, by me at a least, as our last Club Run prior to the enforced lock-down that is Level 4 Covid-19. And such a strange run, where we were all hanging onto some sort of normality, despite an overall feeling of pending foreboding.
For weeks, months prior even, we had of course been planning on having a Club display at the always excellent bi-annual Karaka Vintage Day. However, as the effects of Covid-19 started to impact and gatherings over 500 people were actively discouraged, the Karaka Vintage Day – along with countless other events both indoor and outdoor - were initialled postponed, with most eventually cancelled altogether for the year. So a week or so out from the day, we had no place to go. That’s when long-time member Hugh Ross approached me and suggested we come out to his ‘shed’ at Karaka for a look at his small but eclectic car collection instead, as it was ‘on the way’ and we really didn’t need to change much of the organisation (Cheers Hugh, much appreciated). After some deliberation among my committee members, I made the decision to take up Hugh’s kind offer. I then made the call to Betty Bean Café, now at Port Waikato, to see if she was opening her coffee caravan that day and would she like us to supplement her income with a visit, as I figured we may as well make a day of it and head to the Port for a drive. She was, of course, her enthusiastic self at the prospect! Settled then… our run was back on again! This Covid-19 thing was however determined to stymie us again, as the seriousness of it was becoming increasingly apparent to us all, as each day passed. The day before our scheduled visit, Hugh understandably requested that we don’t come to his place after all, as at that stage there could be more than 30 or so members coming. I was in two minds then to pull the pin entirely – but opted to press on regardless, as I had made a commitment to Betty Bean and I knew her income was likely to be very compromised in the very near future. I am pleased we did, despite knowing it would be a very small gathering. So come Sunday morning, myself and a modest number of Club members (five cars in total) left our usual BP Southern Service Centre for Tuakau, where Phil & Cindy Offer and Phil Stickney and Garry Cullen were meeting us. At this point Ian Ferguson left us to it, as he was not joining us on the run out to the Port. It’s actually a real nice drive out to Port Waikato. If we are ever allowed out of our houses again I’d recommend it actually, even in your daily driver. It’s like travelling back in time. So the six remaining of us convoyed out, with the Boys from Waiuku heading the convoy in their Lincoln, with me at the tail end in my Pontiac. We stopped as planned at Corbourne Reserve where we all indulged in Betty Beans finest coffees and scones, whilst admiring the early autumn garden of the Reserve and the spectacular views of the Waikato River, where Lake Taupo finally meets the ocean. And she was thrilled to have us! Then it was just a short drive down to the Beach itself, which being the West Coast, was typically wild and more than a little bleak. We stayed for maybe 30 minutes, taking in the atmosphere and breathing in the heavily salt-laden air, reflecting on life and knowing at that point that this would likely be the last time, for quite some time, of being able to do so. The return leg early afternoon had us stop for lunch at Phil & Garry’s wonderful home at Waiuku, where we continued to practice our social distancing whilst enjoying an impromptu lunch. Thankfully their dining table was long enough! Thanks guys for your hospitality. Awesome. After saying our goodbyes and NOT hugging anyone at all (difficult for me, I’ll admit, lol), we all cruised back to our respective homes, contemplating the likelihood that this would be the last social activity for any of us, for an unknown period of time. Surreal really. In the end, despite the very limited numbers present – and that’s completely understandable under these circumstances – the day turned out way better than it had any right to, really. And certainly, the last Club Run for 2020, for the immediate future at least. So take care folks, stay safe, we’ll hopefully all get to ride in convoy again soon enough. Rob. Take a look at the day's photos here..... 
Waipu Car & Bike Show –
9 February 2020 A 5.30am alarm certainly wakes up the system when you have to get up for a long haul to the Waipu Car and Bike show in Northland. And that early rise, along with multiple other events occurring on the same day, possibly accounted for only 7 cars turning up at BP Silverdale for the 8am departure. However, what a top notch group it was that headed on up for the great drive north, with clear roads and amazing scenery. Phil & Cindy Officer – Cadillac, Russell & Cindy- Pontiac, Fred & Diana – Oldsmobile, Rosalie – Thunderbird, Alan & Frances – Impala & Corvette, and visitors Faye & John – Mustang, were in the convoy meeting up with President Rob in his Pontiac at the venue. Although it was not that busy in Caledonian Park when the group arrived at around 9.30, it soon filled up throughout the morning to number over 500 vehicles. And the great thing for these Auckland visitors was seeing large numbers of never seen before vehicles of American, Australian, British and European origin. The club gazebo was much utilized in the hot Northland sun, with make do ties to the perimeter fence and car doorhandles, as the pegs got left behind in Auckland! All worked out fine in the end as it was relatively windless with only light breezes. After the official prizegiving just after 1pm, the field began to empty out, but the stalwart ACCCA group stuck it out to watch all cars depart, leaving around mid-afternoon. Great day, stunning weather, and good vibes visiting a venue not normally frequented, for sure. Ciao4now, Russell Wilson Lots of photos here of different vehicles..... |
UPCOMING ACCCA EVENTS
Sunday July 19 Run to scenic North Waikato and lunch. Meet at BP Papakura Southern Motorway from 10am to depart at 10:30. Route is approx 100 km with a drive time around 1 & 1/2 hrs. Arrive Willow Glen Cafe, Gordonton around 1pm. Optional tour to Ross Bros Car Collection at Cambridge after lunch 
Have a look at the latest piece of amazing Chrysler engineering
tech in this video. |