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Established in 1996, we are a group of 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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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.
Club run to Ian and Kevin’s historic homestead in Karaka
It was another beautiful morning at our meeting point at the Papakura service centre, and we had a good muster of cars with about 60 members eager to get under way. One of the oldest cars I’ve ever seen in the line up was Hugh Ross’s 1916 Ford model T, which was a great sight to see. Our destination was Ian and Kevin’s historic homestead in Karaka, with some committee members going ahead to the homestead to help set up BBQs and prepare food that the club provided for everyone. After some catch up chat and coffees, we left in convoy lead by Rob who, on this occasion was in his daily driver because of a prior family engagement later that morning. We took the first exit off the motorway at Drury, and it wasn’t long after that we were driving through some stunning South Auckland countryside, and on good roads. This part of the journey seemed to pass all too quickly and before we knew it, we were being ushered by Ian through a gateway into a paddock next to the homestead. We parked on the grass area with plenty of room for our oversized cars, and from here we were led through the grounds surrounding the house to a beautiful spot in the structured gardens shaded by some magnificent mature trees. The club marquee was all set up along with tables and chairs, with the BBQ and food ready for cooking. Once we were all gathered, Ian gave a brief history of the homestead, starting with its removal from its original location in Curran Street, Herne Bay, to its present site on part of the family farm in Karaka. An interesting fact was that this 1860’s home was built from kauri timber that had been exported from New Zealand and ended up in Chicago - yes you read that right - where it was processed and returned here as a home kitset. The original build of that time had no running water or electricity and remained it that state for many years. Ian must have had incredible vision and foresight to undertake this challenging project, and it is plain to see his passion in describing details of its relocation and rebuild. After the introduction, Ian took us all in small groups on a fully conducted tour of the house explaining in detail what has been done and what will be done in the future. Ian and Kevin have tastefully decorated the house with period fittings and antique furniture, as can be seen in the club website Gallery photos. At this point it was time for lunch, cooked up by committee members and helpers. From my point of view, this was a great day out and made all the better by the great hospitality from Ian and Kevin. Carl Phillips Photos of the day can be viewed here..... 
Ellerslie Classic Car Show - Sunday 14 February 2021 Having eschewed the Ellerslie car show for many a year, not realizing that latterly it wasn’t just all about Concours show cars, when the opportunity came up again for a limited number of tickets to this years show I decided it might be worth checking out. Particularly so given this one was the 50th anniversary, and was being opened up to more car club displays to help celebrate. As per usual the club was only allocated 5 tickets, so we were not able to schedule it as a club run event. A last minute allocation of another 5 tickets two days before was mostly far too late a notice for most members, so we only had one more car able to attend giving us 6 cars for the day. Meeting at 8am McDonalds in Greenlane (clearly a common meeting place for many other car clubs) we left at about 8.20 for the short hop across the roundabout and in through the main entrance. Although there were a lot of cars entering, the advantage of having a long entrance driveway and not having to pay to get in meant that the queue was not too long and flowed fairly quickly. Once we had found our site and setup the marquee and flags, we were rather astonished and disappointed to find that the site allocated to us was large and could easily have held another dozen or more cars. With a little more foresight and planning by the organisers we could have thrown open the invite to more members and really put on a bigger club car turnout. I have to say that I was very pleased to have come along, as it was a sunny day with a light breeze, and the show was a very eclectic mix of cars of all varieties. It was very interesting to see the stunning concours level cars all parked up on the central parade ground behind the grandstand for judging, as well as the lineup of the Past Masters winning cars from previous years, of which our own Alex Ross’s Impala was displayed being the 2009 winner. With so many different clubs invited and present, the show felt like a cross between the now defunct Galaxy of Cars at Western Springs, where cars were grouped together by club, and layout wise the Rebel Roundup at Pukekohe. To me this makes it much more convenient and orderly way of looking at cars as you got to see and compare all the different types within the makes in one go. And not just American, but car clubs representing all countries and models, such as the Zephyr club who were displaying more convertible Mk.1 Zephyrs than I realised had even existed here! So it wasn’t just about concours cars, but is now equally a celebration of all cars. This is clearly evident where the organisers have introduced a new judged class called 50/50/50 (you’ll have to look it up) to specifically attract a younger and less affluent entrant into the judged section, of which the winner was a marvellously restored Datsun 1200 SSS that was very much admired by all, judging by the biggest round of applause at the prize giving. One of the more interesting club displays was Bugatti who had a large range of cars spanning the years including a few race cars, and we also got a chance to see first hand a Veyron in the flesh! Of note was that it wasn’t on the road, I would imagine that it is probably not possible to get insurance for it in NZ, and why would you want to take the risk that some drunk or drugged uninsured oik might run into it. Also present were all the high-end dealers, with Giltraps in a building by themselves with their lineups of simply stunning, but practically useless Mclarens, Lamborghinis and Astons. Bentley also had a large outdoor display with seeming every possible model of Bentley available. All in all a fabulous day out thanks to the Auckland Mustang Owners Club who organized the event as last years overall Concours club winners, and I’m already looking forward to next years show which is to be hosted by the Porsche Owners Club being this years overall winner. Cheers, Phillip Officer For the show prizewinning results click on the following link: https://www.concours.org.nz/uploads/1/0/9/0/109000909/2021_result_summary_v1.0.pdf Photos of the spectacular day can be viewed here..... 
Waipu Classic Car & Bike Show –
7 February 2021 Another early morning wakeup (2 weekends in a row - I’m not sure I can take too much more of this LOL) to reach the BP Silverdale Service Centre meetup, for the 8am departure up North. In all 12 club cars were there to make the journey, this time via State Highway 16 to come out at Wellsford, on a fine Sunday morning. We were joined by some other cars at Wellsford heading to the show, and had a nice classic cruise the rest of the way to Waipu. The showgrounds were very full by 9.30 on our arrival, and continued to build to an estimated 700 cars throughout the day, which looked to be twice the number of last year. And what a selection it was, with good displays of American and Australian, but with decent numbers of British, and a smattering of Euro to round out the display, many not seen before. The show was well organised, with announcements throughout the day, especially at prizegiving time which started around 1.30pm. Even though this was held reasonably early, a number of cars were leaving the grounds through out the proceedings which continued for around an hour. And guess what ? No you don’t have to. I’ll let you in on the great news, your Club won the best display, which resulted in a cup (albeit eggcup size), certificate, and best of all a custom metal art voucher to the value of $250. Woohoo! It was decided that we would use this to commission a plasma cut steel ACCCA logo that could be displayed when we set up future displays. We are pretty sure this award came about because President Rob had selected our plot along the back fence, and the cars were all in a line and clearly defined by the club banner and swooper. As they say it pays to advertise! Club members Dan and Donna missed the 8am meet up, but continued on by themselves and were rewarded with the prize for best British car, with their Allard (V8 powered, of course). Well done! All in all it was a great day out in the North, and one which offered a variety of cars to see and things to do in the lovely and very friendly town of Waipu. Ciao4now, regards Russell PS. (Warning – NEGATIVE comment) It has to be said that although Highway 16 Route avoids the traffic of Highway 1 through the notorious Dome Valley, it is a shambles of a road surface with pot holes, uneven patches, and subsidence with what seems like no maintenance done whatsoever for years. And this is the main detour the authorities recommend for North travel out of Auckland. What a disgrace! Some great pictures of the day can be seen here..... |
UPCOMING ACCCA EVENTS
Sunday April 18 Run to Waiau Pa Car Show, South Auckland. Meet at Papakura BP Southern Motorway @ 8.45 for a 9.15 departure for Clarks Beach. Gold coin donation for entry. Depart show at 12.30 and travel to Garry and Phil’s for BBQ lunch. Club will cater with sausages and patties, salads and bread, but if you wish to bring desert to share please do so. BYO chairs and togs if you want – pool will be at 32 degrees Sunday May 16 Run to Luxxio Luxury Detailing & Car Care (win a prize pack and perhaps your car chosen for demo clean/groom). Meet at Smales Farm Northern car park, Cnr.of Taharoto & Shakespeare Roads, Takapuna from 9.45am to depart at 10.15. Buffet lunch will be at Swanson RSA, Henderson for $21 per person Sunday June 13 Mid-winter Christmas lunch at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, Whangaparoa. Details TBA |