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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.
Kool in the Kaimai's Saturday 5th October
This year’s Te Aroha Cruise-In saw a 50% price increase to enter, as well as a newly implemented club-parking scheme where if you wanted to park in a group the club had to pay a fee to register, and then each member attending had to pre-register for the reserved parking by an earlier cut-off date. Phew… We decided not to opt-for the reserved club parking, but instead just go down a little earlier and see if we could find a large enough spot to all park together anyway. When you combine the early start with the current price of petrol, and the bleak weather outlook, this may have been why only 7 classics turned up at the BP motorway in Papakura at 7am for a fast convoy straight down SH27 to Te Aroha. Judith Righton absconded with the keys to the Chev whilst Trev is laid up from his 2-wheeled altercation and met us down there as, as did Frank & Jan McIsaac in their Mercury. Phil and Gary ran late so had to pedal the Town Car a bit faster to catch up with the convoy, but did an admirable job as they arrived at the gate just as we were parking! Things improved from there though, as we were early enough that, for once, there were no queues at all at the gate and we drove straight up to the lady who obligingly relieved us of our $15 per car, and directed us up to the main drag on Whittaker St. Our luck continued to hold out when we told the guy directing traffic that there was only 9 of us, and he pointed across the main drag to one whole side of Lawrence St that was still completely empty and said you can all park there, so we did and took up that whole side of the closed-off block between Whittaker and Church streets as well – parked together, swooper flag up, mission accomplished! The Parkers and the Bloxhams where already there and had parked in the main street, so altogether we had 11 members cars there, which is not too bad a turnout was all things considered. Well, our next surprise after we parked and got out of the cars, and hence one homonym of the article title; it was an absolutely freezing cold wind blowing in from the West. Ask Herr Leader who it was who came down without a jacket and had to scrounge one, lucky Pete always carries a spare! Mind you, Herr Author wore shorts and had to seek refuge in the shops until it warmed up! Luckily the rain held off until mid-afternoon, and it stayed patchy cloudy and warmed up enough to wander around the streets up until around 2pm when a light drizzle started off and on. Luckily the Town Car is big enough that we could all huddle inside out of the rain. It was good to see that the extra cost and weather has made no difference to the popularity and attendance of this event, as it was as big and well frequented as any previous years with all manner of cars all jammed in for the usual entire length of Whittaker St, and side streets. More than one member observed that there seemed to be a larger proliferation of vans this year, including some very Kool panel vans with the obligatory airbrush artwork on the canopy and windows. Many decked out with ultra-plush interiors too which would make for very cosy and comfy overnight camping out. Also noteworthy were the many cars that some of us have not seen before so that was an added bonus too. I have to say, that despite the extra entry cost and petrol consumed, it’s still a relatively inexpensive great day out because it’s a well organised event, there is lots to see and do with many of the shops open, and an abundance of market stalls selling all sorts of things, various live bands, rock’n’roll dancing competitions in period dress, prizes galore, and a variety of food vendors to get you through the day. Overall, something for the whole family with many things to see and do, even if you weren’t that into looking at cars! And a good run for the old girls – 4 wheeled that is! By the way, fantastic seafood chowder and wedges at Austin’s cafe in the centre of town! And as for the other part of the homonym, how Kool is this (particularly if you are a Green Day fan): you could have bought Billie Joe’s personal Chev Greenbrier van he used whenever he went surfing in California! Complete with surfboard, autographed dash, and a Green Day CD in the stereo with a gigantic dual sub-woofer box in the back to bang your head to whilst cruising in Koolness! I thought Billie-Joe would have painted it green though... Officer Phil More photos from this cool event here... 
Ross Tebb's Shed Raid Sunday 22nd September 2019
All manner of monthly run records were broken leading up to and on the morning of, our shed raid out to Ross Tebb's fantastic property out the back of Dairy Flat, on Sunday September 22nd 2019. I knew it was going to be bigger than a really big thing, by the numbers, prior to the day. But it’s only when you see so many cars and sooo many people at the designated meeting point, being Wooton’s Reserve Car Park in Albany that Carl Philips had nominated for ‘his’ run, did the reality – and enormity – sink in! When I arrived- fashionably late(ish) as is my forte - I was greeted to a sight of well over 30 classics – closer to 35 actually, and almost 80 people, rearing to head off. And was I proud? Too bloody right I was! Honestly, that’s why I and my committee organize these sorts of events… the shear satisfaction of seeing so many of our members supporting what we do… it’s a huge buzz! And I know for a fact that Carl, the designated organizer of the day, was a little overwhelmed by the response! So well done all who came along. Carl’s well executed route took us on a well thought out, interesting and pleasantly compact rural drive thru Albany Village out to Coatesville, then out the back and almost to Dairy Flat, before we completely blocked the road out front of Ross Tebbs residence, whilst everyone made their way into and found a place to park within these palatial grounds. Honestly, I never thought I see the day whereby we almost needed Traffic Management just to get us into a venue, such was the que lined up waiting to get in! The tail-enders, like myself, even managed to miss Ross’s welcoming chat, as by the time we were all parked up that bit was done and dusted and we were then free to wander around within his GTDF (that’s Garage to Die For… J). He had even fired up the BBQ for a welcome morning hotdog treat. Awesome. As for the collection itself, whilst certainly not the largest you’ll ever see, his cars were all exceptional, high-end examples that expressed his varied tastes perfectly. From a couple of modern high-end Euro’s from Aston Martin and Lamborghini, to his more traditional resto-rods including – as you do – two 57 Chev’s, a 2-door and a four door, both hardtops and just gorgeous, plus a 32 Ford Coupe, a 34 Ford Coupe and a 40 Ford pickup – his favorite of the fleet. I can understand why. To see so many of our cars, parked literally all over every spare piece of concrete or bitumen driveway, out the front of this enormous shed, was really quite special. And after maybe 90 minutes or so, the logistics of getting everyone out began, after we thanked Ross for his hospitality and said our goodbyes. More delightfully rural cruising had us venture northwest through sleepy Waitoki, then out to the fabulous Wainui Golf Club, another venue new to the ACCCA, were we all relaxed over a divine buffet lunch by the Golf Club catering staff, plus liquid refreshments, taking in the fantastic golf course views in what was frankly, a beautifully fine spring day. What a venue, and so fitting to end our run there. Big thanks again to Carl Philips for organizing this spectacle of a Club event, faultless to a tee. And thanks for coming! Rob Milligan. Check out the days photos here... 
Kaiaua Fish & Chip Run – 20 August 2019
We arrived at BP Southern Motorway on a wet and cold Sunday morning to be surprised that 7 American classic’s and a number of daily drivers had turned up, with a total of 24 hardy members and guests braving the morning showers. The classics who braved the wet on the day were the 1947 Mercury Coupe of Steve and Bow Dickenson (on their 2nd outing as members), along with a pair of 90’s Cadillac’s belonging to Ivan and Robbie Grace, and Phil and Cindy Officer. Both were white, and they could have been twin vehicles except for the Grace car having a continental kit on the back. Also along for the ride were Allan and Frances Huljich, and Rob and Nicola Williams in their Chev Impala’s. After a mix and mingle and the driver’s brief we set off on a rural tour skirting the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, heading to the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre. I was lead car in a Javelin and Peter jnr. was tail end Charlie in my C10 with the daily drivers in between. After about an hour or so on wet roads, with the weather improving as we headed southeast, we arrived at the Centre, and spent 30 minutes or so learning about the shore birds along the coast. Group tours are available with commentaries and accommodation if required, or you can just do a drop in and check out the displays for yourselves. We regrouped and then drove up the road to the Bayview Hotel at Kaiaua for our buffet fish and chip luncheon, where we were met by Shane and Julia Beckham, making a total of 26 people from the club, which is not a bad number considering the weather. As always this was served with salads, pasta and sauces, tea and coffee, and all were very well fed and watered, and is great value for the money. By all accounts all had a trouble free run, except for me in the Javelin. On the way home the aircon compressor seized on the Southern Motorway in the outside lane in bumper to bumper traffic. We managing to get into a work access road, and after some quick diagnosis, I disconnected the magnetic clutch on the compressor, got mobile again, and put our lives in the hands of the oncoming traffic to get back into the motorway flow. Really quite scary, but we made it. I would like to thank all who braved the weather to participate on this run. When I did the route plan the weather was sunny with wide blue skies, and awesome views. And vastly different to what was presented to us today. Overall another great outing seemingly enjoyed by all. Even on a day when the weather was against us we had a good turn out of Club members. Some other clubs would be happy to get that many attending their outings on a good day. Cheers, Peter Lee. Photos can be seen here..... |
UPCOMING ACCCA EVENTS
Sunday 17 November Run to small collection of classics at Riverhead. Route instructions in “Tulip” form. (some roads named to ensure no one gets lost; road map might be wise, and navigator too). Meet at Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve, Terry Street at 1 pm. Afternoon tea served at finish, by gold coin donation Sunday 1 December Xmas Picnic, Wenderholm Regional Park, Waiwera. Meet at BP Northern Motorway, Silverdale from 10am to depart 10.30. Main meal is being catered this year (menu TBA) therefore charges apply as follows; Members - $10 per person, Non-members/guests $30 per person, kids under 5 free. Bring a desert to share and a chair, and the club will provide tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water |