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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.
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..... 
Ellerslie Classic Car Show – 9 February 2020 We had quite a job rounding up six participants to fill our allocated club space, as there were so many events on for this weekend, and had to resort to one ring in (thanks Don, 67 Mustang Convertible) for our club display this year. The other ACCCA run was to the Waipu Car Show, and there was also the Morrinsville Motorama and Leadfoot Festival, so a lot on for the weekend. We met up at McDonalds Carpark in Greenlane for an 8:45 departure to Ellerslie Racecourse, where we set up on the grass area at south end of the grandstand, with our immediate neighbours being the Thunderbird and Mazda MX5 clubs. The weather was perfect with blue skies and sun (not like 2018 when it rained absolutely all day). The number of clubs displaying seemed to be down this year to 65 clubs, where I think previous years there had been around 75. However, there was a good range of vehicles from the Horseless Carriage right up to the latest exotics. The prize giving was at 3pm, awarded as below. BEST CLUB DISPLAY COMPETITION Winner 36 points Mazda MX5 Club of NZ SURVIVORS CLASS COMPETITION Winner 905 points Silver 1980 Mazda RX7 Series 1 MASTERS CLASS COMPETITION (MAX POSSIBLE POINTS – 590) Winner 548 points Calypso Orange 1969 Mustang Boss 302 TEAM EVENT COMPETITION (MAX POSSIBLE POINTS – 1180) Winner 1066 points Auckland Mustang Owners Club Inc. Car 1: 536 points Acapulca Blue 1969 Mustang Sportsroof Car 2: 530 points Acapulca Blue 1969 Mustang Sportsroof TOP CAR – TEAMS EVENT & MASTERS CLASS EVENT Winner 548 points Calypso Orange 1969 Mustang Boss 302 The Mustang Club is to organize next year’s show. Dave Roper Photos can be viewed here..... |
UPCOMING ACCCA EVENTS
Sunday April 19 Cruise to Piha Bowling Club for Lawn Bowls and BBQ Lunch. Meet at Falls Restaurant Car Park, Cnr. Edmonton Road & Alderman Drive, Henderson from 10am to depart 10.30. Lunch price $20 per person & bowling green fees $5pp ***POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*** Sunday May 17 Shed raid to Committee member Allan Huljich’s Military collection. Meet at Westgate Starbucks from 9.15am to depart 9.45. Short cruise after to Paul Roper’s engine rebuild facility in Hellensville for BBQ lunch ***POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*** 
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