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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.
Warbirds run – 15 August 2021
A small but eclectic group of members turned up at the BP Service Centre Southern Motorway at Papakura for the Warbirds run to Ardmore Aerodrome, on a reasonably fine Sunday morning. Rodger Anderson has finally decided to return from his extended holiday in sunny Queensland, and debuted his very lovely 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback that he has spent the best part of a year searching for. Also turning up just to say hi before the start were club members Ian and Kevin, with their two fur babies in tow. After the usual chinwag amongst participants, it was off on a short cruise through some lovely South Auckland rural countryside, which offered great elevated vistas before heading down to the Clevedon valley to the aerodrome. The Warbird’s Museum is not where I remembered from a previous visit several years ago, until it was explained that when that lease came up a Warbirds member (who luckily won many millions on Lotto) purchased the present 2 hangers currently used. The displays were informative and very professional looking, but the vast hanger was only about half full of aircraft, with many out for a flying day. After a look around the big hanger, it was off to the smaller one where the vintage aircraft were displayed, and these were truly magnificent, with some equipped with machine guns and bombs ready to drop on unfortunate troops below. However, the highlight for me was watching the Strikemaster and Aermacchi jets doing circuits and touch and go landings on the airfield. The noise of these jet aircraft was spine tingling, and really got the hairs on the back of the neck standing up. Truly a sight and sound extravaganza to behold. Rodger and Phil were asked if they wanted to park their Mustangs beside the P51 Mustang on the operational area outside the hanger for photographs, and it took all of 10 seconds before they were parked up beside. Peter also gatecrashed the party with his Javelin, even though it didn’t have a stallion name! This P51 Mustang had been tentatively sold to an American buyer for US$2 million prior to Covid last year, but he has since declined the purchase as his trucking business wasn’t doing so well. After almost a couple of hours taking in all the sights and sounds, it was off up the road to the Ardmore Cafe for some lunch and more chin wags. Although it was a mix of sun, cloud and a few spits through the day, it was freezing at the cafe in the outdoor gazebo, so it was good to get back in the warm classic to head off home mid-afternoon. Ciao4now, regards Russell Check out the photos (and videos courtesy of Fred Vermeulen) here..... 
Fish & Chip run to the Bay View Hotel Kaiaua – Sunday 18 July 2021
Greetings to you all. As winter sets in with the cooler weather and shorter daylight hours it was great to have an excellent turnout for our club run to Bay View Hotel in Kaiaua. The colder winter months can lead to hibernating and staying indoors where it’s warm and cosy, rather than participating in our winter day trips. Anyway, with that said the morning weather was quite the opposite of the predicted forecast with beautiful blue skies and sun. Yee-ha! On this beautiful crisp morning we had 56 people who rugged up and met at Vector Wero White Water Park for a 10:30am departure. We mingled and caught up with each other whilst stating the obvious…. the beautiful weather and the fact that the daily drivers were out today because of the wet forecast for later in the day… go figure. Surprisingly, there were nine classics out for the Sunday drive, so it’s great to see the dedication of members getting these beauties out for a long needed run. After we were warmly greeted by club President Rob, it was over to Peter Lee who had plotted out the road trip, and gave out the route directions. With three previous trips under his belt it made sense that he was the lead car of our convoy and Rob opted to be tail end Charlie. The decision to take an alternative route through the backroads of Clevedon via Mangatawhiri was made due to Saturday’s rain and the possibility of minor landslides along the planned Kawakawa Bay route. The scenery was pleasing and we passed such memorable landmarks as the beloved old castle at Mangatawhiri from a bygone era (and it’s still for sale if you want to live out your ice cream fantasies). The road trip down was a decent run for the old classics and as usual they drew a lot of attention from keen admirers. After ninety minutes behind the wheel we arrived at our destination and headed into the Bay View establishment where we were greeted by the warmth of a glowing fire and friendly staff. Liquid refreshments and meal tickets were the first point of call before sitting down and enjoying an appetizing lunch. Now, if you haven’t had the pleasure of having a meal at the hotel, or for that matter calling into the local chippy next door, pencil it onto your calendar and stop in. Believe me, you will not be disappointed as the fish is fresh and the batter is light and tasty. Our buffet meal had been prearranged by Allan, and as usual was tasty and plenty of it, with traditional fish and chips accompanied by a potato, green, and pasta salads with warm dinner rolls. Definitely good value for an even twenty dollars, and you could even go back for seconds, as some did. Club members left in their own time and different routes were taken. By this stage the weather was starting to turn and the blue skies were shifting and making way for the promised rain. Without a shadow of doubt the rain made an appearance, the downpour being so heavy that it was difficult to see the car in front, with many pulling to the side of the road to wait it out. I have to say our windscreen was clean and clear thanks to a recent purchase of windscreen wiper solution purchased through Luxxio on a recent club run. On the trip home the traffic multiplied and started to slow down once the big climb up through the Bombay hills neared, and you definitely know you’re entering the big smoke when all you can see are head and tail lights stretching off into the distance. For sure it was a great day out and many who attended agreed. We look forward to another run down to Kaiaua next year, and it would be nice in summer so we can sit outside in the lovely garden bar area. Regards, Allan & Frances Huljich Photos from the day can be seen here..... 
Mid-winter Christmas lunch & Quiz – 13 June 2021 After missing out on last year’s Mid-Winter Xmas lunch event, I was looking forward to this one held last Sunday 13th June. The venue was the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club at the Gulf Harbour Marina in Whangaparaoa, which some of you will remember was where we had the very successful Mid-Winter Xmas lunch in 2018 - who would have thought that was 3 years ago – seems like we lost a year somewhere….. Typical time of year weather forecast looked a little bleak earlier in the week, but after some early morning showers it cleared up and was dry for the run up from the BP Silverdale Motorway meeting point. 68 people reserved tickets for the Lunch which saw classic cars and some daily drivers leaving the BP at 11.15pm for the convoy up to the Yacht Club. Gill and the team at the Yacht Club really outdid themselves again with an awesome Xmas and classic car themed setup, and with the Kent fireplace going made for a very warm, pleasant and relaxed atmosphere to get away for a few hours. Greg and his team at Krave Catering put on another excellent buffet lunch which I thought was the equal of any good restaurant, and I really liked the sour-dough bread rolls. There was an early run on the ice-cream for dessert which was odd considering the cooler weather outside, but the quality of the mini-Pavs more than made up for it! The Yacht Club ran a good cash bar for all those preferring beers or spirits, but with all the wines and OJ included together in the $45pp ticket price I thought this was good overall value for money. With 6 tables of eight and 2 tables of ten, the scene was all set for President Rob’s traditional mid-winter trivia battle. We weren’t disappointed with the usual mix of general and motoring related questions broken into 3 categories, with a good ratio of head-scratchers to “ooh I know that one!” and various level of difficulties. You definitely have to know your motoring history, such as for who the first US manufacturer was to introduce blinking indicator lights, as well as what year it was for the bonus point! But well done to the “Drama Queens” table with an impressive score of 43 out of 66 maximum possible points, with each team member receiving a prize of a $20 gift voucher. And I’m pleased to report that there was no “Cordwainer” tie-breaker required this time! A very special thanks to Rob for the hours he put in to researching the questions, preparing the powerpoint presentation, as well as MC’ing and running the quiz - a truly massive effort. With many great spot prices, gift baskets, and the main door prize (supplied by the great team at Advance Publishing and won by Les & Pam White) made for a thoroughly enjoyable day, and I’m certainly looking forward to next years already! Phil O. Photos can be viewed here..... |
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UPCOMING ACCCA EVENTS
POSTPONED until October 17th pending appropriate Covid level Westie Run to Man Cave to view vehicle collection, part of which is for sale. Meet at Mitre 10 Northwest car park, 95A Northside Drive Whenuapai from 9am to depart at 9.30 for New Lynn. Tea & Coffee will be available at the Man Cave. Leave New Lynn at approx. 11.30 via Scenic Drive to RSA Swanson for a 12.30pm buffet lunch at $21 per person |