Ayrburn Classic 2026 - by Rodger Anderson

​We signed up for this event back in August 2025 not knowing what we in for. Friends in Wanaka kindly put us up and we got in early with Cook Strait bookings to get the discount and later worked out a ‘plan’ for Motels on the way down. AMOC seemed as though there might be a few of us from the Club but as time went on only two cars entered from Auckland. There was a MUSTANG STAMPEDE arranged at the Ayr Classic Event so ‘yes’ that would be us. A garden-house show in Wanaka and the ‘Girls’ were arranged to do that while I spent several days cleaning and readying the ‘old horse’. Stone chips and tar blobs aplenty but all in a days work having always prepared cars for Concours events at this time of the year.
The man-made lake with terraces making it ideal for car displays and other events. Lamborghinis, McLarens, and my favourite Porsche, a 996 Turbo “S” reflect in the lake with the Otago hills in the background. The venue cannot be described as anything but amazing. Entrepreneur, Chis Meehan of WINTON Investments is reputed to have spent $230 million developing this magnificent events site and it has no equal in New Zealand. The Bakehouse, Billy’s, The Burr Bar, and R.M.Produce are all there to look after your ‘culinary’ wants and if marriage is on your list, there is The Barrel Room, but don’t expect ‘cheap’.
One of the most looked forward to was the Sunday Drive Auction and a few surprises there. A very nice 1957 Chev Truck got very little interest, but a 1950 Ford F100 in shiny black went mad with several bidders and sold for $102,000. A Porsche 356SC presented very well and enthusiastic bidding went to $360,000. Well sold in New Zealand.
Mustang Stampede promised over 30 cars but only 21 turned up and we wondered if the fact we had to leave the cars there over the whole 3 days made it hard to manage. At least four of the Mustangs have been previous winners at Concours events but did not figure in the prize list. Con Faber was first at Ellerslie Masters Class in 2024 and I would have thought the Boss 302 is better now. However the 2025 white Shelby Replica they called a GT350 of Malcolm Shankey won best Mustang. The car was on the Matamata Show stand and was trailered down wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it during its travels down South.
I did not count the Ferraris who were the featured marque this year but there was reputed to be 50 . All I can say is that there was a lot of RED. What you would do with a Ferrari Speedster I do not know but it suited the show in its gun metal coloured paint.
There was plenty of variety in the awards and amongst several prize winners was Paul Halford winning “Maranello Magic” with his 1955 Ferrari, “Post European” Porsche 964 of Gary Cliff, and John Baltimore with his beautifully restored1956 Monza Ferrari Sports-racing car that was infamous for being the car Ken Wharton was killed in at Ardmore in 1957. That car had, at one stage a Corvette motor and was owned by Ken Smith, the well known motor racing ace.
The highlight of the Sunday Drive Auction for me must have been the Lycoming Special. Bidding starting at $80,000 and must almost be an insult as this car was raced by Bruce Mclaren and famously won NZ Sports Car and Race championships far and wide. It is well revered not only here but in USA amongst Car and Plane enthusiasts with its aero engine upside down and back to front. Built in the 60’s by Ralph Watson it has an all encompassing history in Motorsport. An historic race car and a racing sports car when fitted with its cycle like mudguards. All in all a superb weekend in the beautiful Otago weather. Good vibes, plenty of enthusiastic people enjoying cars, wine, food and the outstanding AYRBURN.
Check out the photo of the reflection in the Radiator Grille of last year's winning Rolls Royce.