More than 40 ‘stately’ vehicles attend rally

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Central Otago News

The Central Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand hosted the National Veteran Car and Motorcycle Rally in the town.

More than 40 ‘‘veterans’’ — vehicles manufactured up to the end of 1918 — from throughout the South Island attended the rally.

They took part in an average-speed section, hill ascent and an afternoon drive around Tarras, Luggate and Cardrona on Saturday, followed by ‘‘field tests’’ at Highlands and a public display in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct on Sunday.

Ashburton motoring enthusiasts David and Marion Oakley attended the weekend with their 1914 Rover — the only veteran in their personal collection of vintage cars.

The Rover’s top speed is a leisurely 50kmh to 55kmh so the couple had it shipped to Cromwell for the rally.

‘‘We’re more stately vehicles rather than fast,’’ Mr Oakley said.

‘‘It’s a reminder of a bygone age and it makes you appreciate what life must have been like back in those days.’’

‘‘The roads then were extremely bumpy and with boulders and holes and these cars had to navigate them,’’...