A classic day for vehicle fans

Bob Taylor with his 1929 Model A pickup and 1913 Swift. The BOP Vintage car Club is having its annual show. Photo/Andrew Warner

Bob Taylor believes his 1906 Reo Roadster could be the oldest vehicle on display at the Bay of Plenty Vintage and Classic Car Club annual show next Sunday, November 13.

The 82-year-old is a passionate car enthusiast and able bodied "bush mechanic' who has owned the impressive vehicle for more than 40 years.

The former real estate agent and qualified carpenter says he likes to tinker, while wife Ruth waves one arm in the air and adds "you only have to look in this shed, at all the tools".

His mate found the Reo in Christchurch and Bob jumped in his car with a trailer hitched on the back and headed south.

Surprisingly the 8 HP, one cylinder roadster with a maximum speed of 18 MPH was in quite good condition. "It was just a bit tatty but all I needed to do was give it a really good tidy up. I put on new mudguards as they were the wrong ones and we had it upholstered."
"It's just a magic car."

The couple had driven it from Auckland to Wellington for a re-enactment with other collectors in a feat that took six days.

"It's unbelievably slow so you can't be in a hurry to go anywhere. But it sure does catch a lot of attention with people waving and looking."

Tucked away in another garage is a 1913 Swift that came home in a wheelbarrow, and a 1929 Model A pickup.

Vintage and Classic Car Club Show organiser John Payne says it was expecting about 100 cars ranging from the early 1900s to 1985.

"We will have all sorts there including British, American and a few continental cars." This year the event is also being combined with the annual swap meet, so people would travel from near and far, he says.

"It's a great opportunity for people to buy, sell and exchange parts and so it's quite popular."

Bob Taylor has had his 1906 Roadster for more than 40 years and it will be on display at the BOP Vintage and Classic Car Club Show. Photo/Andrew Warner