Vintage Austin Register New Zealand drives through Tararua district

Just some of the vintage Austins taking part in the Vintage Austin Register rally pictured at Ferry Reserve.

There were a fair few classic Austins around the Tararua district last weekend.

The Vintage Austin Register New Zealand held its national rally, starting at Masters Hall in Pahīatua.

Hawke’s Bay area organiser Ewan Cameron says owners came from as far south as Dunedin and as far north as Northland.

Bill Studd, from Wellington, was late to the briefing so he stayed in his Austin.

There were 35 cars registered for the rally, which started with a gathering on Friday evening.

The main rally was held on Saturday, driving along country roads and visiting a local collection of vehicles.

The visitors paid a visit to the Pahīatua Railcar Society.

The next day included a visit to Pahīatua Railcar Society, then Woodville for lunch, the horticultural show and the Gorge cemetery.

Ewan and Kate Cameron, of Hawke's Bay, in a 1929 Austin Burnham saloon.

Alan Albon, of Auckland, in Pahīatua in a 1932 Austin 7 box saloon.

Dennis and Judy Milne, of Feilding, travelled around the Tararua district in their 1930 Austin 12/4 "Royal Mail".

Kristýna Nejedlá Bujárkova, from the Czech Republic, is artist-in-residence at Rinitawa Gallery. She came along for the ride with Mike Stuart in his 1931 Austin 7 replica Ulster sports car.

Ewan says the Register is the largest one-make car club in New Zealand with about 650 members - many of whom have two or more cars.

While the members are interested in vintage cars in general, it’s their appreciation for Austins which brings them together for fellowship and friendship.

Ewan says the Austins have a significant history, particularly in New Zealand.

It’s one of the oldest British cars and still has quite a following.

Austins began to be imported into New Zealand fairly early and became the top-selling vehicle.

The popularity of the car is probably helped by the fact famed race car driver Bruce McLaren drove an Austin 7 in his first competition.