KEY POINTS:
Ray Singleton farewelled more than 20 years of his life when he dismantled his classic car museum last week.
"There was a real tear in my eye," he said as he closed the doors to the Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn, south of Tauranga, on October 29.
Now, he is auctioning the museum's collection of classic cars, motorcycles and automotive memorabilia in one of the largest such auctions in Australasia for many years.
About 90 vehicles, including a 1947 Sunbeam Talbot, a 1915 Buick roadster and a 1938 Panther Redwing 100 motorbike, will go under the hammer next weekend.
A further 1000 items of motoring memorabilia will also be sold, with viewing for all items beginning on Friday.
Turners is carrying out the auction on-site and also offering online bidding.
"This auction represents an extremely rare opportunity to purchase classic cars and other pieces of automotive history that would usually not be for sale," said classic car consultant Tony Herbert.
Among the other vehicles on offer is a 1934 Ford V8, modified for use as a hearse, and a 1960s Gnat, which Mr Singleton said was "New Zealand's first attempt at a farm bike".
"They can climb anything. They were just unstoppable."
He said the auction had already attracted attention from overseas, with a potential buyer coming from England to view a 1962 maroon Ford Capri.
Many of the vehicles in the museum belonged to other owners and some have been returned.
Mr Singleton, who is in his 60s, is selling 27 cars he owns and keeping nine. His favourite, which he is not giving up, is a 1929 Oldsmobile.
"It's a gracious, spacious American car."
His love of cars began at primary school, when he met a traffic officer who drove a 1947 Ford Coupe.
"He was a man who commanded respect, so as a 10-year-old kid I had to have a 1947 Ford Coupe."
Forty-five years later, Mr Singleton bought such a car, by then a classic, and looked up the elderly traffic officer.
"I took him for a ride in it and he got out with a huge smile."
Mr Singleton opened his museum 22 years ago and plans to continue restoring old cars in his retirement.
