Te Awamutu couple selling up, lock, stock and classic cars

Bev and Rob Simpson have sold their Puahue lifestyle block and are auctioning their entire car collection for a new start in Whangamatā.

Earlier this year Rob and Bev Simpson made the decision to continue their retirement years in Whangamatā - not in itself unusual, but it is a major change for this Te Awamutu couple.

The Simpsons have been enjoying a rural lifestyle property in Puahue, which includes a granny flat, and garaging for their collection of classic cars.

As well as the decision to change their living arrangements, the couple are also selling off the entire car collection.

Bev says they were visiting Whangamatā and fell in love with a property in the beachside town.

She says their circumstances around family had changed so they didn't feel they needed to stay tied to the Waikato.

With that decision made, the couple also made the practical decision to sell the car collection.

Rob says while he has loved owning and tinkering on the cars, they were always purchased with future value also in mind - and now was the time to realise that value.

Their classic collection is all British, plus a modern BMW is in the mix.

Six classic cars and one modern car are up for auction, from left: 1980 Leyland Mini; 1969 Austin Mini Cooper S; 1968 Ford Anglia GT; 1965 Ford Cortina GT; 1986 Rover VandenPlas V8; 1968 Rover 2000 TC.

Based on the success shown by Webb's Auctions in recent classic car sales, they have entrusted the entire collection to the auction company for this Sunday's Collector's Car Auction.

The couple have spent the last month preparing the cars, as well as preparing the house for sale - it has since sold - and getting ready to shift next month.

The seven cars - 1965 Ford Cortina GT; 1968 Ford Anglia GT; 1968 Rover 2000 TC;1969 Austin Mini Cooper S; 1980 Leyland Mini; 1986 Rover Vanden Plas V8; 2014 BMW 530D - were transported to the Southward Car Museum at Paraparaumu on Saturday, where they will be auctioned from 2.30pm this Sunday.

They are also listed for information on Trade Me.

Bev and Rob Simpson's car collection is loaded for transportation.

But moving to Whangamatā doesn't mean the end of their classic car affair - in fact moving to the home of Beach Hop means the couple will be on the lookout for one car they can use and enjoy - and that fits into the local scene.