A gathering of good vintages

Vintage cars at Cambridge Raceway

When Ian and Kay Elmsly stayed in Cambridge a couple of years ago with family, they immediately thought what a great place it would be to come with the car club.

A Model A Ford owned by Glenn Milne, left, and Paul and Hilda Boylan’s 1953 MG TD meet other horsepower at Cambridge Raceway. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Fast forward to last Friday when 58 of the 350 members of the Hawke’s Bay Vintage Car Club were in town with 25 cars for their annual Safari Rally.

The bespoke part of the tour – featuring equestrian visits to Cambridge Raceway and Windsor Stud – was organised by Belinda Gelston of Ballygelvar.

Club members at Windsor Park in Cambridge

Ian is club chair of the club and said the Safari Rally was always a fantastic opportunity to take the vintage cars for a spin.

The trip to Ross Brothers’ private vintage vehicle museum in Hautapu was a highlight for the vintage car-loving group but a visit to the Velodrome showed that in a weekend featuring horse power in horses and cars, there is still a place for pedal power.

Glenn Milne of Hastings brought his Moonshine Runner – a left hand drive 1931 Ford Model A – which he bought in the United States.

Paul and Hilda Boylan of Napier had their bright red 1953 MG TD – which he bought in the United States in 2016.

He stripped it to its bones, found underneath coats of dark paint that it was originally red, and so set about restoring it to its original glory.

Hawkes Bay Vintage Car Club members are welcomed to Cambridge Raceway by Belinda Gelston of Ballygelvar. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

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