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Beach Hop 2014: Day four — Whangamata

16 June, 2014

 

And then it was Saturday, which is generally considered to be the main day of Beach Hop and best described as orchestrated chaos.

A series of parades take place starting from different locations and ending in different locations. The end points result in various individual car shows, each of which is up there with any of the biggest shows in the country.

The Meguiar’s Main Street Car Show had the Ultimate Pass holders parked in prime position on Whangamata’s main street, alongside drag cars doing fire-ups as part of the Castrol Edge Crackle Fest, bands playing, and crowds like never before.

At the opposite end of the main street, in the Whangamata Area School grounds, was the Vintage Caravan Magazine Retro Caravan Show. When this part of the event started there were just four caravans on the field; four years later, there were an astounding 85 caravans taking part.

It was difficult to imagine a better Repco Pre-49 Hot Rod Show than last year, but the turnout was so impressive that it was hard to pick just one stand-out.

As always, the day was rounded out with a series of stage shows, and the one part everyone was waiting for, the chance to win one of the three Beach Hop promo vehicles. The lucky winner was Terry Scott of Auckland who chose to take home the 1966 Mustang. A “blind” auction was held for one of the two other vehicles: a Zephyr and caravan combo or an XP Falcon wagon. An Auckland couple topped the bidding and chose to take home the Falcon. Graham Jack won the Zephyr and caravan.

Look out for coverage in our next issue, on sale Monday April 7, and our full 122-page coverage in our 2014 Beach Hop Annual, on sale late April.

Motorman – advancing the skills

26 March, 2026

Of course we are all great drivers — definitely above average — until we find out we aren’t. And finding out in a safe way is clearly the major benefit of driver training and why almost all of us who use motor vehicles should experience it.
Driver training applies to all types of cars and commercial vehicles and logically it is even more applicable to high-performance specialist machines — at least for their drivers and passengers — and, of course, if you are not exploiting or understanding the abilities of your car you are not making the most of it.
When I attended the Porsche Experience Driving Centre in Australia more than 20 years ago, one participant told me, “I’ve had my Porsche parked in the garage for several years and have never known how to use it properly — until now.”

Job opportunity – upholster needed urgently!

18 March, 2026

HELP!
Bren Mathers and Scott Flynn from Suite Southern Upholstery and Auto Trim urgently require assistance from someone with a knack for upholstery.
“We would prefer someone who is already trained in upholstery skills or has the skills to do the work,” Bren said.
Based in Dipton, in rural Northern Southland, the on-the-go business is expanding with a new sample room and extra sheds.
Suite Southern Upholstery carries out a range of upholstery work, from automotive and household furniture and craftwork to marine work.
They currently have eight cars booked in for work, so expect to be busy!
The business has a great reputation for the quality of its work throughout the classic car network, and as far away as Auckland.
If you want to work for a great firm full-time or hours to suit, in a peaceful country work environment, give Bren or Scott a call on 021 685 157
or 03 214 0523.
Check them out on Facebook!