Search
Close this search box.

Out with the old in with the older at Super Southern Swap Meet

15 March, 2016

A vast array of new and used automotive parts were up for grabs at the Super Southern Swap Meet, held at Kustoms Clubrooms in Christchurch on Sunday, March 13. The swap meet was open to automotive items only with everything from tyres, wheels, lights, and the usual unwanted hoardings available for a price.  Several complete cars were even amongst the items with a price tag on them. There was an Mk3 Zephyr that looked like it was pulled out from under some trees, and a 1930 Willys, which had a $10K price tag on it.

For those who arrived early and needed their caffeine fix, coffee and snacks were available. After looking around at the parts and parting with some money, it was time to have a look around the car display, which had a great selection of vehicles on show. Even though there was the threat of Cyclone Pam hitting, it was great to see that the weather remained clear and warm, with plenty of people making the most of it.

Taipan – surpassing interest

“It’s merely a passing interest,” insists Selby — despite owning three variants of the classic VW Beetle, including an unusual VW van that was sold as a body kit for a Subaru. In his defence he points to a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, a car that he converted to right-hand drive. However, on the VW side of the ledger, since he opened Allison Autos in Whanganui 27 years ago, Selby has built 15 VW-powered Formula First cars, followed by a beach buggy, restored a derelict Karmann Ghia, and hot-rodded a common or garden Beetle into something that has to be seen to be believed. As speed is not something generally associated with classic VWs, though, Selby is still waiting for this particular modification to catch on amongst the hot rod faithful.

Travelling companion

It’s easy to see why the Morris Minor Traveller was one of the best-loved variants of the Morris Minor. Introduced in 1953, it was equipped with the same independent torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering as its saloon sibling but, with their foldable rear seat increasing versatility, many Travellers were used as trade vehicles, says Derek Goddard. Derek and Gail Goddard, the owners of this superbly restored example, have run Morris Minors since before they were married in 1974.
“Our honeymoon vehicle was a blue Morris Minor van — it was a rust bucket,” says Derek.