Garage ornament heaven auction to take place in July

12 June, 2017

Calling all petrolheads — R.A. Proctor Auctioneers will be hosting the auction to cure your winter blues. The automotive, garagenalia, associated memorabilia, and vehicle auction will take place at the corner of Humber and Nen streets in Oamaru, at 12pm on Saturday, July 1, and includes a huge array of all sorts of automotive goodness. 

Among the items for sale is a collection of more than 40 rare and vintage petrol pumps, such as American, Bowser, and Lighthouse, as well as signs, bottles, racks, stationary engines, number plates, and more. Larger objects include a 1939 Ford hot rod with current WOF and rego, a 1957 Ford Fairlane convertible with current WOF and rego, a 1939 Ford body suitable for placement as a very cool piece of garden art, a ’60s Concord 20-foot caravan in excellent condition, and a 1945 Field Marshall tractor that was restored around 40 years ago and still starts first pop! 

For more information and photos, keep an eye on proctorauctions.co.nz; phone
03 467 9368, 027 432 2907, or 021 477 682; or email [email protected]

NZ Classic Car magazine, July August 2025 issue 400, on sale now

Good for the soul, a dose of Hemi Orange – Chrysler’s champion Charger
The Australian-developed Chrysler Charger was a game changer for the company in 1971, as it faced a faltering start introducing its new VH range. The stylish big coupe signalled a massive change of direction and emphasis for Chrysler.
Auckland racing driver Rod Coppins raced successfully in Australia and New Zealand. Rod found success behind the wheel of a couple of Chargers, and it is a special E49 R/T in the custody of Mike Todd for some years, that is our feature car.
A full restoration of this car has been completed at Auto Restorations (AR) in Christchurch. We recently sampled the car, ready to be shipped back to Mike and spoke to AR’s Harry Dawber, leading the team who completed the superb restoration of this rare piece of NZ motor racing history.
I mentioned that Chrysler Chargers were never built to this standard as we walked around the gleaming Charger in its Hemi Orange colour scheme.
“We took a lot of time getting those shut lines exactly right. It’s been a great car to work on, and the paint and trim have been very well done by the team here.”

Britannia rules the roads – Royal Tour Cars – part 2

Royal rollers and fancy Fords
Ford Zodiacs had transported the Queen Mother during her tour in 1958 but five years on, their glitz had perhaps faded a bit too much for an actual monarch. As there was no longer a convertible version of Britain’s Zephyr or Zodiac on offer, Ford looked to their American arm for a replacement, finding it in the huge Ford Galaxie. The Public Service Garage purchased the car at around £3000 for royal tour work and VIP transport.