Kiwis On Tour: Hit the West with the best

18 September, 2019

 

Route 66 Tours with Beach Hop frontman Noddy Watts are well known. It’s a grand idea for a fully escorted self-driving tour, in this case, of a part of the West Coast of the USA.

All the essentials are included: car, insurance, accommodation, even a fully programmed GPS unit, as well as a US cell phone. All you have to do is arrive and then enjoy the experience.

For over ten years Noddy and Andrea have been guiding these tours and now have 21 under their belt, so they are very familiar with the process. Seven hundred people have enjoyed their company on these tours so far, and many are repeat visitors.

The ‘West Coaster’ tour is for 32 days and will take place between August and September next year, 2020.

Mustang convertibles will make the most of the summer weather and places like Old Town San Diego, The Grand Canyon, and Pikes Peak, Aspen Colorado. You’ll also visit Pinkees Hot Rod shop, the America’s Car Museum, the Santa Monica Car Show, and much more. You’ll even drive some of Route 66 and the Pacific Highway.

Between May and June 2020 there’s a Route 66 tour, or take the Cars and Blues Tour in July–August 2020. Prices vary, so contact [email protected] or Kiwis On Route 66 on Facebook.

Project Adder – an MGB with bite

Bill and Rae Denize have been active MG Car Club members in Wellington for nearly 32 years. They have held a variety of positions on the club committee, and now that they are both retired, they can be even more involved in the club’s activities. Bill is currently the president of the MG Car Club, Wellington Centre.
The list of cars they’ve owned over the years is testament to their passion for the brand. It includes a 1972 Midget — the round rear-wheel arch model with 1275cc motor; a three-door 2004 MG ZR; a 2005 MG ZR (five-door); and Rae’s 2005 MG TF, which they still own. Bill also raced a 1967 Morris Mini Cooper S at Manfeild for many years. That car featured in an article in the January 2013 issue of this magazine.
In April 2013, Bill sold the Cooper S and decided to buy a low mileage, freshly imported MG RV8 from Japan. He liked the idea as there were only 1983 built in the early 1990s, which, hopefully, would translate into these cars holding their value. More importantly, their bodies were galvanised, which meant fewer rust problems, although Bill and Rae didn’t escape encounters with oxidation unscathed.