Century rally draws 800 vintage cars

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 1

Century rally draws 800 vintage cars

About 800 vintage and veteran cars will be driven; shipped and flown to Christchurch from round the world next month to celebrate 100 years of the motor-car. The vehicles, from as far as West Germany and Hong Kong, will participate in the first PanPacific Rally. Most of the entries, however, are from New Zealand and Australia. The 10-day rally will start with a vehicle display in the Addington Racecourse on February 23 at 11 a.m. Activities will include rallies through Amberley, Lincoln, Oxford and Banks Peninsula; and tests of skill and

speed. The rally is the culmination of a series of centennial events organised by the New Zealand Vintage Car Club during the last year. It celebrates the creation of the first motor vehicle by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler — the Benz — in Germany in 1886. An 1895 Benz will be driven by its owner, Mr L. B. Southward, of the Southward Trust Museum in Paraparaumu. It will be the oldest entrant, with most others dating from 1919 to 1931. The New Zealand Vintage Car Club has promoted several international rallies over the

last 20 years but this is the first aimed specifically at Pacific Basin nations. The rally director, Mr Lionel Priest, said organisers were surprised at the number of rally entries, in spite of two other international rallies being held in West Germany and South Africa this year. Interest in vintage cars seemed to be rising in New Zealand, he said. The club’s membership has leapt by about 1000 in the last three years to its present 4500. The public will be able to watch some of the events of the racecourse during the 10-day rally.