Bill Cole - 'king of the car parts'
New Zealand's sole vintage car parts dealer Edward Herbert (Bill) Cole, died in Wanganui Base Hospital last Monday, aged 69. Bill Cole was the unrivalled 'king of the car parts', as owner of a sprawling eight hectares of derelict car bodies 10 kilometres north of Ohakune, known as Horopito Motors and Wreckers. Mr Cole's collection of wrecks is the only one of its kind in the country and is home to over 2500 vehicles, some dating back to 1896. "We never throw anything away, every piece has a purpose," he once said. He was well known for his remarkable memory and knew the exact location of the majority of the parts in his yard. The yard itself is a type of old-car supermarket, packed full of car pieces of every type, make and model imaginable. Said Mr Cole "If we have a part, we know where to find it and how to repair it - we're specialists in vintage car restoration". Horopito was his home from 1930, when he cleared the land of trees and singlehandeidly built his house. Born in Wanganui his father was Edward Herbert Cole, a Waimarino farmer. Although he was from a farming background, Bill discovered at an early age that he had a natural flair for mechanics. He went to school at Hunterville and
Orautoha and in the early 1930s opened a cycle repair and retail outlet at Orautoha. By 1940 he was into the car parts business and bought an eight hectare section of bush at Horopito, which was destined to become the base for his fame and fortune. Horopito Motors and Wreckers has been the setting of numerous New Zealand made films and television ads, including the film 'Smash Palace'.
Mr Cole was a New Zealand representative wrestling champion and keen sportsman in his earlier years. He told the Bulletin in March that he kept fit through 'plain hard work'. Mr Cole's daughter Barbara Fredericksen of Raetihi helped her father with the yard's operation iTid the maintenance of their collection of beautifully restored vintage cars. His wife and business partner, Mavis, died two years
ago. Mr Cole had a simple philosophy to live by. 'Work and win' was the key to his success. His belief was that if you didn't like doing something, you should get out and do something you do enjoy. If you fail, you should keep going and work at it until it becomes a success. Mr Cole is survived by his daughters Barbara (Raetihi) and Janice (Wanganui) and son Colin (Te Awamutu).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIBUL19871103.2.24.1
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 23, 3 November 1987, Page 7
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429Bill Cole - 'king of the car parts' Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 23, 3 November 1987, Page 7
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