One Love Affair For Another

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 2 (Supplement)

One Love Affair For Another

A love story with a difference is that of Raetihi man Russell Lockyer who ended a 20 year love affair with 15 shapely beauties in favour of one love of his life - his wife. Recently married, M r Lockyer has opted for more time with his new family and so put all 15 of his vintage cars up for auction. For two decades the vintage car enthusiast has indulged his love for the grand old ladies of yesteryear. His collection boasted a bevy of chevvies, an Oldsmobile, a '39 Buick', two Plymouths

and a Studebaker, all in good running condition. The oldest of the 'girls' in his care was an extremely rare '37 Studebaker in near perfect order. Mr Lockyer bought his cars from all over the North Island most in unrestored condition. He spent many long hoiirs in the workshop at the bottom of his g arden, restoring the majestic automobiles to their former glory. Prospective buyers and enthusiasts flocked to his Raetihi home on Saturday 28 November for the sale, conducted by Wanganui

Auctioneers. While Mr Lockyer said he was reasonably happy with the sale, more than half of the vehicles were passed in because the reserve prices were not met. He will be aiming to sell them to private buyers at a later date. The top price at the sale was $7,200 for a 1939 Chevrolet Coupe. Meanwhile bargain hunters had a ball in the treasure trove of car parts located in Mr Lockyer's workshop, known in the Waimarino as a miniature version of Horopito Motors - the late

Bill Cole's "Smash Palace". Wanganui Auctioneers, who conducted the Raetihi sale as well as one in Wanganui the previous day, hope to hold more vintage car auctions in the future. Organiser Dennis Vipond said the interest in the auctions was spread throughout New Zealand and to Australia. About 50 interested people went to the Raetihi sale while 300 attended the one in Wanganui.