PHOTOS: Americarna in NEW ZEALAND.....What an EXPERIENCE!!!

Like was said, It was very nice to know Americans aren't hated everywhere. Most of all I was stoked to hang out with cool and friendly hot rodders regardless of the nationality.

 

Kirk, Thanks for the pics and writeup.

It was great to meet you. Thanks for signing the surfboard.

We GOTTA do this again next year.

Thanks again.

Alfster
'58 Nomad

 

Kirk, your post really made me homesick for my friends in Matamata.

The country is an amazing place, but the warmth and basic decency of the people is equally amazing. We stayed with the Vosper family 3 weeks over Christmas a few years back and saw much of the country by car and train, even went camping in the Coromandel. Met a few petrol heads, saw the dragstrip near Auckland, had a wild cab ride on the Glenwood steam railway and crossed the Southern Alps, but nothing compared to meeting the people.

The Vospers lived next door to us in the US a couple of years, and after they returned home they invited our youngest son to stay with them in NZ for a summer, then they flew back to the US a year later just to attend our daughter's wedding. Their friendship has changed my view of the world. Some of the questions they ask about why America does some of the things it does has made me think a lot more about what America has traditionally stood for, and what it means to be American. I just wish I could watch NZ television as much as they watch ours - they know a heck of a lot more about us than we know about them, and its our loss.

 

Thanks Kirk, the photos and comments were awesome. Seeing and hearing our lifestyle through someone elses eyes just makes you appreciate what youve got and not take it for granted. I lived in North America for 6 years and have been to 40 of your great states, I could right a book about the awesome hospitality, the scenery, the fun I had along the way. As Lifestylez said the media portray our little country as doom and gloom as your media does to yours, dont believe the hype - you too have one hell of a cool place.

And yes you dont need accommodation, Kiwis are always willing to open there door to people. I was even one of these people at Americarna - we offer the same hospitality to everyone (even Aussies) - so come on down

 

Hey looks like you had a great time! Thanks for letting us see your pics!

 

I could'nt make Americarna due to gig commitments, I would've liked to meet Kirk and thank him for all the fabulous pics he's treated us to over the years.
New Zealand does have a traditional scene, but many of the trad guys stay away from events like Americarna, as it's perceived as a street rodder event. The Blowout in Auckland in a couple of weeks is 100% traditional and is the number 1 event for Hamb type folks.
I made a trip to the US in 2005, and I loved the place. Every stereotype I had ever seen or read about was there! I'm hoping to get back there in 2009.
Hambers are always welcome at my house, if you're ever p***ing this way and need a bed .... who ya gonna call?

 

fortystudedude,wanna show us pictures of your latest cross burning..WTF was that ******** rant..save that **** for the klan not the hamb..btw new zealanders count for most of the illegal immigration in australia...i should know i lived there for 30 yrs

 

Wow....
Some awesome pics, there Kirk.
Thanks for sharin'
I too, like a lot of the others, was amazed at all the Red, White & Blue.
We do need to have an Americarna here!!!!!!

 

bad *** man thanks for taking the time to post and story tell.

 

thanks for that post KIRK! it made me take a trip to new zeland while sitting at my office job in Kansas... amazing stuff...

 

OK - I'll bite. I'm sure you are only joking... NZ and Aussie have open borders to each other - so there is no such thing as an illegal immigrant fron OZ/NZ in either country.

Thanks for the great pics Kirk and pleased you had a great time. I couldn't make it due to family commitments. Well done to the Naki. When I developed and presented the concept of AmeriCARna in 2006 to John Rae, the Mayor, and Council, one of the key points was exposure of the event in the USA and what that would do for tourism in their area - thanks Kirk, that objective has been achieved!

AmeriCARna and Beach Hop are based on the same model - but celebrate different things. The Beach Hop is a celebration of the 50s & 60s - music, fashion, culture, cars and bikes of the era. Both events are held in beautiful parts of NZ - the 'Naki and Coromandel Peninsula.

The Beach Hop is NZ's biggest pre-registration car event - we're just about to bust 1,000 cars - with 7 weeks to go!

So if anyone wants to experience what Kirk did then feel free to contact me and we'll certainly look after you. www.beachhop.co.nz

Noddy

 

Kirk, I have been wondering how your trip went. Real happy for you. Really like the helicopter photos. Greatest thread ever on the Hamb.

 

Just when I'm ready to move out of the country and leave it to the politicians, attorneys and other half-wit *****s you make me remember what is good about where we live. Thanks for photos

 

Should the HAMB charter a container ship for next year?

 

I could make that happen.

 

I always wondered what Ryan looked like.... Thanks for the pic.

And man the Alstotts have big balls. I can't imagine putting both those cars in containers and shipping them around the world.

 

Apparently some women in a car one of the nights doubted his pierced Johnson so he dropped his pants.

That Ryan sure gets around. Sure doesn't look like someone who'd have created the HAMb, but that's him.

 

Then driving them? Pretty cool.

 

Thanks for the shots Kirk. That must've been a helluva trip.

I spent 6 months in NZ a long time ago. I'll get back some day, it's still one of my favourite places in the world.

 

Cool I was hopping americana would be mentioned on here

 

Great post Kirk, thanks for sharing. Too bad most of America does not have the same respect and enjoyment for our country that NZ does.

 

Wow.......Wow.......and Wow again.......the NZ guys are the nicest "hotrod" guys around.....I have sent some Epay stuff to them and they said look at my roadster........and they have the eye.......Good to see the "kids" getting into the cars.


Chris Nelson
Kansas

Oh yea, great pix.

 

looks like a blast ! kirk .
have a great friend over in auckland gotta get over there some day .
been saying that for 20 years ?
to bad it`s so far away .

 

Now THAT would be a real treat for us Kiwis!

Thanks for posting up your pics Kirk, it is great to know how others view our slice of heaven in the South Pacific.

 

Wow! That is so great to read! specially today .... Thank You Kiwi's!

Nice work KIRK.

xtra . . .

 

Thats Groucho's old car .

What Cities did you get to see ?

 

Kirk!
Great pics as always...

and good to know you kept your nose clean

 

That's the biggest load of bull I have seen for many years. NZ and OZ have a free trade agreement and either nationality can live in either country without any h***les at all. illegal ??? hahaha

.

 

Cool pics. We went down Friday for a look, hadn't registered so never got the chance to meet you.(at least I don't think you were in the same bars we were at).
Russell