Hot Rods NEW ZEALAND HOT RODS of the 50's - 60's (picture thread)

I did not think I was that old, but I recognize some of those cars!.
In post 47 is a black 32 3w stock car with bars etc. #7 on the door. This car had a long racing history and eventually retired to a wrecking yard where it sat for years. When it eventually was freed, it was extensively rebuilt - even the rust holes were dented. Was built as a radicle 'modern' rod with 4cyl Alfa Romeo, but never finished. Moved to Ashburton where it is now fully restored to stock.
Many of the featured cars went through a series of owners and builds. Many still exist and could tell fascinating stories.
Garpo

 

Some more pix from around 1960
Garpo

 

Does anyone know anything about the '32 five windows? Not the Don M'Rae/Noel Usherwood one, but the others.
Thanks.

 

Thanks Garpo, good stuff!

 

Many old coupes etc were lost to stock car racing (like jalopy racing but full contact!).

 

Famous show car from the 60's...Wild Honey.

 

Some more out of the box!
Garpo

 

For those that can't pick it, Wild Honey" started life as a 40 deluxe convertible. At the time it was the only 40 convert in New Zealand (we never got them new).

 

What a HUGE bunch of Cool Hot Rods .... they all have style, Love 'em all !
Thanks Kev

 

One thing does not change no matter where you live the owner is smiling and have fun. Roddddd On!!!!!!!! thanks for the flash back Kev

 

From Rodding and restyling feb 1960.

 

There seems to be a a fair number of grey bearded Kiwi Hot Rodders with a love of history on the HAMB
What light can you throw on this.
These pictures are of "Little Eve" as carefully painted on the rear .These shots were taken in 1955 while the car was in a car sales in Victoria St Christchurch. Lots of teenagers lusted after the car and pictures pop up every now an then.
Little Eve supposedly came from Auckland, and was apparently sold, as it disappeared from the car yard never to be seen again.
Which leaves all the usual questions;
Who built it,
Who bought it?
What happened to it?
Over to you. Can anybody fill some gaps?
Garpo

 

Garpo, that's a nice car for '55. I hope someone chimes in.

 

Kopuku, New Zealands first drag strip had a surface of compacted mud rock overburden/ coal slag at a coal mining facility. Safety barriers were drums filled with dirt. There were innovative competition machines in the early days I may show later but here are some hot rods racing.

 

Great pics, guys. Garpo--that channelled roadster was in Christchurch in `55?? That would make it a really early build. All the other stuff I have looked at was from 57-8 onward......

 

In the late 60's drag racing took place on back straights of race tracks, air strips and closed down streets. The first real drag strip opened in 1973.

 

More racing rods....

 

Good to see a shot of John Reid in Vandal. Also now restored and owned by Terry Cask. Its sad to think of that Willys coupe body getting run over by a Bulldozer. JW

 

These Little Eve pictures were taken by my brother in law, when still at high school. Still a couple of years away from buying his own 28 Model A Roadster to build a hot rod. (that A is now in my garage !) Even a schoolboy saw something special in that car .
Garpo

 

Good stuff.

 

Betting fat Kangaroos in New Zealand might be a bit difficult ,,

 

Just keeps gettn' better! That Ardun blows me away. Thanks Kev.

 

This from about 1958.

The roadster is still around - changed a bit !
Garpo

 

Re Kiwi Kev's post #83 - The 10th picture shows a group of rods in an overgrown yard. (River Road Christchurch). The black A roadster is the same car that appears on the record cover on post #88.
Probably 3 or 4 years later (1962?), grew fenders and changed a bit.
Garpo