Kumeu classics and hot rods return

Best in the West

WHETHER YOU ARE A COLLECTOR OR SIMPLY SHARE A PASSION FOR THE CLASSICS, THEN THE REPCO KUMEU CLASSIC CAR & HOT ROD FESTIVAL 2023 IS FOR YOU

Things are heating up for another major Repco Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival in 2023, and they want you there if you’re a collector or just a fan of the old school. The classic car and hot rod community comes together over the course of three days to either take part in the festival’s celebration of classic cars and hot rods, or to simply catch up with friends while listening to the rumbling of the cars and potentially adding one or two to their wish list.

The festival, which is proudly owned and operated by Kiwis, promises to be an extravaganza you’ll look forward to attending every year. More than 1000 classic cars and hot rods will be onsite, along with over 100 trade sites offering specialty tools, car parts, project help, memorabilia, retro clothing, antiques, and classic car importers. In addition there will be more than 350 swap sites, and a retro caravan display sponsored by Very Vintage Day Out and Caravans and Classics.

Other attractions include slot cars, the Very Vintage Mini Market, onsite camping, retro beauty pageants sponsored by the Very Vintage Day Out, drag car start-ups, kid’s hot rod racing sponsored by Auto Magic, and a huge variety of food vendors, live music, and many other activities.

Repco has stepped up to the plate to sponsor the event, and the organisers say it would not be possible without Repco’s support. Jack Daniels, Battery Town, Petrolhead, and Classic Cover Insurance are also major sponsors, so the organisers are keen to see visitors showing their appreciation for them if they want to see this event and New Zealand’s car culture continuing to thrive.

The Repco Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival 2023 will be held on January 20, 21, and 22. Tickets will be sold at the gates. For more information, see www.kumeuhotrodfestival.co.nz.

Investing in quality rust proofing

THE MARKET FOR UNDERBODY RUST PROTECTION IS GETTING SMARTER

There’s a broad range of underbody rust protection systems on the market but the concept of protecting brand new vehicles appears to be gaining traction.

Eighteen years ago, David Kirkham set about developing a rust protection service geared to New Zealand’s uniquely testing conditions, creating the Autolast system, applied through his company, Autoblast.

David says our largely coastal and gentle temperate zone location actually provides ideal conditions to set up under-body rusting in only two or three years, as our warm, moist air condenses on cold steel parts overnight. Add salt into the mixture and rust is accelerated, especially if the vehicle is left standing. Ordinary new vehicle paint protection, designed for average inland conditions, stands no chance.

David says his customer base has shifted from addressing rusting vehicles towards treating brand new vehicles. He says a typical example would be bach owners who leave vehicles — often utes — in those coastal locations for months and who have seen previous vehicles rust out fast. Jetskiers, who also expose their vehicles to more salt by launching off beaches instead of boat ramps, are also a growing customer segment.

The Autoblast process strips off paint and applies a permanent thixotropic layer, which is quite different to traditional wax/oil treatment that slumps over time. It is self-healing which means it softens, remoulds and hardens again in the event of a stone strike. Another popular but more expensive option is galvanising the bare metal. Lasting for decades on offshore oil rigs it is the gold standard in rust protection, and that option is proving increasingly popular. David says another growing customer segment are owners of older or now classic four-wheeldrives who have seen their vehicles’ values “go through the roof”. While underbody rust might have been tolerated in the past, owners are now keen not just to slow it down but blast it all away and protect their investment.

David says he is currently inundated with customer enquiries from across the country and is booked out into next year. He is offering a franchise opportunity for the right investor, but he plans to be picky. Setting up an Autoblast franchise requires a significant investment in plant and equipment, and David doesn’t believe that trying to run it as a sideline, say to an existing panel shop, would give the new business the attention it deserves.

For more information on Autoblast’s processes — or its franchising opportunity — check out the extensive resources on the website autoblast.co.nz, or call David Kirkham on 09 443 6574.