3 minute read
Champers camper a
from SOUTH June 2020
by Times Media
CHAMPAGNE AND CL ASSIC CAMPER – a winning Kombi-nation!
An entrepreneur with lots of drive is a fitting description of Eleanor Whitehead. Respected in equestrian circles for her bespoke saddle fitting service, her latest enterprise, and romantic it is too, is set to pop. She spoke to ANGELA KEMP.
There are four loves in Eleanor Whitehead’s life: Colin, Dave, Jolene and her horse Chip (although not necessarily in that order).
The Patumahoe local is a selfconfessed classic car fanatic and explains that Colin (integral to her upcomingventure) is a 1977 VW Westfalia Kombi, Jolene is a 1982 GMC square body pickup and Dave is her partner and owner ofa classic 1974 f100 truck.
Eleanor launched her Equi-Fit business sixyears ago after becomingone ofthe first qualified saddle-fitters in the country.
She does saddle fittingfor both horse and rider based out ofan equestrian facility at the family home in Patumahoe. Her sister Julia is a qualified veterinary and human physiotherapist.
“I’m now lucky enough to own two classic vehicles,” says Eleanor. “I turned 40 last year and as part of the mid-life crisis went on the hunt to replace my saddle fittingute with a classic American truckfrom the USA. 10 | south | june 2020
“It was a bit ofa sketchy business to buy the truckand get it into the country. It tooka lot ofresearch, trust and luckand we’ve only just got Jolene on the road in NZ.
“My justification for purchasing her, was that I’d always wanted a Chevy and it’s somethingwhich will hopefully appreciate rather than depreciate in value.”
Classic cars have been in Eleanor’s life ever since she learned to drive.
“My first car was a 1979 Leyland Mini Clubman which my parents very kindly bought for me. Right from the first time I got in that car, I loved the smell ofthe old vinyl seats and the fact that it had a history I was goingto add to. That car saw me in more trouble than I care to remember.
“I’ve always loved classic vehicles, my first memory ofridingin somethingreally special was when my best friend’s Dad tookus to our 7th form ball in his gold ’66 notchbackMustang. I’ve never forgotten that car, and nearly had the chance to buy one just like it before I bought the Kombi.” Eleanor met her partner Dave at a car show where he’d taken his F100.
“I’d be lyingifI didn’t say the truck was part ofthe appeal! Now, we often go to car shows all over the North Island and would love to take a trip to the US to experience all there is on offer over there especially with truckshows such as SEMA.”
While she still loves horses and saddle fitting, Eleanor says she is ready to add another feather to her cap and take on a new challenge which combines her love ofclassic cars with a penchant for hospitality.
“It’s four years since I bought Colin, sight unseen from Invercargill, and I tookthe followingyear restoring him from scratch,” she says.
“I’ve travelled all over the North Island ever since he was finished but always had the intention of startinga business with him. Now I’m ready to launch the Champers Camper servingchampagne, beer and platters at weddings as a welcome for the guests on arrival at the reception or ceremony. “I love to make people smile and I thinkthe Champers Camper will provide a special somethingto people’s bigday.
There’s no doubt Colin is the cream ofcampers with his elegant cream and beige livery, personalised number plate and retro surfboard on the roofrack. But as Eleanor points out, Colin needs to start earninghis keep.
She will also provide a proposal package with Colin for the true romantics out there.
“I’ll set him up at Karioitahi Beach with a bottle ofbubbly and some beers in the chilly bin plus a gourmet grazingplatter for two –perfect for a sunset proposal!
“The reason I came up with both ideas for Colin is I always thought it would be somethingI’d love so surely there must be like-minded people out there who would love it too.”
