STUDEBAKER RALLY IN TAURANGA – by

Paul van den Hoven

A report on a rally which was not part of the BOPVCC but may be of some interest to readers.

On the weekend of 23rd, 24th and 25th of June I hosted a group of members of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

As you expect from one make clubs, ours is a small but friendly bunch where everyone is on close terms with each other despite coming from all over the North Island. E.g. from Wairarapa up to Auckland is our draw area.

As it also happens to be the 100th birthday of my 1923 Studebaker Light six “ROSIE” , I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to combine the “Hillholder” rally, as we call our mid year Studebaker rally, with birthday celebrations for Rosie.

Our itinerary was drinks and meal Friday night.

Rally on Saturday morning. Out and around Tauranga, then out to Maketu and Paengaroa via Mountain rd, No. 2 rd and Te Puke. Lunch stop at Paengaroa followed by return to Tauranga via Te Puke and Papamoa.

We only had one hiccup which was a flat tire for one of the cars.

We had three of our family cars in attendance which I’m sure would have made my Dad very proud. He was no doubt looking down on us from heaven with a broad appreciative smile.

Saturday night we had a dinner and prizegiving with a dress up theme appropriate to 100 years ago. We had a ceremonial cutting of the cake made by my partner Suzie for the occasion and everyone sang Happy Birthday to Rosie the birthday girl.

Sunday morning we got together again for a hearty breakfast before everyone drifted away to begin their drive home.

All in all a fantastic weekend with wonderful people and I was extremely pleased that the weather gods played ball and I look forward to a rally in 6 months which will be when we have the next major rally event for our little club.

NOTES:

Rosie has been in our family since 1959 which means she wasn’t at the BOPVCC first ever rally but my Dad was (in a 1924 Chev). Rosie attended as many rallies as she could in my fathers time and has been all over the country.

Rosie wrote a book called “Rosie Studebaker – An Autobiography” albeit with my fathers help.

There has been no letter from the King but I did apply for and receive a brass plaque which anybody who has a 100 year old car can get from the Head office of the VCC for $55.

There are probably quite a few other cars turning 100. I know “Morrie” Nottle’s Moon is one such car.

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