Sunday November 10. Some twenty explorers arrive in 15 Mercedes-Benz motor cars at the BP Service Station, Auckland Southern Motorway. A bad start to the day when we find the Land-Rover Club has stolen our favourite meeting spot and then further consternation when we find the Porsche Club is inhabiting our second most favoured area. The Land-Rovers and Porsches departed quite quickly amidst a lot of un-necessary revving of motors and smug smiles on the drivers’ faces as they passed Stuttgart’s finest creations. As usual there was a lot of toing and froing from the coffee shop as essential supplies were bought and stored on board. Then it was time to admire the assembled, highly polished vehicles.
Just a few days ago I had received a birthday present consisting of a rechargeable car buffer, this wonderful gadget has been used extensively to transform the 380SEC into a gleaming wonder. However, everyone else also seemed to have a car buffer and factory fresh paintwork was widespread.
Trevor Ninness called the meeting to order and distributed maps and instructions for the days outing. Some members had come armed with instructions sent by e-mail earlier in the week. This raised the question of which documents should we follow? It was decided by mass agreement that we should follow both sets of orders and it was later discovered that the two sets were not the same. There was some hilarity when it sank in, that problems were likely to occur later in the day.
Completely un-phased we fired up our motors and proceeded South on the Autobahn. A new and large roundabout loomed up and both sets of orders advised taking the second exit, strangely no one accepted this advice and drivers universally took the third exit, some lemming like instinct told us to follow the leader. We were soon in the open countryside heading towards the ancient township of Waiuku where a dark red R129 joined the fray. We knew that this immaculate car belonged to The Hobsons, local residents who would surely know their way up and down the Awhitu Peninsula.
The Peninsula is a longish drive from Central Auckland but a hundred years away in progress. The West Coast is wild and stormy, facing the Tasman Sea. The East coast is calm and sunny offering sheltered coves and bays adjoining the Manukau Harbour. Auckland is vaguely visible in the distance but bears no similarity to this sparsely populated, hilly farmland with its tiny churches and scattered houses. Our brave drivers negotiated steep, narrow roads; dead ends abounded and isolated coastal communities are sheltered by thick native bush.
We knew that lunch was drawing near and we had to be back in Waiuku by 12.40. Most of us had pre-ordered our luncheons and we could visualise steaming platters cooling rapidly on vacant tables. Eventually the parking area of Ye Kentish Hotel appeared before us and engines were shut down and vigorous comments were exchanged on the degree of difficulty experienced on the Peninsula. (This understates the reports of relationships of longstanding being in a terminal state – Ed)
The vast dining room of Ye Kentish Hotel was a masterpiece from 1900. High ceiling windows filtered generous quantities of light into a pleasant atmosphere. You might have been in Raffles Hotel in Singapore or The Grand Pacific in Suva and Queen Victoria could be due to arrive at any moment. Huge potential here to re-create something really special.
Lunchtime conversation turned to discussing the cars which had been driven on our tour today. Of particular interest was a newly restored 1964 Pagoda 230SL owned by Michael Coote. Painted in shining black this car has received a lot of expert attention and stole the show. Some electronic modifications have been made to the engine due to difficulties in obtaining original parts, hours of work and research have resulted in something very special.
Another car to receive attention was the 1990 190E owned by Alex Park. This young owner has considerable skill in the art of fine finishes. His car changes colour through green, blue and gold, depending on the light. Accoutrements such as the radiator grille and other chromed parts have been re-coloured in an eye stopping gold sheen. Herr Gottlieb Daimler may not have been amused but everyone else was highly intrigued.
David Winn
