Timaru’s Tornado Rod and Custom Club has held its 25th memorial run to commemorate a former member.
Tony Bourke was killed in a crash on his way to Hawea while riding at the club in 1997. Members have continued the run annually in his memory ever since.
About 20 enthusiasts left Timaru on Saturday morning and traveled to Hawea before meeting members of the Alpine Street Machines Club from Central Otago.
After a cruise around Central Otago, participants had the opportunity to tour the members’ garages, including several V12 Lincolns owned by drag racing legend Garth Hogan.
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Tornado Rod and Custom Club members read for their 25th Hawea Memorial Run are, from left to right, Jill and Gary Duncan, Andy White, Steve Brown, Mark Timms, Vaughan Henry, Debbie Beattie, Jenni Black and Kev Smith. Kneeling, from left, are Josh Smith, Helen Hewson, Becs Smith, Jeff Black, and John Hewson.
TRC chairman Andy White said the Timaru club founded in 1968 was strong with over 50 members.
“Many of the members are engineers or mechanics. We also have two in the club who do all our certifications.”
“Vehicles are predominantly American with the occasional English and Australian cars and being a hot rod club there is a strong emphasis on pre 1949 and Model Ts, roadsters and 1930s and 1940s cars.”
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Tornado Rod and Custom Club President Andy White behind the wheel of his 1966 Chevrolet Impala for the club’s 25th Hawea Memorial Run.
White says there is a revival in classic cars and restoration within the club.
“We have nearly 30 cars under construction, some taking five to 10 years to complete, and many members have two or three cars.”
White drove his 1966 Chevrolet Impala, which he has owned for over 20 years, and is currently restoring a 1923 T-box.
JOHN BISSET/Things
John and Helen Hewson with their 1931 Ford Victoria for the memorial run to Hawea.
John and Helen Hewson had their 1931 Ford Victoria car on the run.
John Hewson said he believed the car, which has a 203 Ford engine with an automatic transmission, was likely one of only two steel versions of the vehicle left in New Zealand.