Vauxhall fans rally together

There is something about a Vauxhall car, owner Janette Buckingham says.

Vauxhall enthusiasts converged on Gore at the weekend to take part in the 40th annual national rally, which was hosted by the Otago Vauxhall Owners Club.

The rally is held alternatively in the South and North Islands.

On Sunday, 36 cars and their owners travelled to the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre at Mandeville, where the cars were displayed.

Mrs Buckingham, of Waikawa Valley, said she liked the look of her 1952 Vauxhall Velox EIP.

‘‘I’m pretty fussy.

‘‘I don’t like modern cars. I think they look dreadful.

‘‘They might go better but give me a car that’s got a carlike shape.

‘‘There’s just that something about them.’’

While the car did not have power steering she enjoyed driving it.

‘‘It’s a lovely car to drive.

‘‘You’re higher up, you’ve got a better view.’’

Vauxhalls had a reputation for not having good brakes but there were ways around that.

‘‘You use your gears rather than your brakes.’’

Otago Vauxhall Owners Club president Graeme Saxton said the cars were very popular in their day.

‘‘They were made cheap and family affordable.

‘‘People just enjoyed driving them.’’

He liked the variety of models in the brand, he said.

‘‘No two are the same shape.

‘‘Not like a Morris Minor where you see one and they’re all exactly the same shape.’’

People had travelled from as far away as Australia to take part in the rally.

The earliest vehicles taking part were from 1937, but a 1924 Vauxhall 13/98 owned by Barry Brand was also on display.

The latest model was a 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier.

The rally was a good way to catch up with the many friends he had made throughout the years, Mr Saxton said.