Austin-Healey’s and the Austin Healey Car Club of NZ and Others

[Roger Dowding]

In 1982 the Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand, organised its first Hill Climb, the event at Otaua, which the club ran annually until 1990. the MG Car Club took over the event and I am unsure if it still runs.
Reg Whittaker a local Waiuku guy, initial R O W, was known in the AHCC as " Reg of Waiuku ", was a local school teacher and had lived in the area all of his life, he knew the locals and was able to get consent from those effected by the event.
After each run the road was opened so locals could come and go from their properties, then closed for the next run.
The local Tavern provide the Scrutineering area in the car park, as before opening time 7;30 a.m on, and was the site of the prizegiving and story telling.

I have photos from several years of the event, some undated, and was involved as competitor in 1983, Marshall most other years and organiser of permits Road Closure etc for the last few years, 1988 - 1990. R O W was always helping, as did his brother Bruce and the members of the AHCC including Ross Cammick.

Was going to start a new thread, but thought as It is AHCC related would start here.
just a few shots to begin - years unknown.

Healey in front is the Clerk of Course car - Peter Nelligan who now lives in Wellington NZ and he and Diane still have the car [ update Nov 2019 ]


On the road by the start


A beautiful Lotus -*** the Eleven X1 - rebuilt / restored by Peter Bruin - car is ex the Ganley family Father Jim, sons Howden and Dennis who also ran a Jarvie bodied Ford 10 Special .. the car now back with the Ganley family in its 1960's Ganley livery


Whose is it, What is it ??


John Wigston's single seater is a well known car - comments required.


There are some 70-100 photos to follow as I get them sorted.

These may a bit smaller than TRS can take - may have to upsize just like Macca's !!