Over the weekend of October 3–4, 2015, we joined Mid West Street Rods for a run round East Auckland, to check out a bunch of different sheds. The first stop being Marsh Motorsport. From there, it was on to Moorfield’s Estate, Mac’s Speed Shop, The Drinkrow Collection, concluding the day with a late lunch at the Clevedon Hotel. Founded in 1978, Mid West Street Rods are a pre-1960 American-origin club, with members from all over Auckland. The ‘East Run’ was one of many monthly club events organized for the members to participate in.
The club have a variety of cars in their ranks from Clark Raven’s six-cylinder–powered ’37 Chev sedan, through to Les Young’s ’36 Ford tudor and the totally stock ’36 Ford coupe of Trevor Brashier.
Outside Marsh Motorsport is Tania Foster’s ’36 Ford coupe, Garry Mann’s ’32 Ford coupe, and a great-looking Ford F-series pickup.
Inside Marsh Motorsport, Tony Marsh was informative and entertaining. In the picture above he is explaining the amount of work going into an early Hemi engine in the build.
Troy Weeks’ ’32 Ford roadster has a bunch of history, and is also currently for sale. Vaughan Walters, from Iron Sands club, was a guest in his ’34 Chev sedan.
The visit also included a rundown on the Marsh Motorsport / Mount Shop drag racing efforts, with both the A/Fuel dragster (shown above) and their record-holding Top Fuel dragster.
There's always time for an obligatory group photo!
Founding members of the club Graham and June Weeks were present with their ’32 Chev sedan. The car has been a part of the family since the ’70s, and in its current guise features numerous modern comforts, including independent suspension, leather interior, electric windows, and central locking.
The next stop was Steve and Sue Keys’ Moorfields Estate — a boutique bed and breakfast, which also showcases their car and memorabilia collection.
Carl Jensen’s ‘Baloo’ resides at Moorfields on display for all to enjoy and reminisce of the exploits of Peter Lodge and early New Zealand drag racing. We've got the full story behind Peter Lodge and Baloo, which you can read part one of here.
Steve Keys’ Ford Thunderbolt is a cover car from NZV8 Issue No. 124, and is the result of a lifelong dream to build a clone of these rare factory race cars. The plan is to one day take the car to America for Drag Week.
Steve recently commissioned Grahame Berry to build this perfect model of the Mercedes-Benz 500SEC ‘Wild Bunch’ Top Doorslammer drag car that he raced in the ’90s.
Next stop was Graeme and Karen McNeill’s Mac’s Speed Shop in Whitford, and out went the full-house sign. Mac’s specialize in the design and fabrication of traditional hot rods, but can handle any aspect of your hot rod, custom car, or street machine.
On display at Mac's was this recently finished ’32 Ford pickup, which was a ground-up build for John Amore, featuring a tri-carb small block Chev engine under the hood.
Royce Everett’s injected Hemi ’32, and Russell Long’s Model A gasser are both under construction and look great.
A regroup at Pine Harbour Marina took place, before driving by the Drinkrow Family collection, then heading out along the coast of Maraetai Beach to head inland towards Clevedon, South Auckland.
Phil Robinson’s Brookville-bodied ’32 Ford roadster was put together by Black Jack Engineering. Phil uses the car as much as possible with its Sid Chavers Bop Top removable roof — shown here at the Clevedon Hotel where the run concluded for lunch.
And with that, the cruise was over, but it was a great way to kick off the beginning of spring — we're looking forward to more cruising and enjoying these fine cars under New Zealand's great end-of-year weather!
