Remarkable! British Car Museum, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Yes, I managed to get in! Sadly the instigator of this museum passed away in 2019, but his family do still allow accompanied visits. Join Ian Seabrook and a random gang of Morris Dancers as they take in this remarkable collection.
I am going to ask for a thesaurus for Christmas, just so I can find new words for remarkable.
Contains cars from Austin and Morris (inc 3-Litre, 1100, Kimberley and Tasman, A40, A60, Minor, Marina, Ital), a Singer SM1500 and a PAIR of Hunters, Daimler Conquest and Lanchester equivalent, Rover 75 diesel, early Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 as well as Victors, Vivas, Cresta and Velox, Ford 8, Ten, Prefect, Consul, Zephyr and much, much more!
Arrange visits by contacting the tourism office in Napier. The website and Facebook page do not appear to be currently monitored.
HubNut shop and support options located at hubnut.org - thank you.
#BarnFind #CarMuseum #HubNut

[@SocksWithSandals]

That place should be declared an International Cultural Heritage Site like Angkor Wat and Stonehenge, with a UN budget to restore every one of those vehicles to roadworthiness for period costume dramas. And for HubNut to test drive. 😁

[@aKiwiJoKeR]

2 years on & these cars are starting to be listed on Trademe here (Our eBay in NZ)

[@kevinwhelan8126]

I live in NZ and visited this museum back in 2011. Needless to say I was there for a couple of hours at least - so much to take in! I’m told there are over 500 vehicles on the site and is claimed to be the biggest collection of British cars in the world. The place really needs to be three times the floor area so all cars are displayed on the level and there’s room to walk around them so they can be fully appreciated. Nevertheless a fantastic Mecca for British motoring memorabilia in New Zealand. Many thanks Hubnut for the watch, pleasure as always😀

[@peterduxbury927]

Everyone who owned one of these cars, could roll up their sleeves, and quite happily set the tappets and contact breaker gap, change the oil and filter. Pure simplicity, without the modern plastic rubbish, and temperamental electronic systems. Britain had an identity back then, and no modern car can survive and be called a 'classic'. I caught a brief glimpse of a 1937 Morris Eight. The very first car that I ever drove (aged 10). I am 71 now, and feeling like I have just come out of a Time Capsule! Thanks for the walk around lots of British Motor Car History - which will never be repeated.

[@alanjames3021]

People saying its sad to see these cars parked up in a dingy garage, what was the alternative, being scrapped as they went out of fashion or used until they were scrapped. The only reason we can see them now is that they were stashed away by the wonderful man that saw the value (other then financial) in them. I think this needs crowdfunding to be saved and run as a trust. People could book holidays there to work on old cars and a programme set up to get them running. I'd be happy to volunteer to manage it and work for food and board until it becomes self sustaining. The cars could be made roadworthy and then rented out for touring NZ. Can you imagine flying into NZ and hiring that Austin 1300 Estate to tour the islands in rather then a modern Hyundai or similar sardine can? Just WOW. Well done Ian for allowing me t accompany you through those collection which, sadly, I probably will never be able to see for myself.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Totally agree Alan - what an opportunity that would be !

[@RMarkNolan]

Great ideas, but disagree on hiring them out to tourists.

[@adeh503]

That's absolutely spot on, unless you can take care of them properly there better off stored inside. You see so many classic cars just rotting away in a field because the owners wanted to start collecting them but had nowhere to put them

[@alanjames3021]

@@RMarkNolan they all need using and the business would need an income so what better way to keep them moving and earn some dollars?

[@imnotamechanic3491]

@@alanjames3021 Sadly, @Mark Nolan is right, there is no business case for hiring these out. Car rental companies don't usually make money out of hiring cars out (they make money by buying cars in bulk at discount prices then selling them for more than they paid as nearly new cars 3 months later - when was the last time you saw a rental car that wasn't brand new, they also make plenty out of charging for scratches etc). as has been mentioned several times, most of these cars you wouldn't want to drive anyway, and very few people visiting New Zealand would feel the urge to spend their week in a British car with a 50/50 chance of breaking down, with no A/C and no crash protection (driving in a country they are unfamiliar with). And when they do break down, most the spare parts are on the wrong side of the world!

[@thomasparker3013]

Don't beat yourself up about getting the odd fact wrong. You've got amazing knowledge. I've learned more about obscure classics from your videos than anywhere else.

[@grahamariss2111]

Seconded

[@zugbug1986]

Thirded.

[@chrisharkin3741]

@@zugbug1986 If fourthed is a word, then "fourthed."

[@meirionevans5137]

@@chrisharkin3741 quartered?

[@RMarkNolan]

Fifthed.

[@Kuessemir]

What a beautiful legacy this owner curated for everyone. How special.

[@MGBetts1]

R.I.P. to the old owner. Fantastic collection, not easy to film but you did a great job!

[@ianstewartorr8455]

I’m 55 now but looking at this collection through the eyes of a child wonderful memories thanks so much hub nut viewing from scotland

[@haroldofcardboard]

55 here too and same thoughts!

[@kenhollywood4990]

Try being 77 with the same thoughts 🤯

[@drbarry7381]

Same

[@collinhunter9792]

58 here in nz. Yep, memories from home

[@MrRonyag]

Wow what a fabulous collection please keep this museum going

[@profrumpo]

A wonderful treat on a Saturday morning. Agreed it's a bit of shame that many of the cars were presumably not used, but at least they were preserved rather than maybe allowed to vanish. Sad too that the collector has departed the garage, he should be congratulated for this amazing hoard of splendiferousness.

[@heartland96a]

The founder must have past away only recently ? That's a heck of a collection ,if they hadn't put so many up on stands they would have needed a couple more buildings !!!! Very clever solution a salute to the one who came up with the idea .

[@Zeem4]

So many of my favourite cars - Avenger, Vauxhall FD series and Viva, Marina/Ital. There was a red Viva HC there that looked like it might be a 2300SL, which I believe is a rare car. I think that one advantage of hoarding like this is that it preserves some of the cars through the banger phase when values are low and most get scrapped. Even if they don't get driven for many years, they could still theoretically be put back on the road and enjoyed by someone else if they ever got sold, rather than them being crushed and lost forever.

[@MapleMarmite]

I'm beginning to think NZ is the epicentre of old British car collecting. The Kiwis seem to have done more for saving everyday British classics than anywhere else in the world - including Britain! Obviously their climate helps with that but even so. Joyous to see them all saved but equally sad that they are just sitting idle and not being enjoyed on the road. I hope the flooring upstairs is strong - it's a bit worrying having pianos positioned above cars, especially if there are Marinas beneath!

[@Mancozeb100]

MapleMarmite Ahh, think they’ll be safe enough - can’t see Clarkson visiting a place like this anytime soon. No Pagani Zondas or whatever he’s into these days.

[@MapleMarmite]

Mancozeb100 It will be for the best if he (and anyone to do with TG) is kept away from any such places as this. The possible outcome doesn't bear thinking about.

[@johnstonstewart9683]

Sad in a way to see all those vehicles just sitting there, but then again they may have been lost completely if he hadn't hoarded them.....

[@andymccabe6712]

Well, doesn't this apply to pretty much all car museums ...? Fundamentally, cars are meant to go, but.........!

[@thecelticprince4949]

That's something of a kiwi thing. Hoarding.

[@robinvanags912]

Such an abundance of treasures (but oh so many chrome headlamp 'eyelids'!).

[@andyfield7397]

The Smell of old England and Dads, Granpas and uncles sheds no doubt - I know exactly what you mean, Ian. Beautiful Video

[@NedPooleD818]

Amazing- it’s like my collection of Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky cars but in 12 inches to the foot scale!!

[@Lindsay5137]

Ho Ho, took me a couple of seconds to realise exactly what you said when describing the "scale" Magic!!

[@Hairnicks]

Extraordinary. Although this is an amazing collection, I can't help thinking these cars should be loved and on the road. I would choose the Singer Vogue, had a 1964 1725 with twin Zenith carbs, boy was that a nice car. Thanks for showing us around Ian.

[@barrierodliffe4155]

The 1964 Singer Vogue did have twin Zenith carburetors but not a 1725 cc engine which was introduced in September 1965 with a twin choke downdraught carburetor instead of the two downdraught carburetors previously used, the 1725 cc engine at first gave the same power as the older 1600 cc engine

[@aftonline]

Brings back memories of growing up in NZ in the early 1980's when many of these cars were still on the roads, or parked up in people's back yards. My first car was a 1965 Morris 1100 in Avon Green, which had languished rusting and engineless in the back of Dad's shed until I decided to buy an engine/transmission unit from a wreckers yard and put it back on the road. A really advanced car for its time with interconnected hydrolastic suspension and exceptional fuel economy for the amount of room in the car. Dad also owned an Australian-built 1970 Morris 1800 which was even roomier and more powerful. We even used it to tow a caravan, which it was quite capable of. Wonderful, well-engineered cars for all of their quirks and foibles.

[@caspaabriel4794]

I join with all other comments, and solute this Museum and your video. It is strange and a bit sad, this man hoarded a million memories. You captured all this in a sympathetic and respectful manner to the man. A great homage Kind Regards

[@johnlad1481]

What an awesome place so many nice British cars I'd never leave that place..never seen so many Vauxhall viva's

[@ianm41]

So pleased you made it there...I have never seen anything quite like it before. Certainly a one off. Sad to hear he has passed away, who knows what will happen to all those cars.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

What's more remarkable and astonishing is your ability to recognise and identify almost every make, model and year just in passing 😲 Excellent video. If I had the funds I'd buy the whole place and transport it all back to the UK. Motor museums have lost their sparkle in the digital age, with kids more interested in the internet, but with the EV era ahead, I think these museums will become so much more important in the near future. If the Elgin marbles and a piece of the WTC are protected by the finest museums, so should all this engineering be 👍

[@girl-pl3wx]

GOOD COLLECTION !!!

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Many years ago I had a ford zephyr mk 4 with a v4 2 litre engine, with a bench seat that folded back to make a bed , much fun was had in that car ,😁😁👍

[@nygelmiller5293]

We don't dare to ask what KIND of fun!

[@rustynail1606]

The urge to get some of these car's in to sunlight and get them running,

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Yes indeed. My favourite shot was 9:29 - I might have to screen-capture that and make it my desktop image! I currently have four of those 1100/1300's in various states of repair. The only one I did NOT see there, was a GT. I love british cars. I am in car heaven with this video. I really hope they re-open this museum in a more permanent fasion - what a fantastic collection of British cars!!!!!

[@bumbleo8993]

Jaw dropping but sad at the same time..

[@woodrimcars2324]

Went there in 2017 when the elderly owner would suddenly appear on his mobility scooter out of nowhere. Was a very interesting character indeed.

[@moviebod]

That must be one of the most significant British car museums in the world.

[@terabyte1695]

marvellous wonderful sensational stunning incredible unbelievable miraculous phenomenal prodigious striking outstanding momentous impressive singular signal pre-eminent memorable unforgettable never to be forgotten unique arresting eye-catching conspicuous Try these instead of remarkable Ian,this is a remarkable [you got me doing it] collection,some very rare cars and will be sought after, my days in the 70,s wandering round the scrap yard next to my dads works ,very similar, so many cars and bikes to play in/on,zodiacs,triumph,ford anglia.morris oxford,cambridge,marinas and so on,some cars were late 60,s , i had a plastic bag with about 50 chrome names,and it went missing over the years ,wish i still had it. farewell and take care...

[@chrisharkin3741]

I'm glad you got to see this collection. What a place! Marina Nerd Fact: The Marina TC on top is an Australian Marina 1750TC, with the E-series engine. The badge behind the front wheel has the Leyland symbol with "Leyland Australia" instead of "British Leyland." I saw a South African one here in AU once years ago, its badge said "Leyland S. Africa."

[@bernardguynunns5658]

Sadly the biggest pieces of crap ever made.

[@Robhalifax]

@@bernardguynunns5658 Not true at all. Ive had one among dozens of other cheap cars. Ive had far worse.

[@reburdoc4647]

A big shed of nostalgia & so very nice to see the underneath of the cars on racks. A classic car show out of the wind & the rain

[@anthonyroger5533]

Very very nice to see that!

[@anthonyroger5533]

I injoy it quite a bit.

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Mk3 Cortina's made my day as did the Riley Kestrel. Shame so many of the cars are off the ground. R.i.p. to the owner.

[@commonsense953]

Absolutely fantastic museum and amazing collection of cars. It’s a shame that they are shoehorned into the building as these should be driven to get the full beauty of these vehicles. Thanks to you Ian for bringing this to KZbin ... I certainly hope that the new owners of the museum do the right thing with the museum. Theses vehicles deserve to have their “hearts beating”.

[@tolrem]

Old car Purgatory.Maybe they'll go to restoration Heaven one day.

[@RMarkNolan]

They've been preserved. The alternative is they may have rotted away in various back yards or wreckers.

[@guyemmott4009]

There IS a heaven on Earth..!! Brilliant place.

[@poonmig]

I'm with you Ian, It would be nice to see these vehicles "stretch their legs" now and then. At least they can be seen by the public though. Many thanks for sharing this wonderful place with us.

[@JonBushell]

You know how to brighten people’s day. 🤗

[@Shane_Marsh]

A real treasure trove, deliciously filmed by Mr Seabrook. You're a legend sir.

[@ukman9797]

I was born in 1965 and grew up through the years with these cars being around, back then they were just daily cars. I learned to drive in a consul and owned the Vauxhall cavalier. No matter what anyone says we had a healthy car industry here in the UK, such a shame the politics, design and workmanship at the time never kept pace with the rest of the world. I would not say it was a shame, but it took a man from the otherside of the world to create a museum to recognise and preserve the British car industry and cherish it. What is very poigniant is the the Rover 75 on a 2005 plate, the year Rover Group died, which was possibly the last true British owned car company. I do not look in sadness, at these vehicles which have been preserved and cherished, but in happiness that they will go on as reminder of days gone by. I just hope it remains together as one of the true collections of British Motoring Heritage. May that man rest in peace!

[@vumba1331]

The baby blue Ford Escort (2 door 1100 cc auto!) with the HB registration that there was a brief glimpse of was owned by my Aunt, Irene Claughton. Was sold to the museum just after her passing by my Uncle Dennis, I understand the museum guy wanted it to fill a gap in his Ford collection. Nearly bought it for my daughter to drive when she had just passed her driving tests. Lovely to see it there.

[@bollinvalleyrailway]

That looks an excellent collection by the late owner, i hope the family give the museum a future. Thank you for pointing out the rover p6's in this one.

[@coolcruisingautophotograph1735]

Alas these cars are up for sale

[@jeffreynolds3848]

Ian, I can quite understand how overwhelming your visit must have been. Thanks for showing all that you did. As you described, it must be quite a bitter-sweet experience and SO MUCH of it...! It was a great opportunity to experience your own knowledge of 20th century British cars; some of them fun facts, but the rest a deep knowledge which I’m sure many others appreciate. BTW, you mentioned many happy memories of ‘60’s Morris Oxford estate - same here! Mine’s of dad’s ‘68 bought new in Almond Green with grey leather seats. 4 of us kids would scrunch across the back seat for the overnight trip from Herts to either Devon/Cornwall or North Wales and the many day-trips therin. Can remember 1st gear climbs of Welsh hill white roads 6-up and back full to the roof of our gear, with a growing number of bleached sheep skulls wired to the front grille... Happy days!

[@davidpeters6536]

So many Minors. Many rare cars. Thanks for this fascinating look.

[@szilardtoth8814]

Just take a look at that. Packed warehouse with bunches of finest cars. What a joy.

[@peterriggall8409]

Thanks Ian. That museum has been on the bucket list. Who knows......you may well be one of the last people to video the collection. What will the future hold for those cars? On a positive note they could all be back on the road with recommissioning. If you wanted to get one car out it looks like you might have to move 50 to achieve it! Mind blowing that arguably the best collection of British cars is on the other side of the world. Noted the Morris dancers but where were the Austin dancers????? 🤔

[@alanfunt4013]

Fingers crossed such an amazing collection gets a new home more fitting. Thanks for the tour Ian.

[@aerogray2500]

What an amazing collection and a stark reminder of when the British car industry was the world leader. And yet we managed to lose the bloody lot!

[@Kuessemir]

To anyone I'm sure but especially viewing this as an American it seems to be a positively mythical trove of delights. I would happily live in this building.

[@Scuba72Chris]

I'm very familiar with that lovely old smell. I own a 1954 Morris Minor and get a nose full every time I open the door. :)

[@graemelow4278]

If only they had a bigger building! I share your view that it is a shame for so many vehicles to be laid up. Could be a NZ Beaulieu! I would definitely'like' this video more than once if I could!! Safe travels.

[@nygelmiller5293]

A New Zealand Beaulieai would be a great idea!

[@pauloconnor7951]

Well done. That lot takes me back to childhood memories !!!

[@terencejay8845]

True. My Dad had that Triumph 2000 in the green. These are the cars that would drive by if you just sat by the roadside. He also had a Zephyr 4, then the 6, followed by a Zodiac.

[@trevgilbert6146]

Visited the museum in 2O15 when we were in NZ and had a long chat with the owner about how he got started and the struggle to keep it all going .A fantastic collection by any standards and has to be seen to appreciate the amount of cars and bits and pieces on display. I think the Princess was at the front then too.

[@AndySyx]

A couple of those Austins in there used to belong to dad and grandad 🙂👍 Grew up out there, an awesome place and one big solid community Haumoana, HMN Born and Bred😁.

[@nygelmiller5293]

Wow! Lucky you! Being able to say it's some of YOUR family's cars in there!

[@robertngreen6]

Oh you spoil us again Mr HubNut, sharing your visits to these wondrous forever homes of forgotten old cars. This place is just epic; will definitely need to watch it over and over. So sad that the owner has passed away and hopefully this collection will have a future under new guidance?

[@theflyingstonemason6867]

My late Grandfather worked as a publicity manager at the BMC plant Cowley England and helped launch the first Mini back in 1961. He owned at one time, virtually every make of BMC car on display there. 😀

[@caleb.aharvey4847]

I grew up in Napier and had the chance to meet and chat with the owner on multiple occasions, he was always particularly proud of his Mini Cooper pickup truck, and spoke highly of the modern jag he was running around in that doesn’t appear in this video, so I’d guess has been sold, an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate enthusiast. Anyone who met him came away with new knowledge.

[@HubNut]

There was a modern Jag. I just didn't film it, or much of it. He built an amazing collection. I hope it lives on, though it would be nice to see some of the cars run again.

[@andrewhofler]

Whilst it sad to see the cars covered in magazines and telephones looking unloved, its great that the owner saved these cars for us to see today. Hopefully the museum can have a bit of a stocktake to raise funds, thin the collection and keep the place alive, typewriter included!

[@thecelticprince4949]

I'll second that

[@theshowman8478]

What an incredible collection ! Wonderful.

[@cooperwilliams4686]

A great example of how good British cars were. As long as the weren't kept outside.

[@daviemaclean61]

I agree with almost everyone else - a fantastic collection, or should I say YET ANOTHER fantastic collection. New Zealand seems to be home to more automotive collections/typewriter museums that anywhere I've ever seen! On a side note - it's little wonder you were getting stressed out with so much stuff to film, edit and upload. Great that it's all coming out on a regular basis for our entertainment. Thanks Ian.

[@harrisonhunter7512]

Had to see this again this is brilliant I have to visit this place when i get back to nz.thank you for the great video .👍

[@gabrielelinea7008]

That is an incredible collection. Thank you Mr. HubNut!

[@6364AW]

Absolutely brilliant, thanks so much for filming this remarkable collection 👍👍👍Best wishes from Yeovil U.K.

[@billburnhope2176]

A real shame the owner passed away, hope there is another museum for him to enjoy! Heres also hoping this on survives!!

[@frothe42]

Goodness, all those vehicles! Stuff galore! And I spotted a Nash Rambler at the end! The Capri in the 90's was an imported Mercury, nothing like the Capri which was based on the Mustang from 1979-1985, here in the US 🇺🇸 . And I do believe the Capri was an Australian import.

[@garyspence2558]

Yes you are correct. The Ford (Mercury) Capri was built in Sydney NSW mainly for export to the USA.

[@stephenscholes4758]

@@garyspence2558 The late 1980's Capri? Not sure Ford ever had a manufacturing base in Sydney... (Headquarters/Assembly in Broadmeadows, Melbourne...Engine Plant in Geelong SW of Melbourne)

[@garyspence2558]

@@stephenscholes4758The Ford plant operated in Homebush Sydney from 1936 until 1994. The small convertible Capri was based on the Mazda 323 and was built there from 1989 - 1994.

[@andrewbuttigieg2018]

@@garyspence2558 The Ford/Mercury Capri was fully assembled at the Ford Broadmeadows plant in Melbourne. (Plant 2). I should know, because I worked there from 1989 - 1994 on the Capri assembly line afternoon shift. Started as a line worker putting the latches for the copote lid that covered the soft top, then did tail lights and third brake light on boot lid, then worked on the interior installation of heater cables and also instrument clusters. Finished my time there as a final inspector of my section that checked for any faults, fit and finish of components before stamping the job sheet before the car proceeded to the next section of the line.

[@revolution1one]

What an astonishing hoard of old British cars!

[@mpersad]

What a wonderful museum and what a terrifically informative video. As someone in their late 50s it is incredibly moving to see all those British marques that were so familiar, for so many years, and now all gone.

[@kristiaanhoek8422]

I bought the Green HB viva at 11.26.. All up and running now! So many of these cars must be in good condition and with some attention can be revived!

[@dazaspc]

It isn't a sad thing at all that these have been stored or even displayed like this. Had it not been for the previous owners efforts to keep these under cover and away from the elements they would mostly be ferric oxide in a field or recycled into toasters. A choice to save more vehicles than to build new sheds was made due to the collectors priorities. The cars in the most part look like they will be all very quick to recommission. Utilizing the available space when it is limited is far more important than a single level display and leaving another to dissolve in the elements. This isn't Arizona. However the current circumstances and modern insurance will force this into being broken up somewhat but at least the stuff that goes will be recommissioned in the most part so thanks to this Gentlemen and his collecting there will be more around for everybody. I personally would prefer to see a packed museum display rather than a fancy backdrop and a silk rope. After all that is why you come to the display for the cars not the accoutrements.

[@RMarkNolan]

Well said, and I totally agree. Ian's focus was to save as many British cars as he could. Display was secondary. I think in future, we'll all agree he made the right call.

[@shand1967]

God I hope my lottery numbers come in soon so I can visit places like this. Remarkable.

[@markharris7662]

I've always loved the Austin 1100. Never owned or been in one but I just love the look.

[@leelovegrove]

Amazing place! And four Chevettes in one place. Worth the trip just for that.

[@mrpalm54]

Gordon Bennett Ian that was quick I'll have to look again! Thanks for this so many cars in there!

[@tonysargent1699]

That place is an andolit goldmine! Such beautiful, cars such great memories and a rover 75 bmw e46 thing! Great stuff. Thankyou for sharing.

[@martinda7446]

Tony I would agree ..if I knew what 'andolit' meant?

[@HubNut]

There's pretty much no E46 in a 75...

[@tonysargent1699]

@@HubNut dude, the whole chassis, suspension, electrics and of course, the 2.0 litre diesel engine are all e46 in one format or another. Even the electronic radio, sat nav upgrade is straight out of a bmw!

[@saxon-mt5by]

@@tonysargent1699 The Rover 75 was a completely different car! The chassis was a front-wheel drive platform with a central tunnel based on the pre-BMW Rover 600 - totally different from the equivalent BMW 5-series, and signficantly larger than the BMW 3-series E46. The diesel was the only BMW engine used; I don't know about electrical ancilliaries, but it would make sense if BMW incorporated at least some of their components into the Rover

[@davidbassett4577]

What a wonderful collection .. my favourite the Wolseley 1100 ..my late father owned a Farina Grey Mk1 bought new in 1966 Reg PPP921D .. lovely walnut dash & blue leather interior .. as an eight year old boy .. found the hydro elastic suspension gave me sever travel sickness in the back .. but fine in the front ! He kept the car for almost 10 years replacing it with an Austin Allegro 1300 with the quartic steering wheel Reg JUD951N .. that in turn was replaced by an Austin Maestro which was his last car .. the Allegro became my first car in 1984..

[@fatboydrop]

I've been here twice and absolutely love it!!!

[@furiousdriving]

That place is astonishing, what a collection. How on earth did they get the upper level cars onto those racks? Very sad the owner is no longer with us, he must have been a great character. Oh, and the Rover 200 is polynesian blue

[@HubNut]

There was a forklift parked around the back. Must have taken some driving!

[@furiousdriving]

@@HubNut Ill say, theres only about 10cm between stacks, must have been olympic standard fork lifting!

[@bentullett6068]

This is a amazing collection of British cars. It would be great if someone would take on the running of this museum and secure its future. We could do with a update on your journey in Australia.

[@HubNut]

I don't want to ruin the timeline. Australia will come in time.

[@meirionevans5137]

Someone who is Nuts about Hubs perhaps?

[@Lindsay5137]

You mean the "West Island" surely.

[@martinjames9250]

I stumbled on this place when I was touring New Zealand back in 2007 if memory serves. It's been proper smartened up. Everything was covered in dust back then. It all started, the owner told me, when one of his daughters wanted a car and he got her a Morris Minor. Then another daughter liked it so much she wanted one too! That's how it started. A great number of the cars were donated by their owners because they didn't want them crushed. A nice chap, and in those days there were no 'closed' areas. (Lots of vans and trucks back there)

[@HubNut]

Sadly it is all being sold off now.

[@martinjames9250]

@@HubNut Oh, that's a shame. Can't say I'm surprised though.

[@jonjoco]

You lucky ffkin bar star, dthat's all the cars I see in the background to my earliest memories. I'm no car enthusiast by any stretch, but these are what the streets were (sparsely) populated with when I was in my pushchair. That there kicks me in the nostalgia guts, and no mistake. Ta, ever so!

[@allanfoster6965]

Thanks for finishing on a Wolsley badge! Just to say the 1100/1300 is prettier than the Riley. But i am biased!😁🇬🇧

[@mattw8332]

What an incredible collection. I still like 1970s cars with "coke bottle" styling the best. 😎

[@frglee]

Yep, if money were no object, a perfectly restored early 70s Vauxhall Viva 1600 OHC would be my chosen car. In Peacock Blue with a sunroof, please.

[@jamesmcgowen1769]

frglee please tell me, because I want to know. How much hp did the ‘70 Vauxhall Viva 1600 produce? What was so good about them? I never grew up with a vehicle of that type, always had a 6 cylinder Holden. Not the fastest thing going, but bags of tourque and dependable motoring.

[@frglee]

@@jamesmcgowen1769 It was my first car; I learnt to drive in it, I had some great touring holidays in it. I thought it was a cool design and was comfortable inside. The car was 8 years old when I got it, and not particularly reliable, though I learnt the basics of car mechanics fixing stuff! I have no idea as to power, it seemed adequate for motorway driving and you could give it a strop on smaller bendy roads well enough. Steering and suspension seemed very good. She got about 35mpg. The 1600 ohc engine was mainly used in the larger Vauxhalls, and it must have been an interesting engine as the London Science Museum had a cutaway one on display. Wiki has details of the engine : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Slant-4_engine

[@philiplindley7384]

Quite amazing to see all these cars that I grew up with and had forgotten.👍

[@twig3288]

An amazing trip down memory lane.

[@byronmills5952]

Epic collection! The Rover R8s colour was called 'Polynesian Blue'. ☺️

[@JVChester]

Rover paint code UMG Polynesian Turquoise, appeared later again as paint code IAN Lagoon in MG Rover's monogram range. Many thanks Ian really enjoyed the walk round that collection.

[@gianpaologliori3604]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with “hoarding” - look at it as a sort of car library to preserve these cars some of which are interesting bits of history but arguably not the sort of thing you would want to own and drive. The lack of obvious desirability is probably why you never see a lot of these cars on the roads in the uk. Pretty amazing collection!

[@Stevie671]

The history of the car includes anything that was ever assembled, and in the future it will all have the same irreplaceable value.I occasionally get an urge to see an Austin Tasman, just to remind myself how awful it was.

[@SocksWithSandals]

The "lack of obvious desirability" is why we watch HubNut. 🚗🚙

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

Very few cars in this collection that you would want to own and drive They are much better off rusting away here. Good grief who wants a Marina or a Kimberly. Terrible cars. Built in a time when the motto of the British workman was. Aw that’s close enough

[@Slacksfifth]

@@michaelnaisbitt1639 LoL, Trabant and Lada had better quality.

[@weaton25]

No the reason why you do not see many old cars on the roads in the uk is simple SALT they all rusted away I had british cars in the uk back in the 1960/70s only three or four years old but riddled with rust in parts of the world that they do not need to use salt there are still loads of old cars on the roads.

[@andru9102]

We used to live in Napier and loved visiting that museum, it is amazing. Sad to hear the owner passed away, he was a nice chap. Hope this collection is preserved.

[@kimcason8764]

Yay..! First time a Ford Capri from Australia has been featured (if somewhat Fleeting.) I am so happy my Daily drive got a mention. Sept will be her 30th birthday. 1992 XR2 Turbo, my Small pile of Joy..!! 😎

[@sefikempowermentcoachvilla7843]

What a collection 👍👍credit to the deceased owners passion .

[@LukeLappage95]

That brown mk4 cortina with the large bumpers is a austrailan built one. Either has a 2.0 or the falcon 4.1 six.

[@roberthorseman7432]

I hope they keep this place open to preserve all these gems a real treasure trove.

[@darrylmcleman6456]

I remember seeing a few old Mayflowers on their last legs (or last wheels!) here in Victoria in mid 60s. Great selection of english cars and we love the Morris Minors! CHEERS from Canadian westcoast

[@trevatkin4869]

Do you think they'd let me live there as a troll? Isn't it amazing how if you just saw one of these cars out on the road you'd be impressed, but this is absolute car heaven overload!

[@zugbug1986]

Trev Atkin: Trev the troll has a certain ring to it.

[@raymondg6823]

Amazing museum and history, probably not another like it in the uk, credit to the owner who made it possible, hope it continues

[@thecelticprince4949]

But this one's not in the UK! It's down under in the Antipodes

[@AUmarcus]

@@thecelticprince4949 Napier NZ.

[@b.2221]

That is a virtual time pod of motoring history and nostalgia rolled into one remarkable collection of cars. That guy knew his stuff, and some of it irreplaceable. I do hope that it's future comes to a satisfactory conclusion Sir 👍 Tam.

[@LeicesterMike]

Amazing place, hopefully they find some way of continuing to allow the museum to operate. The Vanden Plas 1100 brings back of my grandad, he was a chauffeur for the owner of a shoe factory after cutting off his thumb whilst working there (as compensation) he drove Rolls and Bentley's but had the car as his own as it had tables just like the cars he drove for his job.

[@stepheng8779]

Sad in a way but if someone doesn't keep them they'll just disappear forever. When you mentioned about going early, I can't remember the last time I saw a MK1 Ka or Zafira on the road, scrappage scheme killed a lot. That shot of all the 1100's together was tremendous 😁

[@imnotamechanic3491]

Scrappage did not kill that many Ka's and hardly any Zafiras. The Zafira only came out in 2000, so only qualified to be scrapped by the of the scheme, and being a practical 10 year old car, were generally worth at least £1k, but £2k in good condition. Only 167 Zafiras were scrapped under that scheme, and I suspect most were in pretty bad shape anyway. Ford Ka's suffered around a 6200 loss, which is less than the number of Ka's scrapped in the last quarter as recorded by howmanyleft. The truth is, cars get old, they cost alot to fix, our country has very low used car prices and subsequently its almost always cheaper to scrap and buy another than fix it. Other countries have markets where a cars value us in the fact it can get you about, whereas we look at how little is something is worth due to its age and mileage (yeah, 100k, the car must be dead - we havent moved on from when cars really didnt last 100k).

[@stepheng8779]

@@imnotamechanic3491 too windy for trainspotting this weekend? Thanks for clarifying my point, there'd be a chance that 6200 more Ka's and 167 more Zafira's on the road if it wasn't for the scrappage scheme. Every little helps. Happy?

[@michaelf.h8507]

@@imnotamechanic3491 : Many of our very cheap used cars also get exported especially to third world countries. Not just premium models but also volume cars,pick-ups,Vans and SUVs. A few years ago I happened to be at the docks in a West African country and saw about 200 of our old cars being driven off the ship-many were Fords, Peugeot and Japanese brands..

[@DomingoDeSantaClara]

British car museum managed by....Hubnut? Could be a new career waiting for you.

[@emjayay]

I look forward to the extensive windshield wiper and typewriter exhibits.

[@nygelmiller5293]

I quite agree with you, it WOULD be great if Hubnut ran the museum( complete with charity funding to run it, and EXPAND it, so the cars would not have been on top of each other!)

[@philthebus733]

No wonder old cars get rare...he had them all...... lol....... What an amazing collection.

[@reddermot]

Nice to see that SA30 Capri. They used Mazda 323 mechanicals and body by Ghia. I know for a fact that Steve Soper took one back with him to the UK. He was a regular competitior in the Nissan/Mobil 500 touring car series which was a round of the Group A touring car championship for a fair few years. It saw top teams (Eggenberger, Schnitzer, TWR etc) and drivers compete on a street circuit in Wellington and then a week or so later at Pukekohe Circuit in Auckland.

[@andrewbuttigieg2018]

I probably had a hand in building that Capri in this video. I worked at the Ford Broadmeadows assembly plant on the Capri 89 - 94.