What started out as a grotty day turned to sun as many thousands turned out for the Southward Car Museum’s 2015 Auto Jumble.
It was the third year of this event, but my first time here. What a revelation. Unlike other events where it’s only say American or English cars, today’s event was a huge melting pot of countries, with cars from Italy, Germany, Australia, the US and UK represented. Probably there were others I have missed as cars seemed to be coming and going all day.
Hayden Beiseel, the event organiser, said they expected to break 4,000 visitors for the day. “It looks like today is a bit bigger than last year,’ he said, “A nice day always brings the crowds – plus people like getting their cars out to show off when it’s sunny.”
The Auto Jumble part of the day was much bigger than I thought, with a real variety of things being sold, from old signs for Fords, or Mopar etc, to entire engines from a Japanese car.
“I’ve seen lots of people walking out with bits and pieces, including one guy with an outboard motor,” Hayden mentioned.
I spoke to people from Wanganui and Taupo who had traveled down just for this event, one for the auto jumble and the other just to drool over the huge selection of cars. Hayden says there were about 400 cars on display, as well as a selection of newer and old motorbikes, and the Car Coral where people could put their classic (or not so classic) car up for sale.
As always, there was the obligatory coffee caravan, as well as hot dogs and chips. There were quite a few trade stands too, from paint treatment to car shipping companies.
The day is a fundraiser for Southward Charitable Trust, but money is dished out to local community projects. Last year was a donation to Wellington Free Ambulance and also the local fire brigade. None of the money is used to support Southward itself.
All I can say is I will be there again next year. Great event!