Stags in Picton New Zealand

[Westfaling]

We had a national get-together last weekend in Picton at the top of the South Island. Great Weekend with 25 Stags attending. Should have been 26 but more of that later. If you love the sound, and who doesn't, check out this You Tube video of the cars leaving the Omaka Museums. Turn the volume up.
Nice little car museum and Peter Jackson's WW1 aircraft museum is awesome. If you've ever in the area don't miss it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgBYpDeOwX8

Much like the Top Gear challenges (RIP) we had a VW back-up car lurking in the background and one of our Christchurch members ended up driving is after Stagzilla blew it's head gasket in Blenheim just before getting to Picton.
Some extra photos can be found here:

http://canterburysoc.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=15844725

At least two of the Stags on the video don't have Stag engines can you tell which ones?
I thought about cutting the Jag XKs out but left them in as it's an interesting comparison.. something missing methinks!

Nick

[stagwingnut]

Great video Nick !!! Every car there looked in mint condition !!!! Sooooo jealous!!! Regards Graham

[HersnotHis]

Have visited Picton several times and stayed in the Beachcomber hotel and also stayed at Lochamara Lodge across the sound.

On our first visit to NZ in 2002 there were still an amazing number of UK manufactured classics around in everyday use. Any visit to a city centre or supermarket car park would reveal several classics even back to the late 40's early 50's Austin A40 Devon. This was partly I believe due to your climate and the fact you do not use salt on your roads in winter.

Unfortunately this has changed in later years mainly I think due to the import of low cost low mileage 2 -3 year old used cars from Japan. Where did all the classics go?

The only Stag I encountered however was in 2007 when we stayed with friends in Corsair Bay. It came from there as I heard it start up and ran round the corner to see it emerge from its owners garage and drive off in the direction of Lyttelton.

Just wondered if this car made up one of your Christchurch contingent?

H

[Westfaling]

H
I'm the co-ordinator for the local branch of the Stag Owners Club NZ. We've got about 15 cars in the local area. None in Lyttelton though. You're right that cheap Japanese imports killed off a lot of classics but you still see a few Triumph 2500s,Hillman Hunters, ford escorts in regular use. Triumph 2500s were assembled in NZ after production stopped in the UK.
The Stags at Picton were nearly all in very good condition as they're all playthings that owners lavish funds on. Mine included. I think there was only one unrestored car there and that had a Leyland P76 engine. The magenta one in the video. The other non Triumph engined car was LXSTAG a Damson Red car about 2/3 through the video.
Nick