If you’re planning on heading to Wanaka this Easter, perhaps allow a little more time on the roads. That’s because hundreds of classic cars, tractors, trucks and earthmoving machinery is converging on Central Otago, all rolling into Three Parks to take part in the inaugural Wheels at Wanaka.
For the next 15 years Elsie was used on the rural property, until a more modern vehicle was acquired and she was parked up in a farm shed and all but forgotten.
Fast forward a number of decades, and Elsie’s ownership passed on to John and Joyce’s fourth son Malcolm, by then a resident of Narrabri, New South Wales. In 2016 Elsie’s restoration began, a major operation carried out in Auckland to rewind the years the rural lifestyle had inflicted.
A fine example of Ford engineering rejuventated, albeit still sporting her "barn find” exterior, Elise, Malcolm and wife Julie have now traversed the length of New Zealand together at a top speed of 55km per hour. The Roys try to return to Otago once a year to visit relatives and Elsie, who is stored in brother Ross’ shed in Allanton. They also attend rallies when they can, including the 14th National Model A Rally, starting in Te Anau on April 15th.
Following the rally, Elsie, Malcolm and Julie will continue on to Wheels at Wanaka, joining the hundreds of vintage vehicles taking part, including 123 years of Ford in Motion. In what’s believed to be a world first, this show highlight will feature the earliest vehicles ever made; the 1896 Ford Quadracycle, the rare Ford Alphabet Cars A to T (1908 – 1927) and the latest 2018 Ford feature car amongst many others. Event information, vehicle registration and tickets all available online at www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz
