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Our Dad, Barry McDougal, began as a Vauxhall apprentice mechanic with Baillie
Motors, Hastings, NZ in January 1949. Vauxhall left the NZ market in 1981, and Dad worked with Baillie Motors until 1987, retiring as group sales manager.
He has a growing collection of 21 Vauxhalls in immaculate original or restored condition.
The cars range from a 1951 Velox through to the last new Vauxhall sold in Hastings (and
possibly NZ) - a 1981 Chevette.
Dad with his Vauxhall 10
taken in Coronation Year 1952
The 2003 Centenary Year will see us realise an ambition to house the collection under one
roof, and we are in the process of acquiring and setting up suitable premises. There is much work involved yet the progress has been very rewarding.
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Many of the cars were sold new by Dad in Hastings and his signature appears in the owners handbooks. An example is the most recent addition, a 1974 English assembled Viva 1800.
Dad with LIP and Viva 1800 in
background 2003
The Viva was recently donated by it's original owner Mrs Lissette, after she purchased a 1996
Holden Barina
(NZ rebadged Vauxhall Corsa).
Other examples include a 1964 101 Victor imported with overseas funds through a close uncle in England. The Victor was later sold then tracked down, found and restored in the early 1990s.
It still has the original Baillie Motors sticker on the back window.
Another Hastings car is an original 1972 Firenza 1256, one of only a small handful sold
new in NZ - and an even smaller number sold in Hastings. |
In addition there is a 1 family
owner 1955 Wyvern which was found living in a barn just south of Hastings. A
low mileage 1979 Chevette (again 1 owner sold new by Dad). An attractive
sight is a pair of 1962 PA Velox's - one black and the other white. There is
also an assortment of FB Victors (two of which - a station wagon and sedan are
English assembled) as well as various Vivas and a PB Velox originally from the
South Island.
1951 Velox taken on new Year's
Day 1961 at Anaora Bay
The 1951 Velox (Engine No LP66803 Chassis LIP 65356) was bought by Dad in 1961.
(See photo above - Dad is second from the right). It still carries the original spot light and heater Dad fitted as an apprentice when the car was new. It has covered 97000 miles and is in unrestored original condition.
The LIP is the flag ship of the collection.
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1940 Vauxhall 10 Dad
has visited the Luton Heritage Centre twice to date - in 1994 and 1996.
My brother, Craig, visited last year while in England. They both
appreciated very much the friendliness and hospitality shown to them on the
time they spent with the cars.
Written by Craig and Grant McDougal, Hastings, New Zealand
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