1999 International Convention

For anyone interested in Ford Zephyrs it was 'Zephyr Heaven' in Timaru over the Easter weekend when over 140 of the popular Fords attending the 1999 Zephyr, Zodiac and Consul International Convention breezed into town.
They came from Auckland to Bluff making this the largest Convention ever held in New Zealand and second only in size to a combined clubs event held in England.
The biennial Convention was organised by the South Canterbury Zephyr and Zodiac Enthusiasts Club who were pleased to be hosting nearly 300 people including 15 visitors from Australia and 3 from England.

There was a good range of cars including a beautifully engineered and presented Mark II Zephyr convertible, owned by Wayne Emberton from Christchurch, that had been transformed from a four door sedan. He was awarded the Best Custom Mark II trophy for his efforts which included making his own mag wheels and steering wheel.
Also present was the rare Mark I Estate owned by Kevin Abery, from Paraparaumu, who received the award for Best Estate.
The full range of Zephyrs, Zodiacs and Consuls was there from 2 Mark I 'Flat Dash' Consuls produced in 1951 through to Mark IV's produced until 1972.

The weekend started on the Thursday evening with a social get-together for 180 of the participants with the balance arriving on Good Friday.

Friday evening saw the Official Opening with a welcome from local President, John Hull. This was followed by the Guest Speaker, well known ex-racer, Leo Leonard, who recounted some of his many adventures with Zephyrs from the start of his apprenticeship with the legendary Ernie Sprague, who raced Mark II, III & IV Zephyrs and Zodiacs with considerable success.

On Saturday afternoon the vehicles left on a run, which took them initially south of Timaru then through the Pareora Gorge to Fairlie for afternoon tea.

The highlight of the Saturday evening's function was the awarding of the class trophies and certificates to winners.

The class winners needed to get an early start on Sunday morning so they could be at the Phar Lap Raceway at 8.00am to be rejudged for the 'Car of the Convention' award.

All the other vehicles were sorted into their "Marks" for the morning run to Pleasant Point. Here participants had the opportunity to take a short steam train ride into town and view the recently completed Model T railcar - the only one in the world.

They then headed off again through some more interesting South Canterbury countryside, via the Richard Pearse Memorial, to the Timaru International Motor Raceway for lunch and a public display with the more than 200 vehicles attending the Vintage and Veteran South Island Easter Rally.

After lunch a very impressive line up of 16 Mark I Zephyr convertibles (possibly a world record for the number of these vehicles assembled together since their manufacture) assembled in front of the control tower before completing a circuit of the track.
The remainder of the vehicles then also completed a circuit before heading off to Winchester to look at the vintage tractor and machinery display there. Once there they completed a lap of the showgrounds for the public to view the range of vehicles.

On Sunday evening the remainder of the awards were presented including "Participant's Choice" to David Blain of Invercargill for his yellow Mark II utility and "Caterer's Choice" which was presented to a very surprised Bruce Fowler from Blenheim.
The "Car of the Convention" trophy was presented to local South Canterbury Club member Gavin Ladbrook for his sparkling Mark II convertible 'Mint 1', with Tony Atkins of the Central Region North Island with his Mark II sedan as the runner up. This was followed by an excellent dinner, raffles and music until late.

A new Mark II dashboard, kindly donated by Dashboard Restorations, was auctioned for $625.00, with the proceeds donated to Child Cancer Research as were the proceeds from the auction of two "one off" Convention Badges which sold for a total of $135.00.

Monday morning saw participants assemble for morning tea and farewells following what was described as a fabulous weekend enjoyed by all.