Horopito! NZ's most famous scrap yard - Revisited (twice)

[Jon]

As promised (though a little earlier than expected), here's some photos from what must be one of the most photographed scrap yards on Autoshite but also the furthest away for most of us - Horopito yard in er... Horopito, north island of New Zealand.

Here's what took us there; totally blend-innable and non-touristy lightning quick 3 litre non-turbo diesel AUTOMATIC Toyota Hiace. I know these are rugged but why are these vans so popular? Back in the UK, the first drive in the AX scared me, it felt so powerful!

Anyway, enough bollocks. Here's a quick tour:

This was being off loaded from a low-loader when we arrived - Dodge ex-ambulance:



One of the first sights inside - a nice shed full of stuff. What is the car in blue next to the consul/zephyr/zodiac? I was thinking along the lines of a Skoda or Borgward


Non-scene yet. 5 minutes in and future Mrs_Cav is already looking bored....


Lovely early Bluebird and literal treasure trove of mk1 escort dumbell grilles behind:


Renault 12! Other assorted chod. Even the discarded steel wheels were of interest.


Shite as far as the eye can see.



Fintail Merc. How much is this worth?


Shed no.2 - crammed full of stuff again. The red sedan looks reminiscent of a Dinky toy army staff car my dad has.



Skoda on top of Austin/Standard?


Surf's up!


Aaaargh! Scary Vauxhall Victor interior


Modified Thames


Fotorabia's definitely taken a photo of this pretty little Fiat before - even the background cars are the same. It really feels like nothing's changed there in years.


The Skoda hubcaps and homemade appearance had me foxed with this for ages until I found out about these on here - New Zealand built Trekka.

This one doesn't seem to be recorded on their online register

There was so much to look at that I started getting complacent with what I was seeing - much like I do at car shows. Yeah yeah, ANOTHER 50's Vauxhall.




If the Italinas had made a version of Stephen King's Christine, this would've starred. Ominous looking Fiat (2300?)


Keeping yet another MGB on the road?


A distinct line between shite and modern:


These were all taken in the 'museum' part of the scrap yard, which is run by enthusiastic owners who let you pretty much roam free. It costs $2NZD each to go round (about 80p) but I was so overwhelmed by the whole place that I boshed them $5! You can take the man out of Yorkshire.....

This yard was next door but didn't know whether it was owned by the same company. We didn't see any further than the fence but lots looks familiar:

Cortinas. Seen before.


Slough built DS?


I'd have taken more photos but was in a bit of a rush, so had to compromise. But never fear! I'll be back in November when I go on honeymoon - she really is a lucky lady.

[Guest]

JUCY CRUIZA! That van's ace, I wouldn't care how slow it is.

[VWPowered]

great pics

[michiel]

Fab! That Fiat wagon is gorgeous.

[autohausdolby]

ORSUM SKILLZ

[seth]

Heavenly!

 

That blue car could be a Hansa. Not sure though.

 

I think thats a Series IV Morris Oxford underneath in this one.

 

[Mash]

Heavenly!

 

That blue car could be a Hansa. Not sure though.

 

I think thats a Series IV Morris Oxford underneath in this one.

 

It's a bit too square for an Oxford and the rear wheelarch would be higher - I reckon it's an A95 Westminster Countryman.

[Mr Lobster]

ORSUMZ. I want to go.

[Jon]

The next day, we were in Wellington, a city which we found to be very favourable and worth a lot more time than the few hours we stayed there. Still managed to go to the tram museum but sadly took no pics. The main reason we were there was to catch the ferry to the south island and generally fall in to conformity with every tourist who 'does' NZ - though I reckon most don't visit scrappers...

 

Anyway, it seemed like I couldn't escape the shite. This was the sight at the docks once we were on the ferry:

3 Vauxhalls of varying ages, 2 OMG rat-look (natural) VW splits and a 4 door Mk1 Cortina - poss a GT. Plus a bonus of a Mazda pick-up that was identical to my brother's at the time, bar his body coloured Truckman top. Jaunty angle just to try and fit everytning in!

 

Close-up of someone's retirement fund (and an old Vauxhall):

The white one looked to be a very early one with the larger rear door, judging by the single tiny rear lights at the back. Not sure about the black/red/green/grey one but they looked pretty similar. Both RHD, naturally.

 

So the 3 Vauxhall's seemed to be going off somewhere together, on the back of the lorry in the first pic. But how to get them on it safely? I know! Use a bloody great big fork-lift truck!

 

But Vauxhall number 3's stuck behind those old VWs and they look a bit fragile....well, in for a penny....

 

No need to move both, I'll just lift the Vauxhall, slide it to the right a bit, put it down, reverse and move the forklift to the right, then I should clear that black van nicely when I turn. Sounds like a bit of bother though; perhaps I could do it all in one move.....

Or perhaps not. I'm sure no-one heard that crunch, or that the trim ring round where the light should be on that VW is now mullered. Especially not all those tourists on that ferry.

 

Last one on. A job well done (whistles contentedly on way home).

[michiel]

[autohausdolby]

I hate "SCENE" but crunching the impossible to replace front panel on a RHD barndoor split! OOOOOWWWW!!!!

[VWPowered]

wonder if the front would fit off one of those japanese replicas

[autohausdolby]

Probably. I've heard you can get anything you need off the shelf for VWs.

[autohausdolby]

Panic over, it's just your common or garden split and not a barndoor

[STUNO]

I must make time to GO IN next time I passI must make time to GO IN next time I passI must make time to GO IN next time I pass

[VWPowered]

smuggle me in inside ya boot

[Jon]

OK, so I revisited this mighty place last week armed with my camera, though not for the second time but actually the third. I suppose I should do things chronologically, so should update with the stuff from 2011, so here goes:

 

On my first visit in 2008, I was on holiday with the future Mrs_Jon, so the visit was fleeting, to say the least. This time however, I went with my cousin and uncle, both long-term Land Rover enthusiasts (fortunately not members of the OLLI brigade) and the women were suitably dispatched to the shops, so I had high hopes of taking my time and absorbing and photographing everything of interest.

Anyway, this is what greets visitors on arrival to the yard, a good taste of things to come: 

There was no evidence of it having been vandalised, rather just picked of parts over the years, which is refreshing since it's easily approachable from the roadside. Anyway, at the reception we handed over our optional $2 (£1) donation so as to take a look round the 'museum' part and the yards. First up was the upstairs section of parts for sale:

My uncle was excited to find a 'pork pie' tail lamp for his Series 1 LR project, which to him was a seal of approval as to the stock as they're apparently hard to find. He'd recently picked up a pair so didn't buy, therefore we weren't able to ask about prices though had heard they aren't cheap. Fair enough I suppose.

Got to admit this would be a much nicer shot without the poundland trim. Give it 25 years or so and it might just be interesting but I doubt it really.

Not sure how much call there is for used distributor caps and leads. Maybe I've just never owned an obscure enough car.

Plenty of demand for grilles I guess:

Interesting to see a D-Series next to a Trader, I didn't know they sold them concurrently; or is this perhaps just a dealer sign to illustrate what they service?  

Lastly for now, I'll leave you with a Cavalier SRI type wheeltrim which has me stumped: 

I'm thinking Subaru for some reason but can't think what model. I like that the valve cap hole looks to be the same size as the wheel nut ones. They probably are on most cars and I've just never noticed. 

[Junkman]

One of the first sights inside - a nice shed full of stuff. What is the car in blue next to the consul/zephyr/zodiac? I was thinking along the lines of a Skoda or Borgward

Hansa 1100.

[Jon]

Anyway, I finished last time still inside the 'museum' part (quite why it's called this I don't know, since almost everything's for sale). A quick look out the window gives a taste of things to come:

 

Making my way downstairs, I see these lights but sadly it's as near as I got to seeing a whole one. I'd love one of these but it'd have to be a basic one; the sporting models do little for me.

 

Downstairs in a dingy corridor was a door from an old truck commemorating the 1981 film of the same name, shot at Horopito. I've since watched it and am glad that it happened to be on TV and I didn't have to spend years tracking it down, as it's not that great.



Out into the light of day and I'm disappointed at how low the winter sun is, making it not only difficult to take photos but even look at some of the cars. Oh well, at least it was dry.   

I had to go round to the front to work out this crusty wagon was a Simca, though I knew I'd seen something special.

Next up, a more common Antipodean wagon, an Aussie built Chrysler Valiant. A CJ model I think but I'm still trying to get to grips with the coding of Oz cars.

Great to see a model I don't think I've ever seen on the road or at a show, a Hillman Californian (?) I assume from the mid-50s. What struck me though was how large it looked next to the Fiat 500, as I'd never really considered the earlier models to be a Cortina sized car for some reason, possibly because of the cutesy styling.

At first I was concerned that this Datsun Bluebird was the complete and very solid one I'd seen 3 years before. Thankfully not! 

Rather used Mark 1 Cortina estate. Probably still attractive to the type of people who think 17" rims would look good on it.

This was next to the Cortina and equally bad/impressive. Can't identify it but the American styling yet small size makes me think it's a Simca? I've been in NZ too long - even my written sentences are ending in a question....

I seem to have subconciously taken lots of photos of estate cars up to this point, even though saloons far outweighed them. Here's a fancy pants Fiat (2300?) I saw back in 2008 and took a snap of then (saves you scrolling up the page)

2008:

2011: 

Great colour consistency by me there. Not a lot's changed at the front, other than the detritus on the bonnet. I'm surprised to see those natty chrome side window vents are still there though. Also, the yard owners seem to have cleared some trees, most likely to house more junk. Nice one lads! 

However, the back seems to be returning to nature somewhat and I can't work out whether it was like that or not last time.

Another estate, though this time even I can identify it as a Hillman Super Minx:

And finally for now, though the car didn't do much for me, I saw a good photo opportunity and took it.

More to come later. Many more.

[mouseflakes]

"Daddy, what does Heaven look like?"

 

"Why dear child, it looks just like http://autoshite.com/topic/3232-horopito-revisited/ "

 

 

[mercrocker]

Very envious of your photo  opportunity once again!    That mini Yank is I think a Holden EK.   Intrigued by the Minx Californian - wonder if that grille is customising or if its a special antipodean variant....They did Humber versions of earlier Minxes I seem to recall.   Great, cant wait to see more!

[KruJoe]

Glorious.

 

How TF did I miss this first time 'round?

[mouseflakes]

I was completely flummoxed by the thread title. I thought it might be Junkman recounting the time he spent building CAT scanners from sardine tins (based on instructions his mate had found in an abandoned factory) and trekking round Japan in a 1968 Mazda Bongo flogging said scanners to hospitals there. [/bennyHill]

[Jon]

Aye Mercrocker, that model of Minx was sold as a Humber 80, though I thought that only applied to the 4dr saloon. Maybe this has a grill from one of those? I'm sure STUNO will put us right, soon enough.

 

Another shot that I thought some may appreciate but didn't do much for me: 

And then another couple of revisits.

2008:

2011: 

 

Shame this Fiat 850's had its rear screen smashed, especially when it had a rather groovy rainbow sticker applied to it. It's a little rougher round the edges in areas but has generally survived well despite being stored outside on grass.


Now for the mighty Trekka:

2008:

2011:

Just in case you thought that Fiats that refuse to rust were the norm, here's a Vauxhall to show 'em how it's done. 

 

This one got me quite excited, even if I couldn't remember whether the single headlamps marked out as an Austin Kimberley or a Tasman. Turns out it could be either if I'm to believe Google images.

 

Early-ish Urvan interlude before....


Another Aussie BMC discovery!

 

It's a Morris Nomad, built between 1969-72 according to Wikipedia/AROnline, so I'm guessing there aren't many survivors. Apologies again for the poor shots but I just had to take the picture and hope for the best, the sun was that blinding. It obviously spent enough time on the road to break a front sidelight/indicator unit and be replaced by a couple of generic bullet lights.

 

Funny how this design was sanctioned when it's so similar in principal to the Maxi of the exact same era.

 

Nice period spotlight modification to this Victor/Cresta

 

Thought this pic of cars going back to their 'Rootes' (humour) would make a good screen saver. At the time, I had no idea what the white ute is which the Minx was sat on. Hang on to your hats for an exciting* revelation later on.

The front of this Corsair reminded me of Jimmy off South Park for some reason

This one didn't, though it's a 2dr model so worthy of a snap I thought. I only noticed when looking back at my photos, that the car to its rear on the right has yellow plates, which were all handed back some time in the early 60s to be replaced by the black ones with a new numbering system, so it's likely to have been sat there for at least 50 years.

 

Toyota Crown wagon with a pleasing original registration which reads FZ1. Take a look at the shadow it's casting though - I told you the sun was low! It's still in the same spot as of last week but now sadly sans excellent plates.

I can't guarantee it but I reckon this is likely to be a Leyland 20, rather than a Standard Atlas.

Lastly for today, I'll leave you with a Skoda which, in my eyes was far more modern looking than the Octavia which I assume succeeded it. I know people often have the idea but I reckon this would look great put back on the road as is. Never gonna happen though.

Up next; a smattering of Euro-tat. But first, time for bed.

[STUNO]

The blue somewhat damaged American Simca-ish thing is a 1960 Holden FJ Special

 

[mouseflakes]

Love the photo of the 20/Atlas - looks like it's afraid to come out the shed.

[STUNO]

Mercrockers query re the Hillman Californian, the grille on it looks wrong, It should be much more oval.

And yes in my much younger days I owned a 1951 Humber 10. The reason was import licencing. The importer was told how many cars of each make/model they could import, BUT if they put different badges on them and a different grille, suddenly a Hillman Minx became a Humber 10 and instead of being allowed only 500 Minxes they were allowed 500 H-10's as well !

The timeline...

 

1950? to 1956 Minx = Humber 10

1957 to 1962? series Minx = Humber 80

1962? till they ended the restrictions...Super Minx = Humber 90

 

BMC never needed to bother with badge engineering.

 

1950 Humber 10

 

1953 Humber 10

 

series Humber 80

 

 

Humber 90

 

AND Kimberly = Twin headlamps, Tasman = single

[STUNO]

Also re the Tasman/Kimberly bit, everyone seems to refer to them as Austins!

 

Look here at jon's photo of one. I am pretty sure the badge is Morris

[Jon]

Nice one STUNO! I've read your post but please don't test me when we next meet for a coffee, as I'm sure I'll have forgotten it all again...

 

Righto, back to it. Through one of the outbuildings and out the other side of the yard, you come across a small section of European motors, mainly Renaults. It's funny to see plastic bumpers etc. after having been immersed in so much metal and chrome content prior to this.

There's still plenty of Fuegos on the roads if Trademe is to be believed, though I've yet to see one.

 

Both 25s appeared to be the phase 1 versions - I've never noticed the ribbed bumpers before. This one looks to be a 1986 model by the plate, as they were issued sequentially and turned from white on black to black on white when the Nx xxxx sequences came in to play at the end of that year. Next to it is one of many Renault 12s - so many in fact that they almost seemed a bit boring, so I didn't take any shots of them.

 

This was very worthy though - one for the Mr Bs – Bo11ox and Bickle. Sadly I couldn't work out the age of this Croma but the brown paintwork makes me think it's an early one. These were universally panned by the press in Aus, ending up in one of their many Lemon car books. I've no idea how many were sold here but with a presumably high price and a population of 4 million, I doubt they ever made 3 figures. At least the yard owners seem to appreciate this.

 

Here's the Datsun Bluebird I'd been concerned about earlier. Not a great picture but good to know it's still in one piece. Note the numerous Mk1 Escort grilles behind.

 

Walking through the workshop area, I see a few more grilles hung up and this one caught my eye. A Marina 6 grille; funny how they made the larger engine'd front look like a Toyota Corolla.  

 

Generic statement as to the value of this panel, with reference to retirement funds.  

 

One of those Humber Hillman Californian somethings. I've forgotten already, sorry.

Anyway, this draws to conclusion the parts of Horopito which I'd previously had chance to visit. Up next will be the highlights of the second yard, which has slightly more modern machinery (read late 1960s - early 90s). Here's an overview of what I saw but wasn't able to wander round 3 years ago:

[Jon]

I've found a couple of spots from the first yard area so will drop them in before this post takes an oriental slant (more humour, a' la J.Davidson).  

 

 

Skoda MB, not the only one I spotted and more popular than I had expected, hence why the Trekka had Skoda running gear presumably.  

 

This is the last of the comparison photos I have and though this Dodge does little for me (just don't like the fronts compared to its American contemporaries), I did see it being dispatched off a low loader in 2008: 

 

This Datsun was seemingly the only Japanese car of interest in the first yard and has had its C-pillars cut off to save another one.


Anyway, onwards to the second yard. I'm pretty sure that most of the cars here are fair game for removing bits from, so a bit more of a working yard. Apparently though the owners aren't keen on selling parts from some when asked, since they're 'too complete', which is a bit of a catch 22 for a breakers. 

 

Were steel wheels ever an option on these Cosmos? I've seen some which appear to have been sold 'NZ new', wearing black plates. It seems that the grey import market really opened up from 1987 onwards (and car manufacturing in NZ declined as such), so judging by the mirrors, this is one of the latter. 

 

Quite obviously Mazda corner, with the Cosmo sharing space with a few early 626s and a couple of 808 wagons, or RXwhatever if they're rotary powered.

 

 

An imported Toyota of some sort and quite desirable to one or two in the know, according to a local forum. Once again, good to see some steel wheels. 

 

Not so Grande.

 

 

I've no idea how this Bluebird got in this state - surely if it had been lifted they would have gone through both the door frames?

 

 

Another mystery. Looks like it was target practice for somebody with an air rifle and a lump hammer. Next to it is a RWD 323 wagon of absolute no interest to any young men in New Zealand with poor tastes in wheels and exhausts.

 

 

Hopefully saveable. I hadn't noticed before more how much the front resembles a Tredia.

 

A sort of Japanese car, if you count that later Holden Camiras were essentially rebranded Isuzu Askas. The one on top is a first series JB Camira, so pure Aussie world car.

 

 

The red one on the bottom has different shaped rear doors and clear indicators, so I think it's one of the uber-ugly later Aska derived models. Camiras epitomise Autoshite for me as they're a car which was initially very successful, then universally panned (once again mentioned in the Aus Lemons car books) and as such these two double the amount of ones I have seen. All GM derivatives which were also marketed as Vauxhalls R shit.