End of road for classic car club

British Cars Bay of Plenty club president Ron Harvey, with his 1955 Alvis TC 21/100 aka Alvis Grey Lady, reflects on the past 21 years of the club's operation. Photo / George Novak

Passionate enthusiasts from the British Cars Bay of Plenty club have decided to call it quits on the registered charity after 21 years of operation.

Ron Harvey, 76, who has been president for 18 of those years, said due to ill health he had decided to step down and there were no volunteers to take on the role.

"It's a decision which is tinged with sadness, as we have had some fabulous times over the past 21 years," he said.

But Mr Harvey said most members were also members of other organisations, such as the Daimler Club and Jaguar Club.

Mr Harvey said the British Cars Bay of Plenty club was founded in 1994 with a handful of members and their cars, and evolved to a membership with at least 100 cars.

It was formed for members to gather to share their passion, for social outings, and as a registered charity to raise funds to help others.

Mr Harvey said the club had raised many thousands of dollars for the Tauranga community through events such as the Wings and Wheels show at Tauranga Airport in 1994, and the National AA Car Rally at Tauranga Racecourse in 1997.

In 2003, the club celebrated 100 years of motoring with a similar event at Baypark combined with the Tauranga Veteran and Vintage Cars Club, which saw more than 500 classic cars on display.

In a last act of generosity, the club has donated $5000 of its invested funds to Tauranga St John Ambulance, while another $3827 has been gifted to Friends of the The Elms.