Sue Voss (left), Lee Turner, Ann Bernsten and Dale Whittaker with their classic cars and furry navigators Honey and Ted.
Photo / Lewis Gardner
Sue Voss (left), Lee Turner, Ann Bernsten and Dale Whittaker with their classic cars and furry navigators Honey and Ted.
Photo / Lewis Gardner
If you thought the Wanganui Vintage Car Club was just a bloke thing - think again. As we continue our Petrolheads series, Liz Wylie meets four women who love their classic wheels and the adventures they take them on.
Dale Whittaker, Ann Bernsten, Lee Turner and Sue Voss spend manyhappy hours out on the rural roads in their Ford Escorts and Morris Marina accompanied by Dale's little dog Ted and Ann's small canine companion Honey.
"We get to see the roads less travelled," Dale says.
"There are so many beautiful roads in the district and we never seem to run out of new ones to explore.
"We have recently driven some great roads out the back of Waverley and some in Turakina Valley."
Dale, Lee and Sue have all been Morris enthusiasts and owned a variety of models with Minors being a favourite but Dale and Lee are now Ford Escort owners while Sue still loves her 1978 Morris Marina.
Although Marinas have not been manufactured since 1980, Sue said getting parts is not a problem.
"Even if I can't get the original parts, there are substitutes and it is pretty reliable."
"When he died I stayed with the club because I love taking part in the rallies and I have got so many good friends here."
Ann has a Ford Anglia to drive when she recovers from a leg injury but in the meantime, she has three friends who are always willing to have an experienced navigator on board.
"The glory of us four being together is that we can always share our cars between us," says Dale.
"We can all go in two or even one car if we want to and enjoy sharing the driving and conversation."
Belonging to the VCC means they can call on the expertise of the membership if they have engine troubles but say their cars generally run well despite being over 40.
Wanganui VCC captain Frank James estimates that there are around 70 women members amongst the membership of 230.
"Some have joint membership with their husbands or partners and they either share the driving or navigate for them.
"Everyone brings something to the club and we have a lot of great people in our membership."
After two cancellations caused by Covid-19 restrictions last year, the VCC held a successful Daffodil Rally for Cancer in October and members are looking forward to January events.
When Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend 2021 arrives, club members will park their gleaming vehicles in town for Wheels on Victoria before the Classic Cruise on Saturday, January 23.
Club members will then join visiting participants for the Burma Rally on Sunday.
