PERIOD THREE 1949–1980
TIMELINE
Significant events in the history of motoring in New Zealand.
W
e emerge from war and it takes us a while to find our feet and pick up from where we left off. This is a period of economic start/stop in New Zealand and we watch as the British motor industry self-destructs, and then embrace the excellence of Japanese car making. At the end of this period, we forget what it was like at the start. And we marvel that we have survived without our great love of the earlier periods – the American car.
1949
The first Ford Fortyniners arrive (the first actually arrived late in 1948). This is the car that saves Ford – a company in a parlous state. Henry Ford had become too old to make the right decisions, so his grandson, Henry Ford II, was pulled out of the military to take over running the company. He knew the company needed a new and winning car – and that was the Fortyniner.
1949
The Morris Minor arrives in New Zealand. It’s a car that will set ride and handling standards for all cars, regardless of size, for the next 10 years. It becomes a much loved and admired car.
1950
New Zealand’s first compulsory STOP sign is erected.
Tyres & Wheel Alignments
Ian Wilks Motors Ltd, staff photo of 1974
1950
New Zealand’s first stretch of official ‘motorway’ is opened – Takapu Road to Johnsonville in Wellington. It is just five kilometres long.
1950
The No Remittance scheme is introduced in New Zealand as a way of easing the shortage of new cars. If you have funds overseas, you could use them to buy a car and bring it back.
1950
Petrol rationing, introduced as a wartime measure, finally ends.
1952
Ford begin New Zealand assembly of the Five Star Cars – the Consul and Zephyr. Despite some faults, the cars – the Zephyr in particular – quickly earn huge followings.
1952
Matching Ford blow-for-blow in the British ‘big car’ stakes is the all-new EIP Vauxhall which, like the Ford, is available as a four (the Wyvern) or a six (the Velox). And like the Ford, the EIP is Detroit designed with a massive chrome grille. This is ‘Little America’.
1952
The first stage in Auckland’s north-west motorway is completed.
1953
The first section of Auckland’s southern motorway is opened.
1953
1953/4
It becomes possible to renew both driver’s licences and vehicle registration by post.
The Royal Tour. The Queen and Duke use Daimler, Humber Super Snipe, a Sunbeam Talbot convertible and Land Rovers – as well as trains.
1954
The entire length of the highway between Auckland and Wellington is, at last, fully tar-sealed.
1954
The Main Highways Board (established 1922) is replaced by the National Roads Board.
1954
The first Volkswagens arrive in New Zealand as both the ‘beetle’ sedan and then the box-like Kombi. Owners are so enthusiastic they want to gather, talk and swap notes, so Volkswagen Owners’ Clubs spring up everywhere!
1954
The government authorises 6000 individual import licences for cars – 1200 from North America – and this is repeated in 1955.
1954
The first Holden arrives fully built-up. It’s the FJ and, while we might have missed the FX, at last New Zealanders can judge for themselves what the fuss across the Tasman is all about.
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