The TRM inmate in the 1937 Rolls above is Don Cresswell from Thames – on his way to the NZ Rolls Royce & Bentley Club AGM. Don is the Chairman of the club. Doesn’t the car look absolutely grand!. There is nothing quite like a classic car to set the tone and raise the standard. Pure class! Ageless (eighty years old) design. Superb style. Such dignity. What fun to drive. I was so envious… which really got me thinking…
A cunning plan…
This has to be the strangest fishing report ever…
It was pure coincidence that I recently asked another Bentley owner – who was incidentally trying to sell his classic limo – photos below – fifty years younger than Don’s car – about the concern of it being damaged by local hoons? He wrote and commented:
“… you would be surprised at the lack of envy factor. There is something about Classic cars that transcends this… I have been amazed how much the vehicle has been admired. People talk to you when you park or fill up with petrol. The comments have always been favourable. What a lovely car. How old is it? How fast does it go? Even truckies with tattooed bodies have approached me and made favorable remarks. I have never been given the two fingers nor has it ever suffered any damage parked anywhere – North or South Island, Big or small towns.”
Interesting. I was almost convinced. Already you might be able to see where this is leading…
TRM often have angler/inmates arriving from overseas via Taupo airport – located about 45 km north of Turangi. We have to collect them as Turangi does not have a taxi service. It is ironic that Turangi has taxi stands adjacent the “CBD” but no taxis. i.e. The last angler who arrived at Taupo airport needing a taxi had arranged a fishing guide for the week so we left him to his own devices assuming his guide would collect him. Surprisingly he did not, so the angler had to get a taxi from Taupo to collect him and bring him to Turangi. Cost over $100! TRM also had to arrange to take him back.
A TRM taxi?
So I wondered how to persuade SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything at TRM) to “invest” in a TRM taxi – or uber? – disguised in the form of a classic car – supposedly to collect and return angler guests to Taupo airport.
TRM needs your help on this one as SWMBO is very particular about her choice of cars. Over the last fifty years She has only ever selected and approved replacement cars as long as they are blue. True! Typical? I once managed to get Her approval for a Pajero 4WD only because it was vivid blue. I dont know what colour ‘BENY’ is but if you squint at the photo above I think it almost qualifies as oyster-grey-bluish? Or the longer I look at it the more it looks like a 10 year old blend of Islay Laphroaig or Glenmorangie? – Both Gaelic and French for gold, ‘Or’ is so named because of the rich depth of colour that develops and changes dull and mellow once Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or has been extra matured? How could anyone not admire such a blend of rich powerful colour.
Now where was I? Our existing surviving blue motel car – photo on right parked appropriately on Blue Pool road in frosty conditions – has almost died on us. Now definitely ‘run in’ by one careful elderly lady owner at only 360,000 km, at 28 years old it is obviously time to find a worthy replacement.
In practical terms at TRM any replacement should be a 4WD RV diesel high clearance big bumper bullish macho model, but the good news is She hates them – She thinks they are like driving trucks so I haven’t discouraged that line of thinking. When the cost and most important of all, the fun element were compared, it is a no-contest – the classic luxury car easily wins every time.
So this is TRM inmates’ challenge…
The reason for this unusual fishing report is we are “fishing” for any TRM inmates planning to stay here during the school holidays to suggest to SWMBO how sad it is that there is no airport taxi service… Even suggest ever so gently how a mature classic car (aka airport taxi) would add so much to the appearance, the charm, the ambience, imagine how it could enhance the garden appearance and landscaping etc. You know the drill. With your help, SWMBO needs to be persuaded to appreciate the added value and dignity that a classic car could create – introducing some desperately needed ‘class distinction’ to TRM. If enough inmates suggest it then…
If that fails try to sell the practical investment angle to Her as an ideal airport taxi. No other motel could match it… The biggest cost with cars must be depreciation. So I have even hinted TRM should aim at an older classic when the price has bottomed out? Then it could be an appreciating asset. The greed factor might appeal to her more. I wonder if She will agree…
Needless to say, as a TRM “company car” there has to be attractive tax advantages too – such as GST claims and depreciation to offset running costs, etc. I have almost convinced Her it should be acquired just to take advantage of company tax $$$ write-off benefits and all that stuff? A prudent purchase based on the tax advantages and investment strategy alone might just be the key to appeal to Her? Watch this space.
Thanking you all in anticipation…