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THE TOURER

MANAWATU BRANCH

NEWSLETTER

MAY 2026

BRANCH INFORMATION

BRANCH DETAILS

CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth

POSTAL ADDRESS ManawatuBranchVCC, 684KelvinGroveRoad,RD10,PalmerstonNorth4470

EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz

COMMITTEE MEETING

SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.

CLUB NIGHT

ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.

LIBRARY

Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

NOGGIN & NATTER

FirstTuesdayofeachmonthat7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.

PARTS SHED

Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE

BranchMembersshouldcontacttheBranchSecretary-seepage14ofthisTourer. OtherinquiriestoCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse-phone(06)3542780

FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH:

BranchMembersontheWaipukurauVCCTwilightRun-seethereportonpage33

PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, JohnCallesen,CathyClements,HarryJackson-VileandMatthewShute.

MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS: DerekHaycockandGaryMillar

MANAWATU BRANCH PATRON: LenHaycock

Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.

THETOURER: NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.

IN THIS ISSUE

Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,motoringstories, restorations,technicalinformation,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com IfyourTourerhasnotturnedupinyour‘InBox’bytheendofthemonth,checkyourSpamFolder.

COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES

MANAWATU BRANCH

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026

Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformalevents comealongtobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.

MAY 2026

Sunday3rd ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm

Sunday3rd SundayJaunt-seepage8ofthisTourer

Tuesday5th Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding

Sunday10th RSVP-ClosingDate fortheManawatuBranchPostEraRally

Wednesday13th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage8ofthisTourer

Wednesday20th AGMattheClubrooms-7.30pm-seepages10>12ofthisTourer

Sunday24th ManawatuBranchPostEraRally-entryformonpage46ofthisTourer

Wednesday27th LegoverWednesday-seepage8ofthisTourer

SEPTEMBER 2026

Saturday26th ManawatuBranchSwapMeet-seepage9ofthisTourer

OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026

EntryFormsfortheseeventsareavailableonrequestfromtheManawatuBranchSecretary

MAY 2026

Sat&Sun9th & 10th MungaMoanaRally-NewPlymouth Sun31st AnniversaryWeekend(Annual)Rally-Wanganui

JUNE 2026

Fri > Sun5th > 7th WaikatoBranch50/50Rally

CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS

Wehavecertainlyhadalotofstormsthissummer.Itravelled backyesterdayfromHamiltonandtheweatherwasreallybad. Theriversandstreamswerenearthetopbanks.Withthecold snapIhavespringbulbsinflowerandnewtomatoplantshave comeupinflower.Itiscertainlygoingtobeinterestingtosee whattheweatherisgoingtobelike.

Itwasgreattoseealotoutatclubnighttowatchthevideoand picturesofthelatestHighlandFlingRally.Iwouldliketothank VivandDerekforthephotosandvideosoftheHighlandFling.Theywerereallyluckywith theweatherbeingfine.Youcertainlyseealotofbeautifulanddifferentcountryoffthemain grid,astheygothroughprivatefarms.

JustacoupleofremindersthattheManawatuBranchAGMisonthenextclubnightof20th May2026.Onthe24th MayisthePostEraRallyanditwouldbegreattoseeagoodnumber ofentriesfromourBranch.

ThisismylastChairpersonChatasIamsteppingdownfromtheChairpersonsRole.Ithas beenareallygreat2yearswithwonderfulsupportfromthecommittee.

Happymotoringeveryone, Esther

HelloEveryone,

Thecurrentfuelsituationiscertainlybeingfeltfarandwide,and it’snosurprisethatmanyofourmembersarebeingmore cautiousaboutwhicheventstheyattend.Withpetrolanddiesel pricesremaininghigh,it’scompletelyunderstandablethattravel plansarebeingreconsideredand,insomecases,limited.

Acrossthecountry,someVCCbrancheshavemadethedifficult decisiontopostponeclubeventsandralliesduetotheserising costs.It’sachallengingtime,butitalsohighlightsthepractical realitiesweallfaceasenthusiastswhoenjoygettingoutonthe road.

Hereinourbranch,however,ourPost-EraRallywillbegoingaheadasplannedon24thMay. Tohelpeasetheburden,somemembersfromneighbouringbranchesaremeetingusatthe lunchstop,otherscomingtothestartoftherallyandthenheadingoffafterthelunchstop andnotcontinuingwiththeafternoonsession.Thiswillhelpreducecostswhilestillenjoying thecamaraderieandspiritoftheclub.

Wehopeyoucontinuetomakethemostofthemonthahead,evenifthatmeanspickingand choosingeventsalittlemorecarefully.

Afriendlyreminderaswell-ourBranchAGMiscominguponWednesday20thMay.Please makesureyoupopthisintoyourcalendarandcomealongtosupportyourbranch.Your involvementandvoicearealwaysimportant.

Enjoyyourmonth,andwelookforwardtoseeingyousoon.

Regards

OurMaySundayJauntwillbejustoverbythetimeyoureadthis andourmajorBranchRallyforMayisthePostEraRallyon Sunday24th.PleasegetthoseentriesinbySunday10thMay.

The “LegOver”WednesdayRunforthebikesectionisonthe lastWednesdayofthemonth(29th). NOTE: Thereisanewstart timeof1.00pmfromtheCoachHouseMuseumCarParkin Feilding.

ThereareacoupleofreallygoodralliesthismonthwithMunga MoanainNewPlymouthovertheweekendof9/10MayandtheAnniversaryWeekend(Kings Birthday)inWhanganui(31stMay).TheyarealwaysgreateventsandIurgeyoutoget involved,evenifit'sonlyadaytriptotheWhanganuievent.

TheBranch’sAGMisonWednesday20thMay-seeyouthere?

Regards

Glyn

SUNDAY JAUNT - 3RD MAY 2026 1ST SUNDAYOFEACHMONTH

MeetattheCoachHouseMuseumcarparkinFeildingat 2.30pm-thenlaterintheafternoon,ontoourclubroomsfora lateafternoontea,andifyouwish,stayingonforaBYOdinner anddrink.

Noggin&Natter

LEG OVER WEDNESDAY RUN

Meetat1.00pmattheFeildingCoachHouseMuseumcarpark.

NEXT CLUB NIGHT

WORKING

BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS

Weatherpermitting,abitoftreetrimmingtocontinuewith. Ifyoucan,pleasebringalongsawsandchainsaws. Andthereistidyingupofthepropertyandgardenswhichneedongoing attention.Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong. Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.

VINTAGE CAR CLUB VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS

VETERAN: MotorVehiclesconstructedpriorto31st December1918

VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1919and31st December1931

POST VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1932and31st December1945

POST WAR: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1946and31st December1960

POST 1960: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1961and31st December1980

POST 1980: MotorVehiclesconstructedafter1st January1981providedthatnovehicleis deemedeligibleforthiscategoryuntilthedayimmediatelyfollowingthe30th anniversary ofitsoriginaldateofconstructionasdeterminedinaccordancewithSection2ofthe ClubVehicleTechnicalCode.(refertotheClubBy-laws)

AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION VEHICLES: MotorVehiclesnewlyconstructedtotheexact specificationofanoriginalfactoryproductionvehicle.(asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

FACTORY BUILT & HISTORIC RACING VEHICLES: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

PERIOD SPECIALS: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)

"THEGROVE" VENUEFORHIRE

BranchMembers: ForallinquiriesregardingHallorMember Roomhire,pleasecontacttheBranch Secretarydirectlyat cathyclements5@gmail.com

AllOtherInquiries: Pleaserefertotheeventflyerfordetails.

IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?

IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT.

Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehicle inoriginal,restored,orunrestoredcondition.

TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotograph ofyourvehicleinlandscapelayout.

Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes, thephotographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).

EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTS

TOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE

Anelectronicresourceisinplacewhichmakesalargenumberofearlier issuesoftheTourereasilyavailabletomembersforreference.

Thelinktothoseearlierissuesisbelow.Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCC Branchesonlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches.

Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters

SHOWCASEYOURPRIDEANDJOY!

We’reexcitedtostartfeaturingmembers’vehiclesastheheaderphotoonourgroup Facebookpage!IfyouareamemberoftheFBGroup,thisisagreatopportunityto showoffyourprideandjoyforeveryonetoadmire.

Ifyou’dlikeyourcartobefeatured,simplyemailalandscapephotoofyourvehicleto theManawatuBranchSecretaryat cathyclements5@gmail.com. Eachselectedphotowillbeshowcasedforacoupleofweeks,soovertimeeveryonegets aturninthespotlight!

We’rereallylookingforwardtoseeingyourfantasticphotosandcelebratingthe wonderfulvarietyofvehiclesinourclub.

Sendtheminandlet’sgetshowcasing!

CathyClements BranchSecretary ManawatuVCC

THE PARTS SHEDS (WHEREALLITEMSAREPRICEDTOMOVEOFFTHESHELVES)

TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles. Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutterandyourfriendsareinvitedto donateanyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchso thatwecantradethemontofellowenthusiasts.

EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooks forwardtoassistingyoufindthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartor toolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyourprideandjoy.

ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com

LANDAU RADIATOR SAGA

ArticleprovidedbyJohnCallesen

About1990Ipurchasedthe1929DodgeSnr6Landauhavingturneditdownwhen approachedbytheowner’sdaughter,afterherfatherpassedaway.“Wewouldlikeyouto restoretheLandau.”Myreplywas,“yourfatherwhowaswoodworkteachertoldmeneverto touchthiscarasthewoodworkwillkillme”.Hence,heneverrestoredit.However,theDodge ClubofAmericatoldmeitistheonlyknownoneandIshouldrestoreit.

Alltheownerhaddonewaschromedthebumpersandradiatorsurroundandhadanew moderncoreputintheradiator.Thus,thiswasputasideuntiltherestorationwasnearly complete.

Moveforward20yearsandwhilethecarneveroverheateditwasinclinedtotossabitof waterouttheoverflowattimes.

AsthecarcamefromNelson,I thoughtitbesttoleavethe’18 Cadillacathome,eventhoughit wouldhavewithdrawalsymptoms afterwehadcompleted40,000 milesinit!

However,beforeItooktheLandau south,Ihaddecidedbesttoback washtheradiatorandenginesoI coveredallthefrontwithpallet wrapsoIdidn’tgetdirtywaterover thecar(photo).ThisIdidwithour bigwashdownhosesoplentyof waterwentthroughanumberof timesuntilitwasreallyclear.

Beingme,Ithendecidedtoputa fingerupintotheoutletincase therewassomeflakyrustupthere. Therewassomething,soItriedto getitoutwithascriberandfailed. Thereforeusingmoderntechnology Itookaphotouptheoutletand wenttotheofficetoprintitoffin A4.Youcanseeinthetoprightit isclearbutthereissomethingin there.Withabitoftroublewe startedtopulltheobstructionout fromtheleftside.Finallyitwas out,(photo(nextpage)showsitall) acottonrag!!Nowthathadtobeinthereforabout40years.

ProblemsolvedsoIdroveupthe ‘windmill’highwayat180deghitting 190degatthetopsowashappywith that.CamehomeviathePahiatua Trackhavingcompleted60miles.Told Judyall’sgoodandIcantakethe LandautoNelson.

ForwardtothetripBlenheimtoNelson. ThesehillstowardstheRaiValleyare longinclinescomparedtothetestrun hill.Iwasdriving,withJudynavigating forHelenFernerinher’55Swallow Doretti.Iboiledatthefirstcrest. Stoppedfor¾ofanhourtocooldown thenputinacoupleoflitresofwaterandontothenextincline/hillwhereIboiledagain. EventuallyImadeittothelasthill,asthelocalstoldme,butIneeded2litresofwaterto continue.ImanagedtogetholdofAllanHardacretocomebackfromNelsonwithsome waterandwhilehedidabreakdowntruckstoppedfromanotherjobbackdownthehill,but hehadnowateronboard!IfinallymadeNelsonandranwellontheflattoourdigsat Monaco.

Enoughofthat.Theradiatorhadtocomeout,even thoughtherallystartedthatday,Monday.

Blu,whoworkswithmeonthecars,knewafellow motorsport/dragracerwhoownedGourdie’sgaragein Nelson.Turnedouttobeagreatcontact.Tookfourof ustogettheheavybonnetoffandradiatorout.Then offtoaradiatorguysouthofRichmondwhoreallyknew hisjob.Notethepivotforturningradiatorsinany direction.Theaimwastotakethetoptankoffand cleanouttubesasnecessary.(thephototellsitall)

Ihadbeendrivingonhalfaradiatorfor30yearsastheraghadcoverednearlyhalfthetubes andtheotherhalfwerestartingtoblockovertime.BacktoGourdie’stoputthecarinsideas wehaddoneenoughthatday.

Tuesdaymorningour‘team’hadtheradiatorinandwhilewewereatitsetthelightsup properlyonascopefordipandheads.Finishedbylunchtimeandwewereofftojointhe ralliesafternoonrun,havingjustmissedadayandahalfwhichluckilymeantwemissedthe Mondaymorningstart………

Landaunowrunswithshuttershalfclosedandsitson150degrees,nearlytoocold!

PostrallywewerecaughtupinthecancelledFerrysagaandwaitedover3weekstogeta 2pmbookingasthe’11StoddardDaytonwithuscan’tdriveindarkness.Luckily,Iknewex ManawatumemberandfarmerChrisBirdwhoisheavilyinvolvedinrunningtheMarlborough branch.IknewtheirclubroomsactedasamuseumintheHeritageparktheyaresitedin,so rangChris,“doyouhavethatspacedownthecentreofthehallthat’sbetweenthecarsand memorabilia,free”?Theydid,sotheirmembershadtworarecarstoviewforover3weeks. Arrivedhome9.15pmlastnightafterputtingtheSDonourtraileratthewharf.Idrovethe Landau,nowwithagoodsetupoflights.butnotnicethoughwithaflatwindscreenthat catchescarlightsfrominfrontandbehindanditwasshowering!

Formembersinfo,the’11StoddardDaytonandthe’15CadillacOperaCoupethathavebeen inmyshedfor21yearsareabouttogointoacontainerbacktotheUSA.

JohnCallesen

MOTOR CYCLE RALLY - 18TH APRIL 2026

ReportprovidedbyRobertHeath

Threeclubmembers,Errol,Glynand RobertstartedfromWanganuiVCC roomsat9.39amandheadedvia WanganuiEasttoOkoiaRd(partofthe old1949-54and1965MatarawaMotor CycleRoadRaceCircuit)andontothe TurakinaValleyRoadfirstcheckpoint. Thiseliminatedtryingtomaintaina41 mphavspeedintownoronthemain SH3.Thesecondandfinalcheckpoint wasatJeffersonLinenorthofMarton. TheroutealsocoveredMt.Curl hillclimbroutebeforejoiningintoSH1.ThePorewaroadlooptookusoffthemainhighway andbackviaKakarikiandHalcombetotheDenbighHotelinFeildingforlunch. TheuntimedrouteafterlunchwaswetandcloudyviaMakirikiriRd,SH3Fordell,No2No.3 LinebacktoEastownandWanganuiVCCrooms.Agooddinnerspreadfor40participants andsomepartnersplusprizegivingsession.

1stoverallwasJohnRapleyfromHorowhenuaVCConhisPostWar1958RoyalEnfieldClipper withRoberton1986HondaGBandGlynon1992BMWR1100Rstogainfirstandthird respectivelyinPost80Vclass.

Therewere33entrantsfromTauranga,Wellington,Wairarapa,Wanganui,Levin,and ManawatuClubstakingpartongoodsealedroadsandnotailendCharliepickupsrequired enroute.OneWairarapamemberhadablownfuseafterlunchwhenhewenttostartbut soonhadthatfixed.

TheSundaysocialrunhopefullywasinbetterweathertovisitBruceArdellSpareswarehouse andvehiclemuseuminFordell.

Wearekeentoreturnfornextyearsrun.ThankstoBillandHeatherJamesforanexcellent runandorganization,alongwiththecheckpointmarshallsfromWanganuiVCC.

Q

ArticleprovidedbyLaurieCocker-publishedwithpermissionfromBobTrevan ThisQuadricycleisnowondisplayatRichardsonTransportWorld-Invercargill

QUADRICYCLE REPLICA STORY: C

GlynandCathy Clementsbought Cathy’s1965 MorrisMinor Convertiblealong toMarchClub Nighttogive membersthe opportunityto lookitover. Glyngaveatalk ontheMorrie.

Obviouslythese photographswere nottakeninthe clubroomsonClub Night.

MARCH CLUB NIGHT

 Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.

 11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.

 VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.

 Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches

 Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.

OnThursday9th AprilNormagotacallfromAnnetteFoottoseeifwewereattendingthe Twilightevent,hostedbytheWaipukurauBranch.Unfortunatelywehadnotregisteredsohad noplanstogo.

Afteraquickcalltotheorganiserswewereadvisedthattheeventwasatmaximumcapacity sonoroomforus.

OnFridaymorningNormagotacallfromtheorganisers,sayingamemberhadtopulloutas theupcomingstormfrontmeanttheywerenotabletoattend,sotherewasnowroomforus ifwewerestillinterested.Wewerestillinterestedsoweregisteredonthespot.

(Notetoself:Registerinterestbeforecloseoffdatetoensureourspot).

SaturdaylunchtimeweloadedourselvesintoourHumberHawkforourtripfromPahiatuato Waipukurau,arrivingaround1.30atRussellPark.

WereceivedaverywarmwelcomefromagreatbunchofVCCmembersandwerelooking forwardtotheday’sevents.

26carsinattendance,thisincluded12fromoutofthearea.Thiswasgoodsupportfortheir eventconsideringthefuelpricesandupcomingstormfrontduetohitthateveningandthe nextday.

Afteraquickbriefingitwastimetosetoff.

PartOne,ATimeTrial:thiswasinterestingastherewasnotimeorspeedrequirementsgiven, soarandomspeedtest.NormaandIstartedat2.34.00pmandfinishedat2.57.42pm. Havingdoneoursin23.42minutes.Unfortunatelyabitquick,butKenandAnnetteFoot managedtogetclosesttothetime25.20minuterequirement.1st placeoverallforthem.

AfterthetimetrialwecontinuedontoTakapauwherewestoppedattheTakapauRSAClub forSoupandbuns.

PartTwo,TheReturnTrip:AfterleavingTakapauweheadedbacktoWaipukurau,stoppingat theWaipukurauClubforoureveningmealandprizegiving.

Theeveningsessionstartedwithaquickgeneralknowledgequiz,whichNormaandIgot1st equalin,thenitwasprizegiving.Thereweresomegreatprizesdonatedfromsomelocal businesses.

I`mnotsureifwewillbeallowedbacknextyearastheManawatuattendeestookawaymost oftheirprizes,KenandAnnette1st fortimetravel,Furthesttravelled,MattandNorma1st equalinquiz,giftforout-of-townvisitorsandalsoaspotprize.

Overallitwasagreatexperience,theinstructionswereveryeasytofollow,thedrivewas greatandweweremadetofeelverywelcomeontheday.Aspecialthanksgoouttothe WaipukurauBranchfortheworktheyputin.Whatagreatevent.

TheAprilSundayJaunt wenttoPeterand JenniferThomson’s MotorCycleMuseum nearRongotea. Unfortunately,there wasadisappointing turnoutforthisevent.

APRIL SUNDAY JAUNT

AnaverageturnouttotheSundayJaunt – YeahRight!

ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……

Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.

ThisbigStudebaker–probablya1930model–metanimmovableobjectinJuly1934onaNew Jerseyhighway.Thecoveredsidemountsandtouringtrunkwereextra-costaccessories.

(ThesongtitlefromJohnClarke’s(FredDagg’s)unofficialNationalAnthemfitswellwiththisarticle) AnarticlefromNewsweek-Minnesota-byAmandaGreenwood,AssociateNewsEditor.Published9thApril2026

Classic Cars Face Weekday Driving Ban Under New Plan

Minnesota lawmakers are weighing a proposal that could significantly narrow the times that classic and collector vehicles are allowed on public roads, raising concerns among car enthusiasts who say the measure would sharply restrict how and when they can use their vehicles.

House File 3865 (HF 3865), introduced during the 2025-2026 legislative session, updates state law governing how certain vehicles receive special plates and when those vehicles are allowed to be driven on public roads. The vehicles affected include various collector and classic cars, street rods, and some vintage motorcycles.

While sponsors describe the bill as a clarification of the existing law, critics say it will effectively stop classic cars from being driven on weekdays-even if it doesn’t explicitly say "weekday ban" in the bill.

What the Bill Would Change

Under HF 3865, Minnesota law would more explicitly define what it means to operate a vehicle "solely as a collectors’ item."

The bill states, "A person may operate a vehicle registered in the collector class…solely as a collectors’ item and not for general transportation purposes. Operation as a collectors’ item includes: (1) transportation for a collector vehicle club activity, exhibition, tour, parade, or similar use; and (2) operation on Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset."

This effectively means that collector-class vehicles may be driven only for specific purposes, such as parades, exhibitions, tours, or club activities, or during daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Any use outside those conditions would not qualify as permitted operation under the statute.

According to Road and Track, Minnesota already prohibits vehicles registered with collector plates from being used for general transportation and requires owners to have a separately registered daily driver. However, the existing law doesn’t clearly spell out when or how often collector vehicles may be driven, leaving room for informal weekday use. HF 3865 would replace that ambiguity with time-specific and purpose-based limits.

Why Enthusiasts Are Concerned

Automotive groups and classic car owners argue that the bill goes beyond preventing misuse of collector plates and could make routine activities illegal.

Critics point out that the proposed language does not clearly allow test drives after repairs. It also prevents informal cruise nights or casual weekday drives that are not connected to an organized event, says The Tech Advocate.

CBT News reported that opponents fear the restrictions could discourage ownership and maintenance of historic vehicles, many of which require regular driving to remain mechanically sound.

What Happens Next

HF3865isstillmovingthroughthelegislativeprocess,anditsfinallanguagecouldchange beforeit’spassed.Lawmakershavenotyetsaidwhetheramendmentsmightbeaddedto allowlimitedweekdaydriving,maintenancetestruns,orotherexceptionsrequestedbycar enthusiasts.

Ifenactedaswritten,thebillwouldshiftclassiccaruseinMinnesotatowardamodelcentred almostexclusivelyonweekendsandorganizedevents,markingasignificantchangefrom currentpracticeandMinnesota’scelebratedcarculture.

Forcollectors,restorers,andhobbyists,theoutcomecoulddeterminewhetherclassiccars remainaflexiblepastime-orbecomevehiclesreservedlargelyforshowsandparades.