Originally captured on colour 16mm film, this home movie is from the George Gilltrap collection. George Edward Gilltrap (born Giltrap, 1911-1966) was a vintage car enthusiast who established Gilltrap’s Motor Museum in Rotorua before relocating with his family from New Zealand to Australia in 1959 where he established Gilltrap’s Gold Coast Auto Museum.
[George] collecting vintage automobile from [previous owner], standing in front of the car they look at a pair of licence plates then shake hands over a slip of paper. The car is towed backwards out of a driveway and then down the road. A woman watches the car depart.
A man [George?]drives an open cab automobile with four children onboard in to a driveway opposite GILLTRAP’S [service station and dealership].
A group of school boys watch as a vintage fire truck “PAHIATUA FIREBOARD” is driven away, a more modern fire truck remains behind.
Exterior of ‘New Taihape Hotel’. Vintage Pahiatua fire truck being driven down Hautapu St, Taihape and out of town, then along the desert road and through Taupo.
Convoy of two vintage open top cars and support car with trailer. Family have roadside picnic next to blue and red early model Cadillac (with hand painted name; ‘GENEVIEVE’) , later the car stops in a town drawing a crowd of onlookers. The convoy visits a city street. Two young boys take up the passenger side of the Cadillac as it drives away from Motel Rochester.
Crowds have gathered for the Veteran (pre 1914) and Vintage (up to 1931) Car Club rally. Snow covered Mt Taranaki can be seen beyond suburban rooftops. The Cadillac is followed by a Zedel, a Daimler and a parade of children in costumes.
Colour print section includes shots fading in and out of a vintage wooden car, the vintage blue Cadillac and a vintage orange car driving along country roads. A man holds brochures for the [26] Ardmore Grand Prix.
Trucks and trailers etc arrive carrying canvas covered automobiles at the competitors entrance. A man in white overalls reclines next to grand prix car number 35. Views of race cars, officials and support crew at the start line beside the Race Control tower building (with REDEX and BAR’S LEAKS sponsor advertising). Views of racing action and vehicles speeding past. Silver trophy “New Zealand Motor Cup”. Close-ups of car fronts and motors including Ford and Fiat. Parked row of vintage cars on display, then driving to track. Helicopter flying past overhead. The vintage cars lapping the race track. Vintage cars return to their parking row. Close-ups of the Cadillac. Elevated view of event car park and patrons.
Wooden body car delivers passengers outside the Rotorua bath house buildings. The car departs again with well dressed passengers as a crowd watches on.
Sign for Annual Veteran Vintage Car Rally to Rotorua March 14th. Man polishing front of car. Low light interior shots, people passing trophy cup. Vintage cars gathered outside of Gilltrap’s Motor Museum, hay bales as markers on road.
Shots of numerous rally cars, signs on the cars indicate participants include; 1906 Reo, 1903 De Dion Bouton, 1906 Cadillac, 1912 Clement-Bayard, 1913 Panhard et Levasso, 1912 Delage, 1915 Buick, 1912 Overland, 1915 Ford, 1910 Rolls Royce, 1904 Darracq, 1908 Unic, 1916 ‘Dennis’ (fire engine).
Rally cars parked on town street (rainy day), Cadillac leads convoy as they pass “NGONGOTAHA MOTOR Co” and local community watching from roadside.
Vintage ‘Hamilton Fire Board’ engine exits old Hamilton Fire Station building, Fireman sits in cab of modern Dennis fire engine.
Two men [George and Greg?] stand alongside the rusting frame of old automobile outside "Greg. Watson's Lubritorium", after they shake hands, several men help roll the car on to a trailer. Couple farewell the old car before it is towed away.
AA road signs at [junction] on Gibbons Rd (Kaiwaka). Muddy sedan pulling up to "Gilltrap's Motor Museum" with trailer in tow.
Vintage car event with Snow covered Mt Taranaki in distance. Vintage cars parked in rows, public viewing.
Sign: “GILLTRAP MUSEUM” ROTORUA TO .A.A. 100,000 SHOW. M an speaking in to microphone held by other man (possibly radio interview). Cars outside the [Rotorua Post Office] building. Woman with [recorder] and costumed firemen.
Ardmore. Wreck of #64 racing car being towed. Man clearing debris from racetrack.
Succession of vintage cars driving on to race track then lined up for race start.