It would also be fair to say that her checklist of wants was very specific. Model and shape – HSV VY, Colour – Ultraviolet, Transmission – manual, Cup holders for coffee – Yes!. (I should point out that once she has made up her mine on something, it is made up)
Years before buying LONEYZ, Leonie had always intended on owning a Commodore SV6. But after looking into the ‘Purple Murph’, her sights shifted towards an Ultraviolet Clubsport instead. We first laid eyes on her in the flesh in Wellington December 2010, but that was after purchasing her online from Auckland! While we flew up to Wellington for a couple of nights to attend a concert, Leonie’s sister and partner flew up to Auckland, cash in hand to buy a car on her behalf. They drove down from Auckland to Wellington to meet us at the waterfront, and we had our first drive before they boarded the ferry home, while we stayed another night in Wellington before flying home.
Our first long distance road trip (at least, further than Seddon) was attending the 2012 annual National HSV Club Meet in Taupo (in February). This was the first time for either us travelling the Desert Road through the Central North Island. While ultimately we didn’t remain members of that club for long, it was a great and interesting weekend with a decent sized number, and range of (predominantly Auckland) HSV vehicles and owners.
In late 2012 we attended our first meeting with the HECC, the annual Show and Shine at the Groynes. We quickly realised we had found the sort of club we were looking for. A local club where at the end of day the number one important thing is enjoyment of the Red Lion. Since then she has gone on many a club run, although irritatingly missed the 2014 Show and Shine at the last minute due to a cracked wheel rim. Not the first or the last time that has happened. (Most recently she stayed roadside during our Claybird Shooting Club Challenge)
LONEYZ is still the same car that left the factory. There is no long list of modifications, and probably never will be. (well, she is due a new exhaust upgrade – Leonie). But she has been well loved and well driven. She has a lot more miles on the clock now, and shows the wear from living in the rural and driving in an earthquake damaged city (although she did get treated to some minor paint repairs a year or two back). But, as a club member once said, cars should be driven, not parked up in a garage.
As someone who grew up in a family of only Fords (yes, even the farm ute was a Ford, and my first two cars in the early 90s were Escorts.. there, the truth is out), I never thought one of my favourite weekend relaxations would be cleaning and grooming somebody else’s Holden in preparation for a day trip somewhere. But almost six years on I wouldn’t have it any other way. For Leonie, she has the car she always wanted. If we win Lotto tomorrow and splash out on the newest GTS for those Sunday runs, there will still be a spot in the garage for LONEYZ. No doubt she will be with us for some time to come.
Darryl and Leonie
July 2016