Australasia’s Largest Classic Car Auction

Media Release
8 November, 2006

Museum Closure Brings Australasia’s Largest Classic Car Auction

Lovers of classic cars and automotive memorabilia will be descending on Te Puke on 10 November to grab a piece of automotive history as the Te Puke Auto Barn shuts for good.

After 20 years of operation, the iconic museum closed its doors for the last time on 29 October with its full collection of cars and motoring paraphernalia being auctioned onsite and online by Turners Auctions from 10 – 12 November.

Turners Auctions Classic Car Consultant, Tony Herbert said the Te Puke auction was the largest classic car auction held in Australasia for many years.

“This auction represents an extremely rare opportunity to purchase classic cars and other pieces of automotive history that would usually not be for sale,” said Mr Herbert.

The auction will feature roughly 90 cars and motorbikes, and around 1000 items of motoring memorabilia from books to petrol pumps.

All items will be auctioned on site at the Te Puke museum however, bidders from anywhere in the world will be able to participate in the auction via Turners’ real-time internet auction facility, Turners Live.

“We are expecting a huge turnout at the Museum but for those who cannot get to Te Puke, internet users will be able to bid against floor bidders using the Turners Live website,” said Mr Herbert.

One of the stars of the auction will be a 1947 Sunbeam Talbot, believed to be the only one of its kind in New Zealand. The auction will also include a 1915 Buick roadster, a McLaren M6 GT Replica and a 1938 Panther Redwing 100 Motorcycle as well as hundreds of pieces of ‘automobilia’ collected over the last 20 years.

Museum owner, Ray Singleton said the Museum has been a lifelong project but that it is time to move on.

“Cars are my passion and I have really enjoyed sharing this collection so I just hope the new owners look after what they’ve got,” said Mr Singleton.

“Over the years we have been besieged with motoring enthusiasts who come to see our collection of motoring gems and I expect we will be seeing a lot of those people back here for the auction,” he said.

Te Puke Auction Timetable

Friday 10th Nov 10:00am - 5:00pm Viewing all auctions
Saturday 11th Nov 8:00am - 5:00pm Viewing Memorabilia & Cars
9:30am Auction for Automobilia
Sunday 12th Nov 8:00am - 11:30am Viewing Cars & Motorcycles
10:00am Auction for Memorabilia
1:00 pm Auction for Cars & Motorcycles

For a list of auction items or more information on the auction please visit www.turners.co.nz

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About Turners
Turners Auctions is New Zealand's leading car sales channel accounting for 8.7 per cent of all cars sold in New Zealand in 2005. Turners’ specialist Auctions include ex-lease, cars, trucks, plant, damaged vehicles and general goods. Turners Finance also offers finance on vehicles sold at Turners Auctions.
www.turners.co.nz

About Turners Live
Turners Live allows customers to view cars at an upcoming auction via an online catalogue posted prior to the auction with photos and important information on each car. Bidders then register on the website and participate in the auction, bidding against other floor and online bidders. The auctioneer channels all bids with the current selling price appearing both on the website and on large screens on the auction floor. Real time audio and video feeds allow online customers to see the car and hear the auctioneer throughout the auction.

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