Junked jalopy re-emerges as polished rally diamond | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

More than 40 years after it was discovered buried in a paddock at Bonny Glen, near Marton, Paul Hicks' impeccably restored 1910 Napier is in Wanganui for the VCC Rally 2012.

The car, which was used as a taxi in Marton from 1915 until 1925, was discovered by two members of the local Vintage Car Club of New Zealand branch in July 1970.

The pair, Brian Turner and Dane Hawley, were searching for antique bottles around an abandoned house at Bonny Glen when they clambered on an old wheel in a hedge near a rail overbridge.

Mr Turner said they contacted the son of the property's owner (who had died), and sought permission to drag the Napier, which was in bits, home. It was initially believed to be a 1909 model.

Despite the pair hoping to restore the vehicle within five years, Mr Hawley moved to Australia and Mr Turner kept the parts for a few more years before selling them on in the 1980s.

They were also on-sold once more, before current owner Paul Hicks got hold of them and restored the vehicle.

That involved sourcing the car's original plans from the United Kingdom.

Mr Turner has been a member of the local vintage car club branch since 1968.

"It wasn't what we were looking for at all," he said.

The vehicle is believed to be one of only three Napiers in the country. Another is based at Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, and one belongs to a private owner in Hawke's Bay.