The American Muscle Car Club’s latest shed raid unearthed some damn fine metal – and some damn fine food

As we found out in last month’s issue of NZV8, the American Muscle Car Club (AMCC) collectively has some of the finest pieces of American engineering ever to grace New Zealand roads. With more than 70 cars present at our club shoot, we figured these guys and girls must have dragged out every muscle car they could find. Upon showing up for the club’s North Shore and Western Shed Raid, however, we found the AMCC has just as many projects that are yet to see Kiwi tarmac.

The weather on the day again left little to be desired, but that didn’t stop more than 40 cars and around 80 people from turning up to check out what was hiding in other members’ sheds.

Once at the first few locations, it soon became apparent that these guys and girls aren’t strictly into American cars, but also American boats, memorabilia and almost anything nostalgia-related hailing from America.

With such a wide variety of vehicles in the club, there is also a wealth of knowledge. So many members took the time to quiz others about their projects and seek out handy hints from those who had attempted similar restorations or modifications themselves.

Besides the superb cars we saw at every stop, the highlight of the day for many was the very impressive baking of Chrissy Dunn. It’s been many years since I’ve had home baking of this quality, if ever (sorry mum), and given the speed with which the large table of food was devoured, I don’t think I was alone. Apparently there were a few cool cars in the shed the food was served in, although I’m not sure if anyone noticed.

With the tour of individual properties complete, it was on to the West Auckland workshops of Profile Autobody, then Moselle Panel & Paint. Greg McSporran and Profile Autobody had just relocated to new, far larger premises, and already the shop was full of top-quality vehicles undergoing transformations from mild to wild. Wayne Grimmer’s street and strip ’Cuda was one of the highlights, currently at Profile to have the wheel tubs extended.

Moselle Panel & Paint is also well known for its top-quality work, and had plenty of projects on the go in its impressive premises. The Steel Stallion Ford Mustang that was built to be displayed at SEMA a few years back was looking as impressive as ever, despite being up against some tough competition. Other cars in the build at Moselle included Brent Hyde’s Road Runner, Alex Ross’s ’59 Chev, and a Dodge Charger reputedly being built for a Kiwi celebrity.

The Moselle team doesn’t just do a good job of panel and paint, it also does a damn good job with a barbeque. It was here that the members stayed for many hours, eating fine food, looking at fine cars and talking about the excellent day that was.

Words: Todd Wylie Photos: Kym Doak