Beach Hop 2018

There were a few unusual vehicles in the Grand Parade at Beach Hop this year including a yellow electric 1957 Ford Fairlane. If you’re in New Zealand you’ve probably seen Ron and Malcolm making a quiet getaway in the big yellow Ford in the Mercury Energy TV ad (if not follow the link).

We were talking about what makes Beach Hop one of the best car events we’ve been to and for us one of the many reasons is the sound, it’s not a quiet car event as anyone who stands on Port Road in Whangamata will tell you.

Will … Read the rest

Beach Hop 2015

It was a bring the brolly Beach Hop this year and the changeable weather had an impact on the number of spectators at the Grand Parade on Saturday morning. We found it a lot easier to find a space to watch the vehicles rumble by than we did last year.

We arrived in Whangamata on Friday to see the Thunder Cruise to Onemana Beach. We followed the lead of all those parked along the route to watch the convoy.… Read the rest

Beach Hop 2014

Hot rod, classic car, motorbike, and cool caravan nirvana – Beach Hop, Whangamata. Was it the biggest Saturday crowd ever at the Grand Parade? It certainly felt like it.

The sun was shining and so were the cars as they rolled through the streets lined with thousands of hot rod enthusiasts. Given the crowd I took my chance to head to the Retro Caravan Show. The show was the biggest yet with around 85 vans on display. The cool caravans included Betty who crossed the ditch with her Vauxhall Cresta tow car. The Cresta and Betty are part … Read the rest

Let’s go to Beach Hop, Whangamata

Beach Hop 2012 – Gorgeous Girls & Wicked Wheels

Beach Hop will be held 20 – 24 March 2013 in Whangamata. Celebrate the 50’s and 60’s – listen to rock ‘n’ roll bands and see up to 1000 hot rods and classic cars in the Grand Parade on Saturday morning. In 2011 retro caravans were introduced, in 2013  Vintage Caravan Magazine are sponsoring the Retro Caravan Show. Update: Cool Caravans (2013 Beach Hop photos)

Saturday is the best day for visitors – the Grand Parade, Junkyard Fashion Show, Hop Idol finals and Retro Beauty Show are a few of the … Read the rest