My BrUte small events in my ownership.

 

A blast from the Past. (this photo is not her but a close relative)

 

In 1982 I purchased a Holden Kingswood HK Ute 168.  It was of a mint and dark green two tone colour, had no heater (a hole in the firewall where it used to be.) It had dodgy gearbox - would often jam in 2^nd which meant hopping out and rattling the linkages, often in heavy rain.  The window wipers were prone to flying off too, also in heavy rain.  But – hey – it was my Waka (lovingly named Brute).

It was well used, the following four events she was used for:

1.  Carrying Firewood (up LME Pukana Jones’s place up Tinopai on the Kaipara)

2, Carrying 48 Dozen, splits and spirits at my sister’s Engagement here in Palmy and three large Brown Bros.  The rear tyres were rubbing with guards.

3         Summertime driving around the North Shore with a massive Esky, 7 pint glasses and 7 drinkers.  Never once got pulled over.

4         Coup de Grace - Went with LME Tug Wilson (from the West Coast) and two massive Air pots, completely filled with all amounts of spirits and wine.  Went to watch Auckland and Canterbury senior teams playing cricket at Eden Park No2.  Poor old Richard Hadlee had those two old sods barracking him from the safety of the embankment.  And voila!!  Memory dies.

  Nek minit I wake up and parked somewhere.  Saw a kid walking down across the road and asked him which way to Devonport and he points where I am facing.  Said cheers revved the Brute up and took off. Literally - road disappeared and many 2-inch galvanised pipes (handrails to St Leonard Beach) badly mangled my pride and joy.  The only panel not buckled was the roof and all windows still intact..  I walked out and surveyed the scene.  Buggered, rooted, knackered – all three.  Anudda nek minit I walk up the carnage and down a drive (a nobs palace) and asked to use their phone, saying my car had broken down and needed a tow truck. (I was wearing shorts and singlet and Samoan Jungle Boots.)  Towie pulled up and had a good laugh, as you do.  Remember this was early 80’s.  I asked him how much especially Hush Money?  Luckily I had $50 cash on me, money well spent.  He pulled the front fenders out so they didn’t rub the tyres and drove off.  

Main Gate were laughing.  Nek minit 3 – off to the panel beaters and $950 later.  Sold her soon after, my wheels were haunted.  By the by, when I bought it I paid $3000 for her.  The mags and tyres were worth that alone