It’s 7pm on a Friday nite and I’m washing the XA Falcon wagon in the dark – no wait, the security light just came back on…  Some people would think I’m mad – who washes their car on a Friday nite? Well its got to be done, ‘cos theres cruising to be doing and we don’t want to turn up in a dirty car, even if it is dark.

The last Friday of the month is Reclaim the Garden City night, when anyone with a Hot Rod, Street Machine, V8, V6 anything that isn’t a made in Japan boy racer car, meet up at Bishopdale Mall car park for a cruise around the city.  The meet up was started to get ‘real’ cars into town to prove to people, that you can be car enthusiasts and not cause havoc – the rules are simple – no skids, no jappas, no dickheads.

The cruise route varies each month with a compulsory boy racer circuit of the four Aves (Moorehouse, Fitzgerald, Bealey and Deans Ave), then normally a drive out to Lyttleton – who can resist the sound of V8’s going though Lyttleton tunnel! with a park up, to catch up and regroup.  The February and June Earthquakes put a stop the four Ave circuit and going over to Lyttleton, but the cruises did continue, we may be shaken, our roads may be broken, but we’re still cruisin’, as long as there still petrol to fill our tanks and some road not too badly munted we’ll be out.

So back to Friday nite,  the Falcon is washed, cruising music selected and off to Bishopdale Mall we go.  We get there and there is already a selection of fine automobiles, American and Australian – Valiants, Fords, Holdens, Dodge and Chevs even the good old Bedford Van.

So now its a wonder round the cars, seeing who here, always a good catch up and meet new people and their cars.  Some of the usual suspects are missing, but still a good 20 odd cars. Tonite we are off to the Tai Tapu pub and then to RodBenders club rooms for Garden City Rodder’s band Nite.  By the time we get to Tai Tapu we’ve picked up afew strays…  The locals don’t know whats hit ’em as we all pile in for a pint.  More tall stories to be told, reminisce of cruising back in the day and whats been broken, fixed, driving well, even word of doing the four ave next month since the roads are now more drivable; another drink and then it’s off to Rodbenders Club rooms down Waterloo road.

We had been going to the Fitzgearld Arms, but after the last earthquake that put Fitzgerald Ave in the red zone, the suggestion was made to end up at Rod Benders.  They have been hosting Garden City Rodders Band nite since Garden City’s club rooms were condemned in the September Earthquake, so with lots more parking, a live band and cheap drinks – it all works out quite nicely. Car got outta the garage for a nice social evening.