When the rumble of hot rods and classic American muscle fills the streets, you know the Stragglers are at work.
It’s not just a show of chrome and horsepower. It’s also the sound of a local club raising tens of thousands of dollars for local community causes every year.
What began as a small gathering of car enthusiasts in 2006 has grown into one of New Zealand’s most celebrated automotive clubs, and one of its most generous. Through regular cruises and an annual charity car show, the Stragglers have raised significant funds for local children and community organisations.
The club, capped at 50 members, is devoted to American-origin vehicles built before 1972. From immaculate hot rods to gleaming muscle cars, the Stragglers attract members from all walks of life, united by a shared passion for classic machinery and good company.
On the first Wednesday of each month, they cruise through the Cambridge township before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.
But it’s the annual Cambridge Charity Car Show that truly puts the Stragglers on the map. Held every November, it has grown from a single-day display of around 300 cars at Lake Te Koo Utu into the largest one-day car show in New Zealand, drawing in excess of 1,400 vehicles and thousands of spectators to the Mighty River Domain at Lake Karāpiro. The car show has also expanded into a three-day celebration, incorporating a mystery run and a lively social evening.
The event has become the club’s primary fundraising effort, with all proceeds going back into the community.
Over the years, the club has rotated its charitable support among local causes, including Riding for the Disabled, Cambridge Lifeskills Trust, and Kids in Need Waikato.
“We’re incredibly proud of the amount of money we’ve been able to give back to local children and community organisations over the last two decades,” says founding member Dale Gerrand.
“The generosity of the hot rod community never fails to amaze me. People come for the cars, but they have a huge impact collectively.”
For a club built on horsepower and heart, the Stragglers have turned a shared passion for cars into a driving force for community good in Cambridge.
