Our 2002 Holden Commodore VY Berlina, affectionately known as Harry, recently proved that age is no barrier to reliability or style. Now showing 270,400 km, Harry joined our small collection three years ago and has since become part of the family. While he was already in excellent condition, we’ve completed a series of careful maintenance and safety upgrades—always guided by our own Holden VT–VY Workshop Manual.
The Journey Begins
We left our home in northern Wairarapa early Saturday morning, heading north toward Hamilton, the first stop on our 2,000 km journey. Sunday morning saw us on the road again, with a beautiful calm sunny morning and Hot Air balloons floating above Hamilton, what an awesome sight! We were bound for Taupiri, about 20 minutes north, to visit the Road Knights Swap Meet - one of the better we’ve attended for some time. Rows of sites filled with vintage automotive treasures reminded us exactly why we do what we do at Car Manuals Direct.
By 9am, we pointed Harry east, for the 120k trip to Tauranga for the Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club Swap Meet. Unfortunately, the event was winding down when we arrived around 11 a.m.—most stalls were already packed up despite the advertised hours. Still, there was compensation: a superb display of vintage and classic cars, including a striking lineup of Bristols gleaming in the sun.
Exploring the Coast
Monday was for discovery. We explored Paeroa and Thames, hunting through second-hand bookstores and collectors’ shops in search of forgotten manuals and motoring literature. Even when we don’t find much, there’s something deeply satisfying about the search itself - with the chance to maybe rescue a book or piece of automotive history before it disappears.
We looped back through Ngatea to Tauranga, and by mid-week decided to take the scenic way home. Wednesday’s drive took us down through Rotorua and on around Lake Taupo and down to Taihape for the night—a good rest before the final leg.
Homeward Bound
Thursday morning we cruised south through Bulls, Sanson, and Palmerston North, then crossed the newly finished Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway—already nicknamed “The Side Saddle,” a tribute to the old Saddle Road it replaced. From there, we wound through Pahiatua and back to Eketahuna, where the beautiful green hills gave us the satisfying "at home" feeling.
All told, we covered 1,978 kilometres without a single issue. Harry ran flawlessly, averaging an impressive 9.2 L/100 km from his 3.8L V6 engine. For a 23-year-old Holden, that’s something to be proud of. Comfortable, smooth, and utterly dependable—just as any true Australian sedan should be.
Route map of our 2,000 km road trip through New Zealand’s North Island in our modern classic Holden Commodore VY model Berlina.
Trips like this remind us that Car Manuals Direct isn’t just about selling digital files - it’s about keeping the spirit of motoring alive. Every manual we preserve and digitize helps owners maintain cars like Harry, ensuring they stay on the road for future generations to enjoy.
Here’s to the next road trip—and to every enthusiast who still believes a well-maintained classic is the best way to travel.