Noticing the Raglan Museum’s call for collectors to come forward with their special collections motivated James Chalken to dust off the boxes in his garage! Each one was packed with beautifully framed advertisements for classic cars.
Museum staff and volunteers were immediately intrigued by the advertising styles used to sell these American “muscle cars” of the 50s, 60s and 70s. No words or flowery phrases were spared in the attempts to get potential punters reaching for their cheque books!
James said that he’d always had an interest in cars and motorbikes, and especially classic cars of the American variety. In his younger days he would invest money in old cars which he would then do up and sell on. He was a self-taught mechanic and would get information and help on YouTube or by speaking to other enthusiasts.
It was after James suffered a serious work accident and then other health issues that he had time to trawl old magazines and became fascinated by the car advertisements. Many of these appeared in National Geographic mags from the 1940s onwards. Given his enforced inactivity, James said he believed it was “healthy to have external interests to keep his brain functioning.”
James’ favourite pursuit is to visit every op shop he comes across, in the hopes of finding car memorabilia and mags. This has involved a fair amount of travelling already, and he has plans to continue this and organize some swap meets with other enthusiasts.
Not to waste anything from his magazine collections, James has decorated some doors, and even his toilet walls, with car advert-related collages!
At present James is working on his beloved 1978 Camaro. When asked what his absolute favourite car is, he has no hesitation in saying: “A Thunderbird! And one day I will have one!”
On the opening day of this exhibition, (Sunday 23 July) some members of the Hamilton Vintage and Classic Car Club have been invited to cruise over the divvy and around Raglan. So look out for them in the streets or parked around the museum, and come in to visit James’ collection. Free entry for everyone, from 10am-2.30 pm!
