2003 - Veteran Vehicles

In this stamp issue, tribute is paid to the cars that changed New Zealand forever - the magnificent machines we call Veteran Vehicles. 

       The stamps illustrated five of the earliest models to grace New Zealand's roads, from the world's first motorcar (the Benz Velo) to the ubiquitous Model T Ford - the car that transformed driving forever. Each of the vehicles tells a fascinating story of innovation, entrepreneurial flair and sheer determination in a world where cars were viewed by many with scepticism and suspicion.

       The Veteran Vehicles stamp issue also celebrated the 100th birthday of the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) as the 'voice' of motorists. It all began when seven men, representing the upper crust of Auckland society, gathered at the home of George de Clive-Lowe to discuss the potential of an automobile club. 100 years on, the AA represents 900,000 people and has the largest membership of any organisation in New Zealand. You will notice an AA badge is used in the cancel on the FDC.

The Five Stamps.

40c - '1895 Benz Velo.'

Launched in Germany in 1894, the 'Velo' was the world's first inexpensive, mass-produced car. The two-passenger buggy travelled up to 24 kilometres per hour and soon proved a popular choice, with almost 400 built and sold in the first three years of manufacture.

90c - '1903 Oldsmobile.'

American Ransom Eli Olds was one of very few of his countrymen to visualise - and realise - the potential in building automobiles on a large scale. The first Oldsmobile (the 'Curved Dash' runabout) emerged from the company's Detroit-based assembly line in 1900, establishing Oldsmobile as a leader in American car manufacturing.

 $1.30 - '1911 Wolseley.'

The British Wolseley was invented in secret by Herbert Austin while he was Works Manager for the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company. Soon the car overtook the sheep shearing machine as the company's flagship product, and Wolseley became recognised as a major British motor designer - a reputation it maintained until manufacturing ceased in 1975.

$1.50 - '1915 Talbot.'

The 'Invincible Talbot' proved it deserved its nickname when in 1913 it became the first vehicle to cover more than 160 kilometres in an hour. Originally the 'Clement' of France but renamed by Clement Talbot Ltd, the car achieved more than 100 'first' awards, including the first motor crossing of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin in 1908.

$2.00 - '1915 Model T Ford.'

Ford's Model T transformed the world of motoring. This simple, reliable car, available only in black, was able to be priced for the masses; owing to the company's highly efficient assembly line technique. Ford became the biggest car manufacturer in the industry, eventually selling more than 15 million of the ubiquitous 'Tin Lizzies'.

Collectable Items. 

First Day Cover - 3 September 2003.

"AA" Badge used in the official First Day cancel.

Presentation pack containing a selection of stamp products from the issue and further information on the theme of the stamps.

Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else.

Technical information.
Date of issue: 3 September 2003.
The number of stamps: Five.
Denominations and designs: 40c 1895 Benz Velo, 90c 1903 Oldsmobile, $1.30 1911 Wolseley, $1.50 1915 Talbot, $2.00 1915 Model T Ford.
Stamps and first-day cover designed: Stephen Fuller, Watermark, Wellington.
Printer and process: Cartor Security Printing, France by offset lithography.
The number of colours: Four process colours.
Stamp size and format: 30mm x 40mm (horizontal).
Paper type: 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper.
Perforation gauge: 13.
The number of stamps per sheet: 25.
Period of Sale: These stamps remained on sale until 2 September 2004.

Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ

You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

Information & images for this post came from.

New Zealand Post (Stamps)