We sit down with ZM radio hosts Bree Tomasel and Clint Roberts about the Toyota Hiace 'vanute' that they're taking from Auckland to Wellington.
Driven: So ... err ... what exactly is this thing?
Clint: It’s a 1989 Toyota Hiace Long Wheelbase converted into a ute, with five on the tree.
Bree: I bought the vanute about seven weeks ago from a legend named Jeffery in Blenheim, and we shipped her. She’s a classic 1989 model (great year for Hiace vans I’ve heard) a shit tonne of mileage. She’s a manual and her features include no power steering, a siren and custom dash. Driveable on a normal car licence.
It’s described as the mullet of vehicles? How would you describe it as a person?
Bree: I would 100 per cent agree with this statement, although she’s not only party in the front but she’s also a party in the back. If I had to describe it as a famous person, Billy Ray Cyrus of Achy Breaky Heart fame comes to mind.
Clint: Billy Ray is an excellent comparison, although maybe even he’s too fancy for the vanute? I think Joe Dirt might be close.
What do you like about the vanute?
Bree: I think she oozes sex appeal and if you want a vehicle to turn heads, this is the vehicle to do it. She’s humble yet confident.
Clint: And it was fun showing Bree where the other gears were. Up until then had been driving it exclusively in 3rd and 4th.
A quick overall of your trip? Will you sleep in the vanute?
Bree: We’re taking her to Wellington with about four major stops along the way. She’s up for anything. Need a vehicle on your wedding day, formals, spa parties, broadcasts, camping, deliveries, school drops offs? We’re going to do it all!
Clint: Due to the ute-mods, it would be a hell of an uncomfortable sleep for any more than one person. So I’m keen for a motel. It will be set up as a mobile studio though, so wherever we stop (intentionally or otherwise) is where the show will come to you live from.
What do you normally drive?
Bree: My everyday drive is a Mitsubishi Lancer or a Lime scooter.
Clint: A sensible Honda Accord station wagon and a 50cc scooter.
First car?
Bree: I grew up on an apple orchard in country Queensland so my first car was a 1975 pale yellow Toyota Corolla that my dad bought us kids when I was 10. I learnt how to drive and also do hand-break turns between putting water through the radiator, as she would overheat.
Clint: My first car was Dad’s Toyota Starlet. I did some custom mods by painting the window wipers metallic blue and put in a subwoofer from the Warehouse.
Favourite driving song?
Bree: Black Betty, Spiderbait.
Clint: Golden Earring’s Radar Love.
Dream car?
Bree: Practical, vanute. Non-practical, Ferrari 488 GTB.
Clint: My wife and I are about to have our first child, so I need a practical Dad car. I’m thinking an Audi RS6 Station wagon?
Who kicked off your interest in cars?
Bree: Definitely my dad, he’s a massive car guy and it’s rubbed off on to the rest of our family. Although I don’t agree with his taste in cars lately — an old-school Datsun. Just no.
Clint: My dad. He used to work in the Ford factory in Wellington, and did a number of home conversions. He’s a hustler and was constantly on the lookout for cars to buy and sell to make a buck.
Did you get your licence first pop or was it matter of perseverance?
Bree: Got my licence first go, reverse park and all.
Clint: My dad taught me on some of the quieter streets around our home in Rotorua. I failed my learners’ licence test first time. It was all theory, and I think I went in too cocky. There were teenage tears ...
How do you describe your driving style?
Bree: Responsible but confident.
Clint: Requires Google Maps
What stays in your car?
Bree: iPhone charger, CD, and 286 empty and half full water bottles
Clint: Empty coffee cups, three pairs of sunnies and tissues.
Strangest (printable) thing you’ve done in a car?
Bree: Full buffet lunch.
Clint: We used to get a free set of bald tyres and rims each week from the tyre store in Rotorua and we would go to the closed forestry roads for burnouts until the tyres would pop. My mate Callan had an old VL Holden Commodore Vacationer — went hard.
It’s Sunday morning and you’re going for a road trip?
Bree: Muriwai beach, park up the vanute on the sand. Surf and then picnic on the tailgate.
Favourite movie car scene?
Bree: The Gone In 60 Seconds 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang car chase. What a car!
Clint: The first Fast and the Furious movie when Paul Walker races Vin Diesel and Ja Rule — iconic.
Your thoughts on electric and driverless vehicles?
Bree: Electric, yes. Driverless, no.
Clint: I love the electric revolution and I can’t wait for them to become more accessible. And driverless cars, yes, too. But I still want to be able to go for a cruise at the weekend.
* Bree and Clint are on ZM from 3-7pm weekdays.