This issue celebrated and recognised New Zealanders’ passion for cars. It’s a love affair that goes back to the 1890s when New Zealand was still a young country and eager to embrace new ideas and technology.
Issue information
The motoring phenomenon has experienced a remarkable evolution, and New Zealanders have been quick to adopt innovations from Europe, the United States of America and Japan. Indeed, ever since Henry Ford pioneered mass assembly in 1908 and produced the ubiquitous Model T, cars have been our most popular mode of transport.
The On the Road stamp issue featured six post-war cars that have been and still are seen on New Zealand roads. One of the challenges faced in producing this stamp issue was to select six cars out of the numerous makes and models that presented themselves. The six selected are all landmark vehicles that introduced a motoring innovation and were highly popular motoring choices in their time.
These six cars are just some of New Zealand’s favourites. You’ll find others glorified through numerous car clubs and collectors such as the Southward Museum Trust, which preserves the largest and most varied collection of motor vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere (including the Honda Civic EB2 featured on this stamp issue).
Framed Presentation
A limited number of exclusive framed presentations were available on a made to order basis, one for each of the six cars for the On the Road stamp issue. These presentations looked superb on a wall or made the perfect gift for the car lover.
Miniature Sheet Booklet
This miniature sheet booklet made an excellent addition to your collection. Each booklet included seven miniature sheets, one for each of the six different denominations and the last incorporating the complete set of six On the Road stamps.
Product Listing for On the Road
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 40c 'Volkswagen Beetle' gummed stamp. The Volkswagen Beetle (originally called the Kraft-durch-Freude-Wagen – 'Strength through Joy Car') was one of the first small, affordable family cars, popular for its tough, air-cooled engine and no-nonsense engineering. It was a popular car in New Zealand in the 1960s, and has recently been re-released in a streamlined design fit for the 21st century. |
$0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Ford Zephyr Mk I' gummed stamp. The Ford Zephyr MK I was produced by the British in 1950 and rapidly became a motoring icon – treasured for its space, powerful six-cylinder engine and good looks. Its modern suspension design offered a smoother ride than available at the time and is now widely used throughout the motor vehicle industry. |
$0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.10 'Morris Mini Mk II' gummed stamp. When the Morris Mini MK II came along in 1959, it turned car design on its side with an east-west engine layout, allowing more of this chic little car’s bodywork to be used for cabin space. The Mini is still produced 40 years on, and was placed second in the international Car of the Century list (a promotion run by the Automobile Association New Zealand to celebrate the better and more influential examples of one of the most defining inventions of the last century). |
$1.10 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.20 'Holden HQ Kingswood' gummed stamp. General Motors’ Holden HQ Kingswood cemented New Zealand’s enthusiasm for big family cars. Introduced in 1971 as being equally at home in the city or on rough roads, the HQ offered variations such as the ‘ute’ and the stationwagon, making it a popular hit with Kiwi home handymen. Safety was emphasised in the HQ design. It was the first Holden built with a semi-chassis frame which improved rigidity and reduced noise and vibration. This series also introduced features like flow-through ventilation and four-wheel coil springing. Nearly half a million HQs were sold making it the biggest selling of all the Holden model ranges. |
$1.20 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.50 'Honda Civic EB2' gummed stamp. In 1972, Japan made a spectacular entrance to the international car market with the Honda Civic, a lively two-door hatchback offering excellent cruising ability, front-wheel-drive handling and a highly cost-effective fuel consumption. |
$1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.80 'Toyota Corolla' gummed stamp. Then came the Toyota Corolla, setting standards for reliability, longevity and customer satisfaction. The Corolla is a fine example of how far the car has come since the end of World War II, offering performance, handling accessories and economy undreamed of then. |
$1.80 |
 |
Miniature Sheet Booklet | Miniature sheet booklet including seven miniature sheets, one for each of the six different denominations and the last incorporating the complete set of six On the Road stamps. | $14.95 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.30 |
 |
Set of Maximum Cards | Set of six pre-paid souvenir cards featuring a stamp on the front and artwork from the stamp issue. | $10.80 |
 |
Limited Edition | Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else. | $135.00 |
| Framed Presentation |
Volkswagen Beetle framed presentation. |
$199.00 | |
| Framed Presentation |
Ford Zephyr Mk I framed presentation. |
$199.00 | |
| Framed Presentation |
Morris Mini Mk II framed presentation. |
$199.00 | |
| Framed Presentation |
Holden HQ Kingswood framed presentation. |
$199.00 | |
| Framed Presentation |
Honda Civic EB2 framed presentation. |
$199.00 | |
| Framed Presentation |
Toyota Corolla framed presentation. |
$199.00 |
Civic - $1.50
In 1972, Japan made a spectacular entrance to the international car market with the Honda Civic, a lively two-door hatchback offering excellent cruising ability, front-wheel-drive handling and a highly cost-effective fuel consumption.
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 1 June 2000 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Six |
| Denominations and designs: | 40c Volkswagen Beetle, 80c Ford Zephyr MK I, $1.10 Morris Mini MK II, $1.20 Holden HQ Kingswood, $1.50 Honda Civic ED2, and $1.80 Toyota Corolla |
| Stamp and first day cover designed by: | Cato Partners, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Miniature sheet booklet designed by: | Comm Arts Design, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Photography commissioned by: | Lance Lawson, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand, by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Two colours - black and one special metallic per stamp, with overgloss |
| Stamp size: | 30mm x 30mm |
| Miniature sheet size: | 150mm x 100mm |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Paper type: | 103 gsm red phosphor coated |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 31 May 2001. |
