Crowdsourced classic-car discovery

Find the classics time forgot.

RustRoute maps New Zealand’s forgotten Holdens, Valiants, Escorts, Minis and more—then helps owners, spotters and genuine buyers bring the right cars back into the story.

Public-road photos only. Exact locations stay private.

RustRoute hero

Map privacy

District shown publicly. Exact pin held until owner consent.

The RustRoute promise

The hunt stays fair, safe and owner-led.

01

No trespass

Only submit photos taken from public roads or with clear permission.

02

No exposed pins

The public sees a district, never an exact shed, paddock or address.

03

No pressure

Owners choose whether to list, restore or walk away—and can remove a car anytime.

From roadside glimpse to second chance

One find. A careful route forward.

RustRoute turns scattered sightings into verified opportunities without turning rural properties into public treasure maps.

01

Drop a district-level pin

Add roadside photos, the likely make and model, and any story you know. The private location helps our team verify the lead; the public map stays broad.

Built for local discovery first, with a path to hunts across Aotearoa.

New lead

Possible 1970s Holden · Waikato district

02

We approach the owner

RustRoute handles the respectful contact. Nothing is listed and no exact location is shared without owner consent.

03

The right buyer finds it

Opted-in cars reach enthusiasts looking for specific models, while spotters can earn a finder’s fee after a sale.

Buyer access

Pay for the lead, not the rumour.

Browsing and spotting stay open. Buyers only pay when they want deeper access to owner-approved opportunities or faster alerts. Transaction and finder fees are confirmed before any sale.

Spotter

Free

For the people who notice what others pass by.

  • Submit district-level finds
  • Track verification status
  • Eligible finder’s fee when a car sells
Become a spotter
For active hunters

Buyer

Per unlock

Exact pricing is shown before purchase and applies only to owner-approved listings. Premium model alerts will be available as an optional subscription.

Join buyer access
  • See complete listing details after consent
  • Save target makes and models
  • Get early notice of matching finds
  • Clear fees before you commit

Before you head out

Hunt with respect.

Start the trail

That old shape in the paddock could be history.

Take the photo from a public road, mark the district, and let RustRoute handle the next conversation with care.