Petrolheads and hot rods in town
To say Matt Kingi takes pride in his machines is an understatement.
The Aotea resident is gearing up for the Petrolheads@Porirua Hot Rod Show on August 28. While he was hoping to unveil a 1969 Camaro that has had a modern makeover, this has been put on hold.
Instead, Kingi will display his beloved 1975 Holden HJ ute in the show. He estimates he has sunk $25,000 ‘‘and counting’’ into the vehicle.
‘‘I’ve kept it to how it originally came out of the factory.
‘‘For a lot of people growing up, you had a Ford or a Falcon and when people see the car, they remember those times.’’
The show is well-known and likely to be the second-biggest of its kind in the region, behind the American car show at Trentham each year.
The amount of lovinglyrestored, quality and special vehicles never failed to impress Kingi.
‘‘I’ve just spent some time in the US and was at a couple of car shows there.
‘‘I reckon you’re going to have more to see at events in New Zealand because we have rarer models collected or restored by people.‘‘
Kingi said the Western Bays club was full of dedicated, likeminded people, ‘‘who were all probably rebels at one time’’.
Now, they were familyoriented men and women who loved cars and showing off the time they had put into them.
He always gets a kick out of the wide-eyed people who light up when they see and hear the machines.
Western Bays Street Rodders president Colin Wansbrough said the show was always a good day out for members and the public.
Hot rods, bikes and muscle, drag, classic and vintage cars will be on display.
‘‘We will have a drag car doing start ups outside which you won’t want to miss.’’
There will be also be giveaways, a cafe and a bouncy castle.
After moving from North City Shopping Centre, Wansbrough said the show has continued to grow.
‘‘It’s now said to rival any hot rod show in New Zealand and this year won’t be any different.’’
Petrolheads@Porirua Hot Rod Show opens at 10am at the Porirua Kennel Club in Prosser St. Entry is $10, with under-12s free.