Revved up and ready for hot rod show
Hamish Nash knows a thing or two about cars and he knows when he finds something special.
Based in Porirua, the Western Bays Street Rodders member recently purchased a Roadster Pickup built by Hayden Mitchell.
The Roadster is powered by a rare 1957 Chrysler Hemi engine, has a genuine 1928 steel body and a 1932 Ford chassis.
Nash said he loved the fact the Roadster – built in the style of a 60s hot rod – was built with rare parts.
‘‘In the 60s if you had a Hemi motor in your hot rod it was considered the best of the best,’’ he said.
‘‘It was the holy grail of hot rod engines.’’
The Roadster was easier to drive than it looked, it could be bouncy on the open road but was quite powerful.
‘‘It feels great to drive because it is so different from all the other cars on the road.’’
The Roadster proved to be a winner early on, taking out best commercial vehicle at the Trentham All American Car Day the day after it was bought.
Nash said his ‘‘cool looking old car’’ had won the coveted best club car award at the AGM in June and also best commercial vehicle and best pre-49 vehicle.
Club president Colin Wansbrough said the Roadster was something different for the club.
‘‘When Hamish got it I was really stoked for him, it’s an awesome looking car and despite the winter he does get it out a bit,’’ he said.
Wansbrough said the club’s annual hot rod show had gone from strength to strength and this year would be no different.
There will be hot rods and muscle cars, as well as street machines, drag cars, and other vehicles on display with the Western Bays Petrolheads to be held at the Porirua Kennel Club along Prosser St from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, September 3.
Burgerfuel will run a cafe and for kids there will be a bouncy castle and balloon car competition.
Entry is with under-12s free accompanied by an adult. $10,