For fans of shiny cars

With a Back to the Future theme, organisers of the country’s largest car show are looking forward to another huge Ellerslie Intermarque Concours & Classic Car show on February 9th and fittingly, one of the show pieces will be a De Lorean, replicating that used in the movie.

Annual exhibit numbers at the show now average around 750-800 vehicles spanning a hundred years – a far cry from the first purely inter-club event at One Tree Hill 41 years ago.

Many of the almost 80 car clubs will dress up their displays in a Back to the Future theme – competing for the Best Club Display Award.

For the first time there’s an as yet unsponsored ‘Survivors’ class competition featuring cars over 35 years old that are unrestored but still stunning and running. Arrow Wheels are the new supporters of the MG Car Club-organised Motorkhana – possibly in its last few years due to Ellerslie Race Course redevelopment.

And there is the country’s premium classic restoration award – the Intermarque Concours d’Elegance competition for Master Class and club Teams events which invariably feature restorations worth millions of dollars.

Expect a larger motor industry presence too with the latest prestige and performance cars from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Mini, Range Rover, Renault, Rolls-Royce, and Volvo.

It’s a fascinating and fun day for all classic car petrol heads, not those simply in search of nostalgia. The show is part of the ‘Classic Weekend’ with the Meguiar’s ‘Tour d’Elegance’ Classic Fun Run on the Saturday expected to again attract several hundred cars covering six routes from starting points around the region to Vellenoweth Green in St Heliers as the end destination for a barbecue or detour to a nearby cafe.

Apart from old and new cars, exhibitors at the show also include major sponsor Meguiar’s as well as suppliers of essential accessories, clothing, books, repair and restoration services, wheels and sporting accessories, tracker and security systems, dash-mounted cameras and rally tours.

For more information visit www. concours.org.nz