SUPER CHEVY SUNDAY

The Wellington Chevrolet Club’s seventh annual Super Chevy Sunday was held at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt, on Sunday March 5. Previously, the event had been held in February, on the same day as the British Car Day.

Public reaction to the change of date was most favourable. “We’ll be sticking with March,” said Glenn ‘Woodsy’ Wood, the show’s organizer. He said that this year he had an awesome team working with him, which had made the job easier. Around 140 cars took part, which Woodsy described as “a good turnout.”

Super Chevy Sunday has always welcomed all makes of classic cars since its inception. Joining the Chevrolets this year were Fords, Cadillacs, Holdens, and Mercurys, and at least one Pontiac, Opel, Plymouth, and Dodge.

Seeing these classics could stir a few nostalgic memories. One man said he had seen a new 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, similar to the black four-door sedan parked up on the concourse, in a Petone side street when he was a boy. His uncle had drawn a picture of the car for him. A few weeks later, he’d been disappointed to see his dream car working as a taxi.

Arguably the rarest of the cars on the park was a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GTC. The car has a plaque under the driver’s door that said it was number 197 of the 215 produced. Co-owner Daryl Gates said the model was made at the request of Southern California Ford dealers and was only available for one year. The Shelby’s colour was called ‘Grabber Orange’, the only colour available, and one that certainly grabbed attention. Daryl said the Shelby had had two American owners before arriving in New Zealand last year. Super Chevy Sunday was its first appearance at any New Zealand car show.

Prizes went to a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air for the show’s Best Chev, and a 1929 Ford Phaeton received the Best Other award.

Proceeds from the day went to the Wellington Free Ambulance.