February 07, 2005,

Classics Drive To Ellerslie

Millions of dollars of new cars and hundreds of valuable and rare classsics dating back over a hundred years will be on show at Auckland’s Ellerslie Race Course this coming Sunday 13th Feb for the 32nd NZ Classic Car Show.

The event will be the biggest yet staged - both in display area, exhibitions and vehicle numbers on show.

Organised by 65 Auckland Car Clubs with the support of NZ Classic Car Magazine, the show this year will feature almost every make of car ever sold in New Zealand since cars first arrived here in the early 1900's.

A special attraction will include an undercover exhibition of “Monsters of Speed,” 26 of the most flamboyant speedsters of their eras ranging from a 1906 Darracq to the latest million dollar Ferrari.

Club displays will reflect the “celebrity” status of many marques in the entertainment world as they vie for awards for the best “cars of the stars” display.

The show will not only show case hundreds of classics and collectibles, but also launch a new exhibitions devoted to the country’s huge classic car movement.

A restoration village will demonstrate the work of NZ’s car restoration industry.

And the country’s finest and most beautiful classic cars – many the result of years of painstaking restoration work and hundreds of thousands of dollars investment - will compete for the coveted “Independent Prestige Intermarque Concours d’Elegance” trophy.

But it’s not all nostalgia. Future collectibles – including some of
the most sought after exotic and prestigious cars in the world – will also be on show.

They’ll include the latest from Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Lotus, MG, Jaguar, Volvo, Honda and Land Rover.

“As new” carefully maintained and polished everyday or family cars will compete in the Meguiar’s “Shine and Show” contest being staged on the day.

There’s also a gymkhana for car club members, and a “swap meet” at Ellerslie that’s expected to attract a lot of horse-trading…
The Sunday show is for the first time part of an entire weekend

devoted to classic and hobby cars and their owners. Highlights of that will include a Friday evening “twilight gathering” of car enthusiasts from around the country; a huge MG-Rover Saturday morning fun run of classic and performance cars of all makes organised by this year’s show host, the MG Club.

Organisers hope that some 400 participants will gather at Ellerslie Saturday morning for runs to scenic lunch venues all over Auckland. The event has already attracted many out of towners. On Saturday night, those who have made outstanding contributions to the classic car and restoration movement will be honoured at the Meguiar’s Awards Dinner at Stamford Plaza, in support of the Child Cancer Foundation.

The formal event is sold out – and guests will arrive to a “cars of honour” array of exotic cars in the hotel’s concours.

*The NZ Classic Car Weekend will be staged February 11-13 – with the public show 10-4pm Sunday at Ellerslie Race Course. Admission $10; under 12 free. Visit http:// http://www.concours.org.nz

ENDS

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