It emits almost as much smoke as a house fire when it rumbles up the street.
But Dunedin Fire Brigade Restoration Society treasurer Tom Churchill says that's normal for a 99-year-old fire engine.
The 1916 Dennis fire engine serviced Dunedin city from 1916 until the 1930s, and still has its original solid tyres and 8-litre, four cylinder Dennis engine.
Until about four years ago, it had been in reasonably good running order, he said.
''We've had a bit of trouble with her lately, though.
''She can be very temperamental.
''She wouldn't start, but we've fixed her up and she'll be running again, on the Dunedin to Brighton veteran vehicle rally tomorrow, for the first time in four years.''
The historic fire engine will be among 29 cars, two motorcycles and a truck, all built before December 31, 1918.
The vehicles will arrive in the Octagon about 10am tomorrow, and will be on display for about an hour, before heading towards Brighton.
Rally convener Tony Devereux suggested the Octagon was the best place to see the vehicles.
''For children and adults, seeing them sitting there is one thing, but hearing them come chugging in and blowing smoke and having to back into [parking] positions is much more interesting.
''And, of course, the people are sitting in their cars, all dressed appropriately for the age of their vehicle. It's much more of a spectacle than seeing people standing around and the vehicle sitting static.''
Mr Devereux said former television presenter Dougal Stevenson would give a running commentary on each of the vehicles, and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull would ''flag the vehicles off'', from about 11am.
This year, because of the major road works at Lookout Point, the rally would take a new route to Brighton, Mr Devereux said.
The vehicles would leave the Octagon and head down Princes St, turning into Rattray St, Maclaggan St, Serpentine Ave, Hawthorn Ave, Jubilee St, Stone St, Kaikorai Valley Rd through Green Island and on to Brighton.
