Young Oamaru drivers show off wheels

It was love at first sight for Jessie Gibb when she saw her workmate's car.

Now, the 19-year-old Oamaru woman owns the white 1997 Honda Integra.

On Saturday, she was one of about a dozen young people who showed off their pride and joy at the first Mags and Motors car show organised by the Waitaki Youth Council, Students Against Drunk Driving, police and Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks.

It did not win the people's choice award - that went to Steven Banks' Mercedes-Benz 190E - but it's still her choice.

"It's so cute; my wee baby," she said.

The Integra is kept immaculate.

During the show in the Eden St car park she was fussing over a small mark near the left rear wheel arch.

The Integra originally came from a Christchurch car dealer and has a full body kit and 17-inch alloy rims.

Under the bonnet, it remains standard, with a 1.6-litre, overhead camshaft, 16-valve engine.

Miss Gibb does not intend to modify the engine.

Her first car was a Holden Astra diesel the family called "The Tractor".

Saturday night's event was the first and organisers hope it will be bigger next year.

As well as showing off their cars, there was entertainment, a sausage sizzle and demonstrations by graffiti artists, including one who painted a volunteer's car, plus a driving skills test, won by youth council chairman Jared Fox.