| ENTRY INFO Admission prices are: $10 adult, children under 5 free, children 5-13 years $2, family (2 adults, 2 children) $20 - cash and Eftpos only. Open from 9am until 4pm. Door prize drawn at 3.30pm. |
Classic car enthusiasts should get along to the annual Autospectacular, which is on at the Edgar Centre this Saturday, September 16. Thirty-five car and motorcycle clubs, along with numerous individual entries, mean close to 300 vehicles covering the spectrum of motoring are on show for your enjoyment. Many of the clubs will use the suggested theme of Golden Times to enhance their displays.
It's been 70 years since Enzo Ferrari's creation first stole the hearts of sporting motorists, and this anniversary will be marked by a gathering of 20 Ferraris at the Edgar Centre on Saturday, including the very rare SuperAmerica and Barchetta models.
During the 1960s, American car manufacturers were duelling furiously for advantage in the horsepower race. Ford, Pontiac, AMC, Buick, Chrysler _ they were all at it when Chevrolet unleashed their new Camaro 50 years ago and we have a whole bunch of them to show you!
Another milestone marked this year is 50 years of the Mazda rotary engine, and most of the models down through the years will be on view, while the Rover Club's display will celebrate 50 years since the introduction of the Rover V8 engine. Race cars were featured last year and proved so popular we have hunted about and found another 10.
The organisers aim to keep the show, which has been held continuously for 39 years, fresh and entertaining. They particularly want to see the next generation of car enthusiasts enjoy the Autospectacular. With this in mind, visitors will see a fabulous array of hot Japanese cars as another special feature.
Every New Zealander knows who the All Blacks are, and in a real coup for Dunedin, you will see them at the show in all their finery. Not the current mob, these all blacks are more aged but beautifully preserved, some curvy, some muscular. Henry Ford supposedly said, ``You can have any colour you want so long as it is black''. Tony Devereux has taken that to heart and put together a stunning collection of cars - Packards, Cadillacs, Buicks, Corvettes, Mustangs and more - all in pristine condition, and all black!
One of the reasons people enjoy a car show like this is nostalgia. Patrons can reminisce, as so many of the cars from their lost youth will be there. Point them out to your children or grandchildren - heck, one of your old rockets might be in the show!
Falcons and Holdens, Minis and Vauxhalls, Rovers and Austins, Fiats, Hudsons and Jaguars are cheek to jowl with fabulous hot rods, electric vehicles and some rather unusual cars such as a factory-supercharged 1937 Graham. See drift cars, motorcycles, two trucks that will ``blow your socks off'', and rat rods, including an outrageous 1947 diesel-powered jail-bar Ford.
Mixed in with the cars, we have trade sites relevant to restoration of vehicles plus a ``boutique'' swap meet where you may find that useful part.
All entrants are in with a chance to win one or more of the seven trophies on offer. The Best In Show Trophy is sponsored by NZ Classic Driver magazine. Their writers, and NZ Classic Car magazine scribes, rate the Autospectacular as possibly the best in New Zealand for sheer quality, variety and presentation. Patrons can also vote for People's Choice.
Each year a different charity shares in the profit from the show, and this time Hart Walkers will benefit. Talk to them at the show for information on this very worthwhile cause.
A special thankyou goes to Mag & Turbo, which provides the very generous $1000 tyre voucher door prize; also to Radio Dunedin for its great advertising package. This show could not happen without the support of our many sponsors.
FREE KIDS' ENTERTAINMENT
The GasCo & Pipeline Autospectacular is an event the whole family can enjoy. For children, there is a magic show, balloon-making and face-painting from 11.30am until 2.30pm and it is absolutely free! A variety of food and coffee is available, plus a delicious BBQ.
