This is a love story. It involves a 12-year-old boy who convinced his father to buy a run-down 1915 Model T for the princely sum of £40.
Forty-seven years later, the car has been restored.
Early on, Wayne Henderson (59) realised the project was too much.
"I would have loved to restore her when I was 12, but it wasn't to be."
The car was moved from garage to garage, but its owner vowed he would realise his dream.
With 2008 marking 100 years since the arrival of the Model T, Mr Henderson, after considerable encouragement (read: ribbing) from his mates, decided to make a start.
Restoration consultant Richard Shaw was enlisted to organise the project, which included work on the original Dunedin-built body.
"It is nice to see a car like this stay in the city," Mr Shaw said.
Mr Henderson spotted the vehicle at the Oturehua Hotel while travelling with his father, and "I harped and harped for it".
"I had no interest in cars until I saw it - then I was at the library each week researching."
As a 12-year-old, he stripped the door lock and, when he realised he could not complete the project, placed the pieces in a box.
"It gave me great pleasure to find the box again and restore it - and it works."
The Model T will participate in the 55th annual Dunedin to Brighton veteran car rally tomorrow and a rally in Blenheim a week later.
Being able to drive the car was the "end of a lifelong project".
"Other things in life become your priority - you get married, have children and then you wait until you have a bit of money to do it."
Mr Henderson now plans to turn his attention to a 1910 Regal - one of only 13 believed left in the world.
"That might take a while, too."
