The horns of 55 Minis were tooted and the 112 vehicle occupants hollered as the Pork Pie Charity Run drove into Dunedin's lower Octagon at lunchtime yesterday.
The vehicles ranged from a 1964 Mini Cooper to a 2015 John Cooper Works Mini and the ages of those inside ranged between 13 and mid 60.
Some participants travelled from Australia and England for the run between Kaitaia and Invercargill, held to raise funds for KidsCan.
On the way from Alexandra to the Octagon yesterday, driver Kevin Hollamby (58) and co pilot Peter Bjarnesen (57), both of Rotorua, visited a run down garage in Royal Tce, Dunedin.
The garage featured in the 1981 film Goodbye Pork Pie and the main characters used it to hide from police.
Yesterday, the two men recreated the scene, Mr Hollamby driving his 1982 Mini into the garage and Mr Bjarnesen taking a quick photo before the pair made a hasty departure, complete with squealing tyres and the blast of an airhorn.
Mr Hollamby said the convoy faced foggy driving conditions near Ranfurly yesterday and some of the the convoy stopped for running repairs.
''We've been swapping parts all the way down.''
Mr Hollamby spent about $15,000 modifying one of his Minis, over 18 months, to look like the car used in the movie.
This included extensive investigation of legislation to find out how a Mini could remain road legal with doors made mostly from glass and having its front removed to expose the rebuilt 1310cc engine.
The convoy left Dunedin last night heading for the final stop in Invercargill, where a black tie event was to be held.
KidsCan marketing and fundraising general manager Jan Clark said her group was ''absolutely thrilled'' to be involved in the run.
''We've already raised $179,000 and are aiming to reach over $200,000,'' she said.
Donations can be made at www.kidscan.org.nz or www.givealittle.co.nz. Funds raised will be used to support children in low decile schools.
