The Dunedin woman's 1956 red Ford Thunderbird was one of the stars among the 400 entries in the Cromwell Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival on Saturday.
The car was judged one of the "top 10" vehicles at the event and attracted lots of attention during the day.
For Mrs Elliott, nothing compares to cruising down the highway, behind the wheel of her dream car.
"I try and take it out whenever it's a nice day and you can drive along with the wind in your hair. There's nothing like it.
"The car puts smiles on peoples' faces. Kids, in particular, really seem to love it."
It might be the shape, or that it was so low to the ground, or just that it "looked fast ", she said.
She imported the vehicle from the United States in 1997 and, after a major rebuild, it was on the road in 2002.
"I'd always wanted a Thunderbird but never thought I'd have one and then this one became available.
Someone in Invercargill was going to buy it but they changed their mind and showed me the photos of it.
It had been sitting inside for about 20 years."
It was originally a cream colour -"polar white", but Mrs Elliott had it painted red, to match the red upholstery.
She declined to reveal how much she had paid forthe vehicle, or spent on it.
"Let's just say I've turned down an offer of $120,000 for it . . . I'm still having too much fun with it to sell it."
She loved American cars and she and her husband also owned a Nash Metropolitan and a 1948 Ford Bonnie truck.
"Just like the T-bird, the Nash puts smiles on peoples' faces whenever we take it out too, but for a different reason. People laugh at it because they reckon it's so ugly."
A member of the Hurricane Rodders club in Dunedin, Mrs Elliott said she had driven the Thunderbird as far afield as Westport and Blenheim, usually to attend rallies or car shows.
It was a collector's item and there were few in this country.
Although she loved the car, she would sell it one day.
"I'll know when the time's right . . . but not yet, I'm still having fun with it."
The Cromwell Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival drew a record number of entries this year and attracted thousands of visitors to the town.
Several car clubs were involved, along with locals and holidaymakers.
Organised by the Southland Ford Falcon Club, the event attracted just over 400 entries from all over the South Island, filling the Alpha St reserve.
Club president Peter Herrick said all vehicles were welcome, from "everyday" cars, trucks and motorbikes, through to classic cars and hot rods.
Each year a local guest judge is asked to award trophies for their 10 favourite cars and trucks and their top five motorbikes, based on their own personal preference rather than any specific judging criteria.
Entrants and visitors are also asked to vote for their favourite vehicle.
Top 10 cars and trucks (in no particular order): John Young, 1960 Daimler Dart; Alan Tall, 1958 Tiki sports racer; Dennis Smith, 1962 Studebaker; Tony Campbell, 1929 Delage; James Flannery, 1969 Toyota Corona; Glenys Elliott, 1956 Ford Thunderbird; Stephen Wilson, 1966 Hillman Super Minx; Robin Bastiaansen, 1956 Ford Mainline; Maurice Ireland, 1965 Ford Mustang fastback and Pete Sheehan, 1963 Holden EH utility.
Top five motorbikes: Roger Pulley, 2007 Harley Davidson; Kerry Beckett, 1990 Harley Davidson; Allan Bell, Triumph; Sian Gillanders, 2003 Buell and Rick McDermott, 2004 Yamaha.
Entrants' choice: John and Trish McKay, 1979 Holden panel van; Peoples' choice: Terry Birch, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.
