Vintage original victory seen as gift to family

Joy Fleet, of the Taieri, shows off the trophy her 1938 Chevy Coupe won  in the Best Vintage...
Joy Fleet, of the Taieri, shows off the trophy her 1938 Chevy Coupe won in the Best Vintage Original section at the Roxburgh Classic Car Show on Saturday.
For Joy Fleet, winning the Best Vintage Original trophy at the Roxburgh Classic Car Show on Saturday was a gift for her family, who have owned the car for generations.

The 1938 Chevy Coupe had been in her family since before she was born, Mrs Fleet said.

She drove the car as a teenager in Waitati and on the Taieri.

Her parents took the car with them when they moved to Roxburgh in their later years.The car came into her possession about 10 years ago. It spent a few years in a garage  before she decided to restore it.

"This is sentimental. It’s the only reason for [restoring] it," she said.

A professional in Wanaka took four years to restore the car and it was returned to Mrs Fleet in September.

It was restored to as close to its original condition as possible.She drove the car from her home near the Taieri to Roxburgh for the show.

"It’s awesome. It’s my first outing and big drive."

But it would take her a bit of getting used to, she said.

"I don’t remember being as scared of it [as a teenager]."

Mary Keith, of Queenstown, says she bought a pink car to add to her large collection of pink items.
Mary Keith, of Queenstown, says she bought a pink car to add to her large collection of pink items.

Another character that stood out from the crowd at the show was Queenstown’s Mary Keith, who  could easily be crowned the queen of pink.

Not only was her car — a 1931 Model A Ford — pink,  her hair,  purse, handbag  and  sunglasses were also all pink.She said she  bought the car only a week ago. As soon as she saw it, she was hooked.

"Pink is the new black — nobody realises it yet," Ms Keith joked.

"Nobody ever looks at pink and cries."

Event organiser Dennis Kirkpatrick said this was the third year the event had been a part of the Mt Benger A&P Show.

About 60 cars were entered.

tom.kitchin@odt.co.nz

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