Mr Soper was one of more than 600 showing off their mechanical pride and joys at the Kaitangata Car Show on Saturday, and his use of duct tape and primer was drawing curious glances from many of the hundreds of visitors in attendance.
His showpiece was a 1984 Holden VK Commodore Executive — although he was first to admit it would not be vying for the Best Kept Motor trophy.
"My dad used to have one when I was younger, and it’s the same model Peter Brock used at Bathurst.
"I found this one rusting in a paddock in Kaikōura, and decided I’m going to do it up."
He said it had been "touch-and-go" as to whether the future classic was going to make it to the show that morning.
"It’s got an Audi engine in at the moment, which I’m going to replace with a V8. Unfortunately it broke down on the way in today, but with the help of a few show-goers we pushed it into place using manpower."
He said he was pleased to see the sun following recent stormy weather, as the car was "not quite weatherproof yet".
He was about half-way to full restoration.
"It needs a windscreen, obviously, and there’s a fair bit of work to be done to bring it back to life, but I’m a panelbeater, so I’ve got the skills — and no real rush to fix it up."
Although not the only "doer-upper" present at the show, Mr Soper’s stood out among the gleaming leather and carefully-polished chrome on Saturday.
Event convener Louise Mclaren-Hosking said committee members had been on tenterhooks during the past few days, after last year’s show was cancelled due to waterlogged conditions at the Crescent Rugby Club grounds.
"We couldn’t believe it when the storms hit and bowled so many trees last week. Fortunately, with the help of SouthRoads, the council and the community, we’ve made any trees safe and the rugby ground has dried up nicely."
She said it was important to keep events going in the face of "the cleanup and hard work of recent days."
