Mr Thompson’s Model T Ford — which he describes as ‘‘a mighty fine machine’’ — reached its 100th birthday last month, celebrating with a victory lap of Wānaka adorned with signs and balloons.
‘‘I usually get lots of friendly waves and toots, and we got some good looks and toots as we drove through town.’’
The Model T Ford is a historic vehicle, generally regarded as the first mass-production car in the world, with Mr Thompson, 82, saying that he grew up with a farming background when Model Ts weren’t hard to come by.
Mr Thompson is the fourth owner of the car, known as Doris, having gained ownership in 2013.
Mr Thompson said the original owner from Christchurch kept a diary of the car for 60 years.
‘‘The diary has every dollar he ever spent on it, including the cost of petrol for every fill-up
he ever made and every little cost he incurred.
‘‘Its a very valuable record of what costs were right around that 60-year period.
‘‘It was very well documented.
‘‘Its in the original condition and its one of the very rare vintage cars that’s never had to be restored,
‘‘Its been kept in mint condition for all 100 years,’’ he said.
Mr Thompson said he currently has no plans of selling the vehicle but said he would take care in choosing who the next owner would be.
‘‘I’ll keep it for as long as I’m happy to have it.
‘‘It would have to go to someone who is very passionate about preserving her be cause she’s in very good order and needs someone to look after her,’’ he said.
