Classic cases of passion

Just some of the more than 80 cars which parked at Albert Park on Saturday.

Craig, ‘Haggis’, O’Hanlon knows exactly where his love of classic cars comes from.

One of his earliest memories is of his dad – an automotive spray painter – painting a client’s 1936 Willys Coupe.

“That car really left an impression on me,” he said.

Now, as O’Hanlon stands in front of his own 1934 Ford V8 Coupe with eyecatching flames running down each side, the Te Awamutu Rod and Custom
Club committee member of nearly 30 years – and past club president – says of his love for classic cars “it’s just a passion”.

O’Hanlon, who has followed in his father’s work footsteps, has owned his V8 Coupe for about eight years, spending that time “bringing it up to
standard” as a tribute to the vehicle which appeared in the 1974 movie The California Kid.

With a 1985 Mustang motor and a five-speed gearbox, it has been a top 10 hot rod at the New Zealand Hot Rod Association nationals five times.

O’Hanlon’s coupe – wisely parked under some shade – was amongst more than 80 Hot Rods, classic cars and motorcycles which stopped at Albert Park on Saturday at the National Street Rod Association’s Show & Shine display.

It was the first time the display had been held in Te Awamutu as the Waikato branch of the association hosted the weekend-long nationals in Waitomo.

Money was raised via gold coin donations collected on Saturday for charity.

“Isn’t this just magic?” O’Hanlon said as he surveyed the scene at Albert Park. There’s nothing like it.”

Te Awamutu Rod and Custom club and president Murray Peterson – who brought along his 1956 Chevrolet Pickup – was delighted with the day.

“Everything on this car was taken back to square one,” he said of his pickup.

Peterson spent about an hour a day for a year restoring it.

“I do have other cars, but, yes, this is probably my favourite,” he smiled.

The Te Awamutu Rod and Custom club has nearly 50 members, and Peterson said the venue, and the fun that was had would certainly spark an interest in having another national display in Te Awamutu.

National Street Rod Association Waikato delegate Kevin Archer told The News owners and their cars came from as far afield as Christchurch and Northland for this year’s nationals.

“What a great day this was to get everyone together, we’d love to be back.”