MOTOR SHOW: Nelson man Kerry Martin polished his lime green 1970 Plymouth GTX to a shine for the at the Nelson Motor Show at the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park. Photo: Brittany Spencer.

New and old out for motor show

0
2571

New, old, and everything in between was out on display at the Nelson Motor Show over the weekend.

More than 200 cars were parked up at the Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park & Motel for the annual show with organiser Steve Steele saying he had never seen such variety at the show.

“Everything was welcome and there was a 100-year difference between the youngest and oldest on site, which was really cool.”

Among all the petrol heads was Stoke’s Anton Roach who brought his 1992 Nissan R32 GTR as a standard car over two years ago. But parked up at the motor show, it had almost every upgrade possible.

“It’s definitely one of the more powerful cars going around on the street,” says Anton. “I’ve put a lot of time and money into it and sat out in my shed for countless hours until stupid times in the morning just tinkering away on it.”

Anton Roach had his R32 GTR on display at the Nelson Motor Show on Saturday. Photo: Brittany Spencer.
Anton Roach had his R32 GTR on display at the Nelson Motor Show on Saturday. Photo: Brittany Spencer.

With a fully rebuilt motor, the latest software, and almost 600 horsepower at the wheels, the GTR drew a crowd and already Anton is looking forward to coming back next year.

“There is not much around Nelson in the way of car shows like this so its good to get all these cars together.”

At the other end of the spectrum with his rare, fully restored 1970 Plymouth GTX, was Nelson’s Kerry Martin.

“It doesn’t matter the age of it or what it is, it is someone’s pride and joy and I can appreciate all the work, time, and money that goes into them.”

“It’s a real testimony to Nelson people that we have such a variety.”

Kerry says one of the best parts of the motor show is the Friday night Super Cruise car run.

In one gigantic line, 364 cars drove from the Speights Ale House through Stoke, out to Richmond, back to Nelson, out to Atawhai and then back through Tahunanui.

“I’ve been in every cruise except one and this was the biggest we’ve ever had, it is a great kick start to the weekend.”

Kerry imported his lime green Plymouth, aptly number-plated ‘HULLK’, from America late last year and says he’ll be taking it to as many shows as he can.

“You don’t buy them to wrap them up in cotton wool and leave in your shed, you buy them to enjoy them, that’s what it is all about for me.”

The event finished on Sunday at lunchtime, just before the big downpour soaked the region.