Eastsiders shine at Ellerslie Car Show

East Auckland was strongly represented at yesterday’s 53rd running of the always grand and gleaming Ellerslie Car Show.

The Howick Classic and Vintage Car Club was participating in its first competition at Ellerslie, in the Club Display, finishing second out of six group entrants.

A lot of effort went into the Howick club’s colourful presentation which had a summer seaside barbecue theme, with imitation seagulls dangling from a sun umbrella, deckchairs, an antique retro caravan, and of course, shining classic motor vehicles.

Founding president of Howick Classic and Vintage Car Club, David Teape, speaking for the very jovial members at Ellerslie, says the club has been going for about three years and has 120 members including partners.

Howick-based east Auckland community radio station East FM was also on duty at the Classic Cover Ellerslie Car Show, with the job of providing the show’s MCing, music entertainment and interviews through the Ellerslie Racecourse’s public announcement system.

It’s the fourth year East FM has had the pleasure of being invited to provide the sound content for the prestigious car show, rated as one of the country’s best.

Motor vehicle enthusiasts turned up in big numbers throughout Sunday’s show, which was bathed in sunshine throughout with warm temperatures.

This year’s host club, the Auckland Mustang Owners Club, had another top-class day, with two of its teams finishing first and second respectively in the Teams Event, meaning the club will again be the hosts for next year’s show.

What sets Ellerslie apart from other motor vehicle exhibition shows in New Zealand is it has always provided car owners with classes they can enter for judging, which encompasses a lot of scoring criteria.

“At the core of our event are the judged Concours d’Elegance competitions,” say organisers.

“Ours is the only Intermarque Classic Car event in New Zealand and has over 50 years of judging consistency and history.

“The judging system has been maintained consistently over all that time.

“The 25 Concours judges are members of The Thoroughbred and Classic Car Owners Club, and many have been members of the judging panel for more than 30 years.”

Wayne Lack, of the Auckland Mustang Owners Club, was the chair of this year’s Classic Cover Ellerslie Car Show organising committee.

“It’s been an honour to chair the organising committee again and put together a world-class show with world-class cars,” he says.

“I’m proud of the way this show has come together and thank my fellow organising committee members for all the voluntary work they have again done to make this show happen.

“Many thanks to the sponsors, trade exhibitors, the clubs, all supporters and those attending the show.

“Classic Cover Insurance, Meguiar’s, Waimak Classic Cars and Classic Driver magazine have again made a very valued contribution to this event,” says Lack.

“Thank you also to all the volunteers on the day. It’s a long day and we appreciate your help.

“We’re most grateful to our loyal visitors, paying the entrance fee necessary to cover venue costs, which have increased even as the space available to members’ cars has decreased.

“And we thank all the clubs for showcasing your members’ cars for us all to admire.”

Classic Cover Ellerslie Car Show, Intermarque Concours d’Elegance judging results:

• Teams Event:

1 – Auckland Mustang Owners Club team one (1066 points)

2 – Auckland Mustang Owners Club team two (1010)

3 – Early Holden Club of Auckland (993)

• Masters’ Class:

1 – Con Faber, Mustang Boss 302 (1970)

2 – David Morris, Cadillac 6237 Coupe (1953)

3 – Lisa Balle, MG BGT (1973)

• Best in Show – Stan Edwards Memorial Trophy:

Con Faber, Mustang Boss 302 (1970)

• Survivors Class:

1 – David Lane, Chevrolet C1 Corvette (1962)

2 – Colin Bell, Holden HZ Premier (1979)

3 – Ashleigh and Andrew Haynes, Holden EJ Special (1963)

• 30/40/50 Competition:

1 – Michael Williams, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 2 (1994)

2 – Ben Schelenberg, De Soto Custom Convertible (1948)

3 – Jay Hardie, Peugeot 203C (1955)

• Modified Competition:

1 – Ian Neary, Plymouth GTX (1968)

2 – Barry Tremaine, Jaguar E-Type (1962)

3 – Peter Harrison, Toyota Corolla (1971)

• Club Display:

1 – MX5, “Lifeguard”

2 – Howick Vintage, “Caravan with Seagulls”

3 – American Classic, “USA Station Wagon holiday”

• Meguiar’s People’s Choice:

Winner – Mike DeWitt, 1946 MGTC

• Rendezvous Heritage Hotels Park and Polish:

1 – Michael Swarbrick, Chev truck

2 – David Kung, Honda S600

3 – Ollie Mitchell, FJ Toyota Landcruiser

• Gary McCrystal Memorial Trophy – Chairman’s Choice:

Winner – Rick Van Barnveld, Auburn 8-98A Phaeton (1931)