Leather, denim abounds at show

A few thousand people poured into the Durham/Spring Street car park building on Sunday for the 14^th annual Bay Rodders and NSRA Tauranga Annual Automotive Swap Meet and Car Display.

The 14^th annual Bay Rodders and NSRA Tauranga Annual Automotive Swap Meet and Car display proved popular on Sunday. Photos and Video by Daniel Hines.

Organiser Dean Anderson, fresh from the Winterbalst action based at Hotel Armitage on Friday and Saturday, was happy with the size of the crowd inside the covered venue on an overcast day.

“We normally get between 2500-3000 people along, spread over five levels. We do well because we have a big variation of cars – every make and model you can think of.

“We could probably go to a bigger place and have some more cars but this location is just so good.

“When the women have had enough of looking at the cars they can go down to town and have a shop and a coffee.”

Dean says the day is a social event designed to allow motoring enthusiasts to come together to celebrate all things motoring.

“I just really love people having old cars and getting into them.”

Dean played the diplomat when asked about his favourite car on show – “I can’t really say.”

Kerry Williamson, of Te Puke, attended with his 1965 Canadian Valiant – which was released in the United States under the name, and markings, of the Dodge Dart.

The car, which was assembled in Africa and rushed out of Zambia by its New Zealand owner as an uprising erupted in 1968, is right-wheel drive, and was purchased by Kerry for $2350 in May, 1974.

It has all standard parts and is now worth in the vicinity of $25,000-$30,000, Kerry says.

“I think mag wheels make it look like it’s something you bought from K-Mart. I like it all original.”

Entrance was free for children and exhibitors, with adult tickets costing $5.

Prize-giving was set to take place between 1-2pm.