According to various American surveys, around a third of car owners have a love affair with their car while men are significantly more likely than women to have “romantic” feelings for their wheels.
So it’s appropriate that this year’s Ellerslie Classic Car show is happening this Sunday, St Valentine’s Day. The display theme is “A Classic Love Story…” reflecting our passion for classic cars.
The NZ Ellerslie Intermarque Concours & Classic Car Show, runs from 10am-4pm, at the Ellerslie Race Course, Auckland.
Some car owners are so enamoured they even look like their loves - a fact borne out by Austrian researchers Stefan Stiegar and Martin Voracek of the University of Vienna.
They discovered that many car enthusiasts actually look like their cars or at least their car grilles. Dogs too can look like their owner’s cars!
You can decide who looks like what for yourself at Ellerslie - with an estimated 700 or so classics lining up - ranging from early 1900’s horseless carriages to more familiar models of the 1960’s and 70’s with the host club Porsche.
Eighteen car clubs will interpret the “love” theme to compete for the Classic Cover Insurance ‘Best Club Display’ Award.
There’s also the “Survivor” Award for the best unrestored “every day” classic. Entries this year include a pristine 1936 MG PB, Holdens, Mustang and a VW Microbus.
If you’re not affiliated to or part of a club display, the “Paddock” offers an opportunity to show your own unusual classic. You just turn up to display but arrive early as space is limited.
Some classics on show are million-dollar exhibits. There’s more heart-stopping valuable heavy metal here than at any other event in this part of the world - including the latest models from the country’s top prestige and performance dealerships.
Highlight for avid enthusiasts is our equivalent of USA’s renowned “Pebble Beach” competition - the NZ Intermarque Concours trophy for the best restoration of a vehicles.
There are also awards for the best teams of restorations - the winners of which host the following year’s show. This year it’s the Porsche Car Club.
The show has been running for 43 years, starting first at Auckland’s Cornwall Park, then moving to Ellerslie race course.
For more information head to www.concours.org.nz. Admission on the day is $15.00
We have eight double passes to give away. Email [email protected] subject line Classic car by 9am Thursday February 11. You must include your name, address and cellphone number to be in to win.