On the coldest day of the year there was no better place to be than the Dunedin Autospectacular, held indoors in the huge Edgar Centre sports arena.
Well over 100 cars representing about 30 car clubs gathered at the venue, along with trade displays and competitions. One of the key displays of the event was dedicated to 100 years of GM, while another took a competition theme, Champions Past and Present, featuring a number of championship-winning cars.
It is always good to see a few new arrivals and recently completed projects at these events. A personal favourite was the magnificent 1930 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan, complete with its massive V16 ohv engine which looked extremely modern for the era.
I’m told the car was brought into New Zealand by the family behind Newman’s Coachlines, and is now in the hands of another prominent business family, the Talleys.
It was also great to see Tony Devereux’s recently completed 1927 Packard Drophead coupe. After previous appearances as a rolling chassis it was fitting to see the completed car driving away with the prize for best vintage.
The event was organised by the Otago Classic Motoring Club, the North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club, the Otago Falcon & Fairlane Club and the Otago Mini Owners Club.

Best Club Display — North Otago Vintage Car Club
People’s Choice — Wayne Parker — Ford Falcon GT
Vintage 1920-’31 — Tony Devereux — 1927 Packard Drophead Coupe
Post Vintage — 1932-’59; Robert Duncan —1932 Packard Phaeton
Post 1960 — Bill Turfus — 1965 Ford Cortina GT
Sports/ Convertible — Keith Allot — Triumph TR7
Custom   Barry Carmichael — Chevrolet Sport
Special Interest  —  Barry Morgan — T-bucket
Street Car —  Wayne Johnson — Mini V-TEC
Competition — Tony Mann — NASCAR
Commercial — Phil Dunstan — Ford V8 pick-up
Motorcycle — (Owner unknown) — Honda Police Bike