Damp deco parade + VIDEO

Rain could not dampen the spirits of those who enjoyed the annual Vintage Car Parade today.

The popular event on the Tremains Art Deco Festival calendar saw vintage Fords, Lagondas, and Dodges which had been driven from across New Zealand - or even shipped from overseas - converge on Napier this afternoon.

Rain did not dampen the moods of those who turned out, donned in their best Deco garb. While waiting for the parade, people danced the Charleston to jazz bands, and barbershop quartets, stationed along Emmerson St.

People young and old milled around town in their finest Art Deco gear, taking photos with the vintage cars, and checking out their splendour.

Parked outside the Masonic Hotel was Hastings resident Bruce Small, who had come to deco "every year for many years", every time booking out the same room in the Masonic hotel.

He had two cars on show, a 1929 Dodge and 1920 Oakland, both restored by him.

As well as being about "fun and fellowship", Mr Small said he liked the parade as it allowed people to get a glimpse of the rare cars.

His Dodge was fawned over by Steve and Irene Kircher from Auckland - enjoying Deco for the first time, having "just missed out" last year.

Donned in their Deco garb, the couple said they were enjoying meeting people, and the number of events on offer.

"Napier really emphasises the Deco," Mrs Kircher said. "We're just soaking up the atmosphere."

"It would be better if it wasn't raining, but we'd still come."

As the parade began spectators lined the streets of Napier CBD huddled under umbrellas, or gathered inside store entrances, whooping and cheering as cars rolled past.

This year the parade was led by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band along with the 1923 Bentley 3/4 ½ Litre from Ross Cook in the UK. Cars crawled from Clive Square to Marine Parade, with motorists tooting and waving at spectators, gathered under store awnings.

SEA OF UMBRELLAS: People huddle under unbrellas before the vintage car parade.

Joining the parade were around 20 Bentleys and four Lagondas from England, who had planned the itinerary of their New Zealand tour around the Art Deco weekend.

Among them were Chris and Elli Kellis from Plymouth, who were enjoying their first tour of New Zealand, and first Art Deco experience.

Decked in vintage clothing, the couple said they loved driving their Big Six 1928 Bentley down the streets of Napier.

Mr Kellis said it was a "great feeling" to be welcomed into the city, and he felt privileged to join the festival.

Vintage cars provided delight as they crawled through the streets of Napier. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

The show was not over after the parade ended, with cars lined up inside the sound shell or along Marine Parade.

Father and son John Southward and Neal Cave had driven two rare cars through the parade -a 1937 SS100 Jaguar, and a 1936 Squire.

The squire was a source of pride for Mr Southward, as it was one of only seven remaining in the world.

While showcasing their cars, and viewing others was enjoyable, Mr Southward said it was "the public who make the parade".

"It's a real credit to the public, and to Napier and the organisers," he said.

Even though the parade was too full for them to join, this did not stop the Carol and Keith Thompson from bringing their 1925 Dodge Tourer down from Whangerai.

Mrs Thompson said she and her husband had not been able to attend the festival in 2016, but had been determined to make this year's.

Members of the public fawned over their car -named Daisy Dodge - and had been "very complimentary", Mr Thompson said.