Cruising in style to Martinborough rally

CHROME AND CREAM: The 1960 Plymouth Belvedere a Martinborough old boy will drive from Auckland to Wairarapa. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Classic car owner Martyn Williams is counting the days until he returns in high-finned style to his old Wairarapa stamping grounds for the inaugural Cruise Martinborough rally in December.

The electrical engineer and his wife Christine will travel from their home in Auckland in his burgundy, chrome and cream 1960 Plymouth Belvedere, which boasts signature towering "shark" fins at the rear and a 318 cubic inch V8 power plant up front.

He bought the New Zealand-assembled vehicle about five years ago after quitting a Cheetah Replica Kit Car he had formerly owned and adored. The Plymouth was his first American vehicle and was a more than welcome replacement for the kit car, he said.

"I've always liked the look of the classic American car and while Christine's not so keen on the big fins at the back, it's comfortable and has real cruise power," he said.

"The style of the mid- to late-50s cars is very appealing for me. It looks a bit like a Chevy Bel Air but the Plymouth has the more noticeable fins, and it really is a dream to drive."

Mr Williams uses a Daihatsu Charade as a daily car and his wife drives a Mazda MPV. The Plymouth gets regular exercise all the same and was taken to Wheels Incorporated car club events, Whangamata Beach Hop runs and Auckland car club cruises like the latest Christmas Lights Run.

"I found out about Cruise Martinborough online and we're really looking forward to it. With a run every day, it'll be real good, especially the breakfast cruise to Lake Ferry on the last day. It'll be magic."

Cruise Martinborough founder Damien Pivac, a Carterton-based WelTec lecturer and owner of a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500, said the event would run over four days from December 4.

Registration was open to owners of hot rods, muscle and classic cars before 1972, although late model American and specialist vehicles were also welcome.

There was a strict 400-place limit for the inaugural event, which will feature a drive-in movie at the Martinborough Rugby Club grounds, live rock'n'roll-themed bands and entertainment at the Pukemanu Tavern, motorcade cruises to Lake Ferry, Gladstone Inn, and possibly the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, and a cruise and an automotive Swap Meet in Martinborough Square.

Registrations also had opened to retro caravans and RVs thanks to support from RV Lifestyle Magazine, Mr Pivac said, which was based in Martinborough.

Sponsors had provided a full suite of prizes for some lucky Cruise participants, he said, including $500 worth of petrol vouchers and a major prize draw of overseas travel for two.

A $139 pass for Cruise Martinborough provides entry for the car - with no extra passenger cost - to all events and cruises, an official decal and programme, and entry to draws for spot prizes and the major prize.