Model T turns heads at vintage day

Malcolm Foster's Model T drew plenty of admirers on the Village Green yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

Malcolm Foster loves to see the pleasure people get from his 100-year-old Ford Model T.

But more than that, the 1915 vehicle is proof of how far he's come during the past few years.

The 71-year-old was talked into buying the wheels by a psychologist at the spinal unit he was in after an accident almost cost him his life.

He broke several bones, including his back, and had to learn how to walk again after three big bales of hay, weighing about 1.5 tonnes all up, came crashing down on him.

Initially Mr Foster wasn't meant to live - but yesterday he headed along to the Rotorua Vintage and Veterans Car Show at the Village Green to show off his pride and joy.

Mr Foster said he'd always been a Ford man, and when the psychologist told him to get a car as a project he agreed - only if he could get one of the brass Model Ts.

He found it and it was kept for him until he got out of hospital after an almost six-month stay.

He's had all the work done to restore it and it's only been in the past few months that he's been able to drive it around.

"It's been good to concentrate on," Mr Foster said.

He said the Model T seemed to really attract people - especially its unique colour which he had come up with.

"Everyone goes to town about the colour. That's my colour."

The ride was one of the oldest at yesterday's show, which also doubled as a fundraiser for St John Ambulance.

Rotorua Vintage Car Club chairman Andy Watson said as well as providing a great day out, the club hoped the event had raised a decent amount of money for the cause.

He said at least 200 vehicles were on display, slightly more than there were at last year's event.

The show had attracted a wide range of spectators from "little kiddies to elderly gentlemen on walking sticks".

One of the most popular vehicles was a replica of the car from the movie Goodbye Pork Pie. As well, "a little Austin" had been a favourite.

"There was everything from your humble Morris Minor to two Rolls Royces."