29th Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival: Classic Restos - Series 51
Fletch returns to one of his favourite events on the North Island of New Zealand, the Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival, for its 29th year. This 3-day event includes classic vehicle displays, stock, modified and custom cars and motorcycles, military re-enactments, jet cars and a popular tank crusher display. There is something for everyone, including over 100 swap meet stands, food trucks, fashion and live music. People come from all over New Zealand for this one.
Fletch catches up with a few entrants at this year's event to get their story, like Pauline's 1968 Road Runner 426 Hemi, an original LHD vehicle with only two owners in its history. The American manufacturers were famous for their large fast cars, and this one is a prime example; from the rear, only a tiny Hemi badge was the indication of its power.
Craig is next with a rare 1964 Plymouth Fury 2-door Coupe, only ever produced in 1963-64, sporting a 421 Wedge engine, the forerunner to the 426 Hemi.
Hot Rods are synonymous with Kumeu, and Bruce has his handbuilt 1930 A Model Coupe with a 406 Chev engine and 350 turbo. Fletch says the power-to-weight ratio must be awesome, and Bruce says, "it's like a go-kart on steroids". Built on a set of '32 Rails and a body from the USA, it took seven years to get all the parts and one year to build. Bruce says when it comes to rods, "you build it how you like and not for someone else".
Now for something completely different, to show the variety of vehicles at Kumeu. While a handbuilt bike might not seem unusual, this handmade bike is made of wood. The owner and builder, Peter, was inspired by steel motorcycles and decided to put his hand to building one in wood and paint it to look like steel.
Renee is back this year with a 1973 Red HQ Holden Kingswood, sporting the spectacular blown engine from her white HQ while it is in for restoration.
The Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival is a fantastic event that continues to grow. Next year will be its 30th anniversary, and a trip across the ditch to NZ is well worth considering.
