Car Heaven Descends on Waimak Classic Cars and the Better Half Kitchen and Bar

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By Ben Selby

The day was hot, the sky was blue and best of all, the New Zealand Government had decreed outdoor gatherings under the COVID-19 traffic light system would no longer be limited to groups of 100 to 200 people. Throw all this together and you have the perfect template for a grand day out with countless petrolheads and their toys.

This is exactly what happened at the Better Half Kitchen and Bar. Around 500 cars packed with passionate owners descended on the carpark and surrounding paddocks of the Better Half Kitchen and Bar and Waimak Classic Cars. In fact, the turnout was so considerable that many spectators had to park on the road outside and walk.

The day was made possible in part to the Leithfield Cars and Coffee. These gatherings take place on the last Sunday of each month and are open to all manner of car fanatics. From 10am to 2pm, visitors mingled with likeminded enthusiasts while Waimak Classic Cars allowed entry to their classic car museum.

With the Better Half Kitchen and Bar and other eateries pumping out quality tucker, there was plenty of time to soak up the machinery. Also, prizes were up for grabs for the best Aussie, Japanese, Custom, Euro and American cars.

Whether you a mint 32 Ford is your thing or a very rare ISO Rivolta, there was something for everyone. While the variety was staggering, it would take some time to give each and every car its due. Therefore, here are the winners of each category as chosen by Bren Dyer, founder of Cool Cruising Photography, and myself.

BEST AMERICAN – 1934 BUICK PHAETON CONVERTIBLE

BEST CUSTOM – JELLYS CUSTOM TRUCK

BEST JAPANESE – 1990 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER LX

BEST BRIT/EURO – 1965 THAMES FREIGHTLINER VAN

BEST AUSSIE – 1978 CHRYSLER VALIANT WAYFARER UTE

Each winner received a bag of goodies. These included a radio control car, vouchers for local eateries and businesses and car care products.

All in all, it was a fabulous way of spending a sunny Sunday. Same time next year team?