Perfectly restored V8 a real highlight

Peter Cramp and his pride and joy - a 1983 V8 Ford Fairmont, which he lovingly restored after it was 'cannabalised' in 1993. Photo / Andrew Warner

It's been stolen, then "cannabalised", but thousands of hours later, Peter Cramp has lovingly restored his 1983-bought V8 Ford Fairmont to a pristine state.

The 60-year-old Brookfield man's pride and joy was among the stellar line-up of 370 polished and buffed models - from customised vehicles to vintage cars - on display during the 16th annual All Ford Day at Blake Park yesterday.

Peter Cramp chats about Ford Fairmonts with Welcome Bay's Mike Garaway.

Organised by the Ford Muscle Car Club, the show attracted car owners and enthusiasts from around the district and upper North Island.

Mr Cramp said he originally bought the car in Australia in 1983 and brought it back to New Zealand in 1985.

In 1993, it was stolen while parked in his driveway and 10 days later it was located in Opotiki, but had been stripped down to its body, which Mr Cramp described as being "cannabalised" .

Two trips to Australia to visit wreckers' yards and numerous road trips to find replacement parts, and thousands of hours of labour later, the car is better than ever.

Mr Cramp said the car is insured for $40,000 but he has spent far more money than that.

The previous weekend the car won Best Ford at a car show at Paeroa, and has also won Best Australian Ford three times at the All Ford Day car show.

Fellow enthusiast Mike Garaway from Welcome Bay said he had been coming to the show for about six years, and rated Mr Cramp's car as the best restoration he had seen.

The BOP Mustang Club's 38 glistening mustangs were also a crowd favourite.

Ford Muscle Car Club president Barry Gordon said more than 3000 people attended and there was a record number of cars on show, including some of the latest Fords. Last year 316 vehicles took part.

"There weren't as many hot rods as previous years. I'd like to see more, but there were lots of American and Australian Fords, a lot of Euro cars, as well as quite a few project cars," Mr Gordon said.