Classic, vintage vehicles pulling in for fundraiser

Rotorua St John's old ambulance right) will be one of the vintage vehicles on display.

Ambulances have come a long way since St John Rotorua used an old truck to transport patients to hospital.

The vintage truck will be on show on Sunday at the annual Lakefront Car Show organised by the Rotorua Vintage Car Club.

The club is hosting its annual fundraiser for St John Rotorua and hopes to attract many visitors to the Village Green.

Club chairman Andy Watson said about 200 cars from across the upper North Island were hoped for. With it being Wellington Anniversary Day on Monday there might also be cars from further afield.

"We're hoping to have all kinds of cars from Minis, Jaguars, MGs, a lot of American cars plus the vintage cars belonging to club members - there's a good selection. We tend to get the odd hot rod and 4WD."

A vintage car is anything older than 30 years, which meant classic 1930s and 1940s cars were now being joined by cars from the 1980s. "But we still get some of the older boxy cars."

He owns a 1972 MG BGT and a 1977 Jaguar XJ6. They'll both be on display, his wife driving the Jaguar down.

"They're totally different cars. It depends whether you want a smooth ride or a sporty ride. They're both equally liked by my wife and myself."

There will be buckets for people to donate money for St John and the vintage ambulance would sound its siren now and then as a reminder of the fundraising aspect of the event.

The club hoped the show might attract new members.

Details

What: Lakefront Car Show.
Where: Village Green, Rotorua.
When: Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
How much: Free