Thousands turned out to the meet at the Paradise Valley Raceway.
Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club committee member Roger Nelson woke up at 3am this morning.
His brain was in overdrive ahead of one of the busiest days on the club's calendar, the Central North Island Swap Meet and Car Show Spectacular.
By 11am, the car park was bumper-to-bumper and2000 to 3000 people were through the gates at the Paradise Valley Stock Car Raceway for the 38th annual event.
Nelson, the meet co-ordinator, described it as "one of the better ones we have held".
Thousands enjoyed the meet at the Paradise Valley Raceway. Photo/Ben Fraser
He started placing meet advertisements in New Zealand car magazines in March.
"Then the month before we went through the radio and newspaper. A lot of interest comes from Facebook too now."
Club chairman David Tomlinson said visitors came from as far as Hawke's Bay, Whanganui and Auckland.
"It has been dry and mild since 6am. Mild is almost better than blue skies for us. We have had fabulous attendance by both vendors and buyers. They are very happy... Plus, we haven't had any complaints or lost husbands!"
He said the vendors started setting up at midday yesterday.
Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club Swap Meet and Car Show. Photo/Ben Fraser
This morning, they were back at the Paradise Valley Stock Car Raceway at 5.30am.
"They were let in at 6.30am and the visitors started streaming in at 7am."
Tomlinson said the "serious buyers" made their purchases in the first hour.
"A lot of the items are rare and difficult to find in New Zealand so they come early to see what is on offer. It is a bit more subdued after that."
More than 100 show cars were on display, but you did not have to be a car enthusiast, or even a license-holder, to enjoy the day out.
"We also have a retro handbag vendor and general bric-a-brac around... All my 4-year-old has wanted to do this morning is buy toy cars," Tomlinson said.
Club chairperson David Tomlinson, left, coordinator Roger Nelson and vendor organiser Neville Harper. Photo/Ben Fraser
The club has around 100 members, and the Central North Island event started in 1980.
"It has always been in Rotorua. For the last five or six years it has been held here in Paradise Valley but prior to that it was at the racecourse. The traffic volume became too much to have it in town though," Tomlinson said.
Jake Swann travelled from Whakatāne for the meet, which he described as a "big success".
"It is usually freezing cold and raining but this year they have been blessed. It is not cold and there is a really good turnout. The swap meet section is pretty full... They have done a great job organising it," said.
Swann said he had been coming for years, despite wet weather in the past.
"It turns a lot of people away but this year the rain has held off and in my opinion that is what really has pushed the numbers up."
