"It was a surprise to win," Mr Rennie said. "I was going really just to have a look at all the cars - and I was blown away because there were some awesome cars there."
The prized Variant is more than just a showpiece for Mr Rennie, it is also his day-to-day vehicle. The square-back has plenty of room to fit the kids in the back.
A restored Volkswagen drives much like a modern vehicle, according to the two Wanganui enthusiasts.
"They're cool to drive and have a good feel," Mr Rennie said.
"Every time I get in and turn the ignition I get a bit of a buzz."
The next national convention in Nelson is now on their radar, and Mr Allison has a third VW restoration in the pipeline, though that won't be ready for a couple of years.
"Once you get the bug, you just want to keep doing it," he said.
The pair said they had had plenty of help from others.