Wanganui car enthusiast Ed Boyd credits his love of vehicles to a royal encounter when he was 11 years old.
Mr Boyd rode in the back of the Queen Mother's Rolls-Royce in 1963.
"I used to do Scottish dancing and danced for her," he said. Now, he has 43 vehicles in his
car museum, Boyd's Auto Barn, in Westmere.
The museum is still under construction but Mr Boyd and wife Hinemoa hope it would open to the public by Christmas.
"At the moment, we're opening to the public by appointment for a gold coin donation," he said.
"I used to buy a car, have it for five minutes, then get rid of it? you can never make money from them."
After his mother passed away, Mr Boyd used some of his inheritance to buy vehicles with the aim of eventually setting up his own museum.
He mainly has European and English cars.
When Boyd's Auto Barn was complete, it would contain bits and pieces like antique clocks, radios and even parts of the River Queen movie.
He wanted to thank everyone who had helped get the museum this far, including his wife, the Vintage Car Club and Total Span.
"I've been a member of the Vintage Car Club for 33 years, and they've been a great support to me, and Total Span were so helpful and did whatever I wanted."
Vintage cars would be out in force this weekend as the Vintage Car club held a rally, Mr Boyd said.
"There will be over 60 cars leaving Trafalgar Square on Sunday at 10am."
Mr Boyd sees his car collection as satisfying his own love of cars but hoped others would get enjoyment from it.
"It's my hobby, but if no-one else saw it, I wouldn't enjoy it any less."
To arrange a viewing at Boyd's Auto Barn, ring 06 348 4547.
