Park Up profits Riding for the Disabled

Ian Higgins with his pride and joy, his 1956 Imperial.

Wanganui Road Rodders and their friends filled the grounds of City College on Sunday with their annual River City Park Up. There were vehicles of all types and sizes, from the immaculate to the yet-to-be-restored and everything in between.

Oldies but goodies.

Ian Higgins was there with his top of the Chrysler line, a 1956 Imperial, with air conditioning! He belongs to the Vintage Car Club, but he also had a muscle car in the line-up on Sunday.

Jonathan Greenwell was in charge of the Cleveland fleet.

Road Rodders President, Candace Sixtus, says there were a few hundred cars there on the day.

"They've come from all over the area, from Wellington to New Plymouth, and we've had some from Taupo, Rotorua, and one from Auckland."

There were cars, trucks, caravans, motorcycles, drag cars, hot rods, classics ...

"We see a lot of vehicles, but there's always something different, always something new," she says. "The club does a really good job of pulling this together: it's all the club members who get together and help, all the sponsorship we have and the support of the public."

Original paint job?

Entertainment on the day was from the Whanganui Ukulele Orchestra.

Trade stores were dotted around the grounds, as well as signage from various automotive clubs, local and further afield.

"All the money goes to charity, and this year we are supporting Riding for the Disabled," says Candace. Money comes from gate admission (gold coin) and car owners' entry fees. "We've had really good support with steady crowds throughout the day."

Activities were part of the programme with a show by emergency services.

"We've had drag car start-ups ... people like the sound of a loud engine and a bit of action."

A 1948 Ford Mercury.