For those of you who enjoy hot rods, retro caravans and rock n’ roll, it’s time to get your vintage out and join the summer party at the Howick Village HOP on Saturday, March 7 from 9-2pm.
Apart from the fun, games, spot prizes and entertainment at Picton Street, Howick, there will be a special treat for retro styled rod enthusiasts.
Get ready for an automotive sensory experience with Southside Streeters set to display around 15 classic American cars at the event. The community based hot rodders will line up a spectacular display of traditional street rods, custom and muscle cars, as well as a classic airstream caravan. The American beauties on display will include a ‘41 Ford Pickup truck, ’28 Model A and ’35 Ford roadsters, a Willy’s pickup, ’32 and ’39 Ford coupes, a Model A 2 door sedan, a ’56 Chev and a Ford Thunderbird to name a few.
Hot rodding is more of a culture, as well as a description of a vehicle type, and the definition varies from owner to owner. The most popular definition of a hot rod would be “a modified vehicle of American origin, originally manufactured prior to 1949”.
Steve Keys, who has been a member of Southside Streeters for over 40 years, says that the club is a hobby group of hot rodders and classic car enthusiasts. It is a community-based, family-oriented club that meets once a month at the club rooms behind the Howick Leisure Centre in Pakuranga. At these meetings, the members discuss their common interest and passion for the vehicles and the hobby, and offer support and advice to those members who are currently building or restoring their cars.
The club has a steady membership number of 50, with second generation family members now also enthusiastic hot rodders and full members of Southside Streeters.
“Our club is supporting the Howick Business Association and will be displaying around 15 hot rods and classic cars at the Howick Village HOP event,” says Keys, who is proud of the fact that Southside Streeters assist the local community in any way it can. A recent example is a car show, put on by the club at the Howick Leisure Centre, which benefited St John with $5000 being donated to the charity.
