Sixty shiny vintage cars rolled up to a rally organised by Central’s vintage car club (VCC) last Sunday (August 21) to support the Cancer Society’s daffodil day.

Organisers Graham Taylor and Wendy Martin were pleased with the 150 visitors on the day given recent weather, as some weak winter sunlight broke through just as the cars were lining up.

VCC chairman Noel Hassed selected six cars, a 69 VW Combi, 67 Dodge Dart, ’57 Ford County Station Wagon, ’31 Model A pickup, and a 2010 Bentley.

Half the cars were from VCC and Alpine Street Machines and some ring-ins boosted numbers further, including a Mazda Rotary owned by Nicole Rushbrook and partner. Nicole represented the Cancer Society. 

Six cars did the ‘Monte Targo’ rally, and overall winner was John Wilson - who had his car’s exhausts tuned especially for the event. 

The top raffle prize, a ride with Wānaka helicopters for three people, went to Judith and Ken Brown, from just north of Cromwell.

Judith Brown will be winging her way over the Central scenery thanks to her raffle prize

Graham said the parts shed guys could not stop grinning as ‘garden ornaments’ the Vanguard and Nissan Prince were sold.

“I would like to thank those club members who supported the day whether participating, parking, gate donations, raffles, admin, parts shed, talking to people and managing the clubrooms, and tidying up.”

More than $2,000 was raised for the Cancer Society from the $10 per person gate donation. 

“It is an important event in the VCC calendar, and gives us the opportunity to become recognised in the community, feedback has been very positive,” Graham said. 

According to the Cancer Society 71 people each day in Aotearoa are diagnosed with cancer. The organisation’s annual fundraiser daffodil day is Friday August 26. Learn more about it here.