Best Motorbuys: January 24, 2020

Trillo Metals presents the
30th MUSCLE CAR MADNESS SHOW
Rangiora Showgrounds, January 25 and 26
Annual show likely to draw legions of muscle car fans
From very meagre beginnings the Muscle
Car Madness show has become undeniably
the most popular show in New Zealand for
muscle car enthusiasts, who will head to the
Rangiora A&P Showgrounds in late January
for the 2020 event.
For decades the show has been the largest
in the South Island and is the longestrunning
of the main events, Kumeu being 26
years old and Beach Hop celebrating its 20-
year anniversary next March, says organiser
Craig Stare.
“MCM is well known for all its ‘outside the box’
drawcards of motoring mayhem,” Craig says.
“Many are not made for road use but just
for the fun of our event. With that we
can announce the return of the spa car, a
very popular vehicle. This year will be no
different with the Toy Shed from Rotorua
bringing along a Model A coupe powered
by a supercharged World War 2 aeroplane
engine, and at the other end of the scale we
The 2020 Muscle Car Madness event will
again feature an array of top bands to
entertain the crowds. They will include the
Hillbilly Hellcats from Colorado, (they will
also play a gig at the Club Tavern on the
following Wednesday night), Flyin' Saucers
from Melbourne, Recliner Rockers from
have Ian Neary’s ‘Eruption’, a world-class
show car powered by a V10 Viper, valued
at over $600,000. It’s New Zealand’s best
street machine by far.
“A huge contingent of cars are coming
down from Auckland, as well as 22 cars
from the Toy Shed and 20 cars from
Whakatane to continue their 50-year
celebrations. We also have four cars from
Northland.
“If all things go to plan we will have two
top show cars in attendance from the Loco
Banditos lowrider club in Bakersfield,
California. One is Kyle Dann's
radically
chopped 1960
Pontiac, the
likes of which
have never
been seen
before. The
owner- applied
Auckland, Sign of the Firebird (burnout
pad from 12 noon), Brothers Grimm, Sound
Control, plus others. Several kids’ bands will
play on the Sunday.
The retro pageant will start earlier this
year, kicking off at 12 noon on Saturday,
with all classes, including children, enabling
everyone to enjoy the ever-popular Stadium
Finance burnout competition.
“Again there has been strong interest with
top North Islanders coming along to keep
us all honest,” organiser Craig Stare says.
“The later start of 1.30 p.m. each day gives
the organisers more time to scrutineer the
large numbers of competitors.”
Just under 1000 cars are pre-entered for
the five-day activities with another 800-
1000 cars expected
on the public display
days. On Thursday
night there will be a
pre-event warm-up
cruise with some
200 cars doing
a “lap of luxury”,
taking in Rangiora's
main street just
before 7p.m then
moving on to
Kaiapoi's main drag
at about 7.15 pm and
back to camp.
custom paint was applied in his shop, K
Daddyz Kustomz, in crazy purples and lilacs
and is a multi-award winner.
“The other car is Joe Wallem's 1960
Cadillac, also painted by Kyle. Initially this
car was to debut at the Grand National
roadster show, but he has decided to come
to Rangiora instead.There have been a lot
of shipping problems but our mates at Kiwi
Shipping are moving heaven and earth to
make it happen,”Craig says.
Music & street cruises all part of the muscle car event
Ian Neary’s Eruption is a Plymouth GTX powered by a Viper V10
engine and is currently New Zealand’s top street machine.
All the way from Bakersfield
in California this 1960 Cadillac custom
will be shown for the first time in Rangiora.
That night, competitors will be treated to
a world-class cabaret night, while Friday
will see many of the cars leaving camp to
participate in the Classic Cover Insurance
Great Summer Fun Run at 11am.
Public days are Saturday, January 25 and
Sunday, January 26, with a new earlier start
of 9am and show cars being admitted from
7.45 a.m. This year the arena will be only
displaying cars that are at least 20 years
old. Newer, modern cars can be displayed
in the lower display area through gate 2.
Admission will be $20 per adult and
children 16 years and under are free (ID
may be required.) For further information
call 027 545 7877.
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