Volkswagen cars have been a passion of Ken Berry’s for almost seven decades.
The 84-year-old Dunedin man started working on the German cars as an apprentice mechanic at age 15, and still works as a Volkswagen (VW) specialist to this day.
His sunny yellow 1975 Volkswagen Beetle stood out among the wide range of cars on display at the inaugural Dunedin Brit and Euro Car Show at the Brighton Domain yesterday.
He rebuilt the car from 1996, he said.
It was one of 25 million Beetles that were produced, and one of the last to be made in Germany — production later shifted to Mexico.
"I get it out when I can, but not too often."
It was one of "countless" VWs he had owned since he bought his first as a teenager.
He still worked on engines as a job, although not as much as in the past for health reasons.
"It just grows on you," he said of his enthusiasm for the brand.
Event organising committee member John Forster said there were at least 200 vehicles on show yesterday — an impressive turnout for what organisers hoped would become an annual gathering.
"It’s a good excuse for people to come together with their cars. A lot of people don’t use their cars for much these days."
A lot of New Zealand’s car clubs were dwindling in numbers, and the event cast a wide net to bring together all sorts of vehicles.
Amid the rows of cars on display were Astons, Jaguars, Fords, Mercedes-Benzs, Triumphs and Morrises.
"It can be any timeframe, from ancient cars, veterans, vintage, right through to modern day cars," Mr Forster said.
"You name it, we’ve got it."
