One man's obsession was opened up to the public during the 2011 Arrowtown Autumn Festival, to the delight of motoring enthusiasts.
John Taylor, a former mechanic, has spent the past 40 years collecting cars, motorcycles, signs, petrol pumps, oil cans and historical motoring memorabilia, all displayed in an old wintering shed for sheep relocated from Edendale.
"It's an obsession of mine. I used to be a mechanic and you get involved in the industry.
"I think today people need more than just looking at nice cars ... To keep people's interest it's nice to give them a bit more of the character of the era.
"People want more now ... They need to have some inspiration ... and the scenes that go with them as well, not just the car.
"I originally owned the motor museum in Queenstown. Unfortunately, motor museums don't make any money and trying to make money out of it becomes a job, and you don't get to enjoy the hobby.
"Now it's a hobby. That's why I enjoy it."
The walls of Mr Taylor's converted shed are covered in car number plates, posters, historic pictures and signs, with standing room only between his impressive car collection - the oldest vehicle being an 1896 traction engine from Mosgiel and the oldest car a 1912 Fiat restored by its previous owner 10 years ago.
The collection also boasts a 1935 Lanz Bulldog, a German tractor used by police in Europe after World War 2 as their transport, and two army vehicles complete with army uniforms.
A glass cabinet holds some of Mr Taylor's most prized possessions, including a small piece of coal from Titanic, which he bought for $US20, and pieces of a plane which crash-landed on his grandfather's farm in 1933.
"A fellow ... built his own aircraft and he flew it, which was pretty good back then ... and then the engine failed.
"He crash-landed in a turnip paddock ... [and] was slightly injured. He was fined for flying an aircraft without a licence, but I believe he went and [flew] for the air force after that.
"It [the plane] was never rebuilt - it used to be at Mandeville and at one stage it was in the [Southland] museum."
Among the collection of number plates is the first car number plate for Invercargill - INs1, the "IN" representing Invercargill, and the "s" for Southland - while pictures on a wall include one of L.W. Hemming in his 1910 Hupmobile.
Mr Hemming's vehicle was the first private car to be driven from Christchurch to Queenstown.
For more information visit www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz
