Street Machines & Customs — Tauranga held their 39th Anniversary Bash Show on Saturday, September 24, once again in conjunction with the Greerton Mainstreet Cherry Blossom Festival in Greerton, Tauranga.

Prior to the joint venture, the Greerton Mainstreet Business Association had been holding their Cherry Blossom Festival for a number of years, and most of their activities were centred around the village shopping centre and in the Greerton Village School grounds.

A few years back, Greig Covell, the club’s secretary, approached them in regards to the club joining in to display their cars there, and a deal was soon struck where they would close off a portion of road. As well as displaying cars, the area would become home to the now famous ‘No Reserve Auction’ and the annual Anniversary Bash Show has been held there ever since.

Even though this is only the third year in this location, the cars have been an instant hit with the general public, and with all the different style of shops in the area — plus the entertainment that was going on in the school grounds — there were plenty of things happening for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s 39th Anniversary Bash Show was another great success and saw a great turnout, with many entrants commenting on how much they liked the venue and all the activities going on around it. The calibre of the vehicles that were on show this year was amazing, and the general public loved them.

Chadwick Road was full of awesome machinery, and the club was also allowed to use the extra parking spaces in the Centrepoint centre’s car park, and also outside the new Greerton Community Library, which was appreciated, as this year’s show was bigger and better than previously.

Upon arrival and registration, all entrants were given the usual goodies bags consisting of treats and discount vouchers donated by local businesses, and then the judging of the vehicles was done before the auction, which included the auctioning off of an array of automotive goods, services, and other interesting articles.

The club’s anniversary shows have always been run on a free-for-all basis, which means free entry for the public and also for the participants, just like it used to be in the early days of hot rodding — something only made possible through the generous efforts of the club’s many sponsors.

This years Greerton Mainstreet’s Cherry Blossom Festival event was a great success with many activities ranging from street performers, buskers, stilt walkers, a magician, various fun activities for the youngsters including face painting and donkey rides, and there were plenty of food stalls, as well as other stalls selling everything and anything.

With next year’s event celebrating the club’s 40th anniversary, it’s set to be even bigger and better — make sure you head along to take part in the action.

Street Machines & Customs — Tauranga 39th Anniversary Awards

People’s Choice: Andy Stevens, 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Clone
Sally’s Choice: Donna Jordan, 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air
Hard Luck: Marie Wright, 1935 Ford Fordor Sedan
Long Distance: Alan Wade, from Waiheke Island. 1991 Corvette Greenwood C 4 R
Best Represented Club: Bay Rodders — Tauranga
Best Commercial: Glenette Thompson, 1955 Ford F100
Best Ford: Dave Corin, Mt Maunganui, 2012 Ford Mustang Laguna Seca
Best Mopar: Andy Stevens, Mt Maunganui. 1971 Plymouth
Best Chev: Devina McKay, Tauranga. 1969 Chev Camaro
Best Hot Rod : Kevin Wright, Tauranga. 1931 Ford Model A Hi-boy Coupe
Best Other: Jude Eades, Tauranga. 1956 FJ Holden
Iron Maiden: Bronwyn Harris. Tauranga. 2010 SS Camaro
Street Machines & Customs Mens Award: Anthony Frost, 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
Street Machines & Customs Ladies Award: Marie Wright, 1935 Ford Fordor Sedan