The Mad MODELLER
He probably has more hot rods, modified cars, and custom classics under one roof than anyone else in the country, and his collection just keeps on growing. It all began quite by chance for Invercargill modeller Gary Petersen, with a hobby that has taken him to all corners of what we in New Zealand call our ‘car culture’. Gary has developed a solid reputation as having an eye for detail, making high-quality, intricate models of fullsize cars for their owners throughout the country.
Gary readily describes himself as ‘The Mad Modeller’ and admits that his dedication to making the best possible model is an obsession. You could say that his creations are bordering on art. Some may think they are toys, but these models are very important to their owners and their owners’ families.
“Some people come back as regulars, and I’ve made some really good friends — people I would never have met if I hadn’t got into modelling hot rods,” Gary explains. “[Muscle Car Madness organizer and long-time hot rodder] Craig Stare from Christchurch and Graham Rollo from Dunedin, for example. I’ve done three models for
