THE SHOW SCENE

THIS story unfolds on an unexpected cold Thursday evening during set-up for the forthcoming 1967 Autorama Hot Rod Show in Christchurch. It was being staged at the Canterbury Court, a massive venue, and its sheer size seemingly dwarfing the sterling efforts of the Kustom Car Club. But a moment to digress: It’s 1967, years before the actual advent of hot rod commercialism and a time before sponsorship deals were ever considered. Autorama ’67 offered over 50 like-minded young Kustom Car Club people and friends an undertaking that would lead to a lifetime of memories and friendships. A mutual bond was created the moment the car show was conceived with registration accepted by NZHRA as the first National event for the South Island. New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine’s monthly advertising promoted the Christchurch super show. A whole new world or disciplines unfolded as nothing like it had gone before; there was nothing to copy, nothing to modify, and with the opening date ever-looming, the pressure was building on the Kustom Car Club members. They rallied together and rose to the occasion, driven by a passion and pride to host a great event. What transpired during the entire “Autorama” car show story reads like a script for the movie “American Graffiti” and is certainly a bigger story than we have room for here and one to be told at another time...perhaps! But let’s return to set up night at Canterbury Court. The time was approximately 9.30 pm and the night was very cold, and the skies were drizzling. Inside the Canterbury Court, there was frantic goings-on. A league of well-drilled and skilled Kustom Car Club members, including a cast of a hundred volunteers, were pitching in. Actually, I was pleased with the progress and feeling confident in this great team, especially since