Rod Penn

Three generations at Cruise Martinborough

Rod Penn

Rod Penn has been involved with cars for the majority of his life, from president of Nelson speedway to pit crew for a Holden Group A car. “I am mainly a GM person, so have had a ranges of Holdens. My dad had Chevs and Holdens over the years. “I have longed to own a classic for years and hence the lean to what dad had, with a 1956 Chevy Bel Air 4 door hardtop. “Since then my wife Diane has gotten the bug and has all the clothing to go with these cruises and hops. She has also tted out the grandies in the right gear as well.”

Sometimes called a Bel Air Sports Sedan, the car is still all-original which is how Rod plans to keep it. It has a 265ci, 170hp,V8 engine with a 2 speed powerglide auto gearbox. “One of its best features for us is the colour which we get a lot of comments on.

“We have done over 15,000 kilometres in it going to various

cruises and hops around New Zealand.

“We went to Cruise Martinborough last year with our North Island grandies and their mum and dad, which was their first classic car deal, and our eldest granddaughter Emily, (8), was named Junior Miss Cruise Martinborough. “One of the great things I have found with the classic car scene is that regardless of what make or model vehicle you have, they are someone’s pride and joy and everyone mixes in with each other.”

CRUISE IN TO CONEY WINES

CELLAR DOOR AND VINEYARD RESTAURANT

Open Friday/Saturday/Sunday Cellar door: 11 – 4 • Restaurant: 12 – 3

(06) 306 8345

Dry River Road, RD1, Martinborough www.coneywines.co.nz