Vehicle: 1937 Chevrolet
Engine: 350 Chev
Transmission: Four-bolt main block, mild cam
Colour: Primer red; hand pin work by Robbie Millar, of Insignia Signs. Headlight flames, original from when it was bought in Dunedin
Name: Derek and Gail Orr
From: Invercargill
When and why did you buy it? Twenty-one years ago. I was looking for something a bit different, cooler. These were a well-known car in its day
What is the vehicle’s history? Originally in Dunedin
Have you altered it in any way? It’s a work in progress. It was dismantled for 10 years, but I did manage to put it back together in two and a half weeks for my daughter’s wedding. Some of the work so far includes body modified quite a bit, including a 3-inch roof chop, butted windows, one-piece bonnet hood, 2 front guards all lengthen, modified running boards… and why? Just to change the look
Thanks for work done: Doug Arthur, Ophy’s Custom Engineering, Autofab, Auto Body Shop, Jason Clarke
Top speed? 100kmh
Best driving experience? Driving to Cromwell car show
Worst driving experience? Crashing my roadster
What other vehicles of note have you owned? XW Falcon, WR FAlcon, Zephyr V8, ’62 Fairlane, ’39 Ford Deluxe Coup, ’57 Ford Sedan, ’57 Fairlane two-door, ’27 Ford Roadster, ’28 Model A Pick-up, ’61 Tank Fairlane, ’56 Ford Customline, ’65 Chev Sedan, ’59 Galaxie two-door, ’85 Chev Pick-up, ’37 Chev Coup, 2004 Commodore Clubsport
Best music to drive to? Rock ‘n’ roll
Describe your driving style: Cruisy
If you could go for a drive in any vehicle, what would be your dream ride? CadZZilla, a 1948 Cadillac Sedanette, which is owned Billy Gibbons, of ZZ Top
What was the first vehicle you ever bought? 1957 Ford Prefect
Do you belong to any clubs? I have been a member of Street Machines for 35 years
Event: Street Machines Southland holds summer night cruises on the second Friday of each month, meeting at 6.30pm at Choppa’s Tyres, 144 Spey St, cruise leaves at 7.30pm. All drivers of American and Australian muscle cars welcome.
