Well known for his love of cars, John Tremaine, of Mandeville, is adamant the 1927 Chevrolet Capital will never leave the family.
The 94-year-old car was bought by the Tremaine family from a neighbour back in 1943, and at that time, used sparingly, Mr Tremain said.
“Back in the day there was no power, no hot water and vehicles were still a rarity, as horses were mostly used.
“My grandparents would have driven it into town for groceries on occasion, but they did make a lot themselves, as everyone would have back then.”
For many years the car was stored in a shed on blocks until, in 1973, John’s father got the car out to paint and re-upholster it, to be used for his daughter’s wedding car.
” After that, dad drove it in a lot of Gore Vintage Car rallies all over Southland.
” The Chev was left to my sister who lived in Tauranga and stayed with her until our mother passed.
” I retrieved the car from her, and repainted, rechromed the bumpers and put it back on the road.”
The car has a four-cylinder motor. The brakes operated on only two wheels, which was becoming obsolete, as Ford came out around the same time with four-wheel brakes, Mr Tremain said.
“There may be one or two in the country of this era.
“It’s been in the family 78 years and I have no intention of letting it go. It is a family heirloom.
“Ninety-four-years-old and still ticking along. You don’t get many like that,” Mr Tremaine said.
