Dollar-sign-shaped mirrors, flame door handles and a Tarzan-sounding horn.
Dunedin man Peter Wilson said his 1949 Buick Super was "something special".
It was one of the nearly 200 cars on display at the New Zealand Hot Rod Association Zone 10 hot rod clubs’ show in the Edgar Centre at the weekend.
And it did not go unnoticed.
All Black Brodie Retallick was reportedly seen "drooling" over the car on Friday night, Mr Wilson said.
"I was told on Saturday he took a particular shine to that car.
"It is a beautiful car."
The car, which Mr Wilson has owned for about a year, was the same make and model as the one driven by Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rain Man.
It sat on air-ride suspension, featured rear-view mirrors in the shape of dollar signs, and had a Tarzan-sounding horn, he said.
"It’s a pretty quirky car.
"When it just purrs along the road, it is something special."
Mr Wilson said he owned "a few" old cars and loved hearing the roar of the old V8 engines.
"Also, they don’t make a lot of sense, and I like things that aren’t ordinary."
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He said he felt it was worthwhile putting it in the hot rod show to "share the love", as the car had not yet been seen in the South.
Central Otago Rod and Custom Club member Alistair Ross said thousands of people visited the show on Saturday and they were expecting another big day yesterday.
The show had not been held for 10 years. It was organised to mark the New Zealand Hot Rod Association’s 60th anniversary.
It took months of hard work to organise and cars rolled in from everywhere between Oamaru and Balclutha, and through to Central Otago.
"Once all the cars started coming in — the colours — it was just exceptional.
"Suddenly it all comes together and you can reap the rewards of all your efforts," he said.
- Molly Houseman. Photo: Gerard O'Brien.
