Nelson Street Hop 2019 was a huge success!
Uniquely Nelson would like to thank everyone who contributed to make this event a success including a helping hand from the Very Active Army Cadets, Morrison Square Centre Management Team, All the generous car clubs, rock n’ roll dance groups from the Top of the South, roller derby skaters from the Sirens of Smash, Uniquely Nelson Team and the 8000 visitors for sure.
It was lovely to see a good crowd on the day enjoying the weather, food, listening to music from two bands playing 50’s, 60’s and 70’s hits, dancing in the streets, having fun taking photos with the classic cars and motorbikes that were on display.
We look forward to doing it all again next year!
Scroll down to check out the article published on Nelson Mail, Stuff
Classic car event gets central Nelson hopping and bopping
Downtown Nelson was taken over by Americana on Sunday as the Nelson Hop bounded into town for a second year.
Traffic was stopped on Trafalgar St and Hardy St for the day, with thousands of people stopping by to check out the more than 100 classic cars.
Along with a healthy selection of American muscle including Buicks, Chryslers, Chevrolets and Dodges, there were also a few European and Australian interlopers for car lovers to check out.
Live bands at 1903 Square and outside Sprig and Fern Hardy St provided the soundtrack and there were also rock n’ roll dance groups from the top of the south, roller derby skaters from the Sirens of Smash and the slowest electric scooter race in the world.
One of the major head-turners at the Hop was Tony Anderson and Tina Shirley’s 1959 Buick Electra, which took out second prize for the people’s choice top car.
Anderson said he was on his way back home from Indiana, where he had purchased another classic car, when he spotted the six-litre V8 at a car show in Los Angeles.
He said while the original plan was to bring it back to New Zealand and sell it on, the plan changed Anderson’s wife saw it in person for the first time.
“As soon as she saw it when it arrived back at the port, she decided it was a keeper.”
Much of Hardy St and Trafalgar St was blocked off to showcase the classic cars at the Nelson Hop.
Anderson said while it wasn’t the sort of car you’d want to take over the Whangamoas, it was still beautiful to drive.
“It’s not quite like the shopping trolleys people are driving now.
“It goes low and slow – you put your music on, wind the windows down and enjoy the day.”
The people’s choice winner at the Hop was Warwick Bruce’s 2007 Ford Mustang GT.
Uniquely Nelson event organiser Simon Duffy hoped the Hop could grow even bigger for the 2020 edition.
LUZ ZUNIGA/STUFF
Tony Anderson and Tina Shirley won second place in the Hop Nelson Classic cars event, with their 1959 Buick Electra.
“Last year was a bit of a test, to see just what the interest was in it. We’d like to make in a two-day event next year.”
Duffy said there were already plans to expand the range of vehicles in 2020, to include a selection of military vehicles and classic motorcycles.
Pam and John Pullar made the trip over from Blenheim along with 20 others from the Top of the South Rock N Roll Section.
Credit: Tim Newman, Stuff
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