data-animation-override>
“Hot rods, classic cars, custom bikes, army tanks, drag cars, live bands, and tattoo competitions — the inaugural Frankton Thunder had all that and a whole lot more.”
Organized as a way to showcase Hamilton’s Frankton business district, Frankton Thunder took place on March 5–6, the event rocked. A huge turnout of vehicles in all shapes and forms gathered to entertain a huge mix of gearheads, young and old.
The whole event was spread across five to six blocks around the Hamilton suburb, and it was a real treat to go to the each corner to see what gems were parked up on display, like this immaculate 1966 Mustang Convertible.
All you had to do was then walk across the road and you’d see this amazing daily driver: a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette.
For the motorcycle fans, how about a Triumph Rocket owned by Chris Minnee with
a Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20B gas-turbine engine usually used to power various types
of helicopters. This bike was insane, and was a real crowd-puller when he fired it on numerous occasions throughout the two-day event.
An underground car park hosted the motorbike swap meet, as well as a line-up of classic bikes.
What did we spy as we strolled around the next corner? How’s this grand old lady — a 1933
Packard Super 8 Coupe!
An equal amount of effort clearly went into customizing this unique 1939 Ford Coupe.
And the same could be said for John Allen’s ’32 Ford Coupe.
Is there a cleaner engine bay in the country?
One of the event’s organizers, Alan Thoresen, found a brief moment to pose with his Black Thunder Racing–modified Kawasaki before doing a demo run for the crowd.
The highlight of the event would have to have been the arrival of nearly 1000 motorbikes from the Waikato chapter of the Ulysses Club completing their annual Toy Run. This was a truly awesome spectacle to witness, watching the vehicles weaving through the streets of Frankton and then branching off to the side streets, and eventually parking up for the spectators to check out.
All in all it was a fantastic weekend, and a very deserving charity, The Waikato Child Cancer
Foundation, was very well supported.
Bring on next year.
