Love for classic Fiat Bambina on show | Auckland Cars | 4WD, Green Cars and Motorcycling in Auckland

Caroline Bree is slightly built, 167cm tall and has short hair - which is just as well, given the headspace in her car.

She's the devoted owner of a 1969 Fiat Bambina 500, and her classic car - in its original white paint with red upholstery and carpets - is one of the hundreds on display in the NZ Classic Car Show this weekend.

The 499c Bambina is one of about 5000 sold in New Zealand, and 3.5 million worldwide, in the 1960s, and she thinks people like them because they're "cute and convenient".

Ms Bree bought hers two years ago after keeping a two-year watch on Trade Me for a Bambina in original condition. She's the third owner of the car - the second put the SO1969 number plates on it, which she says "are a bit twee", but she's not fussed.

There's no problem with parking, around town or at home. In her standard-size garage, she parks it alongside her other classic car, a 1937 Austin 7, and her 2.7m 1965 caravan.

The Bambina costs just $15 to fill up and she drives it several times a week, alternating with the Austin 7. She bought the Austin seven years ago, giving in to a lifetime of desire.

"I had learnt to drive in an Austin 7, but my father wouldn't let me buy one. He was a mechanic and of the view that they weren't the kind of car a woman would have.

"But then when I got to my 50s, I realised, 'He's not around any more - so what's stopping me having one of them now?"'

The Bambina purchase was also a sentimental one. "I'm 60, and it was a car of my generation, they were so cool ... I had always said if I got a second car it would be a Bambina."

She says the ongoing popularity of the Bambina is proven in the reissue of the modern Fiat 500.

The most she's managed to cram inside the Bambina is four people, including her 1.9m son, who poked his head through the sun roof. Generally, the car is used just for trips to the supermarket and the library, but with a bit of manoeuvring she was able to bring home a Christmas tree.

"The boy I bought the tree from let me off $10 if he could have his photo taken beside it!"

She says she loves old cars because they make people smile and "because it's real driving, changing gears".

The Bambina is most comfortable travelling at 50km/h, but if she has to have it on the motorway she will travel at 70-80km/h. It hasn't required a lot of servicing but the two Fiat mechanics who look after it are both 1.9m, making for some tight manoeuvres.

The Austin is looked after by a local mechanic in Balmoral, who Ms Bree says enjoys working on the car because he regards it as a good teaching opportunity.

"He learnt his trade down country where there were a lot of old cars apparently, and he likes working on a 'real motor'," she says.

Ms Bree thinks it's important such knowledge is maintained. "As a demographic, classic-car owners seem to be getting older and we need younger people to have access to the expertise."

Her Bambina will take part in the fun run that's part of the NZ Classic Car event on Saturday, and will line up alongside about 750 cars at Ellerslie Racecourse for the display on Sunday.

There will be restored historic vehicles and prestige cars on display, and a prize for the best car restoration.

For Ms Bree, who is a member of the Vintage Austin Car Club, the best prize would be the chance to meet other Bambina owners.

"You used to see quite a few Bambinas beetling around but there don't seem to be so many now. My hope in going to the Concours is that I can meet other Fiat fans and we can form a group of enthusiasts like we have for the Austin."

WHAT NZ Classic Car Weekend
WHERE Ellerslie Racecourse
WHEN February 11, Fun Run (various parts of Auckland, see online). February 12 display
day, cars in place at 9am. Judging begins 9.30am. Winners announced 4pm.
PRICE $15, free for under-12s
WEB www.concours.org.nz