Custom vans are returning to Dunedin for the city\u2019s first major indoor display since 1992.<\/p>\n
The New Zealand Custom Van Show 2026 will bring a wide variety of custom vans, panel vans, wagons and utes to the Edgar Centre.<\/p>\n
Hosted by Dunedin Custom Vans, the event will take place during the Labour Day long weekend.<\/p>\n
Kelvin \u201cStick\u201d\u00a0Laing, of Allanton, owns a 1977 Bedford van that appeared in that last 1992 show.<\/p>\n
In 1998, he bought the van, which had been deteriorating in a front yard for several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really rusty and rough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe paint on it didn\u2019t last long, there was some problem with the undercoat or something,\u2019\u2019 Mr Laing said.<\/p>\n
He took the van off the road for six years to complete a full rebuild.<\/p>\n
He stripped the exterior back to bare metal and had it repaired and repainted.<\/p>\n
Lake pipes were added as well as a a row of lights on the roof.<\/p>\n
The van has a 307 Chevy V8 engine, which makes the heavy vehicle muscular but tough to manoeuvre.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo power steering, so it is very heavy in the steering but it drives really nice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love driving it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The interior serves as a tribute to the 1980s television show The A-Team, complete with a life-sized \u201cMr T\u201d.<\/p>\n
He bought a Mr T mask and then created a body from a \u201cbig old stuffed teddy bear\u201d.<\/p>\n
At the rear of the van a panel lifts to reveal a collection of memorabilia including figurines, posters, toy cars and even a Mr T soap.<\/p>\n
He regularly takes his Bedford to car shows around the South Island and enjoys sharing his work with the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reactions you always get every time you go out.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone taking a photo and giving you a thumbs up, it\u00a0is a pretty cool old van.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is now\u00a0working on a matching trailer equipped with a fold-up bed that he can sleep in during overnight events.<\/p>\n
Mr Laing continued\u00a0to watch the classic action series today on streaming services.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we\u2019re still watching it at the moment,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
During the Labour Day weekend owners of more than 40 vans from across New Zealand will descent on the Mosgiel A&P showgrounds to camp overnight.<\/p>\n
On the Friday night there will be a public cruise through the Dunedin city centre to showcase the vehicles.<\/p>\n
Then on Saturday the vans will travel to\u00a0the Edgar Centre for the show.<\/p>\n
Mr Laing said the club did not have plans, at present, to turn the show into an annual occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just trying to do a nice big show in Dunedin and just bringing it back down here.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it has been so long since someone has done it.\u201d<\/p>\n