Wild horses couldn't keep Nigel Hanmore and his new Mustang away from the Beach Hop this weekend.

The Whitianga local has taken possession of his new pride and joy, a 1969 Ford Mustang 351 cu in. convertible, just in time for today's opening events of the Beach Hop in the Coromandel.

The pristine Lexis Bronze beauty will join the line-up of classic cars rocking and rolling into Peninsula towns starting from today, based in Whangamata and visiting Whitianga on Thursday.

There are a number of road closures in the next couple of days, reports the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Whitianga:

Thursday 23 March 2017 from 8am to 3pm:

• Albert St - (from Lee St to Monk St)
• The Esplanade (from Monk St to Blacksmith Lane)
• Blacksmith Lane (from The Esplanade to Victoria St)

Taylors Mistake and the Northern Reclamation will also be unavailable for parking.

Whangamata:

Thursday 23rd March 2017 from 8.00am to 9.30am: Ocean Road from Lowe Street to Williamson Road.

Friday 24th March from 7.00am to 12.00pm: Complete road closure of the following roads in Whangamata to allow assembly of thunder cruise participants and their vehicles prior to departure:

• Graham Street, from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive
• Esplanade Drive, from Lowe Street to end of road
• Lowe Street, from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive

Controlled access will be provided to affected residents who live on the sections of closed road.

During the proposed periods of closure the following provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use the streets: Detour via Ocean Road.

Saturday 25 March from 7am to 7.30pm: Complete road closure of the following roads to accommodate vehicle displays, nostalgia fair, entertainment and spectator access:

• Esplanade Drive, from Lowe Street to end
• Lowe Street, from Ocean Road to Esplanade Drive
• Beverly Terrace, from Graham Street to Lowe Street, closed to public with controlled access provided to residents.

During the proposed periods of closure the following provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use the streets: Detour via Ocean Road.

Saturday 25 March from 7am to 7.30pm: Complete road closure of Port Road from northern side of the Ocean Road/Port Road roundabout to the southern side of the Hunt Road/Port Road roundabout to accommodate vehicle displays, entertainment and spectator access.

Port Road closed at each intersection with:

• Ocean Road
• Lincoln Road
• Aicken Road
• Casement Road
• Hetherington Road
• Hunt Road
• Winifred Avenue

Saturday 25 March 2017 from 10am to 11.30am: Complete road closure of the following roads to accommodate parade vehicle access to street parade:

• Chartwell Avenue, from Charleston Avenue to Port Road
• Hunt Road, from western side of roundabout to eastern side of Barbara Avenue
• Winifred Road, from Port Road to eastern side of Barbara Avenue
• Barbara Avenue, from Hunt Road to Ocean Road
• Port Road, from Chartwell Avenue to Hunt Road

Controlled access to Port Road from Hetherington Road / Hunt Road intersection to allow parade vehicles to use Hetherington Road / Hunt Road roundabout during parade only.

During the proposed periods of closure the following provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use the streets: Detour via Martyn Road and Mayfair Avenue or State Highway 25 Bypass.

Road closure maps may be viewed at Whitianga, Whangamata and Thames offices during normal business hours.