Australia Day Cruise 2015

The HK Monaro: Classic Aussie Muscle.

By Mark Humphrey

Geelong, Vic/Aus. 30^th January 2015. Street cars from across the region descended on the Cotton-On carpark for Geelong’s annual Australia Day Cruise which takes in the picturesque Bellarine Peninsula finishing at the bayside destination of St. Leonards. Car numbers were estimated somewhere between 400 to 500 with plenty starting their journey from different destinations making this day an extraordinary motoring day on the Geelong calendar. The popularity of the cruise has seen many cars mostly muscle venture down the highway from Melbourne to join in what has been a growing event for the past 5 years. Having once occupied the St Helens boat ramp carpark, the cruise has just about out grown the massive Cotton On carpark and it won’t be long before an even bigger venue will be required to accommodate the large number of cruisers.Mel who was decked out in her cruiser gear looked the part in front of her man's chevy pick-up.

One could be expected to think that the quality of street car may drop off with the growing numbers but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There was plenty of street muscle mixed in with iconic Aussie muscle cars to compliment the fine examples of restored Australian motoring that gathered in the car park. For me personally the day was a greater spectacle than the Victorian Hot Rod show held over the same weekend at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The local car clubs were well represented throughout the gathering with the Cotton-On Foundation the nominated beneficiary of the gold coin entrance donation.

The motoring action continues in Geelong this weekend with Street Rods rolling in from across the state and also interstate to take part in the Geelong Street Rodders 2015 Queenscliff Rod Run. Below is the itinerary for the weekend. For more info on the Queenscliff 2015 Rod Run go to http://www.geelongstreetrodders.com.au/queenscliff-rod-run-2015/

FRIDAY NIGHT

 5:00pm—10:00pm

Registration at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Sausage sizzle and beer, wine & soft drinks available for entrants at  Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.

SATURDAY

7:30am—9:00 am (Sharp)

Breakfast at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.

8.00am—9:00am

Registration at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Option 1 Adventure Park

Cruise to the Adventure Park with fellow Rodders for a fun filled day. Lunch is included.

Option 2 “Day Cruise”

Day Cruise around the Geelong area, includes lunch.

7:30pm – 10:00pm

Night time cruise of the main street of Queenscliff.

SUNDAY

7:30am—9:00 am (Sharp)

Breakfast at Princess Park — site of the “Show N Shine” Get in early. Breakfast will not be available after 9:00am

7:30am—9:30am

Move your cars into Princess Park.

Vision of a small selection of cars participating in the Australia Day Cruise.

Images From The Day

Local Muscle On Show At Repco

By Mark Humphrey

Geelong, Vic/Aus. 13^th September 2014. Local auto enthusiasts clubs Freeway, FX-HZ Holden and Renegade Hot Rod & Custom Club combined to put on a static motor display at two Repco Auto Parts stores to benefit local Scout and Guide clubs.

Mint examples of cars from yesteryear as well as modern day cars lined up side by side in static displays at the Geelong and Hoppers Crossing Repco Auto Parts outlets. Along with the array of vehicles were trade displays set up to accommodate the wandering minds of spectators who had ventured out to check out all the action.                                                                                                                   

1st stop was in Geelong where I caught up with several members of the Geelong FX-HJ Holden’s branch. Branch President Colin Brown had his 69 HT Brougham out on display sporting a late model VR injected 5 litre V8 running on straight gas. Like a lot of enthusiasts Colin has owned the car for the best part of his adult life. Having owned the car for just on 40 years the car sat in a shed from 1974-78 waiting for a resto job. With the help of his son Michael, Colin gave the Brougham a complete overhaul including the fuel injected power plant and has been a daily driver since returning to the road in 2004. The plan is to keep the car in the family for eternity.

Sitting just to the side of the Brougham was Michael Ford’s 67 HR Holden wagon. Purchased just on 12 months ago Michael is undecided whether to do a complete resto on the wagon or preserve its original condition. In some cases the odd scratch and worn paint seems to enhance the character of a vehicle with the HR wagon fitting this criteria perfectly. The cars runs a 161 power plant hooked up to a 3 on the tree manual box with a standard rear end. Michael says the car will sit on 110 kph all day every day.

Andrew Robertson was there showcasing his pristine midnight blue FJ Holden. A legend of Australian motoring, the FJ Holden has been an icon to the Australian way of life and even had popular songs written about the car. Andrew purchased the FJ about 18 months ago and although the paint was complete Andrew had to finish off the resto job which included a mechanical overhaul. The original 138 ci grey motor coupled to the original gearbox powers the ol’ FJ quite nicely along the road. Recently registered, Andrew opted to go along the full registration path rather than the popular “club Rego”. “It gives me more freedom with the vehicle not having to worry about a log book” he said. A quick look under the bonnet revealed just how original Andrew had kept the vehicle with the original copper washer bottle holder evident.

Next port of call was the Repco Hoppers Crossing branch some 50 k’s up the road. This was a bigger display with some serious horsepower on show. Local dude Andrew had the covers off his canary yellow VN Commodore. Putting out an impressive 350kw’s of power at the rears Andrew prefers to show the car along with the odd burnout comp. “No point having a car for show if it doesn’t go”. Andrew started on the build last August as a new project and has consumed his time for the best part of a year.

Clive Robert had his Holden HJ 1 Tonner on display boasting some nice little custom tricks. A member of the FX-HJ Holden club Clive purchased the vehicle as an unfinished project and spent more than 18 months putting on the finishing touches. “Basically the paint was done but I had to do everything else” he said. “I purchased new guards and wheels, hand built the tray, rear guards and the rear stop light detail”. The 1 tonner was finished in a Plasma Tech Gold multi flake paint job with a unique matching metalflake interior. The tonner runs a Holden 308 V8 coupled to a T400 auto with a standard diff. The rear suspension has been air bagged to keep the wheels from rubbing on the guards.

Everywhere you looked there was a story to be told from the mint EJ Holden to the Shelby Cobra replica. Shannon’s Insurance was on hand to answer any insurance questions along with trade stands from Throttle Gals and Iron Heads Custom Motorcycles. The Rev Heds crew were there putting together a video clip of the day and members of the Renegades Hot Rod & Custom Club were there promoting the next show on the local calendar.

Renegades Hot Rod & Custom Club present Westside Autorama & Bike Show,

Sunday 28^th of September, Grieve Parade Altona North. Doors open 10.00am.

         Local Streeters Roll Out The Fundraiser

By Mark Humphrey

​Classic Muscle!

Car enthusiasts from afar converged on the Bunnings car park in outer Geelong for a casual meet and greet and to showcase some of the regions neatest street machines.

The prestige of the Commodore series "The Stato"

Rides from the popular Commodore series to customs like the cut and shut Mini were on display for several hours during the evening giving spectators the opportunity to get up close and personal with these pristinely preserved vehicles.

Pint sized custom Mini

Adding to the mix of modern day street cars was a variety of classic tin from back in the day. Falcons from the XY era and beyond assembled in amongst early 70’s style Toranas with classic American muscle cars dotted throughout the hundreds of cars that rolled into the car park.

Aussie Muscle Car legend status, GT Falcon series.

Holden's 2 door classic Torana

With some big horsepower units rolling in it was no surprise to spot the odd drag racing contestants littered in amongst the pack. Calder Park’s Street Outlaw series in designed to cater for this type of vehicle with ¼ mile cars at home cruising the blocks and events like these.

Horsepower to burn. These classic looking streeters would be at home on the 1/4

The event was the 3^rd of its type this year with organisers using the proceeds of the event to help establish an automotive museum in the region. More than $1200 was raised on the night which was a great effort considering the weather conditions.

The Holden Time Capsule

For more information on upcoming cruising events go to FWY’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cosfwy

To find out more on Calder Park’s Street Outlaw Series go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/calderparkdragracing