More than 2300 classic car enthusiasts packed into the Kiama Showground earlier this month to take in a superb selection of vintage, veteran and classic cars at the Kiama Car and Bike Spectacular, which was hosted by the Kiama and Gerringong Rotary Clubs. The hugely popular event supported research into melanoma skin cancers, a common medical problem in Australia, and a stunning array of more than 200 classics turned out to help the cause.
The People’s Choice award was won by the Ford GT40 replica of Mark Alcock, whose father is also a huge fan of the Blue Oval: he came to the event in his 1912 Model T Tourer. The Model T was in good company, joined by a 1913 Talbot.
There was also a strong turnout from local clubs, with Morris Minors, South Coast Vintage and Nissan/Datsun ‘Z’ Cars turning out in force.
Bob Croft’s 1959 Holden was a highlight for many. Croft’s grandfather bought the car new in 1959 for $1194, and it has been in the family ever since. Now with 55,000 miles on the clock and still totally unrestored, it was displayed with the original bill of sale and supporting history.
Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of other Holdens on show, including the rarer version of the Monaro Coupe and a hot Torana SLR500.
Also popular Down Under were Packards, which were well represented by a pair of late 1930s sedans, including a 1939 example with coachwork by T J Richards of Adelaide, while a Hawk GT and beautiful Avanti flew the flag for Studebaker.
Some of the most interesting cars sometimes belong to showgoers, and Wayne Bradley’s beautifuly restored Mercedes-Benz 450SEL station wagon converted by Crayford was no exception.
