Aussie hot rodders put on a brilliant show in Kiama

By Chris Martin

| 16 Sep 2014

The Romans Hot Rod Association Inc was founded in 1960 but on 14 September it hosted only its 2nd run to Kiama on the south coast of New South Wales in Australia followed by a Show & Shine.

Open to Hot Rods, Customs and Classics the weekend trip culminated in a dazzling display on a sunny Sunday at Black Beach Park by Kiama Harbour.

This picturesque setting is always a favourite location for car clubs to stage shows and is a popular spot with the visiting public.

The Illawarra Aerial Patrol were collecting donations of a gold coin in the bucket for entry and proceeds from selling raffle tickets to help raise much needed funds for the Shark Patrol service. These are the aerial spotters who keep the beaches safe and warn of any danger to swimmers and surfers.

The rods were probably the most numerous, but there was variety for all. The long distance award was won by an entrant from Ballina in the far north of the state, a drive of 850kms, and local Murray Alcock won an award for one of his two Model Ts on show, a ‘27 Tudor and a ’25 Coupe.

Murray is probably unique in that he collects and restores original vintage and veteran Model Ts as well as building rods; rare to have a foot in both camps.

A personal favourite was the pale green ’32 HiBoy Coupe with flathead motor, but the purple phantom 5-window Coupe of Tony and Kay Jukes and Nina Catalano’s black and white HiBoy 3-window ran it close.

Fords and Chevrolets of all ages have always been popular here and most desirable vintages were represented.

Of the other stand-outs, the stunning red and white 1955 Chrysler Imperial was a perfect match for the ’52 and ’53 Cadillacs, a British Racing Green D-Type replica drew admirers all day as did a mint red Mini.

Note that Australian built Leyland Minis have a few minor detail differences to UK versions; from 1971 all models had the Clubman front panels, different high-back seats and lift-up door handles, but in this case the surf boards would have been an optional extra!

Of course being Australia there had to be a few pickups or ‘Utes’; the 1945 to ’47 Ford F100 was referred as the ‘Jailbar’ model due to the design of the front grille, the ’49 Chev’ was a mint stepside, but the black ’52 is an Australian-built ute.

In contrast, the rare Commer showed the ‘RatRod’ look.

Muscle cars are popular too, rarities including a 1969 Yenko Camaro, a ’70 Boss 351 Mustang and a Z28 Camaro from the same year.

Possibly even more sought after here though were the first generation Holden HK Monaro GTS coupes from 1968 and ’69 model years of which two perfect examples were on display.