It was still worth attending, however, and I hope you enjoy the photos from this month’s Classics. I’ve got a very special feature car this month, so make sure you scroll down to see it.
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I’m growing quite partial to these little MR2’s. I know the earlier model is the one to get, but I still like the styling on this one and the interior is much nicer (though not quite as distinct).
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I’m not sure what Cowl Induction is but this Camaro’s got it.
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This trio of Cortinas was very nice, especially the GT closest to camera.
The red one looked great in photos but looked a little tired up close.
The interior looks great in red, though.
This white GT was the special one of the bunch. Paint was perfect and the car was obviously very well sorted and cared for. A real classic.
You’ll see SI plates on many of the cars at Classics, like on the Cortina, below. They’re cars registered under the Special Interest scheme, whereby you get discounted registration but you are only supposed to drive them 52 times per year. The cars under this scheme have to be a minimum of 30 years old.
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It’s quite unusual to see one of these BMW 2800 CS’s nowadays. Much more unusual (as far as I know) to see them in LHD here in Australia.
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This is one of Holden’s most iconic cars, the ‘FJ’ from the mid 1950’s. This is, in many ways, the car that put Holden on the map.
Simplicity…..
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OK, time for the feature car…..
I don’t know the year, the model, or anything about it. All I know is that it’s a Riley and it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful.
If you’ve got any details on it, please feel free to enlighten us all in comments.
I’ve never been a fan of Riley cars, but I’m a fan of this.
Check out the fire extinguisher. How could you not love that?
The boat-tail rear end is classic elegance, something no company would do today (except maybe Morgan).
Adjustable suspension, old school. And it looks to be perfectly maintained.
It’s not just the first-sight presentation of this car that makes you look. It’s the details. Like the Riley saddlebags above (unsure of their authenticity) and the springs at the bottom of the leather engine cover straps, below. Look in another photo and you’ll see similar leather under the tiny windscreens on each side of the car. Amazing.
This was my favourite car this month, for sure. Simply beautiful. I hope to see it again some time and have a chat with the owner.
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I hadn’t seen a red oval Ford badge before. Or an Anglia soft top, for that matter.
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Gavin’s Alfa Sprint has gone bumperless since making its debut last month. New wheels and flared arches also feature. There’s more in store, too.
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The full gallery is below, with 50 photos in all. It was a good gathering this month, but not the best. A little birdie tells me there might be something quite special turning up next month. Let’s hope the car’s ready in time 🙂
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Cowl induction simply means that the hood (bonnet) is open at the rear for the cool high-ish pressure air gathering near the windshield to enter. It has some affect, but how much is somewhat suspect.
Love the Bimmer. Great one.
Loving the Bimmer too. And I know where your new-found affection for the MR2 came from, Steven – Petrolicious gave you it! I know because it happened to me, too.
In fact I think Petrolicious is doing us all a major disservice by showing us such beautifully maintained cars, often the top spec from the model lineup. We’ll fall in love and then never be able to find an example as good as the one they’ve shown us! Oh well – just goes to show that some fantasies are better left just that.
I caught that MGF on the street behind the Camaro. I love seeing what passes for normal street cars in AU- so very different from what we see in the US! We’ll have to investigate that Riley. Such a lovely car.
everytime i read the business section of the newspaper or hear the unemployment figures tasmania appears to be in the doldrums. i work with tassie folk who have departed due to lack of employment opportunities. then i see the photos from classics from the beach and realize lots of $$$ must be hidden away in biscuit tins and mattresses…..
We’re just like any other city of any size. Employment is pretty bad, but there are some old fellas who made good years ago. And no matter where you are, the wealthy seem to find a way of staying wealthy.
And don’t forget, older people with a bit of money often retire to Tassie. I know a few myself (with boats from $100k to $1m+!).
Quite a few cashed up mainlanders came here 10 years ago, which led to a huge real estate boom here. Our unit more than doubled in three years. I heard of one place in a lesser suburb that sold to a mainlander – over the phone – for $100K over market price simply because the agent got the price wrong in the ad!!
(That might be an urban legend, but believable from the time).
the overpriced australian housing market is one topic i try to stay away from but god help our kids when it comes to paying the mortgage..