Classic Cars and Coffee - Sunday 4th December 2022

Over the last 12 months the Classic Cars and Coffee show held each month in the carpark at the University of Westerna Australia has continued to grow. Several months ago things had reached such a point that unless you were up at the crack of dawn, you'd be facing a long queue of vehicles to get in. The scene had also changed somewhat with ever increasing numbers of what some might term 'modern classics', but others might simply call 'modern, normal cars.' Everything is in the eye of the beholder of course, and many younger enthusiasts don't really relate to the older classics these days as they have no nostalgic connection with the older cars. Still, times and tastes change and it's good to see younger people showing an interest.

This time a second carpark was opened for a Japanese car show. I didn't actually get down to the Japanese section but I hear it was huge.

The official start time is 8.30am but people start arriving much earlier to get a spot. Here's Perth's resident Skoda Octavia arriving.

After 11 months off the road for a series of repairs, John's 1944 Kubelwagen makes a welcome return.

Han's Chevy van 

Richard's JZR three-wheeler scurries in.

Porsche 356 special

1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Austin Seven baby

Bentley

Mini Moke Californian

1949 Renault 750

BMW and my 1954 DKW RT250

Rover and Chevrolet

A rarity these days. Datsun 120Y coupe. My wife had a 120Y sedan when we met. Good times.

Richard's Messerschmitt KR201
1935 Ford and Volkswagen Beetle

Very old budget car - the Austin Seven - counterpointed with a new Lotus sportscar.

I think it's a lovely little car.

The Skoda

Modern Morgan three-wheeler and a Ford Falcon wagon.

What looks like an early Porsche 356 Pre-A. The earliest Porsches are, to my mind, vehicle design perfection.

The JZR

Sunbeam 

The Kubelwagen always draws attention.

A very nice 1956 Volkswagen Oval Beetle

Citroen XD

The Austin on the road. 

Ford streamline

Everyone set off rather earlier than usual as the summer heat was quickly rising. The heat didn't help Richard's Messerschmitt, which suffered from a bit of vapour-lock.

There'll be one more Classic Cars and Coffee at the end of the year. See you there!

Celebration of the Motorcar 2022

This weekend was a huge weekend for the motoring community with car shows in Kwinana, the Hot Rod Show in Claremont, Steaming Day at the Midland Workshops, a veteran motorcycle rally in Balingup, 'on the track' in Neerabup, American Car Show in Guildford, and Celebration of the Motorcar in Cottesloe. This is the show's 10th year since its revival in 2012. 

1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300D Adenauer limosine 

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 Limosine formerly owned by the King of the Belgian Congo.

This was a fine vehicle and included in the boot the original leather travel cases that came with the car.

1958 Porsche 356A

1960 Porsche 356B

1934 Lancia Augusta. A new arrival from Victoria.

Alfa Romeo row

1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint

1934 SS (Swallow Sidecars) SS1 Tourer. When the Second World War started, the name SS gained an unwanted association with a certain German military organization so the SS Jaguar was renamed the Jaguar SS and the SS logo replaced with the famous Jaguar mascot. 

Jaguar Mark 8

The 1910 Deasy sidles in. For a 110 year old car it sounded really quiet and smooth.

It's impressive to see pld Edwardian cars out and about at shows like this. They are under appreciated and don't get nearly enough showing. 

1970 Lanica Stratos

The very small Edwardian section

The car that got the world moving. 1913 Model T

The iconic Aston-Martin DB6.

And the DB6's modern successor - this piece of sh*t.

Maserati

Aston-Martin DB2

The magnificent 1931 Cadillac Phaeton. 

1939 Cadillac Fleetwood

1942 Cadillac Series 62 Sedanette

1929 Bentley Four and half litre 

And another - there were three

Goggomobil Dart sponsored by Shannons Insurance

G.O.GG. O

French cars in the sunken garden

Panhard and 1972 Citroen DS

Panhard PL17

1966 Renault Alpine A110

Facel Vega

Triumph row

Rolls Royce

Cadillac row

Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum, Tamworth 2022

On the outskirts of Tamworth, NSW, in a nondescript looking commercial building is the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum. This is part of the personal collection of local collector - only about one third of their bikes are on display. All the bikes showcased at the museum are in concourse condition. 

The ground floor is a shrine to modern motorcycles.

BSA section

Ducatis

And more Ducatis

Well, one bike isn't concourse - this Harley-Davidson is 'as found'

Quite a rarity - the Noron John Player Special

MV Agusta

Honda CB1100 R

Kawasaki 1900 A4

Kawasakis

This little Ducati Sport was probably my favourite.

This is only a small museum but interesting if you like modern sports bikes. I'm more of a fan of vintage bikes myself.
https://powerhousemotorcyclemuseum.com.au/