Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Vauxhall Club of WA show & shine 2013


This is the Premier event for the Vauxhall Owners Club of Australia, WA Branch and all members are encouraged to attend with their Vauxhall or Bedford, including unfinished restoration projects.

My parents owned a Vauxhall Velox before I was born and I've always had a soft spot for these cars.



1947 Vauxhall with body by Holden

Holden badge

Vauxhall Wyvern



Vauxhall Velox soft-top





Vauxhall Velox

1935 Vauxhall






Vauxhall Wyvern

Look familiar?  This late model Vauxhall Viva is basically a rebadged Holden Torana.

Another rebadged Holden Torana with slightly different headlight layout. As a cost saving measure General Motors cross sold the same car designs amongst its subsidiaries. Then as now the English Vauxhall, German Opel and Australian Holden companies were all selling the same car.

A novel Bedford Dormobile.  Dormobile customised a variety of different car types into mini-campervans. This is one of only two known in Western Australia.


It still has all its original fittings. Excellent!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

French Car Day, Perth 2013


Having already committed to attending the Rotary Club Car Show - and not having a French car - I had no expectation that I'd see the French Car Show this year. But I met up with fellow SIVA member, Paul B, at the Rotary show and we decided to pop over for a quick visit. In SIVA there is a large French car contingent. It was a good decision as there was an impressive turnout at Supreme Court Gardens and some exceptional machines on display. Thanks Paul! http://frenchandfantastic.com.au/

Renault 8s  http://www.rcca.org.au/

Renault 4CV

The 2CV in the foreground has been converted into an electric car.

Renault Caravelle - the French competitor to the VW Karmann Ghia

Renault Alpine

Renault Gordini


1963 Citroen DS

Later model Citroen DS'


1952 Citroen Traction Avant

Unrestored interior


Flat out on the 2CV section.  http://www.2cv.com.au/forum.php

Vietnamese restored Traction Avant cabriolet. The car is a mix of pre and post-war Traction Avant components.  It's not particularly authentic but it's still a magnificent machine.


http://www.citroenwa.com/

1964 Simca Aronde P60 and a Simca Vedette. Simca-Aronde is not a well known marque outside French car circles, but Simca's were once quite a popular car in Australia and were even manufactured in South Australia during the 1960s. Simca were bought by the GM group and their South Australian facilities were given over to GM's Chrysler operation in the 1970s.

The star of the day - a Panhard Dyna Z. This is one of two known in Western Australia and has only recently been discovered. It's in a bit of a state, but nothing that cannot be restored.  Here's link to Shannon's club webpage about the car.  http://www.shannons.com.au/club/enthusiasts/Dynaz/garage/1959-panhard-dyna-z/

Like a gaping frog's mouth. The Dyna Z was powered by a two-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine of only 850cc and performed surprisingly successful in rallying.  In this they were in the the same category as DKW and Saab during the late 50s and early 60s. http://www.citroenet.org.uk/panhard-et-levassor/panhard-04.html


The interior is complete, if a little worn


Another star - a 1913 Mors. Mors was the company that Andre Citroen first worked for. In 1908 he took over the management of the company. In 1925 Mors was purchased outright by and wound up.