All roads led to Hastings Cunningham Reserve on Saturday for the Trident Tyres South East Street Machines 44th Annual Show ‘n’ Shine.
More than 170 vehicles filled the reserve for the event which is hosted by the South East Street Machine Club.
Entrants from across the region and south west Victoria attended the event, as well as one entrant travelling from Elizabeth East to display his car.
Club president Jim Coombe was rapt with the turnout, which was further boosted by perfect spring weather.
“It is fantastic, the weather is absolutely perfect, we have had a good turn up of entrants and spectators and people just want to show their cars and not necessarily be judged,” he said.
“We have a good number of helpers with club members putting their hand up to help.
“There is a lot of work that goes into something like this and it all started after last year’s event.
Coombe said planning began many months ago, with the committee banding together to put on a show for auto enthusiasts.
“There are six of us that get the show up and running every year.”
The vehicles assembled ranged from classics to the modern era, while there were also motorbikes and a display from the model aero club to give some variety to the show.
“We have had a few vehicles on display like Ray Scott’s original old sprintcar which was the first one he drove,” Coombe said.
“Ray was a really good friend of mine for a lot of years and it was great for his son to bring it out.
“Martyn Broome’s old sprintcar was powered by a Leyland P76 motor which I had a little bit of input into it when it was getting built.”
Coombe paid homage to the valued sponsors of the event for some many years.
“Without the support from our sponsors, this event could not happen and we thank them very much,” he said.
“Nor could it be put on without the support from club members.”
Coombe said the day was a complete success with good entrant numbers and the crowd exceeding all expectations, with attention already turning to the 2023 event.
Penola’s Jeff Pahl had his 1972 HQ Holden GTS Monaro on display at the event which proved popular with the crowd votes steering it towards the people’s choice award.
“I have owned the car since 2002, drove and enjoyed it before a full nut and bolt resto began in 2012, completed in late 2014.
“I have covered 10,000 miles to date,” Pahl said.
The vehicle is running a 350 Chev engine and four speed gearbox, with the HQ GTS rebuilt very close to original specifications.
“I really could not say how many hours I have spent on it to get it to this point.
“The car came from Frankston in Victoria where it was advertised in the Herald Sun newspaper and I made one phone call, put the car trailer on, went over there and brought it home the next day.
“I am the third owner of the car and know the full history of it.
“The car has always lived in Melbourne from new and the people I bought it from were the second owners of it and would be very proud if they saw it today.”
Pahl was full of praise for the South East Street Machine Club for its organisation of the event.
“It was a very spectacular turn out of cars, they came from Victoria and everywhere and it was a very well run event,” he said..
“I will definitely be back again next year and support the club.”
Other category winners were Portland’s Trish Pearce who claimed the entrant’s choice accolade and Elizabeth East’s Roger Mills was recognised with the longest distance travelled award.
Lachie Scott, Damon Randall, Dawn Norman, Stuart McKenzie and Aaron Knowles were also awarded by placing in the top five cool rides category.
