Country Cars: Pitt lane - Fid's eclectic car collection

But it is about the only way to describe his remarkable collection of cars.

Country Cars enjoys checking out the dream sheds of Ballarat car lovers and what lies within. There

is often an obvious theme - like Kerry Bruty's collection of old Japanese cars including Isuzus and Princes, or Roy Littlehales' Valiants and other '60s and '70s muscle cars.

Fid's diverse family of machines, on the other hand, has no such boundaries. What could a Ford Mustang Mach 1, a Volkswagen Superbug, Ford A-model, Mercury Marquis and an HSV wagon have in common, except perhaps they are all a slight step away from the mainstream?

"If there is a theme, it is probably just something that is nice but also collectable," the 58-year-old from Ballarat says.

"You look at the Mustang, the Chevy Nova wagon and the VB Commodore, and the Superbug might seem like the odd man out, but it is a bit different and it is a nice car.

"Even the HSV is different to the others, but it was a rare car. They only made 500 of the wagon and I had to go to Fremantle for that even though it was a new car."

Fid, not surprisingly, has had a fascination with cars since he was a child.

It was almost inevitable he would become a motor mechanic, which he enjoyed for a fair while. Then, in 1996, he started looking at cars in a new way.

"I started to look at cars overseas and to bring them here," Fid says.

"I've imported a dozen cars. I buy them in, do a bit to them and sell them off. I've been able to use the money I've made to keep the stuff I really like."

The first one Fid kept for the long haul still enjoys a commanding presence in his pristine (and remarkably large) shed: the 1969 Mustang Mach 1 with a factory original 6.4-litre "big block" V8.

It was not the first car Fid imported from the United States but it was the one that kicked off everything else.

"I imported a few before this one but this is such a good one I thought it could stay," he says with a smile.

Originality was also a factor with Fid's VB-model Holden Commodore SL.

"I wanted an original Commodore and this one came up," he explains.

"It's a factory V8, all original and has no rust. The only thing was the paint was sun burnt from being in Perth. Funnily enough, even though I found it in Perth it was originally sold in Bendigo."

There is a bit of a story with each of the cars.

The Chevrolet Nova is unique because the body is original but the running gear is all new, including a 6.2-litre V8 which is virtually the same as that in the HSV wagon.

Volkswagen's Superbug was a special built between 1971 and 1976 which featured a bigger 1600cc engine, MacPherson strut suspension (instead of the usual torsion bars) and disc brakes, making it very sought after.

"It's fun to drive," Fid insists. "You've got to really like the person next to you because you sit very close to them."

Then there is the black 1930 A-model Ford, complete with orange wheels, affectionately dubbed Donald Duck by Fid's wife Sandy.

Fid was planning to sell his 1970 Mercury Marquis at the Ballarat swap meet but is pleased the sale fell through.

"A guy at the swap meet took my number. In hindsight, I'm glad he didn't call.

"I was tempted to leave the phone off the hook, to be honest."

There are two motorcycles in the shed: a 2013 Harley Tri-glide and a 1934 Velocette he races on classic racing circuits at places like Phillip Island, Winton and Symmons Plains.

Fid is also looking at his next project, a Ford Falcon XP coupe. It is fortunate he has the skills to do much of the work himself or it would all cost a fortune.

"I might be a mechanic by trade but I can also do panel work myself," he says.

"I've got a mate who owns Beaufort Smash Repairs and he does the paintwork but I can do most of the stuff.

"The key is you have to do the work and put in the hours. Once you make a start and have bought and sold your first few cars you can make it go from there."

Fid is of the school of thought that great cars should be driven and not locked away, which is why he is part of Daybreakers Automotive Club of Victoria, which organises regular drives.

And the cars may be something of an obsession but they still play second fiddle in Fid's life.

"The family must come first," he insists. "If the kids or the missus want something and it a reasonable request, they get it first.

"My eldest (son) is collecting cars as well. He has four including a 1965 Mustang fastback as well as two bikes."