IT MIGHT be cliche to invite your dad along to a car show on Father’s Day, but the 2015 Mechanica car and bike expo was proof the two fit perfectly together.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 2000 people walked through the doors of the Ballarat Exhibition Centre over the weekend to explore the 100 vintage, custom and restored cars and motorcycles on display.
FLUKES Hot Rod Club president Michael Cox said many people used the expo, which was created after acknowledging a lack of car shows in the city, to celebrate Father’s Day.
“The older people look at the cars from their childhood and youth, and get the chance to tell their children about them,” he said.
Mr Cox said many people traveled from across the state for the show’s second event, with many already asking about next year’s exhibition.
Each year two car owners walk away winners as part of the exhibition’s car competition, with Tracey Schmidt’s 1923 Ford T-Back taking out this year’s Top Hot Rod award and Delacombe’s Jamie McKay and his 1970’s HT GTS Monaro winning the Top Custom Car category.
Mr McKay, who spent more than seven years restoring the 1970’s HT GTS Monaro, said he completely “gutted” the vehicle before bringing it back to life.
“I went to town on it. I pulled it apart to nothing,” he said.
“I spent endless hours shaving nuts. If you’re going to do a job like this you have to do it properly.”
For Mr McKay, the restorations could have taken longer and would still have been worth it.
“You build them to drive and enjoy,” he said.
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
But having the chance to showcase his car to Ballarat with his children on Father’s Day was the perfect combination.
And while the last seven years might have been dedicated to the restoration, the next seven will be split between the car and his family.
“I’ve completely neglected my wife, my children and myself for six years (while restoring the car),” he said.
“If we weren’t here today we would all be out driving in it.”
As for selling the car, Mr McKay was adamant it would stay in the family.
“It won’t be for sale in my life time. The children have already claimed it,” he said.
Another popular element of this year’s exhibition proved to be the pin-up competition with Ballarat’s Amanda Rush, also known as Miss Lippy Lush, taking out the top spot.
Competing against eight other women, Miss Lippy Lush was commended for her on-stage personality and 1950’s inspired outfit.
“I wanted to go as vintage as I could,” she said.
“It’s nice to win something in your home town.”
Miss Lottie Dottie took out the junior competition.
