FROM Swinging London to modern-day Warrnambool, these stylish UK classics have come a long way over five decades.
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The era of Carnaby Street, Jean Shrimpton and mop-top Beatles fans will be recalled this weekend as the Warrnambool District Historical Vehicle Club showcases the best of its British cars.
Eight pristine vehicles were rolled out yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s event including a 1961 Wolseley Six-Eighty, which has been restored by owner Graham Conn to its former glory.
A motoring enthusiast since his teenage years, Mr Conn used to race a Wolseley Six-Eighty with his brother Keith at Premier Speedway in the late 1960s.
The original vehicle owned by the Conn brothers was sold about 40 years ago, just after the dynamic duo won the speedway’s D. J. Bell Trophy.
“Some used to say the Wolseley was the poor man’s Bentley, but really, they are a wonderful car,” he said.
“They’ve got a fantastic design. A little bit more rounded than the American cars of the same period, but they were held in high regard.
“A fair few were used by the British police.”
Mr Conn decided in 2007 to track down a replacement for his beloved old racer, finding an ideal substitute in central Victoria.
“The only difference between the one I had back then and the one I have now is the colour,” he said. “It’s a moonstone grey.”
Organisers have hosted the annual showcase for more than three decades with the vehicle club choosing a theme each year.
Cut and polish was applied to the prized possessions yesterday for the early showcase with a 1953 Morris Minor, a 1965 Vauxhall, a 1964 Austin Healey Sprite, a 1946 Hillman Minx, a 1960 Ford Zodiac, a 1959 Standard Super 10 and a 1957 Ford Zephyr also on display.
Warrnambool District Historical Vehicle Club member Ian Rees said while much attention is given to post-war American cars, the 1950s and ’60s were halcyon days for the British sedan.
“Every year we have a theme. Last year it was Dodge to coincide with the centenary of Dodge forming as a company,” Mr Rees said.
“This time we’ve gone for British cars and you’d have to say there’s a fair range on show.
“The British cars of 50 or 60 years ago were impressive. The detail put into some of the cars in terms of design was ahead of its time.”
The club’s display day will be held 9am to 4pm tomorrow at Lake Pertobe with a gold coin donation requested at entry.
