Sharing passion for cars

He may be busy overseeing site holders for the Wangaratta Swap Meet on Sunday, 23 November, but Wangaratta Rod & Custom Club stalwart Colin Smith won't miss the opportunity to enter his beloved 1948 Chevrolet utility in the event's show n' shine. He, and more than 50 more passionate motor enthusiasts from across the region are expected to enter their 'pride and joy' vehicles in the event, which is again being co-ordinated by the Early Holden Club of Wangaratta, running in tandem with the swap meet at the Wangaratta Showgrounds. "I've got our site registration tent close to where the cars will be on show so I'll get a bit a look at them," Colin said. "It'll be a busy day, but I'll make time to see what's on show." Colin said sites are almost fully booked for the swap meet. "We've got 230 already locked in...it's similar to last year but we've increased the size of each site as we have the whole showgrounds available, unlike last year (when the Great Victorian Bike Ride was occupying a section of the showgrounds)," he said. "Site holders are coming from all over, and we're expecting a bit of everything, but more car parts than bric a brac. "I know of one bloke whose coming with a heap of old car parts, one who specialises in LED lighting for cars and another specialising in aluminium." Colin can appreciate the practical appeal of swap meets, having spent his fair share of time on the hunt for parts for many of the cars he has owned over the past 50 years. "My very first car was a HR Holden that I had painted bright red...it had XU1 spec 186 motor, Datsun 4 speed gear box, and valiant VIP seats, and I did 90 per cent of the work on it myself," he recalled. "I have owned a HQ Premier (308), XB Falcon (351) ex-police highway patrol car, VB Commodore (253) ex GMH executive car. "I had a number of HR Holdens over the years including one I built from just a body and had to chase all the components to get it on the road." Colin's hot rods have included a 1933 Chev touring with 350 Chev engine; 1939 Chev Sloper which was unique to Australia as it had all HQ Holden running gear (253); 1934 Chev Tudor with a Ford (289) motor; and a 1953 Chev Belair sedan, ex-Californian left hand drive with all original running gear including inline six cylinder motor. "It was a great car, but not freeway friendly with a cruising speed of 80kph," he laughed. "I sold it 18 months ago and bought my current 1948 Chevrolet utility and I've got it fully registered as I intend to drive it every day...it travels well on the freeway." Colin said the Australian built utility runs on a HX Holden one tone drive line (253 V8 motor, trimatic gearbox, Salsbury diff, HX Holden chassis) and has a VH Commodore instrument cluster fitted, with Saab bucket seats for more comfort while traveling. "Even though its a 30 year old build it presents well and drives great," he said. "I plan to add air conditioning, some pin stripping, and I may change the wheels." WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Wangaratta Swap Meet and Show’ n’ Shine will be at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday, 23 November. Public entry to the swap meet will be from 7am (to 2pm), with $5 per person, children U12 free. Wangaratta Rod & Custom Club is co-ordinating the event; Wangaratta Lions Club, which instigated the swap meet 20 years ago, is doing catering; Wangaratta Kennel and Obedience Dog Club Inc, Moyhu Lions Club and Wangaratta Table Tennis Club will assist with gate control and general duties; and Early Holden Club of Wangaratta is managing the show n' shine, with cars ($10 entry on the day) to be parked and on show by 9.30am and trophy presentations at 11am.

Sharing passion for cars

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