Cars & Coffee in the Vale

Shortly after I bought my 1985 Subaru Vortex my girlfriends grandpa informed me of historic registration. In South Australia to be eligible for historic registration ($80.00 yearly rego) you have to join a car club. Off his recommendation I joined the All Makes Historic Car Club.

A great club, with excellent people, clever management, fun culture, and a variety of cars. The kicker being it's South based with meetings in Willunga. As a result, I can become fairly withdrawn from involvement at certain times of the year.

Cars & Coffee in Mclaren Vale isn't an AMHCC event but it's certainly endorsed by the club. I've been meaning to make an appearance in the Mazda for sometime - especially seeing the club helped me secure grant money towards its restoration.

With an assist from the end of daylight savings I managed to get up and make my way south to see some interesting vehicles.

As always I missed alot, fixating on what I found interesting.

Straight out the gate this Cnc was more chrome bumper, Aussie classical etc etc.

But I was mostly in the mood for it, and everyone was very happy to talk, teach and chew-the-fat. I easily had more random conversations with new people here than cnc Blackwood that happens on the same Sunday.

An outstanding observation was no one was really taking pictures, everyone was just standing around the cars talking. If anything I was the odd one out pulling using my phone to take the occasional pic. I hate to admit it because cars and coffee can be a great place for beginner photographers but it somewhat interrupts the social element of these events.

It's hard to pin point but the way I think about it is; I don't want to be photographed standing next to my car only to end up on some Instagram account, so I usually park up and don't go anywhere near it until I leave. This might help those taking pictures but it definitely disrupts my ability to easily facilitate conversations.

Whereas here, no photographers, everyone standing out front cars, no ego and fun conversations left&right. So what stood out?

Well, plenty of cars. But not all. Like this Renault 12...

Quick summary; funny euro shape, fuel intake at the rear/tow bar?, one-of-a-kind painful wheel PCD, monkey engineered engine bay, ignition barrel for left handed people, patina and ancient stickers. Certified survivor.

Next to it a series 2 Land Rover - matching numbers

Continuing on with engine bays...

Hot side, cold side, nah lad - same side.

I also saw this 300ZX Z32, the same car my gf's grandpa has.

Only this one was twin-turbo and had a Tomei cluster.

No pop ups for the Z32, but you know what did? Oldsmobile Tornado.

It was right hand drive as well. Converted? Special order? Who knows.

Torana & Premier teaching the youth about cars being colourful once upon a time. Although not the best factory paint in attendance, that will come later.

Instead let's look at a cool car that seems to have had a rather half-arsed paint job. Sierra RS Cossy.

There was however, a much cooler white car, it was behind me on the way in. A Volvo 240GL, styled perfectly; immac paint, U-plates, headlight protectors, stainless exhaust, stock wheels, sticky tyres, spoiler, and clear tail lights. A cool cruiser.