Monterey antidote; Shannons Sydney Classic presented a little of everything. Virtually unknown in the U.S. is the Renault Fregate.
By Chris Martin
Sunday August 18th 2013
The Council of Motor Clubs (NSW) is an organization that represents 160 affiliated clubs in dealing with government legislation and the registration authority, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I guess they didn’t have a show the first year as this was the 49th annual CMC Classic. Held at Sydney MotorSport Park – formerly known as Eastern Creek Raceway and supported by Shannons Insurance, this annual event has grown to where it now has close to 2,000 vehicles on display, from all classes of the hobby; so it is normal to find a Mustang or Messerschmitt, a Lambretta, a Lamborghini or a London double-decker bus, veterans and moderns all mixed in around the park.
Some of the clubs invited are one make clubs, but many other clubs cater for a wide range of vintage and classic machinery so it is quite common to find an interesting rarity sandwiched between other unrelated models.
With so many cars scattered around the park, and blessed once again with bright sunny weather it seems everyone gets into the friendly ‘park and display’ atmosphere, and while some unpack their picnic hampers and folding chairs most are content to wander among the exhibits admiring the variety on show. This can however make it hard to match owners to cars to ask for further information.
The red 1950 Citroën Light 15 came with a varied display from one such local club and was parked between a ’38 Dodge and a Mini, but another (green) Traction, along with the 1974 DS Safari were part of the Citroën Car Club NSW display which also included several Diesses, a 2CV and an SM.
A Sydney based club that caters for Italian classics is the Italian Made Social Motoring Club and their group included several small Fiats and Alfas along with a Maserati Merak and the 1974 Alfa Montreal of Emmanuel Ziino, a neat ’74 Dino 308 owned by Paul Supienza and club president John Di Rocco’s Abarth 1000 replica. Based on a 1969 850 Berlina it has a genuine Abarth 1050 engine block and correct period mod’s including a mid-mounted radiator, oil cooler and electric fan to help cooling in city traffic. A pair of De Tomaso Panteras were shown nearby, but it seems De Tomaso drivers can park anywhere they like, as a lone Longchamps was over with the American Muscle Car Club but is not owned by a member there either! And there was a fine Mangusta on the other side of the park with the Lamborghinis. I guess they are adopted as orphans wherever they show up? The two Lamborghinis, a Jalpa and an Espada were in turn attracting a crowd all day.
Renault was represented by a bright blue (of course) R8 Gordini and a smart looking fifties Fregate.
The Lancia Club showed a ’27 Lambda LWB Tourer that has been fully restored by the current owner, a 1963 Lancia Flaminia Sedan, the last owner of which was past Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. As space was a bit tight, the fabulous ’53 Aurelia GT which has been in the same ownership for over 40 years was squeezed in behind, making it hard to get a good photo of one of the prettiest cars there.
One of my all-time favourites, and a rarity here was the 1958 Facel Vega HK500 owned by Bruce Gregory.
Rob Oakman is the 203 registrar of the Peugeot Car Club of NSW and he showed his 1951 203. This was a popular seller here after a similar car won the grueling Redex trial of 1953. Run over 10,500 kilometres of some of the roughest roads imaginable the little French car triumphed over many bigger and supposedly tougher cars.
For anyone in the Sydney area in August this is a must see event if only for the sheer variety of vehicles on display.
John Di Rocco’s Abarth 1000 replica.
1974 Alfa Montreal of Emmanuel Ziino.
1950 Citroën Light 15 among a gaggle of other cars.
1974 DS Safari was part of the Citroën Car Club NSW display.
De Tomaso was represented by the rare Lonchamp...
...the classic Mangusta...
VeloceToday Select Number One:
Cuban Grand Prix, 1957
by David Seielstad
...and several Panteras.
Dino 308 owned by Paul Supienza.
1958 Facel Vega HK500 owned by Bruce Gregory.
Lamborghini Jalpa joined the parade.
...along with an Esapda.
Lambda LWB Tourer.
1953 Aurelia GT, one of the prettiest cars at the meet.
Ex-PM's 1963 Lancia Flaminia Sedan.
Maserati Merak made the show, which featured over 2000 cars of all types.
Rob Oakman is the Peugoet 203 Guru and showed his 1951 203.
Renault was represented by a bright blue (of course) R8 Gordini.
Yes, it was a great day, weather wise and car wise. The author however seems to have missed the 18 car Fiat Club of NSW display with some beautiful examples of 500’s, 124’s, an X1/9 and the more modern Coupe 20V Turbo, Punto and an Abarth. The Fiat Club won the Best Presented Display trophy.
One more thing not mentioned is that every car displayed is allowed a couple of laps of the track during the day and most owners take up this offer. Can you imagine the organisation that this takes to get 2,000 cars out of their display positions, out onto the track and then back to their spots again? Quite a feat by the organisers. Well done CMC.
Apologies indeed to Warren and the Fiat Club. As there was so much to see in so little time, there were a few more I missed too. Checking in the brochure I see your club was posted in the far corner on the ‘other’ side of the track. After already running late and then heading back to the car park I got as far as the pair of Lamborghinis, and looked across at a line of fifties and sixties Holdens behind which it seems were your 18 Fiats.
I will certainly make amends next year!
As for the track parade, this is another interesting feature of the show and although speed is regulated to prevent dangerous behaviour, I still hold the lap record for a Mercedes-Benz 280SE Crayford Station Wagon after my run in 2008. I can claim that knowing the other two examples in Australia have never been to Eastern Creek!
Brilliant photos and very nice write-up, feels like I was there.