4th Mid state Mopars At Bendigo- Queens Birthday Weekend, June 2010

Friday afternoon and again to late to be leaving for Bendigo. We packed clothes in to the boot of the Challenger and headed off. The plan was to leave earlier, so as not to end up traveling in the dark, but just like last year we got away late. Any way it was an uneventful trip made even more boring due to the Double Demerit points at risk due to the long weekend. May it to Bendigo and settled in for the night, with plenty of car talk.
Saturday morning was cold but at least it wasn't raining. A heavy dew combined with the road grime meant the car would require another clean before heading out to the stock yards for scrutineering before the Challenger could partake in the Motorkana. Basically all that was required was, a good Brake pedal feel, Battery secure and no loose items in the Cabin and Boot. Oh, and a crash Helmut.

With that taken care of, it was time to attend the drivers meeting held by the local car club who were running the days event. (Not the Central Vic Chrysler Club) After the meeting we were given a map with 6 courses set out. We would get 2 attempts at each over the day.
There was around 20 cars competing, ranging from Chargers fitted with angry Six Packs and stroker Small Blocks. To a Hemi 300C, and stock attended VC Wagon, a Rally Galant and Scorpion (fitted with slicks that did not work on such a cold day). A Desoto (challenge is on John) a Val Hardtop fitted with a 440 which did well over the day, but the eventual winner was a VF V8 Ute.

Half was through the day they called lunch. Hear I met up with Ben Tresham who had traveled down in his jeep. We took the time to look at the other Chryslers that were not competing. I would say about 50 cars. Once again so much variety, even Malcolm Frasier’s ex Limo, which is looking like a Resto may be in it’s future.
After lunch it was time to memorize a new course and continue having fun dissecting the Witches hats. At least I didn't get a WD or Wrong Direction. Like most things it wasn't as easy as it looked. I thought that they may have more car competing, as so many people say they want driving events. Still nearly every body I spoke to on the day said the would give it a go next year. At the end of the day, Rick and I put all our gear back into the boot and headed off.

It wasn't long before the evening cruise was about to set off around Bendigo. We hung around for the start of the cruise which had a good turn out. Around 65 Chryslers headed off, but we did not as I had enough driving for the day. Instead we headed straight to the league’s club and ordered Tea before all those who were on the cruise rocked up. The venue was great as the CVCC had reserved parking for all Entrants and had booked a large eating area for all of us visitors. After a hearty meal and catching up with Chrysler people who you see at COTM but do not get time to talk to, it was finally time to call it a night.

Over to you Kent
Rod Taylor

Sunday Mid state Mopars

Sunday morning of the June long weekend dawned cold but fine over in the North East. We piled into the Lemon Twist CM and headed off in the wee hours of the morning, just as the sun was coming up. The sub-zero temperature when we left home tested the heater out, and the entire vehicle passed the test in flying colours. An uneventful trip over was had, and upon arriving we met up with fellow Club members John & Lynn Carroll in the DeSoto, Rod & Rick Taylor in the Challenger and the entire Blackham family in the Dodge wagon, all of whom had stayed the night and Dave and Bev who arrived after ourselves in the CL ute.

By the time we arrived in Bendigo around 9am, the skies were grey and rain threatened. But, thankfully it held off all day, and a cloudy but fine day was on offer. Once again in the streets of Bendigo city, just off the main road proved to be an ideal location for the show, and another record turn-out of Chrysler’s had plenty on offer for us all to spend a pleasant day eyeballing the machinery on display. This year the organisers had plenty of treats in store for us, set off against the stunning backdrop of the Bendigo town hall. The ex Prime-Ministerial CL Regal SE stretch, the first and last Valiant off the Chrysler Australia line made up the features of a display which included a “Dukes of Hazzard” replica, an original VG Pacer, several American models, an immaculate CJ Chrysler sedan and a freshly restored VH RT 2 barrel Charger. A special feature in this area was a presentation by local Chrysler enthusiast and owner of a large collection of Chrysler vehicles Ivan Smith, including the two extremes, the first and last Valiant. In fact, the whole event is only getting better, and the location is great, with the old buildings making a great back-drop for the old vehicles.

Our club members did very well in the trophy category, with John & Lynn Carroll taking out “Councillors Choice” and “Best Pre 1961” with the ‘59 DeSoto, and the Blackham’s taking out “Best Wagon” and “Best Competition Car” with the big Dodge wagon. We also walked out with a prize, a cordless drill won during the raffle held during presentations. Presentations themselves were once again a special event, with a large TV screen showing the trophy winners as they were announced. Great idea, but think of how much work this would take—someone taking the photos, someone else collating results and uploading all the images in sequence—and all this in the few short hours between us all arriving and presentations. After the presentations, as per usual a great load of pizzas arrived for us all to enjoy, a nice touch before the long drive home. A great job done once again by the organisers of this great event.

Our four year old Isabelle suffered her first serious sort of injury at Bendigo, when she fell when climbing a ledge around the Town Hall and smacked her face on the ledge, causing a quite serious nose bleed. She copped it on her top lip and nose, and was bleeding from her mouth and nose, and was getting herself very worked up over the blood coming out, and no doubt some deal of pain as well. Once we calmed her down, the bleeding stopped rapidly and she returned to her normal happy self and she even managed to eat some pizza before the journey home.
How many of us travel to a show in one car and come home in another? This is exactly what the Blackham family did, arriving in a Dodge wagon and coming home in a nice old original VJ Valiant Charger 770. No shortage of wheeling and dealing at this years “Midstate Mopars”.

Euroa Show' n ' Shine- October 2009

Euroa show n shine weekend has been and gone again, this time with threatening weather all weekend. Fortunatley for the huge turn-out from both our club and 1100 other vehicles on display the threatened rain remained just that, a threat. Attending members and their cars, who all stayed overnight at Violet Town included ourselves in the VJ Ranger, Dave, Kristy & kids in the seduce BF, Chargers belonging to Jim & Christine, Colin & Christine in a “his and hers” pair of Chargers, and was the club debut of Christine’s bright blue VJ Charger, complete with strobe stripes around the rear. Don & Kerry waved the modern Mopar flag with their PT Cruiser, Rick & Rod along in Rick’s fresh to the road CM Regal wagon, Dave, Bev & Molly in Dave’s work ute (his Charger motor is still in my shed....) Adrian & Barb from Bendigo also stayed overnight with us in their Challenger, Jenny & Rhiannon bolstered numbers in the Magna. The other debut for our club was John's  1959 DeSoto Firedome sedan, presented in Johns’ usual fashion of perfection.

The fun began soon after arriving when we all started chatting after unpacking for the night. We then meandered our way to the Violet Town hotel for our evening meal, where once again a great meal was had by all before we all made our way back to the caravan park, some leaving earlier and getting rained on along the way. The onset of Daylight Saving prevented any late night antics as it was already late when we got back. Despite this, a fire was burning well and some more frivolity was had by those who ventured outside before retiring for the evening.

Shane, Karen & gang arrived early on Sunday morning in the VH Charger, just in time for the now famous “McCarroll” burger for breakfast. This easily beats anything McDonalds could offer, and as always plenty to go around. We then ventured off in the early morning for the short run down to Euroa, where we topped up fuel before getting to town at the new service centre. A great site it was to see so many of our club cars in convoy, all the Chargers gathered in a row followed by us plebs in our more modest forms of Chrysler transport, lifted to new heights by John’s DeSoto and a PT Cruiser.

As I mentioned at the beginning, over 1100 vehicles on display, ranging from a mid teens brass Ford Model T to the latest model HSV offerings and everything in between. Absolutely something for everyone, I find this to be one of the best shows of the year. Always something new to look at and always lots of my favourite, great big American tanks.

Winner of Best Chrysler went to a Plymouth GTX, car of the Show went to a Chevrolet 789, best club display was taken by the ORSM Ford Cruisers Club. For those who don’t know, a Chevrolet 789 is a brand new car, using a 57 front, 58 side and 59 rear to make a “new” car. Possibly taking the retro look just a little too far. The ORSM Ford Cruisers Club caters for late to current model vehicles and was well attended with flags and matching outfits worn by all.

Plenty of food vendors provided variety and a short walk to food for all, and the show this year had spread further into the streets toward Euroa shopping centre making for even more walking to take it all in. Our shade tent may have been useful had the threat of rain come to fruition. Even my boss turned up with his family and three of his cars, an XP coupe, Capri GT and his Sierra Cosworth.

All in all, a great weekend once again and certainly worth the drive even just for the show on Sunday if you cannot stay the night as the caravan park was near capacity with our mob staying. Don’t miss out next year!!

Words by Kent Wathen

Club run to Ovens

This run, organised by new president Jim Gibson left Three Monkeys to head to Ovens via Yackandandah for morning tea. Attending members included Don Rollins & Kerrie Delves in their PT Cruiser, Jim Gibson & Christine Cooper in the VJ Charger, John & Lynn Carroll in the CL Charger, Dave Aggenbach, Bev and Molly in the Fairlane and our mob in the CM wagon. Isabelle made a new friend in Bev’s poodle, Molly. The two were inseparable at times. While in Yackandandah, we all wandered the street looking in various antique shops and at the local market also held on the morning. Before long, it was time to move along again, this time headed for Myrtleford, for a look at Red Ramea Trading, a large shop catering for lots of traditional Chinese gardening, furnishing and decorating items. This place was huge, and the shop just kept on going back into newly expanded buildings. It also includes a cafe to allow refreshments to be taken at the halfway point of the store.

Then on to Ovens for our lunch at “Happy Valley Hotel”, where we were accosted by a man in a Hilux. He had followed our Chrysler convoy from Myrtleford and asked if we were interested in buying a car he had for sale. Naturally, John, Lynn and myself went for a look and found a VH Ranger XL sedan, 265 manual which had received a fairly average respray some years ago and was tired but sound. He was reluctant to give a price, indicating we were the experts and would know the price. Eventually, we got $3000 out of him, and the car is at Ovens if anyone is interested, we do have his details.

To lunch itself, and a very good meal, a few ales and much happy chatter were had out in the semi-enclosed beer garden, which was also home to the pubs stage, where preparations for a live show were taking place during the afternoon. The beer garden proved ideal for our kids as they could run around and not be in the way or escape to the busy Ovens Highway.

As always, a good time had by all who attended this leisurely cruise and personally I cannot think of a much better way to spend a lazy Sunday.

                           

Club run to Eskdale

The day of our intended “Howlong” run, some of our members decided instead to go to picturesque Eskdale. We waited at Three Monkeys in case of any unexpected attendees, and then left on our way. Dave  had contacted everyone he thought was going to attend. Certainly the drive up to Eskdale is particularly pretty through the lush green hills and is a good road for pushing along through all the bends, as Don and myself did on the way up.

Attending members were myself, Sarah and the kids, Dave, Kristy, Mitchell and Jesse , Steve  and his youngest boy, Dave  and Bev, Colin & Christine, John & Lynn and Don with Kerry .

Much chatter and the consumption of a good feed made the long drive all the more worthwhile. Mitchell and Isabelle shared their own table, and enjoyed their first date with a number of chaperones. After a very nice meal and dessert, along with a few games of pool it was time to return home. Just after leaving, we decided to try taking photos of our cars through the windscreen, and these worked out pretty well.
We all came home through Tallangatta but no-where was open for afternoon tea, so a detour was taken back to Kiewa for a stop. 

A very nice way to spend a leisurely Sunday with good food, company and cars.

Mid State Mopars, Bendigo, June 2009

Friday afternoon and already to late to be leaving for Bendigo.  I packed clothes in to the boot of the Challenger and headed off.  The plan was to leave earlier, so as not to travel in the dark, but you know what happens.  When the last ditched effort to get Rick’s change over motor going in his recently acquired CM Wagon proved to be fruitless, worry about that when I get back.
 
Turning off the Hume at Benalla as the sun was setting, now it was time to start worrying about kangaroos.  As it turned out a hare was the only wildlife that caused any concern.  Along with the random breath testing.
 
Anyway, made it to Bendigo and settled in for the night, for plenty of car talk.  Met a guy who worked for Chrysler from 72 to 82.  Boy OH Boy, did he have some stories to tell.  If only he knew back then what he knows now.
 
Saturday morning cruising into the boat club car park at Lake Weenera it was time to check in. Walking into the club rooms we were met with tables set up with white cardboard and entrant names listed in order of entry (sound familiar).  Grabbing my goodie bag and walking outside, I met up with John & Lynn Carroll who had travelled down Friday afternoon (sensible people), in the yellow Charger.  After a bit of a look at the gathering it was time to head off on the cruise to the Rod Hatfield Ranch near Castlemaine.  He has a selection of Hot Rods and Street Machines, many which he had built in the seventies and eighties (how come he gets to keep all his cars). Well not all his cars, the 57 Chev with the Rolls Royce Merlin engine has been sold when he took it to America.  He did have a nice little machine shop/welding bay which I wanted to slip under my jacket and take home.

It seems he is fascinated with Air Craft engines as he had three of them on display.  One fitted to a special.  It was being built Left Hand Drive, so you can guess were that will end up.  All along the walls of the workshop were countless posters he had collected over many years.   Around seventy cars turned up which was more than expected, which meant about 150 people went through his display.  Among them were club members Don Rollings and Kerry Delves,who were travelling in a Holden Rodeo as Don had scored himself a diff in Melbourne earlier in the day.
 

Next stop, we hit a bakery to pig out for lunch.  By now it was raining off and on and was quite cold but at least our bellies were full.  After lunch a few of us dropped in on another well known Castlmaine Hot Rodder, John Lynch.  Checking out his garage is something else.  Blown Hemi Hot Rods with 427 SOHC motors, Ardun Headed Engines and son Tim's RT 383 4 speed Challenger amongst it all.  Then there was the Salt Land speed Holder which went over 300mph.  Also, present a black 69 Dodge Charger with all alloy Hemi, but the vehicle I most wanted to see was his latest acquired 69 Dodge Charger Daytona.  The green 440 beast was stripped out and very early on its life it had been rolled but all was repairable and at least the car didn't have much rust.
 
Late afternoon the Central Chrysler Club had organized a meet and greet at the Airport in the Bendigo Hot Rod Club rooms.  For tea they provided a free sausage sizzle and afterwards had a band playing live.  After a big day it was time to hit the hay.
 
 
Sunday morning I met up with the Dave, Kristy and kids in their 71 Road Runner and Kent, Sarah and kids in the CM Wagon.  We cruised in together and was surprised to see so many Chryslers already parked in the mid city location.  Time to check out the swap sites and was happy to find a few bargains.  Maybe next year they may put all the vendors together.  Ah always a learning curve when you change venues (as we have found out more than once).  Walking around the streets, we kept coming across more and more Chryslers parked down different streets, many new cars as well, which keeps it interesting.

Along with the usual Val Chargers, including a Sun Fire Yellow RT there was big turnout of AP5/6 and VC Valiant's.  A white 2 door Post Race car with a very healthy Slant was a show stopper with its attention to detail.
There was a sprinkling of American Muscle with a 69 Dodge Charger painted in vivid yellow/green colouring catching people’s attention.  A few showers of rain during the day which didn't dampen things as a large crowd turned out to check out the Mopars.

At the end of the day, 260 Chryslers had made their way to Bendigo.  A big jump in numbers from last year, when a sunny Sunday they had around 215 Chryslers.  The committee must be very pleased with their efforts and congratulated on some new ideas that they implemented across the weekend.  The trip home was completed in darkness, as we didn't get away until late afternoon.  Still everybody got home tired but safe.

Rod Taylor.
 

 
 

Attending members included Kent, Sarah, Isabelle and Bridget Wathen in the VJ, Dave, Kristy, Jesse & Mitchell in the Plymouth Road Runner, Rod & Rick Taylor in the Hemi Challenger, Shane & ? Codgell in the VH Charger, Don Rollins & Kerry Delves in the E37 and Dave Aggenbach and Bev in their Toyota camper van.

A beautiful day once again as the on-going dry made for another perfect weekend. A frosty start followed by warm sunshine welcomed the hundreds of classic race and show cars in attendance. As is usual for this event, the car park was simply packed with cars and club displays of classics from all eras. A strong presence of Pentastar products were present from an early Chrysler converted to a truck to the latest 300C were enough to keep the MoPar fanatics happy.

Lots of exotic vehicles from by-gone eras were present, including some monstrous old race cars and some very advanced European race cars from the fifties. A wander around the pits found heaps of one-off specials, including one “Fire dome V8” Hemi powered race car, a custom body on a shortened side valve Ford V8 chassis and many others including genuine vintage Bugatti race cars and other extremely rare pieces of machinery.

To the historic racing, and group NC Historic was of significance to us because of the two Valiant Charger’s racing the similar aged Chevrolet Camaro, Mustang’s, Minis and a lone Rotary Mazda. In the longer 8 lap race, the best Charger started and finished 3rd behind the Camaro and Rotary. The other Charger snuck through the field a couple of places to finish midfield. Sarah and I were talking to the driver of this particular car earlier in the pit and learnt that the car caught on fire on Saturday and was hurriedly repaired overnight to enable it to continue running on the Sunday. The Charger did not belong to the driver, he was, in his own words, only a learner. He did say the Charger was a very pokey machine. The fire damage was still evident in the engine compartment, and the car looks fairly lucky to have survived at all.

Another great day out for our Club, even the kids had fun after we moved our cars onto the old footy oval inside the sweeper—from there they could see all the action. Isabelle and Mitchell had a “tea party” inside the Toyota camper of Bev’s, fortunately we left the doors open so we could ensure they got up to no hanky panky inside the van.

Coleambally Car Show 3rd May, 2009

CHRISTMAS PARTY 2008

Rain is in short supply, so we should not complain when it falls on the very day we plan to hold our outdoors Christmas party. As the saying goes, there is always next week so that is exactly what we did, tried again the next week.

So onto the Christmas party, take 2. We set off from The Three Monkeys Tavern in perfect weather. Smooth sailing in the sun for the run out to Shane and Karen's. We lined our Pentastar products next to Shane & Karens two VH chargers and son Aaron's torana. (Shane you need to talk to that boy)
We all settled down to nibbles by the outdoor Barn/Bar under the gum trees.

During the day, Shane & Karen had been busy preparing roast meats for us to devour, and that we did.

After tea, the fat man in the red suit arrived in, of all things a MESSERSCHMITT. What a sight as the snow white hair flickered under the bubble top of the three wheeled beast.

Some of the children thought it was Christmas and were happy to see Santa, while others were not. Anyway, all the kids received their presents, and then some of the big kids tried to get one as well, all to no avail.

Once everyone had stuffed themselves it was time to watch a movie or stand by the fire and consume some more christmas cheer. A raffle was held, 2 prizes up for grabs. A charger book donated by John & Beryl Lloyd and an AP5 metal cut out donated by Echuca Laser. The book was won by the president, Steven and the AP5 cut out by Shane.

The movie was easy to see on the big screen and could probably be heard all the way along the valley. By around midnight most of us had had enough christmas cheer and called it a night.

Many thanks to Shane & Karen for their hospitality. Maybe we can do it all again next year. Might need some more rain by then.

Attending members and their vehicles included:
John & Lyn- CL Charger
Brett & Esma0 CM sedan
Shane, Karen, Aaron & Amber- 2 VH chargers + Torana
Steve & Donna- Voyager
Neville & Sonya- VF Pacer
Rod, Jenny, Rick & Rhiannon- Challenger
Shane, Jodi, Tahli & Elle- (BMW)
Don & Kerry- VH Charger
Dave A- VK Charger
Kent, Sarah, Issabelle & Bridgett- CM wagon

 Show us ya Wheels- Nurmakah

The first Sunday in December saw a large number from our club attend Show Us Ya Wheels held once again at the Nurmakah showgrounds. The weather was fine and sunny, but Rod assured us we had shade by bringing the club's recently purchased shade tent- approx 6x3m and this was the best thing we have brought in a long time. We had our club members vehicles parked either side of the tent with our banner across the back of the tent. Combined with the tent, we took up some room with the best turnout to a show we have ever had. Rod, Jenny & Rick in the Challenger, John & Lyn in their freshly purchased CL Charger, Colin & Chris in their Charger, Dave A in his Charger, Don & Kerry in the VH Charger, Shane, Karen & Aaron in the VH Charger, Kent, Sarah, Isabelle & Bridgette in the CM wagon, Brett & Esma in the CM regal and Dave, Kristy, Jesse & Mitchell in Dave A's Fairlane owing to Dave B's recent knee surgery.

While setting up the shade tent, it was noticed that young Isabelle and Mitchell had disappeared. Sarah, Kent & Kristy set off in search and they were found holding hands and looking at cars on the other side of the oval. We shall have to watch those two in the future. Next time they may elope and disappear to some tropical island for their happy ever after. As always the case at this event, there was a general market, side show stalls, the original Mad Max Falcon coupe and other cars from the movie, a jet powered car putting on a fiery show and spectacular aero show put on by a stunt pilot and a fly- by from a local aviator in a self made Mustang fighter plane 3/4 scale replica.

As always, a well run show with great events to keep everyone entertained all day. The women-folk can wonder the market, the kids can run amok amongst the side shows and the guys can wander around and check all the great cars on display. Plenty of chrysler products there from bygone eras. Holden and Ford were represented through to almost the current model as well as a TL Magna wagon. A collection of of Ansair Flexible Clipper buses and motorcycles completed the large turn out.

Plenty of sunshine made the shade tent a necessity to avoid catching too many rays, and also attracted attention to our club. The owner of a local wrecking yard approached us about some Valiants he gad sitting in his yard so needless to say we stopped for a look on the way home.

We all travelled home via Yarrawonga with the intention of stopping for a drink but all the cafe's were about to close, so we had a quick chat and departed in our various directions for home. Another great day out had by all members of the club who attended, and congratulations to the organisers for another great event. This is a must attend for the club's calendar.

Bethanga Pub- Nov 2008 (Club Run)

On Sunday, 16th November, the club had a run to the Bethanga Pub for lunch, the only remaining pub in the town. Attending members and their cars included Kent, Sarah and family in their VJ Ranger, Jim and Christine in the VJ Charger, accompanied by friends Leanne and Des, Brett and Esme in the green CM Regal, Rod and Rick in the Challenger, Dave A in his VK Charger, Colin and Christine in their VH Charger, John and Lyn in the VG Convertible, another VG Convertible driven by Bruce and Rowena (Club visitors from Bellbridge), Dave and Kristy and family in the Duster, Don and Kerry in the VH 770 E37, Grant and David in their S series and Col in his S series.

We then all drove along via the new freeway, around Lake Hume, over the Bridge to Bellbridge and then onto Bethanga. We all found a car park, then ventured into the dining room for a well deserved meal and beverage. The meal was great and we nearly filled the dining room just with ourselves as there was so many of us. It was absolutely fantastic to see so many members attending the variety of events we have organised or attended recently. After dinner, much chatter followed amongst the members. The kids and some of the girls played some pool, the kids could hardly see over the table but still managed to make a fair go of sinking some shots.

Some of the group departed on their own, meandering around the not quite full Lake Hume.
Another great event, supported by so many club members.

Members of the club who attended were Rod, Jenny & family in their 1970 Dodge Challenger, John & Lynn in their VG Convertible, Kent, Sarah & family in their VJ Ranger, Don & Kerry in the VH E37 Charger, Ian & Barb in their Dodge Challenger, Dave, Kristy & family in their 340 Plymouth Duster and also Dave in the car that became known as the " Dodge Fairlane. ".

We stayed at the Violet Town caravan park overnight on the Saturday before the show, but not before strolling over to the local hotel gor a well deserved meal and refreshments. As always, the meal was excellent and after dinner we returned to the caravan park where a fire was lit and drinks and tall tales continued until late in the evening.

Great to see so many from our club attend.