My interest in Australia began before I knew what foreign countries were. Because I was named after my paternal grandfather Robert Sidney Boyd, Sydney, Australia, was the one place outside of the U.S. that I wanted to learn more about during grade-school Geography. Sure, I'd like to visit this city that's named after me, I thought. Years later (at the tender age of 11), the youth organization I was a member of scheduled a trip to Sydney. Unfortunately (after I had obtained my passport and shots) I didn't get to go (for reasons that were never fully explained). And that's what started my lifelong desire to go to Australia.
In the late-'80s, while I was Associate Editor at Street Rodder magazine, several Australian street rod magazine editors stopped by the McMullen offices to get directions to shops and local events where they could soak up the West Coast vintage-car culture. Of course we all traded magazines, and I learned about Holden and Ford Utes that were never produced in the U.S. It was obvious, our '30s, '40s, and '50s cars shared a good deal of sheetmetal tooling--and we shared a great deal of enthusiasm for our vintage- vehicle hobby as well.The 17th Annual Australian Street Rod Nationals is very much like our regional NSRA and Goodguys events. The rods, customs, and trucks all have a registration sticker in the front windshield that allows them to drive into the showgrounds where they line up to park. Approximately 2,000 vehicles were driven to the Gold Coast Parklands Fairgrounds in Queensland, about an hour south of Brisbane.
The Australian spectators...
The Australian spectators were happy to sit and watch the burnout contest. Competitors literally shredded the drive tire on their rides and filled the air with noxious burnt-rubber fumes.
Entry #88 was this '54 Holden...
Entry #88 was this '54 Holden Ute with the latest in color-changing iridescent paint of purple and green. We noticed that all the street rods and trucks driven to the event had green inspection stickers on their windshields.
The owner of this blue '35...
The owner of this blue '35 Ford pickup from New South Wales is a member of the North Beaches of Sydney Hot Rod Club, the NSRA, and the Australian Street Rod Federation.
We saw many Model A closed-cab...
We saw many Model A closed-cab pickups--this one sat great over American Racing Torq-Thrust D's.I thought the passenger in the cab was eyeballing my camera until I remembered the steering wheel (and driver) was on the right side of the vehicle.
Model A roadster pickups were...
Model A roadster pickups were in abundance as well. The owner of this red one is a member of the Easy Street Rod & Custom Club, Central Coast, New South Wales. Note the fuzzy dice mounted on one side and the critter tail on the other--all the hot rod cliches are found down under.
Something of a recent trend...
Something of a recent trend is the growing number of highboy pickups from the late-'30s. The mandatory black cycle fenders on this black and white Ford with commercial grille and gray-center, magnesium-style wheels almost disappear.
Another prime evil is this...
Another prime evil is this channeled '38 Ford pickup sporting apple-green wheels with baby caps and an International grille. This truck had a restricted-use sticker from the Queensland Road & Traffic Authority (DMV) in the windshield, and the mandatory cycle fenders. Power comes from a late-model Ford V-8 engine.
The neat display and custom...
The neat display and custom chassis from this Toowoomba, Queensland, hot rod shop captured my attention. They had neat T-shirts and hats as promo items--I brought some back with me.
We thought this mid-'30s-looking,...
We thought this mid-'30s-looking, purple-with-ghost flames, four-passenger roadster pickup was pretty cool. What is it? Hmm, I don't believe the sticker that says it's a Datsun. Looks more like a '34 Chevy Tourer.
If you drive them, sometimes...
If you drive them, sometimes you break them! Just like the NSRA, the Aussie blokes lend a hand when someone needs help and tools to make a repair away from home. The repair-shop sponsor is Suncorp Metway and Brisbane North Institute of TAFE.
John and Rosemary Lakeman...
John and Rosemary Lakeman and their fuchsia-pink magic '34 Chevrolet Tourer are proud members of the Bent Eight's Hot Rod Club, Sydney. The chassis under this reproduction-bodied Ute is also a '76 Datsun 620--must be something the lads in Australia do for modern mechanicals and reliability.
The habit of extending the...
The habit of extending the small pickup cabs is alive and well down under. Entry #0917, a red '46/47 Ford from New South Wales, appears to have an extended chassis as well. The truck rides on traditional American Racing mags and BFGoodrich tires.
Of course we were greatly...
Of course we were greatly interested in all the Utes we saw, especially the early-'50s Fords. This purple Coupe-Ute with purple-painted bumpers was lowered and driven to the Australian Nationals by a more youthful pair of rodders wearing straw sombreros.
One of the Chainsaw Bob's...
One of the Chainsaw Bob's East Coast Cruisers was this light-blue Coupe-Ute that looks a bit sedate with wire wheels, whitewalls, and chrome bumpers. Imagine how much fun it would be to import a few of these light-duty Ford trucks to the U.S. and tell the natives, "It's a custom!"
Entry #0764 was Simon and...
Entry #0764 was Simon and Diane Cunningham's chopped '40 Ford delivery van. A 351C Ford V-8 engine powers the smooth panel delivery. Simon handled the body modifications--then all the body panels were painted by Matthew Cousins.