There are quite a few early-risers and probably a number of insomniacs in our little cohort, how else could you explain a carpark full of special vehicles a good 15 minutes before the official gathering time. The fine weather and demise of Daylight Saving no doubt inspired many owners to give the classic car an outing and by 9am there were almost ninety sporting, classic, vintage and modified vehicles on display.
Such was the weather, with summer being unwilling to submit to autumn?s cooler insurgence, that many roadsters and convertibles went topless. Richard and Jane Vollebregt went one better and arrived after their morning ride from Phillip Island on Richard?s BMW R90 motorcycle. MX5s were again quite plentiful, as were MGBs and Triumph TRs. There were even a couple of E-type Jags, but I think the classic Minis may have outnumbered any other single model this month, especially if you include the very tidy Mini Moke which I don?t believe we had seen at any previous events. It was a pleasure to see Tim Wilkinson?s fully restored 1970 Cooper S making its debut appearance this month. Painted in the classic Factory Works Team red with a white roof, it certainly looked and sounded the part.
Other debut appearances came from a heavily-modified lime green Holden One-tonner running a massive, twin-turbo, big block V8, then there was a classic American-style Hot Rod coupe in blue and white, an Aussie Ford Coupe in white and blue Cobra livery, as well as a beautifully presented, gold Pontiac GTO.
This month?s Breakfast Club clashed with the annual Fiat Autobella extravaganza at Como Park, so some of our regular Italian marque representatives were noticeably absent. Making a return, however, after a couple of months absence rebuilding his Healey 100/4 engine, was Denis Varley and his big Healey. This must be one of the most regularly-driven Austin Healeys in the State and it?s always a pleasure to see it at our monthly breakfasts.
At 10am about a dozen cars assembled and departed as a group heading towards Neerim South where Eric and Kathy Irvine were hosting an Open Garage, Gallery and Garden. A great way to spend a lovely Sunday morning.
