After last month?s virtual washout, it was a relief to wake to a fine morning, albeit quite cold and foggy, but with the promise of a beautiful day ahead for our monthly Breakfast Club gathering. It was only 3 o C according to the dashboard thermometer, but it was a perfect morning for a bracing, roofless run into town taking the long way around through Bona Vista, Nilma and Lillico, just to warm the engine up properly.
Upon arrival at the destination, a good 10 minutes early, about a dozen cars were already in place and it was obvious that once the Mother?s Day obligations were over, people were cranking up their special vehicles and hitting the road. Some roads were longer than others and it was a pleasure to see Ian and Mary Hodge from Ormond, who must have left in the dark to arrive in Warragul by mid-morning driving their immaculate MG TF. As usual we had many regulars from down the Valley and over the hills including Peter Merigan who battled foggy conditions most of the way in from Callignee in his topless TR4. Unfortunately, Mark Sanford had a puncture on his way up from Bena in the Lancia Montecarlo and had to perform a tyre change on the roadside verge – full points for dedication! Graham and Marg Longmore made the journey from Tyers in the ?barn-find? Range Rover which Marg explained hadn?t seen the light of day for 6 months, sitting in their shed covered in dust and cobwebs!
It was great to see a good number of vintage machines joining the gathering this month. Des Dillon arrived in his boat-tailed, 3-seat Hipano Suiza and John Crawford drove down in his tiny 1924 Amilcar. They were joined by a huge, black Delage and Doug Armour?s home-built Fiat/Maserati/Ford special, all taking advantage of the welcome autumn sunshine.
Amongst those making a debut this month was Trevor Batt?s white Mini Clubman, a red Morrie Minor Ute, Steve Trapnell?s Brock-tribute Torana A9X, Merv Swingler?s brand-spanking new V8 Mustang in gun-metal grey and Steve Schmidt?s recently purchased black BMW Z4. The new Mustangs are certainly becoming popular, there were at least 4 at this month?s gathering, almost outnumbering the Porsche Boxster brigade.
In the Exotica category, a very nice black Porsche 911 convertible appeared to be of a similar vintage to Glenn Campbell?s 911 coupe, whilst John Althuizen?s Ferrari 328 GTS combined with a V8 Dino to represent the prancing horse. Australian exotica included Ron McPherson?s Mk.7 Bolwell and Paul Mogensen?s Milano GT special.
With so many magnificent cars on display, it is impossible to list them all. But every car has a story and there?s always somebody prepared to listen. If you haven?t brought your special car along to a Breakfast Club yet ? and I know there are a few still out there ? make it a date next month.
Hi Steve,
I’m afraid there’s a slight technical error here. I didn’t bring my Ferrari this time but the Merc. instead.
Haven’t managed to drive two cars at the same time yet, still working on it!
regards
John Althuizen
Thanks, John – I wonder whose Ferrari it was then?