News & Events

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SluggEd agaiN
The NSW Government is planning to burden car owners with yet another tax, according to NSW Nationals leader, Andrew Stoner. If your car weighs more than 975kg or isnt a hybrid, youll pay more for rego as of July. Why? Because premier Kristina Keneally needs $500 million to fund her Sydney Transport Plan. If you dont like the sound of that, head to www.axethecartax.com.au and make your voice heard.

CroSS CouNtry

Rain puts a damper on classic Japs

ABOVE Two Datsun 1600s and a 240Z show off what counts. RIGHT This Nissan Cedric looked right at home among other Japanese classics. BElOw The sun shines on three Isuzu Bellet GTs. BElOw RIGHT This vivid orange RX-7 helped to brighten things up.

Back in 1912, Francis Birtles and Syd Ferguson made the first Perth to Sydney crossing in a 1910 Brush. To celebrate the centenary in 2012, the Veteran Car Club of Australia NSW is planning a rally that will re-enact their adventure. Keep an eye on www.vccansw.org for details.

eavy downpours on the morning of the All Japanese Classic Car Day in the Brisbane suburb of Banyo caused many owners to think twice about attending the show. Numbers were significantly down on last years event, but just as the sun eventually came out, so did some very nice cars. Organisers of the event Allan Taylor of the Rising Sun Collectors Register and Marek Michalski of The Seven of Clubs Queensland Mazda club were pleased with the event, which was for Japanese cars produced before 1985. There was an excellent showing of most Japanese marques with Mazdas, Toyotas, Isuzus and even a Prince Skyline in attendance. Oddities included a rare Toyota Sports 800 replete with flat twocylinder engine and Danny Irvines Mazda Cosmo Sport 110 as featured in this issue. Other notable models on display were a foursome of Isuzu Belletts, a pair of very tasty Datsun Fairladys, a nicely modified RX-7 and a lovely 1965 Nissan Cedric. When questioned on the

FuN aNd gamES

In a transparent attempt to get exposure for its brand (and hey, it worked), Navman has done some research and found that even in the age of in-car DVD players, 60 per cent of people still play I-spy during long trips. Another traditional favourite, Simon Says, has fallen out of favour, though, with only two out of the 2000 people surveyed entertaining their kids with this game.

BElOw The organisers were chuffed this superb 240Z wasnt scared off by the rain.

legitimacy of a Japanese classic car show, Tim Holland, owner of an original 1964 Mazda B1500 ute, remarked that even the most loyal Ford or Holden supporter would have a Japanese car skeleton or two in the closet. Such shows give those people a chance to come out and show what they have. Plans are afoot for another

Japanese show in the middle of the year, this one open to all year models (which should please those who had to leave their newer Japanese cars in the carpark). Despite the small number of cars, the quality and enthusiasm displayed shows that in Australia we really do love our Japanese classics, even in bad weather.

QuotE oF thE moNth

The average North American rump couldnt fit into it.

(See it in context on page 31.)
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Australian Classic Car