Ford owners celebrated a weekend long celebration of cars beginning with a cruise on Saturday afternoon which also involved participating in the Henry Ford Memorial Run. Rain caused problems at the 2015 event but there was nothing but bright sunshine available this time around. From classic cars to panel vans, this event was a huge success for fans, enthusiasts, and new comers all the same.
What is wrong with a little rain anyhow, cars are water proof. But it does make it a little easier to walk around outside if it is not raining.
Anniversary event
It is a sagacious opportunity for individual owners to take their Ford cars out of their garages. Car lovers came in droves to the Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus for the 25th anniversary of the largest gathering of Fords in Australia.
More than 1,200 Ford vehicles were on display with 34 different car clubs being represented and 48 trophies were on the table. There were a few celebrity drivers and V8 super car drivers too. Live bands, entertainment, and kids rides were also organized. And let us all not forget the charity auction that brought some good cause to the table for all to participate in. Hopefully this charity was honest unlike Wounded Warrior!
Creative exhibitors
A few exhibitors even got really creative with their cars like Janet Langford from Mortcare. She was dressed in her gothic best and turned heads with her spooky hearse. On the front seat of her Ford powered van was a dead white skeleton. She was seen raising her hat to it.
Punter’s also enjoyed the green Frog Van of Colin (Frog) Bowman. It is an original Falcon Taxi from Bay City with a citrus theme base.
Someone went over board and reimagined a GT-40 all over again. It seemed to be running on some kind of hybrid engine.
Charlie Trimbole, an excited Ford fan, was seen relaxing in his completely restored 1965 Thunderbird convertible. He was all smiles most the day. Some people just love to show off their toys.
A classic 1970 XYGT was seen in dire need of polish. It was found in its original condition with around 157,000 miles on the clock. The owner had bought it off almost 12 years ago. Bob Dunlop, the proud owner was seen polishing his car with a smile on his face.
Another guy named Peter had done the unexpected. Winner of last year and looking confident to repeat the feat, he had kept his car inside what looks like a box filled with mangoes. XWGTHO Phase II has been colored to match the fruit. What tastes better than a mango! That fruit is incredible!
Meanwhile a four year old kid was seen standing proudly and confidently in front of his massive Ford F series truck.
Also spotted in the wild was a 1967 Shelby Fast Back. It was shining like a brand new car right out of showroom. This car had plenty of lookers.
Theme and first appearances
There were a lot of pre-1960s Ford vehicles on show with the event living up to its vintage theme style and reputation.
The motor show also marked the first appearance in public for the new Ford Sprint and doubled up as a fundraiser for Kiwanis Club of Geelong.
Not just cars
Apart from the food stalls, there were vendors selling clothing and hats too. Seeing such a diverse group of Ford vehicles in one place was truly great. Well done to the organizers for putting on a terrific show for all of us to enjoy and cherish. For anyone who was just visiting, it was a true cultural event. What is wrong with having more food from Australia!?