The car museum is absolutely worth a visit. There is a sign that says everything is for sale, which is a little surprising as there are a few nice little colllections in there of related vehicles. One of the old boys working there said that wasn’t always the case, but didn’t elaborate any further. He said they sell about 10-12 cars a month, and finding more stock is a problem. You could see this walking round, not everything was really museum worthy to my eyes. Anyway, it would be churlish to complain, especially as it is free to get in. I also saw some stuff I hadn’t seen before, which is always good.
Having been in and around motors my entire life, I had driven examples of a few of the cars on display. Which is always nice to have the old memory jogged.
This wasn’t one of the ones I’ve driven, unfortunately!
This is what greets you when you walk in. Not bad, but as I get older these flash things don’t appeal as much for some reason.
Three 512BB in a row. Lovely 70’s shape and proportions.
I think the E24 is a more resolved shape, but there is just something about the E9.TVR Cebera. I’ve never driven a TVR, this would be the pick for me if I got the chance. Pretty much decimated everything in a straight line when it came out.The building used to be a Bunnings (hardware) warehouse. The natural lighting was very photogenic. This is a Jaguar XK150. I’ve driven one of these.
Jaguar XJ-C. My favourite Jaguar road car shape.Funny little Eastern Bloc collection. I hadn’t seen some of these cars before.Also these Australian Rambler cars, were new to me. Some odd looking things.Again not an obvious choice for a classic car museum, but an interesting addition. Cadillac Allante.Aston Martin Lagonda.
There was a good selection of Russian and Czech cars. Most I hadn’t seen before.
So, also as I get older… I fancy a big Roller, Bentley, Jag or similar. So much car for the money. So much potential for financial ruin… Driven one of these.Australian Army Land Rover Perentie. Despite spending most of my time in the Army trying to get on a Land Rover course, I never quite managed it. So have never driven one of these.There were some other Series Land Rovers, I’ve driven these. This one was just back from ‘maintenance’ I alerted the old chap who worked in the museum that they might want to put those wheels nuts on the right way round – I think he thought I was pulling his leg until I explained they don’t stay tight that way for very long…Lots of the Eastern European cars were almost copies of Western European cars. This bore a remarkable resemblance to a Citroen Visa to my eye.
Humvee. Funnily enough I did drive one of these when in the Army. Didn’t need a course to drive another military’s stuff apparently…This wasn’t a Fiat 600, but that’s what it is. I driven one, surprisingly entertaining in a somewhat terrible way.Skoda Estelle. Now these were fun to drive. Rear engine and rear wheel drive. Certainly had their own character.
The above three were all Ramblers. Australian versions of AMC models. Some odd styling and proportions, but a chapter of automotive history I didn’t know about.Seems I kept coming back to the TVR.E36 had done 1200km since new, was still on original Pirelli P4000 tyres. Non original bits on the M5 and the 635CSi behind, irked the geek in me. Driven a 635CSi and the 318is, driven an E28 but never an M5 unfortunately.Rear mounted air cooled V8. Thanks Tatra.Ford Focus club reporting for duty outside.
2 thoughts on “AWOL Around Australia… Gosford Classic Cars.”
So friggin random. I love the Aston Lagonda. Such a giant and weird beast. Seeing the plastic cadillac is always weird, but at least there it’s foreign and obscure I guess. Haha.
I love the beemer. I oddly like either the giant behemith cars like the Rolls or the tiny sportscars.
I love the story behind the Cadillac though. GM seemed to go all out, no expense spared and still managed to make something that was slightly rubbish. Always had a soft spot for a glorious failure!
So friggin random. I love the Aston Lagonda. Such a giant and weird beast. Seeing the plastic cadillac is always weird, but at least there it’s foreign and obscure I guess. Haha.
I love the beemer. I oddly like either the giant behemith cars like the Rolls or the tiny sportscars.
I love the story behind the Cadillac though. GM seemed to go all out, no expense spared and still managed to make something that was slightly rubbish. Always had a soft spot for a glorious failure!