It might have been raining in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs on Saturday 22 August, but further west, the sun shone brightly on Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse’s Woodville store for our South Australian YSMOTY Cars & Coffee event. A varied contingent of around 60 cars rocked up on the day, and soon spilled out of the H&F car park into the surrounding streets. Here are some of our faves.
Mount Gambier’s Matt Baudinette cruised to Adelaide in his parents’ 1961 Dodge Phoenix to be an MTA Apprentice Ambassador at our YSMOTY Cars & Coffee event. At home, Matt has an ’85 Toyota Corona powered by a 3S-GE BEAMS donk, and an XF ute daily driver that often tests his skills as a fourth-year automotive apprentice.
Shane Beames’ stout 545-powered XB John Goss hardtop is one tough-sounding ride. Over his 16 years of ownership, Shane’s slid in the big-block Ford, four-speed manual and built nine-inch, as well as Wilwood discs all ’round. His latest addition is the white interior, harking back to the car’s factory John Goss roots. “The XB was molested early on, so I might add a Goss wrap later,” Shane said.
YSMOTY entrant Justin Causer rocked up in his slammed ’68 Beetle. Over the past two years, the daily-driven Bug has gradually copped some mods, including the sprightly 1776cc engine. The original paint has polished up a treat thanks to Justin’s mate Oliver, who brought his own Beetle along to the event. Justin’s already got a drag-spec Beetle build underway, too.
South African expat Dennis Gradidge’s freshly finished 1948 Willys wagon was a 3½-year build that incorporates a heap of wrecking yard gems. “There’s modern additions, as I used what I could find and would work,” Dennis explained. Powering the Willys is a supercharged Buick V6, backed by a 4L60E trans and Falcon rear.
Long-term SA hot rodder Mark Swinbourne left his ’28 Ford roadster at home and rolled into our YSMOTY Cars & Coffee in his très cool 1967 VC Valiant Safari wags. Lowered stance and a 225ci slanty for power make for a sweet cruiser and an even better daily. “Nearly every day, I get someone pulling up next to me to tell me she’s a beauty or something similar,” Mark grinned.
Lampin Stalman’s ’51 Buick cut an impressive figure as it rolled in. “It’s running a Straight 8 and is a factory-delivered right-hook car,” Lampin said. “I plan to add a/c, heating and power steer, as the Buick is my daily. People are always waving at me – I tell you, the world is a kinder place when you drive a classic!”
James Kelly’s V6 Ecotec-powered TUFF HZ ute is a true-blue home build. The former paddock-basher was gifted to an 11-year-old James by his grandpa. “Every night I worked on it. I’m pretty much self-taught, so I broke things and wasted money, but I learnt a lot,” James said. A 1987 Pontiac Firebird is lined up for his next project, along with a heavy diesel mechanic apprenticeship in 2027.
This proven low-10-second 1968 Camaro has a twin-turbo LS packed neatly up front, backed by a six-speed auto and built nine-inch. The full-chassis car offers adjustable suspension, and new owner Tim Pietersen is keen to get it riding smoother for regular weekender duties. “It’s so solid – it drives like a brick,” he laughed. “So, I’m changing rims and tyres, among other things, to soften the ride.”
Harleigh Rochester was gifted this now-rare ’75 Honda Civic Mk1 sedan as a 21st pressie from her dad, who has a turbocharged two-door version. Harleigh’s example required external love but otherwise remains factory-spec. “I’d love to put a rotary in it when this engine blows up,” she said. “But for now, I’m going to add bigger tyres, lower the car and tint the windows.”
It was great to see Jason Hannam rock up in his super-sano LX Torana SL/R 5000 tribute (SM, Apr ’24). It may’ve been parked to off to the side at our YSMOTY Cars & Coffee day, but people still gravitated towards this exemplary build.
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