LOCAL EVENT All Day LAST MONTH WE VISITED THE 30TH ANNUAL ALL FORD DAY AT FORD’S SPIRITUAL HOME, GEELONG, VICTORIA, WHERE ONCE AGAIN FORD ENTHUSIASTS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR PRIDE AND JOY. Ford enthusiasts showed their passion friendly atmosphere – it was not This year we decided to feature a and commitment on a bright sunny uncommon to see families from selection of the cars that caught our mid-autumn day. The All Ford Day multiple generations engaging with eyes and we spoke with their owners, attracted over 1,000 exhibitors who the fans. who were only too happy to tell us all put on a great show for a legion of With a broad cross section of cars about their pride and joy. dyed-in-the wool Ford fans. on display, from the very beginnings Editor: Once again, we greatly Once again, the excitement was of the Ford Motor Company, iconic appreciate the exclusive invitation palpable as Ford fans from all walks of Australian utes and panel vans, from Ford Australia to take a walk life came together to celebrate their through to the great Aussie V8 and down memory lane and share the love of this iconic marque. There was classic American muscle cars, there great history of Ford Motor so much to see, and in a family was something for everyone. Company. 2002 SVT Mustang Cobra This awesome convertible belonging to Robert Stent is one of only 100 built worldwide. It was converted to right hand drive by Tickford Vehicle Engineering, has a double overhead camshaft 32 valve all alloy 4.6 litre V8 generating 240 kW and 430 Nm of torque. With independent rear suspension and matched to a Tremec T45 5-speed gearbox, it boasts 0–100 kph in 5.2 seconds. It is also one of only 13 produced in the really cool True Blue exterior finish with Medium Graphite interior. 20 –LOCAL EVENT 1971 XY Panel Van Michael Ford and his wife, Leanne, were proud to show off their fully restored panel van, “done up” as a GT. It began life as a white commercial van, was stripped back to be rust-free and was rebuilt from the ground. Michael matched the shell to the GT HO running gear, which he had in the shed for 30 years, and after a three-year labour of love, completed it in early 2020. 1953 fully restored F100 This multi-award-winning immaculate example of an F100 from the mid-fifties is Trevor Smith’s pride and joy. It was purchased in its original condition in 1977 and meticulously restored over three decades. It has now been on the road for eight years. To suit Trevor’s personal preferences, he installed a later model 302 Windsor motor and the customised finish, a lighter variation on British Racing Green, really makes it stand out. 1939 Roadster This two-toned 1939 roadster, which has been fully restored and customised with a 5.7 litre LS1 V8 engine, a GM 4L60-E transmission and 9” LSD, is proudly owned by Fred and Gabbie Murphy. It also has Boyd Coddington wheels, air ride AccuAir suspension and a Dakota digital dash. Never fully satisfied, Fred continues to work on the finer points, which is a true reflection of his attention to detail. The National Collision Repairer – 21 LOCAL EVENT 2020 Shelby F150 Super Snake Sport This truly impressive F150 is the first of its kind in Australia. It has a 770 hp supercharger system that includes a performance air intake, heat exchanger and billet throttle body. With a full Shelby by Borla exhaust system, Shelby suspension system, Shelby by Baer brake system and 22” Carroll Shelby aluminium wheels, this beast of a vehicle not only strikes an imposing pose, but really does “walk the talk”. 1920 Model T Sometimes something just catches your eye. I just could not go past this original Model T, which was fitted with a single seat roadster body and was purchased brand new by John Clee of Bellarine for a daily runabout. It has spent it entire “life” in the Portarlington area. It was rescued from a shed in the mid-seventies and is now owned by the Pigdon family. 1968 Ford Torino GT Convertible One of 44 original cars produced to be pace cars at the 1968 Indianapolis 500, this particular car was used as a field car and was also used to chauffer Sylvia Hitchcock, Miss Universe 1967, on her parade lap. The Wimbledon White finish was complemented by the blue vinyl bucket seats, although it was the Firestone white-wall tyres that really completed the package. What a car! 22 –LOCAL EVENT.