G'day folks.

Not bad weather that the nationals put on for us. I thought I would throw in my $2 worth for anyone who couldnt make it.

Got out of bed to warm the LS at 5.00 on a cold (2 degrees), wet windy and foggy morning in Millthorpe and didnt see clear road until Lithgow. A big roo had a good hard look at us coming down the hill onto Evans Plains out of Lithgow, but I didnt see him until I was past him (the best result for both of us).

Chugged into the site at about 8.30 with a white HQ GTS coupe in front of us and a purple one behind (the wife and I play 'spotter' on the travels and it is 100 points for a HQ coupe)... they dont come up very often, needless to say she won the round in the last 200 metres of the trip.

The grounds were very full compared to 2006, and I thought there was a mass of cars last year. The rows were a little more hap-hazard out the centre this year but it allowed friends and small informal groups to park up together. The lanes were still clearly defined and the clubs down the front and over on the east side were still set out well.

Parking up the centre is always a lucky dip. We ended up between the white GTS and an unrestored FJ ute owned by a bloke in Orange (he busted the rear stub on his axle coming in the gates on Saturday losing his wheel and brakes in the process. He was majorly glad it didnt happen down Bellbird!),
First impressions (beside the number of cars) was the number of shmicky newly restored orignal cars (lots of hours and $$'s) and the number of HQ/J/X/Z getting about on GTS rims these days... no wonder I cant find original caps!

Said our G'days and mosied onto the swapmeet which was bigger again than last year. Out of the four things I have been chasing, I found one of them; A pair of good HQ GTS wheel caps in good nick for $80. A HQ lighter remained elusive, there were no HQ long consoles to be seen anywhere (plenty of HX/Z types) and while there were plenty of passenger side premier style armrests, there wasnt a single drivers side.

There was a fella selling plazma/lazer-cut steel cutouts of various models and badges doing a roaring trade in the main trade pavilion. He was selling a well proportioned 3/4 view of a car measuring a 1 metre long and .70 high for about $50. It would be a good thing for the shed if there was space. I saw dozens of people with the things tucked under their arms. Good money if you had a computer controled cutter.

Another thing was the number of restored bumpers that were being picked up from the chrome plate mob. A fella behind us with a HJ got a set for his Kingy. The set that was on his car already were pretty sharp already, but there is nothing like the glint of fresh chrome in the morning.

Im not sure if everybody was appreciating the dust coming off the roads and ground by lunch time. Especially you guys with the Monaros down the front in the club positions. Pretty brave to have all the doors/ bonnet/ boot open with clean black interior when the blue-metal dust is floating in. But hey, its an Aussie car show, not a trailer-queen exhibition on astro turf!.

Nice turnout by the NSW Monaro club. The group of three yellow coupes caught my eye straight away taking me to the bright red/orange combo HT(?) up the back where everyone was getting a few pictures, I sussed out the white HJ LS properly this time, had a yarn to a couple lads with the club jackets on, especially enjoying the white HQ LS with damn good condition original interior (slightly green-eyed).

The rest of the day till the prize give-outs was spent on the wander and having a yarn here and there, enjoying the warm weather. No agro going down, most people respecting the gear on display and got a few smiles with a couple of young doosh doosh fellas describing a stock HJ Sandman van as "Wickedly Sick!" I even had a few admirers looking over my old ride. (*Thanks guys). I noticed that I didnt see many wagons or utes around this year.

We nosed out of there at about 4.00 and coming into Millthorpe, it was 4 degrees and showering (again).

Im off to pollish my wheel caps. . Once again, top day, nice people, outstanding mix of cars. Catchyas, Regards Dean.

(I will throw a couple of the coupe photos into the pic file someday soon)

Indeed it was a great turn out! 586 pre entered and 747 by 9:30am.

What makes it a good day is all the entrants each year this number is climbing.

Hope to see many of you along for the ride next year.

Damn, sorry I missed you, that's twice now . Andrew was a no shoer due to other commitments (happy birthday again TM) and I would've liked to have met you.

Next time I hope. Would you be attending Cooma Motorfest by chance this year mate?

Seems like the NSW All Holden Day has been renamed as HOLDEN NATIONALS

Certainly was a Great Day: Cars, People, Weather.. Even MM Turned up with The FLAME BEAST.. Hope it Didn't get too much Dust on it...

Great Story from "olqoop" Always good to read other peoples thoughts from the Day..

A little bit ,but all cleaned off now

MM so your that dam good sort I seen driving out in the flame, damb was trying to get over to you guys, MM u left early, busy with torana and never got there, sorry to have missed you guys, looked very busy over there, nd thought when it quitens down I come over and say hi

MM, thats one hot ride, very nice, love to see some pictures from event

Thanks
Scottie

Scottie,I think you may have been using some strong chemicals mate No that was her,the car i mean,and she is a beaut! By the way I just bought an Impulse blue Series 3 Monaro....i think i've been using some strong chemicals I did'nt leave that early....

mm u can say drugs, i ave been on them killing cold, impulse blue is that the darker blue? mm also ur car looked as good as u

hk

Scottie,Its a Commodore colour...mostly seen on Vy-Vz's,utes in particular...was a Hero colour they tried it out on the Munro first ..... Thanks for your comments too...makes a girl feel wanted

wanted you must fell loved you have a monaro, cant say I recall the colour know delft blue, and turismo, is it the real dark navy blue almost black, if so nice, that and the flame red too, I noticed yours on another site last night, very smart , never seen any cadbury purple ones that were rumoured to have been built during produstion, on yahoo monaro site there was a factory worker that would leak certain protoype colours out, interesting to see if they ever pop up

HK

no thats Vespers Blue the ,one your thinking of Impulse is a popular ute colour.

Mentioning Millthorpe there " OLQOOP " did you see us in town a few weeks back?

" OO "

If not seen, we were defiantly heard. Right SS

Millthorpe, yeah guys, saw you passing through.
Saw three primary coloured late model monroes heading out south of town in a lost sort of fashion. They all chose to turn into a smallish driveway off the main road leaving very little room for the tail-marker. Fortunately, the little old lady in the old datto coming the other way from Blayney was kind enough to slow down. The fella in the last car had that Uh-Oh look on his face for a second there.
Weather has improved a few degrees since then....

OH Yeah Those Old Holden V8s have a great Exhaust Sound..