Car Picnic at Hanging Rock, Victoria, Australia, 2012

[JDK]

Every year, on the Valentine's Day weekend, the Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club hosts the 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' car show. It's a great event with thousands of interesting cars in a unique venue and really is a giant picnic. Here's this year's selection, starting (above) with a Yank Tank in front of the Rock.



While there's a fair amount of repetition of popular classics, there's enough rare and odd stuff if you keep looking. There's a French bias in this list, just because the French built so much neat machinery. After all what car show would be complete without a DS Goddess?



The Nash above is the first of many contenders of why the American machines are bigger than the British; although a Mini on the wing's hardly fair!



Good to see an old friend from London.



That famous signature logo pops up all over.



Australian icon, the early Holden.



And of course a good representation from Germany. Beetles (or Bugs) are still popular worldwide, but Australia has a good representation of the other 60s types on the road as well.



However you don't see many of these here, however common they are in Europe.



I'm not sure, but I think that may be Thunderbird 59.



Neat logo, and an English reminder. Not so exotic in the local lingo, sadly.



Winner of Best Commercial and oldest driver (at 88, for the owner) this magnificent Thornycroft, with solid tyres.



And if your parents are dedicated, no need for the young ones to miss out. However the green machines 'off-driveway' capability seemed as limited as you'd expect. Think the motor got a bit grumpy.



Just in from the Sudan, or possibly a Victorian barn...



The locals were very patient with all the visitors. This guy seemed a lot more sensible than his many admirers (they are wild animals and they can kick hard, folks). The Moggies seemed almost as rare this year.



One of the overall views. It's a great venue.



And to finish for the moment, Austin corner. Didn't Noddy drive one of these?

More pictures to come.

James

[tornado64]

I'm not sure, but I think that may be Thunderbird 59.

although a 1965 buick riviera gran sport would be more probable !! nice shots all the same !!

http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/OL...iviera-06.html

[JDK]

Thanks! I should add there's no points coming from me for identifications, but people can fire away if they wish...

[J Boyle]

The first car is a 1959 Cadillac. It's often seen as the high water mark for over-the-top late 1950s styling. So much so, it's become a cliché to those who think they know about American cars.

The red car alongside the Citroën in the next photo is a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro with incorrect aftermarket mirrors and wheels.

The Nash in the third photo is from the late 20s to early 30s. Judging by its size it was one of their larger models (they also made smaller cars). Nash was a near-luxury brand (closer to Buicks in size and price than the more common Fords. In other words, don't assume all American cars of the period were this size).
Some were powered by "twin ignition" engines with two spark plugs for each cylinder (sound familiar?) which was avalable in both six and eight cyl. versions.
In the post war years, Nash became an early proponent for smaller American cars.
In fact, they were behind the importation of the UK Austin-built and powered Metropolitans sold in the US between 1954-62.

The fourth car from the bottom appears to be a Citroën Traction Avant.
Finally, in the penultimate photo, the turquoise convertible in the center is a 1971-73 Mercury Cougar, a Mustang variant.

[JDK]

Thanks John. There's quite a group around here who love their old American metal, and good for them. What I like about the meet is the diversity, with strong showings from the UK and US industries, but also local, Japanese 'classics' and obviously the European selections I've highlighted. Something for everyone...

[JDK]

The ~uh~ Thunderbird I was referring to, for those desperate to correct me from claiming it as a Ford product was as in Thunderbirds are go, strings attached...

[J Boyle]

James
I agree, the Aussies love cars. Along with the US and Canada, Australia was the only nation to make popularly priced V-8 performance or "Muscle Cars".

One of my vintage cars is a Studebaker, and the club has a very good number of enthusiastic owners down under. If fact, they're still buying and exporting cars.

[Lincoln 7]

JDK.
James, You have certainly made my day today, The mini was my first (1960) car I ever owned, also nice to see the A30, mini Moke, 2CV, and many more, my friend in the states has a Cit Pallas, never goes wrong, but where they live is , even in Jan in the 70s, so I suppose Aus also with its weather keeps them in good nick.
You keep posting, we will keep drooling.
I just spotted , but may be wrong, there wqasn't a Jap car in sight, Any Holdens there?.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

[tornado64]

JDK.
, but where they live is , even in Jan in the 70s, so I suppose Aus also with its weather keeps them in good nick.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

not always the case linc , the sun can be just as damaging as our moist climate but in other ways !!

[Lincoln 7]

T64. Yes, I know what you mean, her car has faded very badly as it is left in the sun. Her husband has a Morgan, and his is kept in their garage. I think he loves his car more than his wife

Jim.

Lincoln .7

[robmack]

Sorry,but just an ignorant Pom, so why is it called Hanging Rock?

[Dr Strangelove]

Shock horror, no XB GT351's ?

[tornado64]

Sorry,but just an ignorant Pom, so why is it called Hanging Rock?

ausies are simple folks with simple pleasures !! my guess is there's a rock involved and they hung people !!

[tornado64]

ausies are simple folks with simple pleasures !! my guess is there's a rock involved and they hung people !!

i looked it up it was an area of volcanic activity and there is a large volcanic plug rock there

[AutoStick]

What !! No Leyland P76....or have they all eventually rotted away ??

[Bomberboy]

What !! No Leyland P76....or have they all eventually rotted away ??

Oohh dear,,,what an ugly car!!!