What car was that again? Celebrating the coast’s classic cars

IN OUR recent feature “Case of boys and their toys at Summer Beach Hop” (NOTA 18 March) we celebrated a collection of stunning classic cars and the passionate owners behind them.

However, eagle-eyed readers and a few car enthusiasts picked up that several of the vehicles were mislabelled.

The mix-up sparked some interesting discussions and gave us an opportunity to properly acknowledge the owners who shared their time and pride and joy with us.

Craig Dandeaux: 1967 Jaguar E-Type

Craig’s 1967 Jaguar E-Type is the epitome of British automotive elegance.

Famously described by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car ever made”, the E-Type was more than just a pretty face; it was a high-performance machine with a top speed of 246 km/h.

A quirky but functional hallmark of early E-Types, like Craig’s, is the three-windscreen-wiper setup, required because the glass was so wide and low that two standard blades couldn’t provide enough coverage.

This model has graced the screen in everything from Austin Powers to Mad Men, and was the choice of legends like Steve McQueen and George Harrison.

Neville Curtis: 1978 Chevrolet Camaro

Neville’s 1978 Chevrolet Camaro is a true icon of the American “disco-era” muscle car.

This specific year was a milestone, as the Camaro famously outsold the Ford Mustang for the first time.

Neville’s car captures the spirit of the late 1970s perfectly, featuring the new body-coloured urethane front end that replaced the old chrome bumpers.

These cars are Hollywood royalty, famously driven by Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop II and featured as a central “character” in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Kevin Mulroney: 1958 Ford Customline Star Model

Kevin’s 1958 Ford Customline Star Model is a rare and rugged piece of Australian motoring heritage.

Known as the “Star Model” due to its unique four-pointed star grille – a design borrowed from the Canadian Meteor – this car was built specifically for harsh local conditions at Ford’s Geelong plant.

These Fords were the backbone of the outback, famously used by country music legend Slim Dusty while he was on tour.

They also launched the racing career of Australian titan Norm Beechey, who won his first major race in a Customline at Albert Park.

By Kate PYE