ToranaFest 2017 - Gabes big weekend of cars

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 7:58 pm

this weekend was the bi-annual (ie once very 2 years) event of a certain model of aussie designed Holden (aussie brand of Chev) - Torana. Further this year is 50 years since the first model so the event was a bigger and better than any previous.

These cars were the icon of many aussies in the 70's and early 80's. They won a few major race car events in the 1970's. it is known that there are only 2 of these cars in the USA, based in L.A.
Friends of mine, husband and wife each have Torana. the hubby was away working (in the USA) and they asked me if I would drive 'Stinky' the green Torana for the events.

There was a 'cruise' on the Saturday afternoon over 200 cars doing a 40km drive with an end point of a 'drive in movie theatre' (that is still functioning)
Sunday was a huge 400 car show and shine event in the park. Torana's from all over Australia travelled to the event (some travelling over 1400 miles) with their vehicles to be at the event.

one of the highlights for me was for the sat night dinner I was at the table with the equivalent of 'aussie royalty' - All up it was BIG BIG weekend, early mornings, late nights, mostly LOTS OF FUN!! we had great weather

Sadly we have had very dry winter, with lots of frosts so grass is brown instead of green.. more photos to come as they are sent to me..

me driving Stinky on the Saturday (with Larry the Alien as my co-pilot)
Stinky is 1973 model vehicle, so none of the luxuries current day cars have! (ie power steering and good suspension)

cars parked up at the Drive In

Cars on display on Sunday

more photos to come..

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:17 pm

Gabes,

Well no wonder there are only two in the U. S. — somebody put the steering wheel on the wrong side.

Everyone knows the steering wheel should be on the left side. I would probably be side-swiping all the other cars on the road.

Other than that :noworries:

You're looking good, as usual.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:30 pm

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:32 pm

Tex
the steering wheel on the 'other' side is not an issue here
lots of Chev's, Mustangs, Pontiacs, Thunderbirds etc that are left hand drive - we manage to handle it! I remember 20 years ago you had to have a sign on the back 'left hand drive' now we don't.

the 1957 Chevy Bel Air that I drive for my brother is left hand drive.

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:35 pm

Wowwww!

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:14 pm

Gabes,

I was just joking. That's an old engineering joke. We used to rib the Aussies and the Brits back when we were in college.

To be honest, I didn't even realize that left hand steering wheel cars were even legal on highways in Australia. I assumed that even Chevys and Fords had to have right hand steering.

Tex

Rebecca2z · Post by **Rebecca2z** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:23 pm

So fun to see these, I love 'Stinky' the green Torana ! What an awesome color. You look so beautiful & happy !
Pretty big event compared to what we have here.
...and you were at the table with the equivalent of 'aussie royalty'- well that is right where you should be ! Where are those pics ????

Thank You for sharing, I just love to see everyone's photos and it makes me feel like a friend !

:party:

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 6:49 am

What wonderful pictures, Gabes! And I love "Stinky". What a fun weekend - thank-you for sharing!!!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 3:25 pm

not sure when left hand drive became legal, but I think that was one of the key milestones of American classic cars becoming popular in Aus.

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 4:03 pm

Wow, what an event - and what an honor to be such a big part of it! And look how thin you are - you should proudly update your profile pic!
sue

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 7:41 pm

Awesome pictures, Gabes! Glad you had such a great time!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:07 pm

I think I can put 'classic car driver' on my resume,
this weekend I have been asked to drive a 1970's Pontiac Firebird

will put some photos up next week!!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:17 pm

Gabes,

You look awesome next to stinky green. It's def your color! Looks like fun.

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:57 am

Wow and Wow again. What a nice pic of you and the cars.

skp · Post by **skp** » Mon Sep 25, 2017 2:14 pm

Gabes, What a fun story and fun photos. It's so great to know that many of us are doing things away from home, having a good time, exploring new adventures. That's the way it should be. I await more pics. Maybe one day you will be racing!

Thanks,
Susan