Chrysler leads charge of loved classics

Retired Geraldton boatbuilder Terry Bromley is pleased as punch with his rare 1972 Chrysler R/T E39 Big Tank Charger.

Mr Bromley, 73, is among several Batavia Coast Veteran and Classic Vehicle Club members who will showcase their prized cars at the Cervantes Roar by the Shore this weekend.

And while Mr Bromley’s Charger is but one of his hobby projects, it clearly holds a special place in his heart.

“There were only 21 of these made, and about 14 left,” he said.

“They were built for Bathurst and were the fastest mass-production accelerating car in the world for a while.

“She never raced at Bathurst though, because the horsepower war started in 1972.”

Mr Bromley’s other cars, which he won’t be bringing to the event, are also a source of great pride. They include a stunning red 1956 F100 Ford, and an immaculate 1971 XY Falcon GT.

Mr Bromley recalled buying the latter model new during the year it was released and driving it around Australia with a caravan in tow.

“I sold it and then many years ago bumped into another one,” he said.

“It was red but I knew that (yellow) was the original colour.

“So I took it home and stripped it, painted it, and just re-dressed the whole thing.” The F100 involved even more work.

“It had four different coats of yellow,” he said.

“I decided it needed a total revamp.

“So I took the whole thing apart, moved the steering wheel from one side to the other, and then dropped in the 350 Chevy, today’s suspension and today’s airbags. The wife actually uses that as a golf cart, believe it or not.”

Formerly called the Cervantes Show and Shine, Roar by the Shore — which coincides with the Cervantes Art Festival — will attract car enthusiasts from across WA.

As well as a car display, the event will boast a motocross demonstration, tractor race, market stalls, food trucks, live music and a bar.

It will be held at Cervantes Football Oval from 10am on Saturday.

Cervantes Art Festival starts on Friday with an opening night and viewing at the Cervantes Community Recreation Centre, at 6pm.

The exhibition will be open daily from this Saturday to Sunday, October 27, from 10am to 4pm.

Artworks on show will include oil and acrylics, watercolour, mixed media, sculpture, 3-D objects, textiles, fashion, quilts, photography, children’s art and craft, street art, and bush poetry.