Icons of Style and Speed
In what was clearly just an excuse to oohhh and ahh over some beautiful bodies of work, in our latest Autumn Edition, we talk to three local car enthusiasts about their ‘pride-and-joy’ and explore the region’s thriving car scene.
02 May Photography @_Insculpt
"It's not that I'm scared to tell my partner how much I have spent on the car, I'm scared one day they'll sell it for the amount that I told them."
For some, it's the promise of adventure and the open road; for some speed, the growl of an engine and the smell of hydrocarbons; others simply an appreciation for the classics, the beauty of a vintage era, as much, if not more 'art' than vehicle.
Cars that were made in a time when teams of designers and craftsmen would obsess over the tiniest of design choices; the curvature of a door handle, the tilt of a side skirt, a fender's muscular arch. Choices, more-often-than-not made at the sacrifice of some greater function or general driving comfort - not that that mattered -
these were cultural icons.
Decades later, these same cars have been painstakingly restored, brought back to life by new owners through 1000's of hours of work and 'we-don't-talk-about-it' kinds of figures; re-born out of a love greater than the sum of their parts, and imbued with the character of the owners themselves.
. . . Ask a car enthusiast about their love for cars and the answers are as diverse and eclectic as the cars they own and the community they are a part of; answers that are filled with passion, enthusiasm and a deep reverence for the craftsmanship and history these machines embody.
Beyond the nostalgia, the local car community itself is one of camaraderie, shared experiences, and the mutual respect that comes from understanding the labour of love involved in restoring, maintaining, and customising these automotive treasures. It is a community that thrives on knowledge exchange, support, and the collective celebration of each member's achievements, whether it's a successful restoration project or a memorable road trip.
For Alec Poulsen (pictured), who recently completed one such trip, a 6500km journey to Tasmania and back with his wife in their MG RV8, it is a passion that sprung from a love for driving and a carry-over from a childhood on the farm and long fascination with machinary.
"I have early memories of sitting on the mudguard of one of Dad’s old cars that we lovingly called the “Howler”, watching the old guys change a stripped fibre gear on the camshaft", Alec explains.
. . . a seed was sown.
"As I got older, I had always dreamt of owning a V8 MG. A photo hung on the wall of my office for 20 years, but with less than 2,000 made and most ending up in Japan, they were incredibly scarce."
"When an opportunity finally presented itself to buy a (very) rusted out model that hadn't been driven for over 15 years, my wife and I made the exciting but painstakingly extensive 2-year commitment to bring her back to life".
"Naturally people assume because of that we'd keep her as a showpiece in the garage, but she's far from a hanger queen; she is an adventurer and has the stone chips on the beautiful powder-coated suspension to prove it."
For others, like Greg Riehl, whose current projects include a 1972 F100 and a 1963 Ford Falcon, there was almost an air of inevitability to their love for cars.
"I grew up surrounded by cars, being ushered to and from car shows - the influence of a brother and father who 'always had a couple of projects in the shed at any given time'," he explains. "They're passion projects for sure and something that for me bring a real sense of enjoyment."
Kyle McCabe (1967 Chevrolet Impala), the driving force behind the prominent local T.R.I.C.K and Reverence Car Meets in Toowoomba and owner of vintage car hire company 'Gala Impala', recalls his early memories of the car events of the 70s, 80s and 90s, and the social scene that finding a community of like-minded and passionate people.
"Growing up there was always an element of 'making your own fun', so we started organising car events to create opportunities for our friends and other car enthusiasts to socialise together".
"I've now been involved in car scene for over 30 years and I can honestly say, Toowoomba has one of the best car cultures in Australia", Kyle continues.
"There are so many events for people to get involved in, like the regular Brook Street Reverence Car Meets".
"They are some really big rollouts with crowds coming to appreciate (and showoff) their cars", he says, "these casual car meets are such fun, casual, come-and-go as-you-please events".
No matter if it's vintage roadsters, classic trucks or muscle cars; if you like cars, this is the place to be!
To find out more about the local car community and events in Toowoomba follow. @T.R.I.C.K Car Events, @Reverence Car Meet or @Toowoomba Car Club on socials.
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