Austins on Show 2017, Brisbane
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Austins from everywhere across Australia on show in Ipswich, Qld
Every second year at venues across our vast nation, row upon row of Austin motor vehicles are displayed in all their British glory. This year’s event centred on Ipswich, 30km west of Brisbane, where the Easter Saturday display brought together a total of 152 cars.
More than 30 of the Austins on show were Sevens which had joined the main event after spending a week cruising the Darling Downs to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of Austin’s economy model.
Every car the crowded into the Ipswich Turf Club’s grassy carpark was buffed to look its best, but not in pursuit of maximum points from finicky show-car judges. Apart from the ‘People’s Choice’ trophy which is awarded based on a public vote there is no judging or competitive distractions.
"These events have been running for about 25 years and over that time people have made strong friendships," long-term participant Nairn Hindhaugh explained. "Most of us live long distances apart and the rally gives people an opportunity every couple of years not to compete but just enjoy each other’s cars and company."
Oldest of the vehicles on show was a 15HP Roadster built in 1908, most recent a 1974 Maxi 1750 nicknamed ‘Mrs Fawlty’. Australian-made Austins made a solid contribution to the display with cars on show including Lancer Mark 1 and Mark 2 models, six-cylinder Freeway sedans and a scarce wagon, an Austin 1800 utility plus an array of A40 Devon Tourers and utilities with locally-supplied bodywork.
Attracting plenty of interest too was a locally-made Austin Kimberley and alongside it a rare long-wheelbase Three-Litre. The elongated Austin was intended to compete against Rover and Jaguar but never officially sold in Australia.
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