Nationals Highlights - the Show

Our big Pontiac show at the Nationals in Warwick had over 100 Pontiacs on display. Here's some highlights.

As you would have seen during our preparations, it was always going to be a challenge to park the cars in the restricted street environment, with some use of adjacent tenants driveways. With a lot of organisation, we did achieve the aim, and it looked pretty good.

These Bandit and 79-81 Trans Ams were displayed in the bus zone of the aquatic centre, which required them to arrive in the correct year order.

Rod Collins' 1929 Sports Roadster was one of the standout cars at the event, and one of three 1920's models on display.

Mark Douwe's 1952 Sedan Delivery was another standout car. Only arriving from the US five weeks ago, a lot of work was required before the 1600km journey from Melbourne. The car features a 400 cubic inch Pontiac V8 under the bonnet. Mark's the new federal Secretary/ Treasurer of the club, taking over from Marianne Cuttill. The Victorian Chapter is also taking over production of the Pontiac Torque magazine after the current issue, which you should receive next week. Big Nationals coverage in this one.

With a generous spacing between the cars, there was plenty of room for the judges, and for spectator movement. Crowds in the morning made photography difficult, but by the afternoon there were a lot more opportunities. Rod Liefman's 74 and Jeff Willis' 75 are the two at the front, with two rows of mid sixties full size cars behind them.

Tim Schofield's 1981 Trans Am came 1380km from Broken Hill in NSW. We did have a second car entered from Broken Hill, a 1978 Bonneville, but it didn't make it. It broke down at Wilcannia and had to be towed 200km back home. It's not a nice place to breakdown.

Other than the Bandit movie cars, we also had the attraction of a Knight Rider replica. Member Jason King has been building this KITT at his home since the beginning of 2003, starting with a 1986 donor car. He has done most of the work himself, including fitting a new interior, electronics and exterior paint and panel. Phase 1 is now complete, and the car will be further enhanced with the dash and other features in coming years. With appropriate plates KIT-82, you'll see the car on forthcoming runs.

From whatever angle, Albert Street in Warwick on Easter Saturday 2011 was Pontiac Central!

Chris Malone

President

7 May 2011