The Classic American Car Hobby : 

In Australia

(Originally published in Collectormania magazine, February, 1996)

There was a time when American cars just about dominated Australian roads. Long before the Japanese invasion of local showrooms, skyrocketing petrol prices and severe traffic congestion, the big yanks provided just the kind of rides that Aussies wanted. Comfortable, rugged and reliable, the Chevrolets, Fords, Dodges and other US-sourced makes that were assembled in large numbers over here, enjoyed great popularity. Not that they had it all their own way, of course. Indeed, the competition was fierce. The English took care of the small fry with such offerings as Morris and Austin while the Europeans also managed to grab a piece of the action with the likes of Fiat and Renault. And, in between all of these, there were dozens of other intriguing name plates, many of which have since disappeared.

Fall and rise

By the 1950s “Australia’s Own Car”, the Holden, had started its rise to prominence and as the ‘70s got underway the golden days of American cars down under had come to an end. But the jumbos of the blacktop would never completely fade away nor would they be forgotten by their legion of admirers. Somewhat ironically, as Detroit’s dazzling dinosaurs became increasingly scarce in Australia’s new car dealerships, their predecessors suddenly found themselves back in favor on the emerging “retro” scene. A curious social phenomena of the 1970s was the craze for ‘50s and early ‘60s nostalgia that swept through the US, Britain and Australia, particularly in the period immediately following the release of the cinematic blockbuster American Graffiti. Set in California circa 1962, this outstanding youth-themed nostalgia film was primarily a celebration of the cars and music of the era. After blitzing the box office, the movie’s soundtrack album quickly sold a million. Self combusting off each other, both the film and the record triggered a flood of imitators.

Memories of American Graffiti (1973) Richard Dreyfuss (check shirt) Charles Martin Smith and
 Ron Howard (top left) Original soundtrack recording (top right)
Mel's drive-in restaurant as featured in the movie (IMDB images) 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=american+graffitti

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Graffiti

As it happened, American car collectors played a key role in stimulating this marketing boom which is still going strong. It was pure co-incidence. But, just as the whole thing was gathering steam, a few dedicated fanciers of Detroit steel presented the first ever-so-humble swap meets in Melbourne. Intended to be nothing more than casual get-togethers at which vintage car parts could be traded, these decidedly low-key affairs were often staged in suburban parks. The idea caught on, however, and what began as an insignificant hobbyist activity grew into a multi-million dollar industry. Today, no collectables event anywhere in Australia can rival Victoria’s massive Bendigo swap meet in terms of crowd numbers and cash turn-over.

What's hot

Although the majority of classic American cars have a following, the most sought after are those that were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, certainly among the baby boomers. Ford Mustangs, Customlines, Galaxies, “Tank” Fairlanes, Chevrolets and the quirky “R” series Valiants are probably the leaders in the popularity stakes. Further up the ladder, Cadillacs and Buicks have a loyal fan base as well but their comparative rarity and luxury status tends to exclude many would-be owners.

Ford Mustang (top left) Customline (top centre) Galaxie (top right)
Tank Fairlane (lower left) Chevrolet (lower centre) R series Valiant (lower right)
(All images from Flickr)

Cadillac (left) Buick (right) (Flickr)

The leaning towards so-called “space age rides” can be easily explained. To begin with, many cars from the ‘50s and ‘60s have survived in drivable condition. Secondly, some of the more compact makes such as Mustangs and Valiants have remained sufficiently practical to be used as daily transport. Finally, this was the period that saw the arrival of television in Australian homes - a huge innovation which had a profound impact on popular culture. Right from the kick-off, the nation’s TV screens were filled with American shows and American cars. To impressionable young (and not so young) minds, the sight of glamorous Hollywood stars jumping into equally glamorous chrome-encrusted limos had a powerful influence.

The general public’s adulation of heavy cruisers lasted for quite a while. However, as with all fashion trends, it eventually ran its course and concluded by taking a swift and decisive nosedive in ‘70s due to several factors. Continuing unrest in the Middle East led to rumors that the international supply of oil and petrol was going to be seriously disrupted and big cars were dumped onto the market at a furious rate of knots. Of course, the much-talked about “fuel crisis” never eventuated. But, sadly, a lot of rare imports from across the pond were sent to wrecking yards in Australia while the panic lasted. Also, before all things retro came into vogue, the outlandish automotive styling of the “finny ‘50s” was considered ugly and undesirable. Again, this was seen as being reason enough to banish the chrome Goliaths of yesteryear to the scrap heap.

Cost of cruising

In keeping with virtually everything else in life, the cost of dabbling in this hobby has increased substantially in recent times. To get involved in anything more ambitious than minor restoration work, you’ll need plenty of spare cash. For those who don’t want to go down that track, however, reasonably complete and drivable cars of the ‘50s, ’60s and ‘70s can still be bought at realistic prices.

Over the years, local American car buffs have had to contend with the expense of right hand drive steering conversions. With the US being a left hand drive country, car manufacturers on that continent produce their vehicles with the steering wheel on the left side of the dashboard. This situation has traditionally meant that fully imported American cars have had to be “converted” to right hand drive upon their arrival in Australia in order to qualify for registration.

1963 Buick Electra 225 : Original left hand drive American dashboard (top)
Custom converted to right hand drive for Australia (lower)

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=78453720%40N06&sort=date-taken-desc&text=1963%20buick%20electra%20225&view_all=1

However, there were a few alternatives available. Up until the 1970s, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors and a couple of the independent US makers put-together right hand drive American - designed cars at their plants in North America and Australia. But the majority of these were basic models and the more exotic creations that appeared on local roads came over as special imports.

A 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan built right hand drive for export
 at GM's plant in Tarrytown, New York. This superb example was sold new by Preston Motors
in Melbourne, Australia and is now owned by local collector Carl L. Kelsen
(Chevy Classic Club photos)

In some parts of Australia provisional registration schemes are now available which allow for the use of vintage left hand drive cars. However, later models still have to undergo surgery . Although there are federal laws that cover conversion standards (known as Australian Design Rule Regulations), other requirements concerning the acquisition, disposal and registration of secondhand cars vary from state to state.

Buying the dream

If you are ready to take the plunge and buy your personal American dream car, the question then arises as to where you are going to find it. You have several choices.

First up, you can look for something which is already right hand drive and registered. This is, by far, the easiest and usually the cheapest method of purchase. Alternatively, you can source a “left-hooker” from an importer and make your own arrangements to have the necessary work carried out. Another idea is to place an order with one of these companies and they will then find a car for you in the US and have it shipped back to Australia. Be aware, however, that transport costs can be quite hefty. The final option, otherwise known as the “last resort”, is to import a car yourself. But this is dangerous ground on which to tread for the inexperienced. Indeed, unless you have a comprehensive knowledge of international container shipping and Australian Customs procedures, you would be well advised to give this kind of venture a very wide berth. Incomplete or unlawful paper-work can result in vehicles being confiscated and heavy fines being imposed.

If you don’t want to pull on a basket case and spend twenty or thirty grand on a complete restoration, always select a vehicle which is registered and has a current roadworthy certificate. In the State of Victoria, a registered secondhand car must be either sold with a roadworthy (to be arranged by the vendor through a licensed tester) or be deregistered and have its number plates returned to the relevant authorities. In most states there is a major, independent automotive consumer body such as the RACV in Victoria and the NRMA in New South Wales which will carry out a comprehensive inspection of a secondhand car for a modest fee. If you are not mechanically inclined please think seriously about using this service. It is also vitally important to ensure that the vehicle in question is not “under finance” as it could be legally repossessed even if it has been sold to a new owner. In Victoria, you can call the Vehicles Security Register to check that the car has a clear title.

Should you decide on a left hand drive import and choose to find a converter yourself, the golden rule is: Do some research. Converting American cars, particularly full sized luxury examples, is not like changing a set of spark plugs. It involves a complex, exacting and expensive procedure. Prices start at around $3,000 (1996) and can go up to several times that amount, depending on the job. A bad conversion can turn your dream purchase into a nightmare on wheels.

Join the Club

If you are a newcomer to the hobby you might like join a club which caters for your preferred vehicle. These groups conduct regular meetings and publish newsletters through which both cars and parts can often be located.

Original sales brochures that were supplied to dealer showrooms along with shop manuals can be absolutely invaluable if you want to undertake a restoration project. Of course, most of the American brochures were printed in full colour and they give you an idea of how engines, bodies and interiors looked when the cars rolled off the assembly lines. Some of these items are becoming a bit pricey due to their rarity but they can still be found without too much trouble at swap meets as well as on the internet.

Unless you’ve got unlimited money and plan to keep your current ride forever, another golden rule is: Don’t overcapitalize your investment. Unfortunately, if and when you decide to move on, nobody will care how much money you have poured into your prized possession. You may have spent $20,000 on a car which is only going to be readily saleable for half that amount.

In the end, buying a classic American car is no different to buying anything else in life - you get what you pay for. The bottom line is simple. If you stick to your budget and proceed with caution you’ll have loads of fun with these mighty old cruisers.

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Header photo: 1959 Buick Electra 225 - Simon Fraser

Please Note : The information contained in this piece was accurate at the time of writing (1996). However, some key aspects of the classic American car hobby have now changed. As such, this work should not be relied upon as being a complete source of up to date information in regard to the buying, selling and daily use of such vehicles in Australia