January 2005

Valla 2008

This was going to be our last Valla for a while. No other reason except we want to explore some other runs and we just don't have the time to fit them in. With that said, it's onto the run. We left on Saturday morning with the same plan as last year. All went well until about 5 Kms from home, we had a gusher coming out the front of the 37. With wipers on, we pulled into a parking spot to investigate. At first it was not obvious. I then spotted the heater hose had blown off the water pump. Why did that happen just now. Well I had turned the heater off before we left home. With the added pressure in the hose and the cheap clamp ( that I now remember I was going to replace ) it was bound to happen. I Tightened the clamp back up the best I could and turned the heater back on to reduce the pressure. I had a bottle of water in the back and topped it back up. We were back on our way within 10 minutes. The heat was not to bad to bare as it was only circulating without air passing through it.

Next issue was about 150Kms from Valla we heard a clanging under the car as though we ran over something. Both Marg and me didn't see anything and I felt no problems with the car, so we kept going. By the time we arrived at Valla, and the rough entry road, we now had a clunk coming out the right side whenever we hit a bump. With the help of a mate, we eventually found the problem. A calliper bolt had fallen out! Long story short, we found an engineering supply shop about 25kms away who sold us a bolt. I found a spacer at a local rod shop. Back to the park and I fitted them. All is fine. No other dramas either way.

The weather was perfect for the whole week. A good wind down for both Marg and me. We have had a lot of stress with family issues lately and this allowed us to kick back and forget for a while. Meeting up with friends and meeting new ones was great. I took a few pics and a bit of video. As usual, I will comments where I feel it needs one.

This belongs to a mate, Des. He seems to come up with a new one every few months. A beaut 37 Chev convertible. Apparently it was built a few years ago by a rodder who lives in central NSW. There are many custom machined parts all over the rod. It also has a Carson style top. (takes about 4 people, but it can come off ;-))

I went for a fairly long cruise with Des in the Chev ( to get that bolt I lost ) and it is a very nice rod. Goes and handles very well. I tried to convince Des to keep this one for while as I think it's one of the better ones he has acquired, but knowing Des, it may be sold if the right offer comes around.

I took this pic with both 37s side by side...Ford v Chev. I may not get another chance if Des sells the Chev.;-)

My pick of the Pickups ( pun intended;-)

This passed us on the way up. I confess, I didn't know what it was, so when I saw it parked in the park, I made a bee line to it. The owner was obliging enough educate me. It is a 34 Wolsley. I very nice shape and one I have never seen rodded in Australia. The luxo pommy rod is powered by a nicely detailed Cleveland ( now I know how he passed me on the way up ;-)). There was so much room in the engine bay, the owner in fact moved the firewall forward. There is that much room in the Wolsley, you could have a party in there. This got my vote as one of the top ten....Why...Dare to be diffent!!

This 35 cabriolet was here last year. It had gearbox problems then, but it looks like he has it all sorted this year. V6 Commodore powered. Real nice.

I was more interested in the caravan than the tourer ( which is also nice ), but you don't see to many caravans like this.

This 32 roadster was new rod on the scene. Owned by a young girl from Melbourne called Sandy. She had a dream and she worked hard to create it. It is her rod and she will let you know it:-) He husband, Daniel is in the performance engine business. He built the blown 289, which sounded fantastic. With only a 100Kms on the clock, they packed up and drove it all the way from Melbourne to Valla. That is around 1,600 Kms. It cost them $670 in fuel to get to Valla. Take in the cost of fuel for cruising and the return trip home, it was not cheap. They get my respect for their faith and determination. The pic is blurry cause it never seemed to sit still long enough;-)) I rode shotgun in it as well to take a video of the park. Oh yeah, it got into the top ten..no wonder!!!!.

The next pic is very well presented 32 coupe. More on that later.

Blown big block powered coupe. Top ten as well I think.

Now, here is that 32 5 window coupe again...well er, no it aint!!! Fooled me at first. The one I saw before is the next pic!!!The owner conveniently parked it with the bonnet off in front of my cabin for a closer look. I was sipping on my beer and admiring the injection set up. It then struck me it is Injection Deception!!!:-). Nestled under the stacks is a carby. The injector stacks are just an elaborate air cleaner. Nicely done!!

33 Plymouth set up as a kinda hiboy. Different..yeah. The Mopar guys will have a fit seeing the Cleveland in there..

This 32 had a bit of thought in it. I liked it.

The theme this year was Mash. The stretcher races were fun to watch. The kids threw flour bombs as the competitors had a relay race.

Rat rod anyone? Even though it looks rough, It was fairly well built with some interesting engineering.

Jag diff and check out the knee acting front shocks.

Looking down the row of cabins. Ours is the fourth one along.

Our neighbour owned this nice 33/34 coupe.

Hmm...a convertible Rat Rod..;-)

Some cruising going on past our cabin.

The paint on this flat back was eye catching. In the sun it was like a beakon.

The band, Flattrakkers belting out some great Rockabilly at the rave night. They are my favourite Aussie rockabilly band right now.

The ASRF raffle car being loaded back onto the tilt tray. I wouldn't mind seeing that parked in my garage. It was built by Rod Bods and the owner is known as Elvis. One look at him and you will see why. He sure knows how to build hot rods.

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