The 2020 Kandos Street Machine and Hot Rod Show (January 25-26) will hit Simpkins Park in a fortnight, but for local regular Tony Purcell his eighth event will be just like starting over.
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His V8-powered Datsun 120Y - known as 'Stupid orcrzy' in reference to the number plates, front and back respectively - has its own fan base. But with the veteran of seven Kandos events on extended leave, Tony needed a new ride - but 'new' isn't the idea.
Dubbed 'Rancid', this 1975 Chrysler Galant GC armed with a 3.8L V6 engine out of a VP Holden Commodore is nearing completion. What's more, the "patina" look will remain, in order to reflect the car's paddock-to-[skid]pad roots.
"It took 40-odd years for it to look that cool, plus it's unique, there won't be another one like it," Tony said.
"It's built from bits that I've collected - the car, engine, gearbox and diff were freebies - and I've just pieced it all together."
Given the popularity of its stablemate, he said, "quite a few people have been following this build too". However, he added that there are a number of unknowns heading into its burnout debut.
"It's going to be different, I'll be dropping down a class to six-cylinder for a start," he said.
"It should go alright, but I don't know what it's going to do - it's going out completely untested."
Aside from the opportunity to take to the Simpkins Park pad, Tony said there's something about the feel of the Kandos event which will lure him back for an eighth time.
"We go as a family and camp there over the weekend - it's become a bit of a tradition - and it has an atmosphere unlike any other," he said.
"I've been to similar events, bigger ones, but they don't have that same vibe. Kandos still has that country town feel to it and it's more welcoming.
"We've got friends that we only see every year when we go to Kandos, we don't really know them from anywhere else, but it's a catch-up every time.
"Car-people tend to always get along, it's the camaraderie. Sure you've got the die-hard Holden or die-hard Ford people, but at the end of the day if you're a true enthusiast and you see someone broken-down you'll still go and see if they need a hand."
Saturday at the Kandos Street Machine and Hot Rod Show includes; Show n Shine; Go-to-whoa; burnout eliminations; and at night, a mechanical bucking bull and DJ. Sunday will be grass events; Top ten burnouts (30 cars total, 10 from each class); most donuts in 30 seconds; and the presentation.
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