STEVE McGinley loves his two Mercedes 280 CE coupes, but loves it more when others get a kick out of seeing the old girls rolling down the street.
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Mr McGinley is keen to take the girls out for this Saturday’s Gnoo Blas Classic Car Show at Jack Brabham Park, just to see the looks on people’s faces as they peruse the 30-year-old paint job and appreciate the vintage of his classic cars.
“They’ve got al the modern features like air-conditioning, cruise control and a sun roof,” he said.
The yellow 1984 Mercedes was dragged out from under the house of a deceased estate and the interior was green with mould.
Mr McGinley painstakingly cleaned the inside with a toothbrush and brought it back to its former glory, but he was lucky it did not need much else.
He said the key to collecting classics was to find someone who knew what they were talking about and had their ear to the ground, because, while they were rare, a good car that needed minimal work was out there for the right price.
“My best mate got me started, he was the head of the Mercedes Club. They’re different and they’re not that expensive,” he said.
The annual car show at Sir Jack Brabham Park, in the centre of the old formula one Gnoo Blas race track, is a chance for car enthusiasts to show off their vehicles to the public and enjoy a weekend away in Orange.
There are 10 award categories, including car of the show, and special awards for the best club display.
Food and soft drinks are available on site.
There is a courtesy bus running on the hour to take people into Orange to shop or look at the sights.
Gates open at 10am.
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au