Change is a good thing. If the landscape of car culture was to stagnate, car shows would be very boring. Change brings different ideas of design, style and beauty into the spotlight, inspiring other builds and pushing the car scene forward.
I recently noticed a change in attitude in an unlikely place, the 2015 Sydney Volkswagen Nationals.
Hosted by Club VW at Fairfield Showground, the VW Nats is a yearly event which draws VW enthusiasts from all parts of Australia. In the past, the show has been dominated by perfectly restored, show winning builds that are identical to how the car would have left the factory. These cars are awesome; the attention to detail and the amount of effort invested demands respect. However seeing the same cars, in the same condition, at the same place, was beginning to get stale.
This year, trophies and ribbons have been replaced with ‘For Sale’ posters, as the crowds have flocked to the other side of the fence. The grass may be greener here, but it will go unnoticed as patina, rust and mold get all the attention. Original ride height, exhaust pipes and cross-ply tires have been cast aside in favour of pan scraping dropped bodies, ear splitting loud pipes, and meaty rubber.
There will always be a place in the community for originally restored machines, but seeing support for all types of car culture, and recognition of such a rich history of modification,makes the scene a better place, and makes me very happy.
Big thanks to ‘Club Vee-Dub Sydney’ for organizing the event.
