Rockynats 2023: Classic car owners at Rockhampton event

We caught up with a number of classic car owners to take a look under the hood of their world owning some of the most beautiful vehicles in Australia at Rockynats 2023. SEE THE LIST

Classic car owners at Rockynats 03 talk about their pride and joy.

For 17 years, Angus Coggan’s pride and joy has been his 1964 EH Holden ute – a vehicle he has poured countless hours, and dollars, into painstakingly restoring.

The Balhannah Green pearler will be one of hundreds of classic cars on display at the 2023 Rockynats 03 event in Rockhampton over the Easter long weekend.

We caught up with a number of classic car owners to take a look under the hood of their world owning some of the most beautiful vehicles in Australia.

Angus Coggan with daughter Harper, 11, and Owen Webb at scrutineering on Wednesday, April 5. Photos: Kentos Komms

Angus coggan, 49, Rockhampton

Vehicle: 1964 EH Holden ute,

Specs: Balhannah Green with original interior with vinyl-welded patent in it in matching colour, dartford grey dash and the first 179 HP Block engine in it, red motor.

Price: Purchased for $4700 in 2005, now worth up to $50,000

Background: “I bought it off a lady in Childers 17 years ago and when I bought it off her, she was crying and said to me ‘do not cut any holes in this car’. It didn’t look like it does now, it had a bit of rust in it but it was fundamentally all original.

“There was a guy that owned it before her, as far as I know it’s only had three owners.

“I bought it for $4700 in 2005 and I don’t really know what it’s worth now, I would imagine it’s worth above $50,000 now but the prices are just going crazy so I don’t like to hazard a guess.

“I don’t care what it’s worth, it’s what I always wanted. I would have liked to have kept an eye on the time I poured into it, there’s hundreds of hours... at first I was just going to cut the rust out of it and fix it up and get it going but the more you start on it, if you are going to repaint it you have to have new chrome and have to polish the stainless and it all has to complement the new paint so in the end it was a full rebuild.

“My older daughter Milla, it’s hers when I am too old and decrepit to drive it. The kids all learned to drive in it. Milla was 12 years old and driving it. I said to her ‘I am going to get out and I just want to record you so drive towards me, turn around, drive about 20m and pull up and I’ll get in’. So she drove towards me, turned around and just took off and disappeared. When she eventually came back she thought it was hilarious. I just love that she can drive it, it’s a column three speed and she’s more than comfortable driving it. Milla is now 14.”

Val, FX Holden Ute

Val and his FX Holden Ute. Photo: Kentos Komms

Vehicle: FX Holden Ute

Specs: VN Commodore VX running gear, custom back end, Cadillac tail lights.

Background: “I bought it down at Beaudesert 10 years ago and it took me nine and a half years to rebuild it. It’s got VN commodore VX running gear right through.

“I bought a donor car and fitted everything out, did the whole thing myself except paint and upholstery.

“All custom back end, cadillac tail lights, I widened out the guards.

“I’ve been to every Rockynats and hope to see you guys down here this weekend.”

Glen, Rockhampton

Glen from Rockhampton and his Ford Replica GT. Photo: Kentos Komms

Vehicle: XY Ford Replica GT

Specs: 393 Cube, auto.

Background: “I got a 393 cube in it, auto, I’ve been doing the car up for the last four years.

“I’ve got to a stage now where it’s pretty well finished, and I’m just up here to enjoy the Rockynats and go in the cruise and the drags tomorrow (Saturday).

“I’m in Rockynats every year and I just love doing it.”

Macca, Gin Gin

Macca from Gin Gin and his 48 Chev Coup. Photo: Kentos Komms

Vehicle: 48 Chev Coup

Specs: Red upholstery interior, supercharged LS1, Commodore running gear.

Background: “I’m a member of the Rum City Rods and Customs, this is my 48 Chev Coup powered by a supercharged LS1 and commodore running gear.

“It’s my little baby, it’s actually the mistress I’m allowed to have.

“I’m here for the second year running with Rockynats and we really love it, it’s a really great weekend.”

Vince

Vince with his 1957 Ford Mainline.

Vehicle: 1957 Ford Mainline

Specs: 272 Y Block

Background: “I’ve had the car for about seven years, I’m the fourth every owner of the car, it’s been repainted once, it’s got a 272 Y Block, still the original engine, still the original three on the tree and I love her, she’s my baby.”

Wayne and Lynn Newbould, Brisbane

Wayne and Lynn Newbould from Brisbane at Rockynats 03.

Vehicle: ‘55 Chevrolet

Specs: Standard cruiser, 265 V8 motor

Background: “This is our third time to Rockynats. I’ve got a HQ and we’ve brought that twice, and now we’ve brought the Chevy up.

“It’s got the first 265 V8 ever made and it is all original just that’s it’s lowered, that’s it.

“It did come up to Rockhampton on a trailer, but it’s not usually on one, I drive around Brisbane regularly in it, it gets driven everywhere.”

Ross Mylrea, Rockhampton

Carol and Ross Mylrea from Rockhampton at Rockynats 03.

Vehicle: 1962 Thunderbird, 1957 Mercury and 1960 Plymouth

Specs:

Background: “We are having a great time. One of the cars we brought to Rockynats is the 1962 Thunderbird and another car we brought is a 1957 Mercury with the twin headlights which is fairly unusual. It’s a very good car.

“This third car is another one we brought which is a Plymouth. It’s the ram head motor, it’s got the TB steering wheel and we’re here to have a lot of fun.