Could this be the most iconic Aussie love story of all time?

Meet the couple who fell head over bonnet for each other at a fair dinkum ute show.

LOVE gurus always say opposites attract.

This is definitely the case for ute show addicts, feisty Ford owner Jacinta Mansell and passionate Holden Commodore aficionado Darryl Chapman.

The two revheads first crossed paths at a Toowoomba ute show in 2017 and immediately connected over a shared love for Australia's most iconic vehicle.

Badges, makes and models aside, the couple say they love showing off their pride and joy together wherever possible, attending ute shows around the country together with the 71st annual Cooyar Show their latest conquest to date.

Both two-time state finalists, Mansell and Chapman cleaned up in Cooyar, taking home several ribbons between them.

"It's great to be able to share our love and passion with fellow car enthusiasts," Ms Mansell said.

"We both put a lot of time, energy and money into our utes, so when we get the chance it's nice to have all the hard work noticed."

As a long-time Holden supporter, Chapman said he was disappointed to hear the iconic Australian brand would soon be no longer, but said it didn't change his passion for the famous Commodore model.

 

Darryl Chapman with his award winning ute at the Cooyar Show.

"It doesn't change the fact Holden made Australia's favourite car and it won't change people's love for their classic utes and sedans," he said.

"It is going to become harder and harder to source Holden parts which might mean some Holden owners may need to look into converting their engines over, but that shouldn't be a problem for a while yet."

As for the couple's goals and dreams for the future?

"Our dream is to make it to the pinnacle of all ute gatherings: the Deni Ute muster in October this year," Mansell said.

"That will be a major achievement ticked off both our bucket lists."

And if wedding bells were in the air somewhere in the couple's future, they both agreed the utes would have to be the main attraction on the day.

"We'd definitely have a procession of utes take us to the ceremony, photos and reception," Mr Chapman said.

"It would go down in history as the most Aussie wedding ever."

 

To see all the action from the Cooyar Show, check out the mega 80+ photo gallery here.

Originally published as