THE 2026 Show and Shine Hot Rod exhibition at Port Macquarie and Kew on 7 February proved a big hit.
Hosted by Port Macquarie Coasters Hot Rod Club, it attracted 76 entries from local, intra and interstate enthusiasts.
A big crowd in Port Macquarie was treated to a wide variety of pre-1948 hot rods, a 2014 Police Patrol Car, and a 1936 Fire Engine.
“This event means everything to me,” Allan Cliff, president of the Coasters Hot Rod Club, told News Of The Area.
“Each club has its own show in a regional centre and we all support each other’s events throughout the year.”
“We all love the camaraderie between enthusiasts and look forward to sharing stories about our hot rods.
“We pride ourselves on Show and Shine being a family event and love to see kids come along, we even had a colouring-in competition for the littlies with a prize for every entry.”
Show and Shine brings a lot of visitors to Port Macquarie who add to the local economy via hotel/motel bookings and visits to pubs, clubs, restaurants, fuel stations and more.
Port Macquarie Coasters also support a wide section of the community.
The free sausage sizzle was held in partnership with the local SES branch, while the Coasters regularly contribute to the Men’s Shed, and the oncology unit at Port Macquarie Base Hospital – among others.
There were several trophies on offer over the weekend, including Best Car, Longest Distance Travelled and Hard Luck story.
The local police were the judges.
Mike Barnes who travelled more than 600kms from his home in Whiteside just north of Brisbane took out the Hard Luck Story.
His immaculate 1940 Ford Deluxe experienced a problem on the way down with a starter motor lead shorting out on a hot exhaust and ruining the starter motor.
Local club members sourced a LS3 commodore starter motor that fitted and helped Mike install it.
Port Macquarie Coasters look forward to next year’s 25th anniversary event.
By Bill HARROW
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