Whats the Classic Car & Bike Community like in Sydney/NSW?
Discussion
Alright all,
My wife and I are planning a move to Australia (Sydney/Hunter Valley Region) in the next few years. I am a massive petrolhead and have a classic cars and bikes are the moment, all European stuff.
I simply wanted to ask what the Classic Car and Bike Community is like there to get an understanding of where its at so would appreciate any comments from fellow pistonheads. So some questions are:
- Are their regular car and bike meetings North of Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the main hangouts for meets? Any specific cafes in Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the broad Car and Bike clubs worth joining as they perhaps organise the main events and keep you posted on key happenings?
- Overall, are the police ok with Classic Car owners? I hear they can be pretty full on there.
- How do you guys find servicing and availability of parts? (European marques mainly...Jag, BMW, Ferrari, MG etc)
- On the Classic Bike/Cafe Racer scene, any places which are key hangouts. Any clubs recommended?
Appreciate any comments on the above. Wanted to be sure there are established Classic Car and Bike communities there.
Thanks again all.
My wife and I are planning a move to Australia (Sydney/Hunter Valley Region) in the next few years. I am a massive petrolhead and have a classic cars and bikes are the moment, all European stuff.
I simply wanted to ask what the Classic Car and Bike Community is like there to get an understanding of where its at so would appreciate any comments from fellow pistonheads. So some questions are:
- Are their regular car and bike meetings North of Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the main hangouts for meets? Any specific cafes in Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the broad Car and Bike clubs worth joining as they perhaps organise the main events and keep you posted on key happenings?
- Overall, are the police ok with Classic Car owners? I hear they can be pretty full on there.
- How do you guys find servicing and availability of parts? (European marques mainly...Jag, BMW, Ferrari, MG etc)
- On the Classic Bike/Cafe Racer scene, any places which are key hangouts. Any clubs recommended?
Appreciate any comments on the above. Wanted to be sure there are established Classic Car and Bike communities there.
Thanks again all.
The short answer is yes there is a CC scene, not sure about CB though there is a reasonable cafe racer style hang out in The Rocks area of the city with rides heading up north.
Every month there's cars n coffee about 30 mins north of Sydney, check out the previous thread on here.
I'm not up with specific marques but me and Ferrari club didn't really get on. They don't seem to be into classics, more the brash 458 brigade who like to cruise city coffee shops than actually drive anywhere. Check out the Australian section of Fchat to get a feel for what it's like - fortunately the US Ferrari community are extremely helpful. Sal at Racing Red in Sydney services classics well and knows his stuff and how to source reasonably priced parts. Having said that, the dealer in SYdney has a $100 per hour labour rate for all classics although their parts prices are higher.
All the above relates to Sydney, wouldn't have thought the Hunter would have much as there's not really much up there. Most people would drive from Sydney/Newcastle tot he Hunter for day trips or weekends. See our NSW driving weekend thread for what that's like.
Also, check out something called Club Rego, it might suit your needs rather than fully registering your vehicle.
Every month there's cars n coffee about 30 mins north of Sydney, check out the previous thread on here.
I'm not up with specific marques but me and Ferrari club didn't really get on. They don't seem to be into classics, more the brash 458 brigade who like to cruise city coffee shops than actually drive anywhere. Check out the Australian section of Fchat to get a feel for what it's like - fortunately the US Ferrari community are extremely helpful. Sal at Racing Red in Sydney services classics well and knows his stuff and how to source reasonably priced parts. Having said that, the dealer in SYdney has a $100 per hour labour rate for all classics although their parts prices are higher.
All the above relates to Sydney, wouldn't have thought the Hunter would have much as there's not really much up there. Most people would drive from Sydney/Newcastle tot he Hunter for day trips or weekends. See our NSW driving weekend thread for what that's like.
Also, check out something called Club Rego, it might suit your needs rather than fully registering your vehicle.
Yeah, Ferrari clubs have always been a bit funny. Lot of people with too much wedge, who cant drive and who have probably never picked up a cloth to clean their own car. Funny lot. Porsche lot tend to be pretty cool though eh, and massive following. Are the prices on old 911s there as crazy as they have gone everywhere else?
On the cafes and meets, I had a look at the one you sent over so thanks for that.
Do you find that you guys drive much up to Hunter Valley? Just that we are thinking of settling on the way into the Hunter valley and would like to know if there are many meets there. No worries if not, just means more driving.
Just really want to join some clubs, facebook pages and stuff to keep an eye on the community...and of course through here. Nice to meet with like minded people when we get there.
Cheers
Yep Porsche prices are just as astronomical here, there's a LHD '73 RS for sale at Classic Throttle Shop for $900k. I looked at a low mileage, lovely condition '72 S in silver/Pasha 3 years ago up for $150k, that car would be nearer $400k today!
Before the little one came along we'd head up to the Hunter a fair bit but now probably on get up there a couple of times a year.
Where are you looking at? The only place I know on the way in is Cesnock and I think it's fair to say that it's really not the best place to live. Newcastle on the other hand is much better.
@Jader, thanks for the heads up on Cavalinho's, seems a shame.
Before the little one came along we'd head up to the Hunter a fair bit but now probably on get up there a couple of times a year.
Where are you looking at? The only place I know on the way in is Cesnock and I think it's fair to say that it's really not the best place to live. Newcastle on the other hand is much better.
@Jader, thanks for the heads up on Cavalinho's, seems a shame.
One magazine here has a list of some of our one make, district & special interest car clubs. The list fills 4 pages, & has about a quarter of the possible clubs.
Depending on make, many classics are very well supported. I can get most bits for my old Triumphs ex stock in Oz, but find it impossible to get bits for a 10 year old Ford. Citroen & Audi are even worse. Most Jap stuff is OK.
When you get out of the Brisbane in Queensland, you can still find mechanics who know what goes on inside a carby, fuel pump, & even drum brakes. I expect the Hunter area would be similar. I have one who can actually overhaul a water pump, & tell you the part number of a universal joint at 10 paces.
Your classic should be well catered for in the Hunter.
My local country town, [about 7000 population], has a "Restored Automobile Club". We get about 30/40 to our monthly meetings, & 15 to 20 cars for the monthly cruise. Our swap meet lasts 2 days, & nets around $15,000 which goes to community organisations. Membership costs 5 cents a year.
The cops are only there to collect revenue with speeding fines. Watch your speed & you're invisible to them.
Depending on make, many classics are very well supported. I can get most bits for my old Triumphs ex stock in Oz, but find it impossible to get bits for a 10 year old Ford. Citroen & Audi are even worse. Most Jap stuff is OK.
When you get out of the Brisbane in Queensland, you can still find mechanics who know what goes on inside a carby, fuel pump, & even drum brakes. I expect the Hunter area would be similar. I have one who can actually overhaul a water pump, & tell you the part number of a universal joint at 10 paces.
Your classic should be well catered for in the Hunter.
My local country town, [about 7000 population], has a "Restored Automobile Club". We get about 30/40 to our monthly meetings, & 15 to 20 cars for the monthly cruise. Our swap meet lasts 2 days, & nets around $15,000 which goes to community organisations. Membership costs 5 cents a year.
The cops are only there to collect revenue with speeding fines. Watch your speed & you're invisible to them.
Does anybody know of any clubs or championships in and around Sydney, maybe Karting or Simulator racing championships?
I'm new to Sydney, don't have a car and will be a while till I do (Saving up for a special one!) but would like to join a semi serious karting championship or simulator racing championship.
Thanks
Chris
I'm new to Sydney, don't have a car and will be a while till I do (Saving up for a special one!) but would like to join a semi serious karting championship or simulator racing championship.
Thanks
Chris
Randompunter74 said:
Alright all,
- Are their regular car and bike meetings North of Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the main hangouts for meets? Any specific cafes in Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the broad Car and Bike clubs worth joining as they perhaps organise the main events and keep you posted on key happenings?
- Overall, are the police ok with Classic Car owners? I hear they can be pretty full on there.
- How do you guys find servicing and availability of parts? (European marques mainly...Jag, BMW, Ferrari, MG etc)
- On the Classic Bike/Cafe Racer scene, any places which are key hangouts. Any clubs recommended?
I live in Sydney and am about to start building a weekender in the Hunter Valley (Pokolbin area) in the next couple of years so I am quite familiar with the area. There are some good driving roads in the area however the conditions are different to the UK. The roads are generally rougher and of course temps are hotter. I know there are a couple of cafes on the Old Pacific Hwy that are very popular with bike riders. "Pie in the Sky" near Brooklyn is one of them. The Hunter is a lovely area, although I agree with previous poster about Cessnock. Happy to answer any more questions you have. I am Aussie born and bred but a bit of an Anglophile and a regular visitor to the UK. - Are their regular car and bike meetings North of Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the main hangouts for meets? Any specific cafes in Sydney and Hunter Valley?
- What are the broad Car and Bike clubs worth joining as they perhaps organise the main events and keep you posted on key happenings?
- Overall, are the police ok with Classic Car owners? I hear they can be pretty full on there.
- How do you guys find servicing and availability of parts? (European marques mainly...Jag, BMW, Ferrari, MG etc)
- On the Classic Bike/Cafe Racer scene, any places which are key hangouts. Any clubs recommended?
custardtart said:
Yep Porsche prices are just as astronomical here, there's a LHD '73 RS for sale at Classic Throttle Shop for $900k. I looked at a low mileage, lovely condition '72 S in silver/Pasha 3 years ago up for $150k, that car would be nearer $400k today!
Before the little one came along we'd head up to the Hunter a fair bit but now probably on get up there a couple of times a year.
Where are you looking at? The only place I know on the way in is Cesnock and I think it's fair to say that it's really not the best place to live. Newcastle on the other hand is much better.
@Jader, thanks for the heads up on Cavalinho's, seems a shame.
I moved from Sydney to Newcastle and love it. But no way in hell would I move to Cessnock. Before the little one came along we'd head up to the Hunter a fair bit but now probably on get up there a couple of times a year.
Where are you looking at? The only place I know on the way in is Cesnock and I think it's fair to say that it's really not the best place to live. Newcastle on the other hand is much better.
@Jader, thanks for the heads up on Cavalinho's, seems a shame.
It has a gaol and that's about it.
Lovely wineries out around Pokolbin and Broke, but Cessnock itself is a hole.
I'm a 35m drive from the wineries and I live a couple of kms out of the centre of Newcastle.
Randompunter74 said:
I hear that most bikers and classi car folk also drive up the 33 through Central Mangrove, Kulnura and then on up to Woolomi and then East over the mountain to Cessnock? Is the preferred route because of the roads?
Yes that is a popular route and one of my favourites. I have been driving it ever since I got my licence. My late father used to help manage a winery near Broke when I was a child in the 1970s. Back then most of the road was dirt and I think he used to fancy himself as a bit of a rally driver. He was an absolute lead foot. His favourite car was a Peugeot 504 Ti. Chronically unreliable but he reckoned he could leave the Holdens and Falcons in his wake (and scare the hell out of his passengers)... Of course the road is sealed now and all the rickety one way bridges have been upgraded, but it is still a good road for finding out how a car really rides and handles in Aussie conditions. I recently saw a group of Kia engineers there evaluating their new models.
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