Kustom News

Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

KUSTOM
NEWS

Official Newsletter Vol. 2 No.7
August 2017

Winner of KOA Club Member of the Year,
Barrie and his 65 XP Falcon Ute

Here at Kustoms of Australia, we believe in recycling, all our cars are much better for the environment
than any new cars, our cars have a 0% carbon footprint because we recycle them.

KUSTOMS OF AUSTRALIA, GOLD COAST Inc.
Established in the year 2000

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

DEADLINE FOR NEXT
NEWSLETTER IS THE:

28th of September

"KUSTOM NEWS" Our KOA Club House,
Is the Official is our very own and is located at

Newsletter of Kustoms of 238 Mudgeeraba Rd.
Australia, Gold Coast Inc. Mudgeeraba, Queensland, 4213.
Meeting on the 1st MONDAY of the month
Club Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in articles Come for a chat from 7pm Meetings kick off
and features published in this newsletter should not be
at 7.30pm SHARP
regarded as necessarily being the opinion of the
Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Inc. Articles are Life Members
invited and should be forwarded to the Editor bearing
the name and address of the writer. Writers of articles Mem. 01 Grahame Robinson
provide their suggestions and opinions as general
information only and the Club accepts no responsibility Mem. 05 Alan Handley

if you choose to follow up their suggestions.

ABOUT KOA CAR CLUB
Formed in 1999, The aim of Kustoms of
Australia, Gold Coast Inc. is to encourage
the restoration, preservation, modification
and use of all Aussie, American, British &
Other Imported Vehicles. We have club
members from all over QLD and North NSW,

and always welcome new members.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE IS TO BE SENT Mem. 07 Ron Whelan
TO THE CLUB POSTAL ADDRESS: Mem. 19 Keith Woodbridge
To the Secretary
P. O. Box 1339,
Mudgeeraba OLD, 4213
KOA CAR CLUB WEBSITE & EMAIL

www.kustomsofaustralia.com

[email protected]

FOR ALL MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRES Mem. 22 Ray Sparkes
PLEASE CONTACT: Milton Watkins Mem. 34 Tony Rehn

Ph: 0438 876 467

Email: [email protected]
Post: P.O.Box 811, Currumbin QLD 4223

Editor: Milton WatkinsEmail: [email protected]: P.O.Box 811, Currumbin QLD 4223
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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

KOA
Presidents

Report

Hi KOA Members,

Hope this newsle5er finds you well.

Firstly, thank you for your entrus?ng your Commi5ee and myself to manage the club for another year and welcome to
our new Commi5ee members, Jeanne Clarke as Social Secretary, Virginia Mar?n as Assistant Secretary, Greg Peck as
Librarian and Jo McMahon who has moved to Assistant Treasurer.

Our Annual Swap Meet was held last weekend. It was another successful day, the weather was perfect and numbers
were up on last year. We received a number of compliments on its organisa?on and It is shaping up to be a favourite
amongst those that sell & buy at such events. A big thank you to all the helpers, we could not run an event such as this
without your assistance. We will present a report at the next mee?ng.

We are planning and have been invited to some exci?ng events over the next few months, Ian will fill you in at the next
mee?ng.

Just some housekeeping in closing. Please remember that as long as we are wearing club clothing or driving a car with
a club s?cker on the window that we are represen?ng our club and all its members. It is vitally important to the clubs
reputa?on that we act courteously, drive safely and refrain from any behaviour that may bring the club into disrepute. I
am proud to say we have had very few issues over the years and that’s testament to the character of our members and
their pride in our club.

I will leave it there, plenty to discuss at our next mee?ng.

Drive Safe.

Regards, Craig

Special Interest Vehicle Registration (Club Rego)

Members with cars on Special Interest Vehicle Registration (SIV) Plates are reminded that it is
a condition of the Scheme that you remain a full financial member of an approved car club. It is

YOUR responsibility to KEEP your membership up to date and to be aware of the conditions
and restrictions of the Scheme, visit the DOT website for the rules & Regulations, go to
www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search for “ Special Interest Vehicle Registration”

Welcome to New Club Members:

Welcome to New Prospective Members: Alex McGlashan, Helen Maywald, Barrie
Johnston & Brian Zanker, looking forward to your further attendance.

And congratulations to our Newest KOA Members, Darrell Butler, Callum
Thomson, Craig Tyack & Chris Geiger, glad to have you here at KOA.

………………………………….
KOA Members, please make them feel welcome, you know what it was like when
you first joined, so please be outgoing and get to know them, they are lovers of

automobiles, just like us.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

G’day KOA members, first may I say that I am sorry that this edition of Kustom News is late,
there are many reasons for this, my own is that as you know the end of August with our
KOA Swap Meet and then the following weekend with the Father Day weekend at Carrara
Markets Classic Car Show, our Swap Meet bring the largest event on our Calendar, and the
Carrara Car Show I think is the third largest event on our KOA calendar now close behind
Cooly Rocks On which would have to be number two, and with having a sick wife on top of
this, time has finally taken its toll and that is why your monthly magazine is late, but with the

next edition due out in only a couple of weeks, I hope to have this back on time for you, there has been also
been some external issues as well on making this magazine late, but hopefully over time this will improve.
So go ahead, flick through the pages, see the photos, check out what we have been up to for the month of
August, it sure has been a busy one, and as time goes on I am sure the months from July though to
September will only get busier, our car club is growing at a great rate, with many new members signing up,
this goes to show you that we are doing something right here, so keep it up. Regards Milton Watkins

YOUR KOA CLUB COMMITTEE:

President - Craig McMahon 0427 244 880 - [email protected]

Vice President - Ray Sparkes 0412 755 520 - [email protected]

Secretary - Milton Watkins 0438 876 467 - [email protected]

Treasurer - Paul Manning 0415 129 395 - [email protected]
Media Officer & Kustom News Editor - Milton Watkins 0438 876 467 - [email protected]

Technical Officer - Ray Sparkes 0412 755 520 - [email protected]
Cruise Director - Ian Macdonald 0413 052 355 - [email protected]

Welfare Officer - Levella Watkins 0400 608 060 - [email protected]

Social Secretary - Jeanne Clarke 0418 654 099 - [email protected]

Please note we have three great assistants in the above positions, they are:
Jo McMahon assistant to the Treasurer.

Virginia (Ginny) Martin assistant to the Secretary.
Bill Macdonald assistant to the Cruise Director.

Rod Liefman assistant to the Media Officer.
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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

A few members were not present at our recent Trophy Day at KOA
Club House, so at the following meeting they were their to receive

their Trophy's, they are as follows:
Life Members Choice -

Roy Ford and his Mustang.
Members Choice -

Grahame Robinson 56 Ford, Customline.
Best Attendance - Malcolm Dunbar,
Congratulations gents.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

Yank tanks
hosted by
Cadillac Lasalle
Club Qld
9th September
from 5.30pm

All Cars Welcome
Old Masters Site
Upper Coomera QLD

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August

Thanks to Rod Liefman for taking these photos of this event
and for his words: Rod - “Spent an enjoyable day at Cruzin

Magazine Nostalgia Drags & Hotrod Reunion Willowbank today.
The weather was great and so was the array of vehicles and the

company of several KOA members. I travelled up with Ian
McDonald, Barrie Evans & new member Mike and his wife. Steve
Balzer scored a trophy to top off a super day. 8 members in total

travelled up to support the event.”
Please check out the following pages throughout the magazine,

you’ll see that their was quiet a number of cars on display.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 August 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Best Service, Best Advice, No job is too big or too small!
• We provide honest, professional and helpful service with over 50 years

combined Auto Electrical & Automo=ve experience
• We do all Auto Electrical, Air Condi=oning & Mechanical Services also

Roadworthy Cer=ficates & Wheel alignments
• We are excited to help you with your project, offering op=ons to suit you

and help build your dream car

Contact Wayne on: 1300 554 009

Email: [email protected]
Unit 24/10 Enterprise Street, Ashmore
We service the Gold Coast & Brisbane areas

Just a few of the Classic & Muscle cars that have had the Coastal Car Air Auto Electrics touch.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Aussie Diffs established in 1989 specialising in diff
reconditioning, diff conversions, we keep an
extensive range of new diff parts and axles.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

John Park a member of Kustoms Australia Car Club Gold Coast would like to announce the resurrection
of his workshop, in the northern hinterland of the gold coast along side of Jamie Kloots whom has 33
yrs. experience working with race car teams, and in the classic/muscle car industry. During time
together along with Johns experience they have a total of 90 years expertise between them.
Jamie has a vast knowledge in restoration and maintenance of many models of classic/muscle cars
from fabrication to servicing your car needs, as well as classic race car preparation and maintenance,
Let them rejuvenate or modify your old pride n joy to a smooth-running machine and freshen up you’re
tired Old School Classic better than it has ever been.

Fabrication work
Brake and suspension upgrades[rebuild]

or just repairing what’s there
Performance Tuning
Servicing
Engine Building
Gearbox overhaul

Custom work / alterations
Modification Improvements

updating for reliability

John Park No job is to hard Jamie Kloots
Miracles performed daily

Address:49 Ellen Grant Dr. Willow Vale, QLD
Phone:Jamie 0414197678 or John 0427374568
Email: {Jamie} on [email protected]

{John} on [email protected]

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Page 23 Winner of KOA Club
Member of the Year,
Barrie owns a 1965 XP
Falcon Ute, sitting on
XR8 Wheels it has a 302
Windsor with a mild cam
new 320 double barrel
carby and a new HEI
Distributer, twin exhaust
have been fitted and he
loves his new Halo LED
headlights, this 65 also
has power steering, four
wheel disc brakes and
power windows
Barrie has owned the car
for the last 4 years, the
XP was not quite ready
for a RWC until a new
floor pan was put in, so
after this he was able to
register it and get it back
on the road where it
belongs

Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.6 July 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.6 July 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Specializing in Jim & Andrew
frameless and Willyan

semi-frameless Father & Son Team

glass pool fencing 10 Jamieson Drive
Parkwood 4214

0411 429 090

QBCC Lic No: 1163070

Reasonable Rates!

Prompt & Reliable!
Personal Service!

www.c-thrupoolfencing.com.au [email protected]

Dont spoil your view-

Get a fence you can C-Thru!

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Cruizin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Event -
Willowbank 13th of August - (Continued)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

YATALA Tel

CARBY SPECIALISTS

Michael Nilon M.I.A.M.E.

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.thecarbyshop.com
PO BOX 978
Beenleigh QLD 4207

MEMBER

Exchange restored Carbys • New Carbys • All Carby parts available

Welcome to the Carby Shop We have moved to Brisbane

As the NT’s foremost expert on all things to do with carburettors with
over 40 Years experience, serving customers in the motor trade,
motorsports & carby restorations, from all over Australia. The Carby
Shop carries the largest range of reconditioned carburettors, Holley,
Weber, Stromberg, SU, Carter, Rochester, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan
carburettors as well as a huge range of spare parts. We can offer a
new Weber carby conversion to replace expensive, troublesome
original carby's, it will give much better performance and economy,
and costing less most times than repairing the worn out one. We ship
these conversions everywhere, so also saving time waiting for the
original to be restored, we also offer an exchange service on most
popular makes depending on make & model type, very handy for
those travelling or on a tight schedule such as couriers, just give me a
call and I can get one ready for you. Our restored carbys are
recoloured, body's are rebushed when needed, straightened and
machined. All our carby's are hot run tested, gas analysed and
adjusted on one of our test engines before it leaves the shop. We
supply fitting & trouble shooting instructions, fitting gaskets with each
carby. When a restored carby leaves our shop you can be sure it will
be 100% ready to go with confidence. "A Carby Restored Is Quality
Assured"

We also carry an extensive range of other associated products and
accessories, carburettors for high performance motor sport & marine
use. Whether you’re looking to upgrade or replace your existing
manifold, air filter assemblies, a Hiclone for economy, fuel
preservative stabiliser, POR -15 Restoration and rust preventive
products, including rust repair panels, here at the Carby Shop your
sure to find exactly what you need. Just give us a call.

Michael is a valued member of the IAME - The Professional Standard
in Automotive Repair & Service.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Carrara Markets Fathers Day Classic Car Show Weekend (Continue)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Congratulations to Greg becoming our
new official KOA Librarian, good on you
Greg, I am sure you will do well, he will
need your help KOA members, I am sure
that Greg would like to catalogue all the
books and magazines that we have that
were kindly donated by the members, for
those that would like to, please check
some of the old car manuals and car
books you have at home that are just
sitting there collecting dust, they may be

of use to some KOA members to help them with their vehicle, you
just never know, so bring them in to the next meeting, let Greg know
that you have a book or books to donate and then Greg can
Catalogue them and enter them into the library all ready for another
member to borrow it.

If you wish to borrow a book please see Greg, he will take
your details down and you can then borrow the book. If you would
like to help Greg I am sure he would not mind, so please let him
know if you can assist, we’d like our KOA library to become a good
resource of books and magazines that our members would be able
to borrow each month and return them the following month, so grab
those books you don’t use any longer, as they may find someone
that might find it quite useful.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Mobile Mechanics, RWC’s - Cars & Trailers
Repairs & Log Book Ser vicing,
All aspects of Custom Work
Rust & Repairs

14 Elysium drive Carrara, exit 75 off highway.
Phone Malcolm Dunbar on 0414 937 245
or Randall Dunbar on 0421 933 807

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Carrara Markets Fathers Day Classic Car Show Weekend (Continue)

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Here is a list of Monthly cruise locations, this chart was kindly sent to me from
Leon Bray from the Christian Classic Car Club, he has compiled this list for

your viewing pleasure, now you can’t say you don’t have any where to go on a
Friday or Saturday night. If you have SIV registration you should all be able to
attend any of the following events as they have been listed in your official KOA

Club Newsletter.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Carrara Markets Fathers Day Classic Car Show Weekend (Continue)

Had a great
weekend with
the Carrara
Markets on the
Fathers Day
Classic Car
Show Weekend,
lots of FREE
STUFF, FREE
Entry, FREE
Entrants T-Sirts
and Lanyard,
Free $30.00
Markets Money
each day that
you can spend
anywhere in the
markets, FREE
Security FREE
Photos of the
event, FREE
undercover
parking, its was
what all car
shows should
be like, we are
booked in again
next year, and
look forward to
it, we had 18
KOA members
present with
their cars, and
we invited some
of our friends
from other car
clubs to join us,
a total of nearly
40 cars were on
display, they
had a live band
there as well,
some great toe
tapping tunes
were happening,
some even
begun to cut a
rug while there.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

So far these copies of ‘Kustom News’ can be kept as a part of the history of your car club, in the last 16
years of KOA we only have a few typed pages of the minutes of meetings to reflect on, wouldn't it be
nice to flick through some pages of a magazine to see info about your car club, its members, runs
we’ve been on, stories from members and what they have been up too, pictures in colour of what cars
we have seen and what cars members are working on, detailing the continued history of Kustoms of
Australia, Gold Coast, YOUR CAR CLUB. Maybe a picture of YOUR car on the front cover, maybe a
full story of you and your car in the centre spread! In 2017 you will continue to receive the KOA
Newsletter ‘Kustom News’ that you already get electronically as a Link to a PDF file in an email each
month after the general meeting, I know what its like reading it off a computer screen, not real great, or
maybe your computer emails are not working so well and you miss seeing it.

With my printing background I have turned these Newsletters into a professionally printed FULL
COLOUR glossy Magazine for you to purchase, a subscription every 12 months, or you can purchase a
single copy from a particular month, at this point in time you will be looking at 11 issues per year at
$12.00 per issue, I know it seems a lot, but it costs over $12.00 (depending on the amount of pages
printed) to print, fold and staple at the printers, you would be surprised and shocked at how much time
it takes to put this sort of thing together, we are talking about 20 to 30 hours every month, as a member
you can help me to help you, you or someone you know may have a business they may wish to
advertise in ‘Kustom News’ with an audience of 130 members the right sort of business within the
pages of our magazine will do well, over time will continually improve the ‘Kustom News’ and its
contents, the latest issues are already 48 pages plus.

If you would like a back dated copy of the magazine I can do this, the price will be $12.00 per copy and
I will bring them along to the next general meeting you can pay extra and I can post them too you.

I know you can buy a good quality car magazine at the Newsagent, but they are printed in the
hundreds of thousands, your club magazines are a limited run of a dozen or so, plus you will more than
likely see a members car in the pages or even your own. After you have collected the first 12 months of
the magazine, as a bookbinder I can offer you a discount rate to actually bind the collection together
into yearly volumes if you would like, this would be a professional hard covered book with the title on
the spine and front cover and would look great with all your car stuff at home.
Email me at [email protected] for more info.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

OUR 2nd Annual SWAP MEET

@ Yatala Drive In.

Well with a very early morning start for yours truely of getting out of bed at 1.30am and getting to the Drive In
so that I can set up our KOA Gazebo’s to use for a central location for the day, plus an info area, the next to
arrive was our first customer to wait at the gates at 2.50am, this followed by Ron Whelan and then many of the
other KOA helpers for the day, most had made it before the 4am start time and a HUGE congrats to you if you
were there, you guys did a hell of a job, this year our second year was better planned thanks to the first one
and finding out ways to do things better this year, the same for next year, by the way, that one will be our 3rd
and on the last Sunday in August, which is the 26th of August.
Its was real nice to see Kim and her staff move into the Diner and have the doors open by 5am with Egg &
Bacon Burgers and Sausages on bread, coffee and tea and all their normal Diner snacks and drinks, we
received a lot of great feedback about the food and about OUR Swap Meet, a lot of people said it was the best
they had been too, and some of these people go all over the place for a swap meet, so this is great news.
We were blessed with a beautiful day and a great team of helpers, so thanks again to all those helped on the
day, you did a great job, and now our bank balance is topped up and ready for another year, looking after our
club house and our members.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Longest Cruise in the World?

Part Seven

In our Part 6 we were staying at Eucla, a
Caravan Park close to the border of WA & SA and
as close to the beach right on the edge of the
Nullarbor, we left here and had just over 9 hours to
drive to reach the next bit of coastline, we had to
drive through some towns called Cockelbiddy,
Balladonia & Norseman, and when at Norseman
we did something that we had not done for around
1700km and that is to finally turn left and drive
SOUTH, this was a big deal as we had not headed
south for four days, finally we reached the beach
of Esperance, lots of beaches, just like the Gold
Coast, such a beautiful place, we had planned to
have a two night stop over in Esperance before we
headed west to Albany around 500km away, so
while in Esperance we were excited to wait for the
arrival of Bob and his 59 Cadillac and his
Grandson Jared, Bob had only just had an engine
rebuild done on his Caddy and talked his grandson
Jared into coming along with him, really for
company and some help of course, after a tyre
blow out and a few teething issues, they pulled up
to our camp site with plenty of stories to tell.

Above is a picture of Bob & Jared and
Bob’s 59 Cadillac Sedan, under that is our
camp site for the next two nights, on the
right is a view of one of the islands just off
Salmon Beach in Esperance, and below is
a couple of pics of the local car club we had
pre arranged a bit of a car show with their
members and they put on a nice afternoon
tea for us in their club rooms. They were
the Veteran Car Club in Esperance. They
sent their regards to all at KOA GC.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Longest Cruise in the World?

Part Seven (cont)

So after making it to Esperance, just over 4000km from the GC, the engine didn't miss a beat, used around half
litre of oil, 2 tanks of Premium Petrol & 22 tanks of LPG and we are only 331km from our destination Busselton.
Got stuck in Esperance with a crook rear wheel bearing after having it replaced 2 months prior to me leaving the
Gold Coast, got it on a hoist in a new friends garage (thanks so much Colin & his mate from Esperance for the
Hoist and help) we pulled it out we found out the manufacturer (Chinese for sure) never packed it with grease or
very little, DOH!

Lucky I heard it the noise after washing the bugs off the car at a local car wash just after we made camp, very
surprised how we drove nearly 4,000km without grease, but when we cracked open the fully sealed unit there
was not even a tiny bit of grease anywhere to be seen and the cage was broken in several places letting loose
some of the ball bearings, the local Bearing guy in Esperance, Adrian, was dumb founded, as we were, but
confirmed that we were right, as it was a sealed bearing, especially when we checked the new one and it was
packed with white grease, so ordered two new bearings which happened to be in Perth, when you used the word
"Urgent", Statewide Bearings WA whacked on a staggering $480.00 charge for freight to get it in overnight on the
next flight to Esperance, thanks, but no thanks, I told him to tell them to get stuffed, (in a nice respectful manner)
and then said I would wait, and said to the local bearing guy, "just order it normally", he did and it cost me $20.00
freight (flown in over night anyhow) so the "urgent" word would of cost me $460.00, lucky we had an extra day
up our sleeve. Below is a picture of Colin the president of the Veteran Car Club in Esperance who helped us out
with his hoist and knowledge and his mate who pressed the bearings on and off for me and getting everything
back together, was great to meet up with these guys, and shows the ties are strong in the car club communities
all around Australia, help comes from everywhere when you need it.

All fixed now, so going back to pack up our camp site and moving off to our last stop before Busselton, this will
be the most southern point of Western Australia, Albany the land of many beaches. Part 8 soon.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Always check the simple things first!

After graduating high school in 1976, I began my career as a mechanic at a Ford dealership. They started me out
working on electrical problems. After a few months, I was feeling confident with my abilities, and that is when
the following happened.

A brand new 1977 Country Squire station wagon came to me straight from the delivery truck with a direct short
in the left turn signal, brake and tail lights. With my newly acquired "wealth of knowledge," I immediately
diagnosed the problem as a crimped wire loom and began taking apart the interior of the car to find the bad
wire(s).

After several hours, and many strange looks from the shop foreman and co-workers, I had exposed every inch of
the wire loom from the front to the back of the station wagon. The short was still present though. Finally, I
decided the problem had to be in the tail light socket.

When I took the tail light bulb out, the short went away. Upon closer inspection, I found the tail light bulb
filament had collapsed, creating a direct short. A single burnt out bulb was the issue the entire time. I learned a
very valuable lesson that day. Always check the simple things first!

This HT GTS 350 made history by
becoming the first Australian car to win
the Australian International Concours
d’Elegance at the 2016 Motorclassica in
Melbourne.
Because it looms so prominently in
Australian automotive legend, it's now
difficult to grasp that the HK Monaro was
on the market for merely 10 months
before it was succeeded by the HT. In
many respects this 1969 model was
superior, but it was compromised
somewhat by the input of George
Roberts, newly arrived from Detroit as
Holden's chief engineer.

All HT Holdens felt more refined and, in accordance with Roberts' predilection for an American-style
'boulevards ride', were plusher in their negotiations with the road: the sharp handling and steering feel
of the HK were compromised; understeer was more pronounced. This article was written by By Dr.
John Wright.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.5 June 2017

Beach shacks are all the rage in Victoria this summer, with a Mount Martha boat shed with no power, bed or toilet
expected to sell for more than $200,000 after expressions of interest close next week. But while these cute and often
colourful shacks have proved to be investments, Melbourne’s often fickle weather means they are rarely used for more
than a couple of months a year by their owners. In contrast, Heritage black and white Victorian number plates have
similar investment potential, but can travel with their proud owner all year round. Shannons National Auction Manager
Christophe Boribon says a 3-digit plate like ‘230’ is not only the perfect companion for a special Classic, but also a sound
investment.

Of the 13 such plates crossing the block at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on February 22, the numerically
lowest of the five 3-digit plates – ‘230’ – can be expected to sell for around $80,000-$90,000, while the lowest of the five,
4-digit plates – ‘1405’ – could achieve a quarter of that. For investors on a budget, any of the three, 5-digit plates –
22-228, 68-500 and 70-295 that are each offered with ‘no reserve’ – could be snapped up for around $10,000. Shannons
have five, 4-digit Heritage number plates under the hammer it its Melbourne Late Summer Auction on February 22, each
expected to sell for around $20,000.

In many cases the Heritage plates will be ‘parked’ on a car worth less than their collectible value, while others could
grace vehicles worn hundreds of thousand of dollars. However in most cases the plates will represent an appreciating
investment that can later be sold on the open market. Shannons has continued to be the major Australian auction house
for these collectible plates, handling major Heritage releases for VicRoads in Victoria and the Roads and Maritime
Services in New South Wales.

The three ‘no reserve’ 5-digit Heritage number plates in Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on February 22 are
expected to sell for around $10,000 apiece. National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said the Heritage number
plate market had grown significantly in recent years. “For many years, these early-issue plates were sought and
purchased by a small number of collectors. “However we are now seeing an increasing number of enthusiasts taking
interest in not only the individuality and history of these unique plates, but also their proven investment potential”.
Victoria’s most valuable number plate is VIC ‘1’, but like most single-digit plates it never comes to sale as most are
passed on from generation to generation.

Legend has it that when the plate was originally produced in 1932 there was disagreement between the Police
Commissioner, the Premier and the Governor about who should have the plate on their vehicle. To solve the problem the
plates were not issued to any of them, and were instead locked in a vault at the Motor Registration Board until it went to
auction in 1984, where a retired Ballarat mechanic reportedly purchased it for $165,000. Newspaper reports state that No
1’s current custodian has knocked back a written offer of $1.5 million, while estimates of the plate’s current worth vary
from $2-$2.5 million. ARTICLE FROM SHANNONS CLUB NEWS

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.5 June 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Even an expert assessing this cabin could conclude that it belongs to a fake XY completed with a range
of XA parts, a premise soon backed up by the car’s XT or XA model ID code. Ford built up to 9000 XY
vans and utes from January to October 1972 featuring a range of 1972 ADR parts similar to certain XA
bits. The problems can soon escalate as there are no records to specifically identify these vehicles as
XYs. (Photo from fordmusclecarsales.com.au)
In a bizarre twist of events, almost 9,000 XY Falcons disappeared from local records ready to generate
registration and insurance problems for current owners then legal action once sold. 

Imagine you purchased a much-loved XY Falcon when new then took it off the road until you had the
time and money to restore it. After spending tens of thousands on a top restoration, you were told it
couldn’t be registered or insured as it doesn’t exist.

Exclusive! ZF Fairlane
prototypes, 1966 Buick
Riviera (plus
prototypes!) an Aussie-
built 1933 Dodge and
two cool classics in the
hot outback desert,
1966 Mustang and EJ
Holden wagon.

Check out this cool
online magazine:

https://
www.shannons.com.au/
library/news/
J3D69V02EYU7V4EB/
index.html?page=1

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

Help me better our Kustom News Magazine, advertise your business or get your
friend to advertise their business on these pages, here is my sample advert below
for my own Business, full page $100.00 per year, half page $50.00 per year, Quarter
Page $25.00 per year. Compare this rate with other advertising and you notice that
this is a more than reasonable price. Happy to put your supplied art-work together

for you or them, POA.

Milton Watkins

Bookbinder

Restoration of old books, custom
bindings, repair of all types of Books

including Motor & Car Manuals.
Gold, Silver & Blind De-bossing
(some people call it embossing)
Car Badges & logos onto leather or
similar material, onto interior car parts,
wallets, Diaries Brief Cases, etc.
Binding of magazine collections into
hard cased volumes, and personalised

Log Books, see pics.

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Kustom News Official Newsletter Kustoms of Australia, Gold Coast Vol.2 No.7 November 2017

MEMBERS BUSINESS

If your a KOA member and run a business this is the place to share it, mail me your
business card so I can include you in "Kustom News"

If you want to be included please email detail in less than two lines, thanks.
This is a FREE listing, want it bigger, a whole page, call Milton.

Milton Watkins - Bookbinder, Specialist in fine leather bindings, repair of all books and
car & motor manuals, bookbinding.com.au...............0438 876 467

Milton Watkins - caddydaddy.com.au hire out YOUR car for films, movies, advertising,
business promotion, weddings & formals...............0438 876 467

Ginny Martin - Focus on Fitness, Exclusive Boutique Gym, Train Smarter - Not Harder,
Personal Trainer, Get your body back for summer.........0411 688 588

Mal's Garage - RWC's Repairs, Log Book Servicing....................0414 937 245

Craig McMahon - McMahon Auto Sales, First Choice for Fuel Efficient Late Model
Hatchbacks, SUV's and Wagons. Southport…………..……………0427 244 880

Mike Nilon - Carby Specialist - Yatala………………………………..0408 819 911

FOR SALE

If your a KOA member and have an item For Sale let me know, I'll put it in
our new Newletter, email me at [email protected]

SEALED POWER HEAVY DUTY HI VOLUME OIL PUMP SUIT CHEV SMALL or BIG BLOCK, Brand
new still in original box with paper work $25.00
HOLDEN 6 cyl & V8, HK, HT & HG - NEW and protective Mylar covering MAX ELLERY'S FACTORY
WORKSHOP MANUAL incl Brougham & Monaro Vehicles. $20.00
FORD XF Falcon, Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia Owners Manual $5.00
FORD 1987 Falcon, Fairmont, Ghia, Fairlane & LTD Service Handbook $5.00

THE END : Thanks for reading KOA's Newsletter, "Kustom News" any
constructive criticism is welcome. Any issues please email me at

[email protected] and put in your subject line "ATT KUSTOM NEWS"

Page 48