Here's my own take on the show.
I've enjoyed Bruno's action shots and Chris's arty shots!
Here are a few I took.
I was well impressed with this mad Cressida. I'd forgotten they existed but there were no less than two at the show (a sedan and a wagon) and they were both done "Bosozoku style". Sorry about the spelling on the file name!
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Toyota Cressida - Bosozuko style - 01.JPG [ 101.92 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
This Mazda 1000 (or 1200, or 1300 - unsure!) was mint. It had copped a respray but just looked really nice.
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Mazda 1000 ute - 02.JPG [ 112.38 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
I'd never noticed a Datsun Stanza coupe before and was telling a client about it today. He was a bit of a Datsun aficionado and heard that between 12 and 20 were imported to Australia.... by MISTAKE!
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Datsun Stanza coupe - 1 of 20 or so imported in error - 02.JPG [ 89.06 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
This was my reaction when I saw that there was a Datsun Silvia at the show:
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Dave with Datsun Silvia.JPG [ 101.53 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
The same guy owns the Silvia and the three Datsun roadsters that were with it. From L-R they are a 1970 Datsun 2000 Sports, a 1967ish Datsun 1600 Sports and a 1964 Datsun Fairlady 1500. Despite looking the same, they are very much like Belletts with some small and some more obvious differences.
Stupidly I did not take any pics of the interiors which are all quite different. The 1964 Fairlady has smaller, non-flared wheelarches, a 1950's-style metallic dashboard with a delicate cicular ashtray, what looks like a bin lid handle for a bootlid handle and, best of all, that crazy sideways seat in the back for your 1.25 Japanese kids!
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Datsun Fairlady 1500 - 1964 - 02.jpg [ 86.61 KiB | Viewed 23208 times ]
(thanks to Darren for that photo)
The later models, while faster, lost some of the more intricate detailing - more safety rubber on the dashboard, flared wheelarches and (blurgh) headrests! It was great to see them all together. They're all different!
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Datsun 2000 Sports, 1600 Sports, Fairlady 1500 and Silvia - 11.JPG [ 119.11 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
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Datsun 2000 Sports, 1600 Sports, Fairlady 1500 and Silvia - 04.JPG [ 125.97 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
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Datsun 2000 Sports, 1600 Sports, Fairlady 1500 and Silvia - 01.JPG [ 103.16 KiB | Viewed 23208 times ]
My Florian got moved for an author to photograph it for his book. He's writing a book about 'automotive dead ends' as they just kind of fizzled out. I had to set him straight that they fizzled out HERE in Australia, but were sold with various updates (including the Chevy LUV front and then the Statesman-o-fied front) up until 1983, then were replaced directly with the Isuzu Aska, the locally developed GM J-car (same as Camira) and ran through until 1989 before being replaced by totally badge-engineered vehicles. Hardly really a short-lived automotive dead end! However I was stoked my car was getting attention, so I'm happy with that!
Since buying it I've fitted some spare wheelcovers that still sport the black ring in the centre, some whitewall tyres as fitted from original (albeit Continentals fitted with aftermarket whitewalling from Aces High Whitewalls and Guard Rolling) and rear venetians from O'Brien's Autoshades. I think those minor changes have really brought it up.
I would like to point out that since taking delivery of this car in September 2009, I have NOT YET WASHED IT! It came off the truck very clean and since then I've just dusted it and wiped it down with a Maguires waterless detailer. Sick bro!
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Isuzu Florian - 04.JPG [ 79.59 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
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Isuzu Florian - 03.JPG [ 90.75 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
Of course, the Belletts were out in force! I didn't really think of it at the time, but a few people told us we stole that show!
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Isuzu Belletts - 6 in a row - 02 - plus Wasp and Stout.JPG [ 110.76 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
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Isuzu Belletts - 6 in a row - 01.JPG [ 120.39 KiB | Viewed 23210 times ]
Captain Chamois' blue Bellett looking well chamoised as always.
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Isuzu Bellett GT - Bruno - 02.JPG [ 130.77 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
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Isuzu Bellett GT - Bruno - 01.JPG [ 110.47 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
Rob's recently saved ratter with GTRat stripage!
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Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratGTR - RobSA - 01.JPG [ 108.72 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
Ross's 1969-spec Bellett Deluxe.... or is that Chris's?
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Isuzu Bellett 1500 Deluxe - Ross Smith - 02.JPG [ 123.43 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
Chris's 1969-spec Bellett Deluxe... or is that Ross's?
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Isuzu Bellett 1500 Deluxe - Chris Browning - 02.JPG [ 120.81 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
The line up was perfect, because I really wanted the Florian with the Belletts, but not AMONGST the Belletts. So the Florian brought up the end of the line, then the six Belletts. We also wanted the Stout to be next to the Wasp as they are both 1965-built Japanese 1-ton pick ups and are kindred spirits, so the Wasp bookended the group then the Stout was next to that.
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Isuzu Wasp with Toyota Stout.JPG [ 102.7 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
...and Brenton, the owner of the Stout was as stoked as I was.
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Toyota Stout - 04 - with Brenton.JPG [ 97.38 KiB | Viewed 23209 times ]
And a good day was had by all!