Classic Cars & Mcfeeters Motor Museum NSW: Classic Restos - Series 48

Fletch is back in central NSW to meet two enthusiasts and view their classic cars, Richard with his 1955 VW Beetle and Eric with his 1962 Vauxhall Cresta. 

Richard's story is familiar, finding a rusted-out wreck bogged on a rural property, going home to consult his wife Shirley about spending $300 for the wreck, when his son offered to fund the rescue. The restoration began 19 years ago. He gives his son, also named Richard, a great deal of credit for the project; he has an excellent eye for detail, which is why the Beetle is in Concours condition today. Richard says no two VW's are the same but are all cool. When Fletch asks, how does it drive? He says it drives like a VW, slow but responsive and capable of 65mph downhill. Son Richard has appeared in a previous episode of Classic Restos with his own HK Brougham, another example of his restoration skills. 

Fletch's fascination with the Dish is evident once again when he finds enthusiasts Bruce - a  Central West Car Club member who happens to be a senior technician at the Dish in Parkes. His classic car is a 1962 Vauxhall Cresta. Bruce's passion for Vauxhall originated when he was just 12 years old. His first car was a Bedford Ute based on a Prewar Vauxhall sedan. He initially thought the Cresta would be a good family car, but it wasn't until his family had grown up that he acquired it. Vauxhalls first attempt at modern styling based on American models attracted him to it, always wanting a car with fins, even if they were modest compared to the American vehicles. The Cresta was an Australian-made model and featured a 161 Vauxhall motor with a Hydramatic transmission. Bruce says it's still fun to drive today and a step back in time every time he drives it. 

There's nothing better than a motor museum in Fletch's eyes, and this is another great example and reason to travel to Forbes in NSW and spend time in the region; it's the Mcfeeters Motor Museum. The museum is astonishing and has become a significant tourist attraction. It's not a garage but a purpose-built museum to house the entire Mcfeeters family car collection, which spans from 1902-2015. They have collected cars for over 58 years. One unique feature of the museum is that many of the vehicles have mannequins dressed in the fashion from the period to style the display, helping visitors recall the period of the cars. Women, in particular, have expressed their delight at how the museum presents the cars and fashions of the day. A trip to the Mcfeeters Motor Museum is one to put on your list if you're driving through Central NSW.