European Classics at The Old Toy Shop: Classic Restos - Series 46

In Cootamundra, Queensland, Fletch tours the Old Toy Shop, Which in its heyday was just that, a toy shop and in more recent history, a Smash Repair Panel shop. But for the last seven years, it has been home to Graham's classic European car collection and workshop, which why he says the name 'Old Toy shop' is still appropriate. 

This magnificent shed is spotless, including Graham himself; there's nothing out of place. As the saying goes, "a place for everything and everything in its place", this is the perfect example. 

The Smash Repair Shop's purchase included dust-free spray booths, milling machines and lathes, which were more than appropriate for Graham's needs as a car restorer. 

Graham loves nothing more than starting from just the chassis and rebuilding cars, particularly sports cars. That's his greatest love; some of his are already collectables, and the more modern European examples will become very collectable down the track, he believes. Grahan says, "It's better than money in the bank". 

Two cars in Graham's collection are a 1949 MG TC that he declares is a pretty basic model and a bit of a boneshaker to drive. Another is very special, a 1955 Zephyr Special racecar that has an impressive history. It ran in two Australian Grand Prix in 1955 and 1966. The Zephyr was highly supercharged and ran on straight Methanol, with an output of 280 -300 HP and a top startline speed of 160mph. The Zephyr Special was very competitive against the all-conquering Cooper-Climax of the time. 

Fletch is always on the lookout for a good feed, and at Sutton Forest, just south on Mossvale NSW on the Hume Freeway, he discovers Featherbrae's Pies. It's not your typical pie shop and well worth a stopover if your travelling along the Hume highway in the Southern Highlands region.