Once the fog lifted on a chilly King’s Birthday, the morning sun gleamed on immaculately kept Japanese cars and bikes owned by motor enthusiasts at Shepparton Aerodrome.
The event, run by Goulburn Valley Classic and Muscle Car Group and GV Aero Club, was the first all-Japanese car and bike show they had hosted and it was shaping up to be a huge success when The News visited early in the day.
GV Classic and Muscle Car Group’s Andrew Dwyer said the main airport car park had about 60 parking spaces available to exhibit the Japanese-built machines, which are known for their reliability and low maintenance costs.
All those spaces were full, while later-arriving entries were exhibited at the adjacent helipad yard.
Mr Dwyer said up to 150 vehicles, including Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, Subarus, Suzukis and Mitsubishis, were expected to be on display throughout the morning.
However, given the club didn’t take pre-entries for the show, it was a bit of a “lucky dip” trying to estimate how many would show up on the day.
The club decided to host the day due to the growing popularity of Japanese vehicle makes.
“More and more young blokes are getting into the little four-cylinder Japanese-built cars,” Mr Dwyer said.
Many women were also filtering through the gates behind the wheels of their prized motoring possessions.
Reservoir’s Russell Thomas was at the event with his fully restored vintage Yamaha Mini Enduro JT1-L 60cc motorbike on display.
“We travel up the freeway; it’s a nice drive up. We stop for a coffee before setting up here for the day,” Mr Thomas said.
“I brought my bike on a trailer; it’s only a little 60cc — you can imagine how long it would take to ride it here.”
Mr Thomas’ bike is one of four he owns and one of many he has restored.
His father bought it brand new in 1971 from Joe Brown Motorcycles in Sale.
Another of his restored bikes, a twin-cylinder Yamaha HS1, took out Best Bike honours at Euroa Show and Shine in 2022.
“I just switch them around a bit, take a different one to each show,” Mr Thomas said.
The club regularly hosts car shows at the aerodrome, and prizes are awarded in various categories at each meet.
Organisers say it’s a way for car enthusiasts to catch up and admire each other’s rides while raising money for charity and potentially taking home a prize for their pride and joy.
Proceeds from the event, including gold-coin entry for spectators and $5 vehicle entry fees, went directly to Shepparton Search and Rescue, which had volunteers manning the gates.