Almost 50 years ago Busselton resident Andy Sharp started Busselton’s Veteran Car Club with his mate Murray Armstrong after they realised the Bunbury club’s secretary had been ripping off their fees.
The owner of Sharp’s Museum, which houses a collection of vintage and modern cars, said the pair had paid their subs but the secretary thought it was his,
“That is why we broke away from Bunbury” he said.
Disgruntled, the two men decided to leave the Bunbury club and started their own one in Busselton in 1967.
Mr Sharp said a love of cars was something that had grown in him over the years and he was not sure of the number of cars he had restored.
“People do not appreciate the time and effort that goes in to restoring cars. Take this one for instance – every nut and bolt has been taken out of it and when they are stripped everything is completely taken out,” he said.
“When you hop in you can just turn the key and off she goes, that is our achievement and that is how I like to have them.”
Mr Sharp’s daughter Lyn Johnson said restoring cars was much easier in today’s age where everything could be reproduced and ordered online.
Ms Johnson said back in her father’s time he had to make and improvise everything on the cars.
“There are more contacts now,” Mr Sharp said.
“When I restored this car I had all brand new parts shipped from America, cheaper than from Perth or the Eastern States.
“When we ordered the parts we were sitting up at midnight to order from the States because there was a day’s difference. The Yanks knew exactly what I wanted, they put it in a box and sent it over. It was bloody marvellous.”
To celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary the Hunter family have organised a car rally which will take place from January 27 to 29.
They have invited past and present members to join in the rally which will begin at the club’s showrooms from 9am for a drive to Mr Sharp’s museum.
On display will be the founding members’ old classics including Mr Sharp’s 1928 Ford A and Mr Armstrong’s T Model truck.
After a morning tea the rally will continue on to Wonnerup House to enjoy lunch on the grounds before ending the rally at the Busselton Museum.
A gala dinner will be held on the Friday night from 6.30pm. Tickets are $40 a head and bar facilities will be available.
RSVPs to the event can be made before January 13 by contacting Ray Morgan on 0419 042 162.
For a gallery of some of the other surprises from Mr Sharp’s museum, don’t miss busselton mail.com.au.
