“I TUCK it in better than I do my wife.”
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That was the confession that proved Antique Car Club Albury-Wodonga secretary John Schuurman’s passion for vehicles from the past.
As he gazed at his 1935 PJD Chrysler Plymouth coupe utility at Morgan Country Car Club’s swap meet yesterday at Jindera, he told the story of how the rusty car had transformed into an attraction.
“I purchased it off Arthur Bachali in Wagga in the mid-70s,” he said.
“It spent all its life on a mixed fruit orchard and fruit was thrown in the back and delivered to corner stores.”
Mr Schuurman said there were only 10 built in the world and his was one of only two known to be still working.
He made his first alteration to the vehicle when he bought it and made his last one just four weeks ago.
“It’s an ongoing thing once you restore it you need to maintain it,” he said.
Mr Schuurman wouldn’t disclose the amount he has spent on the car over the years but one would guess it’s a lot.
“Do you want me to get divorced?” he joked.
He was attracted to the car because of its uniqueness and past.
“Without a history you ain’t got a future,” he said.
“I know I can go to a show and never see another one like it.”
Morgan Country Car Club president Andrew Pargeter said it was the club’s 18th swap meet and its most successful yet with more than 1000 people braving the weather to see the exhibited vehicles.
Mr Pargeter said they sold out of sites and had more than 100 cars on display.
“We’ve never sold out of sites,” he said.
“People are starting to put this event on their calendar.”
He said the money raised would go towards a new clubhouse.