2017 NSW Hot Rod and Custom Auto Expo

Didn't we just bring you coverage of the 2016 Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo?! Where did the last year go?

Held over the Mother's Day weekend, the 2017 Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo amped up the action for spectators and entrants alike. The list of special guests expanded this year to include American hot rodding royalty like Gene Winfield, Jimmy Shine and painter to the stars Charlie Hutton. All three made appearances on the main stage for interviews and storytelling, as well as providing demonstrations of their skills on trade stands around the event.

You wouldn't have thought it possible, but we reckon the quality of cars actually improved over last year – no easy task! Despite a handful of later-model cars, the core of the event is devoted to pre-1980 metal and most of that is pre-1960. Spread out across the various halls of the iconic Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, the cars enjoyed plenty of ogling from the mass of punters that streamed through the gates over the weekend. And what a lovely Autumnal weekend it was.

If the presence of so many beautiful cars wasn't enough to get your pulse elevated, then the many related trade stands were sure to be of interest. You could buy retro clothing and accessories, get your smartphone pinstriped, dine at a vintage-themed mobile burger joint and check out a number of car crafting trade displays, including live-action metal shaping from both Down Town Kustoms and Melomotive.

Indeed, the guys at Melomotive worked in tandem with rodding icon Gene Winfield to give a 1953 Chevrolet barn find a roof chop over the course of the two days of the show - in front of enthusiastic crowds. I bet we all hope to be that spritely on the eve of our 90th birthday.

Check out our photos for some of the standout vehicles on show this year and make sure you keep an eye on the event website – hotrodandcustom.com.au - for details on the dates for 2018. You won't want to miss it!

Words and Pics: Hosking Industries