Classic cars, timeless icons of automotive history, have become a common sight at Amber by Living Gems where some residents are passionate owners of early model vehicles that turn heads wherever they go.
Among them are Steve and Jacqui Andrews who can often be seen behind the wheel of a bright yellow two-door, left-hand drive 1966 hardtop Ford Fairlane 500 which they purchased five years ago.
“Being coloured yellow means you can see us coming,” laughed Steve, who is a regular at Ford car shows around the country.
“We all get dressed up and while I’m not the Fonz (from Happy Days), I certainly look the part.”
Steve says he is mad about cars and motorbikes. He’s had a Harley Davidson since 2007.
The couple, who have been married for 44 years and moved into their new home at Amber by Living Gems last November, love everything about their 1966 Ford Fairlane.
“It’s just so unique with its chrome windshield and rear window mouldings, chrome rain gutter moulding, chrome horn ring; front and rear arm rests; cigarette lighter, and the name `Fairlane’ printed in block letters across the front fender. It’s a V8 and also has chrome bumpers (not plastic), it’s made of steel and is really cool to drive.”
He added that the 1966 Fairlanes were longer, lower and wider, and featured new suspension both front and rear, compared to previous models. The headlights were vertically stacked and angled back at the bottom for a more aggressive look.
Steve, a former construction project foreman, admits he’s no mechanic, although if it had been at all possible, he would have loved to have spent his entire life working on cars.
Jacqui and Steve’s love for classic cars has spread throughout his family with their son owning a 1954 Ford and son-in-law driving a 1966 Mustang.
“We often team up and go to the car shows together. We just love to buy memorabilia for my collection. Not to mention, our cars are real talking points and we get lots of stares from people as we drive by.”
BRIAN AND SHARON WILLIAMS
Another big attraction at Amber by Living Gems is Brian and Sharon William’s bright red 1993 hand built-in-Australia JAVA super sports car, which looks like a replica MG Morgan.
“There were only three in Queensland and one of those went to NZ. We bought ours in WA 11 years ago sight-unseen,” said Brian, a retired tool maker engineer and mechanic.
“It has a 2.6 Chrysler motor and runs beautifully.”
Almost every weekend, Brian and Sharon motor on up to Mount Tamborine where their meticulously maintained two-seater vehicle draws plenty of comments and interest.
“It’s not what I’d call an old car, but it certainly is stunning and looks fabulous.”
The couple, who have been married 51 years and have three children and nine grandkids, say the feeling of driving around with the wind in their hair is magic.
“At Christmas, I put on a Santa hat, dress the car in festive fare and drive it around our resort , complete with accompanying Christmas carols and it doesn’t miss a beat!”
