Classic cars too hot to handle

Chantelle Le Neveu, 19, of the Gold Coast, added a touch of glamour to the Back to Brunswick Hot Rod Show as she arrived in her friend’s 1938 Pontiac Sloper.

Doug Eaton

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LOOKING every inch the 1940’s pin-up girl, Gold Coast criminology student Chantelle Le Neveu added a glamorous, feminine touch to the Back to Brunswick Hot Rod Show at Brunswick Heads yesterday.

Arriving in her friend’s 1938 Pontiac Sloper, 19-year-old Ms Le Neveu, who models her vintage look on her icon, neo-burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, was among an estimated 2000 people who visited the three-day hot rod meet.

The third annual event attracted 500 exhibiting vintage cars, said Rod Brewer, who, along with Peter Paynter, organises the event.

“We’ve had cars driven from as far as Darwin, South Australia and Melbourne for the show and the whole town has been booked out accommodation-wise,” he said.

“We love the relaxed feel of Brunswick and I’m hoping the town gets behind the event.

“The hot rod scene is very family oriented. Many of these people will come back to Brunswick and holiday here.

“It brings a lot of money into the town when times are tough.”

The cars on display were divided into three types, Mr Brewer said. The hot rods were pre-1948, the classic cars were up to the 1960s, while the muscle cars were pre-1975.

“They’re all as unique as their owners,” he added.

Also at the event were US hot rod legends Jimmy Shine and Pete Chepris, who helped judge cars on features such as paintwork and stance.