10 Caddies left Bushman Street and none got as far as the Golf Course!
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Along with eight Harleys; seven Chevies; six Stangs; three Gals and Ponties; a couple of Birds, Compacts and Ramblers; and a Linc, Merc, Buick, Olds and Roller they made up the largest “Cars of the Elvis Era” show yet hosted by Parkes Antique Motor Club (PAMC) for the annual Elvis Festival.
Elvis fans will know that Merc is short for Mercury, not those German contraptions!
Car buffs may understand the jargon of the above names.
But to the thousands of spectators to the Street Parade and Car Show, the jargon meant little compared to the sight and sound of these big V8 convertibles, coupes and hardtops and V-twin bikes cruising down Clarinda Street, then being placed on show in Short Street.
To many it was worth the trip to the Festival in itself.
About 65 other cars and bikes took part in the parade, many of these in the Classic and Heritage Car Show in Caledonia Street.
PAMC member Alan Payne persuaded the Club to initiate the first “Cars of the Elvis Era“ show as part of the 2008 Elvis Festival, when the cars were displayed in Caledonia Street.
The initial response from the participants was sufficiently positive that Alan persisted with the show.
His objective was to fill Short Street with the best examples of the most stylish American vehicles of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Some participants in that first show are still bringing their cars to Parkes for Elvis!
This year saw Alan’s efforts fill Short Street from Clarinda to Caledonia Streets with the best range of high quality Elvis era vehicles yet seen in Parkes.
Feedback from the participants has been most positive, particularly about the hospitality and safety of Parkes.
Many have indicated that they will be actively encouraging more cohorts to come next year.
There are very few (if any) occasions other than Parkes where owners of cars such as these can place them on display in a controlled area immediately after a procession through many thousands of people.
That means next year’s parade and show is already shaping up to be even bigger.
PAMC President Bob Steel has indicated that the various people involved are already being approached to increase the area available for next year’s show.
2014 Car of the Elvis Era was Gavin Hillier’s 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible.
Runner-up was Stephen Vasallo’s 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Four Door Hardtop.
2014 Classic Car was Mick Shanks’ 1971 Falcon GT.
Runner-up was Doug McPhee’s 1971 Fairlane.
