Yamaha motorbike restorer Russell Thomas travelled from Reservoir for the All Japanese Car and Bike Show with his immaculate fully restored 1971 60cc Yamaha Junior Trail 1.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Once the fog lifted on a chilly King’s Birthday, the morning sun gleamed on immaculately kept Japanese cars and bikes owned by motor enthusiasts at Shepparton Aerodrome.
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The event, run by Goulburn Valley Classic and Muscle Car Group and GV Aero Club, was the first all-Japanese car and bike show they had hosted and it was shaping up to be a huge success when The News visited early in the day.
The 60 car spaces in the main airport car park were quickly filled before vehicle entries spilled over to the helipad.
Photo by
Bree Harding
GV Classic and Muscle Car Group’s Andrew Dwyer said the main airport car park had about 60 parking spaces available to exhibit the Japanese-built machines, which are known for their reliability and low maintenance costs.
All those spaces were full, while later-arriving entries were exhibited at the adjacent helipad yard.
Mr Dwyer said up to 150 vehicles, including Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, Subarus, Suzukis and Mitsubishis, were expected to be on display throughout the morning.
There were some unique Japanese makes and models at the All Japanese Car and Bike Show, including ‘The Lemon’.
Photo by
Bree Harding
However, given the club didn’t take pre-entries for the show, it was a bit of a “lucky dip” trying to estimate how many would show up on the day.
The club decided to host the day due to the growing popularity of Japanese vehicle makes.
Toyotas and Subarus, Nissans and Mazdas, all makes of Japanese vehicles were well represented at the show on King's Birthday.
Photo by
Bree Harding
“More and more young blokes are getting into the little four-cylinder Japanese-built cars,” Mr Dwyer said.
Many women were also filtering through the gates behind the wheels of their prized motoring possessions.
A steady stream of vehicles entered the gates (and the event) all morning, in time for judging at 12.30pm.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Reservoir’s Russell Thomas was at the event with his fully restored vintage Yamaha Mini Enduro JT1-L 60cc motorbike on display.
“We travel up the freeway; it’s a nice drive up. We stop for a coffee before setting up here for the day,” Mr Thomas said.
Russell Thomas’ lovingly restored Yamaha Mini Enduro JT1-L, a 1971 60cc motorbike that his father bought brand new the year it was made from Joe Brown Motorcycles in Sale.
Photo by
Bree Harding
“I brought my bike on a trailer; it’s only a little 60cc — you can imagine how long it would take to ride it here.”
Mr Thomas’ bike is one of four he owns and one of many he has restored.
His father bought it brand new in 1971 from Joe Brown Motorcycles in Sale.
Another of his restored bikes, a twin-cylinder Yamaha HS1, took out Best Bike honours at Euroa Show and Shine in 2022.
“I just switch them around a bit, take a different one to each show,” Mr Thomas said.
Members of a Melbourne Mazda car club travelled to Shepparton together on King's Birthday morning.
Photo by
Bree Harding
The club regularly hosts car shows at the aerodrome, and prizes are awarded in various categories at each meet.
Car club member Andrew Dwyer says the four-cylinder classic Japanese-made cars are growing in popularity with the younger crowd.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Organisers say it’s a way for car enthusiasts to catch up and admire each other’s rides while raising money for charity and potentially taking home a prize for their pride and joy.
Proceeds from the event, including gold-coin entry for spectators and $5 vehicle entry fees, went directly to Shepparton Search and Rescue, which had volunteers manning the gates.
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