PERFECT 10 '!!!!

THE SYDNEY HOT ROD & CUSTOM AUTO EXPO TURNS 10

- SIMON TELFORD

WHEN Andy and Donna Minas kicked off the Sydney Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo in 2014, it seemed like an ambitious undertaking. The Rosehill Racecourse venue had already proven its worth as a good location for an auto event in the days of Russ Avis's Sydney Car Festival, but starting a brand-new indoor car show - without the drawing power of driving events must have been a daunting prospect.

Nevertheless, the Auto Expo was well supported from the outset, and the addition of the Nostalgia Lane hall in 2018 made the event a drawcard for lovers of traditional rods and customs from all over the country. That innovation was led by Andy Colalillo and the Outkasts Car Club, and they've curated an incredible line-up of cars each year since.

"We felt there was a big gap in the Sydney scene for traditional cars," Andy said. "We want to show people you don't have to build something in that typical show-scene style - old cars with modern running gear and big wheels. People could be building older-style hot rods, gassers, lowriders or customs. I think the traditional cars are more attainable for young guys, too, rather than building an elite-level car."