Countdown to Orange

[customFC]

3
The third Nationals were held in Adelaide, the first time that the SA club played host.





















Her is 'OLD BLU' with Kevin Woolard, winner of Grand Champ.


Regards
Alex

The 13th Nationals in Orange are now only 14 Days away.
That's right, only 2 weeks to go.

[customFC]

2
When the 2nd Nationals came around, it was NSW's first shot at running the event.
The location chosen was Wagga Wagga in NSW.











The winner of Grand Champion was Gary Claypole with his beautiful FE sedan.


My apologies for the limited range of pics. This was the only Nationals event that I have not attended, and the pics have been borrowed. Can't give photo credits however, as I can't recall who took them. (If you are the photographer, please let me know and I will be sure to post up a credit)
If anyone has some more pics they would like to add, I encourage you to do so. Email them to me if posting them is too hard. custom@idx.com.au

Regards
Alex

Only 9 Days till the official start to the 13th Nats in Orange.

[RET]

It was a much simpler affair in those days, wasn't it? There are a few (much younger looking) faces in the crowd there I recognise: Greg & Belinda Pritchard, Dave Baker, Geoff "Gertie" Saul & daughter Shannon, John Tonkin and Di Power.

I reckon the trophies from that event still look great, twenty years later.

See you in Orange, next week!

[hrpremier]

It's interesting to see the quality of the pictures.  I forgot just how more vibrant colours are with modern digital cameras.  The colour may have lost some of the punch when they were scanned but speaking of camera's hows the video camera on that poor blokes shoulder.  I get pi$$ed of having to carry my little one around at car shows, let alone one the size of the FC Fuel Tank.

None the less stll very interesting to look at all the so called fashion. lol.   I will probably looking back in 20 years laughing at what Im wearing now.  :P

[fe-ambo]

I wont wait 20 years, I do laugh at what you are wearing now.  :D :D

[brads59]

That silver FC with the custom flash is seriously SEXY ;)

[GMH-O57(FLASH BACK 57)]

yeahhaaa 1 week to go got my digital camera ready and film to shoot in black and white :D

[customFC]

1
The first FE FC Nationals was held in Ballarat, Victoria.
This event started out as a get together between the Vic club and the SA club over the Easter weekend. The NSW club heard about the get together and thought it was a good idea and also made the journey to Ballarat. The event was a success, with many new friends made. It was decided that the concept was one that needed repeating, and a plan was struck for the next Nationals to be held in Wagga the following Easter. The plan was to rotate the organisation of the event between the clubs and that going forward it should be held every 2 years.
The marshalling point and drivers briefing.

After a short cruise, we settled into some parklands for the day.










NSW club members group shot.

The winners in each catagory as voted by entrants choice.

Winner of the Grand Champion prize was Paul Dawson in his very attractive FC sedan.

I hope you enjoyed this look back on the history of the Nationals.
Regards
Alex

Only 3 days to go before the 13th Nationals in Orange!!!

See ya there!!

[EffCee]

Alex,

Well done, a fantastic series of photos that not only shows the cars as they were, but some of the uncommon custom features that are rarely seen

I, for one, have enjoyed the series of photos that you put together immensley, I look forward to meeting you in Orange

Keith

[JB]

Just a question as a matter of interest....

From the first Nationals to the 13th...  What were the progressive entrant numbers, as Orange will have around 165 cars, wondering how many started and the growth rate.

Cheers
JB

[customFC]

I am sure this information could be pulled together from old run reports etc, but to my knowledge a ready reckoner of numbers at each event has not been put together.
From my photos, there were 38 cars at the first Nationals.
Regards
Alex

[FCwagon]

Thanks Alex for a fantastic "Countdown"!
Those early pics will be a great nostalgic look back for the participants who still show their cars. A few I picked out are a bit beefier these days tho'  ;D
well done
Leigh

[ratbox]

think i bought the yellow FE in that pic a while back

[fe-ambo]

Thanks for the great history lesson. I have really enjoyed looking at the photos as the Nationals early days to what it is today.
I am looking forward to been part of that with Orange been my first FE FC Nationals as an entrant.

Cheers
Paul

[colt]

JB, we had about 75 cars at Jindabyne, I understand there were about 140 cars at Phillip Island, from memory there were around 120 at Mt Gambier, now here we are getting ready for Orange. I stand to be corrected, but the average pre Jindabyne I think was around 65-70 cars.

Come on Orange! 2 more sleeps!

Colin.

[JB]

Thanks for that mate, imagine how many will be around in 2020...

Its a testament to the all of the clubs and also i believe to this website that really unites us all together.

Have a great time guys and girls i will be thinking of you.

Photos please, and mostly the one I really wanted to see was 160+ cars all going around Bathurst together... how awesome!!! so some video for that one to please.

Cheers