Big boys love their four-wheeled toys.

Like the rest of Aussie blokes, Far Northern fellows have a love affair of all things with four wheels. You only had to wander through the Carsguide Cairns Auto Spectacular recently to see how proud the blokes were of their shining and gleaming metal on display as well as the thousands of male spectators who came to have a gander. As you drive around the region you get to see some special vehicles, many sporting personalised number plates reflecting their prides and joy. cairnseye has assembled a brief snapshot of what their vehicles mean to five enthusiasts. 

 

Name // James Bethurem   Age // 26  Suburb // Mt Sheridan Occupation // Company director Car // 2007 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro Cost // $100,000

Why did you buy it // I wasn't a huge fan of the old TT, but love small two-door sports cars. When the new design was released, I fell in love with it, took one for a test drive and decided to place an order.What options or modifications have been done or will be done to the vehicle // Solar Orange paint.What do you love about it // The way it drives/handles.Any dislikes // Forces favouritism among friends. It only has one usable spare seat. Your best drive in it // Driving the Misty Mountains Rd near Ravenshoe in winter. Very nice drive. Do you let your partner drive it // Of course. She will also argue she drives it better than me.How often do you wash it // I try for once a week but the orange colour has a good way of keeping it looking clean, it also depends on how much the birds dislike me.Where is it parked // Garaged. We have too many cats around and they love using vehicles as fighting platforms. Fun, fun.What music is in the car stereo // Anything with a good beat. Blues, hip-hop, dance, folk. I am not prejudiced against different genres.What other features are inside // Extended leather package, electric seats, built-in Bluetooth for your mobile (helps the wallet/driver’s licence points), adaptive headlights, Bose stereo.What is your favourite feature of the car // The electronically activated spoiler never gets old-hat.What would be your ultimate car // Aston Martin DBS or a Caterham RST V8.    

Name // Scott Hallas-Russell  Age // 35  Suburb // Caravonica Occupation // Chief financial officer   Car // Audi R8  Cost // $300,000

Why did you buy it // I really liked the look of it and the fact that Jeremy Clarkson loved it.What options or modifications have been done or will be done to the vehicle // None.What do you love about it // The way it looks. Everybody just stares at it.Any dislikes // The fact that it only has two seats.Your best drive in it // The first drive up the Kuranda range to Mareeba.Do you let your partner drive it // Of course, but she hasn’t driven it yet for some reason.How often do you wash it // Every couple of weeks.Where is it parked // That’s a secret.What music is in the car stereo // U2’s greatest hits.What other features are inside // Alcantara/leather sports seats, R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox, SatNav, six CD stacker, etc.What is your favourite feature of the car // The wheels and the silver “switchblade” on either side of the car.What would be your ultimate car:  // Apart from this maybe a Bugatti Veryon.

Name // Bril Mayer  Age // 28  Suburb // Mt Sheridan  Occupation // Advertising company director  Car // 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo (930)  Cost // All up after building and restoring the Porsche, it is $100,000 

Why did you buy it // I bought the car as a rolling shell with no interior or engine/transmission as a restoration project to give me something to do. What options or modifications have been done or will be done to the vehicle // It’s basically all original with the addition of a roll cage and upgraded brakes. What do you love about it // It’s a Porsche 911, simply the best sports car in the world ever and the most successful brand name in worldwide motorsports, in fact. Any dislikes // It has cost a lot of money to build it.  Your best drive in it // I am a member of the Porsche Club of Cairns and the Euro Club of Cairns so I’ve had some great trips in it with the club.Do you let your partner drive it // No.  How often do you wash it // Whenever it gets dirty. I’m not much for the cosmetic appeal, it’s all about driving. What other features are inside // It has the most important things a car should have: steering wheel, pedals, Recaro seats, four-point harnesses, a four‑point roll cage and a big tacho right in the middle of the dash. What is your favourite feature of the car // The way it corners, brakes and handles. There is nothing better than driving these cars the way they are supposed to be driven. They were designed for this. What would be your ultimate car // 2006 Porsche Carrera GT. At $1 million each they are a bit out of my reach! 

Name // William Jacob Age // 20  Suburb // Edge Hill  Occupation // Aircraft maintenance engineering apprentice  Car // 2008 Ford Falcon XR6 ute  Cost  // $32,000

Details // 4.0-litre six cylinder, 195kW at 6500rpm, 391Nm @3250rpm, auto, alloy wheels, sports side skirts, rear bumper, fog lights, trip computer, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connection. What’s it used for // As a daily driver to work and as a runabout as well as for weekend driving.Why did you buy it // I wanted a ute and I believe Ford has the best six cylinder ute on the market.What options or modifications have been done or will be done to the vehicle // It comes with the sport pack, 18-in alloys, a sports bar and a hard tonneau cover. I plan to tint the glass. What’s your favourite part of the car // The interior, everything is at your fingertips. The ergonomics are well thought out with plenty of space, comfortable seats, a digital indicating system and it even comes with cup holders. It has all the attributes needed for a great drive. Any dislikes // Nothing. Your best drive in it // To Port Douglas and back. I just loved driving through the bends. It was a great drive. What’s playing in your car stereo // Cold Chisel, Dire Straits, 99.5 Sea FM. Do you let your partner drive it // No way. How often do you wash it // Weekly. Where is it parked // In a carport. What would be your ultimate car // Maserati Quattroporte. 

Name // Bob Cane  Age // 40    Suburb // Cairns  Occupation // Aircraft re‑fueller and skydiving instructor 
Car // 1969 Corvette Stingray Roadster  Cost // The last offer was $75,000  

Why did you buy it // Saw it advertised on the internet in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, then drove it back to Cairns.  What options or modifications have been done or will be done to the vehicle // It has a mild cam and a speed-shifter.  What do you love about it // Everything.  Any dislikes // Driving it in the rain.  Your best drive in it // Every drive is great but I'd have to say going up to Port Douglas is nice.   Do you let your partner drive it // I let my last girlfriend drive it along the Esplanade, so yeah.  How often do you wash it // When it gets dirty.   Where is it parked // The bat cave.   What music is in the car stereo // Either Dragonforce or Black Stone Cherry.   What other features are inside // The pedal that goes varoom.   What is your favourite feature of the car // The side pipes that came out as an optional extra when the car was first purchased. It's funny how many people ask if they are connected or not. Yes, is the answer.   What would be your ultimate car // I’ve got it. I realised that life was way too short not to have your ultimate car. 

 

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