VICTORIA, Australia – The last time Ford Performance connected with Australia’s “Mr. Mustang,” we got the inside story on enthusiasts from Down Under coming to America to experience a Mustang 55^th anniversary adventure tour, which included participation at two big automotive events on either side of the country. This time around, we’ve asked for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest car shows in Australia, and Mr. Mustang has happily obliged. Technically, “Mr. Mustang” is the name of the Australian company managed by concours Mustang restorer Paul Shervington and his founder father, Vince. They attended the Meguiar’s MotorEx 2019s at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Victoria, Australia, this past May, and wanted to share this report:

Perhaps the best description of the annual MotorEx car show can be found on the event’s own website, which states that MotorEx is the largest and most prestigious car show of its kind in Australia. It goes on to explain that “each year, MotorEx attracts Australia’s best custom and modified cars, which travel from all over the country to create an amazing visual spectacle of color, chrome and individual style. Covering over 40,000 square meters, (about 430,000 square feet), the show features 700-plus vehicles with a collective value of over $50 million, along with the country’s best automotive businesses showcasing the auto industry’s newest and most exciting products. Known as “Meguiar’s MotorEx,” it’s a “car crazy” experience not to be missed!”

After attending this year’s event on Saturday, May 11, 2019, I can attest that this one show that any and all enthusiasts can enjoy. With MotorEx a blend of car show, trade show and vendor show, there were many well-known sponsors and trade stands from across the entire automotive spectrum in Australia, as well as from around the world. SEMA even had a display here, promoting the USA event and some of its participants.

The main MotorEx pavilion was a sight to see! The pace was packed with cars and people who live and breathe this scene. The show program offers plenty of choices, such as Speed Hunters Live; Performance Garage; Inauguration; Street Elite Showcase; Muscle Car Marvel; Pro Comp; Wrap Stars; Milwaukee Honour Roll; and Flying Spanners, but there were actually several standout displays that I most enjoyed.

Herrod Performance had a great display of the current Ford Mustangs now offered in Australia, along with all of the cool upgrades available and many Ford Performance products, including some engines and merchandise.

A special celebrity guest at this year’s event was custom car builder Ryan Friedlinghaus, founder of West Coast Customs. The fans lined up for a meet-and-greet and to get that collectible photo and autograph from Ryan. The TV show has been very popular over the years here in Australia.

The Muscle Car Marvel display featured many iconic Australian Falcon GT’s from all eras. It seemed that all of the GT’s looked like they had just come off the showroom floor, with many having been restored to their former glory. They even had the first Falcon GT model XRGT from 1967, and the last one: a Ford Performance Vehicle (FPV) FG GT-F (The last FPV GT that was built for 2014 with only 500 produced.) The cars were opposite each other, and both looked really great in Gold.

Australia’s fastest S550 Mustang was also on display at MotorEx 2019: It’s a yellow street-driven beast from the Northmead Auto Centre that produces 1,041 Horsepower at 16 PSI of turbo boost, giving it a 9.2-second quarter-mile @ 149 MPH! A few modified early model Mustangs were also displayed that had incredible modifications, including some that had been converted to right-hand-drive. It used to be that early Mustangs had to be converted to right-hand drive to be used in Australia, but now owners are allowed to have a choice, so many owners now leave their classic Mustangs left-hand drive.

Another big attraction here was the restomods – most all with late-model engines and drivelines and modern creature comforts added to them. Along with the upgraded suspension and brakes, these cars are in a class of their own, and many of the Mustangs we saw were works of art.

The Street Machine Hall Of Fame display made up of Australian Falcon GT race cars from days gone by was very popular with the general public, as were a replica Ford GT40 and a twin-blown big-block Model T built by legendary hot-rodder Rod Hadfield. Australian “Burnout King” Gary Myers and son, Jake, had their cars on display and looking tough. One was “AGROXA,” a 1972 Ford Falcon XA Coupe and the other was “S1CKO,” a 1966 Mustang Coupe. The Meyers duo is known for building tough-looking cars and have won many awards for their cars and burnout skills throughout Australia.

There was also a 1967 Ford Thunderbird owned by Australian Football League star Sam Newman. Not only is he a well-known television sports celebrity, but he also collects many collectible vehicles. Ford fans flocked to see the Alan Moffat 2017 Ford Mustang, a joint project with Tickford Australia to mark the Bathurst win in 1977 and to honor the famous 1-2 finish that year in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Their Mustang was shown in the same colors and racing format from back in ’77.

If you look at the photos of the new-model S550 Mustangs that are here in Australia, you’ll likely notice that the steering wheel is on the right side. That’s right! These days right-hand-drive Mustangs are factory built that way straight from the USA. Like our fellow Mustang-loving Americans, we can’t get enough of them here in the land Down Under, and the desire to make them as individual as possible with cosmetic and powertrain upgrades is just as strong. Us Aussies are also leading the way here with many special modifications on these iconic vehicles. If you are planning to travel to Australia, I can highly recommend planning a trip around attending the big MotorEx show while in the great city of Melbourne.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY PAUL SHERVINGTON
and the MUSTANG OWNERS CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA