The 12th Annual Classic Celica Appreciation Day
The Classic Celica Appreciation Day is an annual event held down at Wiseman’s Ferry (about an hour and a half north-west of the Sydney CBD) by the Toymods car club.
The meeting point is Ettamogah Pub and takes place at nice and not too early 10am for a 10:30am departure for the 12th annual event. It’s great to get there a little bit early to see all the classic Celica’s roll in, both stock and modified examples in all their glory. The Celicas included every thing from the first to the sixth generation (expect no fourth or seventh generations made an appearance this year) and on top of that even the ultra rare GT-Four Group A Rallye’s from both the ST185 and ST205 generations. This year other Toyota’s such as the 86, FX-GT Corolla, Vitz RS and Mark 2 Celica Supra’s to name a few also made an appearance.
Once 10:30 came around it was time to head out on the highway in single formation and watch the masses drool over some of the best cars Toyota has made over the years. After about 15 minutes on the highway we all take a turn off onto the much preferred twisty roads that head all the way down to Wiseman’s Ferry, where the gates to the park have been opened up to welcome the pristine group of Toyota’s old and new. Each year the Toymods car club is given access to the park where the cars are able to take position on the grass in between the trees which makes for a much greater atmosphere in my opinion. Once all the cars are in position, being classed by old on one side and new on the other, the BBQ kicks off for all the drivers where the money raised goes to the Black Dog Institute. On top of that there are also a few stalls for owners to look at such as; Shannon’s Insurance and Auto One.
Throughout the day it is a great time to get to know new people and talk Celica’s, which is great coming from a previous Celica owner since most of the time Celicas are overlooked at other events, but not here. Here they are praised and appreciated for ringing in a new start for Toyota back in the 70s with sporty 2-door coupes and lift backs that would continue for decades to follow up until 2005 when the seventh generation finished up.
At about 2:30pm people start to head off home or some move their cars by the water for a better photo opportunity, since it is a stunning scenery. Whether you and your Celica (or even Toyota in general) are young or old, it doesn’t matter, all are welcome here at the annual Classic Celica Appreciation Day.
All in all, I had another cracker of a day being down at Wiseman’s Ferry for my fourth Classic Celica Appreciation Day. Toymods Car Club hold a great event for all ages and it’s very family friendly with a mature atmosphere. Can’t wait for next years event and also Toymod’s ToyotaFest which takes place in October this year.
