Chevs by the dozens

Logan City neighbours Chris Wood, left, and Stafford Brewis with Chris’ ’57 Belair. The pair of mates worked on the car together over four and a half years.

By Jeremy Sollars

The 41st National Chevrolet Festival rolled into Warwick last Thursday, with more than 140 vehicles and their devoted owners from across Australia spending the weekend ‘showing and shining’ in Leslie Park, cruising Palmerin Street and heading to check out the sights of Killarney.
Among them were Logan City neighbours Chris Wood and Stafford Brewis, who made the trip over the Gap in Chris’ 1957 Chevrolet Belair, imported in a very ordinary state from the US back in 2003.
The car’s motto is ‘Built not bought, to be driven, not trailered’.
The pair of mates spent four and a half years restoring – or more accurately building – the car together, but Chris’ original plan was to do it up with his dad, who sadly died before the dream could become a reality.
“I restored it out of respect for him – I know he’s looking down on it,” Chris told the Free Times.
“I fell in love with Chevs after seeing the movie ‘Running On Empty’ – from then I decided I wanted to own a ’57 Chev.
“I just love the fins and the shape of these cars.”
Queensland Chevrolet Car Club president Ian Turner said they were thrilled to hold their 41st ‘nationals’ event in Warwick, following on from the Pontiac Nationals earlier this year.
“The council was extremely supportive of this event, not in dollar terms but in assisting us with the organisation,” Ian said.
“They allowed us to have the registrations at the Town Hall – they couldn’t have been more helpful,
“We have cars here from all over Australia – on Friday there was a group went out to Morgan Park Raceway for some ‘private laps’ on the track, which they really enjoyed.”
The event was a joint effort between the Queensland Chevrolet Car Club and the ‘Shoebox Club of Queensland’ – referring to the ‘shoebox’ shape of the classic Chevs from ’55, ’56 and
’57.