Panel vans and hot rods are cruising in popular memory, and perhaps soon to Dubbo’s drive-in.
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The classic vehicles returned to the limelight as a proposal to open the iconic outdoor cinema for one weekend in April was announced on January 9.
The drive-in project, a partnership between Dubbo City Youth Council and Dubbo Regional Council (DRC), would see the projector flicked on for the first time in three decades if an application is successful.
A striking red Holden Sandman and a gleaming hot rod featured in a photo with drive-in proponent and youth council member Phoenix Aubusson-Foley, distributed with the announcement.
To DRC youth development officer Jason Yelverton, the vehicles were an obvious inclusion in the photo shoot.
“The Sandman panel van and the old cars go hand in hand with the drive-in,” Mr Yelverton said.
“Obviously [the drive-in] closed in 1984. So there’s been a few old hot rods and things in their day.
“And they are something that’s synonymous with drive-ins, the hot rod, so I made a few calls and got a couple of cars there on the day.
“I thought it added to the vibe.”
References to Holden’s Sandman and earlier models by other makes flowed on social media in the wake of the announcement, indicating their firm place in popular memory.
“Time to dust off the old sandman if I had one,” Terry Grandviews Bowler said in a post to Facebook.
And there were some enthusiastic exchanges.
“Get the van out John Hutty!! That’s great news, well done Youth Council!,” Ianthe Hutty said in a post to Facebook.
John Hutty said in a comment: “I will be taking my old panelvan, can’t believe we’re taking a step back to the good old days.”
Others appeared to wish they had an old car to shine up for the occasion.
“...I wish I still had my FC,” Albi Mastellotto said in a post.
The drive-in is proposed to open on April 7-9, as part of National Youth Week.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
