Meguiar's MotorEx 2009

Meguiar's MotorEx, took place on July 11th and 12th at the Sydney Showgrounds with over $60 million worth of spectacular vehicles on display, MotorEx yet again confirmed its status as one of the most prestigious gatherings of custom vehicles in Australia. The show drew a broad variety of vehicles, everything from hot rods, street machines and hi-tech tuners to American muscle, high performance speed machines and timeless classics.

Mark Kewley, Managing Director, MotorEx Management, declared this year's event a great success, with the addition of the Shannon's Classic Vehicle Auction adding a whole new dimension to the show. However, the "main event" of MotorEx is the 'House of Kolor Inauguration' on the Saturday morning, which drew a huge crowd to witness the unveiling of nine never-before-seen vehicles. Amongst the cars making their Australian show debut this year was "Jealous Ahura", a bold, big dollar transformation of a Mazda RX7 undertaken in Malaysia and brought over especially for MotorEx. Endowed with 10,000 artfully arranged Swarovski crystals (see last issue for the Swarovski-decorated MINI from the USA) and more bling than Ali G, this car created a huge buzz!

The Meguiar's Superstars Final, was another blockbuster, with twenty-five of Australia's best hot rods, street machines and high tech tuners competing for some of Australia's most prestigious and coveted show car awards. The newly expanded competition introduced six new awards this year to further recognise and reward our top show car builders. Best of Breed winners included Stephen Rich (Hot Rod), Chris Retzos (Street Machine) and Danny Makdessi (Hi-Tech Tuner), while T.M. Rawa scored the 2009 'Kudos Award' for the aforementioned RX7.

The Liqui Moly Custom Auto Expo was a show within a show at MotorEx and featured the NSW State Title Show. This was again a highly contested event featuring many of the country's top cars. The six new Meguiar's Superstars "Champion" awards, introduced this year to separately reward the six categories that make up the overall "Best of Breed" score, were awarded to just three winners. Chris Retzos- 57 Chev Coupe took out the Bodywork Champion, Undercarriage & Driveline Champion and Interior & Rear Compartment Champion. Danny Makdessi - '01 Subaru WRX took home the Paintwork Champion and Overall Impact Champion while Stephen Rich - '33 Ford Tudor was awarded Engine & Associated Components Champion.

Shannon's Classic Vehicle Auction, previously located at the Sydney International Motor Show, made its debut at Meguiar's MotorEx this year, and judging by the 70% sale rate, was a great success. Meguiar's MotorEx was also the host event for the first Superstars qualifying round for the 09/10 series. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Meguiar's Superstars, the previous winners' exclusion rule is being lifted, so past champs can have another shot at Superstars glory! This year's Meguiar's Superstar Hot Rod qualifiers' are Peter Elliott - '37 Ford Roadster (Meguiar's Superstar HR 08) and Rob Wilkins - '35 Ford Coupe. In the Street Machine category, first to qualify are Laurie Seguna - '83 Gemini (Meguiar's Superstar SM 08) and Joe Psaila - FC Holden.

For more information on this year's show and future events go to www.motorex.com.au

Source: JUST CARS, October 2009, Collectors Issue #164