The star of the show was the collection of vintage and veteran cars and hot rods, which evoked fond memories for all who got up close and personal to the gleaming chrome and duco.

There were souped up hot rods with chromed engines, stately late 1940s American sedans, tiny Mini Coopers and salt-stained Kombis and a Beetle that looked to have come straight from a grainy old 1960s surf movie.

There was even an ancient Ford truck adorned with a timber, gabled camper. 

According to organiser John Payne, it was the largest collection of classic cars the event had seen in its 13 years. 

“We didn’t get as many of the swap meet people we thought were coming but I think that was because of the wet weather up north,” John said.

Prizes were handed out by community members, the only criteria being personal choice based on either experience or nostalgia.

Rotarian Clive Cross could not go past the white FJ Holden, even if he was rather taken with the cherry red 1948 Plymouth, whose engine note he found particularly mellifluous.

“There’s not a bad car among them, they all look absolutely wonderful,” Clive said. 

Pauline Oakes from the Milton Hospital auxiliary remembered many of the cars from her youth but it was the red Ford Thunderbird convertible that caught her eye, evoking memories of a road trip she did on Route 66 in the US in 1993. 

John Payne was driven by memories of Bathurst and fanging down Conrod Straight when he chose the red Austin Cooper S. 

For those more interested in bargain hunting there were 70 stalls from which to choose. There were private sellers making the most of the event to clear surplus household goods, to the Milton Ulladulla Croquet Club, which had a large offering of bric-a-brac.

Unusual signs and rare car parts and memorabilia were also on offer.

The $6000 raised will be distributed among local charities.

 .