Building a Legacy Since 1966

Preserving the past. Showcasing the present.
Driving the future of Victorian hot rodding.

Become a Member

Driven by Passion, Built on Community

The Victorian Hot Rod Association (VHRA) is a not-for-profit organisation proudly supporting Victoria’s automotive enthusiast community. We are dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating hot rods, customs and street machines across the state, bringing together passion, craftsmanship and community.

September 12 & 13
Caribbean Park, Scoresby

Victorian Hot Rod & Street Machine Festival 2026

Our flagship event, the Victorian Hot Rod and Street Machine Festival is a premier celebration of automotive passion, innovation and community spirit. Alongside this major event, the VHRA proudly supports and participates in other Victorian car events that align with our mission and values.

Vehicles eligible under the VicRoads Club Permit Scheme may be invited to participate in VHRA events, at the discretion of the VHRA management team. This ensures all vehicles presented reflect the standards, integrity and purpose of our Association.

Importantly, the VHRA prioritises events where proceeds support recognised charities that provide direct and meaningful assistance to Victorian families, reinforcing our commitment to giving back to the community.

About

Intro

Building a Legacy Since 1966

The Victorian Hot Rod Association was officially established on 15 February 1966, when six young enthusiasts signed the original Articles of Association, laying the foundations for what would become one of Victoria’s most enduring and respected automotive organisations.

Those founding members were:

Bob Dykes
Robert Lees
Kevin Mayo
John English
Max De Jersey
Neil Kelly

At the time, few could have imagined the iconic status the Victorian Hot Rod Show would go on to achieve, or the lasting influence it would have on Australia’s hot rodding and street machine culture.

For 55 years, the show became synonymous with Carlton’s Royal Exhibition Building and the Australia Day long weekend, creating a tradition cherished by generations of enthusiasts. That unbroken run was unexpectedly paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first disruption in the event’s long and proud history.

In 2024, the Victorian Hot Rod and Street Machine Show made its return, embracing a new location, revised dates and a refreshed format. The evolution continues, with the event set to establish a new home at Caribbean Park from 2026, where a vibrant, festival-style atmosphere will shape its next chapter.

While the venue and presentation evolve, the spirit, passion and purpose of the VHRA remain unchanged, ensuring the show continues to celebrate the heritage, creativity and community that define Victorian hot rodding and street machine culture.

The VHRA’s story is still being written, driven by a commitment to honour the past while shaping the future of hot rodding and street machine culture in Victoria.

1970's Hot Rod Show

2015 Hot Rod Show

1970's Hot Rod Show

1/23

Meet our Directors

The VHRA is proudly led by a committed group of Directors who volunteer their time to guide the Association and support Victoria’s automotive community.

Peter Allan

Motor mechanic by trade, I’ve loved cars and anything mechanical from an early age. After finishing Year 10, I began my apprenticeship in 1971 at Regent Motors in South Melbourne, working on Rover and Land Rover vehicles. In 1975, I joined Bowen Motors in Oakleigh, progressing from mechanic to service manager before the business was sold in 1978. I then worked with BTS Towing as a tilt tray operator until 1980, when I decided to pursue a long-term career. In 1981, I joined William Adams, the Caterpillar dealer for Victoria and Tasmania. Starting in field service, I spent 23 years there, finishing as Product Support Manager. In 2004, I moved to Indonesia with Trakindo, supporting Caterpillar equipment at the Freeport mine in West Papua, first as Service Admin Manager and later as Parts Manager. I joined Caterpillar Melbourne in 2006, managing global contracts and parts sales for four of the largest mining customers before retiring in 2022 after 18 fulfilling years. I joined the VHRA as a director in 2022 to help get the organisation back on track and restore honesty and transparency to the board. With the support of the new board, we resurrected the Victorian Hot Rod and Street Machine Show at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, bigger and better than ever, and are excited to move to Caribbean Gardens and transform the show into a true festival experience.

Tony Castellano

Hot rods, American cars, classics, customs, and Aussie built cars have been a significant part of my life from a very young age. What began as early exposure through attending car shows and automotive events with my family soon developed into a deep and enduring passion. Over time, this enthusiasm for all things automotive has evolved from a casual interest into a full-time hobby. My interest in joining the VHRA stemmed from a desire to be more actively involved in the hot rod and street machine community, and to contribute to shaping the scope and direction of the hobby’s future. As the world of hot rodding continues to evolve, I believe there is an exciting opportunity to help guide that change in a way that respects tradition while embracing progress. My hot rod pride and joy is a 1932 Highboy, which I share with my father, John. Purchasing the car sight unseen was a calculated risk, one that has proven well worthwhile and has led to many enjoyable Sunday drives along the coast, as well as regular outings to local car shows. My passion also extends beyond full-sized vehicles to include Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, memorabilia, and related collectibles. Importantly, this love of cars is something shared throughout my family with my wife, son and daughter enjoying and engaging in the automotive scene.

Don Borg

My name is Don Borg, and I am a long-standing member of the Thunderbirds Rod and Custom Club, having been involved with the club for approximately 25 years. I began my working life in the banking sector but soon discovered a preference for hands-on work. This led me to a career as a plasterer, after which I expanded into home building while continuing to operate my plastering business. I also served on the board of the Victorian Plasterers’ Association for five years. In addition, I was a Rotarian for 33 years, an experience that I found deeply rewarding through opportunities to contribute to both my local community and international initiatives. Currently, I own three vehicles of interest: a 1933 Ford Tudor, which is nearing registration; a 1957 Ford Thunderbird; and a 1992 Toyota Coaster converted for mobile home use. I plan to undertake some touring in the Coaster while transporting the Tudor to interstate rod shows.

Eric Norton

My passion for cars began at the age of eight, building Revell model kits inspired by Ed Roth’s imaginative creations and avidly reading Australian Hot Rodding Review. Iconic builds such as Mother’s Worry and the raw spectacle of nitro dragsters captured my imagination from an early age. That was 1968. Since then, my journey has included a business career encompassing entrepreneurial start-ups, alongside a lifelong involvement in car modification, restoration, and racing. This path began with a mechanical apprenticeship and evolved into two decades of earning a living as the publisher of Just Holdens Magazine. More recently, I have been producing and presenting my own FM radio program, Cars & Guitars. I joined the VHRA to support the preservation of Victoria’s rich car building and modifying culture and its history, an environment where individual expression, creativity, and craftsmanship continue to hold a unique and enduring appeal. My current collection comprises 14 vehicles, predominantly Holdens and HSV models, along with a Corvette, several Fords and Valiants, Mercedes, BMW, MG, and Rover vehicles, as well as three motorcycles. I have also undertaken two hot rod builds that, while not completed, remain part of my ongoing automotive journey.