John's Rod & Custom Picnic -Oct 31st to Nov 2nd 2008

KOA invite all car and Rockabilly enthusiasts to be part of the amazing phenomenon that is the 16th PICNIC!!!

Rockabilly Riot... Hot Rods... Kustoms... Bobbers... Classics... Vintage... USA Muscle Cars... Lowrider Bikes... Model Cars... Pinstriping… Kustom Kulture Exhibition… Flamethrowers… Hot Rod Hall Of Fame… Lifestyle Trade Exhibitions… Cruisin’ the Main Drag… Live the dream!!!

The PICNIC (the most revered Hot Rod, Kustom car, and Rockabilly festival in the Southern Hemisphere), is traditionally held over the Melbourne Cup weekend, this year being October 31st to November 2nd. Thousands of automobile and music enthusiasts from all states in Australia as well as New Zealand, Europe, and the United States will make their annual pilgrimage to what has become THE event to attend!!! Kustoms of Australia have been hosting the PICNIC since 1993, and from the beginning it had become the most popular Rod & Kustom event in the Australian calendar. The PICNIC will once again be held at the fabulous township of Pakenham, with most of the activities taking place in the picturesque surrounds of the Pakenham Racecourse. The event starts on Friday October 31st, with a layback BBQ/Shop Tour/Music and Bench Racing Session at John’s Rod & Custom 74 Beaumont Road Berwick, where we'll be welcoming interstate and local Hot Rod and Rockabilly enthusiasts. Late entrants will be able to register for the PICNIC on the night to help alleviate traffic congestion on the weekend.

On Saturday morning a large number of enthusiasts will depart the Sandown Park Hotel car park at 10.00 am for a cruise to Pakenham Racecourse to join other entrants already there for the show n’ shine, cruisin’, and the huge Rockabilly Rumble featuring some of Australia’s best Rock n‘ Roll bands, including: Blackhill Ramblers, Fender Benders, Flatfoot Shakers, Flattrakkers, Flyin' Saucers, Gatorbait, Hoot’n’Holla, Jump’n’Jive, Rockability, Sparkplug, and Wild Turkey.

At the racecourse you get the opportunity to check out all the cars up close, as well as the model car show, Kustom Kulture art exhibition, and the numerous lifestyle trade stands exhibiting their wares from the 50’s & 60’s, including: Australian Street Rodding Magazine, Cruzin Magazine, Chopped Magazine, Shannons Insurance, John's Rod & Custom, Antique Tyre Supplies, Atom Bomb Baby, Bradford Badges, Inner Elements Photography, Jeebsters Nostalgic Signs, Johnny Z's, Kelli's Kreations, Koolkits, Kustom Ink, Kustom Kar Kandy model cars, Lost in the 50's, PNF Figurines, Ultimate Choppers, and many others! If you enjoy cruisin’ you’ll get the opportunity to do so big time, when we depart the Racecourse at 5.45 pm and lobe down to the main shopping strip of Pakenham where we’re given the exclusive use of the main street to cruise and parade from 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm. If you were there for the Saturday nite cruise last year, you’ll know how much you’ll enjoy this year’s cruise! A trip back to the 60’s…followed by the Rockabilly Riot at the Pakenham Main street Hotel with the Flattrakkers & Flyin' Saucers. It’ll blow your mind! Sunday you will be treated to the largest gathering of Hot Rods & Kustoms ever gathered at one place in Australia from 8.00 am, when the grounds of Pakenham Racecourse will begin to fill to capacity with thousands of cool machines ranging from the best show cars in Australia to more sedate mildly modified cruisers, all enjoying the participation, and as always… we’ll make sure to keep you well entertained with the best Rockabilly bands Australia has to offer playing right throughout the day, and of course there’s the model car show, Kustom Kulture art exhibition, Pinstriping, trade alley, and many more activities. We’ll rock ya, till the event unfortunately comes to a close at 5.00pm. The PICNIC will be open to the public from 10.00 am till 5.30 pm on Saturday November 1st, and 9.00am till 4.30pm on Sunday November 2nd. Saturday single public entry is $10.00, family entry $20.00, children under 14 $5.00. Sunday single public entry is $15.00, family entry $30.00, children under 14 $5.00. NO DOGS ALLOWED! Kustoms of Australia have been holding the PICNIC since 1993, and it never fails to entertain… if you’re into fun with cars and Rock n’ Roll, you’ll love the PICNIC!

Dale Fisher was last year's inductee into the Hot Rodding Hall Of Fame at KOA's 15th annual PICNIC, joining the ranks of earlier honoured members, John English and Eddie Thomas

Note: For Sunday, areas from Racecourse road entry to end of stables enclosure will be open to pre-64 cars only! Main square will be parking by invitation only. There will be restricted cruisin' through the square. Later models, as well as early models that wish to, will proceed to areas beyond the stables or into the oval.

For more information please ring Kustoms of Australia on 03 9796 2251, or email info@ kustoms.com.au Send entry forms to P.O. Box 131 Berwick 3806



Bring along some built models and enter the small scale show, 1st-2nd-3rd place Trophies on offer.

And for anyone wanting to enter there car for the weekend you have to pre enter this year. No drive ins on the Sunday. Which to me is bloody ridiculous.

Im there for sure.. went last year and it piddled down and it still went off. Hope the sun makes an appearence this year..
Heaps of my models will be on display.

Yes it was a little damp...ALL WEEKEND! :|

But the model show was more popular than eva!!.........cause it was inside!!

Here's some of last years pics.............



















Lets hope the weather Gods are on our side this year!! either way the model show will be bigger than ever as I think we are changing the location and Koolkits is also Trading right next to us!!

I may make it back in time.

Just a reminder that the Picnic is this weekend!! so come along and say G'day, even if it rains we are set up inside for the model show so come along anyway!!

If ya with in range of this show get yourselves there as it's already happening and I went and checked it out with Andy and my kids for the arvo, so see ya's there tomorrow!!!

Here's some of my 260 pics I got today!! I'm sure I will get loads more pics tomorrow too!!!!













The model show is usually pretty low key on Saturday there, but Sunday see the entries swell!! so bring some with ya!

Here's some 1:1 stuff!









Gasser's anyone?






My boys had a blast!!

When the gates close Saturday arvo everyone heads for Main street Pakenham where they close the street and let the Entrants lap for hours!!! it's the 3rd Picnic I've been to but this is the 1st time I've checked out Main street and all I can say is I'm never missing it again!!!


This Hornie '32 was probably the most popular ride there! gee's I wonder why?


This guy stopped right on the roundabout so I could get a shot!!


Did these HQ's escape Shoey's bench?




I like this Olds!!


The local law were keeping an eye on Carps!!

He's was looking shady

and driving a WEAPON!!!!

But can we all cruz the '33 next year Carps!! pleeeeeaaaasssseeee!!!!

More from Main street!!

Eye searing green paint on this pickup

Hmmm this Dodge needs a Wing and nose cone! LOL

Not cruz'n but I like it!! and you don't see many around,


How did our car end up part of the show? guess these guys like to park in good company!!

Cool pics Paul - thanks for sharing!

Was a good day.. can't wait to get there today...

I so wanna ride that orange horn1e beast...


wouldnt mind a ride in the car either..

Andy wrote:Was a good day.. can't wait to get there today...

I so wanna ride that orange horn1e beast...


wouldnt mind a ride in the car either..

SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!

The Pakenham Racecourse was the place to be today!! and if you missed it make sure you get your backside trackside next year as it's a huge show!!

The Pussy Wagon was out today and scored 2nd in the Model show!!!




We found an uncanny resemblance between the event shirt and Bryce's Lomas Coupe!! freaky


Now that's in da WEEDS!!!!!!


No Daytona's but a Chargers just as cool!


I think I see one of these on Bryce's bench in the near future, sweet '36


Carps did a sweet job lay'n some lines on the awards John made!!

Oh and this one came home with FORDENSTEIN!!

And the unofficail people choice winner was Andy's Barnfind Mercury!!! we owe ya a Mars Bar..............

Here's a few of my favourites from today in no particular order...

Nice '57 in the Hubcap!!


Something for Checkmate,



mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......caddies

Big Knob '32


E d s e l ! ! ! ! ! ! !................


There was so much to see ya couldn't see it all!! yes it was huge.

And a few more...

Badass County P.D..........now that's a Cop Car!!!

Paul wrote: I think I see one of these on Bryce's bench in the near future, sweet '36

Yes - it is true. I did fall in love with this car today and a bonafide replica has already begun. Just need to work out how the hell I can make a 3 window coupe out of a 5 window body...