Muscle fest at Busselton

Motoring enthusiast Phil Ashton will show off the muscle cars that have become his family’s passion in a 340-strong display at the Busselton Motorfest on Sunday.

A collection of five of Mr Ashton’s cars from the 1960s and 1970s will be available for a close inspection at the fourth annual event at Sir Stewart Bovell Oval.

Mr Ashton admits to spending all his free time modifying his cars which he started collecting as a hobby to include his family.

“I went to ride motorbikes but whenever I would go for a ride I’d have to go on my own, I couldn’t take the family with me,” he said.

His collection now includes seven Holden and Ford cars ranging from 1968 to 1978.

His favourite is a bumblebee yellow EK Holden which he most enjoyed driving because of its colourful presence on the road.

Mr Ashton said he had modified some of the cars to include modern additions such as air-conditioning.

The speed, he said, was not important and his biggest thrill came from sharing his enjoyment of cars with other collectors.

Mr Ashton’s sons and wife are also set to take part in a pre-event cruise from Busselton to Donnybrook in a convoy of up to 50 cars tomorrow.

Mr Ashton’s interest in muscle cars helped start the first Busselton Motorfest when he met fellow car enthusiast and Busselton Football Club president Ray Dowell and the pair decided to invite other car owners to display their vehicles.

The event has grown from 150 exhibits to 340 expected to arrive on Sunday.

The Busselton Motorfest, supported by the Times, will be held from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

Entry costs $10 per person and children under 13-years-old are free of charge.