Hey Crew
Dad and I were discussing some comments that have been floating around via email regarding the location for the 2014 meeting over the weekend. Without wanting to jump the gun I thought I'd throw all my thoughts out there for the Eureka public to consider and comment on. Please feel free to pull it to pieces without any concerns...I'm just posting my thoughts and welcome any healthy discussion.
Seeing as next year is the 40th anniversary of the cars official launch I think there's really only one venue that would be appropriate. Clearly the meeting should be held in Melbourne. To be specific...South East Melbourne, as close to Dandenong as possible.
I regualrly drive past the 3 different Dandenong factories, the Princess Hwy showroom and a couple of months back visited the old Brighton showroom just for a look. All of these sites still exist in relatively the same form as when Purvis Cars occupied them. I'm sure Dad would love to take everyone through the facilities on a guided tour of sorts. The factory Colleen moved into is also just around the corner from the Union Rd factory and could be visited to complete the full set from start to finish.
In early November the Victorian Historic Racing Register runs its annual major event 'Historic Sandown' at Sandown race track. Having the meeting at that event with loads of Eureka's on display would open the club up to a huge audience of true car enthusuasts. It would also place the meeting right at the heart of what the Eureka was all about. Sandown was the venue for many of the original owners meetings back in the late 70's. Those meetings and the Eureka display stands at ATCC Sandown rounds were a huge part of the companies culture back in the day. There's a wonderful photo that appeared in a magazine at some stage of about 20-30 Eureka's coming under the Dunlop bridge on the exit of Dandenong Road corner. How good would it be to take that photo again in 2014?? I believe it was also at Sandown that Dad first met with the current owners club after many many years of having nothing to do with the cars apart from his memories.
I'd say a visit the the Melbourne Exhabition Buildings could also be on the cards. Who wants to stand right on the spot where the car got launched? Who wants to hear war stories about building stands, fighting for floor space, etc, etc? I'll even make him tell everyone about the night he left me behind and headed home. Only to realise, race back and find me being looked after by Playboy bunnies on their stand.
Almost every road and street in South East Melbourne holds a story and a piece of history that relates to the Purvis Eureka. There are more stories in those streets than anyone could imagine.
Anyway, I've been ranting for long enough now. You guy's have a go...
Catch ya
Shane Purvis
