ARMADALE Auto Parts isn’t your regular parts store, in WA it’s the go-to place for all your cool hot rod parts, clothing as well as your regular; paint, oil, coolant and spare parts. It’s staffed by a bunch of guys who love cars and know what they’re talking about, so when you ring up looking for a part for your 1967 Rambler (like me), you don’t get an awkward silence on the other end, although they might laugh — then they’ll see if they can help.

For the last 10 years they’ve put on an open day, and initially the car park and a bit of street parking was enough. But it’s grown so popular in the last few years that it involves council permits, street closures and a lot of volunteers. It’s free and you can come and go as you please, and it manages to drag all sorts of cool stuff out of garages. Live music, a sausage sizzle and plenty of cool cars to check out makes it a popular day with a laid back vibe. If only they could work out how to funnel some of the sea breeze out that way, it would be the perfect day out.

Ben Forster put together this twin-turbo flattie-powered dragster for a bit of a laugh

Neville Anderson’s ’34 coupe is one of the oldest, and fastest, hot rods in WA

Sweet ’66 Impala Super Sport lowrider was a cool looking ride

Cool hot rods and live rockabilly music. All you need for a top day out

Richie Balazic and his boy Brando. That’s Brando’s chopped and channelled coupe in the previous shot

Muscle cars are more than welcome to join in the fun

Neat FJ sedan rocked up to enjoy the day

Phil Pavicich cruises by in his latest ’34, this time a four-door sedan

This Chevy pickup had just the right amount of patina

BJ Filer goes to pretty much every cruise he can in his ’36 Chevy sedan

Mick Simmonds Model A roadster pickup is another old WA hot rod

Not the usual treatment for an XC Falcon

Les Moran brought his gorgeous ’32 5-window along. Full feature in the next SM Hot Rod

Vaughan Farmer cruises by in his metalflaked ’61 Oldsmobile

This should make things interesting

Turbo Holden V8 in an HK Monaro. Nice!

A couple of lowriders cruising by

This International ute rocked up pretty late and is powered by an injected 5-litre Holden

The Mooneyes Choice award for the car of the day was this awesome pinstriped Moon disc

And the winner — Vaughan and Jarrad Farmer’s ’31 roadster with Oldsmobile power. Full feature in the next SM Hot Rod

This HR looks like it rocked up straight out of 1986 — and I love it

One of the many AAP project cars is this ’59 Chev. It’s for sale, so give them a call on (08)9495 1932

BADHEMI — Domenic Schiavoni’s ’34 coupe that was built by Rod Hadfield back in the 80s. Still looks amazing!