The scene is set — the 2023 Summernats Car Festival, Canberra, Australia. At every turn, outrageous, megahorsepower, mechanical beasts with fire and brimstone souls assault your senses. Ground-shaking choppy V8 idles are complemented by tyres so big they could be on a steamroller. Open exhaust systems send the ashes out, while huge air scoops grab any and all available air to stuff inside, and standing too close can see your baseball cap disappear in the blink of an eye. This Aussie car event delivers the best, the wildest and the most mind-blowing vehicles.
Amidst the craziness, a red car suddenly breaks cover, and the crowd’s reaction is instantaneous. The car is an eye-popping Candy Apple Red 1968 Mk2 Cortina, and the owner Derek Mackay is on the receiving end of some well-deserved mob admiration.
“It was so
