Cherie McAdam

Car: 1972 Rambler Hornet Hometown: Port Pirie, South Australia

What is it?

“A 1972 Rambler Hornet, 258ci automatic SST, Australian-built.”

When did you buy it?

“I bought it in July 2009 from Kununurra, in far northern Western Australia, at the time we were living at Wyndham, which is about 100km away.”

Why did you buy it?

“My husband went to look at it for a mate previously. His mate procrastinated about buying the car and my husband was going to buy it himself but the car disappeared. So as women do, I went shopping a couple of years later and the car was out the front of the Kununurra Airport fuel depot again and up for sale again. My husband was away in Perth so I contacted him and I told him that the Hornet had resurfaced, so I left a note with the vehicle asking the owner to contact me, which he did, and then I bought it before my husband got home.”

What can you tell us about its life?

“The car was in Kununurra for many years with the guy we purchased it from. It had been up for sale a year or so before we got it and we were going to look at it but it disappeared not to be seen again until 2009. The previous owner told us he purchased the car from South Australia

and that’s about all we know of its owner history. A total of 1825 Hornets were built by Australian Motor Industries in Port Melbourne. Ours in one of 355 made in 1972.” How does it go?

“We have made no changes to the car since purchasing it. It has a 258 six and goes really well, however it doesn’t get out much these days. It is unmolested and in original condition. It is waiting its turn for some TLC.”

Anything you would like to add?

“I love the shape of this car, the ares make it stand out and I think it is what the Centura, Cortina and later Toranas were all based on.”