Bulli AMCA Show
24-25 August, 2019 – Bulli Showground, Bulli NSW.
“This year the show has really come of age,” said a clearly chuffed Antony Gullick, one of the driving forces behind what has become a major fixture on the local calendar. “In the first year a lot of people thought this was just about American motorcycles, but look at it now. There are Ducatis, lots of Vincents, Triumphs, and Japanese bikes, club stands and more trade stands than we’ve ever had. Next year we would like to grow the participation by clubs and push the Japanese side further. Everyone on our side has worked really hard, especially our founder and president Tony Blain, and all the volunteers who helped set the show up.”
In sparkling sunshine, over 5,000 people flocked to the coastal town just north of Wollongong, and by mid morning the motorcycle parking area was already full. And yes, while there was a major presence by the likes of Harleys and Indians, there were everything from vintage Rudges to modern classics like Yamaha Vee Max, Laverdas, plenty of Honda CB750s to continue the 50th birthday celebrations, and everything in between. Antony added, “It is really great to see such interest in the Tech Talks here, and especially the number of young people who are keen to listen to experts talking about specialist skills. That’s important for the future. This year we have introduced AV screens so the audience can get a close up of what’s being talked about.” The Tech Talks have been a feature of the AMCA weekend since the beginning and began at 9am on Saturday with several speakers on diverse subjects, before attention turned to the highly anticipated auction, with welcoming words to the big crowd from the Mayor of Wollongong.
The auction itself, conducted by Manshed Auctions with 17 lots entered, saw the top price of $59,000 achieved for a 1949 H-D Hydra Glide, with $57,000.00 securing a 1939
H-D Knucklehead ‘Bobber’, closely followed by a 1977 Yamaha TZ750D at $56,000.00. Outside, the dirt oval and the inner grassed area were turned over to the swap meet and in marked contrast to last year’s damp conditions, there was hardly a spare spot, with stall holders reporting brisk trade and plenty of ‘projects’ on offer. As always, AMCA Judging in the Concours section was intense and thorough. Star of the show, the ex-Jack Ehret Vincent Black Lightning now owned by Tasmanian Peter Bender, was displayed, started up and even ridden around the oval infield by Jack’s son John, much to the delight of the crowd. Clearly, the AMCA concept is a runaway success, and it will be a big call to better this year’s event which saw huge crowds and a spectacular and diverse array of bikes on display. The organisers are already well advanced on the 2020 event, so save the dates: August 29 and 30, 2020.