Chopped: fashions in the mud
There were plenty of hot rods and dirt drags at the Chopped hot rod festival in rural Australia, but it wasn’t all about the cars.
I don’t like wearing brand names and such per se, so I sort of wear things that are a little bit timeless. I’ve got an Australian design approved pudding basin helmet, Russian aviator goggles and a tank driver’s coveralls.
— Ed Radclyffe drove his 1928 Ford Model A pickup from Canberra
“[The 1950s] were simpler, although I’m not one of those people who says they were born in the wrong era — I love being able to do all this now, so I can have all of the cool cars, the cool clothes the music, the furniture and also have my rights and my wi-fi.
— Pin-up girl and single mother of three Charlii Parker drives a 1954 Vauxhall
This is last night’s hair. It lasts through the night if it’s done well.
— Karl McIntyre (left)
You don’t have to get a new wardrobe every six months. You can get a classic outfit and you can wear overalls for the next 40 years … whereas no one is going to wear a Kanye West shirt in three years. I think everyone’s on quick, quick fads at the moment. Nothing lasts more than six months then it’s gone.
— Kip McIntyre (right)
It was the cars before fashion but now it goes hand in hand. I just love the fact that it’s flattering to everybody’s shape. Anyone can wear it and look amazing.
— Emma Crisp from Orange in New South Wales owns a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline
I think this [era] is better. The cars are cooler, I like the music, the drags are fun.
— Lincoln Camilleri, 12, from Melbourne, got Dad’s help with his hair, which took a “really, really long time”
[The clothes] are built to make the most of a woman’s assets, so they hug the curves in all the right places … gives you that hourglass look and it makes you feel like a woman.
— Melissa Collins from Barwon Heads has a 1956 Chevy and a custom-made retro teardrop camper with her partner
[The cars] are well-made; they have style. Every other car built in the last five years looks the same. I work in the car industry and I can’t tell them apart, they’re just plastic and soulless.
— Gareth Kemp, who met Kylie-Maree at Chopped five years ago; they now have three vintage cars between them
I dress like this every single day. This is who I am. I feel confident when I wear this, I just feel comfortable, I just love it.
— Kylie-Maree Evans
It’s the simplicity of it all. The old engines are just simpler — simpler to work on and enjoyable to get some going from nothing.
— Nathan Walker from Glengarry on his Yamaha TX 750
I just like the style and the nice clothes. They’re good quality, they’re made well, they don’t fall apart.
— Rebecca Dietrich from Melbourne in her wet weather gear
When I first started it took me a long time to learn how to do my hair; it was expensive. And tiring, having to get up early in the morning to do my hair, but I can do it now.
— Oliver Mitchell, Bendigo
It’s very flattering on everyone, it’s just a feel-good look — you always feel good and everyone’s always very nice to you.
— Rielly McAlpine, Bendigo
