Monaros of all models and eras lined up on the Windsor Oval, as owners displayed their prized vehicles to the public. 

The 50^th anniversary of the first Monaro added an extra layer of excitement to all those involved.

Nationals organiser Jesse Denholm was pleased to see all the preparation pay off.

“I think the numbers are pretty telling,” he said.

“If you look at the ground, look at the weather and look at the people I think things are pretty good.”

A standout Monaro at the event was Frank Manley’s notorious green HQ Monaro.

Mr Manley’s Monaro is famous for surviving the Tasman Bridge collapse in 1975, barely teetering on the edge where the collapse occurred.

Mr Manley said it was quite spectacular to see so many Monaro enthusiasts in Launceston, and to share his story with those who understand the car.

He also added that if his Monaro were a manual, the car would have fallen into the Derwent.

“With the turbo 400 under there [the car], plus the V8, you've got something to square it,” he said.

“If it were a manual… we wouldn't be here if it was a manual.”

Mr Denholm said that stories like Mr Manley’s are what made this year’s Monaro Nationals so special.

“We've got people like Frank Manly with the Tasman Bridge HQ and people can relate to that, they remembered when that happened,” he said.

“It's great for Launceston, it's great for Tasmania a lot of them are staying on for a lot longer.”

Jim Petrou of Adelaide also experience troubled in his Monaro, however much more recently.

Mr Petrou crashed his Monaro on the Frankford Highway as he was driving from Devonport to Launceston.

“All of a sudden the tail started to flick out,” he said.

“The car then just flicked around in the other direction and I was a passenger by that stage.

“I was at the mercy of the elements.” 

The Monaro hit a power-pole, snapping it and smashing the side of the vehicle.

Though Mr Petrou was upset about possibly writing off his prized Monaro, he admits it could have been much worse.

“You've got to be philosophical about these things,” he said.

“I was lucky I didn't hit it a metre or so further back it would have been a different story, I could have been going home in a box, as they say.”

Mr Petrou was almost not going to bring his car to the Show & Shine, however his fellow Monaro lovers encouraged him to come anyway.

“Everyone from Launceston and here in Tasmania in general have been fantastic, you guys are lovely people,” he said.

“Not a great way to start our trip, but I can assure you from everyone’s sympathies and conversations I think you guys are worthwhile coming back for.”

Mr Denholm said it was great to see support from the community in light of Mr Petrou’s incident.

“Credit to him.I think when he drove in, they gave him a round of applause earlier, so good on him,” he said.

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