Justin Felix headed to Point Cook, south west of Melbourne’s CBD, to meet a bloke who’s making the most of his second chance at life.
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball that can’t be dodged. These curve ball moments are the ones that can define your next steps… the direction of your life. Whether by choice or necessity, sometimes you have to change the way you live. That’s the predicament Barry Vincent found himself in a few years ago after suffering three, yes three, heart attacks within 24 hours.
“Five years ago I had three heart attacks in the one day,” Barry explains. “The first one happened on a Saturday morning and felt like a weird tickle in my chest. The second one came later that night at 6pm. I went white and felt a horrible pain; the ambulance picked me up and took me into hospital.
“The third, which was the bad one, came at 7am on the Sunday morning. I went straight into theatre and had three stints put in. That probably prompted me, without me really knowing, to change my life. I guess something like that makes you really think about things.”
Barry decided it was time to take a bit of a step back from his business. He had been given a second chance and he wasn’t going to waste it away in his office. He still owns the business but has taken a more nonchalant approach, entrusting his employees to steer it in the right direction. With that decision made, it was time to enjoy some of the finer things in life, namely classic cars.
“I started buying a few cars from Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis, America. I didn’t know a lot about cars back then but a guy from work did so he went to the auctions for me.
“Once I acquired a few, I realised I needed a place to house them. I would have loved to keep them all at home but it just wasn’t possible. I started looking for a place that was close to home and work and ended up finding this warehouse. It was just an empty space when I bought it.”
From the street, Barry’s warehouse is nondescript. It looks identical to those that sit either side and the outside reveals nothing about what lies within. Take one step inside and you can fully appreciate and understand why… there are some expensive toys in here.
The front door opens to a bygone era. Black and white checkered flooring gives the initial 50s impression, while a couple of dining booths, equipped with old menus and cutlery, provides a little bit more. Photos of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other stars of the day adorn the walls while a juke box, bar and lounge area make it the perfect place to escape from the reality of the 21st century.
“I was going to put the diner at the back of the warehouse but my mate talked me out of that idea. I’m glad he did because it makes for the perfect entrance. It really sets the theme for the whole place.”
With a clear idea of how he wanted the car area decked out, Barry got to work.
“The tiles came in from overseas and really set the tone for the rest of the place. I wanted something with a bit of bling – some sparkle – not just plain concrete. Once they were laid we painted the walls in metallic silver to complement the flooring. I then got some lights installed on vertical cables to create a false ceiling space and to add that showroom effect.”
The Corvette, Shelby and Charger were the first to make their way into their new home before Barry found some other worthy inhabitants.
“I bought two 1966 Mustangs (a fastback and convertible), a ’67 Camaro and a few others at the Mecum Auctions. I bought some from eBay too.”
They’re far from your typical eBay purchase and there’s a lot more risk involved than buying a pair of shoes which might be a size too small so Barry admits to having held his breath and hoping on more than one occasion. He recommends talking to the sellers to get a feel for the cars and their previous owners before committing to the purchase.
“The biggest gamble in life is never taking one so I’ve taken plenty in my time, Barry exclaims. “I’ve been fortunate up to this point though as all of the cars have been in tip-top condition. I haven’t had any real dramas with anyone of them. They’ve only needed a service and the odd tune up.
“I like American cars built from 1966-71; the type of cars made before the energy crisis of the ’70s kicked in. I do have a 1971 gold Road Runner but the rest of the cars were made in 63, 66, 67, 68 and 1970.”
Speaking of which, the cars are all show room worthy. They all sport near flawless paint jobs with interiors to match.
Interestingly enough though, none have been restored by Barry. They are all in the same condition they arrived in from the States. And they don’t just sit here looking pretty either.
“I drive each and every one and because I spread my time between them all I’ve probably only done 300-400km in the cars. They’re all on club plates and because of that it’s not expensive to register and insure them all.”
Because the factory is close to his daughters’ school, work and home it’s really handy. He can pop in anytime to change a car over or give them all a dust.
Barry isn’t technically minded when it comes to the cars so he’s found a local mechanic who helps to maintain them. With that being said though, he doesn’t run into too many problems with these classics.
“They’re just so reliable and even if something major does go wrong, they’re not that expensive to repair. To give you an example, a full engine re-build on one of these costs around three grand.”
While chatting with Barry for a couple of hours, and trying to make sense of his collection and the way he’d put everything together, I realised that there was no real rhyme or reason behind the particular cars he owned or the amazing space he’d created to keep them in.
He made repeated mention of it being fun – buying cars and decking out the space – and each time he did, he smiled.
As far as I could see, he was happy, humble and really content with where his life had taken him. He had been given a second chance and his cars and this space were both testament to the fact.
“If I sold them, I’d sell everything in one go. The only car I wouldn’t sell is the ’63 Corvette. The rest… I like them, but it wouldn’t worry me to sell them all. They’re pieces of metal with four wheels. They aren’t going to cry for you.”
Until that day, there some more purchases in the pipeline and ideas to enhance the space.
“There’s a guy I saw at a show in Queenscliff last year with a ’61 pickup. It’s a bit of a Rat Rod but I’ve been thinking about it for the last nine months. When that happens I usually end up buying something. I’d also like a ’66 GTO and a Lincoln Continental.
“Life’s short so I think you have to work hard and try set yourself up before allowing yourself time to kick back a little bit. It’s harder to do these days but you just have to set your mind to it. Anything is possible. That’s the advice I’d give to anyone.”
