Judi's 55 Buick Century

  The Magazine Feature Story #4

 https://classiccarsworldwide.com.au 

THE CLASSIC CAR SCENE IS ALIVE AND THRIVING! – JUDI KARAKA, KUSTOM KRUISERS MELBOURNE 

“The classic car scene is alive and thriving” says Judi Karaka, owner and founder of Kustom Kruisers car club in Melbourne. “It’s such a special community based on friendship with the common interest in classic cars.”

48 years old Judi started Kustom Kruisers three years ago with her partner of 10 years, Joe and the club now has a membership of 300. She says “I wanted a club which was non political, non judgemental and more like a big family of friends with a common interest of classic cars. We are very family focused.” The club has a wide range of cars, mostly chrome bumper rod, muscle and classic. The club also supports a number of charities, the main one being the MAD Foundation. They have dinner meetings once a month, a monthly lunch cruise and breakfast meets every Sunday. “Nothing is compulsory for members as I understand that work, family and sports commitments are important” says Judi. “But everyone just loves catching up for a coffee, chat or a cruise and we always get a big turnout. I’ve also created a merchandise range for club members which I sell at meetings.”

When not involved with the car club Judi leads an incredibly busy life. She has three sons (30 years, 21 years and 15 years old) one grandson and another on the way early next year. She works three days a week as a receptionist, helps partner Joe with bookwork for his own trucking business and for the last three years has also been running her own small cleaning company.

Cars and Motorbikes

Originally from New Zealand Judi has been in Melbourne for 12 years. Back in New Zealand in her mid to late 20’s she owned a Ford Galaxie and a Lincoln Continental. The family also had Harleys and travelled the whole of New Zealand, north and south on the bikes. “My boys all ride dirt bikes and that was a big pastime for them” says Judi. “I got my motorbike license about 11 years ago just to prove to myself I could do it.”

“My first car was a Subaru Leone which I bought because it had an awesome stereo, sunroof and louvers! I now drive a 2019 Mazda in stunning soul red, my favourite colour.”

Current classic car – a 1955 Buick Century – heaps of hard work and a bit of a set back

Judi has had her Buick for about six years. When she bought it, it was red and white and the chrome was in need of restoring. “At the beginning of 2019 I had an amazing group of friends from the car club help me strip the car of all the chrome and the interior and get ready to paint” she says. “I paint stripped the car mostly myself with some help from my good friend Janie and I polished all the stainless parts. I spent hours every night by myself in the garage pulling  something apart with music to keep me company.”

In July 2019 Judi was unfortunately involved in a very serious accident in a 1934 Ford rod which was actually written off and Judi hospitalised. She endured two lots of plastic surgery to her mouth and lip, broken nose , two broken cheek bones. Judi also had two broken ankles and spent  seven weeks in a cast, six weeks in a moon boot followed by months of physiotherapy. Luckily, she has made a great recovery and finally got back to restoring the Buick.

“As soon as I came out of hospital I was straight back into completing my Buick” she says. “It was just about stripped right back with everything off. Mostly all new chrome, new paint, lots of new bits and pieces and new glass. I loved the Buick as it was different and at the time you didn’t see too many around. I also love that it is a four door pillarless. It’s now painted black and the new sting red and I’ve had it ceramic coated.” 

Judi bought the car in 2015 from a Brisbane resident who had brought it over from the USA. She is the Buick’s second Australian owner. “It’s still running its original 322 Nailhead motor and old drum brakes” Judy explains. “I did update the stereo which is hidden under the dash to keep it looking original. I do all my own servicing and I’ve learned how to change the oil, filter and grease the nipples and I also wash and polish it myself.”

“She is a driver, not a trailer Queen! I have driven it to Bright, Queenscliff and Phillip Island trade shows. Even got caught in the snow last year out in Sunbury!”

Other cars, clubs, car shows and magazines

Judi has a few other favourites namely a 1950’s Mercury (on bags and chopped), a 1959 Cadillac (loves the fins), 1950’s pick ups (with lots of chrome) a 41 Willies Coup and says that one day she would love to restore another 34!!!

Judi has been following Glen Higginson’s Mr. Excited and Friends facebook page for about two years and also supports a number of other clubs, cruises and shows, especially fundraising events. “We try to attend Kingpin Kustoms shows. They are usually a big turnout with a great crowd and awesome cars and music with Rob. Also, Showcars Melbourne with Elvis and the crew but best is Fathers Day at St. Kilda. Other top shows are Moonee Ponds and Melbourne Showgrounds Motorex. We also attend the Whittlesea Cruise night the first Friday of each month run by Terry. This attracts a great crowd especially through summer. My favourite two weekends are the Queenscliff Rod Run in February and the Bright Rod Run in November. Hopefully these will be running again after the Covid restrictions as everyone is missing the classic car scene.”

Judi reads the Buick Club magazine and Just Car magazine and likes to go through them and circle all the cars she likes before anyone gets to read it! She concludes by saying “I love to see other people enjoying their cars and get excited when they tell me what they have done or are planning to do. Being a woman it’s pretty cool that the guys don’t treat me any differently. That’s what it should be about. Making friends and out there doing what we love, and I just love those warm summer evening cruises!”

Written by Keith Watts

Produced by John Markham

Photos By: Sam Filippone and Plymouth Dale