TRACEY BENDINGER | Automotive | Contact
Betoota Lakes man, Baydon Manning (57) has today defended himself, again, against claims that his car ever-growing collection is an eyesore. The collection, which is made up of over 100 unregistered cars in varying stages of rust and decay, is the first sight residents and tourists see when they drive into Betoota – and unfortunately for Baydon, the local council want it gone.
“Over my dead body, them cars are on my property and I can do whatever I want on my property,” exclaimed Baydon.
Baydon, a qualified mechanic, lives on a five-acre block on Betoota’s city limits and insists that he has a plan for each and every one of his cars.
“Mate, see that? That’s a 1969 Holden HT, gonna get the four-speed transmission outta that and put it in that there Monaro,” Baydon enthusiastically told our reporter.
“Fuck, then she’ll sing,”
When questioned on a time frame for his proposed restorations, Baydon became less animated and even less convincing in his response.
“Oh, you know, soon. Just gotta get a few things lined up first.”
The Advocate understands that Baydon has been saying ‘soon’ for the past 15 years, a phrase that incumbent Lord Mayor, Keith Carton, is sick and tired of hearing.
“The shire council has been too soft for too long,” said Carton.
“Should I be elected for a seventh term, I would make it illegal to hoard motor vehicles and let them dilapidate in plain view,”
“Not that it affects my life in the slightest, I just enjoy being mayor and having the power to make arbitrary rules and laws that people have to follow.”
More to come.
