Summernats 32: Showroom looks take on street machines at their own game

Australia’s biggest horsepower party has been run and won for the 32nd time, and if you’ve been watching our social channels you’ll know we were down in Canberra for the best of it.

Team OverSteer was on the ground for Friday and Saturday, and like most years, there was a clear trend among the entrants. 

Unlike previous fads of cars painted in the latest hero colour from Holden or Ford, the emergence of gigantic Big and Ugly injector hats, and the huge reverse cowl bonnet scoops of the last couple of years, Summernats 32 was the year of classic looks as the factory intended. 

Don’t get me wrong, there were still hordes of traditional Aussie and Yank muscle with motors more outside the engine bay than in and rear tyres that’s embarrass some steamrollers – which is what we know and love about Summernats – along with being an increasing celebration of all other facets of the modified car world.

But there was at least two factory-fresh six cylinder VH Commodores getting around, and a mountain of other stock or stock-looking classics of all eras.

And you know what, in my eyes at least, this is a great thing. Particularly in this post-Aussie manufacturing world we’re now stuck with, a mint VN Berlina, shagged but straight XY sedan, bone stock HT Kingswood or a stock-looking XF with a Barra turbo under the bonnet is pretty cool these days and a pretty rare sight out on the road.

Check out our shots below, and let us know in the comments if you agree that Summernats 32 was better than ever. 

Summernats 32: The stockers

Summernats 32: The street machines

Summernats 32: The rest

Summernats 32: Top 60 pavillion highlights

Summernats 32 winners:

Was the new and improved Summernats 32 better than ever? Tell us in the comments.

Check out our converage of last year's Summernats:

• Project Zero Bucks Given - Part 1: Can we build a Summernats cruiser for $0?
• Project Zero Bucks Given - Part 2: Can it drive? Will we survive?
• Project Zero Bucks Given - Part 3: Summernats or bust!
• Project Zero Bucks Given - Part 4: Summernats conquered!
• J3's first Summernats: what's the worst that can happen?