"There's only one word for it - passion."
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That is how Leonard Spada, one of the founding members of the Griffith Custom-Classic Car Club, describes what keeps him sticking with the club for three and a half decades, as the club gears up to celebrate their 35th anniversary.
The club was formed in 1985 after holding a pair of initial gatherings to gauge interest before launching the club's first meeting at the Area Hotel.
Absorbing the constitution of a car club which ran in Griffith for 15 years before the club started, founding member Brett 'Brownie' Brown said the club started to help fill a need in the Griffith car community.
"There were so many cars in Griffith," Mr Brown said.
"Griffith had the highest population of muscle cars in Australia and everybody was doing their own thing, so the idea was to get them all together.
"The main thing we didn't want to do is isolate any car people - that's why it was custom and classic."
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Club registrar Greg Salvestro said one of the club's major policies has been their willingness to accept anybody who wanted to join, taking in a number of willing drivers from across the region in the early years of the club due to a lack of clubs in places like Leeton and Narrandera.
"It was one of the most important decisions we made when we put it together in our constitution - if you have a motor with wheels, you're in," Mr Salvestro said.
"We actually had a tractor [as a vehicle in the club at one point] but it was a bit hard for them to get for a run!
"The early days, Leeton and Narrandera [drivers] were coming here ... we inspired them to move on and make their own clubs."
Early club activities took the group to Wagga Wagga and Albury and over the years the club has expanded their trips wider and wider, travelling to a number of major car shows across the country and even managing to take home a number of high-end trophies and awards for their work.
The club was also the host of a number of car shows held at the Griffith Showgrounds, with the club's 'Show and Shine' events running throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s.
While the club today boasts a membership of more than 300 passionate drivers, Mr Salvestro said it was not all smooth sailing during the club's 35 years as many of the club's original members either left the area or shifted their focus onto their families.
"It was a struggle for about 15 years at one point to keep the club alive," Mr Salvestro said.
"Some of the heavy members moved on ... without having been through all that in the past we wouldn't be where we are now."
Vehicles and drivers of all ages are accepted into the club, with the membership ages ranging from 20 to 93 and the oldest car showcased by the club a 1924 Chevrolet.
Mr Salvestro said the range allows views from all walks of life to get a stage in the club, with everyone there to talk about something they are deeply passionate about.
"Having such a wide, diverse group of people that have got all different knowledge - it's great," Mr Salvestro said.
"Anybody can ask any questions amongst us, generally we can get an answer in house without having to source it."
The club's passion doesn't just stay on the road, with the club also working behind the scenes to donate to a number of local charities and causes, including Riding for the Disabled, Can Assist and the Griffith Base Hospital's childrens ward.
Now 35 years down the road, the club had looked at initial plans to celebrate the anniversary but due to restrictions imposed by the federal government to reduce the potential impact of coronavirus, the celebrations have been penciled in for the end of the year instead, with further decisions yet to be made.
Mr Brown said many of the members intend to keep the club and their passions going for as long as they can.
"If we're still going in 30 years we'll probably all be in wheelchairs," Mr Brown joked.
"But you can bet your bottom dollar they're going to be customised."
Meetings for the club are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at the Southside Leagues Club, however club president Joe D'Aquino said a decision to pause physical meetings due to restrictions is in the process of being decided.
Applications for new members remain open and anyone interested in becoming a member is encouraged to call 0429 725 506.