By MATT NICHOLLS
A HISTORIC 1924 Chevrolet that appeared in hit film The Great Gatsby was destroyed by young vandals in Armidale on Friday night.
The car was among many priceless and irreplacable vehicles that were smashed inside a shed belonging to the New England Antique Machinery Club, leaving its members reeling.
Past president Allan Thomas said he was gutted to see the damage caused.
“What they have done is just sickening,” he said. “It’s just unacceptable.”
The shed houses antique vehicles, tractors and other vintage farming equipment, which belong to members of the club.
Most of the property in the shed dated between the early 1900s to the 1960s.
Mr Thomas said virtually all the windows on all the vehicles were smashed, including headlights.
“A lot of the club members have already been and picked up their vehicles and taken them away,” Mr Thomas said. “It’s a real blow to the club.”
Police said the owners of the damaged vehicles provided initial estimates of $12,000 damage, however most conceded that items could not be replaced.
Police arrested two boys, aged 11 and 12 years, outside the shed, within the Armidale Showground.
Inspector Roger Best said the two boys had been charged over the incident and would appear before the Armidale Children’s Court.
