Fire completely gutted the classic car on Christmas Day, 2001 after bushfires swept through Helensburgh, destroying a shed full of partly restored cars on the outskirts of the leafy suburb.

For the Morgans, who were due to paint the car just after Christmas, the decision to rebuild was one of sheer determination - and madness.

‘‘People looked at it and said it couldn’t be done but because it didn’t get hosed it cooled down itself, nothing buckled,’’ Mrs Morgan said.

‘‘So we had it sand-blasted, did a slow rebuild and we got it back on the road in November 2010.

‘‘It was a burnt shell - we look back now and think we must’ve been mad (to start again)!’’

The couple decided inferno red was a fitting colour for the car’s rebirth, instead of the blue that was initially planned.

The ‘48 Chevy Coupe was one of almost 200 cars and motorcycles on show at the Illawarra’s second annual Autorama Car and Bike Expo on Sunday.

More than 2500 people packed the Easts Berkeley Sports Club for the not-for-profit event, which showcased a variety of classic cars and bikes.

An estimated $20,000 was raised for Lifeline South Coast NSW and a number of smaller charities,which will be presented at a charity luncheon at Hog’s Breath Cafe Woonona later in the year.