Drive-it Day
Drive your Old Car Day, Tuesday September 1st.
September 1st is recognised as the first day of Spring so it is an ideal time to bring your historic vehicle out of winter hibernation. This year it was also an ideal time to bring it, along with the owners, out of Covid-19 hibernation, as we had not had a “proper” run since March. So once again we accepted the invitation from the Gawler Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club to attend their “Drive it day” at the Bethany Reserve.
10 vehicles and an enthusiastic group of members departed our clubrooms, along with another three vehicles that joined in along the way or met us there. We took a little bit different route this year, out the Mannum Road, then turning up the Milendella Road past Apamurra, to eventually meet up with the Angas Valley Road and over the hills to Mount Pleasant. It’s a really nice little drive. The “pit stop” at Mount Pleasant also provided an opportunity to visit the bakery to sample their wares. It was a bit busy though, as a number of other vehicle enthusiasts were also present, some obviously also heading to Bethany, but a number of others simply out to enjoy the sunny spring weather.
After leaving Mount Pleasant, we again presented the opportunity to lose a few of our participants and were not disappointed. Just before Bethany, Paul Wade was seen scratching his head, muttering “I was tail end Charlie, but now I have all these cars behind me. How did that happen?” Fortunately we all arrived at Bethany despite the navigational mishaps, to be cheerfully greeted by the Gawler Club blokes, who relieved us of the Covid-19 tracing forms and directed us to suitable parking spots.
As in previous years, a wonderful array of interesting vehicles awaited our inspection. I believe a record 220 historic vehicles were present at this 14th. running of this event, but it is the variety of those vehicles that surprises us each year. Vehicles ranging from a 2CV Citroen, Model T Fords, Ford and Bedford trucks, through to a pair of very impressive Mk. IV Jaguars and an equally impressive Ferrari 365 were presented around the reserve, along with almost everything imaginable in between. Surely something for everyone’s interest.
A leisurely lunch on the lawns in the bright spring sunshine followed, along with a good chat with other friends and acquaintances. Very pleasant. Then it was time for another viewing of the cars, just in case we missed something! Finally time to head back over the hills to home. Thanks must go to Alvin Jenkin and the Gawler Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club for another top day. Well done.
John & Vicki Courtney
Photos: Graham Edwards
