Combined Cruise and Pizza Night
The Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge held its annual “pizza night” on Friday the 7th February at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge.
Fifty members, friends and family enjoyed the balmy, if somewhat cool evening and although jackets were donned as the sun fell, all those present agreed that the previous week’s 40 degree heat would have made the event intolerable.
A wide variety of delicious pizzas and several platters of fresh fruit were consumed, all the while amid a cacophony of raucous screeching, an incessant flapping of wings and an unceasing cascade of tree and leaf litter from above.
But do not be misled…the “raucous screeching” was not from the participants of the cruise night, but rather, from several hundred “gate-crashers” in the form of the corella cockatoos that have made the lawned riverfront reserve their home for the summer.
Waterbirds were also well-represented, including cormorants, pelicans and several white faced herons. But these could not compete with the corellas, whose aerial acrobatics keep everyone amused and entertained.
The Swanport Reserve features many tall river red gum trees which provide shade, barbeques and picnic shelters, and covers over 2 acres. It was once the site of the historic settlement of Swanport.
Some of the historic buildings adjacent to the reserve stand as testament to the skill of their builders, with the enduring strength evident in every stone and beam. Throughout the last century and the inevitable ravages of time, they continue to stand firm, showcasing construction techniques that have defied the ages.
Locally sourced granite, river rocks and hand-hewn timbers were chosen for their ability to endure, as well as the economic factor of not having to transport the base supplies from great distances. Their durability is symbolic of the resilience of the people who built them.
Whilst many of the participants of this cruise night arrived in modern comfort, it was rewarding indeed to note the emergence of some of the older and classic vehicles which were given the chance to blow out the cobwebs and strut their stuff!
Roy and Elaine Bretag for example, proudly brought out their recently restored 1925 Fiat Tourer-gleamingly resplendent in the late afternoon sunshine, it manoeuvred its way to its destination with ease. Perhaps Roy underestimated the power of the engine however, as a reliable source informed me that such a speed was reached, so as to dislodge Roy’s beloved driving cap-which was fortunately retrieved.
Noel and Julie Jackson in their 1926 Chev truck and John and Vicki Courtney driving a black 1929 Dodge DA Sedan handled the journey well and one could have been excused for imagining these automobiles driving around during the American prohibition days. The Chev truck loaded with boot leg liquor and moonshine and the gangsters in the Dodge running protection….
Tom and Lyn West drove their 1958 Holden FC Sedan and the swinging sixties were represented on the night by the 1961 Ford Zephyr of Graham and Maureen Edwards and the 1964 Holden EH Special of Trevor Kitto, who acted as chauffeur for the night for wife, Deidre.
Not to be outdone, (and leaving their 1958 Austin Healey BN4 sports car safely garaged), Bruce and Di Dawson leisurely arrived in their little yellow “bug”-a 1973 Volkswagen which was reminiscent of the vehicle from the “Herbie” movies
A 1977 Chrysler Charger Coupe driven by Sue Lambert and Peta Buck also provided some conversation and debate amongst members and visitors alike. It may be of interest to note that the Charger accounted for almost 50 percent of all Valiant sales when it was brought onto the market in Australia in 1971-the same year that saw the Falcon GT-HO Phase 3 emerge. A Charger was priced at $2,795 (now valued at approximately $75,000) and a GT Falcon could be purchased for five thousand dollars (the current record price for one of these cars sold at auction in 2021 brought $1.3 million.)
Mechanically, it was a trouble-free night for all of the 30 vehicles in attendance; appetites satisfied and stomachs sufficiently filled, it was a trouble-free night; fellowship, fun and frivolity was also trouble-free-but next time, perhaps a message needs to be sent via the “bush telegraph” to inform the Corellas of a more appropriate retiring time for the evening.
After thanking Jan Hall for organising another very pleasant and relaxing annual evening on the Car Club Calendar, President Brian Rainey bid everyone a safe journey home.