‘Bay to Birdwood’, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

A pleasant September weekend activity in Adelaide each year is the ‘Bay to Birdwood’ vintage and classic car run.  Hundreds of eye-poppingly (is there such a word? – there is now!) restored cars travel in a 70 km long procession from Glenelg on the coast to Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills, home of the classy National Motor Museum.  One year it’s the turn of veteran and vintage cars, the next, classic cars from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It’s the largest, most long-standing motoring event for veteran, vintage and early classic vehicles held anywhere in the world. 

The 2011 run was for classic cars, and even for non petrol heads like us, it was a great day.  The polish and finish on the cars have to be seen to be believed, and with many of the owners dressed in clothing of the relevant period, it was like stepping back into our teenage years (thankfully minus the pimples this time).  Swarms of people admired the cars while the period bands played in the central arena.  Even Elvis Presley put in an appearance - we hadn’t seen him since Vegas in 2007 and he’s still in pretty good shape with his voice in fine mettle.

Winner of the 2011 award for the best presented car was Peter and Lynda Ninnis of Swan Hill with their magnificent 1958 Ford Skyliner.  You can see some more pictures of the cars that made this year’s run here.