The Early Ford V8 Club are on their way to the Riverina. Photo: Supplied.
A group dedicated to preserving early model Ford V8 cars up to 90 years old will be bringing their vehicles to Leeton, Whitton and Griffith to hold their annual national rally on Saturday 15 October and Sunday 16 October. The weekend will also provide an opportunity for local car enthusiasts to view and learn about the vehicles.
The Early Ford V8 Club NSW are driving 70 cars made between 1932 and 1954 from Sydney to the Riverina on Friday, where they will visit wineries, restaurants, the Whitton Malt House and Pioneer Park Museum over the weekend.
The club’s events director Geoff Oppy said the Riverina was a special place for the group.
“We went to Leeton for the Art Deco festival in July. We liked the town, the people liked us, so we thought it would be great to have our national rally there … we have some really impressive vehicles and would love the public to come along and see them,” he said.
While the six-hour pothole-strewn journey from Sydney to Riverina towns has caused anguish for many drivers recently, Mr Oppy said it would be no problem for the club’s vehicles built 70 to 90 years ago.
“Mate, they are V8s. They’ll be going along at 100 [km/h] all the way.”
Old Ford V8s on display. Photo: Supplied.
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a ‘V’configuration.
A show and shine event will take place at Leeton’s Historic Hydro carpark on Saturday 15 October. All 70 cars from the group will be on display, as well as 30 antique cars owned by locals.
On Sunday 16 October, the club arrives at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum for lunch, where Griffith residents will be able to enter for the discounted fee of $5 to view the V8s.
“The museum has hosted many historic motor clubs in Australia in the past and seeing the beautifully restored and well maintained vehicles is a real treat. Knowing how heritage and vintage machinery can easily break down and rust away makes you appreciate the work that is involved in keeping these 100- year-old vehicles still running and looking good,” Jenny O’Donnell-Priest, the museum’s business and administration coordinator said.
To complement the cars, there will also be a ‘mini’ action day with blacksmithing, tractors and the museum steam engine kicking into gear.
The Mechanical Organ Association of Australia will also be in attendance and have a field organist playing melodies at the entrance and two more organists playing in other locations at the museum.
“It will be a wonderful day with lots to see and enjoy so locals should bring the family, a picnic lunch and enjoy some quality time here at the museum,” Ms O’Donnell-Priest said.
Further information about the Early Ford V8 Club NSW and this weekend’s events can be found on the club’s website.
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