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The Wheeler, Cox, Marshallsea and Einhaus cars headed across the mountains in drizzle and fog, with David Brand very close behind. Wagga-Merimbula-Batemans Bay-Wagga, with the home run via Yass, is 794 miles. So, 147 litres, at $171.19, plus accommodation of course, means that our VC Valiant was running extremely well, and that we had a value-for-money holiday.
It’s worth noting, of course, that since we tended to cruise along at less than 100kmh, we gave the cars every chance to give their best economy. Our journeys, to and from, were eventful, with side trips to the Snowy Museum at Adaminaby, and up the Clyde on a boat on the way home.
The Easter Rally itself, organised by the Sapphire Coast and Bega clubs, was great. The display was at a park near a Merimbula beach. The side trips to places like Eden, Bega and Bermagui were well chosen. But two things about the Rally stood out.
The first was the Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club clubhouse. They were lucky enough to be ceded 3.5 acres by a club member who was subdividing the parcel of land. On this land they have a huge shed, with 31 marked car spaces. Members bought a space for $1000, which at the time raised more than the cost of the shed.
They also have another large shed with a hoist, spare parts room, and so on, but importantly, a very large meeting hall and kitchen. The whole set-up would be the envy of clubs far and wide, but there were a few there who remarked that their club had “stacks” (in the words of one senior participant) of money, and that such a facility was a great idea because a couple of their members had gone into retirement villages, with nowhere to park their historic car.
The other standout, was the band that played on Saturday night. It was called “Shadoogie”, and I have not heard a band play the old hits from The Shadows with greater authenticity since The Shadows themselves made a surprise visit to the then-new Civic Theatre one Sunday afternoon in the late 1960s, and played to a packed audience! “Shadoogie” is playing Saturday 18th May or 15th June (free!) at the Club Sapphire if you are headed for a winter holiday in Merimbula.
Article and Photos by Keith Wheeler.
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- Very nice XP Falcon, 1965-66.
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- Alan B’s HD Holden. Alan is the brother-in-law of Col Harmer from Young, who is often at events we attend.
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- Every time I passed Hans E he had the Jag’s bonnet up, and an appreciative crowd!
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- The Dodge is a reminder to me that the Plymouth has to emerge from my carport!
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- Roger and Wilma C had the MG that used to be Norm Marshallsea’s at the rally. It can keep up on hills like the Clyde Mountain!
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- David B’s Rover with a couple of Triumphs.
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- Another car to attract a lot of attention was Norm M’s Holden. I had to wait for people to move out of the way.
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- One of the stops was the old Bega Cheese Factory. Our VC Valiant is in good company with the Dodge Phoenix.
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- Funny money was the gimmick for the Rally, with things to “buy” at auctions. Roger Cox collected “millions” of dollars at the end of the Rally, and presented the cash to the Rally Director, Tony Stove.
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- Roger Cox on the Clyde River for our lunchtime cruise.
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- Raising the Princes Highway bridge over the Clyde River.