General News
30 July, 2024
Veteran vehicles motor into town
Fifteen veteran cars travelled through Millmerran and Pittsworth last week as part of the Frostbite Tour by the Veteran Car Club Australia (Queensland) (VCCAQ).
The annual tour lasted four days, beginning in Dalby, and travelling to Millmerran, Warwick, and Oakey.
A stop for lunch with the Men’s Shed at the Pioneer Village on Thursday was organised through Merv Kahler, before the tour continued on to Oakey.
Organisers Geoff Klegg from outer Brisbane and Len Kelly from Bundaberg said one participant had come from Magnetic Island, and another from Tasmania.
Each of the cars is classified as ‘veteran’ meaning they were manufactured between 1905 and 1918.
“There’s some unique cars here,” Mr Klegg said.
His 1917 Saxon Roadster is an American car.
Mr Klegg said the Saxon was introduced in Australia during the First World War.
Mr Kelly was driving a 1915 Cadillac with the first production V8 that was introduced in a mass-produced automobile.
Beenleigh couple, Trevor and Janette Farnell, purchased their 1915 T Model Ford in 1977 from a property at Cecil Plains.
“I used to help my father-in-law harvest out there,” Mr Farnell said.
“This old car was cut down to a utility and left behind the shearing shed, where they used to keep the sheep out of the weather.
“I used to go and have a look at it every time I was out there.”
The property owner told Mr Farnell he could have it if he restored it to its original condition and the vehicle stayed in the family.
Mr Farnell restored the Model T Ford himself and painted it with the help of a friend.
Mrs Farnell did the upholstery.
The Frostbite Tour certainly lived up to its name with a maximum of 15 degrees for that week in Pittsworth, not to mention the wind chill factor.
A number of the vehicles did not have windows, making fleece-lined, wind-proof jackets a must, with gloves, beanies, scarves and blankets all essential to keep warm on the trip.
The group travelled approximately 500 kilometres across the four day tour.
Despite the weather, Mr Farnell said his motor still suffers from overheating.
“The problem with it is the nickel radiator, it doesn’t deteriorate, but it doesn’t transfer the heat as well,” he said.
“Even on a day like today [Thursday] it’ll boil.”
Nev Cullen from Pittsworth brought along his 1929 Willys Whippet for display.
He also had the Men’s Shed’s Austin out for perusal.
On the first day of the tour, the group travelled from Dalby through Cecil Plains before staying overnight in Millmerran.
From there, the tour continued on through to Leyburn for lunch, and a visit to Wheatvale School before arriving in Warwick.
Day three included morning tea in Clifton, and lunch at the Pittsworth Pioneer Village, before arriving in Oakey.
Day four saw the group stop at Irvingdale Catholic Church on the return trip to Dalby.
