We didn’t end up taking the Suzi for a spin today, took the u beaut ute instead. It was a nice little drive to Birdwood, passing through some lovely little villages which I would've liked to stop and browse through, but we on a little mission today to get to the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, we’ve heard from some that it takes the best part of a day to get through. We arrived there just before lunch and this little country village was packed, it so happens to be……”All FORD Day” – my Darl being a Holden boy through and through not too impressed about this, but you can’t help admire the vehicles of all eras. Ford guys take as much pride in their cars as all you Holden buffs out there.
It was appropriate that we past this clydsdale cart in one of the little towns before Birdwood, this being one of the first modes of transport ever.
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| Fords, Fords everywhere |
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| This one of the bigger club displays |
The Ford Day was held out on the lawns of the museum with various clubs in attendance. We enjoyed the museum, they had everything there from the early 1900’s through to present day. It is Australia’s biggest motoring collection of more than 300 vintage, verteran, post war, classic and modern cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. The majority of the vehicles on display are all in working order.
This BMW belonged to John Todd, who travelled Australia and the world, every available space used for storage. This is the 2nd modified BMW he owned, the first was stolen in Turkey......A few stories to be told there
On 20th August 1908, Henry Dutton and Murray Aunger, drove in to Darwin in this Talbot making history as the first people to drive across the country from bottom (Adelaide) to top. This was a time before roads and bridges, imagine a pretty harrowing trip. Their first attempt in 1907 in "Angelina" failed as she got bogged in Tennant Creek. They retrieved Angelina on the 2nd attempt with both cars driven into Darwin. They averaged 80kms a day sometimes less. When peopled advised roads were "good" they soon learned that meant good for camels and horses not cars!
Valmai Henkel and her husband bought this 1980 Landcruiser in 1984 and commenced their journeys through outback Australia - Simpson Desert, Tanami, Canning Stock route, Strzelecki, Oonadatta and Birdsville tracks. They called her Anzen Maru, Japanese for circle of safety, meaning she would always bring them home. A few years after her hubby died on one of their trips, Valmai decided to continue the journey - when she retired Anzen Maru in 2007 - after doing a clutch on one of their trips. When bought Anzen had 60,000kms on the clock, they added 545,000 kms of which Valmai was the sole driver and the car still has it's original engine.
1948 Vincent - B Series Rapide
This is an example of the first post war V twin model, built for export immediately after the second World War.
1924 Summit - Tourer. In the early part of the 20th century, many Australian vehicles were made from local and imported parts. Makers sought to attract buyers by advertising the amount of local content. The suspension system on this vehicle is an Australian development to handle rough roads.
We had a drink at the pub, but not too impressed at the plastic cups due to it being an Event day. I spot a sign on the notice board advertising the Rod and Custom show at Mannum, with live entertainment, not too far away. Mannum is on the Murray River, it’s a great little village, the show on the banks of the Murray, very pleasant some nice cars here….. some Fords too, decided to give Birdwood a miss. Gold coin donation entry, all proceeds going to the hospital auxiliary.
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| Customs on the Murray |
The pole against this stump, indicates flood levels for Mannum, the highest being 5.1 metres on 9-9-56
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| My Darl's favorite, the Monaro |
From here we travel through to Murray Bridge, you guessed it also on the banks of the Murray. As with Mannum there is lots of activity on the water, speed boats, jet ski’s – people skiing, in tubes behind boats. Looks like great fun, they bring down their shades for the day, barby’s, food etc. and park up on the banks. Lots of people fishing also. We wonder what will happen to the Murray when the NSW flood waters reach it.
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| Murray Bridge built 1879 - first bridge to span the Murray and it's long! |
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| Activities on the Murray |
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| The Bunyip of the Murray! Scary - did use to growl too, but not anymore probably scared too many kids.... |
It was appropriate that we past this clydsdale cart in one of the little towns before Birdwood, this being one of the first modes of transport ever.
On 20th August 1908, Henry Dutton and Murray Aunger, drove in to Darwin in this Talbot making history as the first people to drive across the country from bottom (Adelaide) to top. This was a time before roads and bridges, imagine a pretty harrowing trip. Their first attempt in 1907 in "Angelina" failed as she got bogged in Tennant Creek. They retrieved Angelina on the 2nd attempt with both cars driven into Darwin. They averaged 80kms a day sometimes less. When peopled advised roads were "good" they soon learned that meant good for camels and horses not cars!
1924 Summit - Tourer. In the early part of the 20th century, many Australian vehicles were made from local and imported parts. Makers sought to attract buyers by advertising the amount of local content. The suspension system on this vehicle is an Australian development to handle rough roads.
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