Now, 100 years since the first Morris Oxford “Bullnose” model rolled off the assembly floor, Peter, 70, will drive his pride and joy – a 1954 MG TF 1500 – in the British Classics Tour through the Fleurieu Peninsula from Victor Harbor and return on Sunday, May 5.
His connection with the historic Morris car will be still there through his good friend, Roly Bartlett, who will drive his 1923 Morris Cowley.
“The British Classic Tour is about the love of historic cars,” Peter said. And Roly, 77, who is best known as a grand man of the river and his passion for wooden boats, added with a huge smile, it was vitally important to remember that “anything old is good”.
This year’s magnificent parade of more than 150 classic cars and motorcycles will begin from the home of the host, the Historic Motor Vehicles Club, in Jolly Street, Victor Harbor, at 11am and tour through Hindmarsh Valley to Parawa and return via the coastline to the finish and lunch at Warland Reserve.
The centenary of Morris Motors makes this Tour special, and adding to the nostalgia will be a historic car and photographic display from the 1936 South Australian centennial grand prix event held at Victor Harbor on Boxing Day, but incredibly was given a name and time-line change and referred to as the 1937 Australian Grand Prix.
Vehicles will be on display throughout the afternoon and trophy awards will be presented for a range of categories including car presentation and entrants dressed for the era of their vehicle. Albert Place, adjacent to Warland Reserve, will be closed from 7.30am until mid-afternoon to display special cars celebrating the hundredth birthday of Morris origin vehicles.
HMVC event coordinator Graham Withers described the South Coast and the Fleurieu region as a perfect location for leisurely country motoring in British style.
City of Victor Harbor tourism marketing and events coordinator Mark Przibilla said the Classics Tour was a great example of an event that had grown and developed from within the community. “We are hoping this may develop into another major event for Victor Harbor,” he said.
“Council is keen to support locally-established events that have a genuine ability to draw visitors to the city in off-peak periods, and the British Classics Tour is a great example.”
Roly also has a 1.5lt 1948 Riley RMB among his small classic car collection, while Peter also treasures his maroon 1939 MG WA, brought when he was 19 from his father for sixpence. Every car has a story, and you will hear some classics on Sunday.
If you are interested in historic or classic cars contact the Victor Harbor Historic Motor Vehicles Club in Jolly Street Victor Harbor, or the club secretary Richard Lang 0423 524 481.