Brendan Simpkins

THE sixth annual Gawler to Barossa Veteran and Vintage Run is set to take place again this weekend.

It is a return to its usual slot on the calendar for the Veteran and Vintage run this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 instalment to be postponed until October.

However, a new final destination will be on the itinerary this year, with the convoy to wind its way through the Barossa to Seppeltsfield, where display and judging will take place at the historic winery.

About 80 entries have been recorded at the time of The Bunyip going to press.

All vehicles and motorcycles taking part are pre-1930, with highlights including a rare 1905 Clement-Bayard, a Douglas Motorcycle from 1914 and a 1904 De Dion Bouton known as Daisybelle, a well-known vehicle in vintage car circles that has appeared in films and participated in overseas rallies.

Another of those taking part is Mallala’s Fred Chapman, who will drive his 1929 Graham-Paige in the run.

Mr Chapman has owned the vintage vehicle since he bought it as a 16-year-old in 1961, just the second person in the car’s history to have owned it.

The event is held by the Gawler Veteran, Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club.

Mr Chapman has taken the vintage automobile on rallies across the country but said there was something special about the Veteran and Vintage run.

“I joined the Gawler Car Club about 20 or 30 years ago,” he said.

“I have really enjoyed the friendship...there’s a lot of people in the club now who don’t own veteran or vintage cars; many people are now buying what they call classics.

“The best part about the Gawler club is that it doesn’t just have one make...Gawler will accept anything, whether it be motorbikes, cars or trucks. You can even join if you don’t own one but are interested in it.”

Club secretary Gavin Launer said that the Gawler to Barossa run was designed specifically to cater for veteran and vintage cars who would otherwise have difficultly taking part in other rallies.

Mr Launer said the run was growing in popularity every year.

“It is an easy run – a lot of the real old cars they aren’t going into the Bay to Birdwood as they did years ago,” he said.

“The chappies who own them, they are in their 80s and 90s and love their old cars...but it’s through Adelaide, stop-start, traffic lights and up hills, so we said why don’t we run an easy run from Gawler to the Barossa.

“It’s flat all the way, no stop lights and it’s an easy run."

The vehicles will arrive at Immanuel Lutheran School from 7.30am on Sunday, and will be on display at the school’s oval until 9.30am.

Breakfast and coffee will be provided by the school.

Prizes will be up for grabs and trophies will be issued out to participants, including the President’s Trophy, Sponsor’s Pick of the Day and Motor Cycle of Interest.

The public is invited to catch a glimpse of some of the rare cars not typically seen, with the stretch down Lyndoch Road a perfect spot to view the cavalcade depart from Gawler.