THE BAY TO BIRDWOOD Run is one of the most significant motoring events in Australia and one of the longest-running. Starting as a relaxing biennial day out to promote the car clubs of South Australia, the Bay to Birdwood Run grew into the largest motoring event in the southern hemisphere for pre-1950 vehicles. If you haven’t attended, put it on your bucket list.
In the meantime, to get a comprehensive overview of the event from its inception through to its 30th anniversary in 2010 (it remains to be seen if the 40th anniversary run this year will go ahead), grab one of the few remaining copies of Bill Watson’s excellent history of the Bay to Birdwood Run 1980-2010.
Bill is a former president of the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs SA Inc and was, for many years, a member of the Bay to Birdwood Run Committee. His superbly researched book is a comprehensive record of the history of the event and, in a wider sense, a history of motoring in South Australia. Drawing on minutes of meetings, newsletters and his own personal memories, the book delves into many of the behind-the-scenes discussions, disagreements, dummy-spits and the ups and downs along the way, most of which the general public was unaware of at the time, as well as detailing most of the Concours d’Elegance winners.
Of the original 1000 copies printed, only about 40 remain. Bill is offering these to readers of seniordriveraus at the very special price of just $20 a copy (plus p&p). Email Bill at bijo431@bigpond.com and mention seniordriveraus to get your copy at less than half the published price.
Soft cover, A4, 191pp, approx. 200 colour photographs