Bay to Birdwood
The Bay to Birdwood is one of the world's great historic motoring events. It is an annual large-scale run of citizen-collected vehicles including vintage, veteran and classics and is held in South Australia. It begins from the coastal area of Adelaide in the suburb of West Beach and concludes at the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills township of Birdwood.[1]
The Bay to Birdwood has been an iconic fixture on the South Australian events calendar since 1980. Thousands of spectators line the approx 70 kilometre route to view the passing parade of historic motoring from vantage points along the side of the road. The crowd admiration for the array antique, veteran, vintage, post-war/early-classic, classic, post-classic and modern classic vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, buses, military vehicles and sometimes a fire engine or two is truly inspiring. Held annually, the Bay to Birdwood is a mass-participatory citizen-collector driven historic motoring event that draws participants from around Australia and the world to celebrate historic motoring.
From 2020, a new format for the Bay to Birdwood was introduced which sees all years of historic motoring (currently vehicles thirty years or older) participating annually. The event organisers, the History Trust of South Australia, curates the proportion and representative numbers of different eras of motoring heritage with an emphasis on early motoring and pivotal significant periods in motoring history.
In 2020, the Bay to Birdwood was held but was very different to normal. Being one of the first major large scale public events to take place after the first national panedmic lockdown the event underwent some major changes - read all about it here How the Bay to Birdwood survived and thrived in a global pandemic
The archive of programs from 40 years of events is available Bay to Birdwood programs archive
Start – Adelaide Foreshore[]
The Bay to Birdwood starts on the Adelaide foreshore, currently leaving from Barratt Reserve in the Adelaide suburb of West Beach.
Finish – Birdwood[]
The Bay to Birdwood concludes at the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills town of Birdwood, approximately 70km from the Start. Participants and spectators can view the hundreds of entrant vehicles displayed in the grounds of the Museum. Many drivers dress in attire to match the period of their vehicle.
Bay to Birdwood Run[]
Prior to 2020, the Run event was held in even numbered years and was for vehicles manufactured prior to 1956. Since 2020, the annual event welcomes all historic vehicles regardless of manufacturing year. The original 'Bay to Birdwood' Run started in 1980 and was focused on vintage and veteran vehicles.[1]
Bay to Birdwood Classic (vehicles from 1956 to 1986)[]
Prior to 2020, the Classic event was held in odd numbered years and was for vehicles manufactured post-1956. Since 2020, the annual event welcomes all historic vehicles regardless of manufacturing year.[1]
Past Winners[]
Concours d’Elegance
Bay to Birdwood Run
- 2021 - No award (event not run due to COVID)
- 2020 Geoffrey Mitton – 1904 De Dion-Bouton Type V
- 2018 Stan Livissiano - 1959 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible
- 2016 Ryan, Kirsty and Flynn Turner – 1926 Pontiac
- 2014 John and Robyn Whittaker – 1953 Mercedes 300s
- 2012 Jason Edwards – 1955 MG TF 1500
- 2010 Neil & Gaynor Francis – 1914 Napier T68 Tourer
- 2008 David Lean – 1941 BMW R12 Motorcycle Outfit
- 2006 John & Robyn Whittaker – 1952 Mercedes 220
- 2004 Peter Whelan – 1929 Packard Limousine
- 2002 Claude & Elizabeth Minge – 1924 Nash Hearse
- 2000 Don & Marg Evans – 1948 Jaguar Mk V
- 1998 Donald & Elsa Cuppleditch – 1913 Empire Runabout
- 1996 Allan & Judy Steele – 1924 Rugby Tourer
- 1994 Roly & Helen Forss – 1928 Talbot
- 1992 Chris & Jenny Sorenson – 1904 Di Dion
- 1990 Jim M Ellis – 1928 Packard Tourer
- 1988 Mal Verco – 1912 Ford T Runabout & JM Ellis – 1928 Packard Limousine
- 1986 Colin Davis – 1909 Renault
- 1984 Donald & Elsa Cuppleditch – 1913 Empire Runabout
- 1982 Terry Parker – 1908 Matchless Motorcycle
- 1980 Stephen, Christina, Gabriella & Elizabeth Boros – 1930 Model A Ford
Bay to Birdwood Classic
- 2021 No award (event not run due to COVID)
- 2020 Peter Cadzow – 1968 Ford Falcon XT GT
- 2019 Alvin Chua - 1957 BMW Isetta 300
- 2017 Paul Mason - 1968 Holden HK Monaro
- 2015 Mark & Julia, Chloe & Amber Kraulis – 1956 Chevrolet Belair
- 2013 Anthony & Luisa Perre – 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Coupe
- 2011 Peter & Lynda Ninnis – 1958 Ford Skyliner Convertible
- 2009 Leon Parbs – 1969 Ford Capri 1600 GT
- 2007 Greg Meyers – 1971 MV Augusta 125 GTLS Motorcycle
- 2005 Lyell & Julie Blackman – 1956 M.G. A Roadster
- 2003 Mick Mitolo – 1955 M.G. TF Roadster
- 2001 Graham Juttner – 1962 Jaguar Mk II Sedan
- 1999 David Major – 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe
- 1997 Cestra Holdings L P Khabbaz – 1965 Ford XP Coupe
Preservation Class
In 2016, the Bay to Birdwood introduced a new judging category and trophy for vehicles that are substantially unaltered from original delivery and have not been restored or modified.
Bay to Birdwood Run
- 2021 No award (event not run due to COVID)
- 2020 Ian Oates – 1912 Ford Model T
- 2018 Elizabeth Murphy - 1935 Chrysler Plymouth
- 2016 Inaugural Preservation Class winner – Natalie Halstead with her late husband's 1958 Sunbeam motorbike
Bay to Birdwood Classic
- 2021 No award (event not run due to COVID)
- 2020 Ryan Piekarski – 1969 Holden HT Monaro GTS
- 2019 John McConville 1973 Mercedes Benz 280E
- 2017 Paul Aikman - 1966 Pontiac Bonneville
References[]
- ^ a b c "About The Bay to Birdwood". www.baytobirdwood.com.au. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
External links[]
- Bay to Birdwood Run 1980–2010 : ISBN 9780980708585, by William Hall Watson, past president, Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs SA Inc, former member Bay to Birdwood Run Committee Inc.
- Motorsport in South Australia
- Adelaide Hills