This is a tour organised by the Orange District Antique Motor Club for vehicles manufactured before 1931. The rally took us on many roads and towns around the Orange district. Six Buick Club vehicles from NSW participated in the rally.
Geoff Ward – 1928 Buick Tourer
Peter and Margaret Cook – 1925 Buick Tourer
Colin and Dawn Castle – 1929 Buick Roadster
John Lee and Genine Bowen – 1924 McLaughlin Buick
Keith and Nancy Packham – 1930 Buick Coupe
Peter and Gwen Allen – 1929 Marquette.
The Sydney contingent, Allens, Castles and Geoff Ward met at Glenbrook Information Centre on Thursday and had an uneventful trip to Orange. I like uneventful trips, it means we had no car troubles. On the way up we filled up our fuel tanks at the ‘Tesla’ charging stations at the Bathurst Information Centre, much to the amusement of local people. Registration was at the Car Club’s rooms where we were treated to delicious afternoon tea made by member’s wives.
We awoke on Friday to rain, glorious rain, according to the locals. We weren’t to complain as the district needs it. After a welcome barbecue lunch at the football club, we travelled to Millthorpe where the local Museum was opened especially for us. It rained steadily all day and when you travel in an open car you get WET.
Saturday dawned a beautiful day and we gathered at a local park for a show and shine and peoples’ choice judging. The entrant list was 131 cars, quite a sight when you see them all together. We departed the park for Newbridge, our morning tea stop. The local CWA ladies catered for morning tea and what a spread! It felt more like lunch, scones, sandwiches, cakes and slices in abundance. Nobody went hungry. Lunch was at Lyndhurst, again catered by the local community and plenty of food.
Returning to Orange we travelled via Carcoar, a quaint little town listed by the National Trust. There was the hotel with a local playing an electronic keyboard on the footpath entertaining patrons, the Toy Museum, The Heritage Railway Station and the Courthouse/Craft Shop to mention a few of the attractions. Again our cars looked great against the back drop of old buildings.
Saturday evening was Presentation night at the Ex-Services Club with another great meal and trophy presentation to worthy recipients. Congratulations to the Orange Club for organising a great weekend.
Sadly, Sunday morning came for us to depart for home, but we stopped for a morning tea break at Lucknow and a chance for our ladies to add to the prosperity of the local boutique with a little something each from Lucknow. We all arrived safely home after another uneventful trip!
Peter Allen
Orange Pre 1931 in 2019
There was a great roll up of oldies for ODAMC Autumn Tour 2019. There was a 1910 Scat, named on the Marketing Departments day off (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) and a number of 1930 marques including: Pontiac, Chrysler, Desoto. Ford, Marmon, Chevrolet, Dodge and of course, Buick. And with 131 cars there was everything in between.
Weather was mixed and locals were excited to get the odd 40 mm on Friday but this limited the touring options for many. (We played snooker near the fireplace). On day two the weather was perfect for the planned 160km district route which included seldom visited places like, Blaney, Mandurama, Newbridge, Lyndhurst and Carcoar.
Buicks were well represented by eleven cars with the oldest being 1917. Getting there is always part of the fun and travelling with other club vintage drivers is especially nice.
We did about 700km without mechanical incidents but Marg was a bit confused by the new recharge station at Bathurst.
Peter Cook