NRMA Motorfest 2008 Report
Thanks Roger and Matt for posting the photos,
Well it turned out a great day for the NRMA Motorfest - perfect weather.
We could not have had a better location with tree cover, an unobscured frontage, a coffee lounge behind and a great roll up of vehicles and visitors.
We met a few old friends and made some new ones!
I would like to thank all the participants and sympathise with Alex whose SMA fire engine had a problem and did not make it all the way, however it recovered and made it home okay. A few vehicles were unable to attend for various reasons. In all we had 18 vehicles on the display as can be seen in the photos posted so far.
There was the 1948 80" R86138 in pride of place at the corner of Macquarie and Bents Streets - the first Land Rover registered in New South Wales and Grenville Motors original "demonstrator".
To its left running down Bent Street was a 1955 86 softtop;
followed by the magnificently restored 1969 Series 2A 88" three-quarter ute cab fitted with capstan winch and rear Power Take Off;
then a 1965 Series 2A 88" Station Wagon from Ireland that had been rallied but now sedately lives in Sydney;
then there were three fire engines - two 1959 Series 2 ex New South Wales Fire Brigades appliances that later saw service in Bush Fire Brigades. First was Baulkham Hills RFS Annangrove Brigade "flyer" still on active service and its former NSWFB stablemate that also later served as a Bush Fire appliance. The third is a 1969 Series 2A 6 cyl. Trayback country brigade engine used on the North Coast.
The two Range Rovers were in the centre of the display behind the 1948.
Heading down Macquarie Street was the Series 1 1958 88" Hardtop that had gone overland to Europe and later to South Africa before returning to Sydney. Just look at the grille badges!
Next was an Series 1 1954 86" Hardtop;
Then a Series 1 1951 80" ute cab;
The military 80" was built up as a tribute to service Land Rovers and personnel;
a Series 1 1954 86" Hardtop;
Two rare Series 1 1958 Station Wagons followed - an 88" seven seater in RAF blue and a 107" Ambulance delivered to the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (Q.A.T.B.) by Annand & Thompson and fitted with a capstan winch. It was stationed at Mitchell Base Hospital between 1958 amnd 1983.
Two Series 3 Long Wheel bases ended the display. There was a magnificent Station Wagon - one of the last four cylinders produced and a standard 109 Hardtop.
If you are wondering what the orange plastic containers are next to the 1955 86" they are in Car Cubes - portable 12v pressure washers gaining popularity with bike riders, fishermen and four wheel drivers. As we were under strict instructions from the organisers not to leave any trace of our sojourn on the pavers almost all vehicles behaved and there were few oil drips to clean up. Car Cube had loaned us a Car Cube to do a clean up afterwards.
If you are interested in one of their 12v pressure washers have a look at Welcome to Car Cube. Thanks to Miriam and Ian.
I would like to thank Stephen Knox who organised Motorfest for over twenty years and John Flower (the new organiser) and the NRMA for giving us the opportunity to promote Land Rover, our club and four wheel drives at the NRMA Motorfest 2008.
Thanks to all those who helped organise the day, or participated, contributed in some way, helped on the day and attended as visitors. Thanks to AULRO members who came along.
There were many favourable comments from visitors, including a number of former Rover, Leyland and Pressed Metal Corp employees and particularly four wheel drivers who thought a four wheel drive display should be a regular Motorfest attraction. I will pass this on to the organiser.
We have bigger displays in the pipeline after Cooma and encourage any other groups wanting to mount a local display for the 60th Anniversary of Land Rover and the 50th Anniversary of the Series 2.
We will keep you up to date on the All British Day and the Eastern Creek Classic in August.
Land Roverly:),
Bob
