1929 Dodge, 1938 Fiat debut at car club meeting

This post was contributed by Graham Edwards.

With COVID restrictions easing, 20 Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge members, driving a mix of 10 modern and classic vehicles, have cruised their way to an outdoor BYO dinner at Swanport, on the banks of the mighty Murray.

With the weather a little chilly, members set up their tables and chairs around a shelter shed.

There were no mosquitos this year, but the corellas certainly made their presence felt by their deafening, raucous and destruction of the trees and branches at the reserve, spoiling what was meant to be a pleasant and peaceful evening overlooking the river.

Instead, the view was chewed leaves and more chewed leaves strewn all over what is such a peaceful lawned reserve.

Two members proudly debuted their latest vehicles, lovingly and carefully restored over many long years of hard work.

John and Vicki Courtney were the first to arrive in their 1929 Dodge DA Bud sedan, followed by Jerry and Kerry Wilson, driving their 1938 Fiat Topolino coupe, topolino being Italian for “little mouse”.

After dinner the male members ventured off to give these interesting vehicles the once-over, with many favorable comments and questions being asked of their proud owners, Mr Courtney and Mr Wilson, while the ladies sat on the reserve talking among themselves in loud voices to overcome the noisy corellas.

With all inspections of the vehicles attending complete, the evening became rather chilly, signaling that it was time for members to pack up, say cheerio and make their way home.

The club will celebrate its 50th anniversary on the weekend of March 26 and 27, 2022 with a dinner at Murray Bridge Golf Club on the Saturday evening, followed by a re-enactment of the inaugural run on Sunday, meeting at Finlayson Reserve at Murray Bridge’s wharf before driving to Mannum’s Mary-Ann Reserve for a BYO morning tea and returning to Murray Bridge for lunch and a public viewing from about 1pm.

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