2023 BAY TO BIRDWOOD

Words and Photos: History Trust of South Australia, courtesy of Super Studio

This past October, tens of thousands of South Australians enjoyed a perfect spring day out at one of the most popular fixtures on the state’s calendar and one of the world’s great historic motoring events - the Bay to Birdwood.

Since 1980, the Bay to Birdwood has celebrated the rich history of motoring in South Australia, attracting a growing number of interstate participants and spectators, too. This year’s edition, on Sunday, 22 October, saw more than 1,500 historic vehicles take part, while an estimated 90,000 spectators lined the streets of Adelaide or took up vantage points throughout the Adelaide Hills to experience this annual celebration of motoring and the motoring community.

The iconic day out saw South Australians of all ages (and car enthusiasts from all over Australia) gather at pubs and cafes, or set up family BBQs and picnics, along the 67-kilometre route, to view the historic motoring parade from Barratt Reserve in West Beach to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.

“It never ceases to amaze me how the Bay to Birdwood brings so many friends and families together; it is one of the great joys of my life and this year was no exception,” said Michael Neale, Chair of the Bay to Birdwood. “They came from different backgrounds, across different generations, all drawn together by the vehicles that punctuated the stories of their lives.”

At the National Motor Museum, around 7,000 enjoyed the entertainment and festivities of the ‘Finish Festival’ with delicious street food, entertainment by the Atlantic Street Band and DJ Driller, Fashions on the Field and the prestigious Bay to Birdwood Award presentations.

A Keenly Contested Concours

The Bay to Birdwood’s illustrious awards covered familiar categories for 2023 and saw the return of the innovative EV Conversion Award that debuted last year. Winners received their trophies from South Australia’s Governor, the Honourable Frances Adamson, AC.

This year’s major award winners were:

Concours d'Elegance Award, Post-1950 – Corey Armstrong, 1973 Mazda Capella RX-2

Concours d'Elegance Award, Pre-1950 – Malcolm Adamson, 1936 SS Jaguar Airline

Preservation Award, Post-1950 – Roberto Formato, 1970 Mazda Cosmo Sport

Preservation Award, Pre-1950 – Michael Keogh, 1922 Ford Utility

EV Conversion Award – Matthew Hooper, 1970 Land Rover 109 Series IIA

“The calibre of award entrant vehicles was outstanding, with such a diverse representation of automotive history on show,” said Event Director, Dane Wilden.

“Winners of the Preservation Award categories were a great example of this diversity, with Roberto Formato’s extremely rare Mazda Cosmo Sport a particular standout in the Post 1950s category.

“Michael Keogh made a victorious return to the pre 1950s category this year with a 1922 Ford buckboard utility, demonstrating that, with ongoing maintenance and care, even the hardest-working vehicle can be preserved.”

The prestigious Concours d’Elegance awards (Pre-1950 and Post-1950) were contested by some truly outstanding vehicles, with judges relying on the most minute details to determine the winners. Malcolm Adamson’s stunning SS Jaguar Airline took the honours in the Pre-1950 category, with Corey Armstrong’s Mazda Capella RX-2 showing that award-winning restorations aren’t limited to European marques.

In just its second year as a category at Bay to Birdwood, the EV Conversion Award demonstrated the growing interest within the historic vehicle community in alternative and sustainably powered transport. This year’s winner was Dr Matt Hooper, with a lovingly restored Land Rover Series IIA, electrified by Victorian-based company, Jaunt.

“Dr Hooper’s use of the vehicle as an everyday driver demonstrates the advancements in this technology and reminds us all that historic vehicles can be enjoyed regularly!” Wilden added.

Style on Show

For the Finish Festival at the National Motor Museum, some of South Australia’s most stylish identities – Heather Croall (Adelaide Fringe), Nick Phillips (The Designers Republic), Kelly Noble (Glam Adelaide), Brit Trueack (Dulcie’s Vintage), Deb West (Dulcie’s Vintage), Stavroula Adameitis (Frida Las Vegas) and Nathan James Crane (Élever) – were on hand to judge the ever-popular Fashions on the Field. Thousands dressed in their finest period costumes to match the 100+ years of motoring history on display.

This year’s winners in Fashions on the Field were:

Best Female Fashion - Nhu Trinh. Theme: 1902 “Votes for Women” suffragette, with a skirt produced from Edwardian pattern and original Edwardian shoes.

Best Male Fashion - Ryan Piekarski. Theme: 1970s, with original flares and tie.

Best Group Fashion - The McConvilles. Theme: 1970s family (travelling in a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280E), with the dress worn by Christina McConville (mum) coming from her aunty who first wore it to her 21st birthday party in 1977. John McConville (dad) dressed by Retro Jam, with children - Aaron and Vesna - dressed by The Vintage Mumma.

A Grand Day Out

“It was a privilege to wander around the beautiful grounds of the National Motor Museum and to meet so many people and to hear their stories. I want to thank everyone - the sponsors, the organisers and the participants who make the Bay to Birdwood such a fantastic experience," said Neale.

Supporters and sponsors of this year's Bay to Birdwood included SATC, Shannons, Burnside Village, Stuckey Tyre Service, E-Valence, Channel 44 and Trees for Life.

Bay to Birdwood will return on Sunday 20 October, 2024.

For the full list of this year’s concours winners and to keep up to date with developments ahead of Bay to Birdwood 2024, go to:

baytobirdwood.history.sa.gov

facebook.com/baytobirdwood

instagram.com/baytobirdwood