PREVIEW - 2023 BAY TO BIRDWOOD - JUST CARS

PREVIEW - 2023 Bay to Birdwood

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Courtesy of History Trust SA

When you receive praise from the organisers of the Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed, you know you’re doing something right. That praise was recently directed at the Bay to Birdwood. Read on to find out why.

While South Australia is thought of as the state of food, wine and festivals (and churches!), it also has an incredibly rich and diverse motoring history. Obviously, South Australia was the birthplace of Holden and Chrysler’s local operations, as well as being the Australian home of Mitsubishi.

The annual Bay to Birdwood run is part of that heritage, too, but it would be wrong to look at it purely as an “historical” event. Yes, the Bay to Birdwood celebrates the cars of the past, but it’s a living, breathing and very modern event (more on that shortly).

The 67km run from West Beach near the Adelaide CBD to the National Motoring Museum at Birdwood means all participating pre-1993 vehicles have to be running, registered and capable of making the journey – no trailer queens!

The chance to enjoy your classic, vintage or veteran car (or motorcycle) on good roads, at a leisurely pace and surrounded by some stunning scenery means the entry cap of 1,500+ vehicles is regularly oversubscribed. The fact that Bay to Birdwood has to turn away entries when other events struggle to attract those kind of numbers is testimony to its ongoing popularity.

The ‘active’ nature of the Bay to Birdwood means it’s just as popular with spectators, too. In 2022, the crowd was estimated at 90,000 – numbers that are the envy of many other motoring events.

EV Revolution

Last year, the Bay to Birdwood broke new ground with the introduction of an ‘EV Conversion’ category. Like the existing concours categories, this is limited to vehicles more than 30 years old that are running, registered and roadworthy. On top of this, participating EV cars have to conform to the spirit of the event, which means, EV running gear aside, they remain largely true to their original specification.

It’s the same approach as to why hot rods, street machines and heavily-customised vehicles are not part of the Bay to Birdwood – the event is about authentic machines that are close to how they were originally built.

According to Michael Neale, Chair of the Bay to Birdwood, they are the first major historic motoring event to welcome electric-converted historic vehicles.

Historic motoring events, both nationally and internationally, have been dismissive (and sometimes outright hostile) to electric vehicles, making Bay to Birdwood very progressive – they call it ‘embracing the future of the past’. Organisers of the Goodwood events in the UK describe the Bay to Birdwood’s approach to EVs as trailblazing.

As well as being officially welcome on the event, electric-converted vehicles can compete for the EV Conversion trophy, which is awarded to the most ‘sympathetically’ converted historic vehicle, ie. one that retains as much authenticity as possible.

Last year’s inaugural EV Conversion class saw only two entries, but the category is growing, with Bay to Birdwood organisers expecting it to be a much bigger part of the event in years to come.

Concours Cars . . . and Clothes

The Bay to Birdwood awards are broken down across five categories – Preservation Pre-1950, Preservation Post-1950, Concours d’Elegance Pre-1950, Concours d’Elegance Post 1950 and the new EV Conversion.

What sets Bay to Birdwood apart from other competitions is that those who enter the concours are judged not only on their vehicle’s presentation and authenticity, but also the clothing that they - and their passengers - wear to match the period of their vehicle. That has resulted in everything from ’20s flapper girls to greased-back ’50s rockers and moustachioed dudes in ’70s safari suits being seen along the route!

The experienced ‘fashions’ judging team operate separately to the vehicle judges and are just as fussy in their approach. Some have even been known to check in pockets for era-specific accoutrements.

This ‘dress-up’ feature of the Bay to Birdwood was there at the very first event in 1980 and remains in its DNA. While those in competition must dress up, many not in competition also get into the spirit of the day and dress in the fashion and vibes of the times. It makes for much colourful movement and cheerful people watching on the day.

Awards are judged and awarded the day prior to the actual Bay to Birdwod. This judging is an event in itself, attracting hundreds of spectators to the courtyard precinct of the Migration Museum, State Library of South Australia and South Australian Museum.

Once the pre-event technical judging to qualify for an award is completed, the vehicle must still complete the 67km Bay to Birdwood the followjng day to be eligible to win an award. If you don’t cross the finish line under your own steam, then you won’t walk away with the silverware.

Come and See

While this year’s Bay to Birdwood was close to being oversubscribed at time of writing, that doesn’t mean you can’t come and experience the event.

Spectators are welcome, and as mentioned, there are ample opportunities to watch the parade for free en route to the National Motor Museum, as well as plenty of space at the start point at West Beach. The best place to see – and be seen – is the ‘Finish Festival’ at the National Motor Museum, where all the participating vehicles assemble, giving you a better chance for a closer look and chat with owners.

See the cars in action and you’re sure to want to bring your own classic to take part in a future run. The organisers welcome this, too, particularly those coming from interstate.

While South Australian-registered vehicles still make up the bulk of entries, last year’s Bay to Birdwood saw a rise in interstate entrants, two of which were also award winners in the concours.

At time of writing, the 2023 Bay to Birdwood has cars coming from every state and jurisdiction, including 85 from Victoria, 18 from New South Wales, half a dozen from Queensland, a few from Western Australia and two each from Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Ultimately, organisers want to see the Bay to Birdwood become a national event, with as many entrants from interstate as South Australia.

If you’re an interstater, make the effort to visit the Bay to Birdwood as a spectator this year or next. What you see and experience will be sure to entertain – and maybe just inspire you to bring your own classic over in the future...