A love of fine antique motorcars and a desire to share them with others saw Inverell restoration enthusiasts take part in National Heritage Motoring Day on Sunday.
There were some rare and classic beauties among the line-up, with a 1928 Hotrod, 1964 Vauxhall Victor and a 1958 Dodge joining the run from Inverell to Delungra and back.
A spokesman for Inverell's Antique Motor Club, David Mould, said 20 vehicles participated in the event, which aimed at generating interest in vehicle restoration.
"It was a national day concerned with preserving the heritage of our interest," Mr Mould said.
He said it was hoped that younger enthusiasts would become involved in the hobby so that the love and care put into restoring veteran, vintage and classic cars was not lost in generations to come.
"In the last few years there have been some beautiful restorations completed, where the vehicles end up better than new," Mr Mould said.
Inverell club members were joined by enthusiasts from Armidale, who used the national day to drive to Inverell and visit the Inverell Transport Museum.
Members of the Inverell Motorcycle Restorers Club also joined in the event.
Mr Mould said the national day coincided with the club's annual dinner held on Saturday night at the Inverell East Bowling Club.
"People invest an enormous amount of money and an enormous amount of time in restorations," he said.
He said upward of $100,000 could easily be spent on restoring a classic or antique vehicle with parts becoming extremely rare and in some cases unobtainable.
Mr Mould, who owns nine vehicles including four he is currently restoring, said the National Heritage Motoring Day also aimed to raise awareness of the Club Plates system of registration for enthusiasts.
He said cars more than 30-years-old were eligible for the restricted club registration, which only cost $54 a year and attracted a reduced insurance premium.
There are restrictions on how and when the vehicle may be used.
Anyone interested in joining the group can phone Mr Mould, 0429 405971, for more information.
© 2007 Inverell Times
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