VETERAN CAR RALLY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27832, 3 December 1955, Page 2

VETERAN CAR RALLY

ANNUAL DISPLAY OF ANCIENT VEHICLES

TWENTY-EIGHT ENTRIES FOR TODAY’S EVENT

Today 28 veteran cars from all part* of the South Island will be proudly displayed before the public in the grounds of the Dean** homestead at Riccarton Bush. Las.t evening all the cars had arrived in Christchurch and so will qualify for bonus points assessed on the mileage they; have travelled to attend the rally and the car’s age. , , . The annual rally, which is organised by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand, will have variety if nothing elee. A 1916 Dennis fire-engine, which arrived last week-end from Dunedin, is a mechanical leviathan. It has solid wheels and massive axles, and the three drivers who nursed it to Christchurch said their arms had almost been pulled from their sockets holding the machine on the road. An Adler motor-cycle is also among the entries, which should create much interest Ulis 1903 motor-cycle has a one cylinder engine, and no gears. It has to be pushed to start, ana unless the rider is quick off the mark, the machine may accelerate away from under him while he is in the process of mounting. The cars will assemble in Lichfield street and move off to Riccarton Bush

at 1.15 p.m. The organisers have thoughtfully allowed three-quarters of an hour for the cars to reach the homestead, and barring any mechanical mishaps, all will face the judges

at 2 p.m. From Lichfield street, the procession of cars will travel along Oxford terrace, Deans avenue, Riccarton road and Kilmarnock street. Traffic officers will direct private cars to parking areas near the estate.

Last evening the owners of the cars were hoping that the weather today will not be too hot, for the cooling systems on many of the cars lack efficiency to cope with the hottest of Christchurch north-westers. They consider enough noise will be produced by the ancient cars without an engine blow-up adding to the clamour.