If you were around Victoria Park or on the region’s roads on the weekend, you could have been forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled back in time somehow.
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With more than 200 Morris register cars in town and nearly 170 vintage cars in Parkes and Forbes for the bush rally, there was plenty for the motoring enthusiast to admire.
Attracting a lot of attention was the 1911 Cadillac displayed by Evan and Jane Quarmby (pictured right).
The Caddy was the oldest car amongst the bush rally participants and one of only four in the world with its demi-tonneau (half-barrel) body.
Mr Quarmby said the Cadillac was bought to Australia by a Temora businessman in 1911. Business must have been good as it was priced at $1950 when the popular Model T cost just $190.
It spent most of its life in the Temora area until it was abandoned on a West Wyalong property.
The engine was converted to a dam water pump but at some stage the dam was enlarged and the engine lay submerged for more than 30 years.
The remants were collected by an enthusiast in the 1950s and passed through several owners before being purchased by Evan in 2003.
He was told it was “the unrestorable car” and that was just the challenge he needed to see him through seven years of hard work to rebuild and restore it.
Since restoring it to roadworthiness in 2010 Evan and Jane have travelled some 6000km in the vehicle.
They keep it steady at 40 to 45 miles per hour.
“She has nothing to prove,” Evan said.
“I hope nobody rushes me when I’m 103 years old.”
Jane said the reaction from bystanders is worth every bit of the effort.
“Young kids jump up and down, they’re so excited, and the look on the face of the elderly - the very elderly - is just priceless.”
