Event date: Sunday, 29 January 2023

The Association of Motoring Clubs, Festival of Motoring was held at Cruden Farm, a heritage listed property of 54 Hectares which was previously owned by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, on the 29 January 2023.

I left home in my 86’ BMW 635csi in drizzly rain to drive the 5km and join other enthusiasts from the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne at the Hungry Jacks near Karingal Hub. We departed at 9:00am where Graham Bell led the contingent of BMW’s, and one members MGB GT, to drive the approximately half kilometre to the entry gate at Cruden Farm. We joined a long queue of classic vehicles, the requirement of the show was vehicles over 25 years old, for a slow drive along a meandering dirt road to our display location.

The BMWDCM had been allotted a display area adjacent to the event organisers setup and, fortuitously, right near the coffee and food vendors. As I approached the end of the drive in I was greeted by Jo Mawson who directed me to the display area, where Graham assisted in lining the cars up for the BMWDCM display. The clubs display was the only contingent of BMW’s at the event and consisted of Lawrence Glynn’s E21 JPS and Graham/Jo’s E21, two E30 Convertibles and an E30 325i, Richards beautiful E9, Simon’s modified E36, Danny’s very tidy E34 535i, Michael’s lovely Z3, my E24 635csi and a very well presented MGB GT. Some members had arrived early and had set up the club trailer and banners and, of course, the little BMW Isetta. By the time the display was set up the rain had stopped and the rest of the day was overcast but dry.

I believe this was the first time the event has been run since the start of the covid pandemic and the turnout and variation of vehicles represented was impressive. The Mercedes club had a large array of their marque represented with a very impressive 300SL Gullwing Coupe (54’-57’). There was a handful of nice VW Combi’s and early Beetle’s. The German contingent was rounded out with a lovely display of very well presented Karmann Ghia’s. The British displays consisted of a display of Rolls Royce spanning 1947 to the 1990’s, a very large number of Triumphs ranging from Spitfire’s, Stag’s, TR2 through to TR8, the largest collection of E Type Jaguars I have seen at one time and a lot of individual vehicles such as Hillman, Humber, Morris and a very early Lotus racer which is on historic registration. There was a large collection of American cars from the 50’s and 60’s with their massive fins and lots of chrome and one 70’s ‘pimpmobile’ that looked like it was straight out of an episode of the A-Team. Next to the American display, and looking relatively diminutive, was the Italians represented by Alpha’s, Lancia’s and Fiat’s with some very nice cars. Located behind Cruden Farm’s stately house and lining the property’s lake was a huge display of veteran and vintage vehicles covering the early 1900’s. There were many other individual vehicles, representing a huge array of various manufacturers, in various states from concourse to daily drivers. Australian cars were represented in small numbers with a handful of Hardtop Falcons, a couple of Torana’s, a few early 1940’s to 1960’s Holden’s and a standout HZ Premier which was totally original, 2 owners and looked like it had just come off the showroom floor.

The whole day was very enjoyable with lots of conversations with fellow enthusiast of all marques, seeing some unusual vehicles which don’t often see the light of day, and getting to talk to interested people about our cars and the club. I will be looking forward to the next Festival of Motoring event in 2024.

Russell Eastaway | Member #433
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne