The 2023 Bay to Birdwood again brought history to life with an exceptional parade of historic vehicles.
More than 1,500 vehicles made the journey, drawing around 90,000 spectators. Car enthusiasts of all ages, from around the country, lined the 67-kilometre route for family BBQs and picnics, and gathered at pubs and cafés, to view the historic parade from Barratt Reserve at West Beach to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills.
“It never ceases to amaze me how the Bay to Birdwood brings so many friends and families together,” said Michael Neale, Chair of the Bay to Birdwood. “It is one of the great joys of my life and this year was no exception.”
Around 7,000 people attended the Finish Festival at the National Motor Museum for street food, entertainment, Fashions on the Field, and the presentation of the Bay to Birdwood Awards.
These include the illustrious Concours d’Elegance Award and the return of the innovative EV Conversion Award, presented by South Australia’s Governor, the Honourable Frances Adamson, AC.
Life in the Past Lane: 40 Years of the Bay to Birdwood
2023 Bay to Birdwood Award Winners
- Concours d’Elegance Award, Post-1950: Corey Armstrong, 1973 Mazda Capella RX-2
- Concours d’Elegance Award, Pre-1950: Malcolm Adamson, 1936 SS Jaguar Airline
- Preservation Award, Post-1950: Roberto Formato, 1970 Mazda Cosmo Sport
- Preservation Award, pre-1950: Michael Keogh, 1922 Ford Utility
- EV Conversion Award: Matthew Hooper, 1970 Land Rover 109 Series 2a
2023 Fashions on the Field Winners
- Best Female Fashion: Nhu Trinh – 1902 “Votes for Women” Suffragette, with original Edwardian shoes and skirt produced from original Edwardian pattern
- Best Male Fashion: Ryan Piekarski – 1970, with original flares and tie
- Best Group Fashion: The McConvilles – 1970s family travelling in 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280E, with dress worn by Christina McConville originally belonging to her aunty who first wore it in 1977 to her
21st birthday party. John McConville dressed by Retro Jam, with children (Aaron, 3, and Vesna, baby)
dressed by The Vintage Mumma
“The calibre of award entrant vehicles was outstanding, with such a diverse representation of automotive history on show,” said event director Dane Wilden.
“Winners of the Preservation Award categories were a great example of this diversity, with Roberto Formato’s extremely rare Mazda Cosmo Sport a particular standout in the Post-1950s category,” Wilden said.
“Michael Keogh made a victorious return to the pre-1950s category this year with a 1922 Ford buckboard utility, demonstrating that with ongoing maintenance and care, even the hardest-working vehicle can be preserved.
“Although still an emerging award category – and now in its second year – the EV Conversion Award demonstrated the growing interest within the historic vehicle community in alternative and sustainably-powered transport. Top honours were awarded to Dr Matt Hooper’s lovingly restored Land Rover Series 2a, electrified by Jaunt. Dr Hooper’s use of the vehicle as an everyday driver demonstrates the advancements in this technology and reminds us all that historic vehicles can be enjoyed regularly!
“The prestigious Concours d’Elegance award was tightly contested, with judges relying on the most minute details to determine winners. Malcolm Adamson’s stunning SS Jaguar Airline harks back to a bygone era of luxury motoring taking honours in the pre-1950 category, with Corey Armstrong’s Mazda Capella RX-2 reminding us that award-winning restorations aren’t just limited to European marques.”
The Bay to Birdwood returns in 2024 on Sunday 20 October.
