Vintage cars out in force

Dunedin veteran car enthusiast Rolly Bell prepares his 1912 Model T Ford Otago Daily Times delivery van yesterday for the Brighton Veteran Car Rally tomorrow. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

A vintage performance is expected on the streets of Dunedin tomorrow.

A caravan of old classics will roll back the years in the annual Dunedin to Brighton Veteran Car Rally.

The event is the oldest veteran car rally in the southern hemisphere and has been run by the Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club for the past 59 years.

''This is the biggest field we've had for years,'' organiser Tony Devereux said yesterday.

''We've got a 1900 Wolseley, which has been to every rally, a 1917 V12 Packard, a 1917 Cadillac ...''

The vehicles range from one cylinder to 12 cylinders in power and 113 to 95-years-old.

Entries include 33 vintage cars and four motorcycles, which must be built before 1919 to qualify for entry. ''The cut-off date is the 31st of December, 1918.''

The vehicles converge on the Octagon at 10am, before being waved on their way at 11.30am by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, with a running commentary from veteran broadcaster and car enthusiast Dougal Stevenson.

''About 98% of the drivers and navigators will be dressed in period Edwardian and Victorian costumes,'' Mr Devereux said. ''Some of them drive off and some of them will get pushed off. It will be a lot of fun and a great family day.''

The cars travel up South Rd to Caversham and through Burnside, Green Island and Waldronville to the Brighton Domain, where field trials and inspections will be held from midday.

The event opens the Dunedin City Council 2013 summer programme and is expected to be swelled with three cruise ships in town. Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess and Oceanic Discoverer will bring more than 4500 people to Dunedin tomorrow.

- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz