Vauxhall celebrates its half-century anniversary with over 100 attendees

A SHARED passion for cars and community brought together around 100 people to Vauxhall’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations last Saturday at Apex Park in Wangaratta. With its establishment in 1975, the Vauxhall Owners Club of Australia has a rich and elaborate heritage, and this was certainly not understated in Saturday's event. Peter Sara, national president of the Vauxhall Owners Club of Australia, estimated there were about 60 vehicles on display, some of which dated back to the 1920s through to the 1970s. Many car owners drove for hours from around Australia just to be at the event. Mr Sara said he had been with the Vauxhall Club for more than 20 years and president for 10. “It's endured, and we’ve grown to the size of nearly 600 members,” he said. "We've got people from all over Australia." He said he was pleased with the turnout and expressed his gratitude to Mayor Irene Grant for speaking at the event and the Rural City of Wangaratta for approving the event to be held in Apex Park. National editor for the Vauxhall Club, Leigh Whitfield, was described as an “encyclopaedia” on the club’s rich history by one attendee, being a member since day one and having attended all 50 Vauxhall rallies since the very first in Wangaratta in 1976. He said the hard work the club had undertaken since its inception was very rewarding. According to Mr Whitfield, the three vehicles at the front of the display were also on display 50 years ago at the club’s very first rally in 1976, a notable achievement. Despite the heat, good spirits and genuine camaraderie kept the event all the more enjoyable for families, pets and true rev-heads alike. Some visitors erected lawn chairs around the area, taking in the impressive collection of vehicles. Car enthusiasts were particularly successful in capturing the attention of visitors, as they gathered around a bonnet and explained its intricate design and history to keen listeners.

Vauxhall celebrates its half-century anniversary with over 100 attendees

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