Community
8 May, 2026
Veteran vehicles on their way
RESIDENTS across the Corangamite Shire, including Camperdown, Derrinallum, Darlington and Cobden, are being encouraged to keep their eyes peeled when a group of veteran cars pay a visit to the region.
The Veteran Car Club of Australia Victoria branch will be bringing 20 vehicles (manufactured before January 1, 1919) to the area as part of its RACV Four or More Rally.
The rally will feature vehicles with four or more cylinder engines.
Rally director Murray Murfett said the vehicles would visit from May 14 to May 17, with Camperdown serving as the main hub of the rally.
“Based in Camperdown and sponsored by the RACV, the four-day rally from May 14-17 is a hub rally, meaning that runs are held each day to various destinations such as Mt Elephant, Darlington, Lake Purrumbete and Cobden to explore scenic lake and volcano areas and private car collections,” he said.
“The (Corangamite) shire officers have been very helpful assisting us with information and promotional material and advice on venues.
“We hadn’t had a veteran car rally in the western district for a number of years – Camperdown was chosen because of the lakes and craters as well as a car museum.
“We did look at other towns but Camperdown was the best located and the most scenic.”
Some of the makes of vehicles entered include T Model Fords, Buicks, Talbot, De Dion Bouton, Sunbeam, Delage, Dodge Brothers, Wolseley, a Twombly and an Empire.
Planned excursions for the rally include climbing the Camperdown Clocktower, visiting Mount Elephant, viewing Laurie Voutier’s car collection and displaying cars at Cobden’s Pioneer Park.
Vehicles will meet and depart for the day’s activities from 9am from Little Manifold Street near the clocktower on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16.
The cars will be on display at the Cobden Pioneer Park from 10.30am-12noon on Sunday, May 17.
Mr Murfett said the group was looking forward to good weather over the four days as well as connecting with local history.
“Over 110 years ago, the western district Manifold and Black families embraced car ownership, owning such luxurious makes as Rolls-Royce, Delaunay Belleville, Lorraine Dietrich, and while there are quite a number of pre-1919 vehicles currently owned by enthusiasts in the district, none of the Manifold or Black vehicles remain here,” he said.
“We want to use the vehicles – a lot of these vehicles don’t get out much so it’s a good opportunity to get them out on a country run.
“We’ve got several coming from Melbourne and one coming from New South Wales.
“It gives the owners a chance to get together and give the cars a good run.
“It’s also good to display the cars to the public.”
Read More: Camperdown, Derrinallum, Darlington, Cobden, local