An open day with the theme “Transport Through the Ages” attracted a large crowd to the Inglewood and District Historical Society Inc. Q150 celebration two weeks ago.
The spectacular display featured restored vintage, veteran and classic cars, utilities trucks, tractors, motor bikes, steam engines, horse drawn buggies, drays, sulkies, Penny Farthing bikes and a last century, chain-driven wheel-chair.
A visiting tourist described it as being the best and most comprehensive transport display he had seen in his travels.
The oldest car exhibited was a 1904 rambler Model G Roadster which is rare not only in Australia but throughout the world.
It was owned originally by Dr. Charles Marks of Brisbane, one of the 19 foundation members of the RACQ.
From 1913 to 1957 it was rusting away on a Samford property until it was gathered up and restored between 1957 and 1969 by the late Doug Parkington.
After the restoration it retained links with the RACQ by taking part over the years in the club’s anniversary processions etc. In the year 2000 it was purchased by the RACQ and is now the “flagship” of a small fleet of fully restored operational motor vehicles.
Another significant vehicle was exhibited by well known Inglewood motor vehicle restorer Ken Nowland who, with his son Robert worked until 9pm the previous night to complete the work on his impeccably restored 1913 model, four-door Tourer .
Ken also exhibited a restored 1928 Chevrolet National AB series Sedan.
A huge 1891 Ruston Proctor 4Hp steam engine on display was found in a riverbed in Warialda NSW and restored to original condition by Cliff Robertson. Next stop for this item is to be the Winton Truck Museum.
An 1870’s Dead End Tip Dray was exhibited by Colin Waugh of Yelarbon together with a late 1890’s American Buggy made by Studebaker and an 1895 Abbot Buggy originally owned by Whetstone Station.
Three sulkies dating from the 1800s to the early 1900s and owned and restored by Clive Koina of Inglewood created a lot of interest.
Bicycles of all shapes and sizes dating from 1880 to 1950 and including Penny Farthing models and a Postman’s bike complete with leather mail bag were exhibited by bicycle enthusiast Douglas Walker of Warwick.
An interesting exhibit was a display board showing photos and details of a child’s pedal car which Bill Stower modified and converted in 1953 into a miniature electric car with forward and reverse gears and electric brake system for use by his four year-old nephew Eric Stower.
Eric had contracted polio and had lost the use of his legs. After all these years the little electric car is presently in the process of being restored.
Three motorcycles a 1923 (600cc) Indian, a 1935 (1200cc) Indian, and a 1944 Indian chief with sidecar were exhibited by Leon Nowland of Inglewood.
Something for everyone
There were markets stalls, guessing competitions, face painting and old-fashioned egg and spoon, sack and three-legged races for the kids. Background music was provided by talented Inglewood musician Henry Bartholomew and patrons were served morning and afternoon tea and lunch by Historical Society members dressed in early pioneering styled costumes.
Oldest resident
The celebration was officially opened by the Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg who said the members of Inglewood and District Historical Society Inc. had done a fantastic job in organising the day. Lawrence also welcomed the presence of Mrs Elsie Gillbarth of Inglewood who he said, at the age of 105, was probably the oldest constituent in the electorate.
He said the display of heritage vehicles and machinery was an extraordinary example of what was used in the early days of Queensland and a great opportunity for the younger generation to see this type of equipment and added that recognition should be given to the people who restore these pieces of “our heritage”.
Master of Ceremonies Red Johnstone thanked everyone who had contributed including local exhibitors and exhibitors from neighbouring towns, the members of the Warwick Veteran and Vintage Car Club, the truck restoring people of Toowoomba and market stall holders.
A list of some of the exhibits
Irrigation: 1891 Ruston Proctor 4 Hp Steam Engine; 1910 Ruston Proctor Irrigation Pump, one of only two imported into Australia.
Trucks: 1926 Chevrolet Truck (John Overell); 1933 Reo Speed Wagon, spent its working life in the Melbourne Markets (Mick Collins); 1937 Ford Light Truck (Peter and Glenda McCleverty); 1946 KB6 International (John Overell); 1953 International (Andrew and Jack Baker); 1953 R182 International (John Overell); 1964 B615 V8 Mack (Peter and Glenda McCleverty); 1970 International C1840 (Vic Laurie); 1973 Kenworth W924 (Warren Denham); 1979 Dodge V8 Patrol (Mick Collins).
Tractors: 1950 Lanz Bulldog-blowlamp start (Warren Denham); 1958 Lanz Bulldog-electric start (Warren Denham); 1958 International WD9-petrol start, diesel run (John Overell); 1960’s Ford 2000 used on a Mareeba tobacco farm (Rom Orchard).
Cars and utilities: 1905 Rambler G Roadster (RACQ); 1913 Model T Ford (Ken Nowland); 1926 Pontiac Sedan (Ted and Shirley Richmond); 1928 Chevrolet National Ab Series (Ken Nowland); 1928 Chevrolet Sedan (Alwyn Chalk); 1930 Model A Ford Tudor (Paul and Shirley Guy); 1942 American World War 2 Jeep (David Tait); 1943 Ford Jeep (Jack Bunch); 1948 Morris Oxford Sedan (Graham and Carolyn Anderson); 1957 Morris Minor Sedan (Eddy and Helen Marshall); 1957 MK1 Jaguar (David and Margaret Taylor); 1961 EK Holden Sedan (David Millard); 1964 EH Holden Sedan (Jeff and Beth Brown); 1966 Mustang 2 door Hardtop (Murray and Hazel McDonald); 1966 HR Special Sedan (Warwick); 1966 Mustang Coupe Pony Trim (Russell Price); 1967 HR Holden Utility (Red Johnstone); 1969 Mini Moke Type YJ8ABIR (Bill and Poss Stower); 1969 MGB Mark 2 (Jack and Carol Drew); 1973 Ford Falcon XAGT Sedan (Murray and Hazel McDonald). 1981 Mercedes Benz Sedan (Tom “Rocky” Brady).
Motorcycles: 1923 Indian 600cc (Leon Nowland); 1935 Indian 1200cc (Leon Nowland); 1944 Indian Chief 1200cc with sidecar (Leon Nowland).
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