By Esther Lauaki
John Mallia is cruising through life right now.
The Sunbury car enthusiast will be driving his 1938 Wolseley convertible to Adelaide next month for the Bay to Birdwood Run.
Now in its 38th year, the event will start from Barratt Reserve on September 30 and will feature veteran, vintage, and early classic motorcycles, cars, vans, trucks and commercial vehicles built on or before December 31, 1959.
Mr Mallia said his love for classic cars began in the ’80s.
“I have five Wolseleys from between 1932 and 1964 and also a 1964 TR4 Triumph,” he said.
“A 1951 6/80 Wolseley was given to me in the mid
’80s by a friend and I liked it, so I joined the Wolseley car club and now I’m president of the Wolseley Car Club of Victoria.
“I’ve restored six cars since and my love for restoring cars went from there.”
Mr Mallia has been road tripping to the Bay to Birdwood Run for the past decade.
“I was asked to tag along with a friend all those years ago,” he said.
“It’s a fascinating outing and people dress up in the period costumes.
“The streets of Adelaide are amazing and they’re lined with people.
“I love it because there are so many makes and models and the years of these cars makes it so interesting.”
Bay to Birdwood chair Michael Neale said one event highlight is the veteran vehicles manufactured prior to 1919 and military vehicles manufactured up to December 1959.
“This … will make a great commemorative display marking the centenary of the end of the Great War,” Mr Neale said.
The Bay to Birdwood raises funds for its charity partner the Flinders Foundation.
Early bird registrations close on August 20.
