Celebrate Australia Day At NRMA Motorfest

Hyde Park will be teeming with activity tomorrow with Australia’s largest annual display of vintage, veteran and classic vehicles expected to attract over half a million visitors.

NRMA Motoring & Services President, Alan Evans, said NRMA Motorfest was a great day for all of the family and the highlight of Sydney’s Australia Day celebrations.

"NRMA Motorfest is the biggest outdoor display of vehicles in Australia which includes more than 1000 vintage, veteran and classic cars.

"NRMA has more than two million members who are passionate about their cars and we are proud to provide a day of fun, festivities and important information on NRMA’s extensive range of services and member benefits.

"This year for the first time NRMA Motorfest will feature an electronic stability control simulator for visitors to experience first hand how to prevent crashes and maintain control of their vehicles.

"The simulator is a very popular attraction and draws attention to the critical importance of safer, defensive driving and avoiding on-road emergencies.

"Racing fans will also get to test their driving skills through model cars featuring in-car cameras on a scaled down replica of Mt Panorama’s racing circuit at Bathurst."

The NRMA Village at Hyde Park Barracks will showcase NRMA’s expanded family of businesses which include Travelodge, Thrifty Australia, Adventure World Travel, NRMA Holiday Parks, NRMA Motorserve car service centres, RV and Classic Car magazines, NRMA CarWise and NRMA Car Loans.

Mr Evans said NRMA was famous for its dependable road service and was excited to now offer members and their families so much more in the way of motoring and travel products and services.

"These are exciting times for the NRMA and NRMA Motorfest is a great celebration of that."

The NRMA Motorfest display commences at 10am and runs from Bridge Street to Park Street and along Macquarie and College Streets.

2008 NRMA Fact Sheet

• 2008 marks the 23rd Anniversary of NRMA Motorfest which attracts more visitors than any other motoring display in Australia.
• Over half a million people will visit NRMA Motorfest and view the showcase of up to 1,000 vintage, veteran and classic vehicles, including the ex-military vehicle display in Hyde Park South near the Anzac Memorial.
• Owners are bringing their vehicles from Queensland, the ACT and regional NSW.
• NRMA’s interactive Mobile Member Centre will be on display at the NRMA Plaza which also provides information on different products and services offered by NRMA.
• Vintage Bus Service available: Fleet of vintage buses from the Sydney Bus Museum to operate circular shuttle service through the city, stopping at specially marked stops along George, Alfred, Pitt, Elizabeth, and Harbour streets.
• First time on display: A Ford Cobra, limited edition of the Falcon XC Hardtop first released by Ford in 1978.
• Celebrating 100 Years: The Ford model T celebrates its centenary in 2008 with 27 Model Ts on display in College Street. The first Model T was built in September 1908.
• Celebrating 60 Years: The 1948 British 4WD Land Rover turns 60 with 25 Land Rovers on display at Aurora Place on the corner of Bent and Macquarie Streets. Also celebrating 60 years is the 48-215, the first Holden off the Melbourne production line in November 1948. Twelve 48-215 models will be on display.
• Most unusual: 1948 Bedford Tower Tramway Tower Wagon entered by the Sydney Tramway Museum.
• Car of interest: Restored 1928 Bean to be driven later this year from London to Sydney by a team led by Daily Telegraph cartoonist Warren Brown.
• Tallest: Trucks displayed in Bent Street including Sydney’s double decker buses and Tramway Museum’s 1948 Bedford Tower Wagon.
• Smallest: From the Micro Car and Scooter Club including two Goggomobile Darts, two Messerschmidts and a rare Australian 1950’s small car, the Lloyd Hartnett Alexander.
• Most Expensive: Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts which date from 1919 to 1924. Depending on body style and provenance, a Ghost can be valued at over $1 million.
• Oldest: 1907 Reo Tourer motorcycle and French built De Dion Bouton.
• Vintage Caravans: Five vintage caravans, including a 1936 plywood built van towed by a classic 1956 FJ Holden, will be on display just outside the Botanic Gardens.