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100 years later… and still creating history

23 June 2019

20 September 2018 marks 100 years since the Victorian Automobile Chamber Of Commerce was founded by brothers Henry and Percy Rickards who gathered other local garage owners at the Bendigo Chamber of Commerce rooms to register a new industry association.  

Over the past 100 years VACC has advocated for the rights of small and medium sized businesses in a booming industry.

100 years on and much has changed in the motoring industry. But what remains the same is our core value of advocating for local businesses – it’s at the heart of everything we do.

In 2018, VACC is proud to provide industry support to over 5,000 members.

A SPECTACULAR CENTENNIAL CAVALCADE

To celebrate this significant milestone, on Saturday, 22 September we’re creating more motoring history with a Centennial Cavalcade in Bendigo – the place where it all began. This incredible motoring event with go from Calder Park Raceway to the Bendigo Town Hall precinct and will feature 100 years of automotive history.

Each year from 1918 to 2018 will be represented by vintage cars, famous racing legends, military vehicles, historic emergency vehicles and electric cars.

“We believe that an historic vehicle event like this has never before been attempted – 100 vehicles from 100 different years,” says VACC Head of Marketing, David Dowsey.

VEHICLES LIKE NO OTHER

A spectacular historic 1918 Buick Roadster will head the possession and take the 100-vehicle cavalcade all the way to Bendigo Town Hall.

Each of the cars following has its own unique and revered history.

From the real 1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage used in the James Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the 1947 Rover P2 Sports Saloon featured in The Dressmaker and the 1932 Chrysler Imperial owned by gangster Legs Diamond, through to a unique 1939 Hanomag Beetle prototype, a rare Welsh-built 1965 Gilbern GT1800; a 1968 Holden Dealer Team HK 327 GTS Monaro with Bathurst history; and a 1994 HSV GTS Mobil P Brock 002 which was one of only three special cars built as prize giveaways for Mobil Oil… this will be a truly amazing event.

Spectators will get to see various military vehicles including a 1943 Dodge Command Car, 1944 Mack Truck prime mover capable of carrying a heavy tank, and a 1945 Willys Jeep.

There will also be vehicles from historic fire, police and ambulance services; even a hearse.

Once in Bendigo, VACC will be holding a free Show ’n Shine within the Bendigo Town Hall precinct, including activities, food and entertainment.

With 100 vehicles and over 61 marques, this is a historical event you won’t want to miss!

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