The Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand is marking the 40th anniversary of its annual Dunvegan Rally by returning to the Clinton sheep station after which the rally was named.
"The first four rallies went to Dunvegan Station, until the numbers got too big for everyone to stay in the woolshed, so we started going to other places, like the Naseby camping ground," convener Hec Browett said yesterday.
"To be eligible, bikes have to be more than 30 years old." Dunedin motorcycle enthusiast Brian Walker was yesterday preparing his classic 1928 Ariel for the trip.
"I run it every couple of weeks in summer and it hibernates in the garage over winter," he said.
"It's been continuously warranted and registered since it was manufactured in 1928. It's also been in Dunedin all that time, except for about six months."
Mr Walker has attended the past 25 rallies, including "eight or 10" on the old Ariel.
"It's worth about the same restored, or unrestored. It's valued at between $8000 and $10,000, but I'd never sell it."
Mr Walker also has six other bikes, including a rare 1902 Clement, which has been on display at the Otago Settlers Museum.
"I'll be 150 before I get them all done," he said. "But, when they're like this, they tell a story. They're not like that when they're all shiny and new."
The rally will leave the Chinese Garden in Dunedin at 9am on Saturday and visit Dunvegan Station, before returning to Dunedin for a prize-giving dinner.
The club also planned a tour around the Otago Peninsula on Sunday, Mr Browett said.
The 60 classic motorcycles in the rally this weekend include a 1941 Indian, 1956 Francis Barnett, 1949 Matchless, 1937 Triumph, 1950 Royal Enfield, 1951 Norton, 1922 Henderson, 1951 Douglas, 1951 AJS, 1928 BSA, 1954 BMW, 1940 Velocette, 1954 Moto Guzzi and a 1926 Harley-Davidson.
