Vintage day for machines

Vintage day for machines

July 21 was a vintage day in Docklands, with steam and ancient-car enthusiasts flocking to South Wharf for a special day.

Some 50, Austin 7 cars and their owners gathered to swap stories under the Bolte Bridge in Lorimer St where the steam tug Wattle is being restored.

The Bay Steamers Maritime Museum is a group of dedicated volunteers working on the steam-tug Wattle with the hope of putting her back into survey and into action on the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.

The Austin 7 Club is a group of enthusiasts who have an active and varied calendar of treasure hunts, hill climbs and border runs and who have a well-stocked spares garage to ensure that Austin 7s have a second, third or even fourth lease on life.  The Docklands visit was the group’s annual rally and a celebration of 90 years of the little car.

On July 21, more than 150 heritage-minded people assembled at South Wharf to marvel at the petite cars and to take tours of the impressive steam tug. The Wattle will return to the water next year, 80 years since she was launched.

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