Vintage lineup mixes with modern

The world's oldest licensed bus proved a major hit at the Vintage Car Club Easter Parade.

Saturday's parade was followed by an open day yesterday.

Parade facilitator Irene Hill said the 1915 Renault Charabanc bus, named Angelique, was a prestigious addition to the event as it usually only appeared at national events, due to the cost of transportation.

It needed two people to drive it, one to pump the gas and monitor the oil; the other to control the vehicle itself.

Mrs Hill said she had seen the Charabanc at other events and had always dreamed of having a ride. Yesterday, which was also her birthday, she got her wish.

"I wanted to have a ride today but I really thought it wasn't going to happen because they'd been having problems with the clutch.

Mrs Hill said there had been about 100 cars vintage and veteran were on display over the two days. Saturday was dedicated to the "brass and nickels", the cars dating from before 1930, while the "chrome and plastics", or post-1930 cars, were on display yesterday.

The oldest car was a 1906 Renault, while Mrs Hill brought along her 1910 Hupmobile.

Across town in Greerton, a car show of a different kind was attracting crowds.

The annual Greerton Village Car Show was held at the Greerton Village School on Saturday and was open to all car lovers, with free entry for spectators and free registration for participants.

People wandered around the field to take a look under the bonnets of vehicles ranging from rare vintage models to reworked Japanese imports and modern V8s.

Organiser Carl Martin, the proud owner of a 1923 Ford C Cab, said no car was turned away from the show.

"I take my car to other shows but I started this one because I liked having people coming for free and I didn't segregate against cars. If they want to bring something down, they can, we've vintage and modern, and everything in between."

Mr Martin said the show had been running for four years and he was hoping next year's would attract a range of motorcycles.