The 14-day, 1,600 km event, which revives the legendary reliability trials of the 1920s, will feature wonderful old vehicles from a host of gone-but-not-forgotten manufacturers, including Nash, DeSoto, Marmon, Rugby and LaSalle. These beautifully crafted machines will compete for line honours with names that have stood the test of time, such as Ford, Chevrolet and Chrysler.

VACC has a long affiliation with these lovable old vehicles. As an industry association formed in 1918 to assist traders within Victoria’s then burgeoning automotive industry, VACC member businesses played an important role in keeping Victorians on the road during those early automotive days.

Now almost 90 years on, VACC’s 5,000-plus members continue to provide the same valuable service to owners of today’s high-tech cars.

“There have been astonishing changes in car technologies and in the automotive industry over the past 90 years. VACC members have been there every step of the way selling, servicing and repairing vehicles of all types for Victorian motorists," VACC General Manager of Marketing, Tim O’Brien, said.

Fully-subscribed 12 months in advance, the VACC Spirit of the Twenties rally is keenly-contested by the enthusiastic members of the Vintage Driver’s Club. This year the field boasts entries from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania among its 40-car field.

A competitive event, the VACC Spirit of the Twenties will test man (and woman) and machine with various driving challenges, including an eighth-mile sprint at the Bairnsdale (Victoria) air strip.

Drivers will also pass through some of the most picturesque tourist destinations in south-eastern Victoria and New South Wales. Commencing at Lilydale Lake at 10.00 am, the convoy will then travel to Gippsland via Sale and Lakes Entrance before heading to the NSW towns of Merimbula, Cooma and Tumut. The entourage then crosses back across the Victorian border for the big finish at Beechworth on 5th October.