Formation
At 8pm Friday 1st March 1963 in the Veteran Car Club, 190a Clarence Street, Sydney
Mr B. Mercer, acting as Chairman opened the meeting with the following clubs as founding members.
Alvis Car Club
Antique & Classic Motor Club
Riley Car Club
Rolls Royce Owners Club
Veteran Car Club
Vintage Motor Club
Vintage Sports Car Club
G. Green was elected the Founding President and B. Mercer as Founding Secretary.
| June 1963 | The meeting voted on affiliation with CAMS and as a consequence application was made. |
| Sep. 1963 | CAMS affiliation verified and the Constitution of the CVV & TMC was drafted. |
| Dec. 1963 | The Constitution was unanimously accepted by the Council members and official operations began |
| Feb. 1964 | The Constitution was formally ratified by member clubs. |
| A Sub Committee was formed to organise the inaugural display day at Warwick Farm, set down for 22 March 1964 | |
| April 1964 | CAMS increase fees to 5/- |
| Sept. 1964 | A formal letter was drafted to CAMS protesting the increase in fees. |
| Dec. 1964 | The first AGM is held. G. Green is re-elected as Chairman and B. Mercer again becomes Secretary |
| March 1965 | A discussion takes place re Council’s first ‘moving’ event. |
| June 1965 | The Display Day is moved to 29 August at Warwick Farm and to be called ‘Warwick Farm Rally’ |
| July 1965 | The first non-founding club, Rover Owners Club, makes application to join Council |
| August 1965 | The Rover Owners Club is admitted as a member of Council. |
| A motion that the Warwick Farm Rally become an annual event was carried. | |
| Feb. 1966 | Delegates are asked to report to their clubs on the proposal to seek out new meeting rooms for the Council. |
| March 1966 | A Steering Committee is formed to investigate the question of permanent club rooms. |
| Copies of the Constitution first circulated to member clubs. | |
| April 1966 | Council lettterhead discussed. |
| Discussions are held on the first amendments to the Constitution. | |
| May 1966 | The annual subscription climbs to $5 for each club. |
| Sep. 1966 | Council negotiates on behalf of members to obtain ‘full value’ comprehensive insurance. |
| Nov. 1966 | The first discussion is held to compile and distribute a Council magazine. |
| Jan. 1967 | The role of Council is defined as ‘the ultimate aim of Council should be the amalgamation of all clubs’. |
| June 1968 | A motion re the inaugural Concours to be held with Warwick Farm Rally, carried. |
| The first discussion is held for a ‘swap shop’ to raise funds for Council. | |
| August 1968 | Historic motor racing is on the agenda for the first time at a Council meeting. At this time CAMS was not interested in control and classification of the Warwick Farm Rally type of event. |
| Oct. 1968 | An approach is made to the Chamber of Manufacturers to exhibit club vehicles at the 1969 Motor Show. |
| The inaugural quarterly newsletter is established. | |
| Feb. 1969 | The cut off year for ‘Permits to Move’ is raised to 1939 |
| Initial moves are made to the Minister of Transport regarding club plates. | |
| Oct. 1969 | Council is informed of moves to form Bush Council. |
| Council is concerned about dulication and writes to ‘bush’ clubs inviting them to join Council. | |
| The design of a Council letterhead is finally agreed upon. | |
| Jan. 1970 | A meeting is held with Mr Milton Morris, Minister for Transport re club plates. The proposed issue date is February 1970. |
| Oct. 1970 | Clubs vote to empower Council to take any steps necessary with regard to the formation of a national body whose aims and objectives are similar to Council’s. |
| Feb. 1971 | Council discusses a proposal to form a secretariat to deal with affiliation matters. |
| March 1971 | Council negotiates with the Tariff Board to reduce or eliminate high import duties on spare parts for vintage cars. |
| June 1971 | The Classic Car Club of America visits Sydney and is feted at a cocktail party at the Menzies Hotel. |
| The Minister for Transport is invited to present trophies at Warwick Farm | |
| A meeting is held at the RACA to discuss the forming of a National Council | |
| July 1971 | An external meeting was held between some clubs to discuss ‘Council straying from its original ideas’. |
| The first meeting is held at Western Suburbs Australian Football Club. | |
| Western Suburbs Australian Football Club becomes the permanent venue for meetings. | |
| The DMT proposes a ‘concessional registration scheme’ instead of ‘permits to move’. | |
| Sept. 1971 | The Minister for Transport Mr Milton Morris presented trophies at Warwick Farm. |
| Moves toward a national body slowed down. The meeting postponed yet again. | |
| Nov. 1971 | The first discussions are held to plan a swap meet for 1972. |
| Feb. 1972 | First swap meet is set down for last Sunday in May 1972 |
| Vintage motorcycles are included in concours judging for the first time. | |
| The entry fee for Warwick Farm is increased by .50¢, to purchase better trophies. | |
| June 1972 | Another meeting is held to discuss the formation of an Australian Council of Historic Vehicle Clubs. |
| June 1972 | The draft constitution for a national body is tabled at a Council meeting. |
| Council sets up an answering service. | |
| Nov. 1972 | Fancy dress for Wariwck Farm Rally is no longer permitted. |
| Feb. 1973 | Delegates are reminded that a collar and tie are required at meetings at the WSAFC. |
| April 1973 | Council is 10 years old. |
| Discussions re formation of a national body bog down yet again | |
| The feeling is that the national council should comprise only vintage vehicles. The proposal is shelved yet again. | |
| July 1973 | The Council Newsheet is created. |
| Oct. 1973 | A Sun Herald article advocating all cars over 10 years old be taken off the roads causes a stir in Council |
| The paper quoted "there was a Federal move to get these rust buckets off the road’. | |
| The Minister reassures Council the article was pure speculation and would be against any moves in that direction. | |
| Waiver on duty for spare parts achieved | |
| Dec. 1973 | Club vehicles to participate in the Motor Show for the first time. |
| Feb. 1974 | The RACA offers to set aside an area in their premises for club badges to be displayed. |
| Special Minister for State proposes a National Transport Museum in Canberra | |
| Council is asked for some vehicles to be displayed on loan should the Museum go ahead | |
| Sep. 1974 | Discussions are re-opened on the formation of the Federation of Vintage Car Clubs of Australia |
| A meeting is to be held at the end of September 1974 in Adelaide. | |
| July 1975 | Council negotiates a Third Party Policy with GIO on behalf of Council members. |
| A free exchange of views and ideas begins with the Bush Council | |
| Feb. 1976 | 2CH approaches Council to run commentary and promotions on their behalf from the 1976 Motor Show |
| Feb. 1977 | The Council Judging Pool is formed and made available to judge individual club events |
| Sept.1977 | The Council is asked for the first time to take part in the display being held in conjunction with Australia Day. |
| May 1978 | The Swap Meet is held in the carpark at Grace Bros Chatswood |
| July 1978 | Discussion is held on a review and update of the Constitution. |
| Sep. 1978 | An urgent review of the Constitution is requested yet again. |
| The legality of the Council having sponsorship of Warwick Farm Rally is questioned by Vintage Sports Car Club. | |
| Feb. 1979 | A motion is put forward to engage a minutes Secretary. The motion was carried. |
| An increase in the ‘permit to move’ fee by GIO is introduced. | |
| Feb. 1979 | A meeting was held to discuss, the Council’s proposal to ‘sway’ the GIO to review the ‘permit to move’ fee. |
| May 1979 | A vote is taken and carried that “ the independence of affiliated clubs is treated as paramount”. |
| June 1979 | The Customs Duty on cars 30 years or older is lifted. |
| The cut off year for cars on ‘permit to move’ is raised to 1947. | |
| The Permit to Move is now 20 years old and first issued to the Veteran Car Club of NSW in 1959 | |
| Mar. 1980 | Changes to traffic laws on expressways and super highways, which affect club members. |
| The Council seeks exemption from these changes on behalf of veteran and vintage cars. | |
| May 1980 | Warwick Farm is thought to be no longer viable for Display Day and a committee is formed to find a new venue. |
| July 1980 | Canterbury Racecourse is chosen for Display Day |
| Sept. 1980 | A meeting is held in Canberra. |
| The Federation of Vintage Car Clubs should be ‘wound down and a new body formed’. | |
| The resolution is passed and the new body is to be named Federation of Historic Motor Clubs | |
| Jan. 1981 | The first Brighton Rally is held to coincide with Rockdale Council’s Australia Day celebrations. |
| June 1981 | A Discussion takes place as to whether the Display Dayshould be moved to Castle Hill Showground |
| A name change for Council is proposed for the first time. | |
| July 1981 | A new sponsor for Display Day is “Classis Car Insurance” |
| This time sees the decentralising of the club plate registration procedures. | |
| Sept. 1981 | Council votes to move the AGM to November for next year. |
| Mar. 1982 | Council is asked to participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebrations for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, |
| with a parade of cars over the bridge. | |
| The Parade went ahead with a police escort. | |
| July 1982 | Founding President, George Green passed away. |
| The entry fee for Display Day is raised to $3, with spectators paying $1. | |
| Sept. 1982 | An extraordinary meeting is held to discuss a name change. |
| Various names put forward, which include the word ‘historic’ | |
| A decision is deferred to Feb 1983 to allow for consultation with legal representatives re the word ‘historic’. | |
| Feb. 1983 | El Coballo Blanco offers its premises for Display Day. |
| The Antique and Classis Motor Club resigns from Council | |
| Efforts are made to retain the club as they were one of the founding clubs of Council | |
| May 1983 | In conjunction with the Bush Council and the Museum Association, Council votes to approach the Federal Minister proposing a ban on the export of some vintage and veteran vehicles due to their historic significance. |
| July 1983 | Display Day is to be moved to Castle Hill Showground. |
| Sept. 1983 | Council celebrates 20th year of the Display Day. |
| Nov. 1983 | Rockdale Council is impressed with the Australia Day Rally and asks Council to participate again next year. |
| The Minister for Transport Peter Cox advises that after a review of year model restrictions, applying to the veteran and vintage annual permit scheme, cars 30 years or older at the 1st of January each year and owned by members of a recognised club will be eligible for inclusion in the club plate scheme. | |
| Vintage vehicles are included in the proposed assets test for pensioners. | |
| Council purchases its first banner for use at functions. | |
| Council’s afiliation with the Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs of Australia | |
| Council negotiates with the GIO to keep Third Party Insurance down to a minimum for cars on club plates. | |
| July 1984 | Mr A Cadman accepts invitation to Display Day. |
| Club Presidents meet at Display Day for the first time. | |
| Sept. 1984 | A challenge is made to Council that some wording of the Constitution is sexist |
| (Political correctness rears is head for the first time). | |
| Nov. 1984 | Unique Cars magazine prints a list of Council affiliated clubs for the first time. |
| A calendar of annual events is proposed. | |
| Feb.1985 | With Queensland now on board, NSW Club plates are recognised nationally. |
| Council is invited to St Patrick’s Day Parade | |
| Sydney Tramway Museum celebrates its 20th Anniversary. | |
| April 1985 | Suggestions were put forward for an event to coincide with the Bi-Centennial celebrations in January 1988. |
| The National Trust request Council assistance for cars to take part in Heritage Week. | |
| Shannons Classic Car Insurance comes into contact with Council for the first time | |
| First discussions are held about the introduction of unleaded petrol and the ramifications for Council members. | |
| July 1985 | Sydney Water Board requests Council’s assistance for a display at the Opening of Waragamba Dam in October. |
| Shannons’ Classic Car Insurance accepts sponsorship of Display Day. | |
| Sept. 1985 | NSW Automotive Museum approached the Federal Government. |
| They propose legislation be drawn up to prohibit the export of historically significant motor vehicles. | |
| Nov. 1985 | Changes to the constitution proposed as to the number of succesive terms as President. |
| April 1986 | The Heritage Bill is passed making it illegal to export vehicles of historic significance from Australia. |
| Volunteer accident insurance is discussed for the first time. | |
| June 1986 | Majority of club delegates vote to allow general public in to Display Day to help offset the costs of the event. |
| Nov. 1987 | It is suggested that Council provide a copy of meeting minutes to the NSW State Library for microfilming. |
| July 1988 | The first Calendar of Events appears in the minutes. |
| Sept. 1988 | Former President Ron Nyman passed away. |
| 25th Anniversary of Display Day. | |
| First Australian Concours D’Elegance held at Sydney Showground. | |
| Council minutes books to be kept at the NSW Archives Authority. | |
| Guidelines for modified vehicles are discussed in Council. | |
| Nov. 1988 | Introduction of the Protection of Moveable Cultural Heritage Act. |
| Jan. 1989 | The Swap Meet is to be moved from Grace Bros Carpark due to the introduction of Sunday trading. |
| March 1989 | Saw the increase in Third Party insurance. |
| May 1989 | Council succeeds in having club-plated vehicles covered by Transcover in the event of an accident. |
| Nov. 1989 | Council withdraws from the Federation of Historic Vehicles Club of Australia. |
| Sept. 1990 | The abolition of tax for car clubs. |
| Nov. 1990 | Greenhouse issues in conjunction with ‘older’ cars is raised for the first time. |
| Sept. 1991 | Display Day is held at the Museum of Fire; this year sponsored by NRMA. |
| Nov. 1991 | Eastern Creek is proposed as a venue for Display Day. |
| Feb. 1992 | Former President and Committee member, John Rumsey passed away. |
| August 1992 | The first Display Day is held at Eastern Creek |
| March 1993 | Council amlgamates with the NSW Automotive Museum Association and takes over incorporation status. |
| June 1993 | The National Park line of the Tramway Museum opens to the public. |
| Sept. 1993 | Shannons Insurance advise Council of new benefits for club permit vehicles. |
| Nov. 1993 | NRMA enters the field of Vintage and Veteran Insurance, announcing their new policy at January 1994 Motorfest. |
| Jan. 1995 | Mick Bigley passed away. |
| Jan. 1996 | Motorfest is moved to the Hyde Park venue. Council’s Brighton rally and NRMA Motorfest amalgamate. |
| May 1996 | The Swap Meet moves to Annangrove. |
| May 1997 | Shannons become the major sponsor at Display Day. |
| The event is now renamed Shannons Eastern Creek Classic. | |
| July 1997 | Holden Australia agree to supply, free of charge, two cars for official use at the display day. |
| Sep. 1997 | The 2001 Tour arrangements are set in motion. |
| February 1998 | Ken Moss “Mr Cadillac” passed away. |
| July 1998 | Robert Shannon (Shannon’s Classic Car Insurance) announces sponsorship of the 2001 Tour. |
| August 1998 | Police Commissioner Peter Ryan presents trophies at the Shannons Eastern Creek Classic. |
| Hints that he has enjoyed himself so much that he would like to be invited back next year. | |
| Sept. 1998 | Robert Shannon presents a sponsorship cheque for $100,000 to the 2001 Tour Director, Dr. David Marshall-Martin, at the display day presentations. |
| National Roads and Transport Commission reports on a standardised registration scheme; a scheme likely based on the South Australian model to be trialled in the ACT from 1 January 1999. | |
| Delegates are advised that the regular Australia Day event is to be moved and will become the President’s Run, sponsored by the NRMA. The initial event will be held on 21 March. | |
| Feb. 1999 | Council becomes involved in the phase-out of leaded petrol. |
| 2001 Tour Director announces a MKII Jaguar is to be raffled to tour participants at a cost of $5 a ticket | |
| May 1999 | Council is notified that the 2001 Tour is to be an official event of the Centenary of Federation celebrations. |
| Sept. 1999 | Council President, Terry Thompson, is elected President of the Australian Historic Motoring Federation. |
| Peter Wherrett is appointed publicist for the 2001 Rally and announces he will write a book about the rally and its participants. | |
| The trial of standardised registration in the ACT did not go ahead, but the scheme will go ahead. | |
| Oct. 1999 | Council votes to retain current registration scheme over the South Australian model. |
| Jan. 2000 | Running of the Swap Meet is handed over to Council member club, the Volvo Sporting Car Club. |
| Terry Thompson, appointed an Historic Commissioner for CAMS and an expert examiner for the Moveable Cultural Heritage Act. | |
| Leaded petrol will be phased out from 1 January 2002. Several alternatives have been made available. | |
| March 2000 | Robert Shannon, founder of Shannon’s Classic Car Insurance, dies in Melbourne of a heart attack. |
| The 2001 Tour will be a memorial to Robert Shannon. | |
| May 2000 | The new club plate scheme is to operate from 1 January 2001. |
| The RTA has agreed to a 12-month parallel system for the new registrations. | |
| Vehicles will remain exempt from Stamp Duty. | |
| Motorex is born | |
| Nov. 2000 | A motion was put at the AGM that the name of CVV&TMC should be changed. |
| The motion was voted upon and carried and the CVV&TMC became the Council of Motor Clubs (CMC) | |
| Jan. 2001 | Council’s suggestion re new registration scheme are accepted by the RTA. |
| May 2001 | Toyota Classis Car Club and the Z Car Club becomes the first of the Japanese car clubs to join Council. |
| The 2001 Tour deemed an overall great success. | |
| It was noted that over 50,000 spectators turned up on the day | |
| Tour Director Dr. David Marshall-Martin was congratulated for his efforts in organising the event. | |
| The President’s Choice Vehicle to receive a special trophy was a Ford T600 Series Timber Jinker. | |
| Nov. 2001 | The Tramway Museum announced that members of the public under Community Service Orders had volunteered to help out at the Museum. |
| The Bus & Truck Museum comes to the aid of the Timorese people and help to prepare buses for them. | |
| March 2002 | The RTA Conditional Registration Scheme is to commence on 20 May 2002. |
| It will run concurrently with the existing scheme for 12 months to facilitate a smooth changeover. | |
| Problems with Public Liability Insurance begin to make themselves felt. | |
| Jan. 2003 | A CMC Calendar is proposed. |
| March 2003 | The closure of the Harris Street Car Museum is announced. |
| Conditional Registration details sent out to all clubs. | |
| May 2003 | The use of vehicles on a run with their secondary club is clarified by Council. |
| It is announced that as from 1 January 2004 Asbestos in any form is not acceptable in motor vehicles. | |
| July 2003 | A motion to continue the 30 year rolling date for conditional registration is voted on and carried. |
| Terry Thompson, is awarded the Order of Australia medal for his services to the historical vehicle movement. | |
| October 2003 | The Motor Trader’s Association celebrates 100 years of motoring in Australia. |
Author’s Note
Since its inception in 1963 Council’s chief aims have been to further the interests of its members, to provide a safe and fair environment for its members to enjoy their chosen ‘hobby’ and to keep the movement alive and flourishing so that our motoring heritage is not lost to history.
As evidenced by the facts, set down in black and white in the minutes, Council has without doubt fulfilled its stated aims. Council has been in the forefront of many battles, on behalf of its members, over the last 40+ years, but chiefly their representation during the fight for a fair and equitable registration scheme and the phasing-out of leaded fuel has been instrumental in allowing all of us within the historic movement to enjoy our motoring for years to come.
On behalf of those of you who are of a like mind to myself, I would like to extend congratulations to Council and all those hard-working committee members who have given, and continue to give, their time and their expertise to making it all possible.