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From February 27 to March 7 the sputtering of century-old engines will be heard throughout Tasmania. About 27 cars from the last century will prove they are anything but outdated as they undertake the 2019 Cracked Plug Run car tour. Vehicles participating, all of which were manufactured prior to 1919, will be driving from Cape Portland in the North East to Strathgordon in the South-West. Rick and Judy Gelston, of Westbury, are no strangers to car rallies such as this, having completed 16 in the state over 10 years in their 1916 Model T Ford Open Express. “The rallies are so unique,” Mr Gelston said. “I don’t think a 100-year-old car’s ever been to Strathgordon or to Icena I don’t think there were roads up there 100 years ago.” Mr Gelston said the car had been in the family most of his life; he purchased it from his brother 15 years ago and has been fine-tuning it ever since. “The most unique thing about them is there is no gearbox as such it’s just got what is called a transmission there’s no throttle pedal and no accelerator,” he said. “The beauty about a T model is you can buy just about any parts you want from America. “There’s no front brake we’ve got a handbrake and a little break near the transmission.” There will be plenty of chances for people to see the cars up close along the way, with stops at Scottsdale Recreation Grounds [February 28], Beaconsfield Hall [March 2] and Pearn’s Steamworld, Westbury [March 3]. They will also be stopping over at Bothwell and Westerway schools in the South to show children the magnificent rides. Tour organiser Jill Hawkins said it will be the second time showing their cars to the kids in Bothwell, after doing a similar tour from North-West to South-East Tasmania in 2016. “They [the kids] were so excited and all the drivers let them toot the horns,” she said. “One fella said ‘now if you can start this car, you can have it,’ well these kids were trying to start the starter it was so funny.” Mr Gelston said tours like these were wonderful due to the friendly and supporting veteran car community. “We just love them because they’re all old people, all their vehicles are over 100-years-old and they’re just terrific,” he said. “It’s absolutely fantastic.” While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox. Sign up here.

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