Whanganui vintage car rally all set for Queens Birthday weekend

Scott Bullock and sons in his 1946 Chevrolet Pick-up in the Wanganui Vintage Car Rally in 2019. Photo / File

Vintage car owners are tuning their motors and getting out the winter woollies for the annual rally in Whanganui on Queen's Birthday weekend.

Wanganui Vintage Car Club captain Frank James said around 50 participants had registered to take part in the rally this year.

"They are mostly locals but one is coming from Whakatane and there are some from Taranaki and Manawatū," James said.

"We will start assembling at the Wanganui Racecourse car park from 9am on Sunday, June 6, and we should all be away by 9.30am."

James said the planned route for this year was around 140k and would take drivers and their passengers out into the countryside, where there will be a scheduled lunch break.

"We anticipate that everyone should be back in town by around 2pm. There will be an opportunity for everyone to have a look in the parts shed and have a cup of tea at our club rooms in Patapu St."

Vehicles need to be at least 30 years old to qualify for the rally and James said there will be a 1990 Ford Falcon joining the assembly this year.

"I think the earliest vehicle is a late 20s model," James said.

"We always have what we call a 'tail-end-Charlie', whose job it is to help anyone who has problems and make sure everyone arrives back safely."

The day's activities will be followed by the traditional dinner and prizegiving in the Grand Hotel dining room.