Model A rally fires up Fords

WHEN vintage car enthusiast Ken Gehrke was courting, he had two much-loved A Fords to take care of.

One was his ‘courting car’, affectionately named Beaut – the 1930 Model A Ford that has been in his family since 1939.

Arguably more important was his bride-to-be, Ann Ford, who has since travelled many miles in the passenger seat.

The Gehrkes, of North Ipswich, are again gearing up for a long trip this month.

As members of the Model A Ford Club, they’ll join a couple of hundred motorists at this year’s national rally to be held in Tasmania.

“It (hosts) all the Australian clubs and every two years they have a gathering in a different state,” Mrs Gehrke said.

“They usually get round about 200 cars.

“The 2010 rally starts on March 15 and runs through to the 20th, and then we’ll spend another week touring.

“On the way back we’ll detour to Roma.”

Mrs Gehrke said Beaut had a charm all of its own.

“Everyone wants to talk to you, and you get sore arms from waving. It’s got the Clampetts’ appeal,” she said.

The Clampetts, for those deprived in the ‘60s of the hugely popular TV series The Beverley Hillbillies, were a mountain family who drove a broken-down jalopy.

Mr Gehrke said his Model A, while in good condition, was not a totally restored vehicle.

“We’ve just spent $9000 on it and you can’t see where the money’s gone,” he said.

In 2012, the Model A Ford clubs will hold their national rally in Ipswich for the first time.