By Michael Roberts | posted on February 20, 2020
A FAMILY passion passed down through the generations is the backbone of an annual event that showcases all things vintage cars, tractors and machinery.
This Saturday’s fifth annual Cars & Coffee is a chance for Great Southern motoring enthusiasts to display and sell their treasured collectables.
The event is the brainchild of the Walmsley family, who have been running the swapmeet since it started in 2014.
The late George Walmsley was a passionate collector of vintage machinery.
According to grandson Charles Walmsley, he owned one of the biggest Massey-Ferguson tractor collections in Australia, and passed his love for vintage pieces down the family tree.
“When my grandfather passed, it was all handed down to my father Gordon and he wanted to showcase it,” Charles said.
“He wanted to open a museum but this was the next best thing.
“We also wanted to showcase what we have and what everyone else in the community has in their collections.”
A gold coin donation gets you entry, with all proceeds going towards running the event and supporting not-for-profit group Albany Community Hospice.
There will be food vans and coffee vans onsite, or you’re welcome to bring your own snacks and refreshments.
People with interesting wares to sell are also encouraged to setup small stalls.
“The beauty of our event, unlike a lot of car shows, is people can come and go whenever they want – you don’t have to stay,” Charles said.
“We are doing it the week before Racewars as a bit of a warm up. There will be a lot of Racewars cars here.”
Charles said Cars & Coffee was a great networking opportunity for classic car enthusiasts, offering up the chance to buy a gem piece you’ve always dreamed of.
The event will be held from 10am to 3pm this Saturday at 278 Robinson Road, Albany.
For more information about the event, contact Charles Walmsley on 0439 097 515.
