Ulster Pre

Home

Links

Entry Forms

In the early nineteen sixties there were a small number of enthusiasts who wanted to use their vintage Austin’s together on a regular basis. In October 1969 they all met in Doagh and formed the ‘Ulster Pre-War Austin Club’. Initially it was meant to only cater for pre-war Austin’s, but such was the enthusiasm for old cars that it was soon extended to allow for all pre-war cars. Later on, whilst still retaining its original name the constitution was changed to allow for all cars registered before 31 December 1969. This remains the situation today. Some of the early meetings were held in Killead church hall near Aldergrove. In recent years most meetings are held at the Village Centre, Hillsborough. These take place approximately 6 times per year. At each meeting we invite a speaker to give us a talk on an interesting subject. Despite being an old car club which tends mainly to interest men we are proud of the large number of females who are members, and lots of the speakers invited are chosen because their subject will be of interest to all. Anyone is welcome to attend, even before they become a member. Please contact any office bearer for details.

Back in 1969 we were the first vintage car club in Northern Ireland. In 1970 the club ran its first event. Back then it was run with a very relaxed format with none of the restrictive legislation that has to be followed today. Early events consisted of road runs in scenic locations, mainly in County Antrim using Tulip diagrams for instructions. Driving tests to measure your parking distance skills, driving around obstacles, judging the height of running boards and bumpers etc were commonly used on events.

Now that the club has reached its 40^th anniversary in 2009 and the cars have all got older, events have changed. We still go on scenic runs but instead of driving test we now generally include a visit to a special place of interest.

One of our founder members George McCaig and his wife Sadie are still regular attendees at club events, still using their 1933 Austin 12, a car they purchased in 1962 for £15, which just goes to prove the old slogan that you should invest in an Austin.

2009 was a very special year as we celebrated our 40^th Anniversary. The club is still going stronger than ever and being run with the guidelines laid down by the foresight of the early founders. At the moment the club had over 80 members.

George McCaig Tel: 028 90 833801 Mob: 07518 869474 e-mail: no e-mail address

William Todd Tel: 028 82 245333 Mob: 07711 478733 e-mail: william@wtoddandson.co.uk

John Davison Tel: 028 256 58785 Mob: 07712 938450 e-mail: john.davisona4@talktalk.net

Wilfie Patterson Tel: 028 92 638127 Mob: 07860 541678 e-mail: patterson2@xlninternet.co.uk

Des Ballantine Tel: 028 807 58783 Mob: 07808 964982 e-mail: no e-mail address

NOMINATED CHARITY FOR 2012 SPECIAL CHARITY EVENT – OMAGH RUN 7^th July 2012