Still the "king of the road"
When Geoff Steer bought an American-made 1928 A-Model Ford in Perth at age 20, he thought he was “king of the road” but never planned to still own it 60 years later.
This month Mr Steer will drive that very car, which is five years older than him, in the inaugural Great Southern 500 rally over three days and 500km, winding up at Alison Hartman Gardens on November 18.
“I’ve never been a vintage car buff, it just sort of happened,” Mr Steer said.
“But of course when you have it that long the kids all learnt how to drive in it and it became part of the family.”
November’s rally commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Genevieve 500 classic car race initiated by late Albany entrepreneur Paul Terry, retracing its path from Perth down the Great Eastern and Southern highways.
Although not a regular rally participant, Mr Steer did unofficially join in the Genevieve race 20 years ago.
The former Albany optometrist, who paid 120 pounds for his pride and joy, is confident his slow-revving, four-cylinder classic car can make the distance.
“It drives very nicely at 35 miles an hour,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a tumble for old time’s sake I suppose, but I have formally entered this year.”
Mr Steer will be joined by 12 other pre-1940s cars on the Great Southern 500.
The winner of the original Genevieve 500, Ray Jones, is travelling from Sydney to take part in this month’s rally.
