AMCA Australia 2017 National Meet
The first ever National Meet of the AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) Australia Inc. was held at the Bulli showgrounds, just north of Wollongong, NSW, this past 25 to 27 August. The goal of the event was to attract owners and enthusiasts of all types of Antique, Vintage and Classic motorcycles (35 years and older) to attend and get involved. If the feedback from the first event is any indication, that goal was comprehensively achieved.
Three Big Days
After months of planning by AMCA Australia members, the first meet, under the banner of the ‘Australian Antique Motorcycle Weekend’, got underway on Friday, 25 August, when the gates opened for onsite campers and swap meet vendors to set up. A few refreshments, via the on-site bar facilities at the showgrounds, was followed by a welcoming reception that was well-received by all.
On Saturday, 26 August, the gates opened at 6am and the swap meet – that would prove to be one of the event’s big drawcards - was soon on in earnest as visitors sought that missing part amongst a treasure trove of old iron.
Don & Dave
Saturday continued at a non-stop pace, with activities including half a dozen technical seminars from invited guests. Crowd favourite here was Don Dzurick. The AMCA Chief Judge back in the USA, Dzurick explained the interesting subject of AMCA judging, which unlike many judging programs, is relatively simple. In AMCA judging, motorcycles are not judged against each other, Dzurick explained, rather each motorcycle is judged on individual merit against one standard - how it would have looked the day it left the factory.
Dzurick was followed on the speaker’s podium by well-known motorcycle collector, trader, historian and rider Dave Reidie. The former dealer principal at Harley City in Victoria, Reidie spoke with enthusiastic authority about Harley-Davidson’s OHV DAH; a racing series introduced by the Motor Company’s competition department in 1929.
More than just talk about the DAH, Reidie also brought along three different examples from his personal collection. Attendees not only got to inspect the detail and craftsmanship of these rare machines up close, they also got to hear them, as Dave kicked one into life. The crackling sound from this machine – amplified by the acoustics under the venue roof – can only be described in one word - ‘brilliant’!
Auction Action
Later that afternoon, the auction (previewed in JUST BIKES #340) was held, which saw close to $500,000 change hands! The audience was very much engaged in the process of “going once, going twice, sold”, with the top-seller from the group of prestige consignments being a rare 1940 Indian 4. The subject of a meticulous and exquisite restoration, the Indian sold for $107,625, while a 1929 Harley-Davidson in similar condition made $95,000.
Following the auction, the bar was re-opened for refreshments and a chin wag, where attendees recounted their highlights amongst the day’s events, from the great swap meet goodies to the special guests, the auction and the variety of vintage motorcycles on display.
Special Sunday
The final day of the Australian Antique Motorcycle Weekend saw the swap meet fire up again, followed by a public display of eligible older bikes that covered a broad spread of makes, models and ages.
The Australian Speedway Riders Association had a selection of very high quality classic speedway bikes on display, while Indian aficionados were drooling over Peter Arundel’s 8-valve racing Indian. The self-confessed Indian motorcycle tragic kicked over this rare racer, much to the delight of everyone present. An amazing engine for its time, the decibels from this 93-year-old machine were sweet music!
Sunday visitors and those who had been soaking up the event for all three days could vote for their favourite in the display via a People’s Choice ballot. Given the amount of quality vintage iron present, it was no easy task to choose just one favourite, but when the crowd votes were tallied, a beautiful 1959 Ariel Square Four won the People’s Choice, while an impeccable ’69 Honda CB 750 Four got the Bulli Showgrounds manager’s vote.
Additional to the bike display, other attractions on the final day included the AMCA judging and presentations, along with more seminars, including ‘The Evolution of the Motorcycle’ and ‘Historic Police Motorcycles’.
A Super Start
The first Australian Antique Motorcycle Weekend was seen as something of a ‘toe in the water’ exercise by AMCA Australia, but with thousands of enthusiasts through the gate across the three days, AMCA Australia Inc. president Tony Blain has confirmed that the AMCA Australia National Meet will become an annual event, to be held on the last weekend in August at Bulli Showgrounds.
Organisers hope that those who attended this year’s event pass the word on to their mates – and mates of mates – to make the 2018 National Meet bigger and even better.
If you have an enthusiasm for American, Euro, Japanese and British Motorcycles 35 years and older, keep an eye on the AMCA Australia website – and the pages of JUST BIKES – for more info on next year’s AMCA Australia National Meet as the event draws nearer, or join AMCA Australia Inc. – we’d love to hear from you.
For further information, go to: <a href="www.amcaaustralia.org">amcaaustralia.org</a>
