The loud roar of a 1969 MGB echoes in the early morning air, an eccentric rumbling of the exhaust quite unlike any other.
Brendan Thomson sits behind the wheel, grinning as he revs the engine.
“If you were somewhere with your back turned to the street having a coffee and some guy drives past in an MGB, you’d know straight away — there’s just something about the exhaust note that’s very distinct,” he said.
Mr Thomson and his wife, Heather, are the proud owners of this 1969 MGB, which they affectionately call “the Little Girl”.
They are also both members of the B Register MG Car Club Victoria and organisers of the Goulburn Valley Register of the MG Car Club Victoria.
Although a sports car is not the usual choice of transportation for a farmer, the Thomsons have always had a soft spot for the MGB, knowing it was ultimately their dream car.
“I don’t know what made me fall in love with them initially, I just always loved sports cars,” Mr Thomson said.
“It was definitely love at first sight.
“I just love that you can tell by the paintwork that a fair amount of work goes into it and I love the style, the freedom, and when you’re driving you can feel the wind in your hair.”
It’s up for debate but for most MG lovers, this is the year the car company turns 100.
“It’s 100 years this year; that is, depending on who you talk to,” Mrs Thomson said.
“There’s a conjecture over when the first actual MG was made and when the actual name MG existed.
“The main celebrations are this year, the Poms are doing a lot of stuff and the Aussies are doing a lot of big stuff too.”
The classic sports car will be part of the 100th anniversary celebrations this year at Historic Winton, alongside an array of other vehicles celebrating notable milestones.
From 120 years of Harley-Davidson to 70 years of the Holden FJ, lots of official anniversary vehicles will be on display, including the Thomsons’ 1969 MGB.
Hosted by the Austin 7 Club Inc, the 46th Historic Winton car and motorcycle event will take place on May 27 and 28.
In addition to the displays, the day will also include the classic races, food and a marketplace of motoring and bike-related goods, and, of course, the highly anticipated Sunday Parade around the Winton Motor Raceway.
Austin 7 Club Inc president Len Kenwood said the parade was a major part of Historic Winton.
“We get a lot of requests to join in on the Sunday Parade because everyone wants to do a lap of Winton Motor Raceway in their ‘pride and joy’ car, motorbike, bus, fire engine or other mode of land transport,” Mr Kenwood said.
“Vehicles are selected for the parade on Sunday morning, with invitations placed on windscreens.
“Parade participants are selected based on the number of vehicles in an anniversary group, rarity and presentation.”
Mr Kenwood said he was looking forward to seeing competitors, motor enthusiasts and motorsport fans flock to Winton for the iconic event.
“This historic race meet has been around for so long now that we are seeing third and fourth generations competing and attending, as well as quite a lot of first-timers,” he said.
“A new race has been placed on the 2023 program, a Regularity for N Class ‘tin tops’ touring cars up to 1965.
“This will be staged for the first time and is expected to add to the spectacle.”
Tickets for the event can be booked on the Historic Winton website or at the gate.