Buick ride brings back childhood for car fan Ken

When Ken Councillor was a boy growing up in Northampton, a Chevrolet or a Buick was still a novel sight.

Much has changed since then, although some things have come full circle.

“In those days it was mainly horses and carts in Northampton,” the 71-year-old recalled as he cruised along Marine Terrace in an immaculately restored 1937 General Motors Buick last Tuesday.

Driving the 82-year-old vehicle — which rolled off the production line about 10 years before Mr Councillor was born — was Veteran Car Club of WA Mid West president Mark Hatch.

Mr Hatch and other club members visited Opal Aged Care Geraldton in September to show off their prized historic cars and offer rides to keen residents.

Mr Councillor, a retired farm and railway worker, was among the first in line.

He said he recalled seeing similar cars in Northampton many years ago.

“Oh yeah, this brings back memories,” Mr Councillor said.

As the convoy of eight veteran vehicles cruised through Geraldton, Mr Hatch happily told Mr Councillor about the work involved in restoring his prized possession.

“It was a club car for years, so it was never in a totally derelict state,” he explained.

“It’s good to take it out for a spin.”

Fellow club member Phillip Gale — the proud owner of a 1934 Chevrolet Sedan — said the outing gave elderly residents a welcome chance to reminisce.

“It’s also about giving them an opportunity to do something a little bit different in their day,” he said.

Other cars on show included a 1915 Model T Ford and, at the other end of the spectrum, a luxury 1929 General Motors LaSalle.

Opal Geraldton general manager Carryn Herdman said many residents had eagerly awaited the visit.

“A lot of these vehicles are familiar to our residents; it’s the right age group, so they know these cars,” Ms Herdman said.

“Next month we have the motorcycle club visiting — I don’t know how many residents we’ll be putting on motorcycles though.”