Arthur Grady Day used to be a major event in the Fremantle Heritage Festival. The event was initiated to celebrate the first circumnavigation of Australia by motorcycle by local bike shop owner, Arthur Grady in 1924. Grady set off from the Fremantle town hall on a 1924 Douglas motorcycle and completed the trip in about four months. Originally it was a motorcycle only event. In its first year, around 2013, it featured a small display of pre-1930 vintage motorcycles. The following year the Vintage Motorcycle Club got behind it and organized a much larger display with all eras of motorcycles welcome to attend. A feature of the event was a ride through Fremantle led by the pre-1930 motorbikes. It expanded again the following year with a much larger ride planned, however, the ride was cancelled due to traffic issues. I attended these early events and my photos can be found here:
2012 - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2012/06/arthur-grady-rideout-2012.html
2013 - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2013/06/arthur-grady-ride-2013.html
2014 - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2014/05/arthur-grady-ride-fremantle-2014.html
2016 - https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2016/04/arthur-grady-day-fremantle-heritage.html
From there the event went through a rapid expansion to become a major heritage event incorporate vintage cars, trucks, buses, stationary engines, prams, bicycles and even steam engines. For several years it was a highlight event, however, after its energetic organizer, Alex Marshall, left Fremantle City Council and the venue, Kings Square, was closed for renovations, the event fell into decline.
For the past two years the event has been held in the forecourt of the Fremantle Maritime Museum. This is a relatively small space but the event has slowly been clawing back interest from the classic motoring community. This year five clubs attended to put on displays, including the Vintage Motorcycle Club of WA, Bus Preservation Society, Military Vehicle Chapter of the Veteran Car Club, Special Interest Vehicle Association and WA Hot Rods.
The buses arrive. The Bus Society fielded three buses which, due to the limited space available in the museum forecourt, were forced to do some amazing driving to get into position.
The buses took centre stage in front of the museum.
1951 Guy Arab III https://www.bpswa.org/guy-arab-101.html
1952 AEC Regal IV https://www.bpswa.org/aec-regal-iv-kalamunda-17.html
A replica of Arthur Grady's Douglas.
Another Douglas (with typical English lubrication... leaking)
Fremantle is an active and busy port. Three container ships came through during the show.
The motorbike display. There was a wide variety of bikes attending and the VMCCWA put on a sausage sizzle.
Classic Germans - the BMW R3 and NSU
A wonderful newcomer on the Perth scene is this prewar BMW R3. I believe the bike came from Poland.
The Maritime Museum is located on the dockside in the Fremantle port, a short distance from the centre of town. It's a ten to fifteen minute walk, but there is a tourist tram that runs on a circuit around the main tourist sites.
There was a fine display by the Military vehicle enthusiasts. The WA Army Museum is actually located in Fremantle, a ten minute drive from here.
1944 Kubelwagen and Austin military ambulance
Bicycle could have done with a polish.
1940s Ford (I think?)
The hot rods.
Studebaker Lark
1966 Renault Alpine A110 and my 1959 DKW F94
1959 DKW F94
No Messerschmitts at the show so I bought my Messerschitt sewing machine.
John Schefhout of eBikers with an electric assist tricycle. I had a ride and was amazed at the power and torque these electric bikes have. eBikers shop is located at Bather's Beach in Fremantle. https://www.ebikers.com.au
Time to hit the road
The Austin ambulance squeezes out through the lines.
Despite the event having relatively little promotion and the modest turnout of vehicles (I say modest, but the turnout occupied all available space), there was quite a lot of public interest. I thought I might have been able to slip away into Freo to have something nice for lunch but instead was talking to people for almost five hours straight. Additionally, while it was chilly in the morning, the day warmed up nicely and it was a very pleasant day to be out in the sunshine. All up a very fine day for all.
The Bus Preservation Society has a large collection of over 100 vintage buses, many of these are in need of restoration, so please check out their website, their collection at Whiteman Park and consider making a donation. https://www.bpswa.org
Link to the Fremantle Maritime Museum website: http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/maritime/
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