Bay to Birdwood – The Cars

October 23, 2026

Our Bay to Birdwood trip was the 5th annual roadtrip of this nature. We had 8 cars and drivers participate this time, with 25 across all 5. All eight cars returned on their own four wheels, and no tow trucks were required. While we had a few mechanical issues, there was nothing that stopped all eight cars completing the trip.

The total distance for the trip was around 4,350km, taking the total distance for all five trips to 20,250km. As with last year, we had a few veterans of previous trips this year, plus a few new entrants. Previously, all the cars on these trips had been Mercedes-Benz. This year, we had another marque for the first time. These trips were never intended to be exclusive to Mercedes-Benz, however since we all know each other through the Mercedes-Benz club it has worked out that way.

The cars are listed below in order of age:

1978 Mercedes 280CE 123 (#78)

A veteran of the Adelaide Rally, The Long Way Euround and Longreach, the white 280CE returned for its 4th trip, now holding the mileage record of 17,350km. That number is nothing for this car, completing the trip with over 475,000km on the odometer.

Not only did the car have no mechanical issues to speak of, it also had better fuel economy than the other two M110 powered cars. This car is a testament that a car that has been maintained and loved with high mileage is better than a random car without. I look forward to the owner putting the 500,000km badge on the grille in a few years.

1978 Mercedes 450SE 116 (#450)

A first time entrant, my 450SE was delivered later in the year to the 280CE, making it the second oldest car on the trip. Surprisingly, this was the first time a W116 had joined one of our trips. The 450SE went great, it was smooth, powerful and comfortable. It was a little thirstier than the six cylinder cars, but I think the equivalent of another tank of fuel across the trip was worth it.

It was a bit touch and go getting the car on the trip, the AC only working the morning we left. I had a few minor issues on the trip, such as the starter not engaging twice, but overall the car went very well. The speedo cable broke just before the trip, so I counted my mileage on an app, and ended the trip with 122,674km. For the first time on one of these trips, I did not have top up the oil at all.

1982 Mercedes 500SL 107 (#500)

The 500SL was back for its second trip, after participating in The Long Way Euround. Original a Hong Kong Car, it is fitted with the two tone paint available on the 500SL and SLC at the time.

The 500 completed most of the trip with the top down and had no major mechanical issues. At one point the brakes overheated, but after cooling off, they gave no more issues. The 500SL and 450SE were the two contenders for thirstiest car on the trip.

1982 Mercedes 280SL 107 (#280)

Also a Hong Kong car, and original the same colour as the 500SL, these two would have made quite a pair in Hong Kong in 1982. The current owner purchased it from the original owner, and it has done less than 100,000km since new. After some recommissioning, it is running well and completed the trip without any issues.

Unlike the 500SL, The 280 did the trip with the hard top on, to take advantage of the cold AC. The 280SL was a new entrant this year.

1985 Mercedes 280CE 123 (#320)

The 280CE was back for its second trip, having completed Longreach last year. As its number probably indicates, the 280CE was never supposed to be on this trip. The owner had intended to bring his W124 E320. However, a small coolant leak from the head gasket became coolant in the cylinders a week before we were supposed to leave. The 280CE was rapidly pressed into service.

Without much time to prep, the 280CE had a few issues on the trip, mostly ignition related. It would cut out and run roughly at times. If I had to guess, I would suspect the ignition box may be the culprit.

1986 Chevrolet Corvette C4 (#350)

A new entrant, and the first non-Mercedes-benz on one of our trips. Over the last year or so, the owner has woken up the Corvette after it sat in a shipping container for years. The biggest job involved removing the transmission multiple times to fix leaks. It was great to have something else on our trip, and while the Corvette completed the rally without issue, there were a few mechanical issues.

The first was an electrical connector to the coil, followed by the starter motor loosening up. The advantage of driving a GM product shone out, with a brand new starter available from Mildura repco. The AC packed in, which meant most of the trip was completed top down.

The Corvette, while having the largest engine at 5.7l, was one of the most economical cars on the run. The gearing is very tall and the 350 Chev produces a lot of torque down low. A big engine that is hardly working can be pretty economical.

1988 Mercedes 300E 124 Bash Car (#124)

Another new entrant, the 300E was dragged out of a paddock a couple of years back and set up for the Flying Doctor charity bash run. This included a roll cage, chunky tyres, bash plates, big mudflaps etc. Probably the most useful modification was the strut tower strengthening, as it was clear the factory strut mounts had been pushed up towards the strengthening bar. This is a known weak point in the 124, where a car running big aftermarket wheels can put a big dent in the bonnet when going over a pothole.

Despite being dragged out of a paddock, the 300E completed the run without much issue at all. And being a bash car, the owner didn’t have to worry about the paint or anything like that.

1994 Mercedes E280T 124 (#2800)

Another veteran of the Long Way Euround, the E280 Wagon was back. As with last time, the E280 quietly got on with the job, never having any issues, getting good fuel economy and providing a comfortable ride for its driver.

The E280 was the newest car on our trip, but still qualified for the Bay to Birdwood, being over 30 years old.