Even though the total amount of driving was less than over days, we had a lot to cover.   We made out way out of Bendigo at 6AM.  Due to daylight savings kicking in, it was dark and we were all tired since our body clocks assumed it was 5AM.  We had a two hour drive to Euroa for the Australian National Show and Shine.

At this point we had intermittent rain driving through the mostly flat farming country between Bendigo and Euroa.   The drive was fairly relaxing as there was not much traffic and the roads were all pretty easy.    Along the way we noticed another grain Silo with artwork.   However, this one was more folksy vs the more artistic ones around Horsham.  It was quite a good contrast.

Generally al the cars were still performing well, with some minor exceptions.   The 380SEC was still playing up with hot starts and occasional stalling when idling.   We just kept it running during short breaks.   The 500SL had a power steering leak which seemed better after tightening up the clamp on the return hose.   And my A/C was no longer working in the 450SLC.  I guess there was a leak.   Given it was a cool day, I was only going to use the A/C to defrost the front window, so it wasn’t essential.

We refueled at Euroa before the show and then had our cars in place around 9AM.    Details about the show are covered separately.   We planned to leave the show at 11:30AM.   The MBCV had kindly offered to host us for a BBQ dinner at their very impressive Club rooms.   Given all the trouble they were going to, we didn’t want to be late, and I was keen to drive some roads that looked really promising on the way to Melbourne.

Leaving around this time worked pretty well, as we were able to see what we needed to see of the show.

Fitting the name of our trip, the route to Melbourne was not the direct one.  The map is below, but the goal was to find as many great driving roads as we could between here and Ferntree Gully.   The roads exceeded my expectations.

We headed out towards the serenity of Bonnie Doon.  The roads so far were fine, but not all that special.   it was when we got through Mansfield that they started to become really good.   The road I specifically wanted to do was the Eildon-Jaimeson Road.   This road is paved, but a lot of the roads around it are not.   I think I can safely saw it was one of the best roads I have driven on.   It was lots of windy roads up and down the mountains that goes on for 63km.   You can still drive well within the speed limit and have amazing fun on this road.

I kept my 450SLC back in 2nd gear most of the time and I was able to accelerate out of the bends and then slow down for each.   The car handled really well, it generally stayed flat and I never lost any grip.   I was more likely to slide out of the seat when cornering that lose control of the car.

In addition, the scenery was amazing and it was like driving through a temperate rain forest.   The sportier cars like the 107s and 124s were really able to make the most of this road.  It was probably harder work for the W108s.

As we drove we found a couple of scenic places to stop and allow us to all re-group.

After we finished this road, we still had more great driving roads.   We went through the Yarra Ranges National Park and went through Towns like Reefton and Gembrook.   These roads were equally good and probably more varied than the Eildon-Jaimeson Road.   There was still lots of bends, but also sweeping corners as well as the tight stuff.   In addition, there were also more significant uphill and downhill sections.

There was one section that we did up towards Nichol lookout that was like a Hill Climb.   And the view at the top was amazing.   There was also a section that went through what was presumably an old growth forest with massive trees on either side of the road.

Both roads were great and I would do them again in a heartbeat. Since my A/C wasn’t working, I had my windows and sunroof open. I could hear a noise from the rear right when turning left. I think I may have a wheel bearing starting to get noisy. If I hadn’t had the window open, I probably wouldn’t have heard it, so I am hoping it will be fine until I get to Sydney.

After we finished the twisty drive, we headed into the MBCV club rooms for the BBQ.   The MBCV had 30-40 members who had attended to come and meet with us and their hospitality was very much appreciated.   It was great to meet up with some friends in the club again, and see some of their cars and chat.   It was great to see cars like the W143 230, and the dinner was great too. The W143 is currently for sale and will be on display in the Sandersons showroom in Sydney soon.

By the time we got to our hotel which was about 20 minutes away, we were all pretty tired from such an action packed day. We covered around 510km today.

The post The Long Way Euround – Day 4: Euroa show, great driving roads and MBCV BBQ appeared first on Classic Jalopy.

The show was almost cancelled a few months ago, since the organizers were not able to get enough people to join the organizing committee.   However with the possibility of cancellation, people stepped up.  As far as I could see, they did an outstanding job.

The Euroa Show and Shine is held at Seven Creeks Park in the middle of the town.  It is a great place to hold a car show.  The cars were arranged on both sides of the water and there is room to have various stalls, a live band and various food and drink options.   While not cheap, the food I ate was very good.

We were extremely lucky with the weather.   On our drive to the show, we had rain one and off the whole way, but once we arrived in Euroa, the rain stopped and the weather was really good.

We had our own section for our 10 cars next to the MBCV section.   Since most MBCV members are Melbourne based, this show appeals more to members who live around the Bendigo or Shepparton areas.   They had four cars there and we had our 10, making a very good Mercedes-Benz display.  I was especially happy to see the dark green 450SE.   That car belongs to a friend from Melbourne and after purchasing it about a year ago, he has done an extensive recommissioning.   The car looks amazing and it is a great spec for a 450SE with sunroof and velour interior.

There was a lot to see at the show outside of our display.  A few things that stood out to me was the biggest display of Bowell’s I’ve ever seen in one spot, and the biggest display of Wolseley’s I’ve ever seen in one spot.

They also had stationary engines, tractors and other interesting machines.  Probably the best part of the show was the relaxed atmosphere and the variety they had on display.   I enjoyed going and would be happy to attend again.  I understand numbers were down from the expectations and the weather probably had something to do with it.

The post 2024 Australian National Show and Shine, Euroa appeared first on Classic Jalopy.

In 2022, I went with a group of friends to Adelaide via Victoria and The Great Ocean Road, before returning via Broken Hill.   Last year, we attended the MBCV concours event taking the mountain roads there, and the inland route back.

This year, the same group that went to Victoria are going back, but this time the Long way Euround.

Like last year, we have built the trip around a car show.   In this case, the Australian National Show and Shine in Euroa.   This is a big car show set in Seven Creeks park.   We had a bit of a scare earlier in the year when the show was slated to be cancelled, but the organizers were able to get more volunteers in time.

As with last year, these will all be classic Mercedes, including two 108s – a 280S and a 280SE 3.5, three 107s – two 450SLCs and a 500SL, a 126 380SEC, 123 280CE and three 124s – a 300CE, 300TE and E280T.

Day 0

To avoid getting stuck in Sydney traffic on the first day, our trip starts in Bathurst.   The plan is for everyone to make their way to Bathurst in their own time, refuel their car and allow us to make an early start the next day.   I’ll be working a full day, so this will be like another night drive for me.    The distance will be different for everyone in the group, but for me it will be 216km.

Day 1

On our first official day of the trip, we’re taking the inland route to the Murray river, before following the river west.   We’ll initially go through mid sized towns such as Cowra, Young and Gundagai, while avoiding the M31.   There is a very short section of about 10km which is shared with the route from last year, but otherwise it’s all different.

Once we hit the river, we’ll alternate between the NSW and Victorian side, going through some of the smaller towns before finishing up in Cobram.   We’ll cover 657km on the first day and it should be a fairly relaxed day as we don’t have any specific deadlines.

Day 2

The second day will be a busier day.   We’ll continue our Murray River tour, getting as far along as Robinvale.   This will take us through famous Murray towns like Euchca and Swan Hill.

In the afternoon, we’ll do a portion of the western Victorian silo art trail.   This is a series of grain silos with murals from artists painted on them.   The official silo art tour is quite extensive, however, due to time constraints we’ve planned to visit 7 of them.   Depending on how long it takes, we can cut out the last couple.    On Day 2, we’ll cover 746km, finishing up in Horsham.

Day 3

Day three will be an easier day.   We’ll start by doing a scenic drive through the Grampians National Park.   In the afternoon, we’ll visit a Benz wrecker, and optionally a metal working shop.   We’ll finish our day in Bendigo, where we will be able to wash our cars for the show on day 4.   On day 3, we cover 414km.

Day 4

Day four is the Australian National Show and Shine in Euroa.  We’ve got a section for our ten cars near where MBCV have their allocation.    We’ll stay at the show for the morning, before taking some scenic roads to the eastern side of Melbourne.   These roads are quite windy and should be far more interesting to drive on than the motorway.   We cover 510km on day 4.

In the evening, MBCV have kindly offered to host us for a BBQ at their club rooms.   Having visited their club rooms last year, our group from NSW has serious club room envy!

Day 5

Day five we leave Melbourne and tour through Gippsland hugging the coast.   Last year due to time constraints we took the more direct route through Traralgon.

In the afternoon, we’ll stop at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection in Maffra.   After that we continue along the coast through Orbost, before turning north to Bombala where we stop for the night.   Day 5 is a fairly relaxed day where we cover 604km.

Day 6

Our final day we head north from Bombala towards Cooma.   We couldn’t take the more alpine roads, as chains are required until after the long weekend, and we are driving on the actual long weekend.

From Cooma, we continue north towards Canberra.   This is the only repeat leg from last year, but in the opposite direction.   However, from Canberra, instead of taking the road through Oberon, we take the parallel road through Tuena.   This takes us up near Bathurst and Lake Lyall.

As with last year, we go our separate ways at Lithgow.   The shared drive is 515km, and overall I will do 658km on day 6.

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