IN A throwback to yesteryear, the South East Classic and Unique Car Club relived the golden era on Saturday night with its first-ever drive-in cinema night.
Years in the making, club president Frank Mittiga said he was happy with how the evening played out.
“We have 30 cars here tonight which is a great turn out,” Mr Mittiga told The Border Watch on Saturday.
“The whole aim of the event is to turn back time to when the Starline drive-in was still alive and mimic the whole set up.
“After talking with the community, members were generous and made the whole thing a reality.”
Held at event organiser and club member Andrew Aldersey’s property, the ground’s slope was “perfectly suited.”
Mr Mittiga thanked Ray Scott for providing a truck to house the screen, donated by Mount Gambier City Council, as well as others who supported the club event.
“I think we all went to the drive-in back in the day and when we suggested the idea to the members they all thought it was great,” Mr Mittiga said.
“In theme, we gave out lollies, popcorn and an icecream just as you would at the real thing.”
Mr Mittiga said a lot of time was taken to make sure the projected film was perfect.
“In our last meeting it took hours of discussion to decide what movie we wanted to watch,” he said.
“At the end of the day, when we suggested Gran Torino featuring Clint Eastwood, everyone said it was the one.
“The movie was fitting and was just something you would watch at a drive in.”
Mr Mittiga said although the event took a lot of organisation, he hoped it would be made an annual event.
“For now, it will only be open to the car club members just due to time constraints and venue space,” he said.
“One of the club’s biggest aims is to involve families and at the end of the day we are not just about cars.
“We try and incorporate events where the kids and the women would like to come along and this drive-in event is the perfect example of that.”
The South East Classic and Unique Car Club will celebrate its 10th year birthday in October this year.
