GOING through a full “body-off” restoration over a decade ago, this 1927 Willys Knight brings back childhood memories for owner Dennis Boundy.
Mr Boundy said he knew had to have the vehicle when he first saw it as it reminded him of his childhood.
“It is a similar car to one I remember my parents having,” he said.
“It brings back memories for me and a lot of people I think.
“I was asked to drive a friend’s vintage car for his son’s wedding and immediately thought how cool it was.”
Mr Boundy said he, along with his family, spent over three years restoring the vehicle.
“It was a full body-off restoration, I had it reupholstered and everything is basically new,” he said.
“It is vinyl, but it is so close to leather it is not funny.
“Vinyl was an affordable option for the upholstery and roof and we had it all done at the same time by an old hotrod friend of ours in Adelaide.”
The car is now a “family vehicle” according to Mr Boundy with his son doing around 90pc of the work.
“He had some spare time while we were busy painting it, so it made sense,” he said.
“It is one of those vehicles which will stay in the family forever.
“It is a beaut, old car and I love it.”
Mr Boundy said the vehicle has featured in previous Bay to Birdwood runs, wedding and events.
“I will probably do one more run because they are just fun,” he said.
“It does not get out of the shed much and is more of a display vehicle but it is completely roadworthy.
“It was just a big, old car which we had to have.”
Mr Boundy said the vehicle gets its name from its engine style.
“The American car’s engine is called a Knight’s sleeve-valve engine,” he said.
“The tires and radio-cap have been imported from America, speedometer from London of all places but everything else was already there or we found locally.
“Its wooden spokes are in excellent conditions which do not creak or groan like wooden spokes did back in the day.”
Mr Boundy said he does not have a favourite part of the vehicle.
“It is like asking the question, which kid do you like most?” he quipped.
