New generation takes the wheel at Bay to Birdwood
The most-ever young drivers have signed up for SA’s annual vintage car celebration, including a green BMW with more than one million social media views.
The 46th annual Bay to Birdwood returns this October, but this year, the gears are shifting, with registrations seeing a record high among young people.
This year, 16-to-24-year-olds make up the largest share of entrants in the event’s history.
Among them is 19-year-old Millie Johnson, who will take her 1947 green BMW 2002 E10 on the 67-kilometre journey from Barrat Reserve in West Beach to the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills.
Millie’s car had its first brush with fame in May when a fellow Adelaidean posted two videos of her and her friends singing in the car, cruising down Rundle Street, clocking 1.6 million views on Instagram.
Her passion for cars started young, sparked by her father’s collection.
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“Growing up, my dad always had BMWs, Alfa Romeos, always working on different projects. It kind of inspired my love of cars,” she says.
Millie first participated in the Bay to Birdwood in 2018 at 10 years old and recalls the day fondly.
“Me and my sister went in my dad’s classic Alfa Romeo GT Junior, and it was so much fun driving around the hills and seeing everyone on the side. It was a really great experience.”
Eight years later, Millie is driving for the second consecutive year, this time in her new car.
“We saw it being advertised in Melbourne. It’s not my first classic car – I used to own a 1985 Alfa Sprint. We ended up selling that one and getting the BMW,” she says.
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“The original owner was another woman in Sydney, and she owned it from brand new until she was like eight. So, she was driving around for like 40 years, which I think is really awesome.”
Her BMW will be among more than 1500 historic vehicles making the journey this year.
When CityMag told Millie about the record proportion of young entrants, she was surprised – and excited.
“I think it’s great that young people are showing an interest in cars because, obviously, we’re what’s going to keep it going in the future,” she says.
“Even though it’s a pretty male-dominated space in terms of the people that enter into it, everyone’s so welcoming there.”
Millie will also share the day with her dad, who is driving his own car, while friends will join her in the BMW.
For young South Australians considering taking part, Millie has a simple message: “Just go for it.”
“You don’t need to know everything about cars or have a fancy classic car to be a part of it. It’s great to be a part of, and it’s fun as well,” she says.
The RAA Bay to Birdwood will take place on October 18. More information and registration details are available on the official website.
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