In a change for the history books, electric modified vintage vehicles will be allowed in this year's iconic Bay to Birdwood event.
The event has become one of the largest historical motoring celebrations of its kind in the world, with cars dating back to the early 1900s taking on the 70-kilometre journey.
Classic and vintage cars will travel from the coast to the Adelaide Hills for the annual Bay to Birdwood Run.
After the event was cancelled due to COVID last year, Organiser Michael Neale hopes for record numbers this year.
"It's back on the streets of Adelaide, 1,500 vehicles making their way," Mr Neale said.
"During COVID, 90,000 people turned up on the streets of Adelaide [2020]. I would love for there to be 120,000 this year."
Green light for electric
In a world-first that aligns with a shift within historic vehicle circles, the Bay to Birdwood will welcome electric converted historic vehicles.
"By doing this we are actually saving some vehicles that would have been lost to us," Mr Neale said.
"If you look at who's doing the Bay to Birdwood today there's a lot of younger people, men and women.
"I've only had two people express concern about it but that was more-so about if we can still maintain the historic integrity of these vehicles.
"We are paving the way for a broader understanding of what a historical vehicle is."
Originally built in 1973, the owner of this Jaunt Motors Land Rover Series III EV said modified vehicles was a way of the future.
Marteen Burger said the program preserves history.
"This vehicle has a story. It was a farm vehicle and now we've kept some of that story with it, the dents are still there," she said.
"Converting the vehicle has required a lot of research and development.
"By converting them to electric, they're more reliable, more powerful and a lot safer.
"We really appreciate the fact the story of these cars gets to survive."
