Orange races’ vintage fashions a Triumph

The day turned into a wet event, with the races washed out – but that didn’t stop spectators from enjoying the day, and celebrating the Melbourne Cup.

The vintage theme was on show with a collection of historic cars provided by the Triumph Sports Owners Association which was holding its national meet in nearby Bathurst.

Paul Bingham, Narang, on the Gold Coast, Queensland, was there with his 1956 TR3 model Triumph.

Mr Bingham has owned the Triumph for three years, but has only recently finished re-building it after it caught fire three years ago.

“I pulled him to bits and restored him again and this is sort of his maiden voyage, six weeks ago I got him on the road,” Mr Bingham said.

The car has had a long and varied life.

It was bought in England and along with a Massey Ferguson tractor was snuck into South Africa – Mr Bingham said back then only machinery was allowed into the country, and so it went in with the tractor.

Then 25 years ago it was semi-restored and bought to Australia by a farmer and his young family.

Six months after it arrived here it was sold onto a Doctor on the Gold Coast and about 20 years ago it was sold to a friend of Mr Bingham’s, who completely restored it.

Then eight years ago Mr Bingham bought it.

He said he a good day at the Orange races and the Melbourne Cup win by Prince of Penzance ridden by Michelle Payne was a “great result”.

“That girl is wonderful and her brother, you have to give them credit to doing such a good job and sticking with it.”