For their 7th Annual Rally, Australian “High Wheeler” enthusiasts travelled to Esperance. On each day of their visit, they travelled out of town in their amazing cars to see a different part of the district. So on 5th April 2005 a fleet of vintage cars rolled into Wongutha.
The particular cars involved here were a type of wagon-like American vehicles known (appropriately) as High Wheelers. When they were made (netween 1907 and 1912) they were designed to look just like a horse-drawn cart, but without the horse, making the transition a bit less shocking for the American farmers!
The group were able to join us in the sports stadium for lunch (wonderfully prepared as always by the kitchen staff and hospitality students). Principal Steve Florisson and teacher Harry Graham were able to share with the drivers some of the history and purpose of the school.
Members of the club were also able to tell the students and staff of Wongutha the very interesting history of the cars, some mechanical details and shared their great love for the vehicles!
The cars were built for country areas of America, and were given their “high wheels” so that they would be able to drive on the horrible old roads without getting stuck in the ruts in the road made by the horse-drawn carriages. The High Wheelers were (and are) mechanically very simple vehicles, making maintenance in remote areas early last century as much simpler matter – not to mention for those unfortunates who managed to break down around the Esperance district!
After lunch, both staff and students were treated to rides in these truly unique vehicles.
