What’s happening?
Antique Ford Model T cars have been spotted around Central Queensland as Model T Owners Queensland brought its Rockhampton rally to the region.
The event brought together Model T enthusiasts from across Australia for a weekend centred on old cars, scenic drives, social events and safe driving. Hosted by the MTOQ Model T Owners Queensland Club, the rally welcomed all models and celebrated the legacy of one of motoring’s most recognised vehicles.
The rally program included stops around Rockhampton, The Caves, Yeppoon, Cawarral and Emu Park. It gave locals a rare chance to see early motoring history moving through town, rather than sitting behind ropes or parked away in sheds.
Why it matters?
The rally showed how strongly the Ford Model T still connects with owners, restorers and motoring fans more than a century after the car first became part of everyday life.
These cars are not just display pieces. They are maintained, repaired, driven and shared with the public. That hands-on culture helps keep early motoring skills alive, from basic mechanics to safe driving in vehicles built for a very different era.
MTOQ also gives owners a way to share knowledge. Members take part in regular runs, technical days and social events across Queensland, with membership open to owners, restorers and anyone who simply loves the Model T.
Local Impact
The Rockhampton rally brought rare heritage vehicles onto Central Queensland roads and through several nearby communities. For residents, the sight of antique Fords travelling through local streets became a talking point and a chance to connect with older motoring history.
The stops across Rockhampton, The Caves, Yeppoon, Cawarral and Emu Park also brought visitors into smaller local areas. It offered a close look at how driving once looked before modern comfort, speed and technology changed cars.
By the numbers
The rally combined club history, local travel and century-old cars still running under their own power.
- Friday 3 July to Monday 6 July 2026: The Rockhampton Model T Ford Rally ran across the long weekend in Central Queensland.
- 2004 and 2011: MTOQ was formed by Queensland Model T enthusiasts in 2004 and became incorporated in 2011.
- 100 plus active members: The club now has a large membership base supporting runs, technical days and social events.
Zoom In
Rocky News spoke with Model T Owners Queensland member Keith Elwell-Gavins in Rockhampton on Friday, where he was travelling in a 1922 coupe he and Vanessa have owned for about a year. Keith, who travelled from Hervey Bay, said the rally was the car’s first major outing after some work, and the coupe had handled the trip well.
“We’re in our 1922 coupe that we’ve just had a year, and basically, this is its first major outing after some work,” Keith said. “Fingers crossed, we haven’t had any problems getting here this morning, despite having to drive through town, which turned out okay. We survived.”
The car was bought as a turnkey vehicle, but it had an unusual history before joining Keith and Vanessa’s collection. Keith said the previous owner had kept it in a hangar and used it around an airfield for about 15 years.
Keith said the couple already owned old MGs, but wanted something with more cover for longer drives.
“We wanted a hard top,” Keith said. “We’ve got some old MGs as well, and they’re all soft tops. So, Vanessa felt it was a good time to get something above our heads.”
The 1922 coupe is modest by modern standards, with about 20 horsepower and a standard 2.9 litre motor. Keith said the car was not built for speed, and that was part of the appeal.
“Horsepower, theoretically, about 20. So, nothing great there,” he said. “All fairly crude, crude carburettor. Nothing to hot it up or anything like that.” While some owners say a Model T can reach 40 to 45 miles per hour, Keith said the joy comes from the drive itself. “This is really working hard to try and get any high speed out of it,” he said.
Zoom Out
Across Queensland, Model T Owners Queensland has helped keep early motoring history alive through regular runs, technical days and social events. The Rockhampton rally showed how that passion continues to move through regional communities, with owners still driving, maintaining and sharing cars that many people only expect to see in museums.
The club is run by a volunteer committee led by president Robert Nowland, vice president Tony Howard, secretary Allen Williams and treasurer Elise Pakeman. Their work keeps the club active across Queensland, while giving members a place to share advice, plan events and keep Model T history on the road.
The rally’s message was simple, preserving history and driving into the future. In Rockhampton, that meant bringing the cars out where people could see them, hear them and understand why owners keep them running.
What To Look For Next?
The Rockhampton rally may encourage more locals to follow future Model T events, connect with the club or take an interest in restoring older vehicles.
MTOQ’s regular runs, technical days and social events will continue to give members a reason to keep these cars road-ready, while sharing their stories with more Queensland communities.
