A Chamberlain in a Car-Park

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I wrote recently about our visit to the Pinnacles in Western Australia. In the car-park was an orange Chamberlain tractor which seemed a bit out of place among the RVs and motor-homes. One particular Chamberlain tractor has a very interesting history. The first Chamberlain Champion Model Tractor was produced in Welshpool, Western Australia, in 1955. As a promotional and demonstration vehicle, this first model was modified to have a top speed of around 60mph. Its first task was to follow cars competing in the Redex Reliability Trial which went round Australia. The tractor assisted cars which got into trouble, usually through becoming bogged, between Darwin and Perth. In 1956, the tractor again supported competitors in the Redex Trial. In 1957 the Trial became the Mobilgas Round Australia Rally but the tractor was not allowed to compete in its own right. However it became the 'sweep vehicle' meaning once all the cars had left a checkpoint the tractor could commence the next section. During the trial, the tractor often towed cars into checkpoints or towns after they became immobile for whatever reason. At around this time the tractor was given the name of 'Tail-End Charlie'. With towing and recovery trips, the tractor clocked up 11,140 miles (18,000kms) in 19 days. Tail End Charlie is now residing in a Tractor Museum in Whiteman Park, Western Australia. A replica tractor has made several re-enactment trips raising money for charity. Vin spoke to the owner of the Chamberlain in the car-park and discovered the lady travelling with him was an old friend from our Ravensthorpe days. The pair were on their way to a gathering of Chamberlains in a nearby town. Along the way we occasionally met up with people we knew.