The Bristol 400 with one of Patrick McGill’s buses in 1949.
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A classic car is making its return to Benalla.
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Back in 1949, Benalla Bus Services proprietor Patrick McGill purchased a Bristol 400 from Commonwealth Motors Melbourne, at a cost of about 2500 pounds.
Mr McGill’s grandson, Chris Toome, who currently owns the car, has brought it back to Benalla, where it will sit at their old family home in Egmont St from Thursday, November 7 until Sunday, November 10.
“Originally metallic blue, the Bristol was soon painted Hawthorn Green to complement the colour of the bus fleet (of Benalla Bus Services),” Mr Toome said.
“The Bristol often travelled the Goulburn region and spent many days travelling to Mansfield, Shepparton and Echuca.”
Following Mr McGill’s death in 1957, Mr Toome said the car had many owners, before returning to the family at the end of 2023, while they were searching for a different family vehicle.
“At a Patrick and Mary Anne McGill family reunion in 2023, the family set a task to locate an old Benalla Bus Services vehicle,” Mr Toome said.
“While there was no success locating a bus, they found Paddy’s treasured Bristol, which was subsequently purchased.”
The car has come home, to celebrate the McGill family’s journey through Benalla.
'The Mighty Bristol' was reunited with the family in 2023.
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