History

Romance RETRO

PROVIDING COUPLES WITH THE ULTIMATE TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE IS ALL PART OF THE FINE OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE AT BLUE MOUNTAINS VINTAGE CADILLACS.

Donald Millar was in his mid twenties when he first got behind the wheel of a vintage vehicle. “I was trying to work up the courage to ask Dad if I could drive his car, then out of the blue he said, ‘It’s about time you drove her’.”

Donald’s father, Donald Millar Senior, was referring to ‘Flora’ – the fabulous 1929 LaSalle Phaeton he purchased in 1954. It comfortably seats four, is cherry red in colour and remains in absolutely immaculate condition.

“Flora is named after my mother, who learned to drive in the vehicle,” Donald explains. “When we were children, we thought everybody’s parents had an old car in the shed. My brothers and I knew the sound of the motor – we could be playing inside, hear Dad turn the car on in the shed and be there in less than a minute.”

Flora is one of three vintage vehicles in the Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs fleet. Named after the legendary Hollywood actress, ‘Ava’ (Gardner) is a dark-blue 1928 LaSalle Five-Passenger Coupe, while ‘Ella’ (Fitzgerald) is a blue convertible 1929 LaSalle Five-Passenger Landau Cabriolet.

Based in the upper mountains, the Millars started their family business back in 2003 with a view to servicing the local wedding industry. Donald has been sharing his passion for vintage vehicles with Blue Mountains locals and visitors from all over the globe ever since. “We can transport up to 12 people and our cars are regularly used for weddings that take place at numerous venues across the mountains,” says Donald, who ensures all his staff are dressed in formal attire and provide a high standard of service. “Some places that really stand out for me and perfectly suit the cars are Yestergrange, Everglades Historic House and Gardens, Silvermere Guesthouse, The Carrington Hotel and the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel.”

If you love the idea of having one of the vehicles in your wedding photos, Donald says they are available for short ‘special guest’ appearances. “They definitely help to make wedding photos truly spectacular,” he adds.

Along with transporting wedding parties in style, Donald takes guests on long and winding tours of the Blue Mountains region.

“This is a growing aspect of our business. Our tours usually run for three hours and are designed to be as relaxed as a drive in the 1920s would have been. We might stop at Wentworth Falls Lake, then drive around admiring some of the area’s historic properties and gardens before enjoying a meal – either morning tea, lunch, high tea or dinner,” he says. “Exploring the breathtaking scenery of one of the most recognisable landscapes on earth in one of our cars is a very special experience.” BML