The Council was formed in 1963 by five Sydney-based car clubs as a body to represent the interests of the historic and classic vehicle movement. Being a somewhat unwieldy name, many enthusiasts referred to it as “Fred”, less of a mouthful. In recent years, the Council became an incorporated body and was re-named as “The Council of Motor Clubs, Inc.”. The CMC is also affiliated with the Australian
Historic Motoring Federation, a national organisation uniting similarly orientated councils from around Australia. The role of the CMC is a representative one – it represents affiliated clubs and their members with authorities such as the Transport New South Wales (RMS) with reference to Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS) and Classic Vehicle Scheme (CVS), the Federal Government on matters such as leaded fuel and its continued availability, and such like. At no time is the Council a “controlling” body; it may issue guidelines or advice on an issue when requested, but it will never tell an affiliated club what to do. At the end of 2019, the CMC welcomed its 154nd specialty motoring club to affiliate – those 154 clubs contain over 34,000 members with diverse interests that include trucks, buses, trams, ex-military vehicles, fire engines, motor cycles/scooters and cars, road going and racing, from the veteran, vintage, pre-war, post-war and modern eras. The CMC stages a number of events each year for the participation of members of affiliated clubs and to enthusiastically showcase our movement to the general public. The National Motoring Heritage Day happens each year; in mid May with as many historic vehicle owners as possible being encouraged to take their vehicle out on the roads for a day's enjoyable motoring. The Council’s premier event of each year is the Shannons Eastern Creek Classic, held in August each year. Over 100 classic club vehicles are on display all weekend with each club involved in parade laps around the track, and concours judging of some of the best historic and club vehicles in NSW. As the name of the event implies, the ‘Classic’ is held at the Sydney Motor Sport Park. The CMC meets on a bi-monthly basis within the premises of Strathfield Golf Club at 52 Weeroona Rd, Strathfield. The November General Meeting coincides with the Annual General Meeting, for the regular presentation of reports, financials and election of the Executives and Committee for the ensuing year.
