The FVCC approached Donald Chisholm[1] OAM,[2] general manager of the National Motor Museum (also known as the Birdwood Mill, reflecting the building in which it was housed), who agreed to be a co-organiser.

He suggested and agreed to provide a perpetual trophy for the "Concours d'Elegance", with its design based on the Shearer Steam Car, which would remain on display at the Mill.

The vehicles would turn east past the airport and along Tapleys Hill Road to Anzac Highway, with computer-controlled traffic lights adding smooth passage.

This would take the vehicles past Verdun, Balhannah, Oakbank, Woodside, Charleston, and Mount Torrens en route to Birdwood.

[8] The Bay to Birdwood is now one of the largest historical motoring celebrations of its type globally, including vehicles dating back to the early 1900s.

Thousands of spectators line the approximately 70 km (43 mi) route to view the passing parade of historic motoring from vantage points along the side of the road (SA Police estimates are of 90,000 plus).

It concludes at the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills town of Birdwood, approximately 70 km (43 mi) from the Start.

In 2016, the Bay to Birdwood introduced a new judging category and trophy for vehicles that are substantially unaltered from original delivery and have not been restored or modified.