A teacher once rocked up to Graham Bartel's Wodonga school driving a Jaguar.
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"And I thought, 'Oh, I've got to get one of those'," he said. "My first year's wage I saved up when I started work in '71."
Forty-eight years later, Mr Bartel, of Leneva, still owns his red E-type and joined hundreds of other Jaguar enthusiasts at the 50th National Rally at Gateway Lakes on the weekend.
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Rally director Keith Mortimer said about 300 cars dating from 1937 to present models took part in this year's event, called the Border Revival because an early rally was also held in Albury-Wodonga.
Visitors from all states brought their vehicles, some driving, others transporting them by trailer or freight.
Mr Mortimer felt the unique look of the Jaguar contributed to its appeal.
"I don't think Jaguar has ever made a car that isn't aesthetically beautiful for its period of time," he said.
"It's really a triumph of design, it's a triumph of engineering and the fact that we still have our marque being made today is really quite an achievement."
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