FORTY years is worth celebrating and that's just what a large cohort of motoring enthusiasts was doing earlier this month in central Victoria.

The Federation of Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicles Clubs marked its 40th birthday with a "hub rally" in and around Bendigo, sponsored by RACV.

The rally saw 120 vehicles using Bendigo as a base to explore the surrounding district.

Day trips took in Heathcote, Melville Caves, Inglewood, Elmore, Lockington, Eddington, Maldon, Castlemaine, Redesdale and Kyneton.

Federation president Neil Athorn said the tour had been organised by Kevin Holloway and John Smith, of Ballarat, with assistance from residents of the towns visited.

"On the mechanical side, only one vehicle did not get through the week - a 1926 Chev went home on the back of a truck after starter motor problems," Neil said.

"And one tractor had to be towed home on the Sunday.

"Given the number involved and distance travelled, to have only one car break down was terrific.

"Vehicles ranged from veterans to 1970 - there were 65 cars up to 1950, then another 70 built from 1951-70."

The Federation already has strong links with Bendigo: its National Swap Meet is held there each November and its annual picnic day is at Marong every August.

"Put together, those events bring in millions of dollars for Bendigo's economy each year," Neil said.

The Federation is made up of 98 member clubs, mainly from Victoria, and represents almost 10,000 people from the historic vehicle, machinery and collectables sectors.

A "first" for this event was a tractor trek, which saw a group travel from Bendigo to Axedale and back.

Machines to take part were Farmall H, Lanz Bulldog, Fiat, David Brown, TEA Fergies an International ute and one Morris Minor van.

"The morning started at below zero and travellers coming to Bendigo weren't sure if it was frost or snow in places," Neil said.

"It was an excellent day, though, with 45km travelled at an average of three-quarters throttle on a TEA20."

The rally finale was a display of more than 150 vehicles, commercials, tractors, stationary engines and collectables at Bendigo Showgrounds.