Motorclassica goes back -- and to the future

Australia's two biggest prestige brands will once again vie for the hearts and minds of punters at this year's Motorclassica car show starting on October 20 in Melbourne, albeit taking very different paths to control the limelight.

Mercedes-Benz is the 'Celebration Marque' of the 2016 event, the world's oldest car-maker commemorating its 130th anniversary with a special display at the event with a focus on open-top cars – with an all-new AMG performance car expected to make its Australian debut.

"This year Mercedes-Benz Australia will celebrate not only 130 years of the automobile but also open-top touring," said Mercedes-Benz Australia CEO, Horst von Sanden.

Mercedes will also show a number of historical vehicles to celebrate its 130th birthday. Meanwhile, arch-rival BMW is headed in the other direction, showing off a futuristic concept car.

The BMW iVision future interaction concept will be the centrepiece of BMW's display, a vehicle that "hints at i8 Roadster" says the company. It was first shown in January 2016 at the CES in Las Vegas and also provides a glimpse into the future of in-car technology, with advanced display screens and next-generation gesture control tech in evidence.

BMW Australia attempted to one-up Mercedes in 2015 when it showed its wild BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R at Motorclassica. Clearly the strategy hasn't changed.

With hundreds of unique and rare cars on show, ranging from classic, vintage and exotic to modern and race cars, Motorclassica returns to the historic Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building for its seventh year.

The event runs between October 21 and 23 with adult ticket prices starting at $35.
As conventional motor shows died a slow death in Australia, Motorclassica is one of the last major auto shows catering for car enthusiasts in this country.

Headline features such as the Concours d’Elegance competition – in which more than 100 classic cars are judged for rarity, historic significance, appearance and condition in several categories – will return, and one vehicle will named Best in Show.

There will also be an interactive element at Motorclassica, with brand-new vehicles from Jaguar, Porsche, MINI, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG available for show-goers to test drive.

The classic motor show returns too, providing attendees with plenty of eye candy while the 'Tour Classica' -- a convoy drive featuring special guest Chad McQueen, the late Steve McQueen's son -- kicks off on Thursday, October 20. He will lead 70 vehicles from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, through the city to arrive at the Royal Exhibition Building.

As well as McQueen, special guests will include Rauno Aaltonen, the international rally driver who achieved success in the 1966 Bathurst 500 with Bob Holden (also attending the event) in a Mini Cooper S.

Motorclassica has plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mini's dominance at the Bathurst 500, the precursor to the Bathurst 1000.

Classic car aficionados will be well catered for, but those who appreciate modern metal will also be able to get up close and personal with vehicles from Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and MINI, all of which are exhibiting in an official capacity.

In 2016 the head count of official importers exhibiting at the event is down by more than half, at five, with a total of 12 brands represented in 2015.

More than 40 motoring clubs will be represented and automotive memorabilia and accessories will be for sale, not to mention car art, apparel and dozens of motorcycles alongside the cars.

The Collector Car Auction on the Saturday night is expected to generate plenty of significant bids at 2016 Motorclassica as well.