Motorclassica provides automotive feast

Got a penchant for wire wheels and running boards, lusty V8 engines or legendary Le Mans winners?

Then let’s hope you live close to Melbourne this week-end, to give you the chance to see one of Australia’s finest ever displays of precious, automotive metal.

Some of the world’s best classic and vintage cars as well as a few motorsport legends have gathered at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building for this year’s RACV Motorclassica, which kicks off today (Friday) and runs until 5pm on Sunday.

Dubbed as Australia’s version of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, one of the world’s most prestigious classic car events, Motorclassica is in its second year and this year organizers have lined up a mouth-watering display of around 110 cars with an estimated combined value of more than $100 million.

And there’s something for everyone, with classics representing some of the most illustrious and desirable marques, including Austin-Healey, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo, as well as some from less familiar manufacturers like Sunbeam, Brabham, Marmon and Ballot.

One of the oldest cars on display is a Locomobile runabout. Built in America in 1900, it’s capable of 40km/h courtesy of a tiny, steam-powered two-cylinder engine. Apparently it takes around 15 minutes to fire up the boiler before it can get going!

From America’s golden age of muscle cars are the beastly-looking Boss 302 Mustang and Buick GS 455, while a good smattering of 1950s and ‘60s Mercedes-Benz stunners include two, spectacular 300 SL Gullwing roadsters parked side by side.

Oddities included an NSU Spider, the first production car to be powered by a Wankel rotary engine, and a striking 1947 Chrysler Town and Country ‘woody’ convertible, complete with timber panels on the body sides and boot.

There’s also the marvelous, and extremely rare 1937 Cord 812 Westchester sedan that also starred at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Art Deco exhibition.

Amongst the legendary race cars is the stunning 1969 Australian Sports Car Championship-winning Matich SR4 sportscar, as well as the all-conquering, Porsche 962C that won the 1987 Le Mans 24 Hour.

But perhaps worth the $30 price of admission alone is the jaw-dropping Holden Hurricane concept car, on public display for the first time since the completion of a five-year restoration.

With its eye-catching orange metallic paintwork glittering under the Royal Exhibition Building’s bright lights, the Hurricane looks like something from a Milan design studio rather than Fishermans Bend, and should attract many admirers over the week-end just as it did when first unveiled in 1969.

Another highlight of Motorclassica is the group of “Preservation Class” cars, including a well-worn and very original 1921 Ballot that has been in the same family for 83 years.

The three-day Motorclassica event is more than just a high-class static car display though, with guest speakers including motorsport greats Derek Bell and Australia’s Vern Schuppan, trade stands, auto art show, and a Bonhams auction on Sunday, where around 30 classic vehicles on display will go under the hammer.

For more information visit the Motorclassica website.