Report – 2017 Motorclassica
If the experience of JUST CARS staffers at this year’s Motorclassica was anything to go by, the 2017 running of the Australian International Concours d’Elegance & Classic Motor Show was the best in the event’s eight-year history.
Seen by more than 20,000 visitors this year, the 119 cars and 49 motorcycles presented for judging were supplemented by current models from Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Alpina, Aston Martin and Ferrari, as part of the modern motorshow element of the event, while Holden chose Motorclassica for the public debut of the upcoming, fully-imported ZB Commodore.
As well as the vehicles for display and judging, there was also a delectable selection of 28 cars, three motorcycles and a selection of collectables and automobilia that made up this year’s Motorclassica auction, presented by Mossgreen Auctions.
A highlight here was the genuine 1955 D-Type Jaguar that was originally campaigned by Duncan Hamilton, with other lots including a record-setting Ford Model A, restored 1965 Porsche 911 and the 1924 Vauxhall 30/98 tourer ‘OE86/100’ that was featured in JUST CARS #257.
Outside, the ‘Club Sandwich’ display presented by Lorbek Luxury Cars saw a diverse selection of makes and models on show; everything from Jensen, Rover, Triumph, Studebaker, Mercedes-Benz and Saab, to Lancia, Bolwell, Bentley, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and historic rally cars.
This rotating motor show saw different clubs on show each day, flanking Lorbek’s stock of exotic supercars that included McLaren, Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
More than just cars and bikes, Motorclassica 2017 also had plenty of trade stands and stallholders, including numerous artists, like Mike Harbar and Simon May, with new arrivals this year including RPM Jewellery and Artomobile.
Special Celebrations
With Ferrari celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year, it was only natural that Motorclassica would feature amongst the global celebrations, but it’s a reflection of the status that this Australian concours now enjoys globally that it was chosen for the official celebration of 70 Years of Ferrari in Australia.
Under the dome of the historic Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, that celebration manifested itself in the form of a display of 22 Ferraris, ranging from a 195EL, which is the oldest example in the country, to the latest LaFerrari Aperta, which was making its Australian debut at Motorclassica.
For those ‘tifosi’ for whom no other car will do, Motorclassica was heaven!
Other anniversaries celebrated this year included 110 years of Lancia, which saw a range of examples of this underappreciated Italian marque on show - from early Lambdas to post-war Flaminias, Appias and Fulvias, as well as the iconic Stratos - which no doubt engendered new respect for the marque from those less familiar with it.
Seven decades of speedway competition in Australia was another milestone celebrated this year, taking the form of a small but stunning display of midget speedway cars from the sport’s golden era. The ingenuity of racers and mechanics of the period saw everything from flathead Ford V8s and Offenhauser fours to Repco Holden sixes and even a supercharged Peugeot four utilised!
For those not well-versed in Australian speedway history, this was a fascinating addition to this year’s show.
On two wheels, Moto Guzzi was the featured motorcycle marque this year, but fought for attention with a display of US flat track racing bikes, and a selection of individual entrants in the motorcycle concours, representing everything from BMW and Vincent, to Peerless, Gilera, Matchless and Crocker.
But perhaps the most important celebration at this year’s Motorclassica was also the most poignant.
Honouring Holden
With this year’s Motorclassica held only a week ahead of the closure of Holden’s vehicle manufacturing operations, that heritage – 69 years of Holden-badged cars and a century of Holden automotive bodybuilding – was celebrated with a special display of 20 significant Holdens, as well as the appearance of a selection of special guests.
Making a rare exit from Holden’s own headquarters, the Hurricane and Torana GTR-X concepts were on show, along with the eFiJy concept from 2005. If you saw the eFiJy at Motorclassica this year, you’ll understand how impressive it is. If you haven’t, make sure you do so the next time it’s on public display – you really need to see this machine in the metal to appreciate just how amazing it is.
With the eFiJy on show, it was fitting that its creator, Richard Ferlazzo, was on hand to explain its creation and details to showgoers.
Ferlazzo was one of a number of special guests at Motorclassica this year, all of whom had a connection to Holden. They included Jim Richards, Colin Bond, John Harvey, former Holden designers Phil Zmood and Leo Pruneau, as well as Captain Peter Janson and Allan Moffat.
‘Allan Moffat?’ you’re sure to say, but there is a connection. Sure, the Bathurst legend enjoyed his greatest success in Fords, but at the tail end of his driving career in the late 1980s, he shared a Commodore with the likes of Peter Brock, John Harvey and Allan Grice in the European and World Touring Car Championships.
All special guests regaled the crowds via a series of talks and interviews held throughout the weekend, which led up to the highlight of the show, the announcement of the trophy winners at the Australian International Concours d’Elegance.
Silver Ghost wins Gold
At last year’s Motorclassica, concours history was made when an Australian car won the Best in Show, in the form of a 1969 Holden HT Monaro GTS. This year, there were more Holdens to choose form, with more than 20 on show to mark a century of Holden automotive manufacturing.
Those Holdens included stunning FJs and an immaculate EH, as well as striking Toranas and Monaros, a Sandman and Holden-bodied American cars from the pre-war era.
This year, a more “typical” concours winner took out the top prize in the form of a 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost with a London-to-Edinburgh torpedo tourer body by Peel of Brisbane.
Owned and entered by David Berthon, the Best in Show award was just recognition and reward for what the Sydney media personality called a labour of love.
“I just have to say that this is an enormous thrill,” a delighted Berthon said.
“The reaction to the car from the public all weekend has been fantastic, that’s been the thrill for me, and this (the Award) is cream on the cake.
“Thanks to my wife for putting up with me for 15 years with what was a project and became an obsession. I am so proud to win.”
One of just six Silver Ghosts of the same specification remaining, Berthon’s car was requisitioned by the British army in World War I, before arriving in Australia in 1928 in the possession of a Sydney doctor. In the years that followed, the Silver Ghost was used as a funeral mourning car and even a tow truck, before being abandoned in a Sydney backyard for decades.
Rediscovered in 1966 and fitted with its current body, the Best in Show winner was found by Berthon in 2001, who commissioned Victorian Rolls-Royce specialists Artisan Coachworks and The Derby Works to complete a full restoration, which took 15 years to complete.
The ‘Restoration of the Year’ award went to Terry Smart’s 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet, which had been restored jointly by Re-Creation Automotive and Reinhard Klavers & Associates.
The Spirit of Motorclassica award was picked up by Queenslander Andrew Torti and his 1924 Lancia Trikappa. Lancia, while the Motorclassica’s People’s Choice award, voted on by show attendees, went to the 1973 de Tomaso Pantera owned by Sean and Stuart Morgan.
‘Knobbly’ Auction
The aforementioned Jaguar D-Type was the highlight of the Mossgreen auction and was presented on its own dais amongst the auction consignments.
Described as the only genuine example in Australia and with past owners in the UK, Africa and the Far East, the D-Type was purchased by noted Australian Jaguar enthusiast Ian Cummins, then Bib Stillwell, who raced it in historic events in the US for a number of years.
At the auction held on the evening of 14 October, the D-Type carried a $7 million - $8 million guiding range and bid up to $5.5 million which was under referral to the owner when this issue went to press.
While a number of lots went unsold, the best sale on the night was a 1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ racer, which made $241,500; just short of its pre-auction estimate, but still impressive for what was a replica and not an original example.
Other notable sales included $175,000 for a 1965 Porsche 911, $155,250 for a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, $166,750 for a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL, $163,875 for a 1951 Jaguar XK120, $41,125 for an extremely rare 1910 Kelsey Motorette three-wheeler, while the surprise of the night was a 1969 Mini Cooper S that more than doubled its $40,000 high estimate to sell for a staggering $91,650.
Lock in 2018
The dates for next year’s Motorclassica have already been locked in – 12-14 October, 2018. Themes and anniversaries are still to be confirmed as this issue went to press. For updates and news closer to next year’s event, go to: motorclassica.com.au
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Mike Ryan and Mediacom Services
