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The inaugural 'Motorclassica - Australian International Concours d'Elegance and Classic Motor Show', was a truly a magnificent event in an equally magnificent location, the Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria. Sir Stirling Moss was the guest judge, suffice to say this must become an annual event on the Australian motoring calendar, absolutely tops!
THE VENUE: The Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton Gardens in the heart of Melbourne, truly an inspired location for a Concourse d'Elegance. I was so fortunate to be outside the main entrance on the final judging day when Sir Stirling and Lady Susie Moss arrived. I had met the Moss's previously at the Goodwood Revival and I knew what to expect when requesting a photo opportunity, a perfect obliging manner, the Moss's, absolutely a magnificent couple.
THE CARS: A staggering selection of cars from all ages of motoring were exhibited. 1909: RENAULT AX: Category: Edwardian (1905~1919):
1925: ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM 1 LAUDAULETTE: Category: European and British Vintage (1919~1930): Amazingly only the chassis and mechanical parts of the Phantom 1 were made by Rolls Royce, the car body was made by a Coachbuilder selected by the owner. This car is fitted with Hooper coachwork.
1934: RILEY NINE IMP SPORTS: Category: European and British Pre-War (1931~1945): Riley was established as the Bonnick Cycle Company in 1890, William Riley Jr. purchased the company in 1896 and renamed it the Riley Cycle Company. Riley's youngest son Percy became involved with cars and at the age of 16 built his first car which featured the first mechanically operated inlet valve system. This 1934 Riley Imp is one of approximately eighty seven built, this car incorporates the optional pre-selector box. The car is capable of a maximum speed of 121kph.
1948: TALBOT LAGO: Category: European & British Post-War Classic (1946~1960): The complete description is a 'Talbot Lago Type 26C Grand Prix Monoposto'. Development of this machine started in 1939 when Mr Lago authorised construction of three entirely new single seat race cars powered by his ex Fiat Engineer Walter Becchia's latest 4,500cc six cylinder engines. The example here is the Talbot Lago Factory Team Car #2, which was raced in Europe before being brought to Australia in 1954.
1951: PORSCHE 356 CABRIOLET: Category: European & British Post War Classic (1946~1960): The Porsche 356 made it's debut at the Geneva Motor Show of 1949. The engine was sourced from readily available Volkswagen components, displacing 1,131cc Porsche lifted the horsepower from the VW rated 25bhp to 40bhp by utilising revised overhead valves, connecting rods and crankshafts. This Porsche 356 is one of the first two right hand drive Porsche 356's manufactured and one of the first two Porsche's delivered to Australia in 1951.
1966: PORSCHE 906 Category: Modern Thoroughbred (1961~1975): The Porsche 906 was the last Porsche street legal race car. Porsche announced the car's details in 1966 and subsequently a total of fifty three vehicles were manufactured to meet the homologation requirements for the then current FIA Group 4 Sports Car category. The 907 utilised a tubular space frame with a non stressed body of hand laid fibreglass. The 906 was powered by a 901/20 six cylinder light weight engine producing 220bhp. Variations included upgrades from carburation to fuel injection and eight cylinder engines.
1966: PORSCHE 911 Category: Modern Thoroughbred (1961~1975): This Porsche 911, chassis #304841 has certainly covered some territory, originally delivered in factory race/rally specification to Edgar Herrmann, the car was entered in the Acropolis Rally, Spa 24 Hours, the 84 Hour Marathon de La Route Nurburgring and the East African Safari! Then the car was factory prepared and entered in the inaugural 1968 London to Sydney Marathon, Herrmann and Navigator Schuller completed the event in 15th place. The car was then sold to Australian Porsche Distributor Alan Hamilton, Alan used the car to compete in several rallies including the inaugural 1967 Rallycross at Calder Park, Victoria and incredibly the 1970 Ampol Around Australia Trial! The car has now been returned to the original factory specifications, surprisingly it is still raced in historic events.
MARQUE EMBLEMS: A selection from the many Marque's at the Concourse d'Elegance.
PATRONAGE: Staggering, a veritable legion of fans descended on the Royal Exhibition Building over the three days, the Motorclassica can only grow from here.
MORE MOTORCLASSICA 2010: Please continue my coverage of Motorclassica 2010 by selecting from the following...
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