Automotive

In pictures: Australia's 2016 Motorclassica earns a spot on the world tour

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New Atlas looks back at this year's Motorclassica event held over the last three days in Melbourne's 1880 Royal Exhibition Buildings, Australia
The Studebaker Car Club of Australia 1947 Champion Model 6G cost $1,287 in 1947 and had a 170 cubic inch six cylinder motor.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Alfa Romeo RL was the company's first sport model after WWI, and was produced between 1922 and 1927. This particular car was imported into Australia as a complete chassis in 1923 and was bodied by Australian coachbuilder Chetham & Borwick and was used to carry mail and passengers between Melbourne and Gellong for the first 15 years of its life, reportedly accumulating over 500,000 miles on the odometer. Now fully restored.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Lots of top-tier manufacturers of modern cars and motorcycles were on hand to tempt the audience, most of them offering rides and drives from the spacious carpark surrounding the building
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Model T Ford was the car that changed the world, being produced on a revolutionary new production line  and selling in the millions. Reliable and easily maintained, the car was, according to Henry Ford, "for the great multitude, it will be large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for ... but it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one."
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This is the bike that got Mike Hailwood back in the saddle. Ridden by Mike Hailwood and Jim Scaysbrook in the 1977 Castrol Six Hour Production Race, at Amaroo Park.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Royal Enfield's range has its roots some 75 years ago and as we found in some pretty extensive testing, it is invariably viewed by the general populace as a very good restoration on something that was built that long ago. Royal Enfield was at MotorClassica and with a new offering. Custom versions can now be purchased, at least in Australia.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1936 BSA 500 v-twin was found in a chicken coop in California, shipped to Australia and recently underwent an extensive restoration
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1936 BMW R17 was a ground-breaking machine in its day, not to mention being the most expensive German motorcycle of the period. It was one the first motorcycles with hydraulically-damped telescopic forks (the other being its stablemate R12) and was the most powerful BMW produced until the introduction of the R68 in 1952.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
There was plenty to buy at MotorClassica, with this 1927 Excelsior 750 v-twin available for AUD$47,950 (approx US$36,000)
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A 500cc 1953 BSA Gold Star on sale for AUD $27,500 (US$21,000).
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Chances are you've not seen one of these before. It's a Hercules W-2000 motorcycle, the first motorcycle with a rotary (Wankel) engine. Only 1,800 were built before production halted and the tooling was sold to Norton Motors
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing from above
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A 1939 SS100 Tourer, now known as a Jaguar. Previous to 1945, the Swallow Sidecar company evolved from a motorcycle sidecar manufacturer into an automotive manufacturer, with the name change completed just post-WW2. This car is a replica created by Australia's oldest classic car company, Finch Restorations.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Lagonda M45 was one of the fastest British sports cars of the pre-WW2 period, with this particular car produced in March, 1935 and a very similar car winning the 1935 Le Mans 24 Hour race just a few months later, ironically while the company was in receivership.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Concours judges had their work cut out for them. It's possibly the most difficult job in the entire industry. The car is a 1935 Lagonda M45R.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A 1931 Frazer Nash Boulogne, most notable for its unique multi-chain transmission system.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1964 Jaguar C-Type re-creation is the work of globally revered Coventry Classics and went to auction during the show, expecting to sell for AU$160,000 to AU$200,000 (approx US$120,000 to US$150,000) but failing to reach reserve with a high bid of AU$130,000.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Alvis 12/50 Roadster was at the forefront of sports car design when it was introduced in 1923, immediately winning the 1923 Brooklands 200 mile race against the best of Bugatti, AC and Aston Martin, averaging 93.29 mph for the journey. In total, 3,616 12/50s were produced, of which around 450 are still known to exist. This is a 1927 model and has won numerous trials and rallies over the years.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Alvis 12/50 Roadster was at the forefront of sports car design when it was introduced in 1923, immediately winning the 1923 Brooklands 200 mile race against the best of Bugatti, AC and Aston Martin, averaging 93.29 mph for the journey. In total, 3,616 12/50s were produced, of which around 450 are still known to exist. This is a 1927 model and has won numerous trials and rallies over the years. The Alvis logo is quite distinctive.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton was made in the second last year of production for the marque, but time has obscured its provenance and little is known of the car's history until the 1990s. It is believed to have been the car once owned by Sir Donald Bradman (history's greatest cricketer) and used by the legendary cricketer in the "Play Safe" educational films made by the Australian Road Safety Council in the 1930s.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Hudson was one of the most successful American marques in the first half of the 20th century, with this 1929 Hudson "O" Phaeton built in the company's peak year of 1929, when it produced 300,000 cars in production facilities as widely spread as the United States, England and Belgium. This car has undergone a complete restoration and is still driven regularly.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
New Zealand-based Auto Restorations displaying a small fraction of it's handiwork, in this case a Ferrari 275 GTB/4.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A pair of Bristols grace the show floor at Motorclassica. At the left is the red 1948 Bristol 401 Prototype, which was based on BMW design and was shown at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. The car was exported to Australia in 1949 and has been used in rallies in every Australian state plus both islands of New Zealand. On the right is a black 1950 Bristol 402 Touring Drophead Coupe of which just 21 were built, with four now in Australia.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
All the prestige marques attended with their current cars and an array of iconic models from yesteryear. Lamborghini showed a 1970 Miura S, the model that pioneered the mid-engined two-seat layout of high performance supercars.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Alfa Romeo's 6C developed into a myriad of racing, road and sports cars centred around the in-line six cylinder engine over a quarter century, with many bodied by the famous Italian coachbuilders who produced a stunning array of saloons, cabriolets, torpedos and coupes. This is a 1938 2300B Mille Miglia spider which was restored over an extended period by Australia's Historic and Vintage Restorations.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Just 482 BMW 327 Cabriolets were built, though the two liter six-cylinder remains one of the marque's most iconic models.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
With its hybrid powertrain, carbon chassis and spaceship-styling, BMW's i8 isn't exactly a dinosaur, but given the company's 100th anniversary year, it is now focussing on the next 100 years and the showing of the BMW iVision Future Interaction Concept at Motorclassica is an indication of the vision. The iVision Concept takes the i8 Concept Spyder's dramatic body and packs it full of innovative driver-display tech designed to make it easy for drivers to stay connected with the outside world, without being overwhelmed with information.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
With 100 years down, BMW is not focussing on the past, even at a show such as this.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Mini was at the show, displaying it's latest wares and many of the cars which built its sporting reputation.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the iconic Australian performance cars of the 1970s was the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III, the fastest four-door car in the world at the time and just about unbeatable in touring car racing. Of 300 examples built, less than half survive in original condition. In 1971, the GTHO took five of the top six places in Australia's most important production car race at Bathurst. This car was expected to sell for between $400,000 and $500,000 at the Motorclassica auction, but was passed in with a high bid of $360,000
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A Ducati radio from prior to WW2.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
You'll note that Ducati is celebrating its 90th year in business in 2016, yet it's first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and originating in Bologna, the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi. This beautiful Ducati radio is an example of Ducati products prior to the company's now famous v-twins.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
You'll note that Ducati is celebrating it's 90th year in business in 2016, yet its first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and originating in Bologna, the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi. This adding machine is an example of Ducati products prior to the company's now famous v-twins.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This is Ducati's first motorcycle, essentially a clip-on engine for a bicycle which was first produced in 1946 as the Cucciolo or Puppy. From little acorns ...
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the many artists specialising in automotive illustration to display at Motorclassica was Mike Harbar.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
You'll note that Ducati is celebrating it's 90th year in business in 2016, yet its first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and originating in Bologna, the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi. At the rear of this display case is a Ducati Duofone intercom system.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Indian showed its current range with a number of bikes from the marque's history including this 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster. This example has the Indian telescopic fork option, 80 ci engine and is a recent no-expense-spared restoration which was for sale at AU$48,500 (US$37,000),
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet C was the personal car of Professor Ernst Heinkl, designer of the first rocket-powered aircraft and the famous Heinkl bomber. One of just 122 Cabriolet C cars ever built, the restoration unearthed many physical features which indicated it had become part of the Third Reich car fleet during WW2.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Morris J-type van was launched in 1949 and produced until 1961, gathering fans across the British Commonwealth, many of whom are still evident today.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Aussies love their utes, and even at a classic car show, the latest and fastest utes gathered a crowd.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Studebaker Car Club put on a strong display, with this 100-year-old Studebaker SF one of the key exhibits.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Born in the USA in 1950, this Cadillac Coupe de Ville Eldorado has a fascinating story. Once owned by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, the car was given to Dick Dean, the "Sultan of Chop" but when little progress was made, Gibbons took the car to another high profile customizer, California Street Rods in partially customized state. It was then sold to Australian Tony Ryan who shipped it to Australia.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
As with the similar Retromobile (France) and Auto Classica (Germany) shows, there were quite a few artists offering services to the automotive enthusiast community at Motorclassica.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Alfa Romeo RL was the company's first sport model after WWI, and was produced between 1922 and 1927. This particular car was imported into Australia as a complete chassis in 1923 and was bodied by Australian coachbuilder Chetham & Borwick and was used to carry mail and passengers between Melbourne and Gellong for the first 15 years of its life, reportedly accumulating over 500,000 miles on the odometer. Now fully restored.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Alfa Romeo RL was the company's first sport model after WWI, and was produced between 1922 and 1927. This particular car was imported into Australia as a complete chassis in 1923 and was bodied by Australian coachbuilder Chetham & Borwick and was used to carry mail and passengers between Melbourne and Gellong for the first 15 years of its life, reportedly accumulating over 500,000 miles on the odometer. Now fully restored.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
No, it's not the front but the back of a Studebaker Champion 6G. I think it's an idea that was fundamentally sound but didn't catch on. Having that much rear vision can only aid situational awareness.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Rauno Aaltonen was a special guest ambassador at this year’s Motorclassica, and the name painted on this car will bring back memories for enthusiasts of the 60s. Initially synonymous with the Mini Cooper S, Aaaltonen is best known for his success in rallying, but was equally capable on the race circuit, which he demonstrated convincingly in 1966 when he won Australia's most famous race at Bathurst on his first attempt!
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
All the major marques were there in force, and Fiat clearly has a following in Australia, as is evidenced by this 1923 Fiat 501
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Motorclassica proved the perfect setting for this classic Citroen HY coffee van which still plies its trade on the streets of Melbourne.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Ford Cortina Mk1 was produced for just five years but gathered a following which is clearly still alive and as enthusiastic as ever today.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The magnificent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building which sits on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. It is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is a magnificent backdrop for exhibits such as these.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Louis Delage is a name that might easily have created a greater place in history than it did. Delage was at the very forefront of automotive design in so many respects for the first few decades of last century and  produced some far-sighted machinery in every genre of automotive endeavor, from Grand Prix cars to road cars. His cars won numerous Grands Prix, Indianapolis, the world 1925 Grand Prix title and twice held the world land speed record. This car is a 1931 Delage D8S de Villars Roadster, one of only 99 ever produced.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
With its hybrid powertrain, carbon chassis and spaceship-styling, BMW's i8 isn't exactly a dinosaur, but given the company's 100th anniversary year, it is now focusing on the next 100 years and the showing of the BMW iVision Future Interaction Concept at Motorclassica is an indication of the vision. The iVision Concept takes the i8 Concept Spyder's dramatic body and packs it full of innovative driver-display tech designed to make it easy for drivers to stay connected with the outside world, without being overwhelmed with information.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Motor shows such as this throw up the most amazing things and this is definitely one such exhibit. It's a fully drivable scale model of a Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce complete with acetylene and oil lighting, a Chapman marine engine and ... simply stunning to look at.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Motor shows such as this throw up the most amazing things and this is definitely one such exhibit. It's a fully drivable scale model of a Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce complete with acetylene and oil lighting, a Chapman marine engine and ... simply stunning to look at.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Seen on the Paradise Garage stand, this is a Rolls-Royce coffee table. No price, but sure to make a great conversation piece. Using engines as the base for a coffee table is a growing trend as we featured several of them in our Techno Classica report earlier this year.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
McLaren too was on hand to show its latest wares.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
More automobilia of exquisite quality with which to decorate a garage, den or man cave.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The magnificent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building which sits on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. It is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is a magnificent backdrop for exhibits such as these.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The magnificent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building which sits on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. It is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is a magnificent backdrop for exhibits such as these.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
1966 Norton 750 Cafe Racer
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Craig Vetter–styled X75 Hurricane changed motorcycle design and created the most sought-after Triumph road bike of all time. This 1973 model was on sale at the show with a price tag of AU$42,500 (US$32,350) from Antique Motorcycles.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The magnificent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building which sits on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. It is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is a magnificent backdrop for exhibits such as these.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the more unique artistic services on offer at Motorclassica was Blackprint my Ride, a service which is quite self-explanatory
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the more unique artistic services on offer at Motorclassica was Blackprint my Ride, a service which is quite self-explanatory
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Automotive memorabilia of every kind was available at Motorclassica, perhaps not in the same quantities as the massive French Retromobile or German Techno Classica  shows, but of the same quality.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The magnificent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building which sits on the edge of Melbourne's CBD. It is the only surviving Great Hall that once housed a 19th-century international exhibition and is a magnificent backdrop for exhibits such as these.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the iconic Australian performance cars of the 1970s was the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III, the fastest four-door car in the world at the time and just about unbeatable in touring car racing. Of 300 examples built, less than half survive in original condition. In 1971, the GTHO took five of the top six places in Australia's most important production car race at Bathurst. This car was expected to sell for between $400,000 and $500,000 at the Motorclassica auction, but was passed in with a high bid of $360,000
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Maserati, like all the prestige marques, was on hand to push its existing range to the monied clientele.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Tourer was delivered new to Dr Arthur Syme, surgeon, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and the son of David Syme, the publisher and owner of the renowned Australian newspaper, The Age.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the best known models in the world, this is one of the Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost tourers (this one built in 1923) which caused the influential Autocar magazine to proclaim it as "the best car in the world." Powered by a 7.5 liter six, this later version of the car is fitted with electric headlights, which were standard from 1919 onwards. Only 7,874 of these cars were built, but in a testimony to their longevity and the respect they demand, around 1,500 are still in existence. This car retains its original body made by Waring Brothers of Melbourne and was used to transport the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the mother of the current British monarch) when they visited Melbourne in 1927.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Cadillac's 7.2 liter V16 was the most expensive American car available when it launched in January, 1930., just three months after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Initial orders were surprisingly good, with 2,000 built in the first six months, but as the recession bit, orders slowed and though production continued until 1940, just 4,076 cars were constructed. So costly was the car to make that Cadillac is believed to have lost money on every single unit, and there are now just 150 still known to exist.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
We don't know anything about this bike except the person that built it may be in need of some counseling. It's a monkey bike with what appears to be either a Suzuki 380cc or 550cc three-cylinder two-stroke motor. It was seen in the paddock and with a minimal wheelbase and a brutal motor, it would need expert riding to avoid it beating the rider to death.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Theodore Bruce auction that accompanied the event was held on the main stage and was thoroughly entertaining
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Theodore Bruce auction that accompanied the event was held on the main stage and was thoroughly entertaining
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Steve McQueen's desert sled was at the show. He rode a Triumph for the American team in the International Six Day Trial (now Enduro) too, but this one was set up purely for going fast in the desert. Steve McQueen has the same brand values all over the world and the desert sled embodies them.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Pretty as a picture book, this Indian Scout  drew many admiring glances during the show.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
No, it's not a classic custom  but a new Royal Enfield 500 customized.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
A couple of Mini rally cars from half a century ago sat next to the Mini stand.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton was made in the second last year of production for the marque, but time has obscured its provenance and little is known of the car's history until the 1990s. It is believed to have been the car once owned by Sir Donald Bradman (history's greatest cricketer) and used by the legendary cricketer in the "Play Safe" educational films made by the Australian Road Safety Council in the 1930s.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The first car produced by Henry Ford was a Quadricycle and it was to be a further seven years before he founded Ford Motor Company. The original Quadricycle is now in the Henry Ford Museum but two replicas were made to celebrate the centenary of the Quadricycle and this is one of them. It sold at auction during Motorclassica for AU$41,000 (US$31,000).
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This 1964 Jaguar C-Type re-creation is the work of globally revered Coventry Classics and went to auction during the show, expecting to sell for AU$160,000 to AU$200,000 (approx US$120,000 to US$150,000) but failing to reach reserve with a high bid of AU$130,000.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Women are increasingly entering the classic car market and becoming savvier investors in the process, according to new research by classic car insurance broker Footman James
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The story of the Ducati ridden by Mike Hailwood and Jim Scaysbrook as told by the accompanying placard
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
One of the many artists specializing in automotive illustration to display at Motorclassica was Mike Harbar.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Every country has a premium constructor of man caves, and in Australia, that's Deverson Garageworks. Rather than just show a picture of the stand, we've raided their image library to illustrate the level of design and workmanship available in constructing beautiful garages. Awesome stuff.
Information about the Cadillac Coupe de Ville Eldorado once owned by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Benz Velo inside the main hall of Motorclassica really caught my eye. Made 120 years ago, and just the second model produced by Karl Benz after his initial Motorwagen, just 1,200 of these were made, and it is widely considered to be the world's first production car. This 1896 model was purchased at auction in London in 1992 after being on display at the Netherlands Motor Museum for several decades.  The car underwent an extensive three year restoration and has completed the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car run twice.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
The Benz Velo inside the main hall of Motorclassica really caught my eye. Made 120 years ago, and just the second model produced by Karl Benz after his initial Motorwagen, just 1200 of these were made, and it is widely considered to be the world's first production car. This 1896 model was purchased at auction in London in 1992 after being on display at the Netherlands Motor Museum for several decades.  The car underwent an extensive three year restoration and has completed the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car run twice.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
New Atlas looks back at this year's Motorclassica event held over the last three days in Melbourne's 1880 Royal Exhibition Buildings, Australia
An Australian made, owned and restored Holden Monaro GTS, one of the muscle cars which dominated Australian production racing in the 1970s
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas
Australia's fastest road car ... the 600 hp Ariel Atom
Australia's fastest road car ... the 600 hp Ariel Atom
Jaydee, owner and developer of the Ariel Atom
The Ariel Atom's dyno chart
Jaydee's new ride - 700 hp, 700 kg wet
Australia's fastest road car ... the 600 hp Ariel Atom
The Royal Melbourne Exhibition Building was created to house the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880), the eighth World's Fair recognised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the first official World's Fair in the Southern Hemisphere.
Built in 1880, the Melbourne Exhibition Building is the oldest surviving building to have housed a world fair.
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930 ... it has been restored to the condition in which it left the factory and it is truly a magnificent structure and an objet d'art in it's own right
View gallery - 118 images

With one of the largest countries in the world and the lowest population densities, Australians have always loved their cars and have been affluent enough to be importing the very best examples since motoring began.

That was very obvious at this year's Motorclassica event held over the last three days in the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings and the strength and number of exhibits on offer compares well with the Paris Retromobile show which is also held in an equally appropriate and historic setting.

The Royal Melbourne Exhibition Building was created to house the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880), the eighth World's Fair recognised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the first official World's Fair in the Southern Hemisphere.

Built in 1880, the Melbourne Exhibition Building is the oldest surviving building to have housed a world fair.

Built in 1880, the Melbourne Exhibition Building is the oldest surviving building to have housed a world fair.

Though it has been restored to just a fraction of it's original floor space, the central structure is still there and it's quite some structure that predated all of the cars which it contained during the show. That's an example of the first production automobile below - The Benz & Cie Velo, this one produced in 1896. The building was built 16 years prior.

The Benz Velo inside the main hall of Motorclassica really caught my eye. Made 120 years ago, and just the second model produced by Karl Benz after his initial Motorwagen, just 1,200 of these were made, and it is widely considered to be the world's first production car. This 1896 model was purchased at auction in London in 1992 after being on display at the Netherlands Motor Museum for several decades.  The car underwent an extensive three year restoration and has completed the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car run twice.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

From the polished wood floors to the intricate internal structures, and on such a grand scale, it offers a glorious backdrop to frame the cars which it contained during this show.

A Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing from above
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

Steve McQueen's desert sled was at the show. He rode a Triumph for the American team in the International Six Day Trial (now Enduro) too, but this one was set up purely for going fast in the desert. Steve McQueen has the same brand values all over the world and the desert sled embodies them.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

Steve McQueen's values were on display at the show because this is an audience that really appreciates authenticity. Indeed, authenticity is the overwhelming brand value of the entire classic movement.

As with the similar Retromobile (France) and Auto Classica (Germany) shows, there were quite a few artists offering services to the automotive enthusiast community at Motorclassica.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

World class shows offer almost anything you could want if you are a functional petrolhead. If you want your ride immortalised, you'll find someone who can do the business by hand

One of the more unique artistic services on offer at Motorclassica was Blackprint my Ride, a service which is quite self-explanatory
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

... or digitally,

The stage

The Theodore Bruce auction that accompanied the event was held on the main stage and was thoroughly entertaining
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

Steve McQueen's son Chad was one of the continuously running stage events at the show and he went on stage several times a day and chatted to the audience and reminisced about his dad. He told the story many times of how he did a lap of the 13 km Le Mans race circuit in a race car sitting in his dad's lap during the filming of the epic race film, "Le Mans". Steve would be crucified in the media for child abuse these days, but that was then.

The whole stage aspect of the show is worthy of further development methinks. The storytelling was magical and there's great potnetial in this medium at shows with the array of wonderful motorsport personalities readily available. If there's one aspect in which Melbourne wins hands-down over Essen and Paris, it's that the majority of the conversations and conferences in those events are conducted in German and French, whereas here, I understood every word and every nuance too.

Rauno Aaltonen was a special guest ambassador at this year’s Motorclassica, and the name painted on this car will bring back memories for enthusiasts of the 60s. Initially synonymous with the Mini Cooper S, Aaaltonen is best known for his success in rallying, but was equally capable on the race circuit, which he demonstrated convincingly in 1966 when he won Australia's most famous race at Bathurst on his first attempt!
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

The stage show also included the first Flying Finn, Rauno Aaltonen best known for his success in rallying, but very capable on the tarmac, which he demonstrated convincingly in 1966 when he drove in Australia's most famous road race at Bathurst. Learning the mountain circuit normally requires a few Bathurst endurance races to know it well enough to run at race pace all day, but it proved no problem for the rally champion and he won it at his first attempt.

Women too

One of the interesting contrasts to European shows is the far greater participation of women in Australia. In Australia, not only do women make up a greater percentage of the crowd, but a greater percentage staff the displays and interact with the clientele too.

There was a complete absence of the "prettys" you'll see at any other car show in the southern hemisphere, but an infinitely greater number of women who didn't bother with high heels because they really knew what they were talking about .

I love photographing these events because everyone is so courteous and friendly. Every time I saw one of those "do not touch" signs I almost laughed, because you could never get a more respectful audience than this one. Indeed, as you wander from car to car, striking up a conversation is so natural that the whole show felt like a series of wonderful conversations with interesting articulate people about a shared passion.

Australia's fastest road car ... the 600 hp Ariel Atom

Like the interaction that unfolded after this car had stopped me. It's billed as Australia's fastest road car and it's not really, but we'll get to that.

Australia's fastest road car ... the 600 hp Ariel Atom

The great thing about shows like these is that the owner is never far away, and you can meet some really interesting people. That turned out to be him in the black and red hat.

Jaydee, owner and developer of the Ariel Atom

It's been Jeff David's personal car for the last few years and the motor produces considerably more power than it ever did as a common garden variety Ariel Atom.

Jeff is not your ordinary car enthusiast, partly because he's a bike guy too, and an engineer who does stuff like supercharging one-off engines, aftermarket ECU conversions, traction control installations, data logging and analysis, dynotuning, shock re-valving ad infinitum ... all in-house, including the manufacture of custom internal engine components and carbon fibre anything. After several hours with Jeff, I'd classify him more as an applied research scientist than an engineer.

And he's extra good with suspension. In one of my previous lifetimes as a motorcycle magazine editor, I knew of JayDee's legendary expertise in re-valving suspension to make competition motorcycles handle like a dream. A lot of very fast riders swear by his expertise in making bikes behave with poise at ballistic speeds. Anyway, all the work he did with suspension on enduro and motocross bikes has enabled him to develop automotive suspension that offers equal suppleness, yet keep the rubber planted on all four corners in a car.

"I wanted to build a car that handled well on the real roads out there, not just a billiard table smooth racetrack", said Jeff. "I wanted a car with the speed of an R1 Yamaha sports bike, but with four wheels on the ground and all the electronics to make it easy to drive really fast." So he started with an Ariel Atom and got to work. The full development is extraordinary and we'll have the full story in the next day or two, but here's the short version.

There's almost nothing on the car that hasn't been modified, strengthened, re-engineered and improved. Bought producing 245 hp, the motor still wears a Honda badge, but the seriously transformed Jaydee Atom 600 produces an amazing 594 hp on E85 pump fuel.

The Ariel Atom's dyno chart

With that much horsepower, in a car as light as this one, it goes like a bat out of hell ...

The car runs zero to 100 kmh in 2.7 seconds.

But the real story is in the handling and suspension ... and the reason he's selling it.

Jaydee's new ride - 700 hp, 700 kg wet

It's because JayDee has new personal wheels. He built it himself. It weighs 700 kg at the curb and produces 700 hp but it's not the power to weight that distinguishes the car: it's the handling. "I wanted to start with a clean sheet", said Jeff. More soon on this one too. Hence, Jaydee's old car is for sale.

The ever-changing classic car marketplace

According to data released last week in the United Kingdom, women are increasingly entering the classic car market. British Classic car insurance broker Footman James, found one in four women would now consider buying a classic car, "showing the classic car club is no longer reserved for the stereotypical middle-aged man."

Over the past two years in the UK, the number of female classic car owners has risen by 40 percent, with female customers expected to account for 11 percent of the marketplace by the end of 2016. The average age of a female owner has fallen consistently over the last few years, now standing at 52 years old and the top classic car makes owned by women were Morris, Volkswagen, MG, Mazda and Land Rover.

Women are increasingly entering the classic car market and becoming savvier investors in the process, according to new research by classic car insurance broker Footman James

The above snapshot of opinions versus facts from that research also shows that women might be equally as, if not more astute, as investors. Clearly the times are changing in this industry, and Australia appears to be ahead of this global trend from my observations at this show.

This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

The quality of the cars on show and the supporting industries evident in the Australian marketplace was also world class and a perfect example is this imposing 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis. Clare Gordon saw me crawling around this metallurgical masterpiece, offered her assistance, then answered everything I could throw at her.

This is how most cars would have left the factories of Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Bentley, Hispano Suiza, Alfa Romeo ad infinitum. It's a practice evolving from the "coachbuilding" industry of the previous century which created the horse-drawn carriages of the wealthy.

In the first few decades of the 1900s, very expensive motorcars were built by automotive couturiers in Paris, Berlin, Milan and London. The manufacturer would send the rolling chassis to the body designer/builder so that a body could be built to meet the owner's needs, much as you would work with an architect to create your ideal home.

This car is well documented as having left Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body and delivered to wealthy Romanian industrialist Max Ausnit, whose address was recorded on the invoice as "Ritz Hotel, Paris." The subsequent owner, was J. Bruce Ismay, chairman and managing director of the White Star Line which had built the RMS Titanic. Max Ausnit took delivery of the car in May 1932, The Ismay's took delivery of the car in May 1935 but as the person who ran the company that owned the famous ship, he became very reclusive in later years and no pictures of the original body have survived.

This Rolls-Royce Phantom II rolling chassis left the Rolls-Royce factory in late 1930, and delivered to the Paris-based coach builder Hibbard & Darrin where it was clothed in an aluminum body. No pictures of the original body have survived, so rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. It stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

Rather than produce a body that wasn't entirely authentic, it was decided to restore the magnificent Phantom II to the exact state that it left the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby. There are many more pics in the image library for this story and it stands as the ultimate testimony to the quality of Paradise Garage's restoration work. Matching the quality and diversity of work carried out by Rolls-Royce at its peak is no mean feat.

Until such time as information emerges as to what this car looked like, the owners are in no hurry to force the issue because like a motorcycle, the interesting bits are visible, and when they are all of such exquisite quality and combine to form something the size of a bus, you could stare at this objet d'art for days. For more info visit Paradise Garage or watch the video above.

There are too many stories to tell associated with this show and we'll be covering a few of the cars as separate stories over the coming week, but we've attempted to cover everything in the image gallery.

This is Ducati's first motorcycle, essentially a clip-on engine for a bicycle which was first produced in 1946 as the Cucciolo or Puppy. From little acorns ...
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

Ducati - inspired by Marconi

You'll note that Ducati is celebrating its 90th year in business in 2016, yet it's first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. That's it above, a clip-on engine for a bicycle known as the Cucciolo or Puppy. From little acorns ...

Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and grew to become the second largest company in all of Italy prior to WW2.

Though the factory in Borgo Panigale is now known for it's v-twins, it originally produced the first consumer electronics and the Ducati brothers all lived and worked in Bologna, which at that time was the electronics capital of the world as it was the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi.

You'll note that Ducati is celebrating its 90th year in business in 2016, yet it's first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and originating in Bologna, the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi. This beautiful Ducati radio is an example of Ducati products prior to the company's now famous v-twins.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

This beautiful Ducati radio is an example of Ducati products prior to the company's motorcycle renaissance.

You'll note that Ducati is celebrating it's 90th year in business in 2016, yet its first motorcycle was not produced until 1946. Prior to 1946, Ducati was an electronics company producing a wide range of radios and other electronic machinery and originating in Bologna, the home town of the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi. At the rear of this display case is a Ducati Duofone intercom system.
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

At the rear of this display case is a Ducati Duofone intercom system which was the height of office communication pre war.

Best in Show

An Australian made, owned and restored Holden Monaro GTS, one of the muscle cars which dominated Australian production racing in the 1970s
Mike Hanlon/New Atlas

One final exhibit which must be mentioned is the car which won the International Concours d'Elegance at Motorclassica this year. It's an Australian made, owned and restored Holden Monaro GTS, one of the muscle cars which dominated Australian production racing in the 1970s.

It is the first time that an Australian-made car has won a globally-recognized Concours d'Elegance event, and the first locally manufactured winner in the seven year history of the Motorclassica event.The fabulous 1969 Holden Monaro GTS won Motorclassica's "Best of Show" accolade to win the premier Australian International Concours d'Elegance title, along with the "Restoration of the Year" trophy for its restorers, Recreation Automotive.

Smart's recently-restored Monaro GTS scored a perfect 100 points from the hugely-experienced Concours d'Elegance judging panel, which described the restoration as "perfect" and "faultless." The white Monaro GTS beat a field of 85 cars and motorcycles to take the title of "Best in Show."

In conclusion

Melbourne's Motorclassica is now in it's seventh year and is on track to join the tier one classic automobile shows as part of a world circuit for serious enthusiasts. Bold in nature and incredibly well curated and run, the show is world class and will undoubtedly achieve its aims as the classic car marketplace continues to grow in stature.

There's one added bonus that makes the Melbourne show a likely drawcard for visitors. Not only is the Melbourne museum entrance 80 meters away from the Motorclassica entrance, the entire Melbourne central business district is directly accessible by tram, meaning that if your travelling partner wishes to do something else, there's plenty to do.

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