Motoclassica – Most Successful Ever

Motorclassica 2014 attracted an record equalling crowd over the weekend, with over 20,000 people attending.

Over 500 vehicles were on display at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building over the event’s three days.

Motorclassica Ambassador Gina Campbell attracted plenty of interest from attendees as she recalled exploits of her father, Donald Campbell.

This 1952 Aston Martin DB2 won the coveted ‘Best in Show’ trophy in the Australian International Concours d’Elegance.

Motorclassica’s collector car auction on Saturday evening saw this rare 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental sell for almost $1.1 million (excluding buyer’s premium).

Motorclassica 2014 was the most successful staged so far, with an all-time record equalling crowd attending the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne over the weekend.

Australia’s premier event for rare and exotic, historic, vintage, veteran, classic and collectable cars and motorcycles saw more than 20,000 people take in the 500 plus vehicles on display over the three-day event.

Motorclassica has already confirmed its sixth event for 2015, to be staged again at the iconic, heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, from 23 to 25 October next year.

“I am delighted to confirm that we will be back bigger and better next year, with plans already well advanced,” Motorclassica Event Director Paul Mathers said.

“Our success this year in attracting a record-matching crowd demonstrates the high level of interest in the motoring lifestyle that exists now, and that we have created an event that generates genuine engagement with that audience.

“We’re excited too that this was the most successful show ever from a commercial perspective, which is tremendously important for the brands and retailers that attend the show and for the long-term future of the event.

“Motorclassica is now firmly established as a key event nationally and is attracting ever-increasing interest from Europe, the USA and Asia.”

Amid a myriad of highlights, Motorclassica Ambassador Gina Campbell was a standout, attracting huge interest from show attendees as she regularly recalled the exploits of her famous World Speed Record setting father, Donald Campbell.

A World Water Speed record holder in her own right, Gina was the focal point of a special Motorclassica tribute that marked 50 years since Donald Campbell set Land and Water Speed Records in Australia.

Australia’s International Concours d’Elegance, a key annual feature of Motorclassica, saw 18 prestigious Awards handed out on Sunday afternoon, with the magnificent 1952 Aston Martin DB2 of former Grand Prix boss Mal Hemmerling (South Australia) winning the coveted ‘Best in Show’ trophy.

Widely regarded as the best DB2 in the world, Hemmerling’s recently-finished Aston Martin also won Restoration of the Year for Marque Restorations of South Australia.

The People’s Choice Award went to the 1966 Porsche 912 swb of David Belford, the Chief Judge’s Award went to the 1969 Boss Mustang 429 of AFL identity Sam Newman and the new Preservation Class to John Matties’ 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.

Modern Classic USA was won by Brian James’ 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350H, Modern Classic Euro by New South Welshman Miles Sandy’s 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, and Modern Classic Sports & Performance (Euro/UK) by the 1974 Lancia Stratos Stradale of Philip Allen.

Motorclassica celebrated 100 years of Maserati this year, and a special award for the best vehicle was presented to South Australia’s Con Caracoussis for his 1966 Sebring II, while the 50 years of Ford Mustang tribute saw Victoria’s Ron and Dorothy Cremona win the special award for their 1967 Mustang Eleanor.

Australian Specials were also honoured with a display, with the award going to Derek McLaughlan’s 1956 Edelbrock Ford V8 Special, while three motorcycle awards went to Peter Arundel’s 1931 Indian 101 Scout (Pre War), Jon Munn’s 1948 Vincent Rapide factory racer (Post War) and Robert Marro’s 1951 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport (Preservation).

Motorclassica’s older entrants didnt miss out, with the Turner Foundation’s 1936 De Soto SG Airflow (Vintage & Pre War), Peter Arundel’s 1954 Jaguar XK120 (Post War Classic UK), Eric Hill’s 1959 Cadillac Series 62 (Post War Classic USA) and New South Welshman Michael Kelly’s 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider (Post War Modern & Classic European) all winning accolades.

Annually, Motorclassica also stages Australia’s premier collector car auction on the Saturday night, mid-show.

Conducted by Theodore Bruce, sales topped $2.5 million with the biggest seller a rare 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental for almost $1.1 million (excluding buyer’s premium).

Motorclassica saw a major increase in automotive and motorcycle heritage brands engage with the event, Mercedes-Benz returning for a second year for the Australian launch of its latest S-Class … in this case the all-new Coupe.

Mercedes-Benz was joined by Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Caterham, Aston Martin, Porsche, Morgan and Lotus, and from the motorcycle world Indian, BMW, MV Augusta, Triumph and Benelli.

“Motorclassica is truly a unique event within Australasia and presents the perfect opportunity for car enthusiasts to take pleasure in viewing both classic and contemporary vehicles,” Horst Von Sanden, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chief Executive Officer Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific said.

Motorclassica will return to the Royal Exhibition Building on 23 to 25 October 2015.

For further information on Motorclassica, go to www.motorclassica.com.au.