Billed as the greatest collection of cars in the Southern Hemisphere, Melbourne’s annual Motorclassica concours and car show was staged once again, October 11–14th, at the world-heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building.
Arriving in the center of Melbourne, mid morning on Thursday, after the Tour Classica, more than 140 cars and motorcycles competed this year for the Australian International Concours d’Elegance. The 2018 Best of Show title eventually went to Lawrence Southward’s immaculate 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider. In addition, there were displays celebrating cars and bikes from the Art Deco era, 70 years of the Harley-Davidson Panhead, 60 years of the Triumph Bonneville plus a very quirky display of Micro Cars. Muscle Car and Cadillac sections paid homage to American icons from the 1930s through to the early 1970s. Saturday evening saw AU$3.5million change hands at the rare and collectible number plate auction. But perhaps the most interesting display, after the concours, was a feature tracing the history through the decades of the Australian Grand Prix.
As with many shows, Motorclassica was an excuse for many New South Wales car clubs to congregate on the grounds around the Exhibition Building providing superb displays from Ferraris to Fiats and MGs to Mustangs. For 2018, Motorclassica attracted many American models rarely seen outside the U.S., lighting up the hall with chrome and color, but for 2019 that could change. Next year, Motorclassica will run from the 11-13th of October and have a definite European slant with features honoring the Centennials of Bentley, Alvis and Citroen. Other features will include, “The Sting in the Tail – 70 Years of Abarth” and “Giant Slayers – 60th Anniversary of the Mini.”
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