Thursday, November 21, 2013

Celebration of the Motor Car 2013 - Day


After the Saturday night cocktail party, Shelly and I stayed on to assist the team move the cars into position of the show.  This basically meant standing in the dark with a torch so Paul Blank could park the car in the right place. Paul kindly asked if I wanted to help out on Sunday.  I had to say yes!
http://www.classicrally.com.au/Celebration_of_the_Motorcar_new.htm

8.30am and the set up begins

Helping out in the Ferrari and Maserati section.  A lot of work goes into putting on a great car show and it was a pleasure to take part.

The Jags start arriving.

A magnificent Cadillac Eldorado limousine. This one was owned by a Texas oil baron before making its way down under.

A convoy of luxury cars winds its way up the driveway at the Cottesloe Civic Centre.

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, formerly owned by Frank Sinatra.  It cost new US$15000. This is ten times the amount of a contemporary Volkswagen.  A Bentley

1958 Packard Hawk.  Modelled on the Studebaker Hawk, it was the last car to use the Packard name.

A couple of Chevrolet Corvettes.  The one on the left has modern running gear underneath.

A view over the lower lawn.

The Bolwells

The range of Bolwells - from the Mark IV to the new Bolwell-Nigara.  This is the first time that all models of the Bolwell have been bought together in the same place.



Mark VII - this was my favourite of all the Bolwells.  Why don't car markers build cars like this anymore?  Sleek, curvy and sensual. I generally find modern sports cars ugly, angular and uniform.

The unique Mark VI was a specially built racing car.  It uses a Holden 'red' motor.  It resides here in Western Australia where it has enjoyed a successful racing career.

A Mark V.  This example is obviously still under restoration, but they are rare.  I look forward to seeing this one restored to its former glory soon.

The original Mark IV

Achtung Baby!  The Germans

Mercedes-Benz 220SL




100 Years of Aston-Martin

The oldest Aston-Martin in Australia.  This 1923 Aston-Martin was bought to Australia for the 1923 Grand Prix and sold off after the race. It passed through many hands before being abandoned.  It was found and restored by the well known vehicle collector, Peter Briggs.



From left to right - the DB6, DB5 and DB4.

The DB5 is a magnificent vehicle. Who wouldn't feel like James Bond driving one of these?

The French Connection





The three Facel-Vegas in WA.  In their day these exotic French cars, with Chrysler running gear, were more expensive than a Rolls-Royce and faster than a Ferrari.

Over $100K was spent on restoring this magnificent car.

Decidedly British

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom.  I find these new Rolllers ugly and not a patch on their classic predecessors.  I did however enjoy a brief ride in this beast.  It's enormous - like a truck - and very luxurious inside.  I guess it might appeal to oil sheiks?

Classic Rolls-Royce's



There were four magnificent Bentley's on display. It was a treat on the Saturday night to see Peter Briggs jump into his, start it up and tear across the lawn to its assigned parking space.  What a sound! This example was the first Bentley to compete in the Le Mans 24 hour race. It was the start of a long racing tradition.

By my reckoning there are at least four of these 20's Bentley's in Perth.

Jaguar

SS Jaguar sportster

Jaguar row. The aluminum bodied 1949 model is the oldest XKS in Australia and has been with the same owner for over 50 years.



The beautiful Jaguar E-Type

Jaguar D Type replica


Something very unusual in Perth - Swedish 1958 Volvo PV444. A recent import from the US.


50th Anniversary of the Porche 911

The earliest Porche 911 in Australia

The Americans

Ford GT supercar tribute

The extraordinary 1970 Plymouth Thunderbird. Talk about tail fin!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Celebration of the Motor Car 2013 - Evening


This year's Celebration of the Motor Car commenced with a sunset cocktail evening and Shelly and I were fortunate to attend.

A row of magnificent silver cars greeted arrivals.

A magnificent 1965 Ferrari Pinafarina

1963 Jensen CV8

1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S Couple

1949 Jaguar XKS 120




Lancia Flaminia Pinafarina

Silver row

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

Bentley

Bentley

Lamborghini Diablo

The first Bolwell Mark IV and the latest, the Bolwell-Nigara

Campbell Bolwell, the designer/builder of Bolwell sportscars, gave a talk about the car's origin, development and future. Despite ups and downs, advances and setbacks, Campbell has continued following his dream to build specialist sports cars. It made me think however that in this age of over-regulation, the chances of a small, niche company successfully developing their own car is almost zero. Getting the permits to license the Bolwell-Nigara for the road involved significant hurdles, despite the fact that it's an incredibly modern and advanced vehicle.



A beautiful sunset....
http://www.classicrally.com.au/Celebration_of_the_Motorcar_new.htm

Photos from Sunday - http://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/celebration-of-motor-car-2013.html