The results are in for the 10th annual Motorclassica
2019 marked the tenth year running of Motorclassica, Australia’s premiere collector car and motorcycle event.
The Concours competition is consistently the headline attraction, with over 140 vehicles taking part in this year’s event.
Best in Show for 2019 was bestowed upon a stunning and rare Primrose Yellow 1959 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII belonging to Anna Purcell.
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Paul Mathers, Motorclassica Event Director said: “each year our panel of judges are forced to make judgements on the most minute of details, as the standard of entries continue to exceed our expectations, this year has been no exception”.
“This is the second time in Motorclassica’s ten year history that an Aston Martin has won the prestigious Best in Show, such recognition speaks volumes to the collectability of early David Brown Aston Martins and to the standards at which they are restored”.
The MkIII Aston is one of just 551 ever produced, and one of just two in the world delivered from factory in Primrose Yellow.
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The car underwent an exacting nut and bolt restoration, commencing in 2015, overseen by Alan How at Creative Custom Cars. No component was left untouched, and given the car’s scarcity – thousands of hours were invested in research so as to ensure every detail was correct.
Show-goers over the three days were asked to vote for their favourite vehicle, resulting in Nick Grakini’s fantastic 1971 Toyota Celica GT Coupe taking out the gongs for both People’s Choice Award, and the Japanese Sports Car class.
Ross Morgan’s 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6B was honoured with the Chief Judge’s Spirit of Motorclassica award.
Restoration of the Year was bestowed upon Wayne Fitzgerald and his 1924 Bentley Speed model 3-litre Vanden-Plas Tourer which underwent a full refurbishment led by Simon Elliott from Derby Works.
Geoffrey Mitton’s 1904 De Dion Bouton V won Pre-War Open, with Chris Meany’s 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Saloon taking out the Pre-War Class Closed. Gary McMillen’s 1928 Bentley 6.5 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer was awarded the trophy for Pre-War Bentley.
Post-War Classic Closed went to John Grieve and his 1955 Citroen Big GH Sedan, and Post-War Classic open was awarded to Paul Lethouras’ 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster.
Modern Classic Closed was awarded to Graham Lawrence’s 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur Saloon, with Modern Classic Open given to Peter Fox and his 1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead coupe. The Modern Classic GT Class was awarded to the white 1969 Ford Falcon XW GT-HO Phase I owned by John Walters.
The Modern Classic Sports & Performance (Under 3 litre) was bestowed upon the 1965 Alfa romeo 105 GTA Stradale owned by Richard East, while Spiro Mitropoulos’ 1967 Shelbt GT500 Mustang won for Over 3 Litres.
Brian Trevan’s impeccable 1965 Toyota Crown S won the Preservation Class Award.
2019 saw Motorclassica celebrate a number of manufacturer anniversaries including the centenaries of Bentley, Alvis and Citroen; with awards given to the best on display within each. Sam Pattern’s 1928 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Red Label Open Tourer was awarded the best of Bentleys, while Bob Northey’s 1933 Alvis SA Speed 20 Saloon took home the honours. Citroen CEO Linda Jackson was a special guest of the event, and presented Robert Little the award for his 1961 Citroen ID 19 Sedan.
In tribute to Abarth’s 70th anniversary, the award was given to David Judd’s 1974 Abarth 124 Rally Stradale Spider, while Arthur Crosthwaite’s 1961 Morris Mini 950 Sedan was awarded for his presence in the 60 Years of Mini display.
Off the back of the tenth anniversary of Motorclassica, organisers have confirmed the show will return in 2020, at Melbourne’s royal Exhibition Building on October 9-11. Given the outstanding quality of cars each year, we can’t wait to see what turns up next!
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