Motors & Masterpieces Launches with Flair

Motors & Masterpieces has been officially launched for 2024, in front of collectors, enthusiasts and sponsors with a classy gathering of motoring industry icons at the incredible Fox Classic Car Collection in Melbourne.

At the launch event, insights were shared by key members of the Board, including Event Founder Carlos Piteira and Chief Curator Mark Jansen. They provided an overview of the new event, emphasizing their vision, the innovative layout, and what visitors can anticipate.

Carlos Piteira spoke passionately about the inspiration behind Motors & Masterpieces, highlighting the event’s goal to create a dynamic and immersive experience that celebrates automotive history and innovation. 

While, Mr Jansen elaborated on the meticulously planned layout, which features ten distinct thematic areas, each designed to showcase the diversity and evolution of automotive design and engineering.

An early entrant, a beautiful vintage 1925 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia, was unveiled ahead of the event, which will take centre stage at the Melbourne Showgrounds from November 22-24.

The Bugatti ‘Butterfly’, has an incredible tale to tell from its 99 years of motoring.

An Australian-delivered vehicle, the car still carries the body that was added by Melbourne’s Martin & King in period.

The vehicle was restored by the legendary Lou Molina, who campaigned the car extensively in competition trim, a tradition that continues to this day.

Another star of the launch, as MCed by Melbourne radio identity and classic car enthusiast Peter Stubbs, was an incredible Ferrari Daytona SP2.

One of only 599 produced, it is one of the most desirable V12 supercars to come from Maranello, with its 618kW of power capable of propelling the slick package to a top speed of 340km/h.

Complete with bespoke styling and butterfly doors, when launched in 2022, the car came with an Australian price tag of $3,842,608, plus on-road costs.

Come November, cars such as these from across the motoring spectrum will be joined by hundreds of other classics, ranging from the vintage through to the futuristic, tracing the story of automotive evolution from around the world, and the incredible tale of man and machine.

Motors & Masterpieces will see Concours vehicles split along the 10 themes, with each display area featuring sideshows and attractions that enhance the bespoke topics.

In addition to the curated selections, the celebration will feature an extensive assortment of display vehicles, creating an unmissable spectacle that promises to captivate visitors and showcase the ever-developing world of automotive innovation.

Leading the event themes is La Dolce Vita, an expression synonymous with the carefree lifestyle and culture emanating from post-war Italy, with a distinctive style that underlines the epitome of motoring passion.

Meanwhile, California Dreaming focuses on the exuberant post-war era of USA motoring from the 1950s through the ‘70s, with a focus on big, bold, brash iron from a time of transport transition.

In Tokyo Lights, the spotlight will shine on the very best of Japanese engineering from more modern times, where efficiency meets performance.

Elsewhere, Swinging London centres on the cultural icons that emanated from Great Britain, as cultural revolution witnessed the creation of classics such as the Mini through to the E Type Jaguar.

Closer to home, Great Southern Land celebrates our local love for vehicles, and our proud heritage of manufacturing motoring icons.

The early automotive pioneers are celebrated in the Golden Age, paying special attention to the unique craftsmanship evident in machines built prior to 1930.

High Society is the home for all cars and motorcycles from the 1930s and ‘40s, an era when fresh design philosophies met leaps in engineering prowess, resulting in timeless showpieces.

Continental Classics concentrates on the best of the rest of Europe, with exceptional examples such as the Mercedes Gullwing and Porsche 356 set to take centre stage.

Machinery such as the Ferrari Daytona SP2 is featured in the Monaco Glitz showcase, which will also feature a range of hypercars that are set to get hearts racing.

Last but certainly not least, Chequered Flag will focus on the competition spectrum, drawing on the pedigree of racetrack success for visitors to marvel over up close.

Further information on the event can be found at motorsandmasterpieces.com, with entries now open for the Concours section and the Best of Show classification for vehicles built up until 1993, the Monaco Glitz category and general display sections.

Special displays from key manufacturers and car clubs, as well as the finest in automotive art, will also be featured at the event.

Elsewhere within the Showgrounds, the road network will be pressed into service for a series of ride-and-drive sessions, with visitors able to appreciate motoring’s finest in action.

Expressions of interest are now open for exhibitors, who will be able to tailor packages bespoke to their needs.