Collection of the late Clem Smith goes to auction

By: James Robinson, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 05.08.2017

Order of Australia Medal recipient and Mallala Motorsport Park owner had quite the shed

The late Clem Smith OAM was an icon of Aussie motor racing and custodian and promoter of Mallala Motorsport Park for over 30 years.

Smith is credited as having saved Mallala from certain doom, due to the fact that when Smith purchased the racetrack, the previous owner, Keith Williams, had instigated a covenant that stipulated that no racing could take place on the land moving forward.

Smith took Williams to court over the covenant and, in a landmark decision that set a precedent, the covenant was overturned.

In addition, Smith was a successful racer himself and an outstanding mechanic who had the highest of standards when preparing a race car.

These high standards carried through to his personal car collection, and all 35 cars are as varied as they are impressive.

Some of the fine examples of Smith’s motor cars that will be auctioned off by Mossgreen on August 20 include:

1972 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger R/T E38 Coupe

An authentic, matching numbers E38 built in December of 1971, this particular Charger has, according to the Mossgreen, approximately 50,340 miles on the clock from new and has had a full restoration. Mossgreen are estimating the R/T E38 will sell for $120,000-$150,000.

1950 Jaguar XK120

A gorgeous looking, Australian delivered XK120 that has an accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate which verifies that the vehicle is an original right-hand drive car. This XK120 has had a full, bare metal restoration undertaken during Clem Smith himself, who purchased the vehicle in 1977. Mossgreen have put an estimate on the XK120 of $100,000-$120,000.

1955 Hudson Hornet

This particular Hornet was sourced from California by Smith himself, and the six-cylinder, column-shift, four-speed automatic car is finished in period correct red paintwork with a cream roof and soft green interior. Mossgreen says the vehicle is a well looked after example and even comes with the original Hudson radio and Weather Eye air-conditioning vent. The Hornet is expected to sell for $20,000-$28,000.

There are plenty more excellent cars up for grabs at Mossgreen’s upcoming auction, and you can view all the lots here.

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