Although we are in the depths of a freezing winter, Uncle Phil has been busy unearthing motoring treasures for you all
1965 Holden HD
$32,500
Finding any HD Holden in decent nick is rare but one wearing its original 57-year-old paint, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s a rare colour called Hannans Gold and melds well with the Fowlers White Ivory roof. Over its life, it has been registered to four owners and the HD has travelled 84,000 miles, all log-booked.
It claims to have been well maintained so can be driven daily or on weekend cruises. Under the bonnet lies a matching numbers 179 six-cylinder engine. Open the door and you’ll see the interior is in good shape though a few pieces have been retrimmed. The brakes have been overhauled and it has a new demister, making it a potential daily driver, but more likely a weekend cruiser.
1961 Studebaker Lark
$40,000
Back in the day cops and public servants were regular Lark users. Then there was a group of very brave souls who threw these Aussie-assembled V8s around Bathurst in the 500-mile classic, thank God they had discs up front. Once a common site on our roads and a step up in prestige from the local offerings, they seem to have all disappeared.
This one with a V8 and auto combo looks the business in black with contrasting red interior and 75,805 miles. It’s said to be rust-free and a bit of TLC could make it like new once more. Makes you wonder if it was used for official duties at some point.
1965 Chevrolet El Camino
$68,500
Today, high riding tarted-up utes are the common fare on our roads. Give me a Falcon or Commodore ute any day. Over in the states they love their huge pickups. However, this 1965 El Camino is quite compact. You rarely see one here, and it turns heads.
If you need a practical classic, this could be the ticket. It has been modded, but not too much and the 420ci claims 555 horses. The running gear is just 23,000km old. The interior has also been modernised but not over the top. It could be a talking point at car and coffee events.
1979 Holden VB Commodore SL
$52,500
When I spotted this VB SL Commodore, it looked familiar. Turns out it’s a former Unique Cars feature car. This is one of the best I’ve seen and lots of love has gone into keeping it in such fine fettle. It’s also quite rare with the combo of the 253ci V8 tied to a four-speed manual, so it has a bit of get-up-and-go about it. And I love that it’s an SL, a sleeper, and oblivious to many except for the eagle-eyed.
The red paint and tan vinyl are an iconic ’70s-80s look, and the steel wheels add to its looks. Comfort wise it has factory air and power steering and has done 168,443km. I think I hear GT smashing open his piggy bank now.
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1991 Mercedes-Benz 420SE
$25,000
Big and built like a bank vault. The W126 series was the epitome of the three-pointed star brand and whenever you saw a rock or movie star, industry leader or politician on the telly they were often clambering in or out of one of these. This one has a 4.2-litre V8 mated to a four-speed auto, ideal for long-distance hops.
Guido loves his for exactly that. This one has travelled 235,000km and has had the suspension fettled for better ride and handling, according to the blurb. But you can always change it back to factory spec. It’s an acreage inside, with revered engineering throughout for the price of a hatchback. Which one would you rather roll up in?