OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this striking Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Maserati Merak.
The documentation on file from Maserati Classiche confirms that this car was completed on the 11th June 1974 and sold to Auto Italia in Melbourne. Its production date makes this quite an early car. The car was originally delivered in orancio (orange) with a dark grey velvet (velour) interior.
Apart from being sold new into Adelaide, the early history of this car is not known. The earliest documentation on file is a South Australian registration certificate dated 30th October 1987 and a transfer of ownership to a Mr H Clisby dated 1st May 1988. At that time the car was registered as UMZ 377.
There is a detailed write up on file from a previous owner, a Mr Don Venn from Adelaide, in which he mentions he purchased the Merak in 1990. In his ownership the car was stripped back to bare metal including the engine frame and the engine bay. All corrosion was cut out and replaced with new metal. There are photos on file documenting the work done. The car was then painted using Dulux acrylic lacquer in Ferrari Fly Yellow. Mechanically, the car also underwent a full refurbishment. Everything was assessed and what needed to be replaced was replaced.
In 1994 the car was sold to its next owner, Mr Tony Chapman from Sydney, NSW. At that time the car had 74,000 miles on the odometer. Chapman used and enjoyed his Merak through his 22 years of ownership clocking up some 24,000 miles.
Chapman sold the car through Shannons 2016 Sydney Spring auction. Its new owner was a classic car enthusiast in Perth. Whilst he loved his new yellow Merak he thought it would look even better finished in its original colour of orange! He engaged the services of Italian car specialists, Auto Delta, in Perth Western Australia to generally freshen up the car and have it repainted. One thing led to another and the car essentially underwent a second restoration. In addition to a repaint, the interior was retrimmed and a significant amount of mechanical work was also undertaken. The mechanical work included overhauling the hydraulic system, cooling system, brakes, steering and fitting a new clutch. The engine was rebuilt, which included refurbishing the cylinder heads and replacing the block which was in poor condition.
At that time the odometer read 98,437 miles.
After the restoration was complete the car was shown at Perths premier classic car event, the Celebration of the Motorcar in November 2020 where it won the Classic Sports Car class.
The cars owner then moved to Brisbane and decided to move in a different direction with his collection.
This fabulous Maserati Merak was sold through Oldtimer Australia to its current owner in February 2022, at which time the odometer read 98,537 miles.
After the current owner acquired the car he ironed out a few post restoration bugs and had the paint work ceramic coated. He has subsequently regularly used and enjoyed the car. It has been taken to various classic car events in and around south east Queensland, where it has been a regular trophy winner. It won the Peoples Choice award at the Lakeside Euro Day in May 2022 and European Sports category at the Noosa Beach Classic Car Show in July 2022 and again in September 2023.
The car was also taken to Auto Italia in Canberra in March 2023 where it was awarded the Chief Judges Choice award.
Today the odometer reads 01,912 miles, so in two years of ownership the car has travelled almost 3,400 miles or 5,600 km.
It is great to see that the car has been driven, but we should point out it presents even better than when we sold it back in 2022!
The Maserati Merak is one of Giorgetto Giugiaros finest pieces of work. The trademark flying buttress softens the look of the car and as a result it carries colour exceptionally well.
The first thing youll notice when you walk up to this car is the colour. It is ORANGE, very ORANGE, however, it is just so seventies and it really suits the car. It shows off the lines perfectly and contrasts well with the painted Campagnolo wheels.
Overall, the first impressions of the car are really good. It presents exceptionally well and the paint has retained a deep gloss and a mirror like smooth finish. Walking around the car we struggled to find any imperfections. There is a small mark in the swage line of the passengers door and a small bubble in the bottom front of the passengers door. You have to kneel down and look closely to see both.
The external trim is minimalistic, however, it is all in very good condition. This includes the bright work, lights/lenses and the glass.
The car sits on its original and unique Campagnolo wheels. The wheels are in very good condition with no kerb rash. They are shod with period correct Michelin XWX tyres, size 205/70/15 which are still in excellent condition. They are date stamped 3815 (week 38, 2015).
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very good looking interior. These early Meraks had the same dashboard as its big bother, the Maserati Bora. The upholstery is relatively fresh and the seats are in very good condition with no sign of any cracks or tears in the leather. They are comfortable and provide plenty of support. The Merak is a token 2+2 and the two rear seats appear to have never been used, other perhaps for an overnight bag. The centre console, door cards and dashboard all presents equally well. The carpets remain plush and are clean. All the instruments are clear and appear to be in good working order.
Under the front bonnet youll find a small boot which is clean and the carpet is in good condition.
The engine bay also presents very well. Everything looks clean, neat and tidy. The space saver spare wheel, running a Pirelli tyre that appears to have never been used, sits in the rear of the engine compartment. It is quite an incredible design that the engine sits so far forward in this 2+2 mid engine sports car! On closer inspection everything in the engine bay looks to be essentially correct.
Our memory from early 2022 was that this car drove really well. After being fettled, then used and enjoyed we were keen to take the car out for a current test drive. The starting procedure is typically Italian car of that era. Turn the ignition on, allow the fuel pump a little bit of time to fill the Weber carburettors, then give the accelerator pedal a few pumps and turn the key to start the car. It fires up easily, even from cold and the fairly quickly settles into a smooth idle.
Out on the road this Maserati Merak is fun to drive. By modern standards it is not fast, but it feels light and nimble on the road. The engine responds quickly to the slightest touch of the accelerator pedal and you often feel like you are travelling faster than you actually are. The Citroen controls are quirky, but once you get used to driving the car it is very rewarding. The gearbox, which should be used to maximise the power band from engine feels precise and direct. The gear changes are smooth both up and down the box. The steering is direct and precise, which coupled with the superb handling ensure that the car feels glued to the road at all times. The brakes are very direct and pull the car up easily and in a straight line.
All too soon our test drive comes to an end and we return the car to our showroom.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few tired Maserati Meraks out there, which can bring no end of problems. Good cars that are sorted, ready to use and enjoy are few and far between.
This car is a very well sorted example of an iconic 70s Italian junior super car which is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
Accompanying the car is a very good history file, various trophies, a car cover, a copy of a parts manual, a copy of a workshop manual and a copy of an owners manual.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD early Merak.
- Beautifully presented example of this iconic Maserati
- Recently restored in its original colour
- Good history file
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $139,950.
Background:
The Maserati story is a fascinating one. It is the story of a family with daring, courageous and forward-thinking ideas. The story starts with Rodolfo Maserati, a railway engineer who was employed by the Italian monarchy and the father of seven sons who all had a passion for engine design and racing cars. The Maserati brothers all became involved in the automotive industry in some way or another, however, it was on the 1st of December 1914 that Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati officially opened Alfieri Maserati Workshop in Bologna, Italy.
Maserati chose the trident logo to adorn its cars. Its design was based on the Fountain of Neptune in Bolognas Piazza Maggiore. The colours chosen for the logo were also the colours of Bologna, red and blue.
The business was focused on repairing, servicing and preparing cars, however, the World War cut business short and it wasnt until 1926 that Maserati built its first car, the Tipo 26.
It was all about motorsport back then and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired ownership of Maserati which was in desperate need of financial backing to be able to survive. During the Orsi years Maserati grew from a boutique but very successful race car builder to one of the worlds leading manufacturers of hand-built sports and GT cars.
Maserati built its first road car in 1946 even though times were tough in post War northern Italy. The car was the Maserati A6 where A was for Alfieri and 6 for the number of cylinders. The initial reception of the car was positive and a production Maserati A6/1500 was then shown at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
This was a significant milestone in the Maserati legend and subsequent models included the A6G/2000, 3500 series cars, 5000GT, Mistral. Quattroporte, Mexico, Sebring and Ghibli. Maserati also continued to build very successful race cars that dominated tracks around the world including the 250F, 300S, 150S, 450S and the Birdcage.
Orsi sold to Citroen in 1968. Soon after, the idea of a two seat mid-engined super car was conceived. It was then in the summer of 1969 the first prototype of Maseratis new car was built. This car was known as Tipo 117 and was ultimately named Bora after a wind from the Northern Adriatic Sea. The car became a reality in relatively short time and it was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971.
Like the Ghibli before it Maseratis new flagship was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, this time for Ital Design. In many ways the Bora was a unique design and its trademark was that its roof and A pillar were finished in brushed stainless steel in contrast the rest of the painted body.
The early seventies were tough time for supercar manufacturers as the oil crisis hit hard, effecting the sales of cars with large displacement engines.
Maseratis answer was the V6 engined Merak.
The Maserati Merak (Tipo 122) was introduced at the 1972 Paris Motor Show and it followed in the footsteps of its big brother the Bora. The models name, chosen by Maseratis commercial director Dominique Drieux, was not a name of a wind and is not to be confused with the Eponymous Indonesian city in Java. It receives its name after a star in the Ursa Major constellation.
Like the Bora, the Maserati Merak was designed by Ital Designs Giorgetto Giugiaro and its ancestry is obvious though there are many subtle but significant differences in the cars design. The Merak is one of Giugiaros finest pieces of work. Whilst based on its big brother the Bora, the Merak doesnt have a full glass fastback, but rather a cabin ending abruptly with a vertical rear window and a flat, horizontal engine cover pierced by four series of ventilation slats. Giugiaro completed the vehicles silhouette by adding open flying buttresses, visually extending the roofline to the tail.
The Merak is a 2+2 though its rear seats are best described as occasional or for an overnight bag or golf clubs only! Its Italian competitors all ran V8 engines, however, Maserati opted to use a longitudinally mounted 2,965cc V6 engine that had its roots in the Citroen SM. Given the company was owned by Citroen at the time it is not surprising that a number of Citroen components were used, including the engine as well as Citroens hydraulic systems and much of the interior.
Maserati built some fabulous cars during Citroens ownership (including the Indy, Bora, Merak and Khamsin), however, times were tough and the company struggled financially. Citroen placed Maserati into liquidation in May 1975 and it was ultimately saved by the Italian government and Alejandro de Tomaso took control shortly thereafter.
Interestingly when Alejandro de Tomaso acquired Maserati the Merak underwent a make over of its interior which was well received at the time. In addition to the standard Merak, Maserati brought out the Merak SS in 1976 which was lighter and had a more powerful engine and also the Merak 2000 in 1977 specifically for the Italian market which imposed a heavy tax on cars with engines greater than 2,000cc capacity.
The Merak was one of the seventies junior supercars, much like Lamborghinis Urraco and Ferraris 308 GT/4, that was going to tackle Porsche head one and be sold in significant quantities to underpin the cash flow of the company during the oil crisis.
The formula made good sense and Maserati enjoyed much success with its Merak and 1,820 examples were built in a twelve year period from 1972 to 1983.

1974 MASERATI MERAK

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this rather unique 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Coupe.
According to the factory records on file this long chassis New Phantom was off test in October 1925 and delivered with Barker limousine coachwork to its first owner Mr WC Christie in December that year.
The build sheets confirm that this Phantom retains its original matching numbers engine.
The car found its way to Australia in the 1930s and into the ownership of RC Cleland from Melbourne who had the car rebodied. It is understood the stylish two door coachwork was completed by Martin and King. The car was repossessed in 1936 and sold to singer songwriter Peter Dawson in 1937. Dawson owned the Phantom until 1939 and it then passed through a few owners before being acquired by Harry Beenham from Sydney. Beenham was to be a long term owner of the car, owning it from 1943 to 1984. The car then passed through two subsequent owners before being acquired by the current owner at a Shannons auction in August 2015.
It is important to note that the engine was rebuilt by Sydney Vintage Car Restorations back in 2007 and the work included a new cylinder head with new valves, springs and seats as well as all new pistons, rings and bearings. At that time the odometer read 8,218 miles.
The current owner has spent significant time and money improving the car throughout his ownership. The car is well known in Rolls-Royce club circles and it is a regular attendee at major rallies. It is also documented in the book Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the Sunburnt Country by Tom Clarke & David Neely.
Today this grand old lady presents and drives well. The overall presentation of the car is very good. The dark red over black paintwork is generally in good condition. There are minor defects and blemishes here and there, but the wear is simply consistent with a car that gets used and enjoyed. All of the brightwork and particularly the signature Rolls-Royce grill, the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot and the headlamps are in very good condition.
The black wire wheels are in good condition and finish the overall presentation of the car. They are shod with Firestone 650-20 tyres all around that were fitted in April 2019. The spare tyres were not replaced at that time.
You will note from the photos the car is carrying a lovely period trunk at the rear, which is in excellent condition and perfectly finishes the presentation of the car.
The doors fit well and are firm on their hinges. As a result they open and close as you would expect from a car of this quality.
Inside the cabin of this Phantom everything is neat, clean and tidy. The black upholstery is in excellent condition with no signs of wear or damage. The seats are very comfortable and provide ample support. An over mat has been fixed in the front of the car which can easily be removed. The front seats tilt forward to allow access to the rear of the cabin. Once in the back there is ample room for three passengers. This Phantom has a timber dash and timber door trims which are in excellent condition. The instruments and controls on these cars are a real feature and they present well on this car.
This Phantom is a car that you can jump into and drive anywhere. Once you get the hang of the starting procedure it is relatively straight forward to start the car. Whether the engine is cold or hot this car always starts on the first push of the starter button. The engine sounds exactly as it should and immediately settles into that smooth Rolls-Royce idle. This car is made for the open road and it effortlessly cruises at highway speed and will keep up with modern traffic. The non synchro gearbox takes some getting used to, but once you master its operation the driving experience is quite rewarding. The engine has so much power and torque that you can be quite lazy with the gear changes, but that is not really in the spirit of driving this fabulous old car.
To improve the driving experience this car has been fitted with speed sensitive power steering and overdrive.
The current owner loves to drive his cars and this Phantom has travelled some 4,500 miles in his nine years of ownership. He has therefore made sure that the car is always on the button and ready for its next adventure. At the time of photographing the car, the odometer read 3,474 miles.
There is an exceptional history file, including copies of the original build sheets and tool kit which will accompany the car.
Highlights:
- A lovely Phantom with unique two door coachwork.
- Fascinating history dating back to 1925.
- A fantastic car to use for rallies and events.
- Fitted with power steering and overdrive.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $139,950.
Details:
The legend that was to become Rolls-Royce was founded in May 1904 when a deal was struck between Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls. Shortly after the first Rolls-Royce motor car, the Rolls-Royce 10hp, was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in December 1904. It was agreed that Rolls Royce would initially manufacture four different models being a two cylinder 10hp model, a three cylinder 15hp model, a four cylinder 20hp model and a six cylinder 20hp model. It was immediately apparent that to manufacture their cars Rolls Royce would require a larger factory and the decision was made to establish their headquarters and manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Derby in the east midlands of England.
On the 15th March 1906 the company Rolls-Royce Limited was formed and during this year Royce had been developing an improved six-cylinder model with more power than the 30hp. Initially designated the 40/50hp, this was the companys first all-new model that was also to become known as the Silver Ghost.
Introduced in 1907, the 40/50hp or Silver Ghost remained in production until 1926. Originally powered by a 7,036cc six-cylinder engine, this was increased to 7,428cc in 1909 and following rave reviews was designated by the English car magazine Autocar as the best car in the world.
Like all car manufacturers Rolls-Royce was impacted by the First World War, however, post war the company made a strategic decision to manufacture a cheaper smaller car, enter the Rolls-Royce 20hp. This model was a success and produced alongside the Silver Ghost and its successor the Phantom ensuring the Rolls-Royce motor car company would survive and prosper.
In 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired the Bentley motor car company.
The Silver Ghost was an outstanding success and unbelievably a total of 7,874 cars were produced from 1907 to 1926 and it is understood that some 200 cars were sold new in Australia. A hard act to follow indeed, enter in 1925 the Rolls-Royce New Phantom known later as the Phantom 1. Although using the same chassis as the Silver Ghost the Phantom featured a new 7,668cc six cylinder engine.
Like its predecessor, the Phantom was bodied by a number of different coach builders including Barker, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner, Hooper and others in the UK. In addition to building the Phantom at their plant in Derby, England, Rolls-Royce set up a manufacturing facility in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the United States of America to capitalise on the booming American market. The American built cars were mostly bodied by Brewster & Co and Fleetwood.
In total 3,509 Rolls-Royce Phantoms were built from 1925 to 1929, comprising 2,269 chassis built in the UK and 1,240 chassis built in the USA.
In 1929 Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom II, which was powered by a refined version of the engine used in its predecessor, built on an entirely new chassis. Gearbox improvements, including synchromesh, were added as the Phantom II evolved. In total 1,681 chassis were built through the six years of Phantom II production from 1929 through until 1935.
The Phantom III was introduced in 1936 and was the last of the big engined prewar Rolls-Royces. This model introduced the 7,338cc V12 engine and a number of other technological advancements at that time. These were very complicated motor cars. Only 727 Phantom III chassis were built from 1936 through to 1939.

1925 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I Coupe

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this 1974 Lamborghini Uracco P250.
According to the Lamborghini factory records, this car was completed on the 2nd May 1974. This factory right hand drive example was fitted with factory air conditioning and delivered new to the UK. The car was originally giallo (yellow paint code 2469019) with a nero (black) interior.
The early history of this car is not known, though it is understood to have come to Australia early in its life.
A long term Sydney owner, who originally found the car advertised in Unique Cars magazine, commissioned Lamborghini specialist Henry Nehrybecki to give the car a more aggressive look, similar to a Lamborghini Silhouette.
The template for the wheel arches was taken from a Lamborghini Silhouette and made from sheet metal. This work was completed by Graham Watson from Ralt Australia. Nehrybecki fabricated the front spoiler, custom alloy grill, front and rear bumpers, the three piece wheels and modified the front suspension. The car was painted by Con Papoulis from Hi Tech Paintshop. A that time the colour was changed to dark metallic blue. It is understood that this work was completed in c1997.
The project took approximately 9 months from start to finish.
The car was featured in Issue 17, the April June 1998 Lamborghini Club of Australia magazine The Bulls Roar.
The car changed hands and remained with its then owner from Glenmore Park in Sydney, NSW through until November 2008. At that time the car was registered with the personalised plates CRETE1.
The cars new owner was from Hornsby in Sydney, NSW and at the time he acquired the car the odometer read 75,703 miles. It was then registered in NSW as AW99RR. In his ownership the car was serviced and maintained by Eagle and Raymond Automotive in Asquith, NSW. There are several invoices on file documenting the service history of the car.
The car then found its way to the Gosford Classic Car Museum where it was displayed before being acquired by the current owner in July 2017. At that time the odometer read 81,982 miles.
Since then it has had a mechanical refresh which included a new clutch, suspension rebuild, gearbox rebuild, replacing the head gasket and other miscellaneous works by classic Lamborghini specialist Sports and Classic Car Services in Braeside, Victoria. The car has only travelled c2,000 miles since the majority of that work was completed.
The most recent annual service was executed on 1st July 2022 and at that time the odometer read 83,833 and in April 2024 the carburettors were cleaned and rebuild by Classic Fix in Brisbane.
Today the odometer reads 83,987 miles.
This Lamborghini Urraco certainly has a presence about it. The flared wheel arches, front spoiler and aftermarket wheels give the car a very aggressive stance. The dark metallic blue colour really suits the car. Overall, the paint is still in a good condition having retained a strong depth of colour and a high gloss finish. Up close you will see a few imperfections, consistent with an older repaint and with a car that has been used occasionally. The most noticeable defects are a chip on the B pillar on the drivers side about half way up and a few scratches on the front of the car, most likely caused by the bonnet stand. There is also some gravel rash evident on the front of the rear flared wheel arches and some small stone chips on the front spoiler. The louvered engine cover and the louvers on the side of the car have been finished in black and are in good condition.
Besides the window frames and badges there really isnt much bright work on a Lamborghini Urraco. The frames and badges, along with the lights, lenses and the glass are well presented and in good condition.
The Silhouette style wheels are in very good condition with no evidence of any curb rash. The centre caps are faded and replacing these would lift the presentation of the car. The wheels are shod with Toyo Proxes T1R tyres, 205/45 ZR16 at the front and 245/45 ZR16 at the rear. The front tyres are date stamped 0910 (week 9, 2010) and the rear tyres are date stamped 3718 (week 37, 2018). The front tyres, whilst they still appear to be in good condition, should be replaced based on age.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a sharp looking interior. First impressions are good. The grey upholstery provides a perfect colour contrast with the blue exterior. The seats are in a good condition and provide ample support. The centre section of the front and rear seats have been upholstered with a velour style fabric. On the front seats the fabric has started to slightly stretch, though there are no rips or tears. The rear seats have probably never been used since the car was retrimmed. The car is fitted with an aftermarket steering wheel in a matching colour. All the instruments present well. They are clear and appear to be in good working order. The dashboard itself also presents well with no marks or discoloration evident. We did notice that the headlining has a few marks and could use a little bit of attention.
One of the previous owners must have been short as the front seats have been raised to provide a more comfortable driving position (for a smaller person). To suit a driver of average size or above, both seats would need to be lowered.
These baby bulls are underrated and great fun to drive. It was a wet week in Brisbane and when we finally got a break in the weather, it was with great anticipation that we got to take this Urraco out for our test drive and photo shoot.
The Weber carburettors on these early Lamborghinis are thirsty and require plenty of fuel to start the car. The correct starting procedure is to turn the ignition on, let the fuel pump do its work for at least twenty seconds, then give the accelerator pedal a few pumps, then turn the key further to start the car. If you follow these steps the engine will burst to life with relative ease. The sound is fantastic and these little V8s make a growl like no other!
These cars always feel a little stiff to start. But as everything warms up properly the car becomes better and easier to drive. This is most noticeable with the gear changes which become an absolute delight once the gearbox is warm. The engine revs freely through the rev range and the car has plenty of power on tap. The car handles well and feels incredibly stable on the road. There is an occasional knock from the front suspension which we are currently investigating. The brakes work well and they pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
This Lamborghini Urraco P250 is a delightful junior super car. It is a real joy to drive and we think a great alternative to the more ubiquitous Ferrari 308 GT/4, Maserati Merak or Porsche 911.
You wont win the concours with this car and it may not appeal to the purist, but we think it is rather cool. It will most certainly turn heads and make an impression wherever it goes.
Accompanying the car is a good history file with a copy of an owners manual, the original and often missing Lamborghini libretto di assistenza e garanzia (service and warranty booklet) and some historical documentation and service records.
The spare wheel is missing.
Highlights:
- Factory RHD example.
- Good history file with original service book.
- Not your average Urraco P250!
- Recent mechanical work.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $114,950.
Background:
The Lamborghini story is fascinating in itself, but for the company to have survived all these years and indeed celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013 is quite amazing. Ferruccio Lamborghini was an entrepreneur, a very successful businessman and a lover of the finer things in life, including sports cars. He was fortunate enough to own some wonderful cars including Ferraris however, he found fault with them all. According to the legend following a meeting with Enzo Ferrari to discuss some of the short comings of his cars Enzo dismissed Ferruccio and he subsequently decided that he could build a better car.
Not long after, in May 1963, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SPA was established and the small town of SantAgata Bolognese, located between Modena and Bologna, was chosen as the location to build the factory. Born under the Zodiac sign Taurus Lamborghini chose the raging bull as the emblem for his sports cars.
Lamborghini knew what he wanted and he put together a highly skilled team. His first car the 350 GTV was shown at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963. This car received mixed reviews; however, Lamborghini was not deterred and made a number of improvements and design changes to the original concept. The first Lamborghini production car the 350 GT left the factory in mid-1964.
The 350 GT evolved into the 400 GT 2+2 and later the Islero. In parallel to building these classic front engine V12 GT cars Lamborghini wanted to build a super car, enter the Miura first shown as a rolling chassis in 1965, and also a GT car that could comfortably seat four people, enter the Espada in 1968. The mid to late sixties were good times for Lamborghini and his cars were revered the world over.
In 1970 the Islero was replaced by the Jarama. Lamborghini also wanted to enter the junior supercar market and introduced the Urraco or little bull, named for the fighting bull which killed the toreador Manoleten, at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. The Urraco attracted huge interest from the motoring world and Bertones classic wedge shape received critical acclaim at the time.
It wasnt until some two years later, in 1972, that the first production cars rolled off the Sant Agata production line. Lamborghini hoped to build the Urraco in big numbers, however, this never eventuated and only 520 of the P250s were built up until 1975 when the P300 was released. The world economy changed quickly and the early 1970s were a tough time for Lamborghini. Additionally, the Urraco had some teething problems early on and the car unfortunately developed a reputation as unreliable. This was perhaps unfair as once Lamborghini ironed out the bugs the car was in fact a little gem and properly sorted was a genuine threat to Ferraris 308, Maseratis Merak and the Porsche 911 of the day. The Urraco P300 was indeed a fabulous little car and in Sports Car World magazine July September 1976 Mel Nichols wrote: . . . I was not hard pressed to conclude that the Urraco 3-litre is the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. In the October 1978 issue of Car Magazine Nichols pits the Lamborghini Urracoagainst a Ferrari 308 GTB and a Maserati Merak SS. The article is compelling reading and Nichols picks the Urraco as his favourite.
Only 205 Urraco P300s were built. Lamborghini also built 66 Urraco P200s (with a 2 litre V8 engine) specifically for the Italian market.

1974 LAMBORGHINI URRACO P250

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this very original 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. This car is an incredible time capsule.
The Wagenkarte (data card) and Lieferschein (delivery order) on file confirm that this car was ordered new in the UK late 1959 and left the factory on the 27th May 1960. It was then sent to Mercedes-Benz Great Britain in Brentford, Middlesex. This is a factory right hand drive example and the chassis, engine and gearbox numbers all match the data card.
The car was ordered in blue grey (paint code DB166) with a blue interior, a colour combination the car still carries today. The data card also confirms this is a model 121.042 which means the car left the factory as a soft top convertible.
It is understood the car was delivered to R.W Sloley from Bramshaw and was first registered in the UK on 23rd June 1960. A note in the workshop manual accompanying the car suggests the car was initially registered as 326 PPJ and that was then changed on 1st June 1961 to AWH 40.
Incredibly, Sloley owned this 190 SL for more than forty years! He sold the car to Neal Bromley from Pangbourne which is near Reading in the UK, in October 2002.
The car retained the UK registration AWH 40 until it was acquired by its current Brisbane based owner in October 2005.
It is understood Bromley started restoring the car. A significant amount of mechanical work, including an engine rebuild, as well electricals had been done when he sold the car to the current owner. The body work and the interior were still original. There is an invoice on file from Roger Edwards (Motors) dated 5th September 2003 for specialist work to the cylinder head. At that time the odometer read 74,834 miles.
After acquiring the car, the current owner imported it into Australia in 2006. There is an import approval on file dated 9th November 2005. On the 8th May 2006 a Queensland compliance inspection was done on the car.
On 19th of May 2006 Three Point Classic at Mount Gravatt serviced the car and performed a roadworthy inspection. At that time the odometer read 75,740 miles. The car was subsequently registered.
In August 2006 Three Point Classic replaced the clutch and fitted a new thermostat. In September 2006 the brake shoes were replaced.
In August 2008 Three Point Classic discovered the car had coolant in the oil and rectified that problem. Unfortunately, the cylinder head had been damaged and it was not viable to have it repaired. A replacement cylinder head was sourced and installed. At that time the odometer read 78,028 miles.
From 2014 onwards the car has been regularly serviced and maintained by BenzKraft in Rocklea. They fitted electronic ignition in 2015, replaced the flex disc in 2016, replaced gearbox and differential seals in 2016, serviced the brakes in 2021, replaced the right hand tie rod in 2022, repaired the starter motor and replaced the clutch in 2023. The starter motor was replaced in March 2024.
Today the odometer reads 82,715 miles.
The current owner loved the originality and patina of his 190 SL and he wanted to use and enjoy the car exactly as it was. He wanted to preserve that originality and had no interest in restoring the car. As a result this car can be best described as an incredible time capsule.
The paint may well be original and ii is still in a reasonably good condition. From a meter away the car presents really well. Upon closer inspection there are some stone chips and other small defects present consistent with a car that has been used and enjoyed as its makers intended. The car is after all 64 years young!
The bright work on the car is in similar condition. All the lights and lenses are in good condition.
The body is straight and all the panel gaps are good. Despite having lived in the UK for most of its life this car is solid underneath with no evidence of any significant corrosion. The condition of the underside of the car is totally consistent with an original car that has been very well cared for. There is only very light surface corrosion evident here and there. The car presents more consistently with it having lived in Broken Hill all of its life!
The wheels are shod with Marshall Steel Radial KR11 tyres, size 175/80 R13 which are date stamped 3501 (week 35, 2001). Whilst the tyres are still in a good condition they should be replaced based on age. The car retains all four hub caps which are in good condition.
The soft top on the car is most likely original and due for replacement. A new soft top will be supplied with the car.
The interior is also most likely original. The seats are still comfortable and the vinyl is in a good condition except for a tear in the base of the drivers seat as can be seen in the photos. The door cards and the dash are all in very good condition. The carpet in both foot wells is missing and replaced by rubber mats. The rest of the carpet is most likely original and worn. The steering wheel shows some discolouration. On our test drive all the instruments were working with the exception of the temperature gauge.
The car drives exactly as you would expect from a well maintained early 1960s Mercedes-Benz. It just goes about its business in that typical Germanic way. The engine pulls strongly and the gearbox is smooth both up and down the box. The brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line if required.
A Mercedes-Benz 190 SL can be best described as a very stylish, sophisticated and comfortable cruiser and despite being almost 65 years old this car easily keeps up with modern traffic.
Accompanying the car is a hard top, a spare wheel, a tool kit, a good history file, a workshop manual, an owners manual and a parts catalogue. There is also a new soft top.
As they say, a car can only be original once and it would be nice to think that the new owner of this majestic old Benz may well continue to preserve its originality. Alternatively, this car is a perfect candidate for its next owner to embark on a concous standard nut and bolt restoration. The choice is yours!
Highlights:
Honest, mostly original example of an iconic German sports car.
Fabulous original colour.
Matching numbers.
Good history file.
Use and enjoy as is or restore.
Price: $189,950
Background:
Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Europes car industry was decimated. In Germany both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post-war, however, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924, the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes-Benz was born!
Subsequently, Mercedes-Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The cars from Stuttgart bearing the three-pointed star all had one thing in common . . . they were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.
In the 1950s Mercedes Benz produced one of the greatest cars of all time the iconic 300SL Gullwing and 300SL Coupe. Whilst fabulous cars, they were very expensive and generally sold to the rich and famous. Mercedes wanted to build a sporting luxury car that still looked classical in the mould of the 300SL, but it had to be affordable and the plan was to build such a car in far greater numbers than the exclusive 300SLs. Enter the Type W121 or 190SL as it became known in the mid 1950s. This model was an outstanding success and circa 25,000 cars were built over the next 8 years of production. The formula worked and Mercedes Benz carried it on with great success in the 1960s with the Type W113 230SL/250SL/280SL models. This evolved into the Type R107/C107 280SL(C)/350SL(C)/380SL(C)/450SL(C) models built throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Mercedes-Benz marketed the 190SL as . . . as sports car for all seasons.
To quote their website:
. . . Sporting elegance, safety and comfort - with these qualities the 190 SL conquered a whole new circle of enthusiastic fans of dynamic driving. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the prototype of the 190 SL (W 121) at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954, alongside the production version of the 300 SL Gullwing. Although the two-seater roadster with folding soft top stirred passions, it was to undergo a further thorough revision by the Mercedes-Benz designers - known at the time as stylists.
In March 1955, a full year after the New York premiere, the production version went on display at the Geneva Motor Show. Like its elder brother, the spectacular 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL rapidly became one of the most coveted dream cars of its day. Although less powerful than the 300 SL, it generated no less excitement and opened up the SL legend to a wider circle of customers. By 1963 sales had totalled 25,881 units.
And even long distance drives were enjoyable thanks to the comfortable suspension. The handsome sports car for all occasions was particularly popular among female drivers, who appreciated not only the sporting elegance of its design, but also the open-air feeling that came as standard. With its easy to operate soft top and optionally available coupé hardtop, the 190 SL was the first SL to combine the possibility of open top driving with absolute all weather capability.

1960 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

1985 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 3.2 Targa

1978 LAMBORGHINI SILHOUETTE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this lovely factory right hand drive 1968 Triumph TR5 PI.
The Heritage Certificate on file confirms this car was built on the 14th March 1968 with a date of despatch of the 29th March 1968. The car was sold through Lambs Limited, Woodford Green, UK. The car was delivered to its first owner with the following options fitted: heater, wire wheels, Jasmine hard top and 165x15 SP41 tyres.
The Heritage Certificate confirms that this car was originally delivered in jasmine (primrose yellow) with black upholstery. It also confirms the car retains its original engine.
The early history of this car is not known but it must have come to Australia fairly early in its life. The documentation on file confirms this TR5 to be a long term Perth car. The history file starts in 1986 when on the 1st April 1986 Edward Podolski acquired the car from Lynda Kostera. At that time the car was registered as 6LW967. Podolski only kept the car for a few months before selling it on the 13th October 1986 to Richard Lindsay, The car was then sold through Alf Barbagallo Motoring Excellence in Osborne Park to Ian Barrett on the 29th December 1990.
Barrett was to be a long term custodian of this TR5 and he kept it for the next 25 years. At the end of 2001 he engaged Motormend - The Triumph Centre in Perth to repaint the car. In 2004 Motormend replaced the original gearbox with a 5-speed Toyota Supra gearbox. At the same time the starter motor was overhauled. When all this work was done the odometer read 02,867 miles.
Barrett sold his beloved TR5 in January 2016 to Barry Ogston from Rockingham. In June 2016 he had Motormend install a surrey top. In February 2017 he had a custom stainless steel exhaust system installed and in March 2018 he had the seats rebuilt and retrimmed in leather.
The current owner, who lives in northern NSW near Newcastle, acquired the car from Barrett in July 2020.
In his ownership the engine has been completely rebuilt in December 2023 by British car specialists Moxham Garage in Wyong, NSW. At that time the engine bay was also repainted.
Incredibly, it has been 23 years since this car was repainted and in that time the car has travelled some 25,000 miles. Today the paint on this TR5 presents exceptionally well, which is credit to the quality of the repaint carried out all those years ago. It has retained a strong depth of colour and a smooth, deep gloss finish. On closer inspection there are a few minor defects here and there, but the overall condition belies the fact this car was repainted many years ago.
The bright work is generally in a good condition. The bumpers, grill and the headlight surrounds present well. The indicator surrounds, the badges and the door handles show some very minor pitting.
The chrome wire wheels are in excellent condition with no curb rash. They are shod with Maxxis 185/65/15 tyres all around, which are date stamped 4508 (week 45, 2008). Whilst the tyres are still in good condition, they should probably be replaced based on age. From the photos it looks like the car is running white wall tyres, but it is not. The wheels actually have a white ring fitted, which gives the appearance of white wall tyres.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a fresh, really smart interior. The seats, which have been retrimmed some 6 years ago, present well and there are no rips or tears in the leather. The dashboard presents well and the instruments are all clear and appear to be in good working order, with the exception of the speedo which is not accurate. It most likely has not been recalibrated when the 5-speed gearbox was installed. There is, however, a digital speedo with a heads up display installed on top of the dashboard which looks to read correctly. The car is fitted with aftermarket steering wheel, which is slightly smaller in diameter than the original. This is in excellent condition, looks great and feels just right when driving the car. Behind the seats youll find a carpeted storage area with two after market speakers. Throughout the cabin all the carpets are in good condition. The same can be said for the door cards.
Under the bonnet everything looks neat, clean and tidy which is no surprise given the recent engine rebuild and engine bay repaint.  In the boot everything is also similarly presented. There is a spare chrome wire wheel which is also shod with a Maxxis 185/65/15 tyre.
Theres no doubt this TR5 is a goodn! It presents beautifully and after a recent test drive we can confirm that it also drives really well.
The car starts easily, even from cold and only requires a little bit of choke to start.  The engine quickly settles into a smooth idle. That raspy exhaust note is just right, which just teases the driver to get moving!
We were curious to see how well the five-speed gearbox would suit the car and we were not disappointed. In short, it is fabulous and improves the drivability of the car.  The gear changes are easy and really smooth. The engine has plenty of power on tap and just the car just wants to go. It accelerates quickly throughout the gears and all too easily you are well and truly exceeding the speed limit!  At the same time the car feels very solid and predictable on the road. The suspension is firm, yet it easily absorbs minor bumps in the road. When needed the brakes pull the car up easily and in a straight line.
The current owner has ticked a bucket list and thoroughly enjoyed his time with this quintessential British sports car.
Over the years we have sold quite a few TR5s and none drive any better than this car. It is one of those cars that you can just jump in to use and enjoy. You wont win the concours, but this TR5 is beautifully presented and drives every bit as good as it looks.
Accompanying the car is spare wheel, a Heritage Certificate and a very good history file.
Today the odometer reads 27,087 miles.
Highlights:
- A well presented example of a quintessential British sports car.
- A fabulous driving car.
- Upgraded with Toyota Supra 5-speed gearbox.
- Matching numbers engine and chassis
- Recent engine rebuild.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $94,950.
Background:
In 1885 Siegfried Bettmann, a German living in London, founded S. Bettmann & Co and started importing bicycles from Europe. Initially, he was selling them under his own trade name, however, in 1886 the name changed to Triumph. In 1897 the company was renamed as the Triumph Cycle Co Ltd and in 1902 the company started producing motor cycles at their factory in Coventry. Business was booming, thanks to big orders from the British Army which needed motor cycles during the First World War and by 1918 Triumph had become Britains largest manufacturer of motor cycles.
In 1921 Bettmann acquired the assets of the defunct Dawson Car Company and started producing cars. The first car to wear the Triumph name was the Triumph 10/20. This car and its immediate successors were only produced in small numbers, however, that all changed with the introduction of the Triumph Super 7 in 1927. This car was a success and it was sold in large numbers through until 1934.
In 1930 the name of the company was officially changed to the Triumph Motor Company. Times were tough and Triumph was struggling to compete with larger car companies. The company started having financial problems and in 1936 the bicycle and motorcycle business were sold to Jack Sangster of Arial. In 1939 the Triumph Motor Company went into receivership and the factory, equipment and goodwill were offered for sale. They were sold, but the Second World War stopped production and the Triumph factory was completely destroyed by bombing in 1940.
After the Second World War, what was left of the Triumph Motor Company and the trade name were purchased by the Standard Motor Company. In 1946 the first new Triumph, the 1800 Roadster, was released to directly compete with Jaguar. In 1950 the company decided to use the Triumph name for all sports models and the Standard name for saloon cars. History now says that this was a strategically brilliant move as it signalled the birth of the Triumph TR series cars.
The TR series Triumphs stand as iconic British sports cars that are well known and loved by enthusiasts all over the world. It started back in 1952 when the Triumph 20TS, a prototype sports car which later became known as the TR1, was shown at the London Motor Show. Reactions were mixed, however, Triumph thought they were on to a good thing and the prototype evolved into the TR2 that was subsequently shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953. Triumph built over 8,500 of these 1991cc 4 cylinder sports cars from 1953 - 1955 and as they say the rest was history. The model evolved into the TR3 (produced from 1955 - 1962), the TR4 (built from 1961 - 1965), the TR4A (built from 1965 - 1967), the TR5 (built from 1967 - 1968) and ultimately the TR6 (1969 - 1976). Subsequent TR models were interesting cars, but its fair to say the evolution of the TR2 finished at the TR6.
Perhaps the most interesting and certainly the rarest of all of the TR production cars is the TR5 with only 2,947 cars built. The most significant change from the TR4 was the introduction of a 6-cylinder 2.5 litre fuel injected engine that boasted an impressive 150 bhp that could propel the car from 0 50 mph (80 km/hr) in just over six seconds and a top speed of just under 120 mph (200 km/hr).
Today the TR5 remains the most sought after and collectible of the TR series cars.

1968 TRIUMPH TR5 PI

1960 Goggomobil Dart Restoration Projects

GOGGOMOBIL DART

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1955 factory right hand drive Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) split screen 23 window De Luxe Microbus, otherwise known as a Samba or Kombi.
The Zertifikat on file from Stiftung Automuseum Volkswagen dated 1st September 2011 confirms this is a factory right hand drive model 244 VW De Luxe Microbus. It was built on 11th March 1955 and left the factory on 18th March 1955. It was delivered to Volkswagen dealer Kemsley in London, UK. The certificate also tells us it was delivered with the following options: sealed-beam headlamps (M011), towing hooks front and rear (M029), Westfalia camping equipment (M108) and Safari windscreens (M113).
At some stage this Kombi found its way to Australia. It is not known exactly when it was imported, but the Department of Transport has confirmed this must have been prior to 1989.
There are receipts on file from the early 1990s indicating its then owner initially lived in Seymour, Victoria before moving to Brisbane mid 1990s. The car was sold in 2001 to its next Brisbane based owner. The current owner, who is also Brisbane based, acquired the car in October 2004. At that time it was painted in green and white. The odometer read 13, 354 miles.
The car was used and enjoyed through until 2010, at which time its owner decided to return his Kombi back to its former glory. He enlisted the services of Das Resto Haus on the Gold Coast for the restoration. The owner wanted to return the car to its original colour scheme of Chestnut Brown (Code: L73) over Sealing Wax Red (Code: L53).
The owner opted to make some upgrades to the Kombi to make it a more usable classic. The engine was replaced with a new 1, 654 cc engine of the correct type. The rear suspension was upgraded to an independent rear suspension setup and the original drum brakes were replaced with disc brakes.
All the body work was completed around June 2012 after which the Kombi was repainted. The interior was retrimmed in correct light brown vinyl. The owner also managed to find the very rare foldable left seat to complete the interior.
There is a thick file of invoices on file documenting most of the work done.
It has now been just over 10 years since this Kombi was restored, however, it has been well cared for and today it still presents very well. From a meter away the paint work looks magnificent, however, when you get closer to the car you will notice some orange peel in the paint. This is mainly below the swage line and most noticeable on the drivers side of the car. There are no significant stone chips or other imperfections. All the panel gaps are very good.
The external trim is minimalistic, but presents well. The glass (of which there is plenty!) is in good condition and, with the exception of the two front windows, appears to be all original.
The steel wheels are shod with Coker Classic tyres, size 165R15, date stamped 2313 (week 23, 2013). They appear to have hardly been used but probably should be replaced based on age if one would consider doing some serious driving.
A cool detail on these early Kombis are the semaphores. They are operational, however, for safety the current owner has installed additional indicators which are discretely positioned underneath the bumpers front and rear.
Open the door and it immediately becomes obvious that this Kombi has been sparingly used since it was restored. Everything still presents like it would have done 10 years ago and there is hardly any sign of usage. The front seats present well and provide ample support. The back seats present equally well and it appears as if they have never been used. The carpets are in excellent condition. All the instruments in the dashboard present well and appear to be in good working order. There is an aftermarket RetroSound radio fitted.
After getting comfortable behind the steering wheel, we make ourselves familiar with the very basic controls in preparation for our test drive.
The car starts easily even from cold and quickly settles into a smooth idle with that familiar Volkswagen sound from its air-cooled engine.
There is something about this car, it is just cool and we are genuinely excited to see how it performs on the open road. After allowing the engine to warm up, we move the gear lever to select first gear and off we go. For someone not familiar with a Kombi, the driving position takes a little bit of getting used to as you are basically sitting on top of the front wheels! As a result, driving around a corner feels a little bit weird initially. You get the feeling you are turning too late to make the corner, yet you do so easily.
This Kombi just wants to go! The engine revs freely and there is enough power on tap to easily keep up with modern day traffic. The gearbox is smooth both up and down the box. The upgraded brakes stop the car quickly and in a straight line when required. With the 23 windows it is needless to say the visibility is good all around. It also makes the Kombi feel spacious and bigger than it actually is.
Today the odometer reads 65, 631 miles.
In recent years these Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) split screen 23 window De Luxe Microbus (otherwise known as Sambas or Kombis) have become highly collectable. These early cars are extremely rare and the ones to have, particularly in right hand drive.
This particular example ticks a lot of boxes and can be used and enjoyed as is or taken to the next level by rectifying the paint issues.
This Kombi would be a perfect beach house car and would turn plenty of heads at any cars and coffee!
The Volkswagen club scene is very active in Australia and this Kombi would definitely be a welcome sight at any of their events
Highlights:
- Factory right hand drive early 23 window Microbus
- Original colour combination
- Sympathetically upgraded
- Ready to use and enjoy or take it up to the next level.
Price $229,950
Background:
In the early 1930s cars were a luxury. Most Germans could afford nothing more elaborate than a motorcycle. Only one German out of 50 owned a car. Seeking a potential new market, some car makers began independent peoples car projects, such as the Mercedes 170H, Adler Autobahn, Steyr 55, and Hanomag 1. 3L.
The trend was not new. Béla Barényi, an Austro-Hungarian engineer is credited with having conceived the first basic design in the mid-1920s. In Germany, Hanomag produced the 2/ 10PS Kommisbrot a small, cheap, rear-engined car from 1925 1928 and Czechoslovakia produced the popular Tatra 7. Ferdinand Porsche had been trying for years to get a manufacturer interested in a small car suitable for a family. He built a car named the Volksauto from the ground up in 1933, using many popular ideas and several of his own. Key features of the car were an air-cooled rear engine, torsion bar suspension, and a beetle shape with the front hood rounded for better aerodynamics (necessary as it had a small engine).
In 1934 Adolf Hitler became involved. He ordered the production of a basic vehicle that needed to be able to transport 2 adults and 3 children at 100km/ h. He wanted all Germans to have access to a car. The peoples car would be available at 990 Reichsmark. A special savings plan was introduced. A person could save 5 Reichsmark a week to realise their dream of owning their own car. Over 300, 000 people participated in this savings plan, however, the whole project was financially unsound. No private industry was able to meet the requirements and produce a car that could be sold for 990 Reichsmark.
On the 28th May 1937 the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens GmbH (Company for the Preparation of the German Volkswagen Ltd) was formally established by the German Labour Front and in 1938 the first prototypes of the KdF-Wagen (Kraft durch Freude) started to appear. On 16th September 1938 the company was renamed Volkswagenwerk GmbH and the company built its main plant in KdF-Stadt which later became Wolfsburg.
The outbreak of the Second World War and integration into the arms industry prevented mass production of the Volkswagen peoples car. Instead, military vehicles and other armaments were produced using forced labour.
In April 1945, KdF-Stadt and its heavily bombed factory were captured by the Americans, and subsequently handed over to the British, within whose occupation zone the town and factory fell. The factories were placed under the control of Saddleworth born British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst, by then a civilian Military Governor with the occupying forces.
One of the factorys wartime KdF-Wagen cars had been taken to the factory for repairs and abandoned there. Hirst had it repainted green and demonstrated it to British Army headquarters. Short of light transport, in September 1945, the British Army was persuaded to place a vital order for 20, 000 cars. The rest as they say is history. The Volkswagen or VW Beetle was born.
In 1946 Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon visited the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg with the intention to purchase Beetles for import into the Netherlands. During this visit he saw an improvised vehicle based on the Beetle chassis being used to transport materials around the factory, a Plattenwagen. That made him think and he came up with a sketch of what became the Type 2 Volkswagen. That sketch, dated 23 April 1947, can today be found in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Volkswagen liked the idea, however; the Volkswagen factory was at capacity producing Beetles. Eventually, the Type 2 was approved for production on 19th May 1949 and the first example rolled off the production line on 12th November 1949. The rest as they say is history. The Volkswagen Bus, otherwise known as Microbus, Transporter, Samba or Kombi depending on the body style and market, became very popular all around the world and is still produced today.

1955 VOLKSWAGEN SAMBA Type 2 (T1) 23 Window De Luxe Microbus

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a lovely 1922 Packard Single Six Model 126 Sport Tourer.
The early history of this car is not known. It is understood to have been a factory right hand drive car that was delivered new to Australia. Further, it is understood the car spent most of its life in Bourke in north west NSW before it was taken to Tamworth.
In May 1976 this Packard was offered for sale by Barry Smith from Tamworth. The car was advertised by him in The Packardian as 1st Series 6 cyl Sports Tourer, complete but needs restoration. There are photos on file showing the car sitting in a field in a very poor state. The advert did not mention it, but there was also another first series single six parts car and lots of other parts included in the sale. Interestingly, one of the photos on file shows a filter attached to the side of the car which suggests that it has been modified to run on gas. Apparently, this was common modification carried out during World War II due to fuel shortages.
The car and all of its spares were purchased by Packard enthusiast David McCredie from Sydney. Transporting everything home was quite a challenge and required a truck, two trailers, a utility and a second trip to pick up the smaller parts.
Then the real challenge started! An assessment was made to determine what needed to be done to restore the Packard to its former glory. The first problem which needed to be resolved was the chassis. It appeared the car had been involved in an accident and as a result the chassis was badly bent. It was quickly determined that the best solution was to use the spare chassis from the parts car which was in excellent condition. It was a 133 chassis so it had to be shortened to the required 126 wheelbase. Fortunately, everything else on the chassis was identical to the original one and no further modifications were required.
The next challenge was the body. Some of the original woodwork had survived but it was in poor condition. It could not be restored, but it did provide excellent patterns to make the replacements. Kiln dried Queensland Maple and Tasmanian Oak was used for the new frame. Surprisingly, all the body panels except for one door could be reused. Progress was slow but steady. Obviously all the mechanicals, including the engine had to be rebuilt. The engine was completely stripped and every part was assessed and replaced if necessary.
When the time came to paint the car a decision was made to go for a black over grey colour scheme with red pin striping and red wheels. We think that was a great decision and as you will see from the photos it suits the car perfectly. All the brightwork was nickel plated as Packard would have done back in the day.
The restoration was finally completed in 1985 and the car was registered in NSW. The moment it was registered, the car was taken for a short drive around the block to make sure everything was operating correctly. It passed all the tests with flying colours and the next day it was taken on a trip to Mildura.
This Packard was never meant to be a trailer queen. The previous owner used it regularly and the car was seen at a variety of rallies in all the Eastern States of Australia and in South Australia.
In 2020 after 44 years of ownership, this fabulous Packard was sold to the current owner who lives on the Gold Coast. It joined his eclectic collection and since then it has been used sporadically. Importantly, the car has been started regularly and serviced when required.
After crawling all over this car you would not believe that it was restored some 40 years ago. Credit has to be given to the previous owner who did an incredible job restoring the car. It was a labour of love that took him 9 years, but he has done an excellent job.
There is no better testament to the quality of the restoration than how well this car presents and drives today. Sure there are some minor imperfections in the paint consistent with a car which has been used the way its makers intended, but you would think the car was painted 10 years ago. The paint work is still in excellent condition and it has retained a strong depth of colour.
All the bright work on the car does not appear to have aged at all since it was all restored. The majestic grill, the lights, the Packard logo, the original motometer on top of the radiator and the bumpers are all in very good condition.
The soft top and the side curtains are in excellent condition. Putting the top down is something of an origami exercise, albeit quite a simple one once you know how! The design is incredibly well thought out and engineered. Quite often the soft windows in side screens turn yellow if they have been exposed to too much sun, but that is certainly not the case on this car. The rear windscreen is made out of Perspex and is in good condition. The same can be said for the front windscreen, which is actually made up out of two sections. The top part can be opened to provide some fresh air on a hot day.
The wire wheels are in good condition with no evidence of any kerb rash. They are shod with Lucas tyres, size 33-4½/500-24. The tyres are old and should be replaced.
For safety reasons modern indicators were discretely fitted in the front and rear bumper, however, due to an ongoing electrical issue these have been disconnected.
The car is still running its original 6 volt electrical system.
Make no mistake this is quite a big car with an imposing presence. This is one of those cars that the more you look the more you will see!
One of the first things you will notice as soon as you look inside the car is how well the interior presents. The leather upholstery is still in excellent condition with no sign of any rips or tears. The carpets are also in excellent condition. Once you have made yourself comfortable behind the large timber steering wheel you take in the dashboard, which is minimalistic yet elegant. The art deco style instruments are in beautiful condition. Centrally located you will find one instrument which holds the rolling speedometer (which is so cool!), the odometer, a trip meter and a clock. On the left you will find the ignition and the controls to operate the lights. On the right you will find the amp meter and oil pressure gauge.
Once you know how, starting this Packard is relatively easy. The first thing to do is open the right side bonnet and turn the fuel tap on. Then climb back into the car and turn the key for the battery isolator, which is located on the floor, to the on position. On the steering wheel youll find two levers. On the left hand side you have the advance and retard lever and on the right the hand throttle. The timing should be retarded and the hand throttle set up at a ¼ position. You wait patiently for say fifteen seconds for the fuel to flow from the vac tank to the carburettor. Then turn the ignition on and press the starter button, which is located on the floor, with your left foot. Every time we have started this car it has fired up easily. The six cylinder engine almost immediately bursts to life and quickly settles into a smooth idle as you fettle the controls.
The engine sounds just great and immediately gives you confidence that all 54 horses are present! Yes, the owners manual states that the 1922 Packard Single Six Model 126 engine has 54 hp. We slowly drive the car out of our showroom and out on the open road for a short test drive and photo shoot. As you will note from the photos this car has the centre accelerator pedal, which is surprisingly common on cars of this era. In laymans terms the brake and accelerator have swapped places! You get used to this pretty quickly and out on the open road first impressions of the car are really positive. There is plenty of power on tap and the car keeps up with modern traffic surprisingly well. It has no problem keeping to the speed limit. The gearbox is a three speed manual crash box with a central gear change and traditional shift pattern. This car performs, handles, steers and stops better than you would expect for a car built in 1922! This is a very nice and for its age, a very capable car to drive.The current owner has run out of space to store his growing car collection. He does have another prewar Packard in the collection, so he has made the difficult decision to make the car available for its next custodian.
Accompanying the car is a small photo book showing how the previous owner found the car in 1976 and his journey to restore it, some historical documentation and receipts, various tools and an original owners manual.
In the 1920s Packard became the number one designer and producer of luxury automobiles in the United States. We understand why!
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented example.
- Fabulous colour scheme.
- Runs and drives well.
- Relatively easy to drive.
Price $84,950.
Background:
In the 1890s the brothers James and William Packard founded the Packard Electric Company specialising in electrical manufacturing. Soon after that they also founded the New York & Ohio Company, which specialised in the manufacturing of incandescent lamps.
On his travels throughout the United States, James started to take interest in the horseless carriage and wanted to develop one that did not rely on steam or electricity. The Packard brothers produced their first automobile on November 6th 1899, the Model A Packard and drove it on the streets of Warren, Ohio. Soon after the brothers teamed up with George Weiss from Winton and production was up and running. Between 1899 and 1903 they built 400 cars. These were sold under the name of the Ohio Automobile Company. The business prospered and in late 1902 the company was rebranded as the Packard Motor Car Company and production moved from Ohio to a purpose built facility in Detroit.
The Packard brothers stayed involved in the company for the next couple of years but by 1909 started to move away from the business. Under company President and General Manager, James Alvan Macauley, Packard became the number one designer and producer of luxury automobiles in the United States and was held in the same regard as the Pierce Arrow company of Buffalo, New York and the Peerless company of Cleveland, Ohio.
The Great Depression hit car manufacturers hard but Packard managed to survive and shifted focus on mid-range automobiles when the interest in higher priced cars diminished. This turned out to be a good move and Packard saw their sales triple in 1935 and double in 1936.
Packard is well known for its iconic advertising slogan Ask the Man Who Owns One, however, it should also be better recognised for its engineering achievements and innovation.
Some of the major innovations bought to the motor car by Packard included: the H pattern gear shift, the modern steering wheel (which replaced the tiller), the first production 12 cylinder engine, four wheel brakes and air-conditioning on a mass produced motor car.
In 1954 Packard merged with Studebaker which turned out to be the beginning of the end for Packard. The Packard name was phased out by 1962 and the last Studebaker rolled off the production line on March 16th 1966.
As a luxury motor vehicle manufacturer Packard was best known for its eight and twelve cylinder models, however, the company had great success with its six cylinder range of cars also. The Packard Sixes had many of the benefits of their big brothers but were more competitively priced, hence, appealed to a broader market.

1922 PACKARD SINGLE SIX Series 126

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Ferrari 328 GTS.
The service book confirms this car was sold through John Cant Ferrari in Brisbane, Queensland and it was delivered new on 29th October 1987. The first owner is noted as a company based in Bundaburg, Queensland. The service book notes the VIN as well as the engine number and therefore we can confirm that this car retains its original matching numbers engine.
The first entry in the service book is dated 22nd December 1987 stamped by John Cant Ferrari. The car did not stay in Queensland for long. It found its way down to Victoria in either late 1988 or early 1989. There is an entry in the service book for the 10,000 km service dated 15th February 1989 and that service was executed by Lance Dixon Saab-Ferrari in Melbourne. The subsequent 20,000 km service was executed by Lance Dixon on the 4th January 1990. This was an annual service based on time passed, not mileage.
This Ferrari 328 GTS then found its way to Sydney, NSW and to the suburb of Narrabeen on the northern beaches. The car was registered in NSW as JH326. The car was subsequently serviced by Scuderia Veloce Motors with numerous entries in the service book through until 2005. Italia Motori serviced the car in 2006 and again 2008. From 2009 through until 2022 the car was maintained by Cavallino Motorsport in Brookvale, Sydney.
The car changed hands in mid to late 2022 and its next owner used the car sparingly. As a result of a health issue he sold the car to Oldtimer Australia in June 2023. We had the car checked over and serviced. The work included a general service, timing belt service, the radiator was recored and overflow tank repaired. The car was quickly sold to one of our long standing clients based on the Gold Coast.
Today the odometer reads 60,459 km. This car has an impeccable service history which unequivocally confirms the mileage to be genuine.
The 308 GTB/GTS and 328 GTB/GTS is one of Ferraris most successful and recognisable models. There are lots of nice cars out there, but this is one is particularly good and it ticks all the boxes.
First impressions of this car are really good. This car has a real presence about it and everything is just so crisp and clean. The rosso corsa paint on the car is in very good condition. It may have had the odd touch up here and there, but it looks to be essentially original and beautifully preserved. It has retained a strong depth of colour and nice gloss finish. If you look underneath the car you will see the bottom of the front spoiler has a few chips and there are a few scrapes from unfriendly speed bumps! Even the underside is well presented for a 37 year old car. The prancing horse shields were added by us at the request of the current owner at the time of sale.
All of the external trim is similarly well presented. The iconic Ferrari and 328 badges are particularly well presented. The targa roof often shows wear on the GTS Ferraris, however, on this car is in excellent condition. There are no scratches, wear marks or any signs of discoloration. The glass is also in excellent condition. The rear window and the side windows appear to be all original. The front windscreen has probably been replaced at some stage. The round tail lights on a Ferrari 308/328 are a real feature and the lenses on this car are in very good condition. The same can be said of the headlights. The parking lights/indicator lenses are often cracked and/or show stone chips but on this car they are also in very good condition.
The original wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza tyres all around. The fronts are 205/55 ZR 16, date stamped 0523 (week 5, 2023) and the rears are 225/50 R16, date stamped 1323 (week 13, 2023). The tyres were fitted when the current owner acquired the car and have only travelled 1,000 km. The wheels are in excellent condition with no signs of any curb rash or damage.
With the targa top removed, you are able see inside the cabin and like the exterior of this car first impressions of the interior are very positive. Open the door and you are welcomed by a very inviting interior. It is immediately obvious this is a very well cared for example. The seats are in very good condition and there are no cracks/tears in the leather or any obvious wear to the seat bolsters. The door cards, centre console and the dash all present beautifully. Even the carpets are in very good condition. Another indictor on how well an eighties Ferrari has been cared for is the condition and presentation of the switches on the centre console and in the doors. More often than not, including low mileage examples, you will often see that the symbols show signs of wear. Fortunately, on this car this is not the case. They present like new and appear to have hardly been used.
The front compartment is in excellent original condition. Most notably, the original plastic liner is not cracked or damaged as you often see on these cars. The spare wheel looks to have been sparingly used, if at all. The engine bay is also very original and very well presented. The devil is in the detail and all the finishes all look to be correct, the rosso corsa paint sticker on the underside of the engine cover is like new and the boot cover is in excellent condition with a working zipper.
With a car like this it is all about the drive and we cannot wait to take this 328 GTS out for our test drive. The car starts easily even from cold and quickly settles into a smooth idle. The engine sounds fabulous with a lovely exhaust note. Just sitting in the car waiting for the engine to warm up puts a smile on your face. Once the engine warms up and the temperature gauge starts to move, it is time to hit the road. The first task and a rather enjoyable one at that, is to select first gear in that shift gate. The clutch is light and notch . . . you are in gear and quickly away. Even if you could see nothing else you immediately know you are in a Ferrari!
Out on the road this car is a real pleasure to drive. Like all Ferraris of this period the gear change improves considerably as the car warms up to operating temperature. It is actually fine when cold, but it is an absolute delight once warm and the gear changes are smooth and precise. The engine revs willingly and there is loads of power on tap. The steering is direct and surprisingly light. The brakes stop the car quickly and in a straight line when needed. All the instruments in the car appear to be in good working order and the air conditioning has recently been regassed and it blows cold air.
All too soon our test drive comes to an end and we return the car to our showroom where it sits peacefully, eagerly awaiting its next owner.
This car has a complete book set, including a fully stamped service book, in its original pouch, a spare wheel, a tool kit (which still looks like new), a jack, the often missing courtesy light and the almost always missing targa top cover.
The current owner acquired this car back in August 2023, however, as a result of him losing his available storage space he has made the difficult decision to sell.
This car was last serviced less than 12 months ago, new Bridgestone tyres were recently fitted and this just stunning Ferrari 328 GTS is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
The Queensland private number plate 328 GTS is available to be purchased either separately or with the car.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory right-hand drive, matching numbers example.
- Beautifully presented in the right colour scheme.
- Low mileage, with only c60,000km.
- Books, including a stamped service book, history file, spare wheel, tools, jack, courtesy light and targa top cover.
- All tags and stickers in place.
- Recently serviced and new tyres fitted.
- Beautifully presented and drives superbly.
Price $209,950
Background:
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3967cc capacity.
Ferraris iconic Dino was first shown to the world as a prototype at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. The car morphed into the 206 GT of which only 150 cars were built from 1967 to 1969. In 1969 the 246 GT was released, which whilst a similar looking car in many ways was actually quite different. The car sat 3 taller than its predecessor and the body was now built from steel. Mechanically the new car was powered by a 2418cc V6 engine. Enzo was keen to tackle Porsche head on and to do this he needed to increase production. The Dino was a hit and circa 4,000 of these cars (both the 246 GT and 246 GTS) were built from 1969 to 1974.
The Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, essentially to replace the 246 Dino GT. The car was designed to fit between the top of the range 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer and 2+2 308 GT/4. The car was released to critical acclaim and its sweeping Pininfarina design was admired by everyone who laid eyes on it. Originally the car was manufactured with a glass reinforced plastic (fibreglass) body to keep the weight down and it was powered by a three litre V8 engine with a dry sump. Only circa 800 fibreglass cars were built before Ferrari reverted to a more conventional steel body construction in 1977. Most markets also reverted to having a wet sump engine. In 1977 Ferrari introduced the 308 GTS, which was essentially the same car with a targa roof. The car was made famous through its appearance on the TV show Magnum PI. The model evolved into the 308 GTBi / 308 GTSi in 1980 when Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection replaced the traditional Weber carburettors. Two years later thefour valves per cylinder Quattrovalvole or QV was introduced. The 308 was an incredible success and circa 12,000 cars were built from 1975 to 1985 before the 328 was introduced.
The 328 GTB / GTS was essentially an updated version of the 308 with the same engine as its predecessor, but with an increased capacity of 3,185 cc. The styling remained similar though its overall profile was somewhat softer and the car featured colour coded front and rear bumpers. By mid-1988 ABS brakes were available and these cars were fitted with convex shaped wheels. Interestingly 328 GTS production out numbered 328 GTB production by a factor of five to one.
In total Ferrari built 7,412 328s, comprising 6,068 328 GTS and 1,344 328 GTBs throughout 4 years of production.

1987 FERRARI 328GTS

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1986 Lamborghini Jalpa.
According to the Lamborghini Registry this car was completed on the 24th November 1986 for Australian importer A.A. de Fina. The car was originally rosso (red paint code 215157) with a panna (cream) interior, which is how the car is presented today. The Australian compliance plate is dated 1/87.
The early history of this car is not definitively known, however, it is understood to have come from long term Sydney ownership. The car was then sold to another Sydney owner in circa 2005 before being sold by Oldtimer Australia to the Gosford Car Museum in July 2015. At that time the odometer read 45,005 km.
The current owner acquired the car from the Gosford Car Museum in early 2018. At that time the car presented well cosmetically, but it was a little tired.
In July 2018 Melbourne based classic Lamborghini specialist, Sports and Classic Car Services completed a major mechanical refresh of the car. They rebuilt the engine, which included reconditioning the cylinder heads and engine ancillaries, rebuilt the gearbox, installed new rear shock absorbers, replaced the brake hoses and installed new rear wheel bearings. At the same time a new Quicksilver exhaust system was installed. In total, $43,000 was spent on the car to bring it up to its current condition. At that time the odometer read 45,054 km.
In May 2020 Sports and Classic Car Services performed an annual service and safety check and at that time the odometer read 45,819 km. The next service was performed in June 2022 and at that time the odometer read 47,242 km.
The current owner has used the car sporadically in the last eighteen months and today the odometer reads 47,630km.
First impressions of this car are good, really good! Overall, it presents well. It is understood the car was repainted back in 2005 shortly after it changed hands. The rosso paint has retained a high gloss and a strong dept of colour. However, if you look closely you will notice some small paint imperfections. The most noticeable one is on the edge of the B pillar on the drivers side and there are some small paint bubbles on the rear bumper. The Lamborghini badge on the front is showing its age and is the first thing we would replace! The Lamborghini and Jalpa badges on the rear of the car are in good condition. All the glass presents well with no cracks or delamination evident. The targa top is in very good condition.
The original and quite unique Route Oz wheels present well. There is some very minor curb rash visible, but nothing too noticeable. The front wheels are shod with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, size 205/55 R16. These are date stamped 5117 (week 51, 2017). The rear wheels are shod with Hankook Ventus RS4 tyres, size 225/50 R16. These are date stamped 1221 (week 12, 2021). Both the front and rear tyres are still in good condition.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a sharp and very good looking interior. The interior was refreshed less than twelve months ago and as a result the seats present well and are in very good condition with no rips, tears or cracks evident. They are surprisingly comfortable and provide ample support. The matching door cards are also in very good condition. The seats and door cards are both trimmed with red piping, which is so eighties and as the car was finished new. The matching carpets are also in very good condition with no excessive wear evident.
The dash presents well and the top has not been affected by the harsh Australian sun. There are no cracks evident nor is there any discoloration. Overall the instruments and controls present well and appear to be in good working order. A known problem with Italian cars from this period is that the needles on the speedo and the tacho have a tendency to warp. Both instruments on this car are slightly warped, but both are working and look to read correctly. The metal gear shifter gate is showing its age and is something we would have cleaned up and polished. The Nardi steering wheel is most likely original and generally in good condition, though there are a few cracks appearing in the leather. A good leather doctor would attend to this easily.
Under the front bonnet everything is very original. Unfortunately, the space saver spare wheel is missing.
The engine bay presents well and behind it, underneath the rear spoiler, youll find the boot, which whilst relatively small is bigger than it looks! There is plenty of room for a few overnight bags. The boot retains its original carpet and is in quite good condition.
Shortly after the car arrived at our showroom, we found a break in the inclement Brisbane weather and were able to get it out for a quick test drive and photo shoot. The car starts easily, even from cold. The Quicksilver exhaust system has a fabulous note to it without being too noisy. Out on the road the car drives easily and the more you drive it the more you like it! The engine has loads of power and the gear changes are smooth, both up and down the box. The steering feels precise and is not too heavy. We did notice the AC was not working and upon further investigation we discovered that the hoses have been disconnected and the compressor is missing.
Whilst the car runs and drives well, it would benefit from a tune and it probably needs to used and enjoyed more regularly.
In 2019 Motortrend wrote an interesting article about the Jalpa called Driving the Lamborghini Jalpa: A Classic Supercar Worth Remembering. In the article the Jalpa is described as . . . an intriguing car with a beguiling personality far different from the bigger, better-known Lamborghinis. In the article automotive historian Massimo Delbo describes the Jalpa as . . . simply and enigmatically: If you know, you know. Unfortunately, the Jalpa was introduced at the wrong time, America was pulling out of a recession and people favoured its bigger brother the Countach or even Ferraris entry level car, the 328. As far as the nouveau riche were concerned, there was only one Lamborghini worth considering. Motortrend questions this; Was their belief correct? The Jalpa is arguably the better sports car, a ballerina compared to the brutish Countach. The author, after his test drive, states: Given the choice between a Countach and a Jalpa a guy can dream, right? I know which I would pick. A week ago, my answerwould have been different, but now I know and hopefully you do, too.
With only 410 examples ever made and approximately 35 in right hand drive, the Jalpa is indeed a very rare car.
Here is a unique opportunity to own an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example and become part of the small group of people who can experience first hand how good and how much fun this junior super car is to own and drive.
This car wont win a concours, but it is a really nice example that presents and drives well. It can be used as is or easily taken to the next level should one desire to do so.
What a fabulous alternative to a Ferrari 308 / 328!
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example.
- Major mechanical work, including engine rebuild, in July 2018.
- Quicksilver exhaust system fitted.
- Recent interior refresh.
- Join an exclusive club.
Price $179,950.
Background:
The Lamborghini story is fascinating in itself, but for the company to have survived all these years and indeed celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013 is quite amazing. Ferruccio Lamborghini was an entrepreneur, a very successful businessman and a lover of the finer things in life, including sports cars. He was fortunate enough to own some wonderful cars including Ferraris however, he found fault with them all. According to the legend following a meeting with Enzo Ferrari to discuss some of the short comings of his cars Enzo dismissed Ferruccio and he subsequently decided that he could build a better car.
Not long after, in May 1963, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SPA was established and the small town of SantAgata Bolognese, located between Modena and Bologna, was chosen as the location to build the factory. Born under the Zodiac sign Taurus Lamborghini chose the raging bull as the emblem for his sports cars.
Lamborghini knew what he wanted and he put together a highly skilled team. His first car the 350 GTV was shown at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963. This car received mixed reviews; however, Lamborghini was not deterred and made a number of improvements and design changes to the original concept. The first Lamborghini production car the 350 GT left the factory in mid-1964.
The 350 GT evolved into the 400 GT 2+2 and later the Islero. In parallel to building these classic front engine V12 GT cars Lamborghini wanted to build a super car, enter the Miura first shown as a rolling chassis in 1965, and also a GT car that could comfortably seat four people, enter the Espada in 1968. The mid to late sixties were good times for Lamborghini and his cars were revered the world over.
In 1970 the Islero was replaced by the Jarama. Lamborghini also wanted to enter the junior supercar market and introduced the Urraco or little bull, named for the fighting bull which killed the toreador Manoleten, at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. The Urraco attracted huge interest from the motoring world and Bertones classic wedge shape received critical acclaim at the time.
It wasnt until some two years later, in 1972, that the first production cars rolled off the Sant Agata production line. Lamborghini hoped to build the Urraco in big numbers, however, this never eventuated and only 520 of the P250s were built up until 1975 when the P300 was released. The world economy changed quickly and the early 1970s were a tough time for Lamborghini. Additionally, the Urraco had some teething problems early on and the car unfortunately developed a reputation as unreliable. This was perhaps unfair as once Lamborghini ironed out the bugs the car was in fact a little gem and properly sorted was a genuine threat to Ferraris 308, Maseratis Merak and the Porsche 911 of the day. The Urraco P300 was indeed a fabulous little car and in Sports Car World magazine July September 1976 Mel Nichols wrote: . . . I was not hard pressed to conclude that the Urraco 3-litre is the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. In the October 1978 issue of Car Magazine Nichols pits the Lamborghini Urracoagainst a Ferrari 308 GTB and a Maserati Merak SS. The article is compelling reading and Nichols picks the Urraco as his favourite. Only 205 Urraco P300s were built. Lamborghini also built 66 Urraco P200s (with a 2 litre V8 engine) specifically for the Italian market.
The Lamborghini Silhouette was a further development of the Urraco and it was first shown at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show. The Silhouette was a genuine 2 seater and the 2+2 seating of the Urraco was removed to allow space behind the seats to store the targa top. The Silhouette is one of the rarest Lamborghinis with only 54 cars built, of which only ten were factory right hand drive.
Lamborghinis last iteration of their V8 engined junior supercar was the Jalpa (pronounced YAWL-pa), named after another breed of fighting bull. The Jalpa was introduced at the 1981 Geneva show and 410 examples were built spanning seven years from 1982 through to 1988. Of these it is understood that only 35 left the factory as right hand drive and perhaps there are 10 in Australia.

1986 LAMBORGHINI JALPA

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