OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Details:
The latest offering from Oldtimer Australia is this delightful 1971 Maserati Indy.
The documentation on file from Maserati confirms that this UK delivered, factory right hand drive example was completed on the 17th June 1971 and delivered new to London. The car was originally delivered in Verde Indy (green) with a nero (black) interior. It was delivered new in the desirable specification of a 4.7 litre engine with a ZF 5 speed manual gearbox.
This cars early UK history is not known. There is a V5 on file which notes that Mr Simon Edwards from Chester, just south of Manchester in the UK, acquired the car on the 16th September 1998. In his ownership the car was regularly serviced by Auto Shield, the Maserati service dealer in Manchester. The history file contains most MOT records dating back to 1993. The earliest MOT is dated 2nd March 1993 and at that time the mileage was 57,288 miles and the colour of the car is noted as blue. That confirms that back then it was finished in the stunning Maserati colour of celeste chiaro as it is presented today.
In Edwards ownership significant work was done to bring this Maserati Indy back to its former glory. In 2001 Auto Shield engaged the services of Classicarco in Manchester to undertake a cosmetic restoration. Significant metal work was required and once complete the car was repainted. There is a batch of detailed photos on file showing the work completed. In 2003 the differential was reconditioned and in 2004 the cylinder head was reconditioned.
In October 2008 Edwards sold the car through Ian Grange Ltd to Tim Fleckney from Tideford, near Plymouth in the south west of England. At that time the odometer read 76,722 miles. Fleckney kept the car for the next 10 years. In his ownership the car was used sparingly but regularly serviced. In his 10 years of ownership, he only drove the car approximately 2,500 miles.
The current Melbourne based owner acquired the car in July 2019 and at that time the odometer read 79,182 miles. There is an import approval on file dated the 10th September 2019. Prior to shipping the car to Australia it was tested for asbestos and that led to the replacement of the brake pads, the exhaust manifold gaskets, the carburettor base gaskets and the oil sump gasket.
The owner kept the car in the UK, using it from time to time, before shipping it to Australia in April 2021. Prior to that the car was serviced by 24 Hundred in Southborough, UK. At that time the water pump and the air conditioning pump were both reconditioned and the front wheel bearings were replaced.
Upon arrival in Australia the car was complianced in Queensland and registered.
The air conditioning system in the car was somewhat temperamental and in June 2023 a new compressor was installed. In May 2024 the thrust bearing was replaced and the car was serviced. All the maintenance work in Australia has been completed by Maranello Pursang in Brunswick, Victoria.
Maserati Indys are under rated. To quote Classiche Masters . . . This quintessential Grand Tourer is combining room for four adults and a large trunk with a sleek, handsome design. They offering a relatively refined driving experience but you always know it is a Maserati at heart.
Our test drive of this Maserati Indy was chanced between two of the four seasons in one day experienced on a crisp Melbourne spring morning. We were time poor and after priming the fuel pumps, on queue the big V8 burst into life at the first turn of the key. That distinctive Maserati V8 rumble gets the pulse racing. It is easy to get comfortable behind the exquisite timber steering wheel. The seating position is good and all the controls are easy to hand and to operate. Pulling out of the storage facility into busy traffic you note the power steering as the car manoeuvres easily at low speed.
The first impressions of this car are good. It is certainly tight on the road and even when cold the gearbox performs very well. As with all Italian classics the drive gets better and better as the car warms up. The engine has plenty of power on tap and its sounds absolutely majestic. The ZF gearbox feels firm and the gear changes are really precise. The brakes work well and pull the car up efficiently and in a straight line under heavy braking. In summary the car performed very well.
The car carries an older restoration, however, it has only travelled 11,000 miles since that was completed. From a meter the paint work presents exceptionally well, however, on closer inspection there are a number of minor defects consistent with age. There is plenty of chrome trim on a Maserati Indy and it is generally in very good condition. The balance of the external trim is similarly well presented. This car has at some stage been wax oiled and on close inspection you will notice some yellow staining in door jambs and other nooks and crannies around the car.
The 14 Borrani wheels are a feature on a Maserati Indy and on this car they present quite well. There is no major damage or kerb rash, just a few minor marks here and there. The Maserati trident embossed wheel centres show light pitting. The wheels are shod with Pirelli Cinturato CN36 205/70/14 tyres all around. The tyres are date stamped 07/18 (week 7 2018).
The interior of this Maserati Indy shows some light patina in places, however, it is generally well presented. The black upholstery is in good condition with no rips or tears evident and the seats provide ample support. The door cards, dash and centre console are also in good condition. The steering wheel has some minor damage at around seven oclock, however, this is not noticeable as you drive the car. You will notice in the photos that the leather piece around the horn button has pulled free. This is currently being repaired. The carpets show light wear. The instruments and controls present well and look to be in working order. We absolutely love the original Maserati branded Autovox Melody Stereo R which actually works.
Open the rear hatch and you will notice that this Indy is fitted with a pull down blind that will enable you to cover the contents of the boot. The boot presents quite well and there is a correct spare wheel under the boot floor.
Under the bonnet the engine bay is clean and really well presented. All the correct tags are in place and a quick look confirms that this car retains its original matching numbers engine.
Today the odometer reads 79,617 miles.
Flared denim jeans and a corduroy shirt are optional, but there is no doubt it would complete the look!
Highlights:
- Desirable spec Indy with a 4.7 litre engine and 5 speed manual gearbox.
- Well presented example in a lovely original Maserati colour.
- Good history file
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $119,950.
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. At that time Maserati was already working on an 4 seater alternative for the 2 seater Ghibli. Both Ghia and Vignale showed their proposals in November 1968 at the Salone dellautomobile di Torino. Maserati preferred the Vignale design and the production model was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1969. It was named Indy in honour of Maseratis two victories at the Indianapolis 500.
The Indy (AM116) was a great success for Maserati, in total 1,104 were produced over seven years of production which ended in 1975. 440 of them were fitted with the 4.2 litre quad cam V8, 364 with the 4.7 litre and 300 with the 4.9 litre. The car was available with either manual or automatic transmission.

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.7 Manual

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1938 MG VA Tickford Drophead Coupe by Salmons & Sons, affectionately known as Vera.
This car is understood to have been manufactured in August 1938 and was delivered to its first owner in the UK shortly thereafter. There is a copy of a document titled: MG VA Cars 1937 1939 . . . The Survivors on file, which is dated 22nd February 1989. This notes the following information on this car: Year 1938, Registration MPL268 and Owner: White, AJC. Its subsequent early history is not known.
At some stage the car then fell into disrepair and it probably lay dormant for many years. It was purchased in poor condition, most likely in the late 1980s, which is when its restoration started. A decision was made to build a new body in aluminium, with only the original steel guards, running boards and bonnets retained. The Pre-War MG Register of Australia notes that the body was understood to have been built by Rod Jolly, who is highly regarded for his work restoring Rolls-Royce and Bentleys. Progress was slow and the cars then owner apparently ran out of money. The car was sold to MG S, V and W specialists, SVW Spares, in the UK. Shortly after this, in early 2007 the car was purchased by Robin & Jenny Page from Melbourne in Victoria. The project was at a point where the Pages were able to choose the paint and upholstery colours for the car. They made the decision to paint the car in two tone grey, fit a black soft top and trim the interior in maroon. This is a beautiful colour combinationgiving this VA a very elegant appearance.
In February 2008, Vera as this car was christened by the Pages, arrived into Melbourne. The name Vera was chosen by the Pages from the model designation of VA and the memory of English singer and entertainer Vera Lynn.
In March the car was taken to the 2008 MG Nationals which were held in Tamworth, where it won Class A: Pre-War Touring with an impressive score of 569 points.
Unfortunately not all was well with the little VA as in October of that year the car suffered a major engine failure, necessitating a total rebuild. During the rebuild the capacity was increased from 1,548cc to 1,657cc and the compression ratio increased to 8.6:1. At the same time the gearbox was also rebuilt and other mechanical work completed.
Over the years the Pages kept on improving their beloved MG VA Tickford Drophead Coupe. All that hard work paid off when in October 2012 the car was selected into Motorclassica, which was Australias premier Concours dElegance and classic car show. The car was very well received and it won the Pre-War (British and European) 1930-1939 class. That same year the car also won the Pre-War Touring & Saloons class at the MG National meet in Hobart. There it also won outright in the pre-MGA class.
Other achievements over the years are:
- 2010 1st place in class and outright winner at the MG car club Victoria Concours dElegance
- 2011 2nd place at Cars of the World Concours dElegance at Rochford Wines in Victoria
- 2014 Best Presented British Vehicle at the Great Macedon Grand Tour
- 2015 1st place pre-war class MG car club Victoria Concours dElegance
- 2015 Best Pre-War British Vehicle at the AOMC/RACV Classic Showcase.
After 12 enjoyable years of ownership and many great memories, the Pages decided to sell Vera. The car was sold to the current owners in January 2016. Like the Pages, they have thoroughly enjoyed their journey of ownership with this fabulous car. Unfortunately, they are selling due to ill health.
Today this 1938 MG VA Tickford Drophead Coupe still presents and drives beautifully.
The two tone grey paint work contrasts perfectly with burgundy upholstery and it is the perfect colour choice for the car. The paint work is now almost 20 years old, however, it is still in excellent condition. There are a few minor blemishes and defects, most noticeably two hairline cracks on the swage line on the left hand bonnet and a small star on the right. The panels gaps are all very good.
The interior presents beautifully. The timber dashboard houses the most elegant cluster of instruments that are in excellent condition. The upholstery is all in excellent condition with no rips, tears or obvious wear. Even the carpets are in excellent condition!
Under the bonnet everything presents beautifully. You will note the wheel hammer and original crank clipped on the bulkhead. There is what looks to be a complete tool kit in the boot.
The painted wire wheels are in excellent condition. All the wheels, including the spare, are shod with Blockley tyres, size 5.00 19. The tyres are still in good condition.
We were able to take the car for a test drive following our photo shoot. Like most MGs of that era it required a choke to start from cold. The engine fired pretty much at the first pull of the starter and it immediately settled into a smooth idle. Once it had warmed up we went for a short drive and I can confirm the car is tight on the road and it drove every bit as good as it looks.
The current owners wanted the car to be reliable and essentially be able to jump in and drive it to wherever they wanted. There is no doubt that they achieved that objective as the car was driven from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast which is where it is currently stored.
The Tickford three position folding roof is a work of art and it is in a very good condition. When we photographed the car the roof was not folded down correctly. We have since discovered the correct way to fold the roof down and it does so in a very neat and tidy way.
This car is fitted with a factory replacement engine as noted on the engine ID plate, which we understand was installed many years ago. MG aficionados will note the replacement engine is burgundy in colour, as they were, whereas the original engines were painted green.
Accompanying the car is a toolkit, a crank handle, a history file with receipts and photographs of the restoration, a detailed list with some receipts showing all the work completed to the car since it was acquired by the previous owners as well as various books and MG literature.
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented example of a quintessential British prewar sports car.
- Rare and unique Tickford DHC.
- An older restoration that still presents beautifully.
- Fabulous colour scheme.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Just a fabulous example.
Price: $114,950
Background:
MG is one of the worlds most iconic motoring brands.
In 1912, with the support of the Earl of Macclesfield, William Morris founded W.R.M. Motors Ltd and started the manufacturing of Morris designed cars. In 1919 W.R.M. Motors was liquidated and essentially replaced by Morris Motors.
In 1921 Morris hired Cecil Kimber as a Sales Manager for Morris Garages and in 1923 he became the General Manager. Kimber had a vision and started building sportier versions of Morris cars and labelled them MG. On the 1st May 1924 Morris Garages registered the MG Octagon as a trademark.
Demand grew, which necessitated a move to a larger premises in September 1925. This was quickly followed by another move in 1927. By 1928 the business had grown so much a decision was made to separate it from Morris and the M.G. Car Company was established in March 1928. In 1929 the company moved to Abingdon and on the 21st July 1930 the M.G. Car Company Limited was incorporated.
The first cars to be produced under the name MG in 1924 were special bodied Morris Cowleys. The first MG to specifically compete in sporting events is a car now known as Old Number One. It was produced in 1925 and was first seen at the 1925 Lands End Trial. Other MG models followed quickly but in 1928 at the Motor Show at Olympia MG introduced the MG M-Type Midget, which became the first of many sports cars produced by MG and was a big success for the company.
In that same year MG also introduced the MG 18/80. This was the first MG with a chassis designed and built by MG. The 18/80 was equipped with a six cylinder engine with a capacity of 2,468cc.
A milestone for the company occurred in 1933 when an MG Magnette K3 became the first non-Italian car to win its class at the Mile Miglia.
William Morris owned MG personally and in 1935 he sold it to Morris Motors.
In the late 1930s MG produced a series of sports saloons, the VA, the SA and the WA.
The VA, originally marketed as the MG 1½ litre was the smallest of the three and was available as a 4 door sports saloon and as a 4 seater open tourer and as a drophead coupe. The sports saloon and the open tourer were both built inhouse but the body for the drophead coupe was manufactured by Salmons and Sons of Newport Pagnell, UK.
MG also made a special version of the VA, powered by a 1,707cc engine for police use.
In total 2,407 MG VAs were built between 1937 and 1939. The breakdown of body types is: 1,238 saloons, 591 open tourers and 564 drophead coupes, 2 chassis and 12 unknown.
In 1952 Morris Motors Ltd and the Austin Motor Company Limited merged and became The British Motor Company Ltd, BMC.

1938 MG VA Tickford Drophead Coupe

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a lovely Australian delivered 1955 Bristol 403.
We have a copy of the Bristol Chassis Ledger and Bristol Advice of Despatch for this car on file which confirms this Bristol 403 was despatched from the factory on the 25th of April 1955 and send to Commonwealth Motors in Melbourne. The documentation confirms that this car was delivered in right hand drive, was dark green in colour (Scheme 6A) and optioned with a Trico screen washer, a front speaker only and an aerial. It also confirms that the car retains its original matching numbers engine.
It is understood Bristol built a total of 287 examples of the 403. Interestingly, this car is one 12-15 examples built that were fitted with a 100B2 type engine. This engine has a higher compression ratio and therefore more slightly more horse power. Cosmetically these later cars also had a few minor differences. They had side lights on top of the front wings and rear reflectors.
Whilst this car left the factory painted dark green, it is understood it was repainted in midnight blue by the Australian distributor at the request of the first owner. He kept the car for some three years before it was sold to Mrs Mison from Ulladulla in NSW. In her ownership the car was registered as BGO393. The car subsequently passed through owners in NSW, Victoria and later Queensland. By the mid 1970s the car was stripped to bare alloy in preparation for a repaint and some restoration work. Unfortunately, progress stalled and the car sat for many years. There is a photo on file dated December 1977 showing the car in bare alloy.
The current owners acquired the car as a project in that state from Robert Sciberras from Ryde (Sydney), NSW in July 1994. At that time the car was carrying the NSW registration PYY433.
The car was trucked up Mt Tamborine in Queensland and the work commenced to return this Bristol to its former glory. It soon became apparent that this project was not going to be as simple as just repainting the car. The car needed major mechanical work and the first hurdle was finding a solution for the cracked crankshaft. This was proving to be a challenge until one day the son of a neighbour of an old friend was visiting from England and he just happened to mention that he worked for Bristol. Some three weeks later a new crankshaft was on its way to Australia.
Progress was slow, but the owner continued to happily tinker away slowly restoring his beloved Bristol. Unfortunately, he suffered a health condition in 2012 which stopped progress on the car. Fortunately, the Bristol community in Australia is strong and they put the owner in touch with Bristol expert Sebastion Gross who agreed to take on the task of finishing the restoration. The car was transported to his workshop in Kendall, NSW.
An inventory was made of parts needed to complete the restoration and work commenced.
The engine was completely rebuilt using the new crankshaft and various other replacement parts. The gearbox and differential were also was completely rebuilt. The suspension as well as the entire braking system were reconditioned with mostly new parts, including a new brake booster. The cooling system was overhauled and the radiator was recored by Taree Radiators.
To make the car easier to drive an electric power steering unit was ordered from EZ electric power steering in the Netherlands and subsequently installed.
Unfortunately, the original wiring harness was in poor condition. A decision was made to order a new, upgraded, wiring harness from Vintage Wiring Harness in Ringwood (Melbourne), Victoria.
The interior was retrimmed using Connolly hide by Westport Upholstry in Port Macquarie, NSW.
The restoration of the dashboard makes for an interesting story. Gross was on a National Bristol Rally in Tasmania when he had the idea to make a new dash out of Huon pine. After a quick discussion with the owner, it was unanimously agreed to go that way rather than try to restore the original dilapidated dashboard. The work was done by wood worker Manfred Reihl and as you will see from the photos the end result is simply stunning. All the instruments were refurbished by Norwest Instruments in Rydalmere, NSW. The steering wheel was refurbished by Yesteryear Steering Wheel Restoration in Warragul, Victoria.
The body work and preparation for the paint work was completed inhouse by Gross. The car was painted by Harrington Smash Repairs and the bright work rechromed by Hamilton Chrome in Hamilton, NSW.
A significant amount of time, effort and money has gone into bringing this Bristol 403 back to its former glory. It is not feasible to list everything that was done to this car in this write up, however, what we can say is that the car has been comprehensively restored. There are detailed invoices and a suite of photos on file for the majority of the work.
Every restoration has its challenges, however, this Bristol had more than most! Additionally, in 2019 the car was almost destroyed in the John River region bushfires, which came perilously close to the workshop where the Bristol was then kept. A year later the worst floods in a 100 years swept through parts of NSW and by sheer luck the Bristol was removed from a paint shop which was subsequently flooded. COVID restrictions further hampered progress but the finish line was in sight and the car was finally completed in 2021.
Today this car presents and drives superbly and its restoration is a credit to everyone who was involved with the project. This car has an incredible presence and it attracts a lot of attention wherever it goes.
This Bristol 403 was displayed at the 2025 Noosa Concours delegance where it was very well received.
The car has been used sparingly since its restoration and as a result it presents essentially the way it did when the restoration was completed back in 2021.
These early Bristols are unique in design and absolutely stunning cars. One of the first things you notice when you walk up to this car is how smooth it looks. The shape is almost like a tear drop, from the flowing lines at the front, the clean lines on the side and the swooping rear. The absence of traditional door handles contributes to the overall clean look.
The Bristol 403 body is constructed from hand beaten aluminium panels fastened to a lightweight, tubular steel frame using the Superleggera constriction method. As a result, the restoration is both time consuming and expensive. The body on this car has been beautifully restored and all the panel gaps are excellent.
The paint is in beautiful condition with a strong depth of colour and a high gloss finish. One has to look closely to find any imperfections. There is some light gravel rash at bottom of the rear wheel arches. All the external trim, including the bright work, badges, lights and lenses are in excellent condition. The only exception are the side mirror mounting brackets, which must have missed out being rechromed! These are clipped on and can easily be removed. The glass is also in excellent condition.
The painted steel wheels are finished with chrome hubcaps embossed with the Bristol logo. The wheels are yet another unique feature to the Bristol and they present well with no kerb rash evident. They are shod with Michilin X 185R16 tyres which are date stamped 5016 (week 50, 2016). The tyres are still in good condition and present like new.
To open the door you press the large button on the side of the door. They require a firm push and then the spring loaded door will just pop open. The first thing you notice is how big the door actually is. Both doors have to be long enough to allow access for rear passengers and at the bottom they wrap all the way around the sill. Once you have opened the door the second thing you notice is how beautifully the interior presents. The tan leather upholstery provides the perfect colour contrast with the green exterior and gives the car a very luxurious feel. As with the exterior, there are many small details in the cabin which make the car unique. The steering wheel is one of them, whilst simple in design it is a clear reference to Bristols aviation heritage. The sun visors, both at the front and the rear of the car are another idiosyncratic design feature. The front ones have a very delicate scissor frame which folds out. The one in the rear is operated by a cable which hangs down from the roof inbetween the front seats.
The seats are in excellent condition with no rips or tears in the leather. They are comfortable and provide ample support. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used and are also in excellent condition.
Once we made ourselves comfortable behind the steering wheel and stopped admiring the dashboard, it was time to take this Bristol 403 out for a short test drive and a photo shoot. The big question . . . would the car drive as good as it looks? The simple answer is . . . YES!
To start the car from cold you will have to pull out the mixture control button and depending on how long it has been since the car was last driven, you may need to manually prime the fuel pump. Once you have done that you turn the ignition on and press the starter button. The car starts easily, even from cold, and quickly settles into a smooth idle. To prevent the spark plugs from fouling you push the mixture control button back almost immediately and feather the accelerator to warm up the engine further.
Once out on the open road you dont have to drive too far to realise that this is just a fabulous car to drive. The EZ electric power steering is an absolute delight. The steering is light yet it still has a responsive feel. The straight six cylinder engine is only 1,971cc , however, it probably has around 100 hp on tap. For a sports saloon built in 1955 the performance is quite impressive and the uninitiated would think there is a bigger engine under the bonnet! The engine revs freely and willingly which makes for quite an engaging driving experience. The gear changes are smooth up and down the box and the feel is light years better than a Moss box in a Jaguar XK. For a relatively tall car it sits very well on the road. The suspension feels good, the steering is firm and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
The car is also extremely quiet. There is hardly any wind noise or mechanical noise to be heard when you are just cruising around.
According to Jay Leno who ignored his own advice and bought a Bristol 403 over the phone, sight unseen, . . . only the finest gentleman buy Bristols He also calls it . . . the most British of British cars.
Jay Leno has one of the worlds greatest car collections and his opinion is very highly regarded. He loves his Bristol 403!
For its next custodian this is a unique opportunity to join the likes of Jay Leno and become a Bristol 403 owner.
The Bristol Owners Club of Australia is also a very active, holding regular events, rallies and social functions. They are also an excellent source for knowledge and information on the marque.
It is not often a Bristol 403 comes to market, let alone one in this condition.
Accompanying the car is a good history file with a copy of the Bristol Chassis Ledger and Bristol Advice of Despatch for this car, some period documentation and photos as well as invoices and photos pertaining to its restoration. There is also a spare wheel and a jack.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD, matching numbers example.
- Recently completed restoration.
- Beautifully presented car that is just fabulous to drive.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed by its next custodian.
Price $119,950.
Background:
The Bristol Car Company has a rich and fascinating history. Its origins date back to the Bristol Aeroplane Company (formerly The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company) that was founded in February 1910 by Sir George White, chairman of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, along with his son Stanley and his brother Samuel, to commercially exploit the fast-growing aviation sector. The Bristol Aeroplane Company developed into a British industrial powerhouse and they built some of the worlds most technologically advanced aeroplanes. Some of the most well-known and successful aircraft built by Bristol were the Bristol F2 Fighter (used during World War I), the Bristol Bulldog and the Bristol Beaufighter (used during World War II).
Following the First World War the British aircraft industry suffered a dramatic downturn and subsequently significant financial challenges. In an endeavour to keep its workforce employed the Bristol Aeroplane Company undertook the manufacture of a light car, the single seat Bristol Monocar which was powered by a motorcycle engine, the construction of car bodies for Armstrong Siddeley and bus bodies for their sister company, Bristol Tramways. The company survived, but times were tough.
Aircraft manufacturing ramped up again with the outbreak of the Second World War, however, management had learned that they must plan for the future. It is understood that discussions started as early as 1941 to establish a post war car manufacturing division. Bristol began working with AFN Ltd, makers of Frazer Nash cars and British importer of BMWs before the war, on plans for a joint venture in automotive manufacturing. What ultimately eventuated was that the Bristol Aeroplane Company took over AFN Ltd and established its car manufacturing division, Bristol Cars. A purpose built factory was constructed at Filton Aerodrome, near Bristol.
The first Bristol was designated the 400 and not surprisingly given the Frazer Nash and BMW connection it was based on a BMW 326 chassis with BMW 327 styling. The engine, whilst built by Bristol, was also based on a BMW 327. The first prototypes were built in late 1946, however, the car was formally introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
The car was a great success for Bristol and almost 500 examples were built through until 1950. This included 17 Drophead Coupes with coachwork by Pininfarina.
In 1949 Bristol introduced successor to the 400, the 401, which was designed and bodied by Touring of Milan in Italy. The new model was aerodynamically sleeker and featured superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame.
As a result the car weighed significantly less and its performance was greatly enhanced. Bristol was gaining a reputation for building technologically advanced motor cars that were luxurious, very reliable and offered genuinely exciting performance on the road. Their cars were not cheap and as a result they remained somewhat exclusive. Buyers of new Bristols back in the day were typically wealthy businessman who wanted a car to stand out in a crowd. They also wanted a car they could drive and enjoy and many Bristols were used for hill climbs and weekend motor racing.
Bristol developed the 450 specifically for motor racing and it made its debut at the 1953 Le Mans 24 hour race. Two cars were entered in the race, however, they both retired with engine failures after about 10 hours. Bristol returned to Le Mans in 1954 and entered three cars, with uprated engines and improved aerodynamic bodywork. In contrast with the previous year all three cars finished the race, coming home in first, second and third place in their class and seventh, eighth and ninth overall. Their performance also earned Bristol the team prize. Bristol returned to Le Mans again in 1955 and again performed exceptionally well achieving the same results as in 1954. The race became famous for the wrong reason when a major accident resulted in debris flying into the crowd killing 83 people and injuring many more. Following this race a number of manufacturers, including Bristol, retired from motor racing indefinitely.
Subsequent road cars included the 403 (1953-1955, 287 cars built), which was a further development of its predecessors, the 404 (1953-1958, 52 cars built), the 405 (1953-1958, 308 cars built and the 406 (1958-1961, 174 cars built).
Bristol Cars was sold after its parent company joined with other British aircraft companies in 1960 to create the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), which later became part of British Aerospace.

1955 BRISTOL 403

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this freshly restored 1987 BMW M3 E30.
Over the years the BMW M3 E30 has built up quite a reputation and it has become highly sought after by people in the know.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the BMW M3 E30 as number six on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. In 2007, Automobile Magazine included the BMW M3 E30 in their "5 Greatest Drivers Cars of All Time" category with their list of the 25 Greatest Cars of All Time.
The BMW M3 E30 was so much more than just a high performance BMW 3 Series with a body kit and spoilers. They were different cars mechanically and the only exterior body panels they shared were the bonnet, roof panel and sunroof.
As confirmed by the code AK03 in the VIN number, this particular example was delivered new to the USA.
According to the BMW M3 register this car was delivered new with the following options:
- Electric windscreens at the front (0410)
- AC (0530)
- Cruise control (0540)
- On-board computer II with remote control (0551)
- BMW sound system (0675)
The car was delivered in alpin-weiss (colour code 146) with a black interior (trim code 0203) and that is how the car still presents today.
At some stage it found its way to Japan before coming to Australia. The car was imported into Melbourne in 2005. There is a copy of the import approval on file issued on the 30th March 2005.
The car was sold into Sydney in March 2008 and it is understood that it was essentially parked up until 2022. It was acquired by the current owner in December 2022, who engaged the services of highly respected BMW specialist, Scott Robinson from Modern Classic Motorsport in Capalaba, to restore the car.
Over the next three years this BMW M3 E30 underwent a complete restoration with the exception of the interior. The interior was in such good condition it only required a sympathetic refresh.
The car was completely stripped and sent to Styling Automotive, based in Yeerongpilly on Brisbanes south side to be repainted. The car was completely refurbished mechanically by Modern Classic Motorsport. To say the work was comprehensive would be an understatement!
Once the engine was removed and disassembled, it was clear a full rebuild was required, including machining of the cylinder bores. Everything that needed to be replaced was replaced and in some cases upgraded. The S14B23 engines capacity increased from the standard 2,302cc to 2,341cc. Lots of parts were replaced during the rebuilt.
A summary of the work completed, includes:
- The engine now has: Wossner forged pistons with a compression ratio: 10.92:1, new conrod bearings, new main bearings, Elring bottom end gasket set, Elring VRS top end gasket set, new head bolts, new ARP conrod bolts, new IWIS timing chain, new chain guide rails, new oil pump chain, a rebuilt oil pump, new upgraded chain tensioner, new water pump, new silicone water hose set, new thermostat unit, new water pipe on the side of the block, new welsh plugs, new NGK spark plugs, factory headers ceramic coated, new v belts, new crankshaft speed and position sensors, and new fuel injectors.
- The cylinder head was fully serviced including resurfacing and a multi angle valve job. Throttle body butterflies were stripped, vapor blasted and assembled with new butterfly screws
- The valve cover and inlet plenum were powder coated in the correct black wrinkle finish.
- A new super sprint exhaust system was fitted.
- New BBS wheels were fitted as well as a BMW M3 Evolution style front splitter, lower engine cover and rear spoiler.
- The fuel tank was removed and cleaned.
The list goes on and it is way too long to include in this write up.
The end result is simply STUNNING. Alpine white is the perfect colour for a BMW M3 E30, beautifully highlighting the cars sharp lines and distinctive details. The BMW and M3 badges stand out brilliantly against the crisp white finish.
At the time of photographing the car the odometer read 88,222 miles, however, one could argue that the mileage is irrelevant considering it is a fresh restoration. The car presents today essentially as new.
Walking around the car, you cant help but be impressed. The paintwork is in excellent condition and we were unable to find any imperfections. The black front splitter, rear spoiler section, front grill as well as the black vinyl striping on the front and rear bumpers provide a perfect contrast to the Alpine White finish, enhancing the cars sharp, purposeful look. The badges on the car are all in excellent condition as are all the lights and lenses. All the glass is in a good condition with no cracks or repairs evident.
The car is fitted with a set of new BBS wheels and they are shod with Nankang Sportnex AR 1 tyres, size 225/45/ZR16. The tyres are date stamped 0424 (week 4, 2024). The wheels are in perfect condition.
Inside the cabin, everything appears to be original. When the restoration began, it was clear the interior was in such excellent condition that it deserved to be preserved. It was carefully reconditioned, with no need to replace components or retrim the seats.
As with many German cars of the 1980s, the layout is simple and highly functional. Look closer, however, and youll find some rather cool details, such as the M coloured stitching on the Alcantara steering wheel and handbrake, the M badging on the steering wheel, gear knob, door sills and even within the instrument cluster. Then theres the wonderfully retro, very 80s roof-mounted check control panel, a distinctive touch that adds to the cars period charm.
Opening the bonnet reveals the fully rebuilt engine, proudly displaying the unmistakable BMW M Power logo. The engine bay is exceptionally clean and neatly presented. The same attention to detail is evident in the boot, which houses the spare wheel and a partially complete factory toolkit.
As they say, there is a first for everything, and for us this is the first BMW M3 E30 we have had in our showroom. We were genuinely excited to find out if all the hype is justified.
The short answer is YES!
Getting into the car is easy and the seats are firm, yet comfortable and provide ample support. With multiple adjustment options available, finding the ideal driving position is easy for almost anyone. Starting the car is straight forward . . . you simply insert the key into the ignition and turn it. With a fully rebuilt totally fresh engine it is no surprise it starts easily and then quickly settles into a smooth idle. The sports exhaust produces a crisp, raspy note that immediately hints at the cars performance pedigree. This being a US spec car means the gearbox has the conventional H pattern as where the European spec cars were equipped with a dog leg gearbox.
The BMW M3 E30 was essentially designed as a Group A touring car and it race pedigree is immediately obvious once you get behind the wheel. By todays standards this is not a supercar, but its performance is still impressive and it offers the most exhilarating, responsive, balanced and engaging driving experience.
The engine revs freely and responds instantly to even the slightest input from the throttle, feeling eager and alive throughout the rev range. The harder you go, the better it gets! Equally impressive is the handling. The car feels as though its on rails, cornering with remarkable composure and precision. It reacts immediately to the slightest turn of the steering wheel, keeping you totally connected to the road. The brakes offer excellent pedal feel and strong stopping power, bringing the car to a halt quickly and in a perfectly straight line when required.
The BMW M3 E30 race pedigree and success is unpatrolled. It is now easy to understand why.
At time of photographing this car the restoration was 99.9% complete. There are a few minor details that need to be completed. Eagle eyed BMW M3 E30 experts may notice the seal between the body and the front bumper is missing. This item, along with few others, are on order and will be fitted to the car prior to the new owner taking delivery of the car.
The current owner has enjoyed the journey of the restoration and he has stumbled across another project that he has to have. As a result, he is now reluctantly offering this car for sale.
BMW M3 E30s do not come up for sale very often in Australia and the opportunity to acquire a car like this one which has just been restored by a BMW specialist is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Accompanying the car is some historical documentation, photographs and invoices related to the restoration, a spare wheel and a partially complete toolkit.
Highlights:
- Rare and desirable example of one the most iconic BMWs.
- Beautifully presented example.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy
Price $209,950
Background
On 7 March 1916 the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) was established. The company was the result of a reorganisation of the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, a company founded by Gustav Otto in Bavaria, Germany, in 1910. The company was one of the aircraft pioneers in the early 20th century. A year later, in 1917, a Bavarian aircraft engine manufacturer by the name of Rapp Motorwerke changed its name into Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW). That company transferred all its engine production assets to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922 and that company was then renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW).
The company survived World War I and started focussing on the production of motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. In 1923 BMW produced its first motorcycle, the BMW R23.
In 1928 BMW purchased the Fahrzeug Fabrik Eisenach which built Austin Sevens under license. That is when BMW officially became an automobile manufacturer. The first car BMW sold under its own name was the BMW 3/15 which was basically a rebadged Austin 7. Throughout the 1930s BMW focussed more and more on producing their own cars and expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars.
During World War II the BMW factories were heavily bombed and severely damaged. Motor vehicle production was curtained and BMW has concentrated on building aircraft engines during the War. As a result, after the war the company was prohibited from producing aircraft or motor vehicles. Miraculously the company survived by making pots, pans and bicycles. It began manufacturing motorcycles again in 1948 and cars in 1952.
Its first post war effort was the BMW 501 which was built in a new factory in Munich. The car was reasonably successful and it effectively relaunched BMW. At the time BMW was also building its fabulous little Isetta, but the company was doing it tough financially. In 1955 the BMW 507 made its debut at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The 507 was roadster powered by a 3.2 litre V8 engine and was meant to revive the companies sporting image. Instead, the high production cost led the company to the verge of bankruptcy. Only 252 examples were built before production ceased in 1959. As it turns out, it would take BMW nearly 30 years before it would produce another roadster. The company was in serious financial trouble in 1959 and only a large investment from a third party saved the company and prevented a takeover by Daimler-Benz.
It was the launch of the BMW New Class cars in 1962 that proved to be a game changer for the company. Initially these were 4-door compact sedans aimed at the executives. The first one was the BMW 1500 which was first introduced at the September 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Other models like the BMW 1800, the successor of the 1500 the BMW 1600 and the BMW 2000 followed soon. In 1965 BMW introduced a coupe versions of the 2000, the 2000C and he 2000CS.
Around the mid 1960s BMW recognised there was a market for a slightly smaller version of their New Class cars. Around the same time they stopped producing the BMW 1600 they introduced the BMW 1600-2 which was a shorter two door model. In 1968 BMW started producing the two door BMW 2002 with its stronger 1,990cc M10 engine.
In 1973 BMW introduced its first turbo charged production car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 2002 Turbo. It produced 170hp and had a top speed of 211 km/h.
Only 1,672 were ever built between July 1973 and June 1975, including twelve pre-production cars constructed between July and December of 1973. The BMW 2002 Turbo was only built as left hand drive.
The BMW 02 series was superseded by the BMW 3 series (E21) in 1975. The E21 remained in production till 1982 when it was replaced by the BMW 3 series (E30)
When BMW decided to race the E30 in the  Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) and Group A Touring it was required to built a homologation version of the car to satisfy the regulations. The M3 (E30) was born. It was presented to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985. Production started in 1986 and the car remained in production till 1991. The M3 (E30) was only ever built as a LHD car.  In total 17,970 cars were built.
An article written by Horatiu Boeriu and published on the January 29, 2026 in BMWBLOG, sums up the BMW M3 E30 perfectly:
E30 M3 is Now 40 Years Old: The Car That Defined BMW M Forever
From homologation special to cultural icon, the E30 M3 defined what BMW M means - and still refuses to slow down four decades later.
The E30 M3 proved that intelligent engineering beats raw power. Its 195 hp naturally aspirated 2.3-liter four-cylinder from a 1,200 kg chassis set the template for every M car that followed.
Dominating the WTCC, DTM, British Touring Car Championship, and 24 Hours of Spa, the E30 M3 was essentially unbeatable. In race trim, it produced up to 360 hp - proving road and race could be one.
Nearly 18,000 road cars sold. Jay Z gifted DJ Khaled one. Kith collaborated on a one-off. Goodwood featured it prominently. The E30 M3 transcended "classic car" to become a genuine cultural artefact.

1987 BMW M3 E30

Oldtimer Australia is offering for sale a 1975 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible.
This first series Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is one of 1,232 examples produced between 1971 and 1977.
The car specification sheet on file dated 30th July 1974 confirms this car was ordered to the following specification: paint colour - cardinal red (L68-RV-006), interior - black (VM.8500), hood - black (5218), headlining - grey (TRA.42), carpet - cherry red (21), fine lines - double black (PWS.1426). The car was ordered by Rolls-Royce dealer HA Fox (Washam Stringer) from London, UK.
This Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible was ordered with the following options: fog lamps, Firestone black radial tyres, plain Sundym glass throughout, fire extinguisher and a badge bar.
The first owner, L Archer-Davis from London, took delivery of his car on the 2nd May 1975 and it was first registered as HYK911N.
Accompanying this car is its original service book, which interestingly notes the first service was completed on the 30th May 1975 by Rolls-Royce dealer Turnbull & Gamble in Beverly Hills, California in the USA. At that time the odometer read 3,836 miles.
The next service was completed in November 1975 by Rolls-Royce in London, UK and at that time the odometer read 7,780 miles. Over the next four years or so the car was used and enjoyed as its makers intended. It was regularly serviced, as confirmed by the entries in the service book
In the early 1980s the car found its way to Australia. The last recorded service in the UK was executed by H.R. Owen on the 24th July 1980 and at that time the odometer read 64,300 miles. The first recorded service in Australia was completed by York Motors on the 27th July 1982 and at that time the odometer read 69,502 miles.
It is understood the car was acquired by Neville Burrow from Goulburn, NSW on the 28th of July 2012 and at that time the odometer read 16,212 miles (116,212 miles).
The current owner who lives on the Gold Coast acquired the car on the 22nd September 2015 and at that time the odometer read 17,617 miles (117,617 miles). He has used and enjoyed the car in the past 10 years ranking up some 23,000 miles and at the time of photographing the odometer read 40,980 miles (140,980 miles).
The car is owned by a passionate Rolls-Royce enthusiast who is an active member of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club and the car is regularly seen at events in and around south east Queensland.
In his ownership the car has been regularly serviced and maintained. In recent years it has been maintained and serviced by Pauls Nerang Mechanical Workshop, Prestige Mechanics Gold Coast and Eldens Autobahn, all based on the Gold Coast.
A Rolls-Royce commands attention wherever it goes, and this example is no different. The current owner says it consistently draws admiration and enthusiastic compliments every time he takes it out. The colour of Cardinal Red is quite unique and we think striking. With the top down the car has a commanding presence on the road.
As you approach the car, the first thing that captures your attention is the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, proudly poised atop the radiator. Few hood ornaments are as instantly recognisable as this legendary figure.
A Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is a very elegant car and this particular example has aged very well. The paint on the car is generally in good condition. This is a car that has been used and enjoyed. It is definitely not a trailer queen and therefore, there are some stone chips and minor paint imperfections visible. A nice touch is the black pin striping, which matches the black upholstery and really suits the car. Importantly, all the panel gaps are really good on this car.
The bright work on the car is in good condition throughout. Most prominent, of course, is the grille, crowned by the Spirit of Ecstasy, which presents very well with no signs of damage. The bumpers, including the front badge bar, are also in good order. Likewise, the headlight surrounds, door handles, and window trims all show nicely. All lights are functioning correctly, and the lenses are clear and free from cracks. All the glass on the car is in a good condition with no cracks or chips evident.
The wheel trims and RR inscribed hub caps are another feature on a Rolls-Royce Corniche and they present well on this car. The steel wheels are shod with Nankang Toursport NS tyres, size 225/75R15. These tyres are date stamped 1524 (week 15, 2024).
The electric soft top operates smoothly and can be raised or lowered with ease, an effortless task that can comfortably be handled by your chauffeur alone! It remains in good condition overall, with a clear rear window that maintains excellent visibility.
Under the bonnet everything looks to be very original, neat and tidy. The boot is similarly well presented.
The interior presents very well. The seats are in good condition, displaying just the right amount of patina to reflect the cars character without detracting from its appeal. They are comfortable and offer excellent support, with leather that remains soft and free from any rips or tears. The rear seats are in similarly fine condition and appear to have seen very little use.
The timber dashboard is a standout feature, providing a beautiful contrast to the rest of the interior. Overall, the woodwork throughout the car presents very well, with only a few minor blemishes visible. The Smiths instruments are clear and display nicely. On our test drive they all appeared to be functioning as they should and in good working order.
We were keen to see whether the car drives as impressively as it presents. The short answer is that it most certainly does. The engine fires up readily, even from cold, settling into a smooth, refined idle. As a matter of course, we allow it to warm up before setting off. On the road, despite its considerable presence, the Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is surprisingly a very easy car to drive. The engine is smooth and quiet, yet delivering ample power effortlessly when called upon. The gearbox shifts seamlessly, with changes that are almost imperceptible. The power assisted steering makes tight turns and manoeuvring effortless. When called upon, the brakes bring the car to a swift, straight and reassuring stop.
The car has speed control, though we did not get the opportunity to use it on our test drive.
The current owner has thoroughly enjoyed his time with this Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, however, after 10 years of ownership feels the time is right for him to move in a different direction.
Accompanying the car is an owners manual, the original service book, the build sheets, a very good history file with receipts for all the work completed over the last circa 20 years, a complete original toolkit, a jack and a spare wheel.
Highlights:
- Well presented example in a unique, original colour.
- Matching numbers.
- Good history file which includes the build sheets.
- Excellent club car, ready to use and enjoy.
Price $89,950
Background
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 10 hp 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.
Like all car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce was impacted by the First World War. Times were tough and 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.
Post the Second World War a significant milestone in Rolls-Royce history was the introduction of the Silver Dawn, which was the first model with a factory built body. In April 1955 Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and for the next eleven years this model was at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce production. The Cloud evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I, Silver Cloud II and Silver Cloud III until it was superseded by the Silver Shadow. The last of the Silver Clouds rolled off the Crewe production line in 1965 although specialist coachbuilders were still offering the Cloud III in early 1966. During this time some 7,372 cars were built.
One of the major changes to occur during Silver Cloud production was to the engine. The 4.9 litre 6 cylinder engine used in the Cloud I was replaced by a 6.2 litre V8 engine for the Cloud II. This change ensured the Cloud II had far greater performance all round.
With the arrival of the Cloud III in 1963 the car had now evolved both internally and externally, albeit subtly. The major visual difference was the introduction of the quad head light set up that was to be continued on the Silver Shadow and a lowered bonnet. The Cloud III also shed a few kilos further improving performance and handling.
In 1965 the Silver Cloud III was replaced by the Silver Shadow. The Silver Shadow remained in production through until 1980 and became the largest production volume model for the company at that time with just over 30,000 produced.
In 1966 Rolls-Royce introduced a two door version of the Silver Shadow, the Mulliner Park Ward Coupe followed by a drophead coupe in 1967, the Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe.
In 1971 Rolls-Royce decided to rename the Mulliner Park Models as a Corniche. The Corniche was great success story for Rolls-Royce and incredibly it remained in production for more than 25 years, spanning five different series. In total 5,172 Corniche Convertibles were built, plus an another 506 Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Convertibles.

ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo.
The BMW Birth Certificate on file confirms this car was delivered new to the Balcom Trading Co. Inc in Tokyo, Japan. This was the local BMW importer which got later absorbed into BMW Japan Corp, the first 100% owned subsidiary of a foreign car maker in Japan. The car has a production date of the 18th October 1974 and a delivery date of the 15th November 1974. The Birth Certificate states the cars original colour was chamonix (BMW white), which is how the car is presented today.
The Japanese history of this car is not known. The car was imported into Australia in the second half of 2007. There is an import approval on file dated 18th of June 2007. It is understood it then resided in New South Wales. There is a photograph of the car on file with the NSW registration BJ82HS. The car was acquired by the previous owner who is a doctor and BMW enthusiast who lived in Adelaide, South Australia.
In October 2018 the car was acquired by its current Melbourne based owner. The car was in a partially disassembled state as the previous owner had commenced pulling the car apart to restore it. This was perfect for the cars new owner who was looking for his next project. His plan was a nut and bolt restoration to a concours standard. He engaged Concourse Automotive Restorations in Geelong to do the body and paint, Auto Sprint Motors in Melbourne for the mechanicals and Unique Auto Interiors in Melbourne to do the trim. The fuel injection system was sent to highly regarded experts Saxon Parts in The Netherlands to be overhauled.
This was to be a no expense spared restoration and where possible NOS parts were sourced for the car. Anything that needed to be replaced or repaired was replaced or repaired. The majority of the new parts were acquired from classic BMW specialists Jaymic in the UK, Rogers tii in the USA and Wallotnesch in Germany.
The restoration was completed just in time for the car to be displayed at Motorclassica in 2019. At that time the odometer read 85,379km.
Since the car was restored, it has been used and enjoyed clocking up some 12,000 km in the last 5 years. The car is a credit to the current owner and all who were involved in the restoration as it still presents today as a fresh restoration.
At some stage the engine block in the car was replaced. There is correspondence on file from BMW in Germany confirming that the engine currently in the car belonged to a BMW 2002 Turbo which was delivered new to France in January 1975. It is unknown when and where the engine was replaced.
Walking up to the car you just cannot help but being impressed with its appearance. The paint is in excellent condition and the decals on the car immediately tell you this car is not your everyday BMW 2002. The flared wheel arches and the decals give the car a very aggressive stance. Even for the uninitiated, it only takes you a few seconds to realise the decals on the front air dam spell Turbo 2002 in reverse. This sends a firm warning to the car driving in front of you when they see you in their rear view mirror . . . please move out of the way!
Walking around the car it is difficult to find any imperfections. There is the smallest of blemishes in the paint on the lower part of the drivers door and there are also some very small marks on the rear spoiler which have been touched up at some stage. All the decals on the car, which are a real feature, are in excellent condition. The stainless steel belt line trim, a unique design feature which runs right around the car, is in very good condition with only a few very small imperfections. The rest of the external trim, including the badges, lights and lenses is in excellent condition. The Hella headlights are the correct type and taillight lenses have the correct BMW markings on them.
The car is fitted with the correct 13 inch Mahle wheels, shod with Pirelli Cinturato tyres, size 185/70/13, which are date stamped 5118 (week 51, 2018).
Open the door and the first thing you will notice is the red instrument binnacle. This is another unique design feature that tells you this is not an ordinary BMW 2002. The interior itself is immaculate. The seats, door cards, dash, centre console and even the carpets present like new. The seats are firm and comfortable and provide ample support. When the current owner decided to restore the car he also decided to make it a more usable classic for the Australian climate and discretely install a modern electric air conditioning system. The air is fed to the cabin using period correct vents. The car is also fitted with EZ power steering.
Getting behind the wheel is easy and it does not take long to find that comfortable driving position. As you would expect from a BMW the interior is very business like and everything is exactly where you would expect it to be. The Turbo version of the 2002 also had an extra instrument binnacle with two gauges above the centre console. One gauge showing the turbo boost and the other one a clock. On this car the clock has been replace with a voltage meter.
We were very eager to find out if this car lives up to its reputation. The car starts easily and quickly settles into a smooth idle. With great anticipation we wait for the engine to warm up before taking the car out on the road for a short test drive. First impressions are good. The car feels solid, yet very nimble on the road. There are no rattles or squeaks and the car is easy to drive. This BMW 2002 Turbo is equipped with the more desirable 5 speed dog leg gearbox which works well with that typical German precision. Out on the road you quickly forget you are driving a 50 year old car. This car is just a lot of fun to drive and when pushed it is somewhat of a pocket rocket. The 4 cylinder engine is only a 1,990cc but with the KKK (Kuhnle, Kopp and Kausch) turbocharger it pushed out an impressive 170 bhp. Top speed was quoted as 210 km/hr (130 mph) and the car could dash from 0 100 km/h (60 mph) in around 7 seconds. There is just something about hearing that turbo spinning up every time you getclose to 4,000rpm.
A BMW 2002 Turbo is a very unique and rare car anywhere in the world with only 1,672 having been produced. They were never sold new in Australia and only a handful have found their way to our shores. They tend to be tightly held and a result the opportunity to purchase this care presents a unique opportunity.
Accompanying the car is an extensive file, including photographs documenting the restoration of this car, a spare wheel, a tool kit, a first aid kit, a safety triangle, a fitted car cover, a workshop manual, a parts manual and various period brochures.
Highlights:
- Rare and desirable example of one the most iconic BMWs.
- Beautifully presented example.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy
Price $229,950
Background:
On 7 March 1916 the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) was established. The company was the result of a reorganisation of the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, a company founded by Gustav Otto in Bavaria, Germany, in 1910. The company was one of the aircraft pioneers in the early 20th century. A year later, in 1917, a Bavarian aircraft engine manufacturer by the name of Rapp Motorwerke changed its name into Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW). That company transferred all its engine production assets to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922 and that company was then renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW).
The company survived World War I and started focussing on the production of motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. In 1923 BMW produced its first motorcycle, the BMW R23.
In 1928 BMW purchased the Fahrzeug Fabrik Eisenach which built Austin Sevens under license. That is when BMW officially became an automobile manufacturer. The first car BMW sold under its own name was the BMW 3/15 which was basically a rebadged Austin 7. Throughout the 1930s BMW focussed more and more on producing their own cars and expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars.
During World War II the BMW factories were heavily bombed and severely damaged. Motor vehicle production was curtained and BMW has concentrated on building aircraft engines during the War. As a result, after the war the company was prohibited from producing aircraft or motor vehicles. Miraculously the company survived by making pots, pans and bicycles. It began manufacturing motorcycles again in 1948 and cars in 1952.
Its first post war effort was the BMW 501 which was built in a new factory in Munich. The car was reasonably successful and it effectively relaunched BMW. At the time BMW was also building its fabulous little Isetta, but the company was doing it tough financially. In 1955 the BMW 507 made its debut at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The 507 was roadster powered by a 3.2 litre V8 engine and was meant to revive the companies sporting image. Instead, the high production cost led the company to the verge of bankruptcy. Only 252 examples were built before production ceased in 1959. As it turns out, it would take BMW nearly 30 years before it would produce another roadster. The company was in serious financial trouble in 1959 and only a large investment from a third party saved the company and prevented a takeover by Daimler-Benz.
It was the launch of the BMW New Class cars in 1962 that proved to be a game changer for the company. Initially these were 4-door compact sedans aimed at the executives. The first one was the BMW 1500 which was first introduced at the September 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Other models like the BMW 1800, the successor of the 1500 the BMW 1600 and the BMW 2000 followed soon. In 1965 BMW introduced a coupe versions of the 2000, the 2000C and he 2000CS.
Around the mid 1960s BMW recognised there was a market for a slightly smaller version of their New Class cars. Around the same time they stopped producing the BMW 1600 they introduced the BMW 1600-2 which was a shorter two door model. In 1968 BMW started producing the two door BMW 2002 with its stronger 1,990cc M10 engine.
In 1973 BMW introduced its first turbo charged production car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 2002 Turbo. It produced 170hp and had a top speed of 211 km/h. It was only available in two colours Chamonix (white) and Polaris (silver) and all cars featured BMW motorsport colour scheme stripes and decals on the sides as well as the front air dam. Interestingly the car was introduced just before the 1973 oil crises and as BMW themselves said; BMW had built a car that contradicted the spirit of the times like no automobile before.
Only 1,672 were ever built between July 1973 and June 1975, including twelve pre-production cars constructed between July and December of 1973. The BMW 2002 Turbo was only built as left hand drive.

1974 BMW 2002 Turbo

A new arrival to Oldtimer Australia is this lovely, beautifully restored 1948 Bristol 400.
There is documentation on file that states that this particular example was completed on the 9th July 1948 and despatched to Messrs Commonwealth Motors Ltd in Melbourne on the 14th July 1948 together with three other cars. It was delivered in its current colour of light blue metallic. Sun visors were fitted to the car as an option and the spare wheel was mounted on the boot lid.
The car was sold to its first owner on the 16th March 1949. It was registered in Victoria as MY229. The car remained in continuous ownership for nearly six years. On the 1st January 1955 the car was sold to William Love. In his ownership the car was repainted Ivory. On the 1st June 1961 the car changed hands and found its way to South Australia. It was repainted back to its original colour of light blue metallic. The car was then sold on the 1st January 1963 by Para Motors in Adelaide to John Fleming. In Flemings ownership the car was registered in South Australia as HUM611. It was repainted again, this time in the Ford colour of port wine. Fleming traded his Bristol for an Aston Martin DB4 and on 1st March 1969 through a business by the name of Group Air. On the 1st January 1970, the car was sold and it found its way to Western Australia. On the 1st December 1970 the car was sold again, to John Milne, who returned the car back to its original colour.
After a colourful early life where this car travelled across Australia, passing through many different owners and changing colour a number of times, this wonderful Bristol has subsequently remained in continuous ownership for the next 48 years!
This car was acquired by the father of the current owner in 1977. He passed the car down to his son, who is the current owner of the car, in 1978. The car was used sparingly until 1987 at which time it was parked with the intention to one day restore it to its former glory.
This Bristol 400 remained in storage for the next 27 years and in 2014 it was then sent to O&S Sports Car Restoration and Mechanical Repairs in Cromer, NSW. They completely stripped the car and started the restoration. In August 2015 the owner decided to send his partially restored car to Bristol specialist Sebastian Gross in Kendall on the mid north coast in NSW. The restoration was a major undertaking and finally in 2019 the car was back on the road. There are detailed invoices and a photographic record of the restoration on file, which confirm the extent of the work completed.
Whilst the owner of the car lived in Perth, he chose to keep the car in NSW. He came across to the east coast regularly and when possible got to use and enjoy his Bristol. He was a regular attendee at Bristol Club events and most notably took the car to Noosa for a national rally organised by the Bristol Owners Club of Australia from the 28th of April 2019 until the 5th of May 2019. The car was very well received and it won the trophy for the Best Restoration against some stiff competition.
The current owner is moving overseas and has reluctantly decided that it is time for his beloved Bristol 400 to pass on to its next custodian. He had to have one last hurrah with the car and took a week to drive it from Kendall, NSW up to Noosa, QLD, finally dropping it off at our private showroom in Brisbane.
As they say . . . a picture is worth a thousand words and the photos of this car do exactly that! This is a very well presented car. The light blue metallic colour really suits the car and it accentuates the art deco style flowing lines which give it a cohesive, almost sculpted appearance. Generally the paint is still in very good condition. It has retained a strong depth of colour with a high gloss finish. Upon closer inspection there are a few minor imperfections consistent with a car which has been used and enjoyed. The most noticeable defect is some orange peel visible on the left rear quarter panel. The external trim, with its subtle chrome accents around the grille, window surrounds and bumpers provide just enough contrast without overwhelming the cars clean lines. It is all in very good condition and presents with nice lustre. The badges are also similarly well presented. The glass is all in a good condition with no scratches, chips or cracks evident.
The unique steel wheels are clean with no kerb rash evident. They are shod with Michelin X tyres, size 5.50R16. These tyres are date stamped 2917 (week 29, 2017) and are still in a good condition. The hubcaps with the Bristol logo are a real feature and in a good condition.
Opening the large rear hinged suicide doors reveals a wonderfully inviting interior. The beige and brown upholstery combination is particularly appealing, providing a warm and sophisticated contrast to the light blue paintwork. The overall effect is both harmonious and elegantly understated. The seats are surprisingly comfortable and provide ample support. The leather is in a very good condition with no damage or any sign of wear present. The rear seats have probably never been used.
Once youve settled in behind the large steering wheel, your attention naturally turns to the dashboard. As part of the cars restoration, a new dashboard was crafted from African cedar and it still presents beautifully today, appearing as fresh as the day it was installed. The instruments are crisp and clear, with everything functioning as it should on our recent test drive. Even the radio is operational. The roll down blinds are a sophisticated touch and were particularly fond of the charming semaphore indicators, which are in perfect working order.
The bonnet on a Bristol 400 is split down the centreline and opens from both sides, allowing access to the engine bay from either side of the car. This design not only reflects the craftsmanship of the era but also helps maintain the smooth, flowing lines of the body when closed, preserving the cars elegant, aerodynamic profile. Under the bonnet the engine bay is neat and tidy and this is also where you will find the toolkit and a foot pump. The same can be said for the boot, where everything is clean and well presented. The jack is mounted on the bulkhead at the rear of the boot. Importantly, the Enots 'one shot' lubrication system is present and in working order.
This is a very well sorted car and therefore it is no surprise it also starts easily, even from cold. Once the 2.0 litre six cylinder engine fires, it quickly settles into a smooth, steady idle. With these older cars it is best to allow the engine a little bit of time to warm up. It doesnt take long before we are able to select first gear and are out on the open road. The Bristol 400 is not a sports car, rather it is a gentlemans express with a sporting edge and it needs to be driven that way. Driving the Bristol 400 is about elegance and presence, not outright speed. It encourages a relaxed, attentive style of driving where you savour the engineering, the handcrafted details and the smooth ride. Its the kind of car that turns heads wherever it goes and makes every journey feel like a special occasion. Quite incredible for a car built almost 80 years ago!
Once on the road, the car moves with composure, rewarding gentle throttle inputs rather than aggressive acceleration. The engine sounds fabulous with rorty exhaust note. The gear changes are smooth and precise both up and down the box. The car handles well. It feels composed and predictable around corners, with a steering thats accurate but not overly heavy, making it comfortable for longer drives without feeling disconnected from the road. The brakes are effective, pulling the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed. They require a firm, confident touch, as is typical of cars from this period, but respond reliably.
As mentioned earlier in this write up, the current owner is moving overseas and has decided its time for someone else to enjoy his beloved Bristol 400. This is a very well sorted car which you can just enjoy the way it is. We would repair the paint blemishes on the left rear guard, which would return this car to near concours condition.
It is understood that almost 500 Bristol 400s were built between 1947 and 1950. According to records from the Bristol Owners Club of Australia, there were originally 94 Bristol 400s exported to Australia when the model was new. It is thought that perhaps as many as 50 of those cars still exist today, however, it would be hard to find a better example than this car.
Accompanying the car is a good history file with receipts and photos of all the work completed during the restoration. There is also a spare wheel, tool kit, jack and a foot pump.
Highlights:
Australian delivered, factory RHD example.
Known ownership from new.
Restored by marque experts.
Presented in its original and stunning colour combination.
Beautifully presented car that is just a delight to drive.
Price $ 99,950.
Background
The Bristol Car Company has a rich and fascinating history. Its origins date back to the Bristol Aeroplane Company (formerly The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company) that was founded in February 1910 by Sir George White, chairman of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, along with his son Stanley and his brother Samuel, to commercially exploit the fast-growing aviation sector. The Bristol Aeroplane Company developed into a British industrial powerhouse and they built some of the worlds most technologically advanced aeroplanes. Some of the most well-known and successful aircraft built by Bristol were the Bristol F2 Fighter (used during World War I), the Bristol Bulldog and the Bristol Beaufighter (used during World War II).
Following the First World War the British aircraft industry suffered a dramatic downturn and subsequently significant financial challenges. In an endeavour to keep its workforce employed the Bristol Aeroplane Company undertook the manufacture of a light car, the single seat Bristol Monocar which was powered by a motorcycle engine, the construction of car bodies for Armstrong Siddeley and bus bodies for their sister company, Bristol Tramways. The company survived, but times were tough.
Aircraft manufacturing ramped up again with the outbreak of the Second World War, however, management had learned that they must plan for the future. It is understood that discussions started as early as 1941 to establish a post war car manufacturing division. Bristol began working with AFN Ltd, makers of Frazer Nash cars and British importer of BMWs before the war, on plans for a joint venture in automotive manufacturing. What ultimately eventuated was that the Bristol Aeroplane Company took over AFN Ltd and established its car manufacturing division, Bristol Cars. A purpose built factory was constructed at Filton Aerodrome, near Bristol.
The first Bristol was designated the 400 and not surprisingly given the Frazer Nash and BMW connection it was based on a BMW 326 chassis with BMW 327 styling. The engine, whilst built by Bristol, was also based on a BMW 327. The first prototypes were built in late 1946, however, the car was formally introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
The car was a great success for Bristol and almost 500 examples were built through until 1950. This included 17 Drophead Coupes with coachwork by Pininfarina.
In 1949 Bristol introduced successor to the 400, the 401, which was designed and bodied by Touring of Milan in Italy. The new model was aerodynamically sleeker and featured superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame.
As a result the car weighed significantly less and its performance was greatly enhanced. Bristol was gaining a reputation for building technologically advanced motor cars that were luxurious, very reliable and offered genuinely exciting performance on the road. Their cars were not cheap and as a result they remained somewhat exclusive. Buyers of new Bristols back in the day were typically wealthy businessman who wanted a car to stand out in a crowd. They also wanted a car they could drive and enjoy and many Bristols were used for hill climbs and weekend motor racing.
Bristol developed the 450 specifically for motor racing and it made its debut at the 1953 Le Mans 24 hour race. Two cars were entered in the race, however, they both retired with engine failures after about 10 hours. Bristol returned to Le Mans in 1954 and entered three cars, with uprated engines and improved aerodynamic bodywork. In contrast with the previous year all three cars finished the race, coming home in first, second and third place in their class and seventh, eighth and ninth overall. Their performance also earned Bristol the team prize. Bristol returned to Le Mans again in 1955 and again performed exceptionally well achieving the same results as in 1954. The race became famous for the wrong reason when a major accident resulted in debris flying into the crowd killing 83 people and injuring many more. Following this race a number of manufacturers, including Bristol, retired from motor racing indefinitely.
Subsequent road cars included the 403 (1953-1955, 287 cars built), which was a further development of its predecessors, the 404 (1953-1958, 52 cars built), the 405 (1953-1958, 308 cars built and the 406 (1958-1961, 174 cars built).
Bristol Cars was sold after its parent company joined with other British aircraft companies in 1960 to create the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), which later became part of British Aerospace.

BRISTOL 400

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this Australian delivered 1962 Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90 coupe.
The Kardex on file confirms this car was delivered new through Porsche dealer Hamilton in Melbourne to Mr J Robertson in Toorak (Melbourne), Victoria. It has a birth date/delivery date of 23rd October 1962 and it was delivered new in Bali Blau (paint code 6212) with a red leatherette interior.
Today the car is presented in that exact colour scheme.
The Kardex notes the following options: RHD, green tinted windscreen, chrome strips and disc wheels.
After having spent time in Melbourne, this car found its way to Brisbane, Queensland in the early 1990s and into the ownership of Reg Cullen from Kenmore in Brisbanes west. It is understood that at that time the car had been repainted in Oslo Blau.
It is understood that when Cullen acquired the car it no longer had its original Super 90 engine fitted. He wanted to return the car to be as original as possible and went on the hunt for a suitable Super 90 engine. He got lucky and found an engine that coincidentally was numbered very close to the original engine that would have been in the car. Between 1992 and 1995 that engine was completely rebuild with lots of new parts. There are invoices on file for the parts acquired and the work completed.
Cullen subsequently used and enjoyed his Porsche and it was regularly serviced by Wayne Park Auto & Tyres in Milton (Brisbane). The earliest service invoice on file from Wayne Park is dated 28th June 2005 and at that time the odometer read 62,571 km.
Cullen kept the car until November 2014. After just over 20 years of ownership he sold the car to John Walker from Clayfield (Brisbane). At that time the odometer read 83,584 km. At that time the car was a little tired. Walker addressed the cars mechanical needs first and sent the car to well respected Porsche specialists DHM in Tennyson (Brisbane) who overhauled the front suspension, fitted a new steering damper, overhauled the brake master cylinder, fitted new tie rod ends and fitted retractable seatbelts.
Walker used and enjoyed the car for about twelve months and at the end of 2015 decided to embark on a cosmetic restoration. He wanted to return the car to its original colour of Bali Blau. It was immediately apparent that this project was not going to be a quick strip and repaint.
The task of repairing the body and preparing it for painting was entrusted to Dennis Laing. When the car was stripped back to bare metal one could see that time had taken its toll on this 356. There are numerous invoices on file showing the various pieces of sheet metal that had to be replaced before the body could be prepared for painting.
The overall project was a significant and very time consuming task which, including painting the car, took nearly 900 hours to complete.
Following the cosmetic restoration the car was used sparingly.
The current Brisbane based owner, who is a well known Porsche 356 tragic, acquired the car in February 2023 and at that time the odometer read 62 km.
After acquiring the car he sent it to his preferred mechanic who went over the car and sorted out a few issues relating to is lack of use over the last seven years. He also had a 123 electronic distributor installed.
Over the last two and a bit years the current owner has continued to improve the car and has taken it to a near concours level.
As a testament to the condition and presentation of the car it was accepted into the 2024 Noosa Concours DElegance and the 2025 Sydney Harbour Concours DElegance. It was exceptionally well received at both events.
The current owner has enjoyed his time and journey with this Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90 coupe, however, he has now decided to move in a different direction.
At the time of photographing the car, the odometer read 1,912 km.
Whilst colour is obviously a personal choice, we think that Porsche 356s are very colour sensitive. We also think that Bali Blau with a red interior is a perfect colour combination for a Porsche 356. It just gives the car a very elegant and distinctive appearance.
Even though this car was repainted some 8 years ago now, the paint still looks fresh and it presents really well. It has retained its strong depth of colour and its high gloss finish. When you look up close youll find some very minor imperfections which are consistent with a car that has been well taken care of but at the same time used and enjoyed the way its maker intended. The panel gaps on the car are all really good and the doors open and close easily.
All the bright work on the car is in good condition. The same can be said for all the glass. It is clear with no chips or cracks evident. All the lights and lenses are also in good condition.
The wheels are good condition with no sign of any kerb rash. They are shod with Dunlop sport classic tyres size 185/60 R15. The tyres are date stamped 2221 (week 22, 2021) and are still in very good condition.
When you open the door you cant help but being impressed with the interior. The red leatherette seats contrast nicely with the blue dashboard and the beige carpets. The seats are still in very good condition with no cracks or tears in the fabric. They are comfortable and still provide ample support. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used. The dashboard presents well and all the instruments are clean, crisp and appear to be in good working order. It even still has its original factory gearshift lock.
Porsche 356s look cool but they are also great fun to drive. This is a car well known to Oldtimer Australia and we were curious to see if this one drives as good as it looks. We were not disappointed!
As with all 356s still running their original 6 volt electrical system, it takes a few attempts to start the car when the engine is cold. You wonder for a split second if the engine will fire, but it does and then it quickly settles into a smooth idle. That unique 356 sound draws a smile as you wait patiently for the mechanicals to warm up.
For those not familiar with Porsche 356s, there is a big difference between the performance of cars with a base model 1600 engine which delivers around 60 hp and a 1600 Super 90 which delivers about 90 hp. That extra power makes the Super 90 so much better to drive and this car has plenty of power on tap. The engine revs freely and the car has excellent throttle response. It is surprisingly spritely! Equally important in a 356 is the gearbox. A tired gearbox with sloppy linkages takes much of the fun away from the driving experience. The gear changes on this car are direct and they are smooth both up and down the box. The suspension feels tight, the steering is relatively direct and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line.
It is our pleasure to be able to offer for sale this lovely Australian delivered 1962 Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90.
This car is ready for its next owner to show, use and enjoy.
Accompanying the car is a good history file dating all the way back to 1992, an owners manual, service booklet (that may or may not be original to this car), a spare wheel, jack and tool kit.
Highlights
- An Australian delivered, factory RHD 356 B.
- Desirable Super 90 model.
- Finished in its original and stunning colour scheme.
- Sorted, ready to show, use & enjoy.
Price $224,950.
Background:
The Porsche story is a fascinating one and its roots go back to the 1930s when Professor Ferdinand Porsche was instrumental in the design of the first Volkswagen and also Auto Union race cars. By 1939 he had built three Porsche cars to compete in the 800-mile race from Berlin to Rome. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled due to the war and Porsche was forced to focus on supporting the German war effort, however, he had always wanted to build his own cars. In 1944 Porsche was forced to leave Stuttgart and he set up a small operation in Gmünd, Austria. Soon after the Porsche family and many of their engineers were captured and sent to jail. Ferdinand Porsches son. Ferdinand junior, or Ferry as he was known, was released six months later and he returned to Gmünd to rebuild the family company. Things moved quickly and Porsche was involved with cars again and in mid-1948 the first Porsche 356 was built. It is understood Porsche built some 50 aluminium bodied cars by hand in their small factory at Gmündbefore relocating back to Stuttgart, Germany in 1949.
Instead of building the body of the car himself Porsche decided to collaborate with an old partner, the body manufacturing company Reutter who had both the expertise and infrastructure to mass produce the bodies for the 356 coupe and cabriolet.
Nowadays, the first series of the 356, built from 1948 through until 1955 are known as the 356 Pre A.
In 1955 the 356 A was introduced. The internal factory designation for this model was Type 1 which was quickly adapted by enthusiasts who referred to the 356 A as the T1. The 356 A became available as a coupe, cabriolet and a Speedster. Buyers had the choice between a 1,300cc and a 1,600cc engine and later the Super version.
A second revision of the 356 A was introduced early in 1957. It became known as the Type 2 (or T2). Late 1958 the Speedster was replaced by the Convertible D which was now build by coachbuilder Drauz. In late 1959 the 356 A was replaced by the 356 B. The 356 B was available as a coupe, cabriolet and roadster, with each body style available with a number of different engine options.
The last revision of the 356 was the 356 C introduced for the 1964 model year.
The 356 remained in production through until 1965 and evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built.

1962 PORSCHE 356B T6 Super 90

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 $164,950.
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

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an incredibly unique, extremely rare and highly collectible 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake. This car is understood to be 1 of only 2 factory right hand drive cars delivered new to Australia.
Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated on projects for more than 65 years, with their partnership dating back to 1960. The first product of this alliance was unveiled in October 1960 at the London Motor Show, when the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato made its public debut. Based on the DB4 GT, the car was significantly lightened and enhanced by Zagato. Although the original plan was to build 25 examples, only 19 were ultimately produced. Today, the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is regarded as one of the most desirable and collectible cars ever made. Given there rarity, they very rarely come up for sale, however, in todays market their value would most likely exceed US$ 15,000,000.
Driven by the 1980s supercar boom and the strong demand for high end limited edition cars, the partnership was reformed resulting in the V8 Vantage Zagato (52 examples built) and V8 Volante Zagato (32 examples built). In 2003 Aston Martin introduced the DB7 Zagato (99 examples built) and the DB AR1 (99 examples built). 2011 saw the introduction of the V12 Vantage Zagato (65 examples built). There were also a handful of prototype cars built over the years.
In May 2016 at the Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste at Lake Como in Italy, Aston Martin introduced a new concept car which was going to be the first of a Zagato family line of cars, the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato. The car was very well received and went into production in 2017, with production limited to 99 examples.
On the 15 August 2017 in Carmel, CA, USA the second member of the family made its global debut, the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante. At the same time, Aston Martin announced that . . . not only will the Vanquish Zagato Speedster enter production, but it will be joined by a spectacular Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake. This family of four Vanquish Zagato models will yield a total of 325 cars. Total production would be divided between 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters and 99 Shooting Brakes.
Aston Martin stated in their press release dated August 17th 2017:
. . . The Speedster and Shooting Brake represent the two extremes of the Vanquish Zagato family.
The Shooting Brake is still a strict two-seater, but one conceived as an individual and exceptionally practical GT. The extended roof on the concept sketch bears the iconic Zagato double-bubble surfacing complete with glass inlays to let light flood into the cockpit. The sculptural roof culminates in a powered tailgate that opens onto a luxuriously trimmed rear cabin area. With dramatic herringbone carbon fibre facia with anodised bronze rotary controls, extensive Z motif quilting and the option of a fully aniline leather upholstery, the Shooting Brake is a fitting complement to the Coupe, Volante and Speedster.
The current and only owner of the car on offer, is a passionate Aston Martin enthusiast and collector. He loved the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato family of cars and particularly the Shooting Brake. He quickly placed an order and began the process to spec and option his car.
After careful consideration, his car was ordered with the following options:
- Villa d Este Pack: Standard Zagato (but modified with some of the options noted below)
- Exterior Paint Colour: Zaffre Blue Paint Q Exclusive
Exterior Options:
- Satin Carbon Fibre Package
- Brake Calipers: Q spec Orange
- Side Strake: Bright
- Exhaust Tailpipe Finisher: Bright
- Wheels: New SB Multispk Satin Black DT
- Window Surround Finisher: Bright
- Side Fender: Satin Carbon Fibre
Interior:
- Upper Instrument Panel: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Trim Upper Colour: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Trim Lower Colour: Coral Sand Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Door Insert: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Trim Upper Stitching: Californian Poppy Coarse Thread
- Trim Lower Stitching: Match to Trim Upper
- Seat Type: Sports Seat
- Seat Outer Colour: Coral Sand Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Seat Inner Colour: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Seat Outer Stitching: Match to Seat Outer
- Seat Inner Stitching: No Stitch
- Seat Accent Colour: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Seat Accent Quilting Stitch: Californian Poppy Embroidery Thread
- Embroidery Driver Seat: Californian Poppy Embroidery Thread
- Seat Embroidery: Embroidered Z Logo
- Seat Belts: Warm Charcoal
- Seat Cooling: Ventilated Front Seats
- Headlining Inner: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Headlining Outer: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Carpet Colour: Caspian Blue Heavyweight Carpet Contemporary
- Carpet Binding: Match to Carpet Colour
- Headlining Quilt Stitch: Villa d Este style Q spec solid Aurora Blue Californian Poppy Coarse Thread
- Facia Trim (Trim Inlay): Full Length Herringbone
- Interior Finish: Shadow Bronze/Anodised Gold Pack Std
- Paddleshifts: Black Match to Trim Upper
- Rear Env Boot Floor Leather
- Steering Wheel Type: One77 Full Leather Steering Wheel
- Steering Wheel Colour: Aurora Blue Caithness Leather Contemporary
- Steering Wheel Stitching: Standard
Today, this incredible Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake presents essentially as a brand new car. This car is part of a significant Aston Martin collection and it has been kept in a climate controlled garage. At the time of photographing, the odometer read 1,330 km.
Even though the car has been sparingly used, it has been religiously maintained and serviced annually by Sunshine Aston Martin in Southport on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
The service book notes the following:
- First service 16th April 2000 @ 577 km
- Second service 5th may 2021 @ 810 km
- Third service 15th July 2022 @ 892 km
- Fourth service 20th June 2023 @ 1,017 km
- Fifth service 1st July 2024 @ 1,124 km
- Sixth service 22nd August 2025 @ 1,262 km
The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake is a design masterpiece. Most noticeable is the trade marque Zagato double-bubble roof, however, the detail on each component is quite something. For example, study the tail lights at the rear of the car as well as the carbon fibre, the interior trims, the stitching and of course the panoramic electrochromic glass roof . . . just wow!
Under the bonnet sits a 6.0 litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine which produces 580hp, enough to propel the car from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. Paired with an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission, this grand tourer delivers a seamless and exhilarating driving experience. Make no mistake, this is a supercar, but it is surprisingly usable and more than happy to take its place in traffic. Being a Shooting Brake there is also room for luggage for that weekend getaway!
This rare Aston Martin has rarely been seen in public, though it was exhibited by Aston Martin at the 2024 Noosa Concours.
There is also a Zagato car cover, with matching Californian Poppy thread that will accompany the car.
This Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake is the ultimate showcase of modern coachbuilding. It is super rare and exclusive, with 99 cars built, only 48 were right hand drive and just 2 were delivered new to Australia. Each car is uniquely numbered and this one is number 98.
Highlights:
- Unique and rare coach built supercar
- Very low mileage
- In as new condition
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $1,299,950.
Background
Aston Martin has produced bespoke sports cars for over 100 years. The company began in 1913, when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford realised their desire to build distinctive, high quality sports cars that were both exhilarating to drive and a beauty to behold. Martin regularly competed in hill climb races at Aston Clinton, and a simple combination of the name of the event and the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques. Source: www.astonmartin.com.
Whilst Aston Martin produced some wonderful cars in their early years, business was always a struggle and the company was severely disrupted during both World War I and II. The company went bankrupt on more than one occasion and has endured many different owners throughout its history.
David Brown acquired Aston Martin in February 1947 and the first car produced during his ownership was the Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports, later known as the DB1, which was built in extremely limited numbers from 1948 to 1950. This was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB2 in 1950, which featured a new double overhead cam straight six engine of 2.6 litre (2580 cc) capacity, and was a car that really put post war Aston Martin on the map. Some 411 cars were built from 1950 to 1953, of which circa 100 were the convertible or drop head coupes. Its successor, known as the DB2/4, was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1953 and production started soon thereafter. Initially the car had the same engine as its predecessor, however, it was enlarged to 2,922cc in April 1954. Compared to the DB2 the DB2/4 had an extended roof line with a larger rear window, a one piece curved windscreen and real bumper bars. The biggest difference between the two cars was inside the cabin where the successor had far more roomwith two small occasional rear seats. The DB2/4 sold well through until 1957. In total 764 DB2/4s were built which included 565 of the Mk Is and 199 of the Mk IIs. The biggest change for the Mk II was that the bodies were made in-house by the recently acquired Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell, otherwise the differences between the Mk I and Mk II were subtle. The DB2/4 was available as a four seat fixed head coupe or two seat drop head coupe from the start of production with a two seat coupe introduced on the Mk II. The DB2/4 MkII was succeeded by the DB MkIII and 551 examples were built from 1957 through until 1959.
In 1958 Aston Martin introduced the successor to the DB2/4 series, the DB4. The DB4 remained in production till 1963 and a total of 1,204 were produced.
In 1963 Aston Martin introduced what was to become the most famous Aston Martin ever, the DB5. The DB5 became a legend when it appeared in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger. The DB5 is considered to be the quintessential vehicle associated with the Bond character and it has reappeared in many subsequent Bond films.
Whilst visually similar to the Aston Martin DB4 MkV, the DB5 was a step up mechanically with most changes under the bonnet. The new car was powered by a 4.0 litre version of Aston Martins straight six engine fitted with triple SU carburettors as standard it was quoted as producing 282 bhp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent through a five speed manual gearbox (a three-speed automatic was also an option) to the rear wheels. It was the first time this engine was used by Aston Martin in a road car, having first seen service in the Lagonda Rapide (based on Astons DB4) and some of Aston Martins prototype race cars of that period.
The Aston Martin DB5 remained in production through until 1965 and only 1,059 examples were produced. This figure includes DB5, DB5 Vantage and DB5 Convertible or Volante.
In 2020, as part of their continuation program Aston Martin produced 25 new DB5 Goldfinger-themed cars at the factory in Newport Pagnell.
The David Brown era (1947 1972) was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning Le Mans in 1959 and the iconic early DB series cars of the 1950s paving the way for the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models of the 1960s.
The 1970s saw the introduction of some other significant Aston Martins, being the V8 (which evolved from the DBS/DBS V8 that was first introduced in 1967) and the unique four door wedge shaped Lagonda. However, throughout the 1970s and 1980s Aston Martin struggled financially and ownership changed a few times.
The most significant change in ownership occurred in 1987, when the Ford Motor Company purchased a 75% stake in the company. This finally gave Aston Martin the financial muscle and security it needed.
By 1993 Ford had fully acquired the company and the game changing Aston Martin DB7 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March of that year. The DB7 became the car which put Aston Martin back on the map. When superseded by the DB9 in late 2004, some 7,000 DB7s had been built over the ten years of production making this the most produced model in the companys history. The V8 Vantage was introduced in 2005 and flagship DBS in 2007.
Ford sold out to private equity in 2007, however, the brand continued to evolve and subsequent models include the V12 Vantage, One-77, Rapide, Vanquish, DB11 and Valkyrie.
Today, Aston Martin is recognised as an iconic British luxury and performance car brand, manufacturing sports cars, grand tourers, hypercars and SUVs. Aston Martin also heavily invested in motor racing, including F1.

2019 ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH ZAGATO SHOOTING BRAKE

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this beautifully restored, factory right hand drive 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 Roadster.
The Heritage Certificate on file confirms this particular example was delivered new in the UK through Jaguar dealer Ernest W Hatfield in Sheffield. The car was manufactured on 29th April 1970 and despatched on 22nd June 1970. It was finished in light blue with a dark blue interior and a blue soft top. The first owner is noted as FA Tomlinson and the car was first registered with the registration GWJ 64J. This E-type also has a hard top.
The early history of the car is not known, though it is understood that at some stage it was owned by an Australian working in the UK.
This Jaguar E-Type found its way to Australia some time prior to 1989 and it eventually ended up in a shed on a cane farm in Murwillumbah, NSW. The owner had passed away and the family had every intention to restore the car, but as often is the case it never happened. This car sat alongside another E-Type, a Series 1 2+2, in the same shed for some 15 years.
The current owner stumbled across the pair of E-Types in early 2015 and after a short negotiation a deal was struck for him to purchase this Series 2 Roadster. At that time the odometer read 90,588 miles.
After some weed cutting the car was able to be removed from the shed and it was then loaded on a tilt tray and taken back to Brisbane. There are photos on file of the car from the day it was collected.
The car was in reasonably good condition, given it has been parked up for so many years. It therefore need major recommissioning, which evolved into a total restoration.
D.M. Car Repairs in Coopers Plains on the south side of Brisbane in Queensland were tasked with getting the car back on the road. It was recommissioned, which included a major service, replacing all the hoses and perishables as well as other miscellaneous parts. The braking system required a major overhaul. Progress was slow and over the next two years the car spend a lot of time in the workshop getting sorted.
During that time the owner also had the interior refurbished. He purchased all the necessary items from John Skinner Limited in the UK and had all the work done by Archerfield Auto Upholsterers in Archerfield in Brisbanes north.
The car was then taken to respected Jaguar specialists Classic and Prestige in Brisbane for more work. Amongst other things they repaired the steering column, recored the radiator, cleaned the fuel system (including the tank), repaired the heater box, replaced floor panels and reconditioned the differential.
By now it was apparent that the car was being treated to a full restoration.
In 2018 the car was repainted by the highly respected Exclusive Auto Centre in Brisbane.
Following the repaint, the car was then registered and used sporadically. The owner was never really happy with the gearbox and after doing his homework he decided to send the car to Jaguar specialist Mike Roddy in Melbourne to have the gearbox rebuilt.
There is a thick file of receipts on file for parts ordered from SNG Barratt in the UK, dating from 216 to 2020.
After removing the engine and gearbox from the car it was decided that both should be rebuilt. The current owner always wanted to make his E-Type a more usable classic and after a long discussion with Mike Roddy and looking at the pros and cons of the various options, he decided to install a 5 speed Borg-Warner T5 gearbox. Additionally, a power steering conversion kit supplied by Vicarage in the UK was installed, ventilated front discs from a Series 3 V12 E-type were fitted and a modern air conditioning system was installed.
There is a complete write up on file of all the items that were replaced, rebuilt or upgraded. Essentially, everything from the bulkhead forward was rebuilt.
They also installed a new soft top on the car.
The car was finally completed in early 2025. There is a thick file of receipts and photographs from the restoration.
The end result is a stunning car, presented in the most magnificent and original colour scheme and, with its modern upgrades, very usable all year round.
At the time of photographing this car the odometer read 91,635 miles, confirming this car has had very little use since it was awoken from its long term slumber some ten years ago.
Jaguar E-Types carry colour very well and as result they look great it any hue. As you will see from the photographs, light blue looks absolutely stunning and it really suits the car. The dark blue interior and soft top complete the look. It is a very elegant colour combination for an E-Type and it makes you wonder why you dont see more of them in this colour scheme.
Even though the paint is now 7 years old, it still presents vibrantly with a strong depth of colour. It is in very good condition with only a few small imperfections visible if you look hard. The external trim on an E-Type is minimalistic and everything presents consistently well with the rest of the car.
At time of photographing the car one of the Lucas headlights had blown. This is evident in the photos, however, it has been subsequently replaced. The other lights and lenses on the car are all in very good condition. The glass is also in good condition.
All the bright work on the car is in very good condition, with the exception of the rear bumper. For some reason the chrome on the left hand side of the bumper as it wraps around the rear guard is hazy. The defect is not immediately obvious, but on closer inspection it is there.
The soft top on the car presents like new and the rear and quarter windows are all in excellent condition with no discoloration evident.
The hard top, which is a nice inclusion, has also been restored.
A set of five new wire wheels were purchased from Australian Classic Wire Wheels in August 2019. They are in excellent condition. The wheels are shod with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, size 185HR15 which are date stamped 0213 (week 2, 2013).
The interior was completely refurbished and it is therefore no surprise that it is in excellent condition. All of the dark blue upholstery presents beautifully and is totally fresh. The seats are comfortable and provide an excellent driving position. The ornate timber steering wheel is a feature and completes the look. The dashboard presents well and all the instruments are clear and appear to be in good working order. Behind the seats you will find the discreetly fitted air conditioning unit. It works well and blows cold air.
We were genuinely excited to get this new Jaguar E-Type out on road.
With the help of the choke the car starts easily from cold and then quickly settles into a smooth idle. You can back the choke off almost immediately and feather the throttle to warm the engine up.
One could almost time warp back to the Browns Lane factory in Coventry in 1970 as you get the car out on the open road. You could be on a road test for Autocar magazine! The only difference was that it is the middle of summer here in Brisbane rather than a bleak British winters day!
It was an early start, but it was going to be a hot day, so of course the soft top was down. The car arrived to us with its hard top on but that was soon removed.
Your first impressions are how good is the gearbox! With its short throw the gear changes are all precise and very smooth both up and down the box. Of course, this is what you would expect from a new gearbox, but we were still surprised by how well it suits the car.
Given the anticipation and excitement from using the gearbox, it was easy to take the overall drive of the car for granted. The engine is super smooth and incredibly responsive. It just wants to go! It is surprisingly quiet at idle, but when you put your foot down it really comes to life and it has a great exhaust note.
The car is tight on the road with no rattles or squeaks to be heard. It really feels like you are driving a new car. The power steering is also a real delight. It makes manoeuvring this E-type at low speed very easy, yet it still gives you all the feedback you need at higher speeds. At no point does it feel vague. The upgraded brakes, as one would expect, do their job very well and pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
This 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 Roadster is a fabulous car! It is not a concours car, rather a beautifully restored example that with its sympathetic upgrades make it a more usable classic.
We have had the pleasure to sell many E-Types over the years and this one would have to be one of the best. As noted above, it wont win the concours, but it is guaranteed to turn heads everywhere it goes.
Unfortunately, the current owner has a medical issue and as a result has made the difficult decision to sell. He has enjoyed the journey to restore this car to the level it is at, but is of the view it needs to be used and enjoyed.
The car is therefore reluctantly offered for sale and it is immediately available for a fraction of the cost taken to restore it. Additionally, given the lead time to restore a car these days, this is a unique opportunity for someone to purchase a beautifully restored Jaguar E-type that is ready to go. You can get in it, turn the key and drive away.
Highlights:
- Factory right hand drive example, presented in a stunning and original colour scheme.
- Matching numbers chassis and engine.
- Sympathetically upgraded.
- Warranty on the engine and gearbox.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price: $249,950.
Background
The Swallow Sidecar Company was founded in 1922 by William Lyons and William Walmsley. Initially the companys focus was on making sidecars for motorcycles. Over the next few years the company slowly transitioned into coachbuilding. In May 1927 the company announced they would start making 2 seater bodies on Austin and Morris chassis and running gear. During the winter of 1928-1929 the company relocated to Coventry and continued to shift its focus from sidecars to cars. In 1929 they produced a one off car, a sleek open boat tail two seater.
In October 1931 at the Motor Show they produced their first prototype of what was to become the SS 1. It was powered by a six-cylinder side-valve engine of 15hp. The SS 1 was superseded by the SS 2 in 1932.
In 1934 Lyons formed SS Cars Limited to effectively take over the operation from Walmsley. The SS brand was quite successful, though their cars had a reputation for having more show than go.
The first open two seater sports car was introduced in 1935, the SS90. It was powered by a 2½-litre side-valve, six-cylinder engine and only 23 were made.
1935 was also the year the Jaguar name first started appearing on the SS cars.
In 1936 the company introduced one of the greatest pre-war sports cars ever, the SS Jaguar 100 which remained in production until the start of World War II. Like so many British companies production ceased during the war to free up resources to support the war effort.
One of the first things that happened after World War II was the renaming of the company. At a general meeting held on 23rd March 1945 the shareholders agreed to change the name of the company to Jaguar Cars Limited.
In 1948, at the London Motor Show, Jaguar introduced a car which really put them on the map, the legendary Jaguar XK120. The car caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put it into production. The XK120 morphed into the XK140 and ultimately the XK150 and in total, just over 30,000 cars were built over 15 years of production.
In 1961, at the Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar introduced the E-Type, which like the XK120 all those years ago, took the motoring world by storm. The body styling was simply gorgeous and technologically the E-Type was an engineering masterpiece and it set new standards in all areas.
Whilst automotive styling is somewhat subjective, the E-Type is often ranked atop lists of the most beautiful cars and in fact it has been described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made. And its not just about the looks as the E-Type is often at the top of other lists such as the best sports car ever built or the most significant cars. It is truly a motoring icon.
As a testament to the success of the E-Type, production evolved through three series from 1961 until 1974 during which time circa 70,000 cars were built.

1970 JAGUAR E-TYPE Series 2

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely magnificent 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL.
The Fahrzeug-Daten (factory data card) and Produktions-Auftrag (factory production order) on file confirms that this factory right hand drive example was ordered new in New Zealand late 1962. It was in fact the 61st Mercedes-Benz ordered from New Zealand that year. The car left the factory on the 21st May 1963, which would make this one of the very last 190 SLs built.
The car was ordered in black (paint code 040) with a red interior (interior code 203) with single seats (option code 401). It was delivered with a roadster hard top (option code 413), US style front bumper with guards (option code 441), instruments in English and miles (option code 461), outside left and right rear view mirrors (option code 506) a Becker Brescia radio (option code 512), rear seats (option code 565), lights for left hand traffic (option code 613), export license plate (option code 621), whitewall tyres (option code 641), documentation in English (option code 681), a folding fabric soft top in grey (option code 736) and 10 litres of fuel (option code 317).
Documentation on file notes that the first owner was a Mr RA Stone from Auckland in New Zealand. At some stage the car found its way to Australia and into the ownership of Dr Frank Munro from Sydney, NSW. The car was sold to Mr Lachlan (Jim) Attrill from Sunshine, Victoria in March 1978. In May 1979 the car was registered in Victoria as ADP-112 and by August 1982 it was registered as BLE-701.
The third owner was a well known Melbourne based classic car enthusiast who acquired the car at the 1998 Shannons Grand Prix auction. At that time the car was still finished in its original colour of black.
After he acquired the car, it was taken off the road in preparation for a major restoration. The project commenced in earnest and he embarked on a nut and bolt rotisserie restoration on a mission to make the car as good as it could be.
The body was restored and painted by Peter Todd at Mentone Smash Repairs in Moorabbin. A major decision for the cars then owner was the colour. He chose to paint the car in Porsche Speed Yellow, which was a brave but fabulous choice. The engine block and head were rebuilt by Engine Action in Flemington. The engine was reassembled by Maurie Dodd.
The painted body shell was completed in March 2001 and the rebuild began.
The restoration was completed in September 2001and the car was then registered in Victoria as GEM-SL, just in time for the Mercedes-Benz ACT Concours dElegance held in Canberra. The car was incredibly well received and it won four trophies, including Best in Class, Runner Up Champion of Champions, Best Paint and Best Engine Bay.
The car was a multi concours winner at both the Victorian and ACT Mercedes-Benz Club Concours dElegance over the next four years.
The current owner acquired this car in circa 2009 and has used it sparingly throughout his ownership.
Incredibly this Mercedes-Benz 190 SL still presents as a freshly restored car, which is a testament to the quality of the restoration. Everything about this car is impeccable!
The first thing you notice is the colour. The yellow paint work is such a refreshing change from the ubiquitous white, silver or red. Whilst it looks stunning in the photos, it looks even better in the flesh! The paint work remains fresh and vibrant with an incredibly strong depth of colour. We struggled to find any blemishes in the paint. Even the hubcaps, which are prone to stone chips are in excellent condition. All of the external trim, including the chrome, lights and lenses are similarly well presented.
Completing the look is a factory hard top finished in pearl white. The soft top is black and in excellent unused condition.
The interior of the car is also beautifully presented. The red upholstery provides a perfect colour contrast to the yellow paintwork, particularly the dash. All of the instruments and controls, including the delicate trade mark Mercedes-Benz steering wheel present like new. Everything looks to be in working order.
Under the bonnet, the engine looks fresh and as though it was installed yesterday. Importantly, everything still looks to be correct.
It is likely that the boot has hardly seen the light of day and probably never carried any luggage. Like the rest of the car it is in exceptional condition. There is a spare wheel, jack and tool kit.
Even the underside of the car still presents like new!
Clearly this car has had little use since it was restored. It presents today like it has been stored in a glass case! Importantly, the current owner does regularly start the car and when the sun comes out just every now and then it gets some exercise.
On our recent test drive the car started easily from cold. There was a slight concern that this car may drive like a garage queen, but after a few very short miles that possibility was well and truly put to rest. The car drove superbly. The engine pulls strongly through the rev range and the gearbox is firm and precise. Importantly there are no rattles or squeaks. The more we drove it the better it went!
Highlights:
- New Zealand delivered, factory RHD example.
- Four owner car thats been in Australia for most of its life.
- Matching numbers.
- Restored to a concours standard by the previous owner.
- Multi concours delegance trophy winner.
- Ready show, use and enjoy.
Was für ein auto. . . einfach umwerfend!
Price: $329,950
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 300 SL Gullwing and 300 SL 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 300 SL, but it had to be affordable and the plan was to build such a car in far greater numbers than the exclusive 300 SLs. Enter the Type W121 or 190 SL 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 230 SL/250 SL/280 SL models. This evolved into the Type R107/C107 280 SL(C)/350 SL(C)/380 SL(C)/450 SL(C) models built throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Mercedes-Benz marketed the 190 SL 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.

1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

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