Oldtimer Garage Australia Pty Ltd

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 $219,950.
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

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series 1.
This rare, Australian delivered, factory right drive example was delivered new through Ferrari agent WH Lowes to its first owner in 1964.
The car is documented in Barrys Farrs excellent book - Ferraris in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s. Farr notes that in total nine Ferrari 330 GT 2+2s were delivered new into Australia, comprising six Series 1 cars and three Series 2 cars.
This car arrived into Australia on the ship the Ventoux on the 19th August 1964 and was subsequently sold to its first owner Bernard Dowd in Melbourne, Victoria.
Its original colour scheme was avorio (ivory) 19.377 with nero (black) 8500 trim. The car was repainted in pino verde metallic many many years ago (Farr notes prior to 1983), which is the colour the car wears today.
This is a very well known car in Ferrari Club circles in Australia. It has a known ownership from new including a number of long term owners who were respected and very active members of the Ferrari community.
One of the cars long term owners was Sydney based Ferrari enthusiast Gerry Duyvestyn, who rebuilt the engine during his ownership.
This car is also very well known to Oldtimer Australia having been previously sold by us twice. We first sold this car in September 2016 for its then Brisbane based owner to an enthusiast in Melbourne. We then sold the car for him in December 2019.
The current owner lives overseas and has essentially kept the car in storage for the last six years. The car is stored with a classic Ferrari specialist who has started and driven it from time to time.
Today this Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 presents beautifully. The car was subject to a bare metal respray in the early 2000s. Whilst that is some 25 years ago now, the paint work remains in excellent condition. Similarly, the panel gaps are also excellent. All of the external trim, glass etc are in very good condition. Inside the cabin the car oozes sixties style and elegance. All of the leather trim and carpets are in very good condition with just the right amount of patina, evidence that this car has been used as its maker intended and not kept as a garage queen! The timber steering wheel and timber veneer dash are in excellent condition, as are the instruments which are also in working order. The original Becker radio is a nice touch.
We haven't driven this car since offering it for sale, however, the narrative from when we sold it back in 2019 remains current.
At that time we wrote: . . .
The heart of any Ferrari is its engine and this V12 has good oil pressure, excellent power and it sounds fabulous! This car was subject to a full mechanical rebuild in circa 2005 and it has travelled some 5,000 miles since. As you would expect from a well sorted classic Ferrari it starts easily once the Weber carbs are primed and the engine soon settles into a smooth idle. Once warm and out on the open road the car performs fabulously and it is an absolute delight to drive.
When we sold this Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 in 2016 the new owner spent significant time and money over the next few years bringing the car up to the next level. The work completed during his ownership, included:
- A general service: change the engine oil & filters, gearbox oil, differential oil and air filters.
- Adjust ignition timing and carburettors.
- Refresh the ignition system: replaced points & condensers, rotor buttons, spark plug leads and spark plugs.
- Repaired differential oil leak by replacing the left hand side axle seal
- Steering repairs: replaced all 6 tie rod ends and replaced bent tie rod adjusting sleeves with customized stronger units.
- Fitted five new Michelin XWX tyres with competition inner tubes and rebalanced wheels.
- Removed, repainted and refitted rocker covers & timing chain covers, air filter housing and exhaust manifold heat shields.
- Change brake hoses.
- Miscellaneous interior works, including: repack front seats, new carpets, repair sun visors and repair rear parcel shelf.
This wonderful Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 is currently being checked over by a classic Ferrari specialist and recommissioned for its next owner to use and enjoy.
Accompanying the car is the leather pouch with the owners manual & parts manual, the original tool / jack kit, two sets of keys, an original sales brochure as well as a number of period magazines featuring the Ferrari 330 GT.
This classic front engine V12 Ferrari presents a unique opportunity to acquire a rare Australian delivered factory right hand drive example that is in just lovely condition.
At the time of photographing, the odometer read 73,376 miles.
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory RHD example (1 of 6 cars)
- Matching numbers.
- Well presented example.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Listed price AUD $429,950.
Background
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari125S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Ferrari road cars built in the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 Series also contained some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 Series cars were superseded by the 275 Series cars, the 330series and cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3967 cc capacity.
Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 was introduced in early 1964 as a successor to the 250 GTE. The 330 was a totally new design and one of its most distinguishing features was its sharper nose with quad headlights. The cars wheelbase was 50mm longer than its predecessor and it had an improved braking system and suspension. The 330s engine was of 4.0 litre capacity generating a claimed 300hp. This was a significant improvement of the 250 GTEs 3.0 litre engine which generated a claimed 240hp.
Being able to seat four in relative comfort and yet providing the performance, handling and looks expected of a Ferrari, the 330 GT 2+2 was a very successful car in period with circa 1,000 cars built from 1964 1967. Only 503 of the original Series 1 cars were built, of which 50 were right hand drive.
According to Barrys Farrs excellent book - Ferraris in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s, there were only nine Ferrari 330 GT 2+2s delivered new into Australia, comprising six Series 1 cars and three Series 2 cars.

1964 FERRARI 330 GT

Oldtimer Australia delighted to offer for sale an extremely rare factory, right hand drive Maserati Kyalami. This particular car was built in the most desirable specification, being powered by Maseratis 4.9 litre engine mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. This car is one of only 10 examples ever produced in this configuration.
Maserati has confirmed this Kyalami was produced on 26th July 1979. It was delivered new into the UK and was sold through Modena Concessionaires Ltd in West Bromwich. The car was delivered in verde medio (light green) with a fungo (beige) interior. It was first registered on 23rd December 1982 and carried the plate BEA 71Y. The first owner is noted as Mr Michael Harris from London, UK.
The car had a few subsequent owners before it was acquired by Anthony Michaelson of Musical Fidelity fame from Wembley, UK in May 1988. The DVLA records on file confirm the car was repainted blue in his ownership. Michaelson enjoyed the car for five years, selling it in September 1993 at Coys auction.
In April 1999 the car was acquired by Troy de Leon from Warfield, UK. In his ownership a significant amount of work was done to the car. An invoice on file from Rossi Engineering in Sunbury-on-Thames dated 25th April 2000 confirms the engine was removed from the car and rebuilt, a new exhaust system was fitted, the bumpers were repainted, new front springs were fitted and the AC was recharged. The invoice noted the odometer showing 87,547 km at the time.
In June 2001, with the odometer reading 93,866 km, the gearbox was rebuilt by J.W.F. Motors in Wokingham, UK.
In September 2001 the car was repainted in its current colour of rame metalic by Evans Auto Repair Services in Warfield, UK. The invoice confirms this was a major project. Necessary rust repairs were completed, which involved new metal work as required. Under seal was applied to both sills, all the wheel arches, the front wings, the front apron, the rear wings, the inner arches, the arch guards and under the spare tyre bay.
In May 2004 the car was sold to Rupert Wilkes from Wisbech, UK. There is an MOT test certificate on file dated 9th March 2004 and at that time the mileage was noted as 99,201 km. Wilkes used the car sparingly throughout his ownership, as confirmed by the subsequent MOT test certificates and the Statutory Off Road Notifications (SORN) on file. An MOT certificate dated 8th February 2007 notes the mileage as 99,932 km, and one dated 22nd December 2009 notes the mileage as 99,959 km.
The current Melbourne based owner acquired the car in May 2018 and at that time the odometer showed 807 km (100,807 km). He initially kept the car in the UK before eventually importing it into Australia in 2021. There is an import approval on file for the car.
Before the car was shipped to Australia the clutch and spigot bearing were replaced, the carburettors were stripped, cleaned and rebuilt, the fuel tanks were removed and cleaned. The car was also serviced and all the fluids were changed. All that work was completed in April 2021.
After the car arrived in Australia a problem with the AC compressor was identified and in May 2023 the car was sent to Maranello Purscang Motors in Brunswick, Victoria to address this issue. A new A/C compressor was sourced and fitted. Some other minor issues were also addressed and the car was issued a roadworthy and subsequently registered in Victoria.
Shortly thereafter a knock in the engine became audible. After much deliberation with the team at Marnello Pur Sang it was decided that the engine needed to be stripped to diagnose the problem. The end result was a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings and other parts as required.
Today the odometer reads 03,536 km (103,536 km).
We love the understated, yet classical look of the Maserati Kyalami. We think the colour choice of rame metallic is absolutely perfect for this car. This period colour emphasis the lines on the car and gives it quite an elegant appearance. It also contrasts well with the beige interior.
Even though this car was repainted some 20 years ago, the paint work has held up well and it presents today with a strong depth of colour and nice gloss finish. On closer inspection, we noticed a few small imperfections on the car. Most noticeably, there is a small scratch on the right rear guard, a small a chip on the drivers side mirror and a small chip on the lower part of the drivers door. There are also a few small chips on the edge of the drivers door. The car looks stunning in the photos, but even better in the flesh!
All the external trim is similarly well presented. The bright work on the car is minimalistic, but a feature and it is in good condition. The badges are in good condition with only the slightest sign of some wear around the edges of the Maserati badge on the bonnet. The glass is all in good condition and the same can be said for the lenses both on the headlights and the tail lights. The bumpers on these cars are often cracked and show with minor damage, but on this car they present well.
The wheels are generally in good condition, though if you look closely there are a few small bubbles under the paint and there is a small chip on the edge of the left front wheel. They are shod with as new Michelin 205/70 VR15 XWX tyres which are date stamped 1621 (week 16, 2021).
Open the sweeping door and you are welcomed by a very elegant, functional, yet very Italian interior. First impressions are good. The interior appears to be original and overall it is in very good condition. The leather seats present well, are firm and provide ample support. The seats show some patina, but there are no cracks or tears in the leather. A good leather treatment could easily bring them up a level. The rear seats appear to have been rarely used, if at all and are still in excellent condition. The dashboard in a Kyalami is a real feature and it presents well. The dashboard is covered in Alcantara and that is not an easy material to keep clean. In this car it presents well and there is no discolouration except for a small area on the right bottom of the dashboard. All the instruments are clean and present well. They all appear to be in good working order.
As we prepare for our test drive, we settle in behind the Momo leather steering wheel. Finding a comfortable driving position is surprisingly easy. The seats are exceptionally comfortable, visibility is excellent and both the steering wheel and all controls fall naturally to hand.
It is with great anticipation we insert the key into the ignition to fire up the big V8. After allowing the fuel pump enough time to fill the carburetors you turn the key further to start the car. The engine cranks over easily and it fires up quickly with a bark. There is no need to use the throttle, the engine just catches and it immediately settles into a smooth idle. The engine sounds absolutely fantastic. It is kind of an Italian muscle car!
Whilst you could listen to the Maserati symphony all day, this car needs to be driven. Out on the wide open road is where it really belongs. This car is really a wolf in sheeps clothing. Whilst it is happy to cruise along in traffic, it relishes some open road with some open throttle! It is then that Maseratis 4.9 litre V8 comes to life . . . that Maserati sound is just something. One needs to remember it roots go back to the car of kings the 5000GT and the mighty 450S race cars. The engine in this car pulls like a train. It feels strong and the power delivery is surprisingly smooth. Whilst a Kyalami with an automatic gearbox is a nice car to drive, we just love the 5 speed manual gearbox and in this car it is very easy to use. The clutch is reasonably light, but with a good feel and the gear changes are smooth both up and down the box. This car handles well and the suspension feels firm, yet the ride is incredibly smooth and it easily absorbs any bumps in the road.
All too soon our test drive comes to an end. A Maserati Kyalami is not a small car, yet it is easy to drive and very comfortable.
It is immediately obvious that the target market for this car was the successful business man or woman back in the day. They would have appreciated the finer things in life, but wanted a car that offered the sophistication and class of a sports car combined with the refinement and practicality of a luxury saloon car.
This Maserati Kyalami is just a fabulous car that we are genuinely excited to offer for sale. The overall condition and presentation of this car is consistent with a car has been cherished by its previous owners. The car offers incredibly good value for money and it is reluctantly offered for sale by its current owner. It is ready for its next custodian to use and enjoy.
Highlights:
Super rare car, being one of only 10 factory right hand drive Maserati Kyalamis built with the desirable 4.9 litre engine and the manual gearbox.
Matching numbers chassis and engine.
Well presented in a unique and stunning colour combination of rame metallic with a beige interior.
Recent engine rebuild.
Extensive history file.
Ready to use and enjoy.
Price AUD $114,950.
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 1969. Maserati built some fabulous cars during Citroens ownership (including the Indy, Bora, Merak and Khamsin), however, times were tough and the company struggled financially. Citroen placed Maserati into liquidation in May 1975 and it was ultimately saved by the Italian government and Alejandro de Tomaso took control shortly thereafter. Under de Tomasos watch the first new Maserati was the Kyalami, so named after the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa where a Maserati powered Cooper T81 had won the 1967 South African Grand Prix. The Kyalami was based on the De Tomaso Longchamp. Pietro Frua was commissioned to re-style the car and give it that traditional Maserati look and feel. The Kyalami was seen as a true successor to the Mexico and production spanned 8 years from 1976 through until 1983. Maserati production numbers are often a point of contention, however, it is understood that only 201 Kyalamis were built. Of these, surprisingly 44 were factory right handdrive. 30 of the right hand drive cars were destined for the UK market, 7 for the Australian market, 4 for the South African market and 3 for Hong Kong. Of the 44 right hand drive cars, 21 were fitted with the 4.9 engine, of which 10 were fitted with a manual gearbox and 11 with an automatic gearbox.

1979 MASERATI KYALAMI 4.9 Manual

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a rare Australian delivered factory right hand drive 1971 Maserati Indy.
According to the Maserati Classiche documentation on file this car was originally finished in oro metallizzato' (gold metallic), paint code 106Y54 with a white leather interior.
The car on offer has the 4,200cc engine mated to the desirable five speed manual gearbox. This car is one of the 13 Australian delivered cars and one of the only eight factory right hand drive cars built with non power assisted steering.
It was collected from the Maserati factory in Italy by its first owner, a Mr Percy Arena, from Sydney in NSW on the 19th April 1971. The dealer is noted as being Alec Mildren Pty Ltd.
Mr Arena enjoyed his Indy in Europe before importing it into Australia. The cars subsequent early history is not known, however, its next owner is understood to have been Mr Eddie Battestello from Warrnambool in Victoria.
It was in his ownership that the Recaro seats, which are still in the car today, were fitted.
The Indy was then sold circa 1980 to Mr Andy Fraser from Hamilton, Victoria who is well known in classic car circles in Australia. The next owner was a Mr Max Ormerod from Lismore, NSW, who acquired the car in October 1985. At this time the odometer read 69,478 miles.
It is fair to say that Ormerod was a fastidious owner and he kept a diary of the car detailing its history, including service records and work done. In July 1990 (at 75,200 miles) he had the car was repainted Alfa Red.
In September 2000 the car was purchased by Mrs Diane Orford as a present for her husband Colin, from Mick Arnold Classic Cars in Southport on the Gold Coast. At that time the car needed some work and it was parked up in storage for many years.
In late 2007 work commenced to recommission the car and get it into a road going state. Over the next 9 months the front suspension was completely rebuilt, the steering was rebuilt, the diff pinion seal was replaced, the brakes serviced, the cooling system overhauled and the car was serviced and generally sorted mechanically. The interior was also refreshed at this time. There is a roadworthy certificate on file dated 2nd September 2008 at which time the odometer was at 87,338 miles. The car was completed just in time for the annual Noosa Beach Classic Car Show which in 2008 was celebrating Maserati as the featured marque. This Maserati Indy was awarded a second place from the 18 Maseratis on display.
Throughout 18 years of ownership this Maserati Indy was treated by the Orfords as part of the family. Even though the car was sparingly used over the years, travelling a modest 2,000 miles in that time, it was fastidiously maintained regardless of cost. In early 2019, with the odometer showing 89,361miles, Orford decided the time was right for his treasured Maserati to pass on to its next custodian.
Oldtimer Australia sold the car to its current Brisbane based owner in March 2019. At the time the car presented well, though the paint showed some minor blemishes, most noticeable were some small humidity blisters on the nose and bonnet.
After acquiring this Maserati Indy, the current owner used the car for the next two years. The paint imperfections were slowly getting worse and this was the catalyst for him to repaint the car. He debated whether to keep the car red or repaint it in its original colour of oro metallizzato (gold metallic). Thankfully, he chose the latter and he engaged the services of highly respected restoration shop GT Motors in Brisbane to do the work.
The project commenced in April 2021 and after stripping the body back to bare metal it was immediately apparent that this was not going to be a straight forward repaint. The job quickly turned into a full body restoration. There are about 500 photos on file detailing the work that was undertaken to prepare the body for the repaint. There was significant rust in the nose of the car as well as the floor, sills, doors, boot lid and just about everywhere else! All the corroded metal was removed and replaced with new metal where required.
Once all the body work was completed, the car was then prepared for painting. As they say colour maketh the car and this Maserati Indy now presents absolutely superbly in its original and STUNNING colour of oro metallizzato (gold metallic).
The front and rear bumpers as well as the wheel nuts and wheel centre caps were rechromed by Pacific Plating in Brisbane. A new windscreen was installed and Maseratis characteristic diamond stitched under bonnet insulation was replaced.
In October 2022 all the work was completed and the car was back on the road.
The end result is simply spectacular and the car is a credit to its owner as well as Frank Toaldo and his team at GT Motors.
Today the odometer on this car reads 91,142 miles. It has travelled perhaps 1,000 miles since it was repainted three years ago and as a result it still presents superbly.
The paint has retained its high gloss finish and strong depth of colour and one has to look hard to find any imperfections. There is one very small defect just in front of the left rear wheel arch. It is hard to see but it is there. The external trim is all in excellent condition.
The wheels are in excellent condition having all been repainted. They are shod with period correct Michelin XWX tyres, size 205VR14, which are date stamped 2317 (week 23, 2017). They are still in excellent condition.
Inside the cabin everything remains very fresh. The leather remains in excellent condition on the seats and door cards. We only noticed some marks on the drivers seat bolster caused by the seat belt. A good leather doctor can easily correct this.
The dashboard, instruments and controls are also in excellent condition. Everything looks to be in working order. The car has a fabulous Blaupunkt radio cassette fitted which is most likely original. The front seats, whilst not original to the car, are period correct and very comfortable. They provide ample support.
The car is very clean all around and the engine bay is no exception. The boot is similarly well presented.
The Maserati Indys were highly regarded as very comfortable grand tourers and with a quoted top speed of 250 km/hr, one could only imagine blasting from Rome to Paris back in the day at high speed and in style and comfort!
Whilst we couldnt get to the autostrade we could stretch this cars legs on Brisbanes M1. In summary, this car drives every bit as good as it looks.
As with all Maserati V8s of this period you need to prime the carburettors once the ignition key has been turned on. The fuel pump eventually slows and after three or four pumps on the throttle the engine bursts into life with a final turn of the key. The 4.2 litre V8 in this Indy sounds fabulous. The exhaust note is spot on building anticipation as the engine warms. On a warm Brisbane day it does not take too long for the car to reach operating temperature. You select first gear, release the firm but not heavy clutch and you are away. Within minutes it is obvious this Indy is mechanically sorted. The car pulls strongly and willingly through the rev range and the actual gear change is firm and precise. The ride of the car is exceptional; there are no rattles or squeaks and it handles particularly well. The brakes pull the car up swiftly and in a straight line. We like the fact that this car does not have power steering. It is a little heavy at parking speed but the feedback whilst actually drivingthe car is superb!
The current owner is getting to the pointy end of another classic Maserati project and space does not allow him to keep both cars. As such, he has made the difficult decision to part ways with this car and it is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
The big money has been spent on this car and its next owner will be able sleep at night knowing that cosmetically this car is better than new!
We think that Maserati Indys are underrated and they offer great value at approximately half the cost of a Ghibli and significantly less than its crosstown rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file which includes a plethora of invoices for the work completed over the years, photographs of the car from its cosmetic restoration, an original parts manual, a copy of an owners manual, a jack kit and various new & used parts.
Highlights:
- 1 of only 13 Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Maserati Indys.
- Matching numbers example.
- Recent bare metal repaint in its original and STUNNING colour.
- Good history file.
- An absolute delight to drive.
Price $169,950
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 a 4 seater alternative for the 2 seater Ghibli. Both Ghia and Vignale showed their proposals in November 1968 at the Salone dell'automobile di Torino. Maserati preferred the Vignale design and the production model was officially launched at the Salone d'Automobile de Genève 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. It was offered initially with its 4.2 litre quad cam V8 and later with the 4.7 litre and 4.9 litre engines also. The car was available with either manual or automatic transmission.
Maserati anoraks will appreciate the Indy production data (provided by Maserati) that notes a breakdown of cars as: 4,200cc engine (440 cars), 4,700cc engine (364 cars) and 4,900cc engine (300 cars - of which 200 cars had Citroen brakes). Of the 1,104 Maserati Indys built only 74 were right hand drive. There were only 13 Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Maserati Indys. Of these, 7 had the 4,200cc engine (5 had manual transmission / 2 had automatic) and 6 had the 4,700 engine (4 had manual transmission / 2 had automatic).

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.2 Manual

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

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this Australian delivered 1924 Bentley 3.0 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer.
Elegant, purposeful and undeniably charismatic, the Bentley 3.0 Litre is widely regarded as one of the most desirable sporting cars of the vintage era.
This well known and highly regarded car is well documented in the fabulous book Vintage Bentleys in Australia written by Clare Hay, Bob Watson, Phillip Schudmak and Tony Johns.
This particular car is noted as having a delivery date of August 1924 (the 31st July 1924 according to the Vintage Bentley Register) and it arrived into Australia in October 1924.
The Vintage Bentley Register states: According to the original Vanden Plas Coachbuilder records, this car was originally fitted with Body No. 1068 with a 10 10 wheelbase standard Open Touring Body; Design copied at Bentley Works 3rd April; buff/black; 8/1924. Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: Vanden Plas body no. 1068. New BA 741 419 S/col 737 G/box 1375 (B?).
The first owner was EM & Jas. M Pittendrigh from the inner Melbourne suburb of Toorak in Victoria. The car was first registered as 63167. By 1934 the car was owned by Stanley Edwards from Victoria. It passed through a number of subsequent owners in Victoria before being acquired by Jim Duncan from Victoria and later Noosa in Queensland in 1965. Duncan used the car regularly attending various Bentley Drivers Club events and rallies as well as the 1996 Targa Tasmania.
Unfortunately, the car was involved in an accident in 1999 during Duncans ownership. This was the catalyst to fully restore the car, which involved fitting a new body that was built by Rod Warriner. The new body incorporated a taller radiator and bulkhead to compliment the 4½ Litre engine that was previously fitted to the car. The work was completed and the car was back on the road in 2001.
The car was shown at the 2001 Noosa Beach Classic Car Show where it won Best pre 1950 Car and Best Car of the Show.
Duncan sold his beloved Bentley in 2010 after 45 years of ownership. The car returned to Melbourne and was acquired by the current owner in 2017. Throughout his ownership this wonderful Bentley has continued to be used and enjoyed. It is often seen at Bentley Drivers Club events and rallies.
Few cars capture the spirit of vintage motoring better than a Bentley 3.0 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer. Developed during the formative years of Bentley Motors, it combined robust engineering, impressive performance and lightweight sporting coachwork to create a motor car that quickly established Bentleys reputation as a force to be reckoned with both on the road and on the racetrack. They are a drivers car first and foremost!
Today this car presents and drives exceptionally well. We love the fact that when Duncan restored/rebuilt the car back in 1999 he chose to have it finished in essentially its original colour of buff/black, which is quite unique and absolutely striking. It is not known what the original upholstery colour was for the car, however, we think red was a perfect choice.
This Bentley presents with just the right amount of patina, consistent with a car that was restored 25 years ago and subsequently maintained whilst it has been used and enjoyed.
The paint work presents well, with minor wear and tear evident. Overall it has retained a strong depth of colour and remains vibrant. All of the external trim, including the brightwork presents similarly well.
The black wire wheels and plated Bentley spinners are in good condition and present well. The wheels are shod with Goodrich Silverttown 5.00 / 6.00 21 tyres all around.
Inside the cabin this car is also beautifully presented. The condition of the interior is consistent with the exterior. Everything is just nice, showing light wear consistent with use. The red upholstery is soft and supple and presents without any significant flaws. The seats are comfortable and install confidence you would feel that way after a long day behind the wheel. The carpets are in generally good condition. The instruments and controls are well presented and look to be in working order, though the black finish around the bezels on some of the instruments is chipped.
The soft top, which is in good condition, is for emergency purposes only and some would say Bentley drivers should be made stern enough that it should never go up! It fits quite well and is relatively easy to put up and down. The cover that fits over the soft top when down fits well and is in good condition. There are two tonneau covers, one front and one rear, which also fit well and are also in good condition.
Driving a Bentley 3.0 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer is not simply about travelling from one destination to another. It is about becoming part of the machine, mastering its controls and experiencing motoring as it was during one of the greatest eras in automotive history. Powerful, engaging and immensely charismatic, it remains one of the finest vintage driving experiences available today. There is no doubt that this car achieves all of that and more!
The car goes hard and it has the most fantastic and very distinctive baritone exhaust note. For its day this was a fast car, but even today its performance is lively and the car has absolutely no trouble keeping up with modern traffic. The steering is relatively heavy at low speeds but becomes lighter and wonderfully communicative once on the move. Every movement of the front wheels can be felt through the steering wheel, creating a direct connection between driver and the road. The car responds faithfully to driver inputs and, despite its age and size, possesses an agility that often surprises first-time drivers.
The gearbox requires a deliberate hand and rewards those who master its rhythm. Smooth gear changes become part of the driving experience, adding to the sense of satisfaction and engagement. Rather than being a challenge, the process becomes an integral part of the cars character.
The brakes do their job adequately, however, they require a firm peddle.
Out on the open road, this Bentley truly comes into its own. It settles into a long legged stride, feeling stable, confident and immensely robust. The chassis inspires confidence and there is a wonderful sense that the car could continue effortlessly for hundreds of miles, just as it did during the great touring and competition events of the 1920s.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the experience is the sense of occasion. Every journey feels special. The sounds, smells and sensations combine to create an experience that is visceral, authentic and deeply rewarding.
Incredibly, this Bentley is now just over 100 years old.
With its imposing radiator, seemingly endless bonnet and beautifully proportioned Vanden Plas coachwork, the Bentley 3.0 4½ Litre Tourer is the very image of a vintage sporting motor car. Nearly a century after it first appeared, it remains one of the most evocative and rewarding automobiles of its era, offering a direct connection to the heroic age of motoring.
WO era Bentleys are rarely offered for sale in Australia, so this beautifully presented 1924 Bentley 3.0 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer. presents a unique opportunity.
Highlights:
- Genuine Bentley 3.0 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer.
- Upgraded with 4½ Litre engine.
- Beautifully restored 1999 2001.
- Known history from new with excellent provenance.
- Superb drivers car.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $479,950
Background
The Bentley motor car company was founded back in 1919 by brothers WO and HM Bentley. The Bentley brothers were involved in the motor industry having acquired the agency to sell French built DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) cars in 1912, however, they desperately wanted to build their own cars.
WO Bentley had established himself as a brilliant engineer during World War I when the French made DFP in which he competed, achieved a number of wins in various races and hill climbs. He was one of the first engineers who realised the advantage of using aluminium to create pistons. W.O Bentley was discharged from the army in 1919 and he set about creating his own car. His experience with aircraft engines proved an excellent starting point. He was also heavily influenced by two pre-war designs, the 1914 Grand Prix Mercedes and the 1913 Coupe de lAuto Peugeot.
Bentley developed a 3.0 litre monobloc engine which featured four valves per cylinder, twin spark plugs and twin magnetos. He made extensive use of aluminium and magnesium which were quite exotic materials in the 1920s, especially for road going cars. The first prototype, EXP1, was tested by The Autocar and received a glowing report. It was described as For the man who wants a true sporting type of light-bodied car for use on a Continental tour where speed limits are not meant to be observed the 3 Litre Bentley is undoubtedly the car par excellence.
The second prototype, EXP2, made its debut at the 1919 Olympia motor show. The new Bentley 3.0 Litre attracted a lot of attention however it wasnt until September 1921 that the first model rolled of the production line. Between the 1919 motor show and September 1921 much work had been done to further refine the chassis. EXP2 was the first Bentley to record a race win at Brooklands on May 16th 1921. Bentley continued to use it for further testing in 1921 and 1922 before it was sold in 1923. EXP2 still exists today and is the oldest surviving Bentley.
Initially, production of the Bentley 3.0 Litre was slow but they got the formula right and their cars proved to be luxurious, reliable and fast thus attracting buyers from the elite of society. it didnt take long for the order books to be filled with names of wealthy and aristocratic clients, including Prince George (later the Duke of Kent), the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) and the Duke of York, later King George VI.
Just like other manufactures in that period, Bentley supplied the engine, drive train, suspension and chassis, letting the client decide which coachbuilder they wanted to use to supply the body. Bentley offered three versions of their 3.0 Litre and they were identified by the colour of the badge on the radiator the blue label, the red label and the green label. The blue label was the standard engine, the red label was powered by a higher compression engine and the green label was the high-performance model. Bentley had great confidence in their cars and offered a five year warranty on the blue and red label model. The green label, however, only came with a one year warranty because it really was a race car.
The cars were also incredibly successful on the race track with Bentley achieving the ultimate success winning Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. The Bentley 3.0 Litre was able to beat the the much smaller and more nimble Bugattis, prompting Ettore Bugatti to call it the fastest lorry in the world.
The difficult economic times in the late 1920s had a major impact on Bentley and they stopped motor racing soon after winning Le Mans in 1930 and ultimately fell into receivership in 1931. Rolls-Royce acquired the assets of Bentley in late 1931. In this period Bentley produced some fabulous motor cars including the 3.0 Litre, 4½ Litre, Blower Bentley, 6½ Litre and 8.0 Litre models that are all today highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world. The first new Bentley produced following Rolls Royces acquisition was the Bentley 3½ Litre which evolved into the Bentley 4¼ Litre. Bentleys of this era are also known as Derby Bentleys as they were built at Rolls Royces factory located in Derby in the north of England.
The Bentley 3.0 Litre was built from 1921 through until 1929 and in total 1,622 examples were built. This included three experimental models, 1,088 3.0 Litre models, 513 Speed Tourers and 18 Super Sports.

1924 BENTLEY 3 LITRE

A new arrival at Oldtimer Australia is this evocative 1971 Porsche 911E Reimagined.
Singer Vehicle Design has firmly established itself as the definitive authority in air-cooled Porsche 911 enhancement. In essence, a Singer Porsche is a reimagined 911 at its absolute zenith a seamless blend of heritage, engineering excellence and bespoke craftsmanship.
The demand for these cars is unprecedented and it has also generated huge interest in other re-engineered interpretations of the air-cooled Porsche 911.
This 1971 Porsche 911E Reimagined represents a compelling fusion of classic Porsche heritage and modern upgrades (including a tuned 3.6 litre 993) that has been meticulously built by Porsche specialists.
If ever a car arrived at our showroom with a story to tell, it has to be this 911. It clearly boasts a fascinating and colourful history. It started life as a road car, was rebuilt into a very successful competition car and more recently Reimagined.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity on file confirms this 1971 (MY 1972) Porsche 911E 2.4 Litre Coupe originally left the factory in Gemini Blue Metallic (paint code 8686) with a black leatherette interior (trim code 11). The car was delivered with a sunroof and a rear wiper.
Porsche has confirmed this car was originally destined for the UK market, however, it is fitted with an Australian compliance plate. Therefore, it may well have been ordered by an Australian in the UK who planned to immediately export the car to Australia or it was perhaps a tourist delivery ordered through a UK dealer. Regardless, the car must have found its way to Australia very early in its life. The Australian Compliance Plate is dated 6/72.
We have to assume the car led a rather normal until the late 1980s or early 1990s when it was acquired by Garnet Luckins from Melbourne, Victoria. Luckins, who was one of the founding members of the Porsche Club in Victoria, had highly respected Porsche specialist Mike Tankard turn this 911E into a race car.
In the mid 1990s the car was sold to John Saunders from Perth, Western Australia. He further developed the car and a CAMS log book was issued on the 19th June 1997. In the early 2000s the car was purchased by Porsche racer Brett Bedggood from Wendouree, a suburb of Ballarat in Victoria. He purchased the car for the engine which was fitted in it at the time. As a result, he really didnt use the car.
In October 2006 Bedggood sold the car to a well-known Porsche tragic Larry McFarlane from Brisbane in Queensland. At the time, McFarlane had been racing his rare and quit valuable Porsche 964RS and decided that the risk to continue and race that car was too great. He had been on the hunt for the right track car for some time and when this came to market it met most of his requirements.
This car looked good and it appeared to be in a reasonable condition. It had previously been converted into a 2.8 RSR clone including the massive wheel arches, a roll cage, 930 turbo brakes and a light weight interior.
Unfortunately, the car had a few issues, most notably the engine was tired. With the help of local Porsche specialist Don Munro from T&D Automotive a decision was made to make the car as good as it could be and the first step was to install a type M64 engine from a Porsche 993. The engine was sourced from Wayne Hennig in Noosa, rebuilt and fitted to the car. That wasnt the only modification which had to be made to the car. The car was essentially rebuilt with various improvements made along the way. A staggering $290,000 later a new race car was born!
Once the car was completed it was campaigned successfully at various events. The car performed exceptionally well and Mr Consistency was a regular podium finisher. McFarlanes crowning achievement, which made the project worth every cent, came in 2013 when won the won the Queensland Motor Racing Series Productions Sports Car title and the CAMS Queensland Production Sports Car Championship in this car. After that, the car was used occasionally until 2016 and then more sparingly at odd events until 2018.
This Porsche 911 was effectively retired from racing some 5 years ago.
The current owner acquired this car in 2021 and at that time it was in a reasonable condition for an ex-race car.
Even though he is a very accomplished race car driver, he did not want to extend the cars racing career. Restoring the car back to original was not an option as too many original parts had been removed, making it an unviable project. He wanted to restore the car and totally rebuild it, giving it the Singer treatment. His vision was to restore the car to his taste and importantly make it a better car to drive.
The car was given to Totally Classic Restorations in Warana, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. They stripped it down to a bare shell and performed various body repairs before painting it in its original and stunning colour of Gemini Blue Metallic. Once painted, the car was assembled to the point where it could be easily transported.
The next challenge was to find the right person to take care of all the mechanicals and finalise the project. After due consideration the owner entrusted the project to Jye Pawley at Specialised Autowerk in Heidelberg (Melbourne). The car was transported to him and he started the work in August 2022.
The first job was to remove everything from the car, unpack all the boxes and detail an inventory of all of the parts that were with the car. This was never going to be an easy project! Pawley was up for the challenge and after discussing various options with the owner, a plan was agreed and the work began in earnest.
There is a substantial file containing detailed invoices documenting the work carried out, along with 2,249 photographs on record.
Some of the highlights are:
- The 993 3.6 litre engine was stripped, assessed and reassembled with new seals etc. It is fitted with mild cams and mechanical rockers. The engine recorded 250.4 kw (approx. 335.8 hp) and 384.7 nm on the dyno.
- The 915 gearbox has been completely rebuilt to standard specifications with a PSJ shift coupling for a more precise feel.
- Upgraded 930 brake system.
- A limited slip differential has been fitted with later model drive shafts.
- A Sachs clutch has been fitted.
- A KW V3 coil over kit has been fitted.
- A new half roll cage was installed.
- The fuel system has been upgraded and modernised.
- Adjustable sway bars have been fitted.
- All the wiring has been replaced and upgraded.
- Superlite style wheels, 15×8 front and 15×10 rear were fitted.
- A lightweight RS style carpet kit and RS style door trims were fitted.
The end result is simply outstanding. This car is so much more than a hot-rodded 911 with flared guards! The car stands as a true testament to the vision of the owner and the craftsmen who brought it together.
Walking around the car, its impossible not to be impressed! From the front the additional fog lights immediately remind you of the Porsches that used to participate in various rally events in the 1970s. The flared wheel arches remind you of the 911 RSR which famously won the 1973 Targa Floria in Sicily. The look is quite imposing and it all just works.
The colour combination of Gemini Blue Metallic with the gold wheels and decals is striking and the spot lights coupled with its aggressive stance complete the look perfectly.
The car was completed in 2025 and it has only travelled some 700 miles since it was built. As a result, everything essentially presents as new. The paint is in excellent condition, though it has picked up a stone chip/star on the left rear guard. The external trim is minimalistic and what there is also presents as new. The glass is also in excellent condition.
The gold Superlite wheels are in excellent condition and they are shod with a fresh set of MichelinTB5 tyres, size 225/50R15 at the front and 285/40R15 at the rear. They are date stamped 2924 (week 29, 2024) and 3825 (week 38, 2025) respectively.
When the car was completed, it felt as though something was still missing. It was then decided to add the gold striping to the sides and rear, which finished the car perfectly.
The interior of the car had a tough act to follow and we think that the style choice and colour combination chosen is just perfect. Everything has been beautifully finished. The seats are a real feature and the light blue upholstery with bright blue piping and the blue/black herringbone inserts really makes its own statement. The detail of matching the seat belts and door pulls to the piping is clever and another feature.
Not surprisingly, the engine bay and boot under the bonnet also present as new.
From the moment we first laid eyes on this car down in Melbourne, we have been champing at the bit to get behind the wheel. How would it drive was the million dollar question! Would we be disappointed given the hype generated by its look? The short answer is a definitive NO!
Theres no doubt the look of this car is something special, however, when you start the engine it also obvious that it is powered by something special. Yes, it is louder than your everyday 993, but not too loud. It has an edge and it sounds angry . . . courtesy of the mild cams and customised Fabspeed exhaust system.
Out on the open road all your senses converge at once as you take it all in. The first thing you notice is how direct the steering is and shortly thereafter how tight the gearbox feels. The short throw and weight of the gear knob have created a perfect feel and the gear changes are so easy and incredibly smooth up and down the box. As we expected the suspension is hard, but surprisingly comfortable. The car feels extremely tight and just glued to the road. It handles like a go cart and corners like its on rails.
This 1971 Porsche 911E Reimagined is one of the most exciting cars to drive that we have ever offered for sale. We really cant fault the car . . . if only we could keep it!
The current owner has a significant collection of cars and whilst he has thoroughly enjoyed the journey to create this masterpiece, he has gone in a different direction with his collection focusing on Italian cars.
It is therefore with a heavy heart he has made the difficult decision to part with this car and it is now looking for its next custodian.
Needless to say, building a car of this quality required a significant financial investment and what we are asking is way under cost.
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file, that most importantly contains detailed invoices documenting the work carried out, along with 2,249 photographs of the build.
You wont park next to another one at your local Porsche Club event or cars & coffee!
Highlights:
- an incredible Reimagined Porsche 911.
- powered by a tuned type M64 Porsche 993 engine.
- a superbly presented car in a fabulous colour scheme.
- just a magnificent car to drive.
Price: $349,950
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. The rest they say is history as the 356 evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built. A hard act to follow indeed . . . but its replacement, the Porsche 911 went on to become a legend!
The evolution of the Porsche 911 is probably the greatest sports car story of all time. First introduced in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and then designated as a 901, the successor to the 356 took the world by storm. To avoid conflict with Peugeot, who claimed exclusive rights to car names with three digits having a zero in the middle, the car was renamed as 911. The first production 911 was built in 1964 and it was powered by an air cooled 1991cc 6-cylinder engine.
For 1969 Porsche made the single biggest change to the 911 thus far by lengthening the wheelbase 2.5 inches to reduce the oversteer characteristics inherent to rear-engined cars. Pre 1969 cars are often referred to as the short wheel base cars (SWB) and 1969 onwards called the long wheelbase cars (LWB).
The car evolved with increases in engine capacity to 2.2 litres, 2.4 litres, 2.7 litres, 3.0 litres and 3.3 litres. There were styling changes also, but one always recognised the car as a 911. Today the first series of 911s is recognised as the cars built from 1963 to 1989 and include the very popular Porsche 911 and 930 Turbo models. Of these the small bumper or pre impact bumper cars built up to 1973 are today regarded as the real classic 911, however, that comes at a price. In the last few years astute collectors and enthusiasts have seen great value in 1970s and 1980s model 911s.
From 1967 Porsche offered the 911 with four different variants. the base model 911T, the more luxurious 911L, the mid range 911E and the top of the range 911S.
First released in 1967, the Porsche 911T was basically a replacement for the 912. The 911T was a slightly less expensive and a more basic version of the 911L. It was introduced with a 1,991cc engine with Weber carburettors, which produced 110hp, mated to a 4 speed gearbox.
The 911L only remained in production for a short period, from 1967 to 1968, before being replaced by the 911E in 1969. The E stands for Einspritzung, which is German for injection. The 1,991cc engine remained but it was now fitted with Bosch mechanical fuel injection which provided a significant increase in power to 140hp. The engine capacity was increased to 2,195cc for all 911s in 1969 and 911E 2.2 generated 155hp. The final iteration of the F Series 911s saw the engine capacity increase again, this time to 2,341cc. The 911E 2.4, introduced in late 1971 and built through until 1973, now produced an impressive 165hp.
In total, 12,159 Porsche 911Es were built from August 1968 through until July 1973, comprising 7,517 Coupes and 4,642 Targas.

1971 PORSCHE 911 E SERIES

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this magnificent Maserati 450S Re-Creation.
The current owner is a real enthusiast and has owned some of the worlds great cars. He has a passion for sports racing cars from the 1950s and 1960s and in 2011 decided he needed a Maserati 450S!
The objective was to build an authentic recreation of one of the most formidable sports racing cars of the 1950s. The brief was the car had to have a faithful reproduction of the original tubular spaceframe chassis, the body had to be made of aluminium with accurate dimensions, panel shapes and detailing. Importantly, the drive train had to be genuine Maserati with the correct period look. Most Maserati 450S Re-Creations were built with a modern gearbox set up, which is not faithful to the original design. The original Maserati featured a rear transaxle setup, which is what this car had to have. Like all the original nine Maserati 450S built, this car had to be right hand drive.
The task of building the car was given to the highly respected classic car restoration specialists, Historic and Vintage Restoration (HVR) in Melbourne, Australia. HVR has restored a number of great cars of the years and also built a number of exacting recreations, including a 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500SS Berlinetta Aerodinamica, 1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 MM Spider and a 1933 MG K1 / K3 Recreation.
After a worldwide search, the decision was made to source the aluminium body and the chassis from Nestor Salerno in Argentina who is well known for making museum quality recreations. In fact, several of his cars are on display in the Fangio Museum in Buenos Aires. Paul Chaleyer, the managing director of HVR, personally flew to Argentina to inspect and purchase the body and chassis on behalf of the owner.
Next challenge was to find a suitable engine to power the car. As per the brief, it had to be a Maserati engine. A decision was made to use a Tipo AM107 engine from a 1960s Maserati Quattroporte. The engine was completely stripped by HVR and every element was tested and what needed to be replaced was replaced. When the time came to put the engine back together it was not simply rebuilt the way it was. The owner wanted the engine to look period correct. It was modified to have twin plug ignition with a distributor for each bank. The block was also bored out to approximately 5. 0 litres. The quadruple Weber carburettors were modified and fitted with individual polished velocity stacks. They have the correct sand cast look. The owner did not go as far as converting the engine to dry sump, however, a correct dry sump tank is fitted in the rear of the car next to the beautiful riveted aluminium fuel tank (fitted with a fuel cell) to complete the look.
As per the original brief, the car needed to have a transaxle setup. A decision was made to source a six speed transaxle from a modern Maserati 4200. Inside the car, the gate was beautifully disguised to look like a five speed gearbox with reverse, giving a similar look to an original 450S.
To stop the car, giant period correct, finned drum brakes are fitted all around. The front suspension is a classic double-wishbone set-up. On the rear it has the De Dion rear end with transverse leaf springs which are polished steel as per original.
When the body and chassis arrived in Australia, HVR checked it over and spent considerable time to prepare it for paint. The car was painted by Resurrection Auto Restorers in Melbourne.
The project was finished in 2014 and the end result is simply stunning. The car is visually an authentic recreation, however, it also delivers an experience that reflects the engineering brilliance, raw performance and uncompromising spirit of one of the greatest Maseratis ever built.
The car has been used sparingly since it was completed. It has made appearances at the 2014 and 2015 Australian Grand Prix and several other events.
It was featured in Issue 367 the September 2014 issue of Unique Cars magazine when John Bowe tested it alongside a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Recreation, then belonging to the same owner. The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, which used a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE as its donor car, was sold by Oldtimer Australia in September 2024.
This Maserati 450S Re-Creation has an incredible presence. This car is stunning in every regard and its proportions are just right. The curvaceous body is a sculptured work of art, however, the ceramic coated exhausts on either side of the car immediately signal that this is a thoroughbred racing machine, built with performance as its foremost priority.
Whilst it has been a few years now since the build of this car was completed, it still presents exceptionally well. The paint has retained a deep gloss with a strong depth of colour. The car has been used from time to time as its makers intended and as a result when you look closely you will find some small imperfections. All the panel gaps are excellent.
The more you look at the car the more detail you will notice. The devil is in the detail and some of its features are the delicate handles to secure the boot and the bonnet as well as the windscreen which wraps around the cockpit and continues on top of the doors.
The car is fitted with genuine Borrani 16×4½ wire wheels at the front (16×5½ rear) which are shod with soft compound Dunlop Racing tyres size 6. 0 16 at the front (6. 5 16 rear). The wheels are all in excellent condition.
To get into the car you have to reach over the side screens and pull the leather cord on the inside of the door to open it. The interior itself is very minimalistic as one would expect. It is after all a race car. The elegant three spoke timber steering wheel has a solid feel and is indistinguishable from the original that Stirling Moss would have had in his hands back in the day. The small dashboard in front of you is basic but equipped with enough gauges to give you all the information you need. Right in front of you is the all important tacho. There is also a GPS speedo installed, however, on our most recent test drive that was not working. The seats are covered in period correct leather and are firm and relatively comfortable. Both seats are fitted with a five point harness.
We love the exposed chassis frame inside the car, which is a real feature of this era of racing Maseratis.
From the moment this car arrived at our showroom we were just a little bit excited to get behind the wheel! Starting the car is easy. There is a battery isolator key which is conveniently located inside the cabin and within easy reach of the driver. Starting is essentially the same as any other classic Maserati. It is as simple as inserting the key into the ignition and turning the ignition on. You will then hear the fuel pumps starting to pump fuel into the carburettors. After waiting for say fifteen seconds (which seemed more like 15 minutes!), you give the throttle one pump and press the starter button. The big V8 bursts to live almost immediately with an almighty roar. You have to feather the throttle to warm the engine up but that doesnt take too long and it quickly settles into a smooth idle.
The sound is both brutal and sophisticated. The engine and exhaust create a powerful mechanical symphony that echoes across the landscape. When warming up in our showroom the windows shake and the walls vibrate!
Once the engine is warm and you comfortable in the car, buckle up and it is time to hit the road. We select first gear and ever so cautiously inch the car out of our showroom. Trying to be discrete is impossible. Passerbys, hearing the noise, immediately turned their heads the moment the car got onto the road. First impressions are that this car is surprisingly easy to drive. The gearbox has a normal shift pattern with first gear being left and forward. It is an absolute delight and with a relatively short shift the gear changes both up and down the box are easy and smooth.
Just like any race car, everything needs to be full operating temperature for the car to be driven properly.
Once we felt comfortable with the car we were able to find a quiet piece of road to see what this car was all about. Needless to say, we couldnt test its full potential. For that you need a race track, but what we can say is the car is an absolute delight to drive with more than enough power. The big Maserati V8 also has plenty of torque. The car weighs less than 1, 000 kg and according to HVR the engine has around 350hp and 350nm of torque.
The brakes take a little bit of getting used to as they are drums. But once you realise that you just have to apply a bit more pressure on the pedal they do pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
It is not often a car like this becomes available on the Australian market and the fact that it was built here in Australia makes it even more special.
We are genuinely excited to be able to offer this magnificent Maserati 450S Re-Creation for sale.
Accompanying the car is a history file of the invoices and photos from the build. There is also a spare wheel and a (modern) jack.
Highlights
- Built by respected classic car restoration specialists (HVR) in Melbourne.
- Accurate aluminium body & chassis built by Nestor Salerno in Argentina.
- Powered by 5. 0 Litre Maserati V8 engine.
- Beautifully presented.
- An absolute delight to drive.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price AUD $359, 950
Foot Note: we were delighted to see that a 1957 Maserati 450S recently won the Concours de Sport Best of Show at the 2026 Greenwich back in May.
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.
The Maserati 250F is unique among Grand Prix cars, as it has longevity that has spanned seven years of racing from 1954 through until 1960. The 250F was first raced at the Argentinian Grand Prix in January 1954 by Juan Manuel Fangio. After qualifying third Fangio went on to win the race. Another famous driver who raced the 250F in 1954 was Stirling Moss. Moss also won several races in the 250F. In 1957 at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring Fangio overcame a 48 second deficit in 22 laps to win the race. In 22 laps he broke the lap record 10 times. The 250F was crucially important in carrying Juan Manuel Fangio to two of his five World Championship winning seasons, in 1954 and 1957. The Maserati 250F is motor racing royalty and in total 26 examples were built.
In 1955 Maserati introduced the Maserati 300S. This car was designed to compete in the FIA World Sportscar Championship. In total 26 were produced between 1955 and 1956.
The 300S was superseded by the 350S, but only 3 of them were produced before it was superseded by the Maserati 450S.
Initially, development of the 450S started in 1954 under the code name Tipo 54. However, after a catastrophic crash at Le Mans in 1955 the project was shelved. It was not until 1956 that the project was revived. The body was designed by Medardo Fantuzzi. It was powered by a 4, 477cc V8 with four IDM Weber carburettors and double overhead camshafts. It produced 400hp at 7, 200rpm.
Between 1956 and 1962, the Maserati 450S won an impressive 31 races from 119 appearances. Amongst others, the 450S was raced by Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio and Caroll Shelby.
In total 9 were built.

MASERATI 450S RECREATION

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an award winning 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.
This car, which is finished in the traditional Ferrari colour scheme of Rosso Corsa (paint code FER 322) with beige leather upholstery, was delivered to its first owner, Thomas Graham Gillespie from Airdrie in Scotland, UK on the 11th March 2005.
It has a full book set, including its service book which documents its service history. In Gillespies ownership the car received its first service on the 1st June 2006. At that time the odometer read 4,235 miles. The service was performed by Ferrari dealer Graypaul in Edinburgh. The next service was performed on 30th April 2007 at 5,896 miles by Graypaul.
Gillespie kept the car until 2007 and then sold it to Sir Anthony Moore from Swadlingcote, which is just south of Nottingham in the north of England.
Subsequent services were completed as follow:
- 3rd September 2008 @ 13,718 miles by Ferrari dealer Graypaul in Nothingham.
- 2nd December 2009 @ 17,425 miles by Ferrari specialists Shiltech Performance cars in Loughborough.
- 11th March 2010 @ 18,294 miles.
Moore sold the car in 2010 to Gregory Newton, an Australian who was residing in the UK at that time. Newton kept the car in the UK for the next 12 months before importing it into Australia. It was brought in as a personal import and there is a copy of the import approval on file dated 15th November 2011.
Soon after arriving in Sydney, the car was complianced and registered in NSW.
The car was then serviced on 5th September 2012 by Quantum Automotive.
The current Sunshine Coast based owner acquired this Ferrari 612 Scaglietti on 31st July 2014. At that time the odometer read 25,211 miles. Prior to purchasing the car he had a pre purchase inspection completed by Ferrari Sydney and they identified a few items which required attention.
Overall the car was in excellent condition and met the requirements of what the current owner was looking for. On the 10th September 2014 the car was taken to independent Ferrari specialist Enzotech in Caboolture, Queensland to have these issues addressed. A decision was also made to address some of the usual wear and tear issues on the car and return to the condition it was in when it left the showroom back in 2005.
Despite the fact the car has only been used sporadically by the current owner, it has been serviced on a regular basis by Enzotech. Routine servicing was completed as follows:
- 08th September 2015 @ 26,249 miles (included a cambelt service)
- 15th September 2017 @ 27,295 miles.
- 22nd April 2018 @ 28,069 miles.
- 17th December 2020 @ 28,800 miles (included a cambelt service)
- 12th September 2021 @ 30,289 miles.
- 24th August 2022 @ 30,665 miles.
- 20th August 2024 @ 31,518 miles.
- 9th August 2026 @32,347 miles (included a cambelt service).
The current owner is very passionate, pedantic and proud of his cars, including this Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. As a result, this car is presented in excellent condition. He is a Ferrari Club Australia member and he has attended the National Rally twice, entering the Concorso on both occasions. In 2022 the car won a platinum award and more recently in 2025 it won a gold award, narrowly missing out on platinum.
At time of photographing the car, the odometer read 32,335 miles. As is often the case, the photos tell the story. The car is in beautiful condition, particularly considering that it is 20+ years old. The gold award won at the recent Ferrari Club Australia Concorso is a testament to this.
The Rosso Corsa paint is in excellent condition. It is vibrant and has retained a strong depth of colour. When walking around the car we struggled to find any imperfections other than a few very small stone chips on the nose. It is understood that these were picked up on the recent Ferrari rally. With front and rear bumpers integrated into the bodywork, the external trim is minimalistic. The Ferrari badges, side shields, front grill, lights and lenses are all in excellent condition.
The original wheels, which are a real feature on a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, are in excellent condition with no evidence of any curb rash. They are shod with Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres, size 245/40ZR19 at the front and 285/4ZR19 at the rear. The front tyres are date stamped 4412 (week 44, 2012) and the rear ones 4712 (week 44, 2012) The tyres are still in a good condition.
The interior presents beautifully and its condition is more consistent with a five year old car, rather than one that is 20+ years old. The upholstery is almost as new and even the leather on the front seats is still in excellent condition. The seats are firm yet supportive and very comfortable. The rear seats present like new and have probably hardly been used if at all.
The cabin is a very luxurious place to be. The seats can be adjusted in so many ways that almost everyone should be able to get very comfortable behind the wheel. Once settled in it is time to start the car. The starting procedure is simple: insert the key into the ignition slot on the steering column and turn the key to start the car. The thumping 5.75 litre V12 engine bursts to life easily with no throttle input needed. It quickly settles into a smooth idle and as one would expect, it sounds amazing with a deep, smooth burble.
You have the option to drive the car in fully automatic mode or in semi automatic mode where you use the F1 style paddles to change gears. Regardless of which option you choose, the car is refined and very easy to drive. In fact, it is almost too easy to drive and one has to be super careful to keep the speed in check. Whilst the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a grand tourer first and supercar second, when this car was released, it was one of the fastest four seaters available with a quoted top speed of 320 km/h and capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds.
On our test drive the car performed perfectly. With almost unlimited power on tap the engine is incredibly responsive and it will launch the car forward effortlessly with a gentle prod on the accelerator. The car can be driven sedately; however, you just have to unleash it from time to time to enjoy that unmistakable Ferrari soundtrack. The six speed F1 automated manual is smooth up and down the box. The car handles, steers and stops as one would expect, but to be fair to really test that you would want to take it to Fiorano!
What a car . . . the Ferrari 612 Scagliettis performance is incredible and yet it is very easy to drive, extremely comfortable as well as capable of carrying four passengers with room for some luggage in the boot.
Accompanying the car is history file, complete book set in the original leather pouch, the original tool kit and a car cover.
Highlights:
- Presented in the most popular and stunning colour combination.
- Multiple award winner at Ferrari Club Australia
- Full service history with books and tools.
- Cambelt service just completed.
- Just a beautiful motor car.
Price $199,950
Background
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So, a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12-cylinder engine of 3967cc capacity.
The late 1960s and early 1970s were fabulous times for Ferrari. Its flagship 365 GTB/4 Daytona was a resounding success and Enzos big risk the Dino 246 was also selling very well. At that time Ferrari wanted to continue with his tradition of producing high performance Grand Touring cars with a 2+2 configuration and the 365 GTC/4, which was a successor to the 365 GT 2+2 and the 365 GTC, filled that niche.
The early 1970s were a time of innovation and Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati et al. continued to introduce new models in an endeavour to trump the other. The 365 GTC/4 was only in production in 1971 & 1972 and its successor the 365 GT/4 2+2 was first shown in October 1972 at the Paris Motor Show. This car, designed and built by Pininfarina, featured unique styling and whilst the sharp angular lines were very new for Ferrari it did share the characteristic design feature of a swage line dividing the body into an upper and a lower half with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Unlike the GTC/4 the GT/4 2+2 could seat four people in relative comfort.
The 365 GT/4 2+2 was superseded by the 400 in 1976 and subsequently the 412 in 1985. Production of the 412 ended in 1989 without a direct successor.
In 1992 Ferrari introduced its next front engined V12 Grand Tourer, the 456, continuing its tradition of blending elegance, performance, and practicality. Designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina, the design took heavy inspiration from Ferraris legendary 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The car was initially launched with a six speed manual gearbox, however, a four speed automatic gearbox was introduced in 1996 and model was designated as 456 GTA. The 456 became one of Ferraris more successful models, with approximately 3,289 cars produced during its 5 years in production.
The 456 was superseded by the 612 Scaglietti in 2004. This 612 was a bigger car, making it more comfortable for four passengers. To keep the weight down the car was built with an all aluminium spaceframe and body. Powered by a 5.7 litre naturally aspirated V12 engine with a quoted power of 397 kw (533 hp) at 7,250 rpm and torque of 588 nm (434 lbft) at 5,250 rpm. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti was not a sports car, rather a very practical luxurious grand tourer. It was another success story for Ferrari with 3,025 examples produced between 2004 and 2011.

2005 FERRARI 612 SCAGLIETTI

Oldtimer Australia is pleased to offer for sale this rare 1952 Porsche 356 Pre-A Bent Window (Knickscheibe) Coupe.
Of all the Porsche 356 variants produced, the early Pre-A models are by far the rarest, with a total production of approximately 9,100 cars. To put this into perspective, Porsche subsequently produced 20,541 examples of the 356 A, 31,811 of the 356 B and 16,511 of the 356 C.
Documentation on file from Porsche confirms that this is a 1952 model year car, completed on 4 June 1952. It was subsequently delivered new through renowned Porsche dealer Hoffman Motor Car Company in New York, USA, on the 4th December 1952.
According to the Porsche production records, the car was originally finished in Fish Silver Grey (colour code 505) with a leatherette interior, although the interior colour was not recorded.
The car was delivered with a desirable selection of factory options, including a Telefunken radio and antenna, chrome bumper overriders and a Schlafsitz (reclining seat).
When new, the car would have been fitted with a 1,500cc engine.
The car on offer is one of the very early Bent Window examples with the integrated front bumpers, produced for only a short period between April and October 1952. From October 1952, Porsche revised the design and the bumpers were no longer integrated into the bodywork, making these early cars particularly distinctive and highly sought after today.
Unfortunately, little is known about the early history of this car. The car found its way to California at some stage and we do have confirmation that by 1979 it was registered there as 016 UCX. The original California licence plate from 1979 (blue plate 016 UCX) is with the car. It was subsequently registered in California as 1QKK691.
In November 2000, the car was offered for sale by Porsche 356 specialists European Collectibles in Costa Mesa, California, USA.
The car subsequently found its way to Belgium, where it was partially restored by its then owner with the assistance of a friend. A sticker retained in the history file suggests that the car participated in the 1st Kortrijkse Kocon Historic Rally, held on 30 June 2002.
Around 2007, the car was sold to its second Belgian owner, Mr Thirion of Antwerp. A Belgian registration document in his name is retained on file, together with period photographs showing the car carrying Belgian registration OAH 850.
Mr Thirions ownership was relatively brief and the car subsequently found its way to the UK through Antwerp based classic car dealer Beerens Classic Division. It is understood that, by this time, the car had been fitted with a Volkswagen engine.
The Porsche was sold to its current owner in December 2009 through renowned Porsche 356 specialists Export 56, based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.
The car was then shipped to Australia aboard the MSC Brianna, arriving in Melbourne in May 2010. There is a copy of the Australian Import Approval on file.dated the 11th February 2010.
Following its arrival in Australia, the car was entrusted to Rob Foers of 356 Works in Melbourne to source and install a period correct Porsche 356 engine. Foers subsequently sourced a 1,300cc engine from a 1951 Porsche 356 Pre-A, which was installed in the car along with other necessary work.
The current owner is Adelaide based and in addition to 356 Works he has utilised the services of Classic & Customs in Willunga, South Australia to look after his car.
Today, this Porsche 356 Pre-A Bent Window Coupe is best described as a presentable driver quality example. The car has essentially been in static storage over the last few years and it will require some fettling to be a reliable and usable classic. Once sorted, this car can certainly be used and enjoyed as it is, though there are areas that would benefit from further attention should its next owner wish to take the car to the next level.
At the time of photographing, the odometer read 10,831 miles.
When you first walk up to this car, and as you can see in the photos, the car presents well. However, upon closer inspection you will notice that there are defects in the paint. The car has been repainted at some stage and the paint is starting to show its age. Whilst there are defects on most panels, the most noticeable issues are the bottoms of both doors where some corrosion is starting to come through. There are also a few spots around both headlights.
The panel gaps are generally good, with the exception of the passengers door, which requires some adjustment to further improve its fit.
The wheels present very well and are free from any obvious kerb rash or damage. While Pre-A 356s were originally fitted with 16-inch wheels, this car has been fitted with 15-inch wheels, a popular period-style modification that many owners favour for improved handling and greater tyre choice.
The wheels are shod with Michelin XZX 165R15 tyres, date stamped 2921 (week 29 of 2021), which remain in very good condition. The hubcaps also present well and nicely complement the overall appearance of the car.
The exterior trim on a Pre-A 356 is wonderfully minimalistic, which is very much part of the charm and character of these early cars. The window trims are generally in a good condition, though they present with some light pitting, consistent with age. It should be noted that the trim strips along the top of the doors show some minor discolouration.
All the lights and lenses are in very good condition. The same can be said for the glass. It presents well with no evidence of any cracks or any pitting.
Inside, the interior presents very well and has all the wonderful simplicity and character that makes an early Pre-A 356 so appealing. The contrasting red upholstery really suits the car and presents well throughout. The front seats show some light creasing consistent with use and age, but importantly there is no sign of any tears or cracks. They remain supportive and surprisingly comfortable. The rear seats appear to have seen very little use and are in particularly good condition.
The beautifully simple body coloured dashboard is another highlight of the interior and presents very well. The period style instruments are clean and clearly presented, while the large clock prominently positioned in the centre of the dashboard is a wonderful feature and adds enormously to the period ambience.
An aftermarket wood rimmed steering wheel adds a sporting touch and works particularly well with the red upholstery and minimalist dashboard. The carpets and door trims also present well, completing what is a very attractive and inviting cabin.
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about the interior of these very early Porsche 356s. Everything is functional and purposeful, yet beautifully detailed, and this cars cabin has retained plenty of that unmistakable early Porsche charm.
Under the front bonnet, everything is clean and tidy throughout. The fuel tank, which is prominently positioned at the rear of the compartment, retains its holding down straps while the spare wheel is neatly stowed at the front along with a jack.
Under the rear bonnet sits the period correct 1,300cc Porsche 356 Pre-A engine. The engine bay is also clean and tidy and presents well, with the simplicity of the early Porsche mechanical layout very much on display.
To start the 356, first turn on the battery isolator switch, which is discreetly located underneath the dashboard. Insert the key into the ignition on the left-hand side of the steering wheel and then press the starter button located to the right.
The 1,300cc engine fires readily and settles into a smooth idle from the get go.
Out on the road, the car drives well, though it is evident that it would benefit from more regular use and some fettling. Theres no doubt that the longer we drove the car the better it got.
The gearbox linkage has recently been adjusted and is much improved, although selecting first gear and changing into second can require a little care when the car is cold. Once everything has warmed through, the gear change improves.
The brakes would also benefit from some adjustment as the car currently has a tendency to pull slightly to the right under braking.
Despite its relatively modest 1,300cc capacity, the engine performs surprisingly well. There is ample power to keep pace with modern traffic and, once on the move, this early 356 is lively and thoroughly enjoyable car to drive.
There is a charming simplicity to the way this car drives that makes even a short journey feel like a special occasion.
With some mechanical fettling, this rare and highly collectible very early Porsche 356 Pre-A Bent Window Coupe can be reliably used and enjoyed as is. Alternatively, there is the opportunity for the astute Porsche collector to take this car to the next level.
Accompanying the car is a reasonable history file, a spare wheel and a jack.
Highlights:
- Rare and collectable example of an early Bent Window Pre-A 356.
- One of the desirable early cars featuring the distinctive integrated bumpers.
- Presented in its original and desirable colour.
- Use and enjoy as is or take to the next level.
Price $249,950.
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.
Today, the earliest series of the Porsche 356, produced from 1948 through to 1955, is collectively known as the 356 Pre-A cars. Pre-A production can broadly be divided into two distinct groups. Cars built from 1948 until early 1952 are commonly referred to as Split Window models, while those produced from April 1952 through to 1955 are known as Bent Window models.
In 1955 the 356 A was introduced. With the introduction of the 356 A the windscreen changed from its bent shape to a curved shape. 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.

1952 PORSCHE 356 PRE-A

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this magnificent 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale.
Open top classic Maseratis are rare and highly desirable. Maserati built only 242 3500 GT Spyders by Vignale from 1959 through until 1964, of which only seven were factory right hand drive.
Documentation on file from Maserati Classiche confirms that this particular car was completed on the 19th October 1960 and delivered to Torino, Italy. It was originally finished in Verde Acqua Metallizzato (metallic green) with a Marrone (brown) interior. The car was delivered new with carburettors and the manual type ZF S 4/17 4 speed gearbox. This car is fitted with a 5 speed ZF gearbox which either means an error with the factory records or that the gearbox was upgraded at some stage. It has disc brakes all around. The car retains its original matching numbers engine.
There is a copy of the Avviso Spedizione (shipping notice) on file which notes a dispatch date of the 4th May 1961. It also notes that the cars was delivered to Adolfo Rossetto from Torino.
Walter Baumers excellent book Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale, also confirms the despatch date of 4th May 1961. It also notes:
- 30th December 1961 registered in Torino, Italy on plate TO 380265
- 14th December 1962 sold to Vittorio Duca in Mila, Italy and registered as MI 609279
- 26th February 1964 sold to Costantino Cattaneo in Gallarate, Italy
- a subsequent owner was Giuseppe Berlingieri
There is a hand written note on the Avviso Spedizione which notes 8/5/64 full service at factory.
The cars history through until the early 1980s is not known. By that time it found its way to Australia, at which time it was understood to have been owned by Rod McGaffin. Back then left hand drive cars were not permitted in this country (with the exception of consular cars), so it was converted to right hand drive. There is a Queensland registration sticker from 1982 on file.
Dr Arnold Singer acquired the car in 1988 and embarked on a major restoration that took him until 1994 to complete. Singer had the car restored everything was rebuilt or refurbished with the exception of the engine. There is comprehensive documentation and a few photos on file of the restoration, which cost in the order of $280,000. This was a huge sum back then. There is Vic Roads Certificate of Roadworthiness on file dated 16th March 1994 at which time the odometer read 63,418 km. The car was then registered in Victoria as AS3500. It is understood that Singer used the car sparingly throughout his ownership and a copy of an advertisement drafted by Singer dated 25th July 1997 states . . . since the restoration the car has covered little more than 1,000km over a period of three years.
The current owner acquired this Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale almost 30 years ago and has used and enjoyed the car as its makers intended. Throughout his ownership the car has been maintained by marque / classic car specialists including Auto Sprint Motors, Pur-Sang Automobiles and more recently Lewis Santin. The engine was fully rebuilt by Pur-Sang Automobiles in October 2002, at which time the odometer read 68,909 km.
At the time of photographing the odometer read 79,388 km, confirming that this fabulous motor car has travelled some 10,000 km over the last 23 years.
This Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale was exhibited at Motorclassica in 2017 and more recently as part of a Maserati display at Motors & Masterpieces, held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, in November 2024.
Whilst the car is now considered an older restoration, it still presents beautifully and drives superbly. When Singer restored the car, he chose to have it finished in red with a beige interior, a timeless colour combination thats suits the car perfectly. The red paintwork has been untouched since the restoration and it is bright with a strong depth of colour. There are a few minor defects and blemishes evident, but you have to look hard to find them. The panel gaps are excellent and both doors open and shut with almost Germanic precision. All the exterior trim, badges and the glass are in very good condition. The trade mark Maserati front grill, which incorporates the large trident badge, is worth a special mention and is in excellent condition.
This car runs Borrani steel wheels with Maserati scripted hubcaps, which look superb. The wheels are in good condition and are shod with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, size 185HR16 all around. It looks as though these tyres were fitted in December 2009 and are still in good condition.
Inside, this car is just a lovely place to be. The leather seats, door cards and centre console show just the right amount of patina. There are no rips, tears or damage to the upholstery. The matching carpets are generally in good condition, with light wear evident. A highlight of any Maserati 3500 GT is the dash, instruments and controls. On this car they all present well and everything looks to be in working order. The timber steering wheel is a true focal point and perfectly captures the craftsmanship and elegance of the era. Its beautifully polished timber rim has a warmth and richness that immediately draws your eye, contrasting effortlessly against the metal spokes and classic instrumentation beyond. The larger Maserati badged Jaegar speedometer and tachometer sit on either side of the central cluster containing the three small gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level and oil pressure. The windows are electric and controlled by switches on the top of the door cards.
Under the bonnet the engine bay is neat, clean and tidy. The twin plug per cylinder head and Maserati scripted cam cover is the first thing you see and a gentle reminder of Maseratis rich competition heritage.
The boot is relatively spacious and the quilted pattern floor is covered by a carpeted insert. Under the floor is the spare wheel, shod with an old Pirelli tyre.
Not surprisingly, the soft top has hardly ever been used. It is in excellent condition, including the rear window which is clear. It tucks in neatly behind the rear of the cabin and is covered by a small tonneau when stowed. It was very easy to raise and subsequently lower.
Tipo 101 3.5 litre (3,485cc) straight six engine starts easily once the three Weber carburettors have been primed. The engine idles incredibly smoothly and it sounds fabulous making all the right noises and with a raspy exhaust note. The car doesnt take long to warm up, select first gear and away you go. It is a very easy car to drive and after a very short distance you feel very comfortable. You cant help but time warp back to 1961 and just imagine cruising the Côte dAzur or through Beverly Hills . . .
So back to the car . . . it just does everything with aplomb. The engine pulls strongly and the ZF gearbox is very smooth up and down the box. The car drives smoothly, handles well and stops as one would expect.
Accompanying the car is a thick history file and copies of an Instruction Manual, Parts Manual and Tech Tips Manual all in English as well as a set in Italian.
This Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale is a piece of functional art a reminder of a time when cars were crafted as much by artisans as engineers. The sculptured bodywork is complimented by delicate chrome accents and subtle detailing that ensures every angle offers something to admire. There is no doubt that it is one of the most beautiful cars ever built and its elegant proportions and refined Italian styling evoke comparisons with some of the eras most celebrated open grand tourers. There are and certainly similarities with Ferraris 250 GT Cabriolet by Pinin Farina and the iconic 250 GT California Spyder.
Today, these stunning cars are rarely seen and opportunities to acquire one are few and far between particularly in Australia. Oldtimer Australia is genuinely excited to present a unique opportunity to own one of Maseratis rarest and most desirable open top grand touring cars.
Highlights:
- rare and desirable open top classic Maserati.
- matching numbers chassis and engine.
- disc brakes & 5-speed gearbox.
- beautifully presented older restoration.
- ready to show, use and enjoy.
Price $899,950.
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.
The Maserati A6 entered production and whilst it was only built in small numbers, it was hugely important to the history and identity of Maserati. It was basically where the brands road car legacy truly began. The A6 remained in production for a decade through until 1956 and during that period various versions were built.
Introduced in 1947, Maserati first production car was the A6 1500, of which around 60 cars were built through until 1950.The majority were powered by Maseratis 1.5 litre (1,488 cc) inline six cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft and a single Weber carburettor, producing 65 hp.
With an engine bored out to 2.0 litre (1,954.3 cc) and triple Weber carburettors, the Maserati A6G 2000 introduced in 1950 was a step change up in performance with quoted power up to around 100 hp. Only 16 cars were built in 1950 and 1951.
In 1953 Maserati developed the A6GCS/53 to compete in the World Sportscar Championship. It may not have dominated overall victories, but it was highly competitive in its class. Maserati built 52 A6GCS/53s from 1953 through until1955, achieving regular class wins and podiums in endurance and hill climb events.
The next production car was the A6G/54, otherwise known as the A6G 2000 Gran Turismo which was introduced at the 1954 Mondial de lAutomobile in Paris. A total of 60 cars were built from 1954 1956., with bodies by top coachbuilders including Pininfarina, Zagato and Allemano. This is the most desirable and collectible Maserati A6 today.
Perhaps the most important Maserati GT car was the 3500 GT, which was first shown at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show in March of that year. The first production 3500GTs left the factory in late 1957. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring, the Maserati 3500 GT featured superleggera construction with an all aluminium body. The car was powered by a detuned version of Maseratis V6 engine found in the race cars, with wet sump lubrication. The engines were initially fitted with triple Weber carburettors and later fuel injection, though many customers ordered their later cars with carburettors. Maserati got the formula right and the car was a great success. From 1957 through until 1964 almost 2,000 cars were built, the majority of which were the standard cars bodied by Touring. A small number were bodied by specialist coachbuilders such as Allemano, Boneschi, Frua and Bertone.
At the 1958 Turin Motor Show a Maserati 3500 GT Convertible, bodied by Touring, was first shown. Interestingly, that car never entered production and Maserati opted for the Carrozzeria Vignale (designed by Michelotti) Maserati 3500 GT Convertible, which was first shown at the 1959 Paris Motor Show. The Convertible did not feature Tourings superleggera construction, rather a steel body with an aluminium bonnet, boot lid and optional hard top. The Convertible was built on a wheelbase that was 10cm shorter than the Coupe. Rather than using Tourings aluminium body with Superleggera construction, the Vignales convertible featured a steel body with an aluminium bonnet and boot.
Only 242 Maserati 3500 GT Spyders by Vignale were built from 1959 through until 1964. Of the total production there were only seven factory right hand drive examples built.

1960 MASERATI 3500 GT

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a beautifully restored 1937 Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe.
This particular example was first registered in the UK on 22nd February 1937 and it carried the registration number AJB 282. According to documentation in the history file the car was originally black in colour. The Lagonda Club in the UK has an entry for this car in their Club books from 1953. Interestingly at that time the car had already had an engine change. The Club books entry from 1953 states the car has an engine which came out of a Lagonda LG45 Rapide. The LG45 Rapide which had this engine originally fitted is also still known within the Lagonda Club. The factory performed that engine swap to the later LG6 engine on that car and it is not unlikely that the factory also performed the engine swap on the Lagonda LG45. However, there is no record confirming this.
In 1965 the car was purchased by Frederick William Gover from Feilding, a small town on New Zealands north island who subsequently imported the car into New Zealand. There is an import approval on file from New Zealand dated 17th November 1965. The car arrived in New Zealand in March 1966 on the Fremantle Star. The car was subsequently registered in New Zealand as EV 9662. A few years later Gover sold the car to AB Johnstone who lived in Auckland, New Zealand.
On the 26th of October 1979 the car was purchased by Peter Briggs, who at that time was amassing what was to become one of Australias leading car collections. He shipped the car to Australia on the Liberty Union in November 1979. The car was initially displayed at the York Motor Museum and from 2002 at the Fremantle Motor Museum. When purchased by Briggs, the car was silver grey with a black hood and dark green interior.
The car was sold in 2009 to a well-known Perth based Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast / collector who subsequently embarked on a nut and bolt restoration. The car was stripped back to bare metal and the engine was disassembled and rebuilt with new parts. The owner chose to change the colour on the car and had it painted in the most stunning two tone blue colour scheme. The interior was retrimmed with tan leather which provides a perfect colour contrast. The colour combination really suits the car and it is even more striking in the flesh than in the photos! The car was used sparingly throughout his ownership before being sold by Oldtimer Australia in May 2024.
Interestingly, the current owner, who resides in Pebble Beach, California in the USA owned the Lagonda LG45 Rapide from which the engine in this car was originally from. He purchased the car and completed an engine swap. This car is now fitted with a later LG6 engine that had been fitted to his Lagonda LG45 Rapide for many many years.
Even though this car now carries an older restoration, it still presents exceptionally well. The paintwork is vibrant and defects are hard to find. The chrome is a real feature on these early Lagondas, particularly the front grill, lights and horns. It is all in good condition as is all of the external trim. The wire wheels on this car are another feature and are in excellent condition. They are shod with Dunlop 6.00/6.50-18 tyres.
Inside the cabin of this car it is all class. The leather upholstery, carpets and timber all present freshly with little or no wear evident. The Lagonda badged Smiths instruments are crisp and clean and all look to be in working order. The soft top tonneau is a very good fit and the soft top itself, which has never been used, is in excellent condition.
Under the grand bonnet the engine bay is clean and well presented.
When new, this car had a built in jacking system. This was not installed when the car was restored.
The LG6 engine has just been installed into the car by highly respected Perth based vintage car specialist Kevin Cochrane. He has fettled and tuned the engine which is running like a Swiss watch!
The starting procedure for this Lagonda is relatively easy for a vintage car of this period. You require the mixture to be set to strong for a cold start, the ignition needs to be turned on and after allowing some time to prime the carburettors the engine bursts into life at the first push of the starter button. The power plant is a Meadows 4,453cc straight six engine quoted as delivering a very healthy 140 bhp and capable of propelling the car to a top speed of around 100 mph.
The Lagonda LG45 is quite a big car and it most certainly has a presence on the road. This car runs and drives superbly. You get the hang of the central accelerator pedal quite quickly and the car is relatively easy to drive. The engine has plenty of power on tap and the car easily keeps up with modern traffic. The gearbox, which has synchro on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear, is a long throw but quite direct. The steering is heavy, but once on the move this British classic is great fun to drive.
Since its restoration this Lagonda LG45 has been sparingly used and today it still presents as a fresh restoration.
Oldtimer Australia is privileged to offer for sale this rare and exciting world market pre war classic.
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented and rare Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe.
- Previously owned by Peter Briggs and displayed at his York and Fremantle motor museums.
- Beautifully restored to a very high standard.
- Ready to show, rally, use and enjoy.
Price $249,950
Background
Wilbur Gunn was born in 1859 in the Shawnee settlement Lagonda in modern day Springfield, Ohio, USA. Gunn was a former opera singer who became a British national in 1891. After moving to the UK, Gunn further pursued a career as an artist and singer. Fortunately, he wasnt that successful and in 1898 he started building motorcycles. Gunn was quite successful building motorcycles, so much so that a Lagonda represented Great Britain in international cup races. In 1905 he won the London Edinburgh trail. In 1906 Gunn founded a company and he started building cars. The name Lagonda was the Shawnee Indian name for what is now Buck Creek in Gunns native Springfield, Ohio and Gunn decided to use that name for his company. His first car was launched in 1907, the Lagonda 20HP, 6 cylinder Torpedo. The car was quite a success and in 1910 Gunn won the Moscow St Peterburgs trial in the car. That win resulted in quite a few export orders from Russia.
Already in the prewar period Lagonda started producing some very advanced cars. In 1913 the company introduced 11.1, a small car with a 1,099cc four cylinder engine. By 1914 this model featured a panhard rod, a rivetted unibody body and the first ever fly off handbrake.
After World War I, production of the 11.1 continued. The car evolved into the 11.9, which had a larger 1400cc engine and standard electric lighting. The 11.9 was built until 1923 and the updated 12 until 1926.
After Gunn had passed away in 1920, three existing directors took charge of the company led by Colin Parbury. In 1925 Lagonda produced its first sports model, the 14/60 which featured a twin cam 1,954 cc four cylinder engine and hemispherical combustion chambers. It was superseded by the 2.0 litre speed model with a higher output engine in 1927. By 1930 that car could be ordered with a supercharger. A lengthened chassis version, the 16/65, with 6 cylinder, 2.4 litre engine was available from 1926 to 1930. The final car of the 1920s was the 3.0 Litre using a 2931cc, 6 cylinder engine. This continued until 1933 when the engine grew to 3,181 cc and was also available with a complex 8 speed Maybach transmission as the Selector Special.
A new model for 1933 was the 16-80 using a 2-litre Crossley engine with pre selector gearbox from 1934. A new small car, the Rapier came along in 1934 with 1,104cc engine and pre selector gearbox. This lasted until 1935 but more were made until 1938 by a separate company. At the other extreme was the near 100mph, 4.5 litre M45 with Meadows supplied 6 cylinder 4,467cc engine. An out and out sporting version the M45R Rapide, with tuned M45 engine and a shorter chassis was also offered. Car dealer Arthur Fox entered two Lagonda M45Rs into the 1935 Le Mans 24-hour race and despite suffering from damaged steering and having hardly any oil left in the engine, the Lagonda driven by John Hindmarsh and Luís Fontes won that years race.
Alan P Good managed to purchase the company in 1935, outbidding Rolls-Royce. He then also managed to persuade WO Bentley to leave Rolls-Royce and join Lagonda as a Technical Director. The 4.5-litre range now became the LG45 and under Bentleys technical direction the big Lagonda became more refined gaining synchromesh gears, flexible engine mounts and centralised chassis lubrication among many other improvements. Endowed with such an impeccable pedigree, the Lagonda LG45 quickly established itself as a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its day.
Between 1935 and 1937 only 278 LG45s were built of which only a small number were drophead coupes.

1937 LAGONDA LG45 Drophead Coupe

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