OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III (DB MkIII).
The British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate and factory records both confirm that this example was built on the 6th March 1958 and despatched on 1st April 1958 to Brooklands of Bond Street Limited (Guy Salmon Automobiles) for W M Perring & Company Limited, London in the UK.
The car was delivered new in Elusive Blue with a blue/grey interior. It was delivered with the following equipment: overdrive, instruction book, front disc brakes, rear alfin drum brakes, Avon Turbospeed tyres, twin SU HV6 carburettors and Armstrong shock absorbers.
There is an interesting note on the factory records which states this car competed in the 1958 Tulip Rally. There is a photo on file showing the car parked with other participants in the town of Champagnole in France during the rally.
In July 1967 Dr AR Adams, who worked at the Hollywood Repatriation General Hospital in Perth, decided he wanted an Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III. He contacted Motorservices Automobile Engineers in Christchurch, UK to see if they could help him find one. There are various letters on file from Motorservices. It took until February 1969 before they were finally able to find the right car for him.
A follow up letter from the 3rd March 1969 gives the following details about the car: Registration number XXL 475, originally registered on 13th March 1958, changed hands in October 1959 when it was acquired by Mr GD Greaves of Berkhamstead, Hartfordshire. At that time the odometer showed nearly 60,000 miles.
Dr Adams engaged Motorservices to refresh his new Aston Martin prior to it being shipped to Australia. The car was completely repainted in its original colour at the cost of £100. The engine, radiator, suspension and wheels were overhauled, the exhaust system and headlight wiring were replaced.
There is a letter on file dated 15th July 1969 confirming that all the work on the car was complete. There is an accompanying invoice on file for a grand total of £548.
Dr Adams flew to the UK for a holiday and whilst he was there used his Aston Martin. After that the car was returned to Motorservices for some final checks and adjustments.
The car finally made its way to Australia onboard the Discovery Bay which left the UK on the 8th December 1969.
By at least the early 1980s Dr Adams had relocated to Quindalup, just south of Busselton in Western Australia, taking his beloved Aston Martin with him.
Incredibly, Dr Adams owned this car for more than 40 years! Following his passing in February 2012 the car was sold to a well known Perth based classic car enthusiast and collector. The car remained in his care from September 2012 through until December 2022 when it was sold by Oldtimer Australia to its current Melbourne based owner. At that time the odometer read 86,732 miles.
The car was immediately sent to highly respected Rolls-Royce, Bentley and British car specialist Simon Elliott at the Derby Works. The brakes were serviced, the steering box was adjusted and the suspension was greased. The horn and battery isolation switch were repaired. A new set of Michelin X tyres were fitted. It was noted that the exhaust was tired and the owner decided to order a new exhaust system from QuickSilver Exhausts Ltd in the UK.
In October 2023 Derby Works were engaged to overhaul the suspension. All new parts were ordered from Aston Service Dorset in the UK. This included new front and rear springs as well as an uprated anti roll bar.
In February 2024 Derby Works adjusted the handbrake.
Today this Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III presents as an incredible time capsule. The car was repainted in its original colour back in 1969 but apart from that everything looks to be essentially original. And, as the say . . .it can only be original once!
The overall presentation of the car is consistent with what one would expect given its originality. This is a car that has obviously been used and enjoyed as its makers intended, but it has clearly been cherished and very well maintained over the years. The work completed in Adams ownership is too extensive for our write up, however, most notably the engine was rebuilt, including new liners and pistons, and the gearbox was rebuilt. This work was completed by Samios Restorations in Northbridge (Perth) from mid 1996 through until early 1997. At that time the odometer read 38,287 miles
Elusive Blue is a unique a stunning colour for the car. From say a meter away the paint presents well, but on closer inspection you will notice some imperfections and wear and tear consistent with what the car is. There are few bubbles evident on the body caused by electrolysis. These are most noticeable on the lower right rear panel near the edge of the door and on the lower front section of the right door itself. There are also a few dents on the roof and bonnet, which looks as though it may have been caused by hail damage or an errant golf ball!
The brightwork on the car is generally in a good condition, especially when you consider the age of the car. The bumpers, the overriders, the strip on the side of the car and the window surrounds present well. The glass is also in good condition and there are no cracks evident.
The wire wheels are in good condition with no kerb rash evident. They are shod with Michelin X tyres, size 185R16. These are date stamped 1422 (week 14, 2022) and are in excellent condition
The condition and presentation of the interior is consistent with the exterior of the car. The upholstery is most likely all original. The seats are in a good condition with no cracks or tears evident in the leather, though they have faded a little over the years. The same can be said of the carpets which are generally in a good condition though they do show signs of wear and are faded in certain areas. The dashboard is typically 1950s with large Smiths instruments behind a large steering wheel. On our test drive all the instruments appeared to be in working order, though we did notice that the speedo and tacho do waver.
From cold the car will need the choke to start. It then starts easily and you can back the choke off straight away and use the throttle to gently warm the engine up before driving. First impressions are good, the engine revs freely and responds well to the slightest touch of the throttle. The gearbox also feels firm and the gear changes are smooth both up and down the box even when cold. The car is fitted with overdrive, which works well. The brakes are adequate and pull the car up in a straight line when needed.
The car feels solid on the road though we did notice play on the steering wheel, which looks to be coming from the steering box.
Accompanying the car, is its complete original tool kit including the jack and hammer as well as a spare wheel.
The history file with this car, which is three full lever arch files of documentation plus original owners manual, parts manual and more, is simply amazing. There is a huge amount of correspondence and invoices on file covering the 40 plus year ownership of the car by Dr Adams.
The current owner has thoroughly enjoyed his time with this incredibly original Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III, however, a change in direction is resulting in him reluctantly offering the car for sale.
Fun fact: The Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III was the first James Bond Aston Martin, described as a DB III in Ian Flemings 1959 novel Goldfinger.
Highlights:
- Factory RHD example with overdrive.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- An incredible time capsule.
- Documented 5 owners from new.
- Amazing history file.
Price: $279,950
Background:
Aston Martin has produced bespoke sports cars for over 100 years. The company began in 1913, when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford realised their desire to build distinctive, high quality sports cars that were both exhilarating to drive and a beauty to behold. Martin regularly competed in hill climb races at Aston Clinton, and a simple combination of the name of the event and the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques. Source: www.astonmartin.com.
Whilst Aston Martin produced some wonderful cars in their early years, business was always a struggle and the company was severely disrupted during both World War I and II. The company went bankrupt on more than one occasion and has endured many different owners throughout its history.
David Brown acquired Aston Martin in February 1947 and the first car produced during his ownership was the Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports, later known as the DB1, which was built in extremely limited numbers from 1948 to 1950. This was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB2 in 1950, which featured a new double overhead cam straight six engine of 2.6 litre (2580 cc) capacity, and was a car that really put post war Aston Martin on the map. Some 411 cars were built from 1950 to 1953, of which circa 100 were the convertible or drop head coupes.
Its successor, known as the DB2/4, was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1953 and production started soon thereafter. Initially the car had the same engine as its predecessor, however, it was enlarged to 2922cc in April 1954. Compared to the DB2 the DB2/4 had an extended roof line with a larger rear window, a one-piece curved windscreen and real bumper bars. The biggest difference between the two cars was inside the cabin where the successor had far more room with two small occasional rear seats. The DB2/4 sold well through until 1957. In total 764 DB2/4s were built which included 565 of the Mk Is and 199 of the Mk IIs. The biggest change for the Mk II was that the bodies were made in-house by the recently acquired Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell, otherwise the differences between the Mk I and Mk II were subtle. The DB2/4 was available as a four seat fixed head coupe or two seat drop head coupe from the start of production with a two seat coupe introduced on the Mk II.The DB2/4 MkII was succeeded by the DB MkIII and 551 examples were built from 1957 through until 1959. 462 hatchbacks, 84 drophead coupes and 5 fixed head coupes. Of the 551 83 were LHD.
The MkIII was nearly 9 longer than the DB2 and weighed about 159kg more, an increase of about 15%, but more than an extra 50% power was available from the standard DBA engine, compared with the original LB6B engine.
The David Brown era was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning Le Mans in 1959 and the iconic early DB series cars of the 1950s paving the way for the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models of the 1960s.

1958 ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 MK III

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

1987 BMW M3 E30

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this beautiful, low mileage and incredibly original 1972 De Tomaso Pantera.
This car was built in February 1972 and was sold new through Uptown Motors Inc, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in May 1973. The Marti report on file confirms that this relatively early, chrome bumper Pantera was delivered new in red with a black interior, which is how it is presented today.
It is understood that the original owner was something of an eccentric recluse who, after driving the car for just a few years and travelling only 9,000 miles, parked the car up in a barn in 1979. It remained there for over 30 years until it was discovered by Gregory Kreiger, a retired race car engineer from Wisconsin, in 2010.
It was in remarkable original condition with no rust or any evidence of any accident damage. Importantly, it had the original Campagnolo wheels fitted, which remain on the car today.
Kreiger subsequently acquired the car and there is a Wisconsin Certificate of Title on file dated the 28th September 2011. The original Wisconsin number plate is still with the car. It was registered as EN6688.
The previous owner acquired the car on the 16th September 2012 and subsequently imported it into Australia. There is an import approval on file dated the 2nd October 2012. The car departed the USA onboard the Kota Wangi on the 17th December 2012 and arrived in Australia on the 6th January 2013.
The car was then treated to a sympathetic restoration, whilst importantly preserving its originality. The car was repainted in its original colour and at that time new door and window rubbers were installed. The chrome was also replated. The car was in excellent mechanical condition, however, the engine had a noisy lifter which prompted a complete strip down and rebuild. When the engine was stripped everything inside was 100% original and consistent with a low mileage car right down to standard bores and original Ford bearing shells. The air conditioning system was also reconditioned. The interior was in very good condition and was not touched.
Once back on the road and registered in Victoria the car was regularly seen at various events throughout Victoria. It was voted Best Car on Display at the Winton Festival of Speed in 2018.
The current owner acquired the car in August 2023 and it joined a diverse collection of Aussie muscle cars and modern supercars.
The car has been sparingly used over the last two and half years and today the odometer reads 17,199 miles. In his ownership the front brake calipers and hand brake have been overhauled.
The current owner has now decided to go in a slightly different direction with his collection and as a result this wonderful Pantera is being reluctantly offered for sale.
Weve always had a soft spot for the De Tomaso Pantera particularly the early chrome bumper cars and when one comes along like this, completely stock with its original interior, factory wheels, ID plates/tags still in place and even the toolkit intact, it truly gets us excited!
This car is one out of the box and walking up to it gets the heart racing . . . it has an incredible presence!
Although the car was repainted some 12 years ago, the finish still retains a rich, even tone and a deep, high gloss finish, presenting to a very high standard. The previous owner used and enjoyed this car as Mr De Tomaso intended and as a result there are a few small, fine stone chips here and there. They are relatively minor and do not detract from the overall presentation of the car.
The external trim is delicate and minimalistic. The trims, small chrome bumpers and badges (which are most likely original) all present really well. The lights and lenses are all in good condition and appear to be original. The side reflectors still have the Ford logo on them. All the glass appears to be original and shows the Sicursiv etching. All the rubbers are as new and present accordingly.
The original De Tomaso branded Campagnolo wheels are a real feature. They are made from a lightweight forged magnesium alloy and as such present with a textured finish. They are not perfectly smooth like an alloy wheel. They have been repainted at some stage but are still in a good condition with no evidence of any kerb rash. The wheels are shod with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tyres, size 205/60/R15 at the front and 225/70/R15 at the rear. These front tyres are date stamped 0511 (week 5, 2011), the rear tyres are date stamped 1712 (week 17, 2012).
Opening the rear hatch reveals a tray and the original Campagnolo spare wheel. To get to the engine both have to be removed. The engine bay is exceptionally clean and everything looks to be very original.
The interior presents beautifully. We just love its originality and everything is just the way it was when the car left the factory back in 1972. The only exception is the timber steering wheel and whilst its suits the car it is not original. The original steering wheel is of course with the car and that can easily be refurbished (a relatively simple task) and refitted. The seats, which are in excellent condition, are still firm and provide plenty of support. The dashboard, centre console, door cards, carpets and headlining are also in very good condition. The instruments and controls also present really well and on our test drive everything appeared to be in good working order. Even the radio still works!
In the front of the car you will find a very well presented, small storage compartment which contains the original toolkit and jack for the car.
Italian design with American power is a proven formula and it certainly delivered for De Tomaso. We were keen to fire up the Ford 351ci V8 engine and find out if the car sounds as good as it looks. There was only one way to find out and after flipping a coin to see who would get the honour of driving the car first, it was time for our test drive. The starting procedure is simple insert the key into the ignition, turn it to engage power, wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to prime the carburetor and then turn the key fully. The big V8 roared to life almost instantly on the first crank and it quickly settled into a remarkably smooth idle, but with a distinctive baritone rumble. It just sounds so good! There are no rattles, or other mechanical noises, it just sounds like it would have when its first owner picked the car up in 1973.
The gated gear shift is another feature and after notching the lever into first gear, which is a dog leg left and towards you, it is time to go! Any De Tomaso Pantera is a great car to drive but this one is particularly special. It becomes immediately obvious that this is one very well sorted car. The engine revs freely and it just begs to be let loose! The throttle is surprisingly responsive and a firm press on the accelerator pushes you back in your seat. The gear changes are firm and direct and once the gearbox warms up they they become even smoother. The car feels tight and composed on the road, handles beautifully, and the brakes provide confident, straight line stopping power whenever needed.
Whilst we all love the high revving Italian V8s and V12s, there is just something about that deep rumble from the Ford V8 that sits behind you that is highly addictive. Additionally, the Ford V8 offers arguably a more reliable and cost effective power plant to its Italian competitors.
De Tomasos are good news and in recent times we have seen Mangusta and early Pantera values sky rocket. This is also the case in North America, where Panteras are relatively easy to find. That said, it is not often that you will find a car like this!
One thing is for sure, wherever you go, this De Tomaso Pantera will attract plenty of attention. And, yes you will well and truly hear it coming before it actually arrives!
Accompanying the car is a good history file with some American paperwork, including a US title, an owners manual, spare parts catalogue, ZF gearbox manual, Pantera service bulletin, its original toolkit, jack, spare wheel as well as the original steering wheel.
Highlights:
- Desirable early chrome bumper Pantera.
- Incredibly original, unmolested, low mileage example.
- Matching numbers & original colours.
- Sympathetically restored.
- Ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
Price $229,950
Background
Born on 10th July 1928 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Alejandro De Tomaso grew up among a family known to be quite politically influential and very wealthy.
From an early age racing and race cars had been a real passion for De Tomaso. In 1945 he drove his first race in a modified Bugatti Type 35. In 1954 he was offered the opportunity to race for Maserati in the 1,000 km race of Buenos Aires and returned to win that race in 1955 a Maserati A6GCS.
That same year De Tomaso moved to Italy and started working for OSCA in Bologna as a test driver. In the meantime, he kept racing. In 1957 he won the 1,500cc class at the Buenos Aires 1,000 km race driving a new OSCA. In 1958 he drove an OSCA with a 750cc engine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished a very credible 11th overall, averaging over 140km/h.
In 1958 De Tomaso built his first car. It featured the 750cc OSCA engine mounted in front of the rear axle, quite an unusual design for that time. Unfortunately, the car never raced as the Maserati bothers, who owned OSCA, forbid him to use the engine.
In 1959 De Tomaso moved to Modena and built his second car, an F2 race car, again which an OSCA engine which this time he was allowed to use. The car made its debut at Sebring in 1959. The car was called Isis after his wife. Unfortunately, mechanical issues forced the car to retire from the race. After many more adventures and attempts to produce various race cars, De Tomaso introduced their first production car in 1965, a two seater coupe named Vallelunga. The car remained in production until 1967 and 59 examples were built including the prototype.
In 1966 De Tomaso opened a new factory which allowed him to follow his dreams and expand production of his cars. In 1967 the De Tomaso Mangusta was introduced. The stunning Mangusta, which was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro whilst working for Ghia, remained in production through until 1971 and 401 examples were produced. In 1967 De Tomaso acquired Carrozzeria Ghia and 1969 he acquired Carrozzeria Vignale. These acquisitions were not financially successful, however, they did provide an introduction to Henry Ford II, which ultimately had a big impact on his future.
The Ford Motor Company subsequently took a controlling stake in De Tomaso as well as Ghia and Vignale.
This relationship led to one of the worlds most iconic sports cars being developed the legendary De Tomaso Pantera. Designed by Carrozzeria Ghias American born Tom Tjaarda, the Pantera was built with the American market in mind. De Tomaso had the rights to sell the Pantera, except in North America, where Ford sold the car through their Lincoln-Mercury dealers. The Pantera was a huge success, with more than 7,000 cars built before production ceased in 1992.
Models included the standard Pantera, Pantera L (for the US market), Pantera GTS, Pantera GT5, Pantera GT5S and Pantera 90 Si.

DE TOMASO PANTERA

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this factory right hand drive, 1991 Ferrari Testarossa.
The car is finished in the most striking and unique colour combination of Grigio Metallic, paint code FER 700/C with a dark blue interior (Blu Scuro 3282). What a fabulous colour combination for a Testarossa. It just gives the car a very distinguished appearance.
Documentation on file from the Maranello Concessionaires Archive confirms the information above. It also confirms this car is a matching numbers example where engine, gearbox, chassis and assembly number are all correct.
This car was first registered as a demonstrator by Maranello Sales Limited in Egham, Surrey, UK on 5th April 1991. It was registered as EHF1, a plate Maranello Sales often uses for registering demonstrators.
Accompany this car is its original book set, including the service book, which confirms that this Ferrari Testarossa retains its original matching numbers engine. The service book confirms that this car was regularly serviced throughout its life. From new through until 2003 all the work was completed by Maranello Concessionaires. The service book entries note:
- 15/05/1991 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 1,137 miles
- 12/01/1993 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 5.801 miles
- 11/10/1993 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 8,994 miles
- 23/12/1994 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 11,355 miles
- 16/02/1995 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 11,400 miles
- 07/09/1995 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 14,495 miles
- 24/12/1999 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 18,380 miles
- 10/04/2003 by Maranello Concessionaires @ 18,766 miles
- 05/01/2005 by Ferrari Edinburgh @ 19,698 miles
- 25/06/2006 by Dick Lovett @ 21.852 miles
- 17/01/2008 by QV London @ 24,348 miles
- 15/09/2009 by Verdi for Ferrari @ 26,600 miles
- 30/01/2011 by Verdi for Ferrari @ 26,900 miles
- 12/11/2015 by Maranello Auto Services Gold Coast @ 28,178 miles
- 28/11/2019 by Maranello Auto Services Gold Coast @ 28,459 miles
The car passed through a few owners in the UK before being acquired by the current Gold Coast based owner on the 2nd March 2010. When he acquired the car the odometer read 26,546 miles. In the UK the car was registered as H705LPE.
After acquiring the car the current owner kept the car in the UK until 2013 when it was imported into Australia. There is an import approval on file dated 10th April 2013. The car finally arrived in Australia on the 10th July 2013. It was then put through the compliance process and finally registered in Queensland on 4th February 2014.
Prior to shipping the car to Australia, the radiator was rebuilt, the brake discs and pads were replaced and the front track rod ends were replaced.
In October 2014 the owner decided to fit a new Larini sports exhaust system. In November 2015 two new upgraded fuel pumps were fitted. The work was completed by Maranello Auto Services on the Gold Coast.
In November 2019, with 28,459 miles on the odometer, Maranello Auto Services serviced the car and replaced the timing belts.
In December 2022 Ferrari Gold Coast serviced the brakes and overhauled the callipers. At that time the odometer read 28,476 miles. In May 2023 they refurbished the fuse box and the associated circuit boards. Then in March 2025, they repaired a leak in the AC system , replaced the rocker cover drain tube gaskets and repaired a minor leak in the coolant tank.
Throughout his 15 years of ownership, the current owner has used the car sparingly, travelling some 2,000 miles in this time.
At time of photographing this car the odometer read 28,637mls which is confirmed by its service book as genuine.
From the moment we first laid eyes on this car we have been infatuated by the colour. It is refreshing to see a Testarossa in a colour different other than the ubiquitous red or black! Note: we do love Testarossas in red and black, but Grigio Metallic is something special!
Overall the paint on the car is in very good condition and it has retained a strong depth of colour and a deep gloss finish. If you look closely youll see the odd small imperfection but they are hard to see. The condition of the paint is more consistent with a car that has travelled c28,000 miles, rather than one that is 34 years old!
The glass is all in good condition with no cracks evident. The same can be said for all the external trim, including the lights and lenses.
Importantly, this car is clean underneath and it is NOT your typical English car. It has obviously been looked after in the UK and probably rarely or never used on salty roads. Its condition is equal to what you would see when inspecting an Australian delivered car, though of course the Ferrari Testarossa was never sold new in Australia. We have underside photos we can share with interested parties.
The wheels are the original 16 inch alloys, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport SX tyres, size 255/50/ZR16. The tyres are still in a good condition but the date stamps on them tell us they are old and really should be replaced on age if the next owner is considering doing some serious driving with the car.
The font luggage compartment is neat, clean and tidy. The space saver spare wheel is stored under the carpet.
Inside the cabin everything presents well, showing some light patina in places. The upholstery is dark blue, which compliments the paint work perfectly. The seats are firm and provide ample support. The leather is in a good condition with no tears evident, though both seats have some minor scratches on the side. On the drivers seat this is most likely caused by scratching the leather when engaging and disengaging the hand brake. A good leather doctor can easily repair this. The navy blue carpets are also in very good condition. The hard rubber mat on the drivers door sill shows some wear. The dashboard is a weak point on a Testarossa as the leather often pulls loose. On this car it is in excellent condition. All the instruments are clear and appear to be in good working order. The leather steering wheel also presents well.
Ferraris are made to be driven and we were genuinely excited to take this one out for a short test drive and photo shoot. We were not disappointed and a Ferrari Testarossa is also surprisingly easy to drive.
The car starts easily from cold and then quickly settles into a smooth idle. The Larini sports exhaust certainly gives the car an edge, without being too loud. After allowing the engine some time to warm up we gently nudge the car out into the morning traffic. A Ferrari Testarossa is a wide car at almost 2 meters, though you do not really notice that when you are driving it. Fortunately, the mirrors work well and give you a good sense of the dimensions of the car.
This car ticks a lot of boxes. It drives superbly, the engine revs freely and there is plenty of power on tap when you need it. The gearbox is smooth and the gear changes are easy both up and down the box. This car is a very useable car. It is quite happy to just sit in traffic and drive around town at 60 km/h, yet when the road opens up and traffic clears and you get the opportunity to shift down and press the accelerator to the floor you do realise that this is a real super car and you could very easily get yourself into trouble! With a quoted top speed of circa 285 km/hr and 0 100 km/hr in a tick over 5 seconds, the Ferrari Testarossa was one of the fastest cars you could buy in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Given the performance, it was pleasing to note that the brakes work well and pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
We are genuinely excited to offer for sale this well maintained, beautifully presented, factory right hand drive Ferrari Testarossa that is finished in a unique colour scheme.
Based on time, the car is due for a cam belt service.
Accompanying the car is the space saver spare wheel, jack, tool kit, book set (including its service book) in the correct leather pouch, an excellent history file and its original UK number plate.
An interesting fact is that in 1991 Top Gear did an episode titled A Week with a Ferrari 348, in which this Ferrari Testarossa made a cameo appearance.
Highlights:
- A desirable factory RHD example.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Matching numbers, books & tools.
- Excellent service history and well maintained.
Price: $349,950
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 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!
Twelve cylinder engines are synonymous with Ferrari. In fact, Enzo Ferraris very first car, the 1947 125S was powered by a 1.5 Litre V12 engine. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the majority of Enzos masterpieces were powered by V12 engines of varying capacity. Interestingly all of these cars had the engine located in the front. Cross town rivals Lamborghini introduced their stunning Miura in 1966, which was powered by a transversely mounted V12 engine located behind the driver. This spectacular car took the motoring world by storm and sent shock waves throughout Ferrari HQ in Maranello. Ferraris answer, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, was a fabulous motor car in its own right, but there was always something about the mid-engined sports car that gave it an edge.
It took until 1971 for Ferrari to unveil its first mid-engined sports car, the 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer. The Boxer was very well received and it ultimately went into production and replaced the Daytona in 1973. Interestingly Ferrari opted for a flat 12 rather than a V12 engine configuration. The engine was mounted longitudinally rather than transversely as Lamborghini did with the Miura.
The Boxer was a great success for Ferrari and along with the Lamborghini Countach was one of the very real supercars of the seventies. The 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer (387 cars built) was replaced by the 512 Berlinetta Boxer (929 cars built) in 1976, which was then replaced by the 512 BBi (1007 cars built) in 1981.
In 1984 at the Paris Auto Show Ferrari introduced the Ferrari Testarossa (Tipo F110) as a successor to the 512BBi.
The name was chosen to pay homage to the famed World Sportscar Championship winning 1957 250 Testa Rossa sports racing car. Testa Rossa, which literally means red head in Italian, refers to the red painted cam covers sported by both cars 12 cylinder engines.
The car was a huge success for Ferrari with its then flagship selling in massive number the world over. Incredibly, 7,177 Testarossas were built over eight years of production. Its successor, the 512 TR was introduced in 1991 and just over 2,200 cars were built through until 1994. The final iteration of the Testarossa was the 512M, produced from 1994 to 1996 with just over 500 cars built.

1991 FERRARI TESTAROSSA

Details:
The latest offering from Oldtimer Australia is this delightful 1971 Maserati Indy.
The documentation on file from Maserati confirms that this UK delivered, factory right hand drive example was completed on the 17th June 1971 and delivered new to London. The car was originally delivered in Verde Indy (green) with a nero (black) interior. It was delivered new in the desirable specification of a 4.7 litre engine with a ZF 5 speed manual gearbox.
This cars early UK history is not known. There is a V5 on file which notes that Mr Simon Edwards from Chester, just south of Manchester in the UK, acquired the car on the 16th September 1998. In his ownership the car was regularly serviced by Auto Shield, the Maserati service dealer in Manchester. The history file contains most MOT records dating back to 1993. The earliest MOT is dated 2nd March 1993 and at that time the mileage was 57,288 miles and the colour of the car is noted as blue. That confirms that back then it was finished in the stunning Maserati colour of celeste chiaro as it is presented today.
In Edwards ownership significant work was done to bring this Maserati Indy back to its former glory. In 2001 Auto Shield engaged the services of Classicarco in Manchester to undertake a cosmetic restoration. Significant metal work was required and once complete the car was repainted. There is a batch of detailed photos on file showing the work completed. In 2003 the differential was reconditioned and in 2004 the cylinder head was reconditioned.
In October 2008 Edwards sold the car through Ian Grange Ltd to Tim Fleckney from Tideford, near Plymouth in the south west of England. At that time the odometer read 76,722 miles. Fleckney kept the car for the next 10 years. In his ownership the car was used sparingly but regularly serviced. In his 10 years of ownership, he only drove the car approximately 2,500 miles.
The current Melbourne based owner acquired the car in July 2019 and at that time the odometer read 79,182 miles. There is an import approval on file dated the 10th September 2019. Prior to shipping the car to Australia it was tested for asbestos and that led to the replacement of the brake pads, the exhaust manifold gaskets, the carburettor base gaskets and the oil sump gasket.
The owner kept the car in the UK, using it from time to time, before shipping it to Australia in April 2021. Prior to that the car was serviced by 24 Hundred in Southborough, UK. At that time the water pump and the air conditioning pump were both reconditioned and the front wheel bearings were replaced.
Upon arrival in Australia the car was complianced in Queensland and registered.
The air conditioning system in the car was somewhat temperamental and in June 2023 a new compressor was installed. In May 2024 the thrust bearing was replaced and the car was serviced. All the maintenance work in Australia has been completed by Maranello Pursang in Brunswick, Victoria.
Maserati Indys are under rated. To quote Classiche Masters . . . This quintessential Grand Tourer is combining room for four adults and a large trunk with a sleek, handsome design. They offering a relatively refined driving experience but you always know it is a Maserati at heart.
Our test drive of this Maserati Indy was chanced between two of the four seasons in one day experienced on a crisp Melbourne spring morning. We were time poor and after priming the fuel pumps, on queue the big V8 burst into life at the first turn of the key. That distinctive Maserati V8 rumble gets the pulse racing. It is easy to get comfortable behind the exquisite timber steering wheel. The seating position is good and all the controls are easy to hand and to operate. Pulling out of the storage facility into busy traffic you note the power steering as the car manoeuvres easily at low speed.
The first impressions of this car are good. It is certainly tight on the road and even when cold the gearbox performs very well. As with all Italian classics the drive gets better and better as the car warms up. The engine has plenty of power on tap and its sounds absolutely majestic. The ZF gearbox feels firm and the gear changes are really precise. The brakes work well and pull the car up efficiently and in a straight line under heavy braking. In summary the car performed very well.
The car carries an older restoration, however, it has only travelled 11,000 miles since that was completed. From a meter the paint work presents exceptionally well, however, on closer inspection there are a number of minor defects consistent with age. There is plenty of chrome trim on a Maserati Indy and it is generally in very good condition. The balance of the external trim is similarly well presented. This car has at some stage been wax oiled and on close inspection you will notice some yellow staining in door jambs and other nooks and crannies around the car.
The 14 Borrani wheels are a feature on a Maserati Indy and on this car they present quite well. There is no major damage or kerb rash, just a few minor marks here and there. The Maserati trident embossed wheel centres show light pitting. The wheels are shod with Pirelli Cinturato CN36 205/70/14 tyres all around. The tyres are date stamped 07/18 (week 7 2018).
The interior of this Maserati Indy shows some light patina in places, however, it is generally well presented. The black upholstery is in good condition with no rips or tears evident and the seats provide ample support. The door cards, dash and centre console are also in good condition. The steering wheel has some minor damage at around seven oclock, however, this is not noticeable as you drive the car. You will notice in the photos that the leather piece around the horn button has pulled free. This is currently being repaired. The carpets show light wear. The instruments and controls present well and look to be in working order. We absolutely love the original Maserati branded Autovox Melody Stereo R which actually works.
Open the rear hatch and you will notice that this Indy is fitted with a pull down blind that will enable you to cover the contents of the boot. The boot presents quite well and there is a correct spare wheel under the boot floor.
Under the bonnet the engine bay is clean and really well presented. All the correct tags are in place and a quick look confirms that this car retains its original matching numbers engine.
Today the odometer reads 79,617 miles.
Flared denim jeans and a corduroy shirt are optional, but there is no doubt it would complete the look!
Highlights:
- Desirable spec Indy with a 4.7 litre engine and 5 speed manual gearbox.
- Well presented example in a lovely original Maserati colour.
- Good history file
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $119,950.
Background:
The Maserati story is a fascinating one. It is the story of a family with daring, courageous and forward-thinking ideas. The story starts with Rodolfo Maserati, a railway engineer who was employed by the Italian monarchy and the father of seven sons who all had a passion for engine design and racing cars. The Maserati brothers all became involved in the automotive industry in some way or another, however, it was on the 1st of December 1914 that Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati officially opened Alfieri Maserati Workshop in Bologna, Italy.
Maserati chose the trident logo to adorn its cars. Its design was based on the Fountain of Neptune in Bolognas Piazza Maggiore. The colours chosen for the logo were also the colours of Bologna, red and blue.
The business was focused on repairing, servicing and preparing cars, however, the World War cut business short and it wasnt until 1926 that Maserati built its first car, the Tipo 26.
It was all about motorsport back then and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired ownership of Maserati which was in desperate need of financial backing to be able to survive. During the Orsi years Maserati grew from a boutique but very successful race car builder to one of the worlds leading manufacturers of hand-built sports and GT cars.
Maserati built its first road car in 1946 even though times were tough in post War northern Italy. The car was the Maserati A6 where A was for Alfieri and 6 for the number of cylinders. The initial reception of the car was positive and a production Maserati A6/1500 was then shown at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
This was a significant milestone in the Maserati legend and subsequent models included the A6G/2000, 3500 series cars, 5000GT, Mistral. Quattroporte, Mexico, Sebring and Ghibli. Maserati also continued to build very successful race cars that dominated tracks around the world including the 250F, 300S, 150S, 450S and the Birdcage.
Orsi sold to Citroen in 1968. At that time Maserati was already working on an 4 seater alternative for the 2 seater Ghibli. Both Ghia and Vignale showed their proposals in November 1968 at the Salone dellautomobile di Torino. Maserati preferred the Vignale design and the production model was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1969. It was named Indy in honour of Maseratis two victories at the Indianapolis 500.
The Indy (AM116) was a great success for Maserati, in total 1,104 were produced over seven years of production which ended in 1975. 440 of them were fitted with the 4.2 litre quad cam V8, 364 with the 4.7 litre and 300 with the 4.9 litre. The car was available with either manual or automatic transmission.

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.7 Manual

A new arrival at Oldtimer Australia is this freshly restored, Australian delivered, 1950 Land Rover Series 1 80.
There is a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate on file which confirms that this particular example was despatched from the factory on 23rd May 1950. Its destination was Annand & Thompson Pty Limited in Brisbane, Australia. The certificate also confirms this car was delivered with a 1.6 litre petrol engine.
The early history of this lights through the grill Land Rover is not known however, it found its way into the ownership of a family who lived on a property near Gladstone in Central Queensland. It is understood that the car sat in shed on the property next to a World War II bomber for at least 30 years! It was ultimately sold as part of an estate sale from which it was acquired by the current owner and noted Land Rover restorer Guy Bedington from GB Restorations in Toowoomba.
When the car was recovered a few years ago, it was found to be essentially complete and in remarkably good condition, with virtually no rust. This was as a result of it being very well stored in a dry environment.
Affectionately known as Matilda, the car has undergone a 650 hour fully detailed restoration by GB Restorations using almost entirely original parts. The engine, gearbox and axles are original equipment to the car with all correct numbers, as is the carburettor, distributor and other components.
Every component has been stripped and meticulously overhauled using original parts where possible or new old stock components. All body bolts and screws were sourced from a Birmingham UK company specialising in BSF products with the correct sherardised plating.
The car presents in the original specification Land Rover deep bronze green with correct green vinyl trimmed seats. To make it more comfortable for the people sitting in the back seat cushions were fitted using the same green vinyl. For the purists, these can be easily removed as they are not attached. The same for the rubber mat in the back, its only there to protect the paint on the floor.
The canvas hood presents in the correct khaki colour and it has the correct door top flaps.
The windscreen is two separate panes of glass. The left hand pane is most likely original as it retains the original Triplex XXX Toughened etching. Even though it is scratched, the decision was made to retain it. The right hand pane is new glass.
The devil is in the detail and the car presents with correct Lucas original headlights and Lucas wiper motor.
The car rides on 16 body coloured steel wheels that are fitted with Speedways Military tyres, size 6.00-16. A correct load space spare wheel is currently mounted in the tray, however, it can also be mounted on the bonnet.
GB Restorations usually build cars to order, however, a change in circumstance of the buyer of this car, has resulted in it being available for sale.
The restoration of this Land Rover has only just been completed and as a result everything presents as new. Today the odometer reads 16 miles, which is the distance travelled since the car was restored.
There are photos on file which show the extent of the restoration. The car was stripped down to a bare chassis and every component, including the drive train has been rebuilt.
Land Rovers were originally built for agricultural and industrial work. They were practical, no frills vehicles designed purely for function - not comfort - and as a result, they are very basic. The driving position is upright, the seats are simple, there are no carpets and the dashboard is minimalistic, featuring only the essential instruments needed to operate the vehicle.
Under the bonnet everything is clean and tidy as one would expect from a recently restored car. The car retains its original ID plate, which matches the stamped chassis number, as well as its Annand & Thompson dealer plate. The radiator has the date stamp 1149 (November 1949), which would be correct for this car.
All you have to do to start the car from cold is to turn the ignition on, pull the choke out and press the starter button located on the fire wall. The car starts easily and the 1.6 litre (1,595cc) petrol engine will fire up at pretty much first crank. You can then almost immediately push the choke back and use the accelerator to further warm up the engine. After about 10 seconds the engine will idle smoothly.
The instruments and switches are all original and have been fully restored. On our test drive all the instruments were working as they should.
As one would expect from a car that wasnt built for comfort the controls are very basic and need a firm hand. The gearbox is precise and tight, but you do need to be deliberate when changing gears. With its top speed of around 50-60mph (if you are brave enough!) the Land Rover is not the fastest car on the road. The steering is also relatively vague by modern standards. Theres noticeable play in the wheel, so you often need to make small corrections to keep the vehicle tracking straight, particularly on the open road. But that is not what this car is all about. On the road it is best described as slow but capable, but it is off-road is where it really shines. It was built to handle mud, hills, and rough terrain with ease!
We were keen to put the cars off road capability to the test, but decided that discretion was the better part of valour!
The brakes are quite adequate for the car and will pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
In summary, these early Land Rovers are full of character and incredibly engaging to drive.
These early Land Rovers are becoming thin on the ground and the opportunity to acquire a brand new 1950 Land Rover Series 1 80 that has been correctly and freshly restored presents a unique opportunity.
Matilda is ready for its next custodian to show, use and enjoy!
Accompanying the car is a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate as well as photos of its restoration.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered.
- Desirable 80 lights through the grill model.
- Recently restored by passionate Land Rover specialists.
- Ready to be shown, used and enjoyed.
Priced at significantly under its replacement costs at $82,950.
Background
One of the fundamental principles of economics is the law of supply and demand. During World War II the US army had a need for a light 4WD vehicle capable of carrying troops as well as cargo. And so the Jeep was born. From 1941 through until 1945 Willys and Ford were the major supplier of Jeeps, in various configurations, to the US military and their allies.
The history of the Rover Company dates back to the mid-1800s when it was selling sewing machines and then 'safety' tricycles and bicycles. By the 1930s, it had evolved into a car company but was hit badly by the Great Depression. In common with many British industrial companies during World War II, its factories were turned over to the war effort and produced engines for tanks and aircraft. By 1945 and the end of World War II, Rover found itself with two excellent factories and a highly skilled workforce. It was looking at restarting car production and had ambitious plans to build 20,000 cars per year. A new model, the M'-Type was dropped when it became clear that it would be unsuitable for export and that tooling costs would be excessive. Plans to produce 15,000 of the pre-war designs per year were quickly quashed by the Government which refused to allocate steel for more than 1,100 cars per year. This serious shortfall led Rover to realise that a stopgap solution was required until sufficientsteel was available. The stopgap also had to have export potential. Just to make things difficult, Rover had never exported any vehicles before!
Maurice Wilks, Rovers head of design, had been using ex-army Jeeps on his farm and realising that there was no real alternative decided that Rover would provide one. The first prototype Land Rover, developed in late 1946, was actually built on Jeep chassis. The bodywork was made of an aluminium alloy called Birmabright.
Using similar dimensions to the World War II Jeep, the first Land Rovers had an 80" wheelbase. The new Land Rover was first unveiled at the Amsterdam Motor Show on the 30th April 1948. It featured a steel box section chassis with an aluminium body and was powered by a 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder Rover engine from the P3 Rover car range developing around 50 hp. The gearbox was four speed Rover mated to a two-speed transfer box thus allowing 4WD operation. A PTO (power take off) was also fitted to enable the Land Rover to be used as a stationary power unit.
Rover didnt know what to expect but they need not have worried. The Land Rover was an outstanding success and the order books quickly overflowed. A legend was born! This humble Land Rover is in many ways the pioneer of the ubiquitous SUVs seen on our roads today.

1950 LAND ROVER SERIES 1

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, magnificently restored Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe.
This car is well known to Oldtimer Australia, having been sold by us to its current owner back in August 2015.
This is a UK delivered factory right hand drive example that was sold through Brooklands to Messrs Carr & Co Ltd of Shirley, Birmingham in the UK. The car was delivered new on the 25th March 1955. It was finished in blue haze with a blue leather interior. The soft top was grey plastic with a fawn headliner.
Incredibly, the previous owner of the car was distantly related to its first owner Mr Neville Carr (his wifes great uncle) and according to history he was the black sheep of the family. Having a reputation as somewhat of a rogue and playboy he is understood to have used the car as it was intended . . . and that was to drive it, hard! Mr Carr was an amateur racing driver and living family members recall him driving the car in numerous sprint and hill climb events, including Prescott. The car travelled circa 30,000 miles in its first five years of ownership! Carr owned the car until circa 1960.
According to the factory documentation, a replacement rear axle was fitted on the 25th May 1955 (@ 4,181 miles) and a replacement engine was fitted on the 21st August 1959 (@ 27,608 miles). This work was undertaken by Aston Martin. The mileage is noted as 38,772 on 19th June 1960 when the car was serviced by Aston Martin.
The factory documentation also notes subsequent owners as a Mr D Conyers Esq of 18 Egerton Garden Mews SW3 (London) and in 1982 RL MacKenzie from Houghton in South Africa.
Jaguar works racing driver Peter Sutcliffe spent significant time in South Africa whilst motor racing in the early 1960s and it is understood that he acquired the car in the UK and shipped it to South Africa to use when he was there. It is probable that he bought the car off Conyers.
According to a hand written letter on the file the car was subsequently acquired by an Attorney who lived in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. In 1977 the car was discovered in Elandsfontein (Johannesburg) by a Mr Mike Spencer. It was in generally poor condition and Spencer spent the next two years generally improving the car to a roadworthy condition. The car was then sold to RL MacKenzie in 1982.
The previous owner acquired the car from MacKenzie in April 1986 in Johannesburg, South Africa and used it until early 1990 before deciding to take it off the road and restore it. As a senior mining industry executive his career took priority over cars and the to be restored Aston Martin travelled with his family across the world, firstly to the USA in 1990 and then to Australia in 1997
It wasnt until 2011 that the car was finally placed with a specialist to be restored. That task was entrusted to Jaguar and Aston Martin specialists, Concours Sportscar Restoration in Tuggerah just north of Sydney.
The car underwent a concours standard nut and bolt restoration and it was painstakingly restored to its former glory over a three year period.
The body was in reasonably good condition, however, it was fitted with a new boot skin, door skins and repairs were completed to both rear wheel arches during restoration.
Every mechanical component was disassembled and either refurbished or replaced. All of the instruments were refurbished. All of the bright work has been re-chromed and the trim restored. The interior and soft top have been completely retrimed to the highest standard.
The car has been restored in its original colour scheme of blue haze with a blue leather interior. The previous owner opted to have the soft top finished in blue rather than the original grey which really suits the car.
When the current owner acquired the car in 2015 the restoration had only just been completed. Therefore, it required some post restoration bugs to be ironed out, which was undertaken by the Classic Car Clinic at Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast.
This car is part of a significant Aston Martin collection and it has been kept in a climate controlled garage over the last 10 years. It has only been used sparingly in that time and today the odometer reads 1,076 miles, which is the mileage that the car has travelled since it was restored.
The car was exhibited at Motorclassica in October 2015, where it was incredibly well received. At that time Motorclassica was Australias leading classic car show and concours delegance.
Even though it has been some 10 years now since the restoration was completed, this Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe still presents as a freshly restored car. In fact, its presentation would be better than the day its restoration was completed, given the owners pedantic nature and attention to detail.
This car is simply magnificent and must be one of the best surviving examples of this highly sought after and collectible Aston Martin in the world.
Timeless elegance is perfectly embodied by the Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé. Finished in its original colour scheme of blue haze with a blue leather interior, the colour combination beautifully enhances the cars presence. The deep blue paintwork is in exceptional condition, presenting as though it were applied yesterday, with a mirror like finish that retains remarkable depth and high gloss. The bright work and painted wire wheels provide a striking contrast to the bodywork, completing the cars outstanding presentation.
The painted wheels are like new and are shod with period correct Dunlop Road Speed tyres size 6.0H16.
The external trim is minimalistic and quite delicate. Its noted feature is the horizontal slatted trade marque DB2 front grill. All the bright work on the car is, as one would expect, in beautiful condition. The same can be said for all the lights and lenses, which present similarly well. The glass is also in excellent condition with no scratches evident.
The interior of this car is equally stunning as the exterior. Everything essentially presents like new. The leather upholstery, which is soft and supple, is free from blemishes. The seats are comfortable and provide ample support. The wooden dashboard is understated yet elegant and presents exceptionally well. All the instruments are crisp and clear, and during our test drive they appeared to be in proper working order. The carpets likewise present as new, completing the cabins refined appearance.
The car has never seen rain since it was restored and the soft top has only ever been raised for cleaning and photos! It also presents like new.
We were keen to discover whether the car would drive as well as it looks. It starts easily, even from cold, and quickly settles into a smooth, steady idle. As with all cars of this vintage, allowing a brief warm-up before setting off is advisable. Once on the road, the car does not disappoint. The engine revs freely and feels strong, the gear changes are smooth, and it keeps pace effortlessly with modern traffic. The suspension is firm yet compliant, absorbing road imperfections with ease, while the brakes bring the car to a confident, straight stop when required.
Whilst the car has been used sparingly in the last 10 years, it has been regularly maintained by the Classic Car Clinic and in more recent times by SJ Classics.
A thick and expansive history file accompanies the car, including a copy of the original factory records, documentation from its time in the UK and South Africa, as well as extensive documentation, receipts and photographs from the restoration. The car has its original jack and foot pump in the boot, a mallet and crank handle mounted under the bonnet in the engine bay, as well as a spare wheel under the boot floor. There is also a full set of tools in the tray under the centre console between the front seats.
It would be hard to find a better Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe anywhere in the world. This car is simply STUNNING in every regard and it is a credit to its current and previous owners as well as the team at Concours Sportscar Restoration.
Simply the best!
Highlights:
- a magnificent early Aston Martin.
- rare car, being 1 of 102 examples built.
- beautifully restored by Concours Sportscar Restoration.
- Stunning original colour scheme.
- ready to show, use and enjoy.
The price is AUD $749,950.
Background
Aston Martin has produced bespoke sports cars for over 100 years. The company began in 1913, when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford realised their desire to build distinctive, high quality sports cars that were both exhilarating to drive and a beauty to behold. Martin regularly competed in hill climb races at Aston Clinton, and a simple combination of the name of the event and the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques. Source: www.astonmartin.com.
Whilst Aston Martin produced some wonderful cars in their early years, business was always a struggle and the company was severely disrupted during both World War I and II. The company went bankrupt on more than one occasion and has endured many different owners throughout its history.
David Brown acquired Aston Martin in February 1947 and the first car produced during his ownership was the Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports, later known as the DB1, which was built in extremely limited numbers from 1948 to 1950. This was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB2 in 1950, which featured a new double overhead cam straight six engine of 2.6 litre (2580 cc) capacity, and was a car that really put post war Aston Martin on the map. Some 411 cars were built from 1950 to 1953, of which circa 100 were the convertible or drophead coupes. Its successor, known as the DB2/4, was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1953 and production started soon thereafter. Initially the car had the same engine as its predecessor, however, it was enlarged to 2,922cc in April 1954. Compared to the DB2 the DB2/4 had an extended roof line with a larger rear window, a one piece curved windscreen and real bumper bars. The biggest difference between the two cars was inside the cabin where the successor had far more room withtwo small occasional rear seats. The DB2/4 sold well through until 1957. In total 764 DB2/4s were built which included 565 of the Mk Is and 199 of the Mk IIs. The biggest change for the Mk II was that the bodies were made in-house by the recently acquired Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell, otherwise the differences between the Mk I and Mk II were subtle. The DB2/4 was available as a four seat fixed head coupe or two seat drop head coupe from the start of production with a two seat coupe introduced on the Mk II. The DB2/4 MkII was succeeded by the DB MkIII and 551 examples were built from 1957 through until 1959.
The Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe, particularly with its soft top down, is arguably the most elegant of the DB2/4 range. There were only 101 DB2/4 Drophead Coupe Mk Is and 17 or 18 DB2/4 Drophead Coupe Mk IIs.
The David Brown era was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning LeMans in 1959 and the iconic early DB series cars of the 1950s paving the way for the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models of the 1960s.

ASTON MARTIN DB2/4

Details
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a rather unique 1928 Lea-Francis Special.
Founded in 1895 Lea-Francis started building motor cycles. They began car manufacturing under licence for Singer in 1903 and later built and sold cars under their own name. They quickly developed a reputation as an early innovator with roots in quality craftsmanship. By the mid 1920s Lea-Francis had become recognised as building quality cars with a sporting edge. Most notably, their S-Type (also called the Hyper) became the first British supercharged production car. As a result, many Lea-Francis were modified and used by boy racers for weekend motorsport, hill climbs and the like.
This Lea-Francis special has a rich and fascinating history, having initially left the Coventry factory as a Type O 12/50.
The car was featured in the March 1950 issue of Australian Motor Sports magazine. At that time the car was owned by Len Sydney from Brighton in Victoria. Prior to him acquiring the car it had led an interesting life. It was raced at Philip Island and reportedly used as a shooting brake for kangaroo hunting in the Northern Territory! Sydney was quoted in that article . . . the car had a hard life, but it always been well maintained. If only the car could talk!
Sydney acquired the Leaf (as he liked to call the car) in 1941 and immediately engaged the services of coachbuilders Giles Motor Body Works to build him a neat close coupled four seater sports touring body. The job wasnt simple and required a few modifications to be made to the chassis. The radiator had to be relocated and the fuel tank was relocated from the scuttle to between the rear dumb irons. The car was subsequently painted black. All the work was completely for the princely sum of £90!
Sydney used and enjoyed the Leaf for the next few years and in 1945 he upgraded the brakes with those from a 7th Series Lancia Lambda.
Next on Sydneys wish list was more speed! He wanted the car to be able to cruise at 80 mph, which was beyond the capability of the original Meadows 4ED, 1.5 litre, four cylinder engine. He managed to source a six cylinder Meadows 6ESC engine from a 1928 Bean. The engine was overhauled and its capacity increased to 2,974cc.
In 1952 Sydney decide the time had come to part with his beloved Lea-Francis. He advertised the car in the local newspaper from where it was acquired by Andre Chaleyer who only kept it for a year before selling to Peter Robinson. The car was raced by Robinson at the 1954 A.S.C.C. Fishermans Bend Air Strip meeting and other events. He sold the car in 1958 and it is understood that it remained in Victoria. In 1966 the car was purchased by Neville Webb and shortly thereafter suffered a catastrophic engine failure. Fortunately, he was able to source a similar Meadows engine which was installed in the car.
Over the next 30 years the car passed through a few further owners before Neville Webb rekindled his lover affair with this Lea-Francis in 2001. He purchased the car at a Sanford-Morgan auction in Adelaide. At that time the car was showing its age. Through his Gold Coast based business, The Vintage Garage, Webb decided to restore the car to its former glory. At that time the car was green. He repainted it back to its original colour of black, replaced the cycle guards, retrimmed the upholstery as well as refurbished the engine and gearbox.
In 2006 Webb sold the car to Paul Samuels from NSW. In Samuels ownership the car had further mechanical issues which necessitated another engine rebuild. The car was taken to Highlands Race and Classic in Mittagong who, together with LW Perry from Sydney, rebuilt the engine. There are invoices on file which document all the work completed back then.
In 2009 the car was sold to Ron Harris from Gympie, Queensland. He used and enjoyed the car, whilst continuously making improvements during his six years of ownership. The custodianship of the Lea-Francis turned full circle for the second time when in 2015 it was acquired by Warren Webb (Neville Webbs son).
The car passed through the ownership of two well known enthusiasts before being acquired by the current owner a short time ago.
The current owner purchased the car with the intention to compete in the Peking to Paris rally, however, a change in his circumstances means that this is no longer possible.
Today this fabulous Lea-Francis Special presents and drives well. It is a car that has a fabulous story to tell, having been owned by a number of very well known people in the Australian classic car scene. It has been driven in anger in various speed trials and competition events its entire life. It has also been used as a road car and it is therefore a car that you could race on Saturday and take to cars & coffee on Sunday!
Given the car has been driven it is not surprising that the paint work shows some wear and tear. That said, the car presents well, but there are stone chips, some gravel rash and other blemishes here and there. The external trim, including the brightwork presents quite well.
The painted wire wheels are fitted with chrome wheel spinners, all of which are in very good condition. The 19 wheels are shod with Blockley 5.00 19 4 Ply tyres all around.
The car has a soft top and side curtains, which are in good condition. This was important for its current owner given he was going to tackle the Peking to Paris rally.
The interior of the car presents well. The burgundy upholstery is well kept, presenting with just the right amount of patina. The driving position is relatively comfortable, though you sit quite low to the ground for a car of this vintage, which further reinforces the sporting pedigree of this car. The polished aluminium dash houses a plethora of instruments, more akin to a fighter plane than a motor car!
The starting procedure perhaps mirrors this somewhat . . . battery isolator off, retard the ignition, fuel pumps on, ignition on and then hit the starter button. The Meadows six fires instantly and it sounds very healthy. After the engine fires, the ignition is advanced and you quickly find its sweet spot.
What is immediately apparent is the engine has plenty of power and torque. The non-synchro gearbox with its non-traditional shift pattern takes some getting used to, but this is part of the challenge and enjoyment you get from driving the car. The more you drive it the better you get, which is actually very rewarding. You have to pinch yourself that this is an almost 100 year old car as driven in anger it would be a bit of beast. It weighs next to nothing and has more than enough power to get yourself into trouble if you are brave enough!
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file which includes a copy of the article published in the March 1950 issue of Australian Motor Sports magazine, various period photos of the car and other documentation outlining its history, owner correspondence and receipts.
Highlights:
A fabulous storied Australian vintage special.
Lovely driver condition.
Owned by the whos who of the Australian classic car scene.
A car that can be used for vintage motorsport, rallies or social events.
Great performance and value for money.
Price $69,950.
Background
It all started in the west Midlands industrial city of Coventry in the UK in 1895 when Richard Lea and Graham Francis decided to start a business to manufacture bicycles. They quickly built a reputation as a company which built reliable quality products.
In 1903 they decided to branch out and start manufacturing cars and in 1911 they started building motorcycles. There first car wasnt a great success and only three were built. After that they continued building cars under license from Singer.
It wasnt until 1919 that they introduced their next car, the 11.9HP. Reviewing the car, The Motor wrote on 27 October that year, For the country motorist who requires an all-purpose car the Lea-Francis would be almost ideal. Unfortunately it was not a great success for the company.
In 1922 Charles M Van Eugen joined the company and his first task was to redesign one of the prototypes, the C-Type and make it ready for production. After making some improvements to both the engine and chassis an initial batch of 50 was approved. The car was a success and in total 90 were sold. The C-Type also became the first Lea-Francis to be used in competition.
The C-Type was superseded by the D-Type which became the first Lea-Francis to be fitted with a Meadows engine. Approximately 420 were built between 1923 and 1926. It was then superseded by the E-Type. The E-Type remained in production from 1924 through until 1926 and 192 were built.
A variety of other models were introduced over the next few years. The F-Type (1924 - 1925), the G-Type (1925 - 1927), the H-Type (1924 - 1926), the I-Type (1925), the J-Type (1925 - 1928) and the K-Type (1925). All were built on slight variations of the same chassis with a variety of engines.
From 1926 until 1928 Lea-Francis built two cars with Vulcan Engineering of Southport. The Kirkstone and the 1LFS. Both could be considered a very early form of badge engineering as very few components in the cars were actually produced by Lea-Francis.
In 1926 Lea-Francis produced its first real sports car, the L-Type, which was powered by a Brooklands spec Meadows 4ED engine. At the same time the M-Type and the N-Type were introduced.
Also in 1926 Lea-Francis introduced its first purpose built race car. The Lea-Francis Special, was finished in polished aluminium and nicknamed the Lobster. It first appeared at Brooklands at the August Bank Holiday meeting in 1926. The car was also used for testing engine and supercharger combinations. Interestingly, when Lea-Francis had found a good working combination they werent ready to introduce a new model. The race car and another chassis, were fitted with fabric covered two seater bodies with pointed tails, a supercharged Meadows 4ED engine and road equipment. The two cars were registered for road use by Lea-Francis in August 1927 and road-tested by a number of motoring publications.
In 1927 Charles Van Eugen convinced the directors of Lea-Francis to allow him to design a completely new chassis assembly. It was fitted with a Brooklands specification Meadows 4ED engine and the chassis was designated the O-Type. It remained in production until 1930 and 55 cars were built.
It was superseded by the S-Type, also called the Hyper, the first British supercharged production car. In 1928 a Lea-Francis Hyper won the Ulster TT, a 30-lap race on the 13.5-mile (21.7 km) Ards circuit on the roads of Northern Ireland driven by race car driver Kaye Don. The race was watched by a record 250,000 spectators and the victory placed Lea-Francis firmly on the map.
Lea-Francis had always lead a hand to mouth existence, struggling to be financially viable. They continued to build cars until the start of the World War II in 1939, then production ceased and the factory concentrated on manufacturing for the war effort.
After the War the company recommenced manufacturing cars, but they struggled and the factory finally closed in 1962.

1928 LEA FRANCIS SPECIAL

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

2019 ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH ZAGATO SHOOTING BRAKE

Oldtimer Australia is offering for sale a 1975 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible.
This first series Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is one of 1,232 examples produced between 1971 and 1977.
The car specification sheet on file dated 30th July 1974 confirms this car was ordered to the following specification: paint colour - cardinal red (L68-RV-006), interior - black (VM.8500), hood - black (5218), headlining - grey (TRA.42), carpet - cherry red (21), fine lines - double black (PWS.1426). The car was ordered by Rolls-Royce dealer HA Fox (Washam Stringer) from London, UK.
This Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible was ordered with the following options: fog lamps, Firestone black radial tyres, plain Sundym glass throughout, fire extinguisher and a badge bar.
The first owner, L Archer-Davis from London, took delivery of his car on the 2nd May 1975 and it was first registered as HYK911N.
Accompanying this car is its original service book, which interestingly notes the first service was completed on the 30th May 1975 by Rolls-Royce dealer Turnbull & Gamble in Beverly Hills, California in the USA. At that time the odometer read 3,836 miles.
The next service was completed in November 1975 by Rolls-Royce in London, UK and at that time the odometer read 7,780 miles. Over the next four years or so the car was used and enjoyed as its makers intended. It was regularly serviced, as confirmed by the entries in the service book
In the early 1980s the car found its way to Australia. The last recorded service in the UK was executed by H.R. Owen on the 24th July 1980 and at that time the odometer read 64,300 miles. The first recorded service in Australia was completed by York Motors on the 27th July 1982 and at that time the odometer read 69,502 miles.
It is understood the car was acquired by Neville Burrow from Goulburn, NSW on the 28th of July 2012 and at that time the odometer read 16,212 miles (116,212 miles).
The current owner who lives on the Gold Coast acquired the car on the 22nd September 2015 and at that time the odometer read 17,617 miles (117,617 miles). He has used and enjoyed the car in the past 10 years ranking up some 23,000 miles and at the time of photographing the odometer read 40,980 miles (140,980 miles).
The car is owned by a passionate Rolls-Royce enthusiast who is an active member of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club and the car is regularly seen at events in and around south east Queensland.
In his ownership the car has been regularly serviced and maintained. In recent years it has been maintained and serviced by Pauls Nerang Mechanical Workshop, Prestige Mechanics Gold Coast and Eldens Autobahn, all based on the Gold Coast.
A Rolls-Royce commands attention wherever it goes, and this example is no different. The current owner says it consistently draws admiration and enthusiastic compliments every time he takes it out. The colour of Cardinal Red is quite unique and we think striking. With the top down the car has a commanding presence on the road.
As you approach the car, the first thing that captures your attention is the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, proudly poised atop the radiator. Few hood ornaments are as instantly recognisable as this legendary figure.
A Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is a very elegant car and this particular example has aged very well. The paint on the car is generally in good condition. This is a car that has been used and enjoyed. It is definitely not a trailer queen and therefore, there are some stone chips and minor paint imperfections visible. A nice touch is the black pin striping, which matches the black upholstery and really suits the car. Importantly, all the panel gaps are really good on this car.
The bright work on the car is in good condition throughout. Most prominent, of course, is the grille, crowned by the Spirit of Ecstasy, which presents very well with no signs of damage. The bumpers, including the front badge bar, are also in good order. Likewise, the headlight surrounds, door handles, and window trims all show nicely. All lights are functioning correctly, and the lenses are clear and free from cracks. All the glass on the car is in a good condition with no cracks or chips evident.
The wheel trims and RR inscribed hub caps are another feature on a Rolls-Royce Corniche and they present well on this car. The steel wheels are shod with Nankang Toursport NS tyres, size 225/75R15. These tyres are date stamped 1524 (week 15, 2024).
The electric soft top operates smoothly and can be raised or lowered with ease, an effortless task that can comfortably be handled by your chauffeur alone! It remains in good condition overall, with a clear rear window that maintains excellent visibility.
Under the bonnet everything looks to be very original, neat and tidy. The boot is similarly well presented.
The interior presents very well. The seats are in good condition, displaying just the right amount of patina to reflect the cars character without detracting from its appeal. They are comfortable and offer excellent support, with leather that remains soft and free from any rips or tears. The rear seats are in similarly fine condition and appear to have seen very little use.
The timber dashboard is a standout feature, providing a beautiful contrast to the rest of the interior. Overall, the woodwork throughout the car presents very well, with only a few minor blemishes visible. The Smiths instruments are clear and display nicely. On our test drive they all appeared to be functioning as they should and in good working order.
We were keen to see whether the car drives as impressively as it presents. The short answer is that it most certainly does. The engine fires up readily, even from cold, settling into a smooth, refined idle. As a matter of course, we allow it to warm up before setting off. On the road, despite its considerable presence, the Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is surprisingly a very easy car to drive. The engine is smooth and quiet, yet delivering ample power effortlessly when called upon. The gearbox shifts seamlessly, with changes that are almost imperceptible. The power assisted steering makes tight turns and manoeuvring effortless. When called upon, the brakes bring the car to a swift, straight and reassuring stop.
The car has speed control, though we did not get the opportunity to use it on our test drive.
The current owner has thoroughly enjoyed his time with this Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, however, after 10 years of ownership feels the time is right for him to move in a different direction.
Accompanying the car is an owners manual, the original service book, the build sheets, a very good history file with receipts for all the work completed over the last circa 20 years, a complete original toolkit, a jack and a spare wheel.
Highlights:
- Well presented example in a unique, original colour.
- Matching numbers.
- Good history file which includes the build sheets.
- Excellent club car, ready to use and enjoy.
Price $89,950
Background
The legend that was to become Rolls-Royce was founded in May 1904 when a deal was struck between Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls. Shortly after, the first Rolls-Royce motor car the Rolls-Royce 10 hp was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in December 1904. It was agreed that Rolls-Royce would initially manufacture four different models being a two cylinder 10hp model, a three cylinder 15hp model, a four cylinder 20hp model and a six cylinder 20hp model. It was immediately apparent that to manufacture their cars Rolls-Royce would require a larger factory and the decision was made to establish their headquarters and manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Derby in the East Midlands of England.
On the 15th March 1906 the company Rolls-Royce Limited was formed and during this year Royce had been developing an improved six cylinder model with more power than the 30hp. Initially designated the 40/50hp, this was the companys first all-new model that was also to become known as the Silver Ghost.
Like all car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce was impacted by the First World War. Times were tough and post war the company made a strategic decision to manufacture a cheaper smaller car, enter the Rolls-Royce 20hp. This model was a success and produced alongside the Silver Ghost and its successor the Phantom ensuring the Rolls-Royce motor car company would survive and prosper.
In 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired the Bentley motor car company.
Post the Second World War a significant milestone in Rolls-Royce history was the introduction of the Silver Dawn, which was the first model with a factory built body. In April 1955 Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and for the next eleven years this model was at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce production. The Cloud evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I, Silver Cloud II and Silver Cloud III until it was superseded by the Silver Shadow. The last of the Silver Clouds rolled off the Crewe production line in 1965 although specialist coachbuilders were still offering the Cloud III in early 1966. During this time some 7,372 cars were built.
One of the major changes to occur during Silver Cloud production was to the engine. The 4.9 litre 6 cylinder engine used in the Cloud I was replaced by a 6.2 litre V8 engine for the Cloud II. This change ensured the Cloud II had far greater performance all round.
With the arrival of the Cloud III in 1963 the car had now evolved both internally and externally, albeit subtly. The major visual difference was the introduction of the quad head light set up that was to be continued on the Silver Shadow and a lowered bonnet. The Cloud III also shed a few kilos further improving performance and handling.
In 1965 the Silver Cloud III was replaced by the Silver Shadow. The Silver Shadow remained in production through until 1980 and became the largest production volume model for the company at that time with just over 30,000 produced.
In 1966 Rolls-Royce introduced a two door version of the Silver Shadow, the Mulliner Park Ward Coupe followed by a drophead coupe in 1967, the Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe.
In 1971 Rolls-Royce decided to rename the Mulliner Park Models as a Corniche. The Corniche was great success story for Rolls-Royce and incredibly it remained in production for more than 25 years, spanning five different series. In total 5,172 Corniche Convertibles were built, plus an another 506 Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Convertibles.

ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly desirable 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKII.
The factory records on file confirm that this is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example that was delivered new to the Penfold family in South Australia. The car was delivered through Aston Martin agent D Brown (Australia) on the 8th July 1957. The original colour choice for this car was stunning. It was originally finished in sea green with a green interior, which is how the car is presented today.
This particular car is fitted with the desirable special series VB6J/***/L1 engine quoted as delivering 165 bhp, being 25 bhp more than the standard engine. It is also fitted with a larger sump.
The factory records note that a replacement engine, with the same number, was despatched to David Brown Australasia on the 13th November 1957.
It is understood that the Penfold family owned the car for many years. The history file picks up the ownership of the car in the 1980s when it was owned by former politician John Goss from Brisbane, Australia. It may well be that Goss acquired the car from the Penfold family. Goss used and enjoyed his Aston Martin for many years before selling to Donald Lane from Buradoo, near Bowral in the NSW southern highlands in 2001. The current Melbourne based owner acquired the car off Lane in c2005.
Over the last 20 years the current owner has used and enjoyed his Aston Martin as its makers intended. Even though the car presents beautifully, he is unashamedly a driver and not a polisher! To ensure the car is a reliable classic and available to be driven on a whim, he has had it maintained and regularly serviced. In 2017 the front Alfin brake drums were overhauled by TypeCast in the UK. In 2018 the cylinder head was overhauled. The car has been upgraded with a Jaguar differential to enhance drivability.
Today this Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII presents resplendently in its original colour scheme of sea green with a green interior. The current owner chose to remove the bumpers for two reasons. Firstly, to give the car that Aston Martin GT look and secondly to reduce the cars weight. The bumpers are heavy! The paint work, which was refreshed by Lane some 20 years ago, is in very good condition with some minor blemishes and stone chips evident. Its presentation is totally consistent with a well cared for car that gets driven. The external trim is minimalistic, particularly with the bumpers removed. The trademark Aston Martin grill is in excellent condition and a real feature.
The chrome wire wheels and spinners really compliment the paintwork beautifully. All of the wheels are in reasonably good condition with no kerb rash or damage. The chrome has started to pit/peel in places. The wheels are shod with Michelin X tyres, size 185R16 all around.
The cabin of the Aston Martin DB2/4 is quintessentially British. It is relatively simple, elegant and beautifully presented. The timber steering wheel is a feature and in excellent condition. The timber dash facia houses the cluster of Smiths instruments and both are also in excellent condition. The leather upholstery is soft and supple with no splits or tears. The seats are comfortable and provide good support. An Aston Martin DB2/4 has occasional rear seats which look to have been sparingly used.
Opening the rear hatch provides access to a large boot area. This area can be expanded by folding a panel down over the rear seats. There is plenty of room for the golf clubs here! The boot presents well, with very minor wear evident.
The massive bonnet hinges forward to reveal a beautifully presented engine bay, revealing the unique independent coil spring front suspension and chassis components as well as the 2,922cc Lagonda twin cam engine. The engine itself is a work of art, resplendent with polished aluminium features, traditional red cylinder head and proper finishes. Everything is neat, clean and tidy.
This Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII is a drivers car. The car starts easily, settling into a smooth idle without hesitation. Out on the open road it performs superbly offering a very spirited and rewarding driving experience. The engine has loads of power on tap and it pulls strongly through the rev range. The gearbox is tight and with a relatively short shift it provides slick gear changes. The car delivers a firm yet comfortable ride, direct steering and excellent braking.
Accompanying the car is an original leather bound Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II handbook, an original and well used workshop manual, a copy of a parts catalogue, a factory sales brochure, Aston Martin factory records and a thick history file with many service receipts.
There are also the original bumpers, which are in excellent condition, the original differential, a spare wheel as well as the jack and basic tools which are stored in the engine bay.
If you are looking for an early pre DB4 Aston Martin it would be hard to find a better example.
Aston Martin only built 199 DB2/4 MkIIs, of which 146 were saloons. Of these 146 cars only a small number would be factory right hand drive with the high performance engine.
This car presents exceptionally well and drives superbly.
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory RHD example.
- Sold new to the Penfold family in Adelaide.
- Fitted with the desirable special series VB6J/***/L1 high performance engine.
- Fabulous, original colour scheme.
- Great driving car.
Price $364,950
Background:
Aston Martin has produced bespoke sports cars for over 100 years. The company began in 1913, when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford realised their desire to build distinctive, high quality sports cars that were both exhilarating to drive and a beauty to behold. Martin regularly competed in hill climb races at Aston Clinton, and a simple combination of the name of the event and the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques. Source: www.astonmartin.com.
Whilst Aston Martin produced some wonderful cars in their early years, business was always a struggle and the company was severely disrupted during both World War I and II. The company went bankrupt on more than one occasion and has endured many different owners throughout its history.
David Brown acquired Aston Martin in February 1947 and the first car produced during his ownership was the Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports, later known as the DB1, which was built in extremely limited numbers from 1948 to 1950. This was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB2 in 1950, which featured a new double overhead cam straight six engine of 2.6 litre (2580 cc) capacity, and was a car that really put post war Aston Martin on the map. Some 411 cars were built from 1950 to 1953, of which circa 100 were the convertible or drop head coupes. Its successor, known as the DB2/4, was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1953 and production started soon thereafter. Initially the car had the same engine as its predecessor, however, it was enlarged to 2,922cc in April 1954. Compared to the DB2 the DB2/4 had an extended roof line with a larger rear window, a one piece curved windscreen and real bumper bars. The biggest difference between the two cars was inside the cabin where the successor had far more roomwith two small occasional rear seats. The DB2/4 sold well through until 1957. In total 764 DB2/4s were built which included 565 of the Mk Is and 199 of the Mk IIs. The biggest change for the Mk II was that the bodies were made in-house by the recently acquired Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell, otherwise the differences between the Mk I and Mk II were subtle. The DB2/4 was available as a four seat fixed head coupe or two seat drop head coupe from the start of production with a two seat coupe introduced on the Mk II. The DB2/4 MkII was succeeded by the DB MkIII and 551 examples were built from 1957 through until 1959.
The David Brown era was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning LeMans in 1959 and the iconic early DB series cars of the 1950s paving the way for the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models of the 1960s.

1957 ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 MKII

Details:
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 Michilin 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 image 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 under rated and they offer great value at approximately half the cost of a Ghibli and significantly less than its cross town 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 manuals, 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 $189,950.
Background:
The Maserati story is a fascinating one. It is the story of a family with daring, courageous and forward-thinking ideas. The story starts with Rodolfo Maserati, a railway engineer who was employed by the Italian monarchy and the father of seven sons who all had a passion for engine design and racing cars. The Maserati brothers all became involved in the automotive industry in some way or another, however, it was on the 1st of December 1914 that Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati officially opened Alfieri Maserati Workshop in Bologna, Italy.
Maserati chose the trident logo to adorn its cars. Its design was based on the Fountain of Neptune in Bolognas Piazza Maggiore. The colours chosen for the logo were also the colours of Bologna, red and blue.
The business was focused on repairing, servicing and preparing cars, however, the World War cut business short and it wasnt until 1926 that Maserati built its first car, the Tipo 26.
It was all about motorsport back then and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired ownership of Maserati which was in desperate need of financial backing to be able to survive. During the Orsi years Maserati grew from a boutique but very successful race car builder to one of the worlds leading manufacturers of hand-built sports and GT cars.
Maserati built its first road car in 1946 even though times were tough in post War northern Italy. The car was the Maserati A6 where A was for Alfieri and 6 for the number of cylinders. The initial reception of the car was positive and a production Maserati A6/1500 was then shown at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
This was a significant milestone in the Maserati legend and subsequent models included the A6G/2000, 3500 series cars, 5000GT, Mistral. Quattroporte, Mexico, Sebring and Ghibli. Maserati also continued to build very successful race cars that dominated tracks around the world including the 250F, 300S, 150S, 450S and the Birdcage.
Orsi sold to Citroen in 1968. At that time Maserati was already working on an 4 seater alternative for the 2 seater Ghibli. Both Ghia and Vignale showed their proposals in November 1968 at the Salone dellautomobile di Torino. Maserati preferred the Vignale design and the production model was officially launched at the Salone dAutomobile 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

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