OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Details:
A new arrival to Oldtimer Australia is this rather lovely Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2.
Documentation on file notes the car was delivered through W.H. Lowes to its first owner, Mr Fred Watkins from Tyabb in Victoria. Watkins was a very memorable customer of W.H. Lowe having owned a number of Ferraris over the years, including 250 GTE, 330 GTC, 365 GT/4 2+2 and this 365 GT 2+2. Interestingly, all of Watkins cars were ordered in white with blue upholstery.
This car landed in Melbourne on the 31st October 1968 on board the SS Marconi (ex Genoa) and it was finished in bianco polo with blue trim (trim code VM3015).
It is understood that Watkins traded this 365 GT 2+2 back to W.H. Lowes, who then sold the car to John McArdle from Melbourne.
McArdle used and enjoyed his Ferrari for a number of years and then in about 1979 it suffered from an engine fire. At that time the odometer read circa 21,500 miles. It is understood that the fire was essentially contained to the engine bay and that the damage was relatively superficial. The car was then parked up, where it remained until McArdles passing in 1994.
The car was acquired by Oldtimer Australia in November 1994 and sold to the current owner in March 1995. He then embarked on what was to become an epic journey to restore the car. Due to various circumstances the project spanned two decades and the car was finally completed in May 2018.
During the restoration the owner decided on a colour change and had the car painted in Pino Verde (pine green metallic, colour code 19404M) and the upholstery trimmed with tan Connolly leather.
The majority of the restoration was completed by Geoff Wheelers High Country Motors. The work that was out sourced included the engine machining to LW Parry Engineering, the refurbishment of the cylinder heads by Rams Cylinder Head Services, the rebuilding of the original wire wheels by Superior Wire Wheels, body and paint by Sydney Vintage Car Restorations and the upholstery by Ron Farlow.
To make the car more reliable and usable, the current owner chose to have some subtle upgrades installed. Most notable a completely new wiring loom was installed and a solid state fully programmable Motec Power Distrubution Module now replaces the traditional fuse box. Additionally, electronic ignition and a modern air conditioning system were installed.
There is a photo book on file which describes in detail all the work completed over the years.
The owner first started thinking about selling his beloved Ferrari in early 2023. In preparation for sale, the car was sent to highly respected independent Ferrari specialists Cavallino Motorsport in June 2023. A number of items were rectified and we were then contacted to assist with the sale. Life got in the way and it wasnt until the second quarter of 2025 that the owner finally pushed the button to sell.
Since the restoration was completed, the car has only been used sparingly.
Today the odometer reads 964 km. The original speedo was replaced during the restoration with a NOS example. The odometer reading today is the mileage the car has travelled since the restoration was completed.
First impressions of this car are really good. When you walk up to the car you are immediately impressed by its presentation. The colour combination of Pino Verde with the tan interior really suits the car and accentuates its very elegant appearance. The original Borrani wire wheels complete the look.
The car was repainted in the late 1990s, however, given its limited use the paint is still in a really good condition. There are a few minor blemishes here and there. Also, the black vent on the right hand side of the bonnet has some paint missing, which is an easy fix. All the bright work on the car including the bumpers, trade mark Ferrari grill and and the window surrounds are all in excellent condition. The same can be said for all the lights and lenses. All the glass is in very good condition with no cracks or scratches evident.
The Borrani wire wheels on the car are a real feature. They have been respoked during the restoration and are in excellent condition. The Borranis are shod with Michelin XWX 215 70VR15 tyres which are date stamped 4617 (week 46, 2017). The car has travelled less than 1,000km on these tyres and they are still in good condition.
Underneath the bonnet sits the completely rebuilt 4,390cc Colombo V12 engine. The engine bay presents beautifully and it is also very clean and tidy. As Enzo Ferrari once said . . . when you buy a Ferrari you pay for the engine, you get the rest of the car free.
Inside the cabin you are presented with a beautiful looking interior. The leather upholstery, the timber finishes and the polished metal work are all stunning . . . you cannot beat Italian design and craftsmanship!
The car has hardly been used since the restoration was completed so it is no surprise that everything inside the cabin essentially presents like new. The seats are comfortable and provide plenty of support. The timber dashboard and centre console both present nicely and all the instruments in it are clean and from our test drive they appeared to be in good working order. The timber steering wheel, with its polished metals spokes and Ferrari logo in the centre is the real feature.
During the restoration the Becker radio was upgraded with modern internals which include Bluetooth connectivity for hands free and a USB port. Modern speakers have also been discreetly installed in the doors and rear parcel shelf.
The door cards, headlining and even the carpets present as one would expect in a car which has been restored and has had very limited use since.
We have had a very wet Brisbane winter, so we had to be patient for the weather gods to cooperate and allow us a fine day for our test drive and photo shoot.
As noted previously, the cars electrics have been upgraded and as a result it starts very easily, even from cold. As with all classic Ferraris with carburettor fuel systems, when you turn the ignition on you will have to wait for twenty seconds or so for the fuel pumps to prime the thirsty Weber carburettors. You then pump the accelerator three times and when you turn the key and the Colombo V12 fires up immediately. You initially feather the accelerator to warm up the engine and it doesnt take long before it settles into a smooth idle.
This is a traditional, classic, front engined V12 Ferrari, but with creature comforts such as power steering, air conditioning, power windows, room for four passengers and a spacious luggage compartment, it is a comfortable grand tourer. It is surprisingly easy to drive and sounds great. Importantly, those creature comforts do not take away from the overall driving experience, which is fabulous!
Out on the road this car is a real delight to drive. The engine revs freely and there is plenty of power on tap. The gear changes are smooth both up and down the box even when the gearbox is still cold. Once the engine and gearbox reach operating temperature the oversell experience just gets better. Everything works exactly the way one would expect and the car feels tight on the road. When necessary the brakes will pull the car up quickly and in a straight line.
These Ferrari 365 GT 2+2s are wonderful grand touring cars and we think under rated.
This car has been off the road from 1979 through until recently and only travelled some 35,500 km in its life. Therefore, it really deserves a new owner that will use and enjoy it, just as Enzo intended.
Accompanying the car is photo book which describes in detail the restoration of the car, lots of receipts from the restoration, a Borrani spare wheel, a non-original jack, an owners manual and a spare parts catalogue in the correct leather pouch.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD, matching numbers
- Beautifully presented example of a classic, front engined V12 Ferrari
- Fabulous grand tourer, well suited to rallies.
- Presented in a stunning colour combination.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $499,950
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!
The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Motor racing, even back in those days, was not a cheap business to be in and Ferrari needed to find ways to fund it. The answer was an obvious one. Enzo discovered there was a burgeoning demand for high powered grand tourers bearing his prancing horse badge. The lucrative profits from building these cars benefited the racing team. At the same time these GT cars would benefit from the racing program. The engines to be used were civilised versions of the engines which had proved themselves in racing. It also meant all Ferraris would share in a rich competition heritage which would make them even more special.
The 125 S evolved into the 166 Sport which was then adapted for road use and sold as the 166 Inter in the late 1940s. The 166 was Ferraris first true GT car. It made its debut at the Paris motor show on 6th October 1949.
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO.
The Ferrari 250 series cars built from 1953 through until 1964 really put Ferrari on the map. The race cars dominated on tracks all over the world and their road cars were without peer and very successful. Ferrari was on a roll and his clientele were the rich and famous.
The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 365 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 4,390cc capacity.
The mid 1960s were a fabulous time for Ferrari and one of its best sellers was the 330 GT 2+2. This model was a great success capturing the true essence and tradition of a Ferrari whilst offering the practicality of four seats and a good size boot. Just over 1000 of these cars were built from 1964 1967 and Enzo was very keen to continue the theme into a new model. Enter the 365 GT 2+2. First shown at the 1967 Paris Motor Show the Pininfarina designed 365 GT 2+2 took styling cues from the 500 Superfast and 330 GTC models. The car was built on a modified version of the 330 chassis, but what mattered most was that its engine was the new 4.4 litre version of the Columbo V12 engine. From a performance perspective the 365 GT 2+2 was all Ferrari, however, this model also offered creature comforts including power steering, air conditioning, electric windows and overall a more luxurious finish in the cabin.
Often referred to as the Queen Mary this model is now recognised by enthusiasts and collectors as one of the most practical of the classic front engine V12 Ferraris. Approximately 800 examples were built between 1967 and 1971.

1968 FERRARI 365 GT 2+2

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this magnificent Maserati 450S recreation.
The current owner is a real enthusiast and has owned some of the worlds great cars. He has a passion for sports racing cars from the 1950s and 1960s and in 2011 decided he needed a Maserati 450S!
He engaged the services of well respected classic car restoration specialists Historic and Vintage Restoration (HVR) in Melbourne and the journey began.
First step was to source a suitable engine to power the car. Obviously, it had to be a Maserati engine. A decision was made to use a Tipo AM107 engine from a 1960s Maserati Quattroporte. The engine was completely stripped by HVR and every element was tested and what needed to be replaced was replaced. When the time came to put the engine back together it was not simply rebuilt the way it was. The owner wanted the engine to look like it would have looked in period. It was modified to have twin plug ignition with a distributor for each bank. The block was also bored out to 5.0 litres. The Weber carburettors were modified and fitted with polished velocity stacks. They have the correct sand cast look. The owner did not go as far as converting the engine to dry sump, however, a correct dry sump tank is fitted in the rear of the car next to the beautiful riveted aluminium fuel tank (fitted with a fuel cell) to complete the look.
The remainder of the running gear came from a modern Maserati 4200, modified to look period correct. It is a six speed gearbox and transaxle which, inside the car, is beautifully disguised to look like a 5 speed gearbox with reverse. Giant, period correct, finned drum brakes are fitted all around.
The front suspension is a classic double-wishbone set-up. On the rear it has the De Dion rear end with transverse leaf springs which are polished steel as per original.
The body and chassis were made in Argentina by Nestor Solerno who is well known for making museum quality recreations. In fact, several of his cars are on display in the Fangio Museum in Buenos Aires.
When the body arrived in Australia HVR checked it and then had it painted by Resurrection Auto Restorers in Melbourne.
The project was finished in 2014 and the car has been used sporadically since. It has made appearances at the 2014 and 2015 Australian Grand Prix and several other events.
It was featured in Issue 367 the September 2014 issue of Unique Cars magazine when John Bowe tested it alongside a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Recreation, then belonging to the same owner. The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, which used a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE as its donor car, has just been sold by Oldtimer Australia.
Like all nine original 450S built by Maserati, this car is right hand drive.
Walking up to the car you cannot help but being impressed with its presence. This car is stunning and its proportions are just right. Once of the first things you will notice are the ceramic coated exhausts on either side of the car. They immediately tell you this car means business.
Whilst it has been a few years now since the build of this car was completed it still presents exceptionally well. The paint has retained a deep gloss with a strong depth of colour. The car has been used from time to time as its makers intended and as a result when you look closely you will find some small imperfections. All the panel gaps are excellent.
The more you look at the car the more detail you will notice. The devil is in the detail and some of its features are the delicate handles to secure the boot and the bonnet as well as the windscreen which wraps around the cockpit and continues on top of the doors.
The car is fitted with genuine Borrani 16×4½ wire wheels at the front (16×5½ rear) which are shod with soft compound Dunlop Racing tyres size 6.0 16 at the front (6.5 16 rear). The wheels are all in excellent condition.
To get into the car you have to reach over the side screens and pull the leather cord on the inside of the door to open it. The interior itself is very minimalistic as one would expect. It is after all a race car. The seats are covered in period correct leather and are firm and relatively comfortable. Both seats are fitted with a five point harness. The small dashboard in front of you is basic but equipped with enough gauges to give you all the information you need. Right in front of you is the all important tacho. There is also a GPS speedo installed, however, on our most recent test drive that was not working.
We love the exposed chassis frame inside the car, which is a real feature of this era of racing Maseratis.
From the moment this car arrived at our showroom we were just that little bit excited to get behind the wheel. Starting the car is easy. There is a battery isolator key which is conveniently located inside the cabin and within easy reach of the driver. Starting is essentially the same as any other classic Maserati. It is as simple as inserting the key into the ignition and turning the ignition on. You will then hear the fuel pumps starting to pump fuel into the carburettors. After waiting for say fifteen seconds (which seemed more like 15 minutes!), you press the starter button. The big V8 bursts to live almost immediately with an almighty roar. You have to use the throttle to warm the engine up but that doesnt take too long and it quickly settles into a smooth idle. It immediately becomes clear that this engine means business. The engine sounds great and the exhaust note is simply amazing.
The gearbox has a normal shift pattern with first gear being left and forward. Once comfortable in the car and all buckled up it is time to hit the road. We select first gear and ever so cautiously inch the car out of our show room. Trying to be discrete is impossible. Passerbys, hearing the noise, immediately turned their heads the moment the car got onto the road. First impressions are that this car is surprisingly easy to drive. The gearbox is an absolute delight and with a relatively short shift the gear changes both up and down the box are easy and smooth.
Once the engine warmed up and we felt comfortable with the car we were able to find a quiet piece of road to see what this could do. Needless to say, we couldnt test its full potential. For that you need a race track, but what we can say is the car is an absolute delight to drive with more than enough power. The big Maserati V8 also has plenty of torque. The car weighs less than 1,000 kg and according to HVR the engine has around 350hp and 350nm of torque.
The brakes take a little bit of getting used to as they are drums. But once you realise that you just have to apply a bit more pressure on the peddle they do pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
It is not often a car like this becomes available on the Australian market. Given it was built in Australia makes it even more special.
This truly is a unique opportunity to own a recreation of a fantastic race car from the late 1950s. Accompanying the car is a history file of the invoices and photos from the build. There is also a spare wheel and a (modern) jack.
Highlights:
- Built by respected classic car restoration specialists (HVR) in Melbourne.
- Accurate aluminium body built by Nestor Solerno in Argentina.
- Powered by 5.0 Litre Maserati V8 engine.
- Beautifully presented.
- An absolute delight to drive.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $399,950
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.
The Maserati 250F is unique among Grand Prix cars, as it has longevity that has spanned seven years of racing from 1954 through until 1960. The 250F was first raced at the Argentinian Grand Prix in January 1954 by Juan Manuel Fangio. After qualifying third Fangio went on to win the race. Another famous driver who raced the 250F in 1954 was Stirling Moss. Moss also won several races in the 250F. In 1957 at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring Fangio overcame a 48 second deficit in 22 laps to win the race. In 22 laps he broke the lap record 10 times. The 250F was crucially important in carrying Juan Manuel Fangio to two of his five World Championship winning seasons, in 1954 and 1957. The Maserati 250F is motor racing royalty and in total 26 examples were built.
In 1955 Maserati introduced the Maserati 300S. This car was designed to compete in the FIA World Sportscar Championship. In total 26 were produced between 1955 and 1956.
The 300S was superseded by the 350S, but only 3 of them were produced before it was superseded by the Maserati 450S.
Initially, development of the 450S started in 1954 under the code name Tipo 54. However, after a catastrophic crash at Le Mans in 1955 the project was shelved. It was not until 1956 that the project was revived. The body was designed by Medardo Fantuzzi. It was powered by a 4,477cc V8 with four IDM Weber carburettors and double overhead camshafts. It produced 400hp at 7,200rpm.
Between 1956 and 1962, the Maserati 450S won an impressive 31 races from 119 appearances. Amongst others, the 450S was raced by Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio and Caroll Shelby.
In total 9 were built.

MASERATI 450S RECREATION

Details:
A new arrival to Oldtimer Australia is this distinguished Australian delivered, factory right hand drive first generation Bentley Azure.
Presented in the most stunning colour of Wild Berry (paint code 954001) this car was built in September 1995. The Australian compliance plate is dated 10/95. It is understood that there were only 7 Bentley Azures delivered new to Australia, making this an exceptionally rare car in this country.
The car was sold through Bentley dealer York motors in Sydney to its first owner, which is understood to have been Australian entrepreneur Rene Rivkin.
The service books first entry is from the 11th of December 1995. That service was executed by York Motors and at that time the odometer read 1,081km.
During the next 10 years the car was used sporadically. Rivkens world was turned upside down in April 2003. Following a long running investigation by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) he was found guilty of insider trading, He was also battling a number of health issues. Rivkin was forced to scale down his once grand Mediterranean lifestyle and in May 2004 this Bentley Azure sold by Sydney based auction house Bonhams and Goodman to the current owner. At that time the odometer read approximately 15,000km.
The car received its next service from Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists, Gold Coast Auto Centre, on the 8th December 2005. At that time the odometer read 15,252km. Over the next 5 years the car continued to be used sporadically but serviced annually by Gold Coast Auto Centre. In July 2010 they serviced the car and at that time the odometer read 27,368km. After that the Bentley was used less and less. The next recorded service was executed in February 2016 at 31,864km and following that on the 31st October 2019 at 35,058km. The car was last serviced in April 2022 and at that time the odometer read 35,427km.
At time of photographing this beautiful Bentley, the odometer read 36,192km.
There is no doubt that a Bentley Azure has an incredible and somewhat commanding presence. The colour combination of Wild Berry with a Magnolia interior make this car even more impressive!
When we took the car out for a test drive and photographs, the weather gods were smiling. The Wild Berry paintwork just sparkled under the sunshine of the most beautiful Brisbane winters day.
Incredibly, this Bentley Azure is about to celebrate its 30th birthday. The overall condition and presentation really belies that this is a 30 year old car. The paint is still in an excellent condition with a strong depth of colour and a deep gloss finish. Its hard to fault. You have to look hard to find any imperfections. The front spoiler sits very low to the ground and it looks to have had the odd encounter with a speed bump. The damage looks superficial and could be easily repaired.
All the panel gaps are good and there is no evidence of any accident damage.
The front windscreen and the side windows are in excellent condition with no sign of any scratches or cracks. The same can be said for the external trim, including all the lights and lenses on the car, which are similarly well presented.
The soft top is in excellent condition. It works well and there is no sign of wear or discoloration. The rear window has recently been repaired and it is clear.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very luxurious looking interior. As you would expect in a Bentley, there is lots of leather and polished timber! The Magnolia upholstery suits the car perfectly. It also contrasts nicely with the Wild Berry external paint. The Wild Berry dash top and trim as well as the Wild Berry carpets bring it all together.
The interior presents beautifully with some very light patina. It is only the top of the storage compartment/arm rest in between the front seats that shows some wear / cracking to the leather. A good leather doctor should be able to repair this. The top of the dashboard is in excellent condition and it presents essentially as new with no cracks or bubbles evident.
When you slide in behind the steering wheel it is quite easy to make yourself comfortable. There are many adjustment options for the seats and of course they are all electric. Importantly they all work. The seats themselves are luxurious and provide ample support. The front seats are fitted with sheepskin covers. It is not possible to temporarily remove them, however, it looks as though the leather underneath has been beautifully preserved. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used if at all.
The timber, which is a real feature on a Bentley Azure, is in beautiful condition. This houses all of the instruments and controls, which are crisp, clean and in good working order.
The engine bay is neat, clean and tidy. All of the heavy duty plastic covers are in place and in very good condition. The boot is similarly well presented with minimal wear. Discreetly hidden behind a panel you will find the toolkit, jack as well as some storage space for the emergency triangle and some other tools. Attached to the underside of the boot lid you will find the Bentley umbrella.
This Bentley Azure is a sophisticated boulevard cruiser, but the reality is that it is also a wolf in sheeps clothing! Powered by a 6.75 litre turbo charged engine that produces 385hp, it is more than capable of blowing the doors off most 30 year old cars! Top speed is quoted as 241 km/hr and the car will launch from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds. These are mightily impressive numbers when you take into account the weight of the car and its poor aerodynamic profile. What is also impressive is how effortlessly and smooth the power is delivered. The automatic gearbox is incredibly smooth and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed. Despite its size the car is very easy to drive and manoeuvre through traffic.
Out on the open road this fabulous car is an absolute delight to drive.
Given the weather, our test drive and photo shoot was naturally a top down affair. We did of course test the soft top and it operates exactly the way it should. It is a very simple exercise to raise or lower the roof. You simply press the button on the centre console and hold it down. Much like something out of a Transformers movie, all sorts of things will then start to happen. The soft top will emerge from its hiding place and when it finally locks in place you just release the button and you are good to continue your journey.
Accompanying the car is its original book set, a Rolls-Royce sound system demonstration tape, a spare wheel, jack and toolkit.
This car is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
Highlights:
- a stunning example of one of Bentleys flagships.
- a rare Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example. Understood to be 1 of only 7 such cars.
- finished in its original and STUNNING period colour scheme of Wild Berry with a Magnolia
- full books and service history.
- low mileage with only 36,192 km on the odometer.
Price: $179,950
Background:
The Bentley motor car company was founded back in 1919 by brothers W.O. and H.M. Bentley. The Bentley brothers were involved in the motor industry having acquired the agency to sell French built DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) cars in 1912, however, they desperately wanted to build their own cars. So that they did and the first Bentley motor car, being just a chassis with a dummy engine, was shown at the 1919 London Motor Show and in late 1921 the first production Bentleys were built and delivered to their new owners.
Bentley got the formula right and their cars proved to be luxurious, reliable and fast thus attracting buyers from the elite of society in period. The cars were also incredibly successful on the race track with Bentley achieving the ultimate success winning Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
The difficult economic times in the late 1920s had a major impact on Bentley and they stopped motor racing soon after winning Le Mans in 1930 and ultimately fell into receivership in 1931. Rolls-Royce acquired the assets of Bentley in late 1931. In this period Bentley produced some fabulous motor cars including the 3 Litre, 4½ Litre, Blower Bentley, 6½ Litre and 8 Litre models that are all today highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world. The first new Bentley produced following Rolls Royces acquisition was the Bentley 3½ Litre which evolved into the Bentley 4¼ Litre. Bentleys of this era are also known as Derby Bentleys as they were built at Rolls Royces factory located in Derby in the north of England. Subsequent models included the Mark V, Mark VI and R-Type.
Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and the Bentley S-Type in 1955 and for the next eleven years these models were at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce / Bentley production. The Silver Cloud / S-Type evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I / Bentley S1, Silver Cloud II / Bentley S2 and Silver Cloud III / Bentley S3 until superseded by the Silver Shadow / Bentley T-Series.
The Bentley T-Series was first introduced in 1965 and remained in production through until 1980. However, all was not well for the Bentley brand. During the 1970s and early 1980s Bentley sales had fallen dramatically to a point where they were only 5% of the combined Rolls-Royce and Bentley production.
In August 1980 Rolls-Royce Motors Limited, which also include the Bentley brand was purchased by Vickers PLC. This triggered a significant strategic change. In the early days, Bentley was known for its high performance cars and Vickers strategy was to restore Bentleys sporting image. Subsequently, Bentley sales started to rise and by 1986 the Bentley to Rolls-Royce sales ratio had reached 40:60 and by 1991 it had reached parity.
In 1991 Bentley introduced the Bentley Continental R, a two door luxury coupe powered by a 6.75 litre V8 engine with a Garrett turbo charger. At the time it was the most expensive production car in the world. This was the first Bentley to feature a body not shared with a Rolls-Royce model since the 1965 S3 Continental.
In 1995 a convertible version was introduced, the Bentley Azure. Bentley turned to legendary Italian design house Pininfarina to help turn its existing Continental R into a convertible. It wanted it to be luxurious, it wanted it to be long and it wanted it to be the most decadent 4 seat grand tourer money could buy. Pininfarina also assisted to build the car. The Italians built the shell and soft top in their Florentine factory, before shipping the whole lot across to Crewe, where it would be assembled with the trusted Bentley touch.
The Bentley Azure was produced in two versions. The first generation was produced from 1995 until 2002 and the second generation, built on the Arnage platform, from 2006 until 2009. In total 1,087 first generation Azures were produced of which only 243 were right hand drive. 716 second generation Azures were produced of which only 131 were right hand drive.

1995 BENTLEY AZURE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL.
The Fahrzeug-Daten (factory data card) and Produktions-Auftrag (factory production order) on file confirms that this factory right hand drive example was ordered new in Australia early 1960. The car left the factory on the 22nd April 1960.
The car was ordered in elfenbein (ivory, paint code 608) with a blue leather interior (interior code 354) and a black hard top (code 40) and with the following options: instruments in English, lights for left hand traffic, export edition, yellow indicators, buzzer for indicators, 1kg paint, no battery.
This car has an extensive history file with invoices going back to the 27th August 1979. At that time the car was owned by Mr LC Goodwin Esquire from Canberra in the ACT.
By May 1989 the car had found its way to Sydney where it was owned by Mr Louis Giouzepis from Concord. At the time the car was registered as OIM 599. In his ownership a new soft top was sourced from MB Classic in Mona Vale in November 1999.
In 2002 Giouzepis had Bavaria Cars in Gladesville, NSW carry out some rust repairs. Floor sections were cut out and replaced with new metal. Various other parts were sourced from the Netherlands. The rear bumper was also replaced and new overriders were fitted. Bavaria Cars also reconditioned the brake master cylinder.
In 2004 the car was listed for sale by the Classic Throttle Shop in Sydney. A copy of the listing is on file in which the car is described as Australian delivered. been pampered for the past 17 years by its owner little mileage since it was restored some years back.
The car was purchased by Richard Rains for his wife Penelope in October 2004. At that time the odometer read 24,681 km. There is an NRMA inspection report on file from when they purchased the car. Rains subsequently registered the car with the NSW plates AB49NZ and later with the personalised plates SL 1960. In their ownership the car was regularly serviced by Mercedes-Benz specialist Arthur Rizzo Motors in North Sydney.
The Rains used and enjoyed the car for next twelve years and then decided to sell it though Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Classic auction in May 2016.
The current owner was the high bidder when the gravel came down and the Mercedes-Benz 190SL was off to its new home in Melbourne.
At that stage the car was in need of some TLC and the new owner decided to engage the services of Mercedes-Benz specialist Reinhard Klavers. A major mechanical refurbishment was undertaken, which included refurbishment of the front suspension, an engine rebuilt which required re-sleeving the engine block as well as reconditioning the cylinder head and other miscellaneous mechanical works. The interior was also refreshed at this time. There are detailed invoices and photos on file for the work, which took some 18 months to complete. In total, nearly $80,000 was spent on the car.
The car lived between Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula and it was used sparingly over the next nine years, travelling an estimated 1,000 km during this time.
When this Mercedes-Benz 190SL arrived at our show room the brakes were not operating as they should. The car was sent to Three Point Classic in Mount Gravatt for assessment and repair. The brake booster was overhauled and the brakes were also adjusted. The engine was also tuned at the time.
At time of photographing the odometer read 28,083 km, which confirms that the car has only travelled 3,402 km since it was acquired by Richard Rains in October 2004.
Today this car presents and drives beautifully. It is not a concours car, rather a car that can be used and enjoyed.
The car has been repainted at some stage though it is not known when this was completed. We suspect it was at least 25 years ago, although its overall presentation suggests otherwise. The paint has retained a strong depth of colour and high gloss finish. When you look closely you will find a few small imperfections here and there, but you do have to look hard. Importantly the panel gaps are very good and the car also presents well underneath.
The rubbers are all in generally good condition, though the bailey channels look to be original and present accordingly.
The bright work on the car presents reasonably well, though there is some very light pitting and aging showing on some components. The front bumper and door trims have the most noticeable defects with some crazing and marks in the chrome.
The lights and lenses are all in very good condition. The glass is generally in good condition, with no significant chips or cracks, though we did notice some slight delamination at the top left of the windscreen.
The soft top on the car is in excellent condition and it fits exceptionally well. It was installed some 25 years ago but looks like it has never been out in the rain or the sun. The plastic window is still in excellent condition and shows no sign of any discoloration.
The steel wheels have dress rims and hubcaps fitted. They present well, though if you look closely you can see some minor paint chips on the rims, most likely caused by balancing weights. The wheels are shod with Maxxis MA-1 tyres, size 185/80R13 all around. The oldest one is date stamped 4120 (week 41, 2020) and the newest one is date stamped 5120 (week 51, 2020). The tyres are still in very good condition.
The interior on this car presents superbly. The blue upholstery is a perfect colour contrast to the ivory paint and the bakelight steering wheel. All the upholstery essentially presents as new, which is not surprising as it was all refreshed when the current owner acquired the car. The seats are comfortably firm and provide ample support. The dashboard is a real feature on a Mercedes-Benz 190SL and it presents really well on this car. The instruments are all crisp and clean. The steering wheel is in good condition, though the gear knob looks to be original and shows some wear. The blue carpet and rubber floor mats are also in very good condition.
Open the bonnet and the first thing you will notice is a pair of Weber 40 DCOE carburettors. At some stage the original Solex 44PHH carburettors have been replaced. This is a relatively common upgrade for 190SL owners who value reliability and performance more than originality. The engine bay presents well and everything is generally clean and tidy.
When starting the car from cold you do have to use the choke. You turn the ignition on, pull the choke out and then you press the starter button. The car will then start easily. You have to then push the choke back gently, but not all the way to find that sweet spot where the engine runs smoothly. Once the engine has warmed up you can push the choke all the way back.
Whilst this car presents beautifully, we were more impressed about how if drove. The Weber carburettor upgrade gets the thumbs up from us and everyone who has driven this car has commented about how well it drove. Whilst it is no 300SL, this car does have plenty of power on tap and it is in fact a really nice car to drive. When driving a 190SL one often finishes up by saying . . . a nice car to drive, but I wish it had more power. This wasnt the case in this car. The engine revs freely and feels strong. This is no real surprise seeing the car has only travelled a few thousand kilometres since the engine was completely rebuilt. The gearbox is smooth both up and down the box and the brakes, thanks to a recently rebuilt brake booster, pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
The current owner of this car has ticked his Mercedes-Benz 190SL ownership box and as a result this car is now looking for its next custodian.
Accompanying the car is a good history file, an owners manual, a hard top, jack and a spare wheel.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD example.
- Matching numbers (chassis, engine and body).
- Hard top / soft top.
- Finished in its original and timeless colour scheme.
- Ready use and enjoy.
Price: $279,950.
Background:
Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Europes car industry was decimated. In Germany both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post-war, however, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924, the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes-Benz was born!
Subsequently, Mercedes-Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The cars from Stuttgart bearing the three-pointed star all had one thing in common . . . they were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.
In the 1950s Mercedes Benz produced one of the greatest cars of all time the iconic 300SL Gullwing and 300SL Coupe. Whilst fabulous cars, they were very expensive and generally sold to the rich and famous. Mercedes wanted to build a sporting luxury car that still looked classical in the mould of the 300SL, but it had to be affordable and the plan was to build such a car in far greater numbers than the exclusive 300SLs. Enter the Type W121 or 190SL as it became known in the mid 1950s. This model was an outstanding success and circa 25,000 cars were built over the next 8 years of production. The formula worked and Mercedes Benz carried it on with great success in the 1960s with the Type W113 230SL/250SL/280SL models. This evolved into the Type R107/C107 280SL(C)/350SL(C)/380SL(C)/450SL(C) models built throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Mercedes-Benz marketed the 190SL as . . . as sports car for all seasons.
To quote their website:
. . . Sporting elegance, safety and comfort with these qualities the 190 SL conquered a whole new circle of enthusiastic fans of dynamic driving. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the prototype of the 190 SL (W 121) at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954, alongside the production version of the 300 SL Gullwing. Although the two-seater roadster with folding soft top stirred passions, it was to undergo a further thorough revision by the Mercedes-Benz designers known at the time as stylists.
In March 1955, a full year after the New York premiere, the production version went on display at the Geneva Motor Show. Like its elder brother, the spectacular 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL rapidly became one of the most coveted dream cars of its day. Although less powerful than the 300 SL, it generated no less excitement and opened up the SL legend to a wider circle of customers. By 1963 sales had totalled 25,881 units.
And even long-distance drives were enjoyable thanks to the comfortable suspension. The handsome sports car for all occasions was particularly popular among female drivers, who appreciated not only the sporting elegance of its design, but also the open-air feeling that came as standard. With its easy-to-operate soft top and optionally available coupé hardtop, the 190 SL was the first SL to combine the possibility of open-top driving with absolute all-weather capability.

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