OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

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

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.7 Manual

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to introduce you to Bambi, our 1968 Fiat 500 F. The car is being offered for sale from a deceased estate and in excess of 30 years of continuous ownership.
Unfortunately, the early history of this little Fiat is not known. What we do know is that it has been in the currently familys care since 1993.
When the car was acquired, it was a running and driving car, but in need of some cosmetic attention. The car was repainted, a new sun roof fitted and seat belts added for safety.
The owners were members of the Gold Coast Antique and Classic Auto Club and Bambi was regularly seen at club events back in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The owner of the car was a very well respected York Motors trained Mercedes-Benz mechanic who owned and operated his own Mercedes-Benz service business on the Gold Coast. As a result he maintained the car himself throughout his ownership.
Today this Fiat 500 can be best described as a nice driver quality car. From say a metre away the car presents well, but upon closer inspection there are some imperfections. The most noticeable imperfection is a small dent on the right rear wheel arch. There are very small defects, most likely micro blisters on most panels. You can feel them more than you can see them, but they are there. Both the front and rear bumper present well as do all the lights and lenses. All the glass on the car is in good condition with no scratches or cracks evident.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a simple but very presentable interior. The seats are in good condition with no cracks or tears evident in the vinyl. All the carpets are equally in good condition. The dashboard in a Fiat 500 is very basic. All you have is the speedo in front of you, which is in excellent condition, as well as a few switches to operate the lights, wipers and fan. The original steering wheel presents with a few small cracks.
The fabric roof is in good condition and it opens and closes easily.
In August 2024 new wheels were fitted and they are still in excellent condition with no signs of any kerb rash. They are shod with Pirelli Cinturato CN12 tyres, size 125 SR12. They are date stamped 2221 (week 22, 2021) and are in good condition.
At the same time the brakes were serviced, new front and rear wheel cylinders, new brake shoes, new brake hoses, new front and rear brake drums and a new brake master cylinder were fitted. The rear drive shafts were removed and new inner boots were fitted. All this work was done by the Classic Car Clinic on the Gold Coast.
Starting a Fiat 500 of this period is an interesting exercise. First you turn the ignition on using the key. You only need to use the choke to start the car from cold, which is activated by lifting the left lever located in between both seats. Then you lift the right lever located next to the choke, to start the car. The car starts easily even from cold and then quickly settles into a smooth idle.
It is not all about Italian V12 engines at Oldtimer Australia and we were looking forward to test driving this car. We are pleased to report that on our test drive the car did everything it was expected to do. The little 500cc engine revs freely and sounds really good. The gearbox takes a little getting used to as there is no synchro, however, you get the hang of it fairly quickly. The car handles and steers well, aided no doubt by the recently fitted Pirelli Cinturato tyres. The brakes work well and most importantly pull the car up in a straight line.
This is not a show car, rather a very well cared for and much loved driver quality car that can be used and enjoyed. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel. What a fun car to take to your local cars and coffee or just take out for a Sunday morning drive to your favourite café.
Accompanying the car is a spare wheel and a jack, a copy of an owners manual, and a Fiat 500 owners workshop manual.
It is time for Bambi to start a new adventure!
Highlights:
- Offered from continuous family ownership since 1993.
- Well sorted mechanically.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
- Great value classic.
Price $34,950.
Background:
Today Fiat is a subsidiary of Stellantis, a company formed in 2021 that is a merger of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and the PSA Group or Peugeot SA. Stellantis is based in The Netherlands and includes the following brands in its stable: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Mopar, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Fiat, which is an abbreviation for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, has a fascinating and rich history dating back to 1899. It was founded by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli on 11th July 1899. Later that year, the first ever Fiat production car, the Fiat 3½ HP was released. Over the next ten years Fiat went from strength to strength establishing itself as one of Europes major car manufacturers and the company was listed on the Milan stock exchange in 1903.
Over the last forty years the Fiat name has been synonymous with budget priced family cars. However, in the early years Fiat was recognised for building some of the worlds very best cars. In the early 1900s a Fiat cost more than four times the price of a Ford Model T. Post World War II Fiat built some world class sporting cars, including the Fiat 8V or Otto Vu of which just over 100 examples were built from 1952 through until 1954. Fiat always built cars with a sporting pedigree and many of their models were offered as a saloon, coupe or cabriolet.
In 1936 Fiat introduced the Fiat 500 A Topolino (or little mouse) which was then the smallest mass-produced car in the world. Its low price made it accessible to people who had never before been able to afford a car. These fabulous little cars pioneered what is today referred to as budget priced small cars. In addition to the 2-door sedan, there was also a transformable version with a sunroof and a van version originally created for the army.
The post-war period saw the launch of the 500 B in 1948, boasting a new engine and various technical innovations to improve performance and efficiency. But the novelty lay in its giardiniera version, a genuine compact family car with 4 seats and a big loading space when the back seat was down. The 500 C arrived in 1949, with an aluminium cylinder head, a heating system and especially a more modern body, in which the headlights were sunk into the front guards. The Topolino morphed into the Fiat 600 in 1955 and the Fiat 500 Nuova in 1957. The Nuova was produced from 1957 through until 1961. It featured a fabric roof which folded down to the rear of the vehicle, suicide doors and was powered by a 497cc engine generating 13 hp. The 500 Nuova was succeeded by the 500 D, which was produced from 1960 through until 1965. This was the last model with suicide doors. In 1965 the Fiat 500 F or Berlina was introduced. The 500 F was produced from 1965 through until 1973 and the fabric roof was also changed andnow only covered half of the roof. It also has an uprated engine bored out to 499cc generating 18hp.
The Fiat 500 was available as a two door saloon as well as a two door station wagon or estate (Giardiniera).

1968 FIAT 500 F

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1986 Lamborghini Jalpa.
According to the Lamborghini Registry this car was completed on the 24th November 1986 for Australian importer A.A. de Fina. The car was originally rosso (red paint code 215157) with a panna (cream) interior, which is how the car is presented today. The Australian compliance plate is dated 1/87.
The early history of this car is not definitively known, however, it is understood to have come from long term Sydney ownership. The car was then sold to another Sydney owner in circa 2005 before being sold by Oldtimer Australia to the Gosford Car Museum in July 2015. At that time the odometer read 45,005 km.
The current owner acquired the car from the Gosford Car Museum in early 2018. At that time the car presented well cosmetically, but it was a little tired.
In July 2018 Melbourne based classic Lamborghini specialist, Sports and Classic Car Services completed a major mechanical refresh of the car. They rebuilt the engine, which included reconditioning the cylinder heads and engine ancillaries, rebuilt the gearbox, installed new rear shock absorbers, replaced the brake hoses and installed new rear wheel bearings. At the same time a new Quicksilver exhaust system was installed. In total, $43,000 was spent on the car to bring it up to its current condition. At that time the odometer read 45,054 km.
In May 2020 Sports and Classic Car Services performed an annual service and safety check and at that time the odometer read 45,819 km. The next service was performed in June 2022 and at that time the odometer read 47,242 km.
The current owner has used the car sporadically in the last eighteen months and today the odometer reads 47,630km.
First impressions of this car are good, really good! Overall, it presents well. It is understood the car was repainted back in 2005 shortly after it changed hands. The rosso paint has retained a high gloss and a strong dept of colour. However, if you look closely you will notice some small paint imperfections. The most noticeable one is on the edge of the B pillar on the drivers side and there are some small paint bubbles on the rear bumper. The Lamborghini badge on the front is showing its age and is the first thing we would replace! The Lamborghini and Jalpa badges on the rear of the car are in good condition. All the glass presents well with no cracks or delamination evident. The targa top is in very good condition.
The original and quite unique Route Oz wheels present well. There is some very minor curb rash visible, but nothing too noticeable. The front wheels are shod with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, size 205/55 R16. These are date stamped 5117 (week 51, 2017). The rear wheels are shod with Hankook Ventus RS4 tyres, size 225/50 R16. These are date stamped 1221 (week 12, 2021). Both the front and rear tyres are still in good condition.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a sharp and very good looking interior. The interior was refreshed less than twelve months ago and as a result the seats present well and are in very good condition with no rips, tears or cracks evident. They are surprisingly comfortable and provide ample support. The matching door cards are also in very good condition. The seats and door cards are both trimmed with red piping, which is so eighties and as the car was finished new. The matching carpets are also in very good condition with no excessive wear evident.
The dash presents well and the top has not been affected by the harsh Australian sun. There are no cracks evident nor is there any discoloration. Overall the instruments and controls present well and appear to be in good working order. A known problem with Italian cars from this period is that the needles on the speedo and the tacho have a tendency to warp. Both instruments on this car are slightly warped, but both are working and look to read correctly. The metal gear shifter gate is showing its age and is something we would have cleaned up and polished. The Nardi steering wheel is most likely original and generally in good condition, though there are a few cracks appearing in the leather. A good leather doctor would attend to this easily.
Under the front bonnet everything is very original. Unfortunately, the space saver spare wheel is missing.
The engine bay presents well and behind it, underneath the rear spoiler, youll find the boot, which whilst relatively small is bigger than it looks! There is plenty of room for a few overnight bags. The boot retains its original carpet and is in quite good condition.
Shortly after the car arrived at our showroom, we found a break in the inclement Brisbane weather and were able to get it out for a quick test drive and photo shoot. The car starts easily, even from cold. The Quicksilver exhaust system has a fabulous note to it without being too noisy. Out on the road the car drives easily and the more you drive it the more you like it! The engine has loads of power and the gear changes are smooth, both up and down the box. The steering feels precise and is not too heavy. We did notice the AC was not working and upon further investigation we discovered that the hoses have been disconnected and the compressor is missing.
Whilst the car runs and drives well, it would benefit from a tune and it probably needs to used and enjoyed more regularly.
In 2019 Motortrend wrote an interesting article about the Jalpa called Driving the Lamborghini Jalpa: A Classic Supercar Worth Remembering. In the article the Jalpa is described as . . . an intriguing car with a beguiling personality far different from the bigger, better-known Lamborghinis. In the article automotive historian Massimo Delbo describes the Jalpa as . . . simply and enigmatically: If you know, you know. Unfortunately, the Jalpa was introduced at the wrong time, America was pulling out of a recession and people favoured its bigger brother the Countach or even Ferraris entry level car, the 328. As far as the nouveau riche were concerned, there was only one Lamborghini worth considering. Motortrend questions this; Was their belief correct? The Jalpa is arguably the better sports car, a ballerina compared to the brutish Countach. The author, after his test drive, states: Given the choice between a Countach and a Jalpa a guy can dream, right? I know which I would pick. A week ago, my answerwould have been different, but now I know and hopefully you do, too.
With only 410 examples ever made and approximately 35 in right hand drive, the Jalpa is indeed a very rare car.
Here is a unique opportunity to own an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example and become part of the small group of people who can experience first hand how good and how much fun this junior super car is to own and drive.
This car wont win a concours, but it is a really nice example that presents and drives well. It can be used as is or easily taken to the next level should one desire to do so.
What a fabulous alternative to a Ferrari 308 / 328!
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example.
- Major mechanical work, including engine rebuild, in July 2018.
- Quicksilver exhaust system fitted.
- Recent interior refresh.
- Join an exclusive club.
Price $164,950.
Background:
The Lamborghini story is fascinating in itself, but for the company to have survived all these years and indeed celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013 is quite amazing. Ferruccio Lamborghini was an entrepreneur, a very successful businessman and a lover of the finer things in life, including sports cars. He was fortunate enough to own some wonderful cars including Ferraris however, he found fault with them all. According to the legend following a meeting with Enzo Ferrari to discuss some of the short comings of his cars Enzo dismissed Ferruccio and he subsequently decided that he could build a better car.
Not long after, in May 1963, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SPA was established and the small town of SantAgata Bolognese, located between Modena and Bologna, was chosen as the location to build the factory. Born under the Zodiac sign Taurus Lamborghini chose the raging bull as the emblem for his sports cars.
Lamborghini knew what he wanted and he put together a highly skilled team. His first car the 350 GTV was shown at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963. This car received mixed reviews; however, Lamborghini was not deterred and made a number of improvements and design changes to the original concept. The first Lamborghini production car the 350 GT left the factory in mid-1964.
The 350 GT evolved into the 400 GT 2+2 and later the Islero. In parallel to building these classic front engine V12 GT cars Lamborghini wanted to build a super car, enter the Miura first shown as a rolling chassis in 1965, and also a GT car that could comfortably seat four people, enter the Espada in 1968. The mid to late sixties were good times for Lamborghini and his cars were revered the world over.
In 1970 the Islero was replaced by the Jarama. Lamborghini also wanted to enter the junior supercar market and introduced the Urraco or little bull, named for the fighting bull which killed the toreador Manoleten, at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. The Urraco attracted huge interest from the motoring world and Bertones classic wedge shape received critical acclaim at the time.
It wasnt until some two years later, in 1972, that the first production cars rolled off the Sant Agata production line. Lamborghini hoped to build the Urraco in big numbers, however, this never eventuated and only 520 of the P250s were built up until 1975 when the P300 was released. The world economy changed quickly and the early 1970s were a tough time for Lamborghini. Additionally, the Urraco had some teething problems early on and the car unfortunately developed a reputation as unreliable. This was perhaps unfair as once Lamborghini ironed out the bugs the car was in fact a little gem and properly sorted was a genuine threat to Ferraris 308, Maseratis Merak and the Porsche 911 of the day. The Urraco P300 was indeed a fabulous little car and in Sports Car World magazine July September 1976 Mel Nichols wrote: . . . I was not hard pressed to conclude that the Urraco 3-litre is the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. In the October 1978 issue of Car Magazine Nichols pits the Lamborghini Urracoagainst a Ferrari 308 GTB and a Maserati Merak SS. The article is compelling reading and Nichols picks the Urraco as his favourite. Only 205 Urraco P300s were built. Lamborghini also built 66 Urraco P200s (with a 2 litre V8 engine) specifically for the Italian market.
The Lamborghini Silhouette was a further development of the Urraco and it was first shown at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show. The Silhouette was a genuine 2 seater and the 2+2 seating of the Urraco was removed to allow space behind the seats to store the targa top. The Silhouette is one of the rarest Lamborghinis with only 54 cars built, of which only ten were factory right hand drive.
Lamborghinis last iteration of their V8 engined junior supercar was the Jalpa (pronounced YAWL-pa), named after another breed of fighting bull. The Jalpa was introduced at the 1981 Geneva show and 410 examples were built spanning seven years from 1982 through to 1988. Of these it is understood that only 35 left the factory as right hand drive and perhaps there are 10 in Australia.

1986 LAMBORGHINI JALPA

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1981 Maserati Kyalami with a 4.9 litre engine and an automatic gearbox.
There is confirmation on file from Maserati Classiche that this particular car was completed on the 16th February 1981 and it was finished in Blue Sera (dark blue) with a white leather interior. A colour scheme the car still caries today.
This particular example is one of the four factory right hand drive Maserati Kyalamis which were delivered new in South Africa. It is understood to be one of only 11 factory right hand drive Kyalamis built with a 4.9 litre engine and an automatic gearbox, making it an exceptionally rare car.
Unfortunately the early South African history of this car is not known. It was understood to have come from a long term owner in Cape Town who sold it in circa 2008 to an architect, also based in Cape Town. Interestingly, he also owned a yellow Maserati Merak SS at the same time. The car was then sold in c2011 through Motostars in Cape Town to a client based in Johannesburg. It was then registered in the Gauteng Province as CL15GS GP.
The current owner, who is a well known and a well respected Maserati enthusiast based in Melbourne, purchased the car from classic car specialists Crossley & Webb, in Cape Town in August 2020. At the time of import the odometer read 16,418 km. There is an import approval on file dated 12th March 2021.
The car was imported into Queensland and subsequently complianced and registered. It was then sent to Maranello Pursang Motors in Melbourne who did some minor repairs on the car. The transmission was serviced, which included replacing thee selector seal and lever seals, the speedo drive was repaired, the thermos fans were repaired, a new windscreen washer bottle was installed, new sparkplugs were installed and the carburettors were adjusted.
Today the odometer reads 17,715 km, which is understood to be 117,715 km. The car looks to be totally original both inside and out and is in very good condition for an original car that is forty two year old!
Like its predecessor, the Mexico, the Pietro Frua designed Kyalami is subtle, but elegantly striking at the same time. No matter where you start, your eye is ultimately drawn to the long raking bonnet, with its multiple crease lines and subtle curvature which terminates at the Maserati trident on the front grill.
The colour of Blue Sera suits the car perfectly and it looks absolutely stunning out in the sun. The paint work presents well from a meter away and in the photos but upon closer inspection there are a few stone chips, small scratches and blemishes here and there. The one most noticeable is on the lower section of the drivers door. The paint still has a strong depth of colour and a nice deep gloss to it. The bright work on the car is generally in good condition. The rubber section of the bumpers show some light wear and discolouration. The front Maserati badge is worn and should be replaced. The panel gaps are very good, there are no dents and no signs of corrosion. The wheels are a real feature on a Maserati Kyalami and they have been recently refurbished and are in excellent condition. They are currently shod with Federal 215/65/15 tyres which are date stamped 094 (week 09 1994). They would be due for replacement based on age. All the glass, including the lenses on the lights are in goodcondition. We did notice a small chip on the front windscreen which has been repaired at some stage. Fortunately, it is almost at the bottom of the windscreen and not noticeable when you drive the car.
The interior of this car presents exceptionally well and its condition belies its age and originality. The upholstery has aged gracefully and the leather still remains soft and supple. There are no tears or cracks in the leather and the seats still provide ample support. All the instruments present well and appear to be in a good working order. The light blue Alcantara dashboard, which is in excellent condition, is definitely a feature and really suits the car. Even the carpet is in good condition. The Maserati badge on top of the gear selector is worn and is something we would replace. The air conditioning system in Italian cars of this period was never great, but we are pleased to say it is working and it is blowing cold air.
The engine bay is neat, clean and tidy. Like the rest of the car, everything under the bonnet is also very original. The car retains its trademark diamond patterned under bonnet matting, and the often missing knurled air cleaner nuts. Importantly, all of the ID plates remain in place. The boot is similarly presented and it looks to have been sparingly used. The diamond patterned matting and carpets are all in good condition.
After taking the time to admire the interior, we make ourselves comfortable behind the wheel in preparation to take the car out for a test drive. It should be noted that the driving position is excellent. The car starts easily and fairly quickly settles into a smooth idle. The big V8 sounds fabulous. It has an exhaust note that means business, but in a sophisticated kind of way. This is no muscle car. We impatiently allow the car some time to warm up and then we put the gear selector into drive. First impressions are really positive. The engine has loads of power on tap and the gear changes up and down the box are smooth. Out on the open road the car is a very comfortable and it is a very easy and really nice car to drive. Back to the engine . . . when pushed, the big V8 will bark, but driven sedately you can hear the engine without it being too noisy. We were really impressed with how the car drove on our test drive. It just goes about its business in a very efficient, almost Germanic way. The carfeels solid on the road, it handles well and importantly it also stops easily and in a straight line when you hit the brakes. A new set of tyres would also further improve the drive of the car.
We did notice a slight nocking noise at low speed which appears to originate from the drive shaft. This could very well be a universal joint which needs replacing. The brakes are also a little squeaky which can most likely be rectified by changing the brake pads.
Accompanying the car is its spare wheel, jack kit and some recent documentation.
Highlights:
- Rare, factory right hand drive example (one of only 44 produced).
- Desirable 4.9 litre engine (one of 21 RHD produced).
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Very original car.
- Great value for money classic Maserati.
Price: $59,950
Background:
The Maserati story is a fascinating one. It is the story of a family with daring, courageous and forward-thinking ideas. The story starts with Rodolfo Maserati, a railway engineer who was employed by the Italian monarchy and the father of seven sons who all had a passion for engine design and racing cars. The Maserati brothers all became involved in the automotive industry in some way or another, however, it was on the 1st of December 1914 that Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati officially opened Alfieri Maserati Workshop in Bologna, Italy.
Maserati chose the trident logo to adorn its cars. Its design was based on the Fountain of Neptune in Bolognas Piazza Maggiore. The colours chosen for the logo were also the colours of Bologna, red and blue.
The business was focused on repairing, servicing and preparing cars, however, the World War cut business short and it wasnt until 1926 that Maserati built its first car, the Tipo 26.
It was all about motorsport back then and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired ownership of Maserati which was in desperate need of financial backing to be able to survive. During the Orsi years Maserati grew from a boutique but very successful race car builder to one of the worlds leading manufacturers of hand-built sports and GT cars.
Maserati built its first road car in 1946 even though times were tough in post War northern Italy. The car was the Maserati A6 where A was for Alfieri and 6 for the number of cylinders. The initial reception of the car was positive and a production Maserati A6/1500 was then shown at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
This was a significant milestone in the Maserati legend and subsequent models included the A6G/2000, 3500 series cars, 5000GT, Mistral. Quattroporte, Mexico, Sebring and Ghibli. Maserati also continued to build very successful race cars that dominated tracks around the world including the 250F, 300S, 150S, 450S and the Birdcage.
Orsi sold to Citroen in 1969. Maserati built some fabulous cars during Citroens ownership (including the Indy, Bora, Merak and Khamsin), however, times were tough and the company struggled financially. Citroen placed Maserati into liquidation in May 1975 and it was ultimately saved by the Italian government and Alejandro de Tomaso took control shortly thereafter. Under de Tomasos watch the first new Maserati was the Kyalami, so named after the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa where a Maserati powered Cooper T81 had won the 1967 South African Grand Prix. The Kyalami was based on the De Tomaso Longchamp. Pietro Frua was commissioned to re-style the car and give it that traditional Maserati look and feel. The Kyalami was seen as a true successor to the Mexico. It was built from 1976 through until 1983 and during this time only 201 cars were built. Of these 44 were RHD. 30 of the RHD cars were destined for the UK market, 7 for the Australian market, 4 for the South African market and 3 forHong Kong. Of the 44 RHD cars, 21 were fitted with the 4.9 engine. 10 were fitted with a manual gearbox and 11 with an automatic gearbox.

1981 MASERATI KYALAMI 4.9

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this rather cool 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2) coupe.
This particular car was imported into Australia in May 2012 by Mr Tony Ireland from Townsville in North Queensland. Ireland was the dealer principal of Holden dealer Tony Ireland in Townsville. He acquired the car from Bill Strasek Chevrolet in Illinois in the USA. There is an Australian Import Approval on file dated 5th July 2012. Unfortunately, the cars American history is not known, other than the previous owner is noted as Jacquelyn Jagielski from E Dundee, Illinois.
The current owner acquired the car from Ireland in 2015. At that time the odometer read 9,096 miles.
After acquiring the car, he entered the car into the International Mark of Excellence Judging Meet in Brisbane organised by NCRS Australia Inc. The event was held on 16th and 17th of April 2016. The car scored an impressive 90.2% and was awarded the Second Flight Award. It was also awarded the Ladies Choice Award.
We have deciphered the information from the cars chassis number, engine number and the information on the data plate and can confirm the following.
The chassis number confirms this is a 1964 Corvette Coupe which was built in the St. Louis factory.
The engine number confirms the power plant is a 327 cubic inch, 300hp engine which is mated to a manual gearbox.  It also confirms that the engine was built in the Flint factory in Michigan on the 18th February 1964.
The Data Plate tells us this Corvette was a coupe built on the 12th March 1964 that was painted Daytona Blue (paint code 916A) with a dark blue vinyl interior (trim code 490J).
All this information confirms this to be a very original Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2) coupe that is presented today essentially as it left the St. Louis factory back in 1964. The car retains its original colour scheme of Daytona Blue with a dark blue interior as well as its original matching numbers engine.
Today the odometer reads 11,939 miles.
Walking up to the car you cannot help but being impressed by its appearance. Daytona Blue is a perfect colour for a C2 Corvette. The car presents well from say a meter away, but on closer inspection it does have paint defects. There are small blemishes, which are most likely micro blisters that are most noticeable on the front guards and the nose of the car. Both doors show some light crazing. The defects are most likely caused by an incorrect preparation of the fibre glass body or primer when the car was repainted. All the external trim, including the bright work on the car is in excellent condition. The metal sill strip on each side of a C2 Corvette is often damaged, however, on this car this is not the case. The glass is all in very good condition with no cracks evident.
Importantly, all the panel gaps are good, even at the top of the doors, often a weak point on a C2 Corvette.
The wheels are shod with Goodyear Regatta 2 tyres, size 205/75 R15. The tyres are still in good condition though they are date stamped 2006 (week 20, 2006) and probably should be replaced based on age if the car is to be driven on a regular basis.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very good original looking interior. The seats and door cards are in excellent condition with no cracks or tears evident in the vinyl. The seats are comfortable and provide ample support. The carpets are also in excellent condition with no wear or marks visible. The hard plastic surfaces, including the dash and centre console are in very good condition with no cracks. All the instruments are clear and on our test drive they all appear to be in good working order with the exception of the amp meter.
The boot is also very well presented and looks to have been sparingly used, if at all.
The car starts easily, even from cold. This vintage of Corvettes looks great they also sound great! When you start the big V8 that distinctive rumble always puts a smile on your face. Out on the road this Corvette is an absolute joy to drive. The engine has plenty of power on tap and it has excellent throttle response. The clutch is easy to use and the gear change is positive with a robust feel and good synchromesh. The steering displays the vagueness typical of most American cars of this period, but you get acclimatised to it quickly. The brakes work well and pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
This car has definitely been looked after. Overall it presents well, though it is a shame that the presentation of the paintwork is not up to the level of the rest of the car. This Corvette car can be used and enjoyed as is or easily taken to the next level by addressing the paint issues.
We should mention that the car was recently on display at the Brisbane Motor Museum in Banyo, where it was very well received.
We think the car is very competitively priced and offers a great opportunity for its next custodian.
Highlights:
- Very original example.
- Presented in its original colour scheme.
- Matching numbers chassis and engine.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed by its next owner.
Price $129,950
Background:
The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded in Detroit, USA in 1911 by Swiss race car driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet, his brother Arthur Chevrolet, William C Durant and investment partners William Little (maker of the Little automobile), former Buick owner James H. Whiting and Dr Edwin R Campbell (son-in-law of Durant). In 1912 they were joint by RS McLaughlin, CEO of General Motors in Canada.
The first Series C Classic Six prototype was ready months before Chevrolet was actually incorporated. However, the first actual production car was not built until 1913 when in the fall of that year the new 1913 model was introduced at the New York Auto Show.
The company was merged into General Motors in 1917 and subsequently became a division of that company. Chevrolet is an iconic American brand that is well known the world over.
The 1950s and 1960s were a time of great change in America and the automobile played a significant part in the American way of life at that time. Chevrolet is recognised as producing the great American family car, however, Chevys have also enjoyed much success in motor racing. The small block V8 is considered by many to be one of the greatest engines of all time and the Corvette is perhaps the companys crowning achievement.
In the 1950s sales were declining and brand manager Thomas Keating was eager to reverse course. The solution he came up with was a sports car. The project was code named Project Opel. General Motors' chief stylist Harley J. Earl came up with the design and in January 1953 the EX-122 concept car made its debut at the GM Motorama in New York City.
The Chevrolet Corvette is without doubt Americas most popular sports car. Since its introduction in 1953, the Corvette has gone through many iterations and is an automotive icon recognised throughout the world. The first generation, or C1 series cars, were produced from 1953 to 1962 and are often referred to as the straight axel cars because independent rear suspension was not introduced until 1963 on the second generation or C2 series cars. 1962 was an important year for the Corvette. Not only was it the last year of the C1 series cars as noted above, it was the first year of the legendary 327 cubic inch engine.
The C2 was produced from 1963 through until 1967 and 117,964 examples were produced during that period.
The early Corvettes are becoming sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike and finding original and unmolested cars is becoming difficult.

1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Sting Ray C2

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this Australian delivered 1962 Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90 coupe.
The Kardex on file confirms this car was delivered new through Porsche dealer Hamilton in Melbourne to Mr J Robertson in Toorak (Melbourne), Victoria. It has a birth date/delivery date of 23rd October 1962 and it was delivered new in Bali Blau (paint code 6212) with a red leatherette interior.
Today the car is presented in that exact colour scheme.
The Kardex notes the following options: RHD, green tinted windscreen, chrome strips and disc wheels.
After having spent time in Melbourne, this car found its way to Brisbane, Queensland in the early 1990s and into the ownership of Reg Cullen from Kenmore in Brisbanes west. It is understood that at that time the car had been repainted in Oslo Blau.
It is understood that when Cullen acquired the car it no longer had its original Super 90 engine fitted. He wanted to return the car to be as original as possible and went on the hunt for a suitable Super 90 engine. He got lucky and found an engine that coincidentally was numbered very close to the original engine that would have been in the car. Between 1992 and 1995 that engine was completely rebuild with lots of new parts. There are invoices on file for the parts acquired and the work completed.
Cullen subsequently used and enjoyed his Porsche and it was regularly serviced by Wayne Park Auto & Tyres in Milton (Brisbane). The earliest service invoice on file from Wayne Park is dated 28th June 2005 and at that time the odometer read 62,571 km.
Cullen kept the car until November 2014. After just over 20 years of ownership he sold the car to John Walker from Clayfield (Brisbane). At that time the odometer read 83,584 km. At that time the car was a little tired. Walker addressed the cars mechanical needs first and sent the car to well respected Porsche specialists DHM in Tennyson (Brisbane) who overhauled the front suspension, fitted a new steering damper, overhauled the brake master cylinder, fitted new tie rod ends and fitted retractable seatbelts.
Walker used and enjoyed the car for about twelve months and at the end of 2015 decided to embark on a cosmetic restoration. He wanted to return the car to its original colour of Bali Blau. It was immediately apparent that this project was not going to be a quick strip and repaint.
The task of repairing the body and preparing it for painting was entrusted to Dennis Laing. When the car was stripped back to bare metal one could see that time had taken its toll on this 356. There are numerous invoices on file showing the various pieces of sheet metal that had to be replaced before the body could be prepared for painting.
The overall project was a significant and very time consuming task which, including painting the car, took nearly 900 hours to complete.
Following the cosmetic restoration the car was used sparingly.
The current Brisbane based owner, who is a well known Porsche 356 tragic, acquired the car in February 2023 and at that time the odometer read 62 km.
After acquiring the car he sent it to his preferred mechanic who went over the car and sorted out a few issues relating to is lack of use over the last seven years. He also had a 123 electronic distributor installed.
Over the last two and a bit years the current owner has continued to improve the car and has taken it to a near concours level.
As a testament to the condition and presentation of the car it was accepted into the 2024 Noosa Concours DElegance and the 2025 Sydney Harbour Concours DElegance. It was exceptionally well received at both events.
The current owner has enjoyed his time and journey with this Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90 coupe, however, he has now decided to move in a different direction.
At the time of photographing the car, the odometer read 1,912 km.
Whilst colour is obviously a personal choice, we think that Porsche 356s are very colour sensitive. We also think that Bali Blau with a red interior is a perfect colour combination for a Porsche 356. It just gives the car a very elegant and distinctive appearance.
Even though this car was repainted some 8 years ago now, the paint still looks fresh and it presents really well. It has retained its strong depth of colour and its high gloss finish. When you look up close youll find some very minor imperfections which are consistent with a car that has been well taken care of but at the same time used and enjoyed the way its maker intended. The panel gaps on the car are all really good and the doors open and close easily.
All the bright work on the car is in good condition. The same can be said for all the glass. It is clear with no chips or cracks evident. All the lights and lenses are also in good condition.
The wheels are good condition with no sign of any kerb rash. They are shod with Dunlop sport classic tyres size 185/60 R15. The tyres are date stamped 2221 (week 22, 2021) and are still in very good condition.
When you open the door you cant help but being impressed with the interior. The red leatherette seats contrast nicely with the blue dashboard and the beige carpets. The seats are still in very good condition with no cracks or tears in the fabric. They are comfortable and still provide ample support. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used. The dashboard presents well and all the instruments are clean, crisp and appear to be in good working order. It even still has its original factory gearshift lock.
Porsche 356s look cool but they are also great fun to drive. This is a car well known to Oldtimer Australia and we were curious to see if this one drives as good as it looks. We were not disappointed!
As with all 356s still running their original 6 volt electrical system, it takes a few attempts to start the car when the engine is cold. You wonder for a split second if the engine will fire, but it does and then it quickly settles into a smooth idle. That unique 356 sound draws a smile as you wait patiently for the mechanicals to warm up.
For those not familiar with Porsche 356s, there is a big difference between the performance of cars with a base model 1600 engine which delivers around 60 hp and a 1600 Super 90 which delivers about 90 hp. That extra power makes the Super 90 so much better to drive and this car has plenty of power on tap. The engine revs freely and the car has excellent throttle response. It is surprisingly spritely! Equally important in a 356 is the gearbox. A tired gearbox with sloppy linkages takes much of the fun away from the driving experience. The gear changes on this car are direct and they are smooth both up and down the box. The suspension feels tight, the steering is relatively direct and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line.
It is our pleasure to be able to offer for sale this lovely Australian delivered 1962 Porsche 356 B T6 Super 90.
This car is ready for its next owner to show, use and enjoy.
Accompanying the car is a good history file dating all the way back to 1992, an owners manual, service booklet (that may or may not be original to this car), a spare wheel, jack and tool kit.
Highlights
- An Australian delivered, factory RHD 356 B.
- Desirable Super 90 model.
- Finished in its original and stunning colour scheme.
- Sorted, ready to show, use & enjoy.
Price $234,950.
Background:
The Porsche story is a fascinating one and its roots go back to the 1930s when Professor Ferdinand Porsche was instrumental in the design of the first Volkswagen and also Auto Union race cars. By 1939 he had built three Porsche cars to compete in the 800-mile race from Berlin to Rome. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled due to the war and Porsche was forced to focus on supporting the German war effort, however, he had always wanted to build his own cars. In 1944 Porsche was forced to leave Stuttgart and he set up a small operation in Gmünd, Austria. Soon after the Porsche family and many of their engineers were captured and sent to jail. Ferdinand Porsches son. Ferdinand junior, or Ferry as he was known, was released six months later and he returned to Gmünd to rebuild the family company. Things moved quickly and Porsche was involved with cars again and in mid-1948 the first Porsche 356 was built. It is understood Porsche built some 50 aluminium bodied cars by hand in their small factory at Gmündbefore relocating back to Stuttgart, Germany in 1949.
Instead of building the body of the car himself Porsche decided to collaborate with an old partner, the body manufacturing company Reutter who had both the expertise and infrastructure to mass produce the bodies for the 356 coupe and cabriolet.
Nowadays, the first series of the 356, built from 1948 through until 1955 are known as the 356 Pre A.
In 1955 the 356 A was introduced. The internal factory designation for this model was Type 1 which was quickly adapted by enthusiasts who referred to the 356 A as the T1. The 356 A became available as a coupe, cabriolet and a Speedster. Buyers had the choice between a 1,300cc and a 1,600cc engine and later the Super version.
A second revision of the 356 A was introduced early in 1957. It became known as the Type 2 (or T2). Late 1958 the Speedster was replaced by the Convertible D which was now build by coachbuilder Drauz. In late 1959 the 356 A was replaced by the 356 B. The 356 B was available as a coupe, cabriolet and roadster, with each body style available with a number of different engine options.
The last revision of the 356 was the 356 C introduced for the 1964 model year.
The 356 remained in production through until 1965 and evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built.

1962 PORSCHE 356B T6 Super 90

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a beautifully restored 1937 Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe.
This particular example was first registered in the UK on 22nd February 1937 and it carried the registration number AJB 282. According to documentation in the history file the car was originally black in colour. The Lagonda Club in the UK has an entry for this car in their Club books from 1953. Interestingly at that time the car had already had an engine change. The Club books entry from 1953 states the car has an engine which came out of a Lagonda LG45 Rapide. The LG45 Rapide which had this engine originally fitted is also still known within the Lagonda Club. The factory performed that engine swap to the later LG6 engine on that car and it is not unlikely that the factory also performed the engine swap on the Lagonda LG45. However, there is no record confirming this.
In 1965 the car was purchased by Frederick William Gover from Feilding, a small town on New Zealands north island who subsequently imported the car into New Zealand. There is an import approval on file from New Zealand dated 17th November 1965. The car arrived in New Zealand in March 1966 on the Fremantle Star. The car was subsequently registered in New Zealand as EV 9662. A few years later Gover sold the car to AB Johnstone who lived in Auckland, New Zealand.
On the 26th of October 1979 the car was purchased by Peter Briggs, who at that time was amassing what was to become one of Australias leading car collections. He shipped the car to Australia on the Liberty Union in November 1979. The car was initially displayed at the York Motor Museum and from 2002 at the Fremantle Motor Museum. When purchased by Briggs, the car was silver grey with a black hood and dark green interior.
The car was sold in 2009 to a well-known Perth based Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast / collector who subsequently embarked on a nut and bolt restoration. The car was stripped back to bare metal and the engine was disassembled and rebuilt with new parts. The owner chose to change the colour on the car and had it painted in the most stunning two tone blue colour scheme. The interior was retrimmed with tan leather which provides a perfect colour contrast. The colour combination really suits the car and it is even more striking in the flesh than in the photos! The car was used sparingly throughout his ownership before being sold by Oldtimer Australia in May 2024.
Interestingly, the current owner, who resides in Pebble Beach, California in the USA owned the Lagonda LG45 Rapide from which the engine in this car was originally from. He purchased the car and completed an engine swap. This car is now fitted with a later LG6 engine that had been fitted to his Lagonda LG45 Rapide for many many years.
Even though this car now carries an older restoration, it still presents exceptionally well. The paintwork is vibrant and defects are hard to find. The chrome is a real feature on these early Lagondas, particularly the front grill, lights and horns. It is all in good condition as is all of the external trim. The wire wheels on this car are another feature and are in excellent condition. They are shod with Dunlop 6.00/6.50-18 tyres.
Inside the cabin of this car it is all class. The leather upholstery, carpets and timber all present freshly with little or no wear evident. The Lagonda badged Smiths instruments are crisp and clean and all look to be in working order. The soft top tonneau is a very good fit and the soft top itself, which has never been used, is in excellent condition.
Under the grand bonnet the engine bay is clean and well presented.
When new, this car had a built in jacking system. This was not installed when the car was restored.
The LG6 engine has just been installed into the car by highly respected Perth based vintage car specialist Kevin Cochrane. He has fettled and tuned the engine which is running like a Swiss watch!
The starting procedure for this Lagonda is relatively easy for a vintage car of this period. You require the mixture to be set to strong for a cold start, the ignition needs to be turned on and after allowing some time to prime the carburettors the engine bursts into life at the first push of the starter button. The power plant is a Meadows 4,453cc straight six engine quoted as delivering a very healthy 140 bhp and capable of propelling the car to a top speed of around 100 mph.
The Lagonda LG45 is quite a big car and it most certainly has a presence on the road. This car runs and drives superbly. You get the hang of the central accelerator pedal quite quickly and the car is relatively easy to drive. The engine has plenty of power on tap and the car easily keeps up with modern traffic. The gearbox, which has synchro on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear, is a long throw but quite direct. The steering is heavy, but once on the move this British classic is great fun to drive.
Since its restoration this Lagonda LG45 has been sparingly used and today it still presents as a fresh restoration.
Oldtimer Australia is privileged to offer for sale this rare and exciting world market pre war classic.
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented and rare Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe.
- Previously owned by Peter Briggs and displayed at his York and Fremantle motor museums.
- Beautifully restored to a very high standard.
- Ready to show, rally, use and enjoy.
Price $329,950
Details:
Wilbur Gunn was born in 1859 in the Shawnee settlement Lagonda in modern day Springfield, Ohio, USA. Gunn was a former opera singer who became a British national in 1891. After moving to the UK, Gunn further pursued a career as an artist and singer. Fortunately, he wasnt that successful and in 1898 he started building motorcycles. Gunn was quite successful building motorcycles, so much so that a Lagonda represented Great Britain in international cup races. In 1905 he won the London Edinburgh trail. In 1906 Gunn founded a company and he started building cars. The name Lagonda was the Shawnee Indian name for what is now Buck Creek in Gunns native Springfield, Ohio and Gunn decided to use that name for his company. His first car was launched in 1907, the Lagonda 20HP, 6 cylinder Torpedo. The car was quite a success and in 1910 Gunn won the Moscow St Peterburgs trial in the car. That win resulted in quite a few export orders from Russia.
Already in the prewar period Lagonda started producing some very advanced cars. In 1913 the company introduced 11.1, a small car with a 1,099cc four cylinder engine. By 1914 this model featured a panhard rod, a rivetted unibody body and the first ever fly off handbrake.
After World War I, production of the 11.1 continued. The car evolved into the 11.9, which had a larger 1400cc engine and standard electric lighting. The 11.9 was built until 1923 and the updated 12 until 1926.
After Gunn had passed away in 1920, three existing directors took charge of the company led by Colin Parbury. In 1925 Lagonda produced its first sports model, the 14/60 which featured a twin cam 1,954 cc four cylinder engine and hemispherical combustion chambers. It was superseded by the 2.0 litre speed model with a higher output engine in 1927. By 1930 that car could be ordered with a supercharger. A lengthened chassis version, the 16/65, with 6 cylinder, 2.4 litre engine was available from 1926 to 1930. The final car of the 1920s was the 3.0 Litre using a 2931cc, 6 cylinder engine. This continued until 1933 when the engine grew to 3,181 cc and was also available with a complex 8 speed Maybach transmission as the Selector Special.
A new model for 1933 was the 16-80 using a 2-litre Crossley engine with pre selector gearbox from 1934. A new small car, the Rapier came along in 1934 with 1,104cc engine and pre selector gearbox. This lasted until 1935 but more were made until 1938 by a separate company. At the other extreme was the near 100mph, 4.5 litre M45 with Meadows supplied 6 cylinder 4,467cc engine. An out and out sporting version the M45R Rapide, with tuned M45 engine and a shorter chassis was also offered. Car dealer Arthur Fox entered two Lagonda M45Rs into the 1935 Le Mans 24-hour race and despite suffering from damaged steering and having hardly any oil left in the engine, the Lagonda driven by John Hindmarsh and Luís Fontes won that years race.
Alan P Good managed to purchase the company in 1935, outbidding Rolls-Royce. He then also managed to persuade WO Bentley to leave Rolls-Royce and join Lagonda as a Technical Director. The 4.5-litre range now became the LG45 and under Bentleys technical direction the big Lagonda became more refined gaining synchromesh gears, flexible engine mounts and centralised chassis lubrication among many other improvements. Endowed with such an impeccable pedigree, the Lagonda LG45 quickly established itself as a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its day.
Between 1935 and 1937 only 278 LG45s were built of which only a small number were drophead coupes.

1937 LAGONDA LG45 Drophead Coupe

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 $399,950
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:
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 this extremely rare and unique 1968 Fiat 125S Samantha by Vignale.
The Samantha was the brainchild of Vignale designer Virginio Vairo. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Vignale was one of Italys leading coachbuilders, designing and/or building cars for the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia and Fiat. Virginio Vairo most famed designs, which were interestingly all coupes, were the Maserati Mexico and Indy, the Fiat 124 Eveline and Matra M530 prototype.
Unfortunately the early history of this little gem is not known. The car is known to have found its way to Greece where it was restored in 2012. There are photos on file showing the car was white before it was restored and repainted but it is not known if this was its original colour.
During the restoration the car was stripped back to bare metal, the necessary body work was completed and it was then repainted in its current and absolutely stunning period colour. The colour is similar to Marrone Colorado used on similar vintage Ferraris or Luci del Bosco used on vintage Lamborghinis. The interior was retrimmed in tan Connolly leather and a period correct Nardi steering wheel was fitted. It is understood that significant mechanical work was also undertaken.
At some stage, the engine has been upgraded from the original Tipo 138AR1000 1,608cc engine to a Tipo138AR2000 1,995cc engine, which gives the car circa 130 hp rather than original 100 hp.
There is a Greek registration document on file dated 2012 that notes the owner of the car at that time.
After having been restored the car was shown at classic car events around Athens, Greece. There are certificates on file for the car participating in the 3rd Athenian Exhibition of Classic Vehicles held from the 15th 20th March 2013 and the Zappio 2013 exhibition.
The car was then committed to a Coys auction to be held on the 14th of June 2013, however, it was withdrawn prior. It is understood that one of Coys clients negotiated to purchase a number of cars pre-auction that were also consigned by the same vendor. This Samantha had to be part of the deal, however, its new owner was after the other cars. As a result, the Samantha ended up with prestige classic car dealer Thiesen in Germany. There it was discovered by a classic car enthusiast from Perth, Western Australia. He purchased the car and subsequently imported it into Australia. The Import Approval was issued on the 7th March 2014. The Samantha arrived in Fremantle on the 3rd May 2014 on the vessel ANL Warringa. At that time the odometer read 1,185 km.
Shortly after, in July 2014 the Samantha would not start and it was taken to Italian car specialists Autodelta in the Perth suburb of Malaga. They discovered a fault in the electronic ignition unit which was replaced. They also discovered signs of oil in the radiator, suggesting a leaking head gasket. The radiator was removed, flushed and checked and the cylinder head was removed and the head gasket replaced. The sump was also removed to allow a thorough inspection of the engine internals. It was decided to replace the piston rings and conrod bearings. After reassembly the carburettors were balanced and a new timing belt was fitted. The brake master cylinder was also replaced. Later that month quartz halogen headlights were fitted to the car.
The car was then used and enjoyed as well as shown at a number of invitation only classic car events in Perth. After three and a half years of ownership the Samantha had travelled just shy of 700 km and its odometer now read 1,745 km.
The Samantha was then sent to Melbourne and sold at Moss Greens December 2017 auction to the current owner. Over the next 7 years of ownership the car has continued to be used and enjoyed, travelling another 2,000 km in this time. The current owner has also spent time and money continuing to improve the car.
In 2020 the car was displayed at the prestigious Sydney Harbour Concours Delegance where it was very well received.
Today the odometer reads 3,989km.
The first comment most people make when they see this car is What is it? Most people dont believe that it is a Fiat, rather they think it should have a Maserati or even a Lamborghini or Ferrari badge on the nose! For those in the know, Fiat of course made some wonderful bespoke cars over the years bodied by most of the famous Italian coachbuilders.
The more you study the car the more you see similarities to other Vignale designed cars from that period. The car also has features similar to other Italian cars from the 1960s, most notably its Lamborghini Miura-esque headlights!
When you walk around the car it is hard to find any defects. The paint work on the car is now some 10 years old but it has held up well and retained a strong depth of colour and a deep gloss finish. We have to mention the colour again . . . it is just so perfect for this car!
There is a small imperfection on the top of the left front guard. When we studied some of the pre restoration photos we realised that is the spot where a mirror was originally mounted. There is also a scratch on the left rear guard underneath the bumper. Other than that the car presents beautifully. All the bright work on the car is in excellent condition. The same can be said for all the glass, lights and lenses.
When you open the door you are welcomed by a very inviting and good looking interior. The beige upholstery works very well with the exterior colour and gives the car a very sophisticated and luxurious feel. First impressions are really good. The seats present well and there are no rips or tears in the Connolly leather. The wooden Nardi steering wheel completes the look. When you slide behind the steering wheel it is very easy to get comfortable. There is a surprising amount of space in the cabin. The seats are firm and provide ample support. The rears seats have probably never been used.
The dashboard is simple yet functional. It presents well and on our test drive all the instruments appeared to be in good working order. The period correct Blaupunkt radio, which works, is a nice touch.
Under the bonnet you will find a well presented, clean and tidy engine bay. The boot is also similarly presented and contains the spare wheel, a jack and a small, original Fiat tool kit.
This car has become a favourite here at Oldtimer Australia and turned heads of everyone who has seen it at our showroom. We have all been keen to get first dibs on the test drive!
The car starts easily from cold and almost immediately settles into a smooth idle. The engine has a nice sound and we love its raspy exhaust note. The Fiat 125S 1.6 litre power plant was quoted as delivering 100 bhp @ 5,600 rpm. It is certainly not a sports car, but its performance is more than adequate. The car is zippy and it really is a delight to drive. The engine revs freely and encourage you to really drive the car. The gear changes from the 5 speed gearbox are smooth both up and down the box. The car feels solid on the road and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
It is understood that Vignale built around 100 Samanthas. How many survive today is anyones guess, but we have read on various forums that that number is perhaps only 30. It is most likely the only example in Australia.
In March 2016 bespoke German model car builder AutoCult used this very car as a template to build a limited edcition 1/43 scale model. Only 333 pieces were builkt. How cool! Of course one of these will accompany the car.
Here is a unique opportunity to own a rare 1960s coach built car without having to break the bank. This car would be a welcome sight at any classic car event in Australia and would probably attract more attention than its counterparts from Modena and SantAgata Bolognese.
Accompanying the car is an interesting history file, including some documentation from the cars ownership in Greece, some restoration photos, a model car, spare wheel, jack and toolkit.
Highlights:
- Rare and unique coach built Fiat.
- Beautifully presented in a fabulous colour scheme.
- Upgraded with Tipo 138AR2000 1,995cc engine c130 hp.
- Sorted, ready to use and enjoy.
- Great value Italian classic.
Price $99,950
Background:
Today Fiat is a subsidiary of Stellantis, a company formed in 2021 that is a merger of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and The PSA Group or Peugeot SA. Stellantis is based in The Netherlands and includes the following brands in its stable: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Mopar, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Fiat, which is an abbreviation for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, has a fascinating and rich history dating back to 1899. It was founded by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli on 11th July 1899. Later that year, the first ever Fiat production car, the Fiat 3½ HP was released. Over the next ten years Fiat went from strength to strength establishing itself as one of Europes major car manufacturers and the company was listed on the Milan stock exchange in 1903.
Over the last forty years the Fiat name has been synonymous with budget priced family cars. However, in the early years Fiat was recognised as building some of the worlds very best cars. In the early 1900s a Fiat cost more than four times the price of a Ford Model T. Post World War II Fiat built some world class sporting cars, including the Fiat 8V or Otto Vu of which just over 100 examples were built from 1952 through until 1954. Fiat always built cars with a sporting pedigree and many of their models were offered as a saloon, coupe and cabriolet.
In 1936 Fiat introduced the Fiat 500A Topolino (or little mouse) which was then the smallest mass produced car in the world. These fabulous little cars pioneered what is today referred to as budget priced small cars. The Topolino morphed into the Fiat 600 in 1955 and the Fiat 500 Nuova in 1957.
Designed by Pininfarina, the Fiat 1500 Coupe and Cabriolet were introduced in 1959 and built across two series, firstly from 1959 1963 and then from 1964 1966. Whilst these little cars werent overly powerful, they were light and easy to drive. The four cylinder inline engine produced in excess of 70 bhp which was enough to ensure these cars, which weighed in at less than 1,000 kg, performed well and were a delight to drive.
In 1967 Fiat introduced the Fiat 125. The car was fitted with a 1,608cc engine which produced 90HP. The 125 was praised for its handling and driving dynamics. In 1968 the 125S was added to the range and now the engine was producing 100HP. Officially production seized in 1972 and a total of 603,877 examples were built by Fiat. However licensed copies were still being built until 1991 by companies like FSO in Poland, Zastava in Yugoslavia, Nasr in Egypt and Fiat-Concord in Argentina.
In Italy coachbuilder Vignale had been rebodying Fiats for a long time, going back as far as 1948 when they used a Fiat 500 Topolino as the basis for one of their designs. By the 1960s Vignale had grown from a small body shop to a well known styling house with its own production lines. This led to them producing cars in small quantities under their own brand.
When Fiat introduced the 125S, Vignale saw an opportunity to create a four seat coupe with room for luggage using the 125S platform and running gear. Designed by Virginio Vairo, the Fiat 125S Samantha was introduced at the 1967 Turin Motor Show. It was one of the last cars made by Vignale before their sale to De Tomaso and the death of Alfredo Vignale in a car accident. Approximately 100 were made. The Samantha was offered for sale directly through larger Fiat dealerships in some countries, while in Italy for example, independent Vignale show rooms existed to sell their cars.
In an article published by Classic & Sports Car on the 18th June Fiat Samantha: Vignales little beauty, Richard Heseltine wrote:
. . . You shouldnt judge a book by its cover, but judging the cover is fair game.
The brochure trumpeted the Fiat Samantha as being the most beautiful four-seater car in the world when it arrived in the UK.
That was a bit of a stretch given the number of other candidates for the title as the 1960s drew to a close.
It was a Fiat 125, after all, albeit one that had received a slinky new body courtesy of Carrozzeria Vignale.
As such, it was imbued with a certain cachet.
It was coachbuilt, it was exotic and it screamed soft-focus jet-set glamour.
Or perhaps whispered is more apposite, given that it had a top speed of 103mph but cost more than a Jaguar E-type.
In many ways it was a case of same book, different cover, because the Samantha was identical mechanically to the square-rigged saloon that bore it.
The cover was all it had, but even now there is something appealing about its appearance.

1968 FIAT 125 S Samantha by Vignale

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 lovely restored Alvis Speed 20 SC Sports Saloon by Charlesworth.
In total Alvis built 1,165 Speed 20s from 1932 to 1936. This includes 289 Speed 20 SCs, of which 165 cars were bodied by Charlesworth and 131 of them were sports saloons.
According to documentation on file from the Alvis Speed 20 SC Register, this particular car was originally bodied by Charlesworth and dispatched from Alvis factory on the 13th January 1935.
This car retains its Alvis ID plate, Charlesworth body number plate and retains all its original and correct factory stampings for chassis and engine numbers. The above mentioned documentation confirms that this cars chassis, car, body and engine numbers all match.
This cars history is not documented, however, it is recorded in the Alvis Car Club of Victoria Newsletter from January 1992 as attending an Alvis Day in NSW on the 9th November 1991. At that time the car was dark green in colour and it was owned by Gary Coxon.
It was then understood to have been owned by a south east Queensland based Alvis enthusiast who was an aviation engineer. He restored the car himself over a long period of time. There are photos on file of the car from 2008 and 2009 and at that time it was light green in colour. The photos from 2009 were taken at the David Hack Classic held in Toowoomba.
The current owner acquired this car at Shannons Autumn Classic 2015, held in Sydney on the 2nd March, 2015. At the time Shannons noted that the car had a substantial Australian history.
A short time after purchasing this Alvis, the owner quickly realised it was not at the level he wanted it to be and he decided to go on a journey to completely restore the car.
For the mechanicals he engaged the services of Alvis specialists Red Triangle in the UK. The engine and gearbox were packaged up and sent to the UK to be fully rebuilt. The body, paint and assembly were completed by Dion Willcox at The Kustom Shop in Brisbane and the interior was retrimmed by Lee Brothers in Brisbane.
The restoration was essentially an open cheque book and a significant amount of money has been spent. There are invoices on file from Red Triangle for in excess of £50,000.
The car has been subject to some sympathetic upgrades during the restoration, including the fitment of an electric water pump and electronic ignition.
The restoration was completed some years ago and the car has been kept in static storage ever since. As a result, the current owner has decided the car should to an enthusiast who will hopefully use this fabulous motor car. Prior to coming to us to sell the car was recommissioned and checked over.
This car has an incredible presence. The owner decided on the most stunning and very Alvis bold colour scheme of black with a red sash. You will note from the photos the black front wheels and the red rear wheels, which essentially are a continuation of the sash. The colour scheme looks great and coupled with the low waist line it also creates a visually sleek and very sporting profile. The overall look is further emphasised by the imposing Lucas headlights and mesh radiator grill.
Whilst the car now carries an older repaint, the paint work still presents well having a strong depth of colour and a nice gloss finish. We only noticed some very minor defects. The most noticeable defect is where the paint has peeled off in certain areas on the bonnet hinge. The majority of the external trim is all chrome and it is excellent condition. The same can be said for all the glass, which is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks evident. Unfortunately, the front Alvis badge has two chips of red colour missing.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very good looking interior. You can immediately tell this car has not been used since its restoration. Everything looks new, most notably the red upholstery, carpets and head lining. The timber has been refurbished and along with the black dash full of typically British Smiths instruments, it provides a nice contrast with the red upholstery.
The engine bay is neat, clean and tidy but its presentation is probably not quite at the level of the rest of the car. The boot is very small but presents well.
The wire wheels are in excellent condition and are shod with Excelsior tyres, size 525/550 -19. They are date stamped 1715 (week 17, 2015).
Getting into the car can be a bit of a challenge with the hand brake being positioned on the right side of the drivers seat but you quickly get used to that. The driving position is quite upright which actually helps with the visibility. The view out over the long bonnet is very impressive!
Once we have familiarised ourselves with the car and got comfortable behind the steering wheel, it is time for a short test drive. Starting the car is easy, even from cold. Firstly, there is a battery isolator hidden under the dash. You then turn the ignition switch on and you will hear the electric water pump start up. For a cold start you will need the choke, which you pull out . . . then it is simply a push on the starter button. The 2.8 liter inline six cylinder engine fires immediately and sounds good. We let the car warm up for a little bit, then turn the choke off.
The Alvis Speed 20 was a modern, advanced and very sophisticated car in its day and from the Speed 20 SB model used a constant mesh gear box. This model was also the first British car with independent front wheel springing and steering. And with 95hp available the car was quoted as having a top speed approaching 160 km/hr or 100 mph in the old money.
We were keen to see how this all stacked up out on the open road. First impressions were positive. The car feels tight on the road and there is ample power available to ensure you are able to keep up with modern traffic. For a mid 1930s car the gear changes are very good and they are smooth both up and down the box. The steering feels precise. The car still has mechanical brakes and whilst they do pull the car up nicely and in a straight line, they do take some getting used to. All in all the car performed very well.
There is no doubt this Alvis Speed 20 is a car that the more you drive and get accustomed to the better it will get.
Accompanying the car is a good history file, which contains a huge amount of documentation from the restoration as well as an owners handbook (copy) and a spare parts catalogue.
In period Alvis advertised their cars as The Silent Speed 20 and . . . now with all silent performance setting a new fashion is sports car design. The Alvis Car & Engineering Company Limited was certainly a competitor for Britains best, being Rolls-Royce and Bentley, companies that have always been synonymous with engineering excellence.
The Alvis Speed 20 was one of the most respected and successful pre war cars. The later Type SC and SD models with the smooth constant mesh gear box and more powerful 2,762cc litre straight six engine are the best of the breed. We think these sporting pre war grand tourers present great value in todays market.
Highlights:
- 1 of 131 Charlesworth bodied Alvis Speed 20 SC Sports Saloons.
- Beautifully restored.
- Huge money spent on the restoration.
- A well presented car that has just been recommissioned.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy.
Price $134,950
Background:
In 1919 naval architect TG John took over a small Coventry based carburettor manufacturer named Holly Bros and founded the company TG John and Co Ltd. The company initially focused on making stationary engines, carburettors and motor scooters. Shortly after founding the company, John was approached by Geoffrey de Freville who was looking for a company that could manufacture and potentially use his advanced designs for a 4-cylinder engine with aluminium pistons and pressure lubrication.
Many people think de Freville was ultimately responsible for the name Alvis, something he himself has always denied.
In 1920 the first Alvis was introduced to the world, the Alvis 10/30. The car was available with a range of different body styles and was powered by a 4 cylinder engine designed by de Freville with a capacity of 1,460cc. The car was an instant success and it gained a reputation for quality workmanship and performance, something for which Alvis became famous. The Alvis 10/30 remained in production until 1923 and in total 770 were made. The Alvis 10/30 was succeeded by the Alvis 11/40, the Alvis 12/40, the Alvis 12/50 and the Alvis 12/60.
On the 14th of December 1921 the company name was officially changed to The Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd.
Like many car manufacturers in those days, Alvis wanted to go motor racing. Their greatest achievement came in 1928 when their team finished 1st and 2nd in class at Le Mans and a highly creditable 6th and 9th overall. The car was powered by a 1.5-litre 4 cylinder supercharged engine with a single overhead camshaft. Interestingly, it was front wheel drive. Building on their success in racing, Alvis decided to offer a production Super-Sports front wheel drive for the experienced driver. The Alvis 12/75 was an instant success and achieved high acclaim in the press. Unfortunately, the cost of producing such an advanced vehicle was high and with the great depression looming Alvis decided to stop the production in favour of more profitable models. In the end, only 143 were produced.
In 1927 Alvis introduced their first 6 cylinder model, the Alvis 14.75. The engine in the 14.75 became the basis for a long line of luxury 6 cylinder cars. The 14.75 was succeeded by the 16.95 in 1928 which was renamed Silver Eagle in 1929. In those days Alvis didnt produce their own coachwork, instead they relied on the many available coachbuilders in the Midlands area. Companies like Car bodies, Charlesworth Bodies, Cross & Ellis, Duncan Industries, E. Bertelli Ltd, Grose, Gurney Nutting, Hooper, Lancefield Coachworks, Martin Walter, Mayfair Carriage Co, Mulliners, Tickford, Vanden Plas, Weymann Fabric Bodies, and Arnold of Manchester.
In 1931 Alvis introduced the Speed 20. It featured a heavily modified version of the 6 cylinder engine featured in the earlier Silver Eagle. By now it had increased to 2,511cc. In October 1933 Alvis introduced the Speed 20 SB which featured a new, all-silent gearbox that featured a synchromesh on the bottom gear, a worlds first. This model was also the first British car with independent front wheel springing and steering. The car also had a built-in jacking system. In 1935, with the third iteration of the Speed 20, the SC, the engine size increased to 2762cc. Later that year Alvis introduced another iteration of their 6 cylinder engine, the 3 ½ Litre. Initially, the car was named 3 ½ Litre SA, but in 1936 it was renamed Speed 25.
In total 1,164 Speed 20s were produced, 289 were SC versions, 165 of them were body by Charlesworth and 131 of them were saloons.

1935 ALVIS SPEED 20 SC

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