OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

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

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.7 Manual

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale 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 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 absolutely magnificent 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL.
The Fahrzeug-Daten (factory data card) and Produktions-Auftrag (factory production order) on file confirms that this factory right hand drive example was ordered new in New Zealand late 1962. It was in fact the 61st Mercedes-Benz ordered from New Zealand that year. The car left the factory on the 21st May 1963, which would make this one of the very last 190 SLs built.
The car was ordered in black (paint code 040) with a red interior (interior code 203) with single seats (option code 401). It was delivered with a roadster hard top (option code 413), US style front bumper with guards (option code 441), instruments in English and miles (option code 461), outside left and right rear view mirrors (option code 506) a Becker Brescia radio (option code 512), rear seats (option code 565), lights for left hand traffic (option code 613), export license plate (option code 621), whitewall tyres (option code 641), documentation in English (option code 681), a folding fabric soft top in grey (option code 736) and 10 litres of fuel (option code 317).
Documentation on file notes that the first owner was a Mr RA Stone from Auckland in New Zealand. At some stage the car found its way to Australia and into the ownership of Dr Frank Munro from Sydney, NSW. The car was sold to Mr Lachlan (Jim) Attrill from Sunshine, Victoria in March 1978. In May 1979 the car was registered in Victoria as ADP-112 and by August 1982 it was registered as BLE-701.
The third owner was a well known Melbourne based classic car enthusiast who acquired the car at the 1998 Shannons Grand Prix auction. At that time the car was still finished in its original colour of black.
After he acquired the car, it was taken off the road in preparation for a major restoration. The project commenced in earnest and he embarked on a nut and bolt rotisserie restoration on a mission to make the car as good as it could be.
The body was restored and painted by Peter Todd at Mentone Smash Repairs in Moorabbin. A major decision for the cars then owner was the colour. He chose to paint the car in Porsche Speed Yellow, which was a brave but fabulous choice. The engine block and head were rebuilt by Engine Action in Flemington. The engine was reassembled by Maurie Dodd.
The painted body shell was completed in March 2001 and the rebuild began.
The restoration was completed in September 2001and the car was then registered in Victoria as GEM-SL, just in time for the Mercedes-Benz ACT Concours dElegance held in Canberra. The car was incredibly well received and it won four trophies, including Best in Class, Runner Up Champion of Champions, Best Paint and Best Engine Bay.
The car was a multi concours winner at both the Victorian and ACT Mercedes-Benz Club Concours dElegance over the next four years.
The current owner acquired this car in circa 2009 and has used it sparingly throughout his ownership.
Incredibly this Mercedes-Benz 190 SL still presents as a freshly restored car, which is a testament to the quality of the restoration. Everything about this car is impeccable!
The first thing you notice is the colour. The yellow paint work is such a refreshing change from the ubiquitous white, silver or red. Whilst it looks stunning in the photos, it looks even better in the flesh! The paint work remains fresh and vibrant with an incredibly strong depth of colour. We struggled to find any blemishes in the paint. Even the hubcaps, which are prone to stone chips are in excellent condition. All of the external trim, including the chrome, lights and lenses are similarly well presented.
Completing the look is a factory hard top finished in pearl white. The soft top is black and in excellent unused condition.
The interior of the car is also beautifully presented. The red upholstery provides a perfect colour contrast to the yellow paintwork, particularly the dash. All of the instruments and controls, including the delicate trade mark Mercedes-Benz steering wheel present like new. Everything looks to be in working order.
Under the bonnet, the engine looks fresh and as though it was installed yesterday. Importantly, everything still looks to be correct.
It is likely that the boot has hardly seen the light of day and probably never carried any luggage. Like the rest of the car it is in exceptional condition. There is a spare wheel, jack and tool kit.
Even the underside of the car still presents like new!
Clearly this car has had little use since it was restored. It presents today like it has been stored in a glass case! Importantly, the current owner does regularly start the car and when the sun comes out just every now and then it gets some exercise.
On our recent test drive the car started easily from cold. There was a slight concern that this car may drive like a garage queen, but after a few very short miles that possibility was well and truly put to rest. The car drove superbly. The engine pulls strongly through the rev range and the gearbox is firm and precise. Importantly there are no rattles or squeaks. The more we drove it the better it went!
Highlights:
- New Zealand delivered, factory RHD example.
- Four owner car thats been in Australia for most of its life.
- Matching numbers.
- Restored to a concours standard by the previous owner.
- Multi concours delegance trophy winner.
- Ready show, use and enjoy.
Was für ein auto. . . einfach umwerfend!
Price: $349,950.
Background:
Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Europes car industry was decimated. In Germany both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post-war, however, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924, the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes-Benz was born!
Subsequently, Mercedes-Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The cars from Stuttgart bearing the three-pointed star all had one thing in common . . . they were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.
In the 1950s Mercedes Benz produced one of the greatest cars of all time the iconic 300 SL Gullwing and 300 SL Coupe. Whilst fabulous cars, they were very expensive and generally sold to the rich and famous. Mercedes wanted to build a sporting luxury car that still looked classical in the mould of the 300 SL, but it had to be affordable and the plan was to build such a car in far greater numbers than the exclusive 300 SLs. Enter the Type W121 or 190 SL as it became known in the mid 1950s. This model was an outstanding success and circa 25,000 cars were built over the next 8 years of production. The formula worked and Mercedes Benz carried it on with great success in the 1960s with the Type W113 230 SL/250 SL/280 SL models. This evolved into the Type R107/C107 280 SL(C)/350 SL(C)/380 SL(C)/450 SL(C) models built throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Mercedes-Benz marketed the 190 SL as . . . as sports car for all seasons.
To quote their website:
. . . Sporting elegance, safety and comfort with these qualities the 190 SL conquered a whole new circle of enthusiastic fans of dynamic driving. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the prototype of the 190 SL (W 121) at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954, alongside the production version of the 300 SL Gullwing. Although the two-seater roadster with folding soft top stirred passions, it was to undergo a further thorough revision by the Mercedes-Benz designers known at the time as stylists.
In March 1955, a full year after the New York premiere, the production version went on display at the Geneva Motor Show. Like its elder brother, the spectacular 300 SL Gullwing, the 190 SL rapidly became one of the most coveted dream cars of its day. Although less powerful than the 300 SL, it generated no less excitement and opened up the SL legend to a wider circle of customers. By 1963 sales had totalled 25,881 units.
And even long-distance drives were enjoyable thanks to the comfortable suspension. The handsome sports car for all occasions was particularly popular among female drivers, who appreciated not only the sporting elegance of its design, but also the open-air feeling that came as standard. With its easy-to-operate soft top and optionally available coupé hardtop, the 190 SL was the first SL to combine the possibility of open-top driving with absolute all-weather capability.

1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

Details:
A new offering at Oldtimer Australia is this incredible Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix by Pur Sang.
Back in the 1920s and 1930s Argentina rivalled almost any country in Europe. It was the place all the wealthy Europeans went to get away from the war time chaos. Buenos Aires was often referred to as the Paris of the South. They brought everything they had from Europa to Argentina and as a result Argentina became well known as a leader in wine making, horse racing, polo and of course motorsport.
Some of the worlds great cars, from marques such as Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo, were delivered new in relatively significant numbers into Argentina. However, when the owners needed parts, they still needed to order them from Europe and it would often take months for them to arrive. As a result, when something broke, the mechanics had to be innovative and creative. Necessity is the mother of invention and this resulted in some serious craftsmanship being developed in a highly skilled workforce.
Pur Sang Argentina was founded over forty years ago with its roots firmly linked to countrys industrial past. The business was established in the 1980s in Paraná, a city some 500 km north of Buenos Aires. It soon developed an excellent reputation for creating excellent tool room copies of Bugattis from the 1920s and 1930s. In more recent times they have been building Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz recreations from the same era.
The Bugatti Type 51 by Pur Sang has been produced using original factory specifications, both in design and material. Whilst the cars produced by Pur Sang are close to tool room copies, they do make subtle improvements and small modifications. Most of these are not visible but make for a more reliable and usable car. The application of forged pistons, plain bearings and modern oil seals to make the engine, gearbox, and rear axle oil tight have helped increase performance while reducing maintenance. The frame is hand formed in the same fashion as it was originally built by Bugatti way back in the 1930s.
The current owner ordered this car directly from Pur Sang, Argentina in October 2006 and took delivery of the car in July 2007. He immediately decided to further improve the car with modifications including: the manufacture and installation of a new manifold, the fitting of 2 inch SU carburettors, electronic ignition as well as a modified Magneto. He also fitted an electric fuel pump.
The owner used and enjoyed his Type 51 on various club runs and social outings, however, he is a perfectionist and became frustrated with light surface corrosion that appeared on the bare steel components of the car. His solution was to take the car to well respected classic car restoration specialists Historic and Vintage Restoration (HVR) in Melbourne to nickel plate all the bare steel parts on the car. At the same time he decided to have the car repainted and fit a new set of period correct alloy wheels from Crosthwaite & Gardiner in the UK. This work was completed around five years ago.
Today this Type 51 presents like a new car. The striking yellow over black colour scheme really suits the car and the paint is still in excellent condition. One has to look hard to find any imperfections. The only one we found is a small chip on the top of the bonnet. All of the external trim, including the trademark radiator are similarly well presented.
The wheels are shod with soft compound Dunlop Racing tyres size 5.00 19 front and rear. Both the wheels and the tyres are in excellent condition.
The interior is functional yet very basic as you would expect in a car like this. Everything is in excellent condition and presents essentially like new.
The more you look at the car the more detail you will notice. The devil is in the detail and some of its features are the delicate gear lever and hand brake levers, the safety wire for the external bolts, the leather straps to secure the bonnet and of course the oh so cool bonnet mascot!.
The original Bugatti Type 51s are not to be underestimated when it comes to performance. With a healthy 160hp from its supercharged, dual overhead cam, straight eight, 2.3 litre engine and the car only weighing around 800kg . . . they were frighteningly fast! Our Bugatti Type 51 by Pur Sang would most likely outperform an original car and even by todays standards it is a very fast and capable car.
Driving this car is an incredible experience. The theatre begins with the process of starting the car. You cannot simply jump in, turn the key, fire up the engine and drive away. There is a process to be followed but once you have completed all the steps you are rewarded with a magnificent symphony from the jewel of an engine and the relatively inconspicuous twin exhaust pipes. The car is a little cranky as she fires up, but in no time at all the engine is soon firing on all eight cylinders. The instructions are to wait for everything to warm up before taking the car out on the road.
The positioning of the gear lever is quit interesting. The car is right hand drive and like many similar cars of this period it features a right hand gear shifter. The gate is inside the car and the lever sticks out through the body work at an angle. This creates quite an interesting experience when you are driving the car but one you quickly get used to. Once you master the gear changes the driving experience is most rewarding.
Out on the road this car is heaps of fun to drive. It is quick, responsive and very nimble. It also feels surprisingly solid on the road. The car is equipped with original style drum brakes all around and that also takes a bit of getting used to but they do pull the car up well and in a straight line when required. The engine in this car is something special and it just wants to go. Did we mention the noise . . . incredible!
We can only imagine what it must have been like to own one of these cars back in the 1930s and drive it in anger.
Since arriving in Australia, the car has been used sparingly. The owner estimates he has probably only travelled around 800 km, the majority of which were completed prior to works completed by HVR.
This car is documented in Bob Kings fabulous book Bugattis in Australia and New Zealand 1920 to 2012.
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented recreation of an iconic prewar sports car.
- Powered by a supercharged, dual overhead cam, straight eight of 2.3 litre capacity.
- Fabulous colour scheme.
- Recently refreshed to a very high standard by HVR.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy
Price AUD $399,950
Background:
Ettore Bugatti was born in Milan Italy on the 15th September 1881. He was part of a very entrepreneurial and creative family. His grandfather was an architect and sculptor, his father a furniture and jewellery designer of some note and other members of the family were sculptors and artists. Ettore was obsessed with the evolution of the automobile and in 1898 he built his first car as a teenager. Over the next ten years he built a number of cars, however, it wasnt until the 1st January 1910 that he founded Automobiles Ettore Bugatti in the then-German city of Molsheim, Alsace. Bugatti started building cars in earnest and the Type 13 is today considered to be the first real Bugatti. The First World War proved to be temporary roadblock for Bugatti and once the Treaty of Versailles was signed on the 28th July 1919 it was back to work! Following the War, the region of Alsace became part of France and Ettore Bugatti lost no time in refocussing his energy on automobiles. At the last minute, Bugatti wasable to obtain a stand at the 15th Paris Motor Show held in October 1919. He exhibited three light cars and not surprisingly all of them were closely based on their pre-war equivalents. Each model was fitted with the same overhead camshaft 4 cylinder engine of 1,368cc capacity with four valves per cylinder. The three cars were the Type 13 (built on a 2,000 wheelbase), the Type 22 (built on a 2,250 mm wheelbase) and the Type 23 (built on a 2,400 mm wheelbase).
The Bugatti name soon became synonymous with high performance cars. Their road cars were purchased by the rich and famous and their race cars dominated on circuits all around the world. By the mid 1930s Ettore Bugattis son, Jean, was effectively running the factory overseeing the production of the cars, whilst Ettore spent most of his time in Paris. Times were good, however, things changed quickly and when Jean Bugatti was killed road testing a Type 57 race car in August 1939 it was the beginning of the end. The Second World War broke out shortly thereafter and the Bugatti factory was essentially destroyed and seized. The War ended in September 1945 and attempts to restart the factory were ultimately futile Ettore Bugatti died in August 1947. A handful of cars were built from 1945 through until the original incarnation of Bugatti ceased operations in 1952.
Models such as the Type 35, the Type 41 (Royale), Type 57 and Type 59 have become legendary and are amongst the most desirable cars ever built.
One of Bugattis most significant cars was the Type 30 that was introduced in 1922. The Type 30 was powered by the same 1,991 cc engine used in the Type 29 race car. It shared its chassis, axles and gearbox with the Type 13 Brescia. Around 600 examples were built from late 1922 through until 1926 in varying specifications. The successor to the type 30, the type 35 was first introduced at the 1924 French Grand Prix. It was powered by a single overhead cam eight cylinder engine with a capacity ranging from 1,092cc to 2,262cc. Some engine were even supercharged and delivered up to 130hp. The type 35 and its variations was a huge success and over 1,000 races were won.
In 1931 its successor went into production, the Type 51. It was power by a straight eight, twin overhead cam, engine with a capacity of 2,262cc which produced 160hp. Though the Type 51 struggled in competition against newer and more technologically advanced state-sponsored machines from Italy and Germany, the model was a long term success with marque enthusiasts and vintage racers. During its four years of production some 40 examples were produced. The Bugatti Type 51 is today considered to be at the pinnacle of Bugattis most celebrated race car design.
Incredibly, Bugatti built almost 8,000 cars through until 1956.

BUGATTI TYPE 51 Grand Prix by Pur Sang

Details:
We love the rare and unusual at Oldtimer Australia and this exclusive and highly collectible 1959 Bristol 406 Zagato certainly fits that bill.
We are delighted to offer for sale the very first of only six Bristol 406 Zagatos built. This particular car was effectively the prototype and it was completed just in time to be shown at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show in London, where it was exhibited on the Zagato stand.
Of the six cars built, the first two cars were relatively similar. Subsequent cars had a higher roof line to accommodate taller passengers. It is understood that the third car built was destroyed in an accident and parted out, hence, only five examples remain.
The early history of the car is not definitively known. It is understood that it was originally finished in vermillion a dark maroon colour and it passed through a few owners in the UK before finding its way to the USA in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
There are copies of a number of Californian registrations on file in the name Edward Jon Barrara from Downey, which is mid way between Los Angeles and Anaheim. The earliest is dated 19th April 1986. The car was sold in 1988 and driven some 800 miles east and parked up on a property in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It then sat outside under a tarpaulin for the next 14 years. Fortunately, Albuquerque has a hot, dry climate which helped preserve the car. The owner moved back to the UK, leaving the car in the USA where it sat. This was the catalyst for him to sell the car and it was advertised for sale in 2002. The advert was spotted by Sydney based Bristol enthusiast Sean McSharry who subsequently purchased the car. It is understood that the mileage at that time was circa 58,000 miles.
The car, which was then white in colour, was in generally poor condition. McSharry imported the car into Australia (there is an Australian Vehicle Import Approval on file dated 4th September 2002) and engaged the services of Sebastian Gross of Seberi Pty Ltd to complete a ground up restoration. Like most other Bristols, the 406 Zagato was built using superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame.
After assessing the car it was deemed necessary to remove the body to repair the severely corroded steel frame. The car was stripped and the necessary work was undertaken. The aluminium body was also in poor condition and it was sent to highly respected coach builder Mark Nugent in Dubbo to be rebuilt. All the external trim was either refurbished, replaced or rebuilt.
Mechanically, the car was in better shape, however, everything was stripped, assessed and rebuilt. This included the engine, gearbox, differential/rear axle assembly, suspension, brakes and more.
The interior was completely refurbished and the wiring was also completely redone.
The project took six years to complete and during this time extensive research was undertaken and information was collected to better understand the car and document as much of the history as possible. The car has a thick history file with copies of many emails relating to its purchase, the supply & refurbishment of parts and conversations with other 406 Zagato owners to verify details of the rebuild.
McSharry chose to have the car finished in the most stunning colour combination of California Sage with avocado green upholstery and darker olive green carpets.
The car was given a number of sympathetic upgrades to improve usability and safety throughout the restoration. Most notably, this included fitting a discretely hidden steel roll bar and the installation of seat belts. A nice touch was the addition of an (unchilled) wine cellar in the boot! This idea came from Geoffrey and Hilary Herdmans book: Round the World with 10 DPG, which covers their travels in a Bristol 405 Drophead Coupe.
No stone was left unturned to ensure the car was done right and to a very high standard. The end result was a credit to McSharry and everyone involved in its restoration.
This fabulous Bristol 406 Zagato was subsequently used and enjoyed before being sold to well known Bristol enthusiast Tom Barr-Smith in Melbourne in c2013. Under Barr-Smiths ownership the car was exhibited at Motorclassica in 2015. Motorclassica, which was held at Melbournes Royal Exhibition building, was Australias leading concours delegance and classic car show.
The car was sold in January 2019 to a Melbourne based classic car collector and enthusiast. The roadworthy certificate on file notes the mileage at that time as 62,705 miles. It joined an exceptional collection and was shown at the 2019 Sydney Harbour Concours dElegance. This wonderful Bristol was subsequently used and enjoyed, often seen around Melbournes classic car scene.
The current owner acquired the car in December 2021. It has been used sparingly since, though it did attend the 2022 Targa Florio and it was again shown at Motorclassica that same year. In March 2025 the car was shown at the Rippon Lea Concours dElegance in Melbourne.
For the last two owners, the car has been maintained by highly respected Rolls-Royce, Bentley and vintage car specialists Derby Works as well as the owners in house mechanics. In more recent times, Damon Ross from Ross Restoration has spent time tuning the car.
The current owner has enjoyed his time with this fabulous car and he is now downsizing his collection.
Even though the car carries what is now an older restoration it still presents superbly. At the time of photographing, the odometer read 62,938 miles.
The paint colour of California Sage really highlights the unique design features of the car. The devil is in the detail with this car and the more you look the more you see. There is the obvious trade mark Zagato double bubble style roof as well as the raised hip line at the rear quarter, but check out the complex detail at the rear of the car . . . it is a work of art! Overall, the paintwork is in excellent condition. There is quite a lot of external trim and its presentation, like the paint work, is excellent. The trademark Bristol wheels and hub caps are in excellent condition with no obvious damage. The wheels are shod with period correct Michelin X tyres, size 5.50 R16.
The interior is beautifully presented. The finest quality leather and carpets were used during the restoration. The avocado green upholstery provides a subtle yet perfect colour contrast to the paint. The feature is the beautiful three spoke timber steering wheel with the Zagato badge in the centre. During the restoration the unique steering wheel was sent to Nardi in Italy to be refurbished. A nice touch are the Supplied by Anthony Crook Leading Distributors Esher & Hersham Surry plaques fitted on top of each sill inside the cabin. Like most Bristols the instruments and switch gear is more akin to an aircraft, but it all adds to the aura of this fabulous car. Like the outside of the car, inside the cabin the more you look the more you see. Check out the art deco style interior lights!
Under the bonnet everything is neat, clean and tidy. The boot is similarly well presented.
The seating position is slightly offset, but not uncomfortably so. The car starts easily and the Bristol 2.2 litre six cylinder engine makes a great noise. It also has a fabulous raspy exhaust note.
One of the first things you notice as you get moving is the steering. The timber steering wheel is very solid and it has a great feel, but surprisingly the steering is light, responsive and very direct. The pedal layout is conventional, though the accelerator has quite a long and unusual travel. You get used to the drive quickly and the other fundamentals are excellent. The brakes are surprisingly good and their stopping power belies a late fifties built car.
The engine, which is currently running triple Weber carburettors, needs to be revved and it really comes on song above 3,000 rpm. The more you rev the engine, the broader your smile! The gear change is firm with a relatively short shift adding to the driving experience. The gear box has synchromesh on all gears and for long distance cruising there is an overdrive on top gear. On our test drive all of the instruments looked to be working, though the speedo was somewhat erratic.
This is not a sports car, rather an incredibly unique gentlemens express.
Whilst this car carries an older restoration, it still presents and drives superbly. Wherever this car has gone it has turned heads and got people talking. It is easy to understand why.
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file, including a huge amount of information and receipts from the restoration, an original Bristol 406 Instruction Manual, an original Bristol 406 Spares handbook, an original Bristol 406 Zagato sales brochure, the original Solex carburettors, a hide of leather as used for the upholstery, miscellaneous parts, a spare wheel and a tool kit.
A truly unique and most likely never to be repeated opportunity.
Highlights:
A unicorn, being 1 of only 6 examples built and 5 surviving.
Unique coachbuilt body designed and by Zagato of Milan.
Beautifully restored to a very high standard.
Finished in a STUNNING colour combination.
Thick history file with fabulous period photos and literature.
Ready for its next owner to show, use and enjoy.
Price $349,950
Background:
The Bristol Car Company has a rich and fascinating history. Its origins date back to the Bristol Aeroplane Company (formerly The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company) that was founded in February 1910 by Sir George White, chairman of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, along with his son Stanley and his brother Samuel, to commercially exploit the fast-growing aviation sector. The Bristol Aeroplane Company developed into a British industrial powerhouse and they built some of the worlds most technologically advanced aeroplanes. Some of the most well-known and successful aircraft built by Bristol were the Bristol F2 Fighter (used during World War I), the Bristol Bulldog and the Bristol Beaufighter (used during World War II).
Following the First World War the British aircraft industry suffered a dramatic downturn and subsequently significant financial challenges. In an endeavour to keep its workforce employed the Bristol Aeroplane Company undertook the manufacture of a light car, the single seat Bristol Monocar which was powered by a motorcycle engine, the construction of car bodies for Armstrong Siddeley and bus bodies for their sister company, Bristol Tramways. The company survived, but times were tough.
Aircraft manufacturing ramped up again with the outbreak of the Second World War, however, management had learned that they must plan for the future. It is understood that discussions started as early as 1941 to establish a post war car manufacturing division. Bristol began working with AFN Ltd, makers of Frazer Nash cars and British importer of BMWs before the war, on plans for a joint venture in automotive manufacturing. What ultimately eventuated was that the Bristol Aeroplane Company took over AFN Ltd and established its car manufacturing division, Bristol Cars. A purpose built factory was constructed at Filton Aerodrome, near Bristol.
The first Bristol was designated the 400 and not surprisingly given the Frazer Nash and BMW connection it was based on a BMW 326 chassis with BMW 327 styling. The engine, whilst built by Bristol, was also based on a BMW 327. The first prototypes were built in late 1946, however, the car was formally introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show. The car was a great success for Bristol and almost 500 examples were built through until 1950. This included 17 Drophead Coupes with coachwork by Pininfarina. In 1949 Bristol introduced the 401, which was designed and bodied by Touring of Milan in Italy. The new model was aerodynamically sleeker and featured superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame. As a result the car weighed significantly less and its performance was greatly enhanced. Bristol was gaining a reputation for building technologically advanced motor cars that were luxurious, very reliable and offered genuinely exciting performance on the road. Their cars were not cheap andas a result they remained somewhat exclusive. Buyers of new Bristols back in the day were typically wealthy businessman who wanted a car to stand out in a crowd. They also wanted a car they could drive and enjoy and many Bristols were used for hill climbs and weekend motor racing.
Bristol developed the 450 specifically for motor racing and it made its debut at the 1953 Le Mans 24 hour race. Two cars were entered in the race, however, they both retired with engine failures after about 10 hours. Bristol returned to Le Mans in 1954 and entered three cars, with uprated engines and improved aerodynamic bodywork. In contrast with the previous year all three cars finished the race, coming home in first, second and third place in their class and seventh, eighth and ninth overall. Their performance also earned Bristol the team prize. Bristol returned to Le Mans again in 1955 and again performed exceptionally well achieving the same results as in 1954. The race became famous for the wrong reason when a major accident resulted in debris flying into the crowd killing 83 people and injuring many more. Following this race a number of manufacturers, including Bristol, retired from motor racing indefinitely.
Subsequent road cars included the 403 (1953-1955, 287 cars built), which was a further development of its predecessors, the 404 (1953-1958, 52 cars built), the 405 (1953-1958, 308 cars built and the 406 (1958-1961, 174 cars built).
In 1953 Bristol introduced the two door 404 and four door 405. For these models Bristol abandoned the BMW style radiator grille for a style that reflected its aviation heritage. A unique design feature of the 404 and 405 is the sizable lockers in the front wings accessed externally by gullwing doors. On a right hand drive car, the locker on the drivers side held the spare wheel and jack, whilst that on the passengers side housed the battery and fuse panel. These cars also had upgraded engine performance, an improved gearbox with a short gear lever and front disc brakes as an option.
Bristol was looking to build a sports version of the 406 Saloon in the late 1950s, however, the project was abandoned for commercial reasons. Former British race driver, Bristol Cars director and the largest Bristol dealer, Tony Crook, revived the idea of a special sport model based on the 406. Through his dealership, Anthony Crook Motors, he commissioned Zagato to build a smaller, lighter and faster two door sporting car based on the Bristol 406 Saloon.
The prototype was displayed at the 1959 Earls Motor Show in London to rave reviews. Crook initially planned to build ten cars, however, for a number of reasons including cost and the fact the car was only available through Anthony Crook Motors resulted in only six cars being built. Despite its limited commercial success, the sporty Gran Turismo was the starting point of a longstanding collaboration between Bristol and Zagato
Bristol Cars was sold after its parent company joined with other British aircraft companies in 1960 to create the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), which later became part of British Aerospace.

1959 BRISTOL 406 Zagato (Prototype)

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 one of the ten factory right hand drive Lamborghini Silhouettes. Of these ten cars, six were delivered to Australia, three were delivered to the UK and one to Cyprus.
According to the factory records, this car was completed on the 19th January 1978. It is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example that was delivered through Tony De Fina, the importer at the time. The car was delivered new in rosso (red) with a nero (black) interior.
The early history of this car is not definitively known, however, its first or second owner was then Sydney based medical entrepreneur and socialite Dr Geoffrey Edelsten. In the late 1970s and 1980s Edelsten owned a fleet of exotic cars including Porsches, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, De Tomasos (who can forget his hot pink De Tomaso Pantera GT5 with a mink interior!) and a number of Lamborghinis. The Lamborghinis included a gold (later red) Countach LP400 periscopio, a green later black Countach LP400S and this Silhouette.
Edelsten owned this Silhouette for a few years. When the car had an engine failure he decided to sell it. Its next owner rebuilt the engine and repainted the car wine red metallic. Unfortunately, the car was damaged shortly thereafter and subsequently sold to the prior to current owner circa 35 years ago. He intended to return it to its original colour and gave it to Henry Nehrybecki who at the time was the Lamborghini service agent in Sydney, NSW. Unfortunately, life got in the way and progress was extremely slow. The car sat around for many years. Nehrybecki later closed his business and the car was moved to another restoration shop who did very little with the car. In 2015 the car was sent to All Classic Car Restorations in Brookvale (Sydney) and the restoration was finally underway. The car was painted by McCreath Prestige Panel & Paint in Brookvale.
This car has been missing for many years and in Lamborghini circles it was thought it had either been written off, gone overseas, or was squirrelled away in someones garage. Thankfully it was the latter!
The current owner acquired this car through Oldtimer Australia in 2019. At that time the odometer read 18,947km.
The car had been sparingly used prior to his purchase and he had Lamborghini specialist Imaant go through the car and complete a number of miscellaneous repairs, including suspension, steering, electrical and regas the air conditioning.
Generally the paint on the car is still in good condition and from say a metre, it presents exceptionally well. On closer inspection there are some imperfections visible, most noticeably on the right front guard, the right rear guard and around the right front headlight. The unique targa roof is in very good condition and it fits very well. All the external trim, including the badges, bumpers, lights, lenses and the glass and are in good condition.
A feature on the Lamborghini Silhouette is the Bravo style Campagnolo wheels which were also used on the first 50 Lamborghini Countach LP400S. The magnesium wheels are extremely porous and as a result they are prone to blistering. On this car they are in excellent condition having been completely refurbished in September 2019. The car is currently running the correct Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, 205/50 R15 at the front and 285/40/R15 at the rear. These tyres were fitted when the wheels were refurbished and are still in excellent condition, they are date stamped 4219 (week 42, 2019).
Inside the cabin everything has been refurbished and presents really well. Purists will note the steering wheel and pedals are not original. Also, the dash and centre console have been refurbished in leather rather than alcantara. When the current owner acquired the car, it was fitted with Silhouette reproduction seats built by Henry Nehrybecki. He found them uncomfortable and has fitted modern brand new Recaro seats. The Silhouette reproduction seats will accompany the car.
Lamborghinis 3.0 litre V8 engine makes one of the best noises you will ever hear. This Silhouette is no exception. Like all Lamborghinis the Weber carburettors require plenty of fuel to start the engine. One tends to get a little impatient waiting for the fuel pumps to do their thing . . . then bang the engine bursts into life with a growl! It is best to allow a little time for the engine to warm up and then youre away. Similarly, the gearbox gets better mile after mile as everything warms up. The engine has loads of power on tap and it pulls like a train. The gearbox is also good and it changes up and down smoothly. This car is a real pleasure to drive and we have to say the Recaro seats are super comfortable. The car handles, steers and stops as you would expect.
Accompanying the car is an original owners manual, parts manual (copy), engine workshop manual (copy) and a thick file of receipts dating back to 2004.
The Lamborghini Urraco/Silhouette is one of Bertones finest designs and we think one of the best-looking cars ever built. And oh did we mention the noise . . . the little V8 is in our opinion one of the best sounding engines ever . . . what a great combination!
These cars are extremely rare and have been a well kept secret for many years, but no more! Today the Lamborghini Silhouette is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Truly a unique opportunity.
Today the odometer reads 21,621 km which is sure to be genuine.
Highlights:
- One of the rarest Lamborghinis, being one of 54 cars built and one of only ten factory right hand drive examples.
- Australian delivered.
- Finished in its stunning and original colour combination of rosso (red) with a nero (black) interior.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $289,950.
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 from 1982 through until 1988.

1978 LAMBORGHINI SILHOUETTE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo.
The BMW Birth Certificate on file confirms this car was delivered new to the Balcom Trading Co. Inc in Tokyo, Japan. This was the local BMW importer which got later absorbed into BMW Japan Corp, the first 100% owned subsidiary of a foreign car maker in Japan. The car has a production date of the 18th October 1974 and a delivery date of the 15th November 1974. The Birth Certificate states the cars original colour was chamonix (BMW white), which is how the car is presented today.
The Japanese history of this car is not known. The car was imported into Australia in the second half of 2007. There is an import approval on file dated 18th of June 2007. It is understood it then resided in New South Wales. There is a photograph of the car on file with the NSW registration BJ82HS. The car was acquired by the previous owner who is a doctor and BMW enthusiast who lived in Adelaide, South Australia.
In October 2018 the car was acquired by its current Melbourne based owner. The car was in a partially disassembled state as the previous owner had commenced pulling the car apart to restore it. This was perfect for the cars new owner who was looking for his next project. His plan was a nut and bolt restoration to a concours standard. He engaged Concourse Automotive Restorations in Geelong to do the body and paint, Auto Sprint Motors in Melbourne for the mechanicals and Unique Auto Interiors in Melbourne to do the trim. The fuel injection system was sent to highly regarded experts Saxon Parts in The Netherlands to be overhauled.
This was to be a no expense spared restoration and where possible NOS parts were sourced for the car. Anything that needed to be replaced or repaired was replaced or repaired. The majority of the new parts were acquired from classic BMW specialists Jaymic in the UK, Rogers tii in the USA and Wallotnesch in Germany.
The restoration was completed just in time for the car to be displayed at Motorclassica in 2019. At that time the odometer read 85,379km.
Since the car was restored, it has been used and enjoyed clocking up some 12,000 km in the last 5 years. The car is a credit to the current owner and all who were involved in the restoration as it still presents today as a fresh restoration.
At some stage the engine block in the car was replaced. There is correspondence on file from BMW in Germany confirming that the engine currently in the car belonged to a BMW 2002 Turbo which was delivered new to France in January 1975. It is unknown when and where the engine was replaced.
Walking up to the car you just cannot help but being impressed with its appearance. The paint is in excellent condition and the decals on the car immediately tell you this car is not your everyday BMW 2002. The flared wheel arches and the decals give the car a very aggressive stance. Even for the uninitiated, it only takes you a few seconds to realise the decals on the front air dam spell Turbo 2002 in reverse. This sends a firm warning to the car driving in front of you when they see you in their rear view mirror . . . please move out of the way!
Walking around the car it is difficult to find any imperfections. There is the smallest of blemishes in the paint on the lower part of the drivers door and there are also some very small marks on the rear spoiler which have been touched up at some stage. All the decals on the car, which are a real feature, are in excellent condition. The stainless steel belt line trim, a unique design feature which runs right around the car, is in very good condition with only a few very small imperfections. The rest of the external trim, including the badges, lights and lenses is in excellent condition. The Hella headlights are the correct type and taillight lenses have the correct BMW markings on them.
The car is fitted with the correct 13 inch Mahle wheels, shod with Pirelli Cinturato tyres, size 185/70/13, which are date stamped 5118 (week 51, 2018).
Open the door and the first thing you will notice is the red instrument binnacle. This is another unique design feature that tells you this is not an ordinary BMW 2002. The interior itself is immaculate. The seats, door cards, dash, centre console and even the carpets present like new. The seats are firm and comfortable and provide ample support. When the current owner decided to restore the car he also decided to make it a more usable classic for the Australian climate and discretely install a modern electric air conditioning system. The air is fed to the cabin using period correct vents. The car is also fitted with EZ power steering.
Getting behind the wheel is easy and it does not take long to find that comfortable driving position. As you would expect from a BMW the interior is very business like and everything is exactly where you would expect it to be. The Turbo version of the 2002 also had an extra instrument binnacle with two gauges above the centre console. One gauge showing the turbo boost and the other one a clock. On this car the clock has been replace with a voltage meter.
We were very eager to find out if this car lives up to its reputation. The car starts easily and quickly settles into a smooth idle. With great anticipation we wait for the engine to warm up before taking the car out on the road for a short test drive. First impressions are good. The car feels solid, yet very nimble on the road. There are no rattles or squeaks and the car is easy to drive. This BMW 2002 Turbo is equipped with the more desirable 5 speed dog leg gearbox which works well with that typical German precision. Out on the road you quickly forget you are driving a 50 year old car. This car is just a lot of fun to drive and when pushed it is somewhat of a pocket rocket. The 4 cylinder engine is only a 1,990cc but with the KKK (Kuhnle, Kopp and Kausch) turbocharger it pushed out an impressive 170 bhp. Top speed was quoted as 210 km/hr (130 mph) and the car could dash from 0 100 km/h (60 mph) in around 7 seconds. There is just something about hearing that turbo spinning up every time you getclose to 4,000rpm.
A BMW 2002 Turbo is a very unique and rare car anywhere in the world with only 1,672 having been produced. They were never sold new in Australia and only a handful have found their way to our shores. They tend to be tightly held and a result the opportunity to purchase this care presents a unique opportunity.
Accompanying the car is an extensive file, including photographs documenting the restoration of this car, a spare wheel, a tool kit, a first aid kit, a safety triangle, a fitted car cover, a workshop manual, a parts manual and various period brochures.
Highlights:
- Rare and desirable example of one the most iconic BMWs.
- Beautifully presented example.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy
Price $259,950
Background:
On 7 March 1916 the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) was established. The company was the result of a reorganisation of the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, a company founded by Gustav Otto in Bavaria, Germany, in 1910. The company was one of the aircraft pioneers in the early 20th century. A year later, in 1917, a Bavarian aircraft engine manufacturer by the name of Rapp Motorwerke changed its name into Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW). That company transferred all its engine production assets to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922 and that company was then renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW).
The company survived World War I and started focussing on the production of motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. In 1923 BMW produced its first motorcycle, the BMW R23.
In 1928 BMW purchased the Fahrzeug Fabrik Eisenach which built Austin Sevens under license. That is when BMW officially became an automobile manufacturer. The first car BMW sold under its own name was the BMW 3/15 which was basically a rebadged Austin 7. Throughout the 1930s BMW focussed more and more on producing their own cars and expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars.
During World War II the BMW factories were heavily bombed and severely damaged. Motor vehicle production was curtained and BMW has concentrated on building aircraft engines during the War. As a result, after the war the company was prohibited from producing aircraft or motor vehicles. Miraculously the company survived by making pots, pans and bicycles. It began manufacturing motorcycles again in 1948 and cars in 1952.
Its first post war effort was the BMW 501 which was built in a new factory in Munich. The car was reasonably successful and it effectively relaunched BMW. At the time BMW was also building its fabulous little Isetta, but the company was doing it tough financially. In 1955 the BMW 507 made its debut at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The 507 was roadster powered by a 3.2 litre V8 engine and was meant to revive the companies sporting image. Instead, the high production cost led the company to the verge of bankruptcy. Only 252 examples were built before production ceased in 1959. As it turns out, it would take BMW nearly 30 years before it would produce another roadster. The company was in serious financial trouble in 1959 and only a large investment from a third party saved the company and prevented a takeover by Daimler-Benz.
It was the launch of the BMW New Class cars in 1962 that proved to be a game changer for the company. Initially these were 4-door compact sedans aimed at the executives. The first one was the BMW 1500 which was first introduced at the September 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Other models like the BMW 1800, the successor of the 1500 the BMW 1600 and the BMW 2000 followed soon. In 1965 BMW introduced a coupe versions of the 2000, the 2000C and he 2000CS.
Around the mid 1960s BMW recognised there was a market for a slightly smaller version of their New Class cars. Around the same time they stopped producing the BMW 1600 they introduced the BMW 1600-2 which was a shorter two door model. In 1968 BMW started producing the two door BMW 2002 with its stronger 1,990cc M10 engine.
In 1973 BMW introduced its first turbo charged production car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 2002 Turbo. It produced 170hp and had a top speed of 211 km/h. It was only available in two colours Chamonix (white) and Polaris (silver) and all cars featured BMW motorsport colour scheme stripes and decals on the sides as well as the front air dam. Interestingly the car was introduced just before the 1973 oil crises and as BMW themselves said; BMW had built a car that contradicted the spirit of the times like no automobile before.
Only 1,672 were ever built between July 1973 and June 1975, including twelve pre-production cars constructed between July and December of 1973. The BMW 2002 Turbo was only built as left hand drive.

1974 BMW 2002 Turbo

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectible, Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Speedster.
The Kardex on file confirms this car left the factory on the 15th November 1957 and was destined for Porsche dealer Hamilton in Melbourne. The car was painted Meissen Blue (paint code 5703) with a red interior (colour code A). The car was delivered with the following options: Tacho in miles, USA bumpers, seats from a coupe, tonneau and RHD.
Interestingly, it is understood that the original engine in this car was swapped into a standard Porsche 356 A Coupe when new. Apparently, a VIP client wanted a 356 A Coupe with a Super engine so the swap was made. The whereabouts of that 356 A Coupe are known, but the engine has long since been removed.
This Porsche 356 A Speedster went from Hamilton to Porsche dealer Diesel Motors in NSW. The cars first owner was believed to have been Jack Davey, a then famed radio host. Unfortunately, Davey didnt get to enjoy his Speedster for long as he passed away in October 1959. The cars history over the next ten years is not known, however, by 1969 it had found its way to Launceston in Tasmania and into the ownership of John Dixon.
In April 1988 the car was acquired by Kim & Ingrid Goodridge from Perth, WA. They purchased the car from Spyder Automobiles in Melbourne. At that time the car was in pretty poor condition. The Goodridges engaged Spyder Automobiles, who were one of the periods finest Porsche specialists, to restore the car to international concours standards. The car was disassembled to a bare shell and rebuilt to factory standards and tolerances. The engine was rebuilt to 1600 Super specification. There is correspondence on file with regards to the restoration as well as receipts, invoices and an album full of detailed photos. It took a total of 4 years to restore the car and by the end of 1992 this fabulous Speedster was back on the road. It was registered in WA with the registration number 8KL 894. At that time the odometer read circa 51,000 miles.
By 2003 the car had found its way to Melbourne and into the ownership of Jeff Dutton. Some twelve months later the car was sold to Peter Jurd from Byron Bay in northern NSW. Jurd owned the car for around 2 years and it was then sold to a well known Porsche enthusiast and collector on the Sunshine Coast. He used and enjoyed the car and it was a regular attendee at various events and rallies.
The current owner, who was living in Mount Isa, QLD at the time, acquired the car in January 2010. The odometer then read circa 58,700 miles. The car was initially registered in Queensland as 735 MUP and later with the personalised plates CDEK01. The owner later moved to northern NSW, taking his beloved Speedster with him, where it was registered as FLR06U.
In his 15 years of ownership the car has been used and enjoyed, travelling some 4,000 miles in that time. The majority of that mileage was accumulated in his early years of ownership and the car has been used sparingly in recent times.
In 2014 the engine was rebuilt and new pistons, barrels and rings were installed. At that time the odometer read 61,920 miles.
More recently, in February 2025, the car was sent to Gold Coast based classic car specialist and Porsche guru Russell Ebeling on the Gold Coast who went over the whole car. He recommissioned the engine, replaced all gaskets & seals, adjusted the valve clearances, changed the fluids and carried out a final tune. The brake fluid was also changed.
Today the odometer reads 62,858 miles.
It is hard to believe that it was almost 35 years ago that Spyder Automobiles restored this car. The car still presents and drives superbly, showing just the right amount of patina, which is a testament to the quality of the restoration and a reflection on how the car has been subsequently cared for and maintained.
From about a meter away the car still presents beautifully. The paint work has retained a strong depth of colour and a high gloss finish. Upon closer inspection there are some paint blemishes, most notably some stars on top of both the front guards and a few small stone chips and blemishes here and there. The bright work on the car, including the badges, is generally in good condition with only some very light pitting evident in certain areas. The front windscreen is in good condition. The same can be said for all the lights and lenses. Overall, the paint and external trim presents well with its overall presentation more consistent with 11,000+ miles of usage rather than a circa 35 year old restoration.
The car is fitted with a soft top, has the correct side screens, full tonneau cover and soft top cover which are in a good condition.
The steel wheels are in a good condition with only some light scratches and stone chips evident, but importantly no kerb rash. They are all, including the spare wheel, the correct Lemmerz 4½ Jx15 size wheels. Four of the five are date stamped 8/57 (August, 1957) which would be correct for a car which left the production line in November 1957. One wheel is date stamped 10/60 (October, 1960).
They are shod with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, size 165 HR 15 which are date stamped 1513 (week 15, 2013). Whilst the tyres still appear to be in a good condition they should be replaced on age if the next owner is going to do some serious driving in the car.
The interior on a 356 Speedster is simplistic, yet functional. Everything on this car presents nicely, from the lovely timber steering wheel through to the body colour painted dash. The upholstery is in very good condition with no tears or cracks evident in the seats or door cards. The optional coupe seats are comfortable and still provide ample support. Even the carpets have aged well and are in good condition. All the instruments are crisp, clean and present well. They all appear to be in good working order.
There arent too many cars cooler than a Porsche 356 Speedster. Whilst they look good, they are also great fun to drive. We were given the heads up that this car has a very strong engine with loads of power on tap and it drives particularly well. Needless to say, we were keen to get behind the wheel for our test drive. Our patience was tested as we had to wait out the inclement Brisbane weather for a few days. Finally, the weather gods cooperated and the grey skies cleared.
At some stage this cars electrical system has been upgraded from 6 volt to 12 volt and as a result the car starts easily, even from cold. Once the engine fires it quickly settles into a smooth idle. From the very first moment we started the car our impressions were very positive. The engine sounds great and it has the typical 356 raspy exhaust note.
Out on the open road this Speedster is an absolute delight to drive. The engine responds well to the slightest touch of the throttle and this car seams to go harder than most 356s we have experienced. The gearbox is tight and the changes up and down the box are precise. The suspension is also tight and the bumps in the road get easily absorbed. The steering is precise and direct providing great feedback to the driver. The brakes do their job and when needed they pull you up quickly and in a straight line. Unfortunately, we have no mountains or even hills near our showroom, but we can imagine how much fun this car would be to drive on some winding roads and over mountain passes.
After half an hour behind the wheel, you really get why these cars were so popular and so successful on race tracks back in the day.
Accompanying the car is a thick history file, which includes photos of its restoration, a short and long tonneau cover, two side screens, a spare wheel, a correct Hazet tool kit (in a VW case) and a jack. There are also six boxes of spare parts.
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory RHD Speedster.
- Rebuilt engine to Super specs.
- Excellent history file.
- Delightful car to drive.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $849,950.
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.
In total 20,541 examples of the 356 A were built, consisting of 13,016 coupes, 3,285 cabriolets, 1,330 convertibles and 2,910 speedsters.
The 356 remained in production through until 1965 and evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built.

1958 PORSCHE 356A Speedster

Find Unique Cars For Sale from OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L.

New & Used Unique Cars For Sale in Australia

OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Sale Price

1968 FIAT 500 F

1986 LAMBORGHINI JALPA

1971 MASERATI INDY 4.7 Manual

1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Sting Ray C2

1981 MASERATI KYALAMI 4.9

1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

BUGATTI TYPE 51 Grand Prix by Pur Sang

1959 BRISTOL 406 Zagato (Prototype)

1937 LAGONDA LG45 Drophead Coupe

1978 LAMBORGHINI SILHOUETTE

1974 BMW 2002 Turbo

1958 PORSCHE 356A Speedster

OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Dealer Address