OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre Targa.
This UK delivered, factory right hand drive example was delivered in silver metallic (colour code 936) with the interior trim black leatherette with red seat inserts.
Accompanying this car is its original service book which notes that it was delivered on the 7th August 1976 by AFN Ltd, Falcon Works, London Rd, Middlesex in the UK to its first owner, Mr Philip Edward Sparks from Carshalton, Surrey in the UK. Sparks owned the car for a short time and it was sold to a Mr Larry Webb from Harpenden, Hertfordshire on the 1st of December 1976 at which time the odometer was 2,400 miles. The car passed through a few other known owners in the UK before being acquired by a client of Oldtimer Australia, who was living in Leven, Yorkshire at the time, on the 24th June 2006. The car was purchased through Specialist Cars of Malton. At the time of purchase the odometer read 149,200 miles.
Whilst in the UK the car was last registered as RKY912R. It previously carried the registration OYH33R and NPN9.
In 2008 the cars owner immigrated to Australia and he brought his much loved Porsche with him. There is an Import Approval on file dated 17th January 2008.
Since arriving in Australia the car has been well maintained by Porsche specialists in south east Queensland. In October 2019 the engine and gearbox were reconditioned, the trigger being a broken cylinder head stud. The work was completed by respected Brisbane based Porsche specialists DHM Auto Solutions. At that time the odometer was 155,029 miles. In December 2020 the car was serviced by DHM at 155,806 miles.
The car was sold through Oldtimer Australia in January 2021 to another of our long term clients. At that time the odometer read 155,845 miles. Unfortunately, he had some health issues and decided to sell a few of his cars, including this Porsche.
Oldtimer Australia sold the car to the current owner in July 2021 and at that time the odometer read 155,965 miles. For as long as we have known the car it was presented with the iconic red and blue Martini stripes and red wheels. The current owner decided to revert to a more conservative and traditional look and he had the striping removed and fitted a set of new 16 Fuchs wheels.
In July 2023 DNA Autosport in Wetherill Park, Sydney, NSW fitted a new clutch and performed a minor service on the car. They also completed a brake fluid flush and bled the brakes.
Today this 1976 Porsche Carrera 3.0 Litre Targa presents well and drives even better!
Whilst the car carries an older repaint, the white paintwork remains generally in very good condition. It retains a good depth of colour with a high gloss. There are a few minor imperfections and blemishes evident. The most noticeable are some bubbles on the bottom of the drivers door, most likely caused by blocked drain holes at some stage as well as a poorly repainted section of the drivers door, near the door handle. We can only assume that some paint was damaged when the Martini stripes were removed.
The targa roof fits snugly and it is in very good condition, as is the all of the external trim, badges and the glass. A new Porsche front badge has recently been fitted.
The car presents well underneath and it looks to be structurally sound. The panel gaps are excellent confirming this to be a clean, straight car.
The black cantered Fuchs 16 wheels are a real feature on this car and they are all in excellent unmarked condition. They are shod with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres size 205/55 VR 16 at the front and 225/50 VR16 at the rear. The front tyres are date stamped 3720 (week 37, 2020) the rear tyres are date stamped 0721 (week 7, 2021).
Inside the cabin this car is well presented. The black upholstery is in excellent condition all round with no rips, tears or splits in the seats. The only thing we noticed was a small mark on the bolster of the drivers seat, most likely caused by the seat belt. A good leather doctor could easily fix this. The door cards are also in excellent condition, as are the door pockets which often sag on these cars. The dash is clean with no cracks or warping evident. All of the instruments and controls are crisp, clean and in working order. The steering wheel has recently been refurbished and presents like new. The carpets are showing some signs of wear, especially in the footwell on the passenger side.
The history file confirms that this 911 has been impeccably maintained over the years and with a recent engine / gearbox rebuild you would expect it to drive really well.
It is easy to be disappointed if you start with high expectations . . . however, after a few minutes behind the wheel of this car your expectations are more than met. This Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre Targa drives superbly. The car is incredibly tight on the road and the car has no rattles or squeaks. A weak point on these cars is often the gearbox and linkages, however, on this car the gear change is superb. The 2,997cc engine was quoted as delivering 200 hp when new and this car feels like it has all of that. The engine pulls strongly through the rev range and with an upgraded exhaust system it makes a beautiful noise! The engine has been upgraded with an eleven blade fan to ensure it is kept cool in the Australian climate. The original fan is with the car.
The engine bay presents exceptionally well and all the stickers are in place and in good condition. Under the front boot the story is the same. Everything is clean and tidy, including the carpet matting. The original (unused) space saver spare wheel is present, as is the air compressor, tool kit, jack and a safety triangle.
This car has an impeccable and fully documented service history, confirming it has been meticulously cared for throughout its life.
At the time of photographing the car, the odometer read 157,093 miles.
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file, with all its books, a spare wheel, jack, air compressor, tool kit, the original fan and the red 15 Fuchs wheels.
Highlights:
- A factory right hand drive, matching numbers example.
- Engine and gearbox rebuild by Brisbane Porsche specialists DHM Auto Solutions 2,000 miles ago.
- Full books and an excellent service history.
- This car is ready for its next keeper to use and enjoy.
The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre was built in limited numbers and is a rare model. We see this model as somewhat of a sleeper and offers great value when compared to the early small bumper cars and the 930 Turbo.
Price $149,950
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 hand built aluminium bodied cars in their small factory atGmünd before relocating back to Stuttgart, Germany. The rest they say is history as the 356 evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built. A hard act to follow indeed . . . but its replacement, the Porsche 911 went on to become a legend!
The evolution of the Porsche 911 is probably the greatest sports car story of all time. First introduced in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and then designated as a 901, the successor to the 356 took the world by storm. To avoid conflict with Peugeot, who claimed exclusive rights to car names with three digits having a zero in the middle, the car was renamed as 911. The first production 911 was built in 1964 and it was powered by an air cooled 1991cc 6 cylinder engine. The car evolved with increases in engine capacity to 2.2 litres, 2.4 litres, 2.7 litres, 3.0 litres and 3.3 litres. There were styling changes also, but one always recognised the car as a 911. Today the first series of 911s is recognised as the cars built from 1963 to 1989 and include the very popular Porsche 911 and 930 Turbo models. Of these the small bumper or pre impact bumper cars built up to 1973 are today regarded as the real classic 911, however, that comes at a price. In the last few years astute collectors and enthusiastshave seen great value in 1970s model 911s. In 1975 Porsche introduced the 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre which was the top of the range 911 model of the day. The Carrera 3.0 Litre was powered by essentially the same 2997cc engine used in the 930 Turbo, minus the turbo charger! These cars were only built in relatively small numbers with just over 3,600 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre models built throughout two years of production. It is understood that 2,564 coupes and 1,123 targas were built.

1976 PORSCHE 911 Carrera 3.0 Litre Targa

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Ferrari 328 GTS.
The service book confirms this car was sold through John Cant Ferrari in Brisbane, Queensland and it was delivered new on 29th October 1987. The first owner is noted as a company based in Bundaburg, Queensland. The service book notes the VIN as well as the engine number and therefore we can confirm that this car retains its original matching numbers engine.
The first entry in the service book is dated 22nd December 1987 stamped by John Cant Ferrari. The car did not stay in Queensland for long. It found its way down to Victoria in either late 1988 or early 1989. There is an entry in the service book for the 10,000 km service dated 15th February 1989 and that service was executed by Lance Dixon Saab-Ferrari in Melbourne. The subsequent 20,000 km service was executed by Lance Dixon on the 4th January 1990. This was an annual service based on time passed, not mileage.
This Ferrari 328 GTS then found its way to Sydney, NSW and to the suburb of Narrabeen on the northern beaches. The car was registered in NSW as JH326. The car was subsequently serviced by Scuderia Veloce Motors with numerous entries in the service book through until 2005. Italia Motori serviced the car in 2006 and again 2008. From 2009 through until 2022 the car was maintained by Cavallino Motorsport in Brookvale, Sydney.
The car changed hands in mid to late 2022 and its next owner used the car sparingly. As a result of a health issue he sold the car to Oldtimer Australia in June 2023. We had the car checked over and serviced. The work included a general service, timing belt service, the radiator was recored and overflow tank repaired. The car was quickly sold to one of our long standing clients based on the Gold Coast.
Today the odometer reads 60,459 km. This car has an impeccable service history which unequivocally confirms the mileage to be genuine.
The 308 GTB/GTS and 328 GTB/GTS is one of Ferraris most successful and recognisable models. There are lots of nice cars out there, but this is one is particularly good and it ticks all the boxes.
First impressions of this car are really good. This car has a real presence about it and everything is just so crisp and clean. The rosso corsa paint on the car is in very good condition. It may have had the odd touch up here and there, but it looks to be essentially original and beautifully preserved. It has retained a strong depth of colour and nice gloss finish. If you look underneath the car you will see the bottom of the front spoiler has a few chips and there are a few scrapes from unfriendly speed bumps! Even the underside is well presented for a 37 year old car. The prancing horse shields were added by us at the request of the current owner at the time of sale.
All of the external trim is similarly well presented. The iconic Ferrari and 328 badges are particularly well presented. The targa roof often shows wear on the GTS Ferraris, however, on this car is in excellent condition. There are no scratches, wear marks or any signs of discoloration. The glass is also in excellent condition. The rear window and the side windows appear to be all original. The front windscreen has probably been replaced at some stage. The round tail lights on a Ferrari 308/328 are a real feature and the lenses on this car are in very good condition. The same can be said of the headlights. The parking lights/indicator lenses are often cracked and/or show stone chips but on this car they are also in very good condition.
The original wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza tyres all around. The fronts are 205/55 ZR 16, date stamped 0523 (week 5, 2023) and the rears are 225/50 R16, date stamped 1323 (week 13, 2023). The tyres were fitted when the current owner acquired the car and have only travelled 1,000 km. The wheels are in excellent condition with no signs of any curb rash or damage.
With the targa top removed, you are able see inside the cabin and like the exterior of this car first impressions of the interior are very positive. Open the door and you are welcomed by a very inviting interior. It is immediately obvious this is a very well cared for example. The seats are in very good condition and there are no cracks/tears in the leather or any obvious wear to the seat bolsters. The door cards, centre console and the dash all present beautifully. Even the carpets are in very good condition. Another indictor on how well an eighties Ferrari has been cared for is the condition and presentation of the switches on the centre console and in the doors. More often than not, including low mileage examples, you will often see that the symbols show signs of wear. Fortunately, on this car this is not the case. They present like new and appear to have hardly been used.
The front compartment is in excellent original condition. Most notably, the original plastic liner is not cracked or damaged as you often see on these cars. The spare wheel looks to have been sparingly used, if at all. The engine bay is also very original and very well presented. The devil is in the detail and all the finishes all look to be correct, the rosso corsa paint sticker on the underside of the engine cover is like new and the boot cover is in excellent condition with a working zipper.
With a car like this it is all about the drive and we cannot wait to take this 328 GTS out for our test drive. The car starts easily even from cold and quickly settles into a smooth idle. The engine sounds fabulous with a lovely exhaust note. Just sitting in the car waiting for the engine to warm up puts a smile on your face. Once the engine warms up and the temperature gauge starts to move, it is time to hit the road. The first task and a rather enjoyable one at that, is to select first gear in that shift gate. The clutch is light and notch . . . you are in gear and quickly away. Even if you could see nothing else you immediately know you are in a Ferrari!
Out on the road this car is a real pleasure to drive. Like all Ferraris of this period the gear change improves considerably as the car warms up to operating temperature. It is actually fine when cold, but it is an absolute delight once warm and the gear changes are smooth and precise. The engine revs willingly and there is loads of power on tap. The steering is direct and surprisingly light. The brakes stop the car quickly and in a straight line when needed. All the instruments in the car appear to be in good working order and the air conditioning has recently been regassed and it blows cold air.
All too soon our test drive comes to an end and we return the car to our showroom where it sits peacefully, eagerly awaiting its next owner.
This car has a complete book set, including a fully stamped service book, in its original pouch, a spare wheel, a tool kit (which still looks like new), a jack, the often missing courtesy light and the almost always missing targa top cover.
The current owner acquired this car back in August 2023, however, as a result of him losing his available storage space he has made the difficult decision to sell.
This car was last serviced less than 12 months ago, new Bridgestone tyres were recently fitted and this just stunning Ferrari 328 GTS is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
The Queensland private number plate 328 GTS is available to be purchased either separately or with the car.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory right-hand drive, matching numbers example.
- Beautifully presented in the right colour scheme.
- Low mileage, with only c60,000km.
- Books, including a stamped service book, history file, spare wheel, tools, jack, courtesy light and targa top cover.
- All tags and stickers in place.
- Recently serviced and new tyres fitted.
- Beautifully presented and drives superbly.
Price $209,950
Background:
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3967cc capacity.
Ferraris iconic Dino was first shown to the world as a prototype at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. The car morphed into the 206 GT of which only 150 cars were built from 1967 to 1969. In 1969 the 246 GT was released, which whilst a similar looking car in many ways was actually quite different. The car sat 3 taller than its predecessor and the body was now built from steel. Mechanically the new car was powered by a 2418cc V6 engine. Enzo was keen to tackle Porsche head on and to do this he needed to increase production. The Dino was a hit and circa 4,000 of these cars (both the 246 GT and 246 GTS) were built from 1969 to 1974.
The Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, essentially to replace the 246 Dino GT. The car was designed to fit between the top of the range 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer and 2+2 308 GT/4. The car was released to critical acclaim and its sweeping Pininfarina design was admired by everyone who laid eyes on it. Originally the car was manufactured with a glass reinforced plastic (fibreglass) body to keep the weight down and it was powered by a three litre V8 engine with a dry sump. Only circa 800 fibreglass cars were built before Ferrari reverted to a more conventional steel body construction in 1977. Most markets also reverted to having a wet sump engine. In 1977 Ferrari introduced the 308 GTS, which was essentially the same car with a targa roof. The car was made famous through its appearance on the TV show Magnum PI. The model evolved into the 308 GTBi / 308 GTSi in 1980 when Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection replaced the traditional Weber carburettors. Two years later thefour valves per cylinder Quattrovalvole or QV was introduced. The 308 was an incredible success and circa 12,000 cars were built from 1975 to 1985 before the 328 was introduced.
The 328 GTB / GTS was essentially an updated version of the 308 with the same engine as its predecessor, but with an increased capacity of 3,185 cc. The styling remained similar though its overall profile was somewhat softer and the car featured colour coded front and rear bumpers. By mid-1988 ABS brakes were available and these cars were fitted with convex shaped wheels. Interestingly 328 GTS production out numbered 328 GTB production by a factor of five to one.
In total Ferrari built 7,412 328s, comprising 6,068 328 GTS and 1,344 328 GTBs throughout 4 years of production.

1987 FERRARI 328GTS

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider equipped with the highly desirable 6-speed manual gearbox.
The car was delivered to its first owner, Mr Christopher Chronis, a well-known Melbourne fashion designer through Ferrari dealer Lance Dixon in Richmond, Victoria on the 16th May 1997. The second owner of the car also lived in Melbourne and used the car sparingly throughout his ownership.
The current owner acquired the car in 2022 and at that time the odometer read 39,375 km.
The car has its original books, including a fully stamped service book. Lance Dixon Ferrari maintained the car from new through until 2003. Cavalli Motorsport then serviced the car until 2016. In 2019 the car was serviced by Prestige City Garage and the last service was completed by Sports & Classic Car Services in July 2022. This was a cam belt service and at that time the odometer read 39,381 km.
Today the odometer reads 40,903 km.
This F355 was produced in an era of red Ferraris, so it is so refreshing to have this car finished in Giallo Modena (colour code FER 102 D.S). And what a fabulous colour . . . it brings out all the lines on the car and creates a perfect contrast with the black soft top. For the anoraks out there Giallo Modena is also the colour of the city of Modena, where Ferrari was founded. Walking around the car you cant help but being impressed with how well these F355s have aged. They still have an amazing presence.
Whilst Ferrari F355s are not super rare, finding a good example is getting harder and harder as these cars age. What we have here is an excellent example. The paint on the car is immaculate and it is hard to believe that it is almost 30 years old! It retains a strong depth of colour and deep gloss finish. You have to look hard to find any imperfections in the paint. The external trim is minimalistic, but all of the lights, lenses, badges etc are similarly well presented. The wheels are also in very good condition, with the only noticeable blemish being a very small mark on the left front wheel. The front wheels are shod with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres, size 235/40 ZR 18. These are date stamped 1317 (week 13, 2017). The rear wheels are also shod with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres but in the size 295/35 ZR18. These are date stamped 4919 (week 49, 2019). Both the front and rear tyres are in good condition.
The soft top on the car is in excellent condition and the mechanism to open and close it works well. The soft top tonneau cover is with the car, it fits well and is in good condition.
Inside the cabin everything is how you expect it to be based on the exterior presentation of the car. The seats present well and there are no rips or tears in the leather. They are comfortable and provide ample support. All the instruments are clear and appear to be in good working order. The switches on the dashboard and the centre console are not sticky as is often the case with Italian cars from this period. Even the carpets are in good condition.
It is very easy to find a comfortable driving position behind the wheel of a Ferrari F355. These car look fantastic but they are also ergonomically very good. They are also very rewarding to drive and offer exhilarating performance. This car is equipped with an immobiliser, so to start you turn the ignition on, then press the button on the remote control and wait for the red light in the middle of the dashboard to stop blinking. Then you turn the key further to start the car. It starts easily, even from cold, and then quickly settles into a smooth idle. The Ferrari F355 is often regarded as one of the best sounding Ferraris. The exhaust note is all performance and you cant help but smile as you sit patiently waiting for the engine to warm up. When ready to go, you notch the gear lever into first and gently edge the car out onto the street. It immediately become obvious that this is a great drivers car. The engine revs freely and it has almost instant throttle response. The gearbox is smooth andprecise with just the right feel. It really just begs you to keep changing up and down because you can! The steering is surprisingly light and very direct. With electrifying performance on tap it is reassuring to know the brakes are up to the task and pull the car up efficiently and in a straight line. In summary, this car is an absolute delight to drive!
Obviously, we put the top down for our test drive to our photo shoot location. Even with the top down it is surprisingly quiet inside the cabin and you can easily have a conversation with your passenger.
The Ferrari F355 is what we consider a true modern classic. In our opinion it is one of best looking modern Ferraris. It is a fantastic drivers car and for us a manual gearbox is a must, yet this is also a car that could be used as a daily driver if one desired.
And yes, before you ask the car retains its original matching numbers engine.
Accompanying the car is a complete book set (minus the torch) including a fully stamped service book and the original toolkit.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory right-hand drive, matching numbers example.
- Beautifully presented in a great colour scheme.
- Low mileage, with only 40,903km.
- Books, including a stamped service book and original tool kit
- All tags and stickers in place.
- Beautifully presented and drives superbly.
Price $239,950
Background:
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940. The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Ferrari built exclusive sports cars for the road too, but in the early days, this was primarily to fund his motor racing!
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO. The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 330 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 3,967cc capacity.
The Ferrari 308 GTB was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, essentially to replace the 246 Dino GT. The car was designed to fit between the top of the range 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer and 2+2 308 GT/4. In 1977 Ferrari introduced the 308 GTS, which was essentially the same car with a targa roof. The car was made famous through its appearance on the TV show Magnum PI. The model evolved into the 308 GTBi / 308 GTSi in 1980 when Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection replaced the traditional Weber carburettors. Two years later the four valves per cylinder Quattrovalvole or QV was introduced. The 308 was an incredible success and circa 12,000 cars were built from 1975 to 1985 before the 328 was introduced.
The 328 GTB / GTS was essentially an updated version of the 308 with the same engine as its predecessor, but with an increased capacity of 3,185 cc. Interestingly 328 GTS production out numbered 328 GTB production by a factor of five to one.
In total Ferrari built 7,412 328s, comprising 6,068 328 GTS and 1,344 328 GTBs throughout 4 years of production.
The 348 TB and TS replaced the 328 in 1989 and remained in production through until 1995 when it was replaced by the F355. The 348 today is not recognised as being one of Ferraris finest, however, this is probably unfair as the 348 was a great success and in total 8,844 cars were produced throughout the six years of production.
The F355 was first introduced in May 1994 and it was a game changer. It bought a fresh look and an upgraded engine. It became the first Ferrari to be fitted with a 5 valve cylinder head. It remained in production through until 1999 and in total 11,273 were produced before it was superseded by the Ferrari 360.
The Ferrari F355 was offered in three body styles, being the coupe (F355 Berlinetta), targa (F355 GTS) and convertible (F355 Spider).

1997 FERRARI F355 Spider

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

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 magnificent Maserati 450S recreation.
The current owner is a real enthusiast and has owned some of the worlds great cars. He has a passion for sports racing cars from the 1950s and 1960s and in 2011 decided he needed a Maserati 450S!
He engaged the services of well respected classic car restoration specialists Historic and Vintage Restoration (HVR) in Melbourne and the journey began.
First step was to source a suitable engine to power the car. Obviously, it had to be a Maserati engine. A decision was made to use a Tipo AM107 engine from a 1960s Maserati Quattroporte. The engine was completely stripped by HVR and every element was tested and what needed to be replaced was replaced. When the time came to put the engine back together it was not simply rebuilt the way it was. The owner wanted the engine to look like it would have looked in period. It was modified to have twin plug ignition with a distributor for each bank. The block was also bored out to 5.0 litres. The Weber carburettors were modified and fitted with polished velocity stacks. They have the correct sand cast look. The owner did not go as far as converting the engine to dry sump, however, a correct dry sump tank is fitted in the rear of the car next to the beautiful riveted aluminium fuel tank (fitted with a fuel cell) to complete the look.
The remainder of the running gear came from a modern Maserati 4200, modified to look period correct. It is a six speed gearbox and transaxle which, inside the car, is beautifully disguised to look like a 5 speed gearbox with reverse. Giant, period correct, finned drum brakes are fitted all around.
The front suspension is a classic double-wishbone set-up. On the rear it has the De Dion rear end with transverse leaf springs which are polished steel as per original.
The body and chassis were made in Argentina by Nestor Solerno who is well known for making museum quality recreations. In fact, several of his cars are on display in the Fangio Museum in Buenos Aires.
When the body arrived in Australia HVR checked it and then had it painted by Resurrection Auto Restorers in Melbourne.
The project was finished in 2014 and the car has been used sporadically since. It has made appearances at the 2014 and 2015 Australian Grand Prix and several other events.
It was featured in Issue 367 the September 2014 issue of Unique Cars magazine when John Bowe tested it alongside a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Recreation, then belonging to the same owner. The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, which used a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE as its donor car, has just been sold by Oldtimer Australia.
Like all nine original 450S built by Maserati, this car is right hand drive.
Walking up to the car you cannot help but being impressed with its presence. This car is stunning and its proportions are just right. Once of the first things you will notice are the ceramic coated exhausts on either side of the car. They immediately tell you this car means business.
Whilst it has been a few years now since the build of this car was completed it still presents exceptionally well. The paint has retained a deep gloss with a strong depth of colour. The car has been used from time to time as its makers intended and as a result when you look closely you will find some small imperfections. All the panel gaps are excellent.
The more you look at the car the more detail you will notice. The devil is in the detail and some of its features are the delicate handles to secure the boot and the bonnet as well as the windscreen which wraps around the cockpit and continues on top of the doors.
The car is fitted with genuine Borrani 16×4½ wire wheels at the front (16×5½ rear) which are shod with soft compound Dunlop Racing tyres size 6.0 16 at the front (6.5 16 rear). The wheels are all in excellent condition.
To get into the car you have to reach over the side screens and pull the leather cord on the inside of the door to open it. The interior itself is very minimalistic as one would expect. It is after all a race car. The seats are covered in period correct leather and are firm and relatively comfortable. Both seats are fitted with a five point harness. The small dashboard in front of you is basic but equipped with enough gauges to give you all the information you need. Right in front of you is the all important tacho. There is also a GPS speedo installed, however, on our most recent test drive that was not working.
We love the exposed chassis frame inside the car, which is a real feature of this era of racing Maseratis.
From the moment this car arrived at our showroom we were just that little bit excited to get behind the wheel. Starting the car is easy. There is a battery isolator key which is conveniently located inside the cabin and within easy reach of the driver. Starting is essentially the same as any other classic Maserati. It is as simple as inserting the key into the ignition and turning the ignition on. You will then hear the fuel pumps starting to pump fuel into the carburettors. After waiting for say fifteen seconds (which seemed more like 15 minutes!), you press the starter button. The big V8 bursts to live almost immediately with an almighty roar. You have to use the throttle to warm the engine up but that doesnt take too long and it quickly settles into a smooth idle. It immediately becomes clear that this engine means business. The engine sounds great and the exhaust note is simply amazing.
The gearbox has a normal shift pattern with first gear being left and forward. Once comfortable in the car and all buckled up it is time to hit the road. We select first gear and ever so cautiously inch the car out of our show room. Trying to be discrete is impossible. Passerbys, hearing the noise, immediately turned their heads the moment the car got onto the road. First impressions are that this car is surprisingly easy to drive. The gearbox is an absolute delight and with a relatively short shift the gear changes both up and down the box are easy and smooth.
Once the engine warmed up and we felt comfortable with the car we were able to find a quiet piece of road to see what this could do. Needless to say, we couldnt test its full potential. For that you need a race track, but what we can say is the car is an absolute delight to drive with more than enough power. The big Maserati V8 also has plenty of torque. The car weighs less than 1,000 kg and according to HVR the engine has around 350hp and 350nm of torque.
The brakes take a little bit of getting used to as they are drums. But once you realise that you just have to apply a bit more pressure on the peddle they do pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
It is not often a car like this becomes available on the Australian market. Given it was built in Australia makes it even more special.
This truly is a unique opportunity to own a recreation of a fantastic race car from the late 1950s. Accompanying the car is a history file of the invoices and photos from the build. There is also a spare wheel and a (modern) jack.
Highlights:
- Built by respected classic car restoration specialists (HVR) in Melbourne.
- Accurate aluminium body built by Nestor Solerno in Argentina.
- Powered by 5.0 Litre Maserati V8 engine.
- Beautifully presented.
- An absolute delight to drive.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $399,950
Background:
The Maserati story is a fascinating one. It is the story of a family with daring, courageous and forward-thinking ideas. The story starts with Rodolfo Maserati, a railway engineer who was employed by the Italian monarchy and the father of seven sons who all had a passion for engine design and racing cars. The Maserati brothers all became involved in the automotive industry in some way or another, however, it was on the 1st of December 1914 that Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati officially opened Alfieri Maserati Workshop in Bologna, Italy.
Maserati chose the trident logo to adorn its cars. Its design was based on the Fountain of Neptune in Bolognas Piazza Maggiore. The colours chosen for the logo were also the colours of Bologna, red and blue.
The business was focused on repairing, servicing and preparing cars, however, the World War cut business short and it wasnt until 1926 that Maserati built its first car, the Tipo 26.
It was all about motorsport back then and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired ownership of Maserati which was in desperate need of financial backing to be able to survive. During the Orsi years Maserati grew from a boutique but very successful race car builder to one of the worlds leading manufacturers of hand-built sports and GT cars.
Maserati built its first road car in 1946 even though times were tough in post War northern Italy. The car was the Maserati A6 where A was for Alfieri and 6 for the number of cylinders. The initial reception of the car was positive and a production Maserati A6/1500 was then shown at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show.
This was a significant milestone in the Maserati legend and subsequent models included the A6G/2000, 3500 series cars, 5000GT, Mistral. Quattroporte, Mexico, Sebring and Ghibli. Maserati also continued to build very successful race cars that dominated tracks around the world including the 250F, 300S, 150S, 450S and the Birdcage.
The Maserati 250F is unique among Grand Prix cars, as it has longevity that has spanned seven years of racing from 1954 through until 1960. The 250F was first raced at the Argentinian Grand Prix in January 1954 by Juan Manuel Fangio. After qualifying third Fangio went on to win the race. Another famous driver who raced the 250F in 1954 was Stirling Moss. Moss also won several races in the 250F. In 1957 at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring Fangio overcame a 48 second deficit in 22 laps to win the race. In 22 laps he broke the lap record 10 times. The 250F was crucially important in carrying Juan Manuel Fangio to two of his five World Championship winning seasons, in 1954 and 1957. The Maserati 250F is motor racing royalty and in total 26 examples were built.
In 1955 Maserati introduced the Maserati 300S. This car was designed to compete in the FIA World Sportscar Championship. In total 26 were produced between 1955 and 1956.
The 300S was superseded by the 350S, but only 3 of them were produced before it was superseded by the Maserati 450S.
Initially, development of the 450S started in 1954 under the code name Tipo 54. However, after a catastrophic crash at Le Mans in 1955 the project was shelved. It was not until 1956 that the project was revived. The body was designed by Medardo Fantuzzi. It was powered by a 4,477cc V8 with four IDM Weber carburettors and double overhead camshafts. It produced 400hp at 7,200rpm.
Between 1956 and 1962, the Maserati 450S won an impressive 31 races from 119 appearances. Amongst others, the 450S was raced by Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio and Caroll Shelby.
In total 9 were built.

MASERATI 450S RECREATION

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this sophisticated and timelessly elegant 1965 Bentley S3.
The original build sheets on file confirm this Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example was ordered by York Motors for GH Martin Ltd on the 20th April 1965. The car was delivered in tudor grey (ICI.M.151-258) with a fine blue line (pinstripe). The interior was finished with a blue hide (R.3244) with blue piping (R.3244), grey head cloth (R.6517) and ambassador blue carpet (03).
The cars final inspection was on the 17th June 1965. It was delivered to Mr George H Martin from Sydney, NSW on the 2nd September 1965 and registered in NSW as KX782. The car remained with Martin until 1979. The late Mr Theodore (Ted) Berman from Toorak in Melbourne, Victoria purchased the car on the 20th February 1979 from Rod Lawrence Ford in Campbelltown, south west of Sydney for $15,000,
Berman was a long term owner of this car. The current and only third owner of this Bentley S3 acquired the car from Bermans estate in September 2017.
There are service records and documentation on file from Martins ownership (York Motors) and from Bermans ownership (McDermotts), which substantiate the mileage of this car as genuine.
Berman used the car sparingly throughout his ownership. A McDermott job card dated 27th November 1981 noted the mileage as 41,265 miles, another dated 9th November 1995 notes the mileage as 43,694 miles and another dated 27th February 2001 notes the mileage as 44,305 miles. The car essentially remained in static storage for many years. There is a Victorian roadworthy certificate on file dated 26th March 2007 which notes the odometer as 44,767 miles.
It is understood that the car was repainted in its current colour scheme by Berman in the latter years if his ownership.
Today the odometer reads 54,357 miles.
The current owner is a Bentley tragic and throughout his period of ownership he has continued to maintain and improve the car.
The most recent maintenance work carried out in October 2024 involved overhauling all the wheel cylinders and replacing the rear shackle bushes.
Over the years, Oldtimer Australia has been fortunate to find new homes for a number of Bentley S-Types and Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds. There is no doubt that this car is one of the very best examples we have had the privilege to offer for sale. It is not a freshly restored concours car, rather a beautifully persevered car that has been well maintained and refreshed from time to time over the years.
Today this Bentley S3 presents exceptionally well. Whilst the car was repainted quite some years ago, it has been done to a very high standard. Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds and Bentley S-Types are very colour sensitive and the colour combination of silver over blue on this car is simply stunning. It suits this car perfectly, giving it a very elegant and sophisticated appearance. The paint work presents in excellent condition with a strong depth of colour and high gloss finish. Defects are hard to find. All of the external trim, glass and the chrome work are in really good condition.
Inside this Bentley S3 is all class. The upholstery is most likely original and it presents beautifully with light patina. The most noticeable wear is to the outside top and bolster of the drivers seat. The leather has some cracks, but it is not split or torn. The colour of the seats and door cards perfectly complements the exterior colour scheme and makes the interior of this Bentley S3 just a very nice place to be. All of the woodwork, including the dashboard, is in perfect condition. The same can be said for all the instruments and controls. The carpets were replaced by the current owner and present as new. As you would expect, a car of this caliber has the over mats which are also in excellent condition. This car is fitted with aftermarket air conditioning which works very well, making it a very useable classic all year round in Australia. Whether you are the driver or a passenger being chauffeured around, youll feel right at home and very comfortable in this Bentley S3.
Open the bonnet and youll find a clean, tidy and well-presented engine bay. Purists will note that the firewall and under bonnet are presented in their correct colour. The boot is similarly well presented and the boot mat is in particularly good condition. In the boot you will find a complete toolkit, a jack, tyre pump, as well as a spare wheel. The most often missing torch is also there and it actually works. All these items are in very good condition.
Whilst we were tempted to have the chauffeur open the rear door so we could sit in the back and read the paper, it was probably most prudent for us to get behind the wheel! On our test drive the car performed as expected. The car starts easily from cold with the assistance of the automatic choke and quickly settles into a smooth idle. Once youre out on the open road this Bentley just glides along like a magic carpet. The gear changes are smooth and the engine just goes about its business without announcing its presence, as you would expect in a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce. The brakes pull the car up effectively and in a straight line. Despite it being almost 60 years old, this car easily keeps up with modern day traffic.
What an absolutely fabulous car!
Highlights:
- An Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example, with matching chassis, engine and body numbers.
- Finished in the most stunning colour combination.
- A beautifully presented car.
- Fitted with aftermarket air conditioning.
- 1 of only 1,286 Bentley S3 saloons built.
Price: $127,950
Background:
The Bentley motor car company was founded back in 1919 by brothers W.O. and H.M. Bentley. The Bentley brothers were involved in the motor industry having acquired the agency to sell French built DFP (Doriot, Flandrin & Parant) cars in 1912, however, they desperately wanted to build their own cars. So that they did and the first Bentley motor car, being just a chassis with a dummy engine, was shown at the 1919 London Motor Show and in late 1921 the first production Bentleys were built and delivered to their new owners.
Bentley got the formula right and their cars proved to be luxurious, reliable and fast thus attracting buyers from the elite of society in period. The cars were also incredibly successful on the race track with Bentley achieving the ultimate success winning Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
The difficult economic times in the late 1920s had a major impact on Bentley and they stopped motor racing soon after winning Le Mans in 1930 and ultimately fell into receivership in 1931. Rolls-Royce acquired the assets of Bentley in late 1931. In this period Bentley produced some fabulous motor cars including the 3 Litre, 4½ Litre, Blower Bentley, 6½ Litre and 8 Litre models that are all today highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world. The first new Bentley produced following Rolls Royces acquisition was the Bentley 3½ Litre which evolved into the Bentley 4¼ Litre. Bentleys of this era are also known as Derby Bentleys as they were built at Rolls Royces factory located in Derby in the north of England. Subsequent models included the Mark V, Mark VI and R-Type.
Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and the Bentley S-Type in 1955 and for the next eleven years these models were at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce / Bentley production. The Silver Cloud / S-Type evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I / Bentley S1, Silver Cloud II / Bentley S2 and Silver Cloud III / Bentley S3 until superseded by the Silver Shadow / Bentley T-Series.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III and Bentley S3 were introduced at the Paris Motors Show in October 1962. The most visible difference to their predecessors was the twin dual headlamps. The interior was also upgraded. The S3 received individual seats for the front passengers and leg room was increased for the passengers in the rear. The V8 engines had more power and there was a weight reduction of 100kg. The last iteration of the Silver Cloud and S-Type were very successful models for Rolls-Royce and they were sold to the rich and famous, including celebrates and movie starts. Many were chauffer driven.
Rolls-Royce built 2,578 Silver Cloud IIIs of all configurations and body style, compared to Bentley built who built only 1,629 S3s. Bentley built 1,286 standard S3 saloons.

1965 BENTLEY S3

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 this very rare and highly desirable 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKII.
The factory records on file confirm that this is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example that was delivered new to the Penfold family in South Australia. The car was delivered through Aston Martin agent D Brown (Australia) on the 8th July 1957. The original colour choice for this car was stunning. It was originally finished in sea green with a green interior, which is how the car is presented today.
This particular car is fitted with the desirable special series VB6J/***/L1 engine quoted as delivering 165 bhp, being 25 bhp more than the standard engine. It is also fitted with a larger sump.
The factory records note that a replacement engine, with the same number, was despatched to David Brown Australasia on the 13th November 1957.
It is understood that the Penfold family owned the car for many years. The history file picks up the ownership of the car in the 1980s when it was owned by former politician John Goss from Brisbane, Australia. It may well be that Goss acquired the car from the Penfold family. Goss used and enjoyed his Aston Martin for many years before selling to Donald Lane from Buradoo, near Bowral in the NSW southern highlands in 2001. The current Melbourne based owner acquired the car off Lane in c2005.
Over the last 20 years the current owner has used and enjoyed his Aston Martin as its makers intended. Even though the car presents beautifully, he is unashamedly a driver and not a polisher! To ensure the car is a reliable classic and available to be driven on a whim, he has had it maintained and regularly serviced. In 2017 the front Alfin brake drums were overhauled by TypeCast in the UK. In 2018 the cylinder head was overhauled. The car has been upgraded with a Jaguar differential to enhance drivability.
Today this Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII presents resplendently in its original colour scheme of sea green with a green interior. The current owner chose to remove the bumpers for two reasons. Firstly, to give the car that Aston Martin GT look and secondly to reduce the cars weight. The bumpers are heavy! The paint work, which was refreshed by Lane some 20 years ago, is in very good condition with some minor blemishes and stone chips evident. Its presentation is totally consistent with a well cared for car that gets driven. The external trim is minimalistic, particularly with the bumpers removed. The trademark Aston Martin grill is in excellent condition and a real feature.
The chrome wire wheels and spinners really compliment the paintwork beautifully. All of the wheels are in reasonably good condition with no kerb rash or damage. The chrome has started to pit/peel in places. The wheels are shod with Michelin X tyres, size 185R16 all around.
The cabin of the Aston Martin DB2/4 is quintessentially British. It is relatively simple, elegant and beautifully presented. The timber steering wheel is a feature and in excellent condition. The timber dash facia houses the cluster of Smiths instruments and both are also in excellent condition. The leather upholstery is soft and supple with no splits or tears. The seats are comfortable and provide good support. An Aston Martin DB2/4 has occasional rear seats which look to have been sparingly used.
Opening the rear hatch provides access to a large boot area. This area can be expanded by folding a panel down over the rear seats. There is plenty of room for the golf clubs here! The boot presents well, with very minor wear evident.
The massive bonnet hinges forward to reveal a beautifully presented engine bay, revealing the unique independent coil spring front suspension and chassis components as well as the 2,922cc Lagonda twin cam engine. The engine itself is a work of art, resplendent with polished aluminium features, traditional red cylinder head and proper finishes. Everything is neat, clean and tidy.
This Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII is a drivers car. The car starts easily, settling into a smooth idle without hesitation. Out on the open road it performs superbly offering a very spirited and rewarding driving experience. The engine has loads of power on tap and it pulls strongly through the rev range. The gearbox is tight and with a relatively short shift it provides slick gear changes. The car delivers a firm yet comfortable ride, direct steering and excellent braking.
Accompanying the car is an original leather bound Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II handbook, an original and well used workshop manual, a copy of a parts catalogue, a factory sales brochure, Aston Martin factory records and a thick history file with many service receipts.
There are also the original bumpers, which are in excellent condition, the original differential, a spare wheel as well as the jack and basic tools which are stored in the engine bay.
If you are looking for an early pre DB4 Aston Martin it would be hard to find a better example.
Aston Martin only built 199 DB2/4 MkIIs, of which 146 were saloons. Of these 146 cars only a small number would be factory right hand drive with the high performance engine.
This car presents exceptionally well and drives superbly.
Highlights:
- Rare Australian delivered, factory RHD example.
- Sold new to the Penfold family in Adelaide.
- Fitted with the desirable special series VB6J/***/L1 high performance engine.
- Fabulous, original colour scheme.
- Great driving car.
Price $399,950
Background:
Aston Martin has produced bespoke sports cars for over 100 years. The company began in 1913, when founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford realised their desire to build distinctive, high quality sports cars that were both exhilarating to drive and a beauty to behold. Martin regularly competed in hill climb races at Aston Clinton, and a simple combination of the name of the event and the driver gave birth to one of the most famous automotive marques. Source: www.astonmartin.com.
Whilst Aston Martin produced some wonderful cars in their early years, business was always a struggle and the company was severely disrupted during both World War I and II. The company went bankrupt on more than one occasion and has endured many different owners throughout its history.
David Brown acquired Aston Martin in February 1947 and the first car produced during his ownership was the Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports, later known as the DB1, which was built in extremely limited numbers from 1948 to 1950. This was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB2 in 1950, which featured a new double overhead cam straight six engine of 2.6 litre (2580 cc) capacity, and was a car that really put post war Aston Martin on the map. Some 411 cars were built from 1950 to 1953, of which circa 100 were the convertible or drop head coupes. Its successor, known as the DB2/4, was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1953 and production started soon thereafter. Initially the car had the same engine as its predecessor, however, it was enlarged to 2,922cc in April 1954. Compared to the DB2 the DB2/4 had an extended roof line with a larger rear window, a one piece curved windscreen and real bumper bars. The biggest difference between the two cars was inside the cabin where the successor had far more roomwith two small occasional rear seats. The DB2/4 sold well through until 1957. In total 764 DB2/4s were built which included 565 of the Mk Is and 199 of the Mk IIs. The biggest change for the Mk II was that the bodies were made in-house by the recently acquired Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell, otherwise the differences between the Mk I and Mk II were subtle. The DB2/4 was available as a four seat fixed head coupe or two seat drop head coupe from the start of production with a two seat coupe introduced on the Mk II. The DB2/4 MkII was succeeded by the DB MkIII and 551 examples were built from 1957 through until 1959.
The David Brown era was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning LeMans in 1959 and the iconic early DB series cars of the 1950s paving the way for the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models of the 1960s.

1957 ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 MKII

Details:
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 $179,950.
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:
A new arrival to Oldtimer Australia is this rather lovely Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2.
Documentation on file notes the car was delivered through W.H. Lowes to its first owner, Mr Fred Watkins from Tyabb in Victoria. Watkins was a very memorable customer of W.H. Lowe having owned a number of Ferraris over the years, including 250 GTE, 330 GTC, 365 GT/4 2+2 and this 365 GT 2+2. Interestingly, all of Watkins cars were ordered in white with blue upholstery.
This car landed in Melbourne on the 31st October 1968 on board the SS Marconi (ex Genoa) and it was finished in bianco polo with blue trim (trim code VM3015).
It is understood that Watkins traded this 365 GT 2+2 back to W.H. Lowes, who then sold the car to John McArdle from Melbourne.
McArdle used and enjoyed his Ferrari for a number of years and then in about 1979 it suffered from an engine fire. At that time the odometer read circa 21,500 miles. It is understood that the fire was essentially contained to the engine bay and that the damage was relatively superficial. The car was then parked up, where it remained until McArdles passing in 1994.
The car was acquired by Oldtimer Australia in November 1994 and sold to the current owner in March 1995. He then embarked on what was to become an epic journey to restore the car. Due to various circumstances the project spanned two decades and the car was finally completed in May 2018.
During the restoration the owner decided on a colour change and had the car painted in Pino Verde (pine green metallic, colour code 19404M) and the upholstery trimmed with tan Connolly leather.
The majority of the restoration was completed by Geoff Wheelers High Country Motors. The work that was out sourced included the engine machining to LW Parry Engineering, the refurbishment of the cylinder heads by Rams Cylinder Head Services, the rebuilding of the original wire wheels by Superior Wire Wheels, body and paint by Sydney Vintage Car Restorations and the upholstery by Ron Farlow.
To make the car more reliable and usable, the current owner chose to have some subtle upgrades installed. Most notable a completely new wiring loom was installed and a solid state fully programmable Motec Power Distrubution Module now replaces the traditional fuse box. Additionally, electronic ignition and a modern air conditioning system were installed.
There is a photo book on file which describes in detail all the work completed over the years.
The owner first started thinking about selling his beloved Ferrari in early 2023. In preparation for sale, the car was sent to highly respected independent Ferrari specialists Cavallino Motorsport in June 2023. A number of items were rectified and we were then contacted to assist with the sale. Life got in the way and it wasnt until the second quarter of 2025 that the owner finally pushed the button to sell.
Since the restoration was completed, the car has only been used sparingly.
Today the odometer reads 964 km. The original speedo was replaced during the restoration with a NOS example. The odometer reading today is the mileage the car has travelled since the restoration was completed.
First impressions of this car are really good. When you walk up to the car you are immediately impressed by its presentation. The colour combination of Pino Verde with the tan interior really suits the car and accentuates its very elegant appearance. The original Borrani wire wheels complete the look.
The car was repainted in the late 1990s, however, given its limited use the paint is still in a really good condition. There are a few minor blemishes here and there. Also, the black vent on the right hand side of the bonnet has some paint missing, which is an easy fix. All the bright work on the car including the bumpers, trade mark Ferrari grill and and the window surrounds are all in excellent condition. The same can be said for all the lights and lenses. All the glass is in very good condition with no cracks or scratches evident.
The Borrani wire wheels on the car are a real feature. They have been respoked during the restoration and are in excellent condition. The Borranis are shod with Michelin XWX 215 70VR15 tyres which are date stamped 4617 (week 46, 2017). The car has travelled less than 1,000km on these tyres and they are still in good condition.
Underneath the bonnet sits the completely rebuilt 4,390cc Colombo V12 engine. The engine bay presents beautifully and it is also very clean and tidy. As Enzo Ferrari once said . . . when you buy a Ferrari you pay for the engine, you get the rest of the car free.
Inside the cabin you are presented with a beautiful looking interior. The leather upholstery, the timber finishes and the polished metal work are all stunning . . . you cannot beat Italian design and craftsmanship!
The car has hardly been used since the restoration was completed so it is no surprise that everything inside the cabin essentially presents like new. The seats are comfortable and provide plenty of support. The timber dashboard and centre console both present nicely and all the instruments in it are clean and from our test drive they appeared to be in good working order. The timber steering wheel, with its polished metals spokes and Ferrari logo in the centre is the real feature.
During the restoration the Becker radio was upgraded with modern internals which include Bluetooth connectivity for hands free and a USB port. Modern speakers have also been discreetly installed in the doors and rear parcel shelf.
The door cards, headlining and even the carpets present as one would expect in a car which has been restored and has had very limited use since.
We have had a very wet Brisbane winter, so we had to be patient for the weather gods to cooperate and allow us a fine day for our test drive and photo shoot.
As noted previously, the cars electrics have been upgraded and as a result it starts very easily, even from cold. As with all classic Ferraris with carburettor fuel systems, when you turn the ignition on you will have to wait for twenty seconds or so for the fuel pumps to prime the thirsty Weber carburettors. You then pump the accelerator three times and when you turn the key and the Colombo V12 fires up immediately. You initially feather the accelerator to warm up the engine and it doesnt take long before it settles into a smooth idle.
This is a traditional, classic, front engined V12 Ferrari, but with creature comforts such as power steering, air conditioning, power windows, room for four passengers and a spacious luggage compartment, it is a comfortable grand tourer. It is surprisingly easy to drive and sounds great. Importantly, those creature comforts do not take away from the overall driving experience, which is fabulous!
Out on the road this car is a real delight to drive. The engine revs freely and there is plenty of power on tap. The gear changes are smooth both up and down the box even when the gearbox is still cold. Once the engine and gearbox reach operating temperature the oversell experience just gets better. Everything works exactly the way one would expect and the car feels tight on the road. When necessary the brakes will pull the car up quickly and in a straight line.
These Ferrari 365 GT 2+2s are wonderful grand touring cars and we think under rated.
This car has been off the road from 1979 through until recently and only travelled some 35,500 km in its life. Therefore, it really deserves a new owner that will use and enjoy it, just as Enzo intended.
Accompanying the car is photo book which describes in detail the restoration of the car, lots of receipts from the restoration, a Borrani spare wheel, a non-original jack, an owners manual and a spare parts catalogue in the correct leather pouch.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD, matching numbers
- Beautifully presented example of a classic, front engined V12 Ferrari
- Fabulous grand tourer, well suited to rallies.
- Presented in a stunning colour combination.
- Ready to be used and enjoyed.
Price $499,950
Background:
Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Nike are brands recognisable the world over. So is Ferrari and interestingly the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer was named The Worlds Strongest Brand in the 2019 Brand Finance Global 500 Report.
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 out of Alfa Romeos race division as Auto Avio Costruzioni the company built its first car in 1940.
The Cavallino Rampate or prancing horse was the symbol chosen by Ferrari and like the golden arches it is recognised by just about every man, woman and child on the planet!
The Second World War halted Ferraris dream, which was finally realised in 1947, when the first car bearing his name, the Ferrari 125 S, was built. From that day on Ferrari race cars dominated the world over, winning race after race and many world championships in Formula One, sports car racing and endurance racing. Motor racing, even back in those days, was not a cheap business to be in and Ferrari needed to find ways to fund it. The answer was an obvious one. Enzo discovered there was a burgeoning demand for high powered grand tourers bearing his prancing horse badge. The lucrative profits from building these cars benefited the racing team. At the same time these GT cars would benefit from the racing program. The engines to be used were civilised versions of the engines which had proved themselves in racing. It also meant all Ferraris would share in a rich competition heritage which would make them even more special.
The 125 S evolved into the 166 Sport which was then adapted for road use and sold as the 166 Inter in the late 1940s. The 166 was Ferraris first true GT car. It made its debut at the Paris motor show on 6th October 1949.
The Ferrari road cars from the 1940s and early to mid-1950s were built in very small numbers and it was not until the introduction of the 250 series cars that production numbers increased. Almost 1,000 Ferrari 250 GTEs were built from 1959 1963. The 250 series also produced some of the most special Ferraris ever built, including the Ferrari 250 LM, 250 SWB, 250 California Spider and of course the 250 GTO.
The Ferrari 250 series cars built from 1953 through until 1964 really put Ferrari on the map. The race cars dominated on tracks all over the world and their road cars were without peer and very successful. Ferrari was on a roll and his clientele were the rich and famous.
The 250 series cars were superseded by the 275 series cars, the 330 series cars and later the 365 series cars. The nomenclature designated the cubic capacity of each cylinder. So a Ferrari 365 was powered by a 12 cylinder engine of 4,390cc capacity.
The mid 1960s were a fabulous time for Ferrari and one of its best sellers was the 330 GT 2+2. This model was a great success capturing the true essence and tradition of a Ferrari whilst offering the practicality of four seats and a good size boot. Just over 1000 of these cars were built from 1964 1967 and Enzo was very keen to continue the theme into a new model. Enter the 365 GT 2+2. First shown at the 1967 Paris Motor Show the Pininfarina designed 365 GT 2+2 took styling cues from the 500 Superfast and 330 GTC models. The car was built on a modified version of the 330 chassis, but what mattered most was that its engine was the new 4.4 litre version of the Columbo V12 engine. From a performance perspective the 365 GT 2+2 was all Ferrari, however, this model also offered creature comforts including power steering, air conditioning, electric windows and overall a more luxurious finish in the cabin.
Often referred to as the Queen Mary this model is now recognised by enthusiasts and collectors as one of the most practical of the classic front engine V12 Ferraris. Approximately 800 examples were built between 1967 and 1971.

1968 FERRARI 365 GT 2+2

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this striking Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Maserati Merak.
The documentation on file from Maserati Classiche confirms that this car was completed on the 11th June 1974 and sold to Auto Italia in Melbourne. Its production date makes this quite an early car. The car was originally delivered in orancio (orange) with a dark grey velvet (velour) interior.
Apart from being sold new into Adelaide, the early history of this car is not known. The earliest documentation on file is a South Australian registration certificate dated 30th October 1987 and a transfer of ownership to a Mr H Clisby dated 1st May 1988. At that time the car was registered as UMZ 377.
There is a detailed write up on file from a previous owner, a Mr Don Venn from Adelaide, in which he mentions he purchased the Merak in 1990. In his ownership the car was stripped back to bare metal including the engine frame and the engine bay. All corrosion was cut out and replaced with new metal. There are photos on file documenting the work done. The car was then painted using Dulux acrylic lacquer in Ferrari Fly Yellow. Mechanically, the car also underwent a full refurbishment. Everything was assessed and what needed to be replaced was replaced.
In 1994 the car was sold to its next owner, Mr Tony Chapman from Sydney, NSW. At that time the car had 74,000 miles on the odometer. Chapman used and enjoyed his Merak through his 22 years of ownership clocking up some 24,000 miles.
Chapman sold the car through Shannons 2016 Sydney Spring auction. Its new owner was a classic car enthusiast in Perth. Whilst he loved his new yellow Merak he thought it would look even better finished in its original colour of orange! He engaged the services of Italian car specialists, Auto Delta, in Perth Western Australia to generally freshen up the car and have it repainted. One thing led to another and the car essentially underwent a second restoration. In addition to a repaint, the interior was retrimmed and a significant amount of mechanical work was also undertaken. The mechanical work included overhauling the hydraulic system, cooling system, brakes, steering and fitting a new clutch. The engine was rebuilt, which included refurbishing the cylinder heads and replacing the block which was in poor condition.
At that time the odometer read 98,437 miles.
After the restoration was complete the car was shown at Perths premier classic car event, the Celebration of the Motorcar in November 2020 where it won the Classic Sports Car class.
The cars owner then moved to Brisbane and decided to move in a different direction with his collection.
This fabulous Maserati Merak was sold through Oldtimer Australia to its current owner in February 2022, at which time the odometer read 98,537 miles.
After the current owner acquired the car he ironed out a few post restoration bugs and had the paint work ceramic coated. He has subsequently regularly used and enjoyed the car. It has been taken to various classic car events in and around south east Queensland, where it has been a regular trophy winner. It won the Peoples Choice award at the Lakeside Euro Day in May 2022 and European Sports category at the Noosa Beach Classic Car Show in July 2022 and again in September 2023.
The car was also taken to Auto Italia in Canberra in March 2023 where it was awarded the Chief Judges Choice award.
Today the odometer reads 01,912 miles, so in two years of ownership the car has travelled almost 3,400 miles or 5,600 km.
It is great to see that the car has been driven, but we should point out it presents even better than when we sold it back in 2022!
The Maserati Merak is one of Giorgetto Giugiaros finest pieces of work. The trademark flying buttress softens the look of the car and as a result it carries colour exceptionally well.
The first thing youll notice when you walk up to this car is the colour. It is ORANGE, very ORANGE, however, it is just so seventies and it really suits the car. It shows off the lines perfectly and contrasts well with the painted Campagnolo wheels.
Overall, the first impressions of the car are really good. It presents exceptionally well and the paint has retained a deep gloss and a mirror like smooth finish. Walking around the car we struggled to find any imperfections. There is a small mark in the swage line of the passengers door and a small bubble at the bottom of the passengers door, near the font. You have to kneel down and look closely to see both.
The external trim is minimalistic, however, it is all in very good condition. This includes the bright work, lights/lenses and the glass.
The car sits on its original and unique Campagnolo wheels. The wheels are in very good condition with no kerb rash. They are shod with period correct Michelin XWX tyres, size 205/70/15 which are still in excellent condition. They are date stamped 3815 (week 38, 2015).
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very good looking interior. These early Meraks had the same dashboard as its big bother, the Maserati Bora. The upholstery is relatively fresh and the seats are in very good condition with no sign of any cracks or tears in the leather. They are comfortable and provide plenty of support. The Merak is a token 2+2 and the two rear seats appear to have never been used, other perhaps for an overnight bag. The centre console, door cards and dashboard all presents equally well. The carpets remain plush and are clean. All the instruments are clear and appear to be in good working order.
Under the front bonnet youll find a small boot which is clean and the carpet is in good condition.
The engine bay also presents very well. Everything looks clean, neat and tidy. The space saver spare wheel, running a Pirelli tyre that appears to have never been used, sits in the rear of the engine compartment. It is quite an incredible design that the engine sits so far forward in this 2+2 mid engine sports car! On closer inspection everything in the engine bay looks to be essentially correct.
Our memory from early 2022 was that this car drove really well. After being fettled, then used and enjoyed we were keen to take the car out for a current test drive. The starting procedure is typically Italian car of that era. Turn the ignition on, allow the fuel pump a little bit of time to fill the Weber carburettors, then give the accelerator pedal a few pumps and turn the key to start the car. It fires up easily, even from cold and the fairly quickly settles into a smooth idle.
Out on the road this Maserati Merak is fun to drive. By modern standards it is not fast, but it feels light and nimble on the road. The engine responds quickly to the slightest touch of the accelerator pedal and you often feel like you are travelling faster than you actually are. The Citroen controls are quirky, but once you get used to driving the car it is very rewarding. The gearbox, which should be used to maximise the power band from engine feels precise and direct. The gear changes are smooth both up and down the box. The steering is direct and precise, which coupled with the superb handling ensure that the car feels glued to the road at all times. The brakes are very direct and pull the car up easily and in a straight line.
All too soon our test drive comes to an end and we return the car to our showroom.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few tired Maserati Meraks out there, which can bring no end of problems. Good cars that are sorted, ready to use and enjoy are few and far between.
This car is a very well sorted example of an iconic 70s Italian junior super car which is ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.
Accompanying the car is a very good history file, various trophies, a car cover, a copy of a parts manual, a copy of a workshop manual and a copy of an owners manual.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD early Merak.
- Beautifully presented example of this iconic Maserati
- Recently restored in its original 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. Soon after, the idea of a two seat mid-engined super car was conceived. It was then in the summer of 1969 the first prototype of Maseratis new car was built. This car was known as Tipo 117 and was ultimately named Bora after a wind from the Northern Adriatic Sea. The car became a reality in relatively short time and it was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971.
Like the Ghibli before it Maseratis new flagship was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, this time for Ital Design. In many ways the Bora was a unique design and its trademark was that its roof and A pillar were finished in brushed stainless steel in contrast the rest of the painted body.
The early seventies were tough time for supercar manufacturers as the oil crisis hit hard, effecting the sales of cars with large displacement engines.
Maseratis answer was the V6 engined Merak.
The Maserati Merak (Tipo 122) was introduced at the 1972 Paris Motor Show and it followed in the footsteps of its big brother the Bora. The models name, chosen by Maseratis commercial director Dominique Drieux, was not a name of a wind and is not to be confused with the Eponymous Indonesian city in Java. It receives its name after a star in the Ursa Major constellation.
Like the Bora, the Maserati Merak was designed by Ital Designs Giorgetto Giugiaro and its ancestry is obvious though there are many subtle but significant differences in the cars design. The Merak is one of Giugiaros finest pieces of work. Whilst based on its big brother the Bora, the Merak doesnt have a full glass fastback, but rather a cabin ending abruptly with a vertical rear window and a flat, horizontal engine cover pierced by four series of ventilation slats. Giugiaro completed the vehicles silhouette by adding open flying buttresses, visually extending the roofline to the tail.
The Merak is a 2+2 though its rear seats are best described as occasional or for an overnight bag or golf clubs only! Its Italian competitors all ran V8 engines, however, Maserati opted to use a longitudinally mounted 2,965cc V6 engine that had its roots in the Citroen SM. Given the company was owned by Citroen at the time it is not surprising that a number of Citroen components were used, including the engine as well as Citroens hydraulic systems and much of the interior.
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.
Interestingly when Alejandro de Tomaso acquired Maserati the Merak underwent a make over of its interior which was well received at the time. In addition to the standard Merak, Maserati brought out the Merak SS in 1976 which was lighter and had a more powerful engine and also the Merak 2000 in 1977 specifically for the Italian market which imposed a heavy tax on cars with engines greater than 2,000cc capacity.
The Merak was one of the seventies junior supercars, much like Lamborghinis Urraco and Ferraris 308 GT/4, that was going to tackle Porsche head one and be sold in significant quantities to underpin the cash flow of the company during the oil crisis.
The formula made good sense and Maserati enjoyed much success with its Merak and 1,820 examples were built in a twelve year period from 1972 to 1983.

1974 MASERATI MERAK

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