OLDTIMER GARAGE AUSTRALIA P/L

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

1935 ALVIS SPEED 20 SC

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser.
There is a copy of the Mercedes-Benz data card on file which confirms this to be an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example. It was originally finished in dunkerrot (dark red), colour code 542G with white grey upholstery and cream carpets (trim code 221). The car has a number of options, including air conditioning (option code 306).
Interestingly, the cars data plate notes option code 901, which is for a flagpole right, so perhaps this was either an embassy or government owned car.
The cars history file dates back to the early 1980s and at that time the car was owned by a Mr Ian Haggerty from Sydney, NSW. It is understood that Haggerty was a long term owner of this Mercedes-Benz 600 and the documentation on file suggests he sold the car in June 1990.
The car was acquired by a classic car enthusiast from Noosa on Queenslands Sunshine Coast, most likely in the late 1990s. He wanted to restore the car and in 2001 engaged the services of Sleeping Beauties in Brisbane, one of Australias leading high end restoration shops. Sleeping Beauties are classic Mercedes-Benz specialists and they have restored cars that have been exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance.
The journey was a slow one and over the next five years the car was cosmetically restored and the interior was refreshed. In conjunction with Sleeping Beauties the owner chose to have car repainted in Mercedes-Benz light ivory (a very light yellow) and retrimmed in light olive green.
The major mechanical components were checked and deemed to be in very good order, hence, not rebuilt. Three Point Classic in Mount Gravatt were engaged to overhaul the air suspension, hydraulics and other mechanical ancillaries
The work was completed in 2015 and the end result was simply stunning. The colour combination is unique and a refreshing change from the more common palette of black, white and silver often seen on these Mercedes-Benz grand limousines! The car was shown at the Mercedes-Benz Club of Queenslands 2015 Concours dElegance where it was very well received, winning its class.
In 2016 the cars owner relocated overseas and made the difficult decision to sell his car collection, including this Mercedes-Benz. In August of that year it was sold to a prominent Brisbane based motor trade executive and classic car collector. At that time the odometer read 76,544 miles. He used the car sparingly but as with all his cars decided to go on a journey to take an exceptional motor car to the next level. Additional mechanical work was undertaken by Three Point Classic along with other adoc jobs by his own private mechanic/restoration specialist.
In August 2022 the car was sold to the current owner who lives in country Victoria and at that time the odometer read c77,000 miles. He is another classic car tragic who has a significant collection of cars. He is a fussy owner who regularly services his cars and if something needs to be done, he gets it done. Throughout his ownership the car has been maintained by the highly respected Auto Projects in Ballarat, Victoria. They recently completed a complete overhaul of the braking system.
The current owner has enjoyed his time with this Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser, travelling over 3,000 miles in his three years of ownership. He is taking his collection in a different direction and as a result this car is now offered for sale.
At the time of photographing the car the odometer read 80,286 miles.
Today this car presents essentially as it did back when the restoration was completed in 2015. The light ivory paintwork presents beautifully, complimented nicely by all the chrome trim which is in excellent condition. Defects are hard to find. The balance of the external trim, including the lights and lenses as well as the glass is all in equally as good condition. The panel gaps are excellent and the doors shut with that thud exactly as they would have back in 1966!
Inside the cabin it is all luxury. Whilst the exterior of this car is stunning, we think the interior is even better! Everything presents essentially like new. It is most likely that no one has even sat in the rear seats since the car was restored. The upholstery, the timber, the headlining and even the carpets are all beautifully presented. At the time of our test drive all of the instruments and controls looked to be in working order. The air conditioning has just been regassed and blows cold air. The cockpit is aeroplane like with all of its switches and buttons that operate the various accessories such as the windows, front and rear seats, the suspension and more. Even the cowl vent is hydraulically operated by a switch on the dashboard. All of these items are hydraulic and operate rapidly and silently in a way that is impressive even today.
Under the massive bonnet the engine bay presents well and everything is neat, clean and tidy.
The boot is also clean and tidy. The hard plastic lining looks to be original and it is in good condition with no cracks evident. The hydraulic service kit is still present in its original case and the spare wheel lives in its own compartment.
Unfortunately, many of our test drives are over too quickly! However, on this occasion we had this car out and about for well over an hour and as a result were able to get a really good feel for how it performed.
The car was ready for us when we arrived so the engine was warm. At the turn of the key the stonking V8 cranks over and soon fires, catching on all cylinders. As you would expect, the engine is incredibly smooth. It is also incredibly quiet. With a wheel base of 3.2 metres and an overall length of 5.54 metres make no mistake this is a big car. Interestingly the length kind of disappears once you are behind the wheel but seated in the back its hard not to be somewhat overawed by the size of the car. This fabulous Mercedes-Benz just goes about its business in a very efficient and considered manner. The ride is quite unbelievable for a fifty year old car . . . it just glides along the road without any fuss. You push the accelerator and the car proceeds effortlessly, you turn the steering wheel and the car just follows in the direction you want it to go, you apply the brakes and the car slows or rather decelerates effortlessly again . . . the whole experience is just so incredibly refined. Even thoughit weighs in around two and half tonnes, the big Benz pulls hard when needed. Mercedes-Benz quoted a top speed of near 130 mph (210 km/hr) and a 0-60 mph (100 km/hr) sprint of under 10 seconds!
This Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser is truly outstanding and its presentation today is a testament to the build quality of the car as well as the quality of the restoration work completed.
Often referred to as the Grand Mercedes or the Grosser, which is German for the big one the 600 continues to set the benchmark for luxury vehicles to this day. From its powerful V8 engine to its groundbreaking hydraulic system and lavish interior, the 600 is a symbol of power, prestige, and technological prowess. Finding one in this condition is rare.
Accompanying the car is a thick history file with some pre restoration documentation, a wad of restoration receipts & photographs, two owners manuals (reproduction), a maintenance booklet (reproduction not used), hydraulic service kit and spare wheel.
Highlights:
- Factory RHD example.
- Restored by highly regarded Sleeping Beauties & Three Point Classic.
- Presented in a unique and STUNNING colour combination.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy.
Price $349,950
Background:
Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Europes car industry was decimated. In Germany both Daimler and Benz went back to producing cars post-war, however, times were tough. A merger between Daimler and Benz would ensure that both companies survived and following a technical co-operation agreement in 1924, the companies formally merged on the 1st July 1926. Mercedes-Benz was born!
Subsequently, Mercedes-Benz went on to build some of the greatest cars of all time. The cars from Stuttgart bearing the three-pointed star all had one thing in common . . . they were renowned for their technical innovation, build quality, luxury and performance.
In 1951 Mercedes-Benz introduced the Type W187 220 series cars, which was the first model to be powered by a six cylinder engine post World War II. This model was a great success and built in relatively big numbers. It was succeeded by the Type W180 series cars in 1954, which like its predecessor was available as a sedan, coupe and convertible.
In the 1950s Mercedes-Benz produced one of the greatest cars of all time the iconic 300SL Gullwing and 300SL Roadster. Whilst fabulous sporting cars, they were very expensive and generally sold to the rich and famous. The Type W186 and Type W189 300 series four door luxury tourers were built alongside the Type W198 300SL Gullwing and Roadster and they were indeed fabulous cars in their own right, though still very expensive.
In the early 1960s Mercedes-Benz also wanted to go back to their roots of the 1930s and build the worlds best saloon car.
First introduced back in 1963 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser or Grand Mercedes was a luxury car with few peers at that time. The new Type W100 set about re-establishing Mercedes-Benz as the maker of the finest automobiles in the world. The car was powered by a thumping 6.3 litre V8 engine delivering 250bhp that was capable of taking a car that weighed in excess of 2.5 tonne to well over 200 km/hr.
The car was an engineering marvel and its air suspension gave the car a ride that was smooth on just about every surface. The car also featured a very complex hydraulic system that powered the windows, seats, the sun roof and even an automatic close on the boot lid.
The car was produced in two main models being the 600 Grosser (short wheel base) and 600 Pullman (long wheel base). Interestingly the short wheel base cars were intended to by driven by the owners whereas the long wheel base cars were intended to be driven by chauffers.
Incredibly the Mercedes-Benz 600 series was in production for almost twenty years from 1963 through until 1981 during which time 2,677 cars were built. The breakdown of cars is:
Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser 2,190 cars
Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman (4 door) 304 cars
Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman (6 door) 124 cars
Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet 59 cars
These cars were very popular with royalty, world leaders, celebrities, movie stars, rock stars as well as the rich and famous. Today these cars, and particularly the Pullman, are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike.
To quote Mercedes-Benz . . . in the illustrious history of automobiles, few vehicles have left their mark like the 1963 Mercedes-Benz 600. Designed by revolutionary French designer Paul Bracq and launched at the International Motor Show in Germany, the 600 transcended the boundaries of luxury.
Often referred to as the Grand Mercedes or the Grosser, which is German for the big one the 600 continues to set the benchmark for luxury vehicles to this day. From its powerful V8 engine to its groundbreaking hydraulic system and lavish interior, the 600 is a symbol of power, prestige, and technological prowess.
At the heart of the Mercedes-Benz 600 beats a powerhouse the formidable and iconic M 100 6.3-litre V8 engine (the first in a Mercedes-Benz passenger car) that set a new standard for performance in the luxury segment. The M 100 V8 became legendary, eventually forming the foundations of Mercedes-AMG but thats another story.
The true marvel of the 600 extended beyond its engine to an innovative hydraulic system that powered various aspects of the vehicle, redefining automotive engineering. From the adjustable air suspension that ensured a smooth ride, to the power-assisted brakes and the automatic door-closing system, the 600 was a technological marvel. It represented an ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation from Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 transcended mere transportation and became a cultural icon. The interior was a masterpiece, meticulously designed to cater to the discerning tastes of its owners. Personalisation options abounded, with a selection of wood trims, premium leather upholstery and a spectrum of interior colours. The rear compartment, a sanctuary for passengers, could also be equipped with a privacy divider an option that heightened the exclusive feel of this already prestigious vehicle.
Many were drawn to the unmatched luxury and performance of the 600 including iconic figures such as John Lennon and Elvis Presley making it not just a symbol of status, but a cultural icon.

1966 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 Grosser

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

1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL

Details:
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 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

1973 JENSEN SP

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale one of the ten factory right hand drive Lamborghini Silhouettes. Of these ten cars, six were delivered to Australia, three were delivered to the UK and one to Cyprus.
According to the factory records, this car was completed on the 19th January 1978. It is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example that was delivered through Tony De Fina, the importer at the time. The car was delivered new in rosso (red) with a nero (black) interior.
The early history of this car is not definitively known, however, its first or second owner was then Sydney based medical entrepreneur and socialite Dr Geoffrey Edelsten. In the late 1970s and 1980s Edelsten owned a fleet of exotic cars including Porsches, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, De Tomasos (who can forget his hot pink De Tomaso Pantera GT5 with a mink interior!) and a number of Lamborghinis. The Lamborghinis included a gold (later red) Countach LP400 periscopio, a green later black Countach LP400S and this Silhouette.
Edelsten owned this Silhouette for a few years. When the car had an engine failure he decided to sell it. Its next owner rebuilt the engine and repainted the car wine red metallic. Unfortunately, the car was damaged shortly thereafter and subsequently sold to the prior to current owner circa 35 years ago. He intended to return it to its original colour and gave it to Henry Nehrybecki who at the time was the Lamborghini service agent in Sydney, NSW. Unfortunately, life got in the way and progress was extremely slow. The car sat around for many years. Nehrybecki later closed his business and the car was moved to another restoration shop who did very little with the car. In 2015 the car was sent to All Classic Car Restorations in Brookvale (Sydney) and the restoration was finally underway. The car was painted by McCreath Prestige Panel & Paint in Brookvale.
This car has been missing for many years and in Lamborghini circles it was thought it had either been written off, gone overseas, or was squirrelled away in someones garage. Thankfully it was the latter!
The current owner acquired this car through Oldtimer Australia in 2019. At that time the odometer read 18,947km.
The car had been sparingly used prior to his purchase and he had Lamborghini specialist Imaant go through the car and complete a number of miscellaneous repairs, including suspension, steering, electrical and regas the air conditioning.
Generally the paint on the car is still in good condition and from say a metre, it presents exceptionally well. On closer inspection there are some imperfections visible, most noticeably on the right front guard, the right rear guard and around the right front headlight. The unique targa roof is in very good condition and it fits very well. All the external trim, including the badges, bumpers, lights, lenses and the glass and are in good condition.
A feature on the Lamborghini Silhouette is the Bravo style Campagnolo wheels which were also used on the first 50 Lamborghini Countach LP400S. The magnesium wheels are extremely porous and as a result they are prone to blistering. On this car they are in excellent condition having been completely refurbished in September 2019. The car is currently running the correct Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, 205/50 R15 at the front and 285/40/R15 at the rear. These tyres were fitted when the wheels were refurbished and are still in excellent condition, they are date stamped 4219 (week 42, 2019).
Inside the cabin everything has been refurbished and presents really well. Purists will note the steering wheel and pedals are not original. Also, the dash and centre console have been refurbished in leather rather than alcantara. When the current owner acquired the car, it was fitted with Silhouette reproduction seats built by Henry Nehrybecki. He found them uncomfortable and has fitted modern brand new Recaro seats. The Silhouette reproduction seats will accompany the car.
Lamborghinis 3.0 litre V8 engine makes one of the best noises you will ever hear. This Silhouette is no exception. Like all Lamborghinis the Weber carburettors require plenty of fuel to start the engine. One tends to get a little impatient waiting for the fuel pumps to do their thing . . . then bang the engine bursts into life with a growl! It is best to allow a little time for the engine to warm up and then youre away. Similarly, the gearbox gets better mile after mile as everything warms up. The engine has loads of power on tap and it pulls like a train. The gearbox is also good and it changes up and down smoothly. This car is a real pleasure to drive and we have to say the Recaro seats are super comfortable. The car handles, steers and stops as you would expect.
Accompanying the car is an original owners manual, parts manual (copy), engine workshop manual (copy) and a thick file of receipts dating back to 2004.
The Lamborghini Urraco/Silhouette is one of Bertones finest designs and we think one of the best-looking cars ever built. And oh did we mention the noise . . . the little V8 is in our opinion one of the best sounding engines ever . . . what a great combination!
These cars are extremely rare and have been a well kept secret for many years, but no more! Today the Lamborghini Silhouette is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Truly a unique opportunity.
Today the odometer reads 21,621 km which is sure to be genuine.
Highlights:
- One of the rarest Lamborghinis, being one of 54 cars built and one of only ten factory right hand drive examples.
- Australian delivered.
- Finished in its stunning and original colour combination of rosso (red) with a nero (black) interior.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $289,950.
Background:
The Lamborghini story is fascinating in itself, but for the company to have survived all these years and indeed celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013 is quite amazing. Ferruccio Lamborghini was an entrepreneur, a very successful businessman and a lover of the finer things in life, including sports cars. He was fortunate enough to own some wonderful cars including Ferraris however, he found fault with them all. According to the legend following a meeting with Enzo Ferrari to discuss some of the short comings of his cars Enzo dismissed Ferruccio and he subsequently decided that he could build a better car.
Not long after, in May 1963, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SPA was established and the small town of SantAgata Bolognese, located between Modena and Bologna, was chosen as the location to build the factory. Born under the Zodiac sign Taurus Lamborghini chose the raging bull as the emblem for his sports cars.
Lamborghini knew what he wanted and he put together a highly skilled team. His first car the 350 GTV was shown at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963. This car received mixed reviews; however, Lamborghini was not deterred and made a number of improvements and design changes to the original concept. The first Lamborghini production car the 350 GT left the factory in mid-1964.
The 350 GT evolved into the 400 GT 2+2 and later the Islero. In parallel to building these classic front engine V12 GT cars Lamborghini wanted to build a super car, enter the Miura first shown as a rolling chassis in 1965, and also a GT car that could comfortably seat four people, enter the Espada in 1968. The mid to late sixties were good times for Lamborghini and his cars were revered the world over.
In 1970 the Islero was replaced by the Jarama. Lamborghini also wanted to enter the junior supercar market and introduced the Urraco or little bull, named for the fighting bull which killed the toreador Manoleten, at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. The Urraco attracted huge interest from the motoring world and Bertones classic wedge shape received critical acclaim at the time.
It wasnt until some two years later, in 1972, that the first production cars rolled off the Sant Agata production line. Lamborghini hoped to build the Urraco in big numbers, however, this never eventuated and only 520 of the P250s were built up until 1975 when the P300 was released. The world economy changed quickly and the early 1970s were a tough time for Lamborghini. Additionally, the Urraco had some teething problems early on and the car unfortunately developed a reputation as unreliable. This was perhaps unfair as once Lamborghini ironed out the bugs the car was in fact a little gem and properly sorted was a genuine threat to Ferraris 308, Maseratis Merak and the Porsche 911 of the day. The Urraco P300 was indeed a fabulous little car and in Sports Car World magazine July September 1976 Mel Nichols wrote: . . . I was not hard pressed to conclude that the Urraco 3-litre is the most enjoyable car I have ever driven. In the October 1978 issue of Car Magazine Nichols pits the Lamborghini Urracoagainst a Ferrari 308 GTB and a Maserati Merak SS. The article is compelling reading and Nichols picks the Urraco as his favourite. Only 205 Urraco P300s were built. Lamborghini also built 66 Urraco P200s (with a 2 litre V8 engine) specifically for the Italian market.
The Lamborghini Silhouette was a further development of the Urraco and it was first shown at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show. The Silhouette was a genuine 2 seater and the 2+2 seating of the Urraco was removed to allow space behind the seats to store the targa top. The Silhouette is one of the rarest Lamborghinis with only 54 cars built, of which only ten were factory right hand drive.
Lamborghinis last iteration of their V8 engined junior supercar was the Jalpa (pronounced YAWL-pa), named after another breed of fighting bull. The Jalpa was introduced at the 1981 Geneva show and 410 examples were built from 1982 through until 1988.

1978 LAMBORGHINI SILHOUETTE

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale 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 very elegant 1935 Bentley 3½ Litre E Series Sports Tourer.
The build sheets on file show the rolling chassis was on test on the 15th June 1935 and delivered on 24th June 1935 to Lillie Hall ready for the body to be fitted. The car was fitted with a Thrupp & Maberly four door sports saloon body and Rudge-Withworth wire wheels. The delivery date for the completed car was the 29th August 1935.
The cars first owner was Walford Turner Esq. from Birmingham, UK. There are a few subsequent owners mentioned on the build sheet, the last one being DA Claxton from Havant in South East Hampshire in the UK. He acquired the car on 6th October 1959.
At some stage the car found its way to the USA where it was acquired by the father of the current owner in December 1987. He acquired the car from Cyril A Conrad in La Jolla, California. There is a Californian registration card in his name on file for the car. At that time the car was tired and in need of a restoration. It was then shipped to Australia, arriving here in February 1988.
Upon arrival in Australia the car was assessed and the original body was found to be in poor condition. The owner had kept a photo of a Bentley 3½ Litre fitted with a Vanden Plas Sports Tourer body and quickly decided that he would rebody his car in that style rather than rebuild the existing Thrupp & Maberly body.
The original body was removed from the chassis and the car was completely disassembled for a ground up restoration. The first job was to strip and repaint the chassis. Next, the engine, gearbox and differential were sent to Bruce Ross Automotive in Pennant Hills, Sydney to be overhauled.
The next challenge was to find the right person to build the new body for the car. The owner knew Geoff Smedley from well respected restoration shop Classic Cars in Launceston who was working on a similar project at the time. He contacted him to see if he was interested in building the body for his car. Smedley accepted the challenge. The rolling chassis, engine, gearbox, differential, wheels, fuel tank and othere parts were all shipped to Launceston and Smedley started his work creating the Vanden Plas tourer body for the car. By June 1992 the restoration was completed. The end result was stunning.
The car has remained in the same family ever since.
There were some complications with the engine that necessitated a rebuild in 2008. That work was carried out by Bargwanna & Sons in Como south of Sydney. At that time a new engine block was sourced and installed. Subsequently, the cylinder head was also replaced.
Post restoration the car was used and enjoyed, however, in recent times it has been used sparingly. Importantly, this car has always been regularly maintained, mostly in house, by its knowledgeable and experienced owners.
Although this car was restored 30 plus years ago, it still presents and drives beautifully today. This is a testament to the quality of the restoration and how the car has been subsequently cared for. This Bentley 3½ Litre is presented in a shade of Bentley green, with black guards and a red interior, a colour combination that suits the car very well. The body is a work of art and it remains tight with excellent panel gaps all around. Everything opens and closes easily and the doors have not sagged. The paint work has withstood the test of time and the quality of the body and paint ooze that old school craftsmanship. The paint has retained its deep gloss finish and strong depth of colour. You would not believe the car was painted in the early nineties. Yes, if you look up close you will notice a few very minor imperfections and the odd stone chip.
You cannot miss the bright work on this car especially the big headlights and grill with the iconic Bentley badge at the front. The chrome work is generally in good condition. The lights, horns, windscreen surround and the grill are all in good condition. The bumpers are showing some light pitting and minor flaking in certain areas.
Like the exterior of this car, the interior is also beautifully preserved. The red upholstery presents really well. The leather seats are in very good condition with no rips or tears evident. They are firm and quite comfortable. The red carpets also present well. The wooden dashboard is a real feature and all the instruments are clear and in good condition. On our test drive they were all working as they should.
Out on the road this car is an absolute delight to drive. In fact, this Bentley is one of the most impressive prewar cars to drive that we have had the pleasure to offer for sale in a long time. The car starts easily, even from cold. The starting procedure is simple . . . turn the ignition on, advance the hand throttle a touch, retard the ignition, set the choke to the start position and press the starter button. Bam . . . the engine starts immediately. After following the starting instructions we patiently wait for the engine to warm up before we edge the car out into the traffic. It immediately becomes obvious that this car has a presence. We are getting a lot of thumbs up from both pedestrians and other drivers.
This car is surprisingly easy to drive, especially when you consider that you are driving a 90 year old car. The engine ticks over like a Swiss watch and it has more than enough power on tap to keep up with modern traffic. The four speed gearbox only has synchros on third and fourth gear, so you have to be considered when using first and second gear. The reality is that first and second gear are only required when taking off from a standing start. If slowing down the engine has more than enough torque to pull the car from a low speed in third gear. You very quickly master the gear changes, which are unexpectedly smooth and precise both up and down the box. The steering is also precise and quite direct. It is not as heavy as one might expect. The mechanical brakes have a good feel and pull the car up easily and in a straight line when needed. On our test drive the ambient temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius. Importantly, all the vitals were all very good. The temperature gauge stayed between70 and 80 degrees Celsius the whole time and the oil pressure stayed around 25 psi.
Accompanying the car is a tool kit, jack, spare wheel and an excellent history file containing a copy of the build sheets, a US title, photos of the restoration and some invoices for miscellaneous works completed over the years.
What a great car!
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented Bentley 3½ Litre Sports Tourer.
- Elegant Vanden Plas body built by Geoff Smedley.
- Stunning colour scheme.
- Single family ownership since 1987.
- Drives exceptionally well.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $199,950.
Background:
The Bentley motor car company was founded back in 1919 by brothers WO and HM 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.
WO Bentley had established himself as a brilliant engineer during World War I when the French made DFP in which he competed, achieved a number of wins in various races and hill climbs. He was one of the first engineers who realised the advantage of using aluminium to create pistons. W.O Bentley was discharged from the army in 1919 and he set about creating his own car. His experience with aircraft engines proved an excellent starting point. He was also heavily influenced by two pre-war designs, the 1914 Grand Prix Mercedes and the 1913 Coupe de lAuto Peugeot.
Bentley developed a 3.0 litre monobloc engine which featured four valves per cylinder, twin spark plugs and twin magnetos. He made extensive use of aluminium and magnesium which were quite exotic materials in the 1920s, especially for road going cars. The first prototype, EXP1, was tested by The Autocar and received a glowing report. It was described as For the man who wants a true sporting type of light-bodied car for use on a Continental tour where speed limits are not meant to be observed the 3 Litre Bentley is undoubtedly the car par excellence.
The second prototype, EXP2, made its debut at the 1919 Olympia motor show. The new Bentley 3.0 Litre attracted a lot of attention however it wasnt until September 1921 that the first model rolled of the production line. Between the 1919 motor show and September 1921 much work had been done to further refine the chassis. EXP2 was the first Bentley to record a race win at Brooklands on May 16th 1921. Bentley continued to use it for further testing in 1921 and 1922 before it was sold in 1923. EXP2 still exists today and is the oldest surviving Bentley.
Initially, production of the Bentley 3.0 Litre was slow but they got the formula right and their cars proved to be luxurious, reliable and fast thus attracting buyers from the elite of society. it didnt take long for the order books to be filled with names of wealthy and aristocratic clients, including Prince George (later the Duke of Kent), the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) and the Duke of York, later King George VI.
Just like other manufactures in that period, Bentley supplied the engine, drive train, suspension and chassis, letting the client decide which coachbuilder they wanted to use to supply the body. Bentley offered three versions of their 3.0 Litre and they were identified by the colour of the badge on the radiator the blue label, the red label and the green label. The blue label was the standard engine, the red label was powered by a higher compression engine and the green label was the high-performance model. Bentley had great confidence in their cars and offered a five year warranty on the blue and red label model. The green label, however, only came with a one year warranty because it really was a race car.
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 Bentley 3.0 Litre was able to beat the the much smaller and more nimble Bugattis, prompting Ettore Bugatti to call it the fastest lorry in the world.
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 3.0 Litre, 4½ Litre, Blower Bentley, 6½ Litre and 8.0 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.
The Bentley 3.5 Litre was built from 1933 through until 1939 and in total 1,177 examples were built.

1935 BENTLEY 31/2 LITRE Sports Tourer

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this fantastic 1983 Aston Martin V8 Oscar India.
The Heritage certificate on file confirms this car was built on the 7th September 1983 and it left the factory on 11th October 1983. The car was originally delivered in storm red (paint code 9017) with a fawn pipe burgundy interior (trim code VM.3234/DV6171), a colour scheme the car still carries today. The car retains its original matching numbers engine.
The Heritage Certificate also states this car was delivered with Weber carburettors, Avon tyres, beige with burgundy edged carpet, beige leather headliner and a miles per hour speedometer.
This car is a highly desirable later model Oscar India with the V580 Series engine and BBS wheels. It also has the blanked out radiator grill that was standard on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Like the majority of the Aston Martin V8s built, this car is equipped with a Chrysler Torqueflite three speed automatic transmission.
The documentation on file confirms that this Aston Martin was delivered through Victor Wilson Limited in Edinburgh, Scotland to its first owner, Mr M Carney from Glasgow, Scotland. It was first registered as MAT 78.
Around 1989 the car was sold to Mr M Blackall, an Englishman temporary living and working in Belgium as the Area Director of Operations for a major hotel group. At that time the car was registered as A946FSF. The car spent the next two years in Belgium before the owner moved back to the UK and took the car with him. In 1993 he upgraded to an Aston Martin V8 Volante and this car was sold to Mr M Walker from Edinburgh in June 1994. In September 1996 the car was advertised for sale by the Murray Motor Company in Edinburgh and sold to Mr R Forrester from Cairneyhill, a small village just north of Edinburgh. In 2000 the Murray Motor Company advertised the car for sale again and subsequently sold it to Mr Keenan from Apperley, Gloucestershire, UK. The car was registered with the registration A4 SFK. These UK plates are still fitted on the car.
The current owner, who has an extensive and eclectic collection of cars, acquired this Aston Martin in the UK in mid 2006 and subsequently imported it into Australia. There is an Import Approval on file dated 31st July 2006.
Shortly after arriving into Australia the car was repainted in its original colour of storm red. The car has not been driven any distance since arriving in Australia. It has essentially been in static storage for some fifteen years, though from time to time it was started and driven a short distance. It was last started and driven about five years ago prior to arriving to us.
Since arriving at Oldtimer Australia the car has been recommissioned by classic car specialist Steve Ward from SJ Classics and it runs and drives well. It may require some further fettling to be a reliable driver, but the car has done everything as expected when we have had it out on the open. From the first turn of the key when awoken from its hibernation, the big V8 engine burst to life and it sounds fantastic. Not surprisingly the car seems to get better and better the more it has been driven. The oil pressure is good and engine has loads of power on tap. The gear changes are smooth up and down the box and the car handles, steers and stops as one would expect.
Today the odometer reads 69,688 miles, which based on the information on file, is genuine.
Even though the car carries what is now considered an older repaint, the paint still presents very well. As a result of the car not being driven since it was repainted, the paint has never been exposed to the harsh Australian sun. It retains a deep gloss and a strong depth of colour. There are only two small defects in the paint. There are two very small chips on the boot lid and there is also a small scrape on the edge of the drivers door. Subsequent to our photo shoot, these defects have been touched up using original touch up paint supplied with the car.
All the glass, which looks to be original, and external trim is in very good condition. The same can be said for the bumpers and the other bright work on the car. It is all in very good to excellent condition.
The BBS wheels, which are a real feature on these later Aston Martin V8s present like new with no curb rash. They are shod with Avon Turbosteel 70 tyres, size 235/70/15. The thread on the tyres still present like new, however they are date stamped 4400 (week 44, 2000), and should really be replaced on age.
Open the door and you feel like you are stepping back in time. The interior has been beautifully preserved and is in beautiful condition. It is also very English! The fawn leather seats are in excellent condition with no cracks or tears in the leather. They are comfortable and still provide plenty of support. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used. All the carpets are in excellent condition. The dashboard presents like new. The timber veneer inserts are in excellent condition as is all the leather. Even the top of the dash is still in excellent condition. The instruments are all clean and present well. There is a row of push switches on the centre console and you often see these with faded text. Not in this car. The text is as clear as it was on the day the car left the factory.
In the boot everything is clean and tidy and there is an original spare wheel present.
Open the bonnet and you are presented with a magnificent looking V8 engine. It is hard to miss the Aston Martin Lagonda text on the valve covers and of course there is the plate with the name of the person who assembled the engine. The engine in this car was built by Fred Walters. All very Aston Martin! Everything presents as one would expect. The engine is bay is neat, clean and tidy.
The underside of this car presents well. There is light surface corrosion on some of the components, however, this is not a typical English car underneath. The overall presentation is consistent with a 41 year old car that has been well cared for.
Accompanying this car is a comprehensive history file dating back to new, which includes the original service book.
This car has an incredible presence and it presents fabulously in the striking colour of storm red.
A unique opportunity.
Highlights:
- Rare and desirable example of one the iconic Aston Martin V8 series.
- Beautifully presented example of a quintessential British GT.
- Fabulous original colour scheme.
- Known history from new.
Price $259,950
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. The David Brown era was arguably Aston Martins finest with the company winning LeMans in 1959 and the sixties producing the legendary DB4, DB5 and DB6 models.
The first of the Newport Pagnell designed cars, the DBS, was introduced in 1967. The DBS was initially powered by Aston Martins tried and true 6 cylinder engine as the companys new V8 engine was not ready.
From September 1967 through until May 1972 Aston Martin produced 829 DBS chassis. One of these was used in a crash test and 26 of these were later fitted with a V8 engine which leaves a total of 802 six cylinder Aston Martin DBS. Of these 802 cars, 621 were right hand drive and 181 left hand drive. The DBS was available with a five speed ZF manual gearbox or an automatic gearbox or. Interestingly, 317 of the right hand drive cars were fitted with the five speed manual gearbox. It is understood that Aston Martin only built circa 70 right hand drive examples equipped with the Vantage engine.
In September 1969 the DBS was superseded by the DBS V8, powered by the all new 5.3 litre V8 engine which was finally ready for production. The DBS V8 remained in production through until April 1972 and circa 400 cars were built. It was then renamed and became the Aston Martin V8, which became a great success for the marque. The Aston Martin V8 was produced for 17 years, with production finally coming to an end in 1989. Just over 2,000 cars were built, plus the Volantes and Vantages.
In October 1978 Aston Martin introduced the Aston Martin V8 Series 4, otherwise known as the Oscar India (Oscar India = October Introduction, from the phonetic alphabet). The car now sporting burr walnut trim, a blanked off bonnet scoop and a revised boot lid and rear wings to create a sculpted spoiler was visually very similar to the Vantage. The car remained in production through until 1985 and only 352 examples were produced.

1983 ASTON MARTIN V8 Oscar India

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this 1974 Lamborghini Uracco P250.
According to the Lamborghini factory records, this car was completed on the 2nd May 1974. This factory right hand drive example was fitted with factory air conditioning and delivered new to the UK. The car was originally giallo (yellow paint code 2469019) with a nero (black) interior.
The early history of this car is not known, though it is understood to have come to Australia early in its life.
A long term Sydney owner, who originally found the car advertised in Unique Cars magazine, commissioned Lamborghini specialist Henry Nehrybecki to give the car a more aggressive look, similar to a Lamborghini Silhouette.
The template for the wheel arches was taken from a Lamborghini Silhouette and made from sheet metal. This work was completed by Graham Watson from Ralt Australia. Nehrybecki fabricated the front spoiler, custom alloy grill, front and rear bumpers, the three piece wheels and modified the front suspension. The car was painted by Con Papoulis from Hi Tech Paintshop. A that time the colour was changed to dark metallic blue. It is understood that this work was completed in c1997.
The project took approximately 9 months from start to finish.
The car was featured in Issue 17, the April June 1998 Lamborghini Club of Australia magazine The Bulls Roar.
The car changed hands and remained with its then owner from Glenmore Park in Sydney, NSW through until November 2008. At that time the car was registered with the personalised plates CRETE1.
The cars new owner was from Hornsby in Sydney, NSW and at the time he acquired the car the odometer read 75,703 miles. It was then registered in NSW as AW99RR. In his ownership the car was serviced and maintained by Eagle and Raymond Automotive in Asquith, NSW. There are several invoices on file documenting the service history of the car.
The car then found its way to the Gosford Classic Car Museum where it was displayed before being acquired by the current owner in July 2017. At that time the odometer read 81,982 miles.
Since then it has had a mechanical refresh which included a new clutch, suspension rebuild, gearbox rebuild, replacing the head gasket and other miscellaneous works by classic Lamborghini specialist Sports and Classic Car Services in Braeside, Victoria. The car has only travelled c2,000 miles since the majority of that work was completed.
The most recent annual service was executed on 1st July 2022 and at that time the odometer read 83,833 and in April 2024 the carburettors were cleaned and rebuild by Classic Fix in Brisbane.
Today the odometer reads 83,987 miles.
This Lamborghini Urraco certainly has a presence about it. The flared wheel arches, front spoiler and aftermarket wheels give the car a very aggressive stance. The dark metallic blue colour really suits the car. Overall, the paint is still in a good condition having retained a strong depth of colour and a high gloss finish. Up close you will see a few imperfections, consistent with an older repaint and with a car that has been used occasionally. The most noticeable defects are a chip on the B pillar on the drivers side about half way up and a few scratches on the front of the car, most likely caused by the bonnet stand. There is also some gravel rash evident on the front of the rear flared wheel arches and some small stone chips on the front spoiler. The louvered engine cover and the louvers on the side of the car have been finished in black and are in good condition.
Besides the window frames and badges there really isnt much bright work on a Lamborghini Urraco. The frames and badges, along with the lights, lenses and the glass are well presented and in good condition.
The Silhouette style wheels are in very good condition with no evidence of any curb rash. The centre caps are faded and replacing these would lift the presentation of the car. The wheels are shod with Toyo Proxes T1R tyres, 205/45 ZR16 at the front and 245/45 ZR16 at the rear. The front tyres are date stamped 0910 (week 9, 2010) and the rear tyres are date stamped 3718 (week 37, 2018). The front tyres, whilst they still appear to be in good condition, should be replaced based on age.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a sharp looking interior. First impressions are good. The grey upholstery provides a perfect colour contrast with the blue exterior. The seats are in a good condition and provide ample support. The centre section of the front and rear seats have been upholstered with a velour style fabric. On the front seats the fabric has started to slightly stretch, though there are no rips or tears. The rear seats have probably never been used since the car was retrimmed. The car is fitted with an aftermarket steering wheel in a matching colour. All the instruments present well. They are clear and appear to be in good working order. The dashboard itself also presents well with no marks or discoloration evident. We did notice that the headlining has a few marks and could use a little bit of attention.
One of the previous owners must have been short as the front seats have been raised to provide a more comfortable driving position (for a smaller person). To suit a driver of average size or above, both seats would need to be lowered.
These baby bulls are underrated and great fun to drive. It was a wet week in Brisbane and when we finally got a break in the weather, it was with great anticipation that we got to take this Urraco out for our test drive and photo shoot.
The Weber carburettors on these early Lamborghinis are thirsty and require plenty of fuel to start the car. The correct starting procedure is to turn the ignition on, let the fuel pump do its work for at least twenty seconds, then give the accelerator pedal a few pumps, then turn the key further to start the car. If you follow these steps the engine will burst to life with relative ease. The sound is fantastic and these little V8s make a growl like no other!
These cars always feel a little stiff to start. But as everything warms up properly the car becomes better and easier to drive. This is most noticeable with the gear changes which become an absolute delight once the gearbox is warm. The engine revs freely through the rev range and the car has plenty of power on tap. The car handles well and feels incredibly stable on the road. There is an occasional knock from the front suspension which we are currently investigating. The brakes work well and they pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
This Lamborghini Urraco P250 is a delightful junior super car. It is a real joy to drive and we think a great alternative to the more ubiquitous Ferrari 308 GT/4, Maserati Merak or Porsche 911.
You wont win the concours with this car and it may not appeal to the purist, but we think it is rather cool. It will most certainly turn heads and make an impression wherever it goes.
Accompanying the car is a good history file with a copy of an owners manual, the original and often missing Lamborghini libretto di assistenza e garanzia (service and warranty booklet) and some historical documentation and service records.
The spare wheel is missing.
Highlights:
- Factory RHD example.
- Good history file with original service book.
- Not your average Urraco P250!
- Recent mechanical work.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
Price $114,950.
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.

1974 LAMBORGHINI URRACO P250

Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a lovely, factory right hand drive 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa. Being a late 1985 model Carrera 3.2 makes it one of the last delivered with the 231 HP engine.
This particular car was sold new by Porsche dealer Heddell & Deeks in Dorset in the UK and delivered on the 23rd April 1985.
The car passed through a number of owners in the UK who have clearly cherished the car and looked after it. This 911 Carrera has an impeccable service history, books (including a fully stamped service book), jack and two sets of keys. There is also a very thick history file with many receipts, old MOTs and UK registration documents. The service book and documentation confirm that the cars mileage of only 115,695 miles to be genuine up until February 2014. The odometer stopped working in circa mid-2015 and it is estimated the car travelled perhaps 2,000 3,000 miles since before the odometer was repaired. Today the odometer reads 118,354 miles.
A previous owner acquired the car on the 20th April 2013 from a Porsche specialist in the UK and subsequently imported it into Australia. Since its arrival in Australia the car has had two subsequent owners. All three enthusiastic Australian owners have continued to fastidiously maintain the car.
This Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa is well known to Oldtimer Australia having been sold by us to its last two Australian owners, firstly in October 2017 and later to the current owner in March 2019.
The current owner had a lifelong dream to own a Porsche and purchased this car at age 83. He has enjoyed his four years of ownership and travelled c1,700 miles in that time. He even managed to pick up a speeding ticket along the way!
Today this Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa still presents well and drives fabulously. Back in 2010 the car was given a respray in its original colour of guards red (L027). The paintwork remains in excellent condition all around with only the odd stone chip or blemish evident on close inspection. Most noticeable is the chip on the trailing edge of the passengers door. It still retains a high gloss finish with a strong depth of colour. Guards red looks stunning on any 911 of this era as the colour contrasts perfectly with all the black accents.
All the exterior trim, glass and wheels are also in very good condition. The wheels are fitted with Provato Sport Green tyres. The rear tyres are date stamped 4115 (wk41, 2015) and the front tyres are date stamped 4017 (wk40, 2017). Both the front and rear tyres are still in good condition.
Whilst this car has spent much of its life in the UK it is extremely solid underneath. The car has been professionally sealed and rustproofed. It is as clean and well-presented underneath as it is on top!
The interior is all original and in very good condition for a 30+ year old car. It has a nice patina about it with some minor wear on the edges of the front seats and on top of the steering wheel. We also noticed the stitching on the right side of the driver seat, near the head rest is starting to come loose. Fortunately, the leather is not damaged and therefore this should be an easy fix. The targa top is in very good condition and is a snug fit when on the car. The radio is original as is the unused spare wheel, tyre and jack.
Its often the little things that make a difference on a car. On these early 911s it is the dash, rear parcel shelf and door pockets that would normally show signs of deterioration and wear. These are all in excellent condition on this car. It is also nice to see that all of the original engine bay stickers, tyre specification sticker and car ID specification sticker all are intact and like new.
A 911 is all about the drive and this car drives exactly as you would expect. It starts easily and once out on the open road you quickly appreciate that this is a very good example. The car feels incredibly solid for a car which is now, unbelievably, nearly 50 years old. It is tight on the road with no rattles or squeaks. The engine has loads of power on tap and it pulls strongly through the rev range. The gear linkage is often a weak point on these eighties 911s and on this car the gear change is direct with a good feel. The car handles, steers and stops as you would expect.
The car has a full set of books, a thick and extensive history file, two sets of keys with immobiliser, jack and an unused space saver spare wheel that will accompany the car.
Highlights:
- Very well presented example of an iconic sports car.
- Excellent history file.
- Books, including a fully stamped service book.
- Ready to use and enjoy.
It is competitively priced at $99,950.
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. 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 and 1980s model 911s.
The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 was introduced in 1983 as a successor to the 911SC. Interestingly, it was the first time the Carrera name had been used since 1977. Visually the new car was similar to its successor, both internally and externally. The major change to the new car was its engine. Whilst based on the SCs 3.0 litre power plant, Porsche claimed the 911 Carrera engine was 80 per cent new. The capacity was increased to 3164cc and a revised piston design increased the compression ratio to 10.3:1 on all but North American cars. But the Carreras main innovation was its Bosch Motronic 2 engine management system. This was the first production 911 to feature an ECU to control the ignition and fuel systems. In addition, the fuel injection was updated to Bosch LE-Jetronic and the induction and exhaust systems were revised.
The upshot of these improvements was that power rose to 231 bhp at 5900 rpm, with torque hitting 284 Nm at 4800rpm. Porsche claimed fuel consumption to be 10 percent better than that of the SC, because of the greater efficiency of the electronically controlled engine. The last of the 911 Carrera 3.2s was built in 1989 and the model was most popular with circa 76,000 cars built during six years of production. The approximate breakdown of models was c35,500 coupes, c20,000 cabriolets and c18,500 Targas. Porsche also offered the 911 Carrera 3.2 with the option of the Turbo body (option code M491), which is most often referred to as the wide body or in some markets Supersport.
Today the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 is recognised as an 80s icon and these cars are now becoming highly sought after.

1985 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 3.2 Targa

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