There is something special about the way a vintage engine note echoes off historic storefronts. Despite a brief delay due to the weather, the 2025 Maling Road Autoclassico returned to the leafy streets of Canterbury this November, proving once again why it’s a crown jewel of the Melbourne automotive calendar.
At Famous Insurance, we live for these moments—where the passion for preservation meets the thrill of modern performance. This year’s show didn’t just meet expectations; it set a new bar for variety and rare metal.
A Tale of Two Gullwings
The heart of the show featured a masterclass in Mercedes-Benz lineage. Taking center stage was the timeless Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, finished in classic silver with a striking red interior.
But the display didn’t stop at nostalgia. It was a true “then and now” showcase, flanked by its modern descendants:
- The SLS AMG: The 21st-century spiritual successor with those iconic doors.
- The AMG GT Pro: Finished in a menacing matte blue that looked fast even while parked.
- The AMG GT Black Series: Draped in vibrant orange, highlighting every aerodynamic detail that has made the “Black Series” badge legendary.
Rarities and Restomods
The Autoclassico is famous for drawing out the “garage queens” and rare gems that don’t often frequent the usual car club circuits. This year, the streets were graced by:
- Italian Legends: A wedge-perfect De Tomaso Mangusta and a poster-worthy Lamborghini Diablo.
- The Porsche Spectrum: From a pristine 356 Speedster in “go-fast” red to the precision of the modern 911 GT3 Touring.
- The Rule-Breakers: We saw the debut of the Wiedergrboren restomod Porsche (via YTG) and a wild, 350 Chevy-powered 911 from the crew at Benzina that had everyone talking.
From the thunder of a McLaren M1B Can-Am racer to the British elegance of Jaguar E-Types, TVRs, and MG T-Series, the diversity was a testament to Melbourne’s deep-rooted car culture.
Celebrating Excellence: The Preservation Award
Beyond the spectacle, Famous Insurance was honored to support the community by sponsoring the event awards.
This year, we were proud to present the Preservation Award to the spectacular 300SL Gullwing. In a world of modifications, seeing such an iconic piece of history maintained in its purest form is exactly what we love to see.
A huge thank you to all the clubs including the BMW, Mercedes, MG, Alfa Romeo and Fiat clubs (among many others) for filling the streets with “non-stop beauty.” Whether you’re into pre-war classics or the “future classics” of tomorrow, Maling Road delivered.
Missed the action? You can find our full high-res gallery of the day’s stars on our social media pages.
