One of my favourite motoring exhibitions would have to be Motorclassica – the Australian International Concours d’elegance and Classic Motor Show – Australasia’s premier annual exhibition of rare, classic, collectible and significant cars and motorcycles.
This year Motorclassica will celebrate its landmark 10 th Anniversary, from 11 th to 13 th October, at Melbourne’s historic Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.
Motorclassica has over its 10-year history featured some of the world’s most significant and collectible cars in its annual Australian International Concours d’Elegance.
‘Best in Show’ is the ultimate Concours accolade, and it has been won by some truly magnificent vehicles, with past winners including, a USA-entered 1928 Daimler P.1.50 “Double 6” Limousine at the inaugural event, a 1927 Bentley 6.5 Litre “Speed 6”, a 1952 Aston Martin DB2/4, and a 1913 Rolls Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost London-to-Edinburgh Continental, to name a few.
This year, it is anticipated 140 vehicles will take to the polished wooden boards of the Royal Exhibition Building as entrants of the 2019 Australian International Concours d’Elegance.
Outside, will be the club-based displays known as Club Sandwich, which will see a further 200 cars and motorcycles on show, alongside 30 exotic modern supercars from Lorbek Luxury Cars.
Significant automotive milestones to be celebrated at Motorclassica 2019 with extensive displays will include 100 years of the famous Bentley marque and less well known Alvis, and contrasting with those British brands, a century of the innovative French maker, Citroen.
Motorclassica 2019 will pay tribute to Citroen with a specially selected centenary display of 17 iconic cars ranging from the very first Type A two-door cabriolet model of 1920 through to the seminal Maserati-engined SM in a display that will also include a few surprises.
The display will also include an example of the first vehicle to circumnavigate mainland Australia, a 1923 Citroen 5CV – the original of which resides in Canberra’s National Museum of Australia.
Mini will be honoured for its 60 years while, by contrast, so too will Abarth, an Italian tuner feted for its performance modifications to Fiat and Lancia models over the past 70 years.
Increasingly collectible, Japan’s often-unheralded role in the global development of the modern sports car will also be recognised at Motorclassica with a specially curated tribute.
On the Motorclassica central stage, a series of special guests and industry experts will entertain, educate and advise show goers on all aspects of the automotive lifestyle. A full schedule of the stage sessions can be found on the website:
https://motorclassica.com.au/features/main-stage/.
Following its successful debut in 2018, Motorclassica’s popular After Five initiative will return again this year, providing city and inner suburban workers and car enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to take in the premier display after-hours for an intimate and unique motoring experience.
Motorclassica’s Live Restoration Theatre will also return, featuring five separate live and concurrent demonstrations of varying aspects of vehicle restoration, presented by Maskell’s Customs and Classics.
Renowned Coachbuilder Brian Tanti and restorer Greg Maskell will host the Theatre, demonstrating to show-goers the unique skills required to bring older vehicles back to life.
With each session, both will be on hand to answer questions and dispense advice, while upstairs, more than 80 exhibitors will display a wide range of products, services and experiences.
Motorclassica 2019 will kick off with the annual Tour Classica, where a number of show participants will parade through the Melbourne CBD on the morning of Thursday 10 October, before arriving at the Royal Exhibition Building.
The drive route, including the best vantage points can be found at:
https://motorclassica.com.au/features/tour-classica/
Tickets for Motorclassica are on sale now at: www.motorclassica.com.au