47 replies to this topic

[cooper997]

Over the 3 days starting this Friday, Motors & Masterpieces is taking place at Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, next door to the famous Flemington racecourse where Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday each November.

 

This being the first running of M&M as a high end motoring event in Melbourne, filling the gap left after the demise of Motorclassica in 2022.

 

More details

https://www.motorsandmasterpieces.com/

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

A busy time was had on setup day for Motors & Masterpieces.

 

An extremely varied selection to cater for the many motoring tastes are in attendance.. These are a very small selection because it's late here in Oz.

 

 

 

 

 

And there's a whole other building yet to view.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

 

[2F-001]

Thanks for this, Stephen.

Does this replace the show at the Royal Exhibition Building?

[cooper997]

Yes Tony, Motors & Masterpieces is a direct replacement for Motorclassica. Perhaps a slightly more affordable venue and many of the faces running things are the same.

 

A couple more from yesterday, before I head back in.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 23 November 2024 - 09:46.

[Ray Bell]

A De Soto Airflow...

 

Rare in their day, even more so now.

[cooper997]

Absolutely stunning CSL

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[cooper997]

Racing cars are slim pickings, but there's some quality in Jack's 1968 Tasman BT23E

 

 

 

 

Yesterday caught up with Mark Bisset, James Calder and Paul Newby who've all contributed to TNF over the years. Likely to catch up with James and Paul again today. Plus John Ellacott is flying from Sydney today.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 22 November 2024 - 18:40.

[cooper997]

This group should probably all come with a health warning...

 

 

 

Stephen

[2F-001]

There's a fascinatingly wide selection of machinery on display there. Road cars rarely enthral me overmuch, but I can see some interesting specimens lurking in there.

 

Jack's BT23 is lovely, isn't it? I'm guessing you have to have something pretty special to be allowed to park directly on the carpet, whilst all those on the bare concrete floor need paper (?) under the tires and a drip mat... 

 

I was always slightly surprised that motor cars were allowed inside the Royal Exhibition Building; it's a hugely impressive structure - and a World Heritage Site, I believe?

Edited by 2F-001, 22 November 2024 - 21:25.

[cooper997]

Tony, you have hit the nail on the head with your wide variety comment, but I've only really scratched the surface.

 

Behind the foyer where the Brabham is displayed is a whole lot of Bentley and Rolls Royce dropping their high class oils. Indeed small sections of cardboard or coreflute were placed by the organisers once position was reached. I dare say something the Royal Showgrounds have requested. Or simply the organisers attempting to save a sizeable cleanup bill.

 

 

This morning I got into a conversation with one of the chaps looking after the BMW shown in an earlier post. Turns out it wasn't his car, but he did help restore it at the company he works for on the Mornington Peninsulia. As the conversation unfolded it turned out that car had been part of the Stillwell collection in a previous life, The restorer's dad was Bob How who many years ago ran the Dalro Jaguar Special and the company also restored the following Ausca TR. Something Mark Bisset and I had drooled over on Friday and were left a bit confused given there was an alloy look to the body. Alas it turns out not so. But this company made prototypes for car manufacturers and so they've learnt a few tricks. 

 

Absolutely stunning presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow is the last day of the event and so the last day to see this car. Because I was told the owner only displays his cars the once.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 23 November 2024 - 19:39.

[cooper997]

In Melbourne fashion, after 3 stinking hot days on the trot, Sunday morning was rain and cooler weather. Enough to help get more paying customers through the gates. Even better, it was cool and dry when we took the cars out just after 5pm closing.

 

 

Here's some of the Americans

 

 

 

The blue 1956 Continental won the best US built car and the CSL shown earlier won Best Car of the Show

 

 

Stephen.

 

 

[cooper997]

The passionate bike enthusiasts were also catered for.

 

 

The red Ducati belongs to a TNF member.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Some of the Aussie Holdens

 

LJ Torana GTR XU1

 

 

HQ Monaro 350

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

 

Racing cars were thin on the ground as Stephen mentioned in his early post, just Aaron Lewis ex-Brabham BT23E 1968 Tasman machine and this ex-Larry Perkins Chevron B39 Ford BDA Formula Pacific car. I recall Peter Larner racing it a bit too.

 

Decked out in the livery of a South African driver, Tony Martin. 

 

When Larry ran it, it was owned by Paul England and Jack Godbehear, both very important supporters in his Elfin FF and F2 seasons before he went to the UK. If memory serves, Jack's engine building secrets or practices, became Larry's and he acknowledged as such.

 

 

how to make screen shot

 

Always liked Pants-Tearers, many here have been woggerised, not this one.

 

 

screen grab

 

The ex-Sir Rupert Steele Bentley olde-bean. I wrote about it a while back. https://primotipo.co...uperts-bentley/ Up for auction shortly

 

These shiny car shows are a once every 3 years thing for me, let's hope the move to a cheaper venue makes the thing work commercially so 'Motors and Masterpieces' survives. I've a couple of mates on the board and they are both good people. Melburnians are well disposed to the Showgrounds generally because we all have fond memories of The Show (Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show). It ain't as flash as the Exhibition Buildings but never-mind, the parking is better and it's still easy by public transport. 

​

taking a screen shot

 

 

This Aston Martin DB6 - racy sans bumpers - and baby-blue E-Type drophead with hardtop, not so common here, caught the eye too.

 

Edited by MarkBisset, 25 November 2024 - 08:15.

[John Ginger]

Thank you all for sharing, a more beautiful set of cars would be hard to find, if I had to choose one, I would probably go for the CSL, mainly for nostalgic reasons 

[Ray Bell]

Mark, without wanting to start an argument, but you did say 'if memory serves'...

 

Larry's time in FF was powered by a Lucas-prepared engine from England. In ANF2 he drove the Gary Campbell Elfin 600 with assistance from David McKay and Garrie Cooper, none of whom had any serious links with Paul England to my knowledge. There's no doubt, of course, that the Paul England ownership of the Chevron was schemed around Larry.

[MarkBisset]

Ray,

 

A humorous, fictitious start to your post.

 

Give Lazza a call and ask.

 

Of course Peter Larner's engine building secrets came from Paul and Jack too, especially Jack. There's plenty of doubt that the Paul England and Jack Godbehear ownership of the Chevron was schemed around Larry as Peter Larner first raced it, so too Paul's Dolphin/Brabham and Kaditcha to my knowledge. Peter was close to them both.

 

 

Peter Larner above in the Paul England supported (owned?) Kaditcha P2 England BDA during the 1981 AGP weekend at Calder, 11th.

 

Jack Godbehear's work was mainly done from his workshop in Park Orchards. His family were orchardists and estate agents in Ringwood, land that was profitably subdivided.

 

Rare shot of Godbehear competing below in his self-built JGS JAP 298cc (Jack Godbehear Special) machine at Rob Roy, November 3, 1959 (Spencer Wills/Bob King Collection)

 

 

Ace motorcyclist/tuner Bert Flood - in my day his Bultaco emporium of speed was in the Maroondah Highway, Box Hill alongside John Armitage's 'Autosport' race/rally accessories business - also raced this machine, the chassis of which he described as 'basically an undercarriage leg from an Avro Anson aircraft.' It had '29 Rudge, BSA Gold Star, speedway JAP and finally a Norton Manx engine. Wonder if it still exists? 

 

Thinking about it, there was a swag of engineering talent living in an arc of Melbourne's eastern-leafy fringe from north-east Hurstbridge to east-east Lysterfield. 
 

 

Chas Talbot is in Lysterfield and has Godbehear's dyno. In October 2021 (above) Chas was trying to (and did) sell the legendary Ausca VW on behalf of Paul England's widow. They/she lived in that arc, can't remember exactly where. Talbot spoke fondly of the odd frothy with Paul, Jack and Phil.

 

Peter Larner was in Eltham, Jamie still operates Larner Engines from there.

 

Not to forget Phil Irving who was in Brackenbury Street, Warrandyte - Owl's Rest - for decades. Warrandyte to Maidstone in his (brief) Repco days would have been Australia's worst commute.

 

Tony Stewart was out there too, a driver not an engineer of course, and related somehow to either Paul or Jack. Car City (Stewart) was on an old orchard site I think. Godbehear land? 

 

m

Edited by MarkBisset, 26 November 2024 - 04:03.

[Ray Bell]

I'm pretty sure Gary Campbell would have used Merv Waggott's services for the ANF2 engine Larry raced...

 

And from Formula Ford reviews in RCN in both 1969 and 1970 the Stillwell cars were reported to be using the Lucas engines.

 

Tony was Jack Godbehear's nephew and the Dolphin was his baby.

[cooper997]

On Sunday for a period of time, Joe opened up his Miura SV for closer viewing and even allowed some to have a sit in the car. Generous man.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

There's all sorts of cheeky lines that could be added to this photo.

 

Taken on Friday, when a photographer and 2 models were in the building. Simply had to snap this one for the owner.

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Right back to this 1910 Overland, complete with a seat for the mother-in-law.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Rare Japanese sports cars

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Bathurst was their calling.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Odseybod]

Love the M-i-L seat on the Overland. Presumably, if you could persuade it to go fast enough, the wind would drown out her instructions (/screams).

[cooper997]

Here you go Tony. When your sick of her (M-i-L) rear seat directions and complaints of her wig has just blown off, you take this obscure French limo out.

 

At least her directions will be muffled by the glass divider.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[Odseybod]

Here you go Tony. When your sick of her (M-i-L) rear seat directions and complaints of her wig has just blown off, you take this obscure French limo out.

 

At least her directions will be muffled by the glass divider.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

Ah, Stephen, I fear not such a great idea. I suspect that brass thing on the front pillar of the cabin is the receiving end of a speaking tube, located in close proximity to the chauffeur's right ear. So M-i-L bellows instructions down her end of the tube in the comfortable, warm cabin, often preceded by a whistle or fart to make sure the person at the receiving end is paying proper attention - while of course being exposed to whatever the weather happens to be throwing at him. And worse still, with no opportunity to answer back.

[cooper997]

Tony, surely where you hide your chewing gum to muffle things.

 

 

Stephen

[Doug Nye]

Nice cars - indeed, some fine cars - but what sterile display standards.... a missed opportunity, or just brilliant considering zero budget?   

 

DCN

[cooper997]

In the main enough to make it happen, but a high risk venture that had no major sponsor (that I'm aware). And it's not the Exhibition Building with the wooden floors & ambience (at a price).

 

If the big Showgrounds building had carpet (or even epoxy covering) like the smaller building with the Overland etc photos then it would be better. However given I haven't ventured to the Showgrounds when the venue's in its full-blown September show mode for decades, I can't be 100 percent sure what it's used for. Although I imagine that the main sterile building is chock full of show bag sellers and the like for those 10 or so days of the year. The rest of the year the Royal Ag Society need the likes of shows to justify their existence before the property developers get the better of them. It's prime land close to Melbourne CBD.

 

Comparative to the British and European car shows, Australia suffers from a big country with a relatively small population of car enthusiasts. So not everyone will drive 9 hours or fly in from interstate to go to a car show in Melbourne (or vice-versa Sydney or Brisbane etc). So we take what's on offer and hope there's enough to make it happen again.

 

Fortunately as has so far been shown, the cars are the stars and Australia does ok with what's lurking in private collections and sheds across the country.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 27 November 2024 - 23:20.

[cooper997]

This link should take you to the event winners

 

https://www.motorsan...rs-masterpieces

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Just 2 Alfa Romeos were in the building, both stunning Spiders and neither red..

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[Sterzo]

Just 2 Alfa Romeos were in the building...

I was never inclined to believe Barry Humphries' representation of the limitations of Australian culture, but now I'm beginning to wonder...

[Paul Newby]

Just 2 Alfa Romeos were in the building, both stunning Spiders and neither red..

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

The reason for the paucity of Alfa Romeos at the event was due to it clashing with the Victorian club's annual 'Spettacolo Festa' Concourse event that was held over the weekend at Wesley College. I didn't know that it was on that weekend. I was there back in 2014 and I can attest that it is a big event and would have had an impact on Motors & Masterpieces.

 

Paul

[Doug Nye]

Nice idea then - and every good event has to start somewhere.  Good luck to the organisers...

 

DCN

[cooper997]

After a postimage 'holiday' yesterday, here's some of the Citroens

 

 

 

TNF member James had some professional photos taken of his cars and his shed rearranged in the process. Mark entered the DS photo in the M&M Photographic Exhibition and took out second prize.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Lancia were represented by 4 examples in the building, here's a couple (and part of)

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Odseybod]

After a postimage 'holiday' yesterday, here's some of the Citroens

 

 

 

TNF member James had some professional photos taken of his cars and his shed rearranged in the process. Mark entered the DS photo in the M&M Photographic Exhibition and took out second prize.

 

 

Stephen

I do like the early battle-scarred 2CV, complete with its proper removable seats. Such a clever car - The Motor's road test car of similar vintage was my first taste of Citroen motoring, which led to owning several rather more complicated descendants, including this one.

 

[cooper997]

Tony, why do I get the feeling there's a photo of you taking that photo somewhere? Plus at the end of a runway for some plane spotting?

 

 

Here's a couple of the Benz's in the building.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Odseybod]

Tony, why do I get the feeling there's a photo of you taking that photo somewhere? Plus at the end of a runway for some plane spotting?

 

 

 

RAF Kinloss (when the Nimrods weren't flying). I was told I was out of focus, so was consigned to the bin - I know my place ...

[10kDA]

Ah, Stephen, I fear not such a great idea. I suspect that brass thing on the front pillar of the cabin is the receiving end of a speaking tube, located in close proximity to the chauffeur's right ear. So M-i-L bellows instructions down her end of the tube in the comfortable, warm cabin, often preceded by a whistle or fart to make sure the person at the receiving end is paying proper attention - while of course being exposed to whatever the weather happens to be throwing at him. And worse still, with no opportunity to answer back.

Could've been worse. Could've been a Gosport.

[10kDA]

Thanks for posting the pics. I enjoyed picking out some of the interesting bits in the backgrounds as well, such as a Bora, a (or "THE"?) Bullitt(ish) Mustang, and a Khamsin. And the lady in green beyond the SL. Looks like a nice event.

[cooper997]

I'm glad that some of the background cars are being noticed. 10kDA just for that, here's the Bora anf Khamsin closeup.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

[cooper997]

Rare AC's in the building

 

 

I had a brief chat with the 428 owner on the Sunday, mentioning the restoration was recently completed after many years apart. 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Cars of more modest means were also welcome and indeed beautifully presented..

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Some of the Prince / Datsun sporties in the building

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Formula 5000]

I went to the inaugural Motorclassica 2010 and again in 2014 but have been unable to go since so thank you for all the photos Cooper 997.

Great photos, wide variety and aren't the vehicles shiny.

The previous site, Exhibition Buildings, shows the foresight in building it at the time.

 

Really appreciate nearly being there.

[cooper997]

Two Saturdays now there's been issues with using postimages.

 

 

This Bentley 3 litre has been in one family twice, but it's now on the market again.

 

It headed down under in the early 80s, but back in the late 60's Innes Ireland was custodian.

 

 

Here's Innes with Denny at the 1969 British GP

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

How to upstage Dino & Ferrari on the Mornington Peninsula this summer...

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen