Car fans flock to Motorclassica

This year's RACV Motorclassica in Melbourne saw a 35 per cent increase in attendance, with more than 20,000 people flocking to the show over three days to admire the vintage, veteran and classic metal.

Special vehicle displays celebrated the 100th anniversaries of Aston Martin and Bertone Design, and the 60th anniversary of Corvette, concours and club displays ranged across the entire enthusiast spectrum and legendary Lamborghini test driver, Valentino Balboni, recounted anecdotes of his storied career.

Event organiser Paul Mathers says the show's attendance boost signalled its broadening appeal. "I think people have begun to realise that Motorclassica is a show not just for people who understand and love classics, but it is for people who love history, design, beauty and a great day out," Mathers says.

But classic cars are still the linchpin, and there was particular crowd interest in the Australian International Concours d’Elegance, for which former Top Gear Australia host -- and noted race driver and trainer -- Steve Pizzati was on hand to host the ceremony awarding the Best in Show to the immaculate 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by Frank Kuulkers. The new People’s Choice award, voted by more than 5000 visitors was won by John Matthies' pristine Ferrari Dino, which also took out its class award. 

Of the array of club displays outside the Royal Exhibition Hall in Carlton, the Vicroads Custom Plates Best Club Display awards went to the Lamborghini Car Club of Australia and the Fiat Car Club, with individual awards going to Peter Shepherd’s Alfa Romeo RLN and a lovely Triumph TR3A in Primrose Yellow, displayed by a father and daughter team. 

For many fans, the star of the cars that went under the hammer for Theodore Bruce auction was the 1947 Holden Prototype -- the oldest Australian-made Holden -- which reach the winning bid of $600,000. However it was not the highest bid for the overall auction. That went to a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 -- a Sydney motor show car that year, and winner of the 2013 Automobili Lamborghini Grande Giro -- which reached $680,000.

Mathers says while this year's show closed on Sunday, the organisers are already preparing for the next one. "Planning is already underway for next year, with 100 years of Maserati, 50 years of Mustang, and a very special top secret project, which -- if we can pull it off -- will be sure to bring people from all over Australia for something which will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he says.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott