My 1969 Rolls-Royce Mk I Shadow

However, retired boilermaker Noel Irwin, 70, of Rockhampton, has invested carefully and can now indulge his boyhood dreams of owning a historic Roller, plus an MG, Whippet and an Ariel motorcycle.

"I have always loved cars and my collection started off when my wife got Alzheimer's and I bought a 1930 Whippet Tourer to give her an interest," he says. "She instantly fell in love with it." He bought the fully restored Whippet two years ago for $16,000 and the 1947 MG saloon 18 months ago for $17,000.

In August, he bought the 1969 Rolls-Royce Mk I Shadow for $28,000. "A Rolls-Royce means prestige but for me I'm an old boilermaker and there are no airs and graces on me," he says. "I don't care if you call it a Roller. I don't own it for the prestige but because I can and when I was young I thought I'd love to own a Rolls-Royce one day. But it's still just a motor car."

He plans to show the Roller at the MotorMania show and shine at Rockhampton Showgrounds on July 25. The show is part of a 10-day Central Queensland MotorMania festival of motoring and motorsport that includes cars, karts, drag racers, motorcycles and more.

"I haven't had this in any shows yet," says the member of the local All Classic Motor Club and Veteran and Vintage Car Club. "When people look at it they can't believe it's in original condition."

The Shadow features a 6.2L V8 with three-speed auto. "There's no tacho and Rolls doesn't stipulate its horsepower, but I've had it up to about 140km/h," he says. "It only gets 15mpg (18L/100km), but it's got a 107-litre fuel tank and the car is very reliable. Everything works. Even the (Kienzle) clock still works.

"Only the light in the glovebox and under the bonnet don't work and I don't think I'll be working on the engine in the dark. It also needs new padding under the bonnet, but after 40 years you expect some wear and tear."

The Rolls had 71,000 miles on the odo when Irwin bought it. He is the fifth owner. The first owner racked up 27,000 miles in 23 years. It came with a pristine owner's manual which Irwin claims can fetch as much as $3000 on eBay. The 1969 Rolls was ahead of its time with self-levelling hydraulic suspension like the Citroen, power assisted steering, airconditioning, four-wheel discs, electric front seats and windows, day/night mirror, electric aerial, and the door skins and bonnet are made of aluminium.

"I wish it had cruise control. That's the only thing missing," he says.

There are individual lights at each seat; walnut dashboard trim; Connelly leather upholstery, door trim and roof lining; separate armrests; picnic tables in the rear; four ashtrays and three "cigar" lighters, according to the manual. "I'm an ex-smoker but I've never been a fan of cigars," says Irwin.

"I use it weekly for leisure and for birthdays and formals for friends and relatives. I don't hire it, I just do it for the love of it."

Visit www.motormaniacq.com.au for more information on upcoming MotorMania shows and events.