Photos by Richard Abey. Motorclassica is an annual event that is reminiscent of the glory days of  motor car exhibitions that heralded a 'great new era' of motoring. Held in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Buildings - itself constructed to celebrate Melbourne's 'arrival' in the wide world of Trade and Commerce - it is one of  the most interesting automobile exhibitions of our time.Derek Bell (shown above) Is a British motor racing driver in the same league as Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Phil Hill and Mike Hawthorn. He won atLe Mans five times between 1975 and 1987 each time in a Porsche for the Rothmans, Porsche Systems and Golf  teams. He also won two World of Sports Car Championships in 1985 and 1986, and in the 12 hours of Sebring three times between 1986 and 1989. He has been described as the"the most liked driver of his generation."  From our photo you can easily see why.   

1925 Vauxhall 30-98 OE VeloxTourer. Chassis No OE 229, Engine No OE 239	1913 Vauxhall D Type - 25 hp open tourer	Auburn	1967 Fiat Dino - Pininfarina   1987 cc, V6 quad cam  engine
Bugatti	1927 Salmson Grand Sport	1932 Fiat Ballilla	1937 Aston Martin

The 1927 Salmson Grand Sport is still much respected in Europe and  Australia. Built at  Billancourt, powererd by an 1100 cc twin cam engine, the marque won 550 races (including, in 1923, a  463 km Grand Prix at St Sebastian - covering 463 km at an average of 82 km/h.)  It appears these daysat local competition such as Phillip Island and Rob Roy. Motormarques last saw and admired it at the RACV rally to Mornington a year or two ago.(2008)                                                         Sproingg !!  Holden has gone back to the future.

Nigel Tait's 1968 Matich SR4. 550bhp. 7500 rpm.	Pre-war MG Sports Roadster	1938 BMW 328 Roadster	1959 Facel Vega - see below
1933 Hispano Suiza HS 26Cabriolet. Part French built by Ballot	1973 GMH Torana.	Repco Brabham 1968	1958 Lancia Aurelia BT 20 GT  value around $140 - 180 000

  1973 Holden Brock HDT LJ XVI Torana.  This car was first raced at Bathurst in 1973. Brock went on to win the 1973 Manufacturers' Championship and the 1974 Touring Car Championship in this car. 1959 Facel Vega - Boulevard supercar. Chrysler 360 (5.9 litre) engine. Chrysler Torqueflight automatic transmission. Power steering. Top speed 150 mph. People who owned Facel Vega cars included the Shah of Iran, Tony Curtis, Joan Fontaine, Ava Gardner, Ringo Starr, Danny Kay, Stirling Moss, and Pablo Picasso. 1968 Repco Brabham BT - 31. This was a one-off Brabham Formula One car built by the Brabham organisation in 1968 for use by Sir Jack in the European Formula One series. The 3 L car was not able to be built in time for the 1968 world championship, so Sir Jack brought the vehicle back to Australia and enteredit in the Tasman Series here. It first appeared at Sandown Park with a 2.5 L Repco Brabham engine. Its current owner is Peter Strauss who uses it in historic racing with 2.5 and 3.0 L engines.  

Maserati 1960s - 3500	1966 Matra Djet V6 (? Rene Ballot France) V4 Ford engine.	Vauxhall	Auburn
Alfa Romeo	SS Jaguar	RACV Austin 7 van	Citroen DS 23