Motors & Masterpieces gathers momentum
BY MATT BROGAN | 16th May 2024
MOTORS & Masterpieces is confirmed to descend on the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds from November 22-24 this year as preparations gather pace for an event hoped to recapture the spirit of the now-defunct Motorclassica that had been a staple of the Australian car exhibition scene since 2010.
Officially announced at the Fox Classic Car Collection in Melbourne’s Docklands, Motors & Masterpieces organisers spoke with leaders from prestige auction houses, classic vehicle clubs and Australian media about their plans for the forthcoming event, which is expected to attract more than 300 entrants to the three-day exhibition.
“We have a new event, Motors & Masterpieces, which will run in November,” said Motors & Masterpieces chief curator Mark Jansen.
“Entries are now open for Motors & Masterpieces and I would encourage you all to get involved and enter a car … and there are also sponsorship opportunities available.”
In differentiating the new event from Motorclassica, Mr Jansen said the categorisation of vehicles into themes will help distinguish important eras of automotive history into rational sections, each with its own unique vibe.
“I think the really important point regarding this event in terms of change, is that Motorclassica was typically run around anniversaries of certain marques … Motors & Masterpieces will be run differently,” he explained.
“We are going to theme the event around particular classes. Similar to Retromobile (held) in Paris, we will have classes for Italians, under the title of La Dolce Vita, and it will be a mix of Italian cars and motorcycles.
“For the English, it will be Swinging London, the Amercians California Dreaming, the Australians Great Southern Land, the Japanese Tokyo Lights, the Supercars will be Monaco Glitz, and there’s more.”
Mr Jansen explained the importance of classic vehicles was not only to those who show and collect them, but to the Australian economy. Citing statistics from the Australian Motoring Heritage Foundation he explained just how important the classic car scene is.
“Surveying 6000 people from over 100 car clubs, it was determined the annual spend on historic vehicles in Australia is a staggering $9.9 billion,” he said.
“There are currently 970,000 historic vehicles in Australia with an estimated direct and indirect annual economic benefit of $25 billion, supporting 42,000 direct and 37,000 indirect jobs.
“That’s why this event is so important,” he enthused.
Motors & Masterpieces is being billed as a celebration of the greatest engineering and design achievements in everything automotive, spanning from the inception of motoring to the “boundless possibilities of the future”.
Mr Jansen said the competition for the prestigious Best in Show accolade will feature the finest and most historically significant Australian and international vehicles, offering the public an unparalleled opportunity to witness an extraordinary assembly of automotive masterpieces all in one venue.
The new event will also feature art and photography prizes, proving what organisers say is a valuable platform for Australia’s leading and budding artists and photographers to display their works in front of a passionate public audience.
Mr Jensen said the 2024 event will be led by the theme of La Dolce Vita, an expression synonymous with the carefree lifestyle and culture of post-war Italy. The California Dreaming section will likewise centre on vehicles from the post-war United States, while Tokyo Lights will showcase Japanese vehicles from “more recent times”.
Other themes include Swinging London, which reflects the cultural movement of Britain in the 1960s – and includes icons such as the Morris Mini and Jaguar E Type – Great Southern Land aimed at showcasing the very best of the Australian car industry, and Golden Age, a tribute to the craftsmanship evident in vehicles produced before the Great Depression.
Motors & Masterpieces will also devote themes to High Society, showcasing vehicles from the 1930s and 1940s, Continental Classics, highlighting the best of the rest of Europe, Monaco Glitz, with an array of modern supercars, and Chequered Flag, with best-of-breed racing cars from across the competition spectrum.
“By defining the various themes that we will be showcasing, we expect to be able to fill the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds with some of the most beautiful and historically significant machines from these shores and beyond,” added Mr Jensen.
“Our aim is to curate a truly unique collection, that will set Motors & Masterpieces apart.”
The judging at the inaugural Motors & Masterpieces is set to be intense, with awards on offer including the coveted Best of Show, various class winners, a preservation awards, a People’s Choice award, the Spirit of Motors & Masterpieces award, and a special award for a Young Achiever, a prize awarded to entrants under 30 years of age.
Concours classes will uphold a cut-off date of 1993 for eligibility, ensuring a showcase of “timeless classics”, say organisers.
Entries for the event are now open.
More information is now available at the Motors & Masterpieces website.
