Motors & Masterpieces Best of Show is a BMW
BY MATT BROGAN | 25th Nov 2024
THOUSANDS of automotive enthusiasts flocked to the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds last weekend to witness the spectacle that was Motors & Masterpieces.
The three-day automotive festival, which takes the place of Motorclassica in Melbourne’s motoring calendar, saw vehicles split into ten distinct categories, each focusing on a specific period, subject matter, or geographical origin, and showcasing the distinct styling and engineering prowess of generations of motoring evolution.
In Swinging London, a sparkling 1963 Bentley Continental Flying Spur was top of the pops, while a 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT was the toast of La Dolce Vita, featuring the best of post-war Italian motoring.
Meanwhile, in Continental Classics, a 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL beat the best representatives from mainland Europe.
An immense 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II was the best of breed in the California Dreaming division, while an eye-catching 1971 Toyota Celica GT claimed the Tokyo Lights class.
Australia’s finest came out to play in Great Southern Land, with a 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT taking home the honours.
The Golden Age of pioneering vehicles was won by a magnificent 1924 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer, while the standout from the High Society field was a spotless 1931 Delage D8S.
In the Monaco Glitz division for modern supercars, a 2004 TVR Tuscan Speed Six S Mk I was judged top of the class, while in Chequered Flag, celebrating the motorsport breed, a 1968 Brabham BT23E stood on top of the podium.
Motorcycles were also well represented, with a fine field assembled for the event.
Best of Show honours went to a brilliant 1972 MV Agusta 750S, while the best European bike was a 1973 Laverda 750 SF2, and the best American machine was a 1934 Indian Chief.
The Best of British was judged to be a fine 1972 Norton Commando, while the Best Preservation example was awarded to a 1975 Benelli 750 SEI.
The Lennox Street Gallery Art and Photography competition attracted hundreds of entries, with $10,000 in cash prizes split between the various winners.
In the photography division, Simon Anderson won by depicting a 1932 Ford Roadster Hot Rod, while Mark Walsh’s garaged Citroën DS was highly commended.
The painting and sculpture section attracted diverse entries, with Lewis Thomas’s painting of ‘Bluebird on Lake Eyre’ winning from Terry Lawrie’s ‘Headlight Hornet’ coffee table lamp.
The main prize for the 2025 Motors & Masterpieces event, however, was awarded to Max Robert’s brilliant 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL E9, claiming Best of Show honours from a field of more than 200 vehicles.
Resplendent in the blue, white and red livery, the ‘Batmobile’ stood out against its rivals, taking the headline prize over a magnificent 1910 Willys Overland Model 40, which took home the Spirit of Motors & Masterpieces award.
A 2020 McLaren Speedtail won the People’s Choice Award while John Gove’s 1991 Maserati Biturbo Spyder claimed Best Preservation.
But by far this scribe’s pick of the show, and winner of Best Restoration, was Christine and Alan Cini’s brilliant 1973 Holden Torana GTR XU-1.
Finished in period correct Juniper Green paint and black vinyl upholstery, the model’s authenticity and attention to detail was evident throughout.
The care and consideration to era-specific methods and materials shown in the GTR was nothing short of exceptional, showing a level of dedication not always achieved when saluting past masters.
