Big plans for Motorclassica 2022

IN LIEU of a Melbourne Motor Show, which disappeared from the scene years ago, there’s always Motorclassica for rusted-on, dyed in the wool petrol-heads and classic car enthusiasts.

The much-anticipated event is back after the pandemic forced a two-year hiatus, returning to Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building from October 7-9 and, as before, is tailored to the lovers of classic and collectible cars.

With an exceptionally buoyant market for such vehicles in Australia at present, Motorclassica provides an opportunity to see what these cars – and related memorabilia – are actually worth as well as viewing what some would consider to be automotive art. 

It happens at a busy time on the motoring calendar, coinciding with the culmination of World Championship motorsport events along with Australia's Bathurst 1000, on at the same time, and motor shows of global importance.

The popular Motorclassica is expanded this year to celebrate everything automotive, from handcrafted classics to the pinnacle of modern-day performance cars, along with the social aspect of linking up with like-minded people in the middle of Melbourne in spring 

Motorclassica organisers say that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had “captured the imagination of motoring enthusiasts around Australia and the world for over a decade”.

“Now, the reimagined event will retain a focus on the classics and also expand its coverage across the mechanical spectrum. 

“Spend the day immersed in the legends from yesteryear and get up close and personal with some of the rarest modern supercars and future classics.” 

Motorclassica has partnered with the Ferrari Club to host a special 75th Anniversary Celebration on the Saturday, an event which will be the biggest of its kind in Australia. 

The event’s Marque Park will feature “Australian Car Club culture” on display in the forecourt of the adjacent Melbourne Museum.

An extensive collection of concours-grade vehicles grouped into classes will prominently feature including 75 Years of Ferrari, 60 Years of Shelby and 110 Years of Bertone plus special celebrations of all things Lotus, Porsche, and muscle cars.
 
Additional general classes also on the agenda include the ‘Golden Age of Motoring’ up to 1918, ‘Vintage and Post War’ through to 1945, ‘Post War’ up until 1960, ‘New Age Classics – British and European’ (1961 – 1980), ‘Modern Classics’ (1981 – 1992), ‘Supercars’ (1992 and on), ‘American plus Australian Classics’ from the period covering 1950 through 1980, as well as two divisions of ‘Classics from the Track’.

New for 2022, the ‘Heroes of Speed’ display will cover the modern hypercar era, entailing the best of the best from the Bugatti Veyron through to Ferrari, Lamborghini and beyond.

A returning attraction for 2022 is ‘After 5’, giving visitors a new perspective of the classics on display, with entry on Friday and Saturday nights available for $35 including a glass of wine. 

The ‘Interactive Zone’ is a new feature presented by Trak Racer, where patrons will be able to experience the latest in racing simulations and compete for fastest laps with prizes up for grabs.

Attendees will also be able to shop for their next project, memorabilia or favourite motoring merchandise, with a selection of motoring related products located on both the ground and gallery levels. 

Event director Jon Treherne said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be bringing Motorclassica back to life as Australia’s premiere festival of motoring.
 
“We welcome aboard Duttons as a major partner for the event, their focus on luxury, prestige and classic cars is perfectly aligned with our own exotic and rare gathering of top-tier showpieces.
 
“During the downtime between events, we have been able to put a lot of thought into all aspects of what makes Motorclassica great, and we have subsequently developed many new initiatives that will add to the experience of exhibitors and visitors.
 
“We also welcome Mark Jansen on board as our chief curator, who along with our curatorial board has secured an incredible array of machinery for the event.
 
“Additionally, Neil Matthews has been appointed Motorclassica chief judge following the sad passing of John Virgo, who was a tremendous friend to all in the classic car world.
   
“The Royal Exhibition Building is the perfect home for the event, and we can’t wait until the second weekend of October to welcome everyone back.”
 
Billed as Australia’s most prestigious concours d’elegance and exhibition of classic and exotic cars, Motorclassica tickets are available now at motorclassica.com.au.