Motorclassica Melbourne opens its doors

Call it the Melbourne Motor Show for a new age – the annual Motorclassica event opens tonight, showcasing a stunning breed of new and classic exotica.

BMW will flaunt its 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept that just two months ago debuted at the famous Concours d’Elegance, Pebble Beach. It will be joined by the hardcore, lightweight BMW M4 GTS revealed globally only last week ahead of its expected local on-sale next year priced from $250,000-plus.

Rival Benz will officially reveal for the first time in Australia the revived V12-engined Mercedes-Maybach S600 alongside its distant ancestor the S600 Grosser, as well as the SL 500 ‘Mille Miglia 417’ edition and Mercedes-AMG GT S.

The only Porsche 918 Spyder and LaFerrari available to purchase in the country will be on show at the stand of luxury import specialists Duttons, with the German hypercar asking $2.5 million plus taxes and the Italian rival firmly POA. Duttons expects both left-hand drive models to be sold to overseas investors.

Fittingly, this year’s Motorclassica will also celebrate 50 years of the supercar with a breed of classic exotics that are just as valuable as the above stuff.

Topping the list in value is the McLaren F1 today worth around $10m, which will sit across the hall from a $2m Ferrari 288 GTO, $1.5m F40 and $1m 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The show will also celebrate 50 years of the Ferrari and Fiat Dino, with several models on display.

The car that arguably kicked off the genre, the Lamborghini Muira, will feature beside a Countach LP400 and Diablo, while the most technologically advanced car of its time, the Porsche 959, will place beside the newer Carrera GT.

A Pagani Zonda, Jaguar XJ220 and Ford GT will represent each of those brands.

Motorclassica is open October 23-25 at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, with adult tickets $35, pensioner $30 and five- to 15-year-olds $20. A two adult, two children family pass is also available for $80.