I went there in the 250SE, but I wasn’t sure if you had to register before, so I didn’t display the car.   The original event clearly did better than the organizers had hoped for as the small parking lot where it was held was soon overflowing.    I only had a short time available, but I was able to snap some of the photos that you see there.

Some of the cars that were on display at this event are now favorites to be seen at subsequent events.   This includes the dark blue Pagoda, the red 190SL and the Adenauer.   Compare these photos to the last time I was able to attend – in 2018.   That year was so big it completely filled Gough Whitlam park.   I would imagine the event will need to move to a larger space at some point.

The event continues this year on the 25th of October. Due to being late in the calendar is unlikely to be impacted by COVID-19.   For more information on the 2020 event, please see this link.    I will likely be displaying the 250SE.    I am pretty confident that the 2020 event will easily surpass the 2012 Sydney German Auto-Fest.

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The lots that I will be keeping an eye on during the auction are:

Lot 34:  Jaguar S-Type 3.8

The S-Type is the somewhat overlooked compact jaguar.   In 3.8 spec, in some ways it is the ideal compact Jaguar for touring, rather than the MK2 which is better for classic racing.   This car was an older restoration and looked very nice.   It was close to the ideal spec for me, being an unmolested 3.8 liter model.   Too many of these cars have suffered from dubious restomods.   The no reserve $15-20,000 guiding price is also attractive for this car.   What lets it down for me is the colour (I can’t stand white cars) and the fact it is automatic.   In my mind, a sports saloon like the S-Type should be Manual+Overdrive.

Lot 66: Rolls Royce 20/25 Open Tourer

The guiding price of $70-$90k seems reasonable for a pre-war Rolls Royce tourer.   I suspect the price is kept low due to the fact that it is a re-body rather than an original tourer body.  From reading the description, the original body was a long sedan.   The auctioneer refers to the car as a great example of a ‘Goshawk’ but I don’t think that is actually true.   My understanding was that the Goshawk was a particular 20hp, and not a general term for the entire small horsepower range.

Lot 67: Bentley 4¼ Litre Open Tourer

This car was the standout for me of the entire auction catalogue.   Owning a Derby Bentley is a bucket list item for me and this one looked like an ideal candidate for a car that is used vs a trailer queen.   As it is not an original tourer body, the price is lower than an original.    I will be very interested in seeing the result, although this car is well outside my price range.   The Guiding price is $120-$150k.

Notable Mentions

There were also some other lots that caught my eye.  First and foremost was the 190SL in red.  Obviously a striking car, and a much better colour than the white which most of them seem to be.   Values of the 190SL are up a lot primarily because they look a lot like the 300SL.   I still contend that the E-Type is the much better car.     There was also a set of nice looking Alfa Romeos, but the price for these is also above what I think they are worth when you compare to other cars you can buy for similar money.

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Even though nothing really grabbed my at this auction it is always well worth going and taking a look around.    Much of the stock were muscle cars, some Aussie some American.

The cars that did interest me the most were:

 1934 Hudson Straight 8

I know little about these cars but it has loads of character and looks like it is in nice condition.    They expect $40-$50,000.

1950 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley Sports Sedan

I know little about these either and it looks more stately than sporty, but it caught my eye.

1958 Jaguar XK150 FHC

I like XK jaguar FHCs but this one didn’t really catch my eye.   While I prefer the 140, 150s can be striking too, but I don’t think cream suits the car at all.   I also didn’t particularly like the extra console in the dash.    The $75-$90,000 price seems right though.

1960 Mercedes 190SL

190SL values have gone stratospheric in the  last couple of years and they have attracted a whole new set of buyers, generally younger than the normal classic car buyer.   They a stunning car to look at, but I still feel they are overpriced and will always be in the shadow of the 300SL.

This car is in quite nice condition, although the white paint behind the Mercedes star looks very odd.   The interior is worn, but in a good way.   Generally the car is in nice condition and while I think they are overpriced it will probably go for what they suggest $140-$150k.

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Highlights for me were seeing the 600 pullman and the 190SL display.   Interestingly, 3/4 600s were USA models in LHD and US headlights.   Considering Mercedes sold a decent number of 600s in Australia (especially in Melbourne), it was interesting to see so many US cars.     There were no pre-war cars this year, the oldest car being a 1951 170.  The 170 was sold new in Australia –  The war was still only 6 years ago when this car was sold, so an interesting choice for the buyer.   There were a good amount of W113s on display.   Surprisingly, given their growing popularity, not really much of a showing for W123s, and few 6 cyl W108/9s.

I entered my car in for judging, mostly because I had never done it and was interested in the process.   I didn’t expect to do all that well – my car is very nice but I would rather drive it than detail the engine bay and there are a couple of non-standard items including the polished rocker cover and intake manifold.    I’m glad I did it, but next year I will probably just go in show and shine.  Despite that I was a finalist, although there was a 220SE which will be the likely winner.

One thing I noticed was that a number of the 190SL owners were in their 30s, which is in line with my theory for the future of old car ownership.   Really special and iconic cars will find a new generation of owners, but I do worry about regular, but interesting cars finding that next generation of owner.  While that will keep the prices lower for me, a critical mass of owners is important for parts availability, skills etc.

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