The actual display was to be held on Blackheath Oval.   However, the recent torrential rain in the Sydney area meant the oval itself was sodden, so the display was held in the parking area outside.    This worked quite well, as that area was ample size and not waterlogged.

Given Jensen cars were produced in low numbers to begin with, this display would have to be one of the biggest that would be seen outside the UK.   As you would expect, the Interceptor and its derivatives was the dominant presence at the display, but there were other interesting models to check out.   These include the 541 cars, CV8, Jensen-Healy and even and earlier car I am not familiar with.    The quality of the cars on display was excellent and event better, it was obvious that many of them see regular use.

Jensen is a marque I have always admired at British car shows, but never been closely associated with.   It was interesting to see how far ahead some of their cars were on release.   There was a 1957 541 with four wheel disc brakes and exceptional performance for the 50s.   Certainly hard to compare to the Traction Avant i used to own that was produced only three years earlier.    Then there is the FF with its revolutionary four wheel drive and anti-lock brake systems.   This was more than a decade ahead of anyone else.    The easy way to spot the FF is the twin grilles on the side of the car.

The location in Blackheath meant I was able to make a nice day trip of this event.    I took two of my kids along, and we took the scenic route there and back in my Citroen DS.    It’s been a while since I’ve done a longer drive in the car and it was the perfect day for it.   Finally,  sunny, but not too hot.   I was also able to meet up with a friend in from Victoria attending the event and take the kids for apple pie in Bilpin on the way back.   We had a great day attending the Jensen Club National Rally display.

I understand a lot of the Jensens did a lap around Mt Panorama yesterday as part of the Rally.    That would have been an impressive sight and sound for anyone at the track.

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The Mercedes Club also featured Auto Brunch as an event for the first time so there were far more Mercedes-Benz on display than there had been in the past.   This included a fair number of 107 SLs and SLCs as well as a nice 280SL Pagoda, 190SL and W108 3.5.       As well as the Mercedes-Benz display there were also a fair number of Alfa-Romeos.

As usual, there were good line ups of Porsches, MGBs and E-Types.      Its kind of funny that the cars that are considered rare and valuable are more common than the pedestrian models.   When was the last time you saw a 2.8 XJ6 for example?  Collectors pay for production rarity, not actual rarity.

The row I parked my DS featured a 2.5 liter three cylinder motorcycle.   It had the largest engine in the row – larger than an MGB, my DS, a landcruiser, a couple of volvos and more.

One of the good things about the Auto Brunch event is that the venue is large so there is never a chance that you won’t be able to find somewhere to park.

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I had originally gone back to these old photos to see if I could spot a Derby Bentley.   I have recently read a book on them and was curious if I had spotted one at any of these shows.

Back in 2011, I was hoping to bring my E-Type to the show, but it had not yet arrived in Sydney from its voyage from the USA.   It would not be until the 2016 show that I would display it.

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