Author Topic: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022  (Read 5053 times)

RobSirg

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Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« on: October 17, 2022, 23:48:18 »
Hi Group,

I’d like to share my recent good fortune of winning ‘Best in Class’ at this year’s Motorclassica in Melbourne, Australia which is Australia’s premier car show. Like many other events it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 so this was this first for 3 years.

I purchased this 1970 280SL locally in 2014 as a Rusty but driveable car - intent on doing a ground-up Pagoda restoration. The car appealed to me as l liked the colour combo of Dunkelrot with Bamboo MB Tex, and the condition(poor) and price of the car removed any guilt l had of stripping down a good car.

The 5 year restoration was gruelling at times, but I’m happy l didn’t hold back and achieved the best result l could. Whilst not doing any real physical work myself, l managed the project using local vendors who l could trust and had past experience on Pagoda’s.
I could not have achieved this result without the help of this Group/Forum!  I particularly used John’s ( aka 49er) original engine bay photos as reference - down to the yellow caps on the battery.

The car was finished in time for the 2020 MB concours in Victoria but had to wait 2 more years for Covid restrictions before entry.

I won a number of awards at the 2022 MB concours including ‘Best in Show’. Last month it won ‘Best in Class’ at Motorclassica. The class was “New Age British & European Classics 1961-1980”. ( I thought Britain was part of Europe 😆)

I was amongst friends at Motorclassica as my buddy, Jimmy Christo had 2 of his beauties on display - a 1967 280SL ZF 5-speed and his 1970 280SE 3.5 Cab.
We then promptly celebrated with another friend who manages Lindsay Fox’s car collection including the overall Motorclassica winner - a stunning 1930’s 540K.
( N.B: Lindsay Fox is a well known Australian Billionaire, Philanthropist and Car Collector).

See attached a few photos from the show and afterwards outside the Fox Museum with friends.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2022, 08:39:11 by Peter van Es »
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2022, 23:53:38 »
A few more photos ….
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2022, 00:01:47 »
Winners are grinners….
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Garry

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2022, 00:05:00 »
Congratulations Rob, that car is winning lots.


Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
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RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2022, 00:06:46 »
At the Fox Museum with friends
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2022, 00:10:09 »
Thanks Garry
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2022, 00:11:45 »
Last one …
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2022, 00:15:48 »
The winning (stunning) 540K
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2022, 00:16:45 »
And again..
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2022, 00:31:28 »
Rob,

Lovely car, great colour combination, super 5 year project and well deserved trophy!

Thanks for sharing,

Dieter

PS, The boys expression tells the story, he must be thinking "what a lovely car perhaps some day later in my life"
« Last Edit: October 18, 2022, 00:40:27 by Rolf-Dieter »
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2022, 01:54:05 »
Thanks Dieter,

Hopefully everyone longing for a Pagoda has the opportunity.
I received many nice compliments - but the friends and connections made via (any) Pagoda ownership is truly priceless.

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

JamesL

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2022, 06:15:51 »
Amazing, well done
(Funky building too. Reminds me of the QVB)
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

Peter van Es

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2022, 08:39:44 »
Well done! Great venue, great car... happy owner!
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2022, 09:59:35 »
The building has wonderful history “Royal Exhibition Building”
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Paul & Dolly

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2022, 10:32:45 »
What a fantastic Venue,

Congratulations
Paul (located in Cardiff - Wales - UK)
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AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2022, 12:55:19 »
Beautiful car and venue. Another great example of bringing a rusty old car back to new.

Congrats Rob!
Dave Cleghorn
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AndrewB

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2022, 13:32:09 »
Beautiful car, well done on saving it and doing such a great job that it is an award winner !
1969 280SL
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RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #17 on: October 19, 2022, 02:33:18 »
Thanks Dave & Andrew - much appreciated 🙏🏻
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Ben Roberts

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #18 on: October 19, 2022, 03:29:52 »
Congratulations Rob, a labour of love indeed and encouraging that there are still enough craftsmen in Australia to sympathetically restore these cars.

Regards

Ben

Adelaide, Australia, 69 280SL, 906G, 904G

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #19 on: October 19, 2022, 07:39:50 »
Thanks Ben….rapidly reducing pool of resources and quite expensive in Australia

P.S: Stunning colour combo on your 280SL !
I have a similar one but l think the contrasting colours you gave is even better.
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

DaveB

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #20 on: October 19, 2022, 13:23:06 »
Everything looks just right! Nice that you started with a rough one, it’s a shame when a perfectly good car gets restored (but I’m sure the restorers prefer those).
DaveB
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Leester

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2022, 14:51:00 »
Beautiful!  Well done.  While every color combination looks great on our cars, your colors are particularly pleasing to my eye. Lee
Lee Backus
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Merc_Girl

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #22 on: October 19, 2022, 18:30:14 »
Lovely car, lovely venue

Well done!
230SL

RobSirg

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #23 on: October 19, 2022, 19:25:55 »
Thanks Dave, Lee and Merc_Girl 😀
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

lreppond

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Re: Australia’s Motorclassica 2022
« Reply #24 on: October 23, 2022, 03:41:00 »
Hey Rob,

You should be VERY proud to have orchestrated such a beautiful restoration.  That dark red color has amazing depth and bamboo works perfectly against it.  The engine bay sparkles. 

The great Bauhaus architect, Mies van der Rohe, coined the phrase “God is in the details”. Although he wasn’t referring to your car, it is, nevertheless, possessing all the right details. BRAVO.
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)