A massive 20,000 visitors filed into Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building from 24-26 October to view one of Australia's largest gatherings of vintage, veteran and classic cars.
World Water Speed Record holder Gina Campbell was one of the biggest draws, as was a collection of artefacts that belonged to her father, Donald Campbell. Among the memorabilia was a wheel from his Bluebird CN7 LSR car, as well as his lucky charm – his teddybear, Mr Whoppitt.
There was strong competition for awards in Australia's Internation Concours d'Elegance, a perennial highlight of the event. A 1952 Aston Martin DB2 won the Best in Show trophy, while the Peoples' Choice award was scooped by the 1966 Porsche 912 swb of David Bedford. The Chief Judge's prize was bestowed on a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, with John Matties' 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow taking victory in the new Preservation Class.
Maserati's Centenary was also proved a hit with visitors, with a special gong being presented to Con Caracoussis for his 1966 Sebring II, while another one-off award was reserved for Ron and Dorothy Cremona's 1967 Ford Mustang: 50 years of the Pony car was also marked in Melbourne.
