Author Archives: celebrationofthemotorcar

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 Designo Edition – $13,500

This car is the update version, which had several minor styling changes inside and out, but significantly had an improved harmonic balancer for the V6 engine, solving a problem area the early version had.

Having the Designo Edition option added even more to the already well-equipped CLS. This car boasts a rare colour of paintwork – metallic Periclase Green – with Chablis leather as well as the special Designo trims and finishes inside.

This is a very highly equipped car, details available in the email description.

New, this car sold for $155,000, plus extra for the Designo trim and optional 5-spoke 18-inch wheels. The V6 350 had 200kW of power and 350Nm of torque giving very good performance. The owner has used the car for several country runs and reports it’s a very impressive cruiser on rural roads.

The car was delivered new in Queensland, then by 2017 had moved to Melbourne before the present owner brought the car over to Perth in 2020.

The owner, a long-time Mercedes-Benz enthusiast (he’d been Secretary of the Mercedes-Benz Car club), has had this car for six years and has enjoyed it so much that he’s recently bought a newer AMG version of the CLS.

The owner is pleased to report that the car has been very reliable. There’s good service history in the service booklet and a file of invoices. The car has been regularly serviced throughout, as the documentation shows.

There’s little to criticize – it’s a beautiful example, which presents and drives very nicely.

A full set of books is with the car plus two keys. The odometer reads just under 200,000km.

This is a far above average example of a desirable model. It presents very nicely inside and out and is sure to provide a lot of joy for the next owner – for a very reasonable outlay.

Please request an email with more details of the car and photos from paul@classicrally.com.au

Paul Blank Classic Car Broker MD28143 1HAG130

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete.

Some errors and omissions occur occasionally and we cannot be held liable for any loss or damage arising from incorrect or incomplete information or any reliance which might be placed on information provided.

Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

Driven – Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge

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I test drive and review many new cars in my capacity as a motoring writer. Occasionally a quite outstanding car comes my way… Recently I was invited to try out the latest Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge.

The Black Badge name describes a special version of the big electric coupe launched not long ago. The differentiations include its higher performance and sportier visual features.

With 485kW of power (that’s 650 horsepower) it’s the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever offered. The torque figure of 1075Nm is even more impressive. The company and salespeople are keen to link inspiration from Rolls-Royce’s World War 2 aircraft engines…

To unlock the most performance, a steering-wheel mounted button for Infinity Mode needs to be operated. Along with gargantuan performance and acceleration is a subtle in-car noise as if an engine is smoothly thrumming away. Many people find this comforting and well in keeping with big performance (a few other electric cars have it too). The Spectre’s 0-100km/h sprint can be achieved in just 4.2 seconds – mightily impressive for a 2.9 tonne car.

There’s also a launch control mode, mainly for the sons of owners to use at make-shift drag strips in certain countries.

There are special 23-inch alloy wheels and uprated suspension for a sportier feel.

Being a new Rolls-Royce, it’s beautifully built and appointed. The sky’s the limit for customisation at the factory. Speaking of the sky – there are over 5500 ‘stars’ in the roof lining and side trims…

The Sceptre Black Badge is quite rewarding to drive, with good on-road feel and unrivalled ride. The huge power helps diminish the car’s considerable size on the road. Controls are all easy to use and there are more electronic aids than any previous Rolls-Royce.

The down-sides are the very small boot, with no spare wheel and the price – one and a quarter million dollars, before any personalisation…

The Spectre has been a success for Rolls-Royce, becoming the company’s second best selling model, behind the Cullinan SUV.

There’s a vast range of options and bespoke choices – an immulinated Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet – $10,000 – and the lit-up grille is an extra $5500. Colour-coded leather seat piping ($8500) and stitching ($4500), Sindora timber veneer dashboard inlays ($6000), lambswool foot mats ($3200) and special Commission Collection umbrellas add $3000… Special colours and other accoutrements are virtually unlimited.

For a buyer at the very top end of the market, who likes the idea of electric propulsion, the Spectre makes a good case for itself.

1951 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Deluxe Sedan – $75,000

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This is a strikingly attractive car from an era long gone – with a smooth V8, plenty of style and in beautiful condition, it’s a real head turner.

Oldsmobile’s Rocket Eight V8 engine gave tremendous performance and durability – and in fact in 1951 Oldsmobile won the NASCAR championship. The extravagant hood ornament reflects the Rocket theme Oldsmobile boasted.

This was the top-of-the-line 4-door model, with the 98 on a longer wheelbase than lesser versions and the Holiday Deluxe, the best equipped.

The original sales document remains with the car, showing that this fine example was sold new in Chicago with delivery on May 9 1951.

It was ordered with a suite of options, which added $398.85 to the purchase price, making a total cost of $2969.78 – when a base Chevrolet sedan cost $1600. The Oldsmobile was finished in a very attractive metallic Palm Green colour, which shows-off the brightwork really well.

The Oldsmobile remained in Chicago for many years before being shipped to Alberta Canada, then to Australia, arriving in Queensland in 2021. The present owner has had the car in Western Australia for a little over a year.

Records with the car show a thorough strip-down and repaint – and notably excellent condition of the bodywork when stripped, with no rust evident anywhere. The original motor and transmission were rebuilt – it’s a matching numbers car.

The interior has been refurbished including new carpets. The inside is as stylish as the exterior, with a fabulous dashboard design, featuring a multitude of chrome fittings and hardware.

It has button start and the car starts instantly, with the OHV V8 engine purring smoothly. Automatic transmission makes the Oldsmobile an easy cruiser, with the transmission well-suited to the plentiful low down torque the engine produces. The odometer’s 70,400 miles appears to be correct.

The car sailed through WA licensing inspection with no issues. The number plates JADE 51 can go with the car if sold to a WA buyer.

The Oldsmobile advertising catch phrase for 1951 was “Rocket Ahead in Glamorous Style!”, which captures the essence of the car so well.

This is a car which gets a lot of positive attention – plenty of waves from admirers wherever it goes. It’s a stylish, comfortable and very rare car, ready for the next custodian to start enjoying it.

Please request full details and more photos by email from paul@classicrally.com.au

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete. Some errors and omissions occur occasionally and we cannot be held liable for any loss or damage arising from incorrect or incomplete information or any reliance which might be placed on information provided. Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

1951 Bentley Mk VI Saloon – $54,500

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Often described as a sports saloon, with a sturdy 6-cylinder motor, the MkVI performed well and was well suited to the owner driver.

In 1951 Bentley introduced a bigger 4.6-litre engine, as this example has. With twin carburettors, it offers good performance for the era.

This very smart example was delivered new in Melbourne. The first owner kept the Bentley for 18 years. The car moved to Sydney for several years. In 1987 a Western Australian enthusiast bought the car, and after much work was done by a Sydney marque specialist, it was shipped to WA where it’s remained ever since.

Fortunately detailed records are with the car showing work done and parts bought throughout the car’s 75-year history.

In 1988 the car was re-trimmed in burgundy leather by renowned Crawfords of East Perth.

The most recent owner purchased the car in 1997. A keen enthusiast – and for a period of his ownership, President of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, the owner decided to treat the car to a comprehensive upgrade. This work took five years.

The improvements included the car being stripped and repainted in a very attractive burgundy colour.

And the result was a class win and Best Restoration in the Rolls-Royce Owners Club Concours in 2013.

The Bentley has seen reduced use in the years following. Today, it still presents beautifully. The regal colour is vastly more attractive than the black which many were painted or wedding car white… The car boasts dual driving lights and the large steel sunroof.

Inside, the age of the upholstery is evident, however there’s no damage or undue wear. The woodwork presents very well as does the other hardware. The rear compartment has folding tables, mirrors in the C-pillars and all the comfort a Bentley possesses.

Most recently the car’s fuel system has had attention and the car given a once-over by a respected specialist. It runs smoothly, just as a Bentley should.

This is certainly one of the better examples of this model in Australia and would make an excellent club or weekends car for any collector.

1992 Lincoln Town Car – $21,900

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This is a very rare opportunity to buy a rare, late model Lincoln, professionally converted to right hand drive, with excellent provenance – and at a very realistic price. A Lincoln Town Car Congressional Town Sedan by B&G.

The Town Car was already a lavishly appointed luxury car, but this example has some added touches.

Imported thirty years ago to Western Australia, this car was the personal car of Terry Priestly – who from the 1950s to the 1980s was Perth’s guru of right hand drive conversions. His last car was this Lincoln. After he gave up driving, Terry’s daughter and her car enthusiast husband took over the car and have kept it to this day.

This was the final car that Terry Priestly converted to right-hand drive. It wears an Australian low volume compliance plate and is fully licensed in WA.

Technically, the Town Car was quite advanced, boasting a 4.6-litre overhead camshaft V8 engine, disc brakes all round with ABS and rear air suspension. The Lincoln offers effortless, smooth performance.

The Lincoln drives very impressively. The whole car feels tight on the road, with good handling for a car of its bulk. The braking is impressive and the car runs quietly as a luxury car should.

The car has covered just 113,000km since new, only being used occasionally since arrival in Western Australia.

The car presents very well. The paintwork and body are excellent. The genuine alloy wheels with white sidewall tyres suit the car well.

Inside the car is the plushest lounge room in wheels. The leather upholstery is in good condition and the seller advises that all fittings work as they should.

Please request a more detailed description and photos by email from paul@classicrally.com.au Paul Blank Classic Car Broker MD28143 1APS040

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete.

Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD – SOLD

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Mint, well-equipped Seltos 4X with just 51,000km. 1.6 turbo, all-wheel-drive and 8-speed automatic transmission.

This car has ceramic coating with lifetime warranty (cost $1495), Premium window tinting ($995). Gorgeous metallic bronze-red Mars Orange paintwork, 17-inch alloy wheels. Fully equipped including sat nav, reversing camera, parking sensors, etc. Being the desirable Sport+ version, it has adaptive cruise control, Kia Connect, autonomous emergency braking system, keyless entry and push-button start, an electric park brake with auto-hold, cruise control, privacy glass, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Still under new car warranty for 4 more years, unlimited kilometres.

Stamped service book. Last serviced at 44,000km. Dealer has just replaced the rear tyre pressure monitor sensors late February under warranty.

Very tidy inside and out, including the boot and engine bay. It’s spacious and comfortable while being economical and runs on 91RON fuel.

This car drives like new, smooth and comfortable ride with peppy performance and surefooted handling that all-wheel-drive gives.

Best to contact by email and I can send you more details and additional photos – paul@classicrally.com.au

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Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete.

Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SL – $59,900

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The R107 series sports was the longest running Mercedes-Benz model ever, gaining a tremendous following. They were a favourite with Hollywood stars and enthusiasts around the world.

Several engines were offered throughout the model’s life span, not all offered in every country. The largest engines being the 5-litre in the 500SL and the 5.6-litre in the 560SL. The 560 was only available in the USA, Japan and Australia. Throughout Europe the 500SL was the top of the range SL. The 500 engine was the most powerful offered in the R107 series.

This fine example was delivered new in Germany for a UK owner, in right hand drive configuration. The car was fitted with the desirable option of the rear seat (with seatbelts). It’s finished in Smoke Silver with Brazil interior. His brother having owned the car for a period, the current owner bought the 500SL in 2001 and cherished it ever since.

The car was thoroughly well looked after with stamped service booklet and many invoices are in the car’s history file. This included having the car repainted in its original colour – at a cost of over £11,000 – and it presents beautifully today as you can see in the accompanying photographs.

The 500SL was imported to Australia in 2022 when its owner emigrated.

Being a late model, with all the update features. The car presents beautifully inside and out. It is very evident that this is a car which has always been cherished. The odometer shows 128,000 miles, verifiable by service records with the car.

The 500SL starts readily and drives very nicely, the powerful V8 renowned for easy performance. This car feels tight and its good maintenance record shows on the road. Any buyer will be impressed.

Please request a more detailed description by email from paul@classicrally.com.au

1973 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow – $34,500

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This is an especially fine example of a chrome bumper Silver Shadow.

The model was a very successful for Rolls-Royce, incorporating modern features with the company’s superior quality of engineering and construction. In addition to the traditional beautiful polished woodwork, exquisite leather and detail fitments, the model featured air conditioning, power steering, power seats, self-levelling suspension, smooth automatic transmission and an excellent V8 6750cc engine.

Manufactured in April 1973, this car was delivered new in the UK by Broughtons of Cheltenham. The present owner purchased the car sixteen years ago from a Rolls-Royce specialist company in London. When purchased, the car had covered just 65,350 miles. An inspection undertaken at the time by an independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist, which rated the car very well, concluding with “It is in my opinion that the car is a very good classic car that has been maintained to a very high standard. There are many years of good service left in this car and should prove to be a good purchase.”

The car was shipped, registered in WA with no problems and has given many years of pleasure to the owner since. It has proved to be very reliable, and has been maintained by a marque specialist. From the service documentation, it is very evident that no corners have been cut and the car always maintained to the highest standard.

As a result, the car drives especially beautifully, as a good Silver Shadow does. Everything works as it should. The car is tight and rattle free. A drive will impress any prospective buyer. Total mileage the car has covered to date is 79,000 miles.

Externally the Silver Shadow presents very well, with excellent brightwork and fittings. The paint remains excellent save a few marks from other car doors being opened into it and the typical bubbles at the base of the C-pillars where the join is.

Inside, the polished woodwork is exemplary, giving a very luxurious feel to the car. The driver’s seat base shows some wear, but the leather is not split.

The proprietor of the workshop which has maintained the car confirms that this is a particularly good example of a Silver Shadow, well worth investing in for the next buyer.

These cars were built to a superlative quality and finish, so a well-kept example such as this car offers many years of joy of use ahead.

Please request a more detailed description by email from paul@classicrally.com.au

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete.

Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.

DRIVEN IN 2008 – Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

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Looking back at my review of the first Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe to land in Australia. I was the first motoring journalist to review this car in Australia.

A sporting Rolls-Royce? Well the famous British marque is not the one you first think of when the idea of a sporting model comes to mind, especially if it has anything to do with the stately, if gargantuan Phantom.

But Rolls-Royce has been full of surprises since BMW took on the job of creating a new range for their prestige line.

When the Phantom was launched in 2003 it shocked people with its avant garde take on the traditional Rolls-Royce look. But the new style has been a runaway success in Rolls-Royce terms, with 1010 being built last year alone.

Then last year, the 2-door convertible Drophead Coupe was launched, and has been lapped up by buyers around the globe. It retained many of the unusual Phantom features, such as the rear-hinged doors and has items such as a polished teak rear deck and brushed stainless steel bonnet as options.

So now the company has launched the Phantom Coupe. While it shares many components with its siblings, the Coupe is not simply a Drophead with a tin top in place. Rolls-Royce has cleverly taken the opportunity to make it quite a different car, aimed at ensnaring a different clientele – though they understand that many will be sold to existing RR owners.

The front of the car is the same as the Drophead, which gives the car the look of being the number one choice of Darth Vader. Of course the roof is unique to the Coupe, but so too is the rear deck, back bumper and there’s a myriad of other detail differences.

The boot is unusual in having a drop-down section, capable of taking the weight of two people sitting on it – just the ticket for watching the races. The boot is a lot bigger than the Drophead’s and so is the fuel tank.

But the big difference that Rolls-Royce has made to the Coupe is the driving experience. Their people insist that the car is the most “driver focussed” Rolls-Royce of all time.

To achieve this, they’ve kept the body strengthening that was necessary for the roofless Drophead, which provides the Coupe with a very stiff structure. The handling characteristics have been further beefed-up with stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars.

The transmission has been tweaked to give later change-up points and quicker downshifts. More positive higher-geared steering, with a thicker, smaller diameter steering wheel are also included in the make-over.

So how do all the changes add up? Having the chance to drive the Coupe immediately after driving a 4-door Phantom immediately showed the differences are quite noticeable. While the bigger car needs a level of concentration and careful driver input to be able to waft around as it should, the Coupe is instantly easier to drive.

Somehow it is much more like a ‘normal’ big car to drive. There’s plenty of power (and importantly, torque) from the big V12 under the bonnet for when you want to hustle the Coupe along, with creamy smooth and seemingly limitless acceleration on tap. And the car is quite agile, given its bulk. Pretty soon a driver can confidently push the car around.

It’s not a sports car, and nobody should pretend it is, however the Coupe can certainly hold its head high and wouldn’t have trouble keeping up with most large performance cars.

Older Rolls-Royces are completely unsporting in their driving characteristics, but with the Coupe the engineers have managed to successfully change the personality of the car.

The luxury is of course part of the appeal of a Rolls-Royce. From the moment you open the rear-hinged door (with umbrella in it’s home in the door cavity), and slip easily into the sumptuous seat, reach out and tap the button which draws the door closed for you, you can tell just sitting in the car will be a special experience.

The supreme quality of the fittings and finish spell out that this is indeed the best made car in the world. Perfectly polished woodwork, supple leather, exacting fit and incredible attention to detail are hallmarks of this car. The silently multi-adjustable interior is very hard to criticise.

Our test car was fitted with the dubious option of the Starlight roof-lining – consisting of 1600 fibre-optic lights which emulate a start lit night – adjustable for brightness, of course. Maybe with Chinese or the Middle Eastern buyers in mind…

A little bit of BMW creeps in with the operation of the driver’s controls – the gearshift, I-drive controller and indicator operations – but not the actual buttons and levers.

When you’re ready to order your Phantom Coupe, there’s plenty to consider. Rolls-Royce proudly offers almost unlimited options, for example 44,000 exterior colours are available… “All manner of other technical, structural or aesthetic detailing is possible, to meet the precise requirements of customers”, states the company.

Article by Paul Blank – 2008

1979 Mercedes-Benz 280CE – SOLD

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The 280CE was the top of the line of a very successful model range for Mercedes-Benz.

This is a car of high specifications, boasting steel sliding sunroof, power windows, burl walnut interior woodwork and Bundt alloy wheels.

The car was believed delivered new in Victoria and wears an Australian compliance plate.

The current owner has had the car for four years. The owner has had work done during his ownership, which has included – in addition to servicing – automatic gearbox service, fitment of four new tyres and a new air conditioning compressor. Most recently the car has been serviced and a new battery fitted.

A comprehensive history file shows work carried out over the years, dating back to 2011. The odometer shows 269,000km – that equates to 5,744km per year.

The car presents well with its lovely metallic red paintwork. The brightwork is good and the correct Bundt alloy wheels have been refinished. Under the dash mat are some cracks in the dashboard.

If sold to a Western Australian buyer the numberplates MB W123 will go with the car.

It starts readily and idles smoothly. The 6-cylinder motor provides plenty of torque, making for an easy drive. The car has been a weekend cruising car for its owner.

This 280CE is realistically priced – compare it to others listed at dream prices… A very usable classic, with a lot of style.

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete.

Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.