Mercedes takes a different route to launch new model

Microcar brings maxi price at auction

1958 Messerschmitt KR 200.

KJ-400.

Split rear window was ju

63 Vette ‘Split Window’ Coupe to cross the block in Sydney (LHD)

Auto dealers

Rare Torana heads to Melbourne auction

Range: $A200,000 - $A250,000.

One of the hot ticket items – if not the hottest at this year’s Collector Car Auction at Motorclassica will be a rare 1977 Holden Torana A9X GMP&A Group C Hatchback.

This fully restored track star is just one of 33 genuine 1977 Holden Torana A9X GMP&A Group C Hatchbacks ever built.

It was raced by Brian and Graeme Wilson and comes complete with all its original period ‘race bits’ intact.

The auctioneer’s release aptly describes it as: “...an incredible example of one of the most sought after, charismatic and successful Australian cars of all time.”

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Auto dealers rescue Aussie lifesaver

Laurie Lawrence's new 'Kids Alive - Do the Five' truck.

About 20 years ago, on second thoughts make that 30 years ago, a clever copywriter (nope, not me) came up with an ad campaign for a Victorian auto dealer group using the theme “Twist a Holden dealer’s arm” which was underpinned by the 1961 Chubby Checker hit “Let’s twist again.”

The proposition behind the campaign was that if you were looking to buy a new car all you had to do to get a better deal was twist a Holden dealer’s arm.

Well that campaign sprang to mind at last year’s AADA Convention after we heard that Laurie Lawrence’s truck was starting to slow the man down.

So who is Laurie Lawrence?

He’s an Australian icon and all-round larrikin. He’s also a swimming coach who has represented Australia in World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

In 1988 he was named ‘National Coach of the Year’ at the Sports Australia Awards and 12 months later was presented with an Australian Achievers Award.

Lawrence is also the driving force behind the ‘Kids Alive – Do the Five’ water safety program, a community service scheme that educates the public on the five important steps to reduce the risk of preschool drowning.

As Lawrence revealed at the end of his 2012 presentation, drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in children under five in Australia. Each week, on average, one child drowns.

His safety program for parents and caregivers is supported by experts Australia-wide and the Australian Government.

In addition to the three swimming schools he runs in Queensland, Lawrence also tours country towns with his McDonald’s ‘Kids Alive’ show spreading the vital drowning prevention message.

So what has this to do with arm twisting?

Well Laurence let it slip that his touring truck had racked up so many kilometres over the years and was about to be consigned to the wreckers yard which meant that his touring days were in danger of coming to an end.

So what did the CEO of the AADA do? He twisted every delegate’s arm’ and at the end of the day the convection delegates had between them raised over $25,000 towards Lawrence’s new truck so he could continue his mission to save preschoolers from drowning.

And they say auto dealers don’t like parting with their money.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

’63 Vette ‘Split Window’ Coupe to cross the block in Sydney (LHD)

Range: $A82,000 - $A90,000

Engine: V8, 327-cid

Gearbox: 4-Speed Manual

Colour: Sebring Silver

Engine No: 3194868 F1112RD

Chassis No: 30837S104868

Interior: Black

Trim: Vinyl

Wheels: Cast Alloy

Description

The 1963-1967 Sting Ray is, to many pundits, the best Corvette of all. The combination of sensational styling, gutsy V8 power and vastly improved ride and handling from the independent suspension proved irresistible to enthusiasts from the time the Sting Ray was launched in 1963 and demand has always remained strong.

As much as anything, it was the looks of the new Sting Ray that set it apart; the stunning lines the work of a young man from GM Styling by the name of Larry Shinoda. From the split rear window of the coupe to the hidden headlamps, the new Sting Ray futuristic, sexy and like nothing else on the road.

The Sting Ray's fibreglass body sat on an all-new ladder-type frame that dramatically improved stiffness while the independent rear end may have appeared crude at first glance, but worked surprisingly well on the road.

The 327-cid V8 was sold in three levels of tune, the base L75 offering 300 hp the L76 (with four-barrel carb) 365 hp and the fuel-injected L84 punched out a massive 375 hp, delivering drag-strip acceleration.

Although a three-speed manual was standard, the vast majority of buyers opted for the four-speed 'box. A total of 10,919 convertibles were built in 1963 and, as the first of the breed, have always been coveted by collectors.

The Corvette Sting Ray was a major player on the racetrack in the Swinging Sixties, the lightweight Z06 racers and fearsome Grand Sports mixing it with the Cobras, Mustangs and European exotica on racetracks around America.

History

Finished in the stunning combination of Sebring Silver colour and black upholstery, with triple-eared factory knock-off aluminium wheels, this very sexy Split Window Corvette is an original L75 327/300hp car with a four-speed manual, making it a fantastic driver.

A ground up restoration (as evidenced by comprehensive photo and receipt files) was undertaken approximately ten years ago, the Vette presents beautifully today and has a host of desirable features, including factory power steering and power windows.

Here's a rare chance to own a fine example of one of the best looking sports cars of all time, in the right colour and from the most sought after year - Chevrolet dropped the controversial Split Window for 1964 and examples are now hard to come by both here and in the US.

This highly desirable example has come from a small private Corvette collection and will be sold currently unregistered with import papers supplied.

For more information visit: www.shannons.com.au/auctions

Split rear window was just one of the car's cool styling features.