James Nicholls

Linkedin Instagram
Contact: +61 409 327 220
Navigation Menu

James Nicholls - Narratologist

Blog

More posts »
Oct11

Hot Off The Press

Posted on Oct 11 by

To order your copy of this indispensable reference book please contact me james@marinamarini.com.au  

Sep13

Goodwood Wet & Wild Revival

Posted on Sep 13 by

In true Dunkirk spirit everyone kept calm and carried on in weather that made me realise why I upped sticks and moved to sunny Sydney. But never mind the Goodwood Revival was...

Aug09

London Buses

Posted on Aug 9 by

There is saying in my old home town of London, that you wait and wait for a bus and then two come along together. Is it not always the same, you having nothing on this weekend...

Jul12

Odd Spots in the Balkans

Posted on Jul 12 by

I am on holiday and it is amazing when you have the time and are relaxed what one finds if you have an interest in cars and boats: from a dilapidated racing hydroplane; to eco...

Jun12

Lambretta Heaven

Posted on Jun 12 by

Last month I paid a quick visit to the town where my mother was born – Porto Recanati, in Marche, Italy. As well as catching up with family and sunshine I was fortunate...

May02

Island Life

Posted on May 2 by

Those of you who were lucky enough to be present at the island edition of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance (https://sydneyharbourconcours.com.au )will enjoy reliving...

May01

California Dreamin’

Posted on May 1 by

I was feeling like somebody groovy and could hardly believe my eyes and ears on the Monday Monday I got to drive this Ferrari! I just wish my Mama and Papa could buy me one!...

Apr03

Targa Classica 2024

Posted on Apr 3 by

Just before Easter I took part in the Targa Classica, a 1000km, 4-day extravaganza of motoring around the picturesque roads and scenery of the State of Victoria. Inspired by...

Mar11

Cockatoo Island

Posted on Mar 11 by

JUDGES SELECT THE BEST AT 2024 SYDNEY HARBOUR CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE An international jury of automobile experts has selected the best cars on show at the 2024 Ampol Sydney Harbour...

Feb14

Everyone loves an E-Type

Posted on Feb 14 by

Everyone loves an E-Type Jaguar – famously (though it maybe apochryphal) even Enzo Ferrari said it was the most beautiful car in the world. The owner, to whom I sold the...

Jan09

Happy New Year

Posted on Jan 9 by

A happy new year and all the best for 2024 to one and all. Most of us will have taken some time out to recharge over Christmas and the New Year celebrations, but on Boxing Day I...

Dec08

Congratulations

Posted on Dec 8 by

As an ambassador the Bernina GT part of the International St Moritz Automobile Week, it was great to hear that the European festival for historic mobility, racing and luxury...

Dec05

Merry Christmas One and All.

Posted on Dec 5 by

It has been a crazy 2023 I am sure for many of us so let’s enjoy the holiday time; Merry Christmas, and a safe and peaceful 2024 wherever you are around the world. Whilst...

Nov14

Ex Libris

Posted on Nov 14 by

Please let me know should you wish to ORDER either of these fabulous books just released this month. The first is the magnificently detailed CLASSIC CAR AUCTION YEARBOOK...

Oct15

Get Your Tickets Here

Posted on Oct 15 by

Tickets for the Island Edition of the 2024 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance are now available. You can take advantage of an early bird ticket booking for the...

Oct01

Master of the World

Posted on Oct 1 by

If you want to be Master of the World or as the poster says Le Maitre du Monde then check out the items available at the latest Halcyon Auctions sale entitled ‘Cars,...

Sep20

Shock of the New

Posted on Sep 20 by

It is not so much out with the old and in with the new, but did you know that as well as helping with your classic car requirements I can also help you with buying, and selling...

Sep06

Cockatoo Island

Posted on Sep 6 by

My event, the Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, has an exciting new venue for 2024, the Turbine Shop on Cockatoo Island. It promises to be fun and exciting, as well...

Aug11

Electric

Posted on Aug 11 by

The debate about electric cars rumbles on. I am undecided one way or the other and can see the pros and cons of both sides. However, when these images came across my desktop the...

Jul13

Looking for a new motor guv?

Posted on Jul 13 by

If you are in the market for a special classic car then please do not hesitate to get in touch james@marinamarini.com.au as I would be more than happy to provide you with...

Jun13

Ship shape and Bristol fashion

Posted on Jun 13 by

Motoring journalist James Nicholls is well recognized as a contributor to the Spectator, Octane, Magneto and Motor Sport magazines, among others. He has also contributed to books...

May04

Membership Drive

Posted on May 4 by

The Royal Automobile Club of Australia is conducting a membership drive and here is your opportunity to join Australia’s oldest Motoring Club and one of Australia’s most...

Mar09

What the Dickens!

Posted on Mar 9 by

To borrow from and adapt the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, ‘It was the best of times, it was the best of times’! This seems an appropriate description...

Feb12

Objets Lux

Posted on Feb 12 by

The opportunity to purchase some amazingly beautiful new and preloved Objets Lux, from a variety of artists and ateliers including Luis Vuitton, Panerai, Omega, Hermes, Anthony...

Feb06

1967 Porsche 911S Targa Soft Window

Posted on Feb 6 by

If anyone out there is looking for a rather special and every rare 1967 Porsche 911S Targa Soft Window which has just had lots of work carried out to bring it up to a spectacular...

Feb06

Just around the corner

Posted on Feb 6 by

The fifth edition of the Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance is just around the corner. Taking place on 2nd – 4th March at Hyde Park Barracks, a UNESCO World...

Jan13

Maharajah!

Posted on Jan 13 by

I have just returned from India – sensory overload! Happy New Year everyone.

Dec13

More driving, less talking!

Posted on Dec 13 by

If you liked the little films posted last time then I hope you will also enjoy these vignettes on a left hand drive alloy bodied Jaguar XK120 OTS and an even more rare right hand...

Nov12

Two Italian Beauties

Posted on Nov 12 by

I have been doing some video work recently and thought you might like to see the results. And of course, please let me know if you are interested in purchasing either of these...

Oct07

Season draws to a close

Posted on Oct 7 by

The concours season in Europe has drawn to a close with the final big events of the year the incredible  Zoute Concours d’Elegance in Belgium coming hard on the...

Sep09

Laguna Seca

Posted on Sep 9 by

I recently returned from Monterey Car Week, and whilst lots of my time was taken up with two fabulous concours events, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble...

Aug04

All in a good cause

Posted on Aug 4 by

Isn’t it about time we used our classic cars for good rather than evil?  Click below to learn more about the inaugural Make-A- Wish Car Show on the morning of Sunday...

Jul06

A Car Week For Europe

Posted on Jul 6 by

St. Moritz. Until 1925, automobiles were still forbidden on the dusty roads of the Upper Engadine. The then boss of Shell felt disturbed by the dust kicked up by the early...

Jun02

Historique!

Posted on Jun 2 by

It was fabulous to be in Europe last month for a couple of big motoring events including the 13th edition of the Monaco Grand Prix Historique run under the auspices of the...

May05

Another Exhibition

Posted on May 5 by

Further to my Christmas Photographic Exhibition last year, a selection of my images can now be seen at the venerable Royal Automobile Club of Australia. It is Members only, so...

Apr11

Automobilwoche 2022

Posted on Apr 11 by

As an international ambassador for the Bernina Gran Tursimo hill climb, part of Internationale St Moritzer Automobilwoche, it gives me much pleasure to share the full...

Apr11

TFA 2022

Posted on Apr 11 by

I recently completed the Targa Florio Australia 2022 and what a fabulous event it was. Nearly 1,000km over four days on the beautiful country roads of Victoria culminating with...

Mar09

Come rain or shine!

Posted on Mar 9 by

THE 4TH SYDNEY HARBOUR CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE. 3-5 March 2022 Despite an eleventh-hour change of venue, of necessity due to unavoidable circumstances, and the Australian continent...

Feb13

New Location!

Posted on Feb 13 by

Due to a variety of circumstances it has been necessary to move the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance from the amazing grounds of Swifts to a different, but no less...

Feb13

Samson getting stronger!

Posted on Feb 13 by

The excitement around the forthcoming auction of Important Motor Cars & Objets Lux is getting stronger as is evidenced by this recent article in the Australian Financial...

Jan21

Lux

Posted on Jan 21 by

Further to the announcement of the seven motor cars to be offered at the Sale of Important Motor Cars & Objets Lux taking place on Friday 4th March at Swifts...

Dec14

Christmas Exhibition

Posted on Dec 14 by

On Friday 10th I held an exhibition of some of my photography at the fabulous new showroom of The Best Car Company  (a division of Cummins Classic...

Dec09

Historic Motoring Awards

Posted on Dec 9 by

The Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance did not win the Concours Event of the Year at the Historic Motoring Awards in London, but being a finalist and a runner up to The...

Nov09

The Image Business

Posted on Nov 9 by

Before I did what I do now and worked in a ‘real’ job, I was the Vice President, Asia Pacific for Getty Images and prior to that the International Director of...

Nov09

Going for Gold!

Posted on Nov 9 by

It gives me great pleasure to announce that my event, the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance has been selected as a finalist in the Concours Event of the Year category at...

Oct13

Better Late Than Never

Posted on Oct 13 by

Good Afternoon Drivers and Passengers! Lockdown/stay at home restrictions have lifted in Sydney at last and it is time to get this show on the road (literally!). The new official...

Oct13

Auction Yearbook

Posted on Oct 13 by

The latest, and 26th, issue of the Classic Car Auction Yearbook is almost ready. This fantastic, and for me essential, reference book by Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi will soon...

Sep13

Internationale St. Moritzer Automobilwoche

Posted on Sep 13 by

The international St Moritz automobile week is underway as I write and I am somewhat disappointed in not being allowed to travel from Australia to take part, especially as I am...

Aug30

Father’s Day – the News

Posted on Aug 30 by

Please read on, and eventually you will come to a bit about me. It takes six columns but it is worth the read.

Aug13

Politics

Posted on Aug 13 by

  I do not delve into the murky world of politics or current affairs too often, but herewith a recent piece by me from a week or two ago in the Australian edition of The...

Aug12

The Playlist (Lockdown Blues)

Posted on Aug 12 by

Well it feels like spring is almost upon us here in Australia but the crazy politics and politicians have the country in lockdown. This is week eight for Sydney and it is...

Jul16

Chicago Auto Show

Posted on Jul 16 by

Herewith some early images from the Chicago Auto Show which caught my fancy…..I thought fire trucks and little Corvettes were supposed to be red!

Jun10

Picfair

Posted on Jun 10 by

If you like some of the imagery that I create do check out the gallery section on the website https://marinamarini.com.au/image-gallery/ And if you would like to purchase any of...

Jun10

Motoring god’s country

Posted on Jun 10 by

Australia, really does have it all – fantastic beaches, snowy mountains, wide open spaces, the lot! And one can drive all over it…as is evidenced by Rattletrap on...

May10

Beyond Curated

Posted on May 10 by

It has been tough for many many businesses over the past year, none more so than for those working in travel and events. It is with much pleasure then that I am so pleased to see...

May10

On Top of the World

Posted on May 10 by

   The International St. Moritz Automobile Week of 1929 and 1930 will be relaunched in 2021 St. Moritz The new edition of the historic Bernina mountain race, the...

background