Aggressor
One of Australia’s most important racing motor boats of all time was on the water for a rare outing recently and I was lucky enough to be there.
‘Aggressor’ the fabulous unlimited three point hydroplane built by Dave Tenny, a 20 year old apprentice fitter and turner achieved a remarkable ten wins from ten starts, including the prestigious Griffith Cup one of the world’s oldest motor-sport trophies, in the 1971 – 72 season. After years of neglect the hull and the apocalyptic 27 litre super charged Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, pictured below, from a Mustang fighter plane, were restored by the irrepressible Dave Pagano. Dave took ‘Aggressor’ for a spin on the Upper Hawkesbury River in New South Wales for the benefit of a privileged few.
Its a great story of success and tragedy and the rebirth of an incredible boat which you can read about in the magazines to which I contribute such as Invictus in the U.S.A, Rewind in S.E Asia and Volante in the U.A.E.
RETROMOBILE 40th Edition
I have just got back from a cold but sunny Paris where I was visiting for the 40th Edition of Retromobile. Retromobile is the classic car show with the tag line, “The past still has a future”, and if what I witnessed is anything to go by then it most certainly does. It was a fantastic show celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Citreon DS, some fabulous Peugeots, the 50th birthday of the Renault 16, the heritage of Skoda, the most stunning collection of Pegasos ever gathered together, three Bugatti Royales; the list of exciting and interesting things presented, oft with a Gallic twist, went on and on. Most amazing however was part one of the Artcurial auction featuring the barn find Baillon Collection which sold for 25.15 million euros, including a world record price of 16.3 million euros for the ex-Alain Delon 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. It was like being at a football match with over 3,500 in attendance for frenetic bidding, with many more locked outside!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
HAPPY NEW YEAR. Much of the very end of 2014 was spent on the water covering the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, the Extreme Sailing Series, and most excitingly the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race for which I was commissioned by Invictus and Rewind Magazines. The first big event I will be covering in 2015 will be the 40th Anniversary of Retromobile in Paris in the first week of February. Seeing the incredible barn find collection of 60 cars including the ex Alain Delon Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider to be auctioned there on February 6th should be pretty exciting. And talking of auctions I am very pleased to announce that I will be running the Motorclassica Auction on behalf of Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers again in 2015 and also in the following two years following our recent appointment by the organisers until 2017.
Peace on earth and goodwill to all men!
Merry Christmas and season’s greetings to one and all!
This website is now 12 months old and what an exciting year it has been. As well as hosting the second largest classic car auction ever held in the Southern Hemisphere, I have also been working on Car Chronicles which should be seen on television screens next Easter.
Next year, like this year, will involve travel to exciting destinations in search of more interesting stories about cars and boats and other things that take my fancy and hopefully the fancy of magazine editors. Pencilled in so far are Retromobile in Paris in February, the Bentley International Rally in March in Australia, Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy in May along with a Riva meeting at Santa Margherita Ligure, more classic motor boating in Italy on Lago d’Iseo in June and the Motorclassica Auction once again in October.
2015 should be lots of fun and I am really looking forward to bringing you my stories and images. In the meantime Happy New Year everyone.
Man With A Camera
Whilst out in Western Australia at the Lake Perkolilli Centenary of Speed races it was great to take the opportunity to photograph some of the action from on board one of the other cars. Here I am working away, obviously having some issues with my borrowed goggles and looking through the viewfinder, out on the red dust track 100 years after racing first began in this very remote area.
Arte Navale
2014 has been a good year for my work being used in various magazines around the world. As well as my written and photographic work being seen on a very regular basis in Rewind Magazine from Singapore, Invictus in the USA and Motor in Australia, in the last few months alone I have also had articles featured in Octane, Classic & Sports Car, and Motorsport in the UK, New Zealand Classic Car, and much to my pleasure the front cover of Arte Navale in Italy. I took the front cover image for the Ottobre/Novembre issue of this prestigious motor yachting and sailing magazine when on location in Venice in May. Over the Christmas period others of my articles will also be seen in Motorboat & Yachting in the UK, VivaRiva in Italy and in Ocean Magazine along with Survivor Car Magazine and Restored Cars magazine in Australia.
Tiger Economies
There is no doubt about it, there is a massive interest in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong (all of which are right hand drive incidentally) for classic cars, once again proving that the appeal of beautiful things is universal. I regularly contribute to two magazines in the region Rewind (www.rewindmagazine.com) and Jetgala (www.jetgala.com) which are both doing a fantastic job. If you do not already subscribe I suggest you take a look, and as a little taster please see two of my articles from the latest issues below.
Falling in love again…
The Australian newspaper carried a nice story in early November. I thought I would share the link with you as it has some interesting comments (including some from me) regarding the interest that so many people, young and old, have in classic cars.
Man with a microphone
Whilst at Motorclassica, the Australian International Concours d’Elegance & Classic Motor Show, at which I ran the successful auction (see post dated 6th November), I was also asked to take part in an onstage panel discussion concerning the state of the market, investment opportunities and upcoming trends in classic cars. Never shy to offer an opinion or grab a microphone (as shown in the image above), I was more than happy to take part in this forum, and join the other members of the panel on the chesterfield sofa.
Unique Double
Donald Campbell is the only person ever to achieve new World Land and Water Speed Records in the same calendar year. He did it in Australia 50 years ago in 1964. Having traced his tracks to Lake Eyre I recently followed in his wake to Lake Dumbleyung. It is a great spot in the West Australian wheat belt and Ian,the landlord at the Dumbleyung Tavern is a fine host who tells a great story about when he was a seven year old and Donald came to town. Look out for my articles in various publications as we approach the anniversary on December 31st when ‘the Skipper’ set a new World Water Speed Record to create the unique double on the last day of the year, which was also the anniversary of his father, Sir Malcolm’s death.
