Perth celebrates a century in motion
Western Australia is enjoying lovely summer weather and the benefit of being COVID-19 free, so Perth enthusiasts were able to enjoy Celebration of the Motorcar at Cottesloe Civic Centre on 29 November. The long-standing event was first held in 1993.
Some 150 cars were invited to the curated show, the exhibits spanning 100 years of motoring with models displayed in groups by marque or country of origin. Many vehicles in attendance had never been seen at the event before.
Highlights – and award-winners – included a spectacular new Mclaren Senna GTR, which had arrived in Western Australia only a week earlier; a magnificent 1931 Cadillac V16 Roadster; and a 1924 Ballot with Torpedo bodywork. The French machine had spent the past 42 years being restored.
Other wins went the way of a 1959 Facel Vega HK500 and a freshly restored 1976 Maserati Merak, which has been returned to its original bright orange colour. The Jaguar display featured every version of the XJ-S, including a unique six-cylinder manual Lynx Eventer and a Hess & Eisenhardt convertible. A special display of rare Jensens, a line-up of V12 Lamborghinis and five vintage WO models among the Bentleys were a few of the many highlights.
The beautiful venue in the grounds of an old mansion near the coast, with live classical music being performed, added to the celebration’s special atmosphere.
“While many similar events around the world – as well as in other parts of Australia – have been cancelled in 2020, we were very happy to present the exhibition for the local audience,” event organiser Paul Blank was keen to point out. “Most pleasing was the number of attendees, who said it was the best event yet held.”