Few events in Queensland attract the cream of the State’s motoring crop like RACQ Motorfest.

This year was no exception with 187 vehicles of all makes, models, vintages and styles entered in the nine award categories.

The eye-catching array of automobiles attracted a crowd of around 10,000 punters, raising $24,125 through ticket and showbag sales for the RACQ Foundation to continue its support for Queensland communities.

As always, the coveted award ceremony was an event highlight.

The Judges’ Choice winner for 2023 was Ross Metcalfe for his beautifully presented 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL.

Restored in 1984 by Mercedes Benz Bodyworks Brisbane, Ross’s stunning 1959 190 SL two-door convertible, was winner of the European category at MotorFest 2023 and is a former 'outright winner' of Mercedes-Benz Concourse d'Elegance Brisbane.

Ross Metcalfe behind the wheel of his 1959 Mercedes-Benz at MotorFest 2023.

Unmodified from original and presented in the distinctive silver livery of the famous German marque, it’s a superb example of the two-door luxury roadster that Benz conceived as a more affordable alternative to the exclusive 300SL ‘Gullwing’, with which it shares many features.

Powered by a seemingly modest SOHC 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, equipped with twin two-barrel side draft Solex carburetors, the 190 SL was nonetheless good for a top speed in excess of 170km/h, which Mercedes-Benz would later modestly describe as being “more than adequate for the road conditions of the day.”


Other category winners

American

Trevor Jones – Chevrolet Corvette C1 1959

Trevor Jones’ stunning 1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 is a wonderful example of America’s first mass production sports car, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Featuring dramatic styling overseen by legendary GM designer Harley Earl, Trevor’s C1 Corvette underwent a comprehensive restoration prior to 2011 but remains a pristine example with no modifications, and is certified to be 98.7% original, by the National Corvette Restorers Association of America. 

Asian

Paul Gaspar - Honda NSX 1991

When it arrived on the world stage in 1990 Honda’s two-seat, mid-engine NSX sports car rattled the European supercar establishment to its core. The NSX put Ferrari, Porsche and other rivals on notice that Japan could build a supercar with Japanese quality and reliability, with performance and handling to rival the world’s best. Paul Gaspar’s sleek 1991 model boasts manual transmission and has travelled just 88,000km.

Australian

Simon Pickrell – 1970 XW Ford Falcon

Simon Pickrell’s 1970 XW is a Ford Falcon, but not as we know it. A former Street Machine magazine cover star, the classic coke-bottle hipped sedan has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration of its interior, exterior and undercarriage, with a list of modifications that stretch out the door and around the block. A stroked 544ci big block HEMI lies at the heart of this car that stands as a testament to a uniquely Australian art form, the street machine.  

British

Martin Knight – 1971 Jensen Interceptor MK11

British built, American V8 powered, and with a body designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, the Jensen Interceptor is one of the most instantly recognizable grand tourers on the planet. Powered by a thunderous 6.3-litre (383ci) Chrysler V8, Martin Knight’s striking 1971 example is finished in eye-catching yellow, one of only two Australian delivered cars delivered with this paint scheme.

Electric

Werner Kroll – 1958 Messerschmitt KR 200

They say that ‘you can’t win ‘em all,’ but someone forgot to tell Werner Kroll who is back on the electric category winner’s podium for the second year in a row with his electrified 1958 Messerschmitt KR200. Werner’s tiny three-wheeler has benefitted from two restorations during his custodianship, including the most recent in 2018 when the single-cylinder two-stroke combustion engine was replaced with a battery-powered electric motor.

Motorcycle

Simon Jones – 1971 Honda CB750 K1

Simon has owned his 1971 Honda CB750 K1, finished in original ‘Candy Gold’, since 2022. The iconic Japanese superbike shocked its predominantly British rivals when it launched in 1969 with a transverse, single overhead cam straight-four engine with quad carburetors. Capable of revving to a heady 8500rpm on its way to a 200km/h top speed, the ‘750 Four’ is now a highly-coveted collectable, and Simon’s bike has been restored to be as close to period-correct as possible.

Veteran

Graham Donges – 1907 Brush B

It’s highly unlikely that Michigan’s Alanson Partridge Brush could have imagined that examples of his Brush B automobiles would find their way halfway around the world to Australia, let alone still be going strong 116 years later. Powered by a water-cooled single cylinder gasoline engine, a two-speed transmission and featuring a wooden chassis and underslung coil springs, Graham Donges’ says his Brush B was still a complete running vehicle albeit “looking a tad sad” before its 2007 restoration.

Vintage

Bob MacDonnell – 1928 Auburn 8-115 Boattail Speedster

Back in the lates 1920s, Auburn automobiles were among the most prestigious machines on American roads and none were more dramatically styled than the Auburn 8-115 Boattail Speedster, an open two-seater version of the Auburn 8. With its dramatic streamliner-influenced styling, lashings of chrome and a 115hp straight-eight shoehorned beneath its imposing bonnet, Bob MacDonnell’s wonderful example wouldn’t look out of place on the set of Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 blockbuster, The Great Gatsby.