Concept and classic stars from Europe off to Melbourne
The programme for Melbourne's 2015 Motorclassica is growing, with news this week that BMW will showcase the recent M4 GTS and 3.0 CSL Hommage R concepts, while Ferrari will celebrate its classic Dino.
The M4 GTS has already been revealed in its limited-edition production form overseas, but it's the (largely identical) concept version we'll see in Melbourne. News of the hardcore GTS coupe concept's Melbourne debut also brings word of the production version's "hook or crook" likelihood for Australia, with BMW Group Australia boss Marc Werner confirming that while availability is still to be set in stone, local buyers will get their chance. Still, with only 700 examples planned globally, fans will need to be quick. Pricing and exact numbers are still to be confirmed, however, as is exact timing.
The M4 GTS concept will be joined by the more recently 3.0 CSL Hommage R design study, which made its debut at Concours d’Elegance Pebble Beach in August. Importantly for showgoers and fans alike, Motorclassica will mark the retro-inspired racing concept’s first appearance in the southern hemisphere, with the car being air-freighted to Australia especially for the event.
Ferrari to celebrate Dino name Another big get for Motorclassica is a special focus on the Dino nameplate, with Ferrari and Fiat examples to be displayed. For Ferrari, the event will celebrate 50 years of the car that paid tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo, along with a number of Dino models that followed. Fiat also used the Dino name, in honour of the Ferrari V6 Dino engine that drove a series of limited-run Coupes and Spiders between 1966 and 1973.
“Customer demand for classic Ferraris, and in particular the Ferrari Dino, has seen the market value of these vehicles rise dramatically within the past five years,” Ferrari Australasia CEO, Herbert Appleroth, said.
“A Dino display of this many classic vehicles is unprecedented in Australia, and we are excited to be officially involved in Motorclassica in 2015, the 50th anniversary year of the Dino.”
The Dino display will include three Dino 246 GTs and a pristine pair of the later 308 V8-engined wedge.
Several other classic Ferrari vehicles including a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta, 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, and a 1990 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta with Ferrari Classiche classification will also be showcased at Motorclassica.
Motorclassica opens at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building from tomorrow until Sunday.
