Unique memorabilia in collector car auction

In addition to the classic motorcars offered for sale at Mossgreen’s Collectors Cars auction from 2.30pm Sunday December 10 at 935 High Street, Armadale is a unique memorabilia collection involving three generations of the one motor racing family.

Passionate about car rallies, the late Bill Ferguson frequently participated in events in his 1924 Essex – and a life-long love affair with motor racing began when he first went to the now defunct Strathpine race circuit in Brisbane.

However, it was his future son-in-law who first joined the Queensland Motor Racing Association as a flag marshal – and for the next more than a decade the two men made critically important voluntary contributions by waving flags at precarious corners of local racetracks.

As a result of their marshalling efforts, both witnessed the heroics of Australian motor racing legends and international Grand Prix stars who came to the country to compete against the best of the locals.

A great collector, Bill would bring home and store almost anything under the self-built family home at the Brisbane suburb of Cannon Hill.

The cherished motor racing memorabilia eventually found its way to one of his grandsons, who vividly remembers seeing his father and grandfather heading off early on race weekends dressed in their white officials overalls emblazoned with sewn on cloth patches.

Over the years, Bill’s grandson added to the memorabilia collection and is still a passionate motor racing fan – both as a competitor and fabricator of V8 Supercars.

The collection features many rare and historically significant posters covering various championships and challenges throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Among the auction motorcars is an Australian delivered 1991 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R – representing the new wave of collector vehicles – with a catalogue estimate of $60,000-$70,000.

As summer approaches, two iconic lifestyle vehicles are bound to attract plenty of attention.

One is a 1955 Land Rover Series 1 SWB with no reserve and the other a unique 1979 Mini-Moke 4WD Prototype with a $33,000-$39,000 estimate.

For more traditional collectors, the 1968 Fiat 125 Samantha with coachwork by Vignale ($45,000-$55,000 estimate) should hold plenty of appeal.

Demand for classic motorcycles in 2017 has been high with 100 per cent clearance rates – so a 1935 Triumph 550 side-valve example ($10,000-$12,000) and 1948 Norton Model 18 ($8000-$10,000) should attract plenty of attention.

Good examples of the United Kingdom’s Birmingham Small Arms Co single engine products include a 1926 BSA side-valve vintage motorcycle ($16,000-$20,000) and a 1936 BSA Empire Star – built to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V ($12,000-$14,000).