Australia’s pre-eminent collector at the height of the classic car boom in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Late Kerry Manolas had an abiding passion for the golden age of motor racing and his success in business life allowed him to track down, purchase and restore some of the world’s finest competition machinery.

A regular entrant at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Manolas also developed a taste for historic motor racing and his beautifully restored and prepared racing cars were piloted by Spencer Martin at circuits both here in Australia and around the world. Kerry loved the Mille Miglia and was one of the first Australians to make the pilgrimage to Brescia, entering everything from his Gullwing Mercedes to “Lucybelle”, a fabulous pontoon-fendered Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. His collection included priceless gems such as the Le Mans-winning Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Team Car, a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta SEFAC Hot Rod and the ex-David McKay Aston Martin DB3/S Team Car, alongside modern supercars like the Ferrari F40 and Jaguar XJ220 – cars that are now regarded as collector’s pieces in their own right.

Kerry was a true connoisseur and student of automotive history, who carefully curated the collection of automobilia we are proud to offer here today. Ranging from some of the rarest Ferrari literature in existence, including an example of the very first Yearbook published in 1949, to the Peter Collins family trophy collection, there is plenty here to tempt the serious collector. Concluding on July 25-26, the expansive Kerry Manolas collection will be sold in two parts (with Part I comprising Ferrari and other Italian marques and Part II reserved for Motor Racing and other fine marques) and the online catalogue is now available at Donington Auctions website.  

Rewriting the record books, a rare 1933 Brough Superior SS 100 motorcycle was sold today for $338,000 by Donington Auctions.

The highest price paid for a motorcycle at auction in Australia for more than a decade, the Donington Auction result also set a new benchmark as the most valuable British motorcycle ever sold at auction here.

It was also a new Australian auction record for the legendary British marque.

One of just seven hand-built in 1933, this was the first time a Brough Superior SS 100 had been offered at auction here in over three decades.

Star of Donington’s on-line ‘Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction’ which concluded today, the Brough Superior SS 100 was the subject of a spirited bidding war among enthusiasts before the hammer fell.

A private Australian collector ultimately secured the motorcycle, citing the machine’s Australian history and provenance as key factors behind the purchase.

It was also the second highest price ever paid for a motorcycle at auction in this country, and means Donington Auctions has now been responsible for three of the top four motorcycle auction sale prices achieved in this country.

Made famous as the motorcycle model ridden by Englishman Colonel T.E Lawrence – better known as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ – the Brough Superior SS 100 is widely regarded by collectors as the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of motorcycles.

Just 283 were ever made, each built to order, powered by a 1000cc V-twin engine in a double-cradle frame, and sold with a guarantee of 100 mph plus performance.

Donington Auctions’ example went to its first UK owner in early 1933, before coming to Australia around 1960. After many years stored in a wine cellar, it was restored by a noted South Australian collector, then sold to New Zealand, before returning to Australia in the hands of the vendor in 2023.

“Today’s exceptional result highlights the ongoing strength of the collector motorcycle market, with rare and historically significant machines continuing to attract strong competition from enthusiasts and collectors alike, despite broader economic uncertainty,” Donington Auctions’ Cameron Sabine said.

“On behalf of our clients, we are delighted to have once again set up new Australian auction records.”

Top Four Motorcycle Auction Results in Australian History

Commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Brabham’s historic World Championship win in 1966, Donington Auctions latest auction is titled ‘A Tribute to Brabham – The Anniversary Auction Commemorating the Man, the Marque and his Machines’ and brings together a remarkable array of cars, rare parts and related memorabilia. Born in 1926, Sir Jack Brabham AO OBE remains Australia’s most successful motor racing driver and constructor, whose list of achievements includes no less than three World Driver’s Championships with the unique distinction of being the only man to win the title in a car of his own construction.

Closely related to the Repco-Brabham Formula One cars that Sir Jack and teammate Denny Hulme used to win the Constructor’s Championships in 1966 and 1967, we are proud to offer the unique BT23E single-seater built specifically for the 1968 Tasman series. Powered by Repco’s latest 830 V8 and raced by Jack himself at Warwick Farm and Sandown, the car was subsequently sold to legendary team owner Bob Jane and campaigned by the likes of John Harvey and Allan Moffat. In the current owner’s collection for almost a decade and maintained in race-ready condition, the BT23E will be offered by way of Sealed Bid with an Estimate on Request.

Headlining the Tribute to Brabham auction is the extraordinary collection assembled by arch enthusiast Denis Lupton, whose name is synonymous with both Sir Jack and his machines. Melbourne-based Lupton was arguably Australia’s leading Brabham authority, responsible for the restoration of numerous examples over the years and maintained a detailed registry of the cars. The Lupton Collection is a once in a lifetime opportunity for collectors and Donington Auctions is honoured to bring this unique offering to market.

A select group of competition cars are featured in the catalogue, including a 1965 Brabham BT15 (estimate $26,000-32,000) from the Denis Lupton Collection, a Lynx 1500cc Formula Junior (estimate $15,000-19,000) designed by Ron Tauranac and an Australian special known as the “Birchwood-Cooper” in project form (estimate of $12,000-18,000). Another significant piece of Australian motor racing history is the 1971 MR5 built by Garrie Cooper’s Elfin Sports Cars in South Australia (estimate $TBC), one of four campaigned in the thundering Formula 5000 series in the early Seventies with owner/driver Max Stewart at the wheel.

A large cache of rare parts will also be offered, headlined by an unused Coventry Climax FPF 2.5-litre engine built by UK specialists Crosthwaite & Gardiner (estimate $70,000-80,000) and a Hewland FT200 gearbox (estimate $19,000-21,000).

Additionally there will be over 200 individual lots of motorsport memorabilia relating to Sir Jack Brabham, Ron Tauranac and John Cooper, the majority offered entirely without reserve. Ranging from books, posters and prints to scale models, there’s plenty to excite Australian motor racing enthusiasts across a wide range of budgets.

Bidding opens on April 13 and closes on April 26, 2026: for a full listing please visit the online catalogue https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/auctions/catalog/id/341

For further information please contact:  

Melbourne: Robbie Richards

+61 (0) 419 393 932

[email protected]

Sydney: Damien Duigan

+61 (0) 449 128 392

[email protected]

The eclectic personal collection of the late automotive industry figure and racing driver, Alan Hamilton, who died earlier this year, is set to offered for sale by Donington Auctions.

Hamilton, together with his father Norman, spent three decades as Australia’s official Porsche importer – the world’s second oldest outside of Europe – in parallel with a successful racing career, culminating in victory in the 1977 Australian Sports Car Championship and a trio of Hillclimb Championships.

He was also a key part of the famous Ford 1-2 at Bathurst in 1977, finishing second with Colin Bond.

Donington’s exclusive ‘Mr Porsche Australia – Featuring the Garage & Collection of the Late Alan Hamilton’ auction featuring over 500 lots will be conducted on-line only, with bidding opening on 2 February.

The on-line auction will then be concluded over two days, 14 & 15 February.

“Alan was an important figure both in the industry here, as a racing driver and in Porsche’s history, and his amazing collection reflects that incredible life,” Donington’s Robbie Richards said.

“There are some truly unique pieces of history and provenance that only Alan had, which simply won’t be available again in this context. It’ll be an exciting auction for collectors.”

Needless to say, Porsche is heavily represented among the auction’s lots with offerings that include items unique to Hamilton, as well as exceedingly rare collectibles from the German marque.

Headlining the vehicles of offer is the 1971 McLaren M10B that Hamilton himself raced in the early ‘70s and later re-acquired, restored and ran for his long-time driver Alfredo Costanzo, in historic racing.

The McLaren is fully restored and is being offered, alongside the ultra-rare one-of-four built 1987 Penske PC16 Indycar in the collection.

With significant Australian racing heritage is the 1957 Sabakat, a Lotus 12-based special with both unusual provenance and interesting history, while another locally-built car to be offered at auction will be a 1973 Farrell Clubman sports car, at one time raced by Hamilton’s son Travis.

An unusual Maserati 250F ‘tribute’ completes the small collection of cars, which is accompanied by a large array of automotive memorabilia and ephemera.

Porsche-related items dominate, from sets of factory blueprints for the 917, 908 and 906 racing cars, to statues, models, signage and even inscribed doorhandles from the former Hamilton dealership.

There are copious artwork and posters featuring Porsches, along with rare original factory parts catalogues, sales brochures, even bound business documentation between the dealership and German factory, along with many large mounted photographs from Hamilton’s career as a driver and entrant.

Trophies, medallions, books and slot cars related to Hamilton’s career racing Porsches and outside, racing Fords for Allan Moffat and his own F5000 exploits, are all on offer in the collection, which includes items from his many diverse motor racing interests.

Pre-bidding for the ‘Mr Porsche Australia – Featuring the Garage & Collection of the Late Alan Hamilton’ will open on-line on 2 February.

A premium European-style auction house, Donington Auctions is Australia’s largest auctioneer of classic automotive items. It boasts more than 100 years’ combined market expertise as a specialist in vintage and veteran, classic and collectible cars and motorcycles, Single Owner Collections, and automotive memorabilia and ephemera.

Rare and exotic amusement machines from Australia’s largest ‘retro’ games arcade are set to go under the hammer with No Reserve prices, with Donington Auctions early next month.

More than 100 working and regularly maintained ‘vintage’ amusement games are to be offered in the on-line auction, which takes place on Sunday 5 October.

“Like a step back into our childhood and the ‘Timezone’ arcades of the ‘90s, this collection of retro amusement machines is truly amazing, and will bring back many memories,” Robbie Richards from Donington Auctions said.

“Significantly, all these machines are being sold without a reserve price, so this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy a piece of your childhood at potentially a bargain price.”

One of the highlights of this Donington retro amusement machine auction will be the sale of the ‘Shooting Zone’ game (Lot 104) which runs the master system cartridges, and is one of less than a dozen known to exist in the world. The last one sold is believed to have changed hands for $10,000.

Other notable Lots include examples of the Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Daytona USA and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games.

All of these vintage amusement machines are come from the popular ‘Arcade Garage’ licensed venue in Thornbury (Melbourne) – the largest of its type in Australia – now closing its doors due to the owner’s change of circumstance.

As a key part of the broader ‘Welcome to Thornbury’ entertainment precinct, the ‘Arcade Garage’ retro amusement game parlor saw these machines used daily and service regularly.

Included in the Donington auction too are various hard-to-find circuit boards and other parts crucial to the maintenance and repair of these vintage amusement games.

A total of 193 lots are going under the Donington Auctions’ hammer on Sunday 5 October.

Prior to the auction, buyers are even offered the opportunity to try the games out at ‘Arcade Garage’ or inspect the machines at Donington Auctions’ headquarters in Dingley (Melbourne).

For over 4-decades the exceptional Cremorne Garage of David Jones has been the envy of classic car enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors.  It was an exclusive privilege to be invited in to David’s Aladdin’s cave nestled behind the imposing red brick Bryant & May Match Factory in Richmond Victoria.

David’s shed/warehouse has always been rightly regarded as one of the best of the best in vintage/classic cars and collectables.  His 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Dino and triple concours winning MGTF are almost dwarfed by the wall of garage memorabilia, which conjures up thoughts of what some of the big service stations in St. Kilda or Camberwell junctions may have looked like in their hay day.

Scarcely seen garaganalia including petrol pumps are spread throughout the warehouse, a highlight is the Rolls-Royce of pumps, the 1923 Wayne ‘Corinthian’ 5-gallon petrol pump. This pump is so large and imposing, it’s almost like the Acropolis overlooking Athens!

Antique display cases are full, and the walls of the garage are lined with some extremely desirable advertising material and signs, most being Australian oil companies. With David working for Mobil Oil Company in his youth he was actively collecting oil related memorabilia dating back 40 years and well before the boom of the collecting category.  Fortunately, he had the both a keen eye and means to buy good quality items which he always did.

David’s automotive passion also extended to model cars and related collectables. He had amassed a sizeable array of various sized models, which often related or mirrored the 1:1 scale counterparts which were housed in the garage, owned at some stage or on the wish list!

The quality of this 1000+ lot auction of an institutional figure like David Jones AO OBE KstJ, is rarely seen on the market these days, and a collection of this quality and diversity is unlikely to be replicated.

Numerical number plates continue to be hot property in the collector market, with a select consignment of just over a dozen six digit Victorian plates achieving outstanding results in Donington Auction’s ‘Numbers Only Plate Auction’ on 31 October.

Offered on behalf of  VicRoads, book-ended combinations saw strong, competitive bidding with ‘966.699’ achieving $11,000 at the close of bidding, and ‘8’ combinations continued to be sought-after by collectors whether for synergy or numerology reasons.

Australia’s non-heritage six-digit numerical plate market has dramatically increased in value in recent years, fueled by new collectors entering the market. Another contributing factor to this collectability is that these types of plates are no longer available for purchase directly from VicRoads.

This year, Donington Auctions has set several benchmark results for custom numerical and six-digit Heritage plates.

In August, the revered ‘123 456’ plate eclipsed Donington’s pre-auction estimate of $250,000 – 300,000, selling for $363,000. And earlier in the year, ‘888 888’ achieved an equally impressive $230,000, smashing the previous auction record of $53,000 set in 2022 for the non-heritage plate ‘911 911’.

“We are thrilled with the response and auction participation, which resulted in a 100 per cent sale rate,” Donington Director Cameron Sabine said.

“This offering from the vaults of VicRoads demonstrates the growth in this segment of the market, which was reflected in the large number of first time bidders in the auction.

“We received good feedback about this latest plate offering and the new and more modern aluminium framed Prestige format, and one of the factors behind that is that many of the coveted low-digit heritage plates are now so valuable that they are out of reach for many enthusiasts and collectors.”

Donington Auction’s next sale ‘Collector Car & Number Plate Auction – Featuring the Fine Stables of the Late Ric Begg & Turner Foundation’ is scheduled to close in early December.

It will also offer a healthy selection of desirable Victorian registration plates, with a highlight being the enamelled Heritage plate ‘123-567’ which is sure to create a stir in the market.

Three vintage trucks with storied history in Australian film and television productions are part of a prominent collection to be auctioned on-line by Donington Auctions between 14 & 27 October.

Put together over many decades by a family patriarch and two brothers from Victoria’s Western District, the Provan Collection includes eight vintage trucks, two cars, 11 motorbikes and various rare spare parts.

“Our vendor remembers spending her school holidays being dragged from farm to farm seeking out these automotive gems,” Donington Auctions Cameron Sabine said.

“The Provan Collection now being offered includes three rare REO Speedwagons and trucks that range from 1923 to 1930, while the motorcycles stretch more broadly, from a 1912 Douglas to a circa 1970s Honda GL-175.

“All are offered at No Reserve and are in varying condition, from those that need some recommissioning to others that are little more than a jumble of parts.”

Sharing the spotlight in the film Australia with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was the oldest truck, a 1923 Ford TT, along with the Provan Collection’s 1927 Chevrolet AA Capitol tow truck and a 1928 REO Speedwagon Model G Heavy Duty. The trio also appeared in The Far Country television mini-series with Michael York and Sigrid Thornton.

On offer too is the Collection’s 1926 Auburn and 1934 Graham sedans, three early bicycles – one of them motorized – and some interesting and doubtless now very rare vintage parts and equipment.

A 1913 Fiat Tipo 2B rolling chassis is also being auctioned on-line, together with an Italian stablemate, a 1950 Fiat Topolino C Estate with an interesting family history.

Donington Auctions’ Provan Collection on-line auction will go live on 14 October and conclude on 27 October.

Donington Auctions are proud to offer a fine selection of 19^th Century horse-drawn carriages in the Collector Car, Number Plate & Horse Drawn Vehicle Auction being held on August 25, 2024.

Three carriages will offered including a Victoria dating from the 1850s (estimate of $13,000-18,000) , a circa 1880s Brougham (estimate $22,000-28,000) and the undisputed star, a fabulously ornate Vice Regal Ceremonial Town Coach built for the Maharaja of Mysore (estimate $60,000-70,000). Built by renowned coachbuilders Simpson & Co., a firm who catered to wealthy customers from royal households around the world, the carriage reputedly carried Edward Prince of Wales during his tour of Madras, Bangalore, Mysore and Hyderabad. Preserved in the Mysore stables until the early 1970s, the carriage made its way to Australia.

Recalling a bygone era of transport before the motor car was invented, the carriages are available for viewing at Donington Auction’s Sydney facility at Amaroo Park by appointment.

Donington Auctions are proud to present the Porsche Auction featuring rare memorabilia and parts , including items from the collections of marque specialists Jeff Dutton and Austin King.

Jeff Dutton is synonymous with the Porsche marque. Jeff Dutton’s grandfather, Albert Octavio Dutton, built a modest service station and repair workshop at 341 Burnley Street Richmond, Victoria in 1911. From there, the Dutton car showroom moved to 525 Church Street in 1989, and from this location, the sale of many rare and collectable pre-owned automobiles took place. Jeff Dutton initially bought and renovated an old chocolate factory, and  then created an iconic space for a prestige luxury car dealership – ‘DUTTONS’, which subsequently became one of the most  exclusive and well patronised showrooms for clients from around Australia and overseas. The walls were adorned with memorabilia and covered with the signatures of racing and sporting identities, together with worldwide celebrities who visited their showrooms.

Another name renowned in Australian Porsche circles is Austin King. Austin started with motor cars in March 1963.  He worked with Porsche Sales for 44+ years of that span of 60+ years in the motor trade. Austin enjoyed many years of service to the Hamilton Porsche and the Porsche Centre Melbourne, becoming one of the most successful salesmen that Porsche had seen in Australia.

Donington’s is proud to present the collection of these two esteemed Porsche specialists, plus other vendors from both Melbourne, Sydney and beyond.  The majority of the auction is offered without reserved.

The auction includes many rare parts, with rare competition parts being a highlight. (lot 1) a rebuilt 2.8 RS Porsche Aluminum 7R cased engine, being Ex – Porsche Race Department and likely used for the factory car “Baby” – a Porsche 935. A rare set of four , (lot 13a) circa 1984 six-spoke factory Porsche 956 / 962 magnesium alloy front and rear racing wheels, ex-Rothmans works cars.  Another decorative potential wall hanging (lot 3) a complete side panel set of John Harvey’s #76 Porsche 911 in Grace Brothers race livery is also offered,  never before been seen on the open market.

High performance parts for road going Porsches are also available, (lot 13) a set of 1973 Porsche 911 2.8 RSR, IROC or 3.0 Litre RS black FUCHS wheels for example. Or are you after that elusive 356 or early Porsche 911 parts?  A genuine Porsche 901 gearbox (lot 6).  A Porsche 915 aluminium close ratio gearbox (lot 28), is sure to attract strong bidding from local and overseas bidders. Many  hard to obtain  parts such as these  are included in the auction.

Porsche manufactured high quality tractors between 1955 and 1963 and presented in the auction in the signature red finish, is a collectible Porsche ‘Junior’ Series 108 single cylinder diesel tractor in restored condition.

In addition, various automobilia and associated Porsche items are throughout the auction. Featured is a wonderful library of high-quality books, prints, posters and scale models all offered at no offered. Of particular interest is (lot 8) – the iconic ‘HOT.911’ Victorian registration plates, sold with rights to display. These plates featured in the 1980s Castrol advertising campaign on the very well known ‘hot’ 911 RSR. This advertising piece adorned the walls of many enthusiasts at the time.

From this small snippet,  it can be seen that this is the premier stand-alone Porsche auction that has been offered to the market in many years. We expect bidding to  be fierce from  both Australian and International  enthusiasts alike.