The third Noosa Concours proved a sun-kissed extravaganza of high value vehicles and thousands of car enthusiasts.
Whatever you think of Australia’s mega wealthy, they’re easier to relate to when they have impeccable taste in cars, as opposed to simply spanking their millions on garish clothes, facelifts or at casino tables.
When you see them driving a classic Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 288 GTO, Mercedes-Benz 300SL or the latest supercar exotica, it’s easy to think: “Yep, if I had the money, that’s how I’d spend it too.”
Noosa’s Concours d’Elegance is a car show with its fair share of well-heeled entrants, as you’d expect from something in the mould of America’s flagship Pebble Beach Concours.
But fair play to them.
They make it accessible to everyone, as witnessed by some 20,000 spectators turning out for this third edition in 2025, all able to enjoy the cars up close without spending a dollar.
Sunshine state
Noosa in winter is a pretty magic place, and the sun gods turned out to ensure the 50 entered cars were bathed in golden rays.
Hastings Street, the town’s main shopping and dining strip, was closed for the cars’ arrival, with thousands of onlookers jostling for position, phones in hand to record proceedings.
The proper oldies come through first, with a French 1905 Eugène Brillié 20/24HP pouring out quite the smokescreen, as you’d accept from a 120-year-old. It’s the world’s sole surviving example of its type, and deservedly won Best Preservation Award for being maintained in near original form.
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Some pre-war Mercedes-Benzes, a 1935 BMW 315/1 Roadster, 1937 Wanderer W25K Sports Roadster (the first car designed by Ferdinand Porsche) and impossibly elegant 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante next rolled under the pandanas and palm-lined street.
The post-war Brits were next, reminding of the incredibly varied output the Motherland managed once peace had broken out. A 1950 Jaguar XK120; aluminium-body 1950 Land Rover Series 1 80”; 1953 Bristol 403 and 1957 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I all showed the Best of British.
America and Europe provided most of the show metal, but Australia was strikingly represented with a lesser-spotted 1960 TR Ausca, a roadster whose design was inspired by the gorgeous Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder sportscars of the mid-1950s. With racing number on bonnet and flanks, it was a standout piece of Aussie motoring history.
Shaken, not stirred
The wows continued with a James Bond-like 1964 Aston Martin DB5, rotary-powered tiny 1967 Mazda Cosmo, ’68 Fiat Dino Spider and duo of C2 Chevy Corvettes.
But then the unmistakable rumble of an Italian V12.
There is really nothing like Lamborghini’s Countach, and it’s at its purest in non-winged, wedge-like LP400 guise.
At Noosa, a 1976 Australian-delivered version prowled the glitter strip, it one of only 22 delivered in right-hand drive.
And, proving that Life Really Isn’t Fair, the same owner paraded his 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S – one of just six delivered new to Australia.
Clearly, here’s a bloke who knows the right way to spend his money.
Newer delights included a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa, 1991 Honda NSX, 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, 2006 Ford GT and 2016 Pagani Huayra. The latter alone will set you back many, many millions.
Numerous Noosa locals asked me what was the most valuable car on show.
That’s easy, I replied, pointing them in the direction of the Sunoco-liveried 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder.
This turbocharged flat-12 legend is one of history’s most powerful race cars, with up to 1600 horsepower realised in its ultimate trim. One of just six made, should one ever come up at auction you’d be looking a well into eight figures.
While this track-only race legend sadly couldn’t clear its lungs in the parade, spectators did enjoy a 917/30 engine start up and a few gentle blips of the throttle. While it screaming at 8000rpm would have been nice, it probably would’ve exploded a few ear drums and restaurant windows.
The 50 show cars all angle parked along Hastings Street, with handy signs in front detailing their vitals.
Even better, visitors could have an audio guided tour, explaining the cars via narrated insights sent to their mobile devices. For the more personal touch, white-coated officials were stationed in front of each car, ready to share details and specifications about their assigned vehicle.
United by the classics
Best in Show was, like the previous year, snared by local mining magnate and politician Clive Palmer.
His 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, recently bought at auction for many millions, took top honours, and deservedly so.
Only ten of these Grand Raid two-seaters were built, with just three featuring the Atalante coachwork seen on this car.
Other class winners included the 1935 BMW 315/1 and 1970 Lamborghini Miura, while the Spirit of Noosa award went to one of the few true Australian vehicles on show: a boxy 1988 Giocattolo Group B with mid-mounted Holden 5.0L V8 engine.
These distinctive coupes began life as Alfa Romeo Sprints, then were heavily modified just down the road from Noosa in Caloundra, with just 15 built in total before the company shut up shop in 1989.
With muscled arches and oh-so-80s side strakes (like the Ferrari Testarossa), it looked every inch from the decade of big hair and neon.
While serious-looking be-hatted judges with clipboards in hand were considering their decisions, so were “Next Gen” Judges, where local children get to make their verdict on the car that most makes them go “wow”.
Next generation
Little wonder they were blown away by something more modern, choosing the carbon fibre Pagani Huayra with its spectacular gullwing doors.
The 730hp AMG twin-turbo V12 on show also played a part in making this 1-of-100 Huayras the people’s choice too.
And credit to the owner, who added another few kilometres on to the hypercar’s clock, as it’s only travelled 180km since new…or roughly 20km per year.
The good people of Noosa were out in force, some casually rolling in off the beach in boardies or bikinis.
They contrasted with the impeccably dressed contingent, and there were ample VIP experiences in which they could indulge.
A Champagne masterclass, vintage wine tasting, degustation dinners, gourmet canapés, Fashion on Concours, and a sunset cruise on Noosa River. Make no mistake, there was plenty of money in town.
The well-heeled could also plan their next car purchase, with latest models on show from Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Range Rover and Porsche. A few too many gins with lunch and who knows what you’ll end up buying?
For those in the know, the best way to enjoy Noosa Concours is in the late afternoon when most spectators have gone home but the cars remain.
With the sun setting and golden light peeking through the buildings, now’s the time to snare a table at a roadside café and order refreshments.
Then, sit back and watch literally millions of dollars’ worth of some of history’s finest automobiles fire up their engines and cruise up the street before turning and coming right back again.
Something special
That 120 year-old veteran Eugène Brillié continued its glorious pollution as it chuffed away on its skinny tyres, before the V12 Italians blipped their way past with perhaps the most appreciated way to gulp petrol.
And kudos to the Mercedes-Benz SL300 driver who made a swift exit with those gullwing doors open to best show off the red leather interior and grinning occupants.
Lovely.
In no time at all, the award-winning Noosa Concours has made a significant mark on both the Australian and international luxury car and lifestyle event calendar.
You may need deep pockets to afford a car significant and immaculate enough to be in the top 50, but the fact Noosa’s open to any and everybody to enjoy these cars for free remains the most impressive and important part of this glittery event.
Continued appreciation for such special cars – all of which reside in Australia – is vitally important.
And for our industry, the maintenance, repair, restoration and renovation of such vehicles is one of the most interesting and rewarding specialist areas open to mechanics.
A Lamborghini Countach engine out job? That’s never going to be a boring day.