Currently under review by the West Australian Department of Transport, concessional licensing offers car club members the option to put their vintage and classic vehicles on a restricted license, which entitles the vehicle to be used exclusively for club related events and necessary runs for maintenance etc.
Whilst some may complain this is to restrictive especially the "only to be used during daylight" clause, it is a good way of significantly reducing the cost of keeping your vintage/classic vehicle registered and road legal in Western Australia.
To find out more, below is a link to the Department of Transport Website:
Whilst there is now no legal requirement for ongoing inspections, the MBCCWA continues to offer, to those members who want it, an annual inspection of their vehicles to help them identify any issues that should be addressed to ensure their vehicles are in good shape and ready to be used when called upon. Just because a car doesn't get driven much doesn't mean it doesn't need maintenance, especially when you consider that fuel goes off, tyres go flat, brakes and clutches seize up and condensation can form within the engine and exhaust system.
This year I was one of the first to get to the inspection venue, not because UGU was to be inspected, but because it is a rare opportunity to see a lot of fantastic, vintage Benzes in one place.
It was a bitterly cold morning as UGU and I set on the 30 minute drive, but only 50 metres down the road from home we stopped for a quick photo opportunity with another W114 we spotted at the side of the road, a lovely example of a W114 series 2 sedan in yellow.
As we arrived at our destination, UGU was immediately called upon to be a good Samaritan, as a W116 280SE had a flat battery and the 1951170S that was already there only had 6 volts so was unable to jump it.
With the W116 restarted, UGU was parked at the entrance to the venue and the MBCCWA club flag erected adjacent so that together they would be a clear way finding device for other members. Through-out the day other members who also came for a look at the cars being inspected parked next to UGU creating a striking roadside Mercedes-Benz display.
Coupé Sisters. UGU and her beautifully restored 560SEC friend
Here are some pictures to wet your appetite:
W113 Pagoda 250 SL
W113 Pagoda 230 SL
W116 280SE
1951 170S which has been beautifully restored
W108 280SE 3.5 (V8)
190SL. This car was imported from America in the early 2000's and is undergoing a restoration that will see it returned to its original colour of white, which can still be seen on the A-pillars
W111 220SE coupé
W113 Pagoda 250SL. This car is a rare California model and therefore is a 2 +2. What this means is the car never came with the soft top roof so you need to check the weather before leaving home to decide if you want to take the hard top off or not.
1950's W187 220
W111 300SE having it's inspection
This fantastic W116 280SE is in "as new" condition with only 186,000 km on the clock. It is still in the ownership of its original purchaser who flew to Germany to pick the car up. he is very proud of the car and rightly so
W111 220 coupé. This is another American import and remains original with the steering wheel on the left hand side.
1958 190 Ponton. The owner of this car has a fantastic sense of humour which is reflected in the number plate, "Flattery" as in "Flattery will get you nowhere"
R107 450SLC
Now, if all these beautiful Benzes weren't enough to get you excited, let me talk about the place at which the inspections were conducted.
In Middle Swan, WA stands a simply stunning 1902 manor house with 10.95 acres of land, including its own orchard, manicured gardens, riverside jetty, outdoor swimming pool and a not so subtle 1,000m2 shed that houses 50 cars, yes that's right 50 cars!!! I mentioned heaven in the title of this post, now you know why.
This was the home of the late Maurice Brockwell who was a very involved member of the West Australian motoring scene throughout his life. So much was Maurice's involvement that an annual motor rally is held each year in his memory. UGU and I have attended this event each year that we have been together, perhaps we will see you there this year.
UGU taking part in the Brockwell Memorial Run 2012
Tragically, Maurice's wife also passed away in September last year and this beautiful house is now for sale. This made this years concessional licensing inspection the last opportunity to see the house and more significantly the contents of the shed.
I am led to believe Maurice was a very enthusiastic car collector, and much of his collection lived within this shed. As with the house, the collection is now for sale, although many of the cars have already found new homes. In some respects it is sad that the collection is to be separated, but I strongly believe that each of these cars will go to a new owner who will love them like their previous owner.
Much of the collection was made up of exquisite cars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Studebaker, but I am please to say that a Mercedes-Benz also made the grade, and what a Benz to have, the legendary 600 Grosser. A few years ago the Grosser suffered a problem with it's ignition switch so unfortunately it has lain dormant for the past few years. On the positive side, this is one of the cars that has been snapped up and will be heading to Melbourne where the new owner is already hunting for the parts he needs to get her back on the road.
I am not going to bore you with any further commentary, instead I will share with you a feast of history and beauty. To me this shed is not a shed, it was a gallery and these were the artworks:
In Middle Swan, WA stands a simply stunning 1902 manor house with 10.95 acres of land, including its own orchard, manicured gardens, riverside jetty, outdoor swimming pool and a not so subtle 1,000m2 shed that houses 50 cars, yes that's right 50 cars!!! I mentioned heaven in the title of this post, now you know why.
This was the home of the late Maurice Brockwell who was a very involved member of the West Australian motoring scene throughout his life. So much was Maurice's involvement that an annual motor rally is held each year in his memory. UGU and I have attended this event each year that we have been together, perhaps we will see you there this year.
Tragically, Maurice's wife also passed away in September last year and this beautiful house is now for sale. This made this years concessional licensing inspection the last opportunity to see the house and more significantly the contents of the shed.
I am led to believe Maurice was a very enthusiastic car collector, and much of his collection lived within this shed. As with the house, the collection is now for sale, although many of the cars have already found new homes. In some respects it is sad that the collection is to be separated, but I strongly believe that each of these cars will go to a new owner who will love them like their previous owner.
Much of the collection was made up of exquisite cars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Studebaker, but I am please to say that a Mercedes-Benz also made the grade, and what a Benz to have, the legendary 600 Grosser. A few years ago the Grosser suffered a problem with it's ignition switch so unfortunately it has lain dormant for the past few years. On the positive side, this is one of the cars that has been snapped up and will be heading to Melbourne where the new owner is already hunting for the parts he needs to get her back on the road.
I am not going to bore you with any further commentary, instead I will share with you a feast of history and beauty. To me this shed is not a shed, it was a gallery and these were the artworks:
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