IT’S not unusual to see car enthusiasts pouring thousands into their most prized vehicles, but this weekend, spectators will get the opportunity to see what $1 million buys.
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The Gnoo Blas Classic Car Show will feature an extremely rare Maybach 57, one of the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since its revival by DaimlerChrysler AG, now Daimler AG.
The Gosford Classic Car Museum’s buyer and car club liaison representative, Ken Grindrod, said there were only 3000 produced.
“Our particular Maybach is a 2007 57S, the S standing for the German word Spezial, not sport, and is a popular display for the museum visitors,” he said.
The concept of the car was based on the Mercedes-Benz S Class sedan and was voted first, ahead of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index.
The car will be on loan from the museum, which displays 500 cars worth $72 million.
It will bring former Australian Gold Star champion Spencer Martin to the car show in style and remain on display throughout the day.
The car is valued at about $700,000, but Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club member and museum regular Ben De Boer said they sold for about $1.2 million new.
Mr De Boer said Mr Grindrod asked him whether he could accompany him to this year’s event.
“I said that’s fine but you’ve got to bring the Maybach and you’ve got to take Spencer and myself with you,” he said with a laugh.
“I’m going to enjoy the ride.”
Mr De Boer described the car as absolute luxury.
“They are sort of a house on wheels,” he said.
“It’s got every perceivable extra any car would have but it’s a very long car – it’s got massive seats in it, like a big lounge, it’s absolutely magnificent.”
Fellow club member Denis Gregory said the Maybach would be by far the most upmarket car ever to grace Sir Jack Brabham Park.
“You can’t get much fancier than that,” he said.
“We’ve had Ferraris before, but they’re only worth $200,000.”
Mr Gregory said the challenge had been finding somewhere safe to house it on Saturday night, but a location had been found.
The car show will start at 10am on Saturday, welcoming more than 500 cars.
Phil Brock, brother of the late Peter Brock, will also be in attendance.