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I had been anticipating this major event in the classic world for some months and had duly purchased my tickets on line as I did my accommodation at the Cube Serviced Apartments in Exploration Lane between Little Lonsdale and Exhibition Street at 19 Exploration Lane Melbourne.

Pam and I stayed here last year a couple of times when I had my eye operations and is highly recommended being very close to major attractions, the restaurant precinct in Lonsdale St., shopping CBD and was only 15 mins. Walk to the Exhibition buildings on Victoria Parade.

I had to go alone this time I'm afraid as Pam could not accompany me because at the time her mother was very ill in hospital so, the 'One Eyed Wonder' was let loose on unsuspecting Melbourne. I settled in to the Cube for three days, very comfortable and quiet. The beauty of this place is it's not on a busy thoroughfare, is 5 mins to the corner supermarket and liquor outlet... what more could you want... well, Melbourne weather is a given isn't it ;-0

After unpacking and attending to the essentials, I headed for the Titanic Exhibition at the Museum as this had been extended for three weeks and I had already bought tickets on line. I have a very strong interest in maritime history, so this was right up my alley so to speak. I arrived around 5:00pm for the day's final showing as they only allow a certain number at a time through the exhibition. All I can say is that it was worth more than the mere $20, truly magnificent the way one was led through the various dioramas, right from the bridge to cabins, to boiler room. Towards the end I became quite emotional when one considers the great loss of life that could have been avoided... but that is another story.

After leaving the Museum, it was only a few paces to the Motor Classica Exhibition to see what was happening and credit my tickets for the ensuing three days activities. It turned out to be the best time to be there... why didn't I bring my camera! To be able to stroll around the exhibits without throngs of people was marvellous. There was an eclectic mix of superb cars on display, the likes of which would not normally be viewed by the general public.

Saturday morning brought grey skies and heavy rain... hmmmmm, methinks I shall take a couple of hours and stroll the shops as it was due to clear up after midday. On cue the skies cleared but it was still quite chilly with a stiff southerly breeze and only 16 deg. Donned a jacket and set off for the exhibition.

Wow!! Heads on 'em like mice... there were people everywhere! Two long queues stretched from the Great Hall back out to the street. Ahah! Sez I, feeling rather smug with the fact that I had pre bought my tickets so, it was just a matter of bypassing the crowds, displaying ticket and straight in! It all began by leading you upstairs to the mezzanine level and through the various stall holders catering for various classic car needs. Here were four coffee outlets whipping up magical brews with the aroma wafting around. I love a good unspoilt 'Long Black' (as good coffee should be experienced) but the queues were unbelievable so went right on past, downstairs to the main exhibition hall where one's visual senses were overwhelmed in the most delightful fashion!

Exhibits ranged from a 1938 Mercedes 540K open top through to Pride of 1920's Bentley's and even a 1936 Cord 810 OTC Front Wheel Drive. I will let the picture gallery take you on a visual tour of the exhibition... suffice to say that most Marques were well represented including our own illustrious Jaguars. The pride of which was a 1935 SS100 two door coupe with very Art Deco styling in bright red... Personally I think this colour didn't really suit the car at all and would have been far better looking in Pastel Blue or Pale Green... more in keeping with the times methinks. I arrived at the Exhibition at around 2:30 and stayed until my knees gave out at 7:30... oh the pain!! The sacrifices one must make for enjoyment :o))

Sunday saw me back at the Main Hall to check progress with the auction held by Shannon's Insurance, one of the main sponsors of the event. All I can say is, there are some people out there with more money than sense. A rather tatty looking bright yellow ser.11 Mustang was pulling stupid bids and ended up selling for way over the odds. I was keen on seeing how the 1965 Studebaker Avanti (I have always had a soft spot for these) would fare and sold for what I considered a steal... well below what it should have sold for... admittedly it need a good polish as the paint work had been subjected to a rather average re-spray.

By midday, I had had enough of the auction and headed down through town to the river and ahead was my destination the Skydeck Tower. I had been given a couple of 10% off complimentary tickets for this venue back at the apartments so thought, what the heck... may as well check it out. Pam and I had already 'done' the Rialto viewing deck which was the highest viewing point in the southern hemisphere until the brash newcomer! (Rialto is closed at this time for renovations and the installation of a revolving restaurant which should be great.)

Skydeck is some 83 stories up in a 96 story gold and glitzy glass tower. You shoot up there in one of the world's fastest lifts, I forget the all important statistics but it's rapid!! Something like 10 seconds to cover the 83 stories. You leave the lift and walk into a 360 degree viewing level with commanding views of the city through special 25mm tinted glass... not the place for anybody suffering vertigo! For $20 you could experience the Skydeck Cube, which only takes 6 people at a time in what amount to a 2.2 metre cube of glass which extends from the side of the building some 3 metres... well, why not, you only do it once and I had my discount ticket and pension card!

We were asked to place these special anti-scratch, anti-static fabric slippers over our footwear... "No cameras, watches or wallets" came the burble from the pretty young thing hosting the event... weeeell... OK, in we step to a cube of frosted white glass panels, walls, ceiling, floor, all the same...uhuh!, I know the score here! Six of us herded in, including two lads about 10 years old all wide eyed and clutching Dad!... Our delectable hostess leaves, the door slides shut with an audible bang! Silence reigned for several seconds then it began... not just perceptible movement but accompanied by the most tacky, annoying 'sound experience' which amplified every movement this 'cube' made on it's way out from the side of the building, including sounds of glass fracturing! This started to put the wind up the kids and all the time the glass remained it's inert but menacing frosted white.

After what seemed ages, everything stopped... silence... then... WHACK!! All the glass became crystal clear. Aaaaaaaargh! go the kids as they were kneeling on the floor and were suddenly looking 83 storey's straight down!!... The look on their faces was priceless and was worth the $16 I paid. Even Dad was looking a bit unnerved. Not content with this sudden impact on the visual senses, the auto glass started alternating between clear and opaque with the most grotesque and annoying soundtrack of splintering glass and screeching metal! This went on for some minutes before it ceased and you were able to have a few minutes viewing time before... WHACK!! It was all over with all glass going opaque and the inevitable journey back into the building. Personally, I regarded the 'experience' as rather crass, even if the views were spectacular if somewhat brief. To add to the insult, they expected you to buy photographs of the event which also included the 'group shots' inside the Cube. Yes, right!!

A 6:00pm Rex Airlines flight to Wynyard saw me reflecting upon a very pleasant weekend and experiencing the visual and tactile experience of seeing vehicles one would only normally read about. Well done Motor Classica!

  - As experienced by Motoring Maximus

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