On the final lap of a $10M plus classic car auction, Lloyds Auctions received confirmation from the Australian Government to state that some vehicles within one of Australia’s most iconic classic car collections may be classed as Australian Protected Objects, therefore limiting or banning foreign export.

Over 50 of the most expensive classic exotic, rare and desirable cars are going under the hammer this weekend featuring as one of the most impressive single vendor collections seen on the market in many years.

Aimed towards preserving and keeping history within Australia, Mr Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions commended the government’s stance in protecting Australian motoring history for the future of Australian enthusiasts.

“We have notified all foreign bidders and interested parties that they face possible challenges in exporting some of these special classics,” said Mr. Hames.

The collection reflects the history of the current custodian’s motor vehicle journey starting with his first car, a $100 Ford Prefect through to rare Valiant’s, and then to some of the most desirable and sought after V8 race cars. It features some of the rarest million-dollar Fords and Holdens in existence and ends with his last car purchased, the highly desirable million dollar plus Lamborghini Aventador. 

“This collection is worth tens of millions of dollars and has been hidden away, cherished and preserved but now it is time for the next custodians to prepare to take ownership of one or more of these important cars in our annual Australia Day classic car Auction weekend and we certainly expect to see some records broken this weekend,” said Mr. Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions.

The unnamed custodian of the collection’s first car started at 13 with the Ford Prefect, which he learnt to drive in the bottom paddock of his farm. He attended many car racing meets at Oran where he became fascinated with racing around the track, and in particular with Allan Moffat, being one of the first professional motor car racers in Australia.

At the age of just 14 he decided he wanted to start his own business in hopes of having enough money to race his own cars. This went on to create the mould for this teenage boy’s future, and not only did he go on to become a very successful businessperson, but he also followed his passion in race car driving all the way through to Bathurst, with the pinnacle achieving a top 10 result in Bathurst.

“When talking with the current custodian he said that the collection had a lot of significance to him and something he dreamt of since a young teenager, but now it’s time for the cars to move onto their next custodian to enjoy them as much as he has, and that ‘these aren’t just cars; they are a representation of his life’,” said Mr. Hames. 

“This collection doesn’t just showcase the incredible cars but tells a story of a young boy with big dreams, and how he turned those dreams into a reality,” said Mr. Lee Hames.

“We are honoured to present the Unreil Collection to the public and to tell the stories that each car holds and that of the current custodian as well,” continued Mr. Hames.

The Unreil Collection will go under the hammer via a LIVE auction event in Sydney on Sunday 29th January 2023 from 12pm as part of a massive Australia Day Classic Car Weekend at Lloyds Auctions.

You can view the entire collection of vehicles on offer here.

Video footage is available upon request.