Holden Monaro roars to the top at MotorFest 2025

The Judges' Choice winner was an immaculate 1969 Holden Monaro HT GTS, earning its place as the standout of RACQ MotorFest 2025.

Considered one of the most striking Australian cars ever produced, the HT Monaro has long been revered by enthusiasts.

Judges found Jamie Kunst’s example to be among the finest they've seen — a pristine representation of the classic coupe.

Despite stiff competition, Jamie’s Australian category winner stole the show with its timeless coupe proportions, whitewall radial tyres, and original five-slot wheels.

With bold twin bonnet vents, sporty side gills, and distinctive GT-stripes, the Monaro HT GTS epitomises the essence of an Aussie performance car.

Following are the other category winners from MotorFest 2025:

American: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback (Neil Hallows)

This iconic Pony Car has been restored to its original glory and features an upgraded V8 engine, five-speed manual Tremec gearbox, Wilwood disc brakes, pacemaker headers and a new exhaust system to really make that bent eight sing. Judges described it as a beautifully restoted example of this US muscle car.

Asian: 2002 Nissan Silvia S15 (Jordan Hill)

The Nissan Silvia S15 is a modern classic from Japan that has become a popular platform for drifters and other enthusiasts to work their magic on. Jordan’s Silvia is no exception with the stylish coupe featuring a stroker 2.8-litre turbocharged straight six-engine from the mighty Nissan GT-R, aka ‘Godzilla’, that punches out a mighty 625 rear-wheel horsepower. Judges loved the Silvia’s classic lines, its well-balanced stance and the mechanical craftmanship that went into shoehorning that potent Big Six beneath its bonnet.

British: 1939 Jaguar SS 100 (David Fryer)

The elegantly designed Jaguar SS 100 two-seat roadster was one of the fastest road cars on the planet back in 1939, the year David’s stunning Big Cat was manufactured. Powered by Jaguar’s remarkable 3.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine, and capable of a 100mph top speed, this beautifully restored example of a rare British classic beat out some excellent competition to take line honours this year.

European: 1972 BMW 3.0 CS Alpina B2 (Rod Campbell)

In the world of European performance cars, the names BMW and Alpina have become synonymous with some of the planet’s greatest sports sedans and coupes. It’s from this hallowed stock that Rod’s 1972 BMW 3.0 CS Alpina B2 traces its origins, with the highly sought-after sports car combining the style and performance characteristics of the BMW 3.0 CS with the tuning expertise of Alpina. Alpina's modifications included components like three twin-choke Weber carburetors to feed the high-revving inline six-cylinder, and unique lightweight alloy wheels that enhance the car's performance and aesthetics.

Modified: 1940 Ford Cabriolet (Graeme Urquahart)

Beneath the heavily customised but still distinctive outer skin of Graeme’s 1940 Ford Cabriolet lies some of the most creative automotive art, customisation and fabrication you’re ever likely to see. Long gone is the old Ford’s 221 cubic inch flathead V8, and in its place sits a modern, supercharged 5.4-litre V8, driving vast rear rubber via a beefed up four-speed automatic. Riding on air-bag suspension, with modern disc brakes at each corner, Graeme’s seven-year labour of love features a removable hard top, custom leather interior, hand-built rear tail lights, and so many unique touches that judges simply couldn’t go past it as the best of some excellent offerings in the Modified category.

Motorcycle: 1974 Ducati 750 GT (Gaven Dall’Osto)

Gaven is a regular entrant in the motorcycle segment of RACQ Motorfest and rarely disappoints with the quality of the two-wheeled classics he puts forward. This year Gaven had to beat out some particularly fierce competition including an excellent 1971 Honda CB750 Four and an awesome 1978 Kawasaki Z1000, to name just two, but his Fabio Taglioni-designed 1974 Ducati 750 GT won the judges’ hearts. Featuring a so-called ‘roundcase’ engine that has been described as a work of art thanks to its beautiful, sculptured appearance, the 750 GT’s engine also boasts perfect primary balance thanks to its twin cylinders being 90 degrees apart. Gaven entered the bike after a comprehensive six-month restoration and refurbishment as a tribute to its former owner and long-time RACQ employee, the late Jeff Eelkema. “Jeff had a passion for Ducati and rode this bike for years,” Gaven said. “He spent most of his working life with RACQ in Brisbane… so it is especially fitting that I display Jeff's Ducati at the iconic MotorFest event and share it with his RACQ family.”

Veteran: 1916 Ford Model T (Don Hill)

The Ford Model T or ‘Tin Lizzie’ is one of the most significant automobiles ever made, and is recognised as the vehicle that brought mobility to the masses. It was the machine that showcased Henry Ford’s successful formula of creating a simple and reliable machine that cost a fraction of the price of other cars at the time. Don’s 1916 example was built eight years after the first Model T was released in the USA and three years after Ford pioneered the moving assembly line, leading to a dramatic effect on production numbers and even lower costs that rivals were unable to match. Don completed the three-year restoration of his Model T Utility using painstakingly sourced parts, then promptly drove it to Kalgoorlie, proving there’s plenty of life in the old rig yet.

Vintage: Falcon Knight Model 10 Roadster (Allan Twomey)

In 1927 you would have been doing better than okay and looking quite the dapper chap or spirited lady if you found yourself at the wheel of the distinctive Falcon Knight Model 10 Roadster. Allan’s excellent example is one of only 35 built by Holden body builders in Adelaide and has been the subject of a full nut-and-bolt restoration. It’s also quite possibly the only original roadster of its type remaining in Australia, and being in such excellent condition, judges deemed it a worthy recipient of top-honors in its category.