Classic Mercedes tops MotorFest 2026 category winners
Queensland’s top car enthusiasts gathered at RACQ MotorFest 2026, where a stunning 1938 Mercedes 540K claimed the prestigious Judges’ Choice title.
RACQ’s annual MotorFest event attracted a stunning array of vehicle makes and models from across the state, confirming once again the passion that Queenslanders have for their cars, be it vintage, classic, contemporary or customised.
The hundreds of entries across five categories ranged from one of the earliest, a 1911 Mercedes 50hp tourer in the Veteran-Vintage class, to a track-focused 2017 BMW M4 Competition in the Modern Performance-Exotic category.
Judges rated it one of the best and most diverse collection of vehicles they’ve had the pleasure of assessing, with the quality of the field making their final decisions challenging.
Despite the closeness of the competition, judges were compelled to nominate a winner and two highly commended or runners-up in each category, with the following vehicles deemed the best in each category, including the coveted overall Judges’ Choice winner of Motorfest 2026.
The Judges’ Choice winner was Dylan Higgins’ 1938 Mercedes 540K.
One of a number of beautifully presented and rare Mercedes-Benz models entered in Motorfest 2026, judges were impressed by the rarity and historical significance of the 1938 540K, as well as the quality of the restoration work.
Its victory this year is especially significant as 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Mercedes-Benz brand, and the 140th anniversary of Karl Benz filing the patent for the world’s first automobile.
This car also won the Veteran/Vintage/Classic pre-1960 category.
The winners were announced at MotorFest 2026 at the Brisbane Showgrounds on 14 June.
MotorFest 2026 category winners
Veteran/Vintage/Classic pre-1960
Dylan Higgins – 1938 Mercedes 540K
A pre-war masterpiece of automotive design and engineering, this Mercedes-Benz 540K is powered by a mighty 5.4-litre supercharged straight eight-cylinder engine, capable of propelling it to a top speed of over 170km/h. Built in several different body styles, this stunning Cabriolet was restored in 2018 and has an amazing back story in that it was claimed to have been found on the side of the road in Germany by American soldiers at the end of WWII.
Runners-up:
Michael Ferguson – 1932 Chevrolet Moonlight Speedster;
Dylan Higgins – 1952 Mercedes 300S.
Classic post-1960
Neil Tregea – 1966 Austin Healey Mark III Wide-Bodied BJ8
Neil’s immaculate Austin Healey wide-bodied BJ8 was fully restored by Melbourne’s The Healey Factory in 1998 and has had another freshen up as recently as 2002. Featuring numerous modifications to improve its safety and performance, the Healey features an upgraded 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine with triple Weber carburettors, a four-speed manual transmission with two electric overdrives, four-wheel disc brakes and an aluminium radiator.
Runners-up:
Terry Murphy – 1963 Volvo P1800S;
Vic Newland – 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Fastback.
Custom/Modified/Hot Rod
Steven Hartigan – 1968 Ford Futura Sports Coupe
Based on a US Ford Falcon, not our homegrown version, Steve’s nut-and-bolt restoration of this two-door Ford Falcon Futura Sports Coupe was completed in 2016. The stunning custom coupe features an incredible level of detail and is powered by a rumbling 347 stroker V8. Judges praised the immaculate custom work, including the striking exterior paint colour, the muscle-car stance, and its immaculate white-on-green interior.
Runners-up:
Luke Ray – 1975 Porsche 914;
Mark Bath – 1985 RMC Shelby Cobra Coupe.
Modern Performance/Exotic
Dave Beard – 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R
Among a field of staggeringly desirable exotic and performance cars, Neil’s 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R stood out like a beacon, not least for its factory AMG Green Hell Magno paint. The signature colour was developed specifically for the AMG GT R and is inspired by Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. That’s appropriate, given this track-focused, front-mid-engine supercar is powered by a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces a mighty 430kW of power and 700Nm. Along with a kerb weight of around 1,630kg thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, active aerodynamics and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the German supercar is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in an eye-watering 3.6 seconds.
Runners-up:
Brett Scott – 2017 BMW M4 Competition 38;
Rod Campbell – 1985 BMW M635CSi.
Motorcycles/Scooters
Robert Avis – 1973 Norton Commando Interstate
In a small but high-quality field of mainly Japanese-made two-wheeled entries, Robert’s exquisitely well-maintained and original 1973 Norton Commando carried the torch for Brit bikes and won the day. The Interstate was Norton’s long-range tourer version of the iconic Commando and featured a larger fuel tank, a more comfortable dual-seat, and the option for touring accessories like panniers. Powered by Norton’s legendary 750cc parallel twin engine, Robert’s bike is among only a small number of 1973 Commando’s that came with the highly regarded engine, as production switched to the 850cc engine later that year.
Runners-up:
Steve Leach – 2006 Transformer;
Stuart Sumsion – 1985 Suzuki GSXR 750F.
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