When Williamstown’s Charmian Gaud and Ken Marriott went to a car auction in 2016, it was an old Renault they had their eyes on.
But when the bidding finished, it was a much older car the couple drove away with.
“We were caught in traffic and didn’t get there in time,” said Ms Gaud of how they missed out on the Renault.
But with a bidding ticket to use and plenty of cars still available, Ms Gaud soon spotted an alternative.
“I said there’s only one car l like and that’s this old Chrysler,” Ms Gaud recalled telling her husband Mr Marriott.
“And he said bid for it.”
A couple of bids and $16,000 later, Ms Gaud and Mr Marriott were the proud owners of a 1924 Chrysler 6 which turns 100 this year.
Ms Gaud said the car’s age was just part of its historical value.
“At one time (famous opera singer) Dame Nellie Melba’s brother owned it and they put a heater in the floor near the back seat to make it more comfortable for Dame Nellie,” she said the car which was imported from the US by its first owner who lived in St Kilda.
The Chrysler 6 now resides on the other side of the bay and can occasionally be cruising around the streets of Williamstown, though not with Ms Gaud behind the wheel.
“It’s got the brakes on the right hand side instead of on the left and the gearing is quite tricky,” she said of why she leaves the driving to Mr Marriott.
“He puts a cap on sometimes,” she added.
“It’s a bit like a Downton Abbey type car.”
Those wanting a closer look can see it at Motors and Masterpieces at Melbourne Showground from November 22 to 24.
Details: https://shorturl.at/2Gd4P
Cade Lucas
