Rare stolen Aston Martin DB2 found

Guest Blogger David Ellis says that a dilapidated and unroadworthy 1949 Aston Martin DB2 sports car has just sold at auction in England for 679,000 British pounds—the equivalent of nearly AU$1,243,000.

But it is the car’s amazing history the new owner obviously thinks worthy of every penny of what he’s spent: after competing in the 1949 French Le Mans and Belgium Spa-24 endurance races, it raced for a few more years before being retired and eventually bought by an English enthusiast – from whom it was stolen in Hertfordshire in 2002.

Looking forlorn after being recovered from a storage shed in
Holland 14 years after disappearing, the famous Aston Martin DB2
sold at auction for the equivalent of AU$1,243,000. (Pic: Bonhams Auctioneers)

A prestige hire car for $5 a day? The Secret of Vehicle Relocations.

For a long time, the relocation of hire vehicles was something of a secret society. Once upon a time, if you kept in touch with the hire car companies, you could be lucky and find a vehicle that needed relocating and get it for a few dollars a day.

These one-way return rides used to take some finesse, but nowadays, several websites exist to help you actually plan such a trip, with listings of available vehicles and their intended destinations.

These are mostly campers and motorhomes, but you can also find sedans, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. 

A new player in the market is U R Drive, a prestige vehicle hire company that frequently shifts new and near-new vehicles all across the country. These vehicles are mostly German luxury SUVs and sedans, such as Audi A3s and A5s and their SUV stablemates, Q3s and Q5s, as well as equivalent BMWs, KIAs and Mercedes-Benz.

The best time to avail yourself of a relocation is during peak season when airfares are sky high (so to speak) and you have two or three companions with luggage. Driving an empty vehicle on your own is of little benefit unless you have time to kill.

There is the added benefit of the simple pleasure of a road trip and this effort can be lightened when a fuel subsidy is offered. A fuel subsidy, you say? Yes, depending on the distance and urgency, the hire car company may provide you with a fuel rebate. It doesn’t hurt to ask even if the rebate is not advertised.

If you like the idea of a fancy luxury German vehicle, contact U R Drive directly and ask about current relocations. Their website lists current fleet vehicles (of which there are almost 300) but not relocations, so you’ll need to call. 

And if you just need a nice car for a few days while you’re in town on business, you’ll find their daily rates surprisingly affordable. 

Phone: Amy 0450 233 070

Email: bookings@urdrive.net

WIN a Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

SAPE is giving away a 2024 STREET BOB 114 Harley Davidson worth $25,500 to customers buying 3M product.

SAPE director Paul McMartin said: “The SAPE Group is excited to team up with 3M Australia for this amazing giveaway. One lucky customer will have the chance to enjoy summer on a brand-new Harley Davidson Street Bob 114. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

To enter, SAPE Group Trade Customers must make a minimum purchase of $500 on 3M products within a single invoice during the months of September, October, and November 2024. Each qualifying purchase will grant one entry into the draw. Multiple entries can be obtained through additional purchases. Draw will take place on 29th November, 2024.

Download the T&Cs flier and good luck.

Editorial: The Prosecution Rests

 You know what's really hard to write? Something that tries to honour a friend, but that you know he would have hated you to do. 

John "The Ghost" Miller has joined the Choir Invisible, and he didn't acquire that sobriquet for nothing. As editor of the Ulysses motorcycle club journal, Riding On, for decades, his most obvious characteristic was always that, like Macavity, he was not there - not when anyone was looking for him with praise or approval, anyway. John kept his own standards, and it was a good thing indeed for the Club that they were high; extraordinarily so. 

Celebrating the 100-year Anniversary of Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing in Goulburn

Media Release

 The stage is set for the 100th Anniversary of the First Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to be held in Goulburn which will be celebrated from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June 2024, marking exactly 100 years since the inaugural race. 

With a variety of events taking place throughout the weekend, the 100th Anniversary of the  First Australian Grand Prix will be primarily held at the Goulburn Recreation Area.