Classic cars at the Australian Grand Prix

A Formula One race is not just about millionaires driving around at unconscionable speeds, and commentators talking about pit-stop strategies. At this year's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne there was also a huge selection of classic cars, of both road and racing varieties.

Derek Fung

Derek loves nothing more than punching a remote location into a GPS, queuing up some music and heading out on a long drive, so it's a good thing he's in charge of CNET Australia's Car Tech channel.

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Derek Fung

April 7, 2009 4:15 p.m. PT

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1973 McLaren M23 Formula One race car

Ty Pendlebury attended the Grand Prix in Melbourne as a guest of LG, Derek Fung attended as a guest of Shell.

This one was driven by Denny Hulme. In the background, in a matching shade of orange is a Lamborghini Gallardo convertible. Behind that is a HSV W427.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Sure it was only launched in 2005, but just look at it! How could this stunner not be considered a classic in 20 years time?

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1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The original 1954 Corvette only had two headlights, from 1958 the first-gen Corvette doubled that number. Looking on menacingly in the background is a current generation "C6" Corvette.

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1926 Buick

A hearse based on the 1926 Buick. The car features a 3-litre six-cylinder engine.

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1954 Austin Healey Streamliner

A reconstruction of the car built to conquer the 200mph barrier at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Powered by a 179kW engine, the Streamliner fell short of the mark, peaking at 192mph.

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Ford GT40

Built from 1965 to 1968 purely to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, which it did, after Ford's proposed takeover fell apart. The 40 in the name refers to the car's height in inches.