Text and Images by Iain Curry
If you’ve never visited Australia, it is tempting to imagine it in the same way Hollywood has portrayed it; namely people running around in cork hats, wrestling crocodiles and everybody owns bushland the size of Wisconsin. While this isn’t entirely untrue, Aussies can also be a sophisticated bunch, and share a love for the car, that can rival even our American cousins.
You wouldn’t believe some of the auto collections amassed by the well-heeled Down Under, and even average enthusiasts across the land continually surprise with what they’ve got tucked away in barns, sheds and garages. Point in question: an unassuming, quiet and very friendly individual named Dennis, a neighbor in South Australia.
As well as his home on the hill overlooking the Southern Ocean, Dennis has constructed a separate building he affectionately calls his ‘shed’ to house a remarkable collection of memorabilia, cars and motorcycles. The ‘shed’ name is Dennis’ little joke, for this building occupies the same sort of space a five-bedroom home could. And inside, it is a veritable treasure trove of Australian, American and European automobilia.
As a lifelong enthusiast and collector of enamel signs, model cars and vehicles, it was back in 1994 that Dennis decided to construct a garage of huge proportions to house his wares. The frame is laminated timber with an all-brick exterior and is constructed to enviable 140-foot by 70-foot proportions. From the exterior, it doesn’t instantly give away exactly what may be inside, but a COR petrol weather vane near its entrance gives enthusiasts a hint.
Moving inside, is it a museum or is it a garage? No harmful UV rays can get to the cars or memorabilia as there are no windows to speak of, and blissfully the building’s solid construction ensures there are no invasive posts. The high ceiling is reminiscent of an aircraft hangar, with beautiful timber beams and corrugated iron roofing. This leaves ample wall space for a dizzying collection of signs.
“The signs are more important to me than the cars,” Dennis says. “I’ve been collecting these since the 1960’s, finding them mostly at farms and old garages.”
The familiar enamel signs of Esso, Shell, Michelin and Dunlop are in abundance, as well as less well-known Australian company advertising such as the now defunct Golden Fleece petroleum brand. The collection is varied, comprehensive and nothing short of incredible. With prices in Australia and worldwide sky rocketing for this old memorabilia, the value of Dennis’ collection can only be guessed at.
The much-loved enamel signs are only the tip of the iceberg however. On entering the workshop-cum-garage-cum-museum, display cabinets for model cars, badges, classic workshop tools, license plates and rows upon rows of vintage oil and lubricant cans abound. Best of all, a converted gas pump opens up to reveal a working fridge inside: ideal for those late nights spent working in the shed.
Venturing further inside, there’s a roomy workshop area that sees plenty of action. Alongside the host of tools, metal lockers and even more enamel signs is the all-important tea and coffee making area. And rather aptly, a well-thumbed 1949-51 Humber Hawk workshop manual lies open on the chassis diagram page. Even though it is spotlessly clean, this is where Dennis does the restoration and maintenance of his vehicles whenever time allows.
“I spend all my spare time in here,” he explains, “which there is never enough of because I’m involved in so many things.”
We can all empathize with that.
As well as his job as a plumbing and electrical contractor, Dennis plays host to numerous car clubs and enthusiasts who arrange to visit his collection. He is generous with his time, showing people around and answering numerous questions, and all he asks in return is a donation to a charity box. Admirable.
The main event at Dennis’ place comes with the substantial area housing the vehicles, with a giant metal roller door at its rear to allow automobile (and fire truck!) access. The lighting is dark and moody, ensuring the feeling is of a true old timer garage, and helps the back-lit display cases and vintage illuminated signage really catch the eye. It is like a child being let loose in a sweet shop: there is so much to see and reminisce over, with all the classic signs, bottles and gas pumps evoking memories of motoring trips long past. There is space enough in here for twenty of more cars, and Dennis makes sure the room is well used.
“I don’t look for any specific type or style of car,” he explains, “just anything that is interesting that comes my way.”
He doesn’t limit himself to cars either, as a collection of eight motorcycles includes a 1915 Craig, a pair of Levis, an Ariel Mk1 Square Four and a 1946 James De Luxe. There is even a small red Lightburn Deluxe – an Adelaide-made buggy used in these parts to get around factories.
It is hard not to miss the huge Dennis fire truck that was brought over from the United Kingdom to be used in Dennis’ local town in previous decades – a fascinating thing he picked up when it was retired from service – and something along with his other vehicles that he meticulously restored and continues to maintain.
It is an eclectic collection of cars in here: the UK has provided the likes of a 1968 Mk1 Morris Cooper S; 1935 and 1936 BSA passenger cars; 1957 Vauxhall Velox; 1950 Standard Vanguard; 1929 Morris Minor; 1924 Ariel and a luxury Bristol 401. The green British-built Bristol is one of only 611 ever produced, is incredibly rare in Australia and Dennis considers this car his favorite. Hard to choose one out of this bunch!
A rather striking Mercedes Benz 190SL Sports Convertible from 1959 looks ideal for South Australia’s constantly sunny climate, while a few Australia-only models such as a 1958 Holden FC sedan, 1972 Holden Kingswood and a Chrysler Australia 265 cu in Valiant Charger R/T E38 will be unfamiliar sights in the USA.
Speaking of which, Dennis does have a passion for the American cars, but they aren’t as easy to get hold of over here. Even so, he has ensured a 1934 Nash Lafayette and two 1928 Chevrolets are part of his collection – one which served as a promotional vehicle for Dennis’ business for a number of years.
In its locked-down state, the atmosphere, light and smell in this ‘shed’ are intoxicating in the nicest possible way. It truly does feel like you’re stepping into the past when motoring was experiencing its so-called golden age. It is how the roomy garage of our dreams would be, and for a true enthusiast such as Dennis, the perfect place to relax and spend quality time tinkering with his old cars and appreciating a lifetime of collecting some truly wonderful automobilia.
