BMW 'Batmobile' named Best of Show at inaugural Motors & Masterpieces festival

The inaugural Motors & Masterpieces festival was held in Melbourne this past weekend, with thousands of attendees and over $100 million worth of vehicles on display.

Running from November 22-24 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, there was a representation of everything from 1930s and '40s 'High Society' to motorsport classics, and '80s nostalgia to some of the glitziest modern supercars.

However, it was 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL E9 – a model often referred to as the 'Batmobile' for its extreme aero package – which was named Best of Show overall.

This Zagato-built Maserati Biturbo Spyder was awarded the title of best preservation (Image: Motors & Masterpieces)

Other award winners were as diverse as the cars on show. A lovingly restored 1910 Willys Overland Model 40 was bestowed the Spirit of Motors & Masterpieces award, while the crowds went the other way in naming a circa $3 million 2020 McLaren Speedtail the People's Choice.

However, plenty of other classics were shown some love. A 1991 Maserati Biturbo Spyder, designed and built by Zagato unlike other Biturbo variants, claimed the title for best preservation. Meanwhile, a 1973 Holden Torana GTR XU-1 earned best restoration honours.

Across the tailored categories, a 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT was deemed the best Aussie on show, while a 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL was named the finest Euro entrant.

This XY Falcon was named the finest of the 'Great Southern Land' entrants (Image: Motors & Masterpieces)

There was also some Aussie appreciation among the 'Chequered Flag' motorsport class, with the honours there going to a 1968 Brabham BT23E racer.

Lastly, a few often-forgotten marques were given their time in the spotlight in other areas. A 1931 Delage D8S was named the standout in the aforementioned 'High Society' sect, while curiously, a 2004 TVR Tuscan Speed Six S Mk I was named the finest of the modern supercars.