Australian actor and comedian Shane Jacobson has joined Retro Rides as a brand ambassador, a role that will see him promoting Australia’s newest and most dynamic classic car site and coinciding with the launch of its new online auction platform RRAuctions.
Speaking during breaks in filming his first promotional videos the star of such iconic films as Kenny, Charlie & Boots, and Oddballs spoke about where his love of cars began, his idiosyncratic car collection, and his decision to join Retro Rides as an ambassador.
“Some people might say they’ve loved cars all their lives, but the first memory I have where something automotive took over my body, I reckon I would have been 10 or 11,” Shane explains.
“I was at a supermarket car park in Avondale Heights in the western suburbs of Melbourne and a candy-apple red 1964 EH Holden, with a 400 Chev V8 rumbled into the car park.
“The thing roared and it really was the first time I’d seen an Aussie muscle car up close and heard it. It was like drinking contaminated water, because from that moment on I was infected by this virus called the love of motoring.”
Shane’s love of cars has been with him ever since, leading to a sprawling collection today that includes everything from a VS Commodore ute that he rallies, to a classic ZD Fairlane, a Ford F-700 truck, a ’52 Morris Minor, and a VE Commodore that he plans to turn into a Blue Meanie tribute.
“I’ve got an LS3 V8 sitting on a pallet that I’ve been desperate to put in something. To be honest, I’d put it in a sandwich if I could,” he laughs.
The former Top Gear Australia host’s dream car is the 1964 EH Holden he purchased from its first and only owner and which he has kept original, right down to its early black and white plates.
“I got it for like three-and-a-half-grand and the car still had (wheel) spats and venetian blinds in the back window. I got it resprayed, put some whitewall tyres on it and gave it a birthday, but kept it otherwise original. It’s gorgeous,” he said.
Shane’s EH is currently displayed at The Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) in Shepparton, Victoria, along with the ’74 Holden HJ Kingswood from his 2009 film Charlie & Boots, co-starring Paul Hogan.
“I also restored that Kingswood and took it back to the original. I put a bench seat back in it as it had Commodore buckets in it, and it’s still got the original 202 motor in it.”
While acknowledging he’s slightly more of a Holden than a Ford man, Shane says he “bleeds both colours” these days and has a fond appreciation for the Blue Oval’s products, including the XB Falcon coupe which he regards as an all-time classic.
“I still think to this very day, if you put an XB coupe in a boxing ring with any car, the XB would punch its head in,” he jokes.
“I don’t care what you put in that ring, if it was a punch-up, the XB coupe wins. It’s the Mike Tyson, the Lionel Rose of cars and it would punch every other car’s lights out. It was just so tough to look at. To me, it’s the coolest car I ever saw on screen.”
As for why he decided to partner with Retro Rides as a brand ambassador, Shane says it’s a relationship that feels right.
“I like to be involved with stuff that I think is the right thing to be involved with and something I’m genuinely interested in.
“That’s also why you won’t see me doing too many fashion items – no one’s gonna believe that,” he laughs.
“I reckon I could sell a pie or a beer and I reckon I can do anything to do with cars.
“When I spoke with Retro Rides founder Cameron Jurd, I realised we’re incredibly like-minded people and I love what Retro Rides is doing, with both its content and the new RRAuctions site.
“I’ve also had great relationships with many car-related brands over the years, including Shannons and the VACC (Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce), and this just feels like a natural fit. So, my answer would be, why on earth would I say no to this?”
RRAuctions launches next week with the brand’s first auction running from Sunday February 15 through to Wednesday February 25, and then monthly after that, said founder and CEO Cameron Jurd.
“Our passionate team has done an exceptional job of pulling together this first auction and we have an amazing range of cars listed from across Australia, including WA and Tasmania,” said Cameron.
“We have approximately 40 cars and a couple of motorcycles listed, including a Ferrari F40, one of only a handful here in Australia, a Ford GT40, and a rare Brough Superior motorcycle made in collaboration with Aston Martin.
“For fans of Aussie muscle, there’s also an HSV Maloo and an XW GT, with more to be revealed on Monday when the auction site goes live.”
The auction is also set to be broadcast live on Meta and YouTube from Retro Rides’ Sydney offices.
“We know we’re not the first or the only ones operating in this space but we have several key points of difference, including our outstanding editorial content, the extensive knowledge base of our passionate team members, and our commitment to a very high level of service,” Cameron notes.
“The latter includes ID-verified buyers and sellers, delivery by enclosed transport, extensive video and digital marketing for each vehicle, and a low five percent buyer premium.
“The timing of having Shane join us as an ambassador couldn’t be better. He’s a terrific fit for our brand and one of Australia’s most recognisable faces. He’s also a fair-dinkum enthusiast and one of the nicest people to do business with. We can’t wait to sell him a car or two at auction.”
