The Central Coast is now home to one of the largest car collections in the world with the unveiling of the Gosford Classic Car Museum at the former Bunnings Warehouse building in West Gosford on Saturday, May 28.
As of opening day, the museum had purchased approximately 450 cars at a total cost of $70 million, making it the biggest privately owned car collection in Australia and among the top five largest in the world. The museum houses a diverse collection of late model supercars, modern classics, vintage heroes and Australian favourites. Around 95 per cent of the collection has been purchased from within Australia, with only the Soviet and Eastern European vehicles, as well as a selection of Ferraris being imported.
Museum owner Mr Tony Denny said that while the collection includes rare Jaguars and an impressive 35 Ferraris, it is the full range of Holden’s from 1948 to 1978 that hold pride of place in his heart. “Most of the Holden’s I’ll never sell,” said Mr Denny. Mr Denny said he will however be selling about 20 cars each month to help with the costs of running the museum. Mr Denny said that he will be using the money to buy 20 more cars every month, meaning in six months’ time, 120 new cars will be on display. “A lot of it is about the thrill of the chase,” said Mr Denny. The museum also features approximately 25 Communist Cars, including a ‘Zil’ Russian Stretched Limousine previously used by the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union pre 1992. The museum will employ around 20 staff for its day to-day operations, and will include 1950s style dining, courtesy of local café Jimmy G’s. The museum is open seven days a week with a $20 admission fee for adults and $12 for concession and children 14 and under.
Media conference, May 26, 2016 Tony Denny, Gosford Classic Car Museum Jasmine Gearie, journalist