Cruise in for a visit

About

Situated in an original 1940’s garage in the main street of Coleraine, a small town in Victoria’s western district, 360kms from Melbourne, Coleraine Classic Cars is a private collection of more than 50 vintage and classic cars and motorbikes and automotive memorabilia, which is open for public appreciation and viewing by appointment.

The garage, now a museum, has been kept in its original condition, with the addition of antique and retro signage and furniture to accompany the cars. Other collectables such as badges, tins, maps and other motoring memorabilia are also on display.

Manufactured between the 1920’s-80’s, automobiles residing here include Porsche, Chevrolet, Austin, Rolls Royce, Holden, Ford, Riley, Volkswagon, BSA Bantams, Morris, Landrover and the favourite Valiants, which definitely take the pride of place!

More than 50 cars reside in this museum, all of which are in their original condition, or have been carefully restored to their former glory. Cars within the museum are changed regularly as different models are acquired.

Coleraine Classic Cars is a marvellous example of how a Collector’s pride and passion for motoring can result in the evolution of a small private collection into an impressive display. It provides a wonderful experience for visitors, who can in turn rekindle memories and stories from their own past, or simply enjoy the grandeur of yesteryear.

Visit Coleraine Classic Cars for a walk down memory lane!

The Story of Coleraine Classic Cars

In 2002, after years of collecting vintage and classic cars as a hobby, Geoff Waters and his father Ed found themselves with about 60 classic cars between them, and a serious lack of room to shed them all. An opportunity to purchase an old 1940’s garage in Coleraine provided a solution to not only house many of the cars, but also keep them in an environment which was complimentary to their manufacturing period and their travels of yesteryear.

The car that inspired the initial collection was a 1927 Chevrolet AA Capital Tourer, which Ed bought in 1965 at a clearing sale. By 1967 it had been fully restored, and after driving it on various vintage car rallies over the years, now has pride of place in the museum. Other cars which have since joined the collection include models from Austin, Riley, Porsche, Volkswagon, Ford, Holden, Rolls Royce, Morris and Valiant. With a special interest in Valiants, Geoff has nearly one of every model which were in production between 1960 and 1980.

A favourite Valiant of Geoff’s is a mint green 1962 S Series, originally bought from KH Tait Motors in Casterton, a dealership only 30kms from Coleraine. When purchased by Geoff as the second owner in 1998, it had only done 33,000 miles in its lifetime, and came with original books, invoice and original tyres. A special aim of Geoff is to acquire original, low mileage, one owner type cars which have been in the district for many years, and consequently have a story to tell. Some of the vehicles have been bought with original purchase invoices, books and advertising material. The history of the cars adds further interest and is an important element of the collection, and includes those vehicles which have been in the Waters family for four generations.

Cars within the museum are changed regularly as different models are acquired, and a recent expansion to the museum has now given even more of Geoff’s well-loved and admired classic cars a very fitting resting place.