When Maldon resident Kim Brownbill was a young boy, his family car was a Hupmobile – an American model automobile built in the early to mid-1900s. It was an unusual car to own and was a sight to behold with room to fit a family of five, plus the dog and plenty of luggage.
“Seeing our family in the car must have been a sight to behold!” said Kim’s sister Margaret Hughes.
When Kim turned 18, he inherited the Hupmobile, and so began a long-life passion that culminated in the spectacular classic and vintage automobile collection that’s currently under the hammer with Donington Auctions and available to view at Kim’s private shed in Maldon.
Kim’s favourite cars were Lancias, and Margaret remembers Kim disappearing after dinner most evenings to spend time with a Lancia-loving neighbour who had a workshop nearby. His particular passion for Lancias soon extended to buying and selling parts for other enthusiasts. Kim would travel to Italy and the UK to purchase parts ordered by Australian Lancia owners. Margaret remembers the day a phone call came for Kim from The Lodge. It was Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser seeking a particular part for his own Lancia.
Gradually, Kim’s first garage at his property in North East Victoria filled up with cars, prompting Kim to buy a much larger shed. That shed was a former slipper and shoe factory right here in Maldon. Over the years, Kim’s collection grew to include a Bristol, Alpha Romeos, Subarus and a Lancia Flavia, with others like Triumph, Jaguar, Fiat, Alvis, Morris and Delage also featuring.
One of the cars up for auction is a 1927 Lambda. It has had an historical career all of its own. Several wedding parties used it for their grand arrival at the ceremony venue, and it once had a jazz band sitting in it, playing as it drove the streets of Melbourne to advertise cigars. Maldon locals might even remember it as a feature attraction in some of Maldon’s parades.
During Kim’s time living in Maldon, he also cherished participating in the annual Mt Tarrengower Historic Hill Climb – the oldest hill climb in Australia and one of Australia’s oldest motorsport events, having held the first climb in 1928.
Sadly, at this time, Kim is in care and can no longer look after the incredible collection, while some projects remain unfinished. His family hopes that other enthusiasts will be inspired to pick up where he left off. “While much of the bodywork and structural restoration is already complete, there are some he hasn’t been able to finish. But we know there must be other people who also want to see more Lambdas back on the road,” Margaret said.
Kim’s niece Megan and grandnephew Finch grew up around Kim’s collection, too. “We’re sad to see them go, but really, we are only ever custodians of things. There comes a time to pass the baton to someone else who will continue to love them,” Megan said.
An extraordinary collection of rare and sought-after cars, the online auction will undoubtedly capture the hearts of Lancia aficionados and connoisseurs of automotive history alike. The final viewing day is Saturday 5 August, before the auction closes on the Sunday. For enquiries, you can call Donington Auctions on 9882 1433. You can view and bid on the auction online at https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/137.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 4 August 2023.
