The four-day tour, which travels the Great Ocean Road to Portland, celebrates the world-famous coastal road’s opening 75 years ago and has attracted a Who’s Who of the vintage car scene.

Included among the 40-car field (the same number as the original tour) are several internationally significant machines, including Brendan Dillon’s 1926 Minerva AC 5.3-litre.

With aerodynamic bodywork inspired by the work of Barnes Wallis, who designed airships (and the famous ‘Dam Busters’ bouncing bombs of World War II), the Minerva’s unique design and massive 3.8 metre wheelbase gives a very imposing road presence.

The Vauxhall 30/90 Winson of Andrew Cannon was also inspired by an alternative form of transport. The subject of a six-year restoration, the one-of-a-kind ‘boat-tail’ Vauxhall features a timber interior and is valued at around $1,000,000.

Another rare machine is the 1921 Ballot 2LS of Alistair McArthur.

One of just five known to exist world-wide, the 2LS Ballot was the world’s first production twin-overhead cam, four-valves-per-cylinder car. The Ballot also raced at the famed Brooklands Motor Course in the UK, putting its 152 km/h top speed to good effect.

Not all of the entries come from the top end of town. Max and Jane Dawkins will run their tiny 847 cc 1929 Morris Minor, believed to be the only one of its type in the world, while Geoffrey Baulch has entered his 1924 Ford Model T 3-door that was purchased new by his Great Grandfather.

Cars in the VACC ’75 Years’ Great Ocean Road Celebration Tour will be ‘flagged-away’ from the Automotive Centre of Excellence, 1 Batman’s Hill Drive, Docklands, at 11:00 am on 25th November, 2007.