Vintage vehicles to be auctioned

Brian Coughran with a Willys utility and his Rugby truck in the background.

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Vintage vehicles

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IT is a labour of love that has spanned nearly five decades and come Sunday afternoon Brian Coughran’s collection of vintage cars, trucks and engines will be sold.

Mr Coughran, 60, began his collection when he was just 13, and now 47 years on, he has decided to auction it off.

He is philosophical about the sale, which will feature 50 trucks, 23 cars, 13 tractors and about 200 stationary engines under the auctioneer’s hammer.

“It is the only way to do it,” he said.

“My family is supportive of dissolving the collection.

“I mean it is what would happen to it if I was gone — I’d rather be here for the party.”

He said as far as he knew, it was the largest private collection in this area.

“It will be a pity to see it go,” Mr Coughran said.

“It is really good to see these things saved.

“A lot of these (style of vehicles) were sold off for scrap metal.”

Mr Coughran, who is a mechanic and owns Coughran Auto Centre in Toowoomba, said restoring classic and vintage cars was a great way to showcase his skills.

He has reconditioned motors and fabricated parts, including making patterns for radiators to be cast at a foundry.

He has loved every minute of the work — and every car, truck, tractor and engine he has returned to its former glory.

“I don’t own these cars — they own me,” he said.

“Not a lot of families let their husbands, partners, fathers get away with what I have got away with.”

The collection goes under the hammer on Saturday and Sunday, from 9.30am both days.

The cars, trucks and tractors will be sold on Saturday and the stationary engines will be sold on Sunday.

Saturday, February 27, was the start of a three-day sale series, with about 1000 people attending from across Australia and from overseas, including the US and UK.

Elders Real Estate principal Ross Troy, who is running the sale, said he hadn’t seen such a good collection in his 22 years in business.

The sale will be held at Mr Coughran’s property south of Toowoomba at 13897 New England Highway, three kilometres past the Etonvale Roadhouse.