General News
7 October, 2025
Man in the corner: Roadside sale for a classic car
MOTORISTS entering Horsham from the west along Natimuk Road last Wednesday would’ve likely noticed Tony Attard sitting and waving at them and pointing at the signs on his car.
After 41 years of ownership of his 1984 VK Commodore sedan, he said it was time to move it on and decided on a very public approach to get a prospective buyer interested, setting up on the side of the road from 7am.
“It’s an iconic vehicle,” Tony said.
“They’re very popular – I cleaned it, I washed it, I detailed it.”
He said if the new owner does a spray job, they could potentially make some good money on it, and with only “about 140,000 on the clock” had already received five offers in the first 90 minutes.
Asked why he had taken the unusual approach to selling, he said he “was born to be a salesman” and enjoyed getting out among people to give them his best pitch.
“It’s like my little baby but I’m ready to sell it because the Western Highway is very dangerous and I’m getting an inheritance in about six months, and then I’ll buy something,” Tony said.
“Two weeks ago, on the telly, there was one of these (from) 1984 – they'd done it all up, sprayed it and everything, and they were asking $100 (to) $120,000.
“They're even giving away 1985 VK Commodores as prizes.
“I bought this brand new. This car is magnificent, (it) runs like I bought it brand new, because I've been so attentive.”
Not shy of taking an opportunity, he wanted to gauge my interest: “You can have my number if you like!”
Postscript
UNFORTUNATELY, a few hours later, Tony’s roadside sale was cut short when unexpected damage occurred.
After taking a nap in his car during bad weather, a prospective buyer parked too close, and when he opened his door to speak with another man about a loose sign, a strong gust of wind caught the door and it got snagged on the departing buyer’s wheel arch.
The passenger door – having “never been damaged in 41 years” – was now in need of repair, which he estimated would cost about $2000.
“I cannot believe it,” Tony said.
He was last seen heading to Melbourne to have his best mate fix the damage, lamenting that “it wasn’t meant to be.”
Read More: Horsham