An original 1962 Jeep Willys four-by-four wagon which sits at the heart of fond family memories is just one of many vintage cars about to go under the hammer in Melton South.
The old classic was originally purchased just two years after its original manufacturing date by its current owner Allen Mayne.
Allen’s son, Jeff Mayne, said his dad would use the ex-government vehicle to tow the family caravan.
“Dad used to tow the caravan with it and take the family up to Swifts Creek in East Gippsland. We’d quite often travel up that way so dad could go gold-panning as it used to be a popular spot for that,” he said .
But the classic Jeep wasn’t just used recreationally, as Jeff explained it was used for its practicality on a daily basis by Allen’s wife and Jeff’s mum, Shirley.
“Mum would also drive us to school in Rockbank in the Jeep station wagon,” he said.
“It definitely got its fair share of use.”
Jeff also revealed it isn’t the only Jeep to soon go under the hammer.
“[Dad] also bought a 1961 CFA Willys Utility of similar age that’s being sold as well,” Jeff said.
“He’s had a bit of a fascination with those vehicles.”
But the vintage cars aren’t being sold without a tear or two being shed.
“In a way he’s sad to see them go, but dad’s come to the realisation that he can’t hold onto things,” Jeff said.
“There’s obviously a lot of memories for him with those Jeeps.”
Jeff said his dad worked as a mechanic, starting his career with an engineering business at just 14 years old, and it was his background in mechanics that inspired a love for cars and machinery.
“My dad also owned a V8 Ford Fairlane, I think it was a ‘69 or ‘70 model,” he said.
“He just loved his cars. After having that for a few years, he bought an XB Falcon Hardtop in orange. I bought it off dad, and then my brother bought it off me. That one stayed in the family for quite a while.”
Jeff said his dad’s love and know-how around cars extended to helping others, too.
“Dad would always work on his own cars, having the experience. He would carry spares of everything when we went travelling,” Jeff said.
“We’d never break down though. The Jeeps were pretty reliable, dad liked them because they were simple.
“But dad would always stop if we ever came across someone stuck on the side of the road. I remember one year on the way to the Bacchus Marsh show dad helped someone out of a bog. It was just what he liked to do.”
Jeff explained this isn’t the first time the family have hosted a clearing sale, as over the years his dad had become quite the collector of weird and wonderful things.
“We used to live in Rockbank on a 50-acre farm. We probably lived up there for about 30-odd years. Dad collected a lot of things over that time,” Jeff said.
“Along with the old Jeeps there’s some old Millard Slide-On Truck Campers, an old Grey Fergie Tractor which is coming on 80 years old, a Komatsu Forklift, shelving, trolleys, and a whole lot of workshop tools dad collected over his working life.”
Allen’s collection is set to go under the hammer on Saturday 28 February, with an inspection day on Thursday 26 February.
Details: https://www.meauctions.com.au/saturday-28th-february-2026—melton-south.html.
