A 40-Year Custodianship: The Farm-Kept XW GTHO Time Capsule

Some cars are simply owned. Others are cared for, preserved and quietly become part of a family’s story.

A recent visit by the Burns & Co team took us on a four-hour drive from our Newcastle Auction Rooms to a 6,000-acre farm near Gunnedah, home to Allan Riordan and family and home to something truly special, Allan’s prized 1969 Ford XW GTHO Phase 1.

The car has been on the property since the mid-1980s and remains a genuine time warp. Stored on the same rural property for decades, it has lived a quiet, sheltered life away from heavy use and modification. Still wearing its original paint and interior, and accompanied by its books, it represents the kind of authenticity collectors dream about.

The odometer now shows 28,032 miles, and the car remains a matching-numbers example, importantly unrestored and unmodified, preserving its originality.

Allan purchased the GTHO from a Tamworth yard in 1983 for $13,000 and it has remained in his care ever since.

Over four decades of continuous ownership is a rarity for any GTHO, and this long-term custodianship forms a key part of the car’s story.

The history stretches back even further. Allan later tracked down the original owner, Mr Harold Bunting, a former Ford employee in Geelong. Harold shared that the car was one of the very last sold by Ford, having been retained as a backup for the great Alan Moffat. The service books show Harold purchased the car from Ford with just 1,226 miles on the clock, described at the time as having “a lot of extra work done at the factory.”

Documented history and traceable ownership further strengthen the car’s provenance.

Now, after more than 40 years as part of the Riordan family, the time has come for the next chapter. With Allan’s health not what it once was, the decision has been made to pass the car on to its next custodian.

Finished in Candy Apple Red with Dark Saddle interior and presented in remarkably original condition, this is an honest and highly desirable example.

Cars with this level of continuous ownership and documented history rarely surface.

The XW GTHO Phase 1 is now booked into the Burns & Co Classic & Collectable Car Auction scheduled for Monday 16 March 2026.

For collectors who value story, provenance and authenticity, this is a special opportunity.

Because cars like this aren’t just vehicles, they’re part of Australian motoring heritage.

If you would like to know more about this particularly car, please call Ashley Burns 0408 618 294 or
Phil Shaw 0437 637 644 (NSW / QLD).

A Fond Farewell to a Lifetime Collection: The McFeeters Motor Museum Auction

The recent McFeeters Motor Museum Auction marked the close of an extraordinary chapter for Jan and Bill McFeeters, whose passion for classic vehicles and motoring history shaped one of regional Australia’s most admired private motor vehicle collections.

After 19 years of building and sharing their museum with the community, the couple entrusted Burns & Co Auctions to present their collection to the next generation of collectors.

A Decision Built on Trust

Jan said their decision to engage Burns & Co came down to reputation and prior experience. The McFeeters had followed a previous Burns & Co auction of Charlie McCarron’s collection in Canowindra, which left a strong impression.

“We were familiar with a collection Burns & Co had handled before, and when the process was explained to us, it just felt right. Before Ashley was even out of town, we’d decided to go ahead.”

Bill later located Burns & Co through Just Cars magazine, prompting the first call that led to the onsite visit and eventual booking.

Professional Preparation

Months of preparation preceded the sale, with the auction team onsite cataloguing, photographing and presenting the vehicles, and the catalogue available online well ahead of auction day.

“The organisation was amazing. The team were here well before the sale, and having the catalogue online for a month beforehand was very efficient,” Jan said.

Auction Day Atmosphere

While parting with a long-held collection was emotional, the McFeeters said the day itself was positive and well supported.

“We had a great roll-up of people and some very good bidders we wouldn’t have had without their client network,” Bill said.

National online bidding helped broaden reach, attracting interstate buyers and collectors who may not otherwise have attended.

“It was a great system and certainly brought wider interest,” Jan added.

Bidding interest included seasoned collectors and high-profile buyers, reflecting the calibre and desirability of the vehicles on offer. Many lots found homes across multiple states.

Stories Behind the Cars

Among the many standout moments was the top-selling 1923 Rolls-Royce 20HP Tourer. An earlier owner attended the auction hoping to buy the car back, while a past restorer shared how the vehicle once arrived as little more than a rolling chassis and boxes of parts – a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication behind its preservation.

These stories reinforced the rich provenance and personal histories woven through the collection.

Results and Reflections

While individual lot prices varied, the overall result aligned closely with expectations.

“Some prices were above expectation, some a little under, but the final figure was very close to what Bill had hoped for. We’ve got to be happy with that,” Jan said.

The couple also praised the prompt settlement process.

“The prompt payment amazed us. That builds trust and reputation,” Bill noted.

“It’s a big job and we just wouldn’t have been able to handle this ourselves. The staff have been amazing and we’ve just been impressed with the whole thing.”
— Jan & Bill McFeeters

A True Family Effort

Jan was quick to acknowledge their daughter Jill and extended family, who supported both the museum and the auction.

“We couldn’t have run this place without Jill, and we certainly couldn’t have managed the sale without her. She never stopped and always with good humour. Having our family there meant a lot to us.”

A Strong Recommendation

Reflecting on the experience, Jan said:

“We would certainly recommend Burns & Co – for their efficiency, their team, and their ability to handle an onsite sale. It’s a big job and we simply couldn’t have done it ourselves.”

As the McFeeters prepare to hand over the site to its new custodians, the auction stands as a celebration of decades of passion, preservation and community – and a fitting farewell to a remarkable collection.

Burns & Co’s upcoming March Muscle, Classic & Collectable Car & Motorcycle Auction is already shaping up to be one of our strongest events of the year – and this time, it will be delivered across four action-packed nights!

With the catalogue continuing to build, the March auction will feature three nights of live auction action, followed by a dedicated timed online sale of quality car parts and accessories.

Entries are being drawn from both our Bayswater (Melbourne) and Beresfield (Newcastle) showrooms, bringing together a national selection of vehicles and connecting vendors with a broad base of serious buyers across the country.

Leading the line-up is something truly special  – a genuine 1969 Ford XW Falcon GTHO Phase 1.

A car with over 40 years in one family, preserved in remarkably original condition and supported by documented history, this is the kind of example collectors rarely see come to market. Still wearing its original paint and interior, with matching numbers and just 28,032 miles showing, it represents authenticity and provenance at its best.

Cars like this don’t surface often – and when they do, they set the tone.

As the March catalogue continues to take shape, the strength of early entries is already clear. From Aussie muscle and classic favourites through to unique collector vehicles and motorcycles, the auction will offer a broad and carefully curated selection for buyers across all levels of the market.

With strong enquiry already building, March presents an excellent opportunity for vendors considering bringing quality vehicles to market.

Entries for this auction are closing shortly, with final consignments to be confirmed early next week.

Auction Dates

NIGHT 1
Monday 16th of March 2026
Commencing time 6.00 pm AEDT

NIGHT 2
Tuesday 17th of March 2026
Commencing time 6.00 pm AEDT

NIGHT 3
Wednesday 18th of March 2026
Commencing time 6.00 pm AEDT

NIGHT 4
Thursday 19th of March 2026
Timed Online – Quality Car Parts and Accessories
Closing from 6.00 pm AEDT.

Bidding will be available online, in person, via phone and absentee bidding, ensuring access to a national audience of engaged buyers (with night 4 being a timed online Auction).

The full catalogue is continuing to grow and can be viewed here:
https://burnsandcoauctions.com.au/march-muscle-classic-collectable-car-motorcycle-auction/

If you are considering selling a quality classic, muscle or collectable vehicle, now is the time to act.

📞 Ashley Burns 0408 618 294
📞 Anton Cooper 0427 383 531
📞 Jason Todd 0400 321 919
📞 Phil Shaw (NSW / QLD) 0437 637 644

Or submit your vehicle online:
https://burnsandcoauctions.com.au/submit-your-vehicle/

Because when quality comes together in one place – the market responds.

Pre-bidding is OPEN and the online catalogue is available for Muscle, Classic & Collectable Car & Motorcycle Auction on 16 & 17 February.

Night 1 – Monday 16th February 2026.
BID NOW
Night 2 – Tuesday 17th February 2026.
BID NOW