Australia’s classic car legend Charles Seaberg farewelled in style
LOCAL classic car legend and winner of countless awards, Charles Seaberg, is being mourned by his many friends and clients after his sudden death at the age of 74.
LOCAL classic car legend and winner of countless awards, Charles Seaberg, is being mourned by his many friends and clients after his sudden death at the age of 74.
The long-time Panania native was known throughout Australia for his work with classic cars, notably his beloved Sunbeam Tiger roadster, one of only around 7,100 built between 1964-67 by British firm Rootes Group.
His funeral on Friday, November 16 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Leppington, drew hundreds of mourners. He is survived by sister Barbara Lawler, who lives in Milperra, and her children.
And in a fitting tribute which would have made the him swell with pride, many of his friends drove their classic cars to the funeral.
His close friend David Petrikas, who is the president of the Sunbeam Owners Club of NSW, said the likes of Mr Seaberg won’t be seen the again and the world will be poorer for it.
Mr Seaberg was vice president and club captain of the Sunbeam Owners Club of NSW.
“Charlie was my vice-president for many years but was involved with the club for a long time and was very well known and loved here and around the world,” Mr Petrikas said.
“Charlie was an absolute perfectionist but was very humbled when he won any award, though we all knew his Tiger would win.
“Charlie’s cars were as clean under the bottom as the top as he really lifted the standards and quality of our shows.
“He was so excited and happy when he won any trophy and when he won the Peoples Choice Award at the 50th anniversary of the Sunbeam Tiger in the UK, he said it was the best award because it was voted by his peers.
“Charlie was a very easy fellow to get to know, very affable and we spoke to each other almost every week.
“Our last call was regarding the forthcoming club AGM and the winners of our annual awards.
“We are still shocked at his death because he went in for what we all thought was a routine kidney stones operation and no one expected this outcome.
“It was a terrible shock to everyone, a life ended too prematurely.”
Mr Seaberg attended East Hills High School and lived in the area for most of his life.
Mr Seaberg ran his own company, Charles Classic Cars & Cartage, which transported classic cars, muscle cars and priceless vintage cars — some worth millions — across the country in his immaculate green Ford F350 covered car carrier.
“Many clients would hand over their carefully-maintained cars to Charlie to transport to different places in Australia because they trusted only him,” Mr Petrikas said.
His Sunbeam had an American Ford V8 engine and was made famous by Secret Agent 86 Maxwell Smart, in the hit 1960s TV series Get Smart.
“Charlie achieved unmatched show successes in many categories, most recently with his Sunbeam Tiger,” Mr Petrikas said.
“After completing a total restoration of the car in 2014, Charlie shipped his stunning sports car to the UK and Europe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sunbeam Tiger with fellow Sunbeam enthusiasts.
“Always humble, Charles said he was blown away where he was awarded what he considered the ‘ultimate trophy’ in the Tiger world, taking out the ‘People’s Choice’ award as voted by the owners the world’s best Tigers from the UK, USA, Australia and Europe.
“Charles and his sister, Barbara Lawler also drove the Tiger across the UK and Europe including on the legendary Le Mans race circuit in France, the scenic winding Monte Carlo Rally route in Monaco and the high speed Nurburgring circuit in Germany.”
Tributes has flown in from car clubs from all over Australia and around the world since the news of Mr Seaberg’s death.
“Charles was a wonderful ambassador for our club and was a very well loved, passionate and cheerful person,” Mr Petrikas said.
“Charles would be deeply missed, he was a true gentleman in every respect.”
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