Epic $8m man cave with diner, hot rods and collectables
The owner of the “ultimate man cave” featuring an American diner, collectable items and hot rod cars, has one last request for a hefty price.
Like stepping onto the film set of Grease, this unique property has been dubbed as the sale of the ‘ultimate man cave’ yet after two years it’s still awaiting its perfect mate.
The property known as ‘Crusty’s Hot Rods and Collectables’ – located in Kurmond, just one hour from Sydney – comes with all the toys included from a collection of one-off hot rods to a 1950s American diner – complete with a commercial kitchen and a gift shop – along with retro artefacts and memorabilia that will transport you back in time.
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The one-of-a-kind property has been listed for sale looking for expressions of interest for over two years now, with Oz Realty agent Maurice Mantovani saying the inspections were “far and few between,” due to the uniqueness of the property and the owner’s $8m price hopes.
“It’s not just the property (you’re paying for) it's the business prospect, the commercial kitchen and burger set up and all the collectable items,” he said.
It was going to take a very specific buyer, he added, yet Mr Mantovani said he was “hopeful” that they would find someone. The business names were already registered, the owner would just have to get licenses in order.
“We’ve had some interest and had an inspection just this week with their business partners,” he said.
He suspects with the right owners it could become a successful business and the next social media craze.
“It’s quite a busy road, you can imagine if someone opened it and operated it, it could come quite a tourist hotspot, with people travelling through the area and towards The Blue Mountains. I think it would take someone with the right mindset,” he said.
The creator of this “masterpiece”, which has been 40 years in the making, is Paul Bennett, an internationally recognised name in business of high end hot rods.
Mr Bennett moved to 579 Bells Line Of Rd in 1997 after discovering the area while on a work project.
“I fell in love, it reminded me of the rolling hills of Canada,” he told The Daily Telegraph in March of 2023.
“This property had my name written on it. People said we’d never build here but I spent months excavating.”
He said his man cave, known as Crusty’s Hot Rods and Collectables, had been planned to the last detail and you can tell with all items true to the era, including the salt and pepper shakers and chrome-edged red and white booths in the diner.
“I’m very ambitious,” Mr Bennett said.
“This is pretty much where I’d hoped to be at 60. I wanted to create an exciting, desirable man cave or functional centre.”
Mr Bennett said he was emotional at the thought of handing over the keys, however is keen to pass them to a “like minded custodian”.
He said he hoped someone realises they are buying an “irreplaceable piece of Australian car culture that can never be produced again”.
Crusty’s has been a closely kept secret with Mr Bennett not leaking a single photo until the project was completed.
He said the end result had to “knock them out” and from the Borgward Goliath street machine – worth over $1m – to the Mustang V8-powered 1942 Willys, each piece hit the mark.
But does Mr Bennett have a favourite?
“No, every item has a part and place,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be complete without every piece.”
While the feature of the property is undoubtedly the man cave, there is so much more on offer including a four-bedroom house with multiple living areas, complete with a deck and spa that overlooked the rolling hills, sunken lounge and parents retreat
There is also a self-contained studio next to the diner which was originally Mr Bennett’s workshop.
It’s all located on a stunning five acre property that is subdividable in the future.
Mr Bennett says he was selling to retire after completing everything he had desired in his successful career.
“I’ve had an exhaustive 40 years of schedules and commitments … it’s time for a new chapter.”
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FIONA KILLMAN
Originally published as Epic $8m man cave with diner, hot rods and collectables