This Brisbane home is a high-octane haven for a passionate car collector
On an acreage in Gumdale, south-east Brisbane, Steve Cooper’s home stands as a veritable gallery for his car obsession.
Set on a sprawling piece of land, the seven-bedroom, six-bathroom home is a showcase of pavilion-style living and an ode to a lifelong love affair with vehicles.
“I’ve always had a need for speed,” says Cooper, a business owner with extensive experience in property. “I don’t know where it came from – perhaps a past life – but cars have been part of my world for as long as I can remember.”
Cooper’s current collection sits at around 15 vehicles, each with a back story. “They’re like your kids; you love them all, but each one is special,” he says.
One of the rarer and most covetable cars in the collection is an orange 1974 Porsche 911 which has been lovingly rebuilt from the ground up.
“It’s a tribute to the old International Race of Champions racing series from the ’70s,” Cooper says. “We’ve upgraded everything – suspension, interiors, gearbox, engine – but kept that timeless wide-bodied style.”
The collection reflects Cooper’s approachable philosophy that cars are meant to be driven. “They’re pieces of art, but they need to move,” he says.
The impressive array of treasures includes a “thundering” Aston Martin V8, perfect for grand touring, a 1966 Mustang muscle car, a meticulously modernised 1960 Porsche 356, and a track-focused Porsche GT3 – a six-speed manual powerhouse delivering 373 kilowatts (500 horsepower), which he confirms “handles like a race car”.
The property itself is designed to complement this singular passion with a dedicated “shed”, separate to the house, that comfortably accommodates a car workshop, and can be adapted for different uses down the line.
Working closely with Greg Dinter of GVD Building Design and builder Brett Ward Homes, Cooper created a pavilion-style home that feels like a living extension of the surrounding nature.
“It’s five separate pods connected by enclosed glass walkways,” he says. The design creates a sense of openness and connection, with each pod offering its own experience.
The lush greenery and rainforest are a constant presence in every room, making the outdoors feel like an ever-present part of the home’s DNA.
It’s a space where natural beauty and thoughtful architecture converge, giving you the sense that you’re living within the landscape rather than just alongside it. However, the piece de resistance is the air-conditioned garage-museum, tailored for both functionality and long-term versatility.
Here, the cavernous space ensures every car is kept in pristine condition and has “three hoists, machining tools and plenty of space to tinker”, Cooper says.
It’s where he and his son, who also shares his love affair for cars, have spent countless hours rebuilding and upgrading.
In many ways, it’s a hobby that has become a lifestyle – and even a form of therapy.
“When I’m driving, all the stress disappears. It’s just me, the car and the road,” Cooper says, “The moment you turn the key, there’s just a smile on your face.”
He says his love affair began with an old Holden Torana, which he restored in his youth, and has continued because “each car becomes a project, and it gives you this sense of ownership”.
The social aspect of car collecting is just as important; from intimate car club gatherings to grand events and Cars and Coffee meet-ups.
“It’s an ever-growing network of good people,” he says, “We share tips, take passengers for spins and just enjoy the ride.”
With the kids now moving out and setting up for their next chapter, the Coopers have put the home on the market.
But his collection will, of course, be making the journey to wherever the couple go next.
Being a car collector has shaped Cooper’s life in profound ways, serving as a reminder that true dedication can inspire purpose and joy.
This extraordinary property, now seeking its next owner, offers a rare glimpse into a life driven by passion.
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