Sporty SPICE

For Melbourne surgeon Dr Chantel Thornton, nothing gets the pulse racing like her vintage Ferrari, writes motoring expert and WhichCar presenter, Elise Elliott.

- Elise Elliott

A hot- pink front door is both bold and beautiful. It’s a fitting entrance for the consulting rooms of breast-care specialist, Dr Chantel Thornton. She says she chose the bright colour because it radiates strength, courage, positive energy, and happiness.

The consulting rooms are located in a magnificent double-story terrace built in the 1880s. Original features abound: stained-glass windows, ornate architraves and cornices, and fireplaces with marble mantels. Glass doors from the waiting rooms lead to a serene garden, where a double-trunked elm tree creates a lovely canopy of shade.

Chantel’s car – a red 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB – might not be the most practical vehicle for a family (Chantel is 37 weeks pregnant when we meet), but this prancing horse is indeed beautiful. And bold.

Have you always appreciated handsome cars and houses?

Yes, European cars in particular. I learnt to drive in my parents’ BMW 7 Series and my first car was an Audi. My parents love to renovate – Mum referred to Australian House & Garden as her ‘book of dreams’. My maternal grandfather loved architecture, engineering and design and owned his own construction company. My mum worked on many projects with him.