Bowden was the patriarch of the Sunshine Coast-based family that presides over the cherished collection that consists of around 50 vehicles.
It features some of the most famous cars raced by Allan Moffat, Ian Geoghegan, Norm Beechey, Dick Johnson, Peter Brock, Kevin Bartlett and more.
Bowden’s passion for the sport was born out of watching Geoghegan race his 1965 Ford Mustang at Warwick Farm.
His collection started in 1973 with the purchase of a Ford Falcon XA GTHO Phase IV prototype – one of just three built and said to be the only survivor.
Nine years later he tracked down Geoghegan’s 1972 XY GTHO ‘Super Falcon’, rescuing it from a sorry state and returning it to its former glory.
“That car changed everything,” read a post from the family in the wake of Bowden’s passing.
“From that moment, Dad made it his mission to find the many lost, unloved and forgotten racecars from the past, that nobody else seemed to want and save them.
“With [sons] Dan and Chris by his side, he tracked down some of the most significant competition cars Australia ever produced.
“‘Pete’ Geoghegan’s 1965 Mustang, Brock’s Bathurst-winning Torana’s, Moffat’s Mustang and Falcon GT-HOs, KB’s Camaro, Dick Johnson’s incredible collection, Norm Beechey’s Monaro, and so many more.
“He didn’t just collect them. He understood them, did what he could to preserve them, and shared them with other enthusiastic fans, all to make sure they’d never be forgotten.
“Nearly 50 historic cars that together stand as one of the greatest tributes to Australian motorsport history ever assembled.”
Bowden retired from his work as a futures and commodities trader in 2000, two years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
It was around that point the family branched out into car care products, launching its highly successful Bowden’s Own brand.
Bowden’s cars have featured at various public events in recent decades.
That included the family providing a fleet of cars for demonstrations at the 2009 Gold Coast race after international act A1GP pulled the plug at the last minute.
Speedcafe founder Brett Murray said the response to that crisis saved the Gold Coast event, which continues today as one of Supercars’ marquee meetings.
“We had an extremely short period of time to pull the concept together and they were on board from the first phone call,” said Murray.
“David was a businessman and drove a solid deal, but the family was great to deal with and the end result was an event which ultimately saved the Gold Coast race and possibly the government of the time.
“David was a passionate Automotive and racing guy who built an amazing business and collection in conjunction with his sons.
“Our condolences go to the boys and their families.”
Tributes are also pouring in from across the Australian motorsport community grateful for Bowden’s role in preserving its history.
“We will miss him every single day,” said the family.
“But his legacy lives on in every car he saved and in every life he touched with his extraordinary passion.”
A funeral service to celebrate Bowden’s life will be held at 10.30am on Thursday the 18th of June at Gregson & Weight Funerals in Maroochydore.
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