for the 1962 race the division of classes was changed from engine capacity, used in the previous two armstrong 500's, to the purchase price (in australian pounds, the currency of the era) of the vehicle on the australian market, the intention being to allow the public to make comparisons according to their potential financial circumstances rather than approximating cars of equivalent vehicle performance. an upper limit of £2000 was established to prevent the race from becoming dominated by sports exotica. in terms of actual cars entered the changes saw the renault gordinis move up from class d to class c, while the volkswagens dropped from c to d. volkswagen would break through for their first class victory this year.