Aussie Muscle Cars Shine At Shannons Winter Sale

MELBOURNE – May 26, 2011: A 1971 Falcon XY GT owned by the same family since almost new was the top-selling vehicle in Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction on Monday May 23, bringing $90,000 after being offered with no reserve.

The very original and largely untouched Bronze Wine Metallic GT with an indicated 38,138 miles on its odometer saw frenetic phone and floor bidding from the large crowd that braved wintry weather to attend the Cheltenham, Melbourne sale.

Meanwhile in another great result for Aussie Muscle Cars, a very rare and striking March 17 Green 1972 HQ GTS 350 four-speed manual coupe sold for $77,000 after equally keen bidding, a white 1973 HQ GTS 308 automatic sedan sold for $29,000 and a Mint Julip Green 1976 four-speed manual Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 sedan sold with no reserve for $24,000.

American Muscle Cars also performed well, with a left hand drive 1969 Ford Mustang Mach I Fastback bringing $45,500, a 1971 Pontiac Formula ‘Replica’ Coupe selling for $24,000 and an original, red left hand drive 1966 Ford Mustang ‘A Code’ Coupe going with no reserve for $19,000.

Classic British luxury marques also did very well, with a fully restored 1966 Jaguar Mk 2, 4.2-litre saloon and extensively-modified to ‘Coombs standard’ selling for $51,000, a 1991 7-seater Daimler DS420 Limousine that was recently refurbished after being in long-term storage selling with no reserve for $34,000 and a beautiful, restored 1950 Bentley Mk VI saloon that was originally delivered to Norman Robertson of MacRobertson’s Chocolates offered with no reserve fetching $27,000.

Amongst the sporting classics, a very desirable three-owner, Australian-delivered 1969 Porsche 911T 2.2 Coupe fitted with a factory sunroof and sought-after Fuchs forged wheels sold for $50,000.

Stepping back in time, a recently-restored 1929 Packard 626 ‘Standard 8’ Rumble Seat Coupe sold for $65,000, a lovely and genuine 1928 Studebaker Erskine Coupe sold for $18,000, a recently-recommissioned right hand drive 1933 Chrysler CO Sedan that was formerly used as a wedding car made $17,000 and a 1957 International AS130 Flat Bed Truck made $14,000.

Amongst the classic motorcycles on offer, a unique 1950s Norvin 500 custom that combined the engine of a 500cc Vincent Single with a Norton gearbox in a Norton Featherbed frame sold for $30,000, a very original 1972 T150 Trident 750 with stunning purple and white paintwork brought $13,500 and a rare 1964 Gilera ‘Sei Giori’ Speciale 124cc racing bike with matching numbers sold for $5,500.

Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon attributed the strong results of the auction to the quality of the classics and the wide range of no reserve vehicles on offer.