Affordable Euros at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction
• Two game-changing French classics
• Four Mercedes-Benz – two with no reserve
• Rare BMW Coupe
Head-turning European classics offered with realistic prices should be snapped up by collectors and enthusiasts at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on Monday September 29.
The sporting hero of the sale is a fabulous 1972 Renault Alpine A110 1300 Coupe that arrived from the Netherlands six years ago.
The left-hand-drive Alpine is one of approximately 20 of the pretty Renault-based A110s currently in Australia and has been refurbished by marque specialist Alpine Affair to 'works' livery.
Recently featured in the television series ‘Car Torque’ alongside its sister A110 sold in Shannons' previous Melbourne auction, the Spanish-built Alpine is fitted with a 1397cc Renault 5 motor equipped with two Weber 40DCOE carburettors mated to a four-speed transaxle.
Cosmetically the Alpine is spot on, retaining the original trim still in wonderful condition and is finished in the iconic livery of the 1971 factory rally cars and has benefited from a number of improvements, including wearing the ultra-rare and genuine factory competition Gotti rims.
With a total weight of around 700kg, the Alpine possesses amazing performance and handling and sounds fabulous, making its the perfect classic tarmac rally weapon or track day car, as well as increasingly collectible. For all these reasons, Shannons expect it to sell in the $62,000-$70,000 range.
Also French, but completely different and appealing to very different enthusiasts is a 1948 Citroën Light 15 Sedan that has been restored to a very high standard.
Coming from long-term ownership as part of a private collection of Citroëns this delightful Slough (UK)-built ‘Traction Avant’ was sympathetically-restored in 2000 and has been a consistent award winner since, picking up trophies for People's Choice and even Best in Show over the years.
Adding to its appeal and justifying its expected selling range of $18,000-$24,000, the car retains its original red leather upholstery, lending the cabin a wonderful patina, with Shannons believing it to be one of the nicest Traction Avants to come to auction in recent years.
From neighbouring Germany there are four Mercedes-Benz models spanning 34 years and a classic BMW coupe in the auction.
The ‘Star-ship’ of the ’Benz models is a beautiful 2000-model CL600 coupe that still feels like a new car inside despite having travelled just under 110,000km.
Reluctantly offered for sale due to impending home renovations, this locally delivered V12 Coupe comes with some service history, including details of recent service work carried out. At its expected guiding range of $25,000-$30,000, the CL600 represents incredible value in comparison to the current.
A rare 2002 model Mercedes-Benz SLK32 Convertible with folding metal roof – one of just 28 Australian-delivered examples of this V6-engined model – is expected to sell in the $20,000-$25,000 range.
Two earlier classic Mercedes-Benz models will be sold with ‘no reserve’: a stylish 1972 350SL Convertible offered with both hard and soft tops is expected to bring $12,000-$16,000, while a 1956 Australian-delivered 220S ‘Ponton’ Sedan that was refurbished several years ago is expected to bring $8,000-$12,000.
Finally from Germany comes a rare right hand drive automatic 1974 BMW 3.0CS Coupe.
Featuring a full respray, a new all-leather interior and renewed suspension and gearbox mounts, the 3.0 CS is a neat example of this increasingly collectible German Grand Tourer, with Shannons predicting it will sell in the $36,000-$42,000
