Aussie Classics to shine in Shannons Spring Sale
• Very rare factory manual Holden GTS 350 Monaro
• Highly-optioned Falcon XW GT
• ‘No Reserve’ one-owner Holden Sandman Panel Van
The days of the modern Australian Muscle car are numbered, but the sun hasn’t set on their Classic counterparts at Shannons with six sought-after Holdens and Fords lining up for its Melbourne Spring Auction on September 21.
The hero cars of the six-pack are a stunning 1973 Holden HQ GTS 350 Monaro sedan and a superbly presented 1969 Ford Falcon XW GT, each expected to sell for close to six-figure sums.
The very rare Monaro GTS 350 is thought to be one of between 53 and 55 factory-built with the Muncie heavy-duty four-speed, with many buyers at the time preferring the automatic transmission version.
Finished in its distinctive original colour of Mustard with black details, the Monaro has only had three owners since it was delivered new in Toowoomba, Queensland.
The car has recently been restored to a high standard with Shannons estimating it will sell in the $82,000-$92,000 range because of its rarity, condition and excellent provenance.
As a more affordable alternative, Shannons also have a 1978 Holden HZ GTS Monaro 5.0 Sedan with three-speed automatic transmission in Monday’s auction.
Built in December 1978 and in its current ownership for the past eight years, this HZ is one of the last GTS models off the production line and hence is the last of the full-size performance Holdens.
Shannons believe it will sell in the $20,000-$25,000 range.
Ford fanciers also have plenty to get excited about in Monday’s auction, with a four-speed manual 1969 Falcon XW GT sedan also crossing the block.
Superbly presented in Vintage Burgundy, the car is believed to have been a Bib Stillwell promotional car and hence was fitted with a number of desirable options, including air conditioning, rear seat belts and the 36-gallon ‘Bathurst’ long-range fuel tank.
The car started life with a three-speed automatic transmission, but has been rebuilt with a four-speed Toploader manual gearbox, although importantly retaining its correct 351-cid V8.
The GT has been with its current owner for the past 15 years – the past eight carefully stored – and although repainted has never undergone a full restoration and still sits on correct riveted 12-slot wheels.
Because of its presentation and ‘hero Ford’ status, Shannons expect the XW GT to bring $80,000-$90,000.
Panel Van lovers have a choice of two great Holdens in Monday’s auction - a heavily customised and former trophy-winning HG Panel Van ($24,000-$28,000) and a very rare surviving 1976 HJ Sandman Panel Van offered with ‘no reserve’ and expected to bring $18,000-$24,000.
Originally built in 1987 and known as 'Foxy Lady', the HG van was customised with a chopped roof that includes a pop up sunroof at the front and a full-length bubble sunroof at the rear. A modified Chevrolet 350-cid small block V8, a chromed Jaguar rear end and a custom interior are amongst the vehicle’s extensive modifications.
The 3.3 litre six-cylinder Sandman with four-speed manual transmission and front disc brakes is a rare time warp example of this now hard-to-find HJ model and is believed to be one of the last single owner Sandmans in existence.
With almost 325,000km on its odometer, the Sandman presents with some minor repair work needed to the vinyl upholstery, but the dash is in good condition, the vinyl roof is virtually unmarked and its owner has added side windows for improved vision.
Finally for Ford fans there is a collectible and well-maintained 1966 Falcon XP Deluxe sedan in Monday’s auction with 96,000 miles showing on its odometer.
The Falcon has been with the current owner for the past 33 years and has been upgraded with a later 250-cid six cylinder engine, with Shannons expecting it to sell in the $10,000-$14,000 range.
