Buyers see red as records tumble at Shannons Sydney Sale

• Superb (Red) 1965 Porsche 356 SC tops auction at $180,000

• (Red) Mercedes-Benz 190SL brings $137,000

• Unrestored (Red) 1923 Harley makes record $118,000

• Record 200-plus Online Bidders drive 81 per cent clearance for $1.7 million result

It was an extraordinary night in Sydney at Shannons Winter Classic Auction on August 25, with a rapidly growing band of Online Bidders driving feverish bidding and resulting in record prices for some lots.

This superb 1964 Porsche 356 SC from long term ownership by a German engineer sold well above its pre-sale estimate for $180,000.

The top-selling vehicle of the auction was a superb (Red) Australian-delivered and two-owner 1964 Porsche 356SC Coupe that eventually sold for $180,000 – well over its pre-auction high estimate – after a relentless duel between a telephone and a floor bidder.

The factory right hand drive Porsche had been in the hands of its current, now-elderly German engineer owner for more than 40 years and was still fresh and lightly used after an exhaustive 15-year restoration, making it probably the finest Porsche of its type available in Australia.

Bidding for this very rare circa-1923 Harley-Davidson Two Cam Board Track Racer was a highlight of Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 25, with it eventually going to a overseas collector for $118,000.

However even more captivating for the large floor and growing Internet audience viewing the auction was the enthralling battle for what one enthusiast referred to as a ‘bag of bones’ – a very rare (Red) circa-1923 Harley-Davidson Two Cam Board Track Racer.

One of the final five bikes from a private collection of more than 60 significant Harley-Davidsons auctioned by Shannons over the past year, the unrestored machine was one of the few original early Harley racers to survive in original condition and as a result, created international interest.

Bidding opened at $40,000, but soon surged through its guiding range of $48,000-$58,000 and beyond $100,000 in a duel between local and overseas phone enthusiasts. It brought applause when it sold to an International collector for $118,000– believed to be an auction record for this model Harley.

This sought-after circa-1949 Vincent HRD Rapide 998c from a local collection of notable British bikes was one of 16 classic motorcycles offered at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction, where it sold for $58,000.

This result drove total motorcycle sales at the auction to $365,600, with other notable two-wheel results being the money paid for three British bikes from another notable Sydney collection: $58,500 for a circa-1949 Vincent HRD Rapide 998cc, $48,000 for a hybrid circa-1949 ‘Norvin’ HRD 998cc with a Norton Featherbed frame and $37,000 for a circa-1952 Vincent Comet Series C 500cc single cylinder – all three presented in immaculate condition.

This former award-winning 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster with factory hardtop exceeded its high estimate to sell for $137,000.

Also in high demand was a (Cardinal Red with cream leather interior) 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster with factory hardtop that also exceeded its high estimate when it sold to a floor bidder for $137,000.

Coming out of long-term ownership since 1995, the former Adelaide-based SL had been a regular show winner until 2004 and a regular and a successful participant in classic tours and rallies for the past 15 years.

Another Mercedes-Benz SL to ‘star’ was a Blue/Beige 1967 ‘Pagoda Roof’ 250SL convertible with factory hardtop that brought $70,000.

Amongst the pre-War Americans, the top result after hectic bidding was the $67,000 paid for a 1934 Chrysler Airflow CU ‘Eight’ four-door sedan, regarded as being the first mass-produced streamlined car.

The Airflow came with a long Australian history, including participation in the first Redex ‘Round Australia’ Trial of 1953 in which it started bearing the number ‘1’ and its selling price around 50 per cent above its high estimate represented both is rarity and excellent provenance.

Another style icon to sell ‘on the money’ was a well-presented factory right-hand-drive and Australian-delivered Jaguar XK120 that sold for $105,000.

This very collectable 1985 Holden VK ‘Brock’ Commodore Group ‘A’ SS sedan with 31,197km showing on its odometer sold for $92,000.

Amongst the Australian classics, the standout result was the $92,000 paid for a collectable 1985 Holden VK ‘Brock’ Commodore Group ‘A’ SS sedan – number 485 of the 500 built for Group A racing homologation – whose odometer indicated 31,197km.

This 1953 Holden ‘FX’ Utility in substantially original condition sold for $35,500 after solid floor bidding.

A very tidy 1953 Holden ‘FX’ Utility presented in substantially original condition sold for $35,500 after solid floor bidding, while a ‘no reserve’ 1955 FJ Standard Sedan in unrestored condition went for $10,500.

European sporting cars were also in demand, with a (Red) rare 1963 Triumph TR4 ‘Surrey Top’ Coupe selling on estimate for $22,000, while a restored (Red) 1951 MGTD sold for $20,000, a 1972 Volvo P1800ES Estate wagon that sold for $16,600 and a (Red) right hand drive 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible made $13,100.