Putting on the Ritz at Shannons Melbourne Sale

• Restored early-build Jaguar MkII 3.4-litre

• Three classic Bentleys

• ‘No-reserve’ Porsche 928

Shannons is ‘Putting on the Ritz’ at its Melbourne Late Summer Classic Auction on Monday (February 18), with a number of silver spoon cars expected to sell at pewter prices.

One of the most desirable ‘toffs’ in the auction is a very early-build, right hand drive 1959 Jaguar MkII 3.4-litre with automatic transmission and overdrive.

The Jaguar was fully restored three years ago, with work carried out including a full bare metal respray and a complete retrimming, while its original double overhead camshaft six cylinder engine was fully rebuilt at the same time.

Beautifully presented in Metallic Gold with chrome wire wheels and matching cream leather trim, Shannons expect the graceful Jaguar to sell in the $30,000-$38,000 range.

This early-build and fully restored 1959 Jaguar MkII 3.4 litre is expected to sell in the $30,000-$38,000 range at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on Monday (February 18).

For British fans of the same body style, there is a 1968 Daimler 250 V8 that since 1970 has been in the hands of its current owner, who vouches that its 82,099 indicated mileage is genuine. It is expected to sell in the $8,000-$12,000 range.

The attention-getter of the three classic Bentleys in the auction is a spectacular 4.5-litre ‘Tourer Replica’ based on 1949 Bentley MkVI underpinnings, which is expected to bring $40,000-$50,000. The lucky purchaser will enjoy the envy of other enthusiasts for a fraction of what you could expect to pay for genuine period 4.5-litre Bentley Tourers, which today sell for around $750,000.

If you would prefer to put on the Ritz for even less, Shannons also have a stately 1974 Bentley T1 Saloon in nice original condition that was originally owned by His Grace, the Earl of Portarlington in Sydney.

The car was purchased by the vendor as a restoration project and in the last four years has received a bare metal respray, its interior woodwork has been restored and the interior re-trimmed in Saddle leather.

Considerable mechanical work has also taken place, making the Bentley an arresting driveway statement as its $10,000-$14,000 guiding range.

This stately 1974 Bentley T1 Saloon that was originally owned by His Grace, the Earl of Portarlington in Sydney, is expected to sell in the $10,000-$14,000 range at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on Monday (February 18).

There is also a well-maintained, four-owner 1951 MkVI Saloon ($22,000-$28,000) in the auction.

From Germany there is an Australian-delivered 1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Saloon that has been in the hands of its present owner since 1997.

The car is an older restoration and has spent most of its time in professional storage since 2007, however its rebuilt 6.3-litre V8 engine still delivers the kidney punch for which this early ‘sports sedan’ was famous, according to Shannons. It is expected it to sell in the $14,000-$18,000- range.

This Australian-delivered 1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Saloon that has been in the hands of its present owner since 1997 is expected to make $14,000-$18,000 at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on Monday (February 18).

Also from Germany comes a ‘no reserve’ Australian-delivered 1981 Porsche 928 that requires a little TLC, but represents potentially excellent buying at its projected selling range of $8,000-$12,000.

The 928 was the European Car of the Year on its launch in 1978, when it was expected to replace the 911 at the head of the Porsche model range and with its luxurious interior and robust 4.5-litre front-mounted V8 engine, the 928 was a true grand tourer.

This Australian-delivered 1981 Porsche 928 that requires a little TLC, is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ in the $8,000-$12,000 range at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction on Monday (February 18).