Shannons 'putting on the Ritz' at May 4 Melbourne Autumn Auction
• Stunning, expertly restored 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
• Four other desirable British luxury cars to be offered with ‘no reserve’
Shannons is ‘putting on the Ritz’ at its Melbourne Autumn Auction on May 4 with a number of top-shelf British luxury classics going under the hammer.
The most regal of the offerings is a superb Australian-delivered 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II that is still fresh from a multi-year restoration.
Replacing the Silver Dawn in 1955 and powered by a silky smooth 6.2 litre V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the early 1960s Silver Cloud is widely regarded as of the most elegant Rolls-Royce motor cars ever made.
It was built on an entirely new chassis featuring independent front suspension, while adjustable rear shock absorbers, hydraulically operated brakes and power steering were other examples of new technology seen on the ‘Cloud II’.
Shannons believe the beautifully-presented Tudor Grey over Black example being auctioned on May 4 is probably the finest Silver Cloud II on the Australian market, having just emerged from a six-year restoration by noted marque specialists R. A. McDermott's and is offered with receipts totalling in excess of $100,000.
It has barely been run-in since completion of its restoration in December 2014 and is expected to sell in the $88,000-$100,000 range because of its stunning condition and desirability.
Not quite so grand, but still perfect for ‘putting on the Ritz’ is a 1973 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow saloon – one of four British luxury saloons to be offered with ‘no reserve’.
Originally delivered in the United Kingdom, the Silver Shadow moved to New Zealand in 1984 and subsequently relocated to Australia some time after that.
Being a 1971 model, the vehicle benefits from the improved GM 400 transmission and is a matching-numbers car with a particularly well-preserved interior.
It was showing an indicated 93,112 miles on its odometer at the time of being catalogued and is expected to sell affordably in the $10,000-$14,000 range.
Just as British and luxurious is a 1967, low mileage, matching numbers Humber Super Snipe saloon Snipe saloon that has been in the current long-term owner's hands for the past 23 years.
Presented in lovely condition, this now rarely seen and hence exclusive Super Snipe is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ in the $6,000-$10,000.
Also offer with ‘no reserve’ in the auction are two premium Jaguar-Daimler- luxury cars – a well-presented 1988 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign 3.6 six-cylinder saloon complete with books and history ($6,000-$10,000) and a two-owner 1980 Daimler Vanden Plas III V12 saloon described by Shannons as being in “lovely condition”, with an indicated 74,000km on its odometer ($8,000-$12,000).
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