Veteran, Vintage and Pre-War models to warm hearts at Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction
• Superb ‘Post-Armistice’ Silver Ghost 40/50HP
• Very rare Hispano Suiza K6
• Five Model T and A Fords – one in ‘Project’ condition
Some significant Veteran, Vintage and Pre-War cars will be going under the hammer at Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction on Monday, July 13, lead by a beautifully-restored 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost with a fascinating Australian history.
A rare 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Limousine, a beautiful and sought-after 1936 Auburn 654 Sedan and a 1938 Packard 120 Sedan – all original right hand drive cars – will also be offered from the same Victorian collection.
Four restored Veteran and Vintage Fords – a lovely 1912 Model T Tourer, a 1923 Model T Roadster, a 1928 Model A Tourer and a 1930 Model A Roadster – will be joined in the auction by a circa 1928 Model A Roadster in ‘Project’ condition offered with ‘no reserve’.
The 1920 Silver Ghost is expected to command international interest because of its excellence provenance and restored condition created by recognised marque specialists.
One of the earliest ‘Post-Armistice’ Silver Ghosts made, the short chassis ‘Speed Model’ 15TW, completed its final testing in March 1920 before being delivered new to Australia.
Upon its arrival, the car was bodied locally by Kellow-Falkiner’s as an open tourer for its first owner, a prominent New South Wales pastoralist, who had it reconfigured with a closed body by Salmons & Sons of Newport Pagnell for a subsequent European tour during 1925-1927.
After moving to Victoria, the Rolls-Royce changed hands several times in the decades that followed, ending up in the collection of well known motor trader Lance Dixon, who commissioned a new open tourer body to his own design in the early 1970s.
The Rolls-Royce then passed through the West Australian collections of Peter Briggs and the late Paul Terry, with master craftsman Roger Fry rebodying the car for Briggs with its current tourer open coachwork in time for the 1985 Federal Rally.
The current owners purchased the car in December 1993 and had further renovation undertaken by Victorian specialist R. A. McDermott, including re-profiling the wings and further improvements to the coachwork, woodwork and brightwork.
Since returning to the road in late 2003, 15TW has competed in several ‘Wholly Ghost’ rallies.
Well known in club circles, this striking Rolls-Royce represents a rare opportunity for serious collectors at its estimated selling range of $260,000 - $320,000.
Equally interesting to Pre-WW II enthusiasts in the July 13 auction is a rare 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 ‘Vanoon’ Saloon in need of some recommissioning.
Believed to be the only Hispano-Suiza K6 currently in Australia, this original-bodied example of the French luxury car is presented in very appealing, mostly unrestored condition.
Like the Silver Ghost, it is expected to be in keen demand by both local and overseas bidders at its estimated selling range of $60,000-$80,000.
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