- Fabulous Falcon XA GT Coupe sells for $153,000
- Stunning ’69 Dodge Charger 440 R/T Coupe exceeds estimate at $105,000
- Ultra-rare Torana SL/R 3300 makes $46,000
- Overall sales of $2.5 million with a clearance rate of more than 93 per cent.
High-quality vehicles were in strong demand at Shannons July 15, Melbourne Winter Classic Auction, with top prices paid for collectible Australian, American and European Classics.
Meanwhile black and white, Heritage number plates maintained investor interest, with strong prices paid for good numerical combinations of three, four and five-digit Victorian plates.
The top-selling vehicle of the auction was a fabulous 1972 Ford Falcon XA GT Coupe that brought $153,000.
Finished in iconic Red Pepper, the Inverel, NSW-delivered four-speed manual coupe was one of just 891 examples made of what was Ford's first truly Australian Falcon GT and still looked great 18 years after its restoration.
Although not exactly a Bathurst ‘supercar’, a rare, 1976 LX Torana SL/R 3300 that had been in the same family ownership for 41 years and was believed to have covered a genuine 34,000km from new, sold after protracted bidding for an excellent $46,000.
In another great result for an Australian car, a superb, 1958 Holden FC Special Sedan sold above estimate for $32,500, while a three-owner, 1951 Holden 48-215 ‘FX’ sedan in good average condition – but loaded with original NASCO accessories – brought $23,000.
Amongst the Americans, a stunning factory left-hand-drive 1969 Dodge Charger 440 R/T Coupe came to auction fresh from a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration that left it as nice underneath as on top.
The Charger is perhaps best known to car enthusiasts from the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, but the public at large will always associate the model with the 'General Lee' from the television series Dukes of Hazzard.
Bidding for the bright white Charger 440 with red R/T stripes wrapped across its tail was waged amongst multiple floor and phone bidders before it sold for an excellent $105,000.
Other American classics to perform well were a superbly-restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe fitted with the model’s rare factory four-barrel Power Pack 283ci V8 option ($73,000); a striking 1963 Chevrolet Impala 327 SS Convertible ($56,000) and a coveted, hidden-headlight 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS (Rally Sport ) SS Coupe finished in classic black paint with red trim ($33,000).
Another great American – a restored, but still factory left-hand-drive 1926 Ford Model T Roadster – came from a private collection to sell for $22,000.
Also, a strong result was the $121,000 paid for a restored and mechanically-upgraded 1959, 23-window Volkswagen Kombi ‘Bus’, indicative of the still rising collectible values of these former working vehicles.
Black and white Victorian number plates – particularly those with attractive number combinations – continued to bring good prices. The top-selling three-digit plate was ‘877’ at $170,000; the highest price paid for a four-digit plate was $74,000 for ‘2.555’, while the five-digit '81.118’ brought $44,000.
In other notable vehicle results:
- a stately 1926 Rolls-Royce 25/30 still wearing its original Park Ward saloon coachwork, brought $70,000;
- a nicely presented 1954 MG TF 1250 made $27,000.
- a 1962 Ford Falcon XL Utility brought $19,000;
- a circa 1961 Lambretta 3-wheeler van sold for $12,500.
View all Shannons July 15 Winter Classic Auction Results
For more information on the auction contact Stuart Roberts (02) 8019 4179, or Damien Duigan (02) 8019 4180, or 13 4646 (Option 5) or email auctions@shannons.com.au.
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