Heritage Number Plates in Record Demand at Shannons Sydney Auction
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Heritage Number Plates in Record Demand at Shannons Sydney Auction

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By Shannons - 07 March 2019
  • Nearly $4.5m invested in B&W numerical plates 
  • World market price paid for Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
  • Excellent 97 percent clearance rate
 
Enthusiasts were in a buoyant mood at Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction on March 4, setting a Shannons auction record by spending more than $6.2 million on collectible cars, motorcycles, and heritage black and white number plates.
The NSW B&W Heritage number plate ‘217' was the top selling lot, contributing $215,000 to total plate sales of nearly $4.5 million.
A highlight of the auction was the $4.468 million bid for 30 early-issue black and white numerical NSW number plates. The top individual price of $215,000 was paid for the right to display the Heritage plate ‘271’ followed by ‘296’ at $210,000 – both amongst the 18, 3-digit plates on offer.
 
However, it was the four and five digit plates that inspired many bidders, with ‘1116’ selling for $126,000 and the numerically attractive ‘lucky’ plate ‘33388’ bringing $102,000.
 
Further underscoring the demand for Heritage plates, 25 of the 30 on offer sold for $100,000 or more.
This superb 1953 Vincent Black Shadow Series C sold for a world market $160,000.
Of the 13 motorcycles in the auction, the outstanding result was the world market price of $160,000 paid for a fabulously original 1953 Vincent Black Shadow Series C – the ultimate road bike of its era.
 
With its hand-assembled 998cc air-cooled V-twin engine designed by Australian Phil Irving, the Black Shadow re-wrote the rule book when it came to high-performance motorcycles, while it also proved a winner in competition, particularly in Australia and on the Bonneville salt flats. 
 
In other significant two-wheel sales,  a 1911 Abingdon ‘King Dick’ 500cc motorcycle sold with ‘no reserve’ for $29,000, while a two-owner-from-new, limited edition 1997 Ducati 916 'Senna' (No. 13/300), sold above its high estimate for $35,000.
The top selling classic vehicle was this superb, restored Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster, which went for $165,000.
Classic British and European sporting cars brought top money, with a red, restored 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster selling for $165,000, a silver 1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Coupe bringing $160,000 and an extensively refurbished, red 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 2 Fixed-Head Coupe sold for $120,000.
 
British luxury cars were also in demand, with a striking 1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre in the style of a Vanden Plas open tourer selling for $110,000, a restored, one-owner 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25HP Open Tourer bringing $76,000 and a one-owner 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur saloon coming to auction in excellent condition from a blue-chip Sydney Family, sold with ‘no reserve’ above its high estimate for $57,000.
 
At the other end of the size spectrum, a 1969 Morris Mini Cooper S MkII Saloon in older restored condition and good provenance achieved an impressive $53,000.
This restored, right hand drive 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS Coupe sold for comfortably above its reserve for $84,000.
American sporting classics were also popular with bidders, with the highlights being the $90,000 paid for a beautiful, restored left-hand drive Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe, while a right hand drive 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS Coupe in lovely condition throughout surprised by almost doubling its pre-auction low estimate to sell for $84,000.
This lovely red, rare and restored 1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Coupe brought an excellent $58,000.
Italian sporting classics also performed well, with a 1965 ‘Stepnose’ Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Coupe upgraded mechanically to Veloce specification selling with ‘no reserve’ for $70,000, while a now-rare 1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Coupe in older restored condition brought $58,000. 
 
Emerging classics also showed their potential, with a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Sedan selling for $30,000, a  2005 Holden VZ Monaro CV8-Z ‘manual’ coupe bringing $67,000 and a 1991 Holden HSV VG Maloo Ute (No 99 of 132 built) selling for $43,000.
 

View all Shannons March 4 Sydney Autumn Classic Auction & Rare Number Plates Results

For more information on the auction contact Christophe Boribon on (03) 8588 0809, or 13 4646 (Option 5) or email auctions@shannons.com.au.

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