Shannons Spring Online Auction Delivers 95% Clearance

• World-market achieved for Victorian collection of six early veteran and vintage motorcycles

• Concours-standard 1971 Ferrari 365GTC/4 top seller at $425,000

• ‘Project’ classic cars exceed pre-auction high estimate

Shannons COVID-19 response of timed online auctions is going from strength to strength, with the Spring sale on November 18 delivering a $6.4 million outcome, with 95 percent of all 175 lots sold.

A highlight of the online sale was the $272,400 result achieved by the six very rare early motorcycles in the Victorian ‘Warren Hicks Collection’, all offered with ‘no reserve’ and in ‘project’ condition.

The standout result of the six rare early motorcycles in the Victorian ‘Warren Hicks Collection’ at Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction was a c1906 Zenith Bi-Car motorcycle that more than doubled its pre-sale high estimate to sell with ‘no reserve’ for $100,500.

The absolute standout of the six was a c1906 Zenith Bi-Car motorcycle, a true survivor offered in ‘barn find’ condition. Not seen in public since 1974 and with mythical status in International motorcycle circles, it was pursued by a number of enthusiasts before more than doubling its pre-sale estimate to sell for $100,500.

Also appealing to serious collectors was a complete circa-1914 American Excelsior with a 1,000cc V-Twin engine and a world-first two-speed motorcycle gearbox with its left handlebar grip operating its clutch. Although not run since 1978, it brought $40,700.

From the same collection, a very rare four-cylinder early single-speed, shaft-drive circa-1910 FN ‘Four’, with a great local history and presented in complete, but ‘project’ condition, sold for $54,800; an unreserved c1922 Berlin-built CITO-KG motorcycle made $45,500 and an exceptionally rare circa-1922 Stanger V-Twin 538cc ‘two-stroke’ motorcycle – one of just two known survivors worldwide out of just 20 made – changed hands for $30,900.

This stunning 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe restored to concours standard, was the top selling vehicle, bringing $425,000.

Amongst the cars, the auction’s top price was $425,000 paid for a concours-standard 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe; $196,000 was invested in a rare 1977 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 9X Sedan, $133,001 was paid for a rare and restored Ford Capri RS3100 ‘homologation’ coupe after prolonged bidding and an immaculate 1987 Nissan Skyline GTS-R HR31 Coupe sold for $80,000.

This rare, fully-restored 1974 Capri RS3100 - one of just 250 built – that at one stage was Ford’s fastest production model, sold for an excellent $133,000.

Amongst the ‘project’ vehicles that required further work to bring them back to their former glory, the standout was a very desirable and complete Australian-delivered, 1972 BMW 3.0 CS automatic coupe, which attracted 116 bids before soaring by $30,000 in the auction’s final minutes to sell for $71,500; an unprecedented $59,000 was paid after strong bidding for a 1971 Holden HQ Monaro LS Coupe in need of a restoration and a 1.6 metre-long Austin J40 pedal car best described as ‘requiring lots of TLC’, brought $5,300.

This 1971 Holden HQ Monaro LS 253 in need of total restoration sold with ’no reserve’ for $59,000.

Equally notable were the top prices paid for fully-restored ‘in-demand’ classic cars.

These include $155,000 for a magnificent c1932 chain-driven Fraser Nash Ulster two-seater; $61,500 paid for an exceptional, freshly-restored 80-inch Series 1 Land Rover; $60,000 given for a beautiful and correct 1970 Mini Cooper S 1275cc Mk II and $39,500 spent on a restored, but utilitarian 1977 Leyland Mini Moke Californian.

This magnificent c1932 chain-driven Fraser Nash Ulster two-seater sold for $155,000.

Black and white Heritage numerical number platers continued their popularity with collectors and investors, with the 21 on offer collectively selling for nearly $1.8 million.

The top priced plate was the Victorian ‘477’ – one of seven three-digit plates in the auction – that brought $152,000, while the best-priced Heritage NSW plate was ‘4.466’ at $110,000. The best result for a four-digit Victorian plate was $85,000 for ‘2.021’.

This restored and collectible 1971 Chrysler VH Charger E38 ‘Big Tank’ coupe sold for $150,500.

Other significant results from the seven-day online Shannons auction, were:

• $164,000 for a 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 litre Series 2 Roadster;
• $151,500 spent on a desirable 1971 Chrysler VH Charger E38 ‘Big Tank’ coupe;
• $137,000 for a left hand drive 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.3 litre coupe;
• $103,000 for a 1990 Holden HSV Group A SS VN Commodore;
• $80,600 for a very desirable left hand drive 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 327/350 ‘Manual’ Convertible;
• $80,000 for a former left hand drive 1983 Porsche 911SC Cabriolet;
• $75,000 for a restored right hand drive 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible;
• $71,500 for a right hand drive 1932 Ford De Luxe V8 ‘Enhanced’ Fordor Sedan;
• $70,500 for a 1933 Sunbeam Speed 20 four-door ‘pillarless’ Saloon;
• $56,000 for a 1988 Porsche 928 S4 Coupe;
• $31,500 for a 1979 Mazda RX-7 Series 1 Coupe.

View all 2020 Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction Results

For more details of all lots, or contact the Melbourne or Sydney auction teams on 13 4646, or by email on auctions@shannons.com.au

To talk to a Shannons team member, call Melbourne: (03) 8588 0809 (main auction number), or Christophe (03) 7025 4974; David (03) 7025 4983; Kim (03) 7025 4979; ‘Tiny’ Rodney (03) 7025 4977; Ryan (03) 7025 4984, or Lisa (03) 70 254971).

Sydney: (02) 8019 4119 (main auction number), or Damien (02) 7911 6012; Stuart (02) 7911 6009, or John (02) 7911 6005.