Classic sales surge continues at Shannons Sydney Auction

• Mercedes-Benz 190SL top selling vehicle at $172,000

• Numerical, black and white Heritage number plates in high demand

• Rare Aussie Classics in great condition remain sought after

The uncertainty surrounding the weekend’s Federal Election had little impact on Australia’s buoyant Classic vehicle market, with strong results continuing across all sectors at Shannons May 20, Sydney Late Autumn Auction.

The 55-lot auction delivered an impressive $1.5 million in vehicle sales and $905,000 for the 10 numerical Heritage number plates on offer.

This resulted in a strong overall clearance rate of around 90 per cent, with 10 auction lots – five plates and five vehicles – selling for more than $100,000.

This nicely restored 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Open Tourer in ready-to-use condition, brought $110,000

Amongst the most impressive results, an Australian-delivered and nicely restored 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Open Tourer brought $110,000 ­– comfortably above its pre-auction guiding range of $60,000-$80,000.

Contributing to its attraction to a number of bidders were its presentation, stylish open tourer coachwork and good working condition.

This stylish Australian-delivered 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster that was seen regularly in Sydney’s Double Bay, was the top-selling vehicle at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Auction on May 20, where it brought $172,000.

The top-selling vehicles on the night were restored, Australian-delivered European grand tourers, led by a glamorous red 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190SL and a superbly restored 1973 Aston Martin V8 Series 2 Coupe, showing just 37,037 miles on its odometer.

Regularly seen in Sydney’s stylish Double Bay, the 190SL sold for $172,000 in line with current International prices, while the Aston Martin, still resplendent from a ground-up, bare-metal restoration in 2014-15, sold for $164,000.

Another world class result was the $130,000 paid for a striking black with red leather upholstery and chrome wire wheels 1953 XK120 Drophead Coupe - one of just 294 factory right-hand drive examples made that model year.  

Black and white numerical Heritage number plates again brought top prices at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Auction on May 20, with the numericaly-attractive ‘33133’ selling for $97,000.

Black and white Heritage NSW numerical number plates maintained their strong sales momentum, with the three-digit ‘273’ selling for $190,000, ‘257’ made $175,000, ‘7900’ was purchased for $108,000 and the numerically-attractive '33133’ set a high water mark for a five digit plate when it sold after protracted bidding, for $97,000.

Good results were also achieved by Australian Classics, with the top seller being a collectible 1985 Holden HDT Commodore 'Group A' SS sedan (number 26 of 500  built) that sold with ‘no reserve’ for $105,000.

With all offered with ‘no reserve’, a 1972 Holden HQ GTS Monaro 308 Coupe brought $91,000, a 1974 Ford XB Fairmont GS Coupe up-powered with a 351-cid V8 went for $63,000 and a 1997 Ford EL Falcon GT ‘charity lot’ sedan sold for $38,000.

Australian Classics continued their popularity at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Auction on May 20, with this 1953 Holden ‘FX’ Ute selling for $48,000.

Amongst the early Australian-made vehicles, a standout result was a well-presented and extensively refurbished late series 1953 ‘FX’ Holden Ute in the popular period green colour combination, that sold for $48,000.

This true ’barn-find’ 1960 356B 1600 Super Coupe had to be cut free from the ‘jungle’ enveloping it in a NSW farm shed where it had lain for more than 40 years before selling for $65,000.

The two classic Porsches in the Auction both sold well. A true ‘barnfind’ 1960 356B 1600 Coupe that was literally cut free from the ‘jungle’ enveloping the northern NSW farm shed in which it had it had been laid-up for more than 40 years, sold after strong competitive bidding for $65,000. Earlier, a one-owner 1994 Porsche 968 Club Sport Coupe in need of refurbishment – one of just 14 delivered in Australia – sold with ‘no reserve’ for $41,000.

Amongst American Classics, a right hand drive 1966 Ford ‘A-Code’ Mustang GT notchback coupe sold above estimate for $39,000, while a right hand drive 1953 Buick Special Convertible – believed to be the only one in Australia – brought $38,000.

This rare, professionally restored 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120 from a private ACT collection was the top-selling motorcycle at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Auction, where it brought $44,000.

Of the 18 motorcycles in the auction, the outstanding result was the $44,000 paid for a rare, professionally-restored 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120 650cc solo. A 1970 model T110R from the same Canberra, ACT collection sold for $20,000, while a 1969 model TR120R made $17,000. Amongst the older motorcycles on offer, a circa-1910 Australian-made Speedwell motorcycle offered with ‘no reserve’ sold for $18,000.

Memorabilia lots contributed nearly $17,000 to the auction’s total sales of $ 2.7 million, with the most notable results being the $5,200 paid for an Enzo Ferrari-signed and framed collage of prints that was expected to bring $1,500-$2,000, $1,150 for a Hi-Boy oil pump in Castrol livery and $950 for a period Cyclops child’s pedal car– all three offered with ‘no reserve’.

View all Shannons May 20 Late Autumn 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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