Number plate sales drive record $3.9m result at Shannons Sydney Summer sale
• $2.4 million in numerical plate sales
• Online bids on 85 per cent of all lots
• Classic Porsche tops vehicle results
• Stellar 96 per cent vehicle clearance rate
Buoyant market conditions, strong online bidding and growing interest created the perfect storm at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction on February 6 for its annual NSW numerical number plate and classic vehicle sale.
The near-$4 million result was a record for a Shannons Sydney auction, with the annual release of NSW heritage number plates contributing over $2.4 million of the sale.
That excellent result came courtesy of strong results on three-digit plates including $130,000 for ‘260’, and $120,000 for ‘357’.
In other standout number plate sales ‘2017’ was the top four-digit result at $75,000 in what is believed to be an Australian auction record for a four-digit plate, leading ‘2018’ at $68,000, while ‘4488’ brought $72,000. Almost all the plates on offer outstripped their guiding ranges.
This fastidiously-restored Australian-delivered 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe was the top-seller at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction on February 6, where it sold for $166,000
Star cars included a superbly-presented 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe topping the results at $166,000, besting a 1977 Holden Torana A9X sedan at $126,000, – one of just two of these sought-after Bathurst legends painted in Madeira Red.
Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said the combination of record online bidding and interest by a strong contingent of local bidders help drive the plate sales.
“There is a lot of anticipation in the market for our annual number plate sale, as enthusiasts and collectors know that there will be a lot of high quality numbers being auctioned,” he said. “However we are also seeing rapidly growing interest amongst buyers new to the market keen to display special plates on their cars’
This early Australian-assembled ‘Big Wheel’ 998cc BMC Mini-Moke sold for $15,700
As with past results from Sydney auctions at Shannons the vehicle sales were also very strong, starting off with Lot 1, an early BMC Mini Moke, bought for $15,700 after strong bidding from the floor, phones and internet.
This restored right hand drive 1965 Jeep Wagoneer sold with ‘no reserve’ for $30,500 at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction on February 6, underscoring the growing strength of the classic 4X4 market.
The small Ford market showed renewed vigour with a 1970 Ford Escort Mk1 Twin Cam coupe selling for $52,000, while an Australian-delivered 1965 Jeep Wagoneer brought $30,500 when offered with ‘no reserve’, proving the vintage 4x4 market is particularly healthy in Sydney.
The three classic Porsche 911 variants on offer all made good money, with an Australian-delivered Guards Red 2001 911 Turbo selling for $115,000 – just ahead of a 1979 US-delivered 930 Turbo coupe presented in show-ready condition that brought $110,000, and a 1974 911 Coupe that sold for $80,000.
This UK-delivered, 1974 911 2.7 Coupe with a factory-fitted electric sunroof brought in $80,000.
Meanwhile a UK-delivered Porsche 911 2.7-litre coupe – the cheapest 911 model you could buy in 1974 – brought an exceptional $80,000, indicating the increasing strength of the early Porsche 911 market.
This one family owned 1971 Volvo P17800E Coupe attracted considerable pre-sale interest before selling for $46,000 at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction on February 6, where 96 per cent of all vehicle lots sold on the hammer.
A Volvo P1800E owned by one Sydney family since new brought huge attention prior to auction, and then saw furious bidding to finish up selling at a stunning $46,000, proving how collectable the classic Volvo sports cars have become.
Also causing a stir were a pair of No Reserve ‘survivor’ classic Jaguar sports cars from one family, with the 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-litre Coupe sold for $105,000 and a ‘barn find’ 1951 Jaguar XK120 roadster sold for $79,000.
Other sale highlights included:
• 1959 MGA Twin Cam Roadster sold for $85,000
• 1974 Maserati Merak sold for $74,000.
• 1972 Falcon XA GT Sedan sold for $71,000.
• c1959 Austin Healey ‘Bug Eye’ Sprite sold for $33,000.
• 1971 Citroen AK400 van sold for $21,500.
• 1958 Morris Minor Utility sold for $21,000.
View all February 6 Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction & Rare Number Plates Results
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