‘Put away’ Classics at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction
- Stunning 30,000 mile-old 1956 FJ Holden Special
- Highly collectable Mk II Mini Cooper S
- Fabulous Australian-delivery Rolls-Royce 20/25 coupe
- Factory right-hand-drive Series I E-Type Roadster
A clutch of blue-chip classics that are expected to prove sound investments in years to come are on offer at Shannons Sydney Winter Classic auction on Monday, August 29.
Guaranteed to warm the hearts of local enthusiasts is a fabulous 30,315 mile-old, two-owner 1956 Holden FJ Special sedan that offers an instant time-warp back to when Melbourne hosted the Olympic Games 60 years ago.
This time-warp two-owner 1956 Holden FJ Special Sedan with just 30,315 miles on its odometer is expected to sell in the $40,000 - $48,000 range at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on Monday, August 29.
First sold in May 1956 through E H Hage & Co, the local Holden dealer in Tanunda, South Australia, the car is understood to have been a 21st birthday present and became a prized family possession, enjoying limited use and years of careful maintenance.
According to Shannons the FJ is virtually untouched apart from the necessary addition of turn signals, but underwent a high quality respray 20 years ago in its original, distinctive two-tone green.
Still with its beautifully-preserved original interior, the two-owner 1956 Holden FJ Special Sedan in Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 29 is a Classic to ‘put away’.
The car otherwise is very much a time-piece, presenting largely as it left the factory six decades ago, with its interior beautifully preserved and retaining its original drivetrain.
With just 30,315 miles – believed genuine – showing on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, Shannons believe this ultimate Classic Holden is definitely one to put away and are quoting a guiding range of $40,000 - $48,000.
Thanks to a dramatic rise in both demand and prices for genuine Mini Cooper S cars of late, another ‘keeper’ in the auction is a 1970 Mark II Morris Mini Cooper S that has been fitted with a host of period-correct NSW police accessories.
This fully-restored 1970 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II that is believed to have served originally as a NSW Police Highway Patrol car is expected to sell in the $45,000-$60,000 range at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on Monday, August 29.
Significantly, this Cooper S is believed to be one of approximately 1,000 cars supplied by BMC Australia to the New South Wales police force between 1966 and 1971, primarily for use by the Special Traffic Control division – the forerunner of today’s Highway Patrol.
Police pack cars were built under ‘Special Production Order 41’ with a number of performance upgrades, like those found on the car at Shannons. These included extra modifications to the 1275cc engine including twin 1.5in SU carburettors, a Smiths impulse tacho, two-speed wipers, reversing lights, a VH44 brake booster, a handbrake warning light and Dunlop Aquajet tyres.
The car was given a ground-up restoration to this specification, believed to be original to this car, which was completed around five years ago.
The Mini presents exceptionally well with excellent paint, a virtually unmarked interior and comes with a selection of period police gear, including a fitted police radio, a police-calibrated speedo, hats, light and even an original crystal breath test kit!
Even its number plate, JUH301, was originally worn by a Mini Cooper used by the Victorian Police.
With values of early Mini Cooper S models soaring, Shannons expect this Mk II model to fetch $45,000-$60,000 at Monday’s auction.
Moving up in collectability are two very special English cars with strong Australian provenance.
The 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 coupe to be sold on August 29 was amongst the first 20/25 chassis sent to Australia, where it was fitted with a saloon body by renowned local coachbuilder Martin & King.
This 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 'Martin & King' Coupe that was amongst the first 20/25 chassis sent to Australia, is expected to sell in the $90,000-$115,000 range at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 29.
The car’s first owner, Miss S L Turner of Brighton, Victoria, returned the car to Martin & King before the War to be modernised with a stylish two-door fixed-head coupe and it is believed to have remained in her hands until the late 1940s.
Its third and penultimate owners purchased the Rolls-Royce in 2000 and carried out a comprehensive restoration programme during 2003-2004, but the car has seen little use in recent years, spending some years in long-term storage.
Because of its great Australian history and stylish local coachwork, Shannons expect the Rolls-Royce to sell in the $90,000-$115,000 range.
Finally, for Jaguar purists, there is a highly-desirable original right-hand-drive 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Roadster, which was delivered in Coventry as a personal export before arriving in Australia in January 1964.
This very collectible, original right hand drive 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Roadster that came to Australia in early 1964 as a Tourist Delivery, is expected to sell in the $140,000-$155,000 range at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 29.
Documented by a Heritage Certificate supplied with the car, the E-Type retains its original engine block, but with has been fitted with triple Weber DCOE carburettors, custom extractors and now runs electronic ignition.
Cosmetically refurbished with fresh chrome, the Jaguar has been repainted in its current black-on-tan colour scheme and presents well throughout. With the rapid acceleration of E-Type values around the world, Shannons expect this highly-collectible early Roadster to sell in the $140,000-$155,000 range.
