- P76 Targa Florio sedan makes record $20,500
- Restored EH Panel Van brings $29,000
- 1929 Auburn Model 8 Phaeton top seller at $80,000
- More than 75 per cent of all vehicles sold

A rare 1974 Leyland P76 'Targa Florio' sedan in excellent original condition was amongst a number of high quality classics to deliver strong results at Shannons Sydney Spring Classic Auction on Monday October 10th, where it was offered with no reserve.

The P76, which was one of 900 limited-edition P76s built in 1974 to commemorate the stage win by a nearly standard P76 in the 1974 World Cup Rally, sold for $20,500 after fierce phone and floor bidding. The price is believed to be an auction record for a P76 sedan.

Adding to its appeal, it was one of only 100 Targa Florio sedans finished in Aspen Green and was believed to have covered just 71,450km since new.

Many of the large crowd that attended Shannons St.Leonards sale were in the market for similar quality classics, with a number of vehicles in the auction emerging from painstaking restorations.

The top-selling vehicle of the auction was a restored, original right hand drive straight-eight 1929 Auburn Model 8-90 Phaeton that has just come out of long-term storage that sold for $80,000. Meanwhile a 1925 Rolls-Royce - believed to be the first Phantom I to come to Australia - sold after the hammer to an American buyer for $62,500.

Two outstanding early Holdens - a multi trophy-winning, two-owners-from-new 1958 FE Special Sedan that had covered just 10,000 miles since a $50,000 ground-up professional restoration and a restored EH Panel Van- both brought excellent prices, with the FE selling for $26,000 and the EH commanding $29,000.

Two customised GM cars also did well. A Devil Yellow 1976 Holden LX Torana Hatchback retro-fitted with a modified 308ci Holden V8 mated to the Turbo 350 automatic transmission as part of a comprehensive back-to-metal restoration sold for $35,000.

Meanwhile a fully restored and immaculate factory right hand drive 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan retro-fitted with a 427-ci big block V8, Powerglide automatic transmission and front disc brakes with twin spot callipers made $27,000 - the same price achieved by a rare right hand drive 1968 Ford Gran Torino convertible.

Another 'Big American' to do well was the pink, right hand drive 1960 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible with its matching pink/white interior that was used to launch the 1994 hit movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which brought $45,000.

Quality Vintage vehicles were also in demand, with a 1928 Graham Brothers one-tonne Tray Truck that was restored comprehensively in the early 1980s selling for $18,000 and an Australian-delivered 1924 Dodge that has had just two owners from new and offered with no reserve bringing $14,750.

Amongst other notable sales, an original 1953 MG TD Roadster sold for $30,000 and a 1987 Morgan Plus 8 Roadster in excellent condition brought $69,000.

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