Quality classics shine through at Shannons Sydney Spring sale
• ‘Emerging classics’ bring strong money
• Quirky Italians excite bidders
• Heritage number plates continue to sell well
A lovely 1925 Bentley 3-litre that served as an ambulance during World War II was the top-selling vehicle of Shannons Sydney Spring auction on November 5, where it sold for $265,000.
After surviving its War-time tour of duty, the Bentley was re-bodied with replica Vanden Plas style tourer coachwork before coming to Australia in 1979, where it resided in fashionable Point Piper before joining a small private collection of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars in 2004.
Vehicles that could be tomorrow’s classics were also in high demand by astute bidders at the auction, which resulted in total sales of nearly $2.5 million.
Flying a flag for quality ‘backdates, a UK-delivered Porsche 911 Carrera 4 that was professionally re-styled in Sydney by ZAG Automotive as a 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7, sold above its pre-auction high estimate for $142,000.
A 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL Convertible – the V12-engined ‘hero’ model of the R129 range that until recently was undervalued compared to its V8-engined 500SL stablemate – also sold above estimate for an excellent $66,000.
A restored 1969 MGB confirmed the model’s status as a rising classic by selling for $35,000.
A Ford collector snapped up an ultra-low kilometre 2007 Ford BF Cobra GT Sedan (No 236/400) that was offered with ‘no reserve’ for $57,000 – almost matching the $66,000 paid for a 1980 Holden HDT VC ‘Brock’ Commodore that came out of long-term dry storage for the auction.
A pair of classic early 1960s Jaguar Saloons – a sensitively-upgraded 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.8 Manual and a beautifully-restored, Brysons-delivered 1964 Jaguar S-Type 3.8 improved for daily driving with air conditioning and power-steering, both sold well for $56,000 and $43,000 respectively.
Quirky Italian cars were in great demand in the auction, with the star performer being a stylish circa-1973 original right hand drive Fiat 2300 Ghia Coupe that sold with ‘no reserve’ for $30,000, after its price was driven to almost double its high estimate by a group of floor and phone bidders.
Similar interest was shown in a rare and superbly-restored two-owner 1969 Lombardi Grand Prix Coupe upgraded to 1300 Abarth spec, which sold for $50,000.
Following the ‘Forza Italia’ trend, a 1970 Fiat 500F that was the subject of a recent bare metal restoration and mechanical upgrades that included enlarging its engine to 650cc, brought an excellent $34,000.
‘Restoration projects remained in demand, with a ‘barn find’ 1952 Bristol 401 with a documented Australian history from new and its odometer reading only 106,361 miles selling for $37,000 and a 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Sports Tourer with period racing history and Australian coachwork bringing $29,000.
Amongst the motorcycles, the standout result was $23,500 paid for a one-owner 1994 Ducati 916 that is believed to have covered just over 9,000km from new.
New South Wales black and white Heritage number plates continued to post very strong sales, with ‘91’ bringing the best individual result of the auction of $560,000, while ‘9900’ brought an excellent $113,000.
View all Shannons November 5 Sydney Spring Classic Auction Results
For more information on the auction contact Stuart Roberts (02) 8019 4179, or Damien Duigan (02) 8019 4180 or email auctions@shannons.com.au.
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