A9X Torana tops at Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction

Offered at no reserve, the Flamenco Red A9X was an older resto from a private collection that still looked in top condition. One of the most collectable of all Toranas, indeed all muscle cars, the A9X on offer was tipped to sell in the $80 - $120,000 range. By the time bidding had finished, the Torana had exceeded that estimate, selling for $123,000.

Another piece of Aussie muscle that sold strongly was a 1970 Ford Falcon XW GT. Described by Shannons as a "good driver" in Candy Apple Red paint, with a 4-sped manual 'box, the very original XW GT sold for an impressive $68,000. Next best amongst the Aussie muscle offerings was a 1972 LJ Torana GTR XU-1, which sold for $40,000. Presented in Dublin Green with black interior, the XU-1 looks to have been the subject of a mild resto, and just slid into the bottom end of its pre-sale estimate. Another consigned lot to sell well was a nicely-presented 1976 HX Monaro LE from the tail end of the Aussie muscle era that sold for $34,250.

It wasn't all muscle, though. Aussie classics sold well at Shannons Melbourne Summer Auction, as evidenced by the $38,000 a restored, trophy-winning '56 Holden FJ utility sold for. A no-reserve and very original 1962 Holden EJ Special sedan with Hydra-matic transmission sold for $15,000 after a fierce bidding battle, and a well-optioned 1976 Chrysler VK Regal 5.9-litre V8 saloon that had covered just 57,400km from new, brought $11,000. A 1968 HK Kingswood ute in good original condition also sold for a respectable $11,500.

Away from Australia, other vehicles which sold well included a rodded 1929 Ford Model A roadster pickup, which went for $31,000. A classic 1949 MG TC roadster, in even more classic British Racing Green, sold for $29,500, while a 1969 Fiat 500F - undeniably the 'cutest' car on offer - sold for $15,000.

American cars seemed to be out of favour amongst the bidders this time around, as a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe, '68 Chevy Corvette, and '63 Chev Impala convertible all failed to sell. The exception was a big 'n' bold 1976 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon. With its faux woodgrain side trim, the LTD was every inch the "Family Truckster", and went home with a new owner after selling for $12,000.

One of the more intriguing lots from the whole auction, and another to be passed in, was a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, aka the "Back to the Future" car. This example was in outstanding overall condition, but failed to meet its $36 - $44,000 guiding range. Rarities like the 1924 Gwynne 'Eight' Brooklands roadster, Porsche 930 Turbo and very rare Jensen 'FF' four-wheel-drive Interceptor also failed to find buyers.

The 'No Reserve' lots on offer included a very neat 1986 Jaguar Sovereign Series 3 V12 saloon, which sold for $5,000, and a striking 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220S sedan. The black 'roundie' Mercedes looked good inside and out, so was well bought at $7,250. Bargains of the night amongst the No Reserve lots included a 1976 Jaguar XJ-S coupe, which sold for $2,000, a '65 Jaguar S Type, which sold for $3,000, and a pair of early Toyota Corollas, a '68 KE15 Sprinter coupe and '71 KE20 two-door sedan, which sold for $1,250 and $2,600 respectively.

Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction showed that heritage black and white Victorian numeric number plates continue to be in demand, with the top three-digit sale being $62,000 for '317', while '6.868' was the top four-digit performer, eventually selling for an excellent $31,000 after a vigorous floor duel between two bidders. The top-selling five-digit plate was '98.889', which sold for $13,000.