Aussie and US muscle to be auctioned by Burns & Co.

A variety of Aussie and American muscle car classics, plus newer performance vehicles, are amongst 99 consignments for Burns & Co’s first auction for 2022, which is being held in Melbourne this February.

As well as the performance cars, there are also classics, barn finds, project cars, motorcycles, heritage number plates, collectables and memorabilia. The headline lot is the ex-Pete Geoghegan Monaro Sports Sedan, which has just finished a 15-year restoration and expected to be the auction’s top seller.

Pre-bidding for registered bidders is open now, with selling commencing from 12 Noon on Sunday, 6 February, at Burns & Co’s Melbourne auction rooms in Bayswater.

1972 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1

Described by Burns & Co. as one of the best GTR XU-1 Toranas they’ve seen, this genuine LJ GTR XU-1 is an 9/72 Elizabeth-built car, finished in Royal Purple with factory black vinyl and houndstooth cloth interior trim.

Being an LJ GTR XU-1, it runs the 3.3-litre (202ci) inline six-cylinder engine, which was an upgrade over the 3.1-litre (186ci) six in the LC GTR XU-1. Producing 142kW and 271Nm (190hp and 200lb/ft) and fitted with various high-performance parts, this engine is matched to a four-speed manual transmission, with other updates over the LC GTR XU-1 including quicker steering and revised suspension.

Like the LC model that preceded it, every LJ GTR XU-1 was based on the two-door Torana body, with defining features including a rear spoiler, vented front guards, GTS dash cluster and GTS steering wheel.

From 1972 to 1974, a total of 1,667 GTR XU-1s were built, but innumerable clones and tributes have been produced since.

With the current owner for 13 years, this genuine, matching numbers GTR XU-1 was restored by SA-based Crispen Classic Car Restoration and Rodney Plowman Restorations.

An extensive photo file and other paperwork documenting the restoration is included, along with the original keys. The odometer reads 80,625 miles.

For more details on what’s described as a premium investment opportunity, click HERE.

1972 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1

The second LJ GTR XU-1 consigned for this auction is of equivalent quality, finished in Lime Green metallic with a black vinyl interior, but has an interesting history that includes a connection to an Aussie racing legend.

Built ahead of the LJ GTR XU-1’s public release in February, 1972, this example is described as being one of GM-H’s press fleet cars. After its press duty, it was sold to Frank Coad. At the time, Coad was a Holden dealer in the Northern Victorian town of Sea Lake, but he’d also been a Victorian Hill Climb Champion and was co-winner of the inaugural Armstrong 500 with John Roxburgh. (Coad passed away last November, aged 91).

The 3.3 six has was fitted with a rare 1973-spec Bathurst cylinder head at some point, then was repainted in 1994 when owned by Holden collector Dennis Judd. That respray was confined to the visible areas, though, with selected interior and underbody areas left untouched and original.

The interior is described as original, made up of black vinyl seats and black carpets front and rear.

For the past 15 years, this LJ Torana GTR XU-1 has ben kept in undercover storage, driven twice annually and serviced each year. It comes to auction with 52,470 miles showing on the odometer, is described as being in very, very good condition for its age and another solid investment opportunity.

For more details on this car, click HERE

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351

Based around Ford’s 351 cubic inch Cleveland V8, the ‘Boss 351’ Mustang wasn’t created to homologate a car or engine for racing as the Boss 302 and Boss 429 had been, but the ‘Boss’ nameplate still carried some weight, so it was thought a continuation would have market appeal. 

Offered only for the 1971 model year, the Boss 351 added a selection of performance parts, like crankshaft and conrods, to the Cleveland engine, as well as a dual-plane intake manifold, 750cfm Autolite carburettor, cast iron headers and a free-flowing exhaust system.

Producing 330hp and 370lb/ft (246kW and 502Nm), the Cleveland V8 had its cooling system upgraded to suit, with suspension and brakes beefed up, too, but there were still leaf springs and drums at the rear.

Appearance-wise, the Boss 351 took inspiration from the Boss 302 and Mach 1, with a blackout bonnet with pins, a front spoiler and ‘hockey stick’ side stripes. A rear spoiler and Magnum 500 wheels were optional.

Inside, there various décor options, but the black vinyl trim seen on this example was common, with high-back bucket seats, extra gauges (oil pressure, amp and temp) and a Hurst shifter for the four-speed manual gearbox (the only transmission offered) all standard fitment.

Only 1,806 Boss 351s were built for the sole year this model was on sale, which is slightly more than the Boss 429 and far less than the Boss 302, both of which had two-year model runs. The lack of a racing connection and the Mustang’s restyle for 1971 means the Boss 351 hasn’t attracted the same attention as its siblings. Despite this, it’s regarded by some as the best to drive of the three, offering improved ride and handling, without sacrificing the kind of speed that the nameplate demands.

The example going to auction with Burns & Co. is finished in factory-correct Light Pewter metallic with Magnum 500-type wheels and the optional rear spoiler.

The interior, described as original and factory-spec, features black carpets, black vinyl and faux woodgrain trim on the dash, doorcards and two-spoke steering wheel. Odometer reading is 69,575 miles.

For more details on this car, click HERE.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Dodge’s late arrival to the pony car wars, the Challenger debuted for the 1970 model year, and was available in hardtop and convertible body styles, as well as various trim levels, including the R/T (Road & Track) and T/A (Trans Am).

The base engine was a 225ci inline six, but most buyers went for a V8, where the options started with a 383 producing 375hp (285kW). A 440 in two levels of tune - 375hp and 390hp (280kW and 291kW) – was also available, as was a 425hp (317kW) 426 Street Hemi.

On a Challenger R/T like the example pictured, a 383 was standard, matched with either a four-speed manual or TorqueFlite three-speed auto, but all the larger V8s were available. The R/T also featured heavy duty suspension and brakes, but front disc brakes were optional, as was power steering.

Any Challenger could also be ordered as an ‘SE’ (Special Edition) that added a vinyl roof with smaller rear window, leather seats and other interior upgrades.

Across the hardtop, hardtop SE and convertible, a total of 19,938 Challenger R/Ts were built for 1970, accounting for almost a quarter of all Challenger production in its debut year. After that, sales fell and the model was discontinued after 1974. The nameplate was revived briefly in the 1980s, before the all-new Challenger arrived in 2008.

Fitted with a 383 when new, this Challenger R/T now runs a 528 Hemi with a siamesed bore instead of the standard bore, which is more of a race set-up but still streetable.

Tuned by Aussie drag racing legend Tommy Easton, the Hemi is matched to a Tremec T56 six-speed manual and Dana diff, with a disc brakes upgrade at the front and the suspension modified to allow larger wheels.

Formerly on Victorian club registration, this mechanically modernised Challenger R/T is finished in period-correct Sublime paint, with the correct R/T side stripes, spoiler and paint outs, although the large R/T identification on the bonnet is not standard.

Inside, it’s mostly factory-spec, including the vinyl seats front and rear, steering wheel and pistol grip shifter, but a modern stereo has been added.

Described as one for the Mopar enthusiast, this unit comes to auction with an odometer reading of just 3097 miles and will be sold unregistered.

For more details on this car, click HERE.

1971 Chrysler VH Valiant Charger 770

While the R/T version of the Aussie Charger gets all the attention, it wasn’t the only variant that could be had when new. As well as a base model, XL and R/T, Charger buyers could also get a ‘770’ which was like the Monaro LS in that it paired the sporty two-door body with more luxurious trim inside and out.

Debuting with the rest of the Charger range on the VH platform in 1971, the 770 was less ‘shouty’ than the R/T, but carried some of the same features, like the race-style fuel cap and styled sports wheels. Other features included ventless side glass, a padded vinyl finisher to the rear side windows, ribbed sill trim, wheelarch mouldings, driving lights and rear bumper overriders.

Reflecting its luxury spec, the 770 had additional sound deadening material and featured high-back bucket front seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, faux woodgrain dash trim, a clock and full carpeting. The seats were still vinyl, but could be had in a range of colours.

Available with a choice of either a 265 Hemi Six or 318 V8, the Charger 770’s transmission options included a four-speed manual and three-speed automatic. Unsurprisingly, most 770 buyers went for the 265 and auto, as fitted to this car, with the driving experience from this package enhanced by power front disc brakes, heavy duty front torsion bars, an anti-roll bar and optional radial tyres.

The Charger 770 listed with Burns & Co. is said to be a matching numbers car, finished in Russet metallic with a tan interior. Very clean inside, outside and underneath, the suspension on this 12/71 built Charger has been rebuilt and the engine bay looks refurbished but the interior is said to be original. Listed mileage is 29,745.

For more details on this car, click HERE.

1995 Ford EF Falcon XR6 wagon

Continuing an association with Tickford Vehicle Engineering that started with the EB Series II Falcon, the EF could be had in XR6 or XR8 form, but only the XR6 was available as a wagon.

On the XR6, the Tickford touch started with adding their own head, camshaft, valves and exhaust system to the Ford 4.0-litre inline six and retuning the EEC V engine management. This increased maximums from 157kW and 357Nm to 164kW and 366Nm. Not a huge increase, but the XR6 also featured an LSD with a revised final drive ratio to improve acceleration, as well as upgraded (and lower) suspension compared to the base Falcon. Transmission options included a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.

Appearance features defining the XR range started with exclusive 15-inch alloy wheels (16-inch optional) and a four-headlight front end treatment. There were also contrasting rub strips (red or black, depending on paint colour), a rear spoiler with integral stop light on the sedans and identifying badging on the tail and flanks.

Inside, it was mostly stock Falcon trimmings, but the XR6 got sports front seats with headrests and special cloth upholstery that was repeated on the rear seats. A leather steering wheel, additional gauges for engine temp, amps and oil pressure also featured, with XR6 identification above the glovebox lid.

Compared to the 5,000+ EF XR6 sedans built, EF XR6 wagon production was tiny. Numbers vary depending on source, but 476 has been mentioned, with the majority (278) of those being automatics, like this car. According to Burns & Co. this example is also one of only 37 EF XR6 wagons finished in Heritage Green.

This very clean EF XR6 wagon is described as a matching numbers car that’s completely original with 123,195km on the odometer. Roadworthied in September, 2021, it’s been fully serviced and recently had ceramic paint protection and glass coating applied.

For more details on this rare modern gem, click HERE.

For further details on Burns & Co’s 6 February Melbounre auction, including pre-auction inspection times, how to register for bidding and the full auction catalogue, click HERE.