Aussie, US muscle tops Shannons Melbourne auction
Finished in iconic Red Pepper, the Inverell, NSW-delivered 351 V8 and four-speed manual-equipped car was one of just 891 2-door examples made of Ford's first truly Australian Falcon GT.
The auctioned example was ordered with several factory options, including a black bonnet paint-out, tint-band laminated windscreen and Super Fringe Deluxe push-button radio. Restored 18 years ago, with the black vinyl interior trim refreshed five years ago, the GT still looked tight and came to auction with a $150,000 high estimate, which it exceeded to sell for $153,000.
Another Aussie classic to exceed its estimate was a 1976 LX Torana SL/R 3300 that had been with the same family for 41 years. Believed to have covered a genuine 34,000km from new, the SL/R 3300 was the cheaper alternative to the SL/R 5000 V8. This rare, unmolested unit came to auction with a $45,000 high estimate and sold for an excellent $46,000.
Arguably the bargain of the auction was a 1972 LJ Torana GTR XU-1 with a non-original engine, non-original paint and in need of detailing that carried a $90K high estimate but sold for just $66,000.
A highly-modified, drag-spec ’72 LJ Torana fitted with a 355ci V8 and other performance equipment sold for $42,000.
Aussie classics of a more pedestrian nature included a superb 1958 Holden FC Special sedan that sold above estimate for $32,500, while a three-owner, 1951 Holden 48-215 ‘FX’ sedan in ‘good average’ condition – but loaded with NASCO accessories – achieved $23,000.
The prime example of US muscle from this auction was a stunning 1969 Dodge Charger 440 R/T that came to auction fresh from a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration. Finished in bright white with red R/T stripes and matching red interior, this Charger was tipped to sell in the $80,000 - $90,000 range but attention from multiple phone and floor bidders saw it finally hammer for $105,000.
Other American classics to perform well included a superbly-restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe fitted with the model’s rare factory four-barrel Power Pack 283ci V8 ($73,000); a striking 1963 Chevrolet Impala 327 SS convertible ($56,000) and a first-year 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS (Rally Sport) SS coupe finished in black with red trim ($33,000).
More obscure American classics included a 1956 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible in white-over-lilac that sold for $47,000, a 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix coupe converted to RHD that sold for $14,500, a 1939 Willys Model 39 sedan that made the same amount and a ’38 Chevrolet Master sedan that sold for $21,500.
Other strong results included $121,000 for a restored and mechanically-upgraded 1959, 23-window Volkswagen Transporter, and $70,000 achieved by a 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 with Park Ward saloon body.
Including collectable number plates, total sales from this auction were $2.5 million with a clearance rate of 93 per cent. For full results and further details from this auction, go to: shannons.com.au
