Barn Find Torana Set for October auction
AUTHOR: Matthew Lancaster
The Aberline family name is well known in rural NSW, having traded in the Wyalong region for over 75 years.
Operating several automobile & farming dealerships, the family would often receive trade-in vehicles from customers looking to upgrade to the latest model.
One such long-forgotten transaction from the mid-eighties has emerged as the centrepiece for an upcoming two day auction.
Model: LJ82911
Chassis No: BLJ54705B
Engine No: JL431170
Build Date: 10/73
Body No: 297380B
Date: Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2020
Location: 86 – 90 Main Street, West Wyalong
Auctioneer: Ashley Burns, Burns & Co Auctions
The discovery of a genuine ‘barn find’ 1973 Holden LJ Torana GTR is expected to attract significant bidding interest.
The vehicle had clocked up 86,000km’s when it was traded-in at the Ford dealership on Main St, West Wyalong in 1985.
With space at a premium on the lot and no interested parties at the time, the Holden was relegated to the back of the shed where it lay parked and forgotten, accumulating dust for over 35 years.
In terms of the LJ series, the GTR’s were a class above the standard LJ model and remain highly desirable.It is overshadowed by it’s variant, the race ready GTR XU-1. An Australian icon off and on the track, the XU-1 was the last race-winning Holden one could purchase new. The GTR remains an impressive vehicle however, powered by a 202cu in/ 3.36L 6 cylinder engine, as good as any muscle on the market at the time.
What will the Torana sell for?
The demand for genuine vehicles from Australian’s golden age of motoring has seen extrodinary figures paid, with no signs of an abating market
Just last month, as reported by practicalmotoring.com.au, a 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83 (known in industry circles as the ‘Chicken Coupe’, in a nod to the three decades it spent parked in a chook shed), fetched a whopping $300,909
Early estimates have the LJ GTR fetching over $100,000, although we must keep in mind that the Ford XA exceeded it’s estimate by the same figure, and albeit a much rarer vehicle, it stands to reason that buyers will stop at nothing to acquire genuine Aussie classics.
The auctioneer plays a major role in the final outcome and it’s important to note that Ashley Burns, of Burns & Co Auctions, has achieved some incredible results of late.
In August 2020, Burns presided over an auction of a 1996 Holden Special Vehicles HSV VS GTSR Sedan, banging the gavel down at a remarkable $305,000.
Burns acknowledged that the Aberline family have a rich trading history, making this ‘a sale and opportunity not to be missed’.
“Several cars in the collection will be in keen demand” says Burns “The GTR Torana and the Tank Fairlane are sure to attract many bidders given their provenance and condition.”
To offer by way of PUBLIC AUCTION
Complete workshop/dealership on an unreserved basis.
Motor Vehicles: Desirable Holden Torana GTR (traded in 1985), 1961 Tank Ford Fairlane (traded in 1984), several XR8 and XR6 Ford Cars / Utilities with delivery kms, VW Ute tubs, numerous car parts and accessories (mainly Ford)
Other: Significant collection of dealership signage and advertising including Ford, Mobil and Dunlop (mostly vintage and desirable), workshop equipment, tools, car and workshop manuals, dealership fittings and fixtures, shelving etc.
Catalogue coming late September.
FULL ONLINE, FLOOR, ABSENTEE AND PHONE BIDDING AVAILABLE
Follow all updates including COVID-19 changes, bidding and viewing arrangements on our website www.burnsandcoauctions.com.au
