Bathurst Monaro, HQ SS for Shannons Sydney auction
The 1968 Silver Mink metallic four-speed manual Monaro has already created great interest in collector circles as it is number 42 of the first 50 GTS 327 coupes to leave Sydney's Pagewood assembly plant in 1968 and is showing just 94,500 miles (believed genuine) on its odometer in the hands of its fourth owner.
Adding to its provenance, the HK GTS 327 is believed to have been entered for Mount Panorama's annual great race in 1968, as a backup car for the Bathurst Motors race team, but never competed. While there are no documents to substantiate the Bathurst claim, Shannons believe some irregularities found on the car point to this.
The previous owner purchased the car in the early 1980s with 70,000 original miles on the clock and soon after acquiring the car undertook a restoration of the body and all mechanicals. Purchased by the current owner some 15 years ago, the car has been kept garaged with regular servicing and driven only sparingly during this time.
The car remains in good condition today, sporting period chrome rims, its original Goya Red vinyl interior and radio. Because of its early build, originality and provenance, Shannons expect the Monaro to sell in the $85,000-$95,000 range - a relative bargain compared with the prices that this most special of all Monaro models was bringing several years ago.
If the $85K estimate on the HK Monaro is a little too rich for your blood, a lovely, trophy-winning 1972 Holden HQ SS sedan may be more to your taste with its $18,000 - $24,000 estimate.
Restored seven years ago (claimed), and fitted with the sought-after 253-cid V8 (rebuilt 400kms ago) and four-speed manual gearbox combination, the Ultra Violet SS comes with a letter of verification from the SS Owners' & Enthusiasts' Group.
Externally the HQ engine looks stock, but the internals have been modified extensively for added power. Its four-speed manual 'box has been fitted with M21 ratios, while it also has Pedders suspension all round and slotted front disc rotors.
Other desirable Holdens added to this auction include a 1962 EK utility ($16,000 - $20,000 guiding range) and a 1977 HX panel van Sandman clone ($12,000 - $15,000), both of which appear to be in very good condition.
Finally, Ford fanciers haven't been left out, as there is the next best thing to a Phase IV Falcon GT HO consigned for the Sydney auction - a 1974 Ford Falcon XB GS 'K Code' 351 V8 sedan.
A rare vehicle in its day and now sought after by Ford enthusiasts, this K-Code 351, four-speed manual, nine-inch diff with sports suspension XB GS Rally Pack sedan has been in the current ownership since 1980.
It was used as a family car until the mid-1990s and has since led a more relaxed life, clocking up a total of 189,758 indicated kilometres, which are believed genuine.
Shortly after the vendor acquired this car the seats were re-upholstered in a black cloth trim rather than the original black vinyl, to make it more comfortable in its regular driving duties. This original GS-Pack, matching numbers XB was resprayed in 1998 with the intent of continuing with a full restoration, but the owner instead chose to keep the rest of the car in its original state.
As a unique and highly-optioned GS, this fine XB is a true blue Australian muscle car that would be welcome at many events, with Shannons quoting a guiding range of $24,000 - $28,000.
Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Sale will take place at Shannons Sydney auction rooms, 65 Reserve Rd, St. Leonards on Monday, February 4, with the first lot crossing the blocks at 7:00PM.
