Benzes appreciate at Shannons Sydney sale

Top seller was a 1959 190SL roadster. Australian-delivered, the 190SL was last auctioned through Shannons six years ago, where it sold for $67,500. This time around, the white with red leather interior roadster made $91,000, more than $20K above its pre-auction high estimate, and demonstrating the growing desirability of early Mercedes roadsters.

The other Benz was a 1964 'Pagoda roof' 230SL. A multiple concours trophy winner, the red with tan leather interior 230SL was arguably in better condition than the 190SL, and bidders responded to push it over its pre-sale estimate by $11,000 to sell for $89,000.

Other good prices realised at this auction included $58,500 for a 390bhp 2003 TVR Tuscan S, while a Series 3 E Type Jag made $56,000. An RHD-converted 1971 Porsche 911T 2.2 Targa made $45,000, while the top Aussie car was a stunningly-restored 1962 S Series Valiant, which sold for $26,500.

Full results and further details at www.shannons.com.au

Images: Shannons