Brock FX sells for $320,000

Signified by its 'Gumleaf Green' livery (a colour developed by Brock himself), the 1953 FX/48-215 was developed by Munday and former HDT engine maestro, Ian Tate, for Brock to race at the 2006 Goodwood Revival in the UK. While Brock failed to score a podium in the St. Mary's Trophy race for saloon cars, his efforts in the classic Holden saw him awarded with the event's "Spirit of Goodwood" trophy.

Significant in that it was the last vehicle circuit raced by Brock before his death, the FX has remained in Munday's possession, and featured on the cover of September 2007's JUST CARS when it was first offered for sale.

The hammer fell at $320,000, with the vehicle reportedly going to a Victorian collector. The Goodwood trophy was included with the consignment.

The companion car to the Brock FX was a 1964 EH Holden race car, also built by Munday as a tribute to Brock, and finished in similar livery as the FX. Thoroughly stripped down and prepped for racing competition, the car had done some test laps with Mark Skaife behind the wheel, but has seen precious little use since. Essentially a ready-made race machine, the EH sold for $75,000. No doubt the new owner will be taking it to the track sometime in the future.

Another big dollar lot was a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette, which fetched $100,000. Billed as being originally imported to Australia by GM-H for the 1954 Melbourne Motor Show, the Corvette was finished in rare 'Sportsman Red'. Restored in the 1980s, when it was also converted to right hand drive, this particular 'Vette was a regular attendee, and trophy winner, at Corvette and Chevrolet concours events, as well as the Victorian Hot Rod Show.

Another big dollar lot was #52, a 1958 Jaguar XK150 roadster. In fastidiously-maintained condition, with a matching-numbers driveline, the desirability of these classic Jags was reflected in this example comfortably exceeding its estimate to sell for $120,000. Another Jag, in the form of a Tom Luxton D-Type replica, sold for $90,000.

An Australian-delivered 1968 280SL Mercedes-Benz was another unit that fetched six figures. Australian-delivered, the 'Pagoda' 280SL convertible was fully restored in 2006 and modernised with the addition of inertia reel seatbelts, thermatic fan, hazard lights and upgraded air conditioning. A class winner at the 2010 Mercedes Club Concours, the vehicle included hard and soft tops, and was ready to enjoy. The final price was an impressive $100,000.

A 1963 Porsche 356C also sold well, at $61,000. A US-delivered unit, imported in 1993 and converted to right hand drive, the 356C was fully rebuilt as part of a $50,000+ restoration to tarmac rally spec. It was campaigned in Targa Tasmania numerous times before being returned to road specification in 2004.

A distinctive yellow Bentley S1 ute was one of the quirkier offerings from the Shannons auction. Originally purchased by Charles Lloyd-Jones, of David Jones retail fame, the Bentley was converted to a utility by the vehicle's third owner, Keith Rous, also known by the lofty title of the 'sixth Earl of Stradbroke'. Rous offered the Bentley to Trinity Grammar School earlier this year, for use or sale as the school saw fit. Offered at no reserve, with all funds raised going towards the school, the Bentley sold for $40,000.

A pair of 'ultimate off-roaders', in the form of a Ferret armoured reconnaissance vehicle and Saracen armoured personnel carrier, were another pair of odd lots. The two vehicles, both genuine ex-British Army, stood out on the concours at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, that's for sure! The Ferret sold for $45,000, while the Saracen was passed in.

Shannons had a very personal connection to Lot 48, a 1950 Citroen Big Six saloon, as it was once owned by Shannons' auctioneer extraordinaire, the late Bill Wellwood. The Citroen had race pedigree from the early 1950s and was billed as one of Bill's favourite vehicles. Offered with no reserve, the Big Six sold for $37,000.

Amongst the Aussie cars on offer, a 1974 LH Torana L34 SLR 5000 was the top seller, going for $85,000. The Torana was a matching numbers unit that had been restored in 2007. A number of components were still to be fitted and some items came from later model Toranas, but the healthy sale price proved there is still money in Aussie muscle.

Second best amongst the locals was a neat 1970 Ford XY GT Falcon, which was being offered with no reserve. Converted from factory automatic to manual and not carrying its original engine, the GT still sold for $46,000. An immaculate EK Holden utility sold for $27,500, a very original HG Brougham fetched a respectable $20,000, while a similarly original '82 WB Statesman sold for $9250. Two early Monaros - HK and HT - were passed in, and the "matching pair" of original HDT VK Group A SS sedan and modern VE HDT 'Retro VK' ute both failed to find buyers.

Vintage number plates continue to attract top dollars, and this auction was no exception. Amongst the Victorian plates on offer, "low numbers" were the premier lots, with '887' going for $51,000, '375' and '415' fetching $50,000 each, while '433' sold for $43,000.

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix promotional material sold well, and a 2005/2006 Honda F1 nosecone attracted $2500, but the big dollar automobilia items were petrol bowsers. At $5000, the top-selling bowser was a Wayne model in Shell livery that had been converted to a fridge. An older Gilbert & Barker conical pump in Golden Fleece livery sold for $3200, while enamel signs and other automobilia all sold well. Harking back to the Brock FX, a genuine GM-H 16mm silent film of the first 48-215 Holden to come off the production line sold for $1500.