Packard tops Shannons Melbourne Auction

The top-seller was a 1935 Packard 'Super Eight' sedan, which sat between the 'Eight' and 'Twelve' in Packard's range for that year. Three different wheelbases and more than a dozen different body styles were available for the 1935 Super Eight, but a 384ci straight eight engine was common across all these variations. The body style on the Shannons-auctioned vehicle appears to be a standard sedan, but a trunkback 'Club Sedan', 'Formal Sedan' and even a 'Commercial Sedan' body was also listed for that year.

On the outside, the Packard featured an unusual colour combination of cream with red wire wheels. Inside, the Super Eight was finished in a pale lavender cloth trim, with complementary grey carpets, a timber dash, door cappings and window surrounds. The centrally-mounted dash featured white-faced gauges in a bright metal sutrround. Both the exterior and interior presented in exceptional condition, but the engine bay could do with a tidy up.

Part of the appeal of the Packard, aside from its condition, was its rarity. Total Packard production for 1935 represented less than 7,000 vehicles, with the Super Eights accounting for only 1,392 of that number.

Behind the Packard, the next best seller was a 1964 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, which sold for $60,000, followed by a VL 'Walkinshaw' Commodore, which made $57,750. Collectable Victorian registration number plates sold well, with '327' and '289' both fetching $55,000 each.

For more details on all lots from Shannons' Melbourne Autumn Classic auction, go to www.shannons.com.au.