PREVIEW - Scammells Collectable & Muscle Car Auction
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Scammells Motoring & Collectables
Whether your motoring tastes swing toward classic or vintage, Australian or overseas cars, survivor or restored, there’s something to tempt you in two upcoming auctions presented by Scammells Auctions in South Australia.
In JUST CARS’ experience, some of the more intriguing and unusual classic, vintage and veteran cars, as well as the best-preserved, have come from South Australia. What’s coming up with Scammells Auctions is no exception.
For their Collectable & Muscle Car Auction on 15 April, 2023, Scammells have secured an impressive and eclectic collection of cars from several SA family collections and deceased estates. High-profile Aussie muscle leads the way, with rarities from beyond our shores up for grabs, too.
1972 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger R/T E49
Arguably the premier lot in the 15 April auction, this Charger is in the ultimate E49 spec, meaning it combines the high-performance Hemi 265 six with a four-speed manual transmission.
A genuine Charger R/T, this car’s factory options include A87, A95, D56 and the all-important D20 and E49. D20 denoted a four-speed manual gearbox, while E49 meant a ‘Competition’ 265 Hemi six with the ‘6 Pack’ induction set-up of three Weber twin-choke carbs and other engine improvements.
A lot of this was also on the Charter R/T E38, but that had a less powerful engine (210kW vs the E49’s 226kW) and was only available with a three-speed gearbox, losing that all-important extra cog that Chrysler needed to challenge Ford and Holden at Bathurst.
This particular VH Charger R/T is described as one of only four built in Alpine White, making it far rarer than the Hemi Orange, Vitamin C, Hot Mustard and Magenta these cars are usually seen in.
Alpine White was a staple in Chrysler Australia’s colour palette throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, but interestingly, 1972 – the year this car was built – would be its last, replaced with Arctic White from 1973. In this instance, the white paint has been matched to a black interior.
This car is believed to have spent most of its time in South Australia and comes to auction from the collection of a mature owner, who's had it for almost 40 years.
Subjected to a full, nut and bolt restoration by that same owner 30 years ago, this Charger presents well today, with the paint, factory option wheels, engine bay and interior still looking fresh.
Overall, VH Charger production totalled almost 18,000 units, but less than 1,300 were R/Ts and only around 150 of those had the E49 option. That makes this car rare already. Add in the Alpine White paint and it’s even rarer.
Genuine Charger R/T E49s have sold for $250,000 and even $300,000 in the recent past, which means this example should comfortably meet its guiding range of $200-220,000, given its condition and rare factory paint.
Adding to this car’s appeal are ‘E49’ registration plates, which will be included in the sale to an SA buyer.
1974 Holden HQ Monaro GTS
After testing the public response to a four-door Monaro with the V8-powered, Belmont-based ‘SS’ in September, 1972, Holden made the Monaro available with an extra set of doors from March, 1973.
Fitted with the locally-developed and built 253 V8 as standard, but with 308 and 350 engines optional, the four-door Monaro would survive to the end of 1978 (albeit without the Monaro name), outliving its two-door sibling by a year.
Although close to 500,000 HQ Holdens were built, Monaro production was a small fraction of that and Monaro GTS production smaller again, but how many Monaro GTS sedans were built is unknown.
This example, a 6/74-built car in Aquamarine metallic with a Doeskin vinyl interior, was factory fitted with the 308 V8 and Trimatic auto, but provided documentation shows it received a new, factory-approved Holden replacement motor in August, 1975. A repaint followed sometime in the late 1970s.
Sourced from Mount Gambier and family owned for over 35 years, this HQ Monaro GTS had been used as a daily driver for much of that time and comes to auction in good condition, having been serviced regularly. Scammells’ pre-auction estimate is $50-60,000.
1978 Holden HZ Sandman panel van
The Sandman panel van first appeared in 1974, combining GTS features with bold colours, distinctive decals and a sportier interior. Arriving at the tail end of HQ Series production, the Sandman would prove popular enough to be retained in Holden’s lineup for the HJ, HX and HZ Series’ that followed, with a ute version added, too.
That same popularity saw Chrysler respond with the ‘Drifter’ and Ford with the ‘Sundowner,’ both of which were built and marketed to the same “recreational” formula as the Sandman.
While this Sandman doesn’t carry the signature ‘XX7’ code of units built at Acacia Ridge (it’s an Elizabeth build), it appears to be the genuine article. The paint and cabin trim – Caribbean Turquoise and Chamois vinyl – are certainly authentic and the running gear appears to be the same 253 V8 and four-speed manual it was built with, too.
While the outside remains mostly stock, and the cabin likewise (with factory air conditioning and an aftermarket stereo the only notable additions), this Sandman’s load area has been customised in the best 1970s tradition, with a full-length headliner, carriage lamps and velour trim on the walls, quilted fabric covers for the storage boxes (including an Esky) along the sides, a plush floor lining and a pass-through to the cabin separated by curtains.
Unrestored, but used regularly and described as a much-loved vehicle, this Sandman’s pre-auction estimate is $40-45,000.
1976 Holden HX LE coupe
As a farewell to the two-door Monaro, Holden released the ‘LE’ in 1976. With no Monaro identification inside or out, the LE (for Limited Edition), reflected the mood of the market at this time, with features and trim that were more about luxury than performance.
Only 580 units were built, all at GM-H’s Pagewood plant and all with a 308 V8 and three-speed automatic transmission. Every LE was finished in Limited Edition Red Metallic with gold pinstriping and gold ‘honeycomb’ alloy wheels, while the quad headlight front clip from the Premier was in the style of the Monaro LS.
Interior fitout was on a par with a Statesman, including power windows, tinted glass, air conditioning, a push-button radio and 8-track player. Cinnabar (dark red) vinyl and velour trim with plaid inserts on the seats was standard, along with a GTS dash and steering wheel, power antenna, power steering and power front disc brakes.
This HX LE was purchased by the current owners in 1997 from the Mount Barker area, with the intention to restore the car as a father-and-son project. That didn’t proceed, so the car remains as bought. The exterior and interior are believed to be original and the 137,788km on the odometer likely to be accurate, too.
After being on the outer in terms of collectability, the LE has found a growing audience in recent years, with prices increasing accordingly. Scammells’ guiding range for this example is $80-90,000.
Coming from the same family as the HQ Monaro, HZ Sandman and HX LE is another Holden in the form of a 1970 HG Kingswood station wagon. A two-owner vehicle from new, this car has been with the family for 30 years and still wears its original Kashmir White over Aegean Aqua paint, along with its original Antique Saddle vinyl trim. Pre-auction estimate is $25-30,000.
1970 Iso Lele
Following the Rivolta and Grifo, the Lele was the third and last of Iso’s GT cars (the Fidia was a saloon), arriving in 1969 and remaining in production until the Italian firm’s bankruptcy in 1974.
Essentially a replacement for the Rivolta that had been launched in 1962, the Lele (sometimes referred to as a Rivolta Lele) featured 2+2 seating and styling by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini that included semi-hooded headlights, like the Alfa Romeo Montreal and Lamborghini Jarama (both of which were also styled by Gandini).
Like past Iso GTs, the Lele was powered by a Chev 5.4-litre (327ci) V8 as standard, backed by either a 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual or 3-speed auto gearbox. From 1972, the Lele would be fitted with a Ford 5.8-litre (351ci) V8 and Ford or ZF transmissions due to a dispute with GM.
Other Lele features included Campagnolo ‘Elektron’ alloys and inboard disc brakes all round, while air con, power windows, an AM/FM cassette radio, leather upholstery and timber trim were all standard.
Aussie Touring Car legend Norm Beechey owned a Lele, which like this example, is one of the few built in RHD. Lele production totalled around 300 (sources vary), of which RHD numbers are few and only one is believed to have been delivered to Australia new – car #5.
The car going to auction is #4 and was formerly owned for a long period by an SA doctor. With low mileage (6,424km on the odometer), this very rare Italian GT is complete and running, but would benefit from recommissioning or a full restoration if the next owner intends to drive it regularly.
This 1970 Lele has a pre-auction estimate of $40-45,000.
Also on Offer
Other cars consigned for Scammells’ April auction include a 1974 XB Falcon GT sedan that’s described as a genuine, matching numbers GT with an original interior and restored exterior (estimate $80-90,000), a 2017 Holden VF Commodore SS ute in white with factory alloys and hard tonneau (estimate $40-45,000) and an unrestored C1962 VW Karmann Ghia convertible (estimate $40-45,000).
There’s also a C1970 Mazda 1300 Super Deluxe that’s a former Fast Fours & Rotaries feature car. The original 1.3-litre inline four engine has been replaced by a 13B rotary, with custom induction and exhaust, improved cooling and other tweaks, but the car still looks stock on the outside. Inside, aftermarket gauges and a JVC stereo upgrade are amongst the few variations from factory. Estimate on this modified classic is $35-40,000.
April Auction
While Scammells Collectable & Muscle Car auction is scheduled for 15 April (selling from 10:00AM in-house and online on the day), pre-bids can be lodged now.
To register for bidding, see more photos and find out more details on every lot in this auction, go to: scammellauctions.com.au
Vintage auction in May
While there’s a lot to be excited about in the April auction, Scammells are offering some more special vehicles in May that are sure to appeal to discerning and passionate collectors.
Cars from the ‘Vinall and Sanders Collection’ include a restored Vauxhall 30/98 and Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 as the headline lots, with Delage, Minerva, Bentley, Austin and others included.
Vauxhall 30/98
Back when Vauxhall was a premium sporting marque, the 30/98 was the ultimate expression of that, with performance to match or better anything that Bentley, Sunbeam or Alvis could offer, and priced accordingly.
Just under 600 30/98 chassis were produced between 1913 and 1927 and the example to be auctioned by Scammells has been fully restored, in the four-door tourer style with a bare metal finish on the body and red mudguards.
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8
Just as rare as the Vauxhall but even more exotic is the Isotta Fraschini. Italy’s Rolls-Royce, Isotta Fraschini was founded in Milan in 1900 and would be the first carmaker to offer a straight eight engine. Their 'Tipo 8' model debuted in 1919 and would remain in production, in improved and enlarged 7.4-litre ‘8A’ and ‘8B’ form, until 1934.
The C1923 example going to auction is from the first generation (chassis #237), so has a 6.0-litre engine. Most likely one of the handful of these premium cars sold new in Australia in the early 1920s, #237 has been restored and wears a four-door touring body typical of the period.
Full details on these cars and the others will be released prior to the auction on 20 May. For more information, go to: scammellauctions.com.au
