SLATTERY’S DECEMBER NATIONAL AUCTION GOES LIVE TODAY

Slattery Auctions and Valuers has secured a Christmas Cracker of cars for their ‘National Classic & Prestige Vehicle Auction’ this month. With desirable vehicles from all over Australia, this timed online auction runs for six days, starting at 6:00PM (AEDT) on Friday, 12 December, and closing from 6:00PM (AEDT) on Wednesday, 17 December.

Along with late model HSV and Ford performance sedans, this auction includes a Maserati Grecale SUV and a very tidy 2008 BMW 320i sedan that’s covered just 4,100km from new. The classics are the highlights, though, covering stock vehicles, mild customs, unrestored survivors and even a super-rare shed find. The full consignment list can be seen HERE but the following cars are the highlights

1968 Vauxhall Ventora sedan

Genuine ‘Shed Find,’ located in Melbourne
3.3lt six and 3spd automatic
Super rare in Australia

GM-H officially brought Vauxhall cars into Australia from 1930, but by the 1960s, the popularity of Holden saw the range cut back and eventually discontinued with the FC Series Victor in 1966, although the compact Viva remained available for a little longer, rebadged as a Torana.

In the UK, the FD Series Victor and its derivatives replaced the FC from 1967, offering models roughly comparable to Holden’s range, with the ‘Coke Bottle’ exterior styling predating the same treatment seen on HK Holdens. The Victor was equivalent to a Kingswood, the Ventora to a Premier and the VX 4/90 to a (four-door) Monaro. However, the Victor and VX 4/90 only came with four-cylinder engines, while the Ventora was fitted with a 3.3-litre six from Vauxhall’s larger Cresta. There was no V8 available for any model in the FD Series.

As ‘one that never was’ in Australian terms, this is a very intriguing car. Presumably a private import, the early history of this Ventora is unknown. Provided documentation shows it was sold second hand in Victoria in 1974 and last registered there in 1985. A thick coat of dust shows it’s been in storage ever since.

The bucket seats, floor-shift two-speed automatic, disc front brakes and vinyl roof trim on this car are all authentic Ventora features, although a four-speed manual was the standard transmission, and the ‘GT’ badge on the boot lid is a local addition.

Under the dust, body quality appears good, with seemingly minimal rust. Inside, the seats look to be usable, but the carpets are bad, with the driver’s footwell carpeting removed entirely. Although it needs a full restoration, the appeal of this car lies in the fact that everything appears to be there, including exterior trim parts that would be almost impossible to source locally. Listed mileage of 64,710 is most likely genuine, with some spare parts, a service manual and other documentation included.

For more details, click HERE.

1965 Chrysler Valiant AP5 Safari wagon

225ci Slant Six and push-button 3spd auto
Alpine White with blue vinyl interior
Genuine unrestored survivor

Following the runaway success of the R Series and S Series Valiant sedans, Chrysler Australia expanded the range with the AP5 (Australian Production) Series. Launched in 1963, the AP5 added a station wagon, available as a ‘Safari’ or ‘Regal Safari’.

An incredible survivor, this Valiant is unrestored and unmodified from nose to tail – no repaint, no retrim, no rebuild. It runs its original 225ci engine and dash-mounted push-button version of the TorqueFlite auto that was discontinued after the AP5. Sold new in SA, this Valiant comes with extensive paperwork, including the owner’s manual, service history and more.

For more details, click HERE.

1992 Ford Falcon S XR8 sedan

5.0lt V8 and 4spd auto
Improved EB Series II example
Good condition throughout

When Ford brought V8 performance back to the Falcon with the XR8, the response was immediately positive. Developed by Tickford Vehicle Engineering for Ford, the XR8 revived memories of the mighty Falcon GTs of old and would remain in Ford Australia’s catalogue until the end of local manufacturing in 2016.

This XR8 is a 1992 model, located in Brisbane, with 222,621km on the odometer. The car is described as being complete, but would benefit from some cosmetic refurbishment and minor rust repair. This is a good example of the first generation XR8 that’s becoming increasingly rare.

For more details, click HERE.

1997 Holden VS Commodore Berlina sedan

3.8lt V6 and 4spd auto
Genuine 18,000km from new
True time capsule car

Launched in 1995, the VS Commodore was a continuation of the VR platform that also carried over to the VT Series. Changes on the VS were mainly confined to the ECOTEC V6, adding more power and better fuel economy, with the 4L60-E four-speed auto transmission updated, too.

Despite being almost 30 years old, this 1997 VS Berlina looks showroom fresh, with immaculate paint, almost perfect interior trim and unscuffed wheelcovers. Condition is described as excellent in most areas, and the 18,110km on the odometer is genuine. The only non-factory additions are a nudge bar and rear spoiler.

For more details, click HERE.

1975 Volkswagen Type 2 camper van

Iconic ‘Bay Window’ Kombi
Pop-top roof and full camper fitout
Period owner’s manual and literature included

Replacing VW’s beloved ‘Split Window’ Type 2 in 1967, the ‘Bay Window’ model would remain in production until 1979. While a Kombi (for passenger or cargo hauling) is the configuration most people associate these vehicles with, the Type 2 could be had in van, bus and utility form, too.

This 1975 Kombi features the standard air-cooled four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission, but has been kitted out for travelling with a pop-top roof, double bed/table, a kitchenette with stove/sink/fridge, and plenty of storage.

With an odometer reading 74,297km, this Kombi is in very good, usable condition.

For more details, click HERE.

1964 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan

400ci V8 and T350 auto upgrade
HQ disc brake front end
Near-stock interior

The epitome of mid-1960s ‘square rigger’ styling, the 1964 Chevrolet was available in Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala and Impala SS trim levels, with engine options from a 230ci six to the big 409ci V8. Chevs were being locally assembled by GM-H in RHD at this time, too, as Bel Air sedans with 283ci V8s.

As offered, this locally-assembled Bel Air has been upgraded with a 400ci V8, Turbo 350 three-speed auto and disc brake front end. Dragway alloys, window tinting and metallic green paint have been added, too, but the interior is almost completely stock.

For more details, click HERE.

1951 Borgward Hansa sedan

Rare German classic
Restomod makeover
Commodore V6 engine and transmission

The Borgward marque was active for less than 20 years, but in that time, it introduced some attractive cars with advancements like overhead valve engines, full-synchro gearboxes and fully independent suspension that had yet to be widely adopted.

The first all-new car from post-war Germany, the Hansa 1500 debuted in 1949. Power came from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine matched to a three-speed manual. In this car, that drivetrain has been replaced with a 3.8-litre Commodore V6 and four-speed automatic as part of a restomod makeover that includes full blackout exterior trim and several interior modifications.

For more details, click HERE.

1964 Holden EH Special sedan

179ci six and 3spd Hydramatic auto
White over Beige paint
Hurricane mags and interior upgrades

A much sought-after car today, the EH was just as hot when new, with more than 256,000 sold in just over 18 months. The big news with the EH was the all-new six-cylinder ‘Red Motor,’ available in 149ci and 179ci displacement, replacing the Grey Motor that had been fitted to all Holdens since 1948.

This EH runs a 179 with Hydramatic auto. An upgraded exhaust and C1970s-style Hurricane mags have been fitted, along with auxiliary gauges and a modern sound system. While attention is needed for the engine, transmission and steering, this would make a great weekend cruiser when sorted.

For more details, click HERE.

1970 Ford XY Fairmont sedan

302 V8 and 3spd auto
Factory Limelight metallic
Custom sound system

Available from late 1970 to early 1972, the XY Falcon/Fairmont family was the final iteration of Ford’s XR platform, with the main differences over the XW Series it replaced being more powerful six-cylinder engines and some styling tweaks.

With so many Fairmonts being turned into GT clones, it’s refreshing to see one that remains as a Fairmont and retains most of its factory features. The matching-numbers 302 in this car is connected to a standard three-speed auto. Paint and trim are authentic to the car, too, although the latter needs refurbishment. Mag wheels and an Alpine sound system have been added.

For more details, click HERE.

Bidding in Slattery’s National Classic & Prestige Vehicle Auction opens at 6:00PM (AEDT) on Friday, 12 December, and closes from 6:00PM (AEDT) on Wednesday, 17 December.

For more details on this auction, information on how to register to bid, and to see all the cars, click HERE.