Torana XU-1 tops Shannons Melbourne auction
While heritage number plates still dominate in terms of overall sales (including the Vic reg ‘59’ plate that sold for $535,000), most of the car consignments for this auction performed well, with some exceeding pre-auction estimates.
The Torana came to the Melbourne auction with No Reserve, but a guiding range of $80,000 - $100,000. What made this particular example unusual was its rare ‘Strike Me Pink’ paint and paperwork showing it to be the first documented LJ-model XU-1 produced at the GM-H Elizabeth plant.
Delivered new to Melville Motors in South Australia, the Torana was racing as a Sports Sedan in Western Australia not long after, log-booked by CAMS in 1976.
Lightened extensively for Sports Sedan racing, the XU-1 is now much closer to its production specification after the vendor, who purchased the car in 1994, treated it to a thorough restoration. However, some of the car’s original racing modifications were retained.
With two determined bidders, one in the room and the other on the phone, the XU-1 soon hit six figures and almost looked it would double its $100,000 high estimate before the hammer fell at $183,000.
That price made the XU-1 the top-selling car on the night, followed by a 1989 Porsche 930 in Baltic Blue with a Marine Blue interior, 3.3lt turbo six engine and 5-speed manual transmission that sold for $160,000.
Another good price was achieved for a 1969 Holden HT Monaro in modified, street machine spec, that sold within estimate for $107,000.
Uprated with a 383ci V8, T350 auto, Ford 9-inch diff and oversized disc brakes all round, the HT Monaro had been finished in Lexus Pearl White with metallic silver stripes. The car also carried a full custom interior, including fawn and burgundy leather seat upholstery.
Other Aussie classics to perform well at this auction included a white-over-yellow 1960 Holden FB Holden Special sedan in good condition ($26,000), a 1962 Ford XK Falcon ‘windowless’ panel van ($50,000) and a one-family-owned, 308ci V8-engined 1979 Holden HZ Statesman DeVille ($16,500).
Cars that sold on or close to their estimates included a 1957 Holden FE Utility finished in unusual Chocolate over Tan paint ($18,000), a two-owner 1954 Holden FJ Standard sedan, with just 46,000 miles ($15,000) and a one family-owned, unrestored 1962 Holden EJ Special sedan ($8,500).
The 1971 Citroen DS21 Pallas formerly belonging to Judith Durham of The Seekers sold for $40,000; a price matched by the ex-Paul Trevethan (see JUST CARS #274) 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Group N racer (in Jim McKeown Trident Racing Team tribute livery) with a full roll cage, race seat/harnesses, fuel cell, disc front brakes, Minilite alloys and Lotus Twin Cam 1557cc engine.
Americana of note included a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, with the 427ci Big Block V8 in ‘L89’ spec that delivered 435hp (324kW) - the hottest 427 package available for ’68 – and heavy-duty 4-speed manual transmission, that sold for $100,000. A 1956 Chev 210 sedan and 1959 Chev Impala 2-door hardtop, both in RHD, sold for $50,000 and $84,000 respectively. A 1965 Shelby GT350 replica Mustang fastback made $37,000 and a ’66 Mustang coupe with a 302/auto and RHD conversion sold for $45,000, while a customised (302 V8, 3-spd auto, mag wheels, custom interior) 1956 Ford F100 stepside pickup sold for $45,000.
Total sales from the Shannons Melbourne Autumn Auction reached $3.3 million, with a 90 per cent clearance rate. For full lot listings and more details, go to: shannons.com.au
