Toranas and Monaro to feature at Shannons MotorEx Auction

Staged over the weekend of July 21-22 at Sydney's Olympic Park, Meguiar's MotorEx is the largest and most prestigious motoring enthusiast event of its kind in Australia, featuring hundreds of Custom, Performance and Collectible vehicles from all over the country.

The top Torana of the trio consigned is a rare Jasmine Yellow 1977 Holden LX Torana A9X Hatchback - one of only 15 A9X Hatches delivered in this colour and one of just three with tan trim - that has led a pampered life, showing only 82,800km (believed genuine) on its odometer. Kept in storage from 1989-2002, the A9X had its engine regularly turned over during this time to ensure its mechanical parts remained operational.

Apart from its dealer-fitted AM radio cassette player and a repaint in its correct acrylic paint, the A9X remains largely to delivery specification. Its original motor and gearbox were rebuilt in 2006 and it also retains its factory differential, glass, unmarked trim, headlamps and body kit. Given that a similar but unrestored A9X hatchback sold for $149,000 after frenetic bidding at last year's MotorEx auction, Shannons conservatively expect this beautifully-presented A9X to sell in the $170,000-$210,000 range.

A more affordable alternative for Torana hatchback buyers is a recently restored 1977 Holden LX Torana SS V8 Hatchback. Purchased by the vendor as an incomplete project five years ago, this LX SS Torana is a factory 4.2-litre V8, four-speed manual car. Originally Valencia Orange, the car was re-sprayed in its current black livery approximately 10 years ago, while the new interior has been installed during its recent rebuild. Today the Torana remains in very good, ready-to-be-enjoyed condition and is expected to sell in the $42,000-$48,000 range.

Finally, Shannons also have a 1975 Holden LH Torana SL/R5000 Sedan with four-speed manual gearbox crossing the auction block at MotorEx. Presented in good condition, the restored Torana has now been fitted with power steering to make it easier to drive in traffic and is expected to attract bids in the $36,000-$42,000 range.

Away from the Toranas, another piece of Aussie muscle that's sure to attract some keen bidding at Sydney is a 1968 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 coupe, which is being offered at no reserve. Finished in the model's trademark Warwick Yellow, the GTS 327 being auctioned is believed to be a four-owner car. The 327ci V8 engine was rebuilt in the early 1990s, but the vehicle has not been registered since 1996 and has since been stored, with very little use since.

The motor now turns over but has yet to be started; the interior is complete but grubby with the driver's seat torn, there is some minor surface rust and the engine compartment and boot have a patina consistent with long-term storage, making it the perfect base for a serious restoration project. Because of its iconic status as Australia's premier GM muscle car, Shannons expects keen bidding from collectors and enthusiasts in the $50,000 - $70,000 range.

Now in its 12th year, Meguiar's MotorEx will be staged over the July 21-22 weekend at Sydney's Olympic Park. The largest and most prestigious motoring enthusiast event of its kind in Australia, Meguiar's MotorEx features hundreds of custom, performance and collectable vehicles from all over the country.

All vehicles in the Shannons auction will be on display throughout the weekend, with the auction starting at 3pm on the Sunday.