Toranas, Jaguars top Burns & Co. auction

Burns & Co. Auctions saw some solid results from their first classic car auction for 2022, with an 84 per cent clearance and healthy six-figure sums for several consignments.

Topping the 6 February auction was a 1972 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 that Burns & Co. described as one of the best they’ve seen. Finished in Royal Purple with factory black vinyl and houndstooth cloth interior trim, this genuine GTR XU-1 had been restored by SA-based Crispen Classic Car Restoration and Rodney Plowman Restorations.

With the consignor for the past 13 years and coming to auction with an extensive photo file and other paperwork documenting the restoration, strong bidding saw the car ultimately reach $265,000, which was the top sale on the day.

Coming a close second was a 1955 Jaguar XK140 fixed head coupe finished in maroon with a tan leather and carpeted interior. First owned by a doctor in Orange, NSW, this Australian-delivered FHC passed through several owners in the state until 2008, when it came to Victoria.

In 2010, the car was subject to a full and thorough ten-year restoration, with modifications including the fitting of disc brakes all round, air conditioning and a five-speed gearbox.

The quality of the restoration and tasteful upgrades saw the XK140 sell for $245,000. In contrast, an unrestored ‘barn find’ example of the same model from the same year sold for $130,000.

The second LJ GTR XU-1 consigned for this auction was another 1972 model, finished in Lime Green metallic with a black vinyl interior. Originally one of GM-H’s press fleet cars, the Torana was later sold to Frank Coad, a Holden dealer in northern Victoria who was also co-winner of the inaugural Armstrong 500.

Fitted with a rare 1973-spec Bathurst cylinder head, the car was repainted in 1994, but the black vinyl interior was original. Coming to auction with 52,470 miles on the odometer, this Torana GTR XU-1 sold for $207,000.

Other good results included $201,000 for a restored 1974 Jaguar E Type V12 roadster, $180,000 for a barn find 1962 Jaguar E Type coupe, $132,000 for a 1973 XB Falcon GS hardtop and $120,000 for a 2012 FPV GT R-Spec, while a 1984 WB Kingswood ute with over 330,000kms but a good body made a surprising $89,000.

For more results from this auction and details on upcoming auctions, go to: burnsandco.hibid.com