The auction world is full of surprises, with ever changing numbers, plus the occasional bargain. Here are some of the highlights.
1980 BMW M1
Sold: $904,000
Worldwide Auctioneers
Built on a dream of creating a mid-engined racer to outclass the competition, the BMW M1 was born and road-going versions were built for homologation. This matching-numbers example is one of 453 made and underwent a 3000-hour multi-year resto using NOS parts with the original engine rebuilt and has only travelled 11,000 miles. M1 chassis production and development were undertaken by Lamborghini and the body created by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign. Powering it is BMWs famous 3.5lt straight-six with 274 horses bolted to an upside-down five-speed gearbox.
1992 Batmobile Replica
Sold: $425,000
Bring A Trailer
Holy moneybags Batman. This Batmobile replica started life as a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette with a 6.2lt LS3 V8 in it. Featuring red bat graphics, bubble windscreens, hooded headlight surrounds, batwing tail fins, an emergency light, a rear turbine-style vent, a gas-fuelled flame emitter, parachute bags, bat-scope control panel, emergency bat-turn lever, a batphone, a homing receiver scope, polished vertical stacks, alloys with the bat logo and a custom interior. You won’t miss it.
1971 Ford XY GT Replica
Sold: $110,500
Seven 82 Motors, Lot 57
Here we have an XY GT tribute in signature Vermillion Fire. It has a 351ci Cleveland, bolted to a four-speed manual and a nine-inch diff. The project began in the ’90s, but ground to a halt, and restarted with reassembly in 2019. Outside are GT stripes, shaker, spoilers, bonnet pins and dual-exhaust. Inside is black trim with the weave pattern on the seats, a GT dash, centre console and steering wheel.
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600
Sold: $62,000
CollectingCars
This four-owner Giulia Super in ‘Bollino d’Oro’ still has its original 1600cc twin-cam engine and five-speed manual gearbox. According to its Certificato di Origine, this Alfa Romeo Giulia Super was delivered new in 1967 to Pymble, NSW. The combination of Biancospino over Skai Nero Fumo is how it rolled off the line. There are subtle upgrades and this family-friendly classic is ready to be enjoyed and ogled by passers-by.
1970 Plymouth Road Runner
Mecum Las Vegas auction – November 9-11, 2023
Lot S91
Heading under the hammer at the Mecum auction around the time of the Vegas F1 GP is this V-Code 440 V8, with a four-speed manual, which is one of just 429 made in 1970. Harnessing the power are power-assisted front discs and quick shifts are courtesy of a Hurst pistol-grip shifter. It is painted TorRed with black interior and has a bench seat with headrests. There’s also a solid-state radio. Outside are longitudinal dust-trail stripes, painted wheels, and completing the era-correct picture are its Firestone Wide Oval tyres. Classic.
1987 Citroen 2CV
Sold: $14,400
CollectingCars
This late model, very cute, two-tone Frenchie is powered by a 602cc air-cooled flat-twin, putting out a teeny 22kW. It’s front-wheel-drive and has a four-speed manual gearbox. It was imported to Australia from the UK in 2018 and underwent a complete four-year resto. The black roll-back soft-top roof and grey fabric interior are new, and it rides on 15-inch cream wheels and appropriately Michelin tyres. This is the luxo version with heating and fold-out front windows. It sold with a restoration manual, and import documents.
1971 Holden HQ LS V8 Coupe
Sold: $106,000
Seven 82 Motors, Lot 61
Another no reserve significant Holden went under the hammer at Seven 82 Motors and it also attracted a swathe of keen bidders. It has been with the one owner since 1986 and had a ground-up rebuild over many years. It was professionally repainted in Alpha Roosa. The performance is from a 383ci Chevy V8 and Turbo 400 auto. It started life, August ’71 with a 202ci-six and Trimatic auto.
1991 Honda NSX
Sold: $74,000
CollectingCars
The NSX has been on a price roller coaster.
A decade ago, you’d struggle to get more than 50K for one. Prices then surged to triple that, but now appear to be returning to earth. It’s still a lot of supercar for the money. The NSX is user-friendly, reliable, its 3.0lt V6 putting out 206kW. The NSX was last serviced by Honda Japan. It recently arrived on our shores, and the odo shows 131,272km.
1961 Jaguar E-Type
Sold: $1.7M
Gooding and Co. Lot 22
A record auction price was achieved for this fully restored production 1961 E-Type. This is the exact car that started the global phenomenon, being the first E-Type sold, and the car used for press events, as well as being just the fourth right-hand-drive roadster built. Adding to its desirability is the fact this car, bearing chassis number 850004 with its original matching-numbers engine and registration number, was also the personal transport of legendary Le Mans team manager and Jaguar director Frank “Lofty” England.
1991 Saab 900 Turbo
Sold: $17,000
CollectingCars
When did you last see a Saab Turbo? This one is reported to be in good condition throughout, and was offered unreserved. This 900 Turbo has covered almost 300,000km from new, so has been enjoyed. The stylish and luxurious Swede is a potential future classic, now the brand is defunct. Under the bonnet lies a 2.0lt four with low-pressure turbo. A four-owner car, it sold with the original hand and service books.
1952 Holden FX Sedan
Sold: $25,000
Seven 82 Motors, Lot 5
Auctioned with no reserve this 1952 Holden FX attracted many bidders. A rare 48-215 Holden survivor and the first model mass produced by Holden. It has been repainted in its original Marl Grey and retains its matching-numbers 2.1-litre six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual. It sold with documents and rego certificates back to the ’50s.
1972 Daimler Double Six S1 SWB
Sold: $20,775
Brightwells
When the XJ Series Jaguar hit the streets, its sleek design inside and out made the competition look antiquated. Following on Jaguar’s heels was its Daimler cousin and this short-wheelbase sedan, with a V12 shoehorned into it, was the fastest four-door production car in the world, with a top-speed touching 150mph. It’s one of 524 made and believed to be one of just 10 surviving in the UK today.
1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster
No sale: $28,300
Bring A Trailer
We knew this car as the Datsun 2000 and it was Japan’s answer to the MGB. This 1969 roadster was acquired by the vendor in 2022 and two years earlier underwent a body-off resto. It had a repaint, re-trim and the replacement of some mechanicals. The frame and floors were rust proofed. The reassembly used new seals and body mounts, re-chromed headlight scoops, a replacement grille surround, badges and mouldings. It didn’t meet its reserve.
1960 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
Sold: $47,200
Bring A Trailer
In the early ’60s a few of these big Galaxies made their presence felt on Australian roads. Laid-back and luxurious, this Sunliner with the powered convertible soft-top has a 352ci V8 with a three-speed auto and looks stunning in its white paint and turquoise with white vinyl trim. This car is believed to have been in storage for 34 years before being acquired by the seller in 2018. The odo shows 31,000 miles and with it went the owner’s manual and fender skirts.
2012 Lexus LFA
Sold: $1.7M
RM Sotheby’s, Lot 365
Jeremy Clarkson was so smitten by the Yamaha co-developed, V10, 552-horsepower Lexus LFA supercar, he claimed it was the best car he’d ever driven. This is the 188th of the 500 built, has 47 miles on the clock and still has its delivery wrapping on the steering wheel and seats. The LFA was a pet project of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda whose dream was to create a car to challenge the supercar status quo.
1961 Ghia L 6.4
Sold: $1.0M
RM Sotheby’s, Lot 323
THIS IS one of the rarest cars in the world, with just 26 made. Today they are highly sought, judging by the sale figure. The Ghia was one of the world’s most luxurious cars and driven by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. This retains its matching-numbers 383ci Chrysler V8 bolted to a TorqueFlite auto. It is the sixth of the 26 produced and sold following a recent concours-quality, nut-and-bolt restoration.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible
Sold: $458,400
Mecum, Lot S134
Monterey car Week and associated auctions continue to attract rare chariots. This V-Code 440 Magnum Six-Pack, R/T Challenger, is one of 99 convertibles and one of 61 with a 4-speed manual. Over its life it has received a full resto and recently a cosmetic refurb. Driveline is a period correct 440/390 HP V8 and matching-numbers four-speed manual. The Plum Crazy R/T sold with a Dave Wise Inspection Report.
From Unique Cars #484, Oct 2023