The auction world is full of surprises, with big sales and the odd bargain. Here are some of the highlights
1975 Ford XB Falcon GT
Sold: $133,000
Grays
Imagine how sought-after this matching numbers XB-GT was. With a 351 V8 and four-speed manual gearbox it’s painted Apollo Blue with silver highlights and has parchment trim. It has covered 220,592kms. It looks terrific on its 15-inch Globe alloys and redline tyres. Period correct and looking every bit as stunning as it did when it was built in September 1975. Surely there can’t be many left.
1993 Mazda Autozam AZ-1
Sold: $31,250
Collecting Cars
You don’t need to look to Germany and a sizeable hole in your wallet for gull wing doors. This mid-engine Autozam AZ-1 gets its zam from a 66hp turbo 657cc triple-cylinder Suzuki engine driving the rear wheels, through a five-speed manual gearbox. It’s a Kei-car, the smallest highway-legal passenger car class in Japan. Finished in two-tone blue and grey, inside it has black and blue cloth..
1992 Holden VP Calais
Sold: $25,150
Grays
1990S Commodores and Calais have reached the age of becoming classics, with a new-generation of buyers keen to snap them up. This clean-looking example got a sprinkling of HSV magic on its V8 engine. So it’s a bit of a sleeper. With Alaskan White over Silver Calais, it sports a grey velour interior and has its original Calais rims. It has travelled 129,132kms and came with books.
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL
Sold: A$60,350
RM Sothebys Lot 181
The 5.6LT V8 was the biggest donk Benz made at the time and, in the relatively light convertible body, performance wasn’t too shabby. About 13,000 examples were made in 1988 and this one looks the part in Midnight Blue with a matching hardtop, a dark blue soft top and grey leather upholstery. Since new this one has travelled just 65,000km. It’s claimed to be meticulously maintained.
Auction watch – what’s movin’ & shakin’
Honda Prelude 1987-1992
In 1987 the third generation Honda Prelude launched here. Its predecessor set the tone of innovation being the first Japanese car sold here with ALB, or anti-lock brakes, and the third gen introduced a world-first; four-wheel steering. Add in a DOHC four-cylinder engine, slick manual gearbox and decent stoppers. Then there’s the stylishe two door body with pop up headlights. Inside was just as sporty. This generation Prelude is making a bit of a comeback with prices and popularity coming out of hibernation. It won the 1987 Wheels COTY award and you should find a decent one for under 10 grand.
From Unique Cars #459, Nov 2021