Recent auction highlights from around the world
2005 Ford GT
Sold: $637,000
Bring A Trailer
For around the same money as a Phase III HO you can have this. The Ford GT was built as a celebration of the GT40 that beat Ferrari at Le Mans after Ford’s failed attempt to acquire the Italian brand. Ford won the 24-hour race in 1966, ’67, ’68 and ’69. This one-owner 2005 GT with a mere 12,000km on the clock, is one of 2022 built that year and has a supercharged 5.4lt V8 paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and a helical LSD.
1974 Holden HJ GTS coupe
Sold: $100,500
Grays
By the time the HJ Monaro came around buyers were scarce and only 606 GTS coupes were produced. This October 1974 built example in white with a vinyl lid and brown interior has a 253ci V8 auto gearbox combo and is in original and unrestored condition. It has aircon, electric windows and power steering and shows 67,951 km on the clock. It came with the owner’s manual.
Victorian registration plate 388
Sold: $662,000
Shannons
Like it or not, rare and significant number plates are big business these days and a highlight of the return of Motorclassica was the Shannons number plate auction. In all 23 plates were offered ranging from three to six numbers, some with instant recognition to a make and model – like 929 for the Mazda. The biggest seller was Victorian plate 388 which sold for $662,000 and the total sold under the hammer came to a whopping $4.819 million.
1988 Holden VL Turbo Commodore SL BT-1
Sold: $51,400
Grays
VL SL Commodores were basic transport, even when new, and as sparse as a cave inside as well as bland outside. But add the BT-1 police pack with a puffer on the Nissan engine and DYO gearshifts and bingo, you’ve got a goldmine. This one has done 162,327km has a pale blue interior and sold with a partial service history. This example looked like decent value compared to past asking prices for genuine BT-1s.
What’s movin’ & shakin’
Ford Falcon XD ESP
Arriving in March 1979 was the XD Falcon with an all-new design inside and out, influenced by the European Granada. Kicking off the range was the GL with its 3.3lt six and three-on-the-tree manual. For those wanting a GL with some spunk, there was the European Sports Pack or option 54, introduced in June 1980. The pack featured Globe ‘Bathurst’ mags, sports suspension with Bilstein shockers, Scheel front sports seats, red-lit instruments and most importantly the bigger 4.1lt alloy head straight-six. Mechanically the ESPs are robust, the biggest issue being body corrosion. Hard to find in six-cylinder form but still affordable they are a popular early 80s Aussie car.
From Unique Cars #472, Nov/Dec 2022