The auction world is full of surprises, with big numbers and the odd bargain. Here are some of the highlights
1957 BMW 503 coupe
Sold: A$406,000
Bring a Trailer
Offered with no reserve was this BMW 503 of which just 412 were built between May 1956 and March 1959, and a mere 273 were coupes. This one was built June 24, 1957, and delivered new to Paris.
Power comes from a 3.2lt V8 paired with a column-shift, mid-mounted four-speed manual gearbox. It features a hand-built aluminium body and Dunlop vacuum assisted Dunlop front discs and rear drums.
2016 Ford Falcon FGX XR8 Sprint
Sold: $60,200
Grays
The Falcon went out with a bang when the factory shut and in its final year of production they built this car. A genuine collectable, it sports a supercharged V8 that is guaranteed to grab your attention.
This example has covered 63,598 kays and comes with full service history and books. Best of all it this grey with black leather upholstery is factory standard adding to its long term value.
1993 Lancia HF Integrale EVO II
Sold: A$163,000
Silverstone, Lot 436
The Lancia HF Integrale forged its reputation from being a winner in the World Rally Championship in its halcyon days. This particular car is even more special with its vendor Rowan Atkinson CBE.
Originally supplied to Japan it found its way to the UK in 2011 and into Atkinsons hands in May 2021. Atkinson is well known for his meticulous car care, and it sold with a history file confirming he spent a fair quid on it during his tenure.
1966 Lotus Elan S3
Sold: A$138,000
Silverstone, Lot 460
Another celebrity car to go under the hammer recently was this super little Lotus Elan S3 once owned by comedic genius and car nut Peter Sellers. He and wife Britt Ekland used in when in London until 1969. Since then it has had three more owners and in 2015 it underwent a full resto and retains its original chassis, body and engine.
It sold with hundreds of photos of it being restored and the prized original ‘green’ logbook with Peter Sellers signature on July 22nd 1966.
On the block:
1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello
Shannons Autumn Auction
May 23-30
Estimate: $280-320K
For those who must have a front-engine rear-drive layout, this is probably as good as it gets when it comes to supercars. Ferrari’s 550 runs a 5.5lt V12 claiming 357kW (480hp) with a six-speed manual transmission.
Some 3083 were produced from 1996 to 2001, proving there was plenty of demand for a traditional-style platform. Look for the details on this car at shannons.com.au
From Unique Cars #478, May 2023