The auction world is full of surprises, with big numbers and the odd bargain. Here are some of the highlights
2005 HSV VZ SV6000
Sold: $55,200
Grays
Of all the HSV models out there the SV series is a little less known, but just as much fun to punt and own, being one of just 50 built.
This one sports an auto tied to a meaty, modified V8 and has travelled a smidge under 100kays. Finished in retina-burning yellow with black leather interior it sold with service history and owner’s manual.
2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Edition
Sold: $670,500
Collecting Cars
For those lucky enough to have deep pockets and a love of rear-engined German cars, this is the one for you. The 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition commemorates the 70th anniversary of the marque here and is one of 26 made. It has travelled a mere 763km.
A naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six, delivering 375kW to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. It has never been driven in the rain and hand-detailed after every outing. It boasts over 90 grand of extras over the GT3 Touring.
2020 Ferrari 488 Pista
Sold: $805,500
Collecting Cars
This Ferrari 488 Pista is a racetrack-bred supercar that you can potter around in on our roads and this two-owner example has covered just 5752km.
Howling behind your head is a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8, delivering 529kW to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts. 0-100km/h is over in 2.8 seconds and its max speed is 340km/h. It’s finished in Argento Nürburgring with Nero and Giallo racing stripes.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Sold: A$580,000
Mecum, Lot F135
It might be 60 years old but this rare split window Vette, one of 199 ZO6 produced in ’63, sure got a lot of bidders waving their paddles in the air. It was recently judged an NCRS Topflight in 2023 with a score of 99.6.
It has undergone a comprehensive resto and redone in the factory correct combo of Sebring silver and black trim. It has a matching numbers RF-suffix 327/360 V8 tied to a 4-speed transmission and features Z06 special suspension, finned drums and cooling fans plus spinner wheel covers and its original Firestone tyres.
What’s movin’ and shakin’
Chrysler Lancer (LB/LC)
For starters there aren’t many kicking around thanks to the dreaded body deterioration, but if you are after a cheap fun rear drive late 70s Japanese-bred liftback to fling about, the LB (from 1977) or facelifted LC Lancer (May ‘79) is a good place to start. Not especially quick the 4G32 1.6lt four was good for 55-kilowatts and behind it a four-speed manual.
With the LC series the sedan was dropped and the liftback copped a minor restyle and a five-speed manual behind a belt driven SOHC G32B engine. Mechanically they are fairly robust. In 1981 it was rebranded a Mitsubishi Lancer. Your local Chrysler or Mitsubishi clubs should be your first port of call.
From Unique Cars #478, May 2023