In every edition of Unique Cars Magazine we take a look at recent auctions and share the highlights with our readers…
1955 Ford Customline
Sold: $82,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Chicane Auctions (AUS)
Like Ikea, the Ford Customline was built elsewhere and shipped in boxes for assembly in Australia, but you needed more than a single allen key to do so. Canada was their birthplace and they sold here from 1952 to 1959. This is an exceptional 1955 Ford Customline that has benefitted from from a meticulous rotisserie resto, by one of Australia’s most respected Customline specialists, Peter Denny of Stylerod Panels. It is his own toy and has been driven just 765 miles since completion. As you’d expect, the presentation, attention to detail and finish is second to none.
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1998 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
Sold: A$871,350 – RM Sotheby’s (UAE)
If it wasn’t a Sarah Jane Chicko Roll poster on a young boy’s bedroom wall in the 1980s, it was a Lambo Countach, sometimes both! This is the 25th anniversary model, one of 657 made and the final fling for the wedged and winged Italian. Horacio Pagani was the crayon twirler who restyled this legendary Lambo for its 25th birthday, while 1977 World Rally champion Sandro Munari made it go, stop and handle better than before. Painted Rosso over cream leather trim it has a barking 5.2-litre V12 and five-speed manual behind the cabin and this one has travelled just 9826 kilometres.
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1975 Ford XB GT Hardtop
Sold: $336,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Burns & Co (AUS)
Sold new by Adrian Brien Ford, SA, this four-speed manual, red pepper Falcon GT is no run of the mill coupe with a strong hammer price to prove it. Crowned best in class at the GT Falcon Nationals, it is highly original and well preserved, besides a closed-door respray in the 1990s. Fitted with contrasting white vinyl trim, it was also factory optioned with a slide-in sunroof. It’s original books are still with the car, an ACCHS report, and the all important original spare tyre.
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1977 Holden Torana A9X Sedan
Sold: $235,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Seven 82 Motors (AUS)
Built to blow the Fords away at Bathurst, on rejoining the HDT in 1978, Brockie won on debut in an A9X sedan. Unrestored with build number 72 of 405 it retains its matching-numbers 308 V8 and original four-speed manual and has been driven just 65,000km. Built in the Dandenong plant September 1977, the sunroof was added March 1978. At some point prior to 1984, it was sold, then parked up in a shed for ages. It was bought by the vendor in 2019 who recommissioned it back to full running order.
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1952 Alfa Romeo 1900CC Sprint Touring
Sold: undisclosed amount – Donington Auctions (AUS)
Powered by a DOHC four, a configuration synonymous with Alfas, documented history shows this right-hand drive example had a Carrozzeria coupe body plonked on the chassis and delivered to its first owner in France. It passed through many owners, given a full-on resto and shown at Retromobile in 2000. Now showing a tad under 50,000km, it sports Borrani wire wheels and optional wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel adding nice touches.
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1970 Ford XY GT Falcon
Sold: $226,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Seven 82 Motors (AUS)
To the surprise of nobody, a bidding frenzy erupted when this superbly restored, genuine JG33 XY GT Falcon was put up with no reserve. Repainted in Track Red with black vinyl trim, as it left Ford’s Broady factory in 1970, it’s one of 10 XY GT’s finished in this full spec. It has a matching-numbers 351 Cleveland V8 and FMX auto, along with a nine-inch diff, as well as power-assist front discs and trademark five slotters with red-stripe tyres. It has been with the seller since 2013.
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1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold: A$13,675 – Mecum (USA)
Originally built for the West German army, this was VW’s answer to the Mini Moke. It’s called the ‘Thing’ in the States. About as lavish as a tent, with a utilitarian design, a fold-down windscreen and removable doors. The Thing is the epitome of a parts-bin-special using a rear-mounted 1.6lt flat-four nicked from the Beetle, suspension pilfered from a Type 2 Kombi and the whole lot affixed to a Karmann Ghia floorpan.
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1972 Valiant Charger XL
Sold: $52,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Chicane Auctions (AUS)
The XL was the mid-spec in the ‘Hey Charger’ rack, with more goodies than the entry model and less than the R/T and 770. Here’s a rare survivor with matching-numbers, a 245 Hemi and column auto. Painted Hot Mustard with neutral tan trim it was bought new in 1972 and kept until 2008. Most XL Chargers get turned in to R/T tributes, so it is refreshing to see an original VH XL getting around. A true survivor and only four owners, it sold with its original Chrysler service book and owner’s handbook.
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1987 Holden VL SL Turbo
Sold: $50,000 + Buyer’s Premium – Burns & Co (AUS)
LOVE theM or hate them, the VL Commodore has a huge fan club and especially in turbo form. This original example ticked all the right boxes. Plated LW5/MX7 (turbo, manual) this Maranello red SL has only 92,873km on the odometer and even included it’s original build sheet and owner’s manual. It’s grey interior presented beautifully with an original exterior and drivetrain to match. A true untampered specimen for the collector and an amazing buy.
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2012 FPV GT
Sold: $49,200 – Trading Garage (AUS)
Whetting the appetite of purveyors of modern Aussie muscle cars is this one-owner FPV GT sold with no reserve. Winter White with black stripes it has done just 19,834 klicks from new. The supercharged 5.0-litre Coyote V8 hammers out 335 killerWatts and is paired with a six-speed auto. It grabs your attention with a jab of the throttle while playing its supercharged soundtrack. Bought new in 2013, this GT inhabited a shed for most of its life.
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1988 Toyota Supra
Sold: A$56,460 – Bring a Trailer (USA)
The sporty A70 Supra was a big departure from its dreary predecessor. Finished in Super Red over grey cloth, this one has a turbo 3.0-litre inline-six linked with a five-speed manual and a limited-slip diff, and has rocked along for 23,000 klicks. Getting it through bends neatly is Electronic Modulated Suspension and 16-inch alloys on fat rubber. They’re a fav among collectors of Japanese ’80s coupes.
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1983 Volkwagen Golf GTI MK1
Sold: A$19,350 – Iconic Auctioneers (UK)
You can blame or thank the Golf GTI for the hot-hatch phenomenon and this mighty Mk1 from long-term ownership, looks fabulous. Resprayed in 2022 in its original factory Black and sitting on its correct Tarantula alloys, inside is a charcoal and light grey striped cloth interior, believed to be original. The 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine was fully rebuilt in 2020 and has seen less than 1000 miles since.
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1972 VW Kombi ‘Lowlight Deluxe’
Sold: $50,600 + Buyer’s Premium – Chicane Auctions
who would have thought that the humble Kombi would become an ambassador for the collector-car world! This T2 was a remarkable example that was subject to a comprehensive, no-expense-spared rotisserie resto in 2020. Featuring a rebuilt 2.4-litre engine running twin Weber carburettors, it was now well-equipped for highway driving. It’s custom cabin space was refinished to an exceptional standard. A true bargain considering the build co
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1970 Ford Torino GT
Sold: A$43,000 – Mecum (USA)
If there was ever any doubt where the styling cues for the XA Falcon hardtop emanated, look no further than the Torino. This GT has all the right stuff too, a four-barrel carby sitting on top of a 351 V8 that also has a four-speed manual stuck on the back of it. Ford’s signature shaker pokes through the large bonnet and up front are hide-and-seek headlights. Making driving easier are power steering and power disc brakes. It rides on a set of Magnum 500 wheels and just looks tough!
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2011 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63
Sold: $32,250 – Collecting Cars (AUS)
Want to cross the continent swiftly? Try this. Stuffed into the bowels of this compact C-Class Mercedes, thanks to AMG, is a stove-hot 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 with 336kW. It’s tied to a seven-speed auto and morphs its power to the road through the rear 18-inch alloys. Adding to its appeal, this one has an impressive maintenance history and the odometer shows a mere 86,577 klicks. It also came with all the kit and caboodle, now it’s as inexpensive as a basic hatchback. Bargain.
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