1975 FALCON XB-GT SEDAN
A cosmetic overhaul has this Apollo Blue XB-GT sedan looking fabulous. It sports the 351ci V8, and in this example it’s tied to a three-speed auto. The odo displays 303,193 kilometres. Inside, the black-vinyl interior has been retrimmed, and the original owner went to town when ordering the GT as it features power steering and air-con, making it a very comfortable cruiser. In recent times it has had some minor mechanical work done and it’s now ready for the next custodian to just jump in, turn the key and enjoy.
SOLD: $100,000 – Collecting Cars
1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE LS6
If you’ve got the right one, Yankee muscle cars do very nicely at auction. Like this Chevelle convertible that has been in the one family since new, and always garaged. The Cranberry Red Chevelle has clocked over 45,785 miles and has a matching-numbers 454ci LS6 V8 with matching-numbers auto transmission. It has power steering, power brakes, power windows, Positraction and F41 sport suspension. It went with the build sheet and original invoice.
SOLD: $589,160 – Mecum, Lot S117
1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E36 AMG
This is the last model built by AMG before it was acquired by Mercedes and is one of just 400 made. Looking identical to the later E55, this has a 3.6lt straight-six under the bonnet and a five-speed gearbox, good for 260km/h. It was recently refurbed after hibernating in storage for a few years. Dark Blue/Purple in colour, it sits on original 17-inch AMG Monoblock wheels and has been de-badged for the ultimate ‘sleeper’ look.
SOLD: $10,500 – Bright Wells, Lot 403
1988 FIAT X1/9
Dubbed the ‘baby’ Ferrari, the mid-engined two-seater X1/9 was penned by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. This fine X1/9 is a rare right-hand drive car that lived on the Isle of Man with its third owner for 21 years. It has done just under 54,000 miles. The paintwork was refreshed in 2020 and there’s no signs of corrosion underneath. It goes well and everything works. The two-tone interior is also in good nick. It went with the original service book, Fiat Assurance and Bertone wallets.
SOLD: $12,500 – Iconic Auctioneers, Lot 50008
1926 SUNBEAM 35HP FIACRE COUPE
According to the chassis number this is the eighth 1926 35-horsepower Sunbeam made and originally sold to Lord Galway, the Governor General of New Zealand, remaining in use by his office until the WWII. After being discovered post-war by Ray Cowan, the Sunbeam was modified in to a special, on a shortened chassis. Then in 1989 the Sunbeam was acquired by Wallace McNair who painstakingly restored it. It was then bought by the vendor in 2008. Since then it has been shown and driven on a limited basis.
Estimate: $150,000-$180,000 – Donington Auctions
2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 PILOT LINE COUPE
This Challenger wears build number plate 0000 with 9375 miles on the odo. It was a ‘pilot’ car assigned to the VP of the 2008 Challenger program and he bought it after the certification. Production Challengers plaques range from 0001 to 6324 and this one got 0000 signifying it was built before #0001. It came with a rendering of the car by Jeff Gale, Challenger’s lead designer, a detailed history of this car autographed by Gale and the engineering VP. Remarkable provenance.
SOLD: $82,900 – Mecum, Lot S175
1978 FORD FALCON XC COBRA MANUAL
Here we have Cobra number 241 of 400. This two-owner, matching numbers car, built September 1978 shows a mere 104,871 klicks on the odo and went under the hammer unreserved. Sold with its original owners’ books, it’s powered by the 302ci V8 with a Top Loader four-speed manual and LSD. The vendor has owned it since 1981 and it’s in original and well cared for condition. The seats have been recovered in the original material from Ford and it sports 15-inch Globes.
SOLD: $162,500 – Burns & Co, Lot 11
1963 FORD FALCON SPRINT CONVERTIBLE
A convertible Falcon Sprint wasn’t a common sight in the States in ’63 and this one is ripe for a resto. It’s based on a Futura and has Peacock blue paint and pleated blue vinyl trim. Powering this Sprint is a 260ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Avant-garde for its time, the soft top is power operated. Other luxo features include a driver-side mirror, AM radio, a centre console and a heater. It went the owner’s manual, two sets of wheels and rear guard skirts.
SOLD: $26,000 – Bring A Trailer
1991 ALFA ROMEO SZ
There’s only a handful of the 1036 SZ’s built residing here. Reputed to be in excellent condition after considerable recent expenditure, this 1992 naturally-aspirated 3.0lt V6 was first sold in the UK, spending time in Japan, before arriving here in 2023. Just 54,650 kilometres on the clock, it’s build number 514 and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The SZ employed a similar suspension set-up as the Alfa 75 Group A racer plus in-car hydraulic ride-height control and 16-inch split-rim alloys.
SOLD: $77,000 – Collecting Cars
2004 PORSCHE BOXSTER S 550
This Boxster S is number 1626 of 1953 produced commemorating the 50th anniversary the 550 Spyder. A one-owner California car, it has travelled just 18,000 miles. GT Silver metallic with grey leather interior, this has the 3.2lt flat-six with six-speed manual combo. It also has sports suspension, and behind the 18-inch Carrera wheels are four-piston brake calipers grabbing cross-drilled rotors. There’s also a speed-activated rear spoiler. A Bose sound system is included if you tire of the flat-six wail, and roll hoops, if you run out of talent.
SOLD: $40,000 – Bring A Trailer, Lot 365
1979 FORD LTD
Ford didn’t sell a lot of LTDs and these days they rarely make an appearance at auctions. With a 351 V8 and three-speed FMX auto behind it, showing 367,994 kilometres on the clock, this Brown metallic luxo burger with tan trim is a survivor, described as being in great shape. A two-owner car, this one copped all the features and options when built in January 1979. The interior is said to be in very good condition, with the leather trim still soft and plush.
SOLD: $18,250 – Burns & Co, Lot 7
1969 DODGE CHARGER R/T HARDTOP
Driven by the baddies, the ’other half’ of the famous car chase in Bullitt was a Dodge Charger. This Arizona based example is a two-owner car, the first owner having kept it for 50 years. It boasts a matching-numbers 440ci V8, a four-speed manual and rare factory air-con. Over time it has had the clutch rebuilt, a new white interior dropped in, the dash and gauges have been restored, and it has been repainted in its original colour.
SOLD: $114,500 – Mecum, Lot S116
1965 BUICK RIVIERA
This Riviera caught my eye, purely on its looks and it’s hard to believe it’s turning 60 next year. A two-owner car, it was first sold in Long Beach, California then bought by the vendor in 1977. Under the bonnet rests a 410ci nail-head V8 with a three-speed auto. Silver with black trim and showing 39,000 miles on the clock. The Riviera was well-equipped featuring power steering, drum brakes and power windows.
SOLD: $40,000 – Bring A Trailer
1965 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK
This black with black trim 1965 fastback is believed to have started life red, in hue. A liberal use of chrome, the wood-rimmed steering wheel and 15-inch ‘Rally GT’ style wheels wrapped in whitewall Suretrac tyres, complete the picture. This one has a retro-style aftermarket push-button radio with digital clock and new door cards. The odo shows 58,135km. Underneath, the rear suspension has been replaced. Lift the bonnet to see the red HT leads, finned rocker covers, a stainless-steel exhaust system and a performance air filter.
SOLD: $70,600 – Collecting Cars
1970 DATSUN 240Z
When launched, the Datto 240 Z made a huge impression on enthusiasts globally. Sure, it was an E-Type clone in many ways, but it was affordable, reliable and highly desirable. This one was part of the ceremony when Yutaka Katayama, former president of Nissan Motor Corporation USA, was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1998. It was also used as the basis for a Franklin Mint scale model of the 240Z and received a Gold Medallion award from the National Z.
SOLD: $157,500 – Bring A Trailer
1936 DESOTO AIRFLOW
Created by parent company Chrysler as a mid-market rival to GM, Studebaker and others, the DeSoto slotted between the Plymouth and Chrysler brands, but took a walloping in the 1930s depression. This Airflow is described as stunning and one of the best examples in Australia, if not the world. Built in February 1936 it first sold in South Africa. It underwent a highly-detailed resto and painted black with brown leather interior and whitewall tyres. The paint and brightwork is flawless and the interior is said to be better than factory new.
Estimate: $50,000-$60,000 – Donington Auctions