Classic news, reviews, club news, auction action, gotaways.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON’S LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
A 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible owned by Lyndon B Johnson sold for $300,000, on the Bring a Trailer website recently. the arctic white with beige leather trim convertible was sold new to The LBJ Company of Austin, Texas, and used by President Lyndon B Johnson at his ranch. Built September 9, 1964, at the Wixom plant in Michigan, it’s powered by a 320-horsepower 430ci V8 paired with a dual-range, three-speed automatic transmission.
The Elwood Engel-designed, fourth-generation Continental underwent a mid-life refresh for the 1964 model year, including a longer wheelbase, chrome vertical grille accents and revised rear deck-lid trim panel. Johnson went all the way on the features list as the big Continental convertible boasts luxury touches including a power-retractable soft top, a retractable antenna, a left-side mirror, rear-hinged rear doors, and chrome bumpers, window surrounds, and lower side mouldings.
Power steering was standard, and braking is power-assisted front and rear drums. The seats have folding centre armrests in both rows, plus there is air conditioning, power windows, vacuum-operated power door locks and an AM/FM radio.
Behind the three-spoke steering wheel sits a horizontal-sweep 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel, oil pressure, amps, and engine temperatur. In the early 2000s the Lincoln underwent a restoration and repaint and it was acquired by the vendor in November 2022. The ex-Johnson Continental convertible sold with previous ownership records, historical documents, photos, and dealer paperwork showing its original purchase by the LBJ Corporation along with Presidential memorabilia including A removable magnet indicating President Johnson’s ownership.
9500-KILOMETRE BATHURST DELIVERED A9X ON OFFER
If you are a Holden or Aussie musclecar enthusiast or collector, head to Macquarie Auctions online and take a look at this 1977 Palais White with black interior, genuine Holden Torana A9X sedan with just 9510km.
Online viewing of the Torana A9X is available now with online bidding commencing June 18 and the hammer dropping July 6.
Four days after Peter Brock reunited with the revamped Holden Dealer Team and won both races at Sandown in a four-door A9X, this immacualte A9X sedan was sold to its first owner from Oberon NSW, by Bathurst Holden on February 9, 1978. Up until now it is believed to have had four owners, with the current one having it for the past 15 years.
The A9X sedan is reported to be in outstanding condition inside and out and aside from the new wipers, battery mounts and tailpipes, it is untouched and utterly original in every way.
This Aussie classic has been meticulously maintained and cared for throughout its 47 year life by each of its custodians and is considered to be one of the best, if not the best example of the iconic A9X Torana sedan today.
All the numbers are matching, confirming the all-important details and it has been verified by the A9X Club of Australia.
GM-H has also verified the details of the car as such: Model 8VD69 – SL/R 4 door sedan (A9X), Engine HT75182 – 308ci (L31), Transmission – 4-speed manual (M21), Rear axle 3.08:1 (GU4), four-wheel disc brakes.
The Holden Torana A9X proved to be one of the General’s most successful race cars winning Australian Touring Car Championships for Bob Morris and Peter Brock as well as two of Brock’s most dominant Bathhurst 1000 victories. In 1979 Brock lead every lap of the race which he and co-driver Jim Richards won by six laps.
SIGNIFICANT PORSCHE COLLECTION UP FOR GRABS
One of the largest collection of Porsche literature, memorabilia, automobilia, parts, books, art, components number plates and vehicles ever assembled are going under the hammer through an online auction, at Donington Auctions from July 15 to 27, 2024.
The outstanding treasusre trove, believed to be one of the largest ever offered in the southern hemiphere has items ranging from the very early 1950s to current times and all lots come from the private collections of Austin King, and Jeff Dutton, both well-known in Porsche circles and who have a lifetime link with the fabled Stuttgart brand.
In total 309 lots will go under the hammer and range from a poster of Brian Foley’s Australian Touring Car Championship Porsche 911 resplendent in its Chesterfield Racing livery to pair of Hapewe pliers from a Porsche tool kit. At the other ends of the scale is a Porsche tractor!
Given the breadth of items being auctioned there really is is something for everybody and everyt budget. Here are some highlights: the complete left and right hand side panels of the Grace Bros Porsche, raced by the late John Harvey in 1976. A pair of Victorian number plates; HOT 911 seen in an advertising campaign for Castrol oils; A fascinating item blending motorsport, art and versatility is a section of a Porsche 917K tailpiece in Gulf colours incorporated into a desk or reception table. Another great talking point is the wheel from a Porsche 956 endurance sportscar used in the Sandown 1000 World Endurance Championship race in 1984 and turned into a stylish coffee table.
If you want to give your older 911 a bit more bite there is a genuine and sought-after close-ratio 915 gearbox. There are also several sets of of FUCHS wheels in a variety of diameters, offsets and widths, loads of instruments, seats, in fact, almost anything you can think of.
But if you really want to have something different in your shed and the bragging rights that go with it, there is a Porsche 108 Junior Tractor with Serial No. K 10590. It has been immaculately restored and features a 15-horespower 822cc air-cooled, single-cylinder diesel engine. The Porsche 108 was produced between between 1952 and 1963 and this one, which runs and drives well, has a rear PTO a front hitch and rear with deck and towball. The seller says it has had little use since the resoration, so it is time for it to find a new home. Imagine lifting your shed door as you tell frinds, “I’ve just bought a Porsche.”
SEEING RED AT DARE TO DREAM
Five of Ferrari’s most desirable supercars went under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Dare to Dream auction in Ontario, Canada selling for a total of $29.39 million.
Part of the big five, scoring the highest price of $6.44M, was a 2003 Enzo. The US-spec car was first bought by the Caiola family and at the time of the auction two more custodians had added their names to the ownership papers. It has travelled 8607km from new.
A 1996 F50 attracted the second highest price of $6.36 million. The 4.7lt V12 powered car in Euro-spec was delivered new to a Monaco-based collector who owned it for 13 years. This one had 20,910km on the odo.
The final podium spot went to the 1985 288 GTO for $5.82 million. It was one of 272 built.
The most modern of the quintet took fourth place. It was a 2015 Ferrari La Ferrari. Resplendent in signature Ferrari Rosso as were all of them, this car had travelled paltry 2842km.
The last of the big five, which achieved $5.21 million at auction was the 1990 F40, a celebration of the marque’s 40th anniversary. A racer for the road, with bare interior surfaces, grey cloth for a dash cover, and made of aluminium, kevlar and carbon fibre, the Ferrari F40’s raw spirit mirrored that of the 250 GTO. This example had been driven a total of 1606km.
The collection belonged to Canadian businessman Miles Nadal, Chairman and CEO of MDC Partners, one of the world’s largest marketing and communication companies.
Photography: Bring a Trailer, Macquarie Auction Group, Donington Auctions,RM Sothebys