Shannons winter warmers

By: Guy Allen, Photography by: Guy Allen

Date: 04.07.2016

1972 Ford Escort RS1600 MK1 Coupe

1972 Ford Escort RS1600 MK1 coupe engine

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack coupe LHD

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack coupe engine

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396ci Coupe LHD

1958 Chevroelt Corvette convertible

c1959 VW Kombi Campervan conversion

1972 Ford Escort RS1600 MK1 Coupe

1972 Ford Escort RS1600 MK1 coupe engine

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack coupe LHD

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack coupe engine

1974 Plymouth Barracuda 440 Six-Pack

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396ci Coupe LHD

1958 Chevroelt Corvette convertible

c1959 VW Kombi Campervan conversion

Rally-bred Escort heads an eclectic mix at the Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction

Wander in to the Shannons Melbourne showroom any time between now and the start of its Winter classic auction on July 11 and the first thing you’ll be confronted by is a bright yellow Escort. Not just any humble Ford compact, but a MkI RS1600 dressed up with rally lamps. The homologation special is one of the most desirable cars in the Ford Europe playbook. This example is a left-hand-drive car first delivered to Belgium, which then made its way over here via a collector in the USA. An estimate of $100-125k is a reflection of how highly prized these machines now are and the fact it should attract international interest.

Continuing the performance theme is a 1998 Porsche 993 twin turbo, estimated at $270-290k. This one is a low miler (not much over 100,000km) and has a known history.

Muscle car fans have a few toys to agonise over, including an early Corvette, 1969 Camaro and 1974 Plymouth Barracuda. The latter has the desirable 440 6-pack powerplant and is estimated at $65-75k.

At the opposite end of the motoring spectrum is a slick-looking late-1950s kombi, done out as a camper (albeit with a few modern touches) that’s expected to ride the current wave of popularity for these models, estimated at $85-100k.

There’s a solid selection of mid-range classics, such as E-type, a very tidy Mach 1 Mustang, Jaguar XK150, Plymouth Barracuda and a well-presented Torana XU-1 estimated at $55-70k.

If you’re looking at a somewhat lower budget level, there’s some really interesting kit in the $20-40k range, such as: 1973 Leyland P76 V8 (est $18-24k), 1941 De Soto convertible (est $28-34k) and 1960 Borgward Isabella (est $16-20k).

Fans of locally-built Holdens have plenty to choose from, including an HZ ute, HR Premier sedan, CB SL/E, a very original-looking FJ and a tidy FB wagon.

Finally, we couldn’t help but notice a nicely-presented 1958 Volkswagen Beetle, estimated at $8-10k – possibly the perfect starter car for someone getting into classics.

All up there are 44 lots on offer, including memorabilia, motorcycles, plates and cars. 

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