Custom cars do well at Shannons Sydney

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 31.08.2016

Pillarless Buick is a replica of Leno car.

Cooper S mini scored well.

This Austin pedal car went for $6k!

Pillarless Buick is a replica of Leno car.

Cooper S mini scored well.

This Austin pedal car went for $6k!

Fame factor works for Leno replica ride, while pedal car scores $6k

Here's proof that a good quality custom car can score well at auction, with two exceptional units scoring big dollars at the recent Shannons Sydney event. One was no doubt helped by mimicking a similar car with a famous former owner, in the form of comedian and internationally renowned car nut Jay Leno.

One of the real surprises was the strong bidding on a an Austin-replica pedal car, which scored a hefty $6000.

Good Mini Coopers are clearly on the climb, too, with an example selling for $49,000.

Here's the report from Shannons:

Two spectacular 1950s American two-door cruisers built by award-winning Taree, NSW customiser, Justin Hills, brought big bucks at Shannons Sydney Winter auction on August 29.

The top seller of the duo – a stunning black-with-cream-leather 1950 Cadillac Series 62 – sold for $141,000 after a long duel amongst local bidders that began at $90,000.

Meanwhile a sleek black-over-silver 1955 Buick pillarless coupe styled after the Roadmaster owned by American comedian Jay Leno, also sold comfortably above its high estimate for $132,000.

A striking Candy Apple Red two-door 1949 Buick Sedanette, also extensively customised in era-correct style, brought $89,000, while a fully restored right-hand-drive converted 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville sold for $81,500 on the night.

The other Big American in the auction – a very desirable, pristine 1969 Shelby GT500 Mustang delivered new as a batch of six into Japan in 1969, sold for $115,000.

While their results showed strong interest in the American market they were all trumped in the auction by a very collectible 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet and an equally-desirable Series 1 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster.

Benefitting from a full interior re-trim in 2011 and an engine rebuild in 2015, the factory right-hand-drive ‘Benz was pursued relentlessly by two overseas and several local bidders in a protracted duel that drove its price to $185,000.

The E-Type, which was a Personal Export later delivered near-new to Australia, was also sold above its high estimate, making $158,000 – indicative of soaring interest worldwide in these iconic Jaguar sports models.

In other standout results in the auction, which resulted in a 96 per cent clearance rate of all vehicles and 100 per cent on memorabilia:

• a 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 fitted with striking two-door coupe bodywork by renowned local coachbuilder Martin & King sold on estimate for $98,000

• a beautiful American-delivered 1957 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe that was restored and converted to right-hand-drive in Australia during 2000-2005, brought $88,000

• a fully restored 1970 Mark II Morris Mini Cooper S believed to be one of approximately 1000 cars supplied to the New South Wales Police Force sold for $49,000, indicating the rising collectible value of these Australian-built Cooper S vehicles

• a nicely-presented 1968 Triumph TR5 Overdrive model fitted with the optional ‘Surrey Top’ sold on estimate for $56,000.

Black and white Heritage numeric number plates were also highly pursued, with the four-digit ‘1931’ and ‘6006’ both bringing an excellent $69,000.

Amongst Memorabilia lots, the standout result was $6000 paid for a 1.5-metre long circa-1960 Austin J40 pedal car in complete, but unrestored condition.

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