Torana A9X sedan scores well at auction

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 06.02.2017

1977 Holden Torana A9X sedan

1958 Porsche 356A

1959 MGA twin-cam

1977 Holden Torana A9X sedan

1958 Porsche 356A

1959 MGA twin-cam

Top price paid for Porsche 356A, MGA hits high

Shannons’ Summer Sydney sale tonight scored strong bidding on a big field of collectible number plates. However for anyone chasing a car, the A9X Torana sedan was arguably the star lot, given the huge local interest in this model and the hatchback equivalent. It was a mildly modified example with good paperwork and a lit dealership sign as part of the package.

Bidding quickly whipped past $100,000 and settled at $126,000.

There was also a strong field of Porsches which, in air-cooled form, have been hot property on international markets over recent years. A clean 1974 911 2.7 was fought over and scored $80,000. Top money went to a 1958 356A at $166,000.

Good interest was shown in a 1977 Datsun 260Z 2+2 manual with lots of documentation, which finished at $26,000.

A Volvo P1800E in the same ownership by one family all its life got a solid result at $46,000, reflecting a general rise in interest in mid-value seventies Euro coupes.

Bidding for a Mk1 Escort twin-cam started at $40,000 and pulled up at $52,000.

A 1959 MGA twin-cam roadster with a good history gained wide interest and did exceptionally well at $85,000.

We can’t leave this without mentioning the extraordinary one-off hand-made 2.2-metre long radio-contolled model tug boat (lot 15AM) that saw fierce bidding for a final price of $9500. We guess that proves that, if it has a motor, people will go for it…

Car results

2AE 1967 BMC Mini Moke - $15,700;

2AF 1958 Morris Minor 1000 modified utility - $21,000;

3 1950 MG TD roadster - $25,000;

4 1961 Cadillac Series 62 convertible - $29,500;

5 1960 Austin-Healey bug-eye Sprite roadster - $33,000;

6 1977 Datsun 260Z 2+2 manual coupe - $26,000;

7 1971 Citroen 2CV AK400 van - $21,500;

8 1971 Volvo P1800E coupe - $46,000;

9 1956 Volkswagen Beetle oval window sedan - $32,000;

10 1974 Volkswagen Kombi split window microbus (Brazil origin) - $28,000;

11 1965 Jeep Wagoneer station wagon - $30,500;

12 1989 Riley MPH replica - $30,000;

13 1974 Porsche 911 2.7 coupe - $80,000;

14 1933 Ford Model C hot rod roadster - $62,000 (under negotiation);

15 1974 Maserati Merak coupe - $74,000;

16 1971 Mercedes Benz 280SE 3.5 saloon - $45,000;

17 1970 Ford Escort Mk1 twin cam coupe - $52,000;

18 1972 Ford Falcon XA GT sedan - $71,000;

19 1951 Jaguar XK120 roadster - $79,000;

20 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo (AWD) 996 manual coupe - $115,000;

21 1959 MGA twin-cam roadster - $85,000;

22 1978 Holden Torana SL/R5000 A9X sedan - $126,000;

23 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo coupe - $110,000;

25 1958 Porsche 356A coupe - $166,000;

26 1962 Jaguar E-type 3.8 Series 1 coupe - $105,000.

Next Shannons classic auction: Melbourne, 27 Feb.

Next Lloyds classic auction: Qld, 25 Feb.