Ford Cobra Hardtop + Plymouth Superbird Tribute - Auction Action 403

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 06.08.2017

Hot on the auction block recently...

1978 Ford Cobra Hardtop

Sold: $121,000
Lloyds Auctions

Gotta love a good flamboyant 1970s car, and they don't come a whole lot more so than a Ford Falcon Cobra Coupe.

This XC had a lot of the options boxes ticked when it was ordered from the dealer, so it has air-conditioning, power steering and power windows.

Under the bonnet there's a 302 with auto. All up, that sounds like a nice cruiser.

These may not have been a pinnacle hero car like a Phase III, but the steady rise of other Aussie icons has dragged these along in their wake.

1970 Plymouth Superbird Tribute

Sold: $92,000
Mecum, Portland

It might not be the real thing, but it's living proof that tribute cars have an appreciative market – if they're done well.

This example started life as a Roadrunner, now with a 426 in the snout, and you could argue it should have been left that way, given a decent example is a joy to behold.

Nevertheless, it's hard to walk past the wild wing on this thing.

1978 Studebaker Avanti

Sold: $10,500
Mecum, Portland

Definitely a conversation-starter at any show, the Studebaker Avanti has a small but very dedicated international following.

The fibreglass body was punted along by a 289, which you could order with a supercharger – more than enough to give it very respectable performance.

This car appears to have been repowered at some stage, listing a 350 – presumably a Chev crate motor. A lot of car for the money.

ONE TO WATCH...

Porsche 944 Turbo S

After the dud 924, Porsche regrouped and gave us the 944 which was better in every way.

Built from 1982 to ’91 the 944-lineup included a coupe, a cabriolet, turbo and an S2 and prior to the arrival of the Boxster, was the brand's biggest ever seller.

Of them all the 944 Turbo S is the pick. With 186kW/350Nm, it would shoot to 100km/h in 5.5 sec and a 261km/h top speed.

The suspension could be ordered with adjustable Koni shocks and adjustable front ride height. It rode on 16-inch rims and had 928 S4 front brakes and Brembo calipers. From 1989 the ‘S’ was dropped, but the Turbo continued with the ‘S’ spec.

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