Tucker Fastback Sedan #48 + Porsche 959 + Jensen Interceptor - Auction Action 411

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 25.03.2018

Part two of our recent auction highlights from around the world

1948 Tucker Fastback Sedan #48

Sold: $2.3M
Sothebys Auctions Arizona

There’s rare and there’s rare. And this is the latter. The Tucker Car Company, established by Preston Tucker lasted just over a year (1947-48) and only built 51 cars.

Imagine snapping up Tucker #48 that was the personal transport of old Preston himself. Priceless. Before Tucker got behind the wheel, this one was used for high-speed testing and chassis development at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1974 Jensen Interceptor

Passed in: $40,000
Lloyds Auctions

These pommy luxo 2+2 sportsters were hideously expensive and hideously unreliable. As a child I recall standing at the side of the road while our family Interceptor coughed up its innards…. And not just once. But they look the business and have massive road presence. That fishbowl rear window, long bonnet and plenty of urge from its 7.2-litre V8 donk. Magic. This Aussie-delivered Mk 3 has been with the one owner since 1984, has undergone a recent freshen up and comes with workshop logbooks.

1987 Porsche 959 Komfort

Sold: $1.48M
Sothebys Auctions Arizona

The twin-turbo 959 was the world’s fastest street-legal and most technically advanced production car with a top speed of 317km/h. The Porsche 959 started life as a rally car before the road going version was commissioned and this superb example has only travelled 14,300km since new. Before being legalised for American roads it spent time in Japan (again barely driven), and was sold with books, tools and service manual.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

Sold: $1.38M
Sothebys Auctions Arizona

Classic Benz ragtops like the 300 SL Roadster are sexy and sought after and available for a fraction of a gullwing price, which shares the same engine. This example is one of 544 produced in 1957 and has undergone a body-off nut and bolt resto. It is finished in the signature Benz combo of silver coachwork, red leather interior, knock-off chrome wheels and a black softop. It even came with tailored luggage.

What's moving and shaking:

Peugeot 205 GTi

When the Peugeot 205 GTI arrived in Australia in 1987 it caused a sensation.

A small front-drive hatch with stiffened suspension, a gruntier 1.9-litre engine, 5-speed manual gearbox, bigger wheels and a body kit.

Although it was well specced, it missed out on power steering as the engineers couldn’t configure both air-con and power steering when they converted it to RHD. This resulted in heavy steering, but it did handle like a go kart.

By 1991 it got both air con and power steer, and more grunt. This is the one to buy.

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here