Five collector cars to buy at Shannons’ Sydney Winter auction

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 06.08.2019

Something for everyone at Shannons’ next classic car sale!

Shannons’ next seasonal classic auction lands in Sydney this month, with 26 cars amongst the various collectibles crossing the block on August 26.

There’s something for everyone, with classics from all origins up for grabs; local homegrown heroes, Italian and British blue-chips, a dose of 60s Americana and even a late-model Japanese modern classic in the mix.

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Have a browse at all there is to offer at Shannons.com.au, and read on for a spotlight of five cars that we would love to take home!

*=No Reserve Lot

Lot 7 – 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280CE Coupe – *Guiding Range: $7,000-$12,000

We’ve noticed that this era of handsome Benz coupes and saloons are really coming into their own on the collector radar in recent times.

And for good reason too! They’ve been mostly affordable on the used car market as traditionally it’s been the elders in their lineage that have previously attracted much of the collector interest. But as older models continue to appreciate and get priced out of reach – the discerning buyer might be smart to step into one of these ‘youngtimers’ while they’re cheap.

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This handsome 280CE coupe is an Australian-delivered example with the 2.8lt inline-six and four-speed auto. It’s been loved and driven sparingly over the past decade and has had a recent brake overhaul. If we were to nab it within the Guiding Range, we’d be pretty happy!

Lot 10 – 1997 BMW E36 M3 ‘Manual’ - *Guiding Range: $26,000-$32,000

Here’s another car that’s – until now – been relatively unloved compared to the rest of its extremely storied lineage. Of course it’s older brother, the E30, was always going to be a hard act to follow, but the E36 was in fact a sublime chassis.

It’s also marked the first time that the M3 gained its almost synonymous inline-six. Originally, a 3.0lt 24v unit, but a facelift in 1995 saw the engine bored out to 3.2lts.

E36 M3s are already beginning to bolster in the face of its more acclaimed sibling, the E46, which has always commanded more of a premium.

This example; in manual, desirable Dakar Yellow with rare LTW wing and meticulously maintained – would be the most desirable combos you could get!

Lot 40 – 1974 Ford XB Falcon 500 Hardtop – *Guiding Range: $35,000-$45,000

Everyone loves an X-series Falcon hardtop! But decades past saw them cheap and hard to move. Those that weren’t turned into GT mockups probably rusted away. Not many people thought to keep the more pedestrian models around, especially not a six.

But these days they’re a rarity! And people are rearing to get back into the family cars we grew up in.

This XB 500 comes from 30 years of ownership and presents in exceedingly original condition throughout – down to the factory radio, high-comp 250ci six and three-speed auto. The car is largely untouched but received a 2pak respray about a decade ago, in original Yellow Blaze, with GS Stripes added.

This is a true-blue survivor with an amazing odometer reading just 90,740kms!

Lot 43 – 1967 Jaguar E-type 4.2 Series I – Guiding Range: $145,000-$165,000

At the top end of the Sydney Winter auction is a very desirable 1967 Series I fixed-head E-type Jaguar. Collectors love this configuration for the Series I’s softer and ostensibly more beautiful styling, but the torqier 4.2lt inline-six and synchro gearbox.

It’s been extremely well cared for over its past owners, with a ground up restoration taking place from 2002 to around 2010, with the succeeding and current owner spending a further $15,000 with Jaguar specialists further honing with period-correct air-conditioning and correcting various bits of trim and electrical gremlins.

Today it presents immaculately and in matching numbers condition. It’s a blue-chip classic with international appeal – and one of the best sunny day cruisers you can get.

Lot  55 – 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spyder – Guiding Range: $150,000-$175,000

This is a serious rarity. It was born from Enzo Ferrari’s desire to compete in Formula 2 in the mid-60s, and tied in with Fiat to build 500 cars in order to homologate his highly-strung V6. 

That same V6 in this rare Dino spyder can be found under the rear hatch of a Ferrari Dino 246. In fact, the two models went down the Maranello production line together, and trimmed by Pininfarina. The Fiat Dino Spyder 2.4 bears a coil sprung rear end, ZF five-speed gearbox and triple Webers above its Tipo V6.

With just 424 made, it’s also the rarest – and most valuable - production Fiat ever made.

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