Five collector cars to buy at Shannons’ Melbourne Autumn auction
With 43 cars seeking new homes, 21 of them with No Reserve, you’re bound to find something you like
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Five collector cars to buy at Shannons’ Melbourne Autumn auction
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Shannons first auction of the year takes place in a matter of days, taking place in Sydney on Monday February 17. The Sydney sale has a focus on rare and collectible licence plates, but their first Melbourne auction of the 2020 calendar takes place just weeks later, on March 2, with 43 cars in search of loving new homes.
There’s something for everyone, from small British Austin-Healeys to a larger-than-life ex-military Unimog. With 21 lots up for No Reserve, there’s also something for every budget.
Here’s five cars we’d be keeping our eyes on.
You can also view all available lots at Shannons.com.au
*= No Reserve Lot
Lot 10 – 1988 Mazda RX-7 FC Series 4 Convertible – *Guiding Range: $15,000-$20,000
The FC-generation RX-7 hasn’t quite captured the collector interest of earlier Mazda rotaries, but is surely one to watch in the future as modern classic Japanese sports cars, and 80s-wedged wonders continue to gain in collectability amongst the younger generations.
The FC borrowed its styling heavily from the Porsche 944, and was an incredibly sophisticated car for its time with its fuel-injected rotary 13B engine, independent rear suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.
Just 50 examples of the convertible were Australian-delivered and this one looks to be one of those near-unrepeatable prospects as a genuine one-owner low-mileage (98,641kms!) car in completely original and unmodified condition.
This one is finished in white with black soft-top, over blue velour cloth interior, and presents virtually as-new.
The sale also includes the original owner’s manual and warranty books, encased within the original factory folder.
Lot 11 – 1986 BMW E28 M535i ‘Manual’ – Guiding Range: $18,000-$22,000
BMW’s E28 5-series heralded in a new era of sports sedans, mostly thanks to the M5 hero car which lifted its engine straight out of the M1 supercar. It was the car that is widely credited as inventing the fast saloon movement.
But while the big M5s are incredibly rare, and have long been priced out of reach for the average enthusiast; the top-spec production model M535i presents a future-proof , but still as of yet affordable, proposition for the German car enthusiast.
The M535i took the range-topping and luxuriously appointed 535i (and its silky straight-six 3.5lt M30 engine), and added a close-ratio five-speed dog ‘box, M-Technic suspension, LSD, sports wheels and a factory body kit.
This desirable Zinnoberrot Red over cream leather 1986 M535i looks like the one to buy.
It’s recently had $17,000 spent on its refurbishment and is being reluctantly sold by the vendor due to health reasons.
The car comes with extensive history and documentation, and has enjoyed extensive mechanical work and minor rust-removal in 2018.
It’s an incredibly attractive buy indeed.
Lot 57 – 1961 Chevrolet Parkwood V8 Wagon (LHD) – Guiding Range: $35,000-$40,000
Between 1959 and 1961, Chevrolet’s Bel Air station wagon counterpart was badged separately as the ‘Parkwood’, housing three rows in its final year of production with seating for nine people!
The 235ci six or the 283ci V8 came as standard, although there was a big 348ci V8 available in the options list.
This car comes from a large local American car collection, and is possibly the only example of its kind in the country. It’s mostly original throughout but boasts a retrofitted 383ci V8 under the bonnet coupled to a Turbo 700 four-speed auto.
It’s also been subtly lowered, with a Grant-style wood steering wheel and extra under-dash gauges inside the cabin.
The big Parkwood wagon is an incredibly unique vehicle on Aussie roads, and offers road-tripping fun for the entire tribe!
Lot 78 – 1972 Holden HQ Monaro 202 Coupe – Guiding Range: $40,000-$48,000
The HQ Monaro coupe is regarded by many as a particular highpoint amongst the local Lion’s storied back-catalogue.
It’s one of the most beautiful Holdens ever, the first full-size Aussie built atop a perimeter chassis, with new and improved coil-sprung suspension and greater passive safety.
The top of the wishlist is the 350ci Chev-powered GTS350. This one occupies the opposite side of the spectrum however, unusually specified with the base 202ci six-cylinder and three-speed Trimatic auto.
It’s no normal bargain Monaro though, as it was special-ordered with the up-spec LS interior; finished in Blackwatch Green metallic and cornered now by a set of GTS wheels.
The paint has been freshened up in recent times, and the interior is in pretty good nick overall – though is starting to show its age with missing door lock button tops and slight patina from age.
It may not be the halo GTS350, but it’s certainly not priced like one either. And to some, may even be considered more interesting at their local cars & coffee.
Lot 81 – Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback (RHD) – Guiding Range: $140,000-$155,000
The penultimate lot of the night shall see this incredibly desirable and collectible 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback go under the hammer.
It’s an incredibly well-known vehicle in local motorsport and mustang circles, coming from long-term ownership that has spared no expense in maintaining the car and using it in historic racing and club sprint days.
It’s not a concours example, but provides a great base for one; or you can just continue racing it!
The car’s local history begins with its discovery in a Western Australian warehouse, after which it promptly received a full restoration; including bare-metal repaint (in original colours), right-hand drive conversion, stiffer suspension and disc brakes for its intended competition use.
Over the owner’s past 20 years with the car, they have sourced a correctly date-coded 302ci block which has been stroked to 347ci and is supported by Dart heads and roller rockers, high-capacity Cobra sump, ceramic-coated extractors with stainless steel exhaust. The hot-rodded motor is coupled to a new T5 five-speed manual transmission, but the original four-speed Top-Loader will accompany the car with the sale.
The car is listed on the Shelby American registry and comes with Deluxe Marti Report, as well as original owner’s handbook and a large cache of paperwork and documentation.
Stay tuned at tradeuniquecars.com.au for more auction news and up-to-date results!
Classic Australian Family Car Value Guide home page
Muscle Car Value Guide home page
Japanese Classic Car Value Guide home page
Unique Cars magazine Value Guides
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