Auction watch: survivor HQ GTS 350, 1961 Pontiac Bonneville, ‘59 Cadillac and more

By: Jack Houlihan

Date: 14.04.2022

There’s some gorgeous original, restored, and modified classics going under the hammer this weekend.

Seven82 Motors is rapidly shaping up as a great source of cool metal, and the auction house’s Easter catalogue is no exception. Read on for some of our favourite cars up for sale on the site right now:

Here’s a two-owner 1973 HQ GTS 350 Monaro sedan in unrestored condition. It’s said to have lived undercover on the Gold Coast for almost 30 years, having last seen registration in 1993. 

It’s finished in the Tangerine with Lone O’Ranger stripes, with a black and Herringbone interior - though the front seats have been changed at some point.

The citrus-flavoured Quey is ripe for restoration, but deep down we’d love to see it back on the road in survivor condition!

Going toe-to-toe with the HQ GTS in 1973 was the XA GT. The JG33-tagged Wild Plum car hides a 454-cube small block stroker, pushing out a huge 900hp.

For those that prefer life low and slow, the 1959 Cadillac is arguably one of the most iconic shapes to come from the marque. This car runs a 390 V8 and Hydra-Matic four-speed auto, with AccuAir suspension on each corner. 

Though it’s an older resto, it’s said to be in respectable condition with good body and paint.  

On the topic of lasting icons, this 1956 Kombi is high on the list. Originally an 11-window Samba, it’s been rebuilt as a  23-window Samba Deluxe. The van has reputedly covered just 1000kms since its professional ground-up restoration. 

There’s a UK-sourced 1641cc flat four in the back, mated to a four-speed manual. Rack and pinion steering and disc brakes  

This 440ci Clevor-powered XY dominated the cover of Street Machine back in 2019, and now it’s up for grabs. The solid-cammed engine was built by TOCA Performance, and is good for 800hp in aspirated form. 

There’s RRS gear under the front, with rack and pinion steering and a McDonald Bros four-link rear. 

Prefer some more American flavour? This stylish ‘61 Pontiac Bonneville is one to watch. The big pillarless hardtop runs its factory-optioned 389ci Pontiac V8 matched to an auto ‘box, and has been living south of the equator since 2013.

Bench seating for six plus power steering and brakes make for a cool left-hook cruiser. It’s described as having received new paintwork in the last 18 months, while the 389 copped a freshen-up around the same time.

This HK GTS is another street machiner’s dream, with a stonking twin-turbo 427ci LSX providing motivation. It also boasts Bilstein coil-overs all ’round, four-wheel AP Racing disc brakes, and a custom interior.

Out back are chunky 305-wide 17in Mickey Thompson radials. It’s a killer ride, mixing old-world looks with modern power.   

The modified hotties just keep coming, including this 427-powered XY Falcon that’s been dressed as an XW. 

Blueprint Engines screwed the stroker mill together using heaps of quality gear. Body mods abound too, with a shaved engine bay and boot panel, fuel filler delete, and custom centre-exit exhaust arrangement. RRS steering gear means it should track and corner marvellously. 

Boxy ‘80s Falcons have become a proper hot-ticket item over the last few years, and they don’t come much better than this XE. 

It packs a Jason Mansweto-built 406 Clevo spitting out 672hp, with plenty of ESP-style gear to be found inside and out. There’s even a set of period-look Recaros up front!

It wouldn’t be a decent auction without a few killer parts-haulers, and Seven82 has them in spades. Check out this 1977 Chevy G10 van, with a 350 Chev, carpeted rear section, and even cruise control. 

If you’d rather a tub, there’s a patina-clad, long-bed C10. Under the bonnet is a baby 283-cube Chev, which has reportedly done no more than a few thousand kilometres since a rebuild. 

Ford fanatics haven’t been forgotten, either, thanks to this right-hand-drive 1973 F100. The running gear is all AU XR8, meaning there’s an injected Windsor and four-speed inside. Certified as an ICV (Individually Constructed Vehicle) in 2020, mod cons include power steering, power windows, a/c, and even ABS braking. 

You’ll find these cars and a heap more on the Seven82 Motors website. Bidding wraps up on Tuesday night.

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