Lotus Europa JPS + Citroen 2CV 4x4 Sahara + HX Holden panel van - Auction Action 465 2

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 15.05.2022

The auction world is full of surprises, with big sales and the odd bargain. Here are some of the highlights

1974 Lotus Europa John Player Special

Sold: $59,000
Silverstone Auctions

Finished in the black and gold hues of John Player Special, the Lotus F1 sponsor at the time, this Europa is fitted with the big valve twin-cam engine. It was the epitome of Europas and the last hurrah for the model. This one has been driven 79,804 miles and given a major resto in 2006. It went to its new owner with a detailed history file of the resto and and invoices etc.

1977 Holden Sandman HX Panel Van

Sold: $110,000
Grays

The panel van phenomenon may have come and gone but that hasn’t dented their collectability or desirability. Maybe its old owners in search of an early love...and we mean the car. This beaut-looking HX Sandman was totally restored in 2020 and had a 355ci stroker and Tremec 6-speed manual bolted into it. It has aircon, new wiring and brake lines, a vintage radio for blasting out 70s tunes and rolls on 15-inch GTS-style wheels.

2015 Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage

Sold: $150,000
Collecting Cars

Daktari! That's what we affectionately called our old Landie. But it wasn’t an exceptional one like this Defender 90 Heritage model with just 186 kilometres on the clock. Behind the lights is a 2.2-litre diesel and six speed manual. Despite going virtually nowhere the owner had it serviced each year. Painted Grassmere Green with almond cloth seats, steelies and a heritage grille for a 1940s look. Question is will the new owner get it dirty?

1964 Citroen 2CV 4x4 Sahara

Sold: $122,000
RM Sothebys Open Roasd Auction

Just 694 2CV Saharas were made and they are powered by not one but two 425cc engines with a combined 24 horsepower. The engines could be operated together or independently making it a front, rear or all wheel drive, it was built in Portugal late 1964. Finished in two-tone blue it sold with an homologation certificate, ownership history and restoration photographs.

Auction watch: What's movin' and shakin'

Holden VU ute

Holden’s first new ute of the 21st century, the VU range launched at the time of the VX Commodore series. Based on the wagon/ Statesman wheelbase for greater cargo area. Open the doors and it was like a Commodore inside. You could get it with a V6 or V8, badged S or SS with a five-speed manual or four-speed auto. If you are really lucky you might be able to snaffle a limited edition "SS Fifty" of which only 500 were made. All wore a black exterior with a chrome sportsbar and partial leather interior with a good measure of "hyper yellow" accents. Under the bonnet was a black-and-yellow engine cover.

From Unique Cars #465, April 2022

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