1979 Plymouth AAR Cuda + 1974 Ford Escort MK1 + 1980 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - AUCTION ACTION

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 08.02.2024

The auction world is full of surprises, with ever changing values, along with the occasional bargain. Here are some of the highlights

1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 

Sold: $128,138

Mecum, LOT S145

IN CASE you had forgotten, here is living proof that American muscle cars are often fantastic bang for the buck when compared to our local legends.

Plymouth's AAR Cuda was built as a special edition as part of Chrysler's commitment to a Trans Am series and 2724 were built. This fully-restored example runs the 290hp 340ci V8 matched to a 727 three-speed auto.

Get the bonnet properly aligned and you've got a good deal.

1974 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico

Sold: $76,625

Collecting Cars, LOT 185

Small-Ford fans were clamouring for this gem. A rare, original, one-owner Mk1 Escort Mexico that has been partially restored after long-term hibernation. An engine rebuild of the 85hp, 1.6lt four was undertaken at 112,000 miles, in 1989, and it’s believed to have travelled 22,000 miles since.

Painted Modena Green with black vinyl trim, it features the signature six-gauge dash and RS steering wheel. It went out the door with the original handbooks, all invoices and vehicle history.

1984 Ford Capri 2.0 S MKIII

Sold: $75,623

Brightwells, LOT 20

A super rare find. This Mk III Capri is from a private collection and shows just 1938 miles from new. It was garaged by its first owner for 30 years and the blurb claims it to be as close to a new Capri 2.0 S as you will find.

The backstory is the first owner took it with 86 miles on the clock and believed it was a demonstrator. To him, it wasn’t clean enough or of high enough build quality, to match his expectations. Long story short, after arguing with Ford, he refused to use the car anymore, so after just 598 miles he parked it in his shed until his passing 30 years later. 

1980 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Sold: $20,773

Hagerty Online

When it comes to style, you can’t beat the Italians. And this beauty is also affordable. The Fiat 124 Spider was penned by Pininfarina and still looks seductive 43 years on. Over time, many upgrades were made with later cars like this one featuring a fuel-injected 2.0-litre four and in this case, a rare auto transmission. The 124 Spider was the last Fiat model sold in the United States before it revived the nameplate in 2016.

ON THE BLOCK: 1975 Holden HJ Kingswood SL Vacationer II sedan

Donington Auctions Summer Classic Car & Number Plate Auction

Guiding Range: $25,000 - $30,000

When was the last time you saw a Holden Vacationer, let alone a one-family-owned example?  The Vacationer II wears two-tone paint and has an auto gearbox and other goodies. A parts bin special, the Vacationer started with the HQ Series and carried through to the mid-1980s Commodores.

It was offered annually, just around holiday time. An original survivor, this Vacationer has been with the one family since new, in 1975. The first owner kept it until 2007, then sold it to his nephew, the vendor. It shows 200,181km and has been garaged all its life. Under the bonnet is the original 202ci six-cylinder, mated to the three-speed auto which came standard with the Vacationer pack.

2004 Chevrolet SSR

Sold: $35,482

Hagerty online 

Wanna stand out in a crowd? If so, you should’ve grabbed this. The Chevy SSR roadster pickup. The General made sure the production version mirrored the wild concept with 1950s hotrod styling, bulging guards, and a power retractable hardtop. Add to that a 300hp 5.3-litre V8 engine, giving it serious grunt. Production lasted just four years. It's no surprise these are sought after now. 

1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

Sold: $235,182

Hemmings Auctions

if you have to own a Caddy, why not go for the top of the range? A premium car of this vintage brings back a time we're unlikely to ever see again, when Cadillac and others were reaching heights of post-war flamboyance. As you might expect, this example with its 390 V8 has been treated to a full restoration – in this case about a decade ago – and is reported to have had a fussy owner since then. It went for strong money, but that's where the market is and restoring another would cost a fortune.

1978 Ford LTD 351

Sold: $26,000

Burns & Co, LOT 41

Ford’s answer to the Statesman was the LTD. Bigger than a Fairlane and more opulent, they shuffled pollies, business heads and VIPs around in the countryside in the ’70s. This three-owner example was a Ford Dealer’s personal car. Before that, it ferried Edsel Ford to the final round of the Aussie Rally Championships in its year of production. Up front is a 351ci V8, paired with a three-speed auto.

1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GT

Sold: $227,031

Collecting Cars

The 924 Carrera GT is a limited-edition, homologation special. In reality, a race-based road car of which 400 were made, including 75 right-hookers. Grunt is courtesy of a turbo 2.0lt four with 210hp and drive is to the rear wheels, via a dog-leg five-speed manual transaxle gearbox. The Carrera GT is easily recognised with its offset bonnet scoop, flared guards, large rubber rear-spoiler and flush-fit windscreen. This one sold with its history and service files dating back to 1984.

2001 Honda S2000

Sold: $73,500

Collecting Cars

In 1999, Honda launched the S2000 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The two-seater revolutionised the way sports cars were made, resulting in one of the most thrilling driver's cars of the era. Here we have an Australian-delivered example. Driving the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual, is a high-revving 2.0L inline-four with VTEC, producing 177kW. The odometer shows 38,911km. An opportunity to add a fantastic car to any Japanese collection or as an exciting weekend toy or fair-weather cruiser.   

1971 Volkwagen Beetle

Sold: $10,500

Burns & Co, LOT 42

Built August 1971, this Beetle has had the one owner for over 25 years, and been garaged and well cared for most of its life. The engine was rebuilt around 10 years ago and it needs a bit of time spent on the body, with a couple of rust spots poking through. Overall, a pretty good example and no, we don’t know if GT was the buyer! 

1972 Holden Torana LJ GTR-XU1

Sold: $145,750

Collecting Cars

This stunning LJ GTR-XU1 was in the vendor’s hands for 17 years, and eight years ago the hot Holden underwent a nut-and-bolt resto. It’s powered by the iconic 202ci six with triple carbs and a four-speed box. The LJ GTR XU-1 is famous for propelling a boyish Peter Brock to his first Bathurst crown in 1972. This one was built May 1972, but at some stage in its life it was nicked before the NSW cops recovered it.

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe

Sold: $45,177

Bring a Trailer

Built as a six-cylinder in Atlanta, Georgia in ’66, this Chevelle Malibu now sports an over-bored 454ci V8, TH350 three-speed auto, a 12-bolt rear axle and a 3.55:1 diff. Glance at the throttle and it’ll chuck you at the horizon. After a year of ownership and repairing the fuel gauge, installing front disc brakes, replacing the suspension and master cylinder, the vendor decided it was time to move it on. The blue with blue and red pinstriping has blue vinyl upholstery, 15-inch rally wheels, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo. 

1973 Jensen Interceptor MKIII

No Sale

Passed in Brightwells Auctions, LOT 35

American muscle, Italian styling and British workmanship were chucked in a blender and out popped the Jensen Interceptor. It was a hit with the A-listers of high society. Only 5620 were made and this one was with the current (deceased) owner for 42 years and lightly restored in 1989. It has always been garaged (and stored for the past six years) and shows 49,800 miles. Overall, an original example ready to be brought back to its glory days.

1998 Honda Integra DC2 Type-R

Sold: $29,790

Classic Cars, LOT 140

The DC-2 Type R is the holy grail of Integras and this one-owner car has done a mere 46,000 miles. Featuring thinner windscreen glass, lighter alloy wheels, a titanium gear knob, the DC2 Type R is stripped of a sunroof, air-con, sound-deadening, cruise control and rear wiper, found on the standard Integra. Power is from Honda’s B18C 1.8lt inline-four with 187bhp output at the front wheels, through a 5-speed manual ’box.

2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Sold: $171,725

Bonhams Abu Dhabi

Where else but the Middle East would you expect to stumble on a Roller looking like this? This Centenary edition is one of 35 and has done only 451km. The Phantom was the first all-new Rolls under BMW ownership and this has been a static display in a private collection. It has a 6.7lt V12 with 460bhp, a six-speed auto and auto-levelling air suspension. It’s in need of some recommissioning, before it hits the road.

ON THE BLOCK: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88

Mecum Kissimmee LOT S168 Auction 2024

Guiding Range: USD$3.4-$3.6M

This is one of the rarest of all ’Vettes. It’s the only known, Rally-Red on-Red 1967 L88, and one of 20 made for 1967 model year. Under its long bonnet rests a 427ci L88 V8 and behind it, a Muncie M22 4-speed manual. It’s a hugely decorated Corvette with a swag of Bloomington gongs.

From Unique Cars #487, Jan 2024

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

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