The auction world is full of surprises, with ever changing values, along with the occasional bargain. Here are some of the highlights, presented by Donington Auctions
1998 Toyota Supra Turbo
Sold: $180,000
Mecum, LOT s288
Turbo Supra values have leapt in recent years and this one-owner example is in original unmolested condition, save for the aftermarket stereo with navigation, while its original cassette stereo is included. The twin-turbo six had loads of oomph and this one is tied to a six-speed manual. Keeping it in check are ABS brakes. Enabling it to swiftly navigate bends is the independent suspension, while making long hauls less tedious,
is the cruise control.
1974 Citroen SM
SOLD: A$64,700
Gooding & Company, LOT 17
Developed after the Citroën-Maserati merger in 1968, the SM featured Citroën’s front-drive chassis and hydropneumatic suspension, with power from a quad-cam Maserati V6. Just 12,920 were produced. This one was sold new to an Australian in Amsterdam. The third owner had the engine replaced and it was repainted. Since 2013, it has been in the Mullin collection.
2016 Holden HSV Senator Signature Gen-F2 Auto
SOLD: $63,000
Burns & Co, lot 47
Like Rembrandts, they don’t make HSVs anymore. This Senator Signature Gen-F2 has a 6.2-litre, supercharged alloy V8 pumping out 410kW of power and 691Nm of torque. This one is paired with an auto gearbox and has travelled 45,800km. It’s painted Prussian Steel with a black interior and wears build number 0178. Like a fine red, these very special cars make a fabulous daily driver or tuck it away in the shed for future fun or investment.
1969 AMC AMX 390 4-Speed
SOLD: $46,300
Bring a Trailer
When Trans-Am racing was big, the AMX Javelin was one of the prime contenders. This one has travelled 40,000 miles and under the bonnet is a 390ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual. It was recently repainted blue with white stripes and has been given a freshen up mechanically. The interior sports saddle vinyl and it has a Hurst shifter, body-colour bumpers and dual exhausts. Other extras include faux bonnet vents, AMX and 390 badging.
ON THE BLOCK: 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante to Vantage Specification*
ESTIMATE: £550,000 – £650,000
Iconic Auctioneers London Concours Sale
iconicauctioneers.com
This is one of a mere 38 second-generation DB6 Volantes. The DB6 was the first Aston to wear the famed ‘Volante’ name as a soft top and its final swansong was the Mk2. Distinguishable by its flared wheel arches and DBS wheels, one was allocated to Queen Elizabeth who gave it to Prince Charles on his 21st birthday.
This example left the factory in June 1970, with options including; auto gearbox, front seat belts, Fiamm air-horns and seven pints of antifreeze. In the early 1980s, Aston Martin works upgraded the engine to ‘Vantage-specification’ and ditched the auto for a five-speed manual. The current mileage is just under 54,000.
1984 Citroen 2CV France 3
SOLD: $37,500
Gooding & Company, LOT 1
The French ‘peoples car’, the 2CV was made from 1948 to 1990. This limited-edition was produced to honour the French entry, ‘France 3’ in the America’s Cup. In all 2000 examples were made and this one features the nautical-themed livery. It has a 602cc air-cooled engine and four-speed manual gearbox with dashboard gearshift lever. It also has Citroën’s sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension.
1973 Ford Capri MK1 Super Speed V8
SOLD: $64,000
Classic Car Auctions, lot 110
This is the only Capri V8 RS70 conversion by Super Speed of Essex, and it has now been restored. Based on a 1973 GXL, over the years it has been refurbished with new parts. Since the rebuild, the engine has done under 1000 miles and bolted to it is a Tremec TKO gearbox. It also has front-adjustable coil-overs on Bilstein struts, rear single-leaf springs, adjustable shocks and it has been lowered by two inches all ‘round.
1963 Holden EJ Special Wagon
SOLD: $24,400
Burns & Co, Lot 12
Before SUVs, wagons were the default as family haulers. In 1963, Holden launched the EJ. Here we have a Special, with a 138ci grey motor and three on-the-tree. It is painted Yellow Atherton with a white roof, and a Harlequin & Curio Green with Feathertop Grey cabin. The resto is to a high standard inside, out and under. A beaut addition or the start of a collection, it is ideal for Sunday drives with the family.
2006 Mini Cooper S JCW GP
SOLD: $31,000
Collecting Cars
Only 2000 of the lightweight, high-performance JCW GPs were made. This is number 1716. It has a 1.6-litre supercharged inline-four, with a six-speed manual, is front-wheel drive and has an LSD. It was imported from Japan and thought to be one of three in Australia. There is no rear seat, just a pair of Recaros up front. It has aero aids sprouting everywhere. Thunder Blue Metallic is the paint colour and it rides on 18-inch alloys. It sold with an owner’s pack, Japanese service history, a collection of supporting documentation, two keys, tools and 157,000km on the clock.
1983 Toyota Celica XT
SOLD: $23,500
Chicane Auctions, lot 1024
It’s amazing how some mediocre models become classic heroes. Like this ’83 XT Celica, an Aussie special. It has retractable headlights, a redesigned grille, revised tail-lights, and independent rear suspension underneath, which was only offered in Australia during late 1983–84. In original condition, this three-owner car has 89,324km on the clock and sold with complete service books and history. A collectable at an affordable price.
2010 Holden Commodore VE SS
SOLD: $29,350
Collecting Cars
Utes are sought after these days and none more than the VE SS. With a naturally aspirated 6.2lt V8 and six-speed gearbox, it is ideal for long cruises or enthusiastic runs along winding roads. A two-owner example that was garaged for four years, it comes with a stamped service book. The Heron White with Onyx black, cloth cabin SS has been driven just 19,925km. It rides on 18-inch alloys and is very luxurious and lavishly decked out for a workhorse.
2009 Alfa Romeo Brera S-V6 Prodrive
SOLD: $16,000
Classic Car Auctions, lot 140
This is one of 500 of the Prodrive-developed, UK only Alfa Romeo Brera coupes. Alfa GB wanted its coupe to have more zip. Enter David Richard’s Prodrive organisation. Changes included ditching the four-wheel drive system for front drive, lowered suspension, a weight saving of 100kg and bespoke 19-inch rims. This one, in signature Rosso Alfa with black leather has the 3195cc 24-valve V6. A three-owner car, with the vendor adding 60,000 miles in his ownership and $9500 spent in recent maintenance.
1985 BMW M635 CSI
SOLD: $8,050
Brightwell Auctions, Lot 43
You got a lot of car for your money here. It’s one of 524 made in right-hand drive, Alpine white in colour and shows 131,000km on the odo. It came with a decent service history and has just come out of 22 years of storage. Powering it is the iconic 3.5lt 24-valve straight-six and behind it, a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox and limited slip diff. This one also boasts an M-Technic body-kit and uprated brakes.
1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe By Singer
SOLD: $1.4 million
Bring a Trailer
Founded by former Catherine Wheel front man Rob Dickinson in 2009, Los Angeles-based Singer Vehicle Design customises the 964 Series of the Porsche 911. This Carrera 2 is one of the first 15 modified by the company. Blue with a custom red leather interior, it has a Cosworth-developed 3.8lt flat-six driving the rear wheels via a close-ratio six-speed manual. It has carbon-fibre body panels and 17-inch Fuchs aluminium wheels.
1981 Lotus Elite S2.2 (Type 83)
SOLD: $30,000
Classic Car Auctions, Lot 178
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Only 11 Elites are registered in the UK of the 133 built. This one underwent a resto in the ’90s, with another freshen up in 2022. The chassis is rust free, the fibreglass body painted Championship Gold and it has a cream leather interior. The mileage is 80,500 supported by a plethora of historic paperwork. Powering the lightweight Lotus is a 2.2lt twin-cam engine with twin Dell Orto carbs. Getting the drive to the rear is a 5-speed Getrag gearbox.
1977 Holden Torana A9X Sedan
SOLD: $230,000
Chicane Auctions, Lot 1027
The A9X was one Holden’s most successful touring cars. The regs at the time meant manufacturers had to make road-legal versions of their racers. Some 305 A9X sedans were made. This sedan is well-known and documented from new, retaining its original dealer books and vehicle identification certificate. It has been driven just 105,431km.
2001 Mazda RX-7 Series 8 Type RS
SOLD: $53,750
Collecting Cars
The Series 8 Mazda RX-7 RS is a JDM model, powered by a 13B twin-turbocharged rotary engine with power sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. This one has covered a mere 1000km since a major engine overhaul costing $15,000. The vendor has covered 3000km in the past three years and it has lived in an air-conditioned room as part of a collection. Showing 71,800km, the RS featured significant upgrades over the standard model.
