Recent auction highlights from around the country...
1972 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1
Sold: $183,000
Shannons
Early seventies Holden’s boasted wild hues and clever names, none more so than Strike Me Pink. While it mightn’t be to everyone’s taste, owning the first production model of that colour had bidders in a frenzy. Early in its life this one was raced and in 1993 put in storage until 2017.
While it has been largely returned to its original spec some race parts, including a more potent 202ci engine remain. The LJ XU1 got a bigger, more powerful engine than the LC model, along with heavy duty springs, revised cam, a new diff ratio allowing it to touch 225km/h down Conrod Straight. Wet weather and Peter Brock’s magic wheel work got the Bathurst crown in 1972 ensuring the LJ XU1 became steeped in Aussie folklore and it sold accordingly.
1976 Mazda 808 manual sedan
Sold: $16,609
Graysonline
Issue 426’s Japanese Value Guide showed the upward price of small 70s Mazdas. This original and unmolested 808 sedan, the luxoburger of the range, doesn’t have a rotary shoehorned into it. Instead there is a conventional four with four-speed manual, so it’s considerably more affordable. Alloy wheels sprout from each corner, it has aircon, leather pews and CD player. The clock shows a mere 98,698 miles and if you wanted a project car this would have been a good start.
| 2019 Market review: Mazda 808/1500/Capella/RX-2/RX-3
1988 Jaguar XJS V12 coupe
Sold: $17,000
Shannons
I pity the designers of the Jaguar XJS. No matter how good their creative juices it will always play second fiddle to the E-Type that it replaced. Right now the XJS is a bargain buy but prices won’t stay low for ever. This grey metallic Series II with matching grey leather trim is a gem, its looks enhanced by factory alloy wheels. Built in the latter half of the second generation’s production life, its Bathurst winning and race proven 285hp, 5.3-litre V12 accounts for its long bonnet. Inside some of the chrome and wood of earlier models has gone but there’s still enough timber to satisfy Jaguar purists.
| Buyer’s guide: Jaguar XJS 1975-1996
1990 Holden HDT VN Aero Series II
Sold: $42,209
Graysonline
After the split between Peter Brock and Holden, HDT became a boutique car builder. One of iys first efforts was the Aero. This is number 53 with matching numbers and appears to be tidy throughout. Its 5-litre V8 is bolted to an auto for effortless motoring and it has only travelled 154,944 kms according to the clock, with partial service history.
1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 SE coupe
Sold: $49,809
Graysonline
This one-owner six-cylinder coupe was Australian delivered in 1966 and has travelled just 87,118 kilometres since rolling off the production line. Its maroon paintwork and black leather trim are in excellent condition for its age and it comes with an owner manual and service history. At 53 years old it still turns heads. An enchanting weekend cruiser.
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